Good morning from the wet coast where it is 6c. The palm trees along Vancouvers waterfront are shedding their snow.
First off, Dave, I am sorry to hear of Dianne's medical scare but glad to see she is back home again. Hopefully, a rest-filled Christmas season will see a full recovery.
I had a great but very busy week. I have been the Executor of an Estate that came with a litany of legal issues that I had not expected. It has taken four years to clean them all up but Friday I got the all-clear. The Beneficiaries are a couple my age who retired a year ago. They own a modest little house and their income I am sure is not that high. I got to play Santa and told them how much I would be sending them shortly. Even if they invest their inheritance in safe lower yield investments it should return $100,000.00 a year for them. They are a very quiet non-assuming small-town couple. I hope they know how to handle their win-fall. I have 1248 emails for this file alone. I am glad it is behind me.
My son and his GF called yesterday and asked if they could spend the night and showed up late afternoon. We had rum and Pepsis and watched The Grinch after a great dinner. They are so sick of living in the city they are coming out more often now. They are starting to look at different rural areas to move back to the peace and quiet they both grew up with. My son starts his new job soon and his GF who is only 22 manages a large grocery store for an international chain and will be moving to a larger store in the Spring. He figures they will retire when he is 35 and have kids. I was 41 when we had him and fully retired at 51 so he is ahead of me.
I am missing the roaring monk, hope all is okay. Maybe he made it up to the train room and is refusing to leave.
The Sun is starting to peek out and should stay around for several days so it is eggs with onion, salami, tomato, and cheese and then a long scoot with my Bud. I took a week off so need to get back at it.
All the best to all.
This boxcar has 17 tons of dynamite in it.
Oops! I've got tops!
The bar has two full bottles of the Capt on it along with a large assortment of other things so help yourselves, tis the season.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Track fiddler TF
TF
When was the last time you went to a live ballet? The GF and I went to see The Nutcracker this afternoon. It was a local production by a local company featuring high school girls (all but 3 boys) and was shown in the high school auditorium.
I remember furthering the cultural education of my daughter by taking her to see the same ballet as a little girl. These things are great for strengthening a community. All the smiles and applause were genuine.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mr. B, sounds like you had fun at the ballet. Last time I went was about 20 years ago to see the Royal Winnipeg Ballet doing the Nutcraker. It was done with a live symphony orchestra in the pit. It was wonderful. We took my inlaws and 2 neices. Miss those times.
Another heat wave day here with a temp of 34F. No melting as it was cloudy.
CN Charlie
Mr. B. My parents were involved in local musical productions for years and so was I by default because I got hauled along as a kid. Lots of great memories.
Two of my good friends were school teachers and did local theatre their whole lives so I always went to see them. They are pretty good actors and both took early retirement from teaching to go to work in the movie/TV industry. I see them all the time in secondary roles. They get $5000.00 a day for speaking parts.
I just knocked off 10.28 km burning 878 calories with the mutt. The wife is making homemade pizza which is to die for. I rarely eat pizza but will make an exception tonight.
Cheers
Just enough snow so it qualifies as a Winter Train:
Regards, Ed
BATMANThis boxcar has 17 tons of dynamite in it.
Hi Brent,
Well that could get really interesting really fast!!
There was a huge explosion just west of Sudbury, Ontario several years ago. A transport truck fully loaded with explosives ran off the road and caught fire. The driver was pulled to safety by another truck driver but the entire load went up in one big bang. Fortunately it was pretty much in the middle of nowhere but the blast was so powerful that it damaged homes several miles away. One gentleman was sitting on his front porch when the blast hit his house. The damage was interesting. The change in air pressure sucked all of the insulation out of his attic. Fortunately he wasn't hurt.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good Morning all. Chloe, waffles with strawberries please.
Had a wonderful Christmas with my family this weekend. We rarely all get together, so it really was special having everyone there. My niece even flew in from Miami to be there. It was great. I wish we could all get together more.
