‘Free-range’ kids

This is total insane and out of control!

The Silver Spring siblings were about 2 ¹/₂ blocks from their home Sunday when Montgomery County police got a call reporting them — gasp — playing alone.

“The police coerced our children into the back of a patrol car and kept them trapped there for three hours, without notifying us, before bringing them to the Crisis Center, and holding them there without dinner for another two and a half hours,” their mom, Danielle Meitiv, said to her Facebook friends. “We finally got home at 11 pm and the kids slept in our room because we were all exhausted and terrified.”

Click here to read the full article  Free Range Kids

This was the 2nd time someone called the police on these kids. To me it appears the same person must placing the calls to the police.

When I was 10 we went where ever we wanted, the 'rule' was, we had to be in the front yard when the streetlights came on! Rules change especially in Racine since City Hall has turned off some of the street lights.

Very interesting article to read; how crazy this country is really becoming.


Source: 

Open Blog - Monday

And I'm hypnotized.

Women Drivers

It starts early.

"Young Woman Calmly And Eloquently Explains Why She's Not A Feminist"

"Coconut Oil - the magic elixir on The Second City Project"

http://www.globaltv.com/thesecondcityproject/

"Get Away from Me, Hoe! - Break's Salty Saturdays"

The Report for after the Storm!

Yes the JTI storm reporter did her job and went out to check around how bad the storm was. I will let you know this much if we get another storm before the water has a chance to go down the Root River is going to go over and also some of the side roads out in the country. I just could not believe how much rain did come down. Then on the news they say we only got 2 1/2 inches of rain not true it was a lot more than that. I can tell by the river.

On the west side of interstate 94 got it worse then we did. Drew and I went out that way to do some birding yesterday when he got off of work. You would not believe it out there we seen small branches on the road and you could tell in spots that the water did go over the roads. I do have a picture of a farm out there too.

Here are some pictures I did take yesterday-

                                       This is by the Root River on 5 Mile Rd in Caledonia Wi.

                                       This is by the Root River on 5 Mile Rd in Caledonia Wi.

                           This is by the Great Blue Heron nests on Nicholson Rd in Caledonia Wi.

                      This is on the West side of Interstate 94 on 2 Mile Rd. this is the farm field.

I hope that everyone enjoys the pictures and then you know how much rain we did get.

"Illinois company refurbishing Jacato Drive apartments"

From The Journal Times.com:

". . . . .

"Beth David, whose non-for-profit community group We Are Racine is located at 2432 Jacato Drive, has also been impressed by the work going on at the buildings.

"'When I heard they were sold, I thought, "here we go again," David said Friday, noting that she changed her mind as soon as she saw the renovations.

"'Oh my God, it’s phenomenal,' David said. "I see a lot of hope over there –hope where I have never seen hope.'"

Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/illinois-company-refurbishing-jacato-drive-apartments/article_3b2bd7a4-21ff-5848-8af1-8ceb18a8bf42.html


Like someone says in the Journal Times comments, neither Beth nor her group will see one penny of any profits.  This is truly a case of a neighborhood rehabbed by the residents themselves.  That's what made it attractive to investors.

Open Blog - Weekend

Take it easy.

Spring Gardening Tips

Bicycle Bat

Tucson just finished a new trail that fills in a gap along the Pantano Wash near Broadway Boulevard. The bridge over the wash has a huge bat colony underneath it. As part of this project, they installed a new sculpture along the trail: I present Bicycle Bat.

Unintentional house 'pets'

Spiders don't scare me. 

I actually like having them around.
I know they eat other bugs and are fond of flies, 

so as long as they behave, they have a safe home here. 

Yes, I've even named a few. This one, is Jake. He hung out in our upstairs bathroom for some time. He's moved on, and I've lost tabs on him :(
Hopefully he's keeping his belly full of unwanted creepy crawlies!

Leggy Larry, however, wasn't a welcomed guest.
He meandered in front of me, just to the left of my monitor, Tuesday morning while I was waking up. I did not scream. I DID, however, gasp just a little.

