Nice progress on the layout dismantling project John. Thanks for the pictures.
Well, we're off! Judy and I decided to do something about the Cabin Fever mid-winter blues this morning. They are having the Fire and Ice Festival in Stillwater Minnesota. All the colorful hot air balloons will be floating around and I think she said ice sculptures and a castle maze to look at. Warm, 30°F today
Stillwater in the summertime.
Have a great day gentlemen
TF
Track fiddlerKevin, they had a clip on the raining iguanas in Florida this morning.
I don't know much about the falling iguanas since it is a phenomenon that happens further North than where I am at. We very rarely get temperatures below 40, and we have very few ancient Oak Trees this far South.
Up in Sarasota-Tampa they have old trees over the roadways and colder temperatures. Supposedly frozen Iguanas fall into traffic.
I have seen plenty of huge wild iguanas, but none that were frozen.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
-Kevin
Living the dream.
We are probably the Southern Flank of the Northeast snowstorm this weekend. It started last night and is mostly over now. The wind has made it impossible to tell how much snow we got. I'm guessing about six inches. My car in the front of the house has about eight inches on top, and a few cars down the street have only an inch or two. There's a thin top-coat on my grill cover out back, and I can see grass poking up through the snow behind the house.
We haven't lost power. Our community has underground cabling, but to get here power still comes in on elevated wiring. A couple of nearby communities have lost power.
We've told no driving except emergency vehicles and plows. I assume that means stores and restaurants are closed. I wish I'd bought a loaf of bread. If we lose power, all our preparation and supplies will be uncookable. Yeah, I could clear off the back deck to get to the grill. Being diabetic, I don't normally eat bread.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
WilmJuncDo you have your photos backwards, or are you removing items from your layout?
I'm ripping everything off and starting over. I've saved most of the buildings, but I'm not sure what I will reuse on the new layout. Today I'm still taking out the last of the switch machines and track.
MisterBeasleyIf we lose power, all our preparation and supplies will be uncookable. Yeah, I could clear off the back deck to get to the grill.
When my brother's town got hit by a tornado, they lost power for over a week. He said it was the best smell outside late in the week. Without power, the people had to cook all the meat that was in freezers without power. The freezers were beginning to thaw, and they didn't want to lose the expensive cuts of meat. They cooked it all outside on grills. All you could smell outside was cooking steaks and roasts.
Have fun, TF.
Kevin, in my 20 years in Louisiana, I saw lots of alligators, but I don't remember any iguanas. Maybe they don't exist in Louisiana yet.
York1 John
I asked my doctor if I gave up delicious food and all alcohol, would I live longer? He said, "No, but it will seem longer."
Maybe 3" in central VA. Our storm was not part of the Nor-easter when snow started at noon yesterday. It didn't get cold enough to stick until dinner time.
The surgeon let me out of my shoulder brace a month early because the nerves in my arm got tweaked during surgery. At my elbow crease, I have a 4" band of constant pins and needles. Below that, to my wrist, the skin is extremely sensitive, and just the movement inside a long sleeve shirt will trigger the pins and needles there as well.
He predicts it will go away in 3 weeks. It makes sleeping tough. I experimented this morning and if I can prop up my arm, I will be able to sleep on my operative side.
Physical therapy just started active movements, meaning instead of them lifting my arm, I am supposed to help. My weakness there is par for the course, but it is daunting to see oneself so weak.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
Good morning from the West Coast where we will have another sunny day.
Today I turn 65 and start getting all that money the Government hands out to old people. Of course, then they claw it all back at income tax time. It's the thought that counts I guess.
The wife got a huge roast lamb for tonight, but we put the whole thing off until tomorrow as something came up that needs our attention. Those who were coming are fine with coming tomorrow instead.
York1However, I'm so used to walking 2½ miles each morning that if I don't, I don't feel good by afternoon.
I know how that is John, I spent 5 and a half hours on the bike this week (more than usual) and feel terrific. If I miss a few days for some reason my wife says you better go get on your bike as she sees a decline in my well-being. With her being a Veterinarian her patients are not able to tell her what's wrong so she is tuned right into anything that is amiss with the creatures of the world just by observing them. She will look at me or the kids and say you are sick when we feel perfectly fine and sure enough within hours or the next day we are out of action.
My son is out shopping for his first place today, now he has recovered from covid. His girlfriend got called into work last minute and they have three places booked to view so the wife is going with him instead. He sent me pics of a bathroom that needed redoing in one they looked at to ask me how much. I said $15000.00 to $20,000.00. My wife said NO-WAY! $10,000.00 tops. The contractor quoted $15 to $20 thousand. I see having to do some reno's in my future. Hopefully they will end up with a place that is shipshape already.
