THE FLAT WHEEL DINER AND COFFEE SHOP-MAY ISSUE

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning---We are sitting at the mighty 2C---we have a frost on ever't'ing this morning. It did the usual cloud up and be dull all day only to clear up 5 minutes before sunset. We're supposed to get a mix of sun/cloud---with emphasis on the cloud

Got all kinds of running around to do so maybe I'll see a few trains to photograph-----you think it be possible?----maybe? --kinda sorta?

You all have a good one!

[cherokee woman]

Good Tuesday morning, everyone.  Nice and cool here in Louisville, KY, with a temp of 51 degrees.  Supposed to make it up to 75 today.  

Coffee, hot chocolate, juices and hot water for tea are ready.  On the warmer bar this morning:  bagels, bear claws, turkey bacon, (pork)sausages, scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast. 

Mookie, here's your coffee mug.  If I didn't have Tuesday Produce, you and I could go sit out in the garden with our coffee.  Maybe we might be able to do that sometime this afternoon.

You all enjoy your breakfast, have a good morning,take care and I'll see you all later.

 

[Deggesty]

Mookie

Johnny - aren't animals great.  But you said exactly why I would never have another dog, cat, fish, bird, snail or lizard - I can't go thru the heartbreak of losing them.  Plus the landlord has asked that we have no pets.  Hence the squirrels and birds.  If they disappear, I never know the difference.

I don't mind a dog barking occasionally.  But these dogs have no timers on them.  Early, late, overnite, and like a good chorale group - "a-one-a and a-two-a". 

My folks had a dog 2 houses down from them for years that Dad called him "the yodeler".  And yes, he did.

There are no bad dogs; just bad parents.....

 

Yes, Mookie, animals, especially dogs, are great. After my grandfather died, my mother, my brother who was still at home, and I moved in with my grandmother. For some reason, she did not like dogs, so we had to get rid of the two we had (we had had one for almost ten years, and the other one was four or five years old). For thirty-one years, I had no dog. Then, I had first one and then the other for twenty-four years altogether. When I turn my computer on, I see a picture of Buddy (wallpaper), and think of the wonderful times we had together. I still walk some of the routes we took when I was exercising him (he did not know it was for his health; he thought it was so he could do his duty in inspecting the neighborhood, finding out who had been around and letting it be known that he had been there).

It is true that many people have no idea of the problems their pets provide, and there are those who have no understanding as to how to discipline their pets. One example: a dog had run out of the house, and returned when his mistress called him. After he had done what she wanted him to do, she called him, "Bad Dog,"  as though he could connect the punishment with what he had done before he obeyed, and not think he was bad because he had come.

By the way, have you been reading the "What's in a name?" thread? Doublestack wants you to explain your screen name. I thought of referring him to your response to my curiosity, but it would be too difficult for me to find it now.

Johnny

[Modelcar]

Deggesty

Is your fertilizer spreader self-propelled?

 

Johnny, it's done by a local lawn service....4 times a season.  Sometimes it's liquid and today their {motorized spreader}, installed pellets.  It really does make it grow fast, but sure is pretty nice to have all round our home.  5/8 of an acre.

[Deggesty]

tree68

Deggesty

I will tell her to hush, but she pays no attention to me.

If you know her name, use it.  That usually confuses the daylights out of them - "How did he know my name?!?!?"

I call her by her name, but it makes no difference. If her owner is present when I go over, she does not bark, but if he is not, she barks. It may be that, even after several years, she is uncertain about me and lets her worry be known. The other dog lets me pet him every time, but she is quite leery.

Johnny

[JoeKoh]

Afternoon

well matt came home from school and had a surprise.Mom and Dad had bicycles too!.Mom had to shake the rust off but we had a small ride.Need to resituate the storage in the shed.Mom and I also agreed after our dog went to the vet for the last time no more pets.We have a problem with people moving out and leaving their CATS behind.Cw thanks for supper.Time to get some chores done and get ready for work.Hey Modelcar the weather guessers are saying maybe another inch of rain by thursday.I might need to bale by then.

stay safe

joe

[Mookie]

Johnny - aren't animals great.  But you said exactly why I would never have another dog, cat, fish, bird, snail or lizard - I can't go thru the heartbreak of losing them.  Plus the landlord has asked that we have no pets.  Hence the squirrels and birds.  If they disappear, I never know the difference.

I don't mind a dog barking occasionally.  But these dogs have no timers on them.  Early, late, overnite, and like a good chorale group - "a-one-a and a-two-a". 

