March 18, 2017 - Msg 107067: Good Morning all heavy rain here SPOT
March 18, 2017 - Msg 107068: Good Morning, Folks!

A crisp but beautiful day here in mid south Missouri! Hope everyone is doing good and has started their day on a good foot (Remember, start with the right foot now. Whoooaaa!!)

SPOT - Wish I had your rain! My pond is about 5 ft. low! You know you're pond is in trouble when your mini spillway is on dry land!

Hey to Asa, Ro, Boo, G-F, TOM and the rest of who had descendants in the Battle of Mayberry! Have a great day!

John Masters
March 18, 2017 - Msg 107069: SPOT - You never let me know if you saw that SunTrust Park cam! Here is the link again if you missed it!

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/suntrust-park/live-webcam/

It is from the building behind the park! You can see EVERYthing!

John Masters
March 18, 2017 - Msg 107070: Hey, SPOT. Thanks for the sweep - very nice job! And with all the other stuff you've got to do right now, gardening and all. I hope that heavy rain doesn't cause you any problems. Maybe it won't, unless there are strong winds with it.

Well, Mr. O'possum was back in my yard this morning. He hung around, made a couple of sweeps through, stopped and dug up a grub or a worm or something, snuffled along through the west fence flowerbed and disappeared. About ten minutes later, he was back, and I watched him walk along the top of the six-foot wooden fence, then climb down the trunk of the tree that touches the fence. He climbed head-down, like a squirrel. That's very interesting to me. I wonder if his ankles on his back legs are able to rotate 180°, like a squirrel's, allowing him to descend head-down, instead of backing down like a cat. I learn so much sitting at this window! I know they have a prehensile tail, and a quick Google found a site that told me they have thumbs on their rear legs, but didn't mention rotating ankles. I still think they have to have that ability, to hold them when they're head-down. What this one is doing wandering around so openly in the daytime, I don't know, but he's still back there. There were squirrels on the tree as he was coming down, and they all just ignored each other. Apparently this was nothing new to the squirrels. Yep, I love this window, and the sights I see!

Sure did feel good this morning to step into the living room, no Christmas tree, and a freshly vacuumed carpet. Seems to me that a little pile of pork chops was a small price to pay to have such a big job accomplished for me. I am so blessed!

Well, the possum had disappeared, but just now it was like watching a re-run! He came along the fence, onto the tree, down to the ground, wandered across to the pond, stopped for a drink, and is still making a circuit around the yard. Suits me. Every bug he eats is one less in the yard, bless his little heart. Well, gotta run. Blessings, folks! --Romeena
March 18, 2017 - Msg 107071: Hi, John Masters. Didn't see you there! I hope you get the rain. Ponds aren't supposed to be dry! --Romeena
March 18, 2017 - Msg 107072: Evenin' everyone!

RIP Chuck Berry! Man...what a loss to the entire music world! I am very happy to say I saw him at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City way back in the 80's! He did his duck walk and, after a few songs, he let the audience pick the next song, almost in unison, we picked...guess...c'mon guess...will ya' guess?! It was, of course, Johnny B. Goode! The great ones are leaving us. No wonder the world gets worse!

Looking at a blazing orange sunset over the hills behind me! Just incredible. It really looks like the land behind us is ungulfed in flames. Just wow!

Hope everyone had a great day!

John Masters
March 18, 2017 - Msg 107073: Hey to SPOT. Hope you have a good weekend.

Glad you got some help putting everything away, Romeena. I think I mentioned this before, but we had some family friends in Sequine and they kept their artificial tree decorated, wrapped in plastic wrap and put in a corner of their guest room. All they had to do at Christmas time was move it into the living room and unwrap it. :) Something to think about. I'm telling you, this 9 ft tree we have now is so hard to handle and pack away, not to metion haul upstairs, and I would consider keeping it down here if I had an extra place to put the thing. I think it is really great that you keep your's up to enjoy for so long. I will probably do the same one day. I always enjoy putting away the Christmas decorations early because I am one of those people who is very sensitive to clutter. I love the feeling of getting it all out and put away. I do, however, miss the soft glow of the tree. I wouldn't mind keeping it up longer.

Well, Erin's friend Bree, is still in the hospital waiting on results. Seems like it is taking forever and she really wants to go home, of course. I am still praying for the best. We have been helping take up clean clothes for the mom and such. Their closest family members are 8 hours away.

