Hobby Thread - July 4, 2026 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. For this week, the Wheel of Hobbies (TM) is feeling explosive. It spun and spun and landed on a fireworks theme for this Hobby Thread.

***

Fireworks are not exclusively an American thing. Other countries certainly have fireworks traditions, but seems like America embraces fireworks as an integral part of its culture. Fireworks are 'murica.

It is because we reject the paternalistic instinct to abstain from anything that might involve risk? Does the feint whiff of danger make fireworks irresistible? Is it because Americans have space to blow things up? Is it because we like fire and explosions? Is it because we have a fascination with flight and space, so we like sending things into the air to put on a show? Is it because fireworks are democratized in a sense - accessible to individual people and not restricted to "official" displays?

Dunno. The emergency rooms of the nation can testify that fireworks present peril for the unwary. Not all fireworks, however, inherently flirt with disaster. Sparklers? Snakes? Fun for the whole family!

What fireworks are your favorites? Have you stocked up for the holiday? Have you ever made your own? What large scale displays are memorable? Do you have childhood memories of fireworks?

***

Firework delivery vehicle:

Not those fireworks? Oh well... Never mind (but I've been waiting to use the photo).

***

What are you hobbying?

The thread is not limited to to the theme. Anything (legal) you are hobbying is welcome. Even if the theme does not speak to you, you might learn something. If not, find something else or offer something else relating to hobbying. If all of that fails, just check in and say hello.

As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Leave politics and religion to threads elsewhere (unless your hobby is building or restoring churches). Pants are optional. As always, puns are welcome and encouraged.

Play nice and do not be rude. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls.

***

Are you wise in the ways of Zambelli?

***

Time for science:

***

Flying a drone through a fireworks show:

Don't try this at home.

***

How does a synchronized fireworks show come together? Glad you asked.

***

There are many videos across the interweb of stupid people doing stupid things with fireworks. Those will not be appearing in this content. But... was anyone in San Diego in 2012 when all the fireworks were set off within 15 seconds?

***

Sydney's New Year's fireworks show on the bridge is one of the biggest each year:

***

Check out the Nagaoka Fireworks festival in Japan each August:

***

Drone shows are a related but separate concept. I was going to leave them out, but "explosive laden quadcopter" earned a spot in the content.

***

The scale modelers of the group that make race cars should love this:

***

Did some of the flyover activity yesterday pass low and slow above TRex HQ? Yes. Yes it did. It did not suck.

***

Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We did an flight simulator theme. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

Notable comments from last week:

***

Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

***

Reminder: if you put links in the comments, use a URL shortener and describe what you're linking to. Failing to do either or both makes you barrel-eligible. Don't make people click to find out what you're linking.

Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Nice pics!

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at July 04, 2026 05:34 PM (hRGfZ)

2 Welcome Hobbiests

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 05:34 PM (Ia/+0)

3 The San Diego 2012 episode is perfect in my book. Lots of wow factor and super respectful of everyone’s time. This should be a genre of firework shows. I would frequent these.

Posted by: HappyFun at July 04, 2026 05:36 PM (CoQfd)

4 When I lived in New Mexico I would go buy literally hundreds of dollars worth of fireworks every year. My favorite being, of course, mortars that were like miniatures of the professional aerial displays.

Can't do that here in AZ. Neighbors get pissy when you set the town on fire.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at July 04, 2026 05:39 PM (+9wcF)

5 Ditto the pics.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA!

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 05:40 PM (jU8k8)

6 Afternoon, hobbyists,

As I mentioned earlier today, fireworks fill me with zero interest. They seem dangerously without safeguards. A gun's explosive power is contained within metal. A firework? *Cardboard* around the powder? Uh, Homie don't play dat.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 04, 2026 05:42 PM (wzUl9)

7 The older I get the shorter I want the fireworks display to be.

Posted by: polynikes at July 04, 2026 05:43 PM (/WQyy)

8 Over the past week, I went to Lake Arrowhead State Park, Cleburne State Park, and Dinosaur Valley State Park. So now I have 16 of 88 (?) and the stamps get more numerous. As do the fridge magnets.

Looking at how to make lemonade out of lemons by hitting five more this week.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 04, 2026 05:45 PM (4g5V+)

9 Watching
https://freedom250.org/celebration/ etc

It's supposed to be tall ships in NY harbor. Well, it isn't. It's a view of the mall with people talking in the background.

It shouldn't be so difficult to find events. The Mt. Rushmore presentation was good. Finding things today is a chore.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 05:45 PM (jU8k8)

10 If you want you can see my painting of Mt Rushmore I did with just a palette knife in my nic.

Posted by: polynikes at July 04, 2026 05:45 PM (/WQyy)

11 Squeeze a safe and sane "Picolo Pete" 3/4 down with pliers, it will whistle and explode.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at July 04, 2026 05:45 PM (Kt19C)

12 I am a sucker for fireworks displays on the right occasions. The Fourth of July being a perfect one. It’s going to make going to work tonight suck, though.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 04, 2026 05:46 PM (4g5V+)

13 Perhaps one of the most impressive fireworks displays I have seen was at Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong for Christmas Day. This back in 2005.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 04, 2026 05:47 PM (4g5V+)

14 Very impressive photography, TRex. That C17....

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 04, 2026 05:50 PM (nbLIj)

15 JTB, if you're here, and for any other pipe smoking enthusiasts: I have created what I call the "Denmark Express"! The tobacco mix is 70% Erik Stokkebye Morning Blend, a mild burley/Virginia, and about 30% Peter Stokkebye PS 41 Cube-Cut tobacco, ditto. Both are Danish tobaccos. The mix went into a Danish pipe, the Georg Jensen small straight sandblast billiard with four gold rings on the shank; I call it the "captain's pipe."

Result: Cool smoking for over half an hour, not any more relights needed than with any other blend. A nice toasty aroma, too.

