December 22, 2003 - Msg 17976: Mr. Darlins Cuz you are a bird in this world!..could you or one of the ladys on the porch make some sweet tea for supper?..and does anybody have a couple of heads of cabage? .if so, slaw would go good with the Lobsters at supper time..and YES I think we will have a porch in Heaven..if in doubt lets carry a few tools and lumber and build one when we get there!...signed: Spot the "Gona build a mayberry porch in Heaven" dog of the porch ..
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17977: Fungirl, isnt there an episode where Opie comes into the courthouse and has on 2 different socks? When Andy questions him about them, he says something like, "I have another pair just like them at home!" (teehee)(per your shoe story)
MDC
(as Christmas day nears, I will be afk, so let me say now, it has been nice joining this little group, and i hope I can continue inputting for a long time! Merry Christmas and Happy Hanakkah to all porchsters)
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17978: One more thing, if you missed my 17975 post,
it's the last one of the 12-22-03 archive.
Have a Blessed and Happy Christmas. Keep our men and women in your prayers. You are in mine!
MDC
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17979: Hey yall today is my birthday 12/22/59........44 today!..and guess what ..the old power company was generous on the Christmas bonus today 800$ ..wow....happy b-day to me!..signed: Spot the "birthday dog" of the porch!!
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17980: Asa, the Plum has been acting a little moony too. Lots of sighing, and occasionally the sigh is a little drawn out, and sounds like "Ssssaaaammmmmmyyyyyy!" My stars, what have we done, letting those two meet? The Plum will be nine on the day after Christmas, and that's entirely too young for her to be falling in love.

Spot, I'll bring some slaw to go with the lobster. Mercy, I do love lobster. With melted butter and lots of lemon, please. Hush puppies are nice, too, but I'd rather have them with fried catfish. Lobster is better with a baked potato, in my opinion, but I'll take it any way I can get it. I feel the same way about crab legs. Don't know which I like best.

Well, gotta run. I've got two kinds of cookies to bake, and I think I'll make a big batch of Nuts & Bolts, or Scattermix, or whatever you want to call it. The cereal/nuts stuff, seasoned with melted butter, garlic salt and worcestershire (and a few other dynamite ingredients) and baked to a crispy, crunchy condition. Good!

Sugarplum says ho, ho, ho! --Romeena
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17981: LOBSTER IS READY!..baked potatos are done and lemon and melted butter ready!..bring yer bibs and dig in ..signed: Spot the "fresh sea food cooking" talking dog of the southern end of the porch
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17982: Spot, goodness gracious, that sounds gooooooood!!!

~De§~

December 22, 2003 - Msg 17983: pipeman where are you ?...MDC,Asa,fungirl, hazel,county nurse yall gona eat lobster? signed: Spot the "question asking dog" of this here porch!
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17984: Evenin' Y'all! I don't want any lobster,but I'll volunteer to make the sweet tea for y'all.I think I'll just have one of them baked taters!
Mr. Darling's Cuz,that was some Christmas tale! Made me chuckle out loud!
There's been reports of a man running around Mayberry with big shiny dangly Christmas earrings on- Take them things off Asa! You're making a spectacle of yourself! Ha Ha!
Who was it talking about the 20 month old baby that acts like a wildcat? I can sympathize- got me a 3 month old grandbaby who I think is gonna grow up to be a doctor or nurse or something,cause she's always trying to give me a tracheotomy with her bare hands! Don't let her get riled up-she'll about beat a hole in your throat with that little hand of hers! But,I can't hold it against her cause she's so dang cute!
Well,time for me to dig into that good hot baked potato and it ain't polite to talk with your mouth full,so that's gonna be all the chit chat from me tonight.Y'all have a good night!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17985: Happy Birthday SPOT!

Hey Porch,
I sure have been amused, amazed, and inspired reading all the posts of the last few days. Wonderful, wonderful things going on! Mayberry Girl, thanks so much for sharing your story with us! I have to say, I have been getting similar treatment this year also! God is soooo good. Yesterday at church, people were coming up bringing me plates of cookies, and I received an unexpected gift today from someone. It sure does make you realize how much God loves you, and I think that is always a good thing to realize. I also know this, He does not love me one bit more than anyone else on this porch, and I hope anyone who may be feeling a little down at this time will have the blessing of feeling God's love, rich, full and genuine in your life, even right now.

Oh, and Asa, I just thought I would let you know, I refinanced my house just so I could get you a decent present. I just couldn't bear the thought of not having a gift for you, when you went to all that trouble for all of us here on the porch. I hope you like what I got you!

Got to get back to my cookies now, I am baking candy bar cookies, and since they are such a favorite in my family and all my brothers are bachelors, I have to bake lots and lots of cookies! Next, chocolate chip, and after that, brownies! (If it doesn't contain chocolate...why bother?!)

Merry Wiggins
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17986: THANKS MERRY WIGGINS....and thanks for the sweet tea possum where ya been?..hey mary can i get on of those cookies?..pipeman are ya lost?..signed: Spot the"trying to find pipeman" dog of the porch
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17987: Hello everyone!! I have just started a forum! I invite all of you to come join. It is a generalized forum where you can talk about a variety of stuff. I am still working on the site so bare with me. Here is the site: http://pub124.ezboard.com/bthefriendlyporch

~*~mayberry girl
(this forum was not meant to take away any member of this site...i just thought a forum would be fun)
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17988: where is everybody?..signed: Spot the "missing people " dog of the porch..hey mayberry girl gona check it out right now..
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17989: mg how do you use the porch ez board site ?..spot the confused dog..
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17990: spot...first you gotta sign up at ezboard.com Once you have an account post something in my forum...that makes you a member.
December 22, 2003 - Msg 17991: ok I will try...spot..hey lets have a midnight snack....anybody got any ideas?..signed: Spot the "gona eat a snack" dog of the porch
December 23, 2003 - Msg 17992: Spot, I believe I'll let the lobster swim right on by. I never was big on seafood. Got any fishsticks? MDC, I don't live in Arizona anymore. I'm in Idaho now. But I was born in Phoenix, and then we moved to Chino Valley. And after that to Idaho.
- Hazel
December 23, 2003 - Msg 17993: I'm with you Hazel, I don't much cotton to eating them big overgrown bugs, which is pretty much what lobsters are, as far as I'm concerned.

