I just, by chance, ran across this video of Liberace appearing on the Smothers Brothers show.  This is really funny....and fun!

Wisconsin's own LIBERACE!





1 Comment
Anonymous said...
Now THAT's entertainment!

Dec 18, 2011 6:20:00 AM

SNOW TOTALS

We ended up getting about an inch of snow in La Crosse and Holmen.  Across the river, Spring Grove got 3 inches.

A HUNK A HUNK A BURNIN' BROTHER

GOOGLE LOOKS AT 2011

I SAW THE HEADLINE AND KNEW THIS WAS BIG NEWS

It said, FOUND COINS MAY UNVEIL A LOST VIKING.  It's not me.  I know where I am, although that has not always been so.  But, what about the rest of the family?

In any event, more Viking history is always a good thing.  Read the article in DISCOVERY NEWS.

WARNING: DONNIE IS PLAYING WITH MATCHES

"Looks like brush burning day.  Will send blazing yuletide pictures."

CARL SENT ANOTHER GOOD ONE

I love Christmas lights.  They remind me of politicians.  They all hang together, half of them don't work, and the ones that do aren't that bright.

WEATHER ALERT FOR OUR TEXAS KIN

There's a good chance that Donnie and Linda will see more rain this coming week and, unfortunately, a lot more to go with it.  The storm system could produce SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS with very heavy rain, damaging winds and possible tornadoes from Dallas to San Antonio.

SNOW TOTALS

Winona is reporting 2 inchs of snow, on the ground, since 9:00 last night.

WILL WE HAVE A WHITE CHRISTMAS?

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS:  "A MOSTLY BROWN CHRISTMAS"
If you are dreaming of a "white" Christmas, snow for the holiday might stay just that - a dream.

The long range outlook through Christmas day is to keep most, if not all snow producing weather systems to the north and south of the local area. A few periods of light snow or flurries will be possible, but none are expected to bring much (if any) accumulation. So, instead of a blanket of white, Christmas morning could have plenty of bare, brown spots. A "white" Christmas is considered to be an inch of snow on the ground that morning (or falling that day).

WHERE DID IT GO?

I looked in the mirror, this morning, and noticed I have less hair every time I look.  I don't know who said it but I thought of that old "goodbye quote".

"It's not saying goodbye that hurts, it's knowing that you're never gonna go back to what you had."

108 YEARS AGO TODAY

It was December 17, 1903 that Orville and Wilbur proved that man could fly.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

December 15, 2011

Presidential Proclamation -- Wright Brothers Day, 2011

WRIGHT BROTHERS DAY, 2011

- - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On a blustery December morning in 1903, two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, successfully piloted the world's first powered flying machine and ascended from the steady currents of North Carolina's Outer Banks into the heights of our collective memory. During the 12 seconds their aircraft remained aloft in Kitty Hawk's gusty headwinds, Wilbur and Orville Wright sparked a transportation revolution and fulfilled a dream shared across cultures since time immemorial. Today, we commemorate their extraordinary feat and celebrate the spirit of American innovation that propels our Nation toward bold new horizons.

Fashioned from wood and cloth and powered by a four-cylinder engine they designed themselves, the Wright brothers' Flyer I was the culmination of years of painstaking research and unyielding perseverance. They financed countless experiments with earnings from their bicycle shop, gathering data on wing shape using a home-built wind tunnel and developing the basic controls for pitch, roll, and yaw that, to this day, guide our jetliners to every corner of the world and our spacecraft to the farthest reaches of the Solar System. The technical obstacles they overcame were tremendous, and Orville and Wilbur Wright's pioneering vision stands as a testament to the will and determination that fuels innovators, inventors, scientists, and entrepreneurs across our country--from home workbenches to national laboratories.

As we pursue progress and prosperity in the 21st century, we remember the key to our success has always been our unparalleled ability to think up new ideas, create new industries, and lead the way in discovery and innovation--just as it was for the Wright brothers over a century ago. To reaffirm our role as the engine that drives science and technology around the world, we must empower our Nation's youth with a competitive education and the tools to make tomorrow's breakthrough discoveries.

