Good Morning America!
It is a sunny day, but we have strong easterly winds blowing cold air into our neck of the woods - from Russia with love.
Sunday is the time for a big breakfast. Make that pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, OJ and lots of coffee for me, Zoe, dear.
Will be doing some w*rk on that track plan today. Pascal, my Swiss friend, and I want this layout to be a good representation of the original location, so there are lots of nitty-gritties to be considered. Planning a fairly simple layout can be a tremendous task, if you want to stay as close as possible to real life.
Heartland Division CB&Q Ulrich ... Your photos of the Swiss trains are tempting to me. I'd still like to make a trip there just to ride the train in the Swiss Alps. Your track plan looks interesting.
Ulrich ... Your photos of the Swiss trains are tempting to me. I'd still like to make a trip there just to ride the train in the Swiss Alps. Your track plan looks interesting.
Garry - I´d be my pleasure to w*rk out a rewarding itinerary for you. Certainly a must-see is the Rhaetian Railway Albula and Bernina lines, combined with a trip on the famous Glacier Express down to Zermatt. A stopover at either Realp or Oberwald would yield a trip over the Furka Mountain line - a line reopened some years ago. It was closed when the tunnel connecting these two towns was finished in 1982, making the trip over the Furka Pass redundant. A bunch of really crazy people worked for years to reopen this spectacular line. They even went to Vietnam to buy back the original steam locos, which were sold to Vietnam in 1947, following electrification of the line.
Look at their web page here
Y´all have a good one!
Evening folks, just a quick stop by.
Was supposed to be the start of another season of cricket yesterday but we had ANOTHER 100mm of rain.
Took my mother and sister to Ikea today. Very busy due to the rain. Only managed to stay 2 hours, only about $60 was spent between the three of us. On the way back I wanted to stop by the airport and go to the spotting area to watch a few planes, we ended up staying an hour. Nearly everything we saw were 737s and A320s, we did see an A330 and a 777 so it wasnt all bad. I need to go sunday morning one day as 3 747s are in town. Speaking of 747s I'm planning to go to Sydney in September to a Model train show. I'm going to take the Brisbane - Sydney leg on the 747 which comes via Brisbane from Dallas Ft Worth. It will be cool to get on a 747 for a domestic trip while they are still around. It may be possible I will catch a 747 to LAX next year if I fly Qantas, but I will likely fly Virgin Australia who use modern 777s. I might end up flying out of Sydney on an A380 but I guess who will be cheapest at the time will be the bearing on my decision.
I guess it wasn't such a quick stop after all.
OzJim
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
Just got back from Nashville. Friday traffic was awful. I don't like the design of the Freeway interchanges. It's calle "uncivil engineering" ..... Of course nobody else here encounters uncivil engineering in their travels. Right?
Jeff ... Take care of that knee. Hope it gets better.
Curt .... Thanks for the comments.
Lion .. Good to see you. Roar, yourself!
Ken ... Jim CG said Larry is gone. I must have missed you telling about that. What happened? I see St' Louis had bad storms. Are you okay?
Jim CG .... You mentioned Bowser kits. I like their freight cars.
Vincent ... As info., most CB&Q SD7's and SD9's had dual controls, and either end could be the "front". It helped to reduce costs on dead-end branch lines because the unit need not be turned. Normally, the CB&Q operated them short end forward, however. I don't know if BN retained that feature. I do know some of them lasted into the BNSF merger. A few had chopped noses.
Jerry ... Speaking of chopped noses, that Alco diesel has a very long one.
Galaxy ... I imagine it would be fun to ride one of those speeders.
Ray ... That's sad about the cat killed by a dog. Reminds me, we once had a stray dog enter our property and attack a puppy we had. I picked up the stray and banged it into a wall until it let go of the puppy. Then it was a dast trip tp the vet. The puppy (black lab) survived and stayed in the family for years.
Shelley left he I-phone on the deck one night last week. A storm soaked it, and ruined it. She found a deal on a replacement and ordered it. Then when we were in Nashville, we stopped at the Apple Store and got another one. I told her I figured out why she needed two of them.... I said: "It is for your double talk." .....
Todd ... Regarding elderly mothers, prayers for your MIL. Last year, my sisters and I had a quite a time nudging my mother into assisted living in AL. I am glad to say it is the best thing for her. She is doing well except she is losing her memory. She tells us she picked out a wonderful place to live.