I don't often match pipe country with tobacco country. Yes, Peterson pipes sometimes get a Peterson tobacco, and a German tobacco in a German pipe, but it's rare. I have several French-made pipes -- but I don't know if there are any French-made pipe tobaccos. Are there?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 04, 2026 05:50 PM (wzUl9)

16 RV Park not far from country place would do an elaborate Independence Day display. Always looked forward to it.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 05:52 PM (jU8k8)

17 Nice work polynikes.

Posted by: Kratwurst at July 04, 2026 05:52 PM (9gKa/)

18 Hmmmm.....awful strange coinky-dink that the wheel landed on 'fireworks' on the Fourth of July...are you sure somebody didn't reach out with his stubby little 'arm' and put his 'thumb' on the wheel?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 05:53 PM (QGaXH)

19 14 Very impressive photography, TRex. That C17....
Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 04, 2026 05:50 PM (nbLIj)

I love that plane. Flew in the many a time.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 04, 2026 05:54 PM (4g5V+)

20
What are you hobbying?

Been making a laptop shelf with a cooling fan that can hold both of my 17" laptops. Forced AI to design it using typed prompts to create the design file. Gonna finish the raw pieces tomorrow, and use the 40w laser to cut the pieces out next week while I'm recovering from shoulder surgery.

Posted by: BifBewalski - at July 04, 2026 05:56 PM (QVmho)

21 Are those F-22s in first photo?

Posted by: polynikes at July 04, 2026 05:58 PM (/WQyy)

22 Well done on the AC pix, TRex! ‘Murica!

Posted by: RI Red at July 04, 2026 05:58 PM (WcJqs)

23 >>Been making a laptop shelf with a cooling fan that can hold both of my 17" laptops.
--

Looks at Styrofoam enclosure hanging by a wire screwed into back of monitor... oh, well, little Beelink is cool.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 06:00 PM (jU8k8)

24 Some 50 years ago, I was flying a Huey back to Ft. Campbell, KY at night. Maybe 5000 feet altitude. I remember looking down on dozens of small town fireworks.
‘Murica!

Posted by: RI Red at July 04, 2026 06:02 PM (WcJqs)

25 Well that was special. B2, B1 and B52 in formation over our house. What a sound.

Posted by: TRex - bombadier dino at July 04, 2026 06:02 PM (IQ6Gq)

26 What are you hobbying?

At the moment, nothing. Waiting on the old house to sell so I can stop paying that mortgage and start dumping money into a new electronics bench, and maybe a 3D printer.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at July 04, 2026 06:03 PM (+9wcF)

27 Trying to decide to go out for fireworks or stay home

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 06:03 PM (Ia/+0)

28 Hey Blanco!

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 04, 2026 06:04 PM (lfni7)

29 21 Are those F-22s in first photo?

Posted by: polynikes at July 04, 2026 05:58 PM
***
Yessir.

Posted by: TRex - thrust vector dino at July 04, 2026 06:04 PM (IQ6Gq)

30 That B2 is the shit. The first time Trump was president he had that party in DC and there were flyovers happening around the east coast. I was at a car show and a B2 with other planes flew directly over us and really low. Damn what a sight that was. I'm not sure what was flanking, maybe f35s or f22s maybe. Total bad ass.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at July 04, 2026 06:05 PM (3kxek)

31 You do have some great memories and stories RI Red....your words paint a very vivid picture....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 06:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

32 8 Looking at how to make lemonade out of lemons by hitting five more this week.
Posted by: Cow Demon at July 04, 2026 05:45 PM (4g5V+)

Dinosaur Valley looks interesting - might put that on the itinerary for a fall or spring road trip. Looks too hot in summer.

What is the lemon you are trying to make lemonade out of?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:05 PM (QGaXH)

33 The B series are doing a flyover. The exhaust of the '52 looks like 8 Mack trucks climbing a hill. Choke on it watermelons.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 06:06 PM (jU8k8)

34 I finished assembling and initial testing of a 20/40 meter dipole antenna. I'm going to deploy it a few times in the field before doing any final trimming, but it should work well enough as is especially with a tuner.

Posted by: PabloD at July 04, 2026 06:06 PM (byoW7)

35 Got a shot earlier today of a Spooky AC-130. Didn't realize they let those out in the day time. Glad never to be downrange of one.

Posted by: TRex - spooky dino at July 04, 2026 06:06 PM (IQ6Gq)

36 Been cleaning my lead pile. Virtually all comes from lead drywall. A lead sheet is glued under high pressure to a sheet of drywall. The paper residue comes off, the mastic better than 1/3.
I could have over 500 pounds

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 06:06 PM (Ia/+0)

37 Getting ready to spend a week in Yosemite Valley with a bunch of in-laws, out-laws, scofflaws and other ilk starting Friday.

Wish me luck, patience and fortitude.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:08 PM (QGaXH)

38 I watched the tall ships sail up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge...pretty damned impressive!

And...the photo of the B-1 is great. That plane is just awesome.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at July 04, 2026 06:08 PM (PLxDd)

39 Easiest way to clean it 100% is make lead ingots, might have 200 pounds of my pile alresdy

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 06:08 PM (Ia/+0)

40 One of my unofficial sons earned a license to shoot off professional fireworks. His neighbors are very tolerant. I've never been over to his place for the show but my real kids spend every Fourth there.

As an aside, the same kid has managed to turn his back yard into an officially recognized wildlife area. He claims he just watched YouTube for instructions.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin at July 04, 2026 06:09 PM (DK5Sh)

41 What is the lemon you are trying to make lemonade out of?
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:05 PM (QGaXH)

Eh, got a car in the shop. Nothing serious, but nothing I wanted to risk driving through The Big Empty either. Once I get it back, I’m taking my time getting back home.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 04, 2026 06:10 PM (4g5V+)

42 The little tanks that are powered by the fuse are the best. Pew!

Posted by: H at July 04, 2026 06:10 PM (15qXl)

43 Got a shot earlier today of a Spooky AC-130. Didn't realize they let those out in the day time. Glad never to be downrange of one.

Posted by: TRex - spooky dino at July 04, 2026 06:06 PM (IQ6Gq

We lost six AC 130s in a Vietnam and one in Desert Storm.

We used them extensively in Afghanistan and Iraq with no losses. I find that pretty amazing.

