Gladys wrote, "I was reading the Argus Leader, this morning. There will be two days of activities in Rapid City, in June, in rememberance of the Rapid City flood of 1972."
Those were some of the most difficult days of my life. I'll be there in spirit.
AUGUST 2014
Saturday, February 18, 2012
FINALLY! RAIN AT THE SPRINGS
DONNIE REPORTS
With nearly 2 inches of rain in the past 24 hours, we are now well ABOVE average precipitation for the new year. Of course, we'll probably have to make this much last the rest of the year.
OH, YES! I LOVE THIS ONE!
I just received an email from a friend of mine in Montana about the terrible winter weather. He said that it's been snowing since dawn and the snow is waist high and still falling. The temperature is below zero, and the freezing wind is increasing. His wife has done nothing but stare through the kitchen window. He wrote: "If it gets much worse, I may have to let her in."
I HOPE WILLARD STILL HAS HIS HEAD ABOVE WATER
I see a FLASH FLOOD WARNING has been issued for the south and east parts of the Houston metro area.
UPDATE
Willard survived the storm but not without springing a leak.
"Thunderstorms and lightening passed around 5:30. Buddy does not like these conditions. He stayed with me until the storms had passed.
And, I've got a roof leak. Parts of the downstairs bathroom floor and the utility room floor are covered in water. Can't imagine where it's coming from. Will have to check at daylight."
"Thunderstorms and lightening passed around 5:30. Buddy does not like these conditions. He stayed with me until the storms had passed.
And, I've got a roof leak. Parts of the downstairs bathroom floor and the utility room floor are covered in water. Can't imagine where it's coming from. Will have to check at daylight."
YOU TUBE CONDUCTED A CONTEST TO SELECT THE BEST COMMERCIAL FROM THIS YEARS SUPER BOWL
AND THE WINNER WAS THE M&M SPOT!
MEDITATION WORKS IN MADISON
About 200 elementary kids at 4 schools in Madison have been using meditation to improve their concentration and kindness towards others. The experiment has been so successful, plans are being made to extend the program to the entire school system in Madison.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
COMMENT:
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE
COMMENT:
detFeb 18, 2012 07:01 AM
To "improve their kindness to others"? I'll believe it's working when they take out my garbage.
WE WISH A QUICK RETURN TO HEALTH FOR PRINCE JOHAN FRISO
Prince Johan (43) is the second son of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. He was caught in an avalanche and buried under the snow for about 20 minutes on Friday. He was seriously injured and his life is still in danger but he spent a quiet night.
POP A CORK AND CELEBRATE TODAY!
Image by FlamingText.com
The recorded history of wine goes back to, at least, 6,000 BC. The Roman Empire turned wine into a major industry and exported it all over the know world. With the fall of Rome, their wine making died too but the Christians came along, took up the slack, and kept pressing the grapes and we've been poping the corks ever since.
THEY DON'T MAKE 'EM LIKE PEE WEE ANYMORE
A lot of big names celebrating birthdays today but none bigger than PEE WEE KING. Pee Wee was born in MILWAUKEE on this date in 1914. He passed away in 2000.
I never hear "Slow Poke" without thinking of Mother's great Armour friend, Vesta. Slow Poke was Vesta's favorite song.
By the way, I had dinner, many years ago, with one of the people in this video. Guess who?
I never hear "Slow Poke" without thinking of Mother's great Armour friend, Vesta. Slow Poke was Vesta's favorite song.
By the way, I had dinner, many years ago, with one of the people in this video. Guess who?
IF YOU LIKE MEXICAN FOOD AS MUCH AS I DO, TAKE A LOOK AT THESE RECIPES
ALL RECIPES.COM has some great sounding Mexican dishes. The Chicken Taco Soup sounds delicious. Of course, there isn't a single ingredient that I'm allowed to eat but I can still think about how good it would taste.
JAYDEN AND NICK
Nick sent these pictures. I can't believe how fast these kids grow up! I have a feeling Jayden is selling Girl Scout Cookies. I got this with the pictures:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GREATEST
Muhammad Ali is celebrating his 70th birthday with a big party, tonight, featuring a star studded guest list, at the MGM GRAND in Las Vegas.
