Mornin' boys. Mornin' Phish. Overcast and 67 here in the Mid-Atlantic region. Waiting for the messy MEAN system stretching from Cleveland to Memphis to head east.
Did get to go sailing for several hours with fifepup. T'was his reaquaintance cruise. Had him on the helm, but he doesn't care for tiller steering. Came home and cut grass and prepared steaks on grill.
Hello all,
Prayers for those suffering from the recent storms & flooding, makes the local overabundance of rain seem trivial.
weekend's over Got some yard work started. Almost dry enough to till the garden. Prediction is for a chance of Thunder showers daily through next Saturday Son is trying to get soybean & corn planted between rains.
Pat, thanks for the info on CALM. Mrs suffers from Restless Leg. I'm going to try to find it locally.
Probe, Good luck on the new job. When do you start? May swing by Sam's & pickup one of those cameras.
8N, I had that problem once. It turned out to be the roof.
Best get back to work. They say the SS fund is going broke.
Prayers for those in need
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Good Morning
68/79 today, maybe some storms later
A great weather weekend. I'm not sure what today will bring me but I'm ready. I got about half way through the current CTT, but still have a lot of back issues to read during patio time...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
...any word from Jim...? Horrible news out of Joplin.
fifedog ...any word from Jim...? Horrible news out of Joplin.
Answering machine just picked up. Take that as a good sign.
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Aloha. Hope Jim is OK. Big storms last night. Lotsa lightning. Began working on the Atlas pedestrian overpass last night. Hope to continue it tonight. Everyone be safe.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Good Mornin Ya'll From Rainy Taxachusetts,
The same weather refrain from over the weekend and into today. Brutus is about 285 miles Northeast of Joplin MO. I join the rest of you in hoping all is OK with him.
We did have a flash or two of "sudden sun" syndrome, but the weekend was still unsettled, overcast, and had periods of drizzle, fog, and rain. May finally hit a high of 70 today (with rain, what else?). Haven't seen this "lower than normal" temperature pattern for several weeks. Taken from the "glass is half full" or "there is a silver lining in a dark cloud" theories.........this 7 week weather pattern has not been triggering local flooding since we haven't gotten any deluges. Better yet, the rain has made me look like a veritable landscaping genius.
As reported previously, the wifey had been irked about the "deplorable" condition of our lawn coming out of this past winter. What the dog and the wife didn't do to contribute to the lawn's temporary demise, mother nature did (thin spots, dead spots). Pam wanted me to rip out the lawn and start over. Lime, fertilizer, weed killer, and the rainwater has really turned things around rather quickly. She actually remarked Friday night she is astounded and pleased at the current state of grass affairs. It took everything in me to keep my mouth shut and blurt out "I told you so!!!!" So for the younger married POT members out there, take this from that: Shut up. Don't argue. Execute your own plan violently. And after the victory, shut up.
The wife and I drove up to Scarborough ME very early Saturday morning to take in an all day dog event (conformation, obedience, and agility competitions) at the Wassamki campgrounds. We ran into a 78 year old woman with whom we train in New Hampshire. She had driven all the way up to Scarborough to compete in obedience with her dog! She was there with her friend, also in her 70s. This woman has a "difficult" large German Shepherd. Unfortunately, she was was disqualified in her advanced competitive obedience run and was sitting on a chair near tears in disappointment.
To make matters worse, this woman had tweaked her back and was in pain. Pam had some ibuprofen in her purse (along with what seems to be the rest of her earthy possessions). Meanwhile, I felt compelled to cheer her up.
"How many 78 year olds do you see competing on the field? How many 78 year olds do you see competing in advanced obedience no less? How many 78 year olds do you see with a titled advanced obedience dog? NONE, except you!!!!!!! That puts you on the top of the stack in your age category." That seemed to cheer her up
So I volunteered to lug all of her stuff back to her car in the parking area. Yup, you guessed it. She had left her headlights on all day, her battery was dead, and she went into a panic. "How could I be so stupid? It is terrible to get old and forgetful and put myself in this spot. What am I going to do?" I came right back with "That's what I am here for. What's my excuse for my stupidity when I leave the headlights on? Everyone does it occasionally. I've been braindead since birth; and you know my wife Pam will attest to that (picture my wife standing there, shaking her head enthusiastically in the affirmative). Relax, we'll have your car started in 10 minutes, and you will be good to go." Humor is the best medicine.
