It's wednesday morning and day 4 of Kim and my all too brief vacation to the glorious Oregon coast, a trip that was originally scheduled for last summer as a "Brothers Heagle" reunion, but was waylaid by bad news on the health of Kim's mom.
We wanted to take advantage of the original tickets which cost us $340 a piece. We were told when we were forced to cancel the trip that we would be able to use the tickets as long as we did so before May 15. We were also advised that there would be a "substantial penalty." Substantial indeed! The new tickets cost us an additional $328 a piece!
My brother Bob graciously agreed to drive us up to the Minneapolis airport this past sunday, and we were in the air and on our way via Frontier Airlines by 2:30 PM. With a layover in Denver, we landed in Portland, Oregon, around 7:45PM.
Brother John and his counseling partner, Sister Fran Ferder met us at the gate. From there it was another hour and a half drive down the Oregon coast to John's beautiful home which is right on the ocean at Glen Eden Beach.
The next day was spent touring the region by car. (I have taken many pictures and will post on the blog when I get back home.) Kim didn't seem to be affected by jet lag, but truthfully, it pretty much knocked the wind out of me!
Living right on the ocean, the weather can be totally different than it is only 10 mile or so inland. It is, of course, much cooler here by the sea. Overall the weather has b een magnificent and this vacation has been just the ticket!
Since our return flight tomorrow leaves fairly early, we are going to have John drive us up to Portland tonight, motel it near the airport and be in position tomorrow. I am excited about this prospect as on the way up the coast we will get a chance to see Howard Hughes' "Spruce Goose", the huge eight engine aircraft he built in the thirties. We saw it at a distance on the way down.
I am also glad we will have a little time in Portland as I was very impressed with the city on our way through. Portland is purported to be one of the "greenest" cities in the country.
I will have a more in depth report on our stay when I get back home - I just wanted to write this so those who read the blog know why it has been so quiet as of late.
The only thing we are having difficulty with? We are both missing our furry little pals, Hammy and Stella, and are hoping they will still know us when we get back!
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
"HE AIN'T HEAVY" COMING TO WAUSAU ON FRIDAY, MAY 15!
I have always loved traditional small bodied 12 fret acoustic guitars with the slotted peghead - guitars that date back to the mid 1800's; the kind that went west with the homesteaders, the kind that cowpokes might pull out of the chuck wagon before turning in around the camp fire.That's why when I was forced to sell a really great little parlor guitar that I had found on my travels, I felt that my "arsenal" was empty.
Then this Cort guitar caught my eye through computer reviews and I began seriously to try to locate one for myself. finally about two weeks ago I found a dealer in Florida who carries the exact guitar I was looking for. The original Cort had a rosewood fingerboard which had a very elaborate flower pot inlay on the neck.
The newer model (which I bought and is pictured here) is equipped with no fancy inlay but comes with an ebony fingerboard - which I much prefer to rosewood.
I have been playing this guitar around the house and office for a couple weeks now and I am really starting to appreciate its sound. All my other guitars are big old dreadnoughts with huge sound - particularly on the bass side, but this little parlor is as delicate little lady with a wonderfully clean and sparkling soprano high end. The bass side is a bit thin as is to be expected in a small bodied guitar, but overall, this has been a very good investment considering that it cost well under $500.00.
The top is solid cedar, the back is solid rosewood, and the sides are rosewood laminate. Eventually I will install a two pick up configuration which will help it be heard loudly and clearly when played through my P.A. system.
For now, it is the house guitar -- and it is a great 68th birthday present!
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I am pleased to announce that "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother", the upcoming show with my brother, Father John, has found a venue in Wausau, Wisconsin for Friday night, May 15th. We will start our three day run with a performance at Wausau East High School, which I understand has a magnificent new auditorium.
My thanks to my manager Elizabeth Fischer for all the diligent work in lining up another great room!
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Monday, April 13, 2009
SOMALI PIRATES DEALT WITH HARSHLY -- AND CORRECTLY
It felt really good to awaken to today's news that Captain Phillips has been rescued from the hands of Somalian "pirates" off the coast of Africa. Over night, three snipers were parachuted onto the Bainbridge, out of sight of the perpetrators, where they set up their extremely accurate hi-powered sniper rifles on the fantail of the ship.
