March 13, 2005 - Msg 27580: Oh, ONE MORE THING....
Tonight on abc is the home makover show of the house in Gilbert AZ! It is about 6 miles from my house, so ya all can get a good idea of my end of the porch! Love ya,
MDC
March 13, 2005 - Msg 27581: Hey, I did it!
March 13, 2005 - Msg 27582: Good job MDC. Get the windows while you're at it, ok?

Asa
March 13, 2005 - Msg 27583: great one asa. mdc= need about 20 degrees sent by the brown truck.spot= next week nascar will be in your neck of the woods. you going? prayers for everyone. pipeman
March 13, 2005 - Msg 27584: Pipeman I have to work at 6 pm race day, may have to try to get out of it...got a buddy with tickets...good one today!...storms here at the power comp...got to go!...SPOT
March 13, 2005 - Msg 27585: MDC..I watched the Extreme Home Makeover ,great program ..your end of the porch looks nice ,except for the big cactus ,I would hate to back into one of those bad boys ,It was raining alot on the show and we were having a big thunder boomer here at the time ,The show gave that family a mansion ,wonder who pays the property tax on those houses every year
Howdy ASA,PIPEMAN and SPOT
Everyone on the porch take care
MAYBERRY DEPUTY



March 13, 2005 - Msg 27586: Mrs Wiley,I do believe they aren't making the vcr's like they used to.When I first bought a vcr back in the late 1980's,I bought a used one and some used tapes and that thing lasted 6 years with never a problem.I bought a couple after that ,brand new,and never had trouble for a few years,untilthey finally wore out.Now,I can't buy a new one that will last 6 months.A friend that owned a video store told me they were going to stop making vhs tapes completely in the next 2 years,and the vcr I bought from the electronics store,I was told may be the last vcr's they carry because they are supposed to stop makiing vcr's.I say they aren't any good now so don't sell them,it's a waste of money.Sorry folks,I got on my soapbox again!Oh,I did my car back ,it runs but the mechanic can't guaratee for how long.looks like I might be new car shopping by summer if not before.sorry to be so talkative,I'll go for now.Ky Girl
March 13, 2005 - Msg 27587: thats supposed to say did get my car back,ky girl
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27588: good morning ky and all the porch!...ham and bisquits witn mustard on the go this morning,sunny delight..getting ready to go home now...still raining here, hope the painter can get started back on my house trim this afternoon, gona have my Grandmothers eatate sale Friday...SPOT
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27589: Mornin Porchsters. MDC- got it, thanks. Anybody see the press conference with Ashley Smith (the lady held hostage in Atlanta) ? What a story.
Rev.Jr.
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27590: MD- The program is paying the property taxes AND the utilities for 5 years! Plus you may have seen that the homebuilder paid for the house, so they will have no mortgage payments.
It is interesting what we found out HERE that was not on the show. For example, the mom and dad DID know that the house may be completely torn down. That's why the dad legally had to say "do whatever you want" to Ty, but they were still not sure that ANYTHING actually would be done.(Our local paper printed a lot of the public documents.)
Also several moving vans took away all the old furnishings and all other possessions before the demo. Som the family can have any of their old stuff that they want.
Ty is quite a guy. During the filming, he was on the news every night!
Well, have a great week!
MDC
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27591: That's "SO the family..."
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27592: Rev., the nichols story is ALL thats on here in Kennesaw Ga.,very sad story.well a co-worker"s brother died over the weekend, going to give my respects at the funeral today at 2 pm...gosh I better get ready....SPOT
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27593: Hey yall, have a wonderful day! ~ Mrs. Wiley

Barney: "Yeah, it's shaped... just exactly like... a star..."
Prisoner: "And you weart it right over your heart."
Barney: "Mmm hmm."

