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Posted by Willy2 on Sunday, June 22, 2008 8:14 AM

Happy Birthday, Joe! Happy B-Day [bday]

Well, we're leaving for vacation within the hour (I hope!). I've got the camera, just in case there is anything interesting to share when we get back.

Willy

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Posted by locomutt on Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:10 AM

Joe, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!  Many, Many More!! Happy B-Day [bday]

 

Willy, Have a Safe Vacation, take plenty of "Sharing Pictures"!! 

(last time I was through Branson, they didn't have as many Celebrity Places

as they do now......come to think of it, there might not have been any then!) 

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

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Posted by blhanel on Sunday, June 22, 2008 10:17 AM

Happy B-Day [bday], Joe!

Safe travels, Willy, and have fun!

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Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, June 22, 2008 10:31 AM
 JoeKoh wrote:

good morning

Cw and Mookie thanks for the birthday wishes.Lunch? just put some burgers ,brats and hot dogs on the grill.The weather followed us down to my sisters and we had a rain delay for the cookout.After it stopped we were still able to go outside.Matts is sleeping in this morning.They are calling for more afternoon showers today.off to look for some trains...

stay safe

joe

 

Joe, your Birthday Wish is my command!  I've just got the grill fired up, and it appears to be heating nicely.  Meanwhile, the hot dogs, burgers and brats are ready to go on.  I've also fixed some baked beans, macaroni & cheese, cole slaw, potato salad, and a Hawaiian salad.

For dessert, there's the pre-requisite chocolate cake w/white icing and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE!  written on it; along with blueberry, apple, cherry and peach cobblers, and plenty of ice cream.  

We also have plenty of iced tea (sweetened, non-sweetened, and lemon wedges on the side, that you can add yourselves, lemonade, limeade and the blue Gatorade.  

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, June 22, 2008 7:22 PM

Cw

thanks for supper tonight.willy have a safe trip.we had some afternoon thunderstorms roll through today.Time to get ready for work.thanks again everyone.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, June 22, 2008 9:07 PM

A middling day on the railroad, passenger count-wise, but at least it didn't rain (and then not very hard) until we got the train parked for the night. 

I'm tired.   And headed for bed.

See ya in the AM, most likely.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by edblysard on Monday, June 23, 2008 2:23 AM

From the Mookie's driveway to mine...868.3 miles.

Drive time excluding food and bathroom breaks, 13 h 46 m...average speed 64.5 miles per hour.

Fuel...22.5 mpg on 10% ethanol...the Magnum dosent like that stuff.....

Met the engineer...impressed and will expand on that tomorrow, ugh, later this morning when my eyes can focus...

Will have to watch the older daughter, she knows where the Mookie's driver lives....I kept waiting for them to have a burp off or a karate match....both of them shoot from the lip faster than you can, trust me....

Forget spell check, I'm going to bed.

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Posted by cherokee woman on Monday, June 23, 2008 5:22 AM

Good Monday morning, everyone.  Ed, glad you all made it home safely!  I know a good time was had by all.  Hope you can relax today, rest up from all the driving.   Looking forward to hearing more about your trip to Lincoln.

Coffee, juices, teas, lemonade, and Gatorade are all ready to go this morning.  On the breakfast bar, our regular breakfast menu, including bagels, bear claws, and pancakes.

On a sad note, heard this morning on the news that comedian George Carlin passed away last night, from heart failure.  I immediately thought of when he came onto Shining Time Station, as Mr. Conductor, after Ringo Starr left.  And wasn't George the one who would throw watermelons on stage?  Rest in peace, Mr. Carlin.

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, June 23, 2008 6:22 AM

Ed glad you made it back safely. Cw yes I will miss george carlin too.the only watermelon specialist I know of is gallegher(sp?).Thanks for breakfast.I think mookie and driver will both need naps today.I put an extra pillow in the hammock.

stay safe

joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

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Posted by Modelcar on Monday, June 23, 2008 6:28 AM

.....Boy, Ed....my rough and tumble guess was really close.  I pulled out my atlas the other day when Jen said you were coming and said to my self....Hm....sounds like about 800mi....That is a few miles to pile up on a continous run.  Our run over to the home area is 400 and that seems like a bit of distance, but then age does "adjust" things a bit....Used to be much easier, in a way....46 years ago.  But then I had to wind right thru some cities on "main st." as the interstates were not complete yet.

Good to hear you made it safely back to the big Houston Ed.

