December 17, 2015 - Msg 103419: Wow gang loving all the Christmas cards ! here all night to keep lights on..Still got to do some shopping tomorrow after I get a nap in the morning..got the Big Birthday coming up the 22nd ! Turn the ever so young 56 years old ! well let me get some work done back in a bit ! SPOT
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103420: Thanks for cleaning up the place for Christmas, Spot!! :)
MDC
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103421: Hey MDC, Keep a eye out for our OSU Buckeye's, they are heading out to your town for the Fiesta Bowl on New Years Day. They will be fighting those "Irishsters" for that trophy. (Wonder if they will get salsa and cheese dip with that Bowl of chips)...lol It should be a GREAT game.... Hopefully the "Buckeye Nation" folks will behave and "Act like somebody" plus spend a lot of money while they are there. I'm sure they'll be a large contingentcy coming. 🏈
G-F.....
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103422: Well, Brrrrr! It is 33° here this morning!! That's our low so far this winter, I think. I wish you could see what I'm looking at in my backyard, though. My twinkle lights are still on, as they're on a photosensor/timer, and it's very early and not light enough yet to turn them off. I've got some strung through the rose island, because it offers lots of varied heights and shapes, and lights up nicely. Well, there's one rose bush that has grown quite tall, with one cane reaching at least six feet. I managed to snag a string of lights on it, almost at the top, just below a clump of fat pink roses! Now if that isn't a lovely contrast! Almost Christmas, with Christmas lights everywhere, and a natural bouquet of roses topping it all off. So pretty, and so "Texas"!

The squirrels are out in squadrons this morning. This cold air really energizes them. I think they're finally convinced that winter is here, and they're anxious to get some more food tucked away. They're nosing into every nook and cranny, nibbling at seedheads that I've left in the flowerbeds, at the berries on various fruiting shrubs, and checking out my bird feeders and feeding stones for any little tidbits. Everything needs a refill, but I'm going to wait until it warms up slightly before I do that.

Or maybe not. A little mob of sparrows just visited an empty feeder, and are now poking about in the grass beneath it, hoping for something, anything, to appear. Poor little guys, they need food to stoke their inner fires in this cold, so guess I'll just put on a warm robe and go take care of that little matter. I've got a sack of shelled pecans that Eloise found in her freezer and doesn't want to use. I'll put them out there too, and should see a happy dance in the squirrel community. The bluejays will be delighted as well. So, off I go. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103423: 33° does seem a bit cold for Texas, Romeena. Is that a normal temp there in winter?

Kudos to you for actually letting customer service know your opinion on the "Christmas" stuff. Myself, I haven't darkened the door of a Target store ever since they announced that they were doing away with signage that specified the different genders because they feel they have to cowtow to those few who may find the terms "boys" or "girls" "offensive".
I did write to them about that but never got a reply back.

Target has for a long time held more of the "social justice" type of ideals, and haven't been known for being Christian-friendly, so your experience of them acknowledging Christmas(In a sense, for the Mexicans) without actually saying that dreaded word "Christmas", doesn't surprise me.

Really, that's something that's been getting on my nerves this season... hearing, reading and seeing "Holiday" this and "Holiday" that in every ad, for every community or school "Christmas" event, in every store, and plastered all over tv in "Holiday" greetings from the stations and shows, with nary a mention of just what "Holiday" it could possibly be.
Just this year in our community, we've had our "Holiday Parade", our "Holiday Train", and we have our "Holiday Lights" display in the park. It infuriates me not only because I seem to be seeing it more and more, but because of the realization that we have come to the point where some deceiving agitators have made otherwise sensible people believe that "Christmas" is a dirty word.

There, I was going to try to keep a cheerier attitude and keep that in, but Romeena's posting of her experience in Target helped bring it out of me. Because I usually don't complain about anything on this porch. ;-)

I just wish the world would hit themselves on their collective heads and shake this "politically correct" nonsense out of their consciousness and let sanity and common sense rule again. Don't think that's going to happen but a guy can dream, can't I?

On a happier note, Kai is adjusting better in school and seems to be less stressed about algebra ever since I spoke to the guidance counselor and her teacher. There is still her "other" math class that Freshman are required to take that still gives her some trouble, but she is at least asking me for help and not just brooding about the math problems.

