Ace Wisdom

It was September, 1980.  Grasshopper No.2 had enrolled at UW-Madison.  She had also enrolled in the UW Marching band.  Our family was not familiar with the band and what it entailed.  I do remember No.2 committing to an exercise program during the Summer to get ready for “The Band”.  She was one of the first female trombone players because girls didn’t have the stamina for rigorous regimen.  Nobody tells No.2 that she couldn’t “make the band”.

The Band always plays before, during, and after the Saturday Home games.  I don’t remember the exact date in September but UW’s first Home game in 1980 was against Michigan (The Darth Vader of the conference).  UW hadn’t beat Michigan in 30 years (?).  I had purchased football tickets for the game.  I know that your Mom and I, Nana and Grandpa and I think Grasshoppers No.3 and No.4 all went down to the first game.

Game Day for us started at the South Union at around 11:00 AM.  The Marching Band which of course included Grasshopper No.2, put on a Pep Rally at the South Union for about 20 minutes usually ending with the “Bud” song.  It was followed by the band marching across campus to Camp Randall followed by all the fans.  There was always the “Bucky Wagon” (old fire truck) and lots of brats and beer (beer has since been outlawed).

The Band always had the “run-on” before the football game.

The half-time musical performance was always the highlight for the Band.

The game was followed with the Band playing “the chicken dance”, the Bud song twice (maybe more) and of course the “Alma Mater”.

The Band ended their performance with a march out of the stadium to Bascum Hill where they played some final sentimental tunes (of course the Bud song again).

By the way, on this beautiful sunny Saturday in September 1980, Wisconsin beat Michigan.  The place went nuts.

Our family has followed UW-football and the Band ever since.  When Barry Alverez took over the football program in 1991 (?), we had to get season tickets just to be able to attend games.  Our four season tickets were used by Nana, Grandpa, Grasshoppers (and friends), Grand-children (and friends) along with Sons-In-Law and Daughters-In-Law.  It has been at least 25 years of season tickets.

This will be the first year of “no season tickets”.  It has been a great ride.  Nana, and Grandpa have passed on, Grand-kids are going off to college and most Grasshoppers have “a life” on busy Saturdays.  Letting the tickets “go” creates a form of withdrawal but the memories will last forever.

Just because we don’t have season tickets doesn’t mean that we can’t attend a game!  For me it would have be a Big 10 game against some of the old rivalries like Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State or Penn State.  We’ll see!

Love,

Dad

I watched Jordan Spieth lose the Masters Golf tournament by taking a score of 7 strokes on hole No.12.  Par requires 3 strokes.  He hit a shot in the water.  He hit a shot fat.  He over-clubbed into a sand-trap.  All on hole No.12.  Hell, I can do that!

I see that the outstanding balance on all credit card debt stands at $638 billion (that is billion with a “b”).  That calculates out to an average balance of $15,000 on all credit cards.  Interest on credit card debt is around 20% per year (20-30%). With a balance of $15,ooo, at 20% interest you will pay $3,000 per year penalty. Really?  Do you know how many hours you work for $3,000.

Burn the credit cards.  Tell Ernie Von Slupps Ford dealership to find another sucker to finance his cars.  Other than your house mortgage and possibly a car loan early in your life, pay cash for everything.  Then get rid of the car loan.  Then get rid of the mortgage.  Then move to Mexico with your cash and retire in the Sun!

I have been told there is a “thing” called a Foo-Foo fund.  It is a fund where cash is set aside to be spent on anything.  It has nothing to do with budgets.  It has nothing to do with retirement.  You do not have to account for how the cash is spent.  It is your money to be spent as you see fit.  Money that goes into the Foo-Foo fund could be rebate money from a purchase, spare change from your pocket, bonus money from an incentive at work.  You get the idea.  Spending the Foo-Foo fund can range from stupid to extravagant.  You don’t care because you don’t have to account for it.  You could buy bon-bon cookies and eat them secretly.  You might spend the money on better golf balls.  You might buy that Rolex watch. Hey, you might even reach for a Chevy Suburban.  All because of the Foo-Foo fund. Think big!  Okay, okay I got carried away a little.  I’d settle for an extra trip to our favorite restaurant, St. Anna.

