August 17, 2015 - Msg 102346: Romeena, you TRUELY are one of my kind!..lol. Yep, ya gotta have fresh white bread for peanut butter or bologna sammiches... 🍞 That goes for BLT's too!.....

G-F
August 17, 2015 - Msg 102347: Shaaaazam! I done went and swept too!...
August 17, 2015 - Msg 102348:
Sterling Holobyte, I have no children and have no extensive experience raising children. However, as a childless adult, I did help out my nephew's family by attending "Tough Love" support group meetings during some of their difficult and frustrating experiences. I have learned that when you try to prove to a child that you are looking out for their best interest and hopefully prevent them from making the same bad choices you made as a kid, sometimes getting involved makes them rebel even more. The sad part is that often they don't realize this until they become a parent.
Below are some links that might interest you.
http://www.toughlove.com/
https://groups.psychologytoday.com/rms/prof_search.php
http://www.ibelieve.com/motherhood/christians-it-s-ok-to-send-your-kids-to-public-school.html

G-F, as for bluegrass music, I prefer a slower tempo, something like this ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALcdFAAojt4

TOM's absence has me concerned. His last post here on the Front Porch was "June 25, 2015 - Msg 101752". Has anyone received any responses after posting to his Facebook page or through email? If I had more contact info, I could conduct my own internet investigation.

Welcome back from vacation Mr & Mrs SPOT.

from Poor Horatio
August 17, 2015 - Msg 102349: Thanks for those links, Poor Horatio. And it is nice to see you back!

-Sterling Holobyte
August 17, 2015 - Msg 102350: PH, glad to see you back rock in' we were getting worried about you too Buddy! It's good to have out PH app back!
Alison Krauss is one if my favorites too. Her Dobro player Jerry Douglas is from my neck of the woods Warren OH. That boy sure can play that thing!...

G-F...
August 17, 2015 - Msg 102351: Hey, porch! Good news! I found Tom's phone number, called him, and he's fine. His computer is broken, and he hasn't been able to get it fixed or replaced. I think he was pleased that we were concerned, and asked me to be sure to tell the porch that he's okay. Anybody got any ideas??

Well, guess I'd better go feed little Starr, and myself. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
August 17, 2015 - Msg 102352: Before I do that - welcome back, PH. We missed you.

Sterling, I hear your concerns, and they're valid. For what it's worth, Kai is right smack in the middle of the years that are so difficult with teenagers. Much of the rebellion and moodiness you're seeing now is normal, but that doesn't make it any easier to live with. I raised two daughters, I know whereof I speak! Remember Proverbs 22:6 -- "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." No, even though it sounds like it, this is not a guarantee, and was never meant to be. It's a proverb, by definition it states something that's accepted as a general truth. There are no guarantees, because we each are granted free will by the Creator, and therefore no one controls it, not even God himself. However, I've watched the truth of this play out in the lives of my own children. They each, to varying degrees, have strayed from what they were taught, and they each, one by one, have returned. Trust Kai, don't panic, cut her a little slack, and pray. Keep communication going, let her know that you're not judging her, and always be her "safe place." And watch that school like a hawk. It was tough enough when my own were in school, all those years ago, and I know it's true that there are some nutty things being taught these days. Just be sure that you don't embarrass her if you have to challenge something. Do it quietly. You have my prayers.

Blessings, porch. --Romeena
August 18, 2015 - Msg 102353: Aghhh! I just wrote a long post and hit Reset instead of Post Comments!!! mdc
I'll try again tomorrow. dang
August 18, 2015 - Msg 102354: Main part was to Sterling. I agree with others, just let her go, and then you go at 12 and walk around with her, and maybe ask "any questions about orientation?" or something like that. More tomorrow. MDC
August 18, 2015 - Msg 102355: Good morning, porch. PH, that third link you posted up there was just excellent! I read the article, and found it reassuring and informative, and if I was struggling with the issue of the education of a child these days, it would help me a lot! Good job!

