The Coffee Shop (a place to chat) Est. 2004

[Anonymous]

Hello all.

 

A terrible event happened today...

From CBC website:

One person has died in hospital as a result of the shooting rampage at a downtown Montreal college Wednesday that also left the gunman dead and 19 others injured.

Paramedics confirmed 20 people were taken to hospital with injuries ranging from gunshot wounds to emotional shock following the shooting at Dawson College.

Police Chief Yvan Delorme told RDI television that a woman in her 20s had died.

Montreal General Hospital officials said eight patients were in critical condition, with two undergoing emergency surgery late Wednesday night. The hospital said it would not issue a further statement on the victims' conditions until early Thursday.

Three other victims were taken to Jean Talon Hospital and two others were transported to the Jewish General Hospital.

The lone gunman was shot dead by police minutes after he opened fire on the student body at Dawson College, a CEGEP serving about 10,000 students near the Old Forum in Montreal.

The suspect reportedly walked into Dawson College around 12:41 p.m. ET and began firing at students in the cafeteria. Police arrived three minutes later.

"They saw a suspect shooting inside the walls of Dawson," Delorme told a news conference. "So the first policeman took charge of the situation, and shot in the direction of the suspect, and the suspect died."

I went to college not too away from this school...

 

Please keep the students and their family in your thoughts.

 

[bjdukert]

RT It has been almost a year that I lost a good friend in Jack and then a week later it was another friend that rode with us. It isn’t easy at all,but as many here in the CS told me at the time that as long as they are in your memory and thoughts they will never be gone. There aren’t too many days that I don’t think of either one of my friends ,so I know they are not gone forever as will the memories of Edythe be for you. I do hope that your mother improves.

Duke

[grayfox1119]

Good evening everyone, managed to get a little work done on Phase II of Train layout on 2nd floor of garage, but with the prices that are current for plasterboard, and insulation, it is going to take a while to complete this project for sure!!!

RT: Our thoughts and prayers are for Edythe and your family. I know that you will miss her greatly, but her memories will comfort you in quiet times, and she is now with God in complete happiness.

MODELTRAINLOVER: The DIY channel is not the Discovery Channel. Here in central MA, we have Charter Cable, and the DIY ( Do It Yourself ) Channel is on Cable Channel 105. If you go on the internet, your can see their whole broadcast schedule. Click on Hobbies, then Model RR, and you will see Working on the Railroad series and their schedule. It has been on Tuesdays at 7:30am EDST about every other week or so.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL: Last night, this channel had the great train wreck in Alberta in 1986. A passenger train went head to head with a heavy Freight train. Many lost lives and injuries. The Freight ran through all the red signals on the siding track. The cause: Engineer, Brakeman and Conductor in the Caboose, all asleep...due partly to being sick and some due to lack of sleep. The Canadian Gvt changed many of the rules after that accident. If you get a chance, check for it again on TV, as they repeat these programs weekly.
The reproduced scene from the Observation car deck was something that I would not want to ever see for sure, as he witnessed the Freight about to hit head on doing 60 MPH with the Passenger train doing 50 mph for a combined speed of 110mph!!! Heavily loaded freight cars went flying up in the air landing on Passenger cars and crushing them !!

PC: Very thoughtful poem for RT and family !!!!

MIKE: Thanks for giving us the info for RT & Family.

[rtraincollector]

Well got on finally don't know what the problem was but now I'm back for a while anyway well you heard of my lost Edythe was like a mother to me (I guess you could say a god parent) well about 2:30 today I got more bad news my real mother isn't able to swallow anymore somethin I believe to do with the alzhiemers she has anyway they told my brother (as they offered to put a tube down her throat and force feed her but he declined as she wouldn't want that) she probally could go soon or maybe 6 months from now couldn't put an exact time frame on it.  So his hasn't been a good day for me will talk and keep you all posted later oh one more thing Edythe's veiwing is sunday and funeral monday.

