2024 Indy 500-- Part 3: A Delayed Race, Newgarden Wins Again

The big question on everybody's mind was about the approaching rainstorms set to hit the Indy area at race time.  They wouldn't postpone the start until 11.  WE had to drive to the race track and waited at Tom's tent until we found it was postponed until after the storms so went back to the camp site and waited until we had some idea of when the race would be.

When the storm did hit it was quite the downpour with lots of

We drove back to the racetrack and then walked over to our seats between Turns One and Two. Those stairs were a real obstacle again for me.  They quickly cleared the track and went through all the traditional pre-race ceremonies.

And, we had quite a race with Josef Newgarden winning his second race in a row.

Leaving was no fun as we waited without moving for two hours.

--RoadDog

To Moose Again: All That Rain, Sunnyside, Margaritaville, Stucky's, Goldfish Races, the Moose Again and McHenry Legion

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

We sure have had the monsoons this spring.  We made our way to Sunnyside in Johnsburg for rest and relaxation then came home where we enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

The rains finally stopped and I was able to enjoy OD a couple times and even got a little yardwork in for the first time this year.  Went to Stucky's and watched the Goldfish Races.  This is where you pick a goldfish and they race down two lengths of sealed gutters in double elimination.  Something we'd never seen before.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

I was even able to get some time FP for the first time in a long time this spring.  I went to the Moose Lodge in McHenry for the Moose Lodge Riders breakfast and met Mark who got me the forms to fill out and I rejoined the Moose for a third time.  A great organization.

In the afternoon, we went to the McHenry American Legion and stopped at Stucky's on the way home.

To Moose Again or Not to Moose Again, That Is the Question.   --RoadDog

Every Blooming THing, Early July 2021

Well, I actually had to cut the grass last week as after it turned brown during an extended drought, it had caught up quite well during the extended monsoon season we just had.  And, let me tell you, that grass/weed mix over the one line we use in our five line septic field was something else.  Took four passes to cut that mess down.

Right now, the mums are blooming their first bloom session (I have  to cut the blooms back in a few days in order to get that fall blast of color). 

The wild tall daisies are blooming.  Each one has anywhere between 50 and 100 tiny blooms on it.  (I don't actually know what they are called.)  Nor do I know what the pink or red flowers are that are blooming right now are called.

The daisies are blooming as are the tiger lilies, blue salvia, dianthus, potentilla and some spirea.

***********************

GETTING READY TO BLOOM

hostas

purple cone flowers

blackeyed-Susans

daylilies

And, I have easily 100 of each, probably more.

Oh, yes.  The lovely Japanese beetles are back.  Just love those guys.

Getting Ready for the Big Bloom!!  --RoadFlower

The $3800 Six Mile Auto Trip Nov. 10, the Next Day

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 11

And that is considering that since March 16, I haven't driven further than 25 miles from home.  With this virus, it is just no fun to drive anywhere.  We even dropped plans to join family in Savannah, Georgia, this coming Thursday for Thanksgiving.  We had that in the plans for a year and a half.

That storm, as bad as it was, was over in about an hour.

Anyway, the next day, I walked out by the car and saw the garage floor was very wet under the front of the car(perhaps, I thought, from all the rain we had) but there was nothing by the back tires.

I looked at the front of the 2011 Malibu and could see the license plate and holder were a bit bent and he bumper under it was dented as well.  Then I saw a piece of wood jammed in there, but I couldn't loosen it. (Nor could I get the hood up after I pulled the inside lever to do it.  I couldn't find the latch in the engine.)

I started the car, and it started right up.  Backed it out of the garage and drove around a couple blocks.  It ran well.  No warning lights came on either.

Parked it on the driveway which was dry, figuring I would see if it was still leaking.  I went out a few hours later and the driveway was covered with some sort of liquid.

I called our Chevy dealer to have it towed in the next day.

Watch Out for Them Motivating Big Tree Branches.--RoadWreck

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why do we press harder on the remote when we know the batteries are getting weak?

