Running Bear's July 2022 Coffee Shop

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Good evening gang!

Things have kinda settled down now that the pups are tired. Been a crazy day with them.

I did manage to get downstairs and release the spline mock up from its clamps. This will be a great visual aid going forward to see where the curves will actually fall on the layout. The innermost spline has a 28" radius, the blocks are about 1 inch thick. I am hoping to keeping curves to a 30" minimum, but I may be forced to 28" in 1 area. I already see where the track planning software was off a bit. Once the benchwork is in and the risers are in place, the subroadbed will be spline, covered with Homasote with cork on top. Scenery will be red rosin paper over cardboard strips. If you have ever seen how Howard Zane does scenery from his videos, this is how I will proceed. Howard has been a friend and mentor for the last 20 years, and I got to watch him rebuild the Piermont Division first hand.
Spline 28 inch inside curve.jpg


1 minor change, where Howard used #1 clear pine for his splines, I am using 3 layer Luan subflooring plywood, cut into 1 inch strips. The blocks are 1 inch pieces of pine 1x2.

Terry, that's quite a quandary you have there. For my 2 cents, I would stay put. I've been to Florida twice. Once for a wedding in Miami and once for Disney. Too damn hot for too much of the year, plus the humidity. Yech.

Tom, glad to hear you are home. Hope ya feel better soon.

L8ter!
 
Terry, if it were me, I would not base the choice on money. Provided I could afford what I choose.
I would choose the option you think will make you happiest. I doubt anyone can help you choose that.
Don't forget your trains.

I wish you all the best.

I still think you should take a trip to Lionel's headquarters in Charlotte. I know you would be a great addition to their technical team!
 


A little more info...
If I stay here, the landlord is 90, his wife, who technically owns the house, is 85. Neither of them are in great health. If aand when something happens to either of them, the house will probably be sold, and I'll be looking for a place to live. I can't find a 1 bedroom apartment for what I pay in rent here. This week, the house has begun being repainted. Two weeks ago, somebody came by and cut down and trimmed a lot of the older trees. The writing is on the wall, and I'd be foolish to continue with my head stuck in the sand. Rent for a two bedroom apartment is roughly double what I pay now.
My nephew lives in Salisbury, 45 miles South of me. My sister in law lives in Asheville, 3 hours West of me. My son and daughter both live in Utah. I haven't seen or spoken to either of them in a quarter of a century.
If I stay here, the place I work has briefly become--difficult to work at, at times. If I stay here, and continue in my chosen profession, they are the only place other than massive chains. My pay currently covers my bills, with not a lot left at the end of the month, but I'm not starving.
So, a move in the relative near term looks to be coming, whether I want it or not. I'm trying to decide whether to stay in this area, or move South.
 
bnsf971 said:
A little more info...
If I stay here, the landlord is 90, his wife, who technically owns the house, is 85. Neither of them are in great health. If aand when something happens to either of them, the house will probably be sold, and I'll be looking for a place to live. I can't find a 1 bedroom apartment for what I pay in rent here. This week, the house has begun being repainted. Two weeks ago, somebody came by and cut down and trimmed a lot of the older trees. The writing is on the wall, and I'd be foolish to continue with my head stuck in the sand. Rent for a two bedroom apartment is roughly double what I pay now.
My nephew lives in Salisbury, 45 miles South of me. My sister in law lives in Asheville, 3 hours West of me. My son and daughter both live in Utah. I haven't seen or spoken to either of them in a quarter of a century.
If I stay here, the place I work has briefly become--difficult to work at, at times. If I stay here, and continue in my chosen profession, they are the only place other than massive chains. My pay currently covers my bills, with not a lot left at the end of the month, but I'm not starving.
So, a move in the relative near term looks to be coming, whether I want it or not. I'm trying to decide whether to stay in this area, or move South.
Click to expand...
The move south may be temporary, or maybe more long-term, but it sounds like the writing is on the walls, so to speak.

