Friday Follies...

End of the week (and almost the end of the month) at last.
And, we will see a break in the rain (which will return later tonight into Saturday).
Also, it's Good Friday - one of the most holy days in the Judeo-Christian calendar.
(more on that in a bit)
Our Hoosierland weather for today brings us partly to mostly cloudy skies, temps reaching to only around 46 degrees, and maybe a slight breeze. Not a bad way to start the weekend, is it?

So, let's start the day with a nice cup of coffee, tea, or cocoa to chase the morning chill away, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First off of the well-soaked lawn is our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 30 -
---It's National Doctor's Day

(hopefully, none of us will require one today)
---It's National I Am In Control Day

(I'd say there is a higher authority who might want to argue that one)
---It's National Pencil Day

(salute to the Ticonderoga #2)
---It's National Take A Walk In The Park Day

(be a bit damp, but why not?)
---It's National Turkey Neck Soup Day

(sorry, but I'm not into dark meat all that much)
---It's National Virtual Vacation Day

(I take one whenever I nap...good habit to get into)
*** Next up, and since we are indeed at week's end, let's see what we can observe over the following 48 hours...
MARCH 31 -
---Saturday is National Prom Day

(A might early, isn't it?)
---It's National Bunsen Burner Day

(where would high school science lab be without those?)
---It's National Clams on the Half Shell Day

(sorry, I take mine fried or in clam chowder)
---It's National Crayon Day

(be sure to stay inside the lines...lol)
---It's National Tater Day

(wonder why it's not POTATO day instead?)
APRIL 1 -
---Sunday is EASTER

(He is risen...)
---It's April Fools Day

(no, seriously, He IS risen...I'm not joking here)
---It's National One Cent Day

(a penny will only go as far as you can toss it...it's worth that little these days)
---It's National Sourdough Bread Day

(this really isn't as bad as it might sound - makes good pretzels)
And there you are...plenty to things to keep you buusy.
Always remember to observe responsibly.
*** Next,  a really good column by Kevin Leininger regarding our "king" (mayor) and his $30 MIL infrastructure deal.
www.news-sentinel.com/news/local-news/2018/03/29/mayor-tom-henry-fort-wayne-to-spend-a-record-30-million-on-infrastructure-this-year/
Now, I'm all for keeping things looking nice, but some of this baffles me.
https://www.cityoffortwayne.org/invest

This is OUR alley behind the "Fortress".

Like one alley close by...the next block north, in fact. That is a concrete alley and is NO way as bad as OUR alley becomes every time the city re-grades the gravel (and morons spin thier wheels, digging ruts back into it). It's never gotten a PROPER fix in over 20+ years.
--Pettit-Rudisill Neighborhood Association
Alley bounded by E. Sherwood Terrace., E. Maple Grove Ave., Warsaw St., S. Monroe St.
THIS is the alley that will be a refurb, but ours will NOT...yeah, that makes perfect sense, given who runs the city and how much they (don't) care about the SE side.

At the bottom of the column, there are a few comments, an I have to say that those written  by John Bloom, David Gerlock, Marc Smith  are indicative of the truth about this "fix-up". These people really GET IT.
*** Next up, and editorial that seems  to be at the heart of too many accidents on the streets and roads today:
www.news-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/2018/03/29/news-sentinel-editorial-study-says-7-in-10-drivers-are-using-smartphones/

It doesn't surprise me one bit. People have become to used to be distracted by whatever "jingling keys" are being dangled in front of them...just like an infant. That's pretty sad, especially when you're operating a close to 2 tons of moving metal, rubber, and plastic.

When it comes to dangerous devices, people have less regard for vehicles than they have for guns. Face it, MORE people are killed by cars or trucks than by firearms EVERY Year, but some feel that guns are more deadly, in spite of another fact that mentions we have WAY more guns out there than cars. People need to take time to learn the truth of such matters.
*** Next, and speaking of vehicles, this column takes to task why the gas tax hike is bad news.
http://www.news-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/2018/03/29/andrew-quinlan-here-are-all-the-ways-higher-gas-tax-would-fail-to-deliver/

I look at a gas tax in much the same way I view daylight saving time...a waste of resources that produces little to nothing of value.
I do find this article enlightening, as should the rest of you. It just makes so much sense.
*** Next, it's time once again to stop by "Kitten Corner"...

