Track fiddlerP.S. I wonder where Brent has been hiding out?
I am still here and have been keeping tabs on you lot. Just been super busy, updates to follow, nothing very exciting that's for sure.
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."
Thanks for getting back to me on the Emojis Steve. I will try your suggestion but, ...well, ... wish me luck with that. It took me almost a year to figure out how to post pictures here
Hi Brent, good to hear from you
Kevin, looking forward to seeing the tile in the garage tonight
TF
SeeYou190No, they are not suitable for shipping once tree-ripened. Freezing will ruin them.
Howdy ..
I'll have a mango for an afternoon snack please. Thanks , Floridians.
TF ... More emojis? I guess they might be needed if you are a post hog.
Bear ... Your post yesterday about the ladder is funny.
Everybody ... Have a good evening.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Track fiddlerKevin, looking forward to seeing the tile in the garage tonigh
Here it is, I am about half way done now. I can't go too fast. I need to do the garage in four sections, and keep moving all the stuff around.
Section two is done. Tomorrow I will move some stuff, and then start section three this weekend.
sandjamTree-ripened mangos can be frozen, (all varieties) it does not ruin them. Skin them, chunk them, and freeze. They can be kept that way for about a year.
Maybe not ruin them, but the thawed mango is not the pure thrill of tasty decadence that the cheeks fresh off the tree will ever be.
No more than any orange juice you buy in a supermarket will compare to fresh squeezed right from the tree.
The best corn I ever had was in Iowa... ten minutes from stalk to pot... a thrill.
If you have ever had a boiled shrimp straight from the gulf to the galley on the boat... that is something else that cannot be compared to another shrimp experience.
Maybe all the way up North in Pinellas your mangos are not as perfect. I mean it freezes up there anyway. You might as well be in New York.
Down here in the real true South we would never freeze our tree-gems.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Well, I did have octopus that had just been caught and rinsed in the Mediterranean, and mussels I had just dug out of the Bay of Fundy.
Still, the best is the vegetables out of the garden outside the door...
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Can't beat fresh seafood caught the same day. My 8 pound lobster I caught scuba diving, off Maryland was perfectly tender. Same for corn. I once had the nerve to order octopus, but the restaurant was out. My son ate a small live octopus in Korea, to impress some girls. I have he video somewhere, but it was animal cruelty.
Was in Maui once and I remember the smell of something, I think it was wild mangos, that were over ripe.
Florida orange blossoms, was it 50 years ago? Riding on a motorcycle by the orange groves, before there was a Disneyworld. A wonderful smell.
Anyone into stamp collecting? My fathers' stamp collection ended up with a cousin and she offered to send it back to me. It was probably pre WW2 but I looked on ebay, maybe I don't know what to look for, but the prices of old stamps were not impressive.Maybe he had one of those stamps with the biplane printed upside down?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Evenin' Folks!
Been a beautiful 71°F day here in the Finger Lakes region of NYS. We do get them now and then. Difference is that here we REALLY appreciate a beautiful Spring day! LOL
SeeYou190Down here in the real true South we would never freeze our tree-gems.
Ok, but when you want some good apples you likely import them from NYS up here in the North. Many of the finest varieties of apples you can get were bred and harvested right here. Same thng with Cherries. In fact many of the really popular varieties were literally started right here in Geneva, NY at the NYS Experiment Station about a mile from my house! (So there!)
My new toy was brought to the house this afternoon:
I am now trying to decide the best way to be able to haul it to where a certain beautiful lady I am dating lives so we can do some biking together. Hmmmm.... You know, come to think of it, I have never dated a Biker Chick before.... Will try out the bike in the neighborhood in a bit.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Afternoon Diners
Flo, get the gang and I a please Ed what he wants and Dirk a dog treat.
I am getting sick of all the rain! I think this like the 6th day in a row! Front yard need's to be cut and I am afraid to look in the rear yard. I have only cut it onces this year. Rain has not be hard most of the time but it keeps the grass damp. No good with my self propled mower.
Using the Mighty PRR GG1 to drag some freight.
Time to sit out with Dirk so later.
Ken and Dirk say's woof, woof!
