Running Bear's February 2026 Coffee Shop

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Thank God it’s Friday. That’s all I have to say about that.
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Good Morning All. Clear and 45° out on the porch this morning. Daytime highs in the low-80's and nighttime lows in the high-50's until next Wednesday when the NWS is still sticking with their forecast of thunderstorms. That will bring highs down to the mid-70's. I'm not predicting Spring quite yet, but maybe. Our average last frost day is March 20, but we'll see. I don't think that we'll see another one (frost) this season.

Yesterday's grocery trek went well. I went solo since my wife is needing to head out today for something else. Ended up having to go to the pharmacy anyway for an antibiotic for her and I topped off the gas tank. We returned last night for supper at a steakhouse known as Saltgrass. They have an awesome appetizer of shrimp and cheese stuffed Jalapenos that can't be beat. We got the big platter so there are some in the fridge for tonight's cocktails.
It's been a disappointing week for the tiller so far. I installed a new battery and it started just fine; but it ran for just 20 seconds or so and died. Next door neighbor Bubba, was supposed to come and look at it yesterday, but two ATV jobs that he was doing for other customers were taking longer than planned. He has a small engine repair business at his home. Had a mobile-mechanic out to look at the Accura yesterday afternoon. He replaced some wiring and got it running again. The 6-year old battery still needs replacing, so that's on the to-do list.

I didn't get out to the train shed until late yesterday, not enough time to do anything. I don't even think that I turned on the workbench light! I did re-stock the beer fridge though. Does that count??? Earlier in the day, I looked up some pictures of Fordson tractors on the Internet to see what color to paint it. All pictures were of restored ones since they didn't have color photos back when they were made in the 1920's. OK though, as it will be in a vintage tractor sales lot.

Kusojiji - My retirement counselor/financial planner was a bust. We did much better when my wife and I did some research and I took over myself.
Troy -
Otherwise, I'll be washing a couple pairs in the bathroom sink and hanging to dry for tomorrow.

I'll post pics later.
Good that you got your laundry back, as those are pictures that we probably don't want to view anyway!
Steve - Las Colinas is unrecognizable even to me these days. Business parks and mid to high end housing everywhere on what used to be rolling ranchland. Still takes forever to get there from North Dallas. Hearing things that I hadn't heard in years was the first thing I noticed when I got my first hearing aids 12 years ago.
Michael - Philadelphia or New York City! Neither is a destination that most Americans would welcome. At least you get your feet on land for a while and get to continue your journey to visit your kinfolks.

Everyone have a fabulous Friday.
 
Morning all,

42° and sunny, 79° later.

Got 5 calls during my vacation time, so it doesn't look like I'll be retiring soon. Wife is thinking there may be no advantage to waiting until 70 though to actually retire. My thought is that it would be 3 years of $3000+ a month being dumped into some sort of savings account (Less taxes of course). Would be around an extra $100,000 to have in retirement. We're not going to travel anyway as we don't now.

Have a DR appointment for the wife in a while and then not sure what the day will bring. May open the house up and let some fresh air in. Defeats the purpose of the whole house 5" air filter though 🤣


BBL
 
The Fedex saga continues. Talked to a rep this morning speaking broken English that I could barely understand in her staccato voice. Made some notes to the Support Ticket and told her there was a firearm in this package. I also told her Memphis PD was going to be informed of a firearms theft if I didn't see movement of this package by end of business today.

So, how is everyone today? Temp is 45°F heading for a purported 70°F that I'll believe when I see it on my thermometer. Going out the the gunshop later with my nephew to pick up his new firearm. Nothing else going on today except to keep reloading the Fedex tracking page all day.

Have a safe Friday! Servus!
 
The Fedex saga continues. Talked to a rep this morning speaking broken English that I could barely understand in her staccato voice. Made some notes to the Support Ticket and told her there was a firearm in this package. I also told her Memphis PD was going to be informed of a firearms theft if I didn't see movement of this package by end of business today.

So, how is everyone today? Temp is 45°F heading for a purported 70°F that I'll believe when I see it on my thermometer. Going out the the gunshop later with my nephew to pick up his new firearm. Nothing else going on today except to keep reloading the Fedex tracking page all day.

Have a safe Friday! Servus!

I don't feel so bad now. Bar Mills said my order went out last Friday by UPS. Of course they didn't give me the tracking number. It's been a week and still no package. I've learned my lesson and will never order direct from them again. This is the 3rd strike.

Just so everyone doesn't think I'm being unreasonable. Their web site stated that the item would start to ship February 5.

They're supposed to include 4 (2 packs) of their new hand painted figures with the kit. Hopefully they didn't screw that up.

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I just learned from the dealer after he did some legwork, that there was a chemical spill Wednesday at the Memphis Hub that shut down a large portion of the sort facility. I wonder how long they will use that excuse.

