Ace Wisdom

Bob Andrews died March 30 at age 88. He was my Dad’s only brother (younger by 4 years).
I always felt a connection to “Uncle Bob”. He was fun loving, engaging and he had the “Andrews chuckle”. He reminded me of my Dad in many ways but he wasn’t quite as serious in disposition. Bob was part of the City Club culture and we shared many similar stories.
First the “breaking free” part. The City Club was rich in historical significance and Bob grew up around the business. The City Club was always busy with people. Food and beverage were plentiful. As Bob grew up, he began to see a profitable business evolve. It was easy to get comfortable around the “bar”. For both my Dad and Bob there was always the possibility of inheriting the business and making a life out of running the club. The truth was the business was getting old and provided limited opportunity. My Dad could never escape the clutches of the City Club but Bob was able to break free after World War II and pursue a flying career.
Now the “flying high” part. Bob got his pilot’s license in 1939 at age 15. Flying was definitely a passion. His service in World War II was flying troop carriers in the Pacific. The planes were essentially twin engine DC-3s with extended fuselages. I think DC-3s were the safest planes ever built and they zoomed along at the blurring speed of 120 miles per hour.
After the World War II, commercial aviation began to experience exponential growth and the demand for pilots was strong. Bob was hired by TWA (Trans World Airlines) and built a 32 year career around flying. Believe me, it paid better than profits from food and beverage at the City Club. By the time he was forced into retirement at age 60, he was flying five story high 747’s on trans-Atlantic flights from New York to Europe.
I always tried to get Bob to tell me more about his relationship with my Dad. I could never get enough. With Bob’s passing, my connection with the past disappears. I will miss that along with the familiar chuckle. There was always the hint of an impish little boy. Bob always had a way of making you feel relaxed in his company.
Bob lived the American dream. He got to develop skills as a pilot at a very early age and it evolved into a life long profession. Does it get any better? I know he is in a better place and I know he has his wings.
The melancholy feeling I have tells me Robert Jack will be dearly missed.
Love,
Dad

Happy Birthday to my favorite son-in-law. He is “umpty ump” years old. After he blows out “all” those candles, may his wishes come true.
I just read an article about a guy (single and about 35 years old) who decided to take his life savings of $370,000 and go to Las Vegas. He intended to bet every penny he had on “black or red” on the roulette wheel. He was either going to be flat broke or rich. His odds of winning were less than 50%. He bet red. They spun the wheel and set the metal ball in motion. The wheel spun and spun. Fans watched because they all knew the deal. The wheel slowed and finally stopped. The ball rested on ——- red. Yep he won. On one roll of the ball, he doubled his net worth. And then he went home!
Your Mom and I decided to tour Lambeau stadium yesterday. Our good friends, the Dyers would take visiting friends through the Packers facility for years. They always talked about it. So we went, we saw, and we left. I have to admit I was impressed. Lambeau is like a little city. You can eat. You can get married in a chapel. You can go to as many as 4 banquets at a time. You can visit the Hall of Fame. You can take a one hour tour of the stadium. Oh yeah, you can spend money in their souvenir/apparel retail outlet.
The highlight of the tour was getting to run out the Packer tunnel at the south end of the field just like the Packers do on game day. The tour guide simulates the crowd applause and noise. Once out on the field, you look up at the cheering fans and wave to them. It is pretty awesome. There is a padding surround the railings around the bottom of the stadium. This is where the Packers jump into the stands celebrating the Lambeau leap. I decided I wanted to try the leap just to prove I could do it. I stepped back. made a run at the wall and made a mighty leap. It was ugly. I think my hand touched the top of the wall and I pulled a “Hamie”. I decided the “Lambeau Leap” isn’t for old white guys.
Easter comes Sunday. Sunshine and celebration.
Love,
Dad

Just a note! I always buy delicious French Peasant Bread from the local bakery. The bread makes great toast in the morning before my rigorous workout program. One loaf lasts me one week. There is a mouse in the house this week. My personal stock of bread is disappearing at an alarming rate. I’ll need to set a mouse trap capable of capturing a Grandson.
Our 52nd wedding anniversary “came and went” yesterday. We actually went to St.Anna on Sunday. In the past, I would occasionally run into my brother Jack at Schwartz’s supper club. Coincidently, Jack’s son Jerry was dining when we got there. I guess some tradition’s get passed down to another generation.
Here is where the “perception” thing comes into play. Your Mom and I exchanged anniversary cards. Her card to me implicated that she was lucky to have such a special, stable influence in her life. That is nice but I really want to be known as the “wild thing”. In the movie “Major League”, Charlie Sheen is a relief pitcher for the lowly Cleveland Indians but he can throw a baseball 101 miles per hour (mph). His pitches sometimes go astray (it is scary because the batter might get hit by the wild pitch). In the movie, when they bring Charlie from the bullpen, the stadium sound system plays the song “Wild Thing – you make my heart sing”. The young girls in the stadium swoon and Charlie plays the role of the “stud muffin” that he really is. I don’t want to be known as boring and nice. I want to be known as the wild thing.
For those of you that remembered our anniversary, thank you! The flowers were fragrant and the cards appreciated.
Here is a special offer. Jerry (Jack’s son) said he has Jack’s original catchers glove from when he was a kid. Anybody who wants it, can have it. It is for sentimental reasons only because new catchers mits today are bigger, more flexible and made of softer leather. Let me know.
Love,
Dad

