May 20, 2020 - Msg 114475: Jo Ann..SO Sorry for your loss...Your Porch Family have you and the family in our prayers....G-F
May 20, 2020 - Msg 114476: My deepest sympathies Jo Ann. Prayers for you all.

Asa
May 20, 2020 - Msg 114477: Oh my dear! Jo Ann (you will always be Maudie to me, you have my deepest sympathy and my prayers. I'm so glad to learn that you were able to be with her at the end. Give it all to God, and be at peace. After all, SHE is! --Romeena

May 20, 2020 - Msg 114478: Good afternoon, porch. Cloudy and windy, but not raining, and the temp is in the upper 70s, so not unpleasant. Eddie is here, trying to wind up the work in the yard, and David came by, bringing Thai food for us. So good! He does that quite often, as we both like Thai food, but I do think part of his motivation is just to check on his mama. He's good about that.

I had just gotten home from a visit with the orthopedic doc. I woke up Sunday morning with an extremely painful knee, but it was weird. Not arthritis pain, just a particular point in the flexion/extension of that knee brought a very sharp stab of pain, about an 8 on the pain scale, I think. It's hard to grade, since it's very transitory, just occurs when the knee passes through a certain point in motion. Little brief, hard, very painful stabs, like someone stuck a screwdriver into my knee. Getting in and out of a chair is, uh, interesting to say the least. So, I saw the doc, he asked a lot of questions, moved the knee around, and took x-rays. Verdict - probably a torn meniscus, will be having a CT in the next few days. He would have preferred an MRI, but I can't have one because of my pacer. He also injected the knee with cortisone, which has already eased the pain a little, and will wear off in a few days, but should help for now. If the CT confirms a tear, I'm not sure where we'll go from there, as I seriously doubt my cardiologist will clear me for anesthesia, and though I think most meniscus repairs are done through a scope these days, it will still require some form of anesthesia. I guess I'll just wait and see.

Asa, MDC, G-F and anyone else who mentioned ways to deal with my neighbor about the fence and the water leak. I appreciate your input, and we're pretty much on the same page, I think. I've talked with her at some length, joined at times by various members of her family as they came out to watch the work in progress. First of all, I have no intention of agreeing to her request that I pay half of the fence replacement. It wasn't actually a request, more in the form of asking whether I would be interested in doing so. Short answer - No. First of all, replacing the fence was a "want to" on her part, not a "have to." The existing fence could have been repaired by replacing 12-15 slats, per my handyman friend, Ted. It would have cost at most about $200. She told me yesterday that her chosen person to replace it has already told her it's going to be about $3200. Eeek! However, that's her choice. At least, she is using red cedar, which is what the old fence was. It lasted nearly 20 years. You get what you pay for. Here's the best part, though. Now that the fence is down, and my eleagnus hedge is mutilated down to the ground, she was able to see what her water leak has done. We were standing on opposite sides of my raised, boulder-bordered flowerbed, which at that moment had three inches of water standing in it. She asked if it was like that all the time, and I told her it was, because it is. Then for about six feet out from the bed, on the ground, the water is standing at least an inch deep, and the grass struggles to survive. The only thing that saves it is that when it doesn't rain for a while, that area dries out enough for the grass to revive a little, but the leak keeps the bed underwater most of the time. There was a man there yesterday, checking on how to fix the leak, so we'll see how that goes. Regarding the Flex Seal thing, I told her about that two months ago, and she said she would get some and they would try it, but I don't think they ever did.

They are sweet and kind people, and I refuse to have any bad feelings with them, but at the same time, I'm not going to pay their bills for them. I can't. At this point, we are very cordial, they have come over into my yard through the downed fence, to look at my pond. Her grandkids are fascinated with the fish. I've got about 40 2-5" comets in there (too many, got to give some away) and one big and beautiful koi, about a foot long and growing. I actually only put a dozen comets in it myself. The rest have been born there! Some of the fry get eaten by the bigger fish, but a lot survive, obviously.

Anyway, my neighbor and I will remain friends, I'm sure, but I think we each should row our own boats. I may or may not give her that money I was talking about. I said that before I realized that my eleagnus hedge would be almost destroyed, and it will take at least three years and a lot of work and "training" for it to return to any semblance of what it was. All for a silly, unnecessary fence. Oh well. This too shall pass.

Asa, you hang in there, shielding Debbie the way you do. You're absolutely right to do that, because she is especially vulnerable. You're a good man, Charlie Brown.

