STORMS

Is there no end to the storms?  Another big one blew through this afternoon with strong winds and very heavy rain.  I saw reports of a lot of trees down around Iowa but I haven't seen any rain totals.  I can tell you, though, it came down in sheets and I saw a report on Twitter that West Avenue was flooded.

I thought it was over earlier but I looked out the window at 5:30 and it was raining again.  Enough already!!!

HEALTH

I saw in the Lubbock paper, today, that says more than a million Texans will have chronic chronic kidney disease by 2020 which will cost the state, at least, $51 billion a year.

GLADYS SAID:

"Very cool here today.  The wind changed and blew the humidity away."

EVENTS

BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT IN LACROSSE NEXT WEEKEND
CHECK IT OUT HERE

THOUGHTS

This video will only take up 5 minutes of your time but it will be time well spent.

WEDDINGS

Rita and Roger are going to a wedding today.  A big wedding.  800 people invited.  I don't think I could come up with 80 people I'd care enough about to invite to anything.  I know a could come up with 8.

Let's be honest.  There isn't anyone in the world who is, by any stretch of the imagination, "close" to 800 people.  I think if you invite 800 people to a any kind of party you have a pretty over-inflated ego about how many folks really care about you...or you just want a lot of presents......or you just want folks to know you have enough money to pay for a gathering that big.

WEATHER

TROPICAL STORM LEE is 220 miles from Houston and 366 miles from Austin and it's moving away from both.  Guess we'll have to find another storm to drop some water on friends and family.

WEATHER

WKBT has a good slide show with pictures of yesterdays storm.  Click here to see it.

PEPPERS

I tried out the wok Rita gave me and the chicken I made was delicious...or I thought it was until I watched this guy in action.

WEATHER

There was some light rain falling when I got up this morning.  Radar showed rain from Minneapolis to Rockford.  Not such a good way to start the holiday weekend but tomorrow is looking a lot better.

I READ IT ON TWITTER

"You know you're in Wisconsin when you swing by the local dairy to pick up some cheese curds for a snack."

FOOD

Most Norwegians won't go anywhere near a hot chili pepper.  Why?  First, they actually have some taste and second they're not white.  Carl and I are exceptions and I know we both would love a big Cherry Pepper Salad with our meal.  Click here to get the recipe

STORMS

Fallen trees and power lines and other reports of damage go on and on from this mornings storm.

A tree came down on top of an apartment building on 33rd street here in La Crosse.  There was a roof blown off a home in Chaseburg.

60 MPH winds were pretty common all over the area.

FUNNY

If this doesn't make you laugh you don't have a sense of humor!

A drunken cowboy lay sprawled across three entire seats in the posh Amarillo Theater. When the usher came by and noticed this, he whispered to the cowboy, "Sorry, sir, but you're only allowed oneseat."

The cowboy groaned but didn't budge. The usher became more impatient: "Sir, if you don't get up from there I'm going to have to call the manager."

Once again, the cowboy just groaned. The usher marched briskly back up the aisle, and in a moment he returned with the manager. Together the two of them tried repeatedly to move the cowboy, but with no success.

Finally they summoned the police. The Texas Ranger surveyed the situation briefly then asked, "All right buddy what's your name?"

"Fred," the cowboy moaned.

"Where ya from, Fred?" asked the Ranger.

With terrible pain in his voice, and without moving a muscle, Fred replied,

"...the balcony..."

STORMS

Another storm report:
A trained spotter reports a large tree was blown down on a house in Westby causing damage to the house.

QUOTE

My friend, Gary, sent the quote of the day.

"Sometimes when I reflect on all the beer I drink, I feel ashamed.  Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams.  If I didn't drink their beer they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered.  I think it's better to drink this beer and let their dreams come true than be shelfish and worry about my liver."
Babe Ruth

WEATHER

MORE STORM REPORTS COMING IN

There's some tree damage reported in Nacedah where wind gusts were estimated at 50 MPH.  60 MPH winds blew several trees down near Castle Rock Park in Adams County.

TRAVEL

WANT TO VISIT HAWAII?

Allegiant Air, the folks that offer cheap, non-stop, flights from smaller markets to Las Vegas will soon be offering cheap flights to HAWAII!  Hawaii sounds pretty good, this time of year, to the folks up here in the north!



