Elliotts Trackside Diner (est 1-1-07)

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang:Well 4 and a wake up. Today we went out for breakfast rather late, about 10am. john came over later and did some more cleaning up around the place for his mom. I feed the cattle and then put the log spliter on the tractor. Oh boy does that thing work good. I split up several pecan logs the I had cut a couple of years ago. I couldn't split them because they were too big. I guess that they were 2 to 3 feet in diameter. With the spliter mounted to the tractor I didn't have to carry them to the spliter. I just backed the spliter up to the log. I set the spliter in the vertical position and just worked it onto the spliter. It didn't take but 10 minutes to reduce the log to firewood. just about the time I was getting the 3rd log half split Mary Ann called and said she had a flat tire. So I had to go and get her and change the tire. We'll be getting a new set of tires tomorrow. That's the third flat on that set in the last month.

I'm going to cut out and hit the sack. 4:45am still comes early, but not for much longer.

[JimRCGMO]

I was looking for naval pictures to add to my screensaver and found this one.  I thought you might like it.

Where's RT? He'd appreciate that photo!

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[JimRCGMO]

Good evening, Diners. Janie, the herbed salmon steak, please, with some veggies, please.

Oh yeah, and a cup of mocha with that. Now that I've finished the dishes, I've worked up a bit of an appetite. Think I'll have an extra-large brownie a la mode after this, Janie. Thanks, Der.

Jeff, you must be pretty hungry today - roast duck and tacos both?  

Cold afternoon - hauled out 6 or 7 boxes to the dumpster, and after dessert I'll need to shred some papers I don't need (that have my old credit card numbers, SSN, etc. on them). Did find some more MR issues (from the 1990's - were buried inside a box of other papers...). Chilly and it was blowing out there - my sympathy for our friends in Nova Scotia (and Maine, Dick)! At least the wind chill 'warmed up' to 14 degrees (F)... They're saying tomorrow it'll warm up to maybe the 40's, but maybe a winter storm by the end of the week. Dang weather can't make up its mind!

May not get very much done on MR'ing (except possibly some reading or maybe work on layout design) over the next few weeks. Will have to hang in there until I can get into a new place and then resume layout work. 

Thanks for the info on the waves, DerJohn. But I'm still more of a Western (or Midwestern) person than a Nor'eastern type. Heck, one article I read today was on winter scenicking, and I don't think (unless I had some really tall mountains in some corner) that I could justify those. But I'll have lotsa chances for modeling dry washes, little creeks, and some cacti (probably a lot of tumbleweed, too!)... 

Ah, Janie - I'm ready for that supersized brownie a la mode now, please. Oh yeah, and a cup of coffee, too.

A bit of shredding to get done, and then a letter for the landlord to write. Then, I can get back to some MRR'ing reading.

Prayers for those needing them, including plenty of logs for those in the Northeastern contingent (that and a few dogs for stayin' warm tonight!). Take care!

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Looks like the U.S.S. New Jersey clearing her throat.

[Anonymous]

Hi.

I was looking for naval pictures to add to my screensaver and found this one.  I thought you might like it.

 

Happy MRRing

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Hi there, I'll have tacos today.

 

[Cox 47]

Afternoon....Just stopped in to BUMP this back to page 1......Jerry

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'll have the roast duck.

 

[Cox 47]

Afternoon All.....Its mostly cloudy and cold here today.....I just got up from a Sunday brunch with my favorite Gal so I'll just have another cup of coffee....Looks like its gonna be a lazy afternoon maybe catch up on reading model railroad mags....I am bidding on a old Atlas RS on Ebay...Looks like a basket case...I have heard the drives were early Kato so it might be worth fixing up....I am a easy touch when I see "basket case"......I'll just set back with my coffee and see who drops in...You all have a good one...Jerry

[der5997]

ETDs:  Another bright, calm and sunny morning, with the temperature by 11:00 hovering around the freezing point, in beneficent contrast to the brutal wind-chill on my walk last night. Cold enough for me to not take Rosie-the-dog, who didn’t even come out of her house when I left!

It’s a bit late for those excellent eggs Benedict for breakfast, so I’ll have them as a mid-morning snack. I was going to say "Thanks Jim!, but I see that it's my treat anyway!

 

CapeJim:

what do you call that stuff up there (that we call Canadian bacon here in the States)  

…sorry I missed this the first read through.  I think it’s just Back Bacon…other things it’s called are like “That lovely stuff we used to have before it all went south to expand their balance of payments deficit.” …”That stuff for breakfast that you only get in hotels”… etc. Kris says it's also called "Pea Meal" bacon (on account of it coming in chunks, covered in, you guessed it, pea meal.)  I think you get the picture from our family’s perspective.  It’s not an item we can afford, despite the fact that our Nova Scotia hog farmers are only getting Cnd$1.55 per lb for their product. (Cost of production $1.70, which is why we have a hog farm crisis raging right now.)

