AUGUST 2014

AUGUST 2014

Saturday, December 31, 2011

DONNIE'S NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

"After a lifetime of cynicism, I am going to imagine that we are not living in a decline but a global renaissance leading to better times for all.  This will require great courage and imagination but it's worth a try".

(He must be sipping that rum again)

AT 5:00 PM DONNIE WROTE:

"Well, the New Year festivities have begun: I've poured my 2nd Van Gogh vodka and cranberry, and I think I have left one shot of 30-yr-old Panama rum, for midnight."

I SAW THIS ON TWITTER~COULD IT BE TRUE?

Everyone thinks that it's every girl's dream to find the perfect guy....in fact it's every girls dream to eat without getting fat.

A LIFE OF LEISURE

I won't forget how this year ended.  It got to be noon and I was still running around in my L.L. Bean pajamas.  I thought, "why bother to get dressed now?"  So, I sat down, and watched an afternoon of movies.  I can't remember ever doing that before except when I was sick.

DONNIE AND LINDA HAVE A WILD NIGHT PLANNED

"Best and most appropriate TV of 2011--a year-end marathon of Three Stooges films.  I'll be spending the evening with The Boys."

And, for those of you who would like to get in on this lively evening of entertainment, there will be a Three Stooges Marathon on both AMC and WGN.

A NOTE FROM RITA

"Got home last night and had flowers here - roses and lilies - a gorgeous bunch.  Guess who they were from?  your brother and Linda!"

THE KING AND HIS HOLIDAY LIT CASTLE

IT'S GONNA BE A WILD NIGHT AROUND HERE!

I've got three movies to watch and a big pot of home made chicken soup bubbling in the crock pot.

Meanwhile, Rita, Roger, Carl and Kathy are going play cards into the New Year and, just in case they sip one card too many, Carl and Katy are going to sleep over in the spare bedroom.

Don't tell me we don't know how to celebrate the new year!

A NEW YEARS NOTE FROM DONNIE

"Here at home, Linda starts our new year by throwing away three large shopping bags full of old shoes. However, your Carlin clip yesterday on how best to grow old recommended surrounding oneself with mementos.  Common sense and happy medium, maybe, are not always so clear and obvious."

A BAD WAY TO START THE NEW YEAR

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
406 AM CST SAT DEC 31 2011

...DANGEROUS BLAST OF WINTER WEATHER TO IMPACT THE AREA TONIGHT


AFTER A MILD DAY TODAY A STRONG COLD FRONT AND LOW WILL MOVE ACROSS THE AREA THIS EVENING. INCREASING WEST AND NORTHWEST WINDS AND QUICKLY FALLING TEMPERATURES WILL SPREAD ACROSS THE AREA
BEHIND THE LOW AND COLD FRONT. PRECIPITATION, BEHIND THE FRONT WILL START OUT AS LIGHT RAIN AND QUICKLY CHANGE TO SNOW.

SNOW AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE NOW EXPECTED WITH THE HEAVIER AMOUNTS MAINLY NORTH OF A ROCHESTER TO NEILLSVILLE LINE.

THE COMBINATION OF FALLING SNOW AND INCREASING NORTHWEST WINDS WILL CREATE BLOWING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR LOCAL WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS AT TIMES AFTER MIDNIGHT
TONIGHT. THE STRONGEST OF THE WINDS AND GREATER THREAT OF WHITE-OUT CONDITIONS WILL BE IN OPEN AREAS AND ON THE RIDGE TOPS. TRAVEL CONDITIONS LATER THIS EVENING AND OVERNIGHT ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME
VERY DANGEROUS WITH THE LOW VISIBILITIES STRONG WINDS AND SLICK ROADS ESPECIALLY IN THE OPEN COUNTRY AREAS.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA SUMMER

This bring back so many great memories from my Sioux Falls and Houston days.  I had a lot of fun in those Disco Days.  Donna celebrates her 63rd birthday today.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION:
THROW IT AWAY!
Please watch this.  It could make a difference in your life!

HOPING YOU HAVE MANY MORE!

Image by FlamingText.com


Image by FlamingText.com

YOU WANT TO GIVE ME A SHOT OF WHAT???

The FDA has given the green light to Prevnar 13 for people 50 and older.  This is a pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine.  It's supposed to prevent pneumonia but do I really want them to inject something I can't even pronounce into my body?

IS FOOTBALL THE ONLY NEW YEARS DAY ENTERTAINMENT?

Once again, Julie Andrews will be performing from Austria on PBS.  The Great Performances show will also feature the Vienna Philharmonic.  "From Vienna: The New Years Celebration" starring Julie Andrews should be a good way to start the new year.

