Running Bear's July 2023 Coffee Shop

[Boris]

Good Morning. Happy Independence day 2023. 73°, overcast and very humid. Predicted high is 85°,with a 40% chance of Heavy Rain. I believe the cat has finally settled down, after last night's neighborhood fireworks. Since tomorrow is a work day, it's possible tonight's celebration will be shorter and quieter.

Between the deer and the rabbits, our Hostas are beyond recovery. The chipmunks have tunneled under the yard, and Yesterday I seriously considered running the garden hose into the opening and flooding them out...then I remembered Donald Duck trying the same thing, and what happened...

 

[ctclibby]

I can't image anything could improve the flavor. It's the worst tasting thing I ever tasted! No amount of ketchup made it palatable.

That sums it up!

Bruette: Ifn ya don't like it, why eat it?

Liver - vitamins: 552% of your daily Vitamin A, 84% of B6, 2,471% B12, and small amounts of Vitamins C, D, E, and K. Note B12 - Iron, kinda.

I used to hate it; until I learned how to process and cook. The process part is probably the most important. Fresh is best, frozen a little different. This also depends on where you get it.

If right from the critter and still warm, poke your finger in it, depressing slightly. If it is hard to depress, give it to the dogs - they will love it. I learned that check about 5 years ago as we harvested from our back yard, the liver had a hard edge and was kinda blueish in color. You medical guys/gals might have some comments about this. Thought nothing about it except 'hmmm, have not seen this before'. Slice it up in about 1/2 in chunks. Poke your finger in it again. Should be soft also. If not - dogs. Note that in the hard edge case above, dogs got cooked liver with bacon and onions - did a great pre-wash on the plates!

If from the store it has probably been frozen, or is frozen. If frozen, Ya have to let it thaw, then either way, do the 'poke your finger in it thingie as above'.

Ok, so now at least you have liver that you can use. Just like cooking anything else, to much heat/time destroys those vitamins. Mom used to 'steep' liver - put in sink and pour boiling water over it. Turned it white. I figured how to skip that step.

Start a pan of sliced and halved onions at let them start to caramelize, throw chunks of sliced bacon in, swap the top and bottom of what is in the pan every once-in-awhile. You want the bacon somewhat floppy, then it is ready.

So, add whatever spice to the liver you wish when it is wet ( my goto is Salt, Pepper and Garlic ). After that, flour the heck out of it. White again. Get another pan big enough to hold it all add bacon grease to cover the bottom with a touch of butter, then heat to smoking. Turn heat down to medium(ish). Fry on one side for about 4 minutes. Flip, let it go again about 4 minutes, turn the heat to warm/simmer. I like it somewhat reddish in the middle, so my flipped time is less. Get your pan of bacon and onions and dump on top. Let it simmer a few minutes, then swap the top and bottom of what is in the pan. Give it a few more minutes and presto, you have excellent liver that you should be able to cut with a fork, and it does not taste like liver. Yum! I have converted many people with this processing/cooking style. Give it a go.

Later

 

[NorthTexasRailroad]

Good morning and happy Independence Day! 80 degrees here with a high of 97F and a chance of rain later today. Nice to have a relaxing day off with my wife and no big plans.

 

[KriegslokBR52]

Good Morning. Happy Independence day 2023. 73°, overcast and very humid. Predicted high is 85°,with a 40% chance of Heavy Rain. I believe the cat has finally settled down, after last night's neighborhood fireworks. Since tomorrow is a work day, it's possible tonight's celebration will be shorter and quieter.

Between the deer and the rabbits, our Hostas are beyond recovery. The chipmunks have tunneled under the yard, and Yesterday I seriously considered running the garden hose into the opening and flooding them out...then I remembered Donald Duck trying the same thing, and what happened...

I don't know about flooding...but Bill Murray tried another method in his documentary "Caddyshack"

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Happy Independence Day to all of my fellow countrymen. Mostly sunny and 71°, after about a quarter inch of rain late last night. It won't do much except settle the dust for a day or two. Forecast hasn't changed for us, hot and dry until late-September and triple digits returning by Saturday. Otherwise upper 90's until then.

I'll be leaving around 9:00 to return the granddogs and pick up my wife in Dallas. I'll miss the doggies, but not the battle with their hair everywhere. I'll welcome my wife's return so I can give back all of her share of the household chores. Then I'll have more time in the train shed and time to make tomato and spaghetti sauce. Maybe another batch of salsa.

I happen to like liver and onions as well as Brussels Sprouts.

