Humpday Happenings...

Tis the last humpday of the old year, and the new year is coming like a proverbial "jail-on-wheels".
So I guess I best make it a good one, hmm?
Nice to see that rain subside as well as that nasty wind. Seems like we're living on the plains, rather than the upper Midwest, doesn't it?
Our Hoosierland weather for today will see us with more chilly conditions, with an expected high of around 35 degrees, very light winds, and mostly cloudy skies with the possibility of a few SNOW flurries.
(where were you guys on Christmas Eve?)
Anyway, let's secure ourselves a nice WARM drink to chase that morning chill away, 'cause we've more LINKS today than a pack of Jimmy Dean sausage, as we get this show "on the road" and see what has been going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the coffee table is our final WHO SAID THAT? quote of this year:
"Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress."
As this year becomes history, I feel we should take this to heart and embrace the opportunity for all things new.
So, who said that?
The answer at the top of tomorrow's post.
Meanwhile, back at Ridgeleigh Terrace...
*** Next up, is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
Decmeber 30 -
---Today is NATIONAL BICARBOINATE OF SODA DAY

(shouldn't this be reserved for AFTER New Years???)
---And, it's  FALLING NEEDLES FAMILY FEST DAY

In case you're wondering, here's the link:
http://www.wellcat.com/december/falling_needles_family_fest.htm
---It's also BACON DAY
(woo-hoo)

That could be every day for me.
Now, if you're wondering why I haven't included Kwanzaa (which began this past Saturday)...
Perhaps this will help (from 2012):
http://dailycaller.com/2012/12/30/kwanzaa-is-a-ridiculous-racist-holiday/
Moving on...
*** Next up, I was greeted with SEVERAL media sources all talking about the SAME thing...imagine that.

And NO, it wasn't anything to do with "King" Henry's THIRD term dreams for downtown and riverfront...or even the "to do list" that includes the SE side (retail growth)...he'll get around to that eventually, right?
This had to do with something I've been crowing about for YEARS (down here) and FINALLY,  it seems to be getting some traction (took longer than the Avengers to get that kind of traction).

We're talking CELEBRATORY GUNFIRE...aka When assholes play with guns on New Year's Eve.
Here's the Frank Gray article and it's a good one:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Ring-in-new-year-without-gunfire-10677775

Frank is not saying anything I haven't said for a LONG time, and we all know WHERE most of this problem is "aimed at" (no pun intended).
It HAS to be the SE side of town, because every damn year (and since most all the whites have left the area) it has gotten WORSE with gunfire on New Year's Eve.
I even have old letters to the editor of the J-G (going back a decade) that make the comparison to civil war re-enactments and downtown Baghdad with all the shooting going on.
And Adam Widener (formerly of WANE) came by and talked about this with me back in 2013.
Last year, WANE did a spot on it, using an AIRSOFT PISTOL.
Cripes, I WISH people used THOSE instead of the ordnance they currently employ.
That would be a god-send!
Now, HERE is THIS year's entry for the "public-service" arena (from WANE):
http://wane.com/2015/12/29/fwpd-warns-of-dangers-legality-of-celebratory-gunfire/
And HERE is LAST year's link to a similar story:
http://wane.com/2014/12/30/police-issue-new-years-eve-gunfire-warning/

Is it me, or does "SOME of these things seem like the other"?
Now, if you think there's nothing to this, check THIS story out:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/Woman-reports-bullet-coming-through-ceiling
Wow, a bullet coming through a CEILING...wonder HOW the hell THAT happened?
Granted, it WAS an interior shot from a neighbor upstairs, although NO gun was found, a spent shell casing WAS. (it's called "police your brass", you dumbass!)
And firing rounds OTHER than straight up can happen as well, like in THIS story:
http://www.news-sentinel.com/news/local/crime/Gunshots-at-Speedway-gas-station-leaves-no-one-injured

The "natives" NEVER listen.