I asked the dealer how long must he wait before filing a Stolen/Lost Firearm in Transit report with the BATF and a police report.
 
Lewis, I appreciate the thought, really I do. However, CSX did the most distasteful job of heritage units in these 50 states to make matters worse. They used what I consider the most hideous of paint schemes to honor the western Maryland railway. It should have been done in either speed letter or fireball. The red white and black painting is the second most hideous paint scheme ever put on a locomotive with the exception of the New Haven railways McGuinness scheme.
 
Hey Louis, any word on Cecilia today?
UPDATE 2/27:
Yesterday was a “quiet” day. Cecilia is slowly being titrated from some of the paralytic medications and is intermittently beginning to move her limbs. It will still be some time until she is stable enough to “wake up,” but this gives us a lot of hope. One of her main lines was removed and she is remaining stable. We’re looking at silver linings of this situation and asking for full examinations of her body systems that were difficult to obtain given her spectrum behaviors like having a full gynecological exam and obtaining MRIs. Today she should be having another CT scan to determine the severity of the injuries to her cheeks and orbital bones from the trauma impact. Ophthalmology is very pleased with her initial examinations and her ocular pressures are perfect.
The shock is over. Chris and I are now mobilized and accessing what our new reality looks like as Cecilia moves from emergency stabilization to rehabilitation. This will be a life of big challenges, temporary housing, hard nights, boxed lunches, rolling with punches, and long drives…and that is
💯
okay. We have a TON to be grateful for, especially considering that horrific night could have easily seen a dire conclusion.
I truly believe that we are divinely guarded and that when you need it the most little signs are sent to let you know that life will be okay. I’ve seen a ton of them this week. My deceased best friend Karen’s daughter driving through Charleston and giving me a piece of her mother’s jewelry. The mourning dove on the hospital roof. Our Deadhead nurse with the same friends in Wilmington. Our burn unit specialist being named Tif Smith, just like her Godmother. The last thing my boyfriend said to me when he hugged me goodbye before I left for Charleston was, “You’ve just got to believe like Ted Lasso.” At one of the darkest moments for me in the hospital, I walked out of Cecilia’s room and saw this…
She’s going to be okay, y’all. I know it.


The latest from my Niece

God Bless all of you for your support
 
Lewis, I appreciate the thought, really I do. However, CSX did the most distasteful job of heritage units in these 50 states to make matters worse. They used what I consider the most hideous of paint schemes to honor the western Maryland railway. It should have been done in either speed letter or fireball. The red white and black painting is the second most hideous paint scheme ever put on a locomotive with the exception of the New Haven railways McGuinness scheme.
and to add the blue cab seems to make it worse imoo
 
I stopped in the shop to check emails and there was another pile of guns from one of the agencies.

I set aside two 98% mint Marlin 39-A's. One from 1960 and the other from 1978. Also found a possibly unfired Savage 99EG (1949) chambered in 300 savage, 98% S&W 39-2, and a mint 1944 Remington Rand "US Army" 1911A1. I'm sure there's more, but I have to wait until they've been logged in. Oh I forgot, I saw a Browning A5 "Light" 12g that looked pretty mint, but had a Cutts compensator on the end.
 
I stopped in the shop to check emails and there was another pile of guns from one of the agencies.

I set aside two 98% mint Marlin 39-A's. One from 1960 and the other from 1978. Also found a possibly unfired Savage 99EG (1949) chambered in 300 savage, 98% S&W 39-2, and a mint 1944 Remington Rand "US Army" 1911A1. I'm sure there's more, but I have to wait until they've been logged in. Oh I forgot, I saw a Browning A5 "Light" 12g that looked pretty mint, but had a Cutts compensator on the end.
The only thing uglier than the Cutts was the Polychoke!
 


And a happy Friday to all..............

Well, I have decided to purchase a Bamboo P2S, 3D printer. Micro Center in North Dallas shows to have 25 of these in stock, so I'll be going to visit with a friend in Plano on Monday, spend the night at his place ( Monday is his birthday anyway ) and go to Micro Center on Tuesday. My buddy lives about 4 miles from the store so that makes it very convenient. Remember a trip to Dallas is about a 3 1/2 hour drive for me so going on Monday and returning on Tuesday makes it easier on this old man.
I could have had this printer delivered to me in west Texas, but I'm not going to take a chance on any delivery service damaging something like the printer. Plus I get to do a road trip, see an old friend and eat at nice restaurant or two. And Micro Center is a fun place to "window shop".

Got a few other irons in the fire that need attention. Seems I have several unfinished projects and I would like to see at least one come to fruition soon.

I didn't mention it earlier, but all my items that USPS sent on tour came in on last Monday and all were in good shape.

Wishing everyone a safe and well weekend......John
 
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