tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68520190991466247252024-03-21T03:40:40.747-05:00tattletale graywhere shadow and light struggleG Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-86256328246537676872009-10-22T01:28:00.003-05:002009-10-22T01:32:38.453-05:00The Closet Reclamation Project - part 1When Indiana Jones goes DIY I knew it was there.The "secret closet" was hidden behind mouthwash-blue paneling from an era of Mary Tyler Moore, Disco and Ford Mavericks.I'd heard the rumors of the former storage space for years, and a closer look at the room showed there was a mystery wall space not accounted for.My wife grew up in our circa 1917 Danish farmhouse, and remembers the lost cubby was G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-28711424467816493042009-09-29T23:57:00.008-05:002009-09-30T02:12:56.431-05:00Requiem for HarveyMy good friend the Rev. Harvey Stower died today, Sept.29, at the age of 65.I want to tell you why he mattered, and what he meant to many of us.Harvey was a State Legislator for eight years, and ran for Congress in 1994. I had met him two years prior, as a I began working for a local radio station where he lived. Harvey introduced himself to me at a political function, and had the kind of hand G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-82958235640857217502009-09-14T19:37:00.005-05:002009-09-14T20:11:22.574-05:00Stepping on Kittens at the VMAsI rarely watch MTV, since they don't seem to really have either music or videos. And I've never watched much of the VMA's (Video Music Awards) because of all the screaming and lack of proper attire, but you know what, I'm glad somebody was, and taped this moment.Taylor Swift, who is arguably one of the cutest, most wholesome young talents in all of music, won the Best Female Video Award, and G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-42321760751541452852009-09-12T02:52:00.003-05:002009-09-12T03:02:44.071-05:00Pinstriped Phavoritism?It doesn't matter that he hasn't broke the Top 50 All Time, what matters is that Derek Jeter is the hittingest Yankee Ever. Again, showing how the MARKET is more important than the team, player or event. Nothing against DJ, or certainly the Late Mr. Gehrig, but fellas, there's others - including a certain Mr. Rose - who've kicked this records arse.G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-49297847229518741352009-09-12T02:20:00.005-05:002009-09-12T02:39:27.812-05:00Plated for Travel...Why State's Righters are missing the pointsI recall a recent local debate over the merits of enforcing tobacco sales to those under 18. The lengthy discussion touched on issues of parental control, responsibility, individual choice and whether we should entrust teenage retail clerks with the job of “gatekeepers” for society’s evil habits. I agree it is a noble cause, keeping kids from “cancer G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-76856353806443345922009-09-12T01:51:00.011-05:002009-09-12T02:15:14.340-05:00The 'Great Sconnie Commuter Secret...and other reasons we will be watching the Stillwater Bridge lawsuit results.Yes, it's true. We have a lack of quality jobs in Western Wisconsin. Maybe it's because of our affection for anything "Big Time" - a former local Mayor once declared a city holiday when a McDonalds opened in his river town eight years ago - or maybe it's because the State of Minnesota has decided that the World We Pay G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-57065015407274645402009-08-19T13:44:00.005-05:002009-08-19T13:58:02.693-05:00Vintage Camper Showcase #20"It's a boat, no a plane, no, it's a, a Spartan camper?""Yes. Virginia, the Spartan Manufacturing Company briefly considered using their fancy travel trailers in a different mode altogether in 1954, as a houseboat!If you can find one of these rarities, you've just paid for your kids' college, and maybe a few nights at the Hilton, to boot! The unusual house boat was only in production for about anG Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-32532453829156255372009-08-19T13:10:00.007-05:002009-08-19T13:43:43.382-05:00So now that Brett is Viking I can...Where purple to weddings.Dance like no one is watching.Change my phone number to 444-4444.Say, "You know, Favre has a rocket for an arm" and NOT cross my fingers.Go to Green Bay again.Quit waiting for Twitter updates.Put my retirement presents on layaway.Paint my house purple, gold and white (garage doors.)Remove my "Denny Green for President" stickers.Remove my "Denny Green SUCKS!" stickers thatG Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-89999468733800461202009-08-19T11:18:00.005-05:002009-08-19T12:41:16.972-05:00Pontiac, Swine Flu and Pirates, Oh My!It's not the