Every Blooming THing, Mid June

The yard has been ablaze in purples and whites the last three weeks as the tall wild phlox and daisies have been blooming.  I must have several hundred of each.  I even have clumps of daisies growing in the yard in about 12 places.

In addition, the Japanese lilacs are now in bloom with those massive white flower bunches.  The peonies are also blooming.  Also, my Missouri primrose is blooming as is a perennial which has yellow flowers blooming on its spike (but I don't know the name of it).

I have started trimming bushes and will tell you sincerely that I planted way too many of the yews.  Plus, I have way too many burning bushes.  I have been and still am cutting down weed trees andother wild growth.

This past Sunday I talked with a friend at the McHenry Legion who has a landscaping service and will have him come over an do some serious tree trimming.  

When I started planting all this stuff in 1993, I was still a somewhat healthy 42-year-old and it never occurred to me that one day I might be getting too old to do all the work.  Well, it has now iccurred to me.  In addition, I spend way too much time on these blogs.

I am hoping that I will be able to continue cutting the grass what with gas prices around $5.80.

It's Getting Tougher, You Know.  --RoadDog

Guess I'm WAY Out of the Loop in Music These Days: About That Current and Country Music

Well, we have that giant music festival going on in Chicago this weekend called Lollapalooza and a couple weeks ago we had a big country festival near here in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin called Country Thunder.

I went to Country Thunder once quite a while ago, back in my much younger days.  But, as I get older, huge crowds just isn't something I want to experience.  It did used to bother me, but now its sure does.

Anyway, I go a schedule for Country Thunder (and I still am a big country music fan and often listen to WBRF, 98.1 FM out of Galax, Virginia over the internet.  They play what they call Classic Country.  The older stuff.)

Out of four headliners July 15-18, I only recognized two:  Eric Church and Blake Shelton.  Out of the other 18 performers, I only recognize three:  Clay Walker, Tanya Tucker and Neal McCoy.

Out of 170+ bands, this was real sad, I only recognized seven: Miley Cyrus, Black Pumas, Limp Bizkit, Journey, Mt. Joy, Post Malone and Foo Fighters.

Like I said, Guess I'm Out of the Loop Now.  --RoadHopeless?

On Gettin' Old: Broom Hilda Gets It, Too

From the September 11, 2016, Broom Hilda comic strip.

1.  Broom Hilda is looking at a calendar for September 2016, tacked up on a tree.  She squints at it and says:  "Mine enemy!"
2.  Looking sad:  "The older I get the quicker time seems to pass."

3.  A picture of her as a baby:  "When I was little, a month lasted forever."
4.  "Now it's as if the pages of the darn calendar turn continually."

5.  "With each flipping of those pages my life comes closer to  the final chapter."
6.  All of a sudden, the pages of the calendar start jumping off:  "YIPE!!  NO!"

7.  Gaylord, the vulture looks around the side of the tree holding an air blower and says:  "These new electric leaf blowers sure are quiet."  Broom Hilda is running off and yelling:  "I'm too young to die!!"

Time sure flies when you're having fun.

I Know the Feeling Well, Broom Hilda.  --RoadDog

These Music Folks Didn't Make It to 70

From Rob O'Connor's April 12th List of the Day "The Unlucky 13--Musicians Who Would Have Been 70 This Year."

In keeping with the previous two posts.

13.  Clarence Clemmons of Bruce Springsteen's E. Street Band-- Born Jan. 11, died June 18, 2011.
12.  Edwin Starr-- Born Jan. 21st, died April 2, 2003.
11.  Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones--  Born Feb. 28th, died July 3, 1969.

10.  Nicholas Ashford--  Born May 4, Died Aug. 22, 2011.
9.  Tammy Wynette--  Born May 5th, Died April 6, 1998.
8.  Ian Drury of the Blockheads--  Born May 12th.  Died March 26, 1999.
7.  Curtis Mayfield--  Born June 3rd.  Died Dec. 26, 1999.
6.  Ronnie James Dio of Black Sabbath--  Born July 10th.  Died May 16, 2010.

5.  Isaac Hayes--  Born August 20th.  Died Aug. 10, 2008.
4.  Frankie Lymon--  Born Sept. 30th.  Died Feb. 28, 1968.
3.  Harry Chapin--  Born Dec. 7th.  Died July 16, 1981.
2.  Paul Butterfield--  Born Dec.17th.  Died May 4, 1987.
1.  Robert Quine, noted guitarist--  Born Dec. 30th.  Died May 31, 2004.

We're ALL Getting Older.  --RoadDog


OLDSTER BUMPER STICKERS:  The Snap, Crackle and Pop in the Morning Ain't My freakin' Rice Krispies.

In Music, 70 Is the New 60-- Part 2

13.  Brian Wilson, June 20
12.  Roger McGuinn, July 13 Byrds
11.  B.J. Thomas Aug.7

10.  Caetono Veloso, Aug. 7 Brazilian folk singer
9.  Al Jardine, Sept. 3 Beach Boys
8.  Danny Hutton, Three Dog Night (all three singers turn 70 this year)
7.  Gary Puckett, Oct. 17
6.  Elvin Bishop,  Oct. 21


5.  Johnny Rivers, Nov. 7
4.  Bob Lind, Nov. 25 "Elusive Butterfly"
3.  Dave Clark, Dec. 15
2.  Mike Nesmith, Dec. 30  Monkees
1.  Andy Summers, Dec. 31 Police

We SEEM to be GETTING OLDER.  --RoadDog

Senioritis Strikes

Not to say I'm getting old or anything...BUT!


