February 24, 2015 - Msg 100772: Brrrr! Still cold here, going to get colder tonight, and prediction is for "wintry mix" precipitation in the morning. With that in mind, it's quite likely that we won't have our Internationals group tomorrow. No ESL classes. Many of our folks walk to the church, some from as far as a mile or so. Others drive or carpool, and they definitely do not like icy streets. They don't care for the cold, either, as most of them are from countries where the weather is very warm most of the time. Being from San Antonio, I understand and identify with that!

I know, you folks who are shoveling snow are snickering right now, at us canceling classes because of a little freezing drizzle, when you're up to your ears in snow, literally. I guess it's all in what you're used to, and more importantly, prepared for. Most of us here don't have clothing that's appropriate for such weather. No big heavy coats, mittens, boots, or any other shoes that would give good traction. No one spends a lot of money on such as that when it might - might, mind you - be worn once a year. It's cheaper to just stay home. To a Texas woman, a scarf isn't a thick woolen thing that wraps around your neck and up to your ears for warmth. Nope, it's a silky little thing that drapes and is held in place with a pretty pin, or it's one of those scrunchy crocheted lacy things that are so popular right now. Definitely not intended to keep you warm.

Oh well. This too shall pass. I won't mind at all staying home tomorrow and keeping Toye Starr warm. She camps in the entryway every day, waiting for the mail delivery, and on that tile, her little feet get cold. Every now and then she runs to find me, and asks to be picked up. Her little feet will be so cold, so I hold them in my hands until they warm up. Sometimes she goes to sleep while she's getting warm, and sometimes I do too, and we just nap for a while. Hard life, this retirement stuff! --Romeena
February 24, 2015 - Msg 100773: Well, I swept my end of the porch. If anybody else's needs shoveling, I'm afraid I can't do that. I'd be in traction for a month if I shoveled snow off the porch, or at least walking crooked. Could one of you big strong men help me out? --Romeena
February 24, 2015 - Msg 100774: Well Romeena, as they say a inch is as bad as a foot...Haha At this point it doesn't really matter how MUCH we get, but the fact we are REALLY getting tired of it all.... Maybe Toye Starr needs her own little "Wheeler" to kick back in when you are not around...lol
Romeena, I may not be big, or as strong as I use to be, but I can still shovel with the best of 'em so I will help, but it may just take a little extra time tho..

Continued prayers for MDC's Pop.....

G-F....
February 24, 2015 - Msg 100775: HI all. No real change in dad today. He mostly sleeps
and every once in a while he opens his eyes,
we sit him up and he drinks a little Ensure.
Also, I made the tough decision today to OK morphine use
if and when needed. All part of the cycle of life.
Just as there will never be another Andy or Barney, so to John must pass too. We are all at peace, and went thru similar with mom a while back. Being POA does add to the "drama" however!
RO--I wouldnt know which end of a snow shovel to hold! ha I remember your window view when we had that photo site..very cool.
BOO--WHERE ARE YOU??--Please check in.
TOM--you doing OK upon the frozen tundra?
Prayers for MAUdies family, and for SPOT with the storms. Fedexing some vittles.
Otis Campbell was on Hogan's Heroes tonight
as a factory owner! funny to see him in another role.
God bless,
MDC

February 25, 2015 - Msg 100776: SPOT, Possum, Maude, Lucy, Romeena.....The Ice Man Cometh....As they used to say on Hill Street Blues: "Be Careful Out There!!"....

MDC, Hang in there Buddy....Are you FedExing SPOT some vittles from "Adam's Ribs"? Just don't forget the extra sauce and the cole slaw!

G-F....
February 25, 2015 - Msg 100777: Dearborn Station GF? lol

Asa
February 25, 2015 - Msg 100778: Good morning, all you cold folks! It's 33° here, and a fine, light snow is sifting down, but not sticking. The ground is just wet, with a few little patches of ice left from a day or two ago. However, our streets are slick, and ESL classes have been canceled for today at the church. Most of the schools have delayed openings until 10 a.m. and we follow the schools' lead. So, we won't be meeting at all. By the time our parents would get their kids to school at 10, and get to the church, it would almost be time to dismiss. I'm glad, I really didn't want to get out today.

MDC, cherish these days with your dad. I know you do, and you'll have some good memories. Mostly, you'll have the joy of remembering that you were there for him, when he needed you.

