Running Bear's September 2026 Coffee Shop

[RhB Michael]

Good morning! Another strange night for me, but I got to bed at 2300 last night. That's my usual bed time. I was up at 0130 though for about 15 minutes taking care of some business in the throne room. Had restless sleep until just before 0500 and decided that was enough.

First cup of coffee sitting here cooling some.

No antibiotics to take, and got through last evening and overnight without 1000 mg of Tylenol for post-op pain. The pain is hard to describe, but the best comparison is having just started doing sit-ups at about 50 reps, and the other pain on the right side feels like runner's cramp. Neither is present 100% of the time, but comes and goes. No pain upon palpitation though, and no rebound pain either. I'm getting better slowly. I hope I can get through the day without the Tylenol.

Met with the surgeon today and everything sounds like it’s going well. It’s nice that he speaks English.. He asked me if I remembered anything from the surgery and I told him that I remember him asking me if I remembered him and then him telling me that the surgery was over so it was a nice short surgery..

Having only one eye is strange because no depth perception, so I need to move my hand slowly when reaching for anything.

I remember climbing onto the OR table and having them prep for the sterile field. The gas passer I had already talked to before the OR had a translucent green mask she placed over my mouth and nose and told me it was just some O2.

10 seconds later I didn't remember anything. Nighty-night I went.

I get that depth perception problem too sometimes because of the glaucoma in the left eye depending upon where I'm looking.

Have a great Sunday.

Servus!

 

[troyphoto]

Well, howdy there internet peeps and those with vision, deep or not.

It's Troy again.

Been studying up on my Canadian heritage. Found an interesting info-vid on the Canadian Flag. What was the British Ensign version? Was it legally the flag of Canada? Why does the maple leaf not have 13 points?

Interesting and under 10 min.

Got my research report back. Got some usable stuff from it. Found out that the Mennonite Bishop (John Oesch) ancestor followed British law and gave an affirmation of allegiance to the British Crown. He's immigrated from Bavaria, with a brief stop in the USA (cause that's where the ship went).

I had to ask my AI assistant to give me the rundown on where the Esch (later: Oesch) family came from:

Germany, specifically the Kingdom of Bavaria. He was born on 27 August 1791 at the Barbelstein farm near Erlenbach and Zweibrücken, in the Palatinate, and Roth's texts say the family later moved to Bavaria under King Maximilian's invitation to settle there. By the 1820s John and Barbara were living on the cloister farm at Rothsee near Weilheim, south of Munich. They then moved to Probfeld near Ingolstadt, where their third child was born and died in 1823–24. Roth traces the family name back further to Oberlangenegg in the Emmental, Switzerland, but that is the name's probable origin, not where John lived.

So, my 4th great Grandfathers, both Maternal and Paternal of the 3rd greats, both "affiirmed" (Mennonites didn't take oaths) and became subjects of the crown. Abe on the Paternal side, emigrated in his senior widowed years back to the US (Indiana) to be with his children/grandchildren. But Bishop John died in Canada from Apendicitis in the 1850s.

That's the complication. He didn't perform the weddings of many of his children, so the best we have in my 3rd great grandmother's name written in his family bible. Birth Certificates weren't a thing yet, and the Amish and Mennonite sects weren't keeping records beyond family bible genealogies when they thought about it.

This (in hindsight) is a good reason for me to have hired the attorneys to handle my C3 forms to the IRCC for citizenship status. We've got some 'Splainin' to do! We're going to have to build a case based on second and third hand records, because the British Crown wasn't keeping them back in the 1830s-1850s. And the IRCC want's two Canadian records per link in the chain.

In other news, I'm waiting until I see the PA on Friday to determine if I need to restart PT (probably). Wife and I have been talking about getting a membership at the YMCA. Its a 10 minute drive. The problem is, we both know it'll be a "we should go" and won't go much.

The alternative is to add something like an exercise bike to the basement. I didn't use the treadmill, so bike is questionable usage. Maybe. But a bike might take the impact load off my lower spine that walking gives

The one downside is, we don't have the room. I'm at the what do I lose to put it in? And it looks like it would be one leg of the W of the fledgling layout.

No decisions made. Have to chat with the doc, then the PT. Will that be good exercise for me - especially in the cold and icy months, as well as the new HOT HOT summers?

 

[Kusojiji]

10 seconds later I didn't remember anything. Nighty-night I went.

I used to work on the 15 minute airplane ride by getting drunk real quick and passing out. That’s when I was younger.. haha

 

[TLOC]

Good morning Crew from Wisconsin where we are home. 55f degrees now 64 later. Some chances of still needed rain. Officially since Wednesday Verona received 2.86” of rain. My rain gauge at over 6” was full and it’s not near any buildings or trees. Must have had a cloud burst over the collection tube!

