June 26, 2007 - Msg 53712: My, my it's been slow on the porch these last few days. I hope you are feel well, MILLIE. And prayers for you, LUCY. REMEENA: You are right on about the war. Good thing we know who the victor will be, right?

Y'all take care and have a great evening. Check in when you can. If I'm dozing, just my porch swing.

Me-They
June 26, 2007 - Msg 53713: All that sweeping in this heat plain tuckered me out.

M-T
June 26, 2007 - Msg 53714: Nice sweep. Me they!
Mil
June 26, 2007 - Msg 53715: On my way to work, but have a question for Lucy. Has your husband ever been involved with the "Navigator" Bible study series? Just curious... --Romeena
June 26, 2007 - Msg 53716:
Every summer about this time I think about the ole DRUGSTORE SODA FOUNTAIN that we used to have about a half mile away from the home i grew up in. (Like in TAGS, but this one was about 20 stools long) When i was between 10 and 12 or so,I'd ride my bike there and order from the soda jerk a Pepsi freeze and a grilled cheese sandwich. (There was just something yummy about a sandwich from that grill) Of course, that was after a week of saving pop bottles, pasting Green Stamps in the books for mom, or delivering newspapers. It was always a delight to hop up on a stool, count my change and get that special Saturday lunch.
Lucy- prayers for you and yours. Hang in there.
Asa/ HM- we had a retired relief pitcher, Rod Beck, found dead in his home here--very strange stuff going on.
MARTY- in your retirement you could always build ships in bottles like Howard. haha
Prayers for all in the Lake Tahoe area also.
Rev, have a great concert for the Lord.
40 years ago this was the "Summer of Love" for what that was worth, now I hope it will be a summer of GOD's love!! (:
116 here today--so hot that the rattlesnakes are ordering bottled water. haha
MDC
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53717: Good morning all. Hope everyone is okay today.
Busy with work and dealing with the heat and very dry conditions on my end of the porch. Lucy, my son has not mentioned theology, but says he would like to go to pharmacy school. guess we will see in a couple of years what direction he goes in terms of education. kids change their minds even after they start college so who knows. Lunch will be: tuna salad sandwhiches, chips, little debbie cakes and sweet tea to drink. It is much to hot to turn on the stove at my house today. Blessings and prayers to all. Big Maude
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53718: Good morning everyone. Where has everyone been lately. Only a few posts yesterday. Maybe y'all are in too much of a hurry and need to hear a little Dr. Breen (of New York City).

MDC: "Summer of Love" my #%$. More like summer of venereal disease. I delivered "The Grit" newspaper when I was young. Ever heard of it? It was the kind of newpaper that had ads like "Bill R. says I paid my way through college selling seeds." 116? You sure you want to live in teh desert?

Thanks for lunch, MAUDE! I hear you, sister; no stove going at my place, either.

Me-They
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53719: Good morning, all. Just got home from work, and am heading for the ironing board. It was a long night.

Nothing but rain, rain, rain here. It was pouring when I left for work last night, and I thought my car was going to have to learn to swim before I finally got there. Just a torrential downpour. I stayed off the freeway, as I know some of the exit ramps are very low-lying. There was one area on the side street I was using, though, that was pretty scary. There's a creek/drainage ditch there and it was overflowing. Fortunately, a car much like mine was just ahead of me, so I hung back and watched, and when it made it through okay, I plunged in too. Got across with no problems, and was very glad the hospital has a covered garage, with a covered sky bridge to the main building. Didn't get wet at all.

There has been some loss of life, though. A 13 yr old boy managed somehow to fall in a raging creek, and in spite of rescue efforts by police and firefighters, he was swept away and drowned. So very, very sad.

Well, I'm off to bed. Gotta work again tonight. Not even stopping for breakfast, I'm not hungry anyway. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53720: Good Afternoon Porch,
Romeena- No ma'am he hasn't done that bible study. Unfortunately he doesn't do any bible studies because of lack of time. I fought his lists for years, and finally gave up. I was raised a feminist, so this was hard to do. They are usually things like add up his expenses, get car cleaned, vacuum walls (cobwebs I missed), have boys do some chore, etc. It's funny because Bryan told someone just yesterday that I wear the pants in the family and it took everything I had not to give him a one two! He's a good guy, and an excellent doctor. I just do the best that I can to finish his lists and all is fine in our household.
MDC- I love your soda fountain story! There is still a working soda fountain in my grandmother's town of Bardstown, Kentucky. It is really neat. Why did you paste green stamps in a book?
Big Maude- Pharmacologists make really good money. They are in a short supply.
Me-They- We all need to watch the episode of Dr. Breen's.
Has anyone completed TAGS bible study? What episodes are used? I wanted to see if I have the dvd's, so we'd only have to buy the books. My bible study needs a new book for the fall and I was thinking of that.
This morning Nick had to clean the oven because I had to loan him $5. Well, he didn't take out the racks so when I turned the oven on for lunch the entire house smelled and it filled with smoke! Our eyes were burning from the fumes! So, after it cools again Nick has to get back in there and get to work. He's not happy. Big Maude we'll need extras for the boys!
Y'all have a great day.
Blessings,
~Lucy
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53721: hello porch. Kinda movin' slower today. Hope everyone is well. Sure has been quiet here on the porch lately. I'm going to take a nap. Y'all be good.
Mil
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53722: Hey, LUCY. You sure all that smoke wasn't from the chili and crackers you were cooking on the hot plate?

