Here we are circa, 1966. Me in the center, nice shirt, with the new, used, bike I got for my 8th birthday, my little sister Celine, who looks so much like my 6 year-old now it is scary, and brother Don, who apparently just woke up from a nap.  

I haven't changed all THAT much from the photo on the left there have I?   Inside all of us is a former dork. On close inspection you'll notice that was a "girl" bike.  Nice one Mom.  Needless to say I used it for oh, about a day, given the infamous sensitivity, and relentless rafter of shit heaped on me from the rest of the neighborhood eight to ten year-old boys.  That was probably the first time I ever heard the word fagot.  Oh well. Such was the rough and tumble of growing up in the baby boom sixties.   

This post however is about that little girl there, though now well into her 40's, who is going through some rough stuff having been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  Though the prognosis is promising the next couple of years are gonna be difficult on a number of levels.   

Some friends have been organizing a benefit to help offset medical and living expenses.  On Saturday June 20 there will a poker run where local club bikers and others will cruise a variety of small town pubs among the gentle rolling hills of Southwest Wisconsin.  (A poker run is where everyone chips in,  gets a card at every stop and the best hand wins at the last stop)

Also planned is a benefit auction.  So far we have received an autographed football, (transfers actually) of the entire 2008 Green Bay Packers team and coaches, Milwaukee Brewer tickets, free admission and dinner for 2 at the Harley Davidson Museum here in Milwaukee, a hand made quilt, and various other stuff.
 
I want to offer my reader friends and those who can't make the benefit a chance to help out.  I do so with great sacrifice... so here goes....

IF I CAN GET 100 PEOPLE TO CHIP IN $10 BUCKS A PIECE

 I WILL HAVE MY HEAD SHAVED. 

visit www.frankbyrne.com to donate

I will email or snail mail donors the after picture sometime following the benefit.  IF we raise enough.

Obviously I don't blog for the money and I have never asked for support.  Even though that tip jar over there < has been up for awhile it never has functioned properly.      

As of today the current events and political commentary is suspended, taking a back seat for the fundraiser.  During the hiatus I plan to renovate the site and add some features, some of a commercial nature to help justify the time I put unto it.

I will leave the comment section open and am open to suggestions from readers.  If you see things on other blogs I should add, or products I could promote as an afiliate, please let me know. 
 
The bottom line is I have to spend less time blogging and more time generating income - - until I find a way to make this thing do both.

Peace.