June 30, 2016 - Msg 105124: One other thing, MDC, my fondest memory of Maddie is when she was about 4 and we took her and her sister to a revival at our church. I remember sitting on the front row during the prayer time and little Maddie came and crawled into my lap and rested her head on me. We stayed that way for quite a while. I am very thankful for the time we had with her and that she was able to spend time in church and feel the love. God knows everything and he knew then that she would be going home early. I just have to trust him.

Boo
June 30, 2016 - Msg 105125: Absolutely, Boo. Trust God. I have no doubt at all that Maddie is with Him now. She was a child, and she was obviously reaching out to God, she even prayed and expressed her belief - nothing more is needed. Erin can rest assured that Maddie is at peace and n a wonderful place now.

Boo, it occurs to me that you're in a unique position to share some truths, and some reality bytes, with the kids in your care at work. I'm sure they're all aware of the event, since it was on the news and is no doubt a constant topic of conversation in Aransas Pass. I can just picture you gently and subtly calling it to their attention that this is where alcohol can lead. True, it doesn't usually lead to murder, but it can and sometimes does, and at best, it just makes life more difficult. As Dale would say, it never helps, it always hurts. So true.

Prayers continue that Erin can put this behind her, and go forward. I know you will be watching her to be sure she's not suppressing it and brooding about it. Probably she won't. She seems to have a good grasp of what's important, and recognizes that Maddie had taken care of it.

Blessings, porch. --Romeena
June 30, 2016 - Msg 105126: Wow Boo, that is just horrible what happened to your neighbors. I pray for all involved, and especially for poor Emily who witnessed it all and will have to live with those memories.
Like all of you, I can't fathom what would make a person kill their children, or indeed, anyone's children. They are the very innocent of innocents. Satan sure is alive and well and living in the dark recesses of people's minds. At least we know he will get his in the end.
It is a blessing knowing that your Erin is helping at VBS. It helps to keep your mind on God and not on your circumstances. Something I know but do not always follow myself.

I am up to the "Barney" episodes of my TAGS watching. Or at least, the two in a row that he is in. One where he(with Andy's help of course) breaks up the string of grocery store robberies in Raleigh, and right after is the one where Barney comes to Mayberry and goes out with that hollywood starlet that he knew in high school.
I always like the ones with Barney in them, especially when he returns to Mayberry. I don't know how many more episodes there are with him in them, but I hope there are some. I think I recall one where he organizes a meeting with some Russian diplomat at Andy's house, or is that one of the black and white ones that I just forgot about?

-Sterling Holobyte
June 30, 2016 - Msg 105127: Boo, my deepest sympathies regarding the deaths of your neighbors.

Below is a link for an update on that family shooting incident involving Boo's neighbors. It includes photos of the alleged killer and the two victims as well as comments from neighbors and friends of that family.
http://tinyurl.com/zaqddq9

from Poor Horatio
July 01, 2016 - Msg 105128: ROMEENA--I may be wrong on this of course, but I have always thought that all Baptists were teetotalers.
Maybe that is a 'stereotype' but you mentioned that some of your kids drink now and then, so that got me to wondering, if, like everything else these days, that isn't followed anymore? About
10 years ago we were at a wedding of a baptist couple, and there was absolutely no alcohol at the reception, and they announced why. I found that to be rather refreshing.
PH--thank you for that link. Such a quaint looking house, yet so much tragedy took place there.
Boo, may I suggest a Jericho walk around the home and command the devil and his minions to fee from there.
and BOO- thank you for jogging my mind on Maddie's
salvation! Some of you may find this odd, but in the 1990s I watched a lot of Jan and Paul Crouch on TBN, especially when they were discussing Biblical prophesy. They both passed away in recent days, and TBN has changed their format to
a more "entertain 'em" type of presentation, and not
nearly as much talk about accepting Jesus. Hope it changes back to basics for this hurting world.
Well, all for now folks.
PRAYERS,
MDC

