Running Bear's September 2025 Coffee Shop
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On being busier, I have a theory: I think without the 40-60 hour work week to center your activities around, you just plunk things into your calendar or to-do list, and all of a sudden, you're up to your keister in things you have to do. Time will tell if I'm right about this, but after some 55 years in the workforce, I'm ready to take my foot off the gas and coast a bit!
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troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Well howdy there internet peeps and those who who are fair-goers
It's Troy again.
Told this story before, but since we have a recommendation to go to county fairs (the ones where the kiddos show off their farm animals)...
Way back in the late 80s, as I worked as a news photographer in a very small rural town, I got to cover the County Fair. That is a HUGE deal in rural USA.
I remember going in to get a few fun pics of the little tykes and their animals. I think it's 6 or 7 year old children showing lambs??? Keeping an eye on the stands, I noticed a bunch of VERY seasoned citizens, and got a few images of them smiling and pointing at the show arena. Talking with them, I discovered that they were from a local Senior Home (assisted living) and enjoying a bus trip to the fair.
Their activity coordinator tickled their funny bones right before I walked in, and pointed at the kids with their lambs. "Look. It's time for the Fuzzy Goats!" she declared.
None of the seniors corrected her. But they made sure to let me know about the City Slicker activity director, and how she identified farm animals.
It's Troy again.
Told this story before, but since we have a recommendation to go to county fairs (the ones where the kiddos show off their farm animals)...
Way back in the late 80s, as I worked as a news photographer in a very small rural town, I got to cover the County Fair. That is a HUGE deal in rural USA.
I remember going in to get a few fun pics of the little tykes and their animals. I think it's 6 or 7 year old children showing lambs??? Keeping an eye on the stands, I noticed a bunch of VERY seasoned citizens, and got a few images of them smiling and pointing at the show arena. Talking with them, I discovered that they were from a local Senior Home (assisted living) and enjoying a bus trip to the fair.
Their activity coordinator tickled their funny bones right before I walked in, and pointed at the kids with their lambs. "Look. It's time for the Fuzzy Goats!" she declared.
None of the seniors corrected her. But they made sure to let me know about the City Slicker activity director, and how she identified farm animals.
migalyto
Well-Known Member
Good morning all!
Happy Friday!
Currently 55F with a bit of fog this morning. High temps are supposed to hit upper 80s. Going to be a sticky day with the humidity
near 100%.
Few Friday household chores to get done this morning.
Volleyball last night was a great game. The girls played and took care of business in 2 sets. It wasn't even close. We did
end up stopping at Culvers on the way home.
Not much else exciting happening in my area.
Have a safe day everyone!
Happy Friday!
Currently 55F with a bit of fog this morning. High temps are supposed to hit upper 80s. Going to be a sticky day with the humidity
near 100%.
Few Friday household chores to get done this morning.
Volleyball last night was a great game. The girls played and took care of business in 2 sets. It wasn't even close. We did
end up stopping at Culvers on the way home.
Not much else exciting happening in my area.
Have a safe day everyone!
migalyto
Well-Known Member
Have a safe journey, and have a great time with Family!
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Good Morning All. Mostly clear and 69°, high today is just the opposite, 96°. Forecast calls for low to mid-90's for the next 10 days.
The grocery trek went well yesterday, they're still remodeling the store but most of the departments that I visit have been completed. Not completely sure of what they were trying to accomplish besides making the front aisle 3' wider. It does provide more room to pass by the folks waiting in line at the manned checkouts; although at the time that I go, there's never a wait. The price of gasoline in town went up for reasons unknown, to $2.84/gal, from $2.49 last week! It's a drag since I needed it this week but not last week. It didn't seem like I bought more groceries this week, but I spent $30 more.
While it hasn't been confirmed yet, we'll probably pick up the Accura today. The last part is due to them today. Out in the yard, I have to deal with a partially fallen woodpile. It has been leaning precariously for about a month and finally shifted enough and toppled over Wednesday night. It's stacked on a pair of parallel 4"x4"x8' treated fence posts set on several bricks to keep the firewood off the ground. One of them decided to bow under the weight and the lean began. I guess that I will use an extra pair of bricks in the center in addition to the ones on each end in the future.
Out in the train shed yesterday, I continued with my quest to find my sanding sticks. It has been an interesting journey uncovering a lot of stuff that I am sorting out and organizing. It's a long overdue project as some of these boxes haven't been opened since I moved them from the old train room in 2010!
