North Pole (RLO News Service) - Santa Claus plans to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy within the next few days announced Santa CEO Kris Kringle at a late-afternoon press conference yesterday. Kringle sited intense competition from big-box retailers, mainly Wal Mart, along with cheap labor from abroad and outsourcing.
"Ho, ho, ho!! It's getting to the point where a Jolly ol' St. Nick can't run a time honored operation anymore," confessed Kringle. While Santa Claus can still under price Wal Mart and other retailers by simply giving away toys, Kringle admitted that overhead at the North Pole headquarters have simply skyrocketed.
"Other companies have outsourced its employment needs, or manufactures its products with cheap labor to minimize expenses. Ho, ho, ho!! However, Santa Claus still maintains an expensive labor contract with the United Elf Workers that includes premium wages and generous medical coverage," Kringle added.
Santa's contract with the UEW is to expire at the end of 2006. Kringle announced that in the reorganization of Santa Claus, a new contract with the UEW will have to be woefully scaled down or Santa will also outsource and manufacture toys with cheap labor from countries such as China. "All options are on the table. Ho, ho, ho!!" confessed Kringle.
Kringle closed the press conference with saying, "Ironic. Those child-laborers will be making the very toys I'll be delivering to them at Christmas."
Kringle wished everyone a Happy New Year!
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Lumberjacking
This post is dedicated to Uncle Charlie.
With not much to do over Christmas, Larry, Zach, Max and I went about to cut down a couple of dead red oak trees in my back yard. Rewind about 3 years ago. One of these trees had just died. My uncle Charlie wanted to ensure that it was cut down. He came up for a visit and while here, wanted to help cut it down. Turns out that the tree sat on a small incline, and if not cut properly, would fall onto my iron rod fence. Long story short, it would be more work than we were prepared to do at the time.
Since then, the red oak about 10 feet from this tree also died. So now I have 2 dead trees back there.
Over Thanksgiving, I was telling my brother in law Larry how I was low on firewood and that I have these 2 dead trees in the back yard. "Let's cut them down at Christmas," was Larry's thought, "because there's not much do to do over most of that time" (actually, we both surmised that).
Today, we cut down not one, but both those trees and split all the wood. We first cut down the tree that died last. Got that cut up and split and then we went after the tree that Uncle Charlie and I were going to tackle 3 years ago. Larry went about making the proper cuts, and then started putting the wedges on the back side of the tree. But a small miscalculation was made. Had this tree fell one way it would hit the fence; another way it will hit a really old and big white oak. However, it fell almost 180 degrees to where we wanted it to. While it did not hit the fence or any other tree, it did require us to haul the wood a little further to the log splitter. Oh well!
I think we got about a full chord of wood in all. Of course the wood will need to dry and age, but we'll be ready for the 2007-08 winter. I'm sure Uncle Charlie was looking after us and would be proud that we got this thing down, though a little bit unplanned.
With not much to do over Christmas, Larry, Zach, Max and I went about to cut down a couple of dead red oak trees in my back yard. Rewind about 3 years ago. One of these trees had just died. My uncle Charlie wanted to ensure that it was cut down. He came up for a visit and while here, wanted to help cut it down. Turns out that the tree sat on a small incline, and if not cut properly, would fall onto my iron rod fence. Long story short, it would be more work than we were prepared to do at the time.
Since then, the red oak about 10 feet from this tree also died. So now I have 2 dead trees back there.
Over Thanksgiving, I was telling my brother in law Larry how I was low on firewood and that I have these 2 dead trees in the back yard. "Let's cut them down at Christmas," was Larry's thought, "because there's not much do to do over most of that time" (actually, we both surmised that).
Today, we cut down not one, but both those trees and split all the wood. We first cut down the tree that died last. Got that cut up and split and then we went after the tree that Uncle Charlie and I were going to tackle 3 years ago. Larry went about making the proper cuts, and then started putting the wedges on the back side of the tree. But a small miscalculation was made. Had this tree fell one way it would hit the fence; another way it will hit a really old and big white oak. However, it fell almost 180 degrees to where we wanted it to. While it did not hit the fence or any other tree, it did require us to haul the wood a little further to the log splitter. Oh well!
