Our Illinois Lincoln Highway State Director, Kay, was on campus during the shootings, just across the parking lot in the library.
She said that afterwards there were trails of blood to nearby buildings from the wounded. They have since been cleared off.
We've had discussion as to what to do with Cole Hall. Some believe it should be torn down and a park made. I think it should be reopened with a name to honor the fallen and perhaps some of the chairs in the first rows turned into a memorial. I'd also preserve the broken door. We can not let one deranged person stop education in any way.
I still think some of the WTC's framework should have been preserved and used as the memorial for that sad event.
Still a shock.
We have spent many nights at the TraveLodge where the killer stayed. Perhaps, at one time we actually stayed in the same room. Shivers down my spine.
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Oh-Oh, Refinery Fire--Get You Gas Now!
Heard on TV that there was a refinery fire. You'd best get out in the next few hours to fill up your gas tank before gas prices go up.
You Know How They Are!!! --RoadDog
You Know How They Are!!! --RoadDog
Saturday, February 16, 2008
More on the NIU Horror
Still somewhat numb because of Valentine's happenings at Northern's campus. That night, I was planning to watch the St. Valentine's Day Massacre on the History Channel, but didn't get around to it as we had our own one in Dekalb.
Yesterday, I wore my NIU colors: hat, jacket, and sweatshirt. That was a nice idea out of Virginia Tech for college students across the country to weak Huskie red in honor of those slain. As alumni, both Liz and I did as well. I'll be wearing them for awhile.
My brother Bob called in the morning to talk about it. He wasn't paying much attention to the news yesterday morning when he heard the name Northern Illinois University and that caught his attention. My cousin Debbie had a daughter at Va Tech last spring and another one had just recently graduated from there.
We both agreed that there really isn't much you can do to stop a crazy person like that short of putting police by every classroom. Bob said that perhaps all instructors and administration should be trained and licensed to carry a gun and have one on them to prevent this from happening. He has a point in that these crazies wouldn't be so prone to go after people who can shoot back. As a former teacher, I sure would hate to see it come to that.
I went to see two new movies at the McHenry Theater and the woman running the place talked about it after seeing my "colors." She had a daughter who graduated from there.
After the movies, I drove over to Best Buy to get the Amy Winereis CD. The person at the check station at the front of the store wanted to know if I was from Northern. He said he was a student there and was not happy because he couldn't wear red. Best Buy's color is blue. Had he been working at the nearby Circuit City, he'd have been ok.
We talked for several minutes. He said he'd also been near Cole Hall a short time earlier. He was glad that classes will resume Tuesday. As he said, you can't just let something like that stop everything.
Yesterday, I wore my NIU colors: hat, jacket, and sweatshirt. That was a nice idea out of Virginia Tech for college students across the country to weak Huskie red in honor of those slain. As alumni, both Liz and I did as well. I'll be wearing them for awhile.
My brother Bob called in the morning to talk about it. He wasn't paying much attention to the news yesterday morning when he heard the name Northern Illinois University and that caught his attention. My cousin Debbie had a daughter at Va Tech last spring and another one had just recently graduated from there.
We both agreed that there really isn't much you can do to stop a crazy person like that short of putting police by every classroom. Bob said that perhaps all instructors and administration should be trained and licensed to carry a gun and have one on them to prevent this from happening. He has a point in that these crazies wouldn't be so prone to go after people who can shoot back. As a former teacher, I sure would hate to see it come to that.
I went to see two new movies at the McHenry Theater and the woman running the place talked about it after seeing my "colors." She had a daughter who graduated from there.
After the movies, I drove over to Best Buy to get the Amy Winereis CD. The person at the check station at the front of the store wanted to know if I was from Northern. He said he was a student there and was not happy because he couldn't wear red. Best Buy's color is blue. Had he been working at the nearby Circuit City, he'd have been ok.
We talked for several minutes. He said he'd also been near Cole Hall a short time earlier. He was glad that classes will resume Tuesday. As he said, you can't just let something like that stop everything.
Completed My Best Picture Viewing
This past Wednesday, I saw the fifth of the Academy Award nominated Best Picture movies. As I said before, last year I saw 37 new movies, none of which was nominated.
The film was Juno and didn't look very promising by the advertisements. It turned out to be my favorite of all five, and would be my pick for best picture. It was definitely quirky with lots of great moments. Quite a trick to make something as funny out of something as serious as a high school couple having a baby.
I also liked the other four movies as well.
If I had to rank them:
2. No Country for Old Men
3. There Will Be Blood
4. Atonement
5. Michael Clayton
All of these movies were a bit strange.
The Dog's Pick for Best Picture, Juno. --RoadDog
The film was Juno and didn't look very promising by the advertisements. It turned out to be my favorite of all five, and would be my pick for best picture. It was definitely quirky with lots of great moments. Quite a trick to make something as funny out of something as serious as a high school couple having a baby.
I also liked the other four movies as well.
If I had to rank them:
2. No Country for Old Men
3. There Will Be Blood
4. Atonement
5. Michael Clayton
All of these movies were a bit strange.
The Dog's Pick for Best Picture, Juno. --RoadDog
60 Inches of Snow...and Winter Ain't Over Yet!!!
We knew we were overdue for a "bad" winter, although I'm sure the so-and-so snowmobilers don't think so, nor the skiers. The last really bad one was 1979 when I was running out of places to put the snow in my shoveling and the roof of the local K-Mart collapsed in Round Lake Beach.
Since then, we had some snow and some cold, but not as much as we've been getting this year. Right now, on Spring Grove, Illinois, we've received 60 inches of that white stuff with more predicted for tomorrow!!! And, like I said, winter ain't over yet.