Everyone was laughing at this point. One guy standing there immediately volunteered his jumper cables and ran off to get them. I snagged a woman driving by who volunteered her vehicle for the jump. Car started right up. Bing bang boom and life was good again. Hugs ensued.
"How can I ever thank you?" "You already did, the day you stepped into the training room with your dog and inspired the rest of us younger slugs with what is possible, despite any and all obstacles. Now drive home safely and have a frosty or two for a wonderful day!" Off she and her friend went with smiles on their faces.
Ya gotta love people who don't quit on life and hide in their houses, don't think life ends for them as they get older. The incident also reminds me how such little things we do for folks, things we don't think twice about, can brighten someone elses' day.
I now find myself a zillion POT posts behind. Got to do some reading to catch up.
Jack
IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.
Good morning all,
It was a busy weekend for me. On Friday night, we met some of my wife's family friends for dinner and then came back to our house to chat about the Air Force. Their son just graduated high school and is considering enlisting so they wanted honest answers that some recruiters do not provide. On Saturday I was busy pulling weeds, laying mulch, and mowing the yard. I then had to pick up some tables and chairs from the church. On Sunday we went to church, my son had baseball practice, and then we used the tables and chairs for a little barbecue at our house. We hosted our Bible study class that just ended. We had a good time and the men and kids enjoyed the trains very much.
It is going to be hot and muggy today. I have plenty of work to accomplish and this will be a busy week for us. The son has baseball games, and the princess has ballet pictures, recital practice, and the recital this week. After this hectic week life will slow down a bit for the family.
Dennis - I hope your kids enjoy the new school. We decided to start homeschooling next year. My wife misses the kids throughout the day and we believe the one-on-one focus they will receive from us will greatly improve their education. I'm very thankful we can make this happen.
AF Ray – The Yankees are playing well again. They are still tied for first in the AL East.
I hope everyone remains safe; there are plenty of storms going around.
Good day,
Joe
Brutus is OK. Joplin miles away from him.
Great 'rescue' Jack!
cnw1995 Brutus is OK. Joplin miles away from him. Great 'rescue' Jack!
Thanks Doug. Off to the lake house.
What is with all the animated Purdue Boilermaker Logos on the forum? It appears everyone is supporting Buckeye's Toy Train Society!
Greetings Again Ya'll,
Proving ignorance is bliss and the importance of hiring your deficiencies ( I have a pc guru just in case), I have not had any problems with Microsoft XP over the past 7-8 years (?) or I am so technology-challenged I don't know I am having a problem. My wife works for a large corporation but has no issues when working from home on our pc with all sorts of database and software she has to interface with. She even thinks the home pc is faster than her new work laptop.
LAZ and Joe? Pulling weeds? If you miss any of the root, they just grow back more virulent than ever. Chemical warfare with weed killers is fast, easy, thorough, dog and children-safe used as directed, and doesn't leave holes and bare spots in the lawn. Annihilates all of those suckers!
SJ.......you are right. Store bought tomtoes are tasteless not to mention expensive, around $3.00 a pound up my way The wife and I depend on friends with gardens that always get overenthusisastic at planting time and wind up with enough tomatoes to open a farm stand. They thoughtfully bring them over and give them to us because they hate to see them go to waste (as do I).
Re the price of things......I do the grocery shopping. Maxwell House Columbian here has hit $14.49 per the latest 31.5 ounce container (whatever happened to the old 3 pound coffee containers?)!!!! My wife's preferred and mandated laundary detergent, Tide Total Care, has hit $16 per 100 oz. Tried to tell her for months the stuff was way too expensive and was the highest priced spread. Yesterday she happened to glance at the price on the container and went into sticker shock, exclaimed that there must be some mistake. I was about to tell her that she just doesn't listen to me; but instead I waited until the urge passed.
Dennis.......I was sorry to read your adoption seems for the time being to have fallen through. But your two children are making you proud. You are blessed.
RaySP........Hopalong Cassidy? Now that brings back memories! All you need is a cowboy hat, a gun, and some boots with spurs.
DougM.......the MLB inter-league series this past weekend in Boston had me torn between my allegiances between my Cubbies and my Red Sox. They haven't played each other since 1918, about the time the Chief was born.
PAT........I am going to try your advice about the foot and leg cramps. They are becoming annoying, only happens when I am lying down. They seem to come and go.....couldn't possibly be my diet of Cheetos and beer, could it? Re your garden, I can just picture my wife forgetting to turn off the electric fence when working around the garden. That would be a Kodal moment, don't you think?
