Thje Canucks are having a time qwith thie fiona storm:...
Keep your head above water!
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
BATMANStopping at HD for plumbing bits was a pain as the store was full of people taking inventory. Customers were noticeably not happy, usually, they do inventory at night when the store is closed said one supervisor, she didn't know why it was being done during the day this time.
Same thing at our local HD. It is a pain in the back side, and these inventory checkers know nothing about the store, and can't help anybody.
Have a good Sunday!
Mike.
My You Tube
Good Morning,
Just passing thru and the mention of "hurricane" caused me to stop in for a bite of breakfast......
Having lived just north of Houston for the past 42 years, I've witnessed more hurricanes and severe tropical storms and their effects on people and property than I care to remember.
Have to second Kevin's post, for it is definitely "right on".
My most vivid experience was Hurricane Alicia ('83?) which was my first, and the eye pretty much followed up I-45 towards Dallas. The eye passed within 2 miles of my house, and it was an amazing sight and experience - but it was also pretty scary too.
Take care, and give "Mother Nature" the respect she deserves!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
I thought that Batman and his young fellow might have come for a visit yesterday, but now see that a water leak was occupying their time. I hope not too much damage has occurred! Challenger 300 by Bear, on Flickr Cheers, the Bear.
Challenger 300 by Bear, on Flickr
Ah yes, the mighty Challenger. It is the Government jet of choice. I have been on many, just never in the air. Got to sit in the cockpit many times while waiting for the important people in the back to finish with what I brought them. Usually carrying the Minister of Defense or Foreign affairs and a few times I hand-delivered directly to a Prime Minister.
Before the days of the internet (remember way back when) if a Government big wig was on the West Coast they would send vital documents out in one of these, The docs were the only reason for the flight. I would take them off and hand-deliver them to the Minister or other equally important person that was somewhere out here for some reason. If they were skiing at Whistler that made for a very long drive.
Now if it was the movies, the documents would be in a Suburban with armed guards, however, I was dressed in dirty coveralls and would just throw these highly sensitive docs on the front seat of my dirty pickup truck. Nothing is better than hiding in plain sight.
A couple of times when speed was of the essence I met an F-18, The pilot would climb out, open a small compartment and hand me the pouch. I often thought about what would happen if that little door popped open in flight.
The Challenger in the photo is registered to a company in Ontario and given I cannot look up its recent travels has me wondering.
If I was wealthy enough to own my own jet, it would be a Challenger.
New Zealand is a long trip for that plane. Lots of gas station stops along the way.
A film by Stephen Low, the same guy that did The Rocky Mountain Express.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Busy day here in the Finger Lakes for me... Mostly getting stuff done I have been putting off for way too long. Nice cool day (mid 60's) so got a lot done outside... Mowed lawn, did some trimming and cleaning up of the property. Last spring I hung a Jellow Jacket trap on a hook on my deck. Last year it nearly filled with the critters. They were all over. This year I haven't seen but one or two all summer. Today when I mowed the lawn back of the house I noticed a couple by the foundation of the house.... Then I noticed a bunch more!
Got a very large ground nesting bunch right along the foundation of the house and in the blocks where the concrete has cracked away. Hmmmmm......
Waited untill almost dark when I figured most would be back in the nest and sprayed foaming wasp/jellow jacket killer there. There was at least a dozen that showed up after I sprayed.... Hopefully they will decide they need to get in the nest and be done in... Will check the next few days and buy some more spray.
Always something needing to be done!
Have a good'un folks!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Restless....... Nice!
Thanks Brent, I needed that!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good afternoon from the sunny Pacific Rim.
No storms here but the kid of our good friends is sitting through the worst of the Typhoon hitting Japan.
My cousins in Nova Scotia had a big pre-hurricane barbecue yesterday. If or when we ever get another Typhoon I'll be sure to have a pre-storm barbecue.