Sean is in Amarillo..or just south of it tonight. He and his cousin Matt agreed to help one of their friends move an elderly couple out of their home here and up to the Amarillo area. They got up at 6am and had to drive one of those big moving vans, an extra trailer, and a truck up there. They just got there at 7:30pm. It has been a bad deal because they didn't know the couple was a hoarding couple. It was a nightmare getting them packed up. Once they loaded up everything from the house, they were directed outside to a yard full of junk and a garage and shed packed full. The old man and woman refused to part with things..even keeping old, chipped pots. They had something like 25 old chairs that they refused to part with. It took the guys the entire day yesterday to pack them up and they are going to have to unpack them tomorrow. They were told that there would be family members there that were going to help them but they found out once they got there that they had been told a lie and they will be doing it alone. I just hope the couple didn't lie when they offered to pay them something for the job. It's been a tough 2 days for those guys and tomorrow wont be any better.

Well, it has been real warm here in south texas, which the spring breakers love. The beaches are full, as usual. Hope the rest of you are having a good weekend. Better go..

Boo
March 18, 2017 - Msg 107074: Good evening, porch. Boo, that's really awful that those people took advantage of Sean and his cousin like that. Moving an entire household like that is tough enough when the people involved are neat and clutter-free, but when they're holding onto a bunch of junk - well, let's just say I wouldn't have blamed the boys one bit if they had just said to forget it. It was very good and kind of them to continue, once they saw the way things were.

I shudder to think what it would take to move me and my "stuff" out of this house. When we moved into it in 1973, coming from San Antonio, it took a full-sized Bekins moving truck, about ten feet of space on another truck (they just added our overflow to another load they were moving) and the bicycles and garden machinery rode on a sort of deck on the back of the first van. Since then, we have been in this house for almost 44 years, I've collected well over 600 pieces of Fiestaware pottery, added some furniture, and built and furnished the sunroom. I think it would take a van and a half now. Scary. I'm hoping I can just live here until God calls me home, and then my kids can all come and take whatever they want, and turn the rest over to one of those estate sale outfits. Anything that doesn't sell can be donated, or just trashed. I won't care, because I'll be gone!

Well, guess I'll head for the ironing board. I'm pretty tired. I hope that silly cpap machine will behave and not wake me up a dozen times. If it starts to misbehave, I'll just turn it off and sleep the way God intended people to sleep! I hate the thing anyway, even when it's not springing leaks. The strap on the headgear puts a crimp in my hair, and I get up looking like Dagwood Bumstead! I used to have a natural wave on the sides, that just rippled back from the hairline, but it's all messed up now, and doesn't fall in place neatly like it should, even if I wet it down. Stupid mask.

Blessings, friends. --Romeena
March 19, 2017 - Msg 107075: So sorry to hear of the passing of Chuck Barry.
Here is a rendition of Johnny B Goode that some of you may recall! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1i5coU-0_Q

ASA--I guess SLC has been hopping with some bball, eh? Watched a good 2nd half of ND vs WV today. Was hoping ND could pull it out, but no such luck.
Nascar here in Phx this weekend!
Well, I got a call directly from the surgeon yesterday after he read the results of the MRI of my lower leg,
and guess what? NO hematoma! woohoo. (He knew I was concerned, and said he wanted to tell me directly.) Pretty nice of him, i think.
But he told me to start wearing the compression sock again on that calf, and to elevate the leg again for about a half hour every two hours.
He said it will take a while, but will get reabsorbed over time.
BOO- prayers continue for Christian, Erin, and your whole family. I can't believe poor Sean had to pack up all that junk! and now UN-pack it!!
ROMEEna--I have had some difficulty breathing clearly at night due to my terrible allergies, but my allergist told me about these things sold at Walgreens called "nasal dilators" which hold open the nasal passages.
I use them when needed and they work pretty good.
https://www.amazon.com/Walgreens-Reusable-Nasal-Dilators-10/dp/B00S2SWBG8
Just little plastic cones that fit in each nostril.
Well, you all have a good Sabbath. Jesus loves us!
MDC

March 19, 2017 - Msg 107076: Romeena, I told Sean that first evening that if it had been me, I would have taken one look at that hoard and said, "I'm out!". I am just hoping they don't unload all day and then try to drive all the way home tonight. The couple did get them rooms at a nice Holiday Inn so at least they were comfortable last night.

