NASTY WEATHER AHEAD?

The National Weather Service says a low pressure system might bring a band of heavy snow to our area wednesday night and thursday.  It's too early, however to tell exactly which track the system will take.


I hate the words "heavy" and "snow" in the same sentence but we need the moisture so I'll grit my teeth.  I won't smile but I'll grit my teeth.

WINTER WEATHER

BITTER COLD WEATHER AHEAD

Monday and Tuesday high: 31, Wednesday 35, Thursday 28, Friday 19.

 

Ahhhhh, that's more like Wisconsin!



DONNIE AND LINDA'S TRIP

DONNIE'S IMPRESSIONS OF MARFA
"Marfa is a tiny town way beyond everything, surrounded by desert and mountains.  A thriving artists colony full of young artists and galleries.  Good restaurants and a Euro-coffee shop ($14 Swiss Chocolate Bars).

The Paisano Hotel was home to James Dean, Liz Taylor, Rock Hudson, et. al., during the filming of "GIANT".  The hotel sells replica keys that indicate the Room Number and the stars that occupied them.  Dean, Taylor and Dennis Hopper are the most popular.

More recently, "No Country for Old Men" was filmed nearby."

FROM TWITTER

Just saw this "TWEET" and had to share it.  Great Wisconsin graphic.

Love this. #Wisconsin twitter.com/WISweetheart_/…
— WISweetheart (@WISweetheart_) December 13, 2012

WEATHER

Did I miss something?  Isn't this Wisconsin?  Isn't it just a few days before Christmas?  In Wisconsin, just a few days before Christmas, isn't it supposed to be snowing?

Why is it raining?

MEMORIES: WAYNE FEED

What a treat it was to get this picture from Donnie.  He saw this sign, somewhere along the road, on their trip this week.

We stayed in Marion for a couple of years after Dad quit teaching and he went to work for Wayne Feeds.

It was a traveling job and he, often, went to Yankton and would take me along.

On those trips we would spend the noon hour at WNAX Radio and watch the live, hour long, program from noon to one called, THE DINNER BELL ROUND-UP.  It was an all live variety show with singers, dancers, bands and comedians.  In other words, a TV show before there was TV and one of the sponsors was WAYNE FEEDS.  I loved it and, I think, that's what first gave me the idea that radio might be a fun job....it turned out that it was for about 35 years!

Wayne Feeds was started by Dale McMillen, who was a proponent of supplements for animals, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The company was very successful and sold the product nationwide.

As time moved on, Wayne Feeds merged with other companies and ended its life as a brand name for pet foods.  They were especially known for their MONKEY CHOW!!

This leads me to wonder.  If Dad has stayed with Wayne Feed would Donnie and I now be swinging from trees?

YUKKY FOOD

You know how Norwegians get all goofy when there's a lutefisk dinner within a mile of their location?  Well, the Chinese have a dish that drives them into a frenzy too. It's Hairy crabs.






I don't know about you but just the THOUGHT of Hairy crabs gags me.  READ THE BBC ARTICLE HERE.  It gets even gaggier!

RAIN DAY

We were getting some light rain when I got up this morning.  We'll be getting more, here and there, throughout the day.  The National Weather Service says precipitation amounts will be between a quarter and a half inch.

Donnie and Linda drove through some rain on their way home yesterday but when they got there it was dry as a bone.

TODAYS BIRTHDAYS

A couple of birthdays of note today.  Dave Clark is 70 today.  Name doesn't ring a bell?  Go back, about 47 years.


Also having a birthday today is everybody's favorite, TIM CONWAY.  He's celebrating his 79th birthday.

SAY CHEESE

SLIPPERY DRIVEWAY?

SPREAD CHEESE ON IT.



Here's to a happy holiday!!

A small boy wrote to Santa Claus, "Send me a brother."

Santa wrote back, "Send me your Mother."

MASS SHOOTING

WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS

THE SORROW OF TODAYS

TRAGEDY.

GIFT CARDS

Lot's of people get gift cards for Christmas.  Hot tip.  Use it right away or run the risk of losing it.  The scamers have figured out a way to use that card before you do!  READ HOW THEY DO IT HERE.

SUNRISE

Look at this sunrise we had this morning.  Is that spectacular, or what?

CHRISTMAS MUSIC

If you missed this on Letterman, take a couple of minutes to watch it here.  A bit of CHRISTMAS CHEER FROM THE U.S. MARINE CORPS!

