Good Thursday morning to all. Heading to 90 this afternoon and it's ugly out. Smoke haze and particulates in the air from Alberta and Minnesota fires. A nice breeze directly from the east so how in the heck are we getting the smoke and smell?

Went to Google Gemini and even though the fires are northwest of my part of Wisconsin it's the jet stream. The smoke and particulates are caught in the jet stream bringing it over my neighborhood. The heat dome is then capturing the smoke forcing it out of the jet stream. Oh well! What this reminds of because this has been much thicker than the smoke a couple years ago is of Chicago smog in the 60's. I used to caddy and there were days it was so thick the golfers were wondering how the balls could travel through it. Stupid very wealthy people!

Movers are moving at 9 and say it will be complete by noon. I've been banished this afternoon as the girls, Terry, daughter and granddaughter will handle the kitchen. I'm worried about Terry's COPD kicking in. She will wear a mask outside today as a just in case measure! I was thinking of taking the grandson to the driving range last night but the daughter said no he is grounded and there is no pool or outside visitors today or Friday for him! I texted him last night after dinner but his mom replied she had his phone and will for today and tomorrow. He'll tell me in a few days what he did... Had to be a good one!

Happy belated birthdays to Karl and Mike!

The son said Austin was ok yesterday where his g/f place is with no flooding yet! His place in Wimberley though is basically an island. Many of the creeks are crossing the roads to his place so he can't get there.  His 1/4 section of property is high enough above the Blanco River that where the buildings are is safe. The lowlands near the river he figures are flooded.

The daughter asked me if I wanted some space for a layout! Told her not at this time but I might build something small above my bench in her shop space. She's was fine with that when I moved my bench in a few weeks ago. I just haven't done it.

At dinner yesterday Terry and I got the lecture from the daughter and hubby that there really is no reason to build a new house. The space attached to her shop/office and above the stables was built with us in mind. That is why the elevator was installed when built. For almost 47 of the 50 years we are married come September I have had a space of my own to go to. Usually a finished basement or small office. Since our 1st stick built house in 1979 Terry has had an office of her own. We'll see how this goes for a few months as while we finally agreed on some essentials for a new house there are no sketches to take to the architect. There is no me space for either of us here but there is plenty of overall space.

I'm not a sentimental guy but yesterday I posted pictures of a small 4 car train on the layout above the now gone layout on my Facebook page. It's one of 3 modular scenes I kept from the layout. I'm not telling my fb followers we moved. I walked in the now empty layout room last night and did feel a moment of regret!

Be well, stay cool and dry
TomO

Good Hump Day to all this wet again Wisconsin morning. The dew is very heavy again today. Yesterday it took till 9 before the cushions even after flipping them over could be sat on out on the deck. Today it maybe heavier. Yes I should have brought them in but it's just dew and I can wait.

It's 70f degrees heading to 95. Offically it made it to 95 12 miles north of me but my home thermometer had 96. Its was warm but breezy yesterday morning and after 8pm. The WeatherChannel says its calm out there meaning, no breeze.

Yesterday we went and saw the movie Supergirl partly because we wanted to and we've seen the few current excellent rated movies at the 20 screen theater we go to. Plus, the movie has been criticized so much because of its "woke" political nature and being plain terrible. If this was going to become one of those "cult movies" because it was so bad we wanted to be sure to see it. Well it was better than all the Superman movies after Christopher Reeves by far and most of the Batman movies. As for being "woke", I missed it other than Supergirl is a miserable woman at 23 living a life she didn't want. I'm thinking those who say it's woke have not seen the movie. Would I recommend it? Sort of yes though I would suggest you watch it at home on your monitors to save a few bucks but if your tickets like ours are $6.00 each on Tuesdays with free popcorn in excellent seats that recline go to the theater. The Odessey will be here next week and we plan to see it

At 8 we are going over to the temporary new place to inspect the painting. Actually I'm going to nod my head to whatever Terry decides when we are there. The movers are still scheduled for tomorrow but we are waiting for the appliances to be delivered between 9am and 11! I did get one of those clear door beverage coolers out of the move. My old maybe 30 year old dorm frig was deemed worthy of recycling by the daughter and wife. There is a similar one in the grandson's room where his slot track is. It's very quiet compared to my old one.