Well, off I go. Blessings, everyone! Stay safe. --Romeena
May 20, 2020 - Msg 114479: Romeena, Around my parts walls fences and sorts have to be 1-2 feet on the property owners side that installed it.
It is the fence owners responsibly to paint, and maintain AND cut the grass on both sides of the fence. Now there is the problem when the owner doesn’t maintain it or it becomes dangerous. Yes sometimes you do have to “Call the Man” for a resolve....

But sometimes the compromise is simple like the episode when Barney is Sheriff of the day where they agree on chicken wire....

G-F
May 20, 2020 - Msg 114480: So sorry to learn of your mom's passing, Jo Ann/ Maude. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. God bless you all.

***********
possum u.a.r.
May 20, 2020 - Msg 114481: Sorry for your loss Jo Ann/Big Maude, you are in my prayers.
Sarah
May 20, 2020 - Msg 114482: Oh JoAnn, I am so very sorry. Its hard to lose your mama. Come to the porch often and let us help. Love you.

Ro, I am sad to hear about your knee and certainly hope it will heal on its own, bless your soul.

Boo
May 21, 2020 - Msg 114483: HI ALL, well, it's official...I have turned into my dad! I was outside in my PJs hosing down some dead spots in my front lawn this morning, when it dawned on me...my gosh, this is what my dad used to do! :)
RO--my ideas were just suggestions, as you, being right there in it, know best what to do. I just hope the adage of "seeing is believing" will sink in to them about the standing water. BTW, you eye situation and hearing situation are both in my daily prayers.
ASA and GF...one year John Glenn was the Grand Marshall of the Fiesta Bowl Parade. That was around 1999 and is still the most attended one on record!
The following is just a suggestion to you all, but today, my wife and I gave our pastor a gift. It was not too expensive but of significant value because we just wanted to thank him for all that he has done to help our parish get thru this unusual spring. He had to learn about 'live-streaming' and help set it up, and he wrote weekly emailed letters of encouragement, and he dealt with diminishing giving, etc. etc. etc. He was so very appreciative! Sometimes that one little Thank You can mean so much. I think of Jesus after he healed 10 lepers, and only one came back to say thanks. Jesus was so pleased that that man did so.
MAUDE, My condolences on the passing of your mother. I am glad that you were able to be with her, as many are dying alone at this time. You and your family are in my prayers. God bless you.
Possum, good to see you.
APB for FRANKIE, please check in when you can.
MDC

May 21, 2020 - Msg 114484: good morning everyone. still not feeling good. watched the one where brisco said I am a decarin fer youprayers for everyone. papa bear
May 21, 2020 - Msg 114485: Good morning all.

Well MDC, In hearing you talk about your Dad over the years, turning into him sounds like you be alright buddy. lol But I know what you mean. My Dad was the epitome of the British spendthrift. )IE, A cheapskate) Yesterday Debbie was ribbing me about some of my conservative spending ways. I told her I came by it naturally and that I just knew my Dad was looking down on me and smiling. She, knowing my Dad, laughed and agreed. And it's somewhat gratifying to have one of your kids call you and tell you they are turning into you because they just said or did something that you said or did years ago. lol
I suppose I can share this little story I heard about MDC and his Wife here. Cecile had taken a short nap one afternoon and after waking mentioned to Steve that she had a dream that he had given her a lovely pearl necklace for Valentines day. Cecile asked Steve, "what do you suppose it means"?
Steve responds "just wait till tonight and you might see".
That night, after a very nice supper, Steve presents Cecile with a gift wrapped package. Cecile excitedly rips the wrapping off and opens the box to find a book entitled "The Meaning of Dreams". Babooom!
(Disclaimer, that didn't really happen. I made it up)