I think we got about a full chord of wood in all. Of course the wood will need to dry and age, but we'll be ready for the 2007-08 winter. I'm sure Uncle Charlie was looking after us and would be proud that we got this thing down, though a little bit unplanned.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Christmas Cards
It might be a little late, but our Christmas cards have been sent out!
I've noticed this year that we haven't received as many as we have in the past. In addition, we almost didn't send any this year because it just seems like we were busier than usual. So while we did manage to get them out, we did send about a third fewer cards this year. No offense intended if you did not get a card, but we reserved them for mainly people we only see or talk to a couple times a year.
Some of the cards we receive contain the "Christmas letter." These letters usually chronicle the sender's past year. I've heard some people say that they only showcase how great these other people's lives are. I beg to differ as appearent from a Christmast letter I received yesterday from Joe & Gina Orendorf. Anyone who knows Joe knows he's somewhat accident prone and has come to terms with it. According to their letter:
I hope that Joe has coverage by AFLAC.
In light contrast to this brief letter we received, we await the "Christmas manifesto" that we receive from Jeff Pulfer. Last year we received a multi-page debriefing of Jeff's year past. Way to much info, but reading about the hot, Russian girlfriend was entertaining.
Merry Christmas, Happy Festivous or whatever holiday you and your family celebrate.
I've noticed this year that we haven't received as many as we have in the past. In addition, we almost didn't send any this year because it just seems like we were busier than usual. So while we did manage to get them out, we did send about a third fewer cards this year. No offense intended if you did not get a card, but we reserved them for mainly people we only see or talk to a couple times a year.
Some of the cards we receive contain the "Christmas letter." These letters usually chronicle the sender's past year. I've heard some people say that they only showcase how great these other people's lives are. I beg to differ as appearent from a Christmast letter I received yesterday from Joe & Gina Orendorf. Anyone who knows Joe knows he's somewhat accident prone and has come to terms with it. According to their letter:
...and Joe's never ending injuries from various sporting mishaps.
There has not been one week this year that Joe has played hockey and not been injured. He then gets back on the ice, re-injures himself in the same location or elsewhere. He has been known to disable himself while coaching his 6 year old son. He refuses to give up as this is his love. However, I am convinced a hip, knee or elbow replacement is in his immediate future.
I hope that Joe has coverage by AFLAC.
In light contrast to this brief letter we received, we await the "Christmas manifesto" that we receive from Jeff Pulfer. Last year we received a multi-page debriefing of Jeff's year past. Way to much info, but reading about the hot, Russian girlfriend was entertaining.
Merry Christmas, Happy Festivous or whatever holiday you and your family celebrate.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Snow Day!
We got more snow in the last 24 hours than what we've had in the last 2 years. According to WEEK TV 25, North Peoria had about 12.5 inches. We normally don't get snow like this... at least not since those winters back in the 70's. And this storm couldn't have hit at a more inconvenient time.
Since we hardly have had any snow in the last 2 years, I haven't used my snowblower during that time. I tried starting is last Spring and it would start, but would not stay running. I planned to have it tuned up this Fall. About a week ago, I called to get an appointment and they said to bring it in whenever I like. It's been in the mid-60s for the last half of November and I figured I had plenty of time. On Wednesday, they were predicting 6-12 inches of snow for Friday. Yeah, I've heard this story way too many times before... and all we end up with is a dusting. I was wrong this time.
Beth's sisters Kerri and Pam were due to come into town this weekend to Christmas shop. So Beth felt it important to get our driveway cleaned. And shovelling was not going to work. We decided to brave the elements and drive into town to get her parents snowblower, not to mention clean their driveway before they give themselves a heart attack.
It took 3 attempts to get up the driveway with the Ford F-150 4x4. We then realized just how hard we were hit. Knoxville Ave in north Peoria was only 1 lane and looked like there hadn't been one snow plow to take care of it. We saw at least 15 cars in the ditch and abandoned. Peoria looked like a ghost town... almost everything was closed. Even McDonald's was closed. We got to Beth's parents and found that the roads in their subdivision was not even plowed yet. It looked like only one truck had already been through.
