Running Bear's August 2022 Coffee Shop

[Sirfoldalot]

Just ran a speed check on mine from Frontier:
387 down
182 up

is that good/bad/ undecided ??

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Today would have been my mother's 93rd birthday, but the Lord called her home at age 64 in 1995. I'll remember her forever.
Everybody have a great day.

Willie - That's sad - --way too soon at 64. I lost my mom in 1995 as well. She had a stroke at 86; I just happened to be visiting them and was planning to leave the morning it happened. The last thing she said to me the night before was, "I'm not ready for you to leave".

 

[Boris]

Joe- I think Centralia is down to a whopping population of 4.

Mike: According to the video, five holdout families remain...once the occupants pass the properties revert to the Commonwealth. In a previous life, I would use Hwy 61 enroute from Boothwyn to Sullivan County on weekends, to avoid the hugmongous back-ups at the Lehigh Tunnel on the PA Turnpike. Ex FIL had a large house and some acreage near Dushore. Centralia, of course was one of the town we passed through. Even in 1971, there was this smog about the town.

 

[chadbag]

Just tested my current network speed using my Linksys router built in speed check (which I think uses the Ookla speedtest.net system but tests it directly from the router so your internal house network doesn't affect it).

My Comcast/Xfinity "800 mbps" service is currently showing

750 down
18 up

They throttle the up and 18 is the max at my level of service. This number can change throughout the day depending on how many people are using how much though it rarely goes really low, even in the high traffic times (evenings). That is because "cable" is a shared medium -- everyone in the neighborhood (or at least those that share the wire -- different parts of neighborhood may each have their own wire segment) share the available wire bandwidth, limited by your service level.

 

[Boris]

we always had a lot of low-level B-52 and KC-135 traffic over our house in the 80's and early 90's coming out of Carswell. Lots of Huey helicopters as well. At the time we also saw a lot of F-14's, F-16's and F-111's, but I believe that they came from the Naval Air Station in Grand Prairie instead of Carswell.

Nothing rattles the house more than pairs of CH-53s, just above the treetops, although C-17s at 500 ft are also common. We also get KC-135 and KC 10 traffic. Haven't seen any F-16s since the change in administration. Interceptors were scrambled every time someone encroached on the Golf Club's air space. They would fly over low and fast.

 

[santafewillie]

I noted while on my morning walk, that someone didn't have a good night last night.

They came close to not getting out.

This black gumbo clay is serious stuff. Even I leave imprints in the turf when I walk around.
I had the camera with me to get some additional pictures of the Texas Longhorns next door.

The two larger ones are both females. I have not seen the younger ones in a standing pose so I don't know whether they are bulls or cows.
As you can see in the last three shots, this is the wacky neighbor who meticulously uses a weedeater along 1,000's of feet of barbed wire fences.

Just thought you'd like to see part of my day!

 

[Bruette]

That's the hazard of off shore sourcing, eh? Ollies is buying a lot of inventory for quick resale.

I think it was 2014 when Lionel tried to have their Christmas Boxcars manufactured in the USA. Very few were delivered on time. I got mine in March the following year. For my patience I did get a free hat and a $50 gift card.

It will take a long-term commitment before American manufacturing supplants the Pacific rim. China for example has dozens of factories capable of making a variety of products. Factories dedicated to making one product line are finding it hard to compete.
Having a labor force capable of making a variety of products requires investing in training. Keeping shareholders happy makes that challenging. Not to mention the cost of payroll and benefits. Pacific rim companies don't have to pay for health care. Their governments cover that.

Ollie's is a major player in the grey market. I love looking around in Ollie's, especially the book section.

 

[MikeInHubCity]

Mike: According to the video, five holdout families remain...once the occupants pass the properties revert to the Commonwealth. In a previous life, I would use Hwy 61 enroute from Boothwyn to Sullivan County on weekends, to avoid the hugmongous back-ups at the Lehigh Tunnel on the PA Turnpike. Ex FIL had a large house and some acreage near Dushore. Centralia, of course was one of the town we passed through. Even in 1971, there was this smog about the town.

Joe- May I presume that you’re referring to the days of the single tube on PA Hwy 9?

