Ole Timer Bad news hit he neighborhood yesterday ... a teacher at my grand-daughter's school DIED from the swine flu ! She was a sweet highly devoted woman ... the pneumonia that anyone almost always gets with it did it . Children ... sad to say are dying in maryland and adults .... plus all over the country . Why they did'nt shut the borders from travel both ways is beyond me . What a failure by our government !
Bad news hit he neighborhood yesterday ... a teacher at my grand-daughter's school DIED from the swine flu ! She was a sweet highly devoted woman ... the pneumonia that anyone almost always gets with it did it . Children ... sad to say are dying in maryland and adults .... plus all over the country . Why they did'nt shut the borders from travel both ways is beyond me . What a failure by our government !
Just a gentle caution about introducing political statements in discussions on the forums: please be sensitive to the variety and diversity that comprises the nation. People have to travel, and since the disease is both mutable and transmissible between species, closing the border is not going to be anything more than a gross inconvenience, at best, to the general populace. Remember, please, that the huge, overwhelming majority of adults and children of all nationalities, races, and ages, male or female, will only experience mild to moderate symptoms when they do get this flu...and they will...as will you. An unfortunate few, comparatively, will not do well, but you could say the same about 150 other common illnesses and conditions that afflict far more of us from year-to-year, and which result in far greater loss of lives.
Each year, more people die from whatever strain of seasonal flu manifests than have died so far, everywhere, from H1N1. So, let's keep things in perspective and not bring 'the government' into problems that are largely, and within reason, being dealt with in a tempered and sober way.
It is always keenly regrettable when someone we know, or in whom we have high regard, succumbs in an untimely way as this teacher has. It wasn't the government's fault.
Aloha all. Wow, picking an avocado from a tree. I pick them from a bin in the grocery store. Had a productive morning. Got the van checked out - always happy to get out of that garage without something major wrong. Got a power washer - to try to clean the deck - I think these are our last few days of semi-decent weather when I can do it. Saw the Menard's Lionel sets - C&NW passenger with trestle bridge for $219. They had Lionel Lines freight sets for $199. Visited HobbyTown USA - boy, is that place pricey. Picked up two 'tinplate' items at World Market of all places - a doubledecker bus and three wheel 'steam car' for the layout - for 50% off. Also found three Hornby cars - a GW brake van, LE open wagon and GW flat. Can't wait to get 'em - though maybe I'll save them so I get something this Christmas
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Good morning all, went to lunch yesterday with two railroad friends I hadn't seen for a long while. Picked up some avacados from one of the guys tree. After that I went over to the house of the fiend who has the large HO gauge layout. This is pure scale with fantastic scenery. It operates like a real railroad with CTC and a train dispatcher position when they run. He let me take a cab hop over the line and he acted as the dispatcher. He has walk around controls that you take from one station to the next in order to be able to keep an eye on the train. One thing I found out from him is that it seems to be a lot cheaper to upgrade conventional engines to Digital DCC than it is to go from conventional to DCS or TMCC in O gauge. He says he can upgrade an engine for about $30 but he probably does the work himself I would guess. An O gauge engine cost between $300 to $350 when you have to pay someone to do it. How come O guage cost so much more?
Ray
SPMan
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Afternoon guys
Lunchtime, had oats raisins and pumpkin seeds. High fiber diet!
Thank you thank you thank you for your kind thoughts and prayers. They help a lot! My bride and I are at peace with our plan of tough love, i.e. let her fall, and not be the safety net we have been in the past. We did more harm than good with the enabling routine.
My bride said I could have the basement for the next layout. It will take a lot of work even before I even think about a plan. It is less than ideal environment at this time. It is just a hand dug basement laid up 100 years ago. Water only comes in at one place but I can fix that. The walls are ugly and the ceiling low 6’6” at bottom of joists 5’’8” at bottom of ductwork. Starting to dream!!!!
Got to go.
May God bless
Jim
That is bad news. Unfortunately, we will hear more of this happening. How old was she? Was she vaccinated, since schools were suppose to get the vaccine first?
Pat
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
Good Morning
Sunny but cold. 40s till saturday.
Laz, your welcome. I enjoyed mine too. had enough left for a couple sandwichs next day.
I am waiting for an insurance man, got a call from a company saying they wanted to go over my policy. Translated that means after not hearing from them in nine years they are desperate for new business. Well tain,t gonna work. No train news, no trains run yesterday. Nice chat with Brutus, Doug and Charlie last nite. Charlie left saying gotta go, poopy diaper. Not sure if it was his or the babys :).
