August 20, 2007 - Msg 55096: Hi All.
Will this is going to be a wet week here, calling for rain for now.
Me-They it good to see you had a good time.

TOM

August 20, 2007 - Msg 55097: Thanks, TOM. Nice sweep!

M-T
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55098: Oh Me-They, it is so good to have you back. You are a trip (a good one, that is!). Poor Chad (and poor you). Aren't you glad you have both feet on the ground right now? Hey, thank you for the ecouragement. You are right, I do have a tendency to spread myself too thin. I see myself as being responsible for things that I am really NOT responsible for. I am happy to tell you that I have made some other lifestyle changes that are helping the stress level. I gave up television, except for the news, and I am considering giving that up, too. I think I will only be watching the weather! Also, I took up crocheting (I think I mentioned that). I find it very relaxing. So far I have made 2 scarves and am near finishing a baby blanket for the new neice. Something about just sitting there in the quiet, doing something mindlessly and repetitive seems to calm me down. Go figure?

I think it was kind of you to share the advice you did with Sterling. It's good to see someone share something so personal to help another. You're a pretty good egg...glad you enjoyed your vacation.

Boo
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55099: Thank you, too, BOO. Good deal on the lifestyle changes. If I gave up tv to reduce anxiety, the news would have to go first! I hear too much of it, I think, which is not a good thing. You find yourself worrying about impossible situations (like contracting rare diseases) instead of ones you should be concerned with (like getting in your car to go to the store), and feeling depressingly helpless to so much suffering in the world. There's great good in being so informed, and so much bad, too. Maybe I should take up crocheting? Naw, too tedious and repetitious...

Me-They
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55100: I think the fans should all know that the new FOOD products coming out called Mayberrys Finest Foods are not endorsed by the original living cast members of the show at all , and especially Andy. This company pretends to be associated with the actors and so much more - when in fact they HAVE no association or approval by any cast member I know , whatsoever.

If youre going to Mayberry Days remember this if you see their booth there.
Feel free to repost this at all of the tagsrw sites and do us all a favor.
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55101: Thanks for the warning, friend, but I'd feel a whole lot better about your post if'n you'd identify yourself. Just want to make sure this isn't a clear cut case of falsifying.

Me-They
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55102:
Hey Folks

We've had a high of 55 degrees today, very nice.

Me-They It's great to have ya back and glad your trip was a good one. Well, the reason I'm a stay-at-home dad is quite simply a quality of life issue, for us. Initially the family plan was for me to work and for my wife to stay home. However, my last year in college that all changed. My wife got this really fantastic promotion opportunity (it was a good one). We prayed on it, talked about it, and thought about it quite a bit before she accepted it. She loves her job and she is good at it, hence the promotion. So, our plan changed. I worked at Motorola for about 12 years and when the kids came I worked two 12 hour shifts on the weekend and put in 2 eight hour shifts week nights. I was there part of everyday (Moday thur Sunday) and only putting in 40 hours. So, when the girls started kindergarten we decided it was time for that to stop. Like I said, it was a quality of life thing. I'll tell at first it really freaked out a lot of the moms at school. And, when the girls were in the elementary school I'd volunteer for reading time, field trips, parties, and what not. Nine times out of ten I'd be the only dad there. I'm a fairly big guy (about 6'4" 240 pounds) and so I'd stick out like a sore thumb, especially when sitting at those little desks. That's probably more than you wanted to know.

While I was typing this the temp dropped to 51.

auh2o

This quote is for M-T, regarding the first part of your trip, you said, "it was a horror I never wish to relive." And this popped into mind.

"The awfulness and the horribleness of it will never actually be forgotten." Luther Heggs
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55103: Whoa..51 degrees, Auh2o?! I'm getting pretty jealous....it's really warm and humid here. Hey, can you really sit in those little desks?...I just got a mental picture of Will Ferrell in the movie "Elf".

Boo
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55104:
Hello porch family.
Tom...Don't over heat with all that sweeping. Good job.

Thanks Ray....sounds very nice. If I'm ever in that area I'll contact you and let you know so that we can meet up.

Boo...prayers for Erin. Bless her heart, it's tough at that age starting a new school.

Hey there Me-They....good to see you back buddy.

Spot....our braves showed out tonight with the bats. Wish they could have saved a few of those runs for later.

Still no rain here...we are so dry. I haven't really cut my grass in over 3 weeks.

You all have a good night and prayers for all.
-REV.
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55105: Floyd, What do you make of message 55100? Is he one of us?
Charlotte Tucker
August 20, 2007 - Msg 55106: Rev they did do it with the bats.........back in a quick miniute..............SPOT
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55107: Thanks for the prayers for Erin, REV. As it turns out, she absolutely loves her new school and her new teacher. She didn't even cry when I left. This new school seems much different from the last one. If you recall, we had some problems last year with Erin's kindergarten teacher sending her home with F's in kinder? Well, she brought home her first paper yesterday and she was so proud of it. Her letters were done very neatly and there were 2 big stickers on her paper telling her she did a great job and a really positive comment from the teacher. She couldn't wait to show it to me. Now THAT'S more like it! Her teacher looks to be in her late 50's and really appears to have a handle on things. I am impressed with her. Sean also had a great day and likes his new teacher. She is young and seems very sweet. He was able to accomplish all his goals and get all his work done because there were less kids in the class and he didn't have to wait so long for help when he needed it. I think it's going to be a much better school year.