I hate Rust
Ken, when my GG-1, which I call "Gigi," it usually pulls a string of maroon striped passenger cars.
Good evening, everyone.
Kevin, the garage floor looks great. I wonder if that can be done in the north with the freezing-thawing?
Ken, send some rain our way. The farmers here are starting to get cranky since the fields are dry.
Henry, many years ago I collected stamps, but have not done so for years. I know that mint unused stamps, even old ones, sell for face value or very little more. There just is not a large market anymore, like a lot of things people used to collect.
York1 John
Good Evening,
A hot one here today, was at least 80F. It has been quite dry this May so we are hoping for some rain this weekend. The spring was cool so the ornamental crab in the back yard is at least 3 weeks late flowering.
Nothing like fresh especially fish. Fond memories of catching a lot of walleye, cleaning them and then straight into the fry pan. Go great with cold beans and beer.
Keep safe,
CN Charlie
Heartland Division CB&QI'll have a mango for an afternoon snack please. Thanks , Floridians.
I wish I could honor that request.
BigDaddyFlorida orange blossoms, was it 50 years ago? Riding on a motorcycle by the orange groves, before there was a Disneyworld. A wonderful smell.
I was installing some irrigation pump controls in a large Orange Grove near Venus, Florida in the mid 1990s when the trees were in full blossom. It was an inredible smell.
BigDaddyI don't know what to look for, but the prices of old stamps were not impressive.
I have bought decals from eBay sellers that have arrived in envelopes posted with 3 and 4 cent US stamps. I asked a seller about it, and he said it was cheaper to use them as postage than to sell them.
cudaken I am getting sick of all the rain!
We should finally start getting rain next week. Only four days of rain so far this year for us. We are now in a complete watering ban. The lawns an the street are all brown again, even the new house across the street.
York1Kevin, the garage floor looks great. I wonder if that can be done in the north with the freezing-thawing?
This far South, tiled garage floors are fairly common. If you can do it yourself, it is not much more expensive than a good epoxy floor coating.
Our houses are on solid cement slabs, so it is easy.
I have no idea what would need to be done in a different climate.
howmusOk, but when you want some good apples you likely import them from NYS up here in the North. Many of the finest varieties of apples you can get were bred and harvested right here.
My family went on vacation in 1980 to Oregon, and I had some apples fresh from the tree. They were delicious! After returning to Florida I don't think I ate apples for a couple of years!
MisterBeasleyStill, the best is the vegetables out of the garden outside the door...
Oh yes. I only grow tomatoes and banana peppers in our garden, but they are usually very good. One year I grew sweet cherry tomatoes that were unbelievably sweet. I have grown them many times since, but that first harvest they were perfect.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
G'morning diners, just thought I'd stop by and have a slice of whole wheat toast with peanut butter, and some grapefruit. I've already had my coffee, so give me a small glass of milk.
Been busy "Up North", back down home to catch up on things, then back up when my countertops are ready.
After the 3"+ of rain the southern part of WI. got last week, it was like coming home to a different world! Northern WI. is about 3 weeks behind Southern WI. as far as "greening up" and trees leafing out.
Haven't been doing any modeling, except helping the wife set up things for her new hobby, garden fairies. Man, I'm telling you, some of the fairy figures are almost "R" rated! I don't mind helping.
Kevin, your floor looks good. You don't have to worry about the freeze-thaw effect.
If you have any cracks in the excisting concrete floor your covering, you will eventually have cracks in the tile, especially using such big pieces. Will this still be used as a garage? for vehicles?
That's all for now guys, I'll check in once in a while.
Mike.
My You Tube
Good Morning All,
Mid 40's and sunny today. I'll just have a regular to go please. Still redoing my primary trailer between other chores. As I go through things and find where people have just tossed stuff together in big boxes, I have been emptying the boxes and sorting/cleaning even though I know allmy Smedleys will make a mess as soon as they go back in.
Started the trackwork for the new backround building last night. Fixed a couple of divots and repainted where I had removed rail and such. Ciao, J.R.
Good morning. It's supposed to rain today, but we've heard that before and nothing came of it.
I'm sheetrocking more of the garage today. Finally got some wiring finished for the garage outlets and lights. My back and knees are killing me from crawling around the attic getting the wires in.
