Running Bear's February 2026 Coffee Shop

[bnsf971]

A couple of months ago, my son and I ate dinner at the Cracker Barrel at the front of the property where I work. It was more as a convenience than because we thought it would be a great experience. Neither of us will go back. His chicken fried steak was cold and rubbery and my meatloaf was still frozen in the center. Plus, we had to wait nearly an hour from the time we sat down until our food was served— and they were not at all busy. It seems many businesses are competing in the Race to the Bottom.

 

[troyphoto]

The hills are looking good! But when is that pretty little elf of yours going to make some more cookies?

I'm purchasing Bakery cookies at the grocery store in the 20-count box. They hit the freezer, and I get four out per day. That's most of a week.

When I'm in pain, I need something that tastes yummy to eat.

About the static gras applicators:

- i did use the one from Woodland: not happy with it
- i did use a NOCH Grasmaster Pro 2.0? : not happy with it
- i now use a RTS Greenkeeper 35kV: really Happy with it!

This is the one I am using.

Here's a hint: If you change your Smoke Detector Batteries every year, and they are 9 volt batteries, most of the static Grass Applicators I've seen use 9v batteries.

I save the old ones from the smoke detectors and get some more use out of them in rarely used items like the static grass applicator or the dog bark subsonic mitigator I keep on the patio for the annoying neighbor dogs that bark every time a squirrel farts.

 

[TLOC]

My son has used the Dark Aluminum, Gold, and Gun Metal. He brushes it on, 2 coats, and it looks authentic. I'm sure with an airbrush the results would be as good if not better.

Thank you. I’m looking for more “authentic” colors for the digester and the piping in the paper mill. The price bothered me but 30ml is quite a bit of paint. I’ve used Tamiya’s aluminum quite often and hopefully these will look better. I was in the process of ordering from Amazon because of free delivery and availability. I noticed they are being shipped from Noble Knights. I cancelled the order. I will drive 3 miles over to Noble Knights global HQ and retail store and pick them up direct.

Jet Exhaust and Mettalic Panel sets are in stock per the website. Terry laughed when I told her. She said to leave my debit card at home and pay cash as I have never walked out of there without spending 2-3 times what I planned. The paint racks are so exciting there!

 

[RhB Michael]

29°F this morning and cloudy. Not as warm today as the 40°F we got yesterday, but still supposed to be above freezing again by a degree or two. Snow is melting rapidly now.

I'll probably read more today from the book I received yesterday and not much else. Have a good Dienstag everyone. Survus!

 

[TLOC]

Good morning from Wisconsin. 8f degrees feels like 8 and it’s heading to a high of 22. No white stuff is predicted to fall today

Waiting for a Tuesday at the Movies choice from the wife. She’s in one of those I have to get out of the house moods. I purchased movie sized boxes of Milk Duds at the grocery store last week, roughly $2.75 each + tax where at the movie theater it’s $6.95 + tax. There are actually 3 movies showing today I wouldn’t say no to

I was surprised yesterday when it was announced Federal Officers will start wearing body cameras while working. Isn’t that normal? I respect what our Law Enforcement does but isn’t body cameras just common sense? Wisconsin officers have worn them for years

I realized yesterday I have no real interest in watching the Super Bowl.

I’ll head out to pick up some new to me paint products at 10am. Just a few miles away is Noble Knights global HQ that has a fantastic collection of paints and brushes and I always find more than I need

Enjoy your day

 

[troyphoto]

Well, howdy there internet peeps and with with crackers in your barrels.

It's Troy again.

Looks like the temperature roller coaster is beginning. Below freezing this week, next week, the temp starts creeping up. The Caribbean Cruise in a couple of weeks will be welcome to get warm after all of this.

Slept in until 5:30. I've been training myself to get up for the pee run about 1:30, and go take another round of Ibuprofen.

When I got up at 530, it was time for the tylenol dose. (I'm alternating NSAID types. I don't want to damage my stomach lining with the Ibu, nor my kidneys with the Tylenol.

That's always the rough dose. I really have to pee, but the pain is back. So it hurts to stand, it hurts to sit, and if I lay on my belly for some of the stretches to loosen everything up, the bladder reminds me it is about to explode. So pain mitigation long enough to pee, then a lot of stretching and warming up the muscles that weren't used while sleeping.

