A Super Bowl and a 6-Year Old
About Two Weeks Ago
6-year old: I know who's going to win the football game.
Me: Who?
6-year old: The Giants. The Packers are not going to win.
A very annoyed me: Why, why, WHY do you think the Giants are going to win? My husband stands at a distance. His face is red.
6-year old: It's easy. The Cowboys beat the Packers and the Giants beat the Cowboys. So, it's obvious. Don't you see? The Giants will beat the Packers. My son then rolls his eyes, leaves the room, and looks for his Darth Vader action figure.
Today
Me: So, who do you think is going to win the Super Bowl today?
6-year old: It's so easy! The Patriots won every game of the year. The Giants have not won every game. The Patriots *duh* will win. Why even watch the game?
I stand there - amused and almost speechless. I try to teach my son about the term "underdog" and that sometimes underdogs do win. My son gives me an odd look, rolls his eyes again, and ask about my favorite villain in Batman. I'm obviously not going to convince him of anything today.
So, tonight - as my know-it-all son plays with his friend or toys, his parents will be in front of the TV - rooting for the underdog.
Fish Fry Season
Tis the season - Lent is starting February 6th and ends on March 22nd. Although many people do Friday Fish Fry year round because they enjoy the ritual, others renew their fish fry traditions during this time. Did you know that Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, Carnival, Fasching), the day before it starts which many use to throw one last party, is called Carnival in many places which is Latin for farewell to meat?
To carry on the tradition (since I don't like fish I can't really write up a review myself), I asked a few friends what their favorite fish fry places were. These are not in any order, except the furthest away are listed last. NOTE: AYCE = All you can eat! Send me comments on what YOUR favorites are!
Neither rain, nor snow...shall keep neighbors from acts of kindness
While I’m 13 time zones away from home, wading through thigh-deep flood waters and marveling at a good Samaritan who stood at the end of a wall warning those of us headed in the direction of the Grand Hyatt Jakarta – my roost away from home on my periodic work-related trips to this Indonesian capital – of uneven pavement lurking beneath the reddish murky deluge then lending a helping hand as we avoided that hazard and edged around the wall, I got emails about equally selfless acts of kindness among the neighbors back home in South Milwaukee.
First was my husband writing about the 6-7 inches of snow with drifts 10-12 inches deep that blanketed Southeast Wisconsin last Thursday night. When he went out to man shovel and blower, there was next-door neighbor Jerry Paprocki helping across-the-street neighbor Jim Wood clear Jim’s driveway. Once done with that good deed, Jerry headed toward our house and helped Hib finish the job on our driveway.
A Repeat Of History?
In 1937 the City of Milwaukee ceded their parks to Milwaukee County because of financial problems. The thought then was to spread the cost of building and operating parks to a broader tax base. This consolidation of City and County parks worked very well as the tax base of the County was growing exponentially. Unfortunately, our parks today are suffering the same malady that lead to the consolidation.
To put the current financial problems of our parks in historical perspective it is helpful to understand how our present system of parks was created.
Saving Sweet-Tempered Pit Bulls
A very special conference, Saving the Sweet-Tempered Pit Bull, will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 9:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. at the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC), 3839 West Burnham Street in West Milwaukee. The event includes speakers, demonstrations and innovative programs from nationally recognized groups that have extensive experience helping Pit Bulls and building safe communities. The goal is to raise awareness about Pit Bulls, encourage people to foster and ultimately, adopt more sweet-natured Pit Bulls. Sponsors of the event include MADACC, the Wisconsin Humane Society, ASPCA, Central Bark and McCabe Group Insurance Services.
Friends of Grant Park to hold 4th annual "Pullin 'O The Green"
The Friends of Grant Park will be hosting their annual "Pullin 'O The Green" party at the Grant Park Golf Course Clubhouse at 100 East Hawthorne Avenue in South Milwaukee. The party is being held on Saturday, March 8th, from 5 to 9 pm. The cost is $10.
This is an Irish Party complete with Irish Stew and brew. The Garlic Mustard Pickers will be playing traditional Celtic music. I have seen this band several times, including last week at "FIXX" in St. Francis, and they are great performers. This is a great way to get out and meet some of your neighbors while having an opportunity to see a local band.
