February 22, 2017 - Msg 106844: HI ALL

February 22, 2017 - Msg 106845: Great sweep " HI ALL" SPOT

February 22, 2017 - Msg 106846: *crickets chirping*
Wow. Mighty lonely in here! LOL!
Well, folks, not too sure there is much left in me to keep blogging about. *Whew* There is just SO, SO much turmoil, chaos, finger pointing, upheaval, I don't know if I can keep up with all of it! I am just ashamed of my country right now. I know I said that in my blog, but folks, this is just getting bizaare! If you really read the websites of Limbaugh, Ingraham, Hannity and TownHall.com, plus scroll through Google News, it's just never ending.
*hangs head*
Where's Andy, Barn, Floyd and the rest of Mayberry when you need them?
Just crying sad.

John Masters


February 23, 2017 - Msg 106847: Good sweep by "HI ALL" whoever you are.
JOHN--As Jesus told us "Do NOT worry." It does no good, and it doesnt
add a single day to our lifetime! Things will settle down. A Monday protest here at Ariz State Univ, for example, fizzled as only 8 people showed up! As I said, and as others
have also said, I felt the same way 8 years ago,
just didnt march, too busy working and paying my taxes, etc.
But the country made it thru those 8 years fairly well, and it will make it thru the next 8. Remember when Pilate was questioning Jesus? "Pilate said. "Don't you realize that I have the power to either free you, or to crucify you?" "To which Jesus said: You have no authority over me at all, except what was given to you from above." God is ultimately in charge. Hang in there my brother. It is much better to vent on paper than in the streets!
We all need to take Dr. Breen's advice. :)
MDC
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106848: Well Gang, more weather records will break again today as we get into th upper 60's and 70's tomorrow! WOW!!
Not complaining, this is a GREAT break for the Month of February... Do I get a Amen TOM?...

Thanks for the Tribe report MDC... When it comes to the point you made about Edwin Encarnación there is only so much money a man needs, the rest is just for showing off!... As Forrest Gump used to say... But I hope the Tribe goes ALL the way this year. The Cubbies got theirs, time for the Tribe to get theirs!.... Sorry John Masters

G-F
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106849: Good morning, Porchsters

MDC - Good advice. I hope I can take you up on it though. With EVERYthing happening, I am just at my wit's end. Protests, riots, the Democrats acting the way they are, police chiefs and commissioners saying they won't uphold certain immigration rulings, the immigrants themselves, the transgenders now up in arms, the "resistance" movement printing up booklets on how to further resist, Soros, the Freedom from Religion group forcing a Penns. school to take down their Ten Commandments monument, the media, the liberals, the LGBT, it all seems like a concoction ready to explode! I don't think we are headed for an outright guns and bullets Civil War, but I think this is going to get WAY worse before any signs of getting better creep in!

G-F - I'll second that Amen! Supposed to be almost 80 here in mid southern Missouri today! Yeah, the Indians and their fans are LONG overdue! If you get the championship, it's a wonderful awesome feeling to break a drought like that!

Hey to Boo, Romeena, TOM, SPOT, Asa, possum, Maude and the rest of you in the Open Door to Good Fellowship lodge! Hope you all have a great day!

John Masters
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106850: Good morning, porch. It's an absolutely beautiful day here in north Texas. Blue skies, not a single cloud anywhere. Very slight, soft breeze, and the temp is 67°, heading for the mid-80s. Soft, pale green leaves popped out overnight on one tree out back, and I can see buds swelling on some of the shrubbery. My tulips are up and out of the ground, leaves about six inches high, and one adventurous red one is already blooming. Daffodils have been blooming for about a week now, and get prettier and more abundant by the day. I couldn't prune the beautyberry because it had (and still has) Christmas lights strung through it. Same for the roses that managed to survive the "rose rosette disease" disaster. The beautyberry won't mind, it will just get bigger and more spectacular, but the roses really should have been deeply pruned. Oh well. Nature has a wonderful way of correcting and covering my mistakes.

There is a lot of critter traffic out there this morning. The warm sunshine always brings them out. I was enjoying watching all their activity, when suddenly, they all disappeared. Knowing what that means, I kept watching, and sure enough - Mr. Hawk flew low through the yard, then rose upward again, screaming obscenities. I need Andy here to tell him to watch his language! After all, there is a lady present! I know he has to make a living, but I wish he'd go do it somewhere else.

