March 24, 2007 - Msg 50702:
Hey Folks,

Well, our driveway is bare (no snow) for the first time since January and the yard has less than a foot of snow on it. Spring, I love it!

MDC-Surf's up, DUDE! The Space Station has asked the Gore family if they could throw a tarp or something over their house, at night, to cut down on the glare. Did you see that new report last month that said the Gores paid an average of a $1000 a month for electricity. He's such a hypocrite.

Boo-Hey, and glad you're feeling better. In Darfur, I think we should help and we need to help but I feel the manner in which we help must be measured. I didn't mean to imply that we should leave Iraq. I was trying to compare the circumstance in Iraq to the one in Darfur. We had legal justification to go into Iraq from previous Gulf War. In Iraq, Saddam, a butcher and a madman, was making a fool out of us and the U.N. and the previous administration chose to do nothing. And, nothing works for a while and then, inevitably, something always has to be done, much like how we tried to ignore slavery. In Darfur we have no legal justification to invade. I think we need to do something in Darfur and, if it's militarily, I think we need a consensus among nations before we act. How could we stop at Darfur? And, how can we possibly go to each country in need with our military? I could be wrong here, but, I just don't believe we have the resources to carry the world on our shoulders anymore. I hope that didn't sound like I think I know what's going on, I'm just a hick from the sticks. Again, I'm glad you're feeling better!

auh2o
March 24, 2007 - Msg 50703:
Tom-Like Romeena said, thanks for the beautiful poem. Our house is located in the woods surrounded by many maple trees. I love sleeping with the window open and hearing them rustle (I mean pray) at night.

Millie-That sounds great!

auh2o
March 24, 2007 - Msg 50704: Millie thanks for the soup..Im gona save mine for lunch at work tomorrow...you up tonight?...im here at work all night...slow right now...nothing on the tube...I sleep with the window open auh20...lot of trees in my woods also...and I just like the fresh air...always can put another blanket on!....Boo glad yer feeling better...nice poem TOM...Rev and MD,MDC,goober and mav..yall watch the busch race?...new cars for tomorrows race!..big spoilers...well let me surf the tv...John Wayne movie on but seen it a hundred times!...SPOT
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50705: yes, spot, I'm up...it's 4;30am, gotta go to church in a few hours, but I can't sleep. I'm watching Gunsmoke.
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50706: Happy Sabbath Porch,
Getting ready for church, but wanted to stop by for a minute. Yesterday my TAGS dvd's came. I'm so excited! I stayed up as long as I could watching season 2. When I think of Andy sending Opie to that bully, oh my, such courage for them both! That was such a good episode. I'm only on the 1st disc, but so far that's my fave from episode 2. I miss Miss Ellie.
Auh20- Well, that's 2 weeks you've swept our porch. What a fine job. I heard about the Gore's and that's just pathetic. I'm currently in the process of finding alternative lighting and either unplugging or putting all electrical items on breakers to lessen the electromagnetic waves outside my house and inside.
Romeena- The dinner club sounds like fun. It's wonderful how much you get out.
Hazel- I've decided not to do a container garden. All that I've read says that you have to have plenty of sunshine. I live in an apartment with a roof over my balcony with trees in the back so I don't think I can do much. I'm going to get strawberry hanging baskets and hang them where they will get sun. That will be about it until we move into a house next year.
Millie- Did you ever get any sleep?
Rev- Are you in SC this weekend? Did you say that your daughter is in college?
Spot- We're leaving our windows open also. It feels so good! It's going to cool down a bit this week and I'm glad. I'm not too fond of the 80's.
Bryson has decided to come argue with me about going to church. He doesn't like his group because they force him to try to read things that are hard for him and he gets embarrassed. I'm going to try talking to his teacher. Last week Bryson sat with me, but Bryan said he has to go to his class this week. I told him if he can just deal with it until the end of May he gets new teachers for the summer. Next week I'd like to visit a church that's closer to us because they're having an Easter program. So, I can take him with me then. The next Sunday we'll be out of town. Well, I'd better deal with him and then get my face on. Y'all have a good one!
Blessings,
~Lucy
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50707:
A lot of empty rockers today.

Lucy-I gotta admit when I think of Al, pathetic is always part of the picture. His electric bill is actually over $1200 a month. And to believe, some people fall all over themselves just to listen to him. You are doing much more than he is. He's just another "Limousine Liberal."

auh2o
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50708:
Tom, good to see you, thanks for the words of wisdom.
Peggy- true what Ro said, but also, cut a head of cabbage like a salmon steak, about 1 inch thick, fry in a skillet, then flip once, til brown on both.
MM good!
Hazel- Put-in-tame, ask me again and I'll tell the same! ha
Spot- ya got the brats on the grill.
AUh20, and dont forget, he invented the internet too!
Prayers continue for Boo and all!
Good Sabbath to you,
MDC
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50709: Anybody got any left overs?..im headed to work will catch yall there!...SPOT
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50710: Hey, all. Wow, MDC, that cabbage sounds good! I'll have to try that. What do you fry it in, a bit of bacon grease?