The guy I helped build his layout the last couple years is having a session for us who helped him this Friday. We were not planning to be home till Sunday so I said I couldn't attend. Terry asked if I was going and told her no, she said I should go! So, I will but will be wondering why I am being told to go, something is up!

Stay cool and safe
TomO

Thanks Curt for the breakfast.

Good morning from dew covered Wisconsin. It is wet out there and I even flipped the cushions on the furniture on the south deck and nope still too damp. The wind is at 3 so that's no help and the sun hasn't appeared yet though sunrise was at 5:31. It's 6:31 now! I'm inside till they dry.

I have a headache and a throbbing left foot. Not sure if it's a caffeine lacking headache or lack of decent sleep headache. So 3 Ibuprofen and I'm on a second zero sugar Dr Pepper. Normal for me is 1 caffeinated drink at wake up

We are going to see the Supergirl movie at 2:15 and the grandson's hockey at either 5:30 or 7:30. Can't remember but we are fairly sure with the heat index over 100f degrees at either time the granddaughter's Miracle League baseball game will be cancelled

We have heard the Supergirl movie is so bad it may turn into one of those cult type movies. Also heard a few political comments about it. But like all movies we go to be entertained and decide for ourselves if we liked it or not

Enjoy your day

Good morning. Love the scenic pictures Rick both here and FB!

Wisconsin has started with another gorgeous morning with not cloud in the sky. 96 later though.

The left ankle locked up twice overnight while trying to sleep. Clinic has room for me at 3:30 this afternoon.

Terry and I after 6 weeks have finally started to agree on the new place. She'll get an office, I don't need one. We don't need a 5 car garage and she agreed to 3. I'll get a basement but not under the garage. She gets her oversized patio and a partially screened in porch. I get the wrap around porch. We both though agreed no pool as it's too much work. I will have a second entrance to the basement in the garage. Now I can get sketching on the floor plan but mainly I need to orient the house to the site

Painters are at the temporary new digs today and tomorrow. Terry wants to move in Thursday and be settled Saturday.

TomO

Still morning in Wisconsin as I start typing. GOOD MORNING. We cracked 80 at 9am heading to 90 but there is no breeze

The movers for some of the house are due in 30 minutes. This stuff is heading to long term storage. The closing is next week Monday the 20th

Just relaxing after helping Terry pack up her ungodly organized office that it only took 45 minutes

Painters texted my wife and daughter. The new place is scheduled for tomorrow around noon

Awesome picture Rick

Enjoy the day
TomO

Quote from: KentuckySouthern on July 12, 2026, 10:51:00 AM

Quiet on the beach last evening after a day of home bound 1:1 and supervising the tree guys that thinned out the dead cedars in the view from the deck. The Doll picked up a pair of hanging plants and I hung brackets for them on the deck post

Out picking up final stuff before the influx of family folks.

I still peak in at the Duluth cameras.  Not having too much luck with timing of boats transit times. Sure some neat horn salutes when they transit beneath the lift bridge. I'd love to go there but it's a good 6-8 hours from our Northern Command. Boat watching around the SOO locks is fun too.

The Soo Locks I definitely want to get to. From what I've read they are constantly busy. Enjoynthe influx of humans!

TomO

Quote from: deemery on July 11, 2026, 12:53:53 PMHow about the Mid-Continent RR Museum?  It might be good to start a discussion on museum reviews.

dave

I'm going to be nice and say it's a nice place. Been there twice about 5 years apart before and after Covid.  It's about 50 miles north of us in North Freedom but not a place I need to go back.

The Lake Superior Railroad Museum is excellent. Enough displays, great staff and it's clean. We both love the Twin Ports of Duluth and Superior and they alone can be days of trains interest. If you like the huge ore docks of the Iron Range this is one of the places to be. Having a loaded taconite train soaring overhead as you drive under the trestles leading to the huge ore docks is not anything you'll ever forget.

