It looks like lunch is on me. Chloe, bring everyone a plate of Arkansas Fried Catfish on my tab.
York1I hope someone else will take up the challenge.
I think Brent offered to take us on a photo-vacation of Canada.
NorthBritIt looks like things are back to normal and I can post properly again. Just to make sure - posting two pictures.
It looks like everything is working correctly again. Great cruise ship pictures.
Living the dream.
Kevin. Thank you for your comments. As for the catfish! I'll try anything once.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
NorthBrit I'll try anything once.
Did you sample any of the stuff I sent you?
If so, what did you think of my favorite variety of American canned baked beans? I think I sent the good stuff your way. The super-sweet ones with EXTRA brown sugar.
-Kevin
All eaten. The beans were delicious. We have had similar when we cruised on American Company ships. A lot different to those available here in the UK.
Howdy, everybody .
Kevin ..... Yes, Bush beans are very common and they are good. Thanks for more beautiful photos. ... In the Show Me thread you mentioned buffalo in Wyoming. We have some of them 15 minutes from our house in Land Between the Lakes where they have a Bison and Elk Range.
MLC .... If we are to have a another MRR get-together, we should plan ahead. Do you have MRR friends in paducah who would be interested in seeing my layout and Gus's layout ? ... Proably should use the messaging system here which I have trouble using.
Everybody....... Have a good afternoon.
GARRY
HEARTLAND DIVISION, CB&Q RR
EVERYWHERE LOST; WE HUSTLE OUR CABOOSE FOR YOU
Good morning from the hot, hot, hot Pacific rim. I imagine Kevin's daughter in Seattle is also feeling the heat.
This prolonged, extreme heat spell is really doing a job on the glaciers. Ice that has not been disturbed in eons is disappearing at an alarming rate causing flooding where none has been seen before. The power demand is through the roof but the Province says we have plenty as we supply so much to the South of the border, we can draw on that if need be. The power grid is extremely robust to deal with the harshest of winters and a little extra sunshine should not have any consequences. I started the generator just to check it is okey-dokey. I don't think the stuff in the freezer and fridges would last long if the power did go out.
SeeYou190I think Brent offered to take us on a photo-vacation of Canada.
I would love to drive across Canada and take you all along, but the wife is past doing an adventure like that with her health issues. I have not been East of Kenora, Ontario in Canada, I have never been to the nation's capital, which I find weird. I have seen more of the U.S. than Canada, there are not too many States I have not been to. I have plenty of friends that live all over the U.S. and have attended weddings on both coast and outside of Chicago in Lake Forest. My high school sweetheart is a Doctor at the University of Chicago Hospital and we both ended up marrying other people, but up until then we use to get together (if we weren't seeing anyone else) and travel or just spend time together. Her Dad is still mad that we never got married. They are a very wealthy family and their whole existence revolves around their empire and the church, the complete opposite of my carefree, laid back, lifestyle. I would have not survived.
I sure enjoyed my Pina Colada yesterday. I also made one each for the wife and daughter.
Montreal and Tampa take to the ice for game one of the Stanley Cup Final this afternoon so I may have to make another. Watching hockey on the hottest day on record, what fun. Montreal has a big dragon to slay.
For next month's diner, we can all participate and offer up photos, both rail and none RR related from our home State or Province. That should give us a variety from around the globe.
It is 29c/85f at 1000hrs. It would never even occur to us to get air conditioning in the house, but if this heat becomes a regular thing, we may just have to. On the coldest days we go about our days, hiking, bike rides, skiing, go out fishing. We golf and go sailing 12 months a year here. Maybe it is just because we are not used to it, but outdoor activities have ground to a halt. I may have to move further North.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
It looks like somebody got a good deal on eBay.
I have always liked this locomotive.
BATMANI sure enjoyed my Pina Colada yesterday. I also made one each for the wife and daughter.Laugh
Wonder which one was yours...;) ;), ;);)!
