McHenry County Blog

That’s the thought that came to mind as I read this No Cowering for Keely

Not tonight.

He'll be veggin'.

Although the fireworks barge is still near the outlet on Crystal Lake, tonight will be less worse that one of our recent thunderstorms as far as noise goes.

No BOOM-BOOM-BOOM to scare Keely Cat.

Oh, there will be fireworks—on Saturday, July 5th.

But they will be so far away that they won’t bother the cat.

They’ll be in Lippold Park on Route 176 west of Route 14. I remember people used to park on 176 to watch the fireworks on the lake, so maybe people will watch them from the lake this year.

I know the lights for the ball fields really light up the sky. I wonder if they will be turned out for fireworks.

In order to get you in the mood, here's the article I wrote last year about the Independence Day celebration:

As I looked at where the boats out on Crystal Lake to watch Sunday night’s fireworks, it stuck me as pretty funny.

Usually, they are at beyond Lakewood’s Gate 7, maybe Gate 5. This time the wind was blowing so hard from the northeast that the leading edge of the boats was pretty much even with the pier where we dock our boat at Gate 9.

So, no reason to take the boat out to watch the fireworks.

Last year I had just gotten my new digital Canon Rebel as a birthday present from my wife.

She was tired of my spending so much money on film.

I sat on the pier and braced the camera against the post and had a grand old time.

I’d click a picture of the fireworks and look at it on the small screen on the back of the camera.

The photos looked alright to me.

But, when I enlarged them, some looked like coral.

That was because the camera moved so many times while the lens was open.

This year I brought my Christmas tripod. It’s a heavy-duty piece of equipment.

I set it up in the sand at the water’s edge, set the exposure and started clicking away.

The results were far superior to last year’s.

At one point it seemed that the north side of Crystal Lake was on fire. I wondered if something unplanned had occurred.

But, the fireworks continued.

The fireworks were paid for by the proceeds of the Crystal Lake Gala, by the way.

The one above looks like one of the Hubble Telescope pictures of deep space. Note the red clouds, which could be solar dust in another context.



I saw a pyramid of exploding rockets.










Multiple galaxies disintegrating.















Koosh balls and pin wheels in the sky.














Fiber optic bundles.













A palm tree with really spiky leaves.













Blue stemmed cat tails.
















A galaxy exploding in only two directions.















Neon colored tubes.













A scalloped shaped image.















A space station exploding.










A white thistle.











Feathers looking like the top of a palm tree.











Gold, blue and white koosh balls.












Lights of a plane in the sky above the fireworks.








Finally, one where you can definitely see how hard the wind was blowing from the northeast. It was a cold wind that had our family wrapped in blankets, wearing sweatshirts and anything else they could find that would keep them warm.

All of the photographs of fireworks can be enlarged by clicking on their images.

Labels: Crystal Lake, Fireworks, Keely, Lippold Park

“If there is no danger, what's the fun?” Keely wonders.

Maybe Keely will find one of those rabid bats after he does his exercises.

Labels: Aerobics, Keely, Message of the Day

The McHenry County Health Department, a.k.a, the wannabe McHenry County Republican Cat Tax Collectors are back.

The have identified two rabid bats in Cary.

That's pretty close.

And, one got inside.

In a basement.

Don't play coy.

You know about basements.

You run through the basement door any chance you get.

Then Cat Mom has to use those cat wipie dipes to clean off the dirt.

Now, if she reads this article, she might be more worried that you would get bitten by a rabid bat.

You are so lucky that she doesn't read McHenry County Blog.

No word on whether the McHenry County Board will try to force house cats to have rabies shots, while ignoring those barn cats that may be in real danger.

"If it's all the same with you, Cat Dad, I'd rather sleep."

Labels: Cary, Keely, McHenry County Public Health Department, McHenry County Republican Cat Tax, Rabit Bat

I know that you don't like your food cooked.

You like it raw.

So, Keely, don't pretend that you are more interested in the new crock pot packaging material than attacking Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% sales tax hike.

Other people might believe you, but I won't.

So, pay attention.

We need to think of a good strategy.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crock Pot, Crysal Lake, Keely

Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley doesn't realize it, but Keely Cat is really an alien.

With real alien powers.

You've watched enough movies to know what that means.

Maybe his species came to McHenry County for food.

Maybe 75% sales tax hiking public officials are that food.

Only time will tell.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Alien, Alien Cat, Crystal Lake, Keely

“It's Sunday.

“My day of rest.

“Supposed to be yours, too.

“If you think I am going to give you one of my cute poses so you can wrap some words about my fighting Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% sales tax increase around, you are sorely mistaken.

“This is the best you are going to get.

