Elliot's Trackside Diner V, at the diamonds

[LSWrr]

Morgan, MORE NKP PASSENGER CAR PICTURES PLEASE.  Friend of mine is pulling his hair out looking for color pictures of NKP passenger cars.  Thanks.

Rob, I'll look into the metal roofing, maybe next spring.  This fall I need to replace my driveway apron and buy a DCC unit for the basement.

That Atlas turntable is modeled after (of many examples) the B&O roundhouse out near the east coast. Rumor has it due to several inches of snow each winter they built a complete 360 deg building with that decked turntable inside it.  Also I hear out in the NW they had issues with snow and rain so that design helped out.  I'm sure someone in here has some articles to share.

Almost ready for the camera need to do a little cleaning up and I'll be done with the yard.

Wow Jeff, I doubt you'll want to watch those now after all that work, LOL

The nearest hobby Lobby for me is 2 hours away

Lee

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff, all those DVD's look purty, yessiree! Bet you're glad to have that job done with.

Yeah, but now I have to find something else to do that's worthy of my talents.

[JimRCGMO]

Afternoon, Janie - I'll have (...okay, let's see, what would I have for my afternoon beverage?...oh yeah...) a root beer float, please!

Thank you, ma'am!

Fergie, I'd agree - you have a couple of beautiful steamers there. Well worth totally rebuilding your layout to show them off, right? (Well, maybe you won't have to re-do the whole thing, I hope!)

Rob, I only wish my new train mechanics could continue working (with only 1/87th scale noise level) on my train stuff while I sleep or was away at w**k... On your wiring, I figured that as far out in the country as you were, maybe they didn't require code out there. But heck, if you can put the sound system wiring in, that'll save a few nickels (or bigbucks, if you had someone install you a theater sound system in the house)

Have been planning the front deck. Going to do it myself and save the $$$$. Although wife is impatient, I explained that for the amount I would save, we could put that towards more important things. I know what you folks are thinking.

Uh, whatever would we  be expecting you to use those savings on, Rob? And it sounds like your experience with the bonsai tree was about like my brown thumb skills with plants.. Hey, you asked Jeff for a solution on the lottery, and he gave you one, all right!.

Jeff, all those DVD's look purty, yessiree! Bet you're glad to have that job done with.

Paul, I'm sure you're right about the 1:1 scale ballasting - not at all like 1:87th ballasting. How much longer will you have to be fiddlin' with the pump, by the way? Is that just until the rains start up again, or what?

Garry - your situation there on Friday was something to try the patience of a (or any) saint. I think a deacon or someone might need to take the heads of the 'Family' aside and explain a few things to them (say, manners,...?). That's just rude.

Hoople, I knew who Led Zepplin is/was, I just don't know all the bands on sight from all those years (only the ones I really liked, and back then I was more into folk music - 50's/60's/70's - and then I was busy with family and work from the mid-70's on until couple of decades ago). I never got into heavy metal much at all, mostly just what's now called classic rock, rock & roll, rhythm & blues, etc. But obviously many people did like other types of music, since they sold a goodly number of records then... Hey, hang in there, only two years until you get your driver's license, right?

Flashwave, I'll [ditto] Rob's comments about the numbskulls who couldn't think of anything better to do with their spare time than trash the trains & tracks. Hope the troopers track 'em down and hang them up by their thumbs (and worse...)! Thanks for posting the links to the passenger car pics.

Lee, sometimes the GF's can have every bit as long of a HD list as the wives, I understand. Good that your method works to allow you to keep at the MRR'ing. - and good luck with your ops session. Don't send Murphy an invitation...

Oh, Rob - on the turntable, somebody a while back had a article about driving a turntable using the Atlas underneath (via an epoxied film can and a bolt, I think) - I think the article was in the main MR forum, so you might try searching in the general MR heading and check out there for it. I might be wrong, but was thinking that it might've been one of our longer-standing Diners, but it's likely been a year or maybe two years ago.

Oh, and Diners - it's my daughter and son-in-law's fifth anniversary today. Took them by a card with a little something inside for them to cover most of a dinner out.

