Oh, my…mommy needs a cigarette break! 

Raising baby is a lonely job…all decked out in this house dress with no place to go.  The house needs to be spotless, dinner needs to be in the oven and on the table at five sharp, I need to look glamorous, and baby needs to behave.  What’s a mommy to do? 

Have another Marlboro…that’s what.

Sound familiar? 

Well, I made that up...but Marlboro evidently marketed to women back in the 50s...before they targeted men.  Just look at those sweet baby faces.  What mom wouldn't want to buy those cigarettes? 


 
Click picture to enlarge and go to webpage






Related reading...revisit:


For A Better Finish In Life

Wikipedia is an online reference tool that has caused some controversy due to the fact that anyone and their brother can add fact…or fiction, to its ever-growing body of information.  For general information on topics that can be cross referenced, Wikipedia can be pretty handy.   Google has unveiled its own online reference tool …a free online encyclopedia called “Knol.”  You can find it at http://knol.google.com



 “Knol” references a unit of knowledge.



If you create a Google login you may submit an article.  “Knol” is just a baby and, so far, only has several hundred articles.

The difference with “Knol?” 

Unlike Wikipedia, you must identify yourself when submitting an article.

Yes, that’s what this is…

I guess a little Friday night revival session couldn’t hurt.

I’m just in that kind of mood I guess.

: )


 







Who are these people?





H/T Monkeys for Helping

But you didn't!

Well, maybe some of you out there were savvy enough and did.

Stocks.

You took the plunge or you didn't. 

Maybe you got a tip or maybe you are one of those people who just knows...

Did you invest in Franklin Rescources, Inc. (BEN)?

Why not?   You "shoulda."

Who: Franklin Resources Inc. is a global investment management organization with offices in 29 countries around the world. They offer investment solutions for individuals, institutions, pensions, trusts, plans, partnerships and more.

Why: Franklin Resources credits its long term success to proven investment strategies. "The key guiding principle to our investment philosophy is - maximize the risk- adjusted returns for our investors in the respective asset classes, and create wealth for them over the long-term." - Franklin Resources Inc.

How Much: An initial investment of $100 dollars in 1984 would have resulted in a return of roughly $64,000 if sold at its peak in 2007.

~~~~~~~~~~~~


From Quicken...Pennies to Millions...10 Stocks You Wish You had Bought.

HERE

Last week I asked whether any readers might be interested in the opportunity to write on my blog about an experience they may have had with a past summer vacation.  I said that I would run the posts the first week of August and that one reader would be able to do a guest blog of their choice on my blog after that.

I have to tell you that I am amazed at the response I received.  This was a good opportunity for someone out there to take a stab at doing a blog to see if they might have an interest.  Doing these blogs may look easy, but I have to tell you, it really is quite a commitment. 

I just want to let you know how many story blogs you can look forward to that first week of August.  None…zero..zip.  No takers.  Not one person was interested.  Needless to say, I was really surprised.  Take note Mark Maley…nobody wants to blog.  What you see is what you get.  Hey, maybe we bloggers should be put on the payroll?  Just asking….

Well, I made the guest blog offer.  I guess you're just stuck with me.

: )

Sam Calagione (Founder/President of Dogfish Head), and next to him
is Rob Tod (Founder of Allagash Brewing).




I found my summer beer of choice for this year thanks to my son and daughter-in-law, who were visiting from Colorado over July 4^th.

They make their own beer, but went out to pick up a few different types while they were visiting.  One that they brought home was just right for a hot summer day. 

If you’ve ever eaten a ripe peach but ate the fruit around the “pit” you may have noticed it is more of a sweet/sour flavor.  Dogfish Head makes Festina Peche, and it reminded me of that fruit around the peach pit.


Festina Peche

Availability: Summer
Release Date: June 1st each year

A refreshing neo-BerlinerWeisse fermented with honest-to-goodness peaches to (get this!) 4.5% abv!
Because extreme beers don't have to be extremely boozy! Available in 4-pack and draft during the sweaty months.Sadly, there are only two breweries left in Berlin still brewing the BerlinerWeisse style which is characterized by its intense tartness. There were once over 70 breweries in Berlin alone making this beer! In addition to fermentation with an ale yeast, Berliner Weisse is traditionally fermented with lactic cultures to produce its acidic or green apple-like character. It is delicately hopped with a pale straw color and served as an aperitif or summertime quencher. To soften the intense sourness, Berliner Weisse is traditionally served with a dash of essence of woodruff or raspberry syrup.

In our Festinal Peche since the natural peach sugars are eaten by the yeast, the fruit complexity is woven into both the aroma and the taste of the beer so there is no need to doctor it with woodruff or raspberry syrup - open and enjoy!