Romeena, I'll never forget when we moved my mother in law out of the family home when Bruce's dad died. I never saw so much stuff in my entire life! The woman had four bedrooms full of clutter and a huge craft room full of stuff. We moved her five times after that. Finally this last time, everything was given away except for what she could take with her to the nursing home. Her hoard had diminished with each move but she still had far too much clutter. Its a great feeling to have all of that done. Last report from Richard, she is doing great at the facility she is in. She stays busy with all the activities and she likes the food and her roommate. I haven't gotten a single text or call from her so I think she is doing great. It was a very good decision and she doesn't have to be alone so much of the time. I am just holding my breath and waiting for her to start causing problems with the other patients...it always happens, eventually.

Thanks for those prayers, MDC.

I skipped out on preachin' this morning..still not feeling up to par. Woke up kind of achy and have the sniffles..if I am getting another cold!! I have to work three days this week so need to rest up and get a few things done around here.

Well, hope you all have a wonderful day.

Boo
March 19, 2017 - Msg 107077: How-do, porch! Just got home from church, and am planning on a peaceful day of cleaning up a few leftovers, so don't have to cook, and just relaxing and taking it easy. It was cloudy and looked like rain when I left this morning, but the sun is shining brightly now, the temp is a very pleasant 76°, gentle breeze blowing. My back yard is a riot of color, birds and squirrels are celebrating, and it's a wonderful day to sit at this window and just enjoy the view, maybe write a little, or go curl up in my chair and catch a little nap.

I commend Sean and his friend for going ahead with that project, and shame on the people who took such advantage of them. My Dale got caught up in a similar situation years ago. Because of his size and unusual physical strength, he was often asked to help someone move, everything from just a few pieces of furniture to a whole household. One "whole house" move was a nightmare. He had asked that the people have their small stuff - dishes, bric-a-brac, pictures, clothes and such all packed and ready to go. When he and our oldest son arrived, there was one small box of stuff from the kitchen drawers packed, and that's it. The woman had about six more little empty boxes, and proceeded to stand over the guys and say "Be careful with that" about every third breath. They needed a LOT more boxes, and after about an hour, Dale could see there was about twelve hours of packing to be done before they could start loading. Finally, he just stopped, called the couple together, and told them they were leaving and would return the next weekend. Then he told them that if they didn't have everything packed and ready to load, he would not stay, and would not return. Mind you, these were able-bodied people, no reason they couldn't pack their stuff. They said they had been "too busy." So he left, called them the following Friday, they said it was all packed. He went on Saturday, all was packed, they loaded the truck and started moving. By late afternoon, they were through. Then the woman asked if they were going to stay and "help" them unpack. Dale said no. She offered him twenty dollars for "helping us move." He refused that too, and left. Go figure some people.

Well, that nap is sounding more and more like a good idea. I think I['ll go see if can find it. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
March 20, 2017 - Msg 107078: Slow day on the porch, just as Dr. Breen would like it to be. :)
God's blessings,
MDC
March 20, 2017 - Msg 107079: Yay-I get to be the first one to sing it..

"Welcome Sweet Springtime,we greet thee in SONG!"

Happy First Day of Spring,y'all!

****************
possum under a rock
March 20, 2017 - Msg 107080: HI ALL.
WELL SPRING IS HERE!
MAYBE MOTHER NATURE SEND ALL THE SNOW AWAY.

GOO OLD 14-A

TOM

March 20, 2017 - Msg 107081: Wow, both Possum and Tom beat me to it!!
Yup, good old 14-A !!
Now if I can just figure out where you moved
practice to! haha You ought to tell a guy
when you move practice around like that. :)
To be 85 here today!
MDC
March 20, 2017 - Msg 107082: Good race yesterday MDC...NASCAR Race, 🏁 Spring Training, Great time of the year to be a Arizonian...G-F
March 20, 2017 - Msg 107083: I don't feel like welcoming Spring..we never even had a fall or winter here in south texas.

Ro, Sean is just south of San Antonio so will be home soon. He sounds a lot better today. Just chalk it up to experience, I guess. Dale had it right..that is what these guys should have done.