Well, gotta get moving. Eloise and I are going out to a Michael's store to see if I can find the mosaic glass pieces I want, to tile my new birdbath bowl with. They have them online, but I'd like to see the real thing before I buy them. Robbi and Richard went to a great deal of trouble to find the bowl and bring it to me, and I want to do it justice. Eloise has her little 5-yr old great-granddaughter with her, so this should be interesting. Beautiful little girl, with such a sweet little heart, and the energy of an electric chihuahua. She is absolutely never, ever still. I hope the two of us will be able to keep up with her! I imagine we'll be a bit frazzled by the time this day is over. --Romeena
August 18, 2015 - Msg 102356: Wow. Do I know how to dangle a participle, or what? "To tile my new birdbath bowl WITH?" Eeek. --Romeena
August 18, 2015 - Msg 102357: Here ya go Romeena, maybe Otis's artwork will inspire you. But just don't take his advice.....
Listen to Warren, he says everyone needs a safety valve...lol.....G-F

http://youtu.be/ssK_eciDAAc


August 18, 2015 - Msg 102358: Hey folks, long time, no talk to. Been looking for that elusive first tenor for the next concert. Hope all is well on the Porch. Best wishes

John Masters
August 18, 2015 - Msg 102359: Well hello John,Romeena,possum and PH and all...whew hee at work...storms got alot of people out of power send food SPOT
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102360: Hello Front Porch: i just seen Mr. Schrumpf in the "Welsh Rarebit" episode on Gomer Pyle. Frank Meyers
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102361: HI Frank, good to see you back! Back in the day I thought Gomer was saying RABBIT! ha
ROmeena--did you ever see my second nurse question?
And how did you like that "English" language email that i forwarded to you? ha
I hope all went well with the 5 year old!
We have broken FIVE records here in the last 5 days. Three were for high LOWS, as in 92 for overnight LOWS! yup. But today it was only 106 out, 30% humidity, and will be that for the next few days.
GF--thanks for those posts. I'm a big fan of RV.
Bet she sang good.
STERLING--one other thing...you have been very open about your home life here, and about some of the family tension. Kai has seen that/lived that, and maybe just wants some space. Has she ever gone down for an altar call or to be baptized? Maybe you could ask the youth pastor
how she is during the wed nite times. You will all be in my prayers.
Keep cool all,
MDC
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102362: Morning porch, hope everyone is doing good today.

at work and getting my day started. its a rainy week on my end of the porch. It supposed to clear up in time for the Bristol Race this week end. been seeing a lot of campers rolling in to the area.

not much to report from my end of the porch. Patrick is back in Cookeville for school to start next week and Beth will start on Monday as well.

Sterling, I agree with the others, you should let Kai attend orientation on her own and then she can tell you about what she learned. You go to the parent orientation and ask questions. this is the aged we gotta let go a bit and not let them know we are hoovering. I agree with MDC, speak with the youth pastor. Teen aged girls can have attitude, roll their eyes and huff and puff. They need us but don't want us to know they need us.The more we push they more they push back. Beth went thru that as well. we survived those years and she has turned into a fine 21 year old young woman. Will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

good to see SPOT,Romeena,John Masters,MDC,G-F, Sterling and everyone else as well.

Ok back to work. lunch menu will be: BBQ sandwhich, chips, SLAW and chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Prayers and blessings to call.
Big Maude
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102363: Hey MDC, you sound like a broken record when you talk about the record breaking temperatures...lol. Hope ya get some relief soon Buddy!

Glad to hear TOM is ok, but you're asking the wrong guy when it comes to fixing computers. My best suggestion is a 🔨 hammer!....

Asa, you doing Ok? You've been quite lately....

I suppose Possum is under her rocks trying to stay cool....

Sterling, hang in there too, As Romeena said also, those years are hard on all who are involved, but you all will get thru it. I think MDC gave some good advice too..

G-F...
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102364: Hey to Big Maude too, she popped in whilest I was posting. Hope her and Mr. Maude can make it back to M/D's again this year....G-F again
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102365: Good morning, porch. We had a light shower of rain this morning, still looks cloudy, may get a little more. I sure do hope so. I feel a little silly, hoping for rain, after all the endless rain we had, and the flooding. Actually, some of the flooded areas are just now drying out, but the higher ground has been dry for some time, and the grass is brown everywhere. It's so hot! At least the lakes and reservoirs are full, and they had been at critically low levels for a long time.

MDC, I guess I did miss a question. Would you mind asking again? As for our day with the 5-year old, it went very well. She's such a sweet little thing, very loving and affectionate, and wants to please. She is also pretty hyper, can't be still for two seconds, has to know everything that's going on, wants to be a part of every conversation - in other words, she's a five year old girl! She adores Toye Starr, and asked me at least ten times yesterday if I would just "run home real quick and get her" so she could go places with us! That made perfect sense to her. When I told her we couldn't take her into a restaurant, she said I could get a big purse and put her in it, and no one would know! She has an answer for everything.

