Running Bear's September 2025 Coffee Shop

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Good Morning All. Welcome to the first day of Autumn, or Fall as it is mostly referred to. At this point in time, 6:30 am, it's 69° and raining lightly. The occasional thunderstorms and generally light rain has left 1.75" in my rain gauge in the last 12 hours.
The storm that I posted about last night flipped over several trailers on IH35 about 7 miles east of here, and there's a 50' hole in the roof of a Walmart distribution Center at the same place. The neighboring R&L Carriers warehouse also suffered some wall damage as well. Across the highway, there was damage and overturned RV's at the RV Park along with one critical injury. Authorities are still assessing whether or not it was a tornado.

Timing of the rain (keeps me out of the yard) couldn't have been better as I have the semi-annual dermatologist visit this morning at 10:00. He'll freeze a spot here and there, tell me to wear a hat more often, and freak out about all of the scrapes and scratches on my arms and hands which I got yesterday while clearing brush. When I return home, I have no real plans, so I'll sit in front of the computer and later visit the train shed. I know that there are branches and twigs in the pool that need to be removed, but hopefully that can wait until tomorrow after the yard dries a bit. It may even be warm enough tomorrow to actually get into the pool. It was warm enough last evening but the approaching thunderstorms said no.
Earlier yesterday, I cleared some brush back in the woodlot, and gathered some more firewood which I did stack instead of leaving it for today. The high yesterday was only 93°, which for a seasoned Texan like me was actually pleasant. I did other stuff that I just don't remember! I had planned on grilling burgers, but the rain forced me to make Salisbury Steak patties w/onions & mushrooms inside instead.

I did spend some time out in the train shed yesterday, but being a Sunday it was a short time as usual. I once again ran a train on the upper level continuous loop while I did figure painting at the workbench. It still doesn't excite me so I'll probably stop doing it. I know that our late member Gregg really liked doing it, and some others that I don't remember do as well, but it just doesn't do anything for me to have a train pass overhead every 10 minutes or so. Even then, I can't really see it because the track is set back and the angle just isn't right. Plus there is a RIP track between the main line and the layout edge as well.

Mike - It is always interesting to read old threads on the forum. New members sometimes resurrect long-forgotten threads that bring back memories.
”Fresh country air”.
It's not offensive to me. For over 40 years cows grazed that pasture until the owner died 2 years ago. His son and SIL fenced part of it off and now grow crops on it. This summer it was Maize.
Michael - Doesn't everything go better with a Hofbräu???
Jaz -
Is there a thread where you can upload other peoples work you like ‘ admire I have a bunch from shows
Just start one or post them here.

Rocker Joan Jett is 67 today.
Everyone have a magnificent Monday.
 
It rained a measurable amount for the first time since early August last night. Still under 1/2", but at this point we'll take anything. The only advantage is that the grass has stopped growing. It will probably get a grown spurt in the next few weeks if we get more rain and temps in the 70s.

High of 77°F for today. Currently 65°F/65°F. One thing that I have noticed with the shortening of the days since June, is that the hottest part of the day is substantially shorter than it was. It peaks for an hour or so and then is either steady for a short time or slowly falling again.

Nothing planned for today except enjoying this weather. Have a great day everyone.
 
You bring to mind the Great Smog of London, a "perfect storm" December 5–9, 1952 It was caused by a deadly mix of weather conditions and heavy coal burning that trapped pollution over the city.
View attachment 240159
I recognize the impact of burning coal. But it seems to me we should be able to find a way to cleanly burn it. I also recognize it is costly, but I think we should invest in the future to be 100% energy independent.

I remember it well. Going out and having to cover our faces for protection.
 
Here I 'am out digging up roots from the holly bush I cut down a month ago. It's very tough digging. I'm may have to just leave them and plant grass seed there. I'm going to try to see if I can use a come along to pull them out. Headed to Home Depot to buy some chain. Swal

Swal_Digging_02.jpg
 


The downside of home ownership didn't take long to rear its ugly head.
I just ordered a new air conditioner, it should be here Saturday.
Terry: it ain't over as things tend to come in 3's. Don't even want to talk about what extra stuff you sometimes have to do to fix a $100 item. It still is better than renting though.

Gonna give us some pix of the new place?

L8r
 
Good Morning All!
50F @ 76% maybe 70F later, no clouds...

Got the metal roof on yesterday, so thought that y'all might be interested in a pix.
IMGP1200.JPG

Going to be a 7.5' porch out from the front. We wanted to paint before winter, so this is a good stopping place for that. Ya, guess what? Airless paint sprayer does not suck so take that apart and see what I can see. $400 for a new one now days and if this one don't work, gonna have to bite the bullet and get another as there is more painting to do other than the Chicken/Goat house. Still need to insulate the inside walls and roof, along with OSB on the ceiling and walls; paint too. Maria is grinning! Well, she was until she started looking at 4' doors....

rhb-michael Had to do a pressure tank last year. The old sat next to the new one for almost 8 months before I finally got around to buying a small sump pump to drain the thing. That one was 75 gallons; can't wait for the new one to take a crap, 150 Gallons...

L8r
 
Isn't there a city that has a coal fire burning under it that's been going for a while?
Centralia, on Highway 61, has been burning under ground for decades. My uncle took my dad and I to see the glow after dark around 70 years ago. There are several other underground fires in NE PA. Some of the sink holes on I-80 in PA are attributed to mine shafts underneath collapsing....no mention of fires though.

FWIW: My memories of anthracite are of the blue flame from the stove in my aunt's kitchen, and the smell of burning anthracite, as well as the absence of smoke vs. Bituminous with its smoke and smell. Dad would buy anthracite by the bag, and burn it in his fireplace instead of wood. I also remember neighbors too cheap to buy coal, who would trek daily to the clean out track to picl up the discarded lumber dunnage, using their home made wagons.
 
Good morning all,

a pleasant 60 with light fog. We are still way below average on rainfall, however we did receive .75 inch over the last week. It really perked up the lawn, will be mowing later today.

Also today: changing the oil in the Suburban (twice per year, about every 3000 mi), and washing my two sleeping bags at the laundromat. I plan on camping in the Boundary Waters this week, and the sleeping bags need some attention.

I glued in all the lights on the layout this morning, using epoxy, so there are little paint jars all over holding the lamps perpendicular. No train running this morning.

Terry: as I recall you had to replace air conditioners in your last domicile not that long ago

Willie: Your area really experienced some rough weather. I read this morning they had ping pong ball sized hail in the twin cities, about 80 miles away.

I put in my periodic coffee order in to Amazon this morning, 4 x 18 oz Italian Roast only 38.52 free shipping, cannot even buy it around here very easily.

Dave LASM
 


I had to install a new water heater a few weeks ago. PITA getting it down the stairs. The old one is keeping it company.
Amazing how much they weigh with years of sediment.

I gave my Nephew and his buddy $40.00 each to carry my old one up from the basement and carry the new one down. They are in H.S and will do any crummy around the house project for a buck. It was worth it!

We set it on the curb and within an hour a scrapper came along and snatched it up.
 
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