Little did I know that there is also a Lionel retail shop on site. Those pictures above that are all nice and tidy (the last 6) are the shop. The shop isn’t huge and by no means carries the full range of Lionel merchandise, but it is nice, friendly, and well worth the visit.

I won’t tell you how much money I spent, heck I am still trying not to let myself know, but there were some great deals to be had. Sections of curved FasTrack were only a dollar each, and straights were two dollars. There were random un-boxed cars, mint in every way except missing their boxes, for just $10. Suffice it to say that I stocked up on all sorts of stuff. But hey, I needed it all, right?

I must also mention how nice everyone was. From the Lionel folks working the sale to the collectors, kids, and other shoppers, everyone was smiling, pleasant, helpful and just having a good time. These are toys after all!

So, to some up, I think I have a new must-attend event and perhaps a new kickoff to the holiday train season. Now to see if I can make it to York next year …

I am cutting the cord – at least on Sunday. Well, every Sunday. I spend on average at least 10 to 12 hours per work day on the computer. On the weekends, I spend less time than that, but still far too much. I need to regain control of my life. This means no more Internet on Sundays.

The first Sunday without Internet was two weeks ago and it went surprisingly well. No withdrawal symptoms, no website collapse, not even any missed deals on Amazon or eBay. What did happen is that time came back for reading real paper books, for writing with pen and paper, for working on the cars disassembled in the garage, and for baking. Yes, tomorrow there will be breakfast cooked before church and then eggnog rum bread baked in the afternoon.

When I say that there is no Internet on Sunday, I mean it. I don’t check email or the weather, shop, or hit Facebook. I don’t even write on the computer — I do it old school with a fountain pen and notebook. This goes to normal communication too. I will respond to a text message if sent one, but will not begin a discussion by text. If I need to talk with someone on Sunday, I actually talk to them. Yes, it is hard for me, but I will use the phone as a telephone on Sundays. Both my father and sister asked what was wrong when I called. Clearly that reaction points to the fact that something was indeed wrong.

Not using the conveniences of the net does take a bit of preparation. That rum bread I am baking tomorrow? The recipe had to be printed off today. Asking someone else to do my Google searches is just cheating. Preparation and adaptation are intrinsic to this whole process. Schedules need to be checked, bank balances confirmed, and articles for Just British written and scheduled ahead of time. But, all that preplanning means there is more time for the good stuff. And that is the point.

Most of us complain about not having enough time, but we are all given the same amount of time. How we use our time comes down to priorities. When a book doesn’t get read or bread doesn’t get baked or an old friend get seen or the dog doesn’t get walked, it is rarely because there isn’t enough time. It is because something else, surfing the Internet in my case, was put first on the priority list. Often without your even realizing it has happened.

So, if you don’t see me posting as much anymore, you will know why. And if you want to to talk on a Sunday, give me a call. You are a priority, but the computer and smartphone are not.

In this time of thankfulness, I give thanks for all the friends I have had over the years. Some are new and still developing while others are old and comfortable. Sadly there are those who are no longer with me due to distance or change of heart or life’s passing, but I give thanks for them all.

As much as other hobbies have advanced over the years, model trains have gotten a bit stuck. Or maybe we should say “derailed”? Anyway, the trains are still, for the most part, controlled via power and signals over the track. This is often called driving the track instead of driving the train. While DCC helps with that, it still relies on the track for the power and the computer signal to reach the train. The goal everyone would like to get to would be for the track to be support only, as they are in real life, with power and controls coming from the locomotive itself.

While the project of this kickstarted does not address the power aspect, it deals quite well with the control. “By communicating directly with the locomotive wirelessly through an easy to use application – the immense power of your smart device can be put to work improving and simplifying advanced control of hobby locomotives.”

The Bluetooth module looks like it would be very easy to install. They site the example of a standard Bachman HO gauge locomotive:

1. Remove the locomotive housing.
2. Remove the existing DCC control board and clip the motor wires.
3. Connect the motor wires and any light wires to the appropriate wires on the module’s wire harness.
4. Open the control app on your mobile device, run through a quick configuration wizard where you can set forward direction, name, photograph and customize your locomotives settings – that’s it.

If this looks interesting at all, I encourage you to take a look at the Kickstarter project and give it some backing. I am honestly hoping they can make it all come together.

While there are quite a few good laughs in this book, it is not a bouncy rainbows and unicorns type family story. It is an honest look at a hard personal journey of discovery and connections that is mirrored through the author’s own person journey to walk the Natchez Trace. Her father accompanies her on that walk, via comfortable car of course, to guide, protect and promote her. As any dad should. But this is not so easy a relationship. Along the way old wounds are revealed and feelings left unsaid, both good and bad, are voiced. And then there is mom. Mom throws a whole different spice into the brew.

As I read “Not Without My Father” I thought about my dad. And just as importantly I thought about both my son and daughter. I had to pause to wonder what baggage I was leaving them with, and what tools as well to help them on their journey. Were the experiences I shared with my family, all of my family, what I really wanted to leave them with? And most importantly, had I been present in their lives? Was I there, paying attention, and participating?

We can’t blame all of our distractions on electronics. There have always been distractions – friends, work, reading, hobbies, golf, whatever. But the key is – do we set aside these distractions to be with those people important to us? Or maybe include the family in our hobbies so it is a time of bonding instead of separation?

But I digress away from this book. I guess that is because this is the type of book it is – a book to be read on multiple levels. You can read the story of Andra’s walk and the experiences and people, but you can also read the story of a personal journey. A journey of discovery and growth. And from there you can find lessons for your own life.

I highly recommend this book, but more so I recommend you read it and then discuss it with those important to you.