AUGUST 2014

AUGUST 2014

Saturday, February 11, 2012

THE FIRST HINT OF SPRING

WILLARD REPORTS
A sign of spring?  Just noticed a tender new leaf on an, otherwise, barren tree limb.

WHAT'S YOUR DESTINATION?

CHEAPO AIR.COM (click here) lists the TOP 50 domestic destinations according to the reservations they're handling.  It's an interesting list.

IT'S GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME

DONNIE REPORTS

It's Girl Scout Cookie time! (Remember when the cookies were $1 a box? Now they are $3.50...the price of a gallon of gas. And the price of gas was below $3.00 here just a few days ago. At this rate, gas and cookies will be over $4.00 by next week.)

I ran into a green-bannered Scoutie set up at the entrance to a Starbucks, her parents observing warmly from a lookout table nearby. I had to have a box of Thin Mints, and gave her a $10 bill. As her young entrepreneurial mind struggled to figure the change, I decided I also needed a box of Shortbreads. And I said to her, "This will make it easier--you only have to give me $3." But I could see this sudden change had thrown her off track (and she was not wearing a Merit Badge for tracking). She timidly handed back $2.50, a thin smile fronting her confusion. Of course, I should have smiled myself, said thanks and walked away. But I'm cheap!...and pretended this a lesson. "Should be 50 cents more," I cheerfully tutored. By now the poor little tyke was frozen. I realized my cruelty and quickly said "That's okay, thanks," and went inside.

I spent $4 more on a Starbucks drink (cookies, coffee, gas--life has a $4 minimum, it seems), settled into a seat, and looked up to see the Scout Mom standing over me, extending her hand and 50 cents. "She felt bad about the mistake," the woman apologized. I looked out the window at the Scout, who was anxiously looking back a me--very sweet. I smiled and waved...and hoped capitalism just might survive.

DON'T LET THAT SUNRISE IN A CLEAR SKY FOOL YOU

It's COLD out there and it's gonna STAY cold!

Find more about Weather in La Crosse, WI

Click for weather forecast



COLD TO THE GULF

It's not so hot down south, this morning, either.  34 in Dripping Springs and 40 in Houston at 6:00 A.M.

WHAT'S HOT IN THE JOB MARKET

A while ago, I posted a piece about the jobs that are disappearing.  Now, I just ran into an article, on the Smart Military Money website that lists the top five hottest fields to get into.

Tell your kids and grand kids to look into these fields  so they can make lots of money and take care of you.

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Home Health Aids
  • Personal and Home Care Aids
  • Network Systems and Data Communication Analysts
  • Financial Examiners

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY FRIENDS

Image by FlamingText.com

Image by FlamingText.com

HANG ON TO YOUR HATS

We'll have lots of sun, today but lots of wind too which will make it miserably cold.  Wind gusts, from the northwest, will drop the wind chills to 11 below.  Only mad dogs and Englishmen  would go out in weather like that!

HERE'S AN INTERESTING STATISTIC

GOOGLE handled over 11 billion web searches in the USA in January.  That translates to 66.2% of all the searches made.  The other search engines have a long way to go to catch up with that.

I FEEL LIKE A DINOSAUR

Ron sent an article from CBS MONEY WATCH which lists 10 jobs that are quickly becoming footnotes for the history books.

Not only am I going the way of the dinosaur, what I did for a good part of my life is heading for oblivion too.

Number 6, on the list of careers you can forget about, is the RADIO ANNOUNCER.  Automation, syndication and the computer have taken the place of talent.  And, of course, the "mom and pop" radio stations have gone the way of the "mom and pop" corner grocery.  Most radio stations, nowadays, are owned by huge corporations that have many interests other than radio which has become, more or less, a tax write-off for them.

Another job, on the list, that Bert and I can relate to is, of course, the travel agent.  And, here's another one on the list that's probably the saddest of all.  Newspaper reporter.

The original idea was that the press would act as the peoples watchdog to keep the government in check.  That's, pretty much, history too.  Nowadays, the press and the politician attend the same dinners and cocktail parties and gather together for the backyard barbecue.

