Happy 44th Year to Tom Fuchs at Oak Park Lounge on Illinois' Pistakee Lake

In a few hours, we are going to go over to Oak Park Lounge to wish owner Tom Fuchs who will be celebrating his 44th year of owning the place today.  He opened for business on August 1, 1976.  Of course, the place dates to the 1890s and looks quite a bit like it did back in the 1930s (we've seen pictures of the inside of the place from back then).

In short, it is one of our favorite "Dive Bars."  It is a Chain of Lakes original.  A big party is planned with food, a band and deejay all outside.  Plus, our favorite bar mutt, Bomber, will be lording over everything.  He is a black lab.  Tom may think he's the boss, but all of us know better.  Is there any more spoiled dog than a bar dog?  He fits the bill.

Forty-four years owning a bar is a real long time.  So, congrats to Tom!!!

Of Course, Social Distancing.  --RoadBomber

I'd Celebrate That!!!! April 8 - 11: Appomattox Day on Tuesday, April 9

**  I'd celebrate it.

APRIL 8

DOG FARTING AWARENESS DAY--  Yep, they do.  Just don't blame them when you fart.

NATIONAL DOG FIGHTING AWARENESS DAY--  **  This is terrible.  And, what it has done to the reputation of pit-bulls is absolutely horrible.


APRIL 9

APPOMATTOX DAY--    Lee Surrenders.  Well, being of Southern persuasion I can't say that I celebrate this day.  But I am glad that the war was finally over.

NATIONAL FORMER POW DAY--  **  What they had to endure for us is unimaginable.


APRIL 10

AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS DAY--  **  It is amazing how cruel some people are to animals.

SALVATION ARMY FOUNDERS' DAY--  **  One of the great relief organizations anywhere.


APRIL 11

NATIONAL PET DAY--  **  Those pets have us trained so well.

INTERNATIONAL LOUIE LOUIE DAY--  **  The song's writer, Richard Berry was born on this day in 1935.

SUBMARINE DAY--  **  When the U.S. bought its first submarine, the Holland, in 1900.

Remember Those Prisoners.  --RoadDog

EGGCELLENT EASTER JOKES:  Q:  What is the Easter bunny's favorite kind of music?  A:  Hip-Hop of course.

I'd Celebrate That!!!! Donald Duck Day Today

MARCH 13

DONALD DUCK DAY--  **   His first appearance.  Was it June 9, 1934 or March 13.  Go ahead celebrate both days.  Yell extra loud during the "Mickey Mouse Club" march.

EARMUFF DAY--  **  Well, hopefully we won't be needing them for awhile.

K-9 VETERANS DAY--  **  Definitely, they deserve to be acknowledged.

NATIONAL OPEN AN UMBRELLA INDOORS DAY--  Isn't that bad luck?  I don't think so.


MARCH 14

PI DAY--  I've got a feeling these don't come with ala mode.  Something about 314?

NATIONAL POTATO CHIP DAY--  **   Oh Boy!!!  Potato chips!!!!

NATIONAL SAVE A SPIDER DAY--  Spiders are ok as long as they are outside.  Inside and they'd just better beware.

--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

I'd Celebrate That!!! August 20 to 26: Our 45th Anniversary

AUGUST 20, MONDAY--  Radio Day**  And, I love my radio.  Listen to it all the time.  Chocolate Pecan Pie**  Never heard of a chocolate pecan pie, but willing to try.  Do you say peacan or puhcan?

AUGUST 21, TUESDAY--  Senior Citizen Day**  Hey, a day for me!!  Ten or 20% off?

AUGUST 22, WEDNESDAY--  Tooth Fairy Day**  I got quarters.   As  long as they aren't the Tooth fairies in "Hellboy II."

AUGUST 23, THURSDAY--  Sponge Cake Day

AUGUST 24, FRIDAY--  Waffle Day**  Peach Pie Day**  Pie, I must have PIE!!  Any kind of PIE!!

AUGUST 25, SATURDAY--  Liz and my 45th Wedding Anniversary**    Kiss and Make Up Day**  Banana Split Day**

AUGUST 26, SUNDAY--  National Dog Day**  Pet and get a wag.  Better yet, take one for a walk.

Happy Anniversary Liz.  As My dear Old Dad Used to Sing "45 Years With the Wrong, Wrong Woman."--RoadDog

Labor Day Weekend-- Part 2: About Those Bar Dogs

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

On the internet in the early morning and found out that Illinois evidently had our own ribbon highway, like that one stretch of Oklahoma's Route 66.  And it went from DeKalb to Waterman, Illinois.

Enjoyed Bob Stroud taking his listeners, the Stroud Crowd, back 40 years to a summer I remember well, 1977, on Chicago's WDRV, 97.1 FM from 7 to 10 a.m..

We had planned to go to Cabana's on Pistakee Lake to see the band, but it was way too crowded, so we went to Oak Park Lounge nearby on the same lake.  This is an original bar on the Chain of Lakes, dating back to the 1890s and a favorite of ours.  We also got to see (and feed) the bar dog, Bomber.  If there is another more spoiled animal in the world than a bar dog, I'd like to know?  He has us all trained well.