I love your sign-offs Spot! They make me laugh!:)
-Sterling Holobyte
December 23, 2003 - Msg 17994: ok,ok so the lobster did not hit the spot with the whole porch..ha ha.look im going to the grocery store in the morning after I get off work what chall want me to pick up for supper tomorrow night?..signed: Spot the "taking request for supper for tue night" cook dog of the porch!
December 23, 2003 - Msg 17995: Spot, if there's any of that lobster left over (I'm glad some people don't like it), I'll take it. Cold lobster makes a seafood salad like you wouldn't believe. Sterling, you're right, they do look like giant bugs, but I just try not to think about that! They taste so good!!

Well, I got my scattermix made - enough for an army - and a big batch of cookies. Whooee, those cookies are good. The dough has butter, flour, eggs, brown sugar, oatmeal and crushed bran flakes in it. Then the good stuff goes in. Chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries, golden raisins, currants, chopped pecans and cashews, and chocolate chips. Oh yeah, they are some kind of good! Tomorrow I'll make Velveeta fudge and pecan sandies, and then I'm finished.

Well, I'm about worn out, so guess I'll turn in. Sugarplum says ho, ho, ho! --Romeena
December 23, 2003 - Msg 17996: Romeena I will get the lobster to ya [3 left] will get pipeman to bring them over in his refrigarated brown truck..hey Sugarplum..about quiting time here at the power company. hey gang yall want BBQ pork chops for supper? I"ll get some on the way home this morning..what else yall want..is anybody cooking breakfast? signed: Spot the "looking for a place to eat breakfast" cool pooch of the porch
December 23, 2003 - Msg 17997: the bright brown musical truck.is moving throughout the southwest delivering presents. if you have seen it please state where? oh the briar is lite and the driver singing, dashing thru the southwest. pipeman
December 23, 2003 - Msg 17998: I'll cook this morning, Spot. Grab a spoon! Do you want Raisen bran or Total? Whole wheat toast or... no toast? Pipeman, are you singing "Over the river and thru the woods, to Romeenas house we go"?
- Hazel

"Merry Christmas, Barney Parney Poo!"
December 23, 2003 - Msg 17999: close, hazel, sure hope none of our california porch was all shook up yesterday. fear not the brown truck is safe. be heading toward the northwest soon. stopped arizona, dallas/ ft worth last night. anyone spotted the truck yet? singing over the desert and thru the sky scrappers i go, ho! ho! pipeman
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18000: Good morning, everyone! I was up late last night baking cookies and wrapping presents and still have alot more to do. Whew!

What are everyone's plans for Christmas. Who's going out of town and who will you be spending the Christmas with? We will be at my house with my parents and my husband's mom and her husband, and my sister and bro-inlaw. I am cooking a ham and we will have lots of goodies. Its supposed to be almost cold (heehee) som maybe I will even put a fire in the fireplace. We are spending Christmas Day with my husband's Mom and then when we get home we will probably gather up the kids and go looking at Christmas lights.

Better go...lots to do on the day before Christmas Eve!

Boo
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18001: whose our brown truck tracker? just finished california & new mexico. onward brown christmas truck to idaho & utah we go singing all the way. just lite the christmas 1989 briar- oh what a bautifull season, help me out now, everyone sing. pipeman
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18002: Boo, hope you didn't get too tired last night and accidently start wrapping cookies and baking presents! Happened to me one year.
Not really.:)
We will be going to my Sister-in-laws on Christmas Eve and, per my Mother-in-laws orders, since she owns Christmas:), will uphold her(M-i-l) tradition of waiting until Midnight before we can open presents. And there is no bending of that rule, it has to be Midnight; not before nor after(well, who would want to wait any longer?!). No matter how tired you or your kids are. She even tried to keep my daughter up one year when she was sick(she was 1 years old at the time)! Well, I kind of shot a look at my wife, and she knew exactly what I was thinking, and she finally had the backbone to stand up to her Mother and say "let her sleep!"
That's one Christmas "tradition" I could do without. Do you get the idea I have some issues with that woman?:) I never had a problem with her before, and I never understood why people always talked about Mothers-in-law like they are over-bearing, controlling, manipulative monsters because she was never like that, ...until a few years ago. She must have read the manual and figured she was doing all wrong, you think?

