June 17, 2008 - Msg 63445: Asa my friend prayers for you and your family..you are in our thoughts...hey M-T!..good news Dud about the daughter trip...well its off to work for me at 2 for 16...Maude lets take the bunch to Olive Garden for soup bread stix and salad....see yall there....SPOT
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63446: SWISH!...good dog...good dog.....SPOT
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63447: "...being in their home is like rest for the soul. We drink alot of coffee..."
For some reason, those two statements just don't seem to go together, Boo. ;)
No, I know what you mean. When we first moved into town when I was young(er), our neighbors were three elderly ladies(sisters) who invited us over for sandwiches and lemonade. They were always very nice, and subsequent visits to their home was always a pleasant and peaceful experience. I always used to see them walking slowly up to church every Sunday, and usually on Saturday too. That's probably why they were so peaceful and kind.

Sorry about your Uncle, Asa, and prayers for your Aunt.

Good to see you back safe and sound, Me-They. Hope you had a good time.

-Sterling Holobyte


June 17, 2008 - Msg 63448: Good sweeping, Spot!

Your last post reminded me of that sign-off for the tv production company. I think it was at the end of the episodes of Cheers, for one.
"Sit Ubu, Sit. Good dog!" "Woof!" ;)

-Sterling Holobyte
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63449: Prayers for you and yours, Asa.

Good to see M-T back! Sorry to hear you have to use heavy machinery to get your head above water at work. *grin* Can't wait to hear about your vacation.

We survived our guests from India - had a really nice time, busy but nice. The pastor's wife made some chicken curry and we had about 15 church members show up. I expected it to be really spicy (or maybe she just held back) but it was pretty good. She made this really yummy salad to eat along with it that I think is used to temper the flavor a bit. Onions, cucumbers, lettuce, with non flavored yogurt and a bit of sugar - it was definitely the perfect complement to that curry.

I also attended my family reunion and it really made me feel old (if only in my mind - haha). We had a pretty decent turnout considering gas prices and all. 96 folks and 31 were from my grandfather's line.

Hope all you porch dad's (grandpa's, uncles, etc..) had a great Father's Day this last weekend.

Prayers for all!
AFD
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63450: Good morning, all. Asa, I'm sorry to hear about your uncle. I had uncles who meant so much to me, I know how hard it is when they pass. Your auntie may not last long without him, and that will be a blessing. Her dementia is a blessing in disguise as well, because it will soften her pain in losing him. She probably lives in the moment, the "right now", and for her, he's just not in the room at the moment. At least I hope that's so for her. My aunt lived for a couple of years after my uncle passed, and because of her dementia, she was also in an as/sisted living facility. She was happy as could be, had a little dustcloth and went about the building dusting every morning. She would talk about "When Bill gets home, we'll do this or that", or she would wonder aloud where he was. Everyone would just tell her he had gone somewhere and would be home soon. That would satisfy her. Then one day a cousin with the brains of a wilted begonia said, "Why Hazel, what are you talking about? Bill died last year!" Oh my! She screamed and cried and just fell to pieces, hysterical, screaming at everyone, "Why didn't anyone tell me?" Finally the staff gave her a mild sedative and she fell asleep. When she woke, the distress was gone, and she was once again wondering where Bill was. The cousin went home to recover from the lumps we all pounded on her head, the idiot.

Me-They, it's good to have you back. Vacations are nice, but there's no place like home. How did you manage, sleeping in a strange place? Were you able to relax at all?

Well, gotta run. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63451: SPOT: Thank you for your comments...I have been around my Ex's boyfriend alot and my daughter really likes him. He is not like me, doesn't hunt, fish, cook and like sports. I have got to respect him for having the Ex make him and my daughter dinner every night. I think she cooked for me maybe 4 times and all the meals except 1 were horrible. Saw the Tiger in action and it was thrilling. I started playing golf at age 8 but nowhere near as good as thought I was at the time. I don't play anymore, but should. Everyone gambles here in Monroe, La. and the rounds got to be to rich for my blood. Will make to the garden for lunch...bread sticks, salade with Ranch, and some kind of Pasta, no sugar in my iced tea thank you...... The "Dud"
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63452: Good sweep spot - and sorry about rocking on yours' and Sterling's toes.

AFD
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63453: Hey there, Sterling. You're right about the coffee/rest for the soul thing! haha...doesn't seem to go together. Did those 3 ladies have a still for "special celebrations"? My uncle that I mentioned used to live in a log cabin house in the forest, literally, in East Texas and it was great visiting him there. Beautiful place. The TV was never on except for the news and he had this great porch swing that he sat on all day. They even had one of those wood-burning stoves that kept the house warm in the winter. Wood-burning stoves are sort of a novelty to south texans. Nobody has them or needs them here in this tropical climate. We do have fireplaces in almost every home, though...I guess just for atmosphere. We get to actually light them a few times each winter and its a big deal. Believe it or not, I am going to have a stone fireplace in the new house...speaking of, we have the foundation plans completed and water and electric will be hooked up on the place next week, the 5 acres are fenced and its a darned nice fence, too. So, we are finally on our way with all plans completed and now we can start scheduling out the work. Bruce doesn't want to start the framing until after hurrican season, so that won't actually happen until the first of October, I guess. The weatherman is predicting an active hurricane season but who knows? Bruce tells me that once we start building, we have to be finished within a certain time frame...something to do with the loan. So, that is my house update...I know you are interested, SPOT. I would love to have a pole barn like the one you are building...Bruce is talking about putting one up after the house is finished.

