Elliot's Diner, Mark XV

[blownout cylinder]

Sir Madog

Barry - I thought you like cats - cougars are just a little bit oversized...

They are just a little oversized. They'd like to play with you like Spring does with his pompoms!! We've had quite a few sightings of Cougar over the past couple of years in and around London---it makes for an interesting day when you see one--that is for sure. BTW-there are also bobcat and lynx seen around here every so often

As for the formatting--I guess the server software plays with some better than others---I know it likes to squash everything with Google Chrome!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We are seeing a current temperature of 17C and sticky/foggy. Got an even better chance of rain today with those t'underin'boomlets abouts. High at 26C and tonights low at 16C. Yesterday I found out that the AVERAGE temperature for June 2009 was 17.7C. 3.5C less than it would be normally. No wonder our summer this year ---according to some kids in our neighbourhood---'sucks'

I'm getting ready to go into writing mode for another day---good thing I'm not suffering from a writers block thing this time------

Chloe, I'll have a large cup of coffee and a muffin please----I'll sit with Ulrich at the RC and explain to him that a Cougar is a little bigger than a bobcat----which is just as well I don't think a Cougar in a house is quite the thing--

[LSWrr]

Good morning all,

Jeff, I’m glad you are getting some rain, that lake pictures was something else to see, btw how do you guys fish in that lake with all those tree stumps??

We have an good population of Coyote, Fox, and white tail deer here along with your various squirrels, chipmunk, and rabbits.

 

[wetidlerjr]

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

[inch53]

 

Mornin, farmers special n coffee if'en ya woulds Zoe. We've got rain coming in later and into tomorrow and cooler than normal.

URICH,,,, a late congrads on the 25'th anniversary for you n your wife. Glad the friend's n neighbors put on a get-ta-gather for yuz.  Good luck with your meeting.

ROBBY,,, hope the Fedex job pans out. Our nephew quit selling on Ebay over the charges, it was costing him almost all the profits. Hope yours don't get that bad. And the back round trees do look closer to PAULS size than HO

 RAY,,,,, Looks like an interesting bunch of future scientist you have there, good luck.

No bears here [yet] just cougar, bobcats n coyotes round here. There's been a cougar seen a few times out this way. I haven't seen it yet, but it wouldn't be the first I've seen in this area. I did find tracks in the sand along the creek below this house.

 Our trip to get rid of 2 grandkids didn't start off well Sat, electric went out thanks to a thunderstorm for 2 hours, delaying our leaving time, Then Mother figured stopping at a couple yard sales n Wallyworld wouldn't hurt so our 6-7 hour round trip ended up almost 12.  Then on the way I finally catch a train, but thanks to the boys putting my camera back in the case, this is all I got of NS and CR engines in Morrisonville.

I also missed two trains in Girard and one in Pana. I won't go into the reasons for that. I did get a little luck in Mattoon, catching a N bound GT and IC engines from the overpass at the station on the way home. I did miss the Amtrak, darn it.

I also got a pic of the 2-story outhouse in Gays.

The Sunday trip to Altamont was wose for trains, didn't see any. Did hear several while at the festival. The MRR swap meet wasn't very good, mostly O scale. Did got a good deal on some cars, bought 5 for $12. Got some upgrading to do on them later on.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/7-26-09047.jpg

Hey PC, saw this running on a G scale they had set up and thought of you.

Also found a couple tractor like I owned at one time. The WC I only owned part of at 12, helped dad buy it with my hog money. The WD I bought when I was 36 and used it on a xmas tree farm I helped with. Wish I still had them both sometimes.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/7-26-09043.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g214/inch53/7-26-09044.jpg

All in all the trip wasn't that good, the Case steam tractor wasn't there and alot the exhibits were gone Sunday, so we're going on Saturday next year.

Well I best get this finished up and start on some chores afore Yazee wakes up. Other than her I'm almost kid free this week, so maybe I can catch up on somethings. Thoughts for those n need n hopes ya'll has a gooden.

[blownout cylinder]

wetidlerjr

Good Morning ! from Tipton IN.

And a Good Morning to you, sir!! Hope to see you around some!!

[TMarsh]

Good Mornin all, mornin' Bill. Western Omelet with a side order of hash browns and soft bacon please. Large glass of grape juice and coffee thank you.

50/50 chance of rain and scattered thunderstorms with a high of 83F. Looking out the window I'd say 100%. Doesn't look like storm though.

Nothing special happening again today. Just waiting to decide when I'm going to renew my MRR mag. It expires in November. I'm waitin for a last ditch offer of a discount. (hint, hint)

I see we were talking beasts, we don't have too much round here, coyote, deer, of course, opossum, coon and rabbit (one with huge fangs. That rabbits dynamite) Oh and almost forgot, Bigfoot.

