Every Blooming THing-- Early June: The Cicadas Are Here

I was beginning to wonder where they were, but now I know.  They have arrived.  I found a whole lot of them in one of my crabapple trees and they were dropping down and molting.  I had earlier found one every so often while working in flower gardens.

I kind of enjoy nabbing them and their fluttering (now I know they don't bite).

My daisies (about 50 of them) are still blooming white and I have a couple perennials in yellow and gold blooming, but don't know what they are.  Also, my Missouri primrose.

I have been to my local Jewel grocery stores since they are now selling flowers for 50% off.  Now they're hitting my price.

Annuals are pretty expensive these days.  At Wal Mart they sell for $3.47 a four-pack.  I can remember buying six pack cells for 50 cents full price many years ago.

Lots of weeding and trimming to do.

--RoadDog

Good Times Around Here May 17 to 19: Two Legions, Fish Fry, TV, a Historical Society, Cicadas, Magic Moon, Book Sale and Mary's Hideaway

FRIDAY, MAY 17

Malcolm and Steve came over to work on the gutters, window seals and tuckpoint the chimney and several ledges.  Met Kevin and Kelly, Glenn and Barb at Saylor Mick's for fish fry then went to the Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.  

Came home and watched the last episode of "Blue Bloods" for the spring.  Sadly, it ends after a few more episodes this fall.  This is my favorite TV drama. Love those family meals on Sundays.

SATURDAY, MAY 18

Stopped at Thornton's in Fox Lake for my usual cappucino and then to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society at Grant Museum in Ingleside for a very timely presentation on cicadas.  Afterwards did bush trimming, went to Sunnyside and watched the Preakness Race and then to Magic Moon in Spring Grove and was happy to see that my buddy Frank was back to tending bar on Saturday night.

SUNDAY, MAY 19

Went to the Friends of McHenry Library semiannual book sale and then to my buddy Langer's visitation in McHenry.  We had some great times together and I sure will miss him. Stopped at the McHenry Legion.  Afterwards met J.C. and some other of his pals at Mary's Hideaway in Johnsburg to toast him.

--Good Times in the Area.  --RoadDog

Good Times Around Here May 14 to 16: A Movie, the Civil War, Bars and Specials, Good Eatin' and 'Young Sheldon'

TUESDAY, MAY 14

Went to Woodstock and saw "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes", met members of the McHenry County Civil War Round Table at 3 Brothers restaurant for dinner and then heard a presentation on the Queen of the West and USS Indianola at the Woodstock Public Library.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15

Played trivia at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and had 75 cent wings at Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove, Illinois.  Oh yes, then there were the $1 tall boys of Hamms.

THURSDAY, MAY 16

Met with the funeral home to design grave stone for Liz and myself.  Then met Liana and Frank at the Fox Lake, Illinois, Senior Luncheon at the Lake Front Park and were entertained by a duo.  That "Young Sheldon" series finale was something else.  I am sure going to miss that show.

--RoadDog

20 Common Sayings 'Woke" Folks Don't Like-- Part 2:

Again, if you're wondering why the "wokers" don't like it, check out the site, they'll tell you.

11.  Bless you.

12.  Peanut gallery

13.  Blind leading the blind.

14.  Drink the Kool-Aid.  (Well, I kind of agree with this one.)

15.  Too many chiefs, not enough Indians.

16.  Dumb

17.  Columbus Day

18.  Lowest on the Totem Pole.

19.  Not Quite 

Must Be a "Woke" Thing.  --RoadDog

First Ten Songs on Bob Stroud's Salute to Summer '74: 'Star Baby'

These are the first ten songs Bob Stroud played on his Rock and Roll Roots Salute to the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of 1974.  

1.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

2.  GET OUT OF DENVER--  Bob Seger

3.  HELP ME--  Joni Mitchell

4.  OUT ON THE BORDER--  Eagles

5.  COME AND GET YOUR LOVE--  Red Bone

6.  I'VE BEEN SEARCHING SO LONG--  Chicago

7.  BRIDGE OF SIGHS--  Robin Trower

8.  LAGRANGE--  ZZ TOP

9.  THAT'LL BE THE DAY--  FOG HAT

10.  ANOTHER PARK, ANOTHER SUNDAY--  Doobie Brothers

And the show still is on now at 10:56.  It also will replay tonight from 9 pm to midnight if you can stay up that long.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Rumor Spreadin' 'Round In That Texas Town."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"LaGrange"

If the Summer of 1974 Means Something to You: Bob Stroud's Annual Salute to the Summer of '74

Tune into Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, today from 9 to noon CDST as Bob Stroud takes a trip way back, fifty years ago to be exact, to play the songs on your radio and in your record collection from June 2, 1974.

