October 15, 2020 - Msg 115475: Just wanted to stop by and see all of my porch friends.You all have been on my mind and I miss you all. Prayers for blessings for you all.-ky girl
October 15, 2020 - Msg 115476: Good afternoon, porch! I've been busy, partially clogged drain on the main line out front, still empties slowly, so can function in the kitchen with planning. No shower, though - eek! Plumber coming tomorrow. Meantime, unbeknownst to me, I had a slow leak in the drain under the sink. Very slow, not enough to attract notice, but everything in the back part of the cabinet under the sink was wet, and had been for some time. I only noticed it because I was trying to unclog the drain with my little plunger, which widened the leak and was forcing more water through. I found all this when the water began to run out on my feet! Ted came this morning and fixed the leak, tore out the rotted floor boards in the cabinet, sprayed bleach everywhere under there, and will return next week to rebuild the flooring in the cabinet. At least now I can use the sink, though sparingly. The clog in the main drain remains. If it ain't one thing, it's another!

My two little juvenile squirrels have been chowing down on the rinds of half of a small watermelon. It wasn't very good, so I just ate the heart out of it, and put the rest out back for the critters. Those two little juvies found it, and have just all but rolled in it! They are so cute to watch.

G-F, I'm so glad you're home and doing well. You're right, that chilled water pack helps a lot. Controls pain almost as well as a narcotic pill, but without all the unpleasant side effects. You just keep on doing what they tell you to do, and you'll be as fine as frog hair in no time!

Ky girl, it's good to see you, been a long time. I hope you'll drop around more often. In fact, I wish all of our old regulars would come home now and then. We miss you!

Prayers for all - stay well, and keep washing your hands! --Romeena
October 15, 2020 - Msg 115477:

WOW! Ky girl visits after all this time, and we make her sweep the porch!! ha
So good to hear from you again!
More later,
MDC


October 16, 2020 - Msg 115478: Good morning, porch! What a beautiful day! One of those green-and-gold days that occur this time of year, days I love so much. Bright sunshine, everything growing is still green, the air is cool, just a hint of a Fall-ish bite in it, and the sky is so blue it makes me wish I had a blouse that color! Lots of critters around, migrant birds moving through, the kinds that you only see briefly, twice a year. Pretty little things!

Sadly, we don't see as many of them anymore, thanks to people who choose to let their cats roam, or who refuse to spay and neuter, so millions of unwanted and un-homed kittens are born each year, to add to the numbers who are killing our songbirds by the billions. In my opinion, cats, like dogs, are the descendants of originally wild animals, which have become domesticated by mankind over the years. A cat, curled comfortably by the fireplace, is a peaceful image. The feral one I see stalking the birds at my feeders, or chasing my bug-eating lizards - not so much. I am a dog lover, as you know, but if I ever find myself in a situation where I cannot have a dog, but could have a cat, then I'll have a cat. However, that cat will be spayed, and it will live indoors with me. It will not be allowed to prey upon the smaller creatures who have no choice but to live outdoors.

As for cats being good ratters, I doubt that. Mice, yes. However, cats are big sissies when it comes to rats, because a rat will fight back. When I had that miserable rat in my garage, who would spring the traps and steal the bait, the six feral cats who live around here left him strictly alone. I even left the garage door up by about six inches several times, so the cats could get in and catch him, but no. A headless bluejay on my driveway? Oh yes, but I was strictly on my own with regard to the rat. He did $500 in damage to the wiring in my car before I finally caught him. You may wonder why I didn't just poison the rat? Well, because I detest poisons. They cause the rat a lot of suffering before he dies, and they also enter the food chain, and therefore could hurt the feral cats as well, which I don't want to do. Is a puzzlement. Solution - spay and neuter your cats, and keep them at home!

Sorry, that little editorial was sparked by a local issue, and the fact that I'm watching my two little juvenile squirrels playing out back, and hoping that one of the feral cats doesn't decide to make them his lunch. That would just about break my heart.

Well, I'm waiting for the plumber to arrive, to open the half-clogged main drain. Until that's done, I can't run the dishwasher, or take a shower. Argh! It does drain, but very slowly, and any prolonged use of the water, like a shower, will start it backing up. I'm just glad it will at least drain a little bit. I can flush, and I don't have a sink full of nasty water.

