COFFEE POT #5 May 2010 for all to take a drink and chat. Welcome all posters. 5 yrs old and still going. Sweet ice tea too.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  S'posed to be clearing here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Need to go down to the boat and brighten the teak.  Another stellar performance last night.  Had to go in my monkey suit, as didn't have time to change, but princess seemed to like that a lot.  I got a little uptight about some of the audience with their gadgets (ipods,iphones,tweets, etc).  C'MON people, can't you disconnect for 90 minutes and just watch the children   I kept the toys in their holsters though.

Buckeye - I wouldn't say whimpy.  A little insecure, maybe.

jonadel - Chicks dig the lithp.

dbaker - Either going to Vegas, or simply helping a neighbor, that $1 could come in handy.

richhotrain ---> .

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 68 degrees. Goingg up to 82 today with sunshine.

Today is an easy day. PT went well yesterday. Doctor came in and checked me out. Said I was doing good. Need to walk more.  Using cane more than walker, nowdays. 

Dining car is here for the usual breakfast.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

[anjdevil2]

Good Morning!!

  Richotrain!!  Nice name...

Heavy rain this morning..woke me up at 0600, up to 89 today with showers and storms...

Started getting the items together for the trip to NJ...2 more days!!

Not much else going on, just work, of course.  Princess is doing at home finals, which we did Chemistry last night and American History Friday night.

See ya inna bit!

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  62 here already going to be humid and a bit warm at 85.

BUCKEYE, WOW sounds like PRE TARDIS DAYZ in that tent?

Stay frosty,

laz57

[richhotrain]

dbaker48

 Had some really exciting news today!!   Been doing a lot of pre-retirement analyzing and planning of financial situation.  Then received an exciting bit of information in the mail.  Seems Social Security was doing their qualification investigation, and came across an Annuity that I didn't know existed.  And they recommended I contact the administrator for application of benefits.  What a Shock!  The annuity is held by Raytheon and has an estimated monthly benefit of $1 monthly disbursement.  MY FINANCIAL CONCERNS ARE OVER.

Sorry to drop in uninvited, but as a recently retired financial planner, my advice to dbaker48 is to look closely at the Lump Sum distribution option for that annuity.  Could be worth one hundred bucks or more on an immediate basis! 

Rich

[mitchelr]

Morning to All,

Fighting with my allergies. Head feels like a balloon, watery eyes, etc.  Taking two allergy meds and a nasal spray. This too shall pass.

Off to work.  Long day, lots of meetings and then taking a few vacation days. Headed to New Orleans and my wife's family reunion this weekend. Should be fun.

12 more days for our school kids. Hard to believe school has been open for 2 years.

Take care,

Mitch

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 80s.  Played outside with the grandson.  Wore him and me both out.  Wife appreciated the break by doing the dishes for me.  Busy day, good day at work.  Attitude much better now except start of soccer season got delayed a week.  No reason given.  I had the regular fare on the dining car this morning.  TBIL after "Glee".  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[MichRR714]

Brutus and Wes, Thanks for the Congrats on the Heisler... But as I told you earlier I'm not sure which would be in better order, congrats or some counseling.   I already have enough trains for my modest layout.

Sure glad Toni is supportive of my hobby.

I am glad that Ma & Pa Jct. came through for SJ and made good on their promise to him at York.  Can't wait to see those Alcos.

[8ntruck]

Sunny and high 80's here today.  Seems summer arrived over the weekend.

Comments on the last few days worth of 'pot topics - sorry too many to keep the names and subjects connected correctly:

Lake front calming effect - I agree. Something about lakefront property calms the nerves.  Several years back, work had me really wound up.  Went camping on the shore of Lake Michigan with my oldest son for a week.  I unwound, and got a better perspective on my life's priorities on that trip.

Marx 666 locomotives - neat pieces.  I worked on one for a friend, and just had to get one for myself.  They pull pretty well and smoke like crazy.  I suppose I'll have to get one with the cylinder smoke too sooner or later.

Sumbob - free Covair parts?  Cool!  Does not get much better than that.

No trains for me lately.  Yardwork and racing. 

We spectated Friday night at the Fairground 1/2 mile track. The late models running that night were the next class up from ours - we were out horsepowered.  Good thing we didn't run - the fast guys were not shy about moving the slow guys out of the way during the heat races when they wanted buy.  Saved ourselves some torn up equipment by not running.