Can you all tell that I am stalling....I am trying to avoid all the work I have to do around here. It is so hot outside! Even with air conditioning, when you have to run errands and do laundry outside (our washer and dryer are in a closet on the outside of the apartment!), you get pretty tired. At least we aren't at 110 degrees like MDC. Wow.

Better get up and do something constructive....where's the TV remote? (I wish)

Boo
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63454: ROMEENA: My grandmother had Alzhiemers Disease and was in an assisted living facility here in La. when my grandfather died at 87 and she was 85. I never met the woman, when I was born she had the disease and she came lived with us and her and Gramps lived in my room for a while and I slept on the couch. After Gramps died she live only 2 more weeks...My mother thinks all the time she has Alzhiemers, she was recently tested and they say her forgetfullness is only because she is 83....

The "Dud"
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63455: Oh hey, AFD, good to hear from you! Glad you enjoyed your family reunion and your visitors from India. What else have you and the girls been doing this summer?

Dud, when I read your post, I thought you wrote: "I have been around my Ex-boyfriend alot...", and I thought, 'Hm, that's interesting'....haha

Boo
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63456: Boo: Thank you for the chance to clarify this. My friendly Ex wife has a boyfriend and we are friendly in a platonic way. I don't go there, thank you. He is shorter thank my Ex, her girl is going to be a least 5'10' to 6 feet according to the Doc. College scholarship anyone? Volleyball, basketball and softball are her best sports....The "Dud"
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63457: Correction, My Girl is tall now and will be tall as an adult. She tells me, "Daddy, I am taller than everybody in my class, except that girl who got put back last year"...The "Dud"
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63458: Hey Y'all. Asa,my thoughts and prayers are with your family -especially your Aunt.Sorry for your loss,friend.

Oh,and welcome home to Me-They!

Not much to say today,so guess I'll scoot back under my rock where it's nice & cool.Y'all take care now.
*******************
possum under a rock
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63459: Spot- thank for some rain,but next time keep all the wiind.

TOM

June 17, 2008 - Msg 63460: SPOT: What is for supper? I am hungry and the porch is tired of those La. MudBugs. What do you suggest.......The "Dud"
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63461: Everybody has got to see tonites TV Land TAGS about my daughter.

Andy Griffith Show
Episode 139.: The Darling Baby

Air Date: 12-07-64. The Darling family returns to Mayberry. This time Charlene brings her three-month-old daughter Andelina in order to find a young boy, such as Opie, to become betrothed to the baby. TV-G

MDC: Tune in and see your couzins...

The "Dud" Husband to Charlene, SIL of Briscoe and
BIL of the BOYS>>>>>>>
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63462: Supper will be pot roast and taters,carrots,cornbread green beans,big maude slaw,sweet tea (un sweet for dud)..green onions...busy here at work...SPOT
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63463: Well, it is good to be home. We had a great time in Chincoteague. It was hot the first couple of days, but cooled down to a mellow 80ish for the rest. The kids loved the beach, and we rode bikes nearly every day (the island is perfectly flat). The house we rented also had a pool, so the kids enjoyed that in the afternoon as well. Our days usually consisted of breakfast, biking or beach, lunch, pool or naps or both, a Columbo on DVD, dinner in or out (great crabcakes), then ice cream and back home for a Poirot or movie on DVD. It may sound pretty boring but we love it. Everyone got along great (my parents, two aunts, and us) and we hated to head home.

Nora’s birthday hit just before we left, so one of my aunts took Nora, my mom, and other aunt out for the afternoon to tea. One of the bed and breakfasts in town does an English tea. Nora loved it. They brought some scones home, and they are the best I have ever tasted (and I’m somewhat of a scone connoisseur) . In fact, the food was so good we ate breakfast there the day we left. Eggs with dill, spring onion, cheese, and a few other ingredients. They really twanged my buds.

We had ice cream at the Island Creamery every night. They make their own and it is the best! The Mrs. found a new favorite: mint ice cream with crushed up Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies in it. I stuck with my usual Cake Batter. Chad was adventurous and got vanilla most every night (but he did get sprinkles). We decided to finally let Veda have sweets, offered her ice cream, and you would have thought we gave her rat poison. She was content to eat goldfish as we chowed down on the best homemade ice cream (with more than ample portions!) in the mid-Atlantic.

Thanks for all your prayers while I was travelling. I missed you all! Now, onto catching up through the archives…

About tracking people through cell phones, etc…Big Brother is here. Some of you may not know that microchips also are being placed into clothing for marketing reasons. Some big chains are testing ways to track them and they are already being used to track the shipment of goods from factory to store. In the city of London, the average person can be captured on video hundreds of times a day. It’s only a matter of time before our whereabouts are “passively” tracked all the time “in case” they are needed for review and “for our safety.” Trust me, I’m no alarmist.

HOMEMAKER: Sorry about the job. The good news is that there is a plan for you that was worked out before you were even born. Prayers.

ROMEENA: That was a wonderful story about Dale and your meeting that church visitor. Just goes to show that the Lord offers opportunities us all the time to share, we just need to take advantage of them. Continued prayers for your son. Keep us posted.

