Takin' the Blog for a Walk

gettin high on New Year's Eve

Brien Lee — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:19:00 GMT

Visited the highest point in Waukesha County yesterday. I have the Lapham Peaktures to prove it. I wasn't there very long, just enough to put my state park sticker to one last use, but enjoyed a nice walk on the Ice Age Trail. Also had to see what the weather was like atop the 45 foot observation tower. Cold. Very, very CccccCold.

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Waukesha's new 24 hour shelter?

Brien Lee — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:13:39 GMT

A new, temporary men's shelter has been proposed for opening at St. Matthias Episcopal Church from now through April. Present shelters are overcrowded and this would free up room for families at the Hebron shelters.

Only problem, besides the necessary permit and variance, is the newspapers don't agree on hours of operation.

Tuesday's Journal Sentinel: Plans call for the east-side shelter to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week, until April 30.

Tuesday's Freeman: The new shelter, which will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week, got a boost from the United Way in the form of a $20,000 allocation to pay for a staff person, Juno said.

I know from the Freeman's much more in depth article that the shelter will be open 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and not 24 hours. Darryl Enriquez in his Waukesha FYI blog also gets it right.

But where do homeless guys go during the day? Salvation Army's policy is to also have men leave around 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning, though the families in Hebron shelters are not required to leave like that. Jobs are highly encouraged at all shelters. Having guys hang out in a shelter all day doesn't help get them out job hunting. But where do they go; for a job in this economy; during weekends; holidays, when your workplace or warm areas like the library are closed?

Please don't take the roof over your head for granted. And try to be mindful of the less fortunate. They could be us someday.

all bets are off

Brien Lee — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:12:09 GMT

My last post mentioned my neighbor's German Shepherd harassing Sir Fido, a dog half his size. Yesterday, for the second time, their dog ran into our yard and tried to get a piece of Sir Fido while he was on his rope trying to do his business. Fortunately one of us was there to break it up before Sir Fido could finish him off. As you can see from his picture on my previous post, Mr. Fido is mean and hungry - he would have made shepherd pie out of that dog.

If I was home and would have broken it up after curses were barked but before fur was flying, I again wouldn't have called the police on my neighbor. But it's an extremely dangerous situation to have a smaller dog on a rope in the yard by himself and have a German Shepherd attack him... for the second time... in his own yard.

Like I said, if I was home I wouldn't have called police. But I wasn't home, so . . .

one shepherd I did not want to see this Christmas

Brien Lee — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:55:00 GMT

Sir Fido took me for a walk to burn off some Christmas calories during yesterday's mild temps. A large dog, off leash, a German Shepherd, ran up behind us clearly wanting to cause panic and mayhem. Because I've never showed this particular dog fear, or maybe she got a good look at the boots I was wearing, she left just as fast as she arrived, no owner in sight.

One problem is it's against the law to have a dog running loose in Waukesha. The other problem is they're neighbors we're trying to remain friendly with. When the dog relieved herself on our driveway the other day with no one cleaning it up, I didn't go over there and demand action. But if the dog ever tries taking a bite out of Sir Fido all bets are off.

The snowbanks are terribly high for this time of year, winter less than a week old, but this weekend's weather will likely make room for more. A factor in the height of some snowbanks are the bagged leaves buried 3-4 feet below. (It'll be interesting to see what's become of the paper leaf bags in the spring.)

We've been fortunate to avoid accidents, inching half way out into the street before seeing if any cars are coming. It's a problem every driver is familiar with. Whether just leaving a driveway or entering a main road, poor visibility comes at a bad time. (And it doesn't help when the car you're driving is lower than the snowbanks lining the roadway.) Snow-covered roads make it difficult to continue after coming to a complete stop, and vehicles already traveling on the roadway need a lot more room to stop for cars halfway into their lane because of poor sight lines.

