Running Bear's May 2022 Coffee Shop

[McLeod]

Good Morning!
Who knows if it's going to rain or not. The weather call-outs don't seem to be accurate, so I suppose they're guess is about as good as mine. I'm thinking I'm just going to put my back into the fence project. Unless the weather takes a really ugly turn, I'll be out there almost consistently. This is the longest run of fence to date.

Curt - Thank you for the comment. I hope I can do some layout stuff soon, as it's in my head at this time. Sadly, the fence project is seriously in the way, so I need to discipline myself to get it done. The people often take priority over my personal wants. - My day will come, though.

Willie & Jaz Avalley - A humorous gardening story for you. We attended the big box gardening centre yesterday. As we walked the isle picking out plants, we noticed a Snowshoe Hare in amongst all the pots chewing away on plant products. Don't know how he got in the greenhouse, but, I'm thinking he's going to be tough to catch and get out. Wish I had my camera with me.

Sherrel - I sure hope you start feeling better. I should think you have some A/C the house. Don't that help you sleep?

Here's todays photo rerun. An SD40 coming into town across the Mcleod River bridge. Photo was taken on Halloween, 2020.

About 15mins after that photo was taken, a CN cop was writing me a ticket for trespassing on the tracks. The ticket would eventually be dropped, due to 2x court appearances where the courtroom was closed as a result of the pandemic. Saved me 600 bucks.

Thank you for the likes on these coffee time posts. I'll try to drop in sometime over the fencing project, but, I just want to get it done. So I'll be busy for awhile.

Have a good one!

 

[Jaz avalley]

Good Morning All. Happy Cinco De Mayo. Cloudy here and 71°; it's not supposed to get much above 75° today, but I think it depends on the rain. The great thundershower event that was supposed to start around 3:00 pm yesterday and dump over 2" of rain on us, never happened! Now the weather geeks are just calling for scattered thundershowers with less than 0.05". I guess that Patrick lassoed them in up there in Doo-Dah land. If the NWS is to be believed, we're in for a string of unseasonably warm days coming up starting Saturday, with temperatures in the 90's for at least a week. That's not going to be good for some vegetables in the garden, spinach and lettuce really don't like the heat. They will take a day or two, but not a week.

The garden is otherwise looking good except the few areas that have been ravaged by whatever critter is rooting for earthworms and grubs.
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Those lettuce plants look especially good. This is the first time that I have grown Romaine lettuce, both green and red. I have been picking off the outer leaves as needed for salads.
Looks like the first tomatoes have set on many plants.
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Busy day in store today for us. Begins with the weekly grocery/beer trek, then to Home Depot to pick up my 3' rebar that I will use as fenceposts around the garden, then to the PCP for our twice delayed quarterly visit. Not sure why his office backed up our original Monday appointment to Tuesday, and then to Thursday? Gotta mail that newly discovered government bribe form while we're out.

Thanks to all who either commented on or liked the UP car pictures or the painted figures; Smudge, Karl, Sherrel, Guy, James, Chad, Troy, Patrick, Hughie, Jaz, Curt, IB Ken, Rick, Mikey, OB Ken, Tom, Louis.

Out in the train shed yesterday, I put up the figure painting stuff to move to other projects. Then I ran a couple of trains, and on the third manifest freight, everything just stopped. It was powered by a pair of LifeLike P2K SD45's and the lead engine was dead. I dutifully turned off all power and brought it over to the now cleared workbench. OK, there's ten screws in the chassis, which ones are holding the shell on, and which ones hold the weight to the chassis? I looked at my maintenance records for this 19 year old loco and there is nothing there (good), but one very inaccessible screw was missing so I must have had the shell off at one time. Two of the screws were for the couplers so that was obvious. They screwed into the chassis but held the shell on. I guessed at the third and I was right, the shell slipped off with some nudging. Couldn't see any loose or broken wires anywhere so I was guessing that I had shorted out the circuitry. It was then that I found the plug on top had become loose and just needed to be pressed down tightly. That's great! Back together again and I am happily running. That pair of locos is my favorite pair behind all of the recent ScaleTrains models. I took a picture but it was too blurred and I won't disassemble just for that.