Regarding your lists, if that truly works for you and your husband, that's great. I don't think I could feel comfortable leaving lists, even if the Mrs. would knock me for a loop if I did. I believe that God expects husbands to lead their households, but the wife is expected to assist in that leadership. And, just like any good leader, the husband should make sure the needs of his family, especially his wife, are met. He gives us the framework but allows us the latitude to figure out how to make it work in our situations. That's why its so important to follow God, and not other things, in finding a partner in life; he knows what (and who) we need.

Okay, what's for dinner? SPOT? MAUDE?

And where's BOO been? My dirty shorts are piling up, and it's a sight!

Me-They
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53723: Oh, hey there, MILLIE. Slow is okay, as long as your not feeling poorly. Have a nice rest--here you can have the porch swing.

M-T
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53724: m-t boo out of town for the week.
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53725: thanks, me-they, I am plumb tuckered.
Mil
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53726: Thanks, mystery poster (53724).

LUCY: I forgot to mention that you can find the names of episodes used for the Marberry Bible Study, as well as lesson plans and lots of other info at barneyfife.com.

Me-They
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53727: That's "Mayberry," naturally.

M-T
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53728: And MILLIE, have you tried a Mr. Cookie Bar? Us slender, high-spirited people need an afternoon pick-me-up.

M-T (again!)
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53729: Hey everybody! I am back again. My health and the hot weather have been keeping me in. Thanks again to Hazel--I am ordering season 4 today.
My daughter and two friend are moving into their first apartment and momma can't be there to help--sniff---She is working temps right now and is starting at Cal-state Fullerton in the fall.
Truth to tell---I think her girlfriends parents are having a harder time of it.
They have three children as compared to my one and next year their yongest moves out.
oh well They still have each other.
with me -when the nest empited it really emptied.
Oh well- I am going to put together a little Care package for them--any suggestions are welcome.
I am sending them "101 things to do with ramen noodles" Yes! there really is such a cook book.
and assorted other little gadgets for the kitchen..
I still would prefer to be there though.
Ahappynut
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53730: Good to see you, ahappynut. I'm getting ready for my first to leave the nest, too. Hope you survive!Haha
Mil
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53731: Hey to the porch! You're welcome, Ahappynut. I can't wait until you get it! (your season 4). You'll love it, just love it.
Millie, I tried to get to Sarahs, but it said the server was down, or some such message. Did you get there? I hope you're feeling good today.
About those lists. If my husband left me a list, he probably couldn't even hand it to me with a straight face, because he'd know I'd consider it a joke. Ha! I tell HIM what to do.
- Hazel
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53732: Don't tell me you use a leg of lamb, HAZEL.

Good to hear from you A HAPPYNUT.

Y'all have a good one.

Me-They
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53733: MDC I considered the type of retirement Howard thought he wanted ie a tropical island with nothing to do but relax watching the waves , the only thing left after the boredom was for him to build ships in a bottle. So many people leave their family and neighborhood to just be on a constant vacation : to travel and look at what others do but don't do really anything themselves. We had a summer place at a lake but fishing in the same place for stunted bass got old fast. It drove me to distraction. Today I was down my Mom's, pulling up old carpeting and some banking for her. We had a piece of homemade cake and some lemonade, the real stuff. The wife and I got our hour plus exercise walk in by 10 am before thr 90 degree heat set in. Now this is retirement!
Lucy:When I was a little boy I always helped my Mom paste green stamps in the books(S&H green stamps that is).
Millie: Hope and pray you are having a very good day today.
Romeena: your not working too hard are you?
Marty from MtTop
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53734: Marty, I remember pasting the stamps into the booklets as well. I just liked to lick'em! They tasted pretty good.:)

"101 things to do with ramen noodles", AHappyNut? I just may have to buy that. Ramen's good!

Had my third interview with that insur@nce company today. Don't know if I did as well this time as the last two times. I was kind of nervous; it was with the lady who interviewed me before and her husband, who also happens to be the founder and head man at this place.

-Sterling Holobyte
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53735: It's the only thing he understands, Me-They.
- Hazel
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53736: You people crack me up! I slept all day,
preparing to go back to work tonight. No, Marty, I'm not working too hard. I only do this two nights a week, so it's not too bad. Staying awake gets difficult, but it's do-able.

Millie, I'm sure you're 'way ahead of me on remedies for the chemo yuckies, but during my time on the drugs I learned to just carry a can of Coke (the real stuff) and sip along on it all day. I went through two or three a day, but it really helped. Settled my stomach and gave me little energy boosts. Of course, during the worst times nothing helps a lot, but for the day-to-day blahs it really was helpful.