According to Tom Skilling, WGN's weather guy and brother of the infamous Enron Skilling, so far this season, we've had 30 days of measurable snowfall of a tenth of an inch or more. This season is also the 5th snowiest since 1928. And that includes the snow winters of 1967, 1978, and 1979. Could we set a record?? For some reason, we've been particularly socked along the Illinois-Wisconsin border where we live.
Thankfully, up until February, all snows essentially melted because of "heat" waves with temps up to the low 60s, mighty warm for around here. But now, as AmyWinerice says, "No, no, no." It is mounting up alongside the driveway and sidewalk,; about 2-3 feet.
And Then There's the Cold and Gloom
We have also had a large number of very cold days. We only rarely get over freezing and often hover around zero-15 degrees.
Plus, really getting to us, is the lack of sun. From February 1-12, we normally have sunshine 46% of the time. So far this year, it was 12%
No wonder so many folks, except the snowmobilers and skiers, have had it up to here with the winter. The snowmobilers especially haven't had much chance to have fun on their investments the last twenty years, perhaps a week to 9 days a season. I don't feel so sorry for them anymore.
Some people are talking about heading for warmer climes.
To find out about Chicago's memorable winters go to Feb. 16 in my history blog. Also see Brother Bob's Great 1967 Snowstorm experience.
http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com/
Wait a Minute, I'm Retired, What Am I Waiting For!!!! --RoadDog
Since then, we had some snow and some cold, but not as much as we've been getting this year. Right now, on Spring Grove, Illinois, we've received 60 inches of that white stuff with more predicted for tomorrow!!! And, like I said, winter ain't over yet.
According to Tom Skilling, WGN's weather guy and brother of the infamous Enron Skilling, so far this season, we've had 30 days of measurable snowfall of a tenth of an inch or more. This season is also the 5th snowiest since 1928. And that includes the snow winters of 1967, 1978, and 1979. Could we set a record?? For some reason, we've been particularly socked along the Illinois-Wisconsin border where we live.
Thankfully, up until February, all snows essentially melted because of "heat" waves with temps up to the low 60s, mighty warm for around here. But now, as AmyWinerice says, "No, no, no." It is mounting up alongside the driveway and sidewalk,; about 2-3 feet.
And Then There's the Cold and Gloom
We have also had a large number of very cold days. We only rarely get over freezing and often hover around zero-15 degrees.
Plus, really getting to us, is the lack of sun. From February 1-12, we normally have sunshine 46% of the time. So far this year, it was 12%
No wonder so many folks, except the snowmobilers and skiers, have had it up to here with the winter. The snowmobilers especially haven't had much chance to have fun on their investments the last twenty years, perhaps a week to 9 days a season. I don't feel so sorry for them anymore.
Some people are talking about heading for warmer climes.
To find out about Chicago's memorable winters go to Feb. 16 in my history blog. Also see Brother Bob's Great 1967 Snowstorm experience.
http://cootershistorything.blogspot.com/
Wait a Minute, I'm Retired, What Am I Waiting For!!!! --RoadDog
Friday, February 15, 2008
Horrible News from NIU
The killings and shootings at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb have really shocked Liz and myself. We are both 1973 graduates of the university, located about 60 miles west of Chicago and about 55 miles from where we live now in Spring Grove.
We were having a Valentine's Day dinner at a local place when a lady asked the people to put the news on where we saw a picture of Northern and the words NIU Shootings. She was out snowmobiling and had just gotten a call from her daughter, who was a student at NIU. The daughter was ok and had not been by the site.
We came home and called a Gail, a friend who went back to college for a degree. She was ok, but said she'd been parked right by the building where the shootings occurred just a hour earlier.
We paid particular attention throughout the evening as more news came available.
When we were students, the thought of this happening would never have enetered our mind.
Sad Times.
We were having a Valentine's Day dinner at a local place when a lady asked the people to put the news on where we saw a picture of Northern and the words NIU Shootings. She was out snowmobiling and had just gotten a call from her daughter, who was a student at NIU. The daughter was ok and had not been by the site.
We came home and called a Gail, a friend who went back to college for a degree. She was ok, but said she'd been parked right by the building where the shootings occurred just a hour earlier.
We paid particular attention throughout the evening as more news came available.
When we were students, the thought of this happening would never have enetered our mind.
Sad Times.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Mardi Gras Zydeco--CJ Chernier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band at the Woodstock Opera House 2-8-08
I should mention that I also have several cassettes and CDs of his father, Clifton Chernier.
We had forecasts calling for another 2-3 inches of snow for last night. It started snowing on the way to Woodstock and continued during dinner at Angelo's, right on the historic Woodstock Square. So what's new these very snowy days. Fortunately, there wasn't any accumulation.
Angelo's was intended to be the original site of the Tip Top Cafe in the "Groundhog Day" movie, but the owner didn't want to be closed for the six weeks, so a vacant store across the square became the site of Phil's gluttony. The production company made it look as much as possible like Angelo's.
This being Friday in this area, it's hard to pass up on a good Fish Fry, and that is what we had. Liz had cod and I had whitefish. The place was crowded and a lot of folks were going to the show judging from their conversations.
The Woodstock Opera House was originally the city hall and built with a stage and auditorium for events. Built in the early 1900s, it is quite an impressive structure. During the filming of the movie, it was the Pennsylvania Hotel where Larry and Rita stayed. This is also the structure where Phil committed one of his suicides.
Still to be partied.
Louisiana Two Steppin'. --RoadDog
We had forecasts calling for another 2-3 inches of snow for last night. It started snowing on the way to Woodstock and continued during dinner at Angelo's, right on the historic Woodstock Square. So what's new these very snowy days. Fortunately, there wasn't any accumulation.
