Good morning!!!!

[rswyan]

37F and mostly cloudy @ 13:30, heading up to a high of around 41F by 15:00 or so.

Sharp-shinned hawk was perched on hopper feeder this morning when I got up, went and grabbed my phone to take a picture, flew off just as I was raising the camera. Looked like the little birds had been harassing it ...

Woman is out for doctor's appointment, now apparently at the grocery store ...

Big project for today is to get the foam board moved from the van and pole barn around back to the basement.

Also will move the Cub Cadet over to the barn and radial arm saw and maybe table saw back over here to the garage.

Need to have a look at the fuel situation in the Cub and see how much ethanol gas is left in it. Probably should go out at some point and get some non-ethanol gas to stick in it.

Speaking of fuel, noticed yesterday that prices have dropped here significantly: on the trip to Menards yesterday I saw one station that regular for $2.65/gallon and diesel for $4.39. Prices on diesel have been pretty stubborn but good to see that they are moving in the right direction once again.

Beyond that not sure what all will be on the agenda for the rest of the day ... but pretty sure I'll find out in fairly short order ...

Hope everyone is having a good Hump Day ...

 

[daugen]

if you have a direct injection car, as many of us do, might be more risk with lowest price no name gas.
water, contaminants, lack of additives, not sure cheapest gas is the best gas.
Annoys me constantly I have to put top price premium in my car. Going to Super doesn't save much.
The savings are in regular gas.
with modern anti knock computer software, I put the 89 octane in once in a while. Always blended with 93.

I wish I could choose a regular gas mode, like putting car on eco setting. Because it is...

 

[Popgadget]

Mostly enjoying another Doors biography, this one by John Densmore, their drummer.

Here’s a picture I took of Robbie and John back in the day.
You can also see Ray in the background. This was the “other voices” tour soon after Jim died

 

[Thomas]

Speaking of fuel, noticed yesterday that prices have dropped here significantly: on the trip to Menards yesterday I saw one station that regular for $2.65/gallon and diesel for $4.39. Prices on diesel have been pretty stubborn but good to see that they are moving in the right direction once again.

Gallon gas $3.29...OTR diesel $5.29 slowly going down,but good hiccup I feel coming soon.

 

[m7040]

Spent some time collecting flammable liquid spray cans from around the shop area and placing it in the flame proof cabinet together with the gas cans and other flameable items.
Scheduled the service for the van for Tuesday next week. They need a couple of days to fix the oil leaks. At least I don't have to do it and they will pick it up and deliver it back.
Checked over the Honda generator and started it and let it run for some time in preparation for the ice storm tomorrow morning. Depending on who reports it could be an inch of ice likely causing tree and branches to come down and power outages.
Charging all batteries and getting battery powered lights ready
Found the ice cleats for the boots
Will not be able to run the well water pump if power goes but we have springs we can get water from if need be
And with wood firing and propane for cooking we will be fine as usual.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

We talk about Mission BBQ sometimes on this thread...might go there today...just saw them present a donation of $1,440,000 to the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation this morning.

Saw that also. I’ve met the one guy in the picture.

No tips from me. Don’t know how that got started, never heard of it until recently.
Wife will give mail lady some cookies.

The weather hypsters working overtime. Apparently this is the first freezing rain event ever.

I don’t trust a word of anything from CNN. They have proven themselves unreliable for news.

Shoulder still very sore from the latest jab. None of previous has hurt this long.

Tiger has my chair instead of the stovetop. feet up on wife’s recliner.

15° this morning, lowest of the fall so far.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

It had a separate picnic shelter, horseshoes pit, deck with triple Adirondack chair, and shower, among other amenities. A lot of hard work by this volunteer AT club.View attachment 774536

I’ve seen a really nice one, but it doesn’t have a shower.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I found my old sliderule. I think I got it in 1962 and used it until 1968 or so when my company gave me a 1000 dollar HP calculator.That was a lot of money and I could not afford that.

View attachment 774313

I'd like to find mine. I have a Wang calculator which was a big deal in 1969. The manual for it from my memory is 2"-3" thick. It uses nixie vacuum tubes for display. It's in two parts, keyboard/display then a cable goes to this "suitcase" of boards. Probably a museum piece now.
Engineering class had a 20-25 ft sliderule on the wall, the larger the more accurate (more decimal places). I'm not sure I still remember how to use one. Somewhere I've got a Timex-Sinclair computer. Now dollar stores sell better calculators.

 

[m7040]

I'd like to find mine. I have a Wang calculator which was a big deal in 1969. The manual for it from my memory is 2"-3" thick. It uses nixie vacuum tubes for display. It's in two parts, keyboard/display then a cable goes to this "suitcase" of boards. Probably a museum piece now.
Engineering class had a 20-25 ft sliderule on the wall, the larger the more accurate (more decimal places). I'm not sure I still remember how to use one. Somewhere I've got a Timex-Sinclair computer. Now dollar stores sell better calculators.