But, that's the reality of life.  Time and space dictate that change is what it's all about and the greatest sadness in life is that we can't hold on to what we love....no matter how hard we try.

det
Diplomacy, too, is not what it used to be. One can argue that international business executives are as influential as diplomats...not to mention the thousands of international NGOs (non-governmental organizations), international media, global education exchanges, and, of course, churches and missionaries. The role and impact of government diplomats is much diminished. In fact, the UCLA School of Business has a graduate-level course in corporate diplomacy.


On the other hand, "conservative" is defined as "aversion to change or innovation." If change is really what it's all about, conservatives should rethink their philosophy.

Friday, February 10, 2012

KNOW ANYBODY THIS REMINDS YOU OF?

LATE 40'S/EARLY 50'S

DONNIE WITH SKIPPY
IN MARION

THE VAPORS

I don't really understand this song but I like it and the video is so well produced it's worth watching.

THIS IS THE COLDEST I'VE BEEN ALL WINTER

I made a quick run to Festival and now I'm in for the weekend.  It is getting colder by the minute and I've got 2 movies and 2 books to keep me inside until it warms up a bit.

I COULDN'T STAND IT IN 2D

I see they've taken the re-make of Titanic, which starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, and turned it into a 3D movie and will re-release it on Valentines Day.

I walked out after the first half hour of the 2D version and, with vision in only one eye, my world is all in 2D so I don't suppose I would find it any better, this time around, with the extra D.  As far as I'm concerned that movie would take a carload of D's to even come close to the original version of Titanic that was shown on a square screen in black and white.

Hollywood used to depend on good actors and the worlds best writers to make movies.  Now, all you need is a few gimmicks and a couple of computers and you're good to go.

RITA WILL LOVE THIS

Look at what Donnie spotted in one of their trees.

A BIT OF TRIVIA FROM DONNIE

The holder for the record of the most PGA WINS is not Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus.  It's still SAM SNEAD.

"SUMMER FLOWERS"

I'M PAINTING A LITTLE SUMMER
Maybe it will speed things along

detFeb 10, 2012 07:56 AM
Wonderful! Let's see more of this!

IT'S NOT SO WARM DOWN SOUTH EITHER

WILLARD REPORTS:
"It's going to be a cold, wet, nasty day in Houston.  With off and on showers, a cold front will come in around noon.  This will be a good night for chili."

THE SLOW DEATH OF BOOKS

DONNIE REPORTS:
"It is discouraging to witness the evolution of the bookstore.  Each month our nearby Barnes & Noble, a large store, gives more and more space to toys and games, greeting cards, gadgets and gifts and less room for books.  This week I discovered another entire row, last week full of books, now piled high with jigsaw puzzles."

RitaFeb 10, 2012 07:45 AM
I totally agree, yet the convenience and cost of a Kindle looks pretty good too.

I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS THAT OLD

ROBERT WAGNER turns 82 today!

COLD COMING

BITTER COLD IS ON THE WAY
I had a feeling we'd start getting a taste of real winter just about the time we were starting to think of spring.  Here it comes!

I'll make an early run to the store and then come home and hibernate.  Temperatures will fall, throughout the day, and be down around 13 by 5:00 PM with wind chills near 1 below.

Tomorrow will be the day to stay home and watch the movies I got yesterday. Saturday wind chills will be around 11 below.

39 DAYS TO SPRING!
HAZARDOUS WEATHER
Wind chills will fall to 10 to 20 below zero late tonight with wind chills dropping as low as 25 below tomorrow morning.  The coldest temperatures will be north of I-94.
The cat looks like Thunder but his name is, actually, Arthur.  But, guess what!  One of dolphins is named THUNDER and the other one is named Shiloh.  This was shot at Theater of the Sea at Islamorada in the Florida Keys.

WHAT ARE WE CELEBRATING TODAY?

Image by FlamingText.com
Image by FlamingText.com

And, before you know it, we'll be needing them again.  April showers are just around the corner.

Thursday, February 09, 2012

WHAT'S HOT FOR 2012?

These are the top trends for this year from, one of my favorite websites, TREND HUNTERS.

THIS IS A BLAST FROM THE PAST

This came from my good friend, Gary, who I worked with in Rapid City for many years.  I also had the honor of being the best man at his wedding.  His wife Jeannie arrainged the trip to Panama for Rita and I so many years ago and she also arrainged the trip for Donnie and Linda to Chile just a couple of years ago.  I guess that makes us old, OLD friends!

