May 21, 2003 - Msg 13872: Bless you all for your prayers and encouragement. Poor Asa! You take care of that back now. I had a friend who had back problems and was contemplating surgery but he went to physical therapy and water therapy instead for a couple months and it really fixed him up. Have you tried those things yet? Probably have, but I thought I'd mention them. Much less pain and $$ involved with it. His insurance even covered some of it. Chins up, puh-huh!
Charlotte Tucker
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13873: My, my, I had more energy than I thought! I done swept the porch and it's only 7:30 a.m.
CT
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13874: Mavis, Is it that mural with the people on it?
CT
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13875: Possum and Boo, at first I was a die hard RooBen fan on American Idol. I think they are both talented. And RooBen's last selection last night made it very hard to choose. I thought it was awesome. I really like Clay. I think he is a very talented man, and RooBen does not have nearly the stage presence at all times like Clay does. I don't know if it is because he is scarred to death or if he is just holding everything in until the final decision. Anyway, the voting is over and done now and I didn't have the heart to make a decision either way. I REALLY like both of them. Good to luck RooBen and Mr. Aiken.
fun girl
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13876: Good morning, folks! Asa, bless your heart! I just hate to think about you hurting like that. You're just too nice to be in pain. Wish I could make it go away. Anybody know an incant for back pain? No? Well, I'll just offer up a few prayers for you, friend. They work better than incants anyway!(teehee)

Well, I'm off to see the doctor. It would appear that I have shingles! No, not on my roof, though I do have those, but I'm talking about the ones you get on your body. Now wouldn't that just rot your socks? After everything else, shingles! Actually, I'm thinking that they were probably stirred up by all the disruption of nerves during that scope procedure. Got my blood sugar all messed up and everything. Oh, well, time will fix them, and I can be thankful for that.

Well, gotta run. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13877: Poor Asa and Romeena! Here's some chicken soup for the both of you! I'll leave the chocolate-chip 'nana bread for the rest of the porch.

Lotsa luck to you and yours,
~ Mrs. Wiley

May 21, 2003 - Msg 13878: Mmmm-Mmmm! Chocolate-chip 'nana bread! Just scrumptious! Thanks Mrs. Wiley!

Hey to you and yours, everyone here on the porch! I hope Asa's back gets better, Romeena's shingles pass quickly and easily, and that everyone else who is ailing, in any way, shape, or form, will find God's healing, peace and mercy.

I had my poor little niece again today, seems the old stomach was acting up again. But, when she got here, she played with lego's all day with my son. She ate two meals, snacks, seems to do fine when she doesn't have to go to school! I think it may be her nerves, poor dear. Her mother told me that she is going to try to end out the school year without counseling. If the problems crop up again next year she will set her up for counseling. I guess her teacher is pretty tough. I don't know what that says about a teacher when a 3rd grader gets stomach aches and doesn't want to go to school, when in the past she always loved it! I have heard a few stories about this woman, and she might give me stomach aches too, if I had to deal with her! (By the way, thanks to Boo and Romeena for your input, I really questioned the acid reflux diagnosis. I wonder if she doesn't have irritable bowel syndrome or something akin to that?!)

Now onto a very difficult topic for me...The Pistons! If any of you have watched any basketball the last few days, you may know that my team has given up a 10 point lead in the last two games they played, only to end up losing by 2 points! Boy, are those HARD games to watch. But, they have been entertaining if nothing else! (I would rather be entertained by watching fire ants crawl on my feet however!) I still love my Pistons, and you never know, they may pull out a surprise win! I wonder what Barney would do, if he played on a basketball team? I bet he could just take control of the game, and bring order to any situation. Surely, nobody would mess with old Barn!

Well, that's enough of my ramblings, I am just going to wish everyone here on the porch a great Mayberry kind of afternoon and evening!

Mary Wiggins
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13879: Gosh, I have missed so very much as I look back on all the posts on the porch. All I can say at this point is that my sincerest and most heartfelt prayers are with all of you here on this "miracle porch", where some of the most beautiful people in the world converge. All of you just emit such warmth and hospitality...I don't know how to explain it -- it's just there.

Well, I thought I'd share something on the lighter side with all of you. I really enjoyed the story, and I hope you do too!

My brother was telling me about one of his wife's brother's -- a real practical joker--

Well, he went into a grocery store a few weeks ago and noticed this young man working there. He went up to the boy and asked him if they carried any "scratch". The boy was completely lost on how to answer, because he didn't know what "scratch" was. Well, after he was told, "My mom used to make biscuits from scratch and they were SO good....I just want to make some too." All of a sudden, the young man's face lit up and he said, "OH, YEAH! My mom talks about making biscuits from scratch all the time!" He apparently looked all around the store for scratch, and finally added it to the customer's list up front of things the store should start carrying. Poor little fellah....I wonder how he'll feel when he finds out there is no "scratch" to be ordered! Hahahaha! True story!

Oh, and another thing that brought a smile to my face was something on eBay. Yep....I browse on there alot....sometimes it's just fun to look at everything there is for sale. It's like a HUGE yard sale or flea market!

Well, I saw something on there that really took me back in time and reminded me when my mom used to get these -- boxes of Duz detergent that had a free glass inside...do some of you remember that? This was an unopened box too...the glass still in there!

It seems there used to be some type of detergent or something that had dish towels in it too....do any of you remember those?

Let's all hope for some sunshine soon.....I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm sure ready to see some!

Oh....and this may have been mentioned before, but I received a little article thingy about mosquitoes the other day. In it, they say that Vicks will help keep mosquitoes away! Strike up another one for the Big V!

Hugs to everybody!

Bulbsnatcher

May 21, 2003 - Msg 13880: Bulbsnatcher! Gosh, it's good to hear from you. We've been missing you. I love the "scratch" story. That's hilarious! Actually, there is a type of chicken feed that's commonly referred to as "scratch". Hope that poor guy doesn't run into any of that and try to make biscuits out of it! It wouldn't hurt him, my cousins and I used to eat chicken feed all the time when we were kids, but the biscuits wouldn't be very good.