Guess no decent people are supposed to be out late at night in the Summit City?
(no Bob, ONLY on the southeast side)
Nice to hear the media step up, though...even IF the shit-for-brains idiots down here don't pay a damn bit if attention and will shoot off guns anyway.
Thing is (and this is important), the POLICE have to see the shooting going on to ARREST someone, and we know that ain't gonna happen, unless someone wearing a shield gets VERY lucky.
*** Next up, yes, our "king", Mayor Henry IS talking about revitalizing the SE side...not much on addressing the PUBLIC SAFETY issue, however.
http://wane.com/2015/12/29/mayor-henry-reflects-on-15-looks-ahead-to-16/

A king SHOULD have a legacy.

The videos and the story are telling (and in some cases, damning) as to what the REAL priorities of this reigning mayor and his regime have in store.
While all but glossing OVER the SE side situation (and problems), he does speak a smattering of truth - "The FWPD is doing THE BEST IT CAN". That (to me) speaks VOLUMES.
The main thrust of the interview is about this mayor's LEGACY (as it usually is with ALL democrats).
Better to tout ad nauseum a few (quasi-major) AMENITIES, than speak to rising (and more violent crime),  or the foundering retail business and dilapidated housing down here.
It's not holding part of the population accountable, and ignoring the quality-of-life we ALL should be getting in equal measure, regardless of WHERE we live in this city.

He says "bullets don't have eyes"...SERIOUSLY?

Like I say, if you LISTEN to our mayor, you will hear a lot more than you're supposed to - kinda like being able to "read between the lines".
*** Last back to the bookshelves...it would be SO refreshing if we could STOP being lied to by these politicians.

Yeah, I know that's damn near asking for the moon here, but it rings true, nonetheless.
It's like Chris Martin said in his (very good) post yesterday - 29 December)...the election campaigns are becoming a CLOWN SHOW.
All that's missing is a Fiat 500, done up like a Peter Max painting, and stuffed with twenty of the grease-paint-faced buffoons, designed to make us laugh our asses off and thereby divert our attention.

OMG...it REALLY exists!

Chris has invoked DeTocqueville as well as Joseph DeMaistre when he said: "A nation gets the government it DESERVES. If you want something BETTER...DESERVE IT."
Can't get any more plain and simple that that, can we?

And I get tired of those in "power" knowing what's BEST for me (when they don't know their ass from a hole in the ground), telling me HOW to live MY life (when they're in their ivory towers), demanding that "I" do more (when they do nothing), and calling me every name in the book because I don't follow in lockstep with THEIR agenda (which is as opposite from American normality as east is from west).
I have spent MORE time with me than ANYONE else on this planet, and I think I've got a pretty GOOD idea of how I should live my life, so as not to be a boil on society's ass, or commit any crime for any reason.
If I follow the GOLDEN RULE, there SHOULD be no problems, right?

Like to hope so, anyway/
If there's anything to look forward to NEXT year, it's that we have HOPE.
And not that "other" PC-BS-laced hope that changed the face of this nation, but REAL TRUE HONEST-TO-GOD HOPE.
I think it's high time we sought that out and took it to heart, as well as faith AND courage, rather than be pulled in too many directions for the delight of others. We won't know until we earnestly TRY, right?

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

Tuesday Tidbits...

Welcome to another day of craptastic weather, but the good news is that it's not AS BAD as yesterday.
THAT was one weird-ass situation, between the rain and the wind, knocking out power in various areas, causing havoc on the roads early on, and coating everything with a thin sheet of ice. I had to whack the mailbox a few times to free up the door and flag, so I could put outgoing letters and bills into it.
(thankfully, it's not made of thin metal, but it hurts the knuckles anyway)
Our Hoosierland weather today will have us with mostly cloudy skies, possibly some early showers, and a lot milder wind conditions. Expect highs to top out in the upper forties.
Now, let's get that morning drink poured as we set about seeing what else is going on elsewhere...
*** First off of the bird feeder is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?"
December 29 -
---Today is NATIONAL PEPPER POT DAY

(Campbell's soup made a good version of this, if you can still find it)
This is "the soup that won the war"...the REVOLUTIONARY WAR that is.
Here's some backstory to this dish:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Pepper_Pot
---It's also TICK TOCK DAY

This day is meant to remind you to cram in all the stuff you meant to do this year, but forgot or put off.
(NOW they tell us this? At year's END?)
*** Next up, it's time for the wonderful police calls related to the moronic behavior of irresponsible possessors of firearms and how the media never tells you about them.