Easy day at work today but ready to chill for awhile. Ya'll have a good evening.

Boo
March 21, 2017 - Msg 107084: Yup, GF, I agree, except that it is way too hot already. They said the temps inside the race cars was 140 degrees! They could have cooked lunch whilst they raced! ha
BOO--same here. Our "winters" seem to get shorter and shorter the more and more they put down cement and asphalt all over the place!
Our forecasted 85 turned into a 95, making three 95s in a row in March!
Floyd would not even need one of them 'lectric lather machines here, it would heat up with just a few
'klump, klumps with the brush! ha
Well, you all act like somebody! :)
MDC
March 21, 2017 - Msg 107085: Good morning all.

I have not had a phone line or interweb connection at home for a week now. So that is why your ears have gotten a rest from my yakking. They are supposed to be there today to troubleshoot it. I am not even getting a signal to the house, so the problem isn't mine. I mean I pick up the phone and holler for Sarah, and she can't even hear me!

Wow MDC, Them are some warm temps for March. We have been in the 70's here which is quite warm for March. Getting a lot of the lower snow pack melting early. That's good though. Make room for the higher elevation snow to melt off. Our rivers are all running near full capacity.

I hope you are feeling better soon Boo. Sounds like your immune system is down. Can we loosen anything for you? ;)

Hey GF, We had some copper pipe damaged yesterday that I am replacing today. 1&1/2 inch stuff. Talk about pricey. I dropped almost $500.00 on a few fittings and a gate valve. So today I will be sweating... copper pipes I mean. lol

Sure is nice to have family willing to help out, ain't it Romeena? I'm not sure what I would do without my kids.

Well off to buy some mapp gas.

Asa

March 21, 2017 - Msg 107086: Asa, Glad ya checked in Buddy, I was getting concerned, thought you got stuck up in the air on one of your "boom trucks" again,,,lol....Yep, Got Gas?... better get that Mapp gas, you'll need the extra heat for those larger pipes and valves...

Just be sure to "Tell the Man" to be sure to install "bigger wires" so we can hear 👂🏼Ya better Buddy!....

G-F
March 21, 2017 - Msg 107087: Yepper GF, Gotta have the Mapp gas for the big stuff. I get to hook it all up tomorrow and see what leaks.

Asa
March 21, 2017 - Msg 107088: Leaks?...We don't need no stinking leaks!....lol
March 22, 2017 - Msg 107089: Hey all, speaking of gas, do you smell gas? Ha!
Another warm one here today, but changes coming on Wed and Thursday with
possible RAIN! Woohoo, my allergies will welcome that!
Where is everyone today?
Prayers for all,
MDC

March 22, 2017 - Msg 107090: HI ALL.
G F HOW IS THE WEATHER THERE?
IT A LITTLE CHILL HERE BUT NEXT WEEK WE ARE TO BE
IN THE 60 - 70!

TOM
March 22, 2017 - Msg 107091: TOM, it is just cold here...No snow so that is a GOOD thing...G-F
March 22, 2017 - Msg 107092: Afternoon all.

Well they finally got my phone line fixed after 8 days.

Tom and GF, We are having one of those spring days here that are just fun to watch. A front moves in, and the sky gets black as can be, and then it starts to storm like there is no tomorrow... for about 5 minutes, then the sun pops out, the temp climbs up..... for about 10 minutes, and then it starts all over again. I like to drive up into the foothills and face west and you can watch these storms brew up and come in over the Great Salt Lake. Just spectacular.

Boo, I hope you are feeling better.

And I hope MDC is still healing up good.

Well I have some chicken breasts I bought at the store I think I'll bake for supper. They must have come from a very healthy chicken is all I can say, if you know what I mean. :)

Prayers for all.

Asa
March 22, 2017 - Msg 107093: Thanks Asa, and no, I don't need anything loosened. :)

It was around 90 degrees here today. I don't like it a bit, especially at work. It is never cool enough in that nurse's station but I guess I will probably stick it out for another summer and see how it goes. One of the nurse's will be going on maternity leave in May and I will help fill in for her.

I've been working the last three days so not a lot to say. Hope you are all well.

I think I will chill for a little while and then get to bed. I have a dr's appointment AND a dentist appointment tomorrow. How in the world did I manage to schedule them both on the same day?! I think I need a filling and I have never had one before. I don't know if I just have tooth sensitivity or a cavity. Wish me well.

