THE HILLS ARE ALIVE!

Hey!  This is NOVEMBER.  We're not supposed to be worried about strong thunderstorms and tornadoes at this time of year.  But, what life is "supposed" to be and what it is, sometimes, differs.  Today is one of those times.

 

 

The National Weather Service has issued this advisory.

 

SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. A FEW OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS MAY BECOME SEVERE
SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 90 BETWEEN 4 PM AND 8 PM. THE MAIN THREATS
WILL BE LARGE HAIL, DAMAGING WINDS AND POSSIBLY AN ISOLATED TORNADO.

 



 

What will the weather be like for Thanksgiving?

The Old Farmer's Almanac says the Midwest and Great Lakes region can expect heavy lake-effect snows for turkey day with 6 inches, or more, falling in the traditional snowbelts.

While we're on the subject of Thanksgiving, the Wisconsin Farm Bureau says the cost of fixing that Thanksgiving dinner will be 48 cents less this year.

And, while we're on the subject of food, Thomas Jefferson said it best, "We never repent of having eaten too little."

"THE SOUND OF MUSIC" opened on Broadway on this date in 1959.

Did you know?  You can watch the full movie of the Sound of Music, free, on YOU TUBE.




CARL SENT THIS:  I don't know what to think about this one.  As far as I can see this is impossible....yet, here it is!


 

I just ran across an article about an apartment for sale in New York City.  They want $143,000 for the place which measures out at 520 square feet.  That would be, like, $275 a square foot.

 

And it's upstairs.  And they want cash only.  And, they'll get it.  Hard to believe the Big Apple is on the same planet, isn't it?
 

Check out the beautiful infrared glow of infant stars born in the Serpens star-forming region: http://t.co/SKESatlF7Q pic.twitter.com/AVmYM3uexH
— NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebbTelescp) November 15, 2013

What could be more blessed than Thanksgiving with family and friends?

Did you see this?



 

Would you trade your wedding ring for football tickets? One Kansas City Chiefs fan did http://t.co/ZAooDL7MD8
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) November 16, 2013

I thought we had seen the last of summer-like weather but look what the National Weather Service has to say:


There is a risk of thunderstorms on Saturday but no severe weather is expected.  On Sunday, additional thunderstorms are possible with a small risk of a few stronger storms.  Lightening, small hail and gusty winds could occur..

The chance for rain is 90% tomorrow and 80% on Sunday.  Sounds like a good weekend to stay home and read a book.

It's that annual struggle between summer and winter with Mother Nature unable to decide what she wants.  Of course, we know that, in the end, winter will be the winner.

Did you know that there are people who are, actually, allergic to cold weather?  Well, there are.  It's a medical condition I had never heard of before.  READ ABOUT IT, HERE, FROM ACCUWEATHER

Petula Clark celebrates her 81st birthday today.  Here she is from 1966.



12.8% of the kids who live in La Crosse are living in poverty and they need winter coats badly.  The La Crosse firefighters are collecting money for this important cause.  If you can help them out Click here for more information

Who's looking for a job?

#JobSearch Adolescent Center Worker - Part-time - La Crosse County, WI - La Crosse, WI Find this Job & More http://t.co/OjVpsC6IRd
— La Crosse Wisconsin (@LaCrosse_Buzz) November 15, 2013

Here's another story that makes me sick.  Illegal ivory trade is huge industry around the world and the two countries most at fault are the two most gluttonous countries in the world, China and the USA.  It's estimated that 32,000 elephants were killed last year to feed this $10 billion industry.

Where did your doggie come from?  The latest scientific research points to Europe as the home of the first dog...about 18,000 years ago.

#hiking is much more than this, but this is #funny Please RT good #laugh #quote pic.twitter.com/3DAk8ODhBo
— Ryan Barry (@hikingtours) November 15, 2013

I'd sure like to be in Las Vegas next month to catch Jerry Seinfeld at Caesar's Palace.  He'll only be there two nights, December 26 and 27.  For my money, he's still about the funniest guy there is.

