Ace Wisdom

We’ve been told that Grandson Collin and fiance’ Audrey have picked a “date”.  Congratulations!  Life is meant to be shared.

Our season tickets for UW-Badger football games have arrived.  Most of September is played at Camp Randall in Madison.  Stalwarts such as Troy (who the hell is Troy), Hawaii, and Miami (of Ohio, not Florida) are the opponents. Not exactly a “who’s who” in college football.  I wonder what those tickets would yield on Craig’s List?

Bo Ryan, UW-basketball coach recently announced he would retire after the upcoming 2015-16 season.  Wait!  Just yesterday he indicated that Barry Alvarez was encouraging him to stay for another 4-5 years. So the retirement plan might change.  Could money be involved?  Once you are the “Music Man” (like Bo), the leader of the band, it is hard to change.

The PGA Golf Championship is being played at Whistling Straights just north of Sheboygan.  The biggest issue?  Blood sucking mosquitoes. Apparently the deep grass hazards boarding the fairways are filled with the little critters and people attending the event are stirring them up as they walk around.  So if you go to the tournament, take you money and mosquito repellent.

The Packers won their “yawner” preseason opener last night.  What is puzzling is pregame radio programing started on WTMJ just after noon and the game kick-off was 6:30 PM.  What do you talk about for 6 hours before the game?

Elvis left the blue planet on Aug.16, 1977.  He makes more money now than when he was alive.  A lot of good his money did for him.  Sunday is your day to remember.  I was in Memphis the day he died.

Love,

Dad

 

My favorite chiropractor in Madison suggests I don’t need to take over-the-counter medication for my headaches.  She offers chiropractic adjustments!  Free!  Too bad she lives 2 hours away.

Your Mom and I went to see Pump Boys and Dinettes at the Fireside.  Great food.  Great music.  Great musicians.  What’s not to like?

I have lots of negative opinions about the direction of healthcare ranging from the “costs of Obamacare” to “the misuse of personal medical information” by the doctors and hospitals.  Having said that, I do like the availability of information on a “real time” basis.  I had a test scheduled early this morning at Thedacare for blood glucose. I arrived for the test, went for my exercise, ate a light breakfast and sat down at the computer.  Lo and behold, my results were waiting for me.  I have to give credit when it is due.  They did good!

The PGA Championship is being played at Whistling Straits this weekend.  The location of the course is never accurate.  The company, Kohler, owns the course.  Kohler in an effort to promote it’s own products suggests that the PGA tournament is in Kohler, Wisconsin. Nope, Kohler is 10 miles away.  The City of Sheboygan which wants to promote it’s own businesses, claims the PGA.  Nope, the course is 5 miles north of Sheboygan.  The closest “burg” to the course is Haven, Wisconsin.  You can walk from Haven to the course.  Nobody refers to Haven because it is not a recognizable landmark.  The course is along the Lake Michigan shore in the township of Mosel.  So if you are going to the PGA, it is northeast of Kohler, north of Sheboygan, east of Haven in the township of Mosel.

Thursday night the Green Bay Packers kick off the 2015 preseason. Here we go!

Love,

Dad

 

Your Mom and I cruised down High 41 yesterday which posts the new 70 mph speed limit.  The State Highway Patrol has indicated that they will not allow motorists to go 6-7 miles over the new speed limit as they did when it was 65.  All I know is I had my speedometer set at 74 and other traffic was “flying by me”.

I see Netflix is for “motherhood”.  Their new policy is “Mom and/or Dad can take off for up to 12 months with pay and benefits upon the birth of a child (or adoption)”.  It is all in the interest of retaining valuable employees.  Let me see?  If a young couple wants to raise a family and decides to have 6 children, neither Mom or Dad needs to work until 2022.  The pay and benefits continue.  Really? Of course Netflix gets the ultimate laugh because anyone wanting to be surrounded by 6 kids under the age of 6 has bought into their own kind of hell.  Did I (a father of five) say that?