On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright helped inspire a century of progress and groundbreaking ideas when they guided a small wooden aircraft above the sands of Kitty Hawk and onto the ocean breeze. Even after this monumental achievement, the brothers continued to push the boundaries of flight and possibility, rapidly advancing the field of aeronautics and our burgeoning aviation industry. They inspired other early aviators, including Calbraith Perry Rodgers, who flew a Wright airplane to complete the first transcontinental flight 100 years ago, and Harriet Quimby, who became our Nation's first female

licensed pilot and a groundbreaking aviator. So, too, must we press onward, exploring new frontiers of science, technology, and imagination in pursuit of a brighter future for generations to come. The Wright brothers stand among America's most celebrated innovators, and today, we recognize all those who look toward the heavens and envision what might be.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved December 17, 1963, as amended (77 Stat. 402; 36 U.S.C. 143), has designated December 17 of each year as "Wright Brothers Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation inviting the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 17, 2011, as Wright Brothers Day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK

ANOTHER RECALL

ANY TYSON GROUND BEEF IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR?

Tyson is recalling 40,000 pounds of ground beef products that was delivered to Wisconsin and 15 other states.  Tests have confirmed that the meat is infected with E. coli. One of the dangers of E. coli is kidney failure so I sit up at take notice when I hear that word.

I suppose I'm just simple minded but I have a question.  Why do they do these "tests" after the product has been shipped out?  It seems, to me, that it would be a lot less costly and a lot more safe to test the product before it left the plant.

Are none of these huge corporations concerned with quality control?  It seems to me that a lot of them only show concern after they get caught.

WATCH THE BIRDIES

The 2011 Christmas Bird Count is in progress this weekend.  Too cold to be counting birds outside but it's nice and warm in Rita and Roger's basement.  Why not count the birds there?

SNOW!

Looked out the window, when I got up this morning, and all was white!  We finally got some snow!  Not a lot but enough to let us know it's winter.  We'll get some snow totals later this morning.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THURSDAY?

I've been flailing around all day thinking it was Thursday.  It was 2 o'clock before I realized that I lost Thursday somewhere.  If I had a life I'd be wondering if I had missed anything by losing Thursday but, as it is, I'm sure it was pretty much like all the other days.

Good Golly, I love being old and stagnant.

THE GOOD NEWS WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR

Paul wrote:
"It is with great pleasure I announce that, after one year in Afghanistan, Friend is back on American Soil."

SUNSHINE!

It's not going to last but it sure was great to see some sunshine, this morning, after the gloomy days we've had.  The forecast calls for increasing clouds but that's OK.  A little sun is better than no sun at all.

TAKE US BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAYS OF HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood is taking another look at the golden age of cinema, these days.  Here's an interesting video from the New York Times. 

JUST WHAT WE NEED

We have a NEW BAR  in downtown La Crosse.  Guess we can never have enough of those.  On the Rocks is located at 214 Main.

LET'S GO SHOPPING

British Airways has picked the six best department stores in the world.  Only one is in the USA.  It's in New York but I'll bet you can't guess which one it is.  Note to Donnie:  There's one in South America and it's in Brazil.  Linda would love it.

HOTEL OF THE DAY

The Conde Nast "hotel of the day" is the TALLEST HOTEL IN THE WORLD

BEETHOVEN WOULD BE 241 YEARS OLD TODAY

The composer was born in Bonn, Germany on December 16, 1770.

ANOTHER GOOD ONE FROM CARL

A man was walking down the street when he was accosted by a particularly dirty and shabby-looking homeless man who asked him for a couple of dollars for dinner.

The man took out his wallet, extracted ten dollars and asked, "If I give you this money, will you buy some beer with it instead of dinner?"

"No, I had to stop drinking years ago," the homeless man replied.

"Will you use it to go fishing instead of buying food?" the man asked.

"No, I don't waste time fishing," the homeless man said. "I need to spend all my time trying to stay alive."

"Will you spend this on greens' fees at a golf course instead of food?" the man asked.

"Are you NUTS??" replied the homeless man. "I haven't played golf in 20 years!"

"Well," said the man, "I'm not going to give you the money. Instead, I'm going to take you home for a terrific dinner cooked by my wife."

The homeless man was astounded.

"Won't your wife be furious with you for doing that? I know I'm dirty and I probably smell pretty disgusting."

The man replied, "That's okay It's important for her to see what a man looks like after he has given up beer, fishing, and golf."

HIGH WIND REPORT

Gusty winds plagued the area all day.  Some of the higher gusts included Barre Mills at 33 MPH, La Crosse, 32 MPH and Viroqua at 33 MPH.

EXTREME WEATHER

1:00 PM WIND CHILL: 22 DEGREES

The real temperature is above freezing but you'd never know it.  That wind dry and raw.

I grabbed a movie at the library the other day.  I think this is a good day to watch "The Social Network" the FACEBOOK story.

LOVE MY STIR FRY

Rita had an electric wok she never used so she gave it to me.

I've used it nearly every day since I brought it home.

A few vegetables, a little chicken, a touch of rice and you've got a filling meal in no time.