A boyhood picture of JFK

 

I've always had this fear too....

I live in constant fear of becoming well adjusted.
— Jimmer Cork-Bottle (@JimmerThatisAll) November 14, 2013

At 7:55 it was 34 degrees in Dripping Springs.  I wonder if Donnie and Linda covered the plants?

Today is World Diabetes Day... Retweet to raise awareness. Try to eat healthy and exercise today! #WorldDiabetesDay pic.twitter.com/Sx99gWdObg
— National Days (@NationalDays) November 14, 2013

Now I've seen everything.  A NOSE TELESCOPE??

Police in Denver use 'nose telescope' for cannabis odour mapping http://t.co/SxSgOLVr5l (Pic: http://t.co/grnEcD6RKJ) pic.twitter.com/HoJYZmBSBZ
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) November 14, 2013

Happy Birthday Yanni.  He's 59 today.

Homes lost, lives destroyed. Help us give hope to families in the Philippines. DONATE NOW: http://t.co/2i4oYxxUJz pic.twitter.com/qilmk2PpRL
— World Food Programme (@WFP) November 14, 2013

 

\

JOB OPENING:

#JobSearch Instructional Technology Librarian - University of Wisconsin La Crosse - La... Find this Job & More http://t.co/OjVpsC6IRd
— La Crosse Wisconsin (@LaCrosse_Buzz) November 14, 2013

l like this thought I saw on Twitter this morning....

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows. It's what sunflowers do. -Helen Keller pic.twitter.com/VFcrbht8ag
— OrganicGuide (@OrganicGuide) November 14, 2013

I just saw a headline that reads OLDEST SIGNS OF LIFE ON EARTH FOUND.  I knew they'd catch me sooner or later.

There's an article on the WKBT website, this morning, which you can read here about Seasonal Affective Disorder which I have, big time, and so does Rita and so did Aunt Edna.  The fewer hours of daylight and the cloudy skies of autumn, day after day, leave me drained and constantly tired.  These are my "bear days".  I just want to crawl into my hole and sleep the winter away.

I didn't have the problem when I was living in the south because the hours of daylight don't change that much down there.  But, the farther you get from the equator, the shorter the days get.  The cold I can take but the long nights are not good for my mood.

Can you believe it?  Thanksgiving is just 2 weeks from today.  Where does the time go?

I slept like a baby last night.  My batteries are fully charged.  Trouble is...at my age...the batteries run down pretty quickly.

Who's going to win the court battle over the Farah Fawcett portrait by Andy Warhol?  The University of Texas or Ryan O'Neil?  Both say the painting belongs to them.  I suppose it's worth a lot of money because of the artist but, Warhol or no Warhol, it doesn't look anything like Farah.

The weatherman says high's will be in the 50's this weekend but there's a very good chance for rain both Saturday and Sunday so we, probably, won't be able to get out and enjoy the last gasp of warm weather.

 

 

No matter where you go, you can't get away from it....even outer space!

 

 



 

International Space Station infected by malware: http://t.co/KtoyiKypxw
— AOL (@AOL) November 13, 2013

LOVE IT!

Post-lunch conference call? Be prepared. #GroundFloor premieres this Thursday at 10/9c on @tbsveryfunny! pic.twitter.com/7I2OlHaMYG
— Ground Floor (@GroundFloorTBS) November 12, 2013

THERE'S A CHILL DOWN SOUTH THIS MORNING
At 4 A.M. the temperature was 39 in Dripping Springs.  I'll bet Donnie and Linda have their sweaters on!

A FROZEN FOUNTAIN AT RIVERSIDE CENTER!
I wish I had known about this yesterday.  I would have braved the cold to get down to the park to take some pictures.  Luckily, WKBT was there to get the pictures you can see here.

They hadn't turned the fountain off, yet, at the LHI Insurance complex and it sure made a beautiful attraction.

HOW DOES HE DO IT?

LEAVE IT TO THE DUTCH
This has got to be just about the greatest thing I've ever seen.  It's greeting cards you can plant in your garden and they grow into beautiful wildflowers!  Is that wild, or what?? If you want to check them out click here.