I moved my light to shine on him and see if he'd scamper back wherever he came from. He, instead, chose to 'sun' himself for a bit, before darting into my feather duster that I keep behind my monitor, feathers up. I quickly took my duster out the back door and shook him into the great outdoors, before resuming my morning awakening. Long live Larry, somewhere else.

Life is never dull around here!

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone and welcome back! A little bit of a quicker week for me..... Less overtime. I wonder how long that will last. Looking forward to a nice weekend. Anyways, your questions...

1) If dinosaurs were able to be revived from extinction, should it be done?

2) What road conditions do you think is the worst to drive in?

3) What is the most embarrassing song in your collection?

4) How often do you take pictures?

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

What a party girl!

Alltime10s Thursdays

Open Blog - Thursday

Enjoy your day.

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my guys and dolls!  How are you?  We’re still on the temperature rollercoaster.  It’s been weeks.  40’s today, 60’s tomorrow.  I never know what to wear outside anymore.  Cold and dry in the morning, hot and humid by lunchtime, snow in the evening, frost overnight.  How can you prepare for that?  Just take your entire wardrobe with you, and then you’ll be “covered.”

We had a quiet Easter at home with me, Junior, and Señor Zanza.  Some ham and mashed potatoes, various veggies and some hot buns.  The ham didn’t last long with Junior around.  We didn’t color any eggs this year.  That’s the first time since Junior’s birth.   

What a terrible loss that UW sustained at the hands of Duke University.  Just like our Packer season:  a wonderful record topped by a loss.  Well, the fact of the matter is that placing second, or third, is nothing to be ashamed of.  Quite the contrary.  Instead of mourning the loss, we should celebrate that UW made it as far as it did.  There’s nothing “wrong” with second place.  It still places UW very near the top of the basketball heap.

Did your candidates win in the election?  Mr. Mayor Dickert held off a challenge to his seat, but the President of Mount Pleasant was unseated.  My candidate, Honesty Wrapped in Common Sense, didn’t appear anywhere on my ballot.  I can’t wait to see what Racine looks like at the end of Mr. Mayor’s term, which will mark 10 years in office for him and should show that Racine is a “Top Ten city.”  I’m not even sure of what that means.  Politicians are the masters of double-talk.  Some people talk of a clique of politicians locally that results in thousands of tax dollars for certain clique members.  Who knows?

Here’s a cute little video for the dog lovers amongst us:

Sometimes I swear that the tension in my head sounds just like that howling to me.  Not hard to see who the alpha dog is in the video.  I mean, the husky isn’t fetching slippers.

That’s it for this week, my Zoltar® Rangers™.  I enjoy a wide variety of subjects and people.  Thank you for sharing it with me.

How elections work: MadameZoltar@jtirregulars.com

I love you my dears.  The rising temperatures will mean more time spent outside in play.  Enjoy yourself, but start out slow.  We don’t need any more injuries than the Packers do.  Keep your eyes peeled for motorcycles and kids.  And kids on motorcycles. I love you all.

Open Blog - Wednesday

Have a good day.

"17 Mitch Hedberg Quotes To Get You Through The Week"

Read and see more: http://www.break.com/article/17-mitch-hedberg-quotes-to-get-you-through-the-week-2841919

Vote Today

Or you can't whine.

Open Blog - Tuesday

Spring has sprung.

Oh well

At least we made it to the final game Go Badgers

Congrats Duke on a tough game

From The Journal Times.com:

"Man wearing garbage bag robs Sturtevant store"

"The suspect is described as a white male, 5 feet 8 inches tall, wearing a black coat and blue jeans with a garbage bag over his head."

Read more: http://journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-wearing-garbage-bag-robs-sturtevant-store/article_b7ab7964-f3ab-5a94-8469-89e3bc171784.html


You'd think he'd have the decency to steal a ski mask before he hit the Sturtevant store.

Beware of the Dog

All he wants is his belly rubbed.

Open Blog - Monday

Regift Mondays.

Easter Sunday

"Daytime Fireworks Never Seen Before"

Cool!

