Good morning
I just love my brother-in-law. The Master Ford Mechanic Senior Tech. He's my brother and re-built my 351 Windsor in my 69 Mustang.
He had a model A project that he needed to fix and had no idea about the thing but he got it done. The old man was just delighted and drove it home from the Ford dealership. The years of crap that he unburied and made right I will not get into. What was done by amateurs he made right.
My brother-in-law, The Ford Master Mechanic Senior Tech. I'm so proud of him.
This man can fix anything.
TF
Good morning. Nice day after a day of rain. The creek along the trail is full this morning.
More garage work today. I will have to take down some old shelves. They are nailed in pretty good, so I'll probably have to get out the sawzall.
If this garage makeover was being done normally, it would be a three-day job. With me in retirement mode, it will be a three-week job. It doesn't help to have a coffee break every half-hour.
I hope everyone has a great weekend.
York1 John
herrinchokerThe humming birds are living adjacent the feeder, and when the oreole trys to feed on it, drives them off--it looks like we now have 4 pairs of the oreoles that will be nesting in the area.
Hi, Herrinchoker —
We have the very same situation here with at least four pair of orioles playing around our yard. They seem to follow me around and entertain me. And they play with the dive-bombing hummingbirds.
I watch them for hours, very entertaining. We have quite a few bluebirds and barn swallows, too. Lots of bird activity this season
We have the one odd-looking chicken, though...
2009 04 06 004 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Memorial Day
Prayers for those who gave all, so that we might enjoy all----
I don't remember a Menards in Ellsworth, come to think of it I don't ever remember seeing one in the State of Maine.
However, Ellsworth has a great Empty House Festival, rivals the Unpainted House Festival in Jonesport.
As far as remembering, there was the opening day of duck season, Up at 0300, breakfast, pack some honey on just baked bread for the dog,(cold weather energy push), sitting in the boat looking over the decoys watching the sky lighten up----realizing that I did not have my shotgun, or dog. When I got back to the house the wife was up---she can be a woman of few, pointed words. Said she," forget somthing?"
Today was a beautiful day, hit 84F. tonight is the second time this spring that I have not built a fire in the stove. Apple trees burst into bloom, and the temp. was warm enough to bring the honey bees out of the hives in full force, it was nice to watch.
The humming birds are living adjacent the feeder, and when the oreole trys to feed on it, drives them off--it looks like we now have 4 pairs of the oreoles that will be nesting in the area.
Most of the crops have been planted, still have some wax beans, okra, hubbard, and acorn squash to get into the ground.
Wishing all a safe Memorial Day, prayers for those in need.
herrinchoker
I met my bum again earlier this evening, right after my picnic on the off-ramp of 35E
I asked him because I was curious. He said he used money collected all day to buy things he needed and he did use money to buy booze.
I said thank you for your honesty and I handed him a 10-spot and a nice sweatshirt I brought from home. He really liked it
I got my other Bridge before scale model Supply closed today and I'm good on the kitbashing front
Wow... the exchange rate for the British Pound Sterling is only 1.22 : 1 right now.
I have been cruising eBay looking at items from sellers in the United Kingdom. Suddenly items that were "off limits" a couple of years ago are interestingly affordable now.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Evenin' Folks!
Been a beautiful day here in the Finger Lakes and I find a have a few minutes left before heading to a Zoom Date with a lady I like a lot!
No Palm Trees here in these parts, but the one and only tree left on my property at the moment, a flowering quince, is in full bloom at the moment..
Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend out there! Stay safe, have fun, and be blessed!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
York1 This is as close as we get to a palm tree on the plains. The school board bought me this steel palm tree for my 40th year in ed. They knew I missed the south. It sounds like everyone is off to a good start for the holiday weekend. I wish we could see some family, but it's not time yet. We'll hit the cemetery Monday and put out some flowers. Nice layout pictures, Garry and Ed! I love Menards. It's also nice their owner is a model railroader! I finished my workday on the garage sheetrock. More tomorrow. Right now it's happy hour, and I'm happy with my ice cold beer. I'm so happy with the first one I will probably have several more.
This is as close as we get to a palm tree on the plains. The school board bought me this steel palm tree for my 40th year in ed. They knew I missed the south.
It sounds like everyone is off to a good start for the holiday weekend. I wish we could see some family, but it's not time yet. We'll hit the cemetery Monday and put out some flowers.
Nice layout pictures, Garry and Ed!
I love Menards. It's also nice their owner is a model railroader!
I finished my workday on the garage sheetrock. More tomorrow. Right now it's happy hour, and I'm happy with my ice cold beer. I'm so happy with the first one I will probably have several more.
Dat-a-boy Good for you John! We work hard, we play hard, this is how I was raised!
Menards train show, Eau Claire Wisconsin
I had a great time John The Jack Link's Yeti and I hang out once in awhile now that we got to know one another
I go to the Menards train show in Eau Claire Wisconsin every year
P.S. I like the palm tree John, it's a keeper, ... you earned it and so much more through those 40 years, Didn't You?
