ROAR
Yeash! LION's on the top, LIONs on the TOP,
Rare Wildebeests for all.
Bring your TAIL
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Since not everybody enjoys rare wildebeest (sorry, LION, but it's true), for the rest of us today's Diner special is Chicago-style deep-dish pizza.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Good morning! Cloudy and rainy in Nebraska. My wife grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and had so many cloudy, rainy days she still hates them. I prefer cloudy rainy days. Opposites.
I love the pictures of the E8s. I was a boy in the 1950s, and I didn't appreciate the steam locomotives that were still running. I loved the E8s (or were they 9s?) that, to me, looked like the streamlined future.
My daughters and their families spent several weeks in France last summer, and spent an afternoon at Notre Dame. They wanted my wife and I to go with them, but we decided not to go. Now my wife regrets not seeing the cathedral.
Hope everyone has a great day. It's raining in farm country, and that puts everyone (except my wife) in a good mood. I can't work outside, so I guess I will have to suffer and work on the layout. Please feel sorry for me.
York1 John
Steve, that looks more like lasagna without pasta than a pizza. We have Sicilian out here in the civilized east but it is nowhere near as deep.
York1 - I feel your pain.
Afternoon.........
Been a bad afternoon for me today! Last night my kitty Balckie threw up several timws. Right before I went to bed he seemed to be trying to poop without any success. This morning he seemd to be in a bit of distress and still trying to poop. After I got home from walking he was still acting like he was in pain.
So, mid afternoon I decided I best get him checked over. The Vet told me to bring him right over, so I loaded him up and did so. He didn't come back home.
The vet found a mass in his colon. Could have been cancer or maybe only a polyp of some sort. But in an 18 year old cat she said it would be most likely he wouldn't survive the surgery. So he is now with his brother at the "Rainbow Bridge" I guess. He went very quickly and peacefully. I am sitting here crying..... He was a sweet kitty!
I have sure had better days!
30
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Ray,
So sorry to hear the news. It is never easy to lose a friend but at least he didn't suffer a protracted battle.
So sorry for the loss of your furry friend, Ray. I've had (and lost) a lot of cats in my lifetime, and it never gets easier. Take comfort in the fact that you gave him a good, long life, full of love.
Thanks, GMT and Steven. This one was the one my father was so worried about us not being able to find a home for. He didn't need to worry. Blackie was just about the sweetest and most lovey cat I have ever seen. Just yesterday I got several "kisses" on my cheek and nose. I could tell him "Kissy" and he would turn his little head and give me a kiss.
I will definately miss both of those little brothers, but this is the time I need to make some other good changes in my life, so it could be worse, I guess.
73
Ray, I stopped by the diner and saw your post. I am so sorry to read about your loss. I lost my 13-year old Misty the same way some years ago. We are never too old to cry, and it will do you good. I know that it helped me at the time.
Rich
Alton Junction
I share your sorrow, Ray. The bond we have with our beloved pets is amazingly strong and it is truly a loss when we have to say goodbye. Just remember all the good times you had with Blackie.
Regards, Ed
Afternoon all, it is a pleasant day on the coast, 14c with a 7/10 OC.
Ray, so sorry to hear you lost another wonderful companion not long after losing the other. It takes a while to get over the loss but everything has a price. In your case, the sorrow is the price you pay for the 18 years of Blackie putting a smile on your face. Is the price we pay worth it? Yes, it is, every time.
Went for a killer long walk yesterday. Came across the "circus" (all the trucks and support equipment) for a TV show called Van Helsing (I think that's what it is called) There were about 30 huge cables ( I am guessing 100amp each) that went from the generator truck down the path into the forest. They went and went and went. We probably walked at least half a km before we reached the set. I can't imagine the cost of all that cable and other hardware. Picking it all up is backbreaking work, I have seen it being done before in that area. Don't know the show but they were shooting in a beautiful spot.
