July 07, 2003 - Msg 14541: Evening porch! Well, the 4-H fair was fun. Had never helped with judging before, but I really enjoyed it. Some kids had some really neat and creative projects. I helped judge collections--we saw Winnie-the-Pooh, Snoopy, Star Wars, Star Trek, dolls, coins, and stamps but no Mayberry collection! Tomorrow's foods but I'm not helping with that. Wonder if Clara's pickles will be there? Or better yet, Aunt Bee's! By the way, Ellen Brown, what happened to your friend Aunt Bee? Well, better get off the 'puter and do something constructive. Night porch.
Charlotte Tucker

Tall, dark, and a door prize!
July 07, 2003 - Msg 14542: Well, looky there! I did somethin' constructive--I swept the porch!
Charlotte Tucker"ed"
July 07, 2003 - Msg 14543: Evenin' Porch Family, It's quiet here on the porch tonight. And Charlotte done a mighty fine job sweepin' and all. Thanks Charlotte! Have to go back in the Archives to see just what she swept away. Gotta keep up on the readins'- ya know. Well, too quiet here, think I'll get the ironin'board out and get some sleep. Night all...~New Neighbor
July 07, 2003 - Msg 14544: Hidy, Porch...
Thanks for the sweepin', Charlotte. Hidy to you, New Neighbor. I gotta' admit you have me a bit worried... sleepin' on the ironin' board like that. It just cain't be good for your back. Have a good night... God bless... Dragonfly...
July 07, 2003 - Msg 14545: Evenin porch: How's everyone's Monday been? Sorry to here about Buddy. Seems all the good ones are going home. Got that printer hooked up and printed out the last couple weeks archives. I have
a book out of it and look forward to some good readin. Ellen Brown, I live in Midwest City just east of OKC and 2 miles north of Tinker Air Force Base. While sittin on front porch tonight enjoying my water feature (sprinkler hooked to the water hose) Hee Hee, had a neighbor drop by and visit until the skeeters drove us in, I was counting my blessings.
Dragonfly you know how to get a laugh, keep em comin. Ya'll sleep good tonight and have a good Tuesday. Remember the less fortunate in your prayers.
Blessed
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14546: Evenin', all. I've been around, just busy. Had to work last night, in spite of the fact that my daughter and three of my grandsons arrived here about an hour after I left. I'm off all this week, though - arranged that when I knew they were coming. Gonna be fun - three of the cutest boys you ever saw, ages 7, 8 and 9, and just as sweet and polite as can be. They're a joy to have around.

Boo, thanks for sharing the story about the doctor you witnessed to all those years ago, and now you see the result. The gift God sometimes gives us for doing His will is the chance to see the outcome.

Gomer, it's good to see you back in these parts. Hope you'll stick around. Did you finish out your hitch in the Marines and decide to come home? Everybody sure missed you.

Well, I'm tired, the Plum is tired, and my pillow is calling me. The little boys are asleep now, but tomorrow is another day. Now I know why God gives kids to young people!

Have a great week, folks. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14547: Morning Porch.
Hope your day is a great one.
hey Romeena, have fun with your guests. Does Sugarplum ever get jealous when you have company over? Our Sammy is the worst for that. LOL
I just read the sisters that were joined at the head did not survive the surgery. Very sad.
Hey Mavis, I'm still standing by with my cymballs when ever the band needs me.

Asa
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14548: Morning. Ro, I'm glad you mentioned Boo's story. I went back and found it in the archives. Seems I had missed it somehow. Great story. How wonderful for you, Boo. Hope everyone has a great day. Looks like it could be another hot one here.
Charlotte Tucker
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14549: Morning, everyone! No, Asa, the Plum doesn't get jealous, unless the guest is another furkid. Even then, if it's someone she knows well, like my daughter's little Snickers, there's no jealousy. Instead, she views visiting furkids and children as playmates, and visiting adults as fridge-door openers. Every adult who comes into this house is led to the fridge, with very clear body language from the Plum, and wordlessly instructed to open it, and open the crisper drawer, and then she will get her own carrot from the open bag, thank you very much. The Schwan's delivery man doesn't even hesitate. He just walks in and goes straight to the fridge.

If the visitor is another furkid, especially Snickers, they're greeted with a lot of play-stance posturing, then the toybox is opened and all the toys dragged out and presented to the visitor, one by one, until the right one is chosen. Then there's much playing and tumbling and chasing around the house. Very small children, like my 2yr old grandson, is approached like another furkid, and much fun is had by all. He pushed her around the house in a toy shopping cart the other night, with her enjoying every minute of it. Thank goodness for cameras. I got some good shots. Now, Asa, aren't you sorry you asked? Asking me about the Plum is like pulling the string on one of the old Chatty Cathy dolls. (teehee)

Well, I hear the boys stirring around. They'll be hungry. Pancakes, maybe? Or maybe not. Cereal is easier! (Shame on me.) Have a great day, friends. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14550: Oops! Up above, make that either: A small child is approached, or Very small children are approached. My English grammar teacher is probably spinning like a top somewhere. --Romeena
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14551: afternoon porch! Just wanted to say hey on my way by to go to town. HOWDY YA'LL!!. See ya'll in a bit. Anybody need anything from the drug store?
*Mavis
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14552: I could use some Tucks medicated pads Mavis. Not for what you think either. I put them under my eyes. They keep the bags under them to a mininum.

Asa
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14553: Really, Asa? And it works?? Wow, I'm gonna have to try that! Sometimes when I've worked two or three nights in a row, my eyes look like I'm packed for a cruise. Thanks for the tip.

