Takin' the Blog for a Walk

My last remaining uncle has died.

His life in pictures.

Les Paul flips me off. Really flips  me  off! Have to forgive him though; I think at 93 he's entitled to be a little crotchety. After all, we deserved it. We were clapping too much and giving him standing ovations. I really don't think anyone took offense at his one-finger salute - anyone who knows Les understands his brand of humor. Besides, with badly arthritic hands, it hardly even qualified as a "bird".    

I could make this story short and just say, "heard some old guy play guitar and tell stories at the Pabst Theater last night", and direct you to read the concert review at jsonline. But that wouldn't be any fun.

I was thrilled when I heard Les Paul would be performing at the Pabst Theater for one sixth the price of last year's fundraising concert and dinner. As luck would have it, there were two tickets left in the cheap seats when I called. I ended up buying a ticket in the next price level anyway because it included a pass to the Les Paul exhibit at Discovery World. I wondered who I'd be sitting next to. 

I was directed to my seat in the 2nd floor balcony next to a man and his young son before the theater was half full. Bob's son Hayden has been taking classical guitar lessons for seven years. We speculated who the "friends" were mentioned in the billing; "an evening with Les Paul & Friends, His 93rd Birthday Celebration... in Music." Maybe it would be one of the many rock stars Les knows? But I doubted it. Would have been cool to see him play with Eric Clapton though.

As soon as friendshipships were sealed with Bob and Hayden they were redirected to the next section over when the seats' rightful occupants arrived. It's odd, because an usher had sat them there in the first place. Had a few things in common with the next couple. Paul and his wife were also from Waukesha. (What a great way to meet people; just sit there and let them come to me.) They recognized me from somewhere, probably WaukeshaNOW. He's retired from the Journal Sentinel so we talked about that and other things. We were enjoying our visit before the concert's start when I glanced at my ticket before putting it in my pocket. Now I don't know where "2 FLR-RGT CTR D" is, and I'm not sure the usher knew either, because I think I was seated by the same usher as Bob and Hayden and was in the wrong row!

Sitting next to the third couple in fifteen minutes, I'm wondering if I'll eventually meet everyone in the theater one musical chair at a time.

.

****pause for blog intermission... to be continued...

The theater was packed - even the $500.00 seats appeared to be sold out. The Pabst is absolutely beautiful and, even though it's older than Les, he'd never played there before Saturday. The stage had a relaxed and comfortable feel to it. Several people sat at pub tables and chairs around the perimeter giving the setting a jazz club atmosphere. The tuxedoed gentlemen falling off his stool just added to the realism of the bar scene.

Les played many decent tunes accompanied by three other men, but he could have played tiddlywinks and we would have applauded. The three hour program was kept interesting with new introductions every few songs, and with stories about him and by him. One of the first introductions was quite auspicious because he represented the future to Les' past. An eight year old boy played guitar beautifully with Les and even sang a blues tune. By our tickets, we were all contributing to the new "House of Sound" educational exhibit, and by this young man we knew we were doing the right thing. It didn't take much imagination to think of this boy as young Les as he played beside the 93 year old. Les was eight when he began playing an instrument.

It's harder to imagine what Waukesha was like 93 years ago when Les was born. It had been 80 years since the area was first settled, and 20 years after Waukesha became an incorporated city. He was born around the same time the health resorts were dying in a little house that used to be where the downtown Walgreens is now. He entertained at Waukesha Beach on Pewaukee Lake and his first concert was at Marquette University. 

Several other friends performed with Les, mostly those he plays with Monday nights at the Iridium in New York. Besides the eight year old guitarist, a singer, a violinist, harmonica player and tap dancer all performed to much applause. Bob Reitman was the logical choice of MC as both gentlemen are legends.

After meeting Les last year and watching his biography I thought I knew him pretty well. I was pleasantly surprised last night that there is much, much more Les.

Happy birthday Les, and many more!

I guess I'm OK when it comes to predicting the future, but are we going to be the last ones to get the Economic Stimulus Payment? I predicted we'd see our cash at least a month ago. We filed taxes early and electronically. We've had so much time to think about how we're going to spend the money that we'll have to borrow to do half of it. (It's what the government is doing for the money anyway.)

As a matter of fact, I think we already spent the money and will just use the payment to pay on debt. Kind of sounds familiar; borrow to pay a debt.

The weather cleared in time for an enjoyable Father's Day though rain dampened Flag Day and graduation day celebrations Saturday. Congratulations to all grads and dads!

