This year I’ve taken SO many senior portraits. The yearbook editor to photographer pipeline is real.  - YaYa

Attack of the (ineffective) November Hornets!

It is November 10th, 2022, and I spent my lunch sitting on the patio at work, blissfully enjoying a 74 degree day. 

That alone is remarkable: November, almost mid-November, and it is warm enough in Wisconsin to sit outside without a coat or long sleeves. Wow. 

(Although a cold front is moving in that will restore us to a stereotypical November by this time tomorrow),

Alas, my meal featured numerous attacks by hornets, also a rare sight this late in the year, hornets who seemed as irked by their unusually extended life as I was. 

This guy in the picture was unusually aggressive, refusing multiple efforts to thwart his advance on my drink. In fit of manly courage I swatted him, knocking him to the ground, then stepped on him. Sometimes a 700x size advantage helps. 

Immediately, however, his buddy dive bombed me, looking for payback. I swung my plate at him, meeting him halfway. There was an audible "thonk," like a tennis ball hitting a racket, and no more was seen of the pesky but loyal-to-his-brethren hornet. 

So endeth the tale.

Shady Goodwill, Shady

- YaYa

Go Vote!

Taco Night

It's all white ppl taco night n it's delicious.  I like authentic or gringo...all tacos welcome here!  - Lisa

Aaron Carter

Aaron Carter, the pop star of the early aught and the troubled brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, has apparently drowned at his home. He was 34.

Voting

After work today I picked up Junie and the exchange students and headed to the library to cast an early ballot in Tuesday's election. 

While we were there I caught up with an old friend and former coworker and got the exchange students a library card. 

100 Years Ago Today

A century ago today, on November 4th 1922, Howard Carter discovered the long buried tomb of King Tutankhamun.

My Thoughts on No-Hitters

Just to be clear, a combined no- hitter is a no-hitter but not a real No- Hitter. A No-Hitter is a measure of a pitcher's dominance, certifying that for 27 outs he was literally untouchable. It's a personal accomplishment more than it is a statistical milestone. 

To me, a combined no hitter - esp ones where 3 or 4 pitchers were used - is on the batters. It means that for 27 outs the opposing team couldn't piece together a decent swing even when facing arms of differing quality. That's on them, not the pitcher.

Just my opinion. 

Voting

3 generations of early female voters right here.

Carol Zolinski

My Aunt Carol passed away overnight, going to her maker at around 2:30 am - only 7 months after my Uncle, her husband of 37 years. 

She was alway super nice to my kiddos, made sure to include Lisa in the family when others pointedly did not, and usually had a cheerful, happy countenance. She will be missed :(

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Hello

Jerry Lee Lewis

For the second time this week (the first being a hoax) Jerry Lee Lewis has died. The rock 'n roll pioneer and rebel was 87. 

It's that "rebel" label that sticks in my head when I think of Lewis. He was far too out there for '50's audiences, no question. And let's be real, some of his choices would get the same response from society today - deservedly so. 

It's a shame he couldn't have traveled a smoother path, because I think all that bs cost him a career of unimaginable heights. 

RIP

I'm banned on r/Wisconsin on Reddit. Boohoo

Why was I permanently banned? 

Bc when a commentator blasted someone for spending their own money and demanded they be taxed to oblivion, I responded simply "Taxation is theft.  She can spend her money where she likes.  This is still a free country. "

That's it. No vulgarity.  No abuse. Just an opposing opinion 

Alas, the moderator cares neither for Wisconsin, civil discussion, or, apparently, the spelling of the word "trespassing."

 LOL

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 26th Anniversary babe. I love you Dan! - Lisa

Happy Birthday Yaya!

happy birthday bestie boo - LuLu

20 years and 364 Days

i can not wait to have my first ever sip of alcohol this weekend (j/k) -YaYa (her 21st birthday starts in 21 minutes)

Free

My Mom crocheted an entire bag full of hats, scarfs, ear warmers ...all sizes...all colors.Was supposed to drop at street angels when we dropped off lunches. Forgot. It's been taunting me from the back seat. Is there a teacher or principal who needs a supply for kids who forget? Or someone who can take what they want and get the rest to street angels or other ppl who need them? Relieve my guilt. Thanks! - Lisa

Colorful crocheted baby girl poncho. Maybe 12-18 mo...maybe smaller.

Lunch for Later - Volunteering for The Street Angels

This month we again volunteered for the Lunch for Later program with The Street Angels, a program where you prepare box lunches that are then distributed to the homeless community in Milwaukee. This time, at Lisa's request, we signed up to do 140 of them on her birthday as a gift to her while she was out of town. 

A few weeks ago we got all the kids to decorate the lunch bags. 

Recognizing that 140 full lunches was going to hit the wallet hard, I asked for some donations from my co-workers. I was expecting a box or two of snacks, and maybe a few drink mixes -  all of which would have been received with gratitude and thanks. 

What I got instead was an all out effort. Three co-workers personally donated food to the effort, and my company stepped up and purchased all  the chips for the lunches. 

Just incredible. Wow. 

Then I sent Smiley and Junie hit Woodman's to get the bread, lunchmeat, cheese, etc. 

Seeking to avoid the hassle of keeping our dogs and cats at bay, we assembled the lunches at my mother-in-law's place.  Now I could lie and say it was a wonderful bonding experience . . . BUT. 

In reality every single one of these people annoyed the heck out of me and I not once, but TWICE, stormed out and drove off before losing my s$@t  and saying something I would regret. 

Yeah. Not exactly a hallmark moment. But that's reality baby. 

Anyway, they got the job done. Later that night I returned with Junie to get all the lunches. 

Now you may ask, what's with the luggage Danny? Were you moving the in-law out? Ah contraire mon ami. That was the luggage we took to Vegas, which alas was cracked and rendered useless for Lisa's trip. We instead used it to transport the bagged lunches. 

Lisa's Mom also donated a bag of winter gear she knitted for the homeless. 

Today after school we dropped it all off. I took Dem and Beca, our exchange students with me, and later (since the drop off was on 27th near Mitchell) I took them on a tour of my old neighborhood. 

Available For Free

This is a comfortable, structurally intact reclining couch that breaks into 3 component pieces for transport.  No holes, burns, or bugs.  It has, alas, had the fake leather finish peeled off in several places by our dogs.  But if you have a blanket to throw across the cushions, can fix the peeling, and/or don't give a dang, you'll have a great couch.  Preference to whoever can get it soonest. 

In Which LuLu Saves A (Feline) Life

She's so excited!

48 Hours to Go! (Before flying out)

On her cruise's Facebook page:  

2417 door decor is a bit interactive. Add a star sticker  to the shows u were at that one of us was at too :). Also fcfs misc cozies, condoms and candies. Might not be a room to go specifically ...but if you happen to see us, play along!  :) 

- Lisa  

An Odd Call

Today at work I got call on my cell phone from Rodgers Memorial, a hospital known locally for its in-patient mental health facilities. 

It was a staff member saying a patient wanted to speak to me. They mentioned a name but in that moment - concerned that an unknown loved one had been admitted for a breakdown or God forbid a suicide attempt, I didn't let it register. 

I took my phone into the conference room for privacy.  In a moment a guy got on the phone and said hi. 

"Who's this?" I said. 

"Who are YOU?" he said, then giggled a freaky little laugh.

"You called me, dude."

More giggles.  "I just made up a number and they called it. What's your name?

And I hung up. 

Weird weird weird.