WEATHER

THE STORM HAS PASSED

It looked really nasty for a while and it hit town right around 7:30 when everyone was trying to get to work.  I haven't heard of any reports, yet, except that a trained spotter confirmed a 60 MPH wind gust in Tomah.

HERE'S A DEAL FOR YOU

Hi All,
If you are interested in getting an iPad, I can get hold of them through acontact.

These are legal, not off the back of a truck. They are from a canceled hospital contract due to the government cutbacks.

The numbers are limited -I have twenty iPads going for less than half
Price, so it's first come, first served.

I have already sold one (pic is attached below so you can see what you would Be getting).

Get back to me as quickly as you can if you want one.

ART

"EXPOSURE: WORDS FROM IMAGES" is a new show at the Pump House this month.  I'm going to have to check that out next week. Read details of the show in the La Crosse Tribune.

STORMS

I'm sure Louisiana can use the moisture but I'm sorry to see the new tropical depression in the Gulf will, again, leave Texas high and dry.

FOOD

With my kidney diet, I do a lot of stir fry.  It works OK to use a fry pan but Rita had an electric wok, in the basement, that her Mother gave her and she never uses.  She gave it to me and I plan on trying it out for dinner today!

STORM WATCH

The area in pink is under a severe thunderstorm watch for today.  The greatest danger will be large hail and damaging winds.

There could be more storms tonight and tomrrow but those storms are not expected to be severe.

Not a record but we got up to 95 Yesterday.  I'll bet it will be a long time before we see a day that warm again.  Today will be much cooler with a high of 82.

HAPPY LAZY MOMS DAY

Click here LAZY MOMS even have their own website with recipes, tips, coupons and more.

A GREAT DAY

What a fun day with Rita and Roger.  It's been a long time since we got together and just had FUN!  I haven't been up to the farm all summer so Rita gave me a tour and it's just like walking through a park.  Love their lawn!

We went to lunch at the Legion with Rita and Rogers neighbors and then stopped in to visit with Carl and Kathy.

It's been a long time since I've had such fun!

WEATHER

STORMS AND HEAT

This is the advisory from the National Weather Service:

A hot and humid air mass will move into the region today.  Afternoon heat index readings will be near 100 degrees.

Thunderstorms will be possible across Southeast Minnesota late tonight.  A few of these storms could become severe, capable of producing damaging winds and large hail.

Thunderstorms will, again, become possible Friday with isolated large hail and damaging winds.

TV

HAVE YOU HEARD?

The 2012 Olympics will be televised in 3D!

Now, where did I put those glasses?

JUST ONE OF THOSE DAYS

WHY DOES IT SEEM LIKE SATURDAY?

I seem to be confused again.

BIRTHDAY

THE OLD TIMERS ARE STILL HANGIN' IN THERE!

Lily Tomlin is 72 and Barry Gibb (Bee Gees) is 65.

ANNIVERSARY

I MISSED MY OWN ANNIVERSARY!

Rita sent me an email wishing me "Happy Anniversary" and wondering how many years I had been back in La Crosse.  I had forgotten all about it.

It was August 29, 1997 that I returned to La Crosse after a two day ride on a Greyhound Bus.  Rita and Roger met me and we went to lunch at the old Piggy's.  14 years ago.

Now, 14 years later, Greyhound is gone from La Crosse, the old Piggy's is gone (soon to be the site of the new La Crosse Community Theater) but I'm still here!  Barely hanging on but still here.  Still kickin'....but....not quite as high.



ACCIDENT

So sorry to hear about the accident and injuries suffered by several Viterbo University Students as they were returning from a function in the Viroqua area.  CLICK HERE FOR VITERBO ACCIDENT STORY IN THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE 

HAPPY CAT MONTH 2011

Here's a great video with all kinds of tips for cat care.  And, listen, carefully, at the end.  You have a better chance of avoiding a heart attack if you have a cat.  Sorry, dogs.  It's only the cats who are "heart friendly".

RECORD BREAKER TOMORROW???

Back in 1913, on the first of September it got up to 98 in La Crosse, That record has held for the first of September ever since.  The National weather Service says there's a good chance we could break that record tomorrow.

VISITING

I'm going up to see Rita and Roger tomorrow.  It's been a while since we've had a good visit.  I was hoping we would be able to sit outside but if we really do get that 95 degree weather they're forecasting we won't be sitting outside!

