Evening folks,
So some creepy 1984 type stuff going on lately.
Ed, didn't you say you like Miracle Whip?
If so I can thank you for giving me recurring ads for "Miracle Whip Merchandise" on Instagram.
I am not joking!
To further the conspiracy let me elaborate...
In Life Groups last Sunday Big Dave (the teacher) was saying how his friend asked him to use his Amazon account to order a chewy ice maker for the friends wife for Christmas and she would find out if the friend used his own account.
So this week one of the girls in our group was saying how on Monday after Big Dave told us the story she got an ad on Instagram for a chewy ice maker from Amazon.
It gets better!
Another girl was saying how her family is going to an escape room thing next week.
I got an ad on Instagram for an escape room place in Baton Rouge just now!
Gotta go put on my tinfoil hat now!
Top of page! Belly up to the bar and have what you will!
Steve
If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!
NWP SWPSo some creepy 1984 type stuff going on lately.
.
That is all just wierd circumstance, not Orwellian 1984 "stuff", you should probably read 1984.
This reminds me of the people that think they learned something about irony from Alanis Morisette's song Ironic. There is nothing ironic in the song, it is just a bunch on inconvenince and coincidence.
Don'cha think? Yeah, I really do think.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good evening from the West Coast. It was a rather pleasant day today and quite relaxing having both kids in the house for a change. Picked the kid up Friday night and he was so exhausted as he wrote a three-hour exam and caught his flight home. I gave him my last three ounces of screech for a nightcap and we chatted briefly and he was in bed by 2200hrs.
The wife gave me a list of things to get yesterday as we were having a big crowd in for dinner. I wasn't wanting to go out at all as I hate shopping at the best of times. I had five stops to make and at every one of them, a parking spot just appeared right in front of the store I needed to go to. It was magical I'll tell ya. I went to Everything Wine and picked up a dozen bottles for the holidays and then had to go elsewhere to get some Rum and I treated myself to a $100.00 bottle of Scotch. When I was at the liquor store an old lady had a fall just outside and all her bottles broke. It was heartbreaking to see and the little old lady was bleeding quite badly as well. A group of staff from the liquor store and some patrons came to her aid quickly and got her sorted out. I think they probably replaced her booze for her as well.
The wife cooked an amazing beef tenderloin last night with asparagus and mashed potatoes. After dinner, I opened a 33-year-old bottle of Port my cousin had given me about 25 years ago from his private stock. He was a Commander in the Royal Navy and had given me three bottles. Every year I meant to open one at Christmas but forgot about them. Not this year and boy did it go down smooth. One of the guys at dinner knows his wine as he worked in the industry. He eyes went as big as saucers when I pulled the bottle out to show him. I had decanted it earlier in the day into a crystal decanter and had the empty bottle in the kitchen. He hauled out his phone and told me all about it, including the going price for it aftermarket. Yikes, it is the most expensive booze I will ever have, that's for sure. I really wanted to share it with our good friends rather than the relatives.
Tonight we had a family dinner at my BILs house for 15 of us. He was ticked I didn't bring my guitar and belt out "O Holy Night" and "Silent Night". I am no John Denver but I can belt this one out pretty good.
When the kids were young I would get about $200.00 in five dollar bills and as we would go into the different stores through the Christmas season I would give them five bucks to put in the kettles along the way. I made a point to engage the person manning the kettle in conversation and the kids got into that habit as well. I kind of got away from stopping to chat the last few years, however this year I started doing it again and yesterday had a wonderful talk with a special needs kid outside the liquor store. I think that made my Christmas this year as he was a wonderful human being.
Well, tomorrow night it is off to a cousins house where the gathering will be around fifty or so. I may take the guitar to make amends for tonight. Even though I am a devout heathen, I love the music.
All the best to all.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
ROBERT PETRICK Track fiddler I'm a good old Scotsman like my Grandfather. I say it like it is. TF There's gey few wha's like us, and they're all dead. Robert
Track fiddler I'm a good old Scotsman like my Grandfather. I say it like it is. TF
I'm a good old Scotsman like my Grandfather. I say it like it is.
TF
There's gey few wha's like us, and they're all dead.
Robert
?... if that was a pie-in-the-face I probably deserve it. Nothing worse than a Scotsman with a bottle of scotch on his first night of vacation into the wee hours of the morning. My apologies if I offended anyone,
On the road most of the day yesterday. We'll be driving into Branson Missouri this morning to see the Christmas light display tonight. Should be fun.
Merry Christmas eve all.
Good morning everybody ..... Coffee and Christmas cookies, please.
TF ....... Enjoy Branson ! We rode the Dinner Train there a few months ago ...... I have some Scottish in me also.
