Nostalgia: 2014: The Legend of Theodore Robinson

 Many years ago, Chris Eager, the then president of UBT bank, and activist in the move to create the Evansville Senior Center, came to a meeting of the Evansville School Board, to introduce the concept of the Evansville Community Center, and why it was expanded to a broader concept to get public support...during the question and answer period, he was asked why the middle school was called the "Theodore Robinson Middle School"--to which he replied, " Theodore Robinson was a student here who left and became a great painter in Europe, studying under some of the great masters...and our goal for our city and school should not be to be able to say that we have created graduates that have lived their whole lives in Evansville, but that we have launched students to form successful lives and families and careers." I who had favored the name "Grove School" was stunned, and recognized instantly that Chris was right....I hope to launch our children to the larger world, and even ouselves, and to be able to say to strangers, "I am from Evansville, Wisconsin."

Nostalgia: Memories of Phil Laut, author of "Money is my Friend"

 Years ago, back in 1981 or so, Phil Laut came to Minneapolis and held an informal seminar with publishers and friends to discuss his book, Money is My Friend, and review his rough draft for a new book he was considering...One of the topics he went over that night was the concept of "Courage." Many folks envision "courage" as taking large bold moves. This he explained was the delusion of the young and inexperienced...and when teachers tell their students to be "extremely bold and be very big risk takers"---kids take that advice and proceed to do some really dumb things... The reality as he saw it, was that "courage" happens ONE step at a time....one step moving QUIETLY toward a destination is far more powerful than loud big steps...that one small step is done with the "fire within"... a quiet fire that allows one to proceed, one step at a time, which gathers steam over time... I always remember that seminar. Ya...courage is kind of like sipping a brandy slowly as opposed to yelling loudly for another cheap beer....and yes, out of a fine glass helps..

Nostalgia: Inherited Millionaires discuss how to solve the War on Poverty: 2014: Tales fromNormal, Mn.

 The distinguished "Petunia Society", an association of ladies of distinction in the northern tundra of Normal, Mn. met Wednesday last to discuss how to solve the War on Poverty. A panel of two distinguished wives of local millionaires led a presentation of their best ideas....stay tuned as I follow this story.

Nostalgia: Tales from Normal, Mn 2020: "Your sins might NOT be forgiven"

 Shocking news out of the Our Lady of Perpetual fishermen parish in Normal,Mn. It seems that after the annual comprehensive liturgical audit of the local diocese it was uncovered that at the baptism of Pastor Buddy, the very popular pastor of the local parish, the minister used the words "WE baptise you in the name of".... the deacon thus made a fatal error. The correct wording is "I baptise you"..... Following liturgical logic thus all religious events in the life of Pastor Buddy are null and void. From the purely divine perspective What does this mean for you oh devoted reader? It means that everything you ever confessed to Pastor Buddy over your lifetime must be reconfessed again. With no mistakes. Or you will surely suffer the flames of hell. it may be hard for some of you to remember it all. Sometimes our memory fades on where we have failed. What to do? Simply ask your spouse. Asking your old girlfriends might be impossible. I do not recommend it. Stay tuned as i follow this story.

Nostalgia; 9/20/2014: "After Two Manhattens, General Seeks a Wider War". Tales From Normal, Mn: FICTION

 Just got the tweet....from my bass fishermen friends in Normal, Mn....who went to happy hour last Friday nite at a night club that will remain nameless...anyway...just after happy hour closed, which had been offering highballs on a two for one basis...a local retired General, who had been a legendary paratrooper in his younger years, stood up and announced to the crowd of elders surrounding him...that he was ready for a wider war...and would be seeking support among them....well...everybody cheered...as was usual after a bout of heavy drinking...stay tuned as I follow this story.

Nostalgia: December 2008: "The GOOD old Days---the poem

 Whatever happened 

to the GOOD old days.
in 1959
when even the Webster dictionary
didn't include the word "sex"
I know. 
I checked. Maybe it was the 
elementary school version.  

Those were the days. 
The GOOD days
before the liberals
and the radicals ruined the 60's
with all their bra burning. 

Those were the days of bee bop,
Danny and the Juniors, "At the Hop", 
and "Come let's Stroll" were the rage.

Those were the days 
when ignorance was godliness. 
When stupidity was a mission from God.
And 
we were PROUD of it.  

Maybe
If
We pray real hard
in 2008
that
stupidity
and godliness
will
return
Whoops
It
Has

Nostalgia: December 2007: "Cellphone Love"

 Cellphone Love

(Ed. note. The Observer was surprised to find this little poem tucked into a book he was reading at the local library.)



Cell Phone Love

I love
The Way you love me
Cellphone
Always ready and
There for me

Always opening up
With the flip of the wrist
Always Ready
Unless
Your battery is
Low

I love how you fit on
My ear
Always ready
to hear my Every
Little
Word

I love how you
take my picture
constantly
even when noone
else cares

I love you
Cellphone
You are
all
mine
on a monthly basis
subject to disconnect

Nostalgia: March 30, 2007: The Decider's Prayer

 I

believe
in academic
freedom
as long
as
there's no
time for
questions

I believe
in
diversity
as long as
there's no
time for
differences

I believe in
sharing
feelings
as long as
there's
no time for
change

I believe
in
globalization
as long as
there is
no interference
in corporate
takeover

I believe in
authority and
responsibility
as long as
there's no
micro
management of
my
performance

I believe in
war for
eternal
freedom
as long as
it
continues
forever....or
at least
till I
leave office