Good morning diners. Brunhilda, a slice of coffee cake and black coffee in a Boston & Maine mug please.
My oldest went to the doctor yesterday and he believes she is simply fighting influenza A. Even though when she coughs it sounds like someone shaking a bucket of gravel, she does not have pneumonia, which is obviously good. He prescribed her a steroid to try to help clear the chest congestion and an antibiotic that he only wants her to take if her fever returns (it's come and gone twice now).
We all sat down last night to watch The Grinch with Jim Carrey. My dog will watch long stretches of that movie. It's so funny to see. The other two dogs couldn't care less, but he is very attentive at certain parts of the movie, and usually looks at least once on the other side of the wall the tv is on for the Grinch.
CNCharlieIn the dog house again. Another crap Christmas.
Have a good day everyone.
Top of the page! Eveyone is welcome to a slice of the coffee cake I ordered. I'll buy. Brunhilda said they have plenty.
Mike
Hope it doesn't stay red for long — could spell trouble!
All Red, Rockwood by James House, on Flickr
Hey, look! Here comes the plow down the street...
Once a Common Sight in Erie by Jerry Jordak, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
Good morning, it's -12c at 0600hrs at the Batcave.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Good morning, diners.
Mike, I'll have some of that cake after my bacon and eggs.
I'm not complaining, but I was unable to get bacon for over three weeks. Withdrawal nearly caused a fatal health reaction. Thankfully, one good bacon and eggs breakfast yesterday allowed the return of good health.
With all the mincemeat tarts posts, I'm afraid to admit I've never had them (the food kind)(Maxman, for that matter, the other kind, either!). Maybe I'll have to try them sometime (the food kind).
I got covid on the last day of my trip. Double boosters did not stop me from getting a very hard case. I was stranded in Texas for several days after landing at DFW until the doctor said I could travel home again. The after-effects are still hanging on. I hope I feel better when the entire family descends on the house next week. I'm jealous of those of you who got covid with mild effects.
One thing about our family visit next week -- for many years, we hosted the entire group -- daughters, husbands, and the 8 grandchildren. They normally stayed a week, and we loved it. Now, with grandchildren in high school, it's getting harder. High school sports teams in holiday tournaments have been infringing on the length of stay. This year, two of the boys can stay only two nights due to basketball tournaments in their home state.
I kind of sense we're nearing the end of being able to get everyone together like this. Sports, college, and jobs are probably spelling the end of that tradition in very few more years.
Charlie, we were not able to get to Turkey this past trip. You were able to see another of my bucket list items, Hagia Sofia. Was it as neat as everyone says? I'd love to see it, but I feel time is running out. I hope things smooth out at your house over the next several days. It can't be nice celebrating Christmas when things aren't going well.
TF, believe it or not, I haven't even heard of a movie called "Mud". That shows you how with the times I am. Are you getting any work done on the layout bridges this winter?
Kevin, how are hurricane repairs progressing in your area? From full-time news a while back, just like everything else, we hear nothing about the situation any more.
Bear and Ed, I'm really enjoying the old railroad Christmas ads.
Bear, Batman, and others, I know many of you are involved in aviation. This last trip was my first on the 787 Dreamliner. Even though we didn't sit there, I was interested in the first class seats. I haven't seen anything like that. I think they would be nice on those long flights, but I'm not sure paying six times the price of a regular seat is worth it to me. This is what United's seats looked like:
For others not mentioned, I haven't worked my way through all the posts. I hope everything is going well with everyone.
I'm hoping to feel better today. Have a great day as we all prepare for Christmas.
York1 John
York1I'm not complaining, but I was unable to get bacon for over three weeks.
I had a friend that went to the Middle East a few years ago. He told me they eat a lot of Turkey Bacon over there, and he could not stomach it.
York1Thankfully, one good bacon and eggs breakfast yesterday allowed the return of good health.
That is very good news. I don't think I have ever gone an entire week without bacon.
York1Double boosters did not stop me from getting a very hard case. I was stranded in Texas for several days after landing at DFW until the doctor said I could travel home again. The after-effects are still hanging on.
