.

IT'S OVER, OVER THERE

2011-12-20T18:41:00.000-06:00

Well, the colors are cased, and the last aluminum coffin has arrived at Andrews Air Force Base.
Some 4500 American men & women, over 100,000 Iraqis dead, and who really knows how much money spent. But now, it's over, over there. Or is it? It still is a very violent place. They still have electricity just a few hours a day. Terrorist attacks are now against each other "over there". I don't know if it's happening more often, or if it just seems that way because there are not American son's and daughters being maimed & killed now.
I find it hard to believe the GW, and associates can look themselves in the mirror. I know I could not.

hohoho

2011-11-25T16:58:00.000-06:00

Hohoho merry Christmas. Right? No one knows if it will be nice or not. Everyone is hoping that the shoppers come in hourdes, and that they all spend the dough$$. That would make us all happy, I think.
Meanwhile, the two political parties sit and collectively pound their puds!
Jobs Bill or not, tax the rich, or not, one thing is for sure; Without jobs, the old adage about "build it and they will come", doesn't hold water. You can cut taxes on the wealthy all you want, but it will not stimulate job creation. NO smart business man will expand, hire, or otherwise grow his business without there being sufficient DEMAND for his goods/services! People spending money, is the engine of demand. People need good paying jobs in order to earn enough to live, and help "drive" this beast we call our economy.

No Wonder!

2011-10-29T19:16:00.000-05:00

I had occasion to be in the shoe department of a local department store the other day. My wife was looking for a pair of winter boots. Many years ago, I worked in the retail footwear business, for over 10 years actually, Anyway, I nosed around in the men's shoe area while she browsed for boots. I picked up and inspected every single shoe on display in the men's shoe department, and was mildly surprise to find that 100% of the shoes displayed -- some of which were name brands that were familiar to me, such as Johnston Murphy, Clarks of England -- were manufactured in China. I could not find one item of footwear produced anywhere other than China. I started inspecting displayed footwear in the women's department, and found the same thing. Now, the womens department was much much bigger, and I did not waste time going thru them all, but you get the idea. No American, Italian, Spanish, or South American footwear....... nothing but chinese made stuff. This is part of what is wrong with our economy, and other economies around the world....Chinese exports are flooding the world!!

TRAP-2

2011-08-30T20:54:00.000-05:00

Well, so much for keeping a good trend going. Shot again on Sunday August 21st. Another beautiful day. Shot four rounds. Did lousy. On 100 clays, only broke 68! Not sure what I was doing wrong. Hopefully I'll figure it out next time out.

TRAP-1

2011-08-14T20:38:00.000-05:00

Went out and shot another 3 rounds of trap today. It was windy as hell. Aprox 20 mph blowing into our faces. But it was a beautiful day! Mid 70's and no humidity!! I performed better today than I did on July 17th. This time I shot 80% on the three rounds. Broke 20 out of 25 clays, in each of three rounds. And, no bruise this time!! Still a little sore though!
We'll try again next Sunday possibly. And I'll be experiencing a more official competition on The 28th, at a fundraiser shoot..... Fun city!

A Poltergiest or Physics?

2011-07-28T19:56:00.000-05:00

About 11pm Sunday evening, July 24th. I'm sound asleep, and Marla is down in the family room, and suddenly there is a very loud "BANG"!! I did not hear it, but I certainly heard Marla call out my name.

She had discovered, that the glass in our very large Anderson sliding door to our deck had completely shattered. The outside sheet of glass only. The inside sheet still intact. We'd never seen anything like it before. No evidence of anything striking it. The screen on the sliding screen door which is on the outside, is as tight as the head of a banjo. We stood there in the quiet of the house, after 11pm, and you could still hear the glass fracturing. Hundreds of long fractures radiating out from a somewhat central point, and even hundreds more small fractures appearing at 90 degrees to the long ones, connecting them all together......WTF????

Trap

2011-07-21T19:02:00.000-05:00

Had an opportunity last Sunday, to shoot trap with a good friend, who does it regularly. It had been years since I've fired my J.C.Higgins (Seart & Roebuck) model 20 12 guage shotgun, which I "borrowed" from my papa, when I moved away from home. Anyway, I digress. We started out early in the morning, since the temp was to be 90+ and humidity near 100%, so we were shooting by 10 AM. This group was mostly over 60, with some in their 70's. They were all very good. Me, not so much. I did better than I thought I would. And I payed the price. I shoot three rounds, over about a 2.5 hour time span. For those of you who do not know, each round the shooter fires 25 cartridges. So, I fired that old gun 75 times. OUCH!

I've got some splendid bruises to show for it. I'm not certain why, but even though my shoulder is pretty sore, it did not bruise. The bruise is just past the shoulder, and extends down over the bicep. Looks very weird. I broke 54 out of 75 clay "birds", (72%).
I'll do better next time, and hopefully won't bruise as badly!

June 07, 2011

2011-06-15T18:44:00.000-05:00

My dear mother-in-law Donna passed away on June 7th, after a long period of decline. We celebrated her life on June 13th. She was a real peach! A wonderful lady, who had a hard road to hoe. However, now she is at peace, and reunited with her husband of 60 years, and my father-in-law Jim, who was also a real gem. I loved them both very dearly, and will always miss them.

2011 Off To Auspicious Start-Part 2

2011-05-14T09:51:00.003-05:00

Both my left and right hand Carpel Tunnel surgeries were completed by Feb 9th, 2011. My doctor was surprised at the severity of compression to the nerves in both hands, and how rapidly the condition, and my symptoms advanced between mid November 2010, and the first of January 2011. He suspected the possibility of a systemic problem. Turns out that he was correct. Shortly before the right hand surgery, which took place on Feb 9th, I began to experience inflammation and some minor stiffness/soreness in feet and hands. I took it as residual affects of the first surgery. After my right hand surgery, the inflammation in hands/feet continued. Once back to work, (Feb 22nd), the symptoms accelerated dramatically. Hands, feet, severely swollen and quite painful. Knees, shoulders, hips very painful as well, effecting my mobility. I've also experienced a significant weight loss, (blessing in disguise?), in the past few months. After many blood tests, ex-rays, and a referral to a Rheumatologist, a probable diagnosis has been determined.
My Rheumatologist has narrowed down her diagnosis to PMR. Polymyalgia Rheumatica is a condition related to arthritis. Symptoms are what I've described above. Carpel Tunnel syndrome is also one of the many symptoms, which seems to explain the sudden onset of those symptoms late last year. The cause not known at this time.
PMR is generally treated with corticosteroids. The steroid most often prescribed is prednisone, which is what I am currently taking. It greatly relieves symptoms, and allows patients to lead a more normal life, although it does have some negative side affects.
I will be gradually weened off of this powerful steroid. It will take up to a year, and possibly longer, if symptoms return, as the dosage continues to be reduced.
At least we now seem to have an answer to what the hell was happening to me.

2011

2011-04-23T10:23:00.000-05:00

It has been some time since my last post. Time seems to move quicker than it used to. The days melt into weeks, the weeks flow into months, which continually feed the river of life. Seems as though the river runs more rapidly than it used to.
We're beginning to enjoy Spring season. Lawn has been mowed twice already. Crabapple tree will be in full bloom this weekend. Aaahhh, it is always so refreshing to wash winter away with the spring rains.

GREAT SUPER BOWL GAME, TASTELESS ADS

2011-02-08T10:20:00.000-06:00

This years Super Bowl was a really great game, between pretty evenly matched teams. No matter who you may have been rooting for, it was a fun game to watch! And, most of the commercial ads, which have become a much looked forward to event in their own right, were mostly humorous and well done. However, some of the ads in particular I must take issue with.
The SafeAuto ad depicting a man being repeatedly kicked in the testicles, while a narrator drones on about auto insurance, was in my opinion crass, tasteless, and not in the least bit funny. It sure didn't sell me on SafeAuto. And Groupon, the online coupon site aired spots that were also in my view, offensive. In one ad, the actor Timothy Hutton laments that the people of Tibet are in trouble, and that their culture is in jeopardy, while pictures of Tibet and it's people are being shown on screen. The camera then pans back, and we see he is in a restaurant, as he continues on about the good deal on curry fish soup that Groupon is offering. In another equally inappropriate Groupon ad, the actress Elizabeth Hurley decries the current deforestation of rain forests, while again pictures of the same flash on the screen. Then, she segues into a pitch for a deal on "Brazilian Wax" services.
It's a shame that ad agencies now apparently feel they must resort to vulgar and crass attempts at humor to sell their products.

2011 KEEPS ON GIVING!

2011-02-02T13:29:00.001-06:00

This year just keeps on giving! By know, everyone who isn't living under a rock knows all about the blizzard of 2011. Central Illinois got it's share yesterday afternoon, through this morning, Feb 2nd. I think we probably got around 14 inches total. It's still blowing like hell, and temperatures will be down to -10 degrees tonight. We woke up to the sound of a sno-blower, and found three of our neighbors, equipped with a big two-stage self-propelled unit, busily clearing our driveway off. With my hands being temporarily unable to do much, it was a welcome site! Later, Marla and I got outside and she cleared off the sidewalk while I took come pics.
Our son Kyle, lives in Chicago and they got even more snow! Thank god we don't live out east! They are really buried in it!

2011 Off To Auspicious Start

2011-01-15T15:16:00.002-06:00

2010 ended on a sad note, and 2011 has had an auspicious beginning.
Christmas 2010 ended with the death of a good friend and fellow worker. Richard was 54 years old. I have known and worked with him for 25 years. He suffered a heart attack on 12/22, at work, and either ignored the symptoms or didn't recognize them. Three days later, after multiple procedures, including stints and a bypass he was dead. A real shocker to his family, friends, and co-workers.
2011 began for me with both of my hands beset by carpel tunnel syndrome. It started gradually in November, beginning in the left hand. By the end of December, both hands were affected. 2011 began with Dr. appointments and testing the first week in January. The first surgery, on my left hand is scheduled for 01/19/2011.
On January 10th, we received a call from a very dear friend, whom we've known for about 32 years.
He called to tell us that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, which has invaded his lungs and liver. Jeff, who takes pretty good care of himself is 59 years old. He turns 60 on March 4th, (3 days after my wife turns 60). We are shocked and very saddened by this news.....
We are hoping that the first two weeks of January are not a harbinger for what 2011 has in store for us.

