THURSDAY, JULY 12TH
Recovering from the long drive and enjoying the new deck at the Topsail Arms at the south end of Topsail Island. Took a long walk along the beach and found quite a few interesting shells and the "lima bean" stones.
Did some wading in the water and pitched the umbrella for some beach reading.
FRIDAY, JULY 13TH
Another walk on the beach. The waves have created a nice tidal pool which is always a special place.
Highlight of today was the arrival of my Aunt Louise, Cousin Debbie and her husband Rob, Aunt Louise still lives in Mt. Olive. Rob and Debbie are now from Petersburg, Virginia. Rob is retired and Debbie still works. We had a great lunch that Mom prepared of shrimp and crabcakes.
Rob is a history buff like me and says his house is on land that was formerly City Point which was the huge Union supply depot during the Civil War. he once found a canteen while digging in his yard. Later this month he goes on an archaeological dig at the site of an early 19th century pottery place.
After they left, I went over to Surf City's Sound Side Park where the Uncle Harry Band was playing at the band shell. On the way back, I picked up a two-liter bottle of Cheerwine pop, a NC classic.
A Bad Day at the Beach Is.... --RoadDog
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.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Thursday, July 12, 2012
On the Road
I sure put on the miles the last two days, traveling 1,170 miles through six states on Il-47, I-74, I-70, US-40, I-77, I-40, US-17, NC 210 and NC-50.
Got to eat at one of the two places I had wanted to, Skyline Chili north of Dayton, Ohio. Unfortunately, Snappy Lunch in Mount Airy, NC, is closed for the week. So, none of those great porkchop sandwiches for me.
Gas went lower, the whole trip. Strange how the farther you get from Chicago, the cheaper the gas gets. The highest at Woodstock, Illinois, at $3.80. It stayed between $3w60 and $3.70 most of the wat from Woodstock to Morris. The very lowest was in Mount Airy at $3.07. Gas was actually reasonable in West Virginia for a change.
Spent Tuesday night at the Super 8 Motel in Zanesville, Ohio. My treat was driving the 24-mile US-40/National Road from Zanesville to Cambridge, one of my favorite stretches of road anywhere.
Rained much of the way through North Carolina.
Taking a Day Off Today. --RoadDog
Got to eat at one of the two places I had wanted to, Skyline Chili north of Dayton, Ohio. Unfortunately, Snappy Lunch in Mount Airy, NC, is closed for the week. So, none of those great porkchop sandwiches for me.
Gas went lower, the whole trip. Strange how the farther you get from Chicago, the cheaper the gas gets. The highest at Woodstock, Illinois, at $3.80. It stayed between $3w60 and $3.70 most of the wat from Woodstock to Morris. The very lowest was in Mount Airy at $3.07. Gas was actually reasonable in West Virginia for a change.
Spent Tuesday night at the Super 8 Motel in Zanesville, Ohio. My treat was driving the 24-mile US-40/National Road from Zanesville to Cambridge, one of my favorite stretches of road anywhere.
Rained much of the way through North Carolina.
Taking a Day Off Today. --RoadDog
Monday, July 9, 2012
So, It's Come to This
Sad to say, but earlier today, we pulled the boat out of the water here on the Chain of Lakes here in northeastern Illinois. In our 27 years of boating we've never had to pull the boat out because of low water.
The water level all over keeps dropping and our boat is in a very shallow channel by Dino's Den and 92 East to begin with. I'm going to be out of town for awhile and am worried that when I return, the boat will be stuck in the mud if this drought continues.
Plus, I have been watering the trees and plants a whole lot of late, trying to tide them over until rain finally comes. Once I'm out of town, I don't see much hope for anything in the yard unless we get some welcome rainfall.
Come On Rain!! --RoadDog
The water level all over keeps dropping and our boat is in a very shallow channel by Dino's Den and 92 East to begin with. I'm going to be out of town for awhile and am worried that when I return, the boat will be stuck in the mud if this drought continues.
Plus, I have been watering the trees and plants a whole lot of late, trying to tide them over until rain finally comes. Once I'm out of town, I don't see much hope for anything in the yard unless we get some welcome rainfall.
Come On Rain!! --RoadDog
Spending That Last 4th of July Weekend
This was a bonus 4th of July with celebrations both weekends and even on the real, authentic day. We spent the first three days fighting some really hot days, but it finally broke yesterday.
THURSDAY
Boating and breakfast on the boat at McDonald's in Fox Lake.. NTN at Donovan's and some good national rankings, seven Top Twenties. Later visits to the Hideout by Petite Lake and Captain's Quarters by Fox Lake.
FRIDAY
Third straight day over 100 degrees. The Fox Lake Bump as gas jumps 20 cents for the second time in a week. Hey, let's get all their money we can!! Stormy Monday and later karaoke at the Legion.
