DONNIE IN RUINS
AUGUST 2014
Saturday, April 21, 2012
THOUGHTS OF A WEST SALEM NATIVE
"My glimpse of Congress was disturbing.
I had not been in the lower House for a long time, and only once of recent years in the Senate, and the action of both Houses was so desultory, so lacking in dignity, that it would have been ludicrous, had it not been for a consideration of the matters of world-wide importance awaiting their decision.
They were discussing "pork barrels," busied with getting something for their selfish little constituencies. America in the mass, humanity in the mass, is impressive, but our senators, when seen individually, like Europe's kings, lose their bulk."
--Hamlin Garland, 1915
I had not been in the lower House for a long time, and only once of recent years in the Senate, and the action of both Houses was so desultory, so lacking in dignity, that it would have been ludicrous, had it not been for a consideration of the matters of world-wide importance awaiting their decision.
They were discussing "pork barrels," busied with getting something for their selfish little constituencies. America in the mass, humanity in the mass, is impressive, but our senators, when seen individually, like Europe's kings, lose their bulk."
--Hamlin Garland, 1915
RITA WANTS TO KNOW.....
"I have two uncles, a mom and a mom's best friend/cousin, Melvina, in this picture. Must be 8th grade graduation? Can you find them all?"
TOO MUCH INFORMATION
There's a new Simon Cowell biography, on the bookshelves, that says, among other equally silly things, that he insists on black toilet paper in his home. I know I don't need to know that but I'm wondering if anyone else does.
I'm the only person, on the planet, that has never seen the show that made him famous (I can't even think of the name of it) so I know who he is but that's about it. After reading the book review, I'm thinking what I already know is more than enough.
DOINGS IN TEXAS
DONNIE: "Last night temps dropped to low 50s, and this sunny morning has the smell and feel of autumn! Strange. Last year by this time we had had no rain at all and were already getting days in the 90s.
Big doings in Drippin' this weekend, the annual Founders Day Festival. I'll be hanging out at our one coffee shop and one bar, both searching for and contributing to local color."
BUY IT TODAY~IT'S AN ANTIQUE TOMORROW
DONNIE: "Saw an item that says, not only TV, but even the Internet is fast fading as a "platform" as younger people do everything on hand-helds, cell phones and iPad type devices. The article said desktops and even laptops will be as antique as typewriters, the original walkie-talkie size cell phones or pay phones (what are they?)
How true that is. I watch Seinfeld re-runs every afternoon on the WB and they are constantly using those big old cordless phones with the antenna sticking out the top. I remember, they looked like a "Star Wars" device when they first came out. Now, they look as old fashioned and silly as the old wringer wash machine that mother used to use.
The old phrase "times change" used to mean things changed by the year or decade. Now, it seems, times change by the month.
How true that is. I watch Seinfeld re-runs every afternoon on the WB and they are constantly using those big old cordless phones with the antenna sticking out the top. I remember, they looked like a "Star Wars" device when they first came out. Now, they look as old fashioned and silly as the old wringer wash machine that mother used to use.
The old phrase "times change" used to mean things changed by the year or decade. Now, it seems, times change by the month.
THE TRAVEL AGENT MIGHT STILL BE THE WAY TO GO
I enjoyed this article from the New York Times this morning (CLICK HERE) about the return of the travel agent.
We used to roll our eyes (when I was in the biz) when a customer would think they deserved specal treatment because they were a "frequent flyer". When asked how often they flew the answer would often be "3 or 4 times a year".
3 or 4 trips a year might seem like a lot to the average person but the airline sees thousands of people, every week, who are in the air, at least, once a week. I had many customers, at the club, who would make three or flights a day to make contacts with all of their customers.
Those folks are REAL "frequent flyers" and they know the airline and hotel business as well and, many times, better than the airline and hotel employees do. They know all the tricks of the trade and know how and when to book their flights and hotel rooms. The internet is a great way for those folks to book their trips. For the rest of us, however, "not so much".
A lot of folks are discovering that the Travel Agent isn't a luxury but a necessity if they want to have the best possible trip at the best possible price. This is true, today, more than ever before, with the high cost of travel and the full loads on all the planes.
DONNIE COMMENTS:
I had earlier heard of the return of the travel agent, so I tested it myself. In January I contacted an Austin agent and asked for her best deals on a trip to Uruguay. Within a day, she got back to me by eMail, saying she thought current prices too high, and she'd have to do more research. Never heard from her again. And of course we have not been to Uruguay.