Chief........I am still waiting for your status report on the tomatoes you are growing for me. CSX runs up to Taxachusetts, so bulk transport and delivery should not be a problem. By the way, you cashed my check for my BTTS membership three weeks ago but I haven't received my membership card yet. Is this some sort of REB scam?
Fife........glad to hear you and Fifepup got a chance to get in some quality father/son alone time on the Seven Seas. Congratulations on your Sis' nuptials. Word of advice......don't shoot the new brother-in- law as he'll need your mentorship, some family indoctrination, and some husband training.
JimmyT........why on earth would you go all the way to Berlin to find toy trains? Don't we have any here in the USofA or on Ebay?
Rich........I can well remember my daughter's Prom night. If my memory serves me correctly, the wifey had given me strict instructions to go easy on the boy when he showed to pick her up. I can guarantee you that while you could not be there, your Princess was thinking of you throughout that entire evening, and all you are to her. I suspect most parents cannot say that oftheir teens. The steady stream of MOPARS on the Mecum Auto Auction have me thinking of you and your Road Runner every night. Can't wait to see some pictures of your beast, or did I miss them?
Brent.......this is a horrible turn of events, the Q even considering taking her brother and SIL to the baseball games instead of you!!!!!!! In her defense, she's probably worried you'd fall out of the second row deck going after a foul ball.
DougDG.......re the 100 miler bike tour you volunteered for. Reminds me of a time when I was a young lad, dating my wife. She had unilaterally come up with the bright idea to sign us up for, and drive to, one of those in Michigan. This one took place around a little town West of Ann Arbor, in the middle of nowhere. Of course, we didn't do any preparation training. At the twenty mile mark she was struggling mightily on an uphill stretch of road that went over Route 94. I convinced her we should stop at the 25 mile waystation, take a rest, and eat some pasta. During our break her leg muscles went into shutdown and she agreed with me that we should call it a day and visit a local ice cream shop followed by a pub.
MikeC.........I envy you. It has been 28 years since the wife was my girlfriend and we were at the IMS for the 1983 race.
BRUTUS...........you posted "almost done with outdoor projects." My wife never runs out of outdoor projects for me. What is your secret?
8N........with all of the rain, maybe that mysterious small puddle in the middle of your basement floor is coming up from underneath, groundwater. We have a high water table here and have likewise found a puddle or two on the basement floor that stumped us. No cracks in the floor either.
Joe........congratulations on the end to the Yankee slump and a return to First Place. Don't look over your shoulder. The Red Sox, after starting the season 2-10, have gone 23-11 playing .676 ball since that time and are now just a half a game behind. DougM......the Cubbies did get them the night before last.
Prayers for the folks in the flood ravaged areas and now the people in Joplin. Good grief!
Later, gang.
Lunch Time,
Another cool, dreary, day.
Dennis, Congrats to your daughter for graduating Kindergarten. Too soon it will be High School. Congrats also go to your son for his grades and Leadership Award.
Brutus, Congrats on your son's grades and I wish you the best with this weather.
SPMan, Ray, hang in their with the knee.
NJDevil, Rich We got the New Urban Interface Unit. Pretty impressive. I will shoot you a picture. It was built by Toyne in an International all wheel drive chassis. It is over 10' tall.
RI Jack, Great story about the 78 yr old dog trainer.
Thoughts and prayers for all those in need, especially the victims of the recent tornadoes and flooding.
John
RockIsland52 Greetings Again Ya'll, LAZ and Joe? Pulling weeds? If you miss any of the root, they just grow back more virulent than ever. Chemical warfare with weed killers is fast, easy, thorough, dog and children-safe used as directed, and doesn't leave holes and bare spots in the lawn. Annihilates all of those suckers! PAT........I am going to try your advice about the foot and leg cramps. They are becoming annoying, only happens when I am lying down. They seem to come and go.....couldn't possibly be my diet of Cheetos and beer, could it? Re your garden, I can just picture my wife forgetting to turn off the electric fence when working around the garden. That would be a Kodal moment, don't you think? Chief......... By the way, you cashed my check for my BTTS membership three weeks ago but I haven't received my membership card yet. Is this some sort of REB scam? Later, gang. Jack
Chief......... By the way, you cashed my check for my BTTS membership three weeks ago but I haven't received my membership card yet. Is this some sort of REB scam?
Jack:
Don't often tell stories on myself, but you mention holes and bear spots in the lawn. Every year I spray around trees and beds with a vegetation killer sprayed from a sprayer pulled behind the riding mower. This year unknown to me, one of the hoses leaked and as I moved from one tree and bed to the next I left a 6" path that turned brown.
