April 06, 2016 - Msg 104277: Good evening, porch. MDC, I used to do the laundry frequently too, almost every day when there were four kids at home. With that many people, you can't keep up with the sheets and towels, and dirty jeans, let alone the rest of it. Now, with it being just me, it's very different. I like to separate things into like-item loads - all towels, all jeans, etc. I live in jeans and t-shirts, and my t-shirts are taken from the dryer while still very, very damp, and hung on hangers to dry overnight. If I combined loads and washed every four days or so, I'd have damp t-shirts hanging around all the time. One person vs a family makes for a totally different approach.

It's been such a beautiful day. It's 77° and quite breezy out there right now, bright sun, flowers blooming or budding, and just lovely. My favorite time of the year!

Asa, here's a quick meal for you. I bought a roast chicken from the grocery, had used about 2/3 of it for something else, but had all that good roast chicken meat left. I cooked about half a small bag of macaroni and drained it. While it was still very hot, I stirred in a large handful of shredded cheddar - probably nearly two cups. I coarse-chopped a medium onion and sauteéd it in a couple of tablespoons of butter. Drained a can of young green peas and a small can of sliced ripe olives and stirred them into the onion. Chopped up the chicken and added it, let it all heat through, then added it to the macaroni and stirred it in. It was a bit stiff, so I added about 2/3 c. of buttermilk and stirred it in . A few dashes of Tabasco tossed in, and it was delicious. Yes, you can use buttermilk. Eloise shivers when I do things like that, because she doesn't like buttermilk, but when I do it and she doesn't see it, she likes the dish. I use buttermilk a lot, because I don't like regular milk and don't keep it on hand, but I love buttermilk. You don't actually taste the buttermilk, but it does add a pleasant tanginess to the dish. Anyway, it was very good, and the hardest part was boiling the macaroni!

Well, it made a lot, so guess I'll have it again tonight. No problem. It was good last night, will be just as good, if not better, tonight. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
April 06, 2016 - Msg 104278: I figured I'd sweep, since I don't have to cook tonight. Just a quick zap in the micro, and dinner is served! --Romeena
April 06, 2016 - Msg 104279: Good evening, folks. Quick drop in to say Hi and that a lot has gone in life. Moved to a new place, lost a relative, 86 year old father went thru two major surgeries, it's been "hammer down" since October 2015. Hope all is well with everyone! My best wishes and I'll drop in when I'm not in such a hurry. Hopefully, I wont run smack into Dr. Breen.

John Masters
April 06, 2016 - Msg 104280: ^^^ shouldve said "gone ON" JM

April 06, 2016 - Msg 104281:
Romeena, regarding that "52" error message you posted about in you Msg 104269, I think it is the same that I got a couple of times. It displayed a white page with "502 Bad Gateway - nginx". I also notified Floyd about this.
MDC, what is this internet upgrading that is affecting home computers that you posted about? Do you have a link I can read more about it? I can't find anything by searching so far.

John Masters, sorry to learn about your father's health issues. I hope his recovery is speedy and results in little discomfort.

from Poor Horatio
April 06, 2016 - Msg 104282: G F HOW THE NEW HOT DOG GO THERE AT THE GAME

TOM

April 06, 2016 - Msg 104283: TOM, I haven't been to the Indians stadium for a long time, but I do go to some minor league games. The Indians have a farm team over by Youngstown way. It's a lot cheaper and just as fun especially when I take the GrandKidders. Usually on "Dollar Dog Night" I can fill them up for not so much...lol
Minor league games are much more family friendly...G-F
April 06, 2016 - Msg 104284: OK PH and ALL, take a look at this link, it may make my 'splain' a bit easier to understand. We all
know that 'upgrades' or 'fixes' can sometimes be a real hassle...
http://tinyurl.com/jeujf2q
That is just one small example of what is suddenly happening all around the country as they go from 4G
to what is called LTE (Long Term Evolution) and AWS (Area Wide Spectrum) That's what i was told at the T-Mobile store. Just sayin'.
GF--I'm with you on baseball, give me a triple A game or college game any day!
Hey to John Masters. Hang in there buddy. Sorry for your loss.
MDC
April 06, 2016 - Msg 104285: Folks, just letting you know that I'm still working on finding a fix to the problem you're reporting. All the information you've been providing has been and is helpful.
--Floyd
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104286: This may be more informative, and as with many new technologies, they come with some glitches...
http://www.telecomstechnews.com/news/2016/jan/12/opinion-are-you-ready-shift-lte2/

