Good Evening,
TF, a crossbill isn't a grosbeak. They are about the same size but a crossbill literally has its upper and lower mandibles crossed so that they can get the 'nut' out of a pine cone easily. The males are a red colour and the females are green. A very attractive bird. Their range is very much northern and here we are in the winter range so perhaps they don't get as far south as Minneapolis. A few Redpoles have turned up. Cute little things smaller than a Chickadee. Do they get as far south as you? We also get the Hoary Redpole which are lighter in colour but they definitely are a northern bird.
Dave, I too enjoy a nice piece of Wensleydale cheese. We have a small store nearby that sells quite a few English cheeses.
CN Charlie
BigDaddyHe painted the adjacent structure green as a joke and got sued.
The Jolly Green Giant
Cheers, Ed
I got a rare treat tonight! I was sitting in the living room with Dianne before supper and happened to be looking out the front window when a very bright meteor shot through the sky! I got a very clear view of it. There were sparks coming off of it! Neat.
What was really neat is that most of our front window is covered with drapery, and the Christmas tree takes up a fair bit of the open space that is left. There was only a narrow slot left between the tree and the drapes and the meteor was perfectly centered in that space. Talk about 'right time, right place'! Dianne didn't see it. She was facing into the living room.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Track fiddlerMy wife has gadgets that I don't even know what they do! Judy has never grabbed my Sawzall but if she ever did, it would be like giving a monkey a hand grenade
What gets me the most is how she believes when she wants something done, like moving a wall, you just do it. I try to explain that you don't just connect wires to make them longer, or you don't just run new plumbing lines around the missing wall.
Of course, her comeback is that she'll just call the electrician or plumber and they will do what she wants. I'm not sure how old I will be, but I'm quickly coming to that age when I tell her, "OK, just go ahead and call them."
York1 John
hon30critterI got a rare treat tonight! I was sitting in the living room with Dianne before supper and happened to be looking out the front window when a very bright meteor shot through the sky! I got a very clear view of it. There were sparks coming off of it! Neat.
That really sounds great. The thing about it is it happens so fast that you wish you could somehow push "replay" to see it again.
York1That really sounds great. The thing about it is it happens so fast that you wish you could somehow push "replay" to see it again.
I feel that way every time I see one!
When we were at the cottage in Mattawa last August, we saw lots of 'shooting stars'. Our daughter in law, Kaitlin, had never seen one and she didn't initially believe us when we told her what they were. She had to see a few before she understood.
Thanks for the update on the birds Charlie. I wasn't sure if a crossbill is the same as a grosbeak but now I know. Now I know I have never seen a Crossbill but would like to see one.
When I lived up in the Kabetogama state forest there was plenty to do in the winter after the tourists all went home.
Play hockey, snowmobiling, tow rope and ski behind a snowmobile, jump snowmobiles over huge pressure ridge heaves, ice fishing, spearing and that was my favorite, taking the car out on the lake super late fall and whip donuts on the glare ice, kite skiing.
One of the the funnest memories was in the spring when we'd go down to Tom Cod Bay. It was shallow there and the black mud on the bottom would make the ice melt the quickest on the lake. We would run our snowmobiles fast off the shore and Skip across the water to the other side One spring my Arctic Cat Cheetah 440 busted a motor mount and I barely crawled up to the other side. My friend Brent, Lance's brother had to tow me home.
But when I was relaxed in the warm lodge looking out the big picture windows I always enjoyed watching the birds to see what different birds would come that day. I had a bird book that was about an inch thick.
Lots of times I really miss those days when I look back
TF
You know, I'd just like to add that those C-channel cleats on the treads on the snowmobiles of the 70s really helped you skip across the water at high speeds and threw a bit of a rooster tail.
The only thing that sucked about them is when they cracked and you had to replace them. I think that was caused by when you rode your sled when there wasn't enough snow.
Drilling out all those rivets and then pulling more was really something else rotating the tread with your sled sideways in the garage.
I haven't owned a snowmobile for many years and wonder if the new ones could skip across the water like the old ones did.
PH
Eveing Diners
Flo, give the gang and I a Jan some rocket fuel and Dirk and Robbie a dog treat.