Ramen noodles rule! I love those things! I think I need that cookbook. Hmmm. I think I have a few packages in the pantry, maybe I'll take one to work with me tonight.

Lucy, I admire you. You have taken an arrangement that would seem onerous to many of us, and made it work for you. As long as your husband knows what a treasure he has, and you're happy, then that's all that matters. I have a family member who is a talented artisan, owns a successful business, but owes the success to his wife. Without her literally making lists and keeping him on track, he would "create" all day and not get the paying jobs done. To each his or her own.

It's still raining here, has rained all day, my pond is about to overflow. I hope the fish don't swim out into the yard!

Sterling, that third interview really sounds encouraging. Prayers for you, friend. God has a plan, and He'll reveal it in His own good time.

Well, gotta get ready for work. When I get this night behind me, I'm off until next Wednesday night. Yippeee! Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53737: Funny you should mention the ramon noodles; I'm making that cabbage salad that has ramon noodles in it for dinner. Yummy! I add chicken so it's more of a one dish meal. Even my hen-pecked husband says it's good. 'Course, he may not want the leg-o-lamb treatment again.
- Hazel

"During our lifetime we travel many roads..."
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53738: Lucy - Green stamps (S&H) were given for the dollar amount you would buy at the grocery store - the more you bought, the more green stamps you were given. Then you put them in the "green stamp" booklet. Once the book was filled it was redeemable at a Green Stamp store. My momma saved her books up and bought a card table once. We were high fallutin with that new table. I wasn't sure if your question got answered. Now, here, Kroger does a green stamp thing with gas rewards. You spend $100, you get 10 cents off the gallon at their pumps.

Been so busy - it's my anniversary - 13 years today!

homemaker
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53739: Happy Anniversary, HM!
- Hazel
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53740:
"Surprise, surprise,
I can see it in your eyes.
It's me, it's me,
It's Ernest T."

Good evening porch. Anyone seen TOM lately?
Lucy- yes HM did a good explanation. In my day you got one little stamp for every 10 cents spent.
Then for about 20 full books you could get a toaster etc.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Homemaker- 13 is a good number!
Sterling- wow, I never heard of THREE interviews. My prayers are still with you buddy.
RO- glad you get some down time.
Hope Boo's vacation isnt rained out with all I see on the news of the texas flooding etc.
Marty- OK, Maybe you could sell insur@nce like Emmitt! haha
God bless you all my friends, keep "rockin'"
MDC
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53741: Gosh have I got to read the mail!...hope yall have been fed well!..I have been on the lake for 2 days!..sleepong on the boat!...Dud caught a mess of catfish!....well let me read the archives...prayers...SPOT
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53742: Good Evening,
Me-They- You beat all you know that!
Hazel- We all do what we have to do.
Ahappynut- I think it's in Proverbs that says, "train up a child in the way he shall go and he will not depart from it". I think that's it; anyhow, if you've raised your daughter right, and I'm sure you have, then she will do just fine!
Millie- I hope you feel better real soon!
Homemaker- Thank you for the explanation. I still don't understand why people did that, but I guess that's what I get for being born during disco fever. Happy Anniversary to you and the Mr.!
Marty- That sounds so nice! Do you know your wifes lemonade recipe? I have a Presto Homade lemonade maker and don't know how many lemons, sugar and water to use. I threw away the directions on accident!
Sterling- A third interview, how exciting and promising! I'm sure you did grand. Now, just sit back, relax, and see what happens. It's in the Lords hands now.
Hazel- My mom makes an awesome ramen noodle salad. You're right that if you add a meat and bread then you've got a complete meal. Can't beat that.
Well, I'm ready to hit the hay. See y'all later!
Blessings,
~Lucy
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53743: Hey MDC and Spot. Didn't see ya there while I was chatting on the way I do.
~Lucy
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53744: Hey Lucy!,,MDC and all..im wow what a great day at the lake!...eat at a great grill on the lake...grilled steak with peppers and onions and salad,fried taters.......good lake food!..breakfast:eggs your way,grits[with real butter],country ham,hashbrowns,bisquits and gravy....ready at 7 SPOT
June 27, 2007 - Msg 53745: Maybe TOM is what Boo
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53746: Breakfast sounds good, Spot, I'll be there!
Mil
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53747:
Hello porch family...Back at home for one day then I head back out to Pigeon Forge, Tn again for a few days before heading north.

Millie...I pray this post finds you feeling better and your strength coming back.

Spot...you gonna turn into a fish if you keep staying on that boat. Man I don't blame you. I'd stay there as much as possible too. Passed through Atlanta this evenning and it was a bad wreck on I-85. (Someone said the person was killed instant.) Completely shut down traffic for about an hour. Took me 3 hours to get through Atlanta.

Where's our buddy Tom? and Dud?