The terraces could be twice as wide to hold more snow, but the best solution is happening right now. It's 48 degrees. . . and rising. Be careful out there.

the amazing Mrs. C.

Brien Lee — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:01:00 GMT

Diana C. has been our Journal Sentinel carrier for half a year give or take. In that time there's not been a single instance when I've failed to find the paper outside the door in the morning. No matter the weather, the road conditions or time of day, it's always there. This morning the paper was there when I checked at 5:15 a.m., and it was double-bagged!

In all our years of subscribing we've never had better service from our carrier. I asked a friend of mine, who's a longtime JS carrier, if he's experienced earlier truck times. He said they usually run just as late as they've always been.

So my guess would be our home is toward the beginning of her route, but it's hard to know for sure. We've never met. She's always here and gone before I get up in the morning.

My appreciation to all carriers out there who do there best to deliver the news in the cold, dark and snowy/icy/rainy night, and especially to our carrier, Diana.

got coal?

Brien Lee — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:20:36 GMT

I know St. Nicholas Day was the sixth, but many people, like us, do "stockings" at Christmas. We often tease about putting coal in the socks of naughty children, but have you even given or received coal? Real coal?

These days one can buy black-colored fake coal candy or gum. This year we bought chocolate wrapped in black celophane that was supposed to represent coal. But not counting charcoal, where would one purchase real coal in Wisconsin? In an antique store?

Even though coal is still the most common substance used to generate electricity in the U.S., it's been a few years since the coal man made his last visit in this neighborhood. It's been many, many years since my company in Milwaukee quit using coal to fire up the boiler, but the boiler is still there - the coal room beside it. And coal! Clean-burning anthracite coal remains right where it was last dumped into the basement many decades ago.

The basement's wood floor still reveals hoof divots from when horses were stabled there. We often wondered what the building had been in it's previous life. Many thought it was a church because of it's arched windows, but I have my doubts.

I bring this all up because my company closed it's Milwaukee location December 8th. My last day in Milwaukee was Tuesday the 23rd. The end of September I heard that we might be moving to Racine in three year's time. The following week it was official - we'd be moving in three months!

We've been in business for over 90 years and at that location probably 70 or 80 of those. My grandfather started the company and my father worked there long before I got my 22 years in.

How much stuff do you think there was to clear out of the three-story buildings used by this corporation for most of a century, when even coal from the 50s or 60s was never thrown out? Lets just say Miller Compressing and the moving crew were kept very busy.

So now I have to drive 70 miles per day to work in Racine County, but at least I don't have to look for another job. I leave behind a lot of memories but will have plenty of time to think about them in the two or so hours a day of driving.

giving snow the boot

Brien Lee — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:54:00 GMT

About three weeks ago I found the perfect pair of boots at Farm & Fleet, but they were out of my size.

Were there any in back? Were they getting more in?

"We get only two shipments per winter and already got them."

But winter doesn't even begin for another three weeks!

The next day I called the Oak Creek Farm & Fleet and asked if they could shuttle the pair they had to Waukesha. I didn't ask how long it might take, but figured a week should be about right. Many phone calls and snow falls later, after being told the wait is usually a week to a week and a half, the boots finally arrived in Waukesha -- 2-1/2 weeks later.

The same day I learned the boots were in, Mom asked what I wanted for Christmas.

I know just the thing. It's definitely something I can use. They're warm, comfortable, waterproof and the perfect size. I can even tell you exactly who has them. But wait till Christmas to give them to me, please.

She dropped them off at the house the day we talked. The day before the 12" snow. Wife doesn't much care for the look, but feet like them very, very much.

We spent a lot of time together today, the boots and I. Because we didn't get our street plowed out until after 11:00, we didn't go in to work. Instead we helped push two cars stuck at the end of the street. A neighbor's snowblower broke down in the street so we helped drag that back to his house. We also walked around the block to see what else was happening.

