It's hard to tell who has the most fun....the dogs or the humans?

More miserable wet weather for the west river country of South Dakota. Those folks are sure having a lousy fall.

Just for fun I may have to read the new Joan Collins Memoir. It sounds like X rated fun as she reveals a lot of secrets about her ex-husbands and lovers which the 80 year old actress has had a LOT of.

We'll have pretty good weather, today, for the State Bank Chili Cook-off in Riverside Park.

They'll be cooking up the chili this morning and, this afternoon, there's a HOT CHILI PEPPER EATING CONTEST.  I think CARL and I should have entered that.  Maybe next year.

Sunset tonight at 6:26. Those days are getting painfully shorter.

A great line from the Groucho!

“I have nothing but respect for you -- and not much of that” - Groucho Marx.
— Book Quotes (@medaBookMan) October 12, 2013

A big happy birthday to Sam Moore of Sam & Dave fame. He's 78 today. I remember playing this song, on the air, many times!

Happy Hmong New Year!

Comedian and Ventriloquist Willie Tyler says, "The reasons lightening doesn't strike twice in the same place is that the same place isn't there the second time."

Damn! I forgot to get bread yesterday. No toast this morning. This might make me cranky.

The other day we mentioned as story about smelling peanut butter as a diagnosis for Alzheimers Disease.

Hold on there!  David Knopman from the Mayo Clinic says the study is interesting but it doesn't mean much.

The sample, in the test, was way too small to jump to any conclusions.  People, as they get older, lose their ability to smell for many different reasons.  And, a persons sense of smell being different between the left and right nostril is not unusual.

Chicago has a Gumbo Cookoff coming up next month!

We're gearing up for @FrontierChicago's #gumbo #cookoff! Check it out in @ZagatChicago: http://t.co/w7PreyHI6T pic.twitter.com/dlhhmO0rUp
— Tavern on Rush (@TavernOnRush) October 11, 2013

Another breezy day in La Crosse today with winds gusting to 26 MPH. Our next best chance for rain will be Monday night and Tuesday.

Happy Gumbo Day! I really love that Cajun country!

Even FEATURES uses Twitter!

It's a good day for a fish fry! #FishFry
— Features Sports Bar (@FeaturesWS) October 11, 2013

Can you believe this? Heavy wet snow in the Black Hills again. Rita, Roger and Angela will be heading in that direction soon. They might be smart to take a shovel.

Due to winter conditions, a No Travel Advisory has been issued for the Lead area. Heavy, wet snow has fallen all... http://t.co/E13nCuIGDw
— KOTA Territory News (@kotatweets) October 11, 2013

I wish you were all in La Crosse today because this weather is as good as it gets!

Not a cloud in the blue sky with a warm sun and a temperature around 70.  It's almost too good to be true and, for sure, it's too good to last.

Nothing severe but we could get a stray thunderstorm overnight and Sunday and Monday morning could bring some patchy frost. 

It's too nice to think about that today!

This goes into the "DON'T JUMP TO CONCLUSIONS BEFORE YOU KNOW THE FULL STORY" file.

Morris Schwartz is dying and is on his deathbed.

He is with his nurse, his wife, his daughter and 2 sons, and knows the end is near.

So he says to them: "Bernie, I want you to take the Beverly Hills houses." "Sybil, take the apartments over in Los Angeles Plaza." "Hymie, I want you to take the offices over in City Center." "Sarah, my dear wife, please take all the residential buildings downtown"

The nurse is just blown away by all this, and as Morris slips away, she says to the wife, "Mrs. Schwartz, your husband must have been such a hardworking man to have accumulated so much property."

Sarah replies, "Property shmoperty...the schmuck had a newspaper route."

You probably remember hearing the story about NASA spending over a million dollars to develop a pen that could be used in space while the Russians just used pencils.

Like numerous other outrageous stories that float around about what the government does or does not do (which continues to this very day) the story was pure bulls**t.  READ THE REAL STORY HERE.

This, I think, is the funniest thing I've ever seen....and I've seen a LOT of funny things. If you've ever spent any amount of time, in close quarters, with a herd of Norwegians I think you'll find this funny too. Ya, sure, you betcha!

What if Jesus was a Norwegian? Have you ever thought of that before?

Know somebody who's looking for work?

#JobSearch Customer Service Representative - U-Haul - La Crosse, WI Find this Job & More http://t.co/OjVpsC6IRd
— La Crosse Wisconsin (@LaCrosse_Buzz) October 11, 2013

If you're old enough to remember this, you're at the age where you can't remember anything.

