Monday Musings...

Looks as though we begin another week with some craptastic weather.
(almost makes you LONG for those rainy-day Mondays, doesn't it?)
Someone might want to check back with that groundhog and see if he didn't get his signals mixed.
An early SPRING? Really?
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us early light snow showers (it's a wet snow - large flakes), and this is on top of the freezing drizzle we "enjoyed" yesterday. Temps will top out in the low 30s, with mostly cloudy skies. Main streets should be clear, but remember to watch out for black ice (which is really NOT a new minority-targeted malt beverage). Residential streets will be more "touch and go" with driving, so take it easy out there.

Now, let's get a soothing hot beverage to chase the nasty away, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the slick sidewalks is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
FEBRUARY 18 -
---It's National Battery Day

(Make sure your car has a GOOD one, and ALWAYS have extras around your home.)
---It's National Crab Stuffed Flounder Day

(this could make even me like flounder)
---It's National Drink Wine Day

(hopefully not before or during driving, though.)
---It's Presidents Day

(a cheap way of combining the former Washington and Lincoln birthday observances)
*** Next up...we ended the weekend in Ft. Wayne with a BANG (or several).

1) Our FIRST shooting incident took place in the 4500 block of South Park Drive (near Sherwood Terrace - a few blocks from our "Fortress") around 1115 hrs Sunday morning.
https://wpta21.com/news/2019/02/17/shooting-on-south-part-of-fort-wayne-leaves-one-woman-and-5-year-old-boy-with-life-threatening-injuries/

A woman and a 4-year old were wounded with what police call "life-threatening injuries".
Police are initially investigating this as an accidental shooting. Accidental? Love to see that report.
UPDATE: There IS more to this story:
https://wpta21.com/news/top-stories/2019/02/18/police-children-playing-in-home-found-firearm-before-accidental-shooting/

Oh, so a child FOUND a gun and was "playing" with it. Well, that certainly makes sense (for the SE side of town).No doubt a minority household. Typical.

2) Our SECOND shooting took place in the 1500 block of E. Paulding Rd around 1530 hrs Sunday afternoon.
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/unknown-details-remain-in-mobile-park-shooting/1790330652

Police found a male victim suffering a gunshot wound. He was taken to hospital in critical condition. Police are unsure if the victim lives at the trailer park. No suspects or motives mentioned.
UPDATE: It appears this was not a "gunshot" wound, but a PUNCTURE wound.
Bow and Arrow anyone?  Or, it must be one Helluva pellet weapon.
And, for clarity's sake, BOTH incidents occurred on the SOUTHEAST side of Fort Wayne (as usual).
*** Next, and still on the SE side of the city, a vacant house catches fire early Sunday morning.

Here's the details:
https://wpta21.com/news/2019/02/17/vacant-fort-wayne-house-destroyed-in-early-morning-fire/

Weird how these houses just "spontaneously combust", isn't it?
This house was located along Reynolds St near Coliseum Blvd (technically south and east of center city).
That's the old Harvester area, which has gone considerably downhill for the last 30 years.
*** Next, we (finally) finish up our weekend "fun" with a pedestrian killed close by. Here's the story:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/pedestrian-killed-by-car-by-southgate-plaza/1790858755

This took place in the 200 block of E. Pettit Av (across from Southgate Plaza on the SE side) around 2000 hrs. Sunday night.
A man was struck and killed by a car, and the driver stayed at the scene.
Police have not said what or if charges against the driver will face.
*** Next up, and in case you WERE wondering, here's the latest on what IS in this $1.3 TRILLION dollar spending bill:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/03/22/heres-what-congress-is-stuffing-into-its-1-3-trillion-spending-bill/?utm_term=.44051e2e8419
Now, I'm not a fan of the left-leaning Washington (com) Post, but they did give a look inside this 1100+ page fiasco.
---If I were the president, I would have had a tree chipper parked on the lawn of the WH, have all the media there (sa well as those who passed this bill through Congress),  Then toss the 1100+ page piece of crap into the chipper, turn to all present and say "NO! Go back and TRY AGAIN!" 
And then say "Start thinking of the AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST, rather than yourselves...for a change." End of presser.

I'd do this every time these politicos tried to pull a fast one. And that's why I could NEVER be president.
Oh, and don't forget to toss THESE into the mix of this newest "omnibus" spending bill:
https://www.theblaze.com/op-ed/commentary-trump-should-veto-omnibus-bill
Does any of this seem a bit on the bat-crap crazy side of reality?
Insanity would appear to have a new "bed-mate".
*** Next, Judge Jeanine gives her view (and it's a fantastic one) in her opening statement from Saturday night's show:
https://video.foxnews.com/v/6003045270001/#sp=show-clips

Have to hand it to her...she know the truth, and call those out (rightly_ who would obfuscate that...as well as the facts.
And this from a women one year my senior. Guess my generation DID have others not afraid to speak up and speak out. Kudos to you, judge.
*** Next up, as far as most all of the media goes, Bill O'Reilly has a very good column. Here's the link:
https://www.billoreilly.com/b/Hating-on-the-Press/89302042494222923.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=staff_column

Yes, everyone needs to hold THEMSELVES to a better level of accountability.
We need a leader in the White House, not someone who has to deal with crap from media sources and those working with them to foster their own agenda.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

No, you can't go grocery shopping.

Our "children" had a good weekend, but then again, they're not outside trying to keep from being wet,  cold and hungry, do they?
But, they do have to take turns chasing one another in between naps.

Had yourself a hard day, dear?

We did have some bird activity to keep one of them occupied. And then there's the following daddy around  routine.
Sometimes, Gallifrey does it, but mostly, it's Violet. Sure keeps you on your toes (and hopefully off of theirs.
*** Next up, let's check in with our community cats, "Midnight and Whiskers"...

"So I missed a lunch...no biggie."

Our furry twosome had one of those weekends...crazy weather to deal with, so you know feeding was mostly UNDER the table.

"I TRY to not miss anything."

At least none of them missed the major meals (Midnight missed a lunch and Whiskers missed some treats), but both made out fine, in spite of the wet and cold conditions.
*** Last back to the cracker factory...well, I gave it my best shot with Wifey's tail light turn signal bulb.
I really DID. We stopped at Auto Zone and the fellow there got us a 2- pack of "replacement" bulbs.

Hope these are right.

I DID find out we don't NEED the LED bulbs, so the hit to the wallet was only about $7 and change. I also got some bulb grease for the base .
Anyway, I figured out how to remove the fasteners holding the carpet OVER the access area for the back side of the tail light (that was the easy part). A small claw hammer worked well to "persuade" (pry) the fasteners out.
But, when it came to removing the SOCKET which holds the bulb...the bugger did NOT budge at all. In the past, I knew that GM has a 1/4 turn COUNTERCLOCKWISE to remove the socket.
No go there. That socket was tight, and I didn't want to "force the issue" and risk damage TO the socket OR the tail light assembly.

It WILL get fixed...!

After over a half hour, I said screw this..
I advised Wifey to take the car in, have Yeoman's change out BOTH turn signals (best way to do that - in pairs) and they can keep the bulbs I got (if they're the wrong ones needed). Should be simple for them to perform the task, even if it costs a few bucks. It will be done right and no damage (or frayed nerves)...heh.
I dislike a defeat such as this, but it's NOT my "fault"...it's just one of those engineering things we all have to deal with eventually.
Life is like that...you win some, and yes, you lose some. In this case, a minor loss is much more welcome than a major one.

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