A NOTE FROM RON:

"Friend and his girlfriend will love Santorini.  Of all we saw on our Caribbean cruise, crossing the Atlantic, going from Gibraltar to Istanbul and into the Black Sea we enjoyed Santorini the most."

COOL WEEK AHEAD

Am I done with the A/C for the season?  I think so.  Highs will be in the 70's all next week.  The slow slide into winter has begun.

MORE POVERTY IN LA CROSSE THAN IN MILWAUKEE?

GUESS WHERE FRIEND IS!

Dorothy said, "Friend is taking his R & R in Greece.  His girlfriend arrived yesterday and he got there today.

They are staying in Athens for a few days and then heading to two of the Greek Islands, Sifnos for six days and then Santorini for six days.  Should be a great time for them both!

THE OLD GIRL OUTDID HERSELF THIS YEAR

Just look at this rose from Rita's garden.  It's a work of art!

And, I love the bench and pump surrounded by all the green.


Their lawn deserves the Martha Stewart award.

WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME?

I had a can of hair spray and a can of bathroom cleaner sitting next to each other on the bathroom sink.  Guess which one I picked up and sprayed all over the toilet seat.  You don't know how sticky hairspray can be until you've sat on it.

YOU'VE GOT TO SEE THIS PARKING TRICK!

DROUGHT REPORT FROM DONNIE:

"Tomorrow should set some kind of record.  It will be the 30th consecutive day over 100 and the 60th day, so far this year, at 100 or more.  Keep in mind; the historical annual average of days over 100 is just 12!!!"

NOTE FROM WILLARD:

"Lucky you!  Just saw the wet conditions on the Riverside Park webcam.  Send some rain out way!"

LA CROSSE NOW HAS A "COMPLETE STREETS ORDINANCE"

The common council approved the plan which means that, from now on, when streets are repaired or improved, plans will consider bicycles, pedestrians and other means of transportation.  La Crosse is the first city in Wisconsin to adopt an ordinance of this type.  More cities need to follow our lead.

HOW RETIRED CAN YOU GET?

My Google calendar says I have "No appointments scheduled for today" and that, pretty much, sums up my life.  I never dreamed nothing could be so much fun.

"WIZARD OF OZ" FIRST SEEN IN WISCONSIN!

Here's an interesting bit of Wisconsin history from the Wisconsin Historical Society.

1939 - Wizard of Oz World Premier -- in Oconomowoc According to the fan site, thewizardofoz.info, "The first publicized showing of the final, edited film was at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin on August 12, 1939. No one is sure exactly why a small town in the Midwest received that honor." It showed the next day in Sheboygan, Appleton and Rhinelander, according to local newspapers. "The official premiere was at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on August 15, attended by most of the cast and crew and a number of Hollywood celebrities." [Source: thewizardofoz.info/

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO TEXAS TO EXPERIENCE THE DROUGHT

With all the rain we've had it's hard to believe there are other folks, close by, that could really use some rain.

The National Weather Service reports:
During the past month, generally less than 4 inches of precipitation has fallen from Houston County in southeast Minnesota and Allamakee County in northeast Iowa east to the Milwaukee area. Normally six to ten inches of precipitation falls during this time period. In addition to these precipitation deficits, temperatures have been averaging 2 to 3 degrees warmer than normal. This has allowed abnormally dry (D0) conditions to develop across this area. This dryness is currently affecting shallow rooted vegetation.

In the August 11th release of the U.S. Drought Monitor,abnormally dry (D0)conditions continue to exist across a small portion of southeast Minnesota and northeast Iowa, the southern third of Wisconsin, the Minnesota Arrowhead, the western half of Upper Michigan, north central Lower Michigan, Michigan "Thumb Area", and along Lower Michigan's southern border.

MAYBE GRANDPA SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN HOLLAND

Standard and poor's says there's no doubt that the Netherlands will hold on to their AAA credit rating.  In fact, maybe, both grandpa's should have stayed where they were.  S & P says it's also safer to keep your money in Norway than it is in the USA.