About the different size ten dollar bill…it may be a phenomenon we all have to get used to. A case involving money is wending its way through the court system now that may change our bills. It is claimed that it discriminates against the blind since it’s all the same size. Other country’s money is typically distinctive relative to the denomination, and it looks like ours isn’t far behind according to legal analysts. I understand, but it seems a shame; I like the orderliness of our money.

ROMEENA & HAZEL: My Mrs. makes the best pancakes. She adds chunky applesauce, cinnamon, and a few other things (but not the secret spice!).

I really enjoy watching Alton Brown, too. I especially like the “why” stuff he discusses. Did you know he is a believing Christian?

POSSUM: Prayers for your friend’s family. It is never easy to lose a loved one, especially a child.

STERLING: Thank God you are safe. Prayers for all those suffering nature’s wrath right now. Those floods in Iowa are really something.

BOO: I ran out of shorts last Wednesday, and have worn the same ones since. But it’s okay, though—I swam in ‘em a few days ;). Thanks for missing me. Keep us posted on the house. I’m still looking forward to your housewarming party. I assume shoes will be mandatory?

Yeah, where is AUH2O? He has been gone for like three weeks now, without so much as a by-your-leave. That’s not really like him. If anyone has his contact information, I vote to check in. Of course, maybe he’s just pining over the primaries.

I hate to end on a negative my first day back on the porch, and hope this doesn’t start a moulage, but…First, UI don’t discriminate, or at least try hard not to, and that includes people who don’t “play for my team,” as they say on Seinfeld. We all sin, and we all have our crosses to bear. There but for the grace of God go I. I have had many coworkers and some friends over the years who “played for the other team.” Nevertheless, I do feel that it is a sin in practice. I heard an NPR story yesterday that scared the shorts off me. I urge you to listen to or read it, if only to see things to come: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91486340. It should concern all religious people, regardless of their faith.

I think I’ll try to end with a smile instead. I read a story about Billy Ray Cyrus’ reaction to the Miley photo controversy a while back. The story was nothing, but he did relate a saying of his fathers, which I thought was funny: “My dad always told me the more you stomp in poop, the more it stinks.” Sound advice!

Me-They
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63464: Thank you for all the prayers friends. Y'all be wonderful.

Asa
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63465: Allright gang snack time...Capt. Crunch and Ice Cold Milk....where are yall at?...SPOT
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63466: You're very welcome, Asa. Thank you for sharing so we could pray for you.

Sounds like a wonderful vacation, Me-They...sorry it had to end but great to have you back. Sounds like a restful vacation, and fun. That mint ice cream with the thin mint cookies in it sounds great!

I just got home from Mom's. She fell going up the two steps from the living room to the kitchen. She usually uses a cane but she was trying to manipulate a walker at the time (thinking a walker would be safer, ironically). She fell backward and got a pretty good bump on the head. She is complaining of pain in her right leg when she puts weight on it so there is a chance of a fracture. She is comfortable and sleeping now but will probably get an xray in the morning. So sad to see someone her age and so fragile fall like that, bless her heart. I guess from now on there will be no going up and down steps unless someone is holding onto her.

Guess I will retire to bed. Goodnight my dear, sweet friends. You are such a wonderful support and encouragement and you mean so much to me!

Nighty-night!

Boo
June 17, 2008 - Msg 63467: Oh, almost forgot, Me-They...yes, shoes will be mandatory at the housewarming (just for you).

Boo
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63468: Boo im so sorry for your Moms fall...will say a prayer....slow here at work...back with a breakfast menu in just a bit...SPOT
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63469: Thanks SPOT, I am going over there this morning to check on her. My sister and Sean stayed with her to make sure she had the help she needed getting up to the bathroom. I think she will be fine, but we need to be more careful about her walking around without assistance. Luckily, someone was home when she fell.

God bless each of you today! I'll be back later...

Boo
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63470: Morning Dears.
The funeral is set for Friday. I was asked to be a pall bearer and to offer the dedication of the grave prayer, something I'm honored to do in his wonderful memory. I talked to my Cousin last night and he said his Mom seems to be doing ok with things. He's not sure she fully understands he has passed on, but I told him that's ok. She has wonderful memories to go on, and that will be a good thing for her.
Thanks again for your prayers.

Boo, I'm sorry your Mom took a tumble. Hopefully nothing is broke. It is so hard to see our folks age and struggle doing things. Glad you are there for her.

Well summer finally arrived here. We were in the 60's last week. Yesterday we were 94. My corn sure likes it.

Hope you all have a blessed day and act like somebody.

Asa
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63471: Morning porch, just checking in for a minute before I get started at work.

Been busy this week. seems like time goes by so fast. Summer seems to be going by quickly...

Boo, hope you Mom is okay. My Mom is 77, lives alone (my Dad died when I was 11 and she never remarried) She does pretty good, drives, goes to church and stays busy. I do worry about her though. She has had heart bypass surgery, cataract surgery and now has hearing aides. I call her every morning, and in the evenings and try to be there when she needs something. Hopefully she will continue to do well.

You guys are a great support for me, thanks!

Welcome back Me-They. Glad you had a good vacation.

Since SPOT has breakfast taken care of. I will take care of lunch: tuna salad sandwhiches, chips, pickles, lemonade or sweet tea to drink.
little debbie cakes for dessert. see you at lunch.

