Geezer's Lounge (Rev 1) - Volume 5

[KentuckySouthern]

Great  projects everyone. TomO, the bridge IS doable.  Super elevated curve, EZ as pie, what could you miss? Give it a shot!  Ron, the turntable project sounds challenging. Getting lead tracks in proper geometry would challenge me. That's one of my next projects, hopefully.

Sun and chilly, low 60s here in UP. Storms close but not right here yesterday. Looking S isg from above Northern Command




Already been out to a sale this morning. Paid $1 for a DVD of a BBC documentary on Dunkirk.

Sweet Corn Fest at a little nearby burg later, maybe.

All I got...here's another view along Lake Michigan Northward

[TomO/Tloc]

Thanks for the encouragement and yes Karl, maybe very doable! (Sarcasm)

Jerry you are right as I seem to be talking myself into this bridge scene

The engineering aspect is easy enough. My friend is a retired mechanical engineer and will give me all the touch points I'll ever need. If he gives me a number for a distance on his layout and I build to that it will fit.

The issue is time and memory recall

The paper mill is getting closer to install on the layout but that's only the basic bones of the complex. The paper mill details (the most enjoyable part 4 me) will be never ending but I'd like to be 90% by Easter of 2027 so I can walk away satisfied

Then there is my own monster paper mill that took on a life of its own before we decided to move. All the framing, foam and started structures went to another friend. A 30" wide x 19' long peninsula accessible from 3 sides. I'm still working on structures for that. All the major tanks (liquor, blow and pulp) are built, painted and weathered. I think there were 24 at last count in June

The tree project is time filling but after the 10/7 150 trees the rest will get buildt as I move along

Our son's girlfriend is finishing up the laser cutting for the Paper machine structure for me by month end. It's 10" high in tiers of 7" and 3" not counting chimney or smoke stacks, 42" long and up to 12" wide

The daughter is using my laser I purchased in June for her dollhouse side business which is currently booming. I'm ok that there's little time for my projects. The iron is hot for her right now so she is going for it...

I enjoy this but I need to be more selective instead of saying yep, I can do that someday. I can crank out a structure in a week no problem. It's finishing it that has become tough and why my weathering commissions have been cut intentionally down to barely any. I can't remember how to weather since my stroke 2 years ago this month. I need to review my notes each time on the sequence of things to do. But the doctors and my wife especially want me to continue to model as it's overall good for me.

When I say I'm in a funk, it's more than just the old I'm bored with this and need a week away like it used to be. It's now more a mental re-set because When it now comes to painting and weathering it's no longer second nature. It's become a real effort. The weathering I loved, now it's almost a fear but I am working through it.

Sorry for getting way off base but it helps me to discuss it

TomO

[deemery]

TomO, often I go downstairs to work on the layout, and then lose steam.  One of the dogs comes down and pesters me until I sit on the couch with him and read. 

On the other hand, the work I did on the layout today (https://modelersforum.com/index.php?topic=7372.135#140) is in that part of the layout with low clearance.  It really bothers my back to get on the stool and bend over nearly completely at the waist to apply plaster wrap or plant trees.  Getting old sucks.

dave

[NEMMRRC]

Howdy. 

I trust all are having a great day of rest. 

Cars and coffee was fun and I ordered the cheapest Apple Watch they sell. I got a discount on the watch by ordering a refurbished one from the Apple website. It comes with the same warranty as a new one and is very likely brand new as Apple sells some of the open returns as refurbished after they are tested to function like brand new. 

Some guy brought a super clean Fiero to cars and coffee. I was a sophomore in high school when these came out. 

[Rick]

Good morning.

Doing a short hike to a lake this morning.

I have very little cell service so this is the reason for my being brief.

Have a great day everyone.

[Larry C]

Good Morning,

Rick thanks for opening and have a safe hike.

The morning beverages are at the end of the counter. Breakfast are eggs your way, Taylor Ham, home fried potatoes, and toast; enjoy.

What's your plans?

It's a p sunny 57 with a high of 71 and rain so They say. A few errands to run then hopefully some bench time. Our Daughter came over yesterday so that was nice. Had pizza, boneless bourbon wings, cake and ice cream. Received a gift card from my daughter and some cold hard cash from Ellie.