Romeena, Thank you for the kind words. That means a lot to me. How on earth did you injure your knee like that? Just a though here. Because you can't have an MRI, so they can't see for sure what is going on, do you think it might be something else? As you were describing the pain, I was thinking you were going to say you had gout in your knee. Your description of what it was doing sounds very much like what I experience when I get it in my knee. In fact the first time I had it there, I thought I had torn something serious also. But I had not done anything that would have created that, so I thought it might be gout. I took a dose of my Colcrys and within a couple of days the pain was gone. Since then I have had it back in the same knee several times and the gout medicine clears it right out. Anyway, just thought I'd throw that out there to think about.
They say good fences make for good neighbors. Your case is testing that theory a bit. But I know you are wise and patient and it sounds like she is reasonable. So hopefully it will be resolved without anyone getting a punch in the nose like in TAGS. lol
I had a somewhat similar situation a few years ago with my neighbor directly behind me. All of the homes in our development are at least one acre lots. Some are even larger. I thought, as did a few others that you would see a lot of horses in here because it is zoned for large animals. The house behind me had a couple of horses as did the one to the west of me. Me and the guy behind me went in on putting our fence up. We just used t posts and field fence and we were both good with it. Well a few years later, he and his Wife divorced and the house was sold to a young family. Very nice people, he redid the back pasture into lawn and that's how it was for 10 years or more. But the entire area has kind of transformed in the same manner. Most of the horse folks have moved on, or gotten older and got rid of them. And what was pasture has been turned now to lawns. It has turned into a rather upscale area now. And that's ok. Folks take a lot of pride in their property and it is a very nice area 20 years later.
Now back to my backyard neighbor. About 5 years ago he had an in ground swimming pool installed. I kind of figured he might want to upgrade the fence we share, but I figured I would wait and let him approach me. Well he did one day, and not to ask me if I would go in half with him or anything. But just to let me know he was replacing it with a new solid vinyl fence. We are talking 300 feet of 6 foot fence here. I wasn't asked about type, style, color, or anything But he didn't ask for money either. So I was a bit flummoxed. I think it's common courtesy on a property line fence to have both neighbors come to an agreement on what it is to be. But he didn't ask for help financially with it and maybe that's why. He also did the same fence on both sides and across the front I guess both for seclusion and safety reasons. And maybe he wanted the same fence all the way around the yard so he figured if he was paying for it, he was going to get what he wanted. In the end, it's a beautiful fence, very solid. It is a light brown in color, I would have preferred white, but all in all a vey nice fence. I can't imagine what the cost of the pool and the fence must have been, but they both have pretty good jobs. We are on very good terms (we go to the same Church). He is on our City Planning Commission. So all is well. I keep thinking I should give him at least a few hundred dollars as a sign of good will. And probably will, although I know that is just a drop in the bucket of what it must have cost him. But again, my input was not asked. What do you all think? Whew, what a novel I just wrote. Sorry.

MDC, I saw y'all had a shooter go nuts in town last night. Strange times we are in.

Well off to mow some grass,

Asa
May 21, 2020 - Msg 114486: Oh, and good to see you Sarah and Possum and Pappabear. I hope you get feeling better soon. And yes, Frankie. We miss you.

Asa
May 21, 2020 - Msg 114487: Afternoon, folks!

Maude - My sincerest condolences with the loss of your mother!

Sorry I have been away, everyone. Our internet went Blooey! Tuesday, she just decided to sht down and not come back on, so we just had a tech out to boost her back on.

Take care!

John Masters
May 21, 2020 - Msg 114488: Asa, I hope you are right about the gout. If that's the problem, she will get better without surgery. Boy, I hope, but I'm thinking with her nursing experience she might not see that it fits the criteria for gout. It would be good if it is, though.

It is so hard dealing with neighbors sometimes! I could write a book. Good luck, Romeena.

Well, Bruce just stuck his head in here and wanted to use the computer. He is trying hard to fix our zero-turn. The blades aren't turning and he is out there troubleshooting. Better let him have it..

Boo
May 21, 2020 - Msg 114489: Just an FYI: If you have Netflix it will interest (and upset) you to know that TAGS will no longer be available as of June 30th. Don't really know the reason,but saw folks carrying on about it on Facebook and read an article about upcoming programming on Netflix and yep,sure enough, TAGS is getting tossed out of the programming.

possum again
May 21, 2020 - Msg 114490: Guess who is in this toy commercial? Cue up at 8:19 https://youtu.be/WwQDwcNrKsE G-F
May 22, 2020 - Msg 114491:

I just finished reading ASA's post, and I only had to take one coffee break! haha Very funny joke tho about the dream book! rimshot! (:
HMMM a truck name---I could call it Whitey, like Whitey Ford, but it's a white Nissan. har I'll have to talk to Johnny Paul about this.
Good fence story. All our houses here are all built with 6 ft fences because of so many pools.

I saw the ending of tonite's tags about Inkin, Blinkin, and Nod, and I don't think I ever saw the 'epilog' before! Barney brings in a fishbowl with 2 goldfish, and Andy acts like they're talking fish using a transistor radio!
What a cute handle that would be "The Talkin' Goldfish" or "TGF." :)

I was watching the ep of Arnold and his bike last evening, and I finally figured out where I saw his father! He's Harlan Warde who played John Hamilton, the Banker on The Rifleman!
Funny how it takes a bit o mind joggin to get things straight.

Has anyone here seen the medicare helpline TV ad with Joe Namath? He is looking very good for his age!

Hello to Possum, Boo, John Masters, Ro, PapaBear, GF and all!

