williamlauer.com

Not for the weak of heart.

Saturday morning while I was reading the paper on the deck with Lolli and Roy under foot, a robin was going berzerk, flying from tree to garage and back. I spotted a baby robin perched in the lattice work.

Roy was transfixed by mama robin when Lolli finaly spotted the baby. (Needless to say, this isn’t going to be pretty so for those of you who are squeamish, it’s time to look away.) Lolli is the stalker, but Roy is more aggressive.

Lolli spooked the baby into the yard and Roy did the deed.

Aren’t they cute?

First Kill

Lolli and Roy made their first kill this weekend; a tiny snake. Not sure if they ate it or not. Then Mr. Squirrel was cluck-cluck-clucking at them from high in the elm tree because they were on “his” deck. They tried to chase him but the tree was too difficult, so they stared and feinted him for an hour or so. If Mr. Squirrel doesn’t find a new home, they will get him eventually.

Way Behind. . .

I’m sooooo behind. I’ve been overwhelmed with a lot of things including formation of my foundation and our upcoming inaugural event August 8. (Looking for sponsors, players and volunteers by the way.) 

That being said, I had a wonderful vacation back in May to D.C. that included the the National ALS Awareness Day, which is in a previous post, as well as an oustanding visit with Staci.

Her are some pictures.

Sunny day at Ft. Washington.

They used to keep stuff in here.

Staci’s big feet with a big arm.

Always looking for a place to eat.

I played golf and Staci drove the cart.

Pishu (left) and I met in Mumbai, Bombay back then, when I was in India in ’92 or something like that. He lives in Virginia now with his family so Staci and I stopped for a visit.

While we were waiting on Capitol Hill in one of our representatives offices. Staci is always so serious.

Important announcment.

Through the hard work of my friends, the William G. Lauer Foundation for ALS and Charities is officially launched.

Our first event is August 8. It’s a Sunday golf outing of massive proportions. I’m looking for volunteers and people to donate items for auction items and pin prizes.

We also looking for sponsors of all levels, so please go to our website http://www.lauerfoundation.org/ take a look around and spread the word.

Our mission statement: The William G. Lauer Foundation gives back to the ALS community by raising funds supporting The ALS Association and organizations providing services for ALS patients and their families. The Foundation also funds research to discover the cause and a cure for ALS and increases awareness in the community on behalf of those battling ALS.

ALS trip to D.C.

I’m running way behind on posting due to a lot things.

A couple weeks ago I flew to D.C. (boy, are my arms tired), to visit Staci and attend the National ALS Awareness Day. (Pictures of Staci to come in a later post.) 

The Day is an annual event opening with a vigil Sunday night, Monday devoted to education/awareness and Tuesday to lobbying Capitol Hill for funding for specific ALS  priorities. Becoming an advocate and voice instead of an unbiased journalist while dealing with our elected Washington representatives felt odd, but I persevered.

Unfortunately, we did not meet with our actual representatives, May 11 was primary election day in Nebraska, but we did meet with their staffs. Pictured are Shannon Todd, (blue suit), who is with the ALSA in Omaha and has been great to work with,  Dana, who lives in Bellevue and lost her husband to ALS earlier this year, myself and Staci — and assorted Capitol Hill types.

Staci was kind enough to not only escort us while taking pictures but also use her Captiol Hill parking pass making life much easier. Rock Stars, that’s what we were. And yes, I do own a suit.

I only took my point-and-shoot because cameras are impossible to carry for any length of time, like more than a minute, but here’s a few of mine.

I’m pleased to introduce. . .

Lolli and Roy. Direct from my friend Heidi’s parents ranch in the Sandhills. They were born around Easter and arrived Friday night. Future rapscallions.

I’ll be honest, in this picture I can’t tell who is who. Right now the only way I can tell them apart is Lolli is a bit darker on the shoulder blades. I think Roy will grow larger, but right now they move too damn fast for me to make a distinction.

Wheelbarrow Rodeo

Unfortunately, I don’t have the energy tonight to write a decent post about yesterday’s Wheelbarrow Rodeo, but I’d like to post some pictures.

Joe Duggan organized some co-workers (a terribly inadequte word for people so generous and caring) and gave my yard a makeover. Plantings, re-bedding and even a new driveway.

These pictures hardly encompass the energy and sweat they expended, but they do give a sense of their enormous achievement. Nor is everyone who participated shown.

Ironically, the ALS Association posted this link on Facebook tonight. Extreme Home Makeover will donate one penny for every time this video  is watched.

Thank you to all.

“Thank you” is not nearly as powerfull a phrase needed to express my appreciation.

Charming

Look what I found while planting trees (one out front by the drive and a couple to hide the intersection) last Saturday. Ain’t he/she pretty? It’s been years since I caught one (or this, not sure which) and forgot how much their excrement stinks, hence the grimace from the slime on my hand.

I’ve never understood why some people freak out over snakes. It’s not like finding a dog turd in the yard.

He/she was contradicting John B. L. Soule’s advice and was heading east when caught, (Horace Greeley is usually given credit for the quote), and continued on in that direction upon release.

Eric took the picture.

Yes, I’m trying to set a record for links in a post.

If you are a. . .

. . . dandelion in my yard, your ass is mine. Although the removal of said weed by hand has satisfying therapeutic properties, the endeavour essentially is futile. A chemical remedy is following soon.

Party

My neighbors had the first back yard party of the season. Notice the really cool barn in their yard. I’m not sure about its history, but I’m pretty sure it was originally part of my lot, as were about three houses on the block, that originally was part of a larger property. The oldest records I’ve seen date it late 19Th century, which for Lincoln is pretty old.

Right tool for the job

Eric’s excellent teeth worked splendidly undoing the knot he made for transporting the table he graciously donated for my deck, along with a couple of chairs and a 12-pack of, “The Champagne of Beer.”

I’m home most evenings if anyone is interested.

Bunco

I’d like to thank the ladies for their gracious hospitality in letting Cindy and me come to their monthly bunco soiree.

Despite our best efforts to expose the rampant gambling dice culture gutting the underbelly of Lincoln, we failed. Just a bunch of friends having fun.

Links are to Cindy’s story on journalstar.com

Fashion Guru

I have an astute fashion sense, as many of you know, which I display frequently during highly public, visual events. I also have the keen eye for spotting young, up and coming talent in the arena of sartorial expression.

Young Jack Gregory certainly caught my eye with his daring coordination of  print and plaid pajama play-wear Sunday afternoon. The truly subtle touch which sets off the entire outfit can’t be seen in the picture — shoes on the wrong feet.

Neighbor

Met my friendly neighbor the other day, quite a bit different from the last place I lived. Don’t know his name but I’m calling him Scruffy because he looks like he’s been in a tangle or two.

I’m hoping I’ll have some of my own soon — kitties, not tangles.

Card cleaning

Found this picture on my point and shoot card from vacation last July. That’s my sister-in-law Cindy floating in their pool last July when I went to visit my brother David and family.

Swimming outside hasn’t been an remotely appealing for several months. Maybe soon.