Our ride home if direct would have been 3.5 hours. It took us 10.25 hours as we did all the stops I wrote about yesterday.

Thanks for the additional congratulations on the anniversary, we both appreciate it

RETIREMENT, as Willie wrote it is such an individual thing. We were fortunate, Terry retired at 56 with fully paid insurance benefits (covered both of us) for 10 years after her retirement date plus however many months to get her till the end of the last year. She didn’t take SSI until 70. I retired at 62 and took SSI a month later. For 4 years it was my full allowance. When we needed to start paying for insurance my monthly payment for insurance came from there reducing my allowance. Make sure you make time for yourself in retirement especially the 1st few years. People will be asking for your time because you have nothing else to do. It took Terry about 18 months before she understood saying no is ok. I learned from her as she was retired 6 years before me. You don’t need millions saved to retire but you have to be smart about it. Health care will increase after you retire. Many of my model railroad friends went back to work because of drug costs but also after going pretty crazy buying trains every month when 1st retired. Nothing wrong with part time jobs after retiring. The big box stores around here pay at $18 per hour to start and in most cases will schedule you per your schedule. Don’t let anyone tell you when to retire from your fulltime career job. I believe you will know the day it hits you that it’s time.

Yesterday Terry got a text from her best friend asking if we wanted to split Brewer playoff tickets. We decided sure. The cost was kind of a shock but we are paying for 6 tickets, the suite holds 12! All playoff games as they advance but does not include the World Serious games if they get that far. We get a refund within 90 days if they are eliminated.

Next week is a somewhat local at 30 miles train show. The guy I’m building his paper mill asked if I want to go. Not really but if we could find some tanks cheaper than 3d printing it would be a successful trip. Pulp tanks are needed and the ones on e-Bay are about $50 each. The kits from Walthers a few years ago were $18 and built 2! 3d printing costs about $30 each so a deal would be nice. Some of the other tanks Walthers makes would be nice. I’m kind of tired of forming styrene to create tanks as they are looking to similar to each other. He also wants some chlorine tank cars and gondolas for pulpwood conversion. So I’ll probably go unless we are out road tripping

I’m not sure what the plans are for today if any. Today was supposed to be the return day not Saturday. The Packers play at noon but beyond that no clue.

Enjoy your day

 

[troyphoto]

For the literary minded:

This week’s bookish birthdays: George R.R. Martin (September 20, 1948), H.G. Wells (September 21, 1866), Fannie Flagg (September 21, 1941), Stephen King (September 21, 1947), Rosamunde Pilcher (September 22, 1924), F. Scott Fitzgerald (September 24, 1896), William Faulkner (September 25, 1897), Shel Silverstein (September 25, 1930), Francine du Plessix Gray (September 25, 1930), TS Eliot (September 26, 1888), and Jane Smiley (September 26, 1949).

 

[santafewillie]

Good Morning All. Mostly clear and 76°. High today is expected to be 95°, just like yesterday. The impending rain has now been removed from the forecast, as it was just imaginary anyway. A bit of a cooler week ahead of us with highs around 90° starting tomorrow. Overnight lows still in the lower-70's.

Yesterday wasn't any different than many of the past few days, some firewood retrieval and stacking. Seems that I cut more last fall/winter than I thought, but that is good. Did some pool maintenance and fired up the trusty weedeater for some spot trimming. Later on, I made pulled pork for supper. Varied the recipe a bit like I like to do, and it turned out fine. Had a broccoli-cauliflower salad with it, secretly made by my wife while I was stacking firewood.
Today's schedule includes the dishwasher, probably after church, and the weekly bed linen laundry. No honey-dos today since she'll be glued to the TV watching the NFL. She has some kind of program that lets her view many different games. No clue yet on what I will fix for supper.

A very short time out in the train shed yesterday, so I only did some ground cover in between the new road that I installed Friday and the existing ground cover. Today, being Sunday is also going to be a short one.

Joe -

But where is Paulie Walnuts?

He's inside with Tony discussing what to do with Nucci.
Congratulations and good luck leaving Jersey! It's a different world outside of that state.
Tom O -

Terry retired at 56 with fully paid insurance benefits (covered both of us) for 10 years after her retirement date plus however many months to get her till the end of the last year.

Wow! Quite generous!

Twins Chuck Panozzo & John Panozzo, bassist and drummer for Styx were born on this day in 1948. John died in 1996 from alcohol issues. Mick Rogers guitarist/vocalist from Manfred Mann's Earth band was born on this day in 1946, thus making him 80 today.