Angelo's was intended to be the original site of the Tip Top Cafe in the "Groundhog Day" movie, but the owner didn't want to be closed for the six weeks, so a vacant store across the square became the site of Phil's gluttony. The production company made it look as much as possible like Angelo's.
This being Friday in this area, it's hard to pass up on a good Fish Fry, and that is what we had. Liz had cod and I had whitefish. The place was crowded and a lot of folks were going to the show judging from their conversations.
The Woodstock Opera House was originally the city hall and built with a stage and auditorium for events. Built in the early 1900s, it is quite an impressive structure. During the filming of the movie, it was the Pennsylvania Hotel where Larry and Rita stayed. This is also the structure where Phil committed one of his suicides.
Still to be partied.
Louisiana Two Steppin'. --RoadDog
Got to Celebrate Mardi Gras Anyway-- Bon Ton Roulet ZYDECO!!!
Sitting here right now listening to C.J. Chenier's "I Ain't No Playboy" cassette. That's right, I said cassette!!! For those of you who don't know, CJ is the son of the "King of Zydeco," Clifton Chernier. His dad was one of the founders of this music we call zydeco. Zydeco could best be described as a mix of rock and roll and traditional Cajun music with Louisiana overtures.
Being as how this is Cajun music, some of the songs are sung in French, a language that at one time was illegal to even speak in Louisiana in an attempt to anglicize the Arcadians.
You can always tell where a zydeco band is playing as that is where people will be jumping and moving. I don't think it is possible to hear this music without moving to it.
Last Saturday, while in Woodstock for the Groundhog Day Festival, I spent $25 apiece for 7th row seats to see CJ and his Red Hot Louisiana Band. The show was last night.
I checked my collection for CJ Chernier albums (well cassettes and CDs) and found that I had two different cassettes and three CDs (four actually, but one was a duplicate). Two of the CDs were already stocked in my Ultimate Jukebox.
One cassette is out in the car where we listened to it coming and going to the show last night.
The three CD titles are: Too Much Fun, The Big Squeeze, and I Ain't No Playboy. The last two are in my jukebox.
Au Contraire, Mon Frere. --Road "Zydeco Boogaloo" Dog
Being as how this is Cajun music, some of the songs are sung in French, a language that at one time was illegal to even speak in Louisiana in an attempt to anglicize the Arcadians.
You can always tell where a zydeco band is playing as that is where people will be jumping and moving. I don't think it is possible to hear this music without moving to it.
Last Saturday, while in Woodstock for the Groundhog Day Festival, I spent $25 apiece for 7th row seats to see CJ and his Red Hot Louisiana Band. The show was last night.
I checked my collection for CJ Chernier albums (well cassettes and CDs) and found that I had two different cassettes and three CDs (four actually, but one was a duplicate). Two of the CDs were already stocked in my Ultimate Jukebox.
One cassette is out in the car where we listened to it coming and going to the show last night.
The three CD titles are: Too Much Fun, The Big Squeeze, and I Ain't No Playboy. The last two are in my jukebox.
Au Contraire, Mon Frere. --Road "Zydeco Boogaloo" Dog
Academy Awards Quest Continues
I couldn't believe it when they posted the nominees for Best Picture and I hadn't seen any of the five. Last year, I saw more new movies than most people, 37, but not one of them was nominated.
I decided to see the five and now am missing just one, Juno.
Last Friday, I saw Michael Clayton and No Country for Old Men.
Thursday, I saw Atonement and There Will Be Blood. All of these were at the Regal Cinemas in Round Lake Beach, which has 18 screens. Unfortunately, their matinee prices are $6.50 and $7. My usual main place to see movies is at General Cinema in Fox Lake where matinees are $5.
Atonement had quite the surprise ending, although I figured out the real culprit when the shameful act took place. The movie was against the backdrop of WWII and Dunkirk.
There Will be Blood was about the early days of our oil industry when the profit motive reigned. I guess things just don't change, right Exxon? All I can say is not to get Daniel Day Lewis mad at you as his "brother" and the preacher found out.
Four Down, One to Go. --RoadDog
I decided to see the five and now am missing just one, Juno.
Last Friday, I saw Michael Clayton and No Country for Old Men.
Thursday, I saw Atonement and There Will Be Blood. All of these were at the Regal Cinemas in Round Lake Beach, which has 18 screens. Unfortunately, their matinee prices are $6.50 and $7. My usual main place to see movies is at General Cinema in Fox Lake where matinees are $5.
Atonement had quite the surprise ending, although I figured out the real culprit when the shameful act took place. The movie was against the backdrop of WWII and Dunkirk.
There Will be Blood was about the early days of our oil industry when the profit motive reigned. I guess things just don't change, right Exxon? All I can say is not to get Daniel Day Lewis mad at you as his "brother" and the preacher found out.
Four Down, One to Go. --RoadDog
Quite the Winter--Snow and POTHOLES!!!!
This has been, and still is, one of our worst winters. Not only have we gotten more snow than usual, but this is the worst time of potholes I've ever seen.
SNOW
This past Wednesday, it snowed pretty much all day. I had to clear off the driveway three times with considerable accumulations. The Village of Spring grove finally gave up on plowing our subdivision streets and there had to be 8 inches out there.
I'm guessing we had a total of 14 inches. The official Woodstock measure was 14 inches, and that is near here. Thank goodness for snowblowers!!!
No snow after 6 pm, but Thursday morning, I had to go back out and clear about two feet of snowplowed snow off the foot of the driveway. Thursday, I drove to Round Lake Beach and found all the roads to be somewhat difficult because of snow still on them. Rollins Road in RLB was almost impassable. Turning into any business parking lot was dangerous and I saw a lot of cars stuck.
Some of the snow on the roads was packed down and driving was rough!!! to say the least.