Where is JR?
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
EVENING FELLOW DINNERS!
FLO, I WILL TAKE A BEER PLEASE! Why Am I yelling Flo? So folks can hear me over the [li] storm!
HAIL THE SIZES OF CANNED HAM'S! Boy we took a beating today! Hail was so bad it busted out the shops garage door windows. Luckily all the customers cars where inside when the storm hit. But, my poor Town Car took a beating! If I write to a estimate on the damage it would be in the $3500.00 range. That is to bad, the paint was in good shape. I was planning to wet sand out some small scratches then buff the paint to where it would look new again. Now, if I did it, it would just make the hail dents stand out more. It was dark when I got home, so I don't know what damage was done to the roof of the house or Sues car or my 68 Road Runner. Yes Todd, for now it sits out side.
Tom, boy if your lawn was here, you would not need to turn on the sprinkler's on for a week! My front yard is under water.
Work Front Dave called at 7:30 AM and said I need to be at the shop at 8:30 AM. Problem? I was asleep and Sue heard the phone but did not answer it? I did tell her he would be calling, but it slipped her mind. She replayed the message at 8:00 AM. I did not even have time to take a shower.
My Mood At Work I tell you it is like night and day! I am smiling a lot, kidding with the customers and enjoying my self! Dave is not in my Caboose like he has been, guess it is afraid now he might lose me, then he would be Up a well known creek!
Getting out on time? After the storm, we figured we where going to be dead. So finally I would get out on time! Didn't happen! With 30 minutes to go, a lone car pulled up. (well better than 5 cars) and it turns out she need two tires. Bottom line, got out a hour late again. But I am having Kevin do the paper work. Yes it would be faster if I did it. But that was what was done to me. Made my learning curve much longer than it should be! I am trying to do the right thing by Kevin. No one ever went thought the stuff with me like I am with Kevin. Funny thing is the more time I spend with him, the less I make! Silly old me, I wounder if Dave will notices. My guess is NOT.
Lee Thank you so much for the link! Next time in the dinner chime in and ask me if I download the file! Reason? 11 hour day today, few to many and I have to be at work at 7:30 AM. ( day 8 straight) and I might forget.
See you Sunday!
Ken
I hate Rust
Evenin' folks!
Janie just a decaf for me right now.
Had dinner with my sister in Canandaigua and a friend of hers who was once one of her students. He teaches here in Geneva now. He has been through a nasty divorce (two actually) and is up to his ears in ex problems concerning their son. Anyway my sister needed to have me bring her lawn mower up from the basement before we drove down to the Mexican restaurant that she loves. Over dinner since the guy is an Applehead like myself we got into a discussion of some new technologies, then the subject of TV came up. I told him I hadn't watched TV in about 10 years as there isn't anything on it worth watching as far as I am concerned. My sister started telling me all the reasons why, with my new hearing aids I should be watching all the things she thinks I should be watching because I would become so much better a person for it..... I think I said something about I don't see any need to sit and watch advertisements for products I don't ever intend to buy since that is all there really is on TV these days... Then she blew up!
There are times I really get sad and rue the fact that I never found another love of my life like my first wife.... Then I go out to dinner with my sister and come away realizing just how lucky I might be!
Currently 33°F outside tonight. Low will be around 28°F. Wood stove is up and putting out heat very nicely at the moment. Will reload it before bed.
Speaking of annoying ads.... Why is that stupid notice popping up (it is a jpg) every time I close my browser and reopen it telling me how much I am missing by not getting the Kalmbach Newsletter??? I get the thing, glance at it and put it in the trash! What more am I supposed to do. I have the latest Ad Blocker Plus on Firefox!
Oh well! Have a good night all.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Jeffrey:
Maybe you could do a small scene of someone with a front end loader and a Chevy 4x4 stuck in the mud!
Sorry about your knee. Last thing you need!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Time for me to call it a night. Had to go to my parents place several times today. Left knee hurts like hell and I'm wondering if I'll even be able to go anywhere tomorrow. I smacked it against a concrete step yesterday and while it didn't make a bruise there is a bit of a lump there. The Shell Service Center scene is no more. I pulled it up today. All that remains on the site is a support brace or two that held the wires and a couple of lights. As for the structure I'm pretty sure I've found it a new home with a modeler who expressed an interest in it. I have no idea what I'll be doing tomorrow. That all depends on if I can even get out of bed in the morning.
