Last Thursday I got the stitches removed from the facial basal cell procedure (14 stitches I counted as the nurse cut them out). Yesterday, I had a second procedure on my shoulder and I'm sure there are at least 14 more stitches. So now I have to be on good behavior for two weeks until the new stitches are taken out. The bottom line is I can't sleep on my right side because of my face, I can't sleep on my left side because of my shoulder and I can't sleep on my back because the shoulder hurts. All that is left is sleeping on my head or on my ass.

I try not to be superstitious but my mother conditioned me with enough voodoo to scar me for life. Things like "if a bird flies into your window at home, someone in the family is going to die". If that is true, all my relatives would be dead. Or "everything happens in threes". Or if you find a penny and it is "face-up", someone from "beyond" is watching you. Of course, some things are just plain luck.

I figured I was on a roll last Thursday. I found a nickel on the sidewalk and the coin was face up. That is five times better than a penny. Surely it was devine guidance from above. The exhuberance of finding the coin encouraged me to make a bet with Grasshopper No.3 and Grasshopper No.4 on the Super Bowl. Not big money but I was sure I would win a couple of bucks. With the winnings from the Super Bowl, I planned to buy a $2 ticket on a PowerBall. After winning PowerBall, I would be on easy street and give most of the money to my kids. Can the story get any better?

Somehow my luck changed. I lost the nickel! Maybe that was an omen. I lost the SuperBowl bets so not only couldn't I buy a PowerBall ticket, I had to dig deep to pay off my bets. Sh--!

The nickel was supposed to be the start of something great. Both my Dad and Mom would be capable of joking with me from "afar". You know, give him a nickel and watch how it plays out. But I am not superstitious so none of this stuff could have happened anyway.

But you never know. Maybe the next nickel will launch me into something great.

Love,

Dad

The alternate choice is cash. Yes cash. Carry enough cash to handle the daily type of expenditures. I carry cash in my pocket. It gets replenished each week. When it is gone, it is gone.

Lately I've had extra cash in my pocket, appearing almost like magic. What the hell?

For Christmas we got gift cards from several sources (Grasshopper No.3 and Tony) for the Hu-Hot restaurant. It costs $25 everytime we go out to eat. Using the gift card means that I didn't have to use cash from my "magic pocket". It adds up. For sure, we eat out once a week and sometimes more. January was a very good month. My pocket swelled.

A gift card for the local movie theater meant free blockbuster film releases with popcorn and beverages. January included "the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo", "Mission Impossible" and "War Horse". Do you have any idea what popcorn costs at the theater? My "cash pocket" grew again.

This morning I decided to change the color of my car from "salty white" to silver. The car wash is usually $12-$15. Grasshopper No.3 gave us enough free car wash certificates to last a year. I just whip out a certificate and $15 stays in my pocket.

So after the month of January, I've got extra cash in my pocket. What do I do with the cash? Wait, I'm just opening a letter from my health insurance company. Oh no! They are raising my rates and it is going to cost me another $400 per year. There goes my cash. Isn't that just like life. My surplus cash from my pocket goes to cover a different expense. Will I ever get ahead?

The problem now is that the "honeymoon" of using gift cards is over. Well, back to the magic pocket.

Love,

Dad

Speaking of birthdays, Feb.1 marks what would have my brother Jack's 69th birthday. He always got a $10 bill from his Godparent, Roy Cable, a bartender at the City Club. My Godparents never sent me anything (they were farmers). Who said life was fair?

Feb.2 (Ground Hog Day) marks the date that Grandma Myrna's Dad was born. How special was that? He lived 95 years.

Feb.7 marks 48 "big ones" for Grasshopper No.3. Unbelieveable! He still doesn't need glasses and I haven't notice gray hair.

Feb.11 marks Nana's date of birth. She almost made 99 years.

February marks many important birthdates. Hmmmm! I'm sure I'm missing someone.

They say a rising tide lifts all boats. The inference is that as the economy gets better, it has a positive effect on all people and job creation. The economy is still struggling but it seems to have stabilized and there are signs that things are improving.

When people feel comfortable with the economy improving, they buy new cars. My dream has always been to own a Chevrolet Suburban. It one of the largest SUV's made. Grasshopper No.3 calls it "the biggest piece of iron on the road." I've always been deterred by the sticker shock of a new Suburban. Fully loaded, a Suburban can run almost $60,000. Whoaaa! So a Suburban remains a dream.

