Good morning Diners. A coffee on the go please, Zoe.
Played indoor cricket this morning. An old injury flared up spoilt it somewhat.
Mike. I hope your daughter recovers quickly.
Try and call in later when things ease a little.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
John: Love the doodlebug pulling stock cars. As there are two large beef packing plants in Dodge City, and several large feed yards surrounding town, the smell of money is almost always in the air. Except when the wind is blowing hard, which happens a lot.
Good morning, diners! Bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, and black coffee, please.
We had snow flurries yesterday, but nothing collected on the ground. I'm ready for spring's warmer weather, but I'm not ready for yard work. Thankfully, my yard is still brown, so mowing is a while off yet.
I see that we are now in the twilight zone of forum pages. Let's get some good, long posts so that we can bypass this page 5-6-7 mess.
TinCan, with Dodge City's history of cattle drives, I can imagine it became a center of the beef industry. It would be fun to tour the city to see the historical sites.
Lion, I hope your eye surgery goes OK.
Ed, as a kid, I had Spam every once in while. I think my mother pulled that out when she didn't have anything else to cook. I haven't had it in years.
Bear, our railroads also mostly quit hauling livestock by rail about the same time as NZ. The things I've read said that too many animals were mistreated or died enroute. In the U.S., the packing plants moved out to where the animals are raised, so rail was not really needed any more.
Water Level Routewhere we could get a few things done, but more than anything, relax and recover from this week. I think every one of us need it. Then this morning my wife says "I'm going to make a list of things to do for this weekend." Oh good.
Mike, I wonder if your wife is related to my wife?
Kevin, I'm not sure, but it sounds like you like going to the dentist about as much as I do. I'm not sure why -- maybe it goes back to childhood.
Charlie, I hope things calm down at your house -- you have a lot to deal with.
MisterBeasley, I also had to take typing in high school. Our high school required it for anyone going to college. I'm glad I learned.
David, hopefully your injury isn't too bad and you can get back to playing cricket. It sounds like you really enjoy it.
Not much going on here -- I'll probably finally start building my first bridge today.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
York1I see that we are now in the twilight zone of forum pages. Let's get some good, long posts so that we can bypass this page 5-6-7 mess.
I'll try to do my share.
Armour Plant Stock Pens by Kheel Center, on Flickr
Track Geometry for Industrial Siding at Armour Plant by Kheel Center, on Flickr
Spokane, Washington. Circa 1961.
Cheers, Ed
Good morning.
York1Kevin, I'm not sure, but it sounds like you like going to the dentist about as much as I do. I'm not sure why -- maybe it goes back to childhood.
I don't have any problems, but I do have "deep pockets" in my gums. They want to keep an eye on them, and keep all tartar out. As such, I get my teeth cleaned three times a year instead of two.
I hate cleanings, especially that ultrasonic vibrating scraper.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
While not railroad related, I have a personal history with livestock and meatpacking. When I was a wee lad, my dad drove the livestock truck for a local slaughterhouse. I used to go with him to a couple of the places where he would pick up and I got to help load the hogs and watch the rest of it. I loved it. We lived on an old farm and we always had some animal of some sort: chickens, pigs, a dairy cow, horses, a goat, but almost never different species at the same time. I also used to get to go with him to the slaughterhouse. Tuesday was kill day and I've watched the entire operation from start to finish and remember almost all of it. I won't expand on the details in case of weak stomachs in the diner. The best part about going with him (other than spending time together of course) was that invariably one of the owners would take me with them and stuff me full of freshly made hot dogs, snack sticks, and beef jerky. They have/had a little retail store at the front of the building and I always felt like such a big shot walking up there with them! Luckily, they are still around as they do a ton of commercial business. I still shop there often.
Mike
Good afternoon from the sunny West Coast. It got to 23c here yesterday and is warm again today.
