Running Bear's September 2025 Coffee Shop

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Mike - Why didn't the city remove the 6 evergreens since it was their sidewalk?
It wasnt the City sidewalk. Its the sidewalk in the front of my house that connects the driveway to the breezeway and front porches.

It was narrow and sunken and lost its slope. When the snow and water from the roof froze it made it really icy. When we had the front
porches and driveway re-poured we decided to widen that sidewalk 12' wider since they were reforming all that anyway. They were
already here the cost was negligible.
 
Good Morning All!
44F @ 70%, pretty clear.

Remember what I was saying about things happening in 3's?

Tractor rear tire developed a leak. It was only flat on the bottom. At least it is easy to get the tire off the ground; Hoe and Bucket... Getting the 300Lb'r in the Bronco was another matter. Took 3 of us. Neither vehicle was tall enough to 'roll it in' so it was push come to shove.

Pressure Washer decided to quit in the middle of washing off those roofing panels we got the other day. Spark plug had opened. Usually they are 5K to 15K Ohms, age depending. New gaped plug and now it starts, runs for a few seconds and dies. Noticed oil around the carb, so take it off, clean it out and go from there.

Cook Stove pretty much blew up ... twice. Ya, so the rest of the story. Decided to clean the stove top and removed all the grates, plates and spreaders throwing them in the DW. When I was putting it back together I noticed the right front of the top was not down all the way sticking up about 3/4". These tops are pretty easy, pull forward a tad, then up and they open. So the reverse of that got the top back down and clicked in. Got ready to do BFast and cranked on the big burner. Had flame, but was weird. Blue on the bottom of course, but long yellow tips which was not normal. Said out loud 'This is weird' of which Maria said 'What'. Just after that I cranked on one of the smaller burners on the other side which went boom; puff of flame blew my hair back, did not loose eyebrows... Maria heard the noise and came running into the kitchen to make sure I was OkieDokie. Yup. Had all the burners off, so in order to show her what was wrong, cranked on the big burner again. Lit as before, but this time after about 15 seconds there was a very loud bang and the fire went out. She looked at me and said "It is a little too exciting in here don't you think?" Ya, turned off the gas at the wall and unplugged the stove. Apparently when I pushed the top down to where it locked, the two front burner orifice gas lines crimped and busted allowing propane to flow.

I did find something new with stove dealing. I tried just googling some different phrases with no luck. For instance 'Orifice Gas Line' no workie. Went to GE and no matter what I tried to do, they wanted my email address. Not playing that game. Enter the new thing - Google Lens. Took picture of the orifice and line using Lens. 1st thing that came up was the exact thing I took a pix of with part number. Also found the correct part sheet for the stove model googling that part number as I needed the other side too. The front line and orifice assemblies are a mirror copy left to right. So $45 later and I have both coming in from Amazon...

Oh, and the only cruise ship I have been on was the USS Blue Ridge, early 70's for a couple of weeks... Maria and I kinda look at each other when cruises come up while watching the boob tube, Not; say us. We would rather pack a picnic basket, Kindle, fishing pole, chain saw and weapons and head for the top of some mountain; railroads most of the time are included somehow. Does not have to be in this area either. Usually a motel and dinner somewhere happens too. Neither of us really care about going anywhere in the USofA either. Guess OTR scratched that itch...

L8r
 


Good Morning All. Raining right now and 69°. We had a brief thunderstorm earlier this morning that just barely wet the rain gauge, but there is another that will be here in a few minutes, bigger than the first. Major thunderstorms all around me last evening with several momentary power losses. Within 5 miles of me, there were a few places that got nearly 1" of rain according to the Weather Underground stations located there. I only got 0.25" in my gauge. The ones here now were not even on the radar 2 hours ago, just popped up out of nowhere. Last night and this morning's storms are not violent ones like Sunday night. 10 day forecast shows cooler weather for a week with highs just in the upper 80's before 90's appear again. My high reading yesterday was 96°.