Helen Reddy's "Ain't No Way To Treat a Lady" was at #8 on this date in 1975. #nowplaying http://t.co/RqGuiviLdZ
— We love 50's60's70's (@welove50s60s70s) October 11, 2013

This would be funny if it wasn't 100% true.

When you lie to the government, its a felony. When the government lies to you, it's "policy."
— Political Humor (@PoliticalLaughs) September 2, 2013

YOU'RE GONNA LOVE THIS VIDEO!

Chickens around the world will be laying their ass off today.  I can't eat eggs anymore but don't let that stop you from having a yolk or two.

 



It's going to be a windy Friday around here today.

Temperatures should reach the low 70's this afternoon.  I wonder if this might be the last day we see temperatures that warm this season.  We'll be 10 degrees cooler tomorrow and highs will hold around 60 through the weekend and into Monday.

 

Our biggest irritant this afternoon will be the wind with gusts over 30 MPH.

This is the best advice I saw all day.

Ask your frontal lobe if rational thinking is right for you.
— Deuce (@deuceplatypus) October 10, 2013

New ATM machines coming out next year.

No more plastic ATM cards.  You'll withdraw cash with a smartphone app.

This isn't, at all, the world I grew up in.

Lowe's Home Improvement firing an 18 year employee for trying to stop a shoplifter is totally outrageous. Typical Corporate ignorance and arrogance.

I can't let the day go by without mentioning it's MOLDY CHEESE DAY!

Yum! RT @LawStudentsWife: Happy Moldy Cheese Day! Celebrating tonight with some @WisconsinCheese Gorgonzola #cheese
— Wisconsin Cheese (@WisconsinCheese) October 10, 2013

When you learn a new word you should use it in a sentence so here goes.........

I'm quickly becoming pilgarlic just like Roger.

What's the meaning of the word "pilgarlic"?  It's a bald headed man.

The first known use of the word was in 1529 and I just heard about it this morning, thanks to Donnie.

I had a chance to visit Medellin, Colombia when Donnie was living there many, many years ago. It's, probably, the most beautiful city I've ever been in and I've never forgotten the flowers.

This is the latest video of the annual Flower Festival in Medellin.

Brett Favre turns 44 today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We've had our share of Alzheimers in our family so I found this article really interesting.

If you can smell Peanut Butter there's a good chance you don't have Alzheimer's disease!  CHECK OUT THE STORY HERE IN POPULAR SCIENCE

I have had nothing but trouble from this computer all morning. If you don't hear from me again, I haven't gone out the window but the computer has.

One of the big stories on the internet today is about Suzanne Sommers telling the press that she and her husband have sex twice a day. My question is, why would she think anyone would care and why would the press bother to report it?

This years Mental Health Day is focusing on the mental health of older people and the recent increases in suicide.

Another sunny day with highs near 75 today. Hard to believe this beautiful weather so many days in a row.

By the way, AccuWeather is about the best weather forecaster there is and they say we'll have ABOVE AVERAGE SNOWFALL in our part of the world this winter so get the shovels out and make sure the snow blower is gassed up and ready to go!

THREE CHEERS TO THE POLITICIANS OF ILLINOIS!

RT @cfelsenthal: These Illinois Politicians Stopped Their Own Pay for the Government Shutdown http://t.co/ByNhDYZGFu

— Chicago magazine (@ChicagoMag) October 9, 2013

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.” ~Marcus Aurelius
— the daily zen (@dailyzen) October 9, 2013

Rapid City's police chief wrote a wonderful letter to the citizens of that city and he told it like it is.

Having spent years trying to please the guests and passengers and getting beat up for doing it, I can only say he hits the nail on the head.

You know, kids, we've been much too spoiled for much too long and I hope you can survive when it ends...which it will do.  With half, or more, of the worlds human population homeless, starving and tortured, tell me, again, what makes you think you deserve better.

READ HERE WHAT THE CHIEF HAS TO SAY.

The State Bank Chili Cookoff is coming up, again, this weekend.

They've always held it in the parking lot behind the downtown bank but this year they're moving it to Riverside Park.  That should be MUCH better.  The parking lot was way too congested.

Big doings in Washington today and I wish I was there to see it.

The wax figure of Betty White will be unveiled today at Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum in Washington and it sure does look like Betty!

There are big changes coming to the neighborhood.

The changes won't start until 2017, but it's a change that's badly needed.  I hope I'm still around to see it but 4 years is too far into the future to plan on anything when you're 73.

