Interesting Winter So Far and Adios Toby!!

January started off fine, then we had several 5 inch snowfalls and then a big 13-incher.  Unfortunately, I had problems getting the old snowblower (it's about 22 years old) started until the 13-incher, then it really had a hard time coping with all of it.  I did get some of the driveway finished before a really nice neighbor came over and finished it.  Of course, there was also those three days below zero the entire day.

Now, February has been a beaut so far.  Finally, all that snow has melted and the last several days its been 40s and even 50s today.  I was able to open up the house and get some fresh air in it.  Plus, I even had peanuts in the shell our OD (On Deck).  Not too many things finer that peanuts in the shell.

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So sorry to lose one of my all-time favorite country music stars, Toby Keith.  I have most of his CDs and even one on my Ultimate Jukebox.  Who cannot help but sing along with him on "I Love This Bar" and "Red Solo Cup."  And, of course that "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue" pretty well sums up my feeling about 9/11.

I didn't find out about his death until Tuesday afternoon at Sunnyside Tavern in Johnsburg.  Someone put on a bunch of his songs and we gave him a rousing sendoff.

Sorry 'Bout That Dixie Chicks or Dixies or Whatever You're Calling Yourselves Now.  --RoadDog

To Moose Again: All That Rain, Sunnyside, Margaritaville, Stucky's, Goldfish Races, the Moose Again and McHenry Legion

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

We sure have had the monsoons this spring.  We made our way to Sunnyside in Johnsburg for rest and relaxation then came home where we enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

The rains finally stopped and I was able to enjoy OD a couple times and even got a little yardwork in for the first time this year.  Went to Stucky's and watched the Goldfish Races.  This is where you pick a goldfish and they race down two lengths of sealed gutters in double elimination.  Something we'd never seen before.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

I was even able to get some time FP for the first time in a long time this spring.  I went to the Moose Lodge in McHenry for the Moose Lodge Riders breakfast and met Mark who got me the forms to fill out and I rejoined the Moose for a third time.  A great organization.

In the afternoon, we went to the McHenry American Legion and stopped at Stucky's on the way home.

To Moose Again or Not to Moose Again, That Is the Question.   --RoadDog

An Unseasonably Warm Friday

OK, what do you do on a Friday so warm and fair? Yesterday was a day to savor. We're still waiting for our usual lousy weather to catch up with us. Bob Stroud went back to 1968 for his Ten at Ten show on the Drive, 97.1 FM in Chicago. Sat out on the deck (OD) enjoying the sun and warmth while he played: HOOKED ON A FEELING-- BJ Thomas RIDE MY SEE-SAW-- Moody Blues ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER-- Jimi Hendrix STREET FIGHTIN' MAN-- Rolling Stones WONDERFUL WORLD-- Louis Armstrong WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS-- Joe Cocker DANCE TO THE MUSIC-- Sly and the Family Stone FIVE TO ONE-- Doors MONY MONY-- Tommy James & the Shondells THE CONTINUING STORY OF BUNGALOW BILL-- Beatles Then, Frank and Canadian Al came by and we went up to Popeye's in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin for their great fish fry (made even better with Frank's 60th birthday coupon). We drove up there along the original alignment of US-12 from Richmond, Illinois and Genoa City, Wi. in Frank's convertible. Later, went out to El Puerto Mexican Restaurant and Bar on Nippersink Lake and watched a beautiful sunset with the Usual Suspects. Everyone has spring fever and were out in force. Was it ever crowded. Then, there were some really fine NCAA games at Margaritaville in my basement. A Good Day. --RoadDog