July 01, 2016 - Msg 105129:
MDC, up until a few years ago, I also watched Jan and Paul Crouch. I was not a regular viewer. But whenever I was changing channels looking for something interesting to watch, many times i stopped on the Trinity Broadcast Network channel when they were on.
Your Msg 105128 made me search the internet to find out what happened to them. And although I discovered that they both had passed on within the last three years, I also discovered some shocking news that you can read about at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/05/us/tbn-fight-offers-glimpse-inside-lavish-tv-ministry.html?_r=0

from Poor Horatio
July 01, 2016 - Msg 105130: Good morning, porch. MDC, you have hit on precisely what's wrong in America today, when you said "like everything else these days, that isn't followed anymore?" Far too many of the accepted standards of behavior, whether based on religious beliefs or just common sense, have eroded away until they almost no longer exist. I remember when a woman who was nursing a baby would seek a secluded place, and cover up with a blanket, just out of modesty. Now, women nurse on buses, subways, in restaurants, just anywhere, without even the smallest of cover-ups. They loudly state that "it's perfectly natural, nothing to be ashamed of", which makes me want to respond with "so is conception, but would you do it in a restaurant?" Hmm. Maybe they would! It was never a matter of shame, it's just courtesy to others, and modesty. But that's just one example - there are many. Young men walk around literally holding their pants up so they don't trip over them, while their underwear (among other things) is available for public viewing. I can remember when they could have been arrested for that. These examples are not religion based, either. It's courtesy to others, if nothing else. I don't care to see some guy's tacky drawers, and a mom feeding an infant is a tender, beautiful, intimate process and should be private.

Now, having chased that rabbit, I'll respond to your question. There was indeed a time when most, probably not all, Baptists avoided liquor. At least that was the assertion. What people did in their own home might have been different, but when I was a child, no active member of a Baptist church would have been seen consuming alcohol, and I didn't know anyone who did it privately, either. There are still many of us who observe that restriction, but definitely not everyone. We have always endured some ridicule from the rest of the world, who think we believe that anyone who takes a drink will go to perdition, but that's not so. We have never believed that, anymore than we believe that you must be baptized to be saved. Actually, we believe that we are to be baptized because we are saved, because Christ ordained it, as an example, a picture. Death to sin, burial (as Christ was buried), then raised (as He was raised) to walk in a new life. It's just a picture, and a testimony.

These days, many Baptists - I stop short of saying "most" - do drink, to varying degrees. We all do things that as Christians, we should not, but we are human and not infallible. After all, that's the reason Christ came and died. We cannot achieve perfection in our behavior, we all sin, so He died to pay for those sins. If we could be good enough, never commit a sin, and do enough good deeds - in other words, "earn" our salvation - He would not have had to die.

The line between the behavior of Christians and the rest of the world is steadily blurring, and sadly, these days, our government is not just facilitating that, it's trying to force it. One of these days, the world is going to realize that without the influence of God's people, the world will be a sad and violent place. --Romeena
July 01, 2016 - Msg 105131: Wow. PH, that's quite an exposé! I'm not surprised. I've never been a fan of the "name it and claim it" TV evangelists. I won't paint them all with the same brush, some may be okay, but for the most part, they just don't ring true to me. I hate to think of some little widow lady who sends a $10 check to these ministries, thinking she's helping to further a ministry, when actually she's paying for some slick talker's lavish lifestyle. His and her mansions? And not just one set, but two! Good grief. All I can say is - God's gonna get them for that! Shame on them, and all the others around the nation who are doing the same thing. There are quite a few. I won't name them, but I don't trust any of them. Unfortunately, much of the world judges Christians by these charlatans. Then we have the Phelps family, who chose to name their little family hate factory the "Westboro Baptist Church." They are no more a Baptist church than I'm a brain surgeon. They're a stand-alone church, not affiliated with any known Baptist or other Christian organization, but there's no law to keep them from naming themselves whatever they wish. It all comes back to one of my Dale's favorite sayings - Don't listen to what people say, just watch what they do. The Bible puts it this way - "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruit." Matt 7:15-16.

The tearful, sad-faced, pleading televangelist who tries to convince you that his ministry is going to be taken off the air if X dollars aren't raised by next Monday, or whatever - that's a "ravening wolf, in sheep's clothing" and nothing else. Beware. --Romeena


July 01, 2016 - Msg 105132: Wee Doggie Romeena, you go girl! You speak much truth to my tired ears. One other thing that really annoys me is the disgusting language used today in public. No excuse for it, and as you said so well, it just comes down to decency and respect for others. Is it that hard? Really? We are pretty close to modern day Sodom and Gomorrah in my view. As a society have come to that point where we are "beyond feeling". And that scares the socks right off of me.

Oh well. Keep the Faith.

Asa
July 01, 2016 - Msg 105133: Well, had a really tough day today..seven admissions and me and another OLD nurse. I got some overtime but I am beat.

