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Chatterbox Spring 2020

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Posted by JoeKoh on Thursday, April 2, 2020 3:01 PM

afternoon

Ns Mow was working in the siding up town.Nice sunshine today.Tree guy is coming tomorrow morning.Glad tomorrow is Friday.

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 3, 2020 2:29 PM

Went grocery shopping today - a few items needed restock in the pantry.  About the same number of people in the store as I'd expect most mid-day weekdays.  Plenty of bread, although they were out of my favorite seeded rye.  Didn't check the toilet paper aisle as I have plenty on hand (no, I did not hoard - I bought a big package weeks before the panic).

Some had masks on, a few had gloves on.  The checkout clerks were regularly cleaning their stations.  Plenty of social distancing being "enforced" via lines on the floor.

Aside from that, just like any other grocery shopping trip...

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Posted by BaltACD on Friday, April 3, 2020 4:00 PM

tree68
Went grocery shopping today - a few items needed restock in the pantry.  About the same number of people in the store as I'd expect most mid-day weekdays.  Plenty of bread, although they were out of my favorite seeded rye.  Didn't check the toilet paper aisle as I have plenty on hand (no, I did not hoard - I bought a big package weeks before the panic).

Some had masks on, a few had gloves on.  The checkout clerks were regularly cleaning their stations.  Plenty of social distancing being "enforced" via lines on the floor.

Aside from that, just like any other grocery shopping trip...

Went to the store last Sunday - they had errected plexiglass shields in front of the cashiers.  Seriously diminished number of customers - the area storing the shopping carts was nearly full - generally only 15 or 20 are available.  Paper products were gone except for a couple of dozen roles of house brand paper towels.  No sliced ham products - just bone-in ham shanks.  Baked products were available - just not my prefered kind an brand.

Besides going to the doctor and drug store for what the doctor prescribed, the truck hasn't turned a wheel since Monday.

If masks get mandated in public - I guess I'll have to use my race helmet and balaclava to cover my nose and mouth.

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Posted by MikeF90 on Friday, April 3, 2020 4:33 PM

BaltACD
If masks get mandated in public - I guess I'll have to use my race helmet and balaclava to cover my nose and mouth.

Have not found the reference, but I did read that local health officials are strongly recommending the wearing of masks in public. However, I have not seen any kind for over two weeks - right up there with hand sanitizer and unicorns. I have also seen instructions online for making your own, assuming you have a sewing machine and the requisite cloth. SFBA counties have just issued stricter isolation and quarantine orders and statewide stay-at-home is extended to May.

I was able to visit the optometrist who was seeing one patient in the office at a time. He did recommend seeing an opthamologist as I have some signs of glaucoma in addition to worsening cataracts. The latter doctor will be available in a week. Last medical need was a dental office visit for cleaning, unfortunately they won't be open until May due to lack of proper masks.

Stay well, everyone !

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Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, April 3, 2020 5:10 PM

Hello

Absolutely beautiful outside this afternoon.Ns was clear when I left work.Where did the nieghbor's leaves end up after last year? Under my deck of course.Cleaned out the shed.Put the statues where Stacey wanted them.Did get the swing out but it's on the back porch.Our tree guy couldn't come today.Hopefully tomorrow morning.Then we can put up the swing.

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 blhanel on Friday, April 3, 2020 5:39 PM

tree68

Went grocery shopping today - a few items needed restock in the pantry.  About the same number of people in the store as I'd expect most mid-day weekdays.  Plenty of bread, although they were out of my favorite seeded rye.  Didn't check the toilet paper aisle as I have plenty on hand (no, I did not hoard - I bought a big package weeks before the panic).

Some had masks on, a few had gloves on.  The checkout clerks were regularly cleaning their stations.  Plenty of social distancing being "enforced" via lines on the floor.

Aside from that, just like any other grocery shopping trip...