Boo
March 23, 2017 - Msg 107094: Good Morning gang..and I meaning morning its about 01:15 am Thursday...been a busy 2 days here at work...storms hit us hard wed morning early...7 broke poles and over 8000 out with in about 2hrs...the guys worked hard and in shifts...bu morning we will be back to normal..Asa throw one of those chicken breast this way !..back in just a bit .prayers...SPOT
March 23, 2017 - Msg 107095: BOO--do they have any kind of fan or fans in the
nurses station? If not, may I make that suggestion? Just sayin'. :)
Boo, sometimes I make two appts on one day just to get them "over with."
You may have some receding gums, and maybe a little root exposure.
SPOT--sounds like you have your work cut out for you.
I'll call the Waffle House and see if they can deliver!
BTW, what brand is your little tractor?
ASA,- Those storms do sound really neat!! (am doing good. Now am going IN for PT
and the two lady PTs are massaging the swollen calf. It is helping (my all around outlook!) haha
Did ROMeena say she was going anywhere? Hope all is OK.
Big Maude, Possum, PH, John Masters, come on down!
We should be getting a little rain on Thursday.
Prayers,
MDC

March 23, 2017 - Msg 107096: MDC, I was wondering the same thing,..Romeena, "Where are you." In my best car 54 voice...lol....G-F
March 23, 2017 - Msg 107097: I'm ri'chere! Just been busy, didn't mean to worry y'all none!

Asa, I'd love to be able to sit and watch those storms roll through. I'll bet that's really an impressive sight. I often sit here at my window, which faces south, and watch the storms as they roll by south of town. There seems to be a path that they follow down there. The electrical storms are very impressive - some really put on a light show. I'm not too thrilled with them when they pass overhead, but from a distance, they're fascinating.

It's just gorgeous here today. Balmy breeze, blue skies, bright sunshine, and color exploding everywhere in my yard. Last year, I planted more sundrops, and they're coming on strong. If you're not familiar with sundrops, I would recommend that you check them out. There are many varieties that all go by "sundrops" but they're all cultivars of the primrose family. They're close cousins to a wild buttercup! They're happy in zones 4-9, tolerate poor soil and dry conditions, and bloom profusely as long as they have plenty of sunshine. The blooms are bright lemon yellow, about 2" wide, and they bloom just about all summer. I dotted a few of them around here and there, some in pots, some in the ground, and they just light up the yard. MDC, I'll bet they'd love your area, but might want a little more water than they would if it wasn't so hot. They're tough little things, and I really do enjoy them.

I love this time of the year. Every green thing looks so fresh, everything that can manage any kind of bloom at all is doing so, it's warm and breezy, but the oppressive heat of summer hasn't set in yet, and the critters are out in force, just living it up. Butterflies are everywhere, taking advantage of all the flowers, and looking like flying flowers themselves. Yep, I love this time of year!

Well, guess I'd better get busy. Blessings, all. --Romeena
March 23, 2017 - Msg 107098: "Yo"
March 23, 2017 - Msg 107099: MDC - I'm here! Been away a bit. Had some trouble with my computer. I just posted a new entry to my blog and wanted to stop by and say Hi to everyone!

Try to catch up tomorrow! Hey to Ro, Boo, Asa, SPOT, TOM, G-F and everyone else seeing the Taylors off to Hollywood!

John Masters
March 24, 2017 - Msg 107100: Good morning all! Ro, I will tell my wife about those. She is the one with the green thumb! thx. Right now her iris' are growing and blooming! :)
ALL--I emailed Sterling a few days ago with the latest email address that I have for him, but he has not responded, which is unusual. RO, perhaps if you have a street addy for him you could send a little "Hello from the porch" note. Just a thought.
On the other hand, I just got a letter from PappaBear, and he says hi to all!. His health issues continue. Please keep both these fellows in your prayers. Thanks.
Well, Phoenix is now gearing up for the final four. Fan fest is on, just as baseball spring training is winding down.
Good day folks,
MDC
March 24, 2017 - Msg 107101: MDC< I was just about to put out an APB for Sterling tonight. I have been missing him here on the porch. Certainly hope all is well.

Wanted to drop in for a minute before headed off to bed. I have to be at work by 6am in the morning.