We used the snowblower once before the snow stopped and again after. Our next door neighbor was going around the court plowing out fellow neighbors, so we helped them out by shoveling their walk. I noticed he somehow found time to rake his roof today. When we were on our own roof raking today, I discovered he'd already raked one full side of our house.

We went to St. William's today for a little driving practice for my youngest and to pick up Christmas food for two needy families. We saw the gym was set up for Christmas Clearing Council, distribution of which is tomorrow, Saturday the 20th. It always brightens my spirit to see that kind of generosity.

I was outdoors a lot today and put the boots through rigorous testing. There are no laces or buckles so putting on and taking off is a breeze. At only 7" high they manage to keep even the deepest snow out. I walked through a knee-deep drift on the roof and only got a little snow in the boot. The insoles are removable for drying.

The boots are LaCrosse Alpha Lite Mule olive drab green hunting boots. They're made with naturally insulating neoprene with a nylon knit lining. I love them.

Thanks Santa.

didn't have to grab the wheel once

Brien Lee — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:09:44 GMT

Our youngest got his temps Thursday. Consider yourselves warned.

The real reason I mention it is because of our brief visit to the DMV. The one day of the week they're open late they must be busy. Only open until 6:45 and I don't arrive home till 6:00, so by then the lines are long and there's plenty of waiting. Right?

The parking lot wasn't full, that's a good sign. The information desk person checked to make sure we had everything before we got in line. Where's the line? Not which line, but where's the line? There was no waiting -- at all. We walked right up to Janet, one of several cheerful workers not helping anyone else. I had to look twice to make sure I wasn't dreaming! I don't think I've ever been in the DMV and not had to wait, especially in the evening on the day they're open late.

With taking the photo and all I think we were in there about 15 minutes total. Janet and everyone else at the DMV Thursday night, I thank you for your efficiency.

Saturday night, special

Brien Lee — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:09:28 GMT

My confirmation group and I helped out with a Special Olympics Bowling Tournament at AMF Lanes on Northview Rd. in Waukesha Saturday. I'd never helped with this annual event before but people in our group had. They said what a great time it is and how much fun we'd have. But I really didn't expect it to be as much fun as it was.

I don't know much about bowling and nothing about tournaments. Lots of questions, spectators and participants and a little confusion. There were eight young men bowling the two lanes we were watching, and each bowler switched lanes with each frame.

Our athletes had Downs, autism and other physical or mental limitations. We noticed only one bowler had any remarks we should be aware of. The young man with autism didn't like to be touched. So what happens when he bowls a strike? Supporters not knowing his preference for contact begin hugging him, slapping high fives, etc. Nothing happened. He didn't yell or run in the other direction. It was actually good to see. The few people reading the notice knew about his dislike for touching, but everyone else treated him like any other accomplished athlete. I think he probably preferred the hugs.

The three games of bowling was faster paced than I expected and was over all too soon. The bowling was fairly good with many scores over 100. Most of the guys kept to themselves, but I did enjoy Zachary's good mood and playfulness. Medals and ribbons were awarded for our eight guys. The gold medal winner in our team? He'd never bowled before that day!

____________________________________________________________

Of course Saturday night was special too, because that's when I finally got to attend the Carroll concert I'd been looking forward to since my first visit two years ago. Christmas at Carroll was two hours of pure magic. The selections were great and performers near flawless. We were literally surrounded by music as all areas of the Shattuck Auditorium were used, the main stage, back and side balconies, floor down in front for the handbells.

After the concert there was a few minutes left to the Angel Art Crawl so I popped in to Allison Art House to see if anything was new. Had a very nice visit with John and Jeanette and tried to talk them into going to Christmas at Carroll Sunday night, but they had plans. How they can show 26 artists in one gallery without it appearing too cluttered I'll never know. Several pieces really caught my eye. I most enjoyed the natural art, especially the interesting gourds and the laminated wood bookmarks.

there's a new kid in town

Brien Lee — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:39:00 GMT

If you get downtown today for the Art Angel Art Crawl, the Global Christmas Traditions, the live music, New Clarke Hotel and Black Trumpet Restaurant... be sure to stop in at Ryan Peters' new Clinton Street Gallery. Opening just last month, the gallery is found at the corner of South and Clinton Streets across from Mia's Restaurant.