My folks had a dog 2 houses down from them for years that Dad called him "the yodeler".  And yes, he did.

There are no bad dogs; just bad parents.....

 

[Deggesty]

Modelcar

Lawn is being fertlized now as I write

Is your fertilizer spreader self-propelled? When I was a boy, I knew a man who had a self-propelled lawnmower. He would let his cow out in front of the house, and she never wandered out into the road, but stayed in the yard.

Johnny

[tree68]

Deggesty

I will tell her to hush, but she pays no attention to me.

If you know her name, use it.  That usually confuses the daylights out of them - "How did he know my name?!?!?"

[Deggesty]

Mookie

I have to do everything but take the dogs, put postage on them and mail them into animal control

You should have done that last week, before the postage rates went up.

On dogs–

After we married, Ricki and I could not agree as to where to keep a dog (She knew only house dogs, and I knew only yard dogs), so we did not get one–until Katie, her older daughter, brought a little, solid black, half black lab, half golden retriever puppy home. The thought was that the dog would go with Katie when she moved out, but circumstances dictated that the dog, named "Mountain Dog," stayed, and we discovered that the dog’s full name was "Beautiful Black Mountain Doggy Girl" ("Girl," for short ). After fourteen years as a house dog, Girl became too feeble to stay with us any longer, so we took her to a vet for the last time.

The following winter, we took charge of a ten-month old dog who, we were told, was a purebred yellow lab, but had no papers. As he matured, we realized that the description may have fitted his mother, but his father was also a dog. We never figured out just what breeds were present, but they all added up to a fine, eighty-five to ninety pound lap dog. He had been called "Budkis" by his first owner, but we preferred "Buddy’ (and several other names which were said nicely). If he came into a room where both Ricki and I were, he would come up and greet each one of us. He, too, fell ill to troubles (cancer), and we asked a vet to come to house to take care of him.

What aroused their barking? A junior high school is just back of our house, and a bushhog was used to cut the grass. Its appearance would set Girl off–and Buddy never was bothered by it. He was quite concerned about many people who passed in front of the house (particularly the children on their way to or from the elementary (I never went to an elementary school; I went to a grammar school) school down the street–and hardly ever did anyone out front disturb Girl.

There are two dogs who live across the street, and are often in the front yard. When the gate to the street is open, they stay in their yard. The older one does not bark much, but the younger one is disturbed by more things, and will bark at great length at things and people that should not bother her. I will tell her to hush, but she pays no attention to me. They do not bark at night; I do not know if they are kept in the house at night or not.

Thankfully, the occasions of dogs barking at length in the night are rare here.

Johnny

[tree68]

Since my Dalmatian is deaf, he doesn't hear the minor annoyances that might set other dogs to barking.  If he sees something, he might bark, but otherwise he's pretty quiet.  

Unless he wants my attention (like, his water bowl is empty or he's hungry and I haven't filled his bowl lately, or maybe it's bed time).  First he "grumbles."  Then he barks.  Just one bark (unless I ignore him).  Unfortunately, since he can't hear most of his barks come out at one volume level - LOUD.

The other dog, also now deaf, was known to bark at random events, but could usually be shushed with a stern word. 

Yesterday she was napping and apparently having quite the dream.  As opposed to the usually yips and mini-barks that come from a dreaming dog, her sleepy barks approximated the real thing.  Went on for quite a while, too.  I wonder what she was chasing...

[cherokee woman]

Mookie, I agree with you on the barking dogs!  Thankfully, our dog only barks when someone rings the doorbell.  Or, when an ambulance or fire apparatus go by the house, she howls.  

The beef stew and tuna melt casserole are heated up and on the warmer bar.  It seems I made a really big pot of the beef stew yesterday, and there is definitely plenty leftover for today.  And I just took fresh baked cornbread out of the oven.

It looks like the light rain we had this morning is just about over with in our area.  We haven't had any for awhile now, and it's still very cool out:  temp is in the low to mid 60s.  Think we'll be lucky to make it to 70, that they were predicting for today.  

Mookie, Larry had a good idea about the dog and train horn situations!  Sic 'em, girl!

[Mookie]

Tree was right.  I took another look at Owen and feel much better....  Plus he is quiet....

I have always owned dogs and without exception, if they ever felt the need to bark, the 2nd one was only after a look of approval from me.  Even had one dog that I only heard bark once and it took me awhile to figure out she was the guilty one.  (She was the only dog in the house)

No excuse to have a dog that will bark at butterflies and the wind, constantly. 

