Kicking Snow

So I'm heading north Saturday and I call my Hoser buddy Wilx and I'm near Dwight, Ill. While I'm talking I get off on the wrong exit.

"You know your mother is laughing at you right now," Wilx says.

You know he is right. She was horrible at directions and always getting lost. One time when we lived in Montreal she took a wrong turn and we were halfway to Toronto before she stopped and got directions to turn around.

So whenever I get lost .... thanks, Mom .... I hear her laugh and it makes me feel better.

So today I'm in GR and go to the cemetery, but there's four inches of snow. I've been here four or five times but not that familiar with the area and I kick around for a few minutes but CAN'T FIND MOM.

At one point I stick my big boot into the ground and it sinks six inches into the soil. Much to my horror I see a big snow-covered pile of sod a few feet away. Great. Looking for mom, digging up a Grand Rapidian instead.

I'm about to give up when I give it one more kick and boom, there's Virginia Coray Hart.

So the moral of the story is .... don't kick your mother when she is in the ground, but do kick the snow off her grave until you find it.

We're Ready

Good practice last night ... we are ready for a big show Friday at The Elks. Apparently they are closed to sold out for the Christmas dinner/dance/show.

We've learned some Christmas songs and brushed up on some old favorites, should be fun!

World In White

I don't know about you, but I love waking up to a fresh snowmall.

Remembering Gregory Klaas Hart today, on the fifth anniversary of his passing. He rests in a much better place, and for that we are glad.

OK, fill in the blanks .... "Christmas shopping _________." Remember, it's a family Website.

Just got done reading one of the best books I've ever read. More next week.

Bet the South Park Hill will be busy with sledders, though more snow would help. Might be worth taking a look a little later.

Hmmmm. Wonder how the ice is?

One more Funions practice Tuesday, then we are ready for our Dec. 21 show at The Elks. It's reportedly going to be a huge crowd. "Run Run Rudolph" is one of the best songs we've learned. Fun fun fun!

Have yourself a safe Saturday, be careful out there.

La Grange

Very few people just don't care like Jerry Brandt just doesn't care.

http://www.lagrangemissouri.com/gossip.htm

It's never dull ....

Security

There have been suggestions media do a followup with the local mall in the wake of the shooting in Omaha.

As always, gotta be careful about work-related issues. And it is a good idea in some respects.

But really, what are malls going to do? Make us all walk through metal detectors? Shake us down as we enter stores?

There are common sense things which are worth reporting. Citizens should be alert (NOT paronoid) and should always be aware of their surroundings in a public place.

I gasped at the one media report about what to do if encountering such a situation: Remain Calm.

Remain calm? Sounds like good advice, I guess. But when you are in a mall and psycho is blasting away, do you really remain calm? It's completely inappropriate, but it recalls Kevin Bacon in Animal House when Faber is stampeding during the disasterous homecoming parade - "ALL IS WELL!!!!"

There have been some tremendous stories in the wake of the church shootings. Just one of them is here:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14817480/detail.html

So it's come to this ... undercover security with firearms in our churches.

I am not being critical of it. And the woman likely saved many lives with her actions.

But.

God help us all.

Triumph

Is it just me, or is The Fox 103.9 playing a little heavier classic rock lately?

I'm not complaining. Grew up on the stuff, after all.

Doc Holiday of 103.9 had a great interview recently with Rik Emmitt of Triumph fame ....

http://www.1039thefox.com/rikemmett-produced.mp3

I saw Triumph in 1993 at Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Mich., with my all-time hoser buddy Scott VE. My ears bled for days. Emmett was amazing. Check out his websites, including the myspace site (I think the links are on the fox's site) for more.

Emmett and Triumph are beauty ways to go.

Christmas Music

The Funions cranked out Christmas songs last night in Dr. Brei's basement. We have a couple of new original songs and some standards .... straight blues like Merry Christmas Baby to Run Run Rudolph. Our show at the Elks Dec. 21 should be a blast!

Slink video, Carthage Christmas

The legendary Slink Rand made a hysterical video for "Got It Made." Go to www.slinkrand.com and check on the youtube link.

Speaking of Slink and Carl Thomas, they are both playing in Carthage this weekend as part of the "Christmas Wish" concert at the old college auditorium. www.carsonford.com for more info. Shows are Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., call (217) 357-3154 for ticket info.