AUGUST 2014

AUGUST 2014

Saturday, December 21, 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNNE!!

HERE IT COMES!
This sounds like our first big snowstorm of the winter.  The National Weather Service says we'll get 3 to 8 inches of snow across the region tonight.  The heaviest snow will fall from extreme northeast Iowa into southwest and central Wisconsin.  Up to an inch an hour will be possible late tonight.  Sunday will bring blowing and drifting snow.  We are not happy about this!
 
 
By the way, if you want to mark your calendar, the first day of spring arrives on March 20 at 6:02 A.M. in the central time zone.  It can't come soon enough!

The day I've been waiting for!  The Winter Solstice arrives tonight at 11:11 CST.

Even though we have the two worst months of the year ahead of us, the days start getting longer and I can start counting the days to spring.

In the meantime, if I could be anywhere else right now, where would it be?
 


Another year and she hasn't aged a bit!
***********************

KILLER CAR
SPOTTED AT WAL-MART


Donnie likes riding his bike.  I know he'll like this video but, even if you've never been on a bike, I think you'll like it too.
 
This is the most amazing bike rider I've ever seen.  The neat part is at the end when you see that you'll never be this good without a few spills.
 

This, also, looks like it could be quite painful.
 
RON SENT THIS BEAUTIFUL VIDEO
Have plenty of Puffs close by.
 

Isn't this just about the cutest baby you've ever seen?

AND, MARIE OSMOND BECOMES A GRANDMOTHER!  Now I really feel old.  I still think of her as a little kid.
 

 I think Rita and Roger got into the Christmas eggnog a bit early this year.  They called me at 4:15, this morning, to wish me a happy solstice.

Friday, December 20, 2013

THE SHOW MUST GO ON IN MADISON



The business website BUSINESS INSIDER has named La Crosse the second "most exciting city" in the USA, right behind Hoboken, New Jersey.

This won't be popular with the folks in La Crosse but I gotta tell you...I've lived in a lot of small cities in my lifetime and I can assure you that La Crosse is FAR from the second most exciting city in the country.
.Duane says Rapid City has 5 inches of snow over ice.

Lynne says it's much worse around Janesville.
 
"
Schools around here are closed and our driveway is a sheet of ice but looks like salt on the road.   Lucky for Bob as no knee therapy today.  


All schools are closed for miles around and we are predicted many inches of snow coming.  


We had planned to go to see Mom tomorrow with Derrick and Jennifer but they can’t even get here.  Could be several inches of snow coming tomorrow and Sunday."




It's after 11:00 A.M. and they're still scraping ice off the windows in the parking lot.

Meanwhile, down on the Texas spread, Donnie says they'll be sitting outside with temperatures in the low 70's today.

Grrrrrrrrr.
 
LOVE THIS!
 




Do you carry an android phone or a tablet when you're moving through your day from place to place?  If you do, Google knows exactly where you are every single moment.  And, they're storing that information.  IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, CLICK HERE
 
THIS IS THAT ONE
SPECIAL MOMENT
BEFORE THE PAIN BEGINS
 
 
 
A new store has opened at the Crossroads Center in Onalaska.  Games by James featuresJamesboard games, jigsaw puzzles, and a lot of other fun game products you won't find anyplace else.
 
That's what I need!  A jigsaw puzzle to pass the time on these nasty winter days.
TODAY IS SANGRIA DAY
The United States got its first taste of Sangria at the Worlds Fair in New York in 1964.  They've been drinking it in Europe for hundreds of years.

You might want to serve this at your Christmas party.  It should be a favorite in the Coulee Region because it has brandy in the recipe.

Here's how to make it.
 
 



MY PEOPLE CAME FROM HERE


BE SURE TO CHECK TOMORROW'S BLOG FOR THE MOST AMAZING BIKE RIDING ACT YOU'LL EVER SEE!

