We were sorry to miss the Dinner Train in Bardstown, Kentucky, but the timing wasn't right as they only ran them on the weekends this time of year. But, the other attractions were open. Bardstown is a fine place to spend a few days. We stayed in a bed and breakfast that was the old county jail. No, we were not in cells, and the breakfasts were pretty dang good, if fattening. We had one dinner across the street and two next door at the tavern.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good morning Bear
Finally learned how to tell time in New Zealand. You just subtract 7 hours from the clock here and change a.m. to p.m. or vice versa.
Yes, The Hamm's Beer Bear. And if people wonder why I love beer along with a lot of other Minnesotans, perhaps a lot of that could be credited to the original Hamm's beer commercials. Delightful cartoons all the Kids loved as well as young adults, from the '50s to the early '70s.
After the cartoons, the commercials were replaced with Sasha the bear and Earl Hammond Jr. These commercials were loved even more by Kids as well as most adults. The marketing strategists knew exactly what they were doing as after the adults got too old to drink beer, the Kids would take their place. How convenient since there would be more Kids after the Baby Boomers
From what I understood, Sasha the bear was an affectionate kodiac that just loved people. I'm sure the matter he was fed very well had a lot to do with that as kodiaks are the most known for stocking humans in the wild.
The commercials were filmed very near the area I grew up in northern Minnesota. One shoot was filmed on the lake connecting ours to the south.
As far as Hamm's beer itself or any other watery domestic, good Imports are preferred and a liquor warehouse bigger than a football field only five blocks away has them all.
https://www.mnopedia.org/thing/hamms-bear#:~:text=In%201973%2C%20a%20live%2C%20male,trainer%2C%20appeared%20in%20Hamm%27s%20advertising.
As far as corn syrup goes, it seems to be a staple here in the States as they put it in everything. And you are exactly correct as it's delivered by the tanker train load Cargill is one of the leaders in the industry and fills quite the fleet hauling that commodity. I'd much rather have pure cane sugar in food and drink that need a sweetener as I've always believed natural anything then modified is better for you. That will never happen as corn syrup is much cheaper and adds to distributor profits.
My daughter was telling me Americans don't even need corn in their diet because you get enough of it in your food and drink here. I'd much rather get it off a nice sweet cob though. I knew she was making humor out of it but it really isn't that funny.
High fructose corn syrup is the one you should really watch out for. I don't think the medical team has any kind of plunger for your kidneys and liver, but it us said that stuff over time will definitely plug them up. Judy and I don't buy anything with either on the ingredients label.
Not sure about New Zealand where you live (somehow I know it's much better) but David's neck of the woods across the pond has a much better FDA than we have over here. We shop Aldi quite a bit because it's a European based food chain and has much better ingredients in their food.
Still love those old beer commercials as I occasionally watch the few left on the internet.
Always enjoy your posts and Beartoons here. A man of good words and great humor.
Have a beautiful Spring day
P.S. Glad that new asphalt is working out for you making the snow removal easier Ed.
Welcome home Mister B, I'm glad you had a good road trip. We're getting due for one of those soon here ourselves.
TF
Back home again. We took two days coming home because it was a long drive, and mostly in pretty hilly country. We didn't have much precipitation, and no snow to speak of. It was cold, though, with temperatures about freezing, after leaving Delaware at 70 degrees F.
I can see how bourbon country has a reputation for chunky people. Every restaurant served huge portions, and those included copious quantities of potatoes and fried things.
We spent last night by the old C&O Canal in western Maryland.
Just got in from plowing. The asphalt paving sure makes a big difference from the former gravel surface
Bear_Beer by Edmund, on Flickr
BATMANNot sure if we have a theme for next month, but how about "trains in winter" and "Christmas trains"?
I'm game —
Train 5 at Crescent by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good afternoon from the beautiful, sunny West Coast.
Went for a long walk with the dogs (and wife) yesterday at dusk after spending the day putting up new light fixtures and curtain rods. We have done a lot of painting which means the wife wants new curtains and lights.