Jaz - What are the actual growing dates for your area, last freeze etc? You look to be a bit further along than I expected. But Now I remember that you make more use of hothouses, cold frames and a conservatory. My last frost is generally 3-22, but I had a later one this year that did kill some tomatoes. It was a frost that occurred at 40°.
Mikey - I don't think that the Chinese painters really know what colors most Americans wear. Many I repaint with blue jeans.
It seems like doctors appointments are taking up so much more of my life lately, mine and my wife's.
Joe - I do agree about Quest, see my earlier post today. I have yet to have any issues with LabCorp.

Everyone everywhere have a great day. Continue to stay safe.

It has historically always been 15th May last frost, but last year we had one on the 22nd may
my beds are empty outside, but I have a lot of indoor stuff screaming to go out.
I have the polytunnel, 24ftx90ft and my leg is taking the work thankfully, I use the other leg to actually dig. It is not the nice raised beds we wanted, but I am under pressure to get stuff out, sone o hopefully this winter I can do some retro work, we are also in the process of making the work station, and a sink should be added as we catch up for pot washing

left and right of east door
the south side had sone slabs inside and out down, stuff is already moving there to make space, not final places just moving it around lol

slab are 24inx36in so each side will end up 9ftx12ft x 2 sp 12x18 inside work area so the first 2 bays out of 15
4x9ftx2 outside for a seating area or moving in and out area
i suspect the other end will need something similar perhaps smaller
once the slabs are all in place we can finally fit the doors, which would have made it safer from frost.
cucumbers going out today, fingers crossed there’s no frost, or at least they are far enough in to be protected….well that’s the plan.

 

[bnsf971]

 

[Jaz avalley]

Reference animals my cat has taken up residence, which means shutting the door may be an issue…we are considering a cat flap, which on a pkastic polytunnel may be fun. So far no hares. And so far unlike our old greenhouse no owls either. which is a shame as rats have already been seen

 

[Jaz avalley]

View attachment 145507

I laughed I did, I even snorted, then I saw who posted it, and the joke sort of blew away.
Lovely to see you posting, and not shutting down. Your humour will help you and us in bad times.

FYI I sort of look like that on a bad hair day…grins.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

This afternoon, gotta cut the grass at the church cemetery.

I once did that on a regular basis during my college years.
BTW - You might as well post a picture of the cemetery - - -
I think maybe I better start "shopping"!

 

[Boris]

I have used LabCorp here twice with no issues recently. Last Friday I walked in and there were seven folks in front of me in the waiting room, but I was out in just under 20 minutes. Very efficient operation at this location.

To be fair, I haven't used them since I went on Medicare. Their local facility, is convenient, a little over a mile away, with plenty of parking. The center mostly consists of various Medical and Dental practices, and is off HWY 9. Last time I used them, I had an appointment. Had my Script and my Amplan Card. [no co-pay for blood work if ordered by the PCP, stated right on the card] LabCorp was the "Preferred Labratory" I walked in...place was crowded, signed in, and found a seat. Half hour after the appointment, someone walks up from the back, looks at the sign in sheet, and calls a few names. Half hour later, I get called. Go back, present Script, Insurance Card, and DL for photo ID. Noticed, that standing behind me was a uniformed rent a cop with 9MM, and Taser showing . Everything is fine, until they ask for a Credit card, and I ask why, considering there was no co-pay. Rent-a-cop starts to stir behind me...Sorry, I don't have a credit card....Don't use them,... "Debit Card?.".. Don't use one.... "Cash?"... I don't carry much cash,...but why? I have good insurance, and they pay at 100%.... "Well the credit card is because insurance doesn't pay the full amount, so you have to make up the difference"...That's not the deal, they send me here, because y'all work for cheap!...Rent-a-cop really stirring, but doesn't say anything..."We can't provide you with our service without your presenting a credit card"...Then give me my Script back along with my cards, I'll go elsewhere. As she returned my papers and cards, she wishes me good luck, and says all LabCorps require credit cards...Rent-a-cop glares at me and follows me out the door.
They are still in business at that location. When I called UHC to complain, they told me they had no control over their vendors, and I had them direct me to an approved non LabCorp vendor. The local Quest, located near ShopRite, also employs a Rent-a-cop. It's not like this is a high crime area, so I don't get the intimidation. The Quest I was going to, about 10 miles away has intake kiosks where you check in. You don't see anyone until you get called back by the tech, who takes your script and scans your insurance cards. Problem, is they don't always bill Medicare on a timely basis...