Anyway, he sent a couple of videos..a then and now look..of the DIAMONDS, a musical group from the late 50's whose biggest hit was "Little Darlin"

By the way, the lead singer of the Diamonds is the father of Tom Hanks and, if you look at him in the '57 video, you'll see the family resemblance.

This first video is from 1957.


And, this video is a recent performance from Atlantic City.


LIKE THEY SAY, "A PENNY SAVED......"

I just figured it out.  I dropped the land-line phone last April in favor of a cell phone only.  In that time I have saved $340.00 in phone bills.  Ma Bell has seen the last of me!

A LOVELY NEW VIDEO FROM PANAMA

I can't believe how much Panama City has changed since Rita and I visited there.  We wouldn't recognize it today.  I would like to see the new Panama but I'm glad we got to see the old Panama before the skyscrapers came to town.

ANOTHER SUNNY DAY IN LA CROSSE

Sunny It will be a bit on the chilly side with the temperature not getting any higher than 33 degrees but it won't feel so cold with the sunshine.


Click for La Crosse, Wisconsin Forecast

WHAT'S A DONKRA?

Is it a donkey?  Is it a zebra?  It's, actually, a combo!  The mother was a zebra and the father was a donkey.  The little guy was born in China.  He's cute as can be (in a goofy sort of way).

A SURE SIGN THAT SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER

The 35th Annual Boat, Sport and Travel show opens this afternoon at 5:00 PM at the La Crosse Center.  The show runs through Sunday.  CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

GO FLY A.........



Image by FlamingText.com

Image by FlamingText.com

How long have we been flying kites?  A very, very long time.  The first written record of kite flying dates back to 200 BC in China.

Wednesday, February 08, 2012

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN'

Rita gave me a pedometer and I tried it out this morning.  I walked 2.2 miles.  I'm sure I, probably, do that much or more most days.

Just think.  If the rest of you did that you could look as good as I do.

FEEDER VISITS

Look at the neat bird that paid a visit to Donnie and Linda's feeder.  Anybody know what kind of bird it is?

DID YOU KNOW?

There are ONLY 2 STATES IN THE COUNTRY THAT DON'T REQUIRE ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 13 TO WEAR A LIFE JACKET WHILE IN A BOAT.  WISCONSIN IS ONE OF THEM.

It's been brought before the legislature but they've never gotten around to voting it into law.  Maybe they should quit spending their time arguing over who's got the best team like a bunch of 10 year olds and start doing the job they were sent there to do.

VIEWS OF LA CROSSE

CRACKS FOUND IN THE A380 AIRBUS

THE LATEST INFO

A NEAT GIFT FOR YOUR VALENTINE

A HEART SHAPED CHERRY KRINGLE
And, it's made right here in Wisconsin.  It sure looks good.  Check it out here.


YOUR GOING WHERE??

The TOURISM INFO BLOG has a list of the ten worst places in the world to visit.  Click here to read the blog.


THE SKY WAS CLEAR WHEN I GOT UP

SunnyThe weatherman says it will stay clear all day with a high around 30.  I hope he's right.  I'm tired of the heavy clouds we've had the past few days.

WATCH OUT FOR FOUL FRIDAY:
Gusty winds with a high of 17.


Click for La Crosse, Wisconsin Forecast

I WONDER IF DONNIE HAS SEEN THIS





detFeb 8, 2012 01:27 AM
Sorry to say I never got there.

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

I HEAR YOU

I just got an email that says I should get my hearing checked on a regular basis because there is a link between kidney disease and hearing loss.

Let me set your mind at ease.  I hear more than I really care to.  If you're talking to me and I don't respond it's not that I don't hear you.  It's that I'm ignoring you.  (And, I can hear Aunt Wilda saying, "He sounds just like his Mother.")

detFeb 8, 2012 07:02 AM
My hearing is certainly poor, but like you, I will not get hearing aids because there just isn't that much I care to listen to.

YOU THINK YOU'VE SEEN IT ALL AND THEN THEY COME ALONG WITH THIS

FAMILY HISTORY

While throwing out some old papers, I came across an interesting clipping from the La Crosse Tribune dated July 7, 1939.

