Running Bear's January 2026 Coffee Shop

[Marlin39]

I found out something about Power of Attorney. A lot of financial institutions will not honor them after the person you're representing has lost mental capacity. It's to ensure there's no elder abuse, theft, etc.

I use the same estate attorney as my mom and he mentioned that I should look into this. My mom is a very active 92 going on 93 in a couple of months. She still drives to the gym 4 days a week, MahJong, quilt groups, maintains her home & roses, etc. My goal is just to out live her. The joke is that she is going to outlive all of her kids. Her dad was still bowling a 145 average at 98.

I spoke with Fidelity and her bank. Fidelity sent out some forms to fill out, get notarized, and then send back with a copy of the POA. The bank just needs a copy of the POA for their legal department to review. She has everything set up in a trust as do we, so it should not be a big deal.

I bring all this up just in case you don't have a spouse, but have a POA. Checking with your financial institutions now will save your representative a whole lot of grief and legal fees, in case dementia or alzheimer's becomes an issue.

 

[RhB Michael]

39°F at 1000 this morning. Heading for 50°F, but I'm having my doubts. Just missed a line of rain showers that passed to our north. Said there might be a few flurries later off the back side.

Nothing on the schedule for today. Another lazy Saturday here in retirement land. Might run trains later. We'll see.

Have a good weekend all! Servus!

 

[bnsf971]

I found out something about Power of Attorney. A lot of financial institutions will not honor them after the person you're representing has lost mental capacity. It's to ensure there's no elder abuse, theft, etc.

I use the same estate attorney as my mom and he mentioned that I should look into this. My mom is a very active 92 going on 93 in a couple of months. She still drives to the gym 4 days a week, MahJong, quilt groups, maintains her home & roses, etc. My goal is just to out live her. The joke is that she is going to outlive all of her kids. Her dad was still bowling a 145 average at 98.

I spoke with Fidelity and her bank. Fidelity sent out some forms to fill out, get notarized, and then send back with a copy of the POA. The bank just needs a copy of the POA for their legal department to review. She has everything set up in a trust as do we, so it should not be a big deal.

I bring all this up just in case you don't have a spouse, but have a POA. Checking with your financial institutions now will save your representative a whole lot of grief and legal fees, in case dementia or alzheimer's becomes an issue.

I found a Durable Power of Attorney offered the most "power", even when the person represented has passed on. It does depend on what the POA is being used for.

 

[Marlin39]

I found a Durable Power of Attorney offered the most "power", even when the person represented has passed on. It does depend on what the POA is being used for.

Exactly, I'm trying to avoid any issues if I have to start paying bills or accessing her financial accounts prior to death. I had no idea that a lot of financial institutions will not honor a DPOA if "their" forms hadn't been completed or the DPOA did not meet their requirements.

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

Im hoping its Saturday, If not my daughter is going to be late for school!

I'm right at being retired for 18 years now and not listing the correct day of the week is (obviously) not as important as it once was.

 

[migalyto]

I'm right at being retired for 18 years now and not listing the correct day of the week is (obviously) not as important as it once was.

I totally get it!

You now have 7 day weekends!

 

[chadbag]

We’ve had a bread machine for a long time and I used to use it like 8-10 years ago. But I’ve been trying to do a lower carb diet for a long time (sometimes more successfully than other times)

Over Christmas my sister was telling me about these people who claim fresh ground flour is a lot better for you than stored flour. Ie if you grind it, use it within a day. Grind on demand. They have all sorts of anecdotal “evidence” of it being healthier etc.

I thought I’d give it a try. I can’t say if it is healthier or not (at least. It yet ) but it sure tastes good.

I have a Nutrimill impact wheat/grain grinder but hadn’t used it for those years. Also a Welbilt bread maker someone gave us that hadn’t been used in that same long time.

I’ve also heard claims that non hybrid (so-called heritage) forms of wheat are better than the standard American hybrid forms. I’ll accept that. I bought three bags of heritage wheats. A hard white heritage, a “Sonora white sheet berry” sifter white from Mexico (used for tortillas etc traditionally) and a small bag of Einkorn, which is a smaller grain simpler form of wheat believed to be the first domesticated form of wheat from 1000s of years ago. I also had an unopened bag of Spelt. So I made a mix of my own wheat that I’ve been using the last couple weeks.

I put 4 cups heritage hard white. 2 cups of normal hard white I have in hand. 3 cups Sonoran white and 3 cups Spelt and 1 1/2 cup Einkorn. I mixed it up and use this mix to grind on demand. The last two times I added 1.5-2 tablespoons of “baby barley” and 1 tablespoon “black rice” to the grain in the grinder, which very subtly changes the flavor. So it’s almost pure whole wheat.

I’ve made 4 or 5 loaves since Christmas. The first two loaves were an egg bread and I had the wrong mix of yeast and salt so they over-rose and fell at the end of the baking. But still tasted good.