If any of you Diners have a Hobby Lobby in your area, it might be worth swinging by their MRR'ing aisle today. I went by ours here, and they were re-doing the aisle - had a sign up that the figures were all 30 percent off (Woodland Scenic, LifeLike, etc.), so I scored a few more for my layout:

Dock workers 

Road crew details 

Assorted skids 

Track workers 

and they're carrying Classic Metal Works vehicles now, so I got a '54 Ford F-350 truck (Meadow Green) for my work crews, too.

I have the road crew set that goes with the details set, so the roads leading into town (that had the potholes in them, those ones?) are going to improve fairly soon (once the job supervisor gets there, at least...).

Hey Duke, wake up and scoot over please, so I can sit down and have my RBF. Thanks (I think he grunted at me - I guess that's what it was).

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

 

[Paul W. Beverung]

Afternoon Gang: The weather here is sunny, 103 the last time I looked and very high humidity. In other words I can't stay out long to get done what needs doing.

Flash good to hear that the troopers were on board. It's a shame that they are needed. I hope that the miscarrants get socked with the fullest extent of the law.

Rob that's good to hear that you are going with a metal roof. Will it be silver or a color? Ours is brown. Big mistake we should have gone with silver. It reflects more heat. Live and learn. Actually I knew that but we were trying for the look of the shakes. Oh well.

:ee tje ,eta; roof has a very long life span and you can get discounts from the insurance companys. The galvanize color is a good heat reflector and adds to the insulation of the attic. Up there that may not be high on your needs though. The roofing comes in different patterns the regular corragated, standing seam, 3 ribed and more. Get with a supplier and get some info. 

I've got to get back at it. I'll spend another half hour or so out in the heat and come back in for a break.

 

[Cox 47]

Afternoon all....Its cloudy here today..I'll have a glass of Iced Tea..Getting ready to watch the Cards-cub game on the tube...Jerry

[jeffrey-wimberly]

This is what four seasons of Star Trek Enterprise looks like after it's been remastered from PAL format to NTSC format. There's forty-two DVD's there. That was lots of work. Now it'll work on my equipment.

[Flashwave]

I'll take some OJ in an ITM glass today. And how about some Tuna Helper?

 

PC: Musta Missed ya. I;m on Afternoon shifts until Monday. 

Rob: Yep, that's one way to put it.

Here's some stuff I shot, But all of it was during work so I couldn';t really set up.  I'm not going to continually slack off. These were during Shift change and the train was rolling by.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1362.jpg  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1371.jpg  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1372.jpg  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1374.jpg  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1373.jpg

I found a builder's plate during a stop http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1382.jpg

And to compliment PC's shots, here's the inside of the Silver Salon. Theses I had to take at night when my coachwas empty, and therefore lit with my lamp. I wouldn't touch her electrical system if I were the Michelin Man. Too many old wires, no clearly marked lightswitch.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1390.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1391.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1392.jpg  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1393.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1394.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v242/TitanXP/Fair%20Train/100_1395.jpg

Silver Salon is our Toolcar, carrying the genrator and the crew lounge. The closets on board are usually full of brakeshoes. We did hve to stuff passengers into her once yesterday because we were full up everywhere else. The eight main coaches are the entirety of ITM's fleet, there may be one other in the shops. They are 72ft Budd Lightweights built in 1937 for the ATSF. The museum calls them by single digit numbers, but they are offically numbered in the 3070s, 3080s, and 3090s. I think they're the ATSF numbers, dunno. Beyond that is the buisness car NKP 1. It;s run a s a first class upgrade, but all I've seen of it are a bunch of rich snobs I had to meet. NKP 426 is a GP7 and is actually one of the engines that roamed this line when it was in active duty. ITMZ 200 is a GP9 and used to belong to UP.

[pcarrell]

Now, how to turn a cheap looking plastic TT into something halfway believable? Suggestions?