BLUE STARS MOVE ON

The La Crosse Blue Stars move into the semifinals of the INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS in Indianapolis today.  The Blue Stars took 8th place in last years World Championships.

THIS MUST BE THE WEEK FOR WINNERS!

We have the big lottery winner in Minnesota and, I see, a man from Wyoming was sitting in Miss Kitty's Casino, in Deadwood, this week waiting for his wife.  Most guys would just sit there and get madder by the minute but David Flores decided to play the slots.  By the time his wife got back he had won $557,759.00.

Eat your heart out Kathy!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE PACKERS

1919.  92 years ago, today: George Calhoun and Curly Lambeau organized the PACKERS FOOTBALL TEAM.

I WONDER IF IT COULD BE PAUL AND DOROTHY? (If it is...) THEY ALWAYS WERE MY FAVORITES.

I see someone in Minnesota is holding a lottery ticket worth $229 million.

MEMORIES IN THE CORNER OF MY MIND

Just back from the post office.  I could swear I bought a book of stamps about a week ago but, if I did, I can't imagine where I put them.  My memory is going faster than the rest of me and I never could remember much.

Remember when we were kids and we laughed at old people?  It's not so funny now, is it?

FUN WITH ENGLISH

Sign in a  Norwegian cocktail lounge:
LADIES ARE  REQUESTED NOT TO HAVE CHILDREN AT THE BAR

In a London department store :
BARGAIN  BASEMENT UPSTAIRS

Ad posted  in a pet shop window in Istanbul:
HOME WANTED  FOR LOVELY LABRADOR. WILL EAT ANYTHING. LOVES CHILDREN.

In an office :
AFTER TEA  BREAK STAFF SHOULD EMPTY THE TEAPOT AND STAND UPSIDE DOWN ON THE DRAINING  BOARD

 Sign in a  Bankgok hotel:
THE  FLATTENING OF THE UNDERWEAR WITH PLEASURE IS THE JOB OF THE CHAMBER MAID

Sign in a  clothing store in Colombia:
SPEECHING  AMERICAN

Spotted  in a safari park in Kenya :
ELEPHANTS  PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR

Sign  outside at a fancy Cancún Disco :
MEMBERS AND  NON-MEMBERS ONLY

Notice in a farmer's field :
THE FARMER  ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES.
 
Sign in a  Budapest zoo:
PLEASE DO  NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. IF YOU HAVE ANY FOOD, GIVE TO THE GUARD ON DUTY. 

LISTEN TO THE MOCKINGBIRD

Some of the birds must already be heading south.  Willard reports, "A mockingbird!  First time I've seen one come to the fountain.  Had a pair of cardinals yesterday and a zillion sparrows.  There are doves in the area but they're extremely shy.....like me."

AWARD: WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK

Congratulations to Vidal Davila, Wind Cave National Park superentendent, who was named Midwest Regional National Park Service Superintendent for natural resource stewardship.  The midwest region is made up of 58 parks in 11 states.

MEMORIES: A LOOK BACK AT AMERICAN BANDSTAND

HEY! DONNIE!
Guess what record was the VERY FIRST played on AMERICAN BANDSTAND?!

TRAVEL: HERE'S A VACATION TO DREAM ABOUT

Click here: I've found a place that Ron and Penny haven't visited yet!

MOVIES: A REMAKE OF "DIRTY DANCING"

Please say it ain't so.  Justin Timberlake will play Patrick Swazye's part.  Justin's an OK guy but it's too soon to reprise that role.

A BOY AND HIS DOG

DONNIE

AND SKIPPY

At Marion in the early 50's.  Skippy was a great girl.  She visited Wisconsin, at least, once.  I had pictures of her on Grandmas front porch.

BLUE STARS: GOOD LUCK!

The Drum and Bugle Corps World Championship begins tonight at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.  The La Crosse Blue Stars will be competing against drum and bugle corps from around the world.  La Crosse folks won't have to go to Indiana to see the competition.  It will be broadcast live at the Marcus Cinema Theaters in La Crosse beginning at 5:30 tonight.