Hang in there, John Masters. We still have free speech (so far) so you keep on telling it like it is. I'm so sick of the petulant crybabies, who preach "tolerance" but don't practice it. I'm very tired of the liberals who stubbornly refuse to see an issue for what it really is, and instead just cling to their erroneous beliefs. Example: They keep spouting the "statistics" that prove that no transgender person has committed an offense against anyone in a women's bathroom, and therefore, our objections are baseless. I agree. It has never been about a real "trans" person, though I do have opinions about that. The issue is about the predatory offenders who will claim "transgender" to gain access. I read just yesterday that there have been 21 documented cases so far of offenses against women or little girls, all committed by men who were not transgender, but used that as their cover story. That's who I'm worried about, and that's who is doing the protesting.

Years ago, we had a true transgender person working at our hospital. She dressed as a woman, but had a heavy five o'clock shadow that makeup couldn't cover, a fairly deep voice, and large, muscular hands. She was kind, compassionate, unobtrusive and made no demands. There are several one-stall bathrooms in the building, and she used those. Not once did she demand admittance to the multi-stall "women's" bathrooms. There was never any discussion that I heard regarding her gender. She never forced the issue. She had a problem, she was trying to work through it, and she didn't impose her situation on anyone. There was never any mention of it, everyone liked her and no one ever made an issue of it, least of all her.

Why can't it be like that everywhere? Most buildings now have a unis#x bathroom somewhere, with a lock on the hallway door. A person who truly has an issue will happily use those. It's the pot-boilers who are demanding free admittance to all bathrooms, changing rooms, showers, whatever. As I've said before, I think I'll talk to the manager at our local Target store and demand he install fireplugs and litter boxes, for anyone who might be feeling like a canine or a feline on any given day. Maybe a "scratching tree" for someone who's feeling a little "bearish."

Well, have a good day, friends. --Romeena
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106851: Hey, let's REALLY see how far liberals will go! How about an allgender person (wears men clothing from the waist up and dresses and high heels from the waist down) who worships Satan and wants to marry a Barbie doll!

LOLOL!

John Masters
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106852: Just checking in..sorry it has been awhile but been very busy getting mom in law moved out of her apartement. I felt like I was in an episode of Hoarders...seriously. My knees hurt, I'm tired, but we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. She is staying here at my house for a few days until Bruce's brother takes her to the new facility about 5 hours from here. We will be very relieved. To say she is a difficult individual would be a big understatement. Been having to pray to remain kind and calm. :) Not only helping with the apartment, but helping her here at the house, making sure everyone gets fed, clothes get washed, and helping Sean get ready for his trip to Florida on Saturday. He is nervous but excited. I hope he has a wonderful time.

Looks like I jumped in on some interesting conversation. I know things have gotten so ludicrous with some people that it is just natural to scratch your head and laugh, but I try to remember that there are genuinely a lot of people, particularly young people and children with disorders that cause them to feel and believe an array of things that we just cant understand. Remember kindness, pray for understanding and compassion, and always ask what Jesus would do.

The weather here has been very warm but low humidity so I am enjoying it. I hope you are all having the same where you are.

Better get back to the real world.

Love to All,
Boo
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106853: Oh, wanted to share a blessing with you all. Yesterday, when I picked up Erin from school, she had four of her friends with her that wanted to come to church youth group that evening. I took them home and fed them pulled pork sandwiches. They all sat around my kitchen table and I heard one of the girls (I believe it was the girl who had been pregnant and lost the baby last week), say, "Well, are we going to pray?"..I watched them all join hands around the table and one of the girls prayed. What a blessing that was. Sometimes I just to stop and thank the Lord, through tears. He has been so good to me. These kids have big problems, but they are going to church. Please pray the Lord will reach them.

Boo
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106854: Forgot to say above, I saw a report that estimated that 40% of youth who identify as transgender commit suicide. If that is true, it is a startling statistic.

Boo
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106855: I just got a call from my doctor's office, and I hesitate to tell you all this, but I need the prayer support. They found some kind of mass in my breast when I had my sono last Friday. I have to go for more screening to find out what it is. I've never had an abnormal mammogram so this is new to me. I'm not going to tell my family at this point because everyone is already stressed out and I don't want them worrying. It might turn out to be ok and I would have put them through it for nothing. I just wanted to ask you for your prayers. Thanks.