Anyway, then on Christmas Day we will go to my Brothers house where we can open presents any danged time we feel like it!! ;)

-Sterling Holobyte

December 23, 2003 - Msg 18003: Hey gang...thanks for breakfast Hazel..pipeman be careful!..will put pork chops in the crock pot for yall tonight I want be back on the porch till tomorrow afternoon .got the Christmas party for the kids to do tonight.!..well please take care all ..signed: Spot the "hoping pipeman is warm and safe on his journey" dog of the Christmas porch
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18004: I'm back for one more pre-Christmas post, then it's "see ya all afterwards..."
Hazel, are you near Boise? We have friends there.
I think we will have to put some skis on the flying brown truck o' the dell!
Am heading to the folks in 'smalltown, AZ'
Good vittles, good people, 'n good music....... it just caint be beat! And that's just at church!
Home is where the heart is, and that fits this front porch group to a 'T'. Prayers for the California end of the porch! My cactus and palm trees are all lit up and shining bright as the days are actually getting LONGER once again! Yippee!
mr D's Cuz
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18005: spot happy belated birthday, your still a young pup to us. mdc= you are a great inspiration to us, i pray we all are on the porch for a long time before we're called home. heading toward the northern and middle porch, sure hated to leave idaho and utah such a beautifull place. up, up and away brown truck. even checking in with ole ben, he's just a softy at heart. pipeman
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18006: mdc== when i put the flying ski's on the brown truck she flew thru the northwest, thanks for your help. everyone be carefull taking trips over the holidays. prayers for one and all. the(it's beginning to look like christmas ) brown truck. santa get's cookies and milk, carrots and sugar for the reindeer, so far it's been awfully skimpy
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18007: oh no=== the little brown truck got ran over by a reindeer on his way to merry's house.there are hoof prints on the roof. could this end it's deliveries? remember keep the faith. pipeman
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18008: Hey pipeman, be careful and don't run over grandma like those pesky reindeer did a couple Christmas' ago.

Sterling---that's a big 10-4 on that mother-in-law situation. Had a mother-in-law like that, and a step mother too. MIL has gone to her "reward" and step mama run off with the preacher about 4 years back. (and that's no joke.) Do you reckon your MIL is was going through the change? They say that will make some women pretty cranky and hard to live with. I reckon I will continue to be my sweet, loving, thoughtful, considerate, and MODEST self. LOL


Happy Holidays and a whole mess O loving to you all.

a pretty special,
fun girl
December 23, 2003 - Msg 18009: Merry Christmas to you, too, Modest fun girl! And to every one else here on the porch.

I baked and baked and baked, and now, I have to bake some more! And, I had all the kidlets over while my brother wrapped their gifts! What a day this has been, and what a mess my house is. And tomorrow they will all be here, for the big shindig! What on earth am I doing here, relaxing for a spell on the porch! (Getting my bearings before I charge back in where angels fear to tread!)

Merry Christmas one and all!

Mary Wiggins
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18010: Hello all! Merry Christmas! Time fer: "12 Days Of Christmas". Here we go.

Briscoe Darling Jr.
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18011: Sterling, I'm intrigued by your MIL story. There had to be a trigger somewhere - wonder what it might have been. fun girl could be on the right track with her idea about "the change". Also, can you think of any major event that occurred around the time her behavior changed? Did someone close to her pass away? Odd that she'd settle on the time presents were to be opened as a sticking point, and to be so inflexible about it. Was that possibly important to someone who passed, and she felt that she had to continue it for their sake? Just wondering....

Mary Wiggins, sounds like it's about time to send someone to Sam's for some of their baked goodies, and for you to prop your feet up and rest for a while! It's Christmas for you too, you know.

Boo, tomorrow evening I'll be at my son's after church, along with his wife's family, who happen to be my good friends as well. Then Thursday I'll have dinner with them at DIL's parents' house. Friday my girls and the grandkids will come from Fredericksburg, and we'll treat Friday evening and Saturday like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. That way, all the other parents and grandparents get their time with the younger generation, and I get them for the weekend. It all works out pretty well. We started that when I often had to work on Christmas, so it benefitted everyone, and we still do it even when I don't work on Christmas, just because it works so well.

Well, guess I'll turn in. Sugarplum says ho, ho, ho! --Romeena


December 24, 2003 - Msg 18012: Oh, I think I just saw a brown truck going by overhead. It had skis instead of wheels, and someone was singing Christmas carols, and what's that I smell? Smells like pipe smoke! And there's a little parachute drifting down in my back yard, with a package hanging from it. Be right back....

Wow, it's a package of cold lobster meat! Whoohoo! Thanks, Spot! I'll make some seafood salad with this, and I just may not share it with anyone. I may keep it and eat it all myself, (teehee)with a little share for the Plum. Merry Christmas, everyone! --Romeena
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18013: Hello to all the wonderful people of Mayberry!
Have not been on the net for quite awhile, however
glad I took a peek now!Although it is far too late
(or early) to chat reading back over the archives
is almost as enjoyable.Hoping all is well with
"The Porch"! Great stories and banter in general
...as usual from my brief experience.Thanks again
ya'll for the kind words awile back and will be thinking of the kind people of Mayberry when I hit my knees. Pipeman,Salty Dog,Floyd,Fun Girl,Boo
Charlotte,Mary Wiggins and all ya'll
Happy Holidays!
SHOE
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18014: ho!ho! it's christmas exe, so as your packages are dropped off by the little brown truck-- remember no peeky, no shakey, no touchy. sleep tight all you sweet porchsters. on public tv last night they had this guy in a suit as part of concert. he sure had a cute version of 12 days of christmas,(brisco darling, jr)his girlfriend gave him the things and he sang beautifull 12 days after christmas, how he disposed of all the gifts, tried to justify it to her she wasn't buying it, so he broke up with her cause she couln't shop. pipeman
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18015: the brown truck just left mary's, it was trickey getting thru your area, whew, slee[ tight princess. truck is headed towards indiana, ky and then to the southern end of the porch before i go home for my long winter feast, i mean nap. on the road again that truck don't seem to like ditches very much.don't fear a;; presents are safe. how come the only song i can get on the radio is santa baby? pipeman needs a song like that i'm delivering presents too. merry christmas to all, be carefull we love you. pipeman BRISCO DARLING, JR. THE PREVIOUS POST WAS IN RESPONSE TO YOUR REQUEST TO SING 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS, DON'T WANT TO GET YOU IN TROUBLE. AFTER I READ IT IT SOUNDED LIKE YOU WERE SINGING TO YOUR GIRLFRIEND. PIPEMAN
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18016: It's CHRISTMAS EVE Porch! Asa, I hope you like Sworvski Crystal... Today will be baking day all day. Having my MIL in for her first meal with us tomorrow. Hope I impress. Good thing I have the porch parties to practice on. She also is one of those MIL's who can't behave. That would have nothing to do with her age though, I'm told she was always like that. This one ruined her childrens credit before they were old enough to do it for themselves!!

