August, 2009

A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid
her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to
the bird’s chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head sadly
and said, “I’m sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away.”

The distressed woman wailed, “Are you sure?” “Yes, I am sure. The duck
is dead,” replied the vet. “How can you be so sure?” she protested.. “I
mean you haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He might just be
in a coma or something.”

The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a
few minutes later with a black Labrador Retriever. As the duck’s owner
looked on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front
paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom.
He then looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head. The vet
patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room.

A few minutes later he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table
and also delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back
on it’s haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the
room.

The vet looked at the woman and said, “I’m sorry, but as I said, this is
most definitely, 100% certifiably, a dead duck.”

The vet turned to his computer terminal, hit a few keys and produced a
bill, which he handed to the woman.

The duck’s owner, still in shock, took the bill. “$150!” she cried,
“$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!”

The vet shrugged, “I’m sorry. If you had just taken my word for it, the
bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it’s
now $150.”

Some beautiful weather lately, 70′s and low 80′s.

Our friend Helen’s ashes are to be brought home by family tomorrow (Wednesday). Just thought her friends would like to know. Rest in peace Helen, we all loved you and know now that you get to visit whenever you want.

The economy is so bad…………..
1. I got a pre-declined credit card in the mail.

2. CEO’s are now playing miniature golf.

3. Hot wheels and Matchbox cars are now trading higher than GM cars.

4. McDonalds is selling the 1/4 -ouncer.

5. People in Beverly Hills fired their nannies and learned their children’s names.

6. The most highly-paid job is now jury duty.

7. People in Africa are donating money to Americans.

8. Motel Six won’t leave the light on.

9. The Mafia is laying off judges.

10. When bank returns your check marked “insufficient funds” you have to call and ask if they meant you or them.

FYI – here’s the details for arrangements and Helen’s and her family’s arrangements in the days ahead (I’ve copied this directly and I think Rick typed in a hurry):

Hi Jeff,
Here are the details for Moms send off. On Wed. Aug. 26th from 1 to 4 there is a viewing of her Pictuer and ashes.At 4 there will be a short sevice and after that a reception. All will take place at
Rideu Funeral Home, 4275 Soudces, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que. As per Moms wishes we are asking in leiu of flowers that a donation be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation to the Windchill Foundation.
Our home address is 485 Place Blaise, L’ile Bizard, Que. H9C 1Y8. Let folks know for me please. Moms Windchill blanket will be going with her as she loved it so much. By the way it was the first thing she asked for when she was told she had to stay in the hospital.

Thanks for all you’ve done for us,

Rick

It is with a very sad heart that we write of the loss of our friend and Windchill family member, Helen Loiacono from Canada died yesterday afternoon. Her son Rick notified us of this and more details will follow. We’ll post those details as well as where we can all send flowers and cards as soon as we hear more from Helen’s family.

I know from my own standpoint I will miss what had become a tradition for us – Helen would log in each morning and ask if I was busy, see how I was doing. I would do the same, telling her about my day. She always asked about the animals, Kathi, tell me about what was going on up there. In short she had become my online grandmother as this was the same tradition I had when my own grandmother was alive. Helen was very excited at the prospect and coming and staying at Raindance for the Windchill BBQ and she was sadly missed by everyone who was expecting her. She will be even more sadly missed now that she’s not at the end of this wire or the other side of this computer screen. Thank you for being our friend, Helen L from Canada. God give you the hug we weren’t able to.

All of your friends and family of the WindChill Legacy

Hey folks,

Pictures of everyone setting up for the Windchill BBQ are posted on the official Legacy blog site:

http://www.thewindchilllegacy.org/blog/?p=427

If you get bored, stop by the Raindance site and watch everyone setting up for the silent auction on the cams!

Hi folks,

For those coming out for the WindChill Memorial BBQ on Saturday – it’s been HOT. Weather for saturday is predicted to be in the mid to high 80′s with light breezes. Dress appropriately – while weather here can go from really hot to brisk in a heartbeat, so far it’s not showing any signs of doing that. Bring sunblock, sunglasses and a hat and don’t forget your smiles!

Jeff

It’s a race…all of the last minute details are adding up mixed in with an outreach that lasts all afternoon and evening tomorrow at a nursing home! We all have a ton of things left to do and lots of last minute scrambling to get supplies, move things around and we haven’t even started the setup yet for the BBQ. You should see the list of donated items for the silent auction – it’s HUGE! Sounds like they’re going to be running the auction like a bazaar or farmer’s market in the barn so that will be fun to see. We’ll have as many cams going as we can during the BBQ.

Our resident musician will be back and we’ll hopefully have a ustream feed going so you can enjoy the music as well – if not, we’ll record and upload the video.

Only a couple of days until the big day!

Jeff

The WindChill Legacy, Ltd. and Raindance Farms, LLC would like to invite you to the second WindChill Memorial BBQ.

PLACE: Raindance Farms, 5303 S County Rd K, South Range WI 54874

DATE: Saturday, 15 August 2009 (16 August – Sunday brunch and sightseeing)

TIME: 11:00am –

Please RSVP with the number attending the BBQ and brunch to Kathy J at dachshunter97@yahoo.com or call 877-721-9715 to leave a voicemail including your phone number if you need a return call.

Food will be served between 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Gatorade, water and lemonade will be provided, or bring beverage of your choice.

Bonfire later that evening – bring a lawn chair.

Barker’s Island Inn is offering a discounted rate for Friday and Saturday nights, August 14 & 15, to all BBQ attendees.

Reservations must be made by phone at 715-392-7152 or 800-344-7515 by July 14th

and please mention The WindChill Legacy, Ltd. when you call to make reservations, to get the discounted rate.

Last year our silent auction was a huge success raising over $3500.00 and we hope this year to have the same wonderful success. If you have an auction donation or questions email Paula Moore at pmauction09@live.com or Call or fax: 877.721.9715 (this is a voicemail/fax only number).

Renowned Hawaiian artist Michael Krahn has generously donated an original framed watercolor painting for our online raffle. Gallery value is $500.00 and each raffle ticket is just $5.00. Please go to http://s1.webstarts.com/WindChill/ to purchase raffle tickets. Tickets will be available for purchase at the BBQ as well. The winning ticket will be picked at the BBQ, live on the web cam. You do not have to be present to win.

* Please remember that Raindance is a working breeding/training farm and a liability release will need to be signed by all attending.
* We have accomplished some truly great things this past year in the memory of a little nine month old colt named WindChill. www.WindChillLegacy.org
* We are a 501(c)3 non profit, so all raffle tickets and auction donations are tax deductible.

We hope you can make it and look forward to seeing you at the BBQ

Jeff & Kathi Tucker
Raindance Farms LLC and the WindChill Legacy Ltd
5303 S Cty Rd K
South Range WI 54874
email: kat.raindance@gmail.com

This is from her son, Rick, just received:

Rick here. Moms test for today has been putoff till tomorrow( the angiogram ) and the echo cardiogram till Wed. Then the four dr.s( 2 surgeons, hers and the dr. who is taking care of her in ICU ) will assess her troubles. She will be staying in the ICU for the foreseeable future,they will be keeping her in the hospital till the heart is taken care of. In a way that is goog because she has a private room and it is very quiet. Yesterday I brought her pillows, makeup, glasses and a buntch of other stuff  she wanted. So Mom is feeling alittle at home and is more comfortable. She was in good spirits today and has alot of her color back. she is off the oxagen too.