October 21, 2012 - Msg 90738: Good evening, porch. Boo, you reminded me of a time years ago when Dale and I were taking our turn in the nursery at church. Our group was about 18-24 months old, and we had about ten very busy kids. One was a tiny butterfly of a girl, all frilly and dainty, and good as gold. There was also a little boy, who was the scourge of the room. If any child picked up a toy, he immediately wanted it, and would go snatch it away. We tried to referee, but with that many, it wasn't easy. He'd wait until we weren't looking, then make his grab.

Well, Dainty Girl picked up a doll, and Grabby Boy snagged it away. She looked hurt, walked away and picked up another toy. Same thing. We intervened a couple of times, but still it would happen. Finally, she got a little toy phone and took it under a crib, behind the lowered bars. He followed her, and took the phone. She just sat and stared at him. Then, with both of us looking on, she crawled out from beneath the crib and picked up a Tonka truck. Dale said, "He'll probably get that too," never dreaming how prophetic his comment was. Before we could react, she swung it hard and lambasted Grabby Boy upside the head with it. He got it, all right! He fell over backward, squalling and with a bump already rising. Dainty Girl picked up her phone and retreated back beneath the crib, where she remained for the duration.

Grabby Boy spent the rest of the hour in my lap, with his thumb in his mouth. I dreaded facing his parents, but knowing that the truth is always best, I told them exactly what had happened, step by step. Mom looked a little indignant, but Dad just said, "Good. He had it coming. Maybe he'll learn something." God is good!

Well, my Britcoms will be on shortly. "The Good Neighbors" has been reinstated, and that's always been a favorite. Tom and Barbara are so cute and down to earth, and Margo is such a stick-in-the-mud, but has a good heart. Great show, really. And of course, there's always Hyacinth Bucket (it's Boo-kay!) - an all-time favorite. So, I'm going to toddle off to bed. Got rehab in the morning, so need to get rested up. Blessings, all! --Romeena
October 21, 2012 - Msg 90739: Just saw a broom sitting there as I was leaving the porch, so gave it a few swipes. It wasn't very dirty. --Romeena
October 22, 2012 - Msg 90740: Romeena, Funny story Ro, That is why people need to stand up to bullying for the most part bullys are just punks with no guts! As I tell alot of people, I think there is a TAGS episode which deals with that subject....G-F...

October 22, 2012 - Msg 90741: Ro, that story makes me think of Erin when she was little. Remember the story I told about the neighborhood bully (Thomas) who was 6 years older than Erin? The kids had a little tent put up on the drive way in front of the house and Thomas was in the tent. Bruce and I were sitting in the yard watching Erin, who was only 3 at the time. Erin walked up to the tent door to go in and Thomas gave her a good shove, which sent her backward onto the driveway. She didn't cry though...she got herself up, went right into that tent and proceeded to take her little index finger and jam it into Thomas' right eye! That kid came flying out of that tent holding his eye and ran home crying like a baby. Bruce and I couldn't help but laugh. It was about time someone gave Thomas what he deserved but who would have thought it would be a little 3 year old girl? haha

Well, it's Monday, which means chores to do. I have been slacking since that virus I had that took forever to get rid of. Sounds like Asa is still reaping it's fury.

Boo
October 22, 2012 - Msg 90742: Hahahaha! I love that story, Boo! Good for Erin! Moral of the story - don't mess with little girls, or you'll end up half-blind, or sucking your thumb in the teacher's lap!

You're right, G-F. As the TAGS ep taught, the only way to deal with a bully is to confront the behavior directly and deliver consequences. Now that little not-quite-two-years-old boy wasn't being a bully as such, he had just learned that he could get what he wanted by simply taking it away from someone else. He was innocent of any real bullying intent, at that point. However, that behavior, if left unchecked and unchallenged, would have eventually morphed into real bullying as he got older. Usually, the best and most effective confrontation comes from a peer, who finally gets enough, which is precisely what happened in the TAGS ep.

Rehab was tiring this morning. I picked up a Schlotzsky's sandwich, and I think I'll just have me a little lunch and cuddle up in my chair and rest for a while. Yep, that's the plan. Sit in my chair with my sandwich and my puppy, watch a little TV and rest. Yep, that's what I'm gonna do. Blessings! --Romeena
October 22, 2012 - Msg 90743:
For BOO- After your story about Erin asking for a baby brother, and you liking Jimmy Stewart movies...."George Bailey lasso STORK?" haha
Is it too early for Christmas movie quotes? ha
RO- you have qite a reportorie of funny stories too! BTW, meant to tell you that the p"Pgressive girl," Flo, has grown on me. I know I kinda put her down when the commercials first started, but love the latest, "there is trouble in the kingdom." haha
ASA- maybe you shouda just made vienna sausages in a heavy tomato sauce! (:
Good day and good week to all, prayers,
MDC

October 22, 2012 - Msg 90744:
Dad and I just watched the Frank Meyers ep on TV Land.
Love Andy's line at the end about how the mayor always could spread it pretty thick! Perfect line for the upcoming elections! ha
I also realized that the man who drives up at the end also played Rogre
in the Esqure club ep. Funny what we notice "for the first time' after all these years!
MDC
October 22, 2012 - Msg 90745: Erin and I watched the Remshaw House ep yesterday...it's that time of year. :)

Nobody will be lasso-ing any storks around here, MDC. You know, I actually watched "It's A Wonderful Life" the other day just for the heck of it. I enjoyed it.

