Thanks, Steven, for opening up the place for us. Gee, it felt strange standing in front of a locked door, not being able to get in!
Good Evening!
I am glad the lockdown of Jeffrey´s Diner is over now! I was starting to show withdrawal symptoms!
Today, have received a number of quotes for small houses. All of them were way above the advertised price, as the figure stated included only the naked building shell, which was of course omitted in the text.
This is getting frustrating!
I have been toying with an idea of a house based on a single 40ft. container, with a conservatory added to gain space. It looks like this:
A cut & paste job.
We still have hopes to find a solution to our housing problem! We just cannot picture us living in a concrete slab condo! The big problem we face is to find a lot where weactually could build one of those container homes. German building reg's are not very generous, if you want something slightly different from the usual.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Great, thanks. *pays locksmith*
OK, everybody, the Diner's open again. Flo should have hot coffee ready in about 15 minutes. Sorry for the inconvenience.
--Steven Otte, Model Railroader senior associate editorsotte@kalmbach.com
Good morning
I heard they were out of tomato soup yesterday Ulrich. You may want to upgrade to the Sea Bass
A rain day here today. We can use it.
No work for me, I'm just going to do some fiddling with a model bridge.
Have a good day
TF
Lunchtime!
Just something light for me, please. A bowl of tomato soup, a baloney & cheese sandwich to go with it, and a coffee to wash all of that down the hatch!
Ed - the caboose looks ready for Petra and I to move in! It has probably more space than a 40 ft. container home!
The Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Rlwy. is a true "toy" train, although they run regular services for the public and take the students to school! During WWII, the line was part of the war effort.
I am not sure how big the part was they played in the Battle of Britain. Being part of the coastal defense saved it from dismantling.
Now THIS is my idea of a "garden railway" !
Look at that deep red finish on the Winston Churchill. Beautiful!
Here is a link to the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. This would certainly be on my bucket list for a visit to the UK.
Time for another look?
The passenger waving at 1:32 sure pulls her hand back quickly on approach to the tunnel portal!
Today was a perfect time to get a coat of paint on the new caboose siding Just about half-way done!
PRR_91908 by Edmund, on Flickr
That's Otis scampering up the steps in a blur.
Enjoy the day, everyone —
Cheers, Ed
York1Kevin, count me as another fan of your church pictures.
Thank you. I have one more to share in West Virginia that I will get to soon.
Here are the last pictures from Michigan.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a please and Brents Old Buddy and Dirk a dog treat.
Brent You can never have them to long! Hope he fools you and your wife and has another 3 years has a happy boy!
Day started off bad and just went down hill from there!
1. Stop to buy gas and the clerk had her mask hang on her ear and not her face. Motion for her raise her mask, she said "What"? I then said "Put on your mask please". She said " I am wearing my mask"! I just turned around and walked out! I am sorry, having a mask hanging on your ear is not wearing the darn thing!
2. A/C died at work today. Called the Heating Air Company we used last time and they cannot be out till Friday. Luckly today temps where not to bad and did not get uncomrtuble (spell check) till 7:00 Pm.
Sat out when I got home with Sue and Dirk and the cold beer tasted good!
Later, Ken and Dirk say's Woof, Woof.
I hate Rust
York1 MLC, I love the work you do on the old radios. I know several people who collect them. I have also seen some collections of the old Bakelite (spelling?) radios. My father had a large collection of tubes for TVs and radios. Whenever anyone had a problem, he would get them working again. I remember quite a few stores that had tube testing panels.
MLC, I love the work you do on the old radios. I know several people who collect them. I have also seen some collections of the old Bakelite (spelling?) radios. My father had a large collection of tubes for TVs and radios. Whenever anyone had a problem, he would get them working again. I remember quite a few stores that had tube testing panels.
Thanks,
Yes Bakelite are the brown plastic or painted plastic radios from the 30's-50's
There is also Catalin, which are a colored plastic, rare and highly collectable.
Good evening
Not too much happened today. Maybe one thing I guess.
I went to the grocery before I picked up Judy at work. I got some bananas, three kinds of ice cream, three kinds of topping, whipped cream and cherries. I brought it in in my tool bag so she didn't know.
I surprised her with a banana split later this evening. Her eyes did light up like a little kid. Usually I provide a picture, but you know.
Well I've been getting up at 5 every day for the past two weeks. Seems to be my new pattern. With that, I'm gonna to hit the rack.
Nighty night all
It's been a long day.
Ulrich, I imagine you tired of us saying this, but I guess I encourage you to keep at it. For some reason, I feel you will find the right place when the time is right. However, I'm not psychic.
Kevin, count me as another fan of your church pictures. Watching some of those HGTV shows where people buy an old church and turn it into a house, I think that might be neat. I don't think I'm up to all that work.
Brent, glad to hear you are enjoying your dog's last years. They really are members of the family.