Friday, December 30, 2011

NASTY WEATHER FOR NEW YEARS EVE

It sounds like the new year is going to blow in.  Wind gusts will be in the 45 to 55 MPH range, tomorrow night, with some snow falling to add to the miserable night.   The rest of you can fight that weather to get to the party.  Thunder and I will be nestled, all snug, in our bed.

WINTER IS HERE TODAY!

Thunder looking out over a pretty gloomy neighborhood.  We've had just enough snow to cover the housetops and grass but it's too warm to stick anywhere else and there's no ice so I ran my outside errands with no fear of falling down.  As long as you can stay out of the wind it's not very cold.

THUNDER GIVES THIS 5 STARS

REALITY SETS IN

RITA SAID:
" I couldn't sleep last night - perhaps the life change is surprising me.  I was telling Roger it is really hard to realize I don't have to go to work anymore.  Someone calls to make plans I barely have to check a calendar.  This is going to take some adjusting....."

1 comments:



Anonymous said...
It's always better to STOP than to END.

TALK ABOUT A COLD STRETCH!

On December 30, 1978 the temperature fell below freezing, in La Crosse, and it stayed below 32 degrees until February 19, 1979.

52 days of bone chilling weather.

I am praying that nothing like that happens, again, in my lifetime.

I LOVE THIS ONE

WHAT WILL BE NEW IN 2012?

APPLE TV in 32 and 37 inch models.  Yes that's APPLE, the computer folks, adding TV sets to their line.

OLD AGE~WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

This is for Rita and the rest of us who are over the hill and half way through the woods.  It's by George Carlin, who I consider, the greatest philosopher in my lifetime.

RETIREMENT HUMOR WITH A LITTLE MUSIC

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Baseball great Sandy Koufax is 76 today and Tiger Woods celebrates his 36th birthday.  Also born on December 30, Rock & Roll pioneer, Bo Diddley in 1928.  He passed away in 2008.

A RETIREMENT QUOTE


The author, Gene Perret, said, "I enjoy waking up and not having to go to work.  So, I do it three or four times a day."

R IS FOR RITA

IT'S ALSO FOR

Image by FlamingText.com

Image by FlamingText.com

Thursday, December 29, 2011

GOOD STUFF

We were talking about food, on Christmas Day, and I discovered that I have something in common with Paul.  We both LOVE COOL WHIP.  I thought I was the only one who could eat it right out of the container but he does that too.

I love the SKINNER BAKING APPLE DANISH they sell at the CO-OP.  I sliced a big piece of that this afternoon.  It's already got white icing on the top but I piled Cool Whip on top of that.  I'll bet I could have talked Paul into eating a piece of that if he'd been here.

SPEAKING OF SNOW

DID YOU KNOW?
On average, 1 inch of rain in the summertime would translate to 10 inches of snow in the wintertime.
DID YOU CARE?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE INSTRUCTIONS

I'm trying to figure out how to set the timer on this new camera.


Oops!  Guess that must be the button.

PROMISING UPDATE FROM DONNIE

"Can spring be far behind?  Robins at our birdbath this morning.  They may be headed north......slowly."





Can Spring be far behind?  Robbins at our birdbath this morning.  They may be headed north...slowly.

10 BRANDS THAT WILL BE GONE BY THE END OF 2012

The 24/7 website has an interesting article on Ten brands that are destined to die in the new year.  I guess, most of them I can live without but I'm sad to see A&W Root Beer drive-in's on the list.  Rudy's just won't be the same!  I mentioned the demise of Sears the other day but the good news (as far as I'm concerned) is that, according to 24/7, K-Mart is doing far better than Sears is so the thinking is that Kmart will survive but Sears is a dead duck.  Click above to see what the other brands are.

WATCH THE BIRDIE

Look what showed up at Donnie and Linda's bird feeder.



YOU WON'T SEE THIS EVERY DAY

Here's a guy that paints pictures with the GREASE FROM FAST FOOD HAMBURGERS.

SUNRISE!

I see BLUE SKY out there.

WHAT WILL THEY THINK OF NEXT?

Every time you think you've seen it all they come up with something new.  This time they really came up with a doozy.  It's an alarm clock that spends the night gathering weather data and, if there has been some heavy snow while you slept, it will sound the alarm early to give you time to get the snow and ice off the car.

SOUNDS LIKE THE NEW YEAR WILL BLOW IN

A Strong weather system will bring some gusty winds New Years Day and Monday.  Those winds will be in the 30 to 45 MPH range.  The National Weather Service says it's too early to make a prediction but there's a possibility that accumulating snow could come with the winds.

