Takin' the Blog for a Walk
Join Waukesha resident Brien Lee and his blog, Sir Fido, as they explore the city and report on the interesting things they find.
Email Brien at howlinblog@yahoo.com.
Laurels to Walker
Sad to see Laurel Walker's last column today. We first met a few years back when I suggested she do a story on the area near my boyhood home. Pebble Creek, a cold water trout stream, ran through it. Now, Meadowbrook Road runs through it. Though the area has changed considerably and is no longer farmed, much of the creek and floodplain is protected from development and still in a natural state.
Laurels to Walker
Sad to see Laurel Walker's last column today. We first met a few years back when I suggested she do a story on the area near my boyhood home. Pebble Creek, a cold water trout stream, ran through it. Now, Meadowbrook Road runs through it. Though the area has changed considerably and is no longer farmed, much of the creek and floodplain is protected from development and still in a natural state.
15 years ago this week
The alarm rang around 1:00 early Sunday morning August 31st, 1997. There was a news report broadcasting from the TV set in our son's bedroom when I went to shut it off on my way to work. Listening to the BBC on the radio on my way to the Journal Sentinel's Dolphin Drive Distribution Center I learned what they'd been discussing on television: Princess Diana had been in a very serious car accident.
day II
Made it down for Friday's unveiling and first Friday Night Live of the year. Almost all businesses were open and most were busy, which was good to see. The crowd wasn't nearly as large as the Harley anniversary event, but then again beer wasn't allowed in the streets. Just as well. The weather turned cool and wet, was 51 degrees by the time I left, and hot drinks were the preferred beverage.
10' from action
Thanks to Toyota, was able to squeeze into the nearest spot to Waukesha Civic Theater's rear entrance when the rest of parking lot was filled. Thanks to front row seats was literally ten feet from the action, and with Miss Saigon there is a lot of action.
Rhubarb Red and the power of music to heal
There's been no shortage of controversy to stir up emotion lately... recalls, street closure, mayoral antics... Interesting Sound Off in Thursday's Freeman. Makes me want to sound off myself.
more guitar for les
A couple days after Les died two and a half years ago I posted a photo of what I felt his monument should look like. It wasn't a suggestion he be laid to rest in Meier Festival Park where the photo was taken though.
Wildcard Weekend in Wisconsin
It's hard to not appreciate the mild winter we've been having while out biking or walking the blog. I'm rarely ever ready for snow, so thinking positive and hoping this will stick around a while. It's so much easier to drive in it and shovel it when there isn't any.
untitled, part I
Titles are often the hardest part. It doesn't help when the one I want to use is taken. I was going to call this one blogstipation to reflect the two weeks I haven't written but someone had already thought of it first. I've been busy with work and play and regret not blogging more frequently, mainly because now there's almost too much to write about.
You too can be a Friend of the Poor
I'm not the only one who thinks the annual St. Vincent de Paul Friends of the Poor Walk should be renamed The Roy Thater Memorial Walk for the Poor. Not only was Roy known to put on many miles walking the neighborhoods, to church and Christina's, but there's nothing Roy wouldn't have done for the poor, or for any neighbor for that matter. Roy was a huge inspiration with his dedication to the poor through volunteering at the St. Vincent store and his many years of service to the needy through the St. William conference of St. Vincent.
facebook reunion
If you've been on facebook you know how easy it is to connect. You can easily set up groups and events without expense or difficulty. Users have no problem connecting with others with a common interest or history. Finding old friends connected to facebook is as easy as typing their names, looking through others' list of friends, or responding to friends suggested to you by facebook or other users.
I am not house
I blogged about leaving my mark during the most recent Art Crawl, May 7th, on a blank white wall at Clinton Street Gallery. Almost didn't recognize the same wall last evening when out for Freeman Friday Night Live. It's been transformed into a thing of beauty.
going stir crazy
Was invited to try a new restaurant last night for a friend's birthday. Stir Crazy is an Asian restaurant bordering Brookfield Square on the north at Bluemound. Had a bit of a wait due to the time of day and them not taking reservations, though twas a good time to meet the folks and friends. For my selection I chose the Market Bar. Market Bar is like a salad bar for the wok. You first order a protein and select rice or noodles at the table and receive two bowls. You fill one of the bowls with vegetables, legumes and fruit and the other with sauce. Hand the bowls to a wok chef and they cook it up with the protein right in front of you while you wait. I had shrimp, garlic ginger sauce and brown rice and my wok was delicious and filling without being too hot or spicy. I didn't do anything for St. Pat's day, so I washed it all down with a couple bottles of Guinness.
giving thanks for Thanksgiving
Hope everyone had at least as good a Thanksgiving as us. Enjoyed the succulent Butterball we received free from Pick 'N Save by redeeming our Turkey Perks. Family were here to share it with us. It was a good day.
Walkin' Without the Blog
We've had a week to console ourselves over the loss of our pet. Thanks to all that emailed and comforted us. He was but a poor dog, but he was one of God's creatures and a member of our family.
Apple Fest A Peeling
I thought the morning's rain and cooler temps may keep away more than just the wasps. After years of good weather for Retzer's Apple Harvest Festival I wondered if this would be the one time few would show up. Fortunately word has gotten around in the last 24 years of the festival and they came. They came before it officially opened. They came while it was still raining and, long after the parking field was muddy, they came. They brought cloth bags and picked up free recycling bins to carry their fresh apples home in.
Where Art Thou Art?
