How fortunate that I get to do my blog on Halloween? Those of you that keep your broomsticks parked in the garage can get them out, change the oil and fly them into a clear October sky.
Tomorrow is my sister Addie's funeral celebration. I use the word celebration because I know she is in a better place and she would want people to "celebrate" the way she lived. I will share my thoughts about a special sister in my next blog.
Just a note about the economy. I have been watching Jay Leno lately and he does a Rodney Dangerfield "schtict" about how bad things are. How bad are they? Things are so bad that wifes are again having sex with their husbands in order to save on the cost of batteries. People shopping at Dollar Stores are using lay-away to spread out costs. Things are so bad at Johnson and Johnson that one of the Johnsons is getting laid off. The hooker for Elliott Spitzer is having to give away coupons. Things are so bad ......! Ha!
The Christmas season is approaching and gift cards are used extensively. Be careful that the cards you chose to give are from reputable stores because if they go out of business before they are used, the cards are worthless.
Now I've got to run. I need to find a bowl big enough to hold all the candy that the goblins will beg for tonight. I have dropped candy from my munching regimen but tonight I might just steal a piece or two. I'm looking for chocolate, peanut butter and nuts.
Love,
Dad
The housing problems have caused bank failures. We as tax payers are lending over $1 trillion to financial institutions to bail out a constipated credit system due to non-functioning mortgages.
Somewhere in the southwest U.S. there was an auction yesterday for foreclosed properties. One lady had lost her home which had been for sale for $149,000. It hadn't sold and the bank put it into the auction market. The lady came to the auction for sentimental reasons. She had lost her home and cried during the auction. A concerned potential buyer was distressed by the lady's story and bought her previous home for $31,000. The lady was told she can now buy back her home with a new mortgage (based on $31,000). She moves back into her home next week.
My question is why the bank that held the mortgage couldn't work out a reasonable arrangement with the lady? The bank is accepting $31,000 for a property that once had a value of $149,000. By my calculations that is a loss of $118,000. You'd think that instead of taking the $118,000 loss, there would be lots and lots of good solutions. It would mean that the bank would have to show compassion. Now that would be different?
But the lady who lost her home gets the last laugh. She gets to buy her $149,000 a second time for only $31,000. She will get an unbelievable low mortgage for the reduced sale value. If she is smart, she will never deal with the her local friendly bank again.
Of course the loser is the taxpayer. We keep the bank functioning, they are allowed to pay incentives for everyone in the bank that originates new loans and we get to pay higher taxes. Is this a great county or what?
My hat is off the the good sumaritan that purchased the foreclosed property for $31,000 and is making it available to the previous homeowner. There are good caring people in the world.
Love,
Dad
Grasshopper No.4 coached his Youth Football Team to a championship last year. He thought this year would be more of the same. He would gain the trust of the kids, he would implement very simple game plans and even though they had a smaller 7th grade team, they could out think, out plan, and out manuever the bigger 8th grade teams.
The first few games didn't go as planned and the size of 8th graders was a bigger obstacle than anticipated. Adjustments were made and with super efforts, a 2-4 record was carved out with two games remaining. The optimism for another Championship was obviously gone but hey, if they could salvage a 4-4 record by season end, everybody could be extemely proud. Notice that success was now a 50% endeavor. The original goal got modified slightly.
And if, for some reason, Grasshopper No.4's team don't finish at the 50% level, you can bet that the fighting spirit and team effort make everyone proud. Everyone gave their best effort and that is all you can ask.
So what does this all mean. In the end, it means "wait until next year"!
The success of No.4's youth football team parallels the Wisconsin Badger Football team. They started out the year rated No.9 in the country but suddenly there were a few bad breaks and the realization that they were just a mediocre team. Now we are down to trying to win the Homecoming game and maybe finish 4-4 in the Big 10. Yeah, right! When pigs fly. But the UW Badgers will hang on to the promise of "wait until next year".
There is a slight difference between UW Coach Greg Bielema's effort and Grasshopper No.4's effort. Bielema made over $1 million this year and No.4 probably spent some of his own money for team pizzas. Where is the fairness in that? Thank goodness for the No.4's of the world.
I am undeterred. Valiant efforts were made. If was fun to watch. I will always enjoy football on a cool,crisp, Fall day. And, there is always next year.
Love,
Dad
First things first. Grasshopper No.5 has a birthday today and she steps firmly into her 30's. It seems her appetite for Starbucks coffee and chocolate has produced a decadence in her life. Happy Birthday No.5.
I pride myself on knowing the Andrews history. A lot of the information came from my Grandma Myrna. Sometimes she would share secrets such as her father-in-law, Elmer Andrews allegedly spending his early years in Canada and fathering twin boys. Eventually Elmer settled down in the U.S. and started a "legitimate family" including my Grandpa Chalk (Myrna's husband).