Prayers and blessings to all.

Big Maude



June 18, 2008 - Msg 63472: Hi All.
Spot I said send a little rain to hepl out, but you send a storm.

God of freedom and grace, please give me yor Spirit of
wsdom to understand more fully al the ways that you have
blessed me. Please help me use tose blessings to share your grace with my family and friends.
May I never take foranted your giftsor abuse my feedom won at such great cost.

TOM

June 18, 2008 - Msg 63473: Hello Everyone:

Boo: Prayers for your Mom... Rev: Have you hit Cajun Country yet? BIG MAUDE: Count me in for lnch. Auh20: I heard you were sighted on the Bill Clinton "Tears for Fears" Tour with his Billionaire Friends, taking up collections to pay off Hillary's debt...I hear Bill has been sporting a "HUGS For A $1.00" sign.

President Bush gave his energy speech today and I hope it makes sense to the American public...Lets drill for more oil and gas in this country. We have the tech to drill in the shale fields one of which about covers about all of NorthWest La, parts of Texas & Oklahoma parts of the West and
Midwest and others. He gave basically the same speech back in 1999 when he ran for Pres. the first time and no one listened. Maybe congress will listen to the people this time and quit spending our money overseas to obtain energy that we can produce ourselves..... It is hot and humid today in La.

The "Dud"
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63474: Good afternoon all. It's just beautiful here; sunny and in the 70s. I could stand this all year.

BOO: Sorry to hear your mom took a fall. But, like you said, if it was bound to happen, better that someone was there. Now that you know the problem exists you can take precautions.

Prayers for all you porchsters, your families, and friends, especially those suffering and grieving.

TOM: Very nice poem/prayer.

MAUDE & SPOT: Y'all are making it very hard to drop the couple of pounds I packed on with that ice cream last week.

DUD: I agree we could probably do some more productive drilling here (being sensistive to the environment, of course), but, as I have mentioned before, oil is a non-renewable resource and will--not may, but will--eventually run out. It may be five years or a hundred, but we'd better start weaning ourselves now. It may be a difficult and uncomfortable transition, but better we have a little discomfort now than our grandkids face a devasting crisis down the road. It's time we stopped being fat, dumb, and happy and instead s*ck it up and start acting responsibly toward our kids. And the argument that even if we do the right thing other countries like China and India won't doesn't wash; since when did doing the right thing ourselves depend on whether others were, too? Besides, for all the whining, we could fall down the standard of living ladder more than a few rungs and still be materially rich in the eyes of the rest of the world. In some countries "being poor" means a bowl of rice a day and living on dirt. All things realtive, I guess. Besides, may a little reality check that we need to rely more on the Lord and less on our own ability to accumulate money and stuff would be a good thing.

Guess that's my speechifying for the day. If that don't bring AUH2O to the porch, we'd better send out the dogs.

By the way, read that link I posted yesterday!

Y'all have a good one.

Me-They
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63475: By the way, DUD, notice that, in the interest of decorum, I let the fact that you mentioned Bush's recent speech and in the next breath reported it was hot and humid just slide on by. I could have had a field day with that ;).

M-T
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63476: Thanks for the prayers and well wishes concerning mom. I appreciate it!

Me-They, some good thoughts there. I listened to the link you posted yesterday and while it is disturbing, it's not surprising. It bothered me, especially, to hear about the doctor who refused to do invitro because of his religious convictions and was sued, even though he referred the patient to his partner. That is just plain spite and trying to forward an agenda. Seems to me that it is those with Christian (biblical) ethics who are being persecuted for their beliefs. Probably shouldn't surprise us though. There has been a war against the church for 2,000+ years and Jesus said people would be persecuted for the truth and righteousness. All I can say, is if you are a Christian, it's time to get serious about your walk with the Lord (if you aren't already). Hang on because more persecution is sure to come and we need to know where we stand when it comes to the truth of God's word.

Gotta go check the clothes...

Boo


June 18, 2008 - Msg 63477: The story that bothered me was the photographer who (politely) refused to photograph the wedding and was sued. He lost, to the tune of thousands. Even though it went against his religious convictions, the court ruled that he had to do the job. Also, the fact that churches are being sued for refusing things like marriage counseling (and losing) is very disturbing. Soon, churches will not be able to decide who can be members of their own churches. I find it scary.

By the way, big relief you are doing laundry. I'm still wearing that same pair of shorts...

M-T
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63478: Me-They: Thank you for your comments... Yes, it is hot and humid here in La...It has been that way long before so-called man-made global warming cam and big Al Gore. I heard Big Al spent a bundle to make his house more green and use more solar and guess what? His big ole' house still used more energy and used the equivalent of over 1,000 reg Tenn. homes in energy use in the course of the last year. I am all for green energy and renewables and to dial back on fossil fuels, but it will not come quickly or cheaply..these fools that are saying that if we drill offshore of Fla. & Calif. that it will take 10 years or more are insane... We have the best tech in the world to drill safely and enviromentally correct...Let American companies do it, paying Ameiricans good wages and benefits..now...home heating oil is going to be double this winter, for people with limited incomes like my sister it will be not wearing a sweater Jimmy Carter style, it will be freezing...Honda's Hydrogen Vans are a great technology but they will not be afordable to the majority of the people..You will need Hydrogen fuel stations and we tried that with liquid natural gas tech (T. Boone Pickens) and that did not pan out either...We need fossil fuels to run our wore out pickups and 15+ year sedans..not an expensive solar panel on the roof with a retro-fit engine....now..now...now...I don't want to live in a country where having a bowl of rice a day means I am prosperous..I might have been born in the Oil Patch, but we have known for years the trade off..Our property taxes are low and the educationn system is being paid into by taxes on energy and chemical corporations who in the past have made some enviromental mistakes that have been rectivied ...off my soap box now..everyone have a good night.