The kid has already asked if I can supervise the move for him when the time comes as he is so busy, oh joy. He has taken a volunteer position on the board of directors for an amateur sports organization and that is taking up more time than he bargained for (I know the feeling) so I am always happy to help out.
John, I like your old layout, especially the terrain. I am getting the itch to rip mine out but I can not see any other options than what I already have given the geography of the room.
Track fiddler I wonder if some get hurt or if they're smart enough to move to lower limbs before the fall.
I heard the environmentalist were outfitting them with tiny little parachutes for the plunge.
I remember a time when the weather guessers would not be so enthusiastic with their forecast. But heaven help them if the weather was worse than what they said it would be. People would be out for blood and the Government would take the brunt of the people's ire. So they now predict on the side of caution and people ignore them. Either way, people should not put themselves in a position where they are unable to look after themselves for a few days. Time spent complaining could be time spent preparing.
Our guest student from Singapore lived in an apartment in a city situation all his life. This is the first house he has ever lived in. He takes a dog and goes for long walks in solitude through the forest by just going out the door. He says he was not sure what he was getting into by living so rural, now he never wants to live in a city again. That's often the case with our visitors.
It's my Birthday and it will be spent in the trainroom with tunes playing.
One for the bridge guy.
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."
Happy Birthday, Brent
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Happy Birthday, Brent!
I turn 75 in a few weeks.
Is 65 still the nominal retirement age in Canada? They've been raising ours, but I think it's still the beginning of eligibility for Medicare. I didn't retire until I was 67, because the Social Security return increases pretty sharply if you wait a few years before collecting.
Happy birthday, Brent. In a few years you will catch up with me.
Afternoon from the cold and windy, with snow blowing around Finger Lakes Region of NY! The Thermo Meter is all the way up to 11°F (-12°C) with a wind chill around -10F°F.
I just got home from my granddaughter's All County Festival Concert. She was the Bassoon player.... Two years ago (they didn't have it last year because of the Pandemic) she was playing flute. Concert was excellent, BTW.
Only about a 15 mile drive but roads were terrible in places. Of course, many of the drivers still insisted on driving 15 mph over the speed limit (just because). I was doing the speed limit and was slowing way down where the road was completely covered with snow and ice.... That of course 'ticked off the ones who were evidently in a hurry and were driving cars that must be able to defy the laws of physics.... Passed a couple of them up the road since they were off the road in the ditch or in a farmer's field.... Hmmm...... I did fine just being careful and the Tesla only has All Weather tires on it. Go Figure???
BATMANToday I turn 65 and start getting all that money the Government hands out to old people.Laugh Of course, then they claw it all back at income tax time. It's the thought that counts I guess.
Brent, your just a kid! I've got over 10 years on you. LOL Happy Birthday, my friend and many, many more!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Happy 65th, Brent!
This Year's Birthday Cake by Craig Sanders, on Flickr
I passed #65 back in August of last year. The best is ahead of us
Cheers, Ed
Happy 65th B'day Brent!!
I hope you have a good time! I'm sure you will.
You son and his girl friend are lucky that they can get into the housing market given their ages. You did a good job dad!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
HAPPY 65TH BRENT!
https://youtu.be/VY3-fF9ZeB4
https://youtu.be/FQwdy2wPpjU
Good Evening,
Happy Birthday Brent!
Today I fired up the Northern to put it back on its storage siding. Got sound functions but no movement. Tried turning off and on but no luck. It has a QSI decoder. I dug out the manual and found out that triggering the shut down sounds disables motion. A double click of start up restored motion. For a short time I had visions of a decoder replacement which I have read isn't an easy job with this engine.
Nothing new here, just feeding birds, reading and watching a little tellie.
CN Charlie
Evening guys. Glad I checked in. Happy Birthday Brent!!
Hope you have a wonderful celebration.
Mike
CNCharlieToday I fired up the Northern to put it back on its storage siding. Got sound functions but no movement. Tried turning off and on but no luck. It has a QSI decoder. I dug out the manual and found out that triggering the shut down sounds disables motion. A double click of start up restored motion. For a short time I had visions of a decoder replacement which I have read isn't an easy job with this engine.
Hi CNCharlie,
That is exactly why I'm going to replace my two perfectly good QSI decoders with Loksound V5.0s. I have had to do exactly the same thing on several occassions to get them running, i.e. get out the manual. They are frustrating to work with! Yes, I have a poor memory!
Good morning Diners. The granddaughter has had us up since stupid o'clock. A large coffee and a round of toast please, Brunhilda.
My prescence is required (again).
Back later
Good morning Diners.
Well, we got through the blizzard yesterday fairly unscathed. We got about 16-inches of snow and I'll finish cleaning up this morning. It's not supposed to get any higher than 20 degrees F today.
I was planning on heading up to the big model train show in Springfield yesterday, but decided to wait for today. Hopefully, the driving will be ok.