We did run on Saturday night on the 3/8 mile track.  Did well, too - 9th out of 19 in the A main, didn't break anything, and the winnings covered expenses.  Even led the heat race for a very short time.  Compared to our outings during the last couple of years, this is a big improvement.

All for now.

[Brutus]

Nice chat tonight and big congrats to SJ and Charlie on their new trains!

Just took it easy today apart from work.  Plenty of leftovers from yesterday too.  Need to figure out where it is, but I have a leak in the drain pan on the grill?  Some grease dripped on the deck.  No big deal, I can fix it with some heavy foil I think - I suspect it's where the grill sits in a little trough?

Tardis is ready and I can do the driving tonight.  We have beverages, soda, banilla, and a special treat - Mile High Apple PIe

[Ole Timer]

DON ...... WOW = COOL ..... I told my sons a trip to vegas would just be worth it just to see the guys in the PAWN SHOP !!!!!  I love that show and never miss an episode

Take a dollar ... that huge annuity amount and throw it in the million dollar slot machine and give it a pull ... who knows ???

BUCKEYE  ...  nothing like a tent spinning when you indulge and lay down .... especially at 10,000 ft .     of couse 2 beers did'nt give you that effect .

[dbaker48]

 Good Evening,

Had some really exciting news today!!   Been doing a lot of pre-retirement analyzing and planning of financial situation.  Then received an exciting bit of information in the mail.  Seems Social Security was doing their qualification investigation, and came across an Annuity that I didn't know existed.  And they recommended I contact the administrator for application of benefits.  What a Shock!  The annuity is held by Raytheon and has an estimated monthly benefit of $1 monthly disbursement.  MY FINANCIAL CONCERNS ARE OVER.

Chris turns 21 on Wednesday, and as long as I can remember he has wanted to go to Vegas for the 21st.  So we leave tomorrow afternoon, then back Thursday afternoon.  Short trip but will have a good time!  Going to be staying at Treasure Island, some of the activties intended are "Downtown Experience", and visit the pawn shop that is on the History channel show Pawn Brokers.  Will be interesting to see if there are any trains there.

Later

 

[ChiefEagles]

Good night all.  Last few of Saving Grace was on tonight.  Went to lady's visitation and family was real good as it was not a mourning but a happy time.  Off to lake house tomorrow.  Rained off and on all day.  Some folks down east got flooded again.  Sleep tight.

[Ole Timer]

  RT ..... missed ya on the chat .... after my son and I got about all the rewiring done and the computer and xbox back on the internet .... we moved the computer and it to the train room also ... he insisted I let him play it .... could'nt get him off .... but was cheaper than cash ... lol . Got your message ... will check you out alot earlier tomorrow .

Nice chat with Charlie for a very brief while tonight ... CONGRATS on the HEISLER !!  Wow they are super neat ..... I'm jealous ....    .... LOL . Hey brutus .... what's goin on ?    Did'nt get to chat with you and get all the news ....   .... sorry about the late call bro ... man I never looked at the clock .... which I don't have on the wall yet .... apologize to Char for me .....   I did'nt know the time .

 

SJ .... congrats to you also on the Williams' .... I know you have been wanting one ....   <--------       here's a congrats to both you and Charlie ....    

NAVYJACK   .... will give you that call soon ... have been extremely busy brother .... old men move slow ..... and time flies .... have all the info you sent .....  ........... 

[Banks]

 Hello all,

Stopped in on the way to bed

Timboy,

88, Congratulations. I have to admit I had the same question as Pat in mind when I read your post. I completely understand your answer. I have a niece and nephew 18 and 10 that are both adopted locally. Never a problem, yet. Wish I were closer. Maybe I could help out with your project. If you belong to a Church maybe someone there will help you out.

Speaking of Church, The recent discussion was very enlightening.

Navyjack. Don't be discouraged. HE has a reason for every thing.

Dad's wall is poured. Only thing remaining is strip the form, waterproof and fill the hole. Some inside finishing touches remain but that may be a winter project

Son got a nice "Thanks but we didn't choose you" from Chief's favorite railroad today on the laborer job. He's still in the running for some other openings they have. 

Hoping for some haymaking weather. Saturdays rain made our nicest hay field look like it had been rolled. To wet to even plant remaining corn.

Best solution I've found for Chipmunks is a .22 with CB caps. Very quiet and won't go far.

No time for trains lately

Off to bed

 

Prayers for all who may need them.

 

 

[sir james I]

Good Evening

Still 81.