Rita won't care if it snows or not.  No worries about making it to work anymore!!

THIS SOUNDS GOOD

SWEET STICKY AND SPICY CHICKEN

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

SURGERY OVER~ALL OK

Rita called and said they got home around 11:30.  Surgery went perfectly.  Roger, of course, was worn out and was taking a nap and Rita planned on doing the same thing if the phone ever stopped ringing.

DONNIE GOT ANOTHER NEAT DEER PICTURE

RESOLUTION ANYONE?

69% of the people who have participated in the La Crosse Tribune poll say they won't make a New Years resolution.

MARK TWAIN GOT IT RIGHT

When I look around at some of today's celebrities, TV "news" readers and politicians I can't help but think that Mark Twain hit the nail on the head.

"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence and success is sure".

DO YOU REMEMBER DECEMBER 28, 1966?

La Crosse got 8.6" of snow, Rochester 7.8" and Viroqua got 6".  I like the snow totals for this year better.  ZERO!

WINTERS CHILL

It's another chilly morning for the Texas branch of the family.  43 at both Dripping Springs and Fort Hood at 5 A.M.  That is, however, warmer than yesterday.

WERE THE MAYANS RIGHT ABOUT 2012?

Did they forecast the end of the world?  Here's an interesting article in NewScientist

BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN PEOPLE HAD HAIR

MY MORNING PRAYER

THE DIET RESOLUTION

A story in the La Crosse Tribune says 42% of all Americans want to lose weight in 2012 but few will succeed.  They can make all the pills and exercise programs they want but, sadly, the only way to lose the weight is to shut your mouth.  Americans are not very good at doing that.

As someone once said, "People are so worried about what they eat between Christmas and New Years Day.  What they really should be worried about is what they eat between New Years Day and Christmas."

I'D HATE TO LOSE MY Kmart

I bought a new camera at Kmart yesterday but that, probably, won't be enough to save a sinking ship.  After all, even Martha Stewart couldn't save them. Talk is that Sears and Kmart had miserable holiday sales this year which moves them closer to the end of the line.

ALL THE BEST TO MY RAPID CITY FRIENDS

Image by FlamingText.com

Image by FlamingText.com

NO BREAKFAST FOR ROGER

He was wringing his hands, yesterday, because all he can have, this morning, is enough water to take his pills.

I'm with him on that one.  Actually, it's not much of a problem, for me, to go without food but to get up and start the day without a cup of coffee is second only to water boarding in the area of extreme torture.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

WILLARD HAS A RADIO STORY TOO

"My first radio job was with a Classical Music station in Houston. I was introducing a work by Turina, "The Bullfighter's Prayer". However, my words got twisted and I said, "and now here is the BBC Symphony Orchestra with "The Prayer Fighter's Bull".

comments:

Anonymous said...
Reminds me of the weatherman who announced that "the fog is as thick as sea poop."

ROGER JUST CALLED

He has to be AT the hospital at 5:15 tomorrow morning.  I told him he'd better be in bed damn early tonight.

Actually he lucked out by getting scheduled for one of the first surgeries of the day.  They've got 13 surgeries scheduled for tomorrow morning and I'd hate to be the last one.

HAVING BEEN IN THE BIZ I KNOW HOW EASY THIS CAN HAPPEN

Early in my career, I was doing a live commercial for a men's clothing store that was featuring men's shirts on sale.  Unfortunately, the copywriter left out the "r" when she typed "shirts" and I read it like she wrote it.

This one is just as good if not better.

WE'RE STILL EATING CHRISTMAS TURKEY

Thunder likes it as much as I do.  It would be OK with him if we had Christmas every week.

WHAT A WAY TO START THE DAY

IS IT THAT TIME AGAIN??
The dreaded letter was in the mailbox this morning.  It said I should call the clinic and make an appointment for an exam before my "procedure" in March.  I didn't even know I was going to have a "procedure" in March.


By the way, why do they call it a "procedure"?  Why don't they just tell it like it is.  "Call and make an appointment so you can come in and let us do something horrible to you."

Anyway, I looked further down to the bottom of the page and discovered that, somehow, two years has slipped by, without me noticing it, and it's COLONOSCOPY TIME AGAIN.


After two years, I was hoping they would forget about it but they, apparently, have a very good record keeping system.

Oh well, as Scarlett used to say, "I'll think about that tomorrow."

THE LONE STAR IS COLD THIS MORNING

Willard said it was cold in Texas and he wasn't kidding.  At 7:00 A.M. it was 37 in Dallas and 39 at Dripping Springs and Houston.  La Crosse was right in the middle at 38.  I guess that means I'd have to go a hell of a lot farther than the border to get warm this morning.