With only you living in the RV, you'll probably adjust, get to know some neighbors, and can get some time with your son's family, and explore new. The only downsides I'm seeing are:
1. Florida weather
2. Slitherers and gators
3. Downsizing to less stuff

That third one is a pain, but wife and I did it five or six years ago when we headed to the new, lighter, friendlier smog of the Los Angeles basin. Huge garage sale. Gave a bunch of stuff away. Only replaced power-hand tools and a few odds after we moved back to Indiana, Didn't have room for or need for a circular or jigsaw in a 900-square-foot LA apartment.

I've added new stuff to make our condo a home, and add improvements (the wet bar) and such. But I'm still glad we downsized. That got rid of a ton of clutter we had accumulated.

And, here's a pet-tax pic of Lord Fuzzbutt. He didn't mind the moves we made. But he did grump about the airplane cargo hold rides. He did keep an eye on all of the moving boxes while we packed. No toys nor cat-food were packed until the very last moment.

Screenshot 2022-07-10 at 5.56.45 AM.png
 
bnsf971 said:
A little more info...
If I stay here, the landlord is 90, his wife, who technically owns the house, is 85. Neither of them are in great health. If aand when something happens to either of them, the house will probably be sold, and I'll be looking for a place to live. I can't find a 1 bedroom apartment for what I pay in rent here. This week, the house has begun being repainted. Two weeks ago, somebody came by and cut down and trimmed a lot of the older trees. The writing is on the wall, and I'd be foolish to continue with my head stuck in the sand. Rent for a two bedroom apartment is roughly double what I pay now.
My nephew lives in Salisbury, 45 miles South of me. My sister in law lives in Asheville, 3 hours West of me. My son and daughter both live in Utah. I haven't seen or spoken to either of them in a quarter of a century.
If I stay here, the place I work has briefly become--difficult to work at, at times. If I stay here, and continue in my chosen profession, they are the only place other than massive chains. My pay currently covers my bills, with not a lot left at the end of the month, but I'm not starving.
So, a move in the relative near term looks to be coming, whether I want it or not. I'm trying to decide whether to stay in this area, or move South.
Click to expand...
Terry, yup writing is on the wall. Me thinks if you get a year more there you will be lucky. If you have a vehicle that could tow a RV, you might see if you can find one used. New if you can afford it. Drag it around and check out new places along with testing living in the thing. We had a 40Ft toy hauler that was fun and good at the beginning, but it became a pain as you couldn't do anything with it getting more space. Somehow I sold it for a little more than we paid. Go and visit everybody. Son and Dau in Utah might be the thing to do. If you get away from Metro you should find less expensive RV type stuff and maybe a small plot that you can make yours and still be somewhat near medical. I hate that "somewhat near medical" statement, but it is what it is.
Good luck what ever you decide!
 
bnsf971 said:
A little more info...
If I stay here, the landlord is 90, his wife, who technically owns the house, is 85. Neither of them are in great health. If aand when something happens to either of them, the house will probably be sold, and I'll be looking for a place to live. I can't find a 1 bedroom apartment for what I pay in rent here. This week, the house has begun being repainted. Two weeks ago, somebody came by and cut down and trimmed a lot of the older trees. The writing is on the wall, and I'd be foolish to continue with my head stuck in the sand. Rent for a two bedroom apartment is roughly double what I pay now.
My nephew lives in Salisbury, 45 miles South of me. My sister in law lives in Asheville, 3 hours West of me. My son and daughter both live in Utah. I haven't seen or spoken to either of them in a quarter of a century.
If I stay here, the place I work has briefly become--difficult to work at, at times. If I stay here, and continue in my chosen profession, they are the only place other than massive chains. My pay currently covers my bills, with not a lot left at the end of the month, but I'm not starving.
So, a move in the relative near term looks to be coming, whether I want it or not. I'm trying to decide whether to stay in this area, or move South.
Click to expand...
Sorry, more thought. You might not like how this feels but: use the government and it's money. I say that cuz it is an option. We decided we are gonna do just that as we have been good citizens for more than 50 years, paying our taxes, not cheating anybody outa anything ... Well, taxes are suspect sometimes. I have beed on unemployment twice in my life, she once. Figure that we are owed and if we can get enough to help us to that final orbit, so be it. Besides meeting new people and seeing new stuff, there are a ton of walk in jobs just about everywhere. Most employer's would probably love to have you for a week or two and probably would let you land the RV on property. You might find something that works and ..um.. settle down! Ya, ya the but I am not young anymore statement. Welp, maybe not but you are old and wise. Use that to your advantage.
 
