Around Here: Good Things About Eliminations, Flu Shot, Raking Pine Straw and Lawn Tractor Problems

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14

Well, one good thing about the Sox being eliminated from the playoffs (and the Brewers were also eliminated last night), I no longer have to make a special effort to watch any of the playoff games anymore.  I will watch parts of them as I get a chance to, but not all the games.  Plus, had the Sox gone to the World Series and won, there is a considerable savings on souvenirs of the event.

I got my regular flu shot for the second straight year,  I didn't get them for many years as I taught school and was around so many kids that I had built up quite an immunity, but the last several years I had been really sick with the flu for a couple weeks at a shot, so, hey, I'll take the shot.

Put up some more Halloween lights.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15

I did a lot of pine straw raking (free mulch) around the east and west pine islands and picked up a whole lot of limbs and sticks in the arboretum area in preparation of cutting the grass.  Sadly, I couldn't get the lawn tractor started and will have to have it worked on again.  It is now 28years old and perhaps even a John Deere doesn't run forever.  This is the third problem this year so it may be time to get another one.

--RoadDog

Good Times Last Week: No Q But Stucky's, Donovan's Reef, Perennials, Gas Gouge, Nothin' Runs Like a Deer and Best Dog Ever

TUESDAY, AUGUST 31

We were going to meet Kevin and Kelly, Glenn and Barb at BB*Q in Spring Grove, but they weren't open and we fear are closed for good.  Fall-back plan was Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, and their great half-price burger and $2 domestic cans special on Tuesdays.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

FP (Front Porch) which I do every day for breakfast and coffee.  The FP chipmunk has me trained so well as his or her food requirements.  I had to help the guy from Buck Brothers push the lawn tractor across the yard and up a small hill to get it on the trailer so he could take it back to Wauconda to have them find out why it stopped running last week.  I'm getting too old for this sort of thing.

As usual, met Kevin and Kelly at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin for trivia and drinks.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Drove to McHenry, Illinois, where gas had jumped to $3.46 for Labor Day and Hurricane Ida.  Big Oil needs to make their profit, you know.  Sad to see that Meijer is now requiring face masks, but at least they had three bricks of cassette recording tapes.  Bought three hostas and two red perennials at Meijer as well for $4 apiece.  Then  bought five small mum plants for $1.25 each and two $4 gladidora perennials at Home Depot.

Found out the lawn tractor would cost $380 to fix and was happy to hear it as I was figuring that I'd have to replace my 27-year-old John Deere and that would be over $3,000.  So, I was happy about that.

Later went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsbirg and had probably the best hot dog ever for $2 and a dollar extra forb tater tots.

Eatin' and Drinkin' Cheap in the Neighborhood.  --RoadDog

JSS: Classic Cinemas Reopens-- Lawn Tractor Comes Home (Hopefully)-- Dandelions Anyone

JSS:  Just Some Stuff

1.  CLASSIC CINEMAS REOPENS--  Well, some good news today.  I received an e-mail from my main movie theater chain, Classic Cinemas, that all locations are reopen today, Thursday, April 15.  With the exception f one restart back last summer that was short-lived, they've been closed since March 2020.

I most often go to the theater in Fox Lake, Illinois, but also the one in Woodstock.  Most years I see between 40 and 80 movies at the theater and sure do miss it.  

The last one I saw was "Birds of Prey" back on February 28, 2020.

2.  LAWN TRACTOR COMES HOME (Hopefully)--  Hopefully my John Deere tractor/mower comes back home on Friday.  It is at the John Deere place getting summerized.  That grass is REALLY, REALLY growing fast.  Sure can't get behind on the grass in the spring growing season.

3.  DANDELIONS ANYONE--  Of course, along with the grass greening up, certain yellow objects have begun making their appearance.  The annual dandelion attack is underway.  Oh well, think of it this way, it is flowers in the yard.  I don't mind the yellow part of their lives, but don't particularly like the dried, tall, parachute phase.