Well, I think I'll go play with Trinket for a little while. She's in here under my desk, curled around my feet, which are in her little cuddle bed. Every now and then, I get a tiny lick on my ankle, just her way of saying "I love you, Mommy." She's such a sweet little thing, a pestilence at times, but I love her. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 17, 2020 - Msg 115479:

RO--I hope all went well with the plumbing situation. A few years ago, our neighbor had his drain pipe develop a 'sag' which caused all kind of problems. They finally had to have a whole new pipe put in from the house to the large sewer pipe under the street!
And i agree with you that cats are good pets. We have had 3, and we did all the proper things. They were allowed to go out in the back yard,
and yes, a few lizards were not fast enough, but
we have always had lizards a-plenty here! They would all climb our 6 ft fence, but just to sit on the top, not to run off. ha
Boo- Just a thought I had regarding Erin...would she be interested in taking some classes at a local community college?
It's just a thought, but it would help to engage her with other people, and sharpen the ol' gray matter a bit.
BTW, how goes Sean and his job these days?
GF--I hope your recovery is going OK. Will a PT person be coming by the house at all? Mine was pre-covid of course, but she really worked me good 3 days a week for a month, especially those ankle pumps to get the blood moving! I bet you can wait for the next Mayberry parade!
Opie at the carnival ep was on tonight. I have always liked that one.
Hey to ASA, BOO, Possum, JM, Spot, Frankie, Maudie, PH, KY girl and all!
Prayers for all,
MDC :)
October 17, 2020 - Msg 115480:
GF--meant to say "I bet you CAN'T wait..."
October 17, 2020 - Msg 115481: Good thought there concerning Erin, MDC. We have encouraged her to do so and hope she will at some point. Her anxiety and depression have improved and she is working full time so it’s a possibility. Next week she is moving to San Antonio to live with some friends. She got a transfer to a Subway there. We are hoping she will gain some wisdom and maturity and decide on school but for now, she doesn’t want to live here and wants to try and live her life without our help. I think it could be a good thing for her and a definite learning experience.

Boo
October 17, 2020 - Msg 115482: MDC...Yes a PT is coming to the house starting next week, The In$urance will pay for 6 visits. Then we have to play the Mother May I have more game....

Funny you should mention the MD’s parade next year, I think as my goal to look forward to will be to walk in it as “Diamond Jim” the Butcher..I have the costume to swing it! ( Along with the 3 girls who dressed up like the Convicts at Large...

Anyhow for now I’m just focusing on 🎶🎵 “ One Day at a Time” ..Sweet Jesus 🎶🎵.....

G-F
October 17, 2020 - Msg 115483: Good morning all.

GF, With any kind of luck your PT will look like Daphne Moon (Martin Cranes PT on Frasier) Wouldn't that be something? Glad you are on the mend buddy.

Boo, You are at that stage of parenthood that I found to be the most challenging for me. That is seeing our young-uns want to fly the coop, and yet knowing they are going to make some mistakes and get some bruises. You want to be there for them, but you also know they have got to learn to do things on their own. I really struggled with that period as it sounds like you are also. Prayers dear.

Romeena, between your Tillie and your house plumbing issues, you live a full life. lol I have noticed my kitchen sink drain getting slower and slower. Happily thats the only one, so I am going to run an auger down it and see if I can get her flowing good again. I know the problem is well past the p-trap. I hope yours is working now.

MDC, I have been wondering how your paint on the garage floor is holding up? I think it has been a year or two now hasn't it? Has it stayed down okay?

Hey to KY Girl. Good to see you.

I need to see if they have turned our secondary water off yet. If so, I will be blowing down my sprinkler system for the season. We actually had some frost on the grass yesterday morning so it's time I suppose.

Prayers for all for a great day and weekend.

Asa
October 17, 2020 - Msg 115484: Good morning. Another one of those green and gold days, wow, two in a row! We've got a chilly 61°, a few high clouds, brisk little breeze, and lots of critters running around. A pretty day.

Asa, at this moment, Tillie is doing fine, no current problems. The plumber was here yesterday and cleared out the sewer line between the house and the street, and that problem was solved. He has been my go-to plumber for nearly 40 years. Recently, he decided to retire and sold his business to someone else, with the understanding that he would do part-time work for them. It was a disaster. They doubled his usual prices, tried to make it appear that they were busy by setting appointments two or three days later, and doing shoddy work. Well, our local NextDoor website exploded with complaints. I happened to be able to get Mark's cell phone number and called him direct. He told me he couldn't accept any calls unless they came through the new company, which was using his old number. Then he told me to be patient, unless the clog was complete. It wasn't, it was just slow, so I just waited. He found a loophole in their contract, severed ties with them completely, and reopened his own business. It still took three days to get him here, because he actually WAS that busy! He came yesterday, cleared that main drain line, gave me a "thank you" discount, and all is well. The only remaining problem is the torn-out cabinet floor in the kitchen, and the clutter from the displaced under-sink things. Why do I have two bottles of Soft-Scrub?? And three bottles of that rinse-aid stuff for the dishwasher? I have ordered some shallow plastic tubs to put under the sink, to hold all that junk. Maybe that will help. Ted will be here early next week to rebuild the cabinet floor, and things should get back to normal. Meantime, the water meter out front is still turning very, very slowly, so somewhere in or under my house, water is leaking. No one has been able to find it, but I suppose eventually it will show up, and then I'll have another big mess to fix.

