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Chatterbox Fall 2022

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 10:04 AM

My brother-in-law had that issue some years back.  Apparently they gained access from a tree near the house.  He called in an expert to deal with the issue.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by rixflix on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 12:29 PM

In a house we were renting, a squirrel had gained access to our attic. He had entered from the phone line and gnawed and clawed through the fascia board under the eaves. His activity above our bedroom quickly became intolerable. Bought a BB gun and managed to hit him once on the wire before a neighbor threatened to call the cops. Tried a bright light and then a radio and neither worked. Cut the receptacle off of an extension cord with the + wire to a wad of peanut butter and the neutral to a squirrel-sized grid of hardware cloth. He didn't bite and avoided electrocution. The house is still standing so I guess I did disconnect that rig before we left.

The phone line and squirrel entry was right above our bedroom window. I made sure the top sash could be lowered and put a broom in arm's reach. One day he was busy going back and forth on the line bringing in nesting material and I lowered the sash with broom ready. On his last trip to the house I whopped him. He fell two stories into 8-9 inches of snow. When I went down to investigate I found a cartoonish  impression of a spread-eagled squirrel but no culprit. He never returned.

These critters are devious. See the book "Outwitting Squirrels" by Bill Adler Jr. 

The End.

Rick 

rixflix aka Captain Video. Blessed be Jean Shepherd and all His works!!! Hooray for 1939, the all time movie year!!! I took that ride on the Reading but my Baby caught the Katy and left me a mule to ride.

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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 1:08 PM

Squirrels love devouring TV cable - don's ask how I know.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 2:33 PM

afternoon

Ns has cars uptown.They also sent a westbound stack train after work.Back  where I used to live a squirrel got a bit close to a transformer.ZAP!! Crews came and restored our power in an hour.Scattered raindrops.Guessers say whats left of Ian might not come up this far.Still too early to tell.Need to go check on my brother this weekend.Chores to do.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 4:22 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

My brother-in-law had that issue some years back.  Apparently they gained access from a tree near the house.

I have problems with them on the bird feeders in the winter.  One figured out how to bypass the cone on the post for one of the feeders by climbing the siding on the house and pushing off on the Blink camera I have trained on the feeders to make the jump...

I trimmed back the branches over another feeder, but I think they still drop off the tree onto the feeder...

Definitely devious little buggers.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by BaltACD on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 5:36 PM

tree68
 
CSSHEGEWISCH

My brother-in-law had that issue some years back.  Apparently they gained access from a tree near the house. 

I have problems with them on the bird feeders in the winter.  One figured out how to bypass the cone on the post for one of the feeders by climbing the siding on the house and pushing off on the Blink camera I have trained on the feeders to make the jump...

I trimmed back the branches over another feeder, but I think they still drop off the tree onto the feeder...

Definitely devious little buggers.

Squirrel obstacle course

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTvS9lvRxZ8

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, September 29, 2022 4:12 PM

Evening

Locked out yesterday but glad to be back.Ns had shuffled some cars around today.Going to go check on my brother after work tomorrow.Saturday will be a day of painting at the shelterhouse and picnic tables in Deshler.Did some touch up on my shed ramp as well today.Time for supper.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Gramp on Thursday, September 29, 2022 7:50 PM

tree68

 

 
CSSHEGEWISCH

My brother-in-law had that issue some years back.  Apparently they gained access from a tree near the house.

 

I have problems with them on the bird feeders in the winter.  One figured out how to bypass the cone on the post for one of the feeders by climbing the siding on the house and pushing off on the Blink camera I have trained on the feeders to make the jump...

I trimmed back the branches over another feeder, but I think they still drop off the tree onto the feeder...

Definitely devious little buggers.