Well, I need to go turn the thermostat up a little - I always turn it down a few degrees at night - but right now, it's cold in here! Makes my arthritis ache, so up it goes! Blessings, all. Stay warm. --Romeena

Awww, there's my pretty little downy, back on the suet cake! So sweet.
February 25, 2015 - Msg 100779: It's almost noon here on my porch, the little bit of snow and freezing rain has stopped, the snow is peeking out, and what little bit of ice is still left on the ground will be gone in an hour or so. The temp may hit 40° this afternoon. And so goes our "ice storm." Ha!

As soon as the feeding stones finish drying off, I'll go put out some seed and some old cereal for my little backyard visitors. Not much left out there right now but the remains of the suet cake, and the way the downies are visiting it, it will soon be gone as well. They sure do like those things, especially when the weather is cold. I know some people make their own, but I've never done that. It involves mixing lard or bacon drippings, peanut butter, cornmeal, and maybe finely chopped nuts or berries, and pressing it into molds. Very messy, and costs as much or more than buying them. I get mine at Lowe's for 99 cents. Hard to beat that, I think.

I've had to put my wrist brace on my left wrist today. Arthritis has it so sore I can hardly stand to use it, but I can type as long as I have the brace on to keep me from bending the wrist at all. A bit awkward. It's so sore because I mouse left-handed, and have been on the computer pretty steady the last few days. So now I'm mousing right-handed. I can do it - I'm pretty much ambidextrous, can switch hands for just about anything I do, but mousing left-handed is my preference. Oh well, this too shall pass.

Well, guess I'll go rustle up some lunch. Stay warm, folks. --Romeena
February 25, 2015 - Msg 100780: Hahaha! "The snow is peeking out?" That should read "the sun is peeking out." What was I thinking? --Romeena
February 25, 2015 - Msg 100781:
Slow day on the porch. Everyone must still be
thawing out. Not much difference today with dad.
I think it is just watch and wait now. I have asked the Lord why, but then I say your will be done.
I watched the Jubel Foster ep on ME-TV tonight.
But how could barney drink that full ladle and not
know it was moonshine til it was all gone?
Have a good evening all,
MDC
February 26, 2015 - Msg 100782: Thanks for the vittles gang..back here for anothjer round...hope to get this winter thang wrapped up this afternoon...food welcome...SPOT
February 26, 2015 - Msg 100783: Good morning porch. And good day to you all. I hope and pray it will be a wonderful one.

Prayers continue for your Dad MDC. I know these are tough days for you, but as you said, His will be done. Hang in there my friend. I know what you mean about Barney chugging that moonshine down and not realizing it earlier. I always thought it was funny how fast Barney would get smashed on just a few drinks, not just in this episode but a few others as well. I guess we can just chalk it up to being so slender and high spirited and having an immediate liver reaction. lol But I always thought he played the drunk role very well. What a clever chap he was.

I hope everyone is drying out and warming up some. We have been a bit more wintery here, but not much. In just a few days we can put February to bed and welcome March. I am on board with that.

Sorry about your sore wrist Romeena. Aches and pains are here to stay for us all I reckon. I heard a feller say once that the "golden years" sure have a lotta lead in them. ;)

Well better get moving. My back is doing much better finally, thank you Lord. Still takes a minute to straighten up after sitting for any length of time, but after a minute all is well. I have noticed a lot of improvement the last couple of days. Thanks for the prayers for me and for Stacey also. She finally had to give in and start taking Zofran for her upset stomach. She has not been able to keep anything down for a week and lost 8 pounds in two weeks. She's a tiny little thing to start with, so she knew this wouldn't work. But she said she is feeling much better today and has been able to eat and drink water.

Prayers for you all friends.

Asa
February 26, 2015 - Msg 100784: Yay! Stacey is feeling better! And praises for the improvement in your back as well, Asa. My wrist is pretty good as long as I keep the brace on, but when I take it off and move the wrist around it sure does hurt! Swollen, too. Arthritis is just so annoying.

Well, got a home health call to make, so guess I'd better run. Catch you later. --Romeena
February 26, 2015 - Msg 100785: I'm with ya on the Arthritis stuff Romeena, that Art guy sure can be a pain at times...LITERALLY!!....G-F
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100786: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81HOHEfuKic

Run Forrest Run.... I think folks in MDC's city were busy yesterday chasing down those run-a-way Llamas. I wonder if that was MDC who got out the lasso and caught them... Fun times! Back here all we hear about is SNOW...We could use a good run-a-way Llama story right about now.
The neighbors 2 dogs did get out of their pen the other day and they had to chase them down the street, so I guess that was fun to watch?