Looks like I also will be having to go buy some food for the birds and squirrels since it is getting colder. I have put it off since it has been so warm, but I reckon we will be getting some snow soon, hopefully.

Have a good Friday everyone!

-Sterling Holobyte

December 18, 2015 - Msg 103424: Sterling, I hear ya! I'll tell you what I'm tired of, and that's hearing about people being "offended." You can't specify gender because someone might be offended. You can't say Christmas because someone might be offended. A church is required to tone their music down to 60 decibels (the level of a normal conversation) because a neighbor was offended. A female Marine is court-martialed because she posted a small, typed copy of a scripture verse on the wall of her cubicle, and it offended someone. The list goes on and on. But we're not allowed to be offended by anything, not even some of the outrageous statements made by Mikey Weinstein. Not by the salacious lyrics in the music that people blast from their car radios, not by the vulgar displays that are televised every time there's a gay pride parade. No, I'm not homophobic, but I don't like having their activities televised, and I think there's another definition to "pride." Scrape up a little dignity, people!

Still, none of this should come as any surprise to us. After all, Matthew 5:11 quotes Jesus as saying: "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." At least when that happens, we know we're on the right side.

Well, better get busy. Kids will be coming in tomorrow, and I've still got a bunch to get done, and a Christmas party at church tonight! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103425: Well I don't know about the rest of y'all, but I've heard enough to know we need to write in Romeena for prez-i-dent! Straight talk, common sense, tell it like it is kinda gal. Who's with me?

GF, Big Maude, Possum, thank you for the cards. They mean a lot to me. Even one with an upside down bat winking at me, GF, you rascal!

Well after a week of cold and snow, today is sunny with blue skies and temps getting into the 40's. We been hardly getting into the 30's all week. Now 40 feels like summer. Ha! Amazing how your perception changes.

Asa
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103426: Now there's a candidate I would be proud to vote for, for sure, Asa.
Where did you say you live, Asa, with all your cold and snow? We just have cold up here in WI.

Romeena, I am still waiting for someone to be "offended" and complain about the Catholic church here "forcing their religion down everyone's throat" by ringing their bell every hour(except late at night) and on Sunday mornings, which has been going on for as long as I can remember. I would actually miss it if they stopped doing it. So would Noah. He likes counting the "bongs" and then telling me what time it is. He is a smart little guy.

-Sterling Holobyte


December 18, 2015 - Msg 103427: Oh, just wait, Sterling. It will happen eventually. If we don't get some people (not just the president) in Washington who have some backbone, we're going to find ourselves worshiping in secret, behind locked doors. Meanwhile, the Muslims will be gathered in the streets, on their knees on their little rugs, backsides in the air, praying to Allah while traffic backs up around them. It's happening elsewhere, why not here? More and more, I'm glad to be old, but I tremble for my grandkids. --Romeena
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103428: Hi All.
G F gat some snow today maybe a ich for now.
OLD TOM
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103429: Try some talcum powder for that itch, Tom. 😉

-Sterling Holobyte
December 18, 2015 - Msg 103430: TOM... We still do not have any snow, my new snow blower is still scaring the snow away... Ok with me!...G-F
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103431: Hello gang! I made Christmas cookies yesterday for the first time in a long time! It was so much fun to listen to my Goodyear and Firestone record albums as I baked. I used to do it every year, but had taken a 15 year hiatus as i helped with mom and dad care. Today i went to our local mall, but alas, it is past its heyday. Many stores have left it for newer venues. Today, on Dec 18, I parked about 50 feet from one of the mall entrances!! It used to be jammed with cars. At least there were still kids visiting Santa, and there is always a life-size nativity there, and Sears has nice Merry Christmas signs!
POSSUm FB'd a cute video of Jimmy the goat playing a guitar.
Anyone have any Christmas stories to share?
APB for LUCY, KY GIRL, New NEIghbor, JOHN Masters, etc. Come on "home" for Christmas!

Prayers,
MDC
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103432: Oh Sterling, Your "Because I usually don't complain about anything on this porch" line actually made me LOL! good one friend.
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103433: AuH2o, You getting some of that "lake effect" snow action?.... That is a crazy phenomenon for those who live in in those areas. http://youtu.be/hCS7HmjZAto MDC not exactly a Christmas story, but it is a nice challenge for us to do....:)

G-F🎄
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103434: Wow - I love that Coke commercial! What a great idea for a commercial, and a terrific sentiment. Thanks for sharing, G-F.