 

Our regional grocery store chain (Hy-Vee) has done pretty much the same, and just announced upcoming additions: one person per cart (discouraging couple and family shopping), one-way aisles, and additional shields behind the cashiers (when there's another checkout behind them).

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Posted by tree68 on Friday, April 3, 2020 5:56 PM

blhanel
...one person per cart (discouraging couple and family shopping)...

That's been a problem - perhaps understandable for some if childcare is an issue.  But there's no excuse for Mom, Dad, and the kids all being in the store at once.  

There were a fair number of couples, and some cases where a younger person was assisting an older person.  The latter I can understand.

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Paul of Covington on Saturday, April 4, 2020 4:51 AM

   TP on the shelves this morning.  Everybody's closets must be full.

_____________ 

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Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, April 4, 2020 6:11 AM

good morning

Have word that another GP 20 will be coming to the ND&W.It is in ND&W paint.Sounds like the 1603 is going out to another part of their system in Argos Indiana.Hopefully the tree guy comes this morning.Yard is cleaned up.Mower ready to go.

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 CShaveRR on Saturday, April 4, 2020 11:27 AM

Sorry...if we went to the store separately it would cause a lot of questions and lack of recognition.  I already got a "who was that masked man?" look yesterday from someone who usually recognizes me.

There were a few packages of toilet paper still on the shelves yesterday...no variety, just a few multi-packs.  We have one backup package, bought earlier this week at considerable risk to life and limb.  

And I was able to get a refill bottle of hand sanitizing liquid soap at our drug store yesterday.  We're now back to full quota on those.

The best part of the trip yesterday was the sighting of a long (two miles or better) manifest freight...I have to cross the tracks to get to and from the drug store.  I grabbed a couple of pages' worth of notes, and actually got some good stuff.  

That trip to he drug store was done by walking, so I got my exercise yesterday.  Besides that, I finished clearing up the logs and branches that had fallen in our back yard over the winter.  We also have a busted downspout that I'm not sure I can fix myself.

Then a friend mailed me with a strange reporting mark.  Turns out that the cars were already on their third owner, and I had no knowledge of these cars in any of their identities!  Carchaeology can be fun at times!

(Joe, no doubt you've heard of the Shelly Company...they're the ones with these "new" aggregate hoppers.)

Carl

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Posted by zugmann on Saturday, April 4, 2020 1:02 PM

tree68
That's been a problem - perhaps understandable for some if childcare is an issue.  But there's no excuse for Mom, Dad, and the kids all being in the store at once.  

Stores around here are now metering the amount of people going in.  Too many people think that going to Lowes is a family field trip that has to last all afternoon. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, April 5, 2020 6:05 AM

good morning

Tree guy did come yesterday.After they finished Stacey gave them the check.Matt and I did the cleanup.Did some other errands and saw some Csx.They have a train at the elevator west of town.Also the new engine coming over for the ND&W is going to be delayed.Seemes they found another mudhole in the swamp by Antwerp.

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 Paul_D_North_Jr on Sunday, April 5, 2020 6:17 AM

Our local Giant has designated one door as "in only", adn the other as "out only".  You can still bring your own bags (local chain Weis won't let you do that) as long as only you handle them, put stuff in them, etc.  All of ours went through the clothers washer last week.  Deli counter is closed to walk-up - place your order from the kiosk, then they bring it out and put it on a shelf.  Something of almost everything (including TP), except soups were almost all gone (but plenty in the organic section).  Milk was also about all gone, which is weird because I saw an article that dairy farmers in the Upper Midwest were having to dump it - supply chain disruption means an excess since schools and restaurants and cheese places, etc. aren't buying any (long story).  My wife wiped down all packages with a spray cleaner.  Me - I'd use a bleach solution (5 tablespoons per gallon of water) - that's a nuclear weapon to the coronavirus, which would suit me just fine.  Leaves a pungent smell, though.  Wonder if anybody's tried creosote . . . 

- PDN. 

