BEEF AND BEER CHILI

Haven't heard how the State Bank chili cookoff went today but the teams were already out there cooking up their creations when I went by early this morning.

Speaking of good chili, if I could still eat it, I'd try this beef and beer chili recipe. MY RECIPES BEEF AND BEER CHILI

WHAT DO I KNOW?

I was thinking that the gas pipeline running so close to Donnie and Linda would lower the value of their land. As usual, I was wrong.

Donnie said, "They help values. (See my comment on the blog). The pipelines guarantee that this land will not be "developed," so we are sure to remain surrounded by woodlands. The pipes you see in pix will soon be buried, and then there is nothing there but hills and trees and a good hiking trail. Unless, of course, they explode."

I'm not totally convinced but, for now, I'll take his word for it.

ZSA ZSA BACK TO THE HOSPITAL

Sorry to hear Zsa Zsa is back in the hospital again. Hang in there, girl!

AS IF THE DROUGHT ISN'T BAD ENOUGH....

Donnie and Linda have this hideous pipeline to deal with. Donnie said, "All this is happening just 100 yards from our back porch."

Donnie comments:
"I should add that this is the first time since 1949 that they have done this, and we'd rather see it replaced now that see it broken!  And when they are done, this pipeline assures us of another 60 years of undeveloped woodland surroundings and peace and quiet."

I WENT FOR A NICE WALK THIS MORNING

The colors are looking good in the morning light.

And, we won't see many more barges, this season but I caught this one on the way up river.

NOT, EXACTLY, A FLOOD BUT......

DONNIE REPORTS
"Awoke to rain--just light sprinkles, but this year that amounts to a downpour. (It lasted 5 minutes.)"

BARAKA

BARAKA was first released, in theaters, back in the 1980's and has been re-released on DVD Blue Ray. I saw the film yesterday and I don't think any movie has ever moved me as much as this one.

The story of the many faces of the human race, around the planet, is told without a single word spoken and it's a powerful story to watch. If you ever get a chance, you'll want to see this.

Here are some opening scenes from the movie.

CHILI COOKOFF TODAY-STATE BANK-DOWNTOWN

I HAD FORGOTTEN ALL ABOUT RONA BARRETT

That's not a good sign. She's celebrating her 75th birthday today which means she's only four years older than I am. That makes me wonder. If I've forgotten her at 75, how many people have forgotten me at 71? I guess it doesn't matter. I've already forgotten the people I talked to yesterday. I've also forgotten the point I was trying to make when I started typing this.

I did remember, however, that today is the anniversary of the....

THE GREAT CHICAGO FIRE

which began on October 8, 1871. 4 square miles of the city were destroyed, 90,000 were left homeless, 250 were killed and Mrs. O'Learys cow received a severe spanking.

WAITING FOR GRANDAD

The wait for the opening of the new $1.17 million remodel of the Grandad Bluff Lookout Park has been delayed until Spring. It was, originally, scheduled to open this fall but weather delays were a big factor in not getting the job done on time. They say the new look is worth the wait.

SUNRISE ON THE RANCH

Rita thought the sunrise was so beautiful, this morning, she had Roger take a picture of it.  I agree, it's lovely.

THE GOOD OLD RAILROAD DAYS

The oldest surviving structure from the old train days of the Milwaukee Road is in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Wonder if Aunt Wilda has been there. Click here to read more about the old depot.

I WONDER IF BRUNO IS AWARE OF THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN HIS HOME COUNTRY:

COLORADO BY DONNIE

THIS IS JUST TOO GOOD FOR WORDS!!

YOU ARE NOT SO SMART

NEW BOOK I'VE GOT TO READ. YOU SHOULD TOO BUT FIRST WATCH THIS VIDEO.

THE DUTCH CLAMP DOWN ON DRUNK DRIVERS

If they catch you driving drunk, in the Netherlands after December 1, they will fit your car with an ALCOLOCK and it will stay there for TWO YEARS.  Every time you want to start the car, you'll have to blow into a tube and if your "over the limit" the car won't start.

I'll bet it's hard walking in those wooden shoes when you're drunk.

SORRY TO HEAR THE LATEST NEWS FROM BEV

"I just got back from Mayo Clinic. The cancer has spread to the bones in my spine. I have had too much radiation and they can't give me anymore. I will be going to my local Doctor next week and we will decide what way to go. I may have some Chemo. I feel pretty good I just have a pain in my back, but I'm on some good pain pills and they help a lot."