Rita said she wasn't fast enough to use it.  I understand that!  If you don't have everything ready to go before you start you're totally screwed.  I made a few messes before I got it right.

I wonder what else she's got that she never uses?



A DRIPPING SPRINGS GATHERING

I couldn't help noticing that Paul and Dorothy look just about the same in Texas as they do in Wisconsin.

A COLD FRONT MOVING INTO THE TEXAS HILL COUNTRY THIS MORNING

Donnie reports: "We are still most of an hour away from dawns not-so-early-light and I heard some rain blowing against the windows.  I stuck my nose out to detect the change in the air, a definite cooling."

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

THE OFFICIAL ARRIVAL OF WINTER WILL BE AT 11:30 pm on December 21 (Central Standard Time).

I'D LIKE TO BE IN NEW YORK ON SATURDAY

An estate sale will be held to auction off items from Rue McClanahan's New York apartment plus costumes she wore on the "Golden Girls" series.  Click here to read the article and notice, at the bottom of the piece, there's link to the auction catalog just in case you'd like to make an on line bid.

A comment from Willard:
"I don't think Rue's auction will come close to Liz's auction which brought in $160 million".

That may be true but just wait until they auction off my stuff.

A COUPLE OF NOTES ON THE CALENDAR TODAY

It was December 15, 1890 at Grand River, South Dakota.  SITTING BULL and 11 other tribe members were murdered by Indian police working for the U.S. Government.

It was December 15, 1933 at Willoughby, Ohio.  Comedian TIM CONWAY was born.

I KNOW ONE CAT THAT WOULD NEVER SIT STILL FOR THIS!!

WHAT IS CAT HERDERS DAY??

You try to do something and no matter how hard you try you can't figure out how to do it?  It seems impossible so you say it's like "trying to herd cats".  And, take it from me..that is impossible!

Then some smart ass comes along and does the impossible.  Those are the folks we honor today.  Those smart asses that can do the impossible.

NEW WEB PAGE FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

It's called WEATHER READY NATION and you may want to bookmark it.

OUT AND ABOUT AT 3 A.M.

Roger has been waiting for a couple of birds that were shipped to him a few days ago.

They, finally arrived.  He said, "Both birds arrived in good shape but, not until 3 am. There sure was not much traffic at that time of day. I might take a little snooooooooze today."

A NOTE FROM DONNIE

"We are enjoying a full week of wet weather--little real rain, but sustained fog, mist, drizzle, and nearly 75 degrees today.  Lots of porch sitting and tea.


Looks like the Solbergs will be here for coffee Saturday morning."

A GLOOMY LA CROSSE MORNING

This reminded me more of San Francisco in December rather than La Crosse.  I'm beginning to wonder if we'll have any snow, for the holidays,this year.

Thinking about San Francisco in December reminded me of the Christmas I spent in the city by the Golden Gate.  Aunt Jessie and Ted were living in Oakland at that time so I went over there and spent Christmas day.  That was nearly 50 years ago.  Lot's of changes in all those years.  I think San Francisco has held up better than I have. 

DREARY LA CROSSE

GIVE 'EM TO ME!

The U.S. Mint says no one wants silver dollars so they've stopped making them.  They've already got more than they know what to do with.

I know what they can do with them.  I'll take all they want to send me.  If they don't want to give them to me, maybe they might think about using them to pay of part of our debt.

TODAY'S QUOTE:

"Anyone who says he can see through a woman is missing a lot."
~Groucho Marx

NASTY DAY AHEAD

The weather folks say we could see a thunderstorm south of I-90 today with lightening being the main hazard.

Colder air will move in tonight and any rain could change to snow and freezing drizzle.  There won't be any snow accumulation but there could be some ICING to look out for.

THIS IS A PROUD DAY FOR THE NORWEGIANS

It was 100 years ago today that Roald Amundsen became the first person to reach the South Pole

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW LOOK ON YOU TUBE?

MOST PEOPLE HATE IT!
There's a good article about the new You Tube look, and the reason behind it, in the NEW YORK TIMES

DO YOU TALK FUNNY IF YOU'RE FROM WISCONSIN?

Indeed, you do.  When I worked at the airport, in Houston, I always had great fun picking out the Wisconsin folks.  All they had to do was open their mouth and say a couple of words.  I'd ask, "are you from Wisconsin"?  I don't recall ever being wrong. 

Of course, "never being wrong" is inherited from my Mother.

ONE HO-HO TOO MANY, I THINK

MERRY MONKEY DAY!