The presidential debate is on but I just can't stomach it tonight.

Boo
October 22, 2012 - Msg 90746: Hi all.
Will thing has not chang for steperay show not a thing but he is in pain at time.
He late from last yer to now about 34 lb from 119 lb, and he will not eat a thing all he eat are slam jame.

TOM
October 22, 2012 - Msg 90747: Oh, dear! Tom, it's essential that he get some nutrition in his body, and of course you know that. Have you tried some of the liquid supplements? Ensure is easy to get, but some people don't like it. In my nursing experience, I've found that the Carnation Instant Breakfast drinks are liked by almost everyone. Have you tried those with him?

There is a mosquito in this house, and I'm not going to bed until I manage to slay him. I absolutely hate the miserable little wretches, and this one has been in here for at least three days. He's biting my feet and ankles under the desk as I type, and unbeknownst to him, I have a can of Raid flying insect spray at hand. When I'm done here, I'm going to grab Toye Starr, spray under the desk and run! That'll get him!

OK, here goes. Blessings, all. (Except for the mosquito.) --Romeena
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90748: So sorry, TOM..praying things get better. Ro is right about the carnation instant breakfast. My dad drank Ensure everyday, though, and he thought it wasn't too bad (the chocolate one).

Ro, your talk about the mosquitos makes me think of my dad. When my sister and I were little and we moved to the big, haunted house we lived in when I was a pre-schooler, we all slept in one bedroom. My mom made dad put two full beds in there because she was terrified of leaving my sister and I alone in another room at night in that house. I can remember the times we would all be getting in bed and Dad would hear a mosquito. All the lights would be turned on and there would be Dad in his boxer shorts with one of those old pump cans full of some toxic bug spray. He would pump and spray that stuff all over the entire room, with the windows closed...just to get that one mosquito. St. Susan used to say it was amazing that none of our children were genetic mutants after breathing so much of that stuff! I can still remember the smell when I think about it. I also remember the mosquito trucks coming down the streets spraying for mosquitos in the late evenings...Oh, the smell! haha

Better get moving toward the bed. I will be getting up early to go tend to mom in the morning. Susan is taking little Emily to have some dental work done in the morning.

Boo
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90749:
Tom, my dad likes Boost adult nutritional drink.
Just another alternative. Will be praying.
Sorry for all the typing errors above. keys were sticky at my dad's place. Maybe someone spilled an Ensure! ha
For those interested...TIGERS and GIANTS!
God bless,
MDC
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90750:
Tom, my dad likes Boost adult nutritional drink.
Just another alternative. Will be praying.
Sorry for all the typing errors above. keys were sticky at my dad's place. Maybe someone spilled an Ensure! ha
For those interested...TIGERS and GIANTS!
God bless,
MDC
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90751: Ha! Boo, I believe you were referring to a "Flit Gun". It was yellow, with black lettering, and consisted of a canister that could be refilled, and it had a rube attached, about the size of a large flashlight, with a little handle at the end. The tube was actually a piston, and when you pulled the handle out and pushed it back in, it would force a spray of that foul-smelling insecticide out into the air. An "atomizer", if you wish. If y'all would like to know more about them, just Google "Flit gun" and you'll find a whole world of links, and some pictures too! You must remember that these things were sold in the years before aerosol spray cans were developed. Yes, the stuff stank terribly, and it is indeed a wonder we don't all have three eyes or something. Between those awful guns and the spray trucks that befouled our suburbs nightly, I'm surprised we survived at all.

A haunted house, Boo? I don't recall you mentioning that before (probably my memory) but I think I hear a story in there somewhere. Do tell!!

Guess I'd better head for bed. Eloise and I have pedicures scheduled for tomorrow morning, and then I've got to start getting some idea of what I'm going to take on that cruise. We leave next Sunday morning for Miami. I'm so glad I had been paying on this thing since last November, or I wouldn't be going, not after being on short pay since June, and then the ID theft. Anyway, the cruise has been paid for since May, and plane tickets were bought a couple of months ago, so I'm good to go. I'm ready to go and just relax. I love to find a comfortable place on deck, or on our balcony, and just read and watch the water. A good book and a big glass of tea, and I'm all set. Blessings! --Romeena
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90752: One more thing. Does anyone remember the commercial for the Flit Guns? On the radio, you would hear the sound of a buzzing insect, and then a woman's voice would shout "Quick, Henry! The Flit!" I don't remember the rest of it. There were some TV ads too, in the early days of TV. I don't remember much about them, as we didn't get a TV until the 50s, and Flit guns were on the way out by then, but I think they were very primitive, sketchy cartoon drawings of people combating some saber-toothed insect with a Flit gun. Hey, PH, there's a project for you. Do you suppose you could locate any clips of those old ads? I love old commercials! --Romeena
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90753: I'll take a "Flit Gun" over a bat any day! :)

Asa
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90754: Yes, you described it, Ro...I'm sure it was a flit gun. Ours was orange and white with the word "Gulf" on the can.

