Track fiddlerI don't know about you guys in the other states but there wasn't much of a 4th here this year. All the firework displays were canceled due to the corona.
We had a fairly normal one, except for a town near here that canceled its parade and celebration. Our town had their big display on Friday evening.
Last night sounded like a firestorm in a war zone by our house. Of course, I played no part in that.
York1 John
York1Last night sounded like a firestorm in a war zone by our house.
Much worse here, than if there were regular municipal fireworks. The dog was absolutely terrified. The M80's started around noon and then from 8:30 to 11 it was non stop.
I expect once the sun goes down today, they will start up again.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddyThe dog was absolutely terrified.
I guess that's one advantage our Daisy the Dachshund has being deaf. The fireworks (and thunderstorms) don't bother her at all. She sat outside and watched the fireworks with me.
Howdy!!!!
BigDaddyMuch worse here, than if there were regular municipal fireworks.
Same here... That was discussed before our on line Church Service this morning. My contribution was that I had no problem with it.... I just turned off my hearing aids!. What fireworks? There were even some bottle rockets being launched nearby that were exploding a couple hundred feet up...... Haven't heard about any injuries yet, but it wouldn't surprise me if there were...
We did have the annual 4th. of july parade in the neighborhood, but it was limited to a Fire engine with siren and warning horns followed by about 60 or 70 cars blowing their horns! I was on Zoom at the time with my son in England. He enjoyed it too!
Spent quite a bit of time over at my other son's house on the 4th. and again today. They had a family of friends over on the 4th. and some relatives too. Most of them had never had a ride in a Tesla before so I told them, put masks on, and I'll be glad to burn some electrons! The first ride was my oldest granddaughter and two other kids with the kids dad riding in the front seat. I backed out of the driveway and asked if they were ready.... Then I floored it! The boy in the back seat yelled WHOOOOOAAAAHH. WOW! I guess he had never ridden in a car that did 0 to 60 in less than 5 seconds! I got to explain to the dad several of the technical things about the Tesla. He actually had two rides in it. Think he was enjoying himself. All told I took 4 loads of people out to have their first ride in an Electric car....
Today I chauffeured my sister down to my son's house for a dinner... She can drive now but doesn't trust herself driving that far... She didn't sleep well last night (and hasn't been sleeping well) and was in a rotten mood... Was glad to get her back home so I could relax for a while and get some other things done.
Been extreemly hot here in the Finger Lakes Region of NYS, with highs in the high 90's for several days in a row. That will continue for the rest of the week they say. I went out and ran 1.6 miles today right after church. Should have done it again this evening, but I am exhausted. Hope to make up for it tomorrow. I'm trying to get in a 5k most days (actually a bit over that 3.2 miles).
Catch you all tomorrow.
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Evening all, it was a beautiful day here today so after a good workout this morning I spent the day pressure washing. I usually get it all done in April but there is just too much going on around here these days.
The wife started in on the tiling job in the bathroom and as I was pressure washing, she started cutting the tiles herself and did a great job. I guess I am officially relieved of that job now. Reminds me of when I came home from work and she was putting a new waterpump in her car. What a women.
Flipped the tube on this morning and CNN was on, saw thousands of people bobbing around in pools together. I guess if social distancing is too hard to figure out, being financially responsible and diet conscious is completely out of the question.
I think I can unwrap the layout as the dusty part of the reno is over, can't wait to be choo choo chooing along once again.
We had all the doors and windows open and my daughter was playing some classical pieces on the piano. A lady sat down across the road and it turned out she was listening to the music. She came to the door to ask who was playing thinking it was a recording and was surprised when she saw my daughter through the front door playing. The lady apparently taught music her whole life and loved listening. It is so great having my daughter home as she has been playing so much. Her latest thing is the score from Star Wars, she rocks the house on that grand piano. Love it!
We are very close to the border and didn't hear a peep of fireworks last night from Stateside, usually the place is rockin from the fireworks. I guess they were cancelled.