Being Bitten (and the Angel Who Helped Me)
This video is so cute!
NOW blogs make Milwaukee Magazine
The Insider/Pressroom section of Milwaukee Magazine’s March issue included a piece about MyCommunityNOW.com blogs, of which “New Kid’s View” is one. Some NOW bloggers apparently engage in back-biting and political/ideological bickering. Some of the vitriol emerges in readers’ comments to blog postings. A few people have taken issue with some of my postings – one neighbor showed up at my front door wanting to discuss one, the police chief contacted NOW management about another, another NOW blogger sent me a sympathetic email about some snarky comments to yet another posting. For the most part, though, my intent is to make observations about the good things of South Milwaukee and my great South Milwaukee neighbors. Given that, I wrote a letter to Milwaukee Magazine editor saying so. If it’s published, it should appear in the April issue. If it isn’t, I’ll post it on this blog.
ADOPTED Pair! Got room for two?
Thanks to a very loving guardian, Sammy and Adrian are still together - in their new home!
Things to Do When You're Trapped in Your House
Yesterday, the driver's side door of my car froze shut. So I climbed through the passenger door and pushed the driver's side door open with my feet. At this point, my fingers were cold - so cold, I removed my gloves and took turns sitting on each hand as I drove to work.
Here are some things you can do, at home, without leaving the house.
UPDATE! Sweet Dalmation looking to retire
UPDATE! OATMEAL IS THRIVING IN HIS NEW HOME... AND HIS GUARDIAN IS A REAL FIREFIGHTER!
Oatmeal is the sweetest boy you could possibly imagine, plus he's got the cutest spots ever! This Dalmation is amazingly gentle, polite and well-behaved. He's 10 years old and looking for a retirement home where he'll be loved and taken care of. A brief daily walk will suffice for Oatmeal and he'd love a soft bed and some toys to play with! Give him a little affection and Oatmeal will provide you with loving companionship and be your friend forever.
Chevy's Restaurant
There is a rumor in South Milwaukee that if you want a great burger, you must go to CHEVY"S ... This new resturant recently opened and is reminence of a small soda fountain, 50's type theme. So Mom and the SENIOR SLEUTHS had to go check it out for lunch. The verdict is that the angus burgers were great.. french fries thin and not greasy, chilli also tasty. Mom could not resist a malt, which was thin enough to drink through a straw for a change. Prices reasonable, staff friendly, will visit again. Drop in Chevy's on Milwaukee Avenue and judge for yourself....
Doctors, Symptoms, and Drug Prices
One of the countless things I've learned since being on my own (and more so since having kids) is that most doctors are very smart, work hard, mean well, are sometimes fun to talk to, and are definitely, definitely, definitely not perfect.
Relax with Sweet Sierra
Sierra is a calm dog with a very sweet, loving personality. This 6 year old American Pit Bull Terrier mix is happy to relax quietly with her family and would just as soon watch sports on TV than chase a ball herself. Sierra does enjoy short walks, but is not dog who needs to run for miles everyday. If you have a relaxed, low-key lifestyle and a lot of love to give, then this beautiful girl just may be your perfect match. Check her out at wihumane.org.
UPDATE! Neglect Victims Need Your Help
Some of the Cedarburg cats are up for adoption at ozaukeehumane.org. See them on the website under "Available Cats."
March Schedule for Local Celtic Band
Here is the March performance schedule for the Garlic Mustard Pickers:
Monday, March 3rd: This is the band's "First Monday" gig for March at Fixx Coffee House, 3558 E. Sivyer Ave, St. Francis. (It's just north of the Carlton Grange Pub on the North end of Packard Avenue.) Admission is free. Music starts at 7:15 pm. Besides the tea and coffee, Fixx serves fine soups, light fare and tasty desserts. Non-smoking. I saw the Garlic Mustard Pickers perform there last month. It is a beautiful place and has great coffee; definately worth stopping in. For info call Shari at (414) 482-0919.