WHO STOLE MY WALLET

Yesterday, when I got up, I had a scare where I thought I had lost my wallet somewhere the day before.

When I put on my short pants, there was no familiar impression from the wallet. I reached back and it wasn't there, nor was it on the other side (not likely as the shorts only have one back pocket on the right.

I was starting to panic when I realized I had the shorts on backwards. There the wallet was in front. After I turned them around, the wallet was where it needed to be. Everything was at it should be.


WHO STOLE MY CAR

Even more embarrassing was something that happened before I left for North Carolina.

After seeing "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" I went to Subway in Fox Lake intending to try the new pulled pork sandwich. After I got it, I walked out to the car and put the key in, or should I say, tried to put the key in.

I was driving the new 2011 Malibu and that key would not go in. I also have the key to the old 2003 Malibu, so even tried that one. It still wouldn't open. Then I noticed some scratches by the lock and proceeded to try to rub them off, all the while wondering why those keys wouldn't open the car.

That's when I heard a voice, looked up and saw a woman at the door of the Subway store saying that I wouldn't be able to get into that car because it was hers. That's when I looked closer at the car. Same color, but an import. She said she would be happy to trade cars if I wanted. I apologized and said I'd keep the one I had, then walked over a few spaces to the correct car.

And, the key went right in.

I sure would have been embarrassed if I had gotten arrested for trying to steal that car. What were you arrested for? Stupidity.

In my defense, though, it was the same color and I don't drive the 2011 that often.

Well, That's My Excuse and I'm Sticking to It. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: How many of you like the All-State commercial where Mayhem is the GPS and tells the driver to turn and causes an accident?

Not Saying That Some of Us Are Getting Old, But...

They say that Rock and Roll never dies, it doesn't even retire. Bob Dylan turns 70 today, but he will barely take a stop on his nonstop touring schedule.

I just turned 60 today, but I AM RETIRED and AM ENJOYING it immensely. I highly recommend it even if the tea-partiers hate me for it.

The Rock and Roll generation is aging, some more gracefully than others.

Neil Diamond, mike Love (Beach Boys) and Joan Baez have already hit 70, and Charlie Watts, David Crosby and both Simon and Garfunkel will be following later in 2011.

Gary Bongiovanni, editor of the concert-industry publication Pollstar, says, "These people came of age when you weren't supposed to trust anybody over 30, and they're on the road as grandparents and great-grandparents."

From the May 22nd Parade Magazine.

If David Crosby and Keith Richards can get this old, there is hope for everybody. What did the Who say about their generation?

"I've Got to Admit I'm Getting Older." --RoadDog


ONLY IN AMERICA...Do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

Here's Looking at the Big 6-0

One day before I turn 60. Who'd A'Thought? Can it already be almost five years since I retired from teaching just a couple days after my 55th birthday?


Yesterday, the Chicago Tribune's comic section had a very appropriate Shoe strip.

FIRST PANEL: Shoe is running along the limb, coming up behind Cosmo, "Out of my way, Cosmo!!"

SECOND PANEL: Shoe entering the door to the Treetops Tavern: "Last one to the bar buys the first round!"

THIRD PANEL: Cosmo and Shoe have their beers at the bar. Cosmo says, "There must be an actual point where you cross into middle age."

FOURTH PANEL: Shoe says, "For me, I think I know when that was." Cosmo, "Oh?"

FIFTH PANEL: Shoe, "When I was young, the first thing I did when walking into a bar..."

SIXTH FRAME: "Was check out the babes."

SEVENTH FRAME: Cosmo, "And that's changed?"

EIGHTH FRAME: Shoe, "Oh, yeah...now the first thing I do..."

NINTH FRAME: Shoe, "Is check for the location of the bathroom."

Yup, That About Sums It Up for Me. --RoadDog


ONLY IN AMERICA....Do banks leave vault doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

How Come So Many of My Friends Are Turning 60?

This past Saturday, we drove to Huntley, Illinois, and attended the 60th birthday of friend John. He is married to high school friend Kris (Liz's neighbor and best friend back then. Great time. Who'd have thought a 60 year-old could have that much fun.

This coming Saturday, I deejay the 60th birthday of friend Rick, the Turkey Man.

How Come So Many of My Friends Are Turning 60? Oh, I'm Almost 60. --RoadDog

When You Know You're Old-- Part 1

After hitting 58, I have to say that some of these are too true.

You Know You're Old When

You keep more food in your fridge than beer. (Does my minifridge behind the bar count?)

6 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed. (Anything later than 11 PM and I'm getting really tired.)

You hear your favorite song in an elevator. (I'm not even going to talk about this one.)

You spend lots of time watching the weather channel and talking about the forecasts. (More Liz than me.)