 

I was able to block them from climbing up our shepherd's hook and over a cone by attaching a Slinky to the pole, but I've seen them leap from tree branches in our backyard to the roof of the feeder. I've considered entering them in an Olympic event. Amazing how they can leap and their body control. 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, September 30, 2022 6:14 PM

evening

Ns had more cars uptown after work today.Checked on my brother.We called our older brother to wish him a happy birthday.Then Ns decided to run some trains.Have most of the stuff for tomorrow in the truck.Will get the rest in the morning.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, September 30, 2022 7:04 PM

Second cataract surgery today.  I can see!

My brain was beginning to wonder, though...

 

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by zugmann on Friday, September 30, 2022 7:31 PM

That's great to hear. 

  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Friday, September 30, 2022 11:02 PM

tree68

Second cataract surgery today.  I can see!

Congrats on the second surgery - my second was a year and a half ago. That eye was doing OK when I had my first surgery, but the cataract the second eye proceeded to get much worse in the year and a half between surgeries. Final eye exam showed low light vision was 20/400, and was 20/30 uncorrected afterwards.

Weirdest thing about the period between surgeries was the different color perception due to the replacement lenses being more transparent to UV.

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Posted by blue streak 1 on Saturday, October 1, 2022 2:09 AM

tree68

Second cataract surgery today.  I can see!

My brain was beginning to wonder, though...

 

Bet the two different visions could make you brain confused.   If the two eyes found colors different really messes you up. Traffic lights were crazy & railroad signals especially at night. 

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Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Saturday, October 1, 2022 10:12 AM

Lynn had cataract surgery a few years back and got Toric (?) lens implants at the time.  Her vision has definitely improved.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, October 1, 2022 10:15 AM

T minus two weeks and counting...

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by tree68 on Saturday, October 1, 2022 2:05 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

Lynn had cataract surgery a few years back and got Toric (?) lens implants at the time.  Her vision has definitely improved.

Had to look that up.  It appears that toric lenses are the answer if one has an astigmatism.  That hasn't come up in my various eye exams.

I could have upgraded to a more adaptive lense - but at a significant increase in cost that insurance doesn't cover.  So far, I am more than happy with the results.  Still need reading glasses (as the doc advised I might), but normal vision is fantastic.  The latest fix is still getting it together, but I can see improvement on a regular basis.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, October 1, 2022 8:11 PM

evening

Day started with breakfast in Deshler.Some of the locals were holding talks around the table.Went over and the work session went well.Csx was trying to get trains from here to there.They sent an M 560 around the wye.He had some bottle cars you would find at a steel mill.They were ladled for AK steel and the Amanda plant.A visitor at the park surprised us by buying lunch.Then when I got home our nieghbor surprised us with cookies.(I borrowed a ladder,What do you borrow to get a pie??).Tomorrow going to help Sis in Findlay.Time to get cleaned up.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, October 2, 2022 5:37 PM

evening

Things went well in Findlay today.Only saw an I 170 stopped at West Standley this morning on Csx.Time for supper and to get cleaned up.Back to work tomorrow.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, October 2, 2022 7:18 PM

Beautiful day for a ride on the railroad, especially since all I was there to do was hang my GoPro on the loco for the trip.  I did give the crew a hand from time to time.

The colors became more spectacular the further into the Adirondack Forest we went (and climbed in elevation).  They are pretty much at peak in the mountains - less so at lower elevations.

Still downloading the files from the camera.  It'll be a while - the GoPro breaks the video into ~15 minute chunks, and each of them approaches 4 gigabytes...  I recorded over 5 hours of video...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by ChuckCobleigh on Sunday, October 2, 2022 8:35 PM

tree68
CSSHEGEWISCH Lynn had cataract surgery a few years back and got Toric (?) lens implants at the time.  Her vision has definitely improved.

Had to look that up.  It appears that toric lenses are the answer if one has an astigmatism.  That hasn't come up in my various eye exams. I could have upgraded to a more adaptive lense - but at a significant increase in cost that insurance doesn't cover.  So far, I am more than happy with the results.  Still need reading glasses (as the doc advised I might), but normal vision is fantastic.  The latest fix is still getting it together, but I can see improvement on a regular basis.