Romeena, you make me wanna break out in song.."Welcome sweet springtime, we greet thee in soooong!"

MDC, I had 5 cavities filled in one sitting..I think they were little ones but I didn't know I had them. Boy, my jaws were sore today from the way they propped them open for that length of time, but I didn't want to come back again so they did them all. I'm glad now but I felt like I didn't have a mouth or a face for hours!

Boo
March 25, 2017 - Msg 107102: Boo....Going to the Dentist.....Like Andy says.."It's a FUN day"..Maybe it's time to chew on some tar?...
Johnny Paul Jason says it's good fo the teeth...It may be a Old wives tale though..Remember Johnny Paul ain't married.
So I'll leave the decision to you!... Tar may be hard on those new fillings tho...lol....Dr. G-F
March 25, 2017 - Msg 107103: JOHN Masters...you mentioned that you had about a $1000 budget for a riding mower; well, I just got this in an email from Sears...
http://tinyurl.com/lqpctge
Might be worth a look-see.
MDC
March 25, 2017 - Msg 107104: MDC - Thanks for the Sears email. I'll definitely give it a gander. Thanks for the tip!

John Masters
March 25, 2017 - Msg 107105: MDC & John Masters... I have a Sears riding mower I've had it 20yrs. With very little problems other than the steering gear which I had to replace after about 5 yrs. It has a Briggs & Stratton engine with a cast iron piston sleeve, which I think they called their "Golden Engine" at the time, small upgrade but was worth the money, I have had no engine problems ( knock on wood)... I think MTD makes their mowers now so you may want to check on reviews. MDC's link was a good one to follow up on...GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOURS!...

Personally I think B/S make a pretty good mower engine. My experience at work found the Koehler engines to be more problematic especially when they get hot and have to restart them....What say you Asa?......

G-F
March 25, 2017 - Msg 107106: Asa, Asa, Ase... (:
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107107: MDC & G-F - I am going out today to local Sears to see if they have the sale mower. Keep your fingers crossed!

John Masters
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107108: JOHN, I guess i should have mentioned that that may be AZ prices, and maybe not nationwide.
Very nice day here today, about 81 with a little breeze. The breeze did affect my sinus issue howerver, but it is what it is!
Good Sabbath to all.
MDC
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107109: Hi all.
Don't want anybody to worry none. I am still functioning within established parameters. Just haven't felt very chatty lately. "I don't mind ordinary conversation but I hate to chit chat." Actually, I am not a very good conversationalist either. Lydia has one up on me.

I did read your email, MDC. Though that is an email I don't check that often. Sorry I forgot to reply.

-Sterling Holobyte
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107110: John I checked that cam out cool...well storms still here ...got crews working all lights are not on !..back around sun up..prayers ..SPOT
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107111: Sterling...Like Bert Miller we didn't want to seem pushy but we get concerned when fellow porchsters are absent.

John Masters... If you get a new mower just be sure you do like "Alvin Straight" did to his old problematic tractor in the movie..."The Straight Story"... https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8EDicjKUnLY. It's THERAPETIC!...lol

Everyone have a Good Day....We're having a heat wave, tropical heat wave.. Suppose to be in the upper 60's today!

G-F



March 26, 2017 - Msg 107112: Good Sabbath all.
I hope all is well with everyone. Good to see you Sterling.
Glad you are warming up GF and Tom. Sure has been a nice mix of weather here.
I was just snooping around on youtube and came across this little gem. Mercy sakes these gals got talent.
https://youtu.be/Sa7d358owCw

Asa
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107113: Very good ASA! Our Lord be praised indeed!
And here is another crowd pleaser on a Sunday afternoon... :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKSfNjTUbm4
MDC
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107114: "What's Your Hurry?"...
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107115: 5th Annual Mayberry Meet-up in Mt. Airy, NC 21-23 July 2017 at the Mayberry Motor Inn
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107116: Hey Sterling, thanks for checking in. Hope Noah, kai and your wife and you are all doing OK, and made it thru the stormy winter months!

Final 4 in the Phx area this week. The place is already jumping!
More later...Prayers for now, :)
MDC
March 26, 2017 - Msg 107117: Checking in before bed. Been working the last couple of days.

Good to see you, Sterling! Thanks for checking in. Hope you feel like spending more time here at some point.