Then, There are the POTHOLES!!! Cost me $49!!!!
This freeze, sub-zero, and 50 degree weather is wrecking havoc on our roads. Rand Road and Cedar Lake Road are especially bad for them. In places, you can't simply go around the potholes wothout hitting others.
A pothole in RLB cost me $49. Thursday, as I was leaving the Regal Cinemas, I got stuck in a pothole. Only with help from a pusher did I get out, but the Dakota's Check engine light came on and stayed on. Yesterday, I took it to it to the dealership and had it checked. All the rocking back and forth to get out of the pothole had caused the brake switch to be stuck in the off position and the connector broken. Well, at least I got a "free" carwash out of it.
Salt Shortages
Yet, another problem among the towns and villages right now is that we are running out of salt. Major conservation measures are being taken which is probably why the roads were so bad Thursday. Plus, some ne'erd0-wells are making big bucks out of the shortage. The price of road salt has almost doubled, and that is if you can get it.
As of Yet, NO snowmobilers have Come Around to Volunteer to Clear My Driveway and Sidewalks. Imagine That!!! --RoadDog
SNOW
This past Wednesday, it snowed pretty much all day. I had to clear off the driveway three times with considerable accumulations. The Village of Spring grove finally gave up on plowing our subdivision streets and there had to be 8 inches out there.
I'm guessing we had a total of 14 inches. The official Woodstock measure was 14 inches, and that is near here. Thank goodness for snowblowers!!!
No snow after 6 pm, but Thursday morning, I had to go back out and clear about two feet of snowplowed snow off the foot of the driveway. Thursday, I drove to Round Lake Beach and found all the roads to be somewhat difficult because of snow still on them. Rollins Road in RLB was almost impassable. Turning into any business parking lot was dangerous and I saw a lot of cars stuck.
Some of the snow on the roads was packed down and driving was rough!!! to say the least.
Then, There are the POTHOLES!!! Cost me $49!!!!
This freeze, sub-zero, and 50 degree weather is wrecking havoc on our roads. Rand Road and Cedar Lake Road are especially bad for them. In places, you can't simply go around the potholes wothout hitting others.
A pothole in RLB cost me $49. Thursday, as I was leaving the Regal Cinemas, I got stuck in a pothole. Only with help from a pusher did I get out, but the Dakota's Check engine light came on and stayed on. Yesterday, I took it to it to the dealership and had it checked. All the rocking back and forth to get out of the pothole had caused the brake switch to be stuck in the off position and the connector broken. Well, at least I got a "free" carwash out of it.
Salt Shortages
Yet, another problem among the towns and villages right now is that we are running out of salt. Major conservation measures are being taken which is probably why the roads were so bad Thursday. Plus, some ne'erd0-wells are making big bucks out of the shortage. The price of road salt has almost doubled, and that is if you can get it.
As of Yet, NO snowmobilers have Come Around to Volunteer to Clear My Driveway and Sidewalks. Imagine That!!! --RoadDog
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Frances' Funeral-- February 4, 2008-- Part 1
We sure had some weather for the event. We had a surprise snowstorm Sunday night of about five inches, so I had to get the snowblower out to clear the snow off before we could leave. The drive there was extremely sloppy with spray thrown up and I used a lot of windshield solvent. The, we had a regular deluge of rain during the visitation and drive to the cemetery.
Sherrie, Liz's cousin from Missouri, had driven through the storm last night. We drove to Stonebridge Apartments on US-12 in Arlington Heights and picked up Frances' friend Sarah. It brought back memories from the number of times we went there during the almost 18 years Frances lived there.
We had some extra time so went by Liz's home on Patricia, mine on Anderson, and the Klaus' first place in Palatine on Boynton.
At Ahlgrims Funeral Home, we were amazed at how good of a job they had done on Frances. She looked better than we had seeen her in a year. We had considered a closed casket because of all the weight she had lost. There was a beautiful spray of flowers on the casket and an arrangement of flowers from my family standing beside it.
We had a total of 18 people at the visitation and service. Most of them were neighbors from the Patricia Lane home. Liz was shocked to see the young Liz she used to babysit for from across the street all grown up at 40 years of age and with four kids. Quite a few of the ladies from Frances' breakfast group were there, and two from where she worked.
A deacon from St. Thomas of Villanova officiated at the service. This is the church Frances went to. I got up and gave a few of the stories I've written about on this blog. They were well-received. "How Great Thou Art" was played at the beginning of the service and "Amazing Grace" at the end.
Sherrie, Liz's cousin from Missouri, had driven through the storm last night. We drove to Stonebridge Apartments on US-12 in Arlington Heights and picked up Frances' friend Sarah. It brought back memories from the number of times we went there during the almost 18 years Frances lived there.
We had some extra time so went by Liz's home on Patricia, mine on Anderson, and the Klaus' first place in Palatine on Boynton.
At Ahlgrims Funeral Home, we were amazed at how good of a job they had done on Frances. She looked better than we had seeen her in a year. We had considered a closed casket because of all the weight she had lost. There was a beautiful spray of flowers on the casket and an arrangement of flowers from my family standing beside it.
We had a total of 18 people at the visitation and service. Most of them were neighbors from the Patricia Lane home. Liz was shocked to see the young Liz she used to babysit for from across the street all grown up at 40 years of age and with four kids. Quite a few of the ladies from Frances' breakfast group were there, and two from where she worked.
A deacon from St. Thomas of Villanova officiated at the service. This is the church Frances went to. I got up and gave a few of the stories I've written about on this blog. They were well-received. "How Great Thou Art" was played at the beginning of the service and "Amazing Grace" at the end.
Woodstock, Illinois, Groundhog Day Festival
February 2nd was Groundhog Day and I went to Woodstock for the annual Festival.