[CANADIANPACIFIC2816]

JoeKoh

morning

well if they don't mow the playground area soon they will need the baler and wagon.Cw thanks for breakfast.I remember summer bailing then a lunch break then bailing some more.then we would come back in the evening and milk the cows.after that we would load the bales in the hay mound.I did this for a few summers before band camp started.Not bad money for a youngster.Time for a nap.ray got walnuts for that banana bread??

stay safe

joe

Joe, my banana bread recipe was originally used by dining car chefs of the Northern Pacific Railway, and it does call for some finely chopped walnuts. I'm gonna have to go to my neighborhood grocery store for some shortening anyway and I will probably buy a package of walnuts then.

[grampaw pettibone]

God morning,and 72 degrees with clouds in Carolina. We are awaiting another thunderstorm on the 11th day in a row that they have been forecast. Not every day has produced a storm, but more have than not, and frankly, it is getting old very fast. I am like Mslle La Mook in the irritatability dept over that. A nice clear day with no lightning would be what the dr ordered. Everybody take care

[Modelcar]

Cool and sunny here this morning, but not frost cool...Have 57 now.  Several nice days ahead as per weather people.

Lawn is being fertlized now as I write so that means it will be growing even faster....and I've been mowing every 3 or 4 days.

But Spring time is a time of beauty and I much enjoy it all.....

[tree68]

Ms Mook - That sounds like a good letter to the editor!  Point out that the horns at least have a purpose, while the dogs are merely noise.  You might just initiate a groundswell of support for keeping dogs quiet...

All quiet on the northern front this morning.   Had a frost overnight - much to the chagrin of early garden planters, I'm sure.  With a few exceptions, Memorial Day is the magic day for all of that.  By then the tulips will be pretty much history, too, and I'll replace them with lots of petunias. 

Got my tea and bearclaw.

Ms Mook - if you still need some cheering up, back up a page on the diner and take another look at Owen!

[Mookie]

44 here, too.  Little chilly for awhile. 

I am irritated this morning - They are going to silence the train whistles all around us, but when will they silence the dogs that are even noisier.  We have 3-5 barking dogs within earshot and to get the city to do something about them, I have to do everything but take the dogs, put postage on them and mail them into animal control.  Between diaries, (some live on the block behind us), walk thru 2 neighborhoods to get addresses, talk to owners, and then hope someone is home when animal control stops.....

Seems like a bit much when all AC would have to do is drive through neighborhood and roll a window down.  Feed the birds so you can listen to barking? 

CW - going to take my coffee and sulk in the garden.  Maybe you can cheer me up.  Otherwise, we may have to have crab for lunch....

[JoeKoh]

morning

well if they don't mow the playground area soon they will need the baler and wagon.Cw thanks for breakfast.I remember summer bailing then a lunch break then bailing some more.then we would come back in the evening and milk the cows.after that we would load the bales in the hay mound.I did this for a few summers before band camp started.Not bad money for a youngster.Time for a nap.ray got walnuts for that banana bread??

stay safe

joe

[CANADIANPACIFIC2816]

Thanks for fixing breakfast for the rest of us, CW. I hope you will get a good night's rest tonight. I know what it is like to not be able to sleep, I've been there quite a few times. Right now we have a temp of about 45 degrees here in Sioux Falls and it's shaping up to be a very nice day here. I've got three over-ripe bananas on my kitchen counter, I think I will make a couple loaves of banana bread this afternoon.

[cherokee woman]

Good Monday morning, everyone.  Right now, at 5:22 a.m., we have a temp of 53, supposed to have some light rain coming in shortly.  Looks like another cool day on track for us.  I hope all you moms out there had a very nice, pleasant Mother's Day yesterday.

Coffee, juices (oj, oj/tangerine, pineapple) are made, hot chocolate, and hot water for tea are ready also.

I have basically been awake since 2 a.m., so breakfast is also ready this morning.  Just could not go back to sleep.  On the warmer bar you will find:  

bagels, bear claws, turkey bacon, sausage (links & patties), scrambled eggs, homemade buttermilk biscuits w/sausage gravy, hash browns; or, you can have oatmeal, toast, or cereal (corn flakes, Cheerios, Alpha Bets, Fruit Loops, etc.), with fresh fruit in it, if you wish.