And, Yoko Ono is celebrating her 79th birthday today.
And, Yoko Ono is celebrating her 79th birthday today.
Friday, February 17, 2012
BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
MICHAEL JORDAN and LARRY THE CABLE GUY are both celebrating birthdays today and they're both hitting 49.
ANOTHER NICE DAY IN LA CROSSE
Looking west, over La Crosse, from the National Weather Service webcam.
HERE'S ANOTHER REASON TO VISIT URUGUAY
Did you know that Uruguay has the longest Carnival (Mardi Gras) in the world. 40 days of merrymaking! I always thought of it as a quiet little country but it's, apparently not that quiet.
A NOTE FROM DUANE
"An article, in the newspaper, says North Dakota will soon be just behind Texas as an oil producer. Lots of jobs going there."
POPULATION
I was looking through the 2010 census, this morning, and compared the difference in population between Sioux Falls and La Crosse. I knew Sioux Falls was bigger but was surprised to see that nearly 95,000 more folks live in the Sioux Falls metro area compared to the La Crosse metro area. I don't think there were more than 95,000 living in the whole city when we were kids growing up around there.
detFeb 17, 2012 08:29 AM
You can probably find the historical population figures, but I can't imagine SF having more than 50,000 people in the 1950s. But I might be wrong--it's been known to happen.
detFeb 17, 2012 08:29 AM
You can probably find the historical population figures, but I can't imagine SF having more than 50,000 people in the 1950s. But I might be wrong--it's been known to happen.
GUNDERSON HEALTH PLAN NOW AVAILABLE IN PARTS OF MINNESOTA
It's my health plan, and, I think, most of the family, around here, has it. The Senior Prefered plan is one of the best in the country. CEO of the plan, Dr. Gary Lenth, I'm happy to say, is my opthamologist and I'm lucky to have him. The new duties, with the health plan, means he only has time to see patients a couple of days a week. Click here to read the story in the La Crosse Tribune,
NOT MUCH WORRY ABOUT FLOODING THIS SPRING
THE FLOODING POTENTIAL FOR THIS COMING SPRING APPEARS TO
BE BELOW NORMAL.
A COMBINATION OF A VERY DRY AUTUMN (2 TO 6 INCHES BELOW NORMAL) AND A BELOW NORMAL SNOW PACK HAS RESULTED IN A LOW LIKELIHOOD THAT THERE WILL BE ANY SIGNIFICANT SPRING FLOODING FROM SNOWMELT RUNOFF.
HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL MORE WEEKS OF WINTER REMAINING AND CONDITIONS COULD CHANGE.
A COMBINATION OF A VERY DRY AUTUMN (2 TO 6 INCHES BELOW NORMAL) AND A BELOW NORMAL SNOW PACK HAS RESULTED IN A LOW LIKELIHOOD THAT THERE WILL BE ANY SIGNIFICANT SPRING FLOODING FROM SNOWMELT RUNOFF.
HOWEVER, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL MORE WEEKS OF WINTER REMAINING AND CONDITIONS COULD CHANGE.
THE ACT OF THE CENTURY WILL BE PERFORMED THIS SUMMER
I remember seeing the Flying Wallenda's, as a kid, at the circus in Sioux Falls. They're, probably, the most illustrious performers in the history of the circus.
A member of the family hopes to make history again this summer when Nik Wallenda will attempt an 1,800 foot high wire walk over Niagara Falls. This will be the first time in 100 years that the feat has been tried. I wish him luck!
A member of the family hopes to make history again this summer when Nik Wallenda will attempt an 1,800 foot high wire walk over Niagara Falls. This will be the first time in 100 years that the feat has been tried. I wish him luck!