This ain't your everyday Holiday Inn!

Traveling through Wisconsin and looking for a place to spend the night?  We have some out of this world places to stay that you won't find anywhere else.  READ ALL ABOUT IT RIGHT HERE

Wish you were here. We'll have sunshine and 75 degrees in La Crosse today.

John Lennon was born on October 9, 1940.

Think you've tasted all the beer that's fit to drink? I'll bet you haven't tasted this one.

I think it's legal to be horny on Leif Erikson Day.

@PurpleBloodedMN Speaking of vikings... I saw this today up in Duluth. #leiferikson #1000ad #vinland pic.twitter.com/Qxsg7WxiRE

— Jeremie Mullinix (@Fustus) September 5, 2013

A lot of people think Ole and Lena discovered America but that's not true.

 



 

Corpus Christi, Texas has a new law.

You want to talk on the phone while driving?  Hands free devices are the only way you can do it.  You get caught with a phone to your ear it's a $500.00 fine.

THINKING OF AUNT HELEN WHO LEFT US 21 YEARS AGO TODAY. SHE WAS THE BEST!

Deer in the late afternoon light at Donnie and Linda's house.

Hard to believe, 8 days into October and our afternoon high was 78 degrees in La Crosse.

Tomorrow we'll be up around 70 again and that's fine with me.  Every day like this is one less day of cold weather.

I'M GLAD I GOT TO THE CLINIC EARLY TO GET MY SHOT.

There weren't many ahead of me when I got in but the waiting room was filling up fast when I left.

GOT ANOTHER NOTE FROM DUANE THIS MORNING. I FEEL SO BAD FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

"Going back to 1897, this is the worst blizzard in Black Hills history.  Bodies are now being found in homes and cars.  Many deaths.  Dead cattle everywhere because of ice sticking to their fur.

The city council and county commissioners called emergency sessions and declared the city a disaster area.

In Spearfish roofs are caved in.  The middle school is closed due to a collapsed roof.  Gas is scarce and we're getting no deliveries from outside."

TO GET BUILT UP RESIDUE OFF YOUR SHOWER HEAD, TIE A BAGGY OF VINEGAR AROUND THE SHOWER HEAD AND LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT. IT WILL CLEAN EVERYTHING OFF WITH NO WORK.

WIND GUSTS TO 30 MPH WITH A HIGH OF 70 IN LA CROSSE TODAY.

TODAY IS FACE YOUR FEARS DAY.

IT'S SENIOR CITIZENS DAY AT WALGREENS AND I HAVE PILLS TO PICK UP SO I'LL STOP IN AFTER I GET MY FLU SHOT THIS MORNING.

BEST BUY NEEDS ONE PERSON TO JOIN THEIR GEEK SQUAD.

#JobSearch Geek Squad Cadet - GeekSquad (Best Buy) - Onalaska, WI Find this Job & More http://t.co/OjVpsC6IRd
— La Crosse Wisconsin (@LaCrosse_Buzz) October 8, 2013

I could use the ENTIRE Geek Squad working 24 hours a day right here in this apartment to keep me out of trouble.

Donnie doesn't understand why I have so much trouble and neither do I.  The only thing I can think of is that I was just never meant to interact with machines.

My latest problem began a couple mornings ago when I could not get any audio with You Tube videos.  I finally noticed that the little volume icon at the bottom of the video was turned off.  I clicked it on and all was well.  Then I noticed that with every video I went to the volume was turned off and I had to turn the audio back on to watch the video.

It worked fine one day and the next day I had this problem.  I have no idea what happened, in the overnight hours, while I was sleeping and, of course, I have absolutely no idea how to fix it.

I figured it wasn't a big deal to turn the volume on with each video so I could live with it.  Then, in talking to Rita yesterday, she mentioned that she couldn't get the audio on any of the You Tube videos on my blog.  And, she said, clicking on the audio icon below the video did not turn the audio on at her end.

Obviously when I embed the video on the website, all of a sudden, it carries with it the video sound in the off position and when she tries to turn it on it doesn't work.

As I say, I have NO idea how to fix this problem and wouldn't even know where to begin.

If there's a geek in the crowd......I NEED HELP!

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

Rita, Roger and I took a beautiful drive through Amish country, this afternoon, on our way up to Viroqua.  The leaves are just starting to turn.  Rita figures another week, or so, and they'll be in full color.

Aunt Wilda looks so good and we had such a nice visit with her.  She is always happy to get company.

It was a wonderful outing.

THEY FINALLY GOT THE RAPID CITY AIRPORT OPEN AGAIN.

