A Homecoming Sort of Day

I had been planning on driving out to Rockford, Illinois, today for World War II Days at Midway Village, but this weather is just too threatening. Not much fun being outside in the rain and with a high of 58 degrees predicted, especially after driving the distance to get there.

Instead, I will be going to the Grant High School (Fox Lake, Il.) Homecoming festivities, starting with a parade at 9, sophomore game at 10:30, and varsity at 1.

Of course, it's outside, but much closer should the rains come.

Normally I would be pulling for the Bulldogs, who have the same school mascot as the University of Georgia. However, they are playing Round Lake, where we lived for 17 years and taught for 33.

Round Lake is not noted for strong football programs any more, one reason they play so many homecomings.

Afterwards, Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake is having their End-of-the-Season (boating) party with band and food so will probably go to that.

OK, Let's Go Panthers!! --RoadDog

A Trip Back to Our Past

This past Saturday, we caught two of the three sets played by a Chicago area band called "1969" at Captain's Quarters on Fox Lake. As you can guess, they played music mostly from 1967 to 1970. They have seven members, one being a female singer, so they can cover it all. They even dress for the occasion. And, there were lots of peace signs and tie dies.

The show starts out with a radio broadcast. One guy plays a horn and another the mandolin in addition to the usual instruments.

I'll write down the names of the songs. You guess who sand them (answers at the bottom).

FIRST SET

FOOTSTOMPIN' MUSIC
HUSH
RAMBLIN' GAMBLIN' MAN
BORN TO BE WILD

WHITE RABBIT
SOMEBODY TO LOVE
GET TOGETHER
MAGGIE MAE (with mandolin)

ME AND BOBBY McGEE
RAINY DAY WOMEN
FEELIN' ALRIGHT
THE LETTER

If this "don't" get you back, nothing will. Second set coming up.

One Pill makes You Larger.... --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Go ahead, try to find that elusive remote.


ANSWERS


GFR
Deep Purple
Bob Seger
Steppenwolf

Jefferson Airplane
Jefferson Airplane
Youngbloods
Rod Stewart

Janis Joplin
Bob Dylan
Joe Cocker
Joe Cocker

Mizzou-Rah Trip 2011-- Part 7: Back in Illinois

SEPTEMBER 12TH, MONDAY

Met Lulu and Barb at Charlie Parker's for breakfast. Barb had never been there before and was amazed at the amount of food. They left.

We went shopping. Bought three CDs at Best Buy.

Went looking for Route 66, where it entered and exited Lake Springfield south of town. Found the north side, but not south. Did enjoy Cotton Hill Park, though. Beautiful drive on south side.

NTN at Capital City and met JJ and even his wife. Norb Andy's and Scooters closed.

Cozy Dog fix. Drinking at the Curve Inn and Southside Pub (at the TraveLodge).

A Good Time on 66. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Ever try to find your car keys in your pocket (for you guys)? Everything else in that pocket will be on top of it. How does something that big always world its way down to the bottom?

Movie Scratches: Transformers-- Harry-- Zookeeper-- Captain

Movie Scratches-- A quick dog look at movies I have seen this summer.


41. TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON-- 7-18-- FOX LAKE-- $5.50-- Dirty and mean old Decepticons (ugly, too) mess up Chi-Town. More action than you can watch.


42. HARRY POTTER: DEADLY HALLOWS PT. 2-- 7-20-- FOX LAKE-- $4-- Always knew Fess' Snape wasn't bad. Never thought it would be Ron and Hermoine. A wrap on the series and a lot of explanation.


43. ZOOKEEPER-- 7-27-- FOX LAKE-- $4-- "When you talk to the animals, they .... Kevin James is a Funny fellow.


44. CAPTAIN AMERICA: FIRST AVENGER-- 7-29-- FOX LAKE-- $5.50-- Hail Hydra. Loved the stage show.

No Matter How I Try, I Still Drop Popcorn. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Speaking of watches, how come so few people wear them any more?