And Der, how'd you get the contours on those waves

..A lot of that was dumb luck.  However the purposed part was something like this… I poured fairly runny plaster for the sea by the wharf, and so it’s smoother, and I had to work a few wave forms into it (as well as push the plaster up to and into all the indents around the wharf piles).  For the Cove, I had a somewhat thicker mix, and the resultant pour turned out quite wavy on its own…  I pushed some of the shapes into directions I wanted.  The rock in that photo yesterday was chosen so that it could have water swirling from one side around to the under side, as you can see. .

The painting was a matter of using a mix of blues and greens, not just one colour.  The “water” is just several coats of Gloss Medium.

The foam is that Flex Paste / ground cookie tray plastic mix, over a base of Flex Paste applied to the tops of the waves in selected places, with a dry brushing of Flex Paste dabbed on behind the wave to create the spent wave crest effect, and a more or less transparent foamy look along the wharf and rocks.

 

 

Paul:

Der: That's really strange that they color those pecans that color. Maybe it's a marketing thing?

…Must be.  Back in the 19^th Century, at the beginning of food canning, canned peas in Englandwere coloured, I kid you not, with copper sulphate to make them green!   When this was better thought out, and the colour changed to a more natural one (or no colour added), Londoners refused to eat them because “they don’t look right!”

Enjoy your splitter.  Many of the guys around here have them.  We buy ready split, as our chain saw, while it works, needs the chain sharpening far too often. I haven’t learned the knack of doing that so it lasts properly.  There used to be a jig one could get to put the chain it, and a grind wheel was set at the correct angle for  the chain. Now all that's available are those (to me stupid) gauges that fit on the file, and are in my experience quite arbitary in how you hold them, despite their clever markings.   What am I missing?

 

OZJim:

to a DCC newbie, it's a little confusing

…No worries!  I haven’t had DCC that long, and don’t use more than perhaps 10% of what it can do.  Main thing for me is getting rid of block switches, and being able to double head, or more, with locos in different directions. (I’m in diesel). Ditch lights and all that stuff are “on the list”, but I’ve got lots of other projects before I get out that round toit.

 

Luc:  Good one!

 

Did get some work done on a couple of the hatches last night.  I must be patient and wait until they are dry enough to move this time.  That sawdust mix crumbles easily before it’s absolutely dry.  As I’ve been working on the bits where the joins are along the edges, I’ve used plastic wrap (from the kitchen, note to self...put it back!)over the sides of the hatches, so the mix on the edges of the hatch won't stick to the fixed sides.  That mix on top  will take much longer to dry out because it's base is agiant the plastic wrap, and can't dry as quickly.   More scenery this afternoon, with any luck.

 

TTFN

 

 

 

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

John: That sounds like some of my days (and nights). I remember a few years ago, at New Years, we had over 17 calls that night and another 37 the following day! Why? FIREWORKS! Vernon parish is the 3rd largest parish in Louisiana and we cover a fifth of it. That's a lot of territory.

[JPowell]

Morning all -

  I'll be a nice guy this mornign and 'go light' on JimCG's wallet. Chloe, how about 2 breakfast burittos and a side of hash browns, please? Thanks!

  Well all, not much to talk about right now other than about 5 'good' fire calls my dept has gone on in the last 48 hours. 3 of them in the past 13 hours! I have not heard details on most of them, but the 1st on was at 9am Friday at the local coffeeshop next door to the Village Hall (which incidentally is connected to the Firehouse). Seems the owner was in the basement thawing a frozen pipe w/ a blow torch and the heat caught some insulation on fire. Alot of smoke damage throughout the place and a little water damage in the basement. Then at 9am yesterday, there was a vehicle fire about 4 blocks from my apt and the car was 3 feet from a house. Then at 9pm last night we had a call (not sure for what or where other than it was a reported structure fire) Then at 12midnight, we had a 'possible structure fire' at an apartment about 10 blocks from mine (caller stated smelling smoke). At 3am today, we got called to a 'working structure fire' in a neighborning district. My dept sent in a ladder truck that was on scene w/in 5 minutes of receiving the call. About 10 minutes later, the order to 'evacuate the structure' was given. I have yet to see anything about this one on any of the local news sites or even the newspaper's website. I hope eveyone was ok.

Well, this about does it for now.

Take care!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Cold morning here - about 16 (F) out (with a wind chill of 1 measly degree...[brrr!]). The 'hottest' temp today is predicted at 27 degrees(before any wind chill). Dick and our Nova Scotian friends would consider that short-sleeve weather, of course...

