LOOK OUT BELOW!

Ed and his wife Norma go to the state fair every year, And every year Ed would say, "Norma, I'd like to ride in that helicopter" Norma always replied, "I know Ed , but that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, And fifty bucks is fifty bucks! "

One year Ed and Norma went to the fair, and Ed said, "Norma, I'm 75 years old. If I don't ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance" To this, Norma replied, "Ed, that helicopter ride is fifty bucks, and fifty bucks is fifty bucks"

The pilot overheard the couple and said, " Folks I'll make you a deal. I'll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don't say a word I won't charge you a penny!" But if you say one word it's fifty dollars."

Ed and Norma agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, But still not a word... When they landed, the pilot turned to Ed and said, "By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't. I'm impressed! "

Ed replied, "Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Norma fell out, But you know, Fifty bucks is fifty bucks! " .

A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES IN 22 MINUTES

IT'S GONNA BE A MISERABLE WEEKEND

A FREEZE WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR TONIGHT AS TEMPERATURES WILL FALL INTO THE UPPER 20S TO LOWER 30S. THESE TEMPERATURES COULD KILL UNPROTECTED COLD SENSITIVE PLANTS.

AIN'T THIS THE TRUTH!

SUMMER IS GONE, GONE, GONE

Logo Design by FlamingText.com
I HATE THE LONG NIGHTS OF WINTER

THIS AND THAT

NICARAGUA got a pretty good jolt this morning.  4.2 EARTHQUAKE....WEDDING DAY IN JOHNSON CREEK.  Best wishes to the happy couple.  OKTOBERFEST IS UNDERWAY IN GERMANY.  CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY .......

AUTUMN ARRIVES TODAY

YOU NEED SOME ADVICE FROM GOD ON RAKING LEAVES

TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT YOUR DOLLAR BILL

NOW YOU SEE IT.....NOW YOU DON'T.  This is an interesting story on the subtle changes in the dollar bill over the years.  They're all legal but they're not all the same.  READ THE STORY HERE

MORE CRIME~MORE CAMERAS

With the increase in crime, around La Crosse, businesses are upgrading their surveillance cameras or adding cameras for the first time.  This report from WKBT

THE HEAT WAVES ARE JUST A MEMORY

Freeze watch remains in effect from late Saturday night through Sunday morning.

Temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 20s to lower 30s.

Take precautions to protect sensitive plants and other outdoor items... such as garden hoses... that could be damaged by sub freezing temperatures.

Precautionary/preparedness actions... A freeze watch means sub-freezing temperatures are possible. These conditions could kill crops and other sensitive vegetation.

 

HAPPY AUTUMN EVERYBODY!

READ ALL ABOUT IT IN THE FARMERS ALMANAC

SOME AMAZING REMIDIES THAT REALLY WORK

1. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING
VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

 2. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT BY USING THE SINK.

3. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO SET A TIMER.

4. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

5. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES; THEN YOU'LL BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

6. YOU NEED ONLY TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND
DUCT TAPE. IF IF DOESN'T MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT MOVES AND SHOULDN'T  USE THE DUCT TAPE.

 

7. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

 SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN THEY'RE PUSHED DOWN THE STAIRS.

AND NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, TAKE A LAXATIVE AND SLEEPING PILLS ON THE SAME NIGHT!

HAVE YOU TRIED IT YET?

BEN AND JERRY'S NEW CANNOLI FLAVOR is showing up in the supermarkets.

HERE'S AN INTERESTING ARTICLE THAT LISTS THE 10 BEST BEER GARDENS AROUND THE WORLD

I know a few folks, who read this blog, have been known to drink a beer or two and they might be interested in knowing that one of the worlds best biergartens is in Milwaukee!  CLICK HERE TO SEE WHERE THE OTHER ONES ARE

LOOKING WEST OVER LA CROSSE WISCONSIN

ANOTHER AUNT WILDA PICTURE

ONLY IN VIROQUA

A COW, IN VIROQUA, GIVES BIRTH TO TRIPLETS and the chances of that happening are about as rare as finding another town named Viroqua.  Check out this video from news channel 8.

TODAY IS WORLD ALZHEIMERS DAY

AND TOMORROW THERE WILL BE A WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S HERE IN LA CROSSE.  FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK ON THIS LINK

FALL IS IN THE AIR

TOMORROW IS THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN and a week from tomorrow is the OKTOBERFEST MAPLE LEAF PARADE!

HOW LONG DO YOU EXPECT TO LIVE?

