Afternoon all. Haven't been in for a week or so, thought I'd check in and see what's going on.
Mini-heat wave out here in SunnyCal again (which means fog on the coast), supposed to get to about 103 here by the weekend. Which means not much work on the MR in the garage--can't really raise the door to air things out when it might warp all the track on the Sierra Buttes, LOL!
Been taking Lowell the train-cat over to the vets every morning for his saline drip. He has his up and down days, today was an up. I asked the vet if he thought I should just let it go, and he said no, that Lowell was still perky and he still had one pretty good kidney. I've got him on baby food and Nutrical to keep his caloric intake up, and he still has his appetite. I'm kind of at an impasse--I don't want him to suffer, but I don't want to let him go until its absolutely necessary. The vet assures me that right now I'm doing the best thing possible for the little fella. He sleeps on my pillow every night, now. Purrs up a storm. So I guess that right now I'm doing the right thing. We'll have to wait and see.
But DANG, it's hard to let go, even if it is 'Just a Pet'.
Been watching the Olympics, or as we refer to it out here, the "Michael Phelps Show." Good God, that guy is incredible. I think he's got gills. But there's Canadian, Norwegian, Korean and Japanese swimmers who are giving Phelps a real run for his money. That Korean, Park, doesn't swim, he SKIMS! Some amazing swimming this year, it's absolutely THRILLING!
But what's with those NBC commentators? Watched a qualifiying swimming relay today and all those two idiots could do was talk about the American swimmer (who was running a distant third at the time) and ignore the Canadian (who won) who was cutting through the water like a PT-boat on STEROIDS! I mean, this guy was FANTASTIC, and they're puttering on about the American being his first Olympics--hey, FINE, and I'm glad he qualified--he ended up coming in a close second--but how could they completely ignore that incredible Canadian? At least when ABC covered the last summer Olympics, they focused in on the athletes equally, no matter WHAT their nationality. C'mon, NBC, grow UP! I know we want the best for our own, but it's an INTERNATIONAL competition!
Okay, end of Olympic rant. I've started just turning the sound down and going visual. Still jumping up and down everytime Phelps slips that 6'4" frame of his into the water, though.
Been working on a troop train--trying to find enough flat cars for the military vehicle kits I bought. Spooky's been helping me. Ever tried to pry a Sherman tank out of a Maine Coon's mouth? Lotsa fun! One thing--she doesn't like the ones I've painted. Don't blame her, Olive Drab just doesn't look very appetizing at all. Anyway, that's my new project, since I can't get out into the garage and finish the Buttes right now. 6 troop cars, a Pullman for the officers and about five flat-cars worth of equipment. Saw a photo in one of my Rio Grande books, and it looked pretty cool. We'll see. And all this was being hauled (downgrade) by a Rio Grande Mikado. Now THERE'S a train for you. Or at least me.
Well, back to the TV, Phelps is about to kill me again. Dang, I wish my high school had a swimming team when I was young and slender. I'd have Michael Phelpsed myself all over the place. Kid just blows me away!
Best to all, prayers for those in need.
Tom