Tired so I'm heading off to bed. Been driving all day. Prayers for all our needs. Jesus loves us!
-REV.
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53748: Speaking of ramen noodles - we used to make a hot pot casserole of sorts. We cooked the ramen noodles, drained the water off, added a can of Sirloin Chunky Soup and when we dished it out, we added grated cheese on top. Fattening yes, Good and cheap!!! YES!! Ah - college days!

homemaker
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53749: Oh, my goodness! I forgot to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to hm....Congrats!
Lunch on me today....chili dogs and chips!
Millie
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53750: You are such a good cook Millie - and my husbands' favorite - chli dogs with cheezeeeeee!

hm
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53751: MDC..The Hendrick drivers punishment came down yesterday ..100 points ,$100,000.00 and crew cheifs suspended for 6 races ,same as Little E got when his team was caught with the illegal spoiler brackett a while back ,but for reason the sports writers that cover NASCAR think they should have gotten more ,go figure ,they all love Little E
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53752: Thanks for lunch Maude...well done with the lake for a few days...hey MD,lucy,possum,asa,mil,mdc,ro,bo,TOM,Rev,hazel,hm and all...tonight its a fish fry with all the trimings.......back in a bit....got to clean the boat up...SPOT
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53753:
MD -was that big fine for the bumping in the pits?
Race in New hampshire this week. Another state I cant get into for racing. I think more of little white churches instead of a racetrack! ha
REV- We have a dealership here called Berge Ford, and once a year they do a "Bird Forge" sale with cartoon of a big bird at an anvil!
Thought of it when you mentioned Pigeon Forge.
Also at this time of year they do a "Ford of July" sale
Prayers continue for all porchsters, families, troops etc.
APB for Colt, KY girl, Chuck, Irishster, Hodie Snitch, Fred Goss, Dixie and others.
Come on down, you are the next contestant on...
MDC
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53754:
Hello porch family....Pray you all had a great day.

Millie...thanks for lunch. Hope you're feeling good today.

Spot...Man those fish sure were good. Nothing better than fresh caught fish.

MDC..."Bird Forge", that's pretty funny. I remember a dealer in Tucson named Clinkscale. Ever heard of it? Speaking of Pigeon Forge, I'll be back there tommorrow.

MD, Spot, MDC- I read tonight that Carl Edwards would be sporting the Boston Red Sox logo on his car this week in New Hampshire.

Well better get going. Still have a lot to do tonight before bed. Prayers for all and have a Jesus filled night.
-REV.
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53755: Evening Porch, just a quick hello & let ya'll know I'm still around. Trying to get the last minute things for the wedding done & running out of time. We only have a couple of things left tho. Rehearsal tomorrow night, still need to get a garter & that is about it. I can't wait!
I got an email from Tom the other day, guess he is just busy doing things & like me doesn't have alot of extra time to rock on the porch. Wish he would come back & post a good poem tho, I miss those.
Speaking of NASCAR, Mr. Neff's best man is really good friends with the President of Bristol Motor Speedway & he has managed to "get our name in lights" at the Speedway marquee this weekend congratulating us on our marriage! How cool is that?? I will be sure to get pix of it & send them to Romeena! Best get off here & hit the hay, one more day, well half day of work, then off for a whole week to celebrate with my intended. ;)
*Mavis
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53756: Well Hello everyone. I am back from our camping trip. Got rained out and came back a day early. We got to swim in the river for 2 days before the rain and floods hit. The river was amazing! Such fun. We stayed in some screened cabins and saw alot of bugs (Me-They, I am saying this for your benefit). I didn't sleep on the mattresses provided, of course but brought my own and my own sheets, of course....Me-They I also thought of you when we went to eat at a restaraunt in San Antonio. It was a Mexican place and they made the tortillas as you watched. On my way out, I saw the guy making them (with bare hands), wipe his nose with his hand and then continue making the tortillas! gross...if we only knew how often things like that happen when we eat out.

Hazel, your leg 'o lamb thing is killing me. Hilarious! You know, my husband is in no way hen-pecked but if he ever handed me a to-do list, we would have to have a long talk and come to an understanding. That just would not do for me. I am too darned busy doing my own list for the family! Now, if he needs my help with something (and he always asks me very respectfully), I always do for him what he asks. He always says thank you, also. I can't imagine being asked to vacume walls...that seems a bit over the top, but different strokes for different folks.

The discussion about childhood obesity that went on earlier is very interesting and I think it is a combination of things, for sure. I really think the foods kids eat are causing them alot of harm. The amount of fast food, and pre-packed stuff that parents feed their families is so unhealthy. So many moms are over-worked with working outside the home and trying to take care of the family, too, that it is much harder to cook the way our mom's did it. Anyway, I try to cook often and my son, who is very overweight (he is 12 and weighs 140lbs), watches no TV, and plays with no video games (by choice). He rides bikes and jumps on the trampoline and does many hores around the house. The kid loves work...something to do with the OCD, I think. He mowes the yard, sweeps and mops all the floors, trims around the trees and uses the leaf blower, you name it. He stays busy but I swear it's that Paxil he started taking 2 years ago. He was a skinny little dude before that. Wish there was some other way to help him, but his quality of life is so bad without it.