March 14, 2005 - Msg 27594: Jauniiiiitaaaa
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27595: Hey Mrs. Wiley- always great to see you in all your glory in one of my favorite eps. "she called me a creatchster!" Just like the rest of the eps, I still laugh like it's the first time I've seen it.
Rev.Jr.
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27596: hey pipester, I see you dug out the brown truck from under the snow! Gotta get her raedy for Atlanta Speedway! We'll shrink wrap the Army logo on there for you, change the plugs and you're ready to go!
APB again for Boo, Charlotte, fungirl, DES, Jelsik, MAVIS, Alyce and others! Hope ya all ok!
MDC
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27597: Hey guys and gals, moved my grandmas china cabnet and 1930"s bedroom suite out to my house today and lots more stuff,had great friends helping because of my injuries,[friends are gold],got an old anvil and shoe anvil[yall know what that is]...well miss sherr has stopped by on her way to work.....prayers...SPOT
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27598: I'm right cheer, MDC! OoOoOoOoOo --__--__--__--__. Forgive my ineptness at computer pictures. That's my head shaking up and down and shaking hands as I do my amenities. You mean to tell me that Mike Ditka and Shakespeare were both here while I was away?. If that don't beat everthing! Ro, I haven't seen the video clip of the soldiers. Email it to me, please. That's sad news about the VCRs, Sterling. I much prefer mine to the newfangled DVD player. I must be gettin' set in muh ways. Tried to show my daughter how to do the long jump day before yesterday. Fell flat on my knees. Ouch! We're no spring chickens anymore.
Charlotte Tucker
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27599: One question about Mrs. Wiley's party--Why didn't that big dope give up Romeena when it was Ernest T's turn anyway?
CT
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27600: Good morning porch,how is everybody today?It's warmer here today,and I'm up early ready to do some spring cleaning.Charlotte don't worry about falling on your knees,at least you jumped!Now,if that was me,I wouldn't have handled even the jumping part.I never was the athletic type.I love to walk,get out in the yard or garden and work or play outside with the kids.But no long jumps for me.I have to tell you all this funny story hat happend at the gas station where my daughter works.They have a drive through car wash,and a man came in frantic because his son had driven his car into the car wash and was stuck in the car wash.So my daughter ask him how he knew he was stuck,he said he called him on his cellphone and told him.So she walked out to the car wash,looked in and the man hadn't put in enough money to activate the car wash,so,the son had driven into the car wash and couldn't go any further.She said he had a heck of a time gettin that car out of there since it's automatic and you generally just put the car in neutral and it automatically pulls you through.I'd never heard of anyone doing that,I felt sorry for the boy,he had to be scared!Well,I haven't even had alot of caffeine yet and I'm talking up a storm,better go for now.God Bless you all.Ky Girl
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27601: I'm cooking white bean chili for supper tonight,haven't decided what else we are having yet,but,you all are welcome to come by about 12 for lunch.I got a couple new crockpot cookbooks and I'm tryin out the recipes.Ky Girl
March 14, 2005 - Msg 27602: oh for lunch we are having blt's,ome pickles on the side and sweet tea and coke,ky girl
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27603: Sounds goooood Ky gyrl!...i"ll have tea....and i will bring some slaw...SPOT
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27604: extra bacon for me also.....SPOT
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27605: sour cream and onion chips is what i will bring also ....SPOT
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27606: Charlotte, here's MY answer to your dance question: They needed to fill in a few more minutes of air time, so thus the big dope bit! teehee
MDC
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27607: Ky girl, the carwash deal sounds almost like a
TAGS ep!! haha
MDC
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27608: Good grub spot! Have ya tried the western site yet?
MDC
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27609: CT- I'll bet Mr. Schwump would have let Ernest T. cut in...but that would have really cut down time for the whole scene. Spot- does that make you a slaw-dog? Do our fellow porchsters outside of the south have those? Simply put, they're your basic chili dog with slaw on top.
Rev.Jr.
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27610: I wonder why Andy didn't tell Earnest T. that he should tag another girl and dancest with her. After all, he wanted to get to know girls, didn't he?
~ Mrs. Wiley
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27611: Cuz he wanted his sweet ro-men-a! BTW, that was quite an ending with the two of 'em runnin round the porch next door! (What kind place are you runnin' Mrs Wilee!) teehee
Rev, they sell slawdogs at the cubs spring training games! Also brats and kraut. That is good eatin!
APB for MAYOR PIPEMAN! Dont tell me he went up to Raliegh to watch the town band play!
Have a good day,
MDC
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27612: Rev being a slaw dog os fine but the chilie dog times kinda burns...and no MDC have not tried the site yet, gona go there now, what was the web again?...SPOT
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27613: www.riflemanconnors.com
MD
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27614: SPOT..I saw you finally made it to the western site ,nice place ,not the same as the porch though
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27615: "That's the most dis-guust-ing band I have EVER heard in my whole life!"
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27616: Hey to the porch...it's been a while since I've been here...been awful busy here in Comcast land. Today is my '30-11th' birthday...so in honor of that, I'm sitting and rockin for a while!

Good to see lots of folks up and about...if we ever get a little warmth going...I'll be gettin the hog out...and I don't mean porky! Can't wait to feel the wind in my face and the bugs in my eyes...but that beats the mouth.

Ya'll be good...and careful!

Goober...
YO!!!
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27617: Happy "B" day goober...got to get up to my boat at red top mountian and make sure it has not floated away this winter!..cant wait till summer jet skis and camping...well got to gice a class in the morning at 7 am [my off day] jeezz..on high line switching....be back in just a bit...SPOT
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27618: thats "give"...sorry
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27619: Happy Birthday Goob! You gonna take the boat out (with the hopped-up V-8) to celebrate? MDC, I run a clean operation... I mean lonely hearts club. Only single, elidgible (sp?), God-fearin' folks. No creatchters.

~ Mrs. Wiley
"Have him dance with Ramona!"

March 15, 2005 - Msg 27620: HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOOBER!
Surprize, surprize, surprize!
Can you do your take of Cary Grant for us?
How bout Chester?
Ha ha, have a good one! Ya must be in hog heaven!
Mrs Wiley, good for you! Ya gotta watch out for those creatchters!
Spot, Since you'll be teaching, I'll buy breakfact for the whole porch over at the IHOP!
Well, I'll se a spell, then turn in!
Hey to you and yours!
Mr Darlin's Cuz
March 15, 2005 - Msg 27621: Happy Birthday, Goober. Charlotte says hey. Good luck to you and yours. I'm turnin' in early tonight so I can watch some TAGS tapes before I fall asleep. I usually put them on when I go to bed and fall asleep before I see a whole episode.
Charlotte Tucker

March 15, 2005 - Msg 27622: Thanks MDC for the IHOP invite!..I will swing by on my way to work...well"me-they-me-they-me they....hee..watched that ep tonight!..gomer you sure can sing..santa ta lugeea....gone like a freight train!....SPOT
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27623: Evenin', everybody! Just passin' through on my way to home and bed. Worked last night, stayed up all day today, I'm pooped. Just downright clemmed!

Cold, dreary and rainy here today, after all those beautiful sunny days we had. Oh, well, they'll be back. Along about mid-August, we'll be wishing for cold and rainy days.

