Cederstrand wrote: Question: Table height? Is 38" tall enough or is there a standard I should use? Thanks! Rob
Question: Table height? Is 38" tall enough or is there a standard I should use? Thanks!
Rob
Evenin! Rob, My layout is 50" at the Spooner Yard to 56" at Haugen, but it's a walk-around . Depends if you want to sit or stand ,I guess! I would suggest the higher the better for veiwing. Looks more realistic.
Terry
Terry in NW Wisconsin
Queenbogey715 is my Youtube channel
Good Evening Diners!
I haven't been able to get into the Diner for the past few days as my wife took over the computer to put her cooking class info into receipe form. She's at her last class now so I expect she won't be very happy later tonight. Apparently they are doing fois gras and rabbit tonight.
Well it is indeed time for rejoicing on the weather front as it finally went above freezing today! What a crazy climate we have here, freezing cold in the winter and then it is so hot in summer you need central air. I bet Johnboy has his shorts on as it is even warmer in Regina.
Jeff, like so many others I have to say that I have really enjoyed your videos--keep them coming!
PC, glad to hear your wife is coming along great after her surgery.
Dick, Now that you have so much experience remodelling bathrooms I know one that needs re-doing and it is only a short distance away in Winnnipeg, and the floor is already tiled! It would be a piece of cake for someone of your obvious ability.
Rob, my table is only 32" which is really too low even though I'm not what you'd call tall. I guess it depends on what is comfortable to reach and also to have good sightlines.
Not much done on the RR front, just completed a "Kate's Colonial Home " kit. I'm waiting for my CP caboose to arrive so there is something for the end of a train when pulled by my CP RS3. It just won't run when it sees a CN caboose. I did manage to get all of my roads and sidewalks done too. Really poor contractor though as I had to call the paving company back twice. Seems the guy they call the engineer (civil) doesn't know much about the turning radius for the large trucks at the warehouse.
Well, just time for a quick coffee as I must pick up the chef shortly.
CN Charlie
Evening Gang:
NittanyLion: Welcome to the diner. Would you mind if I called you Lion? I'm lazy when it comes to typing. As for you question about box cars there are plenty in use for any number of cargos. If it isn't a bulk cargo like coal or iron ore and has to be kept out of the weather it goes into box cars. Newsprint comes to mind since I used to have to unload rolls from a box car into a truck. We did this at a team track with now platform. Just back the truck up and roll the rolls down a couple of planks.
New Haven I-5: I have about 1400 feet of main line on the ranch. I'm not really savvy about posting pictures. The guys here have been trying to teach me but first I have to have the time to sit down and try it. I'll see if I can get my buddy the computer wiz to come out and give me a hand.
PC you are getting cheap on us, just because you are back to normal. It's good to hear that you ever loven is getting better.
Well I have to get up real early tomorrow to catch the train to Dallas.
Good Night All
Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,
Another beautiful day down here in Paradise. A bit too warm, as it crept up into the low 80's and full sun, but that just gave me a good excuse to be even lazier than usual. Turned out to be a two nap day!
We must be out of strawberries because Fran baked some chocolate muffins that just showed up here with my coffee. Yum.
New Haven I-5: Paul, you have a Live Steam RR! Could you post pics of it?
Dick: Very nice photo shots Ed, did you enter the steamer in the photo contest?
BTW, oranges are getting scarce here, time for another box car load mon ami!!
My daughter is in your country, at Cancun for a week.
Inch - making good progress there, son. I should be as motivated.
Rob: Picked up the door for my train table ($22), along with 1x4s to make legs out of. Door is light weight and perfectly strait.
Table height? Is 38" tall enough or is there a standard I should use?
Jerry: Ed...Thanks for photos...I am guessing those tanks on the caboose are for water?...