Boo
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106856: I didn't meant to say sono above...I mean mammogram..I will be having a sono soon.

Boo
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106857: Prayers going your way for sure Boo. For your health and your sanity as you deal with all you have going on Dear. And for Sean to have a fun and safe trip.

John, The world is nuts, but we should be expecting that I reckon. I know things are bad, but I also know the media is doing all they can to keep things flamed up. All this nonsense about the transgender. I read somewhere they make up .4% of the population or some very small number like that. But if you listen to the news you would think half the country is. I am beginning to see why Trump may have been the only one for this job though. They push, he pushes back, sometimes hard. I think that is what is needed to deal with this stupidity right now. I do hope that some of the GOP folks will grow some spines and help him out though.

GF, You and Tom better breakout the sun block with those temps. We were in the 60's last week, but we are in the 30's today with snow and wind. Are you going to the Mayberry Days meet-up? One of these days I am going to go. I have a Daughter living in Charlotte now and I could pay her a visit on the trip. Then you and I can have a good old time buddy.

Well it's about time to call this day done and done. I must have some kind of a head cold or something going on. My head just feels all plugged up, although I ain't sniffling much.

Prayers for all for a good night.

Asa
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106858: Prayers for sure Boo, Girl you sure got a lot on your plate but God is Good and he will get you all thru it!....

Asa, I'm going to three Maybery events this year. The Mayberry in the Midwest one in May, the Meet-Up in July and Mayberry Days in September. Floyd talked about doing something in Nashville in April, but don't think my retired budget will allow that too.....

As for planning to go to Mt. Airy, my Buddy and I were at lunch 16 years ago and we're discussing going I got up and told him.."Life's to Short, and So Am I!"... Let's Go!.. So We Did!..
Not that's a WHIM...I don't even remember if I had on clean underwear or not...lol...lol....

I can't believe I've been going for the last 16 years, but it's been a fun and enjoyable ride.... BTW Charlotte is right at 2hrs from Mt. Airy....

G-F
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106859: Thanks for those prayers, Asa and G-f! I just don't want any of us to have to go through what we did with our Millie Dear.

Hope you feel better, Asa. If MDC was here, he would say Oregano..and zinc..and vit c..I fogot what else.

Boo
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106860: Good afternoon, porch. Wow, Boo, you really do have a full plate. Prayers for all issues mentioned, and for any you may have chosen not to mention.

Referencing your observation that there are those, both young and old, who have real issues, including the well-documented gender dysphoria. You're absolutely right, it's real, and for those I have nothing but compassion. I realize my earlier comments may have sounded too critical. I have cared for a few newborns with obvious problems. There were two or three that I absolutely could not have told you whether the poor little thing was a male or a female. My heart bled for the parents as much as for the child. How do they answer Aunt Martha when she asks whether it was a boy or a girl? "Oh, we're not sure yet. We'll let you know later!" Yikes.

My objection, and the object of my criticism, is the media who, as you say, keeps fanning the flames, and with the perverts who are jumping on the bandwagon and taking advantage of the situation. The physical anomaly exists now, it existed in the middle of the 20th century, and it existed long, long before that. However, it doesn't now, and never did, exist in the overwhelming numbers that the media would have us believe. It has become their "cause du jour" and I predict the whole thing will fizzle out when some new and riot-worthy cause pops into somebody's fertile little brain.

Some people are born blind. We provide guide dogs, braille elevator buttons, talking books, and other assistive measures. People are born deaf. We have hearing aids, visual alarms, and sign language. Some are born or become paralyzed, or otherwise disabled. We have widened restroom doors and stalls, knocked out sections of curbing and created ramps, developed motorized wheelchairs and even trained dogs to fetch and carry for them. These helps and aids are provided, clearly identified, and are free. Those people don't ask for the lights to be turned off in the world so they can experience equality, or for everyone to learn sign language and refrain from speaking, or for the whole world to take to using wheelchairs. So please tell me. Since obviously some people are born gender-confused, why isn't it enough to create bathrooms and changing rooms and showers that are single-use and marked as "Neutral" so that anyone can use them? Believe me, if there was such a restroom at a ballpark, and there were a hundred women in line for the ladies' room, I would not hesitate to walk into the one-person, locking "neutral" room. In no time at all, it would become part of the landscape and no one would even notice who was using the thing.