Lunar Eclipse From Vegas

I have a three day weekend so decided to take off to Vegas. Well, there was also an unusual lunar eclipse this morning...unusual in that totality only lasted five minutes. The eclipse took place as the Moon as setting...think you would have missed totality from Racine but would have seen some partial phases.

Anyway, here are some shots I got this morning...enjoy!

Open Blog - Weekend

Hope you have a good one.

Weekday Funny

Do those meet the standards of the electrical codes?

"That's A Moron - Parody of Dean Martin 'That's Amore' by Al Mahan"

Submitted by legal stranger:



That's what males do.

"The Journal Times Editorial Board endorses Hargrove for mayor"

From The Journal Times.com:

http://journaltimes.com/news/local/the-journal-times-editorial-board-endorses-hargrove-for-mayor/article_5167c0e3-1de4-5192-a09a-9dcf59ac6307.html


It didn't seem that cold to me, but hell has frozen over.

Your Struggle Is Not In Your Imagination

http://www.wpr.org/wisconsin-has-seen-largest-middle-class-decline-any-state-study-finds

Wisconsin's middle class saw the steepest decline in the country since 2000, according to a new study. 

Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture (CC-BY)

The study found that the percentage of households in the middle class dropped in all 50 states, with Wisconsin’s drop from 54.6 percent to 48.9 percent being the most significant. Moreover, Wisconsin saw a 14 percent decline in median household income.  (click the above link to wpr to read more...)

Four for Fridays

Hello everyone ans welcome back! It's Good Friday and I have the day off.... a brilliant way to end an easy week. (Believe me, that doesn't happen too often...) Anyways, your questions....

1) Do you plan things or wait until the last minute?

2) Do you have any Easter traditions?

3) Have you ever gone snorkeling?

4) Do you do a "spring cleaning"

Enjoy your weekend!

Open Blog - Friday

Fridays can make you do funny things.

Pretty Pussy Cat

"Cynthia Lennon - In Loving Memory"

This is the video and song that Julian Lennon created in memory of his mother, Cynthia Lennon, who died yesterday, April 1, 2015.

Alltime10s Thursdays

"Champions of conservation decry environmental March Madness"

From JSOnline:

Associated Press

The budget presented by Gov. Scott Walker would make the Natural Resources Board advisory-only, cut science and educator positions at the Department of Natural Resources and put new deals under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program on hold until 2028.

By Paul A. Smith of the Journal Sentinel - April 1, 2015 10:23 p.m.

 

"No two springs are alike. They advance at different paces, are marked by different forces.

"This season in Wisconsin will forever be noted by a spike in basketball fever. And for a proposed state budget that has attracted strong opposition from a wide range of pro-conservation groups and individuals.

"The budget presented by Gov. Scott Walker would make the Natural Resources Board advisory-only, cut science and educator positions at the Department of Natural Resources and put new deals under the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program on hold until 2028."

Read more: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/outdoors/champions-of-conservation-decry-environmental-march-madness-b99472915z1-298406981.html

Open Blog - Thursday

Bottoms up!

"Very sad times in Racine, some homeless, will call the streets their home"

Credit Rev. Kevin Stewart

From RacineUncovered:

"Last evening was the Hospitality Center’s Emergency Overnight Shelter last night operating. They werenever equipped with the needs to run a homeless shelter, but they opened their doors to help.

"The leaders of Racine, community organizations, businesses and residents knew this day was coming. The entire community has had months to find a solution to end these problems, so all people have shelter. Yet in the end the all solutions weren’t found in time."

Read more:  http://racineuncovered.org/2015/04/very-sad-times-in-racine-some-homeless-will-call-the-streets-their-home/

Dear Madame Zoltar

Hello, my April foolers!  How are you?  Did March go out as a lamb or a lion?  I think it was more lambish than lionish.  Our rollercoaster of temperatures continues.  The nice days hint of what is to come, while the bad days remind us of the wrath of winter.  (As if that were needed.)  I’m not complaining given the backdrop of our 20 below winters.  30 or 40 or 50 or even 60 degree days are fine by me.  It seems the wind won’t stop howling.  I wonder if that’s caused by the hot air released in recent forums, panels, appearances, etc., on the upcoming elections?