BLACK GOLD ON TRU TV (Court Tv.) tonite...will see if they have any good things to say about Texas Oil & Gas Wildcatting...If interested, the link is:
http://www.trutv.com/shows/black_gold/index.html

The "Dud"
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63479: I am not an employee of TRU TV and will probably not recommend this program after tonight...I am going to have a get together tonight with some of my friends that are in the energy industry...and after watching a Replay of George W.'s speech we will watch the program...Dinner tonight will be Fried Catfish..Boudin Sausage Balls...Fried Oak Grove La. Tomatos...Jalapeno Hush Puppies..La.Sweet Potato Fries...Homemade Creole Tartar Sauce... Tossed Green Salad..Marinated Oak grove Tomato, Cucumber, texas 10/14 Onions (just as sweet as those Vidalias, they came from their seeds) and Unsweetened Tea..Barq's RootBeer and Abita TurboDog for the Otis Crowd...The Porch is invited if you can stand the American Made Heat!...Check it Out!

The "Dud"
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63480: Well, M-T, put those shorts in a biohazard bag and toss them over. Hope they are white 'cause I'm bleaching them.

Yes, M-T, it is scary. I am afraid that we are headed for underground churches...you know, like the underground church in China that refuses to worship in the government-allowed church. Hard to believe this kind of thing is happening in America. I guess the reason the dr. story really bothered me is that when I worked as a nurse in labor and delivery, we had a choice about participating in procedures that might conflict with our religious beliefs (such as abortion) and there were times I had to do just that. I was very thankful at the time that my religious rights were protected and I wasn't penalized for it, but looks like times are changing. I really thought that dr would be protected under the law.

Boo
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63481: We the memu listed above, I will suggest that the host donate the frying oil to a recoverable Bio-Fuels Company. This should cool Al Gore & John Edward's mansions for over a second...I dislike hypocrites on the Left and the Right..The "Dud"
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63482:
Yippie! Today is my 32nd Wedding Anniversary! Seems like only yesterday i was telling you all about my 30th! Time sure flies! We are going to Red Lobster tonight where they boil 'em right out on the sidewalks! haha
It is 114 here today. Since Sunday we have had 112, 111, 112 and today's 114! Tomorrow 113!
Well, it's summer in phoenix, what can i say?
Prayers for our soldiers in Baghdad's 125's,
that's what.
Well, God bless. Prayers for all,
Mr Darlin's Cuz
"Yup, it'll be a den with a big leather chair, some pipe tabaccy, and no Thelma Lou" haha
June 18, 2008 - Msg 63483: Well, good evening, all. I've been incommunicado since 11 a.m. yesterday, when a tree limb about four houses down fell and took out the power lines. Lots of limbs down in my yard, too, mostly too big for me to move, but my yard man friend will be here to mow tomorrow, and he'll move them to the street. We had a monstrous windstorm, something like 8000+ homes without power in the aftermath. Mine was restored about an hour ago, after 30 hours. I haven't mustered the courage to open my freezers yet. Still, God was good. Yesterday was reasonably cool, around 90, I think, so it never got warmer than about 78 in the house. I have good insulation. Today was warmer outdoors, and it got to 80 in here, but still tolerable. If I got too warm, I just thought about the troops in Iraq. They're a lot hotter, and at least I don't have sand in my bed! My big old woolly granddog, Bentley, was panting a lot, but sleeping on the bathroom tile helped him. Starr was content up on the bed with me, didn't seem to be too bothered.

On the fuel shortage question, I do think we need to find our own oil and get off the OPEC train, but at the same time we need to be actively developing alternative resources. Wind farms off shore would be a good start, and the yachtsmen can just get over it. Drilling in Alaska and our southern states as well might be a very good idea for now, with a hefty fine to be levied on the company who causes a spill or other environmental mess, plus they should bear the cost of cleaning it up. Good incentive to be extra careful!

Me-They, it's just like big government to go after a mosquito with an elephant gun. So blind people can't distinguish the denominations of our currency? Hmmm. First of all, how many blind people do you see out shopping alone? Maybe in New York where they can walk to shops, but around here - none. Second, and I think I may have posted this already - why can't they just carry nothing but singles? Have a few larger bills tucked in a separate place so the wallet isn't too fat, but they should all be the same denomination so there's no confusion. When spending one of those, accept nothing but singles in return. Let's say I'm blind, I'm in a shop and I've spent all my singles. I take out a $20 from my designated place to pay a $7 tab. I will accept nothing but $13 in singles in change. Don't try to tell me you're giving me a ten and three singles, because I will not accept it. End of problem.

Glad you're back, and so happy you had a good time. Now, I've got to get cleaned up, and haul this big old walking bathmat of a granddog over to Eloise's, as his mom and dad are coming in tonight around 9, and I'll just meet them over there. Now that I can get my garage open, thank you very much.