The $3800 Six Mile Auto Trip Last Tuesday-- Part 1: One Helluva Storm

We had had an almost unbelievable streak of warm weather for almost seven days in early November, so we had been taking advantage of it.  

However, Tuesday, November 10, it was supposed to end and in a big fashion with storms rolling through and really big winds.  Of course, that was the sky-is-falling weather forecasters so it was something you had to see.

We were down in Johnsburg sitting outside enjoying a late lunch (wow, sitting outside comfortably with just a sweatshirt and short pants in November here in the Midwest.  Wow!!) and then it began looking like the weather folks might be right.  Some really bad-looking black clouds were rolling in from the west and the wind was picking up.  (We were sitting outside because of the virus and no dining inside.)

Around 4:15, a big blast of wind and a smattering of raindrops hit, sending customers chasing after chairs, tables and umbrellas and then we and others decided it was time to hightail home.  We got to the car just ahead of a downpour.

Driving north on Johnsburg Road, we could see the rain coming down horizontally.  Trees were bending over alarmingly.  The pavement was becoming slippery.  We stopped at Ringwood Road for the sign, proceeded through the intersection and about a quarter mile north, I saw a large tree branch blown down and start across the road.  This was maybe a hundred feet in front of us.

Slammed on the brakes, but had to let up when I started skidding.  The branch was sliding across the road, but enough in it so that we were going to hit it.  We did.

The car continued going with no problems and we drove the last couple miles to home.  Parked in the garage and we could see no damage.

Hopefully, we wouldn't have any damage, but would have to wait until the next day to take a look in the daylight.

That Was Too Close.  The Heart Was Racing.  --RoadSmash

THINGS TO PONDER:  If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2.

Memorial Day 2020: A Different Sort of Respect

Usually, I am coming home from Indianapolis on the day on which the commemoration falls, but not this year as the race there was cancelled because of the virus.

And that race has to be America's biggest salute to our fallen veterans and all veterans for that matter.  It makes up a large part of the pre-race activities.

I was going to go over to the McHenry, Illinois, Memorial Day activity at Veterans Park with a friend, but found out it was canceled.  It was to be a bit different today with no speeches.  The honor guard of our three veterans organizations:  American Legion, VFW and Polish Legion, were going to fire volleys at three local sites.

And, our weather has been fairly good for Memorial Day weekend.  Usually we have pretty bad weather in northeast Illinois.  But, other than rain Saturday afternoon and some today, this has been an ideal weather weekend.  Temps have finally gotten into the 80s.

This year was just a stay-at-home thing for Liz and myself.  I already had a U.S. flag up by the garage and also put up an 1877, 38-star U.S. flag (from after Colorado became the 38th state).

I am trying to make a blog entry for all eight of them, but the internet is really causing problems today.  It takes a real long time just to do one entry with all of this stopping and freezing up.

We have had two short rain showers so far, but it hasn't rained for awhile, so I am hoping to at least get some yard work in.

I did enjoy the front porch (FP) a couple times and did some transplanting in the overwinter plants.

--RoadDog

Job Well Done, All Military.  --RoadDog

JSS: Them Dandies-- Lightning Strike-- Cole Kmet-- Rain

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  THEM DANDIES--  It's spring now.  I know because my crop of home grown dandelions are in full bloom.  I should learn how to make dandelion wine.  I could make a real lot of that stuff.

2.  LIGHTNING STRIKE--  Last night we had some bad storms come through.  At one point there was a flash of lightning and at the same moment a resounding boom.  That was close.  I'm sure I felt the shock waves downstairs in the basement where I was watching TV.  If I wasn't awake wen it hit, I was afterwards.

3.  COLE KMET--  The Bears second round pick this strange draft picking.  I just hope they give him more of a chance that they did for NIU players they picked or invited to camp.  Tight ends are the most underused players in the NFL.  They should always be the automatic go to guy when plays fall apart.  Put him in, coach.