But then I got the right mix and also went to an egg-less recipe for now and I’ve been getting good loaves. I don’t mix white bread flour in. It’s pure whole grain flour but I do add extra gluten. 1 tablespoon per cup of flour.

It’s super awesome tasting and probably pretty healthy and since it’s not white flour and very little sugar (just enough for the yeast and a roundedness to the flavor) it’s better than normal carb laden white bread (it still has carbs of course), as it’s high in protein, with the wheat varieties having more accessible and usable protein than standard red winter wheat. And lots of fiber, both soluble and insoluble.

The one above just came out of the machine 30 minutes ago and I’m going to eat a slice with butter.

It’s great with butter and cheese, butter and fresh preserves, butter and honey, and butter with an egg and cheese on top.

For reference

Einkorn - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Spelt - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Marlin39]

View attachment 254028

We’ve had a bread machine for a long time and I used to Sue it like 8-10 years ago. But I’ve been trying to do a lower carb diet for a long time (sometimes more successfully than other times)

Over Christmas my sister was telling me about these people who claim fresh ground flour is a lot better for you than stored flour. Ie if you grind it, use it within a day. Grind on demand. They have all sorts of anecdotal “evidence” of it being healthier etc.

I thought I’d give it a try. I can’t say if it is healthier or not (at least. It yet ) but it sure tastes good.

I have a Nutrimill impact wheat/grain grinder but hadn’t used it for those years. Also a Welbilt bread maker someone gave us that hadn’t been used in that same long time.

I’ve also heard claims that non hybrid (so-called heritage) forms of wheat are better than the standard American hybrid forms. I’ll accept that. I bought three bags of heritage wheats. A hard white heritage, a “Sonora white sheet berry” sifter white from Mexico (used for tortillas etc traditionally) and a small bag of Einkorn, which is a smaller grain simpler form of wheat believed to be the first domesticated form of wheat from 1000s of years ago. I also had an unopened bag of Spelt. So I made a mix of my own wheat that I’ve been using the last couple weeks.

I put 4 cups heritage hard white. 2 cups of normal hard white I have in hand. 3 cups Sonoran white and 3 cups Spelt and 1 1/2 cup Einkorn. I mixed it up and use this mix to grind on demand. The last two times I added 1.5-2 tablespoons of “baby barley” and 1 tablespoon “black rice” to the grain in the grinder, which very subtly changes the flavor. So it’s almost pure whole wheat.

I’ve made 4 or 5 loaves since Christmas. The first two loaves were an egg bread and I had the wrong mix of yeast and salt so they over-rose and fell at the end of the baking. But still tasted good.

But then I got the right mix and also went to an egg-less recipe for now and I’ve been getting good loaves. I don’t mix white bread flour in. It’s pure whole grain flour but I do add extra gluten. 1 tablespoon per cup of flour.

It’s super awesome tasting and probably pretty healthy and since it’s not white flour and very little sugar (just enough for the yeast and a roundedbeas to the flavor) it’s better than normal carb laden white bread (it still has carbs of course), as it’s high in protein, with the wheat varieties having more accessible and usable protein than standard red winter wheat. And lots of fiber, both soluble and insolvable.

The one above just came out of the machine 30 minutes ago and I’m going to eat a slice with butter.

It’s great with butter and cheese, butter and fresh preserves, butter and honey, and butter with an egg and cheese on top.

For reference

Einkorn - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Spelt - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That's the way to do it! We eat very little bread, but when we do I have an organic bakery that makes a 72hr fermented sourdough. 5 ingredients... non-enriched wheat and whole wheat flour, water, sea salt, and ascorbic acid.

 

[trailrider]

I found a Durable Power of Attorney offered the most "power", even when the person represented has passed on. It does depend on what the POA is being used for.

Absolutely recommend you consult an attorney who specializes in probate and estate planning. Have your mother and whoever else may inherit get together with that lawyer. The best one was my Dad, but he passed about 23 years ago at age 98. While any lawyer might think he/she knows about such things, a probate and estate planning attorney is the one to go to. Don't want to spend the money? Dad used to tell me he made the most fees from people who tried to do their own planning and wound up in court fighting over things with others in the family! Don't know where to find one? Call the state bar association. They will refer you to several, and you can then choose who you want to work with.

And, no, I am not one, but if you want some aerospace engineering consulting, or kitbashing Mantua steam locomotives... ;-D

 

[migalyto]

Just heard that Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead passed away today at 78

Not a good way to start 2026!

 

[Kusojiji]

We had a hellacious wind storm last night and is continuing today that I was not expecting. It ended up pulling the garden ground cover plastic sheet thing that we had for the onions. The sheet keeps the cats from pooping in my garden. The wife took a look out the window and saw the carnage as the sheet started battering the onions into oblivion. So she took the sheet off and now we have to deal with the cats. Hope the onions survive.

Also working on my LL P2K GP30. I found the issue and am now putting the original u joints back in. Since the ball cracked, I'm waiting for the goop to set before moving on. Will update that thread.

