Grandson’s first tackle box: $11.44
Assorted tackle: $1.19-$6.99
Teaching a 13 year old how to rig a slip bobber or why a rubbercore sinker is better than split shots for river fishing: absolutely priceless.
The imam, who is from a Central Anatolian province, was admitted to hospital last week after suffering from severe abdominal pain and bleeding, Hurriyet Daily News reports.
Obama, Trudeu and Peña Nieto Share Awkward Three-Way Handshake
ASK MY HUSBAND…HE’S AN EXPERT ON PORN
Hillary Clinton was asked at a town hall event this week how she would help victims of “revenge porn” if she were elected president, and she took the opportunity to identify herself as “exhibit A” of how negative things are said online.
4th of July Zombies – Americans Don’t Know Why We Celebrate Fourth of July!
“Donald Trump where are you, Donald Trump where the f– are you?!” the man, who was later identified as 21-year-old fashion model Krit McClean, screamed as he demanded a meeting with the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, the New York Post reported.
Authorities took him to Bellevue Hospital for evaluation
I’ve made many mistakes in my life. Bad decisions, bad management, bad marriages. The one thing, maybe the only thing that was right, was bringing two beautiful girls into the world. There was much time wasted not putting them first in everything and I’m paying an awful price with one of them. Like Harry Chapin sang in “Cat’s In The Cradle” she has no more time for me than I had for her. With her career, her boyfriend, and issues with Tyler, who’ll be 8 this month, her dance card is full.
Fortunately, my eldest bears no grudge and we are closer than we’ve ever been. My grandson RJ has become the light of my life. We have a lot of plans to do some fishing, but he wants to earn some cash, so he’ll be de-tasseling corn for a few weeks. Anybody who’s had to do that knows what a hot, sweaty, dirty job it is, but it’s one that must be done. My grandchildren are being taught the value of money and how to appreciate it. My granny always said: If you see something you want and you have the money in your pocket, you can afford it. If you don’t, you can’t. If you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to earn the money.
Today is my grandson’s 13th birthday. We planned to go to their town for pizza, but I came down with gout 2 days ago. It’s not fun when you can’t walk. So,they’re coming here. I really look forward.
THEY GROW UP SO FAST
IF BRAGGING ON YOUR GRANDKIDS ISN’T A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT, IT SHOULD BE.
Rockford, Illinois was the second-largest city in the state for a long time. Now Springfield has taken its place. Forbes Magazine has named Rockford the worst or second-worst place to live in America numerous times.
We have great schools and the cost of living is pretty cheap compared to the Chicago area, less than an hour away. We have the Chicago Blackhawks AHL affiliate, the Rockford Ice Hogs, and have been host to a CBA team and several class A baseball teams.
I grew up here, I’ll die here. We lived far enough outside of city limits that we could enjoy what the city had to offer and still retreat to our acreage and the quietude.
We had 5 movie theaters downtown. I remember getting a bus token from granny and going to wait for the bus to take me downtown where the action was. I was 12 when I made my first solo journey. My grandparents didn’t even get arrested for child abuse.
We have lovely parks and golf courses, and until insurance and costs shut it down, a festival every Labor Day weekend called On The Waterfront, where the entire downtown straddling the Rock River drew thousands for the food, music ranging from jazz to country to old rock and roll, like Mitch Ryder and Gary Puckett (minus the Union Gap). It finished with an awesome fireworks display over the water. There were carnival rides and food from dozens of restaurants.
This is the national landmark, Coronado Theater. They don’t show movies here anymore, but they do have concerts and other entertainment. Until the Metro Center was built, this is where high school classes had their commencements. You would have to see it to appreciate what a magnificent structure it is.
A movie cost 50 cents and a soda and popcorn was about $1.50. The movies played on a loop, so if you came in late you could stay and watch the cartoons, previews and beginning again if you wanted. The seats were velvet and the carpet was plush.
Prince Castle was a franchise based in Dixon, Ill., Reagan’s hometown. My cousins lived 1 block from the one here in town. They used square scoops for dispense ice cream and had the best grilled burgers in town.
The Robin Drive-In was one of several in town. It was nearest to our place, so it’s where we went with granny, mom, and sometimes mom and a boyfriend. We dressed in our pajamas because they had a playground in front of the screen where we played until it was dark enough to start the show. (It was also when I got my first taste of feminine pulchritude, but that’s another story.)
BEYER STADIUM WAS HOME TO THE ROCKFORD PEACHES FROM 1942-1954. NOBODY KNEW MUCH ABOUT THEM UNTIL THE MOVIE CAME OUT.
UNTIL THEY BUILT TWO STADIUMS, THE CITY HIGH SCHOOLS PLAYED THEIR FOOTBALL GAMES THERE. NOW ALL THAT’S LEFT IS THE BRICK ARCH AND TURNSTILE. THEY BUILT A GRADE SCHOOL AND PLAYGROUND WHERE IT ONCE STOOD.