Well, better get busy. I've just got to de-clutter this house, before my family stages an intervention. I can't stand it much longer. Little piles of stuff here and there, stacks of magazines that I can't bear to just throw out or recycle, stuff like that. For the magazines, I think I'll sort them into appropriate groups - some to take to a nursing home, some to the hospital, some to share with gardening friends, the "National Geographic" copies to the curious-minded son of a friend, such as that. There's so much good information in all of them, it's a shame for them to just be shredded up and recycled. I subscribe to about eight good publications, and sharing them just seems like the thing to do.

This house is going to be in major upheaval in a couple of weeks, as the carpet replacement begins, and the less clutter there is to move around, the better. So, here I go. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102366: JOHN Masters, You slipped in there on me. Hope all is well.
ROMEENA- my question was this: Could 2 stripes on a nurse's cap mean "head nurse" or supervisor? After you said that the stripe stood for RN, I noticed that Dixie McCall's is the only one with TWO stripes. Just curious.
As for the magazines, I know that Barn enjoyed a NG now and then, especially in the barbershop. ha
GF and all--our weather is settling back down this week...normal is 105/85, and we will be at that all week.
MAUDie--oh yes, here come the nascar fans to your neck o the woods!
Later all,
MDC
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102367: MDC, that's a hard question to answer, because there about as many answers as there are nursing schools and hospitals. I don't think there is, or ever was, a hard and fast answer. Different schools of nursing had different policies, and the many hospitals also had their policies. By the time I graduated, and earned my cap, only a few nurses were wearing them. At that time, in my school and in my hospital, students wore plain caps, and "earned" one black stripe at graduation. At the hospital, the nurse managers on each unit wore two stripes. However, that policy is not universal. Some hospitals used blue stripes, in varying numbers. It's all just a hodge-podge, so to make a comprehensive statement is pretty much impossible. --Romeena
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102368:
MDC, when my sister became a Registered Nurse back in the mid 1970s, the color of the stripe(s) on her cap were in the school colors. I can't remember if they were two separate stripes (one of each color), or a single dual colored stripe.
For more information, read http://allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/different-cap-styles-41690.html

Romeena, I'm glad to learn you were able to speak with our TOM. Do you have any details about his computer problem? Although I don't have his contact information, I would like to help him in some way even though I'm in a different country.

from Poor Horatio
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102369: Now I have to give old MDC some credit for noticing then stripes, because when I'm looking at "Dix", I must confess I ain't looking at her hat. LOL I didn't even notice she was wearing a cap. Beautiful woman that gal.

Hey GF, Just been busy as all get out. Seems like no matter how hard I try to get ahead, I just get further and further behind. Or is it farther? I dunno, but you get what I'm saying. You giving that "Wheeler" some bum time in the dog days of summer?
It seems silly with all the heat, but I am starting on some winterization things. If I don't, and we get an early cold snap, life is miserable. I do like to be prepared.

I have been watching a couple of TAGS episodes every night before I call it a day. I tell ya, I just love it, all these years later. One episode I have really struggled with over the years I watched last night, "Citizens Arrest". I think I have struggled with it because it is one time I sense that Andy and Barney are really angry with each other, and it seems like Andy has just about had enough. But it does demonstrate that even good friends can squabble, and still be friends afterwards. So at least it has a happy ending.

Well better get moving. Thanks for the shout out GF.

Asa
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102370:
Romeena, no need to respond to my question above since I just discovered your message in my email box. Thank you.