Spot, it's so good to see you up and around, your own busy self. You've made a splendid recovery, and I'm glad. Now about those slawdogs - I've never tried one, though I imagine I'd like it. My favorite hotdog is one of the Polish sausage Pokey Puppies that they sell at Home Depot. I don't know if all the Depots have the hotdog stand at the exit or not, but ours does, and I love 'em! A nice Polish sausage on a fresh bun, with mustard, onions, pickle relish and kraut. MmmmmMMM! Good hotdog!

Well, off I go. No ironing board for me, I want my firm/soft, comfortable bed, and besides, there's no room for the Plum on the ironing board.

Have a great day tomorrow, everyone. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena

March 16, 2005 - Msg 27624: mornin everyone.spot thanks for bringin the extra's they were good.thanks for the breakfast at ihop mdc.happy birthday goober,and wishing you many more.I've got most of my spring cleaning done,just need to work on getting the painting finished in a bedroom and the living room.I know I told you all I just painted the rooms with Laura ashley paints not too long ago.Well one thing I've learned is,having 2 small children of my own left at home ,plus babysitting my 2 yr old grandaughter,crayon and marker does not wash off laura Ashley paint very well.So I'm back to basic colors,they are easier to paint over if you can't wash it off.I've used Mr clean magic eraser sponges,they work good if the colors aren't set in,so does wd 40 .But,if it's been on the wall awhile,i just have to paint over it.i have an aunt who rubs wd 40 on her joints to help arthritis stiffness,has any body ever heard of that?She's been doing it for years and swears by it.It hasn't hurt her yet,so I guess it's safe!You know come to think of it,I wonder if vicks would work?Ha Ha,you never know.Gotta close.God bless you all,ky girl
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27625: Morning all...dog in a hurry here...rain, got to leave for work early...prayers...SPOT
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27626: WD40. I love the stuff. I even like the smell of it. Does anyone know how they came up with the name for WD40? Very interesting.
IHOP sounds good MDC. I love the breakfast sampler there.
Romeena, Your idea of a hot dog and mine are the same. Love mustard, love onion, love pickles, but please, no ketchup on my hotdog! How about some nice bratwursts? Do you like them? I love em.
Dang, now I'm hunfry for lunch and I ain't even had breakfast yet. IHOP, here I come.

Asa
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27627: Hey to the porch - Happy Birthday to one of the original Porch's all-time greats, Miss Emma!
"Tappity-tappity-tappity-tappity-tap - FIFTY!"

MPO
We're no spring chickens anymore~
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27628: Happy Birthday Emma.
I'm not sure how good she is at tappity-tapping, but I've heard when it comes to flat-footin', she's a giant...

-- Jelsik
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27629: MPO AND Jelsik, gues my APB and getting barney on the bullhorn must have driven you two out of the woodwork! Good to see ya agin!
ASA, I think WD40 is for Weird Dudes 40 and over!
haha
KYgirl, a least your walls wont SQUEAK! hahah again.
Is your aunt related to the Tin Man? (yet another HA!)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA! I'll buy your dime's worth of pills for ya today! (Love your hat)
Have a good day all!
MDC
"Me and Lefty is breakin' out tonight"
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27630: VICKS RULES!
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27631: APB FOR MAYOR PIPEMAN!
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27632: Happy Birthday Miss Emma!

iiii
[__}

~ Mrs. Wiley

March 16, 2005 - Msg 27633: gee, looks like someone took a bite offin' the cake before I could get it to the table. Is Earnest T. in here?
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27634: Dearest porch friends. I'm sitting here with tears dripping on my keyboard, and I absolutely must share the reason with you. Most of you know our dear TOM, our porch poet. You remember that he no longer has internet access, and has taken to writing by snail mail to some of us, to anyone who will share their address with him. Well, today I received a note from him, and I'm going to copy it for you, exactly as he wrote it.

How are you, fine I hope.
Everything fine here.
Will thank you for the picture of you and Plum, and tell Mrs. Wiley to for the one from her!
I am hoping someday to be back on the porch. I miss all my friend there.
No, I have not many friend here. No one want a hunchback for a friend, and that go for the one back in Cleveland to.
This is for the porch. Prayer for all.


GOD IS GUIDING ME

Life's road is but an unknown path - the way I cannot see.
But I'll not fear this unknown path, for God is guiding me.
He leads me with an unseen hand. By faith, He lights the way.
His grace is all-sufficient for my journey day by day.
I need but start the day with Him, in fellowship and prayer,
Then as I travel down life's road, I'll always find Him there.

Your Mayberry friend,
Tom

P.S. Write back.


Well, there you have it, friends. Anybody have any ideas? My heart tells me that we need to find a way to get him back on the porch, and through the internet, in touch with the rest of the world as well. I don't know how to go about this, because the only hint we have about his circumstances is his reference to his physical condition. If only someone could investigate, find out how he lives and with whom, maybe we could all chip in and get him back on the porch. I'd be willing to start a fund to buy him a computer, but there are questions. Would he and his computer be exploited by the person with whom he lives? I know the city he lives in, perhaps we could contact a social services agency there? As I said, anybody have any ideas? Email me at Romeena@airmail.net. This is really resting heavy on my heart today.

Sugarplum says hey!