SHOTS FIRED / ARMED ROBBERY CALLS - 12/21 - 12/27
===============================================
DEC 21 -
15F168108 20:25:37 113 SHOTS FIRED 400 PERRY AVE
15F168173 23:26:34 113 SHOTS FIRED 4400 ANTHONY WAYNE DR SW
15F168175 23:37:18 113 SHOTS FIRED 4400 ANTHONY WAYNE DR SW
15F168177 23:42:59 113 SHOTS FIRED 2100 PAULINE ST
15F168107 20:22:01 53 ARMED ROB 9500 MAYSVILLE RD
DEC 22 - 
15F168534 19:35:03 113 SHOTS FIRED 4100 MAYBERRY ST
15F168505 18:36:08 53 ARMED ROB 1300 TAYLOR ST
15F168509 18:44:06 53 ARMED ROB 1200 MARION ST
DEC 23 -
15F168653 00:38:43 113 SHOTS FIRED 7900 SERENITY DR
15F168656 00:51:47 113 SHOTS FIRED 3000 HOMEDALE DR
15F168669 01:54:27 113 SHOTS FIRED 1700 MAIN ST W
((NO armed robberies))
DEC 24 -
((NO shots fired))
((NO armed robberies)) - AMAZING!
DEC 25-
((NO shots fired))
((NO armed robberies)) 
Plenty of FIGHTS, ASSAULTS and THEFTS, though!
DEC 26 -
15F169847 00:14:21 113 SHOTS FIRED 4300 MCMILLEN PARK DR & MARCY LN
15F169848 00:14:55 113 SHOTS FIRED 3600 CENTRAL DR
15F170108 18:44:13 113 SHOTS FIRED 4500 WARSAW ST
15F170159 20:48:31 113 SHOTS FIRED 1800 YALE DR
15F170020 14:38:15 53 ARMED ROB 1500 WELLS ST
15F170148 20:24:28 53 ARMED ROB 6700 BLUFFTON RD
DEC 27 -
15F170299 03:06:39 113 SHOTS FIRED 4700 HESSEN CASSEL RD
15F170478 15:53:29 113 SHOTS FIRED 2500 STANFORD AVE
15F170623 21:37:18 113 SHOTS FIRED 4800 ARLINGTON AVE
15F170624 21:38:48 113 SHOTS FIRED 3300 BARR ST S
15F170633 21:56:25 113 SHOTS FIRED 900 HOME AVE
15F170655 23:22:21 113 SHOTS FIRED 6200 DERBYSHIRE DR & MONTFORD DR
15F170659 23:29:23 113 SHOTS FIRED 5600 WERLING DR
15F170558 19:12:07 53 ARMED ROB 200 BUTLER ST W
15F170622 21:35:08 53 ARMED ROB 3500 ST JOE CENTER RD
15F170279 02:10:53 58 SHOOTING 1200 COLISEUM BLVD N
15F170522 17:59:12 58 SHOOTING 2200 BROADWAY
Ever notice the uptick on the WEEKENDS?
================================
FIREWORKS CALLS - 12/21 -12/27
============================
DEC 22 -
15F168507 17:45:10 44FW 4700 MANISTEE DR
((there just HAS to be ONE effin idiot))
You can be SURE that NEXT week, you will see a LOT of shots fired calls as well as fireworks...something residential areas should NOT have to be exposed to, and how FEW people the FWPD will actually arrest (if any).
*** Next, The Wifeymobile came out of Yeoman's yesterday with flying colors. Got the oil changed, the chassis lubed, the tires rotated, and had the trunk lock (cover) emblem reattached...huzzah!
---And, so far, what I ate yesterday has remained "down", as it were, although I do have some sinus congestion (gotta be some kinda bug going around). Been awhile since I tossed some cookies...still hate it.