~~~~~~~~~

It's got to be served ice cold and forget the bottle...you need it in a glass to enjoy the beauty of it..a Pilsner is perfect. 

And Woodman's has a HUGE beer selection.

Dogfish Head Craft Brew Ales

 

 

Is anyone having short-term memory problems?

I find myself having them on occasion.

Life seems so busy and there is so much to remember.

I write Post-it notes, but half the time I forget them on the desk.

If you suffer from the same problem as I do, would you ever resort to

using this  í  here



No?….I didn’t think so....

Here’s a tease….



and this...

 

Now get a load of this....it's kind of cool....

Octopus Studios

I’m feeling pretty confident that this may be my last Boomgaard post.

Before you know it that 120 days will be up and the Franklin-Oak Creek Joint Steering Committee and Zizzo group will have some grand plan where citizens will be involved to help name the 27th Street Corridor.

I can't wait!  Can you?

It will be an exciting time.

Today I received a very nice phone call from Steering Committee Chairperson, Ted Grintjes.  He wanted to thank me for testing out the new comments section on the 27th Street Website.  He said they will be working out the kinks on the site and trying to make it better.  I was glad to help!

In the meantime, I drive up and down the 27th Street Corridor, parts of it anyway, four times a day.

I wonder how often Mayor Taylor takes a look at the 27th Street Corridor?

I have a little game for you on this Friday night. 

 It's called Getting to know your 27th Street Corridor...

I'm sure it will be easy for some of you. 




Guess where this picture was taken in the Boomgaard District/27th Street Corridor?




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~

~



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I would have taken the signs down, but only the owner or city officials are allowed to do that.

Election is over.......

So what’s your guess?

Meet In God We Trust....the man...not the picture.

That's right...it's official. 

Back in May (below) we heard that Steve Kreuscher petitioned to have his name changed to "In God We Trust."  Steve is a bus driver and artist.  Now he will start signing his art work with his new name. 

Hmm...I thought "In God We Trust" was already being used.....