We then went to the PLAV (Polish Legion of American Veterans) in McHenry for Bloody Marys and last stop was at Sunnyside in Johnsburg.

Bomber Likes His Pepperoni.  --RoadDog

Living In Today's World: The Eminent Danger

From the January 30, 2017, Rubes comic strip.

A dog and a cat are trapped in a room and looking out to the hall where their owner is operating a vacuum cleaner.  The cat's back is arched and the dog is growling.

Cat:  "I despise that thing."
Dog:  "Me too."
Cat:  "We must destroy it."
Dog:  "We must."
Cat:  "Together."
Dog:  "The enemy of my enemy..."

Our dog Brandy was also petrified of the vacuum cleaner.  I am not afraid of it, but don't like the sound.  So when Liz vacuumed, the two of us made sure to stay in a different room the whole time.

JSS: Dog Drive-- Corn High-- Jewel Tailgating-- Death of D-18

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  DOG DRIVE--  We have three pooches we like to keep tabs on whenever we drive to Spring grove for shopping along US-12.  Nearest us is a husky dog named Zoe, who is one of the prettiest and laziest dogs ever.  Of course, with us being bug NIU Huskies fans, we like huskies.

Then, farther down the hill, we have a pair of clowns.  We don't know their names, but one is a JKack Russel and the other has the biggest ears we've ever seen on such a small dog.  We call them Jack and Ears.

2.  CORN HIGH--  If there is any meaning to corn being knee-high by the 4th of July, ours was already chest high with all the rain and cool temps.  Looks like a bumper crop.

3.  JEWEL TAILGATING--  Today, after being "attacked" by Ears and Jack (well, seriously barked at), I sent to our local Jewel and saw six guys tailgating in the parking lot and seeming to really enjoy themselves.  I had to ask them where the football game was.  They just laughed.

4.  DEATH OF D-18--  Sad to find out that one of the Decorah bald head eaglets was electrocuted yesterday when he landed on uninsulated high wire power lines.  They (there were three of them) had a rough eaglethood after being laid in really cold weather, having it really cold when first hatched and then bothered so badly by gnats they all left the nest too early, one of them breaking a wing in the process.

Just Some Stuff.  --RoadDog

NOT YOUR USUAL FLIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTSl:  As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Ronald Reagan Airport, a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: "Whoa, big fella. WHOA!!"

Truth In Advertising

On one site I went to, I saw an ad for Dog Poop Pickup Service.  They say, "We're here to pick up where your dog left off."  And, even better, their prices start from $7.95.  I would guess that applies to small dogs.  I wonder how much they charge for St. Bernards or Great Danes?

Now I Done Seen Everything.  --RoadDog

Let the Big Dogs Out!

From the Feb. 17, 2014, Yahoo! Shine "10 Monstrous Dog Breeds" by Pet360.com. //// These are some mighty big dogs. Just watch out for slobber, especially with the St. Bernards: 1. Irish Wolfhound // 2. Saint Bernard // 3. Mastiff // 4. Newfoundland // 5. Great Dane //// 6. Great Pyrenees // 7. Leonberger // 8. Bernese Mountain Dog // 9. Greater Swiss Mountain Dog // 10. Black Russian Terrier //// Bow-Wow, Lick. --RoadDog

Almost Forgot to Mention

It's A Doggone Thing

A couple days ago, I had a list of the top ten dogs in pop culture. As long as the college students were doing their load the ballot box thing, I have a couple mascots to present.

How about Victor E. Huskie of alma mater Northern Illinois and UGA at the University of Georgia (where I attended one year)? Those would be two fine additions.


McRib is Back

This morning, I tried a McRib that I bought yesterday. It was cold, but guess what? Cold is just as good. I REALLY love those McRibs!!!

One Mighty Fine Sammich. --RoadDog


An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he gets.

It's a Doggone Thing

TOP POP CULTURE DOGS

To celebrate its 125th anniversary, the American Kennel Club had online folks vote for their favorite dogs in culture. They received 71,000 votes. Here's the top ten.

What do you think the Number One Was?

10. Brian Griffin from "Family Guy." (About the only sane one on the show, other than the wife.)

9. The song "Who Let the Dogs Out" I can agree with this one. That is a neat song. Everybody bark now.

8. Georgetown University's Jack the Bulldog. Looks like the college students loaded into this one.

7. The song "How Much is That Doggie in the Window?" You know, the one with the waggly tail.

6. The painting of dogs playing poker. a personal favorite since I have two copies.

5. Pound Puppy Toys. What?

4. Eddie from "Frazier." that was one fun-nee dog-gee. That bit with Eddie watching while Niles had the meltdown iron his pants was one of the best-ever in comedy. Then there were the Frazier-Eddie stare downs.

3. Scooby Doo I didn't much care for him.

2. Texas A & M's Reveille mascot. College students again!!

and...




1. Snoopy, of course. Old Joe-Cool and the Flying WW I Ace.

Personally, I vote for our old dog, Brandy.

What a Mutt!! --RoadDog

Christmas Decorations Down and Coming Down

We always keep the Christmas decorations up until New Years Day. Liz went on a cleaning frenzy and took all the upstairs inside decorations down Wednesday and Thursday. This is a major effort as we have lots and lots and lots of Christmas stuff.

I've been trying not to buy new stuff, but that is hard. I get to looking at Christmas decorations like Ralphie looked at his bb gun. However, with me, it's not "You'll put your eye out," but "Where'm I gonna put it?" I did break down and buy a few things, but kept the new stuff under five items. Rather proud of it, but Liz still thinks I've bought too much.

I rather feel like the expectant father as his wife is delivering and she yells, "YOU. You did this to me," in a demonic trance, when Liz is taking down or putting up the stuff.

The only thing I can say about Liz's cleaning frenzies is to stay out of her way, less you find yourself packed away until next December. When we had the old mutt back in the 70s and 80s, we'd manage to stay one room ahead of Liz.

She did a great job though, and even did a major cleaning afterwards.

Meanwhile, the old procrastinator managed to get a few things down in Margaritaville (in the basement) last night during the New Hampshire presidential debates. Now that most of the snow has melted, I hope to get the outside decorations down once they dry out. Many of them had had snow on them until recently.

Until the Stores Put Up Their Christmas Stuff in September. --RoadDog

How Many Times Can You Watch "A Christmas Story" Before You Go Nuts

I watched it three times during TBS' 24-hour marathon starting at 6 PM Christmas Eve. To the best of my knowledge, I did not go crazy. Liz and Kora, however, thought I had lost it. Hey, I really LIKE this movie.

Not only do I like what transpires, but also, it was just in another time and era. I liked the old city, the overloaded electric sockets, old schools. Everything. The spoken lines were great too.

If you're a fanatic, you should be able to answer these questions with ease. Answers Below.

1. What is the ultimate dare for a kid?

2. What was the name of the bully?

3. Who had the Old Man's greatly-hated hounds?

4. What was the Old Man's "major prize?"

5. What happened to it?

6. Where did they end up having Christmas dinner? Why?

7. What did Ralphie want more than anything else?

8. What happened when Ralphie got his chance to ask Santa for the object of his desire?

9. After Ralphie used the "F" word, how did his mom punish him?

10. Ralphie lied to his mom about where he had head the "F" word. Who did he blame it on?

Three Times, and I Didn't Go Insane. --RoadDog

Answers
1. I Triple Dog Dare You

2. Farkus

3. Bumpus hounds

4. a leg lamp

5. it mysteriously got broken. Mom was the biggest suspect.

6. Chinese restaurant, Bumpus' hounds got in and ate the turkey.

7. bb gun

8. He forgot what to ask for.

9. soap in the mouth

10. Schwartz

A Perfect Day

In one of my favorite movies, "Groundhog Day", Bill Murray, when he became aware that he was stuck on February 2nd in cold Punxsutawny, Pa (actually Woodstock, Il), lamented that if he had to be stuck on a day, why couldn't it be that time he met the beautiful girl on a Caribbean island and had drinks and partied all day and night.

Well, boys and girls, I have to say that I had a day that would have to be classified as perfect. Now, I have many ways to have a great day, but this was definitely one.

I woke up at 6:30 AM and put on a pot of coffee while enjoying the deck (which I refer to as "OD", On Deck). The sky was a deep blue and the temp was in the 70s. I listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots show on the Drive, 96.9 FM, something I like to do every Sunday from 7 to 10 AM. Today he featured a Roots Salute to Paul McCartney who is turning 65 tomorrow-- 65--EGADS!!! Are we really getting that old? Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys is also turning 65 this week. Like Garth Brooks ably said in his song, "Much Too Young to Be This Damn Old." He played 24 Beatles songs on which Sir Paul was the only composer.

I drank coffee, wrote in the journal, and listened to the birds.

I then watered the backyard as we haven't had much rain in the last week and a half. I have been doing a lot of planting and have to keep those little darlings living. I then planted 12 snapdragons, 12 red salvia, 2 gladidoras, a Russian sage, about 20 mum transplants, one other plant I don't know as well as a groundcover that I don't know.

I didn't get enough sleep last night, so I took a short "Bob" nap out in the gazebo, where I enjoyed the breeze and the shade.

I then went over to Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake and enjoyed talking with friends while listening to an excellent band, the Rhythm Kings.

Came home and am on this right now before I put in a Tombstone frozen pizza into the pizza oven (once you make one in a pizza oven like they have at bars, you'll never want another oven one-they're perfect) and then I plan on going out to "The Grand Strand" and burning some wood as it gets dark. I'll listen to my new "Big Dog Daddy" album by Toby Keith. This is a good one!!!

Sitting OD, drinking coffee, listening to music, working in the yard, enjoying the gazebo, a band at a favorite watering hole, these blogs (which I do enjoy), pizza. and a fire on the Strand. Now, that's a GOOD DAY.

Coca, Chrissy, Rusty, Frank, and ALL THOSE DOGS of Julie and family, have great days. So does old RoadDog.

Every Dog has His Day. --RoadDog

THIS DAY IN HISTORY- 1885- Our largest immigrant-ever, The Statue of Liberty, arrives as a gift from France.