I forgot to tell you guys about something that happened yesterday that gave me a few dozen gray hairs. Bruce and I had to meet with the leasing company to sign the lease on the new place we are moving into. It wasn't far so I left the kids home with my parents and told Sean to keep an eye on Erin until we got back. Some of her friends dropped in so I told her she could play only in the fenced backyard or in the house. Well, just as we were about to sign the lease, my phone rang and it was Sean telling me that he couldn't find Erin anywhere. He was really in a panic. He said she wasn't out in the yard when he went to check on her and that he had been to the neighbor's and around the block looking. The little friends that she had been playing with were down the street and told Sean that they had seen her chasing a truck down the street! Well, we flew out of the office and sped home. Sean was crying in the driveway and I was experiencing chest pain for the first time in my life! It turns out Sean had found her by the time we got there but he had been so scared that he just broke down. He said he found her in her bedroom. He said he had been in her bedroom watching TV and he went out to check on Erin in the yard. While he was checking the backyard, Erin came in through another entrance and went back in to her bedroom. She either didn't hear Sean calling for her or she chose to ignore him (more probable), so poor Sean was going crazy looking for her. It was pretty scary for a little while. Thank God she is fine but this neighborhood is very questionable and we have 2 registered s#x offenders on the block so I am very careful. Yesterday when I got home from a meeting, I was getting out of the car and, once again, there were some loud drunk guys next door. One was yelling something to the other one and said, "I said not to step on the MF!"..How would you like to have to hear that stuff coming from next door when your children are within earshot? I will be glad to be moving in 2 weeks. The new neighborhood seems very quiet compared to this one!

Better finish my coffee and get the kids up for school.

Boo
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55108: Boo. I am glad you had a good ending to that horrible experience yesterday with Erin.
Charlotte, I too, am wondering about message 55100.
BIG JERRY
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55109: Thanks, Big Jerry. I spent some extra time with Erin last night before bed and just thought about how thankful I was to have my children safe. I feel to sorry of moms who don't have that security. One of my dear friends has a son who has been missing for 6 years. He is in his early 20's now but they don't know if he is even alive. She has been through so much and he was her only child. She is a wonderful, compassionate woman and her husband is so nice, too. He teaches high school and the both of them lead the homeless ministry at our church.

Boo
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55110: Regarding message 55100. I have never posted here before but do read your posts occasionally. I post regularly over at Miss Crump's and your message "55100" showed up over there yesterday, posted by "bluegal" who registered just prior to making the post. I question if she/he was a cast member and got the following response...

take it from the horses mouth , this information is very correct .and it comes from some of the real cast members. otherwise it never would be posted right here. we want the fans to know the real truth.

Later in the day, "bluegal" made the following post as a correction....

i do stand corrected, i found that andy griffith has endorsed the food line. but the cast pictures you see , umm,
do you always believe what you see and read.

im sure the grascals will do great in this , but they arent from the shows...

life is not imitating art here. its tv history too here.


Just thought I would pass this along since there seems to be some concern here about the post. Have a nice day.

Regis
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55111:

Boo, that was some scary experience with Erin! I'm glad she is safe and sound. That happened to one of my kids when she was six. She, her sister and I were going about our business in the house one minute, and the next minute she was gone. Her sister and I went looking for her and she was nowhere to be found! Not outside, not ANYWHERE inside. I thought I'd die. Suddenly we heard giggling from the hall closet. There she was -- hiding from us! I was fit to be tied. She's lucky I was so relieved, but she did get a firm talking to! I'm also glad to hear Sean and Erin are liking their teachers so far. I can't believe that teacher last year gave Erin an F in kindergarten, for pete's sake! Did she not stop and think what something like that would do to a little child's self esteem? Hopefully all's well that ends well, and that goes for getting out of that neighborhood, too. I'm really happy for you.

~DeS~
.
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55112: Good morning everyone.

Whew! BOO: That would have made my hair jump ship at an even faster rate than it already is! Glad everything is okay in Mayberry. What kind of school are your kids going to thia year?

REGIS: Long time no "see," you old hermit. It's good to "hear" your voice. Still carrying your signs and greeting folks at the edge of town? How do you like the new Miss Crumps? I basically dropped out of class some tiem ago but don't care for the new format. Guess it's obvious why. But I miss some of my former classmates. Anyway, thanks for the info and feel free to have a set when you can.

AUH2O: Sounds like y'all had it together. I was just curious. The Mrs. has always made more dough than me, so I guess you could say she is the primary bread winner in our family. Things worked out for us and she could work three 12s at night but we always thought that if they didn't I'd be the one to stay at home. It's been cool here, too, but rainy. It's supposed to be back into the humid upper 90s by the weekend. Can't wait.

