Tournament Time Is Here!! Whoopee!!

MARCH 21--  THURSDAY

Well, we are upon my favorite sporting event of the year, the NCAA Road to the Final Four and National Basketball Championship.  And it arrived today (well, other than the four play-in games).  

This is a time I pull for the Little Guys vs. the Big Guys, even if the Big Guy is one of my favorites like Duke, UNC or Kansas.  For me, it's all about the upsets and especially Cinderella stories.  I remember when Gonzaga made that deep run which sent everyone to maps looking to find the location of Gonzaga.

I also like to see a high seed upset a low seed.

And, every year we get a lot of upsets and close games.  I am no fan of blowouts, even when it is one of my teams doing it to someone.  I especially liked it the last years when a #16 beat a #1.  Now that is just plain fun.

And, it is here.

I went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, and watched the game with my buddy Rich who knows aa while lot about college basketball.  I then came home and continued watching games in Margaritaville while enjoying my Ultimate 300-disc Juke Box.

--RoadB-Ball

Movies, Expensive and Cheaper Beer, Round Lake Beach and the Groundhogs

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

Went to see the movie "Avatar:  The Way of Water" at the Fox Lake Theatre and to Half-Times in Johnsburg.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes and got a room for the Super Bowl game.  Stopped at The Grove in Spring Grove and was shocked by having to pay $4 for a Miller Lite 16 ounce draft. Then to Saylor Mick's where I had the more reasonable $1 Hamm's pints.  Final stop was at Margaritaville at home.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Groundhog Day...Again.  Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania as well as Woodstock Willie in the much-closer Woodstock, Illinois, both saw their shadows, so six more weeks of winter weather.  Sigh.

Went to Round Lake Beach for a dentist appointment and then to Big Lots, a new grocery store called Tony's and Meijer.  I found that Meijer has half gallons of milk for $1.65.  At Jewel, a gallon of milk is $2.99 and a half gallon is $2.49.  I hate paying almost as much for half the amount.   Later met quite a few friends at Half-Times and had a beef sub and those $1 Miller Lite drafts.

Of course, watched the movie "Groundhog Day" on AMC.  So nice of them to have a 24-hour run of the movie.

Not Loving This Winter Thing.   --RoadHog

A College Basketball Doubleheader in DeKalb, Happy Jack's, Sunnyside, McHenry Legion and Saylor Mick's

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14

Drove to DeKalb, Illinois, to NIU's Convocation Center where I saw a basketball doubleheader.  Our women played the University of Ohio at 1 pm and then the men played the University of Toledo at 3:30.  Not bad for a total cost of $6.

The women won by a lot, but the men lost by a lot.  Enjoyed Victory Pub overlooking the court with its $2 Busch Light cans.  Plus, a giant hot dog for $4.

Decided not to spend the night and drove back to McHenry where I stopped at Happy Jack's on Il-120 with all its Coca-Cola decor and outstanding Chicago-style hot dogs.  I had the two hot dog, fries and drink for $9 (with tax).  Then went to Sunnyside and home to Margaritaville in my basement.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

Went to the McHenry American Legion and then to Saylor Mick's in Spring Grove and enjoyed their $1 Hamm's drafts and had a small BLT pizza.  Unfortunately, I mistook a shaker of sugar for a shaker of parmesan cheese and that wasn't very good.

I Highly Recommend Not Putting Sugar on Your Pizza.  --RoadDog

POINTS TO PONDER:  Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

New Year's Weekend 2022-2023

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30

Went to Sunnyside Tavern in the afternoon and met Kevin and Kelly at Johnny's Diner in Fox Lake for dinner before going to the Fox Lake American Legion for 50-50.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2022

Met Pam at the Windhill Pancake Parlor in McHenry, Illinois, and enjoyed the Christmas decorations.  They go overboard.  Later met Kevin and Kelly at the Fox Lake American Legion for the afternoon New Year's Eve Party with toasting at 4:30 pm.  That's my idea of "celebrating" the new year as it is hard to stay up past 11 pm for me anymore.  Enjoyed DJ Goldy, a real dj, not one of the new ones who do not interact with the crowd.

Watched the college playoffs at the Legion and at home in Margaritaville and was happy Texas Christian beat Michigan and especially happy about Georgia getting lucky and beating Ohio State.  (I went to UGA for a year, plus a whole lot of family went there.)

I actually managed to stay up to midnight.  Happy New Year!!