After finishing up at Acambaro we headed off to Celaya, just a bit north, still in the state of Guanajuato. Celaya is interesting because the main line of Ferromex (Line A) crosses this secondary line of KCSdeM (Line NB). Definitely a good place to look for some action. Unfortunately, after dawdling around all day we managed to arrive late, just as we were losing the light. I did grab off a couple of quick shots, even if the light was fading.
First is a shot of the diamond itself. That's Line A, the FXE mainline, running top to bottom in the photo. The small yard at Celaya (also not very active these days) lies just out of the picture at the top. Beyond the yard the line splits, with one branch heading for Guadalajara and on up the coast (the old Southern Pacific de Mexico route) and the other branch heading for Aguascalientes and on to El Paso. Behind me the line heads for Mexico City.
The KCSdeM line, NB, at the left is the line coming from Mexico City via Toluca and Acambaro. By the way, that includes KCSdeM's branch line over to the pacific port of Lazaro Cardenas, which is becoming more important for KCSdeM in container traffic. To the right the line continues north to a junction with the KCSdeM mainline from Mexico City about half way to San Luis Potosí, then on to Laredo. The KCSdeM line has a pair of sidings to the south of the crossing and a long passing siding to the north.
The junction itself has a pair of connections. I'm not sure how much traffic gets interchanged here.
There were two KCSdeM C30-Super7MP's sitting on the siding just north of the crossing, #3499 and #3493.
At that point the group packed up and prepared for a long ride back to Mexico City. But since Fran and I had never seen Celaya (not an overly touristy place), we had decided to spend a couple of nights there and do a bit of sightseeing. Fortunately that also gave me an opportunity to head back to the crossing in daylight and see a couple more trains.
When we got back there the next day, a couple of C30-Super7N's, #3456 and 3412, had brought in a northbound train. They, and the two locomotives that were there the night before, spent over an hour making moves to set out part of the train, and to pick up a number of cars that had been sitting on the sidings. Unfortunately, between the cars and all the posts and signs there was no way to get a good clean shot of the 4 locomotives working together. But I did get these.
First is a shot of 3456 and 3412 pulling a cut of cars out of one of the sidings, as they cross the FXE mainline. No, that's not a radio that the brakeman is paying attention to, it's a cell phone.
I wanted to show this shot of the side of 3412 because of the interesting patch job. Actually, I'm not sure if they painted just the center door panels or whether they are replacem
Cederstrand wrote: However, I wouldn't want to spend much time trying to wire under it. I cut the boards to 4' as a starting point and this seems pretty high, especially for sitting in a chair. Not too bad for wiring though. Then again, how much total time would anyone spend on wiring under a table the size of a door?
Evening all.Why is my font times new roman?
That's better. No it's not... There we go.... NOT Geeze, my text editing stuff is having fun annoying me.
Okay. Chloe, could I get the prime rib, 5 oz, and some onion rings? Oh, and a coke. Thanks.
The big boy hasn't shipped from new york yet... Wonder when it will. Anyways, today I did a bit of layout work. Fixed some track, replaced some wire, and gave my S3 and two box cars kadee couplers.
That's it for now.
Almost bedtime here, just dropped in to have a bedtime snack. Bowling went well tonight, we took all 8 points.
Have any of you guys noticed that each year it takes longer and longer it seems to get re-adjusted to the change of clocks in Spring and Fall? I never noticed it when I was 20 but about 45 I started having a longer adjustment time, just real hard to get up in the morning for a few weeks.
CNCharlie wrote: Dick, Now that you have so much experience remodelling bathrooms I know one that needs re-doing and it is only a short distance away in Winnnipeg, and the floor is already tiled! It would be a piece of cake for someone of your obvious ability.
The floor is the hard part when you have to pull up the olde one, but seeing that is already done, the rest is easy. The new style tub & shower units are walk-in, so as we get older and have bad knees or hips or both, we can just walk in. The doors are sealed when shut. So if you want one of those, it is highly recommended. Lets see now, Winnipeg is 1805 miles from my house, and can be driven in 1 day and 4 hours.
PC: That was great news...you needed the sleep.
