Christie's in London expects to get more than $75,000 for Liz Taylors first (of many) wedding dress when it goes up for auction.  Would you believe it's a 22 inch waist!

 

That first wedding was to Nicky Hilton.

By the way, whatever happened to Paris?

Mr. Fox continues to make regular visits to Donnie and Linda's House.  I think they've adopted him, whether they like it or not. 

SURPRISE!  The sun just came out.  I don't think it will stay out but, at least, I know it's still up there.

WOW!  San Antonio is all wet this morning.

Flood emergency declared in San Antonio, Texas, after more than 8 inches of rainfall this morning - @nwssanantonio bit.ly/11lranI
— Breaking News Storm (@breakingstorm) May 25, 2013

Donnie and Linda will be hard to find the next two weeks.  They have company arriving, for a week, on Monday.  The following week they'll be in California.

Did YOU KNOW?
TODAY IS
NATIONAL WINE DAY

I'll drink to that!

I may not even bother to get out of my pajamas today.  It's dark and dreary with occasional rain and temperatures are only around 50.

 

Unless it's an emergency, I see no reason to go out in that.  Actually, there isn't much reason to even get out of bed.

 

Miserable spring!

When hungry eat your rice

when tired, close your eyes.

Fools may laugh at me but

wise men will know what I mean.

~Lin-Chi~

Our average high temperature for May 25 is 78 degrees.  Todays forecast high is 66.  12 degrees below normal.  We are not pleased.

BRAD PITT UPDATE:

Somebody on Twitter said Brad Pitt's condition that makes it difficult to remember faces and names was discovered by a Chinese doctor...Hu R Yu.

I've never even heard of prosopagnosia but Brad Pitt says he thinks he has it.

Turns out it's a mental condition in people who can't remember names or faces.

Well, I've got that and more.  Not only can I not remember names and faces, I can't remember dates, places, days, times, numbers or events.  I can't remember a damn thing.

There must be another name for that.

Maybe this will become a new fad.  Everyone will decide to get a disease you can't pronounce.  Let's see....I've got Monoclonal Gammopothy.  That should count as a "condition" you can't pronounce.  I knew Brad and I had something in common.

Here's one for Lynne:

Win a trip to Elvis’ Graceland in Memphis. Enter: Ultimate Graceland Sweepstakes. elvis.ly/kH455 #ElvisOnEncore
— Elvis Presley (@ElvisPresley) May 24, 2013

This looks like so much fun.  Uncle Jim would have loved seeing this!

This whole coincidence thing is getting spooky.  I posted, a few days ago, that Donnie and Linda's new neighbors are also named Don and Linda.

Here's another coincidence to add to that.  Both Linda's are/were librarians!!

The National Weather Service says we can expect scattered thunderstorms tonight through next Thursday.  That means another full week of the same old stuff.

 

What's more important, your teeth or your beer?

This comes from Donnie.

"Speaking of the best beer towns, Portland, Oregon citizens have rejected a city proposal to put flouride in the drinking water, in part, because of the strong local brewing lobby which feared the toothy chemical would ruin their home-made beer flavors."

UNCLE MILTON

DIED

39 YEARS AGO TODAY

Guess I'd better get out and enjoy some of that sunshine today because tomorrow through Tuesday it's nothin' but clouds, rain and cool, cool temperatures, baby.  I've lived through 73 Mays and I've never seen a May with such miserable weather as this one...and we are not pleased.  Let's face it.  I don't have that many Mays left.

While I was thinking birthday thoughts, yesterday, I was thinking back over the 7 decades of my life.  One thing about it.  I did get around.

The 40's in Armour, the 50's in Marion, the 60's and 70's in Rapid City.  The 80's were the disco years in Sioux Falls.  One of my favorite disco hits was "New Attitude" by Patti LaBelle who is celebrating her 69th birthday today.
And, another legend is having a birthay today.  Bob Dylan is 72.

Guess what Bert did for her birthday.  She got KoKo spayed!  I'm thinking, KoKo might have enjoyed a party instead.

Cold up north this morning.  The 3 A.M. temperature in Superior was 29 degrees.

You Know Your 90th birthday is not too far off when, at cafeterias, you complain that the gelatin is too tough.

Happy hour is a nap.

You stop buying green bananas.

It takes longer to rest than it did to get tired.

Someone compliments you on your layered look.... and you're wearing a bikini.

Things you buy now won't wear out.

In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

You wake up with that morning-after feeling, and you didn't do anything the night before.

It takes a couple of tries to get over a speed bump.

Conversations with people your own age often turn into "dueling ailments."

The end of your tie doesn't come anywhere near the top of your pants.

You realize that caution is the only thing you care to exercise.

