Coffee Pot #4 APRIL 2013 TEN years [April 1 is Anniv.] and going strong and its for all to chat. Plenty of coffee and sweet ice tea for all. Come and join us and chat. Grits for the Yanks.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 60s.  Slightly chilly this AM as I watched grandson play his first game of that American sport, soccer.   Team did well and won handily.  He did all right for his first game ever.  Speaking of American sports, Indycar continued their Southern invasion with a stop at Birmingham this weekend.  AJ's team had a questionable penalty in the second round of qualifying and will start 12th when they could have been in the top 6.  Good thing AJ was not there or some ears would have been chewed on.   Oldest granddaughter has First Communion on Sunday.  Also helped daughter set a new mail box post.  Hopefully this one will last.  TBIL and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

PS  Thanks for all the support.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a sunny 62 degrees. Going up to 70 today with a slight chance of rain later.

I plan on spending a few hours in the train room this morning. I need to run trains and do a little work on the layout. Ballgame and Nascar race this afternoon.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

[rtraincollector]

Morning all at work this morning off at 3:30PM figure go home and start working on my train table again I know so far its good and strong as it can stand me on it with out giving any so that's a Plus. Using basically 3/4" plywood for table top. plans have changed some since I started as I received some Super O track so want to do a loop with that getting some other ideas also so will see when I'm done. Right now trying to get enough Straight track have more than enough curve ( About 50 pieces)

Need to do some more frame work to get the rest of the table tops down. 

Well about time to get back to work you all have a good day talk to you all later 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 59° with 99% humidity. It will be cloudy with a high of 75°.


No plans for today except to relax and take it easy. My sinuses are being a real pain today. I've already had one coughing fit so bad I had muscle cramps around my sternum. Man that hurts! I may get around to running some trains later.

[RockIsland52]

Crystal clear here but 32 degrees this morning, was 30 yesterday at this time.  Global warming.

Yesterday morning the wife and I got up very early and drove 120 miles up to Brunswick ME for a "celebration of life" services.  As you may recall, last week our friend lost both of her parents just two days apart.  She broke out in tears when we walked in.  She did not expect us to make the drive.  Lesson learned:  no matter how uncomfortable one feels going to the services of a friend's (or otherwise) lost loved ones, no matter how inconvenient the drive or the need to shelve other matters, never underestimate just how much it means to family and friends when others come to show their respects.  The words "I am so sorry" are all we have to say, even when we feel uncomfortable and the words seem totally inadequate to comfort others.

During our early morning drive, the State troopers in ME were out in force, counted about a dozen on Interstate 95 on our way up with folks pulled over.  RI Jack was too smart for them, driving the speed limit + 5 the whole way up and back.

Last night Grammy and Grampy attended a 1950s style "sock hop" hosted by a local church group for the kiddies and their parents.  It was nice to see so many young parents spending time with their children.  But dinner "out" beforehand was a whole other matter.  The food was good but the service was beyond horrendous.......took us forever for our order to be delivered to the table, and it came in pieces with some finished eating before others were brought their main course!!!!  I spoke to the manager throughout the ordeal, to no avail, apologies one after the other don't cut it.  So much for that place.  I like taking my time to eat, but not 2 hours.

Maximus was out early to perform geese patrol, but this morning things were diifferent.  The 9 geese were joined by 5 ducks with whom I think they have formed an unholy alliance.  You guys with past and present mice issues (Jeffrey and the Chief), get yourself a Doberman.

We have a lot of walking wounded here, and you have my prayers.   I am bound to miss someone, my apologies.  We've got Jake, RT, Granny, KEV, and I think Rich, though I must have missed his  post.  I hope little Tyler is making progress too, though as one person posted Spanky has been MIA for a while.

RT.......please get one thing straight.  Your acid reflux has clouded your judgement.  HudsonJohn is a distant second to me when it comes to long posts!!!