RON SENT THIS TO ME
The Porcelain Unicorn
The legendary British film director Sir Ridley Scott launched a global film contest for aspiring directors, called,"Tell It Your Way." There were over 600 entries. Under the rules of the contest, the film could be no longer than three minutes, contain only 6 lines of narrative, and be a compelling story. The winner was "Porcelain Unicorn," by the American director Keegan Wilcox. It's a story of the lifetimes of two people who are totally opposite, yet very much the same. All told in less than three minutes. Maybe you too can see why it won. http://www.porcelainunicorn.com
The legendary British film director Sir Ridley Scott launched a global film contest for aspiring directors, called,"Tell It Your Way." There were over 600 entries. Under the rules of the contest, the film could be no longer than three minutes, contain only 6 lines of narrative, and be a compelling story. The winner was "Porcelain Unicorn," by the American director Keegan Wilcox. It's a story of the lifetimes of two people who are totally opposite, yet very much the same. All told in less than three minutes. Maybe you too can see why it won. http://www.porcelainunicorn.com
Thursday, February 16, 2012
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: GOOD VS. BAD
According to Hamlet, "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."
Lao Tzu said, "When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good, other things become bad."
Jesus said, "Judge not lest you be judged."
Lao Tzu said, "When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly.
When people see some things as good, other things become bad."
Jesus said, "Judge not lest you be judged."
NEVER TRY TO PUT ONE OVER ON A NORWEGIAN
SVEN: "Close your curtains da next time you're makin' love vid Lena. Da whole street was vatching and laughing at you yesterday."
OLE: "Vell, the joke's on dem because I vasn't even home yesterday."
OLE: "Vell, the joke's on dem because I vasn't even home yesterday."
WHAT A GREAT COMMERCIAL!!!
Willard has always been a big fan of Cadbury Easter candy and I'm a fan of this fabulous Cadbury commercial running in South Africa. I could watch it over and over again. That's great advertising!
KNOW SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO NORWAY THIS SUMMER?
Here's a tip you might want to pass along. The tax on items purchased, in Norway, is about 20% of the purchase. It works a bit different there than it does in the USA. In Norway the tax is INCLUDED in the purchase price. It's not "price plus tax" like it is here.
The good news is that, if you're buying something to take out of the country when you go home, you can get a refund on the tax you paid. There are some stipulations and you'll need a special form to fill out but ask the clerk about it and they should be able to help.
The good news is that, if you're buying something to take out of the country when you go home, you can get a refund on the tax you paid. There are some stipulations and you'll need a special form to fill out but ask the clerk about it and they should be able to help.
PAMELA ANDERSON HIT IT BIG WHEN SHE GOT THE BAYWATCH GIG
Unfortunately, it sounds like the "good times" are over. Pamela's lawyers are suing her for more than $66,000 in unpaid fees and she has put her Malibu beach house up for rent. Interested? She's asking $20,000 per week or you can save some money by renting it for a month for $75,000. That's why they call it "LA LA LAND".
HERE'S ABOUT THE DUMBEST JOKE I'VE EVER HEARD
Did you hear about the Norwegian who went ice fishing? He caught so much ice his wife nearly drowned cooking it all.
ANOTHER OUTBREAK OF E. coli AND SOME OF THE CASES ARE IN WISCONSIN
The current outbreak has been linked to clover sprouts served at Jimmy Johns restaurants. Raw sprouts are supposed to be "healthy" things to eat but they often cause illness, of one kind or another, after they've been eaten.
Sprouts need warm and moist conditions to grow and, unfortunately, warm and moist conditions are the perfect climate for bacteria too.
Probably best to skip the sprouts. There's a lot of other healthy food items out there. I've found, however, that the unhealthy food items taste a hell of a lot better.
Sprouts need warm and moist conditions to grow and, unfortunately, warm and moist conditions are the perfect climate for bacteria too.
Probably best to skip the sprouts. There's a lot of other healthy food items out there. I've found, however, that the unhealthy food items taste a hell of a lot better.
GOOD WEATHER AHEAD
We may not see a lot of sun today but with the temperatures getting into the lower 40's, this afternoon, I've got no complaints. For the next several days, actually, afternoon highs will be in the upper 30's and low 40's. Can the crocus be far behind?