SUNDAY, JANUARY 1, 2023

I drove over to Squaw Bar in Ingleside to see the Bears play their game.  We used to get together with the "Usual Suspects" to watch the games here.  But, I hadn't been back there for years.  It was like old times, a fun place to watch the game with lots of fans.  Unfortunately, it was the 9th straight loss.

Then went over to Saylor Mick's, a new place in Spring Grove and had their $1 taco special and enjoyed the $1 pints of Hamm's.  This place used to be Tommy's and had huge crowds, especially during the Blackhawk games back 2010-2015.

--RoadNewYear

Celebrating the Chicago Tribune's 175th Year, A Fish Fry, Cheap Beer, 1972, McHenry and Johnsburg

FRIDAY, JUNE 10

Celebrating the Chicago Tribune's 175th Year and I read their anniversary edition out FP (Front Porch).  I have subscribed to this paper since 1973 (except about a year when I had a problem with its editorial process).  In my mind it is the best newspaper in the country.

But sadly, my days of subscribing are about over because the price is now up to $130 for two months of Wed., Thurs., Fri., and Sunday delivery.  I'm sure going to miss it.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Cuda's on Grasslake Road in Antioch.  The other name for the place is "Iceboc" because ot is so cold in there, but the food really good so we dress for the ooccasion.  They have a great Friday fish fry for $10.99, all you can eat.  

Afterwards, we went to Lake View Place on Grasslake and enjoyed their Friday $1.50 draft beer.  Came home and likewise enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox.

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

Went to Stucky's where we enjoyed the $1 draft pints and it was Angie's 50th birthday.

SUNDAY, JUNE 12

Bob Stroud played his Summerof 1972 special on his Rock and Roll Roots show on Chicago's WDRV, the Drive.  These were the songs on the radio and in your record collection fifty years ago on June 12, 1972.  I have listed the songs elsewhere in this blog.

Drove over to Miller Park in McHenry (right on the Fox River) to hear the band, but it was too crowded.  We went to the McHenry American Legion and enjoyed the cocktails there.  On the way home, we found Stucky's was closed, but Sunnyside wasn't, so went there before heading home.

--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

The Gas Gouge Comes Back: The Sunnyside Shuffle, Margaritaville & the Ultimate Jukebox, Goldfish Racing and Joining the Moose

FRIDAY, APRIL 22

It rained all day.  Last year we had a drought, but that sure is not the case this year.

Went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.  We always laugh at folks doing what is called the Sunnyside Shuffle.  This is where you move from the tables are far reaches of the bar to the horseshoe, where all the fun and talking is.  We have done this on many occasions.

Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox in the basement.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23

Maybe spring has finally arrived,  A dry day and fairly warm in the 70s!!  I even got some yardwork done and sat out OD.

We went to Stucky's in Johnsburg and enjoyed those hard-to-beat $1 draft pints and they ran something we'd bever seen before:  goldfish races.  For $5 you pick a fish and they run heats down the length of a double gutter course to see who first crosses the finish line.  It was double elimination.

SUNDAY, APRIL 24

I went to the McHenry Moose Riders breakfast and met Mark and finally got around to joining the Moose.

Later in the afternoon, Liz and I went to the McHenry American Legion and Stucky's on the way home.

Don't Look Now, But IT'S Back.  --RoadDog

The Second St. Patrick's Weekend: That Great Tournament!! Margaritaville, Ultimate Jukebox, CB&C, Stucky's and the PLAV

FRIDAY, MARCH 18

Yesterday was a great day for college basketball, especially with that St. Peter's (#15) upset of Kentucky (#2).  I had to loon up to find it where this college was.  It turns out to be in Jersey City, New Jersey, two miles from New York City. I don't like Kentucky at all.  

Anyway, it was just one upset or close game after another on Friday.  That's the way I like my NCAA Tournament games.  We didn't even go anywhere.  I just enjoyed my Margaritaville Bar in the basement.  I've got a fully stocked refrigerator, a TV in the corner of the bar and the Ultimate Jukebox (300 discs).

Why go anywhere else?

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

Again, saw a bunch of games in Margaritaville before going to Stucky's in Johnsburg where we had the corned beef & cabbage (cb&c) dinners.  I sure wish we had cb&c dinners more often during the year besides just around this time.

Now, a perfect cb&c bite consists of equal parts corned beef and cabbage, heavily peppered and with a dash of horseradish and/or mustard.  But, I hate when I run out of corned beef or cabbage before the other.  Not cool man.