The wife took one of the mutts in for an ultrasound yesterday to see if she was pregnant and she showed six for sure, maybe seven. The sperm was imported from the Czech Republic and at least two of the pups will be going back to Europe. Drop date is December 23rd.
The wife was at the Emergency Clinic and while she was there two families came rushing in with their dogs, both had eaten dead rodents that were poisoned with rodent killer. Neither dog survived. When the weather turns cold the rats and mice come indoors and instead of safe traps, people opt for the poisons and often end up killing their own or someone else's cat or dog when the dog or cat eats the dead rodent. The local bird population also picks away at the dead carcasses and will meet their demise.
I am with Ed and will enjoy sipping some Scotch while the trains run. I love ice cream and beer but will pass thankyou.
I have cut back on my working out. I will stay in excellent shape which is quite easy, however, over the summer I moved into the superior ranking just to see how far I could get. Staying there does not happen to people that want to do other things in life.
Did anyone see this oops moment from Rapido?
Got a call from PWRS asking if I would mind changing a car # on my latest order. I think some old geezer had his heart set on a certain # and I beat him to it. No biggie for me, always happy to help out.
I ordered a Budd Baggage Dorm and 6 Budd Manor Sleepers. I have a feeling they are going fast.
MLC, if you have reactions to vaccines look into intranasal vaccines. My wife and son get serious neurological reactions to some jabs, caused by the carrier used. The intranasal Vaccines don't have these. The vaccine is sprayed into each nostril with a syringe.
Playing sports in foul weather? The kids at the local soccer and football fields are out there no matter how wet or how cold. We would be out on the pond playing hockey no matter what the weather was.
Ray, thanks for all your work on the scholarship front. I think education should be free right through University. I have been to countries where parents had to pay for their children to attend grades 1 and up. Canada is also behind on free post-secondary education unlike the rest of the industrialized world. However, there are a lot of scholarships available here if you choose to hunt them down. We have not even come close to spending all the money we put away for our kid's education as they both got so many scholarships, grants, and other things while attending University. They both did a lot of volunteering growing up and both got a lot of scholarships from various organizations that recognized that.
Not sure if we have a theme for next month, but how about "trains in winter" and "Christmas trains"? Some of the FB sites I follow are producing magnificent winter photos of trains in the Rockies so far this year.
Two more curtain rods, guitar, and a good long walk with the dogs before the weather turns.
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 (for another 15 minutes), diners.
Another busy day -- I'm just got home, and I'm getting ready to head out the door again.
When I was a kid, my mother had one of those old wooden bucket ice cream makers. It took a lot of ice, salt, and cranking to get the job done, but her recipe for ice cream was the best. I don't think I've ever had better in all these years.
I'll check in later. Have a great Sunday afternoon.
York1 John
York1I have a big bowl of this every night before bed. If you're interested in losing weight, this isn't for you.
We used to be able to get Blue Bunny down here, but I have not seen it for a while. Bryer's makes a Reese's peanut butter ice cream I like a lot.
Water Level RouteThe game they played yesterday was absolutely brutal. STRONG winds with temps in the low 20's.
Crazy... Down here they cancel kid's soccer games for cloudy skies... that is not a joke.
Time to get going and start the day.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Mornin'!
I'm hunkered down here at my 'puter...... Have a bunch of envelopes to get printed to send out "requests" for the local MLK Scholarships here. This last year we gave out $30,000 worth of college scholarships to worthy high school graduates. Many/most would never be able to further their education if it weren't generous people who want to help people acheive an education and have a better life!
Outside this morning it is 22°F with a steady 10 mph breeze and gusts over 40mph! That said, no little white things blowing past and the big bright thing is up in the sky. Leaves that my neighbor across the side street did not get piled for the city to dispose of, are blowing across the main road over to the guys yard over there. I bet he will not be happy as he has already disposed of all the leaves from his trees.....
Have a good one, stay warm and safe!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Well, that's two in flavor of John's favorite ice cream of choice Mike. I reckon I'll have to locate that particular Blue Bunny, and have a Peanut Butter Party some evening here soon
P.S.
York1 I have a big bowl of this every night before bed. It's a little like a Reese's Blizzard at Dairy Queen, but I'm really not supposed to go there every day.
