Good Morning All, from a rain-soaked North Central Texas. It's cloudy and 61°, a bit cool for late-April, and we're under a flood advisory. Between 2:30 when it started and 5:30 this morning, I recorded 2.1" in the rain gauge. I know that it started at 2:30 because that's when I felt rain coming in the bedroom window and had to close it and another in another room. Flooding here isn't a real concern as we are on the edge of the advisory and any runoff will end quickly, probably already has. The usual hue and cry from the NWS. Things will warm up to 80° later today and we won't see the next round of thunderstorms until Thursday.
I spent the morning yesterday, hoeing and then covering the tomato patch (3'x40') with compost in advance of the expected rain. I also started the process of adding cages to the plants, although I didn't get very far. I did complete all 5 Bell Pepper plant cages though. No work out there today as I would sink and otherwise compress the whole area. After that much rain, it will be Tuesday before I can really do any work. However I always plan the garden layout so that early season crops like Lettuce, Onions and Green Peas are on the outside edges for access during times like these.
Out in the train shed yesterday, I just spent a little time. I started with running more trains, as I had left a few trains parked on passing sidings from Friday's marathon session, that needed to move back to staging. One was still in the midst of a switching job that I completed first.. I have narrowed down my list of "what's next?" as far as projects go, but no final decision yet. Meanwhile I did finish up on the vehicle/extras cleaning in this quarter's cleaning project. It did take longer this time because I missed a few days and started late this month.
As I have pointed out, there is about 30% of my layout left that I have not done anything with except lay track so far. It's intentional because I want to finish up some of the gaps elsewhere. I did however, add in the Ethanol facility last year which set me back on my original goal. I have not stopped building structures that will ultimately go in the unfinished section. Here are a few of them here.
The first two are structures that I got from
Chet after he dismantled the Logan Valley RR. Some required rework because of damage in removal and subsequent shipping over 1000 miles. First is the Dusty Saddle Saloon.
Then there's Ed's Market.
Then there's the Big Red Barn that I built.
And finally a companion to the BBQ trailer that I have shown recently in my layout thread (listed in the signature line below); a taco trailer.
In English, that's Two Sisters Tacos.
Tom O - I didn't used to be concerned about the future in our country, as much as I am now. However I feel that I am insulated enough from many societal ills due to living out here in the boonies away from the worst. I do feel safer living in this state than I would in a few others, but I worry about the spillover effects. Our greatest concern here is the border, but that is somewhat mitigated by the actions of our state leaders. But overall, I am keeping a wary eye towards the cesspool in DC. Your gambling tales reinforce my decision years ago to not gamble, period. I don't even buy lottery tickets.
BTW - Enjoy the golfing outings and don't overdo it. As always, have safe trips.
Todd - I have been happy with my 8 implants, and also 9 crowns. Yes, the 45K was hard to take, but our company's insurance plan took care of $4500 over 3 years. My dentist's office did it all except for making the actual replacements.
John - The new replacement knee is ready to go as soon as she leaves the medical facility. It's the muscles and stuff that take time to heal. Get a tall stool for her to sit on and supervise while you are cooking. My wife had both done over two years, and one redone a year later and has fully recovered. But I have cooked for years and years and took over the kitchen full time when I retired.
Troy - I would venture to guess that the new hearing aids have an adjustment somewhere that allows them to automatically revert to normal as soon as there is no Bluetooth input. Good luck with the back.
Everyone have a great Sunday.