Ace Wisdom

I’ve spent the last few days setting up my “ice shanty” preparing for the sturgeon spear fishing season.  Tomorrow (Saturday), let the fun begin.  It is going to be -25 degrees F. windchill to kick off festivities.  I get to stand over a large hole in the ice, poised with a spear in my hand, and wait for one of the large ugly creatures to cruise past my hole.  I will probably get 10 days to stand in this poised position.  Really?  Be still my heart.

The sturgeon season is supposed to be difficult this year.  Normally you can see down into Lake Winnebago about 20 feet.  This year the Lake is murky and it is clear to a depth of 5-6 feet.  It is hard to believe that there have been fishermen that have gone sturgeon fishing for 30 years and never seen one of the creatures.  If I were a stay at home wife and my husband went fishing for 30 years and never saw a fish, I’d check his equipment. I’d also check the closest taverns (and motels).

This is my financial insight for the day.  The Bank of Japan just announced that they were going to move to “negative 1/2% interest rates”.  That means if you bought a CD at a bank for $100 for one year, at the end of the year you would not only not get any interest payment (nor the normal return of you $100), you would get back $99.50.  You lost $.50 for your 1 year investment.  The reasons for “negative rates” relates to confidence in the money system. $99.50 return of your money might be better than alternatives 1 year from now.  Imagine being retired and your IRA’s going down in value.

It is a complex web the world weaves.

Today is mandatory “fish day”.

Love,

Dad

 

The Super Bowl came and went.  If you look back 2 weeks, I blogged that Denver would win.  Genius!

Yesterday was the celebration of the Chinese New Year.  It is now the year of the Monkey.  Monkeys tend to be quick witted and lively but have impetuous tempers.  Our family does’t have any Grasshoppers born under the Monkey sign but we have several rats, an ox, a dragon and a snake.

Today is Fat Tuesday.  It is your last chance to “pig out” and over indulge in anything.  Tomorrow, Ash Wednesday you need fast and contemplate giving up something significant for Lent.  Because I am a “senior”, I am exempt.

Growing up, my religious training was protestant “Evangelical Reform”, whatever that means.  I did go to Saturday catechism but it lost out to Saturday morning basketball for boys.

When I first started dating your Mom, the religious intensity began to pick up as I was exposed to devout Catholic practices of Lent.  I do remember the solemn devotion given to Ash Wednesday, the serious commitment to “giving up something” for Lent and then of course there was the fish, lots of fish on Fridays.  It always felt like a black cloud had just rolled in and everything was dark and mysterious.  Hard to believe I eventually converted to Catholicism.  In the end I am probably scheduled for the “down” elevator.

Valentines Day Sunday.  The average couple spends $147 on the event.

You can be my Valentine for “nothing”.

Love,

Dad

Grasshopper No.3 has a birthday coming up.  Feb. 7th.  This year it coincides with Super Bowl Sunday.  Happy Birthday No.3.  I won’t reveal his age but we lived in Milwaukee in the early 1960’s when he was born.  May your day be special.

Your Mom took me to see “Newsies” last night at the PAC.  I’m told Disney made a movie of the same title 20-30 years ago.

The Super Bowl is celebrating 50 years since inception.  The Green Bay Packers of course won the first one.  The legend of Max McGee grows.  He caught 6 passes in the first playoff game including 2 for touchdowns.  He did it without sleep and being “hung over” from the night before.  Now there is an inspiration for all parents that have a son playing football.  Actually, Max was a really good guy!

The Denver Broncos, one of the Super Bowl participants, had two fans pay $8,000 each for tickets to the game.  The logic was that one buyer was 71 years old and this might be his last chance to see his team in the “big one”.  I understand the logic but is any football ticket in the world worth that kind of money?

Excelling at football can lead to many things.  Sports Announcer or Spokesman for companies such as Jockey shorts, Wrangler jeans and yes, pizza. Russell Wilson has raised football prestige to a whole new level.  He will deliver the commencement address to the University of Wisconsin graduating class next May at Camp Randall.  Imagine the wisdom a 28 year can impart to young kids (ages 22-24).  I’m sure Russell’s message will be to pursue your dreams. His dad taught him to always ask “if not me, who”? The more I think about it, he may be the perfect person to inspire young graduates.

My message (from a 75 year old) is “if not you, who”?

Love,

Dad

 

 

Ripon Foods cookie company produced it’s last cookie Jan. 27, 2016.  The last morsel of delectable dessert came rolling off one of the oven lines last Wednesday.  I’d like to think that the last cookie was a macaroon sandwich, chocolate chip sandwich or mint patty.

The city of Ripon has adopted the tag line “Cookietown USA” since the mid 1990’s.  They promoted Ripon with a Cookie Days (Daze) every summer. The City will change it’s tag this year.  It is sad to see it end.

There has been a recent study that confirms people who frequent local bars (taverns) are healthier than those that don’t.  As you know I was raised around a tavern.  It has something to do with being part of a circle of friends and social interaction.  People actually talk to each other. Usually the atmosphere is upbeat. Who knew?

Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow this morning.  That means an early Spring.  Yes!

Grandson Collin and wife Audrey are expecting their first child “soon”. Family history has lots of February birthdays.  My brother Jack was born on Feb.1.  My Great Grandfather John was Feb.2, Grasshopper No.3 was Feb.7, and “Nana”, who died at age 98, was Feb.11.  I understand Audrey’s birthdate is Feb.4.  Whoa!  I wonder what Feb. date is next.

Mardi-Gras precedes Ash Wednesday (Feb.10). Most people think the day before, Fat Tuesday, is the official celebration of Mardi-Gras.  I’m told people who live in Texas start celebrating a week early.

Love,

Dad

A belated Happy Birthday to grand-daughter Dano.  I always know how old she is because her birth coincides with the year your Mom and I moved to Appleton.  That was 1985.  That makes Dano 21.  Right! And that make me 65.  Happy Birthday Dano.

The flow of free money continues.  Your Mom and I used another Christmas gift certificate. We got to see the “Legends” at the Fireside.  It was a little different from previous years where they featured local band artists. Legends means an Elvis impersonator among others.  I can’t believe I am admitting this but the best impersonator of the day might have been Elton John.  Elton John?  I don’t even like Elton.

Here is my “money” tip of the month.  You are all getting ready to mail your 2015 taxes or have already “done so”.  When you get your refund, put it in the bank.  Don’t pi– it away on something frivolous and un-needed.  It is the easiest “savings exercise” you will ever experience.  Compound the tax refund by investing it wisely and someday you’ll be rich.  Just saying!

The reward for the best players in the NFL is to be named to the Pro-Bowl “All-Star Game” in Hawaii.  The player gets to take his family to Hawaii for a week, play a silly game of “tag” football (nobody wants to take a chance of getting hurt) and then fly home.  Players don’t want to go.  They are tired. They risk injury and it takes 10-15 hours flying time.  I see Aaron Rogers feigned an injury and will not attend.  Coach Mike McCarthy of our Packers was to be the coach of the NFC squad.  Oops!  He has a stomach virus and can’t make it.  Did the NFL ever consider dropping the All-Star event.  Could money be involved?

January is over!

Love,

Dad

 

Armed with a “movie gift card” from Christmas and suffering from Green Bay Packer withdrawal, your Mom and I went to see Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio. Because we were flush with “free cash”, we had the reclining reserved seats along with popcorn and soda.  The free money thing is great.  The movie was terrific but not for the feint at heart.

Grasshopper No.1 shared several jars of her fresh Chicken Dumpling soup. Your Mom started eating it immediately.  Something about having to eat it quickly of she wouldn’t get any.  Really?

I got to drive Grasshopper No.3’s “newish” Audi.  I thought the economy was going in the “tank”?  It goes from 0-60 mph real quick.

More “white stuff” (snow) this morning.  Actually if you don’t have to shovel the “stuff”, it was kind of pretty.

I need to load my Turbo-Tax software to see if it works.

I picked New England to defeat Denver Sunday.  I was wrong.  I pick Arizona to destroy Carolina.  I was wrong.  I guess the lesson is pick the opposite of what I do.

Denver will win the Super Bowl.

Love,

Dad

In the Wizard of Oz, the movie transitions from “black and white” to technicolor in an instant.  Our house went from “Christmas lights” to “normal” in an instant.  Normal is good!

I’m not sure what it means when McDonald’s closes it’s outlet at the local Mall.  You would think with all the “people traffic”, the Mall would be the perfect location.  I think it has something to do with the high cost of renting their food court location and lots of competition from low cost operators.  There is also a game being played as McDonald’s tries to avoid paying Obamacare penalties on people being classified as “full time” employees.

Your Mom and I were watching a VUDU movie the other night and it began “buffering”.  Forever buffering.  So I rebooted everything including the router and the Wi-Fi extender.  After all the clever technical trouble shooting, I could not get internet service.  Nothing.  No Internet explorer.  No iPad Wi-Fi service.  I immediately called my reliable Time Warner service provider.  They were eager to help so while I was giving them my account information, they cut me off.  I got their busy phone signal.  I recalled Time Warner and after “holding” for 10 minutes, I got a service tech in Ohio.  He checked my service and said it appeared okay but he decided to reboot my location.  Suddenly everything worked.  I asked if anyone else was experiencing the same problem and he said yes, “all over the midwest”.  Why didn’t Time Warner tell me that “upfront”.  I pi–ed away an hour of my valuable time screwing around because Time Warner had an internet problem. I’m sure I’ll get a rebate on my monthly fee.

New England Patriots win in the snow and Arizona will sack Carolina.

Love,

Dad