A cardiologist visit is on tap for me today. Another follow-up. It's at the insane time of 12 noon! My wife must have been the one who agreed on the time without my input. On our last visit, she made the appointment while I was still talking to the PA in the hallway.
Yesterday's visit to the dental hygienist was just routine, no problems to discuss. Before going to that afternoon appointment, I cut and split more firewood and mowed for about 15 minutes. Later on, I made what will be the last visit to the pool this season. Water was even warm enough for my wife at 84°. I thought that the last visit was going to be about three weeks ago, but Mother Nature was just fooling us back around Labor Day. While this is a little later in the season than average, we have gone into October before, last year being one year.

Another shortened day in the train shed yesterday. I temporarily set aside my figures that I am working on until I build up my reserve of patience. Even though I now know which sets of arms go with which bodies, they don't fit well. I am looking at a super-human effort with a file, some super glue and then some body putty to get everything together like I want them. The drummer and band leader will be easy since they just need the arms attached, but the other four with the instruments just don't fit right. Doing anything with them will take more time than I have in one sitting right now and I don't want to interrupt in the midst of doing them. Probably this weekend when I don't have medical/dental appointments to interrupt my day.
Instead, I sorted through some trees that I made last spring and touched them up a tiny bit. I have about 40 of them that I either made or rehabbed, which I got from Chet, that suffered on the 1000 mile journey here.

Speaking of Chet, I spoke with him for about 20 minutes on Monday. He wishes everyone well and he and the two dogs are doing well. He misses modeling and is getting ready to dispose of his remaining stuff. I told him to get back on the forum and advertise some of it here. I plan to get some more vehicles from him, but I have all of the structures that I can use. I previously got about 20 structures, many of which I featured in past Coffee Shops. Todd, you need to go over and see him to see what's left.

Swal - Is that a castle next door in the picture that you posted in post #1493???
Mike - Why didn't the city remove the 6 evergreens since it was their sidewalk?
Dave - I'm with you on the cruises. Not just the crowds, but the expanse of water with no land in sight.
John - I have had to repair racoon damage to my Havahart trap a couple of times. I'm surprised that both of your visitors died in the trap. None of mine were that easy to remove. They don't like being inside, but it can be a real pain to get them out!
Louis - Wow! Hated to read about Angela. And I thought it was a different reason that you didn't post anything yesterday morning. My prayers are with her for a speedy recovery.

Everyone have a wonderful Wednesday while I watch the raindrops fall into the pool; which doesn't need more water!
Willie: Will try to get to Chet's. We are winding down summer stuff and still have a ton of things to accomplish before snow.

L8r
 
On another note :

Claudia Cardinale, the sexy Italian movie star who appeared in classic Italian films including Fellini’s “8½” and Visconti’s “Rocco and His Brothers” and “The Leopard,” Sergio Leone’s spaghetti Western “Once Upon a Time in the West,” as well as “The Pink Panther,” has died. She was 87.

Once Upon a Time in the West is one of my favorite movies. Claudia was a "looker" for sure.

Racoon #2 expired in the trap today. His/her remains were placed in some nearby woods for an "open casket" burial. And racoon #2 wrecked the trap just like racoon #1. A trip to the car wash to clean out the trap again and more repairs tomorrow. I'm not fooling with it tonight. I'll reset the trap tomorrow night as racoons are known to live in groups of 4 to 7 or so.

Not really feeling like spending time in the train room, just tired today.

Everyone have a pleasant evening....John
John: Looks like you can skip a step to me. Give them lead poisoning.

L8r
 
Louis- will pray for your wife's health and well-being. I have had pneumonia 3 times at age 12, 30, and 32. Rest and fluids. You may be the designated cook for a while.
Thank you, Dave. I may not be the expert cook my wife is, but I can hold my own. I am making pasta salad with protein pasta for dinner. She wanted something light, but I know she needs protein.

Good vibes heading your wife's way. I've avoided pneumonia, fortunately, except for once. It wasn't fun. Lung issues are scary.
Thank you, is there anything worse than to struggle to breathe? I've been there done that don't want to do that again!