from Poor Horatio
August 19, 2015 - Msg 102371: HA, good one ASA! Mother nature was good to her also. What I don't get is all the fuss over Gage.
I mean, a skinny runt of a guy and all the girls go crazy! Ahh, the 70s I guess! lol
Also, I'm not a musical guy, but i compare a tags ep like "CA" to a song that has the "sharp" or the "flat" symbol. I just don't cotton to them.
Guess i'll just go up an alley and holler Fish. :)
PH--thanks for the link. It was about as clear-cut as RO's answer! In other words NOT! ha I guess there was no standard on cap "insignia."
Prayers continue for the world. One year since Foley...may he be resting in eternal peace.
MDC
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102372: Thank you all for your suggestions and especially for your prayers concerning this school stuff. I am going to need them tomorrow for sure, as the Mrs. has decided to stay home and go to the open house with me, and she already has one idea of a club that someone told her Kai should be in for meeting different people and going on trips - the Diversity Club. Oh boy. I have already talked privately with Kai after Kai told me about that, and told her why I didn't think it would be a good one for her to join. Not that diversity is bad, but that name is used as a banner by some to teach some wrong, unGodly things, things I would rather she not be exposed to and taught about in positive light.
And that she is just going to have to trust me. And trust God. And yes, I did paraphrase some of Andy's comments to the hobo Dave when he suggested to Andy that he should let Opie decide how to live. "Wrong ideas come packaged with shiny ribbons..." and all that.
I also told her that there are plenty of other clubs that go on trips and that she would be meeting different people in any club she joined.
I just hope her mom doesn't make a fuss about it. Or I will probably be having to use Andy's speech on her, too. Hopefully I will be able to report back to the porch that everything went smoothly the whole day - Kai had fun, she joined some good groups(Though I also told her that if she doesn't want to join any groups, that's fine too. I know it will be a big transition just going to a bigger school and her studies come first), she didn't get embarrassed by anyone(including me), and we all have a productive time finding her classrooms during the open house.

I hope I don't seem like an overbearing father, to her or to you porch friends. That is why I try to have heart-to-heart talks with her to explain why I feel the way I do about something, and that I am not trying to prevent her from doing something to punish her or keep her from having friends, but rather that I do it because I care about her and her future. And even more about her eternity.

Well, this is all in God's hands now, because tomorrow will be here before we know it. Thank you again for your concern and prayers. It means more than you know.

MDC, no, Kai has never gone down to the altar or been baptized. She once was going to go down for both things with two of her friends who were going to go and do it all together. I spoke with her and told her that I was glad she was considering it, but that she should really KNOW why she is doing it and not just do it because her friends are doing it. She decided to wait. I would be happy as a clam if she would want to be baptized, when she knows the time is right.

Asa, I know the feeling. I am having a good time watching Gomer Pyle every night before I turn in. I will probably have to start watching TAGS once I get through GP. And Citizen's Arrest is a real good episode.

John Masters, great to see you again!

-Sterling Holobyte



August 20, 2015 - Msg 102373: Hey Gang opinion... In my garage I have "ME" TV and Mayberry RFD comes on...I know I know it aint Mayberry but I have become quite interested in it !..have not watched many episodes but ole Goober and Emmit still going strong...and Howard !..Millie! what do yall think and no im not a traider !..lol,,, SPOT
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102374: Great question SPOT, in my opinion if it's Mayberry it's all good! But with the leaving of Don Knotts and the coming of color to TV a lot changed. From listening to the writers and cast members the writing changed. They went from a writer or two writing each episode to a "team" writing concept. So you got a lot of different opinions instead of just one or two's ideas.

As for Mayberry RFD even tho it still had a Mayberry feel a lot of the episodes were just retooled versions of what was already done. I think nobody (including fans and some cast members) wanted the show to end. But like M*A*S*H all good things must come to a end sometimes.... It came also when CBS decided to clean house with anything that had any kind of "Country" flavor to it!...

My feeling, it's just about then when TV took a nose dive to where this now... Just my opinion, but I happen to believe it to be true!

But don't get me wrong, I do like both RFD & Gomer Pyle. I just was not ready for the onslot of trash that was yet to come!

Just a tidbit, Andy spoke on this very subject in his speech at the Mayberry Days statue dedication a few years back.
I'm sure PH can find the video that was done, I know Floyd did a podcast on it.. But I heard it with my own 2 ears, a special day I will always remember!...

G-F....
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102375: Good morning, porch. Now, I don't expect anyone to believe me, but the temperature last night was in the low 60s. No, I haven't moved to Alaska, that was right here in the Dallas area, in Texas. It is currently 71°, and it's wonderful! I'm loving the sound of silence from my a/c unit. It's not going to last, will start warming up again tomorrow, but what a pleasant, refreshing treat this! We got a little rain, too. Not much, but some is better than none, right?