Ryan......there may be those here that disagree with me, so be it.  It ain't over until the fat lady in the courthouse sings.  Your options are all open.  How bad do you and your better half want it?  Sometimes a cooling off period and an arms-length, neutral referee can change the course of things for the better when they start pointing out that it takes two combatants to tango, and both share equally in both the debacle and the solution.  Healing and re-commitment ain't easy.  Me?  I'm in this for the long haul and have had to alter some of my ways to make things work.

Later, gang.

Jack  

[KRM]

Good morning all,

 I am feeling a bit better but far from that 100% mark.  Thank you Chief. 

Bright sun and already in the fifties outside with a touch of fog. They said it was going to rain last night and I heard some thunder but there is no evidence of rain. maybe DougM got it. 

Well I guess I will just see how it goes and take it slow today and watch some guys drive around left hand curves.

Prayers for all in need, 

 Have a good day. 

[ChiefEagles]

"Good morning America, how are you?"  [Eagles does the Eagles]

Sunny and going into the mid 70's.  Slept hard.

Kev, get well.  The secret to shaking the REB germ attack is a big bowl of grits.

Jack, Wiley the coyote [Yorkie] found his hiddy hole under a "paint drop cloth" packed in a corner under the layout.  Will wait for the "candy" to do a job for a couple of days.  Then raid his "house".  Was keeping the paint drop cloth for things like hydrocal and other messy layout projects.

Lots of deer in the day time on the trail cameras since deer season is over.  Turkeys too.  Pesty squirrels eating away.    

Hope all have a great week.

Later.

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  Nice here and going to get to 63?  Yesterday was cold at 49 but we did do some trout fishing and managed to catch and release 8 browns and brookies.  Not bad for 3 hrs. out.  Today gonna do walk with WIFE and doggie. 

 Got YORK on my mind.  Sounds like a song?

JACK, good to know bout those State Police up in Maine.  WIFE and I and doggie going up there for a week in July at ACADIA NP.  Can't wait to have some lobsters.

Stay frosty my friends,

laz57

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Good morning. Feeling good this morning. Will probably do some house work today.

[Zero Export]

Jack, I got ya, and I agree.  its been rocky for several years now.  I gives she gives, I re adjust she re adjusts, but it all fades back to the same old same old in a few months

Brutus, I was reading an article about things Teenagers are doing these days, and apparently, there is some way they are able to separate the alcohol from the hand sanitizer, with table salt,  and its something like 150 proof.  apparently, this is causing alot of teens to end up in the ER for alcohol poisening, or dead.  The article recomends that if you have teens at home, and use hand sanitizer, to get the foam kind, as they cant separate the alcohol as easy.   

I must say, I was in dismay of some of the things these kids are doing these days.....  And I thought we did it all when I was a kid. 

The weather doesn't seam to be getting as warm as the weatherman  says it is to be.  its still better than 30 (almost  60 but windy)    

The cats are enjoying it.

I was hoping that this would be the last week of the all day heating season, but not looking to likely.  I just want to get the wood stove cleaned out and the bark cleaned up for the season.  but at this point , theres no point till its warmer out.  another week or two wont hurt nothing.

I was stuck burning Pin Oak all winter, and it is some ashey wood.  seems I took out as much ash as wood i brought in.   At the ware house, i burnt all Red Oak, and only cleaned the stove once this season

chat later

Ryan

[sir james I]

Temp is 46 and it's cloudy.

I have no special news this morning so I am just checking in. Granny went to church but still has a sore tummy. Not sure why as she isn't sick. Hmm maybe from pushing those slot buttons last week.

S.J.

[RockIsland52]

laz 57

Hi GUYZ,

  Nice here and going to get to 63?  Yesterday was cold at 49 but we did do some trout fishing and managed to catch and release 8 browns and brookies.  Not bad for 3 hrs. out.  Today gonna do walk with WIFE and doggie. 

 Got YORK on my mind.  Sounds like a song?

JACK, good to know bout those State Police up in Maine.  WIFE and I and doggie going up there for a week in July at ACADIA NP.  Can't wait to have some lobsters.

Stay frosty my friends,

laz57

This probably applies to all of the interstates, maybe more so now than in the past.  But yesterday I saw more state troopers out enforcing the speed limits than ever before.  And I drive the interstates three to four times a week. 