"Mr. and Mrs Friend Terpstra left Tuesday on their return to South Dakota after a visit with parents of the couple. Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Solberg and Mr. and Mrs. Owner Terpstra.  Mr. Terpstra, who has been a Smith Hughes instructor in the high school at Monroe, South Dakota will take a similar position for the coming year at Armour, South Dakota, where the couple moved before coming here for a visit."

detFeb 7, 2012 02:20 PM There you go again (as Reagan would say), throwing out family mementos.

ANOTHER ANTI-GLUE TIP

A friend of Willards came up with another way to get rid of the label glue on the side of a container.  This one is really crazy.  Rub peanut butter over the glue and let it sit for a while.  When you rub it off the glue comes with it.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

I went to Kwik Trip, this morning, and bought TWO BOXES OF GLAZER DONUTS.


I plan to make some coffee, sit down and eat them all.  Glazers for me are like potato chips for you.  I can't eat just one.

You're probably thinking that isn't good for me.  Hey, I'm already old and none of us is going to live forever so let me at those beauties.


Speaking of old, Rita called this morning and before I could answer the phone she had forgotten why she called.  I told her, "You retire and, within weeks, your memory starts to go."

Please pass the donuts.

HEADING TO THE ISLAND?

Think you won't see many U.S. citizens in Cuba?  Think again.  Last year 400,000 U. S. citizens visited Cuba which makes us the second largest source of tourist money for Cuba, just behind Canada.

LOOK UP!




Image by FlamingText.com
Image by FlamingText.com

WHAT'S AGE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

I HAD DONE MOST OF THIS STUFF BY THE TIME I WAS 30 AND AGE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

I JUST FOUND A REALLY FUN WEBSITE

It's PERPETUAL KID (CLICK HERE)  If you're looking for a really fun gift to give me for my birthday, you'll find it at Perpetual Kid.

I'm talking stuff like the Spinning Record Oldies Wall Clock, bacon candy canes, pickle gumballs and my personal favorite ICE BALLS.

You won't find quality stuff like that at Macy's.


det said...
And all of it made in China, and as overpriced as movie popcorn.
Feb 7, 2012 6:08:00 AM

NOW THIS IS MORE LIKE WINTER!!

If it was a normal winter this would, probably, feel like a nice day but we've been spoiled this season.  With a few flurries, highs around 30 and just enough wind to make it miserable, I'm sure I won't have any trouble bitching about the weather today.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

John Lennon's Aunt Mimi told him, "That guitar is OK but you'll never make a living at it."

(How wrong can you be?)

AMERICA WAS INVADED 48 YEARS AGO TODAY

THE BEATLES arrived in New York for their first visit to the USA on February 7, 1964.  They took America (and Ed Sullivan) by storm.  Looking at this video, I don't think anyone could have dreamed that these four guys would change the history of music forever.

SINGING VALENTINE

There's a knock on your door.  You open up and it's an a Capella group singing a valentine greeting.  They also give you a card and a box of chocolates.  Click here to read more in the La Crosse Tribune.

Monday, February 06, 2012

YOU'VE HEARD "LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON"

This is
"Like kitty, like cup".


SCENES FROM LA CROSSE

THE RED DOORS

MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE QUOTE

"I hate mankind, for I think of myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am."
Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson was an English author who has been called the most distinguished man of letters in English history.

I LIKE IT

I found this video on the WISCONSIN TIMES WEBSITE.  It's a group called THE JIMMYS.  It doesn't say where they're from but I assume it's someplace in Wisconsin.

I like it (and I'm not easy to please) so I'll share it.

I think I hear a little Jerry Lee in there!
By det on I LIKE IT at 8:35 AM

OH! TO BE YOUNG AGAIN!

In the old days, I'm betting I could have beat Carl in the bar stool races.  Now, just crawling up on a bar stool is an effort.

For today's younger folks the BAR STOOL RACES ARE COMING TO DRUMMOND AGAIN.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT DETAILS AND ENJOY THE VIDEO FROM 2009

WILLARD WAS GLAD TO GET THE GLUE TIPS

"Thanks for the tips.  Somewhere I have some butane lighter fluid.  Wonder if that would work.  I do have some WD-40.  Might get some GOO GONE."
As a homeowner, I'm having more than my share of solvent experiences (something I never imagined hearing myself say). GOO-GONE is usually effective, but it gets all over your fingers, is greasy and stinks. But I am here to put down Gorilla Glue--it gets a lot of hype and a prominent place in the hardware stores, but it has never worked well on anything I've tried.

