Good morning, diners.
Another day of cleaning the house. If we never had any family visit, our house would never get cleaned.
The worst part? I have to go to the grocery store and to Walmart today. The grandchildren will eat three times as much as the adults.
Buying Christmas presents for the son-in-laws was very easy for me this year. The hard part was getting all the bottles through customs and packed for no damage from airline luggage handlers. I was going to have them shipped, but then I saw the shipping charges for six bottles:
Another airline story: We were at the end of a 12 hour flight, ready to land in Newark, and the pilot alerted the passengers: "Unless passengers start to listen to the flight attendants, I'm going to circle around, and we will add at least a half-hour before we land." I was amazed at how many people ignored directions like sitting down, seatbelts, tray tables, closing overhead bins, etc. Out of 250 passengers, I'll bet there were 30 who just ignored all directions. I'm not sure they pay the flight attendants enough money to deal with things. Maybe the airlines need to hire some ex-NFL linemen to be enforcers.
Have a great day, everyone.
York1 John
I'm very surprised that the Bat-people had a hummingbird in this season. We have the ruby-throated variety in the summer. We feed them well and have quite a few, and we often share happy hour with them on the front porch. But, when summer is over, they are gone and those feeder hooks get plants for a while and then Christmas decorations.
We think the GF's sister is coming for Christmas, but she is notoriously flakey anyway, and this year she has a divorcing daughter and her two children living with her (a real trainwreck, I assure you) plus a pair of old, sick dogs so she may not show. We are hoping our neighbor with the broken arm will come. She's a delight to be around.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley I'm very surprised that the Bat-people had a hummingbird in this season. We have the ruby-throated variety in the summer. We feed them well and have quite a few, and we often share happy hour with them on the front porch. But, when summer is over, they are gone and those feeder hooks get plants for a while and then Christmas decorations.
Mr. B -
A number of the hummers on the West Coast are quite a bit less inclined to migrate that the Ruby-Throateds. That's because the winters are relatively moderate. I'm guessing that the Bat-hummer that Brent picked off the snow was an Anna's. We have them throughout the winter here in Portland and rather than his techno-remedies to keep his feeders functional, I swap them out with a back-up kept in the kitchen. When it gets below freezing, ours (always Anna's - the Rufous boogie to California and elsewhere south) roost in the rhododendrons next to the house. Out of the wind and marginally closer to heat.
Hummers in cold weather react rather uniquely by going into a state called torpor. Think of it as an hours-long kind of avian "hibernation" where many of their bodily functions - as well as their temperature - cut back dramatically. That's the state that Brent's bird was in until he revived him. Wonder if he offered the little critter a snort and a chance to watch some hockey before turning him out. He's a good man.
Attuvian John
It took me five guesses to get the Wordle today.
I should have had it in four, but the letters would not make a word for me today.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Afternoon folks! (Notice I did not use the word "good"!) Lot's of white thingies swirling around outside, and it is a good to just stay put and stare at the 'puter screen. Today has been cancelled here in the Finger Lakes as well as the Western half of New York State.
"....So if you've no place to go.... Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!" I had hoped to be able to get together with a lady friend and see the stuff at "The Museum of the Earth" near Ithaca sometime next week. Don't think that will happen as family has been filling up the times that we could be free to go there. We like to walk together and we could easily get a few miles inside the Muesum. The place is huge! We did have lunch together yesterday in Seneca Falls which is about half way between where she lives and where I live.
If the wind picks up again I will try to get a photo of what it looks like here.....
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Howdy... Me again! Just had some excitement a couple houses down from me. Wires blown down and the Fire trucks were here to take care of it. I think the wires were old telephone and/or cable company wires, but they still got them taken down...
Wind goes from calm to around 50-60 mph at times outside. Not a lot of snow coming down ,just a nice easy few flakes most of the time. Hope it stays that way but the prognosticators say we could still get several inches to shovel by the end of the storm. Depends how the thing tracks. Nice day to stay inside......
NYS Thruway is now closed to all vehicles west of exit 46 (Rochester), I am at exit 43....
Something like that happened to me one time. We were stay in someone's house for a ski weekend. A branch had come down on the lines, but not enough to take them down. I called the power company but they were full out and couldn't even say how long it would be. So, I called the phone company. They came our right away and cleared the branch.
We lost power at 9 pm. My wife had stocked up on battery powered lanterns and headlights, but the headlights didn't have headbands on them and the lanterns had removable plastic strip to prevent the batteries from discharging. Power was only out 90 minutes, which is much shorter than where we lived in Maryland.
I intended to get up early and shovel the slush before it froze, but didn't quite make it. I made 3 passes across the width of the driveway and had to give up as it was ice, already. The temperature dropped from 35 to 31 in a half hour. It is now 15 and headed toward 1 by tomorrow morning. Plenty of wind all day long.
What is the secret in posting a Youtube video these days? I wasted an hour trying to reply to a post and kept getting the Forbidden 503 error. Eventually I was able to edit the post and add text, but not a video or internet link.
I should have worked on the layout today, but it was colder downstairs than up, so fiddled around and wasted the day.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddyWhat is the secret in posting a Youtube video these days?