The word Phoo Phoo, Foo Foo or Fu Fu is not unfamiliar to me. I have long had my FU money.  It is money I have set aside so that if somebody pressures me financially, I have enough to say FU.

You can have a “Foo-Foo” in your life.

Love,

Dad

Johnny Carson went to his Junior Prom with Wanda Lustsome.  He said she was kind of “loose”.

A belated Happy Birthday to Son-In-Law Tom.  He was born many, many years ago up on the tundra, Wausau.  Hope his day was special.

Ripon Foods was sold in 1999.  It has been sold again and again.  Recently the Ripon plant was closed.  The company history lives on.  Even though the Ripon community gave up on the tag line “Cookie Town, U.S.A” they are trying to perpetuate the memories. There is an effort to create a “Cookie Outlet and Museum”. The museum would include some old equipment, videos, articles and pictures.  I am sure one of the major features will be baking the World’s Largest Cookie as verified by Guinness Book of Records in the 1990’s. Everybody loves a cookie!

Last July (2015), I signed up for our “cable” TV package.  I agreed to one premium channel, Starz in order to get the series “The Outlander”.  I was promised a $50 Visa card after 6 months as a rebate.  It is approaching 9 months and I still don’t have my 50 bucks.  I had to contact Starz direct for the reimbursement and prove 6 months of actual billing.  I will prevail.

Which brings me to the seemingly popular practice of “rebating”.  I bought a new set of tires this week which includes a $70 Visa mail-in rebate.  Again I had to prove purchase and deal with the company direct.  I think that the rebate practice has proven to be a very profitable practice many companies. People that don’t use the rebate contribute directly to company profits.  It is kind of like “gift credit cards” at Christmas.  Many cards never get used. Clever?  Devious.  Is this a great country or what?

In the meantime I could use a loan until my two Visa rebates come through.

Love,

Dad

I voted this morning at around 9:00 AM.  I was #279 to vote.  In a recent primary, I voted at the same time and I was only #35.  It looks like a big turnout!

My vote was for one witch and one loudmouth.

Your Mom and I have been invited to two high school graduations in June. Congratulations to two special grandsons.  One graduation is in Madison at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 5, 2016.  The other graduation is in Sheboygan at Vollrath bowl at 1:30 PM also on June 5.  Now what do we do?  What do we do?  How do pick between two #1 favorites.  Being a Grandparent isn’t easy.

Your Mom entered a fun “Bracket pool” picking teams in the recent NCAA college basketball tournament.  I helped her pick the teams (because I have a deep knowledge of basketball).  The final results of the pool were posted this morning.  Yep, your Mom finished dead last!  She probably won’t ask for my help any more.  I think using the color of uniforms or nicknames or mascots as a basis for picks might work better.

I’m taking the snow tires off my car tomorrow.  It is supposed to snow tonight, then again on Friday and over the weekend.  Really?

Just note!  The Brewers “blew-up” their player roster over the winter in favor of young players.  “Rebuilding” they say.  Yesterday was opening day of the season against the Giants.  The Brewers only lost 12-3.  This could get ugly.

Vote today!  Do it!

Love,

Dad

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow your Mom and I will have been married 56 years.  She remains the love of my life.  The journey continues!  Happy Anniversary to us!

Today is April 1.  Tomorrow it snows.

I had a preliminary eye exam yesterday in preparation of laser surgery later in May.  It is described as a “puff-puff” procedure that takes 5 seconds to perform.  The operation is called “removal of a secondary cataract” (I had cataracts removed two years ago).  From what I can tell, it is a slight discoloration of a film in the back of the eye that they need to burn a hole through.  That doesn’t sound like a cataract to me.  It is free!  It is covered by Medicare.  $1,400 for 5 seconds to do a “puff-puff”.  I spent my life in the wrong profession.  We had to sell a lot of cookies to generate $1,400.

The Milwaukee Brewers open the season on Monday, April 4th.  Be still my heart, the excitement is overwhelming.  This a rebuilding year.  Ushers will play the outfield.  “Ball boys” will be infielders.  I think there are a few Miller beer vendors that will pitch (they always “pitching” anyway).  In fairness, baseball is a business.  Paying $25 million dollar salaries is ridiculous.  A “middle market” club like the Brewers really struggles to compete.  Maybe young players with lots of talent will “catch fire” and become winners.  It happened in Kansas City.