Y'all are the Cats, you know that? Hope EVERYONE has a blessed and joyous Christmas! This place means so much to us all, don't know what I'd do without 'cha. I'm so thankful to Floyd for his work all year. (PRINCE) Hope all the porch gets their fondest wishes and keep watching for those miracles. He is so good to us on His Birthday!

~ Mrs. Wiley

December 24, 2003 - Msg 18017: Amen Mrs. Wiley. Amen.

Asa
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18018: Ohhh Wheeee what a mess of lovin on this porch today. Merry Christmas to everyone here. I hope you all have a good time with your families. Stay warm and safe. I gotta work a few hours then off to my moms tonight. Take care and at some point in all the festivities take a minute to remember the real reason for the holidays. I love each and every one of you and thank God for you all. --Salty Q Dog
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18019: Merry Christmas to all my Porch pals. May you have a loving, blessed holiday season.

~De§~
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18020: shoe== it sure is good to hear from your soul. i had to leave your presents around back- did you find them? asa== thanks for your hospitality when the brown truck stopped by, wish i had caught sterling too, maybe next time. mrs wiley i'm sure mil will be happy with your great cooking because we are on the porch. if she gives you any lip, smile on her way home slip a case of aunt bea's pickles in her car. tee-hee spot up and at them, i'm on my way.the(gonna need a complete over haul and rest once this night is over) pipeman asa- would you say the brown truck will pass check point chickie? have a great one porchsters
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18021: Romeena, I don't really know when there was a change in her, maybe it was always there, but I'm thinking maybe I just noticed it more when we moved to the same town she lived in. And over there it was EVERY holiday she had to control. Not just Christmas. We've moved back to Wisconsin, so it's not as big an issue, luckily.

But, It's Christmas Eve morning(does that make sense?) and I don't want to muck up the porch with negative thoughts, so I'll quit talking about it.
I'd just like to wish all of you and yours a Blessed, safe, calm;) Christmas!
And I hope you all have snow for a white Christmas! Even you people in Texas and California. Not a blizzard, mind you -- although I personally wouldn't mind one here -- but a nice soft snowfall with big puffy snowflakes.
Merry Christmas!
-Sterling Holobyte
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18022: Sterling Holobyte, bless your heart. Hang in there and we'll keep a good thought for you. (Loved your "read the manual" comment.)

~De§~
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18023: Merry Christmas, Sweeties! Love ya ALL!

Boo
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18024: Thanks for the birthday wish pipeman..Ro glad ya got yet lobster meat that pipeman is a pip ! be careful pipeman ,hey asa ,fg,hazel,Boo,mrs wiley,mary W.BDJ,SHOE,sterling,and all..ate big at mom and dads today ..grandmother was there 93 and a half years young !great mind and my kids Andy 12 [named after andy griffith,for real] and Kelsey 5 just love her to death..well got to work till 10 tonight.[somebody had to run the power company] but holiday money is great..well lets eat left overs tonight complaments of my wonderful Mom!.turkey and ham ,butter beans,slaw,sweet potatoes,cream corn,mac-n-cheese,green beans,cant remember everthing [you can tell we are in the south huh].and sweet tea ..fix ya a plate and toss it in the microwave anytime!..signed: Spot the [full as a tic with southern cooking] dog of the Christmas eve porch !..ruff-ruff
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18025: From Mom and Pop's this here cuz dittos Boo's message! See ya all on the flip side o' Christmas!
Ain't Jesus grand!? Has the brown truck landed?
MDCuz

December 24, 2003 - Msg 18026: Evenin' Y'all. Got a little something nice for everyone.I don't know how to link to it (I'm not ept) but just type in the following: http://www.nervousnelly.net/nn/nn51.html

Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth.Love to all!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18027: Went to the web link possum...neat...Peace to all..Merry Christmas..signed: Spot the "saying peace to all and God bless the kids" dog of the porch.!
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18028: sleep tight and thank jesus that this path on earth is so good because of each one of you, thanks. spot==just left your areaheading to carolinia and florida and back to the middle porch. just had to let spots grandmother take the brown truck for a spin. nascar ain't got nothing on her.beautifull lady. look up county nurse. i'll be dropping yours off soon. boo, dess ,salty q , and everyone send my love and prayers. the pipeman
December 24, 2003 - Msg 18029: THANKS PIPEMAN...my young-uns saw the blur of smoke go by ..they will love the gifts!..and grandma wants to drive the bakerey truck now..!she wants to know if yer a single man pipeman..you twang her buds!!well back to the egg nog [tee-tee]..signed: Spot the "egg nog sipping got a romanic 93 yr. young grandma" snow dog of the porch!!ruff-ruff
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18030: It's officially after midnight... MERRY CHRISTMAS PORCH!!--SQD
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18031: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL... SQD== ARE YOU SNEAKING A PEAK AT YOUR PRESENTS? spot== sorry grandma but i've been married a long time, your as pretty as a movie star though.well the ole brown truck is finally parked in the garage, and now is the time to put on my kerchief and join star trek for a good nights sleep. the end of a long fub trip. pipeman
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18032: merry christmas mayberrians
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18033: "Heap on the wood! - the wind is chill; But let it whistle as it will, we'll keep our Christmas merry still."
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18034: I've got a Christmas Merry Still too.
I keep it out back by the flowers. (Don't tell Barney)
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18035: Merry Christmas Porch!
jennieboone
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18036: A well deserved rest pipeman..I"ll break the news to grandma [ha ha]..Merry Christmas to all on the Greatest Porch on the earth..I"m here keeping all the good people of Ga."s power on today..get off at 7 and then more presents at the house !hey jennie boone! fg, asa,possum,hazel, mrs wiley,mary wiggins,MDs cuz,BD jr,sterling,Ro, Boo, shoe,sugarplum,mayberry girl..Merry Christmas to all and to all a great day!..signed: Spot the "having a great Jesus Birthday" dog of the southern end of the porch
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18037:

I don't know if this has been posted here before but I haven't seen it. I got it from an old Porch friend a little while ago and wanted to share it. What better day than Christmas?

Just Checking In

A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his xhead,
Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,
each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?"

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.

"I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM
CHECKING IN TODAY."

The minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime.

Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks."
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I
THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand
why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
up and with a winsome smile;
"the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that in here all the while everyday at noon

He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down,
takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS
CHECKING IN TODAY."

~De§~
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18038: Just wanted to stop by and say that I hope everyone had a good Christmas day. It's been a long time since I came here on a regular basis, but I'll try and make it here more. Merry Christmas, Porch.

Emmett
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18039: emmett-- i know how hard it is to keep up and your in our prayers. star trek and i have a bad cold, yesterday we went to our oldest daughters, too many had colds and flu. we haven't opened a gift yet, but jesus and each other is more than whatisdeserved. lol. pipeman whose pipes are taking a break.
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18040: Just hopped on the porch to say Merry Christmas and hope you all had a wonderful day.

I am full and sleepy (that turkey will do it every time). I had turkey and all the trimmings at mother-in-law's and ham at Mom's. Whoo-eee.

The kids had a great Christmas with lots of toys. Baby Girl got a pink tricycle (what she wanted from Santa) and I think my son got just about everything on his list. My living room still looks like a disaster and my Christmas tree is all dried up and dying. I think I will just rent a bulldozer and run it through the house tomorrow!

Gotta go play Life (the game) with my son. Later, friends!

Boo
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18041: I haven't visited and sat on the Porch in a month of Sundays. Hope everyone had a joyous Christmas. An "old Porch friend" reminded me that you guys are still a wonderful bunch. LOL
judyjudyjudy
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18042: That LOL was because of the "OLD..... Porch friend" crack. The Porch has ALWAYS been a joy.
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18043: Merry Christmas, friends! De§, thanks for posting that poem. I read it sometime back, too - don't remember if it was posted here, or perhaps you emailed it to me - anyway, it's beautiful. Thanks.

The "disaster" won't hit my house until tomorrow evening, as that's when my daughters and my grandkids from Fredericksburg will arrive, and we'll have a Christmassy weekend. Last night was lovely, with my son and his family and her parents and myself all in church, and then out to my son's home for the evening. Would you believe they had a seafood meal there for us, including -- yes, lobster! I loved it, of course. Today was another lovely day, spent at my DIL's parents' home - more good food and gentle fellowship. I do miss my dear husband, and my parents, but I am blessed nevertheless.

Spot, was that you who got the power back on at my house around noon today? It went off for about half an hour - sweet potatoes bake rather slowly when there's no power, and a shower by candlelight was interesting, but Spot got right on it, and the power was back on in time to get my potatoes baked. A big thank-you to all those who work on holidays and keep the wheels of our lives turning smoothly.

Well, I think I'll turn in. Sugarplum says ho, ho, ho, and I repeat - Merry Christmas! --Romeena
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18044: Make that "A dear long-time friend." (I didn't get my britches caught on my own pitch fork that time, did I?)

~De§~
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18045: Hey, Romeena. We was postin' at the same time. You're quite welcome. That one made me cry. Love to the Plum!

~De§~
December 25, 2003 - Msg 18046: My brother gave me a Mayberry Christmas Ornament for my tree!!!
The food was good...no kerosene cucumbers this time, either!
Ernest T and I keep looking for our "mother-figure!" We may try looking in Kelsey's woods, Kelsey's crick and Kelsey's ocean......
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18047: Hope everyone had a joyous Christmas. Ours was especially good. On Monday my husband and I went shopping. We visited a furniture store looking for a new couch, which we still haven't ordered yet. But while we were there I saw this great print and said "If I were rich, I'd just buy that!" On Christmas day we drove to my husband's parents' house where he presented that lovely framed print to me. I was very surprised, especially since he drove many miles back to the store to get it the day after we had been there! I'm so very glad that things are going so much better for us! Thank you for all your prayers, dear porch friends!
Love and best wishes to ya'll!
Charlotte Tucker
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18048: star trek and i had a flu shot but been and still pretty sick. hey to judy, des don't tthat mess with your mind when you hit post anmd something different comes up? boo! when you bull doze the house it will increasethe value. advertize it as mess up your house and spoil the kids fun. tee= hee. well take my meds and off to bed. lol.pipeman i should say(the puny) pipeman
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18049: 'Mornin, Pipeman. It's like going out front to sit a spell in the rockin' chair, only to realize someone else had the same idea. It's comforting.