JEFF: I figured 2" would be gone in a flash, but the kids must have really enjoyed it.
ED: I suspect that someone is hijacking the tankers before they even get to PA on the route here, any ideas?
Time to hit the sackaroo, see you guys in the AM,
Evening folks-just a quick coffee before bed.
Finally finished digging out of under almost a foot & a half of snow here. Spent yesterday afternoon doing just that (both vehicles parked on the street) & the sun helped greatly once you got down to that level.
Update on Dawn & the job-her current employer heard she was looking around, & offered her a slight promotion, so now she's in training for that. (equal pay as the other place, but no chance of layoffs as there is at the new place.) So that's good.
I'm still finishing up my latest Railbox. based on a prototype, but a bit unique (prototype that is) still doing the final things like trucks, couplers, & touch up, but I should have it done within the next week or 2. Photos will be posted either here or in WPF.
I didn't get a chance to read through everyone's posts, but hopefully all are well & good here. I just wanted to stop in, say "hey" & update on things.
I better git to bed-Nite All!
Hello, good to see everyone.
I think I'll be able to hear Mark (Hoople) hooping all the way here some 2000 miles (or whatever) away when tha tBig Boy arrives! ....... We'll have to call out the marhcing band to celebrate with a parade.
Ed .... those photos are great! Thanks for sharing!
Inch's layout looks great, too. Same with jerry's layout.
happy Model Railroading!
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Tall cool glass of water is all, thanks.
After perusing threads in the Layout Building Forum and around the Web, I decided on 40" legs. The styrofoam will add 2" to that, which I think should work out fine. Our art chairs all raise up more than high enough to work on it, and standing should be acceptable as well. Got all the legs cut & sanded. IF time permits, will make the bisquit cuts and glue them tomorrow.
Good Night All. Rob
Good Morning from Tipton IN !
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good morning,
Rob, I'm using 40" legs on my layout and it's a nice height for reaching towards the back of the layout. I experimented with 2" x 2" legs with 1" x 2" cross braces and it's very stable, however I switched back to 2" x 4" legs so I don't need the cross bracing. Also the 40" legs gives me the NMRA recommended top of rail height.
This weekend I need to pick up 2 sheets of ½" plywood and some 1" x 4" for the framing.
Thoughts and prayers to those on the sick and injured list.
Lee
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Morning all!
Another mostly sleepless night last night for me. I don't know whats up with that. Think I might get some sleeping pills today so I can get a bit more relaxed tonight. Funny thing is, I already am relaxed. I lay there, tierd as can be, but at the same time I feel like I could run 100 miles. I know, I'm wierd! Maybe the pills will help. I don't use them often, maybe once or twice a year, but this might just be one of those times. Oh well, you all don't want to hear about that. I'm rambling........
The wife is doing better! She continues to improve daily. She's having a new friend from church over to spend the day today. Seems this lady is interested in homeschooling and since we've been doing it for years she thought she'd ask my wife about it.
And that brings up a hot topic these days, doesn't it? Homeschooling is under attack in the United States today. The basic schooling that our forefathers had before they went to institutes of higher learning is deemed as insufficiant by some of our policy makers, and thats just a shame. It was always my impression that people like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Leonardo Di Vinci, Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, Sir Isaac Newton, Plato, Socrates, and countless others, were concidered to be fairily smart people. Who knew they were idiots all along!
As homeschoolers we find ourselves under constant scrutiny, but thats OK in a way. It keeps us on our toes. But at the same time, we homeschoolers don't do that to the non-homeschoolers, so it's like a kind of subtle discrimination. And I'm not alone in this feeling either. I recieved this rant a while back from a homeschooling parent who needed to vent. They made some excellent points, so I thought I'd share it now since the topic is in the news. I toned down the language some, but it's still pretty "in your face", so I appologize in advance if I upset anyone, but frankly, I'm a little tierd of the condesending looks given by some, the overly critical eye, and so on. Anyways, here it is......(sometimes you just have to call a spade a spade!)