No time in the train shed yesterday, so nothing to report. The usual archive repeats are here again today. Random views of Maultown.

Todd - Today is July 4. Many times I have to look in the lower right corner of the desktop monitor and let Bill Gates tell me the day and date. Enjoy the chicken. That's what I'm grilling this evening, to make fajitas. Home grown onions, peppers, Jalapenos and tomatoes to go with the chicken.
Guy - The movement of Autoracks can vary depending on both the departure location and the destination. If they're imports, it depends on which railroad has access to the arrival port.
Those engines in the middle of the train are simply called mid-train helpers. They not only push and pull, but provide braking assistance when needed, by releasing air in the air brakes in the rear of the train. It saves the time needed for the release from the lead engines otherwise.
Sherrel - Your post #107 really expressed reality. Forgiving student debt is mostly to buy votes, while those responsible enough to pay their own debts or not borrow to begin with are saddled with the cost. Doesn't seem fair. I'm not legally allowed to buy votes. Giveaways - Too many. A good example is all of those Covid checks from the government given by both parties. I didn't need the money nor did I deserve it. It was sent without my consent. I donated the first two payments to the local hospitals to purchase face masks and respirators. In retrospect, a lot of Covid relief money was used fraudulently.
Our hummingbirds first appeared in late-April and then disappeared until mid-June. I assumed that there was enough flowering stuff elsewhere to keep them fed. Trivia - The nectar/sugar water is for flight. To produce eggs, they have to eat insects like gnats and other creatures.
Karl - It doesn't take holidays or the full moon to bring out the idiots. They live among us. "Check engine" light - My wife complained to me that hers was on about 25 years ago. A quick check revealed that she hadn't screwed the gas filler cap on tightly. Avoided an embarrassing trip to the dealer! I had read about that only a few months earlier.
Swal - Christine McVie retired and returned to Fleetwood Mac at least three times from the late 80's onward.

Everybody have a wonderful and safe Independence Day.

 

[TLOC]

Hello to conspiracy theory believers or not, hunters of rabbits, tomato growers, canners and eaters of those wonderful red (sometimes green fried) things. I have had the common cold, flu, pneumonia and Covid and I personally will tell you, you get any of them and you won’t feel well.

Willie, if I could I’d come down and take you up on your tomato offer. They look great. Enjoy!

Decision has been made. Terry is going back into the horse rescue business and my layout will be in the house. No more discussions on that between the 2 of us. There are other discussions but not yet for the diner.

The local Badger Food Network, a help out those in need of food program planted a nice American Flag in the front lawn. Of the 16 houses on the block only 3 are planted and the other 2 are Indian immigrants. A great way to honor our country and help out but my neighbors…never mind. The Flags are planted for Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Over 800 are planted on each of those 3 days in the City and Town of Verona. Very proud to be an American. Of the 9 neighbors my daughter has they have 15 flags planted. Looks very cool and started in 2016.

Modeling has commenced in earnest. Felt good yesterday and it was enjoyable. What was not was the stripe on my engine house project bled under the tape. I worked hard to make sure the tape was burnished in the seams and coated it twice with a clear coat.

Usually this comes off fairly easily with mineral spirits and a cotton swap/Q-tip. Not yesterday! I will try again in my 1st 2 hour train room session this morning. If not, paint thinner and a toothpick. It will get cleaned up!

To help eliminate burn out, I am going back to 2 hour maximum sessions. Also with at least 2 hours in between. This has helped me before and also forces efficiency into my weathering day. Of the weathering commissions I have now to send out by 8/15, there is maybe a good 10 day free window, I won’t rush.

I also have to plan a layout. Strictly around the walls and no peninsulas even though the space is there. Of the 9 modules I kept from the previous layout I will use 2. The transload facilities and the woodchip pile. Everything else will be built new. There are some facade structures to be re-used. Except for woodchip pile, the Paper Mills, yes 2, will be smaller but basically new. On mill #1 I am going to skip the foamcore mock ups. I have a damn good idea what I want and the look I want to achieve. Module depth in a few instances will reach 30” for scenic purposes but with no track farther back than 24” from the front edge. I am excited.

Missed my morning walk again this morning due to getting up at 7:55. Not sure what’s up with this sleep pattern and I don’t like it. Plus I don’t feel anymore rested. Enjoy the day

 

[TLOC]

Good Morning All. Happy Independence Day to all of my fellow countrymen. Mostly sunny and 71°, after about a quarter inch of rain late last night. It won't do much except settle the dust for a day or two. Forecast hasn't changed for us, hot and dry until late-September and triple digits returning by Saturday. Otherwise upper 90's until then.