Yes, I remember the dish towels in the detergent boxes. Probably still have a few somewhere, from when we cleaned out my mom and dad's house. My frugal little mother was still using some pretty old stuff. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!" That was her motto.

My shingles are quite mild, and will probably resolve in a short time, got some Zovirax ointment for them. Already feels better, thanks.

fungirl, I'd question the irritable bowel possibility with your niece. IBS generally produces diarrhea, not the other way around. Still sounds very much like an emotional issue to me, with maybe a little control issue for good measure. It's classic - perfectionist child, overbearing teacher who is probably hard to please - it's a setup for the kind of problems the child is having. I'd bet you a cookie that things will be different next year, if she gets a more understanding teacher.

Well, away I go. I'm meeting some friends to go out for a good Mexican dinner tonight. Yum! Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13881: One more thing - the dish towel question reminded me. I have a lovely rose-colored bowl/vase, which was my grandmother's, then my mother's, then passed on to me. My grandmother purchased it with coupons saved from Octagon soap boxes, kind of the forerunner of green stamps, I guess. Anyway, my mom remembered riding into town on the bus with my grandma, to "pay bills" and to redeem those coupons for that beautiful glass bowl. I've looked it up on the internet, and it's valued at over $100 now. It's worth much more than that to me, however. I remember as a child, watching how the rays of the afternoon sun would strike that bowl where it sat on the dining room table, and it would spread a beautiful rosy light show all over the wall across the room. Didn't last but a few minutes, but I made it my business to come in from playing in time to see it! Funny, the things that stick in a person's mind. That bowl now has a place of honor in my home, but unfortunately, the sun can't reach it anymore. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13882: Bulb, I remember those towels my mom used to get in detergent. They had roses on them and were about as thick as a paper towel! Thanks for the memory.

I go on ebay every now and then. Did any of you see the picture of the tea kettle someone was selling and when the seller took a picture of the kettle, he was naked and you could see his reflection in the stainless steel kettle? Too funny!

Ro, I can't believe it. Shingles! Will you ever get a break? You have such a positive att-tude (censor!), though, and yes, thank God they will get better in time. Take care of YOU and rid yourself of any stress that you can. Do you think Plum barking continuously at that little box had anything to do with it? heehee

I am praying for your back, Asa, it is so easy to get discouraged when you are in pain anytime you try to do something. Hope things get better for you, buddy.

Gotta go take care of the little one. She is trying to pull something out of the shelf.

Oh, fun girl, I just can't make up my mind but I am leaning towards Clay just because I "feel" more when he is singing. At this point it doesn't matter because they will both be a success in the music industry after coming this far. Can't wait to see who wins!

Boo
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13883: Evening Porch! Yes Charlotte that is the mural with the people on it. Those are all the artists on the very first recordings ever made of country music, Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, The Stonemans, to mention a few. The story is on that site as well. Anyway, one of our local artists & muscians painted that on the building & everyone refers to it as "Pickin on State St." which is usually followed with, "you know down at the mural" Great music there every Tues. night. For those of you that missed the link when Charlotte swept (wish I felt that much energy early of the morning! hehe) here it is Birthplace of Country Music I best get off here & finish packing, I am heading back to DC tomorrow, so Jake can visit with his dad he just got home from another surgery. Please keep the prayers coming for him. He is doing better, but still in pretty bad shape. Thanks friends. Prayers for those that are ailin.
*Mavis
May 21, 2003 - Msg 13884: Mavis, you poor little thing. You have been just keeping the road hot, making sure Jake gets to spend time with his dad. I can't help but believe that's gonna pay off for you and Jake some day.

Asa, I sure hope your back is better. Back pain can just wear you out. fun girl can verify that! Prayers for both of you. By the way, fun girl and Mary Wiggins, I don't know what I was thinking up there a ways. I do know that the ailing little niece is yours, Mary. I was thinking about you and typed fun girl's name by mistake. Sorry.

Well, I think I'll hit the old ironing board a little earlier than usual tonight. Can't hurt, right? Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13885: I can testify to the fact that one lousy teacher can ruin school for a student who has loved it the whole time they have been in school. My son loved school and we never had a minute's trouble getting him to go until fourth grade. He got a witchy teacher that year and he would cry and get stomach aches and it was an awful year for us. I am so glad that he is enjoying middle school. We have discovered that he has reading comprehension issues. He failed a test at school. The teacher sent home another and he was supposed to look up the answers in the book. Well as usual, he did not get the instructions straight. So instead, we read the book and then took the test. I am not sure what made me decide to read the test to him and then let him write down the answers, but that
is what we did. (multiple choice) As I was reading I noticed he was getting every one right. On the test the day before he only got three RIGHT. Well when he took it at home with me reading the questions to him, he MISSED ONLY three. I asked him how he managed to get an F one day and know almost all the answers the next. He said, "Mom, I just guessed." Now the child can read the test to me and the words are right, but I guess they don't make sense in his little mind.
Bless his heart. I made sure I told his teacher that and she said that we would make accomodations next year that he would have all his tests read to him. Thank the Lord we have a teacher who cares and is willing to make sure he gets the help that he needs. How bout that homemaker? Wish they would transfer you here to our school district and send our Hearing Impaired Instructor....Oh, I don't know....say maybe THE MIDDLE EAST!!! Maybe she could tutor Osama and his crew. LOL

Well it's late and I, like Ro, am gonna hit the ironing board now. Chat at ya later. There are some baby carrots under the first rocker to the left of the door, just for Plum.

Nite,
fun girl


May 22, 2003 - Msg 13886: How true, fun girl, "thank the Lord.." for a teacher who cares! And thank the Lord for parents like you who care, too, and take time to take be their children's advocate. It sounds like putting him in school has helped you and God is sending some of the right people his way.
I have been having some problems with my little boy--trying to motivate him, and with summer coming and all his little friends home from school it is going to be worse. The child is only interested in one thing and that's playing outside. He did, however read his first entire book last night(all 62 pages) and he was very excited about that. We had to shut baby girl out of the room to get it done, but we did. So, he read the entire book with her screaming at the top of her lungs in the other room with Daddy! It's a challenge. I have to admit sometimes the public school down the street looks pretty inviting but for me I really need to school him at home according to his dr (because of his Tourette Syndrome). Really I love it but having a toddler at home presents a challenge I never expected (just try opening a book or picking up a pencil with one around--they coming running full speed).

