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Chatterbox Spring -2016

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Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 6:57 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Got new plug and oil for mower.Matt turned a wrench.Replaced spark plug and oil.Mower fired up and gave her a test run.Now just for the other half of the swamp to dry up.Nice weather keep it coming.

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 Mookie on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 7:15 PM

Joe - we got our green haircut today - landlord came over with his mower and leaf blower - and had a good time.  For awhile, I was almost sure he was doing the entire neighborhood....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by tree68 on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 7:39 PM

JoeKoh
Matt turned a wrench.

If I didn't know anatomy, that would sound painful...  Smile, Wink & Grin

It looks like the snow may have given up for the season, so I'll soon have to move the mower out of the garage and put the snowblower in it's place.  The lawn hasn't taken off yet, though, so I'm not in much of a hurry.

Almost out of sunflower seed for the birds, too.  Might fill the "dickey bird" and Yankee feeders once or twice more.  Kinda nice looking out the kitchen window and seeing all those goldfinches in their summer colors.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 8:37 PM

Right there with you, Larry.  I raked the winter's accumulation of stuff out of the back yard today--the front yard will be a lot easier--and I'll probably have an appointment with the mower on Thursday, just to even things out. 

Friday I hope to go into the city and greet Johnny Degges on his way through.  Saturday I have to go to Fort Wayne with our sound guy from church to learn more about the mixing board we have.  

Next week it's up to Michigan in midweek (my mom's 92nd birthday), then back to Fort Wayne on Saturday for Part II of the training.

I'm seriously hoping to get some train-watching in tomorrow.

The early part of May will be taken up with Lilac Festival activities this year.  The daughter of a good friend of ours is one of the Lilac Princesses; we'll know if she's the queen by then.  We will be happy to be around here this year--as Pat says, we completely missed spring last year.  Because...


It was a little over a year ago that we took the train out to California to help put things back together when Linda was diagnosed with cancer.  She was barely able to get out of her hospital bed when we got there, but she's come a long, long way since then.  In June, we're going to California again.  It will be a lot better outlook than when we went last year--in fact, Linda will be walking across the stage at UCSB to receive recognition for her doctorate (she expects to finish what needs to be done by the end of the summer).  I may decide to attend a session at UC Tehachapi, UC Summit, or UC 582 if we have the chance.

Carl

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CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 10:28 AM

So, we're (the fire department) out on the street last night doing some pump training.  We've got that street pretty well tied up, so we block it off for a block.  It's actually a bridge (nice stone arches!), so we're not blocking any residences.

One end is at a state highway.

I was running the pump at the moment and happened to look up to see a car stopped at the state highway intersection with their turn signal on, wanting to turn onto this street.  They sat there for several minutes, then slowly pulled forward to where I couldn't see them behind a building on the corner.  And didn't "come out" from the other side.

I was too far away to go talk to them, so I didn't.

I can only surmise that they knew exactly one way to get where they were going, and were, at that point, lost.

Just 100 yards up the state road is another intersection.  Right turn, right turn, left turn, and they're on their way.  

It might have been a GPS thing, but it's more likely it was just someone with a very limited knowledge of how to get from point A to point B.  Even though they probably live in the area...

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!
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Posted by Norm48327 on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 10:55 AM

Carl,

Thanks for the good news about Linda. I have a friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer at 44. Thanks to good choices by both her and her doctors, nine years later she is cancer free and going strong. I'll keep Linda in my thoughts and prayers.

Norm


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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 4:31 PM

afternoon

Sunshine is drying up the swamp. Ns was clear when I left work.Have to get cleaned up and get Matt to confirmation class.Carl on your trip to Ft.Wayne I hope you get to look at East Wayne.

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 mudchicken on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 5:21 PM
Expecting snow on Saturday. The weatherliars will not say how much. Hope most of it falls as rain. (Don't want 4.5 inches of rain converted to blue snow, thank you.)
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 Mookie on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 7:00 PM

mudchicken
Expecting snow on Saturday. The weatherliars will not say how much. Hope most of it falls as rain. (Don't want 4.5 inches of rain converted to blue snow, thank you.)
 

How much longer before the ears and tail arrive?  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 7:10 PM

Mookie
 
mudchicken
 

 

 

How much longer before the ears and tail arrive?  

 

 

Duncan R. Scottie [Mr. BlueButt] comes home Saturday April 23 and gets introduced to Stewart R Cat, Esq. that night. I better not get sent out of town near then or BossHen will shoot me.

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 Mookie on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 9:17 PM

mudchicken

 

 
Mookie
 
mudchicken
 

 

 

How much longer before the ears and tail arrive?  