I have talked some about the haunted house about 4 or 5 years ago, before we moved into our current home, we were renting an apartment that was near the old haunted house I lived in as a child and I told about how Erin and I went up to the old house to trick-or-treat and the owner came out and told us about how the house was still very haunted. I guess it's about the right time of year to share a little about it again. :) When I was born, my family lived in Corpus Christi, but Dad worked for an aluminum plant in a small town about 20 miles from Corpus. Mom and Dad decided to move to Ingleside, closer to the plant and they rented an old, two-story house there. It was an impressive old house, built in the early 1900's...red brick with a front porch with mosaic inlaid tiles, a huge yard for kids to play, plenty of room inside...living room, dining room, big kitchen, four big bedrooms upstairs. It was just like something out of a book. It was built by two sisters by the name of Newberry, who were immigrants from somewhere in Europe..I forget where right now. One sister was married and had a son named Johnny who grew up there, graduated from high school there and moved down near Mexico later. When we moved in, the last of the Newberry sisters had just passed away so Johnny was in a hurry to rent the place and get back to his work down south. There were still things that belonged to Miss Newberry in the house that had to be cleared out...even some of her personal belongings in her bedroom upstairs. The day we moved in, they were still removing things from the house. As a little girl, I loved the old house..so many places to play and the yard was wonderful. It was surrounded by a brick wall (or fence) so it was safe and I could wander and play alone outside. I had a huge playroom upstairs and plenty of places to explore. It didn't take long, though, for strange things to start happening there and my mom was terrified. My older brothers were still at home then and there bedroom was nearest the top of the stairs. At night they would be awakened by the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs and such. My mom moved my sister and I into her bedroom to sleep and sometimes at night before bed the hangers in the bedroom closet would go berserk like someone was knocking them around inside the closet. One night when my dad's mom was visiting us, she was staying in one of the extra bedrooms and after we had all gone to bed, she came into my parents room and asked Dad to come into her room and check on something. She had a hot spot in the middle of her bed, about 12 inches in diameter. Dad pulled off the linens, turned the mattress over...nothing..no reason for the hot spot could be found, but there it remained. My grandma said, "I guess the old lady doesn't want another old lady in her house. I'll just sleep around the hot spot"...and we all went back to bed! ha There were two instances of actually seeing something in the house..one was a young woman and a small boy that appeared at the top of the stairs, and once when I was probably 5, I saw a young woman in the doorway of the bedroom one evening when everyone else was downstairs. I had gone up to bed early and mom and dad were downstairs in the kitchen playing cards with some friends. I remember that mom was wearing a rather gaudy orange, floral dress that evening. I kissed her and dad goodnight and went up to bed. The bedroom was dark but there was enough light coming from the stairway from downstairs that I could see into the hallway. I was just about to get into bed when I saw her...a young woman standing in the doorway looking at me. She was thin, looked a little bit like my mother but with the light behind her I could only see her form but not any details. I did notice that she was wearing a different dress than mom had been wearing. In my child's mind, I thought it was mom and when I walked toward her, she turned and walked away toward the stairs. By the time I got to the doorway, she was gone. I rushed downstairs, very confused and a little scared. Mom said I asked her why she had changed her clothes. I will never forget it. I can still see it in my mind. After we moved from the house about a year later, I never, ever experienced anything even slightly paranormal. So, fast forward to about 2007...Erin and I go up to the old house to trick-or-treat and a man comes to the door. I told him that I used to live in the house when i was a little girl. He told me to wait there and he called his wife and told her...she came out on the porch and proceeded to tell me that the house is very haunted and began telling me storied about what she had experienced there over the years. I never said a thing to her about what I had experienced there, I just listened. So, I am convinced that if there ever was a haunted house, it is one. That's my story. :)

Boo
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90755: Hi All
Was a nice day warm up and going to stay warm all week?
Boo like your story! it mak you stop and if are loveone are sill arould sometime?
I have tried boost drink, ensure and carnation instant breakfast he like thim at frist bout now he didnot thim! I keep thing here for him to eat wind he want something but I cook all the time and he eat about 1/4 of it and said no more!
I just think he want to just gave up on it all?
I leave it up to the God what prayer and all the that come everyone for help?

TOM

October 23, 2012 - Msg 90756: Tom, it was Boost that my dad liked, not Ensure...I was mistaken. The Boost is better-tasting. Glad you liked the story, TOM. The old house is a shambles now...just a shadow of it's former glory. Sometime in the 80's they removed the brick from the house and put on some sort of plaster and they took down the brick fence around the place.

TOM, what you describe with your stepdad sounds alot like what we experienced with my dad those last months. He was giving up a little at a time and stopped eating much of anything. He got so skinny. I am still so thankful the way the Lord took him peacefully when He did. I pray it will be the same when it's your stepdad's time to go home, and I pray that you will feel the same grace and strength getting you through it that I did. God will not abandon you.

Boo
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90757: You know, something kind of strange happened to me today when I was visiting with my mom. We were talking about my Grandma and the times we spent with her in Michigan when I was a girl. I never spent alot of time with Grandma and she passed away when I was in highschool, but I loved her and she was the sweetest grandma in the world. I don't think about her much, nor do I ever really miss her or anything, but while my mom was talking about her, I remembered my Grandma's soft hands and how I would lay my head in her lap as we sat in the glider in the evenings, and she would pat my back. Out of nowhere, this grief came over me and I just burst into tears. I don't think I even cried when Grandma passed away but there I sat, crying like a baby and really missing her. Strange all these years later. It makes me wonder how much grief or pain might be tucked away in my brain that I don't even know about.