Progress is being made, it's just slow progress.

Heading to the big box stores in a bit. Need to see about getting a new shower head with the detachable handheld. I think Chad talked about that a while ago. Not bending well right now reminded me of the need for the handheld.

And the wife wants a pot roast in the crock pot with veggies tomorrow. So off to the grocery after the hardware store.

 

[-Possum-]

Morning folks, currently 63 and cloudy, got some rain in the forecast today. This morning feels great and so did yesterday evening! I goofed up last post saying it was gonna be in the 20s Sunday night, well it didn't even get below freezing.

jmupton - That one issue is 30, not 40 Quit making me feel old (Though I am looking forward to your build!)
Terry - I don't even remember the last time we've been to our local Honky Bucket, but I do recall the food that time being kinda bleh.

 

[RhB Michael]

Good morning from Wisconsin. 8f degrees feels like 8 and it’s heading to a high of 22. No white stuff is predicted to fall today

Waiting for a Tuesday at the Movies choice from the wife. She’s in one of those I have to get out of the house moods. I purchased movie sized boxes of Milk Duds at the grocery store last week, roughly $2.75 each + tax where at the movie theater it’s $6.95 + tax. There are actually 3 movies showing today I wouldn’t say no to

I was surprised yesterday when it was announced Federal Officers will start wearing body cameras while working. Isn’t that normal? I respect what our Law Enforcement does but isn’t body cameras just common sense? Wisconsin officers have worn them for years

I realized yesterday I have no real interest in watching the Super Bowl.

I’ll head out to pick up some new to me paint products at 10am. Just a few miles away is Noble Knights global HQ that has a fantastic collection of paints and brushes and I always find more than I need

Enjoy your day

I don't think it was standard for federal officers. Most locals wear them.

I bought one to wear while walking Lisl in case anything would have ever happened involving her.

 

[Marlin39]

This has been the mildest Winter I can remember. I know our December was the warmest on record.

This is not normal for our February.

 

[migalyto]

I don't even remember the last time we've been to our local Honky Bucket,

I've heard it referred to a lot of nothings but never this!

 

[chadbag]

Heading to the big box stores in a bit. Need to see about getting a new shower head with the detachable handheld. I think Chad talked about that a while ago. Not bending well right now reminded me of the need for the handheld.

Yeah I’m not sure how anyone over about 10 can go without a handheld shower. Especially as you get older. Makes getting soap out of cracks and crevices and washes away stuff.

We bought a combined (dual) fixed/handheld unit from Amazon a good while back at the old house. Liked it so much we bought another a couple years later for the other bathrooms shower (which wasn’t being used but which we’d gotten a new mixer cartridge and I was trying to get the kids to use). It was plastic but only in the $30-$35 range at the time. I can try and find a link if interested.

 

[kbkchooch]

About the static gras applicators:

- i did use the one from Woodland: not happy with it
- i did use a NOCH Grasmaster Pro 2.0? : not happy with it
- i now use a RTS Greenkeeper 35kV: really Happy with it!

According to the reviews online, the Woodland Scenics one was so-so when used with batteries, but worked much better when used with the plug in power source. I got the power source with it, so we shall see.

It's got to be better than the one I built from and electric fly swatter years ago!

 

[troyphoto]

I can try and find a link if interested.

Thanks, but I found a basic handheld at the big box store and have it installed. Even picked up a new shower curtain liner to replace the old one.

My bathroom is at the end of the drain run, and I need to avoid anything with a flow rate of over 1.75 gpm to keep the drain from backing up. The dual head ones didn't give a flow rating, or was a 2.5 gpm. No thanks. Keep it slower.

My only issue is the over the shower head hanging rack I like for the shelf and soap dish. I keep a back brush in the shower, and it has a peg to hang the brush on.

But it's not conducive to having the hose from the shower head there. I had. I'll look for a way to hang that on the back wall, or get some suction hooks for the brush and a soap dish. But that's for another trip. right now the shower is functional.

 

[rgeiter]

Good morning gang!

15° under sunny skies, might make it to 30° today. Wahoo ! Heat wave!


Bob, That doesn't surprise me at all. The January/February show suffers the slings and arrows of what the weather brings. The best (biggest) show is typically the October show. Having attended or exhibited at the show since the early 90's I've seen show attendance vary like crazy, mostly due to the weather. Extreme cold, heat, rain or snow can affect attendance.