I'll be leaving around 9:00 to return the granddogs and pick up my wife in Dallas. I'll miss the doggies, but not the battle with their hair everywhere. I'll welcome my wife's return so I can give back all of her share of the household chores. Then I'll have more time in the train shed and time to make tomato and spaghetti sauce. Maybe another batch of salsa.

I happen to like liver and onions as well as Brussels Sprouts.

No time in the train shed yesterday, so nothing to report. The usual archive repeats are here again today. Random views of Maultown.
View attachment 171137View attachment 171138
View attachment 171139
View attachment 171140

Todd - Today is July 4. Many times I have to look in the lower right corner of the desktop monitor and let Bill Gates tell me the day and date. Enjoy the chicken. That's what I'm grilling this evening, to make fajitas. Home grown onions, peppers, Jalapenos and tomatoes to go with the chicken.
Guy - The movement of Autoracks can vary depending on both the departure location and the destination. If they're imports, it depends on which railroad has access to the arrival port.
Those engines in the middle of the train are simply called mid-train helpers. They not only push and pull, but provide braking assistance when needed, by releasing air in the air brakes in the rear of the train. It saves the time needed for the release from the lead engines otherwise.
Sherrel - Your post #107 really expressed reality. Forgiving student debt is mostly to buy votes, while those responsible enough to pay their own debts or not borrow to begin with are saddled with the cost. Doesn't seem fair. I'm not legally allowed to buy votes. Giveaways - Too many. A good example is all of those Covid checks from the government given by both parties. I didn't need the money nor did I deserve it. It was sent without my consent. I donated the first two payments to the local hospitals to purchase face masks and respirators. In retrospect, a lot of Covid relief money was used fraudulently.
Our hummingbirds first appeared in late-April and then disappeared until mid-June. I assumed that there was enough flowering stuff elsewhere to keep them fed. Trivia - The nectar/sugar water is for flight. To produce eggs, they have to eat insects like gnats and other creatures.
Karl - It doesn't take holidays or the full moon to bring out the idiots. They live among us. "Check engine" light - My wife complained to me that hers was on about 25 years ago. A quick check revealed that she hadn't screwed the gas filler cap on tightly. Avoided an embarrassing trip to the dealer! I had read about that only a few months earlier.
Swal - Christine McVie retired and returned to Fleetwood Mac at least three times from the late 80's onward.

Everybody have a wonderful and safe Independence Day.

When Mr Trump ok’d the payouts for Covid it was meant to be a temporary help. Then Congress (both parties) decided additional checks would help the burden of those not working. No balls to veto the additional payments by either guy at the time of expanding the handouts. So they gave it to everyone. They were warned by Economists, Bankers and a few other politicians that they were courting inflation. That’s what happened. They should have done vouchers for rent and mortgages only, not anything the person receiving wanted to spend it on.

We gave ours to the Badger Foods Network and let them hand out more food. They though caused a scandal by expanding their building at the same time. It was thought with the donations. Audits though showed later it just was coincidental bad timing.

Student debt! You borrowed it, YOU pay it back. I borrowed, Terry borrowed and we both paid ours back. I made both of our kids borrow some even though we had saved for their schooling after high school. They paid theirs back. My son borrowed for his MBA and has continued to pay during this time frame, he knew eventually it would get to the courts and be overturned. He won’t pay it in full because he can earn more in the markets then he can save if he paid it off, less then 3 more years for him. Our daughter paid for her MBA as she went along, she didn’t have a need to borrow. Neither MBA is worth the paper they are printed on in todays employment market.

20/20 is wonderful

 

[bnsf971]

I'm not sure if there is a correct trade name for a locomotive helping out in a mid-train position. Anyway, here is one right smack-dab in the middle of a long line of auto carriers:
View attachment 171131

In the olden days of yore, that was known as a mid-train helper. Now, it's called a DPU, or Distributed Power Unit.

 

[KriegslokBR52]

When Mr Trump ok’d the payouts for Covid it was meant to be a temporary help. Then Congress (both parties) decided additional checks would help the burden of those not working. No balls to veto the additional payments by either guy at the time of expanding the handouts. So they gave it to everyone. They were warned by Economists, Bankers and a few other politicians that they were courting inflation. That’s what happened. They should have done vouchers for rent and mortgages only, not anything the person receiving wanted to spend it on.

We gave ours to the Badger Foods Network and let them hand out more food. They though caused a scandal by expanding their building at the same time. It was thought with the donations. Audits though showed later it just was coincidental bad timing.