Well, the porch has certainly been quiet today. I am hoping everyone is fine. It was in the 90's again here today. We are having the hottest October on record, following the hottest August and September on record! I hate it (but you all know that). It will be in the 90's the rest of the week until a cool front on Friday. I can't wait! :)

Boo
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90758: Good evening, porch. Boo, you raised an interesting question. I believe that we are capable of so much more than we realize, and I also believe that our mind files things away to be dealt with later, when we're able to do so. I recall that when Dale passed, my oldest grandkids were young teens, and their reaction was very subdued, they just got quiet. I don't recall that they cried or really exhibited much grief, yet they had been quite close to him. I think they just didn't know how to deal with it at that time - it was too much for them. Later, they did, and each had their time of grief, when they were better equipped to handle it. Sounds very much like what happened to you with your grandma. Another factor may be that as we grow older ourselves, we're more aware of the transience of this life, and our emotions are a little more sharp than when we're young and think we'll live forever.

Tom, what you're seeing with your stepdad is absolutely normal. Please don't fight it, don't push him too hard, or make him feel guilty. Just do as you've been doing. Provide food for him and let him eat what he wants. Try to pack as much nourishment as you can into what little he does eat. Let him have sugar, fat, starches, whatever he wants. He's not diabetic, is he? He may not want meat, and that's okay. Protein is important, but he can get it from eggs or dairy products. Ice cream is great! Forget a "healthy" diet at this point. Calories are important for him now, as many as he can get. Very important - be aware that he is in a different place in the life cycle than you are. He probably doesn't feel hungry, like you or I would. In fact food may be disgusting to him. That's normal. That's his body trying to shut down, preparing for the inevitable. Don't let anyone put guilt on you for not "feeding" him, not even a doctor. Make it available. If he eats, fine. If not, that's his right. Animals know when their time is ending, and they quit eating. We humans deny our elderly that right, and try to force them to eat, even resorting to tube feedings. When those times come, ask yourself, and ask the doctors - are we saving a life here, or prolonging a death? There's a vast difference. What does he want? Has he signed a living will, stating what medical intervention he does or does not want? If not, he should.

Well, that's my little speech, based on 33 years in the hospital, and witnessing the end of many, many lives. Take it or leave it. Either way, it's never easy. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90759: I just went back to the archives and read about this day in October, three years ago, to see how things have changed. It made me sad to see so many missing now. SO...I am sending out a big APB for Sterling, Me-They, Mavis, DES, Hazel, Lucy, KYGirl, Mary Wiggins, Homemaker, John Masters, Pappa Bear, Mayberry Deputy, Fungirl, Bulbsnatcher, Dixie, Chuck, and anyone else I may have missed. Come on back home...your rocking chair is waiting for you.

Boo
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90760: Oh, hi there, Ro. Interesting about your grandchildren. I think that part of my grief is a grieving for a time that is past forever. Those memories of summers in michigan with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, are probably my very best memories of childhood. I want so badly to go back and sit down at Grandma's old kitchen table in her modest old kitchen, and talk with family again. She always made a big meal for anyone who might drop in to visit and on most days, one or more of her kids would do just that. On any day she cooked for at least the four that lived in her home, and then usually a few extra. When my mom and my sister and I were visiting, extra relatives would come to visit with us and it was always at supper time. Grandma would make a big pot of beans, homemade cornbread or buttermilk biscuits, fried ham, fried potatoes, and fresh vegetables. It was a feast every, single day. Nobody watched much TV, just enjoyed talking and sitting out on the porch in the evening. I miss those days so much, but I have to think about now..I have so much to be thankful for...my family, my children, friends (like all of you) who mean so much. These are good days and will be the "good old days" to my children when they are grown. They will talk about our little farm, and Thelma Lou and the rest of our critters and long to go back again. What a gift it was that my grandparents gave me those wonderful loving times to remember, and now its time for me to give those times to my children, and someday grandchildren. I was the receiver of so many wonderful memories and now it is my turn to be the giver, and that has it's own joys. :)

Boo
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90761: Boo, Where abouts in Michigan? I spent alot of time there too as a kid, not the UP but Northern part of the state, always loved that part too.
G-F.... Mitcha'gin.....
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90762: Hey gang!..holding down the night shift for two more nights..then off 6 days!..hey Romeena,Boo,Possum,MDC,Rev,asa,auh20...ya know I see the APB posted above..I have to look back but I know I have been on the porch since the early 2000"s...there are just a few of "old timers" left no pun intended...lets all try our best to go back and post the (as close as we can find) the first porch postings...does the archives go back that far...gosh dont know if this is a task that can be done...ok...Im gona go start my quest...prayers to all...keeping the Ga lights on...and they are not all on right now...I better get busy..prayers as always...SPOT
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90763: Gang I aint got back to my first post yet but check out the date and content of the post I have coppyed from the archives,it will be below...Old times, memorys, memorys...brought a tear to my eye...SPOT
October 23, 2012 - Msg 90764: October 08, 2004 - Msg 24035: ello there my name is Sherry SPOTs girl friend..he wanted me to get incontact you...on Oct 2,2004 Spot was involved in a head on collision. was life flighted to the Atlnta trama unit, he was in icu for 3 days, broke femur crushed ankle broke left arm and manycuts..still in hospital..plate in arm and roda in legs , will be in hospital at least 2 more weeks..one more operation on mon to go...prayers please...his spirits are great..the accident was not his fault...signed:SHERRY...SPOT's girlfriend

