Trains.com

Chatterbox Spring 2017

34377 views
431 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Monday, May 1, 2017 2:32 PM

At least it's not a warning. Us jaded folks out here at either end of tornado alley are a little punchy.

Saturday's 14 inches of snow is now gone in less than 36 hours. a little "squishy" though.

Snow-man's new mugshot is impressive. Wonder if Boss Hen would let me have one of those things. Last time there was that much face fur was 1989.

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
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, May 1, 2017 3:23 PM

afternoon

Ns was clear when I left work.Destruction down the road has people in fits.It will get better soon.Chores to do here.Matt has a book project."To Kill a Mockingbird."

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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, May 1, 2017 4:21 PM

JoeKoh
Matt has a book project."To Kill a Mockingbird."

The hard part will be sneaking up on the bird so he can hit it with a book.

There's a pretty impressive line of storms coming across the lake right now - we'll see if it holds up here, as the lake usually moderates stuff for us here on the east end.  South of us could get pounded.

A bigger problem here right now is that the lake (Ontario) and river (St Lawrence) are both well over a foot above normal for this time of year - many docks are underwater and there is shoreline flooding.  The powers that be can only let so much water out of the dams of the St Lawrence Power Project else there will be flooding downstream (ie, Montreal).

I may go over and help a neighboring fire department with filling sandbags tonight.  Gotta keep an eye on the storms, though, too.

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...

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Monday, May 1, 2017 4:39 PM

Larry,

Thanks to adequate snowfall last winter and plenty of rain this Spring we are sending you water whether you need/want it or not. The ponds and lakes in your old home territory are at least a foot above where they were last Fall.  Only part of that flows to the Mississippi. The rest is yours to deal with. Smile

Norm


  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Monday, May 1, 2017 4:43 PM

"Snow-man's new mugshot is impressive. Wonder if Boss Hen would let me have one of those things. Last time there was that much face fur was 1989."

Thats how it came back in, so gonna let it run as long as it can!

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Monday, May 1, 2017 6:00 PM

Norm48327

Larry,

hanks to adequate snowfall last winter and plenty of rain this Spring we are sending you water whether you need/want it or not. The ponds and lakes in your old home territory are at least a foot above where they were last Fall.  Only part of that flows to the Mississippi. The rest is yours to deal with. Smile

Yeah - the Huron River drains much of Oakland County, not to mention portions of Livingston, Washtenaw, and Monroe counties - and that flows into Lake Erie.

The leading edge of the storm brought a 50 MPH gust here, and about a half inch of rain.  The wind has settled down, but the rain will continue for a while.  

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...

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, May 1, 2017 6:05 PM

tree68
The hard part will be sneaking up on the bird so he can hit it with a book.

Oh, groan!

We got (finally) a really good soaking rain along with hair dryer winds - (35-50mph).  AND - we have a 3rd apt in our duplex!  Mama Robin is building a nest on the ledge outside a 2nd story window.  It is a masonry duplex, so the ledge should hold the nest pretty securely, altho it isn't very wide.  And it is a window here in my office, so I can watch the proceedings!

Wonder if this is the same robin that eats bird seed...(think about it)  

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, May 1, 2017 8:53 PM

Our good soaking of rain was white and 3 to 4 inches deep. It took about 8 hours to get mostly rid of it. Things should be extra green starting tommorrow.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, May 1, 2017 8:54 PM

Mookie

 

 

Wonder if this is the same robin that eats bird seed...(think about it)  

 

 Thinking, thinking, thinking...um, don't they all eat bird seed?

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, May 1, 2017 10:10 PM

Murphy Siding

 

 
Mookie

 

 

Wonder if this is the same robin that eats bird seed...(think about it)  

 

 

 

 Thinking, thinking, thinking...um, don't they all eat bird seed?

 

 

We attract about 5 common varieties of birds that eat birdseed, which is put in piles on the cement slab. The robins eat bugs and worms - except for one.  This robin almost runs up the driver's pantleg as he walks over to put out the birdseed.  The robin will eat quite a bit of the birdseed and then leave. The rest of the robins dig around in the surrounding dirt and stay off the pavement.  