Yeah, the October show is my favorite one. The drive down on interstate 83 is always colorful at that time of year too.

 

[rgeiter]

Well howdy there internet peeps and those still in their jammies,

It's Troy again.

Back from taking the wife to her optometry appointment. Her peepers check out fine. She resisted the urge to upgrade her computer spectacles. Not an issue of prescription change, just getting old. Her far distance didn't change enough for a new pair. She's "frugally frugal" so one pair will have to break down. then she'll dig out an old pair, and give herself recurring headaches before she goes in to get a new pair. And we have the good VSP vision insurance that knocks a good chunk off the merchandise.

After that we headed to City BBQ (a mostly Eastern US chain). Not only did we have a $10 reward earned on points, but also had the girl ask if I wanted the Senior Discount.

Hell yes! I will gladly keep the 1.50+ the discount gives back.

Then came home, kept doing laundry, and did my stretches. leg pain was about a 5 when I woke up at 3:30am. Enough that I took a NSAID xtra strength. I'm alternating Tylenol and Advil right now to keep the Ibuprofen from doing any more damage to the tummy.

And I've made some progress on the hills for my gaming table:

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In the pics above I'd just blasted them with IPA followed by homemade scenic cement via spray bottles. I've got a bottle of Aleen's Premium Decoupage, so I mix it 1:1 with PVA glue, then about 20:1 with water and some flow aid.

There are some edges that I still need to carve a rock face into. I'll work on that tomorrow after the sealer dries.

I was reading your post about BBQ and saw your gaming hills and thought the worst. Glad I kept on reading!

 

[chadbag]

Thanks, but I found a basic handheld at the big box store and have it installed. Even picked up a new shower curtain liner to replace the old one.

My bathroom is at the end of the drain run, and I need to avoid anything with a flow rate of over 1.75 gpm to keep the drain from backing up. The dual head ones didn't give a flow rating, or was a 2.5 gpm. No thanks. Keep it slower.

Have you thought about someone coming to clean your pipes? Sounds like they're pretty restricted. I'd guess they are 2" drain pipes and that should handle 2.5gpm easily.

Glad you found one you liked.

 

[Bruette]

I don't want to damage my stomach lining with the Ibu, nor my kidneys with the Tylenol.

As someone with both kidney and liver disease I can tell you what the doctors told me.

Tylenol (Acetaminophen) is generally the preferred over‑the‑counter pain reliever, for people with kidney disease, but too much Tylenol can affect the liver.

I can take Tylenol in low doses, but I rarely do.

NSAIDs can lower blood flow to the kidneys and doctors recommend people with kidney disease avoid or limit all NSAIDs. Tylenol works in a different way and doesn’t put the same strain on the kidneys.

No NSAIDs for me.

When my wife broke her foot and severely twisted her ankle Ibuprofen was prescribed after two days of a narcotic. The Ibuprofen upset her stomach; they switched her to Naproxen which did not upset her stomach and worked just as well.

Check with your doctor for advice tailored to your situation. We are all different.

I hope you feel better.

 

[DeaconKC]

 

[troyphoto]

Have you thought about someone coming to clean your pipes? Sounds like they're pretty restricted. I'd guess they are 2" drain pipes and that should handle 2.5gpm easily.

Glad you found one you liked.

This used to be a Jack n Jill set of bathrooms, but one of the previous condo owners converted it over to a large Master, and a smaller full bath attached to the 2nd bedroom.

When our plumber was out to help me address the issue and get rid of the old and broken lift lever in the tub drain (the small bath), he said the "remodeller" used a 1.5 in pipe instead of the normal 2" drainpipe. And, it's the farthest from the vent pipe. He was the one who suggested the lower flow shower head. I actually like the lower flow. I don't feel as guilty about wasting water when I start plotting a book in the shower instead of bathing.

 

[chadbag]

Whatever works for you! Glad you could find a hand held that works. We had a similar issue when we changed the shower head over with our hanging rack/basket that has the soap and shampoo bottles and women’s razors. I was able to get it to fit with a short elastic around the pipe so it didn’t slide down.

I find I stay in the shower longer with low flow heads. Takes longer to rinse off soap and get shampoo out of the hair. Water volume is what rinses off soap and rinses out shampoo.