Running Bear's August 2022 Coffee Shop

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Good morning all! Missed out on checking in here yesterday other than reading a few posts.

Supposed to be a fairly nice day today. Got a lot accomplished yesterday at work. We had a bunch of our non-IP phones quit working for who knows what reason so my student worker and I spent the afternoon converting all the affected phones over to IP phones. Also spent a lot of time up on a ladder in one of the classrooms installing microphones for a distance learning camera system. I was pretty tired by the time I got home yesterday for sure. Today I've got a couple of training things going on. Got some Cisco network training first and I've been looking forward to that but have to leave it after a half hour to attend training on our new theater system set up. I'd rather do the Cisco training since I will rarely have any need to deal with the theater stuff (the theater tech normally will handle that). I'll have a lot of interest in learning Cisco and not that much interest in the theater stuff.

Chad: So sorry to hear of your father's passing. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

Willie: We were pulling up the plants because we're wanting to get the area cleared out for another project and as badly as the garden has done this year we probably won't be missing out on much.

Hope you all have a great day!
 


Good Morning troopers and house builders! 70 degrees and today's look forward too:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and very warm. Afternoon breezes, high of about 94°F

CHAD - My best wishes for you and the family going forward. I am sure that it was comforting to your dad with all the family support surrounding him.
Thank you for sharing your loss with us as we all try to be "family" as well!
With the banking woes, house building, and family matters - YOU have really had a merry-go-round of items to deal with.
A sincere prayer that the waters will calm and give you some well deserved rest time.
God Bless!
 
Good morning interweb modeling peeps.
Flo- ask Mel to set me up some stuffed French toast & a couple slices of porkroll to go with my OJ & black coffee this morning, PATY.
Last night, the Dodger fans found someone to boo louder & longer than they did for Machado. Correa was in town with the Twins, who have one of the 2(St Louie’s Donovan is the other) German-born MLB players in Max Kepler. Monday Nightcwas apparently a very successful night of Ping Pong 4 a Purpose, which raised quite a sum for Kershaw’s Challenge. Celebs like Will Farrell, Rob Lowe, Brad Paisley came out to the ballpark. Warriors’ Klay Thompson paired up with his brother Trayce.
Tomorrow night, the Reds & Cubbies come outta the cornfields to play 9 innings. In LLWD qualifying the other night, a young man from Tulsa took a pitch, from the pitcher for Pearland, TX team, in the helmet. After he took his base, he walked to the mound to console the pitcher & let him know that he was fine. Why can’t these pro athletes show sportsmanship like we routinely see at the LL level? Well, I guess these job searches aren’t going to get done by their lonesome, so BBL.
 
chadbag said:
Lots has been happening recently.

We've been basically twiddling our thumbs the last 3 months (actually a little more) on the house build. The construction loan was expiring June 14 and the bank contacted me at the end of April, right as we were basically ready to pour the concrete at the basement level, and said they were not going to pay any more bills until we renewed / extended the loan. As the market had gotten more expensive that meant a new budget and everything. I think I've mentioned this before but it took 5 weeks to get the budget set due to a couple bids/estimates that didn't get turned around without lots of prodding. (Busy time of year for everyone building back in May). Most got turned around in 2 weeks. Anyway, for some reason it took forever for the bank to process. We got prelim approval several weeks ago and then a quick (and good) appraisal within the next week. But they wanted us to stick a ton more money in ourselves to keep the ratios. Plus new closing costs / bank loan fees etc. I finally was able to get them to go from $65K to close to $12.3K to close. (Of that $12.3, almost all is bank loan origination fee and closing costs -- $600-$700 is new money). They are still writing up the paperwork but gave the go ahead to schedule the concrete etc.

Friday evening I got a text that Monday the form guys would be there to form up the "retaining wall" at the back of the house where the staircase that goes from outside ground level to a rear door in the basement is. Monday night I got a text that their foreman was actually on site planning it and I went and met him. He needed me to move some wood supports/wood braces so the forms would fit against the house so the retaining wall would be tied to the house with re-bar etc.