March 16, 2005 - Msg 27635: P.S. TOM lives in Nutterfort, WV. Is anyone close to him? --Romeena
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27636: Ro- the first thought I had was to have as many porchsters as possible snail mail him. I know it would be a "band-aid" for his situation, but at least he would see how many care about him. I don't know how he would feel about you posting his address, but maybe if we emailed you then you could provide us with his address in the return email. Just my initial thought .
Rev.Jr.
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27637: Yes, Rev jr, Ro will give you his address if you email her. She did that for me, but as you say,
just like we did the soldier, we can all pitch in.
And while were at it, also check out
www.saveterri.com and check out the TRUTH about her situation. Friday could be a very dark day in this country's history if we do nothing!
I think of the verse for both these situations "Faith without works is a dead faith!"
Ok getting down off the soapbox, bluey!
Thanks
MDC
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27638: Ro, that poor sorrowful fellow. I agree, his living conditions might not be ideal for us sending a machine or cash... I like the idea of contacting a public service in his area (United Way, or a local Church?). I'll continue the snailmail.

~ Mrs. Wiley

March 16, 2005 - Msg 27639: "Never let it be said that Bernard Fife let down Elanora Poultice!"
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27640: Rev Jr, and MDC, thanks for your response. Certainly I'll send his snail mail address to anyone who requests it. I think it would be lovely if we just flooded his mailbox with cards, letters, pictures, whatever. I know he would appreciate it. However, I just feel compelled to do more. After all the porchsters have had a chance to read this, maybe someone will step up who is in driving distance, and would be willing to check things out. If no one is available, then I'm thinking of contacting some churches in Nutterfort, and see if anyone there can help us. That one sentence, "No one wants a hunchback for a friend," just tore at my heart. He's not a professional tear-jerker, of that I'm certain. He has been a porchster for several years until recently, and this note from him today is the first time there has been any mention of his disability. I just feel like we have to do something. Indeed, faith without works is dead. I'm just convinced that somehow, some way, we can help this man. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27641: Mrs. Wiley, you snuck in on me. I know you agree, and thanks for writing to him. --Romeena
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27642: How do you do, Mrs.wiley. SAM SCOTT
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27643: Romeena,I'm in west virginia,I'm getting out the map right now to see how far he is from me.I still think it's a good idea to maybe call some churches in the area,but,let me check out the area he is in,and I might be able to drive there.I will stop back by a little later.ky girl
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27644: Hey folks, anybody know where I could access a copy of the script for Episode 96? Briscoe flung a compliment on Aunt Bea in that particular episode that I have struggled mightily to remember for several weeks now, and it's driving me nuts! Any help would be appreciated! I can be e-mailed at cawnfoboy@aol.com. Thanks friends.
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27645: Ky girl, I believe Nutter Fort is close to Clarksville, perhaps a suburb. I've got a letter all written to the Nutter Fort Baptist Church, will mail it tomorrow. I've asked the pastor if perhaps someone could visit, just a "church visitation" thing, no need to mention the reason. They could perhaps get some insight into the situation, though, and let us know. I've given him my email address, to speed up communication.
If you are close by, though, it would be great if you could see what you might find out. You might be reluctant to stop by, but sometimes you can get a lot of information just by observation.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27646: ok,nutter fort is about 4 hours from me Romeena.Let me know what you find out and we'll take it from there.I will be willing to drive there if you can think of what we might be able to do to help him.ky girl
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27647: Romeena I've been in that area before.about 4 years ago.I was working for a delivery service delivering medical supplies.The people were real friendly,seemed like kind of alot of generations in one area,like everyone knows everyone or at least they know some of there relatives.talk to you all later.ky girl
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27648: My stars! Ky girl, four hours is a very long drive! I am so impressed that you would even consider such a thing. Right now, I don't know what you could do, but in time - I guess we'll see what happens. If the church I'm writing to can confirm a need, and determine what we could do, perhaps all the porchsters could chip in a bit and get him a computer, and the church could help him get it set up. There might be a spot for you in that mix somewhere, who knows? Just the idea that you would be willing absolutely warms my heart. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27649: I was just thinking - maybe the church could have a drawing, with a computer for a door prize, and set it up so that TOM would win for sure. We'd just have to be careful to take the hat size out of the hat. (teehee) --Romeena
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27650: 27644: I know that he didnt want to be hit with no spoon! I'm sure someone here must know.
MDC
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27651: Hey gang!..Tom,mw,mdc,rev,sam,ro....and all ...whew been busy this day teaching a class at work and stuff...miss sherry just called and said she was gona stop by and watch American Idol before she heads to the power company [she has to be at work at 10] grave yard this month for her mon thru fri...will be back soon....SPOT
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27652: we are about to do our first bible study using Mayberry show "Barney's First Car"

March 16, 2005 - Msg 27653: We are excited about it too. We will indeed have lemonade to set the pace of things. Popcorn too. Then an open sharing time. We have chosen 3 Bible verses to encourage topic conversation.