TIS THE SEASON, #4

2010-12-14T17:54:00.000-06:00

Yes, it is the season! Colder than a witches heart, but warmth and happiness in our humble abode!
Tree is up, and first present resides under it now. We will be heading north in a few short days. Hopefully the weather will be with us....
Merry Christmas everyone!!

TIS THE SEASON #3

2010-11-27T11:22:00.000-06:00

Aahhhh! Turkey day is over, although we have not consumed all of the Tom's remains yet. Still have to enjoy some turkey& gravy on toast!! Today, I officially changed over from fall to winter. All of the deck furniture, the lawn mower, the wheelbarrow, and our bicycles have been relegated to the storage shed in the back yard. The snow-blower and the snow shovels have been moved to the garage so that I don't have to trudge back there after the first snow-fall forces me to clear off the sidewalk and the drive-way! I'm ready to settle in for the duration.
In the "on-deck-circle", are the preparations for the the Christmas season, and all of it's requisite decorating, parties, shopping, and eating/drinking! Almost makes you long for Jan 15th!!
WoooHoo!!

TIS THE SEASON #2

2010-11-14T12:02:00.000-06:00

Whew! The midterm elections are finally over! The rancorous vitriolic rhetoric reached a saturation level long before any voters ever reached the voting booths. In Illinois, Senator Bill Brady (R) lost the race for the Governor's mansion literally by a whisker. It was his second attempt at the job. I hope he goes to sleep every night wondering, if he might have prevailed had he presented some specifics on just how we planned to pull the state of Illinois out of the financial shit-hole it is in, rather than constantly bashing his Democratic opponent...... I probably would not have voted for him in any case. However, since he offered no "Bill Brady" solutions, we'll never know what might have been.
The next turkey we'll be working on is the one we roast on Thursday 11/24/10!

TIS' THE SEASON

2010-10-23T10:42:00.000-05:00

Theeeey're baaack! Yes, November is fast approaching, and it is "mid-term election time again, and the politicians are in full song. Each one extolling not what they plan to do to solve the severe problems that face our state, or the nation, (God forbid that they would have to reveal that for the most part, they have no better remedies than the folks sitting in office now). Instead, we are tortured with a constant drone of political ads demonizing the other guy. To believe these ads, the "other guys" are the root of all that is evil in the world! If these ads weren't so disgusting, some of them would be laughable.
I"m so sick of of this barrage of verbal hyperbole, that I'm beginning to long for a toothpaste ad, or maybe a hemorrhoid creme ad! Now that's desperate!!
Hey, wait a minute. Maybe we could take some of that hemorrhoid creme from that ad and rub it on the politicians in their ads, and they would dissappear??
Naw, no such luck!

Sayonara, Summer Part 2

2010-09-17T18:52:00.000-05:00

Well, Labor day was a blast! It started out cloudy, and we for sure thought that the Illinois weather man would pull his usual boner, and predict a beautiful holiday all week, only to wake up on the holiday to find clouds and rain! BUT, this time the clouds disappeared by 1pm, and the day turned gorgeous!

Both of our sons were there, as well as some good friends. And, the porterhouse steaks were absolutely the BEST!!! Cooking them right on top of the coals was very successful. 4 minutes on a side, (1" thick steaks), and they were awesome..... Peppers were great too, not to mention the libations!!

Sayonara, Summer

2010-09-05T19:33:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is September 6tn, 2010. LABOR DAY, a celebration of the working middle class. Traditional end of the American summer, and back to reality. Kids in school, be it elementary, middle, highschool, or college. The last days of summer. One more opportunity to chill, be laid back, veg-out!
We're really lucky this year. (a) it's not raining (b) humidity is not present, like 45degree dew point (c) both our sons will be here on Monday, Yaay!!
Tomorrow we'll fire up the grill and cook steaks (poterhouse), cowboy style. Lay them suckers right on top of the coals. Then stir fry, on the grill, peppers, poblano, red, and yellow, with challots!
Plenty of cold beer to wash it down....SWEEEEEEET!!!!

DONCHA JUST LOVE IT!

2010-08-26T18:15:00.000-05:00

OMG!!!! Finally, a public protest that I can get behind! Or mayby I should say get in front of!
The freedom to bare your tits at public beaches in California... Gender equality, say the cuties with the beauties, out on the west coast. Men can take their tops off, and so should women be able to if they choose. I support their cause with both hands, 100%.
Paste the link into your browser and check it out!! Too fun!!
http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-484938?ref=email

STEPPIN IN IT AGAIN

2010-08-01T16:33:00.002-05:00

HA,HA,HA! Now the Obama Administration is beggin Shirlye to come back! What a bunch of morons!
I'd tell em to stick it where the sun don't shine!

OBAMA ADMIN STEPS IN IT.

2010-07-22T18:29:00.000-05:00

The latest episode of "self-inflicted" scandals, that has this time happened to the Obama administration is the flap over the firing of Shirley Sherrod. Sherrod, a black woman, is a bureaucrat who has worked in the Agricultural Department for many years, and her job is to help rural farmers. As a child, she lived in a part of this country where there were lynchings, and cross burnings. Her father was murdered, and his killers were never brought to justice.
She gave a speech before the NAACP in which she spoke of her own prejudices and how she, over time, she resolved them. Her story actually took place 24 years ago.
The controversy was sparked by Andrew Breitbart, who posted a severly edited clip of the speech on his popular conservative website. The clip ended up on YouTube also. The remarks that he posted, (completely out of context), was a beautiful trap that the NAACP and the Obama administration fairly jumped into. The NAACP vilified her, and upon recommendation from some boob in the Agricultural administration, she was promptly fired. No investigation of the video clip. No one watched the whole speech, at least not until mainstream media picked up on the screw up. The NAACP is now back-pedaling, however the Obama administration has not changed their position on the firing.
Andrew Breibart should be ashamed for what he did. It is unconscionable, and wholly dishonest. The NAACP and the Obama administration, however, is where the blame really lies. The total lack of any investigation into what actually happened, and what was actually said, before pillorying this women, goes beyond the pale. Has none of these supposedly highly educated people ever heard "don't believe everything you see or hear on the internet"?
It really makes one wonder what kind of people are "leading" this country, and where they are "leading" us.

STAR DUST

2010-07-08T19:01:00.000-05:00

It was interesting, and tragic listening and watching while the judge in Lindsay Lohan's sentence hearing pronounced the verdict of 90 days in jail, followed by 90 days in rehab. And, it was embarrassing to see and hear Lindsay sobbing and basically pleading for mercy.
It is always unfortunate to see someone with such obvious talent make the wrong choices, and end up on the road to being broken and burned out. Seems that some folks, when they start becoming beautiful bright stars, can't take the resulting heat that their celebrity generates. Their lives end up spiraling out of control, until they "flame out".
If Lindsay cannot gain control over herself, she may wind up joining a select club. Jimmy Hendrix, Janet Joplin, Elvis Presley, to name a few, were luminaries that are already members.

HE HADDA DOIT!

2010-06-24T19:04:00.000-05:00

Ya know, at the ripe old age of 60, I can say I've had my share of incidents where I have inserted my foot into my mouth, and ended up choking on it. However, never was it to the extent that it was jammed in all they way up to the knee. We've just witnessed suicide by "foot in mouth disease". General David McChrystal really sucked it up when he and his personal cadre of officers made snide and disparaging remarks towards senior officials of the Obama administration, including VP Joe Biden.
Way to go Davie! His demise was so swift and final, it makes one wonder if it wasn't intentional? A way to get out of the whole mess? Who knows.
I know one thing for sure. That is the Prez had no choice in what he had to do. One can't very well have a commanding General trying to lead the troops, and at the same time be calling the VP a dick-head!
HE HADDA DOIT!

ARKANSAS WEEKEND

2010-06-05T16:47:00.000-05:00

This weekend, 6/04 through 6/07, I on my annual pilgrimage to the Eureka Springs Arkansas area.
Good friends Steve and Linda reside in this beautiful bucolic area. And I escape to their friendly confines every year, (since 11 or 12 years), for a long weekend.
This weekend, a special treat. Steve & Linda have an adult pair of Saluki dogs, which produced a litter in the spring of 2009. Two yearling's remain, along with the parents. Today, the two pups were qualified at a AKC sanctioned lure course. It was great fun watching these "sight" hounds chase the lure. In addition, I've seen Afghan hounds, Ibesin Hounds, Rhodesian Ridge Back Hounds, Whippets, and Egyptian Pharaoh Hounds, all chase the lure. Tomorrow, The two pups compete for the first time.... I get the privilege of being a handler, and the responsibility of releasing the dog at the call of "Tallyhoe" by the Hunt Master.....
GREAT FUN!!!
stay tuned, we'll see how I do as a handler tomorrow.... When I get home, I'll try to post some photos!

Illinois Politics! COMEDY CENTERAL

2010-05-23T14:36:00.000-05:00

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Brady was partially correct when he stated "This state is a disappointment". However, what he should have said, is this state is an utter disaster! The old adage remains solidly true. "IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO". Mr. Brady and his party, being the other half of this dance team, are just as much responsible for the mess as are the Democrats. There is more than enough blame to go around. The fact that Bill was absent most of the last two weeks of spring leglislative session, and missed 207 out of 448 votes illustrates how serious he is. And when an AP reporter pointed this fact out, Bill just laughed and said "I'm fulfilling my duties as Illinois state Senator"... Ya, right!?!
To be sure, the Democrats are not much better. Governor Pat Quinn was also MIA for a fair amount of time during these last two weeks, where Illinois state government had an opportunity to do something about the dismal state of Illinois financial affairs.
The only action that both parties excel at is finger pointing. In fact, it is mildly surprising that they all don't have carpel tunnel syndrome from constantly extending their index fingers and pointing across the isle at the other guys! They all call themsleves loyal politicians. They are loyal all right, loyal to their own reelection campaigns!
It is disgusting to see the display of harrumphing and finger-pointing, as the "DO-NOTHING GANG" skedaddles out of town for their summer break!
"GET-R-DONE"!.....NOT!!