I took the three little grandsons to Target today, gave them each $15, and told them they could spend it as they chose. I really do think the Louisiana Purchase was accomplished with less figuring, calculation, mind-changing and chin-rubbing deliberation. I hung out in nearby aisles and watched. It was hilarious! They finally made their choices, and my living room floor is now the repository of torn cartons, strips of clear plastic, twist-ties and bits of paper. Batteries have been located and installed, and the hurricane is about to blow out of the house to put the chosen toys to the test. One kid is wearing a Ninja turtle mask, waving a plastic sword that makes a noise when swung, one is going around looking for barcodes on things so he can scan them with his scanner, and one has his pockets stuffed with tiny pieces of something that will undoubtedly never achieve full construction status. Oh, what fun they're having, completely oblivious to the cheap, flimsy condition of the stuff they bought. I love it!

Well, guess I'd better start thinking about supper. I think I'll make a big skillet full of chicken mole (mo-lay) for them, so I can use up the rice left from last night's shrimp dish, which was very good. Peel some fresh shrimp, saute in a skillet until firm and pink, add a jar of Classico Sun-dried tomato Alfredo sauce, heat through and serve over rice. Yum! Quick, and really good.

Have a great evening, friends. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14554: Loved the stories about the grandkids and the Plumster too. How cute. My Darling Boys and little Charlene are headed down sometime this week. It will be good to see them.

Friends, Trevor from the UK has been in a jeep accident and is in a bad way. Just got an email from his wife Cherry. Didn't have time to say much and won't be able to answer email for a while, but just wanted me to know. So lets get all the prayer warriors started up on this one. The poor man, he was just saying the other day he felt better than he had since his fusion. And now this. I know how discouraging this can be as I went through the same thing in April. Pray for his spirit as well as his physical healing.

Gotta go scrounge up something to eat. Wish I was at Ro's. Her leftovers sound purty good. Chat at ya later.

fun girl
July 08, 2003 - Msg 14555: Now Romeena, I was just kidding about them Tucks. I wouldn't want you burning yer eye's are nothing like that. That reminds me of the story about the feller who kept his Prep. H. and his Ben Gay next to each other in his cabinet. One night he reached for some Prep. H. but got the Ben Gay by mistake. Now that will bring tears to your eye's I bet.
Sorry to hear about Trevor FunGirl. I'll sure keep him in my prayers.
Hope all is well with everyone tonight.

Asa
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14556: yes, confusing prep H with Ben Gay could certainly be a pain in the bottom. My husband told me that when he was in high school, that sometimes when they were dressed out for gym, guys would take another guy's underwear and rub Ben Gay in the crotch as a joke. Painful joke. Speaking of; did any of you get your chair pulled out from under you in class when you were a kid? Another painful joke.

Asa, I never heard of Tucks for eye bags but I do know that some people put prep H under their eyes to reduce puffiness (no joke). I would try it but I am too embarrassed to buy prep H at the store (I know half the checkers in the nearby grocery store). I am blessed to have remained roid-free through two pregnancies!

Gotta go hit the sack. I am so sleepy I feel silly (which probably explains the previous ridiculous narrative on prep H and ben gay).

Have a good sleep.....
Nighty-night,
Boo
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14557: Reread Cherry's email about Trevor's accident and it doesn't sound good folks. She said that she would let me know how he was, "If and when he improves." I am gonna send out a package to him and would like to include emails from some of you if you would like to write a quick note. Just email me at franeys@rnetinc.net and I will print them off and mail them with my stuff. Continued prayers would be appreciated.
fun girl
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14558: Oh Boo, you are a giggle. Roid free? LOL
Hey Romeena, my Sammy needs to spend time with the plum and learn how to be a good host. He is the most jealous thing I have ever seen. Even if little kids are visiting and me or Mrs. Asa picks them up and gives them sugar he gets hisself all kinds of worked up. He really is quite a sight. My daughters weiner dog is the same way. I wonder if it's a breed thing? How do your young-un's act Mavis?
Gotta get to work. Later.

Asa
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14559: Asa, my weinie dog is very jealous, too, and really doesn't like anyone who's not in the immediate family. Before my weinie dog, Ginger died a couple of months ago, the weinie's used to be jealous of each other and would sometimes fight when they were both trying to be the center of my attention. Maybe it's the breed. They are very protective of their homes and families and braver than they should be!

Prayers for Trevor, fungirl. Hope he recovers.

Boo
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14560: fun girl, an email is on the way to you. I'm so very sorry to hear about Trevor. I'm sure everyone feels as I do, that he's a friend and one of us. Certainly I'll be praying for his recovery. Thank you for letting us know about this.

Asa, Sugarplum has been thinking about opening a charm school for furkids, to teach them some of her more endearing behaviors. I'm sure that "how to behave toward guests" would be part of the curriculum. Her tuition fees would be quite affordable - just a bag of carrots now and then. If you'd like, we can put Sammy on the mailing list and let him know when sessions are about to begin.

She really is hilarious with visiting furkids, because she tries so hard to share her toys. She literally presents them to the visitor, one by one, until something finds favor. Then there's a big tussle over that toy! If the visitor gives up and lets her have the toy, she'll present it again until the visitor reaches for it, and then the chase is on once more. Aren't furkids great?

Well, guess I'd better go break out the cereal and milk - I hear young voices in the living room. Everyone have a terrific day now, you hear? Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14561: Morning porchsters. Enjoyed all your grandson and Sugarplum spicy talk this morn, Romeena. And Asa, Tucks under the eyes! You are a bird! Fun girl, I'll email you a message for Trevor, poor guy. Every time you mention him, I get a picture of Malcolm Meriwether in my head! Our English connection to the porch!
Charlotte Tucker
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14562: Thanks to Ro and Charlotte for the messages for Trev. It's funny Charlotte, I pictured Malcom too, but he has sent a photo and he is strawberry blonde, slight of build and about 39 years old. I called the Isle of Wight, which is where he lives, last night. I called the one hospital on the Island and he was not listed there. The lady I talked to said he had not been admitted since May. I don't have his phone number altho I looked it up on the net and it was not listed. So, either he was off the island when he had the accident, or he is at home and hopefully resting semi-comfortably. Hopefully the later.

