Short update -
And it ain't good -
Working from Ann's desktop PC, a machine that hasn't seen a lot of use, since she got the Lenova netbook, and then more recently a new (work) laptop. Glad we've kept it up to date...

We are trying to upgrade my desktop to Win 7. That's the part not going too swell. One problem after another. Hours on the phone with the Microsoft tech support ladies and gentlemen - until they closed for the day. And still no success, and now, no computer.

I'll be back on the phone with them bright and early, and hopefully we'll have some encouraging news by tomorrow evening.

BFN

January 30, 2010 Sat

We were out of position when the good folks down at Dakota set the pilot house in place - but the Skagit Valley Herald had their man on the spot~

"As info, pictures of the NS bridge fire around Kimbrough, Alabama from last week. The engineer in the incident died of his injuries. He had 3rd degree burns over 85% of his body.

"The bridge is 265 feet long, open deck, four pile bent, all steel except for the deck. The deck was constructed of a composite (plastic) material.

"NS crew consisting of an NS EIC (employee in charge, Conductor pilot) and three contractors started work on Monday, January 11, 2010, installing and repairing horizontal braces. There was no slow order required. They finished work on Tuesday, January 12th about 3pm central time. A northbound train passed over the bridge about 630 pm and did not see any problems. The next train was the empty coal train.

"The lead engine stopped 46 feet short of the north end of the bridge after initiating an emergency application. All three engines and one coal car stopped on the blazing bridge.

"My gut feeling is that the welding left some of the plastic deck ties smoldering and the first northbound train fanned the fire into a raging inferno. The second train then saw the blaze, initiated the emergency application, and the occupied engine came to a stop on the blazing bridge."

In other words, the engineer spotted the fire too late to keep his engine(s) (sliding on locked wheels) from being pushed into the inferno by his train, even though he'd applied full emergency braking. One can't help but wonder why he didn't bail out? Perhaps it all just happened too fast...
Trains, as we've previously noted, do not stop on a dime.

Mention of Evelyn's travels this past summer finally makes the local paper~~

Some months ago, due to a separate difficulty (solved by Evelyn, while I was out of town) Dick's laptop lost the wireless connection, and he was no longer able to print from his easy chair. We had been promising to remedy this situation, and yesterday made the attempt.

It took quite some time. We don't do this often enough to recall the steps, apparently. And there is not one thing intuitive or easy about it. But at last he's printing wirelessly, again, and we are quite tickled about that.

We are less tickled to have had very little success on two other jobs - one involving a wireless printer network, and the other merely managing Itunes! To be fair, there was quite a bit of computer updating that had to be accomplished beforehand on those machines - and that takes time.

January 27, 2010 Wed

Finally out on two wheels. Noticed that the pilot house for the new Candies boat has been moved into position for that final lift to its crowning seat atop all else.

January 26, 2010 Tue

We owe much to those kind enough to send in photos, links etc.

So, thanks to Jack, for this comparison photo explaining why he isn't getting a haircut.

The 'dashboard' of a steam engine -- a fireman's view, from inside the cab of the locomotive, circa 1935.

Signage, of the 'You were Warned' variety

January 24, 2010 Sun

Still not tired of playing around with the GPS, and learning what it will do. For instance, it takes 'screenshots'. Why? Not just sure - to see where you've been?

Night view screen - out of town - nothing around

Also still not tired of the mapping feature - see where you went, with pictures taken along the way.
Today's travels, then~~ click on the 'Errands odds and ends' link atop the viewer for a more complete and larger view, with descriptions.

That will probably do it, until we take another trip of somewhat longer duration, with perhaps a higher interest quotient...

January 23, 2010 Sat

Another effort with the free EveryTrail software. It takes the information off one's GPS (or Iphone) and allows the addition of pictures along the route.

This was from a run into La Conner for lunch and then a stop at Ann's office on the way back. Somehow, we ran out of time for the Krispy Kreme stop, again! S'ok - great desserts at Seed's.

If you have Google Earth, (another free download) this can get even more interesting...
Merely click the 'Lunch in La Conner' link atop the map, log in to Everytrail, and click 'export to Google Earth', on the mid right.

This trip appears as a straight line because we went back the exact same way we came, with the exception of a stop downtown at the frame shop, which is easier to observe if one zooms in a tad...

January 22, 2010 Fri

Another week scooting away right under my nose. I don't know how this happens...

We do know that it's been an unusual week in that for the last several days the barometer has been hovering under 29 inches of mercury - the lowest we've ever seen it since we hung the barometer on the wall several years ago.

For all that, the weather has been very pleasant with temperatures around 60° in the afternoon, which finally meant bringing out the lawnmower.

Here's how the GPS saw us leaving the house to run downtown, returning and mowing the grass...

The dead monkey at my feet is a dog toy...

Shorts and flip-flops in January -- gotta' love that...
Dang - the lawn is a tad patchy - working on that.

We celebrated Cassady's 29th birthday with cake and candles and the usual fanfare.