MDC, and thanks sherif Tom for letting me have a tablet in jail! :)
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104287: It's good to see that MDC is trying to rehabilitate himself while in prison by studying computer technology. It may help him better than a Mr. Potato set, or a leather crafting set!....
Keep up the good work and TOM may let you out early for good behavior....Now if we can just get him to stop saying "ain't" anymore that would be GERAT!.....G-F

p.s. Possum better be careful about talking jail-breaks or she may be the next one to get inarculated.... TOM has no problem locking up female possums!...All he has to do is get a sheet and some female type things to make it happen!.... Just Sayin'
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104288: Thanks Floyd. Yesterday here at work I was even having a hard time getting on. That was a first for here. I was getting the same "502 Bad Gateway message that PH was getting. Appreciate all you do.

Good to see you John. Sorry for your loss. I hope you can post more often.

That sounds like a nice meal Ro. Thanks for the ideas. I appreciate those simple recipes. With spring here, and all that comes with it, I don't have much time in the kitchen. So any quick easy dinners are a blessing.

Hey GF, I couldn't agree more about the baseball games being more fun at the Triple A level. I do pyro shows for our local T-A team here. Loads of fun, and the crowd enjoys it. I just hate all the clean up afterwards.

Well better get moving. I did a half dozen back flows yesterday, and so far they all have passed. Big surprise. THe largest is a 4 inch feller and it has issues just about every year. But it passed with no problems yesterday.

Asa
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104289: Wow Asa, that sounds like a fun gig... Back in the day my Dad was quite the pyrotechnic, he trade guys fireworks for a fill-up. So we had plenty on the 4th to Glen Ford for the entire neighborhood to watch.....
I know what ya mean about the larger back flows, they can be a pain to get to hold at times....G-F again
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104290: Thanks Floyd ! Karen Knotts excepted my friend request on FB...See some of the porch are friends with her also...cool...well here at work for the night. Supper from the southern end of the porch. Menu: Fried Pork Chops,turnnip greens,cream taters and white gravy,corn on the cobb,fried okra and sweet tea...and oh cornbread..and a slice of sweet onion ! prayers SPOT
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104291: NOT TO HAPPY TODAY SO GOING TO ADD TWO MORE IN JAIL (1)MDC (2) GF) AND (3) ASA AND FOR THE THREE WEEK ALL YOU WILL HAVE IS A FRUI LOOP HOT DOG ONE A DAY

TOM

April 07, 2016 - Msg 104292: Good afternoon, porch. Asa, I'm sure you know the wonders of those rotisserie chickens from the supermarket. Around here, they're about $6 for a big old chicken, and they're good! I'm sure your stores have them, I think they're pretty much nationwide. You pick up one of those things on the way home, then heat up a package of Uncle Ben's Ready Rice and open a can of some veggie, and you've got dinner. Five minutes, tops! The chicken will make two meals for two people easily, and for me, it makes at least three. Talk about a bargain!

I enjoy the college and minor league games too! Very casual, relaxed, smaller crowds, cheap hotdogs, and lots of fun. Eloise and I have our own little clamp-on bleacher seats, with backs, so we can get comfortable. I love baseball, especially the kids' games, when our grandsons are playing.

Well, I need to go deadhead some irises and some Gerbera daisies. The irises won't bloom again, they'll just look neater. The daisies, however, will bloom again if I deadhead them. Accommodatin' little things!

Blessings, porch! --Romeena
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104293: Hey, Tom. How about letting the boys out of jail? I think doing something nice for somebody like that would make you feel happier than locking them up. You reckon? --Romeena
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104294:
Floyd, glad to learn you have not given up on the intermittent problem. Although I don't have the server access like you do, if you need help such as performing testing, don't hesitate to ask.

TOM, I laughed when I read that you are limiting MDC, G-F and Asa to fruit loops and a hot dog each day in jail. Just be sure to put those fruit loops in dirty bowls and use stale buns for the hot dogs.

Speaking of amateur baseball, I am somewhat disappointed that my nephews all grew up and moved away. I miss attending their Little League and high school baseball games.

from Poor Horatio
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104295: Good afternoon porch My Atlanta Hawks won again !..hope we keep the streak going into the playoffs !..car hit pole and broke it a little while ago...got crews coming in to change it out ! well I'm here all night ..SPOT
April 07, 2016 - Msg 104296: POOR HORATIO S THE FRUIT LOOPS DO NOT GO IN A BOWL!
THE FRUIT LOOPS ON A THE HOT DOG !
IT A NEW THING AT THE CLEVELAND GAME.

