Some thoughts on building better businesses…
20210301 BNSF Update 1 – A Catch Update
We’re beginning on my Texas railroad just like my Michigan railroad, with a “catch”-update! This railroad started because I wanted to share the hobby with my grandson. He saw my trains when he visited us in Michigan, and he really seemed engaged. When my son-in-law asked about getting him his own train set I encouraged it. He found a small Bachmann Santa Fe freight train set in n scale and our grandson was hooked!
The family had built a new home when they relocated to Texas and invited us to spend our winters with them, an offer we couldn’t refuse! A couple of years later, when my daughter and son-in-law graciously offered me a 6×18 foot storage room for hobby space, that sealed the deal, and the story of the BNSF Hollister Subdivision began.
During our first winter and before the storage room was available, we started to expand on E’s train set with three single T-Trak modules; one each for the two grandkids and me. It was a challenge with an almost six year old and a seven and a half year old, but I taught them how to glue, assemble, and paint each of the modules, then I installed the Kato Unitrack on the three modules. I then built five more modules, a single, a double, two corners, and an endcap. By the end of that first winter we had a working double track oval, and I had joined two area model railroad clubs! Here’s how the BNSF looked that first year:

20210301 AWRY Update 1 – A Catch-Update
We really need to start at the beginning of the Arcadia Creek story, at least this new era that began in 2014. So I thought maybe we could use one, or a few, “catch”- updates! All aboard! To get where we are today, I had to start model railroading again from scratch. I was re-entering the hobby after more than … Continue reading →
20210201 – Contemplating Capitalism
Thinking through all of the stock market strife over the past week I find myself in agreement with Elon Musk; that short selling is not an ethical activity appropriate for a stock market. Practices like short selling make the stock market little more than a casino. How can it be an ethical and sound business practice to sell stock you … Continue reading →
20200712 – Freedom Stops Here
In a news video recently, I saw an anti-mask protester holding a sign that said, “My Freedom Doesn’t End Where Your Fear Begins”. While some of us may live in fear that we’ll contract the virus, most of us don’t fear the virus. We realize that risk is a part of life, and we should do what we can to … Continue reading →
20200701 – Now I Understand
Caution: If you and your spouse have ever suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of a child, this may trigger an overwhelming emotional response and you may not want to read it.
Continue reading →20200630 – One More Day
I woke up this morning, looked over at my best friend of 53 years, life partner for nearly 49, and said to myself, “thank you Lord for granting my wish, one more day with her.” A Diamond Rio song ‘One More Day’ says it exactly right. You can see the lyrics below. Then I begin my new normal routine: slip … Continue reading →
20200629 – Cherished Memories – A Fresh Start
It’s a new day, a new week, and soon to be a new month. It comes after a great weekend of reminiscing with lifelong friends about good times as kids and rites of passage, in a way.
Continue reading →20170817 – Another Long Break
Seems as though I’ve done it again, taken an unintended long break from writing. Things got a little complicated at the beginning of the year as I found myself once again in caregiver mode.
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