If any of the other porchsters would like to email me a message for Trev, I would be glad to enclose it in a package. I hope to mail it by Monday so lets really show him an outpouring of love and support. Again, my email is franeys@rnetinc.net. Sorry I don't know how to do the fancy colors or bold or anything or print it so it would link. If anyone does know how, fix it if you please. I would hate to have to CALL THE MAN for such a small job.
'preciate ya!
fun girl
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14563: fun girl, bolding is easy. To make your name in bold, I typed (b)fun girl (/b), except in place of the ( and ), I used < and >. I couldn't use them to show you how, because they wouldn't have printed, it would have just made your name bold. The /b part turns the bold off. Try it, it's easy!

Prayers for Trevor. Let's hope he's home and doing well. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14564: Romeena, many thanks for your "welcome back" message from yesterday. I, too, have missed all my old friends from The Front Porch.

Just for the heck of it, I thought I'd see if I could follow your instructions that you left for fun girl on how to bold. If it doesn't work, and your name ends up surrounded by strange-looking symbols, we'll all know that I didn't get it right!

Best of luck to you and yours!

Gomer
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14565: Hey Gomer you got it right!! Easy ain't it? fungirl I am sorry to hear about Trevor, I will get you an email off as soon as I get up out of my rocker here. Asa my 2 resident monsters of the house ie: the dachshunds are just like Sammy & Boo's baby, they hate when we have company, be it little kids or adults, they try so hard to protect me or get my attention, they end up fighting each other!! Cissy the Chihuahua is just as bad if not worse. I remember one night the 'brats' got into it over me loving on 'Daddy' & it was a bad one, now remember what I do for a living, folks, the number one rule in a dog fight is Never, ever stick your hand in there to break it up what did I do?? Yep, stuck my hand in there, you guessed it, got it bit pretty good too. somehow in my tired mind, I thought it would be alright since it was my own dogs! haha Anyway, must be a doxie thing, either that or "spoiled brat syndrome" Talk to ya'll soon,
*Mavis
Oh rule number 2~~~Obey All Rules! LOL
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14566: Ah... a fair good evenin' to ya', Porch Friends. What a blessing. I beheld the "magic time" of evening. Listening to last, tired burr of the cicadas and watching the crimson and green of the crepe myrtles fade in the twilight. Looking off to the west as the trees became silhouettes of black and gray almost stark against an amethyst sky. Looking again to the south a bit and seeing a waxing moon just past full and hearing the crickets begin their background song with an occasional counter by the tree frogs. Then, magically, from down the street the sound of a screen door slamming and the giggle of a small child. All we needed was the ice cream man to come along to ensure the clamoring of small children for pocket change and the the "old folks" could have stood around in the street and chatted about a hot day come to a good conclusion. Time to put away Old Glory, hunt down small puppy-smelling boys for a bath and tell the Lord good night.

A fair, loving and peaceful evening to you all, my friends. Nice to be able to say that again...

Blessings.... Dragonfly
July 09, 2003 - Msg 14567: Thanks, Dragonfly. I needed that.

Boo
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14568: Morning porch people. Whats up? Besides me?
Guess I'll do breakfast today. Bowls are in the cupboard, and rice krispies are in the pantry. Sorry, thats all I'm good for. LOL

Asa
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14569: Thanks Asa, I'll brang the 'nannas and milk! By the way, how is YOUR back lately? Prayers for all who need them, particularly Trevor. Ro, I surely enjoyed hearing about Plum's great at-t-itude twoards company. RIP Buddy - I know he's dancing a jig in Heaven with Irene Ryan.

~ Mrs. Wiley
"...with double-dollups for afters."

July 10, 2003 - Msg 14570: Where you been, Mrs. Wiley? Did you get a different job? Thanks for the Rice Krispies, Asa. You fix breakfast like I do, 'cept I generally do Pop-Tarts. Possum loves them Pop-Tarts. Where is Possum anyhow? Hey to Gomer, Blessed, Dragonfly, Boo, Mavis, Romeena, and Fun Girl. Prayers for Trevor and all who needs 'em.
Charlotte Tucker
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14571: Asa - we call Rice Krispies "poppers" at our house. My oldest loves poppers. We have had our share of rain this week. Copious Amounts!
Thanks for the prayers - still in the middle of the situation but I think things will be okay if I keep trusting and praying. Please keep me there.
Sorry so short - loved your post Dragonfly!

homemaker
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14572: Yep homemaker, we have had more than our share of the wet stuff too. Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Know who said that? Why Mark Twain, of course. Calvin Coolidge didn't say ever thang, ya know. LOL

'preciate the prayers for Trevor.
fun girl
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14573: The tears on my pillow bespeak the pain that is in my heart.

The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as gentle rain from heaven. YOU'RE NOT TALKING TO A JERK YA KNOW!

f.g.
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14574: Howdy. Just dropped in among piles of laundry to say, "hey". No time for chit chat!

Boo

"I hate the guitar..."
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14575: Hey fun girl, you hear the question often, "Who would like to have dinner with?" Jesus always comes up and rightly so. Just for grins I'd like to sit with Benjamin Franklin, Mark Twain and Will Rogers. That would be a hoot! For pure mind-bending intellectual enjoyment I'd have to go with Thomas Jefferson (althought Gen. Washington wasn't any slouch). It's just that I agree with JFK addressing a table full of Nobel Laureates when he said, "Never has this room played host to such a collection of intellect and talent... except when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

Y'all have a lovely day... Dragonfly
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14576: Ok, this could be fun. Here are the ones I would like to spend an evening with: Jesus, of course, and Paul or John the Apostle. Next, George Winston (for entertainment on the piano), Beethoven, C.S Lewis, Corrie Ten Boom, Polycarp (the martyr from the first century church), and Doug Phillips (someone you probably don't know who is living today. He used to be an attorney for the Home School Legal Defense Association and now lectures on the family--great guy).