Hope she gets better soonest. She may feel bad about not watching you, though...
Thank you, she is still checking on me!

I know you'll take good care of her. I'm sure her recovery will continue quickly with you there. Having just taken my wife for an ER visit I know the level of anxiety you've been through.

Just out of curiosity, is she not able to or has she had the Prevnar 20 or the PCV15 with her history?
Anxiety... to say the least, but I did good not to let her see it.

She was told she was too young for the vaccines, but I will have them reconsider that now!

Wow! Hated to read about Angela. And I thought it was a different reason that you didn't post anything yesterday morning. My prayers are with her for a speedy recovery.
Thank you, I know it is supposed to be me but thank God I'm holding up well.

I will also send thoughts and prayers your way!

Hopefully its a speedy recovery!
Thank you, me too!

Louis, prayers for you and your wife.
Thank you!

Gentlemen, I can't thank you enough. There is no greater gift to receive than good thoughts, prayers, and blessings.
 
Good afternoon. It’s partly cloudy and 87, real feel 106.
Driving to work yesterday was a struggle, it took me an hour to drive less than 18 miles. After conferring with others that live in my area, I decided to leave earlier and beat the traffic.
Silly me. I left at 6:30, and arrived at work at 8:10. To go less than 18 miles. 17.6, to be exact.

The new air conditioner is sitting in my living room, waiting for a helper or a professional to install it.
 


That’s a long trip. Longest we’ve had since far for water polo is about an hour I think, barring things like junior olympic in California or special invitational tournaments in another state.
Normally we would make that trip in a little over an hour, but I-80 is all tore up from us to the Iowa border, so we had a half hour each way in delays and the 3 hour time included the Culvers stop on the way home.

Still a lengthy trip on a school night!
 
Louis. Prayers and thoughts for your wife. Health issues are never fun.

And happy birthday and anniversary to everyone who’s celebrated recently. I’m not good about mentioning it. Sorry. I try to avoid my birthday in public (anniversary of course I have to remember).

Two interviews today. One was scheduled for yesterday but was postponed due to my daughter being sick all night. I think I mentioned that yesterday.

Also need to fix the wall around a window in the sole window well we have. The foundation and outer house walls are ICF — foam out layer. I had covered it with an acrylic “stucco” covering but it was before the windows were put in so that flexible black flashing cones out over this coating and I need to staple it down and out another layer of this coating on top. The wall below the window was actually damaged some by falling wood from either the roof framer or maybe siding guy. I fixed it from a leak standpoint but need to make it look good and also reinforce it. So the goal is to coat the whole window well outer wall with Semco waterproof membrane. Then add two coats of that acrylic stucco stuff and then two more coats of clear Semco waterproof membrane. That will make sure we have no leaks at all around the window well.

Due to the color we painted the outside (a gray based off white instead of white) I’ll be using a different color of this acrylic stucco stuff. Eventually I’ll add a layer of it all around the house so that it matches everywhere and looks like a dark gray concrete instead of the current linen color. The linen color would have been good with a real white but is not that great with the off white.
 
Normally we would make that trip in a little over an hour, but I-80 is all tore up from us to the Iowa border, so we had a half hour each way in delays and the 3 hour time included the Culvers stop on the way home.

Still a lengthy trip on a school night!
Wife took daughter to springville, an hour away, for water polo a few weeks ago. Longest I’ve had to do was to Park City last Friday. About 45 min each way kid a stop at Taco Bell as it was the closest and easiest to get to so she could eat on the way back. It was Homecoming football game and we had a tight schedule to get her there as I guess it’s hard to get seats if you’re not early.

She is driving now so takes herself to all the more local games. Up the canyon in I-80 to Park City makes us parents nervous and also makes her a little nervous.
 
Good morning, all! An overcast start to the day with a 70% chance of rain, some severe thunderstorms possible. Nothing is planned for today so who knows what trouble I'll get into.