TOM

April 07, 2016 - Msg 104297: Fruit loops on a hot dog?? Hmmm. That sounds a bit far out, even to me, and I have very adventurous taste buds.

Just heard on the news about the big dust-up with Verizon being sold to Frontier in 14 states, and it seems that everyone involved is having serious problems with their internet service. In some areas, it just isn't working at all. Do you suppose that could be part of the current problems the porch is having? Just wondering...

Blessings, porch. --Romeena
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104298: SHHHHH, I'm gonna ask TOM for a metalcraft set! ha
Or I'll start praising the Lord and the doors will open that way!!! :) Cleveland can have their fruitloop hot dogs! lol
RO-my wife just deadheaded her irises. I think you saw them on FB in full bloom.
RO-I bet it is part of the internet problem. I am going to endure the slower
speed on my stick for a while longer and see what happens. As i mentioned
earlier, it seems like getting something 'better' always does something
just the opposite for a while. Example: when they first started scanning tickets for events, the scanners were hit and miss it seemed. Once i asked the
ticket taker why they cant just tear off the stub, but he said, nope, cant do that anymore, and it literally took about 20 scans to get the thing to beep!
SPOT--glad to see you got the truck rolling. GO Hawks!

MDC
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104299: Well gang our TOM is right!... They DO have fruit loop hot dogs in Cleveland!... I thought he was April Foolin' us but they do. Check out this link http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/04/yes_its_true_clevelanders_eat.html I knew those Cleveland folks weren't right. I'm glad I live over a hour away from there.
Hot dogs were made for Stadium mustard onions and some chili sauce maybe.... But Fruit Loops? That JUST ain't right!

Thanks TOM for the heads-up, I had not heard that one.... G-F
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104300: Good morning, porch! Big old windy day here - my flowerbeds are dry and I have to water, but the wind is blowing so hard the water is just flying away. Guess I'll turn things off and see if the wind will settle down a little this afternoon. Water is too precious to just waste it like that.

Fruit loops on a hot dog? I checked out that link, and I have to say, that doesn't even LOOK good - I can't imagine how it would taste. As I said, I'm usually a pretty adventurous person when it comes to food, but super-sweet fruit loops (or Froot Loops) with a hot dog just has no appeal for me. At the kids' baseball games, the selection is limited - a hot dog with mustard and if you're lucky, some relish. Good enough. Delicious, in fact. When I have a choice, I want some kraut on it, maybe a little cheese, maybe a little chili, and of course, chopped onions. That's it, but I have to admit, the simple little mustard and relish dog at the kids' games is really good! It's not just the hot dog, it's everything about the occasion.

As for deadheading irises, I'll be doing that for another month. I planted early bloomers, mid-season, and late bloomers, so it's a progression of bloom around here. I guess I need to get some pictures and put them on FB. I don't do FB very often, maybe every couple of weeks.

I've got some amaryllis out back that are just spectacular. Big old beautiful blooms - so pretty. One clump was so pretty last year that I put it on my phone as my wallpaper, or whatever you call it. Those things sure do give you a lot of bang for your buck, at least here in the south. They probably wouldn't do too well where the winters get so very cold. The bulbs, especially if you get big ones, are expensive, about $15-20 each, but you get the eye-popping blooms in the house in the winter, then plant them in the yard and have the same beautiful flowers every spring. I've got some out there that are about five years old now, and still going strong.

Well, guess I'd better go feed my little roommate. She hates it when I stop off at the computer when we get up. She isn't starving, she's always got kibble in her bowl, but she's wanting her wet food, the Beneful. I don't blame her, if it tastes as good as it smells, it must be delicious. Have a great day, porch! --Romeena
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104301: Fruit Loops on a hot dog? That's worse than putting mayonaise on french fries, which was a big thing in Germany when I was over there years ago. Everyone is always searching for something "different", no matter how disgusting it is. Don't they know, there is nothing new under the sun.

We must be getting some of that wind from Texas, Ro. It is pretty breezy up here today. But then, we also had some snow too. I imagine you are not getting that.

I know what you mean, Poor Horatio, about missing those events. I miss taking my little brother and his friends to their BMX races back in the day. Tried to get Kai interested in it, but she doesn't even like to ride a bike(gasp!). Maybe Noah will take an interest in it and then I can take him.

Hope you all have a good day.

-Sterling Holobyte


April 08, 2016 - Msg 104302: I sort of expected to see my name on an arrest warrant too,seeing as how I tried to aid MDC in busting out of jail. Thanks for showing me some mercy, Sheriff Tom! For one thing, it would be awful to be locked up-plus,I don't like Fruit Loops! Hot dogs are good,but I'll pass on the Fruit Loops! What a combo-yuck!