Music from 1970

Today, Bob Stroud played ten songs from 1970 on his Ten at Ten show on WDRV, Chicago's Drive Radio, 97.1 FM.

It's always a trip back with news of the year as well as movies, commercials and information about the songs.

DOMINO-- Van Morrison
COUNTRY ROADS-- James Taylor

BORN TO WANDER-- Rare Earth-- Blue-eyed Motown Soul.
COME AND GET IT-- Badfinger-- At first, I thought it might REALLY be the Beatles, but it was a Paul project.

NATURE'S WAY-- Spirit
LOLA-- Kinks-- Drinking that cherry cola with Lola, who turns out to be....

GO BACK-- Crabby Appleton-- Great song by a group with quite the name.
OHIO-- CSNY-- Those were some days after Kent State.

INSTANT KARMA-- John Lennon-- OK, no more Beatles. But this would have been a great Beatles song.
BALL OF CONFUSION-- Temptations-- Like Stroud said, some songs are as true today as they were 41 years ago.

Love That Bob. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Want some fun. Have a kid try to tell you the time using a non-digital clock or watch.

JSS: Busy Saturday-- Boating Today?-- Two and a Half Men

JSS-- Just Some Stuff.


1. BUSY SATURDAY-- Attended the Fox Lake Historical meeting. Then the Lake Villa Civil War Days. Then the Fox Lake Rally By the Lake with band and food. Then saw the band 1969 at Captain's Quarters.

I sure THEN'ed it that day.


2. BOATING TODAY?-- Sure hoope so. First decent day since we've been back and before we left for the Route 66 trip. Last time out was the end of August. Then it got too hot. Then too rainy. Then too busy (Labor Day Weekend). Since back, too cold and the last two days too rainy. Maybe there is something to this global warming bit.


3. TWO AND A HALF MEN-- Watched it last night. Hasn't missed a step. A funeral Charlie would have loved. Could the new guy's intro have been any funnier?

A Boating I Go. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTHS: OK, there was a second page, but it was short. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

School Daze-- Part 2

School's back in session and I'm not!!

Songs played on Sunday's Rock and Roll Roots show, "Rock and Roll High School."

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN-- CSNY-- Home School or Regular?
(REMEMBER THE DAYS OF THE OLD) SCHOOL YARD-- CAT STEVENS

TEACHER I NEED YOU-- ELTON JOHN
HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL-- JERRY LEE LEWIS-- Eying those young school gils with bad intent?

SITTIN' OUT IN THE PARKING LOT-- BEACH BOYS-- Never heard this one.
SCHOOL-- SUPERTRAMP

SMOKIN' IN THE BOYS ROOM-- BROWNSVILLE STATION-- There was a time that was about the worst a teacher would find in there.
SISTER MARY ELEPHANT-- CHEECH AND CHONG-- Love this one. "SHUT UP!"

BAD BOY-- BEATLES--
NEW GIRL IN SCHOOL-- JAN AND DEAN-- Great little Doo-Wop number.

GOOD MORNING LITTLE SCHOOL GIRL-- JOHNNY WINTER-- Bad Intent?
NO PARTICULAR PLACE TO GO-- CHUCK BERRY-- My favorite school song.

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL (PART 2)-- PINK FLOYD-- Has anyone ever heard Part 1?
BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL-- BEACH BOYS-- Second favorite.

SUMMER'S ALMOST DONE-- DOORS-- Used to be when school started. Now starts half way through summer.
ROCK AND ROLL HIGH SCHOOL-- RAMONES-- How else would you end the show?

Perhaps the Faber College Song? --RoadDog


THE LAST UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Continuing with yesterday's thought, But no matter what I am, I always hate cyclists.

Mizzour-Rah Trip 2011-- Part 6: Looking for an Open Bar

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th

We love those tacos at Jack-in-the-Box. This one in Sullivan is the farthest west for them in Missouri, at least along Route 66. And 2-for-$1 is a hard deal to beat, even if you have to wait for them to be fried. I only had one taco as I also tried their Big Double Chicken combo: big double patty chicken burger, fries and drink for $3.99.