FOR RETIRED PEOPLE WITH NOTHING TO DO
I like to watch these fall but then, when it's over, you have to pick up all those damn domino's.
 

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A BEACH WITH GREEN SAND?

There is one in Hawaii.  CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT.

HEY! DID YOU NOTICE WHAT TODAY'S DATE IS?? 11-12-13!

When I got up this morning the wind chill was stuck at 8 degrees above zero.  I'm not ready for this.

Someone turned off the sun and I am NOT happy. #brrr pic.twitter.com/XerIJSZ90U
— TornadoTitans.com (@TornadoTitans) November 12, 2013

This cold weather is going all the way down south.  There's a freeze warning posted for Austin (and Dripping Springs) tonight.  Some spots, around Austin, could drop into the 20's.

I hope some of the warm weather out west will come our way.  Rapid City could see highs as warm as 60 today.

'Tis the season.  The snow guns are up and running at Mt. La Crosse.
Here's the full story from WXOW


GRANDPA SOLBERG WAS BORN ON NOVEMBER 12, 1879, 134 YEARS AGO TODAY.

 

Neil Young celebrates his 68th birthday today and I just love his "Harvest Moon".

 

   

Did you know that croquet used to be an Olympic sport?

 

 As soon as I got out of bed and saw what the temperature was I grilled some chicken on my George Foreman grill and threw it in the crockpot with the rest of the ingredients for chicken soup. 
When the weather gets cold, you can't go wrong with chicken soup.

If you're planning on spending the night in Sioux Falls, on your travels west, you might want to check out the brand new Hilton Garden Inn that opens today in downtown Sioux Falls.
 

IS IT MONDAY ALREADY?

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I opened the blinds and what did I see?  The first snowflakes of the season coming down.  'Tis the season!!

Duane says Rapid City is getting some snow, this morning, too.

Snow #flurries this morning!!
— Mt. La Crosse (@MountLaCrosse) November 11, 2013

Logo Design by FlamingText.com

 

Oh, yes!  Take me back to the old days when the comedians on TV were really funny.  This is a great clip with the SMOTHER'S BROTHERS.

 

THIS DAY IN ELVIS HISTORY

On this date in 1957, Elvis Presley appeared at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, this was Presley’s last concert of... http://t.co/bXBX7RySmG
— We love 50's60's70's (@welove50s60s70s) November 11, 2013

There was a note from Lynne in my email this morning.

 

"Daniel and Jon are back from vacation and came for their Delilah.  She was so excited when she saw their car pull in.

 

They had a wonderful time with Dawn.  Derrick and Jennifer visited her a few weeks ago on their trip.  We will be going to Dawn's in the spring after Bob has recuperated from his second knee surgery.

 

Talked with Mom today.  She is doing well.  She attended the church service.  She's enjoying the better food they're now serving.

 

We'll visit her the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Surely wish she could be here with us."

 

 

I just read that Matt Damon was paid $3 million for a 20 second commercial for Nespresso.  That means they paid him $150,000 per second.  And, you thought you were making pretty good money!!  If I could find a job like that I'd come out of retirement and go back to work.  I'd settle for just 5 seconds of work!

 

You got that right!

In Vegas they'll bet on anything. One casino was ready to let me bet on whether I'd win or lose there.
— Crowd Funding (@CrowdFundingLuv) November 10, 2013

 

 

 



 

Donnie spent some time in the Alamo City over the weekend.

"Schilo's Deli in downtown San Antonio.  I was there last night for a concert.

 

Schilo's sounds exotic but, actually, was a German family in Texas in the early 1800's.  The picture was taken with my cell phone.  Very poor quality."

 

I think this is some good booze advice.

Cheap vodka, cheap wine, mid-priced whiskey, expensive beer. Trust me on this one.
— peterjames48 (@peterjames48) November 8, 2013

I think I've lived in this apartment longer than any other place I've ever lived.  I just couldn't find any other place that I liked better....until now.  I've finally found a new home that fits, perfectly, with my lifestyle.  I thought you might like to see it so sit back and take a tour.  Let me know which weekend you want to come for a visit.
 