Maude, Joann, my prayers continue for you and yours. Here's a little something for you...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiSU-QBJ5lE

MDC


May 22, 2020 - Msg 114492: I also like this one...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9duplxE7KuE
May 22, 2020 - Msg 114493: A Whitey Ford made by Nissan...🤦🏼‍♂️ Only in America MDC..G-F
May 22, 2020 - Msg 114494: Good "almost afternoon" everyone! I got up and dressed quickly and drove up to the little tacky store on a nearby corner, and got the canned beef broth I needed to make a short rib recipe I got from my DIL in Florida. She says it's delish, and the pictures in the attachment she sent sure did look good, so I thought I'd make it. I got the short ribs on my last trip to my Kroger, but forgot the beef broth. I usually have some on hand, but didn't this time. Anyway, the short ribs are nicely browned, and sitting in their little broth bath in the crock pot, with a big sprig of fresh rosemary from the yard sitting on top. I'll whip up a package of Ore-Ida instant mashed potatoes to go along, and I have some fresh cherry tomatoes, so I'm set for dinner. I always make mashed potatoes from scratch for a group meal, but for just me, the instant kind work fine, and actually, they're pretty good. Of course it doesn't hurt that I stir in butter and sour cream as well.

My knee is pain free at the moment. The cortisone injection the doc put in it worked great, temporarily. Of course, my blood sugar went almost to 400 within the first few hours (expected) but that's what insulin is for, and it works. The blood sugar has gradually come down, and was in the expected normal range this morning.

I'm enjoying a big glass of cold apple juice right now. So good! I buy the TreeTop brand, cold-pressed Honeycrisp apple juice. It's cloudy, not clear and watery, and is just wonderful. Sweet but tangy, tastes so fresh and clean. I have a glass almost every morning, and a glass of grape juice at night. I have always loved fruit and fruit juices. Sometimes I get in a veggie mood, and will chill a big 64 oz bottle of V-8, and have that every day until it's gone.

Interesting little note: A couple of years ago, on a routine visit, my cardiologist told me he wanted me to have a glass of wine every night at bedtime, as it would be good for my heart. I said I would, but also told him it would be a first for me, since I have never had wine or any other alcoholic drink. He said, "Never? Ever?" I said, "Not unless you count the small amount of fermented mare's milk I managed to choke down while in Mongolia." (Rank! Awful!) He laughed, and then said to forget the wine, just have a glass of grape juice instead, as it will do everything for my heart that the wine would do except to make me sleepy, and since I have no trouble sleeping anyway, I didn't need the wine. I'm glad, because I probably wouldn't have done the wine thing anyway.

Asa, the idea of my knee problem being gout had crossed my mind, but the symptoms, though close, don't really fit. There is no swelling, redness or tenderness. It's just a specific point where a hot, raw, stabbing pain just takes my breath, as the knee hits about the midpoint between flexion and extension. Once it passes that point, and gets either fully flexed, like when I'm sitting in a chair, or fully extended, like when I raise the leg rest on my recliner, it goes away instantly. If I try to hold it in the painful point, it just keeps hurting until I move past that point. I do have gout at times in one toe, and my experience with that is that it's just sore as can be, and I don't want anything or anybody or any puppy even touching it. I've never seen a doc for it, I just treat it with gentle avoidance, and take ibuprofen. It usually clears up in a day or two. I think it's a pretty mild case of gout. I know it can be a lot worse.

Well, the neighbor's crew was supposed to be here working on the fence today, but there's nobody out there but birds and butterflies. Oh well, that's her problem. It's not a problem for me. She keeps her five little Boston terriers in the house, but they also have a pretty little female pit mix that will wander, as she doesn't understand barriers yet. I hope she doesn't come over here and fall in my pond, but then she does have a pool in her backyard, so maybe she won't be interested in the pond.

G-F, I don't believe I've ever heard of an arrangement regarding fences, such as you described. Seems to me that leaves room for a lot of disagreement. What city official dreamed that one up? Suppose I want a red fence and my neighbor hates red? If I put it inside my property line, my poor neighbor has no choice but to look at that red fence, or put up his preferred blue one on his property, which would leave at least a two foot strip between the fences, for the two people to maintain. Take turns? Buy a goat? Maybe I just don't understand how it works.

Well, guess I'll go play with the Trink for a little while. Poor thing, she was just absolutely shocked, horrified and insulted when I put her into the bathroom while I went to the store. Locking me up? In the morning? I protest!! I was only gone about fifteen minutes, and gave her a treat when I let her out, so she got over it pretty quickly, but she's being careful about walking into the bedroom if I'm anywhere nearby.