DEADBEAT STATE

2010-04-29T18:43:00.000-05:00

When I was a younger man, we had a name for a person who was a slacker, deadbeat, or bum. The person was generally known as a "SLUG".
Well, now you can add that moniker to the state of Illinois, or rather to the government of the state of Illinois!
Illinois has to be at the top of the "SLUG" list. They don't pay their bills. Haven't been paying their bills for a couple of years now. It has gotten to epidemic proportions. Agencies all over the state have been given the "bums rush" when it comes to collecting from the State of Illinois. School districts are being forced to lay off teachers, and cut classes, to the detriment of students. They (some school districts), are even talking of shortening the school week to 4 days, to save money! What the hell is up with that?
And today the state legislature is contemplating changing state law and moving the deadline for paying bills from August 31st, to December 31st. The reason? It's so entities that the state owes money to can't file lawsuits for payment until after December 31st. The comment from one lawmaker was "It's not fair to force these agencies to file lawsuits against the state".... what a laugh!
No one has the political will to cut unnecessary spending, (like giving religious organizations over 2.3billion in state funding to help rebuild / expand their churches!!), or to raise the income tax a little bit to help bridge the gap. I don't want to see a tax hike any more than anyone else, but lets face it, the state is going broke, and something must be done.....

FEAST OR FAMINE

2010-04-08T18:56:00.000-05:00

The year 2009 for thousands of companies was a disaster. Beset by sagging on non-existent orders, many struggled to hang on in hopes of better times. Many more fell by the wayside, and are no more, dragging millions of wage earners down with them. As orders flagged, inventories at countless stores, automobile, and equipment dealers, and OEM manufactures were burned off. THE SUPPLY CHAIN PIPELINE WAS EFFECTIVELY DRAINED! The manufacturing company I work for, fortunately, was among the ones who were able to hang on, hoping for better times. We laid off workers, pared back hours on managers like myself, and cut way back wherever we could in an effort to staunch the economic bleeding, and weather the storm.
Now, the worm has turned, and very rapidly. We are now in a perfect storm of a different kind. Orders have increased dramatically, and at velocity that is startling! The problem with this rapid turn-around has all to do with the fact that THE SUPPLY CHAIN PIPELINE WAS DRAINED over the course of 2009. In manufacturing, production cannot be turned off and on like a faucet. It is much like a super tanker. It takes considerable time to stop moving in one direction, and turning around to move in the opposite one. It cannot be turned on a dime. Rebuilding infrastructure, (employment), procuring raw materials from suppliers (who are in most cases going thru the same machinations), and ramping up production, is difficult at best, especially with longer lead-times for procuring those raw materials. OEM customers, however, are not really interested in those kinds of problems. They want their orders filled complete, and they want them on time. Allowing any interruption in assembly lines is almost a capital offence. In fact, they have turned late deliveries into a value stream for cash... A new term even coined for it... COPD!! Cost Of Poor Delivery. Monetary fines imposed for late deliveries.
It truly clarifies the old addage "feast or famine".

Saturday

2010-03-13T20:15:00.001-06:00

Just another Saturday, except Marla had the day off as well, so it has been much more enjoyable than it otherwise would be. Went into work for a couple of hours, then back home. Ran errands, then cooked a Great Halibut dinner.... Now its off to see Johnny Dep in Alice In Wonderland! It's great to get away from the stress of the workplace. Having Saturday/Sunday off is a great stress reliever in itself. Getting to spend 2 days in a row with your soulmate is awsome!

OH NO, THE BIG 60

2010-03-05T20:15:00.000-06:00

Well, it finally happened. on Feb 20th, 2010, I began my sixth decade, hit the BIG 60!! Had a helluva good time. My wife and two boys, along with a sister-in-law and her husband, threw me one awsome party!
Lots of friends, lots of laffs, and a few cocktails along the way..... Got my new AARP membership cards in the mail too, so my benefits are uninterrupted! (lol!)

Seriously, we had a great time. the house was packed with people, right around 60 great friends!! Unfortunately, the next day I felt every one of those 60 years!

LINGO

2010-02-10T21:00:00.006-06:00

I have pet peeves regarding correct use of our language, or rather the lack thereof. Previously I complained about the fading practice of responding with a 'welcome', to someone's 'thank-you', rather than responding with a "no-problem" response.
Here is another one that irritates me.
It is the miss-pronouncation of the word To. Websters Dictionary gives the following info:

Pronunciation: \ tu̇, ˈtü\

Function: preposition

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tō; akin to Old High German zuo to, Latin donec as long as, until

Date: before 12th century

1 a —used as a function word to indicate movement or an action or condition suggestive of movement toward a place, person, or thing reached
Lots of people, from your everyday average schmucks, to the top schmuck, President Obama, pronounce it Ta. Next time you have an opportunity to listen to the Pres, pay attention. You'll hear him say something like "We really need ta enact health reform", or "We have ta be better stewards of the people's money" (thats a double laugh!). As gifted an orator as he is, it's weird ta hear that come out of his mouth!
Go figure!

Katie Bar The Door!

2010-01-21T18:47:00.002-06:00

If you are among the millions of US citizens that think there is already too much money involved in elections, and that there exists a real possibility that elections as well as politicians can be bought and sold with the rivers of cash that political power generates. Well, hang on to your hat, and "katie bar the door". You ain't seen nothin yet!!
With today's ruling, that gives big business, and unions even more power to spend freely in political campaigns, the Supreme Court of this nation has just sold the citizens of this country down the river. All bets are off, now that nearly 100 years of government efforts to limit the ability of huge corporations to subsidize politicians and their campaigns has been overturned. Pandora is completely out of the bottle now, and it will be hard to put her back in. It's all up for sale to the highest bidder now. And this will create even more apathy among voters, who will now recognize that the average citizen is truly just a bystander, watching what is becoming an even more obscene circus of power brokers that run this country.
God help us all.

Winter Doldrums.

2010-01-19T18:26:00.000-06:00

Holidays over, back to the grind. Tax time creepin up on us, and we're all sick & tired of Winter already! City is running low on salt, and more snow sure to fall before it is all over.
Bad news; I'm turning 60 one month from tomorrow :-(( Guess it beats the alternative, or being in Haiti! Those poor bastards. Their situation was crap BEFORE the earthquake.
Good news; getting busy at work again, and I will be back at 40 hours/week beginning 1/28/10.
And the beat goes on!

CHRISTMAS ON THE FLY

2009-12-21T10:37:00.002-06:00

Christmas 2009 promises to be a little out of the ordinary for my family. Actually, considerably out of the ordinary. It will be the first time that our eldest son Kyle will not be spending Christmas with us. He lives in Chicago, and work keeps him from traveling with us. We will spend the evening of December 22 with him, sharing a meal, and opening some gifts. Still, Christmas won't be quite the same without him there.
Wednesday the 23rd, my wife, and our 2nd son Cameron, will drive to Minneapolis to spend Christmas with her family. It will be the first Christmas in the 38 years we've been married, that her father will not be with us. At least not physically. Jim passed away on January 5th, 2009. I'm sure plenty of tears will be shed again. It will also be the first time in those 38 years that Christmas will not be celebrated in my in-laws home. It sits vacant, with a Realtor sign in the front yard, still unsold after nearly 9 months on the market. A victim of the poor housing market. W\The entire Miller clan, will celebrate, instead, with sister-in-law Michelle's family, at their home... Beginning new traditions.
The morning after Christmas, my wife Marla and I will rise very early and she will drive me to the Mpls/St.Paul International Airport. I will catch a flight down to Dallas/Fort Worth Texas, where I will spend a few post-Christmas days with my side of the family. My brother Marty is flying in from Ulsan South Korea, where he lives and teaches English to Korean children. My sister Liz will be flying in from Watertown South Dakota..... It will be the first time in many years that our entire family, (Mom, Dad, and 6 siblings) will spend holiday time together.
Hope to hell I don't get aced out by the weather on the 26th....Dear Santa, how bout some decent weather on December 26th??
Merry Christmas everyone!

HIGHWAY ROBBERY

2009-12-16T18:49:00.000-06:00

Shit, the government just gave away the farm again. This time, to the pharmaceutical giants. Obama supported the importation of prescription drugs, before he didn't. The cost for prescription drugs in this country is rising faster than anywhere else in the world. YAAY for us! Unless, that is, you don't have health coverage, or your health coverage does not provide for copay on drugs your doctor prescribes.
I have ordered prescription drugs from around the world through a reputable Pharmacy in Canada, for several years, and saved a bundle of money. Name brand drugs from England, Australia, and Israel.
However, our government caved to lobbying by giant pharmaceutical companies in this country, enabling them to continue to rape citizens of this country, and all the while, claiming the high cost is due to R & D..... Baloney!
When patents run out on name brand drugs, and they are supposed to become generic. But all they have to do before the patent runs out is make minor changes, even in the in the packaging, and the patent gets extended!
What the hell is that about? Give me a break!

HERE WE GO.....STILL

2009-12-04T17:16:00.000-06:00

President Obama has announced his own plan for a 35,000 troop 'surge' in Afganistan. It is a shame that 8 years and 3 months after the 9/11/2001 attacks, we are still spilling blood and spending gazillions of dollars over in that wasteland. If we had stayed there and finished what we started, in 2002, instead of traipsing off to Iraq and squandering thousands of lives and gazillions of dollars on a foolish and unnecessary war, chances are we would not be facing the nearly impossible situation we find our selves facing today.
And while we're talking about it, why the hell is our government not involving any of the neighboring countries in the region, at the very least, in dialogue, in an effort to find a "regional" solution to a problem that is not of our making.
I'm just sayin.

GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK. WELCOME BACK!

