Monday Musings...

Well, THAT certainly was a marvelously craptastic weekend, weather-wise, wasn't it?
I, for one, am glad it's over, and yet, we're still not finished with the lousy conditions.
There is hope, however...we're supposed to see the sun once again.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us early fog (drive carefully out there) which can be dense in places,  mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies, temps rising to about 86 degrees (another day of being mosquito bait) and some light breezes.

So what say we get the hydration process started with a refreshing drink, as we see to this day and all it has to offer, hmm?
*** First into the washer is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
OCTOBER 8 -
---It's American Touch Tag Day

(do kids even know what this still is anymore?)
---It's Columbus Day

(who didn't even set FOOT in North America at all)
---It's National Online Bank Day

(roll the dice and hope your account isn't hacked)
---It's National Fluffernutter Day

(I NEVER had one and never plan to)
---It's National Kick Butt Day

(take a number, idiots...the line's getting pretty long)
---It's National Pierogi Day

(thees I HAVE had, and liked.)
---It's Native American Day

(Muslims, Burmese, Somalis, etc. need not apply)
*** Next...can you believe it? We FINALLY got a Supreme Court nominee confirmed.

Only took way too many weeks, far too many reams of paper filled with questions, and WAY too many investigations...all of which negated ANY and ALL allegations that Brett Kavanaugh had been involved with women who were victims of sexual assault.
(none were substantiated)

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) came under fire after her marvelous speech in support of Kavanaugh. There are those already at work to ensure she does not serve another term as a result of speaking honestly. I hope they fail in that attempt.
What I want to see is EVERY single person who bothers any conservative politician, to be arrested (immediately) every time they accost such politicos IN PUBLIC. Let's start sending a message to the socialist loons that THEY are the bullies in the schoolyard, and this type of behavior will NOT be tolerated for any reason. Their rights END where OURS begin.
*** Next up, and since crime has managed to not make the headlines locally, I want to mention that yesterday marked the return of Doctor Who to our TV screens around the world.

Even the logo is a bit on the bland side.

This is supposed to be (another) reboot of the longest running sci-fi series in history, an marks the return with a FEMALE doctor.
Now, I've been with the good Doctor since the Jon Pertwee days (when it first came across the pond to our local PBS station back in Philly. We're talking the early-mid 70s here, so I think I've got some proper perspective of the series over the last 40+ years.
This time around, the 2018 premiere episode was typical Doctor Who, and by that I mean ABUNDANTLY typical.
Since the "first" reboot back in 2005, I've again been following the series year by year, and  have to say that since then, it's been an extremely great ride.

The problem with THIS reboot series is not the acting. Jodie Whittaker is a very capable actress, and was fantastic in Broadchurch, but the writing was mainly at fault here. Chris Chibnall needs to get his "Tardis-legs" and find his stride. He's very good when it comes to crime dramas and yes, wrote some very good Torchwood episodes.
I wasn't impressed with the antagonist in the first episode here, however. The Woman Who Fell To Earth has to be an homage of sorts to the David Bowie movie (which wasn't bad), but to dredge up a "Predator-like" bad guy doesn't seem like a good start.
Plus, starting the Doctor off being "Earth-bound"  (no TARDIS) and yet being able to create alien tech (new sonic screwdriver) with scraps of whatever was laying about was a plot hole I could drive a Dalek mothership through.
I did find this review to mirror many of my sentiments:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/05/arts/television/doctor-who-review-jodie-whittaker-bbc-america.html

I can't say I was totally disappointed, because maybe I was expecting this episode to not be near as good as I've seen in years (and even decades) past. It was over-hyped a bit for me.
Let's just say I was frustrated with the way the world changes and manipulates iconic characters from fiction in ways they might not be intended, and let it go at that.  I'll still watch but more out of curiosity then anything else.
*** Next, let's kick back and stop by out "Kitten Corner"...

I got here first.

Our children did well enough over the weekend, but did have a couple brief runs through the house.
We know they never miss a meal an don;t wander off .

But I got here last.

But they do manage to get into the few closets we have and we need to keep them out of those.
Fortunately, thee are always places to take a nap between meals.
*** Next up, time to check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

She doesn't like the wind and rain.

The furry twosome had a good, if damp weekend. Feeding them is always a chore when yui have to place the food bowls under the patio table in the rain. Then, you also have to clear the dishes from those little ants that always seem to find their way into the damn bowls.
On Saturday and Sunday, the two of them missed lunch (which is highly unusual, especially for Whiskers.

Geez, this weather is nasty.

I know Midnight likes his patrols.
Fortunately they both came back for dinner and treats, but this is one "habit" I really don;t want them to get comfortable with...not in THIS part of town.
*** Last back to the dryer...there USED to be a saying that went: "The more things change, the more they stay the same".

So THAT'S who said it.

I'm not really seeing THAT these days. What I see is more like "The more things try to stay the same, the more people want to change them".
(feel free to quote me)
There is still such a thing as "tradition", and it's been a corner stone of our society since we broke free of tyrannical rule and created our very own country.
Yes, we have changed a great many things since then, and from more than a few standpoints, that's been a good thing.

We proudly marched ourselves through a revolution...a Civil war, abolishing slavery along the way, led the world during the Industrial Revolution, fought in and helped in no small way to win TWO world wars, and greatly enhanced our lives through all of this, by eradication of diseases, cleaning up our air, water and foods, as well as streamlining our methods of farming and manufacturing.
THOSE are the changes that are worth remembering, and have value in our society.

But along the way, PEOPLE changed, and not in a like manner so as to make lives better for everyone. Maybe they suffer from The Mandela Effect?
Where the nexus of such changed began is hard to pinpoint, but (for me), I'd have to say that the "summer of love" is as good a place as any to consider.
Since then, our nation has come under fire, mostly by it's OWN people, and whatever gap that was created THEN has only gotten wider over time. Now, we see the advent of violence taking root with those who want something OTHER than what the founders intended for our country.
No one wants to discuss or debate issues, and those that do, are brow-beaten into silence for the most part.

Change in this nation today is born of demand, rather than want, and it's something we all need to be extremely wary of, and question.
To do nothing is to join the opposition who wants a radicalized country full of socialist entitlements, no accountability and little if any responsibility.
Sorry, but THAT sounds more like something evil than something good, doesn't it?

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