Oh, love the dreams and pearl necklace story! Very funny! Blessings, everyone. Stay well! --Romeena
May 22, 2020 - Msg 114495: Uh, speaking of novels.... I think I won the prize. --Romeena
May 22, 2020 - Msg 114496: Well Romeena, I guess that is why in some cases there has been some double fences installed with a two foot “No Mans Land” in-between...I’m guessing the people who made that rule probably had stock in or owned a fence company?

Trust me, working in the Public Housing industry for 38 years I’ve seen it happen. Single homes we had in what we call Scattered Site Housing we have seen neighbors intentionally paint the other side of the fence some really hideous colors just out of spite... So if WE installed fencing it was always regular galvanized chain link fencing. As long as it was maintained it wasn’t usually a problem...We had a lot of it to keep up with in our multi-family sites...I Don’t miss those days.

G-F
May 22, 2020 - Msg 114497: "Chicken wire, not why didn't I think of that?" (:
May 23, 2020 - Msg 114498: GF and ASA--I just watched an episode of This Old House. I bet you two get
all googly-eyed to see some of the fancy units that Richard installs! ha
ALL-- I hope everyone is doing OK. We are fine. Traffic is back on the roads again, and it looks like summer is quickly approaching. We may have a 110 by next week already.
I sure hope the city-run fitness room opens soon. The 'bands' that I have been using at home have been stretched out, and i need more resistance. ASA--you are absolutely right tho to have the food delivered, etc to keep things safe.
RO--my prayers for you concerning your knee and the fence.
That crock pot meal sure sounds good. BTW, have you ever tried Bob Evans ready-made mashed potatoes? They do have a little soybean oil in them, but otherwise are just potatoes, milk and butter. They are usually in a refrigerated case near the fresh meats.
Happy weekend,
MDC

May 23, 2020 - Msg 114499: I know I post this every year, but it is always a good reminder... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWB5RXnAecE

May 23, 2020 - Msg 114500: Morning, folks!

Just a friendly reminder. When or if you get the chance, please remember our American Revolution soldiers! They always seem to get overlooked. Such as Turner Classic Movies showing 31 veteran/war movies and ONE is from the A.R.

Hope you all are safe and healthy!

John Masters
May 23, 2020 - Msg 114501: Morning all.

Yep MDC, I like Richard on TOH a lot. He's one of ours. He tends to do a lot of cutting or sectioning of components so you can really see how the thing works internally. I really like that. You're talking 110, we are low 40's this morning. Flirted with turning on the furnace but decided not to. I think it will warm up this afternoon. We are supposed to get into the 80's again next week. Nice video link.

Who posted message 114497? That was flipping hilarious and perfect timing. Thanks for laugh.

Romeena, reading your post I would not rule out gout as a possibility. As I said, my first gout in the knee did not seem at all like gout. The actual pain was not right in the knee joint, but just above it. And it was just as you describe your, not swelling or tenderness. No pain until I flexed it out just before full straight. It was really odd. Then as I said, I took the gout busting medicine (when in doubt treat for gout) and it was cleared up in a day or two. I have had it in the same knee 3 or 4 times since and the gout medicine takes it out every time. And where you say you have had some gout previously, I think you should think about it. I just hope it is something like that and not a tear or something.
I hope your recipe works out. I look forward to seeing it. I always do real mashed taters for myself. Never have tried instant. What brand do you use? I might give them a try now because as you said, mashing for one is a bit much.

I heard this story about GF.
Seems GF and his Wife were at the supermarket one day when they became separated. GF was looking all over for her because he wanted to go home, but could not find her anywhere. Finally he see's this very attractive blonde woman, so he approaches her and asks her if she will talk to him for a minute. When the blonde asks what for, GF responds, " I can't find my Wife nowhere butevery time I talk to a good looking woman she shows up in seconds". :)

Well I got my Govt. check yesterday in the mail. Hot diggity dog. My inclination is to put it in savings, but the idea is to spend it to help the economy. Decisions, decisions.

Asa
May 23, 2020 - Msg 114502: Good One Asa, That story DEFINITELY is based on Fiction, Mrs. Goob hasn’t been to the grocery store in years!...

Asa. I think message #114497 was MDC by the looks of the (: smile face...It was a proper response to the “fence” discussion.

G-F
May 23, 2020 - Msg 114503: Good morning, porch! Wow! We had a big old storm last night, deafening thunder crashes, and apparently a lot of rain, because my birdbaths are all running over. This morning, the skies are clear, the sunshine is beautiful, and the world has a fresh, clean face. I love a morning like this! The grass looks like it grew two inches since yesterday. Amazing what rainwater will do.