The kids were in fine form, and I don;lt mean that sarcastically...they were well-behaved, and as is the case, spent a good part of the day taking it easy.

While I love these two cats SO much, there are times when I still miss our former felines. That's just human nature to miss that which becomes such a large part of your life. And, as long as those who pas are remembered, they never truly die.
*** Next up, let's check back in with "Midnight and Company"...

Our furry twosome got a bit wet yesterday, and that meant feeding under the table again.
At least they adapt readily enough, and often stay there for a while. Whiskers retreats to a shelter, and Midnight goes wherever he pleases, but still comes back for feeding times.

There was no hand-held treats due to weather, so I just put the treats on their plates...worked just fine. I've gotten accustomed to see their faces at the patio door each morning, and that's a nice way to greet the day...every day.
*** Last back to the drying streets...Today IS Good Friday.

And with this comes certain "traditions" from when I was a child. Yes, even for this old Methodist, some things were meant to be held in reverence when it came to religion. And NO meat today, kapeesh?
Here's the WIKI on Good Friday...just because:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Friday.
To me, it's a time of solemn acknowledgement of what Jesus did for US...ALL of us.

Mom used to have this 3-hour window (noon until 3 PM) where I was to be "quiet" around the house, I could play, but nothing loud or boisterous. We practiced some self-control.
We even had corner stores that CLOSED for those 3 hours, too.
People running them went to church back then.

Those are traditionally the 3 hours which commemorate the time that Christ hung on the cross prior to his death at Calvary.
And I don't think that THREE hours is a big deal to give up and...
"Be still and know that HE is God."
As to the heathen that live to embrace chaos, well, there is always prayer for them.

HE carried the cross, so we wouldn't have to.

We are an imperfect people living in an imperfect world, and for now,. we're pretty much stuck with it, so we;d best learn to make the most of that, and by that, I mean we can always try to be better people very day. No harm in trying to make the world better, right?
There's nothing wrong with that choice in anyone's life...is there?
Do have yourselves a blessed holy weekend, and for those of the Hebrew faith, have a blessed Passover.

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

Thoughts For Thursday...

Well, MY first thought is: "shouldn't we save all the rain for APRIL?"
Yes, it's another soft day in the Heartland, and that means take the umbrella and take care driving about, because the streets might have some slick areas, and you might encounter some patchy fog..
Our Hoosierland weather for today has us "enjoying" (what else?) rain, through most of the day, with the usual cloudy skies.
Temps will rise to around 47 degrees, with no winds to speak of.

 medium sweet WITH a hint of hazelnut.

So in the meantime, let's get that morning drink poured and parked close by, as we see what else has been going on...
*** First out of the rain gutters is the answer to yesterday's WHO SAID THAT? quote:

"The strongest and most effective force in guaranteeing the long-term maintenance of power is not violence in all the forms deployed by the dominant to control the dominated, but consent in all the forms in which the dominated acquiesce in their own domination." 
This was spoken by someone I thought we featured here before, but apparently not.
It's none other than Robert Lee Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963), who was an American poet. And here is his WIKI:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Frost

Now, if you think for a moment that a man who could write such wonderful poems had a life that mirrored his words, think again.
His personal life wa plagued with loss.
He was also prone to bouts of depression (and he didn't even live on the SE side of Fort Wayne).
It's a very good read, and worth your time. Also, you might want to get acquainted with some of his works, which are numerous (like we did when I was in high school back in the jurassic period).
*** Next up, time for our "What the hell happens today, Bob?" feature:
MARCH 29 -
---It's National Lemon Chiffon Cake Day

(all you have to do is say the word "cake" to me)
---It's National Mom and Pop Business Owners' Day

(sure miss the times when we had a LOT more of these establishments)
---It's National Nevada Day

(and we in Indiana need to know this WHY?)
---It's National Vietnam War Veteran's Day

(a terrible loss to this nation that didn't have to happen)
*** Sorta-kinda breaking news...ANOTHER double-shooting on the (guess) SE side.