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS WITH LARRY THE CABLE GUY

SOUTHWEST SHOWS CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE OF AIR TRAVEL

The airline has ordered 150 737MAX aircraft from Boeing.  The Max is the new, fuel efficient, version of the 737 which has been the workhorse for Southwest since the beginning.

Southwest will be the first airline, in the world, to fly the new planes beginning in 2017.

GUESS WHERE I'D RATHER BE

At 7:00 A.M. it was partly sunny and 72 in Key West.

LOOK WHAT DONNIE IS MISSING

From the U.S. Embassy in Panama.  They're busy collecting "Toys for Tots".

THUNDER THINKS THIS JOKE IS DISGUSTING

"Mama, can I please have a cat for Christmas?"

"No!  You'll have turkey, just like the rest of us."

JUST IN CASE YOU MISSED THE ALEC BALDWIN SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE BIT:

ARE YOU SURE THIS IS WINTER? IS THIS REALLY WISCONSIN?

Less than two weeks to Christmas and, would you believe, there's an 80% chance for RAIN tonight and a chance for THUNDERSTORMS  tomorrow.

December in Wisconsin isn't supposed to be like that!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

With the holidays almost here, a lot of you are making travel plans to get home for the holidays.  Unfortunately, the winter season is, probably, the worst driving season we have all year so you should know what's ahead before you leave home.

If you haven't already, you might want to book mark the official WISCONSIN TRAVEL CONDITIONS website so you can check it before you leave home.

DEAD SEA FACTS

I came across some interesting facts about the Dead Sea in National Geographic that you might be interested in reading about.

THOUGHTS ON CHANGE

"I put a dollar in one of those change machines.  Nothing changed."
~George Carlin

"If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies."
~Author unknown

"When you are through changing, you are through."
~Bruce Barton

"Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas, in order to appear consistant, drives himself into a false position."
~Gandhi

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Image by FlamingText.com

NATIONAL COCOA DAY

Did you know, it's believed, that the first cocoa trees came from South America?

Check out the PUNCHBOWL website for more interesting cocoa facts.

CKD UPDATE

Since being diagnosed with CKD, as you know, I keep pretty close tabs on the subject these days.

The number of people suffering from the disease still amazes me.  One island community in Nicaragua has been so hard hit that they call it "The Island of Widows".

Between 2005 and 2009, more than 2800 men died each year in this area near the sugar cane fields.

Another Latin American country that's been hit hard is El Salvador where Chronic Kidney Disease is now the second leading cause of death among adult men.

DO YOU USE OLIVE OIL? THERE'S A NEW BOOK YOU NEED TO READ

Tom Mueller is an expert on olive oil and I just love the title of his new book.  EXTRA VIRGINITY.

It's a shocking (or, at least, shocking to me) book about the out and out fraud involved in the sale of olive oil in the USA.  This sounds like a very interesting read so I'll be looking for it at the library.

In the meantime, watch this short video as the author tells you a bit about the subject of olive oil.

AUNT WILDA CALLED THIS AFTERNOON

It was so good to hear from her.  Unfortunately, SHE HAD A BAD FALL about a week ago but the good news is that there were no broken bones.  It did, however swell up and turned black and blue so she's not getting around very good these days.

There's a lady that comes in to help her out and she's, of course, going to Bob and Lynne's for Christmas so she'll be well taken care of.  She'll stay through the New Year.

We talked a good 20 minutes but I got to thinking after I hung up.  If we had cut out all the talk about our aches and pains, the visit wouldn't have lasted 2 minutes.

I used to think old people were funny.  Now that I'm one of them, I don't see anything funny about it at all.

STILL LOOKING FOR THAT "SPECIAL GIFT" FOR SOMEONE?

Why not check these great gifts from the Dairy State?  WISCONSIN TRAILS

AMAZING WEATHER

Thunder was on his last can of food so I had to make a run.  I coudn't believe that it felt more like early March than mid-December.

I wore my parka but didn't even have to put the hood up to protect my hairless head.  I'd be perfectly happy if it stayed like this until spring arrives but, I suppose, that's a bit too much to ask.

A FRIED WEENIE??

This reminds me of Pink's in L.A.  Junk food at its finest!  Now, let's watch this guy eat.

FROM ROGER

"Best chick at the show!"

CHRISTMAS

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS
IT'S 12 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS

FROM CARL:

To commemorate her 69th birthday, actress Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of AARP.

One of the musical numbers she performed was "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music."   She changed the words, a bit, to fit the occasion.

Botox and nose drops and needles for knitting,

Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings.

Bundles of magazines tied up in strings,
These are a few of my favorite things.

