I won’t accept your apology Ray, because I see no good reason why you should need to apologise!!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
BATMANWhen I was working I would help coordinate the unloading of all the firefighters and their equipment that New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa would send up to help us out.
Brent! Very cool!!! Loved the video! Most of my Master's Degree involved courses that were about various cultural heritage items (think music and other arts) from cultures around the world. African culture became a strong love of mine at that time. Music is part of the "glue" that helps people work together in harmony (no pun intended). I still have a reel to reel tape somewhere down cellar (likely not playable) of a Lecture/Recital of historical items of Black American History and Music featuring Dr. Jester Hairston who was a college professor, was one of the original leads in the show Amos and Andy, was an ambassador at large for the American Government during the Nixon (?) administration and likely the most knowledgable person living then on Black American culture. I actually used parts of that tape for a lecture final in a course (got a 4.0 I did....).
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Post https://youtube.com/watch?v=Mi067FajpRY&feature=share
Assuming this posts, this video is heading southbound in Sepulveda Pass about 3 1/2 miles north of Wilshire Bl. That is a very high rent area as in Bel Air and Pacific Palisades.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
howmusJust read that NYS has sent a third crew of forest rangers to Ontario to help put out the fires.
Two of my wifes nephews are smoke jumpers in B.C. They parachute into remote areas to get a jump on lightning strike fires. When fire season is over here the Province sends them down to Australia to fight fires there.
When I was working I would help coordinate the unloading of all the firefighters and their equipment that New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa would send up to help us out. It is convenient that our fire seasons are at opposite ends of the calendar.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Hi Everyone,
TF: That picture looks like someone put jet engines from a B36 or B47 on the top of that car. I would think those engines would put out some hefty acceleration, so much so that I can't see why the car wouldn't jump the rails.
Its a tad early for fire season in SoCal, but I can clearly remember some. One took the mountain side going up from Sierra Madre we could see it plainly from the roof of our place there. The smoke from the fires sometimes glows a dull red depending on how far the fire is away from town. The fires sometimes are natural and do burn away grass and brush, but the majority are set either by unconscious careless humans or some with malintent. The fires cause considerable damage and millions of dollars USD/CAN lost and sometimes a few lives. It happens. I don't recall fires this far east in the case of the ones going on in Canada before. Fire season in SoCal often coincides with Santa Ana winds that are hot and blow in off the desert. There is a perverse beauty in them. A few years ago, someone took video of the fires on both sides of Sepulveda Pass on the San Diego Fwy (405). Scary! If I can find it I'll post it.
Brent.....
I just bought a three-pack yesterday to make trees with. I don't use these in the furnace so I had to go to HD and fork out $4.35. I figure with all the forest burning I had better make extra.
Kevin.... LOL! One of my favorite Shakespear plays is "All's Well That Ends Well"!
I do need to think before I type more often.......
Usually I change the filter on my furnace/air conditioner about once every 4 months (if I remember to do it). I changed it about a week ago when I started to run the fan 24 hours a day to help the indoor air quality while all this is going on. Checked it early this afternoon.... Changed it again. Think you can see why!
Brent!
Just read that NYS has sent a third crew of forest rangers to Ontario to help put out the fires. Sad to see so many Hectares of forest destroyed!
howmusAfternoon folks! First off I want to appologize for starting the problem here yesterday! Sometimes my sense of humor is a bit whacky and doesn't come off the way I intend.
No need to apologize to me Ray I took it as you intended. When it comes to the planet and/or people I am an "us" thinker, not you or me or them or us, just us as in everyone. I talk to an old girlfriend of mine on FB most days, she is a Doctor at the University of Chicago Hospital and they are very busy with people suffering respiratory problems due to the smoke.
Wildfires are like earthquakes or hurricanes and are natural occurrences and in the case of what is currently burning in Canada, people do not understand the scope of the situation. These fires start and are burning hundreds if not thousands of km away from civilization in a lot of cases and are the size of small countries, trying to fight them is a none starter, nature will take its course. There are thousands of firefighters from all over the world fighting the fires at interface situations, thinking you can put one of these monsters out is laughable, on a good day they can steer it around a town. The more the planet warms, the more the forest burn.
TF, good on you for helping that injured kid. My wife and I seem to come across more of our share of accidents where we have been first on the scene, or more likely the first ones to actually do anything to help while others just stand and stare. I was on my Honda motorcycle following a kid on his motorcycle once and he went head-on into a Volvo on a curve. I had to yell at people to have them help me as his arm had all but been removed.
Had my scoot done early today, it was very peaceful and we did not run into Mr. Cougar.
A large omelet is now in order and the wife has a big steak for dinner.
My sister comes by and says "You go out and run ten km and then come home and sit outside at a table like an old man making trees all afternoon, this just doesn't seem right".
All the best to all.
howmusFirst off I want to appologize for starting the problem here yesterday! Sometimes my sense of humor is a bit whacky and doesn't come off the way I intend. I didn't mean to start anything bad! Mea Culpa!