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
Evening All,
Went to the train show and the only thing I bought was some weeds for scenery (safe from RSA). I have noticed in this area more and more the vendors are charging retail. The open house went well at the club. Tomorrow it's back to w**k again. The temps are supposed to be just shy of 90 F all week except Wednesday when it cools down to 85 F. The humidity is supposed to be rising also.
Well I hope everyone has a good night.
Curt Webb
The Late Great Pennsylvania Railroad
http://s1082.photobucket.com/albums/j372/curtwbb/
Evening, Janie - I'll have the roast beef, mashed potaters & gravy, asparagus and a side salad, with a glass of Finger Lakes wine to go with that please. Thanks!
Yep, still kickin' here. (So much for getting back into the Diner as soon as I'd hoped, though I did get a peek in the window one or two days)
Ray, sorry to hear about your sister's loss (as you said, horrible way for even a cat to go). But it sounded like you had a good day going over the MLK scholarship entrees earlier in the day. And yes, that does sound a little unusual to have more guys this year - I recall you mentioning several gals for previous years' scholarships, but didn't remember you mentioning the guys as much(any?) before.
Todd, hang in there (and keep your voice low when Brenda's around, just to keep things peaceable). As others said, it's what you can do now for Brenda. Maybe she'll even thank you later (or not, but that's not the point, right?)
Jerry, good to see you in more often, and keep those pics of the I&S coming.
Galaxy, you lucky dog, getting a live sighting of a Farirmont Speeder! (Now, next time you go out, better take your camera with you, just in case...)
Curt, sorry to hear about your friend's mother. Hope she passes peacefully and doesn't have to linger long. for your friend's family also.
Jeff, had a good chuckle from your story about your niece's brother-in-law and his escapade. Sure he isn't related to your nephew? Good thing your cart at the store didn't wait until you were at the opposite end of the store for the battery to die on you.
Ken, good to hear that Larry has left the building (for the last time...)! That might just help your w**kdays go a bit better, right? (Okay, once Kevin gets the hang of things...) But at least you will be getting more commission (both because it's only you & Dave, as well as because you'll be getting all of your own commissions. Oh, like your layout pics! (Though with 70 hours this next week, it may be a bit before you can get very many more posted...)
Rob - good to hear your sportscar is good for taking care of the stumps. How far along on your various storm-related clean-up jobs are you now?
Ulrich, maybe you could get your friend Pascal to help you out with scenery ideas for one of your next modules(?). You do a great job on your layout designs for sure. How've your temps been doing there lately? We actually got to 83 F (27 or 28 C) today here. Continue with your progress; for continuing healing (and better weather in your area).
As for my MRR progress lately, I have managed to get two Bowser 2-bay covered hoppers put together (SP ones), as well as a couple of 40' boxcars (Accurail). I've been thinking that I may just build a 2' X 4' module/diorama for displaying some structures that I've been w**king on. Today I went by Hobby Lobby and got some small balsa sticks (1/8th inch square or so) and three more colors of acrylic crafts paints. One is a red that I'll use as a starting point for the (wooden) grain elevator building (the one that's mostly stalled until I can get all the walls painted and then assemble them). Will add some white and a little black to grey the color down some. I figure on the module, I will have a RR track on it, so I can use it for photographing cars I get built, as well as structures. Plus, add scenery and a backdrop to it.
I'll be at the RC, dealing with my dinner, and see who else strolls in.
Blessings and prayers,
Jim in Cape G.
Turned out to be a fairly decent day out there! About time. We've had a run of wintery-like days lately.
UH, uh,uh, oh oh oh I knwo what I forgot to mention yesterday!
I was at the gas station pumping away, and I knew there was something Yellow over on the next pump Island, but paid no attention to what. Then, when I did focus in its direction, I saw what it was! Anybody want to hazzard a guess?????
It was a yellow actual, real, live, gen-you-ine FAIRMONT SPEEDER!!! It was on a trailer being towed by a pickup. I have no idea as to where the owner was as the truck was empty or I migh have asked him a few questions! He never showed the whole time I pumped or afterwards, as I kinda hung around. It is a plaza so he/she/it could have been anywhere, even in the McDonalds there.
I was wondering if there was a speeder trip going on locally, or if he was just passing through.
While they are all cute little things,and we all mihgt like to have one, they say that having a speeder and doing rail trips is not a cheap hobby and is really reserved for those who have the means to keep up with it. You also have to be able to fix/repair on the fly as you can not hold up a group of speeders behind you if yours fails.