---Naturally, with the bad weather, we had outages (not at the "Fortress", thank God), but the USUAL radio stations all have gone out for me - the classical station, WBNI and WOWO. Sure sucks when we don't as many independent stations like we USED to have. ONE company owns multiple stations, and therefore utilize the same power feed, ergo, when ONE goes out, they ALL go out.
I heard that K-105 and WMEE are also off the air.
Too few own too much these days.
The only monopoly I like is the one you play with that orange money...lol.
*** Next up, and as can be expected, we had some crime in the Summit City.
---The first story deals with that woman who was the victim of a hit/skip on Paulding Rd this past Sunday morning. She remains in critical condition.
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Police-believe-woman-struck-by-hit-and-run-driver

Now, when I saw video from the scene, my  FIRST thought was "this was a hit and run", because if you look closely at the photo, you can see shoes in the street, and when people get struck by vehicles, shoes tend to come off. I told Wifey that, and once again, my gut feeling was correct.
The woman, ID'ed as 28 year old Timika Tolbert was probably struck by a SPEEDING vehicle. I say that because down on the SE side, we have WAY too many speeders all over the place, and the FWPD doesn't seem to be that bothered with trying to catch any of them. Let me issue them a challenge...
Set up some speed traps and the money WILL roll in...I promise you that.
---The next story deals with a pizza shop heist (armed robbery) that netted one black male.
Here's the link:
http://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/police-fire/Police-capture-robbery-suspect-10660461

In THIS case, little "police work": was required, and here's why...
When police responded to an armed robbery call at Pizza King, located at 321 W. State Blvd around 2347 hrs Sunday might, they heard screaming and found several men standing BEHIND the business. As police approached,  one man took off, so police gave chase.
The suspect was apprehended in the 2200 block of Cass St.

Taylor Hunt, age 19 was found to have a handgun in his possession (unlicensed, but pending application - kiss THAT one goodbye). Hunt is charged with 2 counts of robbery, resisting law-enforcement, and possession of a handgun w/o a permit.
Yes, in THIS case, police "happened" to be in the area, and got lucky. A GOOD robber would have fled the area immediately after a heist (preferably in a stolen car that you ditch for a second vehicle).
And you should have a decent "wheel-man". that knows the area.
In order to catch these people, you DO have to think like them, and this is proven time and again. Kinda hard to do that when all you do is go from one 911 hangup radio call to another.
I would LOVE to see the number of SOLVED robberies, thefts, and burglaries in Fort Wayne...bet'cha it's VERY low.
(and that can't be good)
Moving on...
*** Next, for all you numbnuts that think that AMERICA needs to do more to curb the nonsense called "global-warming", think on THIS story before you close any more COAL mines and COAL-fired power plants HERE:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cow-dung-patties-selling-like-hot-cakes-online-in-india/article8037064.ece

That's a shit-load of...um, shit.

That's right, COW DUNG PATTIES are selling like "hotcakes" ONLINE in INDIA.
(makes me wanna not eat hotcakes)
And India happens to be one of the top TWO leading POLLUTERS on the planet - the other is China.
Yeah, these "turd-stones" happen to be used as FUEL for home and ceremonial fires, and as organic manure in those "kitchen gardens".

From the people who pray to cows?

I know I love the smell of cow scat in MY kitchen...how about you?
And you can get them on EBAY...amazing.

What? It's the addition to our family room!

Here's a society that still fuels homes from the 16th century, and suffers pollution greater than that from the Industrial Revolution...BUT they have INTERNET ACCESS.
That's like putting a bunch of monkeys in charge of a nuclear power plant.
(wait, don't we have that already in some parts of the globe?. I know we got some posing as politicians in D.C.)
*** Last back to the feed bag...let's change gears a bit here.
Chris planted a seed regarding this topic when he commented here yesterday.
--When we were kids, life was a lot less "complex", and our wants far exceeded our NEEDS.