Everyone have a great Sunday.

 

[migalyto]

Good morning all!

Getting a very late start this morning. Was up several times with the dog who is deathly afraid of thunderstorms. We had several rounds
come thru last night, Lots of heavy rain, wind and close cloud to ground lightning. I ended up laying back down around 7am and dozing
off and on till 9:30.

The rain train is continuing this morning with light showers. I have a little over 2" of rain in the gauge from last night when I dumped out 1.2"
till this morning. Rain is supposed to move out of the area later this morning and looks like they have taken it out of the forecast for tomorrow.
Currently its a breezy 65F. and our high is only supposed to reach 66F. Glad I sucked it up and mowed on Friday..

Not much happening today since most everything was done yesterday. I'm sure a few things will crop up though.

Have a safe day everyone!

 

[Boris]

Congratulations and good luck leaving Jersey! It's a different world outside of that state

Looking forward to this move, 40 + years of Jersey is more than enough Purgatory.

 

[TLOC]

Terry retired at 56 with fully paid insurance benefits (covered both of us) for 10 years after her retirement date plus however many months to get her till the end of the last year.

Wow! Quite generous!

Willie it was negotiated when she left teaching to become an administrator. Thankfully she picked the correct time to get out. 1 year later the governor busted the teachers unions and local administrations decided not to offer deals like this to non union staff. Education in Wisconsin hasn’t been the same since, top 5 nationally to I believe 24th a couple years ago

 

[Marlin39]

Education in Wisconsin hasn’t been the same since, top 5 nationally to I believe 24th a couple years ago

We have you beat. The teachers union is a political arm of our states one party super majority system, which helps maintain our national position at #40.

Retirement - I could have left the work force at 57 also. We were financially stable and had no debts, but I really enjoyed what I did. When Nicki had her near death experience the day before she retired (67) in 2020 everything changed. I retired 6 months later at 62.5. I didn't want to spend $650+/mnth for a basic Obamacare medical plan so I looked for a part time "fun" job. Trader Joe's hired me and said if I worked 28 hours/wk I would have full medical. 20% off groceries and booze didn't hurt either. When I hit 65 I gave notice, but stayed on another 2 months so I would get my 6% annual bonus. I've never regretted it.

 

[RhB Michael]

Now that I've been up and about since 0500, this is the best I've felt in two weeks. Still a little pain in the lower right quadrant from the surgery, but not even enough to have to take Tylenol for. The abdominal pain (feels like too many sit-ups at once) has also subsided a lot.

I think the remaining CO2 gas they used has finally all been absorbed, bloating and the full feeling is gone, and the antibiotics are nearly out of my system now. I hope my gut starts returning to its normal flora now. Those antibiotics kill everything in sight, even the good bacteria.

Still have a bit of liquid to get rid of in my tissues from all of the IV solution they were pumping me with. I gained ten pounds in five days from that, and the weight is finally starting to come down. Six pounds of it is gone already. I hope three or four more can be absorbed or eliminated in the next few days.

Dr. Rentz signing off for now.

 

[DeaconKC]

Hello all from Colorado, 58 here and BRIGHT sunshine. We got up early to go see the hot air balloon launch, there must have been 20 or so and it was fun. My Missus loved it, she was really excited and when we got back to our condo one was about to land in our backyard! I went because she was so excited from yesterday, and am glad I did, it was an excellent time. We even got back in time to watch our home Church service on Facebook. Rest of the day looks to be a quiet one.
You guys have a great day.

 

[kbkchooch]

Good afternoon gang!

Gloomy overcast day at 76 degrees outside.

Yesterday I went to the Maryland Steam and Tractor show at the Arcadia VFD fire grounds. It’s a huge show, with lots of old farm equipment and I’m guessing about a dozen steam traction engines. The smell of coal smoke was everywhere. When I was a lad my dad and I were exhibitor’s there with a bunch of hot and miss engines and a 1925 Caterpillar. Back then the show took up half the space, now it fills 7 -10 acres!

Me and Granddad, circa 1975
​

I walked the rows of tractors, exhibits and classic cars till my lower back was screaming at me. Then it was time for lunch and some time seated at a picnic table with a cheeseburger and a kraut dog before I made my way to the truck.
I’ve been taking it easy on my back ever since. Normally it’s ok, I think what did me in was that part of the tractor display and the cars were on a 6ish % grade. It was like a mountain hike!!

Heading down the basement to play trains today. No NASCAR today, fight was on last night!

BBL

 

[troyphoto]

Y'all will be glad to know one of the cat boxes has been hosed out, the litter changed (and the other got scooped as well). and I vacuumed the condo.