And, watching a RhB Ge6/6 go around the track. This guy puts firebox flicker, cab lights and sound in n-scale locos. Totally unreal! I got my inspiration for the mods I made to my HO D51 from this site.

 

[chadbag]

That Ge6/6 is pretty cool. It's not that expensive but more than I paid for the Ge 4/4 II and Ge 4/4 III I have. Maybe some day when I am expanding the fleet. I do have the EW I wagons shown...

 

[Bill Tidler Jr.]

Good morning! It's Sunday, 23°F and partly cloudy. Have a great day!

 

[troyphoto]

Well, howdy there internet Peeps and those with big but tiny engines

It's Troy again

Spent yesterday trying to get some toy soldier projects finished and off the hobby table. I made progress, but only one "regiment" of slimers is ready to put on the display shelf until the next game.

Seems these "Slime-garri" Abyssals have been up to some graffiti in the ruined basilica, calling out their angelic counterparts (the Elohi).

You might remember that I have a phobia of snakes. I was very close to throwing these models in the bin until I settled on the GhostBusters gone Bad theme for the force. A replacement of the head and belly turned these guys from serpent into long tailed ghostly slimers! I did have to do some blending with green-stuff putty to get the 3d printed (PLA) to accept the arms, and not overhang the armor. Slimer was always a bit pudgy in that regard.

Wife and I went to pizza yesterday. But on Friday, we hit the mom-n-pop Mexican we like. They've got a Ramen dish full of Mexican spices and some meat.

My friends in California are telling me there is no such thing as Mexican Ramen. I just shrug and point out we got it at the local Mexican restaurant, it's full of cilantro and chili spices. They can "fusion" their menu any way the want.

Not sure what today will bring? Well take it as it comes.

 

[bnsf971]

Good morning. It's foggy and 60.

 

[John from Indiana]

Just heard that Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead passed away today at 78

Not a good way to start 2026!

I was thought the Dead Heads had been around forever...I'm 3 years older than he was...Yikes

 

[John from Indiana]

I've been up for a couple of hours now and just looked at the weather station, 22 outside and feels like 10; and of course in snowed last night. Can't predict the weather her in NW Indiana

 

[RetiredinIowa]

Morning ladies and gents.

Mid 20’s forecast here today. A brisk, clear day.

Going to a birthday party this afternoon for one of our 13 grandchildren… we are blessed.

The acrylic paint on my layout’s foamboard dried to a nice mat finish… looks earthy and not too perfectly painted. Got the foamboard glued on the base. Hope to cut and affix (glue) the “train-saver” barrier (closed-cell foam strips) around the track layout perimeter today. Ordered some Midwest backdrop scenes from https://midwestmodelrr.com/ in Independence, MO.

Will add more pics, as I progress, in the thread I started about my build.

Have a blessed day everyone.

 

[Kusojiji]

I was thought the Dead Heads had been around forever...I'm 3 years older than he was...Yikes

I guess smoking as a kid did you good, eh? haha

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. It's clear and 42° out on the porch this morning, not as cold as predicted (35°) but it's still a bit before sunrise yet. Upper-50's later on and a possible freeze tonight. Mild for a few days until another cold front Wednesday night; that is if the NWS can be believed.

Quiet day here yesterday, just general tasks and chores. Installed new filters in the air purifier, brought in firewood for a bit of exercise and had baby back ribs for supper. Wife made a delicious pan of cornbread to go with it.
Today will be starting with the dishwasher and laundry. After my nap I'll get the bed linen laundry. Hopefully Father John will shorten his homily today!

Out in the train shed yesterday, I continued with structure cleaning and rehab. Spent some time on another laser-cut wood structure, this one from American Model Builder's called 139 Maple Street. However I use it as another farmhouse. This one needs some work. That "peel & stick" stuff unsticks and peels after a few years. The roof on this model needs some work.

Not just the roof, but many trim pieces as you can see in the first picture. Here's a start.

That's where I left it overnight. The other end is next. I'll need to address that white streak where the roofing strips separated. I cleaned off a few other plastic structures, but did no other detailing on them.
Today will be a short day out there, as is typical of Sundays.

Swal - That's a fine looking little layout that you built there. I hope that you are going to add some people to enjoy it.
Bill -

I'm right at being retired for 18 years now and not listing the correct day of the week is (obviously) not as important as it once was.

With me, it's not the day of the week, but the date. When working, I had to sign and date things a dozen or more times a day and that's one of the first things that I started ignoring after retiring.
Mike -

You now have 7 day weekends!

But you never get a day off or a vacation!
Troy - Mexican Ramen is a real thing, but not something that you can get at Taco Bell. I like it better with Cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese on it.

Sad about Bob Weir's death. He was greatly overshadowed by other members of the band, but he was the vocalist on some of their best material; Truckin', Casey Jones, Playing in the Band and Sugar Magnolia immediately come to mind. There are many others.

Everyone have a great Sunday.