Running Bear's September 2024 Coffee Shop

[NorthBrit]

View attachment 198087
Just got the call from my sister about an hour ago.

This pic is from when Mom came to visit us out in Los Angeles in 2017. Barney's Beanery on the Santa Monica 3rd St. Promenade was one of our favorite eateries when we wanted a good pub sandwich.

I'm still testing positive for Covid, but asymptomatic now. I'll head in on 1.5 hour drive and take care of the funeral planning tomorrow, since my sisters are having to deal with the day of stuff.

Troy. Though it is a sad day for you and your family remember the good, fun days. They far outweigh the not so good.
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

David & Dawn

 

[migalyto]

Troy-Sorry to hear about your loss.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

 

[Patrick]

Troy: Sorry to hear of your loss. Condolences to you and your family.

 

[Smudge617]

Quick question, I keep seeing/hearing various good and bad things about MTH locomotives, can anyone clue me in, it seems some owners think they're great, and others seem to have the opinion they're not worth the money ????

 

[Boris]

IF Congress allowed them to act as a business and get into businesses that they are prohibited from acting in and all sorts of other prohibitions put on them by Congress. The problem is that.

Ok, I once thought your premise was the answer, but it comes down to your second sentence, >" Congress wants them to be revenue neutral (not costing taxes) and "private" (they're not really privatized) but then puts all sorts of prohibitions on them and doesn't allow them to behave in a way to make them successful..."<.

No one, regardless of political persuasion, or economic status wants to pay taxes. Taxes are nothing more than a political football, in almost every election campaign from President to Dog Catcher. We all believe we pay a disproportionate level of taxes compared to________________. Yet we all have a responsibility to fund the government and programs that benefit the "greater good".
Congress, consisting of politicians recognizes both that they need to impose taxes to fund the government, and that if they advocate taxation, they put their re-election at risk...So.....you have pretend revenue neutral modifications, and pretend privatization, to please all factions...

The blame does not end with congress, there is much more to it. People frequently comment here about how poor the Postal Service, UPS, Fed Ex are. One is Federal and Unionized, the second shareholder owned and unionized, the third, Shareholder owned, most likely not unionized. Wall Street is not happy with either private carrier's performance, because you can cut only so much. So if they could get the government to eliminate the USPS, then volume at the shareholder carriers would inevitably increase, as with rates...

Think about it....follow the money especially the money for lobby activities.

 

[Boris]

I keep seeing/hearing various good and bad things about MTH locomotives, can anyone clue me in, it seems some owners think they're great, and others seem to have the opinion they're not worth the money ????

Some are good, some are not. HO scale products, (Now owned by Scale Trains), lacked "Rivet Counter quality details". Mike Wolf had a proprietary operating system that didn't interface well with DC / DCC. So unless you use their Control system, you may have had issues.

 

[kbkchooch]

Troy, So sorry to hear about your Mom's passing. You have our deepest condolences.

 

[Boris]

Troy: Condolences to you and yours on the passing of your mom.

 

[kbkchooch]

Good afternoon gang!

Nice pleasant day with temps in the low 80s with a light breeze. Got the lawn done this morning, wife is doing meal prep for the next few days while I mess with a brass loco on the workbench.

Not looking forward for the next 2 weeks as my partner in crime at work is on vacation til the 17th. My current boss will be there to help, but he is really more trouble than help. If you are familiar with the "Peter principle" then you will understand my dilemma. Our junior guy on the desk quit a week ago, so yes I'm screwed. 12 hour days will be expected, lunch will be optional, and I will be there on Saturdays too! So if I'm MIA, you'll know why.

Deer. Here's what Bambi's Dad did to my Ranger a few years back. Around here, they are about as many deer as there are squirrels. I almost got one yesterday with my Colorado! Frankly, I'd rather see one on a barbeque grill than the grill of a truck!

Everyone, enjoy the holiday!

 

[santafewillie]

Yep! One of Bambi's uncles bounced off the front end of the Accura in Dec/'22, about a half mile from home. And I mean bounced. I went back the next morning to look for a body and nothing!

 

[santafewillie]

Troy - Many condolences to you and your family. It's time to celebrate her life.

 

[NYC_George]

One day 50 years ago I'm going to softball field for some reason I don't remember why. I had my dog with me and when I opened the car door he made a beeline to the field. There's a deer in the outfield. At the time we had a 5 ft snow fence around the outfield. The deer went over the fence like it wasn't even there. How hi they can jump I don't know but 5 ft wasn't a problem.
Swal

 

[NorthBrit]

Younger granddaughter and deer

 

[Smudge617]

Troy, condolences to you and your family.

 

[bnsf971]

Troy, my sympathies for your loss.

 

[D&J RailRoad]

We all face those days of loosing a parent, spouse, child or close friend Troy, but it's part of life we all must face. It doesn't diminish the pain or emotion each one of use has when other's relate their experience. We each walk that path alone. Discover your mom's legacy now Troy. It will emerge, gradually at first but over time, it will become clear. Her influence on other's and how they reflect it. Some significantly and others more subtle.

 

[chadbag]

Ok, I once thought your premise was the answer, but it comes down to your second sentence, >" Congress wants them to be revenue neutral (not costing taxes) and "private" (they're not really privatized) but then puts all sorts of prohibitions on them and doesn't allow them to behave in a way to make them successful..."<.

No one, regardless of political persuasion, or economic status wants to pay taxes. Taxes are nothing more than a political football, in almost every election campaign from President to Dog Catcher. We all believe we pay a disproportionate level of taxes compared to________________. Yet we all have a responsibility to fund the government and programs that benefit the "greater good".
Congress, consisting of politicians recognizes both that they need to impose taxes to fund the government, and that if they advocate taxation, they put their re-election at risk...So.....you have pretend revenue neutral modifications, and pretend privatization, to please all factions...

The blame does not end with congress, there is much more to it. People frequently comment here about how poor the Postal Service, UPS, Fed Ex are. One is Federal and Unionized, the second shareholder owned and unionized, the third, Shareholder owned, most likely not unionized. Wall Street is not happy with either private carrier's performance, because you can cut only so much. So if they could get the government to eliminate the USPS, then volume at the shareholder carriers would inevitably increase, as with rates...

Think about it....follow the money especially the money for lobby activities.

My point is that the USPS has one hand tied behind its back. They are not allowed to compete with with the private companies in more profitable sectors but have to provide the universal postal services.

You can come up with all sorts of theories but it boils down to the USPS is not privatized but has been forced to operate in a semi-privatized manner without the freedom of being such.

You can either go full privatization (perhaps with tax funded subsidization for some of the basic postal services required by law), which is how I believe the Deutsche Post [German post office] runs or go full government agency service like it used to be where the whole thing is run and subsidized by taxes. This in-between state is the problem right now.

 

[TLOC]

One day 50 years ago I'm going to softball field for some reason I don't remember why. I had my dog with me and when I opened the car door he made a beeline to the field. There's a deer in the outfield. At the time we had a 5 ft snow fence around the outfield. The deer went over the fence like it wasn't even there. How hi they can jump I don't know but 5 ft wasn't a problem.
Swal

I had a 8’ fence around Terry’s garden in North Central Wisconsin. Often there would be deer laying on the pathways when I came home from work. They seemed to have no problem jumping in but did have issues getting out. They absolutely loved green beans, peas and blueberry plants. I had a way to open 2 sections of the fence to chase them out.

 

[TLOC]

Troy sad to read the news. Remember the good times.

 

[Texas Hobo]

Afternoon, all! A preliminary photo of Cooley's Tap and Die.