2009-11-12T19:08:00.002-06:00

Bill, Joan, and Jerry are senior citizens. All three of them live in the Bangor Maine area. They are fairly typical folks. In their seventies, and still fairly active despite the infirmities that come to people their age. However, what is different about these folks, is their passion and commitment to our armed forces. They are part of a group of citizens that call themselves the "MAINE TROOP GREETERS".
Bangor Maine airport is the last airport that most US troops see, before they deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan. And, it is the first US airport that most of troops coming back from that theater of combat see.
Bill, Joan, and Jerry, have been greeting troops leaving and coming back since 2003. Nearly 900,000 of them so far. Despite their age and health issues, they arrive at the airport at all times of the day or night. In any kind of weather. They are there to greet our young men and women as the leave to go in harms way, and when they arrive back on US soil. They provide a friendly face, warm greetings, conversation, coffee doughnuts, and cell phones that the troops can use free to call anywhere in the US.
Their story is both heart warming, and heart wrenching. It intertwines their personal lives with their dedication to our toops. And, it is definitely worth the watch. It will make you smile, and If you are like me, you'll shed a tear or two.

http://video.pbs.org/video/1321508265

HOLIDAY TRAVEL

2009-11-01T10:23:00.000-06:00

After much deliberation and hmmm-ing and hawww-ing, I've made the decision to travel to Dallas Texas over the Christmas Holiday. My wife and I, and possibly both of our sons will travel from our home in Illinois, to Minneapolis for the Christmas Holiday, which has been our tradition over the years. We can make the drive in about 7 hours. Dallas is a much longer trip, and usually consumes a full day and a half of driving. Air fare for 4 people has not been in our budget, therefore my we have not been able to spend Christmas holidays with my side of the family.
This year, will be different. Both my parents are now in their 80's, and I feel it is important to make the trip. In addition, my brother Martin who resides in Ulsan South Korea, will be there, as will my sister Liz who will travel from South Dakota where she lives. I will fly out of Minneapolis, and leave my wife and at least one of our sons, to make the drive back to Illinois without me, which makes me nervous, what with winter driving conditions and all. And, although I'm looking forward to seeing my parents and siblings, I am dreading the hassles of the airports, and flying in general. Flying is a drag on a good day. Flying over the holidays is something I have historically avoided at all costs.

FOLLOWING THE DREAM

2009-10-11T12:49:00.004-05:00

Our son Kyle who lives in downtown Chicago Illinois, continues to pursue his goal of being a successful working theater actor.
His latest foray is into the world of "photo-fables". These are created by artist ara lucia.
The "photo-fable" is a story created by ara lucia, and told via still photography. There is no dialog, however the shots taken, employ the full range of costuming, makeup, props and lighting that are used in the making of professional photography and filmed motion pictures. The end result is beautifully matted and framed stills of the fable, which are then marketed. It is quite interesting.
The latest fable entitled "We Vow" is being shot out of doors in the Chicago area on Saturday, and Sunday, October 10, and 11. The first link I've provided takes you to to ara lucia's website The second link is to youtube, where a short video explains "character discovery" activity used in the process of "fleshing" out the individual characters in the fable. Kyle is the blond actor whose beard is red..... check it out!
http://aralucia.org
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlSoygTUxCY

BRAVO FOR RIO!

2009-10-02T12:13:00.002-05:00

Rio de Janeiro to host 2016 Olympics

This was breaking news on the CNN website this morning. And I for one am glad that Chicago (a mere 2 hours north of Normal Illinois, where I live), did not win the rights for the games.
The state's financial house is near collapse, and the state government seems to be as useless as "teats on a boar", as the saying goes.
Rio has budgeted over $14 billion, (yes, billion with a B), to host the games. Maybe they have the dough. I know that Illinois does not. The games in Chicago would be just another taxpayer subsidized venture, with a few well-heeled players making money hand over fist on the deal, and leaving the state in greater financial ruin than it already is, (if that is even possible).
Besides, where would you rather go for summer Olympics? The sunny climes of Rio, where the beaches are bursting with beauties, or Chicago, the "Windy City", with it's picturesque skyline and lake Michigan..... I know where I'd go!

GOING TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET

2009-09-30T16:52:00.002-05:00

Hell, I get so tired of the bitching, bickering, and bellicose dialog between the two political parties in this country that is reported all day every day, on the television & radio, it makes one wonder where in the world we are headed.
I swear that if the Democrats discovered a completely renewable clean energy source that totally eliminated our need for oil, the Republicans would find something that would prevent their supporting the development of it.
And, I swear that if the Republicans discovered the cure to all known cancers, the Democrats would find something that would prevent their supporting the distribution of it.
Donchajustloveit?!?

GLOBAL SLO-DOWN SUCKS!

2009-09-24T18:54:00.002-05:00

This Global slo-down really sucks. I'm glad I have a job, however I don't know how much longer I'll have it.
20% pay cut for the last 6 months, and now looking at rolling lay-offs for November/December.
It may be a merry f-ing christmas.......
Fasten your seat belts gang, it's going to be a bumpy ride.

YOU ARE WELCOME!

2009-09-08T18:59:00.002-05:00

As I age, there seem to be more things in the world that generally irritate me. I'm not referring to the "major " things, like the insane situation we find ourselves embroiled in, over in the middle east, or the asinine shouting match that the so-called "health-reform-debate" has degenerated into. To be sure those two subjects in particular really chap my ass.
However, what sometimes puts a smaller burr under my saddle are the little, and often mundane things that most people probably don't even think about.
One of these little mundane items is the phrase "no Problem", or "not a problem". And sometimes,when that phrase is uttered to me as a response, I am compelled to issue a sarcastic or snide remark in return. More and more often, this occurs when I am being waited on at a restaurant, bar, or almost any business where there is interaction between the customer, (me) and the business associate, most often but not always limited to someone under the age of 30. It is always proceeded by me thanking the aforementioned associate for what ever service he or she has rendered, be it a good meal, great libation, or just quick courteous service. (now, this is where that smaller "burr" gets wedged under my saddle.) Instead of a polite thank you and a smile, (the smile is optional), I get "no problem" or "not a problem". WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?! Why isn't it a problem? Is it because I'm such a nice guy, or does the associate just happen to be in a good mood and it's not a problem this time? Or is there a hidden subliminal message meant to convey that as a pesky customer, I really am a pain in the ass, and oh, by the way, it is a problem, so next time go bother someone else?!?
When I thank a service person, it is because I feel that he or she deserves to be thanked for a job well done. I don't want to hear "no problem". It is that person's job to provide service to me in a fashion that will make me want to return to that business as a customer. And, if it ever were to be a problem, then that person is in the wrong business!
The correct response to thank you is "YOU ARE WELCOME"!
I don't know. It's probably just me entering my "grumpy old man" phase! Hell, I'd probably bitch if they hung me with a new rope!

HEALTH CARE REFORM SCARE

2009-08-10T16:49:00.003-05:00

Health care reform is now officially a joke. There is so much screaming , hollering, and fear mongering going on from all sides, that the real issues, and proposals are being drowned out and shoved to the back burner. Forget "townhall" style meetings. Too many idiots screaming and hollering to get any civilized discourse accomplished. If there is one thing American people do well, it is over react and behave in a rude, crass way, to outlandish and obviously exaggerated, or downright false comments/stories regarding the Obama administration health plan overhaul.
Hell, the plan is well over 1000 pages long, and it is doubtful that anyone has really read and analyzed the entire package. It is much easier to pull paragraphs, and even single sentences out of context,from the document in an effort to incite fear among the citizenry. Works pretty well too! Are we all just a bunch of Jay Leno "Jaywalkers", who are dumb enough that we are unable to see through all of the bullshit, or at least some of it?
We'll end up with nothing more, and possibly less than we had before this "reform" plan began.

THE PARTYS OVER

2009-07-31T12:23:00.002-05:00

My wife and I just returned from a two week vacation, something we have not done in quite some time. Having two weeks off from work is really good..... and really bad! The last day of vacation is often spent dreading going back to the salt mine the next day, and with good reason.
Walking in to over 700 emails and a pile of "catching-up" to do is definitely not conducive to a stress free demeanor.
But, life goes on, and all of us poor working slobs still have bills to pay, and homes to maintain!
I'm thankful I have a job. Many around us do not!

WHO SHOT LIBERTY VALANCE??

2009-06-25T18:13:00.004-05:00

Things are beginning to heat up North of the 39th parallel. Kim Jong IL's constant sabre rattling, and increasingly aggressive threats to launch it's Taepodong-2 ballistic missle (see photo), toward the Hawaiian islands this July 4th, threatens to take the world much closer to a armed and possibly nuclear confrontation.
It kind of puts me in mind of the classic John Ford film "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" The wild lawless town of Shinbone, where Liberty Valence, a ruthless thug violently runs rough-shod over the townsfolk, and anyone else who ventures within the near vicinity. Enter Ransom Stoddard, the upstart young lawyer who wants to bring law to the townspeople and the region, by settling things diplomatically, through law full means. This agitates Liberty, who begins escalating ugly and violent threats, until he forces a showdown. Well, if you know the film, you know Tom Doniphon really shot Liberty Valance, which allowed Ransom Stoddard to finally bring law fullness to the region. The question that goes begging is; In the real life North Korean version of the celluloid classic, who is going to be the world's "Tom Doniphon" ?
PS... Hey Mard we're thinking about you.

THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD

2009-06-09T19:34:00.019-05:00

They say that the best job in the world is the one that you get paid for doing what you want to do most in your life. And so, Kyle, our eldest son, got a taste of just that the first two weeks of June.
As I commented in my previous post, he auditioned for and earned a role performing at the Family Pavilion, on Navy Pier, downtown Chicago. And the most delicious part of this was the fact that he was being paid to rehearse, and perform!!! Which, if you happen to be acquainted with Kyle, you already know that is what he loves to do the most in this world, (except for being with his sweetie Aurora!) Right in front of our eyes, he became "Barnacle Bob" in a 30 minute uber family friendly skit, along with 3 other Navy Pier 'pirates', in the "Battle for the Booty". It was grand fun, and he is having a blast, as you can see from the pictures! Who knows what other doors this may open for him?? We certainly wish him the best as he continues his quest to make "treading the boards"!!

THAT 'TODDLIN' TOWN

2009-05-21T18:29:00.006-05:00

Spent a Saturday/Sunday in Chicago recently. It's a swell town, but bring your wallet! Especially if you plan to hang 'downtown'. Fortunately for us, we were able to camp out at son Kyle's digs. Made him sleep on the sofa-bed!
I took the skyline pics from the 96th floor cocktail lounge of the John Hancock building, while sipping on a scotch-rocks. Pretty Cool! Ate dinner Saturday night at a trendy Tacoria, (taco joint), that had great food, and dammed good margaritas!
Sunday, we took the bus from Kyle's pad back downtown, and spent some time in Millennium park, right off of Michigan avenue. Very nice space, with wonder sculptures, most notably one called the 'BEAN', for it's shape reminiscent of a bean.