 

 

[pcarrell]

RT, I'm sorry to hear of your loss.  I pray that at some time during her life she trusted the Lord. 

I lost someone close to me a little while back, and these words really helped me.  I'd like to pass them on to you now.

 

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times
And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you
But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry
Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways
The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know
But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same
Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye
And in Christ, there is no end
So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have
To see you again
To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face
If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place
Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow
Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

 

I know Edyth will be missed.

[ModelTrainLover]

. Did any of you guys catch the DIY channel this morning? Working on the Railroad series? They showed the San Diego MRR Museum, 4 layouts, 28,000, that is correct, 28,000 square feet of layout!!!! What a drool job that was!!!! They actually commissioned a pilot to fly over the "T" loop in California so that they would have the most accurate rep of the 8 scale miles they model. Then, Mr. Anderson, MRR Master builder, illustrated building Athearn car kits, and how we save 60% of cost over RTR. He did an upgrade to the kit as well to metal wheels..

 

the Discovery channel what time was it on????

[bjdukert]

Afternoon all

Today was a first for our family. My youngest daughter had her second baby and it is a boy,so he is the one and only grandson. He had a little trouble with his breathing and on their scale of 1-10 he was a 6 but oxygen took care of it and brought him up to an 8 and he is in special care for the next 48hrs. The CFO is a nurse and she works at the hospital and in the new born department ,so daughter and grandson will be taken care of and she is also one of the nurses that has been trained in the special care unit for the babies.

Chloe,Set them up for all in the CS.

RT Very sorry to hear about Edythe

That’s about it and best to all on sick call

Talk to you later

Duke

[grayfox1119]

Good afternoon everyone, just got back from a Home Depot run. I am disgusted with the rise in prices!!!!%$%# Last year I bought about 10 sheets of 3/8" plasterboard for the train room, and paid $3.19 a sheet. Today.....are you ready for this.......$10.47 a sheet!!!!! 3 times the price of a year ago !!!!!! Had I had known that the prices would increase this much, I would have bought all that I needed for the garage and stored it in the garage. Lesson learned !

FERGIE: That really sucks to put it quite bluntly!! You wait all this time for the contractor and then he lays an egg!!! This is so typical lately of many contractors.

Headed for the garage now to hang my "golden" plasterboard.

[Cox 47]

Afternoon all...Its cloudy and cool here....I'll have a Diet Coke please....Still havn't got much done "ole Arthur" has me moving slower than usual...Sallie says thanks to all that sent her birthday wishes...

Mike..I know its not funny but I had to chuckle over your Fabrez and Cat pee.....I had a cat do that in a new ball glove when I was a kid...That glove still smells funny today.....

RT....Congrats on your new office...How big is your club...Does the club have a layout?

Well Sallie's soaps are almost over and its nap time..Tuff job but somebody has to do it...Jerry

[inch53]

Hey all,

Gotta phone call from RT abit ago, said he's having trouble getting on line. But he wanted me to let ya'll know that EDTHE has passed on. Also thanks for all the support. Chuck n Kathy, to thank you for the offer of mass

inch

[Fergmiester]

Sorry Guys

I can't keep up with you! It's 11am amnd I have a few minutes to catch up.

Dad's still in the hospital but on the mend and hopefully will be out by week's end. Lisa went back to work today (1/2 days) but still sporting two casts so I gotta watch what I say. I gave the contractor their marching papers and am now trying to find someone else to do the addition but fear it will be spring time before the work starts. The company we had lined up dropped a bomb on me Monday when they old me the cost (just shy of ... are you ready... $100K) did not include the relocation of the Wood stove Chimney to the outside wall. From day 1! that had been a major concern and I wanted it all inclusive, which I was told would be and when it hadn't been drawn into the scope of work it was only because it had been an oversight. @#%$*&s!

Oh and to top it all off I have rats in the garage! I'm now feeding them with kindness, and set their table with an overhead folding chair and added music that no one can here.