Well, it sure will be nice sleeping in a clean, dry bed tonight!! Can't wait to crawl in. Hope you all have a peaceful night.

Boo
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53757: ...uh, that was supposed to he "chores around the house"...how embarrassing.

Boo
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53758: man, I did it again...forgive my mental exhaustion...I spent 4 days in a cabin with the kids while it rained!!

Boo
June 28, 2007 - Msg 53759: Better you than me Boo you sure are a brave woman!
*Mavis
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53760: hello mayberry how are you today ........gizzmo

June 29, 2007 - Msg 53761: Good morning everyone. It's rainy here, but we sorely need it. At least it's not the horribly hot and humd weather we have been experiencing earlier this week.

By the way, while my wife does the regular vacuuming at our house, I usually do it about once a month to get teh places that she doesn't typically get--like the walls. We've reached an understanding that I don't bug her about it and she doesn't get defensive when I do it. A little give and take dance you might say.

BOO: I agree that in Sean's case the medicine probably is to blame. Most of the anti-anxiety/OCD drugs have weight gain as a side effect. I know first hand. Previous to taking the meds a year and a half ago, I had only gained about five or so pounds in the over twenty years since high school. After taking it, I gained fifteen pounds in two months. It really slows down your metabolism. And cramps your lifestyle, let me tell you! I never, ever had to watch what I ate before. Anyway, sometimes you have to "pick your poison," so to speak. In my case, and from what you've realted Sean's, the benefit outweighs the negatives. Also, because of Sean's age, a growth spurt could go a long way to evening out his weight. I have friends who were heavy as kids and by high school you'd never have known it. The key is to keep feeding him well and encouraging exercise.

Having work in restauntants for years, and very nice ones to boot, I have more than my fair share of stories. To this day, I cannot eat in places where I can see them make my food. Ignorance is bliss. And usually the Mrs. does the ordering (at fast food places) while I go sit down and avoid looking in the direction of the counter. It's just better all the way around for me not to see.

Happy Anniversary HM! Many more!

Me-They
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53762: Hey, Porch...
Just passin' through without even the chance for a good rockin'. Wore my snorkel & mask to work today. After 3 dry years I ain't gonna' complain about the precipitation... just kinda' wish the Lord would spread it out a little. Boy child has been at Scout Summer Camp all week gettin' rained on. Going out tonight for Family night and OA Callout. We'll bring some of his wet stuff home & get them to a toxic waste dump.
Hey, Mavis.. congrats. I was in Bristol all last week. Sure is pretty there...
Hugs to all y'all... Dragonfly
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53763: Hi all--hey--can somebody help a poor confused
Yankee out here? I have been wondering about the best way to cook grits. I had them once and they were made just terriable!!!
I don't want to swear them off all together and miss the experence.
I hear they are good with cheese--what kind?
I have also heard of people putting tobasco sauce on them too.
any info would be helpful.
Ahappynut
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53764: about the childhood obecity thing. I was a very active child-and I ate alot. I started putting on weight when I stopped being active-in my teens due to a struggle with depression. I still struggle with my weight.
I think it is good to give children good eating guidelines.
in my house-fast food was only for a once a month outing and a movie.
Hey--what can I say--we wern't that well off.
also --I used to make as much homemade as I could and freeze it--
Ahappynut
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53765: I'm not certain that "best" and "grits" belong in the same sentence. And they certainly don't belong outside the south. Can I interest you in some Cream of Wheat?

M-T
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53766: "Can I try just one grit and see if I like it?"...Vinnie (from "My Cousin Vinnie"). Now y'all be nice... it all depends on how you fix 'em. Some like a little milk, butter & sugar and some like red-eye gravy. I enjoy 'em both ways but especially like 'em with green chiles and cheese in a casserole... Oh, yeah, wonder what the pore folks are eatin'?
Blessings, Dragonfly...
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53767: Cake?

M-T
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53768: Hey, M-T... I think the whole grits vs. cream of wheat thing may be a texture issue since neither is exactly "packed with taste" and need some help. Cream of wheat is, well.... wheat and grits are made from hominy (corn). I find grits somewhat "heartier" and cream of wheat kinda' watery but I like 'em both.

Ahappynut... the cheese most use is cheddar, Monterey Jack or a combination of the two. You might stay away from Brie, Feta or Gouda. ;)

Y'all play nice, now... Blessings, Dragonfly...
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53769: Stop fighting what your food
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53770: Hey there, Dragonfly! It's good to see you. Wish you'd come around more often, you're always fun to sit and visit with. Yep, I have that grits casserole recipe, and it's delish! Of course, for some of the tender-mouth yankees, it might not work. Imagine anyone thinking those little green chiles are hot, but my sissy brother-in-law thought so.

Ahappynut, grits can be terrible, and grits can be wonderful. Like oatmeal, there are "quick" grits, and regular grits that require a longer cooking time. Personally, I don't think there's much difference in the end result, and I usually use the quick variety. Just follow the directions on the box, and you'll be fine. The key is not to make them too soupy. Thin, watery grits are wretched, and not even edible in my opinion.