When it appeared that there was a likely chance that Captain Phillips was about to be executed, the snipers quickly downed the pirates with head shots, and then wounded a third.
The killing of the pirates could have a dangerous ripple effect in the region, where pirate attacks are common:
"This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it."
Indeed, some pirates vowed revenge for the shooting, reports Reuters:
Somali pirates were quick to vow revenge over the shooting of their comrades, as well as a French military assault to rescue a yacht on Friday.
"The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing. We do not kill, but take only ransom. We shall do something to anyone we see as French or American from now," Hussein, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite phone.
And to that, I say it is high time we begin arming all crews that have to steer through these waters with the best high power weapons we have. Let these common criminals go up against the massive firepower that could be made readily available to all crews -- not to mention use of attack helicopters with hellfire cannon.
It is time for a little "Blackhawk Down" Payback!
Kudos to the Obama administration for showing strength when it is needed!
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The month of March brought on my first really unpleasant experience with eBay since I began buying and selling some four years ago.
On March 5, I won a Rawlings football helmet, white, no face mask, size 7 1/8 - 7 3/4, and paid for it immediately on line with my eBay Master Card. I intended to use it to make a re-creation of a "Lance Alworth, San Diego Chargers helmet to add to my collection. On March 16, I received a box containing a Rawlings helmet, but it had a face mask and was the wrong size! it was a small.
I immediately e mailed the seller and shipped the helmet back on March 17. I waited over a week with no results and then finally e mailed the seller to ask what was going on. I was informed that by mistake his "shipper" had set my shipment aside and it had gone overlooked for over a week.
Finally I got an e mail on April 6 telling me that my purchase had now been re-shipped.
The box arrived this past friday. I opened the box and found that HE HAD SHIPPED THE SAME INCORRECT HELMET BACK TO ME AGAIN!
So now I am keeping, on his instruction, the incorrect helmet, until the correct one is shipped. UNBELIEVABLE!
__________________________________________________________
When it appeared that there was a likely chance that Captain Phillips was about to be executed, the snipers quickly downed the pirates with head shots, and then wounded a third.
The killing of the pirates could have a dangerous ripple effect in the region, where pirate attacks are common:
"This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it."
Indeed, some pirates vowed revenge for the shooting, reports Reuters:
Somali pirates were quick to vow revenge over the shooting of their comrades, as well as a French military assault to rescue a yacht on Friday.
"The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing. We do not kill, but take only ransom. We shall do something to anyone we see as French or American from now," Hussein, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite phone.
And to that, I say it is high time we begin arming all crews that have to steer through these waters with the best high power weapons we have. Let these common criminals go up against the massive firepower that could be made readily available to all crews -- not to mention use of attack helicopters with hellfire cannon.
It is time for a little "Blackhawk Down" Payback!
Kudos to the Obama administration for showing strength when it is needed!
_____________________________________________________
The month of March brought on my first really unpleasant experience with eBay since I began buying and selling some four years ago.
On March 5, I won a Rawlings football helmet, white, no face mask, size 7 1/8 - 7 3/4, and paid for it immediately on line with my eBay Master Card. I intended to use it to make a re-creation of a "Lance Alworth, San Diego Chargers helmet to add to my collection. On March 16, I received a box containing a Rawlings helmet, but it had a face mask and was the wrong size! it was a small.
I immediately e mailed the seller and shipped the helmet back on March 17. I waited over a week with no results and then finally e mailed the seller to ask what was going on. I was informed that by mistake his "shipper" had set my shipment aside and it had gone overlooked for over a week.
Finally I got an e mail on April 6 telling me that my purchase had now been re-shipped.
The box arrived this past friday. I opened the box and found that HE HAD SHIPPED THE SAME INCORRECT HELMET BACK TO ME AGAIN!
So now I am keeping, on his instruction, the incorrect helmet, until the correct one is shipped. UNBELIEVABLE!
__________________________________________________________
Friday, April 10, 2009
THE CONTINUING SAGA OF THE SPEAKER STAND AND EVENTUAL CONCLUSION
This morning around 11 AM I get a cell phone call. A young woman's voice says: "Hi, I am on Highway 94, about 20 miles west of Eau Claire on my way to Milwaukee. Corey Petersen asked me to drop off your speaker stand and cable. Is there a place near the highway that I could meet you?"