Sterling, 33° in the middle of December isn't actually unusual here, though it's not a frequent occurrence. However, this year it is unusual, because we've been staying well above the 40s. This morning, for example, it's 40° at 7:45 a.m. I've still got roses in bloom. That tall pink one I mentioned has opened another bloom, and my knockout roses all have a lot of flowers on them. The Cinco de Mayo rose out front has three big fat beautiful blooms. It's a pretty thing, each flower sports several colors, from a pretty gold through pink, red and a russet brown on the edges of the petals. Unusual, and a prolific bloomer. Also, a deep purple iris, one not thought to be a rebloomer, has opened a lovely flower in the front bed by the sidewalk. Always a happy surprise now and then, when you have flowers.

Well, all the feed I put out yesterday is gone. The little rascals were hungry! They gobbled down those "freezer-y" pecans Eloise gave me in a flash. The freezer taste didn't seem to bother them at all. I only put out half the bag, guess I'll put the rest out for them. They think they hit the jackpot!

The SS Department party was fun last night. More food than we needed, all good, and some silly games, some Christmas carols, and a good time was had by all. Church friends - you can't beat 'em! Kinda like porch friends. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103435: Good day
Thank you everyone for the Christmas cards.
Romeena -Thank you for the little help and now her are in (hot water) are friend the spy told. hehe

ICE TOM

December 19, 2015 - Msg 103436: Hello all,
I saw this on my Twitter timeline and just wanted to share it. You may have seen this before and/or noticed this in the special A Charlie Brown Christmas before, but in all the years I have watched this show(since I was a kid), I never picked up on this, and I think it is amazing.
Edit: Well, the censor won't let me post the whole link; says it is too long.
Here is part of the link. If you want to read it just scroll about halfway down the page to the article called "Just Drop The Blanket: The Moment You Never Noticed In A Charlie Brown Christmas" Sorry for that. But it's a worthwhile read.
http://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/

Merry Christmas to all my porch pals.

-Sterling Holobyte


December 19, 2015 - Msg 103437: Hi. I just got the latest snail mail from TAGSRWC and the newsletter that said there will be no more snail mail. :( Is there a pen pal club (snail mail) associated with TAGSRWC?

Merry Christmas.

-Susan
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103438:
Below is a short direct link to what Sterling Holobyte wanted to post in his Msg 103436.
http://tinyurl.com/ohgn975

from Poor Horatio

December 19, 2015 - Msg 103439:
Hello and welcome Susan. As for your request about a snail mail TAGS newsletter, check out http://www.imayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/anewsome/private/mailinglists.htm

from Poor Horatio
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103440:
Hey Y'all!Saw this on Facebook and wanted to share- it's a short video called "Mayberry Christmas 2015". I believe you'll enjoy it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY8TnyrpNnE

******************
possum under a rock
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103441: Thank you for the information Poor Horatio. The youtube video was nicely done too, thank you for that link 'Possum.

-Susan
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103442: Hey Possum,PH,Romeena,Gf,MDC,Boo and all...Susan are you a new porch sitter?..im here in Georgia on the southern end..and as far as an answer?..hum will see what the gang says..well Miss Spot and I went out last night to view lights...had a great time..and im here all night keeping the lights on...gona read a little...SPOT
December 19, 2015 - Msg 103443: Thanks Poor Horatio. I should have known you'd know how to fix it. Aunt Bee should have called you for her freezer that went on the fritz.

And Possum, nice video. Thanks for posting the link!

-Sterling Holobyte
December 20, 2015 - Msg 103444: HI Gang, Welcome Susan!
I heard from the Hubacher brothers up at state prison. They sent leather bookmarks for everyone! ha
GF--good link, yes indeed, pay it forward! In fact I have heard of people in fast food drive thrus doing that, so in the spirit of the season, I did it today! As Gomer would say, it's worth a good thank. I told the lady at the window that I would like to pay the bill for the guy behind me. It was $6.98, didnt 'break my bank,' and I made someone happy!
I got a small package from my sister today, and she wrote "FRA-JILL-LAY" on the side of the box! Too funny.
RO--sounds like you had a good time! Hope no one brought any 'rum balls' to your SS celebration!! haha
SPOTTY--thanks for checking in.
POSSUM- your FB posts are groovy man! Like, cool! :)
Ya all are in my prayers,
MDC
December 20, 2015 - Msg 103445: Merry Christmas to all, and to all nip it in the bud. Ha! Great link Possum. I enjoyed that a lot.