Forget my dream! The improving economy has encouraged some other family members in Sheboygan on Saemann Ave. to "take the plunge" and buy a Chevy Suburban. It must be nice! They will sit a little higher than everyone else when they drive down the road and they can haul lots of "stuff". Because the Suburban's pedigree eminates from the truck platform, the engines are designed for several hundred thousand of trouble free miles. I noticed that right after their Suburban purchase, our national economic numbers (GDP) jumped up again.

This morning I stopped to put gas in the "Beemer". I needed 9 gallons and spent around $30. Next to me was a new Suburban. He was pumping gas when I drove up and was still pumping gas when I left. I think the SUV holds 30 gallons of gas which means it can hold in excess of $100 worth of petrol. Holy Sh--!

Actually the Suburban will used in lots of work situations and is very practical for the application. It might be a little pricey but owning the dream is priceless.

Keep that economy going!

Love,

Dad

Then I met your Mom. Things were looking up. They lived on top of the "hill" and had new cars and expensive clothes. When I married into the family, the prospect for a rich inheritance soared. Alas, it wouldn't happen. In the end, the State was subsidizing Nana's existance. There went my high hopes.

I had to revert to my own means. I saved silver dimes in the 70's waiting for silver prices to soar. The silver market was held hostage in the 80's by the Hunt brothers (oil billionaires). I could have made 20 times the value of the dimes. I held out. I had high hopes. It has taken 20 years and I finally did sell the dimes for 20 times face value, but it did not come close to meeting my expectations.

Before Grandma Alice died she gave me her silver tea set. She wanted me to have it. I figued I had hit the "mother lode", but because of sentimental value, I hung on to the set for years. When I went to sell the silver set, eBay was showing similar silver tea sets valued as high as $15,000. We had the set appraised and it turns out the set is "silver plated" and worth less than $100. Again, I could feel my dreams slipping away.

Lately, I found some antique gold watches my Grandma Myrna had given me. They came from her family and dated back to the late 1800's. Whoa! Gold! Antique! Watches! Here was my ticket to easy street. Turns out the watches are "gold plated" and maybe worth $10 for the parts.

So you see, I keep skirting the edges of moving into the top 1% of Americans consided to be wealthy. There is always the possibility of bringing a law suit against someone and getting a big settlement. Or maybe I can win the Powerball Lottery with odds of 150 million to 1. Then there are the Indian casinos in the area. I might pull the lever for the big jackpot.

Upon reflection, I've always got "family". It is more valuable than all the riches in the world. It is the gift that keeps giving. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, I've been rich all along; I just never realized it. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Life needs high hopes. They are different for everyone. They keep you going.

Here is hoping you pull the "magic lever".

Love,

Dad

The voice of the Green Bay Packers, Jim Irwin died last Sunday. He was one of those personalities that made you feel like you knew him personally. About 7-8 months ago, there was a news story about Jim having cancer (I think kidney) and that he was undergoing treatment. The prognosis was good. It reminded me of my sister Addie where they keep offering encouragement but the cancer suddenly took over and the end came quickly.

Under the subject of fairness, Joe Paterno died Sunday. As Penn State coach, he celebrated 45 years as leader of the football team. I only know he was a good guy. He cared about people. He donated money and time to make Penn State special. And then! And then 10 years ago an assistant coach reported he had seen another coach sexually assaulting a young football player. Paterno apparently did as he should have and reported the incident to two officials of the University. The officials did nothing and the issue faded away. Paterno was fired for not following up on the incident. I don't know if Paterno knew what his responsibilites were? The result was more sexual assaults over time. The fairness relates to a man living his life with dignity, respect and dedication being fired by the University for "not following up" on an incident. The sexual incidents are abhorable but more responsible University officials failed to act. The final sadness is that Paterno died of cancer several months after the incident. I am sure stress accelerated the cancer. It doesn't seem fair that a lifetime of good is "dumped like it doesnt matter" for a situation where Joe reported properly but did not follow up. Who said life is fair?

I'm scheduled tomorrow for my "family doctor" for a regular 6 month checkup (who knows what pills he will prescribe this time), I get the stitches removed from the surgery next Thursday, and I get to have another minor skin surgery the following Monday. Are we having fun yet?

I think what I need to do it give my attitude a boost. I can purchase a 3D (also plays in 2D) flat screen 60 inch plasma 1080p HD television set. If I add mind blowing surround sound hooked to a prologic system, I can drown my dumpy feelings. Oh yeah, I can order an Apple I Pod with "apps" that control all electronics from one source (no more remote controls). Yeah, right! That all is going to happen.

Somehow the most important thing in my life is to get rid of this black eye. Nothing complicated about that.

Love,

Dad

I had discolored skin near my temple along the hairline. It was the size of a round dime. It would vary from "just noticeable" to angry at times. It had been present for a year or two.