We cleaned up their driveway, made off with their snowblower and then helped a gentleman dig out his truck on University St. Once home, we cleaned off our driveway with the help of our neighbor Paul, who has a Honda 4 wheeler with a blade.
Gotta love a good snow day!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Oktoberfest in Hermann, MO
Yesterday Beth and I returned from a long weekend in Hermann, MO, along the banks of the Missouri River.
We left Thursday night for St. Louis with our friends Matt & Jane Hoffman. We arrived at the Trainwreck Saloon in Westmont just in time to watch the final few innings of the World Series, where the Cardinals won their 3rd game of the series!!!
On Friday, we headed out on Rt. 94 which runs along the Missouri River. There are several wineries along this route. Though the weather was a bit shitty, we managed to taste test several wines. In the mid-afternoon, we pulled into Hermann, checked into the Harbor Haus Bed & Breakfast and eventually stepped into the Concert Hall saloon (the oldest bar west of the Mississippi) and watched the St. Louis Cardinals win the '06 World Series (after watching a really bad guitarist/singer with several missing teeth).
Saturday we stopped at the Stone Creek Winery for more tasting (where this picture was taken). We then enjoyed 3 bottles of wine along with some fine cheese, crackers and sausage. We next stumbled (figuratively and almost literally) into the Hermannhof Winery. I think another 4 bottles were consumed, but my memory becomes really fuzzy from this point on. During this time, Beth and Jane provided some drunken life lessons to some chicks that were sitting next to us. I don't know how much of that valuable information was received. But they were very fun to hang out with and they appreciated the effort. There was also a series of "drunk dialing" going on.
Hermann, MO has an Oktoberfest each weekend in October. The biggest turnout is somewhere around the first couple of weekends. But the last weekend turned out to be a good time none the less.
We left Thursday night for St. Louis with our friends Matt & Jane Hoffman. We arrived at the Trainwreck Saloon in Westmont just in time to watch the final few innings of the World Series, where the Cardinals won their 3rd game of the series!!!
On Friday, we headed out on Rt. 94 which runs along the Missouri River. There are several wineries along this route. Though the weather was a bit shitty, we managed to taste test several wines. In the mid-afternoon, we pulled into Hermann, checked into the Harbor Haus Bed & Breakfast and eventually stepped into the Concert Hall saloon (the oldest bar west of the Mississippi) and watched the St. Louis Cardinals win the '06 World Series (after watching a really bad guitarist/singer with several missing teeth).
Saturday we stopped at the Stone Creek Winery for more tasting (where this picture was taken). We then enjoyed 3 bottles of wine along with some fine cheese, crackers and sausage. We next stumbled (figuratively and almost literally) into the Hermannhof Winery. I think another 4 bottles were consumed, but my memory becomes really fuzzy from this point on. During this time, Beth and Jane provided some drunken life lessons to some chicks that were sitting next to us. I don't know how much of that valuable information was received. But they were very fun to hang out with and they appreciated the effort. There was also a series of "drunk dialing" going on.
Hermann, MO has an Oktoberfest each weekend in October. The biggest turnout is somewhere around the first couple of weekends. But the last weekend turned out to be a good time none the less.
Friday, October 13, 2006
End Of An Era
Earlier this past week, we officially put Aunt Jeanie & Uncle Gene's house on the market. You can view the listing here.
They were my great aunt and uncle, but were sort of my grandparents. The best way to describe them is to compare them to Edith & Archie Bunker on "All in the Family"... only Uncle Gene could be many times grouchier; and voted Democrat.
They moved into the house on the south end that we are now selling in the mid-1950's. It has a mini-apartment to the side and 2nd floor of the house. We actually lived there when I was a baby. There's been a lot of Sunday dinners and Thanksgivings over those 50 years. Aunt Jeanie made many pies and Uncle Gene did plenty of cussin' over those same years as well.