OK, I have to reveal my ignorance. I keep hearing these references to Gore and the internet, and I know I've missed something. What idiotic comment did he make, that has spawned all those references? I can about imagine, but tell me anyway, please.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50711: Hey porch. Sure is quiet here today. Supper's ready....Chicken quesadillas and spanish rice, help yourselves!
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50712: Wow Millie I will bring the bottled water and salsa and chips...let me get settled in at work here...hope all had a great Sunday...we need rain here but none in site for this week...when I wake up around noon tomorrow im gona hook the trailer up and get 20 bags of red cedar chips and 10 bails of pine straw....big day ahead!...back in just a bit...SPOT
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50713: Hey Spot!
Ro, what I know of is that Gore was speaking to Congress this week and said that global warming constituted a planetary emergency, and requires an aggresive response.
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50714: And Ro, i guess you know, as far a s Gore and the internet, most of those comments and jokes have to do with his assertion that he invented the internet.
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50715: Wait, make that his alleged assertion. He did not really say exactly that. I don't want to start a moulage here, but I want to be correct.
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50716: What he said was.."During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet."
Millie

March 25, 2007 - Msg 50717: Ro - I planted flowers today - it was 80 and I couldn't resist. Now, let's see if they live!

I am on Spring Break this week - no moulages from me and I doubt if you will see me much either!

Take care. . .

hm
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50718: Thanks, Millie. I knew about his Chicken Little rant about global warming, but I hadn't heard just what it was he said about the internet. From what you quoted, it's true, he didn't exactly say he invented it, but he sure came close. What a bad joke he is.

Well, guess I'll hit the ironing board, and watch the Britcoms. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50719:
Hello porch family

Good race what little I got to see.

Lucy....Yep I have been in SC this weekend. I just got in from my concert so I'm kinda tired. And yes, my daughter is in her second year of college. Her major is Exercise Science.

Well folks, I'm headed off to bed. Just wanted to check in real quick. Sending up prayers for all the porch family.
-REV.
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50720:
We lost most of the snow base in the yard this weekend, can't wait to get outside.

MDC-That cabbage does sound great. We love cabbage here but I don't recall ever having it that way, that will change soon.

Spot-I think there is a bit a steak and onions left, out in the frig.

hm-Enjoy your week off. 80 degrees, that sounds nice.

Romeena-Millie summed up the Al Gore Internet thing pretty well. That is what he said, however, that was even a fib, legislation was already well under way before he ever got involved. Although, he did support it. The other Gore stuff had to do with his global warming gibberish. With all of Al Gore's "conservation preaching" it turns out that the Gore household spends, on average, $1200 a month on electricity, over $14,000 a year.

auh2o
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50721: Hey Y'all. A few years ago,my daughter was in Navy Boot Camp up in Great Lakes, Illinois. Then Vice President Gore visited the base while she was assigned kitchen detail. Gore walked right in to where she was and my daughter took the chance to say hello to him. She was 100% flat out snubbed-he ignored her and sauntered on past.Didn't speak to any of the young men & women on kitchen detail.Kids that were training to serve the very country that he was 2nd in command of. Her impression of him is that he's an arrogant jerk. Guess he "invented" the Internet so he'd have one more appliance to plug in and run up that power bill a little bit more!
Just wanted to give y'all the impressions of someone who has actually come face to face with the man. Scooting under my rock for the night-see y'all later! Good night all!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50722: Hey there,auh2o.. hope I didn't step on ya when I climbed down off of my soapbox! Didn't see ya there!

possum again
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50723:
possum-Good to see ya! Sorry to hear about your daughters encounter.

auh2o
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50724: Hey auh2o, I guess you also saw all that stuff about people's "thermal footprint", and how AlGore's was huge. Pretty funny.
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50725:
Millie-I guess Al could say his rants have caused him to be the victim of unintended consequences. Of course he's the victim.

Ya know, I think Me-They started this moulage a few days ago.

auh2o
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50726: He's always the victim, always misunderstood, right along with Scary Kerry. I wouldn't care to have my "thermal footprint" measured - I know I wouldn't score well on power conservation, but I have good reason for some of it. I sit here at this huge window, looking out on my backyard at night, with a computer monitor illuminating my face. To keep the playing field level, I have landscape lights along the back fence and side fences, a total of eight of them. There are also about a dozen low-voltage lights around the pond, and a string of rope lights around the top of the arbor. If anything moves in that yard, they are in full silhouette for me. I can switch my monitor off and be in darkness, and can then see clearly anything or anyone that might be out there. I try to make up for it by keeping my thermostat at 76-78 in the summer, and 70-72 in the winter. Even so, my electric bills at peak consumption in August are $300 or less, because I have energy-efficient a/c units and had a lot of new insulation added in the attic, have double-pane glass on most of the windows, and replaced both of my water heaters with the tankless kind, that only heat when in use. Sorry, Mr. Gore, but when you live alone, you do what it takes to be safe. I wonder what his excuse is?