October 23, 2012 - Msg 90765: and check out the date gang on the post above I copyed...dont want to get anyone confused...SPOT
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90766: I remember that post very well, SPOT. Hard to believe it was 8 years ago! I know I can speak for all of us when I say that we were very thankful at the time that Sherry was there taking such good care of you.

G-F, my grandparents lived in Royal Oak. Are you familiar with it. It was a wonderful small town then...not so much now. It had a nice little downtown area with a Woolworth's, a bookstore, a movie theater, etc. Loved it there.

Boo
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90767:
BOO- Just a thought, but since you now have a porch swing, how about inviting Erin to sit with you some evening, and let her put HER head on YOUR lap! Bet you would both create a new, wonderful memory! (:
And as what you and RO mentioned above, sometimes grief does indeed come later. I did not cry until the one year anniversary of my mom's passing in 2007, and then it all just came pouring out!
As to the goings on in that house, I'd like to think of it as wierd shadows or something like that, or strings attached, or perhaps we'll find out when we as Jesus someday! (:
SPOT! good to hear from you. Wow, that is quite a message, and I still remember reading it that day, and how stunned i was, and had started prayers for you. And may dear Sherry rest in peace. Thanks for sharing.
I just watched a PBS show about the missle crisis 50 years ago. Boo, you were just born, yet could have been a very short life if not for the quick but measured thinking of our leaders,
and also of one soviet sub fleet commander who said no to turning the key which would have set off a nuclear device destroying our entire fleet.
It was that close.
Prayers for all. Sleep well this night,
MDC
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90768: Good morning gang!gona be great fall day here in Ga!..high 40's now mid 70"s this afternoon..back today at 2 for 8 then off till next wed...got to put some lime on the garden and get it plowed in...ok..from the cooking dog of your porch menu:2 eggs your way,toast,bisquit and gravy,country ham,sausage,grits,bacon,oj,coffee and Boo will you bring a local paper!...hope everyone has a mayberry kind of day!...and yall act like somebody!...blessing to all...SPOT
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90769: Morning Porch. Good to see folks posting a bit more.

If I could impose on my friends for your prayers for me this morning, I'd be grateful. Nothing serious, but sure could use them as I deal with a situation later this morning. Thank you all so much.

Asa
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90770: You've got it, Asa. Prayers coming your way.

MDC, that is very scary stuff...to think it could have easily happened and none of us would be here today. God is ultimately in control. I think we need to be praying now....the way things are in the world, who knows what could happen.

Boo
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90771: BTW, I watched part of a program on the History Channel about history facts most people don't know. They did a show on Abraham Lincoln, and I really wish I hadn't watched it! Did anyone else see it? It talked about Abraham's questionable "orientation"? Good grief...let the man rest in peace.

Boo
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90772: Boo, Royal Oak looks like a neat place, never been there, been close, I go to Air Shows in Birch Run & to the Henry Ford Museum, I stayed in Farmington Hills (Where I found out renting a Handicap Motel room DOES NOT intitle you to the parking space too.) That was a expensive trip to the HF Museum that year..BAD ME!
MCD...Good thing we had Aircraft Carriers and not bayonets then..Right? Could not resist repeating the stupid statment from our CiC...
G-F....
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90773: Good morning, porch! Got to go to rehab in a little while, but wanted to sit a spell first. Wow, some interesting posts this morning. Spot, I remember very well the day that Miss Sherry told us about your accident. Scared us all so much, and many prayers were expressed for you. So kind of her to tell us, otherwise we'd never have known. By the way, did you get an envelope from me? It has cleared, but I just want to be sure it was you! After this ID theft, I'm a little gun-shy.

Boo, where is Royal Oaks? Dale was from Michigan, in the Kalamazoo area. Lots of lovely little towns there, and a lot of very nice people.

Here's an interesting observation - not intended to start anything - I just found it to be unusual. Eloise and I went to our little City Hall to vote yesterday, and I noticed the campaign signs that always surround the polling place. They have to stay so many yards away, but at that line, there are always hundreds of signs blooming like wildflowers (or weeds). Our place was no exception, there were signs everywhere, but I noticed something strange. There was not one, not even one, sign for the incumbent president. Many, many signs for contestants for other offices, of both parties, so it wasn't a partisan thing. There weren't a lot of signs for Mr. Romney, but there were some, a couple of dozen, maybe. However, not one single sign for Mr. Obama. They had not been stolen, because there were guards patrolling the area. They just weren't there. Don't you find that to be odd? Also, I've been watching, and so far I have not seen a single yard sign for him. Strange, and interesting. There are a number of signs on my street for Mr. Romney, but I have not put one out. I don't wish to invite the attention of any vandals. Maybe that's why the other side is not displaying signs either? But no one? None? Seems very odd to me, especially since this area isn't an exclusive Republican stronghold. The majority, maybe, but not totally Republican. Too many generational welfare families here for that to be true. Well anyway, I thought it was interesting. I guess time will tell if it's predictive.