SEASONS

Another sign of autumn.  The band from the middle school in our neighborhood is out on the street practicing for the upcoming Oktoberfest Parade.  It will be here before we know it.  I think it's the middle school Rita went to but I can't remember the name.

DROUGHT

It's nothing like Texas but, believe it or not, after all the rain we had in June and July, August has actually been dryer than normal.  We're actually 2 1/2 inches below normal as we end this month.

BIRTHDAY

Gotta wish Jerry Allison a happy birthday today.  He was the drummer with Buddy Holly and the Crickets.  Jerry also wrote "Peggy Sue" with Buddy.  Jerry is 72 today.

WEATHER

Lots of Twitter talk, this morning, about a NASA photo showing a Roll Cloud that was photographed over Racine in 1977.  I have never heard of such a cloud before.   It's a scary looking thing, thats for sure!  Take a look here.  CLICK NASA

WEATHER

HIGH HEAT

STILL IN THE FORECAST

It's almost impossible to believe that after the beautiful weather we've had the past few days it's going to get miserably hot again. The forecast for tomorrow still calls for highs close to the record of 98 tomorrow with heat indices as high as 102.  It's just going to be a one day thing.  Friday highs will be back in the mid 80s. 

HEALTH

My annual physical is done and they gave me an appointment for another one next year so I take that to mean I should have enough gas for another 12 months.

Of course, you never get off without something that needs more checking.  I have to have another ultrasound, next week, to make sure the artery in my neck hasn't clogged up more than it was last year.  I've been able to keep my cholesterol down to very safe levels so, with luck it will be OK.

QUOTE

Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much of life. So aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something.

--Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Now, the question is, What am I good for?  This may require some time to figure out.  I'll get back to you.



HEALTH

HERE WE GO AGAIN

It's time for the six month round of doctor visits.  Today it's my General Practitioner for my annual check-up.  Have to be at the clinic at 8 for blood tests and then see the doctor at 9.  I wonder if there as anyone on the planet who actually enjoys their annual physical?  My thinking is that if they don't stamp my forehead with an expiration date I'll be good to go for another year.

FOOD

Is chocolate good for your heart?  Click here REUTERS to read to story from Reuters.

FOOD

Special note to Donnie:
If you make a run into Austin today, the ice cream flavor of the day at the Four Seasons is GIBSON BUTTERFINGER GUITAR and I'll bet it's to die for.  Maybe even better than a scoop of Blue Bell!

BEWARE!

THIS COMES FROM THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

Intelligence Note

Prepared by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

March 11, 2011

---

Tips On Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes

Recently several natural disasters, including tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes, have devastated lives and property. In the wake of these events that have caused emotional distress and great monetary loss to numerous victims, individuals across the nation often feel a desire to help these victims, frequently through monetary donations.

These disasters prompt individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization or a good cause. Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

• Do not respond to unsolicited (SPAM) e-mail.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting via e-mail for donations.
• Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
• Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the recognized charity or aid organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the site.
• Attempt to verify the legitimacy of the non-profit status of the organization by using various Internet-based resources, which also may assist in confirming the actual existence of the organization.
• Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

To obtain more information on charitable contribution schemes and other types of online schemes, visit www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com.
If you believe you have been a victim of a charity related scheme, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud by telephone at (866) 720-5721, or by fax at (225) 334-4707, or by e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.1You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.
1 National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) was originally established by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies, including the FBI, participate in the NCDF, allowing it to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to relief fraud.

SHOPPING

I made a run to Festival this mornng.  One of the items on my list was MINUTE RICE.  Now that I can't have potatoes, I eat a lot of rice.  As I was grabbing for a box I noticed that the house brand was more expensive than the name brand!  This is not the first time I've caught that trick at that store.  I wonder how many people automatically grab the house brand, assuming it's cheaper, and get scammed into paying more money?

AUTUMN

Guess what I saw today!  This little tree next to the cathedral is the first hint of fall color I've seen.  All the leaves have turned a dark, red rust.

BOOKS

ATTENTION RON AND ALL OTHER RADIO FANS WHO WERE AROUND IN THE '50'S.