Incidentally, how does he explain the global warming in the eons past? The planet has warmed and cooled in cycles forever, long before we knew anything about ozone or greenhouse effect or any of that stuff. Hard question, I'll bet he has a pip of an explanation.

OK, this time I'm really going to bed. --Romeena
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50727: possumm....sorry about what happened to your daughter. I've been lucky enough to shake hands with several presidents...Nixon, Carter, and Ford were all just as nice as they could be. And so are the Doles.
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50728: Sorry, Ro, hope I didn't squash yer sore toe!
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50729: Ro, with the whole thermal footprint thing, yours would be relatively small...you don't fly alot(like him), much less have a private jet. You and me are small consumers, even if we left all our appliances on all the time.
Sorry, I'm stepping down now.
Millie
March 25, 2007 - Msg 50730: And his 2 homes are 20,0000 sq ft and 4000 sq ft.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50731: Auh20 thanks for the bit of steak it hit the spot...hey Rev,milpossum...been busy here at work at about 2 teenagers hit one of our poles with there car and broke it..knocked about 500 or so people out of power,I got back on what I could and the crew is in now changing it out...the crew that first arrived on the seen of the pole [our trouble crew] said he could not tell the condition of the kids..prayers for them yall...well butter finger bars and milk for all ...let me answer this radio...SPOT
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50732: Spot,Prayers for those teenagers. Thanks for the Butterfingers and milk.
Millie
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50733: Oh, yeah, it was carbon footprint, not thermal.
Millie
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50734: Morning gang!rise and shine...I go home today at 6 am and off till thu at 8 am!...gona be sunny and 80"s..gona get all my yard beds done I hope and the boat ready...should be able to de winterize in about a week and then fishing and lake fun!...Romeena are you in your work week or at the end? good for your daughter Rev second year in college..kyle won today..Ricks boys were 1,2,3..good day for him...martinsville next week...I kinda like the new car style but just wonder how they are gone do on the fast tracks?..well breakfast: eggs your way,fried spam,bacon,hashbrowns,grits [for the southern end of the porch],toast,grape jelly,oj,milk,coffee,sweet rolls....ready at 7:00 est...I will say grace....SPOT
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50735: Morning porch.
Sorry, I am left speechless after reading all the Gore-bashing.
- Hazel

"I swallowed my gum."
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50736: Mornin' Hazel. Need a pat on the back? Unfortunately, I don't know enough about politics to do any bashing and what little I do know, I'm not even sure is true!

Millie, how did you happen to have met so many presidents? I have only seen one president in person and that was Reagan when he stopped over in Corpus Christi once to give speech. I never got close to him, though. He just stepped out of Air Force 1 onto a platform and gave a speech and then left, I think. I'm not even sure why I was there, except I remember my sister and I being Reagan fans at the time. I remember he looked young (must have just dyed his hair or something!).

Auh2o, congratulations on your naked driveway! Nice feeling, isn't it? After I dropped the kids off at school this morning I decided to go for a little drive because everything was a bright green and so many wildflowers! Wish I could have taken you with me. I saw some wildlife and some beautiful horses grazing peacefully....it was just the medicine I needed after being cooped up all week. Today is certainly a better day, now I am just dealing with the cough.

Better go take break. I am tempted to over-do it but I know I need to take it easy for awhile. Talk to you later.

Boo
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50737: Ro, I wanted to tell you about my sister and her baby squirrel. About a week ago, she discovered a baby squirrel in her backyard and her poodle-mix was barking at the poor thing as it cowered against a tree. She put the dog in but she didn't touch the squirrel. She went on line and did some reading about it and read that sometimes babies fall out of the nest or get away from mom but that usually mom comes for them. Well, she was a nervous wreck waiting to see if that mom would come get him (Erin named him Squirrelly-Boy). Susan was afraid a cat would get him or something but the next morning she noticed he was gone so she hoped mom had come for him. The following day, she saw him again but there was mom, closeby keeping an eye on him. Now they are both there everyday because Susan puts out food for them. She is still nervous that something will happen to Squirrelly-Boy but I think he'll be fine. I thought of you when she was telling me about it and I told her the story about the squirrel who hit you in the head with the tree bark. We both had a good laugh! Squirrels are the best, aren't they?

Boo
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50738: Good morning folks. I hope that you all had a great weekend. Prayers for all that need them this morning.

Regarding cabbage, I say yum! And Malcom Merriweather must have liked it, too. “Bubble and squeek” is seasoned cabbage fried with potatoes, often left-over mashed potatoes. Haven’t tried it, but I bet it’s good. So, I guess fried cabbage is an English tradition as well as Southern one. Let’s fry up a mess of it and dig in.