The color episode of TAGS on TVLand last night was weird. I had never seen that ep before (about the senior play). I am not sure why but it kind of gave me the creeps--just didn't seem like a TAGS episode. Let's get back to black and white!

Time to start the day!

Boo
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13887: Morning friends!

Asa
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13888: Mornin' Asa! Hope you slept well and have a better day today..

Boo
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13889: Morning, Asa! and all porch friends! Fun girl, I can totally relate to those kinds of reading problems. My little girl struggles with reading too--especially directions. She generally knows the answer to the question if you rephrase it in a manner she understands. Curious, cur-i-ous! I forgot to brag on her though. Her grade had a poster contest. They chose the top 5 posters in her classroom. One kid got almost all the votes, she got a couple and 3 others got 1 or 2 votes. So they were the top 5. Then they picked 5 from the other classroom, making the top ten. Then the 6th grade voted to get the top 5 for the school. The one kid again got nearly all the votes but my daughter still managed to get into the top 5 who got to go to the county contest. At the county, however, where adults voted on the poster for its topic, look, etc. my daughter got 2nd place (no one else from her school even placed) and won a $75 savings bond! It just drives me nuts how these kids all chase after who they think is popular, yada yada. Well, that's my good news for today! Hope ya'll have a great one!
Charlotte Tucker
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13890: Hi Boo,
Didn't see you there.
Charlotte
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13891: Hoo-ray for Charlotte's daughter! I LOVE to hear about children getting into art, and it sounds like your daughter has a creative turn of the mind! (And that $75 savings bond comes in pretty handy too!)

I have been telling you all about my little niece with the stomach aches, well that girl just makes me laugh. If I call her a doll she calls me a dollar! She is a nut, as Barney would say. Well, she is VERY creative also, and her parents have had quite a bit of painting done in their home recently. Their budget is broke for more painting to be done however, and her room isn't one of the rooms that was painted. Well, this little entrepreneur has decided to gather up a LOT of her toys, videos and other things and sell them in a garage sale to earn the money for paint! Now I think that's pretty impressive!

You know Fun Girl, I have been wondering about those "Reading Comprehension" tests for quite a few years now. I was just talking to my sister about them yesterday. I have read whatever selection the test will be on, then read the questions on the test, and sometimes I can't figure out what they are driving at! (And I was an honor student a long, long, LONG time ago!) I guess my niece excelled in math, science, and art, but struggled in the reading comprehension part of a "pre-meap" test. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?!

It is a gorgeous looking day on my end of the porch. But, I think it is a bit cool out there. That's okay with me though, I LOVE sweater weather!

Maybe I'll leave some hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls out for a mid-morning snack!

Mary Wiggins
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13892: Good afternoon Porch, have you missed me LOL. We have been so busy we neet our selfs coming and going sort of speaking. LOL .. Charlotte my prays are with you Honey, I know God had something for you so hang on girl, it's just around the corner. I'm asking for prayers again for my brother Basil he is having chest pains again he is in the hospital, they say it's not his heart this time but they kept him for safety sake. Thanks for your prayers a head of time and for all the other times y'all have prayed for me and mine. God Bless y;all, Asa hope your back gets better real soon. Prayers and Hugs for all who need them.

Ellen Brown
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13893: I missed you, Ellen! You always bless my day with your words. Prayers for Basil (what a cool name).

Charlotte, I placed second in an art contest when I was in fourth grade and it made me feel so proud, I will never forget it. Your little girl will carry that with her for years to come.

Mary, I really wonder about that school testing they are always doing. I know here in Texas it gets pretty brutal for some of the kids in elementary. They are so young to deal with such pressure and I hear some schools are even doing away with recess to spend more time drilling all that info into the kids. I know that alot of kids around here have alot of homework, too. I can understand that in the upper grades but why can't an eight year old accomplish what he needs to learn in forty hours per week in the classroom? Can any of you teachers help me understand this?

Well, hope ya'll have a great evening--I like what you said, Mary about sweater weather. I love it, too (all three days of it we get here in South Texas! heehee) Actually when I went out to het the paper this morning it was in the sixties and the winds were from the North. I just stood there in the front yard in my pj's and stretched for awhile.

I have to go get ready for "date night" with my little boy. We are going to see a movie and then to Barnes and Noble for a new book (he is excited about reading, hooray!).

Bye, now....
Boo
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13894: Hi everyone! I've checked in on everyone several times lately but haven't posted. My prayers are with all who need them. (We all need prayer!). I would also like to ask you to pray for a family at school. They were on vacation last week in Disney World and their 7-year-old boy drown in the hotel pool. He has a sister in 5th grade, a sister in 3rd grade and a brother in kindergarten. Please remember this whole family. I can only imagine how devastating it must be. They were all such sweet children. I took over a 4th grade class last year for a teacher on maternity leave and had the older sister in my class. They are a beautiful family. My heart is just broken for them. The weather has been so dreadfully chilly, rainy and foggy here for so long it just seems to make depressing times even more depressing.
Take care porch.
Maudy
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13895: I have hesitated to mention this as I have just had a mammogram and the results came back fine, but I am still having intense pain in one of my breasts and I have been through 2 courses of antibiotics and I can feel a knot, not doing a normal exam by pressing flat, but by lifting and pinching lightly and it sends me through the roof. Any of you medical folks have any ideas as to what it may be? I am gonna call the man tomorrow and see if I can get an appointment and see what's what. I really feel silly, but after two visits, the doc told me last time to come back if it didn't get better. So away I go again.
Prayers please!!!
Hugs,
fun girl
May 22, 2003 - Msg 13896: Fun girl, I understand that's a very worrisome condition. Has the Dr. asked you all the fibroid tumor questions? How much caffeine do you drink? I went to the dr. for a similar (not as painful) situation and she told me to buy a better bra and quit drinking caffeine! LOL. But you know, it did help! Hope it's no more than that, but don't hesitate further investigation--mammograms, unfortunately, don't show everything. (I don't say that to scare you, I just know it's been the case before.) Oh Maudy, that's so sad. Prayers for that family and for Ellen's brother, Basil. By the way, thanks, Ellen for your encouragement. Times are definitely TOUGH! But God is good all the time.
Charlotte Tucker
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13897: Well Charlotte, I do not drink ANY caffine, as I have restless legs and the two do not mix. BAD NEWS when I drink caffine. As far as a good bra,I am busty and MUST wear a good bra. I think I have figured out what must be wrong. Has anyone ever heard of fat necrosis? Basically the tissue does not get oxygen over a period of time. (Like laying face down for nine hours on a hard table during surgery.) Anyway, the tissue calcifies. The symptoms are identical to mine. I love the internet. It is so amazing. Learned this all in a period of about 20 minutes. There are a couple treatments. If the mass is soft the do needle aspiration. If not they cut and remove it. After all the pain I have been through, I don't think I could handle any more while I am concious. I vote for them to knock me out and cut and take that puppy out. Get it over and done. I will be so relieved as it is beginging to be painful all the time. My doctor is wonderful, but after I have been to the office a couple times and every time I mention being face down on a operating table for NINE hours, you would think this would occur to them. Oh well, like we have said before, you have to be your won advocate. I'm gonna march in with my little internet paper and see what Old Doc Andrews has to say.