GOOFY LAWS

While he was living there, I wonder if Donnie knew that the maximum jail sentence for stealing olives, in Turkey, before they are ripe, is two years!

As much as I like ripe olives, two years is hardly enough.

WATCH THE BIRDIE

To celebrate the beginning of the CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT here's a short, beautiful video of last years count in Minnesota.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY

IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR THE VIKINGS
It was on this day in 1911 that Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen became the first man to reach the South Pole.

BIRDS

Just in time for the Bird Count, hoardes of birds are flying south, from Canada, into Massachusetts looking for food.

The Canadian seed crop has failed this year and our feathered friends are hungry.  It's suspected the prolonged drought in Canada has caused the shortage of seeds.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FINALLY GOT THE TREE UP.  I LOVE IT AND I LOVE THE SMELL OF PINE.

COOKING

What's the best marinade for steaks?  Get the recipe from allrecipes.com

PHOTO

Remember that picture Linda sent,yesterday, of Donnie in front of that beautiful Texas Scenery?  I said it looked like a movie set.

Linda replied, "It is a movie set.  "GIANT" starring James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson was filmed right here."

That's why I didn't recognize it.  Donnie might be a good kid but he's no James Dean!

HEADLINES

TODAYS TOP HEADLINE



FROM CARL

Ten (10) Things I know about you.
1) You are reading this.
2) You are human.
3) You can't say the letter ''P'' without separating your lips.
4) You just attempted to do it.
6) You are laughing at yourself.
7) You have a smile on your face and you skipped No. 5.
8) You just checked to see if there is a No. 5.
9) You laugh at this because you are a fun loving person & everyone does it.
10) You are probably going to send this to see who else falls for it.

RIP

"Guinness World Records, which certifies the oldest living person, said the title was held by Besse Cooper, an American woman who died last week at age 116 in a Georgia nursing home soon after having her hair done."

(I have a hunch they left her under the dryer too long.)

ONE BIRDIE, TWO BIRDIES, THREE BIRDIES....

The Christmas Bird Count starts today.

TEXAS BEAUTY

Linda sent a photo and said, "This is a view from the road above Indian Lodge".

It's so beautiful it looks like a movie set.  I almost expect to see John Wayne ride up behind Donnie.

Earlier, Donnie wrote, "65 year old, with a heart condition, and I'm out mountain-hiking at dawn, alone."

It sounds like they're enjoying their get-away!

HEALTH

I'm almost tempted to party!  My lab results were great.  The red blood cell count has gone way up since the last tests and it's almost normal.  I don't know what I'm doing but, I guess, I'd better keep doing it!

FROM THE "I THINK IT'S GOOFY" FILE

Donnie sent an article about a new contact lens that can pick up text and project it on your eyeball.  My question is why on earth would you want that?  How connected to this world do you really want to be?

It might be a good idea for TV folks to use which would replace the teleprompter.  Otherwise, haven't we come up with enough gadgets to distract the driver so we can have more accidents?

This video is about as goofy as the idea but take a peek.

ROGERS BIRDS

Roger was up with the birds this morning....literally up with the birds.  He said, "This gal just flew in from Waco, Texas.  She arrived at....you guessed it.....3 a.m. so I was up early again."

 