Now, I have no wish to start a moulage, but I’m about ready to bite my lip off so I’m gonna go ahead and jump in…About global warming, while Al Gore is not on my top ten favorite Americans list (I’m being charitable), that doesn’t make global warming the “hoax” his detractors claim. When politicians or Hollywood stars start talking about science my emotions range from amusement to barely contained rage, depending on what’s being said. For science, I usually like to hear from actual scientists—people who know more than I do about a certain area of scientific inquiry. The fact is that many, many actual scientists believe that the current global warming is being dangerously accelerated by humans. Yes, they could be wrong, as a minority of scientists—many employed or who have studies funded by large corporations—claim. But what if they are not? I don’t know for absolute certain if we are to blame for global warming (or even if it exists) but I figure a whole lot of very smart people who know a whole lot more than I do say it is, and its does, so I’m going with that. If a bunch of politicians and corporate CEOs want to say everything’s okey-dokey, well, that’s their right; I’m not going to believe a bunch of know-nothings who decided that global warming doesn’t exist by a show of hands.

The way I look at it, it all comes down to being a good steward. Even if global warming didn’t (or doesn’t) exist, it’s downright wrong to be wasteful or wantonly harm our environment. So, I say use the electricity, gasoline, and hairspray that you need to use. But be practical and not wasteful. And it wouldn’t do any of us poor souls much harm to “rough it” once in a while and do something that conserves instead of indulges our convenience. If all h-e-double-toothpicks does break out years from now because of our selfishness, I at least want to be able to say to my kids that I did something.

(BTW, I'm not throwing any accusations or anything at anybody, just pitching in my two-cents worth.)

Glad that you are feeling a little better, BOO.

Well, that’s enough from me, to be sure!

Me-They

March 26, 2007 - Msg 50739:

Mornin', all! Boo, your squirrel story brought back some great memories. Back in the '70s, a girl who worked with my hubby found 3 baby squirrels whose nest had been knocked down by city workers. She farmed them out - one apiece - to knowledgeable folks who were willing to bottle feed them. Well naturally I wound up with one. :-) We bottle fed him (named him Willie - after Willie Nelson, of course) with KMR formula, and when his little eyes opened, guess who he bonded with! Oh he was so cute! Over the next couple months, I taught him how to shell pecans by first giving him the nut, then opening them for him, then cracking them, etc., until finally his jaws were finally strong enough to crack them himself. We used to come in the door from work and there he'd come, bounding out of the back bedroom, up our legs and onto our shoulders, nuzzling, licking our faces and making this adorable little grunting sound. The day sadly came when it was time to surrender him to nature, but we didn't want to turn him out just anywhere. We finally decided on Brackenridge Park, a big park adjacent to the San Antonio Zoo. We drove him there on a Sunday and put him down under a tree. It wasn't 20 seconds before he scampered up a huge oak tree and never looked back. I'll always have fond memories of that little guy who accompanied us everywhere (out of necessity) for several weeks when he was being bottle fed. He went to friends' houses, to the movies.. you name it. (Not to any restaurants, though.. LOL)

Boo, I hope you're feeling better now. I hope everyone's finally enjoying some nice spring weather. Ours is good enough -- rainy, but that's ok. Just so it's warm!

I don't know a lot about Al Gore - LOL - but in fairness, he did purchase several lots of green blocks -- presumably to offset his 10,000 sq. ft. house's power consumption -- which, according to the Nashville Tennessean, is equivalent to 2.5 million aluminum cans or close to 300,000 pounds of newspaper, and is in the process of converting his house(s?) to solar power. That's more than I'm doing. Seems the more lights we shut off and the less a/c we run (thank goodness for our whole house fan), the bigger our dang bills get.

Prayers to all needing them. Ro, hope you're healing up nicely.

~De§~
.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50740:

Hi, Me-They! Didn't see you there. You're right.. global warming isn't just a Hollywood issue; Even Pat Robertson has jumped on the global warming bandwagon. It's good to see such divergent groups crossing political boundaries in a common effort to solve a huge problem.

~De§~
.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50741: Thanks for sharing your adventure with Willie, DES. Sure must have been hard to give him up...reminds me of Opie The Birdman. Don't the trees in Breckenridge Park seem nice and full?...

Me-They, I have a question for you. Do you, by any chance wear Birkenstocks?.....hehehe

Boo
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50742:
Hey Porchsters

Boo-I'll have to admit I like the driveway "el natural." Your morning drive sounds fantastic. We don't have many wildflowers in bloom just yet.

Junk science and politics is all that is keeping the "Gore Machine" running. The "sky is falling crowd" has never been right, just loud. They were wrong about "Global Cooling," "Global Crowding," "Bird Flu," "Lyme Disease," "Acid Rain." The globe has gone through a warming period right after it went through a cooling period, it happens. A question Al Gore refuses to answer is, how is that Mars' temperature is also rising, how can that be? Solar events maybe? Many science believe that. Manmade Global warming here on earth could not effect Mars' atmosphere. I don't follow anything because a bunch of corporate heads or politicians say something. I don't subscribe to the lead, follow or get out of the way mentality.

auh2o
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50743: I thought bird flu was a real threat, according to the head of the CDC anyway. Do you think otherwise? I'm interested in your opinion, AuH2o.

