Monday Musings...

And our winter "wonderland" (?) continues with LOTS of cold weather coming to a Midwest newr you.
Why didn't we get this stuff a MONTH ago, hmm?
At least then, it would have been a lot more "festive" and in tune with the holidays.
Now, it's just a nuisance and a bother, whether you're walking or driving in it.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly cloudy skies, temps rising to just above 32 degrees, a couple more inches of snow, and then a bit of rain, and then...the bottom falls out of the thermometers, as we plunge below freezing range and well into the single digits.
And there we'll stay for a few days...welcome to the arctic (or as close as we'll get to it).
Global warming? Not here in the Heartland, friends.
Now, how's about we start the day with a big honking hot cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa (or perhaps something a bit more "potent"), as we see what else has been going on...okay?
Remember to take care outside and drive as safely as weather allows.
*** First out of the Polar Vortex is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
JANUARY 28 -
---It's Data Privacy Day

(good luck with that - we're all at risk, thanks to technology)
---It's National Blueberry Pancake Day

(don't have any blueberries here)
---It's National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

(pop'em if 'ya got 'em)
---It's National Fun at Work Day

(The most fun comes when it's quitting time!)
---It's National Kazoo Day

(make sure it doesn't freeze to your lips)
*** Next, here's some good news that always brings a smile to my cafe:
https://wpta21.com/news/2019/01/27/police-arrest-murder-suspect-from-thanksgiving-night-shooting/
Gerald Pinkston, 22 was arrested early Sunday morning at a house located in the 300 block of Dunbar Ln.
He is charged with domestic battery and three (count 'em...3) counts of murder back on Thanksgiving of 2018.
(this jerk's only worth a thumbnail, even with a new mugshot)
*** Next up, an excellent column today from Walter Williams:
https://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2019/01/23/who-benefits-from-democratic-control-n2539347
I can say that is SO true, because when I lived in Philly, we had democrat control for the better part of 50 years, and thing there were only getting worse. And not just for blacks living there.
Yet, when rating the cities, there IS that commonality between all of them...weird, huh?
Now, we see that my birthplace is trying to make the "top ten" of cities with high murder rate percentages (per 100,000 people)...that's both astounding and shameful.
Can Fort Wayne be that far behind all this, considering the last 20+ years (and the rise we're seeing here with violent crime)?
*** Next up, let's drop by and see what's going on at "Kitten Corner"...

The kids take a break from their antics.

The kids weren't all that crazy over the weekend. They spent most of the time amusing themselves (and not getting into things they shouldn't. Gallifrey still like getting into the kitchen sink for some odd reason. What he thinks he's going to find there is anyone's guess. My complaint is that he then jumps in your lap...WITH WET FEET!

Where did Violet go?

Thankfully, Violet would rather be cute and spend time in the grocery bag, or under the dining room table catching some heat from the vents.
*** Next, let's check back in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

"At least I'm easy to see in the snow."

Our furry twosome were not around the hosue as much as I would have preferred, but they did show up both days.
Midnight missed his lunch Friday and Sunday, and Whiskers missed a lunch of Saturday.

 "I'm easy to see AND I stay close by the food."

I will say she was around more than he was for the majority of the weekend, but he spent most all Saturday nearby.
Drives me crazy worrying about their safety in this cold. The shelters are there and I added some straw yesterday.
*** Last back to the frozen tundra...I'll be the first to admit that there ARE those out there who do not know how to handle such cold and nasty weather.

And, it's just not knowing how to DRIVE in it. People don;t wear the proper clothing or footwear in the snow.

Poorly dressed, but never too cold to text

I can't even count HOW many people I see walk around in our part of the ghettohood with nothing close to -on their feet. Sorry, but a pair of  Nikes aren't gonna cut it in several inches of snow (and ice). And not one winter coat in the bunch...just a hoodie under some light jacket. Not a single pair of gloves, either. Pathetic!
No wonder they all frown so much when walking about.

Sure, the plows will move that.

IF any of them shovel (it is actual work, so few engage in it)  they have no idea what to DO with the snow...so they place it "wherever". It's called the lazy way out.

Now, I'm not one to follow ANY of the above "habits" when it comes to cold weather...I learned from little on up that if you don't have some sort of snow suit or parka, then you LAYER clothing, starting with some base layer (thermal underwear or long-johns...and no, it's got nothing to do with the pastry...lol).
Same comes to driving...clear the windshield, AND all the other glass on the vehicle so YOU can get as close to a "360" range if vision as possible.

Yep...this is a dumbass!

Many people won't do this, and then wonder why they get into accidents...right?
You take a little time to do things RIGHT, and you minimize the chances of something happening that you don't really want to happen.
I sure miss the days when a lot more people practiced a lot more common sense.
And, I would wager you will feel likewise, as you take care when venturing outside.

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