Welcome to Susan. Tell us more about yourself. I hope you find it comfortable here. Good folks and good fellowship here.

Well I finally got all my Christmas cards in the mail yesterday. I hope you get them in time. This past week and a half has been very busy working 10 and 12 hour days with all the snow we have had.

GF, As much as you dislike snow, I bet there is part of you that would like to see some so you can try out that new machine. After all the snow we got last week, they are saying we will have rain down here in the valley's this week. Hard to imagine that this time of year, but I am good with that. If we are having rain, the mountains are getting a wet heavy snow, just what we need for our water situation.

Well I better go get myself groomed for preachin. I like to start early, give my britches a chance to cool off so I don't have hot knees. :)

Asa
December 20, 2015 - Msg 103446: Lol Asa, Only a small part buddy!...haha The past few days have been cold, but still no snow in my parts. Snow belt got some action, I suppose Auh2o got some of that too. But "they" say next week back to the 60's...l can dig it!...lol If ya can't "dig" it ya gotta blow it!...haha

Hopefully TOM will get a little snow off the Ohio River so he can have him a White Christmas...

MDC Good on you! Sometimes ya gotta do a little RAOK to folks. If restores their faith in humanity.. Pay it forward indeed, it pays you back ten fold, Amen?

SPOT looking at Christmas lights..... It's Kinda like sending a kid to watch them make Tootsie Pops!.... Guess that makes him a Christmas lineman for the county...lol

🎄G-F🎄
December 20, 2015 - Msg 103447: G F- Snow or not it just one more day
or rain or not just live it as it come ?

TOM
December 20, 2015 - Msg 103448:
With mid-50s expected on Christmas Eve and mid-40s expected on Christmas Day, we will be having a green Christmas here near Toronto Canada. Snow is no longer fun for me.

from Poor Horatio
December 20, 2015 - Msg 103449: PH, it aint never been fun for me! ha. I'll drive 90 minutes to northern AZ, enjoy it for an hour, and drive home, thank you very much!
ASA--man, 10 to 12 hours, ya gotta get a little time off bro. Maybe take a Thank under a bucket! ha
GF--But does Spot "drive the main road??" hmm
Half time of my Cards and Philly.
Pastor today at Holy Spirit Cath Church talked about how HE encountered Jesus as a 12 year old lad!! It was his most moving talk in the 10 years that he's been there. You could hear a pin drop when he
said (whispered 'loudly') that great line: "I knew that I knew that I knew!" I pray that everyone has that special 'touch' of Jesus and his saving power this Christmas! He is so good, and we are so blessed!
MDC
December 20, 2015 - Msg 103450: MDC... Looks like the Redbirds were stronger than a Green Bird tonight...That goes the same for Sea Birds too!...
I think SPOT takes the road Mrs. SPOT tells him to take I suppose...lol.... G-F
December 21, 2015 - Msg 103451: I would a little snow and
G F keep the rain on that sizd

TOM

December 21, 2015 - Msg 103452: Good afternoon, porch. My daughter and family left a couple of hours ago, headed back south, to Fredericksburg. Sure is quiet around here. Amazing what a difference an 8 yr old and a dog can make. Trip is a typical little boy, and you know the definition of a boy, don't you? It's a noise with dirt on it! He's precious, a smart and cute kid, very loving. Also very busy, and we wouldn't have him any other way. The dog, Max, is a very well-behaved fellow, quiet and dignified, whose major aim in life is to someday catch a squirrel. He will sit at my back door for hours on end, watching the squirrels, and no doubt cursing the fact that he doesn't have thumbs and therefore cannot operate the lock on the back door!