Well, in the brief time that I've been typing here, my green and gold day has disappeared, heavy clouds have moved in, and it looks like it could come-a-somethin' out there! Both of my plumeria trees have blown over (again!) and if it rains, they will receive no benefit from it. Grrrr. They're just too big and heavy for me to stand up by myself. Sometimes I just wish there was a man around the house! My son helps me all he can, but he lives a half hour away and is as busy as a one-armed paperhanger, especially now with his new house to settle into. I'm not about to call him to come stand up those dumb trees, especially since they'd blow over again before he got back home. Guess I'd better get busy and find some different pots for them, that won't blow over. Those cup-shaped pots just don't do the job.

Well, better go feed my little fluffy baby. She's looking at me with big eyes, so I'd better respond. She's so sweet. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 17, 2020 - Msg 115485: I forgot something. I know several of us, including me, use melatonin from time to time. I found this article, which causes a little concern, and thought I'd share it. Take it for what it's worth, and I don't know just how much that might be. Still, it's food for thought.

https://tinyurl.com/yymqpv5q

Blessings! Wash your hands! Wear your mask! --Romeena
October 17, 2020 - Msg 115486: G-F, so glad to learn that your recent surgery was successful and that you are now recuperating at home. Sometimes the discomfort during the therapy can seem more severe than the pain from the incision thereby causing some patients to give up early on their therapy. Suffer now so you won't have to suffer later on.

Boo, I hope that with Erin living on her own, that might resolve some of her problems and maybe learn to appreciate what you have provided her in the past.

Romeena, I see that your water leak problem has not been resolved yet. Have you contacted your homeowner's insur@nce to see if you are covered for repairs? Also, inquire about having your underground piping relined rather than replaced. If that can be done, then spending time and expense trying to locate the problem might be avoided.

from Poor Horatio

October 18, 2020 - Msg 115487:

RO--may I suggest that he use that 'composite' wood-like material for under your sink. I have seen it used a lot
on decking these days. Good stuff! Water and rot resistant.

more later,
MDC
October 18, 2020 - Msg 115488: Good afternoon, porch! I just got home from church! Yep, we had Sunday School classes for the first time since COVID. We've been having church services for some time now, with social distancing, masks, hand sanitizer, etc., but I've been staying home and leaving a seat available for someone else, since we're only allowed 100 in the sanctuary. The services are available online through Facebook, so I've been "attending" that way. This morning, I got to go to SS and see my friends, masks and all, and then went on to the worship service. I sat on the second row, the better to lip-read when necessary. My hearing is barely adequate, and I do tend to lip-read to some extent. Our pastor brought a very timely message, and I felt blessed to be there.

PH, my insur@nce would cover repair, but I have an $1800 deductible, so it might just be a wash. Unless the bill is significantly more than the deductible, I'd rather not run it through the insur@nce, and risk having the deductible raised. Also, we've got to locate the leak before we can do anything at all! Two plumbers have tried to find it, and no one has succeeded. I figure it will reveal itself eventually. I just hope I don't fall through the floor when it does! Just kidding, it's a concrete slab.

MDC, I would imagine Ted will use that, if it's the best thing, though he may possibly question that. When he was tearing the rotted wood out, he commented that it had "gone back to sawdust". It had been wet for a very long time, apparently, and much of what leaked on it was soapy, may have had some bleach in it at times (I bleach my sink now and then) and the dishwasher detergent runs through there. I don't know if anything could have stood up to that.

Folks, it you tend to accumulate a lot of cleansers, dishwashing stuff, etc., under your kitchen sink, let me suggest that you pull it all out now and then and be sure you don't have a problem. The leak under mine was so slow that no water ever made it to the front, and I had no idea it was leaking. It was enough to really create a problem, though. If I hadn't tried to play plumber myself, it might have gone on for much longer. When I got my little plunger and used it, thinking it might loosen the partial clog that was actually in the main drain between the house and the street, my activity forced more water through the leak, and finally it ran out onto my feet! Dumb move on my part, but it was a blessing in disguise.

