Running Bear's July 2023 Coffee Shop

[Bruette]

2023 Orioles American League Allstars!

I know I mentioned this before, but I am so proud of my baby birds!

 

[Bruette]

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.

Thank you, it's never ending. The young people are too quick to turn to deadly violence to solve disputes.

Concerning gun violence, our mayor finally said something I agree with; The problem is adults giving them access to guns.

I missed Roxie

I'm always happy to hear about or see happy pets.

 

[kbkchooch]

I'm baaaack!

Stick me with a fork , I'm done. After a morning of cutting the lawn and other puttering, the man-child finally awakens in time for lunch. Took him outside and put him on the other end of a gas powers post hole digger in the 90° heat. To add insult to injury halfway into the 4th hole a leaky cloud passed over, not cooling us be making it 2x more humid! Then we hit a large tree root. Had to move the 2 holes another foot to avoid tree roots on #4 and a large rock in hole # 5. Luckily this was just for the garden fence. Now the 4x4 posts are set and leveled up. I was going to place the steel intermediate post be that may wait til the weekend.

I'm on strike for the rest of the day. I will be in the basement, playing with choo choos!

 

[Bruette]

I heard this on NPR from an author whose name escapes me.

Aging is terrible, growing old can be a horror show. Eventually we are seen as useless, then we become invisible.

 

[chadbag]

Sorry, should hsve said Q-Anon, What Scientists said it was a hoax. Quotes in context please.

said what is a hoax? I don’t think any credible people say the virus is a hoax. I already said so. What people fight against is that the vaccine is the solution as it has plainly shown itself to not be. plenty of statements from credible sources about highly vaxed more susceptible to infection and other side effects.

We can take this out of the coffee shop as I am sure we’re stepping over the line.

 

[chadbag]

Just remember that the gun is just a tool. The violence comes from the person committing it. The gun doesn’t seek out and shoot anyone in its own nor does it compel its owner to do so.

I have more than enough of the things and have never once felt compelled to shoot someone “just because”. (Not been in any self defense situations ever but that would be a compelling moment ). Not have I ever caught them wandering off by themselves m, whether to shoot someone or not.

 

[chadbag]

Happy Independence Day to all the citizens and otherwise residents of the USA. Hope the day goes well for you.

We’re putting in some doors in the basement that separate the main basement from under garage basement. The dividing walls are full ICF concrete and the dividing doors are exterior rated to keep the two environments and thermal envelopes separate.

We measured the rough opening when we made the ICF wall but it seems that we either used the wrong point for where we thought the slab would be or they poured the slab slightly high as the rough opening height is a little short to get the doors in so we’ve had to plane the door frame down some and then plane/chisel/sand the top of the rough frame (in this cases treated wood attached to the concrete) som to make the height work.

We did the first one Saturday and that opening was the worst. Took a good portion of the day. My son and I did the second one yesterday but ran out of time before he had to leave for work (evening UPS shift) so we shunned it and screwed it in today.

The third on has a talket frame by a few eighths so hopefully we don’t have to plane or chisel or use 24grit paper to sand it down to make more room. I took 3/8” off the frame top and hopefully that is enough. I sent my son to go get some more shims and some longer screws and am waiting for him to return so we can test fit the door. This is the last door that separates the main basement from the under garage basement. Once we get this installed with lock we can move a lot of the stuff in storage to this lockable space.

We have one more door to install but it’s a separate cold storage us er the front porch. We want to store some tools and stuff in there as well.

 

[CGW121]

My wife had the 2 vaccines from Moderna. Soon after she started bleeding vaginally, among other female problems. Being she was 64 at the time we took notice. Uterine walls thickening serious stuff. Thank God she is over it now. I had the first vax with no problems.
Mike CGW

 

[TLOC]

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.

View attachment 171149

The TT and RH area.

View attachment 171150

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.

Thanks Curt. The framework portion will go very fast as I will draw out the lumber dimensions and the daughter and her best friend and ex- business partner will cut it. What would take me a few days alone, they will do in hours. They also assemble very well when using the kregg joining tools and a square.

The previous layout was 84’ of main, so not very big. The expansion was just under 200’ and was started a month before we got serious about selling the last place. This layout on one deck should be in the 250’ range. The lumber will be from the previous layout + expansion with only screws and foam board needing to be additionally purchased. To get their help though I have been blackmailed. I was informed today that I have to build another slot track for my daughter’s friend. Between my weathering commissions and going back to Maui I don’t know when I will have time. I am waiting for an email telling me the size of the track they need.