Crowds have been growing every year, but this was the biggest I can remember since Groundhog Day occurred on Saturday this year. Plus, the weather was very agreeable for this time of the year.
I overslept Woodstock Willie's 7:07 a.m. prognostication (he didn't see his shadow, but with the 12-16 inches of snow we're getting today, I don't know). If the groundhog doesn't see his shadow, it's a sign that winter is about over. I heard someone say that there had been about a thousand people for the prognostication.
Usually, the Woodstock Theater has only one screen for the showing of the "Groundhog Day" movie, but today, there were two and both were filled. I was able to get an end seat about three rows back from the screen, not a favorite place to sit. Unfortunately, two families with young kids sat in the rest of my row. Two to five year-olds are not going to find this movie interesting. They talked incessantly and were there ever a lot of trips to the bathroom and to get refills of pop and popcorn, which are free.
Afterwards, I went to the chili cookoff which was also crowded. They should really have the people go into the room to taste it in groups. It gets so crowded, especially with the big winter coats, it is difficult to get to the pots. Great chili as usual. I especially liked the vegetarian chili. I'd never heard of that before.
Went to Village Cove on the square and left a note on the bulletin board that Frances had died. She had lived there when it was an assisted living facility for three and a half years before she moved to Alden Terrace.
Bob Hudgins led the movie sites walk as usual. He was the location manager for the movie and largely responsible for its being filmed in Woodstock and has lots of stories about the movie. The only real snow used was the final scene which was filmed early on in the production. The rest was made fron ice and spot-spread. He had a room in a building across from the square and wasn't happy to find himself awakened every morning at 4 am when a semiload of ice was delivered and put into a chipper.
I didn't go on the walk because of the large number of people, I would guess to be about 500. I went to Jenapea's and had a very remarkable coffee while listening to a pair of folksingers.
At 3, I went to Stage Left at the Opera House (Pennsylvania Hotel in the movie and where Phil Connors jumped out of the tower) and joined the second annual "Groundhog Day Movie"Symposium. We discussed what the movie really meant, saw some goofs, and had three groups do the Phil Connors-Ned Ryerson bit. There was one couple who had come in from Kansas City for the festivities.
Great Fun in Small-Town America. --RoadDog
Crowds have been growing every year, but this was the biggest I can remember since Groundhog Day occurred on Saturday this year. Plus, the weather was very agreeable for this time of the year.
I overslept Woodstock Willie's 7:07 a.m. prognostication (he didn't see his shadow, but with the 12-16 inches of snow we're getting today, I don't know). If the groundhog doesn't see his shadow, it's a sign that winter is about over. I heard someone say that there had been about a thousand people for the prognostication.
Usually, the Woodstock Theater has only one screen for the showing of the "Groundhog Day" movie, but today, there were two and both were filled. I was able to get an end seat about three rows back from the screen, not a favorite place to sit. Unfortunately, two families with young kids sat in the rest of my row. Two to five year-olds are not going to find this movie interesting. They talked incessantly and were there ever a lot of trips to the bathroom and to get refills of pop and popcorn, which are free.
Afterwards, I went to the chili cookoff which was also crowded. They should really have the people go into the room to taste it in groups. It gets so crowded, especially with the big winter coats, it is difficult to get to the pots. Great chili as usual. I especially liked the vegetarian chili. I'd never heard of that before.
Went to Village Cove on the square and left a note on the bulletin board that Frances had died. She had lived there when it was an assisted living facility for three and a half years before she moved to Alden Terrace.
Bob Hudgins led the movie sites walk as usual. He was the location manager for the movie and largely responsible for its being filmed in Woodstock and has lots of stories about the movie. The only real snow used was the final scene which was filmed early on in the production. The rest was made fron ice and spot-spread. He had a room in a building across from the square and wasn't happy to find himself awakened every morning at 4 am when a semiload of ice was delivered and put into a chipper.
I didn't go on the walk because of the large number of people, I would guess to be about 500. I went to Jenapea's and had a very remarkable coffee while listening to a pair of folksingers.
At 3, I went to Stage Left at the Opera House (Pennsylvania Hotel in the movie and where Phil Connors jumped out of the tower) and joined the second annual "Groundhog Day Movie"Symposium. We discussed what the movie really meant, saw some goofs, and had three groups do the Phil Connors-Ned Ryerson bit. There was one couple who had come in from Kansas City for the festivities.
Great Fun in Small-Town America. --RoadDog
Now We Know Where All Our Money is Going
The recent announcement of Exxon-Mobil's amazing earnings for the last quarter along with pictures of the amazing building program going on in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, surely gives me a good idea where all my money I pay at the pump is going. And then Sunday, the Chicago Tribune Travel Section had an article with pictures of the billions of dollars worth of infrastructure work going on in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Now we know, as if we didn't already know. Some folks are getting rich while the rest of us slip farther into varying levels of poverty.
Sure makes you wonder.
Think About that the Next Time You Fill Up. --RoadDog
Now we know, as if we didn't already know. Some folks are getting rich while the rest of us slip farther into varying levels of poverty.
Sure makes you wonder.
Think About that the Next Time You Fill Up. --RoadDog
Getting Nailed by Snow, Snow, and More SNOW!!!!
I just came in from using the snowblower on some of the most wicked snow I've ever had the joy of knowing or playing in its luxuriant whiteness.
That stuff is HEAVY and coming down very hard. Usually around here, the snow comes in from the west, but this is from the east and often the northeast. That makes it worse as the house faces north, so it was coming right back in my face.
I'd say we had about two inches yesterday afternoon, then sleet off and on last night. There was another four inches that fell this morning.
It's still snowing hard, and we're forecast to have another six inches and possibly ten!!
Weather reports say this is the fourth heaviest snowfall in the Chicagoland area in the last 25 years. And that was three snowfalls ago.
Thursday, we were supposed to get about two inches by the Wisconsin border. We got six inches. Then Sunday evening we had a surprise snowfall of about five inches. I had to go out in it to get some more gas for the snowblower and slipped all the way to the station.
Before driving to Frances' funeral Monday morning, I had to get the ol' snowblower out. Then it rained hard for most of the service both at the funeral home and cemetery.
Where are those lousy snowmobilers when they should be out here clearing my DRIVEWAY!!!
And I'm NOT Even Going to Talk About that Snow by the Street!! --RoadDog
That stuff is HEAVY and coming down very hard. Usually around here, the snow comes in from the west, but this is from the east and often the northeast. That makes it worse as the house faces north, so it was coming right back in my face.
I'd say we had about two inches yesterday afternoon, then sleet off and on last night. There was another four inches that fell this morning.
It's still snowing hard, and we're forecast to have another six inches and possibly ten!!
Weather reports say this is the fourth heaviest snowfall in the Chicagoland area in the last 25 years. And that was three snowfalls ago.
Thursday, we were supposed to get about two inches by the Wisconsin border. We got six inches. Then Sunday evening we had a surprise snowfall of about five inches. I had to go out in it to get some more gas for the snowblower and slipped all the way to the station.
Before driving to Frances' funeral Monday morning, I had to get the ol' snowblower out. Then it rained hard for most of the service both at the funeral home and cemetery.
Where are those lousy snowmobilers when they should be out here clearing my DRIVEWAY!!!
And I'm NOT Even Going to Talk About that Snow by the Street!! --RoadDog
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Frances Stories-- Part 2
In Case You're Wondering How Come There Were so Many Wisconsin Cars in the Parking Lot
Frances was noted for making some of the funniest comments. One time, we were in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. We parked at a store. On the way in, Frances asked, "How come there are so many Wisconsin cars in the parking lot?"
Green Eyes of Jealousy, or Was I Ever in Trouble
About two months ago, I was visiting Frances at Alden Terrace in McHenry, Illinois. She was unable to feed herself, so I was helping out. Her roommate, Violet, was sitting next to her and also having problems eating. Frances was doing her picky eating and not accepting much at all. She had her head down and appeared to be sleeping.
I gave Violet a few spoonfuls and suddenly felt that someone was watching me. I turned toward Frances and found her head to be up straight and a pair of green eyes boring holes into me. To say the least, I immediately quit feeding Violet and returned to tending to Frances expecting a lecture, but she was nice to me that time. When you were with her, You'd better be paying attention only to her.
The Three Amigos
I can only imagine the fun times and situations Frances got into with her good friends Vivian Olsen and Kay Etherington. The times we met them, it was definitely anything goes.
Another Member of "The Greatest Generation"
Having lived through both the Great Depression and World War II, Frances definitely was a member of the "Greatest Generation." The problems she had to surmount were considerable.
Well, One GOOD Thing about World War II
Had it not been for this war, I seriously doubt that Frances would ever have met her husband, Amby. He was from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Frances from Abilene, Kansas. Her future husband was in ordinace and stationed at nearby Fort Reilly, Kansas. They met in Abilene at a dance. She was dating someone else at the time, but true love, you know.
I'll Tell You Which Way's North, Just Don't Ask Me Which Way is Left
Frances had a remarkable sense of direction. She could be anywhere and tell you which way was north, south, east, or west. However, she never knew her right and left. It was fun being in the car with her and giving directions. They'd all have to be translated in the cardinal directions. You just couldn't tell her to turn right. It had to be, turn east.
Frances was noted for making some of the funniest comments. One time, we were in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. We parked at a store. On the way in, Frances asked, "How come there are so many Wisconsin cars in the parking lot?"
Green Eyes of Jealousy, or Was I Ever in Trouble
About two months ago, I was visiting Frances at Alden Terrace in McHenry, Illinois. She was unable to feed herself, so I was helping out. Her roommate, Violet, was sitting next to her and also having problems eating. Frances was doing her picky eating and not accepting much at all. She had her head down and appeared to be sleeping.
I gave Violet a few spoonfuls and suddenly felt that someone was watching me. I turned toward Frances and found her head to be up straight and a pair of green eyes boring holes into me. To say the least, I immediately quit feeding Violet and returned to tending to Frances expecting a lecture, but she was nice to me that time. When you were with her, You'd better be paying attention only to her.
The Three Amigos
I can only imagine the fun times and situations Frances got into with her good friends Vivian Olsen and Kay Etherington. The times we met them, it was definitely anything goes.
Another Member of "The Greatest Generation"
Having lived through both the Great Depression and World War II, Frances definitely was a member of the "Greatest Generation." The problems she had to surmount were considerable.
Well, One GOOD Thing about World War II
Had it not been for this war, I seriously doubt that Frances would ever have met her husband, Amby. He was from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Frances from Abilene, Kansas. Her future husband was in ordinace and stationed at nearby Fort Reilly, Kansas. They met in Abilene at a dance. She was dating someone else at the time, but true love, you know.
I'll Tell You Which Way's North, Just Don't Ask Me Which Way is Left
Frances had a remarkable sense of direction. She could be anywhere and tell you which way was north, south, east, or west. However, she never knew her right and left. It was fun being in the car with her and giving directions. They'd all have to be translated in the cardinal directions. You just couldn't tell her to turn right. It had to be, turn east.
Some Frances Stories --Part 1
Visit Pike's Peak, but NOT in MY CAR!!!
Frances was very proud of her 1987 Buick Century, the first and only new car she ever bought on her own.