Going to watch Hamilton with my daughter tonight as it came out on the Disney channel. She has it all memorized and sings it all day long. Maybe someday I'll take her to New York to see it, I think it would be quality time together I would cherish forever. I flew her to Toronto once so she could attend a rock concert and she still talks about it.
I just heard the subwhoofers power up, that's my call, nuff said.
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."
Good Morning —
A little ditty about the Full English Breakfast — Yum
And while you digest all of that —
Our Monday Morning Matinée:
Cheers, Ed
Jeckyl Island, Georgia was a bust. It finally stopped raining, so I walked the boardwalk to the beach.
The bugs were awful. Went back to the hotel.
Packing up and heading for Daytona for a couple of days.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
It will be a busy day -- a company is finally coming to cut down three large pine trees in the backyard. They are between buildings, so it will be interesting to see how they do it.
The tree company is busy. We had a storm several weeks ago with 90 mph wind gusts, so many trees were damaged.
I'm going to break down and buy a new chainsaw. I'm giving up on my old one -- I usually have to spend three hours getting it started to use it for five minutes. It has been through a lot, and it had one close-call with my foot. I won't miss it.
It's time for bacon, eggs, and coffee.
Good Afternoon!
Coffee and a slice of that cherry crumble pie, please!
What a day! I was woken up by rain hammering against the windows. I have never seen such a rainfall in my life before. The raindrops jumped a foot high up in the air when they hit the ground!
Monday is the day for some household chores. Dusting and vacuuming the floors is one of my not so well liked jobs. Dusting of the furniture went well, but when it came to vacuuming the floors, all wnt wrong. First the vacuum cleaner blow off the dust bag, distributing its content nicely all over just about everything. I got that fixed and was able to get the darn thing back into working order. Just when the fine layer of dust was gone into the bag, the thing completely died on me. I shouldn´t complain, it gave us 18 years of service, but it´s death was rather untimely. I ordered a new one, without dust bags. It should be much lighter than the old one, which was a heavy beast hard to maneuver around the furniture. Another 200 bucks out of our getaway kitty
Today, let´s pay a visit to the Bluebell Rlwy. in West Sussex, one of the oldest preservation lines in Britain.
Happy times!
Ulrich (aka The Tin Man)
"You´re never too old for a happy childhood!"
Good Morning,
Chloe, I'd like kippers for breakfast today along with scrambled eggs, grilled tomato and mushrooms. My wife won't let me cook kippers as she says they stink up the place.
Nothing new here. More gardening today as the weather is warm but not too hot.
That brass Hudson I bought has an interesting drive in that it can be rolled on the tracks without power and the drivers will turn. It is called 'Coasting Drive' and was used in later Van Hobbies engines.
We are getting tired of staying in the house and just doing shopping errands. Even then, it is just stay in the car to do a pickup. We'd like to go out for a lunch, meet our friends and go birding or something but it looks like we are stuck here for the foreseeable future. I guess we shouldn't really complain but it is wearing.
CN Charlie
CNCharlieWe are getting tired of staying in the house and just doing shopping errands. Even then, it is just stay in the car to do a pickup. We'd like to go out for a lunch, meet our friends and go birding or something but it looks like we are stuck here for the foreseeable future. I guess we shouldn't really complain but it is wearing.
+1
Richard
York1They are between buildings, so it will be interesting to see how they do it.
"My" guy uses a cherry picker and takes small chunks off as he works his way down the trunk. He calls himself a tree deconstructor.
Arborist by Edmund, on Flickr
The sunflowers are in bloom here:
Sunflower by Edmund, on Flickr
Look at all that pollen ready to blow into the air!
gmpullman"My" guy uses a cherry picker and takes small chunks off as he works his way down the trunk. He calls himself a tree deconstructor.
I think that's what they'll use here, too. They came and looked this afternoon, but are still working on another project. They said maybe tomorrow.
I'm ready for it to be done. Trees don't grow here like they do in Ohio. We have to baby them for years. My wife grew up in Ohio and loved the trees.