The men are hard at work on the fence next door. It looks like they're doing a nice job, too. I hope so, though yesterday evening I was wondering. I had gone out to feed the fish in the pond, and they called me over to ask if it was okay to work from my side at times. Of course I said they could. We visited for a few minutes, and I realized they both had beer cans nearby, and one was a little (a lot?) under the influence. Talking too loud, making corny jokes, and clearly feeling the effects of his "refreshment." A bit unprofessional, I thought, but I'm not paying them, so it's none of my business. I just hope the fence is straight and sturdy when they're finished.

G-F, we have that "double fence" situation here. The street behind us all had chain-link fencing along the back property line when my dad developed this street and platted it off into lots. As he built on the lots and sold them, the fencing decision was left to the new homeowners. Without exception, everyone opted for privacy fence. There is an easement on the rear property line, so our fences had to be set two feet inside the line at the back. That was to allow utility workers to walk through back there, as the power lines run right above the property line, and the poles are set accordingly. My back fence is 8 ft tall, rather than the standard 6 ft, because the neighbor behind us had (still has) a very powerful floodlight that illuminates his entire back yard, and was set so that it shone directly into our back windows. It looked like a train coming at the house! We had to keep the drapes or blinds closed on the back of the house all the time, and that was annoying. I have landscape lighting out there, we couldn't even enjoy seeing our yard from the windows, and the patio was impossible. It was like being on stage. I asked once if the light could be tilted downward a bit, still lighting his yard but not mine, but was told they wanted to be able to see their back fence. So, when about 20 years ago it was time to replace the fence, I had it built to 8 ft back there, which blocks that light. Problem solved.

Naturally, with the two-foot easement in place, the weeds grow quite happily between the fences. On this side, we can't see them, and I suppose the folks on the other side just kill them out with something. No one has ever complained. The utility folks don't use that skinny little pathway anyway. If they need to get to a pole to make a repair, they just come through our yards! I think the possums and raccoons use it, though, and they're welcome, as far as I'm concerned. It gives them a safe passage through the neighborhood, without fearing backyard dogs.

The cortisone shot in my knee is still working, no pain at all in it. That stuff is wonderful! I'll be having the CT on Wednesday, and then I guess we'll see what will happen, depending on what they find. I hope it's not a meniscus tear, maybe just a pinched nerve or something, but whatever it is, I guess it will be okay.

Well, I need to go feed my little companion. She is so pretty, and so sweet. And so destructive! She's a year old now, when is she going to stop tearing things up? Robbi got her one of those fluffy donut beds, and last night I started finding pieces of stuffing on the floor. Sure enough, she was flipping her bed over, had chewed a hole in it and was pulling the stuffing out of the bottom! I scolded her, replaced the stuffing and sewed up the hole, but trust me, she's not through with it. I may have to just put it up for a while. Little brat. But I love her.

Stay home, stay well. Wash your hands! Wear a mask when away from home! Observe 6 ft distancing!
Take care of yourselves, you are all loved. --Romeena


May 23, 2020 - Msg 114504: Asa, thanks for the encouragement on the gout/not gout thing in my knee. I really hope you're right, I'd much prefer that it be gout, and fixable with a few pills, rather than an invasive meniscus repair. I've never been afraid of a surgery (good thing, I've had about eight) but neither do I go seeking them. If there's an alternative, I'll take it! --Romeena
May 24, 2020 - Msg 114505:

ASA--yes, that was me with the chicken wire quote, and of course I meant 'now,' not 'not!' and GF is right, the 'wrong way' smiley is usually me! Funny line about Richard being one of your own kind, and funny joke about GF. What's next, a little Bert and Squirt? haha

Serious for a moment, may we honor our all who gave their all. JOHN, good for you for also remembering those minutemen and others of the revolution, which started this land of the people, by the people, and for the people!
Which brings up a good point about the current situation. If the 6 foot thing is working, and masks are working, why still the shutdowns? Something to think about in this election year. Just sayin'.

RO--the morning you describe sure sounds like the one Andy sees after helping with the birth of Andelina! :) Regarding Trinket... Maybe you need to get her a little bed made out
of kevlar! haha Tho her poor teeth would have the misery for sure!
God bless you all! Good Sabbath,
MDC


May 24, 2020 - Msg 114506: If April showers bring the May flowers, what do May flowers bring? ... PILGRIMS! (:
May 24, 2020 - Msg 114507: Maude, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother.