Big news around here. Friday night when I came home from the Christmas party at church, there were three police cruisers parked in front of the house two doors west of my house. They have three boys, ages approx 18, 20 and 21, and there have been some minor scrapes in the past, so I didn't pay much attention. Today, it's all over the news. A few streets away, an 86 yr old woman was attacked and beaten, and last night, she died. The chief suspects are those boys, especially the oldest one. Channel 8 news had a reporter on the street today, seeking interviews with neighbors. She approached me and asked if I would consent to an interview on camera, but I declined. As I told her, I have absolutely nothing to say that would have any bearing on the case, didn't even know it had happened, as we haven't been watching TV. I do know of some nuisance situations with the boys, and they may or may not have been the ones who painted the obscenities on my garage door and on my neighbor's, but I have no proof. Later, if it's necessary, I would talk to the police, but I'm not about to get in front of a camera and let an experienced reporter pull a comment out of me that can be spun any way they want to. Nope. The way our judicial system is today, those boys will likely be back on the streets by Christmas, and my mama didn't raise any fools.

Well, Toye Starr is finished at the groomer (her annual spruce-up trip) so guess I'll go get her. It's too quiet around here! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
December 21, 2015 - Msg 103453: I'm home with Toye Starr, and she looks so pretty! They trimmed up the straggly ends of her coat, cleaned up her sweet little face, gave her coat an oil treatment, so it's like silk, and she just looks beautiful. She's glad to be home with her mama, though, and her mama is glad to have her back. All the way home, she sat very close to me, and every couple of minutes would reach up and do a tiny lick-lick on my arm - the puppy version of a little kiss. She is the most loving little thing. Gotta love her! --Romeena
December 21, 2015 - Msg 103454: RO--that is SO sad about that woman, and so close to Christmas. Some family will be without a grandma this Christmas and just because of some stupid delinquents.
I sure hope they dont get out, and a BIG bail or no bail is set!
On a lighter side, I decided to visit the group home today where my dad used to live for his last two years. I called the owner first, and she said, sure come on over! I sang some carols with the residents, and I gained some peace as this will be my first Christmas without dad. So many wonderful childhood memories flooded my soul today, eight kids and 2 great parents living in a 1500 square foot home, warm, cozy and always food on the table and simple gifts under the tree.
Nothing fancy, a basketball, cap guns, or dolls for my sisters. May we all try to get back to the basic simple things.
My wife and I attended a concert Sunday afternoon, and as we were walking back to our car, we encountered a rather confused elderly man using a walker. He said he was to meet a small red bus from his retirement community. I had seen that bus when we came out. My wife waited with him as I walked back to the bus/van and I told the driver! He thanked me profusely as he was looking all over for him. I got on the bus and he drove it right to the man. Seems like the man had used the restroom on the far end of the lobby, and then went out a side door by mistake. Anyway, a good ending. I guess I am more aware of confused elderly folks these days! ha
GF, ASA, Spot--my Cards division champs, but Mattheu out for season!
MDC
December 22, 2015 - Msg 103455: MDC, that was nice for you to go back to that group home and spend some time with the folks there. So many are forgotten and ignored by their families. I'll bet they appreciated you sharing some of your own time with them.

As for the woman apparently murdered by the three boys down the street, I'm still in shock. I knew the boys were giving their parents trouble, and they have never been friendly or even just pleasant, but who would have expected this? I agree with you, they need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent, but don't count on it. As I predicted, one of them has already been released, with the police saying there isn't enough evidence of his participation to hold him. That's strange, because I recall another case in the news a year or so ago, where somebody got serious jail time because they were in the car with some other guys who went in and robbed a convenience store, where someone was killed. He claimed he didn't participate, but the ruling was that in a capital crime, if you're present, you're a participant.

The one who has been charged with the actual murder was already on probation for cutting another man with a broken bottle two weeks ago. These boys are Native American, adopted by a caucasian family when they were small. The lawyers will be all over that - troubled background, disadvantaged minority, etc. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. Like I said, I knew the boys were giving their parents trouble, but no one knew things were this bad. This is really a nice, quiet neighborhood, and everyone is just stunned. So far, the police haven't been able to establish a motive. No one knows why they suddenly attacked the woman, who apparently was just minding her own business, had walked across the street to invite a neighbor to dinner. Meantime, the boys had gone to her home looking for a friend of theirs. The friend's sister lived there, told them the friend wasn't at home, they left the door, saw the woman coming back across the street, and just attacked her. I'm guessing she may have known they were bad news, and made some remark to them, like telling them to stay away from her grandson or something, so they just killed her. What is this world coming to?

