That's great to hear about donating goodies, Dave.
The pipes, the pipes are calling...
Climbing around large equipment with a pipe in your jaws wasn't always a good idea I did enjoy the variety of tobacco "flavors" back then.
My mother loved good licorice. I sure wish I could remember the brand, I recall it may have been from England? —but for her birthday and mother's day I would get her some of this licorice and she would always enjoy it. It was in a small white box and each piece was wrapped in parchment. Can't recall the name right now. Haven't seen it in years.
I hope everyone enjoys their day!
Lookie, thar— Top O' the page. Licorice pipes all around! Otherwise, help yourselves to the Great Breakfast Buffet!
Deer Park by Edmund, on Flickr
Regards, Ed
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good morning ....
Ed ... Thanks for the breakfast buffet. I like the old photo in the dining car.
Dave ..... Nice photo of the eagle.
Ken ... Condolences for your loss. I don't know who Joe was.
Everybody .... Have a good day.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Hey all, seems like a lot has been going on lately.
Well, I'm still looking for indoor work- Asthma and outdoor manual labor doesn't exactly work. If you don't have asthma, breathing outdoors in high humidity and high temps, would be like trying to drink a milkshake through a Twizzler. It isn't happening. Same with the railroad, seems like some days diesel fumes are a trigger to send me into an asthmatic attack other days, not so much.
I'm quite a bit of a "throwback" with my look. No beard/facial hair, but I've got long hair (that can be cut if need be for work). Plus I also play a trademark of the 1960s-1970s; a 12 string acoustic guitar. Well, I have others (1967 Fender Mustang, a Strat squire, another Fender Acoustic). I was just given a Jackson Electric bass, and a Dean acoustic bass this week actually. My cousin was getting out of it, so I got those two and two amps. A bass amp, and a BIG amp.
Well Job hunt, I've got leads on two other things potentially- entry level with the only requirement being to pass a substance test-I'm clean. I took yesterday as a "me day" to get over being rejected on the job apps I put in.
I'll be at the Greenberg train show on Saturday in Monroeville PA, helping show off the T-Trak group I'm a co-chair of. Hope that goes well, and I am NOT buying anything. I have enough projects as it is haha.
Thoughts and well wishes to those who need them, and hopefully everyone has a good weekend.
(My Model Railroad, My Rules)
These are the opinions of an under 35 , from the east end of, and modeling, the same section of the Wheeling and Lake Erie railway. As well as a freelanced road (Austinville and Dynamite City railroad).
Afternoon Diners
Flo, give the gang a and I will take a block of ice and a please.
It is hot in the house! I just checked the thermostat in the house, 88 degrees. Wife killed the central air years ago. It was not blowing cold air because it was out of freon but would not let me turn it off. Burned up the compressor. I will never replace it, window A/C have lowerd my electric bill by $200.00 in the summer. Reason you ask? Wife spends 85% of her time in the bedroom but she wants it 68 degrees in there. So she would get the whole house down to 68 degrees. What hurting this summer is my bigger window A/C died late last summer.
Garry Joe was are neighbor across the street for 26 years.
Was up late last night and have felt like ash pitt all day. Today I could not stay a wake or fall a sleep.
Later none smoking Ken
I hate Rust
Jimmy_Braum Well Job hunt, I've got leads on two other things potentially- entry level with the only requirement being to pass a substance test-I'm clean. I took yesterday as a "me day" to get over being rejected on the job apps I put in.
.
Jimmy, I am very curious about your situation. What kind of work interests you, and what experience do you have?
As desperate as we are for people down here, I cannot imagine an energetic young go-getter is having such a hard time.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good afternoon from the Pacific Rim. It is 23c and a perfect day as the quiet is deafening.
Got my returned from repair Royal Hudson on the layout yesterday as I can finally stand on my foot again and it is a treat to watch ply its way around the layout. Barring any other problems I think they are worth every penny I spent on them.
