"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Good afternoon Diners. Had some blod 'pinched by the Vampire Nurse' this morning. I need a large coffee with some rum please, Janie.
Last night we watched a 'Christmas Fair from Strasbourg' on Youtube. It brought back memories of my visit there in th 1970s. A beautiful cathedral. Walking beside the river. The architecture on the buildings. A gorgeous city indeed.
In the train room later.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
The Bear Gidday Chloe, I’m not sure, after reading Mr. Tfs close encounter with a blue heron, that offering my fellow diners sushi is appropriate!! Sushi by Bear, on Flickr Just a flying visit
You busted my gut!!!
After about 45 years or so, I've recovered from that bad bird day, but don't know how soon I'll recover from this one
The sushi looks pretty good on that black platter! I'll take a few of the Cucumber looking ones Bear
Thanks
TF
Good morning, diners. Bacon, eggs, and coffee, please.
TF, after reading your heron story, I'll make sure to stay away from that bird if I see it again.
Bear, enjoy your visit with your daughter. Nothing better than having grown children come back for vacation.
It's another fall day, another day to pick up leaves. We were supposed to get quite a bit of snow beginning tomorrow, but the latest forecast shows the storm going south of us through Kansas. We should get only a small amount. I need to get the snowblower out and make sure it works before we get a bigger snowfall.
Work on the layout bridge is coming along, but slowly.
Hope everyone has a great day.
San Clemente, California:
Amtrak San-Clemente-line heading to Los Angeles Union Station. by D B Morton, on Flickr
York1 John
York1 Good morning, diners. Bacon, eggs, and coffee, please. TF, after reading your heron story, I'll make sure to stay away from that bird if I see it again.
They're safe to view on the ground John, just don't get under those things
Good Morning,
Up early today as had to take my wife in to get her eye checked. The scratch is all healed which is good news.
Yesterday we hit 50F here which is a near record. All the snow has melted and even though it will only get to 30F today it nevers seems as cold as long as there isn't any snow.
Say, I think it is Ray's birthday around this date. Best Wishes to you!
Fifty years ago this week I drove to Florida with my friend from universiy days, Terry. We drove from London where I was living at that time. The car was my '73 Nova coupe. We saw a lot, Disney World, Daytona Beach, Key West and Ft. Lauderdale. Sadly Terry passed away a few years ago. We did meet a couple of student nurses from Michigan. Wonder what Jill looks like now. Sure was hot then.
No plans for today. We are expecting a box of Christmas goodies we ordered from Holts. They have the best panetones. Also a Christmas pudding. Cutting back on the gifts this year as our nieces don't reciprocate even though both are very well off. I don't want or need anything myself.
Coffee time again,
CN Charlie
Sorry about your friend Terry Charlie.
Stay positive at this age and keep looking forward right
Thanks TF. Terry was a great guy, a real character. He developed MS when he was about 45. We were in the same course at university and room mates for 2 years so were close.
...
Good times remembered trough the good and bad. Bittersweet.
Don't feel alone. We've all had a few of those.
Howdy diners. Chloe, a chocolate malt please.
Taking a break from Thanksgiving prep. My feet hurt. Took my wife, daughters, and a couple of their friends to a concert last night. Had to stand for over 2 hours in order to see anything as everyone was standing when the main band was out there. They were good live, but I really don't know their music. At least they played all four of their songs I know!
richhotrainMike, sorry to hear about your NCE system. Which system do you use and what went haywire? Rich
Hope everyone has a great day!
Mike
Hi Everyone,
Brunhilda, hard cider for everyone, please.
i know it's a few hours early, but Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
I know I have a lot to be thankful for.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Mike, did you send in the command station as well or just the throttle?
Bummer!
Rich
Alton Junction
Water Level RouteHad to stand for over 2 hours in order to see anything as everyone was standing when the main band was out there.
And why do they do that? If everyone sits isn't that the same view as when everyone stands?
