I know I'm setting myself up for disappointment, but the mild weather has me champing at the bit to get outside. I love my yard and I can't wait to use it.
Sure, I can wait to fire up the lawnmower -- I'm no fan of that -- but I seriously considered bringing the patio furniture out from the garage at least a week ago. Last weekend I grilled, although I missed another opportunity to do it again this weekend.
This weekend, as the tulips and the daffodils started to not only peek out of the ground but to explode out, I started pulling away some of the leaves and I even turned the compost and put a layer of rich, black soil on the garden. I'm tempted to remove the rose cones, but I'm giving that a little more time.
I've done some downspout work, sealed some cracks and have been diligent about scooping the dog poop.
And I'm not alone. Spring Fever is contagious. At dinner time on Saturday my toddler said, "I want to eat outside." When I pointed out that the table and chairs were stored in the garage, he said, "let's get them out!"
Man I love that kid.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