Quentin

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, June 23, 2008 7:44 AM

I am so glad Houston made it back to Houston safely.  I feel like I drove all that way that morning but after some eye drops and coffee, will feel lonely, but much better.  We had a great visit and we so enjoyed meeting the other half of the family.  They are well-mannered and yet fun young ladies! 

Hate to hear about George Carlin - He did the 7 words and some very good explanations of life, according to George.

Driver off today - errands and fishing are on the menu.   

Happy Monday!

Mook

PS - Tree - praise well deserved!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by blhanel on Monday, June 23, 2008 7:48 AM
 edblysard wrote:

From the Mookie's driveway to mine...868.3 miles.

Drive time excluding food and bathroom breaks, 13 h 46 m...average speed 64.5 miles per hour.

Fuel...22.5 mpg on 10% ethanol...the Magnum dosent like that stuff.....

Whistling [:-^]That's a pretty good stretch.  Longest day driving for me was a few years ago when I ran out to CA to move my son and his wife back to CR- I went from Denver to LA, alittle over 1000 miles, in one day.

I've read where others have lower mileage with the ethanol blend, but it doesn't seem to matter to our Grand Caravan.  It seems to average around 23 MPG no matter what I pump into the tank.

Next time you come up this way, swing on over to Iowa- maybe we'll even have some railroads running in CR by then!Sigh [sigh]

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Posted by SactoGuy188 on Monday, June 23, 2008 8:18 AM
 cherokee woman wrote:

Coffee, juices, teas, lemonade, and Gatorade are all ready to go this morning.  On the breakfast bar, our regular breakfast menu, including bagels, bear claws, and pancakes.

On a sad note, heard this morning on the news that comedian George Carlin passed away last night, from heart failure.  I immediately thought of when he came onto Shining Time Station, as Mr. Conductor, after Ringo Starr left.  And wasn't George the one who would throw watermelons on stage?  Rest in peace, Mr. Carlin.

Good morning everyone. Thanks for the cold drinks--we could use it here in Sacramento, CA. Smile [:)]

Despite the fact we knew Carlin was in failing health, it shocked me that Carlin passed away yesterday. George Carlin pushed the bounds of stand-up comedy without the cynicism that ruined Lenny Bruce's career, and that's why Carlin was still performing just as recently as a week ago. He will be seriously missed. Sad [:(]

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, June 23, 2008 8:37 AM
 edblysard wrote:

Will have to watch the older daughter, she knows where the Mookie's driver lives....I kept waiting for them to have a burp off or a karate match....both of them shoot from the lip faster than you can, trust me....

I checked with the Driver - he said his part was only the karate....and maybe a little of the lip.....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, June 23, 2008 8:43 AM

I think it was another guy whose schtick is/was smashing fruit - they pass out ponchos to those in the front row.

What I loved about Carlin was his questioning the obvious - things we say every day that, if you think about them, just don't make sense.  One comes to mind:

Why is it we drive on the parkway and park on the driveway?

I call them Carlinisms.

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

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Posted by Modelcar on Monday, June 23, 2008 9:18 AM

....Remember when he used to appear on Johnny Carson dressed in suit and tie and goomed haircut....Actually looked like most other guests and then....Whatever happened to change him, he certainly did.

Quentin

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, June 23, 2008 11:16 AM

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/blogs/default.asp?BlogID=663

Class Act CPR ! Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup]

There won't be a dry eye in the diner for a while.

 

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
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Posted by edblysard on Monday, June 23, 2008 11:46 AM

Ok,

Awake, with the help of a few cups of coffee.

Quentin, drove up and back on highway 77 instead of the I 35 corridor, and the north east end of Kansas is quite pretty, lots of hills and valleys with the road running through cuts in the limestone, and a lot of small towns with turn of the century downtown areas, gotta love all that stone arch architecture.

 

Mookieville is really nice this time of year, all green and cool mornings...down here it is 95 degrees with 80% plus humidity by 8 in the morning, up there it was in the lower 70s till 10, really pleasant.

 

Both daughters want to move in with Mookie and the Driver...told Aimee we could give them bus fare and as soon as the tail lights went around the corner, we could take off for Mexico...She almost considered it!

 

Almost scary how both kids paired up with Mookie and the Driver.

Beth and the Driver both take what ever life hands them, and run with it.

If it rains, they find a way to play in it, if the sun shines, they figure out how to make shade.

Both can tell you the most outrageous things with perfectly straight faces, both are quick to shoot from the lip, with a sense of humor that makes you worried!