Here's a classifieds ad: http://www.railspeeders.com/wantads/popup.asp?id=6034
Here's some general info: http://www.railspeeders.com/
Well, DInner tonight is dead pig, smashed together eggs and flour {aka noodles} and veggies.
Here I sit fat dumb and wishing i had a speeder..
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Good Morning All...Its partly cloudy an55 here..posta have a good chance of T-bumpers this PM...I'll have toast and coffee please...Thank you...Made a power chair run to the store for 1/2 and 1/2 for Sallie's coffee..didn't wear a jacket and got alittle chilly....My son and His Wife and kids coming up today...and plan to watch the Cards game on TV..been running trains but nothing on the work bench right now...
You All have a good week-end.....Jerry
No waffles for me. They're on my no-no list.
Good morning. It's 75° and partly sunny. The high will be 85° and partly cloudy.
Well, as I reported yesterday my nieces husbands little brother got a very heavy tractor stuck in the marsh that is the lower east side of my parents back yard. When I left there last night it was still mired in the muck. Later they had several more folks show up to help and sometime last night got it out of the hole and made a fair mess of the yard doing it. Maybe later I can get a photo of the area in question. One thing for sure, I bet he won't be in a hurry to do that again. So goes life at redneck central. I've already been to my parents place this morning and prepared breakfast for my mother. It wasn't pleasant as my left knee is hurting pretty bad. All that activity yesterday I guess. Today if I get the time to do it I'll be removing the Shell Service Center from the layout. I don't have much space to store it without breaking it down but I don't want to just toss it out either.The vehicles aren't a problem as they can be packed in a box in the closet.
Went outside around 10:00 this morning and turned on the lawn sprinklers. Got some strange looks from passing cars as it was around 37 degrees out. But it has to be done. The landscaper came on Thursday and installed new sod on the front yard. It looks great, but now it has to be kept wet. I suppose with my luck we will now enter into a long lasting drought condition. I'm hoping for two weeks of steady rain, but we all know that's not going to happen. Anyway, I've been turning them on three times a day. I just had an idea, maybe I'll wash the car, it ALWAYS rains after that.
I don't know what we will be doing this weekend. It's a little too cold for railfanning. There is a train show tomorrow. Although it is almost completely "O" gauge, I might go. There won't be anything for me, but I like looking anyway, no matter the gauge.
I've been enjoying the photos being posted. Some very nice work.
Hope everybody has a nice weekend. Tom
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
A plate of waffles (thanks, Sue) and a strong coffee in a SUNNY SOUTHERN mug, please.
Have a good day all.
Rob
Mornin' everyone!
Zoe, I'll have a bowl of Organic Pomegran Plus Granola cereal with cherries, Skim milk, and bring the bowl of stevia packets over as well. Oh yes, I do want my pot of dark roast coffee in a R&GV RR Mug please. (Well, that is actually what I did have for breakfast a while ago.)
The sun is shining for the moment and the thermometer says 41°F outside. I am going to try to get part of the lawn mowed this morning. Then I'm going to see if I can get one more FT turnout finished. Then the yards in the new area will be connected to the old part of the layout and I should be able to bring some of the trains parked in my way on the old section over to the bare track in the new. Then I start to clean and set up for the troop visit on Tuesday.
What's with the new pop up jpg Kalmbach has showing up every morning telling me to get their stupid newsletter (that I already get)??? I have the latest update for Add Blocker Plus installed and nothing else gets through it! Annoying to say the least.
Have dinner tonight with my sister in Canandaigua. Hope she is doing OK after the cat thing yesterday. I still feel terible about the whole thing!
Jeffrey, I like the photos you have been putting in here lately. Some nice shots! The same goes for several others as well. I'm enjoying seeing your work, and the proto photos as well.
Todd (and others), been there done that with the aging parent routine. My Mom was very needy near the end, and if my sister and I didn't each show up at least every other day, she would put on her sad face and say, "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in such a long time!" She was in assisted living and had every need looked after, but couldn't, by lunch time, remember what she had for breakfast, so she really didn't remember we had just up to see her. I am glad I did spend the time to see her at least a couple times a week during the last few years. This is a time when your wife needs all the support you can give her. I know how hard this is on those who have to accept the burden. This too shall change all too soon..... Be blessed!