Gotta run.....
Boo
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14577: Oh yes! This is fun. While Jesus is a shoe-in (forgive the expression!), my next choice is King David, a man after God's own heart. Famous historic figures? Hmmm... Abraham Lincoln and Ben Franklin both have my respect. People living today...I might enjoy dining with Philip Yancy or President Bush. Ok, porchsters...put on your thinking caps. Let's hear your answers. I like this activity, Dragonfly!
Charlotte Tucker
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14578: P.S. Dragonfly, the JFK quote about Jefferson was neat.
CT
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14579: Hey Boo!... If you like Clive Staples Lewis you'd love Sheldon Vanauken who wrote A Severe Mercy. He was from here and a good friend of Lewis'. Polycarp, huh? How about Augustine or Thomas Aquinas? You're right Charlotte Tucker, this could turn out fun!

Blessings... Dragonfly
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14580: HARPER LEE, HARPER LEE, HARPER LEE! to thank her for giving us the classic TKAM. (remember that abbreviation?) And of course Our Lord. I always thought it would be neat to meet Helen Keller. And Trevor from the UK. We have shared so much in such a short time. I believe we started emailing in January. Hard to believe we could become such good friends so fast. Please continue to pray for him. I am so surprised no one said Andy or Don Knotts. I would like to have dinner with Ronnie Howard. I have always had a soft place in my heart for red-headed men. LOL

Boo, before you added "the apostle" I thought maybe you were speaking of a couple of the Beatles. LOL You know when you say Paul or John, it does sorta sound like you're going that direction. (tee hee) And last but not least, I would love to sit down to dinner with each and every one of you. (Now that's a whole mess 'o lovin.)

HUGS
fun girl
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14581: Hey Porch!

It's me, it's me, (well, it's not Ernest T, it's just little old me...Mary Wiggins)!

How is every one doing? I loved reading the post from Dragonfly, describing the amethyst sky and all! Just wonderful stuff, you and Romeena need to collaborate and write some stories, poems, and musings!

Fun Girl, I dropped you an email to include to Trevor. I will continue to keep him in my prayers.

This weekend hubby and I have an art show right in our own backyard, (well, not literally) so we won't have to go far! I might get a little more opportunity to visit this weekend!

Now, as to who I would want to have dinner with, that is a tough one. I probably will think of other people later, but off the top of my head, Jesus has to be number one. I would have to do a darn site more cleaning around here before He got here though! I have always been a fan of Jimmy Stewart, he would be on the list. I think I would also pick my mother's father, he died when I was pretty young, and from what I remember of him, he was one funny grandpa! My maternal grandmother would also be on the list because she was from Ireland and had a pretty difficult life. I was 17 when she passed away and I didn't have the sense to get to know her when I had the chance. My parents would be very high up on the list, because now that they are both gone I have millions and millions of questions I wish I could have asked them. Well, with that said, I think I am going to try to get over to my aunt's house in the next few days! There may not be a tomorrow to put these things off until!

Have a great evening porch!

Mary Wiggins
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14582: Hello porch, Mavis Mavis Mavis, you know I'm shaking my head. you poor girl, I'm glad your alright. My Pookie was choling and I tried to get the item out of her mouth to help her and she snaped at me, so I smacked her on the bottom and the item flew out LOL it was a funny site, but I wont try to get any thing out of her mouth again. believe me. CT Aunt Bee went to Texas to stay with her sister and can't decide if she is coming home or not. LOL. Pierre is almost done with our new room and when his part is done mine starts, the decorating you know, it's just my computer and music room, nothing fancy and it is small but just the right size for everything, The ele. and phone will be on sometime this weekend and then I'm moving everything in to it, can't wait, we hope to get our little pool up this week end also. My brother and his wife went back together, he moved back in tonight, I pray all works out for them I know they both love each other, they have been married 25 yrs. Got to go nite all God bless ya. I'll read the post to catch up on what alls been going on hopefully in the next few days. I go to the Doctor tomorrow pray for me.
((((((HUGS))))))))

Ellen Brown
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14583: Mary Wiggins, how touching that you would include family memebers that have gone on. I wasn't thinking in that direction but it sure made me think about how I would love to sit down with my Grandpa that died before I was born and my Grandma that died when I was five. Maybe someday.

Fun girl you are so sweet! I would dearly love to fellowship with all of my friends on the porch, too.

Dragonfly, I will have to study up on Augustine and Thomas Aquinas and I will definitely read something by Vanauken. I have always been in awe of what I have heard about the death of Polycarp. He was supposedly an elderly and very respected man who was begged by friends and leaders to just deny Christ and live. He said,(I think I have this right), "After everything that Christ has done for me, how could i possibly deny him.", and when he was put on the stake to be burned he asked them not to tie him there because he was willing to die for his Lord. He just stood there of his free will while the flames engulfed him. To me this is an amazing mystery.

Gotta go, my baby girl is falling asleep while sitting up...Bye
Boo
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14584: Wow Boo, what an awesome story. I always liked the movie, about the martyr who was burned at the stake...was it John Wycliffe? I may be thinking about the wrong last name. Can anyone help me out here. At the end of the movie, he was being burned and was singing, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me." And speaking of that quote, my cousin was raised by a fire and brimstone preaching father. One day he was acting up and his dad stopped in the middle of his sermon and said, "Son, when we get home you're getting a whippin." After the sermon during the alter call he came forward and hollered, "Oh thou Son of David, have mercy on me." Aren't kids just hysterical?

We have had some close calls with my sister this week. They have thought they would have to induce her two or three times as her blood pressure has spiked. They told her today, no more working. (She works in a NICU at Riley Hospital for Children.) Anyway, she is done with work until the baby comes. So, hopefully soon we will have a beautiful healthy new baby girl in the family. Rosa Louise after my grandmother. I am really starting to get excited, but just want my sister and baby to both make it through healthy and happy. Prayers Please!

