Things Sure Getting Expensive, A Saturday Afternoon Band and Da Bears Da Stink

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6

.After finally getting the "Smart Phone" smart, we drove over to 'Cuda's on Grasslake Road and enjoyed their beer-batter fish fry.  It is now AUCE for $12.99 and was $9.99 before the virus hit.  Draft beer was $3 and had been $2 before.  Things sure getting expensive.  Gas it going up fast again as well.  I paid $3.20 on the way over to 'Cuda's

We then went to the Fox Lake American Legion for 50/50.

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 7

Met Kevin and Kelly, Glenn and Barb at the Fox Lake American Legion for their first Saturday band.  Where else you gonna go in the middle of winter on a Saturday afternoon and get some band entertainment.  Performing today was Aging Teen Idols with out friend John Piet.  They play a whole lot of oldies, originals and Beatles songs.  Plus, draft beer is still just $2 a pint.

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 8

Went to the McHenry American Legion and saw the Bears lose their tenth straight game to finish the season 3-14.  Da Bears!!  Were sure bad This Year!!     Oh, well.  At least we get the very first draft choice as a result of being the worst in the NFL.

--RoadBear

Last Weekend: A Fish Fry and Lots and Lots of NFL Foorball

FRIDAY, JANUARY 21

Met Kevin and Kelly at Kelly's in Trevor, Wisconsin, for their fish fry.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 22

Went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, and watched the Packers lose to the 49ers.  This was not expected and Liz and I had all our Packer gear on.  Maybe dear old Aaron can be a happy man again.

Of course, I kind of like the 49ers as their qb Tony Garrafalo is from the Chicago suburbs and played for EIU, one of their defense starters is Jimmy Ward from NIU and their field goal kicker is Robbie Gould who was a long-time Chicago Bear.  Why they fired him is beyond me.  But the year after they traded him, the 49ers beat Da Bears 15-0 and every point came off a Robbie Gould field goal.  I usually don't like the Bears to lose, but this was a good one.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 23

We had 3 inches of snow and our neighbors were nice enough to come over a clear it off.  Nice neighbors in this day and age.  We went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg to watch the KC-Buffalo Divisional Playoff game and this was one of the best ever with the Chiefs winning at the very end.  All four playoff games this weekend were the best ever.  Every game decided at the end.

--RoadDog

Around Here: Da Bulls, Weird Hair on Athletes, Stucky's, Da Beatles and Stucky's Again

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15

We had snow flurries all day, but there was no accumulation.  That's a real good thing.  We went to Stucky's and watched the Bulls game, which sadly, they lost.  They are on a losing streak right now, but before that playing very well for the first time since the fabulous 90s when they won six NBA Championships in eight years -- the Michael Jordan years.  Ever since, they have been very sad.

I wanted to show Liz the hair that Bulls player Coby White had last year compared to this.  Back then it was one of those very eye-insulting 'dos, but now just a regular cut.  I don't like long, weird hair on athletes no matter if they're Whites or Blacks.

While looking for pictures of him, I found out that he was born in Goldsboro, North Carolina, which perked my interest since that is also where I was born.  However, he played high school basketball in Wilson, N.C.  He went to UNC-Chapel Hill, but unfortunately was one of those one-and-diners.  I'm not real happy with these guys or the schools that "hire" them for that one year before they go to the NBA.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16

Bob Stroud featured the Beatles Album "Meet the Beatles" as later this week will mark the 58th anniversary of its release.  This was the fun Beatles in my book.  And, they were the ones who got me to listening to pop music.  I never did before.  And, of course, music has had a huge impact on my life.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, Illinois, and watched two NFL Wild Card Playoff games.

--RoadBeatle

About Last Weekend: Wind, the Chevy Malibu, Army-Navy Game, Chili Cookoff, Bears-Packers Game

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11

We sure had a very windy day today, but nothing compared to Kentucky and southern Illinois.  Those poor folks really got hit.  We actually had snow on the ground for a little bit this morning.

We discovered fluid on the garage floor by the Malibu, but weren't sure about it until we drove to Walgreens and saw a new puddle  where we parked and knew we had a problem,  Came back home and got the truck and I followed Liz to Ray Chevrolet in Fox Lake and dropped off the car.  The leak reminded me of when we hit the limb blowing across the road in Johnsburg last November and spring a very expensive $3500 leak.

This would probably be from hitting the raccoon last night.