The posting of the two photos yesterday made take a closer look at some other photos in the archive and compare to today's layout. There are many changes that have been made. The most obvious is the replacement of plastic structures with laser cut kits. A number of buildings have been relocated to accommodate newer ones. The track remains the same, though I have thought about changing some of that. I guess a layout never gets completely "finished".

Louis - A hope for a speedy recovery for Angela.

STAY SAFE
LATER
 
Sometimes life throws a beanball.

That is what happened to my wife and I early yesterday morning. She had been feeling poorly, early yesterday morning, it became a full-blown emergency. Complete with a trip to the ER. With pain in her back on the left side and trouble breathing I wasn't taking any chances. Women often experience back pain rather than chest pain when having a heart attack, as my mom did.

When we arrived at the ER, they wasted no time in rushing her back. Leaving me to complete the paperwork. After about 30 minutes she emerged from the back with all sorts of things hooked up to her. I was so relieved to see her return. I knew from experience it was not a heart attack if they brought you back out so quickly. She never looked more beautiful to me; she would disagree of course.

They took her back and forth for numerous tests, x-rays and finally a CAT scan. They determined she had phenomena in both lungs. My wife has a history of phenomena; it took a CAT scan to see through the scar tissue. This time she has out done herself, double phenomena!

The good news is she was already showing improvement, and they allowed her to decide if she wanted to come home. Of course she chose to come home. With instructions for me to watch her closely. She is doing well, no more pain and breathing easier. She is sleeping like a little Angel, I know because I am watching her closely.

If you can't duck the beanball, you hope to survive it. So far so good. God willing, we will survive this too. I use the word we because I would be lost without her.
…..thinking what to write……
.OMG how scary, for both of you.
Technically double pneumonia just means in both lungs not one (I guess you know that) but breathing 😮‍💨 is therefore more acutely effected.
did they give her advice about positioning herself for easier breathing?, you say not her first rodeo so hopefully you already know what to do (I am not claiming any knowledge on this subject, my dad had it but I was a young child so remember nothing and it was like 50 plus years ago)
I do think that good homemade food with garlic and onions etc are good if she freezes any Hungarian stews I would encourage her to scoff some.
do they recommend steamed water inhalation ? (question not advice)
do make sure she keeps up her fluids unless medical advice has stated otherwise
…and please accept my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
…and I know it is stressful but keep me/us appraised.
If it would mean anything to her please tell her I hope she recovers quickly.
And for watch your self as well, because if you stress and end up ill as well you cannot look after her.
 
Louis. Prayers and thoughts for your wife. Health issues are never fun
Thank you, that they are not.

I hope your wife gets better soon, we surely are concerned for the both of you. Her for her health, you for what you may get into while you run amok!
Thak you, there will be no running amok here, she is still mobile and tracking me.

Louis, I’m catching up on missed reading. A wishful speedy recovery to your Angel. Angela has been good to and for you. Pneumonia is not fun as I’ve had it in the past. Treat her extra well
Thank you, she certainly has been good to me, and I am doing my level best to return the favor,

If it would mean anything to her please tell her I hope she recovers quickly
It most certainly will, and I will be sure to tell her. She often asks me "how are your train friends?"
And for watch your self as well, because if you stress and end up ill as well you cannot look after her.
All my life I have worked and played my best under pressure.

God is with me, as always. My blood pressure was 110/71 just a few minutes ago. My wife insisted I check it and show her the results.
 


Well, I did my "doody duty" and cleaned up what I could from the paved walking paths:
Screenshot 2025-09-24 at 2.03.29 PM.png


Hit the residue with the bleach spray, in hopes that it would dissolve better when it rains this evening.

Stopped by the Maintenance office to ask them where they wanted the Doody bag. Not my dog, not going in my trash. They pointed at the dumpster. We had a chat about it. They said they can't see the poo when they're driving the maintenance carts around the complex. I pointed out today was mowing day as well. You know those commercial mowers are going to hit them too.

I'll email the HOA pres and let him know I did my doody ;) That's the last time. OH, and there was a fresh series of droppings on the path today. But it had been rain damaged. We've had on and off again rain from the wee hours of the morning. So no idea when it happened.
 
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