YOU'RE HOW OLD??

Caption this photo. http://t.co/cToG8ICD5z pic.twitter.com/jAXKDRouIT
— Our Amazing Planet (@OAPlanet) May 3, 2014

NICE WEATHER WEEKEND

DERBY DAY

Grab your mint juleps, it’s Derby time! pic.twitter.com/0YDAuDOPDl
— MGM Grand Hotel (@MGMGrand) May 3, 2014

SPRING? FEELS LIKE IT!

FINALLY!  Temperatures were into the 50's by 10 AM and the sun felt warm on the skin.  I don't care what day the calendar says spring arrives.  TODAY IS THE DAY SPRING FINALLY CAME TO LA CROSSE!

EXCITING CITIES

WKBT has a story on their website that has got to be a joke.

The story says that LA CROSSE CAME IN AS THE SECOND MOST "EXCITING" CITY IN AMERICA according to something called the "Movoto Real Estate Blog".  The only city considered "more exciting" was HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, of all places.

The most exciting thing about Hoboken is that they have a lot of streets named after presidents and it's the city that played host to the FIRST BASEBALL GAME EVER PLAYED in 1846.

Kids, I've lived in a lot of cities, in my lifetime, and I'm sorry to have to tell you that Hoboken, New Jersey and La Crosse, Wisconsin are NOT the two most exciting cities in the USA.

Hoboken and La Crosse are both very nice little towns but "Exciting" is not the first word that comes to mind if you have to describe them.

GRACE OF MONACO

The Royal Family of Monaco says Nicole Kidman's new movie, GRACE OF MONACO is pure fiction and a farce.  The film opens May 14 at the Cannes Film Festival.

 

COLD MAY

This isn't the first time La Crosse has seen a cold May.  In 1971 the low temperature fell to 26 degrees on the 3rd of May.

In 1935 La Crosse and Viroqua, both, got 6 inches of snow on May 2 and 3rd.

I suppose this means I shouldn't complain about the weather we're having this year.  Maybe I shouldn't but you can bet your sweet cheeks I will.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANKIE VALLIE

One of my favorite groups of all time is THE FOUR SEASONS and lead singer FRANKIE VALLI IS CELEBRATING HIS 80TH BIRTHDAY TODAY!

VEGAS COUNTING

I was really surprised to see good guy BEN AFFLECK caught counting cards at the Black Jack table.  He's now banned for life at the HARD ROCK CASINO blackjack tables in Vegas.

 

Card counting isn't really illegal but it sure shoots the "house advantage" all to hell and the house doesn't like that!

 

Ben has a weakness for the cards.  He's a big poker player and won the California State Poker championship in 2004.

I can't add 2+2 and come up with the right answer unless I have a calculator and they might as well give this counting lesson in Greek because I have NO idea what he's talking about.
 

A SUNNY DAY!

HEY! HEY! NO RAIN TODAY!

We're going to finally see some sunshine and TEMPERATURES WILL RISE TO NEAR 60 THIS AFTERNOON.  Looks like only one day for the sun. It's back to clouds tomorrow.  The next sun day will be Tuesday.

FLOOD WARNING

The FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR LA CROSSE until further notice.

The river was measured  at 11.2 feet last night.  Flood stage is 12.0 feet.  The forecast puts the river ABOVE FLOOD STAGE BY TOMORROW.

At 12 feet Pettibone Campground and RV Park is flooded.  Some lowland flooding will also occur in other areas near the river.

The good news is that there's only a slight chance for a shower tomorrow morning.  Otherwise, we're looking at dry weather for the next few days and we need it!

RIP: EFREM ZIMBALIST JR.

Sorry to hear of the death of Efrem Zimbalist Jr. at the age of 95.

DERBY TICKETS

Only the Super Bowl tickets, at $14,300 are more expensive than tickets for the Kentucky Derby which will set you back $9,300.

Then, of course, there's the hat for the wife or girlfriend and you can't buy those hats at Wal-Mart. 

It will cost you around $50.00 to park the car and you'll have to walk for miles after you park it.  You won't get anywhere near the parking lot.

One more thing, at Derby it's CASH ONLY.  No credit cards for no nothing.  Take lots and lots of greenbacks.

IT'S DERBY DAY!

JOB AT GUNDERSON

#JobSearch Customer Service Representative, Health Plan - Gundersen Health System -... Find this Job & More http://t.co/OjVpsBPFPd
— La Crosse Wisconsin (@LaCrosse_Buzz) May 2, 2014

NOTE FROM DONNIE

"I will pack for chilly weather.  Those warmer clothes are still being worn here too.  Austin's nights are dropping into the mid-40's and even at mid-afternoon it's cool in the shade.  Remarkable for May in Texas."

HIS AND HERS PILLOWS

Beauty and the Beast 😍 pic.twitter.com/p0rjMMykEU
— Best Bedrooms ღ (@BestBedrooms) March 9, 2014

OLD PEOPLE SMELL

OH, MY GOD!  If it ain't one thing it's.....SMELLY OLD PEOPLE

Sometimes, I wish I didn't read so much.  I think they're right.  There is such a thing as "too much information" and I could have lived, what little life I have left, without ever knowing it.  According to the disgusting article you can read right here...

https://ph.she.yahoo.com/blogs/healthy-living/causes-old-people-smell-151800142.html

This sounds like we begin to rot before we ever get to the grave.

I'm going to have to take the rest of the day off to think about this.  It's things like this that make me wonder why, on earth, I quit drinking.

ARTFUL CHAIR?

This is "Off the wall" neat!

BRIDGES

Here are a bunch of bridges that I think I can live without.  I would never want to get to the other side that bad.

OKTOBERFEST

We haven't even had any spring yet but some folks are already thinking about fall.  The OKTOBERFEST BUTTON for this years celebration has already been designed by a gentleman from Green Bay and it has been unveiled for all to see.  I think it's one of the best they've ever had.

THUNDERSTORMS

More miserable weather coming our way.  The National Weather Service says we might see a few THUNDERSTORMS THIS AFTERNOON with wind gusts to 40 MPH.

Meanwhile, MISSISSIPPI RIVER LEVELS CONTINUE TO RISE and FLOOD WARNINGS remain in effect.

A couple of special birthdays today.....

Happy birthday to Leslie Gore.  She's 68 today!

And, we can't forget Bianca Jagger who is 69 today.  I spent a couple of hours with her when I was working at the airport.

You may be wondering about the title picture today.

This is really a holiday, today, called.....


Logo Design by FlamingText.com I have no idea why they proclaimed such a holiday but they did.  We'll just have to deal with it.

 

Note to Donnie: Bring warm clothes.

We may get up to 60 for Saturday but temperatures will stay below normal for the next two or three weeks.  High's while you're here will still be mostly in the 50's and low 60's according to Weather Underground.  KELO-TV in Sioux Falls says they expect cool temperatures the whole month of May.

 

 I'm still thinking there won't be much summer this year.

Roger got a new lawn mower.

You're going to LOVE this one!

EVER SINCE I WAS A CHILD, I'VE ALWAYS HAD A FEAR OF SOMEONE UNDER MY BED AT NIGHT. SO, I WENT TO A SHRINK AND TOLD HIM:

"I've got problems. Every time I go to bed I think there's somebody under it. I'm scared. I think I'm going crazy."

"Just put yourself in my hands for one year," said the shrink. "Come talk to me three times a week, and we should be able to get rid of those fears."

How much do you charge? "Eighty dollars per visit," replied the doctor.

"I'll sleep on it", I said.

Six months later, the doctor met me on the street.

"Why didn't you come to see me about those fears you were having?" he asked.

"Well, eighty bucks a visit, three times a week, for a year, is $12,480.00. A bartender cured me for $10.00. I was so happy to have saved all that money that I went and bought me a new pickup truck".

"Is that so?" With a bit of an attitude, he said, "and how, may I ask, did a bartender cure you?" "He told me to cut the legs off the bed. Ain't nobody under there now".

FORGET THE SHRINKS... HAVE A DRINK AND TALK TO A BARTENDER! IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TO GET A SECOND OPINION!

We love our bikes in Wisconsin

Minnesota and Wisconsin are in the top five for best #bicycle friendly states in the U.S. http://t.co/CeRJFOkXWe pic.twitter.com/KtBqAWKo1q
— WXOW News 19 (@WXOW) May 1, 2014

This stirs my Dutch blood!

@UPI @washingtonpost Anne Frank memorial tree planted on Capitol Hill! photo UPI/Kevin Dietsch http://t.co/CBztf2h4ft pic.twitter.com/irm0jsQQj4
— Dutch Culture USA (@DutchCultureUSA) May 1, 2014

Thanks Microsoft!

Every version of Internet Explorer is getting the patch, today, that will protect us from that nasty virus that first surfaced about a week ago.

I made a run to the Co-op and nearly froze to death.

I can't take it any more.  I'm going to bring the parka back out and start wearing that again.  Too cold to walk around with only a jacket on.

It's nearly noon and wind chill is 38 degrees.  This time of year we should be in the 60's.

Best sign we've seen today.

While I was at ORANGE COMPUTER getting a small "glitch" taken care of, Donnie was at the CAR REPAIR SHOP....

"Brought the car into the shop at 7:00 AM for routine maintenance, from whence these messages come.  That was two hours ago.  Every minute's delay is, at least, another dollar charge so I'm consuming as much waiting room snacks and computer time as I can.".

Where did this "MAY DAY" stuff get started?

Again, we go back to the Romans as they celebrated the FESTIVAL OF FLORA, who was the Roman goddess of flowers, which are in damn short supply in Wisconsin this year.  Alas, we're too wet and too cold.

Next time you wring your hands because you "don't have enough money", remember this....

85% of the world's population makes less than $200 a month.
— Facts (@TheFactsBook) May 1, 2014

A funny from Rita.

A police officer stops a blonde for speeding and asks her very nicely if he could see her license.

 

She reply's in a huff, ’I wish you guys would get your act together. Just yesterday you take my license away, and now today you expect me to show it to you!’

The radar is covered with rain again this morning and the chance of rain, for the day, is 90%.

The chance for rain is a  bit lower tomorrow and we could, actually, see some sun Saturday and Sunday!

SUN! Do you remember what sunshine looks like??

 

This makes perfect sense to me.

It had better warm up this month or I'm heading back down south.

"....faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love".

I'll bet he's been spending some time on 3rd Street.

The time to start hoarding lobsters is now​: http://t.co/QDwTd4s3pT pic.twitter.com/ntpyAa1CzO
— Slate (@Slate) April 30, 2014

We now have a flood warning for La Crosse.

FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE:

RAINFALL OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS HAS CAUSED WATER LEVELS ALONG THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER TO RISE ABOVE FLOOD STAGE AT LA CROSSE WISCONSIN THIS WEEKEND. RIVER FORECASTS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT BOTH OBSERVED AND FORECAST PRECIPITATION.

IF YOU LIVE IN A THREATENED AREA...BE ALERT FOR HIGH OR RISING WATER...AND BE READY TO MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IF NECESSARY. DO NOT DRIVE CARS INTO FLOODED AREAS.

REMEMBER...IT TAKES ONLY TWO FEET OF WATER TO FLOAT MOST AUTOMOBILES INCLUDING SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. TURN AROUND...DON/T DROWN.

I walked to the clinic, this morning, and nearly froze to death.

I got about half way there and started wishing I would have worn my parka.  I see we've got some light snow in the area and I'm not surprised.

By the way, the doctor says I'm in great shape to last another year.  Kidneys are stable.  No worse than they were six months ago.

Rita and Roger's neighbor took this photo over the Easter weekend.

Beautiful Wisconsin in early spring.

Here's the best Tweet I saw this morning.

When a show says it contains "adult situations" I expect to see someone going to work, cleaning up a kid's vomit or paying bills.
— swollenvoice (@swollenvoice) April 30, 2014

A MESSY WEEK!

Like they say....."Jazz it up"!

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU SQUISH A BASEBALL?

We've got too much water!

As of 9:00 P.M., last night, the river stage was at 10 feet.  Flood stage is 12 feet which may be reached by Monday morning.  The river is forecast to crest near 12.3 feet by Tuesday.