1 Please stop asking us if it's legal. If it is - and it is - it's insulting to imply that we're criminals. And if we were criminals, would we admit it?
2 Learn what the words "socialize" and "socialization" mean, and use the one you really mean instead of mixing them up the way you do now. Socializing means hanging out with other people for fun. Socialization means having acquired the skills necessary to do so successfully and pleasantly. If you're talking to me and my kids, that means that we do in fact go outside now and then to visit the other human beings on the planet, and you can safely assume that we've got a decent grasp of both concepts.
3 Please stop interrupting my kid at her dance lesson, scout meeting, choir practice, baseball game, art class, field trip, park day, music class, 4H club, or soccer lesson to ask her if as a homeschooler she ever gets to socialize.
4 Don't assume that every homeschooler you meet is homeschooling for the same reasons and in the same way as that one homeschooler you know.
5 If that homeschooler you know is actually someone you saw on TV, either on the news or on a "reality" show, the above goes double.
6 Please stop telling us horror stories about the homeschoolers you know, know of, or think you might know who ruined their lives by homeschooling. We are not those people.
7 We don't look horrified and start quizzing your kids when we hear they're in public school. Please stop drilling our children like potential oil fields to see if we're doing what you consider an adequate job of homeschooling.
8 Stop assuming all homeschoolers are religious.
9 Stop assuming that if we're religious, we must be homeschooling for religious reasons.
10 We didn't go through all the reading, learning, thinking, weighing of options, experimenting, and worrying that goes into homeschooling just to annoy you. Really. This was a deeply personal decision, tailored to the specifics of our family. Stop taking the bare fact of our being homeschoolers as either an affront or a judgment about your own educational decisions.
11 Please stop questioning my competency and demanding to see my credentials. I didn't have to complete a course in catering to successfully cook dinner for my family; I don't need a degree in teaching to educate my children. If spending at least twelve years in the kind of chew-it-up-and-spit-it-out educational facility we call public school left me with so little information in my memory banks that I can't teach the basics of an elementary education to my nearest and dearest, maybe there's a reason I'm so reluctant to send my child to school.
12 If my kid's only six and you ask me with a straight face how I can possibly teach him what he'd learn in school, please understand that you're calling me an idiot. Don't act shocked if I decide to respond in kind.
13 Stop assuming that because the word "home" is right there in "homeschool," we never leave the house. We're the ones who go to the amusement parks, museums, and zoos in the middle of the week and in the off-season and laugh at you because you have to go on weekends and holidays when it's crowded and icky.
14 Stop assuming that because the word "school" is right there in homeschool, we must sit around at a desk for six or eight hours every day, just like your kid does. Even if we're into the "school" side of education - and many of us prefer a more organic approach - we can burn through a lot of material a lot more efficiently, because we don't have to gear our lessons to the lowest common denominator.
15 Stop asking, "But what about the Prom?" Even if the idea that my kid might not be able to indulge in a night of over-hyped, over-priced revelry was enough to break my heart, plenty of kids who do go to school don't get to go to the Prom. For all you know, I'm one of them. I might still be bitter about it.
16 Don't ask my kid if she wouldn't rather go to school unless you don't mind if I ask your kid if he wouldn't rather stay home and get some sleep now and then.
17 Stop saying, "Oh, I could never homeschool!" Even if you think it's some kind of compliment, it sounds more like you're horrified. One of these days, I might not bother disagreeing with you any more.
18 If you can remember anything from chemistry or calculus class, you're allowed to ask how we'll teach these subjects to our kids. If you can't, thank you for the reassurance that we couldn't possibly do a worse job than your teachers did, and might even do a better one.
19 Stop asking about how hard it must be to be my child's teacher as well as her parent. I don't see much difference between bossing my kid around academically and bossing him around the way I do about everything else.
