Running Bear's February 2026 Coffee Shop

[westtexjohn]

related to why men die before their wives? Because they want to?

Men don't live longer than women, it just seems longer.

 

[Espeefan]

Men don't live longer than women, it just seems longer.

The insurance actuarial tables disagree with you.

 

[santafewillie]

I just added another post to my layout thread listed below.

 

[TLOC]

You're complaining about sub $3 gas? We're back over $4. I fill up about every 2 weeks. Of course my home heating and electric bills combined are under $200 this month, so it all balances out.

Not complaining more concerned that we keep hearing that gas is as cheap as it’s “ever” been. Of course those in the Boomer demographic do remember when it was double digits like $0.299 per US gallon. Millennials should remember gas under $1.50 per US gallon. But that is history that few remember

I just asked Terry what we paid for utilities in this place. Quarterly natural gas is $130, quarterly electricity is $100 and monthly sewer and water is $85.00. All on the budget system which keeps the bills even across the year. They will adjust the budget plans every January based on usage from the previous year. I do prefer to be off grid as the last 2 houses were 100% and the previous house about 60% self sufficient. This current house to remodel to going off grid would not be worth it

 

[TLOC]

We’re at the BYU swimming center for the Utah High School 6A State Swimming Championships. My daughter qualified in 2 individual events (the max you can qualify in) plus one relay for her team. Starts in 25 min. Every year, no matter how early we get here, we’re in the furthest section. This time we’re on the closer side of the section as we got here 25 min before gates opened and had to wait in line. Usually we get here late enough that the line is already in.

View attachment 258267

Best to your daughter

 

[Espeefan]

We’re way under what it was under the last guy’s last year but it has inched up 20-30 cents from the low point a month ago. The mainstream stations are 2.69-2.79 while the Costco and Walmart and stuff are around 2.40-2.50 I think.

Oil is oil is oil. It's a world traded commodity. No President of either party has any real effect on its pricing though they all love to tell you otherwise. The truth of it is pricing will probably stay relatively stable until the Saudis decide to cut production again. Then hang on to your wallet. Saudi light sweet crude still makes the best gas. The other stuff (Canadian tar sands oil and Permian Basin oil) is expensive to refine and requires additives to make it burn properly in our engines. I learned a bit about this during my time in the tar sands. It's going to do one thing: Go up. It's just a matter of when. (heavy sigh)

 

[Marlin39]

Not complaining more concerned that we keep hearing that gas is as cheap as it’s “ever” been. Of course those in the Boomer demographic do remember when it was double digits like $0.299 per US gallon. Millennials should remember gas under $1.50 per US gallon. But that is history that few remember

I just asked Terry what we paid for utilities in this place. Quarterly natural gas is $130, quarterly electricity is $100 and monthly sewer and water is $85.00. All on the budget system which keeps the bills even across the year. They will adjust the budget plans every January based on usage from the previous year. I do prefer to be off grid as the last 2 houses were 100% and the previous house about 60% self sufficient. This current house to remodel to going off grid would not be worth it

Should see the looks on the young ones when you explain the gas rationing of the 1970's. They have no idea how bad that was.

Since we're in a newer, built in 2000, neighborhood there are no wood burning fireplaces......unfortunately.

 

[Espeefan]

Just got back from the tax man. Paying this year. Crap. Next year is going to be even more interesting, but at least it's my last hurrah as far as higher earning goes. I don't have a jet I can claim as an expense. Oh well... (leaving out the NSFF comments, and there are a bunch)

 

[Espeefan]

Should see the looks on the young ones when you explain the gas rationing of the 1970's. They have no idea how bad that was.

Since we're in newer, built in 2000, neighborhood there are no wood burning fireplaces......unfortunately.

I remember around a quarter a gallon. You could cruise all night for a buck or two in a muscle car. I also remember even and odd days in the '70's. Interesting times.

 

[TLOC]

Well good morning from a chilled white So Central Wi, where I am at my bench. I have weathering to complete so I moved the structure mess off the bench.

I gave Gemini Ai a picture of my workspace asking it to suggest a better efficient space. After a series of questions and my responses it had me move my 3 drawer unit and switch places with my 3 tier Tamiya paint rack.

I’m right handed and was reaching for Tamiya paints with my left hand and occasionally knocking things over. I adjust my bench every few months and just thought I’d ask for input.

I was using this bench mainly for weathering and electronics until last November when I started cutting structures walls here. Now I’m back to weathering box cars so I was thinking to move lots of things but it was just 2

 

[NorthBrit]

Good afternoon all. It has been a pleasant day. Hopefully it continues.
Going to do some writing.It is one of the reasons to do this journey.