While maybe not a perfect solution, perhaps this will spark some ideas?

http://2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pa=showpage/pid=11.html

[Cederstrand]

in a SOUTHERN DAYLIGHT mug, please & thank you!

***Flashwave, sounds like you had quite a run. The world sure has it's share of numbskulls.

***Lee, the last Bonsai tree I had is now all dried out and ready for dipping into glue, followed by a touch of paint.LOL Those windows are NNW facing (I think) and will not give plants direct sun. I'll pass on anything more that I have to water.

***Philip, will view all your photo links this evening when there isn't so much glare on this puter screen.

The Atlas turntable arrived today. Went ahead and ordered a motor for it. Now, how to turn a cheap looking plastic TT into something halfway believable? Suggestions?

Have a great day, all.

Rob

 

[Fergmiester]

Snip

Snip

Fergie 

I really like the second photo what loco is that

Good Morning Terry

She's a Central Vermont 2-10-4. Smallest for her class but largest freight engine to run in New England, 10 were built for CV and had a grate area of 84 square feet (Small) 

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

Good morning.

Breakfast time. I'll have a pecan roll (sticky bun) with coffee, please.

PC ....... Thanks for posting the pictures. That Burlington baggage/lounge car is familiar to me. It was part of the Twin City Zephyr consist and was delivered with skirts the full length of the car. Those skirts are long gone evidently.

My train riding experiences included the TCZ and some day I will have a replica of the entire train. The combine can be kitbashed and I have a Walthers combine for the project. The original prototype TCZ had 2 E-units, the baggage/lounge, four dome/coaches, a dining car, and a parlor/dome/observation. The train was very popular and extra cars were often added. The extra cars would be another dome/coach, a flat top coach, and/or a flat top parlor car. I have some pictures stashed away that I took from the front seat of the first dome car in the looking over the roof of the baggage/lounge. The dome car was one of the two original doem cars with flat glass instead of curved glass.

I often get on my soapbox regarding decades of anti-passenger-train policies of the government. USA had the best passenger trains in the world in the 1950's.  I rode on several of those trains, and the TCZ was an outstanding example.

Philip, thanks again for posting the pictures.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Looks like a 2-10-4 Santa Fe.

[C&O Fan]

Snip

Snip

Fergie 

I really like the second photo what loco is that

[pcarrell]

I don't know about where you are, but around here it is one BEAUTIFUL day!

I went out on my lunch break the other day and shot some pics of the fair train.  Yeah, it's that time again!  Time for the Indiana State Fair!

This year the train looks very similar to last year.  The train consists of lightweight passenger cars with a GP7 and a GP9 arranged on each end in a push-pull fashion.  Here's a few pics for ya!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0093.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0096.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0095.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0099.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0101.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0105.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0108.jpg

One for you Burlington fans! http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0109.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Captured2006-8-1200025.jpg

And as the train heads out....... http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0113.jpg

All thats left behind are the memories and traces of the mighty steam power that once ruled these rails. http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Prototype%20Train%20Photos/Fair%20Train%202008/IMG_0115.jpg

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

Well I have a bunch of stuff to do and only 4 days to get it done before the guys come over for operating session #3.  I'll post some pictures tonight or Sunday with my current progress.

Rob, Well I've found those tell tale symptoms I mentioned yesterday and very accurate indicators that something is wrong.  I like the progress of your house, looks like things are coming together very nicely.  Have you thought of using live plants on your new layout?  You have enough windows to pull it off.  Bonsai trees look very cool on a HO-layout.  I'm thinking about a metal roof for my house, tell me more.

Fergi, that brass beauty you have there is awesome, and the track area around the picture looks good too!

Jim, I'm divorced, Dorothy is my GF.  Yea it works 99% of the time.

Rob, I sent you an email.

Trainsrme1, not too bad.  I have some outside chores to complete today and some volunteer work Dorothy and I will be doing Sunday morning-afternoon, but I plan on hitting the south rooms of the basement hard today in preparation for the layout expansion.

Lee

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning.

It's 76 and cloudy. The high is expected to be in the low 90's and there's a moderate chance of rain.