end of the world, just a really bad inningThere was a time in America when our troubles were thin: Wars, lending rates, heating costs, invasive species on a few crops, maybe a bad storm or two.Now, it's seems to be getting to a new level of garbage.Whoever thought we'd have to wear a Swine Flu face mask to a fish fry, or for the college educated to get turned down for a "name tag jobG Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-69412285407308611542009-04-19T00:55:00.007-05:002009-04-19T01:17:10.681-05:00Vintage Camper Showcase #19 - 007's weekenderThose wacky Brits! First they drive on the wrong side of the road, then they eat "pie" made of meat and without fruit, and drink warm beer with an egg in it, and then they make this crazy camper!Somewhere in between they conjured up James Bond, Robin Hood and Twiggy - which are all cool - and of course the music is among the best in all of humanity.Oh yeah, and I'm totally all over Monty Python G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-67340341060299091202009-04-19T00:30:00.002-05:002009-04-19T00:33:21.594-05:00The Closing Time Roses(A work in progress - Inspired by a deaf guy who saunters through the local bars near closing time, asking guys to buy his flowers for the women they've met that evening. He sells dozens, and I've always wanted to know more about him. Next time I'll ask.)On weekend nightsthe bars out here are hoppingNightlife, drinks and shots are poppingthe girls all act so smooth and soberwhile the men all try G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-70174622973419768022009-04-19T00:05:00.002-05:002009-04-21T15:10:05.526-05:00My Andy Rooney ListThis is my "Andy Rooney Moment," or maybe better titled: If I were Master of Time and Space, these are a few things I would make sure are changed, for the better:1 - Coffee pot drip. Who designed the "carafe?" and why can't you pour anything from them without spilling?2- Voting. The Minnesota Senate recount, as well as the Bush v. Gore case, show that the day of the paper ballot has long since G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-39411822989697094732009-04-18T22:08:00.004-05:002009-04-18T22:13:50.258-05:00The Whole Ladybug DealIn Latin they are officially referred to as Harmonia axyridis, but locally go by several nicknames: Asian Lady beetles, Halloween beetles, Harlequins, Stainbugs, Ladybirds, Eurasian Beetles, and as one buddy put it: "The lining of my vacuum cleaner." We've all got them. Even the cleanest home or office fights off their territorial invasion. They harbored over-winter in our siding, light fixtures,G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-3877082297502073652009-03-26T22:17:00.008-05:002009-03-26T22:50:29.936-05:00Gangster Road Wagon - Vintage Camper Showcase #18As we prepare for the release this summer of "Public Enemies" - a Wisconsin/Illinois-based Johnny Depp film that promises to be one of the coolest ever movies about gangsters - I present his Gangster-era camper and tow car set-up.Tell me you can't see ol' John Dillinger behind the wheel of this sweet pre-war V-8 sedan, towing a swank Circa-1936 "Tin Can" dream, hiding out in plain sight!Yes, the G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-39787483040954260932009-03-22T02:34:00.003-05:002009-03-22T02:40:08.987-05:00Iron DinosaursSoon to come, a whimsical look at "Yard Art," and it's importance in the Economic Recovery.Yes, it's true, those old pieces of farm machinery, or yard butts or chainsaw sculpture may be your Golden Ticket To A Work-at-home Windfall!How, you ask? Haha, be patient Ladybug. The truth falls at its own pace, while lies can stumble around and break furniture on the way to justification.Or something G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-74609386322187954482009-03-11T13:22:00.005-05:002009-03-11T13:36:00.325-05:00observational photo moment #1This is where I post a photo of some scene in my life, and then comment on it, hoping to surmise some sort of deep, philosophical idea from that scene.For instance, this is the skylight over my new step-grandson's hospital room, moments after he was born. Sunny skies, light clouds, and an entrancing color of blue.if I were the mystic type, I would say that bodes well for him.But then, I'm sure G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-26512101552281941282009-03-10T14:06:00.003-05:002009-03-10T14:13:46.898-05:00Columbus Day Blue"Columbus Day Blue" is a jokey-esque theme tune I wrote a few years back, in response to my good friend J.Skibbe's dedication to education, and his amazing MLKjr themed program for his elementary students.Frankly, mine's a bit too depressing for fourth graders, but it forced me to do a little research on