A year later, we went with her on a trip out to Kansas to visit her childhood home and friends. We also took a side trip out to Colorado and visited Colorado Springs. Liz and I wanted to go to the top of Pike's Peak, but Frances didn't want to, so she let us take her car.
Once there, we found out that the tickets to take the tram up were sold out until late afternoon. Not wanting to wait around or come back, we decided to drive up to the top. I don't mind telling you that this was one scary drive.
When we got back, we told Frances, and she hit the roof. She shrieked, "You could have wrecked my car!!"
"But Frances, if we had wrecked your car, we could have been injured or worse."
"I don't care!! You could have wrecked my car!!"
And we were her daughter and son-in-law.
She Sure Liked that Car.
Little Old Lady from Pasadena
I'm not saying that Frances had somewhat of a leadfoot when she was driving, but you definitely wouldn't want to get in her way. Even with all that speeding, she only got one ticket that I'm aware of, and was she ever mad about that.
She came out to see me once when I was deejaying and I dedicated "Little Old Lady from Pasadena" by Jan & Dean to her. Embarrassed her a bit, I believe.
Frances was very proud of her 1987 Buick Century, the first and only new car she ever bought on her own.
A year later, we went with her on a trip out to Kansas to visit her childhood home and friends. We also took a side trip out to Colorado and visited Colorado Springs. Liz and I wanted to go to the top of Pike's Peak, but Frances didn't want to, so she let us take her car.
Once there, we found out that the tickets to take the tram up were sold out until late afternoon. Not wanting to wait around or come back, we decided to drive up to the top. I don't mind telling you that this was one scary drive.
When we got back, we told Frances, and she hit the roof. She shrieked, "You could have wrecked my car!!"
"But Frances, if we had wrecked your car, we could have been injured or worse."
"I don't care!! You could have wrecked my car!!"
And we were her daughter and son-in-law.
She Sure Liked that Car.
Little Old Lady from Pasadena
I'm not saying that Frances had somewhat of a leadfoot when she was driving, but you definitely wouldn't want to get in her way. Even with all that speeding, she only got one ticket that I'm aware of, and was she ever mad about that.
She came out to see me once when I was deejaying and I dedicated "Little Old Lady from Pasadena" by Jan & Dean to her. Embarrassed her a bit, I believe.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Everything Set for the Funeral-- Part 2
The Cemetery
We drove from Ahlgrim's (always thought this to be a very appropriate name for a funeral home) in Palatine, to Memory Gardens in Arlington Heights so Liz could sign a paper to allow the grave diggers to open the grave. Normally, we wouldn't have had to do this, but Frances is going to be buried in the same vault as her husband Amby. They are buried in a section where the coffins are stacked on one another. This then, in effect, is the opening of a grave.
There was a very interesting picture taken of Memory Garden in 1950 when it first opened. You can see Rand Road (US-12) in the very top right portion. What floored us was that there were mostly open fields in the picture. Definitely not the situation anymore; houses and stores everywhere.
The person we talked with, Jim, is about our age and was in a 1960s Chicagoland rock band called Dawn & the Nights who evidently were quite good as they toured with Paul Rever & the Raiders and he was making $2000 a week back then, quite a bit of money even now, but especially back then when gas was just around 30 cents a gallon and a new car around $2000-3,000. Unfortunately, I had never heard of them.
We went out to the grave and made sure of the style of print.
How Much Does It Cost to Dig a Hole and Fill It In?
Ideally, we would have had Frances buried on Saturday, but the funeral home would be completely bonkers with two big wakes, one with 400 people and the other with several thousand.
They usually don't do funerals on Sundays (which I didn't know). The price to open a grave during the week is $1695. On Saturday it goes to $2495 and is $3500 on Sunday. These prices reflect how much the gravediggers union gets. I think I got into the wrong business to make money.
They don't even have to dig the whole, just clear off some dirt from above the vault, lift the lid off, drop the new casket in and close it.
Plus, it is hard to get a religious person to officiate on a Sunday.
We decided to have the funeral on Monday.
The Luncheon
As we were leaving, we mentioned to Jim that we were now going to look for a place to have the luncheon. He suggested the nearby Bogies in Mt. Prospect, right across from Randhurst.
We decided to have a look. Turned out, this was the only place we had to look. They cater to a lot of funeral luncheons and even have a brochure for it. We don't expect but about twenty people in the whole funeral but can get a private room and order off the menu or from their buffet. Put a $50 deposit to hold it.
We were getting hungry and had their excellent buffet which is American on Thursdays. Mondays, it is Italian.
Snow
What is it about every time we go to Palatine and Mt. Prospect that makes it start to snow. We had a big snowfall when we went back for our 40th anniversary of going steady in December, the same with our trip to visit Randhurst one last time, and now, today, it snowed again.
Maybe the snowmobilers should ante up to pay for us to make some more visits. However, they would have to sign a codicile saying that one of them would have to come up and clear off the driveway and sidewalks.
We drove from Ahlgrim's (always thought this to be a very appropriate name for a funeral home) in Palatine, to Memory Gardens in Arlington Heights so Liz could sign a paper to allow the grave diggers to open the grave. Normally, we wouldn't have had to do this, but Frances is going to be buried in the same vault as her husband Amby. They are buried in a section where the coffins are stacked on one another. This then, in effect, is the opening of a grave.
There was a very interesting picture taken of Memory Garden in 1950 when it first opened. You can see Rand Road (US-12) in the very top right portion. What floored us was that there were mostly open fields in the picture. Definitely not the situation anymore; houses and stores everywhere.
The person we talked with, Jim, is about our age and was in a 1960s Chicagoland rock band called Dawn & the Nights who evidently were quite good as they toured with Paul Rever & the Raiders and he was making $2000 a week back then, quite a bit of money even now, but especially back then when gas was just around 30 cents a gallon and a new car around $2000-3,000. Unfortunately, I had never heard of them.