OK, gotta run. After rehab, I have to see the "electrician" member of my cardiology team, the one who manages my pacemaker. I have a few things to discuss with him - not about the pacer, it's doing fine - but about the support meds. My pulse refuses to rise above 100, due to the meds that restrain it, and that's not enough to support even the slightest exertion. I get air-hungry really quick, and I'm tired of it. When I can't walk from my car to the church without being totally out of breath, something is wrong. So, we're gonna talk!! Blessings, friends. --Romeena.
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90774: G-F, Royal Oak changed greatly after the college was opened there. It used to be like Mayberry, but no longer. The last time I was there I figured I would never go back again. I have been to the HF museum a few times. The last time I was there (and to Greenfield Village, i was about 20, I think). I love the place!! I have some really cute pictures of my sister and I sitting on the porch of one of the historic homes when I was about 5 or 6. :) G-f, did you ever visit the huge Dodge Mansion? Now THAT is something to see!

Ro, Royal Oak is a suburb of Detroit, but far enough away that you wouldn't know it. :) So, if you are looking at a map of the state, it is kind of under the big thumb a ways. We did visit some of the great lakes sometimes and I remember the water being painfully cold, even in the middle of summer! I was there the summer of 60-something when the race riots were going on in Detroit and it was a scary time. There was an after-dark curfew even in Royal Oak. I was never in Kalamazoo, that I know of but I certainly heard of it.

Ro, the sign thing doesn't seem so odd...remember, you are in Texas. :) The majority is pretty conservative in these parts.

Hope you get some quick relief from your symptoms, Ro. You don't need to deal with that. Please let us know what you find out.

Better get back to it!

Boo


October 24, 2012 - Msg 90775:
Howdy porch family.....back in Louisiana now. Got concerts tonight and Thursday. Both are about 2 hours away from where I'm staying.

Well I had a wonderful time again this year with my time visiting Ro. I got to meet some of her family and they are the sweetest folks. Seemed like I have known them for ever. And yes we ate once again year some of that good ole fried chicken from Babe's. Man that stuff is good. I left town with a bag full of Babe's chicken and a bag full of hamburgers that we had on Friday night. I've been eating mighty good..lol And of course the folks at her church was so kind again this year....already booked back for 2013:) Thank you Ro for everything!

Well I need to read some of the archives and then I've got to get ready to pull out of here for the concert.
You all have a blessed day...and remember Jesus loves you!
Love and prayers
-REV.
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90776: REV, I knew Romeena would hook you up for the road trip! haha
No Boo I never went to the Dodge Mansion is it Haunted like the Rimshaw place? I did go thru some of the "Summer Homes" of the Astors,and the
Vanderbelts,and others of New York's Old Money cottages in Newport RI when we were there in the 80's. Like Forrest Gumpp would say: There's just so much money a person needs, the rest is just for showing off!....G-F..
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90777:

Asa prayers for ya buddy!

auh2o
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90778: Hi, porch! Back from the doc and rehab. Actually, I changed my schedule around and saw the doc first, then went to rehab, and that worked out well. When I told the doc what has been happening, how I can't get my pulse rate over 100, he had the technician do some tweaking with my pacer, so it will respond to the demand. Usually the pacer only kicks in when my heart rate drops below 70, but they did something to it so that when the demand rises, it will kick in for that too. Something worked, because on the treadmill today I got my pulse rate up to 116, and tolerated the activity much, much better.

He was reluctant to change any meds, because they're doing what they're supposed to do. In the first week of June, I had two episodes of atrial fib that lasted over an hour each. Not good. Clots can form in that much time. However, I recalled that during that time I had forgotten my meds a few times, and could actually feel the a-fib. Since then, I've been very meticulous with the meds, and he said there have only been six spells of a-fib since then, each lasting a minute or less. So, we will leave the meds alone and I will be faithful in taking them.

This has just been a beautiful day. Only 84°, light and patchy clouds in a beautiful blue sky, and a nice breeze. My roses are blooming like mad! Sweet Angel Face has at least fifteen beautiful, full-blown roses on it. I'm so glad I planted it where it is. It's not in the main rose island, it's in the other flower island, all by itself and it really shows up. There are three other Angel Face bushes there with it, but they're young and not doing much yet. If it was in the main island, it would be lost in the crowd, and it's such a gorgeous little thing that I'm glad it can stand alone. So deliciously fragrant, too!

REV, the feeling was mutual. My family thought you were just the cats! I really had to resist asking you to bring your guitar in and honor us with a couple of songs. I'm sure you would have done so if I had asked, but I thought you might prefer to just hang out and visit. Anyway, David and Brittney said it was easy to see why Eloise and I enjoy your friendship. As David put it, "He's just a really nice guy!"

Well, guess I'll go rustle up some grub. Not really very hungry, maybe just some soup. I like soup. Soup and some peanut butter toast. Yep, that sounds good! Blessings, all! --Romeena
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90779: G-F, I remember hearing something about the Dodge Mansion being haunted by Matilda Dodge's son, Danny, but certainly may be a bunch of nonsense. The place was kind of creepy.