The NCAA basketball tournament ends this weekend (Championship on Monday).  It is really not about basketball.  It is about sports bars, chicken wings and beer.  It is a chance to act stupid and not have explain your actions!  People can just be “themselves”.

Chili in the pot.  Snow on the ground.

Love,

Dad

 

I cashed my State Tax Refund check at McDonald’s yesterday!

In all the years of picking teams in the NCAA tournament, I have never headed into the Final Four weekend without a team still competing for the big prize. Yep, I’m “dead in the water”.  Virginia let me down.

You could have lost your Dad yesterday.  I went for my morning walk at Fox River Mall.  As I arrived, I noticed there were no cars in the parking lot! I chalked it up to the “Easter Holiday weekend”.  I was able to walk into the Mall thanks to an employee from the “Limited” holding the door open.  The employee said the Mall access was restricted because there had been an “incident” overnight near the food court.  If I entered I would be walking at my own risk.  My first thought was that ISUS had come to the local mall and blown up a local store. No, I ruled that out because there would have been SWAT teams and fire trucks.  Maybe there had been a shooting?  Maybe ….. ?  Just then one of the Mall Security teams spotted me and escorted me out of the building.  The Mall was in lock-down.  I should never have gotten in.  A “Crime Scene Investigative Team” was on sight and they were in charge.  Really?  Some A–hole or group of A–holes had screwed up my morning routine.  So I went to plan B.  Our treadmill.

Turns out some 16 year old kid with a half developed brain broke into the Mall and headed for the retail outlet Zumiez.  He broke a window and maybe stole a few items.  What could he steal?  Freaky shirts?  Skate Boards?  He is being charged with 11 criminal counts.  I know, I know.  I’m being really insensitive.  He probably came from a broken home and is not responsible for his actions.  I need to be more understanding.

Your Mom and I spent Easter was with Grasshopper No.1 and husband. Bar-B-Que ribs.  Grilled chicken wings.  Good stuff!  All calories had been removed.

March is slipping away.  No remorse!

Love,

Dad

 

I have been streaming “late night” re-runs of the old Johnny Carson show through my indoor antenna.  I had forgotten that he had the same financial adviser that I have, Dr. Fu Ke Yu.  He invested Carson’s money in a Victoria Secret store in Iran.

This is Easter weekend.  I was introduced to the Catholic pageantry when I met your Mom in high school.  I was not familiar with events of Good Friday culminating in the joyous Sunday celebration.  There was a lot of tradition that accompanied Easter.  Nana took your Mom and JoAnn on a Spring shopping trip in anticipation of Easter.  Stylish coats.  Sunday shoes.  Hats. Sometimes a purse. Everything was topped off with white gloves.  The church service was performed with all the parishioners dressed in their finest.  To me it seemed like a contest.  For some reason I remember the Joe S. family (he owned a local cheese making company) marching into church with his wife and ten kids (yes ten).  They would march to the front pews that were seemingly reserved for his family. The entrance was spectacular.

Easter in the Catholic community has changed a little.  The religious traditions are obviously similar but people dress different.  Sweat shirts? Levi jeans?  Absence of pompous hats?  The dress code has changed.  I know, God loves all his children and he is honored that they are in attendance.  How people dress should not matter.

Just a side note, one of my Mom’s favorite movies was “Easter Parade” starring Judy Garland.  Even my Mom loved the pageantry of Easter and of course the songs.

Here is wishing everyone a very joyous Easter.  May Peter Cottontail fill your baskets with lots of “stuff”.

Love,

Dad

 

 

 

An angel landed in my kitchen and left “stuffing” and chicken soup.  How did she know I needed that?

I have been thinking about cancelling my cell phone subscription which includes an “Apple” phone.  The government has sued in court to force “Apple” to break the secure encryption on a terrorist phone.  I don’t want the government cracking the code of my phone.  Apple told the government it wouldn’t try to break the code.  I see the government has asked for a “delay” and said they have an expert in Minneapolis that thinks she can crack the Apple code.  She lives downtown and works for a “an electronic gaming company”.  Maybe I know her.  I know she is a software genius.  If anyone can, she can. Just saying!