It's this blogs second blogiversary and I just want to say thanks. It's really been a pleasure. I am more active in the community now than ever before. One of the side benefits of writing is needing something to write about. I've volunteered, attended plays, concerts, festivals, services... enjoyed it all and enjoyed talking about it too.

I've posted 50% more blogs in this last year than I did in the first. The most popular post, Matzah and Messiah, was 2-1/2 times more popular than the next highest viewed blog. Not sure why.

Last year I mentioned my favorite post was my letter to Dad. My favorite post this year is This Is My Prayer.

I've met a lot of really interesting, fun and hard-working people in the last two years, more than I can count, but the one I'd like to recognize tonight is Les Paul. He's a genuine person full of humor and talent who is a real pleasure to write about. I'm looking forward to seeing him again next weekend.

Thanks for your interest, and keep reading and commenting.

I usually get the blame for things that go wrong around here. If something should leak or break ten years after I repair it, it's got to be my fault. Car not running right? Yep, it's me. Not enough snacks / bread / milk / money... you guessed it.

I don't always agree that I'm responsible indefinitely for something I may have fixed years ago, but with the sewer flooding our basement this morning for the fifth time in a week, I will accept most of the blame... this time.

I'm upset that tens if not hundreds of thousands of tax dollars were spent a year and a half ago replacing sewer pipe on my street. (We were informed it would fix the flooding problem)  And I'm upset that I didn't just plug up the floor drain before last night's rain. Last week plugging it worked OK, though water poured in through a different orifice anyway. I thought checking the basement throughout the night would be enough. I finally got some rest after the heavy rain let up. Unfortunately for us, the backup didn't happen until after the rain stopped. This morning I found the largest puddle yet; about a quarter of the basement, but still not as bad as many others in the area.

I'm mad at myself for not remembering other times when the backup started after the rain stopped. We could've prevented so much just by plugging the drain once we heard how bad the weather was going to be.

The entire city of Waukesha is under water! The normally high and dry bronze map of the city on the walk near the State Office Building is under about 6" of floodwater.

I had a wild ride yesterday as I tested the Schwinn for sea-worthiness. Many downtown streets were, and still are, closed and the bike was the best way for me to get around. Was able to keep it upright through a foot of water on Corrina, (what an experience!). Certainly great to see all the people downtown. Large crowds were seen along the river as well as at Allo! Chocolat and Divino Gelato. The flooding was something most of us have not seen before and it brought people together with a common curiosity. Waukesha seems rather pedestrian-friendly right now. There's a Norman Rockwell feeling of what it must have been like before autos took control of the city.

One can often see great sunsets after storms have passed through. The lingering clouds are a great palette for the setting sun's reflection of violets, purples and reds. It hasn't been easy to find a decent sunset lately because one rainy day has followed another. Finally saw a good one yesterday though!  

.

Even though the weekend started happy it ended rather crappy. After pedalling over to WCTC to see Lance Armstrong and the start of the Trek 100 on Saturday morning, I drove to Eagle for a 5 mile hike on the Ice Age Trail. The hike was through the Scuppernong Prairie and we encountered dozens of runners taking part in the 13th Annual Kettle Moraine 100 endurance run. Some runners were doing either 100k or 100 miles. They started at 6:00 in the morning and would finish the next day.

The hike was nice for me because I did see and learn a lot about glaciers and such but the weather was a little warm and humid for the runners. Since I was so close to one of my favorite places, I stopped by Paradise Springs just outside Eagle after the hike for a cool refreshing sip.

Then the weather started. It rained. The sirens went off. Relatives living in a mobile home took shelter in our basement. And it happened... the basement flooded. Four times between Saturday night and Sunday night sewage came up. We were fortunate in that we caught it in time and fortunate it happened on a weekend. Because it's happened to us before, we were  more prepared. We were more fortunate than some of our neighbors whose whole basement's were under water. And much more fortunate than the poor souls who ran right through the the night in storms and mud during the Kettle 100.

Hours were spent either cleaning up or controlling the backup. Last weekend was Wisconsin free fishing weekend. I wonder if we can get a rain check on that?

Deer are generally pretty cool to observe in nature as long as they're not damaging crops... or windshields. Today's AP article appearing in the Journal Sentinel mentions June as being the first or second-worst month for deer crashes in the last four or five years. There were almost 18,000 deer / vehicle crashes reported last year in the state - 655 in Waukesha County.