I'm almost finished re-mastering the DVD's in my little project. In fact the last one is being compiled at this moment. That was a lot of work but well worth the time.

Today's Weather for:
Sundown, LA  71446      8/9/2008

Heat Index:  81°F
Humidity:  87%
Dew Point:  72°F

So Far Today
High:  76°F
Low:  75°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  0mph NNE

Today  High: 92    Mostly cloudy early in the morning...then a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms in the late morning and afternoon. Highs in the lower 90s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight  Low: 75    Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

'I wonder if there's a way into these overturned boxcars?'

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning from Tipton IN ! 

[Hoople]

Hey all.

Little late for dinner... Maybe a side of onion rings and a un-caffinated diet coke? Bored out of my mind...  That's dad's house for you. Got an annoying brother shooting me with nerf guns every 5 seconds... Wish I could be at home with my puppy. \

I was going to post in the WPF with some pictures, but mom's camera wasn't at home at the time. Maybe next weekend. When I'm actually having fun.

Jim: You haven't heard of Led Zeppelin? Worlds greatest rock band? 1969-1980? Wow, try googling it or going to youtube to listen to some music. It's great stuff.

Ah, I turn 14 in... 13 days by the time this is posted. Should be interesting... Can't believe I'm going to highschool next year. And be able to get my permit... Time flies.

Ah. Onion rings are here. Midnight snacks are fun.

[Flashwave]

Welp, before I faceplant, Hello form the tired and sore. Three days in, and we've had to replace 5 windows in three cars because Afts decided to throw railroad spikes and take out the double paned safety glass as we went by. Other brigh souls include shoving the rtailroad tie upright between the rails. They were;nt smart enough to leave before the State troopers deboarded. Then thwere's the yahoo who broke the crossing gate off, and the bus driver who was up so close the gate arm was hitting the top. I have pics and a vid to ooffload, but that's all. No contunouis slacking from this boy.

JP: Good to see uya back. Figued you were defragging

"guyleavign leesville whoo's screenname I missed: Sorry to here. You are coming back to the diner though, right? we'll send the Orange Blosssom Special after ya.

Garry: No thanks.

G'night all.    

[TrainsRMe1]

Hey Eveybody!!!

   Chloe, I will have a bowl of seafood gumbo please, and a glass of Oregon's best wine I heard you had some stashed away in the cellar. Anyway, I got part of my honey-do list done today, with time to spare to work on the layout, "that's time managment baby" How did your honey-list day go LSWRR? Today will be another Honey-do day,but you know what? I have to run an arrand and on my way is one of my favorite hobby shops so (oh dran) I have a BN GP40 on hold, so I just have to go and pick it up . If there's one thing I have learned, Use your time the best you can!! The weather here in Portland is suppose to rainy, but no TS'S though!! I'll be back tomorrow, Trainman gonna miss you, hope you can come back to the diner soon It's late her in the Rose city and I'm beat, so I better to some sleep before I fall asleep in my gumbo Good Night All     

[Heartland Division CB&Q]

JimCG ...Said .." I'll be working on my dinner at the corner booth if anyone else comes in. Is Duke still sleeping in the back? Thought I heard some snoring when I came in. " border="0" width="15" height="24" />"

I'm afraid Jim is correct. Wake up Duke!

Rob...  That's going to be some train room!

Fergie: I like the brass locomotives!

Everyone....... Tonight's adventure. We went to Friday evening church meeting. The church had a visit from "The Fat Family". This is a really big family. We always start with pot luck dinner. Evidently. the head of "The Fat Family" feeds his family by taking them to church meetings in the area with pot luck dinners. They have quite a reputation.

Normally there's more than enough food and everybody has leftovers to take home. Not tonight.

