September 05, 2015 - Msg 102569: I would say I that I share the responses of your friends about buying food from strangers Ro, but then, I have been known to buy things from the numerous Amish that we have around here, so I can't really talk. :-)
There's no aspartame or non-fat junk in Amish-made foods. Just tasty eating.

Asa, I love hearing about how they accommodated Howard McNear on TAGS. It shows what a special bunch of people the whole Andy Griffith Show cast and crew were. It reminds me of how Michael Landon(and his casting directors) used to cast the same actors for parts on his various shows. You can watch Highway To Heaven and you will notice many, many actors from Little House, or even Bonanza. Now, you could say that maybe he just wanted actors that he already had experience with BECAUSE they had that experience, but I also like to think that he cast them to give them work, because a lot of them you didn't see on a whole lot of other shows.

-Sterling Holobyte
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102570: Annnnnddddd, sweep!

-SH
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102571: Football all day ! Bulldogs won lots of good games...stopped by and got hot wings and here at work till 6am OT ! (got one out ill) ok...let me get logged in and read SPOT
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102572: Sterling, caution when buying food is always a good thing, and I don't just buy any old thing from unknown people, but tamales are pretty safe. I've made them, am aware of the cooking process, and I'd have to say that any bug that could survive all that steaming would have to be pretty strong. One thing I do watch out for, is buying any that might have been sitting around for a while, like buying off a truck at the end of the day, for example. The ones I bought yesterday were still in the steamer pots, sitting in the back of a small SUV, and when the man's wife lifted the lid, a cloud of steam rose up. They had just come off the stove, not too long before. That much was obvious. She used tongs to lift them out of the steamer and put them on a sheet of foil, wrapped them up and put the package inside a plastic bag. When I ate some about three hours later, they were still hot enough that no re-warming was required. I let them cool to room temp, then put them in the fridge. Oh, and you're right about Amish food. I've had the privilege of enjoying their cooking on several occasions, and it's wonderful. You can almost taste the "clean."

For dinner tonight, I've got a couple of ears of fresh white corn, and some chicken drumsticks that I'll stick under the broiler with some lemon pepper on them, and a salad. Sounds good. Tomorrow, I'll finish off those tamales. Didn't take me long to run through a dozen of them, and they're big old fat ones, too! The lady who made them knows what she's doing.

Have a peaceful evening, a good night's rest, and be sure to get to preachin' in the morning. I think I'll wear some dangly earrings! --Romeena
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102573: HI Gang, SH--you did an excellent job with the porch! Ya must have used a swifer, so we could do some "deep couch sitting!" haha
SPOT--holding down the fort...all systems go. good for you.
Possum--I thought that "fish muddle" was when that old detective on Barney Miller would go on and on with a story! teehee. I hope you are all still smiling at my silly jokes.
ALL--I watched some of the Nebraska-BYU game today, and it was so refreshing to see "regular, plain uniforms", and very few tattoos. Some of these teams lately with their all black or camo unis is just weird to me, and so many arms just covered with tats. This game today reminded me of football of about 20 years ago.
RO--I'll go check my email.
prayers and sweet dreams to all,
MDC
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102574: Good Sabbath all.

Mercy sakes, we had a cold front move in here yesterday and it cooled right off. We are in the upper 40's this morning. Yesterday morning we were in the low 70's. Only supposed to be in the low 70's for a high this afternoon. Boy I like that pretty fine.

Turned on the dishwasher last night when I hit the ironing board. Woke up this morning to some water on the kitchen floor. My initial observation is a leaking garbage disposal. Not any of the plumbing fittings, but right out of the bottom of the disposal. So I did some snooping around on YT and found out what most likely the problem is. There is a steel plate that separates the "chopper" from the motor. There seems to be a problem with this plate rusting through and allowing water to leak through the motor. Although a few of the vids I watched showed fellows trying to repair it by patching it with everything from epoxy to hot glue to roofing tar, I think I'll just forgo that and invest $80.00 on a new disposal. This one is 15 years old, and no telling if the water that has leaked might have damaged the motor. So looks like I am off to Homely Depot first thing tomorrow. I don't shop on the Sabbath if I can help it, and it can wait for a day to fix it. Plus maybe it will give GF enough time to get out of his "Wheeler" and give me a hand. How about it GF? I'll even buy donuts. :)

Hey MDC, Did you see the end of that game? Hail Mary pass worked out. But BYU lost their QB for the year with a broken foot. Too bad. He looks to be a good one. I know what you mean by all the tats and stuff. That has even seeped on down to the high school level. The news was doing an interview with a local high school player. He was tatted up, pierced up, a real sight. Man, I remember being threatened to get a haircut once in high school or risk getting expelled. And my hair was barely touching my collar. Times have sure changed.

