Running Bear's May 2024 Coffee Shop

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Good Morning!

We are in squall season - can't quite decide if it's going to rain or be sunny. Either way, it's a great day. I get to model-on, after the dog is walked.

I've purchased a few examples of rolling stock over these last few days. I didn't need these, as they are out of my time period; just wanted them.
Photos:
2 times Walthers 72' CntrBmFlats, purchased as I captured a pic of a real one, and just happen to like the opera idea:
Layout_05-25-2024 (2).JPG


Here's the real one
CntrBmFlt_Opera_03-14-2024 (1).JPG


And, I bought a cylindrical hopper for way too much money, but, we only live once:
Layout_05-25-2024 (1).JPG


I'm looking for a couple more cylindrical hoppers, in the colours of the cars I photo captured the other day. A fast moving train, so they are a-bit blurry.
CovHop_05-21-2024 (1).JPG

CovHop_05-21-2024 (2).JPG

I'd like to try weathering rolling stock, so, I'm on the market for a couple of these hoppers. Cheap ones, though, just to practice on.
This is thanks to TomO, for posting that weathering tutorial and fertilizing the weathering bug.

Today, I'm going to paint my primed river canyon. I've had trouble deciding on colours; do I start with browns or greys.
Think I'll go with greys. It can always be changed to the browns.
Layout_05-25-2024 (3).JPG


Here's one more photo of the new train, just for fun:
Layout_05-25-2024 (4).JPG


I'm gonna try fix that road today, as well. It won't be crossing the valley.
That's the trouble with doing things free-hand and no real plan. Mistakes are frequent. I keep changing my mind.

All the wildflower photos being posted are wonderful. Willie - I looked in or flower book to try identify that purple flower. No luck with that. It must be an alien species.

Gotta go walk the dog. Have an extraordinary Saturday, everyone!!
 
Morning folks

46F and mostly clear sky. I suspect the snow will be gone by the end of the day but one could still do a toboggan run out front of the house this morning. So far, the day has been "uneventful" which I will certainly accept.

I did get in a little time at the bench yesterday but most of that was spent going through the parts bins sorting stuff out. If it actually warms up to the mid 50's today, I'll replace the hydraulic hoses on the Bobcat grapple head. The yard may still be too wet to get on and remove the brush pile I made before it got snowed under.
 
Bruette said:
I agree!
Click to expand...
I saw Jimi Hendrix perform at the Hollywood Bowl, I'm thinking '68. Crazy night. They had a moat-type pool in front of the stage and half-way through the performance, kids started jumping into the pool. The stopped the performance and tried to get everyone out of the pool; but it was the one the best performances I have ever seen. Jimi Hendrix was the music
 


Bruette said:
My favorite Black Eyde Susan.
View attachment 190029
The official drink of the Preakness.

Named after Maryland’s state flower, this refreshing drink was first created in 1973 by Harry Stevens, one of Pimlico’s longtime caterers. Here’s how you can make your own Black-Eyed Susan at home:

Black-Eyed Susan Recipe​

Ingredients:​

  • 1 ounce bourbon whiskey
  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 1 ounce peach schnapps
  • 2 ounces orange juice
  • 2 ounces sour mix

Instructions:​

  1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
  2. Pour in the bourbon, vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and sour mix.
  3. Shake well.
  4. Strain the mixture over crushed ice into a tall glass.
  5. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
Click to expand...
For 20 bucks, you better serve me a bigger glass
 
John -
Willie - By you location description, it sounds like you live in the panhandle area of Texas. I have/had a slew of relatives in the Dalhart area. My parents and I would ride on my dad's pass to Dalhart for the XIT rodeo and parade (Aug 1st). Great fun, even had a parade that seemed like the entire town was in it. XIT was the largest ranch in the world at one time, don't know about now
Click to expand...
I am a ways away from the Panhandle; I am in the North Central Texas area about 70 miles north of the Dallas/Ft Worth area. I'm pretty close to the casino in Thackerville OK on IH35. The closest town (if you could call it one) is Era TX, population close to 300; it's 7 miles away. They do have a beer store, but it's not actually the closest one to me!
 
McLeod said:
Good Morning!

We are in squall season - can't quite decide if it's going to rain or be sunny. Either way, it's a great day. I get to model-on, after the dog is walked.