The wonderful thing about grits is that they're sort of neutral. You can flavor them with butter and use them in place of mashed potatoes. They make a fine "base" for gravy - red eye, cream gravy, brown gravy, whatever. You can add grated cheddar cheese and make them really special. For breakfast, you can add butter and a little sugar and cream and treat them like a hot cereal, or just eat them buttered, with your bacon and eggs. I suppose for the fat-watchers, you could use Butterbuds for flavor, though I've never tried it. It would probably work, I like Butterbuds on fresh corn. Leftover grits can be mixed with a raw egg, chilled in a loaf pan and sliced, then fried in a bit of butter like hashbrowns, and they're wonderful.

One of my favorite little one-picture cartoons in a magazine showed a bored-looking waitress standing next to a bewildered man in a diner, and she was saying "Well, if you didn't want grits, why'd you order breakfast?" Yep, that's pretty much how I see it, too.

Oh, one key to good grits - be sure you use enough salt. Unsalted grits should be illegal.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53771: Good morning, Tom! Have you got a poem for us? --Romeena
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53772: I just love cream of wheat but cannot stand grits. When I am feeling poorly - I bring out the cream of wheat.

It has been a hard week around here with the wrestler situation - my youngest wants to believe someone else did it. It is hard to explain such grown up things to my innocent child. It is a tough way to see the world.

We sent out two boxes to our soldier. We found hawaiian punch in those little sugar free things to put in water - so I hope he likes a "nice Hawaiian punch!" Also sent him a little personal fan with a water spritzer bottle. Heard its 125 in the shade there.

Need to run! God is good and faithful!

homemaker
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53773: Ha, great grit quote from "My Cousin Vinnie", Dragonfly..nice to see you again, by the way. It's funny how the subject of grits seems to come up now and then, kinda like VICKS. I can't stand the things. Maybe it's an aquired taste...my mom never fixed them when we were growing up but we had more than our share of Cream of Wheat and MALTOMEAL!! (my personal favortite). Mom fed us Maltomeal for breakfast on those winter days before sending us off to school. We only lived down the block from the elementary so we walked every day (or rode our bikes). I can remember my mom trying to force me to wear those dorky nylon scarves to school when it was cold. I hated those things! She had some kind of strange fixation about getting earaches from cold wind. I never, ever got an earache, cold wind or not.

Hey Homemaker, that fan spritzer is a great idea!

I know where you are coming from on the food thing, M-T, and the older I get the more I think about things like that. I remember one of my friends (many years ago) telling me a story about something some kids did to burgers in a fast food place (I will spare you the details) and I have never forgotten it...it's like it's burned into my memory, unfortunately, so thanks for not sharing your own personal stories of such. You're a very understanding gentleman.

Well, I'm facing a couple of mountains of wet laundry from our camping trip and have to go to the store to get some detergent so better go...feel free to toss your shorts on top of the mountain, Me-They, I probably wouldn't even notice.

Boo
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53774: You're welcome, BOO. I try not to think too much about it myself. I will say that it is my belief that some of the low-end chain places are probably more sanitary in the kitchen than independent "upscale" places. The chain places usually have fairly strict corporate rules. But do you know how many sous chefs I have seen take a taste of a sauce with their finger or poke at a piece of meat to see if its done? What's done in teh kitchen should stay there. Whoever thought of those glass partitioned kitchens and dining areas was, to quote Barney, a nut.

HM: I was never much into wrestling (the Andre the Giant/Hulk Hogan era began when I was in high school, I think) but I can surely understand how your son feels. It's never easy when someone you look up to lets you down. And you can't get much farther down than this, I guess. Good thing we have at least one friend who will never, ever let us down.

Me-They
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53775: Thanks for the "welcome home"! It's still right comfy on the porch & no one's "sprung" my rocker. Hey, Ro... can I get that recipe for chile cheese grits? My ex got custody of the recipe box & she doesn't play well with others (probably runs with scissors, too).
M-T, I think it was Julia Childs who said, "Everything on that plate looks so perfect you just know somebody's had thier hands all over it." Of course, Julia (God rest her) did enjoy her red wine. Love her recipes... one for you, one for me, one for you, two for me...

Blessings, Dragonfly
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53776: Jeez... that would be THEIR hands all over it...
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53777: Now who's been nippin' at the red wine...

;)
M-T
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53778: Hey, Boo... Contrary to what Mom said, I never broke my neck, put out an eye or jumped off a bridge just because my friends did...