SATURDAY
Temps only in the "cool" 90s. Recorded WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1968. Great tunes and memories. Planning on taking the boat out to watch the fireworks on Fox Lake, but reports called for a storm. Drove instead to Captain's Quarters but way too crowded. Ended up having an excellent view of them from Stormy Monday.
SUNDAY
Bob Stroud did his Rock and Roll Roots show on "Living In the USA." Had that great pizza at All Sports in McCullom Lake and then drove to Wauconda and sat out on the deck and saw Terry Spizzirri and Gregg Spizzirri put on a great show at Docks on a bluff overlooking Bang's Lake.
On the way home, stopped at Route 12 Bar and Grill on the way home and listened to Just Jake singing and playing that guitar which he does so well.
Always a Good Time Around Here. --RoadDog
THURSDAY
Boating and breakfast on the boat at McDonald's in Fox Lake.. NTN at Donovan's and some good national rankings, seven Top Twenties. Later visits to the Hideout by Petite Lake and Captain's Quarters by Fox Lake.
FRIDAY
Third straight day over 100 degrees. The Fox Lake Bump as gas jumps 20 cents for the second time in a week. Hey, let's get all their money we can!! Stormy Monday and later karaoke at the Legion.
SATURDAY
Temps only in the "cool" 90s. Recorded WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1968. Great tunes and memories. Planning on taking the boat out to watch the fireworks on Fox Lake, but reports called for a storm. Drove instead to Captain's Quarters but way too crowded. Ended up having an excellent view of them from Stormy Monday.
SUNDAY
Bob Stroud did his Rock and Roll Roots show on "Living In the USA." Had that great pizza at All Sports in McCullom Lake and then drove to Wauconda and sat out on the deck and saw Terry Spizzirri and Gregg Spizzirri put on a great show at Docks on a bluff overlooking Bang's Lake.
On the way home, stopped at Route 12 Bar and Grill on the way home and listened to Just Jake singing and playing that guitar which he does so well.
Always a Good Time Around Here. --RoadDog
Summer of '72-- Part 9
This is the last installment of this trip back until Bob Stroud goes back for another round August 5th. Enjoy the memories and, if you are old enough to remember these tunes (I was 21), tune in at the Drive http://www.wdrv.com/ from 7 to 10 AM.
LAYLA-- DEREK & THE DOMINOES-- An interesting market move by Atlantic-Atco, they rereleased a record that was over a year old. The first time around it kind of stiffed out in and edited version. This time it was a top ten single and on its way up the charts 40 years ago.
JOIN TOGETHER-- WHO-- Brand new 45.
BITTER BLUE-- CAT STEVENS-- From his latest release, Teaser and the Firecat. A good deep track. A month ago, "Morning Has Broken" from it was the #1 song. (Bitter Blue" is one of m favorite Cat Stevens songs.)
OUT OF SPACE-- BILLY PRESTON-- #1 song in Chicago. An instrumental. (And this guy played with the Beatles in their later years a s a group.)
Stroud also plays a little bit of a song as he comes back from commercial break, so, it's like getting a bonus. These are some of the songs he played.
DAY BY DAY-- The theme from the Broadway Musical "Godspell."
CANDY MAN-- SAMMY DAVIS JR.
LAST NIGHT I DIDN'T GET TO SLEEP AT ALL-- FIFTH DIMENSION-- a real hit-making machine.
SONG SUNG BLUE-- NEIL DIAMOND-- (And, like he says, "Everybody needs one."
Now, I've Got That Diamond Song in My Head. Rats!! --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO CALIFORNIA WHERE you make over $250,000 and you still cannot afford to buy a house.
LAYLA-- DEREK & THE DOMINOES-- An interesting market move by Atlantic-Atco, they rereleased a record that was over a year old. The first time around it kind of stiffed out in and edited version. This time it was a top ten single and on its way up the charts 40 years ago.
JOIN TOGETHER-- WHO-- Brand new 45.
BITTER BLUE-- CAT STEVENS-- From his latest release, Teaser and the Firecat. A good deep track. A month ago, "Morning Has Broken" from it was the #1 song. (Bitter Blue" is one of m favorite Cat Stevens songs.)
OUT OF SPACE-- BILLY PRESTON-- #1 song in Chicago. An instrumental. (And this guy played with the Beatles in their later years a s a group.)
Stroud also plays a little bit of a song as he comes back from commercial break, so, it's like getting a bonus. These are some of the songs he played.
DAY BY DAY-- The theme from the Broadway Musical "Godspell."
CANDY MAN-- SAMMY DAVIS JR.
LAST NIGHT I DIDN'T GET TO SLEEP AT ALL-- FIFTH DIMENSION-- a real hit-making machine.
SONG SUNG BLUE-- NEIL DIAMOND-- (And, like he says, "Everybody needs one."
Now, I've Got That Diamond Song in My Head. Rats!! --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO CALIFORNIA WHERE you make over $250,000 and you still cannot afford to buy a house.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
What's In Frank Costello's Vault?
Yesterday, while inside the bar at Stormy Mondays (too hot on the deck out by the lake), a customer came in and wanted to know why there was a big safe on the floor by the bar. Terri, the bartender said that they had found it while renovating the place, but no one knew the combination.
This got us to thinking back on that great TV show when Geraldo Rivera broke into "Al Capone's Vault." Perhaps money, maybe jewels? Hey, Al Capone and those gangsters used to hang out here on the Chain of Lakes and had interests here, although the safe definitely looked to be of a more modern variety.
Sharon Nash came in and since she was one of the owners, along with Frank Costello, back when it was Costello's Pub/Grub, I asked her if she knew about it. She did and said they had put it in. She never was able to easily open it and also couldn't remember the combination. Perhaps a few numbers.
She called Frank who now lives in a small town south of Springfield, Illinois. He said he also couldn't remember the combination, but gave the best guess he had.
Then, we all gathered around to see if Sharon could open it. Anticipation everywhere. No success. Kora tried. Being a teacher, she certainly knew how to open a combination. But no luck either.
We're Still Anticipating. --RoadDog
This got us to thinking back on that great TV show when Geraldo Rivera broke into "Al Capone's Vault." Perhaps money, maybe jewels? Hey, Al Capone and those gangsters used to hang out here on the Chain of Lakes and had interests here, although the safe definitely looked to be of a more modern variety.
Sharon Nash came in and since she was one of the owners, along with Frank Costello, back when it was Costello's Pub/Grub, I asked her if she knew about it. She did and said they had put it in. She never was able to easily open it and also couldn't remember the combination. Perhaps a few numbers.
She called Frank who now lives in a small town south of Springfield, Illinois. He said he also couldn't remember the combination, but gave the best guess he had.
Then, we all gathered around to see if Sharon could open it. Anticipation everywhere. No success. Kora tried. Being a teacher, she certainly knew how to open a combination. But no luck either.
We're Still Anticipating. --RoadDog
It's All Beer to Me-- Part 2
In case you're wondering abbout that "other" beer company. All sales numbers in millions unless otherwise noted.
BUDWEISER BRANDS
Bud Light-- $1.4 billion
Budweiser-- $595
Bud Light Lime-- $115
Bud Light Platinum-- $59 (Haven't heard of this one.)
Budweiser Select 55-- $59
Budweiser Select-- $45 (If I gotta drink one of their beers, these last two are the ones of preference.)
Bud Ice-- $36
Bud Light Chelada-- $18
BUSCH BRANDS
Busch Light-- $219
Busch-- $154
Busch NA-- $13
NATURAL BRANDS
Natural Light-- $271
Natural Ice-- $82
I don't mind these last two brands either.
MICHELOB BRANDS
Michelob Ultra-- $240
Shock Top Belgian White Ale-- $45
Michelob Light-- $29
Michelob Amber Bock-- $10
Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus-- $10
Together, these two beer giants have 80% of the market.
Fireworks Tonight. None of This for Me. --RoadDog
BUDWEISER BRANDS
Bud Light-- $1.4 billion
Budweiser-- $595
Bud Light Lime-- $115
Bud Light Platinum-- $59 (Haven't heard of this one.)
Budweiser Select 55-- $59
Budweiser Select-- $45 (If I gotta drink one of their beers, these last two are the ones of preference.)
Bud Ice-- $36
Bud Light Chelada-- $18
BUSCH BRANDS
Busch Light-- $219
Busch-- $154
Busch NA-- $13
NATURAL BRANDS
Natural Light-- $271
Natural Ice-- $82
I don't mind these last two brands either.
MICHELOB BRANDS
Michelob Ultra-- $240
Shock Top Belgian White Ale-- $45
Michelob Light-- $29
Michelob Amber Bock-- $10
Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus-- $10
Together, these two beer giants have 80% of the market.
Fireworks Tonight. None of This for Me. --RoadDog
It's All Beer to Me-- Part 1
From the July 6th Chicago Tribune "2 behemoths at lager heads."
Last week, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced that they were buying Corona-maker Grupo Modelo, the latest in the long trend of beer market consolidation which increases the hold of the two major makers AB InBev and Chicago-based MillerCoors.
The Tribune had a huge graphic showing the brands of he two giants as well of sales for the year ending June 10th. All numbers in millions.