I was all boosted up and still got Covid-19. I had no flu-like symptoms or fever, but severe muscle aches. I still cannot smell, and I get muscle cramps much more frequently now.
York1Kevin, how are hurricane repairs progressing in your area? From full-time news a while back, just like everything else, we hear nothing about the situation any more.
Almost all of the clean-up is done. The debris collection sights are all closing now. The last one will close on Saturday.
I was way down on the importance list because we had so little damage. I just got the insurance settlement yesterday. I imagine that nearly all the claims should have been processed by now. The insurance companies have all removed their temporary trailer-offices from the mall parking lot.
Now I need to get a 175 MPH steel roof installed. Then my house should be a hurricane proof armored citadel.
Out-and-about, there are still damaged street lights, store signs, and missing signage... but everything is open and more-or-less normal.
About half of the roofs in my neighborhood have been replaced already.
The waterfront areas and barrier islands are years from repairs being complete.
York1I haven't worked my way through all the posts.
I have barely glanced at the Diner in December. Working too hard on the yard.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
York1 Mike, I'll have some of that cake after my bacon and eggs.
John,
Self-control is oppressive this time of year. I'll have a piece both before and after my bacon and eggs.
Nice to have you back.
Off to Arkansas tomorrow to visit our son and grandson over Christmas. First time we've travelled for the holidays in I don't know how long. Excited about the trip, but not the travel. Not the least of which are the "bugs" floating around. There are so many now I'm not inclined to differentiate. But I'll tip a hat to them by masking up at the airport and on the plane. Yeah, double-vaxxed and boostered but probably had a mild case two months ago anyway. Oh, the other thrill: our destination is projected to be down to 2F the next night and rising to a balmy 9F for Christmas. The sweety asked yesterday if car rental companies provided chains. I hope she doesn't suggest that we buy some as a contingency when we get there.
Takin' the laptop. Will try to stay current at the hotel. Maybe we should buy our guys a house when we get there. And us, too. Yeah, and maybe a little "crowd-funding" would help, too!
Attuvian1 John
Good evening Diners. Just called in before I go on a zoom call about ships and shipping.
Bexhill 1940 in model form.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGyqSk1XguA&ab_channel=ThatModelRailwayGuy
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
York John, I'm glad my daughter was on the ski team in high school, and didn't play the school sports that took her every weekend. We all loved to ski, and the ski team realized that a weekend of big mountain skiing was better training than the little hills at home. In early April, there's still lots of snow in Maine, and there are no crowds at all because a lot of kids are in soccer or baseball programs, so we got a few more weekends to ski. Our place was frequently crowded with a lot of other ski bunnies, because the whole girls' team were good friends and we had a big car.
And yay, the tree is up and decorated. It got only unbreakable ornaments this year, after no ornaments last year, because the younger cat was still a rambunctious kitten. So far, so good.
Looks like we're having another brown Christmas this year. No surprise in Delaware.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good Afternoon,
A cold day here, -22C right now. Am about to head out to pickup a large grocery order. Have to unload it in a hurry so that nothing freezes,
John, Hagia Sophia is more impressive 'in person' than any photos or films can convey. It topped Notre Dame in Paris for me. We went to Istanbul as it is a compulsory stop if you fly Turkish Air. We stayed 3 nights and it was a highlight of our whole trip. We were headed to South Africa. We stayed in a great hotel close to Hagia Sophia. The most expensive hotel I have ever stayed in but was worth it. We flew Business Class on Turkish as it was half the cost of British Air. Best food and service on a plane we have experienced.
Time to head out.
CN Charlie
Another great video from Ulrich:
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Sure was cold unloading the groceries, windchill is -33F. I rewarded myself with a tea and a mince tart. Was really good.
I will be on errand runs every day for the rest of the week.
Partly out of the dog house. Wife is really struggling with anxiety. She is getting professional help. Five years this January. I once thought she would overcome it but no longer. I also once thought covid would be gone in a couple of years.
Have we seen this one yet?