Jim: I've been in parts of the world where that's considered a heat wave.

[JimRCGMO]

And a brisk morning, Diners! I'll have some of that eggs Benedict that Inch had (want to try them). Never had them before. Oh yeah, and a cup of Luc's fresh coffee and some french toast strips, please. Thanks, Zoe. 

Gee guys, you get the yummy food out after I'm gone. Made a guy's mouth water (I was wondering why my mouth was so wet last night - now I know! )  Lots of good food there. Zoe, the total is what? Ouch! Okay, soon as I finish this, Zoe, I'll be back in the scullery. 

Inch, I can relate to the frustration of not running trains! At least you'll have one mainline done today (hopefully) and will be able to get some running in later in the day. Just over a foot shouldn't take too long to finish up, and then - trains time.

PC, trust me - I definitely believe you could swing (and likely have) from a chandalier or two! I just meant you might not be the only one up there (if it would hold all the party animals). Fergie's got it nailed about the old parties, by the way. Oh, But as he said, we suspect the twins and cousin Vinny appear more likely to be expecting a little less raucous conduct (most of the time) at our parties. [:-^(But we'll still have some fun celebrations...)

Cold morning here - about 16 (F) out (with a wind chill of 1 measly degree...[brrr!]). The 'hottest' temp today is predicted at 27 degrees(before any wind chill). Dick and our Nova Scotian friends would consider that short-sleeve weather, of course... Didn't see any snow yesterday or this morning, and none on the ground when I got up, either. So could be much worse on the weather. Sounds from Paul's report like the whole middle of the U.S. is heading for (or already in) the freezer for a few days.

Well, the dishes await me, so I'll start on that pile in the sink. See everyone later today, and have a good Sunday.

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

 

[Anonymous]

"Would you mind telling me, Doctor," Bob asked, "how you detect a mental deficiency in somebody who appears completely normal?"

"Nothing is easier," he replied. "You ask him a simple question which everyone should answer with no trouble. If he hesitates, that puts you on the track."

"What sort of question?"

"Well, you might ask him, 'Captain Cook made three trips around the world and died during one of them. Which one?'

Bob thought for a moment, and then said with a nervous laugh, "You wouldn't happen to have another example would you? I must confess I don't know much about history."

[Anonymous]

Good morning

Happy MRRing

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning and top 'o' the day to all of ye. Sunny and cool today.

Today's Weather for:  
Sundown, LA  71446-6114      1/28/2007 

Live Conditions 7:19 AM
Sundown Fire Dept., Station 23
 
Wind Chill:  36°F
Humidity:  76%
Dew Point:  34°F
 
So Far Today
High:  51°F
Low:  41°F
Rain:  0.00"
Rain Rate:  0.00"/h
Gust:  24mph NNE

High: 49 °F
Low: 28 °F

Today  High: 52    Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. North winds 10 to 15 mph.  

Tonight  Low: 28    Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 20s. Light and variable winds.

Eggs Benedict today please.

[inch53]

Mornin, an irish coffee and a short stack please Janie

Cloudy today with a chance of snow flurries, 10 outside now,  with a wind chill bout -12, WNW winds at 17. High temp today of 18, Lovely day for a polor bear. The weather guessers got yesterday wrong, instead of drizzel or snow all day. We had some sun and not to bad temps. Turned out right nice for a winter day.

FERGIE, glad you got the plumbing problems worked out ok, and a sun room does sound good

LEE, that sounds like a great garden RR project up your, hope you get to help on it some. Kinda wish I lived closer, I'd help some.

JIM CG, the progess has been slow on the layout [nothin to write home about]. I just got tired of doing every thing else and not running any trains

Worked on the layout some yesterday, got all of one main line glued down,, but 14". So thats first thing for the day, Then I'm done laying track till I get back to the LHS or I find that other box of track connectors. Still have the power drops to install, but I've got to clear some of the boxes from under the layout to run any wires.

May not get much done today, #3 son and his are coming out for lunch. Best get ta moving on chores or I won't get much done. Hope ya'll has a good one and stay warm.

inch 

[Fergmiester]

 Dick can be such a party animal especially with Phil and company egging him on.

HEY!  I resemble that remark!

Happy Birthday Dick!

That may be true, PC, but Flip (aka Phil) has been known to party hearty in the CS, so Fergie might've meant either or both of ya...

 Well if truth be known, every time we have one of theose shindigs we always loose one or two CS patrons... or we think we do Turns out they were just under the tables sporting various self induced maladies. Then again in the old "rustic" place you could live off the floor for days and not worry about starving. As this place has a little more class that may not be possible.

Anyway busy day as I have to clear the deck for demolition and maybe I'll get the Tsunami's installed or at least started!

 Fergie

[LSWrr]

Good morning!