MILLER BRANDS
Miller Lite-- $659
Miller High Life-- $173
Miller Genuine Draft-- $88
Miller 64-- $32
Miller Genuine Draft Light 64-- $30
Miller High Life Light-- $27
COORS BRANDS
Coors Light-- $757
Coors-- $75
OTHER MILLERCOORS BRANDS
Blue Moon Belgian White Ale-- $104
Blue Moon Seasonal Collection-- $38
Blue Moon Variety Pack-- $20
Keystone Light-- $135
Keystone Ice-- $11
Milwaukee's Best Light-- $56
Milwaukee's Best Ice-- $38
Milwaukee's Best-- $24
Icehouse-- $51
Foster's Lager-- $27
Foster's Premium Ale-- $10
Steel Reserve 211 High Gravity Lager $32
Leinekugel's Seasonal--$31
George Killian's Irish Red Lager-- $23
Molson Canadian-- $15
Mickey's Fine Malt Liquor-- $13
Peroni-- $10
I started with MillerCoors because that's my favorite if I have a choice. Hey, around here is the bastion of Miller. I sure did not know that Coors Lite sold more than Miller Lite. Those are my two favorites and I must admit I can't taste the difference between the two.
Here's Suds in Your Eye. --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX WHERE the four sesasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot and "Are You Kidding Me!!"
Last week, Anheuser-Busch InBev announced that they were buying Corona-maker Grupo Modelo, the latest in the long trend of beer market consolidation which increases the hold of the two major makers AB InBev and Chicago-based MillerCoors.
The Tribune had a huge graphic showing the brands of he two giants as well of sales for the year ending June 10th. All numbers in millions.
MILLER BRANDS
Miller Lite-- $659
Miller High Life-- $173
Miller Genuine Draft-- $88
Miller 64-- $32
Miller Genuine Draft Light 64-- $30
Miller High Life Light-- $27
COORS BRANDS
Coors Light-- $757
Coors-- $75
OTHER MILLERCOORS BRANDS
Blue Moon Belgian White Ale-- $104
Blue Moon Seasonal Collection-- $38
Blue Moon Variety Pack-- $20
Keystone Light-- $135
Keystone Ice-- $11
Milwaukee's Best Light-- $56
Milwaukee's Best Ice-- $38
Milwaukee's Best-- $24
Icehouse-- $51
Foster's Lager-- $27
Foster's Premium Ale-- $10
Steel Reserve 211 High Gravity Lager $32
Leinekugel's Seasonal--$31
George Killian's Irish Red Lager-- $23
Molson Canadian-- $15
Mickey's Fine Malt Liquor-- $13
Peroni-- $10
I started with MillerCoors because that's my favorite if I have a choice. Hey, around here is the bastion of Miller. I sure did not know that Coors Lite sold more than Miller Lite. Those are my two favorites and I must admit I can't taste the difference between the two.
Here's Suds in Your Eye. --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX WHERE the four sesasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot and "Are You Kidding Me!!"
Friday, July 6, 2012
What it Was Was the Los Mets
With I hat top to Andy Griffith.
A little while ago, while at Stormy Monday on Fox Lake here on the Chain of Lakes, I started watching our Chicago Cubs play some team called Los Mets. I know that was their name because it was on the front of their uniforms.
I must admit that I have never heard of a MLB team called Los Mets. I looked it upon the standings and there was no team by that name. Hell, I even Yahooed and there wasn't a team by that name. Probably should have Googled, but I'm a bit spiteful to those guys.
What I thought it might be is a new expansion National League team from Mexico as I know of a band called Los Lobos which is Hispanic.
Anyway, the Cubs and Los Mets were tied 2-2 when we left and went to the Legion on Nippersink Lake for karaoke. The Cubs went way up while we there and finally took an 8-3 lead when we got back home and I went downstairs to Margaritaville.
Good thing they had that many runs as they needed all of them. Up 8-5 in the 9th, ace reliever Marmol came on and after one out, proceeded to walk the next three Los Mets batters and then a single made it 8-7. A line drive caught by Marmol also doubled the guy off first and the Cubbies won over this new NL team.
After doing some thinking about it, I think it must be some sort of Hispanic thing.
Who Are the Los Mets? Inquiring minds Want to Know? --RoadDog
A little while ago, while at Stormy Monday on Fox Lake here on the Chain of Lakes, I started watching our Chicago Cubs play some team called Los Mets. I know that was their name because it was on the front of their uniforms.
I must admit that I have never heard of a MLB team called Los Mets. I looked it upon the standings and there was no team by that name. Hell, I even Yahooed and there wasn't a team by that name. Probably should have Googled, but I'm a bit spiteful to those guys.
What I thought it might be is a new expansion National League team from Mexico as I know of a band called Los Lobos which is Hispanic.
Anyway, the Cubs and Los Mets were tied 2-2 when we left and went to the Legion on Nippersink Lake for karaoke. The Cubs went way up while we there and finally took an 8-3 lead when we got back home and I went downstairs to Margaritaville.
Good thing they had that many runs as they needed all of them. Up 8-5 in the 9th, ace reliever Marmol came on and after one out, proceeded to walk the next three Los Mets batters and then a single made it 8-7. A line drive caught by Marmol also doubled the guy off first and the Cubbies won over this new NL team.
After doing some thinking about it, I think it must be some sort of Hispanic thing.
Who Are the Los Mets? Inquiring minds Want to Know? --RoadDog
How Hot and Dry Is It?
We are in the midst of quite the heat wave here in northeastern Illinois, with temps at 100 degrees and more the last two days and on its way there today. And, that on top of a week in the 90s. Some relief tomorrow with drop to 80s. We've been staying inside a lot more than usual because of the heat. And, we have a peristent drought.
Things are getting bad with water levels in our Chain of Lakes. The Waerway Agency let the level down another foot and a half last fall, fearing spring floods. Well, there was little snowfall this past winter and a dryer-than-usual spring, and now a severe drought. Folks are wrecking props in the much shallower water.
I even hit bottom coming out of our channel and something that shouldn't have been there, but only dented the prop. I was thinking just minutes beforehand that I had had no prop damage in about 15 years. As a matter of fact, Monday, we will be taking the boat out of the water before I leave for North Carolina. Liz won't go out when I'm not here and I figure by my return, we'll be stuck in the mud at the bottom of the channel at the rate we're going.
Fireworks have been cancelled in several area communities due to dry conditions.
Hot and Dry Here in Illinois. --RoadDog
Things are getting bad with water levels in our Chain of Lakes. The Waerway Agency let the level down another foot and a half last fall, fearing spring floods. Well, there was little snowfall this past winter and a dryer-than-usual spring, and now a severe drought. Folks are wrecking props in the much shallower water.
I even hit bottom coming out of our channel and something that shouldn't have been there, but only dented the prop. I was thinking just minutes beforehand that I had had no prop damage in about 15 years. As a matter of fact, Monday, we will be taking the boat out of the water before I leave for North Carolina. Liz won't go out when I'm not here and I figure by my return, we'll be stuck in the mud at the bottom of the channel at the rate we're going.
Fireworks have been cancelled in several area communities due to dry conditions.
Hot and Dry Here in Illinois. --RoadDog
Summer of '72-- Part 8
Music on your radio and in your album collection July 1, 1972. Friend Frank calls 1972 the best year of hislife, but wouldn't go into details.
I THINK I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF-- ELTON JOHN-- From the #3 album on local charts, Honky Chateau. A good deep track from side one.
ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY)-- GILBERT O'SULLIVAN-- Brand new and one of the biggest hits of the summer and definitely his biggest-ever hit. (Okay, got me humming it. Thanks a lot!!)
YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON-- RANDY NEWMAN-- From his new album, Sail Away, from side 2, the original version. (Before old Joe "covered" it.)
SCHOOL'S OUT-- ALICE COOPER-- Brand new and just released. Title track from the album. (And the name of our boat. Thanks Alice. Got any brownies?)
SMOKE ON THE WATER-- DEEP PURPLE-- Great albums out all summer, including Machine Head.
LEAN ON ME-- BILL WITHERS-- (The song that just WOULDN'T end.)
TROGLODYTE-- JIMMY CASTOR BUNCH-- Good for a couple two, three hits in the early 70s. Their biggest hit. (She was one of the Butt sisters.)
GOING DOWN-- Released in May, the self-titled album was now a couple months old. (A real pleasure hearing this one that you usually don't hear too often.)
This Sunday, Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots Show Is Titled "Living in the USA." --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX WHERE you know that "dry heat" is comprable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.
I THINK I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF-- ELTON JOHN-- From the #3 album on local charts, Honky Chateau. A good deep track from side one.
ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY)-- GILBERT O'SULLIVAN-- Brand new and one of the biggest hits of the summer and definitely his biggest-ever hit. (Okay, got me humming it. Thanks a lot!!)
YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON-- RANDY NEWMAN-- From his new album, Sail Away, from side 2, the original version. (Before old Joe "covered" it.)
SCHOOL'S OUT-- ALICE COOPER-- Brand new and just released. Title track from the album. (And the name of our boat. Thanks Alice. Got any brownies?)
SMOKE ON THE WATER-- DEEP PURPLE-- Great albums out all summer, including Machine Head.
LEAN ON ME-- BILL WITHERS-- (The song that just WOULDN'T end.)
TROGLODYTE-- JIMMY CASTOR BUNCH-- Good for a couple two, three hits in the early 70s. Their biggest hit. (She was one of the Butt sisters.)
GOING DOWN-- Released in May, the self-titled album was now a couple months old. (A real pleasure hearing this one that you usually don't hear too often.)
This Sunday, Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots Show Is Titled "Living in the USA." --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX WHERE you know that "dry heat" is comprable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Summer of '72-- Part 7
IN A BROKEN DREAM-- PYTHON LEE JACKSON-- A band out of Australia. You're thinking to yourself that it sounds just like Rod Stewart. Well, it is him on lead vocals. The story goes that the band was in the U.K. and commissioned Rod Stewart to sing lead vocal on a few tracks they didn't feel their lead singer was right for. The tracks remained unreleased until the summer of '72 when Stewart became the biggest thing on the planet. They released it and it became a mini hit here in the states. Both powerhouse stations here in Chicago played it.