“I'm ignoring you,” Keely cat told Cat Dad.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Keely

Fighting Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% sales tax increase is not kid's stuff, Keely.

You need to stop playing around and get serious.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Keely

“You keep waking me up with that Cat Dad toy.


Now that Keely Cat has opened his mouth to allow me to examine his teeth, it looks as if they are in great shape.

So, there's no reason to go to a cat dentist.

Those chewy things Cat Mom gives for treats seem to be keeping away the plaque, too.

We need to keep Keely in top shape so he can attack Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% sales tax increase when the time comes.

So far, so good.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Keely

Seventy degrees and the daffodils popped.

I opened the screen door and Keely Cat immediately left a closed window for the open air.

Like Ferdinand, the Bull, he wanted to play in the flowers.

But that screen was in the way.

Why is Keely licking his chops?

Maybe he sees a chip monk or a squirrel outside.

"Phooey,” Catkins said.

"Maybe those yellow things are good to eat."

All imasges can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Labels: Daffodils, Ferdinand the Bull, Keely, Message of the Day

“I'll be happy to give some more thought to how we could convince Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley to back off on his 75% sales tax incrrease.

“And, yes, I agree, it was unseemly of me to think about, well, not using my litter box while relieving myself yesterday.

“That thought was more worthy of a dog than a cat.”

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Keely, Tongue, Yawn

No, you do not have permission to relieve yourself on Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley just because he passed his 75% sales tax increase.

I know you want a larger litter box, Keely, but you are not going to get our new tub liner (for which we shall not pay Crystal Lake sales tax).

It looks as if Keely is standing up and doing, well, you know what.

It reminds me of visiting Washington, D.C., as a kid. I think that was when we saw President Truman crossing Pennsylvania Avenue from Blair House, where he was living while the White House was being renovated. We were standing right in front of what is not called the Old Executive Office Building, where I ended up working as a budget examiner right out of the University of Michigan's public administration grad school for the U.S. Bureau of the Budget.

For some reason my little sister Janet (two years younger than I; I couldn't have been more than 6) went into a Men's Room with us.

She saw urinals covering the side of a wall.

“Daddy, why are the bathtubs standing up?” she asked.

Seeing Keely exploring the tub liner brought back that exquisite memory.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Harry Truman, Keely, Urinals

As the federal and state governments prepare to take a knife to our wallets today to extract income tax, Keely Cat is wondering if his expertise with these kitchen knifes could be useful.

Keely's expertise, besides being able to give that Crystal Lake 75% sales tax hiker quite a “look,” has been limited to gnawing on the knife handles.

Since they are Cutco knives, the company would replace them with no questions asked.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Income Tax, Keely, Knives

OK, Keely.

I know you don't like to work against Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% sales tax hike on the Lord's Day.

So, without your even asking, I'm giving you the day off.

Come on.

The least you can do is wake up and thank me.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Keely

“Look at me.

“I look peaceful.

“But Cat Dad is irritating me with those bright lights.

“Why can't he learn to play with his Cat Dad toy in the dark?

“Anyway, I'm irritated.

“Cat Dad knows to leave me alone, but I don't thing Mayor Aaron Shepley does.

“If I decide to pounce on anything, I can cause lots of trouble.

“Maybe the look I am giving here will be enough to convince Mayor Shepley to back off on his 75% sales tax hike.

“If not, remember, I like to hunt at night and I'm getting tired of waiting for those rabid bats the McHenry County Republican Cat Tax Collectors kept warning about.

“I need new prey.”

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crytal Lake, Keely, McHenry County Republican Cat Tax

That's what Keely Cat wonders.

He's heard that nursing rhyme about the little lamb following a kid to school.

He knows it's against the rules.

But Cat Dad is so boring during the day.

“All he does is move his claws up and down making clicking sounds,” Keely explains.

“I've got to escape Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% sales tax hike.

“Maybe they don't charge it as South School.

“What's a school?”

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Backpack, Keely, South School

“What's a chop, Cat Dad?”

What could I tell Keely?

I had a pork chop Sunday, but I didn't share it with him.

All of his gourmet food comes out of little cans.

But he sure looks like he is licking his chops.

It must be the sauce in the little cans.

Is there some circumstance in which Keely Cat could be licking his chops about Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% sales tax increase?

Maybe if Keely gets some more dream time, he'll come up with an idea of how to kill it before it kills the City of Crystal Lake's retail business establishments.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Keely

“OK.

“I'm not playing fair.

“I know I'm handsome.

“I know you are an attorney, but sometimes even lawyers sometimes take courses in economics.

“You know Cat Dad majored in economics before he got his master's degree in public administration, right?