Sorry I have been MIA for a while. I had to skip page 7 so I hope I did not miss anything imporant.
Tis the season to spend to much. So far this is the first month I have charged more than I have paid this year. So far I am only $67.43 in the hole, but I would have been about $200.00 a head of the CC debit if not for Christmas.
Bought the wife a JBL Blue Tooth Speaker for Christmas. Hope we can get it to work with her Amazon Fire Tablet.
Far as Brakie When I first got started he helped me when he could. Sorry he is gone but to a much better places.
Later, Ken and Dirk say's Woof, Woof.
I hate Rust
hon30critter — when a very bright meteor shot through the sky! I got a very clear view of it. There were sparks coming off of it! Neat.
THAT was probably your RDC, Dave! The post office probably tried shooting it out of a cannon just to see what would happen
I hope the parachute opens!
gmpullmanTHAT was probably your RDC, Dave! The post office probably tried shooting it out of a cannon just to see what would happen I hope the parachute opens! Cheers, Ed
Thanks,
Even the Christmas Nutcracker Soldiers guarding the fireplace look board tonight
Sometimes I hear them running around while I'm trying to sleep. One morning I had to pick one up out of the kitchen by the refridgelator and put him back by the fireplace.
I'm hitting the rack early tonight Kids.
Have a great night and don't stay up too late okay
Evening all. We have a heavy rain warning for tonight expecting 90mm.
Kid got his covid test back in 18 hours because he looked so sick when he went in they said. He is negative which is a relief and the kitchen cabinets come Thursday but the delay may be messed up the countertops being in before Santa comes, oh well, plywood it is.
Spent hours today on this Estate I am dealing with, I thought I was mostly done and we are getting surprises coming out of the woodwork. Tax issues had me on the phone with the accountant for two hours. Then lots of back and forth with the Beneficiary. I was going to run a train but did not get close.
It had been over two weeks since I road the bike and worked out and the rest did me well as I felt twenty years younger with great times and lots of reps with no complaints from the old body. I sure feel a lot better when I start the day with a good ride.
TF, I like what you said about rocks and the snowmobile, we always kept a crappy pair of skis for rock season, early fall/late spring.
I have seen lots of fantastic meteor showers in my time, especially camping in the backcountry. Has anyone seen a UFO? I saw one but didn't want to believe my eyes until others had said they saw it as well. Something I could never prove but it was good that others saw it so I didn't think I was seeing things.
My wife wanted to redo the kids bathroom and I said have it gutted by the time I get back from hockey with the kid and when we drove in the entire bathroom was gutted to the studs and piled in the front yard. My daughter and her had it done in no time including all the plumbing removed even the bathtub. Taught me for opening my big yap. She is a Veterinary surgeon so I guess a bathroomectomy was childsplay.
Well, its 2020hrs a nip of Chivas while watching the telly.
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."
Speaking of things streaking through the sky!
Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, a military test pilot who was the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound and live to tell about it, died Dec. 7. He was 97.
Ninety-seven! Pretty good for a guy who lived life "on the edge".
RIP, Chuck
I should be so lucky Cheers, Ed
PM RailfanNow, i dont know this, and thought it was an American railroads thing only, but do you folks use track pans too?
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
while attempting to rectify the problem, both pilots forgot to fly the aeroplane!!
Situational awareness, or lack thereof.
Air Florida flight 90, for example!
While running through the takeoff checklist, the following conversation snippet took place (CAM-1 is the captain, CAM-2 is the first officer):
CAM-2 Pitot heat? CAM-1 On. CAM-2 Engine anti-ice? CAM-1 Off.
CAM-2 Pitot heat?
CAM-1 On.
CAM-2 Engine anti-ice?
CAM-1 Off.
Despite the icing condition with weather temperature of about 24 °F (-4 °C), the crew failed to activate the engine anti-ice systems
Neither pilot had much experience flying in snowy, cold weather. The captain had made only eight takeoffs or landings in snowy conditions on the 737, and the first officer had flown in snow only twice.
I know everyone is waiting with baited breath for reel two of Our Daily Bread.
Sink your teeth into this one
Cheers, everyone — Ed
Good morning all. Another icy cold day with rain and more rain.
