Monday Musings...

If you can say anything about this weekend...it WAS wet.
Now, the cool conditions didn't bother me any, but the off and on rain does. I like taking my showers INDOORS, thank you.
Plus, I can't even think about mowing anything (especially with an ELECTRIC mower with a long power cord).
Anyway, this week will prove "interesting" as far as conditions go.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us rain for the morning hours, followed by clearing skies (so they say).
Temps will top out in the mid-50s once again, so you might want a jacket, and take the umbrella.
Oh, and mind your driving out there, because others surely WON'T be minding theirs.

Now THAT'S coffee!!!

Okay then, since we have all that dispensed with, let's get that refreshing drink, as we see what else has been going on...
***  First out of the rain barrel is the "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MAY 13 -
National Crouton Day

(had some on our salads yesterday)
National Frog Jumping Day

(Calaveras County loves this ione)
National Apple Pie Day

(not a fan. Got any cherry or blueberry?)
National Fruit Cocktail Day

(I only like the peach slices)
National Women’s Checkup Day

(Checkup? I thought you mean check them OUT. Sorry.)
*** Next, it appears that the LONG arm of the law has caught another murderer.

Here's the story update:
https://wpta21.com/news/top-stories/2019/05/09/suspect-in-fatal-barbershop-shooting-arrested-in-mississippi/
It always amazes me that the "Great Migration" meant blacks fleeing the south to come up north.
Now, whenever a black male kills someone, they reverse that trend and try to evade police by leaving the north and moving south.
James L. Dodson, Jr. was arrested in Starkville, Mississippi on Thursday.
He is awaiting extradition to Fort Wayne for the murder of the Lake Avenue barbershop owner, Michael LoVett, Jr. in early April of this year.
*** Next up, I'm wondering HOW did we allow this to happen?
https://wpta21.com/news/top-stories/2019/05/10/party-city-announces-plans-to-close-45-locations-amid-global-helium-shortage/

A HELIUM SHORTAGE? Say it ain't so!
As a result, Party City will be closing 45 locations
My crack scientific reporters managed to chase down THIS related story:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a4046/why-is-there-a-helium-shortage-10031229/
First off, you have to know that helium  is not JUST for balloons. It's used in cryogenics, high-energy accelerators, arc welding, and silicon wafer manufacturing. And MRI machines depend on it's use.
The Texas panhandle is the largest producer on the planet.

Considering that helium is the SECOND most abundant element in the WHOLE universe (next to hydrogen), that's  saying something for the USA.
This is a pretty good article and worth a read (so no funny voices anymore).
Maybe we should figure a way to ADD an electron to hydrogen atoms and MAKE helium?
Oh, wait...helium is basically a product of nuclear decay and takes a LONG time to occur (in nature)...and the cost of making helium is prohibitive at this time. Never mind...blame it on global warming...lol.
*** Next, time to drop on by our "Kitten Corner"...

Napping the day away.

Our kids had a pretty good weekend, and with all the energy they displayed, you could easily tell that age was never an issue (like it tends to be with me). I sure could use some of their get up and go.
Naturally, we had the obligatory napping and assorted random acts of cuteness.

"Now I want YOUR breakfast."

Gallifrey's got this new gig - he likes to roll on the carpet, tossing back and forth, and moving himself along as he goes...no chance of a picture, as he's constantly in motion.
Violet is content to just watch him...or us (and for no particular reason).
*** Next up, let's do our first check-in of the week with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

It was fun to figure out if I would feed them al fresco or under the patio table.
We played this game ALL weekend. Not a favorite game of mine.

Aside from missing a couple lunches, both members of our furry duo were here for all the other meals, and got back step treats both early in the mornings and later in the evenings.

No wonder we're burning through those bags of "Temptations" so quickly.
Then again, it's become more of a mutual arrangement - I spoil them and they get me trained (to do so).
Easy to figure out...right?
*** Last back to the downspouts...yes, the weather is getting warmer (slowly) and if I could, I would like to postpone summer indefinitely.

I'm liking the cooler weather, because I don't mind wearing jackets and long sleeves.
Face it, in summer, you get uncomfortable too easily, sweat like crazy, and come to rely on air conditioning in your car, house, or wherever else you go. I mean, when it's sweltering, you can only take off so much clothing, right?
Then...there are the ants, the wasps, the flies, the yellowjackets, and other assorted bugs that creep, crawl or fly into your life for several months just to annoy the hell outta you.
Sure, the Summer flowers bring us all kinds of colors, which are great to look at, but then Fall comes along and does it's thing to those posies.
Not to mention, the lawns just keep on growing
We also have all these people pretending they can cook by firing up a grill. Hell, mankind has been putting meats over flames for AGES...no big deal.
We also have too many boom cars, too much fireworks garbage, and other assorted noises that detract from any solace the warm weather MIGHT bring you.

You KNOW this is coming.

I guarantee that this week, we'll go from using the furnace to using the air conditioners in less than 5 days. It would be great to settle into a (seasonal) routine that would be comfortable (and even less costly).
It's just a wild notion I have.

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