20 Stop saying that my kid is shy, outgoing, aggressive, anxious, quiet, boisterous, argumentative, pouty, fidgety, chatty, whiny, or loud because he's homeschooled. It's not fair that all the kids who go to school can be as annoying as they want to without being branded as representative of anything but childhood.
21 Quit assuming that my kid must be some kind of prodigy because she's homeschooled.
22 Quit assuming that I must be some kind of prodigy because I homeschool my kids.
23 Quit assuming that I must be some kind of saint because I homeschool my kids.
24 Stop talking about all the great childhood memories my kids won't get because they don't go to school, unless you want me to start asking about all the not-so-great childhood memories you have because you went to school.
25 And one last thing; remember the words of your mother. If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. (Oh wait, I learned that at home, not school!)
/rant
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!
I'll go back to my corner now..........
Good Morning everybody.
Philip.... I would hope you are talking to the doctor about sleepless nights. Same goes for Rob if I recall his posts correctly. It could have something to do with any prexciption mediccations you take. Or perhaps it's imagining your trains operating after your layout is completed.
As for home schooling, you and Mrs. PC deserve respect for that. I'll admit I just skimmed over your "rant", but I think I get the message. I am believer that parents who home school their kids and parents who also send kids to private schools should receive a corresponding break on taxes they pay to fund public schools. Meantime, I continue questioning the wisdom of paying to educate the kids who refuse to be educated. (my short rant).
I'll have regular coffee, but Phillip and Rob should have decaf.
Happy Model Railroading
Morning folks!
Glad to hear so many of you liked the last menu I put out on Friday, so I will try to repeat with another good one today.
Also wanted to thank Jim, Garry and Dick who thought of Ben while he was sick, my little buddy is back to 100% now, still a little cough, but he is feeling so much better now. Thanks for your concern.
I also wanted to thank Lee and Fergie for your comments on the roundhouse and backdrop progress.
I also want to thank Garry for posting your techniques on the backdrop.
PC that is great news about your wife and her continued recovery from the post operation stages. Those icicles on CSX 2635 are telling! Also, looks like you are making a good run at the TOP streak again....oops, looks like you were one post shy of getting page 37 too and then Terry got it! Oh well! Oh, and glad you got that rant off your chest I'm sure! I bet you're feeling better now! The funds you spend on home schooling should be tax deductible in my mind. Is it bed time yet?
Rob my layout has a few heights due to the 2 decks; as a matter of fact the lower deck benchwork has a track height range from 34" to 42" and the upper deck has a height range from 56" to 60" depending on the grade.
Gav your fire alarms and reported hijinks remind me of my dorm days at LSU back in the early 1980's, I could never get any sleep and had to spend all my time in the library to find a quiet study place. I hated living in the dorm, as there were too many spoiled brat idiots running amok until 3:00 am every night; I got a better quiet sleep at 2:00 pm!
Tom sorry to hear about the Junior College girl, thoughts and prayers are with her, you, and the family.
RT good luck with the phone interview tomorrow!
Paul W. Beverung wrote: Actually the Z scale stuff isn't all that expensive. It's the electron microscope the you need to see it that costs.
Actually the Z scale stuff isn't all that expensive. It's the electron microscope the you need to see it that costs.
Paul, I know a retired paleontologist that could sell one....
Jeff nice video and hope your eyes are okay! Hey, and another use for corndog sticks, thanks!
Ed that is neat that your club got to ride on the front of the loco with the banner flag, hope it was not going to fast though, I guess safety rules are a bit lax in Acambaro. Nice pics all the way around, and those water tanks on the caboose are quite unique!
Johnboy you think I might be able to do some moonlighting as a chef again? No thanks, those days are over! Only virtually mass produced culinary treats for me.
Mike nice snow photos and layout pic too you posted!
Jim you make a root beer float look some good!
Dick you were up late last night eh! Oh and PC and you too Rob! Still adjusting to the Daylight Savings Time I see...