Inch- Girard, another what, 20 mi north and you'd been to Castle Trains. I don't think they have any 5 for $12 though. They're doing some remodeling. Looks like they're expanding a bit. With the alignment of the doors on the two level privy, I'm hope'n the "holes" ain't a lined up!!!!

Well I best get working on my defensive plan for the great Armadillo invasion.

Have a Great Day!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

LSWrr

Jeff, I’m glad you are getting some rain, that lake pictures was something else to see, btw how do you guys fish in that lake with all those tree stumps??

It's because of the stumps that fishing is good when the water is at it's normal level. Fish congregate around the stumps for protection from predators. Drop a baited line in and you're guaranteed a bite. Trouble is, your usual fish aren't the only things that gather around the stumps. There's also snakes, alligators, alligator gar, snapping turtles, etc.

[pcarrell]

inch53

Hey PC, saw this running on a G scale they had set up and thought of you.

IT'S MY RIDING BUDDY!!!!!!

Wait a minute.......WHERE'S MY BIKE?!?

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 The cable here is acting up - again! Here's today's weather info.

Through 9 AM...isolated showers will continue to move northeast at 15 mph across the coastal waters into southern Louisiana...affecting areas mainly south of I-10. Expect rainfall amounts less than five hundredths of an inch with this activity.

Today  High: 88    Showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 80s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80 percent.    

Tonight  Low: 75    Partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the mid 70s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

[Robby P.]

 Good morning everybody.  I had to get up at 5:00am for the job app. at FedEx.  I'm guessing that early so we could have some computers to use for the job app.  Before all of the "office" people came in.  Maybe I will hear from them.  Thanks for the good luck on that.  I also have the elementary school one in the morning (Wed).

 I'm on my way to mail out another shipment of "weathered" cars.  Then the LHS.  I was going to take a break from it, but "money talks, and cash screams".  

 I know this is a day late, but the only animal (bears, mountain lions) I have near me is...........My Chicago Cubs  flag!!!

 I will be back in later.  Have a good day.

 

[TMarsh]

Robby P.

........My Chicago Cubs  flag!!!

(thump,bump, thump (sound of falling down after fainting))

 

 

[Cox 47]

Morning All...Its sunny and 75 here...Just a cup of coffee for me please..thank you...Still have 2  of the grand daughters here...Lots of Disney channel and cartons..I'm just about Hannnah Montaned out..She seems to be on Disney 24/7...You all have a good one...Jerry

[Anonymous]

Good Evening Folks, Hi Zoe - how about a RBF for me, it is a nice and sunny day today, so that will be fine - thank you, Zoe. I am just back from my important meeting and it seems as if I can win this guy to cooperate. He is a marketing expert and has a good reputation - also with the banks. We seem to be moving again and that means progress (aklthough much slower than I need it). Funny, how much you can get used to posting emoticons - I have to type it up now: SMILE!

[JimRCGMO]

Good Morning, Zoe - if you can bear with me, I'll have a BLT and wolf that down, plus an RBF, please. Thanks!...

Speaking of which, anyone hear from Garry since he headed out to see how Shelley is doing?

Ulrich, what version of Firefox were you using? I think it's up to 3.5.1 currently. I use the NoScript  addon also, to block various unkind stuff on some sites. Any idea of when you might hear from your cruise line CEO about going in with your endeavor? That sounds good from your meeting with him that you posted. As for critters, the difficulty with some 'protected' species is that if they don't have enough natural competitors in their area, the population gets a tad overgrown.

Bama, other than the fire alarm snafu, sounds like a good family get-together. Good to hear the job's working out for you (don't tell Paul I used 'the' word...).

Rob, if your doctor gave you any antibiotic, please be sure to finish up the full round. Don't want that nasty MRSA (just ask your wife about that stuff). Your 'bear encounter' didn't sound like any fun at all.

Ray, I'd forgotten what bear traps looked like - thanks for the photos. That bear doesn't look too happy there, does he? Oh, I've been sharing that Bear Advisory with my co-workers yesterday and today.

Barry, just try to think of cougars as 'Spring', just in Oversized scale (or maybe Gigantic)...

No rain here in Cape G. today, but it looks like most places south of us are getting some of it, as Jeff pointed out. Barry's house might end up with a 'Lake Barry' in the yard by the time he gets back.

Bill T. - good to see you in again, and stick around a bit next time in, okay?

Inch, I think women underestimate how long they will be at a yard sale, kind of like MRR'ers tend to underestimate how long we will be in the LHS. 