The Darling boys and Charlene are supposed to arrive tonight as we are throwing a baby shower this weekend. Can't wait to see them. And speaking of Darling persons, where is BDJ these days. I wonder if he ships mulberry squeezins across the big pond. I am sure that Trevor could use a jug or two. Just wish I would hear something from Cherry. Guess all I can do is pray.

Is anyone else up in arms about this rearranging the overtime that Bush and Congress are trying to pass? I am not bashing the Prez, but I honestly feel if he were a blue collar worker and making the same money as my poor fungi, his view would be radically different. Mike is worried sick over this whole thing. This world is a scarry place to be sometimes. Of course they can't get people to work their shifts now at Kroger, so I think that Mike will always have overtime, no matter how they rearrange his schedule.

I appreciate all you who have taken the time to write encouraging notes to Trevor. If you have not been able to do so, I will be mailing the package on Monday, so take a few minutes and jot him an encouraging note.

just email me at franeys@rnetinc.net

I am sure he will appreciate all the care and concern as when I mailed two notes from Boo and Ro with the last package he said he nearly cried.

Take care my dear friends.
fun girl
July 10, 2003 - Msg 14585: Hello Porch.........
I agree with all the above dinner partners, my first choice would be our dear Jesus, Paul, Mary,
Billy Graham and President Bush. I think he would love our front porch and have lots of fun picken and grinnin and spinnin tales. Steinbeck, oh there are so many we couldn't get them all around the table, but wouldn't it be fun. Could you even eat?????????? Conversation would be my appetizer, main course and dessert. They might want food in their bellies tho....
I will lift everyone and their loved ones up in prayer tonight. God Bless You All
Blessed
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14586: Hey guys.. I know it's been a while, but I need to ask for some prayers again. My brother in law cut his hand on a circular saw today workin on his house he's building. It went in between his thumb and fore finger.. and cut across his palm. It broke his little finger and tore several ligaments too. Luckily he didn't loose any fingers, but the dr's told him tonight he would more than likely never have full use of it again. He does welding for a living and also pastors a small church here. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Thanks guys.. I love ya's a lot. Salty Dog
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14587: Prayers for your sister and Rosa Louise, fun girl. I must tell you that I have not sent an email to Trevor as you mentioned above but I am on the stick now and will certainly send one.
As for the movie you mentioned, I don't think I saw that one but it seems like there was a martyr named Wycliffe during the dark ages and perhaps he was murdered by the Catholic church. Ring a bell with any of you scholars? I have forgotten most of the little that I once knew about such things. I tried to read Foxe's Book Of Martyrs once and couldn't do it!

I haven't heard anything about this overtime thing you spoke of. What is it about?

I have to admit that I am a little bit nervous about tomorrow. I am taking baby girl in for her immunizations (she is behind by several months) and I always start thinking about Autism and all the possible complications. Please pray that she will be fine and no harm will come to her in any way. It would mean so much to me if you would. Thanks.

Well, I think I will write a note to Trevor....Later, Dear Friends.
Boo
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14588: Well me again.. on a lighter note this time. I had forgot to tell ya'll this lil story that happened to me this week at work. There were a couple guys who came into the store where I work and bought nightcrawlers to go fishin. Well it started pouring the rain for like an hour straight. They came in later on soaking wet, well I couldtn' resist it.. I said I think it decided to rain didn't it? The one looked me and said Yep.. I was right out there in it!! Reminded me so much of Earnest T I laughed after he left. I knew only a tags watcher would understand that humor. Good night--Salty Dog
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14589: Hey Boo, Fun Girl, Trevor & all...I always think of St. Thomas More who, before his beheading by order of Henry VIII, said, "I am the King's good man... but God's first." My Papa always told me, "Son, you gotta' live your life - rich or poor - by a system of priorities. Those are, in order, God-Family-Friends-Job. If things get out of whack, take a look at the order and you'll likely find the problem." Hasn't been wrong yet.

Boo, St. Thomas Aquinas wrote the Summa Theologica, a systematic, Socratic, appraisal of Christianity. He was a large man and very contemplative and his peers (mistaking this for stupidity) called him the Dumb Ox. He has been named a Doctor of the Church and, in fact, is called the Angelic Doctor. However, on his death bed, he looked on his life work and the vision he had been given and declared it, "so much straw". That is an indication of the love and knowledge we have waiting on us. What a Joy!!!

Have a lovely evening, dear porchsters...

Blessings... Dragonfly
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14590: Hey all, remember when I mentioned the Reader's Digest column which counted Mayberry Days as one of the festival's they would skip? Well, I was thumbing through this month's edition at my parent's house, waiting for my little one to want to leave, when I noticed a letter to the editor chastizing RD for mentioning Mayberry Days in that column. In the last sentence the writer wished that Ernest T. Bass might throw a rock through their window! I thought that was funny, and I whole-heartedly agreed!
I wondered if it might have been one of you who wrote that.

