Friday Follies...

And, the end of the week is finally here. Seemed to take a bit longer than usual (for me).
Be happy that we're not digging out of a foot of snow, as many have been doing back east.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us more sunny skies, temps rising to around 50 degrees, and no sign of precipitation (that comes perhaps tonight into early tomorrow).

Now, let's get that cup, glass or mug of Friday Fortitude poured, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the bird bath, it's our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 23 -
---It's National Chia Day

(seems a bit of a waste there)
---It's National Chip and Dip Day

(that's more like it)
---It's National Melba Toast Day

(whatever floats your boat)
---It's National Near Miss Day

(yeah, we'd hate to go as extinct as the dinosaurs...lol)
---It's National Puppy Day

(and who doesn't like puppies, right?)
*** Next, and since it is the weekend, let's see what we can observe over the next 48 hours...
MARCH 24 -
---Saturday is National Chocolate Covered Raisin Day

(yeah, I can work with that one)
MARCH 25 -
---Sunday is National Lobster Newburg Day

(this is pretty good stuff)
---It's National Medal of Honor Day

(too many receive these posthumously)
---It's Tolkien Reading Day

(when is Tolkien MOVIE day?)
And there we are...plenty of good things to do over the weekend. Remember to always observe responsibly.
*** Next up, FWPD nabs ANOTHER "Summit City Gangsta". Here's the link:
http://wane.com/2018/03/22/police-confirmed-street-gang-member-arrested-during-swat-raid/

This took place around 0942 hrs yesterday morning at a house located at 3214 S. Anthony Blvd.
Police made entry and found one (douchebag) Darrious Green, 19, a confirmed member of the EBK criminal street gang, who was arrested for dealing cocaine. This house was a known EBK hangout.

 BUSTED smug l'il mofo.

Once inside the home, detectives located approximately 30 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 10 grams of powder cocaine, marijuana, trafficking paraphernalia, an AK-47 style rifle, a .357 magnum revolver, and ammunition.
One down...about several HUNDRED more to go...right?
*** Next, and while we're talking dumbassery, we had another shooting. Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/37782777/one-in-serious-condition-after-reported-shooting

This took place around 0430 hrs Thursday morning in the 500 block of Sherwood Terrace (a mere 1 block north of our "Fortress").
I said over a decade ago this crap was moving down around here (from further up north).
Things like this are the reason our part of town gets ignored by developers, with very few exceptions (HUD).
*** Next up, this story speaks to homicides in the black community:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/37779836/video-about-fort-wayne-homicide-problem-connects-with-tens-of-thousands

I think it's pretty self-explanatory.
*** Next, if it's not  bad BLACKS with guns, it's bad WHITES with guns.
http://wane.com/2018/03/22/police-find-guns-high-capacity-magazines-during-traffic-stop-2-arrested/
Imagine that - two wiggas have been arrested after a traffic stop near the IPFW campus (that's disturbing) that led to the discovery of loaded weapons inside the car, This took place around 1700 hrs on Wednesday.

Brandon Martin           Grant Bause

Brandon Martin, 20, and Grant Bause, 20, both assholes of Fort Wayne were convicted felons on probation, and were charged with carrying a handgun without a license. Officers found a loaded .45 automatic handgun with an extended high capacity magazine on the floorboard in the front passenger area, and a loaded Glock .40 handgun with an extended high capacity magazine in the left rear passenger floorboard.
Police also found a small amount of marijuana, paraphernalia and illegal prescription pills.
Toss the book at these two...ASAP!
 *** Next up...not to worry about crime, because other things might be happening...like THIS:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/37780559/midwest-could-be-destination-for-debris-from-chinese-space-station

Okay, so WHEN did China get a space station, and WHY is it falling back to earth?
((Northern Indiana is included in a "worst-case location" band that wraps around the Earth. It is difficult to predict exactly when the space station will make its landing, but scientists project it will happen between March 30 and April 6.))
And, since the odds of hitting power ball are MUCH better than being struck with space debris, I feel SO more at ease now.
*** Next, another VERY good column by Bill O'Reilly.

Here it is:
https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Shutting-You-Down/-832852250874745102.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=staff_column
Again, pretty much self explanatory...and TRUE.
*** Next up, a letter to the editor that caught my eye.