I think we need to start an insomniac's anonymous (IA) group in here..."Hello, my name is Ryan, and I haven't slept in 3 days, 4 hours, and 34 minutes" Group, "WELCOME RYAN"
And now......drum roll.....
Today's Lunch and Dinner Specials
Starters
New England's thick and creamy seafood bisque with celery seed croutons, lump crab meat, a splash of sherry and smoked Spanish paprika
Sautéed Chesapeake Bay style jumbo lump blue crab cake over a pool of artichoke-warm cream cheese "dip" with toasted baguette and fennel-Florida orange slaw
Entrees
Thai Cashew Chicken: Pan roasted boneless half of all natural chicken over sesame sticky rice, with stir fried cabbage, Chinese long beans and tropical fruits in spicy green curry-coconut milk sauce
Sautéed Mahi Mahi over Red Kidney beans and wilted baby spinach with spicy grilled Andouille sausage and Louisiana crayfish in Creole spiced roasted red pepper butter
Grilled Sterling Silver New York strip steak over roasted garlic whipped potatoes with sautéed Brussels sprouts and creamy Oregon Porcini mushroom sauce
Grilled North Carolina pork strip steak over roasted corn and sweet potato risotto with Granny Smith apples, smoked bacon and mulled farm house cider-rosemary jus
Desserts
Chocolate Mousse with warm Carmel sauce and whipped cream with cinnamon and chocolate flakes
Banana Oat Crisp with fresh vanilla bean ice cream
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
NittanyLion, I spoke to the experts (some retired guys from the RR) they all said boxcars are on the decline, but back in the day they would haul 4 automobiles, sheet metal parts, bulk cement, grain, paper, anything that absolutely needed to stay dry went into box cars. Also anything that was fragile and packed in boxes or crates would go into a box car. The high cube boxcars were initially built for the automotive industry to haul automobile parts from a stamping plant to an assembly plant. There is still a wide use of refrigerator cars on the lines not only for food but items sensitive to heat. Box cars are still in use to haul grain; the RailBox cars have a "blow-in" port or hatch to accept the grain. The Anderson's elevator in Toledo will use them to supplement the center flow grain cars. They also said that in the 60's and 70's they covered the boxcar doorways with aluminum reinforced cardboard to haul grain. This allowed the receiver to punch an auger through the cardboard to unload the car. I have never heard or seen this before. But I have seen the half doors.
Jerry, thanks but I had to be at work early this morning. That trailer park must be in a bad part of town from the look of that tank!
Good Morning, Diners, Zoe. I'll have a cup of coffee in a Santa Fe mug,
and a breakfast special,
please. Thanks, Terry! (edit: - look who has the TOP honors this morning!) Okay, Zoe, start my tab...
Shouldn't say it, but a slow day at the office so far. Had one letter to write and fax, but otherwise good for doodling (and stopping by the Diner...).
Rob, I'd agree with the others on the layout height - depends on if you want to see it from above, or at eye level, and if you want to sit/stand (and how tall your chairs are). Personal preference call, I'd say. One key thing is being able to reach the furthest spot on the layout without wiping all the cars/structures/etc. off the layout in the process. Good that you're able to start on things for it now. Biscuit cuts? You are so above my level of woodworking, fella!
Mitch, good to hear Dawn got a raise. I'm sure that pleased her (as well as letting her know that her boss doesn't want to lose a good worker).
Garry, I think you're probably right about us hearing Mark when his Big Boy arrives. Of course, Mark, we want pics - after you've had a chance to 'test out' the new loco...
'Nuther sunny day here in Missouri, a bit cool this a.m. (mid-20's F) when I headed out from home (minimum of frost to scrape/wipe off), but supposed to hit the 50's by this afternoon. Hard to decide which coat/jacket to wear/take. But nice to get closer to spring!