“He tells me that when you raise prices, sales decrease...whatever that means.

“Cat Dad says your 75% sales tax increase will discourage people from shopping in Crystal Lake.

“I'm hoping you took economics and will remember what was taught.

“And, if not, maybe you can spare the time to take a course at McHenry County College.

“I know you know where it is, because you spoke to at least one class while you were promoting the minor league baseball stadium

“Cat Dad told me he read about it in the bathroom. It was in "The Flush," posted right above the urinals.

“That's where that the same place that campus security guy told Cat Dad he had to leave the building before the MCC meeting was over.

“Cat Dad says you never do that at City Hall, by the way.”

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Baseball Stadium, Crystal Lake, Keely, MCC, McHenry County College

“Day after day, you keep harping on that teeny weeny 75% Crystal Lake sales tax increase that Mayor Arron Shepley pushed through the city council,” Keely Cat complains.

“Frankly, I'm tired of it.

“Every Sunday you seem to want to post something religious.

“Doesn't that book you read say something about resting every seventh day?

“How about today?”

OK, Keely, but I've gotten the idea you think every day is a day to rest.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Day of Rest, Keely

“You're way off,” Cat Dad said.

“Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley is trying to fool you into thinking his 75% sales tax increased is smaller than it really is.

“Have you heard people complaining about the RTA sales tax that went into effect April Fool's Day?

“Boy, are we fools to be paying that extra half cent on a dollar to bail out the CTA!” Cat Dad said.

"Sure, the McHenry County Board is going to get half of it, but they won't spend it all on roads, the way they should.

“Try again, Keely.

“Look higher.

“Mayor Shepley's sales tax hike is a 75% sales tax hike.

“That's really high.”

"Maybe you are right," Keely replied, upon reflection.

"Now can I have some cat candy?"

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, CTA, Keely, McHenry County Board, RTA Sales Tax, Sale Tax

Yesterday, we showed you how high Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley thinks his 75% sales tax hike is.

“It's a just a little itty bitty tax increase,” Mayor Shepley is telling the neighbors. “And, anyway, you can go shop in Woodstock, if you think it is too high.”

Cat Dad went to Woodstock to check out the shopping last week.

Guess what he found?

A great big Super Walmart right on the way into town.

And, where the McHenry County Highway Department used to be before it was sold without public bidding, Cat Dad found a Jewel-Osco right across the road from a Walgrens.


Cat Dad was heard to say.

“Strange how those big people talk to themselves,” Keely thought.

“So,” thought Keely, “maybe Mayor Shepley's 75% sales tax hike is a bit bigger than he tried to convince me yesterday.”

“Maybe it's this big,” he said, as he lifted his head a bit.

Maybe it's bigger than I thought.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Keely, Super Walmart, Woodstock

If you heard tell what Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley has to say, his 75% sales tax is not much of an increase.

If you asked for Keely Cat's interpretation of Mayor Shepley's interpretation, here is how he would look.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Cat, Crystal Lake, Keely, Sales Tax

Sure, Keely Cat is an experienced tax fighter.

He beat the McHenry County Republican Cat Tax, didn't he?

Oh, I know you were afraid at first.

But, you turned into a real helper the way you kept watch for those McHenry County Republican Cat Tax Collectors.

When Cat Dad put that slip of paper in your litter box saying, “75% Crystal Lake Sales Tax Hike,” I know I know it scared you.

But, you can't get rid of Mayor Aaron Shepley's 75% Crystal Lake Sales Tax Hike by covering it up.

That works for excrement, but not for taxes.

You need to take more forceful action.

Put on your thinking cap.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Crystal Lake, Keely, Litter Box, Sale Tax

Keely Cat has been reading that Mayor Aaron Shepley and the Crystal Lake City Council voted unanimously to buy 25 Tasers the same night they voted 6-1 to raise their sales tax 75%.

He wonders if there is any connection?

When Catkins was fighting the McHenry County Republican Cat Tax, he kept looking for those rabid bats that the county board was trying to protect him from.

They won't even let me go in the garage when I hear a critter in there.

Cat Mommy says my paws get too dirty.

Keely thought it would be fun to go bat hunting on the second floor, but he could never find a bat, rabid or not.

He laid in wait, but to no avail.

“Why did Crystal Lake buy Tasers the same day they hiked the Sales Tax?”

Keely wonders.

“Are they going to send Crystal Lake Police into Lakewood to make sure we keep buying cat food in Crystal Lake?”

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Catkins, Crystal Lake, Crystal Lake Police, Keely, Sales Tax, Taser

Thanks to my son, I have seen some of the Alien movies.

He and his friends delight in using our second floor as a space ship in which they play Alien versus Predator.

