Running Bear's April 2025 Coffee Shop

[santafewillie]

For all of you who follow my layout thread listed below, I made a new installment this morning. Thanks for looking and commenting.

 

[santafewillie]

Sorry, I meant slip not seed. I actually found some late yesterday.

I meant to include that Sweet Potatoes take at least four warm months to grow and mature. They're one of only three things that survive and grow in the 100°+ July and August days in my garden. The other two are Peanuts and Okra. Sweet Potato vines can grow 15'-18' long, although the only actual potatoes are all in the cluster where it was originally planted. Best picked immediately after a frost kills the vines.

 

[Marlin39]

I meant to include that Sweet Potatoes take at least four warm months to grow and mature. They're one of only three things that survive and grow in the 100°+ July and August days in my garden. The other two are Peanuts and Okra. Sweet Potato vines can grow 15'-18' long, although the only actual potatoes are all in the cluster where it was originally planted. Best picked immediately after a frost kills the vines.

We live in potato growing country, but I rarely see sweets at any of the farmers markets. I know sweet potatoes & yams are a completely different critter though. We're supposed to have above normal temps this summer, so I figure I would give them a try.

 

[Bruette]

Sorry to all baseball fans, but that "sport" isn't exactly great for body development

Mac, if you had said that to me in person when I was young, I would have been happy to demonstrate what good athlete baseball players can be.

In high school I played varsity baseball and football, I also wrestled, heavy weight (285+) I could run a 40yard dash in just under 5 seconds in full football uniform. Real American football that is. Not run around in circles whining and not using your hands crap. What's up with that; pick up the damn ball and run like a man!

I'll give European soccer players credit; some are good actors. Nobody cries and fakes being hurt after being touched like a European soccer player.

Injuries in high school started the snowball down the hill for me, and I did nothing but inadvertently (stupidly) speed it up. I played semi-pro baseball and football for over 10 years after high school. All the while working 50 to 100 hours a week. I used to say "there will be plenty of time to sleep when I'm dead"

I was raised on homecooked food, with lots of vegetables, I love greens. Choosing to live on burbon, beer, and junk food as a young adult didn't cause my injuries, the injuries came first. That lifestyle caused other problems. Not the least of which was poor choices with woman. "Too many women and too many pills" And all the other things that go with it.

you can tell by what many baseball players look like.

Most of those guys are pitchers. When you can throw a baseball 90+MPH with pinpoint accuracy you can get away with not doing much else. But even most pitchers are great athletes. Nolan Ryan for example. A few are catchers, which require tremendous quickness, dexterity, and the ability to absorb pain.

Many Americans lead very sedate life. American diet is also probably the worst of all countries.

It's true lifestyle can be a factor, diet and exercise play a part.

When I could no longer play and cleaned up my life I coached. As a coach I focused on the fundamentals of baseball and fitness for my young players. A lot goes on behind the scenes that fans never see.

There are a variety of reasons for knee problems, almost as many as there are people with knee problems. There are no simple solutions to complex problems.

 

[CambriaArea51]

As for knees wearing out, most that I know who had replacement worked many hours and years on concrete/ hard floors which the constant pounding wears on the cartilage. My doctor told me for every pound your overweight it's 5 lbs. on your knees. I lost 30 and they feel better, If I can only do something about the arthritis I'd be in good shape.

 

[NYC_George]

Not the least of which was poor choices with woman.

I like that one Louis. A lot of my friends I played baseball and football in high school with are terrible golfers. They can't seem get the mechanics of the game. My neighbor son plays baseball & football. I told him you better start learning how to play golf now because that's what you'll be doing after your 40 years old and it's a tough game to learn if you want to be any good at it.
Swal

 

[Bruette]

terrible golfers.

I'm a terrible golfer.

I was a good hitter in baseball. My late cousin David got me to try golf. I thought "this should be easy, the ball isn't moving". Was I ever wrong!

Golf requires precision. A foul ball is no problem in baseball. In golf it could be out of bounds or in the water and every stroke counts. One for three will make you a star hitter in baseball. But it won't make the cut in golf.

I played a dozen rounds of golf and I only broke 100 once, but I always had fun when I played.

 

[Marlin39]

I quit wrestling in college when we had to do a 3 mile timed run to qualify. I kept up with the pack, but when I saw Juniors and Seniors still breathing through their nose at the finish I knew I wasn't in their league.

 

[Marlin39]

I'm a terrible golfer.

I was a good hitter in baseball. My late cousin David got me to try golf. I thought "this should be easy, the ball isn't moving". Was I ever wrong!

Golf requires precision. A foul ball is no problem in baseball. In golf it could be out of bounds or in the water and every stroke counts. One for three will make you a star hitter in baseball. But it won't make the cut in golf.