Boo
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50744: Afternoon all! Looks like a busy Monday. Glad that you are on the mend, Boo.

Took Hershey for his last shots today. At 3 months, he weighs 4 pounds and 3 ounces!! Going to be big (for a Yorkie) when he's full 'growed'! Speaking of our four legged friends, how is Superplum these days, Ro?

Well, need to get some work done.

Miss Peggy
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50745: Afternoon!

AUH2O: I hope I didn't get your dander up. All in good conversation :). But I bet you don't believe in Aladin's lamp either! Well, ask the Count about that.

BOO: I cannot stand Birekenstocks! Actually, there are a few articles of clothing I can't stand on others (pet peeves): pants hanging low of guys, and earring and open-toed shoes. Sandals or flip-flops? Never wore 'em, never will.

Y'know, it's funny. To my dad, I'm a screaming liberaal; here on the porch I'm perceived as a green peacenick (no offense taken); in my Bible study I'm the moderate voice; and at work I'm considered somewhere between Pat Buchanan and Newt Gingrich. I guess it's all relative, huh?

Don't get me started about bird flu, BOO. Yes, it could be a real threat but we won't know for sure until (as they say) we know. I have followed this closely (I did a senior seminar paper on the 1918 flu so this topic has always interested me).

See you'll later!!! (By the way, where is BWB?)

Me-They
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50746: Howdy, everyone. Me-They, I actually agree much more than I disagree with what you've said. The folks who think because they've excelled in one field, they're just naturally experts on everything just annoy me to no end. (Yes, based on that, I annoy myself sometimes.) I recall when the esteemed Dr. Spock decided he was a political expert, just because he appeared to be so knowledgeable about raising children. I emphasize "appeared", because I believe we're now seeing the result of his permissive theories - a bunch of spoiled adults with an over-inflated sense of entitlement, and more self-esteem than is healthy for anyone. A good dose of "you ain't so much" is good for everyone now and then.

Certainly we all need to be good stewards of our resources, and try to avoid spoiling our own nest. However, when they start trying to tell me that our cattle feedlots, with concentrated numbers of ruminant animals all expelling gas is a contributor to global warming, well... I have to ask, what about the bison herds of 200 years ago, so numerous that they could stall a train for two or three days? Didn't they, uh, expel gas? How about the vast herds of wildebeest on the African savannas? Same question.

I just don't trust any politician completely, even those whom I like the best. I think of all they have to do in order to climb to the top of the heap, and am well aware that a totally honest and upright person probably couldn't make it. I just try to choose those who seem to come closest to the mark.

I don't trust scientists who try to tell the rest of us how to think in terms of politics. I feel the same about politicians who try to educate us on scientific matters. They can all just go up an alley and holler "fish" as far as I'm concerned. There is an old, old saying - "Cobbler, stick to your last." For you youngsters, a cobbler is a shoemaker, and a last is the form that a shoe is built around. In other words, do what you do and stay out of other people's specialties. It's like this - don't call Gomer to fix your freezer.

OK, soapbox going back under the porch. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50747: Oh, mercy. I just re-read the above, and that first paragraph is awful! I didn't mean to imply that I think I've excelled in a field. I just meant that I know I sometimes come off like I think I know a lot about something. I don't, I'm just opinionated, and old enough to feel free to express it! Ha!

De§, I love the squirrel story. Good for you, friend. I knew I liked you! It's wonderful that you took that little fellow in and gave him another chance at his little squirrelly life. And I think Brackenridge Park was a great place to set him free. I know that park well, enjoyed many a picnic with family and friends there. Is it still beautiful? I haven't seen it in twenty years. My husband's office was near there in the early 70's, I was his secretary, and we used to pick up burgers and go sit in the park to eat them at lunchtime. We usually got them from Jim's on Broadway. Good burgers, and good memories, too.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50748: Can't say as I disagree with you, either, ROMEENA. And I liked Dr. Spock best when he was content to be first officer on the Enterprise (hehe).

Anyway, I have been listening alot to the political goins-on lately and I've decided I agree that it's about time we had a woman in that high office. So, I'm starting the campaigning here and now...

WE WANT ELLIE! WE WANT ELLIE!

(Scared ya, there didn't I, AUH2O?)

Me-They
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50749:
Hello porch family

Let me dust off the pollen before I sit in my rocker.

Spot...the new cars will be put to the test on the fast tracks. I think they have a few bugs to work out but over all, I think it's all going to be ok. Ready for those BRAVES? Few new faces this year again. I know the new owner is cutting some of the money out but I just hope they can keep up with the bigger money teams. We'll see soon. On matter they're record, I'll still be a BRAVE.