No appology needed.
As was pointed out, the problem was all mine and my general dull-wit that prevents me from understanding how intelligent other people are. I am slowly getting used to being the most vacuous cranium in the group.
I'll probably just need to have it pointed out to me a few more times, you know, not having a passport and such.
I should be the one with a Mea Cupla, but silly-old-me can't understand a concept like that.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Afternoon folks! First off I want to appologize for starting the problem here yesterday! Sometimes my sense of humor is a bit whacky and doesn't come off the way I intend. I didn't mean to start anything bad! Mea Culpa!
Air quality is still in the "Unhealthy" range here in Central NY so people are advised to limit outdoor physical activity and stay inside for anyone who has respitory problems and the elderly, etc.
Hope all of you folks are staying safe and enjoying whatever you are doing today!
(Old guy who needs to think twice before trying to be funny online....)
The World Is A Beautiful Place
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
Happy Friday everyone! Chloe, I just noticed those blueberry donuts in the case, I will take two.
I am going to add a landscape barrier in between my house and the house to the South today. The fence was taken down by Hurricane Ian, and I want to plant a view block over there.
I think ten Calusia plants should do it. I don't have any of those in the yard yet.
Good morning
Our picnic didn't start out too good the other night. This young Kid flew off the road on his brand new Indian motor cycle. The road sign caught his leg and ripped him off his bike.
Not very appetizing to witness a tragic event like that, as his ankle was about the size of a football. We did our best to keep him comfortable until 911 got the ambulance there.
The officer thanked us for helping. We headed down the road, so the paramedics could do their job, as a sidewalk full of gawkers gathered on the sidewalk by the lake.
On a more positive note, Sure enjoyed that Green Machine video a while back, so back at ya my friend
Have a great weekend gentlemen
TF
Diners. Flo, a coffee to go please. Won't be hanging out here today.
howmusAnd into this frivolous parlay back and forth
howmusSometimes you win one!
Mike
SeeYou190 BATMAN I am sorry if the bit of fun I was trying to have with Ray offended you guys. BATMAN There are people in every country on Earth where humour flies right over their heads. And there you have it. -Kevin
BATMAN I am sorry if the bit of fun I was trying to have with Ray offended you guys.
BATMAN There are people in every country on Earth where humour flies right over their heads.
And there you have it.
And into this frivolous parlay back and forth comes something serious....
Joan, Sara’s book, Gasping for Air, has finally been published and is available on Amazon. Would you mind sharing this with your list of retired teachers? Quite a few of them are responsible for her love of writing! I’ve included cover pictures and the link on Amazon. Thanks
Joan,
Sara’s book, Gasping for Air, has finally been published and is available on Amazon. Would you mind sharing this with your list of retired teachers? Quite a few of them are responsible for her love of writing! I’ve included cover pictures and the link on Amazon. Thanks
Sara's story is a lot more involved than what is above.... Sara and her two siblings where students of mine back when. Her older brother was one of my Scouts and was terrified of loud sounds like rifles going off which we used for opening and closing colors at BSA Camp. He overcame that fear and ended up ultimately serving in the US Presidential Guard. Their mother was a lady of the evening in NYC and never came home one night. The boy was the oldest and at 4 years old tried to take care of his two younger sisters for over a week. Finally someone heard him crying and got help (they were out of milk and food by that time). They were ultimately adopted by a teacher here.
All three of these kids became wonderful young people and adults because someone cared. The community here cared and they flourished. A few years after he went into the service the kid showed up at my school. He walked down the halls and many teachers were WOWED to say the least. I was outside my room doing hall duty when he walked up to me in his full dress uniform, gave me the Boy Scout Salute, and handshake. Said he just wanted to show his old Scoutmaster his new uniform!!!! (I ended up in tears!!!)
Sometimes you win one!
BATMANI am sorry if the bit of fun I was trying to have with Ray offended you guys.
BATMANThere are people in every country on Earth where humour flies right over their heads.
SeeYou190 AEP528 Perhaps Canadian smugness and attitude is a bit unwarranted? Oh the stories we in SW Florida could tell... -Kevin
AEP528 Perhaps Canadian smugness and attitude is a bit unwarranted?
Oh the stories we in SW Florida could tell...
I am sorry if the bit of fun I was trying to have with Ray offended you guys, environmental problems such as those brought on by wildfires are a global problem that does not recognize borders.
One thing I do know after traveling a good chunk of this planet in my younger years is that people are the same all over the world, there are people in every country on Earth where humour flies right over their heads.
AEP528Perhaps Canadian smugness and attitude is a bit unwarranted?
BATMANThere are always good years and bad years in fire season. This year we are having a real stinker.
Cough! Cough! Gasp! Yep, I agree! Cough, cough!
It's called putting a humourous slant on the subject, take a pill. There are always good years and bad years in fire season. This year we are having a real stinker.
This is the number of acres burned this year in the US
Here are the amount of acres burned in the last few years in the US.