 

 

 

 

Duncan R. Scottie [Mr. BlueButt] comes home Saturday April 23 and gets introduced to Stewart R Cat, Esq. that night. I better not get sent out of town near then or BossHen will shoot me.

 

 

 sounds like a funny album of pix to me!  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 9:32 PM

As long as there are no big display of teef and clawz.

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 Murphy Siding on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 9:47 PM

     It'll be a while before we have to mow the lawn, but the daffy-dills are in bloom.  I was in Duluth MN. Sunday through Tuesday.  Yesterday morning it was 16 degrees (above) and freezing rain.  Brrrrr

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Mookie on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 10:23 PM

Murphy:  hard freeze a couple of nites ago - tonite ceiling fans on.  

N. Kansas is burning and we are getting the smoke from the hot dogs.  (controlled burns - annual event there - everyone here gets to stay inside until pollution is done.)Pass the ketchup....

Sir Chicken - chickens don't have teef - so we eliminated 2 possibilities.  Gritted beaks?  Mischief

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by BOB WITHORN on Thursday, April 14, 2016 6:23 AM
So how do you keep the Sparrows out of the Bluebird houses? Had 2 pairs of BBs start to nest but as usual the useless Sparrows took over.
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Posted by Norm48327 on Thursday, April 14, 2016 6:56 AM

mudchicken

As long as there are no big display of teef and clawz.

 

We have a fifteen year old tabby in our hangar for mouse patrol. Even though she's only eight pounds, let a dog, no matter how big, invade her territory and they're going to get shown who's the boss.

Norm


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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, April 14, 2016 11:38 AM

Mookie

Murphy:  hard freeze a couple of nites ago - tonite ceiling fans on.  

N. Kansas is burning and we are getting the smoke from the hot dogs.  (controlled burns - annual event there - everyone here gets to stay inside until pollution is done.)Pass the ketchup....

Sir Chicken - chickens don't have teef - so we eliminated 2 possibilities.  Gritted beaks?  Mischief

 

Chickens don't need grit in their beaks; beaks are sharp enough as they are. Were you ever pecked by a  hungry chicken? 

I'm on my way back home now, and expect to pass through Cornhusker country tomorrow night.

Yesterday I was taken down to the part of Virginia where my father was born, grew up, and met my mother when she came to visit an aunt about 100 years ago. There is nothing left of the dock where he was workng when he saw her for the first time.

Johnny

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, April 14, 2016 11:41 AM

mudchicken
Expecting snow on Saturday. The weatherliars will not say how much. Hope most of it falls as rain. (Don't want 4.5 inches of rain converted to blue snow, thank you.)
 

I hope you get it all Saturday morning, and it is off the tracks by the time I get to your part of the country; get your snowblower out, please.Smile

Johnny

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Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, April 14, 2016 11:54 AM

Johnny - Currently the weather liars are calling for 5-18" by dusk on Saturday with in excess of two feet up high. (Hope you're right* and they are wrong....Instead of a snow blower expect Harriman Plows, Wedge Plows & Jordan Spreaders)

 

I have to come home late Friday afternoon from Glenwood Springs. The office is cautioning me right and left about even going over there.

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 Mookie on Thursday, April 14, 2016 4:22 PM

mudchicken
I have to come home late Friday afternoon from Glenwood Springs. The office is cautioning me right and left about even going over there.

As is a certain chatty cat in Lincoln!  

Johnny - I don't mess with the business end of any animal.  Unless it is on a menu....

No snow here, so safe trip thru Lincoln unless cat is prowling and peeking....

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, April 14, 2016 7:04 PM

evening

Ns was clear when I left work.Matt and I went to town.Had some yardwork to do.Came home and finished up the swamp.Guessers are saying 60's and 70 coming up.Older brother turns 60 tomorrow.We are planning on taking him to Deshler on Saturday. Going to be a good party.

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 JoeKoh on Friday, April 15, 2016 2:46 PM

afternoon

eastbound on Ns when I left work.This morning I noticed Amtrak going slower westbound.Might be a speed restriction there.Errands to run for tomorrow.Will be headed for Deshler.

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 Friday, April 15, 2016 3:37 PM

What a gorgeous day!  Sunny, mild (low 60's).  Spent the middle part of the day on the road running errands for myself and the fire department.  

Did my taxes last night (you always do your taxes late when you thing you owe...).  Turns out I've got a little bit coming back.  Yay!