Posted by: polynikes at July 04, 2026 06:11 PM (/WQyy)

44 39 Easiest way to clean it 100% is make lead ingots, might have 200 pounds of my pile alresdy

Posted by: Skip
---

So, it's home. Great.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 06:11 PM (jU8k8)

45 Thr thing about flyovers is that far moe US planes, in spite of the system, work. Whereas all the assholes, well, you know.

Posted by: Hokey Pokey at July 04, 2026 06:13 PM (YlWIZ)

46 Growing up in the Midwest meant that we had access to pretty good fireworks, though I never got my hands on any M-80s - which probably explains why I still have both hands. It's a miracle that I and my childhood friends still have two eyes apiece, what with all the bottle rocket fights.

Posted by: PabloD at July 04, 2026 06:13 PM (byoW7)

47 I worked with a guy whose hobby was fireworks. He would do one of the local Fourth of July shows. He also worked part-time doing the fireworks at Disney. We were worriers with similar senses of humor. One time I told him 'let's face it, Bill, we're worriers not warriors....LOL!'

Died too soon of a stroke at age 56.

RIP Billy.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:16 PM (QGaXH)

48 One summer at the lake... a guy in the cabin next door was out on his patio, disassembling firecrackers to make *whatever* with the powder.

Meanwhile, my cousin and his 2 young boys were working on their own little project. You see, they'd been to a water park recently and wanted to build their own water balloon launcher, strung between 2 trees using a bucket and strips of rubber (cut from an innertube).

You see where this is going, yes? LOL

***SPLASH!!!***

Dude with the firecrackers was caught *completely* off-guard and oh, boy did he use some language like I'd not heard before! Probably messed his pants too!

Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 06:17 PM (rdVOm)

49 Couple weeks is Historicon in Lancaster, can't wait

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 06:17 PM (Ia/+0)

50 Nice work poly. I cannot say as I have ever painted anything patritoic.

Posted by: ... at July 04, 2026 06:18 PM (vE0+H)

51

To stay safe, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends maintaining a distance of at least 500 feet from any fireworks launch site.

And wear your mask.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 04, 2026 06:18 PM (Cqx++)

52 41 Eh, got a car in the shop. Nothing serious, but nothing I wanted to risk driving through The Big Empty either. Once I get it back, I’m taking my time getting back home.
Posted by: Cow Demon at July 04, 2026 06:10 PM (4g5V+)

The Big Empty ?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:19 PM (QGaXH)

53 And wear your mask.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr.
--

Helmet too.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 06:19 PM (jU8k8)

54 Resurrected my 1979 Sony turntable and amp combo earlier this week. Picked up a stereo cabinet a neighbor was selling. Came with a pair of 40" tall Sony speakers, which was an upgrade from my bookshelf speakers.

Had to repair one of the speaker wires, so I busted out the solder kit and gave Little a brief demo of proper(ish) home electronics repair. (As I type, there is a small boil from an errant ball of solder that landed on my knuckle during the process).

Anyway, turntable and amp got connected. Also added my Teac dual cassette deck, because I still have cassettes in the collection. The speakers performed admirably. Little found and put on Meet the Beatles, which was the first album my late sister ever bought. Found the room getting dusty as side A played through...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 04, 2026 06:20 PM (nbLIj)

55 Used to know a guy lived in benton ca. Fire depth would leave him alone but stand by. Dedicated chemical grinding vessels.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at July 04, 2026 06:22 PM (Kt19C)

56 54 Little found and put on Meet the Beatles, which was the first album my late sister ever bought. Found the room getting dusty as side A played through...

That stuff will do it to ya.....

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:22 PM (QGaXH)

57 "Little found and put on Meet the Beatles, which was the first album my late sister ever bought. "

My sisters and I wore that album out. It was a big deal.

Posted by: Tuna at July 04, 2026 06:25 PM (lJ0H4)

58 To stay safe, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) recommends maintaining a distance of at least 500 feet from any fireworks launch site.

And wear your mask.
Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 04, 2026 06:18 PM (Cqx++)
___

Pfft.
Whatevers.

Posted by: 13 Bravo - King of Battle at July 04, 2026 06:26 PM (lfni7)

59 Helmet too.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 06:19 PM (jU8k

___

Praise God that I never have to wear one ever again.

Posted by: 13 Bravo - King of Battle at July 04, 2026 06:27 PM (lfni7)

60 Off gunbunny sock.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 04, 2026 06:28 PM (lfni7)

61 I still remember the feel of fireworks going off when I was little. They shot them over the harbor or off the beach and when they exploded I could feel the force on my chest, like a push of the air. Whether it was the dense night air over the Atlantic, my smaller size, or proximity, I haven't felt that as an adult.

Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026 06:28 PM (yTvNw)

62 When I was a kid (about 29 years ago), I put a cherry bomb in my mother's mop bucket (full of water), because I heard that the fuse would burn under water. It did, and it turned that mop bucket into a piece of scrap. I took it far away and hid it. Denied knowing where the bucket was. I am lucky my parents didn't kill me.

Posted by: Admirale's Mate at July 04, 2026 06:29 PM (/enuJ)

63 Miss SMH! So very good to "see" you. Have you completed the move yet?

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at July 04, 2026 06:29 PM (+9wcF)

64 July 4th 1976 #1 on billboard was a Silly Little Love Songs.

#1 now is Choosin Texas by Ella Langley

2026 wins !!

Posted by: polynikes at July 04, 2026 06:30 PM (/WQyy)

65
gunbunny, cute.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others at July 04, 2026 06:30 PM (jU8k8)

66 TRex, Thanks for the videos on how fireworks are developed for various effects. I've long wondered how that was done.

Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026 06:31 PM (yTvNw)

67 Today marks one month in the new digs, Blanco.
Spent the afternoon at a creek nearby, and will head into town to watch the fireworks.

God bless Missouri.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 04, 2026 06:31 PM (lfni7)

68 I made my fireworks run two years ago to West Virginia. Actually, it was a visit to Gettysburg, but the W. Virginia line is just under 50 miles away, and it was a couple weeks before the 4th....so it would have been rude not to make a quick trip down to stock up.