Later Ya'll,
fun girl
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13898: Oops, that's your own advocate.
fun girl
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13899: HI ALL JUST POP IN TO ASKED HI AND WILL.
TOM

May 23, 2003 - Msg 13900: Hey, everybody!

fun girl, I have had some painful breast cysts even when I didn't drink caffiene. Hope that is what you have because it sounds like less trouble than the fat necrosis! Eew! I know I never would have thought of that. How long has it been giving you trouble?

So sad about the family of the boy that drowned. Horrible. I read somewhere last month that drowning is the number one cause of death in children. Wow, maybe we could be doing more to prevent it. I gave my son swimming lessons but he still is not a strong swimmer and uses a life jacket in the water but I am petrified if we go camping or something and now with a toddler, forget it. I am a real paranoid mother when it comes to some things. My sister has a friend who's 16 month old drowned in the bath tub last week. Mom left him alone for a while, apparently. I have a friend whose 2 yr old drowned in the toilet. She went out to the garage to put in the laundry and while she was out, he fell in head first and couldn't get out. People really have to think about those dangers.

I bought some of those plastic door knob covers to keep my toddler out of the bathroom but she can open the door anyway. Don't know what else to do, I just have to watch her every second.

Well, on with the chores of the day!

Boo
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13901: Afternoon Porch.
I am done with my pity party about my sore tired rotten miserable stinking lousy bent twisted warped creaky back! LOL
I have so much to be thankful for and really so little to whine about. But I seem to choose the whining instead of the praising. Please forgive me friends and thank you for all your well wishes. I can deal with pain and all but when it controls your life and what you can do for as long as this has it gets old after a while.
But no more bellyaching from me, No sireee. I am going to focus on the positive things. Ha, can you tell I'm feeling a little better?
So what are your plans for the 3 day weekend? I think we should throw a porch party. How about it?

Asa
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13902: yep, I am all for a porch party, Asa; one with lots of squeezins! That'll make your back feel better.

I think my weekend will be pretty full. I have two Memorial picnics to go to. My husband is having his company picnic tomorrow and we have a church picnic on Sunday (can't do it on Memorial Day cause the schools will be in session on Monday--weird). Wish the weather was nicer to be out of doors. It is so hot already and very humid. I just can never get used to it.

Ro, my doc called yesterday after my routine labs q 3 months and said that the 40 of Lipitor is giving me great cholesterol and triglycerides but my creatinine is high, so she cut the Lipitor to 20 and put me on a new med called Zetia (I believe--sounds like a pasta). She said it was very safe but I don't know a thing about it. Do you? I hate taking new meds because it seems like a year after they are out, you find out they cause something horible. Oh, I just realized I can look the Zetia up on the computer and find out more about it so I will do that.

What kind of party do you want to have, Asa? I think we should consider the duck pond again like we did last summer. Rafe could bring his guitar and we could tell ghost stories and build a fire??
What do you want to eat, honey-child?

See ya----
Boo
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13903: I can hook y'all up with some good BBQ for the Porch Party! They have me down for 12 hours on Memorial Day,but maybe they'll let me off early enough so's I can join y'all on the porch.Y'all care for slaw & hushpuppies with your order? Ha Ha
My mom noticed someone with the same name as mine in the obit column in today's paper.I cut it out and I am gonna take it to work with me to show 'em how hard they've been working me-didn't even realize I was dead!(not to make fun of the deceased-hope she rests in peace).
Hope everyone has a nice safe weekend-love to all!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13904: Me again.Just heard that Clay from American Idol is releasing a single of "Bridge Over Troubled Water." I guess I can live with the fact that ROO-BEN won now!
***********
possum again
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13905: Kyle was so excited about ROO-BEN winning on American Idol. I really must say I would have felt a little meloncholly no matter who won. They were both so talented. "Flying Without Wings" just TORE ME UP! I cried every time ROO-BEN sang it and I think it was 3 times the last two days. Both boys were awesome.

Now as for the pain. It is really wierd. I noticed it before I left the hospital after my back surgery in December. I was in for a week and by the time I went home I noticed the pain. I do think it has gotten worse, or maybe I am just getting tired of it. Went to Doc Andrews today and I am seeing a specialist on June 10th. This woman is supposed to be the GURU of the breasts.
That is good to know. The doctor even gave me some pain pills. I think they were mighty strong as I took one and fell asleep and slept for 2 hours. I think from now on I will cut them in half and take one only at bedtime. I must admit though that I am not in pain now, for the first time in months.

