Friday Follies...

Well folks, it's the end of the week...AND the start of a new month, and that means a lot of "stuff" to take a look at.
If March is coming in "like a lion", it's a fairly TAME one, and that works for me.
Our Hoosierland weather brings us partly cloudy skies (which part I have no idea), temps rising to around 42 degrees, and the possibility of some light snow flurries tossed in for good measure (should not any accumulation).

So, what say we all get ourselves a cup, glass, or mug of some of that Friday Fortitude, as we see what else has been transpiring, hmm?
*** First off of the counter-top is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 1 -
---It's National Dadgum That's Good Day

(they have to be referring to my cup of coffee...heh)
---It's National Dress in Blue Day

(dig out that denim, people)
---It's National Employee Appreciation Day

(hear that you employers...listen up)
---It's National Fruit Compote Day

(reminds me more of comPOST)
---It's National Horse Protection Day

(love to, but we already have the cats)
---It's National Minnesota Day

(well, it IS colder than Indiana)
---It's National Peanut Butter Lover's Day

(might have to have me some)
---It's National Pig Day

(Think I might need some bacon, too)
---It's National Speech and Debate Education Day

(those on the left, take note)
*** Next, let's take a look at what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
MARCH 2 -
---Saturday is National Read Across America Day

(aka Dr. Seuss Day)
---It's National Banana Cream Pie Day

(breakfast of champions)
---It's National Old Stuff Day

(hey, another day for ME...lol)
MARCH 3 -
---Sunday is Finisher's Medal Day

(is this a hidden participation thing?)
---It's National Anthem Day

(please sing it the RIGHT way...and NO knees)
---It's National Cold Cuts Day

(sandwich time!)
---It's National I want You To Be Happy Day

(gimme that banana cream pie and I will be)
---It's National Mulled Wine Day

(better than no wine at all)
---It's National Soup It Forward Day

(sure, why not?)
WHEW...that was a lot, but we're not finished yet...
*** Next up...since we are at the start of a new month, let's see what this month brings:
MARCH is:
National Breast Implant Awareness Month *
Asset Management Awareness Month
Endometriosis Awareness Month
Irish-American Heritage Month

Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Caffeine Awareness Month

National Brain Injury Awareness Month
National Celery Month
National Cheerleading Safety Month
National Craft Month
National Credit Education Month
National Flour Month
National Frozen Food Month

National Kidney Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Sauce Month
National Trisomy Awareness Month
National Umbrella Month
National Women’s History Month

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Music in Our Schools Month

National Social Work Month
===========================
Okay...NOW we're finished. Man, that was tedious!
*** Next, of course we couldn't start the week without something going down on the SE side.Here's the story:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/police-find-weed-fentanyl-and-guns-in-raid-3-arrested/1818199840

This took place around 0815 hrs Thursday at a house (and NOT a home) located at 3205 Queen St., just north of Oxford Street (in the ghettohood).
After serving the warrant and making entry, police found 852.5 grams of marijuana and .4 grams Fentanyl, along with three semi-automatic handguns, $3,612 and multiple scales.

Arrested were Pierre Taylor (31), Tyson Hudson (33), and Iesha McCoy (25) on various charges.
Now THAT'S a decent raid...nice work, people.
But wait...there's MORE:
www.journalgazette.net/article/20190228/WEB/190229698

This took place around 1400 hrs Wednesday at 747 1/2 W. Dewald St.
Detectives found 2.4 grams of crack cocaine, 0.1 grams of heroin, 2.1 grams of marijuana, 16.3 grams of synthetic cannabinoid and drug paraphernalia including scales, crack pipes and marijuana one hitters. A .38-caliber Smith and Wesson revolver also was recovered.
Arrested were Patrick D. Manuel, 38, Christopher A. McDonald, 44, and a third man who fled the scene bu jumping from a second story window, but was caught a short time later.
Not a bad way to start the weekend...(with me smiling).
*** Next up, let's stop on by our "Kitten Corner"...

I iz all runned out.

The kids were a bit on the rambunctious side yesterday, and fel the need to do some "marathon" running.
But, as is always the case, they did tire themselves out and took to catching up on the napping they missed earlier.

But there's so many windows...

I keep trying to tell the cats that they can only be at ONE window at a time...lol.
They're still trying to figure out how that works.
*** Next, let's do our check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

I is guarding the garage and gate.

Our furry twosome spent most of the day close by the house.

Patrolling is thirsty work.

Midnight did go on patrol early on, but came back soon after.
Whiskers just found her spot alongside the patio.
They were both there for all 3 meals, and even got some back step treats after dark (when it was cold sitting on those steps).

I iz keeping watch here.

I think they do that JUST to keep me on the ball...it seems to work.
*** Last back to the sofa...we never seem to be at a loss for situations down here in the crotch of Fort Wayne.

The overwhelming number of police calls alone is evidence to that.
And yet, this part of town USED to be as thriving and as revenue=producing as the other three quadrants.
This city has now set it's eyes upon the NW area, and has expanded there (and will continue to do so in the near future).
We, however will continue to wallow in the quagmire of "exclusion", as the rest of the city continues to outpace the south side.
The recent drug raids should be sending a message to the idiots that such behavior won't be tolerated, but I fear that's falling of selectively deaf ears.

Got a LOT of this here.

I'd personally love to see a resurgence in retail (God knows we NEED it),  We've too many gas stations/convenience stores,dollar stores and chicken/rib joints.
I'd like to see it safe enough to WALK the streets again. I'd love to see some GOOD people moving into these house, and I;'love to see the houses taken better care of by landlords as well as renters.
I know it seems like I'm asking for a helluva lot, but in neighborhoods that have NOT succumb to this whole ghettoization deal, what I ask for is what they already have had for years.

Our alley has gotten better since .

If anything, the city (itself) should be on point with taking back our area of town, but has been spectacularly AWOL on this, taking the easy way out (ignoring the SE), and where has that gotten everyone?
Nowhere...and quickly, too.
The time has come to change the mentality, the minds and the hearts of those who can do something to make ALL of Fort Wayne better...not just for a privileged number, but for all.
That shouldn't be that hard to accomplish using the same level of enthusiasm has been shown for the riverfront of the GE complex.
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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