I have a big bowl of this every night before bed.
It's a little like a Reese's Blizzard at Dairy Queen, but I'm really not supposed to go there every day.
That is "HILARIOUS" John!!!
So you think if you have your own personal stash in the freezer alike of the Dairy Queen Blizzard version............Then you eat that every night to achieve less trips to Dairy Queen so it's more healthy for you that way.....INGEIOUS!!!
Finally someone I know with the same rationalization of thought process to balance things out...
We were at my Grandson's football game in Jamestown ND last fall and it was "COLD" sitting on those aluminum bleachers as we didn't bring a boat cushion. The game was about to go into overtime and we all were praying that it wouldn't. Then my Grandson's team scored at the last minute and won the football game. Everyone was happy to adjourn back to the car after the team spirit huddle.
Morning diners. Flo, a large coffee please. Just a little something to sip with all this chit-chat going on. TF, I'm with John (York1) on the ice cream. One of my favorites. Ice cream doesn't last long at our house. Sitting in a hotel in Indianapolis right now. We are here for a soccer tournament that is being played outdoors! It's really stupid. They postponed all the games by an hour today due to the wind chills, and then shortened them by 30 minutes too. We should just go home, but one of the coaches actually secured a sponsor for our girls for this tournament. Don't want to hurt any potential for future sponsorship by bailing early. The game they played yesterday was absolutely brutal. STRONG winds with temps in the low 20's. I didn't look at wind chill. I didn't want to know.
Hopefully the roads will be cleared for us for our drive home. My oldest got a ride home from college yesterday and said the 2.5 hour drive took them 4 hours. Great. Looking forward to this one. It's kind of funny, there is no snow (basically no precipitation at all) here in Indy, yet we saw plows and salters out. When my wife commented on how silly it was I told her "It's obviously working!"
Have a good day guys!
Mike
Off the beaten track in Italy, Abruzzo certainly is. The things you see only when you slow down. Seeing what you see and not what you thought you saw.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDsq93-urhI&ab_channel=DonFuchs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0Lx6znCJ3U&ab_channel=TravellingDany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As9xnl7OiO8&ab_channel=TravellingDany
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
gmpullman Chivas by Edmund, on Flickr In fact I think I hear the ice clinking in my glass right now... SOU_DOF by Edmund, on Flickr Cheers, Ed
Chivas by Edmund, on Flickr
In fact I think I hear the ice clinking in my glass right now...
SOU_DOF by Edmund, on Flickr
But, beware. One Rusty Nail will you thoroughly pleased. A second Rusty Nail will turn you totally carefree. A third Rusty Nail will require assistance from the nearest bystander.
Rich
Alton Junction
Good morning
gmpullman Track fiddler Which do you most prefer when given a choice of a good garbage treat? F) Something else bad for you
Track fiddler Which do you most prefer when given a choice of a good garbage treat? F) Something else bad for you
F) Something else bad for you
Looks like a good nightcapper Ed. Would love to have a sampler or two of that good Scotch withcha, while enjoying an operating session on that "Impressive" layout of yours.
gmpullman In fact I think I hear the ice clinking in my glass right now...
My good friend Roy always called a drink on the rocks "Jing Tinglers"
Quite appropriate for the Season
I remember highway 53 well, as the only way to International Falls for groceries. Some 33 miles north from the lake and that road could get "Wicked" after a Spring/Fall sticky blizzard or ice storm. You did have a ditch kit in the trunk all Winter up there,...just in case. Never went in that ditch though. Only visited one ditch early in my years. Hey, ya needed those early learning experiences.
Have a great Sunday gentleman
Good morning Diners. A glass of wine, some cheeses, meats and breads please, Chloe.
Since Hurricane Ian we have had more than our fair share of rain. There seems to be floods everywere. A good job the Diner is in Italy so 'we can escape'.
Benvenuti in Abruzzo - Welcome to Abruzzo.
'Trans-Siberian' Train, Abruzzo, Italy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Az-ez1N0vc&ab_channel=TravellingDany
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKmUSXQ56pI&ab_channel=CortiFerroviariAmatoriali
Steam locomotives on the line. Some bridges to see as well.
Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ljdxrjywQQ&ab_channel=CortiFerroviariAmatoriali
Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_CFd0MRsYA&ab_channel=CortiFerroviariAmatoriali
Fun Facts about Abruzzo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaVqP5GG3s4&ab_channel=ExpatEssentialsForItaly
Good Evening,
Dave, I remember the highway 89 line well as I lived in Barrie in 1971 and '72. It really was in the snow belt then but not so much now.
Ran the CP Hudson today. It sure is one smooth running loco. On speed step 1 it crawls so slowly it is barely moving, less than 1mph I'm sure. Samhongsa sure had their mechanism perfected by 2002. It was the last run imported by Van Hobbies and I think I am lucky to have one.
I like ice cream in the summer on occasion but can go 6 months without it in winter. I do like chocolate especially cadburys milk chocolate but I have been cut off by my wife with our current low sugar diet.
Time to turn out the light.
CN Charlie
Little Debbie Nutty Buddies
garbage! They are wonderful.
CNCharlieDave, is it snowing yet out your way? I see Owen Sound might get 80 cm.
Hi CNCharlie,
We live in Bradford which is at the southern end of Lake Simcoe. The lake seems to cause the opposite of 'lake effect' snow because we rarely get heavy snowfalls even though Barrie 40 kms. to the north is regularly inundated. There is a line about 10 km north of us right at Hwy. 89 where the weather will go from light flurries to whiteout conditions in less than 1/4 km almost every time there is a storm. Likewise, when conditions are bad in Toronto 40 kms to the south we will often get next to nothing. We have been here for 34 years and I can count on one hand the number of times that we have received more than 12" in any single storm. I'm not complaining!!
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Track fiddlerWhich do you most prefer when given a choice of a good garbage treat? F) Something else bad for you
I get the bunny as well John.
Pistachio almond is the bomb. It's seasonal but I don't understand their marketing strategy as sometimes it comes back out in the summer
And it sucks when I look for it and it isn't there...
I'll have some that chocolate sent to me too, Bear. I see that I can buy it at Ebay or Amazon, but it's probably better if you just send us all some. (That will save us the shipping costs.)
I have the Nutty Buddy bars every day, but this is my newest vice. I have a big bowl of this every night before bed. If you're interested in losing weight, this isn't for you.
Those look good... We don't have those over here. So send some to my mailbox Air Freight if you would please.
As a fatter of mact, I've heard dark chocolate is actually good for you in moderation, but I would eat the whole package in one sitting
Track fiddlerWhat about F) Something else bad for you
An advance Welcome Back Mister B. Sounds like you had a good time
We're trying to put the Chat, back together with the Chit, here in the Diner tonight
Hi, gang. We're coming back from our Bourbon Trail vacation. As I expected, I'm not a fan of bourbon, and after two tastings I skipped the drinking part and stuck with my job as designated driver. Good idea, as I stayed quite sober while others were staggering a bit.
The tech of bourbon making is interesting. I did go on distillery tours and picked up a lot of information.
We left our home in Delaware a week ago under bright sun at 70 degrees. Right now on the West Virginia border with Maryland, it's about 30 degrees and there's been a dusting of snow everywhere.
Knee Slapper!!!
What about F) Something else bad for you
I'll have to try those Richard. I got a box of the second one you posted that I've been working on tonight.
I've had the chocolate nutty cones like that but never tried the Little Debbie ones. Are they really good then?
Track fiddlerC) Nutty Buddy
This NuttyBuddy:
Not that NuttyBuddy:
Good evening
What I have noticed in the Diner lately is there's a steady flow of Chit,...a lot less Chat,... but almost no Chit-Chat Whatsoever
I think we forgot how to Chat, with our Chit
Let's start out simple here to see if we can work our way back up to some Chat, before we attempt to put the Chit, with the Chat
I'll start-er-off.
Which do you most prefer when given a choice of a good garbage treat?
A) Ho Ho
B) Ding Dong
C) Nutty Buddy
D) Twinky
E) All of thee above