Ulrich, I loved the video of the parents who are cooler than the kids. When I read some of the obituaries in our local paper, I'm amazed at the interesting lives some of the people led.
Have a great day.
Good morning
Cloudy and cool this morning. Being I have some outside work today, that's okay by me.
On the rain front, it rained from Saturday night too early Monday morning. The East parking lot flooded and the flat roof garage under the lawn leaked. My car is parked down there so I'm never real happy about that one.
Kevin the tile job in the garage is looking great. I can see you know about the 3 4 5 rule when you snapped your intersecting lines. I also see you don't like wide grout lines, neither do I.
You must have found yourself a good supplier, especially with two foot tile. I remember one tile job of mine. Towards the end of the job we opend up a box and the tiles we're almost an eighth inch different in size than the rest. The time stamps on the box were Monday, the others were Friday. The only thing that made sense was the factories air conditioner didn't catch up yet when they made the tiles on Monday A good reputable supplier always maintains a controlled environment.
I see a comment made the tiles will crack if there's a crack in the floor. They might not if it's a thick porcelain tile and a $30 bag thinset was used. It's called Pro Flex Platinum up here. My porcelain tile never cracked in my basement. A 1/2 inch by 1/2 trowel for large tile helps too.
Garry, I got a laugh out of your emoji comment
Saints fan John, good to see you back
Have a great day everyone!
Mornin' all. Flo, how about a jelly filled donut this morning. Haven't had one of those in a long time! Oh, and a cup of coffee with it.
Looking forward to a long weekend. Our typical Memorial Day plans are usually centered around yard work, but that's okay. Supposed to get some rain too, so should have a little down time for other things. It's been too cold until recently to be able to enjoy working out in the yard. It will be nice to get everything ready for summer.
Later guys!
Mike
JaBearThe boys would finely chop a small but very hot chilli into salt, then dip a slice of mango into the chilli salt mixture. Sweet, salty and hot, wot a taste sensation!!!!
There is a "Mexican Fusion" restaurant in Tampa that makes a salsa with Diced Mango, Crushed Green Tomatoes, Pickled Onion, and Fresh Jalepeno. It is such an amazing combination of flavors and is a great taste sensation.
mbinsewiIf you have any cracks in the excisting concrete floor your covering, you will eventually have cracks in the tile, especially using such big pieces.
My slab has two cracks that run front to rear.
The general rule in Florida is that you should never put tile in a new slab house. Let the slab settle for 5-10 years and then install tile after it cracks. Both of my cracks are less than 1/8" wide with no vertical seperation. I have no stairstep cracking in the block walls.
My house is 32 years old, so I hope all the settling has stopped. The crack on the garage floor has not changed in the 22 years I have lived here.
mbinsewiWill this still be used as a garage? for vehicles?
Yes, my wife's car, and hopefully (eventually) another motorcycle. I would love to find a 1981 Honda CB-900 like I had when I was 18 in perfect shape.
Track fiddlerKevin the tile job in the garage is looking great. I see you don't like wide grout lines, neither do I.
Anything larger than 1/4" does not look right to me. Nothing in the garage is square or straight. I aligned one edge of the tile with the garage door opening, and squared the whole job from there. I managed to keep the cuts to less than 30% on all edges.
Track fiddlerYou must have found yourself a good supplier, especially with two foot tile. I remember one tile job of mine. Towards the end of the job we opend up a box and the tiles we're almost an eighth inch different in size than the rest.
All the tile was on a single sealed pallet at the dealer. There were 34 cases on the pallet, I should only need 29-31, so I will have some extra. All the cases had sequential serial numbers so they should match OK.
So far I have only had three tiles broken in the boxes.
I am using Custom Brand polymer modified thin set mortar for large format tile. That is what the tile dealer suggested.
SeeYou190I would love to find a 1981 Honda CB-900 like I had when I was 18 in perfect shape.
"In perfect shape......." You or the bike?
OK, here is a historical note from yesterday from the local paper: "In 1899, taxi driver Jacob German was pulled over and arrested by a police officer riding a bicycle for speeding down Manhattan's Lexington Avenue in his electric car at 12 miles an hour at a time when the speed limit was 8 mph; it was the first recorded speeding arrest in U.S. history."