March 16, 2005 - Msg 27654: I know that Briscoe flung a lot of compliments toward aunt bea in his declarin' for her, so not sure which one you are thinking of specifically.
Mr Darlin's Cuz
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27655: where can I get some Mayberry music please?
March 16, 2005 - Msg 27656: #27655..Go to Weavers on the home page of this site ,they have lots of Mayberry music
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27657: happy saint patty day mayberry. may the luck of the irish be with you o'mayberry. real busy week so i'm just zippying thru. prayers for all in need.spot0 yougoing racing this weekend? mdc- you been to the dessert to see the flowers? they say next time we'll all be in motorized wheel chairs. ha. more later/ o' pipester
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27658: Here's a sample of that music:

Low and Lonely

~ Mrs. Wiley

March 17, 2005 - Msg 27659: happy belated birthday to emma and goober, what's that make you 22? the o'jolly pipeman go illinois
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27660: o'spot- are you going to cook us a big pot of irish stew or mulligan stew? if you all would like i'll get my daughters to serenade us? mayor pipeman
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27661: Thanks for the music, Mrs. Wiley. Got my day off to a great start. Before that, however, I heard the birds singing, singing, spring has sprung in my neck of the woods. Should be about 60° today. Romeena, keep us posted on what we can do to help Tom. I'm in. Good to see you, pipeman. We were gettin' worried. Where's Mavis and Salty? Worried about them too.
Charlotte Tucker
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27662: Top 'O the Mornin Porchsters. Hey Ro- sounds like this thing for Tom is taking off. Keep us informed and let us know what we can do next. What a kind heart you have, thank you for sharing Tom's story with us. The church raffle for a computer is a great idea. Reminds me of Henry Bennett ep, too! Hope everyone has a great day.
McRev.Jr.
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27663: Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

In honor of the day, I hope you will suffer through my green text!

Romeena, you can count me in on helping Tom, just let us know what to do, when you figure something out, and we will be there for him!

Still a little cold in our neck of the woods, and they are talking snow tonight! I am just about fed up with the cold and snow, so I am going to put out my Easter Decorations and just ignore the weather until it goes away!!

Happy Birthday a little late to Goober and Emma!

Think I will go put something green on and be somebody!

Have a great Mayberry Day all!

Mary O'Wiggins
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27664: Trouble check!
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27665: Morning porch....SPOT
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27666: Oh, my stars! In #27649, I did sound like I was suggesting the church hold a raffle! Sorry about that! First of all, it's a Baptist church I've written to, and we Baptists don't do raffles. Second, those church folks don't know Tom from Adam, I'm just hoping the pastor can check things out for us a little bit. Haven't heard from him yet, of course, as I just wrote the letter yesterday. We're so used to email that the idea of having to wait several days for a response to something really seems weird. Anyway, back to the raffle thing, I wasn't seriously suggesting that. I was just picking up on the Henry Bennett episode. As for what we can do for Tom, I guess we'll just have to wait until someone - the pastor of that church or someone else - can confirm the situation and perhaps help us coordinate our little project. I'll keep everyone posted.

Happy St. Valentine's Day to everyone! Have a great day! Sugar O'Plum says hey! --Romeena
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27667: Thanks for keeping us updated on Tom, Ro. I'll for sure keep him in my prayers.

Happy Belated BDay to Goober and Emma!

Got plenty of corned beef and cabbage for lunch if anyone's interested!

Leg O'Lamb aka AFD ; )
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27668: Ro, St Valentine's Day???
I'm sure you mean St Patty's Day!
Those 12's will get to ya, wont they. teehee!
I hope more will just WRITE to Tom. If you dont want to use a home address as the return, use a work address if that is possible. That real personal touch should boost his spirits!
Pipeman, good to see ya. I see you turned all the soda pop green today!
With the same idea as Mary W, I sign today...
McMDC
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27669: Oh yes, the desert is REALLY in bloom with all the rain that we have had! Beautiful!
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27670: Hello everyone...I have been reading the posts every now and then...havent had too much to say..and have been extremely busy. But..I received this email today and I wanted to share..Take care everyone and have a great St.Patricks Day..

ALYCE

Crabby Old Woman (we all need to read this one)

When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near
Dundee, Scotland, it was believed that she had nothing left of any
value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions,
they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff
that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
One nurse took her copy to Ireland. The old lady's sole bequest to
posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News
Magazine of the North Ireland Association for Mental Health. A slide
presentation has also been made based on her simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this little old Scottish lady, with nothing left to give to the
world, is now the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the
Internet:

Crabby Old Woman

What do you see, nurses?
What do you see?
What are you thinking
When you're looking at me?

A crabby old woman,
Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit,
With faraway eyes?

Who dribbles her food
And makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice,
"I do wish you'd try!"

Who seems not to notice
The things that you do,
And forever is losing
A stocking or shoe?

Who, resisting or not,
Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding,
The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?
Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse,
You're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am
As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding,
As I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten
With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters,
Who love one another.

A young girl of sixteen
With wings on her feet
Dreaming that soon now
A lover she'll meet.

A bride soon at twenty,
My heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows
That I promised to keep.

At twenty-five now,
I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide
And a secure happy home.

A woman of thirty,
My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other
With ties that should last.

At forty, my young sons
Have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me
To see I don't mourn.

At fifty once more,
Babies play round my knee,
Again we know children,
My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me,
My husband is dead,
I look at the future,
I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing
Young of their own,
And I think of the years
And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old woman
And nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age
Look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles,
Grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone
Where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass
A young girl still dwells,
And now and again,
My battered heart swells.

I remember the joys,
I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living
Life over again.

I think of the years
All too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact
That nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people,
Open and see,
Not a crabby old woman;
Look closer . . . see ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an old person who you might brush
aside without looking at the young soul within . .. . we will all, one
day, be there, too!