Mookie, you coffee mug is on the counter, all washed, rinsed and dried, ready to pour coffee into.

Everyone have a good morning, and I'll see you in a bit.

 

[Modelcar]

Deggesty

Back sixty-two years ago, a friend of mine who lived on a farm made tunnels and rooms in the baled hay in their loft. It was great fun to go around in the hay, smelling the wonderful aroma of freshly dried hay

 

Johnny....That revives memories for me too....A friend of mine lived next to our homestead about 400 ft. away at the edge of our little town and they had a small farm his dad attended too after his reg. work day, and it included a barn they pulled hay right off the wagon with an overhead traveling fork on a track and it dumped it into the haymow.  That would allow us kids to climb up on the beams in the barns and jump down into all that hay....{not bales}, just loose hay. 

[tree68]

Deggesty

Did you use a scythe so that it would be long enough so that the farmer can bale it?

No - but I did sharpen the mower blade first!  Even so, the mower choked a couple of times and stalled out.  Given my druthers, I'd have liked the grass a little drier, but even that wouldn't have helped in a couple of spots. 

 

[Deggesty]

tree68

Managed to get the lawn mowed - next action would have been calling a local farmer to bale it. 

Larry, it sounds as though you were a little late getting to your grass. Did you use a scythe so that it would be long enough so that the farmer can bale it?

Back sixty-two years ago, a friend of mine who lived on a farm made tunnels and rooms in the baled hay in their loft. It was great fun to go around in the hay, smelling the wonderful aroma of freshly dried hay.

Johnny

[tree68]

A balmy 51 and cloudy, with the occasional sprinkle as I write this. 

Managed to get the lawn mowed - next action would have been calling a local farmer to bale it. 

Mom and baby still doing fine - but I'm not sure mom realized just how much work this whole baby thing was going to be.  It'll come together, I'm sure.  Waiting now to find out when the newborn's uncle will be up, probably with Owen's cousin.  Should be interesting.

Stew sounds good for supper.  And I do like that cornbread.

 

[cherokee woman]

Still very chilly here, although I'm not sure what the exact temp is right now.  Our floor furnace thermostat is turned down, and it kicked on.  I hope all our moms are enjoying their day!  Here is our Mothers Day Sunday Dinner menu:

1.  Beef stew w/fresh baked, out of the oven cornbread

2.  Tuna melt club sandwiches with garden salad, choice of fries or onion rings

Everyone enjoy your meal, and have a great afternoon!!

 

[Modelcar]

Sunny and a cool 50 degrees here for our start of Mother's Day.  Might have several nice days now in a row.

[JoeKoh]

good morning

Cw yes we had a great time at Deshler.Carl and Pat arrived and saw a few trains.Carl was busy writing down car #s on r 647 while I got some forks for the campout.They also got to look at the museum.Just after they left we had a csx  q390(up power) and the produce express(90).The band played and we had a great time.matt is still sleeping.Cw thanks for breakfast.Stacey says thank you for the mothers day wishes.Happy mothers day to all Moms!!!

stay safe

Joe

[cherokee woman]

Looks like it was a very slow night in here.  Oh well, I've got everything cleaned up and getting breakfast together.  On the menu this morning:  bagels, bear claws, cinnamon rolls, and blueberry muffins.   Coffee, juices, hot water for tea are ready to pour.

Even though I started a thread this morning patricularly for this, I'll repeat it here:

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOMS!!!!

Mookie    Nance69   Nora   Duff  Kathi  Stacey  Misty Larry's daughter and daughter-in-law (and to any other mom or mom-to-be I might have missed.

 

[rvos1979]

Modelcar

.....Some serious extended grades in that area of the Alleghenies.....Pretty scenery, but I'm sure not good for trucking costs Randy.  Cumberland really locates deep in the valley.

No wonder it took tunnels and serious grading to get WM and B&O  RR's up and over that area heading west.  Original home area is in Somerset Co., Pa.and we have been in that area occasionally.

 

Yep, went down to Newpage Paper in McCoole, MD, where the warehouse is, believe the mill proper is in nearby Luke, MD, at the bottom of the river valley.  I figure it's about a 2,000ft difference in elevation between there and the top of the hill some 15 miles west of Cumberland proper.

Some people balk at the cost of running the PA Turnpike, but the money saved in tolls is eaten up by the amount of fuel used to pull all the hills, and the danger of running down same in the wrong gear, due to few runaway ramps (I think there is only one each way in the 120 miles of I-68).