 

[Sirfoldalot]

It seems like doctors appointments are taking up so much more of my life lately, mine and my wife's.

Just wait! You an't seen anything yet - although with Arlene's knee work did take quite a few trips.
Love your garden pics!

 

[Alcomotive]

Good Morning America! Looks like another sleepless night for me?
Gonna be 87f today it is said under sunny cloudless skies.

I surely pray that something is straightened out with my body ... this is getting very old!

JAMES - Pretty sure that the photo of #489 was made over in CHAMA, N.M.
I casnnot recall if any of that class of power was left in Durango?
Yessir - that's our Government hard at work to screw up that Animas River the way they did. I have not heard if they have ever stopped the flow from that mine?
They should have never been "messing" with it to start - It was not a problem at the time until they made it one!

Here is the roster......

DRGW.Net | Durango & Silverton Locomotive Roster

www.drgw.net

I found where #489 is at (the picture you posted) #489 is a K-36 Alco locomotive 2-8-2

Today, four Class K-36's are in service on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge (numbers 480, 481, 482, and 486) while five others are at the nearby Cumbres & Toltec Scenic, four of these are operational (numbers 484, 487, 488, and 489) while #483 has been on display in Chama, New Mexico since the 1970s.

Rio Grande's 2-8-2 Locomotives (Class K-36)

The Rio Grande's K-36 2-8-2s were its last new Mikados purchased for narrow-gauge use. Today, all but one survives.

www.american-rails.com

 

[moermusic]

I once hurried like heck to get on the road to work, as clock said 6. Got 5 miles down the road & wondered why the sun was in my eyes instead of behind me.! Darn: 6 pm , not AM !
another yard visitor, but this one seems a bit smaller than the one we're used to seeing.
Sons new 2022 F 150 Tremor

 

[PNKFLOYD]

Some Chinese figures look weird one specifically, so I took a knife to it, and added a scarf to hid the coat collar and buttons
the guy next to him has sunglasses although I a agree it looks like Robin (Batman +) s day job, lmao.
reverse OrderView attachment 145490View attachment 145491View attachment 145492View attachment 145493

Jaz- Are these HO or OO figures?

 

[Sirfoldalot]

I found where #489 is at (the picture you posted) #489 is a K-36 Alco locomotive 2-8-2

I was pretty sure that #489 was at Chama. I have a Narrow Gauge friend in Houston who is a geologist for a major oil company who loves to crawl around the hills in Colorado and frequents Chama quite often.
I guess that I did not pay close enough attention - I still do not know the differences in the K-36 vs. the K-37?
The class K-28's were always my favorites - no real reason other than a cab ride once back in the early 70's. I made lots of 8mm film back then, but first ex destroyed all.

Thanks for all that info -very nice - I will salt that away!
Are you feeling better?

 

[Bruette]

"Getting old" new flash, Sherrel, you are old.

No talk of dying, I'm not done with you yet!

I hope you get some sleep. Don't worry about the time of day, sleep whenever you can.

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

Hi all,

Survived. Doc did a nice clean-up, no repair. up and about on crutches, today and tomorrow mostly just for stability. Starting in-home PT exercises. Strangely, they really took it out of me. Wife making me homemade chocolate malts for recovery food - - - I might never get better No train work eyt - maybe tomorrow I can get down and run trains. Peaceful, especially the ones sans sound.