I don't know Ryan personally, but have enjoyed seeing him show in the last Art Crawl, Bluesfest and Art Fest. One of the twelve artists showing at Waukesha's newest gallery, Jennifer Anderson, was mentioned by me Oct. 7th. I mentioned looking forward to when she has a gallery, and am now glad she found one and it's in Waukesha.

Santa was a woman

Brien Lee — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:44:03 GMT

A friend from work has the habit of reading the day's death notices. Today he pointed out that a real Santa and an imitation Santa had died.

Henry Kraus Jr. was also known as "Santa" for the joy he brought to children while playing Santa at the Boston Store and throughout Ozaukee County. He died Nov. 30th at 91 years old. Two sisters preceding him in death were sisters. He was survived by fourteen grandchildren.

Santa La Porte also died Nov. 30th at 91 years old. She was also survived by fourteen grandchildren. She was the sister-in-law of Joe La Porte, former alderman, supervisor and mayor of Waukesha.

in the red on Black Friday

Brien Lee — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:37:00 GMT

While many folks were elbowing their way through Black Friday crowds, I went downtown Waukesha for a little peace and quiet. We don't have stores here that sell big screen TVs or the latest toy must-have, so it's no surprise that lines didn't start forming in the Thursday night cold. No surprise that most, if not all, downtown Waukesha stores opened at their regular hours instead of 5:00 a.m..

The first place I visited could have used, no, needed more people. I was only the second person visiting in the hour and a half since they had opened at 7:00. The blood drive had been advertised for months, many stores had the notice in their windows. The notice was in the papers, WaukeshaNOW and on a thousand fliers handed out at the Christmas Parade sponsored by the Blood Center of Wisconsin.

It was the first time I've donated on a bus. The bus was brought in because of the low numbers of appointments. Maybe if the bus was brought in earlier, a week earlier, the numbers wouldn't have been as low. For lack of a driver, the Blood Center bus wasn't in the Christmas Parade it sponsored. Blood drive signage on the bus in the parade may have helped the numbers.

Warmth of the Christmas Parade

Brien Lee — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:21:22 GMT

Sunday's weather for the Waukesha Christmas Parade was chilly but not unbearable, if you were dressed for it. A very large, appreciative crowd turned out for it and tossed candy was flowing.

The guy with the whistle who rides inside and outside that huge wheel is always a crowd-pleaser. But the entry that got the most and loudest cheers was none other than my friend, Ken Walter, with WindDancer Balloon Promotions. Ken rode in the wicker basket at the back of his chase vehicle and warmed up the air with 20 foot bursts of propane-fueled flame. The crowd went wild.

The downtown street lights aren't the best for parade watching on a late November afternoon, but with ~~Rudolf~~ Ken lighting the way for Santa there's sure to be enjoyment for all the boys and girls.

if the only prayer you say is "thank you" ...

Brien Lee — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:56:35 GMT

"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'thank you,' it will be enough." Meister Eckhart.

I thought this was an appropriate quote for the day before Thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for.

I'm thankful to have a job, a family and a home. Thankful we live in a friendly, welcoming, lively and helpful community. Thankful gas prices have come down! Thankful we don't have to worry about where our next meal is coming from or the quality of the food.

I'm thankful for the dedicated and generous volunteers and donors who made the annual HOPE Thanksgiving Dinner and Auction fundraiser for Cooperating Congregations a success.

I'm thankful for my parish, St. William, and it's pastor, Rev. Leonard Barbian, who is retiring next year after 10 years at St. William and 44 years as a priest.

