Ace Wisdom

Your Mom asked me what I’d like for my birthday.  My response was I’d like to have dinner with my 5 kids ….. tomorrow, Thursday night.  Of course spouses and immediate family members were included.  That obviously was logistically unfair.  I mean really, Minneapolis or Madison is a long way to travel for a scrumptions, sizzling steak with all the trimmings.  I apologize for the difficulties that my wish contained but that was what I wanted.

So for those who could not physically attend, thank you for the cards, gifts and phone calls.  There were some sarcastic remarks about diapers and “being a National treasure”, but I forgive all of that.

For the families that attended last night’s dinner, thank you for making it a memorable evening.  I know Grasshopper No.4 had to make a major sacrifice.  Green Bay Packer Chairman, Mark Murphy was speaking in Sheboygan at the same time as his Dad’s birthday.  You see the dilemma here for No.4.  Dad?  Mark Murphy?  Dad?  Mark Murphy?

There is an ever increasing awareness on my part of the significance of my exposure to “bartending” when I was growing up.  Bartenders tend to be good observers of human nature along with the ability to engage customers with light conversation, embellished stores and just general bullsh–.  As I looked around the table last night it became evident that the my “family bullsh– quotient” has trickled down to others.  All you  kids seem to have the quotient.  Your kids have picked up on their ability to bullsh–.  What a legacy!  Actually, the ability to engage others easily is a factor in surviving in a difficult world.  It is a good thing!

At the end of the evening there were smiles and laughter all around.  Does it get any better?  Thank you for the memorable birthday.

Love,

Dad

“Grow old along with me.

The best is yet to be.”  Browning

Happy Birthday Collin.  24.  Single.  Ex-Marine.  The military service will help pay for college.  Right now it seems he wants to turn his Suburu into a “rocket sled”.  Something about tires with no tread.  Oh, to be 24 again.  When I turned 24, your Mom and I had 3 kids.  Really?  Really!  May all Collin’s dreams come true.  “The best is yet to be”.

Happy Birthday to nephew Michael.  I don’t know Mikes exact age but I’m guessing high-40’s.

My favorite son-in-law comes from Wausau.  It has been snowing off and on for the last two days in Wausau.  I guess you expect that if you live on the tundra.

I missed a buying opportunity.  There was an auction to sell one of the authentic deck chairs from the Titanic (the unsinkable ship).  I choked when the price got to $143,000.  It would have been the ultimate symbol.  A losers chair from a “losing ship”.

Your Mom is getting more skilled in the game of “Words” on her iPad.  Be careful!  She seems like a “warm fuzzy” but she will kick your a–.

Love,

Dad

 

Your Mom and I have subscribed to Netflix for several years.  In 2012, the company was a “fledgling” in the Wi-Fi streaming of movies.  You could buy a share of it’s stock for $52.00.  It is now 3 years later and yesterday Netflix was selling for $562.00 per share.  That is called a “ten-bagger” because it increased more that 10 times in value.  No, we did not own a single share.

Next week we get a string of 3 family birthdays.  All the birthdays are under Taurus.  Mark your calendars—21st, 22nd, and 23rd of April.  Collin, Michael, and Chuck.  Sometimes greatness gets clustered together.

The flowers are blooming in our front yard.

Sturgeon are spawning on the Wolf River.

Walleyes are biting.

What is going on?

Love,

Dad

 

 

Tomorrow, April 15, marks the end of the grace period that you get to file your 2014 Taxes.  Pay Up!

NASCAR racing is struggling with “loose lug nuts”.  I got news for NASCAR, the world is struggling with “loose nuts”.  In the case of NASCAR, the stock cars change tires several times during every race and the “change” needs to take place in seconds.  In the flury to change tires, lug nuts don’t always get tighted properly (I think 90 psi is required).  If you have loose nuts, your wheels might fall off.  I resist making lots of “off-color” jokes.  NASCAR has solved the problem.  They will no longer police the tire tightening action and leave it up to the individual car owners.  Yep, that is the solution.  Let the fox watch the chicken coop.

We watched Game of Thrones (start of Season 5) on Sunday night.  It didn’t disappoint.  The head of the Lannister (?) clan got shot by his son (with two arrows) while sitting on the “crapper”.  Now there is every father’s dream.  To be shot while taking a sh– by one of his kids.