DER RATHSKELLER IS AN AUTHENTIC GERMAN RESTAURANT THAT’S BEEN ON AUBURN STREET SINCE 1937.
MY FAVORITE IS THE SAUSAGE SAMPLER, WHICH IS SERVED FAMILY-STYLE WITH SAUERKRAUT AND LYONNAISE POTATOES.
THERE WAS A BIG ROLLER RINK DOWNTOWN I REMEMBER GOING TO MANY TIMES. FRIDAYS AND SATURDAYS IT WAS ALWAYS CROWDED. IT WAS TORN DOWN TO BUILD A USED CAR LOT.
ANGER’S JEWELERS WAS ON WEST STATE STREET SINCE IN 1920’S. THEY FINALLY WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN THE 1990’S.
I THINK THE LANDMARK CLOCK IS NOW PART OF THE CLOCK MUSEUM AT THE CLOCKTOWER INN, AT THE ENTRANCE TO INTERSTATE 90.
The city now has more than its share of robberies and murders. A lot of it has migrated from Chicago. Obama is trying to shove more low-income housing down our throats in the name of “diversity.” Most of the south and west side, once home to old Italian and Polish families, is now minority-infested. That’s why I’ve lived in Loves Park across the river for much of the last 20 years.
Things change, usually not for the better. I’m so blessed to have enjoyed an amazing life. No complaints.
This is one of those days when it seems appropriate to distract from the everyday depression that passes as news.
Today’s post is (mostly) offbeat, funny, or heartwarming. Just because.
FAMILY COOKOUT, BEAUTIFUL DAY, KIDS PLAYING, WARM BREEZE, GOOD FOOD..
SOMETIMES MY DAUGHTER AND HER CAMERA PHONE ARE A PAIN.
Breakfast was at Uncle Roger’s house today. Aunt Evelyn made enough food for thrashers, as Granny used to say. Saw my cousin Steve and his wife of 29 years that I’d never met and their grown daughter. After the meal Aunt Evelyn brought out a box of old photographs. We sat around gabbing for 2 hours. There’s absolutely nothing more important than family.
My fishing buddy had the boat out yesterday with his son and grandson, so it won’t be long before I’ll get a serious case of boat-butt and terminal cap-hair. To all the crappies in Pierce Lake: judgement day is at hand. Make out your little fish wills and notify your next of kin. We’ll be along directly.
Now a few tidbits:
The boycott of broadcast news programs is still in effect, but anything significant can be found on the interwebs without all the background static. The Donald was on with Sean ‘the Rush Wannabe’ Hannity last night. The entire interview can be found on YouTube. The money quote was played on Redeye Radio this morning. It’s the best 18 seconds of the day.
I saw this on Gateway Pundit this morning. Some woman in the comment section remarked: ‘Does he really want to go there?’
In my gentle, understated, compassionate way I responded: These Arkansas grifters have been destroying innocent peoples’ lives for decades without a peep from the media whores because they’re democrats. I hope he disembowels the bitch and the pervert she’s partnered with. One thing Trump is not, and that’s restrained by political correctness.
Talent-less Hillary’s Godawful Trump Impersonation
PUT ANY SHARP OBJECTS OUT OF REACH BECAUSE THIS MAY PROMPT YOU TO GOUGE YOUR EYES OUT
CHECK OUT THIS EXPRESSION
Watch Hillary Clinton’s awful Donald Trump impersonation – at least that’s who she’s pretending to imitate.
In full disclosure, Barbie dolls were never of a particular interest to me. All I knew was when I undressed my sister’s Ken and Barbie and posed them in compromising positions my grandmother would get really aggravated and look like she wanted to hand me over to the next roving band of gypsies that came through town.
When I started collecting, computers were still in their relative infancy. My quest for treasures led me to auctions, flea markets, antique malls, and a bi-weekly publication called Toy Shop Newspaper, which had ads from people selling toys, looking for toys, phone-in auctions, and informative ads on different toys. I bought a lot through this paper and made a lot of friends all across the country.
The first show I did as a seller was in St. Charles, Ill. in west suburban Chicago. At the time it was one of the biggest in the nation, with over 500 vendors that came from as far away as Plymouth, Mass., Birmingham, Alabama, Santa Clarita, Cal., and Lansing, Mich., along with many local vendors. The show was located at the Kane County Fairgrounds and one of the exhibition buildings was referred to as the doll building, because that’s where most of the high end doll and bear dealers set up. I came across vintage Barbies occasionally, and I met a lady there who had been a collector for many years. She was a veritable wellspring of information. Any time I came across what I knew was a vintage figure, I’d show her and she’d give me all the information I needed so as not to sound like an idiot. I can promise you Barbie collectors are some of the bitchiest people on the planet.