DES: Is anything wrong? You look a little blue today ;).

I wonder where LUCY has been? Haven't heard from her in weeks, I think.

See y'all at lunch. SPOT, here SPOT...

Me-They
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55113: Swish TOM!..auh20 its mcdonalds for lunch on me..got to be at work at 12...hey ro,boo,asa,lucy,regis,des,possum and all..got to get ready for work....SPOT
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55114: Do y'all mind getting Happy Meals? Chad's collecting those Legion of Super Heroes toys...

M-T
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55115:
Morning Porch

Hey SPOT, Me-They,~DeS~ Regis, Boo, and Big Jerry.

M-T Lucy stopped by while you were on your trip.

Boo-That is scary stuff concerning Erin. And, those desks were a bit tiny.

auh2o
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55116:
Spot-Mickey Dee's sounds good.

auh2o
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55117: DES, your story reminded me of something Sean did when he was around 3. Erin had not been born yet and it was a Sunday morning. I was not feeling well and decided to stay home from church with Sean while Bruce attended church that morning. Well, I was watching TV and Sean was playing in the house. I went to the bathroom and when I came out, Sean had vanished. He was nowhere in the house and I went into the backyard and yelled for him, nothing. Went to the front yard and yelled, nothing. I was starting to panic and I remember standing in the living room thinking,'If I leave to go get Bruce from church to help me, Sean might come back. What should I do?!'...finally, I caught a glimpse of Sean in the backyard. When I asked him why he didn't respond when I called for him he told me, "I wanted to go poop in the backyard like the dog and I was hiding from you"! ha, can you believe that? Kids are enough to put you in an early grave. I have been scared so many times like that that I absolutely forbid my children to hide from me, ever! They know better than to ignore me when I call for them now.

Me-They, the kids are attending another christian school that is smaller than the last one and seems more personal, less rules and stress on the parents. For instance, their last school had these big fund-raising projects during the year that just drove me crazy. This school lets you pay a little extra tuition and you don't have to participate in the fund raising. Yipee!! They have uniforms but they are simple and you get them at Walmart, unlike the last school that had some kind of contract with an out of town clothing dealer and I had to drive and hour to buy the kids uniforms (and they were very expensive). Anyway, so far this working out to be a much better experience. This morning when I dropped of Erin, her new teacher (Miss Barbara) was just gushing about Erin and how well she did yesterday. She told me that she had a couple of little boys in the class yesterday who were crying and wanting to go home and that Erin was talking to them and encouraging them to get them to stop. She said Erin was actually a big help to her yesterday when she really had her hands full. Sure made me proud of her, although I did say under my breath, "Hope she stays that way"....hehe

Yep, have you seen the movie "Elf" yet, Auh2o?

I think I had better lay down for awhile. I keep having this pain in my left side, where my kidney is. Not bad enough to be a kidney stone but enough to make me take some Advil. Talk to you later...

Boo
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55118: Wow, I have a really big mouth.

Boo
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55119: Hi All.
I heard from Ellie today and she asked for some prayer for hreneice Sanndie who in the hosp .
I will be writing back to you.

TOM

August 21, 2007 - Msg 55120: Naw, not that big, BOO.

That's just great that you have found a good Christian school. Like public schools, all Christian schools are not created equal. Sometimes, concerns for getting the Christian part right overshadow the school part, and vise-versa.

We have really been blessed with Nora's school. It is a great Christina school that puts God first, family second, and education third. It also is large enough to have a good selection of extra curricular activities, too. It now goes to 10th grade but is adding a grade each year. The school built a new building and expanded in 2005. One concern I have this year is that the student population has jumped from about 150 to 225 in just one year. Part of it is the expansion and addition of the high school. But the other part is due to the closing of a school in a nearby county. Our school is very fundamental regarding Biblical truths but very progressive regarding methods, mean of instruction (technology, etc.), and such. The uniforms are modest and neat but not anal (no long skirts and ties for boys, exept on chapel day, etc.). Anyway, the school that closed was very, very legalistic from what is going around. The parents, teachers, and administration are all very much in-sync now and I hope that these new parents (especially since there will be so many of them) don't come in and try to change things. I also heard that acrimony was one of teh causes of the folding of teh old school. I guess we'll see.

Well, lunch time is over.

Me-They
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55121: Well hey there, TOM. You snuck in on me. Prayers for Ellie's niece.

M-T
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55122: Hmmmm....the uniforms are not "anal"...I had to read that a second time, Me-They...now I get it.

Boo
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55123: ...oh, and "no long skirts for boys", either?...you're lucky. Most Christian schools insist on long skirts for boys...hehe

Boo
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55124: My eloquence is only exceeded by my manly beauty, BOO.

Our skirts always had to be below the knee ;).

M-T
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55125: Me-They has hot knees!

hm
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55126: Does anyone know much about the songs Andy played on the guitar and sang on the front porch?

-B
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55127: Snitch! Snitch!