'Judge control' needed
We got a guy dragging his pregnant girlfriend around her apartment, he's shooting a gun, he has a previous felony charge, and the first thing they do is to drop the gun charges because he can't help his family out in prison? And yet you holler for gun control? Seems to me we need judge control.
James F. Ryan
Defiance, Ohio

Thank you, James...YOU get it.
*** Next, time to drop by our "Kitten Corner"...

It's always fun to have another calm day around the homestead with our "kids".
That means I have the opportunity to interact with them other than to chide them for getting into things they're not supposed to get into.

Gallifrey and Violet seemed to be in unison when it came to being model cats. I hope this is something they will stick with, but you can never tell one day from the next, so you take them one at a time.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Company"...
Our furry twosome  also enjoyed the day...well, the latter part of it. the morning was a bit on the chilly side (as it is today).

It is a very cute (and curious) cat.

At last call, I had to chase away a third cat - one of the "twins" that come by once in a while,
The squirt bottle did the trick (you hate to do that...), but Midnight wanted to make sure, so he chased the cat away from the patio.

Hi there. I'm guarding your back door.

Sometimes, you can't open a door without seeing him or Whiskers there, looking up at you.

Hi there. I'm guarding your patio door.

It's nice to feel so "protected"...heh.
*** Last back to the bird feeder...we talk about crime and how best to defeat it, and for some odd reason, we, as a society keep coming up short.

We address the wrong things in the (false) hope they will allay the problem.
That's never gonna work, no matter HOW hard you try.
Too often, we try such things, and find out the hard way how wrong we've been.
So, when are we all going to wise up and do what NEEDS to be done to minimize crime and the criminals causing it?
Well, if I knew the answer to that one, I'd probably be a very rich man.

I have my thoughts and feelings about how best to deal with such things, but others have to come to the same conclusions on their own, We can try more programs designed to keep criminal behavior from taking root in young people, but sooner or later, we have to address the root causes of such evil. Lack of morality, the lack of parenting skill, ignorance, apathy, the lack of civility...all of these are a pretty good start.
And the sooner we start working on those, the faster we can take our neighborhoods back.
Sounds like a solid plan to me.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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

Thoughts For Thursday...

I think we can say we've left the crappy weather behind us, at least for today.
(that's always a welcome relief of sorts)
That snow we got did melt away before noon, but early on, it was a bit on the dicey side travelling about.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us sunny skies (so they're saying) temps reaching up to around 46 degrees, and no precipitation. Hopefully, no windy conditions, either.

Now, let's get that morning drink poured and parked close by, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the washing machine is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:
"Civility, politeness, it's like a cement in a society: binds it together. And when we lose it, then I think we all feel lesser and slightly dirty because of it."

This was spoken by none other than Jeremy Irons (born 19 September 1948) who is an English actor.  And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Irons

Irons was born in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the son of Paul Dugan Irons (1913–1983), an accountant, and Barbara Anne Brereton Brymer (née Sharpe; 1914–1999). He was educated at the independent Sherborne School in Dorset from 1962 to 1966. He was the drummer and harmonica player in a four-man school band called the Four Pillars of Wisdom.
(bet you never heard about THAT on Chris Martin's Musical Time Machine...lol.)
The rest of the WIKI deals with ALL his professional career, which spans television, film, theater, other audio, and music.
It's worth a read, for I didn't know that much about him, other than the few times I caught him on TV.
Oh, and he was the voice of Scar in The Lion King Disney animated movie.
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 22 -
---It's National Bavarian Cream Crepes Day

(close, but no pie)
---It's National Goof Off Day

(what? ANOTHER political observance???)
*** Next, a very good column by Leo Morris. Here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/2018/03/21/leo-morris-shootings-climate-change-speak-to-the-facts-not-my-emotions/
Yeah, I know how he feels, and often say much the same.
We're from a different era, and some might find that disturbing, because we say what we feel and what we mean.
We don't beat about the bush, as they say.
In other words, people like us are suffering from a chronic (and potentially-terminal) political correctness deficit...AND loving it.
Emotions are fine, except when it comes to the realm of facts.
*** Next up, could there be a ray of hope for those of us who refuse to let their inner child disappear?
http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2018/03/20/kb-toys-comeback-toysrus-closures/