Later!
LSWrr Galaxy, the temp handicap signs are free in Ohio. When Dorothy was in a wheel chair after her surgery we got 2, but it was only valid when she was in the vehicle. I understand if you are disabled the plates are discounted by your disability percentage…
The hangy thingy in the window was free with Doctor's form filled out from the Town Clerk. It lasts 5 years and is recorded and issued by Driver license number. The plates were $27 or $29 extra, again with the hangy thingy from the Town clerk and the Dr. form at the DMV.
Both are only valid if I am in the vehicle. But I have the hangy-thingy for when I am in another vehicle, and of course my vehicle has the plates. IF I am not in my vehicle with the plates, they are rendered useless.
Everyone have a great Day!
Good Morning!!! Coffee and…oh, waffles! Thanks Sue.
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.
Another day of odds and ends here. Main thing is dig up some Black Raspberries for a friend. Gave her some a couple weks ago and since I'm gonna reeeeeeeeally chop the mess back this year,I'll give her more so it takes fewer years to get enough plants for a decent crop. I said sounds good to me. Also will not remove the bulk until after they produce this year, she said she wouldn't get any until hers produce. Made sense to me though Brenda isn't real thriled with the fact the patch of brambles is gonna hang around a bit longer. I mistakenly made the comment, how would you know you spend every waking moment at your Mothers. Glad she didn't hear that. I felt bad. Her Mother isn't doing well and has been in and out of hospital. When she's home she goes over there every night and on weekends to tend to her. Yes others help. She has almost a, no she does have a 24 hour watch. Sometimes I doubt she really needed it. No that's not true. I KNEW she didn't need it. She just milked it and likes the attention, but now.... things have changed.
Another problem with caring for a parent is the strain it puts on relationships. I bite my tongue remembering how good Brenda was with my Mother. BUT....I wasn't there everyday when she was in the hospital and nursing homes like they feel they need to be. Why? She wants them there. She gets "nervous".
Welp best get movin before it rains. Looks like my 20% is moving in by looking at the sky.
Ya’ll have a good day!!!!
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
Good morning, Diners. Coffee, please, Chloe. I think that I will have a waffle with heavy syrup later when I wake up.
There has been just enough rain to keep me from working outside. I ran out of scale 1 x 4's, and my sewing machine is in the sewing machine hospital. To my surprise, it has a 5 year warranty. What are the odds of that?
Later, Sue
Waffles for all! I buy!
Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.
Good Morning,
Ken, try this first: http://www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight/Get-Started/Install/Default.aspx
Galaxy, the temp handicap signs are free in Ohio. When Dorothy was in a wheel chair after her surgery we got 2, but it was only valid when she was in the vehicle. I understand if you are disabled the plates are discounted by your disability percentage…
BM1 Lee Soule USCG (ret) L.S.&W Railroad Serving the Lower Great Lakes
Lunchtime in Germany!
We had Petra´s award winning noodle salad and sausages. Add a to it and you have one of a sumptuous meal!
As long as I stay inside, I fell alright. The moment I go outside, well, that´s still a different story. As the weather is not really nice here, I am not tempted to go outside.
My Swiss friend finally has sold his (unfinished) Marklin layout and is now progressing on his plan for a new, Rhaetian Railway themed layout. We have been exchanging numerous emails yesterday afternoon and this morning, just to add the final detail and thoughts to his ideas (or were they mine? )
Like many of the European layouts, it is more of a display layout, but based on the actual situation to be found at Station Ospizio Bernina on the Bernina line. Operation differs heavily from what you folks now - hardly any switching operation. It is mainly passenger operation, with an occasional mixed train passing through. There are no freight trains on the Bernina line, whatever goods have to be transported, are pulled by passenger trains. Main staple is gasoline from an Italian Refinery, or lumber, with the occasional container load thrown in. The Bernina line´s main purpose is passenger trains, for tourists visiting this part of the Alps.
Well, here is the now final plan:
Knowing Pascal´s landscaping skills, I know that this will turn into an awesome looking layout!
I am glad I can be of help to him!
The German manufacturer Bemo has nearly the complete roster available, making this line a popular line to model, not only in Switzerland. At close to $ 400 for a DC model of one (!) of these rail cars, not a cheap choice, though.
Have a rewarding day!
Good Morning! from Tipton IN.
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
GOOD MORNING!!!
Today is Saturday, April 28th, 2012!!!