M-T
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55128: Hey all...Supper Menu:thick battered fried pork chops,greenbeans,white rice,fried squash,big maude slaw,sweet potato pie,sliced onions,sweet tea,cornbread.....yum!...100 here in hot Ga...SPOT
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55129: B, One song Andy played was "DOWN IN THE VALLEY, VALLEY SO LOW " and it was sung on the show by Joanna Moore who played Miss Peggy.
I am sure that the other porch rockers know a lot more songs, so I will give it a rest.

Whey doggies, HOT today in North Carolina: 105 degrees;tied the record set back in 1952.

BIG JERRY

August 21, 2007 - Msg 55130: REV,
I imagine the mercury is coming out of the thermometer down in South Carolina.
BIG JERRY
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55131:
_Boo- I have heard that they were songs that he played in "real" life. also, I have heard that Mount Pilot and Cyler City were named and "modeled" after real towns.
Me-They- did the airplane "shower" have any warning? Any chance to grab the little white bag?
Sometimes, being my funny self, if i am flying alone, I look for the barf bag in the seat pocket, and put it in front of the Skymall magazine, sticking out of the pocket. You should see the looks i get.
BTW, I wear my skirts at the knee. haha
Auh20- Your message reminded me of the old Bob Newhart show where they all the adults had to gather in a classroom for some meeting, and they started acting like high school kids again. Recall that ep?
TOM- my prayers for you and yours my friend.
STERling- did you decide about the trip?
Homemaker- when does the wood chopping begin?
Hope all is well in the hinterlands.
May the good Lord bless you one and all.
and may his peace be with you.
MDC
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55132:
Also, boo, it seems like as the seasons progressed, there was less and less singing on the show. Too bad. Season 1 has the most.
MDC
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55133:
Romeena,I hope you are enjoying herself in Destin.

BIG JERRY
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55134: Yourself, not herself.

BIG JERRY
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55135: DeS, heard on the radio coming home from work that the Mission Drive In Theatre is being re-opened. Don't remember ever going there, but memories are with the Trail Drive Inn. I believe that was the first in SA. In the late 40s remember going there with my parents. Later remember us kids going there....a few in the trunk to cheat them. Thats going badk over fifty years. Considering the neighborhood now...wouldn't recommend going there.

I took Richard's bike out tonight....I am going to get me an old one like I had. It is more trouble trying to figure out what speed to put it into than it is worth. Whats the old story about learning to ride a bike...you will never forget.....but that is like the one you learned on. Or is it...you can't train an old new tricks?

DeS, you are included in any invite. We are probable the closest of the TX part of the porch but every one is welcome with a little notice. I enjoy cooking. Everything from scratch and organic as much as I can find it.

Prayers for all, know God is giving Romeena her peace from the loss of Plum. I do trust Millie is having a wonderfull time and especially in the prayers. May God show his blessing on each and evry one of us.
ray
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55136: Well im home now and got to get up at 4:30 to work the 6am to 2 pm shift then off till sat...supper was GOOD...hey,ray,boo,des,Rev,Asa,traveling Romeena,big J!,hm,Tom,auh20,m-t and possum and all...well gona say my prayers and hit the iron board...I-HOP breakfast on Big Jerry in the morning!...get that plastic out Big J!...night SPOT
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55137:
Root and fruity...
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55138:
Hello porch family....Hot Hot!

Big Jerry...we hit 102 on my therometer. May have been more than that but that was when I looked.

Boo...Wow..I know that shook you up so bad. It gave me chills just reading it.
So glad things are working out better at the new school for both the kids. I'm sure that takes a lot of of you. Also praying that you're feeling better.

Tom...prayers for Ellie's niece.

Spot...good supper. Thanks! Se ya at I-Hop in the morning.

You all have a wonderful night and prayers for all the porch family.
God is good....All the time!
-REV.
August 21, 2007 - Msg 55139: In regards to the product line called Mayberry's Finest, the following was posted on the WBMUTBB Digest back in May. It's the message board run by our own Porch leader Floyd.

jennieboone

Message: 11
Date: Tue, 01 May 2007 22:13:39 -0500
From: Allan Newsome
Subject: *** NEWS From TAGSRWC HQ: Mayberry's Finest ***
To: wbmutbb@wbmutbb.com
Message-ID: <463801E3.7000707@mayberry.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

*** NEWS From TAGSRWC HQ: Mayberry's Finest ***

A new line of "Andy Griffith Show" packaged foods called Mayberry's
Finest is being developed by Diversity Brands of Nashville. The line
(mostly canned goods and dry mixes to start with) is being introduced at
a big food industry trade show early next week. The products themselves
will be hitting grocery store shelves later this summer.

If you're a subscriber to The eBullet (
http://www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet/joinebullet.htm ) or Weaver's Newsletter
( http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/newsletter/2007_04.html ), our
two free online newsletters, you can read the full story in issues of
both coming out this week. (TAGSRWC chapter leaders will also be
getting a mailing with info during the next couple of weeks.)