A COMMENT FROM DONNIE
"Your blog has a picture of Amsterdam, and the claim we are from there. This is a more accurate image of our roots, rural Friesland."


A thought just hit me.  Having lived so many years on the plains of South Dakota and having family blood back to the old country, it's no wonder that I only feel comfortable on the "flat land".
 
FESTIVE PARIS

 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

HAPPY REGIFTING DAY

Joan Rivers has a cute dog.


Do you realize that a week from today Christmas will be history?  It will be here and gone before we know it!

The snow is coming down in Rapid City.  Duane says, "The decks are already covered.  They predict one to three inches."

Another big winter storm is heading for the Great Lakes area this weekend.
*******
The FIRST CASE OF FLU IN LA CROSSE COUNTY has been confirmed by Gunderson Clinic.  It's still not too late to get your flu shot.

Yes, kids!  It's a real holiday.
Regifting day is held on the Thursday before Christmas and it's the day that a lot of businesses pick to have their Christmas party.  That's the party that usually ends up with, at least, one person making a complete ass of themselves and being ashamed to come back to work the next day.

In my radio days I was the one who always made an ass of himself but I was never embarrassed to be back at work the next day.  I was expected to make an ass of myself.  It was tradition.

LOOK WHO'S HAVING A BIRTHDAY Little Jimmy Dickens is Little old Jimmy Dickens today as he turns 90.  He'll always be best remembered for this little classic.

Rita bought a lottery ticket.  2 folks had the winning numbers.  Neither one was named Rita.  Shit.

They've got to be kidding.  I'm sorry but that's one very goofy picture.

Oh, yes....Texas does have some beautiful sunsets.

From Fort Worth #dfwwx RT @tjoelchris: @TxStormChasers Those high clouds turned out pretty darn gorgeous! #txwx pic.twitter.com/d8KqpyuEd6
\\\
 
I was sitting here, this morning, sipping coffee out of my cream of lutefisk cup and I couldn't help thinking, What kind of person could it have been to first think, "Ya know, I think I'll throw this piece of fish into a bowl of salt water for a week, then I'll pour some lye over it and let it sit for another couple of days and then I'll put it in my mouth and see what the sucker tastes like."  How could any one, possibly, think of such an insane idea?
 
I'm sure you heard about the guy who had a family of raccoons living under his house.  He tried everything to get rid of them.  When nothing else worked he threw some old stinky fish that he had accidently dropped in a bucket of lye,  under the house.  Sure enough, he got rid of the raccoons but now he's got a family of Norwegians living under the house.
 
 
Besides Regifting Day, this is National hard candy day.  Since I can't eat chocolate anymore I've started popping a Werthers hard candies in my mouth when I want something sweet.  Now, I'm hooked on them.  They're really good!

"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  Mark Twain
 
 
 MORE MISERABLE WEATHER:  The Forecast calls for SNOW TONIGHT.  1 to 3 inches could cause some driving problems..


 

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

I SURVIVED MADISON

WHAT HAPPENS IN MADISON STAYS IN MADISON


 


Look what I'm drinking my coffee out of this morning!
 
Donnie sent it.
 
No, Paul. 
You Can't have it.

 
 
Thanks to Rita and Roger, I finally got to see Madison  and I loved it!  Of course, I forgot the name of the restaurant we ate at but Roger remembered.  He's got a mind like a steel trap.
 
The restaurant was THE GREAT DANE .  It's Right downtown and the food is Really, Really, Really good.  Rita, Roger and Jacob agreed.

The food is delicious, the service is superb and they have one of the largest menu's I've ever seen.  My only complaint would be that they give you too much on the plate.  I couldn't eat it all!