Hope you all have a good Monday.

I don't know much about lawn mowers so I'll just say goodnight. :)

Boo
March 27, 2017 - Msg 107118: Good Monday morning all. My goodness, the weekend just flew by, didn't it?

Good to see you Boo. Sorry you had to work over the weekend.

At the risk of offending anyone, I must say I am not a big Sears power anything fan. I like their hand tools. Hard to beat their warranty. But power tools or equipment are a different story entirely. I think it goes back to my early days. Right after I graduated High School, I was attending our local University at night. I landed a job with a National manufactuar who had a plant in our town. We made stainless steel sinks. Anyway, we had several different models we made that carried our name on them. But we also made sinks for Sears and for Montgomery Ward. Pretty amazing was the difference that took place. When we were doing a Montgomery Ward run, the sinks were drawn out of heavier gauge material than we used for even our top of the line sink. It was drawn deeper than any other bowls, it received a special high speed buff on the finish. Essentially these sinks were very special. Any concerns about time constraints were put on hold when doing the "monkey wards" sinks. We even had the plant manager out and inspect every sink before it went in the box. On the other hand, when we did Sears brand sinks they were by far the cheapest we ever did. Thinnest gauge, shallowest bowl. They were by far even cheaper than our lowest brand sink with our own name on them. So maybe it was just the sinks, but it sure left an impression on me. Right after I married I bought a Sears jig saw. It had a variable speed trigger on it I really liked. But it was constantly breaking or burning out the trigger. After replacing the trigger for the third time, I went to use it one day and walla, the trigger was bad once again. Well it ended up against my foundation wall in my garage in a 100 busted pieces (one of my Clark Griswold moments). That ended my dealings with Sears power tools. So John, I would be careful with Sears is all I can say. I think GF is correct. I believe MTD makes a lot of mowers for a lot of different companies, including sears. But if they are like the sinks we made for them, I wouldn't buy one for love nor money. Well at least not for money. A feller will do a lot of things for love sometimes. LOL

Asa
March 27, 2017 - Msg 107119: I'm with you, Asa. We don't buy from Sears.

Boo
March 27, 2017 - Msg 107120: You are right Asa, Waaay back in the day Sears focused more on quality then they do now with their "knock off" lines of tools.
My frustration with Sears things were that they had their own specifications with manufacturers which made their parts a tad different than the manufacturers OEM ones. So you had to get "their" part. I think business practices as you discussed is why they are no longer a "Great Brand" ...

As far as my mower I've had good luck with it, (but then again I haven't fired it up yet) ...On the other hand my next door neighbor bought a John Deer mower and has had nothing but trouble with it!...So who knows!...🤷🏻‍♂️

G-F
March 27, 2017 - Msg 107121: Morning Honeys and Dears...
March 27, 2017 - Msg 107122: Hello everyone,

Quick visit to say THANKS! to Asa, MDC and G-F for their advice and 2 Lincolns on mowers. Today, thanks to MDC's Sears notice he got, I purchased a brand new Craftsman riding mower! MDC, it wasn't the exact one you got the sale notice on, but it lead me to the one I got! She's being delivered on April 5! Thanks again!
Hey and howdy to Romeena, Boo, TOM, SPOT and the rest of you celebrating Sir Walter Raleigh landing day!

John Masters
March 27, 2017 - Msg 107123: JOHN, just curious, was it still within your budget? MDC
March 27, 2017 - Msg 107124: No, MDC, I had to bite a bullet (my own, not Barney's) and shell out a little more.

John Masters
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107125: Good morning all.

Hey John, I hope your new mower is a good one buddy. How many H.P. is it, and how wide a cut? I bought a Pro Snapper rider a few years ago and have been very happy with it so far. It's a 21 H.P. 42" cut. It has the single piston B&S. My old MTD was a 17 H.P. B&S twin cylinder. I wanted a twin cylinder again but Snapper didn't have one with this particular model. But it is quieter and more powerful that the twin, and has a much tighter turn radius. And it has a by-pass key feature that will allow me to go in reverse without having to disengage the mower. And the auto tranny is controlled by a foot pedal. I really like that feature.

Boo, did you get over your cold? Mine is mostly gone, but it sure likes to hang around.

Guess I better get moving. Back flows to test and evap coolers to prep. Get over here GF. I can use your help!