G-F....
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100787: Funny, funny stuff! That newscaster is great. Keeping up unscripted patter like that for so long is not easy, even with a made-to-order situation like runaway llamas. Thanks for sharing, G-F. Very interesting!

Oh, about your neighbor's dogs - I think if I was a dog kept locked up in a pen all the time, I'd run away too, if I got the chance. What a boring, unhappy existence - can't really call it a life.

Well, our ridiculous weather is at it again. It's 26° and snowing. Real snow! Not just that fine, sugary stuff we had a couple of days ago. We've got real flakes, just drifting down. It's getting pretty. I can see about a half inch on top of a flat stump, so guess that's a fairly accurate measure.

The shrubs beneath my window are just full of little birds, the red-bellied woodpekker is back at the suet feeder, and feeding stones are crowded with a mixture of small birds. Yesterday evening I put out seed, about six slices of stale bread, knowing they all come in to feed very early in the morning, and that's all gone. I should go put out more seed and some corn, and maybe I will, but I'm in the middle of a very mild attack of vertigo. I've been dizzy since yesterday morning. As long as I'm fairly still, it's okay, but moving around stirs it up. I'd hate to go out there and get dizzy and fall. That snowy backyard wouldn't be a very comfortable place. If I do decide to go out, I'll carry a phone with me.

Hmmm. Dizzy spells, brace on an arthritic wrist, haven't worn high heels in years, insulin-dependent diabetic, pacemaker, silver hair, lazy and don't care - I declare, if I didn't know better, I'd think I was getting old.

Well, guess I'll go feed my little roommate. Boy, the snow is really coming down now. So pretty! --Romeena
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100788: Well all snow finally gone here in ga...whew...hey Romeena feed that roommate !..hey GF,possum,asa,Boo,MDC and all ...let me read archives...Boo and I will treat at Longhorn for lunch SPOT
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100789: Romeena, I know what you mean about the outside dogs, I feel sorry for any critters left outside in cold weather. As for you...Be careful, stay inside... All your critters can get by a day or so, they can just ask for government hand-outs to get by...haha

G-F...again
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100790: Hey Y'all- I am seeing condolences posted on MDC's Facebook page,so while I have yet to see "official verification", I believe his dad has passed.
Prayers for MDC and family.

*****************
possum under a rock
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100791: I was just on Facebook and saw that MDC's father passed early this morning. Praying for you! (P.S. I'm still off of FB, technically, but went on for work to see if there was any updates, and as I went on he posted. I normally do not look at anyone's wall or my news feed, but it was there).

Spot, I only got an inch on Tuesday and nothing on Wednesday. That sure was disappointing, though I'm glad not have gotten any ice.
Romeena, my red-bellied woodpeckers, as well as a few other breeds, have been enjoying my suet. I was so excited to see cardinals and robins all over this week.
Asa, glad your back is better! Poor Stacey, upset tummies are no fun.
G-F, I like your government hand-out joke, but I wish it was a joke! Did you see that the FCC is thinking of making the internet private?! It's like Communist China or North Korea!

I know this is a different post, but if you have a Chick-fil-A near you, they're giving away free coffee (including flavored) all month, which of course ends tomorrow. I've been off social media so I'm completely out of the loop! It's pretty tasty, at least the vanilla iced coffee that I got today is, so go tomorrow and get some.

If y'all wouldn't mind adding my job to your prayers. My contract is up next month, and I am not sure if I it will be renewed. It's a fairly easy job, and not something I particularly care to do forever, but it is good for now as I can work from home. I'd appreciate it!

Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100792: HI Porch friends, yes, dear old dad did pass this morning at 5:30, going peacefully in his sleep. He was 96, and just two months shy of 97. RO, has spoken of her dad in the past, and all I can say is ditto to it all with mine. A family could not have asked for a better man to be a dad!! I could go on
forever about him, but let's just say that I hope i have learned from him how to live, how to love God, and how to pass gracefully from this life to the next. Thanks for all your prayers over the years.
Feel free to continue to talk about "porch stuff," as life goes on.
In fact, I'll say to RO...be careful out there with your terrific weather!!
take care, Steve AKA mdc :)
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100793: MDC, So sorry for your loss, your Pop's was one of the "Greatest Generation" they will be truly missed... Here is a link I think you will find fitting. My Son and I were privileged to be at the event, it was quite moving, hope it can give you some peace... Hang in there my friend..

