Ace Wisdom

The UW Badgers played their last Big 10 football game last week in 30 degree weather and 25 mile an hour winds. I was considering sitting home and watching the Badgers in the warmth of my own home but Grasshopper No.4 talked me into venturing down to Madison with Dominic and Tommy.
Dominic is an old fan. He has attended several games and really gets into the games. He also enjoys the UW Band. But Dominic has a younger brother Tommy that is always trying to emulate his older brother. Grasshopper No.4 has been promising Tommy that this year he would get to see a Badger game like his older brother. So off we went. An old man. A young dad. A young Grandson who is a veteran of UW football games. And then, there was Tommy.
What can you say about Tommy? He has the beguiling smile. He is fun loving. He has a sense of humor. He also has a very short attention span (I emphasize the word short). But here he was with his big brodder (brother) at a UW game. He noticed that the bridge over University Avenue swayed as we crossed it. He notice all the sovenier stands. He would not look over the railing as we climbed higher into the stadium because he is afraid of heights. But we did get to our seats just before the “run-on” of the Band. I don’t think he saw much because the lady in front of us kept standing up.
After the “run on” we headed for the food stand. A few hot dogs and hot chocolate were consumed by all except Tommy. He had licorice. Later there were some baskets of nachos and cheese. Tommy deferred to one long string of candy that had to be three feet long. Is there a connection between candy and short attention spans?
By half time, the cold of the day was creeping into everyone’s soul. The game was lousy as the Badgers fell behind Minnesota 20-7 at half time. Tommy could not feel his toes in his tennis shoes. The agreement was if anyone got “bone-chilling” cold, we would leave. So just after the half-time Band performance, Tommy’s toes triggered the “lets go home” contract.
Wouldn’t you know that the Badger football team would play better in the second half and actually come back and beat Minnesota by 4 points. We missed all the excitement that might have kept us warm.
The outcome of the game really doesn’t matter. Dominic was miffed because Tommy caused us to leave early, but it does’t matter. Missing a great Badger comeback doesn’t matter. Hey, we got to share a family moment as Tommy went to a Badger game for the first time. Shelby Junior would say, “a memory was created”..
And Tommy? He is pleased that he was part of the whole endeavor. As far the Badgers winning and losing? Who cares!
And so it goes. The college football season is winding down and next year will represent another opportunity to get excited about a potential championship. But never again can we say that Tommy will be attending a UW football game for the first time. He is now a seasoned fan.
Love,
Dad

The year was 1967. We lived in Milwaukee. Our family included Grasshoppers No.1, No.2 and No.3 (who was only 3 years old). I had been working 4 years at my first job as a Sales Engineer at Allis-Chalmers. Each summer, the World Circus Museum from Baraboo, Wisconsin would make a train trip to Milwaukee. Late in July, Milwaukee would hold it’s annual Circus Parade along Wisconsin Avenue. It was almost impossible to get good seats along the parade route because of the masses of humanity.
So we did the next best thing. We took a one day trip on July 3, 1967 (we’ve got the pictures to prove it) in our ’65 Chevrolet Bel-Air to Baraboo as a family about two weeks before the Circus Museum packed up for it’s journey to the Milwaukee Parade.
The day at the Circus Museum in Baraboo turned out to be memorable. It exceeded expectations. The museum itself is a building with lots of ornate objects, carved totem poles, wooden Indians, costumes and “player pianos”. There were even old pipe organs that had been restored to original condition. I remember buying hot dogs and sodas for an outdoor lunch. As we sat outside, we watched the Circus employees as they practiced loading the antique Circus wagons onto railroad cars using teams of horses. The crowds begain to swell. I think each railroad car held two Circus wagons. I remember the squeaking wheels of the creaking wagons. The wagons were designed to hold lions, tigers and bears (Oh my!) as well as equipment such as calliopies that played during parades. It was fun to watch.
Then we found out that there was a daily performance for free under the Big Top Tent located on the Museum grounds every day. The next performance was at 2:00 PM. By the time we gathered together popcorn and more sodas, we found seats near the top of the bleachers surrounding the floor of the tent. The Circus performance lasted for almost an hour. It included bareback horse riders performing tricks, clowns, trapeze artists and lots of different animals. I believe there were even a few elephants. So we were treated to an old time Circus tent performance that was the hi-light of the day.
By the time we headed home, everyone was tired but we had a terrific day. It was much more than we expected and as Grasshopper No.3 would say “we had created a memory”.
We would make two more trips to the Circus Museum. You kids were anxious to go back so we made a return visit later that same month on July24th. This time Grandpa George and Nana joined us. Grandpa was always interested in old wagons, and horses and of course, anything that represented a family outing. It was a fun day but never quite as exciting as our first visit. The surprise and intrigue of our first visit was missing.
Our family would make one more trip to the Circus Museum in 1969 and Grandpa and Nana would again join us. We haven’t been back since. It would be a shame to see such a treasure disappear. I think the tradition of moving the Circus by train to Milwaukee has returned (it had been discontinued for a period of time).
The Circus museum and the subsequent parades allow everyone to become a kid again. We’ve got the pictures to prove it. We even took a picture of you kids behind the bars of an animal Circus wagon.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that you never know when you are going to create a special moment. Our first visit to the Circus Museum certainly qualifies.
Love,
Dad