Drove to the McHenry American Legion for the Army-Navy game and a chili cookoff, two of my favorite things.  And, watching the game in a veterans place is great as you have lots of cheering.  And, of course, few things I like better than a chili cookoff.

And, even better, Navy won!!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12

Worked on Christmas lights and went to Sunnyside where we watched the Tampa Bay game.  That Tom Brady sure is something else.  Sure wish the Bears had drafted him.

Came home an watched the Bears-Packers game which was a surprise in the first half with Da Bears even up by six points.  But, then, hey, it our Bears and those Packers.  They did not hold on.

RoadDog

THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SAY:  "I don't work here, I'm a consultant.

Around Here: A Civil War Encampment, Stucky's, Karaoke and Da Pack Beats Da Bears

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

For the first time since 2019,I went to a Civil War encampment at Hainesville, Illinois.  It was good to get around like-minded folks like me.  It was sunny, but blustery with a good bit of cold in the air.  Not bad in the sunlight, but avoid tree shade.

I met and talked with my friend Bob, who was playing the part of Elijah Haines, the founder and namesake of Hainesville.  We go back to 1973, when we were both teachers in Round Lake.  I also sat in on the presentations by U.S. Grant and Abraham Lincoln.

They were going to recreate the Battle of Bentonville, fought in North Carolina on March 19-21, 1865.  This battle was fought just 25 miles from where I was born in 1951, Goldsboro.  However, I had been wind-blown enough by then so I decided to leave.

Later that night Liz and I went to Stucky's in Johnsburg where we ate an d I sang karaoke.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17 

Met the new neighbors across the street for the first time.  We went to the McHenry American Legion where we watched a certain quarterback own us again as he said so emphatically after scoring a TD.  The 24-14 final score was not truly indicative of their domination.  Sure getting tired of watching Da Bears play Da Packers.

--RoadSadBears

Who to Back in the 'Big Game' or Is It the Souper Bowl?

**  Well, tomorrow, it is here and again, Da Bears aren't in it.  But, as usual, we don't know who our quarterback will be next year.  You want to see something sad, look up how many qbs have started for Da Bears during the Favre/Rodgers era at Green Bay.  Now that is sad.  (Answer below)

**  I hate the 5:30 start.  Should start at 3.  Come on, it gets dark real fast these early days of February.

**  Bet, Bet, Bet Your Money on all those sporting aps.  Win millions of dollars.  Yep, right.

**  Who to back?  Who to back?  When neither Da Bears or Da Packers are not in it.  Yep, I do back both teams and am a Packer fan unless they play Da Bears.

**  I am more of an NFC fan and do like the Buccaneers as my third favorite NFC team, but I have a problem.  I am not a New England Patriot fan, ergo, Tom Brady and he is the Tampa Bay QB.  Though, I must admit he is one of if not THE greatest NFL quarterbacks ever.  Just look at how badly he beat Aaron in the NFC Championship game.

**  But, Kansas City is a Midwest team and I back most Midwest teams.  And then, there is the young quarterback Patrick Mahomes.  But, he is becoming as ubiquitous as Ditka and Jordan were in their heyday in commercials.

**  And to think Da Bears could have had him, but went with Trubisky.  And they could have had Watson as well, but you know who they went with.

Reckon I will eat some soup at the Legion for the Souper Bowl and then go home and pull for the Chiefs before they have to change their name.

Oh Well.  RoadChallenged

ANSWER TO THE FIRST QUESTION

Favre--  22 Bears QBs, Rodgers--  13 Bears QBs

JSIS: Stupid-Looking Hair Coming Out of Helmets-- Conference Championship Games-- NIU Football

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  STUPID-LOOKING HAIR COMING OUT OF HELMETS--  A couple weeks ago Liz and I saw the annual Army-Navy football game at the American Legion.  Sure was nice to see that no member of either team had hair coming out below their helmets.  I'm sorry, but that just looks stupid.  

Anytime you watch a college or NFL game it seems you see more and more of that long, funny-looking hair on both Blacks and whites.  I don't like it on any person.  Then, there is the guy on the Titans we all call Old Turd Hair.

2.  CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES--  Well, one thing nice about all the college conference championship games this year is the size of the crowds.  NIU is in the MAC and our championship games draw maybe 5,000 to 8,000 fans (but then again, who wants to go to Detroit).  Then the Power 5 games are standing room only.  This year, they are all essentially empty.  Wonder why?