Click here 1950's radio in color to read a review about a new book that takes you back to the very beginning of rock and roll radio.  Sounds like some great memories here.  I can't wait to get my hands on it.

FOG

Rita called this morning.  She's going to stop by with coupons.  I hope she drives carefully.  It's about as foggy as it can get this morning.  This is a sure sign that fall is right around the corner.

REMEMBERING ANOTHER HURRICANE

TODAY IN HISTORY

 SIX YEARS AGO TODAY HURRICANE KATRINA MADE LANDFALL IN LOUISIANA

DOORWAY BY DONNIE

THINK ABOUT IT

TODAY'S LESSON

IF I AGREED WITH YOU WE'D BOTH BE WRONG

SALT

SALT TALKS

I just read, on Twitter, that if you sprinkle a bit a salt in your doorways and on your window sills it will keep ants out of the house.  Have you ever heard of that?  Does it work?

HURRICANE

The latest figures show, at least, 22 dead in 8 states in the wake of Irene.

WEATHER

HEY, BRUNO!

KNOW ANY GOOD PILOTS?



BUTTERBEAN

Donnie writes, "I remember you hosting Butterbean at the hotel.  He has a longer entry in Wikipedia than many other figures in history."

The man known as "Butterbean" is Eric Scott Esch.  He's a heavyweight boxer, professional wrestler and mixed martial artist.  He's also the deputy sheriff in his hometown of Jasper, Alabama.

He's also the star of a new reality TV documentary called Big Law Deputy Bean on the Investigation Discovery Channel.

Of course, when he was at the hotel, I had no idea who he was until some of the younger employees filled me in.

WEATHER

TEXAS HEAT: Donnie reports...
"The actual official temperature right now (3 p.m.) is 109.  Our back porch thermometer reads 117 (in the shade)."

THIS IS PRICELESS

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE NORWEGIAN TO LOVE THIS BUT IT HELPS



TRIVIA

HERE'S AN INTERESTING PIECE OF TRIVIA FROM THE SMITHSONIAN

A compact disc holds over an hour of music.  Wanna know why?  When the disc was first being created it was decided it should hold enough data to put Beethoven's Ninth Symphony on one disc.  That symphony runs more than an hour.  In the LP days it took 3 sides to transcribe the entire symphony.  Now one disc will do it.  Thanks to Ludwig.



AGE

RITA HIT A MILESTONE YESTERDAY

"I received my Medicare card.  I feel soooooooooooo old!  Just call me Rita Grayhair."

WEATHER

Willard reports on Houston heat:
"Record high yesterday: 109."

HURRICANE

Weather Bug is reporting that nearly 2 million people have lost power, at one point or another, during Irene's trek up the east coast.

HISTORY

Was there a time, back in the early 1900's, when a quarter of the people living in the village of Alma were mentally defective?  There is a fascinating article about that in today's La Crosse Tribune.  Click here to read all about it.

FASHION

The paper says back to school clothes will cost 10% more and, with crappier quality, you'll be lucky if they last until the Christmas break.

We didn't really have those problems when I went to school.  Our "back to school clothes" were the same clothes we had been wearing all summer and, with a little luck, they'd last until we needed the next bigger size.  Clothes, in the "olden days" were made to last.  We didn't care.  Marion, South Dakota was never known as the "fashion capitol of the world" but it was the best place in the world to grow up.

HEALTH

I HAVE LOTS OF COMPANY

According to the National Kidney foundation, 26 million adults in the U.S.A. have Chronic Kidney Disease.

I was hoping for a disease that would be a bit more exclusive but, I guess, you have to take what you can get.

FOOD

I NEED TO MAKE A RUN TO VIROQUA
Aunt Wilda has blueberries, in the freezer, for me and I saw a recipe, this morning, I have to try out.

5 MINUTE BLUEBERRY PIE

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3/4 cup water
• 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• Graham cracker crust
• Whipped Cream

Combine sugar and cornstarch.  Stir in water until smooth.  Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Add blueberries and cook for three minutes, stirring occasionally.  Pour into the crust and chill.  Top with whipped cream to serve it.

AGE

HOW OUT OF IT CAN YOU GET?

  On Yahoo! this morning they're showing high school class pictures of five "celebrities".  Lady Ga Ga was the only one I've ever heard of.  The other four could be cleaning rooms at the Radisson for all I know.