Aunt Jeanie passed away last November after staying for about a year and a half at Lutheran Home. Before that she was at an assisted living facility. Uncle Gene stayed at the house but moved into a nursing home shortly before Aunt Jeanie died as he was having knee replacement surgury. Uncle Gene passed away last April; just months after Aunt Jeanie passed. They were both 91 years old.
They were my great aunt and uncle, but were sort of my grandparents. The best way to describe them is to compare them to Edith & Archie Bunker on "All in the Family"... only Uncle Gene could be many times grouchier; and voted Democrat.
They moved into the house on the south end that we are now selling in the mid-1950's. It has a mini-apartment to the side and 2nd floor of the house. We actually lived there when I was a baby. There's been a lot of Sunday dinners and Thanksgivings over those 50 years. Aunt Jeanie made many pies and Uncle Gene did plenty of cussin' over those same years as well.
Aunt Jeanie passed away last November after staying for about a year and a half at Lutheran Home. Before that she was at an assisted living facility. Uncle Gene stayed at the house but moved into a nursing home shortly before Aunt Jeanie died as he was having knee replacement surgury. Uncle Gene passed away last April; just months after Aunt Jeanie passed. They were both 91 years old.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Trixie Dog
In the last month or so, I've had a couple of people inquire to how Trixie was doing. Some of them were uneasy asking, not sure if she was doing well or even around.
I'm happy to report Trixie is doing very well. Last year she did succumb to blindness, but other than slowing down a bit due to age, she is still the same loving, playful, energetic dog.
Trixie is currently 11 years old (she'll turn 12 in December) and has no problems with arthritis or hip-dysplasia, which is prevalent in larger dogs. She is also maintaining a healthy weight in the mid-80s, despite the fact I usually slip her plenty of bacon or sausage on weekend mornings. Not to mention, Granny gives her plenty of Frosty Paws and milk bone treats.
Besides eating, Trixie's favorite things to do is to go for a walk on the Rock Island Trail. You can't even say the word "trail" unless you mean it. Even though she's blind, she can stay on the trail pretty good. She'll start to walk off of it and hit the tall grass, which she then changes course and get back on track... until she walks off on the other side of the trail.
Trixie's other favorite thing to do is to play with her rock. Yes, that's right... a rock. She will take an ordinary rock and bark at it, paw at it, roll on it and nudge it down the gulley so she can chase after it. She will lose it in the gulley, but 90% of the time, she will find that same rock and bring it back.
They say with Labrador retrievers, each day after 10 years is a blessing... we have been blessed.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Beer, Boats & Bands
Here's a few events from my month of August.
Great Taste of the Midwest
August 12 was the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, WI. I made the trek up there to try some tastey brews with Randy Stevens and Jason Kneer. Originally, Beth and I were to go up there with Randy and Jenni. However, Beth's 25th high school reunion was then scheduled for that weekend in which she wanted to attend. Beth told me to go on ahead to Madison, and since Jenni didn't want to be the "token female," it turned into a guy trip.
There's a few hundred beers to try, though I probably only tried about 10-12. After a while, you find a table with good beer and few people waiting in line. We met up with some of our Jaycee friends up there as well. Later that day, we continued the party in downtown Madison, where we found it's next to impossible to hail a cab.
Rock The Boat
I think the third time's the charm with this Peoria Jaycees event. The first couple of years of organizing this event saw mediocre to poor results. But this year, with some good promotion, the event appears to be a success. Basically for a $30 ticket, you get a two hour cruise on the Spirit of Peoria, with all food and drinks free. Music this year was from Rachel's Hippo.
The weekend started Friday, Aug 18 with the Peoria Jaycees Homecoming, which is where we invite back past members, honor and roast our president from the previous year and celebrate our anniversary. Again, they wanted me to fry chicken for dinner. Uncle Charlie I think would be proud. I cut and cleaned all the 10 chickens to be fried that Friday. Then that night, about all I did was stand. Midday Saturday as I started to unload my truck from the night before, I felt some tightness in my back. "Oh no" I said to myself, knowing that we looked forward to going to Rock the Boat that night. Sure enough, my back was going out on me.
I stretched it, iced it, downed some Alieve and sucked it up and went to the boat anyway. Good thing I don't dance.