Several years ago, I congratulated my Uncle Bob (Bucky's brother) on his birthday and I called him Robert John. He corrected me by saying his official birth certificate name was Robert Jack. That surprised me because there were lots of "Johns" in the family tree and it would have been natural to be named John. Nope, it has always affectionately been "Robert Jack". So I learned something long after Myrna has passed away. I can't believe she never told me.
But then Bobby Jack said that he had checked his birth certificate for official documentation. Yep, it said Robert Jack, the fourth child born to Myrna and Charles. Huh? I only knew two children born to Myrna. The certificate said four. My Dad (Bucky) was the oldest and he had one brother, Bob.
The mystery is that I never knew of any other children born to Myrna. Believe me, I spent lots of time with her and she never mention other kids. I guess the birth certificate of Bob's could be wrong. Bob's guess is that Myrna's first two pregnancies ended up with the babies dying at birth. That would mean my Dad was the third child born to Myrna.
What does all this mean? Not much! We all have lives that are intertwined with meaningful events. Some events get shared with loved ones and some events are allowed to fade into history. It is interesting to note that I might have two "shirt-tail" relatives in Canada and I had two Uncles (or Aunts) that died at birth. Go figure. I wonder how many other mysteries have been kept from me!
Love,
Dad
I was dragged off to a performance at the local Performing Arts Center (PAC) Wednesday night. I admit that I wasn't looking forward to a revival of Glen Miller music called "In the Mood". Sounds exciting doesn't it?
The PAC was packed. It was predominently an older crowd but there was an excitement in the air. The audience had many people that had lived through the World War II years (1930's and 1940's). They were eagerly anticipating a "return to yester-year".
As a kid, the songs of the era played like a haunting back drop to the serious nature of the time. Waiting for my Dad to return home while standing on the train station platform is very vivid. In my mind I tie the emotions of the War effort to the songs of the day.
Songs like "Chattanooga Choo Choo" and "Bugle Call Rag" bring back memories. My favorite has always been "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" made famous by the Andrews Sisters. Imagine, an Andrews that could sing! It was the 1940's version of rock n' roll.
The performance ended with a military salute to all people who have served in the different branches of the Service. Veterans from the Navy, Army and Air Force stood up separately for individual recognition. It was amazing how many men stood from the audience With patriotic music playing in the background, you couldn't help but get a little choked up.
So an evening that began with reluctance ended with a passionate tribute to the people who sacrificed to make this country great. It turned out to be a fun night.
The lesson Grasshoppers is "we owe a respect to the people who served and died to make our country great". I personally won't let that respect die. The people who went before us made our quality of life what it is. Don't let sleezy politicians take away your freedoms.
Love,
Dad
Someone famous said "those who do not learn from history are condemned to relive it". I know Richard Nixon paraphrased that quote many times.
I was born in 1940. It was 10 years after the "Depression" which ocurred shortly after the stock market crash of 1929. All the stories I heard were from Grandma's and Grandpa's and "old people". Unemployment was high. Cash was "king". Banks actually closed their doors and people couldn't retrieve their hard earned savings. People slept in their cars. Homes were foreclosed. I've seen pictures of "breadlines" where people got public charitable handouts.
It is now 80 years later and the stock market recently has gone in the "toilet". I'm not saying it is 1929 all over again because safeguards have been built into the system. This time around everybody has insured savings accounts up to $250,000. Banks are not closing their doors. Unemployment seems to be trending upward (many people have exhausted their unemployment benefits so they are no longer counted amount those needing jobs). People are losing their homes. There are more people living out of their cars. Have we come full circle?
I remember Nana saving buttons in a jar so that if someone needed to replace one, she had lots of selection. There were gardens with potatoes for the winter and tomatoes to be canned. People grew many vegetables that got preserved versus going to the supermarket today. You had one pair of shoes and when the soles wore out, you'd have the soles replaced. All clothes got handed down to siblings (screw the designer jeans concept). Cars were nursed to the point of collapse before they got replaced. You worked for one employer all your life. Simplicity ruled.
Some of the principles of the Depression still apply. Enjoy simple things. Save your money. Cash is "king". Spend your money on "needs", not "wants". Pay off debt.
So to answer the question, "are we headed full circle" back to the struggling survival tactics that ruled the Depression. I don't think so but that skills practiced during those days still work. Hopefully we have learned from history.
Love,
Dad
The good news is that the suspension of the UW Band has ended and football games should get back to their normal "craziness". The bad news is that we have to look at strange designs shaved into the heads of various band members including images of genitalia.
I have one very small (I emphasize the word "small") IRA with a local investment firm. My broker, Will Steelurdoe (say his name to yourself out-loud), sent a personal letter summarizing current economic market conditions. He is concerned about "how nervous I may be". He reiterizes that "patience is a virtue". His advice is to be "calm and patient". What is wrong with this picture? Things are pretty tough when you broker knows you lost your ass and he tells you to keep your cool. Isn't that like being on the Titantic after hitting the iceberg and everyone tells you to remain cool. You'll be cool alright. Wait until your ship goes down and your ass slips into the freezing ocean!
Actually the broker is partially right. Most people make panic decisions in time of crisis and the best solution is really "to do nothing". Economic conditions are going to suck for a while but they will turn. In the meantime keep your money in FDIC insured saving and checking accounts, control expenditures and snuggle with the one you love in front of your TV.
I do get a little bit of angered by the financial gurus that play with your hard earned money and treat it in a very cavalier way. The banks, the brokerages and yes, even your esteemed representatives in Congress, rip off the hard working public with their schemes and underhanded dealings. The last time I looked, many Congressmen and Senators are becoming instant millionaires once they get into office. Obama became a millionaire as public servant. I'd like to know if they have any job openings because I could certainly use a cash infusion.
But alas, I have an emergency plan. I did't raise 5 kids for 30-50 years at great expense for nothing. The plan is for Mom and I to live with each of our kids during difficult times. That will take care of the shelter and food. I'm sure we can mooch lots of other things. The reason kids exist is to take care of their parents in their old age.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that financial "well being" is a personal responsibility. The only person you can trust with your money is you. Emergencies are part of life. Planning should include emergencies! I'm going to say it again! The only one you can trust with your money is you.
Love,
Dad
I looked up the definition of "Mojo" and could not find one. To me it means a magic aura. It defies definition but it accounts for strange things happening.
Grasshopper No.4 has had some great mojo in the past. Everytime he attends a UW Badger football game, he seems to luck out by seeing a memorable game or experience a special moment. Of course he begs to get games with powerhouses Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State.
This year he whined until he got tickets for the Ohio State game. The script was to be played out with Ohio State coming to Madison for a night game on national TV. Ohio State was voted to make the BCS series for the top 8 teams in the nation in pre-season polls. Wisconsin was rated well also. The script said that this could be a titanic struggle between two "unbeatens". Grasshopper No.4 was in position to pull off another special moment.
It was special alright. Ohio State started the season by losing it's first game to USC and dropping to No.14 in the polls. Not a bad rating, but not No.1 or No.2. Wisconsin started the Big 10 season by going to Michigan and losing (they blew a 19-0 halftime lead). So Saturday night both teams had one loss. Needless to say it was not as exciting as originally anticpated.
Then it happened. Some "goof-offs" in the UW Marching Band got caught in some sexual misconduct or hazing or something. The whole Band was suspended from performing until further notice. For the first time in 40 years, the Band would not be in attendance. So they cranked up the stadium sound system to compensate. It wasn't the same. Grasshopper No.4 and Jenny saw something different all right. No Band.
The game unfolded with Ohio State driving for a touchdown with less than 2 minutes remaining and eventually winning 20-17. There were no late game fumble recoveries by the Badgers or interceptions or long runs. Ohio State won as expected and Wisconsin now has two losses in the Big 10. Grasshopper No.4 got to experience the first Badger home loss in 3 years.
So I think that Grasshopper No.4 out-foxed himself. The conditions were right but this year he was missing the good mojo of past years.
Now I have a dilemma. If by inviting Grasshopper No.4 to a UW football game, I have to endure the same bullsh-- mojo as this year, I'll may have to rethink the invite.
Love,
Dad
I turned on my TV this morning and got a big black screen on Channel 11. There was a note proclaiming that Channel 11 was being greedy with their financial demands. Of course that was the Cable Company's opinion. Now what? Packer games are predominantly broadcast by Channel 11. The real question is "can a Wisconsinite exist without Packers in it"?
Most people don't care that a "collider" has been built deep in the ground under France and Switzerland. It has sucked up 7000 scientists from around the world in an attempt to send protons from opposite directions at the speed of light around a 17 mile loop. The objective is to get these infintesimal proton particles to crash and duplicate conditions similar to when the universe was created. It is called the Big Bang Theory. It is supposed to help explain why particles have mass (along with a lot of other things). When I was a kid, "big bang" meant something else.
One of the things that they don't tell you is that when the experiment is executed, the colliding protons whizzing around the 17 mile circuit is that a "black hole" could be created. The universe outside the planet Earth has many black holes that are really super mass locations that suck up and destroy anything that comes close to them. You don't want to be sucked into a black hole. The fear is that colliding protons could produce mini-black holes and our world could be imploded into the hole and we will all disappear. Essentially it would be a mini "big bang".
So with all the negative in the world like global warming, financial crisis, energy depletion, world health issues, now we have to worry about being sucked into a mini black hole. The one positive to this whole thing is the the "collider" is partially located under the country of France and it would be the first to disappear into the hole. Now that brightens my day!
The lesson Grasshoppers is that life has many issues. Human beings have been very resourceful in solving complex issues and somehow we keep moving forward. Rejoice! The collider experiment will not generate a black hole and somehow I think I will get my Channel 11 back. The sun will come out tomorrow.
Love,
Dad