Went and had a massage yesterday and it was AWESOME! Money well spent if you ask me. Then today I had to go and buy a new dryer. Mine finally gave up the ghost after 14 years. I got a new washer last year and now I will have a dryer to match. They are delivering it tomorrow. I should have bought one a long time ago as I have had that thing on for an hour and a half to dry a load of towels. So, to console fungi, I explained that we would probably save money on electricity if we finally got one that worked like it was supposed to. Towards the end it was doing nothing.
The blower motor went out and all that lovely hot moist air just tumbled around and didn't dry worth a doodle.

Oh it's the weekend of the big race here in Indianapolis. Things get crazy!! You just can not imagine. Picture grown adults acting like a bunch of kids on spring break in Ft. Lauderdale. That's about the size of it!! Glad I stay here in my little home town well south of all the madness. That's all the news that's fit to print from my end of the porch
fun girl
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13906: Best of luck with your treatments, fungirl. Asa, that back thing keepin' you off the golf course? That's just terr-r-r-ible (Mr. Tucker style). Possum, I thought it was amazing knowing one person named possum. Now you're telling me there's two! Or rather, were two. Funny idea showin' it to your coworkers! Porch party sounds good to me. I probably won't be doing much anyhow 'cept maybe workin' in the garden or yard. Take care everybody. Good to see you, TOM!
Charlotte Tucker
May 23, 2003 - Msg 13907: Good evening, everyone! fun girl, I declare, honey. If it weren't for bad luck you'd have no luck at all! First your back, now your front! You're gonna have to get one of those AK-whatever's from Salty, and suspend yourself just to sleep. You keep chasing that diagnosis, though. Don't let anyone put you off. Find out for sure what it is, and get it taken care of.

Asa, I'm thinking maybe your back is a little bit better? I sure hope so. If we're going to have a porch party, we need everyone as able-bodied as possible. A party sounds good to me, as long as nobody has to get under anything with any spiders. (I don't like spiders, not even a little bit.) Where do you all want to have this party? We can always have it here at my house if you like, but the ball park sounds like more fun.

Why don't we make it a steak cook-out? Everyone bring your own steak, or whatever you wish to put on the grill. The Plum will share mine, and she said she'd bring a big bag of carrots to share with everyone. I'll bring some potato salad, too, and a big jug of tea. Won't be sweet tea, though, so I'll bring some extra sugar for those who want it.

Prayers for all the hurts and ills that have been described recently. All God's children got troubles, it seems. TOM, we need one of your lovely prayers or poems to soothe our souls.

Have a lovely weekend, everyone, and I'll see you at the porch party. Somebody decide where, and the Plum and I will be there. If you're coming here, let me know so I can at least sweep the sidewalks! Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
May 24, 2003 - Msg 13908: I think we should have the party at the park. I'll get with Barney and get a permit so we are all legal and everything. Steaks sound just right. And tater salad, some fruit salad. Homemade rootbeer and Ice cream. By golley, lets do it!

Asa
May 24, 2003 - Msg 13909: Sounds great! What time do we meet at the park? Maybe we should bring some baseball bats and gloves, get an impromptu game of baseball going! Barney has a loud speaker in the trunk of the squad car, so he can announce the batters and all! Maybe we can turn some of that rootbeer and ice cream into rootbeer floats!

Nice to see everyone dropping in on the porch today, hey to Tom, Asa, Romeena, Boo, fungirl, Charlotte Tucker, Possum, Maudy, Ellen Brown, Mavis, Bulbsnatcher Mrs. Wiley and any one else I left out! (Where's Ed Sawyer been? must be making lots of money to leave all the rockin' to us! And how about Sterling Holobyte, y'all better check in with us, y'hear?!)

My poor Pistons play again tonight. They are down 3-0, it's not looking good, but hope springs eternal! I WILL be watching! Things are looking good for San Antonio, they have some real first class sports-gentlemen on that team, they are the team I have been rootin' for all along, 'cept of course if my Pistons could pull this one out!

Well, I guess I better go rustle up that old bat and ball and see if I can find my baseball glove! Can't wait for the party!

Mary Wiggins
May 24, 2003 - Msg 13910: Wooohooo! Root beer floats! One of my favorite things in all the world, Mary Wiggins! The Plum likes them, too. I always share a little bit with her. Yes, off my spoon! Wanna make something out of it?? Trust me, she's cleaner than most people's kids, and she nips her "tastes" off very daintily. OK, the park it is, right? Who's going to tend the grill? Asa, that sounds like a good job for you, unless your back is hurting too much. I could help you, I'm sure not going out on that field with any baseballs flying around. I'd get hit in the face for sure. Maybe I'll stop by Sam's and get a big container of those wonderful, buttery croissants they make. You all want the big ones or the little ones? Maybe I'll get both.

Gotta work tonight, so guess I'd better try to get a nap in this afternoon. Everyone have a great Sabbath. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
May 24, 2003 - Msg 13911: Happy Birthday, Asa. I think I got the date right this time.
- Hazel

"Sure is good to be doing a capacity business. Both cells filled up."
May 24, 2003 - Msg 13912: Happy Birthday, Asa! This is the last one you are going to get this month!

Mary Wiggins

May 24, 2003 - Msg 13913: Happy Birthday, whether it is or not, Asa!

I'm ready for the party.

My computer has been actin' up so if ya'll don't hear from me in awhile, don't call out the dogs.

Just been mullin' over curriculum for next year for my son. Are any of you homeschoolers familiar with Sonlight Curriculum? I have been reading about it and like most of what I read but am still undecided. I don't like curriculums that use loads of workbooks and test-taking. This sounds more in line with my philosophy. Last year I didn't use just one curriculum but just took what I wanted from different sources but with this toddler living here I need more structure next year! I think I will make her a "safe-zone" soon where I can put her during lessons. She will have a fit but she has to learn to not interfere constanly during lesson time.

I have a houseful of the neighbor kids today because it is so hot outside they don't want to be out in the hot part of the day. It is a scorcher today. Think I will go try to talk them into visiting someone else soon. Gotta go....

Boo
May 24, 2003 - Msg 13914: Hello all! Thanks for all your prayers. I'm fit as a fiddle now. So, I'll jug, "Dooley". Aone..Atwo..Athree.

Briscoe Darling Jr.
May 24, 2003 - Msg 13915: Happy Birthday Asa!