Talking to my cousin(s) on the East coast and they say the damage is extensive, not because of Fionna's windspeed but because the storm stalled and has gone on for 10 hours longer than an average hurricane goes on, so they are quite battered. They have a small apple orchard with about a hundred trees. They had not harvested them yet and these things can become real projectiles. About twenty years ago they got hit with all the apples still on the trees and the side of the barn had six inches of apple sauce on it.
I am feeling really beat up today, wife is at a dog show for three days so I am taking it easy. She left two mutts at home, I sure enjoy their company.
Ed, I can never see enough pics of your caboose. How long did it take to build? Is that paneling on the inside walls or individual boards?
My son woke up to a wet floor yesterday morning so I got a mayday call. Stopping at HD for plumbing bits was a pain as the store was full of people taking inventory. Customers were noticeably not happy, usually, they do inventory at night when the store is closed said one supervisor, she didn't know why it was being done during the day this time.
Son has made an insurance claim as the water damage to the floors may really add up. I got the plumbing repaired to get them operational again. Those drives into Vancouver seem longer as the years go by. Maybe it was because I had to take the old truck instead of the Toyota that more or less drives itself.
I stopped at the booze store and bought some Glenfiddich 14 and a bottle of the Captain. I think it will be me, the two dogs, and my guitars out on the patio tonight. Good thing the neighbours are way too far away to hear me.
The wife also left me a huge rib steak for the barbie. Is there a hurricane on the horizon?????
My sliding into fall song. I love the seasons.
Funny stuff, Kevin!
York1 John
I know it is early, but a storm is coming... have a brew...
A nice dark Krombacher should do the trick.
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
Good morning everyone
Yesterday the news declared that in five days we will be flattened by a hurricane.
Historically speaking, the absolute safest place to be when a storm is coming is dead-center in the target cone when it is five days away. So, we should be just fine. They are always off by at leat 100 miles this far out. I have not watched the news today yet, so I don't know af any new updates.
When the storm is three days away these things get much more accurate.
There is craziness in the streets and near panic down here already.
We are dealing with hundreds of new year-round residents this year, mostly Canadian transplants, and they are in a state of complete terror. This is exactly what the weather forecasters have been dreaming about.
I went out last night for some potatoes, and there were lines all around the gas stations. Stores are cleared out of nearly everything, except potatoes (thank goodness).
None of these people have any idea how to prepare for a hurricane, so they are getting ready for the Zombie Apocolypse instead. I guess in Canada the Zombie Apocolypse is something they are really afraid of. Too funny.
As usual, all the canned goods, dried rice and beans are cleared out. Who wants to eat rice and beans after a storm?
I strolled over and bought a bunch of charcoal and steaks. Me and my neighbors will be eating delicious meats from the grill while the transplants are sucking on dry kidney beans. I hope they don't get too jealous.
I filled the freezer with ziplock bags of water, In a couple days (if it is still coming this direction) I will fill 8 five gallon pails with toilet water, and check the Cat-5 storm windows. All OK... I am ready.
Let the Canadian Zombie Apocolypse, I mean hurricane, begin!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Has anyone heard from CNCharlie or Henry? It seems like it's been quite a while since they've been in the diner.
Hope they're doing OK.
Attuvian1 Be sure to tell him for me. I expect it will not even get a "Whatever."!
Wilson Flipped when he heard the news!
Wilson Flipped by Edmund, on Flickr
Thanks, John
Regards, Ed
Ed,
Absolutely awesome! Nothing that a dream and willpower can't produce - if you can throw in some bucks.
Wilson on snow - obviously grew up with it. I doubt that most domestic felines here in Portland would be so inclined. Of all the cats that have gotten exposure here on the forum, I consider Wilson to reign supreme. Be sure to tell him for me. I expect it will not even get a "Whatever."!
Attuvian John
Another Friday in the Diner
I'm killing time before a 2 PM doctor appointment. Fasting, and Dee Ann just came home with huge bags of groceries
Attuvian1I'm sure you've covered this a number of times before, but - Where did you get your caboose?