Glad things went well, Ro, and glad you are being diligent with the meds.

It was in the 90s again here today but should be cooling off on Friday...(finger's crossed).

"Soup and peanut butter toast?"...hmmmm...doesn't really sound good to me, but hope you enjoy it. What kind of soup goes good with peanut butter??

Boo
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90780: What soup goes with peanut butter...Jelly Soup of course! Except I'm partial to dill pickles on my peanut butter samiches..or is it just me?
Boo thanks for the Texas heat we had 80 degrees today and the same tomorrow. Friday & the week-end highs of lower 40's, welcome to Ohio if ya don't like the weather stick around and it'll change.
Auh20 warm weather heading your way then back to the cold temps..Weather Center G-F.....
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90781: Thank you Boo and Auh2o for your prayers. They were answered and all is well. Thanks again.

Asa
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90782:
G-F--Good point! ha (Get it?)
Actually my 30 year marine brother told me that bayonets are still very much taught and used in combat training today, and the army still has horses that are trained for many things, so there you go, CiC blew it on both counts!
But yes indeed, we also must have peace thru strength!
Anyone else see that PBS special i mentioned? Several eye witness soviets who were on that sub spoke years later, and they said that both keys were in the slot, and the captain's thumb was on the button!
Sounds like a movie, but it was real!
Prayers for ASA. Hope all went well brother.
RO- call me old fashioned, but I still wait and go on election day. We can do mail-in ballots here, and we can also go in and vote early, but there is something about walking into that polling place on Nov. 6 and going into the booth that day. I can hear America the Beautiful in my mind! ha
REV- glad all went well
MDC
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90783:
Oops, ASA, just saw your post, glad to hear.
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90784: Glad all is well, Asa.

Sean is having a tough time tonight. I made an appointment for him with a counselor that can help him with some cognitive/behavioral therapy. He sees her on Monday and maybe she can help him deal with the anxiety. It is frustrating because you can't talk sense to Sean. He can't seem to turn off the anxious thoughts in his head. Please pray for him as we make decisions to help him. Its a tough place to be as a parent when you aren't exactly sure what can be done to help him.

Boo
October 24, 2012 - Msg 90785: Good news, Asa. You were in my prayers as always. I'm glad to know that the issue is resolved. God is good.

Dill pickles with peanut butter, G-F? Hmmm. Haven't tried that. I have had thin sliced sweet pickles with peanut butter, though. Pretty good. Actually, I think just about anything goes with peanut butter. I'll eat peanut butter toast with whatever soup is in the pantry - vegetable is good - but tonight I had French onion. Yummy! Lately I've been using those little round "sandwich thins" for toast. I buy the multi-grain kind, with the cracked grain and seeds baked in. Really good, not only with peanut butter, but also with cream cheese spread on. I sometimes use them instead of burger buns, as well. Not as much bread, and they get the job done. The bagel thins are okay too, but they're hard to toast. They're so thin that they get crackly, and bagels aren't supposed to be crackly. You lose the lovely chewiness that's part of enjoying a bagel.

Did you read where the airlines are about to start charging for all carry-on luggage, in addition to the charge they already make for your checked bags? The charge will be pretty stiff too. I read one account that said it could be anywhere from $25 to $100. That's just plain ridiculous.

You know what's going to happen, don't you? Some smart cookie is going to see an opportunity here - maybe FedEx - and set up a luggage shipping plan. You pack your luggage, they bring you a lockable container and you stow your luggage in it, then they take it away and ship it to your destination, on an overnight plan. You just have to ship a day early. When you get to your hotel, your luggage is there. You unlock the container, remove your luggage and they pick up the container when they come to get somebody else's luggage. It would take some doing, and the cooperation of hotels and other destinations, but it can be done. You just hide and watch. Somebody is going to do it, and make an obscene fortune with it. Interesting thought, don't you think? It probably could be done cheaper than what the airlines are charging, but even if it cost the same, or even a little bit more, it would be worth it. Think of just walking into an airport, breezing through check-in, and walking onto a plane with nothing but your wallet or purse. An added pleasure would be the smile you could give the airline personnel as you keep your money in your own hand, not theirs.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 25, 2012 - Msg 90786: MDC..."We will not Change, We will not Change!" I'm with ya brother! Still think EVERYONE should have to show proof they are who they say they are! or is it just me?
Boo, Prayers for Sean, I had to deal with alot of that with Step-Son,& every day with Mrs.G-F I feel for ya.
The Porch has been a great outlet for me also thanks ya all from me too!
Romeena hope the bad weather clears out for your Mayberry cruise.
80 degrees today then the big temp drop, pull up your boot straps and hang on...G-F
October 25, 2012 - Msg 90787: BOO.. I have not gone away .I sit on my rocker almost daily ,just dont talk much .I enjoy the conversations but more of a listener than a speaker .GODS blessings to everyone and great MAYBERRY kind of day
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
October 25, 2012 - Msg 90788: Thank you MDC and Ro. God indeed is good.