Well if Ro is gonna wear them dangly earrings to preachin, I'm gonna wear my colorful tie. You know the one that when you look at it for a while, then look away, you still see the colors.

I watched the episode last night where Barney arrests Otis for drinking, and Otis gets mad and decides to take his business to Mt. Pilot. The concern Barney and Andy had for Otis was really touching, wasn't it? Then I watched the episode where Goober hooks up with Lydia. Some of the best one liners in that episode. I just love the scene where Barney and Goober are on Helen's front porch watching her and Andy. The commentary by Barney is so funny. And when Goober is done with his first date so early with Lydia, Barney tells him he was on a date, not taking medicine. TAGS at it's best.

Guess I better go get ready. I might end up with hot knee's, but at least my britches will look good. And it is Sunday, so no whims. :)

Asa
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102575: Asa, I don't know how much help I can be, I never had one, never worked on one, and never wanted one! I've been telling that to Mrs. G-F for years, because of just what happened to you. When we added on to the house back in 2000 we left a opening for one and the plumbing is set up for one, but so far I have convinced her (barely) that now that the kids are gone we REALLY don't need one. 👍

It is one of those appliances that are more effort than they are worth to use and maintain in my opinion. Along with a garbage disposal...Just so you know ladies.... I do do my share of the dishes too....lol.

But Asa if you need a supporter to cheer you on, I'm right here for ya!.... I can do good soldering work if ya need it tho...lol 👍

G-F...

By the way guys, Ohio State plays the VT "Hokies" tomorrow night if you need your football fix 🏈. Hopefully VT won't be their Kryptonite like last year... Sounds like Urban Mayer may play 2 QB's this year... Sounds like a interesting concept.....
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102576: Good afternoon, porch. Just got home from preachin' - the pastor was studied up and prayed up real good this morning, but then he always is.

OK, G-F. I'm confused as to what kind of appliance it is that you don't want. What I've figured out, is that you were thinking Asa has a problem with a trash compactor, and you don't want one. Actually, he was talking about a garbage disposal, but then you said "along with a garbage disposal" so that's where I got confused. If it's a compactor you don't want, I agree. My parents had one, and it became a convenient place to store trashbags and such. Once you compacted the trash in it, the bag became so heavy my mom couldn't handle it! Also, you had to sort out what you put in it - nothing wet or gooey, no solids like a big bone, nothing that will rot and smell in a day or two, etc. Actually, I think recycling sort of killed the compactors. Most of what could be put in one, now goes in the recycle bin (or bag, in my city's case.) Now, the garbage disposal - that's another bag of chips! I like that thing! Sure does eliminate a lot of messy, smelly garbage. And Asa,you're absolutely right. The price is so low on those things now that it really doesn't pay to try to fix one, unless it's just a simple thing, which it usually isn't. Also, Ted says installing a new one is a lot easier than trying to fix an old one.

Well, guess I'll go polish off the last of those tamales. Sure am glad I ran into that nice little couple and bought a dozen on Friday. I've got their phone number, will probably call them and buy more later. I've got an avocado, maybe I'll make some guacamole to go with my tamales. Arriba! Ole! -- Romeeena
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102577: Romeena, I was speaking about a dishwasher & garbage disposal, but I'll agree with a compactor too. Those things are just one more thing to keep repaired... And to have to unclog when they get stopped up... But don't get me wrong, a washer & dryer sure beats the alternative of a wash board and line drying your clothes...lol

G-F....
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102578: G-F, it sounds to me like you've just seen some bad dishwashers! The one that was original in this house, built in 1973, lasted for about 38 years, with two minor repairs. Finally, about four or five years ago, the door just suddenly fell off when I opened it! At that point, I decided to replace it, and bought a Bosch, which my friend Ted installed. I love it! It's so quiet that it has a red sentry light that shines a little red dot on the floor in front of it, so you'll realize it's running and won't open it in mid-cycle. The dishes require little to no pre-wash - just a quick scrape, and pass the item through running water if it has liquid or loose scraps on it. Casseroles with burned-on residue come out squeaky clean. Glassware is spotless. Naturally, anything I've scraped or rinsed off is carried away by the disposer! Nope, you cannot have my dishwasher, disposer or microwave. I'm sold on all three. Cleanup after a holiday meal, with usually about fifteen people here? Ten minutes!