The company's Web site should be up and running by Saturday. (
http:/www.mayberrysfinest.com )

The company is planning all sorts of fan-oriented activities and
promotions. Mayberry's Finest should be a fun (and delicious!) new TAGS
licensee. They even have their own squad car already, so we know
they've gotta be good folks.

--Jim Clark


August 21, 2007 - Msg 55140: Hey Me-They! Been missing you at the new board! I gave up the greeting job. So many folks popping into the new board that I just couldn't keep up! It took some getting use to but I like it fine now. It has some good features...mainly the different sections such as those related to strictly TAGS talk, "recess" where pretty much anything can be discussed (including politics) and then the art class where pictures are posted. Heck...some of us got to discussing the War Between the States in the recess section and the next thing we know, Miss Crump gave us our very own class just to talk history...and made me moderator! The new board sorta gives folks of like interests a place to discuss TAGS plus other areas of interest and at least in my opinion, it has drawn some of us closer together. The board had some growing pains, some outbursts due to frustration at using the new board, as well as the typical influx then disappearance of some that liked the old board but not the new and had to come to the new to tell us why they did not like it before leaving in a huff. Allan has done a marvel job at keeping the peace though and making the board more user friendly. We even have a mechanism now where we can send each other private personal messages through Miss Crumps system. There are lots of old faces still there and plenty of new ones also. I think by last count we were up to 167 registered members. Everyone has to register to post now due to the spammers that were giving us fits. We also have a nice map where we can put a pin to show the area we live in. We have students from coast to coast now.

Hope you come back over sometime...as well as everyone else here on the porch. Best of luck to you and yours.

Regis
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55141: Thanks MDC, but it wasn't me asking about the music. I don't know who "B-" is...(whispering) Must be an interloper....

Thank you for the prayers REV. I had to take some Advil last night but so far I have no pain this morning.

Ray, where in SA is the Mission Drive In?? I will most certainly want to go to it when it opens. Maybe it would be a fun thing to do on my anniversary in September. Any idea when it will be opening. You made me remember that I have my anniversary coming up on Sep 2...I swear as busy as we have been I would have forgotten all about it. You know all those jokes about men forgetting their anniversaries? Well, in this household, I'm the one who forgets. I've done it before. My life needs to slow down a bit!

Better go get the kids ready for school...

Boo
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55142: Nice to see you here at the porch, Regis! I hope you join us more often. I post at Miss Crumps also, but I use an alias over there.
- Hazel

Barney: "It'll be strickly a plain-clothes operation."
Gomer: "I got a brown suit that's pretty plain. And a dark gray one that might even be better."
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55143: SPOT, The idea for breakfast at I-HOP was great. I hope everyone enjoyed theirs as much as I did. It will be peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for later after that big breakfast.
Everyone, please continue remember the lady from church who is battling cancer. She is better from staph infection , but is in extreme pain from the cancer.
BIG JERRY
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55144: Thanks for footin the bill at breakfast Big J...hey auh20,regis,jim,TOM,Rev maude,millie,ray and all........lunch will be wendys on me...SPOT
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55145: Good morning everyone. Still rainy here. But I can’t complain too much; at least there’s no hurricane staring me down. Prayers for comfort and safety for all in harm’s way.

MDC: Unfortunately (or fortunately), Chad is not that experienced at getting sick. He told me his mouth hurt. So what did I do? Told him to open his mouth and then I proceeded to start looking around in there thinking maybe he bit his jaw or had an ulcer or something. You know what happened next. I know, it’s almost like a National Lampoon movie scene or something, but it’s too true. I was left, dare I say it, holding the bag.

REGIS: That’s great that you enjoy the new Miss Crump’s. I just don’t have time to navigate and keep up over there. It’s gotten really big, which is great for TAGS. But, I like the slow pace of this here porch where we can really get to know one another. Different strokes. Maybe I’ll stop in and say howdy some time though.

And how did that war between the states thing turn out, anyway? Are you a “War of Northern Aggression” chap or a “War of Southern Rebellion” kinda guy? You know I love talking history, but I can’t stand talking about it with people who let emotions or political correctness get in the way of objective discussion. And the Civil War is probably the ideal subject for attracting those kind of discussions. You’d think people were still fighting it today. Some people just can’t get over it.

Care for a Civil War moulage, though? Yes, it was fought over slavery. There, I said it and I ain’t taking it back.

HAZEL: What is/was your handle at Miss Crump’s, if you don’t mind my asking?

JERRY: You got it.

Hey to the rest of you people. I’ll stop back later.

