Happy Thanksgiving

[landnrailroader]

About this time, I expect many of you are ready for a nap in the big comfy chair, while others are just sitting down for their Thankgiving dinner.

This week, I'm grateful for many things...

First and foremost... I'm grateful for family. All three of our kids were our new property for the first time ever this past Sunday. Our youngest son works and lives in another state as a school teacher, and the timing just hasn't worked out for him to be able to come out here since we started construction in May. The school district he works in does take a full week Fall Break on Thanksgiving week, which made it worth the time to drive back & forth and spend it with us. We've had a few good rides in on the ATV's, done a little target shooting, and other normal family stuff like watching a movie and football game, and capping it off with a full family dinner on Friday, as some of us still work on the holiday.

Second... our construction project is getting close to an end. The slab for our house was poured in late August, and 90 days later, we've got sheetrock in place, cabinets arriving next week, and at this rate might be able to move in before the end of the year. The thermometer has tickled the low 30's twice in the past month, and the sooner we're able to get out of the RV the better. Fortunately, our shop building was finished two months ago, and I was able to build out the office space portion of that building back in October. Not that I've had any time to be in it outside of my day job, it beats working from the utility shed, which had no heat or insulation. And there's room for the TV and comfy chair shown above...

Thirdly, my Packers just beat the Lions (sweeping them for the first time since 2020), and while they're looking ragged the past few games, it's looking more and more like they'll get a playoff berth. As some of you know, when the Packers are losing, I drown my sorrows with work on my routes or some programming. Not so much this season. I've been on the edge of my seat in just about every game, including today's. What would make the weekend better would be an Eagles win over the Bears on Friday, which I'd say is likely, and that would place the Packers solidly at the top of the NFC North.

I'm also thankful for our payware providers... There are two Black Tracks Friday sales underway right now -- MapleLeafTracks.ca and TorontoMainlineTrains.ca have a sale which runs thru Friday night, and TrainSimulation.net has one thru the weekend to Monday. If you're looking for modern Amtrak or VIA equipment, you should check out the Siemens Venture sets that TMT has to offer. Maybe run those on the TSN Shasta or Mullins Pass just for fun...

Or if Run8 is more your thing, drop by there and pick up a route or rolling stock pack. These providers have some great products, and the best way to encourage them to continue producing them is to show your support for them when you can.

And lastly... I'm grateful for all of you who have made this community successful. It's been a part of my daily routine for the better part of the last 20 years, and I hope it will continue to be for another 20.

I do hope you'll have a chance this weekend to pause and reflect back on what you have in your life to be thankful for.

Thanks for for stopping by.

[landnrailroader]

Glad things are going good there in darkest Tennessee, where my heart will always be. I've been under your property maybe 150 times, the last being in the summer of 1978. And soon, I will release my incomplete CNO&TP, 2nd district and maybe somebody will build you a house over the tunnel on it.

Jerry

[jbtower]

It's good to read that your progress is right on target. Hopefully, your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical rough ins will be complete and you'll be ready for sheetrock installation. Should be a good game this weekend between the Pack and the Monsters of the Midway. If you have any electrical questions don't hesitate to contact me. GO BEARS...lol