We agreed to meet up with Lulu and Barb in Litchfield, and parted after leaving Jack-in-the-Box.

Took I-44 into St. Louis, stopped for gas when I saw it at $3.20. Had all sorts of "fun" doing this. They have a different type of pump.

Got off I-55 by Mt. Olive and took 66 into Litchfield, but didn't find any open bars so back onto I-55 to Springfield. Checked into the TraveLodge and then went over to the Curve Inn.

Lulu and Barb dropped off something at Rich Henry's place in Staunton, Illinois, and stopped to eat at the Ariston in Litchfield. They joined us later at the Curve.

Back in Illinois. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: As a driver, I hate pedestrians, and, as a pedestrian, I hate drivers.

School Daze-- Part 1

School is back in session (and for many in session for about a month now), but not for me as I start my sixth year of retirement.

Bob Stroud had his annual Rock and Roll High School Show, which included one of Liz and my favorite school songs and one of two we played at our retirement party (the other was "School's Out" by Alice Cooper, as in "Forever!" That is the name of our boat. My quotes.

The songs:

WLCOME BACK-- JOHN SEBASTION-- From one of my favorite 70s shows. Whatever happened to Gabe Kaplan or his hot wife? Shut up Horshack!!
SCHOOL IS IN-- GARY "US" BONDS-- What is has to be before it can be out.

CARIANNE-- HOLLIES
MY OLD SCHOOL-- STEELY DAN--

TO SIR WITH LOVE-- LULU-- What an actor that Sidney Poitier was.
ME AND JULIO DOWN BY THE OLD SCHOOL YARD-- PAUL SIMON-- Now, they'd be selling bad stuff.

STUDENT DEMONSTRATION TIME-- BEACH BOYS-- Where does Bob dig up these rare Beach Boys tracks.
TEACHER-- JETHRO TULL-- Probably my favorite song by Ian and company.

GETTIN' BETTER-- BEATLES-- The old school day got progressively better as 3:00 approached.
GIRL'S SCHOOL-- PAIL McCARTNEY & WINGS-- Wonder why he sang about this?

And, I Was in School for 49 Years. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you're going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far. Didn't the teacher tell you to quit leaning back in that chair? Or, was it Mom?

JSS: Cold-- History Thing-- 1975

JSS-- Just Some Stuff


1. COLD-- Before we left on vacation, it was too hot to go boating. Now it is too cold to go boating. Temps the last two three days have been in the low 60s and even down to the 30s at night.

I like my fall. Don't let it slip by.


2. HISTORY THING-- In about an hour, I go to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society meeting which is about local schools. After that, it is on to Lake Villa for Civil War Days where I will man the Sons of Confederate Veterans tent.

It is great to get together with folks who have similar interests.


3. 1975-- Wendy Rice is doing her Saturday Morning Flashback show on WXRT Chicago, 93.1 FM on 1975. I'll be listening to it as much as possible as her shows really take me back. Not only do you get the music but lots of other stuff that take you back.


Where Were You in 1975? --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: The last ten years I taught, even the new teachers looked younger and younger. I even stopped some in the halls and asked for their hall passes between periods. That old codger.

"The Help"

I saw this movie on Thursday. It was every bit as good as I'd heard. If it doesn't win the Academy Award for Best Movie I'd be very surprised.

No special effects, no 3D, no aiming for the kids. Just a great movie.

And, mind you, I am a Southerner and grew up in the South from 1951 to 1960. There were maids in many homes, and we even had one while Mom was going back to college and Dad was away at his job in another state.

This movie puts Southerners in a poor light.

But, that was just the way it was. No one thought much about it. Thankfully it is no longer like that.

I know many blacks do not like the Confederacy because of its fighting to keep slavery, but the system put in place to keep blacks down after the war and into the 1960s seems to me to be even worse.

If you haven't seen it, do so. You'll laugh at parts and might even shed a tear at others.

Sure gives a whole new meaning to pie.