Me-They
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55146: Good Mornin' Porch,
I'm still under the weather. My chest cold has turned into double ear infections and strep. I have completely lost my voice. I'm using Barney's treatment for my voice box. I'm glad to see that overall everyone's doing well.
Romeena- I hope you're having a good trip. I'm thinking of ya.
Me-They- I'm sure you're glad to be home.
Big Jerry- I will certainly remember your friend.
Millie- Yesterday I was watching QVC (sick, remember?) and there was a lady selling "Millie's Home Cooking" soups. Are ya hanging in there?
Jennieboone- Thank you for sharing.
Regis- Thank you for inviting us to Miss Crumps. I barely have time to visit on the Front Porch!
Boo- How is it going without any tv? The boys got into trouble last night and they are both grounded from the tv so this should be interesting. Neither has been doing their chores. Plus, Bryan allowed Bryson to ride his bike around our complex, alone. I was panicking the whole time. After a few minutes Bryson still wasn't back, so I asked Bryan to go outside and look for him. Well, Bryson stopped by a ladies house that he knows (we don't) to visit. Boy was he in trouble. He's grounded for a week from tv, computer, and video games! I never let Bryson go by himself because he wanders off, plus I don't trust ANYBODY in our apartment complex.
Hey Tom!
Mavis- How's married life going?
Well, I'm gonna go lie down for awhile. I had to make 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches then take Nick to school which is an hours drive to and from. So, I'm beat. Y'all have a blessed day!
~Lucy
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55147: Hey Lucy, sorry you are feeling so bad! Get the rest you need. Your story about Bryson made me think of something. Yesterday I was driving around my old childhood neighborhood thinking about how much freedom we had as kids raised in a small town. We rode our bikes all over and were gone all day. Mom didn't seem to worry about us. I was wondering about how many of my fears are unfounded, concerning the kids. What would I allow if I weren't quite so protective? My son is 12 and I know that it would be a real joy for him to be able to jump on his bike and roam the neighborhood. You know, ride his bike to the store with his friends and buy candy like we did as kids. I am starting to think that I need to loosen up and examine my fears. I need to allow Sean more freedoms because by trying to protect him from everything, I am denying him some real joys in life. I know life is full of risks but I am starting to think a little differently about it. I think I am going to have to spend more time teaching my kids how to respond in situations that could be risky and less time saying "no". I need to pray for them daily, put them in God's hands and then try to prepare them for life. I don't want to send the message that life is full of dangers around every corner, I want them to feel confident that they can handle situations that come to them and they can have confidence in their God, instead of feeling like potential victims everyday. Now, I'm not talking about letting them run wild, but loosening up a bit because I am beginning to think that my decisions are based more on my own neurosis than on probability that something "bad" might happen. Hope that made sense. I'm not saying that you are overprotective at all, I am just telling you what is going on with me.

Me-They, you probably didn't think it funny at the time, but that story about Chad on the plane is pretty hilarious the way you tell it...you're right, it's like something right out of the Vacation movies. Maybe I'll start calling you "Clark Griswold".

The conversation about the civil war reminded me of something you might find interesting. I did a Google search the other day on "death masks"...I guess you are all familiar with how for many centuries, people used to make a cast of a person's face right after death and make a death mask. There are many still around in museums, etc. and give a very accurate view of what certain historical figures really looked like. Anyway, I found a couple of sites that had death masks for Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee and many others you would all recognize. I was thrilled to see a death mask for Martin Luther (the reformationist, not the civil rights leader), Naploean, Queen Elizabeth, and many others....check it out!

Boo
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55148: LUCY: Sorry that you are feeling poorly. I hope you feel much better real soon.

BOO: About being overprotective, I completely agree with you. A while back Diane Rehm had someone on her show who wrote a book about this topic. Basically, we are so media hyped to fear things that are so remotely probable that we are denying our kids the freedom to be kids. And it is impacting their development to teens (they go hog wild and don't know how to navigate decision making) to adults (dependent on others, insulated in their thinking, etc). I can't remember the exact figure, but a very, very small number of children are abducted each year (by non-parents--the number of abductions by noncustodial parents is much greater). I mean, really small like in the hundreds or something. And this is in a county of over 300 million. Of course, that's no consulation to the parents. But the point is we are denying our kids so many things based on things that there is virtually no chance of happening. If we only worried more about whether or not they were buckled properly in the car or ate nutritious foods our energy would probably be better placed. If I can locate the Diane Rehm show location or name of the author/book, I'll let you know.

Me-They
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55149: Oh, that said, I don't let my kids do nearly as much as I could when I was their age. It's hard to break free from the anxiety we have been bombarded with, and I find it hard to actually practice what I'm preaching. But I'm getting better.

M-T
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55150: hello front porch,

this is for Romeena...

a few months ago you mentioned the restaurant Babe's in Roanoke. i wanted to let you know, if you would like to meet for lunch there, please email me and we'll arrange it. i think it would be a great time, and very neat to meet you. skimming up a few posts, i saw it mentioned about your little plum passing. i'm so sorry. i understand the heartache, as i lost my "spice" girl last november. i found some wonderful and encouraging articles i would be happy to email you.