Here's an interesting article FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES that says LIFE SPANS FOR SOME WHITE AMERICANS IS, ACTUALLY, GETTING SHORTER.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

This EASY CHICKEN CASSEROLE sounds good.

THE NEW MOON

I love seeing these old, small town, movie theaters.  Not sure where this is but Donnie took the picture on his trip back home.  This is a real gem.

COVER UP!

They're predicting PATCHY FROST SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING.  Low temperatures Saturday night will be right around 32.

RITA, ROGER, CARL AND KATHY ARE HEADING EAST TODAY

Off to the big wedding this weekend.  Wish I was going along but somebody has to stay here to take care of the western end of the state.

AS DONNIE PUT IT: "JUST EARTH, SKY AND WATER"

THIS IS MY KIND OF COUNTRY



THE TITLE PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY DONNIE ON HIS TRIP

DONNIE SAYS HE TOOK 300 PHOTOS ON HIS TRIP

I'll be showing you several, over the next couple of weeks, on the blog.

DONNIE CAPTURED A BEAUTIFUL SCENE ON THE BANKS OF THE MIGHTY MISSOURI

I WANT TO LIVE IN THIS APARTMENT

I'M WELL CONNECTED

FINALLY I HAVE A PHONE AGAIN!  Same number.  Same cheerful voice at this end.  I rarely use the phone but I nearly went crazy knowing I couldn't use the phone even if I wanted to.  When you get into your "senior years" you never know when you might get the urge to call the ambulance.

Thanks to CARL who came over with his phone so I could get my new phone activated.

DONNIE IS HOME!

Safe at home, after a marathon 13-hour travel day and 650 miles. (Trip total, TX to WI to SD to TX, nearly 4,000 miles.)

My last night on the road I discovered Lindsborg, Kansas, "Little Sweden." Saw a faded freeway sign for the Viking Motel, and decided to take a look. Lindsborg is still a tidy, picturesque Scandinavian community.

In my haste to claim a night at the Viking, I missed the Swedish Inn downtown, a beautifully-restored 19th century hotel, operated by a Lutheran minister and his wife.

Main Street Lindsborg is charming, all sorts of Scandinavian design and decor, almost kitsch, and the surrounding residential streets are heavily shaded under huge old trees, elms, I think. Great for walking.

A famous National Geographic photographer, born in Kansas, lives here and has set up a classy gallery on Main Street. This is the fellow who took some famous aerial views of the La Crosse coulees--I'm sure you have seen them--and he sells his prints here, in all sorts of formats. I got some cards of the La Crosse shots, and one from Peru.

Sorry we forgot Rita's b'day in all the excitement. I should have bought dinner!

And I think I did hear the space shuttle go over this morning. Just after seeing your note, I heard a flyover that sounded louder and heavier than aircraft we normally spot. I ran outside, but too much low overcast.

SOPHIA LOREN~78 YEARS OLD TODAY AND STILL A BEAUTY

Logo Design by FlamingText.com

THE OTHER DAY I SAID THE HOTTEST TEMPERATURE EVER REPORTED ON EARTH WAS IN LIBYA

 

That was wrong but it's not my fault.  Every weather source has listed El Azizia, Libya with a temperature of 136.4 degrees on September 13, 1922 as the worlds hottest temperature ever.  Now, an international group of weather experts says that temperature was incorrectly logged by an inexperienced weather observer.

 

So we have a NEW, OFFICIAL, HOTTEST TEMPERATURE, EVER, IN DEATH VALLEY.

 

On July 10, 1913 the temperature in Death Valley hit 136 degrees which is now THE NEW HOTTEST OFFICIAL TEMPERATURE EVER REPORTED ON EARTH.

GROWING OLDER

DONNIE IS GOING TO MISS AN HISTORIC EVENT OVER AUSTIN TOMORROW

The ENDEAVOUR SHUTTLE perched atop a 747 will take off from Ellington Field around 7:00 AM.  It will make one last pass over the JOHNSON SPACE CENTER then continue over west Houston and on to Austin where it will make a LOW FLYOVER JUST SOUTH OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING continuing on to El Paso.  I would give everything I have to see that!

IF YOU HAVE CLINICAL DEPRESSION LIKE I DO....

This may be of interest to you or your doctor.  As any clinical depression patient knows, finding the right medication that will work for you, can be a trial and error procedure that can cover many months.  Now, this article covers a new discovery that shows a blood test can give your doctor a better idea of what antidepressant will work best for you.