G-F...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQvRSh4sB8M
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100794: Good afternoon, porch. MDC, I will not say I'm sorry to learn of your dad's passing. It was his time, and from what you've told us, I believe it was what he wanted. I know that was so with my own dad. Your dad is now safe at home, and beyond any of the misery this world can deliver. Rejoice for him. I know you will. One word of caution. You are going to experience a sense of relief now that you no longer have the responsibility of taking care of him. Do not guilt yourself over that. Remember that the relief you feel is also composed of relief that he is no longer in any pain or suffering of any kind. It's good, it's natural, and you're entitled to it. Thank God that you had the opportunity to share those last days with him. They were a gift.

It's still snowing lightly. I think we've gotten at least two inches, and more is coming tonight. It's so beautiful. I have ventured out to the feeding stones once, and once again, they're picked clean, so I guess I'll make one more trip. I found a bag of dried currants in the fridge that were a little old, so I scattered them. The birds descended and ate them almost before I got back in the house! The squirrels have stayed holed up today, haven't seen a single one and there are no visible tracks in the snow. I'm glad I fed everyone well yesterday, so they can make it through without eating. They don't seem inclined to get into the snow. It may be that it wets their fur too much so they stay where it's dry. I'll bet there's one in each of my five nest boxes. There's another box on the ground at the base of a tree. It was knocked down by a falling limb a while back, and I haven't found anyone to climb up and rehang it. I have a twelve-foot ladder, so it could be mounted at about fifteen feet, but you can bet your little boots I'm not going up that ladder!

I had a can of Progresso brand chicken noodle soup with rosemary, for lunch, and it was really good! I've never bought it before, usually buy Campbell's soups, but that particular soup was just very tasty. Supposedly only 100 calories, too. I guess advertising pays.

Later, taters. Stay warm. --Romeena
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100795: Speaking of taters - I've got a big old Irish potato in the fridge, some cheese, and some sour cream. I've also got some onion to chop and sauté in some butter, with some chives and garlic added. By the time I get through with that potato, it's going to be fantastic! Yum! --Romeena
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100796: Rest Well, Daddy MDC..

possum again
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100797: So very sorry for your loss Steve, but am relieved for him to be back home. Prayers for peace and comfort for you and your family my friend.

Asa
February 27, 2015 - Msg 100798: Steve, dear friend...I know the Lord is with you and I pray his grace will comfort you now and always. I cry with you, but also rejoice with you...all suffering is over and now he is full if joy. Thank you for being such a loving son to a great man who served his country so well, and thank you for sharing him with us. He will be missed.

Love Your Sister in Christ,
Julie (Boo)
February 28, 2015 - Msg 100799: Very well said, Boo. It's good to hear from you. I can only assume that you've been terribly busy, because we haven't seen much of you lately. How goes the new job? And how is Sean? How is Bruce faring? Is Erin well - I know she gets sick so easily, and this flip-flop weather we've been having doesn't help.

Our snow has stayed on the ground, because the temp has remained around 27° all day. More light snow is predicted again around 4 a.m., but after that, the temp is expected to go above freezing, so I guess it will begin to melt. Sure is pretty right now, though.

Well, it's late, guess I'll turn in. I wonder if my internal clock will ever reset, after working night shift for so long. It's been a couple of years now since I left work, you'd think I'd be on a normal schedule by now. Oh well. I don't have get up early very often, so it doesn't matter. I stay up until I'm sleepy, go to bed when I decide to, and sleep until I'm ready to get up. Sunday and Wednesday, I have to be at the church by 9:30, and the rest of the time, if I have to make any appointments, I just make them for late morning or in the afternoon. Works for me. Blessings, friends. Have a good night. --Romeena
February 28, 2015 - Msg 100800: MDC great post on FB...he lived a FULL life...prayers my friend SPOT
February 28, 2015 - Msg 100801: Yes, Ro. I have been working a lot. Just finished a six day stretch but am finally off tomorrow. The job is good enough..still trying to learn all the paperwork. You wouldn't believe how much documentation and so redundant. Love the folks I work with, though. I have admitted so many kids to the facility and they are so sad. It's tough sometimes.

Sean is doing well in school and working part time for a lawn service. Erin is doing well and staying well, thankfully. Bruce is fine and being Mr. Mom while I am at work.

