Running Bear's January 2024 Coffee Shop

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The drywall mud/taping group showed up again today around 12:30. They are still up there as they are triggering the camera as they walk around and I get notified. I was up there this evening for a while trying to saw grooves in the conrete lintel so I can use the air chisel to chisel about 1/2" out of the lintel to fit the vault door. I got about 1/2 done (but I still need to grind misc "peaks" down left by the air chisel when it takes chunks out.

As I was leaving I saw one of the guys on stilts through the window (from my car). I took a few pics. It's in my to-be office and you can see how high he is because you can see the top of the door to the neighboring room at the bottom. These are not the super tall stilts I snapped a photo off the other day. They have a bunch of different sets of stilts of different lengths lying around.

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After a week of flawless service I noticed the temperature in the house was going down late morning. The boiler had thrown a fault in the middle of the night -- some combustion chamber fault. The code was different than the fault we were getting last week. It puts it offline in any case. I went up this morning and reset it and it ran all day but at some point got yet a different fault and was offline again when I went up there after 7pm today to do the concrete lintel work. I reset it again and it was still running when I left. I think something has contaminated some electrode or something. When they stee-rocked the garage some sheet rock dust got in it -- we tried to vacuum it out but maybe that is what is doing it. In any case the guy who designed the system and helped me install it (and sold me the boiler and equipment) is in Saudi Arabia doing some sort of job and will be back around the 21st. When he gets back I'll tell him about the new faults and maybe we can figure it out. I read the manual but it was greek to me on what their "to do" for this fault actually said.
 
Good evening. Beetlejuice the musical rates B to B+ as I turned out to be very surprised. It’s morbid, funny, irreverent with questionable jokes. A hi-voltage never stop musical.

The day rates a C to C-. Great at times and miserable at others. The next internet free day is Tuesday. Because today got messed up and I did online time I was thinking tomorrow. But today was an exceptional day, so I will follow the schedule.

I did look into the shop about 15 minutes ago after being home for almost 30 minutes. Everything is as I left it and noticed I hadn’t turned off the power to the layout. That is off now. Everything was still lit up and even though the power and the lights are on the switches near the stairs going up, I was distracted enough not to turn them off!

Tomorrow should be interesting with the next snow event starting at 3am going into Saturday. I had planned to put up the tent over the outdoor grill and seating area but the snow of a possible 13” eliminates that. I did turn up the radiant heat on the patio, sidewalks and parking areas. That should keep the snow from accumulating on those areas. I have found over the years if I turn the heat up to 40f from its normal 36 we get slush. If I put it up to 45 I get a full melt. 36 keeps any ice from building up but I need melting this weekend.
 


Tom O - I suspected you'd enjoy the musical. The movie it's based on is fun, so a stage musical seemed like it would be as well.

weather must be changing... I woke up with an achey knee and a headache.

Took an ibuprofen, and the cat and I are on the recliner for the rest of the morning.

I was watching a vid on youtubez last evening, one where an operatic vocal coach and singer reacts to various Rock performances, and breaks down the singer's vocal stylings. The vid she watched was Meatloaf's I'll do anything for love.

And about halfway through, the penny finally dropped in my brain. The new series I"m working on is more of a paranormal urban fantasy, than a cozy mystery. And I was missing a big point of personal conflict with the protagonist.

Meet his conflict...
Petra.jpg


I already had the basic character for her... but not the motivation, backstory.

Amazing how one little piece from a video clicks into the subconscious and I have an arc for the first three books...
 
TLOC said:
Hello from the getting prepped for another dump of the white stuff this week. Officially 9” on Monday and 3” last night. Tomorrow anywhere from 3 to 9” but the tough part is the drop to single digit temperatures Saturday night, Sunday and Monday. The grocery store, normally empty of shoppers at noon on Thursday was packed.

Today WAS SUPPOSED to be an internet free day that started off an hour later then planned at 8am due to me actually waking at 7:01. Turned everything off at 8 and around 9:30, Terry comes into the train room and says text your brother. Since he retired he hates the phone but I called him! Business drama and issues with his girl friend. Then I ended up spending a couple hours online doing research on a few things for him. He is coming in Saturday night and will be here for the Packer party. Monday, we go up to Steven Point to visit his attorneys, oh my!!!

Thought everything was fine until Terry again showed up in the train room. This time more drama caused by the SIL’s dad who did not follow advice from Terry a few months ago. His wife passed away at the end of May. His step-son a few days before his mom passed made some changes to her will and she unknowingly signed it. Lots of legal drama with the SIL’s dad hiring a friend who is a hack attorney.