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 5, 2020 7:37 AM

Paul_D_North_Jr
Milk was also about all gone, which is weird because I saw an article that dairy farmers in the Upper Midwest were having to dump it - supply chain disruption means an excess since schools and restaurants and cheese places, etc. aren't buying any (long story). 

We have farmers dumping here in NY as well.  Apparently the food service industry uses more milk products than the general populace, which means we don't use much dairy at home.  I'm still going through the same amount of milk as I usually do...

Paul_D_North_Jr
Me - I'd use a bleach solution (5 tablespoons per gallon of water) - that's a nuclear weapon to the coronavirus, which would suit me just fine

Our local craft distilleries are now turning out disinfectant - which, ironically, is just their regular product but left at 180+ proof.  We've got two quarts at the fire station that they donated to us - packaged in their regular liquor bottles.  We had some other disinfectants already, so haven't cracked those bottles yet.  

I think they are selling that to the general public, and they're making and selling hand sanitizer, too.  We got hand sanitizer from the state at the FD.  

LarryWhistling
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Posted by BaltACD on Sunday, April 5, 2020 7:44 AM

Just got back from the store.  Looked as if most departments were reasonably stocked - except the 'paper department' - no TP with a limit of 2 packages per household per day (since it has been over 3 weeks, 21 days - am I no entiteled to 42 packages when a supply arrives?)

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, April 5, 2020 7:59 AM

Larry, I wonder if the distillers add to the 180 proof liquid something, such as croton oil, which causes unpleasant results if one drinks it .

Johnny

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Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, April 5, 2020 11:04 AM

Update

J 715 couldn't drop off half it's train at omni today.Wonder how long it will be before Defiance yard is filled with scrap cars.A too big truck hit a viaduct in Hicksville this morning too.Stacey said store making more changes today as well.

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, April 5, 2020 12:26 PM

Deggesty

Larry, I wonder if the distillers add to the 180 proof liquid something, such as croton oil, which causes unpleasant results if one drinks it .

I really don't don't know, actually.  There's no mention on the bottle of any additives...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, April 5, 2020 1:16 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr
 Me - I'd use a bleach solution (5 tablespoons per gallon of water) - that's a nuclear weapon to the coronavirus, which would suit me just fine.  Leaves a pungent smell, though.  Wonder if anybody's tried creosote . . . 

- PDN. 

 

I worked in a bakery in high school and we used a lot of bleach in cleaning. To this day, I still hate the smell of bleach. Now creosote smell I could probably handle a little better....

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Sunday, April 5, 2020 1:19 PM

tree68

 

 
Deggesty

Larry, I wonder if the distillers add to the 180 proof liquid something, such as croton oil, which causes unpleasant results if one drinks it .

 

I really don't don't know, actually.  There's no mention on the bottle of any additives...

 

I kind of picture it being in brown 1 gallon jugs with XXX on the label- like Granny Clampett's rheumatis' medicine. Mischief

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 5, 2020 1:58 PM

Murphy Siding
I kind of picture it being in brown 1 gallon jugs with XXX on the label- like Granny Clampett's rheumatis' medicine.

Close - 750ml (quart) bottles with their regular label - I think they sell a "moonshine..."

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Deggesty on Sunday, April 5, 2020 2:02 PM

tree68

 

 
Deggesty

Larry, I wonder if the distillers add to the 180 proof liquid something, such as croton oil, which causes unpleasant results if one drinks it .

 

I really don't don't know, actually.  There's no mention on the bottle of any additives...

 

I would hope that if some such were added there would be a warning against imbibing the mixture.

Johnny

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Sunday, April 5, 2020 5:55 PM

Deggesty

Larry, I wonder if the distillers add to the 180 proof liquid something, such as croton oil, which causes unpleasant results if one drinks it .

The last time I ever heard about croton oil was my dad perhaps five decades ago. Not surprisingly, this was in regards to denaturing alcohol and made the comment that after drinking said alcohol, you'll really wish you hadn't. My dad also mentioned that aviation gasolene was also used to denature alcohol.