W. Virginia, basically, has no restrictions....just an age limit. So, I'm sitting on about 100 Reloadable Aerial Mortars, in addition to the more mundane and kid friendly stuff. I figure I put salt licks out for the deer, and they eat my apples without permission, so I'm owed a little leniency. I have no close neighbors to my residence, I have just over 15 acres of mowed lawn without fire hazards, so I'm not worried about fires....just my fingers. BTW, I see a lot of dogs have problems with the loud bangs. Mine, I have to keep tied up so he doesn't try to chase them when they go up. He's a free spirit. Incidentally, his name is Orson (which I stole for my screen name) and he's a black lab.

Posted by: Orson at July 04, 2026 06:33 PM (dIske)

69 Jon Michael Raasch
@JMRaasch
Our planes are so sick my God.
F-35 hovering over the National Mall.

-
Secular Talk (KyleKulinskiShow@bsky.social)
@KyleKulinski
Can’t have healthcare or childcare but we h0ave hovering planes of death. America is a fail state.

-
"Hovering planes of death"? America, F*ck Yeah!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at July 04, 2026 06:37 PM (ndZc7)

70 66 TRex, Thanks for the videos on how fireworks are developed for various effects. I've long wondered how that was done.

Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026 06:31 PM
***
You're welcome. Seems like half the hobby thread video content is de-mystifying how things are done or made. I'm continually fascinated.

Posted by: TRex - firework technician dino at July 04, 2026 06:37 PM (IQ6Gq)

71 68 ....Incidentally, his name is Orson (which I stole for my screen name) and he's a black lab.
Posted by: Orson at July 04, 2026 06:33 PM (dIske)

Sounds like a lucky dog with 15 acres to call his own...

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:37 PM (QGaXH)

72 [Deleted for politics content. Please stick to hobbying. -TRex]

Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, Vt at July 04, 2026 06:38 PM (kBcTc)

73 If you want you can see my painting of Mt Rushmore I did with just a palette knife in my nic.

Wow, polynikes, that's damn good! I could never do squat with a palette knife; I'm envious. Too impressionist for my nit-picky nature and obsessive desire for details, I guess.

Posted by: tankascribe at July 04, 2026 06:38 PM (NtoJk)

74 Sounds like a lucky dog with 15 acres to call his own...
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:37 PM (QGaXH)
___________________________

I get the same look from him every morning. "Dude...those rabbits aren't going to harrass themselves. Let's go."

Posted by: Orson at July 04, 2026 06:39 PM (dIske)

75 "Hovering planes of death"
___

Is this supposed to be an insult?

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 04, 2026 06:39 PM (lfni7)

76 Secular Talk (KyleKulinskiShow@bsky.social)
@KyleKulinski
Can’t have healthcare or childcare but we h0ave hovering planes of death. America is a fail state.
------

*?*

I thought that Obamacare fixed that.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 04, 2026 06:40 PM (XeU6L)

77 Cripes! The Italicans have invaded... on the fourth!

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 04, 2026 06:41 PM (XeU6L)

78 9 Jon Michael Raasch
@JMRaasch
Our planes are so sick my God.
F-35 hovering over the National Mall.

Must have been a USMC VTOL F-35 Aircraft if it was hovering. I think I saw a F-35 also do a Tail walk above the Capitol...

Massive Hard On ................

Posted by: Jackson K. at July 04, 2026 06:41 PM (JDSUL)

79 [Deleted for politics content. Please stick to hobbying. - TRex]

Posted by: steevy at July 04, 2026 06:41 PM (YwEeS)

80 Getting ready to spend a week in Yosemite Valley with a bunch of in-laws, out-laws, scofflaws and other ilk starting Friday.
Wish me luck, patience and fortitude.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan

Gonna be hot in the valley this upcoming week (not to mention crowded) so you're gonna need all the patience and fortitude you can bring to bear. But good luck and try not to murder anyone while you're there!

Posted by: tankascribe at July 04, 2026 06:42 PM (NtoJk)

81 Secular Talk (KyleKulinskiShow@bsky.social)
@KyleKulinski
Can’t have healthcare or childcare but we h0ave hovering planes of death. America is a fail state.

America is a powerful state. You on the other hand douchebag are a failed sperm cell.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at July 04, 2026 06:42 PM (3kxek)

82 I am working up a project to sew some caps. Most of the caps I can buy are either really expensive, really cheaply made, or ball caps.
And I have plenty of ball caps.

Posted by: Kindltot at July 04, 2026 06:42 PM (rbvCR)

83 The Big Empty ?
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:19 PM (QGaXH)

There ain’t a whole lot between The Metroplex and the Panhandle.

Posted by: Cow Demon at July 04, 2026 06:43 PM (4g5V+)

84 Polynikes thats pretty good

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 06:43 PM (Ia/+0)

85 Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 06:17 PM (rdVOm)
______________________

Everyone had a crazy friend in high school. My crazy friend used to use a toilet paper roll, some black powder with wax stops on both ends, and a standard wick he pulled off of those smoke bombs you can get at the hardware store for rodents.

Shockingly, the last time I saw him he had all his fingers.

Posted by: Orson at July 04, 2026 06:43 PM (dIske)

86 Looks like the fireworks in Babylon DC are going to have some competition from massive thunderstorms that are moving through.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at July 04, 2026 06:44 PM (ntk8v)

87 Meet the Beatles, which was the first album my late sister ever bought.

-
The first album I ever bought was the Beatles second album cleverly entitled The Beatles Second Album.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at July 04, 2026 06:44 PM (ndZc7)

88 Zambelli Fireworks! They have a major storage area not far from my sisters farm in PA.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at July 04, 2026 06:45 PM (ntk8v)

89 Sorry about the OT I didn't realize it was the hobby thread( even though it's the title🫣

Posted by: steevy at July 04, 2026 06:48 PM (YwEeS)

90 Dear TRex, thank you for the Hobby Thread, and for putting in hard work on this bestest of holidays! I swear, it's never been a better time to be an American and hang out with all you lovely folks! Hats off to Ace!