Welcome To the Weekend!!!
Happy Saturday to those folks that are off!
Dark chocolate cocoa, please.
Had a productive day in the sports car (excavator) and got a bunch more stumps out, including a couple rather big ones. Then a storm threatened and I called it quits. Was pretty beat up by then anyway. Toe is a bit sore, too. Tried not to use that foot much.
Have a good night all.
Evening Dinners!
Flo, Beer Pleases.
Curt Thank you and others that have had kind words about my photos! Looking forward to see some pictures of your turntable and roundhouse Curt. While I never got a round house I did get this!
It will sallow a Big Boy and tender with ease. There is 8 stalls and as a paint booth inside.
Vincent I still have around 5 Blue Box engines left, I think? I do have a BB F7A shell, chassis, trucks but no gears, wheels or glass. I used them to power my F 7B unit.
Work Front Well Larry is gone, today was his last day at the store. So no more worrying about being framed for missing cash, stealing my tickets or just the sick feeling he gave me!
But, there is a down side! Dave and I are the only trained people to run the store. While we do have Kevin (4th day of training) at this point he is a klutz when it comes to the computer. I do not mind helping him (I remember how he feel's) he does slow me down and I am not all that fast anyway! Plus it seems I will be working 70 hours this coming week. Plus I have to work Saturday, that will be my 7th day in a row! Not sure when i will get a day off at this point.
Oh, the kicker? Dave did not tell me when to show up Saturday. I called him two times after he left and no return call? Guess I will Waltz in when i bloody well feel like it!
Well as I guessed my father came up with things to do. Go to Wal-Mart with him to do some shopping. I had some trouble finding a good cart. First two I found seemed good but I had to limp them back to the front because they died after five minutes. Third time was the charm. Wasn't all bad. I got a big bag of BBQ chips, box of Ritz crackers, 24 pack box of extra butter popcorn , pack of cheese and a 16 pack of Duracell AA batteries for my soldering tool. about $22 before tax, and he paid for all of it. When we got back to their home he and I made tacos for us and I made my homemade chicken soup for my mother. She doesn't like the store bought stuff mach but boy she dive into this. She wanted it a bit spicy this time so instead of using regular low sodium V8 I used spicy low sodium V8 and a little Tabasco sauce. She loved it. My father put down four tacos, I put down ten. I hadn't had anything since early this morning. In the back yard a comedy was unfolding. My niece wanted the old burn pile back there relocated to the marsh at the bottom of the property. So her husband talked to his little brother who went and borrowed a Long tractor with a front loader bucket and a box blade from a friend. Everything was fine as he went down into the yard to the burn pile. He scooped up the first load from the burn pile and headed to the edge of the marsh. It went up to the frame faster than you could get halfway through saying 'Jack Robinson'! No surprise to me as that whole area had been underwater two weeks ago. I can't even drive the old Peerless tractor/mower through there without it sinking. Well first he tied off to a huge old yellow pine and tried pulling it out with a cumalong. He broke that. So he brought his 4x4 GMC (would you believe the spell checker didn't know what GMC was?) truck down there and tried yanking it out with that. No dice. Only one rear wheel and one front wheel was pulling and as soon as one lost traction the other one would stop. Seems if you want a good 4x4 you gotta get a Jeep or a Ford. It was fun to watch. Me, my niece and my sister had ringside seats! Yelling, cussing, engines roaring, mud flying all over. It was better than watching Monster Jam on the Speed channel. I left from down there around an hour and a half ago and the tractor was still buried. I haven't heard a tractor come up the road yet so I have to assume it's still there.Well time for me to call it a night. I'm sore and hurting and am sure going to be glad to see the bed. See y'all tomorrow.
Janie, just a decaf and a seat in the back booth by the stove.....
Been an interesting day for sure. We had the interviews for the MLK Scholarships late this afternoon. Nice to be able to sit and talk with young people who are planning on making a good life for themselves and want to become community leaders! One young man has 11 brothers and sisters. He is a very quiet and soft spoken young man and is the youngest in his family. He will be the first person ever to go to college! In fact, he will be the first person in his family to graduate from High School!!! Several of his older siblings are now out of jail and are trying to put their lives back together. Not terrible kids, but just into some petty things that landed them where they didn't want to be. At the other end of the spectrum is a kid who has carried a 93 average throughout high school and that includes several AP and college level courses. He has been very active in community groups doing some major service to others in the community. Just a GREAT young man! This is the first year we have ever had a majority of men applying for the scholarship! Both of the above mentioned candidates will be getting a scholarship from us. Of the group we interviewed today 5 will be getting scholarships. One applicant is out of town this week with his parents. We will catch up with him early next week when he gets back. I bet he will get a scholarship as well. he has earned his Eagle Scout Award, and is another kid who has spent many hours doing community service for others during high school and maintaining a high average at the same time.