Ed, you look mighty dapper in those photo's and look the part with the locomotive, cool shots indeed.
I always hated wearing hats of any kind though I would wear a fur one out on the ramp if it was really cold. We would draw our cloths from stores in Ottawa and had the same fur hats as the RCMP, Posties, Parks employees and Military. Looked like this and I still have a few around somewhere. We would have to fold down the sides and tie them on to stay warm and keep our ears from freezing off.
All the clothing we got was excellent and I still wear it to this day when hiking and camping, just took the Government Of Canada emblem off.
Licorice pipes and cigars were a staple as a child walking home after school in 1963, or the monster 2 cent jawbreaker.
Jimmy, I know how bad Asthma can be. I coached girls softball for a few years and had one kid that had bad asthma that we had to watch carefully. She was very heavy and gave us a scare more than once. About ten years after I stopped coaching this beautiful skinny young lady walked up to me on the street and said hi, I had no clue who she was until she told me. She was a knockout and told me how greatful she was for being so supportive when I was coaching her. She said her Asthma was easier to deal with since she grew up, moved out and started eating properly and lost weight. She said her Mom had not fed her a lot of healthy meals as a kid. Because of her Asthma Mom felt sorry for her and gave her a lot of junk food to eat to try and make her feel better. She looked great as a fit 27 year old though.
Lots of memories are coming back of those days. I also coached boys baseball which I found much easier as the lads were much less emotional and would not get a crush on me. When I was coaching the girls, I was only 6 or 7 years older than they were and that was a problem at times.
Ken, way to go on the (not) smoking front. As far as the pizza/wife story goes, I often eat differently than the wife and/or kids. I usually eat a heck of a lot more because of my daily calorie burn. If they order in pizza, I'll eat a whole large washed down by rum and pepsi all by myself. With my recent foot injury I all but stopped eating and certainly had no alcohol as I could have added 10 pounds just looking at food.
Dave, my wife was the local wildlife Vet and it could be an adventure at the hospital sometimes as there would be creatures of all sizes and varieties at any time. The best one that we talk about the most was the Beaver that looked like something had taken a large bite out of its tail. It was there for a long time would just wander around the hospital like it owned the place. It would like to nibble on your ankle and then would look up at you with a sparkle in its eye and a Beaver smile on its face.
Lots going on here this weekend with a National dog show here. The kid has surgery on Tues that has him in the hospital for five days (in Vancouver). There is an kids invitational baseball tournement that people want me to drop in on to say hi. I am going to have to turn down something as I can't do it all. I also have to drive the kid into Vancouver to write a Law exam tomorrow. It is close to Central Hobbies so you know where I will be for a couple of hours while I am waiting.
The wife just got in from the dog show and a rum and pepsi has been ordered. The wife should not drink alone.
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."
The airplane of New Zealands Prime Minister breaks down.
Opposition states that this would have never have happened if Craig the Bear had been in charge.
Bear seen here rushing to the Prime Ministers aid, tool bag in hand.
That is all.
Brent,
Good luck with your ankle.
Seven RDCs in a row? At what point does that not become fuel efficient, or would they run some of them unpowered?
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I'm going to be away until July 28th. Talk then.
hon30critter Brent, Seven RDCs in a row? At what point does that not become fuel efficient, or would they run some of them unpowered? Dave
Only 3-1/2 RDCs...they did a real good job hiding the edges of the mirror.
On the topic of asthma, I have had chronic asthma since I was about 8 years old. During my teenage years I would miss school every spring and fall because of it. I went through the battery of allergy tests and found that I was allergic to all grasses, all ragweeds, and most trees. There was more than one trip to the emergency room. I had a doctor my senior year in high school that put me on a low dose of corticosteroids for almost a year and it was finally brought under control. Today it is still mostly under control. I will have the occasional flair up and have to go back on prednisone for a couple of weeks and I use a "rescue" inhalor once or twice a day, but that is it. What was the magic bullet? For me it was cycling. I started slow and slowly built up my miles. As I did, my lungs got stronger and the naturally produced adrenaline helps to keep the bronchical tubes dialated. I have also heard that swimming is an excellent form of activity for asthmatics. The warm, moist air is supposed to help relax the bronchical tubes. Since I can't swim worth a lick, it was not an option for me. Although, drowning would be a rather permanent cure.