Well, I feel a nap coming on. Blessings, friends! -- Romeena
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102579: "This is the way we wash our clothes..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duJr4owjpOE

MDC :)
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102580: Funny one MDC, I guess any clothes washed pioneer style have to be cleaner than those done just the regular way...lol

Back to the dishwasher, if you have a large family... Maybe...
But it's just the two of us now, it seems sorta crazy to wait for the dishwasher to get full before you run it. I guess at our house our dish washer(s) are pretty old but they still clean dishes pretty well!....lol, Lol, LOL. But they do not work as fast as they used to....ha!.... Now about the microwave, that's another thing, these days it's a no brainer!....

G-F...🍴👍
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102581: I have to tell you about my microwave story. They were just becoming affordable I reckon about the time we got married. And to use the term affordable is a bit loose I reckon. They were a pricey luxury for us. I was still an apprentice and not making a lot. But, I also had my deep concerns about the safety of them. If you remember there were all kinds of questions about user safety and all that jazz. Well even if we could have afforded one, there was no way I was gonna let one of those demons in my house and put our health at risk. I managed to hold out for about 5 years, then one day I came home to find this huge microwave sitting on our counter. I jumped my wife about it. She responded that her sister had bought a new one and given us this one and if I didn't like it, I could become the family chef. This thing was a first generation type. Big, black, the dial thing to set the time and the bell that dinged when it was done. Although I never could understand why you needed that. The thing was so noisy when it was running, you couldn't hardly converse in the kitchen. Anyway, I look back on that today and have to laugh at myself. I can't imagine life without one today. Ours is built in to the shelves. I have another one at work in my shop/office. I remember reading a history book a few years ago and it talked about the first generation of steel plows that were introduced back in the early 1800's. McCormick almost went broke because non of the farmers would buy them. They were all convinced that the steel would contaminate the soil and ruin their crops. Although the steel plow could do 5 times the work of the old wooden plows, it took a few farmers courage to break through the old wives tale. Not much difference with me and the microwave.

Ro, I have a buddy who has a Bosch dishwasher and he just raves about how quiet it is. My daughter has a Bosch clothes washer and loves it. I own numerous Bosch power tools and can't speak
high enough about them. They seem to be superior in design and build. Although pricey, well worth it in my book.

GF, I am not sure why I have a disposal. I put very little food down there. I guess it's just the old school in me, and having had to clean my share of drains over the years. You just don't put solids down a sink. But that's just a man thing I suppose.

Well better go see what I can rustle up for supper. Ain't go no stinking tamales to chow down. Maybe a can of chili. It's cool enough outside that it might just work.

Asa
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102582: Just pop it into the microwave Asa.... Poof! dinner!...lol
Yep putting solids down the drain IS a guy thing, because WE are the ones that have dig into the gook to unclog it...G-F
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102583: To you two understandably skeptical gentlemen, I have but one to say regarding disposals - "Run the water for a count of five after you turn the disposal off." My husband insisted that I do that, it has become a habit, and I can't remember the last time the kitchen drain clogged. There are a few other little things I do that I'm sure are helpful. Never, EVER, put asparagus trimmings through the disposal. It does not work. Period. Ah, yes. That would be the last time that drain clogged - now I remember! The stuff foams like you wouldn't believe, and the fiber just seems to swell up and won't move through. I did manage to open it myself, but no more asparagus trimmings!!

Yep, Bosch seems to be a good name these days. I have two of their tankless water heaters, and just love them. I know we've had this discussion before about those things, and my opinion hasn't changed. They still work beautifully, I'm never out of hot water, and my gas bill is always the minimum, because the heaters only run when the water is running. No big old tanks of water kept hot 24-7 and not being used.

Here's a funny story. Many years ago, there was a woman who was a bigwig in the company my husband worked for, and she had a man who traveled with her when she attended company functions around the country. She told everyone he was her brother, but let's just say that was open to question. The woman was wealthy, wore furs and diamonds like Mae West, her "brother" packed a gun, in the days before that was legal, and he shared her room. He was also as dumb as a sack of doorknobs, had an opinion on everything, and unless she could kick him under the table, he would share those opinions, loud and clear.

One of his favorite topics was microwaves and solar energy. For some reason, he thought microwave ovens operated off of solar energy, and solar power was just coming into its own about the same time, so Brother put them together. According to him, the world is doomed unless we stop using both of those things. Here's a pretty accurate quote: "You can't just keep pulling them solars out of the air like that. One of these days we're going to use them all up, the sun will go out, and we're all going to die, probably by freezing." So help me, it's true. He really believed it. I had visions of the last lonely little "solar" squeaking pitifully while being drawn into someone's solar panel, and the sun fading and finally winking out altogether! I usually had bruises on my shins after one of those banquet-table conversations, from Dale kicking me under the table to warn me not to respond. He knew I was about to pop. Actually, the old boy was nice enough, and the woman did need protection with all the ice she wore, but my goodness! I don't know whether his brain was pickled (possible), or he was just not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he was really something to hear when he got started.