TV has generally gone to the dogs, no question about it. If it wasn't for Nat Geo, Hallmark, HGTV, and TCM, I probably wouldn't even turn the thing on. I rarely watch any of the network channels, I don't get MeTV, and TVLand has deserted us, so that doesn't leave a whole lot. Once in a while, I watch the news, but I've noticed an interesting phenomenon there, lately. They often just open with the weather, like it was some big news item! Then they go into a little local news - wrecks, shootings, whatever - and then go back into the weather, with endless droning about the details, and that silly weather map that just keeps rebooting and showing the same sweep over and over. I'm talking about the local news channel. I almost never watch the big national news channels. They're the worst. Just more bleating and baa-ing from the sheeple, mostly.

Well, gotta get busy. So much to do, trying to get this house de-cluttered before the carpet storm begins. I haven't even looked at carpet yet, so that decision still has to be made. I want to get all the unnecessary stuff out of this house and sold, donated or thrown away, so there's less to move and mess with while the work is being done. That needs to be done anyway, and now is a good time to do it. I don't know why I hang onto all this stuff. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102376: Speaking of Gomer Pyle, here is a great Gomer moment... You'll be surprised.... G-F
http://youtu.be/yJlgio-UOng
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102377: YUP, GF, it sure got me! Ya big lug, you.
MDC

August 20, 2015 - Msg 102378:
G-F, the Andy Griffith statue dedication podcasts you mentioned can be found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKP-AzXrHk8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUZkrw4UXU8

from Poor Horatio
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102379: I knew ya could do it PH,! It's good to have our PH app working again... Thanks!
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102380: PH, I remember when I graduated from RN school, they gave me a cap with two black stripes, but darn if I remember why..sorry, no help.

Thanks for the get well wishes, I am doing much better and worked a lot this week. Not completely healed but almost.

Sterling, wow, wish we could sit down over a cup of coffee and chat. I think Kai is a year older than my Erin and Erin is going into 8th this year. I know my daughter's attitude is sometimes so tough to deal with but I am learning. I have uncovered some things that she finally confessed to me. Like Maude said, they want us to think they don't need us and with Erin, she hides a lot and turns her hurt inward. That is what causes her to feel anger that she doesn't know how to handle. I had forgotten that she is still grieving for her grandma. Its only been a year and she lost her grandpa two years before that. She put up a strong front, but she was hiding her pain. She's doing better and I had to come to a point that I had to commit to respond to her in a non-emotional manner when she has the attitude and talks back. I had been getting mad and then things just escalated and I didn't like the way I was acting. I decided the course of action would be that I would warn her, then simply take her phone away. I told her that there would be no arguing, no escalating of anger, simply a warning, then a consequence. So far it has worked very well. I know my Erin is a strong, smart and loving, but she is insecure in ways I didn't realize until recently. Sometimes I am very frustrated, but I know this all part of growing up, and those young female hormones make them very hard to deal with, too. Just remember that this is not how they will always be. :) I have to remind myself of what I was like and I was sometimes a terror to my poor mom. It all worked out, though. I know the Lord had everything to do with it. I was not a very nice young girl and carried a lot of selfishness and hatred until I was born again at age 16. I will pray for you, and for Kai.
As far as the orientation at school, Erin's school didn't even have one. They handed us a schedule and said "See ya on Monday". ha. Guess I'm glad now. I agree that the diversity thing is probably something I would avoid, if possible.

It's been raining here this afternoon and it sure has been nice. Hope the rest of you are doing well.

Boo
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102381: Good evening, porch. Well, I finally caught the rat. When I got home this evening, I saw something lying on the garage floor before I drove in, and sure enough, it was the rat. He got caught in a trap that was by the garage door, and apparently carried it out into the middle of the garage before he gave up. It was a male, so I'm hoping there are no offspring to deal with. I'll put a few dog treats out on the floor tonight, and with any luck, they'll still be there in the morning. Ick. I am so glad that thing is finally gone, but what a terrible way to die! It wasn't instantaneous, and I hate the thought of causing pain to any creature, even a rat.

Sterling, Boo is right. That "diversity" thing is a red flag, and I think you would be within your rights to ask for an outline of what will be covered in that orientation. Just calmly ask for it, and you might even say that in the light of the societal changes we've come through in the last couple of years, the word "diversity" isn't exactly reassuring to everyone, and you would like to know just what they plan to cover.

