Ace Wisdom

Did you know that “if you scratch a man, you will find a little boy”. Who knew?

Your Mom and I went to see “The Hunger Games, Mockingjay, Part 2”.  It was the last installment of the series.  Katniss lives.

I see that Minneapolis got dumped on last night with 8-10 inches of snow. Grasshopper No.5 gets to fight her way to work.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, a Grandson mentioned that his other Grandparent had been notified that his Teamsters retirement pension might be reduced.  I proceeded to talk about unfunded plans, vesting, and the history of the Union sponsored Central States Pension Plan. As I shared my “vast knowledge”, the Grandson stopped me and asked “what is a pension”?  Whoa.  The question is kind of like Lombardi having to slow down and explain “gentlemen, this is a football”.

“What is a pension”?  What a great question.  A pension is a regular monetary payment (not wages) to someone who is retired (or disabled).

Pensions were common in companies years ago.  A company would set aside profits each year for the benefit of employees when they retired in the future.  Based on your years of service and salary at retirement, you could depend getting a monthly pension payment.  A booklet including tables explained what you were entitled too.

Federal, State, and most public service employees are covered by some sort of pension.  You and I, Mr. Taxpayer will pay for the retirement of public service pensions for years.  We will pay, and pay, and pay.

The whole foundation of the pension system is that companies and communities set money aside each year to fund future retirements. There have been numerous bankruptcies of companies and communities (like Detroit) that can’t pay for their pensions.  People that worked for 40-50 years anticipating a pension have either had the pension amount cut or eliminated.  Imagine if that was you!

Here is a scary thought.  Social Security is one big pension plan.

Love,

Dad

 

 

Today officially is Grandson Tommy’s 15th birthday. Happy Birthday Tommy.  Tommy did experience the opening day of deer hunting. He saw one deer but really had no shot.  What is the standard lament? Wait until next year.

Some members of our family took the easy way out on Thanksgiving. We ate “out”.  We went down to the Raddison in Appleton.  Yes we ate too much.  Yes, it was good.  I know it is not the same as home cooking but it sure is a lot easier.  It didn’t occur to me until we got to the hotel, that the Packer opponents stay at the Raddison the night before a game at Lambeau.  About 3-4 hours before game time, the visiting team boards a caravan of buses and get a police escort direct to Green Bay’s Lambeau field.  Lots of fans gather to see favorite players in the bus “boarding” area.  Because the game last night honoring Brett Favre was started at 7:30 PM, the visiting Chicago Bears had to be in the hotel.  They wouldn’t leave until mid-afternoon for Green Bay.  Yep, we had Thanksgiving dinner with the Chicago Bears at the Raddison.  We were hobnobbing with the elite. The Bears were sequestered in separate quarters protected from the worshiping public so we really never got to “hang out” with them. When I asked at the hotel desk if the Bears were in the building, I was told that the subject was off limits to all employees.  That meant, the Bears had not left the facility (that is my interpretation after years of listening to bullsh– answers).  After dinner we passed the front entrance to the Raddison and there were 4 luxury buses lined up.  I was right.  We had dined with the Chicago Bears, sort of!  Close but no cigar.  Ah, that is the story of my life.

In the end, the Chicago Bears journeyed to Lambeau, played in miserable rainy and windy conditions and won.  If I could have talked to Jay Cutler and got “inside his head”, maybe I could have changed the outcome of the game.  It wasn’t to be.

It is Black Friday.  Spend your money.  Join the crowds.

Love,

Dad

By way of the “grapevine”, I understand Grandson Dominic shot a deer over “opening weekend”.  Congratulations Dominic.  You never forget your first!

Grandson Tommy has a birthday coming the day after Thanksgiving. I think there have been years when his birthday and “Turkey Day” coincided.  Not this year.  Happy Birthday Tommy.  I don’t know if Tommy is going deer hunting or not?

There will be a “lovefest” in Green Bay on Thanksgiving evening. The Packers play a night game.  They are officially retiring Brett Favre’s No.4 jersey at halftime.  The lovefest will be the presence of 3 quarterback legends all present at the same time.  Bart Starr will join the festivities representing the “glory days” even though he has had multiple strokes and heart attacks.  Of course Favre will be the center of the festivities.  Last but not least, future Hall of Famer, Aaron Rodgers will complete the group.  Forgotten in all the excitement is this a divisional meeting with the dreaded Chicago Bears.  I’ve heard of tickets being scalped for up to $800 per seat. For sure, the night will be memorable.  The forecast is rain!

30 days until Christmas.  Really!

Have A Happy Thanksgiving.

Love,

Dad

 

The most popular name for newborn female babies is Olivia.  That happens to be the first name of Aaron Rogers girl friend, Olivia Munn.  Her relationship is being blamed for Aaron Rogers problems at quarterback.  Yep, that must be it.  Olivia is the reason the Packers have lost 3 in a row.

Deer Hunting begins tomorrow morning.  Over one-half a million avid stalkers with guns get set to ambush Bambi.

I hate to admit it but the longer your Mom and I are together, the more we seem to do things that are in sync.  It was just over a year ago that I got hearing aids.  Interestingly enough, at the same time your Mom stopped mumbling.  Now that is synchronization.

I see that Fond du Lac Springs high school won another State Football Championship.  The “Springs” has had the same coach for over 30 years and all they do is win.  Why?

Your Mom and I went to see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” last night at the PAC.  The Grinch was the same bad dude you all know and love.  Interestingly, it was a female who brought down the Grinch.  No her name was not Olivia.  It was a 7 year old little girl, Cindy-Lou Who, who melted the Grinch’s heart.

Snow tomorrow?

Love,

Dad

 

 

 

Several weeks ago the Packers indicated that their major worry was “peaking” at the right time as they enter the playoffs. Peaking?  They’re talking about peaking?  How about just winning one more game?

Previously I had mentioned that Grandson Dominic received awards at his year end high school football banquet.  One award was for “Lineman of the Year”.  The second award was for being the best “team” player.  I understand Dominic also gives acceptance speeches.

Our Country is adjusting to people living into their eighties.  People work very hard to make sure Grandma and Grandpa don’t move into their house as they get older.  So we have retirement communities. We have assisted care.  We have nursing homes.  What did my family do 60 years ago?  My family owned the City Club which at one time had been a restaurant, tavern, barbershop, pool hall and yes, a hotel. So as my Great Grandparents aged, they came to live at the City Club because they could have their own accommodations.  My Grandpa Chalk’s folks, Elmer and Addie May lived out their final 10-15 years at the “Club.  My Grandma Myrna’s folks, John and Mary lived into their 90’s at the Club.  My Mom’s dad, Jiggs, lived at the Club after his wife died.  So, they answer to what did we do years ago, “we took elderly family members in”.

My family tradition means children take care of their revered elders. That is your Mom and Me.  Revered.  So our future does not include a retirement community, assisted care or nursing home.  My kids will be fighting to see “who gets him (me)”!  Is this a great tradition or what.  I get my choice of Minneapolis, Madison, Sheboygan, or Appleton. There go my dreams of Fort Meyers, Florida.

I smell a fresh pot of Chili.  It just seemed right!

Love,

Dad

 

 

 

A belated thank you to all veterans.  It seems more and more people are beginning to acknowledge their contribution.

Grandson Dominic, a senior high school football player, received several awards at the “year end” banquet.  As my mother would say, these are the best days of Dominic’s life.  Her meaning was that responsibility only increases from now on!

Those with Trisadectaphobia (a fear of the number 13) beware. Today is Friday the 13th.  Women in black robes fly around on their broomstick and inflict curses.  Boogedy,  Boogedy.

Next week marks the 30th year your Mom and I have lived in Appleton.  It is the longest we have lived in one place.

The Kohler Company has played a major employer role in Sheboygan County for well over 100 years.  In my lifetime, 1953 represented an example of labor strife that got nasty.  My family witnessed a strike first hand.  The UAW went on strike and two workers were shot to death.  The existing labor contract expires this Friday.  The threat of a strike looms.  Who knows the outcome? For sure, nobody wins as the result of a strike!  Hey, it is Friday the 13th.

I can’t resist commenting on birth control.  There is a drug company that admitted in 2012 to selling 30 day birth control “cards” with the “placebo” pills placed in the improper sequence.  They issued a recall immediately in 2012. There are 112 lawsuits alleging the drug company was responsible for their unwanted pregnancies.  Official audited records show that only 1 birth control “card” ever got to the public.  Amazing.  Is this a great country or what?

The Packers get a chance to stop the downward slide on Sunday. They better figure out a way to keep Aaron Rogers “upright” or things are going to get nasty.

Love,

Dad

Grasshopper No.3 uses his cell phone all day long for dispatching men, equipment, and information.  His constant companion is Siri. She accompanies him everywhere.  I know she is available through Apple and she has a cousin, Cortana at Microsoft.  Newly born “M” is joining the family at Facebook.

Siri of course is the interactive voice activated cell phone system started by Apple.  She responds to your every whim.  “Siri, how many miles to the moon?”  She responds.  “Siri, does my girl friend love me?”  She reponds.

I was in a restroom the other day and I heard a patron in the next stall talking to Siri.  Now Siri is in sensitive places.  I wonder if you can disinfect Siri?

Siri comes to lunch.  A casual dinner can be interrupted by a ringing cell or a vibrating cell and now Siri is invited to join the conversation.

I don’t think Facebook’s interactive girl is totally operational but I can imagine how all your personal information will be available through a simple question.  Now there is a nightmare worth waiting for.

I know I am paranoid but you are always on camera.  You are always being tracked.  Your electronic transmissions are a matter of public record.  Siri just makes it is easier to be sucked into the electronic universe.

Falling in love with Siri is easy and free!

Where is the wisdom?  Don’t let Siri lull you into a false sense of security.

Love,

Dad