Well, guess I'll go heat up some of the pot roast I cooked yesterday, and settle in my chair for a little rest. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
October 18, 2020 - Msg 115489:
Romeena, you stated that two plumbers could not find your water pipe leak. Did either one of them use a camera inspection method? https://www.accurateleak.com/news/can-expect-video-camera-inspection-plumbing-2/

from Poor Horatio
October 18, 2020 - Msg 115490: Hi, PH. No, no one used a camera. I'm not sure how they would get a camera, however small it might be, into a water pipe?? Also, we have no idea at all where the leak might be, just that it's in or more likely under the house, not in the yard. Both of the searchers did use listening devices, but found nothing. That didn't surprise me, as the leak is so tiny that I doubt they would hear anything. It's going to be hard to find. There are water outlets on both sides of the house, two locations on one side (full bathrooms), with about 35 feet between them, and one location on the other side of the house, about 45 feet away, and multiple outlets in that area. Washing machine, half bath, and kitchen sink. We know where the water line enters the house, but the configuration of the various lines after that is unknown. I do know that there's a straight line that runs down a hallway between the two full baths. I had a leak in that line several years ago, so trust me, I know where it is. I even have pictures. One bath is off to the side of that line, and the line runs through a bedroom and directly into the other bath. I'm just waiting now for a wet spot to appear in a carpet, and I'll know where the leak is! If it's under the tiled kitchen, well - maybe I'll never know, unless the leak gets much worse. It's so small right now, at first you don't even realize the meter is moving, but it is, very, very slowly. Seems like there's always something to keep my mental motor running at night! Thanks for concern, and I appreciate suggestions, everyone. --Romeena
October 19, 2020 - Msg 115491: After reading through that leak, I have a better understanding of the camera method of locating a leak, but it sound like it would be pretty expensive. I think I'm going to pull a Scarlett O'Hara, and think about that tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day! (tee hee) Seriously, I'll call my trusted plumber, Mark, and find out what he knows about that procedure. --Romeena
October 19, 2020 - Msg 115492:

Hey GF, just wondering if you have one of those 'hermetically" sealed dressings on your incision?
I just want to say that once you remove it, try applying
some vitamin E and aloe vera, as that helps the scar to almost be undetectable after a while! (Unless you want a scar!) haha

RO-regarding melatonin, I only take the smallest dose...1 mg,
so I hope it won't lead to diabetes. I'm quite sure now that my high A1C, and then my subsequent good number was my watching my diet. I love pasta, in fact I would love to have 3 spaghetti dinners in a row (ha), but I have now switched to whole wheat pasta, and whole grain breads, etc.

And guess what gang?, I saw 'Jennie Boone' as a store clerk on Wanted dead or Alive yesterday! AND, ASA was also on it as a doctor! Quite a change of pace for them both. :)

BOO-I saw Day Tripper today, and he was in Hiko, TX. It looked like a neat, old small town! I guess it's well-known for Billy the Kid, and pies from the Koffee Kup
restaurant!
I sure hope Erin's friends are not of the toxic variety! Maybe this time away from home
will go better than the first. Your fam is always in my daily prayers.

Well, our pastor really nailed it this morning! His talk was right on, and it was so good to hear it from the pulpit. This election is so important. I will be voting this week. If you have never read Isaiah 44:26-28 and 45:1-5, I suggest it, as it is all about King Cyrus,
a pagan man whom God used to free the Israelites from Babylon and he even allowed them to
rebuild the temple and Jerusalem. God does indeed work in mysterious ways. :)

Good Sabbath and happy Monday!
MDC
October 19, 2020 - Msg 115493:

I just found this "uplifting" video of one of my
most favorite hymns. I hope it gets you going like it did me! :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4B2WJcvNm8

MDC :)
October 19, 2020 - Msg 115494:
Oh, ASA- I sent you an email about the garage coating.
October 19, 2020 - Msg 115495: Good morning, porch! Another day with heavy, overcast skies, very still air, looks like a storm could be brewing, but nothing is happening yet. We could use the rain, though, so hope it does decide to do so.

MDC, I'm familiar with Hico, TX (yes, with a "c"), as it's on my way to the Hill Country. Nice little town, just a spot on the map really, but just about everyone in central and west Texas knows where Hico is. It's sort of a "hub" where you can go this way or that, to get to various areas of Texas. There's a big Exxon station on the main corner, where the different highways converge. I sometimes plan a stop there, as they sell really good "pigs in a blanket" - little sausages baked into a small and delicious, subtly sweet roll. Easy to eat while driving, no drips, and so good. Also easy to share bites with my canine companion. Toye Starr loved them, and so does Trinket.

MDC, apparently we think alike with regards to the election. I don't wish to start a moulage, and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I would like to just submit this. When we elected Donald Trump four years ago, we were not electing a pope, or a spiritual leader. We were electing a man who had the knowledge and the experience and the proven ability to run the largest "corporation" in the world - the government of the USA. His personal, private behavior, and his behavior toward about women have nothing to do with it. At least he opposes baby murder. I could, and do, wish he would clean up his act, but again, we didn't elect him on that basis. We basically hired him to do a job, and he has done it. I am reminded that God chose David to lead Israel, and David was a womanizer, an adulterer, and even a murderer by proxy. Yet God used him in a mighty way to lead Israel, and ultimately changed his heart as well. Think about it.

