SAD, but perhaps, just the beginning .....

HOBART, Ind

At the end of the 81-year marriage, the Isaksons said goodbye by turning off the lights. The partnership was over.

The Chrysler sign went dark.

It was an unceremonious finale to a four-generation bond between one family and one company, but it was not a surprise. Rob Isakson had known for weeks his dealership was on a Chrysler hit list — the cuts were part of the troubled automaker's survival strategy.

Still, when the moment arrived, he did not go gently into the night.

"It hurts," he says. "How do you put into words 81 years of your family's blood, sweat and tears? How many times did my father miss some family event ... because the business came first? And all of it is for nothing now."

It has been a wrenching few weeks, beginning with Chrysler's notification in mid-May that the family was losing its franchise. The word came in a form letter. "How insensitive is that?" Isakson asks.

Then came futile efforts — through calls and e-mails — to find why they were being dropped, even though they say their sales were better than some dealers that survived.

Last week, a judge ruled for Chrysler: The bankrupt company, having sold most of its assets to Fiat SpA, the Italian automaker, could trim about a quarter of its dealer franchises.

Isakson Motor Sales was among the dealers to go. And thus ended a proud family history.

Their ties to Chrysler go back to 1928 when two Isakson brothers who were farmers invested $5,000 in an exciting new venture: the DeSoto. They opened a showroom, in the heart of what once was booming steel country, at an auspicious-sounding intersection — Front and Center.

Over nine decades, the names of the cars changed (Imperial, Valiant, Cordoba, Horizon, Duster, Reliant, New Yorker, Road Runner, Challenger, Voyager, PT Cruiser), but the name of the dealership did not. It was the Isaksons. Clarence and Walter. Bill. Rob. Eric and Steve.

Father to son, father to son, selling cars and handing over the keys to one, two, even three generations of customers, making a go of it even in the leanest years.

"How many businesses survive their first five years, or the next five?" Rob Isakson asks, huddled in his office with his 83-year-old father, Bill, and his two sons. "We survived 81 years of ups and downs in this industry. The stock market of '29 and the Depression ... World War II and rationing, the strike years with the steel mills and we survived, the loan guarantee years, which were tough years ... and we survived that, too."

"And now," he pauses, "we're surviving but Chrysler says we're not worth keeping."

"Am I angry?" he asks, then quickly answers. "You're darn right I am."

From 1914 to 2009 - PROGRESS

THEY SAY WHAT GOES AROUND .............. COMES AROUND ..........

Thanks to Bernie for this...................

Mosquito Spray...Worth a try

I was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone..

A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared.

The next year I filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well.. It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby During the summer, I don't leave home without it.....Pass it on.

There seems to be some differing opinions .......

At least if they do bite you ...... they have nice breath ...............

The grass was greener, for old Charlie Mower

I was sitting on our porch, watching the guys mow the grass, with an eight thousand dollar mower, and got to wondering, who invented grass. I did some research and figured some of it out.

A guy by the name of Charlie Mower had this invention. He was a blacksmith, and had messed up on some steel that he was going to use for swords. When he got done, they all came out twisted, no use for them. He also had been making some small wheels for old Charlie Parkinson, and had some of them left over.

He got to tinkering, and put his twisted swords on the extra wheels, and has the idea to make an automatic potato peeler. But when he got it all together, it was too powerful for a potato, ate it right up, so he tossed the idea aside.

Then he got the idea to put wheels on it, make it turn, and use it to push snow around in the winter. That didn't work out, didn't push enough snow, so what to do.

Then, one day, old Harley Ferguson stopped by, and Harley and Charlie just sat and stared at his contraption.

Mae, Charlie's wife, yelled out from the house, "Get the scythe out and cut that darn green stuff growing in the yard, it's lookin pretty awful."

Well, Charlie and Harley had the same idea at the same time, and they got his contraption out and started pushing it around the yard, and the green stuff just flew, and in no time, they had the yard looking like a "putting green," which was something they had seen when they visited a golf tournament at the county seat some years ago. They cut them with big shears, this was a lot easier. The first "green stuff cutter" was born.

Well they didn't sell at all, no one knew what to use the thing for. So the boys put their heads together and invented grass seed, got a copyright on the word "lawn," put an ad in Better Homes and Gardens, and they were off and running.