PC - speaking as a person who was not homeschooled and who formerly taught (elementary through 8th grade art, plus a year of covering a combined 5th-6th grade parochial classroom) in both public and parochial schools - I have only two words to say on #24: "junior high", and one word on #25: "Amen!" No need to apologize - I think anyone who tackles homeschooling (even though he/she may or may not be a saint) deserves credit for the work they do (which IMHO is above and beyond what I ever saw public school teachers having to do (including the extra conscientious ones)). Kudos to anyone who teaches in (homeschool or public or private) school.
"Hi, I'm Jim, and I'm a structure-aholic." Yep, slipped off the wagon last night at MRR club meeting and ordered the Glacier Gravel kit that's on sale (still not sure if I had our LHS owner/member order me one or two - told him it depends on whether my limited run kits (2) will be coming in this paycheck or not. Ah, I hang my head in shame for my relapse. Of course, I need to get moving on the layout so I know what spaces I need to fit my structures to... And when I get more room, I may end up needing another New River Mining kit - so I can kitbash a not-like-every-other-mine. Oh, we did get some cork laid for the layout at the club last night. We're going to have the mainline tracks on a double layer, the sidings on a single layer, and taper the height down to the sidings. We'll be using a Surform rasp to 'sand' the grade to an appropriate slope. We also got a look at the 130 foot Walthers turntable that the club ordered in since it was on sale. Looks nice!
Johnboy and CN Charlie - remember to put on your sunblock when you're sunning up there in the balmy NOTB-Land...
Well, I'd best get to my brunch while it's warm. Good to hear everyone seems to be healing up and all.
Blessings,
Jim in Cape Girardeau
Jim, I'm kinda burned out on building structures, if you want you can stop by anytime and I'll set you up with several kits and a well lighted work area. I've built 12 structures in the last 4 months:
Kit-bashed creamery
DPM Packing house
DPM MT Arms hotel
Merchants row I
Merchants row II
Bach Lyric Theater
DPM REA building
DPM Good fellows' hall
DPM A second packing house
DPM The other corner café
DPM Dry goods store
CC manufacturing
I think there are 7 more kits in "the box".
Sorry for going off earlier. That whole thing about homeschooling out on the west coast has me kinda worked up. I can see that going all the way to the Supreme Court, and then who knows what parents will be allowed or not allowed to do.
I can see the point.....some people don't take homeschooling seriously and do a poor job of teaching their children. It's to the kid's loss though, and that's what the state is trying to protect against. But that is such a small minority of people who fall into that catagory that it doesn't seem fair to punish all of the good parents.
In case you all aren't up to speed, let me fill in the blanks.
California courts have decided that in order to teach in a homeschooling environment they require the parent to have a teaching degree. This means that if you want to teach your kid to read, write, do math, learn about world history, any of the basic stuff, you'd better start going to college to get your degree as soon as you get the kid home from the hospital, otherwise, you won't have your degree in time to be allowed to teach them at home. If you start too late, they'll be halfway through public school before you can bring them home. They also will not allow "homeschooling" per say, but they will register schools of 1 student. What this means is that they will be able to dictate what is taught (the curriculum), how it is taught, and they will be able to test on this information any time they want, and if they don't think you're doing a good enough job in their eyes, they yank your school license and pop your kid back in public school, or if you have the means, they can go to a private school.
This has raised huge concerns with many parents across the country. So much so that the case is now being appealed. It, most likely, will be overturned, and then appealed again, and so on, all the way up to the federal level, and thats where we could end up with nationwide laws as to how parents can homeschool. Right now it's on a state by state level as to the laws for homeschooling.
Now that you all are up to speed, I guess you can see a little bit of what got me cranked up this morning (besides the lack of sleep, which I'm sure didn't help).
Speaking of sleep, I think a sleeping pill and a long hot bath are in order tonight! I don't normally go for baths, but they are relaxing, and thats the point, huh?
Rob, I was lurking last night when you posted at 2 something in the morning. Don't be following my example with the sleep thing! It's really not all it's cracked up to be!
Jerry, I still contend that you're pullin' all of our legs. You just don't look old enough for all those kids and Gkids!