How "fit" is a fiddle?

These are words to live by.  My "fitness" routine has suffered the past month.  I have, hardly, walked at all.  My doctor won't like that but I'm not Gene Kelly.  I don't like "Walkin' in the rain" and it WILL NOT stop raining!
 

So true! pic.twitter.com/9aoGAe3gEK
— Comic Hypnotist (@RichGuzzi) April 29, 2014

Dr. Dr. Give me the news!!

It's Doctor Day again.  My six month

check-up with the nephrologist...or Kidney Doctor...for those of you who can't remember "nephrologist".

If I remember...which is highly unlikely...I'm going to ask the doctor why they call him a nephrologist.  What the hell does that mean?

Thank you, MICROSOFT. I love you again.

Sometimes it pays to complain!  Yesterday I was on a tangent with Microsoft for taking away my calendar and Radar.  When I logged on this morning my calendar and radar was back and better than before.

 

Like Bert, I'm a Gemini.  Gemini folks are very bad at "detail" work.  We also tend to get bored easily so if you can't explain something, to me, in 10 seconds, or less, I'm sorry but my mind has moved on to other things.

Let it be known.  I love Microsoft again.

I have been tempted to throw this computer out the windows many times but I've never come as close as I did today.

The latest disaster was discovering that the new version of Windows 8...which I got whether I wanted it or not...does not have the wonderful calendar that the old version of Windows 8 had.

 

I have lost ALL of my calendar entries.  Doctor appointments, birthdays, anniversaries and all the rest.  It's going to take a long time to try to put that back together again!

 

You know, through the years I've really tried to like Microsoft but this is just about the last insult I can take from those folks.

Donnie and Linda were serenaded by WILLIE NELSON this afternoon!!

Donnie said,  "This is just a few blocks from our apartment and we can (kind of) hear it from our balcony."

Here we are with May knocking on our door and what do we have????

1 mile southwest of Rochester they picked up 1.5" of SNOW this afternoon.  Our daytime temperatures are running about 20 degrees below normal and we're not going to see much improvement until the weekend.  Hopefully we'll get a few days of sun then.

I don't know how much I'll be able to do with the blog with this new version of Windows 8.

Hopefully I'll be able to figure it out in the next few days but, right now, it's a complete mystery to me.  The new version of pictures is awful, they've ruined the weather service.  At the moment, it seems like a total mess to me.  Maybe it will look better on a sunny day....if we ever have a sunny day again.

Rita and Roger stopped by this afternoon to drop off coupons.

They were in town, taking the dogs to the vet.

I have to see the kidney vet tomorrow.  The spring round of check-ups begin.  I'll be glad when it's over.

The unthinkable has happened.

No one can make a mess like I can and I did it this morning....again.

It all started, last night, when Rita called and warned me not to use Internet Explorer because of the new virus going around.

This morning I tried to install Google Chrome...which news reports suggested people use rather than IE.

I won't go through the entire story because it's longer than "Gone with the Wind" but the end result was that I ended up with a complete disaster trying to install Chrome and the more I tried to solve the problem the worse it got.

Finally I found an item on this computer that told me if I got into a problem like this I could "Refresh" the computer and it would take all the nasty stuff I had done away and take it back to the way it was.  It didn't mention that it would take EVERYTHING away and wipe the slate clean but that's what it did.

Everything was deleted and I have, essentially, a new computer...with all of my stuff gone.  I have to re-enter EVERYTHING.

Apparently Dell has made a few changes since I bought my computer and email, and all the rest, is in a TOTALLY different format.  It doesn't look ANYTHING like what I used to have.

It will take MONTHS to get things back to normal but I'll try to plug along as best I can.  I can't remember why I ever thought I needed a computer but I wish I would have known then what I know now.  There would be NO computer in this apartment today!!

As of 3:46 AM we are surrounded with rain but there's none falling here in La Crosse.

I'm sure that will end before the day is over.  I guess it could be worse.  I see the precipitation is in the form of SNOW IN THE BLACK HILLS this morning.