Briscoe Darling Jr.
May 24, 2003 - Msg 13916: Happy Birthday Asa! Wanna BBQ cake? I eat,sleep and breathe the stuff anymore,it seems! I showed the manager the obit column that had a death with the same name as mine,told him they'd worked me so hard that I died & didn't even know it-guess what he said? Told me I can't die without giving 2 weeks notice! Ha Everyone thought it was funny that "my" name was in the obits!
This might make y'all laugh.I needed some pennies at my register today & called the manager,but he didn't hear me.The boss's grandson(early 20's,cute as can be) heard me and got me some pennies out of another register.I told him "Thanks for getting that for me,cause I don't like to plunder in anyone else's drawers!" As soon as I said it,I realized HOW it sounded! He laughed as my face got red! At least it's fun at the BBQ place.Now if I could only have a day off!
Y'all take care! Love to all!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock


May 25, 2003 - Msg 13917: Good Sabbath porch, I've been down in the back for a few days, Asa I know has it is with the back thing we just pray and go on but sometimes the going is slow, so sorry to hear about the little boy and the other children drowning, I don't always understand why things happen and I know we're not to question God, but I can't help but wonder about the reasoning of somethings and I can't help but fell broken hearted for those who lose loved ones esp. whan there young ones, But I do know God is in control and I have to remind myself of that, when Mama and Daddy died my reasoning was that there must of been something coming in the further that would have just really broke their hearts so our Heavenly Father took them home with him so they would not have to endure any more heart aches or disappointments, thats how I deal with the lose of my folks and some day I will see them again in our new home and rejoice and sing and praise God with them again along with my baby who would of been 34 this Aug. Mama is taking care of the lil now I never got to see the baby, I think of that every now and then. But knowing mom's up there I know she is watching over us all and saying God thats ones mine, isn't she just grand .. LOL . Fungirl prayers for you and best of luck with the treatments, Mary Wiggins had did your Pistons do ? Happy belated Birthday Asa, possum, so you passed and didn't even know it,tehe, that was a cute story ( both of them were) LOL Hey Boo, I'm glad you encourage me you seem to be such a sweet person, I know every time God looks your way He is smiling, BDJ so glad your feeling better, jug away son, jug away, Hi Tom and Mandy, CT honey how are you doing these days? It is aways a blessing to come to the porch and see you here, Ro you and the Plum are just angles in plain clothing, ;) Hello Hazel. Asa when is the party, I made cole slaw lastnight I'll bring that, it is raining at my end of the porch, how about at your end? it has rained all night. By the way my brother Basil came home yesterday and they said this time it's not his heart, but they think it may be his gallblader, don't know ifin I spelt that right LOL. I'm sure you know what I mean, Our new doggie Pookie has adapted well and is a part of the family now, she is so cute, Hey to Mavis and Bulbsnatcher, wheres BFAB? I need to get off here bought some strawberries yesterday and I need to get my freezer jam made up I want to go to church today but I have to stand awhile, set awhile and lay down awahile, with this back it takes me forever to get just one thing done I do pray it is better before I go back to work Tuesday. Y'all have a good one. God Bless ya.

Ellen Brown
May 25, 2003 - Msg 13918: Morning porch. Thank you all for the nice birthday wishes. Y'all are to sweet.
I think bbq by Possum sounds good don't it? She might be tired of it by now though.
Party tonight? Does that work for everyone? Maybe a band concert afterwards, music under the stars. Maybe Hazel should make a sign saying so.
I believe today is Tom's birthday so Happy Birthday to Tom!

Asa
May 25, 2003 - Msg 13919: Happy Birthday Tom, have a blessed day.

Ellen Brown
May 25, 2003 - Msg 13920: Happy Birthday to Tom and Asa!
fun girl
May 25, 2003 - Msg 13921: CONCERT TONIGHT! RELAX TO MUSIC UNDER THE STARS!
How's that? Happy Birthday to Tom!
- Hazel
May 25, 2003 - Msg 13922: Sorry I didn't post yesterday after everyone put out the word it was Asa's birthday. Happy Belated Birthday, Asa! and Happy Birthday, TOM! Thanks for asking, Ellen, but you don't really want to know. The kids and I played some baseball today and we got our baby kitties out on a blanket in the yard and watched them play around. Made the day a little better.
Charlotte Tucker
May 25, 2003 - Msg 13923: I don't know Hazel, Looks like it might cloud up!
Thanks for the birthday wishes Ellen, FunGirl and Charlotte.
Asa
May 25, 2003 - Msg 13924: Hey to the Porch! I'm home, but it's late & I'm really too tired to jabber much, so I'll just say good night & hit the hay, just wanted to let ya'll know I made it home safe & sound. prayers for those that need them & those that don't.
*Mavis
May 25, 2003 - Msg 13925: Hello, everyone. Hope today has been a fair day for you.

I enjoyed your post, Ellen. Sometimes I want to question death (especially of the young)..I know a man who goes to our church whose wife just received a lung transplant that saved her life--it was an answer to many prayers but an 18 yr old boy died to give her that lung. Bitter-sweet answers to prayer. The woman who received the lung is doing well and her husband said to remember three things: 1)No matter what the problem, God is big enough. 2) Stay in the grace of God and with a close relationship to God and 3) Don't take your loved ones for granted. Good advice.

Think I will go eat an Oreo and then retire for the evening!

Love to all,
Boo
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13926: Hello porch friends. Sorry I'm so late in posting, been a busy weekend and pretty much all week. Asa I'm so sorry I missed your birthday my friend. I hope you had a wonderful day, you sure deserve it. Guess I just cant get it right, I'm either too early and now I'm a day late. And I'll wish ya a happy birthday before the month is over. Happy Birthday to TOM too. I hope you had a good day too. Possum I had to LOL at your story about the pennies. It was too funny. Yall have a great evening and a safe and happy Memorial Day too!! Night--Salty Dog
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13927: Memorial Day here at the Porch, what activities are planned at your end of the porch? Pierre and I have been busy around our yard, you'ld think we'ld have it done but NOPE not yet, I don't know where all the work comes form .. We decided to build our granddaughetr Asia Marie a new gym set that took 2 days but she now has one and a small club house to boot a 4x6 like a small tree house, we'll have her for awhile this summer so we're fixin things for her she is 9. we just have to put the top over the club house now. Today I guess it's more work on the yard. LOL I also planted more flowers, my pansy's are about gone. Iput out marigolds and Pampus grass and holyhocks in various places in the yard. Transplanting rose bushes and giving starts of them to friends and so on . Is anyone having a cook out?