Then we have that slimy little c@ckroach, Ethan Couch, the "affluenza" kid who got liquored up and drove a car, killed four people, and got ten years probation because he was a rich kid, so spoiled by his parents he couldn't tell right from wrong. What garbage. Now he's skipped probation and is on the run, accompanied by his mother. Does anyone see a hint here, as to what might have been his problem? He should be sitting in prison right now, instead of taxpayer money being spent to try to find his worthless hide, and his stupid mother as well. Affluenza! My achin' back! --Romeena
December 22, 2015 - Msg 103456: Romeena, I think that kid should have been taken out back of the courthouse and shown the Old fashioned "Wood Shed" like Arnold Winkler... Just Sayin'....G-F
December 22, 2015 - Msg 103457: MDC, that's great you visited your Pop's group home, I think he'd be proud you "paid it forward" to his friends there.
I think we have to find ways to "medicate" ourselves sometimes over the holidays. Let me share mine...

Several years ago before Mom passed, I put all our home movies together and put them on VHS. I also had her narrate it. I gave copies to everyone the first Christmas after she passed away.

This year I converted it to a flash-drive, along with many old pictures I had, along with the files of our Ansestry stuff my Son had researched on line. We even had some cool documents to go with it. Like the immigration papers of my 4x Great Grandfather's arrival from Switzerland.

I also have been working the past few months on my "writings" to my kids of my growing up experiences and many stories of my life. I called it: "Who's your Daddy?" I must say it has a been a very "therepetic" way to get thru the Holiday "funky blues" I usually experience. I also added many, many of our pictures of them growing up. Like the snow sculptures we would make. (Regular snowmen were to common for us)...

It was a much better way to deal with it than the way Clark W. Griswold's Dad did... Remember that line?...haha

All in all I pray everyone has a great Christmas, celebrating in the best ways they can. We should also pray for those who struggle too this time of the year... Amen?.....G-F
December 22, 2015 - Msg 103458: Hi all.
Will HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPOT
Have a good one.

TOM

December 22, 2015 - Msg 103459: Thanks TOM !busy here in the rain at wk....will ck in in a bit SPOT
December 22, 2015 - Msg 103460: Happy Birthday,Spotty! Welcome to "Club 56"!

Party at O'Malley's,y'all!

***************
possum under a rock
December 22, 2015 - Msg 103461: Oops! Forgot to unbold myself up there!
December 23, 2015 - Msg 103462: SHAKEDOWN at O'Malley's place...Hey Chuck! (:

December 23, 2015 - Msg 103463: Stay a way from O'MALLEY.
He came back for the Holiday! (BOO)

TOM
December 23, 2015 - Msg 103464: Wanted to thank everyone who sent Christmas cards-Asa,yours came today,so you can stop worrying if your cards made it on time! Very nice card-thank you,friend. Thank you all and hope everyone has a lovely Christmas!

***********
possum u.a.r.
December 23, 2015 - Msg 103465: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I didnt send cards, but I DO send
all my love to you all! I know that someday
we will meet in the Heavenly realm, (if not beforehand)!!
MDC
December 24, 2015 - Msg 103466: Merry Christmas eve porch!

I hope and pray you all have a blessed Christmas.

Been so very busy here with snow. One of our local ski resorts has received 6 feet of snow in just the last 3 days. And much of it has been a wet heavy snow. It is very much needed for sure, but it sure has been a chore trying to deal with. We get a break from it today, but more expected tonight and on Christmas day. I tell ya, my snow blower has gotten a workout this year so far. Then yesterday I get home after a long long day with battling snow, and open an e-mail from Ro, who had sent it to me from GF. There he sits in a lawn chair, in shorts, next to his brand new, never been used, cobwebbed snow blower, with a bottle of root beer in his hand. Oh the injustice! But after the winter he had last year, I am glad they are getting a break this year. I hope you don't break a nail, or a sweat there GF. You should at least wipe the cobwebs off the machine. You might need to use it one of these days. It's like bullets. They need attention you know? :)

I'm glad my card made it to you Possum, and others. I also thank you for the cards. I got one from Lucy, but I didn't see her name on the list, so I didn't get one to her. But Merry Christmas Lucy. I hope all is well for you.

MDC, I find myself kind of cheering on your red birds. I would love to see Ariens win the big one. He seems like a decent chap, and sure seems to know how to coach.