Be blessed, all. --Romeena
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63484: Happy Anniversary to MDC and the missus! That's something to celebrate. Hope you enjoyed your evening out and had a great dinner together.

Wow, Ro, it must have gotten pretty warm in your area without electricity! Good thing you have that great insulation. Funny how everyone comes to depend on air conditioning in the summer. I can remember when we didn't have it when I was growing up. Dad put a window unit in one bedroom and we all slept in there when it was really hot but no air conditioning anywhere else. When my sister and got a little older, dad put a unit in our bedroom, too, so the whole darned family didn't have to sleep in one room. We are really soft these days. Sure must have been miserable for mom cooking all those meals in that hot kitchen. I have read, though, that people were healthier in the days before air conditioning because they actually sweat and breathed fresh air (imagine that! hehe). I can remember as a young child, before I started school, that we had a twin bed in the den in front of two windows and mom would make me take a nap in the afternoon. I would fall asleep and wake up so hot and uncomfortable. The memory is still there! I have always hated the heat. Does anyone remember those old "Gulf" mosquito sprayers? I can remember Dad shutting us all up in the bedroom at night and spraying that mosquito spray before bed! Horrible stuff...that smell is something I will never forget, either. I can still see dad in his boxers, pumping the handle on that sprayer as my sister and I held our faces under the sheets so we could breathe...must have been realll healthy.

Better go check on mom. She is still not putting any weight on her knee so we are taking her in for an xray today. Pray for us. I am afraid of what things will be like for her if that knee is damaged.

Be back later...

Boo
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63485: Good morning, all! Rainy and cool here today, only 75 degrees at 9:35. This cool air would have been welcome while my power was off, but it's so dark outdoors that there's very little light getting into the house. My Power Out Plan A (camping in the recliner in the sunroom with a big glass of tea and a good book) wouldn't have worked very well. Plan B (add a bunch of candles to Plan A and wear strong reading glasses) is marginal at best. Speaking of good books, I finished "The Kite Runner", and almost finished "A Thousand Splendid Suns" - both excellent books, and will give you a lot of insight into what it's like to live in a Muslim country. Scary, even if you're a Muslim.

Wow, Boo, did you ever awaken some memories for me! Yes, I definitely remember that Gulf spray thing. We had one, and before that there was a similar device called the Flit Gun. I even remember the radio commercial. It was buzzing, mosquito-like noises and a woman's voice saying, "Quick, Henry, the Flit!" The Flit Gun was yellow, as I recall, with black lettering. The Gulf Spray was orange, and looked like the Gulf Oil gas station signs. Both stunk to high heaven, and I'm sure, as you say, were really healthy for us to breathe.

I also remember the DDT trucks rolling slowly down our street in the evening, spewing that deadly stuff everywhere. That was in response to an outbreak of polio and encephalitis, so they were after the flies and mosquitoes. I suppose it helped some, but it also nearly cost us our national bird, the bald eagle. It build up in the food chain, and birds' eggshells were so fragile they wouldn't hold up to maturity, and the chicks would hatch before they were old enough to survive. Nobody paid much attention to the decline in other birds, until it hit the eagles and conservationists were able to prove it. That got attention, and DDT was outlawed.

We like to think we're more responsible now, with things being tested and proven safe before they're allowed on the market, but I'm not so sure. I have serious doubts about a lot of the drugs on the market now (statins?) and I don't trust artificial sweeteners either. I do know I killed out an ant colony with Equal. Try putting THAT in your coffee!

And on that happy note, I now turn the computer over to my grandson so he can play Zuma. He's pretty good at it, actually. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63486:
Well, let's see if we can pry that lemonade out of Mr Wheeler's hand and give some to all us porchsters! Ahhh, go-o-o-od!
Had a nice dinner with the missus last night.
We'll finally got to see the Indiana Jones movie.
I t was pretty good. I liked the way they showed the Ark in that broken box in the warehouse.
REV- how goes the tour?
Spot, keep those lights on for RO,
Ro- hope you didnt lose too much from the frezer, especially the roasts. Reminds me of Aunt bee!
God bless our troops!
MDC

June 19, 2008 - Msg 63487: MDC, Congrats on 32 years.
Did you take her to Morreli's. you know they pound there steaks right there on the premisis. Tell me you didn't take her to the Weenie Barn again. :)
Hope your Mom's x-rays come out ok Boo. Bless her heart.
Dud, how was the show last night? Anything like you thought it might be?
You know what I think I'll do. I think I'll go over to Wally's, get a bottle of Pop, go home and take a nap, then go over to Thelma Lou's and watch a little tv. Yep that's the plane, pop, nap, Thel's, tv. Yep, that's the plan....

Asa
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63488: Thanks Asa, mom seems to be fine and the doctor said no breaks. Her ordered her to rest for now and if the knee continues to bother her, he will send her to an ortho doctor. The really good news is that he ordered home health care for her!! So, an aid will be coming out to help with baths and such and a physical therapist, too. My sister and I are already about worn out from lifting mom. I am sore after just 2 days of it and mom isn't very big. I think she only weighs about 130. My left shoulder had been getting better but now it sure is sore again. My sister and I (and sister's daughter in law) have been doing alot of cleaning and putting things in order over there. Since dad is in California, we hired a provider to come next week while I am at camp and help my sister out. It seems that my dad has been sick since he left home with lots of nausea. I don't know what we are going to do for him, poor thing. Sure must be tough to get old and have your body wear out on you. I am starting to hope that when my time comes, I go quick because I would hate to make my children have to take care of me. I know they would, though. You should see how Erin takes care of my mom already. She is only 6 but she is always trying to help Nanny. Things are going to get tougher, though, and some decisions will have to be made. We are very lucky that mom wasn't badly hurt with that last fall.