Well, guess I'd better go feed my little roomie! She's waiting patiently under my desk, little licks on my ankle now and then, just to remind me of her presence. My feet are in her cuddlebed with her, because they're cold and she's so nice and warm! I suppose I could, and should, put some shoes on, but I never wear shoes in the house. Socks, yes, but not shoes. Really saves on the carpets!

Have a lovely day, everyone. Remember to wear your mask if you go out, and wash your hands when you get home! Blessings --Romeena
October 19, 2020 - Msg 115496: Saw the episode about the church organ today with Clara Edwards. The organ owner and the butter and egg man are the same. That Clara Edwards knows how to turn a man head. The look on Andy and Warren face was priceless. Some enchanted evening you may see a stranger.....Sarah
October 20, 2020 - Msg 115497:
HA! Good one Sarah. I havent seen that ep in ages!
Just a quick hello tonight. Cecile and I are going on
a short road trip to Prescott AZ tomorrow. We have
some friends there who we were suppose to visit last march, but we all know that situation!
RO--good point about David! Thanks.
Also, when in Hico, have you ever stopped at the Koffee Kup? Just curious, as their
lemon meringue pie looked delicious!
Prayers for all,
MDC :)
October 20, 2020 - Msg 115498: Morning, folks

Thought I'd drop in to say HI. Stay Well!

John Masters
October 20, 2020 - Msg 115499: Hey to John Masters. I hope you are well.

Sarah, I agree, the looks on those faces when Clara was singing was something else. I always laugh how Clara is so traumatized when the old organ has issues. lol
Since I have all TAGS on DVD, I seldom watch any on TV Land because of all the commercials and all the edits, and I think they actually speed the feed up slightly because the voices are a little higher pitched. But yesterday as I was channel surfing I came across the very start of one of my favorite episodes, Aunt Bee's brief encounter. I just love that episode, until the very end. I wish they would have kept Mr. Wheeler as a regular in some fashion. Family Visit is another favorite of mine also. I just realized that 2 of my top 3 TAGS episodes are Barneyless. How odd, because I loved old Barney. At least he was in my all time favorite, Man in a Hurry.

MDC, Have a nice visit with your friends and stay safe. Those numbers have been really high here. BTW, You do realize I was a Doctor in TAGS as well don't you. Once when Andy got sick, and the one when Dolly was ailing, although Dolly was a horse. They used a different Doctor though when Goober had his car accident. And yet another one when Opie had his tonsils removed. And yet another Doctor when Andy got a little jealous about Ellie. By golly, Mayberry went through a bunch of Doctors and Nurses as well. Two different Nurse Mary's, Peggy, Irene Fairchild, another Nurse when Opie had his tonsils out. Curious, curious, curious.

I voted yesterday and was proud to do so. I'd like my Grand kids to enjoy the same America I did, if that's still realistic.

Romeena, I'm glad Tillie is purring well for you. Your "pigs in a blanket" are sausages? I always thought they were hot dogs, but sausages sounds way better. I enjoy a good corn dog every now and then. But mercy sakes, I have not eaten out anywhere since February I just realized. I never have done much fast food, especially since retiring, but a good double double from In-n-Out sure sounds good.

Got my sprinklers all blown out and put to bed for the season. Still waiting for my tree's to drop leaves so I can get them mulched up and then put the rider put up for the season. Gut Helen all ready for snow. Good thing too. They are saying we may get some down in the valleys this weekend, although it won't be much if we do I suspect. Still a bit early.

Boo, I hope all is well in Boo land.

Asa
October 20, 2020 - Msg 115500: Oh and GF, I hope you are on the mend and your PT is not to hard on you buddy.

Asa
October 20, 2020 - Msg 115501: Started PT today, it was not “too” bad for the first one...Going to hit the rack early tho...G-F
October 20, 2020 - Msg 115502: Thank you so much for those prayers, MDC! Erin will be living with the family of her friend, Crystal..she is the young woman who lived with us for several months who has the 2 year old little girl. Crystal is a very nice girl but I don't know her mom very well. Her dad is in prison, mom is from Mexico and they will be living in a very small house on a parcel of land that looks like something on the Mexican border. The place looks like something out of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. My daughter is crazy, what can I say? Hopefully she will mature one day. As I said, I have stopped trying to control her in any way because it just doesn't work. Concerning Hico, TX, I don't believe I have ever been there. Its a pretty far cry from where I live and I am seldom in that particular area.

Hey, Asa, all is as well as usual in Boo land. So good to see you on the porch. Think of you and Debbie often.

Well, Bruce and Sean just came in from work so better go. Hope you all have a great evening.