We used to roll our eyes (when I was in the biz) when a customer would think they deserved specal treatment because they were a "frequent flyer". When asked how often they flew the answer would often be "3 or 4 times a year".
3 or 4 trips a year might seem like a lot to the average person but the airline sees thousands of people, every week, who are in the air, at least, once a week. I had many customers, at the club, who would make three or flights a day to make contacts with all of their customers.
Those folks are REAL "frequent flyers" and they know the airline and hotel business as well and, many times, better than the airline and hotel employees do. They know all the tricks of the trade and know how and when to book their flights and hotel rooms. The internet is a great way for those folks to book their trips. For the rest of us, however, "not so much".
A lot of folks are discovering that the Travel Agent isn't a luxury but a necessity if they want to have the best possible trip at the best possible price. This is true, today, more than ever before, with the high cost of travel and the full loads on all the planes.
DONNIE COMMENTS:
I had earlier heard of the return of the travel agent, so I tested it myself. In January I contacted an Austin agent and asked for her best deals on a trip to Uruguay. Within a day, she got back to me by eMail, saying she thought current prices too high, and she'd have to do more research. Never heard from her again. And of course we have not been to Uruguay.
$$$$ MADNESS
HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES
Think your gas prices are too high? You could always move to Manhattan. Almost nobody, who lives there, owns a car. Of course, rent is a touch higher than it is around here. In fact, the AVERAGE RENT IN MANHATTAN IS $3,418.00 A MONTH. You might have already guessed that buying a home on that glittering island is simply out of the question.
SWEETER THAN HONEY
I had a big slice of Pepperidge Farms Key Lime layer cake for breakfast and, after I get dressed, I'll run to Kwik Trip and get some Glazer doughnuts. That's what gives me my sweet disposition.
Along those lines, did you know that 55% of the way you communicate with people is done with BODY LANGUAGE? I saw an interesting article about that on Yahoo! just now. READ IT HERE
Along those lines, did you know that 55% of the way you communicate with people is done with BODY LANGUAGE? I saw an interesting article about that on Yahoo! just now. READ IT HERE
TEST TIME
You gotta love it!!!
Sometimes logic can interfere with a correct answer.
STUDENT SCORED AN 'F' ON THIS EXAM.
I would have given him an 'A'.
Q1. In which battle did Napoleon die? * His last battle
Q2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? * At the bottom of the page
Q3. River Ravi flows in which state? * Liquid
Q4. What is the main reason for divorce? * Marriage
Q5. What is the main reason for failure? * Exams
Q6. What can you never eat for breakfast? * Lunch and dinner
Q7. What looks like half an apple? * The other half
Q8. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become? * It will simply become wet
Q9. How can a man go eight days without sleeping? * Just sleep at night.
Q10. How can you lift an elephant with one hand? * You will never find an elephant that has only one hand.
Q11. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in other hand, what would you have? * Very large hands
Q12. If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it? * No time at all, the wall is already built.
Q13. How can u drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it? *Any way you want, concrete floors are very hard to crack.
Sometimes logic can interfere with a correct answer.
STUDENT SCORED AN 'F' ON THIS EXAM.
I would have given him an 'A'.
Q1. In which battle did Napoleon die? * His last battle
Q2. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed? * At the bottom of the page
Q3. River Ravi flows in which state? * Liquid
Q4. What is the main reason for divorce? * Marriage
Q5. What is the main reason for failure? * Exams
Q6. What can you never eat for breakfast? * Lunch and dinner
Q7. What looks like half an apple? * The other half
Q8. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what it will become? * It will simply become wet
Q9. How can a man go eight days without sleeping? * Just sleep at night.
Q10. How can you lift an elephant with one hand? * You will never find an elephant that has only one hand.
Q11. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and four apples and three oranges in other hand, what would you have? * Very large hands
Q12. If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall, how long would it take four men to build it? * No time at all, the wall is already built.
Q13. How can u drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it? *Any way you want, concrete floors are very hard to crack.
Friday, April 20, 2012
PARKER STILL MAKES PENS BUT NOT IN JANESVILLE
George S. Parker founded Parker Pen Company in 1888 in Janesville and resigned as president of the company, on this date, in 1933 to become Chairman of the Board. His son, Kenneth Parker became the new president.