Regarding the rivers, the National Weather Service says, as of 8 PM last night, the river level is at 10 feet.  Flood stage is 12 feet and we could reach that by next Monday.

OH, boy! I sure would like to see that!!

For the first time since 2005, the big top tent is returning to Circus World @BarabooCircus. We can't wait! pic.twitter.com/ZmgRsziaFZ
— Wisconsin Dells (@wisdells) April 28, 2014

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME

Alone on the subway. This is funny.

This guy was riding the subway, in New York, last Saturday and he was the ONLY ONE IN THE CAR.  I've ridden the subways in New York and, believe me, one ride and you'll know how a sardine feels!

 

This reminds me of a North Central flight I took from Minneapolis to La Crosse many, many years ago.  I was the only passenger on the plane and I had 2 flight attendants at my beck and call.  It was the only time I had my own, private DC-9 and I loved it!

 

Mother was waiting for me at the airport and wanted to know why I was the only person to get off the plane.  She couldn't believe it when I told her I was the only one on the plane.

 

Anyway, back to the guy on the subway.  As long as he was alone he decided to make a video and it's FUNNY!

 

Happy Birthday Willie Nelson. He's 81 today!

It has stopped raining!

Looking at the radar it appears that all that moisture has moved out of our area for the day and that's just fine with me.  Unfortunately, the weather service still gives us a 90% chance for more rain late tonight.  Don't need it.  Don't want it.  The river is already 9.9 feet high, and risin', Mama, and we don't need no more!

 

WE'RE NOW UNDER A FLOOD WATCH IN LA CROSSE

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN LA CROSSE WI HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WATCH FOR THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT LA CROSSE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

* AT 10:00 AM MONDAY THE STAGE WAS 9.9 FEET. *

MINOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE. *

FLOOD STAGE IS 12.0 FEET. *

FORECAST...THE RIVER IS FORECAST TO REACH A CREST NEAR 12 FEET NEXT MONDAY.

Do you know someone with a lot of allergies who is planning a trip to Europe?

May I suggest SWISS AIRLINES for allergy free flights.  GET MORE INFO HERE

You think times are tough? You don't even have a clue about what "tough" is.

A question to ponder.....

Gentlemen: Please be advised.

Whenever a woman says 'do whatever you want,' DO NOT do whatever you want.
— Reid (@ReidThis) April 28, 2014

It's not so much that I worry...it's more like I don't care.

This has just GOT to stop!!!!

It rained most of yesterday, rained all night, has rained all morning and from the looks of radar it will keep raining until sometime next week.  Now I know how Noah felt.

DID YOU KNOW THERE'S SUCH A THING AS A MARGARITA TULIP?

CHARTER IS GETTING BIGGER!

I have to give credit to the folks at Charter Communications.  They give me great service with TV and internet service!

 

Charter Communications to Become Second-Largest U.S. Cable Operator via Deal With Comcast http://t.co/qmjPPULBsr
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) April 28, 2014

NOW THAT DONNIE AND LINDA ARE LIVING IN TOWN, IT WON'T BE SO FAR TO DRIVE TO AUSTINS MANY CELEBRATIONS.

If there's any city that can come up with a reason to celebrate, at the drop of a hat, it's Austin, Texas.

The next big event is the Pecan Street Festival May 3rd and 4th with
street art, music acts, street magicians and crowds that usually number around 200,000 for this "fest".  Sounds like a good party to me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANN MARGRET: JUST A YEAR BEHIND ME AT 73.

I'M ASHAMED THAT I'VE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT A LITTLE RAIN.

At least 17 people killed by tornadoes after storm system sweeps across central & southern United States http://t.co/Vfd54CekSK
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 28, 2014

WHAT A WAY TO START A MONDAY MORNING!

I read the exciting news that one of my very favorite girls of all time...Dolly Parton is planning on recording a DANCE ALBUM.  How about that!  A little COUNTRY DISCO!!

LIKE THE SONG SAYS...."HOW LONG CAN THIS GO ON"?

Did you watch the video of the Dad giving his daughter away at the wedding?

I said that might bring a couple of tears to your eyes.  This video will do the same thing.  Watch as this old guy (when I say old guy I mean around my age) when his daughter tells him he's soon to become a grandpa.
 