FROM WIKIPEDIA;
Barbie is a fashion doll manufactured by the American toy-company Mattel, Inc. and launched in March 1959. American businesswoman Ruth Handler is credited with the creation of the doll using a German called Bild Lilli as her inspiration
NOW FOR SOME FACTS YOU CAN USE, GLEANED FROM MY FRIEND
Starting in 1959,the first 6 years of the doll were referred to as Barbie#1 in 1959,#2 in 1960,etc.
The first 6 dolls all had hand-painted finger and toenails, eyes, and lips.
Each version had subtle but distinct differences, so a pro knows which is which.
The first 2 were made in Japan,#3 through 6 were made in Hong Kong.
#1 and #2 came on a plastic stand. There were metal holes in the bottom of the feet that these went into.
CHECK IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE IN THE ATTIC.
THI S ONE HAS NO HEAD. JAPAN IS MARKED ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOT. THIS IS WORTH ABOUT $1,500
THIS ONE IS ON EBAY RIGHT NOW.THE ASKING PRICE IS $1,375
THEY REPRODUCE THESE NOW FOR ABOUT $25, SO YOU BETTER KNOW WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING AT. I DON’T, BUT THEN AGAIN I DON’T COLLECT BARBIES.
THE HAIR CAME IN TWO STYLES: PONYTAIL AND SHORT-HAIRED, OR BUBBLE CUT.
THIS IS THE #1 PONYTAIL BRUNETTE. THEY WANT $5,200 FOR HER
THIS IS THE #3 BARBIE
SEVERAL FASHION DESIGNERS,INCLUDING VERA WANG AND BOB MACKIE HAVE DESIGNED OUTFITS FOR BARBIE. THIS ONE IS A BOB MACKIE FROM 1994. IT’S WORTH ABOUT $150.
PRICES VARY, DEPENDING ON THE OUTFIT AND WHETHER OR NOT THE DOLL HAS EVER BEEN REMOVED FROM THE BOX
As with any collectible, from stamps to automobiles, the value of anything depends on two things… condition and rarity.
With Barbies, collectors looks for cracks at the elbow and knees, chips in the face or nail paint and missing hair. There are actually people who replug hair in old dolls.
The worst thing for Barbies is called “greening.” The old dolls had pearl earrings, which were stuck into the head on a little pin. These pins were made of jewelers metal, the kind cheap rings and bracelets are (were) made of that turned your fingers green. There can be a little green, I’ve seen dolls with green halfway down the cheeks. This is death to the value of the piece. It can be fixed, but it’s not as easy as cleaning with solvent and only should be done by an expert if you want the doll to retain any value.
JUST FOR FUN, HERE’S THE FIRST BARBIE COMMERCIAL AS IT AIRED ON THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB IN 1959.
MATTEL WAS EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THEY ADVERTISED HEAVILY ON KIDS’ SHOWS, ESPECIALLY SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS.
THE DOLL ORIGINALLY SOLD FOR THRE DOLLARS. IF YOU ONLY KNEW
The body politic is, as it has been for a very long time, a paradise for sin and corruption the likes of which would make a Sodomite blush. We do all we can to influence the direction our nation is heading but at some point you come to the realization that nothing we do or say matters much. Those chosen to represent us are in league with the very evil they claim to oppose. I no longer spend hours perusing dozens of websites only to be faced with anger, violence, rank hypocrisy, and unbridled corruption. The 2016 presidential election is a foregone conclusion and has been for the last 8 years.
The lying whore who will be elevated to queen has the backing of her party, the press, academia, and nearly every foreign enemy we have, evidenced by the fact they all contributed heavily to the phony foundation she and her equally corrupt husband launder money through for their own enrichment. The Republican party does not intend to allow a viable candidate to oppose the Socialist Juggernaut and never intended to. They are in the process of destroying everything they once claimed to champion.
Trump is an egomaniac who will say whatever suits him at the moment. I never trusted him and still don’t. This is all just a massive ego trip for him. His popularity stems from him seeming to be the conduit for all the anger and frustration we feel from the party bigshots’ incessant betrayal. He has no coalition and would have to sell out to the democrats to do anything if he were to be elected.
The only news I glean these days is what I see on Facebook. That is all I need to see.
Saturday was the annual democrat/media circle jerk, where everybody mocks white people and Christians and they all laugh like hell. There was a performance by the cast of the Broadway play ‘Hamilton’, which has been nominated for a record 18 Tony awards. The fact there’s not a white actor in sight had absolutely nothing to do with it, I’m sure. The unfunny punk who took over when Jon Stewart left called Obama “my Nigga,” which made Barry chuckle. Racism is acceptable as long as you’re a liberal. A conservative would be charged with hate speech crimes.