GLADYS: BACK PAIN

"Serious back problems again.  I'm trying to avoid surgery.  One day at a time.  Will try an epidural block this coming Monday.  I'm not sure if it will work but am hopeful.  Having lots of pain."

WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

I've covered a lot of miles

since this picture

was taken!



IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER

I was out getting groceries this morning and I didn't want to come back inside.  With the temperatures in the upper 60's and a bright blue sunny sky, this is the kind of day that you dream about.

LOOK UP!

The best to see the Perseid meteor shower will be late Friday night into early Saturday morning.

LATE STARTER

I guess I must have been tired. I didn't wake up until almost 4 this morning. I can't remember ever sleeping that late. It's been a long time. That's for sure. But, you know what they say, "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast."

RHONDA FLEMING IS 88 TODAY

What a beautiful star and she had a long career, appearing in more than 40 films.

In recent years she's been doing a lot of charity work relating to cancer care. Her late husband also set up the Rhonda Fleming Mann Clinic For Women's Comprehensive Care at the UCLA Medical center.

FUNNY IN A SAD SORT OF WAY

A MOTHERS LOVE

IN THE "WILD"

IN THE "CIVILIZED" WORLD

WILLARD SOLVES A MYSTERY THAT'S BEEN BOTHERING HIM FOR DAYS

He couldn't understand why the birdbath on the patio needed to be refilled 2 or 3 times a day.  This afternoon he went on a spy mission.

"Now I know why the bird bath needs refilling.  The birds are jumping INTO the fountain, splash around and knock the water out.  Duhhhhh!"

There you go, Willard.  That's why they call it a BIRD BATH!

YES! THEY CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE

EARTHQUAKE IN PIERRE THIS AFTERNOON!
The earth shook with a 3.4 magnitude about a mile NE of Pierre.  That's big enough to feel.  Garbage cans knocked over, etc.

MY FAVORITE PICTURE OF THE DAY

THE NEW SIGNS AT

WAL-MART

WILLARD IS DOING HIS PART

"I am supporting Wisconsin economy. Bought a brick of "extra sharp" cheddar at the grocery store yesterday."

COLD FRONT COMING

Don't get excited.  It's to early to get a really cold front.  This one could bring a stray thunderstorm today and tonight.  Other than that, it will just bring us delightfully pleasant weather.  Our warmest day will be Thursday with a high around 80.  The rest of the week will see temperatures in the mid-70's.  The best chance for thunderstorms will be Friday.

WHERE NOT TO STAY

FORBES has discovered the 10 dirtiest hotels in the USA and a special note to Carl.  One of them is in Myrtle Beach.

DIRTIEST HOTELS IN THE USA

A SOBERING THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

It was Plato who said:
"Only the dead have seen the end of war."

THEY KNOW WHERE BUT NOT WHAT

Fire inspectors say the July 30 fire in downtown La Crosse started on a second floor outside porch but it's still not known what caused the blaze that destroyed a couple of buildings.  The street, in front of the buildings, is still closed while debris from the fire is being removed.

There's an item to this story that brought a tear to my eye.  All of the residents who lived in upstairs apartments in the buildings got out safely but several cats turned up missing.  But, one, Baby Girl, has reappeared.

While cleaning out the last of the debris in the basement workers found the very scared little kitty who had survived six days under the rubble.  The tear came when I looked at the picture.  She looks just like Thunder.

Click here to read the article: La Crosse Tribune

THE STURGIS RALLY

This is a beautiful video of the Sturgis Rally and shots of the Black Hills.  Check it out.

There are several webcams located around Sturgis you might like to check out here: STURGIS RALLY WEBCAMS

EAT YOUR HEART OUT, TEXAS FOLKS!

At 4:00 P.M. Willard said it was 100 in Houston with a heat index of 108.  I, of course, had to rub it in by telling him it was a delightful 74 here, in good old La Crosse, with no humidity to speak of.

