Monday Musings...

Welcome to the month od December - the LAST one we have coming for the year.
The holiday season is in full swing (after a month of pre-season stuff).
And, the milder temps we enjoyed over the weekend (along with that intrusive rain) are gone for the immediate future. Time to get back into near-winter mode.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly cloudy skies, some light rain early (possible snow flurries later) and decreasing temps through the day, so whatever it is outside right now (39 degrees 0700 hrs) will be our high. After that, all bets are off and we'll wind up in the upper 20s by nighttime.

Now, let's take a minute to get that comforting beverage poured and parked nearby, as we see what else has been going on, shall we?
*** First out of the milk jug...the calendar is letting us all know we're in December, and that means some things going on this month that we can observe. Let's see what they are...
DECEMBER is:
AIDS Awareness Month
National Pear Month
Bingo’s Birthday Month

National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month
National Human Rights Month
National Tie Month
National Write A Business Plan Month

Operation Santa Paws (1-24)
Quince and Watermelon Month
Root Vegetables and Exotic Fruits Month

Safe Toys and Gifts Month
Spiritual Literacy Month

Take a New Year’s Resolution to Stop Smoking 
Tomato and Winter Squash Month
Universal Human Rights Month
*** Next, we get back to our routine with our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
DECEMBER 3 -
---It's National Roof Over Your Head Day

(and aren't we thankful for THAT, right?)
*** Next up, by now, all of you have heard about the death of former president George H.W. Bush.

I can't add to what so many have already said, so I won't even try.
But, here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_H._W._Bush
Let's just say he and Barbara are back together, and leave things at that.
*** Next, more on the background of one (of two) accused of the triple Thanksgiving shootings):
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20181202/suspect-in-3-slayings-has-clean-past

Pretty revealing story, and one which, from what we can glean, SHOULD have kept this killer from becoming JUST THAT.
Goes to show that the attractiveness of the thug life can be more persuasive than following the "straight and narrow".
*** Next up, we have some more of that "special kind of stupid", going on. Here's the story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20181202/chase-ends-in-stalking-charges

This took place around 0700 hrs Sunday, and after a pursuit was initiated, it was called off due to the reckless manner the perp was driving. He eventually crashed and bailed, but was cautght by police.
Jermaine A. Mitchell, 32 of  of the 4200 block of Avondale Drive (that's within walking distance from our "Fortress"), is now a guest of the Allen County lockup.
So where is the "special" in this case of stupid, you ask? Read on.
((Mitchell admitted drinking Natural Ice beer and rubbing alcohol. He also said he was on Trazodone (a mood-altering drug) and had been warned not to mix his medication with alcohol, court records said.))
Ahh...there we go. Natural Ice and rubbing alcohol...(WTF???). Yep.
Ghetto all the way.
((He was charged with stalking when it violates a protection order, ordinary stalking, two counts of invasion of privacy, intimidation and resisting law enforcement with three misdemeanor charges for resisting law enforcement, leaving the scene of an accident and operating a vehicle while intoxicated.))
And he should be bitch-slapped for screwing up a fairly nice car...IDIOT!
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

No, this ISN'T a Roomba.

The kids had as good a weekend as possible. Plenty of play time, nap time, and mealtimes to be had, of which they both enjoyed immensely.
I even managed to catch them being cute...no easy task, as they tend to move and won;t hold still long enough to get a decent picture.

Sometimes, they WILL hold still.

(older cats don't have such issues)
Not a bad time at all.
*** Next up, let's do our week's forst check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

Wow, it stopped raining long enough for eats.

Our furry twosome spent most all weekend near the house (except when it rained). Midnight found a dry place away from the house, but came back for his food.

Time to get wet on the INSIDE.

Whiskers just hunkered down in the smaller shelter until the rain stopped.

No leash?

There was a neighbor's dog that's been getting loose lately, and made some cars slow down. I got some pictures of it,, which I sent off to Animal Care and Control. Hopefully, the owner will get a stern warning about the leash laws on residential streets.
The last thing I want is for our community cats to be attacked because of some dumbass's carelessness and apathy when it comes to pet ownership.
*** Last back to the cereal box...lie used to be a lot simpler.

Take going to school, for example.
I grew up before the "age of busing everyone everywhere", and that was nice.
We WALKED to school. Later, we took public transportation (to high school when the weather sucked.
The only time I took a school bus was in NE Philly (Watson Comly Elementary School). Our moms were ALWAYS at the bus stop with us until we got on, and we never had a situation like the one recently on the SE side of Ft. Wayne, where some pervert took advantage of a 15 year old to feed his carnal desires. Here's that story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/20181201/police-girl-15-abducted-raped

Fortunately, her mom gave chase (after a friend called the victim's mother to report that the girl was in danger).

William James Ray, 35, has been charged with rape, kidnapping, criminal confinement, burglary and sexual battery,
When did the simple task of waiting for a damn school bus become so traumatic?

Yes, it USED to be a simpler time...with parents who didn't have to spend their mornings chasing down a rapist who assaulted their teenager.
In many ways, it WAS a better time.
Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

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