Y'all boys mind your P's & Q's and maybe Sheriff Tom will let ya out on good behavior!

Take care,all!

*****************
possum under a rock
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104303: How are the problems today? Feel free to e-mail me directly (my email is at the bottom of the page in the "let me know" link).
--Floyd
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104304: Hey Floyd- I haven't had any trouble accessing the Porch today.I did yesterday,but today I have posted and also looked in about 5 times since,and got to the Porch fine each time. Thanks for tackling those spiders!

possum again
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104305:
TOM, when you said that the fruit loops go on the hot dog and not in a bowl, I thought you made a mistake or created a new food. But after G-F posted that link, I had no idea that the people in Cleveland ate hot dogs with fruit loops on them. No wonder I did not believe TOM the first time. What is funny is that I used to eat Fruit Loops when I was a kid and have eaten hot dogs all my life, but I never thought of combining the two. Thanks TOM for teaching me something new.

I don't know about the rest of you folks, but I have not experienced any problems accessing The Front Porch in the last two days.

from Poor Horatio
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104306: RAINed last nite im my area, so refreshing! mdc
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104307: To make things clear about Clevelanders, not all of them have strange tastes in food. There are some real good places to eat and here is one old stand by favorite. I bet TOM has eaten there at some time or other, it's a very popular place. Just check out the link and see why. One of those corned beef sammich' would last for days... Mercy Me!....G-F
http://www.slymans.com/
April 08, 2016 - Msg 104308: ...Say What?...3"-5" of snow tonight?...CRAZY!... Hey Asa/ MDC you got that # for the Whaaambulance?....G-F
April 09, 2016 - Msg 104309: Good afternoon, porch! It's a cloudy and gray day here, but the temp is 72° and there's just a light breeze. Apparently, the critters find this to be ideal weather. There are squirrels everywhere, chasing each other up and down the trees. A flock of doves came in and lunched on the seed I put out on the stones, sharing with the resident sparrows and finches. A big red-bellied woodp3cker is scouring the trunks of the trees, picking off ants and anything else he can find. Then, to my utter delight, a big flock of cedar waxwings flew through, circled and came back, and landed by the birdbath rock for a bath. There's a big flat rock, about four feet long, two feet wide and a foot thick, that sits beside a curve in the pathway near the pond. It's hollowed out on the top, and that hollow fills up when the sprinklers run, making a great birdbath. The cedar waxwings all got in it, and they looked like kids in a big wading pool. Such splashing and flapping and jostling each other - I just sat here and laughed at them. They are such beautiful birds, and while I see them fairly frequently, they never stay around more than a half hour or so, then they move on. You never see them singly or in pairs either, they're always in a little flock. Just beautiful things.

Wow! The wind is kicking up significantly, the critters have vanished, and it looks like we could get some rain. I surely do hope so! I'm loving my low water bills right now, and if it doesn't rain, those bills will start to go up. Rain is a wonderful thing.

Well, guess I'll go make a big bowl of guacamole, and slice up some strips of red and yellow peppers for dippers. I'll have chips too, of course. I've got strawberries sugared down to put over ice cream, and will fry a big pile of pork chops. With noodles and pan gravy, we'll have it made. Dave and Brittney and the boys and Eloise and Jerry will be here. Hudson will bring his bassoon and play for us. Did I tell you he just received a grade of 1+ in a UIL competition? I'm told that 1+ is as good as it gets. The kid is just burning up the road with that bassoon, and his teacher is amazed. She told Brittney that they should not sign the first scholarship offer that comes his way, because there will be several. This for a kid who is just in 7th grade - the teacher is already talking scholarships? The great thing is, he absolutely loves playing the thing, and will stay in and practice voluntarily instead of playing with his buddies.

Blessings, porch. --Romeena
April 09, 2016 - Msg 104310: SHAKEDOWNN!!!

April 10, 2016 - Msg 104311: Next time the porch needs a sweep, this guy can do it! http://www.chonday.com/Videos/racohelprom4
April 10, 2016 - Msg 104312: Good Sabbath all.
I hope and pray all is well for you.

Well Floyd, I was unable to get on here all day yesterday. I tried numerous times throughout the day and last night, but it was a no go for me. And it was the same on my two different devices. I just kept getting the same screen I get if my router quits working. But it seems to be only on the "imayberry" addresses that it happens. But it came right up this morning.