Posted by: tankascribe at July 04, 2026 06:49 PM (NtoJk)

91
Zambelli? And Grucci? Have the Eyetalians cornered the pyrotechnics biz in these United States?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 04, 2026 06:50 PM (O0L8i)

92 Was it the Grucci's who had the devastating explosion that killed several members of the family?

Posted by: steevy at July 04, 2026 06:50 PM (YwEeS)

93 Black powder is dangerous shit in large amounts

Posted by: steevy at July 04, 2026 06:51 PM (YwEeS)

94
Posted by: steevy at July 04, 2026 06:50 PM (YwEeS)

__________

It was

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 04, 2026 06:52 PM (O0L8i)

95 Spent the afternoon at a creek nearby, and will head into town to watch the fireworks.

Now that sounds like a good day. Going over to a friends house to watch the fireworks in a bit. They live on a hill overlooking the park, need a pass to even get into the neighborhood.

Posted by: Blanco Basura - Z28.310 at July 04, 2026 06:52 PM (+9wcF)

96 Black powder is dangerous shit in large amounts
Posted by: steevy

White powder is heavenly.
- Hunter Biden

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at July 04, 2026 06:53 PM (ndZc7)

97 Who has large amounts?
I made some black powder, seems to work fine and burns quickly. Won't in my musket and not sure why.

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 06:54 PM (Ia/+0)

98 15 ... "I have created what I call the "Denmark Express"! The tobacco mix is 70% Erik Stokkebye Morning Blend, a mild burley/Virginia, and about 30% Peter Stokkebye PS 41 Cube-Cut tobacco"

Wolfus, That sounds like a nice combo. Haven't tried the Morning Blend but the Cube Cut is excellent. It's basically an American non-aromatic, no topping just burley and Virginia. The processing seems to meld the different leafs nicely. Curious what you think of Cube Cut by itself.

I never think to match tobacco and pipe from the same country. I'm not that organized. But I'm a big fan of Stokkebye 4th Generation pipes and the company's blends. Their flake blends are excellent, especially the Deluxe Navy Flake.

Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026 06:54 PM (yTvNw)

99 Everyone had a crazy friend in high school. My crazy friend used to use a toilet paper roll, some black powder with wax stops on both ends, and a standard wick he pulled off of those smoke bombs you can get at the hardware store for rodents.

Shockingly, the last time I saw him he had all his fingers.
Posted by: Orson at July 04, 2026 06:43 PM (dIske)

My group were those crazy friends. We used to take coffee cans, fill them with gas, then punch a small hole in the plastic lid big enough for an m80 fuse to poke through. We put a few layers of plastic wrap over the can pushing it down enough to make an area for the m80. Pop the lid on, bury the can up to the lid, light the fuse, run like hell and enjoy the huge mushroom cloud. We started small with baby food jars and fire crackers, but they were lame.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at July 04, 2026 06:55 PM (3kxek)

100 We're back from the farm where we shot a bunch of guns and I got stung on the hand by a wasp. It swole up real good.

Posted by: fd at July 04, 2026 06:55 PM (MWfyi)

101 The European mind simply cannot comprehend a random citizen playing the national anthem with a semi automatic rifle in their backyard shooting range

https://tinyurl.com/2va2u2mu

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 04, 2026 06:55 PM (lfni7)

102 This is the start of Tour de Fleece. It's mainly spinning activities that go on during the Tour deFrance. Some Ravelry groups have give aways, and it involves progress reports on what you've done. It's not something I usually do but my You Tube feed is full of people that participate.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at July 04, 2026 06:56 PM (bkuEU)

103 My hobby is building doll houses. I get that it's for old ladies but hear me out. I can decorate to my heart's content. Plus, I keep my brain active. I have about 25 of them now. Each one is my favorite.

Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at July 04, 2026 06:57 PM (+QijZ)

104 We used to use spray paint cans as targets firing shotgun. Kawpo! Blue! Kapoor! Red!

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at July 04, 2026 06:57 PM (ndZc7)

105 104 Put canvas behind it and instant modern art...

Posted by: steevy at July 04, 2026 06:58 PM (YwEeS)

106 I watched the tall ships sail up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge...pretty damned impressive!"

So did I. In 1976.

Posted by: man at July 04, 2026 06:59 PM (cGjQu)

107 74 Sounds like a lucky dog with 15 acres to call his own...
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 06:37 PM (QGaXH)
___________________________

I get the same look from him every morning. "Dude...those rabbits aren't going to harrass themselves. Let's go."
Posted by: Orson at July 04, 2026 06:39 PM (dIske)

Ha! And where approximately is this slice of heaven?

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 07:00 PM (QGaXH)

108 KyleKulinski
Can’t have healthcare or childcare but we h0ave hovering planes of death. America is a fail state."

Wait, there's no medical services in America? No schools? Amazing .

Posted by: man at July 04, 2026 07:01 PM (cGjQu)

109 Oddly enough, some of the best fireworks displays I've seen were at the Washington Nationals Single A farm team stadium. They happened after a Saturday night home game. A solid thirty minutes of good fireworks. Nobody left those games early.

Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026 07:02 PM (yTvNw)

110 Hovering Planes of Death is a killer name for a metal band.

Posted by: steevy at July 04, 2026 07:02 PM (YwEeS)

111 New York Post
@nypost
Paul Pelosi charged with hit-and-run in Napa County

-
Before it was run and get hit.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at July 04, 2026 07:03 PM (ndZc7)

112 Bottle rockets. We had bottle rocket wars with the fraternity acrosss Monroe Street. Had to drive to Ohio to get them. It became very scientific with foil lined boxes holding dozens of bottle rockets fused in sequence. Yikes.

The cops always came but no one answered the door.

Once, opponents tried to create a lighting implement using a roll of toilet paper doused in gasoline at the end of a broom handle. It slid off the handle and rolled into the gutter below their dormer window. On fire. LOL. No major damage.

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at July 04, 2026 07:03 PM (S8cdb)

113 And my $135 electric spinning wheel is providing a lot of entertainment. I don't know why they call them electric spinning wheels as there are no wheels. This is injection molded with some 3D printed parts. I've never been interested in these but the designer is trying to make affordable spinning gear. He has even designed a cage to fit around the wheel, to prevent a cat from playing with it while being operated.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at July 04, 2026 07:04 PM (bkuEU)

114 KyleKulinski
Can’t have healthcare or childcare but we h0ave hovering planes of death. America is a fail state."

Wait, there's no medical services in America? No schools? Amazing .
Posted by: man at July 04, 2026 07:01 PM (cGjQu)

Well to be fair, to anti American communist ball bags, military power, security, and freedom always takes a back seat to free shit.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at July 04, 2026 07:05 PM (3kxek)

115 Well to be fair, to anti American communist ball bags, military power, security, and freedom always takes a back seat to free shit.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at July 04, 2026 07:05 PM (3kxek)
---

lol, yep.