Terry many years (2008) ago went through a similar legal drama when her dad passed and made her Conservator of the Estate over her mom. 2 brothers and her sister totally were against it even though prior to his death he distributed part of the estate with the understanding NO ONE was to ask the mom for anymore money, in writing when they accepted the money and signed by all. They severely were beaten in the courts but it was a 3 year drama and took a toll on Terry, her family relationship and even our own. Then her mom passed in 2019 and the same 2 brothers and sister went after the Estate again. They used the same lawyers and again Terry’s lawyers annihilated them in court and this time going for damages. That destroyed her relationship with her sister who turned 60 yesterday and soured it with the other 2 brothers. The 3rd and youngest brother has stood behind his big sister from the beginning.

Terry had offered her advice and attorneys to help the SIL’s dad, he ignored it in favor of using his friend. Tomorrow though the SIL’s dad is going to meet with the attorney that handled both of Terry’s family fights. Seems the step-son actually has been taking money out of the estate even though the courts supposedly froze everything.

Between Terry and myself most of the afternoon has been spent online. It took me more than 40 minutes talking to the SIL’s dad that we will help him. Turns out because the monies were supposedly frozen he has been existing on just his Social Security and he is unable to even sell the house as it’s part of his and his wife‘s trust that the stepson has hijacked. He said ok finally to the help and Terry is handling it now!

I am now heading back to the train room and my SAD wall of lights. I need a 😴 nap and I still don’t want to see the Beetlejuice musical tonight.

thanks for reading…
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I am planning on leaving only debt to my heirs, and bounce the check to the undertaker.
 
Good Morning All!
1F @ 55% Temp started dropping pretty fast about 1900 last night starting at about 28F. Maria said that it had slowed down around midnight. No new snow though. Weather guessers still say it is to go down to -15F later today with partly sun in the mix at different times.

Cat Baths: We have a claw foot tub. Maria was in it last week or so and the cats jumped up on the edge and were walking around. Welp, the dog wandered in and 'poked' one of the cats. 3 cats then jumped. 2 of them missed the outside edge and into the water they go. Dog decided that cat chasing was in order so she hopped in too. Just imagine. She had scratches all over her legs and arms ( protecting her boobs ) and swimming cats/dogs. She managed to get them thrown outa the tub somehow. What a commotion, and that got me running to see what the heck was going on. When I came in the bathroom, everybody ( except Maria ) was sitting on the rug ... dripping. Just after I opened the door, all decided time to leave and beat feet for the door. Ya, still standing in it and I almost got knocked over. Had scratches to prove it. The cats all settled down and started cleaning up ... in MY chair; don't know where the dog went. In any event, we laughed at that for the next few hours. Poor things!

Later
 
Good morning all. Yes it is dull, cloudy and wet. It gets boring after a time.

'Sunshine' this afternoon. Well sort of. Younger granddaughter is visiting and staying over for the weekend. A couple of days away from her older brothers. Oh! She loves them, but as she says "They play boys games. Lego, Transformers." Here, she and Mama play girly things. Dressing up and dancing and things like that. I guess I shall get involved. There are stories and tales to be told.
 
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Good morning gang!

31° under cloudy skies this morning, looking for a high of 51° with rain later. Long range weather forecast calls for actual winter next week with two days with a chance of snow and temperatures most of the week at or slightly below freezing.
have a happy Friday everyone!
 


