Winstock Update

As I promised, here's some news about Winstock. We had an awesome time. We ate good, drank better and really enjoyed the entertainers. But more about them tomorrow. For today here's some photos of us during down times.


Here we all are: Makita, myself, Joy and Bob.









Bob forgot his shoes and was forced to wear his boots the entire time. Even with his shorts on.

Lots to Tell about Winstock

And I promise tomorrow I will fill you all in. In the meantime here's a photo of Bob and his new mostly naked "friend" ....I just call him "Speedo and the Hand Towel"....which of course explains this guys extremely large "package". Bob found Mr. SHT by the outhouse. It's all rather disturbing but pretty damn funny.

Oh and did I mention Jeff Gordon won the race yesterday? If not, he did. And it's because he's soooooo awesome.

Off to Winstock Tomorrow Night

Winstock 2007 Schedule
Thursday, June 7
3 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Campgrounds open for admission
5 p.m. - Winsted Fire Dept. Spaghetti Dinner near the beer tent with music
by Chopper - the World's Nuttiest DJ

Friday, June 8
9:30 a.m. - Campgrounds open for admission
2 p.m. - Gates open for admission
4:30 p.m. - The Wayne Renn Band







6:35 p.m. - Sarah Buxton








8:40 p.m. - Diamond Rio







10:45 p.m. - Gretchen Wilson





Saturday, June 9
12:45 p.m. - Marshall Star Band
2:50 p.m. - Rodney Atkins











4:55 p.m. - The Bellamy Brothers








7 p.m. - Eric Church











9:05 p.m. - Miranda Lambert







10:30 p.m. - Trace Adkins







Emerging Artists Stage
Friday, June 8
5:45 p.m. - White Creek
7:50 p.m. - KeyStone featuring Brittany Lee
9:55 p.m. - KeyStone featuring Brittany Lee

Saturday, June 9
11 a.m. - Pre-show beer tent bash with music by White Creek
2 p.m. - Flynnville Train
4:05 p.m. - Halfway to Hazard
6:10 p.m. - Flynnville Train
8:15 p.m. - Halfway to Hazard

Meet Izzy Kay

Izzy Kay is my sister Lorrie's new Search and Rescue dog. Isn't she a beauty. I've been told she's a real lover. If I have my facts right (and I probably don't), my brother Bob rescued Izzy and worked with her training her to search. Recently Bob, with Izzy in tow, went out to Cody Wyoming to certify some search and rescue dogs. My sister Lorrie, who is the Wyoming Search and Rescue K-9 Chairman, now has Izzy Kay in her arsenal of SAR Dogs. Welcome to the family Izzy (tried to get Lorrie to call her Izzy Borden...but all I could get away with was Izzy Kay).

House For Sale

Well last week was spent getting the house ready to list. So it's official: House For Sale.

Makita, whom thank goodness is not afraid of heights, was a trooper and climbed up to trim some trees and paint some trim.

The day after I listed the house, the hot water heater decided it was done working for me. So that turned into an emergency situation. Thank goodness the plumber could get here on short notice.

BWCA Not for Wimps

Windy, windy, windy! Cold, cold, cold! Rainy, rainy, rainy. And with the burning ban in the BWCA we almost froze to death (slight exaggeration). We hardly got to fish at all. We only took the canoes out once and got blown off the lake. We did get enough for two meals of fish while fishing in the big boats Dave and Ellie actually got the fish... Kimkay and Makita sucked. Makita sucks more at 500. Some kind of short circuit there. He fades in and out. Not sure what the deal is there.

We came out a day early and went to Thor and enjoyed a hot shower and warm beds. We had a fish fry there with some fish we'd brought out with us. Our tent was damaged and dirty so we threw it away. End of that chapter.

Makita Fights Mobile Home Fire

Here's a photo of Makita fighting a fire at a mobile home park yesterday. He's the one with the Captain's red helmet, pulling hose. You can read about the whole thing at:

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/052207/new_20070522043.shtml

International Falls Smokey the Bear

Here are photos of Marcia and myself posing with Smokey here in International Falls. We've been here since Sunday and we'll be back next week as well.