I saw many familiar faces while manning the WPR booth at Waukesha Art Fest yesterday. I greeted them at the booth or spotted them from a distance. The clouds parted, the sun came out, had as much fun as last year.
In Like A Lion
Summer's here and so are the mosquitoes. Thankfully, too many of the buggers are Waukesha's big complaint and not injury or loss of property from last night's storm.
this is where it all began
This is a copy of the email I sent Ken Walter with WindDancer Balloon Promotions four years ago, Saturday, 6/17/2006.
Hi
Don't know if you got email I sent using my Roadrunner account because I have such bad luck using it but I'm interested in helping out July 21st - 23rd. I heard about the need for a flight crew in Waukesha This Week! and I'm available if needed. Let me know.
thanks
Brien Lee
Waukesha
ain't gonna study war no more
Down by the riverside the Memorial Day services were as good as ever. A good crowd turned out after a raincloud had passed through earlier in the morning.
sensory overload
The 40th annual Earth Day is Thursday, a good time to spend a couple seconds thinking about the environment we share.
"I LUV U"
It's not that I don't love each one of you, it's just that I wouldn't come right out and say it like this. By using quotation marks in the title I'm able to avoid any emotional connection.
loss of a friend
Remembered Lou at the nature center today. Retzer was a great place to remember a great man who had just passed away a week ago, during the winter solstice.
my tribute to 50 years of Sound of Music
The Sound of Music opened on Broadway 50 years ago this month at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater. I didn't quite realize, until adulthood, the impact the story had on my parents. I guess my mom, also a mother of eight, pulled inspiration from Maria Von Trapp. Years ago, while Maria was still alive, we stayed at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. The mountainous area reminded the family of the Austrian countryside they left behind. I visited a stone chappel on a hill above the resort that the kids had erected, and the gravesite of a few family members located close to the lodge. My mom wrote to Maria while we were there... and Maria responded. It was a good trip.
...and, if necessary, use words
Attended mass today in what is probably the most beautiful, modern Catholic church in Waukesha County: St. Jerome's, Oconomowoc. The occasion was a quarterly breakfast meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Before I even entered the church I was surprised by the lovely entrance, garden and landscaping. The entry doors were a good 12 feet tall and balanced to take no extra effort to open. The holy water font is a three foot diameter sculptured bronze sphere with the water gently overflowing it's top and cascading down it's side.
Friends; better with age
Hoping you were able to pick up your Friendship cake before they were all sold out. Today is International Friendship Day, the 74th annual.
third year's a charm
It's been three years since the beginning of WaukeshaNOW and this blog. There's still plenty going on to share. The enjoyment I get from writing hasn't receeded, and as long the computer is working, and I still have the time, I'd like to continue.
my next 30 years
Thirty years ago my class was the first to go all four years through the new Waukesha North High School. For at least the last twelve I'd been looking forward to this weekend; graduation weekend at North; the day son graduates from the same school Mom and Dad attended.
teacher teacher
The paper said there was a charity breakfast at the Eagles Club for $3.75, and a pancake breakfast at Linden Grove, same time, for $5.00.
60 years of Memorial memories
I visited with my dad on Memorial Day. He has a new metal flag holder that looks really nice there next to his headstone.
daddy's hands
Rosella Metzger died Friday, aged 93 years. Outward appearances would indicate she was just a regular church-going grandma. She used to attend St. William's, and that's where I came to know her. I learned shortly before she moved to Ohio that she had recently been honored by the mayor for working 59 years.
living history
I had no plans for Thursday when I first took it as a vacation day three months ago. I knew the kids were off school and that was enough. Later I learned there were a few things going on at the colleges that day.
got coal?
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?
I get the blues when it rains
This weekend could be an instant replay of the same weekend a year ago: Balloon rally in Hartford, Arab World Fest in Milwaukee, last weekend for State Fair in West Allis, car show in Waukesha, Bluesfest in Delafield. Heck, it even rained on Saturday afternoon, same as last year! Guess you have to stick with what works.
Where Everybody Knows Your Name
I hope there will always be somewhere to go where they know your name, and I'm not talking about an automated voice reading it off your frequent shopper card. There are few places left where you can pick up your cup where you left it the day before and share conversation and coffee with the butcher behind the meat counter every day at the small mom and pop grocery like my dad used to do in Mercer. Doesn't really matter how big the place is.
when a blogger dies
A fellow blogger passed away a week ago today. He was born and died in June... with eighty years in between. He led a very interesting and full life, spoke many languages and had friends around the world.
Les Paul concert... continued
The theater was packed - even the $500.00 seats appeared to be sold out. The Pabst is absolutely beautiful and, even though it's older than Les, he'd never played there before Saturday. The stage had a relaxed and comfortable feel to it. Several people sat at pub tables and chairs around the perimeter giving the setting a jazz club atmosphere. The tuxedoed gentlemen falling off his stool just added to the realism of the bar scene.
must be Friday the 13th
I usually get the blame for things that go wrong around here. If something should leak or break ten years after I repair it, it's got to be my fault. Car not running right? Yep, it's me. Not enough snacks / bread / milk / money... you guessed it.
birds, bees, flowering trees
Yesterday was almost perfect; the weather sunny and calm, many things are in bloom, not too hot or cold and no bugs. This is a great time to welcome the birds that were away for so long. There's cute baby bunnies hopping around the yard lately, and there's just a couple huge bees busily polinating around the house.