Turns out it was a basal cell cancer which does not metastasize (it won't spread to the bloodstream). It consists of single cells which will continue to spread deeper into the seven layers of skin or into a bigger area on the surface of the skin. They need to remove the suspicious spot and then test to see if "they got it all".

Here we go. The first skin area removed was about the size of a quarter and deep. Ugly. After waiting 45 minutes for testing of the skin sample, the news was "we didn't get it all". What the hell does that mean? They need to take a bigger area of skin tissue (probably the size of a half dollar) and cut deeper. The second cut created the 8th Wonder of the World. It was a facial crater as deep as the Grand Canyon. We again had to wait 45 minutes to see if they had removed all the cancerous tissue. Finally a positive response. Yes they got it all. Then came all the disclosures.

They had to cut away some hair to do the surgery. Okay.

The skin is pulled together and stitched. First the deep stitches to hold deep tissue together and then the finely crafted surface stitches that finish the job.

I would need to sleep sitting up for a week because they don't want blood rushing to the injured tissue. Something about clots.

I would have a huge facial bandage reminding me of Kazemota (the hunchback of Notre Dame). It gets removed after two days when the bleeding should have stopped.

I can lift nothing heavier that a milk carton.

I can not bend over for fear of blood rushing to the damaged area and fear that blood pressure might skyrocket.

I can not exercise including walking for two weeks for fear of the blood pressure issues after a surgery.

I get to take anti-biotics for 7 days "just in case".

Tomorrow I get to take the hideous blood absorbing bandage off and start replacing it with something more reasonable.

They say there will be no scars but that defies belief.

In two weeks I get to take the stitches out.

The good news is that I get help from your Mom, Grasshopper No.3 (I can't shovel snow), and friends. Wait, scratch the friends. I don't have any friends.

It was almost like Julius Caesar going to Roman Forum to give a speech and he was ambushed by Brutus and friends and he ended up dead. It began as such an innocent day.

My advice is to use lots of sunblock and stay out of the tanning booths.

Stay Warm.

Dad

This falls into the category of additional pain. Grandpa George always carried toothpicks in his pocket. Anytime we went to a restaurant, George would grab toothpicks as we exited. I remember him keeping the toothpick in his mouth much like a cigarette. Apparently he had several teeth that were "food traps" and he used the picks for removal. Your Mom seems to have the same condition. The result is that there are toothpicks lying everywhere. Last night I rammed on into my foot (it was caught in the rug). Then I reached into a sofa cushion to retrieve a pencil. I jammed another toothpick into my hand. Finally, I sat down at the computer and I felt a sharp pain in my butt. Sure enough, I had run a wooden tool up my "a--". This ain't funny any more.

Jan.16, 2012 falls into the categoy of being the most depressing day of the year (the third Monday of the New Year). The holidays are finally over. The weather is lousy so we are trapped inside with something called cabin fever. Most people must seriously return to work. Etc., etc., etc. Well suck it up buster! This too shall pass.

The Packers losing doesn't help the mood. How can you go 15-1 during the season and lose the first game in the playoffs? They got a first round bye giving them a chance to heal injuries. They got home field advanage during the playoffs. Everything was exactly the way they wanted. It couldn't have been planned any better. I'm not sure the Packers were "hungry enough". A strong resolve to win and a little bit of "nasty" helps. Now we get the losers lament: "there is always next year"!

Finally the Tebow "thing" will get a rest. Tebow and his buddies got "t-boned". New England beat Denver 45-10. Even lots of prayer can't solve a throwing motion that sucks.

Stay warm!

Love,

Dad

Sometimes people say things (or do things) that seem innocent at the time but have a major impact on others. I remember a school buddy being told he wasn't "college material". It p---ed him off. He went to on to graduate college and became very successful. What kind of guidance counselor would tell a kid not to try going on to college?

Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints was told he was to "short to play NFL football". He checks in at 5 foot 10 inches tall. Fortunately he didn't listen to all the experts and he has become one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.

This week Sports Illustrated has an article on Micheal Jordan's high school basketball coach. The coach when picking the Varsity basketball squad, did not elevate sophomore Michael to "varsity". Michael was only 5'10" tall at the time. Jordan accepted the fact he would spend another year on the junior varsity. He also played his whole sophomore year "p---ed". He showed everybody. His team won almost every game and he had a couple of 50 point game performances. Fans would come to the "early" junior varsity game just to see Jordan. The rest is history. Jordan excelled in his junior and senior years and today is considered by many to the "best basketball player of all time".

