December 09, 2002 - Msg 10896: Boy, I am turning into a veritable computer whiz!
Have a great night's sleep all!Mary Wiggins
December 09, 2002 - Msg 10897: color check?
December 09, 2002 - Msg 10898: Yea!!

December 09, 2002 - Msg 10899: Hey Mary you did better than me, at least yours looks like Christmas instead of yellow snow! Romeena you wouldn't believe the kinds of things people want me to do or that they expect me to do.....my biggest peeve is when they don't brush the dog AT ALL between groomings, wait about 4 months to bring it in & want me to brush it out (demat) it no matter WHAT it costs! Never mind that it hurts the dog, they just don't want the neighbors to see the dog shaved & think they are bad owners! Dematting HURTS!! Don't brush or comb your hair for that long & let me start pulling it out with a metal comb & tell me if it hurts or not! Needless to say, I don't do that, if they want it done & insist, I send them out the door, I will not hurt the dog just so they aren't embarrassed by a shaved dog! & I lose very few clients doing that as well, they finally figure out what I am saying & come around. teehee
*Mavis
(btw-I hope those people with the 30lb Yorkies aren't breeding those things! they are NBBT for sure!)
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10900: Honestly, Mavis. Isn't it astonishing what people expect? And no, my son's neighbor isn't breeding the dogs, as they're both females. I've tried to identify the dominant breed in them, and the closest I can come is Welsh Corgi, but they're definitely mixed with several breeds. How can people be so gullible?
You mentioned matted dogs, shaving them, etc. A groomer that we took the Plum to one time had a fleece - I don't know what else to call it - tacked up on one wall. It was the matted fur coat that they had shaved off of a c@ckerpoo. It was solid, all in one piece, even down the legs. The groomer said they went down the inside of each leg with a mat knife, and from chin to bare belly, and then just sheared it all off in one piece, like you'd shear a sheep. Amazing. Poor dog!
I liked that groomer, but there were four groomers in one room, all smoking incessantly, and the poor little Plum came home stinking of smoke. The worst thing, though, was that she was subjected to that smoke for three or four hours, and I just couldn't stand that. So, we didn't go back. My husband got me a table and tools, and I do her myself now. She's happy, and so am I, but if I could find someone who would groom her nicely, treat her kindly, and not smoke, I'd love it.
Well, the ironing board beckons. Good night, all. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena (Lanni)
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10901: Mornin' Y'all! Rainy & cold here today,but my spirits are gonna be good today,let me tell ya!
Floyd,thank you for the neat Christmas card and for this wonderful site.
Hey,I wanna come to the Christmas party! Let me think what I can bring-too early to think about food,so I'll get back to y'all.
Happy,hope your bones ain't aching too bad after that fall.Everybody take care,and have a great day!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock

P.S. Coffee & Krispy Kremes for breakfast!
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10902: METHEY...METHEY...MEEEETHEYYYY...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR FLOYD AND SALTY DOG
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Asa
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10903: Happy Birthday to Floyd and Salty Dog from us too! My pa always said another birthday is better than the alternative!
Thanks for the Krispy Kremes, they sure do hit the spot!
You all have a great Mayberry day!
Mary Wiggins aka Mary
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10904: Morning, all! You know what I like best about those Krispy Kremes we share around here from time to time? They don't raise my blood sugar! Funny, when I eat one anywhere besides on this porch, my sugar rises, but Mayberry treats don't bother me at all! (teehee) Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10905: Possum, you're going to have the greatist Christmas of all of us now that you no longer have to worry. That's great news!
Mary Wiggins and Happy, I've been around, just not as much around weekends as I'm usually pretty busy. In fact, my weekend probably is during the week when my wife is at work and isn't having me drive her here and there. She can drive, she just doesn't want to. I think I'm her chauffeur(is that how you spell that?)
I didn't know it was Salty Dog's birthday too, so Happy Birthday to Salty and Floyd!!
Have a great day everyone!
-Sterling Holobyte(Dave)
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10906: Hey guys, thanks so much for remembering my birthday. Yall are the greatest. Rainy and cold here on my porch so I am staying on the couch under a blanket watching some tags videos.. cant think of any way I'd rather spend a birthday. You all have a great day. Happy Birthday Floyd--SAlty Dog
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10907: Hello all! Changing my ISP today. What a pain. Hey *Mavis, Here is a jug for you. And one for me too.

Briscoe Darling Jr.(Dave)
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10908: Happy Birthday Salty Dog and Floyd.

Briscoe Darling Jr.(Dave)
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10909: Happy Birthday to yew.
Happy Birthday to yew.
Happy Birthday, dear Salty and Floy-id.
Happy Birthday a-toooooo a-yeeewwwwwwwwwww!

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10910: Happy Birthday Salty and Floyd!
Here's a box of Krispy Kremes for the two of you- [=] (that's supposed to be the box-ha ha!)everyone else STAY OUT of them! For the birthday girl and boy only,ok? Promise I'll bring tons of them to the Christmas Party!
Hope everyone's doing well-love to all!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10911: Happy Birthday Salty!

Also, thanks for the birthday wishes from all of you!

--Floyd
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10912: Hey Floyd and Salty, we aren't no spring chickens anymore now, are we? Just kiddin'. Hope you both have a wonderful day! Thanks for the greeting, Floyd, but I got only a black screen and the music. It's probably cuz I'm Mac. I don't get lots of things, but I'm sure it was as lovely as everyone says. I can't believe I missed posting one day and everything that has happened! Sterling's van gets messed up, Mavis is about to shave dog owners, Happy is ready for Christmas to be over, and Ro is telling about her secret code about patients. Hope no nurse ever wrote NBBT on my card! I was also starting to feel sorry that no one wanted to eat Asa's 10-second eggs. I thought that might be some delicacy we were all ignorant of. Glad ya'll got that cleared up! I was game but not really lookin' forward to tryin' 'em! That's great news about the lump, possum! Now you can enjoy the holidays. Fun girl, have you gotten your MRI results or did I miss that? Any goats yet, homemaker? Hey to Mary Wiggins, Briscoe, and Hazel. Somebody swept the porch. Are Clara and Elen Brown here?
Charlotte Tucker
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10913: You need to have Flash installed on your computer to be able to see the card, Charlotte. The sound is a MIDI file so I don't know if you can hear that or not. Merry Christmas!!

