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."
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
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.
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
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.
Monday, April 13, 2026
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
believein 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
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Nostalgia: 2025: The China Bromance is Dead
Back in 1972 the China Bromance began after Nixon visited China with Henry Kissinger. As the love story developed, I always thought we would buy their bargain priced goods and we would sell them our higher level technology, and along the way show them how democracy worked and the magic of human rights.
It's been 50 years. No deal. Seems we learned more about their authoritarian ways than they learned from us.
Being positive: We can go back to Rotary phones. There was a time we were adults and could use a map when we traveled. We could survive without our phone tracking our every step. We could speak without our TV or phone recording us secretly.
When we fish-- we can go back before electronic fish finders and go to our favorite spots on the lake. We can just pop the small trolling motor onto the boat and fish in the early morning with the family. No big pontoon with the luxury fish storage bin in the back. Yes the good old days.
And other good news: When couples go out to dinner, they won't be spending all their time staring at their phones and will actually talk to each other. It could be wonderful. A real reversal of attention deficit disorder.
And drivers will actually drive their cars rather than stare at their phones. Biking will be a lot safer. Yippie.
Friday, January 16, 2026
Nostalgia: 2008: Jesse Ventura Corner: Publishers Rush to remove lies from books
Just got the tweet from the bass fishermen at Betty Lou's---wild celebrations this morning with free coffee for all as they celebrated the legal victory of Jesse "the body" Ventura in his lawsuit for defamation....and in a postscript, the publisher of the book, HarperCollins is removing the chapter of the book in question...and all over New York this morning, and yes in Wisconsin too, publishers, who are people, cause corporations are people under the Constitution now---publishers are rushing to review their books to see whether they can paste over the lies, or maybe just remove the books from publication...and in related news, the Normal Minnesota Library announced today that they have removed 500 books from circulation...and they were non-fiction...they kept all the light romance novels...which are the most popular requests in the frozen tundra...and all over America online book publishers are wondering where to begin....their first thought is to just publish fiction....stay tuned as I follow this story.
Thursday, January 15, 2026
Book Review: The Art of War: Key points to remember and Quiz
- Win Without Fighting: The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy's resistance without a battle, using superior strategy, diplomacy, and positioning.
- Know Yourself and Your Enemy: To ensure victory, you must have a deep understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of your opponent. If you know neither, you will succumb in every battle.
- All Warfare is Based on Deception: Achieve strategic advantage by misleading the enemy. Appear weak when you are strong, strong when you are weak, far when near, and near when far.
- Preparation and Planning are Paramount: Victory is determined before the battle is fought through meticulous calculation and planning. A victorious general makes many calculations in their temple before a battle, while a defeated general makes few.
- Avoid Strength, Strike Weakness: Military tactics are like water: water avoids high places and rushes to low ground. In war, avoid the enemy's strengths and strong points and attack where they are unprepared and weak.
- Adaptability and Flexibility are Key: There are no constant conditions in warfare. A skilled commander adapts tactics to changing circumstances, just as water shapes its course according to the ground over which it flows.
- Speed is the Essence of War: Protracted warfare drains an army's strength, morale, and a state's resources. Campaigns should be swift and decisive to achieve victory at minimum cost.
- Leadership Matters: A good commander embodies virtues like wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage, and strictness. A disciplined and unified army, where all ranks share the same spirit, is essential for success.
- Utilize Intelligence and Espionage: Information is a vital asset. The use of spies (local, inward, converted, doomed, and surviving) is crucial for gathering intelligence and keeping the enemy in the dark about your own intentions.
- Choose Your Battles Wisely: Focus your energy and resources on battles that offer an advantage and a high probability of success. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.
- According to Sun Tzu, what represents "supreme excellence" in the art of war?
A) Winning every battle
B) Achieving victory without fighting
C) Successfully besieging a city
D) Direct combat - What is essential for ensuring victory in every engagement?
A) A larger army
B) Understanding yourself and your enemy
C) Government support
D) Surprise attacks - Sun Tzu states that all warfare is based on _________.
A) Power
B) Bravery
C) Deception
D) Swiftness - If the enemy is stronger, what tactic does Sun Tzu suggest?
A) Immediate assault
B) Provocation
C) Evasion or retreat
D) Siege tactics - What natural element does Sun Tzu use to illustrate the adaptability of military strategy?
A) Fire
B) Wind
C) Rock
D) Water - According to Sun Tzu, what undertaking is detrimental to a state?
A) Diplomacy
B) Prolonged conflict
C) Using spies
D) Training troops - Which quality is NOT listed as a potential flaw in a general?
A) Recklessness
B) Cowardice
C) Wisdom
D) Impatience - What is the function of "doomed spies"?
A) To collect enemy intelligence
B) To persuade enemy personnel
C) To be sacrificed to mislead the enemy
D) To gather local information - When does a victorious general make numerous calculations?
A) During combat
B) Before engaging in battle
C) After the enemy's initial move
D) Based on troop morale - The concentrated "energy" of troops can be compared to what?
A) A bent crossbow
B) A swift river
C) A sudden storm
D) An unassailable position
- B) Achieving victory without fighting
- B) Understanding yourself and your enemy
- C) Deception
- C) Evasion or retreat
- D) Water
- B) Prolonged conflict
- C) Wisdom (Wisdom is considered a virtue)
- C) To be sacrificed to mislead the enemy
- B) Before engaging in battle
- A) A bent crossbow