Well I am pooped and need a nap. Wish it was snowing here like in Dallas. Its just raining here. :(

Boo
February 28, 2015 - Msg 100802:
MDC, I offer my deepest sympathies upon the passing of your dear father. He is very lucky to have lived so long and you are very lucky to have been with him for so long.
Paul Overstreet is a favorite christian country singer of mine. Enjoy the following video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVeml28Eo3w

from Poor Horatio
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100803: Prayers for you and your family, MDC. I hope I have the same strength and peace that you have shown when my dad(or mom) passes. God's Blessings to you, friend.

-Sterling Holobyte


March 01, 2015 - Msg 100804: Romeena, isn't that Progresso good? I just made some of the chicken noodle for Kai and Noah before I even saw your post about it, and I ate some of Noah's with him. He gobbled it up(except for the carrots) so it must be good. He's a pretty picky eater.

Boy, now it's llama's running rampant around your area, MDC?? Didn't you have a chihuahua infestation just a while back? What's next, penguins? ;-)

Oh btw, I didn't end up taking Noah to the doctor for his, uh, bowel problem. I think maybe he got it all out, because he wasn't hopping around like a bunny rabbit Sunday night or Monday morning, so I just figured I would start giving him some Miralax(after calling the doctor and speaking to a nurse and a pharmacist about dosage). I have started out with small amounts as recommended, and it hasn't started anything... flowing this week, so I may have to up the dosage a little.

Well, that's about it for the Reader's "Digest" for now.

Boo, good to hear from you and glad things are going well.

Have a Blessed Sunday, everyone. Will say a special prayer for your dad and family, MDC.

-Sterling Holobyte
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100805: Hello everyone. Thank you for all your kind words and prayers. I am doing pretty well today. Friday night I slept about 12 hours and soundly for the first time in years! It was like a huge load had been lifted from my back. This POA stuff aint all that its cracked up to be, (or maybe it IS.) Very tough decisions to make toward the end. Now there is the funeral to work out, notifying SS and VA to stop benefits, etc. I havent really had a good cry yet, but with my moms death, it was also delayed. I think once all this "stuff" gets done, it will happen.
The llama thing was pretty funny for sure. Loved all the cute things being said like "I'll-packa" my bags for AZ etc.
BOO-good to hear from you, and that all is well on the home front.
We expect rain here tomorrow, and it may be headed your way soon.
God bless all. Have a good Sabbath, love you,
MDC

March 01, 2015 - Msg 100806: Good evening, porch. MDC, I fully understand what you're saying. I was POA for my dad too, and it's a big job. Fortunately, Daddy had put me on all his bank accounts as a co-signer, so that smoothed things out a little. As for the emotional side of it, it will come when it needs to come. Just go with the flow. You'll find you have the strength you need when you need it, because you've long ago placed things in God's hands. He'll be there when you need Him.

Sterling, I hesitate to mention this, since you seem to have a handle on Noah's problem, and have spoken with his doctor, but our newspaper recently ran an article about Miralax that has raised some doubt for me. You may have already researched it online, but if not, just Google "Miralax for children." There are a lot of articles there, all very interesting. The jury is still out, but there is a lot of disturbing anecdotal evidence. I have been wracking my brain, trying to remember the name of the children's laxative I gave my kids, back in the dark ages, and finally remembered. It was Fletcher's Castoria. I looked for it online and found Fletcher's Children's Laxative, which appears to be the same thing, just renamed. The description, with the root beer flavor, etc., sounds like the old product. It worked for my kids, and you can develop a daily routine with it, to keep the works working until the problem resolves. Just talk with your doc, do a little research, and do what seems best to you.

On a barely-related note - about 16 years ago, I was having a lot of trouble with fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath at the slightest activity. My cardiologist (a very well-respected man, and one I had worked with for years) ran tests and found that my cardiac ejection fraction was just 38%. Not enough! He attributed it to my known cardiomyopathy, and not much to be done about it except take lanoxin. A nurse friend with a similar problem told me about Co-Q-10 and said she was taking it and felt so much better. It's over the counter, so I got some and tried it. I asked my doc about it, he just smiled and said, "It's voodoo, won't help, but it won't hurt you, so take it if you want to."

I started taking it, felt so much better, and six months later my doc did another echocardiogram, which found my ejection fraction to be at 58%, almost normal. He asked if I was still taking the Co-Q-10, and I said I was. His response? "Don't stop. In fact, start taking it twice a day." I've done very well ever since, and I do not fail to take that little capsule, twice a day.

The moral of that little story is simple. Doctors are people too, and sometimes things that are drummed into their heads in med school will resist new information, especially if there are no hard, factual studies that outright prove the premise. These days, Co-Q-10 is accepted and often prescribed, but there was a time when the only thing it had to recommend it was anecdotal evidence, and doctors called it "voodoo."