I have a life long friend who is a retired school teacher, he was a bit bored one day and signed up to be an extra. He has now done four shows. Lucifer, Riverdale, Emily Owens MD and one other I can't remember. He ended up going from extra to having a roll with quite a few lines, especially in Lucifer. He just did it for something to do and he raked in about $15000.00 for three days work.
Ken, you will quit smoking when you are ready and you will do it with whatever way works for you. Earlier I suggested you would wean yourself off as you got back into shape as the results of doing so would become so obvious. Just think a year or two ahead as you start to get fit, don't dwell on the weight loss or your big gut. As you start into a routine you will feel better and better, at some point, you will improve your diet and really start to feel good. Smoking will become so unappealing you will stop. People can be overweight and be in shape, if you stay in shape the goo will disappear without you really noticing, especially if you eat fresh, healthy food.
Take a piece of string and go from your heel to the top of your head and cut it there. Fold it in half and run it around your waist at your belly button. When the two sides touch, you are no longer obese. Like I said think two or three years and you will be successful. How long did it take you to put on the weight, 40 years? Taking three to lose it, is a good deal.
I have not been feeling well for a couple of weeks and finally, the wife took a look at me as I was starting to whine a bit. I did not want to move. She said you need magnesium and gave me some. An hour later I felt way better and we left for our killer long walk. My wife is the best, I am lucky to have her. She does not believe you need supplements if you eat properly, however, in my case I really stepped up my program and was falling short in the nutrients. Not the first time she saved me.
Banff Alberta 1948
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Ray, very sorry to hear of the death of your pet.
howmusSo, mid afternoon I decided I best get him checked over. The Vet told me to bring him right over, so I loaded him up and did so. He didn't come back home.
LION has most sympathy with you.
My Callista is getting along in years too.
But she is an outdoor kitty and so has never spent a night wrapped aropund my feet.
Sorry for the loss of your kitty friend. we have rescued guinea pigs as furry family members, one is almost 8 which is old for a guinea pig, but she keeps going.
Not much else going on, I mowed the jungle yesterday, I replaced the valve cover gasket on my 97 saturn tonight, greased the driver side window gears etc ( it was getting hard to roll down the window), fixed the from speaker while I had the door apart. This Saturn is going to be like my 1977 Snapper I use to mow the lawn, it just keeps going.
Eveing Diners.
Flo, give the gang and I a Ray what ever he wants and leave a stein outside for Ulrich.
Ray Very sorry about Blackie. It must have hard with not knowing it was coming.
Far as the Just Stop It comment. I was not really mad. I had just watched the Bob Newheart video so that is what spawned my post. I love his old shows.
Small Milestone for me yesteday. I keep track of what I smoke on a daily base and I have been averaging 36 to 42 cigarette's a day for years! Yesterday was the first day I did not smoke a whole pack of cigarette's! In fact, I had only 14 of them. Right now it looks like today may only be 10, we will see. While it is not stop smoking, I may have to take baby steps.
Later, Ken
I hate Rust
Good evening.
Long day . Up at 5:00 am . Drove to Nashville for my medical appointments at Vanderbilt. Home at about 2:00 pm. Then I had to go over to Murray to pick up some items. We attended to Rotary Club fund raiser auction this evening . ... Shelley’s Mom not doing well and we might go to Nashville to see her again very soon. Maybe as early as tomorrow.
Ray... Sincere condolences for your loss of Blackie. I know you already lost your other cat , Manet, very recently. ... As other Diners have said, we too have lost pets previously, and we understand how sad this is for you.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Sorry for your loss, they all hurt-----
herrinchoker
Sorry for your double loss. Words are inadequate. Only time can soften the blow.
I loved Manet's name. So eloquent.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I have to complain. My back is killing me. I can hardly walk. My family doctor sent me for physio and it has only made the problem much worse. I see him again tomorrow and I'm going to ask for an MRI.
