Running Bear's April 2025 Coffee Shop

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Good Morning All. Cloudy and 69° with a thunderstorm approaching. It's a slow moving one, which means that the rain will be heavy and linger for a while. On the other hand, it may dissipate like the one yesterday. It's currently about 20 miles west of here. However the NWS is saying "PM thunderstorms", but I don't think that it is moving that slow!

I got the fridge all squared away yesterday, with the new water filter and re-leveled. First time that I've had a refrigerator with a water filter but it was actually very easy. Two minutes top. It will go faster next time since I now know how. Spent a little time later in the day putting in more t-posts in the garden for the Tomato cages. Since the Tomato rows are at the east edge of the garden, I could do it without stepping into the soft wet earth. Didn't install the cages yet, as many need some repair work after getting bashed by the train shed roof during last spring's tornado. Some of those metal roof pieces also took down a power line out front as well. But I only took out a small portion, the neighbor's house took it down in three places.

It's wait and see whether or not we make the weekly grocery trek this morning. Depends on the weather. No sense in putting ourselves in danger traffic-wise on the Interstate, although we can actually take much safer back roads. But there is nothing on the list that's a must have now and none of my coupons expire any time soon.

I was able to strike another small project off the pending projects list yesterday out in the train shed. I few months ago, I named this structure and installed simple window treatments in the second floor.
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Yesterday I was able to locate some pictures that I had previously downloaded from the Internet and print them up. I cut them out and added them to the ground floor windows.
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I also added figures to the sidewalk and one inside the front door.
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While printing, I printed a replacement for this backdrop building that I may have posted recently.
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Now I am reminded that I still need to finish the ground cover in this 12" section.

Marlin - I seem to remember tying my shoes while standing on one foot 60 years ago, but it isn't something that I am willing to attempt today. I do good just to bend over while sitting and tying them. I prefer the slip-on sneakers, but wear the tie-ups because they're better for my feet. Socks? I haven't worn them since college in the early 70's, except when wearing hard-soled shoes about once every 10 years or so.
Joe - I retired just because I was no longer enjoying what I was doing. The company was phasing me out because I warned them that I would retire soon. After 18 months of having no duties and doing nothing, I made the decision. They were paying me well, but it began to be really boring. I had a plan for at least six or seven years before.
Louis - Flank steak for fajitas needs to be marinated, other than that I don't marinate steak.
Swal - I've never been a sugar user, or salt either for that matter. I don't use either when I cook or at the table. I only purchase sugar for the Hummingbird feeders. I do admit to using Monkfruit sweetener for Cole slaw though.

Everyone have a great Thursday. I'm beginning to see raindrops on the back porch, but no thunder has been heard.
 
30f and sunny.

Finished one cup of coffee, hiked a mile, counted 27 species of birds. Cooked and ate 5 pancakes and 2 eggs over medium. Vacuumed. Looked over the train shed.

Let the day begin!

Will be working on the backdrop again today.

And no mayo or mayo like substances on the menu today.

Limited salt, but sugar is allowed.

Later. Dave LASM
 
Good morning food lovers! Wow! Mayo talk, soda, steak and fajitas. Now instead of yogurt and granola I will have a breakfast taco!

The morning walk was interesting. Big excitement over in the retirement community yesterday a few blocks away. Seems some of the seniors have been swapping but left out a few partners! One of the left out shot one of the in-crowd causing some damage to her hubby’s reproductive parts. Two of our walking group live there. The police at first thought it was a mass shooting with the response at first. I was in the train room and didn’t hear a thing.

The walking group did 3 miles in 45 minutes. It felt ok until I sat for a few minutes at home. Sore! The shower was wonderful.

56f degrees now and mid 70’s later. The humidity is high for Springtime in Wisconsin at 84%.

I have tried a bottle of Duke’s Mayo. Seems like that is all hype. I prefer Hellman’s.