The blind, the deaf and the disabled have never demanded that the whole world and all its social behaviors be altered to accommodate them. All they've ever asked for is simple accommodation to fit their needs, and they seem to do pretty well. It may not be perfect yet, but when one can't walk in a walking world, you and society must do the best it can. To ask women to willingly put themselves at risk of becoming prey for a predator is not fair. To ask a ten year old girl to accept the idea of showering with "the boys" is ludicrous. Porch, if a man or boy was peeping in my granddaughter's bedroom window, I'd have him arrested, assuming I hadn't shot him first. Wouldn't you? What's the difference? --Romeena
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106861: One more thing. Boo, you are so right. We should always ask ourselves what Jesus would do, and I'm convinced He would not be trying to force the mingling of unclothed children in shower rooms, or make it possible for a predator to prey upon those children. Adults have a choice. I simply won't use dressing rooms, and I seek out the single-person restrooms, but children in a school don't have those choices.

Children have enough conflict and confusion, and all this big hoopla is doing is planting seeds of more confusion in their minds. I don't know if any or you receive emails from the "Mass Resistance" organization, but it's very interesting. They investigate things like this and publish their findings. It's really frightening, some of the stuff that some school districts are pushing. There was a school a short while ago that was subjecting the children to interviews, without the parent's knowledge or consent, where the children were asked leading questions about their s#xual thoughts and fantasies, and then were "advised" based on their answers, as to whether they might or might not be gay. I think you can guess how that turned out.

The same thing is happening with the transgender issue. Impressionable children are questioned, lectured and led, until some of them decide they just might be in the "wrong body." Some may truly have a real problem, but not in the vast numbers these campaigns are producing.

Through it all, the parents are kept in the dark, while their children are brainwashed, given information for access to abortions, and whatever else you can imagine, but the school nurse can't give them a Tylenol for a headache without parental consent! Scary. --Romeena
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106862: True...some of it is just common sense, but we seem to have a shortage of that in the USA. :)

Boo
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106863: Evenin' Porch

First, Boo, Many prayers, well wishes, good thoughts and Barney's lucky rabbit's foot that the lump is absolutely nothing!

Asa - Knock that cold down! I reckon you've been thru enough!

G-F - I surely do wish I could go with you to those Mayberry events! Land sakes live, sounds like a great time!

To everyone, I would like to say that I believe the mood on here has become a bit low and I have been fanning those flames a bit myself. Though it seems we agree on the political and insane subjects of the current time, I wonder if I have been bringing too much onto this nice porch?! I mean Andy and Barn and Aunt Bee didn't get too serious while sittin' there, so I think I will back off a little too. I will still talk political if you want or you prompt me for my opinions, but I will end this particular visit with this...I know this won't happen, but with EVERYthing happening both here and abroad, I wouldn't blame God the least little bit if he was looking down, shaking his head, clapped his hands together with a stern "That's It!" and Boom! Existence ended!

Have a great night, folks! And by the way, I will still go on with my blog.

John Masters

Think I will see what's happening in baseball. That seems harmless enough!
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106864: John Masters, we have gone through these little ups and downs several times over the years, and we end up with a resolution to avoid negative topics and such, and for a time, we do. Then some other form of idiocy rears its ugly head, and we get started again. I confess, I'm usually right in the thick of it all, just as I am this time. I agree with you, and I'll join you in resolving to "lighten up", which I think will be a relief to one and all.

Boo, this doesn't mean that we don't want to hear from you and stay informed on the things you're dealing with. We definitely are interested, and will be praying for you. We're just going to table the world's issues for now, at least.