Have a nice night!
-Sterling Holobyte
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14591: Great dinner choices and words of advice here on the porch early this morning! We're headed to St. Louis to Six Flags today. Weather channel shows scattered storms but Internet shows it clear. Hope the Internet is correct. I have a quick funny story too. If I've already told you this, forgive me. We were out playing golf recently and my son saw a golf ball cut in half by a mower. The next time we went he said, "Wonder what happened to that golf ball?" I said "What would you do with THAT?" He said "Oh, I don't know, fix it up, eventually buy somethin'." Is that kid a hoot or what?? Have a Mayberry day! (Somebody please tell me if I already told that story. If I did, write it off as a senior moment!)
Charlotte Tucker
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14592: Great story, Charlotte Tucker! I wanted to say Happy Birthday to one of the best Mayberry folks in the world...Happy Birthday Emmett!! I hope everybody has a great weekend! Summer's in full bloom here.
--Emma
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14593: Happy Birthday Emmett!! Maybe we can go out to the duck pond tonight!
--Martha
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14594: Hey there Martha! Good to see you on the porch! I hope you and Emmett celebrate his birthday in high style today. I just have one question to ask...what do you want to go to the duck pond at night for? You can't see the ducks.
--Emma
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14595: Morning all.
Prayers for your Brother in law Salty. That is scary stuff.
Don't fret Boo. I know there are lots of things talked about in regards to immunization's but they have done so much good in the health of children.
I'm glad someone wrote R.D. to chastize them. How dare they bad mouth our town. I have noticed that R.D. just don't seem quite the same anymore. Don't know what it is but I used to love reading them and now I just don't care if I do or not.
Hey Charlotte, I loved that story with your young-un. He will be very succesful in life thinking like that.
Happy bithday to Emmett. Sounds like Martha has some plans for you tonight.
Hey Mary Wiggins, Karl Malone is going to sign with the dreaded Lakers. We have lost John Stockton and now Malone, I see many lean years ahead for the Jazz.
How nice to hear from you Mrs. Wiley. I hope you are well and happy. Please visit more. My back is doing a little better right now, thanks for asking.
Boy, sorry about yaking so much. Can't seem to hush none either.
Hope we all have a great and wonderful day.

Asa
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14596: Good morning porch, Birthday wishes to all having one and prayers for all who need them, remember me today I go to the doctor I need to have a few things checked out. Say tell Trevor hey for me, Asa how are you today? Say please remember my Son Timothy he needs a healing and lifting up he is such a good boy. He has been sick and works every day. and has the worse thing to happen to him. Got to go to work, , I'm still trying to catch up on all these post. LOL.

Ellen Brown
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14597: Great news Asa, been praying for ya. The job from 'heck' finally let me go but now they want to fight me on unemployment. They say I voluntarily quit because I moved to a different city. Funny. I have 2 emails from my manager saying it was due to budget constraints. Besides, they kept me full-time for 2.5 months AFTER I moved! It's a jungle out there. Guess they don't know this is the deadly game - and I'm in it for keeps. Yes, this thing about overtime being changed is most distressing. I haven't read anything on it yet, but I have a lawyer who is eager to fight them for the overtime they didn't pay me. Don't know what will happen if they change the federal laws.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMETT!! Have a Mayberry kind of Day - I'll brang the sandwiches and pop.

Who would I have over for dinner? Jesus and Mary. I often dwell on Our Lord and food, which He seems to be very partial to; St. Padre Pio, St. Teres (the Little Flower - her life story is fascinating); Dietrich Von Hildebrand (philosopher - wrote Transformation in Christ); Don Knotts; Michael Angelo...the list could go on and on.

Aparantly so can I. I'll try to visit more often now that things are settling down.

~ Mrs. Wiley
"...ask him again, why he wants to go to the duck pond?"

July 11, 2003 - Msg 14598: Does anyone know where I can find transcripts of the episodes? I'd be much obliged.

Rob
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14599: My goodness! Lots of conversation, visits by some we haven't seen in a while, sharing and caring going on. I love this place, and the people who populate it.

Little grandsons are still here - we're going to try to get a Dart train ride into the schedule for today. They're such good kids, so appreciative of the little things one does for them. Who was it who said "Grandchildren are the reward God gives you for not killing your own kids."? (Forgive me, sometimes I invent my own punctuation, when the proper form doesn't seem to make sense.)

Boo, your concerns about Baby Girl's immunizations are understandable. I also know that as a nurse, you know the risks of the various diseases the vaccinations are designed to prevent. It's just hard to voluntarily subject your child to something that could, however remote the odds, cause them harm. You just have to think how you would feel if she came down with one of the diseases you could have prevented, and had a bad outcome. (Spoken by a grandmother who no longer has to make those choices.) Remember, too, that free advice is worth every penny you paid for it.

"The man" will be here shortly to begin measuring and platting off my yard in preparation for the sprinkler system. Yep, I'm gonna do it! Our water restrictions do not allow watering between 7am and 7pm. With a yard as big as mine, that means for thorough watering, I have to set alarms and get up all night long and go move sprinklers. That has just become unacceptable. So, an automatic system is the answer. That will mean I won't come home to a toasted yard when I travel anymore, either.

Well, off I go. "The man" will be here shortly, and I'm still in my jammies. Kids are all still asleep, much to the Plum's disgust. She barks now and then, I'm sure she's trying to wake them. Have a great day, friends. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14600: NO rain today - thought I was going to need an ark for a couple of days there!
I would want to have Jesus (but of course He is the invisible guest already) and I think I would like to have the porchsters be at my meal. Face to face might be fun! Maybe both of my grandpa's - only met one for a short time (I was just about 3 when he passed on) and the other - I didn't know. Maybe my mom's brother Karl William who died as a child. He was her best brother and I think they had a special relationship.
I think I may yard sale soon.

homemaker
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14601: Why ya gonna sell your yard Homemaker?

Asa
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14602: Oh ASA! You're hysterical, ya know that? You're a regular laugh riot. What ya gonna do next, go down to the old folks home and loosen the bolts on the wheelchairs?
fun girl
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14603: I love you guys! You are so sweet and caring and so very funny! Ro, what you said about free advice was hilarious. I do apprectiate your advice, even if it is free.

Baby girl got through her four shots but not without alot of screaming and crying. We then went promptly to target to buy a baby doll (that always eases the pain).