I spent all day weeding the gardens yesterday. The wife used to do it all but with her Neurological issues more and more is falling to me. I got a 10' x 120' and a 25' x 30' garden all cleaned up, looks pretty good. I think we will have to hire someone to help out down the road.
Just been talking to the kid, he is coming home from Hawaii today. He has decided his next real estate purchase will be in Hawaii. He moves into his new condo next week and had to sign the papers while in Hawaii. Wonderful thing the internet that lets us do that online now. I have signed stacks of documents online in the last couple of years, beats driving to the Lawyers office.
He was only in Hawaii for five nights as he is now a highly paid executive type and can't be away from work any longer. When the kids were young we would go for two or three weeks at Christmas break, usually leaving here on the 26th or 27th of December. He commented on how short his stay was this time and was wondering if he will ever get a longer vacation ever again.
I am enjoying the stockyard month. I have spent my share of time mending fences at the ranch. I notice that when some modelers scratch build cattle pens they put the boards on the wrong side of the post. When you build a fence at home the boards usually go on the outside towards the street or neighbours. For a cattle pen, they go on the inside of the post so the cattle can't kick them off as they are kicking towards the post. Quite often you will see a double post with the board in between.
I have fond memories of being at the ranch. I would get up very early, saddle up a horse and ride out on my own to check the herd. The solitude was amazing. I did find a dead cow once that had been taken by a Grizzly, spring was the only time we had that problem as the bears were hungry after hibernation. Always took a rifle as the wolves would be standing in line waiting for the bear to leave. Once June rolled around we could stop packing heat as wild tummies were full.
Mike, hope your daughter heals up okay. My son had a concussion and dislocated shoulder and numerous stitches playing hockey. Our hockey facility had a full medical unit at it with Doctors and Physiotherapists on site 7 days a week. We even have been known to put a few stitches in an arm right on the bench. Then there was the time my quick repair was an overuse of large butterfly bandages. When we got home the good Doctor took one look and made me take the kid right in for stitches. If looks could kill! We won the tournament and that's what matters.
While I was watching the Canucks dispatch the Coyotes last night, we had two coyotes and three deer all lying on our front lawn together, it was a strange sight.
Time to go outside into the warmth and maybe hop on the Deere for the third cut of the year.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
We finally had a beautiful day down here!
It was in the mid 70s all day with low humidity and a constant breeze. This was what the weather was supposed to be like all Winter, and we had almost none of it.
It was great to be outside in comfort.
Tonight I am Wargaming Roman Empirical Wars in 1/100 scale with some friends. That should be a good time as always.
Time for me to eat dinner, pack the army and the cooler, and then head out for the evening.
BroadwayLionLamb is better than Spam.
Frankly most everything is better than Spam!!! "I don't like Spam!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bW4vEo1F4E
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
I have a funny story.
Earlier today I was having a shower. I was sitting on the little bench seat and I decided to stand up to rinse off. Unfortunately the supposedly non slip floor of the walk in shower, and the seat I was on, had some residual body wash on them. When I went to stand up my feet slowly slid out from under me and then I slipped ever so slowly and gently off the seat and onto the floor. It all happened in what seemed like slow motion and there wasn't a thing I could do to stop the process. I was quite pleased with myself that I managed to control the descent without getting hurt.
Now I'm sitting on the floor of the shower which was just slippery enough that I couldn't get any traction, and when I tried to lean on the seat, my arm slid off of that too! It took at least 10 minutes for me to get up, even with assistance from my wife. We had to dry everything off and then put towels under me so I could get some grip. I had visions of having to call the fire department to rescue me, and we were expecting our house keepers to arrive at any moment! I thought to myself that this could get really embarrassing!
Yes, we have grab bars, but unfortunately I couldn't pull myself up. That was partly due to their position (or rather, my position) and the fact that my arms are totally out of shape.
All's well that ends well! I guess I was lucky that I didn't get hurt.