 

[TLOC]

Just ran a speed check on mine from Frontier:
387 down
182 up

is that good/bad/ undecided ??

Good speeds. But, there is always a but. What speeds are you paying for and r u happy

 

[TLOC]

I noted while on my morning walk, that someone didn't have a good night last night.
View attachment 150568
They came close to not getting out.
View attachment 150569
This black gumbo clay is serious stuff. Even I leave imprints in the turf when I walk around.
I had the camera with me to get some additional pictures of the Texas Longhorns next door.
View attachment 150570View attachment 150571View attachment 150572View attachment 150573
The two larger ones are both females. I have not seen the younger ones in a standing pose so I don't know whether they are bulls or cows.
As you can see in the last three shots, this is the wacky neighbor who meticulously uses a weedeater along 1,000's of feet of barbed wire fences.

Just thought you'd like to see part of my day!

Willie, weed whacking is the neighbor’s hobby

 

[Bruette]

LOUIS - Which one have I seen (several times) about Spock's home planet being destroyed by the mother of all drills?
I do not think I have seen all three?

The best one of all was the one with "V o y G E R" - the machine planet!
(one of the set)
Charlie will survive (I think) - I may not! lol

That would be Star Trek, 2009 when Nero destroys Vulcan.
Kill the credit card, save Charlie.

 

[Patrick]

That would be Star Trek, 2009 when Nero destroys Vulcan.
Kill the credit card, save Charlie.

The 3 redo shows were good. Biggest beef most had was the time travel piece, which had been introduced as a possibility in the original series.

The V--Ger movie was the original made in 1979, "Star Trek: The Motion Picture". My gripe with that one was they had a one hour plot, but filled the additional hour with all the special effects they didn't have in the sixties. (And yes I own every theatrical movie released in the Star Trek Series, including the 3 newest ones).

 

[Smudge617]

Good Morning All. Mostly cloudy and 73° to start our morning here. The rain stopped but the temperature yesterday only reached 84°, expecting 88° today before returning to the 90's tomorrow. Looks like the storms that were here Sunday night might break apart before hitting Mikey in Bama.

Started yesterday off with the team from the local septic tank crew who were here to pump out my septic tanks. Periodic maintenance. They were last here 15 years ago, so that's not bad. The $525 hurt but that's just $35/year maintenance. I don't have a sewer charge on my water bill or any other county taxes for sewer. Using Rid-X works well, but eventually they still need to be pumped.
It's dry this morning, so I can walk early before emptying the dishwasher. Maybe my wife will do that while I am walking. Then it's on the tractor to do some mowing. There's not a lot of areas that really need it yet, but with more rain in the forecast beginning next week, I should get started now. I try to limit myself to 45 minutes a session and my overall mowable acreage takes almost 6 hours.

Thanks for the likes and comments regarding my latest layout progress; Karl, Tom O, Chad, Smudge, Louis, Hughie, Sherrel, Patrick, Dave B, James, Curt, Tom, Rick, Mikey.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I finished up a few details with the newspaper office. Painted and installed all of the roofs, Painted and installed all of the windows, painted the loading area and added landscaping between it and the gas station, a minor detail. I also made, painted and installed the sidewalk along the side next to the street.
View attachment 150564
View attachment 150565
I will not be adding the mortar wash until I complete the other side of the structure. Today I will locate a dock door and add it and some roof details.
I did attach the backdrop structure of the bank to the backdrop itself.View attachment 150566
Still need to fill in the area between it and the newspaper building. As a monotony breaker, I added occupants to a car going down the nearby street.
View attachment 150567

James - Late comment on those hopper prices - Absolutely crazy. Especially to me as I haven't purchased a freight car since 2014. I just don't need any more!
Sherrel -

OK, I was confused, it's all coming back to me now. Tom is a member of this forum and Mike is the one that I met several times at the old location of the Texas Western Model Railroad Club before they moved.
WOW! Good luck with Charlie.
Troy - I had to deal with onerous OSHA regulations for many years. Fortunately our factory never had a visit from them, but we tried to do most things safely. Many of their rules simply made no sense and made doing certain things more difficult. Some were good intentioned but were stupid and the intended end result could be had in a different easier way. Some seemed very arbitrary. Record keeping was quite costly. But the fact that we had a full time safety director on board did keep them away. Traditionally though, first offense was just a warning. If the Amish company got a fine, then they were probably cited before. And no, they never tell you how to fix an issue, just tell you that you are doing it wrong. Much of my knowledge of their methods came from one of our safety directors who had spent ten years as an OSHA inspector before coming to us. Over the years I completed the very boring OSHA 30 hour training course three times.
Louis - You seemed to be up rather late for you last night! 9:30-10:00 pm.

Today would have been my mother's 93rd birthday, but the Lord called her home at age 64 in 1995. I'll remember her forever.
Everybody have a great day.

Willie, I still can't get the mortar wash to work for me, could you document how you do this please.

 

[logandsawman]

Good afternoon,

Late to the show today, got busy at work and all of a sudden it is lunch time. We just found out our Health Savings Accounts got locked for a month. They are switching companies. Account holders had no say in the decision. It happened at my last job, too; however we had to affirm it and I did not, so there was no interruption there.

Some kind of accounting gimmick, I presume, certainly not in my best interest as I cannot pay medical bills out of there in the mean time. AAARRRGgghhhhhhh

Star Trek - I liked the Original Series and Voyageur (with Janeway). I avoid all the other ones like the plague, I got tired of Riker and Pickard, also never could watch Deep Space 9. All the new stuff is garbage to me. I like being blunt sometimes.

Having a hard time picking out a photo today, will post this one mainly cause the lighting is good and I love these freight cars:

back later, Dave LASM

 

[troyphoto]

Well howdy there internet people...

Didn't see any Amish in hard hats, but they were wearing the harness for the safety rope. And, wouldn't you know it, both the Amish and Sihks are granted religious exemptions per OSHA

Exemption from the requirement to wear hard hats for religious reasons. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

www.osha.gov

As for speed. I've got faster than the Amish do! Well, Frontier Fiber.

That's from the Google Speed Test

In other news, today is a down day for the foot. Been wearing the night splint, doing all the things. No idea when I FUBARed it this time. Felt good when I got up. Made sure to do stretches and massage before putting my shoes on to walk to the coffee pot.

Trying to do some writing today, but too many other things are popping up. I'm trying not to paint more on my Crusaders. But....

 

[chadbag]

Star Trek - I liked the Original Series and Voyageur (with Janeway). I avoid all the other ones like the plague, I got tired of Riker and Pickard, also never could watch Deep Space 9. All the new stuff is garbage to me. I like being blunt sometimes.

It is interesting to see people's likes and dislikes on Star Trek.

For me, the original series, and Next Generation were the ones. Deep Space 9 was ok. I couldn't stand Voyager with Cpt Janeway. Nothing since has interested me though I did find the new generation motion pictures well done.

Luckily, "to each his own" is still an option.

 

[MikeInHubCity]

Did the vaccine trifecta of shingles(2nd dose) tetanus(got my last one right before I left NJ, almost 10 years ago) & influenza. Low grade fever & chills today.

 

[chadbag]

So, I have an idea for an adventure novel. But I don't know the least bit about organizing and planning a story so that you can actually do a good job. Are there apps or websites that will help me in the organization of the ideas?

Right now I am reading or re-reading background material so that I can flesh out my high level ideas.

(Think Nazi secret antarctic base and wonder machines, Pellucidar, and Hyperborea, set in the 1950s...)

 

[TLOC]

So, I have an idea for an adventure novel. But I don't know the least bit about organizing and planning a story so that you can actually do a good job. Are there apps or websites that will help me in the organization of the ideas?

Right now I am reading or re-reading background material so that I can flesh out my high level ideas.

(Think Nazi secret antarctic base and wonder machines, Pellucidar, and Hyperborea, set in the 1950s...)

I did a search

I have in the past had ideas for books I’d like to I see written. I have never felt that I could carry it past 25-30 pages.

I’m sure Troy will check in

 

[kbkchooch]

Surfs up in the basement! Hot water heater is dying and losing vital fluids. Picking up a replacement after work from HD, this stuff just doesn't stop!