This last thought is about all the advertising by the medical/drug companies on TV (along with all the disclaimers).  Last night’s national news broadcast proceeded as follow:

Ad 1 – AT&T Universe

Ad2-5  Phillips Probiotic for colon issues.  Advil for pain. Zantac in preference to Nexium.  Then an invite to join a “national walk” to raise funds for Alzheimer research.

Ad 7 – Medical aids for dog ticks.

Ad8-12 A supplement Prevagen to prevent memory loss.  Breathe-Rights Strips to help you sleep.  Alka-Selzer for heartburn.  Belsoma to discourage neurosignals causing insomnia. Lastly, Lasik surgery to give you Opti-vision.

I have a headache from listening to all the medical ads.  I just realized, there was no ad for curing my headache.

I need to get ready for Packer Family Night.  We love our Packers!

Love,

Dad

 

Does anyone realize that the Presidential election is one year and 3 months from now.  We have to listen to all the political bullsh– unnecessarily until next year at this time.  How much Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and the Bush legacy can we stand?  No more polls! Please!

I signed up for one of the “premium offerings” from my cable network.  The devil made me do it.  Actually, the series “The Outlander” made me do it. Starz produces the Outlander and your Mom and I would have had to wait until Sept. 29 to get the video series release of Season two. Grasshopper No.4 would say “Dad, do you need to Starz or do you want it!  At my age, I want it!  Besides there was a deal!

The Milwaukee Brewers have sold every quality baseball player they have except Ryan Braun.  My guess is that after the drug scandal, Braun might be hard to trade.  Trust me.  All the players that are moving have big salaries and the Brewers are trying to reduce expenses in an already miserable year.  The Brewer “spin” is that they are trading for players with potential, hence the Brewers are committed to building for the future.  Yeah, right.

State Fair starts Thursday.

The Mile of Music kicks of in downtown Appleton on Thursday.

Whistling Straits in Kohler hosts the PGA starting a week from Thursday.

Whoa!  My heart can’t take the excitement.

Love,

Dad

 

 

I’ve been told that I have the ability to share another’s emotions and feelings.  That makes me empathetic.  I looked in the dictionary under the definition of “empathy”.  It not only described me but my picture was there too.  Yes sir!  That is me.  Mr. Empathy.

Cookie Daze!  The City of Ripon is having it’s annual picnic celebration.  They call it Cookie Days.  In 1992 the City was attempting to forge a relationship with Ripon Foods for it’s annual picnic.  Rippin’ Good cookies were part of the historical fabric of Ripon.  Cookies are “feel good”.  Of course, the City was always looking for a sponsor willing to put a few bucks into their cause. That year we agreed to bake the World’s biggest chocolate chip cookie in the local park. Ripon Foods designed an outdoor oven and planned for a 30 foot in diameter cookie.  Guinness was on scene to verify that the cookie was the largest ever baked.  It took months to plan.  The cookie baked with over 3 million chocolate chips.  I don’t remember how many tons of cookie dough were transported from the cookie plant to the park. The rest is history.  Ripon Foods baked the biggest chocolate chip cookie ever!  The annual picnic celebration has continued to have a “cookie theme” since 1992.

The history of the cookie business has taken many twists and turns since the “bake in the park”.  Ripon Foods was sold to Ralcorp in 1999. Ralcorp was sold to ConAgra in 2013 (I think I got the date right). And now, 2015 ConAgra is closing down the cookie plant for strategic reasons.  So there will be no cookie production in Ripon.

The City of Ripon still features cookies as it’s central theme for the annual picnic. You would think Ripon would align with a business or a theme that is a little more progressive.  I have to admit there is something special about warm, freshly baked cookies and the appeal to the child in everyone.  Maybe there is the hope someone will revive the cookie plant.

Love,

Dad

 

 

I am headed for Lambeau for the annual Stockholders meeting.  I understand that there are some exclusive deals in the Souvenir Shop.  We stockholders are a privileged lot.  T-shirts are probably on sale to stockholders only for $70-$100.