I WILL PREVAIL!

RT: Congrats on the new VP position I hope you all the best

John and Luc: George of George's Model Trains had a nasty fall yesterday and had to go the Emergency. I do not know his condition.

Dick: Thankyou for the e-mail yesterday, well appreciated!

Later everyone

Fergie

[inch53]

Mornin all, Coffee n a couple douhgnuts Zoe,

Another chance of rain here today, don't need it now, we got plenty yesterday. Work on the layout most the day and made some progress, at least Mother noticed.

Forgot to say anything yesterday, but Mother came home with another yeller kitten. On the trip here, it got sick, so she cleaned that up. When Mother left for work yesterday, she discoverd that it had also done it's business some where in the bus and did it stink. she got cleaned up and sprayed with Fabreeze. Now the bus smells like cat poop and fabreeze, man what a stink

Jerry,,, tell Sally happy burthen day for us. Hope she had a good one.

Ryan ,,,,I understand how ya feel bout N.O., but home is home. Liked Night Court when it was on tv. Good to hear Harry's doing ok. We had a time trying to get enough milk out of that old cow [almost got caught by the farmer that owned her].

Chuck n Kathy,, hope you two get ta feelin betters.

Trent,,, glad Kelly got some good news from the doc. hope the pills do the trick.

Rt,,,, sounds like you had double luck yesterday with the car and then getting VP, hope it last.

DER,,, thanks for the pics of the center brace cars.  I've been wanting one of those 40 ton engines, but haven't found one at my price yet.

JR,,,, glad to hear he drivers made it ok, but to bad the didn't make it as well

NEAL,,, looking foeward to pics of the quilt. Had an aunt that quilted all the time. She made some mighty purrty stuff. she'd sale some, but most of them she gave away.

Heres some pics of the Bethany,IL. depot we got a week or so ago on the IC tracks.

the next two is looking S, then N. down the tracks

They even have a station for the birds

Need ta get back ta chores, if I'm going to have any play time. Hope every one has a gooden

inch

 

[pcarrell]

Morning all!

Just popping in to say hi,....HI!

Der, that's a nice looking critter you shot there!

GTM, glad she'll be OK.  Sounds like a good weekend for most though.

Well, best get to work.

Later!

[SilverSpike]

A quick drop in and a hello! Chloe, some tall coffee for me this morning!

I am heading over to the NCC building for IBM mainframe RACF Security Administrator Training this morning, so I will be out of pocket most of today and half of tomorrow.

Cheers,

Ryan

[Anonymous]

MORNING ALL,

DER: Looks like centerbraced flats to me. I use to see a lot of these around Deridder, La. at the Boise-Cascade plant. Haven't been there in years. Great photos.

ED: How bout I send you a couple hundred pounds for Fran to try. But I would really like to negotate a deal on some mangos. Thanks for the ID on that engine. Probibly won't see a lot of IC running around for very long.

INCH: Great poem. MoM's always looking for insperation to make another quilt. I saw she had pined it to her office wall. She made a quilt after 9/11. I'll take a picture and post it.

RT: congratulation on the VP post. Let the episode with the car be a lesson to everyone. GOOD THINGS DO NOT GO UNNOTICED. Someone is watching over us and is keeping a tally.

RYAN: sounds like you are really enjoying the relocation to NC. Katrina had a porfound effect on a lot of people. We experienced some of that effect. She was one of the reasons I desided to sell off everything here and move to MS.

We helped these people here with houseing and when the left I had four apartments to remodel. They had trashed the apartments including knocking holes through the walls to go from one apt, to the other without going outside.

TRENT B: great new about Kelly. Hope everything goes great for you and her. We have been getting rain here. Only problem is the little blood suckers get worse after the rains.