Hope you get to feeling better real soon.

~De§~
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18050: Good idea, pipeman! Hope you feel better soon.

Ro, it is so neat to be able to put names with faces when you talk about your daughters coming this weekend. Hope you have a wonderful time with them. When you mentioned being in church wanted to tell you about our Christmas Eve service. One of the men sat in a chair at the alter and read the Christmas story and he invited all the children to sit around him (mistake, in my opinion because there is no nursery for that service and all the little ones are present). Well, of course Baby Girl wanted to go up and it didn't take long until she was trying to run back and forth and make a big disturbance so I picked her up to take her out and she really did make some noise! Raising two year olds is not for cowards.

Charlotte, how sweet of your husband to get you that print! Tell us more about it. What kind of print is it?

Well, think I'll start up the old bulldozer and get some work done.

Boo

(when in tarnation are they going to show the black and white eps on TVLand again. Anybody out there who can pull some strings??)
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18051: Dear Friends,
I have had a wonderful Christmas. Many memories of Grandpa who passed in July. I had written a poem the day he died and my brother read it at the funeral. Well, Christmas Eve he presented everyone a picture of Grandpa in a frame with my poem printed beside it. Everyone was teary. Then my step-dad gave brother a fishing pole that had been grandpa's. And an aunt gave step-dad an old Indian Head penny that had been grandpa's. (sniff-sniff)

Got many good gifts, but one of the best was a visit from a dear friend from college. (the David we have been praying for) He was always like a little brother to me and as his mom and brother and dad are all dead, I invited him to spend Christmas with us. He stopped on the way to spend a little time with his grandma who has alzheimer's and said she was in wonderful spirits and was coherent and everything. He said that was the best present the could ask for.

God is good and the family has grown this year. It was little Rosa's first Christmas and as my father would say, she made out like a fat rat! He will be over today and we are doing the gift thing here with him. Having camrel fondue. YUM!
Ro, tell me some good things that are simple to make and would be allowed on the diabetic exchange diet. NO I am not diabetic, but the doc is trying me on that diet just to see if I can drop some pounds. (I realize that fondue does not fit into that category.) I am doing really well for the most part, but I hate to cook. I have never eaten so many veggies in my whole life. There aren't many I like, so it's a chore. Giving up soda has been the hardest as I can not use Nutra-Sweet. Makes it hard for me to breathe.

Well, gotta go check the fondue. Love and hugs to all.
fun girl

Been one year exactly today since I came home from the hospital from the fusion surgery. Never dreamed I would ever feel this good again. God is good.
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18052: Hope that fat rat comment was not inappropriate. I am not really sure what it means. Guess maybe like a pack rat?
fun girl
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18053: up for meds and something for my strengh thought i'd check in. i think we got it at chruch last weekend, everyone was coughing and sneezing even the organist so i pulled my hanky out and blew my nose, thought that was some new part of the program, i guess the lord didn't think i was funny for he let us a good dose of it. thanks for the prayers and kind words. pipeman
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18054: fun girl== i love those kind of stories. if you wanted to share your poem we would love it. i always told our kids when a special person passes on they have so much love they want to make room for a new family member. i have lost all except one aunt and 1uncle older than me. boo== i could pull strings just not that high up. got a good new years resolution for you;; if they don't pick up after themselves (don't make me get the bull dozer out. charlotte tucker== that was a present you'd never take a million bucks for. us guys have our difficult times too, just remember the greatest ladies are the ones who are patient for once we got it we got it. dess=== it's so comforting to know the porch is always there. i look forward to the new year when things slow down and the porch can be full of good times and the empty chairs like banjo jerry, sterling, county nurse, asa, and the list goes on- sure is quite when we're not picking on everyone and those meals. pipeman
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18055: Thanks Romeena for thinking about us folks in the utility business , when ya think about it someone has to woek and keep power on ..Hope all is well on the porch, Had a great Christmas , got to have a box burning over at the dog house!.yall come and bring marsh mellows!..whos got left overs for supper tonight? I"ll bring the tea and slaw..signed: Spot the "Keeping folks power on" dog of the wonderful porch ..
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18056: Just a few things to explain that are mentioned in the poem, the I'll cut loose.
Grandpa was known to many game wardens in southern Missouri as the Old Fisherman. (Lord, that man loved to fish.) Lahr Lake is where my mom and step dad (Bill) live. Grandpa loved to fish there and one day I remember Mom had fried up a mess of fish and he was sitting at the table and he sighed real big and said, "Ambrosia" and I looked up and he had grease from ear to ear and the most mischevious smile on his face, like he'd gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Grown men would go up and ask if he was Mr Hix and once they even did a rush job on a t.v. repair cause on of the repairmen recognized Grandpa as the man who had fixed his bike when he was a kid. Corky is a parakeet and he didn't learn much else, but constantly repeated "Where's Harvey?" Current River is where the family goes tubing every year in July/August. "Because He Lives" was Grandpa's favorite song. The rest is self explanatory.

The old fisherman had fallen asleep.
The fish of Missouri breathe a sigh of relief.
"Ambrosia" he said of a Lahr Lake blue gill.
His smile said it was worth,
The climb back up the hill.

The stories of his life we treasure as gold.
Especially of Bill jumping in the water,
In his last dry set of clothes,
To capture a renagade fishing pole.

A man who repaired bicycles for children,
And as those children aged,
They remembered the kindness of Mr. Hix.
We'll remember him all of our days.

A man who loved a bird
And the bird loved him too
Now when Corky asks, "Where's Harvey?"
What's poor Grandma to do?