HOLIDAY

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FROM THE MAIL BAG

Dear Santa, How are you? How is Mrs. Claus? I hope everyone, from the reindeer to the elves, is fine. I have been a very good boy this year. I would like an X-Box 360 with Call of Duty IV and an iPhone 4 for Christmas. I hope you remember that come Christmas Day. Merry Christmas, Timmy Jones Dear Timmy, Thank you for you letter. Mrs. Claus, the reindeer and the elves are all fine and thank you for asking about them. Santa is a little worried all the time you spend playing video games and texting. Santa wouldn't want you to get fat. Since you have indeed been a good boy, I think I'll bring you something you can go outside and play with. Merry Christmas, Santa Claus Mr. Claus, Seeing that I have fulfilled the "naughty vs. nice" contract, set by you I might add, I feel confident that you can see your way clear to granting me what I have asked for. I certainly wouldn't want to turn this joyous season into one of litigation. Also, don't you think that a jibe at my weight coming from an overweight man who goes out once a year is a bit trite? Respectfully, Tim Jones Mr. Jones, While I have acknowledged you have met the "nice" criteria, need I remind you that your Christmas list is a request and in no way is it a guarantee of services provided. Should you wish to pursue legal action, well that is your right. Please know, however, that my attorneys have been on retainer ever since the Burgermeister Meisterburger incident and will be more than happy to take you on in open court. Additionally, the exercise I alluded to will not only improve your health, but also improve your social skills and potentially help clear up a complexion that looks like the bottom of the Burger King fry bin most days. Very Truly Yours, S Claus Now look here Fat Man, I told you what I want and I expect you to bring it. I was attempting to be polite about this but you brought my looks and my friends into this. Now you just be disrespecting me. I'm about to tweet my boys and we're gonna be waiting for your fat ass and I'm taking my game console, my game, my phone, and whatever else I want. WHAT EVER I WANT, MAN! T-Bone Listen Pizza Face, Seriously??? You think a dude that breaks into every house in the world on one night and never gets caught sweats a skinny g-banger wannabe? "He sees you when you're sleeping; He knows when you're awake". Sound familiar, genius? You know what kind of resources I have at my disposal. I got your shit wired, Jack. I go all around the world and see ways to hurt people that if I described them right now, you'd throw up your Totino's pizza roll all over the carpet of your mom's basement. You're not getting what you asked for, but I'm still stopping by your crib to stomp a mud hole in you're ass and then walk it dry. Chew on that, Petunia. S Clizzy Dear Santa, Bring me whatever you see fit. I'll appreciate anything. Timmy Timmy, That's what I thought you little bastard. Santa

DOCTOR DAY

I looked at my calendar, this morning, and realized we missed Friday the 13th by one day.  I hope that means a lucky day for the visit with my oncologist this morning.  He's one of my favorite doctors so I always look forward to this appointment....as long as the news remains good.

UNCLE BOB

I talked to Uncle Bob yesterday and he was in fine spirits.  He was getting his Christmas cards ready to mail out.  He had talked to Aunt Wilda and he thinks the move to assisted living is a good idea too.

THURSDAY WEATHER

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

 

The temperature was still above freezing when I got up this morning and it will rise to about 40 this afternoon with a bright, sunny day.

 

The only sour note in the forecast is another round of fog tonight and tomorrow morning.

CHRISTMAS TREES

There's a sad Christmas tree story in the La Crosse Tribune this morning.  Our summer drought wiped out this years entire crop of 2,500 trees on a Mindoro Christmas Tree farm.  READ THE FULL STORY HERE

YOU'LL NEVER SEE THIS HAPPEN AGAIN

Twin Cities weatherman Mike Augustyniak says that the Minneapolis/St. Paul temperature at 12:12 on 12/12/12 was 12 degrees!

BUSINESS

FORBES magazine says Wisconsin is one of the 10 worst states for business.  The very worst is Maine.  If you're looking for the best state to do business, right on top at #1 is Utah.

TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS

When it comes to this old age stuff, sometimes, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

I made a really delicious casserole but, in the process, my one good eye misjudged the distance between my hand and the bottle of Worcestershire sauce.  I knocked it over, onto the floor, where it broke into a million pieces splashing sauce in all directions.

Of course, Worcestershire is sticky stuff so I had to stop everything, clean up the glass and scrub the floor.

When I was finished I put the bucket away and then went looking for the rubber gloves I always wear.

I looked in the kitchen, in the drawers, under the cabinets, in the bathroom, under the bathroom sink, in the closet, in the bucket.  How could a pair of bright yellow gloves just disappear?

FINALLY, after much weeping and gnashing of teeth, I found them.  Guess where they were.......AT THE END OF MY ARMS!!  I was still wearing them.

Talk about needing assisted living!!!!

DIRTY CITY

Have you seen the EPA report on the dirtiest cities in the USA?  Interesting to note that Milwaukee came in at #10 with significant amounts of PCB's and heavy metal pollution of groundwater and draining towards Lake Michigan.

AUNT WILDA

THE LATEST FROM LYNNE

"We are in Viroqua and making all the arrangements for Mom to go to assisted living.  She realizes that it will be the best move.

 

Some furniture has been moved in already but it will be a few days before she moves in as there is so much paperwork to get done.

 

I don't have access to all of the addresses now and there's not time to write more but will write all when we get home."