--Floyd
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10914: Hey, Porch! Long time no see... or is that hear?... or maybe read?
Charlotte, you and I must be on the same wavelength or something.... I've been as busy as a cow's tail during fly season, but just today mind you, I decided to check on the Porch and there you were again asking about me! I declare! Well, it's always nice to know how you keeps tabs on me... guess I can't just go sneakin off to Dee-troyt on some ron-da-voos without anyone noticing! Not that I want to mind you! Actually, that's real nice to know, makes me feel warm and fuzzy! OF COURSE, if I ain't mistaken, you were about to cast some suspicions on me and Ellen jinxin the porch again it seems???? Golly gee, we weren't capitalizin, boldin, leanin', or nothin! HONEST! ;}... ~Clara~
PS Haven't had time to catch up on all the posts I've missed yet soooooo.... prayers for anyone asking, and hallelujahs for anyone with good news! I'll be back later to catch up. Don't have no parties without me now.... you know you need my pickles..... or do you all prefer my meatballs?
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10915: Ohhhh.... I see I missed some birthdays! Well then: me, they, me, theeeyyyy.... a squirt of bug juice and here goes: Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday..... okay, okay, I'll stop singing now.... I know I can't carry a tune in a bucket! Everyone says it's been cracked a long time! ~Clara~
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10916: I always liked Conway's version of Happy Birthday, that's why I couldn't resist putting it on the Cutlass. But since ya'll are twisting my arm to get me to sing........Happy Birthday Floyd & Salty!! that's all folks! Briscoe thanks for the jug, it really has calmed my nerves, but now I can't remember how that song up there goes. something about living in a zoo wasn't it? That's what this porch is sometimes tho, with all the critter talk & Asa wearing lampshades & possum with a lighty rock! teehee
*Mavis
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10917: Hey Porch. I just got an e-mail from Hazel. Her home puter died on her so she e-mailed me from her work unit. Sha can't get on the porch with that one. But she wanted to be sure that I extend a happy birthday to Floyd and Salty for her so happy birthday to Floyd and Salty from Hazel. She hopes to be back on here in a few days.
Hey Mavis, I need to get my ears trimmed on the 24th. Can you fit me in???

Asa

P.S. Good to see you C.T. and Clara. Don't know where E. B. has run off to.
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10918: I don't know, Asa.... them white hairs comin outa your ears kinda make you look elfish.... real Christmasy like. I say keep em! After New Year's you can trim em. I think I can even find some green pointed shoes for ya too... what size do you wear? ... and do you prefer them with or without bells? ~Clara~
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10919: Ooooh Asa, if you gotz white hairs comin outa your ears that means you really ARE an elf! Kewl!
I got white hair coming out of my.....oh, never mind! Something about what happend to you when you get into your 40s - like your body says "oh well, here we go!"

Happy B-day Salty & Floyd, hope ya'll ain't got any white hairs coming outa anything, and if you do pull em out! LOL!

Have a good nite porch people, I think all of ya'll are real nice folks.

Happy
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10920: Happy Birthdays Floyd and Salty!! ~ Mrs. Wiley

iiii
[_]

December 10, 2002 - Msg 10921: Oh, Happy, if I started pulling out my white hairs,.... well, let's just say I'd rather be gray than bald! Actually, I just starting turning gray a few years ago and I'd still have hair but it would be pretty thin!
Real nice cake you made, Mrs. Wiley, Mayberry's finest hostest! But, only four candles? Exactly how many do we need Floyd? Salty? ....?? ... then just tell us how many boxes! (hee-hee!) ~Clara~
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10922: Asa if you want an appointment on the 24th you should have called on Thanksgiving! But I guess seein' as how you do love the Andy show as much as I do & you are such a sweetheart even with your white elf hairs I guess I could work you in. You did say you was buying lunch that day right? I like Damon's ribs. hehe
*Mavis
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10923: Today is my 37th birthday...it's almost over now...bed time. Night y'all. Thanks again for all the kind wishes.
--Floyd
December 10, 2002 - Msg 10924: HOLD MY HAND
oh, hold my hand,dearSavior,
when heartache comes my way,
for when I have thee near me,
there dawns a brighter day.
oh, hold my hand, dear Savior,
when shadows cross the sky,
for when i'm close beside thee,
my thirst is satisfied.
oh, hold my hand, dear Savior,
that i'll not lose my way,
for thou, my gentle Jesus,
the fullest price dids't pay!
TOM

December 11, 2002 - Msg 10925: Bless your heart, TOM. Good to see you. It's me, Charlotte. Working late as usual. Story of my life. Time for bed! Ya;ll in the east are already into Dec. 11! Good night porchsters.
Thanks for the tip, Floyd, I'll update my Flash. I could hear the music.
Charlotte Tucker
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10926: Hello all! The Porch is kinda quite today. Have a Mayberry day all.

Briscoe Darling Jr.(Dave)
Hey ta':
TOM
Charlotte Tucker
*Mavis
~Clara~
Happy
Fun Girl
Asa
homemaker
Mary Wiggins
Possum
An' everyone!
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10927: Hi, Ya'll. I'm back early. got back the day before yesterday, actually. Sorry to say the trip was not all I had hoped. Baby girl got pretty sick with a fever and broke out with a rash and wouldn't let anyone touch her but me. It was tough. We took my parents and my mom got sick, too and we had to come home early. Oh well, better luck next time. I did get to see alot of snow, though, and even went snow tubing (great fun!). The mountains are always beautiful, of course.

