Off To The Outback Bowl

I leave for the Outback Bowl this Saturday a.m. I'm traveling with the UW Alumni Association who always does a great job on these trips. My entire family just spent an entire weekend at the Wilderness Lodge & Water Park in the Dells. We all stayed in one cabin, a large one! A great, if expensive, weekend. I recommend it!

Here's an early wish for a very healthy and successful new year for you and yours.

Ice On The Roof

Like many other homeowners around here, the snow on my home's roof is creating ice build-up. No leaks yet. Bought a roof rake; hope it helps! They don't build around here like they do in the U.P.

Jared, Brett and Deana

Jared was a little boy aged 8 years who had leukemia. He lived in Evansville, Wi and was a big Packer fan. On December 8 Deana and Brett Favre called Jared. They had become aware of Jared's illness through an e-mail sent to their web site by one of my daughters. Jared's parents said there was a look in Jared's eyes they had not seen for some time. Jared died on December 9. At Jared's wake, there was a large bouquet of white lillies from the Favres.

If you haven't had a chance to read the December 10 edition of "Sports Illustrated" try to get a copy. Brett is on the front cover as Sportsman of the Year. We often hear the bad about pro athletes. People like Deana and Brett Favre are a blessing.

NFL Network

I don't know about you but I am about to go to the DISH network!!

Giving Blood

I'm donating plasma today at American Red Cross. If you don't already give blood on a regular basis, I highly recommend it. It's kind of like getting the oil changed in your car!

Happy Turkey Day

What a great country we live in! Despite the negativity of news media, we have so many things to be thankful for. But we must not be complacent. There are threats to our way of life. I still feel two of our most important freedoms are the right to vote and the right to a trial by a jury.

Happy Thanksgiving. God bless you all.

Badgers & Packers

If you are a football fan, isn't it great to be in Wisconsin! Unless the Badgers fall on their face against Minnesota, they should get invited to a nice bowl game. And the Packers ae surprising everyone!

It looks like the worst of the subprime mortgage crisis is just ahead of us. It looks like we will see the most effect of higher rates for borrowers as their loan rates adjust during the first four to six months of 2008. Five years ago some lenders were offering teaser rates that enabled many to buy homes. Now with the adjustable rates kicking in at much higher rates than the teasers, they are finding it almost impossible to make the higher payments. Lots of "ouches" out there.

A Great Weekend and A Great Day

How about those Badgers and Packers!!!

And the weather outside today? Unbelievable!! Get out and enjoy.

Neat Website

The space shuttle is returning to earth today from the International Space Station. It is probably too late for this time, but a great website to tune in to for live coverage of these space ventures is: http://www.nasa.com/.

Big Game

I anxious for tomorrow's Ohio State/UW football game. I think we will finally see what kind of team Wisconsin really is. I know our expectations were high at the beginning of the season. Tomorrow will tell us whether our expectations were too high!

Big Ten Network

A lot of talk is going on about the BTN (Big Ten Network). Last night I heard Barry Alvarez tell a group of Badger boosters that a 20 year contract has been signed with the Fox network for the BTN, so this issue is not going to go away. I am debating whether to switch from Charter cable to either Direct TV or the DISH programs. What I am strongly considering is keeping Charter; adding either DISH or Direct TV for the football and basketball season; then dropping BTN till next season.

We'll wait and see.

Bet You Thought I've Been Lost

Wow, over two months since I posted anything! T'is a beautiful time of the year. Autumn has always been my favorite season. It tends to be the one season in Wisconsin that lives up to its expectations. I am still road biking. Not the extensive training I went through this summer; just nice, casual rides of 20 - 50 miles. I am debating what to do this winter to stay in reasonable shape.

With the exception of the housing market, things economically look pretty good. Probably another 1/4 point drop in short-term rates coming. I "bleed" for those who have purchased a new home and had not sold their current home. Many are still sitting on their current home, and therefore, burdened with two loan payments. Ouch.

I've been watching the space shuttle and its docking with the International Space Station. Live! It is fascinating. Go to http://www.nasa,com/.

Withdrawal

I took my first ride today since returning from Montana. Just rode out to Paoli and back. A piece of cake! If you have not been to the organic food store next to the pub there, I recommend it.

Made It!!

I'm back and alive! What an awesome experience last Saturday! Completing my first century ride was part of the experience; the most important part was the cause and the people who were involved in the ride. It was all about juvenile diabetes and the kids. The commitment by parents, friends, grandparents, staff and others who have been touched by the disease is just plain and simply --- amazing!

Never in my life have I been around a more energetic and enthusiastic group of people. And the riders from the Western Wisconsin Chapter of JDRF (which includes Madison area).. what can I say. I love them all.

And my grandson and daughter.... I will remember this for the rest of my life. Hopefully they will, too.

This is It!!

The week has finally arrived. I am actually getting a little anxious about the upcoming ride. The other day when I had to drop off by bike for shipment to Whitefish, I actually experienced a little saddness. It was like leaving a friend to fend for their self. Now I am relegated to riding a 40 year old 10 speed (man is it heavy!) or my mountain bike. As I look outside now and the falling rain, it becomes questionable if I will get in another ride before flying out this coming Wednesday a.m.

I will let you know how the ride goes. There is a little concern about the forest fires out there and whether the smoke will affect our routes and length of ride.

