Everyday Ass Kicker - Dick Lueck

A Guy Who Doesn't Sweat the Small Stuff

My Uncle Dick Lueck married my Aunt Jeanne Hartman in the late 70's.  One of the greatest days of my childhood was when my mom told me Dick and Jeanne would be buying the Hartman house on Hillview Drive in Sussex, WI.  It meant that the house would not be sold outside the family to settle the estate.  Since then, even though it is half his castle, he has generously opened its doors to the Hartman Family, and allowed it to be its central gathering place.

Dick grew up on a dairy farm in Wausau, WI, and after high school, like many boys his age, was sent to Viet Nam.  It was there, he once told me at his basement bar, where he learned not to sweat the small stuff.  He worked a big steel union job at A.O. Smith in Milwaukee until the facility closed.  Today he works full time at Fleet Farm wearing a safety yellow shirt, welcoming customers in to the lumber yard. When he sees kids in the car, Dick talks to them in his famous Donald Duck voice he always used on us as kids.

I believe the one thing friends and family appreciate most about him is his ability to laugh at himself. From tearing up his beer belly sliding down a trunk of a tree attempting to place his deer stand, to the short jokes, and baby face jokes he gets every time he shaves his beard, he can take it.

He and my Aunt Jeanne are two of the most generous people I've ever known.  Time, gifts, parties, food, beer, or whatever it takes to make you feel welcome, they provide it.  And boy is it hard to get them to accept gifts.  When family members or close friends needed a transitional place to live, building houses by hand or starting families; they were welcome to live at Jeanne and Dick's.

When we were kids Dick and Jeanne always bought empty cargo van's and Dick would customize it building benches, carpet, etc.  If he had a van full of kids, when we pulled in to the neighborhood, Dick would swerve and take sharp corners to let us tumble like popcorn in the back.  Sounds danerous, but man it was fun!  He was a Harley guy for a while, and had a bike with a purple gas tank with a black pig.  His biker buddies called him "Purple Dick".

I was 16 in 1985 and thought I knew everything. My mom sent me to Sussex for the summer and Dick got me a second shift job at the local canning factory sorting green beans.  Because of that, I went to college.  When my friends came up to visit, and Dick and Jeanne had to pick us up at Waukesha Park at 1am, busted for drinking. I thought I was a dead man.  When we got to back to his house, Dick took us all downstairs to his bar, lined up shots and beers, and partied with us till 4am.  

Dick has maintained his boyhood friends for 60 years, and extended friends of the Hartman's have become family.  He is Wisconsin to the bone: Hunting, fishing, raw beef on rye, venison sausage, a fifty-fifty sour cream to baked potato ratio, pickled hearing, smoked oysters, sardines, and basically anything you can fit on a cracker.  My cousins and I owe Dick and Jeanne more than we will ever be able to repay. So that is why, Dick Lueck, is the latest member of Gusty Winds' Everyday Ass Kickers.  

Oh Grace Just Hold Me In Your Arms..

Joseph Mary Plunkett and Grace Gifford

A Love Story From the Easter Rising 1916

Grace Gifford married Joseph Mary Plunkett in the early morning hours of May 4, 1916, only hours before Joseph was to face a British firing squad at Kilmainham Gaol for being a leader in the Easter Rising, which sparked the Irish Revolution.  Joseph was a 28-year-old poet, who along with six other revolutionary leaders signed the Proclamation of the Republic, which was read aloud on the steps of the General Post Office, after the revolutionaries had seized strategic points in downtown Dublin.  

The uprising only lasted a week before the Irish were forced to surrender, severely outnumbered by British guns. At the time, the Irish People were not behind the revolution and were angry at the carnage and civilian deaths caused by the fighting. 

But after the rebellion was put down, the seven leaders were imprisoned in Kilmainham Gaol, and summarily tried and executed in the courtyard over the next few weeks. The executions angered the Irish and they soon turned in support of the revolution taking advantage of Britain's preoccupation in WWI.  

Seven hours prior to Joseph's execution Grace was brought to Kilmainham Goal and she and Joseph were married in the prison chapel surrounded by armed guards.  Grace never again married and was a supporter of the revolution, and backed the anti-treaty IRA factions in the Irish Civil War.

She was jailed by Pro-Treaty factions in the same jail in 1923 and painted a famous portrait of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the wall of her cell which can still be seen today.  In the 1980's an Irishman wrote a song titled "Grace", which is now performed most famously by Anthony Kearns of the Irish Tenors.  It is beautiful, moving, sad, and worth watching.  