4.  RAIN--  Okay, we had that storm last night with the lightning strike then rain off and on (mostly on) all night and now all day.  The drainage basin behind us is about one third full.  I'm sure they're looking into closing the Chain because of flooding.  (But, wait, we don't have a boat anymore so doesn't really matter.)

I really need a few dry and seasonably warm days to get yard work done.  Plus, today is cold enough and wet enough to be prime time for you-know-what.  So, I stayed inside all day, mostly hunkered over this here 'pute a-typing away with my two little fingers.

That was a Real Loud One.  --RoadBang

TOP TEN COUNTRY SONGS:  "She's Looking Better Every Beer."

JSS: No Baseball Playoffs for Chicago-- Hate Those Night Football Games-- Sometimes No Boat Is Good Thing

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  NO BASEBALL PLAYOFF GAMES FOR CHICAGO--  After this horrible weekend, the Cubs can start getting ready for next year.  We kept saying after they swept the Pirates a week ago by some huge scores, that they would start losing games by one run and they sure did.  They've lost the last six games in a row by one run each game.  Moral:  Don't use up all your runs in a game as that means you'll lose by one run  the next one (or more).

And that new hang-hand relief pitcher who has give up opponent go-ahead runs twice.  Hope to see you somewhere else next year.

2.  HATE THOSE NIGHT FOOTBALL GAMES--  Da Bears have another late night game tonight (and one of those crummy Monday Night Games where the Bears stink) at 7:30.  They opened with a Thursday night game and then there was a 3:30 game.  We have another 3:30 game after that before we get to a noon game.

Football should be played in the daylight.

3.  SOMETIMES NO BOAT IS A GOOD THING--  Well, since we decided to get rid of the boat, this was a good year to do it.  The Chain of Lakes has been closed for two weeks and will be for longer after the last rainfall over 36 hours.  Plus it was closed or no wake for another month or more.

We felt sorry for our friends who still go boating, but are so happy that is not a problem for us.

Now, we don't have to worry about cleaning the hull, winterizing or getting it to a place to keep it over the winter.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadBoat

STATE OF THE JOKE:  NEBRASKA.  Just keep driving.  When something changes, you'll know you're out of Nebraska.

A Football, Flooding and Oldies Kind of Weekend-- Part 1

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Rained most of the night.  We've been having lots of rain this last week.  Went to Twin Lakes, Wi., an ate at Burger King and got gas at $2,45!!  That's the lowest we've seen it in awhile.    Went to Donovan's Reef and to bricks & Ivy on the way home.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13

And we had real heavy rain all night.  The drainage basin behind the house was about half full.  That's a lot of run-off water

************************
Sorry to hear about the death of one of my favorite performers, Eddie Money.  Bob Stroud did his Ten at Ten on Eddie Money Songs:

Baby Hold On
Think I'm In Love
Walk On Water

Gimme Some Water
Shakin'
I Wanna Go Back
Rock 'n Roll the Place

Two Tickets to Paradise
You Really Got A Hold On Me
Take Me Home Tonight

*******************
We're hearing about serious flooding on the Fox River and Chain of Lakes.  The Fox River is closed to boats and the Chain is all no wake.

I went to the Johnsburg-Richmond-Burton (R-B) high schools football game.  Johnsburg High School is one of my Cubs-Sox, Packer-Bears teams.  I pull for Johnsburg unless they play Richmond-Burton, which is where the kids from our subdivision go as well as a real lot of out tax dollars, about $3,300.  (I also pull for the Cubs unless they play the Sox and Packers unless they play Da Bears.)

The R-B Rockets blew the Johnsburg Skyhawks out 49-0.  That kind of makes up for the 55-0 shellacking R-B suffered a couple years ago from Johnsburg.

--RoadDog

2019 Route 66 Trip, Lebanon-- Part 5: An Easy Day

SUNDAY, JUNE 16

Another early morning thunderstorm, but it cleared up and turned into a nice day.  Had a nice talk with the people staying in the next two rooms.  That is an advantage of staying at an older mom and pop motel.  You can't do that at the new motels unless at perhaps the free continental breakfast.