Thanks for asking Attuvian
While there were hundreds of actual cabooses available for cheap in the late '90s and I did have some connections with railroaders that could have set me up with one the timing wasn't very doable for a project like that.
By the time 2010 came around scarcity and costs ruled out hauling a real caboose to the property. The best plan was to build from the ground-up.
Caboose framing by Edmund, on Flickr
Wilson was there right from the first spike driven:
Wilson Inspecting by Edmund, on Flickr
I had studied dozens of real caboose plans and had been familiar with the layouts of many. A friend at the time had a Central Vermont caboose that I patterned many of the features after.
Caboose_91908_Plan by Edmund, on Flickr
Local zoning wouldn't allow cabins or "second residences" on the property so I said, how about I call it a garden shed? Sure, that's OK. Paid the fee and got the permit.
Caboose_91908-Elevation by Edmund, on Flickr
One of the thoughtful clerks at the building department pointed out to me that, "Did you know this thing looks like one of those cabooses they used to have?" I thanked them for their insight
Attuvian1 In addition to the hookups mentioned above, does it have a WC, power and heat as well? Is it usable in the winter (i.e., did it require an insulation upgrade?
The "hopper" empties into an RV "black-water" tote that I can easily roll to the septic tank and empty. I did fit one inch foam insulation into the floor and ceiling and R-19 fiberglas in the walls. Windows are double glazed thermal type. We've spent many cold days there and had some visitors spend some winter nights. A box stove is just right for keeping the interior cozy however I drain the water lines in freezing weather.
Wilson_91908_2k by Edmund, on Flickr
The "hopper" came from a 1950 Great Northern Empire Builder Pullman. Really gives the joint some class!
Pullman Hopper by Edmund, on Flickr
Somebody's been wiping their dirty hands on our nice NYC towels!
Washstand by Edmund, on Flickr
We have had more fun and enjoyment from our "caboose in the woods" than I can recount here. Almost every evening begins with snacks and cocktails in the cozy atmosphere. We have all the comforts of home and then some.
The cats seem to have taken to the surroundings just fine...
Cicero_Pullman-pillow by Edmund, on Flickr
Conductor's desk by Edmund, on Flickr
You can see lots more here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gmpullman/albums/72157671055247681
Cheers, Ed
Good Morning Diners. Brunhilda, biscuits and gravy please.
SeeYou190It is a little tiny mason jar. They put the patch in the top and fill the jar with candy. It is better than the 1 year service awards I got from G.M. (1987) or Cummins (1991).
Happy Friday everyone!
Mike
Just about done with smoothing the drywall joints on the living room ceiling.
My texture guy will be here tomorrow morning. Moving right along.
Afternoon all.
I just had a deadbeat day. Yesterday I helped my BIL install a 480lb bathroom vanity. Getting that in the house up and down stairs was not easy and I was the younger of us two by far. Also I think I am feeling the results of my 4th Covid vaccine, though mild.
I worked for the Feds for 36 years and got all the usual time spent recognition doodads. I have a gold watch that retailed for $1400.00 at the time. I was talking to the boss in Ottawa one day and he said, "I keep forgetting, your gold watch is in my top drawer in the office, grab it sometime when you are there". Eventually, I remembered to pick it up. I never even took it out of the box, brought it home, and threw it in my dresser drawer and it has been there ever since 21 years. I also got a platinum pin with a decent diamond in it for 35 years of service. I will take it to the gold and coin shop at some point, it also just went into the drawer.
The one thing I do have that I will keep is a stack of certificates from all the advanced driving courses I took all paid for by the Feds. They were quite intense courses as I advanced through them over several years. Not being a car guy but they told me I excelled at driving and asked me to instruct, I never did as I was ready for other things. I still can go use the facilities any time as I did with the kid when he got his new Mustang. The company is doing more and more movie work and I get a call once in a while to see if I want to work, maybe someday I'll go in for a couple of days, but then again.