Only thing worse is when the standing individual has to wear a big hat.
maxman Only thing worse is when the standing individual has to wear a big hat.
Evenin' guys. Just finished the rest of the food prep for tomorrow. My feet are absolutely killing me. The alarm will go off at about 5:30 in the morning so I can get the smoker going so that turkey will be done in time. Every time I question my sanity on holidays like this, I remember why I do it (my cooking vs the inlaws) and that makes it better. :)
richhotrainMike, did you send in the command station as well or just the throttle? Bummer! Rich
maxmanIf everyone sits isn't that the same view as when everyone stands?
In case I don't make it into the diner tomorrow, I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!
(Doesn't look bad for an Amtrak Thanksgiving dinner)
Art work in clay twenty five years ago. TF
Art work in clay twenty five years ago.
Cold distance glistening
Hot armor melting the silence to Stone
Still remember the dream there
Still remember the time you said goodbye
Waiting in the sunshine.
Is that how that went?
Good morning!
Bill Tidler Jr.
Near a cornfield in Indiana...
Good morning, diners. No breakfast yet. I'll have bacon and eggs later when I get home from church.
Originally we were going to get some snow tomorrow, but the possibility has been pushed to Saturday and the amounts have steadily been revised down. The latest says probably no snow. I'm not upset.
All three of my daughters live quite a distance away. Each of them invited us to come stay with them for Thanksgiving. However, they will all be here for Christmas, so my wife and I just decided to stay home.
I bought a small turkey and the stuff to make dressing, so we will just watch football and celebrate here. I'm sure the dog is happy she won't be boarded for several days.
At my age, I have been wondering why I have been so blessed and many others aren't. I certainly don't deserve any better than anyone else, so I am very thankful for what I have and the way my life has gone.
Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone.
Yuba Gap, California, the day after Thanksgiving:
Yuba Gap, CA by Matt Batryn-Rodriguez, on Flickr
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
TF, that fireplace sure looks inviting!
So far, so good. I have not heard any Holiday Pop on the radio. I like real Christmas music, but the endless reputation about snowmen and reindeer makes me glad my car still has a CD player. I don’t drive much, either.
Sorry, I typed "repetition" but some AI bot changed it to "reputation."
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Track fiddler Cold distance glistening Hot armor melting the silence to Stone Still remember the dream there Still remember the time you said goodbye Waiting in the sunshine. Is that how that went? TF
TF is that not "Long Distance Runaround" by Yes?
Thanksgiving by Bear, on Flickr
Good morning on a cold Friday. Bacon, eggs, and black coffee, please.
The high today is going to be only 25°F, so this will be the coldest day for the past month. In a couple of months this won't seem cold, but it sure is right now. The good news is that the snow is staying about 50 miles west of us.
Bill, I love the picture of the old diner!
The good news today is that I'm getting ready to lay track onto the (old) new bridge. Changing the bridge from single to double track has actually been a little easier than I thought. For me, a challenging part is to get the bridge installed and the track run on it with no dips or abrupt changes. It will keep me busy today.
I have never ridden the California Napa wine train, but it looks like fun:
Napa Valley's RS11 by CN Southwell, on Flickr
Have a great end to the week, everyone.
up831 Track fiddler Cold distance glistening Hot armor melting the silence to Stone Still remember the dream there Still remember the time you said goodbye Waiting in the sunshine. Is that how that went? TF Hi Everyone, TF is that not "Long Distance Runaround" by Yes?
Hi Jim
Yes, ...well kinda
Good Afternoon,
Got some good news today. Had my annual checkup with my urologist. It has been 7 years since my surgery and my PSA is less than 0.01% so have the all clear.
Cold wind today but it is sunny. Was going to go on an errand but it can wait until tomorrow. Enjoying a cupa and a toasted cinammon bagel right now far better than going out.
Got my Steam in Ontario calendar for next year. Only RR item for me until the Steam in Port Credit book comes out, likely in January.