We went out to the grave and made sure of the style of print.
How Much Does It Cost to Dig a Hole and Fill It In?
Ideally, we would have had Frances buried on Saturday, but the funeral home would be completely bonkers with two big wakes, one with 400 people and the other with several thousand.
They usually don't do funerals on Sundays (which I didn't know). The price to open a grave during the week is $1695. On Saturday it goes to $2495 and is $3500 on Sunday. These prices reflect how much the gravediggers union gets. I think I got into the wrong business to make money.
They don't even have to dig the whole, just clear off some dirt from above the vault, lift the lid off, drop the new casket in and close it.
Plus, it is hard to get a religious person to officiate on a Sunday.
We decided to have the funeral on Monday.
The Luncheon
As we were leaving, we mentioned to Jim that we were now going to look for a place to have the luncheon. He suggested the nearby Bogies in Mt. Prospect, right across from Randhurst.
We decided to have a look. Turned out, this was the only place we had to look. They cater to a lot of funeral luncheons and even have a brochure for it. We don't expect but about twenty people in the whole funeral but can get a private room and order off the menu or from their buffet. Put a $50 deposit to hold it.
We were getting hungry and had their excellent buffet which is American on Thursdays. Mondays, it is Italian.
Snow
What is it about every time we go to Palatine and Mt. Prospect that makes it start to snow. We had a big snowfall when we went back for our 40th anniversary of going steady in December, the same with our trip to visit Randhurst one last time, and now, today, it snowed again.
Maybe the snowmobilers should ante up to pay for us to make some more visits. However, they would have to sign a codicile saying that one of them would have to come up and clear off the driveway and sidewalks.
JSS- Early Spring-- More Snow-- Hope Sen. Kennedy Doesn't Endorse Me-- Clinton/Obama Ticket-- Snow Days Are No Big Deal Anymore
JSS- Just Some Stuff-- Really, not much for us to do until Monday's funeral.
1. Woodstock Willie probably didn't see his shadow. I had planned to make it out to Woodstock, Illinois, to see whether or local prognosticator predicted six more weeks of winter. He was pulled out of his stump at 7:07 a.m. and whispered in the man in the top hat's ear. What Willie said is not to my knowledge. They were there, but I was in bed sawing logs.
Judging from how overcast it is here at 8:05, I would have to say he didn't see his shadow, so we will have an early spring!!! Good news, especially after you see the next entry.
2. Very snowy winter-- It snowed at least seven inches here on Thursday. The Tribune said this is the fourth snowiest winter in the last 25 years. I believe it. We'd have some really tall drifts and banks now, except every so often we get 40 degree plus days and everything melts.
Snowmobilers are very happy, however. We usually only have three to five days of decent snowmobiling around here anymore. I still think they should have to come over and shovel my driveway and sidewalks before they go have their fun. Why should I have to suffer so they can have fun?
3. Sure Hope Sen. Ted Kennedy doesn't endorse me!!! Much to do about nothing was made a few days ago about the august senator from Massachusetts endorsing our Senator Obama for presidency. If I were Barack, I would definitely not accept it (he did). I only have one word, and it begins with "C." I just used the first letter as I can't spell it. Keep swimming away Ted!!!
4. Will it be an Obama/Clinton ticket or Clinton/Obama ticket in November? After this past week's debate between the two senators, I'm of the opinion we're either going to have an Obama/Clinton ticket or Clinton/Obama ticket this November on the Democratic side. Either way, that is a remarkable ticket, the first woman or black man (well half any way) in the White House.
5. Snow days are no big deal anymore. Yesterday, the Round Lake schools were called off because of the snow on Thursday. I was not even aware of it, nor did I listen to the radio to hear of school closings. I wonder why that is? Oh yes, I'm retired!!!!!
Just some stuff. --RoadDog
1. Woodstock Willie probably didn't see his shadow. I had planned to make it out to Woodstock, Illinois, to see whether or local prognosticator predicted six more weeks of winter. He was pulled out of his stump at 7:07 a.m. and whispered in the man in the top hat's ear. What Willie said is not to my knowledge. They were there, but I was in bed sawing logs.
Judging from how overcast it is here at 8:05, I would have to say he didn't see his shadow, so we will have an early spring!!! Good news, especially after you see the next entry.
2. Very snowy winter-- It snowed at least seven inches here on Thursday. The Tribune said this is the fourth snowiest winter in the last 25 years. I believe it. We'd have some really tall drifts and banks now, except every so often we get 40 degree plus days and everything melts.
Snowmobilers are very happy, however. We usually only have three to five days of decent snowmobiling around here anymore. I still think they should have to come over and shovel my driveway and sidewalks before they go have their fun. Why should I have to suffer so they can have fun?
3. Sure Hope Sen. Ted Kennedy doesn't endorse me!!! Much to do about nothing was made a few days ago about the august senator from Massachusetts endorsing our Senator Obama for presidency. If I were Barack, I would definitely not accept it (he did). I only have one word, and it begins with "C." I just used the first letter as I can't spell it. Keep swimming away Ted!!!
4. Will it be an Obama/Clinton ticket or Clinton/Obama ticket in November? After this past week's debate between the two senators, I'm of the opinion we're either going to have an Obama/Clinton ticket or Clinton/Obama ticket this November on the Democratic side. Either way, that is a remarkable ticket, the first woman or black man (well half any way) in the White House.
5. Snow days are no big deal anymore. Yesterday, the Round Lake schools were called off because of the snow on Thursday. I was not even aware of it, nor did I listen to the radio to hear of school closings. I wonder why that is? Oh yes, I'm retired!!!!!
Just some stuff. --RoadDog
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