Well, I've got leftover chicken legs and corn on the cob, but I'm not very hungry. Maybe just a bowl of soup tonight. I'll probably sleep better that way. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102584: Funny story.... I guess money doesn't by brains....lol
Take a chicken leg 🍗 and stir it in your soup..... Then you'll have chicken soup...Soup for You!....G-F
September 06, 2015 - Msg 102585: Hmmm. Chicken soup? Not sure that would work, but it might be worth a try! Anyway, I opened a can of Progresso Tomato Basil soup, first time I've tried it, and it was good! I usually use Campbell's soups, but lately have branched out a little. I found that Progresso's creamy roasted chicken and wild rice soup is really good, and now this tomato basil thing - not bad at all.

On a totally different subject - does anyone else ever have trouble with those annoying little "pantry moth" things? They're tiny moths, less than half an inch long, and they'll show up in your pantry one day, and boy, are they hard to evict! I think mine got started when I brought in some bird seed and stored it in the garage in a container that wasn't sealed tight. Suddenly the sack was full of the little pests, and then I began to notice them in the house. They just flit around, will fly right at you, and they can disappear in a flash. I cleaned out the pantry and threw away anything grain-related, wiped every surface down, and I now zip newly-purchased grain products into big ziplock baggies. I think I've just about won the war. However, during the battle, I learned a new trick, and it works on just about any small flying insect, like the little gnats that will get in pot plants now and then, and it works on mosquitoes. You know how you really don't want to spray insecticides in the house, especially if you have pets. Swatting the little flying things usually doesn't work (I always miss) and yet I hate going to bed with some critter flying around in the house.

One day I was in the grocery store and noticed a bottle of rubbing alcohol, with a trigger sprayer on the bottle! The wheels turned in my head, and I bought a bottle. $1.79, I think. Brought it home, and the next time I saw a little moth, I sprayed him with the alcohol. He dropped to the floor instantly! However, as the alcohol started to dry, he started moving and might have recovered, so I sprayed him again, directly on the floor. This wet him down pretty well, and in about five seconds, he was dead. The first spray, being a mist in the air, just knocks them down, but that second spray, being closer and more direct, does the trick. It works on flies, mosquitoes and gnats. Haven't tried it on bigger things like wasps, because they're outside and I leave them alone. Anyway, it's great! If I open the pantry, and there's a moth sitting on the cabinet wall or ceiling, I spritz him and he's done for, and the little mist of alcohol on the packages in the pantry evaporates immediately and does no harm. I hate spraying pesticides in the pantry, because the smell lingers, and I imagine I can taste it in the food. Also, the alcohol mist on the carpet or furniture does no harm, but the pesticides are usually oil-based, and they can stain. Try it - it works for me! And, it's cheap! I now just buy a plain bottle of alcohol and refill my spray bottle.

Well, maybe I'll work an online puzzle, than toddle off to the ironing board. Tomorrow is another day. --Romeena
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102586: ASA--I just saw the ending to the BYU game on some TV highlights. What was really funny was hearing Mormon QB just back from a mission and Hail Mary in the same sentence! And, regarding that dishwasher issue, we had one here when we bought the house. A real life saver after entertaining, etc. More wheeler time! haha
RO- we do get the first kind that you mentioned, but not very many, and they seem to die out on their own.
Regarding the bird seed, etc, sometimes larva are in such things that later come out and bingo, there they are. Your "solution" (pun intended) tho sounds good. "Course, then Mr Wheeler wouldnt get his 60 cents. ha
POSSUM, BOO, MAUDE, and all, set a spell on the holiday, ye who labor, just rest in the Lord for a bit.
Prayers,
MDC
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102587:
All this talk about dishwashers reminds me of a problem I recently experienced. We have a portable dishwasher with a dual hose that clipped on to the lip of our original kitchen sink faucet. Well after replacing our kitchen sink and faucet, I soon discovered that the dishwasher dual hose would not clip on to the new faucet because it lacked a lip. After searching many plumbing and home improvement stores for some kind of adapter, I was informed that this particular faucet manufacturer (Moen) did not design their newer faucets with a lip so that it could be hooked up to a portable dishwasher. As an alternative, it would require a major re-design to either install a fixed dishwasher or install a permanent plumbing connection under the sink for the portable dishwasher. After experimenting with a combination of existing adapters, I stumbled upon a combination that solved my problem and cost me less than $10.