A very long day for old james, Son in law came by this AM unannounced with the words lets go get your new water heater and put it in today. So with the help of my train friend the three of us did the out with the old in with the new and got er done. Then after the news I gave the grass a hair cut. The bright side of today, my new Williams engine arrived but haven't had time to unpack it. (a copy of the lionel FAs 2023 union pacific in yellow). banilla is ready. I am waiting for the thingy....S.J.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Doug....Until I build a new Garden Layout, I'm maxed out on equipment. 

Spanky.....Och!  Hamstrings can induce back problems, too.

Jon......Check out northern Michigan for cheap lake property.

Laz.....Speaking of sneaking up on you; I remember camping in the Rockies at 10000 feet and drinking two Coors in 1978.  I actually crawled into the tent. 

Jack...Pat's cat prescription is right on the money.  Cat's will rip chipmunks a new one.

fife....Wasn't Wintrop the wimpy little kid int eh short pants?

Brutus...Glad to hear the great news.

 

[mitchelr]

Hi Gang,

Been super busy at work. Trying to keep up on the doings here at the Coffee Pot but that could be a full-time job.

Jon is right there's something about sitting beside a lake or river that lowers one's blood pressure significantly.

 Take care,

Mitch

[laz 57]

ChiefEagles

jonadel

Thanks Frank.  I think if I could live on this lake I could kiss all meds goodbye, what is it about water that relaxes me?

 I think I could even give up the internet .............. which would benefit my wife and mankind in general 

LAZ, going to run the railroad this summer?

.  

CHIEF,

  Yes sir, was going to run the 0-4-0 tanker on Tuesdays and wednesdays.  But because of all the work I have on the addition it looks like only Tuesdays for now.  Maybe later come July be doing 2 days a week?  I'll keep YUZ posted.  Going to take more pics this year too.

laz57

[navyjack]

hey jack, i am sorry to hear about your problem with a gopher.  i had one, or a family of them, in my backyard, when i lived in fontana, ca.  and i had a ferocious doberman pinscher  who lived in the yard.  i remember i tried everything including flooding the holes, and finally the right poison did it.  i cant remember the name,, but i went to home depot, and bought what the guy in the garden department recommended. i hated them, as i had bermuda grass and i was proud of my lawn.  (p.s. we had a tomcat that caught rats and moles also).  navyjack

[dougdagrump]

Buckeye Riveter

ChiefEagles

Having fun with a MTH engine.  Works at Miss Edna's but when I bring it home, will not. 

Chuck....Obviously our Roseyville Gremlin is working perfect.

Kurt.....Good to see you running trains with SJ. 

Brent......Again, congratulations. 

Finished cleaning the deck.  Mowed the lawn, trimmed and edged the sidewalks and drive.  Starting to get the Garden RR in shape for the summer............Laz, you don't need to run very far this week. I took care of it for you.  

For those who haven't seen the Garden RR..............................http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w79/pfoh/?action=view&current=06011744.flv

 

 

Buckeye, Maybe he needs to add a second hamster wheel to power his generator, just to much for one poor little hamster.

By any chance did you check out the Stout Auction site the past couple of weeks, they had a lot of "G" stuff. Some really nice LGB engines and rolling stock.

Jack, I have had ZERO luck with the gopher wars and I have tried everything from water, poison baits, poison gas and traps. Even mothballs/crystals to no avail. If I could figure out how to do it I would like to try pouring some pool chlorine powder into a main tunnel and set if off for a really hot short fire. In the mean time I mite put in a small patch of Catnip, see if I can't get a few more cats to work the area. If nothing else maybe more cats will bring back the coyotes and they will go after the gophers.

 

[jonadel]

Home again home Jiggedy Jog, etc.  Left the lake at 9:00 AM and blasted down the road into 40 MPH headwinds and side winds, not so much fun.  Then there were the gusts----Holy Cow, kinda like riding into a giant hair dryer.  Temps are at 89 with high humidity, I would suppose that we are in for big storms tonight.

Sorta good to be home again but I sure wish I had a year round home at Okoboji, what a place.  I feel so grounded when I'm there as it goes back to my early childhood and wonderful memories.  Plus the time when my parents were alive and we took our boys there, superior memories.  However, the real estate market eliminates the common man from even thinking about owning lake front property.  The same property that my parents bought in the 1969 for 30K would now start at 800K and then put your McMansion on it, we'll just keep visiting once or twice a year as I REALLY enjoy not having a mortgage payment 

This for Fife, Shoopoopi !  Fife--you did lose that lisp, didn't you?????