PABELT:sure would like to see a picture of that machine before you sell it. I may want to trade you a couple hundred pounds of pecans for that thing when it's finished.LOL

Well guess I had better get started with the days work. But it's going to be plesant today. Only spose to get up to 88 tempurture wise today.

LATER.......NEAL

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

   Dry and in the fifties this am - summer may be over. Did some work on the HO display in the museum last evening running track in the yad part of the display. First time i've been back there in weeks and good to return. With any luck I'll have a chance to work in the real rail yard this weekend.

   To those of you who inquired, my friends name is Carol Bragg. Her husband Ben runs Bragg about Cars which specializes in pre-war racing cars especially Buggatis. He was leading the Watkins Glen reenactment in a well known American special called the Old Gray Mare and his wife was waving to the crowd with both hands when she got thrown out. Carol is bruised and sore but it appears she will be all right. Both have years of experience in this game however I expect a bigger emphasis on safety next year. People fall off parade floats all the time but the race cars get greater scrutiny just because they are racing cars even when being driven in controlled circumstances. In England many ofthe older cars run sans roll bars and seat belts as original but we just don't see things that way here.

   Our two drivers involved in the big accident at the track were Joel Finn and David Porter both of who were ok afterwards tho the cars were damaged. They made out far better than Lee Brahin who destroyed a Tyrrell F-1 car triggering the incident or Stevie Hines, Dudley Cunningham or Gordon Mendenica all of whom damaged the tubs (the monocoque frame) of their cars. that was in the qualifying race on Saturday, the main race on Sunday went alright. Oh well, time to pick up tools and get to work - hope you all have a goodun.  CUL, J.R.

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

09-13-06

[der5997]

Good evening everybody:  Drove north to New Glasgow and Trenton today. The way up was under the edge of some outer bands of cloud from Florence.  It reminded me of the first Star Trek movie!   All that’s gone now, and it’s clear and calm here on the eastern shore.  You really wouldn’t know that a post tropical storm that was a cat.1 to 2 hurricane yesterday was off shore; weird! Trenton is home to the Trenton Car Works, and I caught these “New -in-Box"  lumber cars (OK there’s a proper name for them that I’m hoping some-one will supply….center braced something or other???) in the storage yard.  Check out the weathering between the tracks!

Also, this little beauty.

Scott, HEdward,

You have put into words, the thoughts of so many.  You have eloquantly stated what many of us are speechless to express.  Thank you!  Thank you both!

  , and thank you PC!  When we got to Stellarton on our way to New Glasgow, the traffic was still being held a little by the RCMP at a check point outside the Stellarton Museum of Industry that Dr. Condeleza  Rice, Secretary of State for the U.S.A., had visited earlier this morning with our Minister of Foreign Affairs, who has his Federal Parliamentary Riding office just down the road in New Glasgow.

Neal: Thanks for the loco pick, and I see that Ed has done his customary magic with the ID. Thanks Ed!

Jeffrey: Don’t recall seeing your smiling face here before, have just been sitting quietly in a booth?  Care to let us know a bit more about your mrr / railfan interests?

Dick:

You know what that means......don't go running out the front door to work or you will be flat on your back !!!

…Work??? Run??? Get with the program, Oh fellow retiree. But to answer your question, no.  New Brunswick has had frost warnings, we have not, although inland areas of Nova Scotia may get some frost tonight, and last night the warning was for “Hollows”.  Hopefully wide awake ones. Also, I checked on some maples that I know had those red key things this Spring.  They are just fine, so I can’t help with your early leaf loss mystery, I’m afraid. 

Jerry, since Sallie’s got the cake thing covered already, how’s about wishing her a with this…

Chuck and Kathy:

We hava only had 0.50 inches of rain in 70 days this summer.

…The weather channel had a reporter from Vancouver crowing about how much sunshine and how little rain they had had, and how everyone should visit V. now as the weather was so good.  Both Kris and I had the same thought…”Don’t they know where their drinking water comes from?????”

Trent:  That’s great news about Kelly. Prayers that the medication indeed does the trick. 