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words, and for simply acknowledging my pain. I have been struggling with a considerable amount of guilt as well. I keep thinking I should have done more. I guess that is normal at this point. Today I could drive past the house without literally screaming and crying. The depth of grief I have felt over all of this has surprised me, to put it mildly. I didn't feel this grief-stricken when either of my parents died. I don't know if it is the shock, trauma or the loss of a child like Maddie but it is really hard for all of us. Erin doesn't want to come home and has been staying with a friend for the past two nights. She cant look at the house next door. I think what helped me, is that yesterday, I saw on the news that the two family dogs were taken to the pound and they were looking for a foster home. I remembered that they had a cat that lived outside that Maddie loved (that child was one animal lover!). They had the kitty for several years..she is a sweet little calico. Well, I guess she got forgotten because I saw her crouched under their suburban. I went over and coaxed her out. She was afraid but she let me pick her up and pet her. I fed and watered her. To do so, I had to make myself enter the yard..see everything left just as it had been..looking like the family would be right back..a basketball in the yard, a softball, a little swimming pool..one of Maddie's socks...I had to look at those things but strangely they gave me a sense of peace. I cant explain it, but ever since I went over there, I have felt much better. I had the opportunity to see Brenda's sister and mother, and Maddie's sister Emily and was relieved to see smiles on their faces when they saw me. That helped, too. I told Emily I would feed and water the cat for her. It is still hard, but getting better. Bruce had the chance to talk to Brenda's nephew who had gone over to clean up all traces of blood in the house and garage so Emily could come over and get some things. He told Bruce more of the story. He said that earlier that day, Steve had beaten Brenda and that she had Maddie take pictures of her injuries (this is not the first time she had done that). I believe Maddie forwarded the pictures to someone and Steve found out. He went crazy and Brenda told him she was going to show the picture to the police. That is when he started shooting. I am so angry. It just makes me sick...continued...
July 01, 2016 - Msg 105134: The guy cared more about his position and reputation with the fire department than his family. I don't really consider them his family. Those little girls needed a father so much and they wanted to love him...how could he?!!

I do want to thank you for praying for us and please continue. Erin is going to camp next week but when she comes back she is going to need some counseling. I made the mistake of asking Sean to go with me this afternoon to feed the cat nextdoor and it was very upsetting to him. It was too soon, I guess.

Ro, I wanted to mention that I really appreciated the suggestion to share the events with kids at the rehab. I had not thought of that but it could certainly be a teaching moment. Thank you.

I would weigh in on the tv evangelist debate but I have taken up enough space here tonight. Maybe tomorrow after work.

Love,
Boo

July 01, 2016 - Msg 105135: Boo, just know your Mayberry friends will continue to lift you, your family, and their family up in our prayers. It's hard to wrap myself around the things you all are going through, nore can I say I know how you're feeling, but know we all know how to pray for comfort from the comforter.... Amen?.... G-F
July 01, 2016 - Msg 105136: Yes, thank you G-F. :)

Boo
July 01, 2016 - Msg 105137: Good evening, porch. Boo, I'm so glad you found a measure of peace when you actually confronted the terrible scene next door. There's no escaping it, short of moving, and you certainly don't want to do that. Actually setting foot there, and tending the little kitty, and reaching out to Emily - these things are a pathway to peace for you, I think. Good for you for what you're doing! Erin may very well need some counseling, the chance to talk to an uninvolved, impartial person, so she can de-brief, so to speak. I'm thinking she's going to be fine - it will just take a little time.

About the two dogs - indoor or outdoor dogs? If they were indoor, they probably witnessed the beating and the shooting, and are traumatized too. In any case, they have lived in a tense household for a long time. I hope someone will step up and give them a peaceful home.

There's a college-age son? I hope he'll be an anchor for Emily. It would be unfair to expect him to assume her care, when he probably hasn't gotten his own life stabilized yet, but he can be there for her to talk to and provide some sense of belonging to someone. Where are he and Emily staying now?

Does anyone besides me watch "The First 48"? I think I've mentioned this before, but the more I watch it, the more interested I get. What comes through, very clearly, in nearly 100% of the episodes, is the role that drugs and alcohol play in each situation. In fact, I don't think I remember even one where that wasn't the case. It's mind-boggling to me, to see that the two, especially drugs, are so deeply embedded in the fabric of our society. I once heard a preacher say that Satan doesn't have to lift a finger to cause misery to humans. With tobacco to bring miserable illness and death, and drugs and alcohol to bring poverty, violence, degradation and despair, he can just sit back and watch and laugh. I think that's true.