The Parkers are long gone but the pens remain. The company is now owned by Newell Rubbermaid, located in New Haven, East Sussex, England.
The Parkers are long gone but the pens remain. The company is now owned by Newell Rubbermaid, located in New Haven, East Sussex, England.
YOU DON'T KNOW HOT UNLESS YOU'VE SPENT A SUMMER IN TEXAS
The Travel Channels JOHNNY JET just sent a tweet from HOUSTON. A reminder to himself not to travel through Texas during the hot months.
BIG EXCITEMENT IN AUSTIN TODAY
An 8 foot statue of WILLIE NELSON will be unveiled today in downtown Austin. Willie plans to be there.
(NOTE TO DONNIE)
Next time you're in town, get a picture!
DONNIE: "Just what your blog needs. Willie pictures."
(NOTE TO DONNIE)
Next time you're in town, get a picture!
DONNIE: "Just what your blog needs. Willie pictures."
FLAUNTING FLYERS
Now, I see, a woman has stripped, naked, at the Denver Airport. Is this gonna start a whole new fad?
WATCH THE BIRDIE
Sounds like it was an "exciting" take off for Delta Flight 1063 from New York to Los Angeles yesterday. Another case of birds being sucked into the engine on take off. They quickly landed, again, safely. That's a fairly common occurance. It's happened 2,586 times at JFK, alone, since 1990.
FAST FOOD
Another fun fact from the book I'm reading. Guess what fast food chain is the most popular in China....BY FAR. It's Kentucky Fried Chicken! I'll bet the colonel is smiling.
RAIN
We had a Record rainfall in La Crosse, yesterday, with 1.60". That beat the old record of 1.27" set in 1993.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
TALK ABOUT A BUILDING BOOM!
I ran across an interesting fact while reading "Where China Meets India" by Thant Myint-u. According to the author, In the 1990's the city of Shanghai had 3 buildings over 20 stories. Today there are more than 2,000 buildings 20 stories or taller. I'll bet there aren't any out of work construction workers in that town!
ANOTHER INTERESTING ARTICLE
100 million TV sets will be hooked to the internet rather than cable by 2016. Will hackers then be able to "bug" your TV like they do your laptop? You bet they will!! CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE.
DOCTOR! DOCTOR!
Considering I have an appointment to see a specialist next week, I was drawn to this article from YAHOO! about how your primary care physician directs you to a specialist you may need to see.
Although, I have no concerns about any of the doctors I see, not everyone has the quality of service the folks at Gunderson Clinic provide. In a lot of cases, at other facilities, this article points out it's more about $$$$ than health Care.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE
Although, I have no concerns about any of the doctors I see, not everyone has the quality of service the folks at Gunderson Clinic provide. In a lot of cases, at other facilities, this article points out it's more about $$$$ than health Care.
READ THE ARTICLE HERE
HAPPY PET OWNERS DAY
If you're planning on traveling through Wisconsin with your pet, this summer, CHECK OUT THIS SITE to find places to stay that will welcome your pet.
HOLIDAY
SOME FUN FACTS FOR GARLIC DAY
Did you know that 66% of all the garlic, in the world, is produced in China? The U.S.A. produces 3%.
Garlic is mentioned in the Old Testament and is pictured in Egyptian tombs.
And, here's a fun fact I'll bet you didn't know. The city of Chicago got its name from the wild garlic that grew around Lake Michigan. The Indians called it "Chicagaoua".
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
I WISH I HAD THE GUTS.......
Hats off to the guy who stripped naked at a Portland International Airport security gate to protest the hassle of getting through. We need more outrageous folks like that to match the circus clowns running for political office these days.
HEALTH
MENS HEALTH has an article on the 11 worst burgers in America. They list the Burger King Whopper with Cheese as the worst classic fast-food burger. 760 calories with 1,410 mg of sodium. That's more salt than I'm allowed all month! The only thing I've seen that equals that amount of salt is Soy Sauce.
To see the rest of the gastronomical delicacies guaranteed to speed up your demise, CLICK HERE
IT'S OUT!
ANOTHER DUMB ONE FROM ROGER
You can't stick your tongue out and look up at the ceiling at the same time. It's a physical impossibility due to the tendons in your neck.
All idiots, after reading this will try it......
And discover it is a lie.
You are smiling now because you're an idiot.
You'll soon forward this to another idiot.
There is still a stupid smile on your face.
I apologize about this but I'm an idiot and I need company."