GET READY TO SHOW IT ALL
FULL BODY SCANNERS will be installed at the La Crosse airport in the next few weeks. I'm not planning on going anywhere but, if I do, I don't have anything to hide. In fact, I don't have anything. Period.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
NOT ENOUGH WINTER FOR THE WINTER EVENTS
The 5 and 10K snowshoe race and family fun event was set for this weekend at Forest Hills Golf Course but they've had to cancel it. Warm weather and no snow is not exactly snowshoe weather. In fact the weather is so good I think I'm getting and early case of spring fever!
PLACE YOUR BETS, FOLKS!
A bill has passed the South Dakota senate to increase the bet limit from $100 to $1,000. Bigger bets mean bigger payoffs....if Kathy is playing! For me, it would just mean that I could lose more money faster.
THE THOUGHT FOR THE DAY IS FROM BILL GATES
"Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose."
JEROME CHRISTENSON IS RIGHT ON!!!
Jerome Christenson is one of my favorite columnists and he hits it right on the head with todays subject of television. All that technology and nothing to watch.
Jerome and I are in the same boat. We're at that age where we're still rowing but everyone else seems to be rowing in a different direction.
CLICK HERE TO READ HIS CURRENT COLUMN
COMMENT:
RITAFeb 15, 2012 03:06 PM
I TOTALLY AGREE
Jerome and I are in the same boat. We're at that age where we're still rowing but everyone else seems to be rowing in a different direction.
CLICK HERE TO READ HIS CURRENT COLUMN
COMMENT:
RITAFeb 15, 2012 03:06 PM
I TOTALLY AGREE
THIS IS REALLY GOING TO GIVE ME SPRING FEVER
The next three days are going to be just about perfect around here. Sunny skies and afternoon highs around 40. Then the weekend comes and, of course, it gets cold again but, hey, we're close enough to spring now. We can handle a few more cold days and we'll, probably, be wishing for a day like this in July.
ANOTHER VIEW OF THE LAND I LOVE
Randy Halverson has made this awesome time-lapse video of the skies over his SOUTH DAKOTA fields. There's a state that calls itself the "Big Sky Country" and another that says it's sky is big and bright but the South Dakota sky is "just right" for me.
Sub Zero - winter night timelapse from Randy Halverson on Vimeo.
For more about Randy, his camera and more videos CLICK HERE
TODAY IS GUMDROP DAY
I'm not a huge fan of the gumdrop but I do think this gumdrop video is kinda cute.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
VALENTINE SLOWDOWN?
DONNIE REPORTS
Very slow sending e-mail today--I'm guessing the net is flooded with Valentines greetings. The Dripping Springs Post Office was as busy as Christmas this week, and most in line had packages: again I'm guessing, Valentine's gifts. And I say again, the economy can't be too bad.
Very slow sending e-mail today--I'm guessing the net is flooded with Valentines greetings. The Dripping Springs Post Office was as busy as Christmas this week, and most in line had packages: again I'm guessing, Valentine's gifts. And I say again, the economy can't be too bad.
GLOOMY DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
"At 2 AM I woke up to the smell of SKUNK. He must have been on the south patio. Very rare to have a skunk around in February. Got the spray can out. It was really overpowering and I had to do something to cover it up."
COMMENT:
Speaking of smells, yesterday we went out for a Valentine splurge, a steak lunch. Walked into an expensive place we had never tried--it stank of damp cardboard! We sat there only long enough to order drinks, then fled, gagging, before they arrived. Hard to know how such a place stays in business.
ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH WHEN YOU CHECK OUT?
You've, more than likely, been screwed several times without knowing it. I don't check as close as I should but, what I find interesting is that every price discrepency I have found has always been the stores favor. This report from WISC is a real eye opener.
TODAY'S THOUGHT
"Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic."
TO SLEEP OR NOT TO SLEEP WITH YOUR PETS...THAT IS THE QUESTION
This is a report from KHOU in Houston. I don't have to worry about this. Thunder has absolutely no desire to sleep with me. He does, however, jump up to poke me on the forehead if I'm not up by his breakfast time.