MDA Benefit in Princeville
Last night, Nootril Drop was the top act (only because we were about the only act) at an MDA Benefit that was held in Princeville. They had blocked off the section of Walnut St. where they served pork sandwiches, beer and soda. Also a ton of raffles and prizes. They also have a converted semi-trailer that configures into a stage where they had us set up. Things went really well and I think we picked up a couple of leads for future gigs.
Great Taste of the Midwest
August 12 was the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, WI. I made the trek up there to try some tastey brews with Randy Stevens and Jason Kneer. Originally, Beth and I were to go up there with Randy and Jenni. However, Beth's 25th high school reunion was then scheduled for that weekend in which she wanted to attend. Beth told me to go on ahead to Madison, and since Jenni didn't want to be the "token female," it turned into a guy trip.
There's a few hundred beers to try, though I probably only tried about 10-12. After a while, you find a table with good beer and few people waiting in line. We met up with some of our Jaycee friends up there as well. Later that day, we continued the party in downtown Madison, where we found it's next to impossible to hail a cab.
Rock The Boat
I think the third time's the charm with this Peoria Jaycees event. The first couple of years of organizing this event saw mediocre to poor results. But this year, with some good promotion, the event appears to be a success. Basically for a $30 ticket, you get a two hour cruise on the Spirit of Peoria, with all food and drinks free. Music this year was from Rachel's Hippo.
The weekend started Friday, Aug 18 with the Peoria Jaycees Homecoming, which is where we invite back past members, honor and roast our president from the previous year and celebrate our anniversary. Again, they wanted me to fry chicken for dinner. Uncle Charlie I think would be proud. I cut and cleaned all the 10 chickens to be fried that Friday. Then that night, about all I did was stand. Midday Saturday as I started to unload my truck from the night before, I felt some tightness in my back. "Oh no" I said to myself, knowing that we looked forward to going to Rock the Boat that night. Sure enough, my back was going out on me.
I stretched it, iced it, downed some Alieve and sucked it up and went to the boat anyway. Good thing I don't dance.
MDA Benefit in Princeville
Last night, Nootril Drop was the top act (only because we were about the only act) at an MDA Benefit that was held in Princeville. They had blocked off the section of Walnut St. where they served pork sandwiches, beer and soda. Also a ton of raffles and prizes. They also have a converted semi-trailer that configures into a stage where they had us set up. Things went really well and I think we picked up a couple of leads for future gigs.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
I Want My MTV
Twenty-five years ago today, Music Television, MTV hit the airwaves. Unlike Al Gore who claims to have invented the Internet, I invented MTV. Unbeknownst to me was that MTV was already on the air and I just didn't know it existed.
But as a teenager in high school, I would see these videos over late night/weekend TV. I then thought how cool it would be to have a channel that would play nothing but music videos like radio stations play songs. Back then I thought that you'd have a play list of 25, maybe 30 songs and you'd be done. "They have to make more videos for it to work well," I thought.
Anyway, the following summer I saw the announcement on a "dead" cable channel that coming soon, Music Television. That was 1982. Now I'm middle aged and MTV is nothing but shit. They don't even play music videos anymore, do they? And if they did, it's nothing good. I guess you can still consider it a "dead" cable channel.
But as a teenager in high school, I would see these videos over late night/weekend TV. I then thought how cool it would be to have a channel that would play nothing but music videos like radio stations play songs. Back then I thought that you'd have a play list of 25, maybe 30 songs and you'd be done. "They have to make more videos for it to work well," I thought.
Anyway, the following summer I saw the announcement on a "dead" cable channel that coming soon, Music Television. That was 1982. Now I'm middle aged and MTV is nothing but shit. They don't even play music videos anymore, do they? And if they did, it's nothing good. I guess you can still consider it a "dead" cable channel.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Brother Can You Spare $10 Trillion
There is a fairly new television/satellite network called G4. It more or less another Spike TV, geared for men and/or the younger crowd. A big part of their programming is Star Trek, in which they have created Star Trek 2.0. It's a totally interactive way of watching Capt. Kirk and crew. It keeps statistics on how many "red shirts" die, how many times Spock says "fascinating" or how many times Dr. "Bones" McCoy says "He's dead, Jim." There also a chat room to discuss while watching. And among this Star Trek 2.0 is the Spock Market.