GUESS I'D BETTER PUT THIS ON FOR THE PENGUIN LOVERS..DONNIE AND LINDA

WOW! ANOTHER "MOMMY DEAREST" ABOUT TO HIT THE BOOK STORES

Have you read some of the stuff Alexis Stewart has to say about her "mommy" Martha? I have a feeling Martha will NOT say "it's a good thing".

Alexis says Martha bought Christmas gifts for Alexis but made Alexis WRAP HER OWN GIFTS! So much for Santa Claus! And that's one of the more mild accusations. The bathroom story is one I find hard to believe.

The tell all book, "Whateverland: Learning to Live Here." will be in stores October 18.

YOU GOTTA SEE THIS

Rita and Roger sent this one. I really got a kick out of it. In fact, I haven't had that much fun since I fell into the dumpster in Sioux Falls.

IT AIN'T THE FAT THAT'S KILLING YOU

You might be interested in this book THE GREAT FAT FRAUD. According to the book, new studies show fat people are just as healthy as thin people......IF....they get OUT of the car and off their ass and START WALKING AND EXERCISING.  Click on the title, above, for more information.

BULLETIN: FROM DONNIE

"Good economic indicator: IKEA has dropped the price of its meatball lunch by 25%."

WE'RE GETTING A "TASTE OF TEXAS" WEATHER

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
419 AM CDT THU OCT 6 2011

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED ONCE AGAIN THIS
AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING...

.RED FLAG CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP THIS AFTERNOON...
LASTING INTO EARLY THIS EVENING. AN UNSEASONABLY WARM AND DRY AIR
MASS WILL ALLOW THE RELATIVE HUMIDITY TO DROP AS LOW AS 20 TO 25
PERCENT. THESE DRY CONDITIONS COMBINED WITH SOUTH WINDS OF 15 TO 20
MPH WITH GUSTS NEARING 30 MPH WILL RESULT IN CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER
CONDITIONS.

GRASSES...BRUSH AND CROPS ARE VERY DRY ACROSS THE REGION AND
FIRES COULD SPREAD QUICKLY UNDER THESE CONDITIONS.

Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota all reported wildfires yesterday.

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

My adventures at the Radisson began 14 years ago today.

STEVE JOBS

PACKERS TICKETS

TRAVEL WISCONSIN is giving away tickets to see the PACKERS play. CLICK HERE TO ENTER

WHICH COFFEE DO YOU LIKE BEST?

CLICK HERE..ENTER AND WIN!

MAIN BRAIN FRAME

I was reading an article that says, by 2030, we could have computers that are faster and smarter than the human brain. They would create those computers by decoding and simulating the cerebral cortex. Sounds simple enough until you realize the cerebral cortex has around 22 billion neurons and 220 trillion synapses. That amount of brain power, of course, does not include the members of congress who have brains that are shoved up another part of their anatomy and don't appear to have any neurons or synapses at all.

TEMPERATURE

It's going to be another warm October day, in La Crosse, today with a high near 81. Any chance we'll break a record??? Not even close! Back in 1963, on the 6th of October, we hit a record high of 93 degrees!

LAKE MICHIGAN

The July/August issue of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER has a super article on traveling around the shores of Lake Michigan. Click here for the article.

CHILI

STATE BANK (my bank) is holding its 20th annual CHILI COOKOFF this coming Saturday. ALL YOU CAN EAT chili for just $5.00.

They're hoping to raise $20,000, this year, to benefit DARE and GREAT, which are programs to help keep kids away from drugs and gangs. Some of the money raised will also go to Habitat for Humanity.

COFFEE

Coffee Snobs from Frankie Shaw

3 CHEERS FOR STAVANGER NORWAY!!

I have never been able to figure out why the folks in this town get their shorts in such a knot over the little bit of graffiti you see around town. Actually, I'd like to see MORE of it. Not less. Some of these "renegade artists" show great talent.

It must be my Norwegian blood that lets me appreciate what the "powers that be" find so offensive

Every fall in Stavanger, Norway they welcome, with open arms, every graffiti artist around to come to town and paint away. They turn it into a huge celebration that draws huge crowds. Good for Stavanger!  Click here to see some photos

I'LL BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THIS.......

Did you know that some people don't have any lines or swirls on their finger tips? NO FINGER PRINTS!! It's a very rare condition and it's called adermatoglyphia. Try to work that word into a conversation.

BUZZARDS

I kept thinking about the buzzard in Donnie and Linda's backyard and I was reminded that "Bugs" used to have buzzard problems too. I took a look and, sure enough, I found it. Just imagine Donnie playing the part of Bugs.

LA CROSSE IS A BIKE FRIENDLY CITY AND IN GOOD COMPANY!