I CAN DEAL WITH THE COLD

AS LONG AS WE HAVE

THE SUN

THE LIFE OF A ROCKER IS TOO SHORT

The life expectancy of a person living in the USA is 78.7 years.  That leaves me six more years.  I don't know if my rocker will last that long.

There's always something to worry about.

GOOD EATS

I was planning to take some caviar to Paul and Dorothys for Christmas dinner but I've changed my mind.  I see the Iranian Ossetra caviar that I had my heart set on this year is selling at $1,510.00 for a 9 ounce tin and I thought that might be a touch too extravagant to spread on lefse.

TRAVEL

Donnie's review of their "Texas getaway".  "Indian Lodge is picturesque, the surrounding nature magnificent but the accommodations a bit too rustic and the restaurant, the only food option out here in the wilds, is dreadful."

WEATHER

This looks like a good day to get out and enjoy the sunshine and above freezing temperatures. Might as well enjoy it while we can because there's another miserable weekend ahead.

FRIDAY NIGHT

FREEZING RAIN AND SNOW

 

SATURDAY

SLEET, RAIN, SNOW

AND FREEZING RAIN

 

Sunday should be better with only a slight chance for snow under mostly cloudy skies.

 

 

How much is a ticket to Honolulu?



FUNNY STUFF

Ole and Lars were on their very first train ride. They had brought along bananas for lunch. Just as they began to peel them, the train entered a long, dark tunnel. "Have you eaten your banana yet," Ole asked excitedly?

"No," replied Lars..

"Vell, don't touch it den," Ole exclaimed. "I yust took vun bite and vent blind!"

IT'S A FACT

I just read that there are more chickens on the planet than there are people.  Now, how can I possibly know if that's true or not?  Who is counting all those chickens?  And, why?

Dr. Seuss says, "Did the chicken cross the road?  Did he cross it with a toad?  Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told."

(I think I have too much time on my hands.)

PENGUINS

A SYMPHONY

OF BEAUTY

ON THE ICE



TODAY'S BIRTHDAY

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HOLIDAY

 

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HAVE A DOGGIE CHRISTMAS

I'M JUST SAYING........

I THINK

THEREFORE

I'M WAY AHEAD

OF CONGRESS

TABLETS

Bloomberg Business Week quotes a report that says tablets will be outselling laptops by 2015.  Smartphones are already outselling personal computers.

Computing on the go is where it's going.

MOVE OVER NASHVILLE

Here's a brand new video of some of the best talent AUSTIN, TEXAS has to offer doing Jimmie Vaughans new song, TICK, TOCK.  This just blows me away.  It was filmed, entirely, on the streets of Austin.

MEMORIES

While waiting for Rita this morning I came across this video.  I love it.  If you're old enough, you will too!

COLD WEATHER IN TEXAS

The wimps in Texas are cold.

Willard said, "Had to turn the heater on.  34 degrees here.  Freezing north of Houston.  Cold weather not good for Buddy's arthritis."

Donnie said, "23 degrees here this morning.  That's VERY cold for us and I need to shower before sunrise.

The relentless drought is hard enough on the houses and now add wildly fluctuating temperatures.  The result: creaking joints in homes as well as bones.  Ever more cracks in our floors and walls.  I fear the house will, one day, collapse.

We depart at 9 A.M.for Ft. Davis.

PHOTO

An Observation from Donnie:

The photo of Kathy and Rita is remarkable in that both have the Gret mouth--though they appear here to slant in opposite directions.

I GIVE UP

Is there nothing sacred anymore?  The Pope is going to start "tweeting" tomorrow.  No.  I'm not kidding.  His Holiness is getting a Twitter account.

This world is getting so silly that Goofy and The Roadrunner are starting to look like straight men.

TOO MUCH TERRIBLE TV

Have you read anything about the AMISH MAFIA "REALITY" SHOW that's coming to the DISCOVERY CHANNEL?  You realize, of course, that any of these "reality" shows are about as "real" as Santa Claus.

Anyway, this Amish Mafia junk is about as far fetched as it gets.  Read more about it here.  TV fare gets more pathetic every day.

IF IT WASN'T FOR

SOLITAIRE

THERE WOUD BE

ABSOLUTELY

NO

EXCITEMENT IN MY LIFE

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAY

Happy birthday to BRENDA LEE.  She turns 68 today.  How do you think that makes me feel?  I remember when she was just plain 8.  I used to have one of her records with a label that said "8 year old Brenda Lee".