Our parents KNEW that, especially when it came to Christmas time.
We wanted everything we saw in stores, in catalogs and on TV.
Our parents knew THAT wasn't gonna happen. Our last name was NOT Rockefeller...LOL.
I know my Dad was too busy trying to pay the bills, keep that roof over our heads, and some food on our table.
Mom was busy keeping clothes on our backs, and the house from looking like a pig sty, as well as managing whatever funds were coming in each week.
So, we didn't get EVERYTHING we wanted, but how many of us got things we valued JUST AS MUCH (if not more)?
It wasn't the quantity of gifts, it was the quality as well as the manner in which it was given.
Perhaps we did get "more" as kids than we get today, but as we get older, we learn things such as what our NEEDS are - something our parents took care of for us when we were young.
And our needs should always surpass any wants we have.
I look at a "want" as something you don't really have to have, but desire, nonetheless.
If you get it...fine, but if not...no biggie. There's always another time to do so.
It comes down to how we prioritize our lives.
Plus, it depends greatly on whether we have the financial resources to attend to our wants AFTER we've taken care of our own needs (as well as the needs of others where applicable).
When you can manage to get something you WANT, it has an extra added benefit...you tend to APPRECIATE it more, and thereby are a thankful person.
That leads to becoming more content.
Sure, our wants can seem trivial and frivolous, but I think it's the "reward" we work towards when we've spent so much time, effort, and money on all our needs.
Our society would be better off if it placed it's NEEDS a lot higher on that priority list and those WANTS (or desires) a lot farther down on it. It's the way we used to behave, and it never hurt anyone..did it?
Just something to think about...

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

Monday Musings - Post Christmas Edition...

Well, that certainly seemed like a WEEKEND, didn't it:
I think we need a lot MORE Friday holidays, instead of those Monday ones, hmm?
And, we're starting off this week with a freezing rain advisory.
(Getting a bit dicey out there already this morning - use CAUTION while driving)
The rest of our Hoosierland weather will take us through a mostly (quite) soggy day with temps creeping a wee bit above the freezing mark to the upper 30s I would not count on seeing anything but CLOUDS in the skies today.
Winds will increase as the day progresses.
Could always be worse, like down in Texas.
Prayers go out the those who lost everything, including the families that lose loved ones.
NO ONE should have to endure that during ANY time of year, let alone THIS time.
You can ALWAYS replace "things"...it's the PEOPLE that matter and can never be replaced.
Remember that.
*** First off of the slip and slide is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
December 28 -
---Today is NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CANDY DAY

(right after the 1/2 off Christmas sale, too)
---It's also NATIONAL CARD PLAYING DAY

(keep 'em "close to the vest")
---And, it's HOLY INNOCENTS DAY

Here's the WIKI to "splain it":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massacre_of_the_Innocents
---It's also PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE DAY

(it seems to be making a slow comeback in many schools)
*** Next up, it was a pretty good weekend (as weekends go), and even the "locals" behaved themselves for the most part. I knew they could refrain from being LOUDASSES if they TRIED.

Boomcar noise was way down (a welcome change), but there was still crime around if you watch the news (naturally NO details from any of it).
---Wifey and I prefaced our weekend by stopping by the SPCA on Christmas Eve with bags of food for the cats and dogs, like we've done for more than a few years now.
And, we got to "visit" with the cats they have there.

Got me some "Sugar", baby!

Immediately, one particular cat came right up and rubbed all over me...she was named "Sugar".
Yeah, I fell in "love" all over again.

Also did likewise with a cat named "Tornado" and a  male named "Sloane".
All of these cats were at least 2 years old, too.
Call me the "cat whisperer" (works with some squirrels too...lol)

They get set in their ways at that age (as have I), but I guess they know a kind old guy when they see one.
Wifey and I started out on the 25th by opening the Christmas gifts AFTER breakfast.
We didn't go hog-wild, but rather only a few gifts each, and that's okay with me (and her).

Get outta the trash-bag, Rass!

Our cat, Rassie got a bag full of jingly-feathery toys, but instead found a length of red ribbon MORE to his liking...go figure. Plus, he had to check out the bag with the wrapping paper remnants.

Wifey got some tops, a book, a Hello Kitty hot cocoa mug set and the monarch butterfly earrings she wanted. Those were hand-crafted by the same person who made her hummingbird earrings from last year.

For next year's Festival.

(gotta know where to shop and who makes this kind of stuff).
As for me, I got my health (always a blessing), some items from a Rural King that Wifey visited when she was in Vincennes (she got to visit one before ME...I'm envious...lol).
Got a nice t-thirt, ball cap and watch-cap and I got a Star Wars Rebels figure playset I had my eye on.

Boys and their toys

I also got a neat book on Churchill plus "Killing Jesus" by  Bill O'Reilly.
But the coolest thing was the "spin and fly" TARDIS with light and sound!

(naturally, also got a "driver" for it - a 10th Doctor figure).
Plus, a TRULY FANTASTIC Doctor Who CALENDAR...!