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 CShaveRR on Friday, April 15, 2016 5:18 PM

I spent a couple of hours today at Union Station with Johnny Degges.  He doesn't let too much slow him down, and he should now be on the Zephyr headed home.  He's about half a generation removed from me, but some of our childhood experiences with friendly station agents and train crews were strikingly familiar.  We apparently could both be counted on to help out when needed, and often did.

Coming back home, my scoot passed three trains on the tracks going around Proviso, all westbound.  I decided that that was reason enough to get off the train at Elmhurst (I had an errand to run for Pat, but could do that in Elmhurst just as easily as at home).  I got off the train, went to the store, and got back in time to see an eastbound manifest and a westbound auto train (the auto train had not been one of the three trains that had been sitting there, so it must have come off the IHB, crossed all the way over to Track 1 to get around them, then crossed back to Track 3 to go through Elmhurst), before the barrage of westbounds hit.  It had been a quiet hour (just those trains), concluded with the two scoots that usually meet at Elmhurst (I made myself useful, ensuring that a visitor from the Czech Republic was on the proper platform to catch the westbound scoot...she said that she still remembers steam in use over there, which had lasted into the 1970s).

Of the three westbounds I'd seen on the main line, two looked like they'd be interesting to me.  Naturally, though, it was the third one that came through first, along with two stack trains out of the yard, an empty hopper train, and one eastbound stacker.  For this entire operation, plus the two scoots that went through ahead of them, the gates at York Road (Elmhurst's main street) never went up!  When they did, there was a very brief lull, and when I looked to the east, there were three triangles of light shining at me!  As it turned out, two of them were the trains I wanted to see.  One of those came through, accompanied by another manifest out of the yard.  The second train from the main line waited until the scoots went through, and I was on the westbound scoot.  

But I lingered at Lombard, knowing that the westbound freight was ready to go, and just might be following the scoot.  Sure enough, as I was walking along the platform to the street, I heard his horn blowing for the workers at Villa Park (track platform renovation).  By the time I got off the platform, his headlight was showing...along with the headlight of another train on Track 2!  The train on Track 2--a manifest out of Proviso--was moving faster and got by me first (the first two thirds of it did, anyway).  Then the "target" train came through on Track 3.  It had been made up exclusively of grain covered hoppers.  Not too much extraordinary, after all, except for a series or two of CMO covered hoppers that might be new to me.  Once that train got by, I headed for home.  

I have to be to bed early tonight (long day ahead of me tomorrow), but boy, do I have the notes to keep me busy in the coming days!

Carl

Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)

CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)

NDG
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Posted by NDG on Saturday, April 16, 2016 3:28 AM


Hmmmm.

Maybe this was not going to be as much fun as I hoped.


Thank You.

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Posted by Mookie on Saturday, April 16, 2016 6:48 AM

Growing up - I lived across the street from a telegrapher and a lineman.  Two very nice "old" men who always had time for the kids on the block.  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Saturday, April 16, 2016 3:16 PM

A good wire chief could be a godsend to the linemen during a storm when wires got knocked down. Using his knowledge of the circuits and appropriate measuring test equipment, he could locate an open or short to within a few spans so the linemen didn't have to patrol the whole line. On the otherhand...some couldn't or wouldn't. 

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Posted by mudchicken on Saturday, April 16, 2016 6:54 PM

Hope Johnny got home OK , # 5 was probably flying thru Nebrasky and eastern Colorado, then sloshed into Denver. Over the hill and into Utah had to be yucky.

12" of snow already (bottom 2" is waterlogged) and another 6"-10" promised. Weather liars are saying the bad weather may camp out here till mid week instead of Monday AM as originally predicted. We got a whole month's worth of moisture in 12 hours. Farmers are gonna be kept out of the plantingStormStormStorm fields for weeks.

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 JoeKoh on Saturday, April 16, 2016 9:35 PM

evening

nice day today.went through Leipsic on the way to Deshler.I&O was waiting for CSX to make room for them.Ns was running across the NKP fast once the csx trains were done too.Deshler was busy as well.CSX needs alot of shoehorns.Where are you gonna fit that big train on the Toledo sub.What do you do in North Baltimore when one train needs to come out,4 need to come in and you have a hotshot q010 ups train to go east?Sunday school and church tomorrow.

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 Saturday, April 16, 2016 10:12 PM

Another beautiful day.  Made more plans for next year's antique fire truck convention, did a bit of shopping, then got ready to head for the fire department's annual banquet.  Got my usual award as a top ten responder.  Such is my life - I made about 65% of the calls for the year.

On the way home, I stopped into a benefit dance for the ambulance squad.  Great band - even has a horn section.

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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