 

[Boris]

I heard this on NPR from an author whose name escapes me.

Aging is terrible, growing old can be a horror show. Eventually we are seen as useless, then we become invisible.

There have been times, recently, where I felt my life was going in that direction. I felt so much better a month ago, when I believed, felt and exercised like I was 22.

 

[Patrick]

Well,

Been a good weekend. They announced that Wichita is FINALLY getting a Culver's! The only bad side is it's the northwest side, but currently it's 113 miles to the closest one in Topeka. But I've been known to drive further to get to one. Can't wait.

Gotta work tomorrow, but it will be nice to get back to it. Off too long already.

 

[TLOC]

Today was a beautiful 94f degrees with bright skies and a pleasant breeze. Just a joy to be on the south deck this morning, a few hours at the weathering bench and then the north porch. Neighbor and I headed off for an early dinner at 5 Guys and as usual the burgers are just awesome. Split the excellent fries for only $33 and no tip. Sign in the front window said, “tipping is optional”, “the credit card machine is from corporate and it has recommended tips built in“. Went on to say, “our least paid associate starts at $16.75 per hour and most earn $25 per hour, thank you.” That was interesting.

My 2 hours of train room time tonight will be spent working on a track plan for the new layout. My first decision though is the ceiling. Do I want it 100% dry walled or just painted black which is what I did on the last layout. The shelf though was lit behind a valance all the way around. That again is the direction I am leaning. 2nd to do is check out the lighting circuits. There are more than enough receptacles around the room but I am not sure about the ceiling. I want the layout lighting (again behind the valance) to be separate from the aisle lights. My shop is a separate room and would be the 5th bedroom in the house. At 12’x 16’ and no closet it is plenty big and has an attached bathroom. I am excited for this but I may have some time commitments that may come into play. I would like to run a train staging to staging by Christmas.

My 2 helpers for cutting and assembling the benchwork are blackmailing me. My daughter’s best friend wants a slot track for her family. I am waiting for size dimensions of what she wants, her budget and if her hubby can help out routing the 3 lanes of slots.

enjoy the evening, wear ear plugs and hold tight to the pets

 

[Boris]

When it comes to Vaccines, I have had mixed results. I grew up in an era, where Polio was still common. Everyone heard of the "Iron Lung", and had a school mate who wore heavy metal braces on their legs, and walked with a obvious limp or shuffle. The Salk, and later Sabin Vaccines were a Godsend, and allowed everyone to breath easier. They worked too. And initially were distributed by the Public Health Service, through a co-ordinated effort with schools and public services. That effort also worked.

More recently, I haven't felt so confident about vaccines and public policy. C-19 Vaccines distribution was at best chaotic, with too many preferential groups going to the head of the line. Too many within the preferential group(s) refusing to be immunized, and too many precious doses discarded for being allowed to spoil. The wife and I did get 5 doses each of Moderna, over a year and a half, and neither of us had covid, (to our knowledge). I'm not as lucky when it comes to other immunizations. I usually get the Flu, even though I receive the immunization each season. I have had three doses of Pneumonia Vaccines since I turned 65. I have been diagnosed with pneumonia four times since I turned 65. The wife had the shingles vaccine, 2 doses per direction. She reacted poorly, and has recurring what can best be described as under skin chicken pox. Never had that before the immunization. I am afraid to subject myself to Shingrex as a result... Some scientific theory indicates that C-19 vaccine may cause or exacerbate heart issues...could the sudden onset of my arterial valve problems since November 28, 2022 have anything to do with C-19, or Flu Immunizations? The most recent of which were 4 October 2022. I don't know, I'm not schooled in medicine or pharmacy. But our individual health has declined since our first C-19 shot in 2021. There is statistical proof, based on our medical records. Science is mainly analysis of data...all pertinent data.

It is truly unfortunate, that due to media hype and politicization, we cannot have a rational discussion on the merits of vaccination(s) and other issues. This morning's passionate exchange demonstrated that partisan emotions run high.

Not for nothing, the CDC has recommended that those over 65, receive the annual Flu shot, the Updated C-19 immunization booster, and the Respiratory Virus Shot this fall. I'm not so sure I want to, after what happened to me last year. Yet, if I don't, I'm fearful, that I'll catch something, unless I become a complete recluse, become useless, and invisible.