One of the reasons deer crashes are so numerous in June is the yearlings are starting to wander away from their mothers. Didn't the mothers teach them to stop and look both ways when crossing streets before sending them out on their own?

I had to wonder who taught or didn't teach the young dear I saw crossing Moreland at Michigan against the light over the weekend. I wondered, if the 12 or 13 year old was allowed to ride his bike away from home, why wasn't he first taught the safest way to cross a street?

A short while later I saw another young dear on a bike by the Mobil station on Summit, not far from Moreland and Michigan. He was wearing the same kind of shirt as the first kid and I wondered if it could be him. When he crossed in front of my moving car, barely looking, I knew it must be the same one. 

Like many deer, this dear on a bike was now travelling with another. The second was even more careless and within about 15 feet of being run over. Like deer in the headlights, he froze when he realized how close I was. Not the safest.

Now that summer is starting and school is ending I urge everyone to not only watch out for deer but also for dear. It also  would be nice if parents taught their dears the correct way to cross busy intersections before they wander away from their mothers. 

****** 6/8 addition ******

Saw a young deer by Grandview Park early this morning. Lost sight of it as it headed up Easy Street. I see deer in the city on rare occasion, but have you ever seen a road-kill deer in the City of Waukesha? There was one about four or five years ago, an adult, just a block from the hospital's emergency department.

A Positively Patriotic Parade was yesterday at the VA Medical Center during their annual Reclaiming Our Heritage weekend. It was a chance to see hundreds of reenactors and veterans pre-Revolutionary to present, dignitaries, animals, lots of motorcycles and old vehicles. Close to an hour long, this parade offered the perfect oportunity to thank a vet.

Though I have doubts about the Dancing Granny's, I suspect most participants were veterans. Many spectators realized this and brought signs saying "thank you" and "God bless you". They obviously put a lot of thought into the signs and some even dressed up a bit for the occasion. I've always seen people applaud or salute at the sight of veterans in other parades, but really liked the sign idea and may use it at some point myself.

..

.

The first interested person to contact me in the comment section of this post can have this bike for free. It's a dark blue 12- speed Firenze in almost-new condition with no mechanical problems. I've only owned it three days.

The blog took me for a walk Saturday and insisted we bring this one home even after I told him we already had too many. Like several of my bikes, this one was picked up at the curb after being set out for trash.

I've often wondered why someone would toss a perfectly good bike. Either they're moving, the bike needs more repair than they care to give it, or they just grew out of it. Maybe the kids moved out of the house? Many of the bikes I find, including this one, needed just minor repair. I do understand tossing out good stuff. Often it's done with knowledge that someone like me will recycle it before the trash haulers get to it. But now? With gas prices past $4.00 a gallon?

Check out Waukesha County Freecycle if you have items you don't need but don't want to throw away. 

If you'd like this bike, be sure to add an email address in the "your URL" area of the comment section so I can contact you 

************5/29 addendum**********

Two days and no takers? Everybody OK with gas prices? It's a decent bike. We just don't have room for it. Is it because it's a men's bike? OK, the first person to contact me can take their pick; I also have a nice women's Schwinn 10 speed with full fenders that's also taking up too much space. Hey, what can I say? I'm a collector. We have a dozen rideable bikes here. Need to make room for more!  

I wonder if the writers at the Journal Sentinel tried to make one of today's headlines sound funny: SHEEP SHEARERS IN SHORT SUPPLY. Strength-sapping, specialized, seasonal skill seeks students by the seashore. Well, OK, I did add "by the seashore" and changed one other word, but try swiftly saying it seven times.

We've all heard it before. Excuses made for serious crimes or accidents. Like having alcohol or drugs in the system somehow explains their actions and lessens the responsibility for them. How about the people causing crashes who blame inattentive driving on adjusting the radio, dropping a cigarette, yakking on the phone or your distraction here? 

One memorable distraction of my own was 16 years ago when I left work early because I felt nauseous. I ended up throwing up while driving I-94 at 65 mph. Like many distractions, this one came without warning or enough time to pull over. Unlike the latest distraction of the trucker who slammed into the school bus, I was able to stay in my lane and never lost sight of what was in front of me.

It's said the truck driver was drinking from or choking on a soda. Doing around 50 mph he slammed into the bus, stopped and with flashing lights. 16 un-seatbelted kids all survived the horrific crash. Miraculously. Thank God for all the mandated safety features of school buses. Because there was fire, things could have gone the other way. No amount of safety features could have protected the kids from a gas-fueled fire.

If you were driving a 50,000 pound bomb 50 mph down a road where school buses are common at 3:30, would you allow yourself to become so distracted that you don't see flashing red lights of a school bus or even slow down? There must be more to this story and it'll be interesting to see what, if anything, the driver is charged with.

There's too many similarities of this accident with the Bukosky accident: all the victims on the way home from school on a Friday, all hit from behind by a larger vehicle doing around 50. Didn't appear any attempt was made to slow down or stop.

The difference in the accidents is all in Jennifer Bukosky's car were wearing seatbelts, and three didn't survive. None of the kids on the bus wore seatbelts, and all survived. It's a testament that safety features on buses really do save lives.

On another matter: a couple days ago we learned a Milwaukee man blew a 0.03 when he showed up at the Waukesha County Courthouse for his seventh OWI. He had been out on bail and was told not to drink as one of his conditions. Are any brain cells left? This guy wasn't thinking.  

********6/3 update: trucker gets wrist slap***********

Truck driver ticketed in school bus crash

A truck driver who slammed into the back of a Wheatland Center School bus May 23 won't face criminal charges, but he has been cited for the crash that injured 16, authorities said.

Mark Irek, 51, of Elkhorn told investigators he began choking after he sipped water, and that he closed his eyes as he coughed.

Irek was ticketed for inattentive driving and for failing to stop for a school bus, sheriff's Lt. Paul Falduto said.

Beyond that, "the investigation determined there was no criminal negligence involved," Falduto said. "The case is closed. The tickets are issued."

Just over a year ago we were given the opportunity to see Les Paul, hear him play, and have a nice dinner...all for a mere $300.00. It was a fund-raiser that sold out but was a little steep for me and everyone else I talked to.

A short while ago we learned that Les will be in town for the June 21st opening of the Les Paul interactive exhibit at Discovery World, "Les Paul House of Sound". Today I'm happy to report he will be playing here again, at age 93, and tickets will be much more affordable - starting at $50.00, but won't include dinner. There is, however, the opportunity to view the Discovery World exhibit included in higher level ticket prices.

This concert is being billed as "An Evening with Les Paul and Friends: His 93rd Birthday Celebration in Music." The ticket price for the concert and admission to the exhibit is $93.00 - one dollar per year of age.

Today's Journal Sentinel reported that tickets will go on sale Friday May 23rd, for the Pabst Theater concert June 21st, but actually go on sale next Friday, the 30th. Call 414-286-3663 or visit www.pabsttheater.org to order.

.

The world''s largest coal-fired steam locomotive was in town (Milw.) today after filming of "Public Enemies" in Chicago. Saw it at Amtrak on my way to work. It weighs nearly a million pounds.

.

.

Saw my other niece today and almost didn't recognize her. Selena just got her hair cut for the first time in her six years, and I'm so proud of her. Six years old and she donated a foot of hair to Locks of Love. It was her choice - Mom and Dad didn't make her do it. She knows a young girl with leukemia and she thought it was the right thing to do.

What a great kid!

This week was Bike to Work Week in Wisconsin and I tried to take advantage of it as much as I could. Now that winter's over I'm no longer walking the last mile and a half to work after disembarking the county bus on Wisconsin Ave. in Milwaukee. The bike allows me more free time before work begins and I used it this week to explore the lakeshore and riverfront, besides interesting neighborhoods. It's a good way to start the day and a fun way to get to know your city.

As in other years, Milwaukee had something planned for every day of Bike to Work Week. Tuesday, before stopping at Sigma Environmental on Canal Street for a little coffee and conversation, I visited the Hank Aaron State Trail's display of really nice student art. Both painted on the walk and attached to the fence, the art with Civil Rights leanings gives the viewer something to think about as the trail winds it's way west next to the Menomonee River.

Wednesday through Friday of this week I made sure to stop at Alterra Foundry coffee house on First Street for some complimentary fresh coffee and very delicious and generous bakery. The cookie I had yesterday was at least 6" diameter and normally sells for over $2.00.

Today we visited the Waukesha Police bike auction and came away empty-handed. I estimate between 150 and 200 people were there at the beginning and the bidding seemed high. It was good to see there is still quite an interest in two wheeled transportation. Could gas prices have anything to do with it?