Laura brought homemade noodles and the cake!

One might think that flash drive memory, rather like Crayola Crayons and computer memory -- is doubling every few years. This is somebody's rule -- the name of
EDIT
which (Moores Law) escapes us at the moment.

This would be the one. It is now six or seven years old (?) and might be down to a price we can afford, after trading in the Saab. However -- these matters are on hold, since the Saab has only 120,000 miles on it and is good for another few years.

January 19, 2010 Tue

Over 60 today - very pleasant. Managed to stay too busy to get the scooter out. We won't let that happen again...

Here's a quick look at some weather that might be considered less than pleasant. Heavy snows and drifts along the railroad tracks, with the expected results - even multi-engined freight trains get stuck.

This fellow made good progress with five engines and less than eighty cars - until here~

There is only one solution - the snow thrower/plow, pushed by several engines of its own~

Of necessity he comes from the opposite direction~

And must then retreat from the direction he came...

Leaving a plowed track. With a little back and forth, the freight is able to continue.

left, another J. Shacklock, and my Aunt Joan on the right~

With wife, Linda

Everytrail.

January 18, 2010 Mon

Lily, trying to stay awake...

We dropped in on the fishtank in her old building~ Someday it may make the move.

January 17, 2010 Sun

The week got pretty busy, but -- here we go on Sunday.

RIP Marcella Vettraino, 1918 - 2010

92 glorious years.

This would be my good friends, Jim, Jerry and Jeffrey's Mom - a woman I've known since I was a teenager. She remained vigorous and coherent until about 10 days ago. She hung on until the extended family (seven children) were gathered.

Our condolences to the family.

With the exception of this train photo - thanks to Kurt, who wondered, How on earth does the conductor manage to collect the fares?

I asked my darling wife to be the new voice of my GPS. She recorded her dulcet tones yesterday evening and I am most anxious to take a ride somewhere. Since Ann is the navigator whenever we travel this shouldn't be too major a change, though I think she may have taken a certain amount of liberty with the wording of some instructions. The non judge mental pre-recorded, 'recalculating' one hears when taking other than the suggested route may have been replaced by a more realistic, 'I told you to turn back there, Numnuts.'

January 13, 2010 Wed

This is sorta' deja vu -
Another Toshiba just like the first one, with the same problem -

good as new

When it rains, it pours - this is a good thing!

Thanks to Nancy, who reminds us of Google's free directory assistance~

January 12, 2010 Tue

Hey! It's almost the middle of January. Only 68 days until Spring...

How are you doing with those New Year's resolutions? We resolved not to make any, and stuck to it.

Although temperatures remain mild, the sun refuses to shine. It seems the streets never quite dry up. A strange green mold grows in my convertible top material. We bought some spray for this but haven't tried it, yet. It's actually kind of neat looking -- but we worry that it might be causing some kind of top rot.

A friend of ours back there where it snows heavily drove his snow machine through the woods. The next day he was unable to repeat the same journey due to a heavy influx of hungry critters taking advantage of the vegetation he brought to the surface.

What were we doing five years ago at this time? Remodeling the downstairs bathroom. This was the winter that we left the sink and toilet in the backyard while tiling the floor and an overnight freeze cracked the porcelain in both of them.

The crack in the toilet was subtle enough that I attempted to mount it to the floor several times, and it leaked each time -- before I noticed it was broken. Learn more, click here.

January 11, 2010 Mon

First up, humor, of a sort. Try to remember what it was like to be a somewhat younger person...
All the questions, all the uncertainties, all the wondering -- and then, add Google.
Of course, one may enter questions into Google -- and here are some, from young men and women...

The very fact that young people think they can get it answers to these kind of questions from an online source such as Google -- gives me very great pause...

For test purposes, the reassembled machine -- Charging plug in place.

Yes. We will be glad to fix your computer. Just give us a call - 360 420 6816

Thanks to Don ~~
An Amtrak passenger train passing a slow freight in the siding during winter snows...

January 09, 2010 Sat

Update, thanks to Jerone~

We hadn't BEEN anywhere in so long. Too: busy, broke, etc. So, let any excuse do in a pinch. In this case - get out of Dodge in Ann's new/used Chevy. Fill it with gas and dogs, point it south and just drive.

Which is what we did. Also gave us an excuse to play with our new stuff - Ann's work camera, and David's GPS - which worked pretty swell. No more reading maps. Can you say, re-calculating?

It might be good to point out that our first experience with GPS came from Dick Smock, who was kind enough to pass on his old unit when he upgraded, a few years ago. That was enough to show us the potential, though the older units were a tad clunkier and harder to mount (the second time) -- and didn't do nearly as much, although they certainly were able to tell you your exact location, and take you where you wanted to go.

We drifted south down Whidbey Island and took the ferry across to dry land. Drove all day but stopped more or less early in Kelso/Longview, a mere few hundred miles. Frequent stops for the doggies, of course, along the way.

OK, we did drive on I5 to Longview, before cutting over to the coast.

They traveled very well - better than last time, when Leo puked and Lily drooled. Tizzy is such an old hand at this stuff; she 'goes' on command when we take them for walks. The pups are catching on, if a bit slowly - at least no accidents in the car. They only barked at the usual stuff - mostly birds and other animals. When tired or bored they slept on the back seat, no leash or crate. They do over night in their crates. They stayed in their 'straight jackets', secure harnesses, all the time - except overnight.

Handy handle!

One of us forgot their jacket. That would be me. Fortunately, Ann had a spare in the car, which I wore on occasion. It was also good that temperatures were on the mild side...

Thursday we continued south into Oregon, and as far as Lincoln City - stopping along the way with the usual frequency. The entire trip south was on the old roads - we stayed off the freeway, and on the coast, where Ann caught this shot through the clouds~

We stayed right on the beach for about fifty bucks - gotta' love off season rates. Lovely room, lovely view - a tad overcast and windy - great waves!

Ann spotted this branch, and thought it looked like an animal - maybe a cow or bull?

When it was time for dinner, we did the 'Let GPS pick' thing again, this time selecting 'steakhouse'. It came up with two nearby, and we went with the first one, following the instructions to - nowhere? There was no restaurant when GPS said, 'Arriving'. So, we headed for the number two place, a few miles away at the other end of town, And, lo and behold, as we were looking for the driveway, Ann said, 'There's the first place!' So, in we went. I asked the guy if they had moved? He said, No - always been right here. Did GPS send you down the road?

Apparently, a lot of folks have GPS, and a lot of folks get sent to the wrong end of town. He said they've been trying to get it corrected with Garmin, and it should be right in the latest software. I mentioned that I'd just downloaded the latest... Hopefully, it will be correct by the time YOU visit Lincoln City. The food was great.

We got a more leisurely start Friday morning, the dogs sleeping in a bit. We drifted over to the big road (I5 North) and headed back to Anacortes. We would stop in unknown towns and let the GPS pick a restaurant - that method worked rather well! This was surely an 'eating' type mini vacation. Around noon we drove into rain, which just got heavier the farther north we came - at times a regular downpour. The Trailblazer (possible nickname, Taz) (my first choice, Big Mutha, was rejected) performed well on the wet roads. We never got to try the four wheel drive. Even stopping often and doing some Mall work (that would be, shopping) we still rolled onto the car shop lead before 8 PM.

I had doubts about a six cylinder motor in such a large car - but it's a big six, inline 4.2 liter. Plenty of oomph and kick down at 70, and combined mileage in the low twenties. All in all, a very comfortable ride and a delight to drive. We put around 800 miles on it this time out (so it now has 17,000). Ann polished it to a high sheen this afternoon, cleaned the glass inside and out, and ran the vacuum over the interior removing all trace of DOG. She noted that there was actually very little hair, having covered everything behind the front seat in blankets two deep.

Next trip? Maybe Indiana or Michigan, later in the year. I'm afraid Saab might be relegated to an 'around town' vehicle - as long as we're carting dogs with us.

Nice enough today - sunny and near sixty - to get the scooter out. Not much two wheel time last month, it was so cold. Headed down to the water to see what's what? An interesting barge in the floating dry dock - it appears to be split in half - we'll assume there is a reason for this configuration~

Two Foss tugs laying off in the channel -

And, that's all the news that's fit to print. Thanks for checking in!

January 05, 2010 Tue

Hiya, kids, Hiya! I'm Buster Brown and I live in a shoe. This is my dog, Tag, he lives here, too!

Before your time? Oh, well... Plunk yer magic twanger, Froggy!

On that cheery note, on this somewhat dreary (as in, typical) midwinter day - grey and forties - like Spring, in MI - a few 'toons, from Jarvee - thanks!

Launched on March 6, 2009, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, the Kepler mission continuously and simultaneously observes more than 150,000 stars. Kepler's science instrument, or photometer, already has measured hundreds of possible planet signatures that are being analyzed.

for easy comparison sake, we are wearing the same shirt...

Thanks, Jack -
The snowplow~

January 03, 2010 Sun

First pix from Ann's new camera for work - Nikon D5000

odd looking fellow holding Ms Tizia

and taken just now!

Speaking of animals - our goldfish has developed an odd growth out of its side~ a white cylindrical shape with a red stripe - even seen anything like that?

We're hoping it doesn't turn out like the last one...

Fish aren't the only animals having their problems...

Today's signage

From MI, thanks to Adam ~
Aiden, Trisha's youngest, held by Devin, Adam's youngest

January 02, 2010 Sat

Welcome to Davesmock.com - and a new decade. Glad you stopped by!

The New Year's celebration continues, back there in MI, where my sister and family are visiting downstate, at Fran's. She was kind enough to send along this photo of my cousin Lee, taken in the living room.

Thanks to Kurt, who knows we are fascinated by all things 'spacy'~

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