I hope everybody has a wonderful Christmas Eve.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Thanks Garry we heard about a Polar Express train I just hope there's time enough to do everything Judy wants to do today.
Leaving the hotel this morning we were greeted by a Christmas cross in the sky, should be a great day.
TF ... Branson Scenic Railway has dinner once a week on the train. Rest of the time it is just a scenic ride. .... It is worthwhile.... Enjoy.
Merry Christmas Diners,
Amtrak America, 1971-Present.
Afternoon diners!
Almost sundown here in the Finger Lakes meaning it will officially be Christmas Eve, the first day of Christmas here soon! I'll be heading down to church soon for the Children's/Family Christmas Eve Service. I imagine my Granddaughters will be singing in the children's choir for the service. We will be treated to Eggnog and Christmas Cookies afterwards.
I have been trying to get my 4 miles in by walking around the neighborhood this afternoon.... I am up to 8,250 of the 11,000 or so steps I need to complete the 4 miles so far. It is cold and damp out there and too many cars going by to enjoy walking in the neighborhood. I prefer the Field House but they are closed today and tomorrow for some strange reason..... Hmmmmmmmm......
For your enjoyment here is a site with photos from the Rochester and Genessee Valley RR Museum's recent Santa Trains.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/sets/72157701683416292
My best wishes for a great holiday season no matter what you and yours celebrate!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Thanks again Garry I would like nothing better to do on my birthday the 26, found the brochure, getting closer.
howmusFor your enjoyment here is a site with photos from the Rochester and Genessee Valley RR Museum's recent Santa Trains. https://www.flickr.com/photos/rgvrrm/sets/72157701683416292
Sure looks like everyone is having a good time!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
This Christmas is turning out to be a bit different. I'm on my own for tonight and most of Christmas day. Dianne is in Vancouver helping her sister and nieces cope with the fact that her husband is still missing. My son and his wife are coming for a late Christmas dinner so that will be fun. No presents until Dianne gets back.
Cheers everybody!
TF ..... These are photos I took in Branson last May. The train has a GP30 at one ned and an F7 at the other. Both units are controlled by the cab of one units depending on dirction train is moving. The train has Budd stainless steel cars including dome cars from the former Californa Zephyr.
Dave ..... Thanks for the Christmas greetings....
Brent .... It sounds like your family had quite a feast. Reading bout it, made me hungry.
Ray .... Thanks for the link to the Christmas celebrations at your railroad museum. It looks like many families enjoyed the day.
Our Christmas celebrations are spread over several weeks (Thanksgiving to New Years Day) .... Not much tomorrow, however.
Merry Christmas, best wishes and prayers for all,, Jan
herrinchoker Merry Christmas, best wishes and prayers for all,, Jan
Jan .... Back to you. Merry Christmas !
Heartland Division CB&Q
Yep I found her Garry unfortunately she's resting till after New Year,
TF .. Sorry to hear that.
Heartland Division CB&Q TF .. Sorry to hear that.
It's all good Garry. We had fun today, plenty to do and see. We are waiting for it to get dark now.
We got a room with a balcony right down from Branson Railway next to that fountain light show that goes to the music on the hour every hour. They are doing it to Mannheim Steamroller Christmas music this evening. Judy's excited.
Added an image of the fountains before dark. It's 53 degrees down here, look the flowers are still growing.
The Christmas light display in Silver City or Silver Dollar City about a half hour back was closed tonight. Who closes a Christmas light show on Christmas Eve. The fountain light show right outside our hotel was really cool though. Your eyes always do better Justice than a camera but I'll send a pic.
Judy likes her big tree this year.
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I some Eggnog with a little Crown Royal mixed in please.
Worked today and it was not as slow as I thought it would be. I really thought no one would come in. Had 3 customers and 2 bought and I made a whole extra $5.00.
Just does not feel like Christmas Eve. More than likely it was the fact it was 50 drgees most of the day and Sunny.
Jan Merry Christmas buddy. Miss you posting in the dinner!
Ed I was going to call tonight but I guessing you have family over so I used my better judgment. Hope the grandkids are enjoying the gift I sent you!
Bought my self a little gift. It is a heater head that mounts on top of a propane bottle. Just cannot warm up to the idea of having a propane bottle in the garage! May take back?
Trains are running great so Merry Christmas to all, and to all good night.
Ken
I hate Rust
I hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday! Thanks to all for the friendly sentiments
cudakenEd I was going to call tonight but I guessing you have family over so I used my better judgment. Hope the grandkids are enjoying the gift I sent you!
Actually, Ken, I just got home. Tonight was Christmas with wife's family but things are still hectic with her dad in hospital waiting for a decision from the cardiologist. Three different doctors, four different opinions for what course to take.