My working space on the layout has been occupied by a Christmas project I've been working on, but I made a little room last night and did some more work on a Proto 2000 livestock car. I put the main parts of the car together years ago but became highly annoyed with the fiddliness of those kits. I have three of these cars and none of them have had the grab irons, stirrups, or brake wheels put on. I got the grabs and stirrups on half the car this fall, but haven't had time to get back to it since last night. The other half is done, and who knows if I will get to the ends of the car for the brake hardware and final grab irons. I'm guessing not, and I'm okay with that.
Have a good Monday gentlemen.
Mike
Good morning
Never went to the Opera. Went to the Broadway play Cats once and it was okay.
A bit more my cup of tea is, one of my cutomers had season tickets to the Minnesota Wild through her law firm. She wasn't much of a hockey buff and was usually too busy to go.
They were great seats, four in a row on the front side of the goal. Made me a little popular with my friends that year.
Sounds like a fun early Christmas you had with the Family Mike
My Daughters came over with another gingerbread house this weekend.
They couldn't find another train like last year but still had fun together. They remind me of that childhood game Candyland.
Kinda getting to be a Christmas Time tradition building these gingerbread houses. CP on the tender was my doing of coarse
Wallpaper AccessGetty Images
Make it a great Monday gentleman
LION found some nice steaks above.
And now...
Just in time for Christmas...
LION has finished the lights
LION will get one of the young sprouts to hang them up.We light them on the 17th, at the beginning of the "O Antiphons"
Since we do NOT celebrate the feast of St. Walmartthey will remain up until the Feast of the Baptism.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Mornin' everyone!
Another icky, cold, dark day here in the Finger Lakes. On my way out the door to get my run in over at the fiekdhouse! Much nicer in there today....
Track fiddlerNever went to the Opera.
I've sung in some of those...... My favorite was being the Mikado in "The Mikado"! "My object all sublime, I shall succeed in time, to make the punishment fit the crime............." Oh yeah! That was a fun role!
73
Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO
We'll get there sooner or later!
Been getting Forbidden 403
The Nutcracker opera at Christmas.
Royal Shakespeare Company in October.
Both regular events in days gone.
Snow!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EA06hL4VemA&ab_channel=YesEpicYes2.0
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Glad you got your lights done Lion. Seem to remember you were re-wiring them a while back. Those blue icicle lights will look beautiful reflecting on the snow when they are hung for the 17th. Hope you will post a picture then
"Tis the Season!"
Have memories from St Francis, the Roman Catholic Church our family went to in my youth about Advent and O Antiphons. Also going to the 7 evening services with all the music of the choir. Remembered Emmanuel of the 7th day on the 23rd but had to look up the others. Recalled when arranged in descending order, the first letter of the 7 titles spell ERO CRAS which means Tomorrow I Will Come.
Did need a little refresher course for my recollection this morning and found it interesting re-familiarizing.
BroadwayLion Oh That LION! Now I have to go out and get those new orthopiedic shoes that they ordered for me.
Oh That LION!
Now I have to go out and get those new orthopiedic shoes that they ordered for me.
Certainly can see why ew needed dem Ortho shoes. Sure footing at the river bank keeping the Pride safe from that Scary Crocodile...
https://youtu.be/dbm-P7jaa_c
I'm thinking of telling Judy we should put a bird in the roaster the morning of January 8th. A feast in celebration sounds good to me.
Good afternoon
Sounds cool you sung in the Opera Ray. Sang in the choir in both junior high school and the church back in the day.
The name of our choir teacher in school was Mr Sundt and we practiced all 4 quaters to have a big recital at the end of the year. It was called (Twenty for 20), as it was 20 songs and the choir teachers last year of 20, before retirement.
Funny how one can still remember all the words of the favorite songs from way back then.