Romeena, thanks for that tip about the rubbing alcohol. I have tried a few non-toxic chemical sprays including rubbing alcohol, but I never followed up with that second killer squirt.

from Poor Horatio
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102588: Party at O' Malley's place!

A Labor Day Celebration ,plus it's Miss Laci's 12th Birthday! I'll bring the cake & ice cream!

************
possum u.a.r.
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102589: Happy Birthday Miss Laci. My goodness, she is growing right up.
You know me Possum, I am always ready for a party. I'll bring the bongos.

Romeena, yes, you need to kill them moths. Just like bats, they will lay eggs in your hair and you will go crazy. Thanks for the idea. With cooler weather coming on, them fly's start finding their way into the house. And boy they get bad trying to find warm places to hang out. That reminds me of something that happened to me years ago. My buddy and I had gone duck hunting. It was a warm late autumn afternoon when we had gone, and I had left my car windows down by mistake. We hunted until dusk, and then hiked backed to the car. I opened the car door and noticed immediately that the interior light seemed dim. I looked up and was shocked to see the entire head liner of my car covered with flys. There must have been thousands of them. I can't remember how I got them out of there, but I am sure it wasn't easy.

We had one of those dishwashers when we first got married PH. We couldn't afford a built in unit, and our tiny kitchen didn't have any room for one anyway. But we managed.

Well football fans, the season opens up this Thursday night. I sure don't get all keyed up for it like I used to though. Football just doesn't seem the same to me anymore.

Last night I watched the episode where Gloria comes to visit. Quite the pretty woman she was. She reminds me a little bit of Samantha Stevens. I was just waiting for her to wiggle her nose and turn Helen into a cactus or something. I always get a laugh when Andy calms Helen down in the car after she has one of her little snits, and tells her "you beat everything, you know that"? My goodness, the glare she gives him could make a weak man cry. lol

Well if we are partying, I better go dust off the old salt and pepper. It's hangs just right for the dips.

Asa
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102590: Good morning, porch. Happy Labor Day to all, and a Happy Birthday to Miss Laci! My goodness, how our porch baby is growing up, and so pretty, too!

Yep, PH, it's that second squirt of the alcohol that does the trick. Those miserable little moths are almost indestructible, it seems. You can swat one, and he'll be lying on the floor or the counter, wings all crooked and bent, and suddenly he'll get up, straighten his wings, and fly off! I've seen them do it. However, you deliver that second squirt of alcohol while the first one has him down, and he won't get up. It was quite a battle for a while. I keep a lot of grain-based stuff around here - about three kinds of birdseed, corn gluten meal and dry molasses in the garage, and of course, all the grain-based stuff that's in everyone's pantry. Cereals, bread, flour, corn meal, crackers, whatever. I threw away at least $50-75 worth of stuff from the pantry. Hated to do it, but one thing harboring one larva will start the cycle all over. It wasn't a total waste, because a lot of it went out to the birds - they'll eat the moths and larva too! Of course, the flour and things like that just went in the trash, but the cereal and crackers and such made a banquet out back! Anyway, I think I've just about won. I see a moth now and then, but I now have three bottles of alcohol at strategic points around the house, and when a moth crosses my radar, he's toast. My favorite part of the whole thing is the fact that the alcohol just evaporates, doesn't stain, isn't toxic to me or Toye Starr, and leaves no smell. It's cheap, too!

Speaking of Helen and her snits, I think one of my favorite lines between Andy and Helen is when they're arguing about something, and he very forcefully tells her, "This is ONE argument you are NOT going to win!" The way he emphasized "one" tells you a lot about their relationship.

Well, better run. Nothing special happening here today. Eloise just got home from a week-long trip to Savannah, and she's beat! Dave and Brittney are knee-deep in projects and need this day to finish up, and I'm quite content to just spend the day quietly. Dave is restoring his 25-year old Jeep for Landry, even though Landry won't be driving for a year and a half yet. The old Jeep is looking pretty good!

