DONNIE...ON THE ROAD AGAIN

"Safe and sound in Bismarck--10 hours and 600 miles, like driving to Sioux Falls and back in same day.

Mid-September in North Dakota, and still in mid-80s, too warm!

Apparently Donnie didn't do a running video of his drive through North Dakota but a couple of other guys did and you can see what we're missing.

MORE BIKE RIDERS THESE DAYS

The county says bike riders have doubled in La Crosse County in the past two years.  I'm not surprised.  I was noticing, the other day, how many more bikers I've seen while walking to Festival.  That's one way to beat the high price of gas, I guess!

DONNIE ENDED HIS VISIT WITH A STOP AT BARNES AND NOBLE

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

Got the computer fixed and now the phone has died.  I'm thinking it's the battery.  I'll have to look into it.  In the meantime, the only way to reach me is the internet.

DONNIE AND AUNT WILDA DISCUSS THE "AFFAIRS OF STATE"

THANKS MCS NETWORKS

I've got to give a plug to MCS NETWORKS COMPUTER SERVICE CENTER IN THE HOLMEN SQUARE MALL for getting my computer back into full operation yesterday.  It's almost 24 hours later and I haven't screwed it up yet but I'm working on it.

They got it fixed in no time and the minute I started to tell them my story of woe they started shaking their heads and smiling.  They had heard the story before.  Probably many times.  That did make me feel better.  I'm not the only one, the the world, that dumb after all.

If you have a computer problem I recommend these folks and if you like to know more about their services click here to link to their website.

THIS IS A REALLY GREAT ACT

I'M GOING TO START WORKING ON THIS ROUTINE NEXT WEEK



SIGN OF THE TIMES

HOW HOT WAS IT??

We had 37 days with highs over 90 this summer.  Since they started keep records only one year has had more 90+ days.  That was 1988 when there were 46 days over 90.

I'LL BE SPENDING THE DAY IN RECOVERY!

I slept good but, I'm sure, I'll need a nap later today.  Donnie should be on his way.  I'm sure we'll hear when he stops for the night.

We got a great kick out of the post office visit in West Salem yesterday.  It was a bit like going back to Mayberry.  I told Donnie I expected to see Barney Fife walk in any minute.  The main thing is that he got his Hamlin Garland commemorative stamps.  He talks about all the "stuff" he has be he can't stop collecting more!

WHO'S THAT CLASSY LADY?

ALL ALONE ON THE BLUFF

A QUICK UPDATE

I am exhausted!  Donnie done me in!!!!!
Only here two days and we covered a LOT of miles and I got a LOT of pictures that I'll share with you in the next few days.

Donnie will head north, for Minneapolis, at daybreak in the morning.  Then turn west and go into Northern South Dakota to Mobridge and the Sitting Bull monument then south, through Pierre and back to Texas.

I finally got my computer running at full speed again but I'll have to re-program a lot of things in the next few days.  The blog should go on, as usual, tomorrow.

In the meantime, I'm going to hit the bed very early tonight.  I was sorry to see Donnie leave so soon but Thunder was delighted to see him go.  He doesn't like anyone competing with his time for attention.

WHY CAN'T THE ROYAL FAMILY KEEP THEIR CLOTHES ON?

Now it's Dutchess Kate who has been photographed topless.  Probably not the best way to go for the young couple who were the darlings of the press after the wedding.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

"BOWZER"

FROM

SHA NA NA

65 TODAY

PROOF READING DOESN'T ALWAYS CATCH THE MISTAKE

My sympathy goes out to the Red Lion School District in Pennsylvania who missed a spelling mistake on a HUGE BANNER they put up for the whole town to see.

The banner was SUPPOSED to say, "Become a partner in public education."  Unfortunately, they left the "L" out of public.  You take the "L" out of public and what have you got?  Something that the Red Lion School District sure as hell didn't want!!

The whole town saw it but, wouldn't you know, the printer missed it, school officials missed it and the people who put the sign up missed it.  The rest of the world saw it right away because it's ALL OVER the internet.

BE ADVISED...IF YOU'RE GOING TO NEW YORK

There was a lot of controversy over it but Mayor Bloomberg got his way.  The New York City Board of Health, yesterday, passed the law that forbids serving soft drinks that are over 16 ounces.  This goes for restaurants, Theaters, sports stadiums, etc.  The city is attempting to help take care of your health and obesity problems by making sure you're not  injesting too much sugar.