But one thing that I did find that was painted a couple of years ago and put away was this sprue.
I was recently looking for this (obviously in the wrong place) when I added figures and details to the Livewire Mfg structure last month. I'll probably leave the larger red oxygen cylinder in place on the roof and just add the smaller green acetylene cylinder, per Louis's suggestion. I'll see how it looks.
I also dug out the remainder of a Woodland Scenics white-metal kit of trackside details.
I had already used some of the junk piles elsewhere but still had the handcar, 2 mismatched truck sideframes and 2 round things left. I went ahead and partially assembled the derelict handcar.
I have a place for all of this around a yet to be completed scene of a railcar service facility.
Kevin - I haven't been to the county fair in quite a few years, but yes, the kids showing their livestock was always the high point.
Karl - Great to read that you're feeling better. The F7 didn't happen without pictures!
Is there anything that Dawn dishwashing detergent can't do? It's almost as versatile as beer. In a different way.
David - Have a safe trip. Enjoy it.
Recent newsworthy person, Sydney Sweeney, is 28 today. I never knew who she was until I saw the jeans commercial on the MSN feed.
Everybody have a fantastic Friday.
The grocery trek went well yesterday, they're still remodeling the store but most of the departments that I visit have been completed. Not completely sure of what they were trying to accomplish besides making the front aisle 3' wider. It does provide more room to pass by the folks waiting in line at the manned checkouts; although at the time that I go, there's never a wait. The price of gasoline in town went up for reasons unknown, to $2.84/gal, from $2.49 last week! It's a drag since I needed it this week but not last week. It didn't seem like I bought more groceries this week, but I spent $30 more.
While it hasn't been confirmed yet, we'll probably pick up the Accura today. The last part is due to them today. Out in the yard, I have to deal with a partially fallen woodpile. It has been leaning precariously for about a month and finally shifted enough and toppled over Wednesday night. It's stacked on a pair of parallel 4"x4"x8' treated fence posts set on several bricks to keep the firewood off the ground. One of them decided to bow under the weight and the lean began. I guess that I will use an extra pair of bricks in the center in addition to the ones on each end in the future.
Out in the train shed yesterday, I continued with my quest to find my sanding sticks. It has been an interesting journey uncovering a lot of stuff that I am sorting out and organizing. It's a long overdue project as some of these boxes haven't been opened since I moved them from the old train room in 2010!
But one thing that I did find that was painted a couple of years ago and put away was this sprue.
I was recently looking for this (obviously in the wrong place) when I added figures and details to the Livewire Mfg structure last month. I'll probably leave the larger red oxygen cylinder in place on the roof and just add the smaller green acetylene cylinder, per Louis's suggestion. I'll see how it looks.
I also dug out the remainder of a Woodland Scenics white-metal kit of trackside details.
I had already used some of the junk piles elsewhere but still had the handcar, 2 mismatched truck sideframes and 2 round things left. I went ahead and partially assembled the derelict handcar.
I have a place for all of this around a yet to be completed scene of a railcar service facility.
Kevin - I haven't been to the county fair in quite a few years, but yes, the kids showing their livestock was always the high point.
Karl - Great to read that you're feeling better. The F7 didn't happen without pictures!
Is there anything that Dawn dishwashing detergent can't do? It's almost as versatile as beer. In a different way.
David - Have a safe trip. Enjoy it.
Recent newsworthy person, Sydney Sweeney, is 28 today. I never knew who she was until I saw the jeans commercial on the MSN feed.
Everybody have a fantastic Friday.
RhB Michael
RhB Lokführer
67°F/66°F here at 0800. Morning all. Going to be running out to the gunshop in a bit to inspect that P99 and make an offer on it. Regardless of whether or not it is a TA model, I will be adding it to the collection. I was hoping he had a P1 or P.38 postwar in stock, but no luck there.
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Good morning from Wisconsin. We are at 55f degrees and it’s really foggy. Not sure where “heavy” fog comes in but I can’t see the large trees about 2 blocks up the hill behind the house but street level looks drivable. But I’m not going anywhere for 90 minutes and only then locally to get the haircut. I can handle it. 85 for the high today and dry until Saturday at 1am when we have a 39% chance.