Is someone on this porch from Amarillo or am I just dreaming? When I was driving through Amarillo I kept thinking that one of you lives there.

Well, sorry I can't chat longer but the kids are acting up (I need a vacation!). Later....


Boo
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10928: Hey Boo! Sorry to hear about your vacation nightmare! I have had a few of those myself. Let's just hope that your next vacation really is one!
Tom, thanks for the poem, it kinda gets me right here...(hand over heart)! I hope you all have a great Mayberry Day!
Giraffes are just selfish...
Mary Wiggins
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10929: Wonderful Poem Tom...Keep em coming.
As for white hairs...the only thing I have white hairs growing on are the left overs in my fridge. LOL.
later,
fun girl
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10930: Happy belated birthday Floyd and Salty -
Good news - we finally had our first kids. . .a big boy (almost 10 pounds) a little girl (around 6 or so). So I was pretty busy last night being a midwife . . .
No school today due to the ice that is all melting now. . .the boys sure enjoy mom being home!
Take care!

homemaker
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10931: I really liked the Kardex thing - especially for the teachers I work with, we record how parents work or do not work with their children - I think I will pass this on to them. I really like NBBT! I have several parents who are in that category - unfortunately! Drug fried and have babies. . .poor babies!

oh well - my "kids" are doing great!

hm
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10932: Hey, Briscoe! I'm here! I guess most folks are busy this time of year, but just to cheer you up I'm leaving some homemade apple cider flavored with cinnamon sticks.... now don't go and swallow the sticks! We don't want them gettin stuck in your throat.... how will ya sing for us? I always need a little seranading at breakfast, you know, just to get me going. Will that jug make Christmas music? Well, if it doesn't, I guess we can just sip a little of the contents and commence to singing ourselves!
Floyd, you is a youngun!...compared to me that is! But, you still need too many candles on the cake! My family tried putting the right amount of candles on my cake a few years back and the icing started melting! Don't know if I should laugh or cry but I like laughing more so guess I will! lol
Nice to see you the rest of you, Tom, Charlotte, Boo, Mary, fun girl.... you are all welcome to have some of that hot apple cider before it gets cold... the West end of the porch is overcast today and really starting to feel chilly. Winter is approaching the Central Valley quickly now, haven't seen much sunshine for a while... Hubby has stacked all the wood on the porch now, so it's time for many a fire in the fireplace, hot holiday drinks, fuzzy slippers, and board games!
Hey to the rest of the porch: Possum, Mrs. Wiley, Mavis, Happy, Helen, Frankie, Ellen, Homemaker, Hazel, Romeena, Sterling, Asa, Salty Dog, NN, and anyone who hasn't come vistin the porch for a while.... "Don't be such a stranger." God's blessings on you all, ~Clara~


December 11, 2002 - Msg 10933: Hello Porch Family:
Had the day off because of ICE! So instead of going into work and bake, I stayed home and baked. (Some of the ideas were half baked!!!) teehee. The boss wasn't real happy, but better to stay put and safe than in the ditch. It is so pretty, just like a winter wonderland. Just hope that the wind doen't start blowing. Could make a awful mess of everything. Glad to see everyone still checkin' in once in a while. Happy belated Salty and Floyd. Sorry I missed the day. Gonna go and get the kids ready for a "quick" trip down the hill- they'll be going so fast, I hope they stop before hitting town!!! AAAWWWW to be a kid again! ~New Neighbor
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10934: Howdy, everybody! Clara, it's good to see you. Hey, Boo! Been missing you, too - sorry the vacation turned out to be, shall we say, less than you hoped for? It just happens that way sometimes, I guess. I remember one river-tubing vacation with my family, and one daughter got a really, really bad sunburn on the first day. Very uncomfortable, had to stay out of the sun completely, brother unsympathetic and teasing, it was awful. Like living with a big old grassburr.
Tom, your poem was lovely. Please keep them coming. We need those reminders, especially at this time of year when the commercialism of it all threatens to overwhelm us.
Homemaker, I'm glad the little goats are finally starting to arrive. Such cute little things! I really do envy you, with your country life, surrounded by animals and all. I grew up that way, loved every minute of it.
Sugarplum asked me to tell you all that she doesn't know why you're making such a fuss over a few white hairs. Her entire body is covered with white hair, and she's pretty proud of it! She said if you will all try real hard, maybe you can grow a crop like hers, and then you can be as beautiful as she is! Nothing vain about her, of course.
Have a great Mayberry evening, folks. Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena (Lanni)
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10935: Almost forgot! LOL, fun girl! Those white hairs growing on leftovers are pretty scary, especially when there are green blotches between the white hairs. (Yuck.) --Romeena
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10936: My daddy would say that those white and green patches was freshly grown pennicillin! Ha Ha Ha

hm
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10937: You should never grow your own pennicillin. Could be dangerous.
Hey Boo, sorry yer trip wasn't so fun. I just hate it when that happens. I remember a few years back throwing my back out the day before we were heading out to California. 12 hours driving with a bad back was horrible. Spent most of the week lounging by the pool. At least I had that and the ocean right next to us to enjoy looking at, not to mention some of them Southern California babes in their tiny little..... Whew, I lost track of how bad a time I was haning, didn't I? LOL
Good to see you N.N. You really need to stop in more often.
Thanks for fitting me in Mavis. Yer a doll and I'll take ya where ever ya wanna go for lunch.
Good to see you too Tom. I pray all is well for you.
And Homemaker with her goat stories. She can't be like the rest of us and tell fish stories, no, she has to bring goats into it.
The black and white TAGS start over again on tv land starting saturday. That will be nice.
Well, better go get some work done. Hugs to you all.