\\http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1iZarUHt04

 Enjoy 

[RockIsland52]

Good Aftrnoon, Ya'll, From Sunny Taxachussets,

Some of that hot weather you guys are having is headed my way.  Only 75 today but approaching 90 tomorrow.  Here we go!

More strange things are happening around the ranch.  Other than my wife not criticizing my pruning last night......  Son came over for dinner Saturday night and joined the rest of it.  Without being asked, he installed the heaviestt window a/c units and carried all of the smaller ones up from the basement and put them in the corresponding rooms.   I wonder what's up with that.....to be continued.   I can handle them, but at my age the 10,000btu units get heavier and more cumbersome every year.

NAVYJACK......I got enslaved married in Lake Geneva WI !!!!!

Pat......RT's cat is the wrong species. 

Fife.....are you taking lots of photos at these little princess events?  I am the designated family photographer and the distributor of same.  I always hear from the rest of the family members who are equally capable of taking photos and all have cameras....."But you always take such great shots and always capture the special look, the special moment."  First of all, I have Photoshop which cures a multitude of mistakes.  Second, I take a lot of shots to get it right.  Am approaching 6,000 photos on this camera and have a 1 terabyte external drive to make sure the digital photos are resident in two places, just in case.

DJ.......sorry to hear about the hammy issue again.  Are these cramps under strain or a muscle pull?  Maybe the PT folks ought to work the rest and give this muscle a couple of weeks of just stretching and ice/heat/ultrasound.  Or pool work.  The hammy is a slow healer.  Prayers this doesn't disappoint you because in the grand scheme of things you are making stellar progress.  Hang in there!

JimT.....re my memory being good.  One of the three fundamental human drives is survival..  Women have memories like elephants and are unforegiving if one forgets what they say or instruct.  If I forget something, I die. 

SJ......you are NOT......I repeat.......NOT a pain in the neck.  We'll take a Pot poll and get back to you with the concensus opinion of just what part of the anatomy you are a pain in.  Will first consult your wife for some insight. 

Chief.....I use all of your recommended tick-avoidance measures.  I have read ticks  will avoid the mowed, dry places, seldom venturing more than 3 feet out of the taller, wetter spots.  My compost pile for the yard debris is in wetlands beyond the lawn.  I think that is where they hop on.  They get on my clothing and I carry them on me into the house.  Wife wants me to strip naked in the garage when I come in from doing yard work.  I'm not sure if that is an opportunity for an opportunity or an opportunity to fall victim to one of her pranks.

Brutus......was glad to hear Char's hair is growing back.  Women are super sensitive about their hair, and this is good news, a milestone actually.  Good things just keep coming.  My continued prayers that you both continue on a path that is certainly blessed.  Re my not wanting to get a cat to handle the chipmunk issue, I ask myself, where is a feral cat population explosion when you need one?

Later, gang!

Jack

[RockIsland52]

John Bakeer

British Railways were built ariound and through closely spaced towns and cities, calling for swift accelleration and high speeds. 60-100mph track speeds were the rule. Milwaukees Hiawatha was the worlds first train to run at 100mph start to stop with 2 intermediate stops and steam hauled to boot.

JohnB.......you are right!!!!  And pretty knowledgeable for a guy from the other side of the pond.  Hence the term hereabouts "the Northwoods Run."  The Hiawatha would depart downtown Chicago headed North toward Wisconsin, passing within two miles of my childhood house. The rail line split just South of Wausau WI, one line travelling further straight Northward while the other headed Northwest to the Minneapolis/St Paul MN area.

DougM, NAVYJACK, and Northwoods are familiar with the Hiawatha, especially Northwoods since he lives just outside of Wausau.  Shortsightedness led to the downfall of the entire US rail system.  Others can chime in here on tracks capable of handling high speed trains, but the one that carried the Hiawatha isn't in that condition any more.

Read this:  http://www.ask.com/wiki/Hiawatha_(passenger_train) 

Someday we will experience here a substantive rebirth of passenger rail, out of practical and ecomomic necessity.

Jack

[RockIsland52]

Pat.....you are right about the cats, but I don't have one and my neighbor's outdoor cats seem to need some training.

I started to do some reading up on the eradication of chipmunks.  What I read was not encouraging.  They are tough to eliminate and mate twice a year, considered in a league with rabbits for proliferation.  