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 04, 2026 07:06 PM (lfni7)

116 KyleKulinski
Can’t have healthcare or childcare but we h0ave hovering planes of death. America is a fail state."

The replies to this are hilarious! Not much of a hobbyist unless golf and fishing are hobbies. I'll try to get some in my next days off.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at July 04, 2026 07:07 PM (ntk8v)

117 Missed you loads SMH seeing you around more now is like coming home.

Posted by: ... at July 04, 2026 07:07 PM (vE0+H)

118 Ha! And where approximately is this slice of heaven?
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 07:00 PM (QGaXH)
_______________________________

Let's just say a rural part of PA where the Township president doubles as one of the snow plow operators and frequently wears his MAGA hat to Township meetings just to piss people off. I might be related to that guy.

Posted by: Orson at July 04, 2026 07:08 PM (dIske)

119 87 Meet the Beatles, which was the first album my late sister ever bought.

-
The first album I ever bought was the Beatles second album cleverly entitled The Beatles Second Album.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at July 04, 2026 06:44 PM (ndZc7)
They were certainly geniuses when it came to impressing teenage girls. Sir George Martin was the musical horsepower behind most of their stuff, even the drug-fueled stuff. I used to have all their albums.

Posted by: Eromero at July 04, 2026 07:09 PM (LHPAg)

120 111 New York Post
@nypost
Paul Pelosi charged with hit-and-run in Napa County

-
Before it was run and get hit.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks and His All White Jury! at July 04, 2026 07:03 PM (ndZc7)

___________________________

Was he HAMMERED???? *zing*

Posted by: Orson at July 04, 2026 07:10 PM (dIske)

121 Pondered trying to make a rocket with my black powder

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 07:10 PM (Ia/+0)

122 103 My hobby is building doll houses. I get that it's for old ladies but hear me out. I can decorate to my heart's content. Plus, I keep my brain active. I have about 25 of them now. Each one is my favorite.
Posted by: ALH, Sister Golden Hair at July 04, 2026 06:57 PM (+QijZ)

You should probably avoid the guy with the M-80 gas bombs....

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 07:11 PM (QGaXH)

123 Thanks, Ellipsis. : )

Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 04, 2026 07:11 PM (lfni7)

124 103 ... "My hobby is building doll houses. I get that it's for old ladies but hear me out. I can decorate to my heart's content. Plus, I keep my brain active. I have about 25 of them now. Each one is my favorite."

Working with miniatures whether doll houses, military figures like Skip does, or small exacting activity like fly tying or needlecraft has benefits. No age requirements.

Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026 07:11 PM (yTvNw)

125 Of course when was a teenage bot I used Beatle tunes to impress teenage girls because I won't much to look at.

Posted by: Eromero at July 04, 2026 07:11 PM (LHPAg)

126 >>I watched the tall ships sail up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge...pretty damned impressive!

They used to come here. It was spectacular seeing those magnificent old ships come cruising up the bay.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 04, 2026 07:11 PM (viF8m)

127 I built a doll house 1"=1' scale, it can be quite challenging

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 07:16 PM (Ia/+0)

128 After one of my childhood cronies received a Gilbert chemistry set, we realized that we could homebrew black powder using drug store components ,and grinding our own charcoal.

Many toy soldiers and toys suffered terribly in consequence. Before it was over, we were making two varieties of electrically ignited devices, as well as submarine devices. All by the time that we were twelve years old.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 04, 2026 07:17 PM (XeU6L)

129 https://tinyurl.com/2nyhx6ce
Front view

Posted by: Skip at July 04, 2026 07:18 PM (Ia/+0)

130 101 The European mind simply cannot comprehend a random citizen playing the national anthem with a semi automatic rifle in their backyard shooting range

https://tinyurl.com/2va2u2mu
Posted by: SMH at God's mercy at July 04, 2026 06:55 PM (lfni7)
Ironically, they have great cheese.

Posted by: Eromero at July 04, 2026 07:19 PM (LHPAg)

131 This week I made only 24 HF contacts, but worked BH8ABY Chengdu, DS5USH Daegu, and several new-to-me Japanese stations on 15m. I also heard, but did not work, stations in Singapore and Vietnam. Worked a couple of new-to-me US counties, bringing my confirmed county total to 1912.

Posted by: gp at July 04, 2026 07:19 PM (Jr5Lq)

132 Terrific photography, TRex.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at July 04, 2026 07:21 PM (CHHv1)

133 This week I made only 24 HF contacts, but worked BH8ABY Chengdu, DS5USH Daegu, and several new-to-me Japanese stations on 15m. I also heard, but did not work, stations in Singapore and Vietnam. Worked a couple of new-to-me US counties, bringing my confirmed county total to 1912.
Posted by: gp
-----
[hangs head in shame]

Posted by: Mike Hammer, Inactive Know-code Extra at July 04, 2026 07:22 PM (XeU6L)

134 I suspect that a lot of those fly-over shots came from the PenguiinSix channel. I love that guy. He peddles all over DC for photo and video assignments on a bike.

Posted by: mrp at July 04, 2026 07:22 PM (rj6Yv)

135 Wolfus, That sounds like a nice combo. Haven't tried the Morning Blend but the Cube Cut is excellent. It's basically an American non-aromatic, no topping just burley and Virginia. The processing seems to meld the different leafs nicely. Curious what you think of Cube Cut by itself.