They just sat back, sold grass seed, then invented fertilizer, to make the grass grow faster, put out more ads, to make sure that every home needed a green lawn, for the kids to play on, to fertilize, to water, to weed, everyone had to have one. They sold everyone a push mower, when they had them all sold, they put a motor on one, and sold everyone one of those.

Then they saw a helicopter one day, new type of mower, no more reels, circular blade, easier to make, can even do one with an electric motor, and of course, they sold extension cords.

Started a whole new industry, companies cutting grass in the summertime, pushing snow in the winter, year round work.

When you think about it, a lawn is stupid. Buy grass seed or sod, get it to grow, then a mower to cut in back, then seed and fertilize, mow more, rake, it never ends. And, when you get tired of doing it, you pay people to do it for you. It was a diabolical plot old Charlie Mower had.

Years later, he retired in Las Vegas, had gravel in his yard. Was he smart, or what?

Old lawn mowers

my stomaak be itchin

This is interesting, a part of his life history .... I think Virginia Tech should be suspended from the NCAA ...... for just letting Vick enter the university ...

Due to the extreme physical demands and the affects of human aging, the career longevity of NFL players (and most other athletes) is by nature limited to a shorter time than many other occupations. There has been widespread speculation about Vick's physical conditioning and retention of skills after almost two years away from active participation. However, he reportedly has stayed in good physical condition during his federal incarceration, working out and playing basketball. He also did work some physical work as an inmate, earning less than a dollar a day (before taxes).

During his incarceration, Vick's financial condition was rapidly deteriorating due to virtually having no income and substantial ongoing expenses for attorneys, maintaining at least 6 luxury homes in Virginia, Georgia, and Florida, providing living expenses and about 10 vehicles for friends and relatives. With debts millions of dollars in excess of assets, and facing judgments and collection efforts by some of the creditors, his attorneys filed for federal bankruptcy protection under Chapter 13 on his behalf in July 2008.

Vick's Initial Reorganization Plan submitted to the Bankruptcy Court in the Spring of 2009, with his release from federal custody due in about 4 months. The plan relied upon Vick again earning a very substantial income as a professional football player, which he could not assure the court. Testifying on April 3 in Newport News, Vick told the bankruptcy court judge that he believes he can play pro football for another 10 years.[26] His agent, Joel Segal, testified that he hopes to secure Vick a well-paying contract to play football with another NFL team after his suspension is lifted and after the Falcons release him from his current contract to trade it to another team.

Vick wanted to start the bankruptcy plan May 1, 2009, but could only demonstrate a commitment for a construction job paying approximately $20,000 per year arranged by the rector of Virginia Tech, an old friend and long-time supporter. However, his plan, even after divesting many assets, would have required at least $200,000 annually to maintain two of the homes in Virginia, 3 expensive vehicles, and continue to provide a comfortable living for a number of people as he has been, notably his mother, brother, a former girlfriend and their son, and his fiancee and their two children. The plan was rejected by Judge Frank Santoro on April 3, who said the numbers simply didn't work.

He agreed to allow Vick time to plan a much more modest plan. DUH

In the News

Big deal about TV, same lousy programs, new format, I guess. I must admit I never really understood what was going to happen. Rather like ............ 1999 to 2000 ... as Hitchcock said, "There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it."
He also said, "Television is like the American toaster, you push the button and the same thing pops up everytime." So much for the analog to digital conversion.

Poor Michael Vick, not too long ago he signed for $130 million for eight years, now he is bankrupt .... has three or so houses, one for 3.2 million hasn't sold, he has three cars, I think he owes on them ............. the American Dream. If some team picks him up, and pay him for being STUPID, one of his two talents, he may make it. I wonder what team will pick him up ..... he can carry a football, someone will overlook his other "problems" and give him a chance, if he gets reinstated. Something American about wearing an "ankle bracelet" in your 3.2 million dollar house.

Imus made a stupid comment about a girls basketball team .... Letterman commented on a young girl getting "knocked up." Letterman passes it off as a joke, "do I look like the kind of guy that would mean anything by that?" Imus is drummed off the airways for quite a while.

I wonder what would have been the consequences of the statement if it had been made about a well known Democratic politician, or one of Pelosi's daughters, I think she has three or four. Actually, why didn't Pelosi come out and criticize him for doing it, or some of the WOMEN'S RIGHTS GROUPS that are so vocal at times.

Maybe it was just because it happened to Palin's daughter .... the press is OK with that.

If you have an upset stomach, eaten too much, or maybe the wrong thing, and you want to "get rid" of it ............ just think about POLITICS ..... and you will get sick, throw up, and feel better.