"The Fat Family" brought no food to share, but they certainly did eat. Wow! The head of "The Fat Family" is huge (about 6' 4" and about 350 pounds). His wife is big, too. Their 6 kids are all rather plump. His wife's sisters are big. Their kids are plump too. One of them has husband, and he was the only non-fat person in the "The Fat Family" . He was wimpy looking. Those sisters had 6 kids between them, and two of the kids each had a couple of babies. Altogether in "The Fat Family" there are five adults and 12 kids including 2 that are old enough to have the 2 babies. They all live in the same house, and I don't know why Social Services allows that to happen.  It was beyond amazing to watch "The Fat Family" eat. They had no trouble cutting in line ahead of the regulars and taking huge portions. There was no left over food at all.

It was some experience to say the least.

Would any of you care to have "The fat family" visiting your church?

[Cederstrand]

***Paul, the new build will tie in to my existing studio and share a metal roof. They will have to remove a large portion of the existing studio roof to make this work, but since we used screws to secure it, this will be easily accomplished. Metal roofs are very common around here and I wouldn't have any other type. They work for us just fine.

Have been planning the front deck. Going to do it myself and save the $$$$. Although wife is impatient, I explained that for the amount I would save, we could put that towards more important things. I know what you folks are thinking.

Rob

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: Not a drop of rain here. I ran the pump all day and puled it out again tonight. I guess if I left it in the creek we'd get a real flood. I can't afford to donate the pump to the rain gods though. John and I cleared brush along the road so we can see what's coming and they can see us. The spead limit is 40mph but a highway engineer friend said that it is a good 30mph road. Of course all too many drivers do 10 to 15 mph higher.

Rob I'm happy to hear that you are going to see the doctor. Did you look at metal roofing? We put metal on our house after a very heavy hail storm did the shakes in. The insurance company gave us a discount for doing it in metal.

Lee thanks for the explination. I agree that ballasting 2 feet of track isn't bad. Try doing a 1/4 mile with real rock sometime.

JP I happy to see that you got home in one peice. Good luck on the house hunt.

Well I'm bushed.

Good Night All

[jeffrey-wimberly]

JEFF: Is there no end to your talents ???

[In a word, no. Give me time to think about a problem and I'll almost always crack it. ]

***I want to win the Lottery so I can fly everyone down here for a big ol' BBQ dinner (and to help me build a layout). OK, so how do I solve that one, Jeffrey?

That's easy. Buy all the tickets.

[Cederstrand]

JEFF: Is there no end to your talents ???

[In a word, no. Give me time to think about a problem and I'll almost always crack it. ]

***I want to win the Lottery so I can fly everyone down here for a big ol' BBQ dinner (and to help me build a layout). OK, so how do I solve that one, Jeffrey?

***Jim, your train mechanics look like they're ready to get right to work. Now, if they could actually work on your trains while you are sleeping, that would be even better.

***Fergie, those are real beauties.

To clarify, although I did do much of the wiring of my workshop/studio/guest house, a real electrician will wire the new build. (I know how, but it is in the contract, so there is no reason for me to). All I was refering to is wiring it for sound (speaker wire in walls) so the new master bedroom can also pass as a theater room. Will also drop an extra pair of wires down into the train room, for times I when I want to listen to music as I piddle away.

Rob

[Fergmiester]

FERGIE: Is that what I think it is in that spilled can?????? Tsk, tsk...for shame !!

Actually upon closer inspection I see it's "Miller Neer Beer". I think there might be a market for the MESS to ship "Real" Beer to our Southern Friends

Here's the new Babies

The Southern Ps-4 is missing it's headlight. I've been in contact with seller and he's looking for it (I hope) Regardless I do have spare parts ordered.

Yes the Weather is not very GOOD! these days. Though the garden does grow (As well as the grass)

JIM! I resemble that comment!!!

Rob: That is quite a building project! Good and strong, very sturdy. Lucky they will let you do your own electrical as it has to be done by an electrician and inspected by the power authority in these parts. 

Have  a good night all

Fergie 

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, Chloe - I'll have a glass of wine, and a roast beef dinner with some veggies, please.

Thanks! 

Between Garry, Terry and Fergie, this place is about like Comedy Central here in the Diner! ROTFL!

Well Jim, not really. That's John Bonham, Led Zeppelin's drummer, also my favorite.