By the way, they've got a great website.  TAKE A PEEK HERE 

We went right at noon which was, probably, a mistake because they were packed but it was still a short wait time.  Actually, just enough time for a drink at the bar.  By the way, they make your own beer.  I didn't have it but the rest of them did and they said it was great.
.
Speaking of food: Today is Roast Suckling Pig Day but Rita doesn't eat that and neither do I.  We don't eat babies.DANE


Guess I'll go to the grocery store today.  They're forecasting 1 to 3 inches of snow tomorrow.  I can already hear the sleigh bells ringing.
Jacob came back from Madison with us to spend the holidays at home.  He's planning on getting out to Mt. La Crosse while he's here.  Wonder if he knows about this?

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT? I logged in this morning and no mail in the Google account.  No mail in my Yahoo! account.  Can't remember that ever happening before. 
 
I sent an email to myself and I got it.  Mail must be working.
 
Has everybody forgotten about me?  Have they shut the universe down and I'm the only one left?
 

IT WILL BE HEREBEFORE WE KNOW IT
 

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

LOOK OUT MADISON...HERE WE COME!

I WISH I WAS IN WORLAND
They'll have highs around 40 this afternoon.

LOVE THIS PICTURE:


IT'S ALWAYS PARTY TIME IN LA CROSSE!
 
 
HERE'S YOUR WHITE CHRISTMAS MAP
 
 

So, I'm reading that Michael Jordan's house in Chicago is for sale.  There are 15 BATHROOMS in the house.  15 bathrooms?? How much liquid do those people drink?


This is Madison Day!

Rita, Roger and I are on our way to pick up Jacob and bring him home for the holiday break.
 
I'm looking forward to a day "on the road" so I'm hoping Mother Nature will cooperate with some half-way decent weather.
 
I don't know about you but I've already had
more winter than I need.
 
This was posted 10 hours ago. I hope they've had time to clean Madison up, a bit, before we get there.





92 DAYS TO SPRING


It was on December 171969 that Tiny Tim married Miss Vicky on the Johnny Carson Show.
 
Surely you remember Tiny Tim and the wedding.  Do you remember his first appearance on TV?
 


And, so ended the happiest decade of my life.  For you kids who missed the 60's, you missed a real good time!!


Lest we forget, this is the date, December 17, 1903, that the Wright Brothers made the first successful flight in a heavier than air, mechanically propelled, airplane.  And, it's a good thing they did that or I wouldn't have had a job when I was living in Houston.
Speaking of airplanes and Madison, in case you missed it, they had some excitement at the Dane County Airport yesterday.  A Delta flight with 60 passengers on board slipped off a taxiway in the snow.  Nobody hurt but the plane was stuck there for a while.
 
I don't have to worry about that going to Madison today.  We'll have Roger in the cockpit and "he don't make no mistakes"..
.
 
 
 
 
 

HEY KIDS!  What day is this??
And, we've got lots of good maple syrup in Wisconsin!  CLICK HERE AND TAKE A LOOK

 
We have a spectacular Christmas light show at Riverside Park here in La Crosse.  Here's another spectacular Christmas light show.  This one is from Japan.
 

OH, NO!
I haven't seen this screen yet but I haven't had my Windows 8 that long.  I'm sure it will show up one of these days!


By the way, speaking of Windows 8.  I like the chime that rings when I get a new email and then the little guy, apparently sitting in the computer just waiting for mail, READS THE EMAIL TO ME so that I can keep on doing what I'm doing and get my emails at the same time.  What will they think of next?

 
Isn't it amazing.  We always have plenty money for war.
 
 

Monday, December 16, 2013

JAYDEN: ON STAGE-IN PERSON!!!

We've had snow, off and on, all day.  It's damn cold and just plain miserable out there.  Now, I see, we have more misery on the way.  Look at this from the National Weather Service.

A WINTRY MIX OF FREEZING RAIN, SNOW AND RAIN IS EXPECTED
THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT. AT THIS TIME IT APPEARS 1-3 INCHES
OF SNOW COULD FALL OVER SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA INTO CENTRAL AND
NORTH-CENTRAL WISCONSIN. PARTS OF SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN AND
NORTHEAST IOWA APPEAR TO HAVE THE HIGHER THREAT OF SOME LIGHT
ICING.




I saw the video a couple of days ago but I just got the story from Bert last night of why Jayden was on stage during the TSO concert.  What a great experience for her.  That's a moment she'll never forget!!
 
BERT SAID: We went to the concert and while we were waiting for the show to start one of the workers came up to us and asked Jayden if she would go on stage for the last number the band would give her a gift.  We were under the impression they were taking more kids on stage.  So she said sure.  When the time came they came and got her and she was the only one on stage and was presented a signed guitar from the band.  And she got to take the final bow with them.  What and experience for a 10 year old.  She was beaming from head to toe.  She loved the concert.  Kelly took her to the ballet the Nutcracker and she said it was such a disappointment after the tso concert.     Hope this fills you in.  I stayed in the audience so Jayden would have someone to look at and not get nervous.   It worked." 
 
Donnie had a comment: "The Jayden story is sensational.  It's like a lottery story.  Out of those millions of people someone has to be chosen.  That someone is never us, and when once it is, it seems a miracle."

And, speaking of the lottery, I see Mega Millions jackpot could go over $656 million Saturday night!

And Lynne said:
We loved the details on Jayden going on stage.  What excitement for her and just by chance that she would be asked.  She looked relaxed but I bet her heart was beating fast.
 
 
 
Snow in Cairo yesterday  the first time in 100 years.  That produced a picture you'll probably never see again.

 
 

Sad to hear of the death of Peter O'Toole at the age of 81.  One of the great actors of our time.  His role as "Lawrence of Arabia" won't be forgotten.
 


It's supposed to be warmer today but the warmer weather comes with a 90% chance for 1 to 2 inches of snowWhite Christmas this year?  You betcha!
Wind chill values as cold as 2 below today.
This will be a "stay home" day!!

I'd rather be in Key West this morning: It was 72 at 6 A.M.

It may be cold today but the figures are in.  According to NASA, this past November, WORLD WIDE, was the warmest November in recorded weather history.

 
 
CHOCOLATE COVERED ANYTHING DAY?
HOW ABOUT THIS!

Thread each bacon strip on a skewer and bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes at 400 degrees.  Make sure it's crisp and then cool the bacon.
 
Combine 1 cup of chocolate chips with a tablespoon of shortening.  Melt in the microwave.  Coat each bacon strip with the chocolate and cool in the refrigerator.
 
Eat up, you decadent person! 
 
 
 
A GOOD NEWS LETTER FROM LYNNE
Just read your blog and you are headed to Madison Tuesday.  While Bob had his second knee surgery, Daniel and I drove around Madison, the UW Campus etc as a very nice day but cold.  If a warm day, we would have been walking around.  On campus there is so much building that has gone on in the last years that it was fun for Daniel trying to find where he attended classes.  Buildings are torn down and new high ones built.  Then we went to our favorite eating place, Sai Bai Thong for their delicious Thai dinners.  Leftovers were delicious too.  Daniel and Jon introduced us to Thai food long ago and it is super.  Daniel and I stayed overnight with nephew, Chris, and family as the next day we brought Bob home.  



He is doing so well with both knees now.  No pain at all again.  He starts therapy tomorrow morning so he will have soreness in the muscles, especially the back of the legs.  It is all worth it though as he will enjoy walking again without limping.  We can’t say enough for Meriter Hospital, Madison.  Great doctors, nurses, and everyone who works there.  



It is very festive here as I put strands of lights on all our windows and decorated our tree.  It took hours so I do have some soreness in my back but the difference now from a couple months ago, it goes away with rest.  Hope it continues to heal.  I may be late getting my Christmas letter out as just not enough hours in a day to get everything done.
 
 
TOO MANY BEERS, I THINK

 JOAN FONTAINE DIES AT 96
 
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT PRODUCE?



News from Mt. La Crosse

LA CROSSE WEATHER