Since we have been playing "show and tell" about our spouses -- I first met Kate on a flight from New York to Milan Italy; We each had been single for a little over three years.
While giving my normal 2-3 minute crew briefing and explaining that I was the acting Captain and Captain Johnson was giving me my annual line check that I would be in the Co-pilot's seat going over and then the Capt. seat on the return flight (it's to see that I am aware of the Co-pilots duties as well as my own).
Of the nine flight attendants Kate was sitting last in the group of 2+2+2+2+Kate with her legs crossed, kind of reclining, and filing her fingernails and seemingly ignoring my little speech (I'm sure they had all heard the spiel a thousand times before). After the briefing, I walked back to her and asked her if she had finished her nails - and when she held out her hand to show me - I gently took her hand - kissed it - and said they look lovely. I had never done anything like that, but for some reason it seemed the thing to do! The hook was in! As luck would be, she was working the FC galley and the upstairs seating as well as the cockpit, so whenever she came into the cockpit - with me being in the co-pilot seat - if I looked at my 8-9 O'clock - I was looking at her. When I saw her in the dim lights I thought that I was looking at either Gina L. or Sophia L - I had them both on flights before.
After landing the crew boarded a bus to the crew layover hotel in Baveno - a small town on the banks of Lago Maggiore about 40 miles northwest of Milan - We stayed at the Grand Hotel DINO, a really a beautiful location.
While deplaning the bus, as I passed by her seat - I asked her if she would have dinner with me in the evening - and she accepted and we agreed that we would meet in the plaza at 5 pm. About 5;40pm my phone rang and she said: "Excuse me, but did I not have a dinner engagement at 5, or not?"
She had given up and walked away with some of the other crew members when she stopped, turned around and returned to the lobby, called my room and thought: I'm not letting him stand me up .....he promised me a dinner!
AND that is how it all started 34 wonderful years ago.
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Morning everyone - 35 degrees, but looking for 60 and sunny later!
The spousal Unit cooked up Calf's Liver and Onions for me last evening.
Needless to say that I overstuffed myself.
The only thing lacking was some bacon. which we decided that we needed to keep a package in the freezer!
MERCI ... it is 4;30 am here now -- I have been awake since 1AM - nite all!

Todd - You are funny!

Back later if I can sleep some
 
Sirfoldalot said:
Since we have been playing "show and tell" about our spouses -- I first met Kate on a flight from New York to Milan Italy; We each had been single for a little over three years.
While giving my normal 2-3 minute crew briefing and explaining that I was the acting Captain and Captain Johnson was giving me my annual line check that I would be in the Co-pilot's seat going over and then the Capt. seat on the return flight (it's to see that I am aware of the Co-pilots duties as well as my own).
Of the nine flight attendants Kate was sitting last in the group of 2+2+2+2+Kate with her legs crossed, kind of reclining, and filing her fingernails and seemingly ignoring my little speech (I'm sure they had all heard the spiel a thousand times before). After the briefing, I walked back to her and asked her if she had finished her nails - and when she held out her hand to show me - I gently took her hand - kissed it - and said they look lovely. I had never done anything like that, but for some reason it seemed the thing to do! The hook was in! As luck would be, she was working the FC galley and the upstairs seating as well as the cockpit, so whenever she came into the cockpit - with me being in the co-pilot seat - if I looked at my 8-9 O'clock - I was looking at her. When I saw her in the dim lights I thought that I was looking at either Gina L. or Sophia L - I had them both on flights before.
After landing the crew boarded a bus to the crew layover hotel in Baveno - a small town on the banks of Lago Maggiore about 40 miles northwest of Milan - We stayed at the Grand Hotel DINO, a really a beautiful location.
While deplaning the bus, as I passed by her seat - I asked her if she would have dinner with me in the evening - and she accepted and we agreed that we would meet in the plaza at 5 pm. About 5;40pm my phone rang and she said: "Excuse me, but did I not have a dinner engagement at 5, or not?"
She had given up and walked away with some of the other crew members when she stopped, turned around and returned to the lobby, called my room and thought: I'm not letting him stand me up .....he promised me a dinner!
AND that is how it all started 34 wonderful years ago.
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Sherrel. A lovely romantic story. And as they say, "The rest is history."


Thanks for sharing.
 
Morning all,

It's a balmy 10° degrees with a wind chill of -8°. Supposed to get to 20° later, but wind chills will remain at or below 0° for the next 4 days. Low tomorrow to be near -2°.

Office kind of different this morning. My office is slated for new paint and carpet, but it has to be empty first. We were only supposed to be done by now. The whole city hall remodel was supposed to be completed by the end of next week, but My office and immediate area won't be done until the first week of February. for the most part I can work from anywhere in the city as I link into my computer from any building in the city. It's good to be the Network Administrator!

My wife and I were set up on a blind Valentine's day double date (we went to a dinner theater with my parents). She was a teacher at an area HS where my dad was also a teacher. He thought I could do better than the "trailer trash" I was dating. Needless to say we've been together for 42+ years, married for almost 41. I will say my master plan backfired. I thought, it was cool that she was making more and had a retirement plan and health insurance...little did I know...I'm the one making most of the money now (she's retired) and paying for the health insurance and retirement plans...she was supposed to be taking care of me!!! She always says that was part of her evil plan. 🤣

So far it's a quiet morning. It can stay that way as I have a couple of computers to move out of my office.