Asa
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107126: Asa, as far as the "Back Flows" my former employer thought it best to "Contract Out" that task, rather than have us certified to do it. I never understood that, but I guess their "paper on the wall" meant they were smarter than us who actually know what a back flow IS and what it DOES.....

With all the New people they hired since I retired, that comment about the workers may be a GREATLY exaggeration one though.
When you hang up your tool belt the bean counters at your place will also see the experience and wisdom that went out the door....Amen?

G-F
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107127: Asa - Craftsman 19HP 42" deck hydrostatic tight turn from Sears. Had four and a half star reviews and has what I need for my 2 acres.

Hope everyone is doing well!

John Masters
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107128: Sounds like a fine machine John. I bet you can't wait to give it a try. I think you'll be wowed by the tight turn ability. I know I was. I sit on an acre and it took most of it to turn my old MTD. lol

Yep GF, The training to get certified for the back flows is pretty intense. We have to recert every three years and mine is due at the end of this year. I need to decide if I am going to hang on long enough to go through it again. I hope I have some wisdom. I know I have learned a few tricks and stuff after all these years. But I guess I'll see if anyone is interested in me sharing them when I exit stage right. Some younger fellers are respectful and eager to want to learn, while there are others who think they have got it all figured out and just can't wait for the old buzzard to move along! lol

Well I am off to get some Wheeler time. I am really dragging today for some reason. I am gonna get road rash on my rear from dragging it around if I ain't careful.

Asa
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107129: Hi Asa, yes, I think I am finally over my cold but it sure took a while.

Hope you all are having a good week so far. It's been a tough one for me. I appreciate your prayers as always and sometimes I think getting these kids raised and ok is stretching my faith to it's limit. I think there is a scripture about that...the testing of our faith? Right now I feel like my heart has been pulled out, twisted, thrown down and shoved back into my chest. I cant go into details right now but this is bigger than me. I need God's help.

Love to All,
Boo
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107130: "Why not just build the fence out of chicken-wire?"
"Chicken-wire. Well that's why you're the sheriff."
Saw that ep yesterday.
All going well here. Beautiful 80 degrees today.
John, I sure hope all goes good with the Craftsman mower being as i sorta had something to do with it. Keep us inarculated.
Take care all,
MDC
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107131: Hello Porch!

MDC - You bet I will! I have high hopes for it as my land is hilly, bumpy, big, obstacles, you name it, it's there! I have been pretty stressed as my grass is growing away from me right now! I will probably have to mow it on the highest setting and then go over it again. This whole thing has been one of those "rock and a hard place" things!

Boo - Remember my advice from a few weeks ago! Seek out those "alone" moments and breathe slowly.!

Asa - I weighed a lot of options (and I had a budget that I had to bend) and I find that everything is GREAT! And everything STINKS! I went through John Deere, Murray, Craftsman, Husqvarna and reviews of every single brand had people who thought they were the greatest thing since sliced bread OR they stuck worse than a dead skunk. So I had to go with my gut (and budget) and got what I think (and hope) will be the one that holds up! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Well, gettin' late, better git. hey to Romeena, G-F, SPOT, TOM, Sterling, and everyone else auditioning for Manhattan Showtime! Good night!

John Masters
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107132: ^^^^ that shouldve said STUNK worse than a dead skunk!

JM
March 28, 2017 - Msg 107133: Boo, I'm sorry you're in a rough patch right now. Seems they come and go, for everyone. Whatever has you by the throat right now, just keep holding on to God's hand, and don't let go. He won't! Will be praying for you, my friend.

John Masters, I'm glad you found a mower you could manage, and I hope it doesn't let you down. May you have many trouble-free years of good service from it.

Well, I'm tired. I worked out in the yard for a while this morning (wears my back out), then had a dental appointment - just x-rays and cleaning - and took my SIL to a post-operative doctor visit today. I declare, I don't know when I ever had time to work, back before I retired. Tomorrow I teach ESL in the morning, then have an appointment with my pulmonologist in the afternoon. We're going to have a little heart-to-heart talk about that cpap machine. Miserable thing. Guess I'd better hit the hay, and try to sleep. I may have to do what I did last night, at about 3 a.m. Just pull the thing off, shut it down, and finally get some uninterrupted sleep. Blessings, friends. --Romeena