Last week I bemoaned the approaching election and its attendant robocalls and flashy fliers delivered by mail.  So far, no robocalls for me.  I’ve received a couple of mailings for judge.  They are card stock with glossy finishes.  Couldn’t the money for that be better used somehow?  80% of the population doesn’t vote or give a damn, while 20% is bombarded by lies. 

Nonetheless, VOTE on April 7^th.  It’s the way our voice is heard.  Most of us, that is.  When I reminded Señor Zanza of next Tuesday’s elections, he simply said, “I don’t deal with that.”  WTF?  Ooo, I’m so curious about that man, but I’m afraid I’ll lose him if I push too hard to know his secrets.  He’s never acted violent in my presence.  In fact, it’s frustrating trying to provoke him.  He’s always seemed to have my and Junior’s best interests in mind.  And there’s been a few times where he “escorted” me home after I had a little too much to drink.  Junior loves him.  Me?  I’m not so sure.

If you haven’t filed your tax returns yet, you have a couple of weeks to “git ‘er done.”  I’m not scolding anyone on this.  I just filed my paperwork yesterday.  Apparently, taxes are another area where Señor Zanza doesn’t “deal with that.” 

I’m not trying to lynch Señor Zanza here.  Since I met him, he’s always been a perfect gentleman.  His influence has been good.  When I’m with him, I get the feeling that something very positive is just about to happen.  But it never does.

Have you taken a drive around the city recently?  The streets are in the worst condition that I’ve ever seen them.  Radio station WIIL held a promotion to find out where the worst potholes are: Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, or Chicago.  Racine “won”: https://www.facebook.com/95WIILROCK/posts/10153197811269306 We have money for “Machinery Row,” but not any roadwork.  It’s getting harder and harder to avoid the potholes.  Maybe Racine will become known as “Pothole Row.”  In the meantime, be careful out on the streets.  Some of the conditions are severe and hard to avoid.  When you think of the cost of a strut or tie rod or tire, you become careful.  You could make a claim against the city, but you’d lose.

Thank you all for reading my blog today.  I love you.  I respect you.  I need you.  You are why this blog appears.

Questions, concerns, queries?  Ask MadameZoltar@jtirregulars.com

Enjoy the weather.  Watch out for the crazy drivers.  Don’t let the cold days get you down.  Soon enough, hot days will get you down.

Crazy Car.....

Open Blog - Wednesday

Watch out for pranks and tricks.

"Tiny songbird tracked across 1,700 miles of open ocean"

By Wilson Ring | AP March 31 at 7:16 PM

 

"MONTPELIER, Vt. — A tiny songbird that summers in the forests of northern North America has been tracked on a 1,700-mile, over-the-ocean journey from the northeastern United States and eastern Canada to the Caribbean as part of their winter migration to South America, according to a new study.

"Scientists had long suspected that the blackpoll warbler had made its journey to the Caribbean over the ocean, but the study that began in the summer of 2013 when scientists attached tracking devices to the birds was the first time that the flight has been proven, according to results published Wednesday in the United Kingdom in the journal Biology Letters.

"'It is such a spectacular, astounding feat that this half-an-ounce bird can make what is obviously a perilous, highly risky journey over the open ocean,' said Chris Rimmer of the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, one of the authors."

Read more:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/energy-environment/tiny-songbird-tracked-across-1700-miles-of-open-ocean/2015/03/31/5f27b03c-d7fb-11e4-bf0b-f648b95a6488_story.html


1,700 miles nonstop.  How do they do it?

Cactus with an Attitude

Wisconsin Schools and the Latest Freedom Propaganda Pledge

"Access to a college education at a reasonable cost is something that every Wisconsin high school graduate with appropriate qualifications should be entitled to receive."

I agree. I believe we are being very short-sighted not to use OUR tax money to benefit the future of Wisconsin. I'm tired of hearing that we are broke. Let's not make us more broken down the road. 