I DON'T KNOW HOW IT IS ON THE GROUND BUT THE WIND IS REALLY HOWLING ON THE 5TH FLOOR!

WE'LL HAVE TO WATCH THE SKY THIS AFTERNOON

FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE:

ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE MID TO LATE AFTERNOON TODAY. SMALL HAIL...GUSTY WINDS TO 50 MPH AND LIGHTNING COULD ACCOMPANY ANY STORM. SEVERE WEATHER IS NOT EXPECTED.

THIS IS NATIONAL HONEY MONTH

I had some of the honey DONNIE brought from Texas.  It's MILLER CREEK LAVENDER HONEY from Blanco County Texas.  I had some on my toast, this morning, and it's the most delicious honey I've ever tasted.

It's from the Miller Creek Lavender Farm in JOHNSON CITY, TEXAS near the LBJ RANCH and near Donnie and Linda's house.  I think there are more tourists that visit the LBJ Ranch than Donnie and Linda's house altho I don't know why.

You might want to CHECK OUT THE MILLER CREEK FARMS CATALOG right here.  This ain't cheap stuff but it's well worth the money.  I see they also have a MARGARITA MIX that, I'll bet is pure heaven!

ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER THE BATMAN SERIES FROM THE 1960'S?

His tights may be sagging, a bit, but ADAM WEST, who played the title role is still alive and kickin' at the age of 84 TODAY.  He just got his star on the HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME this year, in April, which you'll find in front of the GUINNESS MUSEUM ON HOLLYWOOD BLVD.

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FAR TOO MUCH TIME ON THEIR HANDS

MEET THE POPINATOR



THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING ACTS I'VE EVER SEEN

It, almost, makes me want to order a drink!

One out of every four people in the Netherlands gets to work on a bike.

HORMEL FOODS IN AUSTIN, MINNESOTA IS IN THE NEWS TODAY.

One of their workers has come down with Tuberculosis and some of the other workers are being tested.  When was the last time you heard about anyone coming down with that disease?  The fact is that there are 9 million cases of TB around the world and that's the highest number of cases in history.  As if you didn't have enough to worry about, you can now add that to the list.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE OIL BOOM IN NORTH DAKOTA THE OTHER DAY

The boom is so big that Delta Airlines is adding two flights to Williston from Minneapolis/St. Paul and United will start flying THREE round-trips, a day, to Williston from Denver.

AMERICAN QUEEN

DOCKS AT

RIVERSIDE PARK

TOMORROW

JUST IN TIME FOR ANOTHER WINTER SEASON

It will, now, be LEGAL TO THROW SNOWBALLS IN REEDSBURG, WISCONSIN!  No fooling.  READ ALL ABOUT IT RIGHT HERE

AT 9 AM IT WAS 48 DEGREES IN LA CROSSE

Does that sound like fall to you?

RITA FOUND AN OLD PICTURE OF THE FAMILY HOUSE IN HOLMEN

No date on it but a neat picture.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS HAS LOST 72,000 CUSTOMERS IN THIS LAST QUARTER

Never fear.  They still have 4.3 million customers left and a lot of the other cable and satellite services lost a LOT more.

A GOOD OMEN

I turned on the computer, this morning, and the first thing I did was play a game of Solitaire to limber up my fingers.  I WON!  First thing I did and I won.  It's gonna be a great day.

THIS AND THAT

Rita has to share her birthday with Frankie Avalon today.  He's 72....Donnie spent the night in Winner and, I think, that's where Rita, Roger, Rick and Angela went hunting last year.  Sounds like a nice little town......Still NO PHONE. Of course, I've managed to complicate that problem too.  I took the battery, when I went to Walgreens, just in case they might have a replacement.  Of course they didn't.  I remember putting it in my pocket.  I don't remember taking it out, however, and where I might have put it will always remain a mystery, I fear.  I spent the better part of the day looking for it, yesterday, and it has, indeed, vanished.

I found the instruction book that came with the phone.  I thought, surely, it would list the battery type that was in the phone.  WRONG.  It only says "battery".  Doesn't even give me a clue as to WHAT KIND of battery it is.

Why does everything have to be so complicated?

POLICE STILL INVESTIGATING DOUBLE DEATHS

We still don't know who or why someone shot and killed Paul and AJ Petras at May's Photo, in downtown La Crosse, Saturday in the middle of the afternoon.

It's still hard to believe that something like this could happen right downtown in broad daylight.  I think it's making people more aware of what's going on around them.