so please send me an email and we can go meet at yummy yummy Babe's. :)

blueindia@earthlink.net

~daphne (colleen)
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55151: Thanks for the encouragment, Me-They. One thing I have learned is that the cure for being overprotective, is letting go one step at a time. Once you realize that letting them go didn't cause their demise, it gets easier the next time! ha I was thinking of a story I heard about on TV several years ago. It was about an architect who was frantic about raising his kids in the city. He was so afraid something would happen to them and that they would be abducted or harmed by strangers, that he moved to the country and constructed what he thought was a danger-proof house with a big concrete wall around it and lots of security. He thought his children would be safe there, but he actually backed over one of them in the driveway of his new home and killed the child. Terrible story but there is a lesson in it. There is nothing anyone can do to ensure the safety of their children, completely. Accidents will continue to happen. Over-doing it isn't the answer because as you pointed out, Me-They, that has consequences of it's own. Fear is not a good long-term motivation for doing what's best for our kids. We have to expand our thinking. It's kind of like when we studied Maslow's hierarchy of needs in college. Remember that? He said that our human needs are like a pyramid and we work our way to the top (self-actualization). If our basic needs of survival are not met, we get stuck there until they are. If we are consumed with how to ensure the "survival" of our kids all the time, we don't move on to other needs they have, like the need for independance, fun, eduation about the world, or, as you said, proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle...which is much more realistic.

Now for a moulage that will bring Mavis back...where has she been?? Guess she is still honeymoonin'. Did anyone see the news report about the elderly woman who was home IN BED, when 2 pitbulls came through her pet door in the kitchen and attacked her in her own bed? She managed to get away from them before they killed her and lock her self in her car to call 911. The pitbulls killed her little terrier who came in to try to protect her. Made me so mad! I hope all this publicity about Vick will help folks to realize that something needs to be done about this situation. What to do, I'm not sure. Seems like we have been hearing about alot of pitbull attacks lately, though. I know it's man's fault that some dogs are the way they are, and it's not just pitbulls responsible for attacks on people but something needs to be done.

Boo
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55152: Daphne, Romeena is in Florida right but will be back in a week or so, so don't get discouraged if she doesn't respond right away.

Boo
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55153:
Morning folks

Regis & Jim Clark- Hey!

Boo-What a neat idea for a search, I'm gonna have to give that one a whirl. We still have another 2 1/2 weeks of summer vacation here. Boy, I hate to see it end.

Lucy-My goodness that cold has a grip on you. Sorry to hear your still not feeling well.

M-T You are absolutely correct, the Civil War was without a doubt was about slavery. However, I like to add would add two cents to the moulage. My feeling is that the Civil War actually started in 1787. A war of words until the troops showed up in 1861. I'm not a PC kinda guy.

auh2o
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55154:
M-T Wow, in case you can't read gibberish what I meant to say was, However, I would like to add my two cents to the moulage. (I must have deleted something...I guess)
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55155: I hadn't heard that story, BOO. It's tragic. Unfortunately, some dogs, like pit bulls, are bred to be agressive. Some, no matter how you try and train them, can revert to horible behaviour. As a teen I knew of a family who had a doberman. The dog was always treated well and was just great around us kids. But one day he got out and vicious bit a small child down the street. I guess it's not really the dog's fault--it's a dog--but these things do happen, even to the best of pets. Animals, like people, can snap.

Sorry, I could find the name of that author or book but will look again some other time. I vague recall Maslow but might have been "under the weather" that day ;). One of the things that always strikes me hard is that statistics show that one out of every five girls will be the victim of crime (the types of which you can imagine). In 90% of those cases, their abuser will be a family member or trusted friend. It is ironic then that we spend so much time keeping our kids from strangers and often leave them entrusted to those close to us. And, while I'm sure that no one I know well would do such a thing to my child, I'm sure most of the parents of victims thought the very same thing. Kinda makes you think, huh?

Me-They
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55156: Oh, hey there AUH2O. You are very insightful, or informed. The slavery issue dates back to our country's founding. It was only a matter of time. I just can't stand it when people claim the war was not fought over slavery but states rights. But I ask, what was the right of states that was actually in dispute? Slavery. And the fact that most Southerners didn't own slaves doesn't hold water. No, they didn't own slaves, but they were vested in the system. An end to slavery meant an end to their way of life, whether or not they owned slaves. Unfortunatley, slaveowners, who were the ones who held public office, were the economic forces, and controlled information because they owned the newspapers, convinced landless whites and small farmers that it was a matter of honor. The truth was, those people actually would benefit from the dismantling of slavery. But, I digress...

M-T
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55157:
M-T Again, I agree. The wealthy slave owners wouldn't even address the "slavery issue" it was refereed to, for the most part, as that "species of property." The slave owners and their shills in congress would be shocked when the issue was described in terms of slavery and not property. The state's rights here was slav... err species of property. I don't see much of a moulage starting. We need a pro-slavery advocate or maybe Robert Bryd to join in. By the way, I like to think of myself as insightful and informed. hehe

auh2o
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55158: Oh, I don't mean there is a potential moulage brewing over slavery itslef, only it's cause of teh Civil War. Being in Maryland, where about 2/3 of those who fought joined the Union forces and the other 1/3 went and fought for the South (but later came back, for the most part), you still get many people who for some reason feel the need to defend the actions or honor of their Rebel forebearer by denying the slavery cause thing. Right here where I am now, the city turned out en masse when Union troops marched through, and also did so when Confederate forces did. There were lots of families who had members and friends in both armies.