THANKS FOR ALL THE VISITS
We had 924 visits to our blog yesterday. Thanks for taking a moment out of your busy day!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO HUGH DOWNS
Hugh Downs turns 91 today. What a career he had! He was the announcer for the TONIGHT SHOW from 1957 to 1962. He was the first host for the game show CONCENTRATION. From that he moved on to anchor the TODAY SHOW with Barbara Walters.
He moved to ABC in 1978 to anchor 20/20 and, later, after Barbara Walters moved to ABC he anchored the show with her until 1999.
He moved to ABC in 1978 to anchor 20/20 and, later, after Barbara Walters moved to ABC he anchored the show with her until 1999.
A LITTLE VALENTINES HISTORY
Valentine's Day goes back to the fertility celebration in ancient Rome which was celebrated on February 15.
After the fall of Rome, Pope Gelasius changed the pagan festival to St. Valentine's Day and he also changed the date to the 14th. The Catholic Encyclopedia lists, not one but, three St. Valentine's
After the fall of Rome, Pope Gelasius changed the pagan festival to St. Valentine's Day and he also changed the date to the 14th. The Catholic Encyclopedia lists, not one but, three St. Valentine's
Monday, February 13, 2012
RITA HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH SOME OLD PICTURES
She came up with this beauty from 1972 and dared me to put it on the blog.
Back in about 1962 the Aut Swenson Thrillcade came to town and they dared me to ride along in a pickup that made an 80 foot ramp to ramp jump over the back of an elephant. I did it.
Daring me to show a picture is amateur stuff.
Back in about 1962 the Aut Swenson Thrillcade came to town and they dared me to ride along in a pickup that made an 80 foot ramp to ramp jump over the back of an elephant. I did it.
Daring me to show a picture is amateur stuff.
JACQUELINE KENNEDY (THE BOOK)
I started reading the new book with transcripts of the conversations she had with Arthur Schlesinger Jr. in 1964. It was not long after the President was killed. Fascinating reading. Hard to put down.
WHEN IT RAINS, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS POUR
DONNIE REPORTS
My new rain gauge reports 1/2" overnight. A veritable downpour for "only ocassionally" Dripping Springs.
My new rain gauge reports 1/2" overnight. A veritable downpour for "only ocassionally" Dripping Springs.
WINNERS, WINNERS EVERYWHERE
We had the million dollar lottery winner in Wisconsin and now, in the news, there's a man from Waterloo, Iowa who has won $100,000.00 TWICE in the last three months in the Iowa $100,000 Cash Game.
I could just scream.
I could just scream.
SOME PEOPLE ARE WINNERS..OTHERS ARE NOT
I see someone in Brookfield, Wisconsin won a million in the Powerball. If I bought all the tickets they ever printed I'd still lose.
WILLARD IS PLANNING AHEAD
"I am going to put a large barrel by the mailbox for all the valentines and gifts I'll get tomorrow."
THE WORLD IN 1912
1912: The price of a loaf of bread went up to 5 cents. The reason for the price increase? Gas and oil prices went up making it more expensive to deliver the bread. Things haven't changed much, have they?
Reading that, I wondered what else was going on a hundred years ago so I did some research. 1912, of course, was the year the Titanic went down and a hundred years later it will go down again...this time in 3D.
1912 was the year the Beverly Hills Hotel opened. It was out in the country then. Now, of course it's been swallowed up by Los Angeles.
Another big event, that year, was the opening of the first self service grocery store in California.
In Houston, Texas, Rice University was founded after William Marsh Rice left the money for it in his will. How did Mr. Rice die? He was chloroformed to death by his valet.
Meanwhile, Henry Flagler opened the East Coast Railroad. For the first time, passengers could get on the train in New York City and get off in Key West, Florida.
Rita, Roger and Donnie like L. L. Bean. Mr. Bean opened his first store in 1912 in Freeport, Maine. What did the L. L. stand for? Leon Lenwood.
And, last but not least, Michigan, Kansas, Oregon and Arizona elected to give women the vote. It was also on the ballot in Wisconsin but they turned thumbs down on that idea. Women voting? Preposterous!