AUTUMN WEATHER IS HERE

It was 41 when I got up this morning and our high, today, will hover around 60 degrees.  Our normal high, this time of year, is the low 70's so we'll be a bit chillier than we should be.  A clear sky and a bright sun, which is still nice and warm this time of year, should feel real good.  Can't complain about weather like that.

ENJOY THE DAY!



HERE'S A BIRTHDAY SONG FOR RITA

DO YOU KNOW ALL THE WORDS TO "ON WISCONSIN"??

THIS SOUNDS GOOD AND IT SURE IS SIMPLE

RITA'S BIRTHDAY NAPKINS

LOOKING WEST OVER LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN

When Donnie and I were up on Grandad Bluff we drove around a bit and discovered the National Weather Service building where this webcam is located.  I was surprised at the number of cars in front of the building.  They must have a cast of thousands working there.

TRAVELS WITH DONNIE CONTINUES

Winner, South Dakota

A beautiful day, windy and mild, through blazing yellow fields of sunflowers and hay stubble, under big fleecy white and gray clouds. I turned down one side-road on a whim, and found a picturesque abandoned farmhouse in a cornfield; took another road on a guess, and found a great Don's sign; left the main roads at Pierre on a gamble, and discovered a comfortable new motel in Winner, though even in Winner one pays $100+.

Will walk downtown Winner this evening (10 minutes?), then tomorrow start the race to Texas, via old-fashioned Route 183, though I'd like to find a quiet country golf course somewhere.

AND, AFTER A WALK AROUND TOWN....


Still a Winner

Winner is surviving. It seems a pleasant little town, fairly neat and clean.

The pretty-well preserved Pix Theater (original ticket booth and snack counter with cradled popcorn machine) is currently closed, but only to install "state-of-the-art" digital projection equipment and the town also has a still-functioning drive-in theater. I found a golf course, too, and may try it in the a.m., if the day isn't too cold and windy.

WATCHING THE STARS AGE IS A FUN CLIP

HERE'S AN INTERESTING LIST OF THE 20 MOST EXPENSIVE HOTELS IN THE WORLD

No Holiday Inn on this list and you won't find a single one in the USA.  CLICK HERE FOR THE LIST

THE DAYS ARE SHORTER AND I'M GOING TO BED EARLIER

I kind of get the urge to hibernate this time of year.  I've always thought the bears came up with a good idea.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"The stock market is filled with individuals who know the price of everything, but the value of nothing."
Philip Fisher

IT'S APPLE DUMPLING DAY AND IT LOOKS LIKE AN EASY RECIPE

I'm going to make a copy and give it a try one of these days.  It looks so easy, even I could make it.  Sure does look good!  Click here for the recipe

POLICE ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE DOUBLE MURDER IN DOWNTOWN LA CROSSE

THIS REPORT IS FROM WKBT TV



WHAT'S UP?

A load of laundry and a trip to Festival will be the highlights of my day.  I hope your day is a bit more exciting.

80% CHANCE FOR RAIN TODAY

DONNIE IS IN BISMARK FOR THE NIGHT

 "Rain off-and-on here today, but I enjoy the damp chill, though I could have had that in Austin, too--very cool there, and 4.5" rain in past few days.

Visited Indian camps and Cavalry forts today, sat on the porch of Custer's home, etc."

IT GETS WORSE BY THE DAY

I knew it wasn't safe to go out after dark in La Crosse anymore but I thought we were relatively safe in broad daylight.  After yesterdays killing of a man and his son, at their place of business on Main Street, right downtown in the middle of the afternoon makes me wonder about going out in the daytime too.

Like I've said before, I thought I was leaving all that behind when I left the big city.  I guess the worst parts of city life have followed me here.  It's a shame.

88 AND COUNTING

One of my all time favorites, Lauren Bacall is 88 today.  She sure has had a long and eventful life......On another note, The American Queen will be docking at Riverside Park on Wednesday.  I'll try to get down to take some pictures.....I guess, old man winter is knocking the door.  It was, actually, CHILLY WHEN I GOT UP THIS MORNING.  First time I've felt that morning chill in months.  Won't be long and I'll have to cover the A/C for another season.

WE ALL KNOW NORWEGIANS ARE FUNNY

This commercial, from Norway, shows you just how funny we can be.

I'LL BET KATE WISHES SHE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE ROYAL FAMILY

HOW TO SAVE ON WATER AND ELECTRICITY

THEY HAVE A NEW OVERLOOK RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF GRANDAD BLUFF

 

 

 

Donnie walked down to have a look but my fear of high places kept me well back.  I could see enough from where I was!