OK, back to cooking supper on the grill. Got a couple nice pork ribs cooking.
howmus"In perfect shape......." You or the bike?
The bike... LOL! I was not in perfect shape at 18. I really filled out and became muscular in my mid 20s. I was skinny and goofy at 18.
Ray, as soon as your stores reopen, please get helmets for both you and your lady friend.
And I hope neither of you ever needs the protection, but it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I've gone down four times, 2 dogs, one race, and one slow-motion tumble over the handlebars while riding down a mountain trail in the woods.
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a please and Dirk half a dog treat.
While it was nasty looking day with only about 20 minutes of sunlight it was dry for the most part. I did get the front yard cut which I sort on enjoyed do. While the grass was very tall most of the time I cannot see where I have and have not cut. Have wild violts which are very short and hate when there not on bloom. This time, well I could see where I cut!
Mr B I usally pull PRR Heavy Weight Coaches with the Mighty PRR GG1. Seems a waste of a dual motor Monster Puller so I am dragging some freight with it.
Later Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof.
MisterBeasleyRay, as soon as your stores reopen, please get helmets for both you and your lady friend.
Already done! I know she has one and I bought one with the bike. I want to keep the little bit of Grey Matter I have left between my ears! LOL
I am about ready to sign up for a virtual 5k to support a wildlife conservation group... That may be fun. Two times around the route I already do three times most days plus the loop trail at the park is just over a 5k.
I don't know about you guys but I think I'm going over to Ray's for ribs. I would have to say he's been slow cooking them all day like they're supposed to be and they should be just about done about now
I went down to Scale Model Supply in St Paul again today. I decided I needed to buy another bridge to cut up for my kit-bash.
There was a bum on the off ramp of the highway holding his cardboard sign. He looked so miserable, dirty and the years of sadness in his eyes was a little much for me. I slid him a 5 out the crack of the window.
You know a lot of people say don't give those people money, they'll just take it and go buy booze with it. If that poor man took that five spot and went and bought some booze with it and it made him a feel a little better than he looked, more power to him and I'd happily give him another 5 tomorrow.
On the work front I haven't left the house for a month and a half. Today while I was replacing a bunch of rotten boards on the back sun deck, my friend John the condo manager stopped to talk with me. It seems out of the 120 unit building, all the decks need rotten boards replaced. That ought to keep me busy for the rest of the summer
I'm really starting to like this arrangement. All my tools I commonly use are under my train layout. When I go to work I just load up my cart and roll down the hall
I watched the season finale of The Masked Singer yesterday. I had not seen one of the regular shows, and I did not know who any of the "celebrities" were under the masks.
However, all three of my daughters had told me I had to watch this show, so I did.
Today, all three of them called me on the phone to talk about the show.
What a deal. I gave up one hour of my life yesterday to watch a silly TV show I had no interest in... then today I got to talk to all three of my babies about meaningless nonsense.
I will call that a win.
That's cool Kevin And if I had a relationship with my daughters like yours, I would do just the same.
That's called being a Father in whatever way you do it. My two daughters are tomboys. They call me some evenings and asked me if I watched the last episode of This Old House.
My two daughters are like the sons I never had. The son I do have is Judy's son. My step Son. I raised him from age 9 to 19.
Parenthood is really something and took on more than I ever knew before I ever got there. But I feel I handled it well through the years.
I'm very content with mine as I'm sure you are with yours.
SeeYou190What a deal. I gave up one hour of my life yesterday to watch a silly TV show I had no interest in...
Somehow I stumbled across an article that mentioned that Sarah Palin was one of the singing (?) contestants on that show.
Glad to hear she found some constructive employment.
Cheers, Ed
gmpullmanI stumbled across an article that mentioned that Sarah Palin was one of the singing (?) contestants on that show.
They did not re-cap all the "unmasked" singers in the finale last night, and that was a bit of a let down.
I would have at least known who she was.
Only about once a season now does Saturday Night Live have a musical guest I know.
This was my last profile picture from work about four months ago:
This is what has become of me after three months of retirement: