Ace Wisdom

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

 

Grasshopper No.3 finally got his fiberglas reconstructed, 18 foot speed boat back.  It is in his driveway.  It is beautiful.  It is a slightly speckled red and white color.  In fact at night when darkness settles in, there is a light in the North.  No it is not the North star.  It is No.3’s glowing boat.  Maybe sometime this year, I’ll get my promised boat ride.

The last couple of days have been “Tommy Time”.  Grandson Tommy agreed to cut bushes, hedges and spread mulch.  Hey, that is what Grandparents do.  They use Grandchildren for slave labor. It is even fair to use bribes to garner the favor of Grandkids. Whatever works.

I had forgotten how much growing boys eat.  Jesus!  What is the definition of a bottomless pit?  Actually I remember when I was Tommy’s age.  I could eat and eat and not gain weight. It was a very good time.  It has something to do with being a growing boy.

Tommy starts “lineman” practice on Sunday afternoon in preparation for freshman football.  I keep forgetting that kids use year around conditioning to get in ready.  July 12th?

We went to see Jurassic World in 3-D.  The chaos of a theme park continues.  Raptors rock.  People get eaten.  Animals get eaten.  In the end two loving kids survive and Chris Pratt finds the love of his life.  I could write that stuff.  It may the fastest two hours in movies. Of course it was recommended by Tommy.

As you can tell, Tommy has “ruled” for a few days.  Sunday your Mom and I get back to a nice quiet routine.

Love,

Dad