85°F up where you are...? Here in the Finger Lakes Region of NYS the Thermo-Meter outside says it is 92°F!!! It is 75° inside the house so walking outside is going into an oven. Spending as little time as I can out there...
Got a new BBQ grill yesterday as the old one was flaring out from the worn out tubes in it. Had to partially disasemble it to get it in the trunk of the Tesla, but we got it in there. I reassembled it last night and did supper with it. Today I went into the oven a few minutes at a time and have broken down the old one into pieces to go to the recycling center in Geneva. Took a load of old rusted chain and some other stuff that came from my Grandfather's farm originally to the place today. Nobody in the family wanted them and I'm sick of looking at the stuff.
Had a guy come and give me a price on a new Hot Water Heater today... Gulp! Oh well, it will just come out of my son's inheritance.... I was hoping to put in an on demand type but that would have been over twice the cost..... So I am getting the top of the line 40 gallon that is the most efficient of those types.
Guess I should start to think about what to have for dinner. Something cooked on the new grill most likely. Have a good one and stay safe out there!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
BATMANIt is 29c/85f at 1000hrs
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
howmus85°F up where you are...? Here in the Finger Lakes Region of NYS the Thermo-Meter outside says it is 92°F!
Wow, I am I in one of the cooler climates right now?
Too bad it is going to rain EVERY day, for the next THREE TO FOUR MONTHS!
Got a call from an excited daughter last night. For the first time in her 25 years, she was in falling snow!!!
Where is she Bear? We have had exchange students and other visitors here that have experienced snow for the first time, it puts a smile on your face seeing them.
1400hrs 37c/99f. Ray, do you have A/C?
BATMANWe have had exchange students and other visitors here that have experienced snow for the first time.
Sounds like a terrible thing to do to a visitor.
Snow never makes me smile.
= Snow
SeeYou190 BATMAN We have had exchange students and other visitors here that have experienced snow for the first time. Sounds like a terrible thing to do to a visitor. Snow never makes me smile. = Snow -Kevin
BATMAN We have had exchange students and other visitors here that have experienced snow for the first time.
Our guest sure smiled when we took them up the local hills to have some fun.
We take them up Grouse for some first-time skiing, this is the beginner's hill.
When I was a kid we were out the door from school every day at 1500hrs, had a ski pass and was on the bus with all our ski equipment, and were up the mountain by 1600hrs, skiing until 2230hrs. This was our view. Grouse is only 20 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
Give me a day plummeting down the mountain as fast as I can any day.
BATMANWhere is she Bear?
BATMANOur guest sure smiled when we took them up the local hills.
Our guests always smile when we dress is swimsuits and go to the beach in February.
I always smile when I NEVER need to deal with snow.
The first time I saw snow when I was in college in Nashville, I was thrilled. Exactly fifteen minutes later I was over it... forever.
That was the week before Christmas, 1985. I called it The Nightmare Before Christmas before that movie came out. I should have registered it as a trademark.
I went home for Christmas that year. My family rented a few condominiums on Fort Myers Beach for the week. I never wanted to leave the beach and go back to Nashville. I finally understood why so many Canadians come to Florida for the Winter months. I guess they are the ones that haven't fully frozen their craniums.
To each their own.
Having w**ked outside on the ramp in 100+°F, 100% humidity, and 20°F with a wind chill down to around -4°F, I find that neither are particular fun, except to say that I reckon that it’s easier to get warm than to cool off.
I would take the bitter cold over heat any day out on the ramp.
We had our Government of Canada issue coveralls that we would always wear and in the hot weather, we would not have a stitch on underneath, as in nothing. It was always funny when we would get a young lady joining the crew and she would be dying in the heat and would ask how we seem to be coping better than she was. We would explain we were all stark naked under the coveralls and the next day the young lady(s) would be doing the same. There are lots of ventilation holes in coveralls.