I've written before that when we moved here, there was not a tree on our property. I planted nine pine trees and about 6 or 7 spruce trees across the back of the land. After 10 years, you could look out the back windows and see just a green screen at the edge of the land. I loved it.
Unfortunately, the pines have been attacked and are dying. They are over 30 feet high. The spruces are shorter and are still OK.
Good afternoon all.
Zoe - A gigantic RBF please. Thanks.
Ed - Thanks for moving the diner.
Ulrich - I can understand your not wishing to move into town. I like the peace and quiet of country living myself. Cities are nice to visit, but I dislike spending much more than a day or two at a time. Normal years I would have been to Cleveland at least once by now, with a weekend trip within the next 60 days, but this is not a "normal" year, so no Cleveland trip. While I always enjoy it, by the third day I am ready for much less traffic and fresh air. (Don't want the enjoyment of the event I'm attending to end, but am usually done with the traffic and the amount of people.)
Weather - Hot!!!! Have the chance to tie a record with most consecutive days above 90. Last time Erie hit 90+ for 5 days in a row was 32 years ago! Forecast is for just that, 5 days of 90+, with a humidex above 100 each day. (Only once on record has Erie hit that for longer than 5 consecutive days.) AC is working overtime, and it's still above 75 inside. (It's not central air, one downstairs, one upstairs. Really need 2 more, but holding off on spending a bunch of money right now.)
Music - Country music legend Charlie Daniels has passed away. He was best known for "Devil went down to Georgia", but instead, I will have the diner jukebox do a different hit...
(Hopefully I did the video right...)
Covid - A friend of mine is in isolation pending results. Erie County (where I live) now has more confirmed cases than all surrounding counties COMBINED. Then you hear of all the athletes, and others, who are testing positive, it's getting a bit scary again. It's definitely sticking around longer than I would like.
Interesting tidbit for the sports trivia buffs - Last race in NASCAR (Indy) is the first points race since 1993 that the #48 was driven by someone not named Jimmie Johnson. ( The current list of drivers includes several who we're not even around in 1993. Even more who were too young to remember it. )
W*^k - Am doing part time on a very enjoyable j*b, and can do it from home. While it's not what I normally did, and has no insurance options, it will easily get the bills paid. (And is a permanent position. )
Hope all are well, and all enjoy the day!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I have never had a kipper nor a sardine. My mother used to eat sardines. At 68 years old, I just googled and found out you don't eat the whole thing. You clean them like any other fish.
Now those dried up goldfish they sell in Asian stores, You eat the whole thing.
Hot and humid. Thunderstorms knocked out power just after dinner. Only a few minutes until they rebooted.
Eveing Diners!
Flo, drinks are on my tab tonight and Dirk gets a dog treat.
Today was a good day at Work. I was a little busy and got out a little late. Had a tad over $3500.00 in sales.
All but one customer had mask on. Couple that did not I told them we have mask by the front door for your use. Went back to the coustomer I was writting up and saw the male of the couple had the free mask, but was not wearing it? I told him why he need to ware the mask because of my health problems and still did not put it on! Told him, there is the door sir and the couple left with there Free Mask! Not that I wanted them back anyway.
My wife is starting to hate Dirk Pip. I find that funny because after we lost Sparkie I did not want another dog. But she just had to have another dog becuase she is a "Dog Mom" so I gave in after a few weeks of her crying about wanting a dog! While I wished I never meet him, I am glad I did and we our his Forever Home plus he is my buddie.
Later, Ken and Dirk says Woof, Woof!
I hate Rust
Daytona Beach has been wonderful.
There is no one here. We had the beach to ourselves almost all afternoon. There are probably only 6-8 rooms in this hotel occupied.
I will be here all day tomorrow, then drive home on Wednesday after seeing my youngest baby in Orlando where she is visiting her (soon to be) in-laws.
cudakenTold him, there is the door sir and the couple left with there Free Mask!
Well done Ken! The Covid-19 situation is not one where we can tolerate idiots! Saying nothing could be fatal!
Dave
Apologies to Kalmbach if my comment is inappropriate.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Evening all.