Ro, I remember trucks driving around and fogging the neighborhood for mosquitos but I don't know if it was DDT (in the 60's?). I still remember that smell very well, though, and when the fogger was coming, mom would make us come in the house until it passed.

The kids are all out with friends so I think I will take a little rest while i can...


Boo

June 19, 2008 - Msg 63489: Ha ha, no Boo, as far as I know, our neighbor ladies were "still-less". Hmmm, that would explain their mellowness, though. ;)

Me-They, I didn't have to look at the link you posted, because I sort of knew what it would be all about. I didn't have to, but I did anyway, and I was right, I had seen that sort of stuff before, because that is what is happening all over. And it is troubling, or should be. The thing that gets my goat is that is doesn't have to happen. Christians outnumber the secular-progressives, but they have a good PR team.
I've heard there is going to be an uprising from Christians fed up with this kind of nonsense, and I hope that is true. We need to be knocked out of our complacency and take back our country, or there will be nothing to take back.
As Janet Folger from Faith2Action says, "These things that are happening MAY be signs of the last days, but you know what? It doesn't have to happen on our watch."
And I believe that. I don't think that God wants us to sit around and wait for all the prophecies to just happen around us. And if those things that MT linked to scare you and/or get you motivated, you should listen to Janet on Faith2action or also another discussion program, Crosstalk, on the VCYAmerica radio station(which you can also get on the internet).
*ok, soapbox going back under the porch*


Hey MDC, congrats on the anniversary! Glad you had a nice time with the missus.

-Sterling Holobyte


June 19, 2008 - Msg 63490: Hey gang...sorry for the no post or cooking...been getting the final touches on the boat...putting it in the water for the summer in the morning..another couple are going to bring his boat up [my old one]and cook on my boat and spend the day at red top mt ...gona tube and fish late night...its gona be 92 and sunny...well hey Rev,Tom,ro,boo,m-t,possum and all..maude you got any leftovers?....well will try to post in the morning...prayers to all..Boo how is your Mom?...SPOT
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63491: Hey Family:
Just stopping by for a quick hello. HELLO! It's a beautiful day on our side of the porch. 75 degrees and sunny. Just perfect. SPOT- please be careful on that boat and don't everyone lean to the one side! Take care all- ~New Neighbor
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63492:
One of my favorite lines from TAGS:
Sarge(Alan Melvin RIP)(in the recruitng center):
Bass, Now shut up and open your mouth!

Y'all have a good evening. Prayers for all, love ya,
MDC
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63493: Good evening, all. It's been a busy day - had the two grandsons, ages 7 and 4 most of the day. They were good, but just can't help being little boys. I took them to their other grandma, Eloise, at the church this evening for the VBS finale, but I came on home. Their parents are there as well, and will be coming back to get Bentley. Starr will miss him, I think.

I finished reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns", and I recommend it highly, along with "The Kite Runner". As I said earlier, they're both well worth reading. My next project is "Now They Call Me Infidel", which is written by a former Muslim, now a Christian. My DIL tells me it's a real eye-opener. I can hardly wait to read it.

I've about given up on TV Land, am just totally sick of their endless reruns of the TV Land Award show, which wasn't that good in the first place, and of the middle-aged models, and I guess we're about to get George Foreman pushed at us for the next few weeks. I like old George, but please. Anyway, while searching for alternative viewing, I have discovered "Monk". It's hilarious! Good cop show, with the delightful twist of Adrian Monk's OCD personality. Me-They, every time Adrian fights his way through one of his phobias or compelshuns, I just have to think of you. Do you ever watch the show, and if so, can you identify with his trials and tribulations? Bless your heart, I'm really not teasing, it must be very difficult to deal with. Adrian manages to convey exactly that, the reality of his fears and concerns, but he just has such an endearing quality about him that you really want to hand him a Clorox wipe or something! (By the way, his assistant does exactly that - gives him a disinfectant wipe when he needs one.) It's a great show, and I don't know how I missed it the first time around. It's in reruns, but I think is still in active production as well.

Well, guess I'll go put the garbage out, the trucks run very early around here. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63494: Mom is doing a little better, SPOT, so kind of you to ask. Tonight when I helped her up to her potty chair, she able to put some weight on the leg that was bothering her. We aren't out of the woods but things are getting a little better.

Wow NN, what perfect weather! It was in the 90's here and supposed to be 100 in the hill country where we are going to youth camp next week! Oh boy, I think I will spend as much time as possible in the Frio River. It feels so wonderful to be sweltering at 100 degrees and then to jump into that cold, clear water!

Better mosey on over and get one of the peanut butter cookies I just baked. They sure smell good...wish you could all join me.

Boo
June 19, 2008 - Msg 63495: Ro,Monk is just about my favorite show, next to TAGS. I love it.
That's about all I am in the mood to comment on.
Peace, everybody.
- Hazel

Oh, Asa, sorry about your Uncle.
June 20, 2008 - Msg 63496: Don't rush off Hazel...I saved you a cookie.