Montana Bike Ride

Here it is August! This is the month I see if all my bike training pays off. I have logged over 1,600 miles so far this summer and am in the best physical condition I have been in many years. I have found roads in Dane, Green, Rock and Columbia counties that I did not know existed. Thanks to the dairy industry, Wisconsin has paved roads where in most states you would only find gravel. What a beautiful area we reside in! Truly God's creation.

On August 25 I will do the Whitefish, Mt 120 mile ride for Juvenile Diabetes Research. My oldest grandchild is type 1 diabetic and he and his mother (my daughter) will also be doing the ride. They have already raised their $4,000, which is the minimum expected from each of the 200 riders. If you have an interest in learning more, go to http://ride.jdrf.org/index.html. The rider is Robert Gorsuch. And any donation is tax deductible. Hopefully a cure for this silent disease is near.

More on Riding

I continue to put on about 130 miles per week bicycling around Dane County. The other day between New Glarus and Paoli, three pheasants took off in front of me. The third one didn't miss nailing me by very much!

I continue to be fascinated by the natural beauty that abounds in our rural areas. Back in 1996 County Exec Rick Phelps published a series of articles in "The Capital Times" covering 5 trips you and your family can take to explore Dane County. You can do this by auto. If you would like a copy of the 5 articles, please e-mail me at rgorsuch@oakbankonline.com and give me your mailing address.

Biking Update

Nothing very exciting to relate about recent rides. I did do an enjoyable ride this past Saturday with a group of riders who will be riding in various Juvenile Diabetes rides. It was interesting to hear of one's ride last year in Death Valley. That same rider is doing Sonoma Valley in Calif. this year. Visit http://ride.jdrf.org/index.html. You may want to consider a donation to this worthy cause. By typing in Gorsuch you get to my info.

62 miler

Last Sunday I did a 62 mile ride. Went from home in Fitchburg around northside of Lake Monona; out to Cambridge and back; around southside of Lake Monona and home. For the first time since I have begun training for the Montana ride, I kind of hit a wall. Actually had to walk the final 100 yards of a couple of steep hills. And my keester got a little sore. The good news is that this ride was more than 1/2 of the actual ride we will do in August in Montana.

Contributions to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation are beginning to come in. And they are tax deductible.

Ride for JDRF in Montana

Well, I'm back. What I'd like to share with you are my experiences in preparing for and riding 120 mile bike ride in one day on August 25 in Whitefish, Montana. This is a fund raiser for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

So far I have rode over 650 miles in preparation. I ride on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekend, weather permitting. So far I have ridden in 40 degree, windy and cold weather; 50 mile wind gusts; 85 degree, high humidity days. My long ride has been 55 miles. These are road miles not bike trail miles.

I never realized how much there is to learn. As a kid you jump on a bike and away you go. Now you have bikes you can lift with two fingers and many gears. I have fallen twice while learning to use the clipless pedals. Why do they call them "clipless" when they have clips?!!

The sensory sensations while riding through the Dane County countryside are something else. As it is common to ride similar routes, it is almost spiritual to watch the changing trees and fields from week to week.

Tonight my daughter and I hope to ride with others who will be doing the Whitefish ride. Short ride of 25 miles to Paoli and back. Then will probably do another 12 miles around here.

More to come.

Aloha

I am finding it difficult to keep my blog active. So I must advise you that I won't be posting to my blog as often as you might like.

Economic Outlook

After 17 consecutive rate hikes that saw the federal funds rate climb from 1.00% to 5.25%, the Federal Reserve has elected to hold the rate stable for the past five meetings. The Hovde Group believes a balance of economic conditions exists today that is likely to persuade the Federal Reserve to maintain its current interest rate stance throughout most, if not all, of 2007.

Interest Rates

Generally speaking, money managers are not anticipating that the Fed will cut interest rates anytime in the near future. Economic growth is quite satisfactory right now, despite what might be called a near-depression in housing; and inflation is inching down, not up. So why would the Fed want to change course? (Answer: it doesn't.)

Sound Advice

Once a year I call Dean Med Center's hearing people and get a simple hearing test via the telephone. The number is 252-5252. I think it is a good idea to test your hearing periodically and this is an easy way to do it. Try it.

State of the Union

Lots of comments about last night's State of the Union message from President Bush. One of many questions I have is whether diplomacy can work with the radical people we are dealing with? Can we change their life-long objective that has existed long before 9/11? I just don't know. I am one who likes to list pros and cons to any decision; they base my decision from that. Don't know which side of the t-account would have the most entries.

Interesting Web Site

Love this snow!! Here's a web site that people who play the market might find of interest.... www.GuruFocus.com.

How About Those Badgers?

If you weren't at the Kohl Center last night for the UW/Ohio State men's basketball game, you missed something special. Despite not getting the respect we deserve from the media, we are a very good basketball team. But Ohio State is going to be real special come NCAA tourney time.

Focusing on Growth

In a recent survey of U. S. business leaders, and distributed by Grant Thornton, 18% of businesses surveyed cited growth as their number one priority, and 63% put growth among their top priorities. 61% say delivering a unique value advantage is a challenge to growth.

Back from Orlando

Our trip with the UW Alumni Assoc to Orlando for the Capital One Bowl was great. We saw the Badgers beat Georgia in men's basketball on Sunday, 12/31 and watched the Pack take care of da Bears at Sea World on New Year's Eve. The Bowl game was a real defensive battle. But the best team won!

Happy New Year!