 

Mookie and Morgan are cut from the same cloth...give them both a book and a cool shady spot to read, and they can quite happily disappear for the rest of the day.

They could sit on the front porch and watch the world go by, and be as happy as a clam.

Neither one misses anything, both are reserved, careful with what they do and say, and are honest to a fault.

Both are quietly stubborn, you couldn't force either one of them to do something they didn't want to do, no matter how hard you tried.

 

Met Mookies "Old Engineer"...

Could have sat on the side porch the rest of the day listening to him, he has a personality that is entertaining and engaging.

 

A firm handshake, a clear look in the eye, gentle smile and a sincere "how do you do" all let you know you know you just met someone from the old school, where a mans word and handshake was more iron clad than any contract.

 

If I had to use one word to describe him, that word would be "gentleman", he epitomizes the true idea of one.

 

Living proof that you don't have to be rude, loud or indifferent to get along in this world, and that all you need is your morals, and the willingness to do what you know is right.

 

I would have loved to have had the chance to be his conductor.

 

You could probably learn more from this man about mid century railroading, (and the people who worked there) in one afternoon than if you read all the books ever written on the subject.

His reminiscences brought the era alive, made all the more enjoyable because you were listening to a man who was there, and could describe the times in a way that made it seem like just yesterday engineers used their watch and telegraph poles to judge their track speed.

I was both impressed and honored that Mookie though well enough of me to introduce us, and will remember that day the rest of my life.

 

And yes, Mookie, you need to find a way to bottle that!

 

 

 

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Posted by Mookie on Monday, June 23, 2008 2:31 PM

You know - it seems there are always individuals or groups of people that like to rain on everyone's parade.  Then you have individuals and groups that will take you to the parade.  We thank you, Ed and family, for a great weekend and hope we can do it again sometime soon. 

This diner has so many nice people, so far away!  Maybe someday....

Mook/Driver 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by grampaw pettibone on Monday, June 23, 2008 3:50 PM
My uncle was a freight conductor on the ACL. I never got the chance to reminisce with him and alzheimer came calling far too soon. As a child, we would visit them. We would walk to the tracks behind the house that were the then Florence SC-Augusta main, and right on time, watch those big Fs make the wide turn west of town and barrel past us with him hanging out the window waving. The ACL was not one to tarry, and right on time, was there here and gone. My uncle died in 1967 and was my one touch with the industry before becoming a fan. Knowing him led to wanting to trying for the RR, but a bad back ruled that out. RIP Uncle Mayo, you are well remembered.

Tom

COAST LINE FOREVER

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Posted by cherokee woman on Monday, June 23, 2008 5:13 PM
Mookie, Ed and Tom, you all make me realize even more, how I wish I could have known my paternal grandfather.  He worked for L&N, and I wish he could have lived long enough to tell us his (his grandchildren) stories of working on the railroad!  How I would have loved that! 
Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by grampaw pettibone on Monday, June 23, 2008 5:41 PM

CW, those old timers were tough. A friend's father was a switchman on the ACL, and remembers snow so deep that his father had to climb out the window to go to work at the switch he tended. He was not sure that any trains would run, but had to be there in case. Another story is an engine pulling into the yard at Florence with everybody pointing at the front of the engine. The engineer found a young calf above the pilot and apparently unharmed. Nobody ever saw him on the tracks or had any idea he was hitch hiking. Anyway, the engineer took him home and raised him. Another engineer noticed the chickens roosting on the wood fence beside the tracks as he pulled out each evening. Next time, he brought a short stick and poked a big rooster and watched him roll off the fence. This was done for the next few weeks. One evening, he couldn't find his stick and as the engine passed it, the rooster looked at him and rolled off the fence! There were several derailments on the big turn entering the yard on the Charleston run, and listening to the old timers discussing  the wrecks and the crews was fascinating. Some of the talk about a fiery tempered red headed conductor were hilarious. Remind me sometime when I am mellow and I will pass them on. There were engineers that people were afraid to ride with, because they would be on time or else, to the point of being dangerous.... Times sure have changed

Tom

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It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof than to share a house with a contentious woman! (Solomon)

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Posted by cherokee woman on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 5:28 AM

Good morning everyone!  Looks like another beautiful day in store for today.  Nice sunshine, and not too hot, highs are expected to be in the mid 80s again; but, tonight, the humidity will start rising, and will have more chances of rain showers.  