Wow GF, Did you get your snow? It was 70 here yesterday.

Speaking of odd food combinations, I enjoy watching "Chopped" on the Food Network. I don't know if any of you watch that. It is a cooking competi-tion show. The chefs get mystery baskets that have 3 or 4 different items in it that must be included in the dish they prepare. Plus they only get 30 minutes to do it in on each round. 20 minutes on the appetizer round. Boy, and you talk about some odd ingredients. Some of the things I wish I could taste. Other things, not so much.

That is cool about Hudson Romeena. It sounds like his talent is going to take him far. Good on him.

Well MDC and GF, I think we need to be model prisoners and see if Tom will let us out.

I better get ready for preaching.

Asa


April 10, 2016 - Msg 104313: Asa, we did get the snow, but my area didn't get as much as we were suppose to. Some areas up around Cleveland got 8-10 inches of the stuff...CRAZY!

Romeena, I hope you have applesauce with those pork chops incase Peter Brady stops by...lol Remember that Brady Bunch episode? http://youtu.be/U7rZEPVttuY
G-F
April 10, 2016 - Msg 104314: GOOD DAY.
A COLD ONE TO START THE DAY OFF 22.
G F STAY IN FOR SAID SOWN.
ASA AND MDC YOU TWO CAN GO FOR NOW!
NOW FOR POSSUM PART IN HELPING TO BUSTING MDC OUT ,YOU ARE UNAREST FOR A WEEK.

TOM

April 10, 2016 - Msg 104315: Sorry for the problems, Asa. Hopefully things will clear up eventually.

--Floyd
April 10, 2016 - Msg 104316: I spoke too soon- couldn't get to the Porch for the past 2 days. Tried maybe 20 times or so but couldn't access the Porch until this attempt. No trouble with other sites I go to.
Well, heck! After all the trouble of getting to the Porch, Tom's gonna throw me in the clink for a week! I ain't even clanking-LOL

Oh well..

******************
possum in the pokey
April 11, 2016 - Msg 104317: Possum, he missed, during the shakedown, the pass key that I made, so I'll give it to you. But be careful because he has all the new electronal equipment! :)
ASA, Possum--Funny, this is one site that I DO get to without problem. It is hotmail, FB, and others that
are taking forever to load now.
RO--how did the bassoon recital go at your place?
I hope you all had a good Sabbath. A real good sermon today how we must not be lukewarm.
God's blessings,
MDC
April 11, 2016 - Msg 104318: Hey Possum be sure while in the "pokey" ya be sure to do "The Hokie Pokey" and shake it all about!... Hummm, wonder IF that's what it's REALLY all about?? ... 🤔 http://youtu.be/iZinb6rVozc Today's words to ponder....
I need a bucket to put on my head to give that one a think.... It's a good thing to do whilest being inarculated it gives a person something to really think about....

MDC, was that sermon about Sin?... Ya know sometimes ya can't say enough about sin.... Good thing it wasn't as dry as one of your dust storms...lol

G-F

April 11, 2016 - Msg 104319: HI KIDS.
GOING TO BEA BAD DAY RAIN RAIN ALL DAY! :(
MDC THAT KEY WILL NOT WORK I HAD NEW LUCK NOW!
G F GO BACK IN AND SHOW EVERYONE HOW TO DANCE THE HOKIE POKEY

RO HELP ALL THE BAD WEATHER MISS YOU?

TOM

April 11, 2016 - Msg 104320: Sorry for your rainy day, Tom. I was going to complain about being sick of the cold weather here, but I guess I will take that over gloomy rain any day. Just remember the sun will come out tomorrow. Or so the song says.

I was watching "The Family Visit" episode yesterday, and I thought I recognized Aunt Nora from somewhere's else. I knew it was from Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. but I didn't know if she was the bank teller or the lady at the phone company. After looking her up, I found she played both ladies, plus another lady on that show that I don't remember, but I probably would recognize her now. Then I find she played Mrs. Larch(whoever that is) on many episodes of TAGS, and even more characters on Mayberry RFD. So, that lady really gets around. I think she may have that multiple personality disorder, which would be understandable after living with Uncle Ollie all those years.

G-F, you may find yourself belting out the Marines' Hymn while you have that bucket on your head. It gives your voice a nice ring.

-Sterling Holobyte
April 11, 2016 - Msg 104321: Good morning, porch. It's cloudy and damp, only a 10% chance of rain predicted, but it's misting right now. I don't think we're going to get any bad weather, TOM, no bad storms or anything, but I hope we do get some rain. We really need it. If we don't get rain, my water bill goes out of sight!

