Let's party!
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
Four for Fridays!
Good Morning everyone one I hope you had a very good week. I know I am posting this early but as usual this time of year I have to go out to Whitewater and deliver some boxes to my daughter she is coming home next month. Here are the questions for this week.
1) Do people say that they have told you about something but you know that they have never said anything about it to you?
2) Are you told about an event coming up last minute?
3) Do you watch the news?
4) Are you tired of hearing about the violence that is happening when you do watch the news?
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
1) Do people say that they have told you about something but you know that they have never said anything about it to you?
2) Are you told about an event coming up last minute?
3) Do you watch the news?
4) Are you tired of hearing about the violence that is happening when you do watch the news?
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thursday, April 28, 2016
More on Friends . . .
What do you do if some of your friends don't like some of your other friends? It seems to be that it's one or the other; i.e., there appears to be no middle ground. You have to choose between one group of friends and another group of friends. Just like the entire country is polarized. I talked to a friend who read an article in the New York Times about how current politics are destroying friendships. I don't know what to do.
Making this choice has ripped me up emotionally. I think I popped a blood vessel or had one of those transient strokes. I can't think clearly about the opposing groups. I can't think clearly about anything.
Making this choice has ripped me up emotionally. I think I popped a blood vessel or had one of those transient strokes. I can't think clearly about the opposing groups. I can't think clearly about anything.
"Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete won't seek re-election"
From The Journal Times.com:
"But after starting his speech with his background and accomplishments in his office, Chiapete threw a curveball, announcing he will not seek another four-year term.
"Choking back tears, Chiapete said he and his family 'prayed and reflected' on the decision before deciding not to run again. Deputy District Attorney Tricia Hanson, who was present at the conference, will run for the seat in the fall.
"'It truly has been my privilege and honor to serve all of you.'
"Chiapete declined to elaborate on his decision, saying only it was made with his family. He did not mention any plans after he leaves office, saying 'that stuff will work itself out.'
"Asked if his decision was related to a 2014 drunken-driving crash, Chiapete said 'everything goes into the dynamic. There’s no one overriding factor. I thought it was best for my family if we went a different direction.'
"Chiapete pleaded guilty to first-offense operating a vehicle while under the influence, obstructing an officer and hit and run after striking a traffic light near his home in April 2014."
Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/racine-county-district-attorney-rich-chiapete-won-t-seek-re/article_419a2b28-3bae-54e6-b85f-82aa062ed658.html
Obviously, I'm late with this news. I haven't been paying much attention to local politics lately. I've been going insane instead.
Racine Community Media is reporting that Chiapete has quit: http://racinecommunitymedia.tumblr.com/post/143482418988/racine-district-attorney-rich-chiapete
Too bad legal stranger is no longer talking to me. I wonder what the details are?
"RACINE — From all
outward appearances, a press conference Tuesday at the Racine County
Courthouse had appeared to be the kick-off to District Attorney Rich
Chiapete’s re-election campaign.
"But after starting his speech with his background and accomplishments in his office, Chiapete threw a curveball, announcing he will not seek another four-year term.
"Choking back tears, Chiapete said he and his family 'prayed and reflected' on the decision before deciding not to run again. Deputy District Attorney Tricia Hanson, who was present at the conference, will run for the seat in the fall.
"'After careful consideration, we do believe it’s time that I walk a different path,' Chiapete said.
"'It truly has been my privilege and honor to serve all of you.'
"Chiapete declined to elaborate on his decision, saying only it was made with his family. He did not mention any plans after he leaves office, saying 'that stuff will work itself out.'
"Asked if his decision was related to a 2014 drunken-driving crash, Chiapete said 'everything goes into the dynamic. There’s no one overriding factor. I thought it was best for my family if we went a different direction.'
"Chiapete pleaded guilty to first-offense operating a vehicle while under the influence, obstructing an officer and hit and run after striking a traffic light near his home in April 2014."
Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/racine-county-district-attorney-rich-chiapete-won-t-seek-re/article_419a2b28-3bae-54e6-b85f-82aa062ed658.html
Obviously, I'm late with this news. I haven't been paying much attention to local politics lately. I've been going insane instead.
Racine Community Media is reporting that Chiapete has quit: http://racinecommunitymedia.tumblr.com/post/143482418988/racine-district-attorney-rich-chiapete
Too bad legal stranger is no longer talking to me. I wonder what the details are?
Wildflowers!
Yes it is coming to that time of year for me again I will be out there taking pictures of the wildflowers. I have some pictures of the wildflowers that have been coming up already, and I am going to share them with everyone.
This is a picture of Canada Anemone the picture was taken at Colonial Park in Racine Wi.
This is a picture of a Fawnlily the picture was taken at Colonial Park in Racine Wi.
This is a picture of Virginia Bluebells the picture was taken at Colonial Park in Racine Wi.
This is a picture of Hoverfly Slender Blue-Eyed Grass the picture was taken at Whitnall Park in Franklin Wi.
I hope everyone enjoys the pictures. and yes, there will be more to come with the wildflowers starting to bloom.
I hope everyone enjoys the pictures. and yes, there will be more to come with the wildflowers starting to bloom.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
"JM - 23"
From OrbsCorbs.com:
"Best Friend"
"I met my best friend in the summer of 1972 (I think) at my wife-to-be's birthday party on Zoo Beach. I was with another woman at the time. Years later, he'd be the best man at my wedding and I at his. For most of the time I knew him, he lived mostly in Milwaukee. His then girlfriend was best friends with my wife-to-be.