Karl can tell you as he may still but used to view the videos from the Aerial lift bridge at the entrance to Duluth Harbor and viewing the ore boats is impressive. Hearing the masters salute with horns to the bridge tender thanking them for opening the lift bridge and the bridge tender acknowledgement is really neat

The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay is well worth the trip to Green Bay especially if you can cross Lake Michigan on one of the car/rv ferries. Big Boy #4017 is located there and was investigated when UP was looking to restore a Big Boy before settling on #4014. A great movie in the theater about the Big Boy fleet. Many other known locomotives and even a GM Aerotrain set. They have a steam locomotive renamed for General Dwight Eisenhower from England.


More like a shrine not a museum is Lambeau Field that if you like football is a great visit down the street from the NRM. Tours and Hall of Fame for $$$ is available

There are many small mostly located in refurbished Depots around Wisconsin. These do not have preserved rolling stock. 2 of the best are In Spooner and Mineral Point. Mineral Point, Wi and Galena, Il not too far apart maybe 30 miles were supposedly the inspirations for the Merchant Row kits now made by Walthers

TomO

Good morning from Wisconsin. High today is 86f degrees with no chance of rain per the 10day forecast from the WeatherChannel app. High 80's and 90's during that time

The return home early and the fact the new place isn't ready has Terry looking for a couple over night instead of day trips. Has anyone here been to the National Transportation Museum in St Louis? I mentioned the Illinois Railway Museum in Union but we've done that and it's 90 minutes from home not an overnight trip! The National doesn't seem too impressive compared to the IRM in Union!

The temporary new digs just need to be painted which is scheduled for Tuesday the 14th with a backup date of 7/16. Door County is out because neither of us enjoy the Summer crowds though we really enjoy the area. I know tough life but we were not going to return until 7/17 but the heat does now affect the desert loving brother. But it seems the heat is everywhere this week.

Great pictures Rick as usual from you. I'm still following on FB! I have taken no pictures of my canvases but the guys at the modelrailroadforums.com have been encouraging me to take some.

Enjoy the day
TomO

Good morning from So. Central Wisconsin. 73 at 8:30 and 83 later.

We had to skip San Diego because the heat of Scottsdale was bothering my brother due to his recent heart procedures so he wanted to return to Maui. We had to meet with his estate attorneys so we cancelled San Diego, and went to Scottsdale on Wednesday 4 days earlier than planned. Met the attorneys and Terry was trying for airline tickets back to Wisconsin. Weather screwed that up as the plane direct from Phoenix to Madison never made in because of weather. Got a flight to Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago O'Hara and Madison. 3 hour flight turned into a 10 hour night mare but we made it home Thursday. I dislike airports

Back at Christmas 2025 at a party at the daughter's I was approached by a couple I barely knew. I did know their son from the slot car racing sessions and them barely on the sidelines watching soccer. They asked me if I would paint them something for a room in their house. Surprised I told them I wasn't an artist. She said you still weather trains and I said yes, she said your an artist. Not convinced I said thanks but no.

Mentioned it to Terry a few days later and she laughed and said I've been telling you for years to get some canvas and paint. You're an Impressionist! I have had zero art appreciation classes and no intentions of ever taking one. Most artists I have met seem like actors, attorneys and bankers IMOO the perfect imagine of a snob. Well, I am now a snob. I have been painting small canvases since February basically during the extended model railroading funk time. I have done 3 canvases 3'x 4' the rest smaller.

Like anything I do I fell deep into the painting on canvas hole. 21 canvases since February. The women who was part of the couple at the Christmas party was in our daughter's office last week and the room I have been using for my weathering and painting on canvas Kait told me she left the door open. Her friend wandered in and saw my canvases. The daughter called me in California and asked if I wanted to sell any. I said sure except for the 1st one I finished! Price? I told her whatever her friend offered! I am now a paid artist and miraculously my sh.t no longer stinks!