All of your favorite movies are now re-released in color.

"Getting a little action" means you don't need to take a laxative.

Rita and Roger called and sang "Happy Birthday" to me.  I don't think they're quite ready for the Met but it's the thought that counts!

I'm seeing some reports of a weak tornado around Lubbock this afternoon.  We don't need any more of that!

Did you know that Julia Louis-Dreyfis (You know.  From the "Seinfeld" show) is a BILLIONAIRE?  Her acting made for a comfortable living, I'm sure, but the big bucks came from her daddy who is worth mountains of money.

Here's a neat video from Ron.

What is it with this damn gloomy weather in La Crosse???  48 degrees at 7:00 A.M.  Thick, dark grey clouds.  That's totally too dismal and cold for so late in May and my birthday besides.  Especially when the forecast say it's supposed to be a sunny day.

If you want to check out the 20 BEST BEER TOWNS in America CLICK HERE

I'll tell you right now, La Crosse ain't one of 'em.  But, I've got a brother that lives real close to one of the towns that did make the list!

There's more to celebrate, today, besides Bert's and my birthday.

On the 23rd of May, 1940, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in her newspaper column, "The President received all the guests as usual in the East Room and the grounds were gaily decorated with colored lanterns."

And you thought no one celebrated on the day I was born!

YOU'RE ALL I HAVE

"I'm 60 years of age.  That's 16 celsius."

~George Carlin~

I'm gonna call Joan Collins and see if she want's to party.  She turns 80 today.

If this is what 73 feels like, I don't want to think about how awful 83 will be.  Birthdays stopped being "happy" at 23.  At 73 it's more appropriate to say, "Have a miserable damn birthday and screw the candles."

I've been sleeping so good the past few weeks but last night was another sleepless night.  Up and down. Toss and turn.  I think it's going to see Aunt Wilda that does it.  It's just too much excitement for me!

I love to hear what the Pew Research Center found when they interviewed todays teens to find out how they feel about Facebook.  The results show Facebook is out! They're now turning to Twitter and Instagram for their social networks of choice.  Smart kids!!

SINCE IT'S MY BIRTHDAY I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD DAY TO BRING THIS UP.

OK.  You're old and you're going to die.  This is a great little video that might give you something to think about.

PARANOID PEOPLE

I was just reading the latest census figures.  The Big Apple remains #1 with over 8 million folks, far ahead of #2, Los Angeles with a bit over 3 million.

Chicago comes in at #3 with 2.7 million and close behind is my favorite big town, HOUSTON with 2.1 million.

I'm going to give this spring an "F".  Except for a couple of days it has been downright miserable.

 

Would you believe the National Weather Service has issued another frost advisory!!

 

TEMPERATURES IN THE 30S ARE EXPECTED EARLY FRIDAY MORNING, ESPECIALLY OVER PARTS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN WISCONSIN.

THIS COULD LEAD TO THE FORMATION OF FROST FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

FAVORED COLD SPOTS OR BOGS WOULD BE THE MOST LIKELY TO SEE IMPACT BY THESE COLD TEMPERATURES.

FROST ADVISORIES MAY BE ISSUED LEADING UP TO FRIDAY MORNING. TAKE ACTIONS TO PROTECT SENSITIVE PLANTS DURING THAT TIME PERIOD.

The tornado in Moore, Oklahoma was an EF5.  We had an EF5 in our area in May of 1898. The path of the storm was 110 miles long, running through Abbotsford, Antigo Eau Claire, Clark, Marathon, Lincoln and Langlade counties.  17 people died in the storm and there were 100 injuries.

Rita, Roger, Carl, Uncle Bob and I all made it to Viroqua and back, safe and sound.  We stopped at Smitty's for Lunch before we hit the road and, as you can see from the picture, that's lunch and dinner for me!  Absolutely delicious.

 

Lynne didn't make it and we missed her but Bob was there so it was great to see him.

 

I think we talked, mostly, about aches, pains and failing eyesight, hearing and memory.  A note to the young; when you get to our age that's about all you'll have left to talk about too.

 

Bob is getting ready for knee surgery in Madison.  It's a new procedure with a much faster healing time.  He'll be back on the dance floor before you know it.

You know why we're going back to Viroqua today?

Because we had so much fun last time we were there.

Can't somebody get it through Justin Biebers head that he's ruining his great career with his childish antics?

Isolated thunderstorms forecast for today.  No severe weather.  Just enough to be  a pain in the ass when we want to go to Viroqua.

I don't think we really need the rain right now.  As we drove around to the cemeteries, yesterday, we were surprised to see great lakes of water standing in the fields.  Flood danger is still very high.