The actual meeting for over 20,000 stockholders is held in Lambeau.  In the sun. In mid-morning temperatures of 85-90 degrees.  Ah, we holders of one share of stock are a special.  In hindsight, I can’t believe I actually spent the money years ago for one share of stock.

Football practice is starting all over America this week.  We have 3 Grandsons playing high school ball this Fall.  It brings back memories.  The forecast is for hot and humid.  I too, sweated my a– off practicing in hot weather.  I probably weighed 150 pounds at the time and I “survived”.  I had a buddy, Ron. who played in the offensive line.  He was rather chunky and probably weighed 230 pounds.  He was always the last to run around our 1/4 mile track.  If you were last, you had to “take an extra lap”.  Ron always took extra laps including hot weather.  I always felt sorry for Ron. He endured a kind of hell that only he could describe.  By today’s standards, he was bullied.  So for me, hot humid miserable conditions are synonymous with Ron.  He endured. He won. He is my hero. I think the word “fun” was missing.

In fairness, coaches today are very aware of the word “hydration”.

Love,

Dad

 

 

There is a George Clooney movie called the Perfect Storm.  It is a phenomenon that occurs when a series of weather conditions come together simultaneously and cause “all hell to break loose”.

Life’s journey has it’s “perfect storms”.  Occasionally there are periods of time that conditions are right for something special to happen. For example, Vince Lombardi came to Green Bay, assembled a group of unique (maybe not the best) football players and created seven years of winning tradition and 5 NFL championships.  It was the perfect “football” storm.  Even Lombardi knew when it was over.  Tiger Woods created 15 years of the most dominant professional golf we will ever see.  I think Tiger knows it is over.

Which got me to thinking!  Did I ever experience a “perfect storm” in my life?

The early years with your Mom comprised a perfect storm.  She was the right person.  Our early family was a blessing and somehow through it all I ended up as a young Mechanical Engineer working at Allis-Chalmers.  I transitioned from high school to “life” in a blurr. In hindsight, it was all good.  If it wasn’t for your Mom, I might be living under a bridge with a grocery cart.

My first job in Sheboygan contained a perfect storm.  In a matter of 6-7 years I transitioned from a job in engineering to “top management”. That only happens when conditions are right.

For our family, the “cottage years” became the perfect storm.  We had some financial resources and the cottage became a focal point for our family including Nana and Grandpa George (who had always wanted a cottage).  Grandpa built an incredible 10 foot square raft, we slowly upgraded to faster motor boats and the cottage got us out of Sheboygan (where it is always cold). Interesting enough, Grasshopper No.5 arrived just as we purchased the first cottage and the perfect storm began.

Lastly, there was the “cookie storm”.  I ended up in a company that is every kid’s dream.  “My Dad runs a cookie company”.  The company improved steadily and several products such as sugar creme wafers created uniqueness.  Selling cookies is tough because Nabisco and Keebler “rule”.  The company was sold while it had excellent value.  The “cookie storm” ended by depositing me in early retirement.  It was a fun ride.

I’m not sure I have another “perfect storm” in my life?

Can you relate to a “perfect storm” in your life?

Love,

Dad

Brett Favre is now a member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and his number is retired.  Number 4 will be placed in the Ring of Honor circling the inside of Lambeau in November.  Ah yes, everything is right with the world.

NFL football is a “big money” game.  Lest you doubt me, we stockholders approved improvements to the executive suites at Lambeau.  The windows do not open appropriately in the suites so sound is muted.  The windows will be modified to open when desired (I bet when it is zero degrees outside, those windows won’t be open).  Oh yeah, we also okayed larger refrigerators for each suite.  I guess that is to store more fruit (yeah, right).  The suite TV’s will be upgraded to “smart status” with 4K capability.  Didn’t I just describe your home living room?