NYCS_Window by Edmund, on Flickr
I think repeats are OK... Don't forget to buy bulbs while you're at Gimbels:
GE_Miniature by Edmund, on Flickr
Evening rail fans
gmpullman Have we seen this one yet?
Don't think so Ed. Like-em-all so far, but really liked that Big Ol' Horse plowing down the middle of the street
Colder than the Arctic Klondike up here. We're going to get another snow storm and then it's going to get a whole lot colder.
Pretty certain that Charlie's sending this delightful weather down from Canada, cuz he's been in the dog house eh
Gonna have to dig out the red-lined Carhartt bibs out from the back of the armoire. They say this cold front is going all the way down to St Louis, Missouri as they may have possible record lows by Saturday.
York1 TF, believe it or not, I haven't even heard of a movie called "Mud". That shows you how with the times I am. Are you getting any work done on the layout bridges this winter?
Mud is a pretty good flick John. First time seeing it Sunday. It's about a couple of River Rat Kids down on the Mississippi in Arkansas. Matthew McConaughey's in that one.
On the Train Front... Well, not as much as I'd like to be getting done this winter. Something always seems to be going on so far. Things will mellow out after Christmas when one starts getting serious about it again
Etsy
Have a nice, relaxing evening gentleman
TF
PS Glad to hear your wife's getting some help Charlie
Beginner's Luck?
Wordle_12-20 by Edmund, on Flickr
I've only played Wordle maybe a dozen times. Never finished one in three tries before!
Had to share it with somebody...
Huh, Not bad!
Got four of a kind on Jacks or Better once
First one, due June 15, 2023
hon30critter First one, due June 15, 2023 Cheers!! Dave
Attuvian1Congratulations, Dave, to you and your better half
Thanks John,
We have known about Kaitlin's pregnancy for 10 weeks but we were sworn to not announce it until after the tests at the end of the first trimester. All the tests were positive. It was rather difficult to keep our mouths shut!
Not sure I'll ever be a Grandparent, but you never know.
It was a busy day today with the big dump of snow. With 20 coming for Christmas dinner I had to start on getting the driveway cleared for all the cars. It is 126' long and averages 30' wide, that's a lot of shoveling. My Garmin said I burned 5234 calories shoveling today and I have a lot left. My wife told me to hire someone, but I am too stubborn for that.
Had to make the Costco run as the wife was staying home with the Momma to be, she is due Friday. Costco was a gong show although there was no line at the gas bar, go figure. Driving was really treacherous and while going down a long hill control was less than I wanted and I said the word "store high in transit", my daughter who was with me immediately posted to FB that I said that word and so the entire day people have been posting how shocked or surprised they are that I would say such a thing. The number of people that responded with "I have never heard your Dad swear or get mad, ever" was hilarious. It was all very tongue-in-cheek and quite humorous. I never swear, my son never swears and neither does my wife, however, my daughter makes up for us all.
Mud is a good movie, I really enjoyed it.
Charlie, with your wife's anxiety issues, how did she manage to travel? In my world travels, I have seen people suddenly hit with anxiety issues. I was on an island off the East coast of the Adriatic and met this really cute girl from Winnipeg. We just hung out a bit, but one day she just had a meltdown with a major anxiety attack. Sometimes being so far from home can set it off. I stayed with her for a couple of days until she got back on track and we parted ways.
I know a lot of people that will take Turkish air as their first choice every time.
John those Dreamliners are quite something. My son went to University in Ottawa and he flew home 4 or 5 times a year. It was always a 737 or A320. Once when he was flying back to Ottawa from Vancouver he boarded and it was a 787 Dreamliner. He asked the flight attendant to make sure he was on the right plane and was not going to end up in Australia or somewhere. He was told it was a repositioning flight. There were only a handful of people on board and he could move about the aircraft and sit where ever he wanted. Free drinks and great food and a dozen gorgeous flight attendants to chat with for 5 hours. That's my boy!
Love your truck Bear, it is exactly what I would own in NZ. I was in Sydney waiting to board a Qantas 747 to Aukland and they were loading cars into the belly of the plane. I made a comment about it to a guy standing next to me and he said one of those is mine. He said it was cheaper to buy a car in Australia and fly it to NZ with the savings on price and taxes. It was 1988 so I have no idea about all that, it just seemed a little strange.