What we really need is a good week of sunshine but, so far, with the lousy spring we've had, we've been lucky to get one day of sun now and then.

Be careful what you wish for.

Wife, being the very romantic sort, sent her husband a text message:

"If you are sleeping, send me your dreams. If you are laughing, send me your smile. If you are eating, send me a bite. If you are drinking send me a sip. If you are crying, send me your tears. I love you!"

The husband, replied, “I am on the toilet. Please advise.”

Now, I see, they've come up with a drug to stop your brain from aging.  What good is that going to be until they can come up with a pill to stop your body from aging at the same time?

 

Young brain, old body?  That would make me more frustrated than I already am.

Don't you wish

you could feel this good

in the morning?



Lest we forget, this is National Vanilla Pudding Day.

This fall will be the last time Oktoberfest runs for 9 days.  Beginning next year it will be cut back to the way it started out with a four day celebration that will run Thursday through Sunday.  I think that's a good idea.  Four days of festing is more than enough for most people.  For me, at my advanced age, it's way too much.

Johnny Carson said "goodnight" for the last time on May 22, 1992.

N

National Maritime Day marks the first Atlantic crossing of a steamship, the Savannah, from the United States to England. 

This is Viroqua day.  Uncle Bob, Rita, Roger, Carl and I are going to see Aunt Wilda.  Kathy already had plans to go to Milwaukee to a Brewers game so she'll miss out on all the excitement.

I can't imagine how she could think a baseball game would be more fun than another day with us.  I think we're a lot of fun, altho, our batting average isn't what it used to be.

I started working at the Presidents Club at Intercontinental Airport in Houston 22 years ago today.  Where has the time gone?

 

I think of all the changes.  No more Presidents Club, no more Continental Airlines.  I didn't have any wrinkles yet and I had all my hair then.  I was able to work 10 to 12 hours a day but I only worked three days a week.  That was a dream job and I loved every minute of it.

I used to play sports. Then I realized you could buy trophies. Now I'm good at everything
— B. Maloney (@BHMaloney) May 21, 2013

Rita and Roger's washing machine bit the dust so they got a brand new Maytag washer and dryer to put in their newly painted laundry room on a brand new tile floor.

 

Those guys know how to do it up right.

 

 We got the flowers fixed up and on the graves today so we're ready for Memorial Day.

This is neat.  A mirrored tree house in the forest.  Click on the picture to see a larger version.

Mirrored tree house in Sweden. twitter.com/ThatsEarth/sta…
— Earth Pics (@ThatsEarth) May 21, 2013

An amazing time lapse video of the OKC tornado.

Happy Birthday Ron Isley! He's 72 today.  Love these guys.
 

After my Washington D.C show I was surprised with a birthday cake decorated with #Isley Brothers album covers twitter.com/TheRealRonIsle…
— Ronald Isley (@TheRealRonIsley) May 21, 2013

This is the time of the midnight sun in Norway which runs from May through July.  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

It's track meet time in La Crosse again.  That always reminds me of my hotel days.  Outside of Oktoberfest, the track meet was one of our busiest times of the year.

 

There will be more than 800 athletes, families and coaches arriving today and the competition runs Thursday through Saturday.

At least 90 killed in tornadoes yesterday, so many of them children.  It breaks my heart.  And more tornadoes forecast for today.

 

I was reading, this morning, that Oklahoma City has been hit by more tornadoes than any other city in America.

There are so many funny lines on TWITTER.  I usually find something to laugh about first thing in the morning.  Like this one....

My journey to learn Spanish lasted dos weekos.
— swollenvoice (@swollenvoice) May 21, 2013

And this one....

I just went over to the other side and the grass truly is greener over there. I wonder what sort of fertilizer they use?
— Tetley6969 (@Tetley6969) May 20, 2013

No rain forecast today so it should be a good day to get the cemetary flowers ready for Memorial Day.  Rita, Roger, Carl and Kathy and I will take care of that.

Tomorrow is Viroqua day with Aunt Wilda.

I've been glued to the computer, all afternoon, watching live coverage of the horrible destruction and rescue following the tornado that roared through Moore, Oklahoma this afternoon.

 

I have been watching the coverage from WFOR, channel 4, in Oklahoma City.  I have to tip my hat to those folks.

 

I've lived through a major forest fire, a major flood, a major hurricane and an emergency landing on a foamed runway and I have never seen or heard better coverage of a disaster anywhere.  Those folks in Oklahoma City should be thankful for such a great news organization in their city.

 

No doubt about it.  This hurricane will go down in the history books as one of the worst ever to touch down anywhere.

They'll never fit all that corn in the Corn Palace!