Spring Has Sprung and Theaters Are Opening.  --RoadLion

TEENAGERS AND CATS:  No matter what you do for them, it is not enough.  Indeed. all human efforts are barely adequate to compensate for the privilege of waiting on them hand and foot.

"Prop Me Up By the Jukebox" We'll Sure Be Missing You Joe!! Death of Joe Diffie

Well, this song pretty well says it all.  If our local bar(s) was/were open, we'd sure do that for you, Buddy.  Prop you up by the jukebox and put a stiff one in your hand.

One of my all-time favorite country singers has gone on to that big old John Deere water tower.  Thanks to the "V".

I must have eight CDs by him, including a Greatest Hits one that is on my Ultimate Jukebox.  If you make it to that, you know I must really enjoy your music.

Right now, I am listening to "John Deere Green" over and over.  One of my all-time favorites.

"Third Rock From the Sun"

"Better Than the Beatles"

"Honky Tonk Attitude"

"Pickup Man"

"If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)"

So Long Old Mullet Head.  What Would Charlene Say?  --RoadFan

JSS: John Deere Green Tractor in Driveway-- First Chipmunk-- First Day OD-- Goodbye "Hawaii Five-O"

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  JOHN DEERE GREEN IN DRIVEWAY--  Today, I got a sure sign of spring in that my 1994 lawn tractor was delivered by Buck Brothers in Wauconda.  All washed up, tuned up and ready to go.

2.  FIRST CHIPMUNK--  Yesterday, I saw my first chipmunk scampering across the deck.  Since they hibernate in the winter, does this mean spring?  However, they are going to be greatly disappointed as I am about out of safflower seed (their favorite) and don't intend to restock till all this stuff is over.  Sorry Chippers!

3.  FIRST DAY OD--  And, we had a mighty fine day today with sun and temps in the mid 60s.  So, I went out an sat OD (On Deck), read the Chicago Tribune, ate peanuts and had a coupla beers.  Now, that is a way to enjoy yourself anytime, but especially in these days.

4.  GOODBYE "HAWAII FIVE-O"--  Tonight is the series finale of one of my favorite shows.    Loved the cast, but not so much Dan-O's current haircut.  And that beautiful scenery.  Have some shrimp for me guys.

All this reminds you that there is another world.

Now, Once We get Rid of the "V" Ain't Things Gonna Be Better!  --RoadSpring

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  "For me to stop touching my face, I'm gonna need one of those dog cones."

Getting That Old Boating Fever

What with all the warm weather, well 50s, everyone around here is getting a real big dose of Spring Fever, and in our case, that means looking forward to getting our boat, "School's Out...Forever" out of that barn in Hebron and in the water.

Talked with "Mineola Pete" last night at Antonio's and he says that won't be too soon as there is still a lot of ice on Fox Lake.  He runs the Mineola Marine and still owns the Mineola Hotel, which has been in his family since 1943.

Yesterday, taking advantage of the warmer weather, I charged and jumped the battery of the '85 Firebird and got it started.  I took a ride around the subdivision.  A sure sign of spring.  I also started the John Deere lawn tractor and ran the mower.

Now, I need to get some gas before they raise the prices.

Can't Stand It.  --RoadDog

Yard Tales: My Old John Deere

I've now cut the yard two times in my '94 John Deere tractor with triple mulching piranha deck. It's holding up well. Most years I have it taken in for a complete tuneup and work.

I bought it the second summer in the new house which sits on an acre here in Spring Grove, Illinois. We moved in over Thanksgiving 1992. The whole next summer I spend landscaping the sloping yard so didn't need to cut the weeds.

Summer '94, I had grass. I cut the grass one time using my old-19-inch walk behind power mower. After four hours, I decided it was time to get a lawn tractor. I don't mind cutting grass FOR AN HOUR, but this was just too much.

And, Ive been happily cutting ever since.

Bring On That Grass!! --RoadDog


WILL ROGERS SAYS: There ought to be one day-- just one--- when there is open season on senators.