Boo


October 20, 2020 - Msg 115503:
Romeena, thanks for posting your interesting analysis concerning President Trump. His arrogance and opposing opinions against experts on his team has gotten me worried. His tax returns getting revealed made me question his business expertise. And the negative comments I have read on Quora by people who have met, worked for, or conducted business deals with him have shocked me. Yet is spite of all this, the man perseveres.

MDC, I enjoyed watching that music video link that you posted. Those young people seemed quite enthusiastic in expressing their Christian faith.
Whenever I am feeling down, there is a Christian music video that puts a smile on my face and uplifts me. You can watch it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqYBXFYYsxc

from Poor Horatio


October 21, 2020 - Msg 115504:

Very cool PH! I love songs that are in the 'first person' right to God so to speak, with lots of "Yous" "Thys", and "Thees!" :)
Hey to John Masters!

Our day trip went good today. Nice to get out of town 90 minutes north, and with a 20 degree temp drop! :)
More tomorrow,
MDC :)
October 21, 2020 - Msg 115505: Hey gang,

Asa - Yep, I'm ok. Just been out of the loop lately.

MDC - Hey there back at ya'!

Mornin' dears, mornin' honeys to Romeena, Boo, PH, Sarah, GF and everyone else gets butter and eggs from Mr. Hendricks.

Sta safe, All!

John Masters
October 21, 2020 - Msg 115506: Stay^^

JM

October 21, 2020 - Msg 115507: who gets^^

JM

*whew* just cant seem to type!
October 21, 2020 - Msg 115508:
Hey JM, i guess your typos have prevented everyone else from typing! haha
All is good here. I have a question for our nurses tho:
On Emergency! today, Johnny Gage caught a bad virus, was with fever, sweating etc, and one person had already died from it. Then they found out that another guy who had gotten it had recovered, so they rushed him by squad car to the hospital, and injected his blood serum into Gage. Next scene is Gage sitting up in bed talking to 3 nurses (Hollywood, ya know). But the point is, he recovered!
Any guesses as to why this is not being done more with covid?
Seems like it would work.

ME-TV is starting over with tags. Tonight's was Emma and her pills. What a funny actress she was! Her facial expressions are priceless. Last night on "Manhunt" she was trying to signal to Andy with her face. All so well done!

GF--keep up the good work! Pretty soon you will actually enjoy walking again! :)
I hope else all doing OK. Keep the faith, and hang in there gang.
MDC

October 22, 2020 - Msg 115509: Good morning, porch! It's cloudy and cool here, looks like rain, but the forecast says no. So, Eddie will be here in a little while, to work on the yard again. He has done wonders back there in the last two days, I'm out there helping for as long as I can, which was two hours yesterday. Then those neck spasms hit, and there is no fix for that except to either lie down, or get in my wheelerette and put it back as far as it will go, which is almost lying down, until the muscle spasms pass. A muscle relaxer would probably help, but my cardio doc prefers that I not take them. Oh well.

Anyway, we have really gotten a lot done. I'm meeting Eddie this morning at my neighbor's garden center, will get ten more bags of mulch. We're putting it down three inches thick in all flowerbeds. I'm going to win the fight with those wretched weeds yet!

MDC, that's a good question about the serum transfer for curing disease. It does sounds like it would work, and I'm not sure why it's not being done, but it's possible that the procedure is part of the development of a vaccine. The tet@nus vaccine is or was made from horse serum. It may be synthesized now, I don't know. In the case of COVID, there could be good reasons why it wouldn't work. The first that comes to my mind is the risk of infecting the recipient with other things that the donor may harbor but not be affected by. We all have little nasties in our bodies to which we have developed personal immunity, but which would cause disease if literally injected into someone else. I guess it made for a good TV show, but not sure it would work in reality. But I'm no expert, so who knows?

Yes, Cheerio Meredith was great! "Naauughty Deputy!" "Bad Sheriff! Baaaad Sheriff!" One of my favorite scenes involving her doesn't actually shows her face at all, at first. It's the one where she's creeping along behind the counter in the drug store, and about all you see is the top of her hat, with that silly little feather bobbing along, and just a sliver of her bent-over back. You know, I have no memories of her as a younger woman. Did she just appear as an actress in her old age? If so, I wonder how that came about.....

PH, regarding Donald Trump, there is much about him that I would change. However, none of it stacks up against the things that Biden does and has done and will do. Just the baby murder issue alone is enough. No way will anyone ever convince me that abortion is okay with God. Psalm 139:13-16 tells me all that I need to know, but those verses are just a few of many more that tell us without a doubt that God considers abortion an atrocity. Also, I have to wonder - did somebody, years ago, abort the baby that would have grown up to develop a cure and a vaccine for COVID? Who knows?