Yes, KB Toys could well be making a comeback in lieu of the recent closing of all the TRU stores.
BTW, I read where a liquidation sale  for TRU begins today...might be a few bargains left.
I guess the toy suppliers are kinda honked off at that.
Still, KB had some good stuff in it's day, but was never a place to find substantial discounts. They did have a decent selection of diverse merchandise, I will give them that much. I wouldn't mind seeing them come back, especially now. We'll have to see how this all shakes out.
---Update - 1230 HRS: Oops, it's "bump in the road" time with TRU.
http://www.wpta21.com/story/37784189/update-liquidation-sales-delayed-for-toys-r-us
We knew it was coming.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

Our kids did quite well and were very well-behaved throughout the day.
They have been less manic with chasing one another, instead preferring to chase the "sandman" when they nap.

(works for me)
Can't really have a bad day with them about the house.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Company"...

Our furry twosome were on time and on station with every meal (in spite of the foul weather in the morning), and I have to hand it to them, they are more predictable than the USPS.

I can set the clocks with these cats. And, if one of them is wandering (we know who that might be), I just shake my keys and there we are...two cats once again.
It's nice to see them enjoy the sun when it comes out. Today might net some good pictures.,
*** Last back to the clothes dryer...childhood is a fleeting thing, for the most part.

And don't let anyone tell you differently.
For some time now, our society has been quietly and slowly eroding the foundation of what it means to BE a child.
Naturally, we can always find out who is doing it - the usual suspects (the progressive left).
Children are growing up today being told to question their sexual identity...WTF is going on here?
Let kids be kids. Let them fall down, scrape a knee or two. Teach them it's okay to get back up and not wallow in self-pity, awaiting the next chance to repeat it all again, until such things become ingrained into those young minds.

The old days - When a "posse" was role-playing.

We can't allow gender-specific toys, either. No cap guns, because that turns boys into homicidal mass murderers (bullshit). And no dolls for girls, that's stereotypical masculine dominance oif the fairer sex (more bullshit).

A TEA PARTY? How "sexist".

Cripes, no wonder we have kids more confused than most politicians these days.
Kids are NOT Stretch Armstrong...you can't pull them in every direction and expect them to snap back right away, no matter how resilient they might seem. They learn from experience, just as adults do, and they take what they learn with them for a LONG time.

Their minds ARE malleable, and that means they can be more easily swayed by the winds of change. And change can sometimes be a bad thing, especially where kids are concerned.
They need to be brought up to KNOW who they are, to KNOW right from wrong, to KNOW how to properly interact with one another, and to KNOW how to behave at home, in school, and in public.

Such basics are what leads us all into adulthood, and without that firm foundation that needs to be built early on, we will create generations of people who know little, care less about it, and need to be led around in life.
We don't want to even consider going down that path, if we are to preserve who we were and, more importantly, who we are to become as a society.

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

Humpday Happenings...

Now how's THIS for the first FULL day of Spring, hmm?
Yes, that's SNOW you see outside this morning...it's no illusion.
And we have schools delayed around the area to prove it.
Crazy stuff, right?
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us partly to mostly cloudy skies, temps climbing to around 43 degrees, and yes, the snow will be melting a bit later on.

So how's about we get that hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa to warm us up, as we see what's been going on elsewhere?
*** First off of the countertop is our "WHO SAID THAT?" quote of the week:

"Civility, politeness, it's like a cement in a society: binds it together. And when we lose it, then I think we all feel lesser and slightly dirty because of it."
This is the sort of thing we SHOULD be hearing a lot more of, because it's TRUE.
So, who said that?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back on the Isle of Wight...
*** Next, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 21 -
---It's National California Strawberry Day

(yes, the land of fruits and nuts does it again)
---It's National Common Courtesy Day

(another lost art of humanity)
---It's National Countdown Day

(a countdown to what, exactly?)
---It's National Fragrance Day

(a smelly proposition, perhaps?)
---It's National French Bread Day

(and that has a nice fragrance when it's baking)
---It's National Kick Butts Day

(oh, you mean THOSE. I thought something more apropos)
---It's National Single Parent Day

(ah, yes...the dissolution of traditional families continues)
*** Next up, This is one of THOSE stories, and you'll see why. Here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/03/20/man-shoots-himself-in-butt-he-sheepishly-tells-fort-wayne-police