Everyone have a great day. See ya little later. Prayers for all!
-REV.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50750: That should be "No matter they're record..."
-REV.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50751: OOPPs again....that should be "No matter their record....".
Boy....I'm so smart....hehe
-REV.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50752:

Brackenridge Park is still lovely, Ro. They've done a great job of keeping it clean and green. The zoo is still pretty, too. The Jim's is still there, but as you know, Earl Abel's is kaput -- at least the Earl Abel's on Broadway. I understand there's a new one on Austin Hwy. Sad thing, that. I thought of you a couple days ago when I got to reminiscing about Austin Highway with some friends. About the only old landmark still there is the Wonder Bowl. All the old motor courts with neon signs have been deemed obsolete relics and have been 'dozed. I think of the Googie '50s style architecture as "Americana," thankyouverymuch. :-)

I think about Willie the squirrel sometimes. I hope he had a good life. He didn't seem to miss us. We sat in the car, waiting to see if he'd come back, but of course he didn't. I was glad, and a bit sad. I get too attached.

It's raining up a storm here now.

~De§~
.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50753:

Oh, the Bun 'n Barrel is still there, too, Romeena. Didn't mean to give you a start!

~De§~
.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50754: DES, do you know if the old Naples Italian restraunt is still there? I can't tell you what street but it was very near the park. I remember going there when I was a teen and it was old then. There were pictures on the walls of famous actors who had eaten there.

Me-They, I had forgotten about your distaste for sandals and open-toed shoes. You have mentioned that before. I'll bet your feet are as white as the driven snow. Hardly anyone has white feet down here on the Texas coast! You would be disgusted with all the feet. Anyway, I was kidding about the Birkenstocks, of course. I think you have very good opinions and are an intelligent person.

Ro, I enjoyed your soapbox so much! I think you should be writing an editorial for the paper every week.

I think I remember the Bun 'N Barrel, but my memory of that one is kind of cloudy...hic!...I seem to remember the Barrel, but don't recall the bun....

Boo
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50755: Boo, you are a caution! Actually, the only thing I ever drank at the B&B was root beer, but I'll bet I drank a zillion gallons of that! Good burgers, too. De§, I'm sorry about Earl Abel's, and all the other old landmarks. What about Tai Shan? Is it still there? That was my first experience with Chinese food. And Valerio's for Italian. I remember Naples, too, but we didn't eat there as much as at Valerio's. I loved their pizza. Back to the B&B, are the carhops still on skates there? Probably not, but that was fun.

Now I've got to make a trip to the bank and deposit a check before the ones I've written turn to rubber. Also a trip by the garden center to pick up some organic horticultural oil to kill the aphids. I'd rather have ladybugs, but nobody has them yet, it'll be another two weeks or so. Miserable little aphids, they'll get on anything, but they love my roses and can ruin a whole set of buds in an afternoon. Seems like no matter what I plant, something will show up wearing a bib and carrying a knife and fork, ready for lunch.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50756:
Boo-Hey, Interested in my opinion? I can tell ya, I don't hear that often. I do think Bird Flu is serious and can be a threat. But, what type of threat? Predictions of the "Bird Flu pandemic" a few years ago were silly. I read, somewhere, that more people died in car accidents during a one month period in, I think it was Hong Kong, than died from Bird Flu. I don't know if all the fuss about Lyme's Disease made the news down South but here in the Northeast about 10 years ago that's all you heard about. We were all as good as dead. As for the global crowding, did you know that every man, woman, and child on the face of the earth could all fit into the state of Connecticut. Fear sells. But, I don't buy it.

....now if you can just get rid of that cough!

Rev-I just love baseball. I can't tell ya how much. Here's a guilty pleasure of mine, but ya can't tell anyone, I've been in a fantasy baseball league for about 25 years now. Just don't let Me-They find out.

M-T Nope, not scared here and no dander in the air.

Ro-Why do you run for something so I can vote for ya!

auh2o
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50757: Hey, auh2o. Thanks, but I don't know what I'd run for. Crotchety old lady of the year, maybe.

Really, all the people in the world today could fit in Connecticut? That's fascinating! So you're saying, if we built an expressway from Mexico to Connecticut, we could send all the illegals there and they'd fit easily? I'll take up a collection to pay off the present Connecticut residents. Here's $10 to start it off.

Seriously, you're so right about fear selling, and skewed statistics, or those with a too-narrow focus, backs up the fear. Down here, we hear a lot about the West Nile virus from mosquitoes, and a few Chicken Littles are wanting to start spraying the state willy-nilly. Some areas have already started spraying. Guess they don't remember DDT. Anyway, while some people are obsessing over West Nile, they're also puffing away on their cigarettes, soaking their livers in alcohol, and offering their bodies as a living sacrifice in a tanning bed. Go figure.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50758: Oh, one question. Just how high would we have to stack people to fit them all into Connecticut? --Romeena
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50759: Hello, porch. Sorry about my little rant last night, that is so unlike me. I guess I was hopped up on pain pills. Well, you can stick a fork in me now, cuz I'M DONE!
Millie
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50760: ROMEENA HOW ABOUT SENDING ME SOME OF YOUR ROSEES .
I JUST LOVE THIM.
THAT ARE ALL MY MOM WOULD LIKE TO HAVE.
WILL I SEE IF I CAN SAVE A LITTLE MONEY THIS MONTHY TO BY ME TWO ROES.