March 17, 2005 - Msg 27671: AFD lunch waqs great..smelt goood....tonight lets all go out and eat mexican!...my treat....SPOT
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27672: Spot, a good name for fish- smelt! ha
Spot - Si
Alyce, good to hear from you! Thanks for the poem and words of wisdom!
Mayor O'Pipeman, let's run all the snakes out of Mayberry with Barney's harmanicy playin!
McMDC
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27673: Spot, Atlanta speedway this weekend!
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27674: Go Illini!
Prayers for Homemaker!
McMDC
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27675: Amen to both, McMDC!
Charlotte O"Tucker
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27676: Ooops--that was supposed to be an apostrophe.
Charlotte O'Tucker
(I'm an editor, you know.)
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27677: Evenin' Y'all and hope everyone had a happy St. Patrick's Day!
Romeena, you can put me down to help once you've figured out which way to go with Tom & his situation. He's always presented himself to us as such a sweet guy. Hope we can band together to do something.
Well,it's been a long day- very cold with drizzly rain here today,so I'd best scoot back under my rock. Y'all have a great evening!
*****SMILES*****
o' possum under a rock ( couldn't resist!)
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27678: Hey ct,possum,hm,mdc..and all ..and yep its racing here at home sunday!.weather should be good..tonight for a snack it will be apple pie and milk...still here at work, get off at 10 pm then back at 8 am..slow here now, watching cheers...all lights are on signed:SPOT the"gona have ice cream on my pie" dog of your porch..
March 17, 2005 - Msg 27679: Well where is everybody?...just got in from work and fixing to watch a little 3"s company and turn in , got to be back the the grind in the morning at 8 am..the morning menu will be as follows: Center cut country ham,hashbrowns with onions and cheese and bell peppers,eggs [your way],bisquits,[big cat head ones],[southern slang],red eye gravy,apple butter,grits,fresh sliced strawberrys.a sprig of tyme,and coffee,oj,h20 and milk!..be ready at 6:30 est...signed:SPOT the"sure will be glad when I can get the boat out and go fishing" dog of your fine porch ...lights are on!
March 18, 2005 - Msg 27680: I agree, where is everybody? Quiet here on the porch this morning. Looks like it could be another beautiful spring day on my porch today. Don't the trees just seem nice and full?
Charlotte Tucker
March 18, 2005 - Msg 27681: Charlotte, I don't know about your trees, but mine aren't very full right now! They're mostly just very tall stumps, but thank goodness, there will be no smothering blanket of cottonwood this year. Probably none or very little next year and the year after that. Sure looks different back there, but there is a young elm and a sycamore that provide shade where some of my plantings require it, and the rose bed is now in full sun, which is great. This will be an interesting spring.

Re: TOM. So far, I have a list of six of you who have said you would be willing to chip in for a computer for him, if it comes to that. I'm sure there will be more, as people read and catch up. We're still doing a lot of "if-in'" right now, until we get some confirmation of his circumstances. I'm hoping the church pastor that I wrote to will respond and take an interest. If not, I'll try some other avenue, a social services agency or something, or maybe another church. Anyway, while I'm doing my if-in', I'm thinking that if'n we do end up getting him a computer, we'll need to appoint someone to be the treasurer and handle the purchase, and I'd prefer that it not be me. Best of all worlds - that pastor will take hold of the project, and we could get him to do it. It would be great if someone in Tom's local area could buy and deliver the machine, and get it set up for him. So - right now, I guess we're just waiting for a response from the pastor. You all be praying for the best outcome to all this, okay?

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 18, 2005 - Msg 27682: Hello porchsters..just jumped in real fast to say howdy and wish everyone a good weekend
Romeena ..I know youll keep us updated on TOM ,give Sugarplum a pat on the head for me
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
March 18, 2005 - Msg 27683: Ro, I'm in too! perhaps a laptop style would be best, that way not it's many parts, bulky etc. That's all i have and it's fine. Basic.and i can carry it around the house etc. I have a gateway, but there are lots of good laptops for about 400 to 600, or even used ones are good.
Well, my friends, sorry to get on the soapbox again, and this aint very "porchy, but unless a miracle happens soon or God's people move, this will go down as a very dark day in the history of this country. What started 34 yeasr ago has come to this and will continue as it it has in Europe unless we move, pray, demand legislation not to take lives this way! My heart is very broken today, but also I KNOW I have DONE something by writing my representatives and the gov of florida and the florida lawmakers and others.
I've fasted, prayed, repented and asked that the Lord please not remove his hand of protection over this country! But if He does, we are in for one triblation not soon to be forgotten!
OK, I'm blowing up the soapbox and wishing you all a good weekend as you can have.
Hi to MD, spot, Roe, Charlotte, BOO, Mavis, New Neighbor, ASA, Des, sterling, MPO, pipeman, Fungirl, Dixie, and all you fine people.
Thanks for listening to my babble once again.
Mr Darlin's Cuz
March 18, 2005 - Msg 27684: PS, I love you all
March 18, 2005 - Msg 27685: Evening porch pals. Wow, so much been going on here and I have not been around till now.
I'll be glad to pitch in too Ro. What a kind hearted woman you are. I hope the Pastor you wrote is able to help us out. Keep me posted.
MDC, It is indeed a dark day in our Country if things don't get reversed from todays actions. I find myself unable to grasp why any of this is happening. Crazy!
Hope you all have a good weekend. I have really been swamped cleaning out my Dads house. It is really hard going through all his things. Keep me in your prayers please.