I had posted a little tutorial back on page three near the top. In YouTube: Use the "share" feature, select "embed" click "copy" (lower right).
In the MR forum reply box, select film icon, then right hand tab "embed", place cursor in text box and paste (Ctrl-V) then the OK radio button. Done.
Stay warm, Ed
Thanks Ed. I thought that's what I did but I skipped over the youtube instruction. I had used copy in the past.
I saw Mr B posted in the DCC for a small layout thread after I did. I still cannot reply nor edit my post because it is Forbidden. When I went silent a year ago, I thought they were rolling out new forum software?
Good Afternoon,
Another cold day here with strong north winds but it is sunny. Sure was cold gasing up the car. First time in 6 weeks. At least todays errands are done. Roads were icy. Snow blowing across them polishes the surface making for slippery condtions.
Still in the doghouse. On Monday I signed for a parcel. I did it outside, was masked as was delivery person, but apparently I exposed myself to covid in doing so. That is where the anxiety level is at. I might be cleared for interaction tomorrow but after 3 years of this I am losing interest.
John, I am enjoying your trip reports. Amazing that wine made it home in one piece. We once brought back some Amarula in luggage only to later find they sell it here. I picked up a bottle this week as I really like the stuff.
The U2g is sitting at the water tower. I can easily see it from my perch on the sofa as it is only a foot or so from the left end. It is a nice runner but nothing can touch my brass CP Hudson for smoothness or low speed. May have to get it out of its display case. It is sitting on top of my wife's harpsicord. Would like to sell the harpsicord as she hasn't played it for 20 years but there is a very limited market for them. We may have to just give it away at some point.
Wife is making cranberry sauce so perhaps all is not lost for this Christmas. It has Grand Marnier and Kirschberry liqeurs in it making it the best cranberry sauce I have ever tasted.
It is 40 years ago yesterday since my Afghan Hound, Nazareth, passed away. I still miss him. We had a very strong conection, more than any of our later dogs.
Time for more tea.
CN Charlie
I've generally found that the Forbidden messages are a sign to go to bed and try again tomorrow. It's not worth trying to fight those invisible and baffling demons.
After Covid hit, a lot of companies here stopped bothering with signatures, deliveries particularly. We are still giving big tips at restaurants, so maybe that helps.
TF
Track fiddlerDang-It! I don't live in the Beer Zone RayCrying
Well..... Luckily a couple weeks ago I bought a fifth of Southern Comfort (The good 100 proof type) so I am settled in for the long haul. If I run out I will have to switch to a good Rum... Either way I should be able to ride out the storm. Don't head anywhere west of Pittsford in NYS though. It is closed!
You could just make a nice warm shelter though and stay put:
It is currently 3°F (or -16C) outside at the moment and I am about to climb into a nice (but not warm yet) bed and settle down for a Long Winter's Rest!
MERRY CHRISTMAS GUYS!!!
Just shut the heat off in the garage, MR season is officially here!
Hi everybody.
We are wexpecting some very cold weather tonight. Should get into the 40s outside, the house will probably drop into the mid 60s.
All right, Kevin! That's enough!
Kevin, I was just watching the 'In Memorium' on Turner Classic Movies, and I thought of you when they showed Meat Loaf as one of the people who died this year.
I remember that you were in a scene with him in a music video.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Hi Bear,
You are a very talented artist!
Merry Christmas!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good morning Diners. A glass of the Appletons, Bear has left please, Zoe.
Off to visit Son, DiL and grandchildren for Christmas Eve Party.
Grandchildren visit tomorrow. Then to visit Daughter, SiL and grandchildren for Christmas Dinner.
Seeing Santa.
Seeing Santa by David Harrison, on Flickr
Merry Christmas
1639806950420-01.jpeg.d50a34a4ebebf97a60e1a6ffee0149ac by David Harrison, on Flickr
Jolly Santa by David Harrison, on Flickr
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Sixty years ago...
EJT_1962_fix by Edmund, on Flickr
Check out that tie!
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays everyone!
Cheers, Ed
York1All right, Kevin! That's enough!
It is SO COLD outside. The house only cooled down to 63 degrees. It is amazing how well insulated this place is.
Two days ago, this was the hottest December on record, now we are setting record lows.
SeeYou190 It is SO COLD outside. -Kevin
It is SO COLD outside.
Geordie Lasses - Mind you don't slip.
Good morning
Have said it before but always have admired that sketch of yours Bear.
A strapping young lad you were as a youngster Ed.
That sure is a cute picture of your Granddaughter visiting Santa David. Ya gotta enjoy seeing the magic in their little faces, as they grow up so fast.
Hope you can find your parka Kevin. If there is such a thing down there...
Cook day with Judy and some Christmas movies today. Here's kind of a silly Christmas card that came off the drawing board while doodling one year.
I need to work today. We close at 5:00, so I need to be there at 8:30.
I am rarely out of bed before noon. I am going to be a walking zombie on the job today.
Good Morning All,
Merry Christmas to Bear and hope you have a good one.
Christmas Eve here for the rest of us and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays as well.
