Running Bear's June 2022 Coffee Shop

[TLOC]

Good morning from the Covid positive place. I head this late afternoon to the infusion center of the UW Hospital. I will be getting a 1-2 minute infusion via a drip of a monoclonal antibody therapy. The drug is bamlanivimab. Reading what it does and my notes from yesterday’s televisit it is for high risk cancer patients and that is only one of the reasons I qualify. I am not thrilled but I will get over this.

I finally spent some time under the big front yard oak tree. The wind was nice at 11mph but even under the shade of the tree the humidity after a couple hours became too much. Here is today‘s forecast for So. Central Wisconsin:

Severe storms possible beginning around 5pm at a 55% chance. So not as bad as the doom and gloom forecasts but still pretty frickin‘ warm. There are still sections of the state without power from the weekend storms. We do have a walk in freezer purchased from a remodeled grocery store. Staff and neighbors know if they need it they can. We use it for the big parties we always planned before Covid. This is a time I chuckle to myself that being off grid using thermal, wind and solar pays off.

I ordered over the weekend some VMS matte and gloss varnishes. I have been looking for something less toxic and less pricey then the getting harder to find Testors Dull Cote spray can. Based on the YouTube reviews I should like these. The plan is to dedicate one of the airbrushes only for varnishes. This should assure a better spray effect then the spray can and also save some varnish just because the airbrush is more controllable. I hope anyway. Besides even with a spray booth the Testors Dull Cote spray can can overpower the venting.

Willie, we have a local furniture store that sells the colorful Adirondack chairs. They are very comfortable and colorful. I could not get a better picture from his website but here are 6 colors to help your choice

 

[logandsawman]

Good morning, started out at 61° this morning, high only to be 70! Yesterday we had 91. Looking ahead, they have 99° forecast for Sunday.

Troy - hope you are lucky finding ice!

Willie - chair scene (nice chairs btw) appropriate for beer day

TomO - hoping the covid is mild and short. The new treatments are supposed to be very good.

I had a big find on the internet yesterday, was doing research for the layout and found this:

This is a rail car loaded with the Crex grass used to make grass rugs in the 1910's-30's. The CREX industry is one of the main facets on my new layout, with the warehouses in Wyoming MN and these cars loaded purportedly in nearby Forest Lake MN. Found on the Anoka County Historical site, although much of the grass grew in Chisago county MN and Wisconsin.

I love the scene. The box car can go right on my layout. Wish I coulde read all the writing. No ladder rungs on the sides of the car.

I glued down some track on the layout, just one small section left. Been wanting to move this track back for a long time, to make more room for the Wyoming depot, which goes in the open space on the old module:

I will be connecting these tracks to their respoective turnouts and all the track work is done. Will be doing the final wiring hookup this weekend, still waiting on one piece of flex track.

more later, Dave LASM

 

[McLeod]

Good Morning!
Suppose I'd better get my spare rooms ready for a visit from ya'll who are suffering from heat stroke down in those 100+ temperatures. No need to burn up when you can visit the comfortable 52F of the north. Plus, you can get a natural morning shower if you just stand outside. The showers running out there as I write.

Troy - I've noticed the Generac ads on TV have become more aggressive at this time. They're trying to hook poor souls like you who are experiencing the severe power outages. Don't get suckered. Fact is, you're better off renting or owning a small generator, just to run the freezer.

TomO - Very sad to hear about the Covid thing. Hope you fly through it, and come out strong on the other end. You should, if you've got all those vaccinations.

Curt & Willie - I know I can post without photos, but, I don't want people thinking I've lost my camera. It's like Coca-Cola, it's a trademark. Picture's come with my post's on any forum I might care to write a few words. It's quite rare for me to post without a photo.

Here's the photos I set up this morning, so that I could post. These prove that I'm still messing with model truckery:

I believe the crane truck is too big for the layout. The crane itself, with the boom removed, might be a good flatcar load. - I'll consider the situation when I get it finished.
If the Coles Crane is simply unusable, I happen to know a little boy who would like it for his collection.

Well, suppose I'll go walk the dog and get wet. Have a great day, friends!

 

[JeffH]

Well, we've been back from Savannah for 4-5 days now, and I have serious doldrums coming down from all the excitement, chaos and laughs of a destination wedding 12 hours away from home.