Yeah, this can ONLY take place on the SE side (it would seem). A man shoots himself in the ass while working on his girlfriends car (changing brakes).
Unless the car was in a driveway or garage, it's not permitted to work on ANY vehicle along a city street (and that's also why we have mechanics).
So, it must be THAT unsafe down here to have a person keep a LOADED weapon on their person (and apparently with one in the chamber). Must be a touchy trigger that made the gun go off (my guess it wasn't a revolver).
Got that special kind of stupid going on, doesn't he?
*** Next,  it would seem that the IPFW bridges are SAFER than the one that collapsed on Florida. Here's the story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/03/20/pedestrian-bridges-at-ipfws-fort-wayne-campus-a-safer-design-than-the-bridge-in-deadly-collapse-in-florida/

Well, not having crossed that bridge, I will admit it LOOKS safer.
You know, when a person tells someone (either in person or by email or text) that a bridge has CRACKS in it...people need to LISTEN...that tragedy could well have been avoided (as most such occurrences can).
*** Next, Kevin Leininger has another good column and here's the link:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/03/20/kevin-leininger-mockery-of-mike-pence-proves-talking-to-god-isnt-the-problem-agreeing-with-him-is/
This concerns the whole mockery of people of faith (particularly Christians), and how others need to keep their mouths shut, if they have nothing good to say about someone who DOES believe in God.
It's the "people living in glass houses shouldn't cast stones" kinda thing.
Wonder how good that "humble pie" tasted to Joy Behar when she cut a huge slice of it recently?
*** Next up, another one of those "knee-jerk" reactions over guns.
Here's the story link:
https://www.buckeyefirearms.org/ohio-based-kroger-remove-magazines-assault-weapons-stores-nationwide

This time, it's none other than Kroger, who has decided to REMOVE all magazines that have mention of "assault weapons" in them. Now, just HOW stupid can people get?
This almost makes me want to stop shopping there, but there are too few alternatives, which is a problem for me when one company has such a monopoly when it comes to a specific venue (like groceries).

They must think pictures kill people.

Let's just say I feel the need to send along an email (I call them nasty-grams) voicing my displeasure at this decision of theirs. If we want to go down THAT street with banning publications with guns, because it might influence some home-grown terrorist in the making, might as well remove ALL the women's magazines too, because they can foster sexual perversion with various adverts in them.
*** Next, time to put this insanity behind us, and drop by "Kitten Corner"...

I iz in my "happy place".

The kids were a bit calmer yesterday, and as a result, my day was much better...lol.
I don't need to have the kids acting up...we have enough with the morons living alla round us taking care of that "department".

Now THAT is peaceful.

I just like to see some "peace in the valley" as it were with our cats, and that makes everything nicer for all concerned. Enjoying time with one another is what it's all about.
*** Next up, let's all check in with "Midnight and Company"...

"This is the friendliest place around."

Our furry twosome spent a lot of the day close by the house again, and you'll not hear a complaint from me over that. I enjoy the time we spend together outside, and I'm sure these cats appreciate the effort we show towards them when it comes to care and food.

"Yes, it really is, and the food's good".

I wish the people around here were half as friendly as these cats have become.
I keep saying the nicest ones around our neighborhood have FOUR legs, and I've yet to be proven wrong.
*** Last back to the kitchen sink...Where do we draw the line with all this insanity?

When will we decide that enough is truly enough?
And, do many people even care at this point?
Well, there are many of us who DO care, and want to see this idiocy come to a screeching halt.
I think the reason allow this dumbassery to continue is that we have become way too desensitized against things we used to look at as more or less taboo.
That doesn't make us all tea-totaling, bible-thumpers...it just makes us better people for not allowing things we know can be detrimental to the society which we are part of in this country.

I look at the Kroger move as a sort of "book ban", and what did such things lead to in Germany say around the 1930s?
First the ban, then the burning, and then ...well, you know the rest.
I'm not saying we're headed in THAT direction, but we're sure not headed AWAY from it either.
We need to stop being too permissive with the wrong things, because that is not making any of us better people, or promoting a better society.
And if we're not all careful, we'll lose much of who we can become in the process.
That won't bode well for a lot of folks, will it?

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