On the other hand, every time I got a chest cold my Mom would smear Vick's Vaporub all over my chest and throat, do the same to a cloth and warm it over a stove burner (always 3 times) and wrap my poor cold-wracked throat and chest in it overnight. I don't KNOW that the treatment cured me but I was afraid NOT to get well. Mosquitos didn't bite either.... Hmmmmmmmm.... Dragonfly
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53779: Well gang let me get logged in here at work...SPOT
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53780: Hey, Dragonfly. If you'll write me at Romeena at airmail dot net, I'll send you that recipe. Actually, the recipe calls for cooked Minute Rice, but you can substitute an equal amount of grits for the rice and it works fine. I've made it both ways, depending on which "starch" I have on hand! --Romeena
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53781: Good Afternoon,
I just wanted y'all to know that we are going on vacation so I will not be rockin' until around the 9th or 10th. We are going to visit Bryan's parents in Ohio with a stop over in at my parents in Kentucky and go to the Kentucky Horse Park for a trail ride. Well, I need to get packed. Y'all have a fun and safe 4th!
Blessings,
~Lucy
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53782: Hey all - sorry for the absence. Evie has started summer school and our schedule is a little off, and now Reagan walking pretty much w/o help has me on my toes instead of the computer.

Welcome back Boo, Dragonfly, and ahappynut!

Mavis - all the best to you and Robert tomorrow as you tie the knot.

M-T - glad to hear your Mrs is able to get more sleep these days. : )

All this talk about grits, cream of wheat, maltomeal, etc., is about to gross me out! Hot cereal just makes my stomach turn - it's about all I can do to give Reagan baby cereal. Blech!

Hope you're not too waterlogged, Ro. I saw the pics they've been showing on TV and it looks plum awful. Saw the pics of 6 Flags partly underwater, and I'm sure my grandma is glad she moved years ago as they lived just on the north side of the park there. How's the Plum doing today?

Well, it's starting to storm a little here so I'd better get off the 'puter. Have a great weekend and prayers for all.
AFD
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53783: Supper time!..hey ro,Rev,boo,lucy,m-t,maviws,afd,mil,dragonfly,ahappynut and all the porch....grilled ribeye steaks,bake taters,salad with fresh sliced maters....sweet tea and big maude slaw.....storms moving in here at work....SPOT
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53784: Afternoon Y'all! Welcome back to Mayberry,Boo! You're just in time for Mavis' bachelorette party tonight! Homemaker's bringing meatballs (,Happy Anniversary,HM!)and I believe that Hazel will show up with her leg of lamb in case any of the fellers sneak up on the Porch!
Good to see AFD & Dragonfly rocking with us again!
Lucy,you have a safe & enjoyable trip.We'll miss ya!
Well,gotta get busy decorating the Porch-see y'all at Mavis' party!
P.S. Grits are Groceries!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock AKA one of the "True Grits"- Girl Raised In The South
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53785: Wow, a bachelorette party tonight? Will Asa be there dancing in his toolbelt? Count me in! (uh, I think I'll skip the meatballs, though)...who's bringin' the mulberry squeezins or is this a "dry" party?

Dragonfly, I had forgotten what a quick wit you have! Some of your comments are hilarious.

Right M-T, somethings about the food industry are better left alone. I want to get on my soapbox about something, though. I was at WalMart today and was looking for some vitamins for Erin. I picked up the Store brand of kids vitamins and read the label. I was very disturbed by what I read. They contained things like: aspartame, red dye, talc (a well-known carcinogen). What the heck? Are they trying to keep kids well or kill them? Made me see red. I finally found a kid's gummy vitamin that was all natural. I just don't get it.

Boo
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53786: Did Dragonfly say VICKS - oh, I just love VICKS!

guess who?
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53787: Lucy, the reciepe for lemonade is simple but tricky, depends on the size of the lemon, how juicy it is and how strong the flavor is. Here is what happened the last time: I started with 2 large juicy lemons with a lot of flavor (sour also) I first mixed it in about a quart and a half of water and 3 heaping teaspoons of sugar. Hear's the real trick: Taste it and if is strong and more like lemon juice than lemonade then just adding more sugar isn't the answer, it will be too tart even with more sugar- sort of a strong sweet and sour drink which isn't what we want.. I had to dilute it with at least two more cups of water and probably added two or three more heaping teaspoons of sugar- make sure all the sugar is dissolved before tasting. Sorry I couldn't be more exact but this was the first real lemonade of the year and I never kept track of the exaxt amounts. Good luck! Maybe someone else has been using specific measurements and could help here. Bottled lemon is consistant but a bit bitter to my taste. Enjoy your vacation.
Marty from Mt Top
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53788:
Mavis, that is great about your name in lights! Way cool.
BOO- glad you are home safe and sound.
I'm kinda in and out tonight, so i'll just say prayers a plenty, have a good weekend.
I have some Dec of Independence trivia to share with you next week.
MDC
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53789: Asa dancing at the party....whew...hey marty,MDC,possum,Millie,Romeena you working?..Rev ya get your Fed-Ex steak?...storms hit us hard here at work...got lots of crews in working..well the radio is going off and nextel also!...SPOT
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53790: Thanks MDC.

I think the VICKS poster is HOMEMAKER!!