Like it or not, our children are going to grow up with ideas and idealogies that are completely foreign to many of us. It has been pushed into law by minority activists, and the majority has no choice but to live with it. That doesn't mean we have to agree, and we can certainly teach our children what we believe, at home. Maybe the exposure to such things that our kids get now, while we are still in a position to monitor and rebut what they're taught, is a good thing. Better now than after they're on their own and the world in general is shoving it down their throats, and you're not there to deflect it. I know, better "not at all", but unfortunately, we no longer have that option. God help us.

To all dads of young girls: When you're having problems with a hormonal young female child, just remember what your wife is like when she's in the throes of PMS. Sometimes "not a pretty sight." Well, imagine the same hormone storms in a teenage girl, who has no idea what's happening, has no idea how to combat or control it, and because by definition a teenager thinks it's all about her, she expects the universe (meaning you) to just fix everything to please her.

Well, guess I'd better go take the trash out, since the trucks come tomorrow. The rat is in the one in the garage, and I surely don't want to miss getting him out of here! --Romeena
August 20, 2015 - Msg 102382: Just before the trap snapped he said:... Oh RATS!..🐀🐀🐀
Just like the FBI... Romeena always gets her.......Rat!...lol
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102383: Sounds like someone is taking off on James Cagney,
or maybe it's Edward G. Robinson. :)
STERLing-- just wondering how things went today.
Remember the days when schools started AFTER Labor Day? It just seems so strange that everyone is back in school already.
Ben Carson was in Phx yesterday. Ya know, that guy does make a lot of sense!
The world needs Jesus so badly right now, from the PP vids to all the violence in our cities.
Lord, please knock on the door of everyone's heart. Thank you Jesus,
Have a great Friday all!
MDC
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102384: It would have to be decaf for me, Boo.
Erin must have been very close to her Grandma and Grandpa. But that is an excellent method of disciplining her you have by taking away her cell phone. Kai practically lives on hers. I forget to use that angle sometimes.

And Romeena, I wish I could remember word for word the advice you give me on what I could say to people about things like the "diversity" program. You have such a nice and clear-cut way of putting things.

Well, either the prayers you all said worked, or I made more out of something than I needed to, because the day was pretty uneventful. Now, I know prayer works, so that must be it. Though I can't discount my going overboard on some stuff as well.
Once we arrived at the school and went through some of the paperwork, my wife did look for the "diversity club" in and amongst the different tables set up, and she asked Kai and I if we knew where it was. We didn't find it though, and I was glad of that. She thought maybe it was under a different name, but none of the clubs we saw fit the bill. I wasn't disappointed.
I am fairly certain that this isn't the last time she will bring it up and she will still inquire about it, but for now it seems to be on the back burner. It didn't seem like you joined any of the clubs right off, so that may have quenched my wife's curiosity about it for now.
Kai did show some interest in the Drama club, especially when the guy told her she didn't have to be in a play if she joined, and she could work as some do behind the scenes. She has a great, silly personality when she lets it through, and I wouldn't mind seeing her shine on stage. She has been in a couple plays at the middle school(when she was in the Christian school), and she always did well.

Thank you all again for the prayers and comments.

-Sterling Holobyte
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102385: Hey MDC!
Well, today was just orientation and getting to know your classes(and locker, which Kai had a little trouble getting the padlock to open), and they start school in Sept. The first, I believe. So she still has a little bit of summertime freedom left yet.
But yeah, I think schools in Boo's area have already started, is that right, Boo?
That's too early.

-Sterling Holobyte
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102386: Good Friday morning peeps. I hope the new day finds you happy and healthy and a day wiser.

Boo, glad your end is on the mend. :)

MDC, I'll join in that prayer and pray that those "knocks on the door" will be answered.

You are in those tough years for a Dad Sterling. It is so hard to see the young ones grow up and have to start dealing with the things of the world. And trying to keep that delicate balance of trying to keep them on the road to that straight and narrow gate, while realizing they have got to make some choices and enjoy or suffer the consequences of those choices. Very hard to know how much you should do without making them feel smothered. Prayers for you Brother. I know you are a loving caring Father and just want what is best for your children. Good on you.

Watched the episode last night when Andy tries to pretty up Ernest T. Great episode. I always bust a gut when Barney is mouthing his "ammenamies". And Barneys comment about if you flew a quail through here, everyone of them girls would point. The way Andy laughs when Barney says that makes me wonder if it was something Don Knotts ad libbed. There are several scenes in different episodes I wonder that about when Andy really seems to get a serious laugh over something Barney has said or done.