I don't think you were able to see this centerpiece photo I had on the blog yesterday so I'll run it again.  You should be able to see it this time.  I think this is really neat.

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE MARINE CORPS ON THEIR 238th BIRTHDAY TODAY!

 

Of course, there is a funny side to the military....

 

It looks like we'll get our first taste of REAL WINTER WEATHER THIS WEEK.  We're looking at wind chills in the 20's for Tuesday and a pretty good chance for freezing rain Wednesday night.  I'm sure glad I can stay home with plenty of coffee and a good book.

There was a report on WKBT, the other day, that just makes me sick.  The folks that run a needle exchange program, here in La Crosse,
reports that they're giving out 600% more needles today then they were five years ago.  That's a good sign that heroin use in town is increasing at an alarming rate.





I'll bet this will surprise you.  I just read a statistic that shocked me.  A recent survey found that 20% of the people living in Japan say they rarely, if ever, make their bed.  On the other hand, Mexico is the country where more people make their bed than any other country on earth.  82% of the Mexicans surveyed say they make their bed every day.

Isn't this a neat centerpiece:



Do you have any symptoms that may be caused by heart problems?  Here's an interesting list of symptoms you might want to run through.

This is outright child abuse as far as I'm concerned.  These mothers really need to get a life of their own.
 

I LOVE THIS ONE!

 

Things i use duct tape for, by percentage: Pranks: 35% Car repair: 35% Wrapping presents: 20% Medical emergencies: 10% Ducts: 0%
— Lloyd Rang (@lloydrang) May 15, 2013      

I THINK THEY PUT THE PRICE TAG IN THE WRONG PLACE.

 

REDNECK WEDDING CAKE

 

 

 

 

#CaptionThis More at http://t.co/vPQuovq7Hw pic.twitter.com/JLeuzUVIlM
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 10, 2013

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

They say we're in for a SOME SUN THIS WEEKEND.  I sure hope they're right!  The long stretch of cloudy days, this week, has got me down.  It was so dark, in the living room, yesterday that I had to turn the lights on before 4 o'clock.

BITTER COLD WEATHER AHEAD NEXT WEEK!  By Tuesday, high's will only be in the 20's.

Remember the old song, "Kitten on the Keys"?

Is that cute or what??

Today is the day for the gang from Dogpatch but does anyone celebrate Sadie Hawkins Day anymore?

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THIS DAY?
November 9 1968 - Earthquake Shakes Wisconsin
On this date one of the strongest earthquakes in the central United States occurred in south-central Illinois. Measured at a magnitude of 5.3, press reports from LaCrosse, Milwaukee, Port Washington, Portage, Prairie Du Chien, and Sheboygan indicated that the shock was felt in these places. [Source: United States Geological Survey]

I got a note from Lynne:

"We have been dog-sitting with Delilah, Daniel and Jon’s wonderful dog, for the last week.  They will return from their trip to Dawn in GA and then onto FL to see one of their friends.  

With Dawn, they took the tram up Stone Mountain which we did when there.  Just beautiful sites from the top.  We will love hearing all about their travels when they arrive here tomorrow night.  

There will be a very happy Delilah when they come in the door.  She has it so good with us but nothing like her favorite family.  She has taken us for many walks into the woods here."  

 



Wouldn't it be something if a  La Crosse native was canonized a saint?  There's a very good chance that could happen.  Learn more about this priest from La Crosse who gave so much to so many children in Peru.


  More wildlife from Donnie and Linda's house.

 

 

Wear your helmet this weekend!  

DID YOU MISS ME?

Oh, what a long time it has been since I've been in touch with the world!  I found out I can live without the internet but it's not easy!

My brand new computer arrived yesterday and it was a long afternoon trying to figure out how it worked.  I am now using the new WINDOWS 8 which is a real challenge.  It's going to take a week or two before I can get back up to speed.