Sorry, we didn't get any videos.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critterIt took at least 10 minutes for me to get up, even with assistance from my wife.
BATMAN Brent, I appreciate your concern, and I do admit to having a weight problem, but the real issue was that, until we dried everything off, I figured that I was at more risk if I managed to get half way up and then slipped again. That fall might not have been as gentle as the first. It did take us a few minutes to realize that we had to get everything dry, and once we did that, I was able to get up just fine. Cheers!! Dave hon30critter It took at least 10 minutes for me to get up, even with assistance from my wife.
Brent,
I appreciate your concern, and I do admit to having a weight problem, but the real issue was that, until we dried everything off, I figured that I was at more risk if I managed to get half way up and then slipped again. That fall might not have been as gentle as the first. It did take us a few minutes to realize that we had to get everything dry, and once we did that, I was able to get up just fine.
hon30critter It took at least 10 minutes for me to get up, even with assistance from my wife.
Hello Diners.
This is the first I've looked at the forum all month. Missed the Where's Kevin? thread. Did he slap someone? Was it Vinnie?
My grandfather's farm was next to a dairy farm. Those cows were on the other side of the barb wire from me. They were bigger than me. I was scared.
Eisenhower's Airforce 1 was a Connie that is being restored not too far from me.
Progress with my shoulder replacement has been glacial. The nerve injury and hypersensitivity of my forearm is under good control. All I have left to control my upper arm is my deltoid muscle and my strength is extremely poor. Along with the weakness is shakiness. I was already the last person in 3rd grade to be allowed to use an ink pen instead of a pencil.
Watching me write or eat couscous tonight is not pretty.
On the bright side, it is spring and I have onions and radishes coming up and I am on the right side of the grass.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
hon30critter BATMAN Brent, I appreciate your concern, and I do admit to having a weight problem, but the real issue was that, until we dried everything off, I figured that I was at more risk if I managed to get half way up and then slipped again. That fall might not have been as gentle as the first. It did take us a few minutes to realize that we had to get everything dry, and once we did that, I was able to get up just fine. Cheers!! Dave hon30critter It took at least 10 minutes for me to get up, even with assistance from my wife.
That's not what I was thinking about Dave, it was more about what some guys do to get the wife in the shower with them.
BATMANThat's not what I was thinking about Dave, it was more about what some guys do to get the wife in the shower with them
I think that's where we spent most of our time together when we were young!
Henry, it's good to hear from you. You've really had a hard recovery. I hope there's some recovery soon.
BigDaddyAlong with the weakness is shakiness. I was already the last person in 3rd grade to be allowed to use an ink pen instead of a pencil.
Dave: I am glad you were not hurt. Household accidents can be terrifying.
Last week I posted a picture of my friend Tom's tiny airplanes. This week he showed up with some beautiful new 1/100 scale figures.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
I cannot believe how well he paints these little guys. Those shields were great, and he painted about 50 of them just like it.
The World Is A Beautiful Place
I had a good time with my friends tonight. We only played one game, then traded war stories back and forth for a couple of hours over some bottles of beer.
Good times indeed.
SeeYou190Last week I posted a picture of my friend Tom's tiny airplanes. This week he showed up with some beautiful new 1/100 scale figures.
Tom's painting skills are really impressive! If I was trying to do that, they would all be green, gold and black blobs!
Good morning Diners. A coffee on the go again please, Flo.
Kevin. Tom's painting is really good.
Henry Good to hear from you again.
Dave Great story. Reminds me when I collapsed in the bathroom and Dawn trying unsuccessully to get me on my back. (Fortunately my son arrived.)
Off to the local Mall for some retail therapy.
Everyone have a great Saturday.
Good (very early) morning —
My sleep schedule is all caddywompus (that's a word, right?) cattywampus since Thursday when my sister-in-law visits for a bi-monthly house cleaning. Normally I'm sound asleep at nine-am but every other Thursday I have to be out of bed by eight. Takes me a few days to get back on track.