Reading that, I wondered what else was going on a hundred years ago so I did some research. 1912, of course, was the year the Titanic went down and a hundred years later it will go down again...this time in 3D.
1912 was the year the Beverly Hills Hotel opened. It was out in the country then. Now, of course it's been swallowed up by Los Angeles.
Another big event, that year, was the opening of the first self service grocery store in California.
In Houston, Texas, Rice University was founded after William Marsh Rice left the money for it in his will. How did Mr. Rice die? He was chloroformed to death by his valet.
Meanwhile, Henry Flagler opened the East Coast Railroad. For the first time, passengers could get on the train in New York City and get off in Key West, Florida.
Rita, Roger and Donnie like L. L. Bean. Mr. Bean opened his first store in 1912 in Freeport, Maine. What did the L. L. stand for? Leon Lenwood.
And, last but not least, Michigan, Kansas, Oregon and Arizona elected to give women the vote. It was also on the ballot in Wisconsin but they turned thumbs down on that idea. Women voting? Preposterous!
LET ME COUNT THE WRINKLES
I swear. Everytime I look in the mirror I discover a new network of wrinkles that has formed overnight. If I felt as bad as I look, I'd never get out of bed in the morning.
TRANSLATING ENGLISH TO CHINESE
ENGLISH CHINESE
That's not right. Sum Ting Wong
Your body odor
is offensive Yu Stinke Pu
That's not right. Sum Ting Wong
Your body odor
is offensive Yu Stinke Pu
HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM NOVAK
One of the most beautiful stars Hollywood ever saw. Kim Novak is celebrating her 79th birthday today. If you've got 15 minutes to spare, this is a great clip with Kim Novak, Rita Hayworth and Frank Sinatra. Oh, how I miss the great old movies!
CONGRATULATIONS BON IVER!
It isn't every day that someone so close to home wins a Grammy but Bon Iver of Eau Claire did it last night! This is a video of their performance on the Letterman show.
TALK ABOUT CHEAP GAS!
According to the Janesville Gazette, it was on February 13, 1935 that the state of Wisconsin set a minimum price of 16 cents a gallon for gas in order to stop the gas price wars.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
CHECKING THE CALENDAR
This week, Valentines Day is Tuesday, Roger's Birthday is Wednesday. Bill Blair's birthday is next week.
There's a great article in the La Crosse Tribune (click here) about the history of 5th Avenue in La Crosse. Lot's if interesting things I wasn't aware of.
It underlines, again, a lesson I learned from a very successful businessman in Sioux Falls. "Bad location" is an excuse, not a reason. If you have what they want, they'll come. If you don't, you won't survive no matter where you put your business. Ask anyone from the very long list of stores that have failed at the mall.
It underlines, again, a lesson I learned from a very successful businessman in Sioux Falls. "Bad location" is an excuse, not a reason. If you have what they want, they'll come. If you don't, you won't survive no matter where you put your business. Ask anyone from the very long list of stores that have failed at the mall.
I'D BREAK MY DIET FOR ONE OF THESE
Donnie wanted chocolate covered orange rinds for Valentines Day but I found something even better. This looks so good it makes my mouth water. Check it out here.
Of course, Paul and I would want to top it off with Reddi Whip.
Of course, Paul and I would want to top it off with Reddi Whip.
GOOD WEATHER FOR FEBRUARY
Highs today should be in the upper 20's with a sunny sky. Tomorrow there's a good chance for a touch of snow. Half an inch or less. That shouldn't slow me down.
I hope Donnie and Linda covered the plants. It was 28 degrees in the Springs at 3 A.M.
Click for weather forecast
ALL I WANT FOR VALENTINES IS........
DONNIE REPORTS
Saw another of the endless pieces on how to avoid one disease or another. Best diet against heart disease includes dark chocolate and oranges. So that's what I want for Valentine's Day, chocolate covered orange rinds.
Saw another of the endless pieces on how to avoid one disease or another. Best diet against heart disease includes dark chocolate and oranges. So that's what I want for Valentine's Day, chocolate covered orange rinds.
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