Not much MRR news for myself - I did get measurements for some structures that I want to use on the layout, so I can add diagrams for them in my layout software program's editor to the railset. That'll be an evening or two (or a chunk of Saturday) to put them in.

I'll be at the window booth - I want to see if there are any bears out there playing tag with the switcher...

 

Blessings and prayers,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[Anonymous]

I am just dropping in for a night cap, Janie. Jim - it will not before mid of August until I can meet the guy. Up to this date I can only stay patient, which is getting more and more difficult - in two weeks time I am running out of money to buy food - sigh. As for the critters - we may have a total population of 200 wolves in Germany, and that is not for sure. Chances that one will ever encounter a wolf are close to zilch... We had a bear in southern Germany who crossed over the Alps from Italy, but it got shot. Wolves and bears are by no means more of a threat to the public than our politicians, but nobody shhots them ... giggle!

[TMarsh]

(groan) whew! I guess I passed out. Much better...

Cox 47

I'm just about Hannnah Montaned out

Hanna Montana!!!!!! (bump, thump, thud)

 

[Robby P.]

 Todd.....I was about to throw some water on you .

[Cederstrand]

Pop-up thunder-boomer about to hit here, so a quick coffee TO GO, please.

Picked up glue for Tinytoon's shoes and then glued them to the wrong hooves. They will work, but might not stay on as long as usual. Time to make new shoes for her anyway.

Then wife & I went to the trian room and discussed her layout plans. I now have some stuff to work on, like cutting a road in the hill country for a farm and country church.

Storms here, have a good one y'all. Rob

[inch53]

 Afternoon all, I'll have a barley pop Zoe.  Good, TOD finally came to n left I wouldn't want him to hears this.

Robby P.

 

 I know this is a day late, but the only animal (bears, mountain lions) I have near me is...........My Chicago Cubs  flag!!! 

 

ROB,,,,, did ya catch the Cubbies game last night? Soriano's grand slam in the 13'th, keeps us a ½ game up on the Cards. And don't forget Da Chicago Bears.

JERRY thankfully we don't get Disney, so it's PBS kids all day. Even that gets old on rainy days.

JIM,,,,,,, I don't say to much about her shopping. So, Mother doesn't say much about how long I'm at the LHS or swap meets. Now the spending is another subject.

Catch ya'll laters maybe.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 There's an 80% chance of rain today but I must be in the 20% of the area that doesn't get it. I haven't seen a drop today. We got half an inch over five hours yesterday.

[Robby P.]

 Inch.....I only get the Cubs on WGN, and sometimes ESPN.  Can't root for the Bears.  I'm a Black and Gold Fan...............STEELERS!!!  

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Robby P.

I'm a Black and Gold Fan...............STEELERS!!!  

Same here!

[blownout cylinder]

jeffrey-wimberly

Robby P.

I'm a Black and Gold Fan...............STEELERS!!!  

Same here!

Same here too-----

Go Steelers!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Got home to some more showering miniboomlets----- well the forecast read 60% so I guess we got 60%ed.

Lotsa writing got done today---no interruptions!! Heeheehee

Chloe, I'll have the 'burger platter with the mushroom sauce for the fries----and a big glass of milk please---I'll be at the RC with the gang-------BTW can anyone explain why Todd is stuffed over in the corner back there?-----he fainted---oh my

[Packers#1]

blownout cylinder

jeffrey-wimberly

Robby P.

I'm a Black and Gold Fan...............STEELERS!!!  

Same here!

Same here too-----

Go Steelers!!

 

Eh, y'all got half the colors right. Swap that BLACK for some GREEN

Speaking of green and gold, their legendary QB has decided to stay retired and not go play for the purple team in Minnesota

[JPowell]

JimRCGMO

Hi, JP - how's the house coming along? Got any track plans to show us yet?

Jim in Cape Girardeau

That's a negative Jim. My social life took a turn for the better today. For those that remember a few months ago I was talking about "my family" (errr.... g/f in Iowa and her kids...) . Well, today she called to say the movers are coming on the 11th to get her stuff and she's ready to move here. Well, since I only have a 3bdrm house, odviously I have to create a 4th..... Well it will be in the basement once she gets here and can help me out financially to make that happen. (and yes, she alreadys knows that!!!