Or watch "Celebrity Cribs," it will do the same thing ............

INTERESTING

On the news tonight, from Columbus, Ohio, MILLIONS of dollars going to be spent on road resurfacing, street resurfacing. Freeways worked on, streets in run-down neighborhoods worked on, bridges worked on, apparently all coming with the help of federal money.

My theory, when you go looking for a job, or to get your SS, or unemployment check, they want you to travel, maybe with an empty stomach, but at least, on nice pavements and freeways, assuming you can put gas in your car.

They may have to lay off police and firemen, but the few that are left, will travel on nice pavement.

If you do get desperate and rob someplace, you can escape on nicer roads and freeways.

You may be hungry and out of work, but it will be easier to push your cart full of your belongings, around town. Maybe even a nicer surface to sleep on.

If you are homeless, out of work, and it rains, get under an orange barrel, they will be everywhere.

More Nominees ... from Oklahoma

Some more nominees for my list of TRUE PRO ATHLETES ........

Jordan ..... had a few trips to Vegas ..... makes more money on shoes now than he did on BBall ..... no question he was great .... changed bball forever ...

Cousy, have seen him play quite a few times in the old Coliseum in Dayton.

Oscar Robinson, saw him play when he was at UC ...... did not stand out during the game ... when it was over ......... he had HOW MANY points? He never got the recognition in the pros that he deserved, he just did the job at hand, unceremoniously.

Brown, more well known for his roles in pictures. I have talked with younger folks who didn't know he played football....

Gretsky, definitely.

James Michner did an article years ago on this same subject, and Gretsky was at the top of his list.

A lot of baseball players did too much "playing" on the side to make my list.

"Professional" Athletes

I think Arnold Palmer, John Havlicek, Hank Aaron, probably Nicklaus, are the first ones that come to mind, when I think of TRUE professional athletes.

They excel at their sport, their lives are exemplary, they live the life we expect them to live. I would like my "child" to admire them, and be like them.

I think Federrer fits in to this group. Maybe Tiger Woods also, but there are NOT many that fit my "mold."

His victory today, and the way he handled it, put him right up there.

I guess one measure of a true professional, they excel at what they do, we hear of that, but nothing more, their private lives stay private.

Anyone come to your mind?

Security System Idea

HOW TO INSTALL A HOME SECURITY SYSTEM WHEN ON A BUDGET :


1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used size 14-16 work boots.

2. Place them on your front porch, along with several empty beer cans, a copy of Guns & Ammo magazine and several NRA magazines.

3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazines.

4. Leave a note on your door that reads:
"Hey Bubba, Big Jim, Duke and Slim ---
I went to the gun shop for more ammunition. Back in an hour.. Don't mess with the pit bulls -- they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad. I don't think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all the blood.

P S - I locked all four of 'em in the house. Better wait outside.'

INSTALLATION COMPLETE!!!!

Redneck Security Company

To Wager or Not To Wager .... that is the question

I listened to some local, Columbus, Ohio, radio, and they were discussing the possibility of Gambling In Ohio .... i.e. all the money we are losing to other states who have gambling.

All the good it does, jobs, the economy, millions of dollars of revenue, that we are missing out on, by not allowing slot machines at race tracks, or better yet, casino gambling.

What a good thing it is .....

I wanted to call in, but didn't.

WHERE does the money come from, all these millions that we are losing, the thousands of jobs .... does no one realize that it all comes, from people, who wager and lose money, that they probably can't afford.

People bitch about taxes, but lose their money in a slot machines, and think nothing of it. Everyone is a winner in a casino ..... WRONG ..... it's the millions that are lost that keep them going.

Race tracks want slot machines because their revenue is down .... oh ..... people can't afford to lose money on a horse, but they can put their money in a slot machine. OH, that makes sense.

Millions will be generated into the economy, thousands of new jobs, more tax revenue, all because people lose their money ..... probably ..... that they can ill afford to lose ...

I know where the money comes from to support casinos, and generate these millions they talk about ...... people .... and don't tell me it's just entertainment, and they are going to lose it somewhere else .... so why not in Ohio.

I know where the money cones from ..... there is no "money spring" that generates the money that goes in to a casino or a slot machine .... as we always said, "A gambling license is nothing more than a license to steal."

The Veil of Barack

Had a few comments, thought more about the "veil."

Maybe, when he speaks, we are "veiled" from the truth.