Commuting to work was by bicycle most of the time until I moved to the stix, then it was the RX-7TurboII! On the bike, it was 22 km each way to the airport and back 1 hour there 2 hours back as it was mostly uphill. It would not occur to me to use a car for a 3-mile commute with six bikes in the garage. When I moved and started driving to work it cost hundreds every month, an expense that I never had before.
I had to look up the term snowflake. My kids can saddle up a horse, bring in a herd, handle a rifle, fix a fence, and a lot of other things, yet they are highly educated city slickers. Sometimes we would take their friends to the ranch with us and I was always blown away by how incapable these kids were. My family hit the Manitoba farm belt in the 1700s so maybe it is bred into them.
TF, your barbecues in the park sound like an ideal way to unwind.
I finished watching Breaking Bad, I had tried a few years ago but watching dysfunctional people does not sit well with me and I had only made it through three episodes back then. So some of our movie industry friends told me to give it another shot and this time I got through it. It was okay, worth watching. I am glad hockey season starts on Sunday, I am saved.
We love to explore the old Prairie sentinels when out on the prairies, you can see our truck in the pic as we check out another one. There were about fifty or sixty old switch stands in the grass not far away and I would have loved to bring one (or two) home. They are not mine to take so that was not going to happen.
All the best to all.
York1 That is a great reward! I'd trade them all for a jar of candy!
That is a great reward!
I'd trade them all for a jar of candy!
I've got a box of plaques and certificates for years-of-service, appreciation, etc. in my basement where they'll be when I die, and my kids will throw them out.
Attuvian1I can only dream of such a structure.
After my wife saw Ed's caboose, she came on board with the dream and wants one for her "she shed" in the backyard.
gmpullman IMG_9778 by Edmund, on Flickr This was for low voltage telephone, security camera and CAT 5 internet wiring.
IMG_9778 by Edmund, on Flickr
This was for low voltage telephone, security camera and CAT 5 internet wiring.
I'm sure you've covered this a number of times before, but -
Where did you get your caboose? In addition to the hookups mentioned above, does it have a WC, power and heat as well? Is it usable in the winter (i.e., did it require an insulation upgrade? Was it a pain to get it delivered and placed on what must be a unique fiundation? AND, does Wilson like it?
I can only dream of such a structure.
John (of Attu)
Water Level RouteWhat is that? It looks like they made it out of a jar lid. Is it a coaster?
It is a little tiny mason jar. They put the patch in the top and fill the jar with candy.
It is better than the 1 year service awards I got from G.M. (1987) or Cummins (1991).
York1Ed, that's a neat trencher you've got there. I could have used that when I ran a conduit line to my shed. I dug that by hand, and had sore arms, sore back, and sore feet when I was finished.
Thanks John
I sure was a handy tool when I buried 330 feet of conduit going to the caboose!
This photo sure looks like a model scene. I see four layers of railroads.
22-8668 by George Hamlin, on Flickr
At first I thought this was near the three-level crossing in Richmond, but this is in Cincinnati, Ohio.
SeeYou190I just received my one year service award. I guess I am sticking around.
York1Kevin, I had to laugh when you mentioned that you had a three mile commute. When we lived in New Orleans, my wife had a three mile commute to her school, but it could take 45 minutes or longer, depending on the time of day.
When I worked in Tampa, my commute was about 25 miles. The first 3 miles and last 3 miles always took 80% of the total travel time.
York1 Sometimes I think I need a job so I can get away from all the busy retirement stuff. Maybe Kevin has the right idea.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I get from my silly "minimum wage" job. It has improved my outlook on the world and made me feel better about everything.
I just received my one year service award. I guess I am sticking around.
My commute is about 2 miles round trip. ( 10 blocks each way)
But I still have to drive as I have to sometimes go to outlying PHYS offices to work on stuff.
As soon as I saw the words snowflake mountain I knew it had to be about people who are snowflakes.