I remember, one of the young men I worked with at the hotel took his first trip to New York.  When he got back I asked him what impressed him the most.  I expected to hear tall buildings, Statue of Liberty, Radio City Music Hall or something along those lines. Stuff that impressed me the first time I saw New York. That's not what I got.

He said the thing that impressed him most was that he didn't see any fat people on the streets.  He, obviously, wasn't walking on the same streets that Mayor Bloomberg walks on.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

TO BE CONSCIOUS THAT YOU ARE IGNORANT IS A GREAT STEP TO KNOWLEDGE

Benjamin Disraeli

Donnie and I had lunch at the new downtown restaurant, Crunch, yesterday.  It's in the old Fanny Farmer building right across from State Bank.  Great atmosphere and the food was excellent.  Very good service too.  I recommend it!

PAUL AND DOROTHY MISSED THEIR CHANCE TO SEE DONNIE

They've been on vacation in Michigan and just got back late yesterday so they missed "Dinner with a Texan".  That's the way it goes when there's so much to do in so little time.

Today is a really hectic schedule.  We'll start the day with a trip to the computer doctor to see if he can fix my computer.

We're off to West Salem next to take in some of the Hamlin Garland Days festivities and Donnie wants to get some of the Hamlin Garland U.S. postage stamp first issues which go on sale at noon today at the West Salem Post Office and then on to Viroqua to see Aunt Wilda.

After that, I'll get home to crash.  My old body just can't take that much activity anymore.  I got about two hours sleep last night and then could sleep no more.  I'll try to stay awake todday!

Insomnia is a common symptom of kidney disease but I pushed the envelope by eating too much food (and salt) I'm not supposed to have and too much running around which exhausted me so I paid the price.  Hopefully, I'll do better today and then I'll rest up good this weekend.

NEW TALK SHOWS EVERYWHERE

I see another celebrity is getting into the talk show game.  Marie Osmond will host a new show at 11 AM, central time, on the Hallmark Channel beginning in October.

IF YOU THINK THE FOUR LEGGED ANIMALS DON'T UNDERSTAND AND FEEL LOVE....THINK AGAIN

Read this article about THE DOG WHO STANDS GUARD AT HIS MASTERS GRAVE.

DONNIE ARRIVED SAFE AND SOUND

We had a great visit with Rita and Roger.

And a super dinner at the Red Pines on Brice Prairie.  It was so Good.  I think I ate too much.

IT'S BEEN A HOT SUMMER BUT IT COULD BE WORSE

A temperature of 136.4 degrees was recorded at El Azizia, Libya in 1922 and that is the hottest temperature ever officially recorded on Earth.  That's not counting the chili I used to make before the doctor cut me off.

FORGET ABOUT SPENDING YOUR LAST YEARS IN MINNESOTA OR NEBRASKA

Kiplinger has released a list of the 10 states that are the least friendly to Senior Citizens when it comes to taxes.  From the midwest, Minnesota came in at #5 and Nebraska #6.  See what other states are bad news for old folks right here.

I OVERLOOKED A HOLIDAY

I guess today is "Bald is Beautiful Day" but I'd rather not dwell on that.

HEY! THIS SOUNDS TASTY

Check out HAPPY HOUR MAGAZINE to find out what's in the OKTOBERFEST MILKSHAKE!

WE ARE TWO WEEKS AWAY FROM OKTOBERFEST!



START YOUR DAY WITH A SMILE!

TWO ANTENNA'S MET ON A ROOF, FELL IN LOVE AND GOT MARRIED.THE WEDDING WASN'T MUCH BUT THE RECEPTION WAS GREAT.

A JUMPER CABLE WALKS INTO A BAR, THE BARTENDER SAYS I'LL SERVE YOU BUT DON'T START ANYTHING

AN INVISIBLE MAN MARRIES AN INVISIBLE WOMAN, THEIR KIDS WERE NOTHING TO LOOK AT EITHER

DON'T TELL ME CARL AND KATHY DIDN'T HAVE FUN ON SUNDAY

ANOTHER NEW RESTAURANT OPENS IN DOWNTOWN LA CROSSE

That Salad Place on Third Street features salads and sandwichs.  Should be popular with the lunch crowd.  There's also a new restaurant in the old Elite building that I haven't tried.