We used Logarithmic Tables for more accuracy when solving for complex formulas in design class. Keeping track of the decimal was the hardest part.

 

[rswyan]

Still 37F and mostly cloudy @ 17:30 but I think it went up a little and then went back down.

Got the 14 sheets of polyiso moved around back and stuck in the basement, also 2 rolls of unfaced R-11 and the bundle of unfaced R-13 (contains 11 batts)

Then went over and snagged 8 sheets of 2" pink EPS foam board from the barn and got that put into the basement as well.

Moved Cub Cadet over to the barn. Checked the tanks and both are near dry, so will probably run down to the Bell Stores location tomorrow and get 7 gallons of E0 so it can be filled up and topped off for the winter.

Then went back and got the Kubota and moved the radial arm and table saws over to the garage, also an extension cord and some other miscellaneous items.

Also moved a 4' x 8' of double wall polycarbonate panel up to the garage from around back.

Was going to take the pallet forks off and put the bucket on and get rid of all the cat litter but it was starting to get dark so I decided to put it off for another day.

Fed all the cat beasts.

Shrimp thawing for dinner.

Will go down and feed the fishes while that's happening.

 

[Wagtail]

Helo, is tipping like this normal in Europe?
Alien and Wagtail, how about where you are?

The short answer is no... here, tipping is actually what it's supposed to be: a gratuity. Something that you decide to give for exceptional service that is above what is expected. It's not something that is withheld for service that is below par.

Mind you, wages here are not 'geared' to incorporate/factor tipping.

 

[Wagtail]

Good (Thursday) morning. The 'cold-snap' (Winter) continues and I'm truly looking forward to Summer actually starting... mind you, I'm conscious of the adage, "be careful what you wish for", as my lawn/paddocks are green and my tanks are full. The overnight Low was 6C and it's presently 16.3C but with a very strong Southerly wind that incorporates a cutting wind chill. Partly cloudy and there was 13mm of rain in the gauge at 0900.

A bunch of 'little things' to accomplish today.

That's about it, take care all.

 

[Rich B1]

I got gas this afternoon. $3.19/ gallon + $0.10/ gallon off using loyalty points.

 

[txdon]

The short answer is no... here, tipping is actually what it's supposed to be: a gratuity. Something that you decide to give for exceptional service that is above what is expected. It's not something that is withheld for service that is below par.

Mind you, wages here are not 'geared' to incorporate/factor tipping.

Is that how they do tips on cruise ships there also? Here they charge each person from $14-$17 a day to your account for tips.

 

[two_bit_score]

I got gas this afternoon. $3.19/ gallon + $0.10/ gallon off using loyalty points.

I saw regular gas yesterday at a Poco Loco station for $2.24.

 

[scaredychicken]

scaredy, if you have a joint account with her, take everything you want out of it and open a new account in another bank in your
name only.

unfortunately, not that simple ... too many automatic payments / withdrawals at this point, but that will be changing soon. need a Separation Agreement to really get things moving.

next chance that I get I will be opening a new account

thanks

 

[mostly_gas]