ANOTHER ROCKER GONE

Sorry to hear of the death of 70 year old Motown Guitarist and songwiter, Marv Tarplin. It was Marv who wrote the hit song, "Tracks of my Tears" for Smokey Robinson.

JEROME CHRISTENSONS ARTICLE IN THE LA CROSSE TRIBUNE HIT THE NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD!

I spend half my day looking through drawers for things that should be there but aren't. Read column here.

I HATE TO TELL YOU THIS BUT..........

AccuWeather is forecasting a BRUTALLY COLD AND SNOWY WINTER FROM MINNEAPOLIS TO CHICAGO WHICH PUTS US IN THE BULLSEYE! I hate to add that AccuWeather is about as good as they get when it comes to forecasting weather. This could be one of the worst we've seen in a long time so enjoy the few days of warm weather we have left!!

LOOK WHAT DONNIE SPOTTED IN THE BACK YARD

Is that a BUZZARD?
That can't be a good sign.

By the way, Donnie also sent a picture of their house and it looks greener around there than I thought it would.

BALLOONS AROUND THE WORLD WEDNESDAY

Wednesday already? The older I get, the faster the days fly by. Today is Balloons around the world day.

Today is also the anniversary of Allen Ludden's birthday. Here's a clip from 1966 when Allen and Betty White appeared on the Merv Griffin Show.

Allen was born in Mineral Point, Wisconsin in 1918.

A comment from Donnie: "If I'm not wrong, that is the great Arthur Treacher also in that White-Ludden clip."

CANCER AND VITAMIN D

An interesting report from webMD that 3/4 of the people with a variety of cancers also have low levels of vitamin D.

WHITE HOUSE TREE FROM WISCONSIN

It comes from Schroeder's Forevergreens In Marquette County. It's 18.5 feet tall.

Our Christmas will be at Rita and Roger's this year. I believe their tree is coming from the basement and it's not nearly as tall.

CRUNCH!

Our new downtown

cafeteria is just about ready

to open.

I can't wait to try it out!

By the way,

This might be of interest to some of you.

I saw a sign that said

BLOODY MARY BAR!

SOMETHING NEW FOR COUNTRY FANS TO VISIT

If you're traveling through Virginia, you'll want to stop in Winchester to take a tour of the house where Patsy Cline was born and spent her childhood. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

HERE'S A DIET FOR YOU

In her new book, "I'm Over All That", Shirley MacLaine tells how Marlene Dietrich kept such a beautiful figure. She only ate every other day.

FUN FACT OF THE DAY

Mexico City is sinking at the rate of 10 centimetres a year which means it is sinking 10 times faster than Venice!

YOU DOG LOVERS (Thunder is not one of them) WILL LOVE THESE T-SHIRTS:

RITA: THE BLACK LAB SHIRT WAS MADE FOR YOU! DOGGIE T-SHIRTS

ANOTHER GREAT PHOTO BY ROGER

This is another autumn photo from northern Wisconsin that Roger made. I really like it.

YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY

HAPPY CINNAMON ROLL DAY! Did you know there's a Norwegian version of the cinnamon roll. It's called skillingsbolle. You can have one as soon as you finish your lutefisk.

ART SHOW FOR LA CROSSE

Good Idea! The City's arts board wants to hold a downtown arts show. I'd love to see that happen. Read the story in the La Crosse Tribune.

THE BEST STATE PARKS FOR COLOR

MIDWEST LIVING MAGAZINE has a good article on the best state parks, in the Midwest, for fall colors. There are several in Wisconsin and Minnesota named so check it out.

I PUT ON A JACKET WHEN I WENT TO THE LIBRARY THIS AFTERNOON

That was a big mistake. I should have looked at the temperature first. I had no idea it had warmed up to 75 degrees. And, the amazing thing is that it's supposed to be like this all week.

I found a new biography of Lawrence of Arabia on the shelf. I think I would like reading that but it's 700 pages long and I'm not sure I'll live long enough to finish all that. Besides, how much do I need to know about Lawrence of Arabia? Surely not 700 pages worth.

I finally settled on something as far removed from Lawrence as one could get. The latest book by Shirley MacLaine. She's one of my all time favorite actresses and her book is only 218 pages.  According to what all the doctors said after my six month checkup, I'm good to go for, at least, 300 pages.

FOR SALE

There's a Frank Lloyd Wright home for sale in Milwaukee and it's a steal. What fun it would be to own this beauty!Washington Post article here

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

I went to the store with 3 items on my list. I came home with 3 bags of groceries.

Go figure!