I played a dozen rounds of golf and I only broke 100 once, but I always had fun when I played.

I played golf because it was just part of being in sales. You took good customers out to build that relationship.

I judged my game by how many balls I found looking for mine.

 

[NYC_George]

Louis head still and down, arm straight, take the club back on the inside, turn your wrists over on impact, position the ball so you hit it on the upswing, finish the swing high on the left side. Do not hit down or cut across the ball. Watch how Rory keeps his left arm perfectly straight when hitting a shot. When you start bending your elbow differently every time who knows where the ball will go. That's the driver now we move on to the other clubs in the bag.
Swal

 

[chadbag]

Markets were down a little under 2.5% today. I was able to get my $400 sitting in my a-la-carte HSA investment self directed account invested this morning at or near the low point before it partially recovered later in the day. My two accounts were down less than 2% so I guess I beat the market today

In other news its sunny snd 60F.

I had a take home technical assessment for a job at a local company. I'm turning it in this afternoon and should get the interviews done this week. They're advertised compensation is a little lower than I would be happy with and I told them where I was looking in the phone interview last week and they still sent me the assessment and want me to come in for interviews. We'll see how it works out. I need the higher end I am aiming for to pay for this house...

 

[Marlin39]

Markets were down a little under 2.5% today. I was able to get my $400 sitting in my a-la-carte HSA investment self directed account invested this morning at or near the low point before it partially recovered later in the day. My two accounts were down less than 2% so I guess I beat the market today

In other news its sunny snd 60F.

I had a take home technical assessment for a job at a local company. I'm turning it in this afternoon and should get the interviews done this week. They're advertised compensation is a little lower than I would be happy with and I told them where I was looking in the phone interview last week and they still sent me the assessment and want me to come in for interviews. We'll see how it works out. I need the higher end I am aiming for to pay for this house...

Best of luck. Sometimes the benefit package makes up for the income.

My son had to go through 2 phone and 3 group interviews, for his current position.

The 2 HR phone interviews were the most frustrating thing he ever had to do for a position. I let him know that HR interviews are basically scripted to check the boxes. The 3 real interviews with the lab director, vp's, and R&D staff were low key, but long.

 

[Bruette]

Louis head still and down, arm straight, take the club back on the inside, turn your wrists over on impact, position the ball so you hit it on the upswing, finish the swing high on the left side. Do not hit down or cut across the ball. Watch how Rory keeps his arm perfectly straight when hitting a shot. When you start bending your elbow differently every time who knows where the ball will go. That's the driver now we move on to the other clubs in the bag.
Swal

That is good advice Swal. It is as I read years ago in Golf Digest. Incorporating it into my game was the challenge. Golf requires lots of practice. Which helps to turn good fundamentals into muscle memory.

I recall a Tiger Woods interview. He was asked about a "lucky" shot. His answer was brilliant. "It seems the more I practice, the luckier I get"

Unfortunately for me, osteoarthritis and accelerated degenerative disk disease have robbed me of playing golf. My orthopedic surgeon told my current wife "Your husband has the back of an Egyptian slave; he is it fortunate to walk." Thank God for good core muscles or I may already be in a wheelchair. Overwork anything and it will eventually wear out.

I manage the pain by staying as active as I can. Other than a dozen or so regular strength ibuprofen and acetaminophens per year I don't take anything for pain. I ignore the pain as best I can.

Following baseball, football, hockey, golf, and a few other sports are a great distraction along with trains. And of course, my wife, my Angel.

Life is good, thank God.

 

[Guilford Railman]

You know…the interesting thing about life is that you can surprise yourself and learn new things about who you are each and every day.

That being said, after a few months as a conductor, I’ve determined it’s just not for me. Never thought that would be the case but here I am. It may sound strange but I determined I didn’t want most of my life to be related to trains.

I have always used model railroading as an escape from real life. I couldn’t let the stresses of a job identical to my hobby interfere with my escape, it wasn’t worth it. I NEED model trains to exist in the real world, it brings me back to childhood. I would rather stand trackside and watch trains go by while I take in the unique scent of oil and grease on the track than being inside the cab.

It was an interesting experience and I had a good time (for a bit) but the only railroading this guy will be doing for life is model railroading

On a different note, I made a layout update video demonstrating the construction of the benchwork for my GMRC build. Feel free to check it out:

 

[troyphoto]

I think you all should start shooting Darts (or arrows for some in the UK). Less chance of losing whatever you're sending downrange.

Tonight wife wanted a tenderloin sandwich, so we went to the wings place. I got the "Loaded Cowboy Burger" - comes with Cheddar cheese, a couple of onion rings, bacon, and BBQ sauce. I asked for the BBQ sauce on the side. They put too much on and it's a 6 napkin emergency eating the burger.