Have a great and safe day!! Be well and stay cool.

[friscomike]

Good morning,

Rick, thanks for opening.  Happy hiking.

Larry, thanks for coffee and breakfast.  Congrats on the nice birthday party.

Not much new to report hobby-wise.  Activities of the 1:1 nature have been taking all my time.

Have fun,
mike

[ACL1504]

Morning all,

Well, I'm now able to see to type and read but not able to do fine modeling.

Thank you all for the well wishes, prayers and thoughts.

Here is an update on my R and R.

Today is four weeks post my Vitrectomy eye surgery. I have 2-3 more weeks of healing in the eye before I get back to some sort of normalcy.  I can see shapes and colors out of the right eye but nothing in what I call "in focus or clarity."

I'm also 15 sessions into the 40 sessions of radiation that the Oncologists required. As I mentioned in a past post, nothing showed on the MRI or the PET/CT scans. Nothing in the prostate area, stomach or lymph nodes. MY PSA was a .20 and has gone up over the last nine years since it read a .01. So, they say they prefer to go this route as a precautionary measure and not wait to see if the PSA goes higher. As they say, "It is still in the very safe zone."

Also, they found a 2mm spot on the top of my upper left lobe of the left kidney. A 2021 MRI, done just prior to my heart surgery, showed that same spot. It has been the same size since 2021 and in the past 5 years hasn't moved or grown. When the radiation is finished, they want to go in and take the spot off the kidney. They have no idea what it may or may not be.

I don't mean to make light of this going on in my life, I only mean to say none of this is very concerning to me because it is all out of my hands. I stay very positive and all this is a major inconvenience for me. I'm not the inactive type of person. At age 80 I still edge and cut my own grass, make house repairs, bowl and play, err, I mean work in the shed building the Empire. And, I don't use a riding mower.

I call this break in my life my forced R and R, Reading and Radiation.

Someone sent and email and mentioned a forum get well card sponsored by Dave Emery. I'll look that up later and read the comments.

Be well my friends, stay safe and healthy.

Tom

[Larry C]

Tom so nice seeing you back with us. Take your time healing and please DON'T overdue. My thougths and prayers will continue on for you and Pam. Take care.

Larry

[PRR Modeler]

Good Morning All,

Thanks for opening Rick. Enjoy your hike.

Thanks for breakfast Larry. It sounds like you had a nice family get together for your birthday.

Started out the day with a walk at 75F and moderate humidity. It looked like it rained while I was sleeping.

Today after chores I have to take Dad on his errands so probably no workbench time today.

Tom it's very nice to see you posting again. I'm glad you're still doing well.

Well, I guess the chores aren't getting done with me posting.

I hope everyone has a good day.

[Jerry]

Morning everyone

Rick be safe.

Larry thanks for the coffee & breakfast.
Glad the B-pasty was a good one!!

Mike have a ice day.

Tom it is so good to see you back here.  Just take your time getting back to 100%.

Weather in South Jersey sunny/63.  Later 81.
Leaving in a few minutes to have the car looked at.
Seems there are oil spots in the driveway and just want to make sure it nothing serious.

Everyone have a wonderful day!! 

Jerry

[TomO/Tloc]

Good morning Crew. A crispy 52f degrees heading to 78. Nice and clear with a 3mph breeze.

Tom good to have you back and glad things are going better. Recovery and doing a procedure is a tough combo to handle.

I finished weathering the pony truss bridge for a friend yesterday. I used pan pastels which I do like to use occasionally and this was a project calling out for them. I did not however seal it and unless something happens I don't plan to. I'll take to the friend's layout for fitting the abutments this morning. If he thinks it should be sealed (other than installing no one should touch it) I can bring it home. He has the abutments built and those may need some height adjustment but the bridge is fine.

Be well
TomO

[Vietnam Seabee]

Good to 'hear' from you Tom

terry

[deemery]

Well, an update from Tom was a great way to start a Monday!

dave

[Philip]

 Tom! Great to here your back!