Have a great day...S.J.
"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks
Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC) - Detroit3railers- Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS
Jack - A most interesting and enjoyable post, as usual.
Steve - Jim is right. Check ebay for the missing loco. You might even find yours there!
Banks - No charge for delivery if Brutus will let me use the Tardis.
SJ - Hold the Banilla all day? You get cold hands and we get Banilla soup!
Bob - I think Brent is qualified at the moment to be in your 1 1/2 legged race.
Time to pick out a few yearling heifers. Later.
Morning. Started off crisp but warming fast [sun]. Now to run errands, gym and get up more leaves. BTW: got bagging blades for new JD. They will suck the dirt off the ground. Ones I had for other mower were never that "high lift". Cleans up leaves real good. Have a good one.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Good Mornin, Ya'll, from Cloudy Taxachussets,
So much going on here. The good news is that I am still alive.
Grandchildren are hazardous to your health. They go to school and bring home something to pass on to the family, household and extended as well. Every time she asks if she can have a sip of my beverage or a bite of my food, I leap up and serve her something of her choosing. That doesn't always work because if I am not there to ask and she sees a glassful of something sitting there unattended......
The wife has been bugging me for two years about getting rid of my 1998 Olds Aurora w. 111K miles. Fuel pump quit in the middle of nowhere (relatively speaking) 25 miles from home at 11PM one night........with the wife and her precious dog in the car. If looks could kill. Acted quickly, short call to the State police, got a tow and a ride home. Mechanic had to drop the rear suspension and replace the fuel tank (plastic) because the metal lip on the filler neck was a corroded toasted mess, nothing to affix the fuel pump to. I am always one step ahead on the maintenance and /or replacement parts side and everything always works on my cars, but with a fuel pump what do you do?.........but I still figure that we are a zillion dollars ahead with no car payments, lower insurance, lower excise taxes, no depreciation expense, this is "the dog car," and this is the first time in our married life she ever got stuck out on the road with a car issue, including flats! I keep the car clean and pretty inside and out, I'm anal about that. She looks right past my "discussion pointst", doesn't care about auto economics 101. She's shopping and reading up on the internet, never a good sign, because that inevitably is followed with "Let's go to Chief's Auto Emporium and look at/drive a (fill in the blank)." The full court press is on.
JimSP, my prayers go out to you and your precious daughter. There is hope and there is a way, but it is a tough road and a long one. I admire you. You have stepped up and made the right decisions. Too many holier than thou "normal" folks in their blind ignorance think this is a case of will power or values. It is certainly neither. There are few if any among us who have not been touched by this disease. Prayer, guidance, the right kind of support, and time. Hang in there.
Charlie......what a blessing Jack is. Glad Mom and the little one may be home tomorrow. You get a pass from us for any incoherent thoughts or spelling/grammar mistakes in your posts, if you have time to make any. Sleep deprivation commences in earnest 1106/09. BTW, I am honored you named your son after me.
Brent......it sounds like you dodged a bullet if not the saw blade. Be careful with the pain meds or you might wake up with Susan overseeing a tatoo artist covering ths scar with her "honey do" list. In your defense, my FIL is the most mechanically inclined guy I have ever met. McGyver isn't qualified to carry his tool box. When he "retired" he went to work for a friend at the friend's rental place maintaining stuff. Two guys walked in and rented a rotary mower. He had to go pick it up. After mowing the grass they got the bright idea to jury rig the blade safety mechanism and trim a hedge with the mower, each holding the mower by the blade housing. It didn't turn out well for either of them finger-wise. True story.
Mel......good one! Brent doesn't feel so alone. And as long as Brutus keeps twisting the nuts instead of cutting them he should be good to go.
Rich......your Mom is a pistol. Doesn't sound like much slows her down. Will you get a chance to sign her cast? Prayers for your daughter. I'd like to tell you that these things pass. Well, they do pass, but they are always replaced by others. You're a good Dad and are there to help. That is what she will always remember about you.
Brutus.....at the risk of being redundant, for finally getting the wheels of the bureaucratic process moving for your wife. Determination and persistence wins. Continued prayers.
Am I imagining things, or are the FLA and CA guys yanking our chains with their continuous warm weather updates? Remember that most of the rest of us don't have to worry too much about hurricanes, man-eating reptiles and poisonous insects, earthquakes, all-consuming brush fires, mudslides, or $250 electric bills. I'll take the cold and the snow for a couple of months. And this year I will be more cautious with the snow blower which is tuned and ready to go.