Here's the story so far:
http://www.wane.com/top-stories/two-injured-in-shooting-on-mckinnie-avenue/1087065933
This took place early this morning around 0615 hrs at a louse located at 1312 McKinnie Ave.
(yep that's the ghettohood)

Emergency dispatchers said one person was in good condition and another person was in serious condition.  It's said (according to WPTA) that a white Impala was seen speeding from the scene.
)knowing these people, they could have mistaken a FWPD cruiser for a suspect vehicle
*** Next, a home invasion and robbery on the (where else?) SOUTHEAST side of town.
http://www.wane.com/news/crime/police-search-for-suspect-in-home-invasion-robbery/1085551865

This took place in the 4700 block of South Park Drive (about 2 blocks from the "Fortress") back on 19 March just after midnight.
Naturally, the robbers had to go shopping at Walmart with their ill-gotten gain, and it was there when cameras caught them at the store.

All we need now is for the POLICE to catch their sorry thieving asses.
The getaway vehicle looks to be a black Suburban...should be easy enough to locate, given THIS part of the city.

And, it would not surprise me that the robbers probably live in the same area, because they must have known this house would be an easy mark. I have seen some burglaries and robberies in our area of late, so perhaps it could be some perps from outside the area.
Someone KNOWS patterns of people down here, that's for sure.
*** Next, another robbery suspect gets his picture taken. Here's the story:
http://www.wpta21.com/story/37826878/police-looking-for-help-identifying-robbery-suspect
Now, THIS took place back on 16 March at the Mike's car-wash near downtown (no time given).
The perp walked to the attendant, asking for change, and when the person pulled out cash, the perp did a "snatch n grab" and took off.
Funny thing, this robber seems to have a grasp of the CITILINK bus schedule.
(not the BEST getaway vehicle)
This ranks right up there with the dumbass last week who used a CAB to get away when he robbed a damn bank in another city.
Gee, I didn't think things were getting THAT bad for the felonious among us.
*** Next up, Wifey's job has her taking special needs clients to various affairs, and last night she (and they) attended the Komets game. But, there was a down side.

Goalie Michael Houser

I was listening on the radio, and it was a great end to a "barn-burner", but Wifey and her ladies left EARLY...and missed the O/T goal that won the game for the Komets. Attendance was about half the capacity for the coliseum, so parking was easy, but her seats were in the "nosebleed" section.
Back in Philly, when we saw the Flyers in the old Spectrum, we often "sat with the angels", too...LOL.
Still,  a good time was had by all....as it should be.
*** Next, time to stop by our "Kitten Corner"...

I got Daddy's chair now...

The kids did pretty well yesterday, with little to no chiding from me for any reason.
Man, I love days like that...it's like the cats were on cruise-control...like a self-maintaining feline thing.

And I also guard the shoes and slippers.

They were both napping in the living room while I watched TV and listened to the hockey game (I can still multitask).
When Wifey got home, she came out as the official "greeter", while he kept snoozing.
*** Next up, let's check in with "Midnight and Company"...

What is she doing over there?

Our fearless furry twosome spent a good part of the day close by the house, but Midnight was out wandering about and I had to shake my keys on the plate to get him running back for midday and evening meals.

I'm watching YOU, big, black, and furry

Whiskers is better in that she tends to stay in a shelter, but she did come out to greet Wifey when she came home.
No idea where he was, and it was started to lightly rain, so we can hope he found a dry spot to bed down.
*** Last back to the sideshow attractions...last year the city chose to work on our street lights.
As a result, I got a nicely torn up curb-strip, but that wasn't all.

Several blocks of our street have been WITHOUT lighting for a few months, with our light and the one across the side street still working. So, I figured enough was enough. I sent some emails and managed to shake a couple apples from the City Hall tree.
A couple days ago, two men came out and after they were done working, the light across the street stopped working (we're not going in the right direction here).

So, they came out again yesterday, and behold...the block north of our block, (that had been darker than USUAL for months) are now well-lit once again.
All that needs to be done is the rest of OUR block.
To all the "other people" who live along these block of our street (who did nothing about the lights for months), I would only say this:
YOU'RE WELCOME...!!!
Yeah, it's not easy taking care of so many helpless, government-sponsored, English as a 2nd language idiots...but we try our best.
That's gotta account for something in the end...right?

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