It was another beautiful day out West and I spent it pressure washing again. I couldn't get the pressure washer to fire up and found the spark plug had seen better days so it was off to Home Depot for a new one. B.C. had 7 new covid cases today with 16 in hospital. Even with such low numbers all us Home Depot customers had our mask on as we want to keep it that way.
https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/a6f23959a8b14bfa989e3cda29297ded
Put the new plug in and she fired right up.
Ken, you keep right on asking customers to wear mask, no job is worth your life.
My Mom use to love to make clothes in the 60s and 70s and had a good selection of material on hand that my sister had kept when she died. A lot of it Mom had brought home from Europe on one of her visits home. My sister decided to get rid of it and put an ad on FB saying vintage material for sale. Someone from the movie industry was over PDQ and gave her $5500.00 for the lot of it saying it was quite the find and it will be put to good use. Good thing she didn't just chuck it out.
I think one more full day on the pressure washer and I'll have the back patios and dog kennels clean. The front of the house can wait for another week or weeks to be done.
The wife could not figure out why we had quite a bit more money in the bank account than usual at this time of the year. I reminded her we have not taken any trips yet this year. Normally we would have two or three under our belts by now. We'll make up for it once we can travel again as we both have the urge to go somewhere. She also has an eye on a new car, though she doesn't know what yet. Once she gets the vehicle she gets them outfitted with custom dog crates so the mutts are as safe as they can be. All the dog shows are cancelled so there is no rush.
We were going to do a dog show circuit down through the SW U.S. this Winter, but that will have to wait. I hate dog shows, I just dump her a the show grounds in the morning and go find something a little more exciting to do, like watch paint dry. I have had some pretty good adventures on my own once I dropped her off. One time we were near a glider club at a small airport and I went up for a couple of hours everyday with an instructor. I had my pilots license but had only been in a glider once before then in Hawaii. Got some serious glider stunt flying under my belt on the dog show trip.
Well time to hit the hay and dream of having more adventures once this pandemic is done with.
hon30critter cudaken Told him, there is the door sir and the couple left with there Free Mask! Well done Ken! The Covid-19 situation is not one where we can tolerate idiots! Saying nothing could be fatal! Dave Apologies to Kalmbach if my comment is inappropriate.
cudaken Told him, there is the door sir and the couple left with there Free Mask!
Dave - I don´t think your comment is appropriate in this form and in this forum. If this is the new style in this forum and in the Diner, I am out of this place!
There are many people who are not able to wear a mask, due to respiratory or heart issues. I am among them. There are times, when I have to go out to do essential business, which cannot be dealt with otherwise. I keep a safe distance from other people, which is by far the better protection than to wear a mask with it´s warm and humid atmosphere providing an ideal environment for bacteria and virusses to thrive in. And while we are at it, you should be wearing googles as well, as your eyes are also entry sites for the virus into your body. The virus is on your cloths, in your hair, just about everywhere around you. A simply mask won´t give you the protection, only this will:
Before you enter your house, take it off and don´t forget your shoes!
On old Indian saying tells us not to judge a person before having walked a mile in his mocassins!
hon30critterWell done Ken! The Covid-19 situation is not one where we can tolerate idiots! Saying nothing could be fatal!
Dave: On this trip I have made around a few states (Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida) I have been amazed at the different attitudes of people in different areas.
In Indiana, no one was wearing masks, and some people actually commented on my mask saying I was a "sheep" falling for the propaganda.
At the service in Ohio, the man leading the formalities actually asked everyone that was wearing a mask to remove them "out of respect", I almost lost my mind. I was paying this guy, and he said something that stupid on my dime.
Most of the rest of Ohio was very responsible although in the wide open spaces of the Cuyahoga Valley Park, no one was wearing masks, but we were hundreds of feet apart.
In North Carolina, I saw no one without a mask. They were taking the situation very seriously.
This was unbelievable: When I re-entered Florida, there was a Covid-19 check point on the border. Florida is the current "hot-spot" for the virus. Stopping people from bringing it in is like telling people not to bring sand to the beach. A little bit more is not going to change anything at this point. No other State I travelled to had a check point.