I never think to match tobacco and pipe from the same country. I'm not that organized. But I'm a big fan of Stokkebye 4th Generation pipes and the company's blends. Their flake blends are excellent, especially the Deluxe Navy Flake.
Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026

***
JTB, I bought the Cube-Cut a while ago and tried it. It smelled wonderful. Maybe I wasn't packing it loosely or firmly enough, but it was a devil to keep lit. Mixed into the Morning Blend's ribbon cut -- I drop a pinch of one blend, then the other into the bowl, so it's kind of a layered approach -- it works fine. Or maybe the CC is drier now.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 04, 2026 07:22 PM (wzUl9)

136 131 This week I made only 24 HF contacts, but worked BH8ABY Chengdu, DS5USH Daegu, and several new-to-me Japanese stations on 15m. I also heard, but did not work, stations in Singapore and Vietnam. Worked a couple of new-to-me US counties, bringing my confirmed county total to 1912.
Posted by: gp at July 04, 2026 07:19 PM (Jr5Lq)

gp, your name will be carved on the next Patriotic Rock.
Wolverines!

Posted by: Eromero at July 04, 2026 07:23 PM (LHPAg)

137 MrTea would turn magnesium hot water electrodes into very, very fine threads and mix it with homemade black powder to make flash powder.
He and a friend were making smoke bombs in said friend's kitchen and it ignited on the stove. They took the pan outside but some of it boiled over the side and damaged the brand new linoleum.
First they made the shock-sensitive material. Then they made their own poppers with BBs. One of the BBs fell off the paper, hit the mixture and detonated the entire batch. The boys couldn't hear for 2 hours.

Posted by: TecumsehTea at July 04, 2026 07:24 PM (4VH0B)

138 "[hangs head in shame]"

I'm an FT8 operator, not phone or CW, which require much more skill than FT8, so feel free to discount my contacts somewhat, and alleviate some shame

Posted by: gp at July 04, 2026 07:25 PM (Jr5Lq)

139 Time to say thank you before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. Thanks for being here. New theme next week.

Just saw the "old" robins' egg blue 747 used as AF1 cruise by. The new one made a pass over DC with a pair of B2s and a B1, but they were impolite enough to fly a few miles away from me.

You're welcome to stay here for a while but don't forget to join the Horde at Club ONT later. Happy Independence day everyone!

Posted by: TRex - altitude dino at July 04, 2026 07:28 PM (IQ6Gq)

140 131 This week I made only 24 HF contacts, but worked BH8ABY Chengdu, DS5USH Daegu, and several new-to-me Japanese stations on 15m. I also heard, but did not work, stations in Singapore and Vietnam. Worked a couple of new-to-me US counties, bringing my confirmed county total to 1912.
Posted by: gp at July 04, 2026 07:19 PM (Jr5Lq)

Very cool! As a boy in Florida I would stay up late at night with a simple AM radio seeing what I could pull in. Charlotte (WBT) and Nashville (WLAC?) were common, as was WABC (NYC). KAAY (Little Rock) and KMOX (St Louis) on occasion too. I still have my log of stations, frequency, dates and time.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 07:29 PM (QGaXH)

141 "As a boy in Florida I would stay up late at night with a simple AM radio seeing what I could pull in."

I still do that! AM BCB DX listening is fun.

Posted by: gp at July 04, 2026 07:29 PM (Jr5Lq)

142 Very cool! As a boy in Florida I would stay up late at night with a simple AM radio seeing what I could pull in. Charlotte (WBT) and Nashville (WLAC?) were common, as was WABC (NYC). KAAY (Little Rock) and KMOX (St Louis) on occasion too. I still have my log of stations, frequency, dates and time.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue
-------

WOWO, Ft Wayne?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 04, 2026 07:30 PM (XeU6L)

143 "As a boy in Florida I would stay up late at night with a simple AM radio seeing what I could pull in."

Last time I did that was about a month ago, mid-morning, with a plain loopstick radio, and logged 33 stations in less than half an hour. At night, it's easy to top that.

Posted by: gp at July 04, 2026 07:31 PM (Jr5Lq)

144 Hotdogs, baked beans, and potato salad. Let’s get started.

Posted by: Eromero at July 04, 2026 07:31 PM (LHPAg)

145 134 I suspect that a lot of those fly-over shots came from the PenguiinSix channel. I love that guy. He peddles all over DC for photo and video assignments on a bike.

Posted by: mrp at July 04, 2026 07:22 PM
***
I can assure you that the shots in the content came from your dino host.

Posted by: TRex - avgeek snapper dino at July 04, 2026 07:32 PM (IQ6Gq)

146 "As a boy in Florida I would stay up late at night with a simple AM radio seeing what I could pull in."

I still do that! AM BCB DX listening is fun.
Posted by: gp at July 04, 2026

***
As a college student, I did that, and heard the Eagles' "Take It Easy" and Johnny Nash's "Stir It Up" on Top 40 stations before my local WTIX was playing them.

I need to get a better quality AM/FM/Shortwave radio, maybe run an antenna out the window (?), and see what I can pick up at night.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 04, 2026 07:32 PM (wzUl9)

147 Very cool! As a boy in Florida I would stay up late at night with a simple AM radio seeing what I could pull in. Charlotte (WBT) and Nashville (WLAC?) were common, as was WABC (NYC). KAAY (Little Rock) and KMOX (St Louis) on occasion too. I still have my log of stations, frequency, dates and time.
Posted by: Anonymous Rogue
-------

WOWO, Ft Wayne?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 04, 2026

***
At night in 1977, coming back from my shift at KVPI in Ville Platte, LA, I could pick up stations in Beaumont and Lake Charles on FM, and KAAY on AM. I remember one cold night in November the DJ at KAAY playing "Shake Your Booty," and outro'ing it with, "Shake your booty, lest it freeze off."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 04, 2026 07:35 PM (wzUl9)

148 "KAAY (Little Rock)"

Beaker Street Underground! We used to listen to that late at night over fifty years ago.

Posted by: gp at July 04, 2026 07:35 PM (Jr5Lq)

149 142 WOWO, Ft Wayne?
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at July 04, 2026 07:30 PM (XeU6L)

Yes! And many more besides. Some interesting ones - WOAI San Antonio, K-something in Pennsylvania, both chartered before the W-K split was implemented.

Also XERF Ciudad Acuna Mexico and some Netherlands Antilles stations.

This was in SE Florida just north of Miami.

