Fire season has begun.

Happy Anniversary

Crashed Out

I was working on the derailment again today and walked passed this boom operator sleep on the track of his equipment. These guys work until the work is done for days at a time. This guy was obviously taking advantage of some down time...

UP Train Derailment 06-26-2008

Well, guess who got called to help with re-railing cars for the train derailment along interstate 84 yesterday? This is a picture of the lumber cars on the I-84 over pass. The heavy equipment on the right is being used to stabilize the car while it is being dragged by another piece of equipment with a long cable.

During the first attempt the cable snapped and the crews had to bring in another cable and reattach it to the train car. The process to get this car moved took about 50 minutes but it was finally a success.

Every day is a new day when you work for the railroad.

Oldie but a Goodie

This car is living proof that no matter how old you are that with a little bit of paint, a whole lot of money, and the right amount of tlc... even old things can look good.

This car was parked at Grayson's All Star game yesterday. It was parked very far away from the field. Guess he didn't want to take a foul ball to the door.

Working Under The Moonlit Sky

It doesn't appear that yesterday's post is going to make it through cyberspace so I loaded the picture onto my computer and am posting it manually. This is a picture of the moon over the top of some boxcars I am getting ready to add to my train in Salem. We are in a siding called Labish and I am walking the cars and inspecting them before I add them to the train.

The night air was crisp and the sky was perfectly clear. A very nice night to be walking around in the dark on the railroad...

what's going on?

I sent a picture twice from my phone today... Not sure where it is yet.

Nothing To Shoot Today

I am in a hotel in Eugene today and have been here far too long to be enjoyable. I arrived last night at around 10:45 and I am not due out until after midnight tonight. I have gone running, shopping, slept, and surfed the web so many times I think I have developed carpel tunnel syndrome.

While out and about there was really nothing today that struck my interest to shoot a picture of so I thought I would dig through some of my picture archives and see what was in there to post. This evening Grayson and Austin were supposed to go fishing with Grandpa Bruce, but it was postponed and rescheduled for another day. In the spirit of fishing... I decided to post some of the kid's fishing successes here. Hope you enjoy them...

Lori In Her Element

Lori is hanging out with the neighbor's daughter in the front yard and throwing the ball for Samson. She is right in her comfort zone when she has a baby in her arms. What an awesome mom... Even the cat came up to join the fun on this beautiful afternoon.

Now This Is A BBQ...

Another beautiful summer day spent around town. We went to church this morning and heard about the people of Africa and the many conversions to Christianity that are happening in that part of the world. We also spent time in the garden today planting more and seeding for late summer. And then we went to get dog food for Samson...

After all of the errands, chores, and yard work we decided to have a bbq. Great food, Lori and the three boys around the table, and perfect weather. Summer has arrived.

Brit working hard

We went to see Brit today to get dog food for Samson. The hardest working pet store employee in Portland!

Austin's 17th party...

Here Comes Trouble

Future Portland Little League All Star

Portland allstars

Today's Window Washing Job

I had a window washing job in Happy Valley today... 3 stories... gulp!

Honey bee

FINALLY! Blue sky...

Grayson's First Car ;-)

Grayson test driving his first new ride...

My New Laptop

We had Brittany and Lauren over for burgers last night in a kind of impromptu father's day dinner get together. It was very enjoyable to see the girls, talk about the happenings of life, and eat Dairy Queen Blizzards. They are both doing well, which always gives dad a sense of peace and satisfaction.

Grayson asked me earlier in the evening why the girls were coming over and I told him about the occasion that had been planned. He asked me what I wanted for father's day and I told him a new laptop... Being the ingenious child that he is, he went into the office and made me one. I think he has a future...

Thanks kids for a nice night... You are all very special to me.

DAD

Laurens first car

My first B & W

Now that's a garden!

Leaving the hotel

Remember When?

Remember when all you owned could fit into a small u-haul truck? The oldest bird is leaving the nest... I hope he flies well.

Very Strange Actually

I have lost all of my creative juices today. Sometimes trying to come up with a picture of the day seems a bit daunting, but in the end it usually comes about. I was trying to figure out what to shoot with my handy dandy Samsung Beat camera phone this afternoon and nothing was striking my interest. So, I decided to quit trying and just shoot a picture of my face. When in doubt use yourself as the subject matter is my motto.

It turned out a bit interesting and strange looking actually. The lighting to the side, the intense closeup, the magnificent color... maybe I haven't completely lost it. Not to mention the subject of the photo. Geez, I think I need to keep on shooting pictures after all.

Have a great day!

(This picture today is the byproduct of a guy with far too little sleep who is sitting in a hotel room completely bored out of his feaking mind...weaphermobile takes no credit or responsibility for it. I already ate, ran 4 miles, set up my fantasy baseball schedule for next week, balanced my check book, solved the oil crisis, created a formula for perpetual motion, and read a book. I hate television so that isn't an option... Now what? )

Where is it?

Lori spent her afternoon looking for Grayson's birth certificate. Why is it that when you need something important you never remember where you put it?


Found It!

Off the tracks

I got my call to work at 1145 for a work train. Not a bad call since it will keep me in town and allow me to sleep in my own bed another day. When I arrived at the boardroom I found out there was a train on the ground and we needed to help re-rail it. Ooops!

Me underwater

Since the rain seems never ending and I am bored and tired today I thought I would take a picture of me scuba diving in my office. I am actually happier today than I look in the picture.

Hopefully Summer will come soon and the cold weather will depart for awhile... I am not enjoying this cold June.

weapher

Our Thieving 10 Year Old...

Another stolen base from Grayson last night. Once again he stole home... and once again, he was safe.

Good Job Grayson!