Asa
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10938: Hey to Boo. Sorry that trip was sort of a bummer. I'll bet that makes you extry glad to be back home though. Hey to New Neighbor and welcome to the world, homemaker's new kids! Ya'll have a Mayberry evening.
Charlotte Tucker
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10939: Evening porch! Not going to stay long, got the blues BAD tonight, keep me in your prayers to get this holiday over with & still have my sanity,
*Mavis
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10940: My computer is working again.
Now, don't get all over-emotional about it.
- Hazel
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10941: We was posting at the same time, Mavis. I'm sorry you've got the blues. Try to keep a good thought.
- Hazel
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10942: Oh, forgot to say, Asa, thank you for remembering my birthday.
- Hazel
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10943: Hazel!!! So glad to get the bugs ironed out of the computer. Now ya can have the ironin' board back for sleepin' Good to see ya again. Kinda makes the porch seem like old times. Asa- gettin' all spiffed up for the holidays. Homemaker- we just love them little goat kids. Haven't had too many of late, but they are just as cute as spots on a puppy! Their little lips---aaawwww, little hoofs, Hey, by the way, what is the most kids to one momma at one time? My nanny had 4!! It even made the newspapers here! The time before that, she had 3 kids! Kinds made me glad all I had to do was name them (if ya know what I mean!)~ New Neighbor
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10944: Romeena, where did your family do their tubing? The current 4 generations of our family go tubing every summer on the Current River in Van Burren, Missouri. "Missouri loves company" LOL! I think Grover Cleveland said that...or was it Mark Twain. Grover Cleveland didn't say ever thang ya know.
Happy holidays!
fun girl
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10945: It was Calvin Coolidge that said that, Fun Girl.
- Hazel
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10946: Thanks, Romeena. You're a dear. ~Clara~
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10947: Hey, fun girl! We did most of our tubing on the Frio River in southwest Texas, in the beautiful Hill Country. Any Texan can tell you where that is. There are several rivers in that area. The Guadalupe is the biggest, and runs more toward the southeast. It's wider and deeper in most places, but not as clear. The Frio, the Sabinal, and the Nueces run more north to south, and all have rocky beds, and are mostly spring fed. Therefore, they're cold, and crystal clear, especially the Frio. (Spanish for cold, of course.) In very dry times, they become little more than a trickle connecting one big puddle to another. However, after a rainy time, they often flood wildly, occasionally re-carve their banks, and throw up gravel bars in unexpected places. Then they settle down to run cold and clear for the summer, with just the right mix of rapids for excitement and deeper, slower stretches that make some great swimming holes. Lots of cypress trees, big boulders, clear springs trickling through ferns, little waterfalls - all just beautiful and made for fun. There are several campgrounds along the way, with everything from a bare patch of ground with an electrical outlet, to cabins that sleep eight and have a/c and complete kitchens, and all are reasonably priced. My family has had many a great vacation there. We would usually go first and leave last, sort of anchoring things for those who could only come and stay a day or two. We'd often stay ten days.
One year, we rode out a wild storm that dumped about ten inches of rain in a few hours. The power plant was flooded out and the whole area was without power, but we stayed anyway. The river flooded the next day, rose about ten feet, and we all grabbed our tubes and rode the flood, along with chicken coops, uprooted trees and an occasional very grumpy snake. A trip that normally takes about three hours, we made in twenty minutes. We were moving! Dangerous, I guess, but sure was fun! Good memories.

Sugarplum says hey! --Romeena
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10948: Hey guys, thanks for all the warm wishes for my birthday. And there were 27 candles on my cake. Good thing I'm a fire fighter aint it tee hee. Found one grey hair on Monday and just as soon as I can get to Wally World it will be taken care of by miss clairol #28. Thanks for the cake Mrs. Wiley but you are gonna have to do something with Asa, he ate all the black jelly beans. Good to see ya back again NN and Hazel too glad yer puters better we missed ya. Asa was gettin powerful rowdy without you around to keep him in line. Well I worked 8 hours today and I'm beat. Gonna go find the ironing board. Goodnight all and stay warm--Salty Dog
December 11, 2002 - Msg 10949: Whoops.. didn't see ya there, Hey to Romeena and to Sugaplum too--SD
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10950: Good grief, Romeena! I can't believe ya'll rode the Frio during a flood! Sounds like a blast. Going to Concan and tubing the Frio is one of my favorite things (since I was in grade school). Did you ever stay at Neal's Campground? I loved that big rope swing they had there. The last time I went, there had little rain and we had to get up and carry our tubes alot, but when the river is high, it's great. Thanks for stirring up some wonderful memories. Let me tell you a funny camping story. When I was a kid we had wire-haired terrier named Whiskers, and he was a very independant dog who like to go camping. One night while we were settled in for the night, a rowdy group set up camp next to us and proceeded to drink and play Tejano music until the early morning hours. We were not happy. The next morning while everyone in the noisy group was asleep, Whiskers walked over to the skillet they had sitting over their campfire, and relieved himself into the skillet. We never said a word about it as they were frying their bacon in dog urine later that morning. Isn't that terrible? shame on us!

Gotta go....