Tf, I showed my kid your car a while back. He had ordered a BMW and got the big run-a-round with all the delivery delays, so we walked down the street and he bought a Mustang at another dealer as he really needed a car after his GF totaled the car we gave him for grad. He loves that thing so much he is talking a new Stang instead of the BMW.
The kid started his new job last week and so far loves it. He is joined at the hip with the person he is replacing for five months to learn the ropes. He has an executive assistant who is sixty and mothers him like no-ones business. He has a bunch of travel in January and his Mom as he calls her said what time of day do you want to leave for these various trips? He said what time do the flights leave? She goes you are flying on the corporate jet, you leave when you want to. He had no idea he was not flying an airline. The company also owns a box at Rogers arena and he already took five friends to a Canucks game. I like this new job of his.
Time for a refill and a wee sit in front of the idiot box.
All the best to all.
Christmas eve staple with the kids, can't wait.
gmpullmanI've only played Wordle maybe a dozen times. Never finished one in three tries before!
I am quite a Wordle addict Ed.
It took me five tried to get the one today!
Got the Wordle in three guesses tonight.
That's an excellent record, Kevin!
Meanwhile, in other news, Tennessee, USA
What a mess...
Regards, Ed
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Hi Bear,
The Christmas tarts look absolutely delicious!!
Cheers, the Bear.
I don’t know about the States in general Ed, let alone Tennessee, but here a tractor unit with a load that long would have had at least two pilot vehicles, if not three, two in the front, one behind, and someone would have been getting a “good kicking” for failing miserably at doing their job!
My thoughts exactly, Bear. However I've heard of some nasty wrecks where there were escort vehicles and supposed route planners. One sad tragedy comes to mind when there was a 2012 parade in Texas with disabled veterans on a flatbed trailer. Video showed the truck beginning to cross the U.P. tracks while the flashers were on and the gates beginning to come down.
The freight was authorized to run at 70 MPH and had slowed to 62 before impact. There was no room on the other side of the crossing for the truck to continue. Parade organizers didn't have permits, no one contacted RR to alert them to parade crossing their tracks... bad news all around.
Only the U.P. got a judgement against them because their timing of the crossing lights was five seconds too short.
Here's another view of the Tennessee wreck:
Often, here in the states, "low-boy" trailers and auto carriers will get hung up on elevated crossings. Despite telephone numbers posted at (nearly?) all crossings, no one thinks to call the "hot-line" to report an obstruction.
Scotty says it best:
Good Morning Diners. Chloe, a mocha latte and some cinnamon toast please.
hon30critterdue June 15, 2023
gmpullmanDon't forget to buy bulbs while you're at Gimbels:
We finished up the last of our holiday cookie baking last night. Now the smorgasbord of treats is complete. Appropirately, I sat down last night with a plate full of at least one of each cookie and a glass of milk. Chased it with a little Rum Chata! It was a nice evening.
Good morning, diners. Bacon!
Cleaning begins today for family visit. I don't feel I've really recovered yet from covid, but will do my duty.
I'll be back later!
gmpullmanThat's an excellent record, Kevin!
I have found the Wordle puzzle to be quite a part of my day. I usually do the puzzle right after midnight.
Be careful... the same thing could happen to you!
gmpullmanMy thoughts exactly, Bear. However I've heard of some nasty wrecks where there were escort vehicles and supposed route planners.
When I leaerned to drive, I remember being taught that the escorts, pilots, and permitted vehicle were all considered one unit, and not to get in between them. No one seems to respect this at all on the road.
I also remember being told that an oversized vehicle performing a docking maneuver had absolute right-of-way. No respect for this rule is seen anymore.
Water Level RouteWhile doing a bit of digging in my yard where apparently at least some trash had been dumped decades ago.
As I have been installing my sprinklers, I have found dozens of toys that the little boy who lived here before buried all over the yard. Most have "Property Of Stephen" written on them in Sharpie.
These have been underground for decades.
Have you found Stephen yet?