South Dakota farmers planted 2.24 million acres of corn last week. Now 75% complete as of May 19th. #Plant13 fb.me/2nnCTFsM5
— South Dakota Corn (@sdcorn) May 20, 2013

The tornado damage in Oklahoma looks really bad.  Our thoughts are with them.

DEVELOPING: ****MAJOR DAMAGE AND INJURIES REPORTED IN MOORE, OK AFTER POWERFUL TORNADO****
— Johnny Kelly (@stormchaser4850) May 20, 2013

There's a story on Yahoo that struck a chord with me.  A couple left Los Angeles on Turkish Air thinking they were going to Africa.  Instead, they ended up in the Middle East because of an incorrect airline code on their tickets (READ THE STORY HERE).

Years ago, when I was living in Sioux Falls, I stopped at my travel agents office to pick up my ticket to La Crosse.  It was all ready for me so I just grabbed it and started to walk out the door.

I don't know why I looked down at the ticket, but I did and it showed my destination as LAX rather than LSE.  I told the agent, as she was re-booking me, that my mother would have been extremely upset to learn she had to drive all the way to Los Angeles to pick me up.

 

While I was working at the airport in Houston I heard of passengers ending up in the wrong city more than once!  Never the wrong continent like the Africa bound passengers but landing at the wrong city is bad enough!

 

Best to check the ticket.

SPRING 2013

THE BLACK RIVER



THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS PREDICTING ANOTHER STORMY WEEKEND FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY.

Carl found this Brass Band Multitasker video and it's the most amazing act I've ever seen!

 

You can't have a strawberry holiday without "Strawberry Fields".  John Lennon's classic music by the London Symphony Orchestra.

 

TODAYS SEVERE WEATHER

Hey! This looks good.

I celebrated "Pick Strawberries Day" with the help of Smuckers, of course.

I just noticed that the most popular post of the past few days has been the post about Peter Townshend's birthday.  I know this will make me sound old, and I am, but I gotta say it....the old rockers are still the best rockers!

I see Yahoo is buying the social media website, Tumblr, for $1.1 billion in cash.  How can a website be worth that kind of money?

What you think of yourself is much more important than what others think of you.
— Appreciate Gratitude (@2thank) May 20, 2013

And, I think I'm wonderful!

We lucked out and missed the storms last night but there's a good chance for another round of severe weather late this afternoon and tonight.  The biggest danger will be large hail and damaging winds with only a slight chance for tornado activity.

TODAY IS

PICK STRAWBERRIES DAY



HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHER! 67 TODAY.

What was Madonna thinking last night?  Cher did the stockings thing eons ago....and did it a lot better.
 

Donnie's "Tiny Town"

SPRING GREEN



***Tornado Outbreak continues*** NWS has issued 42 tornado warnings from 2:01 pm to 8:07 pm CDT (At least 21 tornado reports)
— Johnny Kelly (@stormchaser4850) May 20, 2013

More strong storms on tap for Monday with large hail, damaging winds, localized flooding and maybe even a tornado.  That's the worst part about the change of season.  The nasty weather.

Rita reports Rick and Angela got back to Wyoming safe and sound.

Lot's of nasty weather west of the Mississippi but, so far, nothing but rain in La Crosse.

My favorite TWEET this morning was from a guy in Texas who said that every time he gets to the point where he thinks life is going great he runs out of vodka and realizes he's just an alcoholic.

I haven't heard but, I'm guessing, Rick and Angela are on their way back home and it's not the greatest day for a drive.  There are showers and thunderstorms, all the way, from La Crosse to Worland.

The heaviest rain has been north of us, this morning.  Bloomington, Minnesota got almost 2 1/2 inches.

We're getting some nice, gentle showers this morning but that could change this afternoon.  Thunderstorms could become severe with large hail and damaging winds.  We'll have more of the same tomorrow afternoon with an outside chance for tornadoes.  More showers and thunderstorms are possible Tuesday and Wednesday.

Peter Townshend (The Who) celebrates his 68th birthday today.  (He's the great guitarist for the group)

The bra's are going back up at the Holler House Bar in Milwaukee.  They had been hanging there for 45 years until an over-zealous fire inspector decided they were, suddenly, a "fire hazard".

I love it when the little guy, or in this case, the little lady, defeats the silly government worker whose let her little touch of authority go to her head.  READ THE STORY HERE

WILDLIFE UPDATE FROM DONNIE:  "The fox has nearly become a pet.  Soon will be sitting on our back porch."

 

There have been a lot of people moving out of the building the past couple of weeks.

Their college days are over with commencement at the La Crosse Center today.  It will be a little quieter, around here for the next couple of months, until the fall when a new crop of young people arrive to begin their college years at the University and on 3rd Street.