It's S-o-o-o Good. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Is it me, but are college students getting younger and younger? Probably because I'm getting older and older.

Where Were You September 4, 1971?-- Part 4

Going into the last hour of Bob Stroud's trip back 40 years to the end of Summer 1971.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN-- LEE MICHAELS--
LIAR-- THREE DOG NIGHT-- One of my two Marine Corps songs.

'TIL I DIE-- BEACH BOYS-- I don't remember this one.
SO FAR AWAY-- CAROLE KING-- From that great Tapestry album.

THE NIGHT THEY DROVE OLD DIXIE DOWN-- JOAN BAEZ-- Hard being a rebel back then. And it still is. Just try flying a Confederate flag these days. Not sure if I like her version or that of the Band better.
MAGGIE MAE-- ROD STEWART-- Always reminds me of the Sig Ep house at the University of Georgia.

IF YOU REALLY LOVE ME-- STEVIE WONDER--
TAKE ME HOME, COUNTRY ROADS-- JOHN DENVER-- The other one of my two Marine Corps songs. Get me out of here!! Actually, my time in the Corps was quite the learning experience in alien life.

ROLL ON-- NEW COLONY SIX-- the last hit for the local Chicago boys.
SMILING FACES (SOMETIMES)-- UNDISPUTED TRUTH-- One hit-wonders

AIN'T NO SUNSHINE-- BILL WITHERS

UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY-- PAUL McCARTNEY-- The number one song in Chicago.

Thanks, Bob, for This Great trip Back Into My Past. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Is it just me or do high school students get dumber and dumber every year?

Mizzour-Rah Trip 2011-- Part 5: Anybody Seen the Group?

Running way behind the rest of group today thanks to Cowboy Don Decker in the old Wrink's Market in Lebanon. The guy can talk and it's all interesting. Then, there's that great Arbuckle coffee and breakfast pie.

Stopped at Mr. C's again (he was giving away bottles of Route 66 Beer to the tour group. Then by Gascozark, Devil's Elbow and Hooker Cut, (where we had to visit with the ghosts of 66).

On to John's Modern Cabins and Arlington. Then a stop at the Totem Pole Trading Post and passport stops at the Old Phelps County Courthouse in Rolla and the newly reopened Rosati Winery , Fanning Trading post and World's Largest Rocking Chair.

Another stop at the Crawford County Historical Society in Cuba and a look at the Civil War murals.

Just a few folks left at Skippy's, eight miles east of Cuba, where they had the parting lunch. Met up with Lulu and Barb there.

Drove into Sullivan where we got out Jack in the Box taco fix.

Still on the Road for the Day. --RoadDog


UNIVERSAL TRUTH: Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty. (Not when I wear them.)

Sox Gone

To paraphrase the Hawk. No playoffs here this season as the Tigers won their 13th straight and for the sixth time in the last six games vs. the Sox.

Detroit Magic Number is 1. Time to throw in the towel and bring up the rookies to prepare for next season.

Peavy is thankfully gone for the season. Time to let Dunn leave with his $15 million, .162 batting average and 160+ strikeouts (and THESE are NOT the stats of a PITCHER!!). Take the rest of the season off, guy. You really should apologize to everyone and give all but $100,000 back.

Same goes for Rios.

It would be great if Rios, Dunn and Peavy were playing for someone else next season, but doubt that anyone would want them, especially at their inflated salaries and lack of performance.

Time to look at GM Williams after his acquisitions of these three.

And then, there's always the Cubbies.

Oh, Well, It's Football Season. --RoadDog

Got Home Last Night

We got back home at 7 pm last night. As much as I like traveling, I like getting home just as much.

Looks like we've had no rain since we've been gone, so won't have to cut the grass, but will have to water the outside plants, especially the ones in containers.

We drove 1800 miles and went through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma.

Big surprise, the closer we got to Chicago, the more expensive the gas.

Outside of St. Louis on Sunday, we paid $3.20. The super-expensive BP station in Elburn, Illinois, yesterday was $3.96!! That's a 76 cent difference. And all for the pleasure of living in Illinois.