And all the while, God is offering the antidote to all of it, but people ignore and refuse it, and our government is trying to outlaw it! As Shakespeare wrote in A Midsummer Night's Dream - "Lord, what fools these mortals be!"

I just thank God that this mortal life is not forever, that there is another glorious life that IS forever, and will have none of the misery this one sometimes brings, and will magnify all the joy that can be found here. --Romeena
July 02, 2016 - Msg 105138: Hi ALL-- If OK with everyone, I'd like to bring up a Mayberry question. I am not downplaying what has happened at all, but just diverting for a moment. The other evening I was watching the ep where the two crooks come to town posing as a FBI man and a photographer. Now, if it was their little secret about how mayberry was the most crime-free town, then why did the mayor walk into the barber shop with that lady reporter? Who told her about it when the whole thing was just a ruse by the two crooks? Just sayin something to think about.
RO--thank you for the explanation concerning the Baptists. What also brought it to mind was the fact that a Baptist college here that always has a good baseball team won their division championship several years ago, and they celebrated in the locker room with champagne "showers" on each other, and a few gulps. Well, the president of the college made them actually give-up the title!
BOO--my heart continues to go out to you! I am surprised tho that the police is letting people come and go from there. I guess they collected all the evidence, as obviously there will be no trial. So strange that he seemed to be one person at work and another one at home.
Well, Happy Fourth of July everyone. Have a safe and good one. 240 years, but...? I think back 40 years to the bicentennial, and even tho it was a lot of "buy" centennial, I did not have the terrible feeling in my gut back then as I do now. Lord be with us.
Love ya all,
MDC

July 02, 2016 - Msg 105139: Ro, the dogs were both inside and outside..kind of like the family. They spent as much time outside as inside..they actually had their computer set up in a garage that was separate from the house. There is a very good chance that the dogs witnessed what happened. They are probably in a good home already. The media did a good job of putting the need before the public and they made it known that they would in no way separate the dogs but they had to be adopted together, which I think was good. One of the dogs was a basset hound that is less than a year old and they had a lab that was killed by a car a couple of months ago. Brenda told me the basset hound was grieving over it, so the little guy has been through a lot already.

I made the mistake last night of reading a news article that included the 911 call between the older little girl who survived, and the 911 operator. It was awful. I cried for an hour. All these events are just so bad and we will be dealing with it all for awhile, but I realize that all of this might be bringing the rest of you down. I'm sorry if that's the case. I know you all are there to be a support and you are such good friends but I don't want to make you suffer any distress.

Well, better finish the coffee and get ready for work. Yay (can you hear the sarcasm?). I am afraid to get there and see what wasn't done after I left that I will still have to do today.

Boo

PS-That is interesting about the champagne thing. I surprises me. I know people in my church drink because I see them sipping margaritas and such on facebook. lol
July 02, 2016 - Msg 105140: To answer your question Ro, Emily and her brother Ben are living with their mom's mother. She seems like a decent and respectable woman so I think they will be ok there.

Boo
July 02, 2016 - Msg 105141: Good morning, porch. MDC, your report of the celebratory champagne shower (and imbibing) after the base ball win, and the college president's reaction, just points up what I was trying to say. There was a time when there would have been no champagne shower, it wouldn't have entered anybody's mind at a Baptist school. Apparently the president is still trying to hold the line, but you mark my words. When he's gone, and a new president is in place, he will look the other way, or maybe even join in. It's a matter of the inexorable downward creep of standards, and it's everywhere, not just in our Christian schools. There are those who call it "progress." I suppose that depends upon your definition of the word. Some of us call it deterioration. I'm no expert, but I read the papers today, and mentally compare the headlines with what I read fifty, or even twenty years ago. There's a big difference, and it's not a positive thing. Just as water will always seek a level, behavior will always reflect current standards. When nobody gets arrested for displaying their drawers in public, it won't be long until the "followers" in a society will be walking around with their hineys hanging out. Like my dad used to say - a person who doesn't stand for something will fall for anything.

That's a good question about the two crooks who came to Mayberry. I had never thought about that. Good catch!

Boo, you are not to worry about bringing the porch down. You won't, but maybe we can help lift you up. That's what friends do.

