Everything in Maple Valley is moving back to whatever normal is. The snow storm that buried the village is forgotten. Huge piles of snow are nothing new. Shorty and Hannah Cloverton are thrilled to announce the reopening of Ya'll Sit Cafe. The kitchen fire did not do as much damage as feared. Everything looks awful …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 46: Doctor Wackstuber
Maple Valley is a dream. We who live here go about our daily business without ceremony or fanfare. The sun comes up and goes down. Sometimes clouds roll and rain falls, but sunshine always returns, except when it doesn't. Despite the quaintness of Maple Valley defined by the expectations of outsiders. we are just like …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – 45: Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend
Are you dreaming of building an amazing HO scale model railroad? If so, I can help you get started on a great shelf-style layout to make your dream a reality. In this post, you will learn important steps for building a strong foundation for your layout. There are several styles of benchwork used in model …
Ever since Sylvia Meisner disappeared nearly three years ago, Maple Valley folks have been waiting for the other shoe to drop. Tourists arriving in Maple Valley do not feel the dread that lives in this delightful place. All the happy visitors believe the notions they have about this dreamland where there are no worries, unpaid …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 43: All Is Calm, All Is Wrong
I want every square inch of the Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad to be a story in a scene. I am way beyond watching two trains travel on a continuous loop through trees, mountains, and buildings. I want to know what people are talking about as they stand outside the Ya'll Sit Cafe. Maybe …
Happy villagers in Maple Valley are preparing themselves for the wonders of Christmas. Music of the season is blaring loudly on the streets of town so visitors know Maple Valleyers are fully into the spirit of Christmas. Quintin O'Dillmotte has, at least for the moment, been strangely quiet. The O'Dillmotte Funeral Parlor is pleasantly adorned, …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 42: The Wonders of Christmas and Other Stuff
From the time I was old enough to recognize the people around me, there was one person who was my favorite. He held a place of love and admiration throughout my life that made every opportunity for me to be near him a delight. He was my Uncle Dick Lambert. In this photo I was …
Continue reading To Honor the Memory of My Uncle Dick Lambert
Village council meetings in Maple Valley are generally docile. Minutes are read, dates approved, reports adopted, motions to adjourn bring meetings to an end. Last week will stand out in the history of Maple Valley council meetings, as Quintin O'Dillmotte's shocking and outrageous plan to change the name of Maple Valley resulted in a high …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 40: The Railroad and the Church General
I have to admit, I have been working on my Maple Valley Short Line Model Railroad control panel for more than two years. I can run the layout just fine using Atlas Selectors to control power to the blocks, but I really want a panel with a layout diagram to make operations easier. Plus, I …
Continue reading I Use DPDT Switches for AC and DC Power on my Model Railroad Control Panel
My wife and I love watching HGTV network. I am amazed by the vision of the designers featured on the shows. Without exception, they exhibit an incredible ability to see what a space can be and share it with hopeful homeowners, long before the first board is nailed in place. Vision gives life to imagination. …
Continue reading Before and After on The Maple Valley Model Railroad
A Coffee State of Mind 