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Garry – good question. Well, I have no illusions that I’ll grow old as beautifully as did Kathryn Hepburn, but I do hope to still be able to dive into our lake for a good swim at the age of 74 (and more). Two summers ago we were visited by a pair of old friends – both ladies in their 90’s – who gave us all hope for the future. Pleasant and cheerful all day long, and they both hopped off of the pontoon boat in the middle of the lake for an after-lunch dip. (Well, maybe not “hopped”, but rather slipped into the water – but, hey, who’s quibbling?) They are such an inspiration for us NOT to become grumpy old curmudgeons.

03/31/13 05:19 PM

#951

I just saw The Blob not long ago on one of the Old Movie channels, and it was still scary! Steve McQueen looks SO YOUNG. (Just like all the doctors, when I have to go to them these days.) I wanted to show you Wisconsinites our backyard daffodils, so you would know Spring is indeed coming!

03/31/13 09:11 PM

#952

Did any of you Blob watchers remember that the interior shot of the movie theater in The Blob looked exactly like the Ritz?

04/01/13 04:32 PM

#953

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

I am sure I went to movies at the Ritz - maybe even saw The Blob there (although I associate that with the noon movies at Custer). But where was it? And you're right Jim, the interior of the theater DID look familiar! Nancy, thanks for telling us about your 90-year old role models - for all of us. I hope I'm still swimming then, if I am lucky enough to be here! They are not easy to find, but they're out there, and I'd love to hear about more of them, if anyone knows one and cares to share. :-) My favorite is an 86-yr. old WWII veteran that Jon has been helping with his memoirs. He is a native of Italy, completely remodeled his own home (still working on it). A former employee of Gallo, he makes his own brandy & vinegar in his back yard- some from home-grown produce from his amazing garden & orchard, and has us over for homemade Italian dinners - marinara sauce from scratch, of course! His eggplant parmigiana is wonderful. I am convinced he knows how to do everything!

04/01/13 04:42 PM

#954

Terri:

Ritz Theater was at 3610 W. Villard. Later became the "Villa."

04/01/13 10:09 PM

#955

Garry Sellers

I remember the "cliff hangers" at the Ritz where the hero was certainly destine to a horrible death ... until the next Saturday. And double features with cartoons in between. I have never in my entire life experienced fear wash over my entire body in wave after wave of intense panic as I did watching "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" in 1953 or '54 ... and that includes my encounters with Gordy, Ken, and Ron later on. Never understood what those teenagers were doing in the back rows either. Shocking!

04/01/13 10:26 PM

#956

John Leopold

Thst's the film that turned me off to horror movies forever. I was doing fine until they were examining the arm on the operating table and when they turn around, it starts to move. And BTW, I've never watched it after seeing it when I was 7 or 8 years old. I still remember how I felt...

04/02/13 12:39 AM

#957

Terri,

Thank you and your husband for helping that Vet. Working as a (volunteer) veteran's service officer for the County here, I get to talk to guys, and gals, like him all the time. Many have the most incredible stories, stories that unfortunately will never be heard again. So many too have outlived their families and resources - but not their dignity. I know that the little I can do for them isn't close to what they deserve. Even as a Vietnam vet, I am humbled just talking with them.

04/02/13 10:14 AM

#958

Jim - With respect to our WWII vet friend, Mario Ricci, any help we gave him has been rewarded 100 times by the privilege of knowing him. Jon didn't exactly help him "pro bono" either - every time they had a meeting, a case of wine would mysteriously appear in the car! We would like to make him and his very good book famous in his lifetime, but it's hard to do. People should realize that these guys are disappearing quickly, as you said. His story is worth hearing.

04/06/13 12:36 PM

#959

Suggestion for the entertainment committee for the Picnic -

How about a good old fashioned game of kick-the-can (kick-the-bucket?). That video alone may be worth buying.

