David Long

Boo, 

So happy that you were able to get some help with your foot.  I know it's tempting but stay off it until it's healed.  In addition to my AKA, I have a non-operable foot injury that makes walking difficult, but not impossible.  I've had 3 doctors tell me they would be willing to operate on the foot if I would be willing to lose it if the operation wasn't a success.  I'm passing on that opportunity.

Wendy,

Bucket List stuff - there's a lot that have been checked off the list but still a lot remaining.  I desire to go back to Northern Ireland and see the Giants Causeway; see the Northern Lights in Iceland; see Manchu Picchu in Peru; visit Madagascar and see the unique critters, but the one most attainable is to visit the one State out of our 50 that I have yet to see - Montana.

Larry,

Another WOW on the Pipe Organ! Amazing!

Marvin Theobald

Larry’s organ project is a masterful accomplishment obviously done with a combination of extreme skill, knowledge and love. Having made some effort in the past year to restore a 1933 player piano, I have a huge appreciation for the effort involved in building such an amazing instrument and will readily add another WOW.

The player piano has many of the same controls involved in Larry’s organ. I have not had the willingness or the patience to go to the extremes Larry has to be successful. With the electronic micro-controller and MIDI programs Larry referred to the organ can play itself. Whether Larry can play himself or not he can still enjoy the full impact of its performance.

Below are a few photos of my player piano that will sadly likely never play again. Unfortunately it needs too much time and money investment to be worthwhile to me. It is available if anyone wants to tackle it. The photos show the condition I found it and some of the stages of disassembly during the restoration effort. This is more detail than you may care about but to anyone that has never been exposed to how these things work you may find it interesting to see.

Player piano as found.

With outer covers removed. Note missing key covers and dirt.

The following photos demonstrate the complexity of the operational mechanics.

Air motor that drives and rewinds the paper piano roll.

Partial view of vacuum line tubing and tracking bar for paper piano roll.

Key actuator bellows. There are over 100 individual actuator bellows in a player piano. Most bellows and valves found in vintage pianos and organs are replaced with electrically controlled valve assemblies in electrically converted digitally controlled systems.

Actuator valves exposed in open windchest.

Other layers of actuator valves and air passages in open windchest.

After cleanup with open windchest. Note new key covers. Manual play is fully functional but the vaccum system that causes the player part to operate has too many air leaks and needs a complete rebuild. 

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

I would have to say the circle trip we took in 2010, out West, was a bucket list trip for me.  That's when we went  to The Grand Teton's, Yellowstone Park, South Dakota, Iowa and back home.  I've put many pictures of that trip on this site.   We talked about going up to Montana, but we were tired and it would have added at least another 3 days so we decided not to go.   My big regret, though, because I may not make it back that far West again.  Jim didn't really want to take this trip, at all , but after it was over, he was glad we went.  That was our last trip together. 

Ray, glad to see you join in.  I'm glad you got that memento from 2nd Pres.  I'm sure it does mean a lot to you.

Marvin, that is a beautiful piano.  My first piano was an upright like that,  Not a player piano, tough.  My parents wanted to be sure I could learn to play the piano before they invested a lot of money into a good piano for me.  Looks like you did a lot of restoration and at least it can be played by a person, even though the player part doesn't work.  Do you play?   I know Judy does.

Marvin Theobald

I have never actually made a bucket list but have been fortunate enough to have experienced many places that would have been on it if I had made one. Inspired by Salina Poolthong in high school I maintained a desire through the years to see Thailand. A year after I retired I fulfilled that dream. High on my remaining list of places I still hope to visit are many of the national parks out west as well several South Pacific Islands.

In the grounds of the Royal Palace in Bankok.

Wat Arun in Bankok.

Looking down from the extemely steep stairs on Wat Arun.

Remote Karen tribal village in far northern Thailand.

Typical Karen woman.

Karen woman winding warp in preparation for weaving a scarf.

Island at Railay Beach in far south Thailand.