Good morning all!
54F in Libby.
84F in Reynoldsburg OH.
Headed back to Louisville to hook a trlr, then to Olive Branch for our McKesson run. Prolly do that for the next two weeks ( OB to Chicago Land and back).
We both had some sort of crap, thanks granddaughter! This put us down for a couple of days. Got to Reynoldsburg and told dispatch we shouldn't be driving. Neither of us could speak, I was worse so she had to deal with shippers/receivers. When Maria called in, dispatch actually asked her who she was; it was that bad. Coughing bouts, small fever at first - got here Thursday night and pretty much slept until last night when we finally felt good enough to walk a block for dinner. Better today so off we go again.

Later
 
Further info about the RV thing:
We were forced into living in our 31 foot travel trailer for 18 months starting in mid 2007, after a motorcycle accident left me in a wheelchair and incomeless for 6 months. That was the two of us and our dog, so I know how small even the largest RV can be. We traveled while we lived in the thing, making it all the way from fla to california, then back to NC.
 


Good morning all, we have a cloudy 68 headed for upper 70,

Coffee on the deck for me as well!! They had Italian roast at the grocery store, my favorite, so today is shaping up to be a nice day!

Meant to post yesterday, took the photo then got too wrapped up in all my projects:

2324 RESIZE.JPG


a pic of our side yard, that is our vegetable garden by the upside down bird feeder. Two tomatoe plants, a zucchini plant, eggplant, red peppers, and some flowers still pretty small. Dont want to overdo it with the vegetables. To make up for it, we have about a quarter acre of Red raspberries and black raspberries.

Curt - you really made a lot of headway on the layout, looks great

Todd - glad you are feeling better today

Willie - nice layout pics from archives

Troy - what do you call fuzzbutt, you must have a cuter name?

Made tons of headway on the layout yesterday, first started with several batches of hydrocal, here is half way through:

rESIZE 232.JPG


Here is the end of the day pic

RESIZE 2326.JPG


The slide out is getting done, too
IMG_2328.JPG


Lots of ballast work to do, otherwise moving forward!

Everyone have a great Sunday!!

Dave LASM
 
logandsawman said:
Troy - what do you call fuzzbutt, you must have a cuter name?
Click to expand...
I suspect his name has made it into a few internet passwords for either my wife or me. By agreement, we don't use FUZZBUTT in passwords.

To his adoring fans on the Web, he is Lord Fuzzbutt, terror of chipmunks, taker of naps, and on a holy quest to rid the world of that annoying red dot!
 
Good morning from Cheeseland. 101 fever at wake up time but actually feel good but with the persistent cough. Since the son is here the 2 shadows did go home last night after 10. It was a blessing yesterday though to have my 2 shadows and all the good wishes yesterday.

Dinner last night on the deck was great. Medium rare steak, baked on the grill potatoes, salad and Brussel sprouts fresh from Terry’s garden. The 2 chauffeurs and shadows friends, the coach’s son, my son, the newest doctor who examined me yesterday and the property manager who stopped to check in with me. Made him stay for dinner and he hit it off with my son and the coach’s son. All roughly in that 35 year old area and all single guys by choice. My son tells me between the 6 of them last night the bar inventory took a big hit, especially the beer and tequila. He did ask if I knew there was only one type of beer in the bar. Yeah, Spotted Cow from the New Glarus Brewery. He said, well it’s gone now! It’s what his mom drinks and uses for the brats.