Richard
Good morning ...
Brent .... That is an impressive train of RDC's .
Bear ....... Is that Bear Airlines ?
Dave .... Have a good vacation .... Looking forward to your return.
Everybody ..... Have a good Saturday .
Hot Afternoon Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a please.
Dave Have a safe trip.
Wife took me to Dennys for breakfest. I hate eating out and she hates eating a lone so she paid.
Went to Lowes and bought some Landscaping Cloth, Mulch and Landscaping Cloth Pins. May play in the front yard a little yet today.
Went to K-10 Model Trains to reset the CV's in the Thundering Pinp Pong Balls PRR I1sa. Never been able to up date my JMRI? Changed the CV's to what I was told would bypass the Reed Switch. Nope, still no chuffs. Guess I will be sending it to Florida for a vacation.
Later, None Smoking Ken
My wife and I just watched Moana on DVD.
One more movie to add to the list that I loved and my wife hated.
Good evening
Looking good Ed, nice to see you. Once a strapping young lad, now a fine-looking gentleman.
Have a fun trip Dave, enjoy every minute of it. I can only say my week went by faster than I wanted it to.
Judy and I had a lot of fun on our trip. Unfortunately we got grounded in Minneapolis for 2 hours on our way back to Rochester, due to bad weather.
This was the last slot machine I played, hours before we left.
When the steam engine came up in the middle it would make the bells and whistles sound. Then the center part spun to a different grid you could choose and spin for money. The steam engine chuffed as you racked up the credits. It was one of the funner slots I played right at the end.
I walked away from this machine with $70. Not a boatload of cash but it did pay for Airport parking and breakfast when I got back
Well, we're going to enjoy the weekend before we have to go back to the Daily Grind.
I'm really looking forward to Monday afternoon. We're going down to the Union Depot in St Paul to see 4014 on its second stop there returning from Duluth.
TF
Just got home from a long, long trip. All three daughters, husbands, and kids at the resort. Enjoyed every minute except for the driving.
I have to remind myself not to get angry at other drivers and their cell phones.
York1 John
Pays no dividends to get angry with others.
Getting angry with myself ias bad enough.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good morning .... Coffee and a pecan roll please.
John / York 1 .... Sounds like a good trip . Where was the resort?
..
Yesterday, we were in Nashville again. Visited my wife's Mom in long trem care. She is not doing well, unfortunately.
Happy model railroading, everybody.
Good morning. It's great to get a good night's sleep at home.
With daughters spread around the country, they all pick a different place each year to get everyone together. This year they were at Big Cedar Lodge in southern Missouri. Neat place.
When I got home, I had a phone message from the train store that my new Kato BNSF ES44AC with LokSound decoder was in. Will drive about 50 miles tomorrow to pick it up. Can't wait.
Mister Beasley, your gambling story reminded me of my wife. In New Orleans, we would accompany an elderly friend to the Mississippi gulf coast casinos. The friend would give us each a roll of quarters to play the machines. My wife hates gambling, and would stick the quarters in her purse.
Ken, sorry for your friend's death.
Jimmy, like Lion suggested, maybe try Walmart. Our local Walmart pays $12.00 an hour to start. It may not be a dream job, but during the summer heat you're in air-conditioning!
I didn't know Lions used mattresses, let alone mattress protectors.
Have a good Sunday, everyone.
Eveing Diners
Did get the front yard cut. It was only 82 degrees at the time. Cut the grass before breakfest and I am glad.
Bought some eding for the front yard. Going to go out front and play.
Later None Smoking Ken
Holy Moly..... Has it really been over a week since I last posted? I have been sleeping in the back booth for way too long, I think. Evenin' everyone!