All idiots, after reading this will try it......
And discover it is a lie.
You are smiling now because you're an idiot.
You'll soon forward this to another idiot.
There is still a stupid smile on your face.
I apologize about this but I'm an idiot and I need company."
RON AND PENNY HAD COMPANY TODAY
RON: "About 9 turkeys in our back yard. Two big ones were strutting around and fanning their feathers for the hens."
NOW I'VE SEEN IT ALL
There's a new cable channel you might not want to watch but your dog will. Yes! It had to happen sooner or later. THERE'S NOW A CABLE CHANNEL FOR YOUR DOG TO WATCH WHILE YOU'RE AT WORK!!!
WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT.
MY NOTHING LIFE
My horoscope says, "It's a good idea to reexamine your toughest goal today---it is too unrealistic."
I don't have any goal today. I don't have any goal any day. What's unrealistic about that?
CITIZENSHIP
The tired and poor are going home.
Did you know that about 1800 people renounced their U.S. citizenship or turned in their green card last year? That's nearly 8 times the number of citizens who renounced in 2008.
Did you know that about 1800 people renounced their U.S. citizenship or turned in their green card last year? That's nearly 8 times the number of citizens who renounced in 2008.
I WAS JUST THINKING....
Have you seen a picture of 78 year old Joan Rivers since she put the pink strips in her hair? Whatever happened to growing old gracefully rather than kicking and screaming?
RITA
Rita is having a tooth pulled this morning. I looked but I couldn't find any dental cards. Hallmark is missing the boat there.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
AUNT WILDA CALLED THIS MORNING
She's planning another trip to Bob and Lynne's for Mothers Day and her birthday.
She said Anne and Morgan called. They're going to sell the boat. Getting too old to take care of it anymore. Their sailing days are over.
Trig called her too. They're returning to Wisconsin, from Arizona, this week.
IN A FOG
DONNIE: "Up by 7:00 A.M., today, to enjoy a fog--"as thick as sea poop", as the old radio blooper had it."
COLD
WEATHER
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Walking, into the wind yesterday, I was thinking it was colder than it was, some days, in January.
At least, we'll see the sun today...but only for one day. It's back to clouds with showers and thunderstorms tonight through thursday night.
I don't know how much more of this I can stand. I'm just hoping it warms up by the time my birthday rolls around.
FOX
LYNNE: "Our fox came out of the woods for a visit again. This has to be, at least, five or six different days we've seen him over the past few weeks. He must have been thirsty as he stayed at the bird bath for a long time."
BLAH!
WHAT'S BLAH, BLAH, BLAH DAY? It's the day to do all those annoying chores you've been putting off or people have been asking you to do.
My list is so long I don't know where to start.
My list is so long I don't know where to start.
Monday, April 16, 2012
SNOW???
It just goes from bad to worse. They're forecasting some patchy frost tonight and Thursday night, they say, we could get some SNOW!!!
What happened to spring?? This is really getting ridiculous. When we had such beatufiul weather in March I was hoping for a long summer. Now, I'm beginning to wonder if we'll have a summer at all!
WILDLIFE
You don't have to live in the country to see the wildlife. You can see it in the city too.
WILLARD: "I was having coffee and glanced out the window to see a young possum running across the patio. Buddy was at the screen door. He saw it too and wanted to give chase. I don't think so!"
WILLARD: "I was having coffee and glanced out the window to see a young possum running across the patio. Buddy was at the screen door. He saw it too and wanted to give chase. I don't think so!"
HEALTH WARNING
I thought about buying a bag of Dole salad, the other day, but decided to go with a head of lettuce and make my own instead. Glad I did. 756 cases of their salad have been recalled because of possible salmonella contamination. Some of those bags were distributed in Wisconsin.
BEV
DAVE: "I thought I had better give you guys an update on Bev. We went to the doctor last Friday and they found the cancer has spread. She will start a low dose of chemo, hoping to abate the spread. Time will tell.
TRIVIA
Here's a little fact I'll bet you didn't know.
What do Burma, Liberia and the United States have in common?
These are the only countries left, on the planet, that don't use the metric system.
What do Burma, Liberia and the United States have in common?
These are the only countries left, on the planet, that don't use the metric system.
TODAYS QUESTON
QUESTION: Why don't Norwegian women drink?
ANSWER: It interferes with their "suffering".
ANSWER: It interferes with their "suffering".