The Current River was the summer gathering place,
And Grandma and Grandpa Hix kept up with the pace.
And now as we float down, we'll all shed a tear,
For Grandpa won't be floating the Current this year.

But "Because He Lives", we will see
The old fisherman again.
He is just sleeping until his Savior returns for him.
Then once more he will cast his line and reel 'em in.

We were so blessed to have him
With us for so long.
But now he sleeps in Jesus
Til Jesus comes to take him home.

That's it!
Love Ya'll!
fun girl

December 26, 2003 - Msg 18057: Merry Christmas Porch!! I know I'm a day late & probably a dollar short, but I'm here anyways. We spent all day driving around yesterday from one house to another & I didn't much feel like doing anything but going to bed when I got home. I am finally getting some well deserved rest, the holidays are the busiest time for puppy groomers & I'm telling you I am worn out!
Hope everyone had a great day & that everyone is in good health & spirits. I'm gonna hit the bathtub & then the ironing board for a while.
Love all you guys!!
*Mavis
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18058: I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I got several Andy Griffith's DVD's. I'll keep those until my VCR tapes give out. I also got a Barney Fife throw, an Andy Griffith t-shirt, a black and white Andy Griffith calendar, and The Way Back Home to Mayberry book. What a Christmas!!!

Oh by the way-nabs are those square, orange crackers with peanutbutter that you buy at the store. I think the Lance co. makes them. Drink a Pepsi and eat a pack of nabs. Has any body ever heard of that. Maybe it's just a NC thing.

It sure looks empty under the Christmas tree. Kinda sad.

County Nurse
Stem NC
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18059: Yes, kind of sad, County Nurse. I noticed that when I went outside tonight and there aren't many Christmas lights on tonight. I felt energetic and have already taken down and put away all the Christmas decoration. They only make me feel sad once Christmas is over. Oh well, a year goes by very fast.

I think I will retire to the couch for awhile. For some silly reason, I seem to have an earache (of all things, at my age!). Any advice or home remedies for ear aches?

B00
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18060: Why Fun Girl, that plum made me cry. You are GOOD! What a lovely tribute.

Ro, when you say Fredricksburg....... Where? My bro lives in Fredricksburg, VA. Curious minds....
Pipeman, thanks for the howdy. Can't believe it's been so long since I've been here. See some faces (*S*) I remember and some new ones. I'm an oldy, (De§) but oldy. (Didn't say goody on poipose) Glad to hear so many beautiful Christmas experiences. I lost a lot of my family this past year and I miss them, but hope to see them again.

JudyJudyJudy
December 26, 2003 - Msg 18061: Better late than never but MERRY CHRISTMAS to all of you on the porch.We had a heavy snow fall here knock out the phone lines a few days back. Truth be told, they still aren't working too well and we got another foot or so on Christmas day. Oh well. Hope all of you are having a peaceful holiday. We just finished watching a Johnny Cash Tribute on CMC,2 1/2 hours. It was fantasic.

Take care,
auh2o
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18062: Boo, warm some olive oil and put a few drops in the ear that aches. Works wonders. FG, what a wonderful poem. Grandpa must have been a very special person.

Well, thye dinner party went off with only 1 minor glitch - was steaming squash
or so I thought - I never added the water!! MIL behaved, the champagne flowed, and all were well fed. Christmas has come and gone. I love it, but I'm always relieved when it's over.

Mavis, great to see ya! Hey to Des, auh2o,JUDYJUDYJUDY, County nurse, FG, Ro, Plumster, Asa and pipeman! Sorry I can't cook, I'm tuckered out!

~ Mrs. Wiley
Gomer: "Actually, what it is is we're POOPED!"

December 27, 2003 - Msg 18063: boo== don't operate any heavy equipment or sign any documents for 72 hours, then they want you to sign your release papers. i suppose if you don't sign they won't release you, if you do sign your not following doctors orders- we'll have to check with the nurses on that one. auh20== i think you got all the snow for the u.s, hope you had a berry, berry christmas. fun girl== thanks, it was beautifull.i,ll treasure it because it's the ordinary people doing extra ordinary things that keep this country going. hi mavis== long time no hear, glad your ok. star trek and i haven't opened a thing yet caught that flu, so we handed gifts thru door.the tree's nice and full, it must belong to star trek, i haven't been that good. mrs wiley get some rest remember the big new years bash. pipeman
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18064: spot=== can you get all the porch dogs, banjo jerry, brisco darling jr, mdc and the band together for new years eve wing ding. i have a special guest;;; harp dog and the bloodhounds singing songs like " once in a howling moon""? county nurse== when i was stationed at fort bragg, i've been known to induldge in a nab or two. get some weel deserved rest. if i missed anyone i say hey, lol. pipeman
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18065: if there still looking for their mars landing craft-- i;ll bet marvin the marsman is cruissing in it and don;t like any of the channels, pipeman
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18066: Pipeman is a PARTY ANIMAL. Even when he don't feel good, he's still ready to party. Go back to sleep Otis, no body said anything about a still. LOL
fun girl
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18067: Hey, friends. I have a sad note to insert here. I just had an email from Asa, in which he told me he had to put Sammy down last night, due to his serious illness. Asa is understandably very upset, and he asked me to let everyone know, saying he just didn't think he could say it right now. I sent him a copy of "Rainbow Bridge", and assured him that everyone will be thinking of him and his family right now. He said he is so sad he can hardly stand it, and I'm sure he is. He loved that little furkid very much, and most of us understand that very well.

Sorry, don't mean to be raining on anyone's fun, and I'll be back at another time, but I wanted to deliver Asa's message promptly.