"I can't begin to describe all of the nonsense and fun we got into. Everyone knew we were best friends.
"My favorite memory of him was when he lived on N. Weil St. in a basement apartment in one of the coldest winters ever with a borrowed guitar amplifier the size of a Buick. We'd drink at nearby bars until closing and then go to his apartment. Man, was it cold. And then we would blast the night away with some of the loudest noise you ever heard. Not one peep of complaints from the other tenants. (?) And we did this repeatedly, all winter long.
"I could go on sand on with stories about us, but let's just say that we considered ourselves to be brothers, and I still do. I'll never forget when he visited me at my mother's home near the bottom of my drinking. He said, 'Orbs, I'll buy you drinks all day long, but don't make we watch you kill yourself.'
"Anyway, fast forward through recovery and sobriety. We stayed friends. He and his wife (not the girlfriend I mentioned earlier) bought a house on the cusp of the housing boom. They got a nice brick home near Capitol Dr. and N. 76th St. There's a school nearby and a huge park.
"Fast forward again to about 2005 and my mother's home is sold. She and my father never bought, just rented. Mom had lived in the same place for over 60 years. Now she had to move. She did it. As my friend used to say, 'She's a tough old bird.'
"I was using her garage to store a ton of stuff. Over the years, I had emptied and refilled her garage three times. Anyway, there was an old wooden trailer in there that I had to find a new home for. It was fall and I knew that the trailer would fetch a better price in the spring. That winter the trailer spent the season behind the garage of the apartment building I was living in.
"Here's where it gets fuzzy, but I don't remember why I didn't sell the trailer. Somehow, it was decided that I would tow it up to my friend's house and leave it wrapped in tarps and chained to a tree. It spent four or five yeas there. Meanwhile, I developed my major stomach problems that took 4 years out of my life.
"Early one summer, my friend called me and asked me to remove the trailer. I said, 'Sure,' but I talked to his wife and told her how sick I was. She said don't worry, he has plenty of other things to do. This happened four or five times. Then one evening I received a telephone call from my friend using a tone of voice I had never heard before. It was obvious he was seething with rage, all of it directed at me. I was to remove the trailer immediately. I said I'd be there the next day. When I asked him if there was air in the tires, he screamed at me, 'How the hell should I know?' and he hung up.
"Of course when the next day arrived, I was puking and puking my guts out. I called and left a message on my friend's answering machine saying I couldn't make it that day because I was going to the ER (which I did). I told him to give away the trailer, sell it, pay someone to tow it, whatever, get it done and let me know the costs, if any. The next day I called again and repeated my willingness to pay for things.
:I never heard from or saw him again. 38 years of friendship, down the tubes. Once I realized the finality of it, it was devastating. The only thing I could compare it to was when I broke up with my wife. A huge chunk of me died when that happened. So much so, that many thought I was a dead man for sure.
"I'd say that breaking up with my wife killed half of me and losing my friend killed a quarter. There's not too much left. Better get your shots in while you can.
"It's one of those things that you never really recover from. You have to walk around it because you can't walk through it.
"The recent loss of some friends left me staggering once more. This pattern has followed me since childhood. I get to know someone or some people, and then I move on. It's obvious that I don't know how to relate to people. Most importantly, I can't 'read' people. I take people at their word. I'm an absolute idiot that way. 64 years old and naive as a three year old. Something's missing. Something's broken. I've never been able to fix it, nor has anyone else. I'm a born loser
"As for my 'best' friend, the last I heard, he was in the Elkhart Lake area, but I don't know. Wherever he is, whatever he is doing., I wish him peace. I love him and I miss him dearly."
http://www.orbscorbs.com/2016/04/jm-23_26.html
"Best Friend"
"I met my best friend in the summer of 1972 (I think) at my wife-to-be's birthday party on Zoo Beach. I was with another woman at the time. Years later, he'd be the best man at my wedding and I at his. For most of the time I knew him, he lived mostly in Milwaukee. His then girlfriend was best friends with my wife-to-be.
"I can't begin to describe all of the nonsense and fun we got into. Everyone knew we were best friends.
"My favorite memory of him was when he lived on N. Weil St. in a basement apartment in one of the coldest winters ever with a borrowed guitar amplifier the size of a Buick. We'd drink at nearby bars until closing and then go to his apartment. Man, was it cold. And then we would blast the night away with some of the loudest noise you ever heard. Not one peep of complaints from the other tenants. (?) And we did this repeatedly, all winter long.
"I could go on sand on with stories about us, but let's just say that we considered ourselves to be brothers, and I still do. I'll never forget when he visited me at my mother's home near the bottom of my drinking. He said, 'Orbs, I'll buy you drinks all day long, but don't make we watch you kill yourself.'
"Anyway, fast forward through recovery and sobriety. We stayed friends. He and his wife (not the girlfriend I mentioned earlier) bought a house on the cusp of the housing boom. They got a nice brick home near Capitol Dr. and N. 76th St. There's a school nearby and a huge park.
"Fast forward again to about 2005 and my mother's home is sold. She and my father never bought, just rented. Mom had lived in the same place for over 60 years. Now she had to move. She did it. As my friend used to say, 'She's a tough old bird.'
"I was using her garage to store a ton of stuff. Over the years, I had emptied and refilled her garage three times. Anyway, there was an old wooden trailer in there that I had to find a new home for. It was fall and I knew that the trailer would fetch a better price in the spring. That winter the trailer spent the season behind the garage of the apartment building I was living in.
