Model Railroad Layout Tour - June 26, 2012

Corey and I have enjoyed the many visits to model railroads with Chuck's model railroading group. But, the visit to Bob Frey's interactive layout (in Greendale) on June 26, 2012, was absolutely outstanding. Two rooms of his basement were filled to capacity with the layout. What was so special about this particular layout, was that he had train manifests prepared so that we could actually run the trains to complete the tasks laid out in the manifest. In pairs (one person being the engineer and the other being the task master), we were given a manifest, a controller and told where our train was located at the moment. Corey and I were given the Beer train which was in Bryan Tunnel. Corey maneuvered the train out of the tunnel and we were off and running to pick up another beer car. Through a few derailments, a few shorts in the layout and having to wait for other trains, we managed to complete much of our manifest before it was time to say good-bye. Thank you, Bob Frey, for such a wonderful and fun-filled experience.

 

 

 

Voki

Tried out the Voki website. You can create an avatar for yourself and record your voice. The avatar will speak what you recorded. It was easiest to record my voice in Audacity and then upload it to Voki.

Welcome to Mimio Training

Surprise!

June 9, 2012   -   Well, I really pulled this one off; Corey's 70th Surprise Birthday party! After more than a month of planning and making arrangements, correcting errors and confirming the agenda, thirty-five of our dear friends gathered at the East Troy Electric Railroad for a fun-filled day. Unfortunately, the plan did not go just as I had hoped. I had purchased masks for everyone to wear as Corey boarded the train, but the train was not ready at the specified time. Ah, the best laid plans....Nonetheless, friends greeted and surprised Corey as we walked into the train depot and then belted out a round of Happy Birthday. I could tell by the look on his face that Corey was stunned!

My dear friends, Linda and Chuck Gevaert, arrived early and decorated the dining car with balloons, centerpieces, the party favor baskets I put together and huge train sugar cookies that Linda had baked and decorated.

We began our leisurely ride to Mukwonago Park with a delicious lunch of a salad, stuffed pork chops, roasted potatoes, green beans and warm apple compote. Along the way, our witty train person, Ryan, told us some of the history of the train and surrounding area.

At the park, we were able to get off the train to stretch and enjoy the beautiful day. I played my new lap harp for a few that were kind enough to listen.

On the way back, we devoured the scrumptious apple pie (with coffee) and sang For He's a Jolly Good Fellow to Corey. After a brief stop at the Elegant Farmer, we headed back to the train depot. Everyone had a big smile on their face as they thanked us and told us that this was a fabulous (and classy) party.

I think Corey will remember this day for years to come!

                 

   

 

                     

          

Arkansas Trip - May 27 - June 2, 2012

Spent a week in Ozark Mountain country (Franklin, Arkansas) visiting Corey's youngest son, Carl. The scenery is breath-taking. I learned a lot about raising Angus beef; how to buy a bull and how to trim cow horns. I also found out what chiggers are - and I am still itching!

We visited Mountain View, AR, where we found real down-home local flavor and history at the Ozark Folk Center. We drove to Blanchard Springs Caverns (on an extremely hot Memorial Day) to enjoy the coolness below the earth. Then we visited a beautiful over-look at Calico Rock, AR.

In Old Town Hardy, AR, I found a musical instrument that even I can play - the lap harp. I love it! There are music sheets that show you exactly which string to pluck. I can instantly play familiar songs from these sheets. I'm glad someone is producing a musical instrument for dummies.

We visited Corey's ex-father-in-law, who is in hospice care. He is quite ill and they are not sure how long he has to live. Corey was unable to speak to him (too emotional), so he wrote Joe a note and asked Marge, Joe's wife, if she would read it to him sometime. I also met Corey's first wife, Kathleen, and her husband Tom. Corey commented that she has changed a lot and he does not even know who she is.

All in all, we had a wonderful trip and great, but short, visit with Carl.