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."

Thinking About Starting My Own Christmas Radio Station

On looking through my collection of Christmas music, I have decided that I have enough to start my own one of those all-Christmas music, all the time, radio stations that pop up everywhere this time of the year. I think some start even the day after Halloween.

On my way back from North Carolina Dec. 3rd and 4th, I would listen to my CDs, then search out Christmas Music stations using that handy seek feature on the radio in the Malibu. Usually within a few pushes, I had my station and that happened along the whole way.

Of course there was the classic country station in Galax, Virginia, and the Americana/roots station in Farmer City, Illinois, which are required listening on my way to and from NC.

And, my station wouldn't play the same-old, same-old Top 40 Christman songs like a lot of them do. I can dig considerably deeper.

I'm estimating that I have about twenty Christmas albums, 20-30 pre-recorded cassettes, 30 CDs and probably another fifty cassettes that I recorded.

But, wait a minute, I don't have a radio station. Oh well. Wait another minute, this wonderfully decorated house in a subdivision right off US-12 in Wauconda, Illinois, had its own music playing at 107.1 FM to go with their display. Maybe I could get one of those and get someone to put my show on the internet.

Well, Holly Jolly to You, Anyway. --RoadDog

Cold, But Good Times

FRIDAY, DEC. 13TH:

Enjoyed Christmas lights in Wauconda and stopped at Main Street Outfitters in Wauconda, Illinlis, and saw Terry and Greg Spizzirri perform for a couple hours.

SATURDAY, DEC. 14TH:

Morning and early afternoon spent preparing for tomorrow's Bears party at the house. In the afternoon we went to the American Legion for their Annual Army-Navy football game party. Enjoyed talking with friends and sure wish Army could have done a better game. I'm more a Navy/Marine fan, but with Navy's dominance over the last eleven years, I wanted Army to win. I tend to always pull for the underdogs. Then, we went to the Captain's Quarters pot luck dinner party.

SUNDAY, DEC. 15TH:

Final preps for Bears party. We figure we had 30 people attend and the Bears, despite some mighty poor play, even were nice enough to win. Everyone was impressed with the new TVs. Afterwards, about ten people stuck around for Name-That-Tune and watched the Packer game (even though some of the ranid Bear fans were pulling for Dallas to win). Last folks left at 8.

Good Time. --RoadDog

Busy Day Yesterday

DECEMBER 13th. Good old Friday the 13th.

Well, one thing about having a party, it gets us (and especially me) to cleaning the house and doing things I continually put off. That means dusting and vacuuming the basement, reorganizing my mess (well, stuff) and in this case, hooking up the 55-inch Vizio TV (otherwise I would have put it off for awhile.

I helped at the American Legion party for the VA Hospital in North Chicago from 11 to 2. Then came home and actually got the TV hooked up and working. Then we drove to Barrington for the wake of one of our friend's mom. She was 83 which made me think of my mom who is also that age.

On the way back, we stopped at Main Street Outfitters in Wauconda and enjoyed the musical stylings of the Spizzirris, Terry and Gregg, until 10. Watched Eastern Illinois lose to Towson State in the FBC quarterfinal game. Sorry that happened as I really back the local teams.

Busy, Busy. --RoadDog

The History of Middleton's On Main in Wauconda, Illinois

The building in which Middleton's is located dates to 1847 when it was a stage stop which ran from Wauconda to Janesville, Wisconsin, a journey that took two days back then.

After that, it was a brothel and then for many years, a resort called the Grand Hotel.

Since then, there have been a series of restaurants and bars in it. The bar is located in a two story room with a second story walk around eating area on two sides.

I even deejayed there once or twice.

Well Worth a Visit. --RoadDog

To Rain or Not to Rain, To Crawl or Not to Crawl-- Part 2: Wauconda, Illinois

July 31st, Wednesday. Continuing with our day trip down river by cat on the Fox River. Heading northward now. Decided to stop at Middleton's On Main in downtown Wauconda. We hadn't been there probably since the 1980s when it was O'Traina's.

It is in an old 1890s resort hotel. The place hasn't changed much since then, but, of course, is no longer a hotel; more of a restaurant/Irish bar. Also took a walk along Main Street which is the old US-12 Highway until it bypassed the downtown.

Wauconda is running one of those objects on parade things that is so popular in towns these days. They have Adirondack chairs all along the road. Some interesting designs.