I have no appetite and can't sleep. Not sure if it's just the doldrums, or if maybe I'm coming down with a virus. I don't feel sick.. just lethargic and foggy brain.

Anyway, here is the one pic I took on my phone from the wedding. This was their "last dance" at the reception.

I'm looking forward to getting the pictures from the photographer and the videos.

According to the wedding planner, our Father/Bride dance was "the best Father/Bride dance I have ever seen."

My daughter and I love the children's movie "Matilda." The soundtrack includes Rusted Root's song titled "Send Me On My Way." So, we danced to that. It's such a fun song, and we ended up doing "the pretzel" a few times and really just had a blast dancing for a couple minutes.

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

Good morning, and special thanks to all who offered suggestions. Lots to consider that I have not thought of myself.

Golf damn near killed me yesterday. Wifeykins said, "Ride a power cart." I replied, "It's only a short nine hole (par 31) course; I'll be fine." Was 92F at tee-off and a tough walk for us Minnesotans. Did not play well, really struggled, and was almost not fun. Shot 6 over my average for the nine on that course. Yuck.

Then meetings all day - with some time off for R&R and a computer wargame. Then long meeting in the evening, got home at 21:30. Tired today.

Crisis this morning: Dau with the guide dog was refused by three straight Uber drivers which made her late for work. She takes an Uber/Lyft to the light-rail station in St. Paul and takes the train into Minneapolis. Three straight drivers refused her because of the guide dog - - which is strictly against their company's policy not to mention the ADA LAW ! ! ! Always frightening to see Momma bear's claws out but a tad less so when they ain't pointed at me. She and the older dau (lawyer) are already plotting.

Yesterday, my church admin secretary put in her notice for 01 Aug. Really not looking forward to finding a replacement in this work environment. Hopefully some out there are interested in a part-time position with somewhat flexible hours. Pray for us sinners!

Pray a good day and recovery for all, - - - - Steve J

 

[troyphoto]

Found ICE!

Started at Mendards to purchase a chest-style cooler. The gas station right across from it had the big and white outdoor ice chests. So I pulled up, flipped the door out, and spied ice.

The $55 I spent on the cooler and ice was cheaper than the $999.00 generators left at Menards. Although, this is the reminder that I need to pick up a smaller generator once we get past emergency pricing and out of stock issues

I'm at Panera again. Scone and coffee achievement unlocked, but now I need a nap. Four hours of sleep wasn't enough.

 

[dennis461]

Good morning from NJ
School almost out, my bus driving days will be over soon.
Selling of my film camera equipment, getting pennies on a dollar.

A camera sold for $255 in 1954
Equate to 2022 dollars $2760.00
On ebay today. $73.00.

Coffee is still good.

 

[Sirfoldalot]

Greetings from sunny Southern CA - where there will be no storms or other weather events except a warm 93 degree high expected under clear cloudless skies!

KARL, WILLIE -- just thought I would use a word substitution in place of a sexual description, but I think you both already knew that.

TROY - Sorry to say that I have no answers to your delima? Others have - pick one?
I hope that the loss of food and value will not be to great.
You already had your hands full with the aging parents - didn't need this!

TomO - Here's a prayer that you sort out your medical problem as well - Very sorry to hear of it all!

For some strange reason I had the pleasure of sleeping in a little this morning. I have been trying to be a little more active - and maybe it is paying off?
Cup is empty - Spousal Unit wants something too!
Be Back in a while?

 

[logandsawman]

Good morning, and special thanks to all who offered suggestions. Lots to consider that I have not thought of myself.

Golf damn near killed me yesterday. Wifeykins said, "Ride a power cart." I replied, "It's only a short nine hole (par 31) course; I'll be fine." Was 92F at tee-off and a tough walk for us Minnesotans. Did not play well, really struggled, and was almost not fun. Shot 6 over my average for the nine on that course. Yuck.

Then meetings all day - with some time off for R&R and a computer wargame. Then long meeting in the evening, got home at 21:30. Tired today.