If we were loading some sensitive stuff, we would often do it out of sight at the farthest reaches of the airport. That could mean a long drive if you needed a restroom. It wasn't too bad for the guys, but the ladies were a little shy about walking over to the weeds at least when they first start.
The Canadian heat wave is mind boggling. It sounds like Phoenix.
So is the London fire; to someone who can't speak the Queen's English.
It's at some railway "arches" and "cannisters (tank cars or propane tanks?) are going up" "cars are alight" (autos?) and "commercial units" (stores?) are involved.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-57642027
Maybe David can translate.
Traction action
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
On my way back home, I stopped at my favorite Butcher Shop (Carrol's Sausage & Meats in Sylvester, Georgia) and bought three grass-fed thick angus USDA Prime steaks.
We just ate the last of them, and while I am currently completely satisfied, I am also sad.
We just cannot get steaks like that down here.
SeeYou190We just cannot get steaks like that down here.
I was in FL in 1969, I thought it was a big cattle state. Of course that was before it became NY-NJ South
We were somewhere near Gainesville on a cave diving trip and went through a small town. Someone commented how classical small town Southern it was with a little old lady sitting in a rocker beside her coonhound. At that point, little old woman stood up, walked to the railing and expectorated tobacco juice.
A little too much Southern for us, chewing tobacco virgins. Just to be politcally correct, I am defining virgins as people who never chewed tobacco. YMMV
Henry. In most large cities in U.K. the railways are above ground running over railway arches. Brick built bridges in the form of arches. Google railway arches photos to see pictures.
In the arches there are various businesses. Cafes, small restaurants, auto repair works etc. etc..
Not sure at the moment how fire started, but probably in one of the auto repair works. They have gas/propane canisters in there. Fire spread to adjoining arches.
Automobiles caught fire. Fire damaged some railroad signalling. Smoke spread up to the Station causing smoke damage. Causing stoppage of trains.
Six people injured, one taken to hospital.
Actual cause of fire not known just yet.
BigDaddyI was in FL in 1969, I thought it was a big cattle state
Florida used to be huge in beef and dairy production. Now we are #10 in beef and not in the top ten for dairy. Winter vegetables bring in too much money, and less land is being used for cattle.
We are #2 in yellow squash, tomato, and strawberry production, only behind California.
We are also #2 for green bean production, behind Wisconsin.
We are still #1 for sugar production, but Louisiana is gaining on us. We are also #1 for cucumbers, grapefruit, mangoes, and watermelon.
And, we are #1 in oranges again!
At one point, a lot of attention was given to making Florida a massive potato producing state, but we are not in the top ten.
Florida also produces rice, but only because it is what we rotate with sugar cane.
I was looking through more pictures of my trip, and I found these three landscapes I really like:
BATMANFor next month's diner, we can all participate and offer up photos, both rail and none RR related from our home State or Province. That should give us a variety from around the globe.
Hi Brent,
I think that is a great idea! It will take the pressure off of one person to do most of the work. I will volunteer to move the Diner.
It has been 37F with the humidex for the last three days. I used to be able to sit out in that kind of weather but I guess I'm getting old so every time I think about going out I have to stop myself. When I ask Dianne if she wants to sit on the deck she very politely declines. We are normally out on the deck for several hours every day.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
hon30critter BATMAN For next month's diner, we can all participate and offer up photos, both rail and none RR related from our home State or Province. That should give us a variety from around the globe. Hi Brent, I think that is a great idea! It will take the pressure off of one person to do most of the work. I will volunteer to move the Diner. It has been 37F with the humidex for the last three days. I used to be able to sit out in that kind of weather but I guess I'm getting old so every time I think about going out I have to stop myself. When I ask Dianne if she wants to sit on the deck she very politely declines. We are normally out on the deck for several hours every day. Dave
BATMAN For next month's diner, we can all participate and offer up photos, both rail and none RR related from our home State or Province. That should give us a variety from around the globe.
Question .... How do we define "home" ? ... I lived in several states is why I ask.