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100807: P.S. - About three months after the much-improved echocardiogram, my doctor took me off Lanoxin, as I no longer needed it. In case someone doesn't know, Lanoxin is a trade name for digitalis, which forces the heart to beat stronger, whether it feels like it or not. It works, up to a point, for a while, then the heart will eventually just give out. On the other hand, Co-Q-10 supplies the heart with an enzyme it needs in order to have the strength to beat the way it wants to, and should. By the way, Coenzyme-Q-10 is produced naturally in our bodies, but sometimes not enough. Also, statin drugs are known and documented to deplete it, so if you take statins, you might ask your doc about taking Co-Q-10. After all, like my doc said at first - it won't hurt you. --Romeena
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100808: Good morning gang...prayers MDC and great pics of yer pop on FB..just a great story !..well Boo you want to treat this bunch at I-HOP ?..im here at work keeping the Church lights on today...gona find a good sernon on the Tube...may surf...hey Romeena that tater sounds great ..a Loaded tater ! get it...hey Possum,asa,Lucy,SH,Ph,GF and all...seems like there are alot of porchsters missing...ok..time to check my screens and run some reports...prayers and its NASCAR day in the ATL. !SPOT
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100809: Good Sabbath friends. I hope you all have a blessed Sabbath day.

Good to see you Boo. I surely do miss seeing you here. I am glad things are going well for you and your family.

Glad you got some rest MDC. I can only imagine what you have been going through with that POA. Hopefully your family has been supportive of your decisions. That helps for sure. My prayers in your behalf continue. I have experienced that same delayed reaction you speak about. It seems to take a week or so when it really sets in. I am glad you have your faith to lean on.

That is very interesting info concerning the Co-Q-10 Romeena. I might have to consider taking it. My numbers are good, but I ain't a spring chicken anymore either. I have always exercised frequently, but with my back and gout issues have found it hard to do as often as I would like.

Glad to hear Noah is "flowing" Sterling. As Romeena was talking about the stuff she used to give her young-uns, I remembered a product I was given as a kid. One I bet some of you are familiar with. I am talking about Paragoric. Anyone remember that? I declare that seemed to be the "magic cure all" in our home. And I suspect my folks also used it as a tool to see if I was really ailing or just faking. The threat of Paragoric would always make me an honest feller. :)

Well better get out of this "Wheeler" and get ready for preachin.

Good to see you Lucy. I will surely add you and your job to my prayer list.

Asa
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100810: Thanks to Mother Nature she left 6" of "LOVE" for me to shovel this morning, and more to come through out the day.. Unlike the commercial, I'm not "McLovin' it!"....

One thing Romeena, my squirrels don't have to jump up to get to the bird feeder, with the snow piles they have a walk-up window to the feeder...haha

MDC, Glad to see you popped in for a minuet, hang in there Buddy...

TOM, You doing Ok? We haven't heard from you for awhile, hope your just hunkered down, and not ailing...

SPOT, Are they running snow tires today at the race? With this crazy weather ya never know.

PH...Good Link!

Asa, Paragoric was our generations version of "Cod Liver Oil"...lol

Later...G-F
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100811: Good morning, porch! Ahh, yes. Good ol' paregoric! It was given to me, and in turn, I gave it to my kids. Worked wonders for colic in babies, and for toddlers and older kids, it would calm a bellyache and stop diarrhea. I should think it would! It's an opiate, closely related to morphine! It stopped the pain, made the kid sleepy, and slowed the function of the intestines, which of course is what stopped the cramping. Yep, it worked, and many a kid dozed off to sleep in an opiate-fueled haze. It's not prescribed anywhere near as freely as it once was, and it's probably a good thing. Laawww, the things we used to give our kids!

Well, I'm off to preachin'. It's 34° here, looks like rain, which will melt all our snow, I guess. It's getting pretty tattered-looking anyway, lots of brown grass poking through. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100812: Oh my gosh...I can vividly recall the taste & smell of Paregoric! Yuck!

Continued prayers, Steve.

************
possum u.a.r.
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100813: Yep Possum, Paregoric, it sotra tastes like a Hot Licorice Whip...lol Had to omit, we did give it to our kids too, especially my Son, he had colic real bad as a baby, (maybe that is why he is such a lay'd back kinda guy today) lol... He use to cry out as they say, "bloody murder" from being in so much pain... I suppose that is why he hates black licorice to this day....