Crisis this morning: Dau with the guide dog was refused by three straight Uber drivers which made her late for work. She takes an Uber/Lyft to the light-rail station in St. Paul and takes the train into Minneapolis. Three straight drivers refused her because of the guide dog - - which is strictly against their company's policy not to mention the ADA LAW ! ! ! Always frightening to see Momma bear's claws out but a tad less so when they ain't pointed at me. She and the older dau (lawyer) are already plotting.

Yesterday, my church admin secretary put in her notice for 01 Aug. Really not looking forward to finding a replacement in this work environment. Hopefully some out there are interested in a part-time position with somewhat flexible hours. Pray for us sinners!

Pray a good day and recovery for all, - - - - Steve J

Steve- we lived right next to the Raymond Ave light rail stop on university Ave just prior to moving to Sandstone

Sounds like the one your daughter may take. I walked next to the stop on my way to work.

Dave

 

[MilwRoader_Steve]

Ugh - - calling for a high of 97F (36C) in Minneapolis today. Way too hot for us snowbirds. Gonna make the day's nine holes a little less fun. But still going. No kilt today, though. Even with a wool blend, don't need 2-1/2 pounds strapped of material around my waist!

Not much done in the train room. Still rethinking my loop-interior. But I do have a tech problem:

I have to get to these light bulbs and change them. One is burnt-out. I will change them to daylight LEDs and will do both at the same time - but I have to get to them. Any ideas? Wife suggested cutting a hole from the closet and covering it.
View attachment 147216



Yes, I knew that would be a problem when I put that deck all the way back into that alcove - - but since I had not changes those bulbs in six years, was hoping the problem would be a ways out yet. But alas . . . So any ideas helpful.

I am thinking a sheet of plywood laid over the track and cut around the roundhouse. That should distribute the weight enough to prevent damage to the foam base, but will it damage/move the tracks?

Well fellow modelers, like so much else in this hobby, it was not as hard as my overworking-mind perceived it. Turns out that with my step-ladder, I was able to reach the fixture with not much difficulty or contortion or imbalance. Turns out the li'l spot bulb just threads out from the directional cowl. Now off to the Despot to but replacements. Sure hope I can find the same shape.

Simple R16 40W spot - - shouldn't be hard.

 

[Smudge617]

Steve- we lived right next to the Raymond Ave light rail stop on university Ave just prior to moving to Sandstone

Sounds like the one your daughter may take. I walked next to the stop on my way to work.

Dave

 

[D&J RailRoad]

Hot one today in Virginia. House guest has gone on to his next stop after a week of enjoying the model RR and getting some of his locos back in running order.
Took the lawn mower up to my neighborhood entrance and mowed the grass. Of the 35 households in here, only three of us have been cutting the grass there. I've hinted at others on the community facebook page to help out but no response. Hate the trashy look after a few weeks. During my summer trips of 3 or 4 weeks, nobody cuts it. Grows past knee high with weeds along the curb. It's not that big of a job except for loading my walk behind dual blade mower into the truck. Other people live within a 100' of the area but never help.
Havin a cigar now at the lounge then I'll go burn some fuel on the Goldwing.

 

[Greg@mnrr]

Yes, I knew that would be a problem when I put that deck all the way back into that alcove - - but since I had not changes those bulbs in six years, was hoping the problem would be a ways out yet. But alas . . . So any ideas helpful.

I have a bulb changer that's mounted on a long wooden pole that's made just for these types of lamp changes. I purchased mine at a local hardware store.

Greg

 

[Greg@mnrr]

Good Morning out there in Model Railroad Land. Another hot day here in this part of Wisconsin. Yesterday after a trip to the MD's office and blood testing Cathy when shopping and I sat in the car in the heat with the AC turned off and the windows down. Since I been on blood thinners I enjoy the heat. The vehicle's dash thermometer read 97 degrees. It sure felt it to be at least that warm. Dumb move not to have the AC running.

Did watch the eye Candy in the parking lot walking back and forth.

More storms later tonight and another hot day.

TomO: It's better to play it safe and stay home if you are in a comprised condition and exposed to Corvid. You'll overcome this small set back. (I was warned by my MD's to stay at home during the two years of the bad Corvid and all I did was sit at the computer and watch TV and as a result I lost most of my leg muscles strength and now walk with a walker aid. Even MD's appointments were virtual. I'll get better, but it will take awhile to improve. I'm going to the Strawberry Fest Train and I'll be the fellow whose on both knees.)