This is the first part of his four-part trip back to the Summer of '74.  He will also visit that day the first Sunday in July, August and September.

The station will also air it again from 9 pm to midnight.  And it streams over the internet.

I sure will be listening.

Road'74

WLS Top Ten for Week of June 1, 1974: 'The Loco-Motion'

Fifty years ago on Chicago's WLS AM 890.

1.  THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens

2.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

3.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

4.  BILLY DON'T BE A HERO--  Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods

5.  BAND ON THE RUN--  Paul McCartney & Wings

6.  THE ENTERTAINER (MUSIC FROM THE STING)--  Marvin Hamlish

7.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON--  Three Dog Night

8.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

9.  MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS--  Maria Muldaur

10.  SUNDOWN--  Gordon Lightfoot

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

DEBUTS

12.  YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW--  Stylistics

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Well I've Never Been Much For Admitting Things."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Star Baby"

20 Common Sayings 'Woke' Folks Don't Like-- Part 1 "Exotic'

From Alot.com "20 common sayings liberals have decided are 'Un-Woke' by Sherrill Dean.

Well, I sure had a giggle about these.

Check out the site for the reasons.

1.  Hold down the fort.

2.  Ladies and gentlemen

3.  Pull yourself up by your bootstraps.

4.  Pow-wow

5.  Tomboy

6.  Exotic

7.  Merry Christmas

8.  Boys will be boys.

9.  Normal

10.  I don't see color.

Giggling Down the Road.  Ten More to Go.  --RoadWhat?

John Fogerty's Birthday Today

And I didn't even know it until Bob Stroud devoted his Ten at Ten on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM, The Drive to John Fogerty music, both with that band (my favorite all-time band) and solo.

Born May 28, 1945, making him four days and six years older than me.

These are the songs Stroud played:

TEN AT TEN

Proud May

Bad Moon Rising  (For many years the ringtone on my phone.)

Down on the Corner

Old Man Down the Road

Who'll Stop the Rain  (I remember waking up on race day at the Indy 500 at the opening at 6 am and they started with this song when rain was expected.)

Centerfield

Fortunate Son

Rock and Roll Girls

Have You Ever Seen the Rain

Change in the Weather

Love That Creedence Clearwater Revival.  --Roaderty

Good Times Around Here: May 8 to 12: Trivia, Retired Teachers, Two Legions, Fish Fry and a Band

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8

Donovan's Reef for trivia.

THURSDAY, MAY 9

Breakfast with retired Magee teachers at Bristol 45 Diner.  Fox Lake Legion.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

Johnny's Cafe in Fox Lake for fish fry.  Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.

SATURDAY, MAY 11

Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove for the band Peter & the Versatiles.

SUNDAY,  MAY 12

McHenry Legion and Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

--RoadDog

Good Times Around Here, May 1-5: Donovan's & Mick's, a $7 Breakfast, Patty Melt, Legion, Bart Alonzo Band and Steak & Eggs

We haven't even gotten to summer yet, but already lots to do around here.

So far this month:

MAY 1ST, WEDNESDAY

Donovan's for trivia and Saylor Mick's for $1 Hamms pints and 75 cent wings.

MAY 2ND, THURSDAY

Fox Lake Legion for $1.50 pints.

MAY 3RD, FRIDAY

Eggs over easy, hash browns and toast at Midwest Breakfast Company for $7.  A real good deal these days. K.C.'s Cabin for a patty melt and then Fox Lake Legion for 50-50.

MAY 4TH, SATURDAY

Fox Lake Legion and the Bart Alonzo Band from 3 to 6 pm.  Magic Moon and glad to see buddy Frank is back.

MAY 5TH, SUNDAY

Steak and eggs at Pink House in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin.  Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  Sunnyside in Johnsburg, Illinois.

--RoadDog

2024 Movie Scratches: Dolls-- Panda-- Arthur-- Things

These are movies I saw in the theater this year.

17.  DRIVE AWAY DOLLS--  2-29--  Fox Lake--  $7--  Two gay women go on quite a road trip.  Best movie line ever?  "You're a day late and a dick short."

18.  KUNG FU PANDA 4--  3-12--  Woodstock--  $6--  The Dragon Warrior battles the Chameleon Lady and finds a successor.

19.  ARTHUR THE KING--  3-19--  Fox Lake--  $6--  An unexpected treat  One of those feel-good movies.  And you thought the triathalon was hard.

20.  POOR THINGS--  3-20--  Fox Lake--  $6--  Frankenstein meets nudity.  Lots of unique characters in this one.

--RoadMovie

Savannah Trip-- Part 5: Another Museum and Homeward Bound

TUESDAY, APRIL 9

Sadly, it was now time to go home.  I would be once again be taking two flights on Delta.  One from Savannah to Atlanta, then one from Atlanta to Milwaukee.  However, I didn't leave until late in the afternoon so Ed and I went over to the National Museum of the Mighty 8th Air Force in Pooler, Georgia.