Well, I could go on much more, but I won't. If anyone wants to debate the issue with me, you either have or I will give you my email address, but I don't think any of our folks here would try to argue that it's okay. If so, that's your right. Just be aware that I have more arrows in my quiver, and the older I get, the more cantankerous I get.

Better get moving. Eddie will be calling me soon, to meet me at the garden center to get the mulch, and I have to stop by the bank on the way. It sure is looking like rain, though. I guess we'll see. Maybe we can at least get the mulch and get it in the garage, even if we can't get it spread. Got more weeds to pull too, lots of them. Miserable things. They're much like sin. They just appear in our lives, unbidden, and invade every nook and cranny. If not stopped, uprooted and thrown out, they will take over completely. Some of them even look pretty for a while, especially when seen from a distance. Up close, you see how they choke out the good and wanted stuff, and take over. Yep, there's a reason why the Bible uses weeds as a comparison for sinful behavior.

Okay, end of sermon. Blessings, friends! Be careful, wear your masks, keep your distance, eat well, wash your hands! --Romeena
October 22, 2020 - Msg 115510: A wonderful sermon it was Romeena. No argument here. Very well stated.

MDC, I loved Emma. I loved Mayor Pike. I wish they both would have lived longer and been in more episodes. And all the face gyrations she was doing to try and clue Andy in on were hilarious.

We have dropped 20 degrees here. Went from 70 to maybe 50 today. A bit windy and cloudy but no rain. We sure need it. At least the wind should hasten some of my leaves dropping.

One nice thing about cooler weather is being able to play more in the kitchen. I see a pot of chili in my near future.

Asa
October 22, 2020 - Msg 115511: MDC, I guess I am somewhere in the middle, politically and I have chosen to not discuss who I decide to vote for, to avoid division. I think most everyone has made up their minds by now and discussing really doesn't do any good. On the subject of abortion, I too feel that God must be unhappy with the current situation, to put it mildly. I do, however, believe there are reasons that it is moral to perform an abortion in the event of a medical emergency requiring it save the life of the mother. It is all a more complicated issue than most people think. Im not really sure where the law should fall on the subject. I used to be staunch about it but as I get older and read the stories of others and the history of illegal abortions in this country, I am still thinking about how I feel. It is very unusual to be in a situation in which the baby has to be taken early, but they do exist.

I got my flu shot today. Have you? lol

Better go heat up some leftovers. Hope you all have a good evening.

Boo
October 23, 2020 - Msg 115512: Good evening. Just passing by on my way to bed, to watch "Barney Miller", a show that never got the credit it deserved, in my opinion. Excellent writing, perfect casting, fast-moving and very well done.

Boo, I hear you, on the abortion issue. I agree, there are circumstances where the decision is very difficult, and very hard to sort out. A medical emergency for the mother, a case of r@pe, inc#st, an immature child in whatever circumstances, all these things are very difficult. There are times when some exception must be made, I think, with the family's doctor involved, and after much prayer. I suppose it comes down to the lesser of two evils. However, that's not what we're doing today. The CDC reports: In 2016, the most recent year for which statistics were available, the government agency reported 623,471 abortions. There is no way I can be convinced that all of those met the standard for an "emergency." We are, quite literally, throwing the baby out with the bathwater. For a true emergency, or devastating circumstances, perhaps. All we can do there is trust God to understand and forgive. For birth control, which is what it has devolved into, absolute no. I'll never forget the young mother I cared for who sat cuddling her newborn, and cooing about how much "mommy loves you!", when I knew she had a history of six elective abortions. I guess "mommy" didn't love them enough, and they lost the lottery.

No one questions the hard fact that there are times when there seems to be no choice, but by the thousands? Every year? Somewhere along the line, the woman has to take charge of her own body, and just say no. Vote for someone who is actively promoting, financing (with our tax dollars), encouraging and trying to justify the procedure? Not a chance. And by the way, minorities have more of their share of abortions. In New York City, more black babies are aborted than are born alive. How is that fair? Minorities are targeted by Planned Parenthood, as it was originally designed to do by Margaret Sanger. Just get on your internet, submit some searches, and you will be amazed at what you find.

Well, sorry. I didn't intend to get off into that, but it weighs heavily on my heart. I look at my children, and just wonder - what if I had chosen to abort him, or her? Just look what I would have lost! Blessings, friends. --Romeena


October 23, 2020 - Msg 115513:

Good evening all! The weather folks are saying that we may actually get some rain here on Monday.
That cold front that ASA mentioned is continuing its downward movement. We sure need rain, so I sure hope it happens.