Of course you did! You should be as proud of yourself as your family is of you!
The trees in the yard are springing to life. I walked around and checked them out today.
The Madagascar Palm (it is not a palm) had refoliated nicely after losing all its leaves during our version of "winter".
The Hawaiian Plumaeria Frangipani is blooming beautifully this year.
The Royal Ponciana has also started booming. In a week or two this tree will be almost solid red.
It is raining outside right now. The news is forecasting rain for the next several days. It looks like the Summer weather pattern is here.
I will be planting new palm trees in the back yard this weekend now that it is raining.
Evenin' folks!
Spent most of the day getting the lawn cut and some other items done. I found my batteries weren't lasting very long today and the mower acted like it was working hard. It was reving up almost all the time and I think the heat shut down was kicking in sometimes. Battery was very hot when I went to switch for a charged one as well.... So late this afternoon I decided to see about cleaning out the caked on , moldy, rock hard old grass clipping underneath. (might be a good idea to check that more than every two or three years???) Found that also the blade had whacked too many rocks and some concrete blocks I have by a couple roof water drains out to the "creek" at the side of my lot. That might be the problem, I think. So I just went online and ordered a new blade for it. This one only lasted one season... Gotta remember not to gring up concrete with it!!! . Will have to drive to Home Cheapo in Victor to have them give me curbside service tomorrow.
Track fiddlerYou can always hear her talk to you romping down the street
Hey TF, what's her 0 to 60 time?
Will try to ride a couple times around the block on the bike after supper, I think. Very nice, warm day here today!
Howdy ...
I see some of you are pre-occupied with summer activities instead of trains. I'm still very glad you take the time to visit here in the Diner ! Please continue being here. Most of us sit in the corner booth to chow down and talk.
TF .... You made me hungry with the pictures you posted.
Ed ... As I said in the Photo Fun thread, I like your NYC 2-8-2.
Dave ... Sounds like you have plans to work on your layout. Good.
CN Charlie .... It is remarkable about your work area being too cold. I did not know Canadians ever got too cold. LOL
Everybody ..... Have a good evening !
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Track Fiddler's cookout looks mighty tasty!
Now I am hungry.
Heartland Division CB&QDo any of you have some model railroad activities to talk about ?
Nice pictures Garry!
I'm waiting for another small lumber delivery. I realized that I needed a place to assemble the framing for my new layout so I ordered a sheet of 19mm x 4x8 plywood to put on my new saw horses. I also changed the design a bit to lighten it so I needed a couple of 1x4 x 12', and one of the 1x8 pieces in the first shipment was 1/2" short so I'm getting another one. Half an inch doesn't sound like much but it messed with my plans significantly.
I also got the Torx #8 x 2 1/2" wood screws. They seem to be decent quality. I'm still waiting for the 1 1/8" screws and some new jig saw blades so I can start cutting and assembling.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I did the main course of shopping today for the weekend. I guess I beat the crowds. Big thick steaks, ribs, rockfish and shrimp.
The only Menard's I've ever been to was in Ellsworth, Maine, a small town up by Bar Harbor. Nothing impressive, but not much is impressive in Ellsworth.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
gmpullmanYesterday was my first time visiting a Menards.
I am looking very forward to hitting a Menards when I am in Ohio next month. They have a lot of items that we just cannot get in Florida. I love shopping there.
I went to a different Home Depot today than normal. I usually go to the one in North Fort Myers because it is close to my house, but it is an older and smaller store.
Today I went the the Cape Coral Home Depot because I needed a special CPVC fitting that the NFM store did not have in stock.
What a surprise. The Cape Coral store had no limits on how many people were in the store, no "distancing", and only a handful of the customers (and few of the employees) had masks on. It was completely a night-and-day difference from the store I had just left a few miles away.
I got out as fast as I could. They did have the fittings in stock on the shelf.
Hello, Folks
Yesterday was my first time visiting a Menards. I needed new siding for the caboose project and they had everything I needed in stock. Sixteen-foot lengths of trim boards and the L-P "Smartside" siding I'm going to use.
I was pretty impressed with the place. It is huge even compared to our biggest Home Depot or Lowe's in the area. Everyone was friendly and helpful.
I recently neared completion of a brass NYC H-10b Mikado project that was on my bench for a while:
NYC_H-10_painted2 by Edmund, on Flickr
This is an Overland model that I've had on my "Wish list" for a while.
NYC_H-10b_threequarter by Edmund, on Flickr
There's dozens of RTR Mikados out there but none that quite capture the distinctive look of these "high-browed" powerful-looking NYC models.
NYC_H-10b3 by Edmund, on Flickr
I managed to stuff a TCS WOWsound decoder and keep alive plus a pair of ESU sugar cube speakers in the tender. The sound and operating qualities of this Mike are outstanding.
Enjoy the Holiday weekend, everyone!
Regards, Ed
Post Hog
Kingsford, no substitute and when all's said and done, it'll taste just like chicken!