Well, gotta run. The boys and I are going to take newspapers to the Humane Society and shipping boxes to the mail store, go to the bank, go to Petsmart, and meet Eloise for a late lunch. Later, taters. --Romeena
July 03, 2016 - Msg 105142: Boo, I found the article with the transcript of the 911 call. Absolutely heartbreaking. The child was whispering, no doubt because she was hiding from her stepfather, so the 911 operator was having trouble hearing her, and had to keep asking her to repeat. So sad. How terrified Emily must have been! Poor little thing! And the son, holding his mom as she died! I just can't imagine. God bless them both. --Romeena
July 03, 2016 - Msg 105143: HI ALL, Good Sabbath to you! Hope you are having a good day. I write this very early Sunday morning (12:05 AM) but am now heading to bed. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His light shine upon you and give you His peace! :)
MDC
July 03, 2016 - Msg 105144:
MDC and Romeena, regarding the question MDC posted in Msg 105138, I believe he is asking about the Crime Free Mayberry episode.
Watch that episode at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bobAII0dgR8 and you will see that at 3:04, the mayor brings the fake FBI man to meet Andy and Barney and discuss about Mayberry having the lowest crime rate in the country. Then at about 4:30, Andy begins to downplay law enforcement's involvement for the low crime by giving credit to the townsfolk and this seems to upset Barney and the mayor. Barney stops Andy from avoiding to take credit by reminding him about Andy being late for a barber appointment, which Andy claims there is none. The mayor also wants to stop Andy so he begins to escort Andy out of the office telling Andy that he should look good for the publicity photos. And the FBI man confirms that publicity is inevitable.

"Now, if it was their little secret about how mayberry was the most crime-free town, then why did the mayor walk into the barber shop with that lady reporter?"
Who do you claim is "their"? Do you mean Andy, Barney and the mayor, or the two crooks?

With all this publicity being planned beginning at 4:30, it should be obvious that Andy, Barney and the mayor all believed the news to be legitimate and that Barney and the mayor did not want it to be secret. At 5:33, the mayor brings the lady reporter (who is legitimate) to the barber shop where Andy is getting a haircut. Judging by their conversation outside the barber shop, the lady reporter had advance notice about the low-crime news. Before they go in to the barber shop, the mayor reminds her that Andy is responsible for Mayberry having the lowest crime rate and that she will be the first to interview him. Don't forget that at this point in time, the mayor believed the low-crime Mayberry news to be legitimate so that is why he brought the reporter. Had the mayor known or even suspected this was a ruse, I doubt he would have brought her to the barber shop.

And while it is true that the low-crime news was a ruse, by revealing it to Andy, Barney and the mayor, the crooks did not keep it a secret nor did they ask anyone else to keep it a secret. And although the photographer was fake so his photos would not get published, the award ceremony was to have an audience and not be private.

I hope I understood and answered your question correctly.

from Poor Horatio
July 03, 2016 - Msg 105145: Hey Gang ! Good info Poor Horatio ! Still thinking and praying Boo..Hello Romeena,possum, maude and all...we had a great camping trip...now its back to work...im covering for a co-worker tonight that is ill...then off till Thursday..been harvesting from garden...everything coming in great ..ok...snack time.! SPOT
July 03, 2016 - Msg 105146: Yes, Ro, it is heartbreaking. This violence against women is making me so angry. Earlier a man in our little town abducted a woman and beat her badly. He was stopped by the police after a 911 call and was arrested. I assume he knew the woman he assaulted. I think he would have killed her if the police had not intervened in time. Where are the good godly men in this generation? Are we seeing the result of loss of respect for women? Scary times.

Ro, I spent some time next door with the kitty cat again. She is still hiding under the car all day but will come out to eat and drink if I call her out. She wants to be with me when I am there so I know she is lonely. Today I got permission from Emily to find a home for kitty. I would take her but I think she will continue to keep going next door. She isn't a young cat and I don't think she will adjust to us. I hate to traumatize her any more by having someone come and pick her up, though. Poor little thing.

Well, my Erin leaves for camp in east Texas tomorrow. Please pray for safe travel. It was hard for her Dad and I to let her go this time. After all the events of the past week, we just want to hold her close. She will have a wonderful time, I know.

Well, I have to be back to work at 6am so better start getting ready for bed.

Boo
July 03, 2016 - Msg 105147: POOR Horatio, by "their little serest" I was talking about the two con artists, not Andy etc.; but I also see your point that the con men
seemed pretty open about it, so I suppose the mayor could have called the newspaper to ask them to send a reporter. (So that begs the question, why not the Mayberry Gazette?)
But, at any rate, the dialogue amongst the reporter, Andy, and the mayor is one of the funniest of the whole series. It cracks me up everytime!
BOO--my prayers will indeed be for Erin, and I continue them also for you and for the survivors of the family! Yes, I too am very wary of millennials, as so many of them it seems are trying to make a GO of it without the GOD of it! Just my own observations. That is why it is for such a time as this that we be both SALT and LIGHT! :)
MDC

July 03, 2016 - Msg 105148: Good evening, porch. Boo, you had mentioned earlier that Erin was going to camp in east Texas. There are several really nice camps in that area. My grandsons went today to Pine Cove camp, near Tyler. Is that by any chance where Erin went? Not that they'd ever see each other. The boys will be in very separate and distinct areas of the Pine Cove camp and probably won't see each other at all. They went there last year, and were very impressed. It's a Christian-based camp, and apparently very well run.