The Spock Market is really a mock stock market based upon conventions, utilities, equipment and characters in the Star Trek television show. Since the end of April, I've amassed over $10 Trillion Federation Dollars. I'm in the top 1000 players, though I don't know how many are playing. But before you start thinking I'm a complete nerd, the top people have over $260 Trillion FDR.
You have to watch the show and look for plot twists and story lines to determine what will make money and what won't. With my knowledge of the show, over 30 years of viewership, I thought this would be a cinch. Not so. However, I've still managed to do well for doing this on and off.
Sadly, I'm about to lose almost all of it. By next week, G4 will be finished running all 79 episodes and will start again with episode #1, and reset all Spock Market participants with only $15,000 FDR. A Spock Market crash if you will!! Tough times are ahead. Maybe I should take Shatner's advice and "get a life."
Play the Spock Market at 10pm CDT on G4 (channel 354 on DirecTV / www.g4tv.com). See you in the pits.
The Spock Market is really a mock stock market based upon conventions, utilities, equipment and characters in the Star Trek television show. Since the end of April, I've amassed over $10 Trillion Federation Dollars. I'm in the top 1000 players, though I don't know how many are playing. But before you start thinking I'm a complete nerd, the top people have over $260 Trillion FDR.
You have to watch the show and look for plot twists and story lines to determine what will make money and what won't. With my knowledge of the show, over 30 years of viewership, I thought this would be a cinch. Not so. However, I've still managed to do well for doing this on and off.
Sadly, I'm about to lose almost all of it. By next week, G4 will be finished running all 79 episodes and will start again with episode #1, and reset all Spock Market participants with only $15,000 FDR. A Spock Market crash if you will!! Tough times are ahead. Maybe I should take Shatner's advice and "get a life."
Play the Spock Market at 10pm CDT on G4 (channel 354 on DirecTV / www.g4tv.com). See you in the pits.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Another Saturday, Another Party
Last week Saturday, we had my cousin Alan and his family come up from Missouri for a visit. Not only did we take Alan for a very hot and humid walk in the woods on some ground Dennis is looking at purchasing, but we took everyone to the HOI Fair. The kids loved it once we left the demolition derby and headed for some rides.
And today it's two different festivities.
The first is a 50th Anniversary Party for Ken & Jan Tompkins. We used to be neighbors way back in the 70's, but still keep in touch. Ken was kind of our "Kramer" from Seinfeld; he'd come over on weekend mornings in his bathrobe and cup of coffee. We didn't mind... actually we enjoyed it.
And while I'm in my old stompin' grounds, my friends Brad and Mary are having a party right around the corner. Though Brad's party doesn't start until 7pm, I told him I could stop by around 5pm and help him tap the keg. I might have to taste test the product as well to ensure it's fresh and safe for consumption.
And today it's two different festivities.
The first is a 50th Anniversary Party for Ken & Jan Tompkins. We used to be neighbors way back in the 70's, but still keep in touch. Ken was kind of our "Kramer" from Seinfeld; he'd come over on weekend mornings in his bathrobe and cup of coffee. We didn't mind... actually we enjoyed it.
And while I'm in my old stompin' grounds, my friends Brad and Mary are having a party right around the corner. Though Brad's party doesn't start until 7pm, I told him I could stop by around 5pm and help him tap the keg. I might have to taste test the product as well to ensure it's fresh and safe for consumption.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Convoy
Many of you knew I was a big fan of the William Shatner Priceline.com commercials from 1999-2000 where he "sang" various songs. I had previously searched the Internet looking for any of these videos and came up empty... until yesterday. By dumb luck, I noticed the new ad by Priceline was to be featured on the Internet before TV. I went to check it out and low and behold... Convoy!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Live... In Concert
Nootril Drop had a gig last Saturday (7/1/06) out in Mapleton, IL (that's me on the far left in the photo, then moving right, Rusty, Ted and Dave; Darin can't be seen behind all those drums). This was a fun, but interesting event.
