Uncle pk Announces for Illinois Lieutenant Governor

Paul Kelly (Uncle pk … pau1ke11y.blogspot.com) formally announced today that he is throwing his Reds Cubs/White Sox cap into the ring to be named by Governor Pat Quinn as the newest Illinois Lt. Governor, replacing Sheila Simon. “I urge Gov. Quinn to do what’s best for me by naming me as Lt. Governor of the great state of Illinois,” Uncle pk said. “I can’t play the banjo, but I sure do like banjo music. And the salary of the Lt. Governor will help ensure that I am able to bring certainty to my budget.”

My "campaign" slogan Paul Kelly for Illinois Lt. Governor 2013 - Remember ... It Could Be Worse.

Best Bar in the World by Ebert

Roger Ebert put up a marvelous blog post about the best bar in the world - Old Town Ale House. It is mainly about Bruce Elliott, the bar's owner and gadfly, painter, bon vivant, and, now, blogger of Geriatric Genius. It's a helluva story. This photo is from the Sun Times of the bar.

I Hear that Motor Wagon Getting Ready to Ride - ASN

I Hear That Motor Wagon Gettin' Ready to Ride

Ravens Broncos Playoffs 2012-01-12 ASN

 One of my favorite songs of all time ... "Almost Saturday Night." Fogerty. ASN.

Ain't no plays like big plays ... first Trindon Holliday of the Broncos returns a punt 90 yards. Ravens answer with a Joe Flacco to Torrey Smith for a 59-yard bomb. Corey Graham 40-yard interception return for a TD. Good stuff.

Holliday demonstrated his sprinting ability in the 100-meter dash at the 2007 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, where he recorded 10.07 seconds in the final – ahead of Walter Dix and second only to Tyson Gay. We call that Uncle PK speed.

Of course, this game will be remembered as the matchup between Ray Lewis, playing in perhaps his final game, against Peyton Manning, playing in his first? as a Bronco. Here they are as high schoolers:

Peyton is the one on top.

Eddie Lacy of Alabama declared for the NFL draft. He is ranked as the No. 1 back by CBS Sports Scouts, Inc. at ESPN has him at No. 6). The No. 1 back in 2011 was Mark Ingram and in 2012 was Trent Richardson, both of Alabama. Pretty impressive to have three straight backs ranked so highly.

Pearl Harbor - Dec. 7, 1941

I found this recruiting poster for the Coast Guard from World War II. Seventy one years ago, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.

Willie Dixon Birthday July 1 ... Most Underrated?

Willie Dixon was born on July 1, 1915. I believe there is a good case to be made that he is among the most underrated people in American music history. He wrote some of the greatest songs in the history of music: “Hoochie Coochie Man,” “I’m Ready,” “Back Door Man,” “Spoonful,” “I Ain’t Superstitious,” “Little Red Rooster,” “Wang Dang Doodle,” and “My Babe,” among many others. He was the producer for The Muddy Waters Blues Band, perhaps the greatest band of all time. He also produced Howlin' Wolf. He played bass with Chuck Berry. There are many other examples of Dixon's greatness. He is the blues.

Old Glory! Flag Day, June 14 ... Betsy Ross Did US Proud

Old Glory! Flag Day is June 14, and it is also the birthday of the U.S. Army. In celebration, I am posting this photo of Betsy Ross showing off what will come to be known as "Old Glory" to George Washington. This is from the Library of Congress. It is a painting by Percy Moran. He painted it about 1917.

Old Glory - this painting is titled "The Birth of Old Glory"