3.  NIU FOOTBALL--  A sad year for Northern Illinois University football with an 0-6 record.  But, this really wasn't a real year anyway.  Too weird and strange with you-know-what.  But, the second year Joe Novak was our coach, we were 0-12 and then by the fourth year, it was all up from there as we were able to somehow keep him despite his success and the Big 10, 11,12,13,14 grabbing MAC coaches all the time.

Maybe This Is a Sign of Good Times to Come?  --RoadWin

In case you're wondering what the name of the group was that beat out the Beatles in their audition, scroll down to this months Music Deaths for David Munden.

JSIS: Democrats Behaving Poorly-- Just Mercy-- Congrats Kansas City

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  DEMOCRATS BEHAVING POORLY--  I watched the Presidential State of the Union Address, or should we have called it, "Democrats Behaving Poorly."  They hit a new low.  A bunch of petulant children.  Had they been in my classroom, especially the one sitting behind the President, they or she would have been sent to the principal's office.  And, both Liz and I did not vote for Donald Trump in the last election.  Maybe not this year, and we'd really like to vote against him again.

2.  "JUST MERCY"--  I just saw this movie this week and in my opinion should have had Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations.  This movie really moved me and perhaps there is something to Blacks saying they don't get proper credit in the film industry.

3.  CONGRATS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS--  What a game!  One of the best Super Bowls ever.  What a comeback!!  Liz and I were pulling for the Chiefs since they are Midwest and win about as often as Chicago.  Loved the Bill Murray Jeep commercial.  We also were pulling for the 49ers with the local connection of quarterback Tony Garappalo from local Arlington heights and EIU, Jimmie Ward from NIU and Robbie Gould from Da Bears.

Well Have to See.  --RoadDog

It's a Numbers Thing

Some Numbers of interest.

7-6     Record of the Chicago Bears as they prepare to play the Packers in Green Bay Sunday.

10-3    The Packer record.

14-0    The 2019 record of the Richmond-Burton High School Rockets.  They won the Illinois State Class 4A Championship!!

5    The number of Illinois State Championships won by Route 66, Lincoln Highway and US-12 high school football teams.

8    The number of days before we start adding daylight time to each day.  I'm really ready for it.

40   The number of new Christmas movies being shown on the Hallmark Channel.

$1,000   How much you win if you have the best WDRV 97.1 FM, the Drive logo in Christmas lights.

I'm Not a Twit.   And Don't Call Me Shirley.  --RoadDog

DID YOU KNOW:  That a pregnant goldfish is called a twit.

This Should Be Another Sports Axion: Don't Start Off Too Well

Case in Point, the 2018 Chicago Bears and the 2019 Bears.

We were all really, really happy last year when Da Bears had that 12-4 unbelievable turn-around season under first year coach Matt Nagy.  That sure got hopes up and excitement for this season.  But with that 3-3 record (and especially after Sunday's excuse for a game) things aren't too happy for the Monsters this year.  Now, the Bears are 4-5.

And, of course, because of that record and the excitement, the Bears have a whole lot of night and late afternoon games this year.

Well, if this season ends up tanking, at least we won't have so many late games next year.

On that note, first year Northern Illinois University coach Thomas Hammock is off to a poor start with NIU now at 2-5.  This brings to mind the greatest Northern coach, Joe Novak, who went 1-11, 0-12 and 2-10 his first three seasons before he turned the NIU program into the winner it is today.  Now the Huskies are 4-6.

So, there's hope, and if the axiom proves true.

To Coach Novak.  --RoadHuskie

JSS: Plants In-- Bears/Packers-- Halloween-- Burning

JSS-  Just Some Stuff

1.  PLANTS IN--  With the crashing temperatures and freeze warnings Friday and this weekend, I brought in the plants outside that I overwinter in the sunroom.

2.  BEARS/PACKERS--  This past weekend was one of those crummy times when neither the DaBears nor Packers were on TV Sunday.  In the past it was because they usually both had byes.  Da Bears had a bye this week, but the Packers played Monday night.  That left us with no football to watch since we only watch these two teams on TV unless we happen to be in a bar and another game is on.

3.  HALLOWEEN--  I've been putting up Halloween decorations outside and inside, because you-know-what is about here.  Of course, everybody knew about it as Halloween Creep set in early in September.

4.  BURNING--  We can only burn leaves on weekends in October and November and what I'd like to know is why we get the worst weather those two days most every month.  Last weekend was a prime example with it being too wet and windy on Saturday and way too windy, overcast and cold on Sunday.