Marcia is going to teach me how to make a perfect lemon meringue pie tomorrow night. She's coming back to Brainerd with me tomorrow to pick up a car and then we'll both be driving back up on Sunday. Marcia will work all week and I'll be coming home Tuesday night and leaving to go to BWCA Trout Lake on Thursday for Memorial weekend.

Shirley's Retiring

Makita's mom, Shirley Bruers, (pictured here with her husband Bill)is retiring from her job with Social Security just in time to enjoy this summer. The folks she works with are having a retirement party for her in Bemidji this Saturday night, so we've postponed our Effie 4 Wheeling plans to go to it. Congratulation Shirley.

Gas Out 2007 Tuesday May 15

Do you drive a car, ride a moped/motorcycle, or even mow the grass?

Then chances are you use gasoline in some part of your life. With gas prices steadily increasing all the time, and no end in sight, what is a person to do? The United States alone uses 360 Million gallons of gasoline each day. Every day the gas companies gain billions upon billions, and as they do this, they increase gas prices for teh average consumer.

It has led some people to go "gas hunting", finding the cheapest gas in the area and making sure to get there to get gasoline before the prices go back up. This mad rush for cheap prices has left people in a rush over something that should be a given in such a large part of the world.

Gas prices average about $3.15/gallon right now, with some places reaching as high as $3.25/gallon. While last week the average was a meager $2.89. The gas hikes come and go, but with the large increases($0.25 or more), we normally only see a $0.04-$0.07 decrease in the cost per gallon, leaving us with $0.18 more than we had, all the while keeping us content with the gas price decrasing a little.

The gas prices have gotten out of hand. It has been decided, by many, that there will be a "Gas Out" May 15th, 2007. The entire United States online community is invited to join. If all goes as planned, the oil companies will lose around $3 Billion(yes billion) in sales that day alone.

But why stop there? One day will only last for just that, one day. It is proposed here on GasOut2007.com that we, in fact, hold a gas out for 2 days, May 15th & 16th. Causing twice the damage. And why limit it to only the online people of the states? Tell everyone, your friends, family, and co-workers. Your fed up with battling the gas prices, and now is your time to stand against it, right alongside the rest of the US.

In 1997 a Gas Out was implemented. Causing nearly $3 Billion in sale losses to the oil companies. Overnight, gas prices dropped a drastic $0.30/gallon.

We would like to re-enact that boycott, and bring it to new heights. If 75% of US citizens boycott gas on the 15th and 16th, oil companies could lose up to $10 Billion in revenue those two days alone!

Your tired of the prices, I'm tired of the prices, and the rest of the US is tired of the prices. The time has come for us to stand together and show what we, the average US citizens, can do. Without us, the oil companies have nothing, it's time to show them that they work for us, not the other way around.

Thor Bear

Ellie and Dave where able to capture a photo of their Thor bear with their digital tree camera. That's a big boy!

Jeff Is On Fire!!!

I didn't get to see the race today (which was postponed from a rain out last night) because I was driving up to International Falls but I hear it was a good one. And yes, yes, yes, Jeff won again! He is absolutely on fire.

And of course the top story in Nascar is becoming very interesting (Jr leaving DEI). I can't wait to see where he'll end up. Henrick maybe???? That would be something.

Yeh! There's Grass

After my blog tantrum a couple days ago I go outside the next morning and bam there's grass. And another trip to the dump today, which included my broken lawn mower, two broken suitcases, leaves and paint (hazardous waste day) and this time it was only $10.00. What the hell. I think they just make stuff up.

My Aitkin trip has been postponed. Instead I'm going back to International Falls with Marcia. She'll fly into Brainerd and we'll drive up to Int'l Falls this Sunday, Mothers Day.

The garage sale stuff is coming along niceley. I have most everything of mine out there and priced. Makita brought stuff. Jessi and Mike brought stuff. Tonya's bringing some stuff. Shirley is coming down from Bemidji Friday night and bringing some stuff. Sounds like Mom might bring some stuff too. She said she'd come help me with the sale on Friday. Shirley will be here to help on Saturday.

Tonight I'm going to Dad's to get my wheeler so I can ride it next weekend in Effie.

So there's the Kimkay update. Plans are to list the house on the 22nd, after I get back from International Falls and Effie.