Then I get home and find my sister has called my house 3 times during the afternoon. I called her back and she wasn't there. Left a message on her machine to call me. I had no sooner sat down at the computer after dinner when she called again. She was in tears! The neighbors dog got out today and killed her old cat (17 years). Nailed her right on my sisters porch. She had just let her out, went to do dishes and heard a crash and a horrible shriek from the cat. Dog had her in it's mouth and was violently shaking her. She had to kick the dog several times to get him to drop the cat. She then took the dog back to it's house and chained it up. Put Monet Marie (the cat) in a blanket and drove to the vets. They did some tests and told Nancy they didn't think she would survive (ruptured the cats liver and it was already in kidney failure not too mention a broken hip) so she had her put out of her misery... Poor old girl. Now if you remember I never did like the cat, but I still hate to see an animal die in such pain. My sister is just beside herself, although she had calmed down from earlier.... The lady who owns the dog rode to the vets with my sister and helped her. She felt terrible and is paying for all the vet bills and the cremation.
Well! That was my day, except I did get some stuff done on the layout....
Have a great and safe night!
At w**k what can I say. High was 88 F today and the next several days. Next Wednesday it is cooling down to 83 F. My friends Mother was tested and found to have no brain function so she is talking with the MD's about turning off life support which is probably going to happen in the next day or so.
Vincent- Sorry I only took 1 photo. The museum is around 2 hours from my house so it's not real convienent..
Curt Webb Jeff- Nice pic. Is that the station you are thinking about removing?
Jeff- Nice pic. Is that the station you are thinking about removing?
Well,
I went and did some errands and went to my dad's. He is fine. He had a gas tankless water heater installed some time ago, but still finds it does not meet the immediate need for hot water when the shower is turned on,and cools down after he turns water off to soap up. SO he bought a recirculator pump that is supposed to recirculate the water back to the water heater til it meets temperature requirements so water is not wasted down the drain. Seems his $200 model from Home Despot doesn't work, SO the plumber said "darn cheap things, I'll go get another one that is $300, but it will work". SO he goes and brings the new $300 modle the next day. It is exactly identical in every way to the cheap one except for its color. But, It, too, fails! SO now he will come back again with his assistant and neither one have any idea why it is not working. It SHOULD work with a tankless, but doesn't appear to be. ANyone have any ideas? The plumber is to be back again to solve the riddle if he can? I think the tankless heater is probably not kicking on when it recircs the water, but what do I know?
Then I stopped for gas. Had $0.70 off a gallon with my grocery store loyalty card. BUT...the company is changing its offerings on that...it will not be $0.10 per $50 you spend, it will be $0.10 per $100 you spend!!! They are supposed to be bringing in cheap priced good quality goods so that for your $100 you get more food..sure, I believe that...in a pigs eye!! They did bring in a series of cheaper-than-store label brand of certain things, but the quality is not as good. SO I may now shop around for the best prices and nto worry about the gas thing. It was worth a few extra bucks to save off the gas, but now, may not be worth it. It really needs $0.30 off to get a deal as the Sunoco stations here are generally $0.10 higher per gallon anyway than the discounters of gas. so then you have to spend a few pennies to get there to the partner station, and that uses another $0.10. But it sure is nice to fill up with 17.5 gallons and pnly pay $3.19 per gallon!
FOund out teh Kia's low gas light comes on about 3 gallons left, plus whatever reserve is not registered by the guage. Never let gas go that low before. I thought, now watch, the light won't go out when the tank is full! Knowing my luck with the KIA. But it went out.
We'd buy a new car if we could . thinking about the gasoline Chevy Cruize that gets 40 MPG. Wish they made it in a wagon! Our minivans only get aobut 20 MPG. I bet Jeffrey would love a 20 MPG vehicle about now though...
WEll, dinner is serve yourself what you can find as MOH is sleeping now. So I won't cook for just me.
have a geat evening...
here I sit fat dumb and happy...