Had a dream? Delusion? Inspiration? Anyway - thinking about trains.

Bye all, Steve J

 

[ctclibby]

Geesh, I did have new stuff to report.
Maria came outa WalMart with a couple of bags just before we left for Mortin,IL and that reminded me that I needed a couple more bluetooth keyboards. As I walked by the tablets, this one was screaming my name 'get me, get me' so I stopped and checked it out as I have been wanting a bigger screen for awhile. So, I got buyitis when I found it under $200 -

The top one is what I have been using on the road for quick stuff since about 2015, bottom is the new one. Ono 11.6" screen, 2Gig Octa core processor, 64Gig storage, 4Gb ram expandable to 1Tb memory. I suspect that I will up the memory somewhat. Storage @64Gig is fine for what I do. Heck, I don't think that I have ever filled any harddrive - even that 20Meg MFM Seagate which was my first drive ( I286 with 4Meg ram and installed coprocessor ). Whoa, that was awhile ago - 1987ish!

 

[BigGRacing]

Train pictures for today

 

[Jaz avalley]

Jaz- Are these HO or OO figures?

The Chinese are ho, I mix and match them on my layout,the h0 often make good teenagers, if o not ho then just need to make sure the buildings etc work, or photograph close to the figure but not too close to the building or othrr scenic item

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Back from the barber. Earlier today I had to go to the bank to replace my bank card since it was fraudulently used. Then MOH wanted to go to Wally World so no train time today. Have a doctor's appointment late tomorrow. I have an infected cyst on my back and need a referral to get it cut out. No big deal, just have to jump through the hoops for the VA.

Mikey- Nice 1:1 shot.

Joe- At least your wife's doc gave her enough meds to hopefully tide her over. Neat picture.

Jaz- Nice job on the figures. The owl seems skinny to me.

IB Ken- Nothing to be ashamed of. All my dwarf signals are fixed with rule 290 (restricted speed) on my sidings. The LRT boards can support 2 signal heads (2 tracks) and are stand alone. You can get them with photocell or IR sensors. I use the IR. You can also set the cycle time that the signal goes through the 3 aspects (proceed back to proceed) and the sensitivity of the sensors. This time around I mounted the boards close to and facing the aisles so I can wire it while sitting on a chair. No soldering or cutting rail involved. I had them on my last layout and was able to figure them out when I was much more clueless electronically. If you have specific questions, please feel free to ask. I know when I purchased them, they had a board for B&O signals.

Willie- The garden looks great.

Karl- It's because of Covid. Everything is because of Covid. At this point you might as well say it's because of the flu.

Guy- Neat photo.

Steve- I'm glad your surgery went well.

Todd- Nice computer.

Gary- Oopsie!

I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[McLeod]

I made lots of 8mm film back then, but first ex destroyed all.

Yeah, me too.
Sad part is, I was sitting in another room when I heard the scissors at work, and didn't clue in to what she was up to. That was a-lot of skin from our youth that she cut up, thinking I would use it against her.

This is either a photo of me against the big banks, or proof that I had a chance to prime some ground throws:

In my wife's world, I'm cooking tonight, so she can continue working in the garden. A fair trade, me thinks.
Have a good night.

 

[troyphoto]

Just had some new neighbors move in...

Squatters, actually... though they seem like a nice couple. Too skittish to stick around for a photo, though... This is the fence around our AC units. House/condo is to the left of frame, and garage is to the right.

In the photo below, you can see my incredible engineering per Smudge's suggestion of running a cable through a pulley (an eye bolt actually) to get my sunshade cable past the fence, and then back. It clips into an eyebolt to the right. Just unclip, and let it slide through to the bolt in the photo. That's enough slack to get the sunshade down.

Back to those neighbors... they're not the best builders...

But, I hope their kid isn't a noisy one... it's pretty quiet so far.

The only problem is this is right by out door to enter the garage. So I'm saying high to Mama Bird each trip out or back.