I'll be away next week but if I remember I'll share more in two weeks

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 07:37 PM (QGaXH)

150 Noooood.
Happy Independence Day!

Posted by: Erebus- Ex Killer Whale at July 04, 2026 07:37 PM (Cr2ed)

151 Hey Ronster buddy, where are you?

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 07:38 PM (IQ6Gq)

152 Thanks, Erebus!

Posted by: Nazdar at July 04, 2026 07:40 PM (NcvvS)

153 Well, well, well. You already know how I feel about movies.

Posted by: Ronster at July 04, 2026 07:40 PM (Wr7co)

154 140 ... :Very cool! As a boy in Florida I would stay up late at night with a simple AM radio seeing what I could pull in. Charlotte (WBT) and Nashville (WLAC?) were common, as was WABC (NYC). KAAY (Little Rock) and KMOX (St Louis) on occasion too. I still have my log of stations, frequency, "

Haven't done AM DXing for a while. Best time is night during the winter months. It can backfire on you. One time I got a nasty weather report. Turns out it was from a station in Ohio 600 miles west.

Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026 07:42 PM (yTvNw)

155 I used to take my girl friend to movies when in high school. I hated them all.

Posted by: Ronster at July 04, 2026 07:44 PM (Wr7co)

156 Tom Bolack, a former lt. governor and governor of NM, died in 1998 and was cremated. On Independence Day 1999, his son Tommy had his first annual personal fireworks display from the bluffs above the San Juan River. Some of the shells he had built and fired that night scattered Tom Bolack's ashes over his ranch below the bluffs.

Posted by: huerfano at July 04, 2026 07:46 PM (VJX5o)

157 Haven't done AM DXing for a while. Best time is night during the winter months. It can backfire on you. One time I got a nasty weather report. Turns out it was from a station in Ohio 600 miles west.
Posted by: JTB at July 04, 2026 07:42 PM (yTvNw)

Ever bring in KUMM? College station out of Minnesota..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 04, 2026 07:48 PM (nbLIj)

158 Well, well, well. You already know how I feel about movies.
Posted by: Ronster
*********
Yes, but we presume you are in favor of the traditional post HT party, aka the pre Club ONT party. Pull up a chair, what'll you have to drink?

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 07:49 PM (IQ6Gq)

159 I used to listen to KOMA to put myself to sleep.

Posted by: Ronster at July 04, 2026 07:50 PM (Wr7co)

160 Oh, very much in favor. I'll have a margarita.

Posted by: Ronster at July 04, 2026 07:52 PM (Wr7co)

161 Very festive...coming right up!

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 07:56 PM (IQ6Gq)

162 We just can't make a big mess or JQ will not be happy with us, and we don't want that. Here is an assortment of appetizers, too. They'll never miss them....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 07:58 PM (IQ6Gq)

163 I used to listen to KOMA to put myself to sleep.
Posted by: Ronster at July 04, 2026 07:50 PM (Wr7co)

KUMM had a famous promo tag back in the 70's - 80's:

"Don't touch that dial, you got KUMM on it!"

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 04, 2026 07:59 PM (nbLIj)

164 Hey Joe, sorry I missed you there...you want a beverage or some appetizers, too?

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 08:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

165 Woooh, it's toasty outside! Had to go across town to wet down a dry yard, now back home to continue watering my own...

Starting to hear booms in town. Praying neither house gets burned down tonight-- it's been so dry and now also windy.

Hubby didn't recognize me today, so that's just the crap icing on the poop cake.

Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 08:00 PM (rdVOm)

166 I agree about not upsetting JQ. She is a nice lady (most of the time).

Posted by: Ronster at July 04, 2026 08:05 PM (Wr7co)

167 Party on, you all! I don't care if you mess things up... Heck, I *encourage you* to EAT THE LAST ONE of whatever, LOL.

Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 08:06 PM (rdVOm)

168 Ah JQ, I'm so sorry to hear about your day. I know exactly how that feels. Have a seat and let me wait on you for a change...

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 08:07 PM (IQ6Gq)

169 Thanks, Grateful... I'd like a Long Island Iced Tea, please. Not doing any more driving today!

Yeah, it was strange when I saw hubby today, said hello and kissed him-- he recoiled slightly and asked "Who are you?" Gutted me.

Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 08:11 PM (rdVOm)

170 That is gutting...I feel so bad for you. It's a truly lousy disease on so many levels....here is your Long Island Iced Tea, and here is a plate of appetizers....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 08:13 PM (IQ6Gq)

171 JQ, what is your hubby going through that he didn't recognize you?

Posted by: Ronster at July 04, 2026 08:14 PM (Wr7co)

172 Thank you again, Grateful.

Ugh. I just can't even...

Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 08:16 PM (rdVOm)

173 Ronster, JQ's husband has dementia and is an assisted living facility

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 08:17 PM (IQ6Gq)

174 Ronster, he has dementia, due to liver disease.

Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 08:17 PM (rdVOm)

175 He is in a skilled nursing facility-- his needs are beyond assisted living.

Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 08:18 PM (rdVOm)

176 My bad, sorry I got that wrong....

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 08:19 PM (IQ6Gq)

177 JQ, I am sorry. That is sad.

Posted by: Ronster at July 04, 2026 08:19 PM (Wr7co)

178 165 Hubby didn't recognize me today, so that's just the crap icing on the poop cake.
Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 08:00 PM (rdVOm)

So sorry to read this JQ. Hope there are better days still to make up for the tough ones.

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 08:20 PM (QGaXH)

179 I wouldn't say no to a beer if somebody is serving....

Posted by: Anonymous Rogue in Kalifornistan (ARiK's Phone) at July 04, 2026 08:22 PM (QGaXH)

180 Coming right up sir....bottle or glass? And would you like some appetizers?

Posted by: The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 08:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

181 It's possible that he will recognize me tomorrow-- his delusions come & go-- but this was the first time he acted like I'm a total stranger. Knew the day would eventually come, but it's still a shocker.

Posted by: JQ at July 04, 2026 08:23 PM (rdVOm)

182 The Grateful - Acta Non Verba at July 04, 2026 08:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

Pina colada, please..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 04, 2026 08:23 PM (nbLIj)

Processing 0.03, elapsed 0.0251 seconds.
15 queries taking 0.0068 seconds, 191 records returned.
Page size 109 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.