SUFFRAGETTE CITY-- DAVID BOWIE-- No one knew just what to make of the latest incarnation of David Bowie and the Spoders from Mars. Ziggy Stardust was about two weeks old now.
TAKE IT WASY-- EAGLES-- New band off a self-titled album. Their first hit. (And good ol' Route 66 at that corner in Winslow, Arizona.)
CHUG ALL NIGHT-- EAGLES-- Something back then that we believed we could do all the time. . A deep track from that album. (I could chug maybe one now...well, probably not.)
CONQUISTADOR-- PROCUL HARUM-- From the album Procul Harum Live at the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Great live version of a song from their first album in 1967.
HOT & NASTY-- HUMBLE PIE-- Smokin' is their latest album and first without Peter Frampton.
I'LL TAKE YOU THERE-- STAPLE SINGERS-- (From Chicago.)
ROCKET MAN-- ELTON JOHN-- His current hit song. (Not to be confused with "Space Oddity." "Can you hear me Major Tom?")
Bringing Back the Memories. --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX where you'll have 100 recipes for Mexican food.
SUFFRAGETTE CITY-- DAVID BOWIE-- No one knew just what to make of the latest incarnation of David Bowie and the Spoders from Mars. Ziggy Stardust was about two weeks old now.
TAKE IT WASY-- EAGLES-- New band off a self-titled album. Their first hit. (And good ol' Route 66 at that corner in Winslow, Arizona.)
CHUG ALL NIGHT-- EAGLES-- Something back then that we believed we could do all the time. . A deep track from that album. (I could chug maybe one now...well, probably not.)
CONQUISTADOR-- PROCUL HARUM-- From the album Procul Harum Live at the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Great live version of a song from their first album in 1967.
HOT & NASTY-- HUMBLE PIE-- Smokin' is their latest album and first without Peter Frampton.
I'LL TAKE YOU THERE-- STAPLE SINGERS-- (From Chicago.)
ROCKET MAN-- ELTON JOHN-- His current hit song. (Not to be confused with "Space Oddity." "Can you hear me Major Tom?")
Bringing Back the Memories. --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX where you'll have 100 recipes for Mexican food.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Movie Scratches: Lockdown-- Stooges-- Avengers-- battleship
A dog's-eye view of current movies.
21. LOCKDOWN-- 4-25-- FOX LAKE $4-- Smart remark champion hero saves the president's daughter.
22. THE THREE STOOGES-- 5-2-- FOX LAKE-- $4-- Blues brothers: The Early Years. Nyuk, Nyuk!!
23. THE AVENGERS-- 5-9-- FOX LAKE $4-- Wisecrackin' Iron Man and attitude-challenged Hulk do a number on Loki.
24. BATTLESHIP-- 5-23-- FOX LAKE $4-- A whole lot to go through for a chicken buritto. The Mighty Mo to the rescue.
Must Remember to wear Coat to Theater inthe Summer. --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX WHERE you can drive four hours in one direction and never leave town.
21. LOCKDOWN-- 4-25-- FOX LAKE $4-- Smart remark champion hero saves the president's daughter.
22. THE THREE STOOGES-- 5-2-- FOX LAKE-- $4-- Blues brothers: The Early Years. Nyuk, Nyuk!!
23. THE AVENGERS-- 5-9-- FOX LAKE $4-- Wisecrackin' Iron Man and attitude-challenged Hulk do a number on Loki.
24. BATTLESHIP-- 5-23-- FOX LAKE $4-- A whole lot to go through for a chicken buritto. The Mighty Mo to the rescue.
Must Remember to wear Coat to Theater inthe Summer. --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX WHERE you can drive four hours in one direction and never leave town.
Movie Scratches: 21-- Wrath-- Reunion-- Cabin
A dog's-eye view of current movies.
17. 21 JUMP STREET-- 3-28-- FOX LAKE $4-- What a whacky pair back in those good old high school days.
18. WRATH OF THE TITANS-- 4-4-- FOX LAKE $4-- Real brotherly love with father issues. Let's have some fun!!
19. AMERICAN REUNION-- 4-11-- FOX LAKE $4-- 13th reunion and all works out well for the mostly grown ups other than Stiffler. Who has a 13th reunion?
20. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS-- 4-25-- FOX LAKE $4-- A horror story of a different sort. Actually pulling for the monsters at the end.
I hate Too Cold Theaters. --RoadDog
17. 21 JUMP STREET-- 3-28-- FOX LAKE $4-- What a whacky pair back in those good old high school days.
18. WRATH OF THE TITANS-- 4-4-- FOX LAKE $4-- Real brotherly love with father issues. Let's have some fun!!
19. AMERICAN REUNION-- 4-11-- FOX LAKE $4-- 13th reunion and all works out well for the mostly grown ups other than Stiffler. Who has a 13th reunion?