Boo, I'm sure sorry that Sean is having such a struggle. But I know that you and Bruce are close to the Lord, and will follow His promptings. You are all in my prayers to find a solution to this problem.
Now Boo (cover your eyes so you don't see this) we are getting our first real snow storm in the valleys this morning. The last 3 or 4 mornings we have had rain mixed with snow, although the mountains above 7,000 ft were getting hammered with snow. But this morning a colder air mass has moved in and brought snow down to 5,000 ft where we are. So far the ground is still warm enough that it's not sticking to the roads much, but we have a good 4 inches on the grass. Hey, I don't mind sno that I don't have to shovel. :)

Ro, I'm glad they were able to get your pacemaker adjusted to help you. What meds to you take to help prevent "A-Fib" if you don't mind me asking? I've had a couple of bouts with that the last two years that have required a visit to the E.R. Both times they were able to convert it to normal with medication. I've had an echo cardiogram, and a Nuclear stress test done. Both have shown my heart is normal and no signs of heart disease. The Doctor prescribed me a medicine that I am supposed to take at the first sign of A-Fib, but only then. He said in most cases it will get you back to normal within 4 to 8 hours. He didn't mention anything about a preventive medicine though, which sounds like what you take. If you don't want to mention it here, could you e-mail me it? It may be yours is caused for different reasons than mine though. I don't know, but I like to arm myself with as much info on stuff as I can. Thanks.

G-G, MDC, I'm with you both on the voter I.D. I am reading about numerous events they are uncovering of dead people voting in various parts of the Country. It's time for Voter I.D. It seems like I only see one side against it. Hmm, I wonder what causes that??

Well enough from me.
Prayers for all.

Asa
October 25, 2012 - Msg 90789: Hey Mayberry Deputy. You snuck in on me. Good to see you.

Asa
October 25, 2012 - Msg 90790: Good morning, porch! I just discovered that a couple of you had sneaked in above my last post, and I missed you. Boo, my heart just breaks for Sean. Anxiety disorder is so very difficult, so hard to understand. Usually the person can't even explain it themselves, they just feel it. Some say it's an excessive or inappropriate release of adrenalin (the fight-or-flight hormone) and others say it's mental or emotional, and some say it's a combination. Who knows? All I know is, it makes the person miserable, and pretty much does the same for those around him or her.

As for voter ID, I can't, for the life of me, understand what the big flap is about. Just how in the heck is this supposed to be discriminatory? In this day and age, I find it hard to believe that there are very many people who absolutely cannot secure a valid ID card. At the risk of starting a moulage, I have to say - the ones who are howling about it the loudest are the same people who seem to have no trouble at all in securing WIC cards, food cards, Section 8 housing, welfare checks, ADC payments - you name it. Somehow, they manage to get to the proper offices and get that. Maybe they could just stop off at the ID window while they're there. However, I don't want to make the mistake of marginalizing anyone who genuinely cannot get it done. So, for those few - easy answer. They call in and request home assistance, and someone who is already on the payroll pays them a visit - a police officer, a social worker, whoever - and gets them signed up. Take along a little camera, get a mugshot, take the info back to the appropriate place and a card is issued. I know, that's too simple, doesn't fit in with government's requirement that everything must be complicated, so it will never happen. Do I believe that voter fraud takes place? You bet your booties I do. As I sit here without my income tax refund, wondering how someone got my name, SS# and DOB, and filed an income tax return using my identity - I have no problem at all believing that people are hijacking identities and voting.

MDC, I know what you mean about the feeling you get on election day. I like it too. However, around here the place is a madhouse on that day, as the whole city tries to vote at City Hall. There used to be a second location, at the City Playhouse, but they aren't using it this year. I can't stand that long in a line, it would take hours. On Tuesday, Eloise and I walked in, voted and walked out. Took about five minutes.

Well, guess I'll go rustle up some lunch. Maybe a grilled cheese sandwich? --Romeena
October 25, 2012 - Msg 90791: Looking back over what I said regarding social and welfare services, I think I need to add that I do not, in any way, begrudge those services for those who really need them. The sick, the disabled, the elderly, anyone who cannot work - certainly they need and deserve assistance. Also, people who have hit a rough patch and need a hand up. No problem with that. It can happen to anyone. I drop off food at the local food bank regularly, and take something to the boxes at my church just about every week. I pay a lot of taxes, and I contribute voluntarily to aid programs at church. I don't list these things to be recognized for it, because I'm only doing what God said we should do - to assist the poor and needy. There, but for the grace of God, go I.

I mention them only to justify my disgust with those who abuse the system, and they are legion. In the course of my employment, I encounter families who are generational-welfare recipients. Been on it for years, and years, and years. Grandma, mom, and kids, and extended family as well. They can afford piercings, huge tattoos, ipads, iphones, jewelry, laptops, and expensive cars, but they have no problem asking me to get the papers to sign the latest baby up on all the available services, and they'll ask me for extra bottles of formula to take home! Something is wrong with this system. It was never intended to be a generational lifestyle. It was meant to be a hand up, not a hand out.

You may have seen the email that mentioned the signs in our state parks - the ones that warn you not to feed the wildlife "because it will make them dependent and they will stop trying to fend for themselves." Hmmm. Kinda makes ya thank, don't it??

OK, enough of that. I just had to get it off my chest during this election time. --Romeena