I watched the Packer/Commander game last night and had to mute the announcers somewhere in the 3rd quarter. Al Michaels is living on his name and past history and Kirk whatever Street he lives on belongs back in the college game. His analysis skills IMOO are severely lacking for pros. He maybe good on college but the pro game is different. Prime TV streaming or whatever it was on last night sure could use a director who understands the game. The production level was again IMO amateurish. The Packers looked good but they sure were not all time world beaters the announcers were declaring. I do not watch pre-game or 1/2 time talking heads. The next 5 weeks on the road will tell the NFL a lot about the Packers.
The brother says he will be here late afternoon today. He wants to play University Ridge Golf which is just about in my front yard. At 8 I will call for tee times tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. He is arriving with 6 friends and I talked to my friend and he’ll join us to make 8. My friend coaches at the UW and if we need some help with tee times he will handle it but I should be alright. My game is passable but nowhere near my level 14 months ago. It’s a process to get my strength back and be healthy. The golf part will follow along at its own pace.
Trains, all commissions are finished for September. I have some stuff weathered and to weather for a regular LA client but he’s having some job and I assume money issues. So I have his stuff on the shelf but more Scaletrains pre-ordered cars for him arrived yesterday. Credit cards are wonderful but geez they still have to get paid eventually.
I have been working some on a paper mill project for a friend. There’s no hurry but I now have the mojo to work on it. I finished the support structure for the power plant, Digestor and recovery boiler buildings this week. I still have to clad them with styrene for the concrete foundation, some brick and sheet metal siding. The Digestor/recovery boiler part I’m currently working on fits in a 4’ long area but overall this papermill stretches out over 32’. The power plant fits around a concrete support pillar that is 9” wide x 18” long. He’s having an open house for the local NMRA chapter in late October. He’s not asked for anything by then but I’d like to have the support for the facades done. I am working in roughly 4’ long segments. That way I can work on them here, take them over for fittings and bring them back for adjustments and eventual cladding. The details like conveyors, pipes, ladders, conduit and electrical boxes will be easy to add anytime. We are having difficulty with tanks and pumps for just about everything. I gave him the Steel Mill Modeler Supply website by Kevin Tully as that is where many of my details came from. But tanks are important and I’ve not had success creating them from PVC. When my friend returns from a GN Historical society convention this week he is going to cancel his October commitments to OPS sessions. It’s train show season in the Midwest. He is going to the shows looking for the details we need. I will not go with as I get too frustrated by not finding what I want and I am a terrible negotiator
Enjoy the day
I watched the Packer/Commander game last night and had to mute the announcers somewhere in the 3rd quarter. Al Michaels is living on his name and past history and Kirk whatever Street he lives on belongs back in the college game. His analysis skills IMOO are severely lacking for pros. He maybe good on college but the pro game is different. Prime TV streaming or whatever it was on last night sure could use a director who understands the game. The production level was again IMO amateurish. The Packers looked good but they sure were not all time world beaters the announcers were declaring. I do not watch pre-game or 1/2 time talking heads. The next 5 weeks on the road will tell the NFL a lot about the Packers.
The brother says he will be here late afternoon today. He wants to play University Ridge Golf which is just about in my front yard. At 8 I will call for tee times tomorrow, Sunday and Monday. He is arriving with 6 friends and I talked to my friend and he’ll join us to make 8. My friend coaches at the UW and if we need some help with tee times he will handle it but I should be alright. My game is passable but nowhere near my level 14 months ago. It’s a process to get my strength back and be healthy. The golf part will follow along at its own pace.
Trains, all commissions are finished for September. I have some stuff weathered and to weather for a regular LA client but he’s having some job and I assume money issues. So I have his stuff on the shelf but more Scaletrains pre-ordered cars for him arrived yesterday. Credit cards are wonderful but geez they still have to get paid eventually.