Ed:

I started cleaning off the layout in anticipation of getting active again.

…or… ?????

 RT: Congratulations on the MRR VP thing.   That was a close call with the car!  Thanksgiving’s definitely in order.  Still remembering you, your wife, and Edythe.

  all, and God Bless.  Prayers continuing for all in need of healing, comfort and peace. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening All:

Chuck: That sounds like a trade. I can't handle crab but my wife would enjoy it.I'll get a carload headed your way.

RT: Watch your back trail. I'm glade that you weren't hurt.

I'm going to cut this short and head for bed. I was sleepy all day today but I got a good nights sleep. Anyway you all have a good night and I'll see you tomorrow.

[pcarrell]

Wow RT, good news (congrats on VP), and good news (you weren't there at the wrong time)!

PA, I'd love to see this beast you're working on.  Got any pics?

Evening all!

[rtraincollector]

Got a big surprise tonight I was recommened as President (I refused) so they insisted VP of Rappahannock River Railroaders. SO I'm VP of our model railroad club. 

The day started out a little scary thou I picked up the bag of trash (at work) and placed by the door for when my side kick at work got there anyway as I walked back to the office (i got about 10 feet from the door) a car came across 4 lanes of highway in reverse (engine not running it just coasted)and hit a light pole(metal one) out side the door knocking it over and into the building just about where I was standing if the light pole wasn't there it would have came thru the front glass or door for sure.  it apears the car just came out of gear or somethin as it was not running at when this happened.

So hows everyone else doing this fine day

Have a good night all later

[egmurphy]

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

Sitting here in front of the computer with a good cup of coffee (from Veracruz, of course), strong and hot.  Just finished off a piece of home made apple pie and some ice cream on the side.  I'll have to head out to the orange grove tomorrow and sweat some of that off.  It may be 'fall' up north, but our temperatures are still getting up around 97º (36º C) in the afternoon, with high humidity.

Went downtown (such as it is) this afternoon to play some pool with my father-in-law.  Tough to get that cuestick to slide freely when you're sweating like a pig.

We were out there yesterday, and I've started picking some of the oranges.  Lots of juice, a bit tart, but good flavor.  It's going to be a good crop.  Pretty soon the FCVN will be able to start shipping 'fresh' virtual orange juice up to the Coffee Shop, and do away with the 'frozen' virtual juice.  Oh happy day, orange season is starting again.

I started cleaning off the layout in anticipation of getting active again.  No promises, but I'm making moves in that direction.  I suppose the first thing will be a good track cleaning before running anything.  We'll see.

Hasta luego,

Ed

[TRENT B]

Howdy Y'all!

Been stress'n on Kelly's Dr. appt. GREAT NEWS!! Kelly's sonnagram came up negative! Her system is just out of wack!! Dr gave her pills to fix it.

Love all the rain an my yard is slowly losing it's cracks and getting green.

Thanks for the support and my prayers for all.

Trent

[PA Belt]

yeayh all, cleo, ill have a tbone steak, i had an ok day at school, i didnt see my girl, musta been absent, i got the new panels on the hemi, im havin a paint come tomarrow, it goes to the body shop on friday, interior on wednesday, and car cruise friday after next, sell it if i can and get a junk cuda,my friends coranet and put the suspention mounts from cuda 2  on the coranet, rattel can it as a cop car and put the NOS parts i got on it and im set

[rtraincollector]

Kathy you brought tears of happiness to me that someone is so thoughtful to have a mass said for edythe. I'm very touched thank-you very much from my wife,trisch,Edythe, and myself.

[sunsetbeachry]

 HI ALL;

PAUL;

What can I trade for pecans???????????????  Cooked and cracked CRAB ??????

INCH:

I got all the answers and one extra for " TRIX" .Thank you for the poem its on the wall in front of me.