I wanted to share something with you that I witnessed today in the Dr's office. It is something very sad but I was so concerned I wanted to ask you to pray. While I was in the waiting room, a woman who appeared to be about my age, came in with her son who looked about eight. The woman obviously had cancer and had been undergoing chemotherapy. She had no hair and just looked very ill. Her little boy was so affectionate with her and hardly ceased hugging her and sitting on her lap. I just can't tell you how I felt. I really had to work at it to hold back the tears. I just can't imagine what that family is going through and I feel so much for that little boy. I have decided that I am going to do some serious praying for them. I don't know them and will probably never see them again but I feel very compelled to pray. I wanted to share it with any of you who might feel the desire to say a prayer for them today. Thanks for listening.
Love,
Boo
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14604: Prayer challange accepted.

Now about the overtime thing. They are trying to pass a bill that says your job can mess with your schedule any way they want (ex: work you 60 hours one week and 20 the next) and they don't have to pay you for overtime unless you exceed 80 hours in a two week period. Sorry folks, but that steams my clams. As I said before, I am sure that if the Prez himself made what my hubby makes, he would see things a little differently. And those fat cat senators and representatives are just gonna sit back and let him do it. After all, is it taking any money out of their pockets? It has come to sad turn of events when just a few years ago, Bill Clinton paid $200 for a haircut, but now the beaurocrats dont want to pay overtime to those people who work hard and earn it. (thump)
Down off my soap box now.

Have you even noticed that the things that upset us most about Government are the things that effect us directly? I think Calvin Coolidge said that. LOL No it was just lil ole me.
fun girl
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14605: Hey, fun girl... I think Mark Twain and Will Rogers had a pretty good handle on the whole government thing. Will Rogers said, "No man's life, liberty or happiness are safe while Congress is in session." Mark Twain said several things, among which were, "We are better off not knowing how laws and sausages are made." and "Suppose I were an idiot. Suppose I were a congressman... but, then, I repeat myself." Hence, one of the reasons these two were on my list for dinner...

Blessings... Dragonfly
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14606: Great quotes! I won't soon forget them (especially the one about the sausages).

I think that idea about the overtime sounds pretty bad. When I worked for a hospital I was treated like that. The nurses were at the mercy of the administrators when it came to hours and overtime and sometimes it really stank...stunk...whatever.

Boo
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14607: Asa - you are as funny as a screen door on a submarine!

homemaker
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14608: Evening Y'all.Lots of thunderstorms popping up around my rock lately,so I haven't been able to sit on the porch as much as I'd like. Just popped in to say hey and let y'all know I'm still around!
Boo,I will pray for that lady & her little boy.Almost made me cry.I can imagine how hard it was for you to fight back your own tears.
Well,it's time to crawl back under the ole' rock-y'all take care!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
July 11, 2003 - Msg 14609: Porch Friends, prayers please for Grandma Ruth. Grandpa passed this evening about 6:30. I answered the phone when she called to let us know. So, after my sisters' baby shower tomorrow night, we will be off to St. Louis for the funeral on Tuesday. They had been married for over 60 years. It will be so rough on her. She has already made plans to move into a retirement center with sister Adeline. If you remember last month it was Aunt Grace who died after what was supposed to be a routine gal bladder surgery. So the two sisters who remain alive will be living together in the same retirement center. It's such a sad world at times.

No news from Trevor or Cherry. Requesting continued prayers.

fun girl
July 12, 2003 - Msg 14610: Hey to the porch. Haven't been around much lately. Busy, busy, busy. Let's see.. who would I choose to have dinner with? Well, since I'm not the same religion as most of you, my choices would be different. I would pick James Herriot, of the "All Creatures Great and Small" series. And of course, Don Knotts. And finally, President Bush.
10-4, over and out,
Hazel
July 12, 2003 - Msg 14611: Hazel, what a lovely thought - James Herriot! I just loved his books, and greatly enjoyed the British production of the TV series based on them. As for a dinner companion, may I assume that Abraham would be a mutually acceptable choice? I've always thought he was a real hero - just a simple man who was faced with some difficult choices. Sometimes he chose well, sometimes he didn't, but he fathered two great nations.

Boo, you are such a loving person. We'll all join you in prayers for the ailing mom and her little boy. I'd like to believe that she's undergoing treatment which will be successful, and will live to see her grandchildren! It was true of me. In 1979, I was told I had about a 40% chance for 5 year survival, and here I am, thanks to prayers and skillful doctors. I was a sickly sight for the year of treatment, but to see me now, you'd never know I was sick a day in my life.

Grandsons left around noon, just me and the Plum now. Awfully quiet around here. It's nice, but it was really fun having them here, and I'd have been very happy to have them stay longer. It was even fun having grungy little shorts and shirts to run through the washer again, stinky little balled-up socks everywhere, and always somebody asking if it's about time to eat. I love it!

We saw Finding Nemo, and I highly recommend it. It's a kids' movie, yes, but there is a strong adult appeal as well, and I will definitely buy it when it's available. Very nicely done.

Well, I suddenly find a nap on my agenda - imagine that! Have a great Sabbath, friends. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
July 12, 2003 - Msg 14612: Thanks you for the kind words, Ro. You made me feel so much better. I am praying that the mom with cancer will recover and see her grandkids just like you did. Thanks so much for the encouragement. You know, I always used to pray for the Lord to give me love for people but I didn't realize how much it would hurt sometimes. It's kind of like when you are young and don't have children yet so you think you know what it will be like (all fun and games) then you have a child and like someone once wrote, " your heart walks around on the outside of your body.". You didn't know you were capable of so much love, sacrifice,worry and stark, raving fear! You find out it is worth it all, though. I guess that's just how love is.

Oh, I forgot someone on my list of people to spend the evening with: Dr Phil!!

Well, baby girl is napping so I think I will try to take a little Saturday afternoon snooze. Let's all meet on the porch later for some soda and ice cream and good conversation! Bye.