I have been working some on a paper mill project for a friend. There’s no hurry but I now have the mojo to work on it. I finished the support structure for the power plant, Digestor and recovery boiler buildings this week. I still have to clad them with styrene for the concrete foundation, some brick and sheet metal siding. The Digestor/recovery boiler part I’m currently working on fits in a 4’ long area but overall this papermill stretches out over 32’. The power plant fits around a concrete support pillar that is 9” wide x 18” long. He’s having an open house for the local NMRA chapter in late October. He’s not asked for anything by then but I’d like to have the support for the facades done. I am working in roughly 4’ long segments. That way I can work on them here, take them over for fittings and bring them back for adjustments and eventual cladding. The details like conveyors, pipes, ladders, conduit and electrical boxes will be easy to add anytime. We are having difficulty with tanks and pumps for just about everything. I gave him the Steel Mill Modeler Supply website by Kevin Tully as that is where many of my details came from. But tanks are important and I’ve not had success creating them from PVC. When my friend returns from a GN Historical society convention this week he is going to cancel his October commitments to OPS sessions. It’s train show season in the Midwest. He is going to the shows looking for the details we need. I will not go with as I get too frustrated by not finding what I want and I am a terrible negotiator
Enjoy the day
Good Morning All! Been on Sabbatical a while! An extremely busy time since my last post in January. Let's see... 
Put new floors in the house; the wife got the granite countertops she always wanted, and a pantry with pull out shelves. Had to replace a vehicle.
Didn't wanna, but hadta. 
108,000 miles and throwing a computer code that was going to be very expensive to fix, so I figured the hell with it and got rid of it. Oh yes, and the big one: I retired a couple of weeks ago! That one was a long time coming. A few friends and more than a few family members were making bets that I wouldn't. I did like the job. Good company and good people too, but it was time. I haven't done much modeling since that last post in January. There just wasn't time. That's changed of course, and I have a crap ton of projects to finish!
My Rapido SP dome car showed up at the LHS, and I picked that up this week. It'll be over on my Passenger Car Modeling thread, photos and thoughts. Nice to have time to be back! I missed Y'all!
Put new floors in the house; the wife got the granite countertops she always wanted, and a pantry with pull out shelves. Had to replace a vehicle.
Didn't wanna, but hadta. 108,000 miles and throwing a computer code that was going to be very expensive to fix, so I figured the hell with it and got rid of it. Oh yes, and the big one: I retired a couple of weeks ago! That one was a long time coming. A few friends and more than a few family members were making bets that I wouldn't. I did like the job. Good company and good people too, but it was time. I haven't done much modeling since that last post in January. There just wasn't time. That's changed of course, and I have a crap ton of projects to finish! My Rapido SP dome car showed up at the LHS, and I picked that up this week. It'll be over on my Passenger Car Modeling thread, photos and thoughts. Nice to have time to be back! I missed Y'all!
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Welcome back Alan; and welcome to retirement. You will be more busy now than when you had a regular job! Don't ask how I know.
migalyto
Well-Known Member
Congratulations on the retirement!
shortwrench
Well-Known Member
Not to worry. The sanding sticks will show up once you stop looking for them or buy replacements.Good Morning All. Mostly clear and 69°, high today is just the opposite, 96°. Forecast calls for low to mid-90's for the next 10 days.
The grocery trek went well yesterday, they're still remodeling the store but most of the departments that I visit have been completed. Not completely sure of what they were trying to accomplish besides making the front aisle 3' wider. It does provide more room to pass by the folks waiting in line at the manned checkouts; although at the time that I go, there's never a wait. The price of gasoline in town went up for reasons unknown, to $2.84/gal, from $2.49 last week! It's a drag since I needed it this week but not last week. It didn't seem like I bought more groceries this week, but I spent $30 more.
While it hasn't been confirmed yet, we'll probably pick up the Accura today. The last part is due to them today. Out in the yard, I have to deal with a partially fallen woodpile. It has been leaning precariously for about a month and finally shifted enough and toppled over Wednesday night. It's stacked on a pair of parallel 4"x4"x8' treated fence posts set on several bricks to keep the firewood off the ground. One of them decided to bow under the weight and the lean began. I guess that I will use an extra pair of bricks in the center in addition to the ones on each end in the future.
Out in the train shed yesterday, I continued with my quest to find my sanding sticks. It has been an interesting journey uncovering a lot of stuff that I am sorting out and organizing. It's a long overdue project as some of these boxes haven't been opened since I moved them from the old train room in 2010!
But one thing that I did find that was painted a couple of years ago and put away was this sprue.
View attachment 238159
I was recently looking for this (obviously in the wrong place) when I added figures and details to the Livewire Mfg structure last month. I'll probably leave the larger red oxygen cylinder in place on the roof and just add the smaller green acetylene cylinder, per Louis's suggestion. I'll see how it looks.
I also dug out the remainder of a Woodland Scenics white-metal kit of trackside details.