Further - the squirrels eat the birdseed and the blue jays eat the peanuts in the shell that the driver puts out.  All take a bath and then drink the bathwater in the birdbath.  

Ugh.... 

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    October 2014
  • From: Flint or Grand Rapids, Mi or Elkhart, It Depends on the day
  • 573 posts
Posted by BOB WITHORN on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 7:52 AM

Mookie,

 

Wife puts the peanuts in that looks like a 'slinky' with the ends tied together in a loop.  It is really entertaining to watch the Jays hang upside down trying to get at the peanuts.

  • Member since
    July 2010
  • From: Louisiana
  • 2,310 posts
Posted by Paul of Covington on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 1:40 PM

Mookie
All take a bath and then drink the bathwater in the birdbath. Ugh....

    And it's a drinking fountain for the neighborhood cats.   It amazes me how they leap up and land with perfect balance with all four feet on the rim.

_____________ 

  "A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 2:26 PM

Well, for some reason around here, the neighborhood cats seem to wind up shaking water off their bodys instead of "four paws on the rim".  Our Robins do use both the bird feeder and the "hunt & peck" system.  The latest problem we have had with the outside "critters", is going out for the morning paper & removing a squirrels tail from the front porch.....

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!!

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 2:48 PM

afternoon

Ns had some empties uptown when I left work.Ok so we had May weather in March now we are having March weather in May.Guessers say 1-3 inches of rain forecast for Thursday and Friday.Better get the swamp mowed tomorrow.Chores to do.

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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 3:35 PM

Yeah, Joe, we in Michigan are still waiting for Spring to arrive.  The calendar says it's here, but the weather belies the facts.

Norm


  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 4:11 PM

Spring seems to be here now. Right now, the temperature is about 63 degrees F., which is much closer to springtime that the forties that we had last week. We still get some rain, but not much.

Johnny

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southeast Michigan
  • 2,983 posts
Posted by Norm48327 on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 4:53 PM

Johnny,

Please send us some of that moderate weather. It's been cold and rainy here and the Oaks are tucking their leaves back in in anticipation of the cold.

Norm


  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 5:48 PM

We don't dare put out seed or nuts on the ground - attracts rodents with frightening ease. Both verminators go beserkers at the window glass when one of those appears.

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
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 7:41 PM

Norm48327

Johnny,

Please send us some of that moderate weather. It's been cold and rainy here and the Oaks are tucking their leaves back in in anticipation of the cold.

 

Be patient, Norm. The westerly winds will eventually bring it to you--if MC does not hold it captive after it crosses the Rockies.

Johnny

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 9:09 PM

Happy May...frost advisories tonight!

Johnny, yes, I'm getting old...with a little help from radiation and testosterone deprivation.  And now they're talking about adding chemo to the mix.  Yes, I have an undetectable PSA, but they want to get any last remnants...kicking it while it's down, so to speak.  I have to meet with my radiation oncologist sometime to see what, when, how much, what to expect (they've already told me to expect further weakening).

Back to the weather...this cold snap may keep our may flowers from prrogressing too quickly, which would be good, since the Lilac Parade is nearly three weeks away and the park is already purple.

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)

  • Member since
    October 2014
  • From: Flint or Grand Rapids, Mi or Elkhart, It Depends on the day
  • 573 posts
Posted by BOB WITHORN on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 6:20 AM
I thought it is, "April Showers bring May Flowers", NOT, 'April showers bring May Frost and Snow'!! Not expecting to wakeup to 30's in the morning.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 6:44 AM

BOB WITHORN
I thought it is, "April Showers bring May Flowers", NOT, 'April showers bring May Frost and Snow'!! Not expecting to wakeup to 30's in the morning.

Yeah - we'll see that here in a day or so.  

Spent part of yesterday helping fill some 4,100 sandbags for use along the shores of Lake Ontario, which is some 22" higher than normal right now.  Many lakeshore structures are in danger, especially if we get some sustained winds.

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...

