JSIS: Lisa Freeman-- Waffle House Index

JSIS--  Just Some Interesting Stuff

1.  LISA FREEMAN--  Congratulations to Lisa Freeman who has been selected as Northern Illinois University's new president last week.  She is the first woman to hold the job.  We saw her earlier this month when she spoke at the alumni reception before the NIU-Utah football game.

2.  WAFFLE HOUSE INDEX--  One thing I learned about as Hurricane Florence approached North Carolina was this quaint, but accurate way FEMA categorizes storms like this.  It has to do with that very Southern eating place called Waffle House, which are always open.

If the Waffle Houses in the area affected are open with full menu, that means the storm isn't too bad.

Open, but limited menu means somewhat bad.

Closed means real bad.

--RoadDog

An Oktoberfest Kind of Weekend-- Part 3: Radio, Stucky's, Uncle Willie, Bears

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

As always, listened to Bob Stroud's Rock and Roll Roots on WDRV from 7 to 10 a.m. and recorded Terri Hemmert's Breakfast With the Beatles (on cassette) on WXRT.  On the internet and the #1 song in Chicago Sept. 23, 1968, was "Fire" by the Crazy World of Arthur Brown.  If you want to see a crazy video, watch it on You Tube.

Drove by Sunnyside in Johnsburg to watch the Bears-Cardinals game, but it was too crowded.  We turned around in the Angelo's, Stucky's parking lot and saw a guy out on the Stucky deck singing, so figured we'd stop to hear him and enjoy the $1.50 drafts.

It turned out that the performer was Uncle Willie, one of our favorite entertainers these days, so we just stayed and partied with him.  He even knew and sang one of out favorite songs, "Two Hangmen" by Mason Proffitt."  That song takes us back to our college days as the group often performed at NIU and DeKalb.

Plus, the Bears really stunk it up in the first half.  When Uncle Willie quit, we went inside and watched the 4th quarter and Da Bears rallied to win!!!

Then to Sunnyside and home.

Too Much Fun.  --RoadDog

MURPHY'S PHOTOGRAPHER'S LAW:  The other best shots are generally attempted through the lens cap.

An Oktoberfest Kind of Weekend-- Part 2: Oom-Pah, Polkas, Beer, Brats, Baseball and College Football

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

We then drove over to Peterson Park in McHenry where the Sunshine Rotary of that town was having their Oktoberfest.  We primarily went there o see one of our favorite oom-pah bands, Die Musikmeisters do their things.  We both love oom-pah music and polkas.  Those are fun times.

And, they did not disappoint with a wide variety of  music and plenty of "Ein Prosits," the toasting song.  Polkas, marches and, of course, "Hofbrahaus."  Also enjoyed ice cold beer and brats.

Came home and cut the grass and later went to Sunnyside Tap and watched the Cubs beat the Sox 8-3 and then Wisconsin beat Iowa which did not make Mark too happy.

Ein Prosit.  --RoadDog

MURPHY'S PHOTOGRAPHY LAWS:  (from the Otange Peel Gazette)  1.  The best shots happen immediately after the last frame is exposed.

An Oktoberfest Kind of Weekend: Sox Win!! Beat Cubs, 1973

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Last day of summer, fall starts tomorrow.  Sure hare how h\short the days are getting.

Went to Sunnyside Tap in Johnsburg and watched the Sox beat the Cubs 10-4.  This is the White Sox "World Series" as w are not going anywhere come the end of next week.  Enjoyed rubbing it in to the Cub fans, even though I do back the Cubs entirely UNLESS they play the Sox.

Sure love interleague play.  Before that, when the Cubs played the Sox, both teams brought up their minor leaguers, which proved nothing as far as who is better.

Enjoyed the $5 pitchers of beer.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Enjoyed listening to the year 1973 music on Chicago's WXRT, 93.1 FM Saturday Morning Flashback. Like I've said before, a real big year in my life with NIU graduation, getting married and first teaching job. Brought back memories.

--RoadDog

I'd Celebrate That!! September 24-Sept 30: Friday Is Drink Beer Day!!!

**  I'd Celebrate That.

SEPTEMBER 24, MONDAY--  Cherries Jubilee Day**  I don't think I've ever had any, but sounds good.  Punctuation Day**  : or ;,

SEPTEMBER 25, TUESDAY--  COMIC BOOK DAY**  I sure loved my comics growing up, especially "Sgt. Rock and Easy Company."    I wasn't much into the superheroes though.  ONE HIT WONDER DAY**  They make fun of them, but they sure had one more song hit than I did.  VOTER REGISTRATION DAY**  You should be registered and vote every election.