Well I am off work until Tuesday, so the old "Wheeler" and I are going to share some quality time together. I miss it, and I hope it misses me. :)

Prayers for all for a wonderful Christmas.

Asa
December 24, 2015 - Msg 103467: Asa, sorry for your "snow whoa's" but you are right "Snow Joe" and I are "ready for action" when the inevitable happens! I thought I had my "Gilligan Hat" put away for the summer, but I could not resist the photo opportunity. My GrandKidder Brooklyn even loaned me her goofy glasses too... But you are right, after the last two years Goob does need a break...
Glad to hear you get some "Wheelertime" in too!

Thanks everyone for the Christmas cards they are adorning my Charlie Brown tree...

I am TRUELY thankful for all my Mayberry friends, may you all have a Merry Christmas 🎄 (we can still say that here) and a Hopeful New Year......G-F
December 24, 2015 - Msg 103468: Oh Yes, by the way, a peanut butter sammich does go down a whole lot better with a "Dad's" root beer!..lol
December 24, 2015 - Msg 103469: Merry Christmas to all of my wonderful porch friends! Have a blessed day and enjoy your families and friends,.
Prayers and blessings to all.
Big Maude
December 24, 2015 - Msg 103470: Merry Christmas Eve.

G-F This is nice weather for this time of the year
if it stay that way we can cook outdoor!
Asa If I can box some of this nice day up ,
G-F and I would send some to you.
SEND ME ONE OF THE OLD DAD ROOT BEER?

TOM ;)
December 24, 2015 - Msg 103471: Yes TOM we would send him some, it goes good with a cold Dad's root beer!....
It's another record breaking warm day here..... G-F ☀️


December 24, 2015 - Msg 103472: Well im here at work by choose...I allways try to let the workers with small children off today and tomorrow ...I try to cover their shifts !Can you believe today and tomorrow will set a record in the Atlanta area...76* here today...had air on in truck on way to work this afternoon...crazy south !..well let me grab these phones...Merry CHRISTmas Eve to all....they did get us a honey baked ham and fixing !...SPOT
December 24, 2015 - Msg 103473: How-do, porch! Spot, we Texans are right there with you. It's 74° here, at 3pm. However, the weather guys are making noise abut a cold front coming in, and the Texas panhandle is going to get some serious snow. It won't make it here, but it should cool things off quite a bit. Weird.

My apologies to all, but I never got any Christmas cards mailed. Well, just one. I did send one to Papa Bear, and enclosed the porch list for him. That's the only card I sent. Dirty me, dirty me, I'm disgusted with myself! Just seemed like I never could get settled down long enough to do it. I'm counting on each of you to know that I wish you the very best, not just here at Christmas, but throughout the year. You're the best there is! Merry Christmas! --Romeena
December 24, 2015 - Msg 103474: MERRY CHRISTMAS from COLD Phx area! Crazy indeed! I hear that our 50s are indeed colder than many of you all! Heard that even AUH20's NY is in the 70s!!
To be only about 54 on Christmas, but I bet POSSUM is sunning herself on TOP of her rock!! ha Spotty, that is very nice of you! I hope Miss Martha is good with it tho! haha
Here it is Christmas eve alredy and 2015 is about to check out! Wow, time marches on I guess.
Well, spot, RO, ASA, possum, tom, boo, Lucy, auh20, Big Maude, papabear PH and EVERYONE!!
Jesus our SAVIOR is born!! :)
Love ya,
MDC

December 24, 2015 - Msg 103475: Love the warm weather. I've never been one to look for a White Christmas, so this is fine by me. Oddly enough, I got my first 2 Christmas cards today. Somehow I hadn't really noticed I hadn't gotten any yet. I hope my mailman hasn't been sleeping on the job.


Be sure to take a look at the moon tonight and tomorrow. It is something else.

Billy Ray the Postman
December 25, 2015 - Msg 103476: Merry Christmas to my porch family. Hope you are all well and blessed. We had a nice Christmas Eve with family. We attended the Christmas eve candlelight service and it was a blessing. Mother in law nearly set fire toy hair but I ducked out of the way. Good grief.
Spent some time with St. Susan and her family at her son's home then everyone came to our house to eat and play a game. I am about to turn in for the night. I am working tomorrow evening but that's OK. The kids at work need a mom at Christmas. Erin told me that she will miss me but is glad she can share her mom with the girls who are away from family at Christmas. :)

Can you believe it was 80 degrees here today? Yuck.