Looks like the renovation of my house could get finished next week! Carpet will be installed on Tuesday and the rest should be completed a day or so after that. Then I can figure out how I can get all the STUFF back where it is supposed to be and start really, really cleaning the house. Man! It needs it! Dust and grime on everything. Most is from the renovation, but way too much has been sitting on things for, oh 25 or 30 years...... I'm not the worlds best housekeeper and I need to get a bit better at it or I will never catch that lady I want........
I have the new fitbit and it is up and running on my wrist. This one I can wear in the shower or even, heaven forbid, swimming. There goes one of my last reasons not to get in a swimming pool. In order to use the new Charge 3 fitbit, I had to break down and buy one of them there smarty pants iPhoney thingies. It arrived on Friday in the mail. Spent about 7 hours trying to get it to do anything, downloading the apppppppppp.... Thingie that connects the fitbit to it (they just had to make the Charge 3 so it can't connect to something called a computer! That would mean I didn't have to spend more $$$$$$ just to use the thing.) Anyway, I used the frustration of trying to make heads or tails of the iPhone a good excuse to use every bad word in my vocabulary (several times each!). By Saturday noon I guess I swore at some female named Siri or sumpin' enough times she seems to have hidden and is now leaving me alone, Thank God! Now when I turn it on it goes to the appppphffs screen and I can actually use the piece of crap. My sister, who says she hates computers has had a smarty pants phone for a few years now and still says I am stupid (well that may be true) for not texting... So today I sent her a text which only took about 25 minutes longer using the tiny keyboard on the phone than it would have to send an email. But she was able to send me one right back... In something like 2 hours I think, but it sure is quicker and easier than emailing...... She says. I guess the important thing is now I get to pay for something they call data on my phone bill.
OK, enough complaining! I am starting to find the iPhone somewhat intreaging... Time will tell. I did block notifications if the phone thinks I am driving. That was suggested, and I like that idea very much. That way I don't have to swear as much while I am driving....
I did go over to the Value Store today and had them mix up a quart of the paint I use for Earth color on the layout. The last quart I bought about 15 years ago and what little there was in the can had dried out. The guy was able to look up the color (they can access many paint companies mixes I guess) and spent about a half hour mixing it for me. Used some tonight on a section of the pike I want to get a lot more done on before the convention in September.
I have run on enough to make up for my absence, most likely. So I will bid you all a good night (and good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are!).
30
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
York1With daughters spread around the country, they all pick a different place each year to get everyone together.
My girls are in Los Angeles, Seattle, and now Chicago. I sure hope we can start all getting together one day. That sounds great.
I drove to Miami this afternoon. I have a dealership readiness audit tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM. These are never fun.
I stopped at Popeye's in Belle Glade, and a family of chickens has taken up residence out front. I do not think they could have found a more dangerous neighborhood to live in!
The canals exiting Lake Okeechobee are the highest I have ever seen, and we have not even had any real big storms this year. This is not good at all.
I hope eveyone had a great weekend.
Made it to and back from Michigan with no issues.
I did get tired of the severe storms coming thru at 3 am ( not fun in a tent)
I get home and the dang storms followed me! I set my tent up to dry, well it is getting washed now........
I saw and heard a few Amtrak on the line through Kalamazoo.
Saw some CSX near INdy on teh way home today.
Ken: Sorry for you loss of Joe.
Kevin: The chicken picture is funny, I wonder where they came from?
I had a great relaxing weekend. Hope you all did too.
Good Karma and best wishes go out from Judy and I to anyone in need.
Tomorrow is 4014 day in St Paul. Scheduled arrival time is 3:45 p.m. I will be there at 11:30. Judy and I will do a good lunch after we get our game plan set and familiarized with the lay of the land.
I talked to my friends at my Model Railroad Club this morning. They advised me to arrive earlier than I think.