Everyday Ass Kicker: Jim Harvey

You Can Always Head to Harvey's Garage

I met Jim Harvey back in Jr. High.  He has always been a permanent Elmhurst fixture and well known member of the community.  Jim did not grow up wealthy, but through hard work, a focus on quality in his carpentry business, a willingness to help his neighbors, devotion to his family, and a love of Heineken Beer; Jim is the latest member of Gusty Winds' Every Day Ass Kickers.  

Jim has stamina.  This guy can drink a twelve pack of Heineken, smoke a pack of cigarettes, and get on his bike the next day and ride from Elmhurst to Wheaton and back.  

Jim has impressively made himself independently successful by taking pride in his work, relying on word of mouth to spread his reputation as one of the best contractors in the Chicagoland area.  He married his high school sweetheart Donna, and they have built a great life together.  

Jim coached his son Jimmy all through his childhood which lead him to playing football in college.  You can see the influence and the values Jim instilled in his impressive son. Although he may not always understand it; Jim is a patient husband and father; who just likes to see his wife and daughter Taylor just be girls.

When he's not working you see Jim around the neighborhood lending a helping had to those around him, constantly using his skill to help others.  He is loyal, and non-judgmental.  

But in the neighborhood Jim is most famous for Harvey's Garage.  It's his office and man-cave, and all his friends are welcome.  I don't think I have ever left there sober.  One time I had so much fun I passed out behind the Garage.  Although relaxing to ride the storm out in the cool grass, my fear was someone might come out from the garage and pee on me.

If you don't know what's going on for a Hawks game, Bears game or anything else, you can always head to Harvey's Garage and know you'll find a crowd.  Jim turned me from a pseudo interested hockey fan, in to a full blown Hawks fan.

If I didn't know the game started, I always know to head to the garage when Jim's goal siren blasts throughout the neighborhood.  Took my son Teddy to the garage so he could watch the Hawks win the Cup with Jim's crowd.  They treated him like a king, and he go to hoist the Tupperware Stanley Cup in victory. Thanks man.

Congratulations Jim.  You are and Everyday Ass Kicker.

The Coolest Rock-n-Roll Photo Ever

Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly

January 1959 - Just Before the Music Died

Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly were friends from Lubbock, Texas.  Not an original Cricket, and only 19-years-old, Waylon was asked to play guitar and bass and go on tour with Buddy after the Crickets disbanded.  Famously, Waylon gave up his seat to the Big Bopper, who was killed with Buddy Holly, and Ritchie Valens in the plane crash; February 3, 1959.

In interviews Waylon said he spent a long time suffering from survivors guilt.  The last thing they said to each other was:

Buddy to Waylon: I hope your ass freezes on the bus.

Waylon to Buddy: I hope your 'ol plane crashes. (Video Proof Below)

Hey Jack Kerouac...

On the Road:  The Famous Scroll

Jack Kerouac, Beatnik, and Great 10,000 Maniacs Song

...I think of Dean Moriarty

Until 1992, I had no idea who Jack Kerouac was let alone Alan Ginsburg, William S. Burroughs, and the craziest of all the Beatniks, Neal Cassidy. In 1987 the 10,000 Maniacs with lead singer Natalie Merchant released the "In My Tribe" album, and the second song on the first side was titled "Hey Jack Kerouac".  

Living upstairs at the Sigma Pi house at Eastern Illinois University, this one guy would play the album over and over.  It's a great record.  From the repetitiveness I started memorizing lyrics, and ended up finding out about Jack Kerouac.  I read "On the Road", his magnum opus, which was originally typed on one continuous scroll of taped together paper.  

Sitting in I-294 traffic a few years ago I listened to the audio book, narrated by some breathy guy who seemed to give proper voice to the writing.  It was great, and I got it.  The movie that came out last year featuring a smokin' hot Kristen Stewart wasn't bad either and did its best to stay true to the pace of the book.  

It's an American Huckleberry Finn.  A story of a generational subculture.  Kerouac uses pseudonyms to use his friends Alan, William, and Neal in the story.  The most famous of which is the character Dean Moriarty modeled after Neal Cassidy.  

Most WWII veterans came home happy to be alive and decided to conquer the world through industry, politics, science, and labor.  But not the Beatniks.  They chose the more eclectic life, exploring poetry, questioning values, drinking, and popping bennies.   

Kerouac and Cassidy both died young as a result of their lifestyles.  You can see it coming in the book. 

Natalie Merchant singing a great rendition of the song below.   

Everyday Ass Kicker: Ed Faulk

He Used to Be Big Ed, Now He's Medium Ed

Ed Faulk married my wife's cousin Kelly.  I guess he sang at our wedding, but for some reason I can't remember, which really sucks, 'cause Eddie can sing.  My wife and I joke that Eddie is so successful downstate probably because he was adopted and did not inherit some of the blood lines.