Boo
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10951: Right...Calvin Coolidge, not Grover Cleveland. I always get those two mixed up.
fun girl
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10952: Hey, Boo! Terrible? Gosh, no, I think it's a riot! Serves 'em right. Yes, we stayed at Neal's Campground some when I was a kid, and at Avant's, too. Remember that one? Little tiny tacky cabins up on the bluff near the crossing. My parents first took me to Avant's camp when I was six weeks old. Do you recall the two big rocks (I mean big!) that were out in the middle of the main swimming area at Neal's, just upriver from the crossing? Part of one jutted out of the water a bit, the other was underwater about a foot, when the river was at its best level. The two rocks were about three feet from each other, and mostly flat on the top. Well, anyway, that's where I learned to swim, dogpaddling from one rock to the other. For all I know, they may be under gravel by now. Our time at Neal's and Avant's was during the '40's, waaaaaay before your time. By the '50's, we had moved upriver a ways, toward Leakey, to River Haven, and later to River Bend. At both camps, those rowdy neighbors that your dog rewarded would have been escorted off the property. They were family-oriented campgrounds, and rude people like that would have received a refund and been shown the gate. In the late '70's, the 80's and early '90's, we went to River Bend every summer. Haven't been back since my husband passed away in '96. He was the foundation that many of our family activities were based upon, and things have never been the same. I guess that's just life. Anyway, we had a lot of fun on that river over the years, and I literally have a lifetime of memories of times spent there. No prettier place on this earth. My husband once said if he had to choose between a free trip to Las Vegas or paying for a trip to the Frio, he'd go to the river every time. So would I.
Isn't it remarkable, how small this world is at times? You know that De§, who posts now and then, is from the countryside northwest of San Antonio, and I'd bet she knows those rivers, too.
Well, it's late, and I'm tired. Been wrapping gifts, and still have a long way to go. At least they're all bought. Anyway, the Plum has growled her displeasure and trudged off to bed, so guess I'd better follow. Have a great day tomorrow, folks. Sugarplum says ho, ho, ho! --Romeena
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10953: hey, y'all~~
boy, lookit alla them familiar faces... an' plenty of other folks I ain't never seen b'fore, too. jes' sure pleasures me ta see this ol' Porch still up an' doin' its job-- kinda like Eagle Eye Annie, ya know.
jes' passin' through, friends... been up with th' miseries, think I might get on back to the ol' ironin' board an' try 'er agin.
~~love, Leon
(yep, it's me)

December 12, 2002 - Msg 10954: Mornin' Y'all! Have a great day!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10955: Good to see ya, Leon. Hope you got some good shuteye after you set a spell on the porch last night. Romeena, I can't believe you tubed on a flooding river either! What were you thinkin', girl? Glad you're here to tell about it! And Boo, I'd be ashamed! Good story though, I like it! Salty, did you do anything fun fer yer birthday? Good to see you too, New Neighbor and Hazel. Missed ya while your computer was ailin'. Got the Christmas shopping pretty much done yesterday. Think I'll do some wrapping today. Coffee's on. Everybody grab a cup! Speaking of De§, where is she?
Charlotte Tucker
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10956: Oh, morning possum! Didn't see you there crawling out from under your rock.
CT
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10957: Morning Porch,
Some fascinating reading about rivers, countryside, tubing, and dogs doing, well...you know! Put me to remembering one mean thing I did years ago for no good reason. My friends and I went to the Art Museum to spend an afternoon. We had lunch there, and for some dumb reason, someone decided to loosen the cap on the salt shaker for the next poor person to sit at our table. Then of course we "laid in wait" so to speak to see the result of our mischief. Shortly, an older gentleman came, all by himself to our former table. He set out his food and then he picked up the salt shaker. Oh, were we ready for a good laugh. Well, that wise old man screwed the cap right back on good and tight BEFORE shaking salt all over his lunch. We were sorely disappointed that our little plot had been spoiled. But wait, what was he doing? To our complete surprize, when he was done using the salt, he loosened that cap right back up again and left it there for the next unsuspecting customer! We never did stay around to see what the next people did! I still can't believe I would have done such a thing when I think back about it. Don't ever tell my kids 'cause as far as they know I NEVER did anything wrong!

Well, I hope one and all have a great Mayberry day and I left some nice hot french fries on the porch for you. (Don't forget to add some of the salt I left ya!)

Mary Wiggins
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10958: Sorry about them blues, Mavis. Try if you can to think of the true meaning of Christmas, if the aclu will let you. And if you need help, watch A Charlie Brown Christmas again. That recitation that Linus gives at the end is the best! Speaking of the true meaning of Christmas, have any of you with youngin's(or just young-at-heart) ever seen The Wiggles? They're a group of 4 guys from Australia who sing children's songs and dance and other wacky stuff. My daughter loves dancing to their songs and I have to say I like alot of their songs. They're alot less annoying than Barney and Elmo.
Anyway, we just recently bought their Christmas video(to add to my daughters already large collection of Wiggles tapes) and I was pleasantly surprised to see them sing "Angels we have heard on high" complete with a manger set, with kids playing Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and visitors. They use that setup with a couple other Christian-based songs too. I don't think you'd see that on Barney or Elmo's World or Sesame Street. So all the Christian's on this board(c'mon, I know there are some) who are looking for something to get that special child or grandchild who likes to dance and have fun: Yule Be Wiggling is the title. No, I'm not a spokesperson for The Wiggles or their subsidiaries, I just thought it was nice seeing a Children's group pay homage to the true meaning of Christmas on their Christmas tape, which I don't think you would see if they were from America because people are so paranoid about showing something that has to do with religion over here.
Boo, glad to see you are back. And I think your dog story was hilarious! There's nothing funnier than a ticked-off dog!
-Sterling Holobyte
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10959: Thanks for the fries, Mary Wiggins! Are you sure that's not sugar in the salt shaker? ;)
-Sterling Holobyte
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10960: Ha! That's funny. I can't believe that old guy loosened the lid on that salt shaker!

Yes, Romeena, I know the rocks you are talking about. The rope swing is near those rocks, in the same area. We camped at River Bend once or twice and enjoyed having our tent so near the water. I would get up in the morning and jump right in the water. It was great.

I used to go tubing in New Braunsfels (did I spell that right?) on the Guadalupe, also. That river is always deep and fast. Once when my sister and I were tubing in one of the slow deep parts of the river, we paseed an old tree limb hanging over the river and it was full of water mocasins. When we passed by, they all dropped into the water. We were on those tubes on our hands and knees for awhile!

Well, I better go do the many chores! Later, friends!

Boo
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10961: Sterling - my youngest got the Wiggles Christmas for his birthday and I was surprised by the selection too! And New Neighbor - we sold a bred goat this fall who kidded three this year (unfortunately one didn't make it) and we lost a doe who was trying to birth three humongous kids and we lost her and the kids. So right now - the two mommas have each had a boy and a girl. NN we raise boers which are meat goats. So the little bucks will end up being cabrito on someone's table. The little boy born this morning was as black as the ace of spades and had already tasted his milkies because it was dripping down his little black mouth. Just tooooo cute! I just love my goats! And Asa - you are just jealous!
Good to see so much activity on the porch this morning!
Stay toasty where-ever you are !

homemaker
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10962: Didn't see you there Boo - good morning!
hm
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10963: Morning Dears. Goodness such goins on here with all these true confession story's. Glad I never did any thing scampish like in my time. hee hee hee.
Hey Mavis, sorry yer not feeling to perky about the holidays this year. Your in my prayers sweetie. I know it has been a rough couple of months for you. Hang on and things will improve eventually.
Hey homemaker, being the "old goat" that I am yer dang right I'm jealous. LOL
Hope everyone has a splendid day. Nice to see you back with us Hazel and yiu too N.N. and Salty. Porch seems nice and full these days.
Howdy to C.T. and Boo and Mary and Happy and Clara and Romeena and Sugarplum and Fun Girl and Sterling and Briscoe and Possum and anyone else I might forget to say hi to.

Asa
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10964: Well speaking of mischief...I was pretty good until I went to boarding school. We had a shower room with a row of showers and some girls were known to snag people's robes when they were hung outside their shower. I did not participate in this part though. However someone did snag my robe and run and I had to streak to my room. (Boy was my face red.) But when I found out who did it, I took a 30 gallon trash can and filled it with water and another girl and I dragged it to the girl's door. She and her partner in crime thought we were tying their door shut and so just as we got the trash can leaned up against the door, the cohort yanked open the door and yelled, "We know what you are doing." Well obviously not!!! I didn't even get in trouble for it but I did behave myself from then on. Well kinda, I used to go into this same girl's room while she was in the shower and hide in her closet. As soon as she had her gown on she would open her closet and hang up her robe. I'd jump out and yell at her and she would scream at the top of her lungs. Worked everytime. Never seen a girl so jumpy in all my life. Even if I was in their every night, she screamed like I was Jack the Ripper. tee hee Wasn't I naughty?
Well what can I say, I'm just a....
fun girl
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10965: In case someone didn't understand the part about tying the door shut, people would take a pair of panty hose and tie them to one door and then tie the other end to the door across the hall and neither person could open the door. Quite ingenious, wouldn't you say?
f.g.
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10966: Fun Girl, you really are, aren't you?! (A fun girl I mean!)

Homemaker, your goats sound adorable! One of my cousins used to raise pigs and they were so cute when they were little. I think I would feel bad to eat something I got to know personally though!
And as for Asa being an old goat, I thought you might be an old ROOSTER crowing around like you do sometimes! JK!

Mary Wiggins
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10967: "JUDY,JUDY,JUDY"
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10968: Who said that?? Happy, is that you?? Fun Girl and Mary Wiggins! Great stories. So ornery!! I'll make a true confession too—since we're at it. Once when I was in college we used to go to this place called the Wharf. It was a student bar/short order place. There was this guy whom I didn't even know who just bugged me. I don't know what it was about him, he just bugged me. Later I found out he was a really nice guy, but at this time, I just didn't like him. So when some of my friends paid me a dollar to dump a little bucket of beer over his head, I did it! Can you believe I, Charlotte, would stoop so low?? I still can't believe I did it. That guy didn't even know me! I'll bet to this day he wonders what my problem was! Anyway, there I've said it and I ain't takin' it back. But I would never do such a thing today. I don't even drink beer anymore. Ya'll have a great evening. I wrapped Christmas presents and listened to music today. A nice relaxing day.
Charlotte Tucker
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10969: Boo, I'm glad those old rocks are still there. They were under gravel at one time, a few years back, but I guess another flood dug them back out. They're so big, I'd hate to see the flood that could move them. I remember the rope swing, too, went off of it a few times myself! Remember the rope swing at River Bend? The water was pretty deep there below that swing, at least for a few years, and once I went off the swing with sunglasses on, and of course I lost them. Everybody stayed still for a minute and let the ripples settle, and sure enough, there were my glasses on the bottom, in about eight feet of water, and you could see them as plain as day. My son went down and got them for me. There's no clearer river anywhere, I guess. Did you all ever go up to the crossing above River Bend and float back down? If so, do you remember the blue stretch at one of the bends, where the bottom is that light blue-gray clay instead of rocks? I always thought that was so pretty.
Sorry, folks, don't mean to bore the rest of you, but I'm just so pleased that both Boo and I have experienced the same beautiful river, and it's fun to reminisce.
I'm really looking forward to TVLand starting over on TAGS. That means we'll be getting the Christmas Story at about the right time. Goody, goody! It's one of my favorites. The expression on old Ben's face when Barney appears as Santa is priceless, and when he joins in the singing of "Away in a Manger", I just puddle up every time! Sugarplum says ho, ho, ho! --Romeena
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10970: Hey Ro, you ain't boring us. I could listen to your stories for hours. Makes me feel like I'm right there with ya.
Speaking of stories, did I ever tell you the time I was in college? I used to hang out in this little grill type place, (can't remember the name now) and there was this girl who hung out there all the time that I just thought was a hottie. Well, one day, out of nowhere she comes over to me with this evil kinda grin on her face, and I'm thinking to myself, self, SCORE, and instead she proceeds to dump this beer all over me! Can you just imagine that? I said to myself, self ( I use to call me that a lot back in those days) this relationship ain't going in what you would call a positive direction. Perhaps you should cast your net upon other waters. So I did. I often wonder what became of that woman.