The 'bean' is a fabricated sphere of stainless steel, so highly polished that the seams are nearly invisible. A you can see from the photo, it captures the downtown skyline. You can walk under it, and photograph it from all angles. Makes for very interesting results.
There were also some very strange Chinese exhibits as well, could not quite figure those out.

All in all, it was a fun weekend! We're going back again on Saturday, May 23rd. Kyle is performing in the Navy Pier's family theater!! His first paying job as an actor!! I'll bring back pics of the pier, and hopefully some of Kyle performing.

Weekend in Arkansas

2009-05-01T12:26:00.007-05:00

I traveled to Northwestern Arkansas, last weekend, as I do every year about this time. Eureka Springs to be precise. For those of you who may not know, Eureka Springs, which is a beautiful bed/breakfast town, full of all kinds of shops, and artists. Much like Galena Illinois, and it is approx 65 miles south and just a smidgen west of Branson Missouri. Our friends Steve and Linda live a few miles outside of Eureka Springs. They have been down there for many years. It is truly a beautiful part of our country, and I really love visiting them down there. If my wife wasn't such a 'citified' gal, I wouldn't mind living down there at all.
We usually spend time in the woods, running around on ATVs, fishing, or hunting Morels, better known as 'shroomin'. This year, surprisingly, they were in short supply. Either that, or they were hiding even more cleverly than usual. At any rate, there were few to be had on this particular weekend. I've posted a very short video on the first one I found, and a pic of the fruits of the day's labor. They are incredibly delicious little devils, whether you bread them and fry them in butter, or saute them in a little olive oil and white wine. Fortunately for me, my friends had netted lots of these beauties in the previous weeks, and they kindly allowed me to gobble this little batch up with my breakfast eggs! Mmmmm Good!
If you ever get down that way, I'm sure you will agree it is a great place to visit, or vacation.

IT TOUCHES US ALL

2009-04-09T18:57:00.002-05:00

This economic downturn, (kindhearted way of saying severe recession), has finally caught up to our family. I knew it would eventually, but you know how we all keep thinking to ourselves that it will always be the "other guy".
The restaurant in downtown Chicago, where our oldest son ran the bar, closed up, without any notice, and paid him with checks that bounced higher than a super ball. And this week, my work week was cut from 5 days to 4 days. I'm not complaining too hard. Many of my fellow employees have been cut down to 3 days. As Logistic Manager of the company, my duties require more of a presence than 3 days. This is not to say it won't become a 3 day week, if we continue on the downward spiral that has become the first quarter of 2009.
We can only hope and pray that our nation, (hell, the whole world), can pull itself out of the current slide and get back to a more productive and normal existence.
you know the old saying.... "keep the faith baby"!

THE DREAM LIVES ON!

2009-03-27T18:21:00.004-05:00

Our eldest son Kyle graduated from ISU in May of 08, with a Bachelors of Fine Arts, Theater Acting.
It has been his passion, since middle school. When his mother and I think back, it is clear that the signs were there all along. A gregarious personality, an unstoppable optimism, and an unshakable belief and confidence in himself.... all the right ingredients.
In September of 08, we moved him to downtown Chicago, near north side, (see my post dated 9/21/08). Since that time, he has had ups and downs to be sure. The current economic conditions have not helped. The job he had tending bar in a restaurant, ended when the joint shuttered it's doors without so much as a phone call, and stiffed him on his pay to boot! No matter, Mr. "glass half full" immediately set out to seek employment, and snagged another job in fairly short order. He has also been busy all this time, trying to break into the theater scene, and this week he has realized some success there as well! Navy Pier in Chicago, for those of you who don't know, is a great attraction downtown right on the lake. There are many activities that go on year round at the pier. It is a major tourist attraction. This summer, they have an outdoor production, in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean. Kyle auditioned, when through 3 call-backs, drug testing, finger printing/background check, and was accepted as one of the characters in this summer's production. Meet 'Barnacle Bob'. Kyle is understudy for the fellow who is playing this character. He will fill in for him while he is on vacation, and will be paid for all rehearsal time as well as performance time...... FINALLY, KYLE'S FIRST PAYING JOB AS AN ACTOR! It also has the potential to open some doors for him, and create possible opportunities. BRAVO to Kyle! Break a leg!

NEW TRICKS FOR AN OLD DOG!

2009-03-24T16:54:00.002-05:00

I've been computing for quite a few years, and I consider myself just a few notches above mediocre. My younger brother Marty is light years beyond my capabilities. However, I've been able to manage OK..... until recently. My Dell lost Internet connectivity about 2 weeks ago. I spent considerable time with Verizon, who determined that the old modem I've had for about 4 years was passe. They provided an updated version, which was supposed to solve the problem, or NOT!
Problem persisted. Could not acquire an IP address from my computer. Next step was to spend more time with Verizon, and after many attempts at work arounds, their opinion was my network card was fermisched. Step 3 was to contact Dell. I spent considerable phone time with Saahill, and after many attempts at the same work arounds previously tried, was told that I needed to reformat the hard drive. WHOA! Really intimidating words. Step 4, I took the pc to a local business that specializes in servicing and selling computers and accessories, etc. They worked on it for an hour or so, (pro bono), and their pronouncement was the same... software problem, reformat hard drive.
Now, this is a 7 year old Dell. I hated the thought of reinstalling 7 year old software and having to go thru updates, etc. Step 4, made the decision, (with much input from my wife and eldest son), to make the investment in a new computer....... Ended up purchasing a new Mac. It is a wickedly beautiful machine, with a 20" monitor with a super fast beast, with a 2.66 GHz Core Duo processor and 2GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM of memory... Wow!
It's just too dammed bad I don't know shit about Macs!!
I'm learning, albeit slowly!

Hang On, It's Going To Be A Bumpy Ride!

2009-03-05T17:53:00.003-06:00

Every day, the economic news seems to get a little more grim. For millions of Americans, what used to be the "good life" is rapidly becoming the drudgery of just trying to make it through another week, keeping food on the table and a roof over your family's head. And the speed which this has spread through our society, fairly takes your breath away.
If your lifestyle was one of living beyond your means, with lots of toys, high credit card debt, and being house poor with a mortgage payment as heavy as the Rock of Gibraltar, it is going to be a long night indeed.
Are we like the ill fated Titanic, with a fatal flaw in the fabric of our economy, that will cause us to sink forever into ruin? Or,will our fabled "Yankee ingenuity" shine through, and enable us to overcome our own weaknesses and shortcomings, and find opportunity in adversity?
Personally, I believe that most of us will persevere. If only our government will be able to rise above it's own partisan pettiness, and avarice, we might just have a good chance of emerging better than we were.

I JOINED UP

2009-02-22T10:46:00.002-06:00

Well, I finally caved, and joined the other umteen million folks who are "Facebook" members.
Both of my sons, and many extended family members are members, and I felt that I was probably missing out on too much communication. And, it is kind of fun searching for old friends/aquaintences on the site. Besides, I've read that my age group, (the Boomers), are the fastest growing segment of new members..... go figure!
I still think that some of the younger people who are members, divulge too much personal info.
Guess I'm an old fogey at heart!
See ya on facebook...

How Dumb Am I?

2009-02-07T11:18:00.002-06:00

Found a website offering free IQ test, so I took it. Some of the questions were tricky, especially the ones involving numbers in a series. I scored 131, against a supposed general average of 100.
Fun! You might want to try it.

Free-IQTest.net

2009-02-07T11:02:00.001-06:00

Free-IQTest.net - IQ Score

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

2009-02-04T18:18:00.002-06:00

My father-in-law passed from this earth on January 5th, 2009, just a little over six months after he was diagnosed with Non Small Cell Lung Cancer.
No matter how prepared everyone thinks they may be an event like this, where there is plenty of warning, and you know it is going to happen, it still is a terribly painful and emotional experience.
My wife flew home, and arrived just 3 hours before her father breathed his last. We are so grateful that he had the strength to hang on until she arrived. Our two sons and I drove through the night, two days later to join her and the rest of the family to celebrate his life and to inter his ashes in one of the columbariums at Fort Snelling Military cemetery in St. Paul Minnesota.
It was truly a touching emotional time for us all. It is still hard to believe he is gone from us.
Gone, but not forgotten.

WHERE DO YOU STAND?

2008-12-07T11:57:00.003-06:00

The economy is in the toilet. Actually, it is swirling around the drain, and we ain't talking about a stingy 1.0 gpf, either. We are talking the whole enchilada!
Jobs are disappearing ( over 500,000 alone, in November, and 1.9 million so far this year), faster than CEO's can ask for bailout money. Speaking of which, it is hard to keep track of all the corporations standing in line with their hands out. Some pundits are now speculating that a $1 trillion rescue package is not too far fetched.
The big question on the table right now, is should we or shouldn't we bail out automakers? On the face of it, I would vote a big fat NO! They have made their bed, and they should by all rights, have to sleep in it.
However, upon deeper reflection, the question is very complex, and really more difficult to answer. The simple reality of it is, that it's one thing to see 60 to 80 thousand auto workers lose their jobs. It is another thing entirely, however, when if you factor in the possible failure of all of the ancillary business, which depend on automakers and those employees losing their jobs. If the total of sum all of those folks are out of work, and not spending money, how many other business risk failure, in what would become a self sustaining, downward spiral, until, in the end, we have total collapse!
We've seen nothing before like this, in my generation. Not since my parents were children has the economic outlook been so bleak.......It is truly scary, and the path out of this mess is anything but simple.
God help President elect Obama, and Congress to determine the right path....... All of us have a huge stake in it's success!

AIN'T IT GRAND!!