I think Byrd has his hands full right now...

Let's talk about the Emanciaption Proclamation now, just to see if our version jibe...

Me-They
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55159: Real quick about what happened with Bryson. I don't know if I told y'all this, but a week ago my van was broken into. They took my laptop and Nick's LLBean backpack. Since that happened I keep thinking if someone will take a laptop for money, why wouldn't they take him? Plus, Bryson was one of those kids you see with a "leash" on him until he was 7 and stopped darting out in front of cars. He doesn't think about consequences. He is one of those people, as I used to be, everything is secure in my little world and nothing would happen to me. He's incredibly friendly, to a fault. Last summer a 10-12 year old boy took him into a bathroom stall and asked him to play "winkyhockey". Nick, on the other hand, we allow to do almost anything he wants. He has to ask and let us know if he's doing something other than we've been told. He rides his bike to the grocery store and the park down the road. Nick is extremely cautious about everything. So, the reason we don't allow Bryson to ride his bike without Nick is that he doesn't think cautiously, he's too trusting, our home isn't secure, and given the chance to ride by himself he wandered off without telling us.
Even though I'm sick as a dog, my bathroom is dirty.
Blessings,
~Lucy
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55160: LUCY: I hope you didn't think I was judging you in my comments. All kids are different, and we all juggle different situations. Only you can adequately judge yours. It sounds like you are taking the best course of action with respect to your situation. And, even if it wasn't necessary, I suppose erring on the part of caution is better than erring the other way. Hope you feel better. Sorry, I don't do strange bathrooms (or mine, if I can help it).

M-T
"It's not superstition...It's caution!"
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55161:
Emancipation Proclamation? That's easy...see there were these folks who needed emamcipatin', and well, so they put out a proclamation, the Emancipation Proclamation! And I can also recite the preamble to the Constitution. ha
I got another snail mail from Colt. He told us that we should elect a new mayor so the band can go to Raliegh again. ha. Seriously, he is doing well, but still no computer, and gives all on the porch his best!
Mor later,
MDC
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55162: Can I take my cymbals?

M-T
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55163: You can be our stand-by cymbalist and since we have no cymblaist that's the best kind to have.

Andy23
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55164: Does anybody know how to get a copy of Angel in my pocket?

Andy 23
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55165: Me-They, I'm "Emma Brand" over at Miss Crumps. I've been a member there since '00. However, like you, I sure like the old board better; but I do manage to post 3 or 4 times a week.
- Hazel

"I'm in my forties and I admit it!"
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55166: Try Amazon, Andy23. I think I might have seen it there once...not sure.

Me-They, that is a very interesting point you make about children...does make you think....

Boo

ps-I vote "no" about the cymbals. Sorry.
August 22, 2007 - Msg 55167: Me-They, While I will admit that slavery was definitely "a cause" of the War Between the States, no historian worth his salt will say it was the only cause...regardless of what today's politically correct history revisionists may claim. Slavery was wrong and there is no justification for it...none. However, only 5% of the southerners that took up arms were actually slave owners. The other 95% had no slaves...but still they marched bravely into battle time after time. I think when most folks consider this, they realize that very few non-slave owners would risk their all so that another man could own slaves! Most wars come down to one cause...economics. The Northern textile owners wanted cheap Southern cotton, regardless of the fact that it was slave grown. The Southern cotton growers wanted the highest price possible for their cotton...which the British were willing to pay. This left the Northern mill onwers out in the cold. However, they had great influence in congress, enough that they were able to get tarriff's passed on the import of cheap British textiles made with cheap Southern Cotton. The greatest of these tarriff's came to be known as the tarriff of abominations. It all boiled down to greed....on both sides.

I can't agree that the 95% of Southern troops that did not own slaves were still "vested in the system". Sure...if they were from a slave owning area they may have been but regardless of what revisionists may claim, slaves were not owned in every nook and crannie of the South.
Here in the mountains of Western North Carolina where I live, there were virtually no slaves but still the men went to war. To them, the fact that Lincoln called for 75,000 troops to move south to quash the rebellion was no different than the tyranny of King George that their grandfathers faced 80 years previous. Therefore they went forth to war to protect their homes and families from what they saw as an invasion y a hostile army...nothing more...nothing less.

Now...before you say I am just another Southerner trying to fight the war over and defend slavery, let me point out that my ancestors fought for the North! They fought to preserve the Union, not to free the slaves. Personally, although I admire the bravery of the Southern forces and am convinced they had the best leaders, I think the fact that the Union was preserved was directly responsible for us (the U.S.) being the strong nation we are today. The War Between the States moved us from a loose confederation of states to becoming the United States...and that is a good thing!

Sorry for rambling on. I doubt folks here at the porch want to see the war discussed in this peaceful setting. That is why I invite you over to Miss Crumps to the history section where the war is the hot topic and we try to discuss it openly based on facts, not emotions!

Regis