Asa
March 18, 2005 - Msg 27686: Prayers for Asa.
Charlotte Tucker
March 18, 2005 - Msg 27687: Oh, Asa! I know how difficult that is, for I had to do it, too. It's not easy. It seems like it would be fairly simple, but I learned that it can take hours to clean out a couple of desk drawers. You spend a lot of time just remembering. Then you set up categories - disperse within family, sell, give away, trash, etc. Yes, trash. We all keep trash, whether we know it or not. The hard part comes in considering each item and deciding which stack it belongs in. You always end up with some things that don't fit anywhere. A good piece of furniture - definitely not trash, and you hate to just give it away or sell it, and no one in the family needs or wants it. You remember how much your mom loved that little table, and how she took care of it, but it doesn't fit in anyone's home, and what do you do with it?? Oh, yes, Asa, I know where you are right now. You definitely have my prayers.

I'm so proud to be a porchster. Just look at the response from all you folks regarding TOM's situation. Good suggestion, MDC, about the laptop. Guess we'll have to make sure that he actually has a lap! There are so many unknowns. He could be somewhat mobile, or he could be bedfast, we just don't know. Please keep praying that the pastor I wrote to will join us and help out. If he won't, then surely God will send us someone. There are now eight of us who have expressed willingness to help, and I'm sure there will be others. With everyone pitching in as they can, I know we can meet what would be required to get him some sort of computer. An in-home visit by someone - that pastor, I hope - should give us an idea of what type of machine would work best. I just thank God for you kind and generous people here on this porch. We have an opportunity here to do a "random act of kindness", and you folks have really risen to the challenge.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27688: evening porch,it was another beautiful day here in my neck of the woods.I hung some laundry on the line and it smelled soo good when it dried.Romeena,I sent you an email please let me know if you get it as my email has been messed up the last couple of months.Mr darlins cuz,i pray for that lady too,I don't know what this society is coming too,it's scary.I read an article a few months ago about health care in the netherlands.Anyway,it mentioned that their health care system supports euthanasia when it is decided that the person(usually a child under the age of 12 or an elderly person,or someone who's been sick a long time)has no quality of life.the family doesn't have to agree with this,as long as the doctor has thatopinion they go ahead with the procedure.I t sounds too awful to be true,but,over there apparently it goes on all the time.I pray that is not what our society is becoming like,Well,sorry about getting on the soapbox,It was just on my mind and I wanted to share it.Spot,that breakfast sounds delicious,I'll definitley be there.Romeena,i'm proud to be a porchster too,you all are some of the finest people I know of,and I sincerely mean that.Take Care and god bless.ky girl
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27689: if any of you like the show designing women,i just found a website that has some of the shows most memorable lines,cast biographies etc.I typed www.designing women.com then went to the shows homepagei laughed so hard when i was reading some of the most memorable lines my stomach hurt.well,talk to you later.ky girl
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27690: ky girl, I have not received an email from you yet. Try again - these machines are wonderful and cyberspace is a fine place, but sometimes it gets a bit, well, challenging!

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27691: MDC.. dont worry about being on your soap box ,friends dont mind listening to each other vent
ASA.. Thoughts are with you ,hang in there
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27692: Just heartsick over the Jessica Lunsford murder and outraged about Terri's feeding tube being removed.
God Bless them.

*****Prayers*****
possum under a rock
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27693: I have remained quiet on the Terri Schiavo thing, and probably should continue to do so, but here goes, anyway. First of all, I'm not going to stand on either side of the line here, because I do not have all the facts. All I know is what the media has told us, and that's not enough in a case like this. As a nurse, I've learned a few things. One is, that there are worse things than death. Living can sometimes be worse. I have seen people kept alive on artificial support while their bodies quite literally rotted away.
I've also learned that descriptions, whether in a newspaper, or in a chart history, can be misleading. Nothing can take the place of standing at a bedside day by day and observing. Same goes for pictures. I'll admit, that picture of Terri that the papers keep running makes it look like she is looking up at her mother and smiling, and perhaps she is. However, I've seen that same "expression" on the face of someone who was essentially brain-dead. The mouth draws down into a cruel caricature of a smile, and the eyes roll back a bit, usually when the patient is lifted up or being moved.
I know, her parents have been right there, and they contend that she's aware. Perhaps they're right. Or perhaps, like any good parent, they're just not able or willing to admit that she's gone. I've seen that sad script played out too many times. It's pitiful.
Her husband's behavior is strange. I confess, I'm not able to generate a whole lot of sympathy for him, with his girlfriend and two kids, but perhaps his marriage to Terri was broken before she had the heart attack, and they just hadn't separated.
All I'm saying here is that this issue has too many facets to be answered in the newspaper. I have, on some sad occasions, been an advocate of removing life support. I don't know enough about Terri to say whether it is appropriate here or not. I guess all I'm saying is that I just cannot judge either side, because I don't really know.
I do think it's important to keep our terminology straight, though. This is not euthanasia. Euthanasia is the overt act, perhaps the administering of a drug - doing something to someone - to end their life. It puts a fine point on it, I know, but removal of life support is not euthanasia when the patient is basically in a state of suspended death. It is simply the removal of an artificial means of preserving clinical life signs in a body that would be dead without that artificial support. Does that include artificially-supplied nutrition? I don't know. Perhaps. Perhaps not. It depends on so many other factors, none of which have been answered for us in the media. If I were forced to give an opinion, I'd say in her case that it should not, but again, I don't have all the facts.

So, I've come down to this. It may or not be right for Terri's feeding tube to be removed. What does seem clear is that she has zero quality of life, and never will. We may never know whether it was right or not right to remove the tube. What I pray will happen, though, is that her case will stimulate some honest, productive, focused research and social awareness that can be helpful in similar cases in the future.