Even on this gray and gloomy day, my back yard is a sight to behold! My planting for the lat few years, and especially this year, has focused on things that will be perennial, coming back every year, and it's working. As I look out at the color out there right now, I'd say at least 60% of it is perennial. There's one small area in the biggest bed that's filled with annuals, and even some of them will re-seed somewhat. They plants won't survive the winter, but new ones will come up from seed. Right now I've got knockout roses, iris, amaryllis, verbena, Gerbera daisies, salvia, the last of the daffodils, shasta daisies, and sundrops, all blooming in a big colorful riot. I'll try to get some pictures on Facebook, though I don't do much Facebooking.
Anyway, all of those things will return next year. I've got a flat of petunias out there waiting to be planted, and they won't return, but they're so beautiful, and I just have to have them somewhere. My hibiscus plants are coming up from last year, and soon will be unfurling their dinner-plate sized flowers, but it will be about three weeks or more before they bloom. They're just a few inches tall right now.

Well, TAGS is on TVLand, guess I'll go watch and have something to eat. Some peanut butter toast sounds good, with a glass of apple juice. Did I mention that TreeTop is now making a Honeycrisp apple juice? Honeycrisp apples are by far my favorite, and the juice is wonderful! No sweeteners, no additives, just pure delicious apple juice. It's goo-oood!

Blessings, porch. --Romeena
April 11, 2016 - Msg 104322: Hey Sterling...I've been watching Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C. too! I bought the whole set. I think I'm Up to season 4. You are right there are a whole lot of Mayberry Alumni on it too. I even saw Mr. Schwamp... A lot of the same story lines since a lot of the same writers wrote for that show too... But that's Ok with me.

G-F... Hokie Poky'in it all over town today...lol
April 11, 2016 - Msg 104323: Howdy, porch. I think congratulations are in order to the state of North Carolina. They've taken a very unpopular stand, at least it's unpopular with a small but extremely vocal, aggressive, and combative group of people. They have passed a law that says if you're a guy, you use the men's room. If you're a woman, you use the ladies' room. Seems simple enough to me, but the vocal minority is trying to enlist big corporations like Pepsi, Google, Apple and others to pull their headquarters out of the state. In other words, corporate blackmail. I don't want to start a moulage (probably wouldn't start one here on this forum, everyone likely agrees) and after this, I'll say no more. However, I have two observations that I think are worth sharing. First of all, it seems to be primarily men who are wanting to use the women's bathrooms, shower rooms, dressing rooms, etc. You don't hear much about women wanting to use the men's facilities. Hmmm. Isn't that interesting? That makes one wonder about motive, don't you think? Also, for those who just might be genuinely confused, and I guess there are some, I think I understand their problem. They know if they walk into a men's room, wearing a dress, makeup and high heels, with their big feet, hairy arms, Adam's apple, deep voice and a 5 o'clock shadow, somebody just might beat the snot out of them. They feel safer with the gals! I guess the others, those with ulterior motives, are willing to take that chance, in exchange for "the thrill of it all." You reckon? Just wondering..... --Romeena
April 12, 2016 - Msg 104324: Wow. I was watching the news at 10, and learned that we've had another huge hailstorm in this area. It didn't hit near me, and I had no idea that it had even happened. It passed north of Dallas, and about all I noticed around here was a little increase in the wind. Apparently the hail started to the northwest of Dallas, with little pea-size stones, and moved eastward, with the hailstones getting progressively larger. At its worst the stones were baseball size and larger. A lot of damage was done, of course. Any vehicle out in it was just beat all to pieces! I haven't heard any reports yet, but I would imagine that livestock that was just in pastures took a beating too. Stones that large can kill a cow.

There seems to be an "alley" that the severe storms like to follow, and for the most part, it's north of my location by about thirty or forty miles. We have had some awful storms in the past, but there have been many more that have passed through in that pathway and missed our area completely. I'm grateful for that!

Well, guess I'll mosey off to bed. It's after midnight, so it's about time. Toye Starr has been hinting for a while now. She loves bedtime! This morning, when I woke up, she was snuggled against me, flat on her back, all four tiny paws in the air, head slightly back and she was snoring! Little soft, barely audible snores that sounded so contented and cute. I lay still for at least twenty minutes, because I didn't want to wake her. She is just the sweetest little thing, and I thank God for her every day. She's a wonderful little companion. --Romeena
April 12, 2016 - Msg 104325: Oh, I forgot to mention earlier - a mama squirrel brought her brood of babies out today, to work on their climbing skills. I spent a good half hour here at my window, with my binoculars, just watching the show. There were only three babies - I can't help wondering if that miserable stray cat might have gotten one or two, because squirrels usually have at least four. Their nest was in a hollow in one of the trees, and would have been easy for the cat to reach. I've caught him climbing that tree twice, and sent him home wet, but I'm not at this window all the time.