Had a great time watching the tournament games and singing karaoke.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20

We were hoping to check out the newly remodeled McHenry American Legion, but there were too many cars parked outside it.  So ended up at the Polish Legion of American Veterans around the corner and had a great time as we know a lot of people there as well.

Afterwards, we found Stucky's was closed so went home and watched some more great Tournament games at Margaritaville.

--RoadDog

The Real St. Patrick's Day-- Part 2: Blogs, Irish Music, Stucky's, Shepherd's Pie, Corned Beef & Cabbage, Jim Seig and MargaritaO'ville

THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Like I said in an earlier post, this St. Patrick's Day was a whole lot more fun than the one in 2020.

Listened to CDs by Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.  Irish music with an edge as you might guess with names like that.  Listened to that great You Tube mix of Irish Drinking Songs.  

Posted to all blogs.

Met Kevin and Kelly at Stucky's in Johnsburg for our St. Patrick's Day meal.  Kevin and Liz had the corned beef & cabbage while Kelly and I had the shepherd's pie.  I don't remember ever having shepherd's pie before and it is excellent.

We had a discussion as to where shepherd's pie came from.  I kind of thought it was from England, but Kelly said it was from Ireland.  I looked it up later and she was right.

Lots of green being worn for some reason and Krystal was quite an eyeful.  Watched some more of the NCAA on TV.  More great games.  Jim Seig and his band performed as they do every Thursday at Stucky's.  We've been listening to him for at least 30 years.  Great time.

Came home and watched more NCAA Tournament in Margaritaville, our basement bar.

Quite warm for this time of the year.  Made it even nicer, especially after how cold it was last weekend.

A Touch O' the Irish.  --RoadPie

About Last Weekend: Two Legions, a Band, No Fireworks, Buck Drafts and Da Bears

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2

We went to the Fox Lake (Illinois) American Legion and saw the 50s-60s band Tony & the Effects from 3 to 6 in the afternoon.

Then went to Stucky's in Johnsburg, figuring we'd watch the Johnsburg Family fireworks display from there while enjoying the $1 draft beers.   Unfortunately, we could not see those fireworks from there.  But, we did enjoy those drafts.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3

Watched then first half of the Bears game at home in Margaritaville, our downstairs bar and the second half at the McHenry (Illinois) American Legion and enjoyed the excellent brats that Dave had made.

It was a good thing that the Bears were playing the Lions, who are as bad as DaBears or we would have lost the game.  But, at least our new wonderkid qb, Justin Fields wasn't sacked nine times.

--RoadDog

Good Times Last Week: Cuda's Fish Fry, 80s A to Z ibn Chicago's Drive, Legion Party and Margaritaville

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

We met Kevin, Kelly, Glenn and Barb at Cuda's on Grasslake Road for their beer-battered fish fry.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Since Friday afternoon I have been recording segments of the Drive's (WDRV, 97.1 FM Chicago) 80s A to Z, which they will be doing all this weekend and all of next weekend.  The 80s are one of my favorite decades for music and I was listening to a lot of it for my deejay business.

I am recording the segments on cassette tapes and will rerecord them on cassettes with the idea of listening to them when I'm out in the 1985 Firebird.  Which, by the way, still has a cassette deck.

Met Glenn and Barb at the Fox Lake American Legion at 3 pm where they had one of our favorite performers, Joe Kadlec entertaining.

Where else you gonna go in the afternoon for music and beers.

Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox (300 CDs) in the basement while watching the Sox and Georgia games on TV.

--RoadDog

White Sox, Margaritaville, Ultimate Jukebox, Steak Fry, Miller Park in McHenry, Legion and Sunnyside

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

Went to Sunnyside in Johnsburg.  Watched the Sox game there and came home and saw the rest of it.  The Sox won.  Enjoyed Margaritaville (my basement bar) and the Ultimate Jukebox (my 300-disc CD player).

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

Took a Firebird Cruise through Solon Mill and Spring Grove as well as Pioneer Road.  Liz and I went to the Spring Grove Firefighters steak fry at Horse Fair Park.  Great steak, baked potato and Stade corn on the cob.

We were going to go to Stucky's for their $1 draft beer special, but there must have been 300 people out in the parking lot. Johnsburg was having their annual golf cart tour de force to six bars and they were there.  So, we went to Sunnyside nd had a couple beers there, but when those golf carters started showing up at Sunnyside (last stop) we quickly adjourned back to Stucky's.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

As usual, the radio shows in the morning.  I went to Miller Park in McHenry where they had a band playing outside at the gazebo (with the Fox River in the background).  Then to the McHenry American Legion for their famed "Adequate Bloody Mary" for $2.50.  Stopped at Sunnyside on the way home.

--Good Times All Week.  --RoadDog

PREGNANCY QUESTIONS AND ANNSWERS:  Q:  I', two months pregnant right now.  When will my baby move?  A:  If you're fortunate4, right after he finishes college.

Missing Sports These Days and What To Do About It: Run Those Old Games

I sure do miss sports on TV.  To me, a mighty fine time is sitting at my downstairs bar (Margaritaville) with others or by myself, drinking beer or cocktails, eating snacks and watching a sporting event on the corner of the bar TV.  That, of course, with the tunes playing on my Ultimate Jukebox  (300 of my absolute favorite CDs).  The sound will be just so that the game can just be heard a little above the music.

I can still do all that, all, that is, except watch a sporting event.  Now, if I can figure out how to hook up the VHS VCR to that corner TV,  I could watch the Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX game, or all the Chicago White Sox 2005 World Series games (which I have recorded on VHS).  But, alas, I can't figure out how to do that.

But, what I can recommend to the broadcast TV stations is rerunning great games of the past.  Personally, I'd like to see the entire 1985 Bears season, the Blackhawk Stanley Cup Champion series of 2010, 2013 and 2015.  Also the Cubs 2016 World Series Champions.  Of course, the 90s Bulls and you-know-who.

Oh yes, then, any game where NIU beats Toledo in football as well as our great 2003 season when we beat Maryland, Iowa State and Alabama (that's right ALABAMA).   Two notable players from that team were Michael Turner and P.J. Fleck.  And, of course, the man who made that year possible, Coach Joe Novak.

I'd also like to see some games of the 1967 and 1983 White Sox, 1969 Cubs (or any 1965-1969 Cubs game for that matter) and some of Walter Payton's greatest games.

That Would Get Me Through My Sports Negativity.  Think About It.  --Roadog

LAUGHTER HELPS WITH THE "V":  If you truly believe God loved you, you would touch your face.

One Great Time Last Weekend-- Part 2: Choppers, Jon Polit On Deck, Sunnyside, Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10

FP (Front Porch).  Yard work.

We went to Choppers Bar and Grill on Illinois Highway 173, west of Antioch and sat outside on their deck under the huge old oak trees on an absolutely gorgeous day.  A 16 ounce draft beer is just $2 all the time.  Plus, we had one of our favorite singers, Jon Polit,  performing and we sure had a great time.  he is very interactive with the crowd while playing a wide variety of songs.

And, even better, there was a crowd but not so many that it became difficult to do things.  For years most every Sunday afternoon on the Chain of Lakes, you could find us at the outside bar of Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake, listening to their great afternoon bands.  But the place has gotten way too popular with huge crowds so we don't often go there anymore.

Choppers has crowds, but not too big.  Plus, we have boats going by on a channel.  Probably the only drawback was that we had to go inside to get our drinks.  Oh well!

We went by Sunnyside in Johnsburg before returning home where I enjoyed FP again and then adjourned to the basement and Margaritaville where I sat at the bar and enjoyed my Ultimate Jukebox which has 300 CDs.

This Was a Really Good Day.  --RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That!!! February 22: National Chili and Margarita Days Today

**  I'd celebrate that.

FEBRUARY 22

BE HUMBLE DAY--**  And I have a lot to be humble for.  Like the old song says, "Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in ev'ry way."

NATIONAL CHILI DAY--**    And here I sit with no chili.  Not even a chili cookoff!!!  Must correct that.

NATIONAL COOK A SWEET POTATO DAY--**  Love my sweet taters.

NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY--**  Eatin' my chili and washing i down with 'ritas.

WALKING THE DOG DAY--**    Dogs absolutely hate more than anything when you take them for a walk.  Don't do it.  Actually, few things more dear to a dog than going for a walk.

Chili and Margaritas.  Now, That's What I'm Talking About.  --RoadDog

COME SAIL AWAY:  Who wrote about the young sailor Billy Budd?


Herman Melville

About Last Weekend: A Grand Buffet, Legion, 145,000 Miles and the Lincoln Funeral Car

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

A day of the doctors.  Afterwards a grand buffet at the Grand Buffet Chinese restaurant in McHenry.  You sure get some great food (including crab meat and shrimp) at a price just a bit more expensive than a Big Mac meal.