Blessings, porch! --Romeena
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106865: JOHN, I "didn't want to just come out and say it" but since
you brought it up, yes, i think we should all back off the topic for a bit. RO often acknowledges
that she is going a bit off on things, (as she did above) and tho free
speech is welcomed here, it is also my place of respite from the craziness. Thanks for your self-analysis.
BOO--yes indeed you have my prayers. We ask the healing arm of Jesus to touch you and heal you of any such issue. Amen.
And that is a GREAT story about Erin's friends!
MDC
February 23, 2017 - Msg 106866: Oh, GF, in our paper today they had an article on Spring Training foods at the local stadiums, and when it came to the Indians they mentioned Bertman's Ball Park Mustard that is used at Progressive Field in Cleveland! How about that? Also a Skyline Chili Dog! I may have to give both a try if I make it. :)
mdc
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106867: Yep, MDC if you go yo Progressive Field in Cleveland ya gotta get a dog with that mustard on it. Here's the link http://bertmanballparkmustard.com/ That Skyline dog sounds Good!!... As for the "Slider Dog" I'm not sure about that one, that is the one TOM and I were talking about last year, it's the one that has Fruit Loops on it.... That just ain't right, but to each his own...lol...
Going to be in the 70's here today WhoooHoo!....

G-F..⚾️
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106868: Good morning, porch! Wait a minute! Froot Loops on a hot dog? Now that's just wrong, like putting sweet pickles on a peanut butter sandwich. Oh wait! I used to do that and it's actually pretty good, and it had the added advantage of discouraging people at school from stealing my lunch! So - Froot or Fruit, take your choice. I Googled it, and found that actually both spellings have appeared on the cereal boxes, with Froot being original, Fruit popping in recently, and now disappearing, to be replaced once again by Froot. Looks like Americans just have a hard time agreeing on anything! (teehee)

Well, we have another beautiful day here, though the expected high is predicted to be only 65°. Still, that's pleasant enough, and the sun is out. My DIL, Brittney, who is a crackerjack photographer, is going to pick me and her mother up in a little while, and we're going out to the Dallas Arboretum. All the bulbs are in bloom and it should be beautiful. They have little golf-cart trams that circulate through the park, you can just hop on and off as you wish, so walking is kept to a minimum if necessary, which appeals to me! The plan here is for Brittney to get some pictures of me, so we can choose one to be used on the cover of my little book. That's all we're waiting for now. Brittney is a wizard with Photoshop too, so she can erase my turkey wattle and my brown spots! Vanity, thy name is woman, even at age 77.

Well, better hit the shower. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106869: Hello Porch. Thanks for you prayers and kind words, as always. :) I am doing ok. I was just a little anxious last night..fell asleep but woke up during the night and was up for hours. I am ok today, though.

Day three of mom in law in the house and I think Bruce and his brother are about to run away. It is really something around here. My mom in law really soaked the bed she was in at around 2am and my brother in law was pulling sheets of the bed and put her in the bed he was sleeping in and he slept on the couch. When I got up this morning and washed the sheets and towel I had put under her, they were completely saturated. She wears diapers but she drinks something constantly night and day. I am going to encourage her to stop drinking anything after 6pm tonight. Tomorrow they have the family dinner to say goodbye and then she will be leaving on Sunday. We see just how badly she needs to be in a facility. I cant believe something bad has not happened to her yet when she was living alone.

Sean leaves on his trip to Disney world tomorrow. I am a little nervous about that, but I know he will have a great time.

My crazy sister in law is about to be here to visit her mom (the drug addict sister who lived with us for awhile), so Bruce and I are going to get out of the house for the afternoon to avoid that. When she and her mom get together, it is always drama of some kind and I would just as soon avoid that. :)

Talk to you all later,
Boo
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106870: BOO--may I suggest that you buy some disposable bed-liners, available at Walgreens, etc, by the Depends, etc. And remember, not all adult diapers are created equal, get the ones with MAX absorbancy
on the label.
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Disposable-Underpads-Chux-Large/dp/B000FCYGGC

MDC
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106871: Such a sunny day today it brings out Happiness so here you go... "Happy People" by Little Big Town....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fap28UzRdeo

G-F
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106872: Yes Mayberry Folk ARE "Happy People"....
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106873: OH G-F-- This weekend the Indians play the Cubs in a Spring training game. Tho I'm still on driving restriction,
I'll be rooting for your Indians!! :)

February 24, 2017 - Msg 106874: http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/schedule/?c_id=cle#y=2017&m=2&calendar=DEFAULT

for GF,

mdc
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106875: Thanks for the link MDC, Golly they could play in Cleveland today right now it 75 degrees!...G-F
February 24, 2017 - Msg 106876: My goodness, Boo, do you have any hair left, or have you pulled it all out by now?? The problems with your MIL are hard enough to handle in a facility, where there are waterproof underpads, the laundry just goes into a bin and disappears, and clean sheets are delivered every morning. Trying to manage the situation at home where you have to do EVERYTHING just boggles the mind. Bless you and your family. God will reward.