Well, made a good dent in the laundry but still more to do tomorrow. I think it might be a busy weekend. I have Karen's boy, Zach here with us tonight and he seems to be doing better. I have really been missing Karen and it's painful at times. I also have noticed a real absence of positive emotions since she died. It's almost like my emotions have kind of shut down. I feel kind of like a zombie, I guess. I don't look forward to anything and it seems like daily life is just endless chores. Is this a normal part of the grief process? I know that experiencing some anger at this point can be normal, and I do feel that sometimes. I love and miss her but sometimes feel like I want to go to the cemetary and cuss her out for not taking care of herself! Strange emotions.

Think I will go to bed with a good book. I am reading a good one right now that is a biography about a Mexican American girl growing up in the 30's on a farm in New Mexico. It was written by her two daughters and is fun to read...kind of like an hispanic version of Little House on The Prarie. Reading about how they boiled water and washed the clothes really made me appreciate my washer and dryer!

Goodnight friends,

Boo
June 29, 2007 - Msg 53791:
Hello porch family. Back on the road in Tennessee.

Welcome back Boo. Too bad it rained you guys out.

Lucy...have fun on your vacation.

Spot...I'll have mine med well and have that fed-x to hurry.

Prayers for all the porch family. Have a Jesus filled night.
-REV.

June 30, 2007 - Msg 53792: I always thought grits were like Cream of Wheat. Of course, I've never had grits so I don't know. Will have to try them sometime. I know I used to love COW(cream of wheat).

That's scary about the vitamins, Boo. Especially since I get the Walmart brand as well. Is that the 'Equate' that you get?
I looked at my bottle and didn't find aspartame in it. Did find talc though. Is is really a carcinogen? I thought talc was something you put on when you are chafing. Or is that Miracle Salve.

Haven't heard anything yet about the insur@nce job. I do maybe have a part-time job at a local grocery store. Will know Monday about that one, though I am really hoping for the other one.
Romeena, I hope God reveals his plan pretty quick. We have our way-too-big mortgage coming up, that I already had to borrow some money from my family for because we are going to be short this month. I'm hoping God doesn't want me to be homeless. So far, it looks like he doesn't. But I have to get something going pretty quick.

On another note, I am becoming increasingly dismayed with our public schools here. I just happened upon the local channel broadcast of the school board meeting, and listened to some lady(probably not even from here) activist trying to convince the board on a... I don't know what to call it... a social engineering class, that she feels needs to be implemented. I could just smell her agenda as she spoke. The kicker is that she feels(and all the "experts" feel, as she put it) that this should be a required class. Uh huh. Of course, a captive audience.

I would like to think that our school board would have the smarts and backbone enough to see that this is not as important as she makes it out to be, but unfortunately they have a tendency to fall for stuff like this. I know, from what they have implemented in the past, and also their caving in on getting rid of our team logo that we've had since before I was even born, again due to pressure from a few people, even though the majority of the citizens had no problem with the old one.

My wife has mentioned a couple times about maybe sending Kai to a private school(when we get our finances in order and can afford it, of course), and I am increasingly eager to take her up on that. Though I just HATE the way some activists seem to be taking over our schools, and want to take them back. But if it keeps going like it's going, I will take Kai out of there.
I'd probably even do it next year if we could afford it.

-Sterling Holobyte




June 30, 2007 - Msg 53793: Oh, Sterling, I know exactly where you're coming from. Our whole country is being suffocated by radicals with this agenda or that, and they're so adept at making their presentations that it sometimes takes a minute or two for it to sink in that this is just another social reformer trying to elevate their latest inane notion to some level of acceptance. Honestly! When a school system permits a six year old boy to be disciplined for "s#xual harassment" because he pecked a little girl on the cheek - well, need I say more? Many schools no longer permit grades and class ranking to be posted. Honor Society members cannot be publicly named. A teacher literally tore up (!) a project (a scrapbook) my grandson took to his kindergarten class, because it was, and I quote, "too good, and the other parents won't be able to do as well". Yes, his mother helped him, but only because the teacher had sent home a note asking that parents help their child "so that the scrapbook will be presentable and worthy of becoming a keepsake." It seems my DIL did too good a job. In other words, don't try to achieve or excel, let's just dumb everything down to the lowest common denominator. Don't try to make it nice, because the lazy moms in the class will feel bad. It makes me so mad. It's bad enough that such practices are dominating our schools. What terrifies me is that it will percolate over into the workplace, so that achievement and excellence of performance can't be recognized for fear of making some under-achiever feel bad. I'm hoping that the ultimate dangling carrot, the bottom line (profit), will keep that from happening. Meanwhile, though, our schoolkids have to live with this insanity, and because of it, they'll be totally unprepared for the reality that will hit them when they enter the work force, as it should.

Well, I didn't mean to carry on so, I just saw that soapbox sitting there, and found myself standing on it. Stepping down now - next?

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
June 30, 2007 - Msg 53794: Breakfast:..eggs fried and scrambled,hashbrowns,country ham,bisquits and gravy,coffee,milk...prayers!..im headed home,storms are over till this afternoon!...SPOT