Trying to Reason With an Ice Storm-- Part 6: How to Keep Busy When There's Nothing to Do at Home

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23

I went to Wal Mart and overheard several people talking about not having electricity and that was why they were out "shopping," also to stay warm.  Then I went to Meijer and I heard someone call to me, turned, and it was one of the couples from Midwest Breakfast Company.  Great minds must think alike.  Right?

Returning home, I walked around back to check for damage and sadly saw that one of my clump white birch trees was broken about two-thirds of the way up.  Too bad.  That is a pretty tree.  Plus, there were a lot of limbs down on both pine islands.

Like I said, this is by far the worst ice storm we've had in the thirty years living in this house.

Still no power when I got back to the house, so, what else could I do but take a nap.  I was awakened at 11:30 am when the power came back on. This means lots of resetting items that usually Liz did (and knew how to do).  But now I have to figure it out myself and remember, I'm pretty technologically challenged.  Electricity had been out 17 hours.

Then, there is that computer thing.

Actually, I somehow got it going again.  No idea how, though.

With roads in good shape, I drove over to Bulldog Ale House south of McHenry for their $2 draft beer special.  They have 32 draft beers, including domestics, imports and craft beers.  I like imports and craft beers, but not for $6 to $8, but am like a kid in a candy store at $2.  I tried quite a few different ones (No IPAs though, Yuck!!).

Came home and watched the Thursday TV shows (a favorite night).  Sadly, Wednesday night is also a favorite, but we all know what happened to that last night.

--RoadIce

Drinkin' and Eatin' on the Cheap

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

I must remember to always put the checkbook in the same place.  Whenever I don't, it goes on the "lam" for awhile.  Like it is right now.  

Met Kevin and Kelly at Half-Times in Johnsburg, Illinois, and enjoyed the $1 Lite pints and the $11.50 (half price) slab of ribs, fried and garlic bread meal.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Hey, Half-Times has $1 Lite drafts and half price pizza, sandwiches and ribs Monday to Thursday until the end of February.  I have to take advantage of ths deal.  I was back again.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

I found the wayward checkbook and put it where I always do.  Let's see how long  remember to do this.  Went to Donovan's in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and played live trivia with Kevin, Kelly and a host of others.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Met Kevin and Kelly at Bulldog Ale House in McHenry, Illinois.  They have their old special back.  Any of their draft beer pints for $2.  And, that includes domestic, import and craft beer.  That's talking my language.  Plus, 89 cent chicken tenders.

Too Good of Deals to Pass Up.  --RoadDog

Our 49th Wedding Anniversary-- Part 11: Drinkin' at the VFW

Back at our favorite drinking spot in Galena, the VFW on Main Street.  They have $2 drafts.  The cheaper we pay for beer,  the better in our book.  Plus, we almost always we find locals to talk with.  My idea of a great bar.  And, you don't see every other person in the bar deeply involved with their "Smart Phone."

Talked with one guy who had brought his own limes into the bar.  We just had to ask why?  He said that even though the bartenders wash their hands when they go to the bathroom, but they handle money and money is covered with germs.  Makes sense, but I don't think I'll be toting limes alon with me.

Sadly, just before we left, I found out that they have craft and import beers for $3.25.  I had a couple, but would have had more at that price had I known of the special.

Cheaper Beer Is Better Beer.  --RoadDog

Indy Here We Come: Indy 500, Speedway Main Street, Bars, Bands and Lots of Walking

FRIDAY, MAY 27

It was off to my 10th straight trip to the Indy 500 Race in Indianapolis (well, Speedway, Indiana).  Met Sue, Paul and Michelle in Ingleside and they drove their RV there.  

After setting up at the American Legion right across from the track, we walked over to Main Street of Speedway where they were having a street festival.  They went over to Daredevil Brewing and I had a coupla beers at Barbecue and Bourbon.

Back to the RV and our own little barbecue and then  had a great time with the band in the Legion.

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

SATURDAY, MAY 28

A warmer and nicer day than yesterday.  No rain.  We went over to the Speedway for Legends Day where, for $10 entrance you get to walk the track, Gasoline Alley and go to the exhibitors.  And, of course, spend money on souvenirs.  I only bought a 2022 race license plate.

Back to the RV and listened as they practiced for tomorrow's show before the race.  Twice we had military jets fly over us.

Later, we went to the Legion and listened to the band before returning to the RV and sitting outside.

--RoadIndy

No FP for Me, Fall Arrives, Donovan's, Trivia, Sunnyside, Craft Brews, Da Bears and a Fish Fry

WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 22

Fall has arrived and with it considerably cooler in the morning  I haven't sat out FP (Front Porch) for the last several days.  Went to Donovan's Reef as we do most every Wednesday to play live trivia with Jeff and enjoy the cheap beers.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

We went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and I enjoyed this month's Thursday special which was the craft beer called Beach Blonde for $2 a pint.  I really like craft beers (but definitely not IPAs), but do not like paying $5 to $7 for one.  I am what you call a cheap drinker.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Still no FP.  Fall has definitely arrived.  Lots of talk around here about the Bears moving to Arlington Heights since they have evidently bought Arlington Park Race Track.  Makes no difference to me.