"Here's where it gets fuzzy, but I don't remember why I didn't sell the trailer. Somehow, it was decided that I would tow it up to my friend's house and leave it wrapped in tarps and chained to a tree. It spent four or five yeas there. Meanwhile, I developed my major stomach problems that took 4 years out of my life.
"Early one summer, my friend called me and asked me to remove the trailer. I said, 'Sure,' but I talked to his wife and told her how sick I was. She said don't worry, he has plenty of other things to do. This happened four or five times. Then one evening I received a telephone call from my friend using a tone of voice I had never heard before. It was obvious he was seething with rage, all of it directed at me. I was to remove the trailer immediately. I said I'd be there the next day. When I asked him if there was air in the tires, he screamed at me, 'How the hell should I know?' and he hung up.
"Of course when the next day arrived, I was puking and puking my guts out. I called and left a message on my friend's answering machine saying I couldn't make it that day because I was going to the ER (which I did). I told him to give away the trailer, sell it, pay someone to tow it, whatever, get it done and let me know the costs, if any. The next day I called again and repeated my willingness to pay for things.
:I never heard from or saw him again. 38 years of friendship, down the tubes. Once I realized the finality of it, it was devastating. The only thing I could compare it to was when I broke up with my wife. A huge chunk of me died when that happened. So much so, that many thought I was a dead man for sure.
"I'd say that breaking up with my wife killed half of me and losing my friend killed a quarter. There's not too much left. Better get your shots in while you can.
"It's one of those things that you never really recover from. You have to walk around it because you can't walk through it.
"The recent loss of some friends left me staggering once more. This pattern has followed me since childhood. I get to know someone or some people, and then I move on. It's obvious that I don't know how to relate to people. Most importantly, I can't 'read' people. I take people at their word. I'm an absolute idiot that way. 64 years old and naive as a three year old. Something's missing. Something's broken. I've never been able to fix it, nor has anyone else. I'm a born loser
"As for my 'best' friend, the last I heard, he was in the Elkhart Lake area, but I don't know. Wherever he is, whatever he is doing., I wish him peace. I love him and I miss him dearly."
http://www.orbscorbs.com/2016/04/jm-23_26.html
Cat Grass
For OKIE:
Left to right, the plants are youngest to oldest. You can see the one on the left is just coming in. When the time comes, I'll remove the plant on the right and move the other two to the right. I'll cut the grass off of the old one and rework its soil. Then I'll plant a new "crop," and put the container at the left on the dresser. I recently amended the soil in all three containers with slow release nitrogen: Osmocote http://www.osmocotegarden.com/
This is what I'm growing now, but that's because that's what the local grocery store sells:
They were carrying a different brand for years and then suddenly switched to this. This stuff seems to grow more quickly than the old stuff. In any case, if you google cat grass or kitty grass, you'll see that there are many, many different products out there. Oats seem to be the common thread amongst them.
Charlie really gobbles this stuff up. At least once a day, he's at the plants, eating.
Left to right, the plants are youngest to oldest. You can see the one on the left is just coming in. When the time comes, I'll remove the plant on the right and move the other two to the right. I'll cut the grass off of the old one and rework its soil. Then I'll plant a new "crop," and put the container at the left on the dresser. I recently amended the soil in all three containers with slow release nitrogen: Osmocote http://www.osmocotegarden.com/
This is what I'm growing now, but that's because that's what the local grocery store sells:
They were carrying a different brand for years and then suddenly switched to this. This stuff seems to grow more quickly than the old stuff. In any case, if you google cat grass or kitty grass, you'll see that there are many, many different products out there. Oats seem to be the common thread amongst them.
Charlie really gobbles this stuff up. At least once a day, he's at the plants, eating.
Birds
I know a lot of you know that Drew was off work last week on vacation. Last Thursday we took a trip out to Horicon Marsh in Lomira Wi to see what the migration has brought up there. I am going to be sharing some pictures from there and some from around Racine Wi.. I really hope that everyone is enjoying the pictures.
This is a picture of a Trumpeter Swan this was taken at Horicon Marsh on Hwy 49 in Lomira Wi.
This is a picture of a Black Necked Stilt this was taken at Horicon Marsh Auto Tour Trail in Lomira Wi.
This is a picture of Cedarwax Wings this was taken on 3 Mile Rd in Racine Wi.
This is a picture of a Turkey Vulture in flight the picture was take at Samuel Myers Park in Racine Wi.
This is a picture of a Mocking Bird this was taken at Shoop Park in Racine Wi.
This is a picture of a Northern Flicker this was taken at Shoop Park in Racine Wi.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
"Alderman asks D.A. to look into City Council president vote"
From The Journal Times.com:
"RACINE — Alderman Sandy Weidner has asked the Racine County District Attorney’s Office to look into a City Council vote taken this week that resulted in Alderman Dennis Wiser being re-elected to a second consecutive term as city council president.
"'I don’t know that any laws were broken,' writes Weidner in her inquiry, 'but it is my hope that the District Attorney’s Office could provide some guidance for the aldermen if this "balloting" is legitimate.'
"Third District Alderman Mike Shields, who has served on the City Council for nearly 25 years, and Wiser, who was first elected to the City Council in 2010, were both nominated to run for the post — Shields by Weidner, and Wiser by 13th District Alderman Jim Morgenroth.