Like, Boo.  --RoadDog

Guns, Oldies and DaBears Weekend-- Part 2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Went to McDonald's for their 2 for $4 bacon, egg and cheese biscuits.  We like those a lot.  A perfect day weatherwise, even as the Chain was closing down because of the flooding.  Sure glad we got out of boating earlier this summer as the Chain has been closed or no wake for almost half the time this year.

Enjoyed WXRT's Saturday Morning Flashback to 1982 and did some yard work.

We went to the SAL gun raffle at the Fox Lake American Legion and met Glenn and Barb and enjoyed Mitch Edwards until 6 and then the oldies band Looney Train.  Went over to Stucky's in Johnsburg where Uncle Will and the Wayback Machine were playing oldies.

Liz and I definitely love our oldies music.  Perhaps because we are OLD!!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Well, we had rain all night.  Just what we needed with all the flooding.  Listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on the Drive from 7 to 10 a.m.and recorded Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles on WXRT.  I do this most Sunday mornings.  Sat out in the gazebo and read the Chicago Tribune.

The Bears played at 3:30 p.m. and we drove over to the Squaw Bar in Ingleside on Squaw Creek only to find the whole rear of the place flooded and the front parking lot full, so didn't go in.  Went to the Fox Lake American Legion on Nippersink Lake and all its piers were under water, but a dry parking lot so watched the first quarter of the Bears game.

Then went to Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg and found seats at the bar and watched the rest of the Bears-Denver Broncos game.  That last 31 seconds was something else and the Bears kicked a field goal to win 16-14 as time expired.

We B Old.  --Old RoadDog

At Least We Got Through That Horrid NFL Preseason, Now We Have That Horrid NCAA Preseason

I think most will agree with me that the NFL preseason is just a big waste of time.  Hardly any regulars play.  A big who cares.

However, now sadly, we are in the NCAA preseason when the Big Guys beat up on the Little Guys.  That is, the Power Five Conferences play the Mid-Level teams and generally blow them out (as seen with Nebraska beating my Northern Illinois 44-8 last Saturday.

Taking a quick look at the Lines for some college football games this weekend:

Iowa State by 19 over Louisiana-Monroe
Ohio State by 40 over Miami of Ohio
Clemson by 41 over UNC-Charlotte
Indiana by 27 over UConn
Miami by 30 over Central Michigan
Virginia by 31 over Old Dominion
NC State by 20 over Ball State

These are ridiculous games, even though on rare occasion one of the Little Guys beats a Big Guy.

College football needs to do something about these impending blow outs.

Granted, the Little Guys get a huge payday for playing these games, but even then, COME ON!!

--RoadDog

NIU's New Football Coach: Thomas Hammock

The last coach left for greener pastures I guess, but that's ok as I don't think we were going any farther under him.  And then there was that horrible bowl record of his.  It was so bad I didn't want us going to any more bowls.

Thomas Hammock played football for Northern Illinois and had two 1000+ rushing seasons.  He was also an assistant coach at NIU and for the last five years running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens.

He professes to bleed Huskie red and black blood and says he even named his son after Douglas Hall.  He said its always been his hope to be head coach at Northern,  Hopefully we picked well and I have high hopes for him.

Now, lets continue our winning ways and win some bowl games and do something about the horrible attendance at the games.

Hopefully, he's the guy.

Welcome Back Coach Hammock.  --RoadDog

Well, Da Bears Is Over This Year, But What A Year!!!

We were at the Squaw Bar Sunday watching and cheering on Da Bears with a whole bunch of other Bear fans.  We did not leave overly happy.  It is always hard to lose a game like that in the final seconds.

Everyone is down on out field goal kicker, but he had already made three kicks earlier and made the first attempt at the end, but it didn't count because of time out.  And that second one, well, almost.  But no luck.

But, the Bears did not play a good game either.  The vaunted defense was there sometimes and not there at others.  It took an interception to stop two big Eagles drives and the Defense didn't keep Philadelphia from scoring at the end.

Yesterday we learned that an Eagles player had gotten a hand on the final field goal attempt, so that takes our kicker off the hot seat.

And, we sure have nothing to complain about with a 12-4 record in regular season.  The Bears have been the chipmunks the last five years.  They stunk in the Cutler-era, which thankfully is over.