Terry (Max) Maxwell

My bucket list includes visiting all 50 states.  Have been to all but 6 so far. Missed Utah and 5 bunched together up in the northeast corner.  If this coronavirus settles down we would like to go to Utah possibly this fall.  Will see how it all plays out.  Would also go to Arches NP and the others around it.  Then wait until the next year and check out the northeast corner.  In between, during the cold months go to Florida.  Have been there 40+ times but never get tired of it.  Also have never been to Las Vegas, but don't really have much desire to go there either.  Wouldn't make it a destination trip but would drive through there on the way to somewhere else.  Have other places on the list, but those are my priority visits.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

I have 48 states.  The only ones missing are Alabama and Georgia.  Hmmm

Utah is great!  Lots of National parks.

James (Jim) Rookus

Sorry to say no bucket list but privileged to have ftravelled all 48 (except Alaska & Hawaii) and all Canada Provinces 3/4ths were during summers in high school & college years.  Special trips were Seattle and Montreal worlds fairs and Mexico from top to bottom.  With divorced parents my dad had me for a month each summer so we spent the entire month on the road with fantastic trips.  Then finished the remaining unseen states with wife and kids in motor home when they were young studying on the way about the places we would visit (mostly eastern historical sites).  Many many great memories!

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Bucket list? Not sure what that is. I've been lucky enough to have visited many countries, almost all of Europe, Russian, India, and Caribbean Islands. But I've only been to 40 of the 50 states. My travels have almost always been related to cultural interests. There are three places I've never been that would be on my BUCKET LIST, yet at this point in my life I doubt I'll get to them. So thank goodness for the Internet. Okay, it's not the same, but I know about them and they keep the dream alive that it is possible. They are the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, the pyramids in Giza, Egypt, and the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain. On the other hand, I would love to revisit Florence, Italy, which I consider one of the greatest cities in European history thanks to the Medici family, Michelangelo, Ghiberti, Giotto, Savanorola, Botticelli, Rossini, Brunelleschi and so many others. What makes what we are doing on Raiders64 all the more important, is that we are able to share our adventures with our classmates. Thailand, the Great Wall of China and Alaska are not within my reach, but I love that some of you have had that opportunity. So for now, my greatest hope is to spend a day at Heritage Lake in Mackinaw, Illinois with my twin brother Marv and a pizza from Lucca Grill in Bloomington, Illinois.

Marvin Theobald

Suggestion for today's theme is REFLECTIONS.

During a visit to the Duomo in Florence, Italy in 2011 it had rained as we arrived. Water puddles formed on the cobblestone street surrounding the Duomo as can be seen in the first photo. I started noticing reflections in the water puddles and took the other pictures of the Duomo in the water reflections.

This was a store front window in Dallas, TX that was pretty fun.

Julie Hart

i've been catching up on all the messages over the past two months.  have really enjoyed getting a glimpse of everyone's lives.  i may get around to posting pics of the few topics i can remember .

some ideas - your favorite coffee/tea mug, what's hanging on your front door,  a pic of your favorite thing hanging on your wall, what you'd grab to save in case of a fire (a beloved item - not the obvious ones like documents and picture albums.)

mandalay, myanmar.  not raining - just a very shiny floor.  jan. 2020

shan, myanmar, jan 2020

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Terry (Max) Maxwell

This is about the only reflection pics that I have.

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

What a good idea, and I admit it has never occurred to me to look for a reflection in a puddle!  This photo was taken in Paris at one of the Ladureé shops.  They came up with the macaron cookie that seems to everywhere now.  The reflection is near the Place Vendome.

David Brock

Thought for the day--Hope works in these ways:  it looks for the good in people instead of harping on the worst, it discovers what can be done instead of grumbling about what cannot; it regards problems, ;large or small, as opportunities; it pushes ahead when it would be easy to quit; it 'lights the candle' instead of  'cursng the darkness'.   Ancient Proverb

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

It is a thrill to see several new voices this week. Would love to see more.

Dave B., very nice proverb. Thanks for sharing.

On REFLECTIONS: For many years I've been photographing water reflections, but there are so many other surfaces, especially in architectural glass and metals that transform what we see into something surreal. These are a few of them.

The Edith Farnsworth House by Mies van der Rohe in Plano, Illinois.