I had a serious infection in my spine which went undiagnosed for several years until things finally blew up in 2008. The symptoms that I am experiencing now are similar to what was happening before the infection became chronic 11 years ago.
The almost constant pain has started to affect my attitude. I have very little patience in situations where I would normally be quite calm. It has affected my dealings with the club because I just don't feel like walking members through whatever processes are required to get things done right.
Wish me luck. I hope something shows up that they can treat without having to guess what to do next.
Good Morning All,
A regular and a blueberry donut please Zoe. It's in the 60's and fixing to rain today. Got most of the trailer loaded, still working on my Lotus 18 and a pit cart I want to bring with us to Atlanta.
Dave - hope you get some answers and I hope the answers aren't a return of what you had previously. We have found the health care NOTB was good once the docs figured out what the problem was and that it wasn't something to put off. Has the general doctor shortage in Canada affected you at all in Ontario? My sister in N.S. tells me the waiting times for a non critical appointment are starting to stretch there.
Nothing to report on the model railroad front. Was at the shop late yesterday and had no further ambition when I got home. Did get the 18 running though and just have a few items left on the punch list. Speaking of, time to get going.
CUL, J.R.
Mornin'.... I could use a fresh pot of dark roast coffee, Flo!
cudakenFar as the Just Stop It comment. I was not really mad.
First off, Ken, I'm glad I didn't lose you as a friend! I hope you know I want to see you be successful in your stopping the habit. I was being both serious and a bit tongue in cheek at the same time. By whatever means you can get it done that works for you, DO IT! And..... When you have lit up and finished that very last one... You WILL have quit!!! I hope that will be sooner rather than later for you. Do know I am pulling for you! So.... When You quit, you will have quit. I guess that was my point. Oh, and thanks for your thoughts to me about Blackie! I keep looking for him here and he is gone. Not fun!
My sincere thanks to all of you here for thinking kind and good thoughts about my loss. It is good to know there are so many friends here at the forum! I spent last night collecting kitty stuff and putting items either in the trash going out today, into a pile of items that might be useful for the feral cat program here in Geneva, or into the, I hope the vet may be able to give it to other folks, piles. I will call the pet sitter this morning and the vet to see what may be useful to them.
Best get myself moving and into the shower. To belabor a point, I will have taken my shower just as soon as I have taken it. No sooner! Be well and blessed!
My heart hurts for you. Wishing you speed in the grieving process.
Dave,
Best of luck with the back. Hopefully the doctors find that it's nothing too serious.
Everyone else,
Wish you all the best.
Mike
Good, wet , rainy soggy morning from the confines of West KY, good thing i mowed the jungle tuesday or it would really be a jungle.
Not much to report on my end.
Dave, good luck with the back.
Speaking of pain, I pulled the cartalidge in my ribcage and now it hurts when I do something to aggrivate it. I did this a long time ago once, when changing letters on a movie theatre marquee, every time I would bend over to pick something up it felt like I had fishhooks hooked to weights in my chest. It was hard to move film cans.
Now I did it again. arrg. Not as bad this time.
I have been working on our railroad museum website, we are chartering a train trip and I am setting up a paypal payment ticket order system, so I have been coding pages and testing them before they go live.
That is all for now.
hon30critterThe almost constant pain has started to affect my attitude. I have very little patience in situations where I would normally be quite calm.
Dave, I'm very sorry you have this issue going on. I hope your friends understand how constant pain can affect your life. Not sure if you're religious, but I've said a prayer for you to get relief.
It was 37 degrees this morning for my two mile walk. Beautiful clear skies and spring breaking out all over, with the trees just beginning to bud, and noisy woods with all the birds. Amazing time of year.
Since I have only had a layout for a year, I am constantly am in awe of the pictures of layouts from people like Lion. Hopefully in the coming years I can develop the abilities that most of you have.
