Morning,

Tom, have you considered the universal fix for everything? Just kick it and if that doesn't work then shout "please"!

I am getting pressure to turn on the furnace it is so cold at night.

Here is a quick update to something that makes my life easier.

To turn on the power for the diorama I have to stick my hand under the baseboard and fumble for the on/off switch on the power bar to get the diorama powered up.

Well, I had a Eve Smart Plug lying around and decided to connect it to the power plug of the diorama power bar. After a bit of setup in Apple HomeKit, all I have to do is say "Hey SIRI turn on the diorama". A couple seconds later I am ready to play.

No more fumbling and breaking my back.

Another neat trick is I can setup an "automation" in HomeKit that can detect motion with my Ecobee sensor when I enter the room and then turn on the diorama without me having to talk at all. The greatest power feeling I get being the king of the diorama. (Karen, stop laughing at me!)

On to more serious things...

Well it is back to modelling season; the outside work is done until the first frost and the snow flies (which I hope there is not too much).

I have lived in this house for 42+ years and have dug up virtually every square foot of it and real never found anything of any interest until last week. I was blessed with an American one cent penny from 1963 and in the same area a dirt.mud covered round ball of something. After prying most of the dirt away it was a small metal toy.

After washing it a little it looked like it had been in the ground for decades. using a toothbrush and soap I managed to get most of the grim from it, but it still need more cleaning. I relaxing spa in the UltraSonic cleaner did manage it to get done to the metal in most of the toy. It was enough for my start identifying it. After squinting a lot I managed to see it was a "Toot___" Run _ara" "2". A not so quick internet search it eventually release it's secret. it is a "Tootsie Baja Run About" it about two inches long. When I measured the time diameter it was just under 31" HO scale. so I can assume it is a HO size toy. It is one of the smallest size toy series that was produced by Tootsie. According to the web the small series was produced in the late 1960's and early 1970's. The purple version, which I have was produced in 1973 (I am real guessing here.) which fits into the timeframe of the Justice Diorama.

This car has suffered a hard life being I the mud for the part 50 years and corrosion has done it no good. I am going to try to see if I can fit into the diorama somehow, but it will be one of Marty's infinite challenges. This is the first time I have tried this and do expect to fail in epic form.  

Here are a few pictures of of what I have to work with.

Enjoy!

Morning,

Brrr. Enough said!

Morning,

I've started to see if I can make something with the Run About toy, it is really messed up.

One cat went to E-Vet last night for bladder issues. Today a different cat to nomal vet to see if it's eye has to removed. And the second daughter had news in the delay of her masters results.  A bit of a stressful day.

Tme to see what I can do to play today.

Morning 

Cold last night with 50F temperatures. Going to play today.

Good morning,

I do love the random tiles, much like the way I think.

Who says digging in the garden is not profitable, I found a 1963 copper penny and a Tootsie Baja Run About toy from the the 1950s. Whoooo !

Morning,

Blood sugar too high, so it's only coffee this morning. Some how strawberries got add to the menu.

Blue skies and it is time to get the last of the summer jobs done so my mind can focus on modelling. It has been an uphill struggle trying to get the "list" done for my legacy. Maybe I should get an updated will?

Good morning,

I woke up to a totally dark sky and the threat of thunderstorms, a coffee woke me to the reality of more days of rain.

Good Afternoon,

Cloudness mess outside with rain for the next few days.

Yes, I slept in, yea!

Hi folks,

I was remembering what a visiting friend said to me one time..." why do you need a workbench in the garage and one in the basement." My answer was "because"!

It got me thinking on how many "formal dedicated" work surfaces do I have:  7

- three in basement for computer work, woodworking and one for train stuff
- two in garage for dirty metal work and one for sawing
- one in greenhouse for planting,, etc
- one in office for series photo and financial work

How many do you have?

�Good Morning,

Am I insane or just hair brain?

A paving company "was in the neighborhood" and said they could do our driveway today. I asked all the questions and got answers in a very "rich" Irish accent. We stuck a deal for $2800 + taxes (yea sure) and exchanged sweat from each others hands.

This waa at 4:00 PM and shortly later a gang of non-English workers descended on the driveway and were completed by 9:30 PM in the dark. An eTransfer later they were off in the sunsat.

We have a habit making last minute plans. IE last Feb decided to go to Florida at noon one day and were on the road by 4:00 PM. This fall we decided to go to Philly one evening and were on the road by 8:00 AM next morning.

Am I crazy?

Good morning,

My energy has been sapped from dental visit, car service (parts are back ordered) and more pulling out ferns. Were are off to get some edging stones today.

Good Morning,

I have been to the dentist to get my once a year teeth cleaning. Painless, except for the wallet.

Outside work still has to progress despite the rather warmish weather.

Good morning,

Back from a week driving around the north east visiting Longwoid Gardens and then up to Gloucester for some whale watching.

It is going to take another two weeks to catch up from one week away.

I better finish my coffee and get to it.