I'm grateful to be able to say I had a wonderful day, in many ways. Brittney came this morning and drove Eloise and me over to the Arboretum, which is on the other side of Dallas. The traffic was horrible, I wouldn't attempt it myself, but she did it. The weather was a bit chilly, but a little denim jacket handled it well. We had lunch at a pleasant patio-cafe on the Arboretum grounds - a great sandwich and some of the best tomato basil soup I've ever tasted. We were able to get a table in the sun, and were warm enough. Little birds joined us, and we had great fun tossing them bread crumbs. I have an annual family membership, which admits me and up to five guests, and pays for parking, so other than food and gasoline, it was all free. Regular admission is $15, and non-member parking is also $15, so today I got back about half of my annual membership fee, which is tax deductible, by the way.

Then we began our trek through the grounds. The park covers 66 acres, and is just absolutely beautiful. You can walk the whole thing, or any part of it, or you can take a golfcart/tram tour, or you can get on and off the trams as you wish. To my absolute surprise, I walked, never got on a tram once. True, I'm beat to the socks right now, but I really enjoyed it. We didn't tour the whole 66 acres, but we found several spots that Brittney felt would work for our photos. She wanted me in the shade, with a pretty but uncluttered background. I kept my opinions to myself, and followed her lead. She's an excellent photographer, and knows what she's doing. She took at least 50 shots, so maybe out of that there will be two or three that can be used, after she photoshops them. I take a perfectly terrible picture, always have, and have not improved with age.

Then another pleasant surprise greeted me when we got home! Landry and Hudson were here, and were just finishing up taking down all my Christmas lights. The ones on the house and out front have been turned off since about the first week in January, but I've kept the ones in the back yard operating until now. They were just so beautiful, and I really enjoyed them, but it was time to get them in out of the weather. The summer sun would have done them in.

Those boys are so sweet, and love to help out around here. I think God blessed me with wonderful kids and grandkids, and I'm so grateful. I don't know what I'd do without them.

My little stands of daffodils and tulips and pansies look pretty small compared to what we saw today, but it's home, and as I sit here at this window and look out at the fountain bubbling in the pond, and the smooth lawn and bright spots of color here and there, again I'm grateful. No envy here. The Arboretum is spectacular, but this is home. Blessings, friends. --Romeena


February 24, 2017 - Msg 106877: Yes Ro, it is a challenge but Bruce's brother has been dealing with most of it. He looks exhausted but he knows it will soon be easier. they will be leaving for the Killeen area on Sunday morning and mil will be in the nursing facility by March 1st. Right now she is sitting on the couch going through some old photos with Bruce, which she is enjoying.

I'm glad you had such a nice day, Ro! You deserve it. Those grandkids of you are pretty great, but the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

I am pooped tonight. I think I will be able to sleep but trying to stay up awhile or I will just wake up in the middle of the night. Hope you all have a peaceful night.

Boo
February 25, 2017 - Msg 106878: May God's rich blessings be upon all porchsters this night! :) May the goodness of the true living Lord shine thru us all to be lights to this world! Amen
MDC :)

February 25, 2017 - Msg 106879: Morning Gang... Welcome to Ohio... From 77 degrees to 37 in 24hrs. Yep that's how we roll in Ohio....

G-F
February 25, 2017 - Msg 106880: G-F I WELL SHIP YOU SOME HEAT 8O DEGREES TO 53

TOM

February 25, 2017 - Msg 106881: I can use som TOM...They say snow tonight!..G-F
February 25, 2017 - Msg 106882: That pretty well describes Texas weather too, G-F. Parts of north Texas hit the low 90s on Thursday, dropped into the 60s yesterday, and some areas were in the mid to upper 30s last night. At this moment, it's 39° here in Irving. It's impossible to know how to dress. What we see a lot of, especially in the younger set, is a combination. You'll see groups of kids walking around wearing shorts and t-shirts, and a heavy jacket! As the day moves along, they just take off their jacket and they're all set!