SCOTT:

Kathy and I both thought that is a good tribute and we both agree Thank You

RT:

Prayers and a Mass on Friday for Edythe.....................KATHY

I have not owned a suit in 40 years---------go fieger  tie either..

ED:

Thank you again for info and welcome back; love the O.J.

PC:

Happy Belated Birthday............

JERRY:

Glad you wheels are fixed. I know how you feel; Kathy's has broken down a few times...We both wish Sallie a Happy Birthday..............

LISA:

Please be carefull with your back, Chuck has had 8 operations on his and does not wish that on anyone................KATHY

Well .......We have not been able to do much MRR, as of late both of us have been a tiny;weiny,itisy,bitsy,little bit sick....LOLLOLLOL . But really very busy with 2 birthday parties that Chuck to cater and our one grandkid [boy 3] showing up. Kathy let me buy ythe slide show from the G&D people on the last day that I could get in ;last sat. I'm sorry that was Sat the 2nd. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!! We hava only had 0.50 inches of rain in 70 days this summer. I forgot that is the 1st part of the series on john allen's rr that he took during his life before it burned down. junior is now crawling all over my lap as i sit and talk to you[large cat that destroys bridges].

so prayers to all in need and joy to all...............chuck and kathy

[SilverSpike]

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Well, I have to say this has been about the most pleasant summer I have ever experienced in my life. Fall really has started to make a presence here in North Carolina, the temp early this morning was 56, and the high today is around 74. Got to love it!

I really don’t know how I lived in the deep south for so long, as they say in New Orleans, “…its not the heat, it’s the stupidity..”

Harry Anderson, you might remember him as he played Judge Harold T. "Harry" Stone on the TV situation comedy “Night Court” that aired on NBC from 1984 to 1992. Well, he moved to New Orleans about 5 years ago and opened up a nightclub where he performed his magic and comedy routine. He just announced last week that he and his beautiful wife are now moving to Asheville, NC (what a coincidence) because they just can’t take living in the depressing state of post-Katrina New Orleans. His short and sweet quote really sums up my sentiments exactly, “New Orleans is stuck on stupid…”

Not that I want to bash my home town, but having moved to North Carolina and living here for the past nine months now, I know what Harry is talking about firsthand. Life is better outside of New Orleans! Hurricane Katrina was a blessing in disguise for us.

SPIKE: i spend every day with her, how much atention does she need, 8 hours a day!

 

PA Belt, good question, I am still trying to answer that one too!

i had a question?

PA Belt, I guess it was more of a rhetorical question!!!

Neal, start up the pecan shipments and Chloe and I can get the ovens warmed up for the pie production! Also, great photos of the IC loco and rail activity.

Welcome back Lisa, sorry about the back! Hope you are feeling better soon!

 

Inch, nice poem on 9/11, thanks for sharing. And that takes a lot of milk to make 6 gallons of ice cream eh!

Got to go now….

Ry

[Cox 47]

Afternoon all....Cloudy and cool here posta rain more this evening.....Today is Sallie's birthday and she sent you all whats left of her cake help yourself till its gone,,,,We have a big goverment inspection today so not much going on...Congress hasn't aproved funding and nobody seems to know what might happen.....Spent a while this morning Gooleing coal mines trying to get some ideas....Well I got get back to the birthday girl..You all have a good one...Jerry

[inch53]

Mornin all, coffee Zoe please, yes I know PC's buying. I'll be nice for now

Rained here most the night, stopped now but more comin laters, no kids today thankfully. It makes for a long day when they can't go outside. Been doing chores n MRR'ing this morning. If I get a far as I hope, then I get some paint on tomorrow [hope hope]

RT,,, sorry to hear bout Edythe, our thoughts will be with you and yours

PC,,,, the cake was free, all you have to pay is the delivery charge of $50. Change the themastat, it's cheaper than replacing car, even a free one.

Gray fox ,,, I'm starting to notice more leaves turning here too. Soon be that time of year and I'm not ready. I plan on taking down 4 ash trees in the yard this fall [deseised], so less work next year.