Went to the Wal-Mart, looking for St. Louis Blues Stanley Cup gear, but they had nothing.  Ate breakfast at Hardee's again.  Their new loaded hash browns is really good.

Roamin' Rich is going to be at the nearby Gasconade  Bridge which is possibly on its way into oblivion and was thinking about going there, but didn't go.  Went to the Legion and watched the Cardinals win.  A lot of regulars were there, as well as the fun bartender from yesterday.

Back to the Munger-Moss and sat outside watching that neat old sign.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back From Indy 500-- Part 4: Race Day

SUNDAY, MAY 26

The big day arrives and the question on everyone's mind is RAIN.  We were supposed to get fairly-well deluged.  Folks looking at weather predictions and chance of rain increased throughout the day and were especially high around race time.

Woke up at 6 a.m. to the sound of two big booms and then heard the p.a. announcer talking but couldn't make it out because of echoing, but I did hear the word "radar" at one point.  They then played some songs, starting off with CCR's "Who'll Stop the Rain."  Appropriate choice.

Looking outside the RV, I could see we had received no rain over the night, but there were some worrisome clouds.  We heard that to our north they had gotten hit hard.

We had breakfast and packed for the race, everyone with rain gear.  Then made the walk to the race track (across the street, but quite a way around to our gate.  As usual, huge crowds.  The stairs going up to the South Vista catwalk as usual got me part way up and I had to sit down so that my knees wouldn't buckle.

The usual crowd up there in our seating area, the same ones who have been coming all these years including the couple from Texas who I always sit by.  We greeted each other like old friends, which we are, if only very temporarily.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back From the Indy 500-- Part 1: On Arrival

Monday, May 27, I came back from the 103rd Running of the Indy 500.  I went in Sue and Paul's RV, leaving from their place in Round lake, Illinois, on Thursday, May 23.

This will be a shortened version of what we did while there.  I'll write a much more detailed one in my RoadDog's RoadLog blog later this year.

THURSDAY, MAY 23

Stopped at the White Castle in Gurnee, Illinois, for our slider fix and then the Tri-State through Illinois to I-65 in Indiana and to Indianapolis on it.  We have a spot at the American Legion Post 500 in Speedway, right across from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which makes coming and going very handy.

Lots of evidence of rain  the past few days and threat of rain for the whole time we were there.  Quite muddy.

After getting the site arranged and as mudproofed as possible, we had a welcome cocktail then walked over to Speedway's Main Street and did our flight of beer at the Daredevil Brewing Company and all chose Negra for our beer of choice and had another coupla drinks at the Irish bar.

Back to the RV for bbq, cocktails, then the American Legion post for drinks in their bar.

Indy, We Have Arrived.  --RoadDog

Way Too Many Things To Do-- Part 2: Rain Washouts and Movies

THURSDAY, JULY 19

Watered the plants and dried out sections of the yard...right before it started a downpour.  We had planned to go to Antioch's Taste of Summer to see a band tonight, but the rain stopped us so just stayed home.  We later found out that it had not rained in Antioch.

FRIDAY, JULY 20

The rain continued all night and into the morning, so it became a movie afternoon for me.  I saw "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" and "The Incredibles 2."    Both great movies and "The Incredibles 2" was hilarious.  We had wanted to go to Antioch's Taste of Summer to see a band but threat of rain canceled that.  We ended up at the Legion in Fox Lake for 50-50.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back From PCB-- Part 8 Rain (But No Snow) Wings, Breakfast and Beer

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Glen and Barb got off in the morning.  We really had one heavy downpour most of the day.  Watched a couple movies on TV.  Then drove over to Salty Sue's for wings and, later, of course, Donovan's.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Still drizzling today.  Weather reports say the area has gotten anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of rain since Saturday.  Meanwhile, Chicago has gotten over a foot of snow.  I'll take the rain.  Had breakfast at the Sunnyside Grill.  They have a Sunnyside and we like to go to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg.  We had sun finally and I finished reading the "Peshtigo Firestorm" out on deck.

Went to Shuckums and Donovan's.

--RoadDog

JSS: No Mo Cubs-- World Series-- Greenin' Up

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  NO MO CUBS--  Sure glads the Cubs finally got put out of their and our agony in the playoffs, even though they did manage to pull out a gritty victory over the Washington Hairy Nationals and former Cb manager Dusty baker, who I still blame for the self-destruction back in the Bartman NLCS.

Bringing in relief pitchers was like throwing gasoline to put the fire out.  And, what a bad time for most all the players to go into a batting slump.  I think we only had one player at .220 and the rest were under .200.  And, last year's NL MVP, Bryant was out to break all playoff records for strike outs.

Oh well, that frees up a lot of time as I will watch the World Series if I happen to be in a bar and it's on TV.

2.  WORLD SERIES--  And speaking of the World Series, I don't really like either team, though the Astros being American League, my favorite, I will sort of be for them.  To me, they should still be in the NL.  They were the ones the Sox swept in the 2005 World Series.  At least the hated Yankees did not go.

3.  GREENIN' UP-  The yard has sure greened up from recent rains while we were gone and Sunday and Monday.  I may even have to cut it again (if it dries out).  At least mow up the fallen leaves or maybe burn them some weekend between now and the end of November as we can still burn on those days.

I Really Love the Smell of Burning Leaves.  --RoadBurn

Chain Flood 2017-- Part 10: Rain, Rain, Go Away

SATURDAY JULY 22

Yesterday, we had a short storm come through in the afternoon, but not a problem.  Forecasts called for a lot of rain starting in the evening.  We decided not to go to Antioch's Taste of Summer to see the Suburban Cowboys because of it and those annoying, pesky mosquitoes.  Glad we didn't.  It started drizzling when we went to the American Legion, then turned into an off-and-on downpour.  Again, we sure don't need any more rain.

It rained much of the night, but isn't right now at 7 a.m..

Rumor has it that we are in for another five inches of rain by Sunday.  If that happens, the boating season on the Chain of Lakes will essentially be over.  The flooding would be massive.

While at the Legion, I went to the jukebox to see if they had "Rainmaker" by the Cryan' Shames or Harry Nilsson.  They didn't.

But, when I got home I watched the Sox game on TV in Margaritaville and got my Ultimate Jukebox going and among those 300 CDs, I had the Cryan' Shames' version of it so listened to it several times.

Today, forecasts call for scattered showers with a 35% chance of rain, 83 degrees, 82% humidity and we are in a flash flood watch.  Weather Bug has chance of rain at 65%.

We'll have to see what thuis will do to our going to McHenry's Fiesta Days this afternoon.  Plus, our local Dog 'N Suds is having a band and classic car show in the parking lot from 6 to 9 pm.  Also, Antioch is having three bands in its Taste of Summer and 125th birthday party.

Like the Song Said, "Rain, Rain, Go Away.  Come Again Another Day."

The Chain Flood of 2017-- Part 4: At Least the Boat Floats...But

In just a little bit, I will be going over to Fox Lake, Illinois, to see how the boat is faring.  The flooding continued yesterday and I went to the boat at 1 p.m. and retied it to the pier poles.  Normally we have mooring lines to the dock, but the dock is now under water.  Mooring lines tied to it can pull your boat over and sink it.

This was difficult as I had to stand in the water for much of the operation and go into the boat to get the mooring lines that we use when we're out and about.

All accounts say this will be one of the biggest floods ever on the Chain of Lakes, if not THE BIGGEST FLOOD on record.  Crest is not expected to come until Sunday some time.

I wouldn't mind taking it out, but that likely won't happen as so many boat launches are under water.

Last night at the Legion, friends of ours said they had Mineola Marine take their boats out.  If they still are and I can get there, I'll let them do that.  I'd rest a whole lot easier.