TOO BAD I'M NOT ALLOWED TO EAT SEAFOOD

Rita usually brings me the coupons from the Sunday paper but, this being the holidays, there's not much in the way of coupons.  She said, "No coupons worth looking at unless you want to buy lobster for New Years."

Roger is taking Rita to work, this morning, so he'll give me a ride to Walgreen's to get my pills.  He's such a good guy.  What would we do without him?

By the way, they have to be at the hospital by 5 A.M., tomorrow morning, for Roger's surgery.  They'll probably be there most of the morning so Rita is going to take her knitting.

CUTE ONE

HERE I GO...INTO THE COLD

Sounds like a nasty day ahead with falling temperatures and gusty winds.  I'd like to stay home but I have to make a trip over to Walgreen's to pick up pills.

It seems like my days are planned around trips to Walgreen's to pick up pills.

A long life is one thing but when you start to shrivel up and smell like Ben Gay it's time to give it up.

1941 FRUITCAKE SELLS FOR MORE THAN $500.00!

Now here's a story you want to read.  70 YEAR OLD FRUITCAKE SOLD

They say the fruitcake was vacuum packed and filled with rum.  If I didn't know better, I'd think they were talking about me.

THE FRUITCAKE LADY~This is a classic.

WANT TO CIRCLE THE EARTH ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION?

HOP ABOARD

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

I MUST HAVE BEEN TIRED

I slept until 3:30, this morning, and so did Thunder.  That's like a normal person (and I'm definitely not in that category) sleeping until noon.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.”

Johnny Carson

Monday, December 26, 2011

SNIFFLE TIME

LYNNE SAID: "Two of us caught colds and I am one but I am trying to fight it off.  Can't remember when I have had one.  Strange without any snow.  We don't complain but I do feel sad for the kids with sledding, skating, and all who love the outside sports.  As long as roads are clear, it doesn't bother me.  Of course, I stay home if roads are bad."

WEATHER HEADLINE

RECORD HIGH IN DULUTH TODAY:
43 DEGREES!

DUANE HANDLES LIFES LITTLE PROBLEMS BETTER THAN I DO

"I broke a glass jar in the bathroom this morning.  Fine with me.  One less thing to dust."

A SURPRISING PHONE CALL

Aunt Wilda called from Viroqua this afternoon which was a surprise.  I thought she was with Bob and Lynne but her doctors decided it would be wise for her to stay close.

She's been so terribly nauseated and they can't figure out what's causing it.  They've done several tests and she's supposed to hear from the clinic this week.

She did have a bit of a holiday, however.  Bob spent a couple of days with her, before Christmas, in Viroqua.

The doctors said she could, maybe, go later after they figure out what's wrong.

I'VE HAD DAYS LIKE THIS

On the first day of school, the children brought gifts for their teacher.

The supermarket manager's daughter brought the teacher a basket of assorted
fruit.

The florist's son brought the teacher a bouquet of flowers.

The candy-store owner's daughter gave the teacher a pretty box of candy.

Then
the liquor-store owner's son brought up a big, heavy box. The teacher
lifted it up and noticed that it was leaking a little bit..She touched a
drop of the liquid with her finger and tasted it.

"Is it wine?" she guessed. "No," the boy replied. She tasted another drop
and asked, " Champagne ?”

"No," said the little boy............."It's a puppy!"

THIS IS FOR THE DOGS

AN INTERESTING HEALTH ARTICLE

Fewer people are visiting their doctor and there are also fewer people seeking other sources for managing their health.  READ MORE HERE FROM AMA

THAT'S NO ANGEL UNDER THE TREE!

IN THE
GARLAND HOME
EARLY 50'S


THIS IS JUST FOR LINDA

THE WORLDS TEN BIGGEST SHOPPING MALLS.....(Sorry folks, Mall of America doesn't make the cut.)

A VERY FUNNY LINE

One of the joys of reading Twitter is that some of the lines people come up with are priceless.  Like one this morning.

"Wisconsin blitz over.  Just crossed the border into Minnesota.  Cholesterol levels dropping already."

IF IT AIN'T ONE THING.........

Image by FlamingText.com
Image by FlamingText.com

Amid all the joy of the holiday, DISASTER STRUCK.  I dropped my camera as I was getting ready to come home.  I couldn't see anything damaged, on the outside, so I assumed it was OK.  It wasn't.  I tried it this morning and discovered it has taken its last photo.