Anyway, the babies are just over half as big as their mom, and their little tails are fully furred, but the hair is short, so it doesn't make the full, fluffy brush like an adult has. They weren't terribly excited about the climbing thing. They would hug the limb tightly, and inch along with their bellies staying in contact with the limb. One little fellow managed to slip to the underside of the limb, so he was hanging on for dear life. Mom came and appeared to be chattering at him, and patted him a couple of times until he managed to inch back up to the topside of the limb. After she led them a few feet along the limb and back several times, she finally herded them back to their nest and they disappeared into it, one by one. Mom sat on the limb beside it, and kept watch until all were safely tucked in. I'll be watching again tomorrow - it's so much fun to see them gradually get a little more brave each day! --Romeena
April 12, 2016 - Msg 104326: RO--I thought for a minute that you might be adding "I appreciate it and good night" after the Tree Top juice statement! haha
GF-- that lukewarmness that our pastor was talking about is in Rev. 3. Take a gander if you never have. It is eye-opening and it takes in a bit of what Ro said. If we take a lukewarm stance on such things, He will...
Prayers for all!
MDC
Hey to sterling
April 12, 2016 - Msg 104327: Hey gang when I had my bucket on my head thinkin' the other day (after singing the Marine's Hymn) it got me thinking about watching the little league games you were talking about. Here's a good one... http://youtu.be/HQlMAoZF2Sk

Hey Romeena, sounds like you got another crop of furry clowns to watch this year!...lol

Possum, Floyd announced the "Meet-Up" will be July 8-9 this year, hope it works with your plans, don't remember when you said you're heading West.

Big Maude & Spot give it a think...We'd love to see you guys stop by! Spot could bring his Motor Sickle and run it on the BlueRidge Parkway, it a good ride for you cycle riders. One of my friends from Ohio brought his last year.

Just give Alma at the Mayberry Motor Inn a call, she'll put ya up (that is where we get together and have it at)......G-F
April 12, 2016 - Msg 104328: Wow. That's a tear-jerker, G-F. Imagine that little boy playing with only one leg! I didn't even notice it at first. Hooray for the team that gave him a chance. Kids - they're amazing. Thanks for sharing. --Romeena
April 12, 2016 - Msg 104329: If Sheriff Tom will let me out of jail,I might be able to make it,G-F! I'm not going to Wyoming until later in July,so maybe I can make the "Meet- Up." Thanks for letting me know!

Can somebody sneak me a peanut butter and jelly sammich? Watch out for Sheriff Tom,though,or you'll end up in the pokey too!

******************
possum the prisoner
April 12, 2016 - Msg 104330: Why can't ya have peanut butter in prison?
April 12, 2016 - Msg 104331: Hello porch family. Thought it was time to check in. Been working and busy but think of you all often. I was clicking through the channels today and came upon an episode of Golden Girls with none other than our Mayor Stoner. He must have been fairly young when on TAGS, but just looked older.

Hope you are all well and blessed. It is beautiful here in south Texas, with the wildflowers and everything green..the best time to be in Texas, before the summer heat starts wilting everything.

We are doing ok. Sean is doing well in school and the Tourette's symptoms seem to be doing a bit better. Erin is having some anxiety and depression, unfortunately, but we are dealing with that, too. Otherwise she is good and we went shopping today to buy her a dress for a school dance on Friday. Its dress-up so she is wearing a dress for the first time in a year, literally. She looks like a little angel in it. Its is decent and not too short and I just cant believe how grown up and lovely she is. Ro, I remember you reassuring me that eventually she would come around and want to look like a girl. You were right, as usual. She has such pretty long hair and she even wears a little make-up, but not to much...just appropriate for a 14 year old. Can you believe she is going to be 15 in 3 months and able to get a learner's permit to drive? Wow. Seems like yesterday we were calling her Baby Girl and talking about all the mischief she was getting into as a toddler. She is precious but struggling some emotionally. I know some of that is just part of being a teenager but I hate to see her depressed. I have decided to stop working evenings and go to days so I can be with her more. She needs her mama.

Well, not much new around here. Guess I will get ready to hit the ironing board. I have a meeting at Erin's school in the morning...something mandatory for parents whose children are going to highschool next year. Hope you all have a blessed week.