DUANE SAYS:

"Rapid City is still in chaos.  No schools open yet.  Lots of businesses still closed.  Not much street travel.  Only one way open on streets.  11,000 still without power.  Down from 28,000 yesterday."

THERE'S AN INTERESTING ARTICLE IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, THIS MORNING, ON WHICH IS BETTER; THE HUMAN CHECKER AT THE SUPERMARKET OR THE "DO IT YOURSELF" COMPUTER CHECKERS.

YOU CAN READ THE ARTICLE HERE but it's no surprise to me that, in this case, the human is much faster and more accurate than the computer.  That's the reason there are long lines waiting for the human checker while the machines sit there vacant.  I tried the machine once and once was too many times. 

I'm a Gemini.  Gemini's don't tend to deal well with machines.  Donnie can't understand why I have so much trouble with my computer.  The stars are part of the problem and the other part is that I'm not too bright.

HAVING DUTCH BLOOD ON ONE SIDE AND NORWEGIAN BLOOD ON THE OTHER I'D SAY IT'S A TOSS UP. NEITHER ONE MAKE A LOT OF SENSE WHEN THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTH.

Have you ever felt foolish trying to follow a #Dutch conversation? You're not alone! http://t.co/cwT9izwNXo By @Invader_Stu
— IamExpat (@IamExpat) October 7, 2013

And, this is one of the funniest Norwegian videos you've ever seen.

THE MUSICAL "CATS" OPENED ON BROADWAY ON OCTOBER 7, 1982. IT HAD A RECORD RUN OF 7,485 PERFORMANCES.

AFTER SUCH A GLOOMY SUNDAY, WE SURE PICKED A GOOD DAY TO GO TO VIROQUA.

The forecast calls for a sunny day with a high near 60.  And, it just gets better!  Tomorrow though Friday every day should be sunny with afternoon highs near 70.  That's got to be perfect fall weather!

ANOTHER ANNIVERSARY!

THEY DONE GOOD TODAY!

Final: #Packers 22, Lions 9. Green Bay improves to 2-2, heading to Baltimore next week. #DETvsGB
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) October 6, 2013

GLAD I'M NOT GROCERY SHOPPING IN RAPID CITY TODAY!

The line at the West Side Safeway. Many in Rapid still snowbound without power and are walking to get groceries. pic.twitter.com/X4451J8GxX
— Charles Michael Ray (@CharlesSDPB) October 6, 2013

DUANE SAYS:

"Looking for my snow boots and shoe  traction  slip ons.  Want to get to my snow scoops and at least get the north door so it opens."

DONNIE SAYS:

"Halloween is old news. Christmas decorations are on the shelves at Costco in Austin."

I got a kick out of the 6th grade teachers at Vernon, Connecticut middle school who have banned the kids from quoting the Geico "Hump Day" commercial over and over and over and over again.  Not just on Wednesday but every day of the week.  I suppose it does get on their nerves, after a while, but you gotta admit it's on of the cutest commercials EVER!  I just love it.

A SPECIAL HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAVID HIDALGO WHO IS CELEBRATING HIS 59TH BIRTHDAY TODAY.

David was a member of one of my all time favorite bands Los Lobos who are, probably, best remembered for their cover of the Richie Valens hit, La Bamba. 

The song was an old Mexican folk song that came from the beautiful state of Vera Cruz where Donnie and I enjoyed Carnival (Mardi Gras) many years ago. It was featured in the 1987 movie "La Bamba" starring Lou Diamond Phillips.  Here's a scene, from the movie, featuring Los Lobos.

TELL ME...HOW BAD CAN THE ECONOMY REALLY BE WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT SALES OF HALLOWEEN COSTUMES ARE UP MORE THAN 10% OVER LAST YEAR?

What's hot for Halloween wear this year?  From what I read, zombies are still a popular item for 2013.   The most interesting trend is inspired by the "Great Gatsby" movie.  1920's costumes are hot this year so if you still have your old flapper dresses you're all set!!

A GLOOMY SUNDAY AROUND HERE WITH HEAVY CLOUDS AND, MAYBE, SOME RAIN LATE THIS AFTERNOON.

Temperatures will stay on the "coolish" side.  Mostly in the 50's this afternoon.  Tomorrow looks better with sunshine and a high near 65.  That's good because Rita, Roger and I are planning a trip up to Viroqua, tomorrow, for a visit with Aunt Wilda.

TODAY IS THE DAY TO GET WILD AND CRAZY!!