HERE WE HAVE TWO LOVELY LADIES GETTING READY FOR THE AA MEETING

ROGER GOT SOME GREAT FALL PHOTOS FROM UP NORTH

WATCH THIS FINCH LANDING AT YOUR BIRD FEEDER

DID YOU KNOW?

The American Mustache Institute has named Chicago as THE MOST MUSTACHE FRIENDLY CITY IN THE U.S.A.

OUR NATIONS CAPITOL SETS A GREAT EXAMPLE

The number of rapes was up 25%, in D.C., last year while reported rapes were down 5% in the rest of the country. Crime is alive and well in Washington D.C. and that doesn't even include the crimes being committed by the Congress.

HOT AND DRY TEXAS ISN'T ALONE THIS YEAR.

It's always hot and dry in Phoenix but this summer was hotter than it has ever been since they started keeping records. And, it's been dryer than is usually is too.

SO LONG ANDY!

I watched Andy Rooney's last comments on 60 Minutes last night. Nothing lasts forever but he came closer than most.

LET'S GO FISHING

COLOR REPORT

According to the TRAVEL WISCONSIN website, La Crosse, Sparta and Viroqua are two weeks away from peak fall color. We still have a lot of green around town but not for long.

I haven't heard how the color is at the R & R RANCH. I'll have to get Roger to take a couple of pictures.

LIBRARY CUTS HOURS AND WORKERS

The La Crosse Public Library will close an hour earlier (8:00 P.M.) Monday through Thursday and they're laying off five part time workers as a result of budget cuts.

I'm sorry to hear about the cuts but, of course, the early closing won't affect me. My chance of visiting the library, after the sun goes down, is ZERO.

LEARNING TO WALK

I love elephants and this baby at the San Diego Zoo is just about as cute as they come.

CORRUPTION IN POLITICS

The corruption in politics continues to grow but there are good folks working to expose these slimy creeps with TRUTHYNESS. Here's a report from the WALL STREET JOURNAL

WE'RE CELEBRATING MAYBERRY TODAY

THE


Image by FlamingText.com
PREMIERED ON
THIS DATE
IN 1960.

FROM THE KITCHEN

I ran across a note I made a couple of years ago. It was a maranade for pork chops. I had all the ingredients so tried it out today. If you like sweet and sour, you'll like this.

• 1/4 cup strawberry jam
• 2 TBS cider vinegar
• 1 TBS mustard

I added a touch of horseradish with mine also. I used it as a maranade and then baked the ribs in the sauce. They were delicious!

WILLARD REPORTS THE SAME TRAGEDY THAT DONNIE AND LINDA ARE SEEING

"Shrubs and trees here are dieing. Two beautiful Magnolia Trees are on their last gasp."

AUTUMN YELLOW

THE OTHER OKTOBERFEST

I'm sorry I missed OKTOBERFEST IN DEADWOOD They have WEINER DOG RACES! READ THE STORY HERE

SMALL CITY--BIG PROBLEMS

La Crosse never seems to grow any larger. The population remains about the same from census to census. Even so, the city is facing problems that are more likely to be found in fast growing cities. The article in today's La Crosse Tribune tells the story. Read the story here.

DONNIE AND LINDA'S LATEST ADVENTURE

"I awoke, as usual, at 3 a.m., and had a drink of juice. Crawled back into bed, felt a tickle on my left arm, went to scratch, and felt a sharp sting on tip of my middle finger--scorpion! I leaped out of bed, with Linda, startled awake, quick behind me. Slathered sting ointment all over my finger, wrapped an ice cube against it, and took an anti-histamine pill. Of course, creeped out now and wide awake, we dare not get back into that bed. And I had just been thinking, we've seen so few insects during this drought.

Worst thing--it's my principal typing finger, so my mails may be abbreviated for a few days.

WE'RE CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY TODAY

Image by FlamingText.com

FALL IN SPEARFISH CANYON

Ron and Penny took a drive through Spearfish Canyon to enjoy the fall colors. The photo's brought back some wonderful memories.  We used to get out there quite often when I lived in Deadwood.

One of the canyon sights everyone enjoys is Bridal Veil Falls. A friend, who also worked at the radio station, and I spent one afternoon climbing up the side of the falls (about 50 feet). I still don't believe I actually did it but I lived to tell the tale. The climb was well worth it. Behind the falls, at the top, is a small lake with the beautiful forest that seems alive with birds and it's so isolated that you feel as though you're all alone in the world. As I recall, with my fear of heights, getting back down was far more terrifying than going up.

It's amazing what you can do when you're young. Nowadays it feels like an achievement that I can still get out of the chair.
For more history of the canyon Click here to go to an excellent website