Thoughts For Thursday...

Okay, this is going to be one of those "Indiana" days when it comes to our forecast.
Sure,it looks okay NOW (getting cloudy out there) , but by midday, we'll be looking at some showers, and later on by early evening, we'll dry out and might even get a sunset.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us all the aforementioned, with increasing cloudiness with temps rising to around 82 degrees (and it will be feeling a bit muggy with the oncoming rain, brief as it might be).

Now, let's get ourselves prepared for whatever awaits, as we partake in a refreshing beverage and see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the wash basin is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"If everyone invested in the neighborhood they lived in, the United States would be a magical place." 

This was spoken by none other than American actor (and resident superhero of the MCU) Anthony Dwane "Cut the Check" Mackie (born 23 September, 1978). And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Mackie

"On your left"

While this is a short read, I found it quite intriguing to learn about his early life and how he was the son of a carpenter (dad owned his own business - Mackie Roofing)
The stage and screen credits are pretty extensive for such a short career.
He even narrated an ESPN documentary on Marcus Dupree and appeared as MLK (in an HBO series All The Way).

I first saw him in The Adjustment Bureau (Matt Damon), but he's also been in 8 Mile, The Hurt Locker, Million Dollar Baby, Real Steel (Hugh Jackman), and of course, has been a regular in the MCU since Captain America - The Winter Soldier (2014).
Not bad for a young man from a traditional family out of New Orleans.
*** Next, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JULY 26 -
---It's National All of Nothing Day

(that's being a bit apocalyptic, isn't it?)
---It's National Aunt and Uncle's Day

(I do believe I'm quickly running out of both)
---It's National Bagelfest Day

(well, there's breakfast)
---It's National Chili Dog Day

(probably my favorite way of eating them)
---It's National Coffee Milkshake Day

(for coffee lovers everywhere, this is Kismet)
---It's National Intern Day

(here's to all those "newbs" out there)
---It's National Refreshment Day

(isn't that EVERY day for most of us?)
*** Next up, Slocum neighbors meet with Parkview capos. Here's the details:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38734567/frances-slocum-neighbors-speak-with-parkview-the-discussion-gets-heated

Amazing that there is no PLAN B by Parkview. Now that's damn well thought out, isn't it? Typical.
Residents would prefer senior living. I can see why - seniors don't lean towards CRIMINAL ACTIVITY...do they?
This will not go away easily, and that's a good thing for that neighborhood.
*** Next, that north river property the city scarfed up last year is already costing a bit more to clean up. Here's the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/07/24/fort-wayne-officials-are-seeking-clean-up-funds-for-not-one-but-two-major-downtown-projects/o

Gee, now how many of us could see THAT coming?
The city has this "history" of underestimating and then overspending...a very nasty habit when revenue is becoming tighter to manage.
That's what you can expect when the details are not forthcoming (as was the situation in THIS case).
*** Next up, could we be looking at the last roundup for "Roundup" weed killer? Here's the lowdown:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/living/2018/07/25/health-sentinel-weeds-be-gone-but-at-what-cost-to-health/
You have to admit that damn near anything can be harmful to something or someone these days.
That's why we did away with DDT when it came to fending off mosquitoes...and how well did that work out? We're STILL getting bit and with more disease-carrying buggers than we can shake a can of OFF! at, right?
But, there are alternatives to killing the never-ending parade of weeds in our lawns and gardens.

A bit of "overkill", don'cha think?

One way is to BURN them out, with some sort of "torch", but that often leaves a mark.
You can always DIG them out (like I often do).

You have to get that "tap root" out, however.
Then, there are other chemicals that also work well enough, but how long before someone wants to take THOSE off the shelves?
A simple method is something out of the DIY treasure chest.

I might have to try that soon...see how effective it is, but I have to make sure to hit JUST the weeds, because this looks like it kills everything that is green (like lawns, flowers, and such).
I'll let you know how things go with that.
*** Next, a north Allen County cat owner says her cats were shot. Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/38732885/woman-claims-neighbor-shot-her-two-cats
So far, it's cost the woman $1200 for vet bills, and one cat may have to have it's leg amputated (shattered femur from a pellet gun).

Naturally, the police said there's NOTHING THEY CAN DO (isn't that always the way with crime victims?), so the woman is seeking a protective order against the offending neighbor (who could not be interviewed).
Sounds like a really nice guy (not!) who needs to extricate his head from his ass and start acting like a HUMAN being.
*** Next up, time to stop by and look in on our own "Kitten Corner"...

I'm on the box first.

The kids were really good yesterday, and that means we get to enjoy them a lot more.
Yes, it's difficult to overlook when they misbehave, but that's what "training" is for...just like children, they have to be shown right from wrong.

And I'm on the box last, so there.

And when you scold bad behavior, you have to equally reward good behavior. It works for cats almost as easily as it does with kids.
Only, you don't have to send your cats to college, get them a car, keep them off of social media, or worry about who they're dating...LOL.
*** Next, let's check back in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

I wonder what's in here?

Our furry twosome decided to BOTH take a bit of a walkabout yesterday. While they were there for breakfast, they both missed lunch. Fortunately, they were both back for dinner and treats-time.

An unexpected "guest"?

Where they went is anyone';s guess, but I'm thinking that "Boots" had something to do with it.
That (tuxedo) cat was there yesterday morning and our two just watched it.
I managed to shoo it away for a while (it went across the street).

I iz all walked out.

But our two didn't get this "wanderlust" until this other cat showed up.
I really don't want to have to fret about our two community cats, but like I said yesterday...you can't stop nature.
As long as they remember to come BACK here (which they have), it shouldn't become a problem.
*** Last back to the soap dish...You always hear me speak about how PEOPLE are the cause of most every problem on the planet.

There's an excellent parallel.

And when it comes to weeds, there is a parallel to be seen.
If you allow ONE weed to take root, it WILL produce a LOT more...that's a given.

Same way with neighborhoods...one BAD apple (read resident) will spoil the bunch (or in this case a nice part of town).
I also stated that I can sympathize with those in the Slocum area, because I've seen similar things happen to our (once nice) neighborhood. And, I see our lawn being taken over by weeds, because the OTHERS in our area don't take care of THEIR lawns, and allow weeds to grow, produce seed, which are carried on the winds to OUR lawn and garden.
We never had such an infestation of weeds until the houses all became rentals (with the usual flotsam cribbing in them).
We also never had such problems around here until the "wrong element" moved into the area, bringing all their "cultural nuances" with them (noise, drugs, robberies, assaults, etc).

Yeah, definitely a correlation between mankind and nature there, to be sure.
I just wish I could rid myself of the human problem as easily as I can with the weed problem.
I guess vinegar and dish detergent doesn't work as well when it comes to the "locals" as it does with weeds.

Be well, make a difference to someone, and...
Stay SAFE out there, America.