Everything was 10 min of work. sit and rest the leg. Then 10 more minutes. Then rest... rinse and repeat.

 

[bnsf971]

Good afternoon. It's been an interesting week on the railroad.
First, our IT department has paralyzed our parts department, the parts department (no one else, either) is not permitted to visit any places on the 'net other than a select few locations. A couple of restricted locations are manufacturer's websites, preventing our parts department from ordering parts and our warranty department from submitting or following through on claims. Locations our parts department generally uses to purchase parts for us are currently off-limits. This rapidly trickled down to the service and delivery departments, since without parts or authorization to make repairs, we can't work. Supposedly this is being resolved over the weekend. We'll see.

Then at home (well, on the way home), I was following a pickup truck when the truck's turbo failed. I spent nearly three hours cleaning oil off the front surfaces of my car.
I've been dealing with a couple of model railroad issues, namely a sound locomotive that doesn't produce sound, and another locomotive that first completely shut down, but now makes noise and won't move. The solution to the first problem was send the engine back where I got it. The second one has been ongoing long enough for me to order parts, get the parts in, install them, and discover it needs even more parts.

So, I had a BLI Challenger that ran well, but the rear headlight didn't work and it made no sound. That was submitted for return day after tomorrow, since I am not off when the Post Office is open until Tuesday.

The second one is an Atlas Gold SD9. That one I initially thought had a bad circuit board, since the power traces on the board from the truck pickups had peeled off the board. After I ordered and installed a new board. Now it makes all the appropriate noises, lights, etc, but it won't move. I swapped out the decoder for a dummy plug and put it on the track on DC power, and discovered the motor is NFG. The motor is NLA, and the only way to get a replacement is to buy another engine and use the motor from that. While I'm holding onto the engine for now, I'm considering it a write-off, since I have to buy another complete engine just to get the parts to fix it. I removed the decoder and speaker, installed the decoder in another engine, and put all the bits in a box for "someday, maybe".
Lastly, I discovered some rotten wood in the roof of my workshop. I'll be working on that Tuesday after I return from the Post Office.

Other than that, I'm having a great time, wish all y'all were here.

 

[santafewillie]

Supposedly this is being resolved over the weekend. We'll see.

And the someone in IT will get a bonus for resolving the issue, but no one will get displaced for causing it. Could be the same individual anyway.

 

[westtexjohn]

For home haircutters.............

Flowbee Haircutting System | Self Haircut Trimmer to Cut Your own Hair at Home | Flowbee Hair Cutting Machine | Mini Vac Sold Separately​

$274.98

I remember when these things just slipped over the end of a home vacuum cleaner & were cheap !
Patented in 1988 and invented by some dude in his garage.

John

 

[Kusojiji]

Good afternoon gang!

Gloomy overcast day at 76 degrees outside.

Yesterday I went to the Maryland Steam and Tractor show at the Arcadia VFD fire grounds. It’s a huge show, with lots of old farm equipment and I’m guessing about a dozen steam traction engines. The smell of coal smoke was everywhere. When I was a lad my dad and I were exhibitor’s there with a bunch of hot and miss engines and a 1925 Caterpillar. Back then the show took up half the space, now it fills 7 -10 acres!
View attachment 274089

Me and Granddad, circa 1975
​

I walked the rows of tractors, exhibits and classic cars till my lower back was screaming at me. Then it was time for lunch and some time seated at a picnic table with a cheeseburger and a kraut dog before I made my way to the truck.
I’ve been taking it easy on my back ever since. Normally it’s ok, I think what did me in was that part of the tractor display and the cars were on a 6ish % grade. It was like a mountain hike!!

Heading down the basement to play trains today. No NASCAR today, fight was on last night!

BBL

Looks like the track needs to be tightened a smidge (technical term) and some of those growlers need replacing. Oh, sorry, been watching too much squatch253! Haha

That’s awesome! Looks like you were having fun!

 

[PNKFLOYD]

Y'all will be glad to know one of the cat boxes has been hosed out, the litter changed (and the other got scooped as well). and I vacuumed the condo.

Troy- I am glad you finally got that done. I have been waiting all week to hear about ihe cat box being cleaned.

 

[Kusojiji]

Good morning all. Been up since 530 and couldn’t sleep anymore since I’m sleeping on the floor or the bed same thing. The beds here are super hard and since I have to sleep on my side, my hips are hurting. I’m gonna see if I can get an extra blanket to help cushion the bed. Otherwise, I got seven hours anyway.

When I walk, I can see the bubble in my eye bouncing up and down so I need to cushion my walk so that it doesn’t. But that bubble is getting smaller so that’s good.