Thoughts For Thursday...

By now, I shouldn't have to tell you to take along the umbrella, right?
I mean we've had off and on rain for almost the last week, and we're not done yet.
The only good news, is that it's NOT freezing.
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us mostly cloudy skies (again), temps rising to about 70 (again) and more rain coming through by this afternoon into this evening (again). Oh, and there's some morning fog, JUST to make things a bit MORE interesting, so be careful driving early on.

Now, let's take a minute to grab ourselves a comforting beverage, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the flood plain is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"The best way to learn is by doing. The only way to build a strong work ethic is getting your hands dirty."
This was spoken by Alex Spanos  (September 28, 1923 – October 9, 2018) who was an American billionaire real estate developer, founder of the A. G. Spanos Companies, and the majority owner of the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League.
And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Spanos

One might note that this is a "rags to riches" story, considering his upbringing was not what anyone might call "ideal".
(can't imagine  making such money as fast as he did, but obviously, it CAN be done.)
And he was one to not shirk at the chance to pay it forward with his philanthropic pursuits.
He wrote a book entitled "Sharing the Wealth - My Story", which tells how he went from a  moneyless man of 27 years to become a billionaire.
The WIKI is a good read and worth your time.
*** Next, here's the "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MAY 2 -
National Truffle Day

(always good to start with chocolate)
National Life Insurance Day

(yeah, pray you never need it)
National Day of Prayer

(this should be EVERY day considering where this nation is headed)
National Day of Reason

(something else that has taken a holiday of late)
*** Next up...are we getting just a BIT carried away with this?
https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/indiana-lowers-kindergarten-enrollment-age/1970222387

Thought we ALREADY had PRE-K, and since they kicked this snowball down the mountain WHERE does this all end?
Granted, it's not THAT big a shift in ages, but really, how soon is TOO soon? Can't we put off the "indoctrination" of our children for a while longer?
*** Next... here's another excellent column by Walter Williams:
http://walterewilliams.com/discrimination-and-disparities/

Nothing I like better than having Walter talk about Thomas Sowell...two marvelous purveyors of the truth.
Personally, I'd love to see some more schools cut from the cloth of those like the Dunbar School.
*** Next up, time to drop by our "Kitten Corner"...

He's watching her in the bag.

Our kids were spending another day doing little, as the weather didn't provide much activity outside (unless you like watching rain). We had some "follow daddy around" time, and later on, Violet curled up in my lap on the sofa. Gallifrey prefers to find a dining room chair to nap, when not in the family room. To each his (or her) own.
*** Next, let's do our daily check in with "Midnight and Whiskers"...

A break in the rain for one meal.

Our furry twosome managed to stay relatively dry all day, which is good to see.
And once again, they BOTH made all three meals (plus back step treats).

This rain is really bothering me.

We had to change up feedings and go back under the patio table. And those damn little black ants manage to get into their bowls, which means I have to get them all out before I bring the bowls inside to fill them.
(just something else to dislike with warmer weather).
Might have to cut back on how much to give the cats, so the ants don't have anything to get into.
*** Last back to the  inundated lowlands...we all have to deal with STRIFE...it's just part of the "program".

Thing is, a lot of it is not born from anything WE do; it comes from external forces, and how it impacts on OUR lives.
Trying to avoid it is about as difficult as not breathing. It's something we all have to endure, and sometimes, on a daily basis.
Yet, if we are to take into account the "archaic" definition of the word (strife), it means an EARNEST ENDEAVOR.
And that is something we choose to take upon us as we go through life.
There are the noble causes, the good fights - ones which we know are right and just, and we refuse to cave to those who tell us otherwise.
We could say some strife is deserved (or even sought after), while all the rest is not, and in that, we can learn some valuable lessons.
But, it all depends on how we interpret such things, and more importantly, how we react to them, good or bad.
There's something to think about.

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