Unlike Donnie, I don't save everything I ever touched, but, I wonder what that label would be worth today?

TIMES CHANGE

Now that everybody walks around with a phone glued to their ear, there's no need for those bulky old phone booths.  Remember those?  The younger kids wouldn't even know what I was talking about.

Be that as it may, leave it to the Asian mind to turn those old, unwanted booths into something beautiful.  An aquarium!!  CLICK HERE. YOU GOTTA SEE THIS.

ROYAL HISTORY

It was on this date in 1936 that King Edward VIII got his ass off the throne and went gallivanting around the world with that Simpson woman.

HEALTH

We're not as healthy as we were last year.  According to the WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL Wisconsin is ranked as the 16th healthiest state in the country.  Last year we were ranked at #12.

Hey!  Don't blame me.  It seems like I go to the doctor about every 15 minutes.  I've got another visit scheduled for Thursday.

NAME CHANGE

 

The old Franciscan Skemp name was scrapped, this year, and replaced with a Mayo clinic logo and Gunderson Lutheran will drop the "Lutheran" in 2013.  Read the full story in the La Crosse Tribune.

HOLLYWOOD STARLET'S

 

WEATHER

We'll still have a lot of clouds around, today, with highs in the mid-20's but tomorrow the sun comes back and we'll warm up to the mid-30's.  That might even melt some of the snow.

DREAMS CAN COME TRUE

SHOPPING

Rita has to come to town this morning so we're going grocery shopping together.

THAT'S THE WAY IT GOES

A Jellyfish is 95% water.  Some nights I think the same applies to me.

The older gentlemen, in the audience, will know what I mean.

WINTER WEATHER

We're done with the snow for a while.  Now we get the COLD.  We're looking at a low of 10 tonight with wind chills around 2 below.  Tomorrow a high of 26 with wind chills at 3 below.




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MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

Forbes Magazine says the people who bring home the biggest paychecks in the USA live in San Jose, California (Internet).  Houston is the #5 city (oil) for big paychecks and Austin comes in at #28 (Donnie).

DOG VIDEO

CARL SENT THIS

GREAT DOG VIDEO

I LOVE IT



SNOW STORM

IT'S AN OFFICIAL WINTER WONDERLAND AT RITA AND ROGERS HOUSE



WINTER WEATHER

Sounds like it's cold in South Dakota too.  Duane said, "12 above and sunny but freezing cold."

FAMILY TRAVELS

Donnie and Linda decided they needed a change of scenery.  They're spending the week at Indian Lodge at Ft. Davis, Texas.

DRIVE WITH CARE

A pedestrian has been hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after being hit by a car on West Avenue this morning.

The winter's first snow storm is always a dangerous one for drivers and walkers.  I may walk to Kwik-Trip for a bottle of 7up.  I won't go any farther today.

FIRST WINTER SNOW

I guess it's kind of pretty as long as you're on the inside looking out.



HEADLINES

GOTTA LOVE A GOOD HEADLINE



FUNNY BAR STUFF

Remember the old COO COO CLUB on 3rd street.  These bar stools would have been perfect there.

Yes.  It's the back of the stools that are painted that way.

THESE LOOK GOOD

Maybe I should make some of these for Christmas.  I'll bet they're good.

THOSE THAT GOT GET MORE

Ashton Kutcher is getting a $MILLION PER EPISODE of "Two and a Half Men".  I'm not even worth a million dollars an episode.......but, I'd take it.

DOWNTOWN LA CROSSE: DETAILS

CHRISTMAS AT FedEx

FedEx expects to ship more than 19 million packages today.  If you're mailing gifts and want to make sure they arrive before Christmas day this is the day to get them on their way.  This is the busiest day of the year for FedEx.

WINTER WEATHER

It took a while for winter to get here but once it arrived, it arrived in all it's miserable glory.

Althought the snow is ending, the National Weather Service says secondary roads may still be hazardous due to icing from freezing drizzle or melting of snow turning into ice.

Temperatures will continue to fall, all day, with a reading near 17 by 5:00 P.M.  With nightfall the temperature will drop to an overnight low near 9 above.

It's nice and warm here in the apartment.  I think I'll just stay put where I am.  Why go out in that kind of weather if you don't have to?

As of 9:30 last night, snow totals included 6.3" at the La Crosse Airport, 7" in Holmen and 8" in Arcadia.  And, with the current temperatures, every flake will stay with us for a while.