Merry Christmas and love to all,
Boo
December 25, 2015 - Msg 103477: Billy Ray, you are right! That moon was spectacular!

Eloise and Jerry and I went out to David and Brittney's tonight for Christmas Eve (I drove) and I'm happy to report that traffic wasn't bad, no one was driving nutty (well, almost no one) and Toye Starr and I are now at home, safe and sound, thank the Lord. I think I may journal a bit, then hit the hay. Tomorrow we go over to Eloise's for Christmas dinner. I've got to make a big fruit salad, but I'll do that in the morning. For now, I'm ready to unwind.

I may have given you this link before, but if so, it's worth repeating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaCwBxfOGDw

This is Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius, singing a beautiful Christmas song, called "Fall Softly, Snow." It's perfect for a Christmas Eve. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas to all. --Romeena
December 25, 2015 - Msg 103478: "Merry Christmas you old wonderful Building and Loan!" (:
December 25, 2015 - Msg 103479: Merry Christmas, porch friends.

Well, we were blessed with some snow(yes, I said Blessed) on Christmas Eve Eve(day before yesterday since it is already tomorrow... huh?). Of course, it came with some freezing rain so that brought some ice underneath it. But I was just happy it was going to be a white Christmas, since it was just enough to cover the grass and trees.
Then, when we got out of candlelight Christmas Eve service tonight, there was a nice, soft snow coming down. Perfect!
Sorry for you folks who got a ton of the white stuff. But I think you would have liked this snowfall. Not enough to shovel, but just enough to make everything beautiful.

I must have been naughty though, because tonight our hot water heater went on the fritz and started leaking, so I guess I will be having one of those put in, whenever businesses open again, which will be Monday. It's a long weekend to go without hot water, so I am turning it on and off as the situation calls for it. It is a gas heater, so I have to go through the whole turning the pilot light on and off as well.
Oh well. Can't have everything. But at least I got my white Christmas.

Blessings to you and yours, and have a nice Christmas Day.

-Sterling Holobyte
December 25, 2015 - Msg 103480: Merry Christmas everyone!
**†*†**********
possum under a rock

December 25, 2015 - Msg 103481: GOOD DAY.
Merry Christmas to all my friend here on the
porch.

TOM
December 25, 2015 - Msg 103482: Sorry about your tank Sterling, It's like Roseanna Danna used to say: "It's Always Something!".... But me being preventively maintenance oriented I have a new one in moth balls ready to be put in, Right Asa?....

Well I wish everyone a Merry Christmas to you and yours!...🎄

G-F..🎄
December 25, 2015 - Msg 103483: Merry Christmas Porch pals.

Glad you got some snow Sterling. We sure have plenty if you want more. Sorry about that water heater. How old is it? As GF said, us old maint. fellers have one ready to roll in, and hopefully all the stuff we need to install it. Just comes from being in the business for ever. Them things never go out at a good time it seems.

Don't go beating yourself up inside about them cards Romeena. We know where your heart is. Thanks for sending out the list each year.

I hope you have a great Christmas Possum and Tom. And good on you Spot, allowing your younger coworkers with young-uns to be home with their kids for Christmas morning. You're a good chap.

Going to Stacey and Matt's house for breakfast in just a few minutes, then back over later for Dinner. I have been asked to bring my deviled eggs to the occasion. Makes a feller feel kinda good to have folks like something I can muster up in the kitchen. I cooked my wife and I a couple of Cornish game hens last night for our traditional Christmas eve dinner, and they came out pretty good I thought. Had wild rice with it, and an orange sauce with raisins in it. The one time I don't mind my main dish concealed in a heavy sauce. We watched A Christmas Carol with Alistair Simm while we ate, another tradition. We bought one on DVD this year that had been colorized. I wasn't sure how I would like that, being the purist that I am. But it looked really good in color I thought. Speaking of color, don't forget that CBS is showing to episodes of TAGS tonight that have been colorized. The Christmas Story and the Pickle episode. I wonder what Bee's pickles will look like in color. Will they be green? Or brown? :O

Good to see you Boo. Hope you are doing ok.

Well better get to Stacey's house. I am glad it is only 5 minutes away.

Asa