Well better get going. My goodness our air quality here is horrible. We are getting all the smoke from those wildfires on the west coast. Hard to believe it has come all this way, but it has. My eyes have been burning bad.

Y'all have a blessed day.

Asa
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102387: Asa, I have heard many of the cast say that Don & Andy rarely ad libbed, they stuck to the script. That shows just how good the writing really was. You would think if they chose to ad lib how funny it could have been....
I think when Don hooked up with Tim Conway that was a different story! They sure did do a great show when I saw the two of them in person shortly before Don passed away. Yep, it was a fun night to remember....

Hopefully the fires out West do get under control its bad for a lot of people hard to imagine what they are going thru....
(I bet you'll have to change filters more often now too!).... 😩

G-F.....
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102388: Good morning, porch. Well, our little cool spell didn't last long. It was in the 70s yesterday, and now it's already 87° at just past noon. We'll be in the 90s again by mid afternoon. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

Well, maybe my rat problem has ended. I put four dog treats out on the garage floor last night, to see if there are any others, and the treats are untouched. The rat that got caught yesterday was a male, so obviously there would be no offspring, unless there's a female out there also. Since the treats weren't eaten, I'm hoping the male was the only one. I'll leave the treats for a few days, to see what happens. I hope there are no more out there.

Well, gotta go to the grocery store. The family is coming over tomorrow night for a birthday supper. Brittney's birthday was yesterday, Hudson's is tomorrow, and he has requested fried chicken, so fried chicken it is. Jerry doesn't eat chicken, so I'll fry a few pieces of round steak as well. Gravy, noodles, a veggie, a salad and some biscuits (to go with the gravy) and we'll have it made. David is taking care of the cake, and I've got ice cream. Still, nothing is going to happen unless I go to the store, so off I go! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102389: If anyone is "lurking" out there, and didn't receive an email from me regarding a special project, and you think you might be interested, send me an email. If you don't have my address, mention it here, and I'll write you. I probably have yours, I've got a bunch. Thanks! --Romeena
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102390: Hey, you know what makes a really good breakfast, or just a good snack? I toast a slice of a good, whole-grain, nut-and-seed bread, spread it with cream cheese, and sprinkle fresh blueberries on it. They stick in the cheese, don't fall off, and it's goo-ood! --Romeena
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102391: Romeena, hopefully that rats favorite song wasn't "Muscrat Love" by The Captain & Tennille.....then you may be good to go?...lol

Hey Asa, I got some Honey Gold apples today, thought I'd try a cobbler...You in?.... Romeena's havin a party, thought it would go good with fried chicken. Even a piece of bark can taste good with gravy....lol

G-F...
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102392: G-F, that is the truth, for sure. And by the way, I make goooood gravy! My dad used to tell me "Your mama makes larrupin' gravy, and yours is just like hers!" Now that was high praise, let me tell you, because my mama knew how to make gravy! I make pretty decent biscuits too - learned that from my mama as well. You boys just bring your cobbler and come on by! We'll just have a big ol' party!

I just got home from the grocery store - whooee, they sure are proud of their stuff. That was a whoppin' big bill, but I'll be feeding fourteen tomorrow night, so I guess it wasn't too bad. We're gonna have fried chicken, pan gravy, biscuits, mashed taters, broccoli with cheese sauce, asparagus just baked in the oven with some olive oil and lemon pepper, and a good salad. Say - have you folks tried those Dole brand chopped salads? They come in a bag, with everything you need - the chopped greens, and whatever add-ins are needed. My favorite is the Sunflower Crunch - it's chopped mixed greens, and has a bag of sunflower seeds, some chopped bacon, and a citrus-y dressing. Really good. I usually add a little crumbled bleu or feta cheese, just a little. Very tasty. I served it at bunco one night, and everyone wanted to know what I put in it. They couldn't believe it was a bagged salad.

