Thoughts For Thursday...

I do hope you kept the umbrella handy from yesterday, because you ARE going to need it once again today.
Welcome to November, and that means there's only EIGHT weeks until Christmas...lol.
(yeah, let the shopping mayhem commence)
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us (what else?)...rain (all day), which also means cloudy skies. Temps will top out around 47 degrees (and will fall as the day progresses), while the leaves ALSO fall, covering everything).

In the meantime, let's get that refreshing drink poured and parked close by, as we see what else has been going on.
*** First out of the rain gutters is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"If human beings had genuine courage, they'd wear their costumes every day of the year, not just on Halloween."

This was spoken by another newcomer to the blog, one Douglas Coupland  (born December 30, 1961) is a Canadian novelist and artist.
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Coupland

Believe it or not, I had not heard about him before this week, so we're learning about him together.
Obviously, he's got some credentials behind him and since the WIKI is a long read, has made an impact
And, the term "Generation X" can be traced back to him, so I guess he has made his mark in society.
It was a good read and makes me want to check into some of his novels.
*** Next, as is the case at the start of a new month, here's the observances for November:
(be warned, it IS a long list)
Adopt A Senior Pet Month

Aviation History Month

Banana Pudding Lovers Month
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Family Stories Month
Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month
Greens and Plantains Month
Historic Bridge Awareness Month
International Drum (Percussion) Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
MADD’s Tie One On For Safety Holiday Campaign (11/16-12/31)
Military Family Appreciation Month
National Adoption Month
National Alzheimer’s Disease Month
National COPD Month
National Diabetes Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Fun with Fondue Month
National Georgia Pecan Month
National Gratitude Month*

National Home Care & Hospice Month
National Impotency Month
National Inspirational Role Models Month
National Life Writing Month
National Long-term Care Awareness Month
National Marrow Awareness Month
National Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Awareness & Appreciation Month
National Native American Heritage Month

National Family Literacy Month
National Novel Writing Month
National Peanut Butter Lovers Month
National Pepper Month
National Pet Cancer Awareness Month
National Pomegranate Month
National PPSI AIDS Awareness Month
National Raisin Bread Month
National Roasting Month
National Scholarship Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Prematurity Awareness Month
PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month
Spinach and Squash Month
Sweet Potato Awareness Month 
NoSHAVEmber (US – Beard Month or Movember
Vegan Month
Told you that it was a long list...(whew!).
*** Next up, we finally come to our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
NOVEMBER 1 -
---It's National Author's Day

(I suppose that includes "we bloggers")
---It's National Brush Day

(does this apply only to teeth? Guess so.)
---It's National Calzone Day

(I think I;d kill to have the ones I used to get back in Philly)
---It's National Cook For Your Pets Day

(wonder if they like pancakes?)
---It's National Deep Fired Clams Day

(the ONLY way I'll eat these buggers)
---It's National Family Literacy Day

(obviously does not apply to many down where we live)
---It's National Men Make Dinner Day

(for us, that's EVERY day...except Fridays)
---It's National Vinegar Day

(lots of uses for this around the house)
Man, that was exhausting...let's move on.
*** Next, so now suddenly our state's death penalty has become "unconstitutional"? Here's the lowdown:
www.journalgazette.net/article/20181031/WEB/181039978

Sorry, but there ARE some that deserve it.

Talk about a WTF? moment. How about we CHANGE that so that it IS constitutional?
Just a thought, people.
*** Next up, the latest Bob Rinearson column in the N-S)
http://www.news-sentinel.com/opinion/2018/10/31/guest-column-basic-accountability-is-a-better-option-for-students-inappropriate-behavior/
Yes, things were handled a LOT differently when people like Bob (and myself attended...maybe that's why we had BETTER behaved students, higher graduation rates, fewer distractions and, as a result, fewer problems overall.
Nice to know being the "kinder, gentler" and more tolerant society that we've allowed has netted SO much more to make schools better and safer...ROFLMAO!
Yeah, right...quite the reverse, and maybe that/s why we see educators leaving their profession in greater numbers...they're fed up with the way schools "handle" things.
Love to see a return to those halcyon days of discipline...and actual learning.
*** Next, time to stop on by our "Kitten Corner"...

No, sweetie, we grocery shop on SATURDAYS.

Our kids were very well behaved yesterday, and even with the inset of the rain, there was a little bit of bird-watching.

I AM...the nap-master.

The naps were numerous and the food plenty, so you KNOW these two made out well.
And, I managed to not step on or trip over either of them...that's a real blessing...for all of us.
*** Next up, let's do our check-in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

I'm coming. (so's Christmas, pal)

Our furry twosome got back into a more typical mode with Whiskers staying close by the house (in one of the shelters, while Midnight made his midday patrol (and missed lunch).

Yay! A break from the rain.

We got a break in the drizzle (and trick or treaters) to have the hand held treats right after dinner, and that went well.

Tell me about it.

Today, it's back under the patio table (again). I think I dislike this as much as they do.
*** Last back to the downspout...I'm very bothered by this recent story about the schoolkids being killed by a driver who came around their bus.

I have NEVER passed a school bus, with the only exception being on a "divided highway" , which is the only way anyone CAN pass a school bus.
But when there's no divider, people out here seem to think anything goes, and that's part of the problem you hear my rag about often.
We have rules, regulations, laws, and ordinances FOR A DAMN REASON, and that reason being the safety and protection of WE, the people (of every age).
Those who skirt that which I just mentioned run a serious risk of harming others, or themselves...or both.

If you don't want to obey the traffic laws, then by all means, don't get a damn license and don't get behind the wheel of ANY vehicle, you asshole. Simple as that.
Yet, we see case after case of those who never DO get a license, being pulled over time and again for driving without that license.
Or, we see impaired drivers chronically breaking the DUI laws.
Freedom is great, but no one should have the freedom to act irresponsibly (and without the proper punishment).

Three small lives were snuffed out by a driver who thought it fine to pass a school bus (with the *STOP* arm extended).
That to me says this driver was somehow distracted, otherwise she would have followed the laws and waited behind the bus until it moved on and the kids were away from the street.
Our distractions will lead to our downfall, and that si why ALL of us need to focus on whatever task we find at hand.
It makes us better , it makes us safer, and whenever practiced, works our pretty well all around.

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