This Monday, the 25th of May, is Memorial Day in the USA. It was created to honor and remember all of those who gave their lives serving in the military of the United States.
The United States lost a total of over one million soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen (and women) since earning independence over 250 years ago. Sometimes I think about what this world would be like had those military personnel lived.
Recently, I watched a movie about the Civil War (Glory) and a movie about the Vietnam War (Green Berets). They both made me cry. I first saw the Green Berets movie way back in 1968 when I was in high school. It influenced me to not only serve in the military, but also to volunteer for Vietnam duty. But I had to delay joining up because I wanted to serve as an officer. So by the time I completed my officer's training, the peace treaty had been signed and I was offered an early out. I refused it and served during peacetime. I was one of the lucky ones.
I am a veteran of the US Navy and the US Army National Guard. I salute all of my fellow veterans, both living and dead.

from Poor Horatio
May 24, 2020 - Msg 114508: Thank You for your Service PH....I know that may sound cliche to some people, but TRUELY we need to thank our Vetrans both living and posthumously for their sacrifice. We need to be thankful for those who CHOSE to make the decision and sacrifice....

Don’t want to get political, but a simple “Thank You” is all most need to hear. Especially if you think what this world could have been like if people hadn’t served their country...Amen?

G-F
May 24, 2020 - Msg 114509: p.s. Maybe Asa & MDC could get a job on one of them excursion boats whe they get back to sea?
Yep....As you said, Another Bert & Squirt!..Teehee Yuck Yuck!
May 24, 2020 - Msg 114510: Good Sabbath morning! I just finished attending my church's service, thanks to the miracle of the internet. Our pastor and music staff are set up in our sanctuary, and conduct a service every Sunday morning, which is live-streamed over the church's website. Almost like being there. In fact, for me it's a little better, because I can understand every word the pastor says, which I cannot do in the sanctuary. It's not him, or our audio system, it's my ears.

Well, the fence is up, at least the part that is on my property line. I can't see whether they've done the rest of their yard yet. The fence between our houses is 8 ft tall! I'm assuming they're going to just cut the planks down to 6 ft, since they come in 8 ft lengths. Doesn't matter to me, I don't care if they leave it at 8 ft. It's a nice fence, with overlapping planks. It appears that the men did a good job. I'm debating now how to deal with my mutilated eleagnus. It will grow back, but it will take time. I'm thinking that rather than training it to cover the fence like a wall, I may just train each shrub to cover a small area. It will require much, much less maintenance that way, will expose parts of the fence for contrast, and cost me a lot less for Eddie to maintain it. Yep, I think that's the way I'll go. I may plant some Morning Glories in the gaps for color.

Speaking of offering thanks to our military personnel, I've learned to use the sign language for "thank you". It's extremely simple and versatile, can be one-handed (if your other hand is busy) or both, which is prettier and a bit more meaningful. I've found that most servicemen and women recognize the sign, and respond with a smile. If you don't know the sign, there are numerous brief demonstrations online. Being the emotional weakling that I am, every time I offer the sign to someone, I have tears in my eyes instantly. Still makes me feel good, though, and I hope it does the same for them. So, PH, I just offered the sign to you, though you can't see it, and I have tears in my eyes. That goes for all the veterans on the porch, too.

Well, guess I'll go feed my pretty little girl. She's been patiently waiting. What would I do without her, and her comic behavior, and sweet loving ways? Sometimes she almost makes me feel uncomfortable, unworthy of the high regard she holds for me. She will sit and gaze at me with big liquid brown eyes, just brimming with love, and definitely making me feel guilty for the times I've scolded her! She will get in my lap, and lean her head against my shoulder, just burrowing in, and tilting her head so she can see my face. If I lean toward her, she gives me a big slobbery doggie kiss! Gotta love her! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
May 24, 2020 - Msg 114511:

Yes indeed, Just think from the shot heard 'round the world, to 1812, Spanish/American, Civil war, WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and so many others, all the graves speak of the amazing sacrifices that so many Americans have made to keep us free.
Our new music minister done good when we ended our service with America the Beautiful; but , like Ray Charles, he started with verse 3..."Oh beautiful, for heroes proved in liberating strife, who more than self, their country loved, and mercy more than life..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myBVejwZt8Q
Also today, our local bishop said that we, being social beings, should say 'physical distancing' rather than 'social distancing.' which was a phrase coined for this virus thing. Sure it seems trivial, but the underlying meaning
of physical seems better than social. just a thought.

ASA...did you hear that this Wed. 2 US astronauts are going to the space station in a Space x rocket!? I'm pretty excited...
https://phys.org/news/2020-04-nasa-spacex-crewed-flight.html

Well all, it just wasn't the same today without the Indy 500. It looks like they will try to have it in August. The reunion that I help run each summer in Santa Barbara is also cancelled, as you may have guessed.

RO--so glad that the new fence is not as 'tippsy' as were the builders of said fence! haha I sure hope the water leak also gets fixed.

Have a good, safe holiday!!
MDC


May 25, 2020 - Msg 114512: Good morning, porch! It's a gray, drizzly, drippy day here in north Texas. Not a drop of sunshine anywhere, and the sky looks like the inside of a pewter mug! If it weren't for the stands of daylilies, the clumps of sundrops, and a couple of stands of beautiful gladiolus, my yard would be pretty dreary. The irises are finished, I'm cutting their dried bloom stalks off, and the remaining two or three straggly roses that the "witch's broom" disease didn't kill have stopped blooming for now. The Cinco de Mayo rose out front that seems impervious to the virus has finished blooming, I pruned it deeply, and it will bloom again in a few weeks. Beautiful thing! The marigold seeds I planted in the big island have sprouted, at least some of them anyway, and I may get a few flowers from them. The weeds, however, are up and waving happily all over the bed, after Eddie and Tommy had it clean as a whistle, and even put down Preen to keep them from returning. A lot of what has sprouted is not susceptible to Preen, and just comes on back anyway, like nutgrass. I am convinced that stuff was grown and developed by the devil. Roundup will kill it up to a point, but not completely, and anyway, I don't want to use Roundup or have anyone who is working for me take that risk. The only way to get rid of nutgrass is to have the soil very wet to reduce the resistance to pulling, and then just gently and carefully pull it up, following the root runners and avoiding breaking them. If you leave a half-inch piece of root in the ground, you'll have a big stand of nutgrass in the spring. Miserable stuff.

Hmmm. I don't see a bird or a squirrel anywhere out there. I wonder what the weather is brewing up for us? There's an ominous stillness out there. I'm glad I don't have to leave the house.

Trinket is turning into a beautiful little dog. She has blown her fluffy puppy coat almost completely, and the soft and silky adult coat is there, about four inches long even after trimming a few weeks ago. Her tail plume is at least six inches long and quite full, as her ear "draperies" are also. Her actual ears are just about the size of the top of a soda can, but the hair is 6" long, and very silky. She's snow white, no yellowness, and really very pretty. She's settling down a little (very little) and gets the Zoomies every evening, causing her to run at breakneck speed around and around the living room, in a big circle. She is fast! Then she flops over and just lays there, grinning at me and panting, then up for another, shorter session. After that, she wants in my lap, and in a minute is out like a light. Never a dull moment with her around. God is good. He knew just the puppy I needed.

The new fence is going to remain at 8 ft, my neighbor told me. Actually, I'm glad. The kids who live over there love to play around the pool, and that often involves a ball of some kind, which invariably ends up in my yard. I've told them to just come and get it whenever that happens, or I'll throw it back to them if I'm out there, but they still will call and ask permission, even though there's no need. Now with the taller fence, maybe that won't happen as much. It hurts nothing, but it's a downer for the kids.

The fence is really quite pretty, and I don't mind at all having the post side facing me. I have no right to mind, of course, since I'm not paying for it, but actually, I don't. It looks very nice. I've decided I will keep the eleagnus hedge confined to small sprays against the fence, and leave much more of the wood exposed. My ground lights out there are waaaay more effective, not being blocked or shrouded by the hedges. I like a lot of light out there, when I'm sitting here at 3 a.m. writing something. If someone was out there, I'd like to be able to see them. Anyway, it's finished, it's pretty as it is, my neighbor seems to be happy, and so am I. As for the water leak, I haven't been out there to see if it's still wet in that area, but I'm confident that she will take care of it.

Well, guess I'll go rustle up something to eat. I went to the store Saturday, and got lots and lots of fruit and berries, my favorite thing. Trinket and I shared some blueberries last night. I only gave her five or six, but she surely does like them, and they're good for her.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day, everyone. Lest we Forget!! --Romeena
May 25, 2020 - Msg 114513: Me again. Mr. and Mrs. Mockingbird are out and about in the yard now. They have a nest in a big nandina bush on the other side of the yard from the new fence. I realized it when a cat came in the yard one day, and was quickly ushered off the premises by the mockingbirds. Also, a very young squirrel just came very tentatively picking his way down the trunk of the sycamore tree. Another litter has just about finished growing, and now here comes this new little juvenile, cute as can be, and very unsure of himself. Give him a couple of days, and he'll be as agile as his mother. He seems to be all alone, I wonder where his littermates are? Maybe they're not quite as brave as he is. --Romeena
May 25, 2020 - Msg 114514: Happy Memorial Day and heartfelt thanks to our military Porchsters-your service is very appreciated.
I hope that everyone is having a safe holiday weekend. Take care,all!

***********
possum u.a.r.
May 26, 2020 - Msg 114515: A wonderful, relaxing day today!
As someone we all know likes to say:
God is good!" amen sister. :)
MDC