Modeling the B&M Railroad during the transition era in Lowell, MA
Good Sunday morning, diners. Just coffee this morning, it's donuts later today.
WilmJunc, you can keep that snow at your place. We have brown ground here right now, and I'd like to keep it that way. Have fun at the train show.
David, your granddaughter might be a little like one of my granddaughters -- always the first one up. It used to be a little harder, but now when she visits here, she can turn on the TV and get some food for herself without waking us up.
CNCharlieNothing new here, just feeding birds, reading and watching a little tellie.
Charlie, you could be describing my life here, except my wife usually does the bird-feeding. She and I lead pretty separate lives most days. I watch my TV and work on my layout, and she does her own thing.
Ray, your granddaughter sounds like she has good musical talent. You can be proud of her!
MisterBeasley, I retired early and took my Social Securty early. I don't get much, and our planner kind of figured out that I would have to live until 86 to break even by starting earlier. It is nice to start getting some of that stuff back that we paid in all those years.
Brent, my kids are in the same situation. They live in cities where the houses cost 20 times what ours is worth. Thankfully, they all have jobs that allow them to get what they want.
Henry, it sounds like you're recovering pretty well. I hope all the suffering will be worth it when you can climb under that layout and work on things that you couldn't do before.
Kevin, you are a better planner than me. The outside temps were just right for you to do the inside work on the air conditioning. I usually do things opposite of that.
I hope TF & Judy are enjoying their winter cabin vacation. It sounds like a lot of fun.
Ed, I love the style of that Cunard ship and rail poster. I've always wanted a house where that art deco machine style would look good. My wife likes early American, so guess what our house looks like?
JR, I imagine someone who does the work you do is very dependent on the supply line, and you have to receive certain parts on time. You don't really have a lot of down time between the racing seasons, do you?
Mike, you got a rude awakening from the snow movers. When I worked, I would be watching and helping them. Now I want to just have it done without the noise and hassle.
Dave, thanks for thinking about the diner's move. I appreciate your time, and I'm happy wherever you decide.
Bear, I've been wondering about your country. I know that NZ gets quite a few international tourists who drop a lot of money there. Has the virus really hurt some of your country's businesses?
I know there are some diners I haven't mentioned -- I hope you all are doing well and staying healthy. It's time to head to church, but I will check in later. I love to sit in the diner and read all the news.
Good Morning,
Having to get up earlier now as I have to get the feeders out before sunrise which is about 8.
John, my wife and I are on a similar schedule to yours. She is up until about 4 a.m. and gets up around noon or later as she has sleep problems. Ì am downstairs with my layout and the big TV that we watch together sometimes. She has a small one in her bedroom upstairs. We rarely eat together. Our house styles are very different. Our's is mid century modern and the decore is modern too but classic modern. For example our dining room table is a Corbusier design, glass and steel, from the 1920s. We have one of his lounge chairs in the living room. Nic Nacs are verboten in our
Mr. B, 65 is the official retirement age here when OAS starts which is a smaĺl pension everyone gets. The Canada Pension Plan(CPP) is contributory and is lower if taken before 65 and highrt if taken later. I retired at 66 but started CPP at 67 so mine is a little more. The amount you get depends on how much you put in but there is a maximum.
Expecting an Alberta Clipper tomorrow so more snow is headed our way. Not a lot, 5 inches or so but strong winds will follow. I hadn't planned on going anywhere so no big deal for me. Another year with only about 3k miles or less on the car I expect.
Time for more coffee. I'm back to drinking the 454 horsepowe blend. It does pack a punch.
CN Charlir
York1Kevin, you are a better planner than me. The outside temps were just right for you to do the inside work on the air conditioning. I usually do things opposite of that.
Not planning, just waiting.
I was getting worried it would not be happening this year.
Good morning all. A very light, very pretty snow falling outside right now. If the flakes were bigger it would be picture perfect. Working on some household chores so by the time the football games kickoff today, I'll be able to sit and watch. Hope everyone has a nice Sunday and go CHIEFS! (Sorry to any Bengals fans out there)
Good afternoon Diners. A mint tea and peanut butter sandwich please, Janie.
Granddaughter did a Rainbows exam and passed. That has earned her a badge.
I spent most of the day tidying up after the storm. The garden was covered in leaves blown in from the trees across the road. Some trees in the area had blown down blocking a number of roads. One had just missed a neighbours house.
Another storm is expected tonight.
Retirement here was 65 and I managed to retire then. Shortly after, the retirement age was raised to 67. Dawn is not amused. Though she is disabled and cannot work now, she cannot draw her pension until she is 67.
A charming little scene at a train passing place on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
Note the wire to post fencing of the lineside. Compare that to the three bar fencing next to the bridge. The stone bridge and dry stone walling. The shape of the trees. The shades of color in the grass. The grass between the rails as Nature 'fights back'.