I've purchased a few examples of rolling stock over these last few days. I didn't need these, as they are out of my time period; just wanted them.
Photos:
2 times Walthers 72' CntrBmFlats, purchased as I captured a pic of a real one, and just happen to like the opera idea:
View attachment 190061

Here's the real one
View attachment 190063

And, I bought a cylindrical hopper for way too much money, but, we only live once:
View attachment 190067

I'm looking for a couple more cylindrical hoppers, in the colours of the cars I photo captured the other day. A fast moving train, so they are a-bit blurry.
View attachment 190072
View attachment 190073
I'd like to try weathering rolling stock, so, I'm on the market for a couple of these hoppers. Cheap ones, though, just to practice on.
This is thanks to TomO, for posting that weathering tutorial and fertilizing the weathering bug.

Today, I'm going to paint my primed river canyon. I've had trouble deciding on colours; do I start with browns or greys.
Think I'll go with greys. It can always be changed to the browns.
View attachment 190074

Here's one more photo of the new train, just for fun:
View attachment 190075

I'm gonna try fix that road today, as well. It won't be crossing the valley.
That's the trouble with doing things free-hand and no real plan. Mistakes are frequent. I keep changing my mind.

All the wildflower photos being posted are wonderful. Willie - I looked in or flower book to try identify that purple flower. No luck with that. It must be an alien species.

Gotta go walk the dog. Have an extraordinary Saturday, everyone!!
Click to expand...
Guy, you are very welcome. Just keep posting those prototype pictures. They all go into a file, your photos are so much more informative than what I can find online. Thank you…
 
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Good afternoon. The window guys were here.

Let’s just say replacement windows and the install prices have gone up. 20 windows at $2400 each before discounts. The 2 companies I had in this morning are within $1000 of each other. Almost the same vinyl frames but one guy’s glass is stronger than the other!!!

A possible 30% tax energy write off but so far these 2 companies don’t qualify. We also don’t need triple pane glass or Krypton gas between panes in need to qualify. I will talk to the accountant on Tuesday if we fit any tax program.

Heading for a nap
 
Afternoon All,

Started out the day with inside and outside chores. MOH took off at 1300 for Daytona Beach. It should be a zoo there this weekend. We have about 10 days before our train vacation.:)

David- I made a list of all my locomotives and taped it to the fascia. When I run trains, I go right down the list. Congrats on seeing the sun, although I would happily trade you some days.

Bill- Nice photo.

Swal- Pretty flower beds.

Troy- Good luck with the move.

TomO- Yikes, I don't guess I'll be doing new windows anytime soon. Have fun with your friends.

Willie-Nice Museum shots.

Guy- Congrats on the new additions. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet. Interesting 1:1 photos. Good luck with the landscaping.

I hope everyone has a good night.
 
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TLOC said:
We also don’t need triple pane glass or Krypton gas between panes
Click to expand...
I haven't kept up with the window manufacturing industry since I retired from it. I didn't realize that they have made the jump from Argon-filling to Krypton. Maybe it's just a regional thing. Krypton gas is more dense but not as plentiful, and therefore is probably much more expensive. In your area, triple glaze is much better than double glaze, but it is way overkill in my zone.
 
John from Indiana said:
David - We get scam calls and I call the phone numbers back immediately and get the recording "you have reached a disconnected number". How can someone call me from a disconnected number? Seems to me the phone company must know and does not care about this
Click to expand...
I have been getting over half a dozen a day. Their computers can latch onto a phone number and make numerous calls. I had my number hijacked a couple of times. Sometimes I'll go along for a couple of minutes and ask them how are the able to make calls from a non operating phone number? - - - - - Click, or ask them how the weather is in India - - - - - Click.
 
I had to fill out an application of a loan for some mortgage company for someone applying for a mortgage that had sent a PDF for the condo association that I somehow became president and had to get on my computer instead of using the phone and had a dickens of a time getting it access my email. I hadn't used the computer for 136 days was the message I got. Didn't realize that it was that long, but didn't miss it at all.

I still miss model railroading a lot and still haven't recovered having watched the layout being torn apart. I still have boxes with model railroading items from the old layout. Willie had purchased some which I have seen in his posts and still have buildings and freight cars and maybe even a few locomotives and Northern Pacific passenger cars still packed away. I believe that Todd, ctclibby wants the freight cars. They're not going anywhere until I confirm that he still wants them. Todd, I don't miss yard work one bit after taking care of a 2 acre lawn for 45 years.