Student debt! You borrowed it, YOU pay it back. I borrowed, Terry borrowed and we both paid ours back. I made both of our kids borrow some even though we had saved for their schooling after high school. They paid theirs back. My son borrowed for his MBA and has continued to pay during this time frame, he knew eventually it would get to the courts and be overturned. He won’t pay it in full because he can earn more in the markets then he can save if he paid it off, less then 3 more years for him. Our daughter paid for her MBA as she went along, she didn’t have a need to borrow. Neither MBA is worth the paper they are printed on in todays employment market.

20/20 is wonderful

My ex thought she needed Bachelor degree, i told her it's not worth it because she already had the job she wanted. Like a fool i cosigned some of it with her. Now i'm stuck paying my share, she's...well the grass ain't greener on the other side But after i pay my half i'm done. Colleges are not worth anything, a lot of young people are sucked into it with false view. Then they can't even live by themselves and they wound up back in their parents basement and barely surviving with the payments. Trade school-yes, if you're quaranteed a job at your level.

 

[troyphoto]

Well howdy, there bankrupt billionaires, gopher bombers, and people who think liver tastes good,

It's Troy again.

We've got a gent in our condo community, Robert the playwright/actor, who is also the key person on the landscaping committee. We got his blessing and that of the maintenance guy to clear the bushes from in front of our unit. (Reminder, we're in the center unit of a 12 unit townhome row.)

Once Robert got it in his head that those bushes should come out, he was down there with the saw and made this pile.

Then the 70 year old lawyer who is an amateur lumberjack at his "cabin" up in Wisconsin busted out the stumps for us...

Wife told Robert she'd like some hostas and daylilies. Well, Robert is also a self-described "guerilla gardener" and has been dividing and relocating plants from all over the complex. I will say this, the beauty of the grounds is what keeps my wife from wanting to purchase a house with her own Willie-sized vegetable garden.

And, wife is out front right now, in the process of trying to plant everything Robert brought her this morning.

He really is a guerilla gardener by the looks of everything he went and dug up. "Well, they needed to be thinned out, anyway..."

 

[Sirfoldalot]

This is why I dont trust my taste buds. It could be lime flavored, all I know is that I like it. These are the same taste buds that tell me that liver & onions and Brussel sprouts are tasty, so that could be the issue!

They are wonderful if cooked properly! Halve the Brussel sprouts and put some melted butter and garlic - then bake for 15-20 min. Don't want them to dry out!

Yeah, I think after liver, onions, and brussels sprouts, floor cleaner would taste good...

Them's harsh words, there Pilgrim!

Why does pan fried beef liver smell so good when cooking, but taste so bad!

Not cooked properly!

1st guess it is over cooked. Most do that. Treat fresh liver almost like a good cut of sirloin. It did have onions and bacon with it ... right?

Spot on, TODD!

I can't image anything could improve the flavor. It's the worst tasting thing I ever tasted! No amount of ketchup made it palatable.

MY Stars in Heaven - Ketchup! The pox be upon you, Mate! LOL

I would suggest de-railing this line of questioning. We've had such "discussions" in the coffee shop before. They go nowhere faster than Tom O's treadmill, and leave a lot of Feel-badsies (<---- A gamer term) in their wake.

Thank you, TROY! I was getting close.

I'll be leaving around 9:00 to return the granddogs and pick up my wife in Dallas. I'll miss the doggies, but not the battle with their hair everywhere.

Dogs that shed a lot need to spend 5 min every day with a good brush - helps immensely!
My Foxie, was the world's worse; I could get a handful of fur from her every day!

I happen to like liver and onions as well as Brussels Sprouts.

I'm right there with you WILLIE !

BLUE SKIES is all that I see - Was 93f yesterday as advertised and 60f to start today - expecting 90f later.
The turtle, WALDO, has abandoned his house and found new "digs" - literally - underneath a large flowering bush along the side wall next to the patio. He managed to carve out a hole that only leaves about 1/2 of his shell showing (pretty hard to see in that thick bush). He appears on the patio every morning looking for some grape leaves, romaine lettuce, strawberries, apple slices - the Spousal Unit really makes him a nice plate - he loves it!

That is all for now. Thanks, GUY, for the comments on the Hum birds - that's amazing - I did not realize that they would be that far north?

 

[KriegslokBR52]

Happy Independence Day. Boy i wish the Museum would repaint "Old Rivets" in that bicentennial scheme

Taken from this site:http://crcyc.railfan.net/locos/elec/gg1/gg1.html

 

[Boris]

Neither MBA is worth the paper they are printed on in today's employment market.