Boo
June 20, 2008 - Msg 63497:
Hello porch family....Just checking in real quick. Still on the road. Heading to south La tomorrow. The tour is going great.
Gotta read the post to see what's going on.
You all take care and hope I can get internet over the next couple weeks. If not you all know that I'll be back as soon as possible. Prayers for all the porch family.
JESUS LOVES YOU
-REV.
June 20, 2008 - Msg 63498: REV - Best wishes on your tour.
Romeenaand Boo - In "72 we used a fogger after the Hurricane Agnes flooding for mosquito control . Malathion was mixed in a light oil such as kerosene.
Dud- what size home meets your approval? No bigger than yours / or? You can't possibly write off a person based on square footage. Gore's environmental proposals are based on information from people knowledgeable in those areas and are right on the mark. Bush is in the dark ages. During the previous oil price rise and shortages a few years ago Exxon and other major oil company executives were before congress and the American public on TV. When it was brought up about increasing US oil and gas production to supply the US they were quite adament about their companies being international, not American and they have no allegiance to this country and will sell oil to the highest bidder which means foreign countries which are rapidly developing a need for oil including ours. .

Marty from Mt. Top
June 20, 2008 - Msg 63499: Glad to hear yer Mom is doing good Boo!..and hey marty,brother Rev have fun in La!watch for the food truck...well Miss Sherry should be here at about 9:30 and we are off to the lake...gona be a great day...Big Maude feed this bunck ok?...hey NN,hazel,ro,Tom,CHUCK,possum,m-t,auh20,asa and all...well let me get things together...prayers...lets meet at cracker barrel yall.....SPOT
June 20, 2008 - Msg 63500: Well, I think I want to move to a cooler climate!...or at least one with lower humidity. It is getting pretty scary thinking about building a house right now but we have already been waiting so long. Hard to take the plunge at a time like this, though.

Better go get started on the chores...

Boo
June 20, 2008 - Msg 63501: Good morning everyone. I was off-line yesterday; our provider was having technical difficulties, as they say. Must need bigger wires.

Happy anniversary MDC! Many, many more.

ROMEENA: We've been watching "Monk" for years now. I think it's getting ready to start it's fifth or six season. Love it, though I haven't noticed any resemblance ;). You don't know how many times I do something around the house to hear the Mrs. say, "okay, Mr. Monk."

HAZEL: Did I irritate you (again)? Sure hope not.

BOO: They still do the truck spraying at Chincoteague. They come around every night. I think DDT was outlawed in the late 60s/early 70s. I remember when I was a kid and we'd camp we would hear the truck coming and run for the tent camper/trailer. Now we run for the house. They spray Assateague by plane. It happens very early in the morning about once a week. Since we stay on that side of Chincoteague, it sound like you are being dive bombed. I don't know about teh stuff they use on us humans on Chincoteague, but the Virginia side of Assateague is a wildlife refuge (as opposed to a state park like on the Maryland side) and they are very restrictive about what you can/can't do so I figure that chemical likely is pretty safe. It also doesn't work very well. If you go to Assateague, you'd better either head for the beach or wear bug spray.

SPOT: Have a great time on the lake.

Please say a prayer for my Mrs. today. She's been suffering with some recurring issues (you ladies may understand) and it's getting progressively worse. She's very ill today and from what I hear the kids have picked this day to be particularly irritating with each other.

Talk to y'all at lunch.

Me-They
June 20, 2008 - Msg 63502: It's lunch, and I've had my little yellow cookie, but still no one on the porch.

Me-They
June 20, 2008 - Msg 63503: Hey, Me-They. I was passing by, and saw you there. Sorry about your good lady and her problems. Sounds like she may need the Big H before long. As for the squabbling kids, I have a solution that works with my grandsons. I put one in one room and one in another, where they can't see each other, and if they start hollering at each other, I just close the doors, which they hate. About twenty minutes in "solitary" and they usually clean up their act. If not, back they go. I didn't raise my own kids, and look forward to grandkids, only to listen to them fight. I will enjoy them, if I have to wring their little necks! (heehee)

Marty, you may not find many Gore supporters around here. I personally don't care how many square feet his house contains or how energy-efficient it may be, but I would appreciate it if he'd keep his opinions to himself regarding mine. I live in 2650 square feet, which is too much for one old lady and a tiny dog, but it's been my home for 34 years, I lived here with my husband and raised my family in this house, and I'm not leaving it until I absolutely have to. Besides, what good would it do for me to sell it and leave? There would still be someone living here! I have put in extra insulation, even over the garage, and installed a new a/c unit three years ago that was the most energy-efficient available at the time. I have two tankless water heaters, which only run when in use. I have a programmable sprinkler system so I don't forget and leave a sprinkler running for hours (or days!) on end. I refuse to use the CFL bulbs, and am stockpiling incandescents against the day when they're no longer available. Incidentally, that little gem was signed into law by Mr. Bush, from his hidey-hole back in the dark ages. It's idiotic, and God willing, will be rescinded. It's as ill-advised as the DDT trucks, and will eventually cause as much, if not more, harm to the environment, as mercury is released everywhere. However, it sounds oh-so-green and responsible right now.

OK, soapbox back under the porch. Who's next? --Romeena