I explain that there is. It will be an easy meeting for both of us as I only live about two miles from the Wisconsin State Patrol Headquarters at the junction of Highways 53 South and Interstate 94.
So my equipment is back with me where it belongs. I am happy about that. but I am still pissed at Corey Petersen. He didn't even have the decency and common courtesy to give me a call last night and tell me that the problem of delivery was solved. No, instead the selfish bastard let me worry about it until 11 o'clock this is morning.
I am only glad that I am the kind of person that finds that kind of behavior reprehensible. I can only hope that karma will nail his ass somewhere down the road.
________________________________________________
I explain that there is. It will be an easy meeting for both of us as I only live about two miles from the Wisconsin State Patrol Headquarters at the junction of Highways 53 South and Interstate 94.
So my equipment is back with me where it belongs. I am happy about that. but I am still pissed at Corey Petersen. He didn't even have the decency and common courtesy to give me a call last night and tell me that the problem of delivery was solved. No, instead the selfish bastard let me worry about it until 11 o'clock this is morning.
I am only glad that I am the kind of person that finds that kind of behavior reprehensible. I can only hope that karma will nail his ass somewhere down the road.
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Thursday, April 9, 2009
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
Songs revisited.
Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers.
They include:
Bobby Darin -- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.
Herman's Hermits --- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker .
Ringo Starr --- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.
The Bee Gees -- - How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.
Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.
Johnny Nash --- I Can't See Clearly Now.
Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
The Commodores --- Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.
Marvin Gaye --- Heard It Through the Grape Nuts.
Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade of Hair.
Leo Sayer --- You Make Me Feel Like Napping.
The Temptations --- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.
Abba--- Denture Queen.
Tony Orlando --- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall.
Helen Reddy --- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.
Leslie Gore--- It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To.
Willie Nelson --- On the Commode Again
*************************************************************
Riddle of the Day
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a big one.
Michael J. Fox has a small one.
Madonna doesn't have one.
The Pope has one but doesn't use it.
Clinton uses his all the time.
Bush is one.
Mickey Mouse has an unusual one.
Liberace never used his on women.
Jerry Seinfeld is very, very proud of his.
Cher claims that she took on 3.
We never saw Lucy use Desi's.
What is it?
Answer below!
***************************
The answer is: 'A Last Name.'
***************************************************************
Some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers.
They include:
Bobby Darin -- Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.
Herman's Hermits --- Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker .
Ringo Starr --- I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.
The Bee Gees -- - How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.
Roberta Flack--- The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.
Johnny Nash --- I Can't See Clearly Now.
Paul Simon--- Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
The Commodores --- Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.
Marvin Gaye --- Heard It Through the Grape Nuts.
Procol Harem--- A Whiter Shade of Hair.
Leo Sayer --- You Make Me Feel Like Napping.
The Temptations --- Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.
Abba--- Denture Queen.
Tony Orlando --- Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall.
Helen Reddy --- I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.
Leslie Gore--- It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To.
Willie Nelson --- On the Commode Again
*************************************************************
Riddle of the Day
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a big one.
Michael J. Fox has a small one.
Madonna doesn't have one.
The Pope has one but doesn't use it.
Clinton uses his all the time.
Bush is one.
Mickey Mouse has an unusual one.
Liberace never used his on women.
Jerry Seinfeld is very, very proud of his.
Cher claims that she took on 3.
We never saw Lucy use Desi's.
What is it?
Answer below!
***************************
The answer is: 'A Last Name.'
***************************************************************
BEWARE OF "PHISHING" PHONECALLS FROM THOSE CLAIMING TO REP CREDIT CARD COMPANIES
I consider myself to be pretty wary when I get unsolicited telephone calls about my credit cards but this afternoon I got a call that completely fooled me --- for a while. I think it was because it started with a recorded woman's voice saying something like: "If you are interested in getting the APR on your credit cards lowered to 6 per cent, the time is running out so please press 9 now".