Okay, that would've been my second guess... (although I wouldn't have known the group or the drummer's actual name)

Lee, your arrangement with the HD list and your MRR list sounds like one we all could pattern ourselves after. Does that actually work with your wife for long? (Just wondering...)

David, best wishes on a great move to the Sunshine state (that is its nickname, right?), and hope the new place has some spare room for your MRR'ing. Of course, you can continue stopping by the Diner once you get settled in there, and I'm sure Jeff will be available for any consulting needs on your layout, as well.  

Ryan, I didn't even know you were sidelining in carpet trimming! When did you start doing that? And how'd you learn about the carpet job at the Moose Lodge?

Rob, the train room looks like a nice amount of space, and the door to your workshop sounds like a good idea. Will you not have a backdrop on the layout along the outside, or just have a low one there?

I went by Hobby Lobby tonight before dinner, and used my coupon to pick up some Woodland Scenics figures for about $7 with taxes:

They're the A1859 set - Train Mechanics (I already have the Engineers set). Tomorrow I go by again and see about some other figures. I might get the WS Painters set to go with my Preiser set of painters.

Dick, when did Coors start sponsoring the weather announcements? Around here in the summer, especially in July but sometimes in August, the afternoons can be when the heat rises and turns whatever moisture is in the air into some afternoon showerstorms. Then we get to watch the steam rise up off the wet streets.

JEFF: Is there no end to your talents ???

In a word, no. Give me time to think about a problem and I'll almost always crack it.

Well put, Jeff; you are a talented guy.

Anyone else get their Walthers sale flyer in the mail for August yet? I haven't seen mine yet, and am wondering where it is, especially since I'd ordered from their website in the last month (and had been receiving the flyers for many months earlier when I was only ordering via our LHS owner/MRR club member). I don't really want to have to depend on the online flyer - not completely wild about it (posted a topic asking for others' take on how they like the online version).

I'll be working on my dinner at the corner booth if anyone else comes in. Is Duke still sleeping in the back? Thought I heard some snoring when I came in.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

JEFF: Is there no end to your talents ???

In a word, no. Give me time to think about a problem and I'll almost always crack it.

[pcarrell]

Rob, to answer your earlier question, an F7 would fit into the latter part of the transition era.

[grayfox1119]

Good evening, we had to get off the Pc early last night as a rip snorter TS came through. The rains keep coming every afternoon, I think we now have a tropical climate here, I even hear tropical birds at night chirping and I thought I heard a Howler monkey last night. A few minutes ago the wife called me to come quick to the wesy windows, a big buck was in full flight. I expected something to come by chasing it, but nothing was after him. A while later a Turkey strudded through the yard and a few bunnies, but these would not have spooked a big buck.

ROB: It look like your builder is really going to town. Good move on doing your own wiring wherever you can, you can save big $$ and get things were you want and plenty of them.

JERRY: You lost a tooth? Good lord, if you keep this up soon you will need to gum your food to death, it will take you an hour to eat a steak !! LOL I just went to my dentist yesterday and had the root canal tooth capped.

CAPE JIM: This weather pattern from the midwest to New England and on to the Maritime Provinces of Canada is being caused by what is called a Polar Vortex. It is a large Low Pressure system that rises up to 30,000 feet and sits stationary over northwest Canada . It pumps wave after wave of colder air down into the U.S. on the northern jet stream. It is common in Fall, Winter and Spring, but NOT in Summer, so this is very, very, unusual. What makes it bad is that in the Summer we have far more contrasting temperatures and Dew Points, and where they clash, we have very severe weather events. The warm moist air rises during the day under the hot Summer sun, and all the moisture from the Gulf, and the Atlantic here in the east coast, hits that pool of cold air in the upper atmosphere, and that breeds tremendous thunder heads ( alto cumulus clouds ) which turn very Nimbus in a hurry. This has been your weather 101 lesson for today brought to you by Coors beer.

FERGIE: Is that what I think it is in that spilled can?????? Tsk, tsk...for shame !!

JEFF: Is there no end to your talents ???

Later guys,