I have obviously no plans for the day. The son said he is taking the 2 guys from last night flying at 10AM. He talked to his sister yesterday who is on vacation at their place in Door County and he said that would make a good quick trip in his plane. She will pick them up at the closest airport.

Right now it is crystal clear at 67f degrees heading to the mid 80’s. Too cool for the deck now and after 11 too sunny. I know, I lead a tough life.

Thanks again for putting up with my postings. I truly appreciate the get well and concern messages and the private messages received via the mail system here have been extremely nice.

enjoy the day
 
bnsf971 said:
A little more info...
If I stay here, the landlord is 90, his wife, who technically owns the house, is 85. Neither of them are in great health. If aand when something happens to either of them, the house will probably be sold, and I'll be looking for a place to live. I can't find a 1 bedroom apartment for what I pay in rent here. This week, the house has begun being repainted. Two weeks ago, somebody came by and cut down and trimmed a lot of the older trees. The writing is on the wall, and I'd be foolish to continue with my head stuck in the sand. Rent for a two bedroom apartment is roughly double what I pay now.
My nephew lives in Salisbury, 45 miles South of me. My sister in law lives in Asheville, 3 hours West of me. My son and daughter both live in Utah. I haven't seen or spoken to either of them in a quarter of a century.
If I stay here, the place I work has briefly become--difficult to work at, at times. If I stay here, and continue in my chosen profession, they are the only place other than massive chains. My pay currently covers my bills, with not a lot left at the end of the month, but I'm not starving.
So, a move in the relative near term looks to be coming, whether I want it or not. I'm trying to decide whether to stay in this area, or move South.
Click to expand...
Terry, like the suggestions offered at your previous job search, it still comes down to you. But, the writing is on the wall you will be moving. But where? The thing is unfortunately you are single via a loss of your loved one, use that. Do what seems right to you, not anyone else, YOU. Jobs, yeah they are plentiful, sort of. If you find something you like that’s great, if not you keep looking. Somebody is always hiring but in todays job hunt find something you like. Your finances are yours to figure. Florida is hot and humid with some hurricanes and critters I want nothing to deal with. My wife and I have friends who moved there and love everything about it. One even says the storms rolling in over the ocean are spectacular but he is not talking about the hurricanes. People have told us we are nuts for staying in Wisconsin when I could go to Maui. Well our grandkids are here and there isn’t much to do or see on Maui after a couple visits there. I just can’t play golf 5-6 days a week and I don‘t want to.

As always, best to you
 
bnsf971 said:
Further info about the RV thing:
We were forced into living in our 31 foot travel trailer for 18 months starting in mid 2007, after a motorcycle accident left me in a wheelchair and incomeless for 6 months. That was the two of us and our dog, so I know how small even the largest RV can be. We traveled while we lived in the thing, making it all the way from fla to california, then back to NC.
Click to expand...
Don't limit yourself to the RV. Not for nothing, there are numerous affordable alternatives...Location, should be what you want. Clearly your current arrangement is becoming very short term. You will need to do something sooner rather than later. Florida has two bad months (HOT & HUMID), NC has two bad months (WINTER STORMS). What about GA or SC. What about the Panhandle of Florida? Howmuch longer are you planning on working? That's another factor. Don't over think this, don't lock yourself into a corner...you have some time to work this out, so use it. Good Luck!
 


McLeod said:
That happened to me not so long ago. Now we have a $3500.00 couch I can't eat or sleep on. It's against the rules.
Suppose I'm lucky that I'm allowed to sit on it. And the passing of gas must be done in a covert nature.
Click to expand...
WOW -- Are we all married to the same person?

A long time back when the airline had the twenty something flight attendants - A crew member told me, "The Fenders and Headlights are different, but the motor is still the same!"
 
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