LOVE TOM

March 26, 2007 - Msg 50761: I'm sorry, did someone say something? I couldn't hear because I knocked over a few bottles while climbing out of the tanning bed. Man, it can get smokey in there if you close it all the way.

AUH2O: Fantasy baseball, huh? Exactly how does that work?

Hey MILLIE! AS long as you don't hang your head out the winder like a dog, you've got no problem here. I hope that you're feeling better.

Y'all have a great evening.

Me-They
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50762: Sorry, I didn't see you there, TOM!

M-T
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50763: Thanks for the laugh, Me-They!

Boo
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50764:

Boo, there is a Naples Pizza place on Huebner Rd., but it's not the same one as was on Broadway (yep, near the park) back in the day. Another great Broadway restaurant was Christi's. Remember that one? Excellent seafood.

Ro, unfortunately the Thai Shan closed its doors many years ago. I'll have to check around about Valerio's. You're right, their pizza was wonderful. Unfortunately, I don't think the Bun 'n Barrel car hops have been on skates in a long time. I discovered they have a web site, www. bunnbarrel. com. You might like to check it out.

~De§~
.
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50765: Well, De§, thanks for that web address. I'll just do that. And I think you told me once before that Tai Shan was gone. Too bad, it was a nice place. Yes, I remember Christi's very well. My mom and dad loved that place, but it was considered too expensive for us to eat there very often. I used to campaign for it after church, but my dad would overrule, and then he and my mom would debate for a while over where we should go, and quite often we'd end up going home to have "weenie sandwiches" as my dad called them. Boiled weiners, on white bread, with lettuce, tomatoes and onion. He loved 'em. I'd pout a bit, and try not to eat, but hunger would win out, and I'd eat the sandwich, though determined not to enjoy it. Then I would spend the rest of the day feeling cheated, after having my hopes up for Christi's. Aren't kids just awful?

One thing I remember about Christi's was their butterfly shrimp. Huge things, took three or four bites to eat one. Butterfly shrimp today just don't measure up. Honestly, they were enormous, and fried just right. I learned to like tartar sauce at Christi's.

Speaking of shrimp, though, the Outback restaurants make coconut shrimp, served with an orange marmalade dipping sauce, that is just wonderful. If there's an Outback near you, and you like shrimp, you gotta try it. They're on the menu as an appetizer ($7.95) but they'll serve them as an entree if you wish. Sometimes I stop and pick up an order to take home, scrounge up my own sides from the pantry, and have a really good meal. They give you a loaf of that good dark bread when you get the shrimp to go.

Well, gotta run. My sunroom is a dirty mess, still haven't cleaned it up since my neighbor moved my plants back outdoors, and there are leaves and dirty tracks everywhere. I've been ignoring it, but tonight's the night! Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50766: About the roses, Tom, I wish I could send you some, but they wouldn't survive the trip. I love them too, just like your mom. They're so beautiful, and smell so nice. Do you have some growing in your yard? If not, do you have a place where you could plant some? --Romeena
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50767:
DES- good to see you again, and so much interesting chat!
Me-They- there you go again, hugging trees! ha, just ribbin' ya
Guess al gore will get a few carbon credits! ha
Ro- I usually fry with olive oil, good and good for ya!
Possum, hear, hear! Good comments!
It's the private jets that get me the most!
HM- have a great break. Remember when it was called Easter Vacation?!
Well, ya all have a great day!
MDC

Barney: (Slamming the courthouse door shut with the protesting ladies outside)
Andy, we got us a situation, a real situation!
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50768: It's me again. I just can't seem to stay away from the porch. Guess I'm postponing my date with my own dirty sunroom. MDC, I mostly cook with olive oil too, but some things just seem to need that bacon-y flavor, and cabbage is one of them, for me.

Here's a quote I copied from an email I received from a friend. Actually, she was referring to the current blooming of the irises in my yard, many of which were brought to me by her husband, who did my landscaping. I had said to her that I couldn't believe the plants were so large and healthy, when they were just small clumps last year. However, her observation could be applied to many things, and is, in my opinion, quite astute. Here it is:

"Isn't it interesting how we are able to accept the small changes and at some point find that we remember no change at all.....the present being the normal that we expect. Just an interesting observation on human nature and adjustments."

This lady knows whereof she speaks. Her health was declining gradually until a couple of years ago, and neither she nor her husband realized that something was really wrong. It happened over a period of several years, and they thought it was just the normal aggravations of aging. Finally, she was feeling so bad she went to a doctor, who was horrified, put her on heart medications and diuretics, she lost 30 pounds in three weeks (all fluid) and while still in precarious health, she's a lot better than she was!

Well, again I'll try to get to that sunroom. Sugarplum says ha, ha! --Romeena
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50769: Have you cleaned the sunroom yet, Ro? (snaps fingers) Get to it!
- Hazel
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50770:
M-T Let's just say fantasy baseball, is something like, three parts Trekkie and one part bookworm.