I was told the last stop by 4014 in Saint Paul was a Major Zoo.
I will be there early tomorrow. I ain't missing this one for anything. I never do miss one. I saw the UP Challenger in Shakopee Minnesota years ago.
Actually, I like the UP Challenger better but this is the biggest steam locomotive ever built....... The Big Boy....... YA!
I will be there tomorrow! Wouldn't miss it for the world, as this is my world.
Track Fiddler
moelarrycurly4Kevin: The chicken picture is funny, I wonder where they came from?
In Belle Glade, Florida almost every residence has backyard chicken coop. There are semi-wild chickens almost everywhere.
You can't drive through Bell Glade anymore without a chicken crossing the road in front of you.
The jokes almost write themselves.
Howdy...
John / York1. ... I can imagine a resort in sourthern Missouri would be nice. The Ozark region is beautiful. We went to Branson last year and road the scenic train. Nice.
MLC ... Glad you are home safely.
Ray ... Nice of you to chime in with an update about what you are doing.
Kevin ... That looks like a lot of rain.
We were in Nashville last evening when they had rainstorms. It was a heavy rain, and we waited before driving home.
In the middle of the storms, two Southwest Airlines planes bumped into each other on the tarmac at Nashville airport.
Have a nice evening.
I liked that one too. Branson Missouri at Christmas time.
It was my favorite vacation, loved the giant reindeer.
Be very careful what you ask your smartphone to do while on vacation.
I asked my smartphone to take me out of Branson Missouri a little scenic route to Memphis Tennessee.
My stupid cell phone took me all the way through the Ozark Mountains on Christmas Day. There were extremely few gas stations open.
It was one of the most scariest days of Judy's and my life. We could not get out of the Ozarks back to the main. The three times we really needed a gas station and barely found one, just hovering above E, it just started feeling worse and worst.
Have you ever seen the movie with Burt Reynolds, Deliverance with the banjo's playing. Yep I thought you did, you didn't want to get stuck back there, believe me!
My Judy started to freak out. I told her, you don't lose it on me until you come around the corner and there's two buzzards in a tree.
Two minutes later, we came around the corner. There were two buzzards on the side of the road eating a dead goat and arching their wings up like what the heck are you guys doing here..... I swear to God these birds were 3 foot tall
I looked at Judy, smiled and laughed and said start to worry..... I even remember stopping and praying at a church, I kid you not.
I'll never forget when we came down the hill and saw a big gas station with lots of people on a main. My gas gauge was well under E at that time.
It wasn't very funny while it was happening but today we have something to talk about.
There's even way more to this story but I can't possibly fit it all in.
Post Hog, post hog, TF's a post hog What difference does it make at 2:30 in the morning I may not be on top
I went out to Prior Lake to visit my old buddy Erv today. Some serious Mustang problems, my baby was running like crap.
Did you have any doubt in your mind a master retired mechanic did not fix my car problem. He did and I was so happy.
There's more to Erv than meets the eye. He planted raspberry bushes about 6 years ago. I found it interesting when he explained everything to me and told me when they yield fruit you up-root them out of the ground before the season's over.
You leave the ones that do not yield any fruit for the next year and throw the too ripe berries back for seed.
Who Masters the art of growing wild raspberries
He went on to say, myself and all the neighbors can't keep up with this anymore, there is way too many. Take some berries John.
So
I did.
Nothing like fresh picked berries to eat in the morning and a smooth-running Mustang....... Oh, a good friend like Erv helps too..... nice to have. Worth way more than Gold. Oh..... and I do believe you can take this with you
And keep in mind when I go out to Erv's, he is a retired mechanic. He never touches a tool. He only points at them and tells me what to do.
I learn so much from him because he makes me do it. He says no, like this stupid That is all good, we have a good relationship like that.
I always get my stuff fixed with his guidance.
I pay him back when I do carpentry work for him...... I call him stupid too.
We may both be stupid
That little boy already has a receeding hairline.
(The kid at the top of the page)