Romeena, I think PBS puts those gardening shows on TV this time of the year just to torture me..I suppose there is brown grass or dirt under all this snow,...You Think? One good thing we change to Daylight Savings Time next week so that may help some...

G-F again
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100814: Thank you for your concern, Romeena. Yes, I too read some people's stories about their children having bad effects from Miralax, but I just saw many more positive ones, from parents and doctors. That, and the fact that the bad stories sounded a lot like the same stuff that a lot of people blame on vaccinations, made it look to me like the good outweighed the bad.
Don't worry, though, I am careful with giving medication to my kids. Always have been. In fact, I would rather not give them drugs if I can at all help it.
It's funny that you mention Fletcher's Castoria. My mom used to give that to us, and I always remember hating just the thought of it because the name always reminded me of Castor Oil, which I never had but always heard how bad it was, mostly from watching the Little Rascals. In fact, my mom still has that same bottle of Castoria in her medicine cabinet. I don't remember it smelling like root beer though. It always smelled like strong licorice to me, and if I remember correctly it tasted like it too. When I was over at my parents' house recently, I even tried to open up the bottle to get a reminder of that scent, but the cap was too fused to the bottle.
Now that you mentioned it, though, I am going to look into getting some of that, and use that instead of the Miralax. Like I said, I have read and heard from professionals that Miralax is safe, as long as you give the appropriate dosage, but something more natural like Castoria would give me more piece of mind, especially knowing it was trusted by moms for such a long time. Thanks for reminding me of that product. I didn't even know they still made it.

I brought Noah to church with me today, and he was a regular angel. He sat still, was polite, prayed with us, and I am sure he would have sung the hymns if he would have known the words. He likes to put on his own little sermons at home(in his own words), so I thought he might like to hear it from a real preacher's mouth. Of course, he fell asleep during the pastor's sermon, but I don't think that was the fault of the pastor. :-)

You all have a Blessed day.

-Sterling Holobyte
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100815:
With all this talk about laxatives, allow me to express what works for me. If I don't have a regular bowel movement, the ingredient "sugar alcohol" is what I prefer. I find this ingredient in "no sugar added" apple pies and "no sugar added" dark chocolate wafers that I can purchase near my home.
The strange thing about "sugar alcohol" is the name because according to http://www.foodinsight.org/Sugar_Alcohols_Fac
t_Sheet , it is neither a sugar nor an alcohol.
Therefore, it is not as harmful as sugars or alcohols.

G-F, I'm glad you liked that Paul Overstreet song. I play it whenever I'm thinking about my own father (may he rest in peace).
And when I'm thinking about both my father and mother (may they rest in peace), I listen to the following Tanya Tucker song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aoe6dGPlp1M

from Poor Horatio
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100816:
Oops, that link is incomplete. Here is the good link http://www.foodinsight.org/Sugar_Alcohols_Fact_Sheet

from Poor Horatio
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100817: While we are reminiscing... How about "VICKS VAPO RUB" I know that has a different meaning here on the porch, (before MY rockin' time) but it works!

Ok Mother Nature...I GIVE UP! U-N-C-L-E! that last 3" I just shoveled was WET & HEAVY. Now back to watching the race...

G-Fed-Up.....


March 01, 2015 - Msg 100818: G-Fed Up. LOL Good one buddy. Sorry you are getting all that winter stuff. But it's March 1st so it can't last much longer. Hunker down in that "Wheeler" buddy, and just let your mind go blank.

I was pretty sure most of you would remember paregoric. I was mentioning it to some twenty something folks who work at the parts place I frequent and none of them had ever even heard of it. What sheltered lives they have lived. :)

Asa
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100819: Oh, and this one is for our Northern buddy, P.H. Gordy is my all time favorite song writer/performer.http://youtu.be/JVG2eF40hzE

March 01, 2015 - Msg 100820: Asa, Gordon was a good one, Especially the wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald. By the way I saw the Edmond Fitz go through the locks at Sault St. Marie Michigan the last time before she sunk. She was on her way to pick up her final load for the season. She was a very BIG ship I don't think you could have gotten a piece of paper between her and the locks. My Aunt & Uncle had a cabin in Michigan, I took a trip to the U.P. that day just by chance, sorta glad I could say I saw her....

G-Frozen....
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100821:
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is my favorite Gordon Lightfoot song. Until I first heard that song back in 1976, I had never heard of the ship Edmund Fitzgerald.
I have experienced stormy conditions both from the shoreline and while at sea. When I used to live near Lake Michigan, I have watched tall waves come crashing on to the shoreline during a storm. And while serving aboard a Navy ship, we were able to avoid all storms except for one. We were cruising through the South China Sea going from our base in the Philippines to Hong Kong for five days of rest and recuperation. Suddenly, a storm appeared in our path that we could not avoid. We sustained enough damage to the ship that forced our return to the shipyard in the Philippines. As a result, I have a deep respect for the forces of nature. When the oceans and lakes are calm, they can be a wonderful and tranquil sight. But when they get churned up by nature, they can create tremendous and dangerous conditions that need to be heeded. I guess that is why I get chills hearing this song.
Rest in peace to the 29 men who went down with the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgI8bta-7aw

from Poor Horatio
March 01, 2015 - Msg 100822: Good evening, porch. I like that song, too. Touches something deep in the soul, I guess.

Well, a fine mess I've gotten myself into. I fell asleep in my chair this afternoon, and when I awoke and started to get up, a muscle spasm hit my back, all along the left side around the bottom of my rib cage, and it hasn't let up yet! I can hardly move. I look, and feel, like Emma and I'm definitely walking crooked. Sure does hurt. I've got an Rx for a muscle relaxer, left over after my back surgery. I only took it once, so there are 29 pills in there. If they haven't expired, I may take one, but will have to wait until I go to bed, because I know how dizzy they'll make me. I wish I could take medications like the rest of the world, but I just can't. Absolutely everything makes me dizzy, and usually nauseated as well. The occasional Tylenol tablet is okay, and one Advil once in a while works, but anything more than that and my liver enzymes and kidney function numbers start to shift. I guess I wouldn't have made a very good junkie.

Oh well. This too shall pass. A good night's sleep on my beloved Tempurpedic bed will fix it, I'm sure. I may walk crooked, but at least I can walk. There are those who can't, God bless them.

I'm just looking forward to warm weather. Maybe these aches and pains will subside. My left wrist is so sore I can't pick up a tea glass, and naturally, my lamp table is on the left side of my chair. I may have to break down and take an Advil at bedtime, and my kidneys will just have to cope. Fortunately, because I practically never take anything like that, when I do, it really works well. I know people who eat Tylenol and Advil like tic-tacs. I think I'd probably explode if I tried that! Anesthesia hits me hard, too. I always warn the anesthesiologist, and make a believer out of him or her, before I go into surgery. So they start out with half-doses, and after I wake up, they come around say "Boy, were you ever right! I pushed the half-dose of propophol and you went out like a light!" Yep, that would be me.

Well, enough of my whining. Tomorrow will be a better day. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
March 02, 2015 - Msg 100823: You're entitled to whine a little, Romeena, and from what I know about back pain, you're not exaggerating the discomfort. I feel for you, and I hope you are a lot better when you wake up this morning. Don't know what kind of chair you have, but I am guessing a recliner, all soft and puffy. Just the kind of thing my physical therapist warned me about, because it doesn't give the back proper support. I haven't sat in a recliner or on a couch since the episode with my own back. Haven't had a recurrence either, thank the Lord.
But I could be making a mountain over a molehill regarding your situation. I don't know if you have too many problems anymore with your back, and as long as you don't stay in your chair too long(like falling asleep in it) you may be fine. I know for me, I am still looking for a firmer recliner, so maybe I could once again lay back on one. Though I am the kind of guy who doesn't want to mess with something that works, and what I am doing now seems to be working.
Anyway, I am rambling. Prayers that your back will be fine, or at least better, when you get up.

Night all!

-Sterling Holobyte
March 02, 2015 - Msg 100824: Good morning all.

Romeena, I also hope a night in your bed has your back feeling better. It sounds like you and Barney have the same const-itution, an immediate liver reaction to drink or drugs. lol

I don't know how many times I have seen Gordon perform in person. Many for sure. Anytime he is in Salt Lake. It saddens me to see how age is catching up to him. I know he almost died a few years back from some internal bleeding. But survived. Oh well, I guess non of us alive are immune to old age. I wonder what causes that?

Sterling, a firm recliner? Why that's blasphemy! lol

Well I am fighting the start of a cold it feels like. A bit of a cough, that coating of the tongue. Sneezing a bit. Time to load up on the Vit. C, Zinc, and echinacia. I swear by the stuff if I get on it early enough. If that don't work, maybe I'll down a bottle of paregoric, and anchor down in my "Wheeler". :)

Prayers for all.

Asa