One doctor actually said it wasn't worth surgery, at his age he's probably going to die soon anyway. That's reassuring to hear from a medical professional.
Grandkids won't be over until Sunday. Everyone is too busy to get together sooner. I'll try to get a picture of them with the new, fancy toy! Thanks again!
I like my Crown on the rocks but I'll put a little Captain Morgan in my egg nog, Ken! Thanks again
Oh, yeah. One more thing — be VERY careful with that infra-red heater! You don't realize it but they are heating up the surface of anything in front of it more than you know. A friend at w**k got burned when his nylon pants caught fire and he didn't know he was standing too close to the heater.
cudakenEd and others I want to install a few more F7s QSI deoder speakers. Which one and where sould I buy them from? Any idea how many amps output from a QSI decoder? I am guessing 1 amp but that is a guess.
You want to add another QSI decoder to an engine that doesn't have one? Or do you want to add an additional speaker? One amp is about what the decoder puts out for the motor and lights.
The sound amp puts out about a half watt. SOME sound decoders will handle one watt and some of the large scale ones will pump out a whole three watts.
I usually buy from MB Klein and if they don't have what I need I go to Tony's Train Exchange and if not there then either Streamlined Backshop or Litchfield Station. I've had good luck with all of them.
TCS has a new High Bass speaker I've been wanting to try:
https://tcsdcc.com/highbass
28mm should be a direct replacement diameter for most Broadway engines.
Cheers and Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all!
Regards, Ed
Evening diners!
Nice little Christmas Eve here.
Right now we're watching Its a Wonderful Life next in the queue is Die Hard...
Had to run to town this evening to stop by work to fix the front door, got that done in under 5 minutes and then went to do some last minute shopping, Home Depot was closed, along with Wally World, Winn Dixie was open as well as Walgreens so I got most of what I needed.
I'll be around.
Hello Everyone,
Here are pictures of my christmas tree and train:
" width="140" height="140" />
and a lower shot of the entire consist
I bought this LGB Train Set in June 2001, The little green steamer came in the set with a yellow crane car and an orange gondola with a green truck. The first passenger car came in 2006, the second one in 2008 and the last one in 2010.
SeeYou190Christmas surprise for me this year! I just got a Sunset brass USRA Heavy 2-8-2 on eBay for less than $200.00 with shipping, Buy It Now. I grabbed it as soon as I saw it.
The Brass Heavy Mikado showed up today. That was quick.
It is perfect! The hardware pack has never been opened and the boiler weight is uninstalled. The wheels look like they have never been on the track.
I set up a test track and it runs beautiful! I am not going to run it anymore until I give it a good cleaning.
Look at this family portrait. I think all I need is a USRA 2-8-8-2 and my steam fleet will be completed.
From left to right... USRA 0-8-0, USRA Light Pacific, USRA Heavy Mikado, USRA Heavy Mikado, USRA Light Mountain.
I also have three Powerhouse USRA Light Mikados to make it well rounded.
I have a handful of oddball steamers as well, but like many freelancers, using USRA locomotives is an easy way to believability.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
SeeYou190The Brass Heavy Mikado showed up today.
Nice start to your Christmas! Nice fleet too.
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!"
We had a quiet Christmas Eve yesterday. The little one arrived with the 10.10 train from Hannover and we spent a few leisurely hours talking, but foremost enjoying all the goodies Petra had made for the day. All of us ate way too much, but even so we have enough leftovers to carry us through the rest of the week!
The day passed too quickly and at 5pm we had to get going again to take the little one to the train station for him to catch the 17.15 train back to Hannover again. The rest of the day was spent "digesting", i.e. listening to Bach´s Christmas Oratory and reminiscing about the past Christmas days, when the little one was not as awfully grown up and reasonable as he is nowadays. Lots of fond memories "under the tree"!
Merry Christmas to Everyone!
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
It is just minutes to midnight and I am finishing off a little Scotch while I wait for the house to drift into silence.
We were at the cousins tonight and had a great time as always. Then it was home to watch the Polar Express, Mom, Dad, Son, Daughter, and two Golden Retrievers. My Daughter rarely sings but tonight after the movie she belted out believe with Josh Grobin. She has a beautiful voice inherited from my Mom who was a Professional opera singer. I wish she would sing much more often.
Mom had gone right to bed and I was taking in the quiet after a busy day, then I heard Daaaaad, you have a story to read. I thought maybe it wouldn't happen this year but we piled into our bed waking Mom up and read "The Night Before Christmas". Sometimes it is nice that some things never change.
It is 0000hrs time to get busy.
Merry Christmas to all of you, have a wonderful day.