I'm nervous about another spotting of the fox that has been hanging around here.
Fox-walk by Edmund, on Flickr
There have been times in the past where a fox will kill ten chickens at a time. They just kill, stockpile and kill again until they get tired or bored. I'm trying to keep all the cats indoors but that can be challenging for cats that are used to being outside.
Weather has been cold and rainy/sleety/snowy but with periods of sunshine in between. Hopefully I'll get back in the groove and get some time on the layout tonight.
CP, Appin, Ontario, 1986 by Center for Railroad Photography & Art, on Flickr
Yesterday the case fan started growling on my desktop PC. It is a 2008 Dell. The fan has a guaranteed life of 120,000 hours. Well fourteen years is 122,640 so I guess I can't make a warranty claim. Amazon had a new fan at my front door (under $10) in less than eight hours. I have dozens of pancake fans around the shop and they're all either 80mm or 120mm. The fan I needed was a 92mm. Go figure.
I hope everyone with ailments gets on the mend soon
hon30critterAll's well that ends well! I guess I was lucky that I didn't get hurt. Sorry, we didn't get any videos.
I could have done that video, there is no need for you to do it.
I don't have a wife, I guess I would have to wait for the prior to come and find me.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good morning everyone. I was going to add Lox or Nova to my bagel this morning, but the price of that stuff is way up in this area. I guess I'll tell Chloe cream cheese only this morning. What, cream cheese is way up too? Maybe just butter on the bagel.
Chloe, I need coffee too.
gmpullman My sleep schedule is all caddywompus (that's a word, right?) since Thursday when my sister-in-law visits for a bi-monthly house cleaning. Normally I'm sound asleep at nine-am but every other Thursday I have to be out of bed by eight. Takes me a few days to get back on track. I'm nervous about another spotting of the fox that has been hanging around here.
My sleep schedule is all caddywompus (that's a word, right?) since Thursday when my sister-in-law visits for a bi-monthly house cleaning. Normally I'm sound asleep at nine-am but every other Thursday I have to be out of bed by eight. Takes me a few days to get back on track.
So, is your sister-in-law visiting to help clean your house, or is she visiting because someone else is cleaning her house and she hates the noise and the chemical smells? After I retired, the ex-wife got in the habit of scheduling the cleaning lady at 7 AM. I got in the habit of going to a local restaurant for breakfast, then stopping at the train shop or even just a hardware store.
We had foxes back then, too. We had no chickens and no pets, but we did have groundhogs. After a couple of years of foxes, no more groundhogs. Now, the GF and I live in Delaware and we occasionally see a fox. Most people know to keep their cats inside. Our cats are rescues, and we figure from the host of parasites they showed up with that they spent some time wild and outside. Now, they won't go out at all.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good morning, diners. Bacon, eggs, and coffee, again, please.
It's turning into a nice day outside with a temp of 70°. There was ice on the creek, but that is gone already.
Mike, those are great childhood memories of being with your father. Those character-building experiences are what many kids are missing today.
Brent, with remote work becoming so common, your son someday might be able to live in Hawaii and work from there! Wouldn't that be great.
Kevin, those war-gaming figures are great. The miniature painting is amazing. I always like seeing Mel's passengers cars with his painted figures.
Dave, glad to hear you didn't get seriously hurt with the fall. I'm afraid if that happened to me, my wife would just tell me to lay there.
Henry, I hope you can post again soon.
NorthBritOff to the local Mall for some retail therapy.
Every-so-often, I am required to go to the mall, but I call it torture, not therapy.
Ed, good luck with the fox. They are pretty smart, and can usually get by any kind of system to stop them.
Lion, I have finally decided to get to hike Teddy Roosevelt Nat. Park this summer. I have wanted to go for several years, and something always comes up. I'm determined to get there this year. I'm running out of years to do things like that.