Anyone entering the NCAA Bracketology has got to have learned a lesson. Don’t bet against Warren Buffett.  There is reason he offered a $1 million to any employee that could pick the first 48 games correctly.  That is why he is a multi-multi-multi-billionaire and you and I buy in bulk at Costco.  He understands risk.

Would you believe one of the Grasshoppers sent me an e-mail telling me (his Dad) that I didn’t chance in winning the NCAA.  He (yes he not she) is the same one who lost his pick of Michigan State in the first round.  He had MSU going all the way to final game.  Where is the respect?  In the old days, kids would have “let” their Dad win just to share the joy!

More Isus bombings in Brussels.  It is a different world.

White stuff forecast for tomorrow and Thursday.  Isn’t it Spring?

What color is the Easter Bunny?  I think I saw a pink one in the yard.

Love,

Dad

5-6 months ago I had a back molar tooth removed.  The oral extraction did not respond to anesthetic so when the tooth was “pulled” I felt everything. As I was writhing around in the chair I noticed the surgeon relax and he exclaimed “it’s out”.  Those perhaps were the two best words I’ve every heard.  Yesterday I had a second molar removed.  The anesthetic worked this time and when I was told the magic two words “it’s out” it was still the greatest relief.

Speaking of “being out” and about.  Grandson Collin, Audrey (the new Mom) and Great-Grandson Shaeley attended the celebration of his Mom’s birthday at St. Anna last Saturday.  For some reason all our Family babies are cute.  Shaeley Oliver is no exception.  I have been pushing to get a 4 generation “guy” picture as soon as Shaeley was available.  Last Saturday we got a 4-generation shot.  Me, Grasshopper No.3, Grandson Collin and Shaeley.  Ain’t that special.  Now I need to get my hands on a copy of the picture.

“Being out” includes my picks for the NCAA Basketball tournament.  In the first round games on Thursday, there were 16 games and I got 5 wrong.  I didn’t even know Yale had a basketball team.  Don’t they play rugby or lacrosse or something strange at Yale.  Yale brags about elete intellectual standards and are noted for graduating 5 former U.S. Presidents.  Based on the brawl among current Presidential candidates, I’m not sure intellect is required to be President.

Talk about “being out”.  A pitcher for the Chicago White Sox baseball club, Adam LaRoche was at Spring Training camp.  He will make $13 million this year for throwing a baseball.  He brings his son to “work” everyday.  I mean everyday.  In fact the kid has a celebrity locker next to his Dad.  Father and Son are inseparable.  Other members of the Club (who also have children) expressed concern about how much time LaRoche was spending with his son.  The White Sox manager talked to Adam and suggested “toning it down” a little. Adam essentially told  the club to “shove it” and walked away from $13 million. Okay!  I guess you can only push a guy so far.  $13 million?

Spring starts Sunday.

Love,

Dad

 

I filled out my NCAA Basketball brackets.  I’m sure this year I’ve got it right.

Last Sunday, March 6, was National Oreo Day.  For every 10 cookies purchased in the store, 1 is an Oreo.  Put another way, 10% of all cookies consumed in the United states is an Oreo.  That is an incredible number.

Four days later on March 11th, Oreo announced it was moving to Mexico. Whoa? Another national treasure is fleeing to lower manufacturing costs and lower taxes.  Will the Oreo taste the same?  Of course it will.  Will Oreo’s cost less when you buy them on the store shelf? Of course not.

Daughter-in-law Shelby celebrated her birthday at St. Anna last weekend with family and friends.  Shelby has a brother, Scosh (or Scoshi as he was called as a kid).  I happened to sit with him at dinner and found out he lived in Plymouth.  He had been the City Fire Inspector for two years and he was very familiar with the City Club.  I got an update on all the changes that had been made in recent years.  Somethings never change. Some things do. Scosh said he stopped for a steak sandwich several weeks ago.  Steak sandwiches were always a specialty from the grill.  The secret was the “slab” of butter that got lathered over the hot meat just before serving.  I’m sure that the butter isn’t good for cholesterol levels but after a couple of beers, who cares.

So now at family get togethers, Scosh is my connection to the past.  How great is that!

Love,

Dad