By det on WILLARD WAS GLAD TO GET THE GLUE TIPS at 7:19 AM

HERE'S AN INTERESTING BIT OF LA CROSSE HISTORY

I was reading, in the La Crosse Tribune, this morning that the last horse was purchased for the La Crosse Fire Department in 1925.

That means that just 15 years before I was born the firefighters, in this town, were still getting to the scene of the fire by REAL HORSEPOWER!  And, from there I've lived to see men land on the moon.  Life is brief and time is short.

detFeb 6, 2012 07:13 AM
My own personal reminder of the speed of time is that one of the Wright Brothers was still alive when I was born. As you say, we've gone from horse to moon in little more than one lifespan.

MAKE A NEW FRIEND THIS WEEK




Image by FlamingText.com

Image by FlamingText.com

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you."
Elbert Hubbard

Hubbard also wrote, "One thing is sure, there are just two respectable ways to die.  One is of old age, and the other is by accident.  All disease is indecent.  Suicide is atrocious."

WHAT DID BERT DO LAST NIGHT?

"I am spending my Sunday night with the iPod in my ear and playing Pogo.  Can't stand the game or TV tonight.  It sucks."

MY FAVORITE TWEET OF THE DAY

"Dear Stranger:
Riding an elevator together doesn't make us friends."

FEBRUARY 6, 1952



Image by FlamingText.com

Image by FlamingText.com

It was 60 years ago today that King George VI died at the age of 56 and his daughter became Queen Elizabeth II.  Big, big, BIG doings in Great Britain this week!

A BLAST OF REAL WINTER ON THE WAY

ONE MORE WARM DAY and then we're back to more "Wisconsin-like" weather. After a high around 40 today we'll drop to HIGHS IN THE 20's TOMORROW AND WEDNESDAY and we'll, probably, see some flurries in the air as well.

Sunday, February 05, 2012

HOW TO WALK A DOG IN DENMARK



DONNIE SPOTS A NEW SPECIES

"Got a new species at the feeder this morning.  A dark-eye Junco."

LYNNE HAD TO RUB IT IN

"We are having a beautiful day in Janesville. Blue sky and no wind."

Meanwhile, our sky remains a gloomy gray with not even a hint of blue.

LYNNE HAS A TIP FOR WILLARD

RE: LABELS THAT WON'T COME OFF
"The best method I have found is to USE LIGHTER FLUID on a piece of toweling and dab on and the glue will come right off.  Also GOO-GONE WORKS.

COMMENT:
I heard that WD=40 works; so does Windex

I GOT THE ANSWER FROM THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE

I asked the question; "What's the Super Bowl without the Packers?"

The Tribune answered my question this morning.  They're running a poll asking, "Will you watch the Super Bowl".  51% say yes and 49% say no.

So, it would appear that, a Super Bowl without the Packers?  We can take it or leave it.

THE VIEW FROM MY WINDOW

It's a gray day in the Coulee Region but the weatherman says we should see some sun this afternoon.  I've heard that one before!
Click for La Crosse, Wisconsin Forecast

HAPPY GAME DAY


Image by FlamingText.com
Image by FlamingText.com

LOVE THIS PEPSI SPOT

SEE IT HERE NOW
DURING THE
SUPER BOWL
LATER

THE GREATEST ORGANIST IN THE WORLD

I love the great old theater organs.  There aren't many left and there aren't any organists that can play them as well as CAMERON CARPENTER.  He started playing the organ at the age of 4 and he's truly a genius.

I should have featured this around the holidays but it's still winter and, even though we don't have much snow, we can still enjoy a "Sleigh Ride".



WHAT'S A DAY WITHOUT WEATHER?




Image by FlamingText.com

Image by FlamingText.com
February 5 marks the day John Jeffries was born in 1744.  He was one of the first American weather observers, taking weather observations in Boston.  He took the first balloon observation in 1784.

Today we salute all the men and women at the National Weather Service.

COMMENT:
There's only a 20% chance that I will salute them.

LA CROSSE WEATHER