Cadillacs and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses, Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses, Pacemakers, Golf carts and porches with swings,

These are a few of my favorite things.

When the pipes leak, when the bones creak, when the knees go bad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads and bunions,

No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,

Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,

These are a few of my favorite things.

Back pain, confused brains, and no need for sinnin'
Thin bone fractures and hair that is thinnin'.
And, we won't mention our short shrunken frames, when we remember our favorite things.

When the joints ache, when the hips break, when the eyes grow dim...then I remember the great life I've had  and then I don't feel so bad.

BIRTHDAY

Jennifer is in good company.  There are a lot of other neat folks celebrating birthdays today.

• Bob Barker is 88
• Connie Francis is 74
• Dionne Warwick is 71

FUNNY OLD PEOPLE

I have done almost every one of these things but old age had nothing to do with it.

WHAT'S NEW?

Check out this QUILTED LAMP at TREND HUNTERS

THE NATION WEATHER SERVICE WINTER WEATHER UPDATE:

WOULD YOU LIKE TO WIN A FREE TRIP TO NORWAY?

Win a cruise in Norway

Get into the Christmas mood and win a cruise with Hurtigruten. Take part in Visitnorway's Advent calendar for your chance to win this prize.
Win a cruise in Norway

Source: Visit Norway

I WAS THINKING....

I guess the question, "Can the Packers win without Favre?" has been answered.

WHAT'S IN A NAME

DID YOU KNOW?

If you are a female and you were born in 1970, chances are good your name is Jennifer.  More baby girls were given that name, than any other, in 1970.  It remained the favorite name for girls through 1985.

By the way, the favorite name for boys, these days, is Jacob.

NEW HOTEL IN CHICAGO

It's the Radisson Blu Aqua.  This isn't the Radisson you're used to seeing and the version I worked for.  If you click on their website RADISSON BLU you'll see this is a more elegant and much more pricey hotel than the regular medium priced, "family type" hotels.

The Chicago Blu is the first property in the USA but, I'm sure, more will follow.

AMAZING WEATHER

Went to the library, this afternoon, and it felt more like a walk in early spring rather than early winter.  40 degrees with bright sunshine.  What little ice we had is melting and dripping off the roofs.

Temperatures are going to be on the warm side all week but nights will get close enough to freezing to produce icy conditions during the overnights and early morning commutes.

I have no problem with the rest winters cold and snow and I can even tolerate the miserable long nights but the ice is more than I can stand....which is what the problem is...I can't stand!!

BACK HOME AGAIN

Rita and Roger got back home from Des Moines about 1:30.  Roger got  a first, two seconds and a third....or was it....a first, a second and two 3rds?

I would have made a lousy newsman but you get the idea. 

TWO WEEKS TO CHRISTMAS~LET'S GO SHOPPING

OH NO! HERE COMES THE DREADED ICE!

FROM THE

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

WIDESPREAD FREEZING DRIZZLE WILL MOVE INTO THE AREA AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT WITH LIGHT ICE GLAZING EXPECTED AS TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW FREEZING.

UNTREATED ROADWAYS AND SIDEWALKS WILL BECOME
SLIPPERY. DRIVERS SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR SLICK ROADWAYS LATE TONIGHT AND EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING.

YES!! I LOVE THIS!!!

Check out the armchair to store your special stuff.  Whoever came up with this is a genius!

A QUOTE FROM CHRIS ROCK I LIKE A LOT

"Only dumb people try to impress smart people. Smart people just do what they do."

A NOTE FROM DONNIE

"Saw a T-shirt on a young woman yesterday: two crossed pistols over the familiar outline of the State of Texas, and the motto "We Don't Call 911."

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

It's just......



Image by FlamingText.com

Roger and I were thinking about projecting something like this on the side of the pigeon coop, this year, but when we found out that Saks Fifth Avenue did it last year we said "forget it".

I'M SORRY I DIDN'T HAVE THE GUTS TO DO THIS WHILE I WAS YOUNG!

I know there are a lot of you, who read this blog, who love to travel.  If that's you, I'll bet you like this website as much as I do.  NOMATIC MATT

REMEMBER THE CHILDREN~LIGHT A CANDLE TONIGHT

Tonight is the 15th annual world-wide candle lighting to remember the children who have died around the world.

This special day of rememberance was started in the United States and has spread all over the world.

The video, below, will tell you more about the lighting of candles around the world tonight at 7 P.M.  Special services will also be held tonight to remember the children.

In Eau Claire  the service will be held at 6:45 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 3214 Golf Rd. and in La Crosse at the Presbyterian Church, 1327 N. Salem Rd.