Coffee, teas and juices are ready to pour, and on the breakfast/warmer bar this morning:  turkey bacon, pork sausage, hash browns, scrambled eggs, biscuits & gravy, buttermilk pancakes w/syrup, bagels, bear claws and fresh sliced pineapple.  

Already have lunch/supper going in the Crock Pot:  beef roast, taters & carrots, and in another pot, shellie beans w/onion, and will fix some salads and cole slaw to go along with it.  Might even fix corn on the cob, if you all want some today.

 

Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 6:14 AM

..... 59.9 degrees here the first I looked this morning....and it looks like it will be a really nice day here too.

Must continue to work away {out of the sun, on the shady side}, trimming shrubs again today....I created a monster years ago in planting them.  Have already had more than a dozen of the originals removed and still have many more.

But I must keep working away on them 'till I get all of them trimmed.

Then later when the dew is off the grass, another mowing is due.  Must do that {shrub trimming}, at least twice a season, plus a bit of touch up in between.

Quentin

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Posted by grampaw pettibone on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 6:47 AM
Good mornin' all ye goode folke! At present, 66 degrees and pea soup fog in Carolina with another hotten likely. Thanks for breakfast, CW. I tried to get in around 0530 and found the door locked.... Quentin, yard work is punishment for past sins, at least in this part of the world. When it is hot and muggy, as it usually is, it feels like punishment of some kind. My mother, rest her soul worked outside whenever she could, and cultivated a half acre or more of azaleas, rhotodendrums, camellias and other nice stuff. At present, the area is overrun with briars and mimosa trees and I guess I shall get a talking to when I see her in gloryland. FWIW, the mimosa is the worst tree on God's blue planet. It spreads like wildfire and if you cut one, two grow back. Dig it up and a couple of years later, it's back! Everybody keep safe and cool

Tom

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It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof than to share a house with a contentious woman! (Solomon)

A contentious woman is like a constant dripping! (Solomon)

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Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 8:30 AM

....Tom, I don't mind the mowing part....actually kinda like doing that.  Of course the John Deere is doing the "work" on that job, but I enjoy being out in the yard where our surroundings are rather nice and enjoy it all.  Now trimming {shrubs}, is of a different story.....I can go at it for a while and then the back starts "talking" to me a bit...But must get to them as they "get away from one" easy enough as it is....A most beautiful day here.

My back yard joins a golf course fairway and their mowing and my mowing, etc.....presents a nice stretch of green to enjoy.

Quentin

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Posted by blhanel on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 10:08 AM
 Modelcar wrote:

My back yard joins a golf course fairway and their mowing and my mowing, etc.....presents a nice stretch of green to enjoy.

I think I would don a football outfit while mowing, though...Clown [:o)]

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Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 10:44 AM

...Brian....there is a "Tee" right out to the right of us but hardly any balls come in the yard except those that hit a tree and bounce back.  I do have quite a few egg cartons filled with balls.  We generally give them to someone we know that golfs.

There has been exceptions though.....Once in a great while one will get in as far as along side the house.  Distance:  About 100' from the edge of the fairway.  And on one occasion....Some years ago....had one hit the front of the house....!  On the other side of our street are another line of houses and another fairway behind those....and a "Tee" just a bit east of us.....So whomever did it, had to slice it at least 300' to get it all the way from back on that fairway, across properties, across the street and half way up on our property to hit the front of our house....But someone actually did...!

Quentin

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Posted by grampaw pettibone on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 10:56 AM
Quentin, we live at least 10 miles from the nearest golf course, and I continually find balls in my front yard. Someday, I'm gonna catch that sucker with the bad slice (10 mile)!! My dogs find them in the fenced in yard and bring them to the door. From the sound of your description, you live in a beautiful location. My hat's off to you for the work you do to keep it that way.

Tom

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It is better to dwell in the corner of a roof than to share a house with a contentious woman! (Solomon)

A contentious woman is like a constant dripping! (Solomon)

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Posted by Modelcar on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 11:15 AM

.....Tom, you fellows must have some supermen  down your way.....

On the niceness.....We purchased this location {2 lots}, back in early 1971 and had this place built right in the center of them, so we do have nice space around us.  Of course this is flat country for the most part.  Muncie elevation:  937' at the airport.

It's not real fancy but we really like it here and try to keep it nice.  Guess that trait in me, runs in my family....{keeping the yard, etc....nice}.  And of course the wife seems to dictate the operations inside...ha.  It also has to be just so.

Quentin

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