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

01-28-07

[gear-jammer]

, Dick.  Hope that you had a good one.

Sue

[Hoople]

I'm going to be getting a new camera soon. A Kodak 533c. I want one that can zoom in real close and take really clear shots, and this thing can zoom in on the hairs on a gnat's a**. And it's only $130. I tested many cameras and it outperformed several more expensive ones.

Neat.

I am going to get a Zephyr soon. I found out Empire northern models sells em' for $150.

YAY!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I'm going to be getting a new camera soon. A Kodak 533c. I want one that can zoom in real close and take really clear shots, and this thing can zoom in on the hairs on a gnat's a**. And it's only $130. I tested many cameras and it outperformed several more expensive ones.

[Paul W. Beverung]

PC: I'm sure that you could swing from the chandeler. Now if the chandeler could take the swing is another question.

Not much going on. The weather was nice early today. We picked up the wood spliter. It's a good one for sure. It's made in Canada. We spent the rest of the day cutting up the rest of the dead tree and a couple of others and hauling the cuttings off. The dump trailer really makes the job go  faster. About 3:30 a cold front hit and it got cold fast. It must have gone from the low 50s to the low 40s in a half hour. I don't think that the temp is going to be very good tomorrow.

Der: That's really strange that they color those pecans that color. Maybe it's a marketing thing?

Dick. Many more of them.

Well it's time to hit the sack.

[pcarrell]

Jim's hookin' me up with fajitas!  (He doesn't know it yet, but he is!)

[jeffrey-wimberly]

If Jim's buying, I'm eating! One Dagwood special and some chili please.

 

[pcarrell]

(...MAYBE IF I HIDE, THEY WON'T NOTICE I STARTED A NEW PAGE?...) Oh, well - it looks like I'm covering dinner and desert tonight. Chloe, let me know what the damage totals up to, and I'll start on the dishes just in case)

Ummmm, I noticed! 

And are you insinuating that I can't swing from the chandelier?  (well, maybe if I lost a couple of pounds I could)

[JimRCGMO]

Good evening, and I'll take a break from the dishwashing for a minute, okay Chloe? Just a cup of hot cocoa, please, and one of those fudge brownies you pulled out of the oven a few minutes ago. Yum - love 'em warm out of the oven! Bet those will go pretty quickly when the crew gets in... 

der, the waves look really good!

Amen, Lee - and (at risk of being accused of being a nurseryman, So, Lee, are you switching to transition era for your layout? Good choice (IMHO)! And Der, how'd you get the contours on those waves - that really looks fine!

JP, I sent you a reply on your email.

Fergie - good to hear about your getting the variance for your sewer/w.c. lines. Now the renov. can proceed ahead full steam. The sunroom sounds like an excellent idea for your Dad. Oh, say Hi to Teffy for me the next time you talk with him, please.

Decided I'll be moving some/most stuff I can to the storage shed as an in-between measure, and only move bare necessities (like computer, music, TV and stand, etc. (oh yeah, clothes and toiletries, too!) Then as weather and temp permits once I'm in the new place, start sorting at the shed and only move stuff into its designated place(s). Going to try to start out and stay better organized in this next apartment. That way, I should have better placement (and maybe more space that's usable) for my MRR'ing stuff. I'm leaning toward one particular place, after going through a list of places from the Chamber of Commerce and weeding out the ones in not-so-good parts of town (or that I know are old buildings) and the ones that are way out of my price range. Even so, I'll probably be paying $100 more a month than I am now. But the place I'm thinking of picking has in-building laundry facilities, covered decks out front, and they make a point of trying to run a clean and quiet place. I'm tired of noisy neighbors and neighborhood kids just hanging around the stairway. (Okay, end of rant. And those of the Diners here who are teenagers, I consider you as more intelligent, motivated and with better manners than those in my current neighborhood. No comparison!) 

Better get back to the dishwashing - Chloe said there were a bunch left from the breakfast and lunch bunch earlier, and she was tied up with baking those delectable brownies. Say, Chloe, how about I take another one back to the kitchen with me? Puhleeeze? Yay! 

 

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau 

[JimRCGMO]

 Dick can be such a party animal especially with Phil and company egging him on.

HEY!  I resemble that remark!

Happy Birthday Dick!

That may be true, PC, but Flip (aka Phil) has been known to party hearty in the CS, so Fergie might've meant either or both of ya...

 

Jim in Cape Girardeau (laying low for a few minutes while I finish catching up on the posts here in the corner...)

(...MAYBE IF I HIDE, THEY WON'T NOTICE I STARTED A NEW PAGE?...) Oh, well - it looks like I'm covering dinner and desert tonight. Chloe, let me know what the damage totals up to, and I'll start on the dishes just in case)