I have no plans for the day other than trying to relax
TomO

Quote from: deemery on July 09, 2026, 09:23:27 AMMorning...  As James said, hot weather here today and tomorrow, but the weekend looks cooler.  Nothing to report on the train front, I should at least unpack the scenery stuff I got Tuesday.  I got several different adhesives to try, I'm looking for something to glue trees/shrubs into position that has good tack, sets very quickly, and dries clear.  Will report back if I find something that works well.

dave

I have been planting trees into 2" foam board and also 5/8" drywall. I use Loctite Heavy Duty power Grab. It's sets up fairly quickly under 5 minutes. I also have used Liquid Nails for Projects and it is fairly close to the same setup time

TomO

Good morning from the Left Coast. 69f degrees at 9:00am and 86 later. There is an Air Quality alert today basically I guess from the fine particles remaining from the overwhelming municipal fireworks displays. They surrounded Pasadena starting about 8:30 and were still firing off when we returned at 11 to our hotel. The hotel lobby is big, beautiful and was filled with at least 10 dogs huddled with their owners. I have no problem with fireworks displays. I have big issues when tax payer money is used though.

Today partly because of Terry's COPD and the air quality might change from visiting a few places to just staying at my sister's. I will get in the pool sometime today

Stay cool
TomO

Good morning from the west coast. This Midwest boy has a tough time adjusting when on Pacific coast time but it seems to be easier this time.

Thanks Rick on the condo purchase. I'd say I was blindsided by the thought of buying out here but my sister is here. The son and the daughter with her family love it out here and between the 2 kids and us we visit enough times to make it worthwhile. As I had written on the old forum Maui is absolutely stunning but I am bored out there and was so happy when Terry sold her place out there. My brother is still there so we still go but Terry no longer has to count the days out there for tax purposes. The discussion about buying to have a place near my sister and niece for us, the family and a few friends started when we were out here for the 4th time in 2025 after Xmas. But, I never thought of it as real serious. The place was going to be put up for sale next week and was owned by one of my sister's Crew of 8 widows. My sister informed Terry a few weeks ago that Marcie wanted to sell. I though was not told till we got on the plane on Tuesday in Denver. With the place in Wisconsin sold this gives us another place to visit while the new place at home is built. My sister moved here in 2018 so we are very familiar with the local neighborhood and the adjustment shouldn't be too tough. Plus there is plenty to do here, I won't be bored

Happy 4th to all
TomO

Good morning from Pasadena. It's warming here into the high 80's today. The past 3 days have stayed in the 70's and for the most part was pleasant outdoor walking weather. Today is a museum day so most of the walking will be in A/C comfort. I know great planning! Thank you...

We have ridden the Georgetown loop train twice. Both times in late September when the trees were starting to change and the colors from the Devil's Gate High Bridge was very neat. We did all the tourist things on those 2 trips.

My sister's condo crew of 8 widowed ladies are having a 4th of July BBQ this afternoon starting at 5:30. Guess who was volunteered to handle the grilling!

This will be our last trip here that we spend in the hotel. The condo next door that shares a wall with my sister was for sale. It's no longer for sale!

Our 3 Uber drivers said yesterday's traffic was the worst they have seen in years. They thought today will be even worst

2 friends ordered books for pick up at the Original Whistle Stop and the OWS texted me this morning they are available to be picked up today. I will go there between the Norton Simon Museum and the BBQ. With my sister and her walker maybe 2 hours at the museum will be enough for her!

Terry just got a email from the Huntington Garden Society membership thing we purchased the other day. Fireworks at the Gardens tonight for members only at dusk and she wants to go. So we'll go!

Enjoy the day and stay COOL
TomO

Good morning from Pasadena. 61f degrees now 80 later this afternoon. At home in Verona, Wi the WeatherChannel app is showing 74 now 90 later with the heat index over 100.

