May 28, 2006 - Msg 38460: To Boo.

Thanks for the info about pressure sores. Whenever I was visiting mom in the hospital, I always placed bedding material under her calves to suspend her feet in the air. However, even though I asked that my method be entered into my mother's official file, the staff did not follow my instructions when I was at work.
I will also remember Sean in my prayers.

I read an interesting news story about the Pope's recent visit to a former World War 2 Nazi death camp. What surprised me is that even the Pope wondered why God did not intervene. I was also surprised to learn that the Pope had been a member of Hitler's Youth group and served in the German Army during World War 2. To read the whole article, click here.

from Poor Horatio
May 28, 2006 - Msg 38461: Wow, this is the first time I got to reset the porch!!

from Poor Horatio
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38462: Good evening, all. Just got home from seeing "Little Women" - a musical production, and it was excellent. My friend and I really enjoyed it.

On the subject of patient care, may I offer a couple of insights? After 12 years spent as a nurse on a busy medical/surgical floor, then five years floating the entire hospital, and the last ten years on postpartum, I've seen a lot from the staff's point of view. As the caregiver for both my parents, I saw quite a bit from that side, too. First of all, pressure sores are usually preventable. Not always. If the patient is minimally mobile, they will often wriggle right back into their favorite position, no matter how often you turn them, and in spite of pillow props. Ulcers form with amazing rapidity in those cases. Second, Medicare will pay for all sorts of measures to heal pressure sores, but will not put out one dime to pay for preventive measures, such as gel pads. Third, few things are as frustrating as checking to make sure a patient is clean and dry, only to have their family arrive five minutes later to inform you that mom is in a puddle. The family, naturally, assumes they've been like that all day, and doesn't believe your explanation. Fourth, in my opinion it is self-serving and unprofessional for a doctor to criticize the nursing staff in the presence of others. This only further demoralizes the nurse, destroys any shred of respect the patients might have had for her, and I say "her", because I'll guarantee you no male MD would dream of chewing out a male nurse in public, but will often attempt it with a female. Take the nurse aside and say anything that's necessary, but never in public.

OK, that's a nurse's defensive response. Now for the opinions of a daughter/caregiver. There are some sorry nurses, careless and lazy - no question. Sadly, they seem to congregate on one unit, because their behavior is tolerated there. A good nurse will not stay on a unit like that, so gradually the good staff weeds themselves out and the creeps remain. The result is a nightmare, and it will not be remedied until enough people complain, just as you did, Poor Horatio. However, as you said, it would have been better to take your complaint to administration. You'll get faster action, more far-reaching results, and no backlash from a nursing staff embarrassed and angered by some doctor's ranting. You usually can count on anonymity when you go to administration. It becomes a unit issue, not a specific case. Also, sometimes what seems like laziness or an uncaring attitude on the part of the staff may simply be the result of critically short staffing. A complaint to administration will focus attention on staffing issues, and may lead to improvement there, which of course will result in improved care. Well, that's my take on it. Believe me, I hear what you're saying - you too, Boo. I did a lot of things for my mom myself when she was in the hospital, because I knew from having worked on the unit she was on, that they just simply didn't have the time to do some of the things that needed done. It's a tough call sometimes - deliberate negligence or overwork?

Sugarplum says 10-4. --Romeena
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38463: One more thing. If you do go to administration, go in like a lamb, not like a lion. Call for an appointment, and say you would like to address an issue regarding patient care. Once in the interview, don't accuse or make personal allegations, i.e. "lazy, careless, incompetent" - whatever. Simply describe what has taken place, or not taken place. Patient not turned, sores forming, patient soiled, just describe the facts. Offer the administrator the out that perhaps the staff is overworked. He or she will take that non-specific bait and be grateful, and will promise to "look into it". If it is truly the case, you might be doing a lot of nurses AND patients a big favor. If the staffing is actually adequate, the administrator wil pinpoint the problem and if steps toward one particular nurse are indicated, it will be done. Just don't go in with guns blazing, because believe me, they've been shot at by experts in the past, and that's a good way to get yourself tuned out. A soft approach will get their attention much quicker.

OK, 'nuff said on that subject, at least from me. --Romeena
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38464: Morning gang..here at work till 10 pm...back in a bit...breakfast on Romeena!....SPOT
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38465: Happy Memorial Day to everyone.
Spot,are you cooking our Memorial Day feast later? How about save me a plate-I've got to go to work. Fun,huh? Ha! Don't let Asa eat up everything,ok? I'll see y'all later-have a good one!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38466: Possum, you have to work today? You poor dear. I'll save you a plate, don't worry. Of course now I can't promise you anything if Homemaker is there. You know how shw is.:)

Good sweep Poor Horatio.

So Romeena's doing breakfast this morning huh? Sounds good to me. I'm not to hungry this morning though, so I'll just have 3 eggs, over medium, bacon juicy, 4 pancakes on the fluffy side, hash brown taters, white toast with real grape jam, o.j. and coffee.

Well off to the cemetery to pay respects. Hope you all have a grand day.