The tea and toast is out on the table.
Bear. Have I seen a UFO? Most definitely. I believe sightings come at regular intervals as if wherever they come from we are 'in line' with us to travel here.
My sighting was way back in the 1960s. I had just got my own apartment. I didn't own a television. (I did not want one.) I love listening to music and the radio.
It was evening. I was relaxing after having my dinner. The radio was on, music playing. It was not really a phone in, but all of a sudden people began telephoning the radio station. They were saying they were seeing 'lights in the sky'. I looked out of my window and sure enough a white light shone near and low in the sky.
It remained there for several minutes. Then without a sound and in a blink of an eye zoomed of westward. I had never seen anything move as fast.
Two little railways very near the Scottish Borders
The Heatherslaw Light Railway
and a little private railway at Saughtree Station (pronounced Sootra Station). It is just less than a mile long and the owner does not allow visitors unless they stay at their B&B.
and here is a film of
Class A1 Peppercorn's in their Heyday.
Thoughts and Peace to All who Require.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
The work crew is back today.
I no longer have a front window.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
In a person's life, there comes a point when one realizes that life has probably passed him by.
My point came this morning when the top news story was that break dancing is going to be in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Howdy, everybody:
York1 In a person's life, there comes a point when one realizes that life has probably passed him by.
John York 1: .... With two grandkids already attending college, I suspect most of my journey through life is behind me.
Speaking of UFO's: ..... We now live aproximately 40 miles west of the Kelly-Hopkinsville encounter where extraterrestrial beings are said to have invaded a farmhouse in 1955. Residents of the farmhouse fired guns at the little green men in an effort to defend themselves. ( I wonder if it is a case of too much moonshine in the farmhouse. ) Thereafter, local people have observed the encounter with an annual "Little Green Men Days" in the third weekend each August.
David, Bear, and others..... I am enjoying the discussions, photos, and videos about the Mallard locomotive, and other locomotives of the same type.
I Will look for more pictures of the museum in York when i get a chance.
Everybody ..... Have a nice day.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
York1 break dancing is going to be in the 2024 Olympic Games.
That is about 25-30 years too late!
Is break dancing even still a thing?
York1 In a person's life, there comes a point when one realizes that life has probably passed him by. My point came this morning when the top news story was that break dancing is going to be in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Remind me not to watch. Poker will probably be next.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley York1 In a person's life, there comes a point when one realizes that life has probably passed him by. My point came this morning when the top news story was that break dancing is going to be in the 2024 Olympic Games. Remind me not to watch. Poker will probably be next.
York1
NorthBritI think I shall propose 'Model Railroading' for the 2032 Olympics.
Now that's an activity that would make the Olympics more interesting for me.
SeeYou190 York1 break dancing is going to be in the 2024 Olympic Games. Is break dancing even still a thing? -Kevin
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Things are quiet around the house today. I caught Mr. P at the suet feeder a little while ago:
Pileated_suet by Edmund, on Flickr
Mrs. Pullman stopped in to the butcher shop today and of the dozen or-so people inside, not ONE was wearing a mask — not even any of the employees. She turned around without setting foot inside.
Three other people we know who also eschew mask wearing are now positive for the virus. What does it take to get these people to use common sense? OK, I know that is a rhetorical question.
C'est la vie —
I hope everyone out there is doing well today.
I was always too old for break dancing.
I never saw a UFO, but hunted with a guide from Roswell who claimed he knew someone in Roswell that buried a piece of spacecraft under his patio.
My son took a selfie in Mexico and there is something he did not notice at the time in the sky that looks like a flying saucer.
NBC reports today, that not only are there aliens, the US has a deal with them and there are aliens and US astronauts working together underground on Mars.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
The front window is installed.
The inspector should be here tomorrow for the framing inspection.
The best part... for the first time in six months I can easily access my tools again! No more windows and doors leaning up against them.
Congratulations on seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
York1Congratulations on seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
YES! I am very happy.
For six months I know I have probably irritated too many people with my constant moaning about delays... now that has passed.
I can work hard, non-stop, and get this thing knocked out now!
The layout room, of course, will not be ready by January, 2021. There were just too many delays.
I will get there... it is all up to me.