Wisconsin's UW System has played a major role in the Genome project. This level of research and higher level learning is becoming out of reach for our own children. The knowledge and research you need in the future could be at risk today. 

For the first time ever, the number of Wisconsin children enrolled at Madison is lower than those from out of state, who pay higher tuition costs. 

I'd rather have a few less round-a-bouts, a few less discounts handed out to companies who want to relocate just over our borders for tax breaks, and instead, continue to invest in a more educated population base.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/cuts-to-university-of-wisconsin-system-will-hurt-the-entire-state-b99469777z1-297884241.html

Are we being forced to become too elite for our own good?

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/01/28/wisconsin-looks-cut-higher-ed-300m-tries-give-something-return

"Racine woman charged after going to the bathroom in public at Kmart"

From RacineUncovered:

"Melissa A Jacobson, 50 of Racine has been charged with one count of Disorderly Conduct and two counts of Resisting or Obstructing an Officer after she allegedly she urinated and defecated by a register at a local Kmart Store, after making her initial appearance in Racine Circuit Courts this afternoon. She was given a $500 signature bond"

Read more: http://racineuncovered.org/2015/03/racine-woman-charged-after-going-to-the-bathroom-in-public-in-a-kmart/


I guess when you gotta go, you gotta go.

Open Blog - Tuesday

May your day be superb!

Dave Van Ronk - "Hang me, Oh Hang Me"

My then-wife and I saw this man (above, on the right) perform many moons ago.  We did go to a Dylan concert, too,  in the Chicago Auditorium, even more moons ago.  We were in the nosebleed section.  I had good eyes then and I could barely make out what was happening onstage.

"Michigan State Fan Will Show Her Boobs For Final Four Tickets"

Craigslist

Posted on 3/30/2015 1:33:00 PM by Dave Kim

"One quick search on StubHub will tell you that tickets to the Final Four April 4 and 6 in Indianapolis are expensive as hell. However, there are other forms of payments that don't require cash. Or self-respect.

"WGRD in Grand Rapids, Mich. shares how a Michigan State fan posted on the Indianapolis section of Craigslist an ad for Final Four tickets. She is 'more than willing to offer a kiss and boob flash' in exchange for tickets to see her Spartans take on Duke this Saturday.

"She's also nice enough to let you know that she is 'an attractive Michigan State graduate in my 20's.'

"There are many things that can happen here, but we won't get into all of that. Hopefully she doesn't end up as a news story on Dateline.

"March Madness, indeed."

Read more:  http://www.detroitsports1051.com/the-locker-room/2015/03/30/michigan-state-fan-will-show-her-boobs-for-final-four-tickets


I'll do a belly flash for a dime. $10 if you don't want me to do it

"April 4th-Fundraiser to benefit Mound Cemetery"

From RacineUncovered:

"On April 4th 2015 Ogichidaa Mawansomag Board Members will hold a “Breakfast for Dinner” fundraiser at the Racine Moose Family Center; located at 5530 Middle Road. The event will begin at 4:00pm on April 4th and end at 12:00am.

"The dinner will consist of 'all you can eat' pancakes and french toast, along with other various breakfast themed offerings. Beverages are available for purchase at the Moose Family Center by means of 'cash bar.'

"In exchange for a donation of $10.00 guests will receive not only the breakfast themed dinner, but will also be free to enjoy various entertainment throughout the night. Due to entertainment times, it is recommended to utilize the online ticketing option to guarantee seating during specific times.

"Tickets can be purchased at Fundraiser for Mound Cemetery, Racine WI Native American Burial Sites"

Read more: http://racineuncovered.org/2015/03/april-4th-fundraiser-to-benefit-mound-cemetery/

Open Blog - Monday

I'll probably scream through the whole damn thing.

Dark Money Matters

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/03/27/media-ignores-scott-walkers-dark-money-controve/203070

Tried to embed the video, but I couldn't get it to work. Pretty interesting stuff that isn't making main stream news yet.

My first blog. More to come, I hope.