I remember about 15-years-ago this guy was working at the local car dealership in El Paso, IL.  Somehow he got himself a desk job at Caterpillar in Peoria.  He rocked in Purchasing, so they offered him the night job supervising the whole operation.  But...Ed failed the personality test miserably and I guess they picked someone else.

But a few years ago he was offered the opportunity to join a cross-functional team, traveling internationally to set up dealerships for one of Caterpillar's acquisitions.  Eddie saw it as a once in a lifetime opportunity, so he took it, and he's made it.  He's now a world traveler, and I think he's making some serious coin.  From the latest Facebook Photos I think he just bought a new pontoon boat in addition to building his family a new house.  Damn!

Ed is a friend to animals and works as a part time dog whisperer.  His keen Dr. Doolittle skills help comfort and calm all animals around him, including his brother-in-law Jacon.  They race cars at "Funberry".  Eddie is a patient pit crew manager, simply shaking his head as Jacon struggles to slow down and finish a race.

About five years ago Big Ed had some health problems for which weight loss became an absolute necessity.  He did it.  Think he dropped like 150 lbs so far, and still manages to drink beer.

Ed is a family man devoted to his wife Kelly, daughter Kayla, and son Little "E".  He coaches, works, helps others, and is the best part of any local Karaoke night in El Paso.  That boy can saaaannnggg.  

Congratulations Ed, you are the first member of Gusty Winds "Everyday Ass Kickers".  

Elvis Fan: Our Heroes Fall Tragically Like Icarus

Rapid Rise, Searing Charisma,Tragic Descent

Col. Parker Knew it Was Best to Leave 'em Wanting More

I was 8-years-old when Elvis died in 1977.  The nation's reaction and mourning shocked the intelligentsia as they had written him off as a flash in the pan hillbilly.  President Carter said it was appropriate to fly the flag at half mast, and tens of thousands lined the streets of Memphis to watch his white hearse pass by.

Elvis never left his roots.  Born in Tupelo, MS he settled in Memphis and never left.  Even at the height of his fame, he always chose to surround himself with the Memphis Mafia; friends from high-school who's loyalty he held and reciprocated.  He worked in Hollywood, but never lived there.  

His talent pushed him quickly in to the national spotlight in 1956, and rather that use his star status to get easy duty in the Army, he was drafted and served like all the other boys.  Fame, fortune and a selfish manager named Col. Parker lead to his isolation.  Temptations of being able to have anything he wanted destroyed his marriage, health, and life.

Like Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, Jack Kerouac, James Dean, Jim Morrison, Princess Diana, John Lennon, the Kennedy's, and MLK, we Americans like when our heroes to self sacrifice, or self-destruct; a consequence of their talent and ambition.  Ironically after the fall, we immortalize the rise.

Better to go out on top.  But those that live just can't seem to leave the limelight behind.  Let's see...Brett Farve, Cher, the Who...

Not Elvis.  Only that guy could pull of the rhinestone jumpsuit and look like Apollo.  Charisma without arrogance; humility in the face of fame, a square jawed man's man, and an untrained voice that owned every song it sang.  That was Elvis.     

Mind, Body, and Soul...Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

Can't Seem to Get Them All Clicking at Once

Funny what sticks in your head from college.  It's more amazing anything actually sticks. Some guys from Belleville, IL dragged be to my first Grateful Dead show, the President of Delta Zeta made me appreciate the poetry of the Indigo Girls, and a guy I pledged with said something I've never been able to forget.

He was one of those readers that no-one really understood; and was also one of the younger guys; think he pledged Sigma Pi at 17-years-old.  Anyway, he cornered me at some after-bar party and insisted on telling be about this great book teaching about achieving balance between the mind, the body, and the soul.

Ironic how some of those collegiate formed habits prevent achieving balance but that's a whole book.   

Ever since then I've always reflected on how I'm doing relative to this paradigm.  Best I've ever achieved is two out of three.  I've never been able to get the full circle going.  There have been times at my fattest, where my mind and soul are thriving; and times when I've been in shape but carrying a heavy heart.  

I don't know if anyone can get this all working together at once, but if you do, enjoy it while it lasts.  

  

If You Find it Hard to Believe...Maybe Consider Just Being a Fan...

Three Cheers for Jesus!

At Least Root for the Guy...He's Rooting for You

I don't care what religion you belong to or don't.  Really.  I can understand how secularists have been pushed away by exclusionary hypocrites who think they have been given the keys to the Pearly Gates.

Yes I am a Christian, not because I'm better than anyone, but because I meet the full prerequisites: a flawed, flailing, stumbling sinner that can't seem to get his shit together on his own.  