Jon......cutting up trees with a chainsaw is in your immediate future? Hope you haven't contracted Brent-itis. He's there to give you advice if you need it as he currently has a lot of time on his hands. Congratulations on the upcoming nuptuals for your youngest boy. In some ways they grow up way too fast and in others not fast enough. That should be one great bash and family reunion.
I think I will close this for now, reflecting on what MikeC just said. It's time for me to give thanks for what I have and the family I have been blessed with.......most of them anyway.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Good morning all,
IIABSDISEI with temps near 50. Man, the prayer hotline is working overtime around here. As some one else observed, how could so few of us need so much help all at the same time? Hopefully/maybe/perhaps I will be able to share some good news in a few days/weeks. Nothing is set in stone, but wheels are turning. Speaking of wheels turning, traffic was an absolute mess today. It seemed as if every semi-truck that I encountered today wanted to use the left hand lane for an interminable amount of time to pass one of their fellow truckers. I did make it to work....eventually, but I was beginning to wonder. Still, when I read of the desperate situations a lot of us are facing, I thank God everyday for what I have and the well-being of my family. I also thank Him for this forum, whose support and concern help us all make it thru another day.
I did wieghts and some soccer drills at the YMCA last night. Been taking easy on the weights as I may have some muscle pulls. I had the regular fare on the dining car for breakfast this morning before sending it to "Points East". TBIL. I hope everyone has a good day. Prayers and thoughts going out for all of us.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
HI GYZ,
32 here and frosty again. Got Shop teacher conference today and tomorrow, nice to talk to the GYZ. Me and BRO going down to Harrisburg, get to meet up with other members of our family, other BRO is a shop teacher in Hazleton, and COUSIN is shop teacher in Berwick. Good time today.
BRENT,pace yourself on the rehab.
STURG, prayers for your daughter, she'll get through this.
SIR JAMES, THANK YOU!!!! My wife made me MEATLOAF, boy was it good along with mashed potatoes. YOU put the bug in my ear.
Stay frosty,
laz57
Back on the hill. We ran a few hours for testing tonight and we are getting closer to operation. I can taste it. May start some observations tomorrow and see how it goes. We have new power supplies coming for the microcontroller for the roof and doors (using a bench supply for now) and Dave has some good improvements for the blasted windbird which is working again. It's not over yet, but we are getting there.
Got some stuff done around the house in preparation for the 1 and a half legged race next week. Surgery isn't 'til noon next Wed. so I should have some time in the morning to finish up after I get home Tues. night and collapse. Figure I will catch up on my reading and mess w/ the trains some for a few days. Will wait a bit before I start kicking engine blocks:)
Thoughts and prayers for those in need.
Bob
Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)
Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops
Reclinerized too long. Saw the clip about new school board members [not sworn in but will have majority] sending memo to schools staff to stop spending money on H6 site and select a new one [mine]. Then suddenly that nut after Leatherman was on.
Banks, good luck with the harvest. Hope the rain does not hurt. Maybe the corn will dry out some.
Prayers for new born and mom, prayers for Brutus' wife every day. Prayers for Rich's teenager [they have a rough time, raised five]. Prayers for Bob [who gets high for his job, up on the mtn.] Dennis' Mom. And anyone else. Brent's on the mend.
We have so many folks on here, its hard to remember all. OH, Jack. No help for him.
Good night all. Sleep tight.
Hi guys, not a big deal day. I shall hold the banillla and wait for the thingy.
Got Brutus, Charlie and Doug on chat...S.J.
Sturg - yep only when I laugh, or walk without the crutches.Rich - prayers raised for your daughter
Sturg - continued prayers for you and your daughter
Jim,I had a friend who had a problem back when we were kids.It took some time but he was able to beat it and now is a decent guy.Dont give up and enjoy the grand kids.They need you now more than any other time in their lives. Prayers for all who need them.
Charlie - great pic! He looks like he needs a Lionel Teddy Bear!
Big day today - had to move my desk at work, amazing what weird old stuff you find after only a few years in a desk! Firming up plans for birthday celebrations this weekend. Found out that the Lion and add-on cars should be shipping next month as well as my halloween gateman Oh well, better late than never.
Tardis is ready, just checking he scope! See you guys later
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Jim,
Continued prayers for your daughter.