Looks like a design left by a space ship landing, or a happy drunk dancing on the lawn.
If you can't find the Calm locally, you can order it on line.
If your wife is like me, she will forget to turn off the garden electric fence only once!
Chief - my BTTS check also cleared several weeks ago and no membership card. I doubt this is a REB scam, not to a fellow REB.
Pat
RFD-TV --- Rural America's most important network!
Think good thoughts, do good deeds!
Jack, good on you for helping the 78 year old with the dead battery and cheering up after dog fell short on running event.
Doug, I don't drink but I really wouldn't drink at those prices for beer? It's like that at ball parks here as well. The only thing that surprises me is that their are people who will pay it.
Chief, thanks for defininition of BTTS. I thought it had something to do with Buckeye.
Cloudy morning here and we even had a shower for about 5 minutes.
Have a good week all,
Ray
SPMan
Jack - I go to all sporting events with TheQ... that was part of the pre-nupt.
Like I said 7 is good, Vista a prob. My XP machine is good as I use MSTS. I do have wide screen, and all the latest stuff.
Trainz is a pain in the butt. won't run or download new stuff. Brilliant sim. but the site is so user unfriendly. I have binned the lot.
John Baker
Hmm coffee's cold
We had a high of 83 today with small but heavy thunderstorms scattered around. I read some more of the newest CTT but don't have it finished yet.
Banilla is waiting for Brutus and the thingy..S.J.
Good Evening Guys, and good to see you John Bakeer!!
Another day at work in the books. Now to microwave dinner and run over to my sister's house with some prom pictures. The Princess sent me some and Facebook'd some, so I got an idea of how everyone looked and the "party place". Seems my daughter is quite lovely....thank goodness her boyfriend respects me . Heard from the Princess mid-afternoon, all was well, just going home after lunch and she was very happy. Her date was quite accommodating and danced every time she asked. Graduation is June 10th, I fully expect to watch the videos of her graduation as the water works will be on in full force.
Jack, good on you....my parents are in their mid 70's and nothing and I do mean nothing stops Mom...Dad has slowed up a bit but still teaches Scuba, Mom is the "go to" person in our church. I'm glad you found a good friend and was there to save her day.
As for the roadrunner...has been put on the back burner until the Princess has graduated. I have some of the parts to get the project moving, just no time....and Memorial Day parades will take up more time this weekend.
- Brent & the Q, Dennis and the family and those in MO., especially our brother firefighters (2 stations) that have lost everything.
Big fire last week, look for my ladder truck @ 12:00 min. mark and I make an appearance about the 13 min mark.....I'm running the master stream off our ladder (black helmet with ID tag swingin' off of it, tan gear and air pack)
Cloudy and dark all day, threats of rain, but just drizzle, t-storms later....
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCZItbE5O-M
Check back later!
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
BTTS.....Is today April 1st?
My relatives in Joplin, MO were all unharmed but one their houses was demolished. Joblin, MO is a classic old western town that has modernized.
We are currently awaiting a storm with 70 mph winds.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Let's see your wall certificate, " Elite" guys....
Chuck - ever talk to Spankybird? Never see him post on the pot anymore.
Rich - heck of a fire!
Jack - good on you man!
Prayers for all the dead and devastated in Joplin. Last night on the news they had the toll at 24, but today I heard it is at 116 or more.
Thanks for checking up on us Chief/guys!
Lots of great stuff today, guys. I read it all, but just can't keep up or remember all the comments I wanted to make, lol!
OH - RT already has Home Grown Tomatoes! Lucky duck!
Kid brought a Lionel O Gauge train, 4-6-4 NYC in original box with all the original paperwork on the Antiques Roadshow. The guy told him it was worth 1500 to 3000. I guess due to all the box and paperwork and stuff?
Baker - I ordered one of those books you recommended on British goods wagons. I also have a version of the trains simulator I got a year ago and it is impossible. I can't figure out how to download new stuff or make new plans or anything. I got it online through STEAM and it took me like 10 tries just to get it registered through Auran. I haven't touched it much since then - Grrrrr.
TARDIS will be ready shortly. Prayers for us all and our friends and families.
RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.
Oh - actually said "current outdoors project" There are a dozen more indoors and outdoors projects!
Cloudy & rainy today.
My wife started the day without pain pills and drove herself to onr of her activities. First time in the driver's seat since before her knee replacement last February. Progress!