CN Charlie, I wish you could send us some of your rain. We seem to be avoiding rain clouds this summer.
I went to the grocery store today, and virtually everyone is still wearing masks. The same at Walmart. I think I mentioned that the nearest Menards has a sign at the door that no one comes in without a mask. If you don't have one, they sell them at the door. If you don't have one and don't buy one, you don't get in.
We're cleaning today for a visit with some grandchildren. I will be worn out in several days.
York1 John
Tinplate ToddlerThe usual price is between $120 and $200 per sq.ft. - the latter price being for luxury homes.
When the Dream House was built, normal construction prices were $60.00-$120.00 per square foot. The reason the house was only $40.00 per square foot was because I had the lot elevation completed already, and a large part (the train rooom) was built unfinished. I also did all the interior painting myself.
Good Afternoon,
Light rain here now but we could use it. I'm hearing a drip in the wall. The skylight is leaking again. I will have to re-caulk it. Not sure where on the edge it is leaking so will have to take it apart again. Seems like I have to do it every couple of years.
Brent, sorry to hear about your dog but 15 is a good age for any dog. Doesn't make it any easier though. I know from personal experience.
Rainy day so a good day to run a train! Haven't done that i quite a while.
Not much happening here. My wife is really having a hard time being couped up in the house. She doesn't feel comfortable going out even though there haven't been any new cases here for 12 days.
Time for another coffee.
CN Charlie
SeeYou190Great Cats! That is expensive.
It´s a rip-off! The usual price is between $120 and $200 per sq.ft. - the latter price beung for luxuty homes.
Tinplate ToddlerAbout twice as much as I had anticipated! $ 302 per sq.ft. of gross space ist way too expensive!
Great Cats! That is expensive.
When we built the "Dream House" back in 1989, we only paid $40.00 per square foot in construction expense.
Times have changed.
Garry: Great eye! You are correct on both.
Blissfield was a very nice town to visit. Steve's Trains was an interesting hobby shop there. Chelsea was pretty, but I did not do much there. Just walked through town for thirty minutes or so.
I wish I could have shared the pictures before I got back home, but I do not have my work computer any longer, and my tablet does not have a card reader. I forgot to bring the USB cord for the camera.
I went to the dentist last Friday for the first time in six months. I usually have my teeth cleaned four times a year. Surprisingly, the cleaning did not take as long as I expected. I do not like that ultrasonic thing at all.
One more from Michigan:
Kevin ..
The bridge looks like the one in Blissfield, MI.
I am trying to recall where I saw the Jiffy cake mix company plant. I am thinking It may be Chelsea.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good morning all.
Here are a final few pictures from Michigan before I move my trip to Ohio.
Howdy ....
Brent ..... Sad to hear about your aging dog. I like the picture of the CP passneger train. It does not show all of the station, but I guess it is Banff.
Ulrich ..... I think it is very good of you and Petra to be with your widow friend. It is the right thing to do.
During the long period of social distancing, I have postponed medical and dental appointments. I can't keep doing that. Starting with an appointmnt tomorrow, I will be busy with doctors and dentists through August.
Everybody: .... Have a nice Monday.
I justr received a quote for the idea I posted earlier, which made me "bin" the project! About twice as much as I had anticipated! $ 302 per sq.ft. of gross space ist way too expensive!
I need more and new ideas!
Good morning. It's clear and cool this morning. By 10:00 a.m. it's hot.
I'm late to the conversation, but talk of English TV interests me. I like some of the English mysteries. Between English mysteries and U.S. mysteries, I find the English ones generally are written at a higher level. Sometimes you reallly have to follow and think about the story.
Today is cleaning and buying day. Some of the grandchildren are coming for a short visit. The guest bedrooms and bathroom need to be cleaned.
Have a good day, everyone.
Thanks for the pics Kevin. I've always liked the old little steeple churches too.
Thanks for the videos Ulrich, Ed, ... Enjoyed!
MLC, It was The Waltons radio model eh? I guess it makes sense why it looked familiar to me. I got Judy The Waltons box set for her birthday last year. I watch it with her sometimes.
Your restoration craftsmanship is outstanding! I don't watch much TV but do enjoy educational or history programs sometimes. I watch Rick Dale on American Restoration every chance I get. I really don't see their work quality any better than yours
Brent, I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. Our pets are a member of the family. The loss of any family member is tough to go through.
Good Monday Morning —
Something to enjoy with your coffee:
BATMANWhat's your preference Bear?
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
hon30critter BATMAN I have been spending a lot of time with my old dog. He is happy and smiling and still enjoying being around us. He has had a couple of strokes in the last couple of weeks and I found him inconscious the other night after I heard the loud clunk of his head hitting the floor. Hi Brent, Sorry to hear that your dog is on his last legs. I hope that when he goes it will be peacefull and quiet. Dave
BATMAN I have been spending a lot of time with my old dog. He is happy and smiling and still enjoying being around us. He has had a couple of strokes in the last couple of weeks and I found him inconscious the other night after I heard the loud clunk of his head hitting the floor.
Hi Brent,
Sorry to hear that your dog is on his last legs. I hope that when he goes it will be peacefull and quiet.
Dave
Thanks Dave
The wife will put him down at the first sign of distress or if he looks like he is suffering. He was born in this house and he will die here.
December 2005.
Hiking in the Rockies.
He has hundreds of kids all over the world and the wife has plenty of his semen frozen for future considerations.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good morning!
Thanks, Brent, for the midnight snack, which is in fact a late breakfast here. It´s close to 8.30am here and I am up since 4.45am. Insomnia strikes again!
I have used the time to do a little work designing our retiree´s pod. Getting a building permit for a house just under 10ft. width is close to impossible, double that and it´s usually OK. Since we still have plans to couple up with our widowed friend, two of those small houses side by side would do the trick.
Here we go!
The roof line needs to be extended to give those two houses the look of being one.
We are still in Great Britain and it´s time to climb a mountain. I am not referring to the Hugh Grant movie of the Englishman who climbed a hill and came down a mountain, but I am talking about getting to the top of Britain´s highest mountain - Mt. Snowdon, which sports a height of 3,560ft. above sea level. For those sufficiently able-bodied, there is a nice trail up the mountain, I myself dedided to go by train!
Have a great day!
BATMANI have been spending a lot of time with my old dog. He is happy and smiling and still enjoying being around us. He has had a couple of strokes in the last couple of weeks and I found him inconscious the other night after I heard the loud clunk of his head hitting the floor.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I see I got tops so go ahead and order your midnight snacks and beverage of choice.
Our get together last night was cancelled as our host had just returned from where there had been a spike in covid cases so we will wait a few more weeks to get back together. Maybe just in time for hockey season to start.....August 1st. Hmmmmm! Not sure how that feels. I think they should have left the season undecided for 2020 as they did in 1918 for the Spanish flu.
I have been eating all day as I have drop a few pounds more than I like to so it has been carb central and according to the wife I ate a 1+ lb rib steak last night, so should be back up in a day or so. I also had three beers so that will help. Like to keep the body fat at around 16%.
MLC, those radio are amazing, I have an oldie from my parents that still works.
I have been spending a lot of time with my old dog. He is happy and smiling and still enjoying being around us. He has had a couple of strokes in the last couple of weeks and I found him inconscious the other night after I heard the loud clunk of his head hitting the floor. I went and got the wife out of bed and we sat with him for a while thinking this was the end and then he woke up! He is suffering PVCs and the wife is keeping close tabs on him and figures he will go instantly when it happens. I try not to move around too much as he struggles to stay by my side.
https://www.umcvc.org/conditions-treatments/premature-ventricular-contractions-pvcs-and-premature#:~:text=Premature%20ventricular%20contractions%20(PVCs)%20are,a%20skipped%20beat%20or%20palpitations.
We spent a good part of the day trying to find what kind of new vehicle to get for the wife. She needs something that she can pack dogs and all her dogshow gear into. There are a lot of options. Once she gets the new wheels she has custom dog crates built for the vehicle that are designed with crumple zones that are matched with the vehicles crumple zones.
I will likely need something soon as well, not sure what I'll get. I'll likely keep the old truck and get something sporty. We pretty much have given the car to the kid as he needs one. He sure doesn't have time to buy one right now with his three jobs. I got him to the driving range to hit some balls and it did him a lot of good to take a break.
Kevin, I really like the church pics. I always go into churches in my travels as I find such a wide variety in the architecture and find that so interesting. In one of the Indiana Jones movies, he goes into a church in Venice that turns out to be a library where X marks the spot. I couldn't believe it when it came on the screen because I came across that church and had to go inside and have a look. It was located way back on one of the back streets in Venice. Needless to say the inside was nothing like they had in the movie as it was a church, not a library.
Well best go sit with the old guy for a bit before bed, never know if he will be with us in the morning
All the best to all.
sandjamGot you.
Yep, got a real troll on the line this time. I agree with the rest, if this is the best you have to contribute to the diner.
Just ignore him Kevin, as we all should.
What's your preference Bear?
Tinplate ToddlerBeing in Britain this month and having a number of car enthusiast on board, why not take a look at the golden age of British sportscars. Strictly offtopic, but why not?
Hi Ulrich,
Thanks for going off topic!! If I win the lottery I'll be back behind the wheel of an MG (or 3) instantly!
As one of the few remaining oldtimers of Jeffrey´s (formerly Elliot´s) Diner a "fifth" the motion to keep any person to person issues out of this place, which is, and always has been, the place for a friendly exchange in a Kaffeeklatsch atmosphere. Anybody who is unhappy with that - well, there is the door!