Our bedroom. Yellow lights all around. lol.

 

[Texas Hobo]

I remember around a quarter a gallon. You could cruise all night for a buck or two in a muscle car. I also remember even and odd days in the '70's. Interesting times.

And then there were "gas wars" where stations would lower prices to attract customers. $0.19, even $0.17. I think today's concern is should a individual do something to a certain country, it would last longer than the 12 days like the last time.

STAY SAFE
LATER

 

[Espeefan]

And then there were "gas wars" where stations would lower prices to attract customers. $0.19, even $0.17. I think today's concern is should a individual do something to a certain country, it would last longer than the 12 days the last time.

STAY SAFE
LATER

Well (and tactfully) put.

 

[westtexjohn]

Good day to all in forum land and other places............

I was in Wichita Falls Tx yesterday. Gas at Sam's was $2.20 gal while gas in my nearby town is $2.59. Gas here is always around 40 cents higher than WF because they are a bunch of greedy ba$tards.

Temps here yesterday were in the 80s. Lots of folks in shorts in Wichita Falls. T-shirt day for me.
Temps forecasted to be in the low 60s today until next Tuesday then mid 70s.

Drive shaft shop called to say one end of my drive shaft was "out of alignment" just a bit. They still need to check balance and install two universal joints. It should be ready after 2 pm next Monday.

USPS up to their usual tricks again. Two packages were supposed to be delivered here today but when I checked tracking, one package went to Austin Tx instead of here and the other got sent back to Missouri were it originated from. Both packages made it through Dallas to Ft. Worth Tx but Ft Worth sent them on a grand tour. I'm in no hurry for my packages but the longer the USPS has them just increases the chance that damage will be inflicted. Standard practice is my packages arrive at my PO the day after they arrive in Ft. Worth.

Who is the head of the House :

Hopefully some work in the train room today.

Everyone have a great weekend..........John

 

[westtexjohn]

And then there were "gas wars" where stations would lower prices to attract customers. $0.19, even $0.17. I think today's concern is should a individual do something to a certain country, it would last longer than the 12 days like the last time.

STAY SAFE
LATER

I remember in 1966-67, in Arlington Tx, they had self serve gas stations while Dallas did not. I remember gas at 17 cents a gallon when the self serve stations had a "gas war". Gas in Dallas at the time was around 23 to 25 cents a gallon.

John

 

[chadbag]

Congratulations to your daughter.

Best of luck to her and her team today!

Thanks.

Her two individual events are over. She didn’t quite do what she wanted. Not her bests but probably second best this year or so. We’re waiting for results in the last one. She didn’t make finals (Ao or B) on the first one.

There is still the final relay today she swims in.

 

[chadbag]

Oil is oil is oil. It's a world traded commodity. No President of either party has any real effect on its pricing though they all love to tell you otherwise.

Actually they do have short term effect as well as medium term by setting priorities (drill baby drill or closing fields).

Despite being a world traded commodity, the policies of one of the largest producers and consumers do play a role in the market pricing.

The thing you need to remember is oil trades short term on sentiment and long term in fundamentals. Meaning short term pricing can vary wildly depending on non fundamentals, sentiment, politics. For example, someone starts throwing rocks at their neighbor in the Middle East and prices can jump by a lot. That’s sentiment.

But over the long term the prices do follow fundamentals and shrug off the sentiment.

However, the price of gasoline has a lot more in it than the price of oil. It’s more susceptible to politics — party in power stops approving permits for new refineries or makes stupid blend rules (hello California) and that greatly affects price. California has t had a major refinery overhaul in ages and a new refinery even longer than that. Add in their special blends no one else uses and that’s why California gasoline costs so much more.

You get a president talking anti-oil and his EPA being stingy with new refinery permits and that affects gasoline prices. Threats to eliminate gasoline and diesel powered vehicles affects the price of gasoline because refinery owners will slow down or stop their expansion and maintenance plans if they think their markets will shrink or go away. That drives up prices.

 

[kgstakes]

Been drawing up an idea for a hobby workbench and storage area. Multiple places to store tools and small parts in drawers.

This workbench will replace my current craftsman bench that I've been using for over 40 years. Not that it needs replaced, but I would like to have a workbench that I can use a desk chair instead of a stool (which the stool I made in high school - still works but).

Here's a short video of my drawing on sketchup, which is a very easy program that anyone can use for free or you can purchase a higher "grade" but for what I do the free version works fine.

 

[chadbag]

The insurance actuarial tables disagree with you.

really? Read what he said.

 

[Espeefan]

really? Read what he said.

Guess I readed it backwards