PUCKER UP

YOU THINK IT'S STORMY AROUND HERE?? TAKE A LOOK AT THIS BABY!!

This isn't a scene out of a movie. It is just a storm on Saturn. http://t.co/LfaNb1nRvA pic.twitter.com/UITF4uPnXL
— Our Amazing Planet (@OAPlanet) April 27, 2014

I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS

IT AIN'T OVER YET! Rain is in the La Crosse forecast every day and night through Thursday.

THIS WILL GET ATTENTION ON THE HOUSTON FREEWAYS!

The Houston Art Car Parade is coming up on 5/10. "Phoenix Rising" is being prepped today. Pic by Sarah Gish.#KHOU pic.twitter.com/UIfCMdaItn
— The Bishop (@BillBishopKHOU) April 27, 2014

I COMPLAIN ABOUT THE WEATHER AND THEN REALIZE THAT IT COULD BE WORSE

Duane just advised me that the Northern and Southern Black Hills are expecting 6 inches of snow or more tonight through tomorrow morning.  Blowing snow could reduce visibilities.  It wouldn't be the Black Hills without a spring snow storm.

I ALMOST FORGOT WHAT WE'RE CELEBRATING TODAY!

THE LATEST CUSTOMER SATISFACTION INDEX FOR AIRLINES IS OUT.

AND THE FAVORITES ARE
1   JetBlue
2   Southwest
3   Delta
4   American
5   USAir
6   United

The weatherman is just full of nasty weather news.

THERE IS A CHANCE FOR ISOLATED STRONG TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS MONDAY OVER NORTHEAST IOWA AND SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN.

PERIODS OF RAIN AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL OCCUR THROUGH TUESDAY WITH TOTAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF AROUND 2 INCHES LIKELY, AND POSSIBLY UP TO 3 INCHES.

EXPECT RIVERS TO RISE AND FLOODING MAY OCCUR THROUGH THE WEEK.

The story of my life......

pic.twitter.com/HlMUvsflLB #tlot #p2
— DumbSheeple (@DumbSheeple) April 27, 2014

If you're in Austin, Texas you don't have to go "out to eat". The "eats" come to you!

Living in Austin, I don't think Donnie and Linda ever have to worry about finding a place to eat.  I PASS THIS LINK ALONG because it has some excellent photos of some of the more than 2,000 restaurants on wheels in Austin, Texas!  That's what I call taking meals on wheels to the extreme!!!!  But, that shouldn't surprise you.  Austin takes almost everything to the extreme!

Have you ever heard of someone driving 1,113 miles to attend a classical music concert?

WELL, YOU HAVE NOW!

Donnie is driving to Toledo, Ohio to attend an Anton Bruckner concert at Our Lady Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral on May 9.  Some of you may remember that he went to school in Toledo nearly 40 years ago and he hasn't been there since.

 

 

As long as he's in the "neighborhood", he'll be visiting La Crosse May 12-15.

 

Normally, one would think, by early May, temperatures would be warm enough for a Wisconsin visit but I told him I can't guarantee, this year, that we won't have snow on the ground.

I looked at some photos of Toledo and decided it looks like a town I could like......in the summertime!



South Africa is celebrating a birthday today and they're celebrating under a banner we could use for the USA.

Happy 20th Birthday South Africa. Let us never again allow politicians, power abuse and bigotry deny #freedom or divide our colourful nation

— Ulrich J v Vuuren 웃 (@UlrichJvV) April 27, 2014

 

LET US NEVER AGAIN ALLOW POLITICIANS, POWER ABUSE AND BIGOTRY DENY OR DIVIDE OUR COLORFUL NATION.

 

 

The worlds most miserabe weather continues in Wisconsin/Minnesota

Carl found this one and I'll bet it will bring a tear to your eye.

He was an original!

I finished reading Bill Bryson's book, "One Summer...America, 1927)", yesterday, and it's filled with a lot of stories about the Babe.  His life on the field was pretty spectacular and his life off the field would have to be rated X!  To put it mildly, the Babe was quite a ladies man!