 

[Boris]

Rockets Red Glare. Tonight is round two of Fireworks Frenzy, around the neighborhood. The cat is hiding somewhere under a section of model railroad. The sound is more like small arms fire, and mortars, except that no one has called in an air strike...yet. Well it is a tradition.

Tomorrow everyone not employed by a school, goes back to work, and those lucky folks will head for the pool or the beach.
We will head to the drug store for our pricey medication refills, and the wholesale club for a list of groceries. I hope to start walking tomorrow morning, if I manage to get out of bed early enough.

Goal # 2 is to spend time in the train room...two one hour sessions, 1 working on scenery, 1 on projects and structures. I managed one hour today.

Incidents like what has occurred in Baltimore City, will continue until the community itself puts an end to it. Until that point is reached it will continue. Hand wringing, and blaming inanimate objects and other sources will not solve the problem.

Indianapolis IN - 4 march 1970 - Roger Puta photo

 

[chadbag]

Re: vaccines.

the general concept of vaccines is sound. There are plenty of examples of basic sicknesses that no longer are a problem.

But that doesn’t mean any specific vaccine is sound. And being concerned about specific vaccines does not mean a person is anti-vaccine. Except for Hep-B, my kids were all vaccinated with all the other childhood vaccines (I think). (Hep-B vaccine has higher than normal adverse reaction history and it’s not something you pick up from your environment — you pick it up through risky behavior — so I figured it was not warranted for kids who weren’t IV drug users or engaging in promiscuous sex — they can decide at adulthood if they want it or not).

But I’ve never had a flu vaccine (and haven’t had a flu in years that I’m aware of). Or any of the other vaccines they push on adults. Except tetanus (which I need a booster for).

I did have one J&J C19 vaccine as work required vaccination— wife had 1 as well for the same reason — we did the bare minimum to satisfy the push at the time. We’ve had C19 once as a family (about 6 weeks after getting the vaccine) and my kids, or at least one of them IIRC, had a second mild episode of it a few months later (very mild but tested positive) though I didn’t. I don’t remember if the wife also had the second mild episode — was spring of 2022. The kids did not receive C19 vaccine. The kids episode(s) were quite mild.

As an aside, the mNRA “vaccines” aren’t really vaccines in the traditional sense.

 

[Boris]

Louis: This one's for you!

PX 9800 with the Baltimore Orioles enroute to NYP to play the Yankees. 3 July 2023. Passing through Norwood PA - Steph Sams Photo.
Based on the way they have looked during this series, they should be made to ride home in school buses.

 

[chadbag]

We went to my mom’s tonight for some grilled food and to hang out. My niece lives with her and my two teenage nephews (brothers of the niece) flew I today from an Africa. My sister and BIL live there while he is the military attaché of the United States in one of the countries. So we had a good crew. (my sis and BIL fly in this coming Saturday I think for a few weeks).

Some grilled hamburgers, brats, Italian sausage, and some sort of beef and cheddar kielbasa. Pasta salad, green salad, potato salad, and fruit salad. Some plain fruit (not in a salad). It was a nice evening.

On the way home we stopped out the house construction as the train room above the garage has a nice window that has a nice view over the valley. While some roofs partially block the view you can see a lot and it was a billion fireworks going off. Mostly private fireworks. Everywhere. We’re far enough away that it just sounded like low rumbles continuously. Kind of like a distant thunderstorm.

Sadly work beacons tomorrow. Today felt like Saturday. We finished one door that we mostly had done last night (made minor adjustments and installed the handle/lock) and got another partially hung. I have to unscrew and recenter it in the frame and reshim it but it should go fast. I already figure it out this afternoon before we went to my mom’s. Spent way too long messing around trying to figure out where I’d screwed up.

 

[Bruette]

X 9800 with the Baltimore Orioles enroute to NYP to play the Yankees. 3 July 2023. Passing through Norwood PA - Steph Sams Photo.
Based on the way they have looked during this series, they should be made to ride home in school buses.

Thanks Boris don't worry a little skid is all this is. When they lost four straight games, they had run into some superior pitching. They just got by 2-1 to end the streak. They've played the Yankees tough so far. I have to give the Yankees credit; they have played better!
We will get them today!

MLB Gameday: Orioles 6, Yankees 3 Final Score (07/05/2023)

Follow MLB results with FREE box scores, pitch-by-pitch strikezone info, and Statcast data for Orioles vs. Yankees at Yankee Stadium

www.mlb.com

 

[Bruette]

Good morning, Everybody!

I enjoyed watching Smudge's model running.

 

[Bruette]

It won't be long now!