2008-11-06T17:58:00.002-06:00

Thirty seven years ago on this date, I had the distinct pleasure of walking down the isle with the most beautiful women I had ever met. And, one that I thought surly would be the love of my life...... I have been truly blessed. Thirty Seven years later, she is still the love of my life, and still my wife! We have shared every one of those years together. Some were more difficult than others, for various reasons. But irregardless of the obstacles we faced, or the good times we had, we shared them together. I would not change any of them for the world. And, Marla is just as beautiful today, as she was the day I met her. In the picture on the right, above, Marla and I are on the far right. And, in the photo on the left, there we are 37 years later! Still every bit as much in love as we were on that -26 degree below zero day in Minnesota, November 6th, 1971.

I am a very lucky guy!

MOVIN ON UP, TO THE NORTH SIDE

2008-09-22T17:52:00.002-05:00

Another milestone reached at our house. On Sept 13th, our eldest son Kyle moved away from home.

Away from home, as in "on his own". He had moved from his apartment here in town, where he resided since his freshman year at ISU, back home. Just for the summer, so he could work two jobs and stash cash for his move to the big city, Chicago to be exact.

So, it was on Saturday, the 13th, we loaded a U-Haul truck with his possessions, and amidst a monsoon that lasted the entire weekend, we lumbered northward to Chi-town. It was an experience on many levels.

For his mother and me, it was more emotional than I expected. He's only 2.5 hours north, but he is definitely on his own. He decided he would not have a car. The city is no place to own a car, unless you have plenty of disposable income....which he doesn't. His apartment is just north of the downtown loop. About a mile ease of Loyola University, and 3 blocks west of Lakeshore Drive, and Hollywood beach on Lake Michigan. The building is a lovely older apartment house, (see picture above), in a neighborhood lined with apartment houses dating back to the 30's and 40's. Lots of hardwood floors, and crown moulding. Some very lovely buildings..... and very limited parking!!!

Only gone a week, and we miss him a lot! He has already secured a job as a bartender at a restaurant downtown, on Lincoln Ave. Cy's Steak & Chop House. And, he intends on seeking auditions at various theaters in the city, and get involved in a production as soon as he can!

I remember when I moved from home, at the age of 19. From a small Iowa town, (Marshalltown), to Minneapolis. It was quite an adventure!

We hope that Kyle has great success in this next chapter of his life!

UPDATE ON GRANDPA

2008-08-16T14:50:00.003-05:00

My father-in-law, Jim, is holding his own, against advancing lung cancer. Diagnosed in early June 2008, with the disease metastasized to the brain, he is doing reasonably well.
Ten days of radiation, targeting the tumor in his brain, successfully shrunk the tumor enough, that his doctors decided that he would not need to undergo a "gamma knife" radiation treatment.
He began intravenous chemo therapy about 3 weeks ago. It hit him pretty hard. He is a remarkably strong and healthy octogenarian, (prior to the cancer), but the chemo adversely affected his kidneys. So, the treatment was halted, and a switch was made to an oral medication instead.
My brother-in-law Mark, took Jim to Wallgreens the other day, to get the first month supply of the chemo pills, to be taken one a day..... the bill for the 30 tablets...$4,000.00!!!
Even after insurance and medicare, Jim's bill was $1000.00. The cost is outrageous! Thank God they have pretty good health insurance.

Think of the millions of fellow citizens who have no health insurance!
We continue to pray for Jim as he fights this terminal disease.

DOG DAZE

2008-07-24T18:55:00.002-05:00

Summer drudges on.
The oppressive heat and humidity of late July, and August. The grass starts to dry up, the Creeping Charlie begins to overtake the lawn! I don't ever remember not liking the summer when I was a kid. Don't even remember it ever being humid.....although I know it must have been, since I've lived my whole life in the Midwest, where the weather is mostly the same, all seasons.
Must be me, just getting older! Don't go to swimming pools like I did when I was a kid either. But it sure is great having it stay light later in the evening. In the winter, I rise in the dark, and I come home in the dark! Makes you feel like a cave dweller.
The seasons come and go. And right now, its the dog daze of summer!
Grab a beer and relax.

You Just Never Know

2008-07-02T21:40:00.002-05:00

You just never know what life will hand you, from day to day. I returned from Arkansas, to some sad and troublesome news. My father-in-law had just been diagnosed with cancer.
stage-4 Adenocarcinoma Cancer , which has metastasized into his brain. This is also known as NSCLC, or non small cell lung cancer. It is, once it becomes metastasized, a fast growing and generally fatal form of cancer.
Here is an 80 year old robust man who takes no prescription drugs, has been healthy as a horse for decades, and was, and still is outwardly, a picture of health. He did however smoke, almost 40 years ago.
For my wife's family, and for us, the journey we will be taking with my father-in-law, for ever how long he has left, will be a difficult one. We pray God to give him and all of us the strength to face it bravely.
I lost a brother to cancer 26 years ago, when he was only 28, so I've traveled this road before.
You just never know.

TAKIN A BREAK

2008-06-11T16:51:00.003-05:00

Once a year, every year for the last 12 to 15 or so, I take a break from the hassles and tribulations of every day life, and head to the beautiful state of Arkansas. My good friends Steve and Linda, who, used to live here in Illinois, where I do, moved to Eureka Springs Arkansas almost 18 years ago....(jeez, time flies). They own their own small business in the town, and live a somewhat idyllic life a few miles out in the hills.

Anyway, I'm down there for a 3 or 4 day quickie dose of relaxation. As you can see from the photo, it usually involves running ATV's in the hills, trout fishing, kite flying, (no kiddin), all done with the aid of a few cold ones!

One of the stops we made this year was at the ROARING RIVER HATCHERY. It is a trout hatchery,not too far away from Eureka Springs, located at the base of a small mountain, from which flows a surprisingly large spring. The spring provides the water and it's natural flow velocity, which is perfect for the trout. The spring is also the source of the "Roaring River".

Trout are constantly released from the hatchery, into the river. You can purchase license for a day, or several! Lots of cool fun!
I've been back for two days now. Back to the daily grind, but with great memories of hangin out in Arkansas! (still finding ticks and chiggers too!)

THE GRADUATE

2008-05-13T16:51:00.004-05:00

We now are the proud parents of a college graduate!

As you can see by the "deer in the headlights" look on Kyle's face, he is very excited about graduating, and finally having to face the real world, and all of it's secrets and surprises.

Actually Kyle is excited about his graduation from ISU, with a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts in the Theater department, Acting discipline. He has plans all laid out for the summer and beyond.

He will move back home at the end of June, when the lease on his apartment here in Normal Illinois runs out. He'll live on the "dole" with us,until September,working two jobs and stashing as much "dough" as he can. Come September, he will migrate to Chicago Illinois, where he has an apartment already staked out. He signed a lease in April, with two young ladies, (also fellow graduates from the theater department of ISU), on very cool digs in a fairly trendy area of "Uptown" Chicago, that is about a 20 minute ride on the "L", from the Downtown Chicago Loop.

Once there, he has two priorities. (1.) GET A JOB!! (2.) BEGIN AUDITIONING!!

It promises to be a very exciting, scary, and challenging time for Kyle. We are extremely proud of him, and expect him to do very well. He has a great personality, and has considerable acting ability.....(we're not too prejudiced). Anyway, we are looking forward to traveling up to the Windy City in the not too distant future, to watch our son perform on one of the many theater stages in Chicago. And this is just the first phase of his "grand plan". The second phase will come later, (only time will tell how much later). Phase two will be to travel to the Big Apple, and apply his talents towards the goal of treading the boards on the Great White Way.... yes, you guessed it, BROADWAY! We think he'll make it!

Stay tuned!!!

BIO FOOLISH?

2008-04-23T19:16:00.003-05:00

Grain and oil seed biofuels, (Corn based ethanol in particular), has become a huge business in -America, and around the world! Iowa is the mecca of Ethanol. Everyone loves it. Politicians love it because it is a feel good policy, creating provide jobs, and stimulating local economies. Farmers love it, just look at the price of a bushel of corn.
There is no doubt, corn based bio fuel ethanol has benefits. It is an energy positive fuel, and slightly reduces dependency on foreign oil. However, there is a growing realization that unintended consequences to the biofuel industry are beginning to emerge.
Using land to grow farm crop fuels leads to the destruction of forests and grasslands that sequester vast amounts of carbon, the same carbon that causes global warming once released into the atmosphere. And now, enormous amounts of carbon are being emitted into the atmosphere as more and more wilderness is razed.
Grain and oilseed based biofuel industry, is growing exponentially, on a global scale. This significantly increases demand for crops. Prices rise, and farms expand into nature. It is happening all over the world. In the last half of 2007, 750,000 acres of Brazilian rain forest were lost to newly developed crop land. Brazil now ranks fourth in the world, for carbon emissions, most of which come from deforestation. Indonesia has bulldozed and burned so much of its rain forests to grow palm oil trees for biodiesel that it now ranks 3rd in the world for carbon emissions. Previously it had been ranked 21st.
Additionally, not all grains diverted to fuel production will be replaced. Reductions in grains available for food production cause food prices to rise. So, the poor eat less. We’re creating a situation that pits millions of automobile drivers against millions of the worlds hungry.
Biofuel production is important. However, it is not a magic bullet, and it is accelerating global warming, rather than reducing it. Science must keep searching for and developing better, cleaner, and more efficient ways to produce the energy the world thirsts for.

The Health Insurance Debate

2008-04-10T17:06:00.004-05:00

Well, we're three weeks past Kyle's Cardiac Catherization procedure, to close his Atrial Septal Defect. And, this whole adventure has really brought home to this family the reality that millions of Americans live every day.

I'm speaking about health insurance. Or, rather the lack of it. We all hear the current crop of political candidates waxing eloquent on a daily basis, about the state of our national health care system, and the escalating cost of health care in this country. For many of us, who have some kind of health care for our families, this dialogue may go in one ear and out the other. Often, when the situation does not affect you so much personally, it is easy to tune out the rhetoric.

Well, we have health insurance through my employer. It is not the best insurance, but thank God it is insurance. It is one of the factors that drove us to the decision to have Kyle's heart defect repaired at this time. After May 18th, he will be one of the millions of Americans without any kind of health insurance. We've shopped around, but it is incredibly expensive. Especially for a young man who will be unemployed, at least for a while.