Because I had at least one full time job, as well as completing my Military obligation by serving on the Army Reserve, it took me forever to attain my BS in Economics. By that time, the MBA was the "Holly Grail" for many of my colleagues. So, when my youngest left the Marine Corps, I strongly encouraged him not only to get his Bachelors from Southern Illinois, (Another Saluky),
but his MBA from UNC. Almost all of which was paid for by the VA. (He ate the rest of the cost, out of pocket). He has a career position with the Navy Department, and really has no need for the MBA...but it's there, and no one can take the knowledge away from him...

The myth of higher education is one fostered by the Colleges and Universities. Yes, certain fields require degrees, and advanced degrees, but in the scheme of things, how much did your degree help you in your career path? On Conrail, some of my work peers had advanced degrees, others degrees, still others never went beyond High school. We had a accomplished trial lawyer working as a Rules Examiner, a guy with a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering, running an engine. It all depended on the job market, and the individual's preference for choosing his career path.

 

[troyphoto]

And here's the almost finished version... We're in the season right now where there is too much sun for the hostas. They will gradually get more shade, and be alright in about two weeks. The sun is still too high in the sky to get the tall bushes shading them as needed.

Tomorrow, I'm supposed to get some mulch, and paver stones to make a path back to the hose/faucet. The pool for our section is directly across from our unit, and the maintenance guy was always grumping that our bushes blocked him from getting to our spicket.

So, several trips to the big box home store tomorrow... I swear that if a garden gnome jumps in my car while I'm there, I won't complain. Every garden needs gnomes.

 

[TLOC]

And here's the almost finished version... We're in the season right now where there is too much sun for the hostas. They will gradually get more shade, and be alright in about two weeks. The sun is still too high in the sky to get the tall bushes shading them as needed.

View attachment 171147

Tomorrow, I'm supposed to get some mulch, and paver stones to make a path back to the hose/faucet. The pool for our section is directly across from our unit, and the maintenance guy was always grumping that our bushes blocked him from getting to our spicket.

So, several trips to the big box home store tomorrow... I swear that if a garden gnome jumps in my car while I'm there, I won't complain. Every garden needs gnomes.

Please no gnomes, but a frog holding an umbrella with a beaker is fine

 

[Texas Hobo]

Good morning, all! Thundering here at the moment.

Another day, and I haven't used algebra.

Happy Fourth

Robin Williams: The American Flag

A Daily Dose Of Entertainment featuring Funny, Cool, and Interesting Videos.

biggeekdad.com

STAY SAFE

 

[Patrick]

Happy 4th,

Kids coming over soon. Been up since 5 for whatever reason.

Liver...waste of good onions.

Brussel sprouts...love them.

Kids are here..

 

[TLOC]

I can't image anything could improve the flavor. It's the worst tasting thing I ever tasted! No amount of ketchup made it palatable.

That sums it up!

Louis, didn’t realize you did Facebook. Thanks for liking my pages.

 

[Bruette]

Louis, didn’t realize you did Facebook. Thanks for liking my pages.

I stayed away from Facebook for the longest time. My recent health issues have limited what I can do. I turned to Facebook to keep up with my family.

I think there are more pages I have not seen. I'll catch up with them all eventually. Thanks for sharing your photos!

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Happy Independence Day

Started out with a walk at 77F and humid. At noon the feel like temp was 106F. I finished the 17 trees and planted them. I have more armatures but waiting to use them since I have a couple of potential layout mods. I did do a YouTube video showing the trees. Tomorrow, I have a outside project with son.

I had an interesting morning. Three times 4 fighter jets flew by the house with most likely a 707 refueling plane. One time they were high and twice they were low. You could hear them coming. Probably a WDW flyover. They were headed in that direction. That was cool. The bad part was standing on a red ant hill and not knowing it until the little b******s were biting me.

Willie- Nice work on the buildings. Safe travels.

TomO- I look forward to seeing your new layout being built.

Mac- Nice photos.

Troy- Nice looking flower bed.

Guy- Interesting photos especially the wheels.

Louis- Sorry to hear about the violence in Baltimore. The video I saw said the murder rate is down by 18% so far this year.

Roxie the skunk is showing her age on her muzzle as is the person holding her! She is sleeping on me as I post this.



The TT and RH area.



Please excuse the jerkiness (cell phone) and I recommend turning off the volume so you don't have to listen to the parrots. The grass area on the end of the center peninsula will be getting a watering hole and trees.

I hope everyone has a good night.