When my daughter was very little, we took her to a lot of plays and musicals. Our school system had an excellent music director and orchestra, so just a junior high production was a big deal. We started with Peter Pan, and eventually ended up in Boston for Cats. For a girl of five, seeing Peter and Wendy flying above her was quite a thrill.
Good morning from the sunny and warm West Coast.
Heard a thump and upon checking it out realized Frosty had dodged a bullet. Once I finish my coffee I'll hook up the truck and pull it off the road.
Opera? Opera?
Is that not a Browser for your Computicator?
LION *is* sophisticated! Him went to see the Bolshoi at Lincoln Center.
Tickets were only $50.00, but then that was fifty years ago.
Evenin' Folks!
Track fiddlerSounds cool you sung in the Opera Ray.
Well... A deep subject. I was a voice major at Eastman School of Music way back when (Public School Music major). Studied with Anna Kaskas, lead contralto at the Metropoliton before she became a professor of voice. My junior year I became a student of John Malloy, who was the lead Tenor at La Scala Opera House in Milan, Italy before he came to Eastman. Herr Maloy used to yell at me constantly because I was to become a Public School Music teacher and not become a Bass Baritone singing professionally. The final compromise was that I would have my teaching career and then he would get me singing engagements up and down the East Coast of the US that would be major $$$$ engagements. Unfortunately he passed away while I was still teaching and my owning a Pro Sound/Live Sound reinforcement company, DJ, and Recording business did in my hearing big time! ;)
I do still hold a record at Eastman School with a guy named Mitch Miller. You know him as the "Sing Along" guy, but at Eastman he was considered to be the finest Oboeist living when he was a student there. Mitch Miller and I are still the only two Undergraduate Education Majors to ever have our name in Lights on Eastman Theater.
He as a soliost with the Eastman Philharmonia and I as the Bass Soloist for the Kodaly Te Deum with the Eastman School Chorus and The Eastman Philharmonia.
OK.... Bragging done! I did, during my career, perform as a solist with several local Orchestras over the years before getting to the point where I was too deaf to do that. I do miss perfoming on stage!!!
Cold, but cool!
Storming towards Heber—1 by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Storming towards Heber—2 by Mike Danneman, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
gmpullman Cold, but cool! Storming towards Heber—1 by Mike Danneman, on Flickr Storming towards Heber—2 by Mike Danneman, on Flickr Cheers, Ed
I'd like some basic information about Mike Danneman. Yeah, I could go first to the 'net and see what's there, but . . .
At first glance, these two pictures have such vividness, clarity, and definition to make me think they were taken long after steam went out of style. Even if this was a local in Utah ("Heber"?), the crossbuck for the grade crossing is old style. I think the house could easily be something before the 60s. And if I'm right, it looks like and early or mid-50s Chevy or Ford pickup - that looks almost new. In short, if this was staged with a restored steamer (very few of which I have seen hauling freight drags) and a beautifully restored vehicle, this makes these generations old photos. If so, what did Danneman use to produce shots like these? I am always amazed with his - art.
John (the Attuvian variety)
Added observation: I do note that it was likely "staged" in at least one respect: Farmer Frank whould have had plenty of time to cross the tracks prior to the arrival of the train. Unless he was a railfan from a previous generation!
Well, a trip to the 'net did reveal that Mike was with Trains magazine from '90-'95. Which answers a number of questions here. But in some ways makes these shots even more impresive. I wish there was more about him as a person on line. Apparently nothing on background right off under Wikipedia.
Attuvian1Added observation: I do note that it was likely "staged" in at least one respect:
John, If you click the photo and go to the Flickr site you can often get additional photo information as to dates and photographer's comments.
Union Pacific No. 618 hauls a freight toward the Edwards Lane grade crossing, where a 1949 Chevy pickup waits for its passing. This photo freight is part of a winter photo shoot on Utah's Heber Valley Railroad on February 6, 2007.
See all of Mike's uploads at his Flickr gallery here (almost 3,300 photos):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikedanneman/
The Beilhack HB 1200S Snowblower control console:
Beilhack CN-3 by marche ou crève, on Flickr
At least a few of these mean-looking machines have been imported for North American use.