The Mormons believe in a before and an after life, they are "veiled" from their previous life, so they have no knowledge of it.

A veil is a "pretty, soft" word, a veil of secrecy, almost like a gossamer curtain surrounding something.

Diabolical, he can speak, and we only hear, or see, or feel, what he wants to convey to us.

He can say something, and the press, reports something else, without thinking about it.

He can say, "I am selling the country out," but we hear, "I am doing good things for the country."

Think about it, politicians have been using this veil for years. They tell us one thing, do something else, but we only see what they told us they would do. The deceit is veiled from us ..... how strong is that?

......when we wake up ..... WHAT THEN?

I don't want this blog to become a political forum, but golly ...................

Is anyone concerned about the direction this country is heading? It must just be me, but I lay awake at night and worry about it ..... I worry about my grand kids, and their kids .....

Think of what has happened in the last few months. And, no one seems to care, or mention it, or talk about it. I think the Mormons are "veiled" from many things, now we seem to be "veiled" ....... it goes by, and we don't see it, oblivious to reality.

He's talking with our enemies, OH, OK .................

He's spending TRILLIONS .......... OH, OK ..................

He has control of General Motors .......... OH .......... OK.............

Whatever he does ............. OH .............. that is OK .............


There is a "veil" on the press ........ they have "Obama Blindness" for some reason.

It is that Obama charisma, he is surrounded by it, and when you are near it, the "veil" is thrown over you ........ you are mesmerized by it, and him.

When he speaks, head going from one teleprompter to another, like he is watching a tennis match, I thought he needed the teleprompter to know what to say, but I think that constant motion, is hypnotic ........ he speaks .... and we listen ........... we don't hear ............. we just listen. Like background music in an office ....... it's there ....... but we don't listen to it.

I have mentioned before, and will mention it again, I have met, personally, two men, who had that effect on people. L. Ron Hubbard, and Glenn Turner, Dianetics, Scientology, and Dare To Be Great (Koscot cosmetics) .... both were frightening, in a way. They spoke, you listened .......... you listened, and you followed. They both had a hypnotic charisma about them that made you lose reason within yourself. They put you under their "veil," and you listened and followed. Koscot is gone, Turner, I think, is still selling, and Scientology is bigger than ever.

It seems to me that Obama has put the country up "for sale" and we can't see the sign in the yard.

OR ......... is he on the right track?

Gracious Losers ........

Don't you just love gracious athletes, when they lose, they can never admit someone beat them ....

"Honestly, I think I lost because of me, and not because of anything she did," Williams said.

Williams being one of the sisters, who are now both out of the French Open.

THIS WAS WHAT THE WRITERS IN ATTENDANCE SAW ......................

The seesaw struggle was this close: Midway through the third set, each player had won 100 points.

"Honestly, I think I lost because of me, and not because of anything she did," Williams said.

Not entirely. High-risk tennis paid off for Kuznetsova, who whacked winners into both corners and sometimes chose angles that surprised Williams. Kuznetsova showed lots of variety, too -- when she hit a crosscourt lob, Williams staggered helplessly as she watched the ball land beyond her reach.

Williams was sometimes betrayed by uncertain footwork on the clay, which led to repeated mistakes on her forehand side down the stretch.

A GREAT Evening ...... Softball and Mathis

I hope some of you watched a GREAT game last night, I did, still have tears in my eyes. College Softball Women's Championship game, pure sports, pure emotions, dedication, athletic ability, and more emotions.

The winning pitcher's Dad came down out of the stands and hugged his victorious daugthter, tears, hugs and sobs, that brought tears to my eyes, then her Mom came down, it was great. Mom and Dad couldn't site together, too much for them.

Just think what the three of them had gone through, for all those years, all the practice, all the games, grade school, high school, college, probably traveling teams, all the hours, late meals, all leading up to this National Championship. All the emotion poured forth, from them all, and it was great to see.

Teary congratulations from the losing team, the Florida Gators, but congratulations, not storming off, like poor Labron did after the Cavalier loss. And he makes millions a year, win lose or draw, but he was hurt he lost. Not the Gators, they were sad, envious, but proud.

I've watched much of the tournament, lost some interest when Michigan lost, but, I love women's softball, sport in its purest form.

I had a major problem though, Johnny Mathis was on a PBS Special, so I had to swing back and forth. I missed some of John, but caught his medley of the ones from my days, back in the 50's, floods of memories came rushing back .... memories then softball.