Torics are indeed astigmatism correction as well. I had one toric inserted into my left eye at a one kilobuck premium, as Medicare must consider them a 'luxury,' but it was well worth it. It adds a couple of minutes to the actual procedure because the surgeon has to line up the index mark with a dot placed on the eye with a Bic pen pre-op.

Like many folks, I have reading glasses scattered about the house in strategic places and I wear a pair with strings most of the time in the house. Also, don't underestimate the convenience of "Sunreaders" bifocal sunglasses. Costco often has them in various strengths and they come in mighty handy.

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, October 2, 2022 9:52 PM

ChuckCobleigh
Like many folks, I have reading glasses scattered about the house in strategic places...

My problem is that those pairs scattered around the house are all different diopters from when my vision got progressively worse.  Once my eyes settle in, I'll figure out what I need and just get rid of the rest - possibly to a good cause.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, October 2, 2022 9:54 PM

A screen shot from the videos I shot today:

McKeever Trestle

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by MikeF90 on Monday, October 3, 2022 1:26 PM

tree68

Second cataract surgery today.  I can see! My brain was beginning to wonder, though...

Congrats on completion, I had two surgeries last December. In the works for several years but last year my vision changed one diopter in two months to about 12 (!!), opthamologist said 'it is time'.  No post surgery issues and my vision is now 20/20 - first time in 60 years!

I needed reading glasses with ~1.0 diopter correction. Foster Grant versions from Costco have good hinges unlike the discount store ones (which confirmed the correction amt first) ....

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, October 3, 2022 2:57 PM

afternoon

Ns main was clear after work today.Came home and put things away in the shed.Still going to use the grill for a bit yet.Guessers say first frost this weekend here.Chores to do.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 2:41 PM

afternoon

Didn't see anything on the NS main after work today.Went and got my flu shot.The big move was in Deshler today.After years of neglect and vandalism the B&O caboose was moved uptown today.It was placed right by the local grocery store.The owner is a railfan.Of course if they need help with restoration all they need to do is call.Chores to work on.

stay safe

Joe

 

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Backshop on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 11:06 AM

Saw an unusual train today on CSX going through Plymouth, MI.  It was heading west and then south at the wye.  I missed the head end but it was all short bulkhead flat cars with CSXT 604xxx loaded with slabs.  Then there were a bunch of NYC 631xxx series that appeared to be empty.  What made it very unusual for this area was that it had a single DPU about 70 cars from the rear.

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 1:57 PM

Backshop

Saw an unusual train today on CSX going through Plymouth, MI.  It was heading west and then south at the wye.  I missed the head end but it was all short bulkhead flat cars with CSXT 604xxx loaded with slabs.  Then there were a bunch of NYC 631xxx series that appeared to be empty.  What made it very unusual for this area was that it had a single DPU about 70 cars from the rear.

There is a daily(?) slab train that runs through Deshler, reported as coming from Dearborn and headed to Middletown, OH.  Usually it comes in from Fostoria and turns south at Deshler.  On rare occasions it will come down the Toledo line.

Might be what you saw.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Backshop on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 2:12 PM

That makes sense.  I was suffering from cranial vaporlock.  I completely forgot about Rouge Steel and was just thinking about the USS Great Lakes Works not having blast furnaces anymore.  Both Dearborn and Middletown are now owned by Cliffs.

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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 3:45 PM

afternoon

B 522 going south and B 523 comes north are probably the trains you are looking for on Csx.Csx has a reputation of parking the B 522 in the west siding at Deshler.Ns had cars uptown and one going through after work today.Came home and took care of yardwork.Guessers say first frost this weekend.(maybe a first freeze too)Going to get cleaned up.

stay safe

Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Leo_Ames on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 7:03 PM

The chipmunks sure have noticed the cold here lately. Earlier this summer I'd often be ignored. But today they were busy visiting me for peanuts every chance they got.

Two even took to jumping off the deck to my hand (sitting in a lawn chair on the grass) for their treats. A good three or four foot jump.

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