More snow tires off tomorrow.  I think I can risk it.

Temps at 65 degrees.  Winds light.  Sunshine.  Perfect!

Love,

Dad

I went to see Dr. Thump-thump (my cardiologist) for a check-up this week.  I guess they saw good things because the good Doctor asked me whether I wanted to come back in 6 months or 1 year for a follow-up visit.  The doctor is asking me?

Your Mom and I went to see The Wizard of Oz yesterday.  I don’t know why?  I guess the simple messages and the characters are always interesting.  It is always a play that draws lots of kids.  The play always ends the same.  The scarecrow still gets a brain, the tin man his heart and lion his courage.  The Wizard is a fraud.  And Dorothy, she gets to go home.  There is no place like home!

I see the Kentucky basketball team has 7 players that are declaring themselves elgible for the NBA draft.  Most of the players were freshman this year.  I guess if you are 7 foot tall and cast a shadow over every player you match up with, the NBA has room for you.  At the University of Wisconsin you still need to get an education.

Grasshopper No.2 is now renown for being the only trombone in the Alumni band playing during Badger games at a local Madison Sports Bar.

Grandson Mitchell is presently taking his ACT’s for college entrance applications.  I think Grandson Dominic is doing the same.  I want to know the difference between ACT and SAT tests.  Also, what is a “great score” on an ACT.

The Milwaukee Brewers had yesterday off (it meant they would not lose another game).  They have played 3 games and lost 3 games.  Ryan Braun is back to being “day to day” because of his rib injury.  Can you be “day to day” for all 162 games?

We are on the way to 60 degree weather.  Yes!

Love,

Dad

 

 

Did you vote today?

The Wisconsin basketball team lost the national championship final game last night.  It is tough to tell whether they got screwed with the officiating or just lost an tough contest.  It seems kind of strange that the Badgers had 2 fouls in the first 20 minutes of basketball and 10 minutes into the second half, they had 10 fouls (and counting).  In the end, the Badgers had a terrific tournament and knocked off an arrogant, unbeaten Kentucky in the semi-finals.  I really think the Badgers had the best talent in college basketball.

Grasshopper No.4 won the family basketball “bracket” pool.  I did what your Mom told me to do.  I let No.4 win so he feels good about himself.

Sunday was Easter.  Your Mom was a great host and she “pulled off” a most nutritious dinner that actually tasted great.  She is a clever lady.

Sunday was also the birthday of our favorite son-in-law.  I will not embarrass him by mentioning his actual age but it is an even number ending with a “0”.  It is all down hill from here.  There is no significant “upside”.  All I can say is join the club.  A belated Happy Birthday to Tom.

I notice that the Milwaukee Brewers opened the season yesterday with the normal optimism.  They fielded their best team (actually Ryan Braun pulled a muscle in his side so here we go again).  The Brewers put their best pitcher on the mound.  They lost 10-0!  Oh, well there are 161 games to redeem themselves.  There is always the “Hank, the dog bobblehead” day and of course normal tailgating.

Tax deadline for filing is the 15th.

Love,

Dad

 

 

Yesterday, your Mom and I celebrated 55 years of marriage.  It indeed is a milestone.  In this day of cell phones with texting, e-mails and instant voice communication, it was gratifying that we received all the congratulatory wishes.  Thanks to all!

It seemed right growing up in a small town where everybody knew each other.

It seemed right to meet your Mom in high school and “go together” during the high school years.

It seemed right to go on to college always with the support of your Mom.  It seemed that there would always be a future for us.

It seemed right to marry your Mom.  I think it was meant to be.

It seemed right to raise a family.  5 children?  Who would have guessed?

It seemed right for me to pursue an Engineering Degree.  It fit!  I was slightly anal retentive and good with numbers.

It seemed right to live in old houses. Then there were the cottages, condos, boats and cars.

It seemed right.  The graduations, marriages, the grandchildren and the great grandchildren.

It seemed right that Nana and Grampa got to share our growing family.

It seemed right to retire early not because I was tired but because the challenges of working had disappeared.

It seemed right to celebrate 55 years with the one who has always been with me, your Mom.

It seems right to thank your Mom for sharing the journey.  She remains the love of my life.

Love,

Dad