Ulrich: People with breathing problems are allowed to wear loose fitting bandanas covering their faces... problem solved. There are other options as well, but not covering your face should not be the chosen course of action. That hazardous material exposure suit would provide better protection, but if 95% of the people just wear masks, we could do a lot.
Tinplate ToddlerAnd while we are at it, you should be wearing googles as well, as your eyes are also entry sites for the virus into your body.
I wear a mask so that my saliva droplets don't become airborne and affect others. As long as I'm not crying I don't have to worry about covering my eyes.
The mask also helps in reducing unnecessary hand-to-face contact.
Century_2_covi by Edmund, on Flickr
Good Morning All,
A regular to go please Zoe. mid 70's already and it should get into the nineties by noon. Not much to report on the train front though the local railway museum is reopening for the volunteers so they can come in and clean and prep things. Maybe they can have a soft opening with restrictions by the end of July if things here keep improving. I won't get into a back and forth on masks but kudos to Ken for standing his ground at w**k. Nova Scotia has "bubbles" - small groups that are comfortable with each other but in my sisters, they still mask up.
Time to pick up tools. We are off to New Hampshire this weekend and I'm concerned with the amount of increased infection there. We shall see how it goes.
Ciao, J.R.
Oh boy I have top. Brekkies on me folks. I will start with a waffle with blueberrys
and whipped cream. Side of link sausage too please.
Good morning
Another hot one as it seems to be the pattern pretty much nation wide from what I gather. Hot and humid is forecasted all week here with a high of 100 actual tomorrow.
Judy and I take the mask thing pretty seriously these days. Especially after this wicked disease affected our Family.
A study was done on indoor air quality up here and microscopic particles of the covid were found suspended in the air of the room with no people present with exception of the people doing the test. That's enough for me to wear a mask and my sunglasses any time I have to go inside whether near anybody or not.
I do miss my friends but have not been to Cowboys in well over three months. They have the patios open for social distancing. I have drove by quite a few times and I see no evidence of this. What used to be a middle-aged to an older crowd has turned into a bunch of kids that are right on top of each other. No Thanks! I'll have a beer at home.
For some reason the younger generation thinks they're invincible and do not take this thing very seriously at all. I guess I can somewhat understand this as I was young once too. I just wish they all knew how serious this thing really is. They say the more recent spikes stem from the younger crowd.
Well, I have a few things to take care of on my truck this morning before it gets to Sticky out.
Have a great day everyone
TF
Good morning. Just coffee this morning.
The tree guys didn't make it last night. They got behind on another job. I hope they come today and finish. I'm tired of this.
My daughters were all older when Shining Time Station came on TV with Thomas the Tank Engine. We just never watched it.
Later, I was flipping the channels and came across the show. I was hooked -- not for the stories but for the models.
Now it is computer generated, and for me, has lost the appeal. I know some people like it better CGI, but I loved the real thing. I've seen several Thomas layouts at railroad shows, so maybe it gets some kids interested in model railroading.
Oh, well, it was UK show and we're in the UK.
LB&SCR E2
Have a good day, everyone.
Good ....... Uh.... Oops! Think I made a wrong turn here this morning. No? Well I'm sure Cousin Vinnie will be in to clean up the mess just as soon as he is up and dressed... LOL
Only thing I will say is. The issue is more about how you respect, care, and "do unto others" in this world (That is a major part of my personal faith system) than "rights". I always do my best to do what is recommended and expected when I am out and around. With all the folks yelling about their "rights", they seem to forget that one very important responsibility is, that others also have rights. Ah... You may have heard of "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness?" I take part of that to mean that my right to swing my fists ends at the tip of the other guy's nose! Or maybe my right to ignore health recommendations ends when I could cause major harm or death to someone else. Like what has been discussed earlier.
How about we try to turn the other cheek and treat each other with respect including following rules and recommendations both out in public and, ah..... Maybe even here at the forum?
'nuff said!