Love,
Boo
April 13, 2016 - Msg 104332: HI Gang! Boo and Possum, good to see ya both.
If any of you own a home built in the '70s, you know that many came with that "popcorn" stuff on the ceilings. It was meant a sound deadener, and worked somewhat,
but it can also discolor, and dust hangs from it, etc. Well, the last few days we have been having it removed. A messy job for sure. Glad we have a company doing it!
Well, more later,
MDC
April 13, 2016 - Msg 104333: MDC..Did butter come with that popcorn ceiling too?..haha I know what you mean about it yellowing and coming off,
I had some buildings that had that on it and it was a pain cuz it would come off of the roller when we painted it. I was a stickler about having a "Snow White" ceilings because it would make the room "pop" when you showed it to rent. If you didn't paint it then it looked like yellow snow!... That's never a good thing!
But I understand why they used that tho, it was a quick and easy way to cover up a rough ceiling....G-F
April 13, 2016 - Msg 104334: GF--after 38 years in this house, we finally said, let's do it, as it is also a bigger selling point if (or when) that needs to happen! ha
The last two rooms being done today. They encase the whole rooms in plastic! Looks like the ET movie! BOO-lots of prayer for Erin, and congrats to Sean on his 21st!!! Wow, 'saw' them both grow up!
Well, prayers for all. For those on FB, SPOTTY got a new smoker! Barn dance this weekend!! :)
MDC
April 13, 2016 - Msg 104335: MDC, I know what you're going thru, I had to do lead abatement certification training in the past.. It is NOT a fun thing to have to do to be all confined and encapsulated in a small area, especially if it's hot out!... More power to those guys that have to do that for a living... It's bad enough to do regular drywall work with all the dust to deal with...

G-F... In Sunny Ohio :) Go figure!....
April 13, 2016 - Msg 104336: Good evening, porch! Boo, it's good to hear from you. Sounds like things are going pretty well. Don't worry about Erin's depression, unless it seems excessive. All teenage girls go through a period of "angst" when they walk around with wrinkled brow and sad expressions. Part of it is real, as they start noticing the world round them and realize it isn't all happy and lovely. The headlines these days are enough to depress anyone, including a moody teenager. You and Bruce have given her a good foundation - she'll be fine!

About those "popcorn" ceilings -- I have them. This house was built in 1973, the living area is all paneling (each piece chosen personally by me), there is wainscoting that matches it in the dining room and entryway, and in the breakfast area of the kitchen. The kitchen cabinets were built on the job, with the facings made from the same paneling material, and all stained to match. The paneling is still rich and beautiful, and the ceilings have not yellowed at all, everything is still perfectly white. I wonder if the fact that no one has ever smoked in this house has anything to do with it? I've been told I should "update" and remove the ceiling stuff, and cover the paneling with sheetrock and the new "orange peel" plaster finish. Not gonna happen. I like my ceilings, and my paneling, and I ain't a-gonna change a thing. So there.

By the way, there's a company advertising here locally that removes the ceiling stuff and they promise "no mess." The have a powerful vacuum that's fitted with a scraper, and as they scrape the popcorn from the ceiling, it's sucked up and away by the vacuum. It looks like it works, but you never can tell.

Well, I've had a busy day. Taught ESL this morning, then went to lunch at a wonderful Thai restaurant with friends, then made two home health calls, one of which wore me out. It always does. One was a breeze, the second one was definitely not. Oh well, it's done. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
April 13, 2016 - Msg 104337: Thanks for those prayers, MDC, and yes, you have watched my children grow up and have had an important part in it through your prayers. Thank you.

Thanks Ro, I appreciate the encouragement. She is doing better already with the extra time I am spending with her. Yesterday, I took her to the mall to buy a new dress for her dance on Friday. We all went out to eat and spent some good, quality time. I met with her school counselor today because it is required that parents meet with the counselor to go over schedules when a student is going into high school. while I was there, I talked to the counselor a little about the trouble Erin is having and she was very understanding. She has a big, really neat office with comfy chairs and she told Erin she was welcome to come in anytime she is feeling anxious. I appreciated that. I think I have found a counselor to take her to for some help. He is a younger man with a doctorate from Texas A+M. He had problems with anxiety and depression as a young man and knows what it's like. He specializes in the treatment of adolescents with anxiety.

I spoke with my boss again today and they are putting me on day shift next week, so that will help.

Gotta go..Bruce needs the computer. :)

Love,
Boo