And now, the bills from Mayo Clinic are beginning to arrive. When we first began this journey, we asked Dr. Hagler what kind of costs we might expect. He remarked that generally the cost would be around $20,000.00. Yes, twenty thousand dollars. Well, we received the bill about 10 days ago, and it was just a few hundred dollars over $25,000.00. So I thought, the good Dr. was pretty much in the ball park. WRONG! We received the second part of the bill this past Saturday, for another $23,300.00. So, if you include the first visit and exam, we are now just a shade over $50,000.00. And Kyle was not sick at all. He had no complications. The actual procedure took less than 4 hours. He was in the hospital for less than 24 hours, (billed as "out patient"). We can't imagine what a burden it could be if it had been otherwise!

The reality of our badly out of whack health care system in this country really hit us right between the eyes! And in a few weeks, as I said Kyle will be one of the millions without health care! So, the next time you hear Barack Obama, or Hillary Clinton speak about health care, listen a little closer. You may not agree with their plans, but you have to agree that we, as a nation have a problem that needs attention.

We do desperately need a national health care system to help all us.

DEAR HEART

2008-03-26T21:19:00.008-05:00

On a previous blog post, I described our son Kyle's congenital heart defect, ( called an Atrial Septal Defect), which was discovered as a consequence of a chest x-ray for an unrelated issue,when he was 16. And, how subsequently at the age of 21, on a follow up exam, it was recommended that the defect, which is a hole between the right and left atrium of the heart, be closed. So, it was, at 7:30 am, on March 21st, Kyle was admitted into St. Mary's Hospital, (which is part of the Mayo Clinic complex), in Rochester Minnesota.

The Mayo is a remarkable place, and we got to experience it up close and personal last week. We arrived in Rochester late the evening of the 19th. Kyle had several appointments on Thursday the 20th at different locations on the Mayo Campus. Then on to St. Mary's on Friday morning for a date with Dr. Donald Hagler, (renowned Cardiologist), in the cardiac catherization lab for the procedure. For everyone on staff, it seemed to be a pretty unremarkable and commonplace event. For us, and especially Kyle, it was both emotional and exhausting. However, everything went according to plan. The procedure was characterized as "out patient". The device (pictured above on the right), was inserted into his heart via a catheter threaded up through the femoral vein. Quite a remarkable procedure. We are grateful for the modern technology that allows such amazing medicine to become somewhat commonplace, rather than rare.

SPRING IS HERE....MAYBE.

2008-03-13T17:05:00.005-05:00

Days in March, like this one, (+57 degrees and partly sunny), are great! And hold out promises of warmer times. The birds seem to have finally shaken off their winter induced stupor, and are in full throat, producing a cacophonous riot of sound, screeching their siren song "Spring is here! Spring is here"

Bits of flora begin to timidly peek out from under dead leaves and the debris of the receding winter. And we eagerly emerge from our domiciles, coat-less and hat-less, to lift our pale bleached out visages up to greet the bright warming orb we call the sun.

But, beware the Ides of March! For surely there is lurking out there in the remaining days of this month, a winter storm or two, waiting to remind us that Old Man Winter is not quite done yet!

IS AMERICA FOR SALE?

2008-03-08T09:26:00.003-06:00

It seems, at least to this writer, that we, (our nation), are sitting squarely on the auction block these days.
Foreign investors, most notably China, and some middle eastern countries already own huge chunks of our economy, in the form loans in the hundreds of billions of dollars, that have become the rule, rather than the exception. And now, while the CEO's of some of our nations biggest lending institutions are receiving bonuses and compensations in the hundreds of millions of dollars, the companies that they managed are collapsing under the weight of the thousands of home foreclosures, (created in large part by their own greed),that are ruining countless families, and endangering our economic way of life.
As property and home values plummet, and the value of the dollar continues it's free-fall against currencies around the world, foreign investors are now gobbling up real estate at a accelerated rate. States like Florida and Texas are aggressively courting these investors for the dollars they bring. And their buying power is further enhanced by the falling dollar. And every day more of our nation is owned by foreign nationals.
It really makes you wonder what our nation will look like in 20 years.

KIDDOS

2008-02-18T19:26:00.005-06:00

Who'd a thunk it? Marla and John finally had their first child, (Kyle Allen), after 15 years of marrige!

And, if that wasn't enough, they went and did it again, (Cameron James), 3 years later!

The fellow that coined the phrase "time flies, when you're having fun", really hit the nail on the head.

We've fast forwarded, and I use that term literally, almost 22 years since Kyle's birth, and we now have two grown men for sons, although to their mother and I they are still "kids".

Kyle, (on the left in photo), will graduate a Theater Major, from Illinois State University, at the end of May, 2008. And his brother Cameron will end his freshman year at the University of Illinois Urbana, as a Music Education (vocal) Major!

And, we could not be more proud of them both. Two wonderful loving human beings who just happen to be our children.

The photo above was taken at Kyle's 21st birthday party, at Gill Street Sports Bar, where he works as part of the serving staff. It was quite a bash, and we all had a great time. Cameron was Kyle's designated driver..... and he needed one that night!

And, they sure could never deny being brothers! Damn near look like twins, although they are three years apart.

WILL CHANGE REALLY BE CHANGE?

2008-02-09T14:18:00.001-06:00

This election cycle, I'm voting Democratic. In them, I see the best hope for change this time around. And God knows this country could use some change in the way the peoples business is attended to.
The word "change" is being bandied about by all candidates. You hear it repeatedly. Yet, will there really be change? The Democratic Party uses a questionable and in my humble opinion, anti-democratic nominating system that includes 842 "super-delegates". These fine folks, who are not chosen by the voters, (how the hell they are chosen is probably a closely guarded secret), are un-plegded wealthy celebreties and elite party leaders, (42% of the total number of delegatges), who can vote for which ever candidate they please. Maybe it's time for the Democratic party to reform or abandon the "super-delegate" system, giving true meaning to the word "change", and to allow the people rather than the party establishment, to choose the next candidate who will run against the Republican nominee.

GOING HOME

2008-02-02T09:57:00.001-06:00

My brother Martin lives in Ulsan South Korea. He is an english teacher working for a private school. In S.Korea, english is a required subject in the Korean school system. However, there are multiple "private" schools that employ westerners to teach the children a practical approach to english, and how it is actually used in everyday situations. He is at the end of his second year contract. He loves the work, the people, and the country. He has even become engaged to a beautiful Korean woman, and they hope to be married in the near future.

Anyway, he is flying back to Dallas/Fortworth Texas, arriving today, Feb 2nd., for a brief vacation and re-connection with our family. His fiance, MyeongHee is not able to accompany him, as visas for Koreans are very hard to come by.

Everyone will be gathering at my fathers house on Superbowl Sunday, to welcome Marty back, and of course to watch the big game. I sure wish I could be there to give him a big HUG!

It's the Democrats Election to Lose

2008-01-21T18:47:00.001-06:00

You remember the old 5th Dimension song "Aquarius"? The lyric goes something like this. " "When the moon is in its seventh house, and Jupiter aligns with Mars", and its used to describe a unbelievable once in a lifetime occurrence in the universe. Something that happens only when all factors are in perfect alignment and harmony.
Could we be witnessing such a happening? Who knows for certain? But, what is certain is we are witnessing an extremely unique and "first" in American politics, with a set of circumstances which are quite remarkable.
Of the three leading democrat candidates for President of the United States, one is a black man, one is a women, who is also the spouse of a former President. All of these are "firsts" in American politics. However, what I'm really leading up to is the fact that this election is probably going to be the Democrats to lose. And, if you've been listening to former President Bill Clinton ratcheting up the rhetoric with Senator Barak Obama lately, you may understand my meaning.
The Dems cannot afford to be divisive and split their own party. They are on the verge of regaining the white house, along with the house and senate. Can Bill reign in his wagging tongue?
Will his vociferous comments help Hillary, or damage her campaign?
Stay tuned!

MIKE HUCKABEE'S IS OVER THE TOP

2008-01-17T16:09:00.001-06:00

Mike Huckabee's mixing of his evangelical passion, and his desire to become President of the United States, is bordering on just plain foolish! He is way over the top.
The only pulpit he belongs on is one inside a Baptist church, (no disrespect to the Baptists).
His pandering to the evangelical right wing of the Republican party is reaching new heights. It's a damn good thing that 63% of the country disagrees with his statements that the US Constitution should be amended to reflect God's values, as opposed to the Constitution's values.
If and when someone wants to pray or worship and where or how, is no one's business but their own. And Mike Huckabee's personal view of what his God's values are, are just that, HIS VIEWS. He may have people who agree with him, but they will almost certainly not reflect the views of everyone, including the members of hundreds of other religions that populate this marvelous country.
I've read through both the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution.
You can find a reference to God, and Creator in the Declaration of Independence, which shows that the founding fathers did share a belief in a God. However, nowhere in the United States Constitution will you find a mention of God. The founders wrote it that way for a reason! The fact of the matter is, that the 1st (and most important )amendment to the constitution, protects some of the most basic human rights. And, it reflects the founders view of the dangerous places that governments might tread. It expressly states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" Many of the first colonists for which our constitution was written, came here to escape religious persecution. There is a time and place for God, and Government is definitely not the place! Government is "for the people", and "by the people".
So, if Mike Huckabee wants to preach, (and frankly, he does it well), he should go back to being a Baptist minister. He can preach all he wants to about God, in church. He cannot however do it as President of these United States.
If you need any examples of secular governments, there are many, such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iran, etc. etc.
Need I say more?

Musical Politicians

2008-01-10T18:05:00.001-06:00

Dodd is OUT! Richardson is OUT! Biden is OUT! Gavel should be OUT!
It's musical politicians out there. But it sure seems to me that the national media is working very hard to shape the outcomes. Pronouncing candidates dead after one primary, (ie; Hillary Clinton, dead after Iowa), is laughable. It is virtually impossible to know which major candidate will hang in there, or bomb out after just one or two state primaries, or caucuses. And it is not fair to the candidate, irregardless of political affiliation. Look at Ron Paul. He's a fringe candidate, to be sure, but he has a real grass roots campaign and is raising money. But the national media has already squeezed him out of the debates. What a sham!
The folks whose state primaries are not until later in the election cycle get hosed! They often don't get a choice, at least not a chance to vote for the candidate of their choice.
Think about it.

