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Chatterbox Spring 2020

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Posted by diningcar on Thursday, April 23, 2020 9:47 AM

Had all of them; then retired to AZ in a home with native growings, no grass. Now because of need to be near family I live in a Homeowners Assn. where it is cut by a contractor. 

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Posted by Electroliner 1935 on Thursday, April 23, 2020 9:42 AM

Deggesty
Oh, you poor men--still shackeled to lawn care!SmileMy first grass cutting was done with what some called a "sling blade;" then my mother bought a push mower--as you pushed it, the reel with the blades on it turned; in college, I pushed one with a gasoline engine on it; eventually I bought a mower which pulled itself along.

Like you, I started in the 40's pushing my dad's push mower on our yard. Then after I got my first house in '65, I bought a Craftsman gas mower. Now, I am in a homeowners association and this morning, I awoke to the sound of their power mowers cutting our grass. 

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Posted by Deggesty on Thursday, April 23, 2020 8:18 AM

Oh, you poor men--still shackeled to lawn care!Smile

My first grass cutting was done with what some called a "sling blade;" then my mother bought a push mower--as you pushed it, the reel with the blades on it turned; in college, I pushed one with a gasoline engine on it; eventually I bought a mower which pulled itself along.

Johnny

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Posted by CShaveRR on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 9:16 PM

Our lawn has the spring shaggies; the mower has to find a good dry day to attempt to do it.  But the mower just doesn't have the oomph right now.  We'll see what he thinks tomorrow, after we return from our post-hospitalization checkups.  

Also, "he" is "me."

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)

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Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 8:35 PM

mudchicken
Got a 'fro or just noise/smell/smoke....?

No mowing here, but it has finally turned green (10-14 days out?)

Got a 'thunk' when the soleniod was activated, but no juice to the starter motor - guess a internal contact gave up the ghost - the mower is only 24 years old.  The old solenoid was self grounding, the new one wasn't.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by mudchicken on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 8:31 PM

Got a 'fro or just noise/smell/smoke....?

No mowing here, but it has finally turned green (10-14 days out?)

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 BaltACD on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 8:28 PM

Next time will be 3rd time in mowing the front yard - starter solenoid gave up the ghose on the 2nd cutting - had to jump it.  In getting the replacement solenoid, found out the hard way, there are two types of solenoids self grounding and those that require a ground be provided to one of the signalling terminals.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 5:54 PM

Haven't gotten the mower out yet.  We're still seeing freezing overnight (possible +20F tonight).  The lawn's not too shaggy just yet...

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
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Posted by JoeKoh on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 4:24 PM

evening

Ns sent a power move eastbound today after work.Came home and mowed the swamp.Chores to do inside.

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 Tuesday, April 21, 2020 3:36 PM

afternoon

Well the Ns coal train got moved today.Seems they had to make a delivery in another track off the siding at work.One of the locomotives was having mechanical issues. so they got some extra power to help.Chores to do here.

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 zugmann on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 1:54 PM

Murphy Siding
You'll do fine. I graduated from college in May 1981, just as the country entered a real ugly recession.

I got out of college during President G. W. Bush's recession.  Not a huge recession, but also not the ideal time to go to grad school in order to get a gov't job (who were furloughing and not hiring).  Ended up with the railroad and a fulfilling, fun career job.

Oh well. 

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 CShaveRR on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 12:57 PM

Thanks for the well-wishes, Colin and everyone!  We only have 13.5 days to go in our 14-day quarantine.  Sunny-looking days (with no indication of actual temperature) don't make this any easier for us to stay in.

I had to get out yesterday and drive to Naperville to bring Pat home (I don't know what they would have done if I'd still been in the hospital myself!).  It wasn't any problem for me, but might have been for anyone who knew what was happening.  I was masked, and never got out of the car at the hospital.

On the way home, though, we stopped at Lilacia Park to see the new memorial paver brick that had been placed there in daughter Linda's honor.  Again, we were masked, and nobody came close to us.

You can do it, Colin!

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)

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Posted by NorthWest on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 12:32 AM

Carl, that is very good news. Take care!

Murphy, thanks. I'm trying my best and am putting in as much effort as I am able. Fortunately I had planned to finish my thesis early, so I have more time now.

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Posted by Erik_Mag on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 12:22 AM

rvos1979

That would explain why the electronic logs in the truck have been acting a little screwy lately, it uses GPS for location.........

Don't think the Light Squared fiasco has been implemented yet, GPS acting screwy more likely due to other interference such as a driver with a GPS jammer. Geomagnetic storms can also wreck havoc on the GPS signal.

OTOH, most cell towers use GPS to provide time and frequency reference (21st Century WWV), so they may end up interfering with their own equipment. GPS is a pretty weak signal, with the raw signal below the noise, the "de-spreading" in reception pulls it out of the muck.

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, April 20, 2020 10:44 PM

Paul_D_North_Jr

 

Pennsylvania Governor Wolf concluded his speech tonight with this line: "By doing nothin' [sic], we are doing something truly extraordinary, and for that I thank you."  A tip of the hat to anyone who can recognize the origins of that line. 

 

 

Hmmm. Something in my brain is thinking of Johnny Carson on his farewell episode, but then Winston Churchill keeps popping in. Hmmm.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, April 20, 2020 10:40 PM

NorthWest

I'm currently finding out that right now is a particularly ugly time to be graduating from college and looking for jobs. I'd rather not be the unemployed millenial in the basement...