Saw a lot and ate a lot.

Good Times on the Road. --RoadDog

Where Were You September 4, 1971?-- Part 3

Back on September 4, 1971, I was starting my junior year at the University of Georgia in Athens. I had just transferred there from NIU. I was at a dormitory near the stadium, but can't remember the name.

I was kind of the oddball on campus as my hair was still short from my stay at Quantico, Virginia, while in the USMC. Mom and Dad came for a visit a few weeks ago and asked where I was to one of the residents. He though for a moment and said, "Oh, you mean the guy with the short hair."

I was driving the infamous, one quart of oil to 100 miles, Ramblin' Wreck, the 1963 puke green Rambler station wagon Mom and Dad had bought me.

Happy Hippy Days.

All comments my own as I was unable to listen to it because of a glitch of some sort. Bob Stroud did replay the show this past Sunday, but we were on the Route 66 Missouri Motor Tour.

Songs from Hour Two


BANGLADESH-- GEORGE HARRISON-- I wasn't happy that the Beatles broke up, but at least now we're getting four different sources of "Beatles" music.
DEEP BLUE-- GEORGE HARRISON-- Never heard of this one.

I JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE-- RARE EARTH-- How many times can you say "I Just Want to Celebrate" in one song?
STAGGER-LEE-- TOMMY ROE-- The old "Sheila" man still recording in '71? Didn't know.

WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN-- WHO
MARIANNE-- STEPHEN STILLS-- Taking a solo break fron CSN or CSNY.

RIDERS ON THE STORM-- DOORS
SWEET HITCH-HIKER-- CCR-- The last big hit for the guys. How sad.

RESURRECTION SHUFFLE-- ASHTON, GARDNER & DIKE-- Like Bob says, this is one great little-known delight.
HOW CAN YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART-- BEE GEES-- As syrupy as one of those Smiley Faces.

THE STORY IN YOUR EYES-- MOODY BLUES--

OK, so I see that I already did these songs. Oops. Too much 66 in the head.

One More Hour to Go. --RoadDog

Mizzou-Rah Trip 2011-- Part 4: On the Route 66 Motor Tour

9-10-11, as in September 10, 2011, just one of those dates in the new century.

As usual, running behind the main bunch of cars. Caught up with main group at the great museum in Baxter Springs, Kansas, where we got our first dose of Civil War with Fort Blair and the battle.

Then to Eisler Brothers in Riverton, then to 4WOTR, Tow Mater and Big Red in Galena. Officer Dean threatened a ticket to me for my U-Turn on Main Street. Dadburn Barney Fife.

Into Missouri. No damage along Route 66 alignment in Joplin. Much improved 66 signage along Joplin-Carthage stretch. Boots Motel and Civil War museum in Carthage.

Gay Parita and Halltown Mercantile. Tire Place in Springfield. Lunch at the Steak 'n Shake in Springfield, retaining the architecture of the early places.

Museum in Marshfield (not where Laura Wilder lived). Munger Moss in Lebanon. Bob Gale, the sign, roadie gabfest, the new guy.

Not a Bad First Day and Many New Places. --RoadDog

Mizzou-Rah Trip 2011-- Part 3: Poor Joplin

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th

Taking some roads never before traveled this morning.

Took Mo-5 south to US-60 and then west to Springfield. We had to stop at Lambert's right off of US-65. Throwed Rolls and all those pass-arounds. Hard to beat the food and fun.

Back on 65 and played NTN at two new places, Hooters and Old Chicago, both on Springfield's south side.

We got onto I-44 and took it to Joplin where we drove around the part damaged by May's tornado. Most has been cleaned up, but gosh. Striking and sad all the same.

Got onto US-66 into Kansas where we met Lulu, Barb, Brenda and Dean Walker at Van's steakhouse. Then, into Oklahoma and to Miami where we registered for the Missouri Rt. 66 Motor Tour and got a room at America's Best Value Inn and enjoyed Boomer's Bar on the premises.

Quite a Day. --RoadDog