Asa
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10971: Here's my "bad thing I did in college" story: Some of us girls did a reverse panty raid on some of the guys! Yep,we stole 'em,strung 'em up,and hung them all around campus with the guy's name that we stole them from on 'em! About a week later,there was a knock on my door.I opened the door only to get a big SPLAT! The guys were getting their revenge and I was the target of a water balloon-right in my face! Suddenly the hall filled with guys,screaming girls,fire extinguishers were shooting foam everywhere-total chaos! I think we called it even after that!Lucky that none of us got in trouble(never got caught)!
Let's hear more of these "confessions"-this is kinda fun!I'm still laughing at Asa!
Y'all have a good evening!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10972: I want it known that I did not say that Asa was an old goat - may have thunk it - but I didn't say it!
I went to a small private Christian collegee and about the worst thing we did there was to sneak up on the deaf girl who lived on our floor while she was in the shower. We would take a camera that had no film,(we weren't perverted just ornery) just a good flash, and pretend to take a picture of her in the shower. We would hold it over the shower door just so she would see the flash. Talk about her screaming! It was a hoot. She would come out madder than a wet hen, all wrapped up in her towel, talk about hands flying. It sure was fun because we could always sneak up on her! So it was a joke that was repeated a few times!

homemaker
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10973: Asa, That's a good story. But you'd know better now, wouldn't ya? I'll bet if she was to come up to you today with a mug of beer, you's bite off the bottom and suck the beer out and hand her back the glass, that's what you'd do!

Am I right?
~ Mrs. Wiley

December 12, 2002 - Msg 10974: I wish somebody would dump some beer over my head. I haven't had my dinner yet.
- Hazel
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10975: Oh Hazel...Your a nut!
fun girl
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10976: Asa, I hope that wasn't you I dumped the beer on. Although I really doubt that you'd have thought I was a hottie in college! LOL.
CT
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10977: Happy Birthday (saw north) Hazel and if I had any beer I would gladly give it to you to do whatever you want with it! I have heard it is good to put in your hair, but don't think I would want my hair smelling like a beer barrel?
Possum hope you are doing well and feeling fine.
Homemaker I am glad your kids are here now, I bet they are sooo cute! Now, shame, shame, shame!!! That poor deaf girl! Bet she ain't taken a shower since!!! (tee hee);o)
Mavis Hope you got rid of the blues, is it Christmas that has given you the blues? I ain't having Christmas this year, family is all gone out of town and anyway, heard that the soda company Coke had an artist that came up with Santa Claus as we know him now (was on Discovery Channel) and also was told that Jesus was not born in December, that it was in the Summer so I decided not to have Christmas.
Hello to all on the porch, I ain't as good as the Brisco at mentioning all the names but will try to get better at it!

Happy

December 12, 2002 - Msg 10978: Happy it ain't Christmas itself, it's family, out-laws, ex out-laws, work, & the stress that I have been under since my ex was shot back in Oct. it is all falling on me at once I am just about at the end of my rope with it all. Long story, but my son has had to be disappointed ONCE again! because of something I can't control or fix! He doesn't get to spend Christmas with his dad like he has been looking forward to for so long & I have to be the bad guy & tell him! His grandmother doesn't think she can take care of him & his dad too! He is 14 for crying out loud, he can pretty much take care of himself, I mean it's not like she has to change diapers or keep a toddler out of mischief! Just burns me up!! Gotta go & try not to dwell on it, got high blood pressure as it is!
*Mavis
December 12, 2002 - Msg 10979: Here is a queston I would like to ask?
Ted Turner took and colorized all the black-n-white
episodes of Gilligans Island!How would you feel if TVLAND
took and colorized the black-n-white episodes of TAGS?
At least the Christmas tree would look extra pretty in the Courthouse!
Brian
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10980: No way! There is just something about the black and white episodes that makes them special. Can't really explain it but they just feel good. The ones in color don't. Just my opinion.

Romeena, I don't remember the blue river bottom. It's been a very long time since I was at River Bend. I do remember the crystal clear water and the smell of the river! Impossible to describe, isn't it?

I was too busy in college to get into any mischief. Nursing school was murder. I did however get into mischief when I started working at the hospital. Lot's of it. Too many stories to tell! I will tell you about one little funny thing we used to do to make the patients laugh. My friend, Gloria had this little rubber eyeball and when (and if) we got to go to lunch or take a break, we would give the eyeball to the nurse who would be watching our patient for us. That nurse would take the eyeball into the patient's room and put it on the patient's pregnant belly and say, "Your nurse went to lunch and she asked me to keep an eye on you.". Get it?? Not hilarious but funny. Oh, I have to tell you about the one I used to pull on the new nurses who came to work in labor and delivery. I would say to them, "Did you hear about the baby that was born today who didn't have any eyelids?" and they would say, "No, that's terrible.", and I would tell them, "Yes, but they had a plastic surgeon come in to look at the baby to see if anything could be done and he said he could fix the eyelids by circumcising the baby and using the skin from the circumcision to make eyelids for the baby.". The new nurse would always say, "Wow, I hope it works.". to which I would reply, "It should but they say he might be a little co-k eyed."(you have to fill in the blank). Sorry, folks, I couldn't help myself!

Boo
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10981: I'm sorry, I shouldn't have told ya'll that story . It is pretty tacky. Forgive me.