Yesterday in San Marino we visited the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. Let me say thanks to Dave Deemery for giving us some helpful tips and suggestions that we really had to visit here. We were last in Pasadena visiting my sister in September when Dave here mentioned to go, we wanted to then and again when we were here in December but weather and timing for both visits didn't allow for it.

We are most interested in the Botanical Gardens and OMG what a spectacular display. We walked through a portion of the Art Gallery but it was relatively brief at almost an hour. My favorites are Roses and we have visited many across the country and we linger in them. It alone was worth the visit. It does seem as we are aging our capacity for hilly walking is getting tougher. Still Terry had over 17,000 steps and me just over 15,000 steps though we were together 98% of the time just on the Huntington grounds!!!  Before we left we did become members as we now plan to keep returning and they gave us credit against the membership the ticket fees we paid yesterday. There is so much to see and it's so well done. The 2 major Art galleries alone will be well worth the yearly fees but it's massive! We are looking forward to it but next up will be the Japanese Gardens, maybe Saturday. We were worn out by time we got to the sign telling us the way to the Japanese Gardens but it was down hill to the valley floor then what looked like an equally high climb. Too much for yesterday. So much more we visited yesterday that I have not mentioned...

We did start the morning yesterday driving Route 66 the 21 miles from our hotel to the Santa Monica pier. It was interesting but at 10am was packed! We can say we have now traveled both the beginning and end of Route 66. I have traveled all of the Old Route possible in Illinois , Missouri, Kansas (all 13 miles there!) plus portions in Texas and now California. That's enough

Today is a day to sort of relax. I had 21000+ steps yesterday and Terry of 25000. We need it at 73 for me and 74 for her!

We will though visit the USC Asia Pacific Museum this afternoon after it opens between 11am and 4pm. It's 3/4 mile from my sister's condo so a nice walk over to it and back.  Dinner tonight I am looking forward to enjoying. Called 45 Bistro it's where the niece had her wedding rehearsal dinner in 5/25. The reception food was oh so good. I made the reservations around Easter as it can be a tough place to get in.

It's 8am here and breakfast will be across the street at a coffee shop bakery called Oh la La and the niece raved about it during dinner last night. Told her we have eaten there and it's ordinary + but we do revisit each visit. Told her not every eatery in Pasadena or San Marino where she lives is world class and she seemed offended. My filter is becoming much thinner as I age. If I don't like it I'll let you know and why

Enjoy your day
TomO

Good morning at 7:50am from Pasadena, Ca. It's 60f degrees heading to 74! Back home in Wisconsin it's 84 heading to 91 but feeling like 104.

As big a fan as I am over Route 66 I never explored the fact it used to go through Pasadena. I knew it I just never investigated it. One of the things we plan to do was this trip actually get to the symbolic end and that is the Santa Monica pier. I was given some tips a few weeks ago about the pier. Last night I planned the route. As I put our hotel in, the Pasadena Hotel and Pool Ai said you are already on Route 66! Wow! We've stayed here for years and I never knew Colorado Blvd (route of the Rose Bowl parade) was Route 66.

Today's plan is around 9am head out on the original Rt 66 surface streets except for 3 miles of the Santa Monica Freeway. Total is 21 miles to the pier from here. Around 1pm we will come back and stroll the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens (tips from Dave on our last trip here in Spring) till dinner around 6:30. We are doing this today while the weather is still great for walking in the 70's. 80s return Thursday and we will do the Reagan Muesum.

I have a few books on the buy it list hopefully at the Original Whistle Stop at its new Pasadena location just a few blocks away from the previous 42 year old Colorado Blvd location. I have the Train Shack in Burbank on the list but only if I get bored crazy! Not sure when but before we leave Tuesday for San Diego

Ron Happy Canada Day.

I am a bit in California sticker shock over last night's Mexican dinner 3 walkable blocks from my sister's condo. She uses a walker full time now because of her Parkinson's. $230 with just 1 beer at $10 (Terry) included. It was spectacular though and the service was excellent but also not over the top. It really though is a neighborhood restaurant

TomO