For starters, the place we played at was formerly Shooters, a strip club. Yes, we played on a stage that was once used by naked female dancers. The event was a private party of sorts for a group known as New Attitudes. This is a clean and sober, Christian biker/Harley Davidson club (a club, not a gang). So, for the entire show, we were sober. Not one beer was had by any of us. As if performing on a stage once used by strippers was a first for us, the no drinking while playing was as well.
We didn't know how the not drinking would work out for us. Speaking for myself, I like to have a few Heinekens, not only to relax, have fun and enjoy myself, but it kind of helps the nerves and vocal cords as well. But we managed... and managed very well. We all came out of the event believing it was the best show we've put on yet! We get better and better.
As for the New Attitudes, a group of very friendly people. No more than we arrived, they were very courteous, helping unload our equipment and offering plenty of food and n/a drinks. I think they had bought the old Shooters building and then made it their clubhouse. It's a good size facility, but the downside is they are across the highway from a chemical plant. The smell is atrocious at times.
Anyway, everyone seemed to enjoy the show and Nootril Drop hopes to make a repeat appearance sometime.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Black Widow Spider
Last Friday, while trimming the grass around the fence, I discovered what looks to be a black widow spider. At first, I just thought it to be another large size spider. I see many of them living out here in the woods. But what caught my eye was the very bright, sharp, red hourglass figure emanating from the shiny, jet black, skin of this arachnid.
My hair stood on end and goose bumps were all over me. No, these things shouldn't be from around here is what I had always believed. I turned off the weed eater and took a closer look. Sure enough, this thing looks a lot like a black widow.
I ran inside and grabbed my digital camera to get a picture. No one's gonna believe me. By the time I got back, it/she was long gone. I checked back from time to time and could never find it.
Yesterday, I'm cutting the grass again. Same situation. This time a find a small wolf spider in the web that was there. That wasn't what I saw last week. But on the other side of the fence pole, there it was again.
It climbed up into the railing of the gate and that's where it's been hiding all along. I got down on the ground to try to look up. I couldn't see much, but could plainly see the large egg sack this black widow has been protecting. Great, we're gonna have more of these things?!
I knew I have to take this thing out. But I'd like to capture it to verify it is a black widow. What to do... hmmmm... so I tried using the hose. If I spray this thing with a bunch of water, it will bog it down so I can catch it. Great idea! Nope. It ran up further into the railing.
Later that day I tell Beth about it. She's feeling sorry for the spider. I said "Hey, this thing is poisonous. I don't want Trixie or the Muffin dog sniffing around there." She was forced to agree with me.
This morning I found it again. I looks to have formed some webs way up in the railing. My options at the moment is to try to take the top cap off the fence gate and shoot water or something downward, or I could try shooting a couple of bottle rockets in there and blast the damn thing out. I feel like I'm Bill Murrey in Caddyshack trying to get the gophers. Arachnid poontang!!
Last night I kept thinking something was crawling on me. This spider is FREAKING me out!!
Update: 7/1/06 - The spider is dead! I went outside with Trixie this morning so she could play with her rock (yes, but a whole other story). From a distance, I could see the Black Widow had come out of it's protective fence railing. I sprinted into the garage to get the Ortho Home Defense spray I had purchased the other day. I used this yesterday spraying all around the area.
I stood back a ways so not to scare it and started shooting. It didn't move. It was already dead, caught up in it's own web.
My First Post
I'm now entering the blogging world!! Great to be here!! And welcome to RLO News.
I want to use this blog to work along side my RLO World website. This way, many of you may make comments to whatever news I offer. I already expect that many of you will make silly comments. Of course the subject matter will none the less be silly, so you can only comment on what the content is I guess.
See you around!
rlojr
I want to use this blog to work along side my RLO World website. This way, many of you may make comments to whatever news I offer. I already expect that many of you will make silly comments. Of course the subject matter will none the less be silly, so you can only comment on what the content is I guess.
See you around!
rlojr
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