I'm glad Erin got to go, whichever camp she's attending. She'll benefit from the diversion, a change of scenery and a chance to focus on fun and happy things, instead of the memories of the scene next door. As for the kitty, I'm sure you know best what to do about her, but I think you're right about it being traumatic to her to be picked up and taken somewhere unfamiliar. She might even try to return, and that could be dangerous if she's not very streetwise. Maybe you could just let her hang out where she chooses, but continue to make contact and reach out to her. I'll bet that before long she'll abandon her vigil under the car, and gravitate to you. If an indoor kitty would be in the realm of possibility for your family, it could be a good match. She'd probably welcome the security. You said you were afraid she wouldn't adjust to your family. Seems to me she's going to have to adjust to someone, somewhere, or become feral. If she's an old kitty, that's not a happy prospect.

We've got an electrical storm brewing outside. It seems to be passing to the south of my location, but there surely is a light show to be seen outside my south-facing window. I've got a ringside seat! Hope it brings a bit of rain with it.

Well, guess I'd better go let Diesel out before it rains (if it does) and gets the grass wet. His big old fluffy paws are like sponges and it's a problem when he goes outside in wet grass! I've got the big goof for the entire week! Yikes. He's such a sweetie, though, and plays so well with Toye Starr. She's the tiny terror of the two, and bosses him around. He just lets her think she's in charge.

Blessings, porch, and have a wonderful Fourth! God bless America, and America, bless God! --Romeena
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105149: Happy 4th Everyone!...🇺🇸 God Bless the USA 🇺🇸 Lord knows we need some blessing!...

It's nice in our little town we still have a community 4th of July celebration in the park with food activities, and the Police vs Fireman softball game. Then capped off with a pretty good fireworks show for a small town tonight!... My neighbors have been doing a pretty good job of of practicing already.....

Have a Great Day, and enjoy the freedoms we were given, and may we never take them for granted. We must always remember our Freedom was NOT Free.... Amen?.....

G-F 🇺🇸
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105150: Amen GF.
Happy Birthday America.

Asa
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105151: We the People, in order to form a more perfect
"U"- YUNN" !!

Happy 4th of July, y'all! Stay cool! 99 with a heat index of 107 at my rock-good grief!

****************
possum under a rock
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105152: HI

HOPE
HOPE IN EVERY SITUATION,
UNEXPECTED PLACES SHARE
GRACE AND POWRE WHEN THUS NEEDED;
JOY IS CONQUERING DESHAIR
DON'TGIVE UP-FORGE ON THE BATTLE-
LIFE GIVE MORE, A CORNER TURNED
SHOWERS OER THE TRUE INTENTION
AND LEADS NOT TO TRIUMPHS SPURNED
HOPE IN EVERY SITUATION;
BRIGHTY, CONFIDENCE WE SEE
GLORIOUS OUTCOMES IN FINALS
WHEN WE PUT OUR TRUST IN THEE.


HAPPY 4th EVERY ONE

TOM

July 04, 2016 - Msg 105153: Possum... Give me the first word.... We?... https://youtu.be/oBuPQgV8yBM Haha...G-F
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105154: Ok gang chime in on this... I'm sure you Southerners know this word. It's a new one on me. http://thatslarrapin.blogspot.com/2008/04/say-what.html
Wonder if they ever used it on TAGS?..... G-F
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105155: Larrupin'" That's a word I've heard all my life, and use myself quite often. It does indeed refer to food being exceptionally good. I've never heard it used in the context of a punishment. Sometimes it's said as "larrupin' good", but usually it just stands alone. "Larrupin'" itself is a strong enough adjective. I learned it from my dad, who always pleased my mom by saying "that dinner was downright "larrupin'." The discrepancy in the spelling - "larrupin'" vs "larrapin'" can be blamed on the English tendency to assign about six different pronunciations to any given vowel, to the point that they overlap, and an "a" and a "u" can carry the same sound. Therefore, I guess you just take your choice whether you spell the word with a "u" or an "a".