Welp.... this is what came on the bun:

Not shown is the Mayo. I had it scraped off, with the tomato and (wife stole the lettuce for her sandwitch) then flipped the burger over to add the BBQ sauce. That's when I found the rest of the garden. I'm not a pickle fan. And BBQ with Ketchup and Mustard wasn't my idea of a good burger.

Of course, our server girl went on a short break, and I had my side mostly eaten before I got a fresh bun. Turns out, she hit the "load it up" button when she subtracted the BBQ sauce... that triggered adding the garden to the burger. Not a bad experience, just a comedy of errors lining up.

Earlier I posted on my layout thread (link below in the signature) about getting the foam cut for the upper level... and since the backdrops were installed, I had to cut curves in a couple of pieces.

And that's when I thought back to the Trains.com videos and I asked: What would Gerry Leone do?

Yep...

I made a paper template of the curved area.

 

[TLOC]

Good afternoon to the Crew. My knees are good and I am grateful for that.

For the 1st time since July of 2024 I played on a golf course (9 holes). My SIL asked if I wanted to try it this morning. I’ve been hitting balls almost everyday in the garage on the simulator. So I said yes. I have as I mentioned previously lost significant strength after the stroke but slowly have been able to build back. We rode a cart and while the ball on the course like in the garage was very straight IMO also very short. But I had fun with the son in law and guests. I was surprised by a friend and also joining us along with the SIL’s dad. I wasn’t planning to try to play outside for a while but I’d like to play again but definitely a ways from playing 18. No bets on the course today

 

[Texas Hobo]

Good Evening, all! The day started out with 2 inches of rain and street flooding in some places. Just up the road, near Hobby Airport, 5 inches fell. So, with rain I was forced to go to the train room, (Please don't throw me in the briar patch). So the Pierogie building is done.

STAY SAFE
LATER

 

[kbkchooch]

Good evening gang!

Golf. I tried it. I have fun at the driving range, looking for those little holes, not so much.

See, proof that I can swing a club!!

I don't do it often, but when I do I get a respectable distance, but I pretty much go through a bucket of balls before I can tell you where the next will land. My oldest sister's late husband was an avid golfer and once was the Michigan State amature champion, but even he could not save me.
Born a farm kid, chilled whole milk is a good as ice cream, fresh veggies, lean beef and chicken were never in short supply and fast food was rare. In high school I ran track, played baseball and neighborhood football. None of which I was exceptionally good at. Mechanics and car racing was where I acceled . And if you don't think it's physically demanding, try laying on your back with an automatic transmission on your chest, then lifting that in place while your buddy starts a few bolts to hold it in place. That took a toll on me too!

Now days, I have an arthritic left wrist, and a right hip that screams at me if I sit for too long. My back gripes if I lean over an engine for too long.

We make the best of it, considering the alternative!

 

[NYC_George]

That is good advice Swal. It is as I read years ago in Golf Digest. Incorporating it into my game was the challenge. Golf requires lots of practice. Which helps to turn good fundamentals into muscle memory.

I recall a Tiger Woods interview. He was asked about a "lucky" shot. His answer was brilliant. "It seems the more I practice, the luckier I get"

Unfortunately for me, osteoarthritis and accelerated degenerative disk disease have robbed me of playing golf. My orthopedic surgeon told my current wife "Your husband has the back of an Egyptian slave; he is it fortunate to walk." Thank God for good core muscles or I may already be in a wheelchair. Overwork anything and it will eventually wear out.

I manage the pain by staying as active as I can. Other than a dozen or so regular strength ibuprofen and acetaminophens per year I don't take anything for pain. I ignore the pain as best I can.

Following baseball, football, hockey, golf, and a few other sports are a great distraction along with trains. And of course, my wife, my Angel.

Life is good, thank God.

Louis my cousin tells me all his back problems comes from high school football. I'm wondering if some of my back problems come from the same place.
Swal

 

[Boris]

Good evening:

My Hernia repair took 3 hours, check in to discharge. It was a pleasant and competent experience. Virtually painless (at least until the pain killers wear off....Have a few TraMADols in case things get painful. The surgeon told me and my wife, that the hernia was not caused by over exertion, but by weak muscle tissue caused by an incision in 1959. Yes, from that long ago. Hopefully, it's fixed. In any event, it looks like I'll bed down on the recliner tonight.

Guilford Railman: Railroad - for that matter any transportation occupation - is consuming. If you decide it's not for you, then you should get out before it becomes a life sentence. My gut says you made the right decision. Time to move on and best of luck with future endeavors.