Oh, I have to tell you this - I think it's hilarious! Dave and Brittney's younger son, Hudson, is learning to play the bassoon! The bassoon, of all things! He wanted to get in the band when he went to middle school this year, and when the teacher let him look over the instruments to see what he wanted to play, he chose the bassoon! The teacher was thrilled, very encouraging, and said if he learns to play it and does well with it, he can write his own ticket for a scholarship at just about any school that maintains an orchestra. Apparently there aren't many bassoon players round! Leave it to Hudson.... --Romeena
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102591: Here's a bassoon player on youtube that was a doctorate recital, so I guess you can go far!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ1Nz3UOOas
See you at O'Malley's with ASA's bongos, a bassoon, POSSum's refreshments,and an off-key barney! Happy Labor Day.
MDC
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102592: What about the cymbals MDC? I ordered them all the way from Cymbal City....G-F. 🎼🎶
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102593:

Romeena, I was happy to learn that one of your grandson's is interested in playing a musical instrument. And although the bassoon is not a common instrument to most people, I am surprised to learn it has scholarship potential for advanced studies.
I started taking formal music lessons in third grade and chose to study the accordion primarily to please my parents who loved polka music. During those early years, I didn't like to practice much. But I am glad I stuck it out because these lessons taught me how to read and write music and learn other instruments.
During my high school years, I wanted to play in my high school concert and marching bands, so I learned to play percussion (drums, cymbals, tambourine, etc) after six lessons from our high school music director. And because of the popularity of the Beatles, I taught myself to play the guitar that my uncle gave to me. Also while in high school and college, three of us formed and played in a dance band and made some good money playing for dances and weddings. And while attending college, I also worked part-time as an accordion, guitar and drum teacher for a music school. Unfortunately, when I entered the military after college, my teaching and band playing all stopped. And after returning to civilian life, everyone had gone their separate ways. So even though I no longer get paid to play, I have my acoustic and electric guitars that I still play along with music videos just to relax.
I'm so glad I learned music at a young age and continue to play sporadically just for fun. I do check the want ads for groups looking for musicians. So far I have had no luck for two reasons: either they want someone younger, or they play a style of music I have no interest in (rap, hip-hop, heavy metal, punk, etc.) However, in Canada near where I live, there are some volunteer community orchestras. I'm waiting for a percussionist opening for the one that rehearses near where I live.
So encourage Hudson to continue. If he tires of the bassoon, he can always switch to another instrument. Listen to his practice sessions. Attend his recitals. Take an active interest in his performing.

from Poor Horatio
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102594: "Tonite on our shew, all the way from Irving, Texas, we have a fine, young lad who started playing the bassoon as a youngster, just like those 4 young men from Liverpool who were on the shew last week..." (:
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102595: Just read MDC talking about the competitive badminton. Must be 40 years ago, there was a young man staying at my uncle's house, who could play serious badminton. Like almost everyone, I just played it as a fun little backyard game. I'd never seen anyone who took it seriously before. It was ridiculous how much better he was than the typical player. His favorite shot was directly into your chest, where you couldn't quite decide how to hold the racket to return it.

So, does anyone have any real talent at what most people think of as harmless play? I know that I spent 7 years riding the school bus for over 2 hours a day, and playing paper football most of the time. I would kill the kids at school who couldn't understand why I was so much better. I didn't quite realize all that playing really meant practicing.

Billy Ray the Paper Football Playing Postman
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102596: Thanks, PH. I told my sister-in-law about Hudson's choice and she was so excited! Her degree is in music education, and her son is the director of the music department in a big new high school outside of Houston. She agreed 100% about the scholarship potential for a kid who can play the bassoon. As she said, he really wouldn't have to play it all that well, and could still get a scholarship! Apparently, bassoon players are in rather short supply. Oh, and have no fear about the support he'll get. Eloise and I have attended so many baseball games, you can't imagine. We have our own fold-up bleacher seats and everything! I've even got a pretty good working knowledge of the finer points of the game now. Hudson is a tenacious kid, usually excels at anything he attempts, and has infinite patience when it comes to learning something new. He's our Lego wizard. Eloise and I split the cost and gave him a Lego train set for Christmas when he was barely nine. It was rated for age 14 and up, and was estimated to take 3-5 days to put together. He finished it before bedtime on Christmas day. Straight A student, too, and cute as a bug! Now, on the other hand, if he changes his mind, no one will guilt him about it. The school supplies the instrument, so his parents aren't out a fortune on it, and he has the freedom to make another choice if he doesn't like the bassoon. However, I think he'll love it. If you knew Hudson, you'd understand. As I told Eloise, that was such a Hudsonesque choice!

Well, I'm off to watch a little TV. Blessings, all. --Romeena
September 07, 2015 - Msg 102597:
Billy Ray, I never heard of paper football. I had to look it up on the internet and found the rules here http://www.paperfootballzone.com/game.html

from Poor Horatio
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102598: PH, we'd play on a school book on the bus. If the football tipped over the edge of the book but remained upright against the end, we called that a safety and it was good for two points. The extra points (NOT field goals, land's sake, what IS that website talking about?) were a test of one's manhood. They were almost always automatic, any decent player made 99% of them, so we used them to entertain ourselves by trying to hit the goal post holder in the face. Closing your eyes was acceptable, but flinching was not, and sure to be mocked.