Gonna cut it short as I have a couple of hungry dogs staring at me. Here are some photos from the archives.

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thumbnail_20190419_102017.jpg
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This photo hurts.

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Later
 
Wellp... today was interesting...

Sis showed mom room 325 yesterday. "It's fine..." says mom. Not really feeling it, but she knows she can't go on living alone. All of the ladies we met in her old apt complex said they same thing. They were worried she'd die inside and no one would know.

Then the fiasco happened!

Wife and I showed this morning (Sat) and duck into room 325 to see what it looks like, and what is needed. Mom is supposed to have the window bed (shared room, no roomie supposed to be there...)

BUT we duck in and someone is sleeping in the window bed... yep, room 325 in my notes... But I coulda swore the girl told me 321 the first time, then changed it to 325...

That social worker is on a 4-day weekend. So we ask at the nurses station in rehab. She calls the main desk, and no one knows. Seems that the C-shift of temps are in because... 4 day Holiday weekend.

Mom was NOT supposed to move until Tuesday. So wife and I check room 321, and it's empty. Both beds. I suspect the Social Worker was correct the first time, but had two cases about to move. She probably confused Mom (321) with the other woman (325)

So, we got permission to put mom's recliner and TV in her current room in the Rehab wing. Sis #2's boyfriend brought his truck, and we managed to move the chair and park it there, so Mom would have it on Tuesday, no matter which room she's in.

Wife and sis #2 went through the apartment and I took probably 10+ bags of trash out to the dumpster. I lost count.

Found a lot of interesting family heirlooms. Like my grandfather's wallet with his VFW and Royal Order of the Cootie membership cards. That's the husband of the Nekkid Grandma who tried to burn her roast and house 15 years after he died.

We tried to figure out what the grandkids of Mom's would like to remember her when she finally passes. Each granddaughter ended up with a silver bracelet.

Went to see mom again this evening before driving home.

I've unloaded what we brought with us. Basically four folding chairs we bought for mom. Some kitchen odds and ends. and a large crocheted piece that my wife made back in 4H in High School. She got a state fair ribbon for it. it's about 3.5 ft tall. Paper in front of it is 8.5x11in for scale.

Birds.jpg

I'm worn out and I don't feel like I did as much as the girls did.
 
santafewillie said:
I haven't kept up with the window manufacturing industry since I retired from it. I didn't realize that they have made the jump from Argon-filling to Krypton. Maybe it's just a regional thing. Krypton gas is more dense but not as plentiful, and therefore is probably much more expensive. In your area, triple glaze is much better than double glaze, but it is way overkill in my zone.
Click to expand...
When the 1st salesperson said Krypton I laughed thinking they were joking. It’s very expensive and mostly comes from the Ukraine and they are kind of busy right now. Argon will be fine but I did like the triple pane. The house was built in 2007 and is in good shape but it’s nearing the ends of siding, roofing, window and door warranties. This is the time when stuff goes out but the inside was remodeled in 2019 and 20. Told the son about the windows and he said what? He is looking at some places in Austin that would need to be gutted and started over including windows. He is going to check next week the window prices before he goes much further. 2 more companies, one is Andersen Renewnal that supposedly will make these seem like low prices, coming out Tuesday and Wednesday. I’ll decide Thursday. These are not HD, Menard’s or Lowe’s type of windows, that’s for sure.

I am thinking since this will all be happening maybe add some solar panels. But not really sure that’s worth it. The windows are a must but only return 63% of the cost. Solar is only a 40% return but of course really drops that monthly utility bill. But I may just settle on an emergency generator. It’s all a game…
 
Good evening. 76° inside; 64° outside, South Wind and increasing clouds. There are a few folks launching fireworks to celebrate the "beginning of the Summer Season".

Here,"down the shore", that means the Arrival of the BENNYs. DJ's and Club Anticipation will be raking it in with all the cash customers from Up North and SI. Yesterday,there was a six mile backup on the Parkway South, that was probably more like 16 miles long. Today's sunny weather with a high of 80 was perfect beach weather.

1716686751608.jpeg

The CNJ BENNY Drill has returned to my layout for another season. Doing what it does best, disrupting Freight Operations.
 


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