Just sitting at the lake 5 minutes from home listening to Supertramp
Judy has blinking lights swirl straw sippy cups for our beverages. You can't see it in the picture but they blink
A watermelon disco glass
Birthday cake even though it's nobody's birthday peanuts and bing cherries
And some lovely Dandy line weeds Judy thought would be nice as flowers for the table
As I've said before we ain't too fancy
Yep!
We ate two of the juicy chickens before the barbecue sauce but the other four will follow with the now uncovered potatoes getting the simmering smoke flavor
And now the potatoes aren't crispy enough Judy isn't leaving until the potatoes are crispy. I may have to add more Kingsford
And she looked at me sadly and said I just slopped on my favorite new pink shirt. I told her it's all good, we'll go back to your supplier and get you two brand new pink shirts
Paul McCarthy and wings just played Band on the Run, my car's favorite song. You would have had to be there that day my car told me that was her favorite song when she blew a valve before she was rebuilt. But she did get me home that night blown valve and all. The next morning I noticed the Prestone was leaking into her oil. Ran hard and put away wet, she's back!
From California to Minnesota, nobody ever killed my car, not even me, nor I ever will
Honestly, I play whatever song My Car likes to hear With the sterio sound decibels louder than all get out her engine is louder. You can always hear her talk to you romping down the road
Oops
Home Depot was great early this morning. I was the only guy in the lumber section. Started good. Should have thought to get a couple bi-metal blades for the sawzall. Well, that put the brakes on the job today.
Being that today is the only no rain day out of the whole weekend in Minnesota. I ain't going back to Home Depot, ... This is just fine, It's Park BBQ by the lake picnic time
Good Morning,
A cloudy day here so far. Wish it would rain.
I was up early today to go for a curbside pickup on a grocery order we placed. Sure is a convenient way to shop!
Garry, I haven't got anything going on the RR front. In fact I put a Red Caboose boxcar kit back in its box this morning as I know I won't do anything with it until fall. With the a/c on it is far too cold to be in the furnace room/workshop. I am looking at another brass steam loco but am hestitant with spending the money right now. We need a new back fence and a few other things.
Ray, nice looking bike. I gave mine away a few years ago. It was an old English 5 speed road bike. It had skinny 1 1/4 inch tires so was only good on the pavement. A friend collects bikes and was happy to get it as old English built Raleighs are fairly rare especially in good condition.
Not a lot on the agenda today. I have some brush to cut up for disposal. It is the final remnants from the storm damage we had last fall. My wife was using for critter shelter in the winter. The birds seemed to like it.
Kevin, nice looking floor. Not many tiled garage floors here. The road salt and frost would be rather hard on such a surface. Mind you we had our front step tiled and it has held up well with no cracking or lifting. The tile was only the 4 inch stuff as it had to be frost resistant. Our house has a lot of tile flooring. It was installed in 1988, just before we bought it. In that time we have never had one lift or crack. The tile is Villroy and Bosch which I understand was good stuff. It looks like new.
Johnboy, where are you?
CN Charlie
Sorry Garry, all my model railroad stuff is put away while the house is being worked on.
I do have about 20 non-completed freight cars on my workbench, and I am trying to get one done per week just so I have something for Weekend Photo Fun, but that is all. These just need trucks, couplers, and weathering.
Hopefully... In January 2021... One year behind schedule... the first work will begin on my final lifetime layout.
Sorry, Garry, no layout news from me. With the nicer weather and outdoor projects, there's not been much layout time.
Good morning .....
Speaking of daughters, Shelley and I have three. We have two sons, too. All are scattered in different locations with spouses and kids. I don't get to see each other very often.
Kevin .... I think it would matter mostly what your wife prefers. You with short hair or you with long hair. ... Regarding mangos, any food can be served in this virtual diner. We might like ome on our next FL trip, however.
Ken .... It is good to hear the GG1 is hauling trains.
On the layout, I have been switching cars in and out of industries in recent days. Below is some switching activity at Stayle Bread Company.
Do any of you have some model railroad activities to talk about ?
Good morning. It's raining, and there's more on the way! Everyone is happy. It let up long enough for me to get my two miles in on the trail.
Still working on garage sheetrock. Nothing is easy. I had an issue with the way one of the garage doors was installed.
Track fiddlerSaints fan John, good to see you back
Thanks, TF. It was time for me to take a mental health break. I was getting too serious on one of the threads. It's supposed to be fun to come on this site. It's good to read and catch up with everyone's posts.
Kevin, great comment about family and daughters. I have three daughters, too. My most nervous time was when they were all three in college at the same time. Every letter I got from them or the universities concerned money!
It's time for bacon, eggs, and coffee. Then back to garage work.
The retired guy looks more at peace Kevin. More relaxed. Nice pic. Quite the handsome guy I must add!
I have to go to the lumber yard this morning. Yuk! Home Depot and Menards is overrun with Weekend Warriors. There was nowhere to park and a line to get in yesterday and I figured first thing in the morning might be better.
It's a holiday weekend and I'm keeping my fingers crossed this morning. Coffee time now and I'll hit the door at 7
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:
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.
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.
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.
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