Went to the Legion for 50-50 but didn't win anything.  Enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox when we got home.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8

The 2003 Malibu rolled over 145,000 miles on my way to Antioch.  Before this car, we'd never had a car go over 100,000.  We're impressed.

I toured the Abraham Lincoln Funeral Car which was on display in Antioch, Illinois, by the bandshell behind Main Street.  That is an amazing recreation of the train car that carried the body of Abraham Lincoln from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois, in 1865.

I'll write more about this eventually in my Saw the Elephant Civil War blog.

--RoadDog

TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD:  When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do as long as you're down there.   That old "Help I've fallen, and can't get up" isn't so funny anymore.

Good Times in the Neighborhood-- Part 1: It's Thursday Concert, Legion and Margaritaville

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16

We drove to the Sand Bar on Bluff Lake for a Chain Crawl passport stamp and that their Thursday special with $1 tacos.  Great view of the lake from the many windows.  We then went to Antioch for the last It's Thursday concert, this time by Dixie Krush who did more modern country music and did a great job.

We were saddened to hear of the death of Aretha Franklin even though we had been informed on Tuesday that it was near.  I spent many of the next days listening to her music both on You Tube and the three Greatest Hits CDs I have.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 17

I have been busy the last several days working on Frances' Back 40 in the southeast corner of the yard which had gotten very overgrown.  Making slow progress.

Met the usual Suspects at the Legion and Kelly won the 50-50 for the first time.  The Cubs won for the second  time in a row by a 1-0 score.  Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Jukebox in my basement while watching the end of the Cubs game.

--RoadDog

YOU'RE BECOMING A GEEK WHEN:  You're mad because all your friends got goodnight kisses after prom, but  your sister just slugged you in the arm and said, "Thanks bro."

Keeping Busy-- Part 1: No Odyssey, PLAV, Half-Times, Yard, Legion and Margaritaville

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9

We had rain threaten all day, but, unfortunately, didn't start until a couple hours before we were to see New Odyssey play their music at Veterans Park in McHenry, but the show was cancelled.  We did enjoy $1 miniburgers and $1.75 bottles at the PLAV  (Polish Legion of American Veterans) in McHenry and $1 pints at Half Times in Johnsburg.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10

Still no boat, the latest that we have never had the boat out in a season.  Difficulties getting parts being the reason.  Still working in the yard.  I can never seem to catch up in the yard.  My fault though as I planted way TOO many plants, bushes and trees.

Went to the Legion for 50-50, but didn't win.  Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville and the Ultimate Julebox in the basement.

No Band, But Found Something Else To Do.  --RoadDog

YOU'RE BECOMING A GEEK WHEN:  You have a monitor tan.\

A Long 4th of July Celebration-- Part 2: More Bands, a Fry and Cheap Drinks

THURSDAY, JUNE 28

Still no good sales at the local stores:  Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Meijer.  Perhaps after the 4th.

Drove to Antioch, Illinois, for their weekly summer party called It's Thursday.  We saw an up-and-coming country performer named Jake Hill and his band.  He sounded real good, but until he gets  to be well-known, needs to do many more covers.

Afterwards, stopped at Bootleggers on Grasslake Road and enjoyed $1 pints and saw another band.

FRIDAY, JUNE 29

We went to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and had the fish fry at Popeye's overlooking Geneva Lake.  They have one of the best fish fries we've ever eaten.

Then stopped at Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes and enjoyed their half-price drinks at happy hour.  Then home and enjoyed the basement bar, Margaritaville at Key North and, of course, the Ultimate Jukebox.

--RoadDog

YOU KNOW IT'S A REDNECK COMPUTER WHEN:  The printer goes real slow since Bubba Don't read so fast.

Saufen Und Spiel Weekend-- Part 2: 1960, Bees, Band, Sports, Margaritaville

SEPTEMBER 9, Saturday

Listened to Saturday Morning Flashback on Chicago's WXRT, this year to 1969, that great high school senior-college freshman year for me between Palatine High School and Northern Illinois University.

Did some yardwork and must remember to stay away from the goldenrod and sedum right now as it is high season for attracting stinging insects.

We went to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and saw the band Rumor Has It."  Then to Sunnyside.  Enjoyed watching that Notre Dame-Georgia football game.  Go Dawgs.  (I went to UGA for junior year before transferring back to NIU.)

Came home and enjoyed Margaritaville watching the Sox win, Cubs lose and enjoying the Ultimate Jukebox.

--RoadDog