Tonight is the drawing for the Mega Million lottery that has reached a jackpot of $540 million. When I win, it will have the potential to change my life.
First, we need to put the $540 million in perspective. That is what you receive if you spread the money over 20-25 years. If you opt for a lump sum payment, you will get approximately half or $270 million. Then Uncle Sam will be standing there to get his share. After Federal and State taxes you might get $140 million. Not bad. You could live on that.
The question is “what would you do with $140 million”?
Of course I’d give it all to my kids. That would amount to $28 million to each of 5 Grasshoppers. That should be enough to allow paying off all your debts with money left over. Next my kids could quit their jobs and never have to work again. They could buy a bigger home, a bigger car (or truck), a cottage on the lake. There would be the mandatory sitting on their a–, over indulging in fine food and traveling when they were bored. Their former friends would resent them for all the excesses and privledges. Life would have to be enjoyed “alone”.
Come to think of it, I’m not going to buy a ticket to Mega Millions. I would just destroy my life, the life of my kids and friends. I don’t want to be responsible for that.
Besides, buying a lottery ticket is a waste of money. The odds of winning are worse than getting hit by lightning 5 times in a lifetime. Talk about throwing money to the wind.
So Grasshoppers, you can thank me when you get time for not ruining your life. “Character” comes from making money the old fashioned way – earning it.
Love,
Dad

I understand my favorite son-in-law is home and his operation went really well. It gets really tricky when you switch over from 2 kidneys to one. You know that he is doing well because he is sassy again.
I’ve got my snow tires put away in the garage. Get ready. I am tempting fate. We are going to get one big snow storm yet.
In January I lost a capped tooth (crown). It was reglued. Just like new! Yeah right. The same cap came off last night while watching “Dancing with the Stars”. Talk about excessive punishment: dancing and tooth problems.
Grasshopper No.3 entered the college basketball Bracketology pool at work. I can tell he doesn’t watch much basketball because his four picks for the Final Four were Duke (out in the first round), Wisconsin (sentimental choices will kill you every time), North Carolina and Michigan State. Not one made the Final Four.
I’m still waiting for my new chair. That means I sit on the floor surrounded by pillows. Friday will mark 5 weeks.
Milwaukee Brewer baseball starts in several weeks. Now that Ryan Braun is off steroids, he will have to learn to hit all over again. Actually something is wrong because after a month of spring training, Braun has had one hit. It could be that he just isn’t into the “practice” thing.
My radar is on seeing the “Hunger Games”. I understand it is pretty good.
Love,
Dad

The little township of Clintonville (northwest of here) has been experiencing loud “explosion like noises”. The explanation is “earthquake”. It gives new meaning the term “big bang”.
As I write this, son-in-law Tom is undergoing kidney surgery. He has skilled doctors. I know he has a large family support group. Obviously my thoughts are with him!
For those that follow basketball, our State has had two college teams “dancing in the national NCAA tournament. Both teams went into the weekend as part of the Elite 16. Not any more. Wisconsin lost by one point and Marquette by more. I have a bet with a family member and suddenly teams like Kansas and Kentucky hold the key to my winning or losing money.
I still don’t have my new chair. I was told it could come as soon as 10 days and we have hit the four week mark.
I have a friend who bought a 3-D 55 inch plasma HD television. It was purchased with 2 pairs of 3-D glasses included. When the set was purchased, the friend was told that the glasses were being shipped and would be available in several days. That was in mid-December, 2011. The “best information” at this date (3 months and counting), is that manufacturing for the glasses will begin April 18 and Panasonic should be able to fill all orders by early Summer. Think about it. A 3-D TV was bought for Christmas and it is going to take over 6 months to get the glasses. I know what I’d do with the TV set and it ain’t nice. My opinion is that 3-D technology isn’t ready for mass purchase.
Grandson Dominic is involved in a year around football conditioning program. He begins his Freshman year in high school this Fall. When I was Dominic’s age I was running around the streets of Plymouth playing basketball on the playground and getting into trouble. Times have changed.
All the blooming flowers will be buried in snow soon!
Love,
Dad

Today is the first day of Spring. It really feels funny because temperatures have been in the high 70’s for a week. This Thursday I get my snow tires removed from car. I know. I know. I am tempting fate.
Yesterday would have been my Mother’s 90th birthday (a totally possible birthday she could have reached if she had taken better care of herself). Nana almost made her 99th.
I understand my favorite Son-in-Law undergoes surgery on Friday. I only know that it concerns a growth on one kidney. There is always a fear of the unknown. Here is hoping that the “robotic surgery” goes well and that the prognosis is positive. I do know that our bodies only need one kidney to function normally. My hopes and prayers go out to Tom.
Having been in business for a few years, I know that marketing departments all over the world are clevely designing products, services and advertising programs. They want more of your money. Your Mom and I get season tickets to the local Performing Arts Center (PAC). It has been a package of 5 broadway shows that take place over a one year period. Someone in the PAC marketing department found a clever way to squeeze more money out of patrons. The broadway play “The Lion King” is a spectacular. Lots of animals are designed for the stage and kids love it. The ticket offering this year is again for 5 shows but they do NOT include The Lion King. They do have a 6 show alternative that includes the Lion King at an additional cost of about $180. So the dilemma is “do we take the bigger package icluding the “King” or stay with the standard 5 show package. Dah! You know the answer!
Donald Driver looked great on “Dancing with the Stars” show. He didn’t get the scores that he deserved. He is flexible, charismatic and he can move! Tune in! He is fun to watch.
Windows are open. The sun is shining. Enjoy the day.
Love,
Dad