I got to chatting with a retired Portland ME police officer at yesterday's services and he said the burner has been turned up.  One reason is the sheer number of drivers hitting 15-20+ over the speed limit.  The second is the number of guys with outstanding warrants they arrest during routine stops.  The third and probably lesser reason is $$$.  The states share the fines with the local municipalities.......and money is tight for both.  Then the retired officer explained the usual strategies......unmarked vehicles, blind spots, overpass units with chase cars, interchange ramps, the usual.

Maine had lighted message units on a couple of the overpasses yesterday warning motorists to be watchful for and respectful towards motorcyclists who are emerging from a long Winter and taking to the roads.  One thing I like about Maine, unlike Taxachusetts, is that they maintain the condition of their highways making for a pleasant and smooth ride.  So if the $$$ is going for that instead of tapping the pockets of citizens with more taxes, fees, and higher tolls, I am all for it. 

The California boys earlier this month were talking about their state's possible jacking the gas and sin (tobacco and liquor) taxes to allegedly pay for infrastructure; and Massachusetts is once again going that route (to the legislature) down my way.  The state income tax here was jacked a full percentage point to 6.25% in the past couple of years.......and we all know that whatever goes up tax and fee-wise does not necessarily come down.

Speaking of "funding," I wonder where all of the $$$ from the lottery and cascinos is going.  It was supposed to cover state education and other important stuff.  But the powers that be can never seem to make ends meet.  The higher the revenue, the greater the shortfalls followed by the doom and gloom predictions (that never materialize)..  And one more piece of fear-inducing nonsense the politicos propagate:  "spending cuts."  They cut nothing!! They level-fund nothing. They manage nothing.  They only reduce the increase in spending.  The waste in government spending????  Lots of low lying fruit that not one politico has the courage to take on until some investigative reporters uncover what those managining the processes could not or, more to the point, would not do.  Solution: starts with term limitations.  DougM and KEV's state legislature in Illinois saw to it through self-serving LEGISLATION that it is illegal for the voters to propose term limitations in a voter referendum/ballot question!!!!      

Jack

[RockIsland52]

V8Vega

.........I fell down in the shower last night and hurt my back. It really hurt last night, is better this morning but still hurts., a word to the wise , throw out old shower pads that don't stick to the tub good anymore. I knew it was dangerous, If I had a wife she would have thrown it out long ago.

Dennis.........new shower mats are cheaper than wives.  Safer too.   Hope you are feeling better.

Earlier this morning I saw the Canadian geese across the street feasting on a front lawn.  Now the geese are presently having a field day in my neighbor's back yard, eating the lawn down to dirt and leaving behind excrement beyond belief.  The neighbor's  poodle apparently is slacking off with the guard duty.  Maybe I can make some $$$ by renting them Maximus.

Ryan.......no warmer temps here either, not quite yet, though the weather misforecasters say warmth is on the way.  Colder than normal March.  April is the same.  I am cringing because the furnace is running.  The next fill up is going to be accompanied by another hefty bill.

Last week my son bought AND installed an even lower flow dual shower head in one of the bathrooms.  Worst case, the cost (his) will be recouped quickly with  reduced water use and lower hot water heating costs.  And he didn't even break any water pipes during the installation, no leaks!!!!  Miracles never cease.  

Jack

[charliebrown]

Holy cow miss a day and three pages behind.

Well yesterday didn't go exactly as planned. I did get my camper moved to put up for sale. I didn't get the two shrubs removed from the front of the house. Brother in law is going to help next week. Hoping the tow strap holds up.

I started to clean out an area in my workshop room for the train and decided it wouldn't work. To dark in the area plus low on outlets. So I cleaned out the main floor bedroom (which was planned to be grand kid playroom) to set up in. After laying down a sample layout I decided it was to small. I had a ton of track left. I plan to have two layer but even with that it was just not going to cut it. So I decided it could go in one of two different places. One the man-cave second I build a new garage and build it in current garage. Needless to say it is going in the man-cave.