SEPTEMBER 26, WEDNESDAY--  Pancake Day**  Women's Health & Fitness Day**

SEPTEMBER 27, THURSDAY--  Chocolate Milk Day**   Love my chocolate milk.

SEPTEMBER 28, FRIDAY--  Drink Beer Day****  Hey, they're playing my song.  Strawberry Cream Pie**

SEPTEMBER 29, SATURDAY--  Coffee Day**  As I sit here a-typin' away with my two fingers and drinking my cup of coffee.   VFW Day**  Great organization, and at the McHenry, Illinois, post you can get rich playing Queen of Hearts.  The lady who won last week will get $2.5 million after taxes.

SEPTEMBER 30, SUNDAY--  Chewing Gum Day

RoadDog

REPORTED IN THE PAPER:  A man walked into a Topeka, Kansas, Kwik Shop and demanded all the money in the cash drawer.  Apparently the take was too small, so he tied up the store clerk and worked the counter himself until police showed up and grabbed him.

It's That High School Football Season Again

And, sadly, I have not been to a single Friday night game and they have already played 5 of the 9 games they play.

I follow five teams, well 6 now.

How they are doing.  All high school are in Illinois.

Richmond-Burton 4-1  We send a whole lot of money to this school because of property taxes.

Johnsburg   4-1    Right down the road and where we hang out at Sunnyside Tavern.

Palatine    1-4  Where Liz and I graduated, Class of '69.  A down year for them.

Round Lake    1-4    We lived in Round Lake Beach for 17 years abd taught in Round Lake schools for 33 years.

Grant   2-3   Fox Lake.  Where we kept out boat for 33 years.

And now, Mt. Carmel in Chicago  4-1  This is a traditional powerhouse and ex-NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch.

Friday Night Lights, You Know.  --RoadDog

REPORTED IN THE PAPER:  A man in Taomina, Italy, was hospitalized after swallowing 46 teaspoons, 2 cigarette lighters and a pair of salad tongs.

From Great Lakes Navy Base to Kelly's 40th to Spring Grove Pub

SEPTEMBER 15, SATURDAY

I called my brother Bob in Goldsboro, N.C., who said he was without power as expected because of Hurricane Florence and there are many trees down.  he had eight inches of water in his basement.

Went to the Fox Lake/Grant Township Historical Society meeting and heard an interesting presentation on the Great Lakes Navy Base in North Chicago.  It dates to 1911 and is the only Navy training base in the United States.

Later, we went to the Legion for Kelly's 40th birthday party.  Great food and the band Ask Jimmy outside on the grounds overlooking Nippersink Lake.

Afterwards to Spring Grove Pub.

SEPTEMBER 16, SUNDAY

Went to Donovan's Reef in Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, for the Packer-Viking game.  It is always more fun to watch the Pack in Wisconsin for some reason.  Unfortunately, after dominating the game early on, the Pack (we pull for the Packers unless they play Da Bears) let Minnesota back into the game and it ended up tied after overtime.

--ToadDog

From a Hurricane and Eyes to a Frostee and Sunnyside

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

Hurricane Florence hit Wrightsville Beach, N.C., right by Topsail Beach and Carolina Beach, two of my favorite beaches in the world.  Until a year and a half ago, I owned a condo that I inherited from Mom on Topsail Beach, second tow from the ocean.  Sure glad I don't own it now.

Follow up eye exam with my eye doctor since I had cataract surgery yesterday.  Everything's fine.  We then stopped at Wendy's for those great 4 for $4 specials and split a 50 cent Frostee.  Love those Frostees!

Went to Sunnyside later in the afternoon.  ($5 pitchers on Fridays)

I Can See Again!!  --RoadDog

REPORTED IN THE PAPER:  Fire investigators on Maui have determined the cause of a blaze that destroyed a $127,000 house last month.  A short in the newly-installed fire prevention system.  But Wait Till Tomorrow.  There's More.

You Can Put It On the Board...YES!!!!! Last Call for the Hawk

After so many years of calling the games for the White Sox, one of my favorites is retiring.  That would be Ken "Hawk" Harrelson.

I am really going to miss his little sayings like:

Mercy!

Grab Some Bench

You Gotta Be Bleeping Me

Right Size, Wrong Shape

The Dreaded Leadoff Walk

He Gone

Duck Snort

Souvenir Left Side

Dadgum It

Ducks On the Pond

And, these are just a few of the "Hawkisms" he was famous for.

We'll Sure Miss Him.  And You Can Put It On the Board!!  --RoadDog

WLS Top Ten for September 23, 1968: "Revolution"

Fifty Years Ago in Chicago.