Cloud Gate by Anish Kapoor in Chicago before the seams were polished out.

Cloud Gate, popularly know as The Bean, seen at night.

300 S. Riverside Plaza, which was built over train tracks at Union Station in Chicago.

David Long

Late to the party, but here are a couple of reflections.

Wet sand and NO footprints

Boulders in the Sea

Daughters at Sunset

David Long

Looking across the Ohio River from Wheeling, WV to Belaire, OH

James (Jim) Rookus

Appreciate seeing all the recent photos .... Mel as af past Chicagoan really like all the pic of the reflection in the downtown area...  Max always love Chihuly pics and Dave really like that first pic with 2 gals on beach an especially beautiful background ,  I couldn't find any on my phone with reflections and thought I could make one for you but that would have been a selfie in a mirror ... would not. Compare to the beauty of all your pics,

Marvin Theobald

It seems the reflection theme is continuing today so I will take the liberty of adding a few more. The effects of reflections are really interesting at times and can add so much more to the character in a picture. 

I too liked Dave's ladies on the beach photos. The lack of footprints makes it almost look as if they are walking on water. Must be related to Dave .  Mel's "Chicago Bean" is a favorite of mine. When I visit Mel and take a bike ride I often go to "the bean". It is sooo amazing to experience the variations of reflections it can provide.

Julie - Great to see you join in with photos. I am sure with all of the traveling you have done you could contribute some terrific shots. I enjoyed the pics from Myanmar (previously Burma). That is where the Karen people in my previous post fled from during civil unrest in Myanmar in the 1980's. You had some great new suggestions for the photo themes. How about you pick some days and assign themes for the rest of us to apply our imaginations and see what pops up?

Fall scene in New Hampshire in 2004.

Glass mosaic at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago in 2007. The conservatory featured the works of a French artist Niki de Saint Phalle. His mosaics were fascinating.

Detail of one of Phalle's mosaics in the garden at the conservatory.

Hoover Dam reflection off of the Visitors Center in 2007.

Reflection in Lake Mead from Hoover Dam in 2007.

Reflection of leafless trees on an icy lake at Heritage Lake near Mackinaw, IL in 2012.

Waterfalls at a Wells Fargo Bank in downtown Dallas, TX in 2012.

Marvin Theobald

Jim - I love the way you think out of the box. A selfie in the mirror would just make you look twice as good. Imagine what Mel and I have to deal with when we are together. It's as if your alter ego is with you.

I had one more sort of reflection photo to share. Believe it or not it is possible for raw steel to float. This paper clip is literally floating on water. It is held up by surface tension. It is interesting to see the curvature of the water or meniscus around the wire. Try it. It is relatively easy to do. Use tweezers to hold the paper clip and gently set it on the water. A steady hand helps which can be a challenge for old people like us but you can do it. It will impress your grand-kids.

Sandra Jeakins (Singletary Sizemore)

Marvin, that Wells Fargo Bank water fall was beautiful!   And I enjoyed the New Hampshire Fall picture.  That would be on my bucket list to tour the Eastern States in the Fall. 

When Jim and I went to Texas with my Son and his 2 girls we went thru Dallas, but all I remember of Dallas was all the traffic.  They were doing a lot of road construction and the traffic was really backed up.  We had been in San Antonio so Dallas wasn't our destination.  

Jim and I were at the Hoover Dam but I don't think I have any pictures like that.  We were also at Lake Mead.  We went there for the afternoon, after we were married in the morning.   We fed the fish.   Romantic, NOT.  But is was fun.

Jack Keefe

The whole point of this photo was the little bright spot below the soon-to-be setting sun. It's the sun's reflection on distant Lake Erie from the tower at Niagara Falls (Canadian side). It marked the first night of a great vacation through Ontario. 

Wendy Stephens (Cullen)

I liked Terry's Chihuly reflection and I have that shot also, but I decided to look through my Chihuly photos and so...see if you can see the Space Needle reflected on the orbs.

James (Jim) Rookus

Wendy ... cool Chihuly ... love it ... Yep found the needle in the glass!

Julie Hart

a couple more reflections

chengdu china

somewhere way west in china