"Aldermen turned in their ballots to the clerk; those ballots were counted by a clerk and Racine City Attorney Scott Letteney. Mayor John Dickert then announced that the winner was Wiser.
"Both Shields and Weidner then asked for the vote tally, but Dickert told them it was a secret ballot and moved the proceedings along to his State of the City Address, which was the last item on the agenda.
"It wasn’t until after the meeting had adjourned that Letteney disclosed the final tally, which he said was a 7-7 vote, with Dickert casting the tie-breaking ballot for Wiser.
"In her inquiry emailed Wednesday to Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete, Weidner states that her concern centers on the way the secret ballot was taken; alleging that Dickert had not cast a ballot at the time he announced that Wiser had won the election. She claims that the tie-breaking ballot was not cast until sometime near the end of the meeting, when Letteney allegedly asked a clerk for a blank ballot, and then allegedly filled it out himself.
"A call and email to Chiapete to confirm that he had received Weidner’s inquiry were not immediately returned Thursday, but Weidner provided a copy of Chiapete’s response to her email in which Chiapete writes that he has forwarded the inquiry on to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office for follow up.
"Letteney said Thursday that he could provide no comment because he had not seen the actual inquiry."
Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/alderman-asks-d-a-to-look-into-city-council-president/article_a6ddf0c2-a5a7-51a9-b677-8f04d353790e.html
Chicago politics at their best. Actually, although the politics in Chicago may be less than on the up-and-up. the citizens' needs are met. That's why it's called "The City That Works." Dickert could run things as smoothly as either Mayor Daley, but his big mouth and greed trip him up every time.
"RACINE — Alderman Sandy Weidner has asked the Racine County District Attorney’s Office to look into a City Council vote taken this week that resulted in Alderman Dennis Wiser being re-elected to a second consecutive term as city council president.
 |
| Sandy Weidner |
"The secret ballot vote took place Tuesday at the City Council’s annual organizational meeting, at City Hall, 730 Washington Ave.
"'I don’t know that any laws were broken,' writes Weidner in her inquiry, 'but it is my hope that the District Attorney’s Office could provide some guidance for the aldermen if this "balloting" is legitimate.'
"Third District Alderman Mike Shields, who has served on the City Council for nearly 25 years, and Wiser, who was first elected to the City Council in 2010, were both nominated to run for the post — Shields by Weidner, and Wiser by 13th District Alderman Jim Morgenroth.
"Aldermen turned in their ballots to the clerk; those ballots were counted by a clerk and Racine City Attorney Scott Letteney. Mayor John Dickert then announced that the winner was Wiser.
"Both Shields and Weidner then asked for the vote tally, but Dickert told them it was a secret ballot and moved the proceedings along to his State of the City Address, which was the last item on the agenda.
"It wasn’t until after the meeting had adjourned that Letteney disclosed the final tally, which he said was a 7-7 vote, with Dickert casting the tie-breaking ballot for Wiser.
"In her inquiry emailed Wednesday to Racine County District Attorney Rich Chiapete, Weidner states that her concern centers on the way the secret ballot was taken; alleging that Dickert had not cast a ballot at the time he announced that Wiser had won the election. She claims that the tie-breaking ballot was not cast until sometime near the end of the meeting, when Letteney allegedly asked a clerk for a blank ballot, and then allegedly filled it out himself.
"A call and email to Chiapete to confirm that he had received Weidner’s inquiry were not immediately returned Thursday, but Weidner provided a copy of Chiapete’s response to her email in which Chiapete writes that he has forwarded the inquiry on to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office for follow up.
"Letteney said Thursday that he could provide no comment because he had not seen the actual inquiry."
Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/alderman-asks-d-a-to-look-into-city-council-president/article_a6ddf0c2-a5a7-51a9-b677-8f04d353790e.html
Chicago politics at their best. Actually, although the politics in Chicago may be less than on the up-and-up. the citizens' needs are met. That's why it's called "The City That Works." Dickert could run things as smoothly as either Mayor Daley, but his big mouth and greed trip him up every time.
Four for Fridays!
I don't know how anyone else feels if the week went by fast or slow but I think it went by fast or it was just that Drew was on vacation. He went back to work today for one day then has the weekend off. I hope everyone has a had a good week. Here are your questions.
1) Has anyone ever listened to any of Prince's music?
2) Is there any Icon that has passed away that you do miss?
3) Do you have friends that are more like family to you?
4) Do you have days that you just want to turn your telephone off because it just seems like it will not stop ringing?
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
1) Has anyone ever listened to any of Prince's music?
2) Is there any Icon that has passed away that you do miss?
3) Do you have friends that are more like family to you?
4) Do you have days that you just want to turn your telephone off because it just seems like it will not stop ringing?
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
"Wisconsin state workers leaving in higher numbers as economy improves"
From JSOnline:
"Madison— The stream of workers leaving state agencies last year gushed at the highest level seen in at least a decade, driven by an improving economy that is making private employers more attractive in relation to their counterparts in government.
"Nearly one in eight employees left their state jobs last year for retirement, another job or other reasons, with one in five workers in some health care fields departing. In all, 3,600 workers outside of the University of Wisconsin System moved on from their state jobs in 2015, which was 23% more than 2014 and nearly twice as many as in 2010.
"The numbers, released to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel through an open records request, don't explain on their own why more workers are leaving or show that Wisconsin government is any worse than state governments around the country.
