Post Pages

  • Scandal at Maple Valley Grows – Episode 2

    Scandal at Maple Valley Grows – Episode 2

    Obviously, the nature of scandal is to grow. In the history of mankind, not a single scandal germinated lacking ravenous hunger for more flesh. Think about it for a moment. What is scandal if not the fodder for gums to flap over, giving each gum owner the satisfaction of being the one with the latest Read more

  • Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 1

    Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 1

    Sylvia Meisner has been missing for two weeks. She lives alone in Maple Valley. Alone, but not alone. As it is with so many small towns, everyone knows everyone in Maple Valley, and there are plenty of folks who make it their business to know the business of everyone else. It is challenging enough living Read more

  • Progress on the Maple Valley Short Line

    Progress on the Maple Valley Short Line

    My last model railroading post was in September. I was elbows-deep in plaster powder and working hard to move my layout project toward some kind of coherency. Now, after almost 80 pounds of plaster, trials and failures with various mixtures of acrylic paint, I am really pleased with the Maple Valley Short Line. It’s almost Read more

  • A Messy Model Railroad is a Happy Model Railroad

    A Messy Model Railroad is a Happy Model Railroad

    Before you get upset and say something you might regret later, let me explain. I’m making progress on my model railroad and I’m excited about it. It’s been a long time since I spent more than an hour with my layout. In the last few days I’ve probably spent fifteen hours with The Maple Valley Read more

  • Model Railroading Scenery Techniques

    Model Railroading Scenery Techniques

    I’ve been struggling with a couple of things on my model railroad. I love my scratch-built basswood and balsa bridges. I used dark brown spray paint and I had to decide how to apply weathering finishes. I used a mixture of Ceramcoat acrylic paint, light gray, dark brown, a little yellow, a little red, and Read more

  • Houghton Lake Reminders of Life Moving Forward

    Houghton Lake Reminders of Life Moving Forward

    I have a nostalgic vein that I guess is pretty common. I thought it was just me, but I hear country song lyrics like, “I can’t wait to show you where I grew up…”, “I want to introduce you to my kin-folks, where I grew up”, “I Go Back” by Kenny Chesney, “The House that Read more