There was always controversy over the acceptable way to take your turn. I was a firm believer you had to snap the ball with one finter. There was one kid on the bus who held his hand over the ball with his finger pointed down and kind of pushed the ball with a broom sweep motion. There were some fierce arguments over whether that was allowed. Of course there were no official rules to appeal to, so those arguments were never resolved.

Billy Ray the Postman
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102599: Good morning all. Nice cool morning here.

Billy Ray, I played paper football all the time when I was a young-un. Loved it. Especially the extra points. We always held fast to the rule that you had to "flick" the ball rather than "swish" it as you mentioned. So you became somewhat talented in putting a spin on it as you flicked it. Fun times.

Today I pursue pleasures in golf and in billiards. 9 ball in fact for billiards. Much more challenging than 8 ball, and requires planning 2 or 3 shots ahead for cue ball placement.

GF, I think you will make an excellent stand by cymbalist. I got my new disposal installed. Went very smooth, other than the new one didn't come with a power cord. I had already thrown the old disposal in the garbage. So I had to fish it out and get the cord off of it. I would have just made a new one but I didn't have a male connector in my shop and didn't want to go back to the hardware store. And the one off the old one was fine.

I need to take my truck in for a safety inspection and emissions test this morning to get it licensed for another year. My only concern is the tires. I bought the truck new in 2001 and I still don't have 50,000 miles on it. I bet I haven't put 200 miles on it last year. Original tires still. The threads are close, but I think will pass. I just hate going out and spending a lot on money on tires if I don't need to.

Prayers for all.

Asa
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102600: Asa.... The tires might mak it..... Might Not!..... As "Debbie Downer" Barney would say....lol..G-F
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102601: Good morning, porch! It's beautiful here today, lovely breeze blowing, temp is 90° at 11 a.m. - not too bad, I guess. That breeze really helps.

Asa, please don't be "penny-wise and pound-foolish", as my grandma would say. If those tires are "iffy", you replace them. Did you put a penny in the groove of the tread? If Lincoln's head is fully visible, then you need new tires, and maybe even if it's a little bit obscured - you might still need them. Those tires are fifteen years old, and it's my understanding that it's not just wear, but age that can cause a tire to fail. That's the last thing you need, and the very last thing your dear wife needs - for you to be in an accident because a tire failed, especially on those winding mountain roads in your area. Now you listen to me, and please reconsider! We need you! You're the only Asa we've got! OK, that's my "interfere in someone else's business" project for today.

I've got to get busy around here and start getting rid of some of the piles of "stuff" that will become a problem when the carpet people come to do their thing. Of course, I haven't even selected the carpet yet, but the day will come. How on earth one old gal and one tiny dog can create such a mess, I'll never know. Honestly, I've got to get this done before my kids decide to stage an intervention, or submit my name to that "Hoarders" TV show. I guess it's not that bad, but it's getting there. I need to tackle just one closet, or pile, at a time, I guess. It's just kind of overwhelming.

First, however, I'm going to have some lunch! I've got one chicken leg, and a little rice and some corn left over, and some salad. Sounds good! Hey, Asa, here's an idea for you. When I cook corn on the cob, I always cook more than I'll eat at one meal. I plan to have at least two ears left over, sometimes three or four. The next day, I use a sharp knife to cut the kernels off the cob, put some butter in one of those ceramic-coated skillets (love those things!) and sort of stir-fry the corn in the butter, until it starts getting little browned spots on it. Don't let it get too brown. Add a little salt and black pepper, and then the secret - add a couple of generous dollops of sour cream and stir it through, let it get all evenly warmed, and honey, it's goooood! Try it! --Romeena
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102602: Hey, here's another "leftovers" hint. When I make broiled chicken, I usually cook just drumsticks, but any of your favorite pieces will work. I just shake a generous dusting of lemon pepper on the chicken and broil it. Asa, position the rack as far from the broiler unit as you can get it, so the chicken will cook through and not just brown too quickly and still be pink inside. Once the chicken is cooked, save the drippings in a bowl. Refrigerate it, and the fat will rise to the top and solidify. You can then just lift it off with a fork, and what remains will be semi-solid, like jello. Keep that, and discard the fat. The next day, cook some rice to go with the leftover chicken, which you'll have because you planned to have some left. Once the rice is cooked, and hot, (those 90-second Uncle Ben things work well), you stir the chicken drippings into it, and you'll have a wonderful, very flavorful rice to go with your chicken. Chicken flavor Rice-A-Roni works well too - just add those drippings right at the last as your rice finishes cooking. Flavor that just pops!! --Romeena
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102603: Well I'm back, and I lost some weight even, in the way of green backs. Almost a thousand bucks worth of tires. Thank you Romeena, for your concern. You ain't interfering. You're just looking out for my best interests and I do appreciate it. I guess it's the British in me, but I do tend to squeeze a penny to death. My wife jokes that she has never thought it possible for someone to squeeze out as much toothpaste out of an empty tube as I do. lol Remember when those tubes of toothpaste came with the little key to be able to get out every last bit? Back then though the tubes were a different material. It seems maybe more of a lightweight aluminum that would hold it's form. Today's tubes are plastic and will not stay conformed to how you manipulate them. And it takes some work to get the last bit out. But I can do it by golly! :)