Another business opens this week but I, probably, won't spend much time there.  Jagress Intimates offers custom made intimate apparel for the ladies.

GARLAND DAYS START TOMORROW

WE'LL BE THERE!

THE FORECAST SAYS IT WILL BE A RAINY MORNING

We need the rain but there won't be much.  Less than a tenth of an inch, probably.  That's not enough to do much good.  More of a nuisance, really.  But, then we'll be rain free for the rest of Donnie's visit.

DONNIE WILL BE HERE IN 245 MILES

The distance between Ames and La Crosse is 245 miles and, I'm sure, he'll get an early start so he should be here before noon.  Then it will be a busy couple of days.

DONNIE'S PROGRESS REPORT

"I am pit stopped for the night in Ames, Iowa. Sudden weather change: was sunny and hot to afternoon, but once into Iowa, gray, gloomy, cool."

"This is grain, which any fool can eat, but for which the Lord intended a more divine means of consumption.....BEER!"

Friar Tuck

90% CHANCE FOR RAIN TONIGHT

BRING IT ON!  WE NEED IT.

AND SO IT GOES....

Justin Bieber says he doesn't want to be another teen heartthrob.  I feel the same way.

BUS STOP
As Harry Truman used to say, "The bus stops here"



I'M GOING TO TRY THIS

TOILET BOWL CLEANER:
Sprinkle a half cup of baking soda around the bowl.  Add a cup of vinegar.  Let it foam and then scrub away.

HERE ARE SOME GREAT PHOTOS

I love photos and I love animals. Put the two together and I'm hooked.  That's why I wanted to share 25 EXAMPLES OF WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY  These photos are really amazing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEORGE!

A COUNTRY LEGEND

GEORGE JONES

81 TODAY

ANOTHER REASON WHY I DON'T WATCH MUCH TV

I can't help but be totally amazed at the stupidity of NBC for ignoring the 9/11 memorial in favor of an interview with that so-called "celebrity" Kardashian person who is about as interesting as watching paint dry.  Actually, I'd rather watch the paint.

Watching the dumbing down of the American people during the 70 years I've been on this planet just amazes me.  It seems as though the more access to news and information we get the stupider we get.  Shouldn't it be working the other way around?

DONNIE ARRIVES TOMORROW

COOLER WEATHER AHEAD

We hit 90 yesterday but we're due for a cool down.  We'll be closer to 80 today and then 70 tomorrow and Friday.

DON'T KNOW WHO SAID IT BUT IT'S A GOOD THOUGHT

A PERSON DOESN'T KNOW HOW MUCH HE HAS TO BE THANKFUL FOR UNTIL HE HAS TO PAY TAXES ON IT.

DONNIE REPORTS FROM THE ROAD

Blackwell, Oklahoma After a 9 hour day, 540 miles.

THIS MAKES ME SICK

I'm happy to say that Houston police arrested the mother who left her baby in the car while she went into the store to shop.  That's Houston TEXAS, not Houston Minnesota.  It's hot enough in Minnesota but in Texas?  A baby, alone, in a car, in the heat?

Even the lowest form of animal life knows that's wrong.  When I see things like this I begin to wonder if we aren't the lowest form of animal life.

I WAS JUST CHECKING THE WEATHER FOR DONNIE'S VISIT

There's a 50% chance it will be raining when he arrives on Thursday afternoon but Friday and Saturday look perfect with sunny skies and highs in the 60's.  That should feel good to him after the hot summer heat in Texas.  Of course, this summer the heat was pretty brutal in Wisconsin too.

I JUST SAW A GREAT TIP FROM THE FOOD CHANNEL

If you wrap your cheese in tin foil or waxed paper it will stay fresh longer than if you wrap it in plastic.  It also won't mold as fast.

I suppose everybody, but me, already knew that.

IT LOOKS LIKE KATIE IS THE NEW OPRAH!

As far as ratings go but it sounds like it was a pretty boring 60 minutes from what the critics say.  I forgot about it or I would have watched.  Maybe tomorrow.

BACK FROM THE CLINIC

They drew 9 vials of blood.  If that isn't enough to figure out why I'm so anemic I'll just give up and live with it.  They've been telling me I'm anemic for years.  I think it's just tired blood.

