Friday Follies...

Yes, you ARE going to need an umbrella this morning...that's for sure.
Just be happy you're not shoveling snow, or scraping ice like those northwest of us here in Indiana.
Welcome to the weekend, kids, and all that comes with it.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us (you guessed it)...RAIN, but it's supposed to end by this afternoon.
(be careful driving out there)
I'm sure the overcast will dissipate also, and we might get some sunshine out of this to help dry things out. Winds will be picking up with gusts up to 40 MPH. Our high today is expected to be around 60 degrees. Take a jacket.

Now, if that isn't reason to get a cup, glass or mug of Friday Fortitude, I don't know what is, so let's all get some, as we see what else has been (and will be) going on...
*** First out of the rain gutter is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
APRIL 12 -
---It's National Big Wind Day

(another politician's holiday???)
---It's National Colorado Day

(send 'em a snow shovel - they need it)
---It's National Day of Silence

(ROFLMAO - not on the SE side of FTW...oh, it's another gay thing?)
---It's National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

(sounds like dinner)
---It's National Licorice Day

(sounds like dessert)
---It's National Teach Children to Save Day

(always a good idea, and as early as you can)
*** Next up, and since we have arrived at week's end, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
APRIL 13 -
---Saturday is National Make Lunch Count Day

(I always do, but I don't count calories)
---It's National Peach Cobbler Day

(not that much into peaches...I'll pass)
---It's National Record Store Day

(they're still making a slow comeback, too)
---It's National Scrabble Day

(always go for the triple points)
---It's National Thomas Jefferson Day

( wonder where's we'd be without him as a founder?)
APRIL 14 -
---Sunday is National Dolphin Day

(yes, I do remember Flipper)
---It's National Ex-Spouse Day

(sorry, fresh outta those)
---It's National Gardening Day

(It's still a might early for me)
---It's National Pan American Day

(I treat this as American PAN day)
---It's National Pecan Day

(now these I  really like, especially in pies)
---It's National Reach As High As You Can Day

(just make sure your grasp is up to the task as well)
There you go then...PLENTY of things to occupy your time this weekend. Just make sure to always observe RESPONSIBLY.
*** Next, I always had the feeling that car washes ARE considered "drive-thrus", BUT...
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/car-crashes-into-car-wash-after-driver-passes-out/1917259383

Can I get an "OOPS" here, folks?

Seems the woman riving that vehicle passed out, and that's what caused this impromptu "side entrance". She was said to be okay.
*** Next up,  the barbershop owner is our latest homicide victim:
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/man-found-dead-in-front-barbershop-after-lake-ave-shooting/1912331974

Michael Eugene LoVett Jr., 46, of Fort Wayne died of multiple gunshot wounds.
I'm still thinking it was a botched robbery.
*** Next, we awoke to a "boil water advisory" today, because some asshole decided to marry his/her vehicle to some high power lines, killing electricity to the water treatment plant temporarily.

As a precaution, this advisory was issued for a pretty good part of the entire city. You can bathe in it, but you apparently should not drink it (for the time being).
Gee, and in today's paper I read THIS:
((City water again said best-tasting - courtesy of the J-G
Officials at the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water have determined Fort Wayne City Utilities has the best-tasting water in the second of four regional competitions held throughout the state.
Participating water samples were judged on three categories – clarity, odor, and taste.
City Utilities, which won the best-tasting water in Indiana competition last year, will again advance to the state competition at the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water's Fall Conference in Fort Wayne in October. ))

FTW water treatment plant

How the hell would I know...I can't drink it unless I boil it (and then let it cool)...sheesh!
Oh, and the outage occurred around 1930 hrs LAST night...and we're just NOW hearing about this? WTH, man!
*** Next up, Red River's trash pickup "streak" for our part of the ghettohood has come to an and. ((sighs)) Knew it couldn't last.

They came on time LAST week.

Yesterday was supposed to be our day, and well...nobody came through to pick up trash (except two houses along the 500 block of E. Maple Grove)...go figure. NO trash trucks running north or south...very strange.
I was told that yard waste tonnage has risen about 18% and that RR was playing "catch-up".
So, RR didn't PLAN for this?
Looks like another call into the city's *311* number this morning...just to play it safe.
No, they came though early this morning.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

The calm AFTER the storm...

The kids did well...AFTER they got their "running through the house" gig over and done with.
I don't know what gets into them. I wish I had THAT kind of energy THAT early in the day (like I used to have).
Nothing wrong with THEIR get up and go...that's for sure.
But then, everything becomes calm again, and it's time to snooze a good part of the day away.
Or, take to watching what goes on outside.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...
Our furry twosome once again spent a good part of the day close by the house.

"Why, yes...I AM taking it EASY."

Both of them love to curl up in the flower beds, and catch a nap (while a blue jay checks their food dishes for leftovers).

It's NOT demonic possession. It's a YAWN.

When it's mealtime, they come back to life, and are ready to feast, which they do.
Both of them made all three meals and treats. You can even get a "floor show" if you pull out a laser pointer, too...heh.
*** Last back to the rain barrel...I always TRY to wake up in a good mood.
Doing that sets the pace for the rest of the day, and it's a good habit to get into.

BUT...(uh, oh)...invariably, there is ALWAYS something that damages my calm.
And, it's always some stupid-ass thing I have absolutely NO control over (which is a shame).

The incomplete Sunday paper, or a paper tossed in the flower bed (seek and find), or this boil water advisory, or a "power fart" (a one second outage for no damn reason), and of course, the obligatory litter deposited along our property, by random assholes.
And that's only the external issues. Many times, it's something inside the house - a cat throws up (no biggie), or something might get spilled (easy fix there).
You just want to be left alone with no problems...ONCE in a while. You're not asking for much...just a small break in the "action".
The thing is, after a time, you come to expect such annoyances, and that makes it somewhat easier to deal with, get it behind you, and move forward once again.

I would like to not HAVE to deal with this crap, though. It would make mornings SO much more enjoyable...as they should be.
Yep, and after all this stuff...you (should) always have HOPE, for that smooths out a LOT of bumps in the daily road, doesn't it?
Do have yourselves a good weekend.

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