Columbus, and his day in the American sun. I'm sure some will find it "politically correct,"G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-34739835700644133012009-03-03T12:58:00.007-06:002009-03-03T16:13:22.307-06:00Welcome to my post card...Vintage Camper Showcase #17 - "Hey, that camper is so shiny I can see through my own clothes!" -Aye, she's a shiny temptress! A veritable "Venus dons chromium." Err, or something in Latin that's very suave and "old worldly."Yes, the Lukas Family has it all: Cool 26-foot, shiny Airstream International camper with two tanks of gas and a five-digit number on front! "Wahoo-who, Gina! Hide the lamp shades! We're not only going G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-11851142314661125252009-03-03T11:43:00.017-06:002009-03-03T17:13:30.995-06:00The mystery of Lac qui Parle ChurchOne of my lifelong, best friends, JW - who affectionately brags of "having known me since I was a fetus" - recently moved some of his life to the semi-abandoned "ghost town" of Lac qui Parle, Minnesota. Just a few dozen miles from the South Dakota border, the semi-abandoned village may have been one of the possible original choices for the pre-state, territorial Minnesota capitolship, and G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-87421891322762063322009-02-27T00:43:00.008-06:002009-02-27T01:26:30.577-06:00Let the Blizzard be your biz plan!"Look for my School of Dance closings on all the big networks"We got whupped with a big ol winter storm today, and with it comes the usual "school closings" (brought to you by JC Penney) on TV. Schools, government offices, night school classes, athletic events, maybe even some church functions are all a part of the mix. But I think there are a few sneaky little business owners who capitalize on "G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-57708838786872945172009-02-24T17:07:00.003-06:002009-02-24T17:16:06.028-06:00"Captain Nemo, your camper is ready, sir!"Vintage Trailer Showcase #16"That's no ordinary camper, it's a Clipper!"Fresh from the backlots of southern California, where they wee once as common as former Liz Taylor spouses, this vintage 1936 Clipper is undergoing a restoration and complete tear down. Known for their "scary" snouts and windswept style, they were also famous for being the weirdest thing you'll see in your rear view mirror.I G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-39721556652876526212009-02-24T11:14:00.011-06:002009-02-24T12:28:51.389-06:00The Four Eyes have itIt's that time again: Glasses time.I've been be speckled since about the fourth grade, when my squinting and close-to-the-board-sitting didn't cut it."Well, Greg, I believe you have what we Doctors of Optometry - and generally really smart doctory folks - refer to as an 'astigmatism,' which means blah-blah-blah-double-blah. So obviously, son, you're sort of blind!"I didn't ask or argue about the G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-26500561821158533392009-02-24T10:59:00.005-06:002009-02-24T11:04:00.124-06:00Dishing it outCasserole or hot dish? As long as it tastes good, we judges don't carejudge |jəj|nouna public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.• a person who decides the results of a competition.• an official at a sports contest who watches for infractions of the rules.• a person able or qualified to give an opinion on something : he was a good judge of tasty recipes, talent and band G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-4143896483764974842009-01-22T02:38:00.007-06:002009-01-22T02:53:10.567-06:00That's one classy chassis! (Vintage Camper Showcase #15)Hey, what do you mean "No Smoking?" This is my home away from home! You can have my smokes when you pry them from nicotine-stained wrinkly, decomposing fingers.But this vintage shot of an un-named, circa 1938 vintage camper actually shows the "upside" of trailers, camping and apparently, fashion and interior design! Note the way boss flower prints on the sofa and on her sun dress, or the funky G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6852019099146624725.post-89932723275445896732009-01-22T01:47:00.003-06:002009-01-22T02:36:06.825-06:00More Soothing Outdoor Photos for ConservativesIt's okay to feel a little odd, un-loved, ripped-off and distanced. These are tough times for Red Staters. Look, it's not that they don't like you, it's just that their not IN LIKE with you, anymore. It's not you, it's us. Wait, it is you, kinda. No, it's okay to feel a little upset, a little angry or mad at Ohio, or Michigan or any of the other several dozen states that voted against you. We've G Marshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12293866786282040599noreply@blogger.com0