Judge OK's Man's Name Change   ç

~~~~~~~~~~~~


You can certainly change your name if you aren’t happy with it. 

It’s not something that’s done only at the time of marriage or by movie stars or artists.

Steve Kreuscher, of Zion, Illinois would like to change his name.

He's petitioned a judge there to do so.

He's asking to change his name to one that is not too common, though.

It's really a phrase.

See, he's worried a popular motto will be taken away, and he'd like to keep it around....

The name he'd like to have?

First name:

"In God"

Last name:

"We Trust"

You can read about it on eNews   á  here






            In God We Trust

I blog….

Sometimes I feel like one of those monkeys because of the antics we have to go through, and watch other people do, too.

It's a regular circus out there....monkey business....

Anyway, the monkey picture is a good one.



This one is good, too...   


   

Hey, I'm hungry...forget the pasta!  It's salad days, but hold the dressing...I'm not used to wearing a suit and it might get on my tie....

And those bloggers? 

I'll make them an offer they can't refuse....They paid property taxes before, and they're gonna pay them again..and everyone knows it, because it's on these spreadsheets in front of me, which you, too, can get for a modest fee;  which is odd, since I'm using them during this official gathering with an official agenda, so why should I have to pay?  Do I pay for all of the materials I present at these gatherings?  Anyway, Guid-O...I'm as hungry as a horse.

Tax Pledges?  We don't need no stinking Tax Pledges!  (Oh, wait, that's a different movie).

Yeah, Marlon Brando was a good actor.  That picture was from a long time ago so my memory is a little fuzzy.


So many meetings…not enough time.

Do you realize it still feels like winter outside (most of the time) and in 16 days it will already be Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year?  That means the days will start getting shorter already!

What happened to enjoying those long evenings outside?

Well, it doesn’t matter…I’d be sitting here at this computer anyway; or in a meeting.

Do any of you readers make business cards?  Feel free to throw one together for me with the monkey picture on it!

Next time...Star Wars!

or You can’t always get what you want....




(example)



Budget Hero was released by American Public Media's show called Marketplace.

Budget Hero is a fiscal game of life where you can set the budget priorities and see how they stack up against reality. 

This is a great educational tool.

So, why not give it a try ....

At  Marketplace     Ã here

Okay….I can’t resist…..




Photo/Kristyna Wentz-Graff



Considering the events of this week …did anyone else notice the set-up of the photos and article on the front of FranklinNOW? (The photo of the day alternates)

 

                    So that’s why they make loose fit jeans!

To read this blog in any other language, highlight the content, copy it and click the following link

Translator     á  here


But preferably, learn ENGLISH!

Yeah, I'm at it again.






This time I went to the ATM and a new message popped up.

I guess it's been a few weeks since I've been to the ATM at my bank in the Franklin Business Park.

Surprise!

If you want to read this in English...blah, blah, blah.....

Once again I have to do an extra step to do something in my own native language.


More....


I rarely go to Southridge Mall.

Remember me?  Shop online....

I walked into Sears this weekend and it was reminiscent of being at Epcot Center at Disney World.

I could hardly find anyone speaking English and all the signs are bilingual.


Alright.

That's my rant for today.

Excuse me, but I'm going to go practice my Dutch now.

Here's a word in Dutch.... gewetenloos

I saw that word used on another blog by the Chairman of the committee that chose the name "Boomgaard District" for 27th St.

In English is means unscrupulous.

He used it twice.

 National Sri Lanka Balloon Festival                                                                  Buddhika Weerasinghe/Reuters





With tough terrain and lack of infrastructure, Sri Lanka is one of the more demanding places to fly a balloon.
Buddhika Weerasinghe/Reuters



I don't know if you've ever taken a hot air balloon ride.

I know I am going to do it...someday....

Balloon rides make a great gift for someone who has everything or to a couple for a special occasion.

Your flight is unpredictable though, as the weather is the master. 

You can get all set for your balloon ride and just before you are ready for takeoff, your flight may be cancelled.

There are hot air balloon festivals all over the world, as nice weather passes across the globe.

Sri Lanka just had their breathtaking festival this past week.

You can see the rest of the magnificent photos from the slide show at CSMonitor

Flying Over Sri Lanka  å here



We have a festival in July here in Wisconsin, in Wausau, so if your interested mark your calendars and check out the site for the Wausau Balloon Rally & Glow



or, if you are interested in planning a hot air balloon ride this summer, or giving one for a gift, here are some places you can check out:

Mighty Z Hot Air Balloons

333 Leev Ave

Brillion, WI 54110

(920) 756-2465

Sky Aces Incorporated

8845 S. Greenview, Ste. 1

Middleton, WI 53562

(608) 255-2935

Sunbird Balloons Inc.

2493 Crest Drive

Lake Geneva, WI 53147

877 - WEDOFLY

http://www.wedofly.com

Token Creek Hot Air Balloons Incorporated

3807 B Highway 19

Madison, WI 53590

877 - WEDOFLY

http://www.wedofly.com

Flying In Harmony, LLC

7428 Watson Avenue

Wauwatosa, WI 53213

414-975-7530

info@FlyingInHarmony.com

http://FlyingInHarmony.com

WindDancer Balloon Promotions

W241 S4115 Pine Hollow Ct.

Waukesha, WI 53189

262-522-6675

wiwinddancer@cs.com

The Lake Geneva Balloon Co. LLC

P.O. Box 484

Lake Geneva, WI 53105

262-206-3975

lakegenevaballoon@wi.rr.com

www.lakegenevaballoon.com

 

I came across a bit of information about a contest called Miss Tourism Queen International. 

I have never heard of this contest before, have you?

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it ~


Miss Tourism Queen International is an annual Chinese-based international beauty contest established in 2004. In July 2007, Miss Tourism Queen International set the record for the most participants in an international beauty contest with 108 women competed, not just from participating countries and territories, but also contestants from provinces known as tourist destinations like Bali and Fernando de Noronha, and regions of special interest like Borneo, Siberia, and Hawaii.

Miss Tourism Queen International was founded by Mr. Charlie See and currently owned by Exclusive Resources Marketing Pte Ltd or ERM, which is private limited company incorporated, based in Singapore.



China sure is busy lately....

You know, with Olympic protests going on and the Tibet crisis....

I don't know where they find the time for a beauty contest.

And this contest goes on for days...March 20-April 12th.

The contest just doesn't seem typical of China to me.


Here is the winner of the bikini portion of the contest, Miss Canada.

The winner must be physically fit.

You can check out the rest of the contestants on the site for


Miss Tourism Queen International    í here


By the the way, you can vote for your favorites on the site...$3.00 each vote...

 

 

This year marks the 95th anniversary of the gift of cherry trees to the United States, from Japan.





I can just imagine the fragrance of the sweet cherry blossoms.

It makes me long for a warm spring day with birds singing , the sun on my face, and a slight breeze.

While I look outside and can still see some piles of snow, I also see signs of spring finally popping up.  I have patches of white snowdrops with green leaves blooming up against the house.  And in the back corner by the deck, my daffodils finally have yellow tops trying to peek through.

I saw two chubby robins and one bright red cardinal.  And our gold finches, which never went away all winter this year, because we provide food and a heated bird bath, have finally gone from a brownish-green, to their familiar bight yellow color.

But how I love cherry blossoms....I think even more than lilacs, which, out in the yard, I noticed finally have their buds. 

The sad thing about spring, especially in Wisconsin, is that we wait so long for it to come, and there are such beautiful flowers that pop up....tulips, daffodils, crocus, dogwood, magnolia....and then before you know it...they are gone. 

They seem to last only for a few days, while summer flowers linger, just like the long, hot days.....

So, I'll close my eyes and picture the cherry blossoms and remember days when I was a child...days that were carefree...days that seemed to last forever. 

And I'll try not to let spring pass me by so quickly (when it finally does arrive).

Ronald McDonald ® balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade

I'm sorry....but each time I read the story I'm about the tell you, I just have to keep repeating my title.

McDonalds has had many slogans as the years have gone by.

Here are just a few that ran in the U.S.~


1967   McDonald's is your kind of place

1980s There's nothing quite like a McDonald's

1981   Nobody makes your day like McDonald's can

2000   We love to see/make you smile

2002   Make every time a good time

2007 Things that make you go 'mmmm' 

Well, you get the point...but perhaps the 2007 slogan, changed back to "Things that make you go hmmm," would be more appropriate when you consider what happened to Ethan Wade, in Greenville County, South Carolina at a local McDonalds.

Ethan went through the drive-thru and had a problem with his order, so he decided to go inside to get it straightened out.

Ethan happens to be a little person.

Here's what happened ~

"How could you compare the fear of a snake and spider to a human being? That makes no sense to me," Wade said. "I've seen kids kind of react like that. Understandable. But grown adults to act like that? That's just not acceptable."

Like I said....Things that make you go hmmm......


Read the article from NBC WYFF Channel 4

Little Person Says Clerk Screamed, Ran From Him  í here




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