CSX MWK SB1000 Worcester MA 26 Jan 2005 20050126S-3 by Dick Leonhardt, on Flickr
CSX MWK SB1000 Worcester MA 26 Jan 2005 20050126S-4 by Dick Leonhardt, on Flickr
We’ve been eating summer greens from the garden for the past few weeks, but tonight some of the zucchinis were ready to pick, so made some “Zucchini Surprise”
Hi Bear,
Congratulations on your green thumb! We love eating produce from our own gardens (read 'Dianne's gardens' - I just watch and enjoy). Some of her plantings were hugely successful, like the jalepenos of which she harvested several dozen, and others were really good but not in the quantities that we had hoped for (we don't have a lot of space). Swiss chard is a favouite, and I love the beets. I wish we had a heated greenhouse. Romaine lettuce is currently $9.00 Cdn for three small stocks!
In contrast to your summer weather, we got several inches of snow last week and we are expecting a bunch more starting on Wednesday. There is a huge storm working its way across North America. Fortunately we never get it as bad as some areas like Niagara, where they can get several feet in a single event.
Enjoy the weather!
We actually got some good news today!
Dianne and I are members of the Probus Club which is a social club for seniors. They organize all sorts of interesting events including trips, dinner parties, monthly speakers etc. etc....
One of the things they do is have a wine contest each Christmas. Everyone who wishes to participate contributes one bottle of decent quality wine and a draw is held to determine the five winners. This year there are 78 bottles up for grabs. Each day, for the 11 days preceeding the draw, several names are eliminated so by the end of the 11 days there are only four people left (everyone's name goes back in for the fifth place draw). Dianne is still in the draw for one of the first four prizes!! That guarantees us at least 15 bottles of good wine, and if she gets 1st prize, we we will get 23 bottles! How's that for a stocking stuffer!!! We will have to buy another wine rack!
“Opera is where a guy gets stabbed in the back, and instead of dying, he sings.”-Robert Benchley.
You bet it's cold!
rr12596 by George Hamlin, on Flickr
You can hear the snow crunching under your soles...
rr12597 by George Hamlin, on Flickr
Brrrr — Ed
Good Morning Diners. Flo, coffee with a little Bailey's mixed in.
We got an unexpected $500 vet bill yesterday. By chance, my wife stayed home sick yesterday and mid-morning texted me saying one of our dogs had to go to the vet hospital as he was bleeding out of/by his butt. Turns out he has an infected anal gland (sorry, I know there is food being served here) that burst out through his skin. Several medications to treat it and three follow up visits scheduled. This one is going to hurt the 'ol wallet. He's already battling heart disease, so all this means five medications in the morning and six at night for a while. Now, he also has periodontal disease, so all the pills have to be crushed up and mixed with soft food. Since he has decided he is above canned dog food, he eats like a king.
Somewhere in Switzerland:
Good morning Diners. Another cold day. A large coffee with a shot of brandy please, Janie.
East Lancashire Railway Santa Specials. 11 Dec. 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dP-ONl5N70&ab_channel=T.M.Railways
6233 Duchess of Sutherland 11th Dec. 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5AjG2zo1Hw&ab_channel=TheSouthWesternTurbo159
Ah TF - Lion bait?
Good Morning All,
18F this morning with the 4"of s**w from Sunday still very much in evidence on the ground. Drs appointment this morning so I got in a bit early so I can get something done before leaving for my appointment. Just a regular to go please.
Car club dinner at West Points Thayer Hotel Sunday was nice. Got to see some friends and just spend a few hours relaxing. Got home in time to see the s**w really start to come down. West Point was really buzzing because of their win in double overtime over Navy. Oh well, wait til next year.
David - Sorry to hear about Dawns friend. Must have been quite a shock.
Time to get some stuff done. Ciao, J.R.