Well, speaking of food, I'm hungry! All I've eaten today is that toast with cream cheese and blueberries, and I've got a hollow spot by now.
Later, taters. --Romeena
August 21, 2015 - Msg 102393: Sounds good, and wash it all down with a huckleberry smash. :)
August 22, 2015 - Msg 102394: Hey Romeena, the bark came off of the top of my bird house roof, as I was putting it back on I thought it would be good with some of your gravy on it....lol, Lol, LOL.... I will never look at bark the same again!....Ha

G-F.....
August 22, 2015 - Msg 102395: .....eatin' speaks louder than words!....
August 23, 2015 - Msg 102396: Well, if that's true, then the fried chicken must have been good, because there wasn't a single piece left. I had 14 people to feed, and I had 24 drumsticks, 8 thighs, 9 wings, and about 18 of the tender strips. I knew I would be frying all night, so I selected about 12 pieces and cooked them under the broiler with lemon pepper on them. Three or four of those who were here have been known to be careful about eating fried foods, and I thought they might appreciate the broiled chicken. Nope. Two pieces of the broiled stuff were eaten, and all of the fried disappeared. Teach me to try to be considerate! We mashed five pounds of potatoes, and I made about three quarts of gravy, and the potatoes were gone, and about 2/3 of a cup of the gravy remains.

Dave and Brittney came early and I don't know what I'd have done without them. They, and their boys, are so helpful. The boys took the trash out (three times!) and Landry dusted the living room furniture. They were always on hand to fetch and carry. My kitchen is pretty big, and it was nice to just say "Hudson, would you bring me the milk from the fridge" instead of putting my spoon down and walking over to get it myself. David peeled the potatoes, Brittney saw to the cooking of them, and both of them took a turn mashing until they were smooth. We all three were at the stove frying the chicken - I had two large skillets going - and it went so smoothly. I like to clean as I go when cooking, and they do too, so when we were finished, much of the cleanup had already been done, but all the table dishes and the skillets remained. Brittney literally pushed me out of the kitchen, and finished everything up. I am so blessed!

David is so funny. He saw me starting to make biscuits, and went immediately to the cabinet where I keep the little juice glass that serves as a biscuit cutter. He remembers it from childhood, and declares that the biscuits wouldn't taste the same if they were cut with anything else. He may be right. They were some good biscuits, too. I use butter instead of shortening in them, and it really gives them a good flavor.

All in all, we had a good time. Good food, good fun, good fellowship. And now I'm going to put this tired old bod in the bed! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
August 23, 2015 - Msg 102397: Sounds like a wonderful day RO!! You are most certainly blessed with a super family.
Speaking of super... here in this area, there is a fun evening run each year on super bowl weekend, and it is called the Superb Owl run (get it?); well the NFL is now screaming trademark infringement! Crazy. Nothing can be left alone anymore. They clain that since it is just splitting the word in a different place, they need to change the name! We also have a small mom and pop motorcyle shop here called the Cycle Zone, and now AutoZone is claiming the same thing and getting their corporate lawyers leaning on the owners of the small shop! geesh.
Weird stuff going on these days. Have a good Sabbath day all.
Prayers,
MDC
August 23, 2015 - Msg 102398: MDC, I suppose the hired Neil Bentley too? ..... G-F
August 23, 2015 - Msg 102399: Also Romeena, like Andy told Aunt Bea, we need to give you a title like "Miss Chicken" or something!..lol
August 23, 2015 - Msg 102400: Good Sabbath porchters.

Sounds like a great time indeed Romeena. I sure would like to try your chicken someday. And your gravy also. You got any tips for making good gravy? I love the stuff, but can't seem to make it very good.

Yes GF, I suspect the filters will be extra dirty this go around. My goodness, the air quality is horrible. The sun is casting a kind of brown hue. We need a good wind and rainstorm to clean us out.

MDC, When we hosted the Olympics here in 2002, I was also upset about the so called trademark infringements. If there was anything you did that might show a profit because of the games, they wanted their hand in it. There was even a farmer who made a corn maze in the shape of the Olympic rings, and was told he had to register with the Olympic committee and pay the fees up front, or face legal action. Really left a bad taste in my mouth. It's all about money. They are trying to bid on another winter games to come here. I hope it doesn't happen.

I checked my peaches yesterday. They are going to be ready to pick this week. Mmm-mmm good. I have been watching some youtube vids on making some peach cobbler. I just might give it a try.

Well better get ready for preachin. I was watching the episode yesterday where the preacher from New York is visiting. I just love it when Andy declares his allegiance to Rev. Tucker and not the guy from New York, and Aunt Bee reminds him they are on the same side. Funny stuff.

Prayers for all.

Asa