You won't be seeing any more blog pictures from me until I can get out and find a new one.

I suppose I could have said I tried to take a picture of Roger and he broke the camera but I've given him enough grief for one year.  Plus, I suppose, I should be nice to him since he's about to go under the knife.

READY FOR THE NEW YEAR?

I'm trying the come up with a New Years resolution but, when you're perfect just as you are, that's hard to do.

THIS IS A BIG WEEK FOR R & R

Roger has eye surgery Wednesday morning and Rita's Last day of work is Friday.  Rita says, when she gets done on Friday she's going to go out into the waiting room and yell.....
Image by FlamingText.com

Image by FlamingText.com

NATIONAL WEATHER

Click on the new icon on the left side-bar for a quick look at the current temperatures and weather conditions across the USA.

WHAT IS BOXING DAY?

These days it's, mainly, a European holiday devoted to giving gifts to the poor and needy.

Some historians say it goes back to early Christian times when churches placed metal boxes outside the church for donations for St. Stephens Day.

According to the New Testament, St. Stephen was put on trial for blasphemy against God and Moses.  St. Stephen accused the Sanhedrin of persecuting the prophets who spoke out against their sins.  He was found guilty and stoned to death.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

OH! LOOK GRANDMA!

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS IS HISTORY

Thanks to Rita and Roger it was another Christmas to remember.  We had a great time and everyone was so well behaved it was hard to believe they were Norwegians.  Both Trig and Ann called from different parts of the country.  Trig and Tula are out west skiing and Anne and Morgan were enjoying the 80 degrees weather in Florida.

To me, the highlight of the day was Roger hanging his balls from the ceiling.

CHRISTMAS 2011

IS THIS A HAPPY COUPLE OR IS IT TOO MUCH HOLIDAY CHEER?

HALLELUJAH

I DON'T BELIVE THE CLOTHES

GRET
CHRISTMAS 1970

THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF CHRISTMAS DAY

CHRISTMAS DAY
TEMP STATS FOR
LA CROSSE
Normal High:
27
Normal Low:
11
Record High:
55 (1936)
Record Low:
-26 (2000, 1879)
Lowest High:
-11 (1884)
Highest Low:
46 (1936)

CHRISTMAS BABIES

JIMMY BUFFET IS 65
BARBARA MANDRELL IS 63
SISSY SPACEK IS 62

GLOOMY CHRISTMAS IN TEXAS

DONNIE WRITES
We will never complain about wet weather, but we are probably the scene of the gloomiest Christmas Eve in America.  In a rare turnabout, most of the country seems to be having a sunny Christmas, while we huddle under persistent dark gray skies, a constant day and night temperature of 42, and a steady  drizzle blown by sharp north winds--all quite uncomfortable.  But again, it is all such a novelty here that we are appreciating it.

JOY TO THE WORLD

TO MY FRIENDS ON THE BORDER~I LOVE YOU!

HALLELUJAH

Saturday, December 24, 2011

IT'S A BIRD..IT'S A PLANE..NO! IT'S SANTA CLAUS!

ANOTHER FAMILY PHOTO FROM THE PAST

THE FAMILY AND CHRISTMAS PAST

Donnie sent several family pictures of past holidays.  I'll be adding them, on the blog, during the week ahead.

This one of Grandma Solberg is a classic.

DONNIE SENT THIS PICTURE

And, he wrote: "Speaking of goofy holiday wear from the past....."


OH HOLY NIGHT

THUNDERS FAVORITE CHRISTMAS SONG

DONNIE AND LINDA ARE READY FOR SANTA!



1 Comment
 

AnonymousWillard said...
How beautiful! WOW!...Could be a window out of Neiman Marcus or Lord & Taylor...
Dec 24, 2011 8:13:00 AM

HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING

Donnie said:
"The Dripping Springs High School Mighty Tiger Band performs their 2009 show "Moments in Crime" at the 4A UIL State Finals at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on November 3, 2009. The Band took 1st Place with this performance and is now the 2009 UIL 4A State Marching Band Champion! Way to go Tiger Band!"



IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING....

According to NORAD at 5:38 A.M. Santa just left Fiji.

WHERE IS SANTA??




La Crosse Memories


Do you remember the cardboard village that was on display at the Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium, during the Christmas season back in the '60's?  I sure don't but I wasn't around here very much in the 60's.

Read this article in the La Crosse Tribune and, maybe, you'll remember it.  I sure hope they can get it refurbished so it can be displayed again.  I'd like to see it.

1 comments:



Anonymous said...
I vaguely remember this...am surprised it is still in municipal storage.


LA CROSSE WEATHER