So far this year, the number of acres burned in Canada is 8.1 hectares, or almost 20 million acres, according to the Canadian government.
Perhaps Canadian smugness and attitude is a bit unwarranted?
BATMANThat is not campfire smoke, it is the smoke you guys send us every year from the fires in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We are finally getting around to sending it back.Laugh This photo I took was the first time we could even see the Sun at all for three days when I took it. Funny, CNN never reports when the smoke is heading North, I am sending you guys my last tiny violin to play.Laugh
Touche'! Love it!
"Don't worry about the Earth. The Earth is going to be fine. It's people that are .........!" - George Carlin
howmus Sure wish you Canucks would put out your campfires!
That is not campfire smoke, it is the smoke you guys send us every year from the fires in California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. We are finally getting around to sending it back. This photo I took was the first time we could even see the Sun at all for three days when I took it. Funny, CNN never reports when the smoke is heading North, I am sending you guys my last tiny violin to play.
Henry, you were asking what I coated my wire trees with. Usually, I dip them in a Plaster of Paris bath, however, this time I used this rubber coating/mold-making stuff. I need to do a second coat on the larger trees where I used thicker wire, but on the smaller ones, the wire completely disappears with one coat. This rubber stuff lets you bend the wire without any issues. I hit them with a spray balm, use a permanent marker to add the black bits on the bark and then spray with a dark wash before adding the colourful leaves.
NorthBrit BATMAN I have to go up to my sister's house and pick up my wife's Christmas present that just came in. I like to shop early. Or was it for last year? Love the trees. David
BATMAN I have to go up to my sister's house and pick up my wife's Christmas present that just came in. I like to shop early.
I have to go up to my sister's house and pick up my wife's Christmas present that just came in. I like to shop early.
Or was it for last year?
Love the trees.
David
Nope, it is for next year. Two years ago I ordered her a beautiful Golden Retriever print for her for Christmas and it finally arrived in February, two months late. I made my sister hang on to it until the following Christmas and gave it to the wife that year. My sister couldn't believe I did that. My sister has no willpower. I am as cold as ice when it comes to willpower.
Just got back from 8km through the monster trees with the mutts, it took 66 minutes and I feel great. We have had a cougar in the area and wildlife posted warning signs. I usually only take one dog but when there is a cougar in the area I take three or four with me. Four dogs will make a cougar turn tail in a big hurry. I did come face-to-face with a cougar once, we were a metre apart, fortunately for me he turned tail and ran.
Gonna make a giant iced Mocha and then hop on the Deere and then make some more trees.
All the best to all
Ahem... Cough, cough, cough.... wheez, wheez.... Sure wish you Canucks would put out your campfires!
Air quality here in the Finger Lakes is again back in the dangerous to most folks at the moment. We are getting wildfire smoke coming down from Canada again with an AQI (air quality index) of 183 (PM2.5).
People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens – take any of these steps to reduce your exposure:
Everyone else – takeany of these steps to reduce your exposure:
The trees just across the sreet are looking hazy/foggy at the moment. I have my indoor air filration turned on. Luckily I have an on/off switch that is seperate from what the air conditioner and furnace use. Lady I date has to turn her air conditioner down to 55 or so to keep the fan on most of the time.
Good morning everyone. Chloe, today I would just like some unsweetened iced tea and some french fries.
I bought a new vacuum cleaner yeasterday. I am tired of all the battery operated bagless things we have been trying lately, so I bought an upright Oreck XL.
It works great, but it is really LOUD. We haven't seen the cat in 12 hours.
Good Morning Diners. Flo, a large coffee to go please.
Well turns out the weather guessers were wrong for our second day at the campground. While they were calling for rain, they kept pushing off when they were saying it would start. Turns out it didn't rain all day.
Returned to a busy few days at work. I have a bunch of training I have to administer by the end of the week. Kind of chaotic, but it is what it is.
Got a few goodies for the layout about a week and a half ago, but sadly the stuff is all still sitting in boxes in the basement. Just haven't had time to get down to the layout. As if I didn't have enough stuff I wanted to get done already, I keep committing myself to more projects at home!
Hope everyone is doing well, enjoying life, and otherwise happy and healthy. Have a great day guys!
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Brent what do you put on the trunks of the trees?
Very smokey today in the Shenandoah Valley, although they only call the air quality moderate.
Our HOA is run by a realty company, which also manages the rental properties. If they are trying to save their rental owners money by skimping on landscaping, there is a conflict of interest. I have been looking at a fallen tree for 4 months on the nextdoor property.
The property has had no landscaping maintenance for years and there are volunteer trees growing out of the ornamental shrubery. Two hours after I sent a blistering email, the downed tree was gone. A small victory in life.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Good afternoon from the stunning West Coast.
Went for a morning rip with the mutt, came home made a giant iced mocha with the espresso machine, and got to work on the railroad.... outside of course. I made a ton of wire trees while watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs, hockey is over so the production moves outside.