I see a few hurt and sick on here plus family members that are ill. Prayers sent for quick healing.

Now as for the grits ... I actually like em. I either eat them plain or with egg. My wife who is from Oklahoma doesn't care for them.

Time to watch the left left left left left turners. Maybe move the train AGAIN later.

[dougdagrump]

Howdy All !

Yesterday was pretty much a Veg-Out day, although I did get Friday's stuff unpacked and returned to it's appropriate storage place.

CharlieBrown, How about a "combination wall/ceiling mounted track" ?

Being in SoCal, the land of no basements or useable attic space, one must be devious creative.

Cornmeal Mush, Grits, Polenta no matter what you call it sometimes it's good sometimes not so good. All depends on the cook.

Gotta get movin, later Dudes & Dudettes !

Edit: How in the world do you replace the traction tire on a BEEP

 

[wrmcclellan]

Afternoon all!

Back from our road trip to OK to see the son for Mom's weekend. SWMBO was pleased.

Watching the race. Good one so far.

To all the sick and wounded - get well soon 

70s here today (finally). Think we will grill out tonight - pork chops 

LAZ - yes, York is coming!  Getting primed for the trip!

Have a great evening all!

[rtraincollector]

Charlie Brown goto the link in my post it will allow you to look at over 700 real train pics, some of my trains and even a few links to youtube of my one train running on a shelf/ceiling layout I have. mine is 14' x 16' and about 22' of train.

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/ noticed it isn't on here anymore need to see about adding it back on

Afternoon all. Not a lot going on here this afternoon. Home from work so relaxing and i have tomorrow off

Hope to get train room straightened up some more just starting to see the table top which is built a little still need to finish some table top and get back to work building the layout. Bought some more dremel cut off wheels as the last one I used ( and was my last one) I was able to just barely use it at the end as had it down to about the size of a dime lol.

[cnw1995]

Aloha from a gloriously beautiful spring day. Raked the front yard. Put down some seed. Got Kev's rain overnight. I think I'll need more seed so  much of the lawn is dried out and dead. Played some catch with my  youngest - he is still scared of the baseball. Then repaired the smashed head of his Sheriff Woody doll. It was some kind of odd plastic but I finally found an epoxy that worked beautifully! (I know he's almost 11 but he likes this 'buddy.')

Brutus, a buddy of mine uses hand sanitizer as a fire starter when camping. Didn't know it was flammable! 

Dougda, that's beautiful!  Praying for those who need to feel better.

RIJack, I think I am finally cured of my old 'lead-footedness' - it was when the kids were younger and I got a bigger, slower min-van that when loaded, could barely go the speed limit. I just put on the cruise control and meander along as we can...  

[charliebrown]

dougdagrump

CharlieBrown, How about a "combination wall/ceiling mounted track" ?

Actually that was my first thought when I first planned it in the bar room / man-cave. The only problem I have is the entry door. The train will be pretty low considering the low ceiling. It may be just high enough though so will see after I get the main layout done. It is nice having the basement. I lived ten years in Texas without one. If the attic had heat/ac that might have been a place to go.

[charliebrown]

rtraincollector

Charlie Brown goto the link in my post it will allow you to look at over 700 real train pics, some of my trains and even a few links to youtube of my one train running on a shelf/ceiling layout I have. mine is 14' x 16' and about 22' of train.

Thanks for the link. Couldn't find the video. Nice collection and layout.

The bedroom I was looking at going into is about 8 '6" x 9' 6". Which is way to small.

[KRM]

cnw1995

Aloha from a gloriously beautiful spring day. Raked the front yard. Put down some seed. Got Kev's rain overnight. I think I'll need more seed so  much of the lawn is dried out and dead.  
 

 I figured so much DougM. Seems to be the same over the last year. 

 A lot of great posts but I am just too out of it to keep up. 

Ryan,

 This is a spring picture for you. George with his best friend the plaster Frog??? If it is good for him the weather is good for us all. 

Still in the dumps. I got to get some sleep I hope tonight. It has been a drag with this thingy I have going on. Good night all. George has it down. 