I just got my electric bill for January, and it was just $85. I'm with Cirro now, changed a few months ago, and I compared this bill with the bill I got from TXU last January. It was $190. When I was talking with the sales person at Cirro, considering making the switch, he told me they could cut my bills just about in half, and so far, they have done so, every time. Same services, not a hiccup in my service, but just paying half as much.

If you haven't gone online and found that comparison site, I'd recommend it. You might be surprised at how much you can save. Just Google "electricity rates" and several sites will come up, applicable to your state. Find one that looks promising and start calling. Then, here's the key. Tell the person that you are going to read your last bill to him (or her) and give him the total kilowatt hours used. Then say you don't want to hear about rates or anything else, you just want to know exactly what your bill would have been if his company had been providing the service. How much would you have paid, actual check written, for that amount of power for that time period. They may start trying to tell you what the rate per kwh would be, but just stop them and tell them all you want to hear is the total bill. Apples to apples, you know?

That's what I did, talked to three or four companies, and finally called Cirro. When he said they would have charged me about half as much as TXU had charged, and quoted me an exact amount, which figured out to be 52% of my TXU bill, I agreed to change. The bills have been consistently 50-60% of my year-ago bill. I'm about to cross the one-year line, so won't have that comparison anymore, but I'm very happy with Cirro. The power is still provided by Oncor, all that changed is who is billing me for it! Ask, and ye shall receive, I guess.

It really does pay to ask. I called the newspaper, told them I was a 77-yr old widow on a fixed income, and they reduced my monthly bill by $5. I called my security system, and they reduced it by $8 a month. Called a credit card company, and they dropped my interest rate by 2%. That one really didn't matter, because I don't carry a balance anyway, but I figured just in case I had to carry over a balance, it wouldn't cost me as much. You can't get shot for asking, and it usually will net you a reduction. Hey, it all helps!

Well, guess I'd better rustle up something to eat, and feed my little furry friend. Have a wonderful day, everyone. --Romeena
February 25, 2017 - Msg 106883: Lol ...Romeena, yes age has its privileges sometimes, as well it should!.. I think MORE business's and such should discount products and services to all those who "Paid Their Dues"... Just Sayin'....

Maybe you power bill is lower because SPOT sent you a shot of that Georgia voltage down the line to you?....

G-F again

February 25, 2017 - Msg 106884: ROMEENA--we are not as "lucky" in AZ. We only have two power companies, and if your home is built in one's "territory" you pay that one for your electricity. Period. Wish we had your choices here!
JOHN--saw "you" on Wagon Train today as an undertaker! Ha, funny to see the tags actors in other roles.
Our weather is actually COOLER that most mentioned here. We only hit 65 today!
But BEAUTIFUL for a baseball game!!
Good Sabbath to all,
MDC
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106885: Well, that's a bummer, MDC, not having options. It used to be that way here, and TXU was the only choice. Then quite a few years back, something changed and all these other companies popped up. TXU still thinks they're the be-all and end-all, and are still about the most expensive one around, and they have the bluff in on a lot of people, especially older people. I've had people tell me, and they're utterly convinced, that they get "better power and better service" from TXU. They don't realize that the only actual service PROVIDER is Oncor. The others, like Cirro, are just the guys who manage the meters and bill for the service. When I need to report a power outage, I don't call TXU or Cirro or anyone else, I call Oncor. Exactly what those folks mean when they say TXU gives them "better power", I'm sure I don't know. We all have "smart meters" now, and they're read in the offices - no more meter readers coming through the yard every month. Actually, I sort of miss that. I would be sitting here at my window, and the young man would come through my west gate and appear in the yard, read my meter, cross the yard and stand on one of my boulders and use his little telescope thing to look over the fence and read the meter next door, because their gate was always locked and they had an aggressive dog in their yard. He'd wave at me as he was walking to the east gate to continue his rounds. We never had occasion to meet, but I still felt like he was a friend. Everything is just getting too doggoned automated, if you ask me.

Well, my little possum friend just made his rounds of the back yard. He trots along the flowerbeds, which are lighted and I can see him clearly. He also pokes around in the yard and digs up a few grubs, then makes his way to the tree by the back fence. He climbs the tree, which gives him access to the top of the fence, and he then walks along the topline of the fence and moves on to another yard. There's traffic in this yard, day or night!