 

You'll do fine. I graduated from college in May 1981, just as the country entered a real ugly recession. When I hear the phrase 'Great Recession" I want to scream. 1981-82-83 was a killer. You'll do fine because you'll find that the economic conditions will make you work harder to find and keep a good job. That will make you stonger and a better and more valuble employee to future employers. Imagine that you landed on Omaha beach on D-Day. That's going to make you a lot tougher than those that docked at the ports a couple weeks later. Start with that mindset and go for it. Good luck.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, April 20, 2020 9:49 PM

+2 and +3 here and please mind what Tree is saying.

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 tree68 on Monday, April 20, 2020 8:49 PM

Deggesty

Carl, I'm glad to hear that you are able to get Pat home. Both of you take care.

+1 - but watch out for the rebound.  I understand it's an issue.

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 Electroliner 1935 on Monday, April 20, 2020 8:48 PM

Great news to have Pat back, Carl.

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Posted by Murphy Siding on Monday, April 20, 2020 8:35 PM

CShaveRR

I'm up to see them, Joe, but might be a little busy for a bit--a grocery run is coming in a few minutes, and a wife in an hour or two.  We finally figured out the way to get her home.  Big Smile

 

 

Woo Hoo! That's great news.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, April 20, 2020 7:44 PM

Carl, I'm glad to hear that you are able to get Pat home. Both of you take care.

Johnny

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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, April 20, 2020 2:59 PM

I'm up to see them, Joe, but might be a little busy for a bit--a grocery run is coming in a few minutes, and a wife in an hour or two.  We finally figured out the way to get her home.  Big Smile

 

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)

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Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, April 20, 2020 2:39 PM

afternoon

Coal train still in the siding at work.Mamma and a few others were called into her dept. to work.Gov. Dewine announced the school year will be distance learning from now on.Graduation ceremony doesn't look too promising.Matt just wants to finish it up and move on.Chores to do here.Carl I messaged you some goodies.

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 BaltACD on Monday, April 20, 2020 12:36 PM

Deggesty
 
diningcar

Being from the days before GPS (born in 1932) I always read maps and put the relavent destination into my memory. It was very reliable except with my first attempt in Washington, DC where there are few NS-EW roads or streets. 

Yes, driving in Washington, D.C., is interesting for someone not used to the traffic circles and right turn lanes that you must get into almost a block before you turn.

My experiences in living and driving around Pittsburgh - you had to know where you were going long before you got to your 'decision point' because you would be in the wrong lane to go where you wanted to if you didn't.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

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Posted by Deggesty on Monday, April 20, 2020 12:27 PM

diningcar

Being from the days before GPS (born in 1932) I always read maps and put the relavent destination into my memory. It was very reliable except with my first attempt in Washington, DC where there are few NS-EW roads or streets.

 

Yes, driving in Washington, D.C., is interesting for someone not used to the traffic circles and right turn lanes that you must get into almost a block before you turn.

Johnny

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Posted by tree68 on Monday, April 20, 2020 12:05 PM

diningcar
Being from the days before GPS (born in 1932) I always read maps and put the relavent destination into my memory. It was very reliable except with my first attempt in Washington, DC where there are few NS-EW roads or streets.

With Interstates now, it's easy - just remember the numbers.  It's the last mile that gets one in trouble.  That and having a semi right in front of you so you can't read upcoming signs...

Of course, we have a problem in fire and EMS with folks who can't bother to put their address where we can see it.  That includes not putting their address on both sides of their mailbox, or just on the door.  All the GPS in the world won't help if you can't breath and we can't find your house...

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 rvos1979 on Monday, April 20, 2020 11:57 AM

Erik_Mag

 

 
mudchicken

(2) Apparently, the FCC values $$$ over surveyors and railroad PTC. The Ligado/Light-Squared crap is about to surface again. Don't count on your phone navigation system to be as reliable as it is now either. GPS signal is about to get randomly & continously distorted in the name of 5G.

 

 

Ugh, not again...

Too many lawyers and economists and not enough engineers in the FCC.

That would explain why the electronic logs in the truck have been acting a little screwy lately, it uses GPS for location.........

Picking up raw toilet paper in Minneapolis to drop off at the mill so it can be processed, then a Muskogee turn to round out the week..........

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

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Posted by mudchicken on Monday, April 20, 2020 10:30 AM

CS: Got a crank-em-up cell i-phone charger now?

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 diningcar on Monday, April 20, 2020 10:21 AM

Being from the days before GPS (born in 1932) I always read maps and put the relavent destination into my memory. It was very reliable except with my first attempt in Washington, DC where there are few NS-EW roads or streets.

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Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, April 20, 2020 10:21 AM

By the way, did you miss me?  I was in the hospital for an eternity (actually only since Friday, but you know...).  I had symptoms, so I called 911 and was taken in, where I tested positive (never knew my nasal cavities could hold that much swab!) and had to stay for treatment to bring the symptoms down.  I was released yesterday, and have to quarantine at home for two weeks.  "At least", because Pat's still in the hospital with her case of the virus--we have to get her to hold more oxygen on her own.

It's agony to be able only to hear the trains through town.

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)

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