The high school coach who held Michael back in his sophomore year was a black coach named Clifton (Pop) Herring. Pop actually spent lots of time working with Jordan developing his shot, inviting him to supper frequently and even making his car available when needed. Today when Michael gives talks and interviews he refers to his high school coach "Pop" who didn't have the vision to put him the varsity squad as a sophomore. Pop does't get thanks. He gets to be the butt of "funny stories" but always being painted as the bad guy.

Mike's continued bad jokes about Pop would normally "pass" but Pop is today 51 years old and financially destitute. He lives off government welfare and charity. One year after Mike graduated high school, Pop lost his coaching job. Apparently the community didn't like how he handled Mike either. So as Pop wrestles with survival, Jordan continues to kiddingly refer to Pop in a negative way. I'm not sure that Mike realizes the impact his words have had on Pop's life.

So as you get totally honest with friends and family, consider the potential impact of your words. You could change somebody's life.

I'm sure my words have never hurt people in my life. Not me! I wonder?

Go Green and Gold.

Love,

Dad

So God told me (yep he talked) that he was going to create a chiseled, 245 pound left handed quarterback and put him on the NFL Denver team. He would kneel to the ground everytime he scored (or anyone scored) a touchdown. The young quarterback would thank his Lord and then wave to the crowd. Girls would love his good looks. Young kids would emulate his reverence. He would be would be named Tim. Yep, Tim Tebow.

Tim would have to show vulnerability. Things like throwing "like a girl". Lofting "wounded duck" attempts for spiral passes. At times during a game, he would "suck". But then, just when everything looked lost, Tim would rise up and complete unlikely passes or run for a miraculous touchdowns. He would lead Denver into the NFL playoffs. He would pull off a victory in the first round of the playoffs. His legend would grow. He would make the impossible happen and always thank his Lord.

So I asked God what he was going to do now? There are more playoff games coming. There will be more ridiculous situations for Tebow to exhibit "hero status". How far was God going to take this situation? God wouldn't tell me.

I feel good knowing that God shared with me. He had created Tim Tebow who is synonomous with the "impossible". My only regret is that I wasn't the one picked to win impossible football games every week.

This weekend, Denver plays the #1 New England Patriots in Foxboro,Mass. The stage couldn't be bigger. Who knows what God will have Tim do to get His message out?

Alas, my weekend prediction is that Denver "goes down big time". The Superman story is over! Tim has to get a real job. I mean really, do you really think God has time to "rig" a lousy football game?

Love,

Dad

We should be putting the Christmas tree away shortly. We had one last Christmas visit with Grandson Nevin (and his very, very good friend Cheresa). Very nice. Actually both are going to school at Fox Valley Tech and handling a full cirriculum. There was mention of lots of A's and B's.

The only family we missed was Grand-daughter Keely and Grandson Collin. At last report, Collin is scheduled "home" around the 16th of the month but the Marines reserve the right to change things at a moments notice. I think it has been a year since Collin got back to Wisconsin.

Keely's work schedule has kept her mired in Cleveland. Cleveland? Cleveland! Who moves to Cleveland? Apparently she loves what she is doing!

When I was working in Sheboygan, the company had full time security including a person that occupied the guard house at the front gate to the facility. The security guard was present as all employees entered or left the plant. That amount to 1000 people per day. Every body got to know the guard. I saw an obituary last week that said Bob "Sleepy" Gregor passed away. I don't know where the nickname "Sleepy" came from but it is a little disconcerting when the security guard has that title. Actually Sleepy was a very good guy. My sister Addie seemed to know him very well and I think my Mom's second marriage brought her a family tie to Sleepy. His passing brought back memories.

Happiness is being a Green Bay Packer and having the weekend at home with family.

Stay Warm.

Love,

Dad

Just a quick story. When Nana moved into Kindred Hearts Assistant Living, she could not get proper TV reception. When an electrician came to check things out, he discovered that there was one of the new "energy saving" fluorescent light bulbs in the table lamp the home provided next to her bed. He said they caused the problem, so removed the bulb and replaced it with a regular "normal" one. Her TV worked great and she was very happy. I wonder if it affects cell phones?

We start the year with a clean slate. Make up your mind to being bombarded by political radio and TV messages. The Presidential election rhetoric ramps up. The potential Walker recall will generate lots of political mudslinging. Then there is the "occupy something" movement. Imagine if we took the "$ billions" that will be spent on ads and used that money to feed the poor.

For you Packers fans, here is the deal. They have a week off. Then they play the New York Giants at home. That will be followed by a game against New Orleans at home. The Super Bowl in Indianapolis will be a Packer/New England Patriot matchup. There you have it. In a perfect world, I've just described the march to the NFL championship.

Badgers lost the Rose Bowl for the same reason they lost two other games: lousy defense. Maybe a little bad luck! It was a very good year for Bucky. Oh well. There is always the losers lament "there is always next year".

New Year's Day I shoveled for the first time this winter season.

Stay Warm.

Love,

Dad

It was a snowy night on Dec.30, 1961 that Grasshopper No.2 was born. A short trip to the hospital, a one hour wait and presto, a new baby girl entered the world. That was umpty umpt years ago. I was attending Marquette University at the time and I was on semester break. Here is wishing a very Happy Birthday to that Very Special Person.

There is a depressing part of Grasshopper No.2's birthday. Do you know how old that makes me (and your mother)? Whoa!

I've noticed that our economic recession produces interesting twists. Theoretically people are not spending money in fear of the unknown. You know. Things like losing your job! Having to draw down your retirement plans! Medical emergencies. Reduction in benefits. The twist revolves around people paying $250 for a share of Packers stock which really has no value. Where do people get the money? I see that Packer shirts and jerseys are selling out and there is a shortage. The cost per jersey is $250 (unbelieveable). This week at DisneyWorld in Orlando, the crowds are over-whelming and they have to move people around in "shifts" to accommodate everybody. In the midst of a recession, where does all the money come from?

The year ending 2011 marks 12 years of my being retired. It doesn't seem that long. Time goes fast when you are having fun.

I make no resolutions for next year (2012) because the world is going to end (again). It has something to do with the Myan calendar, alignment of the stars, and some voodoo.

In the meantime, don't quit your day job just in case the world continues to evolve. If you are an optimist, make your plans for Disney World next December.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Love,

Dad

Grasshopper No.5 is winding her way home. Christmas is over. No more anticipation. No more missed naps. No more over-flowing garbage cans.

The period between Christmas and New Years is always anti-climatic. Many people combine the officially designated holidays with precious vacation and enjoy almost 10 days off of work. It gives you time to read the new books, hook up the new 3D TV's and return all the clothes that don't quite fit.

The Packers are now assured of playing home games all the way through January. If they win, win, and win, they will finally get to travel to balmy Indianapolis for the Super Bowl. Damn its great to be an a Packer stockholder. The money just keeps rolling in!

Enjoy the weather. How many times can you remember passing Christmas and not having to shovel.

Love,

Dad

Today, Dec.23 marks the 25 year anniversary of my Mother's death. A death in the family 2 days before Christmas is always sad. The Christmas holiday was different in 1986.

Wednesday night the Middleton, Wis. junior varsity basketball team came to town to play the Appleton East Patriots. Grandson Grant is on the team. He is one of the bigger players but alas, not a starter. Because the game was close, not all substitutes played including the Grantster. Appleton led 14-5 early in the game but Middleton turned up the defense, made a few shots and walked away a 41-36 winner. A guard named Luke Schaefer for Middleton scored half the points and was clearly "the man". Good show! I remember the days.

What is this? Something white is laying on top of my grass. Not much. Just a dusting. If I think it is called snow. Maybe a little more dusting tonight and then sun and clouds into the future. It is actually good news for travelers.

This weekend will be anti-climatic for our Christmas celebration. Hopefully we make a connection with Grasshopper No.3 and family and of course Grasshopper No.5 will be visiting for the holidays.

Packers vs Bears. Christmas night. Lambeau. 28 degrees. Be there (watching on tube).

Happy Holidays,

Love,

Dad

Grandson Grant ventures to town tomorrow to play basketball against Appleton East. He is on the junior varsity squad. Hey this is easy. We don't have to travel to Madison to witness a game. I think this is the first time Grant is not the star or for that matter, even a starter. He remains my favorite. Ah I remember the junior varsity days.

My dash warning light came on in my car with a "service engine soon" warning again. People have been telling me to check the tightness of the gas cap. I did reset the gas cap several times and the light stayed on. Yesterday I thought I'd try gasoline from a different station. Maybe I was getting bad gas. When I stopped to refill, I carefully examined the seal around the gas cap by running my finger around the fill tube. My finger was black and oily. I took a towelette and wiped the gas tube really well. It, also, was black. After filling with gas and relocking the gas cap, I jumped in my car and turned on the ignition. Damn, the light was off. I have no idea how a gas filler tube can get so dirty. The thought has crossed my mind that the "service department at the garage" might do something to get me coming back. Nope. I just can't think that way. Service departments are always honest. Happiness is when a dashboard warning light quits flashing.

It is strange to have celebrated Christmas early. A good time was had by all (I think)!

Enjoy the season.

Love,

Dad