Well, that's it, for whatever it's worth. Not much, really. I'm just so sad for her, and for her parents. Remove it, or don't remove it, there's not much of a life for Terri, and her parents have been stuck in a terrible place for a long time now. God help them.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena

March 19, 2005 - Msg 27694: last night on pbs program now a famous playwright has written a small book called= the last edition, vol1 of 1. he said people of priveledge like him is sitting around watching as if it's entertainment the struggles that's going on. we have become so insensitized that were like watching tv and violence, government laws are tuned out. my prayers are with terri and her family. prayers for tom and asa. i'd love to see tom publish his poems. charolette tucker- what happened to our weather today? sterling, goober, auh20, mrs wiley, emma, mavis, the rest of the missing folks? could it be an align abduction of porchsters? have a great nascar and illinia weekend. passing thru. floyd how is you and your wife doing? anyone hear from emmitt? mdc= we'll just let barney and my daughters sing, that should drive them varmits out. ha. pipeman
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27695: Howdy, Porch! It's been a while since I checked in and just wanted to say hey. Thanks for askin' after me, MDC & Mr. Darlin's Cuz.

MDC, that show sounds like fun! Wish I'd seen it. I watch those home improvement/makeover shows all the time!

Speaking of which, we're building a patio cover and putting in a pond. Woohoo! It's a pain, but once it's done it will have been worth it I'm sure. My cannas are coming up, the trees are getting leafy and I'm getting ready to plant some banana trees. That's one good thing about living at lat itude 29 -- gardening is a joy! (But summers are toooooo hot.)

Ok, I'm off to find something constructive to do. Can't seem to get started today. Maybe a nice cold glass of iced tea will get me moving around.

Love y'all!

~De§~
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27696: I agree with you completely, Ro. I know it's a totally personal issue, but all I can say is that I myself would not want to live that way. But I feel sorry for all concerned, even the husband.

It rained here today. I was right there in it!
- Hazel
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27697: You're right, of course, Hazel. I suppose I sounded a bit harsh up there, regarding the husband, but I haven't walked in his shoes, and I don't know how hard this may have been for him. It's entirely possible that he loved her very much, and just doesn't want to see her go on like she is. I had to make a somewhat similar choice once for someone I dearly loved, and it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life, but love prevailed, and I said "That's enough." We do what we have to do, I guess. Again, God help them all. --Romeena
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27698: Great race today, im at work now , back in just a bit...SPOT
March 19, 2005 - Msg 27699: Pipeman, I'm not sure about today's weather--sort of a dingy change from the last few days. I was ready to plant my peas today, but... too cold out there for me. It'll have to wait till another day. hey to De§.
Charlotte Tucker

March 19, 2005 - Msg 27700: Evenin' Y'all. Hey Romeena,I hear you,I really do. I know that there is a better place for Terri Schiavo than where she is now.I think my frustration lies in the fact that "they" are so quick to take this innocent woman's life,whatever it may be,away,yet scum like Scott Peterson and Jessica's killer will be allowed many more years on this earth.And Jessica only had nine.I guess that's the best way that I can explain how I feel.Time will tell. Getting off the soapbox and back under my rock now. Hope everyone has a nice evening!
Asa,bless your heart.Hang in there friend.
******prayers*****
possum under a rock
March 20, 2005 - Msg 27701: I guess I'll chime in on the Schiavo thing. Ro, I can where you are coming from regarding this, and it is true that we don't know enough about it to take a firm stance one way or the other. And that's one of the things that bugs me about it. Since this case is basically in the national spotlight, I think the only way people are going to know one way or the other is to bring in an independent Doctor who specializes in this area of medicine, along with a tv crew to document his findings for all to see.
May sound extreme but at this point it may be the only way to calm nerves on both sides. And again I get back to why this is bothering me, as I feel the parents would have no problem with this idea but I think the husband would, as he has already banned anyone from taking pictures or video or from what I hear even visiting Terri. And that goes for her family members too. The parents are only given a limited time to visit by orders of the husband.
Why has he not allowed any therapy or treatment for Terri to start? It might help, it might not. But why wouldn't he even try? I've seen video of Terri from I think 2003 where she is following a balloon with her eyes and looking like she is connecting with her mother(I think it is her mother). To me, she looked pretty darned cognisant of her surroundings by the way she moved her head and eyes. Didn't look brain-dead at all. More like how a severly mentally retarded person looks sometimes.
And all I hear from the husbands lawyers is that they had specialists look at her. Who are they? What are their names? I want to hear them explain it! I'm not satisfied listening to third-party knowledge. Just as I am not satisfied with the husband's statement that "Terri told me she wanted it this way". With no written will from Terri, how are WE to know? The parents have a totally different idea of what Terri would have wanted. Why is theirs not listened to and the husbands taken as gospel?

And I'll come back to my irritation with the husband again. Why won't he allow the parents to take over her care like they want to and are more than willing to do. Nor will he let them try to feed her by hand now that her feeding tube has been removed.
Why do I get the sneaky suspicion that he is hiding something, and keeping Terri quiet and non-rehabilitated is necessary to keep that secret?
I'm sorry, but I usually find that if it looks rotten, and smells rotten, it probably IS rotten.
And something about this guy just reeks to high Heaven.

And that's my soapbox for today. We now return you to TAGS. ;)

-Sterling Holobyte


Oh Ro, I would also like to do what I can to help Tom. How is everything going on that? I think you have my email. If not, I will write you later.