Wauconda is a former resort town on the shores of Bang's Lake. We go to Dock's Tiki Bar often which is on a bluff overlooking Bang's Lake. Middleton's is about a block from the lake.

Laying Back On a Chair. --RoadDog

Good Deals and Some History

LINDY'S LANDING


On the way to Arlington Heights, I stopped in Wauconda at Lindy's Landing. It is on the site of an old public beach called Phil's Beach. Back when I was growing up in Palatine, Illinois, a major high school destination was Honey Hill, located near Phil's Beach.

I played NTN at Lindy's and enjoyed the view of Bang's Lake. The restaurant has three stories of open space and lots of windows. Their half pound black angus burgers are $2 off on Tuesdays.


J.J Twigg'S

I then went over to J.J. Twigg's, also in Wauconda, for the first time in several years. The decor in north woods AND they have complimentary peanuts along with some of the best pizza in the area. Every day, there are food specials, and for lunch Mon-Fri, they have $1.99 hot dogs and hamburgers, both coming with fries.

J.J. Twigg's at one time was owned by Frank Costello's brother. Frank used to own big hangout for us on Fox Lake, Costello's Pub and Grub. One of the other owners of Twigg's also opened a place called Risky's in Lake of the Ozarks. We went there to play NTN coming back from a Route 66 jaunt a few years ago and were surprised when we saw the J.J. Twiggs logo on a peanut bucket and found out it was one and the same.

Some Good Eating in the Neighborhood. --RoadDog

Labor Day Weekend: Bands, Bars, Festivals, No Boating

Boating wasn't an option, even without the flooding. We generally stay off the Chain of Lakes on the weekends and especially holidays. We let the "weekend warriors" have their sway. Thank you very much, we'll go out on the weekdays.

SATURDAY I worked in the yard and fought mosquitoes. I planted eight tall phlox out by the deck flowerbed.

Then, we drove US-12 down to Wauconda where they were having a Main Street Festival. Old Rand Road, the original US-12 before the bypass, was blocked off and a great blues/rock band, Kevin Purcell and the Nightburners, was playing on a temporary stage.

We had some cotton candy for the first time in a long time. We had forgotten how little there is of it. The Rotary Club was selling it and the poor guy at the machine had cotton candy up to his elbows.

Lots of restaurants were offering food. I had an excellent burrito from a Mexican place for $4. Sat at a table and talked with another couple. They had been married for two years, BUT, had been married before and then divorced. They had met again at their daughter's wedding and the flame rekindled. That was a neat story. We found out they were also into the two lane roads so talked about some of our experiences.

SUNDAY I listened to Bob Stroud do his final Summer of Love installment. Today, he played the songs we were listening to on our radios back on this date in 1967. That was 40 years ago, and in Chicago, we were listening to WLS and WCFL. I'll print out the playlist later. I'm sure they will bring back some memories.

I then went to Alden Terrace in McHenry to visit with Frances.

Came home and then Liz and I drove to Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for some of the World's Greatest Bloody Marys at Main Street. The big talk was about Wisconsin's easy victory and Appalachian State's great upset of Michigan. There are not too many Wolverine fans in Wisconsin.

Played NTN at Donovan's then drove back to the Chain of Lakes.

Passing over the Grasslake Bridge, we only saw about ten boats going no wake. Normally, on Sunday, you'd see close to a hundred and even more on a Labor Day weekend. The flooding has really put a damper on the celebration.

We went to Captain's Quarters to see Cirrus Falcon, one of out favorite bands. All those people who weren't out on boats were in here. There were no seats anywhere, so we left.

Drove Grasslake Road down to the Harbour Lounge and went outside to the tiki bar. When it comes to bands, we almost ALWAYS arrive when they're just going on break. However, this band was breaking down their equipment at 4 PM, way to early for an afternoon set. We found out that someone had complained and the police had told the owner that the band had to stop.

The owner had them move inside, but, again, we couldn't find seats so went home.

TODAY I enjoyed the deck, planted some more perennials, and caught some sun.

We went over to Alden Terrace so we could take Frances to the Labor Day celebration there. A guy was playing a piano with backing music and playing the Big Band songs this elderly group would like. He was quite an entertainer and everyone was having a great time.

Pretty Good Labor Day Weekend if You Ask Me. --RoadDog