I'm thankful for all those who gave to our recent clothing and Caps for Kids drive. You filled up the truck! Also thankful to parishioners who so generously give to the St. Vincent food pantry regularly or whenever there is need.

Thankful for the great group of people we had last weekend for confirmation retreat at beautiful Camp Whitcomb-Mason in Hartland. And the weather wasn't too bad either.

Very thankful to have many friends who lift me up and hold me there.

feel free to add your own thanks giving

Dolly Parton slept here

Brien Lee — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:59:00 GMT

Dolly Parton slept in our garage!

Monday, while Milwaukee was shoveling out from it's whopping 1" snowstorm, Dolly was performing at the Riverside. Sounds like she put on a pretty good show too. I wonder how many people were late because of the roads. Took me 2 hours to get home Monday.

Now why would Parton sleep in our garage, when she could stay virtually anywhere in the city?

I've mentioned before we're just a block or so from the Iron Horse Hotel in Milwaukee. We lease garage space to the hotel.

Dolly's three tour buses were parked in our garage while she was in town. While her band and crew had reserved 50 rooms at the beautiful new boutique hotel, Dolly slept on her custom bus. In our garage.

Not missing it this time

Brien Lee — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 14:36:00 GMT

This is concert season in Waukesha when we can look forward to decent, affordable music expertly performed by students of our universities and high schools. Last December I bemoaned missing the annual Christmas at Carroll, the best Christmas concert ever. I'm not going to let that happen again! The concert is Dec. 6th and 7th, so I have plenty of time to get tickets.

A little closer to home, and all free, are UWW's concerts, the first of which is tomorrow, Nov. 17th. The Hand Bell Choir and Brass Ensemble performs tomorrow at 7:30 in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Jazz Ensemble performs in the dining area Wed. the 19th at 7:30, and Symphonic Band, Friday the 21st, in the theatre.

In December, UWW has two concerts planned: The Choral and String Concert is Dec. 5th and 7:30 and the Christmas Concert is Dec. 15th at 7:30, both in the theatre or just outside it.

feel free to comment below with concerts you'll be attending or would like advertised

unmasking the raccoon

Brien Lee — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 03:17:00 GMT

Today is America Recycles Day so I visited the Waukesha County Materials Recycling Facility to see what was going on at the open house.

A year and a half ago I had my first tour of the facility and enjoyed it so much that I returned for more. Maybe it was because our small group was the last of the day - we weren't feeling rushed - but we asked so many questions that I had to ask yet one more: Has anyone asked more questions than us? answer: YES! You get a group of 30 cubscouts and there's no end to the questions.

We were fortunate that our tour leader had all the answers. No surprise considering our leader was none other than Waukesha's champion recycler, Recycle Raccoon. He wasn't easy to recognize though, as he was disguised as a woman.

Analiese told us they see more newspapers in plastic when it's raining, but they'd prefer the paper to be wet than with those machine-clogging bags. They also get a lot of TV remotes in with the papers. I wonder why?

We talked at length about acceptable plastics #1 and #2 because it took a while to sink in. Or maybe because the average consumer doesn't know the difference between blow molded and injection molded plastic. So we're told all bottles #1 and #2 are OK. Only bottles. What about jugs or plastic coffee cans? It's a gray area that doesn't really have to be perfect because they can have some mixed in. Plus, that's why there are sorters. Blow molded is recyclable, injection molded is not.

After being reassured that the blue plastic recycling bins being handing out were recycled and recyclable, I helped myself to one. When I'm ready to give up on my old, broken bin all I have to do is put it out with other recyclables and they'll collect it for recycling.

Speaking of recycling: Next weekend, Nov. 22nd and 23rd, St. Vincent de Paul will be collecting used clothing and other fabric at St. William, 440 N. Moreland, for a "Bundle Sunday." This is a perfect opportunity to get rid of clothes, sheets, etc., that are no longer useable. Anything not resellable in the thrift store will be bundled and sold to fabric recyclers to support the good that St. Vincent does.

breakdown of Freedom

Brien Lee — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 05:55:00 GMT

The Navy's first Littoral Combat Ship, Freedom (LCS-1), was commissioned in Milwaukee today following the Veteran's Day Parade. Built in Marinette Wisconsin, it is the first ship commissioned in Milw. and the Navy's fastest ship.