That's one big thing we struggle with in teaching ESL. In Spanish, the five vowels have one sound and one only. No exceptions. Since the great majority of our students are Spanish speakers, it's a problem. Also, we have a habit of tacking a silent "e" on the end of lots of words. Therefore, following the rules of pronunciation that are familiar to a Spanish speaker, the simple word "dime" (like a ten-cent piece) looks like "dee-meh" to them. Trust me, old, ingrained habits are very hard to break! The flip side of that, of course, it that it's very difficult to get an English speaker who has no prior knowledge of Spanish to pronounce "dime" (which means "give me") properly. They will say "dime" like the coin, every time. Some people will learn and adapt quickly, but some just never get it.

Well, that storm I thought was passing to the south of me? It didn't. It doubled back and thundered, threw lightning everywhere, and rained buckets on this area. It's pretty and clear now, and I swear my grass grew two inches since yesterday! It's amazing what rain will do.

Happy Fourth, everyone. Thanks for the poem, Tom. We can always count on you. --Romeena
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105156: G-F, I'm familiar with that word,but can't say that I've ever heard anyone in the Carolinas (or anywhere,actually) use the word " Larrupin'" or however you spell it.My understanding of the definition is as Ro explained.

Lovely poem,Tom-thanks!

Hope everyone had a nice holiday-y'all take care.

possum again
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105157: One other note on the "larrupin'" issue. It is, of course, actually "larruping", but being Texans and Southerners, the "g" is usually dropped. In fact, people who ordinarily would not drop their "g" will drop it on that word. It's a distinctly "countrified" word, but that fact never stops a Texan or a Southerner, even a citified one, from using it now and then. --Romeena
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105158: Happy Fourth to you all. I will just be hanging around the house recuperating from the last four days at work. I am tired! I think I will be sleeping a lot tomorrow.

Bruce is having a hard time. He is so upset over the events of last week. I feel so sorry for him and am concerned. He let his blood pressure medicine run out and I just found out. I have to call the pharmacy in the am and get some for him to hold him over until the doc refills it. I told him he was not going to work until he gets that medicine. His job is a real stessor and he just isn't up for that right now. He had an episode of anger today that was scary. It is just building up in him and he finally let it out. I have not seen him cry like that since his dad died nearly 20 years ago. This thing is really taking its toll on us. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We are going to be going to some counseling as a family to get through this thing.

Ro, Erin is at a camp called Piney Woods...its north of Houston somewhere.

The cat is getting over the trauma and is venturing out from under the car more. We'll see how it goes.

Better go chill for awhile before bed.

Love to All,
Boo
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105159: Oh and TOM, thank you so much for the poem. I have been missing those!

Boo
July 04, 2016 - Msg 105160: Thanks Romeena for the schooling. I love to hear regional words and meanings, sayings, stories ect. It makes us who we are. It's funny how they are passed down over the years.. My Dad had a lot of them... Some I knew where they came from and some I did not... One was "You're so kind since the baby came" and the ever popular...Happy Horse $#&%! Also, "I heard tell of that!"... I found a site once that had a lot of words sayings and meanings and the region where they were used... It was interesting, much like the "Coke" discussion we had awhile back...

G-F.....

July 05, 2016 - Msg 105161: GF--were the uniforms ready for the concert in the park after the parade? ha
And who won the watermelon seed spittin contest? :)
We have a town here in AZ called Prescott, but don't you dare say PRESS-cot, or you will be laughed out of the state! Better say PRESS-kit!
BOO--living next door like you do, i bet counseling will be a big help.
I hope you will all had a good 4th of July holiday! God bless you,
MDC

July 05, 2016 - Msg 105162: Bungled that last sen-tence. Meant to finish to Boo with "I hope you will."; and then to all:
I hope you all had a good 4th..."
July 05, 2016 - Msg 105163: Boo, I have to admit I thought about not visiting the porch for a while(I have been visiting, just not posting too much), because I hate even thinking about what happened to that mother and her poor child, and what that means for the ones who lived through it. I haven't read the 911 transcript and I don't want to.
This incident is very sad and equally as disturbing.
Then I realized that if I felt this way about it, imagine what Boo and her family are going through, since they are right next door and knew the family. And as Romeena stated, maybe we could help lift you up. I know what just visiting the porch has meant to me in my times of trial; A friendly, calm place of respite in the otherwise chaotic world in which we live. A place to "get away" from the cares of the world in one respect, but also to be around supportive, understanding people when those cares invade our lives and our thoughts. Some may have even been through the same things we have been through and can offer caring advice through the eyes of someone who has been there.
So no, don't feel bad thinking you are "bringing us down." Let us worry about how it makes us feel. You have enough to worry about being there at the front line, so to speak. We are there for you.
I am glad to hear that the other children have family to live with. That is one positive in all of this and will help them get through it.