BBL
 
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Good morning from snowy Wisconsin. It’s coming down and piling up. Supposedly per the weather app it started at 3:15 and has not stopped. By Saturday at 6pm the app is saying 14” of accumulation. It’s also supposed to be very wet and with the winds in the mid 30’s this will not be a fun snow event.

We are prepared for pretty much anything including having the Sunday tailgate party people coming early by a day or so and leaving Monday. The brother due in tomorrow has changed Monday’s meeting to Tuesday. His assistant called yesterday asking if it’s ok if she shows up today? Sure, more the merrier! The son informed his mom after the musical we saw last night he’s not coming because of the weather. She’s bummed but understands! The daughter’s family was leaving for a hockey tournament tonight for Saturday in Chippewa Falls. Instead her family and 7 other families left at 3pm yesterday and have all 11 members of the team with them. They still expect to be here for the game Sunday afternoon.

That’s it. Heading to the train room.
 
Patrick said:
Morning all,

It's a balmy 10° degrees with a wind chill of -8°. Supposed to get to 20° later, but wind chills will remain at or below 0° for the next 4 days. Low tomorrow to be near -2°.

Office kind of different this morning. My office is slated for new paint and carpet, but it has to be empty first. We were only supposed to be done by now. The whole city hall remodel was supposed to be completed by the end of next week, but My office and immediate area won't be done until the first week of February. for the most part I can work from anywhere in the city as I link into my computer from any building in the city. It's good to be the Network Administrator!

My wife and I were set up on a blind Valentine's day double date (we went to a dinner theater with my parents). She was a teacher at an area HS where my dad was also a teacher. He thought I could do better than the "trailer trash" is was dating. Needless to say we've been together for 42+ years, married for almost 41. I will say my master plan backfired. I thought, it was cool that she was making more and had a retirement plan and health insurance...little did I know...I'm the one making most of the money now (she's retired) and paying for the health insurance and retirement plans...she was supposed to be taking care of me!!! She always says that was part of her evil plan. 🤣

So far it's a quiet morning. It can stay that way as I have a couple of computers to move out of my office.

BBL
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Best laid plans…

Terry was a teacher and same thing making more than me plus with benefits, especially health insurance. The best thing though was that her contracts for the 1st 12 years we were married contained cost of living increases. The outfit I worked for couldn’t match that! The first many years we managed and she kept going up in the educational world. The last 21 years before I retired, every single of the pennies I earned were saved into my 401 or stocks. Our plans sort of worked out! The property management business was never a part of the original life plans together but that addition (year 17 of the marriage) worked out well!

now I’m off to the trains
 
Patrick. Strange how we meet our partners/wives. Loving the different scenarios. Thanks for posting.

Trailer Trash. I haven't heard that saying for a long time. My daughter used to say that about some girls/women when she returned home from U.S.A.. (She had been doing charity work in Brooklyn NYC)
 


Good Morning All. Mostly cloudy and 28°, with 35 mph winds from the NW. Wind chill of 13°. That wind shifted around 2:30, woke me up, but it was still 61° at the time. I got back up at 4:30 and it was 30°. The wind is expected to start abating about daybreak and we'll get up to maybe 48° later today. Winter will really hit sometime Saturday night.
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Currently it is a comfortable 74° in the house after starting the fire in the wood-burner about an hour ago. (5:00 am)

Mostly I spent yesterday making sure that everything outside was ready for the overnight winds and our expected temperature drops. I must have missed a piece of underpinning on the house because I hear it flapping this morning; indeed that was what woke me last night. The wind is already dying down a bit, so it won't be a real issue later. Like Sherrel and Curt, I dislike really cold weather.
I actually have no clue as to what my plans are today, other than resupplying wood and putting the Christmas tree stuff up in the attic. That's always fun. I really need to find someplace to store it that doesn't require a ladder or stairs.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I did just two things. I inspected and cleaned freight cars and inspected, cleaned and vacuumed the next 50' or so of main line track. No loose parts found. I found a few desiccated insect bodies and teeny tiny cobwebs, although not on the rails.
I really have no pictures to post of any layout progress or even railroad related, so here are a few pictures of my neighbors that I took while out walking.
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They are really slow movers.

Louis - Those stilts aren't something new, I used to see workers using them in a nearby subdivision when I was a kid back in the 60's. Although they weren't as tall as the ones Chad showed the other day.
Curt - The first and fourth pictures are GP60's, the middle two are SD45's.
Sherrel - I thought it was funny.
Todd - While I thought that was funny too, I hope that Maria is OK!

Everybody keep warm and have a wonderful day.
 
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