So much in a little scene and all there to see if you look beyond 'River Mite' and train arriving at Irton Road.
IMG_2222 by David Harrison, on Flickr
Stay Safe Everyone.
Ok, I'm all dug out. (Well, almost. I still have to do the rear deck to get to the grills.) Some guys with real equipment came by, and we gladly paid them the $75 to do the driveway. Out there, it might have been a foot and a half deep. I'm too old for that.
Good to see people still heading to Springfield for the big train show. I suspect the crowds will be down, and some vendors will be glad they cancelled, but the show was always great when I lived up there.
Good morning, it is just barely light here and it looks to be another nice day ahead.
Thank you for all the Birthday wishes yesterday, it was a good day with some interesting gifts. I was in the trainroom but people kept phoning or Facetiming me to wish me Happy Birthday so not a lot was accomplished. I had enough Scotch and Rum dropped off to last me a long time. I wasn't sure what bottle to open first, so started with the Glenlivet 12, which was smooth. We are having a few family members for dinner tonight. Roast Lamb, can't wait.
MisterBeasleyIs 65 still the nominal retirement age in Canada? They've been raising ours, but I think it's still the beginning of eligibility for Medicare. I didn't retire until I was 67, because the Social Security return increases pretty sharply if you wait a few years before collecting.
Mr. B, I think 60 is the earliest for Canada Pension and 65 for the old-age pension. The longer you wait the higher the amount. I had 38 years in the full-time workforce and will get the maximums whatever they are. They have RRSP which is the registered retirement savings plan which I have been contributing to since I was 14. I had to get my Dad to open a stock account for me as I was too young to open it without him. I also get a really good pension from the Federal Government after 36 years of service. All are indexed for inflation and of course, we don't pay for health care.
I officially retired at 55 but actually left at 52 as I had enough leave in the bank to carry me the last three years. My wife retired at 48 as she was having health issues. Back when I had my Dad open my stock account at 14 I had a plan to be retired by 40. I made it easily but kept working as I really loved my job for many reasons. I also started buying revenue properties at age 19 through to 25 and kept those for 15 years. In the Vancouver market, that was like printing money. None of this was hard to do, it was just a matter of doing it.
My Dad never owned a new car until he retired at 62. After that, he only bought new cars. He died at 76 and had bought four new cars in that time. He also had a good retirement. His thinking was that you needed more money being retired as you weren't working and had time to enjoy yourself and that took money. They traveled a lot in retirement. I always said I would buy myself a new sports car when I hit 65, but now I can't decide what to do. I seem quite happy rolling down the road in my 22-year-old diesel F-350. In the 22 years we have owned it we have averaged 500 miles a month on it, so it is barely broken in. I don't buy things just because I can. Besides I am not as fast as I once was and I would probably get into trouble with a fast car not being able to react quickly enough.
The kid put an offer in on a place yesterday 12% over asking. The listing agents kept thinking it was my wife buying the places they looked at (three of them) and when she said talk to him he is the one buying it, two of them asked how old are you?
No bike today, just trainroom. I am rearranging some track and digging up finished terrain hurts.
Hello, everyone!
Hey! Where's that LION been? Anyone hear his ROAR lately?
He's got a good racket going at the Washington Zoo...
Lost_Lion1 by Edmund, on Flickr
Sure, just drop off the little, unsuspecting, tasty tykes at the Lion House and we will be sure to see that they are well cared for (and seasoned).
While the unwelcome starlings will empty my feeders in short order I still go out and refill them. Cardinals, blue jays (themselves pretty messy) lots of finches and tufted titmouse are all waiting for their turns. The bluebirds especially love it here. We had eight at the feeder this morning .
Mourning Doves come along and clean up what spills on the ground along with the chickens when they're out and about.
How about some trackside Union Pacific shop views?
UP 4141 at Proviso 5-2-07 by Don Kalkman, on Flickr
SD40N at Kansas City by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Enjoy your day, folks —
I started a relatively small UTMA account for my daughter when she was just a baby. That's an account which gets taxed at the child's rate, not the parent's rate, so it accumulates much faster. At 21, it became hers. Since I was already paying for college, she used it, very wisely, as a down payment on her first house. At the age of 30,, she now owns 3 of them. A lot of kids would have squandered all the money on an overpriced new car. Annie, instead, is already investing in 401Ks and IRAs
Well so much for rooting for my favorite team in the Super Bowl. Oh well. Maybe next year. Now to see who the Bengals will face.
Water Level RouteWell so much for rooting for my favorite team in the Super Bowl. Oh well. Maybe next year.
My wife was really counting on the Chiefs to win. She's not in a real good mood right now. I wanted them to win, too, but it didn't really ruin my night when they lost.
Now if it had been the Saints who lost, that's another story.