Summer O fun.

 Lots of interesting things have happened here on the high desert of Wyoming. We recently had a life altering change in our theological life that puts any short term plans on hold for about nine years. We’re excited about the call and are still in the adjustment phase. I still wake up every morning and am surprised that it wasn’t just a dream. (Or nightmare depending on perspective.) The summer is going to be very busy. Although we have been able to go a ball game with our oldest son and family and are busy planning a great campout/ barbeque at Bear Lake for later in the summer with them. Shhhhhh. They don’t know yet.


We’re traveling to Baltimore MD with our middle son, daughter in law, and grandson for the blessing of our newest granddaughter.

Later in July I’m playing at the annual town celebration in two bands. Then a few days later my middle son and I will perform as Coyote Crossing at girl's camp.

It’s starting out to be a busy summer. Fun, fun, fun!

So it’s almost Valentines Day once again.

       So it’s almost Valentines Day once again. What to do? What to do? I usually vacillate for a couple of days about getting my wife a card, flowers, or a big surprise and then at the last minute run around like a maniac which usually involves leafing through the last of the picked over cards for just the right Hallmark sentiment that expresses in one sentence what I am too inept to put into words after thirty five years of marriage. I’ll admit, as would most husbands if tortured, that I’ve on occasion forgotten Valentines Day. I mean, come on, after forgetting the BIG ONE (anniversary) what more damage can I do?

     I will say that over the years I’ve been pretty resourceful when confronted with the realization of “Oh my gosh. Is that today?” after the stores have all closed. The old hand made card gambit was always less than successful. My hurriedly crafted masterpiece’s didn’t have quite the same effect on her as when the kids presented her with their cute little creations. Hey, at least I colored inside the lines. I’ve even stooped so low as to rummage through the desk searching frantically to find a card that I’d given her previously. What? Like you guys have never done something close to that! I carefully glued the envelope back together so that she wouldn’t notice that it had been opened. Yes I admit it. I’m a less than perfect husband when it comes to romance.

      I tell my wife that she should write a book. “How I survived 35 years of marriage to an idiot.” It would be a best seller.

                       This is my wife.

             She is the greatest mother.

The most amazing daughter and granddaughter.

The best friend that anyone could ever want or wish for.

And after all I’ve put her through she still has the patience to put up with me. .

                                                             I love you Sweet Corn

                                                             Happy Valentines Day.

I GUESS MAYBE I NEVER REALLY GREW UP. I STILL LIKE MODEL TRAINS.

When we moved to Wyoming fifteen years ago the old HO model train layout had to be disassembled and the two 4 X 8 plywood sheets that it was made of were thrown away because it was too big to get out of the basement. The locomotives, cars, track, buildings, etc. were boxed up and put into storage. It was a pretty cool layout. There was a river, a wooden trestle, and a big mountain with tunnels. Sadly, we don’t even have a picture of it. Evidently my old 35mm was on the blink at the time or we lost the slide in the move.

We only have two seasons here at 7000 ft. Winter and bad sledding. I wanted a winter hobby that doesn't involve getting cold and wet. I have always wanted to build another model train layout. My son recently built his first and tried to convince me to switch to N scale. I have too much invested in HO to start over and besides my eyesight is getting to the point where N scale would be impossible for an old fart like me to work with.

I’ve been planning the new layout for a while now and acquiring parts so that when I started I would have pretty much everything I needed to make my dream layout. (Most of my family think I'm nuts.)

The design.

What it's supposed to look like with river, lake, power plant, dam, mountain, buildings, etc.

Modules.

Laying tempory track.

My son told me I should start a blog. Well here is the first installment. I'll let you know how I'm coming on the train layout from time to time and perhaps explore other uninteresting topics as well.