This morning my son and I went up and did the work to move or change the wood bits they needed to have changed and then their form crew showed up and spent a few hours putting the forms up. They helped themselves to my 2x4 stash in order to support the forms, hold them together, etc. Said stash I had just bought last Saturday to make vertical supports for doorways etc. for the actual concrete pour. So while they were working my son and I drove to Lowes and got another 2x4s. Luckily I still have the roof rack bars on my Audi hatchback and so we were able to bungie them down and get home. By the time we got back the form crew was done and just leaving. So we carried the 2x4 down and put vertical supports in every door way, fixed a few of the ICF braces where the spikes holding them down were not right (2 on one side instead of one on each side) and generally we were done around 3pm. Long day. I went home, showered (I had some dust or something in my eye plus was hot and sweaty). Ate some lunch and took a nap for 90 minutes. Tonight after the nap and a couple hours trying to motivate myself and after a cheesecake supper (literally cheesecake, not Cheesecake Factory or anything), I went back up for about 75 minutes before it got dark to create a few wood supports for the scaffolding on two corners that might cause concern for the concfrete crew when looking at them, even though we've been walking on it for months without issue). I also checked some of the clamps I have that hold some f the scaffolding boards to the ICF bracing scaffold bars (for safety).

Tomorrow the inspector comes to inspect my ICF "foundation" and also the retaining wall -- not sure how he is going to see down inside the 10 ft high retaining wall forms though. 9am the concrete job starts. My son and I will get there around 7am or 7:30am to do one last pass to make sure the ICF walls are as vertical / plumb as possible and to finish straightening clamps, pre-positioning ladders, etc.

Once they start pouring the concrete my son and I will be screwing down some plywood covers for the door and window opening once the concrete is in the threshold part so that as the concrete goes higher in the forms it won't hydraulic pressure itself out the opening in the doorways and window bottoms. That sort of thing.

Hopefully they are all done by 2pm or so.

Once the concrete pour is done, we have to wait 3 days minimum, and then we can start taking down the ICF bracing and all the wood supports and braces. The plumber will come do the drain rough in and then we'll dump a ton of gravel in and lay the foam insulation and water tubes for the in-floor heating (not the whole basement but the living space) and then the basement slab will be poured and the framers will come in an put the structural parts in

------

On the personal side.

I think I may have mentioned, but my dad had been suffering from prostate cancer for several years. He passed away a little before 8am this morning. It was expected. He was 86 (would have been 87 in mid October).

He had had the cancer for a while and had been successfully treated a couple years with Testosterone suppressant therapy but eventually that stopped working. They tried some chemo and I don't remember exactly if the first one worked a while but I think he couldn't tolerate it. They tried a few things but he decided to stop the chemo. That was a year ago (or maybe longer). He has gradually been growing weaker over the last year or so but was doing quite well. He would walk in the neighborhood up until a couple months ago I think. Since then he could shuffle around the house with his cane or walker or later on his wheelchair which he would push himself with his feet to get around. A couple weeks ago he was not able to do that any longer and needed to be pushed into the bathroom, etc, but he could still, wth help, get stood up and put into the chair (he no longer could do it himself). He started getting really weak last week and we knew it would be soon. Maybe another week or so if not sooner. Over the weekend he got worse very quickly. We visited several times. My wife is an RN so she went over even more than I did. Sunday I and my family went again to see him as he had had a rough day and gotten weaker. He was able to open his eyes and see you and try to respond. Monday we knew it was close so we all went, except my son, who was at work, and saw him. The wife stopped there after work for a few hours and I went a bit later. My sister, who has been with her family in Africa since Spring, as her husband is a military attache there, was in town the last few weeks with her 2 sons for their scout camp and a general summer vacation. He second daughter has been living with my parents for the last 1-2 year or year (I forget) anyway and her oldest daighter flew in after a concert in California she was involved in (she is a student back east and is involved in music at the university). So my sister and her family were there. My other sister and her family drove down the 90 min from Wyoming to see him last night. I got my brother, who is in Arizona, and is the Arizona Army National Guard HQ unit commander and at summer camp, on FaceTime so he could see his dad one last time, and then we added his wife from their home and his daighter at school in SC in on the FaceTime so they all could see and talk to him. By then he was not able to open his eyes but he tried to acknowledge when people talked to him by trying to open an eye and by squeezing your hand. So all my siblings were able to say last good byes either in person or on FaceTime last night.

This morning I got a text from my sister (who is at their home), which I missed as we were working at the house, and my wife called to tell me he had passed about 15 minutes prior.

We knew this was coming so we've already been through the grief stage and it was more comforting than anything to know his suffering would be over and he would be released to go back to his heavenly home. Now my sisters are planning the funeral for this coming Saturday (with our input but I told them I trust them to do it since I have this house work this week as well). My one sister was scheduled to go back to Africa via Italy and Turkey on Monday and I also have a lot going on next week so I am glad for the early funeral. My brother and his family are coming in from Arizona for it (his daughter was scheduled to visit them in Arizona anyway so just has to come up with them). Luckily we also have a good (and experienced) church congregation with the women's auxiliary springing into action to help set things up, provide a luncheon for the family after the graveside service, etc. So my sisters can worry about the program etc and not the logistics.

As I said, it is a great comfort and relief that he did not "linger longer" as my wife likes to say. That once he started going down hill last week he just kept going. And we've known for a long time his time left on earth was not going to be long so we've all adjusted to the idea. I really feel for those whose loved ones are taken away through sudden accident or sudden health issue that was not expected. No time to come to terms, say good byes, etc.
Morning comes early so I am off to bed.


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So sorry for your loss of dad. You may feel you’ve done the grief part, but that loss is a forever feeling. What a day of emotions though with some joyful news on the house. Best to you the inspector and the next group of tradesmen coming in
 
Morning!!

Fishing adventures are over for awhile.
The wife did well over the last couple of days, and caught some nice rainbows. Here's a photo from yesterday:
Lisa_Lovett_08-09-2022 (3).JPG

The lake we fish is a walk-in only, so not very many people want to walk that far to go fishing. Usually, we are all alone.
Yesterday was the first time I've seen another fisherman come in when we've been there, and I suspect that most don't like walking in through grizzly country due to inexperience in the forest. Or, perhaps they just don't like walking in. Also, the lake is not advertised, so many just don't know about it. I only know about it because I once worked in the area, many years ago.
Here's the other guy approaching the foot bridge to the lake:
LovettBridge_08-09-2022.JPG

I don't think he was expecting to see us there.

Thank you for all the likes on my Monday fishing post. That's the most reactions I've ever got on a single post. And it wasn't even about trains or modelling.

Chad - Sorry to hear about you're dad. I was prepared for my dad's death, as well, knowing it was coming for a month in advance. I was never prepared for the ongoing memories and the thoughts of things I wish I had done differently when he was with me. One things for sure; you never forget your dad.

I feel a-lot of heat from the farmers sunburn I earned while fishing. So, today I'm just going to get the lawn mowed and then relax by the garden. Might get some modelling in, but, right now, I just want to rest.

Have a great day everyone!
 
Good morning interweb modeling peeps.
Flo- ask Mel to set me up some stuffed French toast & a couple slices of porkroll to go with my OJ & black coffee this morning, PATY.
Last night, the Dodger fans found someone to boo louder & longer than they did for Machado. Correa was in town with the Twins, who have one of the 2(St Louie’s Donovan is the other) German-born MLB players in Max Kepler. Monday Nightcwas apparently a very successful night of Ping Pong 4 a Purpose, which raised quite a sum for Kershaw’s Challenge. Celebs like Will Farrell, Rob Lowe, Brad Paisley came out to the ballpark. Warriors’ Klay Thompson paired up with his brother Trayce.
 
Good morning to home builders, anniversary celebrators, writers, fishing type people, baseball watchers and train modelers. A beautiful day in areas of my home in Wisconsin, eastern Iowa and looks like all of Illinois. It’s travel day. Trying to decide if the adventure beginning at 9AM sends us through Eastern Iowa today or the return trip on Friday. It is Terry’s turn to decide and she is out with the horses. No problem where ever we 1st stop on my end. Our normal day but sometimes overnight summer trip is a 2 nighter! Yep, extra pills especially the blue are packed. Hotels are a good time!

Galesburg, Il. is a railroad town of about 30,000 folks and I am only interested in the locomotive servicing center the BNSF has there. So that is either 2 hours away as the first full planned stop or the second from last stop Friday coming home.

The main attraction for this trip is all things Abe Lincoln in Springfield, Il. We have been trying to do this trip for the past 3 summers. Previous illness on my end and then 2 Summers of Covid prevented this trip. Today is the day.

be well
 
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Good Morning All. Clear and quite cool at 71°. Opened the bedroom window around 2:00 this morning. this cool spell is a blessing, although it won't be long enough for me to completely catch up with outdoor projects.

I checked out the Perseid meteor shower this morning from the comfort of a float on the water of the pool, which is at a comfortable 84°. Not as spectacular as some in the past and I had to wait until the moon set at 4:45. I posted yesterday that it's at it's peak, but that was really the peak viewing day because of the almost full moon. The full moon sets tomorrow after sunrise. I was viewing about one every 2-4 minutes, sometimes multiples at once.

The visit to the primary care doctor yesterday went well. No wait, he was pleased, he eliminated one more medication and cut another one back. So between him and the cardiologist last week, I no longer take two meds and have had two others reduced by half each. Looking forward to the blood test results that I should have later today. Wife's visit was also well. We don't have to wait at his office any more since he stopped taking walk-ins there at the beginning of the Covid crisis. One good thing that came of it.

Thanks for the comments and reactions regarding yesterday's update; Tom O,, Dave B, Joe, Patrick, Troy, James, Hughie, Karl, Chet, Smudge, Curt, Louis, Gary, Rick, Sherrel, Chad, Guy.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I made some more progress. I wasn't altogether happy with the Central Beverage Distributor backdrop structure, so I added some depth to it. I have some .100" x .312" Evergreen styrene shape, so I made some side columns to add a little depth to the structure.
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That gave me room to add a partial roof with a billboard on top.
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Then I painted a parking lot.
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Joe - Another unnamed part-time Coffee Shop poster swears by that "spray the Scenic Glue" application, despite me and others cautioning him about it. Eventually he took the layout down because he was having to clean it too much. Still hasn't given up on that application method.
Chet - I've got you beat, I have never been to a McDonalds in my life.
Curt - I didn't modify the NYC logo, it was an extra sign from a Walther's kit that I had left over.
Ken (D&J) - I look forward to your op session pictures. Good luck.
Chad - A lot going on yesterday for you. Condolences on the passing of your dad. Congratulations on #22.
Tom O - Have a safe trip.

Everyone have a wonderful Wednesday.
 
Good morning all, another pretty summer day, sounds like its gonna be a ditto of yesterday.

On the drive in yesterday, however, a turkey flew into my drivers side mirror. Didn't break anything but the second one I hit since this long commute began a little over a year ago. Also saw a bunch of baby turkeys, which is often the case this time of year. Seems like they bunch up into big groups around here cause usually more than 2 adults in the groups.

Chad - sad to hear about your Dad passing. Good to hear the house building is making progress. That new construction stuff was a pain in the ass for us, sounds like it follows for you too. One good thing here in Minnesota the property taxes for the new house don't kick in for a while so we are still paying our property taxes on bare land though have lived in the house over a year.

Willie - smart fix on the building

Troy - glad you are seeing some relief on the foot, hope the headache fades away

Chet - Nice nite scenes, don't remember seeing them before

Here is a shot from my old layout, these buildings all gone but still have the GP-18, although doesn't fit my era, am torn about getting rid of it since it is NP and a good runner:

contest4.4 002.JPG


more later, Dave LASM
 
santafewillie said:
Eventually he took the layout down because he was having to clean it too much. Still hasn't given up on that application method.
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Willie: One 2x5 module's worth was enough for me. I actually tried using Scenic Glue with an eye dropper, (in lieu of diluted white glue), then had to add alcohol - also by eye dropper, to get it to soak in. Literally,I'll try anything once, but if it doesn't work, I'm not going to push my luck trying to make it work.

Chad: My Condolences. Sorry for your loss.

Dave: Wild turkeys are becoming an nuisance here also...
 
Another gravy morning at Amazon. Work almost 2 hours, 14 stops, got paid for 7 hours. I'll take all the gravy I can get.
The holidays are coming. Amazon will get a better deal, for them that is. I won't complain, the pay will be even higher.

Last time I went to the doctor I did not get my blood drawn until after 4pm. Fourteen hours after I got up for work.
I not missing my morning exercise to get an early doctors appointment. I can miss a couple of meals. God knows I don't miss many!
 
Bruette said:
Another gravy morning at Amazon. Work almost 2 hours, 14 stops, got paid for 7 hours. I'll take all the gravy I can get.
The holidays are coming. Amazon will get a better deal, for them that is. I won't complain, the pay will be even higher.

Last time I went to the doctor I did not get my blood drawn until after 4pm. Fourteen hours after I got up for work.
I not missing my morning exercise to get an early doctors appointment. I can miss a couple of meals. God knows I don't miss many!
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It's the creamer and drop of honey in the coffee that make the fasting tough for me on a blood draw. Black coffee is OK, barely, for a cup, and I drink most of a pot each day.

In other news, just got back from a trip to the grocery. No watermelons!!!! Wife is disappointed. The one's she's growing aren't ready yet.

Screenshot 2022-08-10 at 10.22.24 AM.png

The Can't Elope tonight, I forgot the ladder melons
and
Screenshot 2022-08-10 at 10.22.15 AM.png

one of two "Personal sized" melons of water... With a Pepper plant trying to get some sunlight in between all of the melon vines. We have a small patio, and wife has giant dreams for her four planter boxes... Those two things don't pair well.
 


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