"It's clear that a big part of the trend can be explained by an improving economy that's giving workers more job opportunities than several years ago, when state employees hunkered down and generally didn't leave their jobs for reasons other than retirement.
"'We're seeing a definite trend in that it's difficult to recruit and retain state workers (nationally). It's due in significant part to compensation. In some parts of the country, it's not competing with market rates in the private sector,' said Leslie Scott, executive director of the National Association of State Personnel Executives.
"But the figures also add fire to an ongoing debate about whether stagnant wages and changes to union rules have made state government a less attractive employer to its workforce. Though controlling labor costs can be good for taxpayers, higher turnover, vacant jobs and the learning curve for new workers can also drive up overtime and training costs and affect public services.
"With the baby boom generation also hitting retirement age, the loss of experienced workers is likely to remain an issue for the state for some time to come. Citing that problem and the need for more efficient hiring practices, Gov. Scott Walker in February signed a broad overhaul of the state's century-old system of merit hiring and firing.
"'These reforms will allow us to better compete with the private sector and recruit the best and the brightest state employees to ensure we are providing high quality state services to citizens. These reforms also give agencies more tools to retain employees while allowing the state to hire more quickly and efficiently, which will help mitigate' departures, Walker administration spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said.
"During the Great Recession, new opportunities for workers and turnover in state government both plummeted, dropping in 2010 to 1,821 civil servants, or 6% of the state workforce, who left their non-university jobs for a variety of reasons, from retirements and resignations to terminations, layoffs and death. The figures don't include workers who took a different state job, and the numbers don't differentiate between resignations and firings.
"In 2011, Walker signed the law known as Act 10, repealing most union bargaining for most public workers and increasing state workers' benefit contributions by an amount equal to about 8.5% of take-home pay. That year, retirements jumped as employees sought to avoid fundamental changes to their retirement benefits, which didn't end up materializing. But with the recession still deep, relatively few employees resigned to take other jobs.
"The state offered across-the-board raises of 1% in 2014 and 2015, along with some merit increases for select employees, but no increases in the current two-year budget."
Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/wisconsin-state-workers-leaving-in-higher-numbers-as-economy-improves-b99706989z1-376578101.html
This is why state government now moves slow as molasses.
"Madison— The stream of workers leaving state agencies last year gushed at the highest level seen in at least a decade, driven by an improving economy that is making private employers more attractive in relation to their counterparts in government.
"Nearly one in eight employees left their state jobs last year for retirement, another job or other reasons, with one in five workers in some health care fields departing. In all, 3,600 workers outside of the University of Wisconsin System moved on from their state jobs in 2015, which was 23% more than 2014 and nearly twice as many as in 2010.
"The numbers, released to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel through an open records request, don't explain on their own why more workers are leaving or show that Wisconsin government is any worse than state governments around the country.
"It's clear that a big part of the trend can be explained by an improving economy that's giving workers more job opportunities than several years ago, when state employees hunkered down and generally didn't leave their jobs for reasons other than retirement.
"'We're seeing a definite trend in that it's difficult to recruit and retain state workers (nationally). It's due in significant part to compensation. In some parts of the country, it's not competing with market rates in the private sector,' said Leslie Scott, executive director of the National Association of State Personnel Executives.
"But the figures also add fire to an ongoing debate about whether stagnant wages and changes to union rules have made state government a less attractive employer to its workforce. Though controlling labor costs can be good for taxpayers, higher turnover, vacant jobs and the learning curve for new workers can also drive up overtime and training costs and affect public services.
"With the baby boom generation also hitting retirement age, the loss of experienced workers is likely to remain an issue for the state for some time to come. Citing that problem and the need for more efficient hiring practices, Gov. Scott Walker in February signed a broad overhaul of the state's century-old system of merit hiring and firing.
"'These reforms will allow us to better compete with the private sector and recruit the best and the brightest state employees to ensure we are providing high quality state services to citizens. These reforms also give agencies more tools to retain employees while allowing the state to hire more quickly and efficiently, which will help mitigate' departures, Walker administration spokeswoman Laurel Patrick said.
"During the Great Recession, new opportunities for workers and turnover in state government both plummeted, dropping in 2010 to 1,821 civil servants, or 6% of the state workforce, who left their non-university jobs for a variety of reasons, from retirements and resignations to terminations, layoffs and death. The figures don't include workers who took a different state job, and the numbers don't differentiate between resignations and firings.
"In 2011, Walker signed the law known as Act 10, repealing most union bargaining for most public workers and increasing state workers' benefit contributions by an amount equal to about 8.5% of take-home pay. That year, retirements jumped as employees sought to avoid fundamental changes to their retirement benefits, which didn't end up materializing. But with the recession still deep, relatively few employees resigned to take other jobs.
"The state offered across-the-board raises of 1% in 2014 and 2015, along with some merit increases for select employees, but no increases in the current two-year budget."
Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/wisconsin-state-workers-leaving-in-higher-numbers-as-economy-improves-b99706989z1-376578101.html
This is why state government now moves slow as molasses.
This apartment has always afforded good views of the moon
That's you-know-who in the lower left corner of the photo. He's sacked out on his old window perch which I hung in a ladder here because we have no window sills. Damn "modern" apartments. I love the old ones with lots of exposed wood.
"Music icon Prince dead at 57"
Updated 4:50 PM ET, Thu April 21, 2016
"(CNN)Prince Rogers Nelson, the eclectic virtuoso who penned such gems as 'Kiss,' and 'Let's Go Crazy' and who took on the music industry in his fight for creative freedom, died Thursday at age 57.