04/06/13 07:06 PM

#960

Karsten Boerger

That's me, Garry - meaner than a junkyard dog.

04/06/13 08:42 PM

#961

Ray Thompson

OUCH--Total hip replacement coming up--Have not danced a lot lately. Putting it off-Big pain guy until the lake finally thaws then the pontoon goes in and I can handle a 4-6 week recovery fishing & Miller.

04/07/13 11:41 PM

#962

But Ray, if you have them put in one of those hip things the dial-a-lawyers advertise about on TV, you can save time and sue them before you even get out of recovery.

Think - Silver Lining.

Good Luck.

04/09/13 12:59 PM

#963

Good luck, Ray. We hope you and your pontoon boat will have a great summer while you recover.

Our lake is still solid, so the docks sit in pieces on the soggy south lawn. Daffodils and weeds are vying for space, and we're starting to dream about tomatoes. Really exciting to look forward to summer (of course, by mid September we're sooooooooo happy to start winding down).

04/09/13 08:42 PM

#964

04/11/13 11:04 AM

#965

Marilyn Griffith (Bauer)

April in Wisconsin

(Guess I need a primer on how to crop a photo on this site - but too depressed by the weather to do any new learning right now)

04/11/13 03:57 PM

#966

I have the same problem with sizing photos, Marilyn. And I absolutely can't do anything but enter text when using my iPad. Had to say I love your "portrait in gray"! And Jim, while Annette was apparently the heartthrob of our male classmates, I was absolutely in love with the Beatles. My favorite was Paul. I have saved your photo. It will be my new wallpaper.

04/11/13 04:54 PM

#967

Terri, Marilyn,

I don't know if it's the proper geeky way, but when you go to add a picture, there are 2 boxes marked width and height. Before you upload the picture, if you put numbers in them, that sets the size. I have absolutely no idea what the numbers mean (Garry units?). You enter them in hundreds, e.g. 300, the higher the number, the bigger the picture. The Beatles pic I did was 400(width) x 300 (height), so you can make squares or rectangles that fit your picture.

And I'm having fun sending the gray picture to my friends and family back in WI, while I sit on the patio having an iced tea.

04/12/13 07:36 AM

#968

Friday morning - shoveling again, what the weatherman describes as "snow, snow and drizzle, snow and freezing rain, snowshowers, followed by snow mixed with freezing drizzle"

Argh!

04/12/13 06:46 PM

#969

Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)

Nancy, Marilyn,

Just think of it as the Heavens giving you extra time to get the lawn mower and garden tools ready for eventual summer. He knows you've been procrastinating.

04/18/13 12:07 PM

#970

The Boston Bruins fans did themselves proud with their rousing rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" before last evening's hockey game. It was inspiring and goose-bump raising. BUT...it shouldn't take a tragedy to get people to honor our country with their participation in the National Anthem. As I ALWAYS sing along, it disturbs me when others around stand (at least they do THAT) silent, non-participating! Come on, America! Use our precious freedom of speech and show the respect and devotion our country deserves. Think of those around the world who are denied the opportunity!

04/19/13 10:58 PM

#971

Garry Sellers

Jeanne! I guess you never heard Meribeth Hodges, Ken Walter, or Gordy Sauer sing or you woultdn't be recommending it!!! Lip-sync.

Well done Boston!!!!! Got the bastards!!!! I could hug all of you out there!! Even the Bruins and the BoSox ... as hard as that is to say. (Still can't say it for the Pats! Welllll ... okay,them too.)

(The Beer Barrel Polka at a baseball game? Really? No wonder we lost 3!)

Get well Ken.

Mid-80's this week Nan!

04/20/13 09:58 AM

#972

We cannot express enough sorrow for the innocents that were lost, nor enough thanks for the sacrifice and bravery of those who prevailed and brought them justice.

America will never run... And we will always be grateful that liberty has found such brave defenders.

George W. Bush

04/20/13 08:00 PM

#973