When all the test results come in they'll call me and let me know if they found anything.  Then I'll see them, again, in December and if I'm still so anemic, or worse, they'll take some fluid out of my hip.  Ouch!

WE'RE PLANNING A VISIT TO VIROQUA FRIDAY

I talked to Aunt Wilda this morning and was sorry to hear she cracked another rib getting out of bed.  She said it hurts but  not to let that stop Donnie and I from a trip to Viroqua to see her Friday afternoon so we'll just do that!

Other than that, she's doing fine.  She's had cracked ribs before and it hurts but she's still up and getting around OK.

SURPRISE!

DONNIE WILL MAKE AN APPEARANCE AFTER ALL!  He's going to make a quick stop for only a couple of days for Garland Days in West Salem and a quick trip to Viroqua Friday afternoon if Aunt Wilda is home.  I'll have to call her, when I get back from the doctor, to see what her schedule is.  She's busier than any of the rest of us.

THEY'VE REALLY GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THOSE NEW FOOTBALL UNIFORMS

I think Nike missed something in the design.  In case you haven't noticed it yet CHECK IT OUT HERE ON YAHOO! SPORTS

I LEFT THE HOTEL BUSINESS TOO SOON

I just read an article in the WALL STREET JOURNAL that says the smart traveler is tipping the person at the front desk when they check in.  You want a nice room, right?  That's the person that will make sure you get one...if you're very nice ($) to them.  I guess that goes back to the old saying, "You get what you pay for".

Did I ever give somebody a bad room if I didn't like their attitude?  Me?  Do you really think I could be bribed with a $20.00 bill?  Me?  I'd probably give you the hotel for a five.

BACK TO THE CLINIC

I thought I was done with doctors until spring but no such luck.  Off to the oncologist this morning for more tests.  I thought taking tests in school was bad.  That was nothing compared to these "old folks tests".

ANOTHER INDUSTRY HEADING FOR EXTINCTION

Three years ago 99% of the homes in America had cable or satellite TV.  Today it's down below 96% and dropping rapidly.  People are using their TV's for games or DVD's, etc. but, as far as regular TV watching, folks are deciding that paying for 400 channels of crap, that you never watch, is just too expensive for the five or six channels that you watch 99% of the time.  Especially with cable companies charging outrageous rates and increasing them all the time.

 

 

PEAL ME A GRAPE

An article in the paper, this morning, says that red wine is really great for lowering your blood pressure.....as long as you take the alcohol out of the wine first.  Isn't wine, without alcohol, usually called "grape juice"?

ANOTHER WARM DAY IN THE COULEE REGION

Yesterdays high was around 80.  Today we'll be closer to 90 with a brisk wind.  The normal for early September is 75.

ANOTHER CANDID CAMERA SHOT FROM SUNDAY

"ARE YOU TALKIN' TO ME?"

WALK WITH CARE

What's happening here?  2 car/pedestrian deaths in the La Crosse area and now I read that Car/pedestrian deaths have risen sharply in Minnesota.

AUNT WILDA GETS AROUND MORE THAN I DO

Here she is at the new overlook atop Grandad Bluff.

DONNIE LIKED THE PIZZA IN SAN ANTONIO

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana is honestly advertised, a tasty place. And popular: a waiting list at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, though as a solo I got a bar seat immediately, right in front of the chief pizza flipper.

I skipped the eponymous pizza in favor of sausage and peppers, a colorful, erotically oily melange that provoked the admiring inquiry of the single woman next to me.

A FRIEND OF DONNIES MAKES A GOOD POINT ABOUT THE TV DINNER OF 1954

Notice the ratio of vegetables to meat. and the stuffing and gravy were probably chemical-free. I'm guessing this wins nutrition awards. Especially since the drink of choice is probably water. Or milk for the youngsters.

Ah, let's go back to the 50s.

SOME THINGS NEVER GET OLD

The first episode of GUNSMOKE was seen 57 years ago tonight and it's just as good today as it was then.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

ARNOLD PALMER

83 TODAY

I STARTED YOUNG

AT OUR FAMILY GATHERING ON SUNDAY

Roger speaks.  Aunt Wilda listens.

 

QUICK DINNER TIME

IT'S NATIONAL TV DINNER DAY

The TV dinner came into this world in 1954.  It was roast turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes and peas in an aluminum tray and made by Swanson.  You just popped them in the oven.  No...not the microwave...the oven.  There were no microwaves in 1954 and we didn't have a TV either.  We were advanced enough, however, to have an oven, although, I don't remember Gret ever serving us TV dinners.