Met Kevin, Kelly, Barb and Glen at Cuda's for their fish fry.

--RoadDog

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

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

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

THURSDAY, MAY 23

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

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

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

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

Indy, We Have Arrived.  --RoadDog

Good Times Last Week-- Part 1: Rain and Bars

It would appear that we might actually have simmer-like weather here, finally.

JUNE 20, WEDNESDAY--  Met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, ($175 24 ox. pints) and later adjourned to Sunnyside Tap ($1.25 pints) in Johnsburg, Illinois.

JUNE 21, THURSDAY--  Enjoyed listening to Bob Stroud play summer songs on hos Ten at Ten show on WDRV.  See the June 21 blog entry for his songs.

Later, met Kevin and Kelly at the Bulldog Ale House sand enjoyed their $2 drafts and I mean all 40 of them, including imports and craft beers.  We then went to McHenry Brewing Co., a craft brewery place and a stamp on the Chain Crawl.  Last stop was at Half-Times for $1 pints.

JUNE 21, FRIDAY--  We have had nothing but rain since Monday.  Getting a bit tired of it.  Went to the American Legion.

I'd Drink to That.  --RoadDog

TRANSLATING PROJECT TERMS:  They say:  The design will be finalized in the next reporting period.  They mean:  We haven't started this job yet, but we've got to say something.

About Last Weekend-- Part 1: Hello McRib, Windstorm & Craft Beer

FRIDAY, NOV. 18:  Rain off and on all day but temps remained unseasonably warm, but started dropping in the afternoon as winds picked up..  Took the '03 Malibu to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake, Illinois, to fix a radiator leak and get an oil change.  I had my first McRib of the season at McDonald's!!!  Oh Boy!!  I paid $5 for the McRib meal which also came with fries and drink.

The wind was really blowing by 4 p.m. and the Bradford pear tree by the deck was really doing some bending.   Bradford pear trees are notorious for weak wood and several years back ion a November windstorm I had lost another one.  These trees also are among the last to lose their leaves and have brilliant color.  All the weight and mass of the leaves don't help things either.

We went to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their $2 draft craft pints and then to the Legion with friends Kevin and Kelly.

--RoadDog

THE SHOCKING TRUTH ABOUT OKRA  (From the Orange Peel Gazette):  Iy is a well-known fact that common garden insects will NOT eat okra.  Neither will uncommon garden insects.  That should tell you something.

Sure Been Enjoying This Warm Weather-- Part 1

Definitely something you wouldn't be expecting here in the Midwest along the Wisconsin-Illinois border.

The temperatures have been in the lower 70s with lots of sun.  We've got to really enjoy this because you-know-what is around the corner.

FRIDAY, we had a perfect day for the Cubs World Series parade and celebration in Chicago, but we didn't go and glad of it as that was some really big crowd as I had figured it would be with all the Cub fans around here.  We did watch it on TV in between trips outside to enjoy the sun.

I got a lot of yardwork accomplished and later we went to Bootleggers Bar for fish dinners, 'Cuda's for $2 craft beer and the Usual Suspects and later to the Legion.

SATURDAY, I sat out at the front porch, deck and gazebo.  Later, we went to Kevin and Kelly's and helped polish off Kelly's Oktoberfest, Strawberry Blonde and Port craft beers.  She is getting to be quite the brewer.  We sat outside at their place on Fox Lake and enjoyed the warm afternoon into evening.  Who'd have figured you'd get a chance to do this on November 5, wearing tee-shirts and shorts.  We then had a bonfire.

Enjoying It While We Can.  --RoadDog

SIGNS AND NOTICES:  At a car dealership in Maryland to announce new seat belt legislation:  "Belt your family.  It's the law."

Great Time Around Here Last Week-- Part 2: Bands, Craft Beer and a Fish Fry

FRIDAY, JULY 8--  Lots of yardwork, then went to Kevin and Kelly's place on Fox Lake and enjoyed Kelly's homemade strawberry ale.  We then adjourned to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their Pabst beer-Battered fish fry and watermelon beer.  Last stop was at the Legion.

SATURDAY, JULY 9--  Again, more yardwork.  We went to captain's Quarters on Fox Lake  and saw the band Ear Candy then to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg.

SUNDAY, JULY 10--  We went to Sunnyside, then to Twin lakes Roadhouse i Wisconsin to see the band Blindspot play on the deck.  On the way home, stopped at Donovan's and The Grove in Spring Grove.

Why Go Anywhere Else? --RoadDog