I think the sliding doors in the bathroom help remind them of the movie set.

So, Keely Cat is sitting peacefully on the kitchen counter hoping that someone will open the cabinet door where the little box of cat “candy” is kept.

He gets about there a day, usually when my wife returns from work.

Clearly, the fish smelling and shaped treats are the highlight of his day.

Then this strange creature appears.

“Is it the dreaded 75% Crystal Lake Sales Tax Hike?” wonders Keely.

“I'm not sure I know what Mayor Aaron Shepley's sales tax hike looks like.

“Could this be it?

“It sure is scary.

“Cat Daddy said it would scare people away from Crystal Lake.

“If this is what it looks like, I can see why.”

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Alien, Crystal Lake, Keely, Sales Tax

Funny thing what Keely Cat will do why you write


on a cat toy.

Of course, it had catnip on it, too, but Keely is wondering where Cat Mommy will buy cat toys when the 75% Crystal Lake city sales tax hike goes into effect.

Will she still find neat stuff like the scratchy toy at Birds and Beasts?

Or will that cheap Cat Dad urge her to look at less stimulating chain stores.

Maybe Cat Dad will make an exception.

After all, his 1992 state representative campaign office was what is now the southern part of Birds and Beasts.

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Birds and Beasts, Cat, Cat Toy, Catnip, Crystal Lake, Keely, Sales Tax

Keely has been worried since Cat Dad came home from another one of those meetings a week ago.

He hears Cat Dad talking under his breath in front of the flat light wall while Catkins is trying to convince Cat Dad to pick him up and scratch under his ears.

No luck late at night a week ago.

“Mayor Aaron Shepley and his 75% Sales Tax increase,” Cat Dad kept muttering under his breath.

“What to do?” Keely thinks.

Is this another Republican Party Cat Tax?

"How serious is this threat?"

“Do I need to start for hiding places again?”

"Should I contact my allies?"


“Where will Cat Mommy buy that generally delicious food in the little cans, if Cat Dad says, 'Don't shop in Crystal Lake because we don't want to pay Mayor Aaron Shepley's Sale Tax?'”

“There are all sorts of questions.”

“But, hey, I'm just a cat"

"I know most about sleeping.”

“What does Cat Dad mean when he talks about 'eternal vigilance being the price of freedom?'”

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Catkins, Crystal Lake, Keely, Sales Tax

Keely Cat is worried about the Crystal Lake sales tax hike.

“Up 75%,”

he hears Cat Daddy mumbling.

Catkins is wondering if he needs to go back to the bad old days of keeping watch for the McHenry County Republican Cat Tax Collectors.

Keely Cat led the battle to kill the bad old Cat Tax.

And, he succeeded.

Oh, he hears Cat Dad give credit to Lyn Orphal, but he knows what made Cat Tax presenter Tina Hill use the words "Cat Tax" in her county board speech.

Will Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley send Sales Tax Inspectors to make sure Sales Tax has been paid on cat food Cat Daddy feeds him in the early morning hours.

And, what is a “receipt?”

Catkins is trying to relax on the top of his cat jail next to the window.

But he is wondering if something more terrifying than the monster created by that little big person he sleeps with will soon come peering in the window.

It's really scary!

Should he be looking for hiding places again?

Labels: 75% Sales Tax Hike, Aaron Shepley, Catkins, Crystal Lake, Keely, Lyn Orphal, McHenry County Republican Cat Tax, Sales Tax, Tina Hill

My son’s cat Keely was on his lap before school today.

He was contented.

After my 10-year old got up to put on his coat, this is how Keely Cat looked—clearly dejected.

"You're leaving me alone with that big one. He only wants to sit by that big light and move his paw's," maybe Keely was thinking.

"Oh, well. Another day of sleeping."

He looked about the same after we had loaded the suitcases into the car for our trip to the airport for our Disney World vacation.

Labels: Cat, Dejected, Dejection, Keely, Message of the Day

This is the Skinner family cat Keely, a.k.a., Mitten, a.k.a., Bad Mitten, foe of the McHenry County Republican Cat Tax.

He takes possession of whatever rug is at the entrance of our home.

Keely Cat doesn’t know that he is roasting on an open fire.

I guess he thinks he's resting and doesn't care where.

But that is certainly what it looked like when I entered the house.

Labels: Cat, Keely, Message of the Day, Open Fire, Rug

His body language says,

I really want to chase that squirrel.

The crystal cross box on the window sill, by the way, was made by Oakwood Hills craftsman Robert Stewart. It costs less than $100.

Labels: Box, Cross, Crystal, Keely, Oakwood Hills, Robert Stewart, StewArt