Ro-I said they could fit in Connecticut I never said they would be comfortable. I'm trying to recall another fact in that article I read, I'm pretty sure it was that the worlds population could fit into the state of California with a population destiny equal to Brooklyn's. Also, I loved your friends quote. Your right, very astute.

MDC-Gore purchased his "carbon offsets" (have you ever heard of such nonsense) through Generation Investment Management, a company he just happens to be chairman of, well isn't that special. And, it's really sweet of him to encourage us to follow his lead and invest in his company.

auh2o
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50771: Good Evening,
I'm gettin' ready to hit the ironin' board, but I wanted to tell y'all something cute. I was out on our balcony paying bills (if you have to do something so horrible it should be done in nice surroundings) and when I came in Bryson was sitting on the floor with a bowl of mini wheats and watching TAGS!
I have another cute antidote about Bryson and his "girlfriend". Remind me and I'll share it tomorrow. Bryson's teacher said, "he's too cute for words"! Well, I can't hold my head up any longer.
Blessings y'all,
~Lucy
March 26, 2007 - Msg 50772:

Ro, I had to laugh when I read about your dad's weenie sandwiches. My dad loved those things! He probably still would, if only he'd eat something. He had back surgery three weeks ago and has NO appetite. The doctor gave him a prescription Friday which is supposed to help restore his appetite. I hope it works.

The Outback coconut shrimp sound great! I'll have to try them. Have you tried H.E.B.'s frozen coconut shrimp with orange dipping sauce? I think it's called "Great Catch." They're surprisingly good, and there are enough in the box for two or three meals.

Great to see you, too, MDC. Hope all's well in your neck of the woods.

I keep meaning to ask: has anyone heard from Briscoe Jr. lately? He seems to be MIA again. That boy needs to come down from the hills a little more often.

I, for one, don't know what to make of all the global warming talk. No doubt it's beneficial to release as little carbon dioxide into the atmosohere as possible (duh), but since 2005, every time there's a hurricane, the media blames global warming. Weren't there actually more hurricanes in 1933 (and one year in the late 1800s - can't remember which) than any other year, including 2005? If so, how does that fit in? As for Gore, his flying on Paramount Studios planes doesn't bother me, and I can see his investing in a company he co-owns (heck, I'd do it, too). Getting electricity from the Green Switch program, convering to solar power and driving hybrids is all good, but the big picture always seems to get lost in the semantics of the inevitable debates. I'm always left with more questions than answers, and I don't think I'm alone. There's no doubt that the warmer waters of the past couple decades are killing off the coral reefs, but is it global warming? If not, what? Why do the parties and the media have to make every issue party-related? All it does is divide people and the real issue gets lost. I think I'm getting cynical in my old age. :-)

The rains have stopped for now. The Weather Channel showed a massive storm stretching from South Texas all the way up into Oklahoma and beyond. Everybody stay safe and dry!

~De§~
.


March 26, 2007 - Msg 50773: Hi All.
Will I git my painting done it was paint it taxicab yellow.
Romeena n0 I don't have roses growing . But I would love to have some I have the room for the plant thim.

LOVE TOM
PRAYER ALL WHO CAN USED THIM

March 27, 2007 - Msg 50774: oh, dear
March 27, 2007 - Msg 50775: Just as I suspected. I think Des left her color running. I hope this works.
March 27, 2007 - Msg 50776: Nope, it didn't. hmmmmm.
(this is Hazel, by the way)

March 27, 2007 - Msg 50777: testing
March 27, 2007 - Msg 50778: Phew, I think that fixed it.
Morning, porch. It's raining here in Idaho today. I was right there in it!
- Hazel
March 27, 2007 - Msg 50779: Good Tuesday porch folks, hope all is well today.
It is good to see everyone. Our weather has been beautuful the past several days. The Bristol race fans has a great weather week end. I am hoping to get some flowers in the ground in the next couple weeks which will perk me up a lot. My kids are on Spring break next week and then 1 more 6 weeks left for this school year. Time surely flies. Lunch will be grilled hamburgers,
grilled onions, chips, tea and little debbie cakes for dessert. we can eat outside and enjoy the sunshine. Romeena, I will be sending a couple new pictures along for posting if that is okay. Can you scan and post Olan Mills pictures?
We had family pictures taken for our church directory and I thought I would send one along if that is okay. you guys have a good day and see you at the picnic table. Prayers to all
Big Maude
March 27, 2007 - Msg 50780:
Des-I have no problem with Gore mooching a free ride on a company jet. Heck, I thought that was one of the problems he was complaining about, corporate greed. I think investing in a company that one owns is good also. But, I've listened to Gore drone on and on many times about "carbon offsets" and how they can help save mankind. However, I've never heard him once say that he owns a company that just happens to sell "carbon offsets." Isn't that sort of like Noah selling rowboats? Gore is doing nothing to reduce his electrical consumption (the real problem). He just happens to be rich enough to buy the snake oil he sells and would like us to buy it also. It's kinda like Ted Kennedy and his support of windmill construction with the exception that it does not occur next to his mansion. How magnanimous of them.

auh2o