"'It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning,' publicist Yvette Noel-Schure said.
"Earlier Thursday, police said they were investigating a death at the Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota. They responded to a medical call and found the singer unresponsive in an elevator, Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said.
"A massive outpouring of grief followed on social media. Some are saying the icon's death 'is what it sounds like when doves cry,' a reference to his monster hit from 1984. Fans rushed to record stores to pick up vinyl and other Prince memorabilia."
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/21/entertainment/prince-estate-death/
They're dropping like flies.
"(CNN)Prince Rogers Nelson, the eclectic virtuoso who penned such gems as 'Kiss,' and 'Let's Go Crazy' and who took on the music industry in his fight for creative freedom, died Thursday at age 57.
"'It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning,' publicist Yvette Noel-Schure said.
"Earlier Thursday, police said they were investigating a death at the Paisley Park studios in Chanhassen, Minnesota. They responded to a medical call and found the singer unresponsive in an elevator, Carver County Sheriff Jim Olson said.
"A massive outpouring of grief followed on social media. Some are saying the icon's death 'is what it sounds like when doves cry,' a reference to his monster hit from 1984. Fans rushed to record stores to pick up vinyl and other Prince memorabilia."
Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/21/entertainment/prince-estate-death/
They're dropping like flies.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Birds
Since Drew is on vacation he has been going all over he has been birding in Milwaukee County, Racine County and Kenosha County. He has been getting up early and leaving to find the morning birds. This time I am going to share some owl pictures that he has taken.
This is a Great Horned Owl with an Owlet the picture was taken at Whitnall Park in Franklin Wi.. There is two Owlets but you can only see one in the picture.
This is a Eastern Screech Owl the picture was taken at Lake Park in Milwaukee Wi..
This is a Barred Owl the picture was taken at Whitnall Park in Franklin Wi.
I hope everyone enjoys the pictures and I hope everyone has a great day.
I hope everyone enjoys the pictures and I hope everyone has a great day.
Monday, April 18, 2016
Sunday, April 17, 2016
Spring Splash at Whitewater University!
Yesterday Drew and I went out to Whitewater University in Whitewater Wi. to bring my daughter some food. She forgot to tell me that it was Spring Splash weekend which is all the kids walk from house to house drinking. My daughter had to work so she was not out walking and drinking. It was so crazy driving down the streets and the kids just walk out in front of your car so you have to be very careful. The kids are walking down the streets with coolers and cases of beer. There was this one party in the woods and it was huge. The city police are driving up and down the streets. When we were leaving her dorm there was a police SUV by the stop sign watching one huge house party and I stopped and said I hope you have fun watching the kid they said we will. I told them I just wanted to get out of here and said we are from Racine and then we left. Here are some pictures of the kids walking down the streets and at home parties.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Friday, April 15, 2016
Same old, same old
Anyone who reads the online alternative news sources and blogs knows that Racine Uncovered has featured lost and found animals, as well as animals looking for their "forever home," for years.
Recently, Racine County Eye adopted the practice of featuring animals looking for their forever homes.
Today, I check out the Journal Times website and what do I see? "Slideshow: Animals looking for forever homes"
The Journal Times is always the last to jump on a bandwagon, letting others vet stories and concepts for them, then they put up a splashy story on their website.
Recently, Racine County Eye adopted the practice of featuring animals looking for their forever homes.
Today, I check out the Journal Times website and what do I see? "Slideshow: Animals looking for forever homes"
The Journal Times is always the last to jump on a bandwagon, letting others vet stories and concepts for them, then they put up a splashy story on their website.
Four for Fridays!
Today Drew starts his vacation and that means birding for a full week. I hope everyone has been enjoying the nice weather we are having. Sorry this is being posted later than usual. Here are your questions.
1) When you leave the house to go out and you are on the road do you have to turn around because you have forgotten something?
2) After you have gone grocery shopping and you have put all the groceries away to you have a hard time figuring out what to make for dinner?
3) Have you ever found out something really bad about a family member and you really have a hard time believing that about them?
4) Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that you don't know which way you are going?
I hope everyone enjoys there weekend!
1) When you leave the house to go out and you are on the road do you have to turn around because you have forgotten something?
2) After you have gone grocery shopping and you have put all the groceries away to you have a hard time figuring out what to make for dinner?
3) Have you ever found out something really bad about a family member and you really have a hard time believing that about them?
4) Do you ever feel so overwhelmed that you don't know which way you are going?
I hope everyone enjoys there weekend!
"Clinton, Sanders debate gets testy"
From JSOnline:
By , Associated Press
"New York— Deepening their increasingly bitter feud, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders aggressively challenged each other's judgment to be president in Thursday night's Democratic debate, sparring over qualifications, Wall Street banks and gun control.
"The showdown in Brooklyn came at a pivotal moment in the party's primary campaign, with Clinton leading in the delegate count but Sanders generating huge enthusiasm for his surprising candidacy. The debate also left no doubt that a rivalry that once centered on wonkish policy disagreements has turned strikingly personal.
"Clinton is eyeing a victory in Tuesday's primary in her adopted home state of New York. That win would blunt Sanders' recent momentum, which included his victory in Wisconsin's April 5 primary, and would put his pursuit of the nomination further out of reach. However, a Sanders upset of Clinton would shake up the race, raising fresh concerns about her candidacy and breathing new life into the Vermont senator's campaign.