A great evening, I hope some of you watched it with me .... if not, you REALLY missed out on some great STUFF .....

Interesting .............

A quote from Adolph Hitler ......

"Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it."
Some food for thought ......

Thanks for the reply, I think................

Germany at the beginning of the '30s was in deep economic trouble with about 6 million unemployed. Similar to what America has had the past year or so. And even more so this year.

Hitler became the savior and fooled millions of Germans who adored him but had no clue what he had in mind. Once in power, he immediately began to secure his position. He eliminated all opposition and produced jobs for 6 million people.

Hitler also started taking over various industries, banks, auto companies. Even 'working' with Volkswagen.

Contrary to popular rumor, Hitler did not design the Beetle. He did however help design the KDF. which was a precursor to the Beetle. Hitler called the new car the "KdF-Wagen" — the "Strength Through Joy Car" — after the Nazi-led KdF (Kraft durch Freude) movement that was supposed to look after the working people.

It Must Be Me .................

I really don't understand it ...... really, what did Obama have to do with GM going bankrupt?

"Obama Announces GM Bankruptcy"

Did they have to ask him if it was OK? When and where did he enter into the picture. I went bankrupt many years ago, and did not have to ask the president if it was OK. I really don't understand his involvement in it.

Does he not have enough to do that he is running around looking for things to do?

Granted, it was a major announcement, but did GM have to ask HIM if it was alright? Now, I suppose, he will announce all bankruptcies to the world. I really do not understand his involvement.

I hope someone can explain it to me .....................

YUDU

I had forgotten about this site ...................

YUDU LIBRARY

I gives access to my Dad's book, and one I did on my early life in Reno, and another I did on basic crap shooting ...............

It is a neat site ................

Reno, Nevada

This is an old BLOG I put up quite a while ago, on another site. I have been getting response to it, but can't find the BLOG anymore, so, reprinting it here ......................

I first saw her in 1956, small town atmosphere, with some big town attractions. Harold's Club, a one of a kind, Pappy Smith, Harold, Lincoln Fitzgerald, Bill Harrah, Ernie Primm, Danny Fagan all are great memories, of a past that has been demolished, in most cases.

I don’t think I would want to visit Reno now, the small town is gone, freeways, mega casinos, it just would not be the same.

I used to walk to work on occasions, a few block walk down South Virginia, past the Riverside and the Mapes, next block, The Nevada Club, Lincoln Fitzgerald, Thelma Ganz. Bettye Johnson, Danny Fagan, Jimmy Jones, all friends or trainers, as I was learning to become a “dealer” or in those days we were called “clerks,” the only classification the IRS could find for us.

The days of keep your own tokes, put them in a drawer on the table, take a break, and take your tokes with you …………… no more ……………… the IRS wanted their share. Those were the days of $25 or $27.50 per shift, plus tokes, and they were great jobs. In the right spots, tokes could add up nicely.

Tokes were good at Harold's, female dealers, tight fitting western trousers, western shirts, cowboy boots …………… and ……………….. unheard of …………….. club policy, talk with the customers, explain the game to them, be friendly …………. unheard of in a casino. But it sure worked for the Smith family, largest in the state at that time, 7 floors, a gun collection, silver dollar bar, all sorts of attractions, a carnival atmosphere, but it worked.

Look at Vegas now, much grander scale, but what the Smith’s did way back then.


The Smith’s came from a carnival life, and added them to the casino, and won. And, they had fun doing it, and they believed in advertising, at that time, one of the most ambitious campaigns going. All over the world, “Harold’s Club or Bust.”

I saw Harold put the cover on a wheel, big game going on, students from the University of Nevada. They had a system ………… they were up to well over $120,000.00 (which was a ton of money in those days) …………… they started losing …………… when they got back to $100,000.00 Harold covered the table, closed the game, told them to quit …………. with their $100,000.00 not bad.

They finally lost it back in Vegas, but Harold got millions in advertising out of it. I was there the morning he put the cover on the table ………….. it was in every paper in the world …………. Nevada students win $100,000 at Harold's Club………… was Harold cagey or not?

All of the other clubs in Reno thrived off of Harold's advertising, they didn’t have to do much, Harold's was doing it all for them ……………… Harold’s Club made Reno, and the state of Nevada, what it is today ………… and the building was torn down, as was the Nevada Club ………….. now a plaza with benches and fountains ……….. all now, just a memory.