THE FUTILITY OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE Records:

2017--  5-11
2016--  3-13
2015--  6-10
2014--  5-11
2013--  8-8

Sad.  But this year, Da Bears went from last to first in the division.  And, now, we don't have to make major preparations to see anymore NFL games like we would have had Da Bears still been in the run.

It was a good year.

Finally, the Cutler-Era Is Over!!!  --RoadDog

And, ABA, Anybody But Alabama.  Wasn't that some game last night!!

JSS-- Sorry For the Patriots?-- Christmas Decs-- Snow in N.C.

JSS--  Just Some Stuff.

1.  SORRY FOR THE PATRIOTS?--   We loved the end of that Patriots-Dolphins game Sunday.  Somehow no one around here feels sorry for New England. As a matter of fact there was much cheering.  Let's see that again.

2.  CHRISTMAS DECS--  Just now getting the outside Christmas decorations up as between the cold and snow, but especially the C-O-L-D I haven't had much opportunity.

3.  SNOW IN N.C.--  Sorry to hear about all that snow in North Carolina.  I know even a ten-inch snowfall fouls us up here in northern Illinois, but twenty inches there?  Good luck with that one.

Anybody But the Patriots!!!  --RoadDog

Getting Into October-- Part 3: A Perfect Bloody Mary

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7

Both Bob Stroud on his Rick and Roll Roots (WDRV, 97.1) and Terri Hemmert on her Breakfast With the Beatles (93,1 WXRT) featured John Lennon since his 78th birthday was coming up Tuesday, Oct. 9.

The Bears had a bye today, so drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, to watch the Packer-Lion game.  Always more fun to watch the Pack in Wisconsin.  We found Donovan's Reef to be too crowded, so went to Main Street Tap, also in Twin Lakes.

We have not been there in several years and I was in serious need of a Bloody Mary.  They were the first place I know of in the area to  have premium Bloody Marys and now we have a lot of places featuring mega-Bloody Marys.  They are now $5.50, but come with a shrimp and a giant spear of items.


And, A Chaser.  --RoadDog

A Drinking Day-- Part 2: 54-Cent 14 Oz.Drafts at Half-Times

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Kevin and Kelly went over to Bootleggers on Grasslake Road in Antioch where they had 50 cent winds and $1 draft pints.

We decided to go to Half-Times in Johnsburg for their specials.  First, we had $1 domestic pint drafts, then, from 7 to 9, they had 54 cent 14-ounce drafts in honor of Chicago Bear great, Brian Urlacher going into the Hall of Fame and the Bears were playing an exhibition game in Canton, Ohio, the Home of the NFL Hall of Fame.  Of course, 54 was Urlacher's jersey number.

They decided those 4 cents were too much hassle so we got the beers for 50 cents.  When is the last time you went to a bar and got 50 cent drafts?

Sure went down mighty good in these hottest of days we're having.

Go Urlacher!!  --RoadDog

HOW COME:  I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

Just Got Back From PCB-- Part 3: A Super Bowl, Dusty's and a Woodstock Flashback

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Rain (not so good)  then sun and sat outside and enjoyed it.  Stayed put today as we'd sure driven enough the last four days.

Walked across the street to Donovan's and watched the Super Bowl drinking $1 pints and quite an array of food.  Mostly Eagle fans (everyone is tired of New England always being there.  Great game and first ever Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Championship.  Congrats, the Eagle Has Landed!!

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Enjoyed the deck on a nice day.  Went to Dusty's, a favorite place of ours for a pitcher of beer and then Donovan's.  Watched as much of the movie "Woodstock: Director's Cut from 10:30 to 12:30 a.m., until I couldn't stay up any longer.  Earlier today an article in the Panama City News Herald about a woman living there who was at Woodstock and got her picture in Life Magazine.

So, Today Was Woodstock Day (Coming Up On Its 50th Anniversary).  --RoadDog

Tom Grosvenor Marine Corps Breakfast-- Part 2 All Stood

Tables were set up for World War II veterans and we had six in attendance as well as eight for the Korean War and quite a few Vietnam veterans.

We had the presentation of colors, the U.S. and Marine Corps flags, by the Lake County Marine Corps League and then the National Anthem.  Unlike so many of the NFL players, everybody stood except one man sitting at the Vietnam veterans table.  But he sure had an excuse.  He was in a wheelchair and missing a leg.

We then had the message of General Lejeune read and listened to the Commandant's message.

--RoadDog