20. THE CABIN IN THE WOODS-- 4-25-- FOX LAKE $4-- A horror story of a different sort. Actually pulling for the monsters at the end.
I hate Too Cold Theaters. --RoadDog
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Every Blooming THing-- Early July
The daylillies and tall phlox are taking forefront on the color front. Plus, most of the mums are in bloom but I will soon have to cut them back so I'll have fall bloom, the most important one. Hostas are putting out their flowers as well.
Really getting tired of watering with this drought we're having. I keep the perennials, annuals and bushes watered. The only trees I water are the birches which I found out the hard way back in the heat wave and drought of 1988, that they die when conditions get like this.
As far as the yard, the only grass I water is over the septic lines. I also found out the hard way eight years ago that grass over the lines does not come back after extended drought. The rest of the grass greened up quickly when the drought broke, but it took me three years to get the septic line grass growing again.
The Japanese beetles, the little varmints, are back again.
I Hate Those Guys. --RoadDog
Really getting tired of watering with this drought we're having. I keep the perennials, annuals and bushes watered. The only trees I water are the birches which I found out the hard way back in the heat wave and drought of 1988, that they die when conditions get like this.
As far as the yard, the only grass I water is over the septic lines. I also found out the hard way eight years ago that grass over the lines does not come back after extended drought. The rest of the grass greened up quickly when the drought broke, but it took me three years to get the septic line grass growing again.
The Japanese beetles, the little varmints, are back again.
I Hate Those Guys. --RoadDog
Summer of '72-- Part 6
Continuing with the music from that summer 40 years ago. July 1, 1972.
WILLING-- LITTLE FEAT-- Sailing Shoes was released a few months earlier, their second album produced by Ted Templeman who was also busy working with another fairly new group, the Doobie Brothers. One of the great Lowell George compositions. Little Feat is one of the most underappreciated groups by the masses; their loss. (In total agreement here all you Dixie Chickens.)
I NEED YOU-- AMERICA-- Current hit following "Horse With No Name" off their debut album.
SANDMAN-- AMERICA-- deep track off their debut album in the Top Ten-selling albums here in Chicago.
LONG COOL WOMAN-- HOLLIES-- Brand new and would go on to become one of their biggest-selling singles with the great Allen Clarke on vocals.
HOW DO YOU DO-- MOUTH & McNEILL-- New in your radio and following in the footsteps of other Dutch bands before them like the Shocking Blue, George Baker Selection and Tee Set. A curious little record that sold a million copies. (And, one of my favorites that I hadn't heard in a really long time. Remember "My Little Green Bag" and "Ma Belle Amie?"
TIGHTWIRE-- LEON RUSSELL-- His latest from the album Carny, a couple weeks old at this time.
ALL DOWN THE LINE-- ROLLING STONES-- Deep track from their new album.
TUMBLING DICE-- ROLLING STONES-- Current 45 from the great Exile on Main Street double vinyl release.
Bringing Back Memories? --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX WHERE you've experienced condensation on your hiney from the hot water in your toilet bowl.
WILLING-- LITTLE FEAT-- Sailing Shoes was released a few months earlier, their second album produced by Ted Templeman who was also busy working with another fairly new group, the Doobie Brothers. One of the great Lowell George compositions. Little Feat is one of the most underappreciated groups by the masses; their loss. (In total agreement here all you Dixie Chickens.)
I NEED YOU-- AMERICA-- Current hit following "Horse With No Name" off their debut album.
SANDMAN-- AMERICA-- deep track off their debut album in the Top Ten-selling albums here in Chicago.
LONG COOL WOMAN-- HOLLIES-- Brand new and would go on to become one of their biggest-selling singles with the great Allen Clarke on vocals.
HOW DO YOU DO-- MOUTH & McNEILL-- New in your radio and following in the footsteps of other Dutch bands before them like the Shocking Blue, George Baker Selection and Tee Set. A curious little record that sold a million copies. (And, one of my favorites that I hadn't heard in a really long time. Remember "My Little Green Bag" and "Ma Belle Amie?"
TIGHTWIRE-- LEON RUSSELL-- His latest from the album Carny, a couple weeks old at this time.
ALL DOWN THE LINE-- ROLLING STONES-- Deep track from their new album.
TUMBLING DICE-- ROLLING STONES-- Current 45 from the great Exile on Main Street double vinyl release.
Bringing Back Memories? --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX WHERE you've experienced condensation on your hiney from the hot water in your toilet bowl.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Summer of '72-- Part 5
Yesterday, Bob Stroud did the second part of his annual four part Summer Show for 1972, featuring what was playing on the radio (here in Chicago WLS and WCFL) and in our record collections for July 1, 1972. Of course, I just had to listen to it (and record it on cassette tapes for cruising around in the '85 Firebird and '03 Malibu which both still have cassette players).