Boo
July 13, 2003 - Msg 14613: Hey Porch...
It seems everyone is going thru trials these days.
I have been on a pity trip, oh it has been a long one, one I thought would never end, until I arrived back home and realized that everyone has heartaches and are suffering too if not even harder. I feel your pain and wish I could take it away. My uncle sent me an E-mail with this poem, maybe it will help in your days ahead.
WHATEVER YOUR CROSS
WHATEVER YOUR PAIN
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SUNSHINE AFTER THE RAIN

PERHAPS YOU MAY STUMBLE
PERHAPS EVEN FALL
BUT GOD'S ALWAYS THERE
TO HELP YOU THROUGH IT ALL

Good night porch friends
Blessed
July 13, 2003 - Msg 14614: Just checking in. Good Sabbath porch.

Ellen Brown
July 13, 2003 - Msg 14615: has anyone heard from Bulbsnatcher lately?
EB
July 13, 2003 - Msg 14616: Morning porch. Hope you are all well.
Hazel, I would love to dine with Mr. Erriot (the British drops the "H" you know). I just love his books. I might add Ronald Reagan to my list.
Boo, what a sweet lady you are to have a total stranger's health issue affect you like that. It says a lot about who you are.
I'm still waiting for homemaker's yard sale. I need some more yard anyhow. Course Romeena might need some to after getting a sprinkling system installed. I'll give her first right of refusal. (whatever that means) LOL

Asa
July 13, 2003 - Msg 14617: Thanks, Asa, but I think I've got about all the yard I need. I think I'll go to homemaker's sale, though, to see if she's selling anything besides her yard. I love to poke through sales like that. You never know what you'll find. I collect the old Fiesta pottery, and once I was at a sale and found two cups, worth about $5-7 each, mint condition, and the man was asking a nickel each for them. Feeling a bit guilty - you know, taking advantage of him like that - I was debating whether to let him know that they were collectible. About that time I heard him use the Lord's name in a most disrespectful manner, and I thought "Ha! Serves you right!" I gave him a dime, and walked away with my two beautiful cups, just chuckling to myself. I've often wondered whether I did right or wrong, but it's too late now. Caveat emptor in reverse, I guess.

Miss Ellen, that's a good question. Where isBulbsie? She hasn't been around in a while. Maybe we should put out an APB on her. Anybody know where Barney is? I kinda hate to involve him, though. He'll run that siren and rush around town scaring the daylights out of folks.

Dirty me, dirty me, I'm disgusted with myself. I overslept and didn't make it to Sunday School and church services this morning. A bit tired after the week with the kids, I guess. I think instead I'll gather up some pretty silk flowers and go out to the cemetery where my mom, and now my dad, are buried, and just have a little quiet reflection time. From there, I may go out to the rural cemetery where my little grandson, Logan, is buried. I haven't been out there in a while. Please don't think I'm going to be sad and blue all day, that's really not true. While these little visits are a bit somber, still there's a joyful note, because I know they're not really there. The graveside is just a touching point, a place to go to feel the whisper of their spirit wings, and be reminded once again that they're soaring in the heavens with the Lord.

Have a lovely day, friends. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
July 13, 2003 - Msg 14618: Hello Ro, I didn't make it to church either, shame on me.

EB
July 13, 2003 - Msg 14619: This is from HCT. It is funny. ~ EB



Got this email today...

After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean
> bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was
> supposed to be transporting from Harare
> to Beltway had escaped.
> Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver
> went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting
> there a free ride.
> He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital,
> telling the staff
> that the patients were very excitable and prone to
> bizarre fantasies.
>
> The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.
>
=======================================================================
>
> A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, puts a $20 bill
> \on the counter, and
> asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash
> drawer, the man pulled a
> gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which
> the clerk promptly
> provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled,
> leaving the $20
> bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from
> the drawer?
>
> $15.
>
> (If someone points a gun at you and gives you money,
> was a crime committed?)
>
> =============================================
>
> A thief burst into a Florida bank one day wearing a
> ski mask and carrying a
> gun. Aiming his gun at the guard, the thief yelled,
> "FREEZE, MOTHER-STICKERS, THIS IS A ****-UP!"
> For a moment, everyone was silent.
> Then the snickers started. The guard completely lost it
> and doubled over
> laughing. It probably saved his life, because he'd been
> about to draw his
> gun. He couldn't have drawn and fired before the thief
> got him. The thief
> ran away and is still at large. In memory of the event,
> the banker later
> put a plaque on the wall engraved with the words,
> "Freeze, mother-stickers, this is a ****-up!"
>
> =============================================
>
> As a female shopper exited a New York convenience
> store, a man grabbed her
> purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately,
> and the woman was able to
> give them a detailed description of the snatcher.
> Within minutes, the
> police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the
> car and drove back to
> the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and
> told to stand there
> for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer,
> that's her. That's
> the lady I stole the purse from."
> ==================================================
>
> When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a
> motor home parked on a Seattle Street, he got much
> more than he bargained for. Police arrived at
> the scene to find an ill man curled up next to a
> motor home near spilled
> sewage. A police spokesman said that the man
> admitted to trying to steal
> gasoline and plugged his siphon hose into the motor
> home's sewage tank by
> mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press
> charges, saying that
> was the best laugh he'd ever had.

July 13, 2003 - Msg 14620: Good morning all. My son and his family were home for a few days, from Fort Benning, Asia Marie sure is growing. They left last night, came up and got a car for his wife, her g'ma sold them. I figured Asia Marie would be really tanned, but she wasn't, she swims all the time. me I'm brown as toast, but all 4 of us kids get dark. I even stay out of the sun as much as possible. Pierre got my computer room done, I moved at lot into it yesterday, ahven't done the walls yet not sure what I'm wanting to do, I've got to do something. I guess. Any suggestion?

Ellen Brown



July 13, 2003 - Msg 14621: Hello everyone , this is my first time here .Enjoyed some of the post that I read and wanted to say that this seemed like a friendly little town ,hope to stop in again soon
tagsfan