Today is also great for another reason -- I will be making a trip to the train store! The nearest one is 50 miles, but it is worth the trip. It is advertised as the largest HO and N Scale store between Denver and Chicago, and it is an amazing place to spend several hours. It is off the beaten path -- 8 miles off the highway in a tiny town. I love the drive, love the people who run the store, and love the time by myself in the truck driving there and back.
Ray, since you are getting rid of the cat things, does this mean you aren't planning on adopting another one?
York1Ray, since you are getting rid of the cat things, does this mean you aren't planning on adopting another one?
That is correct.... I am looking for a... Ah.... Even better life than "pet" ownership can provide. I have, last January, joined a senior dating site, and keep hoping to find that special certain someone there. Also looking locally too. I was widowed over 30 years ago, and have finally decided that If something good is going to happen I better get looking now (at the age of 72, BTW). That decision came after I decided to "quit" overeating and get myself back in shape after a long downhill trend in my life. I seem to be getting much more favorable lookes these days (but I guess I am still too fussy. That was told to me by a lady I was dating about 25 years ago who did not want a full time man in her life after a very messy divorce.).
The Fitbit site just sent me a notification that just earned the "Great Barrior Reef Badge". That is for having walked (since a year ago now) over 1,600 miles while weasring the fitbit.
Good morning from a very wet West Coast. We have been issued a heavy rain warning. It is 12c.
With Easter approaching a public service announcement.
Dave sorry to hear of your agony, I was forced out of work 10 years ago by the Feds and the Rheumatologist had told me a year earlier I should have gone off then. It was not good being in such pain. I went for a new set of X-rays when I went off and when I got home the wife brought them up on the computer and said if I was a dog they would put me down. My spine looked like a melted candlestick. I was in rough shape up to about a year ago living on Tylenol and Oxycocete. The wife had me try some things over the years but none were successful. Omega 3 fatty acids seem to be the magic bullet for a lot of people with arthritis issues but not me. Then a new product came out that Costco carries called Krill oil. The wife said try this and I was skeptical, to say the least. She said it is not what it has in it but what it doesn't have. Three days later after popping a lot of pain pills for 15 years, I stopped instantly and rarely take them now. Apparently, only Costco has the type that works for me.
Being in pain causes your muscles to tense up and that compounds the pain problem. Ask your physio about IMS inter muscular stimulation, it works really well. Also if you use anti-inflammatories and they burn holes in your stomach, try Meloxicam it is the people version of medicam which is used on animals. The wife had me change and they work great and have never bothered my stomach. My Doctor told me he had suggested it to some of his other patients after my success and they all have had the same results with no stomach issues. It is an old drug that the Pharmaceutical industry tried to push out of the picture for their new and improved stuff. Ya right. I got a TENS machine and that helped a little to unwind the muscles, The $200.00 was covered by extended medical.
Of course, none of what I have mentioned may apply to your issue, but you never know. I hope you get relief. I have been there.
Well, I think it is time to get the rain gear out and go for a long walk with the dogs. I still use the stuff the Feds issued us for work, it is Gortex and it's awesome stuff. Then it will be train time. Retirement is rough.
All the best to all.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
cudaken. . .I keep track of what I smoke on a daily base and I have been averaging 36 to 42 cigarette's a day for years! Yesterday was the first day I did not smoke a whole pack of cigarette's! In fact, I had only 14 of them. Right now it looks like today may only be 10, we will see. While it is not stop smoking, I may have to take baby steps.
Ken, that's no baby step, that's a giant leap. A baby step would be going from 36 to 32. Going frm 36 to 14 is HUGE and don't allow yourself to think otherwise. Well done! Keep up the good work. Also, you might want to track by the week, not by the day. That way if you have a bad day, it is not the end of the world, you make it up on the other six.
Richard
RideOnRoadKen, that's no baby step, that's a giant leap.
Good for you, Ken! Do what works for you and, as ROR points out, don't kick yourself too hard if you "backslide" — just try to do better tomorrow.
Keep up the good effort
Cheers, Ed