 

Anyways.... the g/f (Julie) called me on Saturday while I was mowing the lawn. "What are your trains?" is the message she left. So, I call her back and tell her HO Scale. She said 'Oh. the neighbors next door to my parents are having a HUGE garage sale and he's got some train stuff. Let me go look again and call you back." "Ok" I said. 5 minutes later.... "He has 'N' scale. Do you want any?" "Well, what does he have?" "Well he has this EMD SD70ACe marked for $50.00 and.... " "$50?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes I'll take it! What else?" "Umm..... blah blah blah." Ok.....   So, to make this short, she got the ACe and a mining structure for .... get this guys..... $20! Sunday morning she called and he had not sold anything else of what was left when she was there on Saturday. And he was selling anything for face value... it was atleast 50% off! She bought the rest of what he had out for sale... (2 NScale Bachmann layouts - unopened at that, and several structures) for $75! Needless to say that even though I model HO, doesn't meant that I won't find a use for some of that N stuff! The ACe comes in a very nice display case so I'm going to just do that... display it in a room.... not sure WHAT room though.

So, there ya have it as to how things with me are going lately....

I do however have 2 questions though....

1 - What am I to do with this N Scale stuff I don't want (the layouts, etc)?

2 - Has anyone else besides the owner of my LHS heard that Boley is getting out of the Train business? Several websites have their vehicles and whatnot on "Clearance." And Walther's has most of them listed as "Discontinued When Sold Out." It will be ashame if this is really true. I like the "International" line of vehicles they produce hence why I'm buying alot of Boley vehicles lately.

Well gang.....

Take care!

[ewl01]

Chloe!! a RBF to go please!  Thanks!!!

Been too busy with work and the local town day thing on Saturday.  Nice to see JP and Bill T after all this time.  Gotta get back to the lawyers letter.  Maybe next week will be better. 

High to everyone else.... Watch out for that wildlife!!!!!

Eric

p.s.  A happy birthday to my now departed Dad, bd-07/28/1923.  I only recently found out he used to assemble metal car kits and scratchbuild HO structures from balsa and stripwood in the 1950's.  Why he never showed me I'll never know.  (we found pictures of him working at a bench putting a wood house together, his dis-owned brother confirmed it)  He was also a photography buff.... I could have learned so much.....

[AmanaMedic]

Good evening,

Since TODD keeps having fainting spells, I've brought in some vintage "smelling salts" for the ladies to keep handy for the gent.

Looks like I'm in very good company as a Steelers fan! Unfortunately, one of my "black and gold" teams is switching colors next season. NASCAR Team 17 with driver Matt Kenseth, is losing DeWalt as the primary sponser. Instead, Kenseth et al. will have Crown Royal as the primary. Goodbye black and gold...hello purple and white? gold? A purple car will take some getting used to...

Well, a very busy past few days here. Monday was an all-day journey to Des Moines and back for the State High School Baseball Tournament, round 1. My Solon Spartans won 5-1, advancing to semi-finals on Thursday. Boss and Mrs. Boss are covering THAT. If they win, the championship will be Saturday...again Boss and Mrs. Boss get it. I get to go cover a grand opening of a rennovated community center in Shueyville... At least I got one State Tourney game this year.

Today was 5 hours at the Johnson County Fair. I crossed over the Iowa Interstate (IAIS) yard in Iowa City, but didn't get to go poke around. It's crammed into a tight area, and access is really, really limited. Looked like a few of the fairly new GEVO locos were sitting there.

My CNW 41' gon is mostly decalled, thanks to a close enough set from the CNW Historical Society. Maybe, just maybe I'll get a little RR time this weekend to finish it up.

ULRICH: Very much late, but sincere congrats on your wedding anniversery! Also, GLAD to hear you might have a shot at getting back afloat, in more ways than one!

ROBBY P: Another nice CNW blue Rock box I did see a few days back.... Good luck with FedEx!

I tried to get somewhat caught-up...but know I'm missing a bunch here. Bears, lynx, and gators...oh my!

Best wishes to all, and to all a good night and even better tomorrow...

Chris

[howmus]

A Very, very, early Good Morning to all of you!  Nothing for me Zoe, I have to finally get off to bed.....

Just wanted to pop in to give you all a wake up call:

The Bugs, Birds, and Beast track got to play with this little critter first thing this morning:

While the Engineering Track visited Goulds Pumps:

Tomorrow all 3 sections will be going on Field Trips so It will be late again if I actually make it in here at all.

73

[howmus]

A Very, very, early Good Morning to all of you!  Nothing for me Zoe, I have to finally get off to bed.....

Just wanted to pop in to give you all a wake up call:

The Bugs, Birds, and Beast track got to play with this little critter first thing this morning:

While the Engineering Track visited Goulds Pumps:

Tomorrow all 3 sections will be going on Field Trips so It will be late again if I actually make it in here at all.

73

[Packers#1]

 Mornin Ray. sound slike a fun day for everyone there.