[rtraincollector]

charliebrown

rtraincollector

Charlie Brown goto the link in my post it will allow you to look at over 700 real train pics, some of my trains and even a few links to youtube of my one train running on a shelf/ceiling layout I have. mine is 14' x 16' and about 22' of train.

Thanks for the link. Couldn't find the video. Nice collection and layout.

The bedroom I was looking at going into is about 8 '6" x 9' 6". Which is way to small.

If yoou scroll down it shows youtube links under videos

try this first one camera on flat car infront of engine feels like your driving it

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/1138

This second one the camera is in front of the church in the first video. Also best if you goto full screen and turn volume down to about 1/3 as recorded loud bymistake on both of them.

http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/1140

[SPMan]

V8 Dennis, Oh Lord! I hope you are alright after that fall in the shower.  It brought back unpleasant memories of when my sister fell in a shower in Yosemite National Park while vacationing with us a few years ago.  She was not so lucky though and actually had a fracture in her back.  She had to go to a hospital in Modesto.  What a nightmare trip that vacation was.  Her back is better now but she will never let me forget it. It really spoiled any desire to return to Yosemite even as much as I love that place.  Get better soon.

Went to TTOS train meet today and only thing I bought was a BLT at the snack counter.  Lots of stuff for sale though.  Just don't need/want much.  Only productive thing I did was spend some quality time with my recently widowed train buddy.

Wife and I going out with the husband of our terminally ill friend in the nursing home.  Going to a chicken and ribs place.

Sayonara,

Ray

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

ChiefEagles

Kev, get well.  The secret to shaking the REB germ attack is a big bowl of grits.

That has to be one of the dumbest things ever posted in the last ten years on this forum.    

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Good evening. Currently watching Red Tails. Lots of outside work done. A little sore right now. Nothing a good night's sleep can't fix. Night.

[Hudson#685]

Good Evening Everyone:

I had a busy day today cleaning up the east side of the property from Sandy. the BIG oak trees that fell had to be cut to length and then the debris cleaned up. Made a lot of progress.

RT: Good luck with the CT scan. I can never catch up to Jack in length.

Chief: That is a Yankee Mouse that is on a raid. Kev: Get well!

Jack: I know what you mean about going to wakes and funerals and not knowing what to say. But just attending makes a difference.

Laz: Nice Fishing! York on the mind!

Dennis: take care of your back.

RJ: Charlie Brown the layout in your man cave will work out just fine.

Doug M: It iks not a Sheriff Woody Doll, it is a SHERIFF WOODY ACTION FIGURE!!!

SPMan: Ray, It is great that you make time to spend with your friends that are going thru bad times.

Kev: If the Crud does not kill you, the  Grits will!

SJ: Speedy recovery for Granny!

Have a Great Evening!

John

[KRM]

Buckeye Riveter

ChiefEagles

Kev, get well.  The secret to shaking the REB germ attack is a big bowl of grits.

That has to be one of the dumbest things ever posted in the last ten years on this forum.    

Not to worry Buckeye, I would rather put my finger down my throat to purge the Rebel germs than eat grits.  Same effect but I would not have to let the grits pass my lips. 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

V8vega: I hope you recover quickly from your close inspection of the bottom of the shower. That sounded nasty!

*

Didn't get much sleep last night due to sinus trouble. Maybe I'll have better luck tonight. Been busy with a few things outside today and I'm tired. So I will be calling it a night a bit early. See y'all tomorrow.

And yes, this loco is still not patched.

[sir james I]

Temp is 65 but it feels like 50.

I'm wondering if that temp is right.  Oh well the Tigers and Red Wings lost today so my nap was worth it. I was watching Columbo when granny went off to bed about an hour ago. So here I am. We had some banilla with jello and I saved some for the thingy crew..S.J.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 70s.  First Communion service was nice but long.  Had a good visit with family. Watched the Indy car race.  Sarah's drive got a top 10.  Ryan Hunter-Reay won.  AJ's driver had a bad day, but picked up 3 spots in the last two laps to salvage some points.  Simona had a rough day.  TBIL and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana