October 04, 2018 - Msg 110788: I hope this works.

https://youtu.be/Dc8tWbjBcAc

Asa
October 04, 2018 - Msg 110789: It did! And I used that peac@ck to sweep the porch. He was mad, but he'll get over it. :)

Asa
October 04, 2018 - Msg 110790: Lol Asa...l did the same thing Asa I took the entire month of October off...Speaking of that it will make 5 years of Freedom for me this Oct. 31....Wonder if Mrs. Goob will get me a stainless steel watch with a “5” on it?....Probably NOT! ..I don’t want to OVEREXPECT...LOL

Nice Link Billy Ray....G-F
October 04, 2018 - Msg 110791: P.S..Frankie...Dang Yankee’s I’d rather have seen your A’s play my Tribe, but they have to get past Houston first!
October 04, 2018 - Msg 110792: Well GF, Romeena, Boo, MDC, and anyone who has encouraged me to hang up the tool belt (except when doing my dancing at the Club up in Yancey lol), I talked to my boss this morning and told him what I was wanting to do if it didn't mess him up. He was very positive about it, and said he was happy for me. Suggested I sign up for FMLA for the two months I will take off. So it looks like October 31st will be my last day at work, and January 4th will be my official retirement day. I am excited and scared all at the same time, kinda like my wedding night all over again. YIKES! lol

Asa
October 04, 2018 - Msg 110793: I know how you feel Asa. Both excited and frightened at the same time, but JUMP IN THE WATER IS FINE!...

You know some people make us feel Retirement is like we are not useful anymore, but we don’t have to make excuses for jumping into it. I personally feel I worked hard for those 38 years and don’t have nothing to regret..I’m proud of the job I did and the footprints 👣 I left behind! ..I KNOW you will feel the same!

Amen you other Retired Folks?...

Good Luck to You and Yours!.....G-F
October 04, 2018 - Msg 110794: I am eligible to hang up my mailbag at any time and the urge is getting stronger. I sort of expect to not feel like going in some Monday and calling it a career. I wouldn't want to do bad by my employer, so I wouldn't want to leave them in bad shape. But I am a bit afraid to ask "Would you be able to get by without me if I just don't show up some week?" I'd hate to hear them say "Oh, yeah, we'll be fine." It's a nice feeling to be able to stay or go at my leisure.

Billy Ray the Postman
October 04, 2018 - Msg 110795: Asa, good sweep!
I remember the peac@ck back in the day.
Frankie
October 05, 2018 - Msg 110796: Congratulations ASA! Did you have Dr. Pendike DDM with you? ha Or maybe you just used a funny voice! :)
Seriously, that is great news. I hope you have worked out insur@nce until medicare will kick in.

I have a question for you and GF. We have a flouresent light fixture on our back porch,
and sometimes when it rains or gets really cold out, the light will not turn on. Do you know what causes that?

Well, we met with the surgeon today, and he basically said that I was a textbook case, and that
all is going along fine, from the healing of the incision to the time I can start some cardiac rehab. Thank you all once again for your prayers!! Those kind of reports I can live with! :)
You all take care,
MDC
October 05, 2018 - Msg 110797: Good Friday morning all.

Thank you all for the kind word and encouragement concerning retiring. I really do appreciate it, and thank you for the prayers for Debbie and to Romeena for checking for the medication in her area. Hospice calls every Thursday to see what she needs for their Friday delivery. Yesterday they did tell her that there was no Promethazine available. So she called the Doctor who called in a prescription to our regular pharmacy for pill form. It is not nearly as effective for her she says, but better than nothing.

MDC, Ha! I should have used my Dr. Pendike voice. I can take off on him pretty good. Concerning my insur@nce I will be doing Cobra payments for the 18 month gap. And I have an HRA (health retirement account) that will pay my premiums. That has been my biggest concern.
Concerning you light issue, get bigger wires. lol Seriously, fluorescent lights are notorious for not firing in cold unless they are an H.O. (high output)light. Is it a CFL or a tube? If it's a CFL you could just replace it with an LED bulb. If it is ballasted you would need to by-pass the ballast, but that's a breeze to do. If it's a tube type bulb you could convert it to LED or to an H.O. bulb, although that would require a different ballast and changing out the tombstones, probably not the best option. LED's have come down in price now to a point that is the best option in most cases. Don't you think GF? I know here at work I have been converting to LED whenever I can. And for the most part, the LED's are living up to their hype about burning forever.

Billy Ray, You sound like how I have been feeling for quite a while. A very conflicted feeling. lol

Frankie, How's your Mom doing these days? Better I hope.

I hope Boo is ok. She has been quiet.

Possum, are you still in Big Sky country, or are you back home now?

Better get rolling. I do love Fridays. Just think, in a few weeks Fridays will just be another day. Amazing how your perspective changes. lol

Asa
October 05, 2018 - Msg 110798: Oh MDC, So very glad your case is a "textbook case" and that you are healing so well. Thank you Lord for blessing our MDC.

Asa
October 05, 2018 - Msg 110799: I'm ok Asa, thanks for asking. :) I have been on a work stretch and pretty busy the last few days. Today is shaping up to be a busy one, too, but wanted to check in. I am very happy for you and this Halloween will be a memorable one for you. I don't think retirement day will beat your wedding night, but I hope its a close second. I sure wish Bruce could retire already but we started our family too late in life. He has to work a few more years.

Well, we continue to have rain and the mosquitos are unbelievable. We have this new breed of mosquitos this year that are the biggest I have ever seen and more likely to carry west nile, I read. So..every time we get out of the car to open the gate we feel like Katherine Hepburn and Bogart in The African Queen (remember the mosquito scene?).

I went into town yesterday with St. Susan and bought a dress for a wedding I am attending on Saturday. It has been years since I bought a dress. I am more of a shorts/pants kinda person but this is a more formal occasion. I found a dress on sale at Penneys and it was ok. I also put a crowbar in my wallet and bought some foundation for my face and an eyebrow pencil because my eyebrows are invisible. So, gonna get gussied up for Saturday and maybe even do some dancing. I don't know who I will dance with, though, cause Bruce isn't going to be there cause he has to work.

Well, I have to get Erin to school. She will be taking her driving test this week for her license so she will be able to drive herself to school soon. Yahoo!

Talk to you all later,
Boo
October 05, 2018 - Msg 110800: Good morning, porch! Asa, I'm so happy for you! I know that hesitant, conflicted feeling very well. Remember, I didn't retire until I was 74, and only did it then because my back broke down, and the surgeon who fixed it kept urging me to stay off work "just a little longer", and I did. First my six weeks medical leave at full pay, then three months of short-term disability at 3/4 pay, then a twelve-month long-term disability at half pay. At the end of that, I had been off for nearly sixteen months, was loving being at home, and a lot had changed at the hospital. New computer system, new charting program, bad morale on my old unit, so even though it was going to cut my income in half, I decided just to hang up my stethoscope. I definitely haven't regretted it. However, if I hadn't needed that back surgery, or if my surgeon hadn't kept stalling on giving me the okay to go back to work, I'd probably still be trudging those halls. I'd be getting close to breaking the record set by a nurse named Mary, who worked until she was 83, and did a very good job of it.

Boo, the mosquitoes are horrible here too. With all the shrubbery and greenery I have around here, they really thrive, the miserable, wretched things. I can't walk outside for two minutes without being swarmed, and bitten dozens of times. Even with a repellent sprayed on, they manage to fight their way through it, or find a little postage-stamp spot that didn't get sprayed. I buy repellent four cans at a time, because Eddie and his helper are under attack, too. We go through the stuff like water. I spray flying-insect spray around the doors to the outside, and even spray it on the screens on the two doors that have screens. It leaves a light residue, and I hope it kills them if they land on the screen. Yet, still they flourish, the despicable things. Where are the bats when I need them?? As for Hepburn and Bogart, I itched for three days after seeing that movie!

You sound like me, Boo. I never wear dresses or skirts. I have three pair of "dressy" slacks, and a bunch of nice, dressy shell/jacket combinations, and with a little bling added, it works for me. A dress calls for heels, and I don't even own any. I haven't worn heels in nearly 25 years. Before that, I had sprained both ankles (at different times) and then sprained the left one again, a really bad sprain. The doc said it was holding "by a thread" and another twist to that ankle would put me in surgery with pins and screws to stabilize it. I was on crutches for a while, and had a lot of pain in it. After I healed, Dale caught me wearing heels to church one Sunday, made me hold onto him whenever I had to walk anywhere, until we got home. Then he went into my closet, gathered up all my heels (about ten pair) and took them down the street to the Salvation Army collection box! No more heels for me, and I haven't had another ankle sprain, either. I have some dressy one-inch wedge shoes, and that's what I wear with my slacks. Around home, I'm barefoot! You can take the girl out of the country, but......

Well, Ted is here working on the lights in the back yard, and had to go to Home Depot for something. He should be back momentarily, so I'd better get out of this rocker and be available when he gets back. He's such a good guy, almost like one of my own boys. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
October 05, 2018 - Msg 110801: Barney just said to aunt Bee. You just leave it up to Big Barn. Luke Comstock episode
October 06, 2018 - Msg 110802: Thanks ASA. I think I understand the lingo.
It is a T-12 tube fixture, so I guess I'll just let it be. We have very few such days around here anyway,
especially during our "winters" of the last few years.
Glad you got your in$urance worked out, sounds like a good plan. Wow, just a few more weeks to go for you!
BOO--is your new dress just right for the dip? ha Have a great time.
RO and BOO, wow, that sounds like a B movie--Reveng of the Mosquitoes. ha
Message 110801 --I saw that ep also. Always liked Andy's last line about the knot-tying group. lol.
Prayers for all,
MDC
October 06, 2018 - Msg 110803: Good Saturday morning all.

Boo and Ro, sorry about your skeeter woes. They are miserable little things for sure. It used to be they were just annoying, but now with West Nile they can be deadly as well.

MDC, I am very familiar with the T-12 tubes. They have the double pins in both ends. There is another option for you to consider. There are some manufactures who make an LED that just replaces the fluorescent tube. Uses the voltage that the ballast produces, so you don't have to monkey with that. You just need to check and make sure the new ones are for T-12 type tubes.

Romeena, you were mentioning how much things had changed at your hospital in 16 months. I know that in my work world, technology is changing very rapidly, and when I retire I am sure in a very short while I will be in the same boat. Just in the lighting world, it is so different today than even 5 years ago. I was able to keep up with it out of need to do my job. But I know that will all change soon. But out with the old and in with the new, 10-4?

Boo, be careful out there dancing. You don't want to zig when you should have zagged and hurt yourself. :)

As for high heels, well as a feller they are nice to look at, but they sure do look uncomfortable. Glad us fellers don't wear them. Instead we got saddled with stinking neck ties! If I were King I would outlaw the miserable things. lol

Asa
October 06, 2018 - Msg 110804: Yes...R-E-V-I-N-G of the mosquitos, MDC. lol They are terrible and this wedding I am going to tonight is outdoors. Can you believe it?! It's 90 degrees with high humidity and giant mosquitos. Sounds like a good time. I don't think I will be doing any dancing unless it is to slap mosquitos off me.

Ro, I can wear heels and have never twisted an ankle..however, I don't wear real high ones. The ones I am wearing tonight have about 2 heel at best.

Well, have to get myself ready. Wish me luck.

Boo
October 07, 2018 - Msg 110805: HI ALL, Just a quick 'howdy' tonight.
Thanks ASA, I will look for those! :)
I enjoyed some good college football
today on the tube. ND looking fine.
I tried an old email address the other day
that I still had
for Sterling.
I sure hope he is OK. No response as yet.
Good Sabbath to you all.
MDC
October 07, 2018 - Msg 110806: Hey everyone and Happy Sabbath Day to you all. I'm back home from my trip out West,actually got home this past Tuesday,and have just been trying to rest and get caught up on laundry and all that sort of stuff you must do after a trip. Will get around to reading the archives soon. Hope everyone is doing okay. Love to all!

*************
possum u.a.r.
October 07, 2018 - Msg 110807: Hey POSSUM, good to have you back!
The gold truck went thru Mayberry whilst you were gone out west, and Loralee Hobbs spread it all over town! ha Seriously, i hope you enjoyed seeing the kinfolk.
More later, I'm still trying to digest this mornings sermon. :)
MDC

October 07, 2018 - Msg 110808: Welcome home, Possum. So glad you got to go out there for some time with your family!

Well, the wedding wasn't so bad. It was hot and there were plenty of skeeters, but plenty of repellant, too. I had the opportunity to sit and visit with some good friends and watch some of the younger folks dance all the dances I have no clue how to do.

MDC, I have been wondering about Sterling, too. Hope he checks in. So many are missing from the porch, but I am very thankful for those still here.

Been a normal Sunday. I sure wish it would cool off and we would have some fall weather. It seems like it has been extra hot so far this fall. I wish it would snow again and kill these skeeters!

Boo
October 07, 2018 - Msg 110809: Hooray! It's raining! A slow, falling-straight-down kind of rain, not too heavy, so it's soaking in, not running off. I love it when it rains like this. Sure will help my water bill, and rain is better for the plants anyway.

Possum, welcome home. I'm so glad you finally got to go, and got back home safely. I'm sure you had a good time. Tell us some of what you did while out west.

I just sent Sterling an email - I hope he responds. It hasn't come back as undeliverable, so I'm thinking he got it, but I have had them to come back after a long interval. Not usually, but it has happened.

Well, I've got that myelogram in the morning, have to be at the hospital by 8:45, so guess I'd better get my shower and wash my hair tonight. Otherwise, I'll have to get up uncomfortably early! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
October 07, 2018 - Msg 110810: Oh, Boo! I'm glad the skeeters didn't carry you away, and glad the wedding went well. --Romeena
October 08, 2018 - Msg 110811: Good morning porch family. rocking from work this morning. Sure is warm on my end of the porch. In the 80's this past week and supposed to be the in mid 80's today. unusual for October.

Possum: happy you had a good trip and got back to your SC rock safely.

Rommena: good luck with your myelogram. keep us posted.

GF: glad you enjoyed Mayberry Days. I have enjoyed the pics and the updates on the facebook page. Hopefully I will be there with bells on next year. I am looking forward to the meet up next summer. Hopefully the dates for the meet up will be the 3rd week end in July. I like to reserve my place at the motor inn asap.

everyone is A Ok on my end of the porch as far as I know so's I will sign off for now and get to work.

Lunch menu will be: Grilled cheese with the trimmings, chips, pickles (kerosene or bread and butter ). brownies. tea or lemonade to drink.

prayers and blessings to all.
Big Maude


October 08, 2018 - Msg 110812: Good evening, porch. We have had more rain today, enough to knock my Dish network out for a short while, and it takes some heavy cloud cover to do that! Fortunately, I have hours of stuff DVR'd that I can turn to, so I wasn't bored.

The myelogram went well, not what I would call a traumatic experience. A little stick and sting with the initial deadening, and I never felt the spinal needle. Now I have to be on limited activity until tomorrow morning, so my wheelerette is very popular. I slept in it for about two hours this afternoon. I got up to get something to eat just now, and stopped by the porch to "rest up" before heading for the kitchen. Big Maude, did you have any of those grilled cheese sammitches left over? I love 'em!

Guess I'd better go get semi-horizontal again, can't stay up too long. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
October 09, 2018 - Msg 110813: Big Maude--so funny, I had a REAL grilled cheese for lunch today, and just saw your post tonight!
I passed on the kerosene pickles however. :)
RO--glad your test went OK. Was a CT machine involved?
SPOT'S Braves are doing their best to beat LA, but I lost track of GF's tribe. How they doing GF?
I hope POOR Horatio had a good Canadian Thanksgiving today!
BOO--glad the wedding went good...except for those darn mosquitoes! In that case, everything being "bigger in Texas" is NOT a good thing! ha Prayers for your family.
ASA--I think you said that were off for Columbus Day, but cant quite remember.
Prayers,
MDC
October 09, 2018 - Msg 110814: Well MDC....They got shut out by the Astros 3 games to none!...The Tribe (like last year) got cold in the playoffs so they are done for the year! And so is Chief Whahoo their long time mascot.....

G-F
October 09, 2018 - Msg 110815: Good morning, porch. We are getting rain, rain, rain! We go so long with no rain, my water bill goes skyhigh, and then along comes a rain like this, a real frog-strangler! It's not a storm, no wind, no lightning, just an occasional little growl of thunder, but the rain just keeps coming, falling straight down. Naturally, the sump pump in my drainage system isn't working, so my back yard is under about two inches of water! I don't think it's going to make it to the house, but it's trying.

MDC, yes, a CT machine was involved. For a CT myelogram, the doc injects a dye into the spinal canal, then you roll side to side several times and they tilt you head down briefly, then feet down briefly, then level with a pillow to keep your head elevated a bit. All this time, you're under a fluoroscope so they can watch the distribution of the dye. Once the dye has reached all the potential locations, you transfer to the CT table, slide into the "donut", hold your breath a couple of times while the CT shots are taken, and that's it. The worst part is the little sting when the doc injects the lidocaine so you don't feel the entry of the spinal needle for the dye. It's not a hard procedure at all.

Hey, who likes raisin bran, besides me? If you do, try the new Malt-O-Meal brand of raisin bran. It is really, really good! I don't eat much cold cereal, though I like it, because I'm usually just not hungry in the morning. However, I saw the Malt-O-Meal box, and the picture looked so good, I thought I'd try it. Well, I'm glad I did! I got some half-and-half to put over it (I hate milk) and it's really delish! Yummy, even! As a matter of fact, since it's nearly noon, I just may have a bowl of it for lunch. Yep, that's the plan.

Where has Poor Horatio been lately? We haven't heard from him in a while, or else I missed it. Check in, PH.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 10, 2018 - Msg 110816: Hi Gang, RO--glad your test went well. From your description, it sounds like someone making a jelly roll! haha Also glad you got the rain, but now I am concerned
about Michael hitting SPOT and POSSUM ! My goodness,
what a season this year!
Take care friends, off to bed early tonite.
PRAYERS,
MDC
October 10, 2018 - Msg 110817: Hey y'all- Michael is supposed to come thru SC as a Tropical Storm,so hopefully we won't get hit too badly,although Tropical Storms can be nasty things and do a lot of damage. Hoping we will be all right- part of SC sure don't need anymore rain dumped on them! Same goes with NC. Prayers for the folks down in the panhandle of Florida- that's a devil of a storm coming over them right about now.
Thursday is supposed to be our day for Michael-will check in once it's out of here,provided my power stays on! Y'all take care!

possum again
October 10, 2018 - Msg 110818: PARTS of SC, I meant- sorry about the poor grammar!

possum once more
October 10, 2018 - Msg 110819: Checking in to say we are praying for people in the path of Michael Will be checking in through out the night. We are sending crews of lineman in the morning to help. Please pray for them , storms are very dangerous times. SPOT
October 11, 2018 - Msg 110820: You bet SPOT! It really hit with a jolt!
You and Possum be careful out there.
Prayers for everyone in it's path!

Tonite's episode on ME-TV was about the Mayberry Minutemen.
There is one scene that always makes me tear up a bit. It is after they
say the pledge of Allegiance, and Miss Crump is talking about the meaning of it, and the boys start naming dates and places. Gets me every time!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U8e534xX8s

I got an email today from a Safiya Farkasjh saying that I won
$15 million in a foreign lottery! Ya, right.
I hope BOO and all are doing ok.
My recovery continues to go well!
Pleasant dreams,
MDC :)

October 11, 2018 - Msg 110821: Wooo0-Hoooo MDC. You got the old ticker working like a champ and now you have won the lottery. I declare feller, you are the real deal! :) I always tear up on that episode also MDC, but for a different reason. It's because that's when Andy meets Miss Crump and it all begins. I am still trying to get over Miss Peggy leaving. She was perfect for him.

I hope everyone has or is surviving the storm. Looks like it was a nasty one for sure.

Romeena, now that it has cooled down some, I am gonna try my hand at some of those recopies you have sent me. When I do retire I am looking forward to doing a little more adventure cooking. Spread my wings a little as it were.

GF, What did you do with all your tools when you retired? I have more tools than I know what to do with. A lot I will hang on to, but I have quite a few of extras that I just don't need. And no one in the family needs. I reckon a tool sale is in my future.

Well best get cracking. Plenty to do.

Asa
October 11, 2018 - Msg 110822: Been working a stretch but off for a few days now, MDC. I would like to say everything is great but this happens to be a difficult week so far. Sometimes it feels like my faith is being stretched, for sure. I know you all know what that is like. We all have some rough trials in life but have to "walk on," as they say. Suffering is a part of life for all of us..sometimes short periods and sometimes lifelong. Not feeling like being real positive right now but in my heart I know God is with us and will work things out in the long run. I never used to be the type to ask the "why" questions, but I find myself doing that the last couple of years. Not that I think that we are any different than everyone else..everyone has difficulty in life and none are immune, but it is the type of trials we have faced as a family that makes me ask the whys. It is such an internal, spiritual..even moral struggle dealing with the kids and their s*xual orientation. Both kids. I love them dearly, no matter what, but watching their internal conflicts (especially Sean) is a whole new level of pain. Sorry to vent but really need someone to talk to. I am trying to focus on the positive and there is so much to be thankful for, but there is this struggle within us that wants our children to be happy. Sean carries a huge burden over all of this, daily. On his days off, he wants to sleep. It's his escape. He still goes to church, prays, hopes he is on the right track, but he is lonely for companionship and is having a tough time. I am frustrated because I just wish so much he didn't have to go through this. My theology has changed over the years and part of me wants to just tell him to go find a nice guy to date and hope for a loving life-long relationship with someone, but there is that part of me that rejects that thinking and wonders just what God has in mind for him. I'm not expecting answers so not putting that pressure on my friends here, just asking for a prayer and thanks for the listening ear. I have to pick myself up today and keep moving forward with hope in what God will do. Things could be so much worse without him.

Erin is home sick with her first cold of the school year. She managed to get through the first six weeks without getting sick, so that is good.

Hope all of you have a good day. Prayers for the porch.

Boo
October 11, 2018 - Msg 110823: HaHa...Asa...Can a guy REALLY have too many tools?..It’s good to have “back-up” tools Amen?....
My tools are neatly arranged in my workshop just waiting for one of the GrandKidder/HoneyDo projects to work on... It’s funny how we may retire but our tools don’t... Now you will get all the Kid/GrandKid repair work orders...Maybe you can get a hammer like I did from my kids that has a saying burned into the handle..”If Grandpa can’t fix it we’re ALL screwed!”.....So I’m saying..You’ll still be busy Buddy!...😆😆 You Just work for New Boss’s...Amen?

G-F
October 11, 2018 - Msg 110824: Just a quick Trouble Check- not too bad here with Tropical Storm Michael- just a bit of squally rain,gray skies,and some pretty strong wind gusts at times. We should make it through ok-it's moving across SC fast they say. Power blinked off once this morning,but came back on in no time. Hoping it stays on for the duration of this weather event. Continued prayers for the Florida Panhandle-boy,did they get torn up!! Y'all take care now.

****************
possum under a rock
October 11, 2018 - Msg 110825: Glad you are doing ok, Possum. Thank you for checking in.

Boo

October 11, 2018 - Msg 110826: Afternoon all.

My goodness Boo, you and your family are in my prayers for sure. What a hard thing you all are facing, Sometimes we face those challenges, and we just can't understand why. I know what you mean. Just a thought though, I take refuge in knowing that the Lord will never burden us with more than we can handle, and if we remain true to our faith and true to the Lord, He will see us through it. I truly believe that Julie, and I know you are a kind hearted and God loving woman. My heart just aches for Sean, because he is trying to do the right thing, but really struggling with feelings he doesn't have control over. My deepest prayers go up for you and your family. I am glad you know you can come here and unburden yourself. We all love you and are here for you.

Asa
October 11, 2018 - Msg 110827: Asa, I'm with you about Helen's arrival, but Miss Ellie had Miss Peggy beat. I realize that the show was trying, a little bit, to be culturally relevant-boy, just typing that out makes me realize what a mistake they made in that-but they could have made Helen a strong woman but not so downright nasty. I think the scene in the courthouse when Helen chides Andy for undermining her efforts would have been far better if she'd have adopted an Ellie-esque approach like the time Ellie appealed to Andy about her illegally parked car. But nobody asked me.

Billy Ray the Wannabe Producer
October 11, 2018 - Msg 110828: Thank you for those prayers and encouraging words, Asa. You are a true friend and a blessing. I pray for you and your's, too. I know you aren't having an easy time of it but I hope you know that you don't always have to be strong. If you need to talk, we will listen. I most times don't vent because I don't want to burden my friends but then I realize I need prayer and I believe that you all have prayed me through many difficulties over the years. You all are important to me and I am so thankful for you. I try to analyze why I have such struggles sometimes. I know it is partly because I have always struggled with anxiety, even as a very young child. It is really hard for me to not be seized by anxiety when I know the ones I love are hurting or in some kind of danger. Often my religious beliefs cause me anxiety, too, because I have so many unanswered questions. It is hard for me to just let go and trust God when the stakes are so high and I am wondering if I and my loved ones are going to be ok. When you are taught from a young age that if you mess up, you will drop into h*ll, it messes with your mind your whole life. I have had a terrible time, even though I understand and believe the gospel, trying to wrap my head around God's unconditional love. I want more than anything to be assured that when I die I will go to be with him but if I am honest, I have never really been one of those people who just believe and that's it. I have been exposed to too much in my younger church years and was traumatized by some of the teaching I received. It still messes with my head sometimes. most days are ok, but there are certain triggers that bring back the trauma and anxiety. Having my kids struggle so much with something that the bible seems to teach against, causes me some serious angst sometimes, to put it mildly. I guess it is a lack of faith, and some say I should just stop thinking that way, but it doesn't always work. Anyway, talking about it with people who pray, does help. Thank you again.

Also, I know that what you are saying is true, Asa. I know God will see us through. He always has.

Boo

October 12, 2018 - Msg 110829: Dearest Boo, I have been pretty quiet about this whole thing for some time now,
and I'm not really sure why, except for the fact that my childhood, and growing up years were idyllic. (They were, they really were!) I was 10 years old in post war 1959, we had a nice home, nice school across the street, unbelievibly good parents, (and I mean that sincerely), wonderful, caring neighbors, and a real joy in our humble abode. We enjoyed the simple games, and we delivered papers for spending money. What my mom and dad did for us 8 kids was pretty phenomenal. We were all brought up in the faith. The issue that you are facing was not even thought about, even tho it may have been out there, but I still dont believe it was so in such young kids. So what changed? Our whole society changed! Look at things now. It is taught in the schools, but the pledge is no longer said. It is all over TV, but plain good shows like tags are long gone. It is in advertizements, even on NFL football fields. I am so distraught with our current society, with abortion, and people just 'living together', with kids growing up without mothers or fathers, with everyone working instead of being in the home, with gangs on the loose, with all the unchecked violent video games, with metal detectors at our schoolyard gates, with all the drugs available, and unbelievably vile porn just a few clicks away, with our empty churches, with radical religions rising, it is amazing that kids are having any kind of good childhood anymore. OK, sorry I went on there. I know you are hurting, and that your upbringing was totally different from mine, but I DO feel your pain, but I DON'T know what the answer is, but I DO love everyone, and I pray for everyone, and we really do need a Holy Ghost revival in this country and in the world!
When I was doing the prison ministry, i found that so many were there because of terrible childhoods in one way or another. I pray so hard every day. I have memorized scriptures to help keep me going thru all that I have been thru. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world, etc. By saying those 6 or so verses throughout the day really helps a LOT.
ASA's eloquent words said it so well. Jesus said that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light. His word also says that we walk THRU the dark valley, meaning there IS another end to the valley where our cup overflows. God bless you, I love your family so deeply, and I wish only what is best and is the Lord's plan for you all.
Peace,
MDC
October 12, 2018 - Msg 110830: Ditto to what both Asa and MDC have said. Well stated, both of you. I too enjoyed an idyllic childhood, as I've stated before. We were relatively poor, at least until I was about twelve, but I never knew it. We had enough to eat, I had decent clothes and a warm bed, our family attended church regularly where I was taught about faith and love, not a vengeful, wrathful God who required a lifetime of good works in order to get a glimpse of His heaven. I was never told that doing something I shouldn't would "drop me into h*ll", as Boo was. I was carefully warned against doing things that would displease the Lord, but not because He would condemn me, but because it would hurt Him. I equated that with doing something that would hurt my parents, and I really didn't want to do that! I watched as my strong, loving father broke down and sobbed over the things his alcoholic brother did, and I never, ever wanted to cause him pain like that. He loved his brother, in spite of it all. I had a vividly enhanced earthly picture of what the love of our heavenly Father is like.

Boo, I wish I could explain the seemingly sudden drift in this country into the gay lifestyle, but I can't. The scripture does warn of it, though, in the prophecies. It speaks of a "falling away", Paul talks about a time when we will call evil good, and good, evil. He speaks of people having "itching ears", who will listen to those who tell them what they want to hear, rather than what God says. (Some of the televangelists? Name it and claim it?)

You are not alone, my friend. One of my favorite physicians from my years at the hospital, who is also a member of my church, along with his wife and two daughters, has dealt with the same problem. We watched his girls grow up, and first one and then the other embraced the gay lifestyle. Who can explain it? Not I. They're sweet girls, loving and kind, and still in church, though not in our church. They have joined a church over in Dallas that is primarily made up of gay folks. We do have several gay members, I know them well, love them, and enjoy working with them on projects. They're kind, loving people. I guess my doctor friend's daughters felt it would be easier on their parents if they went to a different church, or maybe they just wanted to be in that other church, I don't know. I don't pretend to understand it, I just observe, and leave it to God. I'm not their judge, they profess to be Christians, yet I know what the Bible says. Therefore, I leave it between them and our loving God and keep my little beak out of it.

I pray for all my porch friends, and yes, some more than others, because some are facing more challenges. Still, I know that others also have challenges, who just don't choose to present them here, for whatever reason. I have some private needs myself, and appreciate your non-specific prayers. I think we all do. Blessings, my dear friends. Just knowing all of you, and knowing you are there, is a blessing indeed. --Romeena
October 12, 2018 - Msg 110831: Boo...I can say Ditto too what the others have said, I can just add STAY STRONG 💪🏼 you’re Porch Friends have you and your family in our prayers....

G-F
October 12, 2018 - Msg 110832: Thank you, dear friends, for the outpouring of sincerity, love and understanding. For someone in my position, it brings comfort and healing like I cant even express. I think that since we can't actually embrace each other in a hug when we need it, we do something even more meaningful and that is to embrace one another with loving words, to pray, and to listen. You all are there for me and it means the world. I always want to do the same for all of you.

I will pray for your need, Romeena, and respect your privacy. Please just ask anytime you need a prayer. We don't have to know why, God does. I think about you often and how you have some unique challenges as you age and are on your own. I try not to worry because I know you are loved and looked after by family and church family, but sometimes I do, especially when I think about you falling. I know that the Lord will be with you always, though. What you said about why you chose not to do things you shouldn't is beautiful and I often think about how I wish I had always thought that way, but my understanding of God as a loving father was tarnished somehow in those early years. I do pray that I will live my life to do good in the name of love, not fear.

Thinking about our childhoods really makes you see just how things have changed, doesn't it? We are a long way from mayberry now. Some things have gotten better, though, and I try to remember that. I was recently reading a book by Phillip Yancey called, "Soul Surivor..How My Faith Survived the Church"..and he writes about growing up in the south in the 50s and 60s and the terrible human rights issues he dealt with. Black individuals were not even allowed in the church he attended. That just astounds and sickens me. Of course, lately there have been things that are causing so much racial tension and I just hate it. Why cant we all just love?

Well, thank you all again for your prayers and words. You are really the cats.

Much Love,
Boo
October 12, 2018 - Msg 110833: Oh and here is a big THANK YOU and a (((HUG))) for Floyd. We appreciate you keeping the porch up and running!

Boo
October 13, 2018 - Msg 110834: HI ALL! Boo, Ro and everyone, wonderful words of wisdom. Thanks. Let us also not forget those who lost everything to Hurricane Michael. The picutues i have seen in the papers, etc are of total destruction! My prayers go out to them.
We are suppose to get rain here on Saturday. It is most welcome in this desert.
God's blessings on all,.
LOVE,
MDC
October 13, 2018 - Msg 110835: Oh, by the way, for those on FB, I just posted a pic of me the day after my heart op...lots of IVs and drainage tubes. I am still amazed by modern medicine!! Also, I asked the Lord for a sign that the surgeon might be Christian, and when we first met with him, I noticed a good sized Bible on one of the waiting room tables! :)'
MDC
October 13, 2018 - Msg 110836: Good morning, porch. Well, I'm sitting here, just watching the rain yet again! Does anyone have the plans for building an ark? I may need one! Trust me, these are only comments, not complaints, because we need this rain so badly. Texas has been in an official drought for several years, even with the hurricanes that have produced heavy rains at times. Farms and ranches have been lost due to lack of rain, and my water bill set new records last summer. We did get a couple of breaks this summer, and now this prolonged rainy spell may just break the drought, if not statewide, at least in this area.

At this moment, I've got at least 2-3 inches of water standing in my backyard, because the sump pump that carries the excess to the street isn't working, of course. It's a new pump, just installed by Joe a couple of weeks ago, but it's not working now. Apparently some debris has gotten into it. Very annoying. A few years ago, I'd have braved the rain and gone out there, gotten down in the mud and cleaned that catch basin out, but no longer. I can see the headlines now: "Stupid elderly woman falls headfirst into catch basin filled with muddy water and drowns. Family not surprised."

Now a really active electrical storm is passing over, I'd better shut this computer down. Later, taters. --Romeena


October 13, 2018 - Msg 110837: RO, do you have some gopherwood, and a cubit ruler? ha And a very cute 'headline' as well! Hope your pump gets working soon.
It also rained HERE today too, and i mean RAIN,
steady rain all day from 4 am to 4 pm. It was remnants of
a TS that came up from Mexico. But we also needed it.
Oh well, it was a good day to watch some good college football.
Hang in there friends! :)
MDC

October 14, 2018 - Msg 110838: Good Sabbath all.

Ro and MDC, Glad you are getting much needed rain for sure. Ro, I hope you can get your mote drained before it becomes a problem though. You mentioned what might happen if you tried going out there and fixing the pump yourself. Just a few weeks ago there was a City worker in a nearby City where I live who did that very thing. In doing some work on a sewer line, he somehow fell in head first into a culvert and became lodged and drowned. Although he had a co-worker with him, he was unable to pull him out, so he summoned help, but it was to late. Very sad story. So you are wise in not doing what you shouldn't be trying.

Boo, surely do hope all is well for you and yours. There are a couple of things I try to do when life has beaten me down. First, I try to look at the blessings I do enjoy. A phrase I would always lay on my kids when they were feeling down was "I used to cry when I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet". I have to remind myself of that every now and again. The second one is that all problems eventually pass by. Things will get better. As Andy told Goober once, "Goob, the sun will shine in your back door again". I know what you're dealing with is not easy, and your Motherly instincts want to kick in and help your children, sometimes all we can do is love them, guide them gently when needed, yet respect their agency. Your kids are at that age that for me as a parent was the most difficult. And that was letting them find there way in life. I tended to be over protective as a parent, always trying to stop my kids from making bad choices. The problem with that was they didn't learn anything much about choices and consequences. Because of that, my oldest really struggled when he reached adulthood. He kind of rebelled when he hit 18, and it took a while before he realized his choices were hurting him more than his Mother or I. Thank goodness he finally came to that realization and got his life in order. As I look back on it though, I now know that had I allowed him to make a few small bad choices when he was younger, and to suffer the outcome of those choices, he would have been a bit better prepared for adulthood. Boy, ain't hindsight amazing? lol I'm not saying your situation is related to what I experienced. My point is that as parents, we all do the best we can based on what we know and what we think is correct. And to beat ourselves up afterwards isn't helpful. I sense that you have probably been doing a bit of that. Wondering what did we do wrong? Or what could we have done different? Please don't fall into that thought process. I did a lot of that when my kids were that age. I know I made a lot of mistakes as a Dad, but I also know I did do some good things, and everything I di do, I did because I thought it was the best thing for them. I know you and Bruce are good parents who love your kids a lot. If you didn't, you wouldn't be grieving the way you are now. So hang in there Boo, count your blessings, and remember, the sun will shine in your backdoor again. O.K. I'm done sermonizing. Now back to your regular scheduled programing. :)

Today we are blessing Seth at Church. What a cute little peanut he is.

Asa