A toasty 1F here this morning. Yesterday it was 50mph wind gusts, torrential rain and 48F. We lost power and the generator didn't kick in so we called for help once the rain stopped as it was going to be cold later in the day. I checked the two shop buildings for damage as the power was off here as well and just got back out as they were closing the road for downed trees and power lines.
The electricians showed up and pronounced our generator d.o.a. with a siezed motor and departed. Naturally since it was dead and a new one was months away and the power was still off I started tinkering with it. The battery lost too much voltage when the starter tried to come on so I pulled the starter. It had jammed on engaged as our race car starters occasionally do so I freed the bendix and lubed the shaft bushings. With the starter out I was able to bar the motor over easily so that wasn't the issue. The starter however would barely engage the flywheel even with the spark plug out of the motor (1 cyl) so we called the techies back and showed them what we'd found. A new starter cured the problem and we had power. When the utility power came back on last night it wouldn't transfer back so we ran the gen set all night and called the techies back. Thankfully they are working Christmas Eve so they are bringing a whole transfer box to make sure they have the parts they need. It looked to my inexpert eyes like the master breaker on the transfer fried as it is half on (or half off for you pessimists amoung us). I don't mind messing with gensets but I draw the line at the mains and breaker boxes. Lesson learned anyway and I will add the genset and transfer to my preventative maintianence list and not just rely on the annual inspection by the trades.
The kids minus Rob and Jason who live on the left coast will be over tomorrow and my brothers Weds which will be nice. My sister in Nova Scotia refuses to sort her status out so is still without a passport so that visit will have to wait until the CFO gets her Instrument Flight Rating and we can fly up.
Hope the rest of you are well or recovering and that Ray doesn't run out of Christmas spirits. Bundle up Kevin - it's cold outside! Ciao, J.R.
Morning diners.
Zoe - I've brought homemade Peppermint Mocha's for the diners. Can you supply some cookies to go with? Thanks.
Weather - Snowy, cold, windy, cold, and cold. Had a Blizzard Warning yesterday, downgraded to a Winter Storm Warning today. Waves on Lake Erie yesterday hit a whopping 24 feet high. Currently at my place, it is -1F, with a wind chill of -28F. Light snow, but might just be from the wind blowing it all over. Guessers are calling for an additional 4-12 inches by tomorrow.
Pretty much everything is closed here.
Ray - I had gotten woke up by the FD at about 01:00 Friday morning. There was a fire north of me, and with all the icy and windy conditions, the fire trucks were going, full code 3 lights and sirens, 30-35 MPH past my house. The speed limit is 55, and normally they blow by 60+ MPH. A gravel pit companies' maintainance building got destroyed by the fire. They called out 6 different departments in full, plus 5 more partial response, and only prevented it from spreading to the office building.
Hope all are well, best wishes for those not, and all enjoy the day!
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Good Morning,
I think we were the only area in the country not on a storm watch yesterday. We do have an extreme cold warning but it is sunny out there. Perhaps we wiĺ see the sun dogs today. I saw them earlier in the week. Amazing sight. I do have to run one last errand and am not looking forward to the drive. I have a low beam bulb out but it is far too cold to change it. I won't be going out after dark anyway. By law here low beams must be on at all times so the cars are wired accordingly. Hard on the bulbs especially in extreme cold.
Must say I'm envious of those being with family tomorrow. We won't as my wife can't tolerate any personal interaction due to her extreme fear of covid. Will try to make it an ok day nonetheless. Have a nice bottle of Merlot which may help.
Have a great Christmas,
A late good morning, everyone.
Charlie, I hope you can have a good Christmas in spite of not being able to have loved ones in. I often think of pioneer families who left loved ones in the old world, and settled out on the prairies, never to see family again.
We see Sun Dogs every-so-often, but probably not as commonly as you guys farther north. I remember as a boy my mother pointed them out, and now I can spot them whenever they're viewable here. Last year, one time they were so bright that it almost looked like there were three suns at the horizon.
The house cleaning here is almost done.
I have a basement refrigerator full of beer. I tell my wife that I buy for the sons-in-law, but I know they will probably drink wine, which means when they leave, I will be forced(!) to drink all that beer. When I retired, the doctor told me I could have two drinks per day, but never more than that. At that rate, the refrigerator will be empty by March.
One nice thing about the family coming. For years, we would worry about cooking meals for everyone here. Then, several years ago we all decided that we would all either eat out or get fast food in. One of the evenings, we will all go to La Cocina, a good local Mexican food place. I will probably exceed my doctor's directions since I love that place's Margaritas. By not cooking here, each person can get what they want. Since I did most of the cooking, it sure makes it easier.
I hope all of you having the remnants of the storm do OK, and you don't lose power for too long. In my local area all the power lines are buried. Naturally, the power lines into our area aren't buried, so if there is a major outage, we will go out. But it sure has helped stop local outages from trees on power lines.
Years ago, our power company started a major effort to harden the grid, burying lines and starting aggressive tree cutting. Some local people don't like the power company cutting tree branches that are over lines, but it sure has helped during storms.
We will have Church tonight and also tomorrow morning. I love the Christmas hymns.
Have a great Christmas Eve, everyone.