Logandsawman: We plan on going to Wittenburg on Monday and visit the sausage store and maybe the Casino that's been remodeled. Wittenburg is a nice drive from the cabin and Waupaca is a nice drive in the morning to get to the Train Show earlier than most and capture my prime parking spot. It's only 17 miles from the cabin to Waupaca.

Cathy said last night that I should take enough money to the Train Show to purchased another engine!!! She doesn't know that my locomotive inventory is over 100 locomotives.

Stay tuned....

Greg

#############

 

[PRR Modeler]

Afternoon All,

Another scorcher today with a feel like of 105 F with a 52% humidity. In the train room today I put A&I on the ground cover (dirt) I put down yesterday. I also ballasted 5 tracks and 4 T/O's for about 30". After that I did some "what if's" with the Mill Creek Mine and decided that it would work better if I flipped the head house 180 degrees, which of course reuired removing a freight door on one side and putting it on the other side. The opening was of course a different size. Luckily I had one in my spares that was close but it needed some shimming.

Thank you for all the photo likes yesterday.

Troy- Stay safe and I hope you get power back quickly.

Joe- Thank you. I wanted to represent Garry on the layout.

Mike- Those are very cool.

Dave- That's an awesome photo.

Guy- Great job on the trucks.

Steve- That's unfortunate about your daughter. I'm glad you have an easy solution to the light issue. Good luck filling the secretary position.

Dennis- Nice layout shot.

Willie- The chairs are great.

Greg- Wow! I've never been told that.

You've heard of the Colossus of Rhodes, well this is a photo of the amazing Drill of Milwaukee.



I hope everyone has a good night.

 

[Smudge617]

Crisis this morning: Dau with the guide dog was refused by three straight Uber drivers which made her late for work. She takes an Uber/Lyft to the light-rail station in St. Paul and takes the train into Minneapolis. Three straight drivers refused her because of the guide dog - - which is strictly against their company's policy not to mention the ADA LAW ! ! ! Always frightening to see Momma bear's claws out but a tad less so when they ain't pointed at me. She and the older dau (lawyer) are already plotting.

Could you make some arrangement with one of the drivers to pick your daughter up for work, would make sense, even to the driver, regular customer, X number of days a week, driver's got guaranteed work.

 

[Texas Hobo]

Good afternoon all. Yet another hot one here in H-Town. I got and early start on mowing and edging in order to beat the hot part of the day. Like there is a cool part now that summer is in full swing.

Troy - We feel for you. I bought and installed a 27,000 watt generator. We fire it up and life goes on.
Willie - We have 2 blue Adirondack chairs.
Curt - Maybe a couple of footlights shining up on the Drill of Milwaukee,
Dave - Nice layout photo. Following your progress
Steve - If all you needed was a step ladder, can I have my suggestion back?
TomO - Hope you get over it quickly.

Helpful hint

STAY SAFE
LATER

 

[logandsawman]

Afternoon All,

Another scorcher today with a feel like of 105 F with a 52% humidity. In the train room today I put A&I on the ground cover (dirt) I put down yesterday. I also ballasted 5 tracks and 4 T/O's for about 30". After that I did some "what if's" with the Mill Creek Mine and decided that it would work better if I flipped the head house 180 degrees, which of course reuired removing a freight door on one side and putting it on the other side. The opening was of course a different size. Luckily I had one in my spares that was close but it needed some shimming.

Thank you for all the photo likes yesterday.

Troy- Stay safe and I hope you get power back quickly.

Joe- Thank you. I wanted to represent Garry on the layout.

Mike- Those are very cool.

Dave- That's an awesome photo.

Guy- Great job on the trucks.

Steve- That's unfortunate about your daughter. I'm glad you have an easy solution to the light issue. Good luck filling the secretary position.

Dennis- Nice layout shot.

Willie- The chairs are great.

Greg- Wow! I've never been told that.

You've heard of the Colossus of Rhodes, well this is a photo of the amazing Drill of Milwaukee.

View attachment 147252

I hope everyone has a good night.

Your layout is really "going to town", that is, nice!

On the historical photo I posted, I find the horse to be a beauty! The frame looks very strong, and the face almost petite. I think it is a mare. Definitely a well cared for animal. The date on the photo collection indicated around 1910.

