Good Morning All. Clear, still and a nice low 72° this morning. Not sure why it is only 72°, but it is and I ain't complaining. A/C's are off and the windows are open for a change. Still expecting 100° later on after just 97° yesterday.
Yesterday was a successful but frustrating day. The grocery store was a breeze, very few other customers, maybe because we got there about 30 minutes earlier than usual. No line at the checkout, while there were lines at the self-checkouts! The downside was that I didn't have any coupons, either paper or digital for any of the items that were on my list. I rarely deviate from the list and I don't buy just because there is a coupon available. The only exception is if I see something in the "manager's special" reduced meat shelf. Yesterday it was a brisket flat. The trip to Home Depot was a bust, as they were still out of pool chlorine. So across the road to Walmart I went. I hate this store with a passion, but I reluctantly go there infrequently. Had to dodge an employee wheeling around the parking lot in his wheelchair smoking a cigarette. Pulled up to the side, grabbed a convenient cart and headed around the corner to the garden center entrance. The gate was closed and locked! I abandoned the cart there and headed for the main entrance about 300' away. Once inside I had to make a return 300' journey back to the garden center where I found plenty of chlorine. Same brand as Home Depot, but 50¢ a gallon more expensive. However I had forgotten to get another shopping cart and had to make the 600' round trip back to the entrance. Got 8 gallons and returned the same 300' to the checkout and then out the door. Back the initial 300' to the car and I noticed that the gate for the garden center was now open and was manned by the guy in the wheelchair who was obviously on break earlier!
Frustrating later on when we went back to town for dinner. I had a car move from right lane to the left lane in front of me, to pass a truck, and despite having no one in front of them, it took them eight miles to complete the pass, going 6 mph under the speed limit. Then they remained in the left lane and I had to wait until the third lane began in order to get around. I couldn't even see the end of the line of cars behind me!
Thanks for the likes and comments regarding yesterday's post;
Tom O, James, Steve J, Smudge, Dave B, Guy, Karl, Chad, Hughie, Patrick, Joe, Gary, Curt, Louis, Tom, Rick, Sherrel.
So the successful but frustrating day yesterday, continued into the train shed. I started to install a 4' LED fixture under the upper deck over the peninsula bulge and couldn't find the #8x1/2" wood screws that I had bought a few weeks ago for the job. Well, that took 35 minutes but I did find them. Got the fixture installed and I was then stymied getting the cover back on the fixture; even after duct taping all of the wires inside. The electrical tape was just not holding. The electrical tape wasn't sticking to the enamel-like finish on the fixture. Eventually I did get everything to align between the fixture base and cover with the lighting element, and it works. But what should have been a 15 minute job took almost two hours.
Here's another view of the area that I will add ground cover and scenery to over the next few days.
Tom O - I like your observation regarding all of the open lands in our country.
There are probably really good pizza joints around Austin TX that your son just doesn't know about. Mom & Pop type shops like the two nearest me in Sanger TX. There's a Dominoes there as well, but I don't consider that good pizza by any means. That may vary by location but I doubt it.
I have done both stress tests and like the chemically induced one better, but it does bring on some apprehension about using chemicals to alter the body's normal functions.
Jeff - It's a crap-shoot around here regarding Covid checks. Both my dentist office and dermatologist quit taking temperatures about a year ago, while my cardiologist and family doctor's office still do. Masking is optional at the dentist and none of his staff wear them until you open your mouth. They did that even before Covid. The dermatologist told me I could take it off once in the exam room.
Good luck with your recovery
Guy - Congratulations on post #1001. The vultures don't bother me. They sometimes hang out when I take my morning walk.
Dave B - Even on the main lines of BNSF around here today, there is evidence of waviness and up and down undulations in the track. So I don't let it bother me on the layout.
Curt - I like the grade crossing.
Louis - I am both saddened and happy about your friend Willy's situation. Your attitude is heartwarming.
Mikey - Looks like the legal system works in your part of the world.
Everybody have a great Friday. Stay safe and cool.