1.  FIRE--  The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
2.  HEY JUDE--  Beatles
3.  REVOLUTION--  Beatles

4.  DO IT AGAIN--  Beach Boys
5.  HUSH--  Deep Purple
6.  INDIAN RESERVATION--  Don Fardon
7.  SPECIAL ANGEL--  Vogues

8.  I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER--  Aretha Franklin
9.  DOWN AT LULU'S-- Ohio Express
10.  FOOL ON THE HILL--  Sergio Mendes

21.  SUZIE Q--  Creedence Clearwater Revival  I had to throw this in as it was the first-ever charting song of my all-time favorite 60s band, CCR.

One thing about that old AM radio,  You sure got a variety of music as you can see by this list.  For an interesting experience, check out the video of "Fire."at Totp Archives.  I tell you, KISS ain't got nothin' on this guy.

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "You're Gonna Burn."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

REPORTED IN THE PAPER:  A 9-year-old boy in Manassas, Virginia received  a one-day suspension under his elementary school's drug policy last week for offering a classmate a Certs.  A student in Belle, West Virginia, was suspended for three days for giving a classmate a cough drop.

The student's principal said it was because of the school's "Zero-Tolerance" policy, not to be confused with its "Zero-Intelligence" policy.

"Fire"

Hurricane Florence Hit Special Areas To Me

The last two weeks have been hard on me to the extent that this hurricane/storm hit a part of the United states that is very special to me.

That would be the North Carolina coastal area ab well as into South Carolina.

Plus, I have relatives living there still, including cousins, nephews, nieces and my brother.  Goldsboro was hard hit and that is where my brother and I were born and we spent many times at both grandparents homes (in Goldsboro and Mt. Olive, N.C.) and then my parents bought my mom's house and lived in it until their deaths.

Plus, my mom had a condo on the second row of Topsail Beach, North Carolina.  In addition, Carolina Beach was the vacation spot we went to for so many years as we grew up.  (Mom's parents even owned a cottage on the ocean there until Hurricane Hazel came through in 1954.)

And, Liz and I used to spend a lot of vacations in Myrtle Beach South Carolina.

I tell you, that storm really hit home.

--RoadDog

JSS: Senior Moments-- Cataract Surgery

JSS--  Just Some Stuff

1.  SENIOR MOMENTS--  Well, I had two senior moments the other day.  Before I left to go shopping, I couldn't find my flip phone, or as Brother Bob calls it, my idiot phone.  Had to call it to find it.

Then, when I got home and then ready to go somewhere else, I couldn't find my keys.  Looked everywhere.  Took a different vehicle and when I got back home, Liz had found the keys.  They were in the ignition.

2.  CATARACT SURGERY--  This past Thursday I had outpatient cataract surgery on my right eye.  It went well and now the cloud on the right eye has been lifted.  But, those eye drops sure burn and I have to take three kinds four times a day.

--RoadDog

Past Movie Scratches: Ghostbusters-- Zombieland-- Joe-- Trek-- Rambo-- Spy

Movies seen on TV in 2017.

43.  GHOSTBUSTERS II--  8-25--  All that  underground ooze.

44.  ZOMBIELAND--  8-27--  Can't beat fun at the old amusement park.  They killed Bill.  Oh No!!

45.  G. I. JOE:  THE RISE OF COBRA--  8-27--  Just when you think you got 'em.

46.  STAR TREK: INTO THE DARK--  8-31--  Kahn's a tough nut to crack.

47.  RAMBO--  8-31--  As usual, he saves the day, kills hundreds of bad guys and this time goes home.

48.  SPY--  9-23--  She sure caught onto spying fast.

Too Many Commercials.  --RoadDog

REPORTED IN THE PAPER:  Am Illinois man, pretending to have a gun kidnapped a motorist and forced him to drive to two different automated teller machines.  The kidnapper then proceeded to withdraw money from his own bank accounts.

Every Blooming THing, September 2018: End of Summer

As the days of summer RAPIDLY wind down.

The goldenrods and a miniature daisy perennial are in bloom as are the sedum.  The bees, wasps and all sorts of stingers really enjoy the goldenrod and the miniature daisies, so if you accidentally bump into these plants, you'd best run really fast.

A few of the mums are blooming, but the rest have numerous buds and will put on a splendid display soon.  The black-eyes Susans are almost all gone as are the purple coneflowers.  I am leaving the purple coneflowers upright as they are a favorite food source of the yellow finches.

The apple tree has more fruit than I've ever seen it have before.  The crabapple trees have managed to keep their leaves a whole lot longer.  The Japanese lilacs and honeylocusts are just now starting to turn colors.

