Running Bear's December 2025 Coffee Shop

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My wife's 2009 Accord was having a hard time starting last Thursday. I figured that the 5 year old battery was failing so I went to AutoZone to get a new one. The new battery was tested and had a full charge when they put it in. The car was still hard to start, so I was guessing that the starter may be failing. I just replaced the alternator about 6 months ago, so I knew that wasn't it.

I have a very honest mechanic. I took it in today and he sent me a text that said that they sold me the wrong battery for that model. It was correct for a manual transmission Accord (435cca), but the correct factory battery spec, for the automatic transmission, was 640cca. New battery installed and everything works great.

I can only imagine what the dealership would have done and charged me for.
 
One of my better camping adventures with the wife.
 

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Kusojiji said:
I may have to catch that to go check out RG Rokko hobby shop in Kobe.

Or maybe not. Open the line by 2045? Yeah... so much for that.
Click to expand...
The normal Shinkansen is not that bad. You could be to Shin Kobe in a few hours. From there take the subway and hop a local JR a few stops and a 10 min walk.

ETA: It's a great place to walk around and look at stuff and Masaharu-san is a great guy.
 
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Good morning, Everyone!

I'm feeling better today, but I was two days ago as well. God willing, I will continue to improve. My spirits are bright! A little brighter now that I have a Christmas train to play with!

It is hard to believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve. In keeping with my wife's Hungarian traditions, we will have our Christmas feast with our son and his wife tomorrow about noon. Christmas day will be a lazy day spent basking in the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas. And of course, playing with my Christmas train!

Enjoy your day Everyone!
 
Good morning. It's partly cloudy and 60.
I'm feeling under the weather this morning. It started yesterday with a scratchy throat, and has progressed to a sore throat, cough, sneezing, etc. I'm off tomorrow and Christmas, then supposed to work Friday, then off Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
There was some pretty serious pushback about having to use our 5 PTO days for Christmas, New Year, Memorial Day July 4th, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving. For anybody that can count, that's one more day than we have PTO for. They're renegotiating that, but for now, Christmas is a company paid day off. We'll see about the others.
 
Well howdy there internet peeps

It's Troy again.

Currently 44 F-degrees in the Fort today. High of 49. Almost all of the snow - except plow piles - has melted. Looks like we might hit 60sF by thw weekend, maybe.

Sent the sleepbuds back to Amazon yesterday. So when I put my hearing aids in the charger, one didn't set right, and didn't charge. Since I still have charge in my sleep headband, I'm listening to jungle frogs and crickets via it to help dampen the tinnitus while the hearing aids charge.

Saw on the news that Jim Beam is suspending operations at it's main distillery due to decreased international demand.


This one is complicated, but I learned that Whiskey producers in KY are charged a "property" tax on whiskey in barrels. And Beam can forgoe adding to that "property" when they already have surplus whiskey due to decreased international demand.

Had to look up the whiskey barrel tax. Our AI overlords say it's a real thing:
Yes, Kentucky uniquely taxes aging whiskey barrels as a property tax, a significant revenue source for local governments, but a major cost for distillers, leading to a state law (HB 5) phasing out this tax from 2026 to 2043 to help the industry grow, though it creates local budget challenges.
Key Details of the Tax
  • What it is: A property tax on the assessed value of bourbon barrels aging in warehouses.
  • Uniqueness: Kentucky is the only state that taxes aging spirits barrels.
  • Impact: Revenue from this tax funds local services, with some counties heavily reliant on it, yet it's a significant expense for distillers, costing them millions annually.
The Phase-Out (HB 5)
  • Legislation: Governor Andy Beshear signed House Bill 5 in 2023.
  • Timeline: The tax will be phased out over 20 years, starting in 2026 and ending in 2043.
  • Goal: To make the industry more competitive and encourage growth, while giving communities time to diversify their tax bases.
Current Situation
  • Distillers are currently paying substantial amounts in these taxes, with figures reaching $75 million in 2025, highlighting the financial burden before the phase-out fully takes effect.
Fortunately, if you're in the USA, it's a good time to purchase whiskey. Which reminds me, I need to get another bottle of Rye. Been making Manhattans and Italian Gentlemen recently. The IG is whisky and Italian Vermouth, while a Manhattan is Rye and a good vermouth.(both with bitters).

I worked through a bottle of Jack Daniels barrel select on the Italian version, but prefer the regular Rye Manhattan. I suspect the daughter and her boyfriend will add to the whiskey collection this year, so I'm trying to free up some space on the shelf for whatever they gift.

No clue what today will bring. I may run to the recycling hut and drop off soda cans for the local Habitat for Humanity. Other than that, I'm waiting on round 2 edits to come back from the Editrix. I'd like to get the book out to my typo hunters before Christmas, so I hope the editrix finishes early today.

Here's your funny for today:
Xmas Wars.jpg
 


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