View attachment 238160
I had already used some of the junk piles elsewhere but still had the handcar, 2 mismatched truck sideframes and 2 round things left. I went ahead and partially assembled the derelict handcar.
View attachment 238161
View attachment 238162
I have a place for all of this around a yet to be completed scene of a railcar service facility.
Kevin - I haven't been to the county fair in quite a few years, but yes, the kids showing their livestock was always the high point.
Karl - Great to read that you're feeling better. The F7 didn't happen without pictures!
Is there anything that Dawn dishwashing detergent can't do? It's almost as versatile as beer. In a different way.
David - Have a safe trip. Enjoy it.
Recent newsworthy person, Sydney Sweeney, is 28 today. I never knew who she was until I saw the jeans commercial on the MSN feed.
Everybody have a fantastic Friday.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
Welcome back Alan!
Thanks Willie! Lots of people have told me this. I've also been told it'll take about a month to get the feel of being retired. It's only been two weeks. I've had vacations longer than this!
On being busier, I have a theory: I think without the 40-60 hour work week to center your activities around, you just plunk things into your calendar or to-do list, and all of a sudden, you're up to your keister in things you have to do. Time will tell if I'm right about this, but after some 55 years in the workforce, I'm ready to take my foot off the gas and coast a bit!
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Welcome back Alan.
Retirement is what you make of it. Just carve out some me time. It took me about 6 months to finally realized I was retired. It took me about 5-6 years to break the waking up at 4:45am every morning without an alarm clock.
If you ever have time I’d love a tour of the club layout
Be well
Retirement is what you make of it. Just carve out some me time. It took me about 6 months to finally realized I was retired. It took me about 5-6 years to break the waking up at 4:45am every morning without an alarm clock.
If you ever have time I’d love a tour of the club layout
Be well
troyphoto
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
Well, howdy there internet peeps, and those with tired "Re"s
It's Troy again.
Already did two walks today. Up to over 9,000 steps today. And I started out without my can of orange marking paint on the first walk. Made it just past our building, turned around and went to get it. Dog poo on the paved path again. Tagged about half-a-dozen single plops on the one mile walk. Half to one side of my building, half to the other. Whoever's pooch is being forced to poo on the morning run is getting a little farther before they drop the fertilizer. Too bad it doesn't grow more asphalt on the path.
Went for a second walk, and found another on the same path. Hmmmm.... don't believe I'd missed that first time around. It was right on the path. The maintenance guy in his golf-cart coming around to check the pool chemicals usually runs over the the turds, so they get even more disguised on the path. But this one was post golf-cart trip this morning. Hmmmm....
Are there two pooches?
The mystery continues.
It's Troy again.
Already did two walks today. Up to over 9,000 steps today. And I started out without my can of orange marking paint on the first walk. Made it just past our building, turned around and went to get it. Dog poo on the paved path again. Tagged about half-a-dozen single plops on the one mile walk. Half to one side of my building, half to the other. Whoever's pooch is being forced to poo on the morning run is getting a little farther before they drop the fertilizer. Too bad it doesn't grow more asphalt on the path.
Went for a second walk, and found another on the same path. Hmmmm.... don't believe I'd missed that first time around. It was right on the path. The maintenance guy in his golf-cart coming around to check the pool chemicals usually runs over the the turds, so they get even more disguised on the path. But this one was post golf-cart trip this morning. Hmmmm....
Are there two pooches?
The mystery continues.
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Hi. I’ve got a couple things done this morning on the layout. A front end Friday picture, pictures of the Digestor building back support and some vacuuming.
I headed to YouTube and our own DJSTrains has a new video up. Details he was looking for in “n” scale but available in other scales. Whistle Stop Models. Some great looking, needed to me, items.
Enjoy
I headed to YouTube and our own DJSTrains has a new video up. Details he was looking for in “n” scale but available in other scales. Whistle Stop Models. Some great looking, needed to me, items.
Enjoy
Our gas just switched to the "winter" blend, so we're paying well over $4.25 now. Our taxes are pretty high also and the state wants to raise it more instead of taxing all the EV's on the road.
On a happy note, I am still harvesting a basket of strawberries (both varieties) a day. I don't know why it's going on so late this year, but I ain't gonna complain.
On a happy note, I am still harvesting a basket of strawberries (both varieties) a day. I don't know why it's going on so late this year, but I ain't gonna complain.
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