But, the mosquitoes are the worst I've ever seen them, and they're hungry for your blood.  They swarm.  Today, we got in the car and had to beat off about six of them who got inside.  I can't even sit out on the front porch right now.

Love The Fall Colors.  --RoadDog

REPORTED IN THE NEWSPAPER  ( Orange Peel Gazette):  AT&T fited President John Walter after nine months, saying he lacked "intellectual leadership."  He received a $26 million severance package.  Perhaps its not Walter who's lacking intelligence.

Going Back to the Summer of 1978-- Part 13: "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"

From the September 2, 2018, WDRV Rock and Roll Roots, 97.1 FM, Bob Stroud.

ROLL WITH THE CHANGES--  REO Speedwagon
KING TUT--  Steve Martin
WHO ARE YOU--  Who

THERE'S NO WAY OUT OF HERE--  David Gilmour
JAMIE'S CRYING--  Aerosmith
LOVE WILL FIND A WAY--  Pablo Cruise

BLUE COLLAR MAN--  Styx
TWO OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD--  Meatloaf
MISS YOU--  Rolling Stones

GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE--  Earth, Wind & Fire
FEELIN' SATISFIED--  Boston

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Born In Arizona, Moved To Babylonia."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

THE FOUR STAGES OF GROWING OLD:  You believe in Santa Claus, you don't believe in Santa Claus, you are Santa Claus, you look like Santa Claus.

"King Tut"

I'd Celebrate That!!! September 17 to 23: Friday is POW/MIA Day

SEPTEMBER 17, MONDAY--  Constitution Day**  Pretty Old, but still works.  Citizenship Day**  But don't do this like those looters at the Family Dollar store in Wilmington, N.C..

SEPTEMBER 18, TUESDAY--  U.S. Air Force's 71st Birthday**  Off we go.  Cheeseburger Day**  Rare with bleu cheese and two slices of grilled pineapple!!

SEPTEMBER 19, WEDNESDAY--  Talk Like A Pirate Day**   Arrrrgghhh!!  Belay That!!

SEPTEMBER 20, THURSDAY--  Punch Day*8  Well, if someone spiked it.

SEPTEMBER 21, FRIDAY--  POW/MIA Day**  Not forgetting.   International Day of Peace**  Sure would be nice.

SEPTEMBER 22, SATURDAY--  Hunting and Fishing Day**  Ice Cream Cone Day**  Hate it though when it melts all over your hand.

SEPTEMBER 23, SUNDAY--  Family Day**  Might even call my brother and sister.

"In Order To Form A More Perfect Union"  --RoadDog

TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD:  With age comes wisdom, but sometimes age comes alone.

WLS Top Ten for September 16, 1968: "Revolution"

Fifty Years ago on Chicago's WLS 890 AM.

1.  HEY JUDE--  Beatles  (up from #20)
2. DO IT AGAIN--  Neach Boys
3.  DOWN AT LULU'S--  Ohio Express

4.  FIRE--  The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
5.  MAGIC BUS--  Who
6.  REVOLUTION--  Beatles   (the flip side of "Hey Jude")
7.  INDIAN RESERVATION--  Don Fardon

8.  I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER--  Aretha Franklin
9.  HUSH--  Deep Purple
10.  SPECIAL ANGEL--  Vogues

Name That Tune (from the above songs):  "Take A Sad Song And Make It Better."  Answer below.  --RoadDog

TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD:  Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.

"Hey Jude"

I'd Celebrate That!! September 10-16: Cream-Filled Donut Day Today

Opps.  Almost forgot.

SEPTEMBER 10, MONDAY--  TV Dinner Day**  (Some of those are amazingly good.)

SEPTEMBER 11, TUESDAY--  Make Your Bed Day   (Only of someone's coming over.)  Patriot Day**  9/11 not forgotten.

SEPTEMBER 12, WEDNESDAY--  Video Games Day   (For better or worse, we've come a long day since Pong.)   Chocolate Milkshake Day**   (Especially those from Steak 'N Shake.)

SEPTEMBER 13, THURSDAY--  Positive Thinking Day**   Peanut Day**  (In the shell, shelled.  I love them all except the boiled one.)

SEPTEMBER 14, FRIDAY--  Cream-Filled Donut Day**  Eat A Hoagie Day**

SEPTEMBER 15, SATURDAY--  Linguine Day**    Double Cheeseburger Day**

SEPTEMBER 16, SUNDAY--  Wife Appreciation Day**  Thank you Liz.   International Ocean Clean Up Day**

--RoadDog