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A LITTLE CATHOLIC HUMOR
After getting all of Pope
Benedict's luggage loaded into the limo, (and he doesn't travel light), the
driver notices the Pope is still standing on the curb.
'Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver, 'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?'
'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope, 'they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.'
'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! What if something should happen' protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning.
'Who's going to tell' says the Pope with a smile.
Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kms. (Remember, the Pope is German.)
'Please slow down, Your Holiness' pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.
'Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver.
The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.
'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the dispatcher.
The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.
'So bust him,' says the Chief.
'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop.
The Chief exclaimed, 'All the more reason!'
'No, I mean really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence..
The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the mayor?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: ' A senator?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: 'The Prime Minister?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
'Well,' said the Chief, 'who is it?'
Cop: 'I think it's God!'
The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, 'What makes you think it's God?'
Cop: 'His chauffeur is the Pope!'
'Excuse me, Your Holiness,' says the driver, 'Would you please take your seat so we can leave?'
'Well, to tell you the truth,' says the Pope, 'they never let me drive at the Vatican when I was a cardinal, and I'd really like to drive today.'
'I'm sorry, Your Holiness, but I cannot let you do that. I'd lose my job! What if something should happen' protests the driver, wishing he'd never gone to work that morning.
'Who's going to tell' says the Pope with a smile.
Reluctantly, the driver gets in the back as the Pope climbs in behind the wheel. The driver quickly regrets his decision when, after exiting the airport, the Pontiff floors it, accelerating the limo to 205 kms. (Remember, the Pope is German.)
'Please slow down, Your Holiness' pleads the worried driver, but the Pope keeps the pedal to the metal until they hear sirens.
'Oh, dear God, I'm going to lose my license -- and my job!' moans the driver.
The Pope pulls over and rolls down the window as the cop approaches, but the cop takes one look at him, goes back to his motorcycle, and gets on the radio.
'I need to talk to the Chief,' he says to the dispatcher.
The Chief gets on the radio and the cop tells him that he's stopped a limo going 205 kph.
'So bust him,' says the Chief.
'I don't think we want to do that, he's really important,' said the cop.
The Chief exclaimed, 'All the more reason!'
'No, I mean really important,' said the cop with a bit of persistence..
The Chief then asked, 'Who do you have there, the mayor?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: ' A senator?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
Chief: 'The Prime Minister?'
Cop: 'Bigger.'
'Well,' said the Chief, 'who is it?'
Cop: 'I think it's God!'
The Chief is even more puzzled and curious, 'What makes you think it's God?'
Cop: 'His chauffeur is the Pope!'
A GOOD SOAKER
We got about an inch of rain overnight. We needed it. Now, if we can just get some warm weather. We'll get into the 70's this afternoon...tomorrows highs will be back into the 40's. This see-saw weather stinks.
GOOD LIVING
Cousin Mary and Brother Don are in the right spots right now.
FORBES says the best place in the country to buy a home, these days, is Tucson, Arizona with Austin, Texas a close second. Unemployment is low and housing prices are good.
FORBES says the best place in the country to buy a home, these days, is Tucson, Arizona with Austin, Texas a close second. Unemployment is low and housing prices are good.
RAPID CITY IS WET TOO
DUANE: "Raining here. An all night soaker. A little leaking by the upstairs fireplace and a new leak in the upstairs bathroom".
ANOTHER BIRTHDAY TODAY
Penny celebrates her birthday with Heloise, the lady with all the "hints", today.
Heloise is younger than I thought she would be. She's only 61. That's a lot younger than Penny and I are, but then, 80% of the people on the planet are younger than Penny and I are.
That's OK, Penny. There aren't many people, our age, that look as good as we do.
By the way, bug season is coming up and Heloise, of course, has a hint for that.
To keep the bugs off your perfect body, this summer, mix 2 drops of oil of peppermint or lavender with 2 teaspoons of almond oil and dab it on your skin. You'll smell good to everybody but the bugs.
Heloise is younger than I thought she would be. She's only 61. That's a lot younger than Penny and I are, but then, 80% of the people on the planet are younger than Penny and I are.
That's OK, Penny. There aren't many people, our age, that look as good as we do.
By the way, bug season is coming up and Heloise, of course, has a hint for that.
To keep the bugs off your perfect body, this summer, mix 2 drops of oil of peppermint or lavender with 2 teaspoons of almond oil and dab it on your skin. You'll smell good to everybody but the bugs.
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