I did more cleaning on the 302AC tonight. I decided to try some new techniques on this one. I removed the motor and smoke unit from the chasis then soaked the chasis in a strong solution of hot water and Dawn, and the old grease came right off. I used Soft Scrub With Bleach to clean the whitewall insulators, and it did a great job. The armature was cleaned with CRC contact cleaner, then the commutator was polished with Never Dull. It shines like a new penny now. The brush holder and tubes were cleaned and polished with Brasso inside and out until they shined, then I cleaned off any remaining Brasso with the contact cleaner. The brushes and springs are in great shape, so I cleaned them. The inside of the smoke unit cylinder felt rough, so I polished it with some Mothers Mag and Aluminum Polish on a felt buffing wheel in the Dremel, and it is smooth as glass now.
Helo all,
Busy day here . I submitted a bid I've been workig on since Oct. 8th. Keep your fingers crossed.
No trains for a few days. Mrs says we'll have the grandkids Friday evening and Saturday AM. Thomas'll make some laps then for sure.
Pat- How much to deliver four to Altoona?
Anjdevil and Phish- prayers sent for your daughters.
I'm heading to bed early tonight, been burning the candle at both ends
Prayers for all who may need them
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Sturg, prayers, love and understanding from me. Don't give up.
Evening all
Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. Our daughter had been going to narcotics anonymous and had been sober for 7 months, then fell off the wagon. They say only 10% make it clean and stay clean with one go through. But it still hurts to see the pain the drugs can cause.
Charlie – Congratulations!!!!!
Brent – Does it only hurt when you laugh?
Steve – Even though the original loco was stolen, you may try eBay to find one to “replace” it.
May God bless, especially our little ones
Charlie, handsome boy you got there.Sending good wishes to your family!!!
anjdevil2 I will ask for prayers for my little one. She is having issues...obviously no one can solve them. Thanks!
I will ask for prayers for my little one. She is having issues...obviously no one can solve them. Thanks!
concider it done Hope for the best for her.
Hey all doing good today even pulled 4 OT tonight.
picked up a B&O FA from choochoo
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
Evenin' Fellas.Well the Dr appt went well. 24 stitches in total. 12 internal to pull the muscle back together and 12 external to help pull the skin together. No swelling, which is a minor miracle through all this. Doc said I'll be laid up till next week and should be able to return to work on Wednesday. Can't drive while I'm taking oxycodone. I have to go back in two weeks for a follow-up and hopefully have the stitches removed. Then start PT around the same time.Charlie - BIG CONGRATS! That is so beyond awesome! Cherish him always.
Evening all; Havn't posted in a week or two, been busy. Lots happening here. Oldest daugghter is now expecting, thats a nice thing. Santefe got repoed last wed, not a good thing. Sold the box truck I had at a 4000 dollar loss to get the santefe back, not a good thing, Got the santefe back yesterday with no damage, thats a good thing. With what I had to pay to get it back its pretty much paid off now so thats a good thing. The tow truck guys stole my hallmark steam locomotive I had mounted on the dashboard, my younger daughter had given me that for Chistmas years ago so that can't be replaced, not a good thing. NJ voters fineally woke up and threw out the bum we had as gov. Now we'll see if the new guy can do somemore cleaning house. Time will tell.
CONGRATS Charlie!! Take care of that leg Brent, I'll take the over on the stiches.........Steve
LawsonFarmsRR LAZ57 - How did you get that one past the powers that be?? Pat
PAT, just simple anatomy. LOL
Going up on the hill today, but delayed for a bit. Have to haul cryo up and neither of the trucks are in town yet. Using the opportunity to take care of a few things around the house before I'm limping around next week.
Jim S. - prayers for your daughter and your family. Has she gone to any of the groups like Narcotics Anonymous? Those can be helpful.
Charlie - congrats and best wishes for you and the family!
Brent - take care of that leg. A week form now I'll be in surgery and then be joining you w/ a foot in the air for a bit.
Well off to find something to eat and then get packed up. Talk to you from the hill.
Charlie, Wonderful news! Congratulations to you and the wife. He looks like a real healthy baby. God bless.
Good morning all, looks like lots of stuff to read on the pot from the last 12 hours. Will catch up later today. Opened the door this morning to get newspaper and found that the UPS man had visited late last night. Got my MTH three car add on set of old time woodside passenger cars. They are the combine, baggage and observation cars from the NYC&HRR set. Now all I have to do is find an engine I like to pull them. I'm not crazy about the 999 although that is what went with them. I would like something a little bigger. Going to lunch today with two other SP engineers. One retired like me and the other still working. Kind of a mini reunion I guess you could say. Today is the 30th anniversary of the date I first marked up on the railroad in 1979.
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