AUNT WILDA

I feel so bad at hearing the latest news, from Bob and Lynne, that Aunt Wilda is not doing well again.  I know you'll all remember her in your thoughts and prayers.

RON AND PENNY ON THE ROAD

You never know where Ron and Penny are going to show up next.  From their latest trip, here's Penny at Brett Favres Steakhouse as they were going through Green Bay.

LOVE THIS ONE

The Old Man's Job Application to Wal-Mart.

This is an actual job application that a 75 year old senior citizen submitted to Wal-Mart in Arkansas.  It was so funny they hired him. 

NAME: George Martin

SEX: Not lately, but I am looking for the right woman, (or at least, one who'll cooperate).

DESIRED POSITION: Company President or Vice President. But seriously, whatever's available. If I was in a position to be picky, I wouldn't be applying here in the first place.

DESIRED SALARY: $185,000 a year plus stock options and a Michael Ovitz style severance package. If that's not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.

EDUCATION: Yes.

LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.

PREVIOUS SALARY: A lot less than I'm worth.

MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes.

REASON FOR LEAVING: It sucked.

HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.

PREFERRED HOURS: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Additional Details

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they're better suited to a more intimate environment.

MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?

DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 lbs.?: Of what?

DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would be "Do you have a car that runs?"

HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be a winner of the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes, so they tell me.

DO YOU SMOKE?: On the job - no, on my breaks - yes.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy dumb, sexy, blonde, supermodel who thinks I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I'd like to be doing that now.

DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?: Oh yes, absolutely.

SIGN HERE: Sagittarius

A TOUCH OF RED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

LOOK WHERE RITA'S CARDINAL SHOWED UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

IN DONNIE AND LINDA'S BIRD BATH.

SNOW REPORT FROM LYNNE

Got a note from Lynne.

"Loved your blog this morning and all the photos.

We woke up to this!

I just heard from Lake Geneva and Daniel in Illinois.  They're only getting rain."

DONNIE/AUNT WILDA

What do you suppose they're talking about?



FIRST SNOW 2012

I had to go to Walgreen's to pick up pills.  There was almost no snow when I left but it was comng down at a pretty good clip by the time I got back home.

By the time I walked by the convent it was already taking on a "Christmas look" and the statues on the campus at Viterbo were also putting on their white coats.

RITA AND ROGER TRAVEL

8:25 A.M.  I just talked to Rita and Roger.  They were in Austin having breakfast.  Rita said they had driven through rain, snow and sleet between Des Moines and Austin.  They should be home by mid-morning.


Roger got rid of some of his birds and is bringing home some better birds he bought there.  Rita said they had loads of fun.

DONNIE REPORTS:

Erik sent new geneaology info. I notice that Carl turns 70 on Jan. 5, and Roger turns 70 on Feb. 15.

I also learn that Ed and Laura had a 7th child, Roy, between Wilda and Bobbie, who died at birth.

PHOTOS/SNOW

This is a great day to show you this website which features MACRO PHOTOS of snowflakes just before they disappear.  These pictures are incredably beautiful.

SNOW/MUSIC

HAPPY SNOW DAY!



WEATHER/SNOW

6:00 A.M.

SNOW HAS STARTED TO FALL

THE TOPS OF ALL THE CARS

HAVE TURNED WHITE

FUNNY STUFF

I saw an ad on this blog for ROAD KILL T-SHIRTS.  I loved the name so much I had to check out their website.  They have some of the funniest T-shirt I've ever seen!  I could spend a fortune here.  Click here to check it out yourself.

I have to look at it again, more closely, but at first glance I know I must have the shirt that loudly proclaims, "I POOPED TODAY".

BOOKS

There's a brand new book out that everyone in the Solberg family needs to read.

"Why Worry"  by Kathryn Tristan gives you a guide to getting rid of your constant worries and tells you how you can live a more peaceful and happy life.

I can already see the Solberg clan beginning to worry about whether or not they could really enjoy such a book and most have already decided they couldn't.  After all, no one deserves a peaceful and happy life.........do they?

To be fair, I'm sure there are plenty of Solbergs, in the world, that are, pretty much, worry free but not our family.  We get such pleasure trying to out-worry everybody else.  And, there's so much joy when we realize that about 99% of everything we worry about never comes to pass.