Littoral ships are designed to defend coastal waters and rivers from mines, submarines and surface attacks. They have turbines instead of propellers and have a relatively shallow draft. The Freedom is unique in that it can be quickly outfitted with different modules, depending on the mission, making it efficiently flexible for multiple tasks.

The Freedom's unique features didn't come without great cost however. Much controversy surrounded the project as costs doubled, halting production on the remaining vessels. The final figure on this one is in the neighborhood of 600 million dollars.

It wasn't a total breakdown of Freedom, but my company had the opportunity to work on Freedom this week. They contacted us because of our experience with transport refrigeration. Their cold plate freezer was acting up so we showed up to replace the Copeland compressor. Our guys told us they had to pass a background check and a search to work on the ship. When they forgot to bring the dehydrator with them, I thought they'd never be let back on with the grenade-looking device.

All in all it was fun to see and read about such a unique ship in Milwaukee.

an honest man

Brien Lee — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 04:56:00 GMT

Years from now when my grandkids are regularly electing women or minority presidents, and the occasional minority woman president, I'll remind them that I voted in this historic election.

Does it make me feel old when my son votes for the first time or when I can help elect a president younger than myself? Not when I can still work 19 hours straight. From 6:00 a.m. yesterday to 1:00 a.m. today I helped make sure every vote in Waukesha was counted as a poll worker for the 4th Aldermanic District at Hawthorne Elementary.

As the main person working new registrations, name and address changes, I was better able to see first hand the desire to make a difference. The first time voters and those who couldn't tell you the last time they voted. The blind and the frail who knew what their one vote could mean. Those unwilling to give up even after being directed to the wrong polling place - several times.

Like Honest Abe, the last president to come from Illinois who did so much 140 years ago to make Obama's win possible today, a single write-in vote for "an honest man" said it all. While many write-ins are ridiculous and just slow down the poll workers, I felt at least the "an honest man" vote was probably cast with some good thought and feeling.

Could go on about how I didn't find out myself who won until 1:00 a.m. this morning, even though I was at the polls. Could talk about how easy it was to get our many questions answered by Waukesha's newest City Clerk, Gina. Would mention how surprised I was to not see long lines except in the morning. I'd write more but it's late and I've had only 4 hours sleep in the last two days.

Thanks for voting. It was good to see.

road trip to Illinois

Brien Lee — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:19:07 GMT

One week ago I commented here that I'd love to take our rented Chevy HHR on a trip before turning it in. The Toyota was done Friday but we haven't picked it up yet. Son and I left with the HHR for Glendale Heights, IL, early Saturday for an open house at UTI, Universal Technical Institute, his probable school after graduation.

The 110 mile trip wasn't too bad. We didn't have an Illinois map and I didn't know where we were going, which made me nervous, but son had a borrowed GPS and hopefully knew how to use it. (We missed just one turn.)

Gas in Illinois was anywhere from 20 to 70 cents more per gallon than in Wisconsin, even though they also charge tolls.

You can find cigarettes in IL $9.40 a carton tax included, cheaper than in WI.

We looked at apartments while there and noted rents are probably $100.00 to $200.00 a month higher than you'd find in Waukesha for the equivalent.

We measured time and mileage between here and the Racine shop I'll be driving to next year. Thirty-five miles and forty-five minutes either via Hwy. 164 or I-94, on dry pavement, during daylight, and not during rush hour. (I'm currently driving 3 miles to catch a bus to Downtown Milw.)

We'll be turning in the rental soon but at least got in the trip I was hoping to take. Glad we didn't have to take the Toyota down.