Ever notice how much the phone sounds like the alarm clock when it rings at 5 a.m.? Me either. But the phone did ring this morning and I was very happy. It meant my newest niece was born into the world today. A little early but healthy. 

congratulations to Mom and Dad, my brother and sister-in-laws. I can't wait to see her.

**** 5/25 update****   came home from hospital today

.

Yesterday was almost perfect; the weather sunny and calm, many things are in bloom, not too hot or cold and no bugs. This is a great time to welcome the birds that were away for so long. There's cute baby bunnies hopping around the yard lately, and there's just a couple huge bees busily polinating around the house.

Once again I was able to avoid yard work so Sir Fido had time to take me for a walk. Of the three rummage sales we encountered, two were closing for the day, and we fortunately didn't come home with any more junk. He loves the walks as much as I do; while he's eagerly checking out every scent like a curious child, I'm enjoying the people I meet and nature I encounter. 

The Waukesha Farmer's Market opened for the season yesterday with live music, give-aways, police and fire departments and lots of delicious food. Because I put so much thought into some hanging baskets attracting more bees, all I left with was a sturdy cloth shopping bag full of fliers, however. The market has come a long way. When I had produce myself to sell 25 or so years ago, we just went down to the river on Saturday and set up a table. There was little advertisement and few customers. Take a look now and you'll see all kinds of food, plants, handmade things... and lots of community support and advertising. Many downtown businesses have taken an interest in the market now because, thanks to the BID and stall charges, word is getting out, there is variety and freshness, and people are coming.

The Pewaukee River Run was finally held yesterday - the water too high in April when it was originally scheduled. It was fun seeing canoes and kayaks full of people wildly paddling toward Frame Park on the Fox. Hopefully no one piled their boat into a river obstruction, of which there are quite a few.

North picked a great day for it's prom. At the grand march we saw hundreds of teens in their finest, my son and his girlfriend among them. The gym was packed with enthusiastic parents, relatives and friends for the introductions and prom court selection. After the march a dozen or more limos were among vehicles used to transport the juniors and seniors to the PAC  Milw. for a night of music, food and fun.

The best part of the day for me was waking up at 4:50 in the morning because that meant HOT AIR BALLOON SEASON HAS STARTED! Two balloons launched from a field next to Boomer's Pub in Pewaukee and headed south-west with me driving one of the chase vehicles. They both landed in the area of Wern Valley Sportsmens Club, a beautiful area with lots of birds and farmland. The couple in our balloon were a pleasure to meet - very friendly and funny - and it was their wedding anniversary. The light wind was so perfect for their flight, taking them over Retzer Nature Center and much wildlife. What a great way to celebrate 22 years of marriage.

Two weeks ago today a terrible accident shook Oconomowoc. The aftershocks are still felt in the Milwaukee Metro area and now, with talk of changing the laws, in all of Wisconsin. How do you forgive a former doctor for recklessly ending the most innocent of lives?

Everything about this tragic crash was wrong. Everything from the speed of the SUV, driven just two days after suspension of driving privileges, to the kind of drugs he was on his way to pick up. How do you forgive someone who was so doped up on drugs that he couldn't even see a car in front of him, yet thought he could still pick up some Viagra?  

Reading the online guestbook, one notices how very many people were touched by the tragedy but had never met Jennifer. The fact is everyone knew her. Everyone has a mother. Had a teacher and a principal. Everyone has known someone expecting a baby. Has birthdays. How do you forgive someone who kills another in what was probably their happiest time of life?

Mrs. Bukosky was doing what mothers all over the world do every day. She was transporting kids home from school. She was looking forward to her 40th birthday the next day. The new baby on the way. Her life with her new husband and family. She was looking forward, as always, to seeing the kids at the school who love her and she them. How to forgive someone who wasn't looking forward?

I feel this accident has affected more people. Personally, other than one involving my own family or friends, I can't imagine a worse accident. The baby Jennifer was carrying was not only loved and wanted but was treated as fully human, as it should be. Her 10 year old daughter? What had she done to not deserve to grow up and have kids of her own?

How do you forgive someone who was trained to save lives but instead took them?

Condolences to fellow WaukeshaNOW blogger Steve Bukosky, Jennifer's father in law. Our prayers are with you now and always.

************************sign the online petition********************************

*****************read related WauwatosaNOW blog*************************

*******************one related NewBerlinNOW blog************************

*******************another related NewBerlinNOW blog*******************

*******************and a third NewBerlinNOW blog***********************

******BaysideNOW******   ***********Fairly Conservative**********

*******MenomoneeFallsNOW********