Works for me. J.R.
Good morning Everyone,
Just got back from a trip to another state to visit family. Our state is still requiring masks in buildings and etc. We go to the other state and it was pretty much wide open. Didn't wear my mask once the whole visit, but we also weren't out and about that much. Sure was a different feeling at first. We're now sort of self quartineing out of courtesy for others just simply minimizing interactions and wearing our masks to the supermarket. Don't want to be responsible for giving something to someone else if we by chance picked up something.
My sister happens to be an amazing quilter. I'm just awestruck at her work. My wife purchased a bunch of sewn zipper bags my sister had made to give to people. Sorry, don't have pics to share.
Saw just a couple of RR things, a small yard and a bridge Visible from the freeway. Interesting to see how things change over the years.
Edit: Ed: libraries routinely get rid of old books. Sometimes they're for sale for literally pennies. Check with your local library. (Reference to comment on another thread.)
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Chloe - A nice cheeseburger, fries, and a Coke please. Thanks.
Ken - Good that you stood for what is required by both the CDC, WHO, and Health Dept. (Also possibly your boss, company, county, state and others.)
At least in PA, there is a medical exemption, for those under 2 and those on oxygen/with severe breathing issues, but unless you are under 2, you need to have a card from your Doctor, and are supposed to mention the medical exemption when asked to wear a mask by employees/officials, and are supposed to have the card available to show when requested by employees and/or officials. (Asthma does not qualify. I am not unhappy, as I would not want a medical exemption.)
In PA, it is required that you wear a mask when you leave your house. In your yard, a car by yourself, or in your own house you are exempt. Everywhere else it is required by the State Health Dept., County Health Dept., State & Local Government order, and is recommended and encouraged by CDC & WHO. National government is also now encouraging all to wear masks.
Yes, you have the freedom to choose whether you obey, but that comes with the responsibility of getting yourself in trouble, and putting yourself and others at increased risk. You also get the freedom of accepting whatever penalties are assessed for not obeying. (Such as being told to leave stores, fines, etc....)
Yes, many are enforcing their rights. But no one has any right to needlessly place others in harms way.
And, it's exactly because of these freedoms and rights that allow stores, businesses, and states/counties to require masks. We are required to wear shoes and shirts also. This isn't much different than that requirement. Yes, masks are hot. Yes they are uncomfortable, but they have been scientifically proven to help prevent spreading a scientifically proven deadly disease. (While not 100%, it is infinitely better than not doing anything.)
My only other comment on masks will be this - If heat and humidity were a reason that masks would harm individuals due to bacteria and mold, etc...., then medical professionals, people who work with dusty jobs, and people who wear even more restrictive masks for working with paint/other chemicals, would not be able to wear them during summer heat and humidity either. (And I have seen zero evidence to support this supposed issue, but have seen plenty of everyday proof that it is not any issue wearing them in summer heat & humidity.)
Now, back to our regularly scheduled discussions -
Ed - Your pollen pic has me sneezing clear over here!
Weather - Still hot and humid.
Tree trimming discussion - Had a pine tree (affected by some kind of blight) taken down last week. The individual we had do it pointed out where he was going to drop it, and it landed within 6 inches of that exact spot. Real professionals know exactly how to drop a tree, and can do it quickly and safely. He had a total of 3 people counting himself, and they had the 35' tree down and cleaned up in under 8 hours. (We paid cash and gave him the tree, as we do not have a wood stove, but he was aware of someone who could use the wood.)
York1The tree guys didn't make it last night. They got behind on another job. I hope they come today and finish. I'm tired of this.
When I had a tree removed from the back yard in March, it was over two weeks from the original scheduled date until it was finally cut down.
I feel your pain and frustration.
up831My sister happens to be an amazing quilter. I'm just awestruck at her work.
My wife and I really want a nice hand made quilt. We have looked at hundreds of them in quilt shops all through the South, and never made a purchase.
The workmanship is amazing, and the variety is bewildering.
One day we will find the one that just screams "BUY ME", and we will get it.
The search has been fun.