I exercise each day and carry my Sony CD Walkman. I have a lifetime supply of music on disc.  Because my Sony gets tossed around a lot, it “puked” and I began looking for a new one.  CD players are going the way of VHS tape machines and typewriters.  I had to resort to Amazon.com to find a used one.  No, I do not want a MP3 player.

I’m told there is a website called extramarital affairs.com.  It is a site where married people provide personal information in an attempt to find the right person “to stray” from their personal marriage with. The site has 37 million people with protected personal info.  The site has been compromised by hackers.  The hackers are now trying to blackmail people by revealing info to spouses.  Photos are optional   Who would be dumb enough to use such a site?  I guess the answer is 37 million people.  Are we “dumbing down” as a society?

High School football is starting orientation and practices.  Here we go!

Love,

Dad

It was Tuesday night.  Grasshopper No.4 was playing “league golf” at T&C country club.  It was the River Course.  League golf is pressure packed because you are expected to beat your opponent and win valuable points.  Don’t forget about winning the year end championship.  Hole No.6 is called the “river hole”.  The distance is 140 yards over water. Grasshopper No.4 hit an eight iron that propelled the Titleist Pro V into the air.  The ball hit softly on the green, bounced and disappeared …. into the hole.  Yep it was a hole-in-one.  The best part is he had 3 witnesses.  It is one of those “shots of a lifetime”.  The final act is to score a “1” on the scorecard.  The only thing sure is that No.4 is now “hooked”.  He will try to repeat the success for the next 25 years to no avail.  The other thing that is sure is that he spent a lot of money as the other league golfers helped him celebrate his achievement.  Ah, but what the hell.  A hole-in-one is priceless.

Your Mom is on a roll.  In her effort maintain “domestic goddess” status, she got a brand new dehumidifier this week for the laundry room.  It goes with the vacuum cleaner and the double oven that I got her recently.  Is this close to “Heaven” or what?

My favorite Son-in-law Tom has got to be concerned.  His favorite internet destination, EBay is splitting into pieces today.  PayPal will now be a separate company (previously EBay and PayPal were all one company).  What will Tom do?  Will EBay change?  Will PayPal still accept his money and extend credit.  Will his profitable venture on motorcycle memorabilia or high quality shoes be jeopardized.  My oh my, we might have a have a crisis here.

The forecast is for hot, humid and thunder showers tomorrow night at Lambeau as Brett Favre gets inducted into the Packer Hall of Fame.  For those of you joining me, bring your umbrella.

Love,

Dad

Your Mom and I took Tommy home on Sunday.  The Gods seemed to be against us.  As we entered the thriving metropolis of New Holstein, we saw detour signs and lots of policemen.  It was a parade.  Each year there is a Fireman’s Picnic and a traditional Sunday stroll down mainstreet.  After a “huge” detour we finally got back on track.  The next community was Kiel.  A house was on fire and all cars were being turned around and directed through around town.  Another distraction.  I began to wonder “maybe Tommy wasn’t meant to go home today”? I’m happy to report that Melanie (the sweet black Lab) was happy to see Tommy and Tommy is back sleeping in his own bed.  Whew! I was afraid we were going to have to feed him for another week.

I have been asked several times in the last few weeks about annuities.  Annuities are financial instruments.  You invest now and annuities pay in the future at pre-determined amounts (monthly or yearly). Annuities are usually sold by insurance agents (who make large commissions).  And then, all the uncertainties of the future take over.  Will the insurance company be financially sound and meet their commitments.  What are the rates of return?  Many annuities keep the money (investment) should you die early. Annuities are complicated financial contracts.  My advice.  Be very, very careful entering into an agreement featuring an annuity.  You probably are getting screwed.

The Brett Favre “lovefest” is at Lambeau this weekend.  I thought that the Packer Nation hated Favre for leaving and joining the Vikings.  Oh my we have short memories.  Lambeau is sold out by the way.

Love,

Dad