Ellen Brown
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13928: Oh Mavis glad your back safe, Salty it's always good to see you post.

EB
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13929: hope
WHEN THE DARKNESS OVERHELRN US
AND WE CANNOT SEE THE LIGHT,
THERE IS A GOD WHO KNOWS AND CARES
AND HE WILL BE OUR SIGHT.
THE GOD WHO HAS ALL POWER,
THE GOD WHOSE NAME IS LOVE,
THE GOD EHO HAS ALL WISDOM
WILL GUIDE US FROM ABOVE.
DO NOT FEAR THE FOCKY PATH
OR FUTURE UNKNOWN STRIFE,
FOR IN HIS LOVE HE CARRIES US
AND GIVES US HOPE AND LIFE.
GOD'S LOVING ARMS ENFOLD US
AND GENTLY HOLD US TIGHT.
HE FILLS US WITH HIS PEACE
AND KEEPS US THROUGH THE NIGHT.
TOM

May 26, 2003 - Msg 13930: Happy belated Birthday Asa and Tom! Asa dear, how's th' misery? Poor thing. My prayers are with ya. Mavis, glad your trip was safe. EB, that sounds like a child's dream-playhouse come true! Likely to rain here, so no cookout planned. We BBQ'd skirt steak yesterday - like ribs without the bone YUM!! Y'all have a great Memorial Day!

~ Mrs. Wiley

May 26, 2003 - Msg 13931: Ooooo, Mrs. Wiley! I love BBQ skirt steak. That's what fajitas are made of, you know - skirt steak. Used to be so cheap the butcher would practically give it to you, then fajitas came along and now it's got a very noticeable price tag! Supply and demand, I suppose. Boo, I noticed the same phenomenon with chayote squash. I used to get it so cheap, like 3 lbs for $1, when they first started importing it out of Mexico. Then a few more of us gringoes learned how good it is, and it's now priced like zucchini or yellow squash. Sure is good, though, diced up and sauteed with some onions, then a little cheddar on top. Yum!

Happy birthday (belatedly) to Asa, and TOM. Lovely poem, TOM. Thanks. The Plum is disgusted with me, says I can never remember anything, and she would take over the birthday wishes department, except she doesn't have thumbs to hit the spacebar with on this keyboard! Smartypants!

After the party yesterday, we went out and spent the evening with my son and his wife, and little grandson. Little?? The child is a tank, and the nearest thing to perpetual motion I've ever seen. What his poor mother is going to do when the new one arrives, I don't know. By the way, so far everything appears to be fine with this baby. It's another boy, seems like we just can't get a girl! Oh well, boys are nice, too.

Well, gotta run. Have a lovely Memorial Day in your end of Mayberry, friends. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13932: Please Pray for me I Live In Arkadelphia Arkansas I need a job and I got a 179 $ Dollar bill due 5/30/03 I need help to feed my family thank you Don Gates III
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13933: Happy Memorial Day!!! Friends!! And Happy Birthday to TOM and Asa!
*Mavis
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13934: Prayers for Don in Arkansas. Trust in the Lord and you will make it.Don't give up.
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13935: Don Gates, bless your heart. How did you know that this is the place to come to get prayers! Many prayers for you brother! Please check back and keep us posted. OK, it's me, Charlotte, asking for some advice. If someone is dreadfully depressed but refuses to see a doctor and won't take medicine, is there anything else that helps? I've heard about St. Johns Wort but don't know that it does that much good. Any other suggestions? Already trying prayer, that's probably the best answer but just wondered if anyone had had any success with anything besides medication.
Thanks in advance for any help on this topic.
Charlotte Tucker
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13936: Ok, let's lighten things up here a bit with some Andy trivia. Name different eps in which you saw Andy smoke. I can think of three off the top of my head. Anybody else?
CT
May 26, 2003 - Msg 13937: Charlotte, I have a few tips that have helped me. And I don't like drugs either. Increase your consumption of raw fruits and vegetables and their juices, and whole grains. They are high in complex carbohydrates, which can stimulate the production of brain serotonin. Also, folic acid deficiency may cause depression. Spinach, kale, broccoli, beet greens all have folic acid. Thiamin deficiency is also common. Eat more garlic! I could go on and on. Try adding those things to your diet and see if that helps.
- Hazel

They were just pickled tink to see me.
May 27, 2003 - Msg 13938: Charlotte, getting out of the house into the sunshine helps me more than anything else. Well, except prayer, that is. Get outside and dig in the dirt, that's my motto.

Now, let's see. When did we see Andy smoke? Well, after he delivered the baby out in the country, that's the one that really stands out for me. I know there were several others, and I can get a mental picture of the occasions, but can't tie them into a specific episode. Anybody else?

Well, off I go. My very handy handyman will be here bright and early. He's going to close off the end of a hallway for me and make it into a closet, and also going to rebuild my pantry shelves to be more convenient. Right now, it's a deep, dark hole and things go back there and practically compost before I find them again. He's going to put in some wire shelves and a light, so I can see what's there, for pete's sake! It's about time, after 28 years, don't you think? (teehee)

Have a great week, friends. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena

May 27, 2003 - Msg 13939: Thanks, Hazel and Ro for the tips. I have suffered depression many times and sunshine and prayer indeed help me too. But I have had medication in the past. If I felt bad enough, I would take it again too. But I'm not asking for me, I'm asking for my husband. I just don't know how to help him and I know how black things are when you are the one who is depressed.
Yes, Ro, delivering the baby ep--that's one. I thought of two more. Anybody else? When did you see Andy smoke? There were probably others too.
Charlotte Tucker
May 27, 2003 - Msg 13940: 1) The Great Filling Station Robbery,
2) High Noon in Mayberry
3) Cousin Gloria I think