JimF suggested poison.  But the literature suggests poisons are not as effective as one might think.  The critters seem to have a sense about them.   Plus poisons have inherent downsides for someone with dogs and young kids or grandchildren, like me.  Mothballs thrown down the holes work temporarily until the suckers decide to do some more tunneling to bypass the contaminated portions of their lair.  They refuse to be flooded out.  Food-baited rat traps have been used with some limited results.  Keeping the area free of anything the chipminks can hide in from their predators.......but you can't mow everything flat!.   

The  more successful approaches include drowning the suckers: you take a bucket and half fill it with water, lay a plank/ramp up to the edge of the bucket, float food in something that will sink under the weight of the chipmunk, leave a trail of food up to and onto the plank to the bucket's edge, then wait.  In theory, they fall into the bucket of water trying to get to the food in there and drown.  But I see birds and squirrels and other varmints scavenging the food outside of the bucket.

Then there are the natural predators: outdoor cats that hunt!!!!  Just as you suggested.  I just don't want a cat; and I  would think the number of hawks we have in the area would be doing a better job.  Must be they have something in their union contract that says they don't do chipmunks.  Another Taxachussets problem.

My neighbors on either side of me have tried some of this stuff without much success.   

Chief will eventually weigh in here with his suggestions of hand grenades, dynamite, flame throwers, and firearms.  Isn't he the expert on the elimination of BEAVERS?  Or do they just stare at him and laugh?

In the final analysis, I may try a number of different things simultaneously.  I can't do nothing.  The chipmunks can and will take up residence in garages, the enginebay of cars, and eventually find their way into the home.....then it gets expensive.  And my front walkway has already started to fall victim to their tunneling!

Jack

[LawsonFarmsRR]

RockIsland52

Chipmunks are having a field day tunneling under the front porch.  How do you get rid of those suckers?

Later, gang.

Jack   

 

CATS! No kidding, cats will clear out the chipmunks. You will need several. We have barn cats that have cleared the place of chipmunks, moles, most all mice and rats.

Maybe you can rent RT's Cat!

Pat

[ChiefEagles]

jonadel

Thanks Frank.  I think if I could live on this lake I could kiss all meds goodbye, what is it about water that relaxes me?

 I think I could even give up the internet .............. which would benefit my wife and mankind in general 

Now you know what both Franks know.   Why I hardly use to wifi at the country store when I am up there.  It grows on you.  Leaving tomorrow for the lake house [wifey and I were going today but 96 year old lady of the Church and Town passed yesterday, visitation tonight] and coming back Wed night so I can attend Human Services Board meeting 7 AM Thurs.  Leaving and going back immediately after and stay thru holiday.

Spanky, usually Dewars.

SJ, you have alway been a pain in the neck. 

LAZ, going to run the railroad this summer?

Jack, always loved Chippies but don't have them here.  A few in Northwest Raleigh.  I wonder why as we have rocks.  If too much of a problem, catch them and transport out of town [don't recommend high powered air rifle like I use on squirrels.  might kill Alvin.   BTW: try playing music and see if they sing. ]  Those ticks love me too.  Got three off at one time while at the lake house.  Bites all over.  Try OFF.  I do if I am walking in the woods at the pond.  Pant legs, socks and skin.

OH, great neice left 30 minutes ago.  Not too bad this time.  Just had to entertain her constantly.  She did not get to see the trains as she likes them.  I was busy and wifey entertained until they went to bed and watched TV.  This AM had to run to Hardee's for biscuits and McDonalds for Frape's.  Yes, both.

Now to shower and shave for the day.  

Later.  

[Anonymous]

Mike,

         I recorded it, but haven't watched it yet.  From the sound of your post, I should probably just look for a summary online.

Jack,

         Feel free to keep turning out the long posts.  They are nice when I've been away for a few and can read a summary instead of a few pages.  I still can't believe how much you can remember from each post when you post.  I am not good at that.  However, long emails are a different story.  Just ask Brent.

Went fishing with a friend Saturday evening.  I finally found the pond I've been looking for recently.  I only caught one largemouth, but it was a very good size.  Went and bought Red Dead Redemption for the 360 on the way home.

[laz 57]

MIKE C.

  Watch those OL MILs they kinda sneak up on ya.

laz57

[Ole Timer]

WOW ..... have been redoing the room .... decided to rewire all the internet and cable in the house to setup a clean new install on everything here . Have'nt been able to get on and will probably be slim until I finish it all . Miss you guys on the chat too !!  

 Did I really buy all that train equipt . that's stacked a mile high in that room ? Going out today for a new wireless router ... Was good to see that pic of SJ and Kurt ... miss that rascal ! As soon as I can get more done and setup will be back quite often fellows ...