MisterBeasley, we also have a family of foxes that live down in a draw near our house. Foxes never used to live in our part of the country. My father grew up about 60 miles from here, and he told me they never once saw a fox. Now they are fairly common here.
This is a good day -- nothing to do but railroad work. Pretty soon, the weather will be nice enough for me to concentrate on outdoor projects, so I have to enjoy layout work days like this.
I finished laying two mainline tracks, and I'm at the start of bridge construction. I still have not laid any track for sidings or yards, but they can wait. What I'm really excited about is that I'm getting out a couple of locomotives and letting them run the new tracks. For me, this is about as exciting as life gets!
Texas beef and ATSF train:
I hope everyone has a great Saturday! Everyone keep posting! I really want to move past these pages.
York1Everyone keep posting! I really want to move past these pages.
OK, just this one more before I head off to work.
Be back later.
MisterBeasleySo, is your sister-in-law visiting to help clean your house, or is she visiting because someone else is cleaning her house and she hates the noise and the chemical smells?
Ah, yes, I should have been a little clearer there. My first wife's sister, Cindy, who I've known for fifty years now, has always done house cleaning and has made a pretty good business for herself. For years she has cleaned for my sister who passed away back in October of '19. Since then we've had Cindy clean for us in place of the work she would have done for my sister.
Works out well for everyone involved. No bad chemical smells when she's done. House smells wonderful until the first cat hacks up a hairball
I met Cindy through her husband who was also a volunteer on the 4070 locomotive crew back in the 1970s. Cindy had a younger sister Sandi. The rest, as they say, is history.
Good Afternoon,
Cloudy day here but it is 7C or about 45F so not bad. Doing clean up under the feeders as the snow melts.
Ed, sounds like you need a dog. Rob had a Great Pyrennes as a guard dog to keep foxes away on his farm in Georgia. Our friends in Minnesota live on a quarter section and used to have foxes until the cayotes arrived. Feral cats disappeared too. They don't have any livestock. Long ago they had a couple of horses.
Dave, glad to hear you are ok after your shower mishap. When I was recovering from my prostate surgery I had a mat in the shower so I wouldn't slip. Would something like that help?
Ed, nice to see you back. That must be very frustrating, to have corrective surgery cause another major problem. Is nerve damage a typical risk ?
My wife postponed one appointment and will likely do the same for the dentist next week. It isn't an emergency and given the covid case rise right now, I think she should wait for this wave to subside.
Think I will bid on a PK2 shell for a GP9. It is CN green and gold. It is a lot easier to find a GP9 in a US road and usually a lot cheaper, so the grand plan is to buy the shell and wait for the right drive loco. I need a project besides cleaning up the yard.
I saw that Bear posted a photo of lamb chops with mint sauce. That was my Dad's favourite meal. I like them too but my wife doesn't and refuses to cook lamb so it has been a long time since I've eaten any.
Time to check the feeders again. The flock of Redpolls is still here. We had about 200 in our back yard yesterday. Sure eat a lot for a tiny bird.
CN Charlie
hon30critterYes, we have grab bars, but unfortunately I couldn't pull myself up. That was partly due to their position (or rather, my position) and the fact that my arms are totally out of shape.
You need one of these:
You can tell the gentleman is on vacation. He's not wearing a belt! Probably has braces, though.
Pullman_Observation by Edmund, on Flickr
Homemade pizza for us tonight
IF I did choose takeaway I'd like to try this joint:
PRR Pizza Parlor by Todd Dillon, on Flickr
I wonder if you can get a keystone shaped pie?
gmpullman You can tell the gentleman is on vacation. He's not wearing a belt! Probably has braces, though. Pullman_Observation by Edmund, on Flickr Homemade pizza for us tonight IF I did choose takeaway I'd like to try this joint: PRR Pizza Parlor by Todd Dillon, on Flickr I wonder if you can get a keystone shaped pie? Cheers, Ed