ROGER WILL BE JEALOUS

He and I are big western fans and I'm going to have a great week of TV watching.  I got the entire final season of the old series, "The Virginian" at the library. 13 shows on DVD.

Another big western fan was Mother.  There was a channel that ran old western shows all afternoon on Saturdays.  When I came home, on vacation, we'd sit and watch all the westerns all afternoon.  Those were the good old days.

This brings back memories:

SLANTING IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

Linda bought a cooling fan to put under her laptop but when she got it home she didn't like it so she sent it to me.  To my delight, it not only cools the laptop innards, it puts the laptop on a slant and I CAN TYPE AGAIN!

Rita has the same problem with laptops that I've been having.  I can't type on them because the keyboard is flat.

I've been typing in every job I ever had since high school and I'm a fast typist.  I never bother to look at the keyboard and never thought about the fact that my brain is, apparently, wired for my fingers to take the slant into consideration when looking for the keys.  Without the slant, it was almost impossible for me to find the right key and, even looking at the keyboard, I had to actually search for the letter because I didn't know where they were!  Now my fingers are flying over the keyboard again and I'm hitting all the right keys!

This is going to lower my blood pressure considerably.

MONEY IS TIGHT BUT SHAKESPEARE IS STILL SELLING

The Winona Shakespeare Festival played host to more than 15,000 fans this year and they reported record box office receipts.  I'll bet old Will is sitting on his cloud and grinning from ear to ear.

THE HISTORY OF POSTCARDS

Check out a fascinating article from the Lonely Planet website on the history of post cards.  I can't remember the last time I sent a post card.

THE DROUGHT IN TEXAS WILL SHOW ITS EFFECTS FOR YEARS TO COME.

I DON'T MIND GETTING OLDER AS LONG AS EVERYONE ELSE IS GETTING OLDER TOO!

I'm not the only "old timer" around.  Esther Williams turns 90 today.  Dustin Hoffman is 74 and Connie Stevens is 73.

71ST ANNUAL STURGIS RALLY STARTS TODAY

CLICK HERE FOR THE STURGIS RALLY WEBSITE

HERE'S A REAL OLD ONE BUT A GOOD ONE

"The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to be what you desire to appear."

~Socrates~

FEELS GOOD!

I walked over to Co-op and what a delightful surprise when I got outside.  It's only 72, the breeze is cool and humidity is way down.  It almost feels like early autumn.

A CLASSIC FROM CARL

AND, BOY, AIN'T IT THE TRUTH!

B. J. THOMAS CELEBRATES HIS 69TH BIRTHDAY TODAY

B. J. was born in Hugo, Oklahoma but raised in the Houston area.  He graduated from high school in Rosenburg, Texas.  He has given us some great music.

His first million seller was the old Hank Williams song, "I'm so Lonesome I could Cry" and from there he created, "Hooked on a Feeling" and "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" which became the theme song for "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"

THE READERS COME FROM EVERYWHERE

I was interested to see I had a reader in Lahore, Pakistan a few hours ago.  Lahore is the capital city of the Punjab Provence of Pakistan.  It was founded, sometime, between the first and seventh century and was home, for a time, to English author Rudyard Kipling.

Note to Donnie: Lahore is a "sister city" of Istanbul.

AUNT WILDA CALLED YESTERDAY

She's doing fine.  Last week Lynne and Sandy were in Viroqua for a funeral so she had company for a few days.  Trig called.  He was sitting out by the lake and said the weather has been beautiful in northern Wisconsin.  They're back home after a trip to western Utah.

MARK TWAIN SAID IT:

"What ought to be done to the man who invented the celebrating of anniversaries?  Mere killing would be too light."

WHAT'S THE BEST TUNA IN TOWN?

After reading this Yahoo! article, I'm not sure the best tuna is in town.  If it is, I've missed it on the store shelves.  I guess it doesn't matter for Thunder and I because we have to have canned tuna with no salt added and they have a good one at Co-op.  For the rest of you, however, check out YAHOO! BEST TUNA

EVEN A MONKEY CAN DO IT