My Little Buddy

Well, the big day finally came! Me 'n Goody Two Shoes are grandparents. Dimples gave birth to little Jackson early this morning after 14 hours of labor. None of us have hardly slept since Friday...but, hey, who cares, we can sleep later.

Soccer Dude, Dimples, & Jackson right after his grand arrival...at 1:13 this morning. Goody Two Shoes in the Nursery with her grandson. Jackson with his eyes open. We all think he looks like his daddy. "On the day that you were born the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true. So they sprinkled moondust in your hair and golden starlight in your eyes of blue." The Carpenters

Me 'n my Little Buddy.

Choo-Choo Charlie

Last Friday, I went out to catch the scenic train at the Cumberland station. It was a warm, sunny, almost picture perfect day. Thge platform was filled with eager passengers and I was having a blast.

Seems the fireman got a little distracted and gave 734 a little more water than she needed.

Got this nice shot as 734 blew off a little extra steam.

Saw that the coach 'Cumberland' was framed perfectly and I couldn't resist.

Shot a few photos looking down the platform. I really like this one! Now, while all this is going on, there much excitement back at the cab of the 734...as there always is. I mean, hey, it's a working steam locomotive and everyone wants to talk to the crew and snap a few photos. That said, while I was taking my photos I spotted a Choo-choo Charlie...uh, that's someone who just screams 'TRAIN NERD.' The guy's wife, as near as I could tell, purchased a cab ride for her husband. The scenic railroad sells seats in the cab...for a slightly higher price. Anyway, the little woman brings her overly excited husband to the train, and my goodness, what a sight he was. Now it the time to scroll down to the next picture.

He was certainly dressed for a day in the cab of a steam locomotive, but when he finished off his Casey Jones ensemble with a pair of sneakers, he went sailing right off the deep end. That's my opinion. I'll let you folks judge for yourself.
Click on the photo for a larger image so you can read all the little captions.

P.S. If Choo-choo Charlie ever sees this picture, I have only one thing to say. BUY SOME BOOTS, DUDE!

Daddy What's a Train?

Daddy, what's a train? Is it something I can ride?
Does it carry lots of grown-up folks and little kids inside?
Is it bigger than our house? Well how can I explain
When my little boy asks me Daddy what's a train?

When I was just a boy and living by the track,
Us kids would gather up the coal in big 'ole gunnysack,
Then we heard the warning sound as the train pulled into view,
The engineer would smile and wave as she went rolling through.

(photo from John G. King collection)

She blew so loud and clear, we had to cover up our ears,
And we counted cars just as high as we could go.
I can almost hear the steam and those big old drivers scream,
With a sound my little boy will never know.

(photo from John G. King collection)

Daddy, what's a train? Is it something I can ride?
Does it carry lots of grown-up folks and little kids inside?
Is it bigger than our house? Well how can I explain
When my little boy asks me Daddy what's a train?

(photo by William P. Price. from the author's collection)

I guess the times have changed, kids are different now,
'Cause some don't even seem to know that milk comes from a cow.
My little boy can tell the names of all the baseball stars,
I remember how we memorized the names on railroad cars.


The Wabash and the TP, Lackawanna, the IC,
Yeah, the Nickel-Plate, the good old Santa Fe.
Just names out of the past, I guess they're fading fast,
Every time I hear my little boy say.


Daddy, what's a train? Is it something I can ride?
Does it carry lots of grown-up folks and little kids inside?
Is it bigger than our house? Well how can I explain
When my little boy asks me "Daddy what's a train?


We climbed into the car, drove down into town,
Right up the depot house, but no one was around.
We searched the yard together for something I could show,
But I knew there hadn't been a train for a dozen years or so.


All the things I did when I was just a kid,
How far away those old memories appear.
I guess it's plain to see they still mean a lot to me,
'Cause my ambition was to be an engineer.


Daddy, what's a train? Is it something I can ride?
Does it carry lots of grown-up folks and little kids inside?
Is it bigger than our house? Well how can I explain
When my little boy asks me Daddy what's a train?

Words and music by Utah Phillips.



Utah Phillips was a folk singer, storyteller, poet, and was described as the Golden Voice of the Great Southwest. Phillips loved trains and recorded several albums of music related to the railroads, especially the era of steam locomotives. His first recorded album, ‘Good Though!’, contained the songs “Daddy, What's a Train?” and “Queen of the Rails,” as well as his most famous composition, the tall tale “Moose Turd Pie,” wherein Phillips tells of his work as a gandy dancer repairing track in the Southwest.

Old Utah caught his final train on May 23, 2008 at the age of 73.

6-6-44

Freedom isn't free.

Wordless Wednesday

Summer's Here

Nothing says summer's here like a carnival. Tonight was the last night for our carnival. Goody Two Shoes 'n me went down around closing time to take a few photos without too much of a crowd around. When I was young...much younger I'd ridden that Ferris wheel all night. Today I stand back and wave up at everyone as they go by.