Oh, get this on the topic of covid. The friends that we visited on our day trip told us of someone they knew who died of cancer in August,
and it was ONLY cancer, he had no other issues. BUT, the hospital put his death down as covid! Yup. And...the family fought tooth and nail to get it changed, but the hospital wouldn't do it! It is all about the hospital getting money for saying covid. That just really frosts me, as barney would say!

BTW, I liked Ellie on TAGS. She was a good actress, and made a good love interest for Andy; but suddenly second season she was gone.

Well, I voted. I went to a sanctioned early voting location, and dropped my ballot in a sealed bin that can only be opened at our elections dept.

BOO--I have not gotten a flu shot for a few years now, but i am thinking about getting one this year.
RO--please be careful carrying those mulch bags etc, and keep an eye on Eddie so he doesnt overwork his new knee!

All for now, prayers
MDC


October 23, 2020 - Msg 115514: Morning, All

I was sitting outside with my wife yesterday in my basketball shorts and a tshirt and we were enjoying popsicles and cold water. This morning...I am outside to take my dogs potty in a winter coat while the heavy mist blows in a wind that will cut you in half. Welcome to the Midwest, folks!

Try to write more later. Take care, everyone!

John Masters


October 23, 2020 - Msg 115515: Good morning, porch! We had rain last night, and more is on the way! Thank the Lord! Not only did we need the rain, but its arrival has kept Eddie at home today, to get some much-needed rest for his knee. He's doing well, but moving pretty slowly. That's okay, so am I. We've made a lot of progress out there this week. The east fence beds are almost completely finished. Just one more eleagnus shrub to be tamed. With those shrubs, the usual routine is to plant them up close to a fence. They will send out long, flexible canes. You put wire along the face of the fence, tuck those canes in behind the wire, and begin to shear off any forward-facing canes, while encouraging any lateral growth to stay behind the wires. Soon, the wire is no longer visible, and you have a flat-to-the-fence shrub, as the leaves face forward to collect light. Very pretty! When the new fence went in, my well-trained shrubbery suffered. We just cut it down to about three feet tall, and let it start over. I've decided not to let it cover the fence totally. We put the wire on the fence in a diamond-shaped design and left gaps of several feet between them. Then we re-set the lights that completely encircle the yard, and have them shining on the gaps. That makes a perfect backdrop of light, and anything that moves out there at night will be silhouetted perfectly for me as I sit at my window. There are other lights in the flowerbeds inside the yard, spotlighting a boulder or a particular feature, but the yard itself is fairly dark. That circle of light around the perimeter is my security. So now, we have the re-do almost complete along the east side fence, and just have the back fence to do. The west side fence is intact as it has always been, and I'm leaving it alone. The shrubbery is solid along that fence. The lights don't have the same effect, but there are enough of them that it works okay, even with the solid shrubbery. Also, there are some fairly powerful spotlights under the shrubs across the back of the house, beneath my window. They shine outward, toward a grouping of an old stump, a birdbath, the critter feeding stones, and some potted plants, so not much can escape my notice in the yard.

MDC, don't worry. I'm not about to try to carry one of those mulch bags. There was at time when I could and did, but that time is long past. Eddie carries them, but not since his knee surgery. I have a little flat-bed dolly, and a garden wagon, and a two-wheeler, so he manages very well, and I stand back and let him do it! I seem to have a choice between doing heavier work for a short time, or doing lighter work over a longer period of time, and I choose doing the latter. I'm not as likely to hurt myself that way, and it keeps me outdoors longer. Now if the mosquitoes would just leave me alone, the miserable little wretches.

MDC, that doesn't surprise me, about the man who was listed as dying of COVID, when he didn't, and the hospital won't change it. That is an example of how deeply the Left has infiltrated in all issues. Since a big part of their campaign has been to accuse Mr. Trump of "doing nothing" about the pandemic, and big promises about what they will do when given the chance, they have to keep the issue boiling. The way to do that is to pump up the numbers. Isn't it strange that we're hearing about a big upturn in the COVID numbers right now, at the last minutes of the election? How would they do that? Let's see - perhaps a veiled hint at the possible loss of federal assistance? Hmmm. And yet, my friends who are still working at the hospital I worked at for 35 years are telling me that they have seen no surge in cases, in fact, they're declining. Curious, curious, curious!

John Masters, it's not just in the Midwest. Texas can lull you to sleep with a sweet breeze one minute, then blow you into the next county a minute later. I remember a day in January some years ago, when we had bright sunshine and 60° in the morning, a "blue norther" swept in and dropped us to the 30s in less than an hour, and we had a light snow that night. Along about the first of October, I put an old jacket in my car and leave it there, just in case. You just never know!

Well, guess I'd better get busy. I made some banana-nut bread last night, guess I'll go have a slice and see how it turned out. Sure did smell good! Blessings, friends! Be careful out there! --Romeena