WARM UP TIME

Our high was 73 yesterday.  Beautiful sunshine and a great family gathering.  It was just an all-around great day........except for the PACKERS.  Now, we start a little warm up with afternoon temperatures about 10 degrees warmer this afternoon.  But, it won't last.  By Thursday we'll only see highs in the low 60's.

THE McGUIRE SISTERS

R.I.P.

DOROTHY McGUIRE

DO YOU KNOW WHO THIS IS?

Gina Gioco Joly and husband.  She sure looks like Mary, doesn't she?

CHEERS

THIS IS A HAPPY MAN

Santa Claus is filling his tummy for the long ride coming up in a few months.

I've got to give Cedar Creek five stars for the best lunch I've had in a long time.  We all enjoyed it so much.

I DON'T REMEMBER WHEN I LAST SAW ANNE BUT SHE'S LOOKING GREAT

I wish Morgan could have been here too.

WHAT A DAY!

WHAT A DAY!

Today was one of the best family gatherings ever!

There are so many great pictures I'll spread them out over the next few days.

 

We had lunch at Cedar Creek and what a joy to have Anne and Aunt Wilda with us.  It's a special picture because there will, probably, never be a gathering like this again.  A reminder to enjoy every moment as it comes.

THANKS TO CARL FOR THIS ONE

Why, Why, Why...

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?

Why do banks charge a fee due to insufficient funds when they already know you're broke?

Why is it that when someone tells you that there are one billion stars in the universe, you believe them but, if they tell you there is wet paint, you have to touch it to check?

Why do they use sterilized needles for lethal injections?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why did Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose cruel idea was it to put an "s" in the word "lisp"?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that, no matter what color bubble bath you use, the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people run over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the first end you try?

How do those dead bugs get into enclosed light fixtures?

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

Why, in winter, do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

Do you ever wonder why you gave me your e-mail address in the first place?

And my FAVORITE:

The statistics on sanity say that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends.
If they're OK, then it's you.

LOOKING WEST OVER LA CROSSE

FROM WILLARD:

Hit by a Car? I got hit WALKING...In the days when I walked and took the Bus.  I was going home from Junior High School to get Christmas decorations for the class room and was crossing at the interesction of Shepherd Drive and Washington Ave and a Taxi turning onto Washington hit and knocked me about 25 ft...probably lucky I didn't see him coming or I would have braced myself...didn't break a bone!

WALK WITH CARE

I've been hit once by a car, while walking, and once was enough.  In the last five days we've had 3 car/pedestrian accidents in La Crosse.  One of the accidents resulted in the death of the pedestrian.

This doesn't surprise me.  In fact, I'm surprised there aren't more.  First of all we have this stupid law that "cars must stop for pedestrians" which was passed by lawmakers who have never walked any farther than from the front door of their house to their car.

There are a lot of very naive pedestrians who think that, because "it's the law" they can cross the street, whenever they please and the cars will stop.  After walking for 72 years I can tell you.....No.  They won't!  If the driver isn't talking on the phone, putting on make up, eating breakfast, looking for something in the glove compartment, trying to get the kid to sit down or texting they might notice you're crossing the street.  Or, they might be one of those people who think the law doesn't apply to them.

I saw a pedestrian killed, crossing the street, when I lived in San Francisco.  They also had that "driver must stop" law and the poor little old lady actually believed it.  After I got hit in Sioux Falls I made up my own law.  You can stop the car and sit there and wait on me till hell freezes over but I am NOT going to cross the street until you get your big ass car OUT OF MY WAY.

TOM WOPAT IS CELEBRATING HIS 61st BIRTHDAY TODAY

He was born in Lodi, Wisconsin and went to school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  His big break came with "The Dukes of Hazzard" tv show that ran from 1979 to 1985.  Since then he's been busy appearing in Live theater, TV and film  His last film was "Main Street" in 2010.

CARL SENT THIS

An albino hummingbird.  This one was seen at a park in Staunton, Virginia.  This is extremely rare.  A South Carolina naturalist says there are about 30 to 40 sightings of Ruby Throated Hummingbirds with a white coloration every year but only 3 or 4 turn out to be true albinos.