Good evening all. 40ºF for the start, mostly cloudy, light breeze. Light to moderate wind, Sky became partly cloudy, and high temp was 51ºF. Temps high 40's to low 50's, not much rain till late next week. Men's meeting to start the day, putter for an hour then trip to Sherman to ge bike stuff to become Christmas presents, boots for wife, calendars and book, and lunch. Bought gas for $2.459/gal. Did get nap today .
Helogabals neat video.
Ron glad new modem was easy to get going. Hope yo get the rest of of the speed issue worked out.
Buppies hope you don't get too much ice. prayers sent.
Bill enjoy your storm.
NHBX bit gusty. Hope you got your ice melt and dump run in.
Drew if you worry too much then you can depress your immune system.
Helogabals cute pic
Billy hope hike went well, and wife liked the Apple Caramel crumble cake. neat shelter. Solar hot water?
Helo thanks for info.
Paul nice setup for plowing. Interesting readings on power draw. Will be interesting to find out what else sneaks onto your plate.
Frits sorry to hear about the ice tomorrow. Good luck with sprinter oil cooler project.
Bird I only got .4 inch but just north of use got over an inch. We did have sirens go off as well.
Ken sorry to hear energy still low. Nice pic
Don congrats on tips.
Drew we appreciate you too
Don sorry to hear dog got out, and glad it was found. Wonder if it was the activity the got Whipper going. Thanks for the update.
RNG hope you got drainage problem fixed. I was a Doors fan also.
Rich long time for battery. Hope haircut and wood pickup went well. I am sure you can find something
Jim sorry DMV a waste of 5 hours Hope leave and dump run were better.
Scotty bet it is not an easy wait!
Gstrom you know antibiotics do not help with virus caused illness.
Ted hope you get white Christmas if you want it. Glad you did not get goosed during errands. Sorry wife still having computer issues. Hope Costco went well.
Drew I understand confusion. When I got blue F150 had not seen any others, now I have same problem.
David hope got new tank installed on generator. Hope reorg. helps
RS hope you go the big project done. Nice gas prices.
Drew buying gas from station that has does not sell a lot of gas is probably more risk than regular unleaded.
Paul really nice pic.
Frits good to hear you are ready for power loss. Hope repair does not break the bank.
Dennis I hate freezing rain. Sorry to hear should still unhappy with booster.
RS sounds like a lot got done
Randy(wag) hope summer does not make you wish for your current weather. Hope you list gets done.
prayer for all, especially Jay/Peg, Kyle /Daughter, /mom's breathing, /learning new job, /friends upcoming new baby, /son's migraines, Bird /aging issues, Roy /passed away, /wife ankle,recover from getting sick, Don /brother medical procedure, Ron /broken arm and heart, Billy /mom hypertension & congestive heart failure, David(moss) /remodel, /divorce, Buppies /new skin cancer spot and treatment, /elbow healing, /wife knee healing, Thomas /gout, /wife's pain, Phil /reflux, /wife's eyes and fall, Frits/ daughters hip replacement /veteran son with mental issues, Ken /dad possible dementia, /uncle's surgery, Steppenwolfe /son-auto immune disorder, Grev /wife's eye, Ted /knee recovery, /retirement & disability red tape, /family issues, /wife feeling bad, Lou / eye issues, Doug and wife/health issues, / hand nerve and surgery, /fall and recovery, / wife headaches and heart eval, / David(sadamo)/Sophie's new eye surgery recovery, Chris /neighbor's granddaughter and Covid issues, Scaredy/shoulder dislocation, /wife not feeling well, /marriage not doing well, / friend stop drinking, Paul/ wife's healing from back surgery, Dennis /retirement, /coughing, /neighbor issues, /land development, / brother "alligallyitus" and back in hospital, Drew /foot heel issues, /friend's wife cancer diagnosis and recovery, mike /wife's surgery, Scotty, /back pain, Frits /daughter recovery from surgery, Helogabals /second opinion, /wife's friend situation, Mark /wife colon surgery, Fatjay /father broken hip, Ukraine war, and Country.

 

[Wagtail]

Is that how they do tips on cruise ships there also? Here they charge each person from $14-$17 a day to your account for tips.

I wouldn't know about 'tips on cruise ships' but I'll ask my Aunt after I pick her up on Saturday. She's on a Holland-America Line cruise at the moment.

Again, automatically charging 'tip(s)' to your account or any bill is nothing more than an undeclared tax as opposed to you freely giving a true gratuity for excellent services rendered. It defeats the actual purpose of what a gratuity should be.

Don't get me wrong, I have left a tip when the occasion warrants it and always in cash on the table. The 'wait-staff' are usually surprised when it happens.

 

[Helogabals]

I wouldn't know about 'tips on cruise ships' but I'll ask my Aunt after I pick her up on Saturday. She's on a Holland-America Line cruise at the moment.

Again, automatically charging 'tip(s)' to your account or any bill is nothing more than an undeclared tax as opposed to you freely giving a true gratuity for excellent services rendered. It defeats the actual purpose of what a gratuity should be.

Don't get me wrong, I have left a tip when the occasion warrants it and always in cash on the table. The 'wait-staff' are usually surprised when it happens.

Because of language issues I was not able to explain to TBN comrades my (general EU) position very well. I agree with you 100 %
Meantime across EU there might be differences. Like in Germany in oldschool establishments (older shops, authobahn cafes, etc) there are toilets where on entrance putzfrau is sitting with dish for coins. That is only German thing. And on more recent built shops that is no more. Still some places has installed people flow control machines, so to go to toilet you have to pay 50 cents. IMHO ridiculous

Anyway
Chill morning

It's 12 F or "Feels like" 0 F

I jump out of bed directly on my cabriolet tractor, made quick run around, to refresh road.
Few weeks ago I have got good (made in Finland) working pants + jacket. Shoplady told I could work till -20C in that gear. This morning I got a lot of chills. But I dont blame her, I mean keyword is WORK. Ok, technically you work riding tractor, but not physically active.
Went in shower so hot it hurts. Now feels much better
Now will figure out what to do today. It's a lot on my desk but somehow dont want anything

 

[scaredychicken]

I had about 2 hrs of seat time on the tractor yesterday, as i cleared snow from the driveway. I think that I did a decently fabulous job of beating up the snow, driveway looks good, and it feels like i accomplished something. The tractor is a blessing.