Basement puddle - What called my attention to it yesterday was a wet spot on a shelf, about 3 feet off of the floor. That rules out seepage through the floor. Roof leak - maybe. There are two vent stacks and a dormer in that area that would provide sources. The roof is only three or four years old though. The other feature in the house in that area is one of the dining room windows. Took a look at it yesterday and saw that the caulking around the window sill is in bad shape. Had a pretty heavy rain shower this morning, and the puddle appears to have come back. Hard to tell though, because it was not completely dry this morning when I left for work.
My scout size Wheaties box car arrived today. Low milage, not chipped, crisp lettering, but 30 years of grunge on it.
Talking about outdoor projects, I got the string trimmer out for the first time yesterday. Poured gas in it and it started on the second or third pull. Not bad, I'm thinking. Then I notice that there is gas dripping off of the fuel lines. Then the string runs out. Then the off switch won't turn it off.
Prayers for those in Joplin. Also for those in Reading, Kansas, a small town south west of Kansas City that got hit hard too.
Dentist appointment today. Told them that the flouride mouth wash would be easier to take if it was Maker's Mark flavored.
Laz - Was the NHRA drag meet you watched in Kansas City? Don Garlets was supposed to be running his Challanger Drag Pak car in the sportsman class there. I think he named it Swamp Rat XXXV. I thought about going, but talked myself out of it 'cause I thought it would be rained out. It wasn't.
All for now.
Rich and Fife,
Thanks. I am just glad that things fell into place. Everything about this one just feels right. I am waiting for them to call to start the next step.
Banks,
I am not sure when I start yet.
Jack,
Toy Town makes baking in the sun for the week worth it. Plus, you get an experience that ebay just can't match.
JohnB,
As Brent noted, 7 blows XP and Vista out of the water. 7 is user friendly, stable, is actually compatible with software and hardware, and doesn't produce several dialog boxes whenever you move the mouse that asks if that is what you want to do. That broken mess known as Vista had none of those. I had to buy David Pogue's Vista book to get a better understanding of Vista.
Not much going on here other than me waiting for the phone to ring. I bought another PSP and am slowing buying back all the related stuff that I once had before I foolishly let Gameshaft basically steal it from me.
Good evening all,
All went well at work today, and I even spent some time at the firing range. The weather turned very ugly around 1630 and we were in a tornado warning. I went home and made sure the safe room was ready to go. The base's tornado sirens then sounded which meant one was near. Fortunately, it touched down in the fields a couple of miles from us and quickly went away. Some other areas saw a little more activity but nothing like Joplin. After the excitement was over, I played Legos with the kids. The Yankees lost tonight but so did Boston so all is right in the world.
Jack - I pulled the roots and all; that's why it took me three hours. I may spring for the chemicals next time.
Chuck - Your Indians came back tonight - nice job.
Good night,
Joe - Just got back from da Bronx, UGH! Another night of not hitting with runners in scoring position. This is starting to worry me.
Chuck - Thanks to your Indians the Sox were held in check. I just wonder if you have enough pitching to keep up this pace for long.
Jack - Where's the ties to the Cubs?? As for you Sox I've always believed they are our main challenge this year and won't be satified until with a week to go they are 10 games back.
Good night all,
Bayville, NJ
Life is what happens to youWhile you're busy making other plans - John Lennon
Brutus, I wish you could respond to my e-mails. I find this forum a bit of a trial. It has a mind of its own.
Auran Trainz is a waste, I have bought all the latest stuff from them and their web site just screws around with me. A pity really, when it runs it is good. I use the old MSTS, the program is at its limit, but there is plenty of software available, I also use PI Eng. RailDriver, gives a good experience. There is some new stuff around 'Rail Simulator' and 'Rail Works', they seem OK. Trouble with MSTS is it isn't happy on W7, so I run it on my old W XP machine.
We are sorry for you poor devils suffering at the hands of the weather, I hope you will all get through safely. We've just had a weekend of strong winds. Blew a couple of trees over and wrecked a rabbit hutch.
I can't get this brick Tardis airborn.
Good monring all,
It is stormy again in SE Indiana with temps in the 70s/80s. Work went well yesterday. Weather put the kibosh on outdoor activities last night. I had the regular on the dining car for breakfast before sending it on to "Points East". TBIL and I can drive after a short hiatus. Swiss Miss will be the co-pilot. If anyone doutbts her ability, I merely refer them to Saturday. I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
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