The Freak'n Grass Doesn't Grow

Not one blade. I've been trying like crazy. Nothing. I'm no horiculturist that's for sure. Now the old stuff around the "new" stuff is really high and needs mowing (probably due to all the watering I've been doing for the "new" grass). So I'm going to have to walk on the new stuff to mow the old stuff. Did I mention I don't have a lawn mower? Well I don't. I need to get one. The old one took a crap on me last fall. Do they take lawn mowers at the dump? I sure hope so. Did I tell you that six bags of garbage costs $21 at the dump? ROBBERY. And there's more trips to be had. I'm getting closer to listing the house. Even if the grass doesn't grow. They'll have to use their imagination to picture grass.

And then there's the garage sale this weekend. Don't even get me started on it. I hate it. And I'll tell you this.... if it doesn't sell off to the dump with it. Even at $3.50 per bag. Oh and get this I put this itty bitty ad in the paper for the garage sale to run two days and it was $28.00. It's almost cheeper to take the crap directly to the dump and forget the headaches of the sale.

And lastly....does the lawn mower in the clipart above look more like a vacuum? Wierd bag on it.

Stanley Cup Update

The Eastern Conference Championship is now determined to be the Sabres vs the Senators. I'll be cheering for the Senators cause that's Brads team at this point. He may ask me not to cheer for them because sometimes I jinx the team I cheer for.

The Western Conference is only half decided. The Ducks will play either the Wings (I hate the Wings) or the Sharks. Currently the Wings are ahead 3 to 2 in this series. They play tonight. If the Wings win it's over. If the Sharks win they will play the 7th and final game on Wed.

Nascar Update

This past Saturday night the Nextel Cup race was rained out. Jeff Gordon was on the pole (third in a row). They postponed the race until Sunday. Jimmy Johnson won his fourth race this season. Kyle Busch took 2nd, Denny Hamlin 3rd and Jeff Gordon 4th. This equates to all four CHEVROLETS COT (Car of Tomorrow)! And three of the top four where Hendrick cars.

Other drivers of interest finished: Newman 6th, Stewart 8th, Earnhardt 13th, Kenny Wallace 39th and Kahne 40th (Kasey just can't catch a break).

Next Race: Saturday May 12th 6pm Central at Darlington.

To all my Law Enforcement Family Members...See We ARE on the Same Team!

NASCAR's Jeff Gordon Drives in Support of the National Law Enforcement Museum

As NASCAR frontrunner Jeff Gordon looks to extend his points lead during this Saturday's race at Richmond International Raceway, he will also be encouraging racing fans to honor America's law enforcement heroes by supporting the National Law Enforcement Museum.

Mr. Gordon's #24 DuPont Chevrolet will carry a banner on the rear TV panel featuring a special website and toll-free telephone number in support of the Museum, during the "Crown Royal Presents the Jim Stewart 400" race under the lights on May 5.

A major supporter of the planned National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., DuPont has created the cops.KEVLAR.com website, along with a toll-free number, 1-877-COP-9606, to help raise awareness of the Museum and encourage contributions to the public phase of the Museum's fundraising campaign.

In addition to the banner on his race car, Mr. Gordon also filmed a short video and public service announcements encouraging fans to support the Museum. These will be shown throughout Saturday's race and during a special pre-race ceremony that will include Jim Weigand, global business director of DuPont's Advanced Fiber Systems, Sergeant Mark Banks of the Henrico County (VA) Police and a participant in this year's Police Unity Tour, and Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

House for Sale

Well I've been working on getting my house ready to sell. Last weekend was spent cleaning and painting the basement. Also spread black dirt and grass seed on the front lawn in hopes some new grass will grow in. Last night was three hours in the garage (boy oh boy there's a lot of crap). There's still a bunch more stuff I need to do but it's getting very close now. A trip to the dump and a garage sale is in order now.

The realtor was here today. It will probably be a couple more weeks before I actually list the house. Hopefully the yard will be grown in by then. I also have to straighten out the County. It seems they've been taxing me for a second garage.... that I don't have. So we have to get that removed from the description.

She's been a good old house but it's time to get something a little bigger. Two kids with spouses and five grandkids get a little crowded in grandma's little bitty house. I will miss my garage (love that garage) but will hopefully find a place with one comparable.

