Humpday Happenings...

Our wonderful autumnal cool down continues today...can fall foliage colors be far behind?
(I'm crossing my fingers on this)
Yes, the mornings are a bit more brisk (as they should be).
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly cloudy skies, breezy conditions once again, and temps rising to around 50 degrees.
(definitely going to need a jacket or light coat)

Now, let's see to getting ourselves a nice warm cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa as we take a look at what has been going on elsewhere...
*** First out of the microwave is our WHO SAID THAT? quote for the week:

"I never really thought of my neighborhood in South Philly as being a neighborhood; it was more a state of mind. For people who aren't familiar with those kinds of places, it's a whole different thing. Like, 42nd Street in New York City is a state of mind." 
Well, you have one clue for this week's "chosen one".
When you think about it, this quote makes sense. The places I grew up were more a state of mind than "just a neighborhood". The people made it so much more THAN a neighborhood...they breathed life into rows of houses.
So, WHO said that? The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at Villanova University...
*** Next up, time for the "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature?:
OCTOBER 17 -
---It's Black Poetry Day

(which has nothing at all to do with rap lyrics one bit)
---It's National Take Your Parents to Lunch Day

(those days are long gone for me)
---It's National Edge Day

(if you're wondering, here's a link)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Edge_Day
---It's National Fossil Day

(guess I can call this a personal favorite by now)
---It's National Mulligan Day

(isn't it always for some?)
---It's National Pasta Day

(hell every day's a good one for pasta)
*** Next,  a very good column by John Stossel who talks about socialism. Heer's the link:
https://townhall.com/columnists/johnstossel/2018/10/10/socialism-destroys-n2526895

NO argument here...socialism (imho) is a disease, and like such, needs to be eradicated, especially when it comes to OUR country and her people.

How very true.

People always mistakenly think (and there's the main problem) that socialism is a good thing.
Well, just ask those who lived under such regimes, and get back to me on how "wonderful" that lifestyle worked out for them.
*** Next up, we know Sears has fallen on tough times, but here's a story that shows an interesting  timeline of the company:
http://www.journalgazette.net/business/20181016/through-the-years
My take on this, is that some day in the (near) future, people will once again beg for a store just like Sears.

Ahh, the original "one-stop shop".

Many say that the company could not "adapt", while I contend that it wasn't the company as much as the shoppers and their fickle wants and desires. Look at what stores are currently  thriving, and then  see how others have fallen because of market saturation (people get bored too easily).

I used to work there (before they tore it down)

Also, Sears should have stuck purely with retail and not gotten into holding company stuff and mergers, buyouts, and other things that detracted from the original mission statement.
Look what happened to Circuit City...and learn.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

I iz all runned out for the day.

The kids were pretty good yesterday...not that much running about, and loads of head bumps and leg rubs. In the feline world, that's a GOOD thing.

Catching a few rays.

And yes, the obligatory nap-times made the house a bit quieter than usual.
But, it doesn't take much to get them active again and playing. And the best part...no one puked!
*** Next up, let's do our check-in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

I'm making sure these steps don't move.

The furry duo were here before the sun came up. They were both by the back door. No one missed any meals, but he did come late for his lunch (as has become the usual practice).

I don't believe he actually SAID that.

She just hangs out on or near the patio and always is ready to show you hoe much she likes you being there (and feeding her). He takes a more stoic stance...and pretty much expects it...LOL.
*** Last back to the toaster...as I stated above, people are fickle these days and with extremely fickle tastes in most everything.

Just look at the shelves in the grocery stores...SO many choices (too many in fact), and none of us can possible like or buy ALL of whatever we're looking for, right?
People today rush to whatever is being thrown our way by the marketing merchants out there.
Why would so many people start buying SUVs if , just a decade or so ago they wanted smaller vehicles that got better fuel mileage (and could fit into garages)?
We're actually seeing trucks outselling cars, and that's why manufacturers are contemplating the cessation of automobile manufacturing.
GM already did something similar that caused the demise of the Oldsmobile and Pontiac divisions of that company...buy crossovers instead!.
Now one might think such practices would be a good thing, but when the choices left to us are NOT what we really want, but have no other alternative...well, there you go.

Lightbulbs, phones, computers, television...almost any technology you can think of has been designed to "shoehorn" us into a specific lifestyle, and if we're not careful, we'll all wind up as cookie-cutter citizens in a dystopian world.
Sorry, but I like my individuality and my choices right where they are, thank you very much.
Take the time to question that which needs it, and always be on guard to make sure no one is trying to "put a ring in your nose".
Remember that propaganda and subliminal persuasion can go a long way...in the wrong hands.

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