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Posted by rvos1979 on Monday, April 6, 2020 6:50 AM

Still busy out here, glad I went dedicated to Georgia Pacific, as freight is drying up in many places. Look for a sale on tissue products at Dollar General stores this week. Company got a shipment of masks in for the areas that are starting to require them, right now I figure keeping away from people is good enough..........

My sister and I have given up on going shopping personally, we now order online for pickup to stay away from the idiots. Will probably do the same the next time I do a Sam's Club run.......

Randy Vos

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 6, 2020 7:36 AM

rvos1979
My sister and I have given up on going shopping personally, we now order online for pickup to stay away from the idiots. Will probably do the same the next time I do a Sam's Club run.......

Remember, "People of Walmart" was a thing well before the virus reared its ugly head.

A friend who ordered online (again, before the apocolypse) from one store or another was quite satisfied when the store "upgraded" one of his selections because they were out of what he ordered.  I suppose that can go both ways, though...

A problem that is starting to crop up is the folks who shed their masks and gloves in the parking lot after leaving a store, only to drop them on the ground instead of seeking out a suitable trash can or other receptacle...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, April 6, 2020 8:24 AM

Quoting tree68 "A problem that is starting to crop up is the folks who shed their masks and gloves in the parking lot after leaving a store, only to drop them on the ground instead of seeking out a suitable trash can or other receptacle..."

These are the same people who leave trash wherever they go, not caring at all about the environment--and they are not necessarily "trailer trash." 

Johnny

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, April 6, 2020 11:43 AM

tree68
A friend who ordered online (again, before the apocolypse) from one store or another was quite satisfied when the store "upgraded" one of his selections because they were out of what he ordered.  I suppose that can go both ways, though...

Overheard a comment from a shopper at my grocery store (not Wal-Mart) who had been using the stores pick up service that they had made 'this trip' to the store as the pick up service does not substitute for out of stock items.  

If they substituted a higher priced item they would get criticized for price gouging and if the substituted a lower priced item they would be criticized for supplying a inferior product.

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, April 6, 2020 12:14 PM

How customer service differes from store to store! Many years ago, when living in a small town, I saw a certain model of vacuum cleaner advertised at a certain price. Knowing I needed one, and not knowing of a closer store, I drove about 55 miles, went into the store, asked for what had been advertised, paid the advertised price for what was given me, and went home. When I opened the box, I found a better model! The next time I was in the city, I went to store, wanting to make amends--and the salesman told me they were out of the model I asked for so I was given the better model.

Johnny

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Posted by BaltACD on Monday, April 6, 2020 12:41 PM

Deggesty
How customer service differes from store to store! Many years ago, when living in a small town, I saw a certain model of vacuum cleaner advertised at a certain price. Knowing I needed one, and not knowing of a closer store, I drove about 55 miles, went into the store, asked for what had been advertised, paid the advertised price for what was given me, and went home. When I opened the box, I found a better model! The next time I was in the city, I went to store, wanting to make amends--and the salesman told me they were out of the model I asked for so I was given the better model.

Back in the day when the customer was serviced, not sucked in by bait and switch.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, April 6, 2020 2:32 PM

BaltACD

 

 
Deggesty
How customer service differes from store to store! Many years ago, when living in a small town, I saw a certain model of vacuum cleaner advertised at a certain price. Knowing I needed one, and not knowing of a closer store, I drove about 55 miles, went into the store, asked for what had been advertised, paid the advertised price for what was given me, and went home. When I opened the box, I found a better model! The next time I was in the city, I went to store, wanting to make amends--and the salesman told me they were out of the model I asked for so I was given the better model.

 

Back in the day when the customer was serviced, not sucked in by bait and switch.

 

And now, that company has closed many stores, including at least two in the area where I now live.

Johnny

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