Look Familar? Gordon in Winners Circle Again. Earnhardt Fans Act Like Idiots.

Jeff said it best in his Autobiography when he said "it doesn't matter if they're cheering or booing just as long as they're making noise".

But hey now...this is really poor sportsmanship. Plain and simple. Nascar isn't going to continue to allow it. Spectators are not going to be allowed to bring beer cans into the stands if they keep this up.

Gordon's fifth win at Talladega still trails Earnhardt's record of 10 trophies at the track.

On Lap 191, Jamie McMurray and David Gilliland collided and the No. 38 sent Tony Stewart into the inside wall. As many drivers worried about running out of gas, Gordon was concerned about the debris being tossed on the track.

"Be careful in the trioval," one voice warned on Gordon's radio frequency.

"I need a security guard," said Gordon's spotter.

"They're throwing heavy duty stuff out here," Gordon said.

The frequency of the debris increased as Gordon did a burnout coming out of Turn 4. NASCAR finally told the team for Gordon to wrap up his on-track celebration and bring the car to Victory Lane.

"I'm overwhelmed," Gordon said after scoring his second win in as many weeks. "We had so many things working against us — other than this race car. The Dupont Chevrolet was unbelievable. I never dreamed we win the race. We were so far back. We had so many good guys to pass. I just didn't think we'd get 77 here.

"I think there's a lot of people out there that didn't want us to. I never caused a riot before winning — well maybe once or twice."

Gordon joked about the debris, adding that he thought "Junior had more power" after Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggested that fans opt for throwing toilet paper instead of beer cans.

"I saw maybe one roll," Gordon said. "There are a lot of fans out there that are Earnhardt fans who don't want to see (the milestone) broken. There are a lot of my fans out there as well. I appreciate their support. I appreciate their enthusiasm and the opinions of all the fans out there. What are you going to do? We're here to win."

Junior said the win "was bound to happen," but after the controversy caused by his congratulatory visit to Victory Lane last week at Phoenix, he opted to commend Gordon from afar.

"I told him this week, I said, 'You win this one and I ain't coming into Victory Lane this time,' " Earnhardt said. "That caused too much trouble. He's a great race-car driver. I knew years ago he would eventually pass my old man. I think he has the opportunity to pass a couple more."

Earnhardt added that he didn't believe the debris was "something you can control," but winning team owner Rick Hendrick said that solutions had been discussed between the sanctioning body and the competitors.

"You hate to see someone get hurt," Hendrick said. "We'd have to rebuild the car anyway. It is dangerous ... I don't know what you do. If they can't bring beer cans into the stands anymore maybe they wouldn't do it."

After Gordon had time to reflect on the post-race, on-track celebration, he admitted, "It was probably a bad decision — looking (at) the safety of the fans, it probably egged people on. But I have my fans out there, too, and they want to see me celebrate."

And every victor deserves his day.

Lindsey's 1st Birthday

Our birthday girl didn't really get into opening her gifts. She was more interested in eating the cards.


She did like her Winnie the Pooh birthday cake. Her parents were smart enough to take off her clothes prior to the "feeding".



The bath wasn't as well received.

More of Ellie's Handy Work

My friend Ellie is hard at work creating more beautiful pieces of stained glass. These photos show two new pieces she made for the rounded windows in Dave Jr. living room. They turned out absolutely awesome.

A Big Win for Gordon!

AVONDALE, Ariz. -- The No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team has kept a flag bearing the Dale Earnhardt's famed No. 3 in its hauler since this past July, just awaiting Jeff Gordon's next Cup Series victory.

It was a long wait, but the crew was finally able to break out the flag Saturday night after Gordon, getting a little luck and making a gutsy pass for the lead, grabbed that historic victory at Phoenix International Raceway.

The win by the four-time series champion tied Earnhardt for sixth place on the career victory list with 76 and was also his first on the 1-mile Phoenix oval, leaving only Texas and Homestead as active tracks where he has yet to find Victory Lane.

After ending the 26-race victory drought, Gordon stopped on the front straightaway to pick up the black, red and white Earnhardt flag, holding it proudly out the window for his slow victory lap as the big crowd paid homage to both Gordon and seven-time champion Earnhardt.

"It means the world," Gordon said. "Holding that 3 flag, it's certainly by no means saying we're as good as him. I learned so much from him. We wanted to honor him. We've been holding on to that flag for a long time."

One of the first drivers to congratulate Gordon in Victory Lane was Dale Earnhardt Jr.

"That means the world to me because I didn't want to come across the wrong way," Gordon said. "We wanted to show tribute and honor."

Gordon started from the pole and led early, but he spent most of the 312-lap race following Tony Stewart, who appeared to be on the way to an easy victory.

As the leaders began a series of green-flag pit stops late in the race, Gordon drove onto pit road at the end of Lap 283. As he drove slowly toward his pit at the end of pit road, a three-car crash brought out the yellow flag.

The timing was perfect for Gordon, who was able to finish his pit stop and head back toward the track before leader Stewart came back to the finish line, thereby keeping Gordon on the lead lap.

When all the other leaders pitted under the caution flag, Gordon stayed on track and took the lead.

Once the green flag came back out on Lap 294, Stewart tried desperately to regain the top spot. As Gordon struggled to get by Martin Truex Jr., who had pitted before the yellow and was on the end of the lead lap, Stewart saw his chance.

On Lap 299, Stewart squeezed his Chevrolet between Gordon and Truex and somehow drove to the lead. But Gordon wouldn't quit, staying on Stewart's rear bumper and then driving under him to regain the lead for good on Lap 300.


Lap-by-Lap
Tony Stewart made a gutsy move to take the lead, but Jeff Gordon wouldn't be denied in becoming the first driver to win from the pole at Phoenix.

Complete story
"I drove my guts out," Gordon said. "I've never had to work so hard."

Gordon pulled away to finish about six car-lengths ahead of Stewart.

Hendrick cars have now won five of eight races this year and Gordon, who joined teammates Jimmie Johnson (three) and Kyle Busch (one) as a winner in 2007, is off to one of the best starts of his career with six top-five finishes and seven top-10s.

"We didn't lead a ton, but we had a good car," said Gordon, who led 53 laps. "It all did fall in our lap.

"I almost drove through the pit. [Crew chief] Steve [Letarte] made the call [to stop] and I love him. He's as sharp as can be. He's so cool under pressure."



Most victories
Cup Series

Pos. Driver Wins Titles

1. Richard Petty 200 7
2. David Pearson 105 3
3. Bobby Allison 84 1
Darrell Waltrip 84 3
5. Cale Yarborough 83 3
6. Dale Earnhardt 76 7
Jeff Gordon 76 4
7. Rusty Wallace 55 1
8. Lee Petty 54 3
9. Ned Jarrett 50 2
10. Junior Johnson 50 0

University of Columbia

This is a photo I took of the Columns on campus of the University of Missouri. The domed building in the background is Jesse Hall. That's the building I worked in Tuesday and Wednesday. You probably can't see it but all the flags in front of Jesse Hall are at half-staff in honor of the 32 people (I'm not counting the monster that killed them and himself) that died at Virgina Tech Monday. There was a lot of tension on campus while I was there. On Tuesday their was a shooting not far from the University and that caused some panic. There was also an insentience of an Asian student getting harassed on campus. That prompted a mass email to all staff and students.


The 105-foot dome atop Jesse Hall, if sitting on the ground next to the building, would actually stand taller than the building itself!

Here is info on the columns: The traditional symbol of the University of Missouri-Columbia is the row of six Ionic columns. The Columns once supported the portico of Academic Hall, the first building erected on campus. Academic Hall was built between 1840 and 1843 from plans drawn by A. Stephen Hills, designer of the Missouri State Capitol. It consisted of a domed central section of three stories with two wings and housed both educational and administrative facilities. Brick for the building was fired on campus. Limestone for the Columns was obtained from the nearby Hinkson Creek Valley and was hauled to the building by ox-drawn carts.

On Jan. 9, 1892, Academic Hall was destroyed by fire and the Columns were all that remained. In August 1893 the Board of Curators voted to remove the Columns, considering them not only unsafe but unsightly. However, supporters of the Columns rallied to their defense, and after inspection showed the foundations were safe, the Board voted to retain them in December 1893. Now the Columns stand as a beloved part of MU's campus.