This afternoon after lunch I plan to be out on the deck enjoying the sun and twisting up the wire I cut for trees. The jig was wonky yesterday because it was cracked. Back to an old method. I will use the drill and portable vise to twist

Later at 3:45 I am hauling the grandson and 2 of his teammates to hockey (35 miles) tonight and dinner after, probably Culver’s. The daughter is heading to Palm Springs for her cousins batcherette party. The SIL is taking the granddaughter to her High School open house. Yes, the g/d will be a freshman next school year. After the open house they will join us for the hockey game and food after. Terry will drive with them and drive home with me and the g/d.

Medical update. We are both feeling well. Finally! The blood pressure meds and the walking have me averaging 130/78 the last 10 days per my meter. Much better than the 174/90 I was averaging last month! Lab tests indicate my Creatine levels have jumped. Solution is more water! I was drinking 4/sodas a day and a couple 16.9oz of water. Now it’s 2 sodas and 5 16.9 oz bottles of water. Drinking water is tough for me but icy cold added ice to a jug and with a straw I can do it.

Enjoy your day
 


I would have said "stone cold whacko", but you are a better man than me.


You are not alone.

McDonald's uses post-mix soda dispensers. This means that the syrup (Coca-Cola syrup in this case) and carbonated water are mixed at the point of dispensing, rather than being pre-mixed in a factory. This process ensures fresher flavor and allows McDonald's to control the syrup-to-water ratio for optimal taste. Also, McDonald's takes extra steps to make their sodas taste better than other fast-food chains. They pre-chill the syrup, store it in stainless steel containers, and filter the water.

One of the countless things I did as a contractor was service soda dispensers. Another skill I picked up working at Memorial Stadium.
Internet rumor a few years ago was that the McDonald’s Coke syrup formula was the formula used before the new Coke came out in the mid 1980’s. At one time I was a Coke drinker. But after that formula change I really limited myself to Dr Pepper and now Diet Dr p. I doubt I’ve had any Coke product in 30+ years.
 
Capials beat Habs 3-1. Lead series 2-0.
Since you live in Baltimore. Can you watch the Orioles on game day or is it blacked out for you?
If you don't have access to the Regional Sports Network, or Cable channel you are blacked out, if your IP is in the team's market. The regional networks are offering streaming of the games they carry, but the cost is more expensive than cable. Where I live, the Devils, Rangers, Islanders and Flyers are all blacked out based on my IP....Yankees and Mets baseball based on my zip code. The cost isn't worth the product offered...
 
Good Morning All!

33F @65% and clear again. 65F later

Salt and Sugar - Stopped most Salt *years* ago when I realized that no matter what food was on my plate ... it got salt. Now days, Meat, Eggs and Mac get a touch and there has not been a shaker on the table for at least 20 years. Sugar is a killer. There is enough simple sugar in fruits and veggies that I do not feel the need for processed sugar. Well, do binge on candy once in awhile. Probably 5% of the food we eat is processed in the box dinner(s) or fast food, the rest is home made, fresh stuff. I came down from 285Lbs and have been hovering 205 - 210 for a couple of years now. The dang 'beer belly' is now starting to go away and I can see my ***.

Meat - all meat is garlic, pepper and salt just before cooking. Smoking pan then maybe 2 minutes per side. Skirt steak ( when we can get it ) for fajitas does get to soak for a bit - lime juice, touch of soy, garlic and cilantro - still gets about the same time in a smoking pan.

Nissan head light assembly turned into a 4 hour cruise. Most of the front end plastic and stuff needed to come off before I could get to the lower bolts in the assembly. They don't make it easy.

I was confused earlier as my printer was playing music. Turns out the paper was jamming.

L8r
 
Seems like that is all hype. I prefer Hellman’s.
It's a matter of personal taste. We never knew Dukes existed until we lived in the DC area. In Jersey, it didn't become available until the Acme markets became a division of Safeway, under the Albertson's banner. We prefer it to Hellmanns, Kraft, or Generic store Brand or Mike's Amazing Mayo which showed up at ShopRite. Dukes is a Southern thing. We just like it more.Has a bit of tang to it.
 
Louis - Flank steak for fajitas needs to be marinated, other than that I don't marinate steak.
I don't think I have ever bought flank steak. But come to think of it my mom would marinate London Broil overnight in zesty Italian dressing. What is London Broil? I like T-bone steaks.

Finished one cup of coffee, hiked a mile, counted 27 species of birds. Cooked and ate 5 pancakes and 2 eggs over medium. Vacuumed. Looked over the train shed.

Let the day begin!
You are a machine!

I doubt I’ve had any Coke product in 30+ years.
I used to drink caffeine free diet coke, but I prefer caffeine free diet Pepsi. I had a diet A&W root beer yesterday and it was great! I'm supposed to avoid colored sodas because of kidney disease. I usually drink Canada Dry zero sugar ginger ale, diet seven up or diet sprite, depending on what is on sale. I drink a bottle of soda or two every day and two 2liters/week or so.

I love soda!
 
Morning all,

While I am working tomorrow, I will be at a state wide IT Security conference. Nice that I have to pay to attend and pay to park at the venue. Last year's event had free parking at the venue, this year's is in Downtown Wichita where the hotel even charges parking fees if you pay to stay at their hotel. Talk about a money grab.

Busy since I got here this morning with the fire department having some issues with printing.

McDonald's uses post-mix soda dispensers. This means that the syrup (Coca-Cola syrup in this case) and carbonated water are mixed at the point of dispensing, rather than being pre-mixed in a factory. This process ensures fresher flavor and allows McDonald's to control the syrup-to-water ratio for optimal taste. Also, McDonald's takes extra steps to make their sodas taste better than other fast-food chains. They pre-chill the syrup, store it in stainless steel containers, and filter the water.
Agree to disagree as the 2 McDonalds (and Wendy's and DQ) I worked at use the same plastic bag in a box that everyone else uses. The stainless Figal (five gallon) tanks are not used anymore.
 


Good morning all. A cold, cloudy day. A large coffee on the go please, Flo.
Grandchildren here until 3.00pm then they all go home.
Hospital appointment this afternoon for me.
Dawn is up and about, but still not well.

'The Earl' in Regal Blue livery.

View attachment 217468
If you have a refinery on your layout, you could assign that engine to it.

You would then have the "Earl of Crankcase"...



Ahem... i'll see myself to the door...
 
A great tool to have in your arsenal. Not only as a model railroader, but you will have use for it as a homeowner as well.

Mine has cut miles of wood in the 20+ years I have owned it.
I used to own just about every wood working tool under the sun, back when we had a huge garage and pole barn,

Now I'm down to a bare minimum, I believe. One new tool I recently added is a hand held belt sander. It is great for auto body work and has come in handy on benchwork as well.
 
Good morning, damn near afternoon gang!

Didn't sleep to well last night, too much Doctor stuff going on. CT scan results are in, they detected aneurysm that needs treatment asap, the cardiologist wants to do some more tests next Monday ahead of a cardiac cath and stents(?) on May 6th, Meeting the neurosurgeon Friday of next week. Oh 💩 I'm falling apart! Well at least in my darkest fears I am. Sharon is the opposite, she says I'm gonna be just fine, I just need a tune up and maybe a fresh set of plugs! I'll go with it, after all, what choice do I have??

Tomorrow is a mental health day. I'll take the truck in the morning for its emissions test, then Bass Pro Shop to pick up some ear protection, then off to the gun range to break in the new 9mm and the new rifle. That should be fun.

BBL
 
Good Morning, all! A weak sun, trying to break through the clouds. Quite warm this early in the day and humid. Chance of rain at 40%.
We are awaiting a call for the scheduled delivery of a new dishwasher tomorrow. We bought another Bosch, as the one we have lasted 22 troubled free years.
I did run some trains yesterday. It was a, just sit back and watch'um run kinda thing.



STAY SAFE
LATER
 
If you have a refinery on your layout, you could assign that engine to it.

You would then have the "Earl of Crankcase"...



Ahem... i'll see myself to the door...
I do have a refinery. Well maybe not. I do have a drinks cabinet though!

'Earl of Crankcase'? I had to look that up. Rocky & Bullwinkle I never watched.

'The Earl', a touch of class on the layout

I'll follow you to the door; and lock it as you leave. 🤣
 


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