'A Man Called Otto,' Crossword Puzzles, Word Searches, Half-Times and Some Snow

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25

Saw one of the best movies I've seen in a long time, "A Man Called Otto."  Besides him being old and living in a world he doesn't much care for and the loss of his long-time wife six months earlier, I felt I had a lot in common with Tom Hanks' character.   

If this movie doesn't get Academy Award nominations for best movie, actor and actress there is something mighty wrong.

I completed a Tribune Crossword Puzzle (the one on the comics page) with no help.  This is the first time I've ever done this.  If you'd told me six years ago that I world be doing crossword puzzles, I would have told you you're out of your mind.  Both my mom and wife were big fans of those.  Plus, I have come to enjoy word searches.  

Who'd have ever "figgered."

THURSDAY, JANUARY 26

Went to Half-Times for their $1 pints of Lite and half price pizza and sandwiches and had another one of their great TBC (turkey, bacon & cheese) subs.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27

Stayed home today as it snowed all day.  It has snowed 1 1/2 to 2 inches every day starting Wednesday.  All that snow we haven't been getting, we're starting to catch up.  I still can't get the snowblower started, but so far I have been able to easily shovel accumulation off.

--RoadPuzzle

I'd Celebrate That!!! April 1-4: Fool Me All of the Time

APRIL 1

APRIL FOOLS' DAY--  **  Not me, but you.  I'll never forget the time at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, when Jeff moved his parents' furniture outside onto the beach.  Real funny.  But they didn't think so.

NATIONAL SOURDOUGH BREAD DAY--  **  One of my favorite breads.

NATIONAL PENNIES DAY--  **  I still bend down to pick one up.


APRIL 2

NATIONAL FERRET DAY--  **  Just don't let the Budweiser lizard see you petting the ferret.

NATIONAL PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY DAY--  **  Still one of life's little joys, especially with an extra glob of jelly.


APRIL 3

AMERICAN CIRCUS DAY--  **  Sad to see us losing them.

NATIONAL WALKING DAY--  **  Like they told me at work.  "Go take a hike."


APRIL 4

INTERNATIONAL CARROT DAY--  **  My personal favorite carrot is the healthy and highly edible carrot cake.

NATIONAL BURRITO DAY--  **  A favorite.  (Observed the first Thursday in April)

404 DAY--  Computer speak for Not Found.   That's OK, I'm lost around 'puters anyway.

Carrot Cake.   MMMMMMMMmmmmm.  Good.  --RoadDog

TOP TEN TRIVIA:  10% TO 20%   of power outages in the U.S. are caused by squirrels.  Those bushy-tailed Rats.

I'd Celebrate That!! Deviled Eggs Day Friday

Those "holidays" you probably didn't know about.

OCTOBER 29, MONDAY--  Hermit Day**  Here's to you Fort Fisher Hermit.    Cat Day**   My sister Julie's day.  Cats have no better friend than her.

OCTOBER 30, TUESDAY--  Candy Corn Day**  Eat in three bites: top, middle and bottom.   Publicist Day

OCTOBER 31, WEDNESDAY--  Trick or Treat.**    Knock-Knock Joke Day**  Never could figure these out.

NOVEMBER 1, THURSDAY--  All Saints Day**  Calzone Day**  Cook For Your Pets Day**

NOVEMBER 2, FRIDAY--  Deviled Egg  Day**  Notice how these are always first to go at a party?  

NOVEMBER 3, SATURDAY--  Housewives Day**  Much Too Much Work.  Bison Day**   Sandwich Day**

NOVEMBER 4, SUNDAY--  Daylight Savings Time Ends   And  does it ever get dark early.  Stress Awareness Day**  Yeah, like these blogs.

--RoadDog

SAYINGS:  (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  "EVERYTHING COMES IN THREES."  Not true.  In reality, everything comes in ones.  Sometimes, when three "ones" comes in a row, it seems like everything comes in threes.

I'd Celebrate That!!!! October 8 to 14: Happy 243rd Birthday U.S. Navy on Saturday

**  I'd Celebrate That.

OCTOBER 8, MONDAY--  Columbus Day**   Native American Day**   His coming was not a red letter day for them.

OCTOBER 9, TUESDAY--  Sub/Hoagie/Hero day**   I love 'em all.

OCTOBER 10, WEDNESDAY--  ER Nurses Day**   Mental Health Day**

OCTOBER 11, THURSDAY--  Sausage Pizza Day**   Well, but it would be better more loaded with "Stuff."  The more the better.

OCTOBER 12, FRIDAY--  Farmers Day**  And we have a bunch of them around the Spring Grove, Illinois, area.   Gumbo Day**  Bon Ton, you know.

OCTOBER 13, SATURDAY--  U.S. Navy's 243rd Birthday**   Anchors Aweigh Mr Boys!!!    Motorcycle Ride Day   I'd love to, but too scared.

OCTOBER 14, SUNDAY--  Bald & Free Day**    Clergy Appreciation Day**

--RoadDog

Emission Testing, Coupons Running Out-- Part 3: "The Home Wrecker"

FRIDAY MARCH 31ST--  This day we drove to Riverside Pub at Burton's Bridge.  It is on the Fox River and a part of the Chain Crawl and today is the last time we can use the coupons from their 2016 Chain Crawl book.

Liz got a 1/2 pound Angus burger and I had their famous "Homewrecker" sandwich.  This is one of the tastiest and biggest Italian sausage sandwiches you'll ever have.  I have had 'em before, and, hey, BOGO (with Chain Crawl coupon).  Hard deal to beat.

Today must have been National Eat Out Day as we decided to go over to All In Pub & Grub on the other side of the Fox River, but there was no where to park.  Kief's Reef, also by the bridge, was the same.  We drove to Crystal Lake and got on Il-31 and drove to McHenry where we found similar situations at Bulldog's Ale House and the PLAV.

We were finally able to find a place to park at Sunnyside.

Busy Day.  --RoadDog

STUPID U.S. LAWS:  In Alabama it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.   O.K., that is a law I can live with.

Andy'll Be Sorry to Hear This

We have a brat-eater Down South in Tennessee and his name is Andy. He had never heard of a bratwurst before he came for visits during the summer (and I like to worked the poor little guy to death on the yard out here in Spring Grove). I took him out for them several times and he developed a taste for them, although I can't remember if he likes the VERY necessary condiment called sauerkraut on it.

I like mine with sauerkraut, mustard, and onions, either grilled or raw. Now that is a perfect brat. I'm always amazed how many places I go to that serve brats and DON'T have sauerkraut. That kind of defeats the purpose. It's like having Carolina bbq without coleslaw, hushpuppies, and tea.

Andy especially was impressed with the brats from Sheboygan, Wi. He had a very funny way of saying She-boy-gan brats. Ask him to say it sometime.

He also became quite fond of Johnsonville brats, widely considered the best you can get. He was quite happy when he found they had started selling them in Tennessee grocery stores.

Sad to report, that the founder of Johnsonville Sausage Co., Ralph F. Stayer, died yesterday at age 92. He took a butcher shop that was struggling in 1945 and turned it into a multimillion dollar company. You have to admire a person who sees a need, and through hard work, makes a success of himself.

For more info, see www.roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com

I'll Have a Brat for Mr. Stayer, What Do You Mean You Don't Have ANY Sauerkraut!!!!! --RoadDog