Scott ,,, good job on the poem, A+++

HEward,,, like you we were all touch that day, just not the same way. But when you take disipline, respect for others and yourself, and the things thats taught in the 10 commandments out of school, and replace it with tolorence and self right, this is what you get. You end up with people with no hope, being taught by a few radicals. Teaching the truth not as it is, but as they see it. And then using those they've taught to force their ideas on others...  The world is a more dangerous place now than any other time.

Jerry,, don't know the name of the band, I'll have to ask Mother. She should know.  I got to meet Sarge, liked him too.

Ryan,,, sounds like you had a busy fun filled weekend. Just made plain ol vanilla ice cream, 6 gal, wasn't much left either.

GMT,, sounds like you've had some busy racing weekends lately. Don't know why some people would want to race without a seat belt, even if thats how they use to do it.

NEAL,, Almost thanks for the pecan pics, my mouth waterin for Aunt France's pie now, But thanks for the train pics.  Learned years ago not mess with hornets. I swear they can track ya down and get you somehow.

Dick,, I'll try n be in bout noon for lunch. Since PC's buying, I think we can eat real good.

 ED,, thanks for the IC roster. I can use it.

LISA,, sorry to hear bout the back, I know to well how much of a pain it can be. At least there is some good news on your step father.

Got thiis in my email last evening

TWO THOUSAND ONE, NINE ELEVEN (2001-911)

Two thousand one, nine eleven

Three thousand plus arrive in heaven

As they pass through the gate,

Thousands more appear in wait

A bearded man with stovepipe hat

Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat"

They settle down in seats of clouds

A man named Martin shouts out proud

"I have a dream!" and once he did

The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives."

Groups of soldiers in blue and gray

Others in khaki, and green then say

"We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the Maine"

The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain."

From a man on sticks one could hear

"The only thing we have to fear.

The Newcomer said, "We know the rest,

trust us sir, we've passed that test."

"Courage doesn't hide in caves

You can't bury freedom, in a grave,"

The Newcomers had heard this voice before

A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannisport shores

A silence fell within the mist

Somehow the Newcomer knew that this

Meant time had come for her to say

What was in the hearts of the five thousand plus that day

"Back on Earth, we wrote reports,

Watched our children play in sports

Worked our gardens, sang our songs

Went to church and clipped coupons

We smiled, we laughed, we cried, we fought

Unlike you, great we're not"

 

The tall man in the stovepipe hat

Stood and said, "Don't talk like that!

Look at your country, look and see

You died for freedom, just like me"

Then, before them all appeared a scene

Of rubbled streets and twisted beams

Death, destruction, smoke and dust

And people working just 'cause they must

Hauling ash, lifting stones,

Knee deep in hell, but not alone

"Look! Blackman, Whiteman, Brownman, Yellowman

Side by side helping their fellow man!"

So said Martin, as he watched the scene

"Even from nightmares, can be born a dream."

Down below three firemen raised

The colors high into ashen haze

The soldiers above had seen it before

On Iwo Jima back in '45

The man on sticks studied everything closely

Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly

"I see pain, I see tears,

I see sorrow -- but I don't see fear."

"You left behind husbands and wives

Daughters and sons and so many lives

are suffering now because of this wrong

But look very closely. You're not really gone.

All of those people, even those who've never met you

All of their lives, they'll never forget you

Don't you see what has happened?

Don't you see what you've done?

You've brought them together, together as one.

With that the man in the stovepipe hat said

"Take my hand," and from there he led

three thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven

On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven

Author UNKNOWN,  What a shame!

 

[Paul W. Beverung]

And besides being a blabber mouth think of all the drinks and food that you've bought.

Lisa: Bummer on the back. I hope that it clears up soon.

I'll see you all later.

Oh. Cloe, I'll have an egg and bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee, since PC is buying.