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 11:08 AM

It's snowing outside my windo right now (not gonna stick) -- 50 degrees expected in 4 hours....We take the moisture any way we can get it. Finally greening-up around here. (no "moderate" weather here to hoard or send east.-sorry)

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
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 1:35 PM

MC-wait until tomorrow; it's 63 here right now.

Johnny

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 5:28 PM

evening

Rain working it's way northward.Saw the local on Ns after work.Took Matt into town and CSX sent a westbound stack train.People were either mowing,had mowed or got gas for their mower. Matt took care of the yardwork.Guessers still say 3 inches + for us.Might need the boat.

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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Burlington, WI
  • 1,418 posts
Posted by rvos1979 on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 9:26 PM

I may need an ark to get home this week.........

Saw lots of sobering pictures of the flooding on I44 in Missouri, going to be quite a while before it opens again......

Probably will be going home the same way I got down here, via Iowa. I49 is still above water........

Randy Vos

"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings

"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, May 4, 2017 2:48 PM

afternoon

Ditches are filling up here in Nw Ohio.No roads closed yet.Saw a 10 engine power move on Ns when I got to work.Chores to do.

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").

 

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Thursday, May 4, 2017 6:32 PM

Deggesty

MC-wait until tomorrow; it's 63 here right now.

 

SE Colorado is watching those 7'-12' snow drifts from last weekend melt quickly. Farmers and Ranchers got hammered pretty bad. LOTSA cattle didn't survive and others are now on the side of milk cartons. (There is a facebook page down there asking "Dude, Have you seen my cow?".... a brand matching effort)

Baca, Las Animas and Prowers Counties hit the worst. Denver media was strangely silent.

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
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, May 4, 2017 9:02 PM

Reading about the railroad-themed licnse plates reminded me of RIcki's and my experiences and thoughts on such.

When we lived in Alabama, we would go to the county seat on the first day new plates were for sale (an annual occurence back then), and get my plate with the date I let her know I wanted to marry her, and her plate with the date she decided that she would--at no extra cost.

Here, we thought about getting plates with our initials (mine are JBD; hers were PHD) on them--but decided it was not worth the extra cost.  

Johnny

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois
  • 13,681 posts
Posted by CShaveRR on Thursday, May 4, 2017 9:48 PM

No rain in Lombard when we left this morning, no rain in western Michigan when we arrved this evening, but in between...

Lots of steady, soaking rain along the I-80 and I-94 corridors, from the moment we first hit one of those highways until we exited the other for the last time on our way here.  And it looked like portions of Indiana had plenty of standing water that must have been a pre-existing condition (my apologies... grrr!).

Valpo Ed!  We got to the used bookstore in Chesterton again, and I was able to pick up a couple of good railroad books.  I'll have to check the dungeon before I go back then hope they still have the other one I had my eye on.  It was a little steep for me if it was going to be a duplicate.

The nice thing was that I found a rare, local-interest book that I'd already had, the CERA bulletin about the "Roarin' Elgin".  I had it, but Pat had the bright idea of calling our historical society in town to see if they had it.  They do, so I will let somebody else snap that one up.  

We also got some books of interest to Pat, and one will be of interest to some of our extended family:  a third-grade book of songs to be learned and sung in school!  I was in a public school in third grade, and we didn't have music books of our own to use...but I remember being taught some of those songs by the school's music teacher!

Thanks to the people at the bookstore, we also located the Lustron Museum in Chesterton.  Lustron homes were built immediately after World War II, using steel frames, steel walls, and steel roofs (think about gas stations from the 1950s...walls like those!)  Lombard has more Lustron homes than just about anywhere else in the country, so they're easy for us to recognize.  This place (one of two Lustrons in Chesterton), though, has the only Lustron garage ever built.  We didn't go through the place, just located it for a future trip.

Tomorrow, in spite of cold temperatures, we have work to do around the family cottage...cleaning up the brush in the yard, working on the kitchen stove, and other such stuff.  Pat and one of my brothers-in-law will be joining my sisters and me to get as much done as we can, and opening the cottage for the year.  (Ah, the family cottage...the nearest abandoned railroad is about seven miles away, the nearest active railroad is closer to 30 in any one of three "next counties".  And "active" is very much a relative term!)

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)

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy