Running Bear's April 2025 Coffee Shop

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Good mornin' crew. under cloudy skies its 47, looking for a high this afternoon of 63 and a low tonight 29 here in Cheyenne. Winds are WNW @ 12 gusting to 17. No precipitation in the immediate forecast. High winds watch is in effect with winds gusting 40-55 mph later this afternoon and evening. Gusty winds and excessively dry weather result in a high fire threat.

Out and about yesterday, Went to several different pharmacies trying to track down prep meds for GI procedure tomorrow. "Yes we have one in stock,' and when you get there "Sorry, we'll have to order it." So the great prep quest continues today... Maybe get by Hobby Lobby and look for a couple of things.

Probably get some workbench time later today. Need to finish up several w-i-p boxcars and reefers before I get back on the machine shop build.

Best of luck to all y'all with house and car problems. Lots of stress...
Y'all have a good day and take care.
 
Well, howdy there internet peeps and those with mowers on your roofs... or am I mixing posts and metaphors again.

MIL is still dealing with the fallout from her recent episode. She's low on blood pressure and tires easily. the staff at her senior community is making her use either a walker or wheelchair to come and go from the dining room. She can walk to the dining room, but is too worn out, and has to sit and scoot the chair to her room by shuffling her feet.

We keep trying to get her to take her walker that we've stored (she got it almost 20 years ago when she was in a bad car accident and almost lost both feet. Titanium rods keep her ankles straight now. But, we've still got that walker (the Hugo style) ready for her. But she still refuses.

And I've been bitten by the cruise bug again. Coming out of a cold winter, I really want to go someplace warm next winter for a week or more. So I've been looking at NCL's new itineraries. The Gem is doing western Caribbean 10 to 12 day itineraries. I think the Getaway has a few of those as well.
Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 9.12.03 AM.png

We sailed on the Breakaway, sister ship to the Getaway a couple of years ago. A good ship class - but only with a stinky smoking problem. The designer of the ship thought everyone loves cigarette smoke! Let's put the casino in all of the open public spaces around the grand atrium area. And have "wells" where you can look down two floors into the area where the Casino is. Awesome! Great Design! Except the cigarette smoke smell permeates everything in those common areas even two decks up. Blech!

I hear, but haven't confirmed, that the NCL Drydock experience is to wall off sections of the Casino, and enclose what they can for smoking gamblers, to cut down on the smoke smell.

Fortunately, on the Gem (Jewell Class of ship) the casino is Deck 6 fore. It's not walled off, but it's just that one area. The smoke smell stays fairly well contained except for the fore stairway. As long as we don't get a cabin on deck 5 near the stairway, we're golden on that class of ship.

I really want this to be my view for a while:
Screenshot 2025-04-09 at 9.09.38 AM.png
 


Good Morning All. Clear, sunny and 51°. High for today is supposed to be 86°; maybe 93° on Sunday. Next week, highs just in the mid-70's.

Did more mowing than I had planned to do yesterday, but everywhere needs it. I got the toughest area where the septic leach area is, along with the entire south and southwest sides. Today will be the west side between the woodlot and the hay field, around the pond and behind the train shed. Garden is looking fine, I began the preparation for planting Tomatoes tomorrow and Friday. Mainly just mixing compost and other organic materials into the soil. I'll finish that bed today.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I put in the hearing protection and shop-vac'd the whole place, every nook and cranny. That thing is loud even with very good ear plugs in. Then I ran some more trains, taking a few days break from cleaning the remaining structures in this quarter's project section.

Mike - My wife speaks highly of Destin. She's been there with the kids on the grandkids Spring Break a couple of times.
Patrick - Here's one that's worse than the ruined sink surface. Dad was a 2/pack a day Lucky Strikes non-filter smoker for over 60 years. When he passed away and we were cleaning the house, it was noted that there were many dozens of cigarette burns in the carpet next to the night table on his side of the bed. He'd smoke and read in bed, and lay the burning cigarettes in the ashtray and fall asleep. Eventually they would burn by themselves to a point where the ash holding the remainder of the butt, would give way and the still-burning butt would hit the floor.
Swal - Good luck at the sale.

The late Hugh Hefner was born on this day in 1926.
Everyone have a great Wednesday.
 
Good Morning All!
42F @ 79% and partly with drizzle.

Root Beer: Bargs is the only one for me. Ya, diabetic but I can count on one hand how many of those I have had in the last year, so non-issue.

Video Games: To those people that think all IT guys do is play video games - you are right! Except: Those video games take actual thought, logic, knowledge of CPU, Memory, Filesystems and networking. Brings 1st person shooter to a whole new level.

Left for Spokane about 0430 yesterday for my yearly eye exam @ 0730, SPo VA. Ya, bright lights and wide pupils. Can't see good for about 4 hours afterwards. I had to do a 'checkup' about 6 months ago as I had a bleeder right on or really close to the optic nerve. Gone baby gone. I didn't even have small bleeders in either eye. The doc's and wantabee doc's were pleased and loved my Type II management. Found out that I should have gotten a replacement pair of glasses 2 years ago - woops on somebody's part. Prescription has not changed as my issue is close in only; still variable lens - computer distance and really close up distance for soldering and small parts. Oh, and those glasses have made it for 4 years - probably because of the CostCo glasses case. Hard thing in the form of a triangle - go and get one or two or three; they are free.

Posted more over in Prototype Railroads: Ctc LibbyPix:
IMGP1127.JPG

We took 200 instead of the usual SR2/95 around the loop. xNP,xMRL is getting new 3 light signals, replacing those old Search Lights. I will ask the local signal maintainer if he can get me one. They had multiple crews spread out from Ponderay ID to Heron MT. Ya, did not get to see a movement - rats.