Heartland Division CB&QQuestion .... How do we define "home" ? ... I lived in several states is why I ask.
How about any State or Province you live in or have lived in? It's more of a get to know your neighbour thing. I don't think we need any hard and fast rules. Maybe tell us when you lived there.
Heartland Division CB&QHow do we define "home" ? ... I lived in several states is why I ask.
My younger sister lives in an RV full time now.
She says "home" is wherever the levelling jacks are lowered.
For me... home is Florida. My wife, who has lived in Florida for almost 40 years, still calls Indiana home.
Hi Garry,
I don't think that we need to restrict 'home' to where you are living now. If you have called several places 'home' then I think you are free to post comments about any of those places. In fact, I encourage you to do so. It will add more interesting information to the Diner.
Cheers!!
Good morning Diners. A sunny day here in the land of the former North British Railway.
Tea & toast please, Flo.
London Arches Fire. (Update) Firefighters are still at the scene. Making sure the fire does not flare up again and inspecting the cause of the fire. The Elephant & Castle Railway Station has reopened after repairs to departure boards, signalling etc.
Kevin Liking the scenery photographs. Thanks for posting.
July Diner. Liking the idea of everyone posting pictures, so long as we do not all post on the same day.
We were on our World Voyage on Queen Mary 2 when we saw a favorite of ours, Independence of the Seas, of Royal Caribbean Line. She had just left Gibraltar and passed us on her way to Villefranche.
Thoughts & Peace to All who Require.
Hi Everyone,
Brunhilde, coffee with cream, please.
What defines home? I think it's sort of a relative thing. There's home where you were born, home where you grew up, home where you currently live, and probably a few others. I currently live in Chicago Metro, but I never liked it from the day I got here (long story). In one respect it's home because that's where my current domicile is. I was born and raised in Kansas, so from that angle it's home. I lived in LA for several years and even though there was plenty not to like, if home is where the heart is, then that too is home.
ive talked to people who were born, raised, and still live in the same area. They still know and communicate with people they went to Kindergarten through high school with. I can't imagine what that would be like. Plus, growing up, a lot of my friends were military brats. You learn that people enter and exit your life and they're still often thought of, but you've moved on and so have they. It's kinda funny how that works.
I know, this was a bit long winded, but it is an interesting topic.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Something else neat from my trip I had not shared before.
I saw this statue outside a courthouse in Sayre, Oklahoma. I thought the statue was just an American Civil War Union Cavalry uniform on a buffalo, but fortunately I checked with a military history expert before posting.
The uniform is actually a US Cavalryman during the Indian Wars from the 10th Cavalry Regiment, also known as the "Buffalo Soldiers".
Of course I had heard of the Buffalo Soldiers, but I always associated them with the Spanish American War, and much different uniforms. I had no idea the regiment and nickname went all the way back to the 1860s.
I also always associated the Buffalo Soldiers with Kansas, and this was in Oklahoma, so the connection was not obvious for this reason as well.
I am still not sure why this statue was in Oklahoma, but I learned a lot after asking about its details.
Good morning, everyone. Black coffee, please, Chloe.
David, those are great pictures of your cruise ships. You have had a lot of interesting travels. I love the trips I've taken on cruises. However, I don't think anymore are in my future -- my wife has turned into a homebody.
Kevin, that's interesting about the Buffalo Soldiers. In my own state of Nebraska, there was Fort Robinson. From 1885 to 1907, the majority of soldiers stationed there were Buffalo Soldiers. The Ninth Cavalry was there first, and after 1900, it was the regimental headquarters of the Tenth.
A Ninth Cavalry squadron at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, 1892. Each of the four troops had their own color of horse:
If you are every traveling through the state, Fort Robinson is one of the neatest places for frontier history, and one of the best preserved Forts from the 1800s.
https://history.nebraska.gov/blog/buffalo-soldiers-fort-robinson-nebraska
https://history.nebraska.gov/buffalo-soldiers
Have a good day, everyone.
York1 John