Ellen Brown
May 27, 2003 - Msg 13941: I think Andy smoked in the episode in which Gomer was a houseguest.I recall him rolling over in bed to have a smoke after Gomer woke him up with all the racket he was making.
Guess what? I had yesterday off work! Slept/stayed under my rock all day! I might make it now-I was one tired possum!
Y'all take care now-love to all.
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
May 27, 2003 - Msg 13942: it wasn't CG it was the Lady Speeder

EB
May 27, 2003 - Msg 13943: Oooh, Ellen Brown, good job. I was thinking of the night he delivered the baby, when Gomer was a houseguest, and the filling station robbery. When did he smoke when the lady speeder was there? I forgot that one! Hey to possum. How are things on your porch? Where is everybody today?
Charlotte Tucker
May 27, 2003 - Msg 13944: A Big Hey to the Porch! FRANKIE FLINT
May 28, 2003 - Msg 13945: Hey to the Porch.
CT, that wasn't the name of the ep, you know it was the one with the pretty blonde that they fell all over their selfs to stay with, nd she had Barney unlocking something and she tried to escape. What was the name of that one? my sister took that tape and lost it, I'm not letting her take anymore of my tapes she lost about 6 tapes in all. ok, I pray y'all have a great day and may Gods Sonshine warm your life.

Ellen Brown
May 28, 2003 - Msg 13946: Also in Mr. McBevee, while Andy was explaining to Aunt Bee and Barney about having faith in someone, he was rolling himself a cigarette, but I don't know if he actually lit it.
May 28, 2003 - Msg 13947: Good trivia answers! True TAGS fans! Hope you all have a Mayberry day! Hey Frankie! Good to see you. You should post more! Where was everyone yesterday? Only 5 of us on the porch!
Charlotte Tucker
May 28, 2003 - Msg 13948: Hi, my computer has been acting up so I have been unable to get on the porch!

Nothing real exciting to report.

Charlotte, I know that if you can get hubbie to do some kind of exercise it will help, too. It helps the "good" chemilcals to flow through the nervous system, so to speak. Poor fellow, i know how deep the well of depression can be. Will he talk to you about it? I wonder if there is something that he is afraid of that might have started everything.

Gotta go...getting ready for a collosal garage sale!

Boo

May 28, 2003 - Msg 13949: Hey porch. I was absent yesterday. Been to busy lately.
I think I saw Andy smoking in the episode with Doc. Malloy in it. He also smoked in the episode with Luke Comstock in it. I know there was more so I'll go put on my bucket and think on it for a while.

Asa
May 28, 2003 - Msg 13950: I am not the brightest TAGS fan on the porch--Asa, explain who Doc Malloy and Luke Comstock are. I need descriptions! Are those real names or character names?
Charlotte Tucker
May 28, 2003 - Msg 13951: Well lets see Charlotte. Doc Malloy was a prisoner the State police brought in to be jailed, where Barney decided to pretend he was a criminal so Malloy would tell him where the money and his partner were. And come to find out his partner was a women staying at the trailer park.
Luke Comstack was the fellow Andy shot in the leg during a robbery. Last I heard his leg had gone bad on him. So he comes back to town to thank Andy cause it changed his life and brought him a shotgun. Of course Barney figured he was coming to shoot Andy, gun him down I believe was his words. LOL
Andy also smoked in the episode where him and Opie become blood brothers but Andy wouldn't let him use blood so they used charcoal instead. And also during the great filling station robberies when everyone thought young Jimmy was stealing Walley's tools. I always thought Barney's line about there being no "jimmy marks" on the door was funny. But no one else laughed. Hmmmph!
Oh well, I still liked it.
I'll think of some more if I can.

Asa
May 29, 2003 - Msg 13952: I kind of hope that is all the smoking episodes there are. Now, lets try to remember how many episodes featured Andy in his boxer shorts. I can only remember two. Can ya'll name them?

Gotta run...
Boo
May 29, 2003 - Msg 13953: Hey porch friends.. how is everyone tonight? Sorry I've been a lil scarce here lately.. been busy with work.. and now this week I got jury duty too.. so I didn't get my weekend off since they couldn't schedule me with having court and all. So I've been a lil whiney this week. I hope yall are having a good week so far. Say a lil prayer for me that I wont get picked to serve and they'll let me go. Thanks guys.. Salty Dog
May 29, 2003 - Msg 13954: Hey gang! Went to my chiropractor today. If you remember he is the purty man we were gonna make the team doctor for the softball team. Anyhow, he is now practicing accupuncture too. It sounds awful I know, and I am a big baby when it comes to needles, but honestly it was not bad at all. The needles they use are so small that it doesn't hurt at all. It feels like someone touching you with a toothpick. Not painful, ya just feel pressure. I can not say that I can tell the difference yet, but I have only had one treatment. I have heard tell that by the second or third treatment, many times you feel worlds better. I sure hope so. It ain't cheap, but if it relieves pain then I think it's worth the cost.

Trevor, my friend from the UK, has had an awful two weeks. I hadn't heard from him for that long and I was kinda worried about him. Also worried that I may have offended him somehow cause I hadn't heard from him in so long. Well he had two teeth pulled and they were infected. He said the pain was worse than his spinal fusion. And let me tell you folks, that is some serious pain. He had black eyes and was sick as a dog. He went to the emergency room cause he was convinced that his jaw was broken. They gave him some industrial strength antibiotics and some pain pills and sent him home. No broken jaw, just a super bad infection. He has been really sick for two solid weeks. Got an email today and he is on the mend and able to get back on the computer. Prayers for his continued recovery.

Gonna hit the ironing board. Check ya later.
fun girl

BRISCO: "Get in the truck Charlene!"
CHARLENE: "Awww Pa, cain't I just look at the purty man?"

Oh, also a question maybe someone can help me with. What is inscribed on the memorial horse trough that Briscoe dips his hat in to fill his radiator? It looks to me like it says something about David Mendlebright. Can anyone tell me the whole inscription? Also, is he related to Barney's Mrs. Mendlebright?