Sugarplum says a sad hey! --Romeena
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18068: asa= you have our prayers and condolences. we have two 7 year old spayed and declawed males. we got them because couple had to go to nursing home. well i liked the black and white one and he was skiddish and only come out to eat and potty. but when he settled down he took up with star trek. called him hobo because he only came out for a handout. the yellow cat took to me so i guess that was the pecking order. he is stubborn hard headed but he loves me. all during this flu the weather was decent and he usually would spend the day outside, actually more in and out to check on me. he hasn't left my side other than a few bites, etc. so i know how these furkids become such a large part of our lives. i noticed on the bullitin board someone had to put an 18 year old cat down on dec 26 pipeman (sugarplum and ro) you could never rain on anyone's parade when it comes to a beloved porch member as asa. pipeman
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18069: when asa feels up to it he might want to check out the bullitin board. under sad end of holiday , they talk about loses of pets and some things they did to help with the grief. pipeman
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18070: Romeena, thanks for the info. Asa, if you are reading this, I am so sorry for your loss. Our pets are such special friends, and they leave such an empty place when they are gone. I'm sorry.
Sorry I haven't been around much. My husband got put in the hospital yesterday.
Please keep a good thought.
- Hazel
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18071: Praying for Asa. I know how much he loved Sammy.

fun girl
December 27, 2003 - Msg 18072: fdvcdvcvdddwwvvvvv m, mhn hn n nnnnnnnnnnnnnn ,m

this message was brought to you by rosa louise visger, age 5 months and her aunt fun girl.
December 28, 2003 - Msg 18073: HAZEL== SORRY ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND. HE WILL BE IN OUR PRAYERS AS WELL AS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. WHEN YOUR UP TO IT PLEASE KEEP US POSTED. fun girl== your 5 month old niece shows great porch promise. spot== are you snoozin? (the 60- 40 chance of coming back around soon) pipeman in a day or so i need to get the little brown truck decked out for new years eve party. pipeman.
December 28, 2003 - Msg 18074: Hey guys, Asa I'm so sorry about Sammy, I know how much you loved that little guy, you've lost more than a pet, you've lost a best friend. You are in my thoughts and prayers sweetie((((((((ASA)))))--SQD
December 28, 2003 - Msg 18075: Hey, everyone! It's late, family has all gone to bed in various rooms and corners of the house. Beds are all full, couches hold sleeping folks, and I'm about to retire to my room with the Plum. We've had our belated Christmas over this weekend, and it has been wonderful. Lots of reminiscing by my adult kids, grandkids playing games both indoors and out and getting along beautifully. Good food, friends joining us at intervals, lots of fun during gift exchanges - it's just been a great weekend.

JudyJudyJudy, my daughters live in Fredericksburg, Texas. It's just a bit north of San Antonio. Small town, heavy German influence, very quaint and fun to visit.

fun girl, your tribute to your grandfather is just beautiful. I'm sure he'd find it touching, to know how you treasured him.
As far as good dietetic recipes go, I'm probably not much help. Even though I am diabetic, and insulin dependent, I don't follow a really rigid diet. I avoid sweets most of the time, though I will indulge now and then. I try to watch the carbs and fats, but as I say, I'm not strict about it. I drink plain tea, no sugar, and almost never drink a soda. Can't stand artificial sweeteners of any kind - the aftertaste is just not acceptable. I adjust my insulin according to my blood sugar and also to what I anticipate eating, and manage to stay in pretty good control.

pipeman, I'm so sorry that you and Star Trek are ailing. Stay in, stay warm, drink lots of juices, and get to feeling better! Nice folks shouldn't be sick.

Boo, you're so right. I just love it that I've met you and Mr. Boo, and Sean and Erin. I can just picture that little Baby Girl taking control of the Christmas service until you carried her out. She is a caution!

Now, off to bed. Sugarplum says Happy New Year! --Romeena

December 28, 2003 - Msg 18076: Thanks for them kind words, Pipeman.
- Hazel

"A wink's as good as a nod to a blind mule."
December 28, 2003 - Msg 18077: Gosh, Hazel, hope your husband is recovering well. Prayers for him and for Asa. God help him and his family through their grief.

Glad you had a wonderful weekend, Ro.

Just wanted to check in. I have to go get myself and the kids ready for church. Bye!

Boo
December 28, 2003 - Msg 18078: Asa, I'm so sorry to hear about Sammy. {{{{Hugz to you}}} With four cats, two dogs, fish and a pet rat, we are huge animal lovers, so our hearts go out to you.

~De§~
December 28, 2003 - Msg 18079: boo= good to see you stop by on the porch,in a couple of weeks we can all sing; uh 1, uh2, uh3: mayberry is the life for me. small town is the life, especially if there is a barney poo.(somebody is sing off key, go barney) goodbye city life just bought clyd's old place on the highway. well loaded up the truck(brown of course) and drove to mayberry.don't ryhme but kinda catchy wouldn't you say? of course i mean that in a humble way. i think my chances are improving last two days i gave odds that90 won't live 10 very remote from this flu- today i'm 60- 40 odds. mavis-- you ever hear from emma or fast gun fife? well hazel. asa and the rest needing prayer i'm praying for you. yes fun girl i am a practical joker because i think we were made with a sense of humor, i reverently joke about me with the lord, like yesterday when i felt like 90% against making it, i was picturing the lord sitting on the chair in my bedroom saying( my servant, my servant, you sure are a pitifull site. just pitifull.) don't forget around tues morning we need to work on our new years party. the( going back to bed, pitifull i tell you pitifull. pipeman