Spring has definitely shown up in the Rocky Mountains! The ski resorts have closed for the season, snow is melting, crocus are blooming, and if the spring freeze hadn't come, my Crab-apple tree in the back yard would be in full bloom. I love that tree! It is a good size, beautiful flowers, and is the type where the fruit stays on the tree. No mess to worry about when mowing the lawn. Another big plus.

Another sign of spring are the various critters in the yard & trees. The birds are everywhere, singing and strutting their stuff. Even the squirrels and rabbits are exploring and enjoying the nice weather!


The neighborhood squirrels have decided that the tree in my front yard is fun to explore. I'm not sure what this guy was looking for as the leaf buds aren't even out yet when I took this shot. They much prefer the Crabapple in the back yard. Good eating back there!

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I find it hard to believe that the end of the first quarter of 2009 is almost here! With the new year brought great promise, hope, and a can do attitude! Now why haven't all of the various markets, investors, and such followed along with that? Honestly, I'm not that certain myself.

I have discovered over the last several months that there is more in me than I previously thought. I have gone out and done things that some other folks have thought I was out of my mind for doing. Anything groundbreaking? No, not really. So why are the rest of the companies out there not doing the same thing?

So what is it that I've done so far this year? Well, I started out by repairing a leak. No big deal you think. But to get at the leak I had to tear out a shower surround. Not bad, but unfortunately I wasn't able to salvage all of it. Major bummer since the shower is in the basement and it was only 32 inches square. So small you step out to change your mind. And the door that was originally on it. Well, let's just say that my brother-in-law had a hard time squeezing in and he isn't that large of a person.

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And, no, I am not just talking about the movie "Forrest Gump". But the line is really true. You don't know what you are going to get until you take that next step, bite, or leap. And even though last weekend was Valentine's Day, I didn't get any chocolate to spur this on.



My real thought here was that you really never know what life is going to bring you. I've seen the wonderful opportunity of trying to get my business started last year. (For me, definitely caramel filled!) The opportunities are fabulous! There is so much need out there! So, did I get the caramel filled that I really like? Or did I get the coconut that I just can't stand?

Well it seems this year that just about every business is in the same situation. The money... well it seems to have gone down the drain.

So, what happened? Pretty much everyone was thrown for a curve with the happenings of the last year.

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We all know that railroads use railcars. What is it about the railcar that makes it special? Well, the type, size, capacity it can hold, material it is made of, special doors, hatches or gates, or sometimes even the electronics.

Are they cheap? Definitely NOT! I've seen some railcars that cost as much as a luxury automobile and then some. The cheapest I've seen for a new one was around $40k but that was some time ago. Do you want to buy a refrigerated boxcar? Be prepared to spend at least $80k or more for that.

So, on to the kinds of cars.

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I don't know about you, but this last year has been much like a roller coaster! Complete with the up and downs associated!



I know it has been awhile since I posted. There certainly has been a whirlwind of activity over the last quarter of the year.

Between unexpected emergency surgery at the end of October, the financial markets, the economy, and a sudden water leak in the basement, it certainly has not been boring. I'm glad to say that the surgery went better than anticipated and that I am definitely very healthy right now! I wish we all could say the same about the financial markets and economy in general...

With all of that going on, the various things I was hoping to get done by the end of the year just didn't happen.

So, now on to more interesting things... What I really was going to continue in the series about how railroads work...

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