Last night at the Legion, two guys played a whole bunch of songs connected to rain, flooding and water.  We didn't pick up on it until Kelly, our bartender, told us, as we were belting out "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald."  getting that old sinking feeling.

So, I get rid of that condo at Topsail Beach, North Carolina, whose lower level flooded whenever there was a big rain and now, the boat in a flood.  At least it floats.

Fun and Games On the Ol' Chain.  --RoadDog

Sure Rained On Our Parade Yesterday-- Part 2: Near Continuous Storms and Flooding

We lost electricity around 3 a.m..  Another problem when we lost electricity, being on a well, we also lose our water.  That also means no flushing toilets.  These are things I did not know about when we bought the lot.

There wasn't a lot to do because of no power, and even though the sun was up, there were full clouds obscuring it so even to dark to read on the front porch.  And, of course, no coffee.  I like my coffee in the morning.

I decided to go to our local McDonald's for coffee and a bite to eat, but before going I took a walk around the yard to check on things.  It wasn't raining at the time, but sure looked like it was getting ready to do so and soon.  Especially dark to the north of us.

I saw a lot of flooding in subdivision culverts and streets and in the farm fields on Sunset and Spring Grove Road on my way to McDonald's.

While eating at McDonald's, I saw a line of really dark clouds coming from the north.  Eventually, it was as dark as it is at 1 a.m..  And we had high winds and pelting rain.  I was starting to think tornadoes and figured I was not in a good place with all those big windows around.  I continued with my sandwich, but kept a weather eye out for funnels.

Too Bad the Boat Wasn't Still in the Drive-Way, We Might Have Needed It.  --RoadDog

Sure Rained On Our Parade Yesterday-- Part 1: Why We Lose Electricity During Storms

There was a reason I was only able to do two of my seven blogs yesterday and that was  because we had no electricity until a little after 11 a.m. yesterday morning.  The reason for that was a tree taking out the lines coming into the subdivision.  The reason for that being we were having some really bad storms with high winds and lots and lots and lots of rain.

I usually do these blogs in the morning.  No electricity, no computer or internet connection of the old PC.

Before going to bed Tuesday night, I noticed we were having a lot of thunder and lightning with rainstorms forecast.  We sure did have them.  At one point, there was so much lightning that for about ten minutes we had flickering light.  And the thunder was a constant roar.  Rain was pelting the windows hard.

Storms like this usually mean we will lose power.  Well, any storm for that matter, although we had also had a similar storm in the wee hours of Monday morning and kept electricity.

When we bought the lot for the house back in 1992, the builders boasted that storms would not be a problem as all power and phone lines would be buried.  And, they were.   In the subdivision.  But the problem was (and is) that the lines coming into the subdivision are above ground.  And, trees keep falling on them.

And, then we have no power.

Not Finished Yet.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE DRINKING TOO MUCH COFFEE WHEN:  You're so wired, you pick up AM radio.

JSS: Deer-- Birdies-- 'Skeeters-- Rainy Season

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  DEER--  About twilight yesterday, I saw a deer in a neighbor's yard.  I thought it was a wayward large dog at first, but when it took off, i saw that white tail.  I've never seen a deer that close to the house before,  but have seen deer in different parts of the subdivision.

2.  BIRDIES--  After a really noisy nest of little ones in the schoolhouse bird feeder (house wrens), I'd say the babies are gone now. We'll clear the nest out and start putting sunflower seed in it again.

3.  'SKEETERS--  With all the rain we've been having this past month (and all spring for that matter), I have noticed that while working on the yard, we have a bumper crop of mosquitoes.

4.  RAINY SEASON--  It's official, this June was the Chicago area's rainiest June ever.  Almost seven inches.  Same with Illinois' rainiest for June.  A new record.  I have not even hooked up the hoses yet as I haven't had to water the plants.  Sadly, not only do we have the rain sessions, but also there is a threat of rain forecast almost every day and plenty of menacing clouds, most of which don't amount to anything.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog


THE WISDOM OF WILL ROGERS:  Never slap a man who's chewin' tobacco.