July 1, 1972, I was in the summer session (as in school) at the University of Georgia, preparing to transfer back to Northern Illinois University. I especially was enjoying the Civil War class with Dr. Emory Thomas who has written several books on the war. Best part was his sandbox recreations of battles. Hey, Civil War and sandboxes, what more can a college boy ask for?
BRANDY-- LOOKING GLASS-- Debuted on the local charts 40 years ago this week. (And still one of my favorites.)
HARVEST-- NEIL YOUNG-- Still one of the most-played albums in our collections even though at this time it was 3-4 months old, the title track.
TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW-- CORNELIUS BROTHERS & SISTER ROSE-- A great little pop-soul original.
AFTER MIDNIGHT-- Latest 45.
ONE WAY OUT-- ALLMAN BROTHERS--From the great Eat a Peach album, one of the top-tenselling albums here. (Always reminds me of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Gimme Three Steps" for some reason.
Just Getting Into It. --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX where you are willing to park three blocks away and walk because you found shade.
July 1, 1972, I was in the summer session (as in school) at the University of Georgia, preparing to transfer back to Northern Illinois University. I especially was enjoying the Civil War class with Dr. Emory Thomas who has written several books on the war. Best part was his sandbox recreations of battles. Hey, Civil War and sandboxes, what more can a college boy ask for?
BRANDY-- LOOKING GLASS-- Debuted on the local charts 40 years ago this week. (And still one of my favorites.)
HARVEST-- NEIL YOUNG-- Still one of the most-played albums in our collections even though at this time it was 3-4 months old, the title track.
TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW-- CORNELIUS BROTHERS & SISTER ROSE-- A great little pop-soul original.
AFTER MIDNIGHT-- Latest 45.
ONE WAY OUT-- ALLMAN BROTHERS--From the great Eat a Peach album, one of the top-tenselling albums here. (Always reminds me of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Gimme Three Steps" for some reason.
Just Getting Into It. --RoadDog
YOU CAN RETIRE TO PHOENIX where you are willing to park three blocks away and walk because you found shade.
Three Days-- Nine Bars-- One Parade-- One Band
Kicked off our extended Fourth of July celebration Friday. As usual, it was good times in the area.
FRIDAY
No boating today, but did hit two places on the Chain Crawl and had our passports stamped. Met Kevin and Kelly, who are also on the Crawl, at the Lagoon Lounge on US-12 in Fox Lake for a couple three beers. It shares the lagoon with McDonald's.
Then, we actually found that the NAC (National Athletic Club) on Fox Lake was open and we high-tailed it over there for a couple more. They have been closed the last six times we've wanted to go. It is a private club and only open sometimes. It goes way back, being founded in the 1880s.
Then to the usual Friday spots, Stormy Monday on Fox Lake and the American Legion on Nippersink Lake.
SATURDAY
Drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, about ten miles away, and enjoyed Ultimate Bloody Marys at Main Street and watched the 4th of July parade outside the place. Then to Donovan's Reef and ended up at the Wilmot Riverside Bar and Grill. We haven't been back but once since Dave and Mar sold it a couple years ago. It used to be Mar's Trading Post Inn and the foundation of the place goes back to the 1840s when it actually was a trading post.
SUNDAY
Drove over to McCullon Lake to All Sports Bar and had one of the best pizzas around for $5 and $5 pitchers of Miller Lite. Then to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake for the Average Joe Band outside. Met our friends from Crabapple Island.
GoodTimes in the Area. --RoadDog
FRIDAY
No boating today, but did hit two places on the Chain Crawl and had our passports stamped. Met Kevin and Kelly, who are also on the Crawl, at the Lagoon Lounge on US-12 in Fox Lake for a couple three beers. It shares the lagoon with McDonald's.
Then, we actually found that the NAC (National Athletic Club) on Fox Lake was open and we high-tailed it over there for a couple more. They have been closed the last six times we've wanted to go. It is a private club and only open sometimes. It goes way back, being founded in the 1880s.
Then to the usual Friday spots, Stormy Monday on Fox Lake and the American Legion on Nippersink Lake.
SATURDAY
Drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, about ten miles away, and enjoyed Ultimate Bloody Marys at Main Street and watched the 4th of July parade outside the place. Then to Donovan's Reef and ended up at the Wilmot Riverside Bar and Grill. We haven't been back but once since Dave and Mar sold it a couple years ago. It used to be Mar's Trading Post Inn and the foundation of the place goes back to the 1840s when it actually was a trading post.
SUNDAY
Drove over to McCullon Lake to All Sports Bar and had one of the best pizzas around for $5 and $5 pitchers of Miller Lite. Then to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake for the Average Joe Band outside. Met our friends from Crabapple Island.
GoodTimes in the Area. --RoadDog
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