Today is the Indiana primary and possibly Cruz’ last gasp. I had high hopes for him in the beginning, but then he threw in with the establishment and abandoned the moral high ground. Glenn Beck is on his latest fast and called Cruz ‘Lucifer’, which CNN ate up. A bunch of prepubescent Illegal whelps were mocking the Trump supporters who provide the free stuff they leech off of. Pretty much boiler plate stuff, it happens every day.
My kids got together Sunday and had pictures taken, which the photographer inadvertently posted to FB. I shared with DW, who is visiting her father, who is in very, very poor health. My daughter called me yesterday morning in a near-panic, since these were supposed to be a surprise gift for Mother’s Day. She has no access to the internet while she’s up there, so a crisis was averted. I will post some images for you in the fullness of time. The plan is to concentrate on spending time with my grandchildren, since 3 of them are playing baseball and doing more fishing with my buddy. Politics doesn’t interest me much anymore.
RANT OVER….TIME FOR A WORD FROM THE ANGRY DRUNK
I WISH TO THANK THE ADMINISTRATION, THE ACADEMY, AND ALL THE LITTLE PEOPLE FOR THIS AWARD…. AND FOR THE LAWYER WHO GOT ME OFF ON A TECHNICALITY.
Hey,Algore;it’s been snowing off and on for the last two days.Take your climate change,fold it five ways,wrap it around a Preparation H bullet and put it to good use.OK,now for the serious part of this rant.
Yesterday may well have been the best breakfast mankind has ever borne witness to.Uncle Roger’s lifelong soulmate,my beloved Aunt Evelyn fixed a feast for the family.Two of their children were there,I met one of my 2nd cousins,along with uncle Bob,Aunt Jan and his two children,cousin Trish and Pam and her daughter,Carrie,who is fascinated by the stories we tell of the time we were kids together.We had eggs,bacon,sausage,fried taters,pancakes,fruit,coffee and juice.We spent hours afterward enjoying homemade cinnamon rolls and gabbing,just like long ago Sunday dinners at Granny’s.
It was a reminder that this journey through life is very short and tomorrow is never promised.There is so much joy to be had if you just open your eyes and see it.There is nothing so precious as that which you carry in your heart for a lifetime.I am also grateful that there is a place like this where I can share with those I will never meet,yet are still a big part of my happiness.It is a privilege to bring a part of me here to leave with you.For that,I thank Him who made us all.
BING’S IS AN INSTITUTION HERE IN TOWN.IT IS THE LAST SURVIVING GENUINE DRIVE-IN RESTAURANT WITH CARHOPS AND WINDOW TRAYS.IF THE WEATHER EVER WARMS UP (and it quits freaking snowing!) I PLAN TO TAKE THE GRANDKIDS THERE SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT A FUN TIME YOU CAN HAVE EATING IN THE CAR.
THE LATE JAMES BROWN ONCE RECORDED A SONG CALLED: TALKIN’ LOUD AND SAYIN’ NOTHIN’
SORRY.I TRIED TO KEEP THIS MEANINGFUL AND CLASSY,BUT I JUST COULDN’T RESIST
HOW THE HELL DID SHE GET INTO THESE? NEVER MIND….FORGET I ASKED
Title was completely plagiarized, stolen and ripped off from my FB friend, Clarice Feldman, one of my favorite writers from American Thinker (Clarice’s Pieces). Every so often I have an original thought. This is not one of those times.
It is hard to imagine feeling better than I do right now. We had a beautiful dinner with the family Sunday. I gave RJ one of my fishing rods and taught him how to tie the Fisherman’s Knot properly. It was in the 60’s and sunny so we went into the back yard and made the kind of memories that can’t be bought. We spent some quality time practicing our casting skills. He only got the plug stuck in the branches of a tree once. My beloved Chicago Cubs won their first game of the season last night and Chrissy is back to her old self. Now everybody can remember how bad my posts really suck.
Today is primary day in Wisconsin. There is still talk about a contested convention, which would, in essence, sound the death knell of what was once a major political party. People are dying like flies here in Chicago and the teacher’s union went on a one-day strike. The Barry and Kerry Show (just made that up. see? I DO have an original thought once in awhile) is still beclowning itself on the world stage. Trouble is they have their heads shoved so far up their anal orifices that don’t realize it. There’s no chance things will ever change much..
THIS WOULD BE HUMOROUS IF IT WEREN’T THE PREVAILING ATTITUDE AMONGST THE PROFESSIONAL VICTIM CLASS
Chrissy’s back. My kids and grandkids are coming for dinner tomorrow after church. Didn’t even check the latest political nonsense. Just want to give thanks for all God has given me.
polination.blog 