You're the one calling the police because the kids next door are playing their stereo too loud. (Actually, back in the 70s, my next door neighbors' kids called me to ask me to turn my stereo down and I was playing downstairs in the basement.)

More to Come. --RoadDog

Hagar Feels My Pain

I had to laugh at Sunday's Hagar the Horrible comic strip in the Chicago Tribune.

It opens with Hagar happily walking down the road, then he trips and sees his shoelace is untied. He kneels down to tie then three panels go by where he is trying to stand up. He then says, "Tying your shoe isn't the problem, It's getting BACK UP!"

Boy, is that ever getting to be true. Every year, I find it more and more necessary to hold on to something, accompanied with these strange grunts and hmmphs. Where's that stuff coming from?

Anybody seen my cheaters? Just let my get a menu in a dark restaurant and let the fun begin.

"Help, I've Fallen and Can't Get Up!" Isn't So Funny Anymore. --RoadDog

When Is It Too Old to Rock and Roll? --Part 2

ROCK'S GERIATRIC MOVEMENT


Back on May 14th, I wrote about Mark Caro's May 10th article in the Chicago Tribune.Robert Plant said he shot down a Led Zeppelin reunion tour for fear fans would be disappointed. But, hey, the fans back then have gotten older too. Then, 68-year-old Beach Boy Mike Love is still singing "Be True to Your School." What high school class would he be?

There was a illustration of "old" rock stars, including Bruce Springsteen, 59; Eric Clapton, 64; Bob Dylan 67 (now 68); Bonnie Raitt,59; Debbie Harry (Blondie), 63; Elton John, 62: Billy Joel, 60; and Tina Turner, 69.

Bob Stroud featured Ron Wood of Small Faces, Faces, Rod Stewart, and the Rolling Stones who turned 62 today. Speaking of the Stones, drummer Charlie Watts turns 68 this month, and Mick Jagger is almost 70!! No telling how old Keith Richards is, but, it's o-l-d.

Some of the performers can no longer hit the notes like they used to.

We Be Gettin' Old. --RoadDog

When Is It TOO Old to Rock and Roll?

The May 10th Chicago Tribune had an article by Mark Caro called "Too old to rock?".

He started off with the familiar words of the Who's Pete Townsend in "My Generation" in the sixties "Hope I die before I get old." Then, there was also Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones who once said, "I'd rather be dead than singing 'Satisfaction' when I'm 45. He is turning 66 AND STILL singing it.

Not only are THEY getting old, but their fans are GETTING OLD as well. I like Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on Sunday mornings, but I could really do without all his birthdays. Since the show is sixties and seventies, those people are all in their late 50s and sixties, even seventies.

Who'd have figured that these folks would have lived so long, especially after all the excess back in the day. That one little year stretch back when Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix all died made me wonder if we'd lose them all, but, well, David Crosby and Keith Richards still live, and if they can make it, anybody should be able.

Talkin' 'Bout My Generation. --RoadDog

Don't it Make Your Feel Old?

The old cipherin' guy himself, Max Baer turns 70 this week. Son of a boxer, he was Jethro in the "Beverly Hillbillies."

Bob Stroud always features rock birthdays on his show. Other birthdays this week to make you feel too old.

Harry Chapin, "WOLD" and "Cats in the Cradle" would have been 65.
Jim Messina, of Loggins & Messina fame, is 60
John Desmond, the Doors' drummer, is 63
Mike Smith, lead vocalist of the Dave Clark 5 (I always thought it was Dave Clark as the lead singer) is 63.
Dennis Wilson, drummer of the Beach Boys, would have been 63

Talking 'Bout My Generation. --RoadDog

Speaking of Getting Old

I love to listen to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots every Sunday morning. His knowledge and song selection is second to none.

HOWEVER, you can sure come away feeling old, as he always spotlights artists having birthdays during the week. Unfortunately, he also gives their ages.

For example, this past and upcoming weeks:

Tom Fogerty- would have been 66, member of the Greatest Band- CCR
Peter Noonan-- 60-- leader of Herman's Hermits "Something tells me I'm getting so old."
Glenn Frey--59-- Eagles
Johnny Rivers-- 65-- and he's the "Seventh Son."
Art Garfunkel-- 66
Bonnie Bramlett-- 63-- Delaney & Bonnie
Lulu-- 59-- "To Sir with Love"
Joni Mitchell-- 62

"Hope I Die Before I Get Old." Right!!! --RoadDog

Frances' 92nd Birthday

I had to edit out some of yesterday's posting as I made a copy of it and gave it to Frances. She really liked it, but called it her obituary, which it wasn't. She read it three times and I made sure she looked at the last line where I wished her many more birthdays to come.

I didn't want her to know that she was at Alden Terrace Nursing Home, in the rehabilitation unit. But, as soon as she finishes that, she will be moving over to the nursing care unit where she will remain. Her apartment in Woodstock is no longer hers. However, she managed to live essentially by herself until almost the age of 92, so that is impressive.

We stopped at Kohl's on the way over and got her some clothing and two cupcakes. I also got her the Northwest Herald so she could do her much loved crossword puzzle.