When I was a kid, my Mom gave me a Bible where everything Jesus said was highlighted in red.  So that's all I read; the Red Words.  And boy are they different, and a lot more inclusive from anything else you hear or read.  

This guy was about hanging out with the impure and the downtrodden.  The Pharisees had put up all these rules where only the "pure" could enter the Temple.  To their dismay, Jesus handed out General Admission Tickets and invited everyone in.  So of course, those in power wanted him dead as he was infringing on their self-appointed rock star status.

Speaking of rock stars, where would Bob Seger have gotten his Silver Bullet look without Jesus?  He's lucky it wasn't trademarked.

Like all revolutions, the post resurrection followers and evangelists started adding their own rules creating layer after layer of rules he worked so hard to tear down.  

Christians today are stuck with a "holier than thou" reputation which is really the antithesis of the whole idea; it's their own fault.  I think Pope Francis currently has the humility thing heading in the right direction.

I post this not to influence or convince.  That's impossible.  But, even for the non-believer if you had to pick a scenario, or a philosopher to admire; our man Jesus is one of the best. 
 
Read the Red Words the throw out the rest.

  

Hello Dave? Dave....Hello? Hello...Dave??

Bringing Twang to Chicago

During the summer of 1991 I met Mike Himebaugh through some mutual friends, and his sister Kris.  The bass player and drummer had left the Eastern Illinois Campus and Mike let me fill in for about a dozen shows, playing bass, but eventually letting me sing a few songs.  So my Jr. High guitar lessons payed off, and for two months I lived my rock-n-roll fantasy, and ended up meeting my wife Trish.  

First night I only knew six songs on bass so I hit the band perk free beer a little too hard, ripping sixteenth notes on the tambourine in between; for which I received a few "take it easy" eye-rolls from Mike.    

Mike can sing like John Denver, and our goof-ball friend Frank Girage (rip), was a talented guitarist with an outrageous sense of humor.   They named the band Hello Dave, because I guess Frank would just say "hello...dave???  dave....hello??" during microphone sound checks.  

Mike has stayed true to his calling, still playing music, and now living his life the farm way, after leaving the city a few years ago.  He tours and plays shows by himself or with the band.  Good stuff.  Great live show.  Find him.  

Take a Trip Back in Time

Old World Wisconsin

A Place in Time Re-created from the Original, Brick by Brick

If you are looking for a cool day with the kids or just a place to get away with your sweetheart, let me recommend Old World Wisconsin.  It's located just north of the Illinois border on Rte 67 in the Kettle Moraine Valley; a quick ride from Chicago, Rockford, Lake Geneva etc..

It opened in 1976 after some rich guy bought farm houses around the state and relocated them brick by brick to this outdoor museum campus.  Each farmhouse illustrates life and architecture from different settling cultures; German, Polish, Danish, African-American and others.  

Seems the Irish did not like to farm much spending most of their time in Milwaukee Third Ward Pubs, so they lack representation here.  They did however relocate Milwaukee's first Catholic Church, St. Peter's, where I assume the Irish went to wash away whatever they did the night before. 

I like concerts, bars, and roller coasters like everyone, but this is a pretty cool place to spend a day.  In the fall it is absolutely beautiful.  It survived a great deal of tornado damage in 2010, but reopened after repairs.  Places like this need support.  It's a cool road trip.

Ranting Outside of Facebook

A Way of Keeping My Page Publicly Tolerable for My Mother

Generation X joined social media sometime back in 2009.  Millennial's at work told us about it's existence, and the first year connecting and finding lost friends was amazing.  It's funny how once some of the middle aged took over Facebook, the youth migrated to the 'cooler' Instagram, which still frightens and confuses me.  The stuff my daughter's friends post is unbelievable.

Same goes for my wonderful Mother and my Facebook page.  She is proud of my writing, but often shivers at its content.  I completely understand as there are extended relatives and those who perhaps do not share my enthusiasm for the unregulated exchange of ideas.  And I think swear words add appropriate exclamation illustrations to the pathos of a statement.  

It is interesting how on-line rules of etiquette are still undefined.  It is hard to consider all sensitivities of all viewers when posting.  And it amazes me when the some generic hallmark pre-created post or article is set publicly, some are often completely surprised at the push back.   Luckily we are allowed to filter and turn the station having the ability to un-friend, un-follow, block, hide, and basically excommunicate those that simply piss us off.

So in consideration of my Mother, career liability regarding on-line exposure, and maybe an additional outlet for the wheels that spin in my head, I started this blog.  I'll probably be its biggest fan, but hope some will view, comment, debate, win, and concede.