Boo
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10982: Now you've said something I agree with, Boo.
- Hazel
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10983: Hi Brian, Don't see you on this porch as much as on the old one. Hope you have happy holidays with your family. I agree with Boo. No color for the old TAGS! I still hate to watch those new ones with those ugly green courthouse walls. I never would've guess the walls were that awful color. I'm going to chant, "We love black and white. We love black and white!" There, there's my two cents.
Charlotte Tucker
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10984: Well Brian, I think they should have them both ways. Maybe have the black and white episodes on one channel and the colorized versions on another channel. I'd kind of like to see them, just for a change of pace. Then when the original black and white episodes change to the newer color episodes that no one likes around here, they can take the color out of those and make them black and white. Charlotte and Boo, what do you think about that? Do you think you would like the color episodes better if they changed them to black and white?
-Sterling Holobyte
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10985: I don't know, I think I like the black and whites better too. Not just for the content either, although that is a big part of it. I think if you look at black and white photos of people, quite often they look better than a color shot of the same person in the same pose. (Wonder what causes that?) I just love A Wonderful Life in black and white, but it's not as sentimental in the colorized version! But I do have to say, I love the world that God has made in full living color
Well, that's all for now porch ((((hugs to all)))
Mary Wiggins
I'm getting a little carried away with this font color aren't I!? LOL
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10986: My sister played a trick on a new nurse who came to work at the hospital. She asked it there was anything she could do and so they told her to fill the drinking fountain. They explained to her that the drinking fountain was filled up by pouring cups of water in the drain and then the fountain cooled it off and that's how we get water from a fountain. So, this girl went to work pouring water down the drain in the fountain. Now this was a grown woman with a nursing degree and there she stood filling the drinking fountain. Now you tell me, should I be afraid to go into the hospital if the doc tells me I have to go with a spinal fussion. I hope I don't get her for a nurse. I am off to the doctor now. Will report back later. (roger wilco over and out...10-4 and all that other stuff Barney would say.)
fun girl
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10987: Good luck with the Dr.'s Fun Girl. Thats kind of a scary story about that nurse trying to fill up the fountain. Hope she never gives me no emmana! YIKES!!!
Mary, you are so colorful today. So are you Boo. LOL
So Charlotte, you don't think that was you that dumped your beer on me? Sounds mighty curious to me.
Mavis and Happy, you must get in the Christmas spirit rat now or I shall commence to start singing carols at you! You got it? Don't make me sing.
Prayers for all who need them. Especially homemaker, the little scamp has some serious repenting to do! LOL (jk homemaker)

Asa
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10988: Thanks for the answers to msg:10979 keep them coming!
I will say this! There was a diffrence in the TAGS.series
when it went to color.Although, I myself don't think
the fact that is was filmed in color played all that huge
of a roll in making it diffrent!In other words if
you turned the color off during a color episode,
it most likely would not seem like 1 of the orignal btw!
Now I've seen the colorized versions of Gilligans Island
and found out that they were enjoyable to me either way!
But I will also say, when that show went to color the style
of the show(writting,characters,settings,etc..) never really changed!
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10989: Hey, I just realised today is Friday the 13th. Good thing we ain't superstitious around here huh?

Asa
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10990: Not at all, Mary Wiggins!I love your amazing technicolor dream...words. They really brighten up this here porch!
-Sterling Holobyte
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10991: Asa - you were right . . .on the just kidding part - three more today - two girls and a boy. . .and one of the little girls is solid black (Ebonee - her momma is Rubee). No names for the boys - we have a little girl named Ripple (her momma is Fudge - get it Fudge Ripple!) and the other is named Crystal after Frosty the Snowman's wife - my little boy insisted. My husband doesn't want me to name the little boys because they will be sold and the attachment too great!
Happy Friday the 13th - it's snowing here!

homemaker
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10992: Oh yeah - last year Fudge had Fudge's Ala Mode (Ali) - it is fun to creative with the names.

hm
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10993: Hello all! Happy, I forget names too. I hate when I do that, I don't wanna leave anyone out. Hey ~Clara~, I'll jug "Silent Night" for you all. Enjoy.

Briscoe Darling Jr.(Dave)
Hey ta':
Fun Girl
homemaker
Asa
CT
Hazel
Happy
~Clara~
Sterling
Mary Wiggins
Possum
Boo
An' everyone!
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10994: The twelve Mayberry Days before Christmas(it's a stretch. But, here it goes.

"On the----day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.......

12. Canning Jars.
11. Episodes Of TAGS.
10. Haircuts from Floyd.
9. Pounds of tough beef.
8. Quarts of pickles.
7. Giggles from Earnest T.
6. Jugs from Junior.
5. On the back of Barney's watch.
4. Yeah boy's from Andy.
3. Chair shop for Floyd.
2. Fun Girls.
1. Giant hug from Junior.

Maybe, someone will come up with a better one.

Briscoe Darling Jr.(Dave)
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10995: Well folks, this fun girl just got back from Mt. Pilot and the news ain't too good. This time next week I will be recooperating from spinal fussion surgery. We are changing our primary care physician after the first of the year and moving to another medical network, but hubby was so impressed with the ortho doc today he asked if we could have the surgery done before we change networks, so the date is set for Thursday. Luckily I have all my preparations for Christmas done, so I won't have to worry about that. Prayers will be appreciated. I think this doctor is a pretty good guy and I have heard nothing but good things about him.

We are expecting 2-4 inches of the white stuff tonight. I for one am staying off the roads until the salt and sand trucks have had a chance to make their rounds.

Kinda tired with all the excitement today, so I think I'll hit the ironing board.
goodnight,
fun girl
December 13, 2002 - Msg 10996: Well folks, this fun girl just got back from Mt. Pilot and the news ain't too good. This time next week I will be recooperating from spinal fussion surgery. We are changing our primary care physician after the first of the year and moving to another medical network, but hubby was so impressed with the ortho doc today he asked if we could have the surgery done before we change networks, so the date is set for Thursday. Luckily I have all my preparations for Christmas done, so I won't have to worry about that. Prayers will be appreciated. I think this doctor is a pretty good guy and I have heard nothing but good things about him.

We are expecting 2-4 inches of the white stuff tonight. I for one am staying off the roads until the salt and sand trucks have had a chance to make their rounds.

Kinda tired with all the excitement today, so I think I'll hit the ironing board.
goodnight,
fun girl