Also, the sedge (carex, spelled CREX in product advertising) thrown loosely into the box cars. It was processed in St. Paul, I think the warehouses are still there.

Also, this photo of them tending the crop after cutting. This grass grew in swamps:

Photo: Anoka County Historical Society
Dave LASM

 

[TLOC]

Good Morning out there in Model Railroad Land. Another hot day here in this part of Wisconsin. Yesterday after a trip to the MD's office and blood testing Cathy when shopping and I sat in the car in the heat with the AC turned off and the windows down. Since I been on blood thinners I enjoy the heat. The vehicle's dash thermometer read 97 degrees. It sure felt it to be at least that warm. Dumb move not to have the AC running.

Did watch the eye Candy in the parking lot walking back and forth.

More storms later tonight and another hot day.

TomO: It's better to play it safe and stay home if you are in a comprised condition and exposed to Corvid. You'll overcome this small set back. (I was warned by my MD's to stay at home during the two years of the bad Corvid and all I did was sit at the computer and watch TV and as a result I lost most of my leg muscles strength and now walk with a walker aid. Even MD's appointments were virtual. I'll get better, but it will take awhile to improve. I'm going to the Strawberry Fest Train and I'll be the fellow whose on both knees.)

Logandsawman: We plan on going to Wittenburg on Monday and visit the sausage store and maybe the Casino that's been remodeled. Wittenburg is a nice drive from the cabin and Waupaca is a nice drive in the morning to get to the Train Show earlier than most and capture my prime parking spot. It's only 17 miles from the cabin to Waupaca.

Cathy said last night that I should take enough money to the Train Show to purchased another engine!!! She doesn't know that my locomotive inventory is over 100 locomotives.

Stay tuned....

Greg

#############

Greg have fun this weekend. I cannot image the number of hours or money I lost at those casinos. HoChunk in Wittenberg, North Star between Wittenberg and Shawano or the Menominee Casino in Keshena. But our favorite was HoChunk in Nekossa.

Neutzke’s meats in Wittenberg still IMO has the best thick cut smoked bacon in the USA. Now we just order it online.

I never had any luck in finding good deals at the Strawberry Fest Train Show and I will not eat strawberries. Terry would come along after the kids were out of the house and enjoy the desserts. But it always seemed to land on a very hot weekend. That gym would be packed and hot.

 

[Smudge617]

Ok, so I've decided I need to rewind and set the clock back at least a week and wake up with my head on my shoulders, and my brain in gear.
Why? because I'm a dipstick, a tool, an idiot and a few more unsavoury words spring to mind.

I've been bugging members over fitting a decoder and speaker to an ancient Proto GP18, (and thanks to everyone for all your help and suggestions, you've been great). Upshot of all this was that I can't fit a decoder or speaker without making more space in the weight, something I can't do as I don't have the required tools in which to remove chunks of metal from the weight.

In anticipation I ordered a set of mill bits for my drill, hacksaw, blades etc. all of which arrived today, also nice Mr Postman delivered some bits and pieces I'd ordered from Amain Hobbies for my Athearn Loco's, all little pieces that I can't get in the UK.

I have five 18" toolboxes one called OO and his brother HO, their girlfriend Track(ie), then their are their two cousin's General and 'Lectric, so as to keep the various parts separate, and then I usually only have to rummage in two boxes, depending on what I'm working on.

So tonight I get home, and is my usual practice put away any new stuff that has arrived, I've learnt to do this because
1). I know where it is
2). I don't put it somewhere where it's safe and I can't lose it, which usually means it's so safe I can't find it.

Go to put away the milling bits, in the HO box, and find the milling bits I bought 6 months ago, and forgot I had

Put the hacksaw and blades in the General box, and find the flipping Hacksaw and 10 blades I bought 2 years ago.

And while re-stacking the two boxes I find the bloody Dremel and assorted grinding discs, which I knew I had bought, but thought I'd lost.

So I now can do what I need to do to fit the decoder and speaker, that is assuming I can remember where I've put the Loco.

I am now retiring to the lounge for a cup of tea, and try to remember what else I've forgotten I have, and where the flipping heck I've put it.

Enjoy your day folks.