Do I like Windows 8?  I haven't decided yet.  Some parts of it are nice but there's a lot of things I can't figure out and it's a it's not easy to figure out because there is no instruction book that comes with the computer.  This is a big hurdle to get over.  There is a short video tutorial but the graphics and instructions fly by so quickly that it's, virtually, useless to an old man who is losing millions of brain cells each day. Only time will tell if I can master this new system.

Meanwhile I'm reading a fascinating new book by Charles Graeber.

The Good Nurse is the true story of Charles Cullen who, over a period of 16 years, was found guilty of killing as many as 300 patients in the hospitals he worked at in the late 90's and into the early years of the new century.  How could he get by with killing so many people in so many hospitals for such a long time?  The answer to that will scare you to death and you'll think twice about how safe you really are while lying in your hospital bed. The author keeps you on the edge of your seat and you won't want to put the book down until you've reached the end of the story.

Just look what Rita and Roger did!

They got rid of the carpet and put a beautiful new floor in the dining room.  That's the best idea they ever had!  I wish I could show you a bigger picture but I haven't figured out how to do that yet! 

AccuWeather says we're in for some unseasonably COLD WEATHER next week.  This is way to early in the season to tell me that!!!

Not only is there a chill in the air, that white stuff is getting close to us.



Still snow on the ground (pic taken yesterday.) We'll do some melting this weekend. #sdwx #mnwx #iawx pic.twitter.com/PhbrClODdI
— Shawn Cable (@shawncable) November 8, 2013

It's National Cat Day!

I love this.

1953 was our last year in Marion and on October 19th, of that year, everybody in town was talking about the same thing.

Arthur Godfrey fired Julius La Rosa ON THE AIR!  Right in the middle of his show!  Julius had made a couple of records that did fairly well on the charts and he was so popular on the Godfrey show that he was getting more fan mail than Arthur was.  Then Julius, against Godfrey's wishes, hired his own manager.

No doubt about it, Arthur was a ego maniac and all that attention Julius was getting didn't sit well with the boss.  So, after singing a song on the show, on October 19th, Arthur said, "That was Julie's swan song with us" and, in front of the huge audience watching the show told La Rosa he was fired.

That little stunt did Godfrey a lot more harm that it did to La Rosa.  Ed Sullivan immediately signed Julius to appear on his "Toast of the Town" show where he made about 13 appearances.  He also hit #1 on the music charts with "Eh, Cumpari" and he got a TV show of his own as the summer replacement for Perry Como for two seasons.  Julius always gave credit to Arthur Godfrey for giving him his chance is show business but he also always added that Godfrey wasn't a very nice man.  A lot of people agreed with him.

This video is from earlier days when Julius was still in Arthur's good graces.

HERE'S A REAL MASTER JUGGLER

AN UPDATE FROM WYOMING

Rita called this afternoon.  They're having a great time with Rick and Angela and have decided to stay over the weekend and start back home on Monday.

Temperatures were in the low 40's in Worland so they were sitting around the fire place and enjoying the day.

I SEE SOME RAIN AROUND MILTON AND JOHNSON CREEK THIS MORNING

THIS IS X RATED BUT IT'S JUST TOO FUNNY TO MISS!

HERE'S SOME PLACES YOU CAN RETIRE CHEAP!

Did you see this?  THE BEST PLACES TO RETIRE ON $75.00 A DAY

I see San Antonio is on the list.

In just a few hours, people from all across the country will begin flying into SD for pheasant hunting season: http://t.co/ZM1knxQ2se
— KELO News (@keloland) October 17, 2013

Congratulations to the crew of Spirit Airlines for getting their crippled aircraft safely back on the ground, in Dallas, after one of the engines blew up.

It's another testament to the expert training the crews receive and their dedication to the job.  And, also, another example of how well these planes are built to withstand serious damage and still fly.

SNOW SHOWERS THIS WEEKEND

There's one good thing about the shorter days and cooler temperatures.  I sure have been sleeping good the past few nights.