This was one of the major units to bomb Germany during World War II and quite a museum.  Just like the other museums I visited, I'll want to return next trip as there was just too much to see.  We had an excellent lunch at Miss Sophie's Restaurant located on the premises.

I am happy to say that both legs of my return trip home went just like clock work.

So, I will fly once again.

--RoadDog

Every Blooming THing-- Mid May

Trees are all leafed out now.  The two front sunburst honeylocusts are with their bright yellow leaves now which turn green later.  But. quite the striking picture right now.  My Japanese lilacs are getting ready to bloom.

The main dandelion assault is over.

My wild tall phlox are blooming (at least a hundred of them) and my daisies are blooming and/or getting ready to do so.  The irises are blooming as well and the azaleas have more red on then than I've ever seen.

Last night I think I might have heard the first cicadas.  Even though my house is now 32 years old, we haven't had but a few before.  

The lawn tractor has developed a slow leak on one of the rear wheels.

And, yesterday I started trimming the burning bushes which are growing all over the place.  Today, I started transplanting plants I overwintered in the house.

--RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for Week of May 18, 1974: 'Dancing Machine'

These songs were being played on Chicago's WLS 890 AM fifty years ago.

1.  THE LOCO-MOTION--  Grand Funk

2.  THE STREAK--  Ray Stevens

3.  THE ENTERTAINER (MUSIC FROM THE STING)--  Marvin Hamlisch

4.  STAR BABY--  Guess Who

5.  COME AND GET YOUR LOVE--  Redbone

6.  DANCING MACHINE--  Jackson Five

7.  T S O P (THE SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA)--  MFSB & The 3 Degrees

8.  THE SHOW MUST GO ON--  Three Dog Night

9.  BENNIE AND THE JETS--  Elton John

10.  BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME--    Gladys Knight & Pips

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

DEBUTS 

15.  (I'VE BEEN) SEARCHIN' SO LONG--  Chicago

16.  MIDNIGHT AT THE OASIS--  Maria Muldaur

17.  BILLY DON'T BE A HERO--  Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "What's The Matter With Your Head?  Yeah."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

"Come and Get Your Love"

2024 Movie Scratches: Dune-- Lisa-- Bad-- Marley

Movies I saw at the theater.

13.  DUNE--2-12--  Fox Lake--  $5--  Very confusing sci-fi movie, but I hadn't seen this when it came out and now part 2 is coming.

14.  LISA FRANKENSTEIN--  2-20--  Fox Lake--  $5--  A love story of a different sort.  A misfit girl falls for a dead beau from the 1800s and Bobbetized a guy.

15.  LAND OF BAD--  2-20--  Fox Lake--  $5--  All the action and high yech you could ever want.  Lots of folks got killed.

16.  BOB MARLEY:  ONE LOVE--  2-27--  Woodstock--  $6--  Great story, and of course, all that great reggae music.

--RoadMovie

2024 Movie Scratches: Anyone-- Fiction--- Godzilla-- Argyle

Movies I saw at the theater in 2024:

9.  ANYONE BUT YOU--  1-30--  Fox Lake--  $5--  And they both meant it, but not really.  Hilarious situations in this rom-com.

10.  AMERICAN FICTION--  2-1--  Fox Lake--  $7--  Here's to you "wokers.  I'd vote for this as Best Picture.

11.  GODZILLA MINUS ONE--  2-1--  Fox Lake--  In black and white.  A throw-back on those 1950s Japanese Godzilla movies.  In Japanese.

12.  ARGYLE--  2-8--Fox Lake--  $7--  So, what's real and what's not.  One way to write a book.

--RoadDog

Savannah Trip-- Part 4: Trains and History and Kittens

MONDAY, APRIL 8

Trip to Savannah today.  We took a tour of the Savannah Railroad Museum which features a round house and had a nice talk with some people refurbishing an old engine.

Then we walked over to the nearby Savannah Historical Museum which has  a lot of stuff from all ages of the city's past.  Also on the grounds are some of the recreated American Revolution Battle of Savannah where the Polish officer/American General Pulaski was killed.

Today was also the much hyped Day of the Eclipse.  Ed and I didn't have the special glasses so didn't get too see it.  Julie was more fortunate and was with someone who had the glasses so she got to see it.

My sister Julie has established a cat rescue house and was involved with that most of the time I was there.  And, she did her best to get me to adopt one of those kittens and was sorely tempted, I must admit.  She brought two kittens home for me to play with:  Olaf and Daisy, but Daisy looked like one of those Star War Ewoks so that got to be her name.

Still Catless.  --RoadCat