Well now the garage smells like a tire store. I might as well try to enjoy it. Lord knows I paid for it.

Romeena, I am not sure if I can broil much in our oven. It is a gas oven and the broiler compartment is in the very bottem with a separate door. I don't think I have an option of raising or lowering anything in it as it is so small an area. Any thoughts?

Asa
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102604: That is bottom.
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102605: Ohh, I also wanted to mention that I just read that Martin Milner (Pete Malloy in Adam 12) has passed away. I really liked him in Adam 12. I have never seen any of the Route 66 shows he starred in though.

Asa
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102606:
Asa, I also enjoyed Martin Milner in Adam 12. Also, there are some Route 66 videos over at YouTube that you can watch. Just search for "Route 66". I did a quick search and found two episodes; one where they visited Cleavland and another where they visited Cape Coral Florida. What is strange about those two episodes is that they are no where near Route 66.
"Attention all units ... 1 Adam 12 has an officer down. RIP Marty at age 83."

from Poor Horatio
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102607: I was going to alert MDC Squad 51 Miss Crump is in trouble, her husband is stuck in a sauna...10-4 .... And Dixie sprained her ankle!... Send Help!!....

RIP Marty.... I liked him too....

G-F...
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102608: Asa, it's a good thing you listened to Romeena, you know she's a nurse...And just like Dixie she know her stuff!
G-F again
September 08, 2015 - Msg 102609: Hi allof on mayberry i miss talking to all of you on here .....gizzmo
September 09, 2015 - Msg 102610: Hey there, Gizzmo! Nice to see you. Are you our Tom's Gizzmo? If so, please tell him hello for us. We miss him.

Asa, I'm so glad you went on and got the new tires. I think you'll be glad you did. Do you notice that your car seems to handle better than it did? I could definitely tell a difference in my car. It just felt more, well, secure on the road, like it had a good grip or something. My imagination, probably, but it's still a good feeling. Now about that broiler oven - I know what you're talking about, I had that kind of stove. Great for broiling a steak, but not too good for chicken. I'm thinking you could lay the chicken out on a flat pan, and bake it until it's almost done. Then switch to the broiler to finish it off and to brown the skin part. Just be sure you catch and save the juices, because that's what flavors all the rice and stuff so nicely. I usually don't cook but about five or six pieces at a time - makes three meals for me. I have an oval-shaped aluminum broiler pan, the kind with the little tree-like indentations that supposedly catch the grease. I line it with heavy duty foil and when the cooking is done and I've poured the drippings off, I just remove the foil and put the still-clean pan back in the cabinet! Once in a while a bit of grease will make it through a pinhole in the foil, but it's easily washed away. No scrubbing! Those pans don't do well in the dishwasher, by the way. Certain aluminum products are like that. I have a measuring cup and a garlic press that didn't handle it well, either. They get sort of chalky-like, and it rubs off! Shiny aluminum does okay, but the dull-finish stuff doesn't. Anyway, try the bake/broil idea with the chicken.

Sorry to hear about Martin Milner. I liked him too. Adam-12 was a favorite show, back in the day. I still have quite a few episodes of it DVR'd, and I watch them now and then.

Well, guess that's it for today. Tomorrow is the first day of ESL classes for this school year. I haven't made any lesson plans, because it's registration day, and students will be trickling in and out. It will be a get-acquainted time, mostly. Next week will start real classes. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to it. The people are so nice, and so eager to learn. Once they realize that no one is going to make fun, or turn them in or anything like that, we form some sweet friendships.

Blessings, friends. --Romeena