Well, good night, porch. Blessings! --Romeena
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106886: Speaking of Possums...Where has our Possum been? Hope she saw my post about the Meet-Up date..G-F
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106887: Where are a lot of our folks?? Too many missing. --Romeena
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106888: Good Sabbath all.

Well GF, Maybe Possum ran off with that dish towel salespossum. He was making eyes at her, so I heard from the fellers at Floyds. :)

Boo, I hope you are doing ok Dear. Did Sean get off ok?

Rommena, we don't have any other options for power suppliers here either. Rocky Mountain Power is our supplier. There are a few cities that have their own municipal power companies, but that is about it. One thing that I see that is making some head ways though is solar power. I have 3 or 4 folks in my small neighborhood have installed solar panels and are pretty happy with it. They look to be more and more affordable. It is something I may look deeper into in the next year or so.

MDC, I agree. I really enjoy seeing TAGS alumni in different shows, especially when the character they are playing is so very different from who they were in Mayberry. John Masters was in quite a few Dragnet eps as a CSI kind of character. I saw Malcom Tucker in an Adam-12 as a car salesman owner who was less than above board. I recently saw Ruta Lee in an old Bonanza episode. She was a drunk and a singer in a saloon. It must be the actress of the woman. lol

Well I suppose I best go get ready for preachin.

Prayers for all for a delightful Sabbath.

Asa
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106889: SPOT....🏁 DRIVERS START YOUR ENGINES 🏁
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106890: Hey y'all- popping in to wish everyone a Blessed Sunday. Will have to get caught up on about a week of "Porch talk"-hope everyone has been doing ok.I'm fine-just been busy with lots of things. Y'all should see how everything is in bloom down here- in February! It's unreal! We've had a pretty mild winter and I thank the Lord for that!
Well,y'all take care & I'll be back rockin' soon!

*****************
possum under a rock
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106891: The Daytona 500 mile Demolition Derby today, it may be a race between the pace car and the tow truck at the end.
There are not many cars left to run, I'm thinking the drivers are a bit rusty in the off season....G-F
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106892: That's DAYTONA! (:
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106893: Hi Asa, I am doing well, thank you..either way, "It is well with my soul". :)
Sean is doing fine and having fun, thanks for asking. He said he had to fly through a storm near Florida and there was lots of turbulence, which scared him, but he made it. He has been texting me pictures from his resort in Disney World..looks really nice. The two friends he went out there to see are taking care of him since they know their way around. He told me he is tired and already has blisters, though. I guess that is just what happens at Disney World.

Well, we finally got mom in law out and on her way to her oldest son's home. It was a rough week and we are all tired but what a wonderful sense of freedom not having to worry about her. She will be in a facility about 5 hours north of here but in the same area her son, Richard lives in. She also has a sister and friends in the area. Richard called me a little while ago and told me they made it their safely but since mom in law cant go into the facility until Wed., she will have to stay with him and his wife. He said she had already gotten into it with his wife, Mona. He said he heard her say to Mona, "You are going to do what I tell you to do"..that didn't go over well. I think he needs to move into a motel room with her until Wed., personally. Mona will put her in her place, though, and she will probably back down. I am hoping she doesn't become too much of a problem at the facility.

Well, I think I will get my shower and hibernate for the evening. I work tomorrow evening.

Boo
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106894: I don't remember if I told you I have another couple of tests scheduled for Wed. afternoon..maybe will show something, if not definitive, they will schedule me for a biopsy.

Boo
February 26, 2017 - Msg 106895: Boy was Barney busy today writhing out s a crazy.
All that money to help town out of the red.

TOM

February 27, 2017 - Msg 106896: BOO--continued prayers for you that all will be OK.
Glad things will begin to settle down for you MIL. I'm sure the facility has worked with all kinds, so I'm sure she will be fine there.
ROMEENA--All three of my meters are now the 'lectronal' kind, gas, electric and water. I think of all those guys now out of a job, plus, as you say, it was good to have them walking the 'hood, watching and observing the goings on as they did their jobs.
POSSUM! Good to see you here again, gal!
Did you all hear about the big Oscar mix-up at the end of the show? I tuned in just to see who got best picture, and all kinds o heck started to break loose after the initial 'winner', La La Land, was announced. How did Warren Beaty get the wrong envelope? Very strange! It was about as wacky as it was in Daytona today!!
Well, have a good week. I continue to improve and continue prayers for all!
MDC