You have to dress for the venue.

I also got a HALO 5 (Athlon) figure.
Never played the game, but the figures are cool, very well-articulated and THIS one is an "exclusive" figure found at only ONE store (Walgreens of all places).

My dear high school friend from Delaware sent me the first season DVDs of the classic TV show THE UNTOUCHABLES.
Like I said...not a lot things, but enough for us. Besides, it's not like we can't get anything else we wanted during the other 364 days, right? I'm appreciative just to be here to enjoy the season.
---We had a good dinner (baked ham with pineapple, homemade macaroni and cheese and dinner rolls with hominy for the missus and peas and corn for me.

Again, this was a humble affair, and it IS only the TWO of us. I made some brownies that Wifey says caused a "fudge-gasm". I used TWO packs and baked them near the minimal time, and they were VERY moist inside.
And they were thicker than with the one packet deal.

We also made more sugar cookies the night before, so we're LOUSY with cookies for the holidays.
---Saturday, we went to the grocery and they did NOT have any "cheese trays" made up...you know the ones...the CUBES of different cheeses people have on New Year's Eve...not a single one prepped or out for sale. WTH?.

THIS is what we were looking for. And found NONE.

So, we bought several BLOCKS of cheese and will do it ourselves, and at a substantial SAVING from the pre-made platters...so THERE!
We DID get some shrimp and had to get spuimante for the toast at midnight (a MUST).
---This morning, The lovely Mrs. Bobby G. and I take the Wifeymobile in for routine service (oil change, etc), and also the get the trunk lock cover - the infamous metal CHEVY BOWTIE  (bowties are cool), because
Saturday, when we were out and about, the thing damn near fell off in my hand when I flipped it up to put the key in the lock.

Seems the pop rivets broke off (with age, no doubt), so I'm going to ask the guys at Yeomans if they can drill out the old rivets and put two new pop rivets back onto the thing so it's affixed back where it belongs. I miss having the tools I USED to have.
Lord knows how much it would cost to get a brand NEW one (for a 20-year old car as of next year...lol)
---Had a lot of birds come by over the weekend...and I mean LOTS.

I did manage a picture of a TITMOUSE as he stopped by frequently (there are actually TWO of them - just like the Nuthatches. You can tell when they're near.
The really cool birds seem to travel in pairs (in our neighborhood, it's pretty much REQUIRED to do so for anyone...lol).
Those birds never seem to stay put long enough to get GOOD pictures, and you have to be patient when trying to photograph them. Same goes for the new batch of squirrels we have...skittish as all get out.

There's Patches..chowing down.

We did get to see Patches come by a couple time...not AS skittish, but he ain;t coming onto my knee any time soon, sad to say (I miss Mr Wrinkles so damn much).
---That Doctor Who takeover did not disappoint, either. I watched as many episodes as I could, taking breaks to sleep and eat, naturally.

And on New Year's Eve, we get to do it AGAIN...with a Who-year's eve marathon...LOL.
That's as cool as wearing a fez!
Wifey is already rolling her eyes over this...YOWZAH!
---Unfortunately, all wasn't peachy-keen...last night before we went to bed, Wifey called the po-po on two men sitting out front our house smoking weed in a dark grey sedan.

Naturally, by the time she could complete the call and get officers rolling to check it out, the car drove off, and one guy got out and walked up the next block.
Hey, do that shit at YOUR place...NOT ours...'effin druggie MORONS|
And, this morning around 0200 hours...hadda drive the porcelain bus for a spell.
Dunno know what caused it, but it might be a small stomach bug or something similar. Wifey was fine, so I know it wasn't the food. Could be a dose of post-holiday stress or maybe it's the rollup to all the gunfire we'll be hearing on New Year's Eve (as usual). Not going to fret about it (and obviously the FWPD won't either). I feel better now.
*** Last back to the sleet-laced streets...There you have it then...all the lowdown on the Mr and Mrs Bobby G. holiday festivities at the "Fortress".
Now, all we have to do is get past the new year, and we'll be alright, God willing.
I trust all YOUR holiday cheer was well spent, and that the remaining days of THIS year will find you hoping for a much better time for us all in the year to come.

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