Christmas at Home, 2007

2008-01-01T13:31:00.001-06:00

Certainly hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We did, although it was fast and furious!!

We arrived at my in-laws house in Burnsville Minnesota, (southern suberb in the twin cities) about mid day, on Saturday, 12/22/07. It was non stop from that moment, until we got home. Had a good time, but wished we'd had more time. Christmas was beautiful in the twin cities. It snowed on the 23rd, 24th, and on the 25th. They had the biggest Christmas day snowfall, since 1957, getting 5.7" of the fluffy white stuff on 12/25/07. As you can see from the picture, it was coming down hard. We ate and drank and shopped at the Mall of America,and had a swell time with my wife's extended family.

We left for home on 12/27, but had to make a stop in Rochester Minnesota. We spent the afternoon at Mayo Clinic. We didn't get back home to Illinois, until 1:00 AM 12/28.
We discovered by chance, (5 years ago), when Kyle our oldest, was 16, that he has a congential heart defect. An Atrial Septal Defect, (ASD).
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/heart/asd.html
He never displayed any symptoms, or had any cardiac related problems. It was found after a routine chest x-ray, for a lingering cough, which showed his heart to be enlarged. A subsequent echocardiogram showed the defect. A ASD is a hole between the right and left atriums of the heart. It allows oxygenated blood two flow back into the side of the heart that pumps unoxygenated blood back to the lungs. Anyway, long story short.... Doctor recommended no action at that time, but to revisit in 3 to 5 years..... Kyle was given another echo on December 17th of this year, and the results showed defect still present. Coincidently, my employer's wife discovered she had same defect, only she didn't find out until she was nearly 50. Had a mini-stroke, and almost lost vision in one eye. She had hers repaired at Mayo in November of 2006. My boss called Mayo on 12/21, to see if Kyle could get scheduled in to see Dr. Hagler, who is one of their best Cardiac surgeons. They called my Cell phone on `12/24, to say we had a 2PM appt. on 12/27.
Dr. Hagler took fresh chest x-rays, and they did another echo. Heart definitely enlarged, and defect for sure still present.......his recommendation is to have it repaired. I've done some research, and it seems that in teens, this is not too uncommon, and in most young people where the defect does not close itself, the repair is recommended...... it can cause greater problems at older age, (my bosses wife a good example).
So, it looks like we'll be scheduling another visit to Mayo Clinic before June of this year. Kyle must have the procedure done before he graduates, as he's off my health plan at that time....... Dr. Hagler said to expect costs in the $20,000.00 range....jeez, good thing he isn't really sick!!

Merry Christmas

2007-12-20T17:49:00.002-06:00

Six days ago it was snowing like hell. Today it is raining! Go figure.
Christmas is nearly upon us. Most of the shopping is done, (not all of it), and I find the running around searching, finding, and deciding are somewhat stressful. My wife loves it. Actually she just loves shopping, period. We leave for Minneapolis tomorrow, and the weatherman is promising rain/snow/sleet, etc,etc. That's the rest of the stress. Traveling at night is not a picnic under normal circumstances. Add some shitty weather and you've got what could turn into a "white-knuckle flight". Oh well, been there, done that.
Maybe we'll all get lucky and get a break from all of the political baloney that we've been inundated, with here of late.....unlikely though, I guess.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and a happy New Year. And I especially hope that during all of the rush, eating, drinking, and gift giving/receiving, that everyone takes a few moments out to think about all the men and women around the world, who are wearing uniforms of the United States Military, and the fact that they are away from their families and friends. And, that many of them are right now in harms way. May God bless and protect them all, and hopefully may they return to their homes soon.....very soon!

Tis The Season

2007-12-16T08:43:00.001-06:00

It was finally time to get the old snow blower out this weekend. December 14th, before we had a snowfall with enough accumulation to require it's use. Now, here we are on Sunday morning, after a day and a half of snow and wind. It looks damn cold out there, and we must have 4 or five inches of the white stuff!
I don't know about everyone else's experience, but every winter, the first time I use that contraption, it is always a struggle to get the damn thing started. It's like trying to wake a bear out of hibernation! My blower has an electric start, however this season it did not make a peep. And of course, with snow piling up there is no way I'm going to take it in for service. No siree. I pulled on that start cord until my arm was ready to drop off, and finally got it started.
And let me tell you, even with the hassles of starting the engine, it beats shoveling all to hell!
So, this morning, after last nights continued snowing and blowing, I'll be back out there again with my reluctant snow blower, clearing off the walks and driveway.

2007-12-02T19:18:00.001-06:00

On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, we took our traditional trip out to WoodTree Farm. Its a tree farm located in Central Illinois, approx 20 miles from our home. It was a beautiful day for tree hunting, with a light snowfall. Very picturesque.
We've been cutting down our own Christmas trees with our boys,for many years, and visiting the WoodTree Farm for probably 8 to 10 of those. In years past, we would make a day of it with another family who we've been very close with, since the boys were babies. However, now their boys are pretty much grown up, like our two, as you can see from the picture. Both of our guys are in college. Kyle on the left is a Senior (Theater Major), and Cameron on the right is a freshman (Music Education-Vocal).
Our friends have 3 boys, two of them college students as well. Not as easy to get together as it used to be. And, if that isn't bad enough, this year will be the last season for WoodTree Farm.
The owner was killed this past summer. He was on his tractor mowing, out on his property, (they have a lovely farm of several hundred acres of rolling tree covered hills, timber and a pond.), the tractor tipped over, pinning him beneath it, at the edge of the pond. He was submerged, and drowned.....what a shame.
So, a family tradition is slowly changing, as our lives begin a new chapter, leaving us with fond memories, and looking forward to new ones next year!

The Debates

2007-11-29T19:20:00.001-06:00

The Iowa Caucus countdown is going into the final turn, and will be headed down the backstretch in very short order.
The debates are getting much livelier, especially for the Republicans. If you were able to watch the YOUTUBE DEBATE, Wednesday evening 11/28/07, you know what I mean.
There was not much substance to the show, but it was fun to watch.
Anderson Cooper should have had some boxing gloves on hand. Mitt Romney and Rudolph
Giuliani could have continued a few more rounds of the illegal immigration bout.
It was also very interesting watching John McCain waxing eloquent, with his comments regarding torture, and 'water boarding', then going completely round the bend with his foolish and completely out of line remarks regarding the Vietnam war, made to candidate Ron Paul, with whom he was sparring with over the Iraq debacle.
Even Fred Thompson got into the fracas, when he presented his own YOUTUBE video. It was old video clips of both Mitt and Rudolph on camera voicing very different views on major issues, than what they hold now (can you say flip flop?)
But, surprisingly (for me), the most interesting of the candidates was Mike Huckabee, the former Governor of Arkansas. His answers were direct and to the point. He was the only one, as far as I'm concerned who actually answered the questions he was asked.....stay tuned, it's gonna get better.

WATCH YOUR WALLET

2007-11-10T11:13:00.001-06:00

Hang on to your wallet. Many economic indicators predict a coming recession.
We have become a debtor nation, borrowing immense amounts of cash annually to keep this nation perking along in the manner to which we've all become accustomed.
Lately, the value of the dollar has been falling like an elevator with a busted cable. And, if the Chinese to dump our dollars and bonds, in favor of something more profitable, like Euro dollars, we will indeed be headed for severe recession.
And all our government can do is continue to throw vast amounts of dollars funding a illegal, immoral, and tragically wasteful (in terms of human loss) war, which is lining the pockets of some of this country's largest corporations. They are what Dwight Eisenhower warned us of long ago, The military industrial complex. Companies that make obscene profits off of the death and destruction that war facilitates.

Lets Eat!

2007-11-03T15:37:00.001-05:00

Just another day....albeit a beautiful fall day, with bright sunny skies, a pleasant 68 degrees, and a riot of fall colors everywhere you look.
We're going eat dinner with friends tonight. A sort of traveling gourmet club that takes place every other month or so, depending upon every one's schedule.
Each couple contributes something to the meal, with the hosts providing the main course(s).
Tonight, the menu is to be a Tapas style dinner with red meats and fish dishes prepared by the hosts. I've prepared a bruschetta topped with portobello mushrooms baked in a balsamic vinegar marinade, caramelized onions, baby arugula, and roasted red bell peppers. I'll top it with an lively tasting Rosemary Aioli sauce. And, Marla has baked a lovely, delicate Orange Almond cake, for which I've purchased a delightful bottle of ALVEAR SOLERA PEDRO XIMENEZ Cream Sherry.
The evening should be a wonderful combination of great friends, great food and libation!.

TGIF

2007-10-25T20:44:00.001-05:00

Thank God its Friday!
Had a 5-pack of Monday's this week. Busier than a cat covering up.....Well, you get the idea.
Thought that when we became "empty-nesters", that my wife and I would have more quality time together. Now it seems I'm working more hours than ever before. Can't seem make it good enough, fast enough, or cheap enough to satisfy the customer.
But, the good news is that business is very "robust". That's a buzz word that is used in business allot now to denote that something is good, or strong. Another one is "glide path". Lets say you produce 1,000,000 widgets. However, you want your company to be able to produce 2,000,000 widgets. Well, the "glide path'" is the buzz word for the strategedy you develop to achieve the goal.
Woopee!

Who ya gonna vote for?

2007-10-21T16:04:00.001-05:00

The next election cycle has been in full swing for sometime now. It began much earlier than previous cycles. And, it promises to become, as we move closer to the primaries, very mean spirited indeed.
Are you in a quandry as to who you are going to vote for? Surely you are going to vote? There is so much hanging in the balance. It could be the very Republic itself. Whether you are Liberal, Consertive, Democrat, Republican or Independent, it is extremely important that citizens of every political stripe vote for the candidate of their choice. It is equally critical that citizens educate themselves on the issues and the candidates.
And, it is no easy task to seperate the rehetoric from fact, no matter which politican you are listening to.
There is a website that can help you quickly determine what candidate's views are similar to your own on some of the top issues.
Check it out! Remember, if you don't vote, you have no right to complain about the state of our nation! http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460