Gerry, Jim, and everyone else, thanks for the kind words on the homeschooling thing. You're all right.....sometimes it would be easier to send them to a public school (and our public schools aren't too bad), but homeschooling really works for my family with all of our medical issues, doctor visits, and yes, even our religious beliefs.
And Jim, hats off to you! Teaching in the public schools can be really tough, with tight budgets and other folks around you who don't share your commitment to the shaping of young minds. Hats off! (you structure-holic you!)
Good afternoon to all, sunny , chilly day here today, only 33F with a 12 mph wind from the NW making it seem like 20F.
Just taking a break from the Bathroom(s) projects, today is grouting day for both floors, I hope this work is somehow useful for MRR creative landscaping.
PC: Are you kidding me? With all the shootings in schools over the past 10 years, and lockdowns etc. and you feel you need to defend Home Schooling? No need my friend, if your family has the talent and desire to do so, go for it. My cousin has 4 daughters, all home schooled, the oldest daughter graduated from WPI with a degree in Computer Science, then went on to get her Masters, and now has her PHD from UMASS!! The other three daughters are all doing equally well. And BTW, they are all "socially" very well adjusted, I just went to the wedding of the oldest daughter who married a guy she met at UMASS PHD also. My cousin and her husband are just ordinary parents that are very family orientated, just like you and your lovely wife PC......we are 100% with you!
Time to get back to work,
Strongin a SOUTHERN mug, please & thank you.
***Philip, if I'm not mistaken, most Home Schoolers repeatedly out perform children from Public Schools on the same standard tests. And don't get me started on the skewed social perspectives of the vast majority of teachers working in public schools. You have my full support!
Back to work here. Have a great day all. Rob
Cederstrand wrote: Strongin a SOUTHERN mug, please & thank you.
Buddy, THAT is the last thing you and I need!
PC,,, rather than getting into a rant of my own on public schooling verses home school. I've had this for a spell and have debated on posting it, but it kind of gives my feeling towards public school n such today Scenario: Jack goes quail hunting before school, pulls into school parking lot with shotgun in gun rack. 1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack. 2007 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors called in for traumatized students and teachers. Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school. 1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies. 2007 - Police called, SWAT team arrives, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it. Scenario: Jeffrey won't be still in class, disrupts other students. 1957 - Jeffrey sent to office and given a good paddling by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again. 2007 - Jeffrey given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra money from state because Jeffrey has a disability. Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman. 2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school. 1957 - Mark shares aspirin with Principal out on the smoking dock. 2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons. Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane pain t bottle, blows up a red ant bed. 1957 - Ants die. 2007 - BATF, Homeland Security, FBI called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, FBI investigates parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated, Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again. Scenario: Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him. 1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing. 2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in State Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
Mike
http://www.trainboard.com/railimages/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4309
pcarrell wrote: Cederstrand wrote: Strongin a SOUTHERN mug, please & thank you.Buddy, THAT is the last thing you and I need!
I'm out of my mind, but leave a message anyway.
I don't know how many times I've seen scenarios like that play out. People tend to overreact to the point of making the schools and indeed, peoples own homes, feel like prisons.
It reminds me of something that happened to one of my relatives. Her three year old son fell down the stairs in their two story home one morning. Upon seeing that he was hurt (not badly) she took him to the hospital to be checked out. The nurse on duty immediatly reported her for child abuse! The charge would have stuck too if it wasn't for the fact that the doctor knew the family very well and had the charge removed. The nurse was prompty fired for abusing her authority. The bad thing is that the report caused a stigma that haunts my relative to this day. Any time she comes up for a job performance review that report comes up and she has to explain it all over again. For years she had to explain it to Child Safety Services (you don't want my opinion of that orginization), all because of an eagar beaver nurse who was too quick on the trigger and took it upon herself to ruin a woman's life instead of leaving it to the doctor's judgement like she was supposed to.