My parents were never pleased about my having a girl friend in high school. Like all parents they felt that I should “play the field”. But going steady with a girl was in vogue and giving her your letter jacket or class ring to wear around her neck were common. All this was moving too close to a steady relationship. So my parents (and tattling siblings) resorted to spying on me from our large upstair window that faced the main intersection.
I had a 1950 Oldmobile convertible that I used to cruise up and down Mill Street. Of course my parents could see me from the window. I would make my date (your Mom) slide away from my side until we drove past the City Club so that there was no sense of romance. In fact I would wave to my Mom as I drove by.
The second story windows also gave my folks a view of the Rexall Drugstore across the street. I would meet my buddies at the drugstore. We’d drink cherry Cokes and eat small bags of potato chips. I think each cost a dime. It was also a place to read comic books and meet “chicks”. Imagine your parents watching all this. I do remember times my mother would call the drugstore and ask to speak to “Chuckie”. Of course she knew I was there because she could see me. I’d tell the clerk to tell her “Chuckie wasn’t there”. My Mother would go ballistic. Maybe that is how she got high blood pressure. Bummer!
I remember Addie May being sent across the street at a very young age (5-6) to pick up dog bones from the local Bob’s IGA which had a Johnsonville meat counter in the back of the store. Grandma Alice could watch Addie from the time she left the City Club until she got back home. Alice would even call the IGA to have Addie pick up items she forgot.
So it went. Alice could watch us go to the bakery, “the five and dime” stores, Besserdicks candy store, and even the barber shop.
My Dad worked at the Plymouth Foundry as Office Manager. Looking out the large front window, I could always see when my Dad was at work because I could see his car at the end of Stafford Street in front of the office. I managed many escapes from his control by knowing where he was at all times. Ah ha! I got to use the window to my advantage.
All this closeness as revealed from the upstairs window was neither good or bad. I found ways to avoid being seen from the window. It does suck when your parents can watch you closely from “the window”. What really sucks is when your parents hold up a sign from the window as you cruise by in your convertible saying “Come Home” That really sucked!
The lesson Grasshoppers is that every child strives for independence as they grow. The “window” actually became a game with me as I created ways to avoid being seen. My problem solving skills really improved. Imagine that! A kid with problem solving skills. My Mom called that “being sneaky”.
Love,
Dad

Today is Veteran’s Day. I do have strong feelings for the people that put themself in harms way to keep this country free. Having been born in the very early stages of World War II, I got to witness the sacrifice made by millions of men and women. They deserve respect.
My Uncle Bob (Robert Jack) was the first to enter World War II as an enlistee. He wanted to be a “flyboy”. He flew cargo planes in the South Pacific from 1943-1946. I think he was a Lieutenant.
My Dad (Bucky) was drafted. Bewilderment reigned supreme. He never thought that being married with 3 children would qualify him for the draft but by the end of World War II if you could walk and talk, you were drafted. He served less that two years in the South Pacific and was in a support administrative position. Bucky went in as a Private and I’m not sure what rank he was at discharge.
My Uncle Jerry (Grandma Alice’s brother) enlisted originally in the Army (I think Army). After his enlistment was up, he tried college for a semester. Jerry wasn’t ready for college so he succumbed to the Navy’s monetary offer. He served 20 years retiring as a Chief Petty Officer from the Naval Sea-Bees. “Big Jerry” lived with our family between enlistments at the City Club during the 1950’s. He retired in the 1970’s. I know he had two tours of Vietnam.
My brother Jack enlisted in the Navy prior to graduating High School (I think 1960). Amazingly he became a model Navy recruit and made several honor guards. About 18 months into his enlistment, he developed a bone cist on the big bone in his leg (above the knee). He was airlifted off a Naval ship for surgical removal of the cist and ended up being discharged with a medical disability.
Brother Jerry was drafted during the Vietnam skirmish. As I recall when he reported for duty, all the draftees counted off in “fours”. Those being No.1 were sent right to basic training and were to be shipped directly to Vietnam. Jerry’s was not a No.1 and ended up being trained with the intent of being available for Vietnam if required. He stayed “state-side” during his tour of duty. He performed clerical/administrative service.
Not forgotten members of our family with military service were;
Jerry Andrews (Brother Jack’s son). I think the Army.
Ryan Eisenhardt (Addie & Ike’s son). He was proud graduate of the Naval Academy. I know he trained in helicopter flying and other aircraft.
Joey Andrews (Brother Jerry’s son). I believe the Marines. He made it to hot Saudi Arabia.
Bob Steger (Mom’s brother) was in the Army Reserve and got called up for potential deployment to Germany in the early 1960’s. He was stationed in the State of Washington. Actually, Paul Horning and other members of the Green Bay Packers were also stationed in Washington and traveled back to Green Bay to play NFL football on Sundays. Bob’s Reserve unit was never sent to Germany. I think the “call up to permanent duty” lasted one year.
“Ike” Eisenhardt. I think Ike was in the Navy. I recall stories about visiting Japan,
I don’t know who I missed? Everyone mentioned deserves to stand proud. There is no way to measure their contribution. It is huge.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that freedom has a price. Don’t let some politician piss away a priceless gift that others have died for.
Happy Veteran’s Day.
Love,
Dad

Anyone who has owned a pet knows that there is a “connection” between owner and animal that defies explanation. Animals seem to know good people and instinctively convey unconditional love.. Conversely if you are an assh— the critter knows that too.
My spirits are lifted by the fact that the White House scottish terrier named Barney bit a liberal reporter at a white house photo shoot. Dogs know instinctively when people are insincere and the person getting finger puncture wounds was a liberal. Like I said, animals know. I will say that I hope the dog doesn’t get any illness as a result of biting someone from the dark side.
I am optimistic that the new administration will bring about change. Change is good. Change is required in this fast moving world. I can’t wait for whatever it was that we’ve been promised. What is it we were promised again?
On the bright side, there will be lots of bargains as retailers fight for you dollar. That means you will see your Christmas Holiday expenditures go further.
On the bright side, gasoline prices are down 40% from last year. Now you’ve got more discretionary dollars to spend on goods that are reduced.
As soon as we get done celebrating the election of an African-American to the Presidency, we surely will turn to the inevitable question of “now what Chief”?
I think we should take all our pets (dogs especially) and send them to Washington D.C. They should be allowed to enter the chambers of the House and Senate. Any elected Senators or Representatives that dogs don’t bite can keep their jobs. Now there is something I could trust.
The lesson Grasshoppers is that everything in life keeps changing. With 6 billion people on this planet, the speed of change will keep accelerating. Your mission (you must chose to accept it) is to keep making quality decisions in this environment of certainty. Common sense always works.
Love,
Dad

After Addie May’s funeral on Saturday a rainbow followed us home. I’m sure she is close by.
Addie was born in 1944. World War II was raging on two fronts. Our Dad was employed at the Borden Cheese Company in Plymouth as an accountant. Addie was the third child born into our family and the first Andrews girl in 3 generations. She was an instant celebrity. She was 6 months old when our Dad entered the Army and almost two when he returned home. Bucky’s absense didn’t matter too much because we lived at the City Club and we were surrounded by family. There were Great Grandparents and Grand Parents and of course our “fledgeling family”. Perhaps that is where Addie developed the strong sense for the importance of family. Family seemed to define her.
Because Addie was the only girl in our family, she was doted upon by the female population in our family. She got her own bedroom while three brothers had to live together in one room. She got the only new two wheel bicycle ever purchased in family. We boys always got used bikes and then they were handed down to the younger siblings. You get the idea. She was special.
Addie May was named after her Great Grandmother, also Addie May Andrews. The tradition of using namesakes began to fade with after my generation. Great Grandma Addie died in 1943. One year later the “new” Addie May was born. Addie never seemed to like her name. Her second name “May” always bothered her and she changed the spelling on it several times. Personally, I knew the history of the name and I always thought it was unique. A special name for a special person. How many “Addies” do you know?
Growing up, Addie had to fight for her place in line. Her brother Jack and myself were always very involved in sports and my Dad coached many of our sports teams. Addie was left home with her younger brother Jerry.
I do remember that both Grandma Myrna and Alice wanted Addie to have long hair. You will see many pictures of Addie prior to her teen years in pigtails. If you look closely, the pigtails fall almost to her waist. So Alice (and sometimes Myrna) would braid Addie’s hair every morning. It was a ritual. First you had to comb out all the “knots” in the long hair. It produced arguments and tears (and screams) as the comb would “catch” and the snarls would be forced out. Once the long hair was combed, the braiding process began. As I recall it was three major strands of hair each side entwined like a rope. It was finished off by rubber bands and on an important day, ribbons coverd the rubber bands. I don’t know at what age the long hair was cut and Addie got something more popular. It was a major event.
The longer I journal about our family history, the more convinced I am the the City Club was a major source for imparting a sense of family. We were together in times of crisis and everybody “chipped in”. Addie always had a healthy respect for human dignity and genuinely cared for other people. Words like classy, high integrity and hard worker come to mind.
In the end, her family meant everything. Her love was unconditional. She had eternal hope that each child would achieve happiness. And the Grandchildren represented the start of another chapter to be treasured and nutured. That is what families do.
It doesn’t seem right that a younger sibling would die before me. My consolation is that I know she lived to see many of her goals achieved and she was surrounded by the family she so craved.
Her smile will always define her. A smile and laughter came easy. She was the only sister I will ever know. My little Sister will be missed!
Love,
Dad

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