Springtime in the flatlands

[jboczek]

It's 72 degrees outside, the wind is blowing, it rained 2 1/2" the last 2 days. That can only mean one thing - it's SPRING in the flatlands!

[Arrowcap180]

I sure hope that's not a case of "Premature Exclamation"!

[jboczek]

You know, Arrowcap, I've noticed that you are relatively new here, with only 10 posts or so. Perhaps you don't realize that when the president of the IACOJ Illinois delegation declares "spring", it is indeed "spring". I'm right, aren't I, fellow crusties? Please, tell me I'm right. Please.

[jaybird210]

President Boczek is correct, but his proclamations only have weight of law south of I-80.











Sorry, Jack, couldn't resist.

[jboczek]

Since when? Illinois is Illinois, whether it's North or South of I80. Maybe some people don't think so, but I don't know if the rest of us could survive without the northerners.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

When young meNs thoughts turn to... THE 30 DEGREE FREAKIN TEMPERATURE DROP !

[Weruj1]

I want to hope for the Presidents sake he is right .,.........but I can almost feel a May snow !

[jboczek]

I'm almost having second thoughts already. It WAS 72 yesterday, tomorrow we're looking at 47 for a high. Might know it's be cool for our 10th Annual Casimer Pulaski Day Celebration in Downtown DuBois. Well, mostly in the bars downtown - we have 2 of them again. Polka DJ in one of them (not our DJ Inferno), polka band in the other, polka band at the catholic church for mass in the morning and polish food in the parish center after that. They WILL be serving duck soup, just in case anybody knows what that is made out of. We should have a couple thousand people in town for the parade to watch some of the tractors driving backwards. This is our first chance to show off our new engine. Hope it gets out of the shop today. (And, no, it won't be going backwards). If not, it'll be the GREEN one in the parade. I'll try to get some pictures and put them in the gallery on the other site.

[80FIRE]

Couple of questions for you Jack.
Why do the tractors go backwards in the parade?
What is the NEW engine doing in the shop?

Happy Pulaski Day everyone!

[jboczek]

Les, you gotta remember that this is "Casimer Pulaski Day" celebration. If you know anything about him, you know that he is Polish. Tractors go backwards because some of their drivers are also Polish. Need I say more?
Had a little problem with the rear end suspension on our truck. While one of our guys was out driving Tuesday, the rear end slipped back on the passenger side. It sounds like the spring U-bolts weren't tight. IH dealer sent a tow for it Wed. morning, got there Wed. afternoon, left about 2 PM to tow it to the shop 15 miles away. I don't think they started on it until Thursday. It's now 11AM on Sat. and IT'S NOT DONE YET. Me and IH are gonna have words. They did have to order new U-bolts. They had them yesterday morning but had "emergencies" come up and didn't get our fire truck done. I'd think a fire truck should get priority but apparently they could make more money on a semi broken down than a warranty job.

[Firefighter2160]

uuummm yea I think it is spring...last saturday had 9 Field fires.......today had about a 30 acre field fire.....was in swamp land....just wonderful LOL.....so if it is NOT spring yet....I think we are in trouble

[ChiefReason]

Been coughing for two days. Runny nose. Achy. It must be Spring.
Got a new set of irons and been seeing diehards walking the courses around here. Pretty sure Spring is here.
Temperatures will be in the 50s until Saturday. Sure feels like Spring.
Saturday there's snow in the forecast. Are you sure it's Spring?
I can't remember; did our President see his shadow or not?
And does he carry weight west of I-74? North on 150? Just on the other side of the county line?
Point of order.
CR

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Jack, Do you REALLY eat it ?

[PFire23]

What is Czarnina?? And I'm wondering ...... since it sounds like the name of a wife of a Russian leader, should Jack even BE eating it???

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Czarnina (duck soup) recipe


1 duck, cut up for soup

1 small onion, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1 apple, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 cup seedless raisins

8 dried prunes

blood from duck

2 tablespoon vinegar

4 tablespoon sugar

1 pint sour cream

1/2 cup flour

salt and pepper to taste


Cover duck with about 4 quarts of water in a 6 quart kettle. Add onion, celery, apple, carrot, raisins, and prunes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until meat is tender, about 1 to 1-1/2 hours over low heat. Remove meat to thicken suop. Combine cream, blood, and flour together and stir into slightly cooled soup. Be sure soup is cooled or else the thickening will curdle. Cook for 5 minutes to thicken. Add sugar and vinegar to taste, one tablespoon at a time, until you get the right sweet and sour taste. Remove prunes and half of raisins. Strain for clear broth. Add meat back in and serve.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

I DONT LIKE IT !

[Truck32]

OK Somebody had to mention the "S" word and now they are calling for snow here overnight. I think the groundhog saw his shadow AGAIN!!!!

[PFire23]

EEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW I don't think I'd like it either

[pcfdcap1]

The soup is kinda like the blood sausage I used to make. The only sausage I made I didn't like. Talk about spring, we've got almost an inch of snow on the ground this morning

[jboczek]

The weather guy mentioned s... here this morning, too, but not until about Thursday. I don't think it'll be more than a snow shower, it's supposed to be warm again Friday. I stand by my declaration of Spring.

At least south of I-80.