"With the stakes so high, Sanders took a biting and often sarcastic tone as he sought to chip away at Clinton's credibility on issue after issue. He went as far as to suggest that her labeling of certain criminals as 'superpredators' when she was first lady was 'a racist term and everybody knew it was a racist term.'
"Sanders also cited Clinton's support for the unpopular Iraq War and for free trade agreements, as well as her willingness to accept money through a super PAC, as evidence that she lacks the needed judgment to lead the nation. Still, he backed away from previous statements questioning Clinton's qualifications, saying the former secretary of state does have the 'experience and intelligence' to be president.
"Clinton made little effort to hide her irritation with Sanders' implication that she is unqualified, saying that while she has been "called a lot of things in my life, that was a first." She repeatedly linked herself to President Barack Obama, who remains popular among Democrats, suggesting that Sanders' criticism of her amounted to condemnation of the president.
"Clinton also cast Sanders as a policy lightweight who is unprepared to implement even his signature proposals, including breaking up big banks. And she chided Sanders for chuckling during an exchange on gun control, an area where she has painted him as cozy with gun dealers and manufacturers.
"'It's not a laughing matter,' she said. 'I take it really seriously because I have spent more time than I care to remember being with people who have lost their loved ones.'
"The debate was the first for the Democratic candidates in five weeks. It came days before the New York primary, with a huge cache of delegates at stake.
"The raucous crowd loudly cheered their candidates and occasionally booed their foes. In response, at one point Clinton said with a smile, "I love Brooklyn."
"The Democratic primary has been fought for months on familiar terrain. Clinton has cast Sanders' proposals for breaking up banks and offering free tuition at public colleges and universities as unrealistic. Sanders has accused Clinton of being part of a rigged economic and political system, hammering her repeatedly for giving paid speeches to Wall Street banks and refusing to release the transcripts.
"Clinton continued to struggle to explain why she has not released the transcripts, saying only that she will do so when other candidates are required to do the same. She tried to raise questions about Sanders' own openness for not releasing his income taxes.
"The senator pledged to release his most recent tax returns on Friday and said there would be 'no big money from speeches, no major investments' in the disclosures."
Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/clinton-sanders-debate-gets-testy-b99707152z1-375801771.html
I haven't checked lately. Does Bernie still look like he's on the edge of a stroke?
 | |||
| Democratic Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) debate during the CNN Democratic Presidential Primary Debate at the Duggal Greenhouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Credit: Getty Images |
By , Associated Press
"New York— Deepening their increasingly bitter feud, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders aggressively challenged each other's judgment to be president in Thursday night's Democratic debate, sparring over qualifications, Wall Street banks and gun control.
"The showdown in Brooklyn came at a pivotal moment in the party's primary campaign, with Clinton leading in the delegate count but Sanders generating huge enthusiasm for his surprising candidacy. The debate also left no doubt that a rivalry that once centered on wonkish policy disagreements has turned strikingly personal.
"Clinton is eyeing a victory in Tuesday's primary in her adopted home state of New York. That win would blunt Sanders' recent momentum, which included his victory in Wisconsin's April 5 primary, and would put his pursuit of the nomination further out of reach. However, a Sanders upset of Clinton would shake up the race, raising fresh concerns about her candidacy and breathing new life into the Vermont senator's campaign.
"With the stakes so high, Sanders took a biting and often sarcastic tone as he sought to chip away at Clinton's credibility on issue after issue. He went as far as to suggest that her labeling of certain criminals as 'superpredators' when she was first lady was 'a racist term and everybody knew it was a racist term.'
"Sanders also cited Clinton's support for the unpopular Iraq War and for free trade agreements, as well as her willingness to accept money through a super PAC, as evidence that she lacks the needed judgment to lead the nation. Still, he backed away from previous statements questioning Clinton's qualifications, saying the former secretary of state does have the 'experience and intelligence' to be president.
"Clinton made little effort to hide her irritation with Sanders' implication that she is unqualified, saying that while she has been "called a lot of things in my life, that was a first." She repeatedly linked herself to President Barack Obama, who remains popular among Democrats, suggesting that Sanders' criticism of her amounted to condemnation of the president.
"Clinton also cast Sanders as a policy lightweight who is unprepared to implement even his signature proposals, including breaking up big banks. And she chided Sanders for chuckling during an exchange on gun control, an area where she has painted him as cozy with gun dealers and manufacturers.
"'It's not a laughing matter,' she said. 'I take it really seriously because I have spent more time than I care to remember being with people who have lost their loved ones.'
"The debate was the first for the Democratic candidates in five weeks. It came days before the New York primary, with a huge cache of delegates at stake.
"The raucous crowd loudly cheered their candidates and occasionally booed their foes. In response, at one point Clinton said with a smile, "I love Brooklyn."
"The Democratic primary has been fought for months on familiar terrain. Clinton has cast Sanders' proposals for breaking up banks and offering free tuition at public colleges and universities as unrealistic. Sanders has accused Clinton of being part of a rigged economic and political system, hammering her repeatedly for giving paid speeches to Wall Street banks and refusing to release the transcripts.
"Clinton continued to struggle to explain why she has not released the transcripts, saying only that she will do so when other candidates are required to do the same. She tried to raise questions about Sanders' own openness for not releasing his income taxes.
"The senator pledged to release his most recent tax returns on Friday and said there would be 'no big money from speeches, no major investments' in the disclosures."
Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/clinton-sanders-debate-gets-testy-b99707152z1-375801771.html
I haven't checked lately. Does Bernie still look like he's on the edge of a stroke?
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Dear Madame Zoltar
Well, it finally happened. Junior crashed Señor Zanza's car. And not in a small way, either. Thank God that both of them are OK. Junior managed to take out a traffic light pole. That punched a big "vee" into the front of Señor Zanza's Honda. Everything's insured, but I don't know if Señor Zanza will ever get into an automobile with Junior again, whether he's licensed or not. My poor dear. He looked so shocked. Junior, on the other hand, just appears sheepish. He's said, "I'm sorry," to Señor Zanza about five thousand times. I don't think it's made a dent yet.
I know this would never happen to my car, because Junior would never get near driving it. If he even thinks about it, I'd know. That's one of the drawbacks to having a psychic for a mother. I wanted to send Junior to a driving school, but, nooo, Señor Zanza said he'd do it. I asked him to reconsider. He insisted that he was up to the job. Now he's so sedated, he's snoozing it off in bed. I think when he wakes up, he may be more inclined to agree with me about a driving school. Let Junior put them out of business rather than risk our lives.
Thank God that Mr. Cruz won the Republican primary for Wisconsin. If Mr. Trump had won, I'd have to consider moving out of state. And I'm not even a Republican. http://instantrimshot.com/index.php?sound=rimshot&play=true
Years ago, I gave some thought to entering politics. Thank God I recovered. I have a tendency to speak the truth and that is the last thing wanted in politics. Truth is like antimatter to politics. Two lies that collide in the political arena spawn more lies. Two truths that collide in the political arena can cause a meltdown.
Because we're in a presidential election year, we're going to see and hear a mass of political ads and appearances. Try to take them in your stride. Many of them will be lies or distortions or comments taken out of context. It's going to get dirtier and dirtier. And that's just leading up to the conventions. Once we have two candidates, I predict it will be like a sewer. I don't like voting for people who spout lying crap, but I guess I have little choice.
Still, I believe that we live in the greatest nation on earth. And I think my readers are the greatest readers in the universe. I love you all. Thank you for reading my blog today.
Who has the most campaign money? Ask madamezoltar@jtirregulars.com
There's more birds out there, and more things poking out of the ground and from trees. Spring is nature's rebirth. Bask in whatever pieces of it that you can
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
One of my secrets...
I like the company of elderly black women. There were some here, but Clara, my favorite, appears to have moved out, or died.
I also like the lavish dress-up that some black women do for Sunday. I met one getting out of her car in the basement parking garage on a Sunday night. I asked her if she knew why the fire alarm had gone off that morning. (There was a kitchen fire directly below me, and I didn't even know it.) She said, "No, I was in church." Suddenly, I felt very small, like why wasn't I in church on Sunday morning?
I have no idea why I like such women. When I talk with them, it's like I'm talking with the salt of the earth. Maybe I should seek one out as a roommate to half costs. Better yet, marry a widow "rich" from her deceased husband's life insurance and pension. Wait. A "black widow." Mebbe not.
I also like the lavish dress-up that some black women do for Sunday. I met one getting out of her car in the basement parking garage on a Sunday night. I asked her if she knew why the fire alarm had gone off that morning. (There was a kitchen fire directly below me, and I didn't even know it.) She said, "No, I was in church." Suddenly, I felt very small, like why wasn't I in church on Sunday morning?
I have no idea why I like such women. When I talk with them, it's like I'm talking with the salt of the earth. Maybe I should seek one out as a roommate to half costs. Better yet, marry a widow "rich" from her deceased husband's life insurance and pension. Wait. A "black widow." Mebbe not.
"Father Martin's Chalk Talk on Alcohol"
He's right about alcoholics drinking because they are alcoholics. There's no hidden reason or trauma. We do it because it's who we are.
As for his statement that the further away an alcoholic is from his last drink, the closer he is to his next drink, he can kiss my ass. I heard that line in AA many times. Then how does he explain people who die with twenty, thirty, or more years sober?
Such self-defeatism permeates present day "AA" in Racine. Early editions of the "Big Book" (book entitled Alcoholics Anonymous) talked about recovered alcoholics. not "recovering" alcoholics. By "recovered" alcoholics, the early Big Book didn't mean that it was OK to go back to drinking. What it meant was that the craving for alcohol would be removed from you.
But there's no money for the treatment industry in recovered anything. Thus the mess that AA is today.
Monday, April 11, 2016
Birds
I thought I would let everyone know what we have been seeing so far with the migration of the birds coming in. I know Drew usually post this up for everyone to enjoy but with him working and then going out birding I hardly see him right now and next month is going to be even worse with the Warblers coming in. April and May are the two real bad months with the migration. I hope everyone enjoys the pictures.
This is a Killdeer and the picture was taken at the Coast Guard Impoundment in Milwaukee Wi.. If you look the Killdeer is sitting on the eggs already.
This is a Common Loon and the picture was taken at Petroleum Pier in Milwaukee Wi.. We went back to get more pictures and they were gone.
This is a Wilson's Snipe and the picture was taken on Cty Hwy V in Caledonia Wi.. There was so many of them in this pond I think Drew counted 12 with the binoculars.
This is just some of what we seen on Saturday while driving around Milwaukee and at the ponds on the way home.
This is just some of what we seen on Saturday while driving around Milwaukee and at the ponds on the way home.