I hope everyone had a nice Independence Day. We went to the parade here in town, with Noah taking off his Uncle Sam hat and bowing when pretty girls went by, the little rascal. Then we went up to a flea market that was closing, so we didn't get to see too much. But as long as we aren't spending too much money, that is ok with me.

Tuned into MeTV last night and saw that they had the manicurist episode on, so I watched that. ;-)
I think Ellen Brown has got to be the prettiest thing to ever grace the streets of Mayberry. There, I said it and I ain't taking it back.

...Uh, well, maybe I should rephrase that a bit, or else they may call in the vice squad(do they even have those anymore?) to investigate what is going on in the streets.
Let's just say she is the prettiest thing to ever grace Mayberry.
Better?

-Sterling Holobyte
July 05, 2016 - Msg 105164: Sterling, I can say meeting Barbra Eden at last years M/D's, at "84" and soon to be "85" next month, nature STILL has been VERY good to her!....lol and I had my picture made with her to prove it!..... So there is no reason to take it back...haha

Speaking of Mayberry folk, I'm getting ready to leave Thursday to hang out with Floyd and the gang at the Mayberry Meet-up in Mt. Airy, it sure is a good time, and good folk, wish you guys could make it too!.... I'll be sure to send greetings and salutations from the Porch... And TOM, I will promise to "Act Like Somebody" and behave Ok Buddy?..... But on the other hand the "other" Big Maude and Lydia will be there with their families so it will be hard!....lol

Boo, too bad it's so far away from you, trust me it is the right Rx that you guys need right now, a mess of Mayberry folk to cheer you up, and forget the problems of today... (If just for a little while)....

It's the best feeling, and alota fun like the days of going to Summer Camp as a kid, but the same let down when you have to go home when it's over and knowing you won't see your friends again until next year.

G-F
July 05, 2016 - Msg 105165: Good morning, porch! What a blessing to have this porch in my life. Ditto and amen to the things all of you have said the last couple of days. Sterling, you said it so perfectly: A friendly, calm place of respite in the otherwise chaotic world in which we live. A place to "get away" from the cares of the world in one respect, but also to be around supportive, understanding people when those cares invade our lives and our thoughts. Some may have even been through the same things we have been through and can offer caring advice through the eyes of someone who has been there. You are so right, brother. This porch has helped to see me through times of personal grief and loss, times when the road ahead of me looked very dark and rough. I have a strong support system with my family, and my church, but there's just a slightly different "connection" here. I can't explain it, but if you've ever experienced it, then I don't have to. As we've said before, Mayberry is a state of mind, and it's a blessing to be able to "go to Mayberry" now and then.

Boo, you have been there for many of us in times past. Now - let us "be there" for you. I'm quite sure that Brenda was grateful for the respite your family offered to her girls at times, especially Maddie. Surely that was encouraging to her, to know that the girls had a place they could go that was peaceful and without the turmoil she experienced at home. Most important, Maddie apparently was seeking and had reached the age of accountability, and Erin offered her the truth. She apparently accepted it, and because of that, she is now in God's heaven! Your whole family can take comfort in that, because it was the background you had provided for Erin that prompted her to share with her friend. God will remember.

Well, we had another storm last night, bigger than the one the night before! I mean, that thing came and squatted over my house, thundered, threw lightning bolts, and poured rain like it was dumping washtubs! In the midst of that rain, I knew my sprinklers were set to turn on at 12:15! I could have gone outside to the control box in an alcove on the back of the house, but I would have washed away! Fortunately, I have my little handy-dandy remote control and I just waited until I saw the first zone come on, and stopped it. It was a little hard to tell when it came on, but then water going down is rain, so water going up has to be a sprinkler! Fortunately, I have enough lights out there to be able to tell which was which.

OK, gotta go. Toye Starr and Diesel are getting too rowdy, playing too rough. I need to stop them before Starr gets hurt. He wouldn't do it on purpose, but he's about 30 pounds and she's 4.5, and the little nut charges him, like she thinks she can knock him down! They're hilarious to watch, but if he stepped on her with his big old paws, he could hurt her. I need to calm them down a little. Blessings, porch! --Romeena