L8r
 
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The fence crew did an amazing job in the rain. I knew I was getting metal posts for this section, but was pleasantly surprised when they also installed a metal framed gate. Owner is about 25 and his 2 friends can't be much older. He's going to be very successful. Under promised and over delivered.

I have to put the yellow jacket traps today. The queens are starting to emerge out of hibernation. Saw 2 yesterday afternoon after the sun came out. I learned from my entomology classes & pest control experience to put the traps out early spring, catch the queens before they establish colonies, and it makes for a pleasant summer & fall. You just have to be diligent about refreshing the pheromones monthly.

NorthBrit - We're doing the Rhine cruise, Amsterdam - Switzerland, during Oktoberfest this year. I hope we don't have to deal with any anti-US stuff during the trip.

Willie - I've been meaning to ask where you get the interior photos that you use?
 
Marlin39 said:
NorthBrit - We're doing the Rhine cruise, Amsterdam - Switzerland, during Oktoberfest this year. I hope we don't have to deal with any anti-US stuff during the trip.
Click to expand...
We have never done a river cruise; just ocean cruises.
Now Dawn is disabled we are looking at holidays in the U.K. --- unless. :p:p

I shall still take pictures of cruise ships whenever I can (as it is my main hobby).

Amsterdam to Switzerland sounds a gorgeous journey. You will have a wonderful holiday I am sure.
 
Good morning everyone!

Not a very pleasant day out there today. It 41F with a light rain snow mix. looks like it wont get much warmer.

Drug up the luggage from the basement this morning and wiped it all down. I will get one little corner of a suitcase for my stuff and the wife and daughter will fill the other 2 1/2 with there stuff. They always take a bunch of clothes and shoes they will never wear but will still have to be washed when we return. The joys of traveling with 2 woman!

Got to try and get the lawn mowed before we leave. The weather doesn't look that conducive till maybe Friday.

Have a safe day everyone!
 
migalyto said:
I will get one little corner of a suitcase for my stuff and the wife and daughter will fill the other 2 1/2 with there stuff. They always take a bunch of clothes and shoes they will never wear but will still have to be washed when we return. The joys of traveling with 2 woman!
Click to expand...
Rings a bell somewhat. 🤣

Dawn loves to fly Emirates when she can. (Suitcase limit 30kgs)
 


ctclibby said:
Good Morning All!
42F @ 79% and partly with drizzle.

Root Beer: Bargs is the only one for me. Ya, diabetic but I can count on one hand how many of those I have had in the last year, so non-issue.

Video Games: To those people that think all IT guys do is play video games - you are right! Except: Those video games take actual thought, logic, knowledge of CPU, Memory, Filesystems and networking. Brings 1st person shooter to a whole new level.

Left for Spokane about 0430 yesterday for my yearly eye exam @ 0730, SPo VA. Ya, bright lights and wide pupils. Can't see good for about 4 hours afterwards. I had to do a 'checkup' about 6 months ago as I had a bleeder right on or really close to the optic nerve. Gone baby gone. I didn't even have small bleeders in either eye. The doc's and wantabee doc's were pleased and loved my Type II management. Found out that I should have gotten a replacement pair of glasses 2 years ago - woops on somebody's part. Prescription has not changed as my issue is close in only; still variable lens - computer distance and really close up distance for soldering and small parts. Oh, and those glasses have made it for 4 years - probably because of the CostCo glasses case. Hard thing in the form of a triangle - go and get one or two or three; they are free.

Posted more over in Prototype Railroads: Ctc LibbyPix:
View attachment 216397
We took 200 instead of the usual SR2/95 around the loop. xNP,xMRL is getting new 3 light signals, replacing those old Search Lights. I will ask the local signal maintainer if he can get me one. They had multiple crews spread out from Ponderay ID to Heron MT. Ya, did not get to see a movement - rats.

L8r
Click to expand...
Geesh, what was I thinking? Not Bargs, Mug root beer.
 
I rarely come here for breakfast and coffee because I never get up before 10AM.
Nice to see some talk about cruising because I'm a cruise junkie. Just over 18 cruises in the past 4 years, most of them comp by the casinos.
But we decided to take a break and stay home so I can work on my layout.
Next cruise is a cross Atlantic from South Hampton to Orlando in October.

Even though I don't post much on my thread, I still read lots of your posts.

Lloyd
 
Hawkesburytrain said:
Apex from Celebrity

I like Celebrity most because it's a better class of people, less kids, not that I don't like kids, I like to relax.
The other cruise line I use is Royal Caribbean, but in Europe, again, less kids.

View attachment 216407
Click to expand...
Agree 100%. RC, Celebrity, and Holland America were outstanding as were the passengers.

The one bad cruise we went on was around the Hawaiian Islands. It was either Princess or Carnival, but there was nothing nice about the trip.
 
Hawkesburytrain said:
Apex from Celebrity

I like Celebrity most because it's a better class of people, less kids, not that I don't like kids, I like to relax.
The other cruise line I use is Royal Caribbean, but in Europe, again, less kids.

View attachment 216407
Click to expand...

Not been on Apex, but we have been on Eclipse and Silhouette. Like you say a better class of people. It is Royal Caribbean's upmarket brand.

Celebrity Silhouette

Celebrity Silhouette in Istanbul.webp
 
Marlin39 said:
The one bad cruise we went on was around the Hawaiian Islands. It was either Princess or Carnival, but there was nothing nice about the trip.
Click to expand...
We have done 2 Carnival cruises, I agree nothing good about them.

The 2 Royal Caribbean cruises we have done have been fantastic. Much better dining experience and far fewer kids running around. plus the ships were much nicer on royal Caribbean!
 


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