And the sucker is hooked! I pushed 9 and in a few seconds was connected to a man who told me he is from Universal Card Services and wants to help me lower my credit card bills. he then starts out asking general questions -- how many cards do you have, what is the debt amount accumulated, what kind of cards do you hold, what are the last four digits of the cards, the last four digits of your social security number - this sent up flags and I asked who he represented. He again told me "Univeral Card Services" and that his name is Robert Johnson and then gives me the last four digits of his social security number so set my mind at ease.
Then he asks to go back to the credit cards and start over again, only this time he wants the entire 16 numbers from my Master Card. That's when I told him the conversation is over. He gets all indignant and tells me that i am losing out on a chance to save money and I tell him I would rather pay the percentage rate I am presently paying than give out the information he is seeking and he hangs up on me. Oh - and before he hangs up I also tell him I am a member of LifeLock, a identity theft company.
Then I sweat bullets for about five minutes and decide I had best call LifeLock.
when I explain what has happened the gal is most helpful. we contact my Master Card holder and cancel the card immediately as that is the card whose numbers he is after. it becomes clear that it would be that card because it is the card I use to make on line purchases and I have received "phishing" e mails about that account in the past.
So be forewarned. Do not give out any information at all on the telephone. I learned the hard way today. And it was that opening "save you money - lower your rate to 6 per cent" that blinded me.
Dumb, dumb, dumb!
__________________________________________________________
And the sucker is hooked! I pushed 9 and in a few seconds was connected to a man who told me he is from Universal Card Services and wants to help me lower my credit card bills. he then starts out asking general questions -- how many cards do you have, what is the debt amount accumulated, what kind of cards do you hold, what are the last four digits of the cards, the last four digits of your social security number - this sent up flags and I asked who he represented. He again told me "Univeral Card Services" and that his name is Robert Johnson and then gives me the last four digits of his social security number so set my mind at ease.
Then he asks to go back to the credit cards and start over again, only this time he wants the entire 16 numbers from my Master Card. That's when I told him the conversation is over. He gets all indignant and tells me that i am losing out on a chance to save money and I tell him I would rather pay the percentage rate I am presently paying than give out the information he is seeking and he hangs up on me. Oh - and before he hangs up I also tell him I am a member of LifeLock, a identity theft company.
Then I sweat bullets for about five minutes and decide I had best call LifeLock.
when I explain what has happened the gal is most helpful. we contact my Master Card holder and cancel the card immediately as that is the card whose numbers he is after. it becomes clear that it would be that card because it is the card I use to make on line purchases and I have received "phishing" e mails about that account in the past.
So be forewarned. Do not give out any information at all on the telephone. I learned the hard way today. And it was that opening "save you money - lower your rate to 6 per cent" that blinded me.
Dumb, dumb, dumb!
__________________________________________________________
NITSCHKE PROJECT COMPLETE - HELMET, CORRECT FACEMASK ADDED
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE PACKERS OF THE 1960'S THAT MAKES THEM EVEN BETTER THAN THE PACKERS OF SUPER BOWL XIII. And it isn't just because they are the Packers of my youth.Yes, Brett Favre will probably go down as the BEST QB the Packers ever had. But I disagree. I am and always will be a devoted Bart Starr fan. Starr is a man of quiet dignity and he accomplished something Favre never did -- back to back MVP's of the first two Super Bowls.
But today I salute the king of defense - the man most feared on the playing field in those days -- Mr. Ray Nitschke.
Ray had an uncanny ability to be where he needed to be to make a game turning play. How many times did he intercept a key pass in a playoff game? I still see him clearly in the 1965 Championship game against the Cleveland Browns - fully extended, tipping a pass from a would be receiver in the end zone to save us 6 points.That is why my most recent helmet project was an attempt to recreate his helmet. I had a great time in the process. First, for true afficiandoes. I know that he did not wear a Rawlings helmet - he was a Riddell man. If youi ever go to Green Bay, walk through the hall of fame and you will find one of his helmets - the one that has a spike through it. fortunately Ray wasn't wearing it at the time when a pole fell and landed on it!
If you ever see his autograph you will find that you can read his name clearly. He said that if someone thought enough of him to want his autograph, the least he could do was to write it legibly.
As I said, I really had a great time with this project. finding the right color paint was a challenge and I love the color description on the spray can I finally ended up using: "OLD CATERPILLAR YELLOW". (and that's not as in the larvae stage of abutterfly but rather the color of the earth moving caterpiller.
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