Asa
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38467: Yea possum..will fire the smoker up in just a bit and but some pork butts and chickens on for later....SPOT
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38468: Good advice, Ro. It is always more effective to keep an even temper about such things and talk to the people who can make a difference. In our case, I think it is one of the floors you spoke about. This particular hospital is a very good one and we have nothing but wonderful care when any of us have been there. This time was shockingly different and as a nurse I could observe and tell there was a real problem going on here and I had quite a time keeping my other family members from becoming irate and making a scene at the nurses station! A friend who works on another floor told me there is a notoriously lazy, slacker of a nurse in charge of that floor, so I guess that's why. There was a pervasive "I don't care" att-tude in the place.

I forgot to mention that I saw an interview on Entertainment Tonight with Andy the other night. Did anyone else catch it? I thought it was very good. He talked about Ron Howard and the DaVinci Code. He said, "I told Ron, I am a Christian but I love you anyway". He also talked about his 30=something yr old son who died of a drug overdose and how he would have done everything differently, looking back (would have spent more time, etc). The interviewer asked, "What would you have done differently?" and he replied, "Everything". Very sad, I thought. He talked about his health and that he is doing well after bypass surgery 5 years ago and that he just passed a cardiac stress test with flying colors. When asked if he wanted to make more movies he said yes but said he was offered a movie part recently but had to decline it because of some bad language in the part. He said, "I had to pray about that one", and he decided against it. I thought that was wonderful. Long live Andy, he really is a good guy.

Well, better get moving in the right direction and get something done around here (no holiday for mothers).

Boo
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38469: have a good and safe memorial day... poor haratio- if that's not about the cleanest sweep i've seen, can you catch the windows and mow for us? I WAS WONDERIND IF WE EACH HAD THE CHANCE TO LIVE IN MAYBERRY FOR A YEAR, AND OUR FAMILIES AGREED BUT ALL WOULDN'T GO, HOW MANY OF US WOULD LIVE OUR DREAM OF LIVING IN MAYBERRY? boo- i missed that entertainment tonight interview, i'll bet it was a good one. asa- wouldn't you hate to see us eat if we were hungry? spot- look forward to your fine bbq tonight. say hi to miss sherry. romeena- i feel for the nursing profession they are overworked, underpaid, constanly having folks out to get them, and the burn out rate is high not to mention the toll ittakes on your own health as you get older. sad commentary on our society, mdc- what are you up to? is hot your way? i'm not saying it's hot but the dogs that are chasing the cats, well their both just walking in slow motion after each other cause it's to hot to run. time for a quick nap after romeena's fine breakfast and before spot's cook out. i think i may have to get there early cause asa said he might be hungry. i'll flip you asa for the dessert? buckeye
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38470: I hope everyone enjoyed breakfast. I thought the pecan waffles were a nice change - did you agree?

Boo, your assessment of the problems on that hospital unit is probably right on the mark. There's an old saying in sales work, "The speed of the leader is the speed of the gang", and that applies in other endeavors as well. A leader with low standards and expectations will most certainly end up with exactly that. Too bad, and the only way to fix it is to call it to the attention of those who are in a position to remedy the situation - administration.

I wish I could have seen that interview with Andy. Maybe they'll run it again. Apparently he wishes, as many of us do, that Ron Howard had passed up doing "The DaVinci Code". That thing will be used by the devil, for sure. Secure Christians will see it for what it is - a work of fiction, blasphemous fiction, nothing more. The problem lies with seekers and the lost, many of whom will not be able to distinguish it from fact, or who will at the very least have dangerous doubts and questions implanted in their minds. Same with the Judas papers. The devil is alive and well on planet Earth, make no mistake about it. Andy knows it, and so do we.

Sugarplum says 10-4. --Romeena
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38471: Morning Porch! Happy Memorial Day!
*Mavis
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38472: Right, Romeena, last year before I knew anything about the DaVinci Code, My older brother Jerry was talking about it and seemed rather taken with it (his wife is a Catholic so this bothered her, of course). My brother is not a Chritian so I pray he will see the light.

Would love to live a year in Mayberry, but AFTER my kids are grown....does that count?

Boo
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38473: Now Asa - I saw you going back for your share of seconds, and thirds, and fourths, and well then I stopped counting!

hm
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38474: Well hello hm,asa,Boo,Mavis,Lucy,Rommena,...secound round of chicken and pork shoulders and butts comming off the smoker!..Asa you carve!...will someone make some slaw...I got the texas toast grilling!..baked beans with thick sliced bacon and diced onions..hand turned ice cream...Celebration time!..a walk to the duck pond after dinner...I will bring Otis and you bring Plum Rommena!....SPOT
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38475: Who's butt is in the smoker, SPOT?

Boo
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38476: 3 Hogs and that as far as im going!!....ha ha...SPOT
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38477: Hi and bye, all. I'm on my way to work. Sure don't want to go, and probably would have gotten cancelled, but one of the four nurses scheduled called in "sick". Uh-huh. On Memorial Day. Well, maybe so. Anyway, see you all tomorrow. Sugarplum says God Bless America! --Romeena
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38478: It is raining here, I can't believe it. It has been raining for over an hour and thunder, too. Sounds wonderful.

How did your butts turn out, SPOT? We had homemade ice cream here tonight. Certainly worth the trouble.

Sorry you have to go to work, Ro. Hope its an easy night for ya.

Are we still going to the duck pond, SPOT?....why do we want to go to the duck pond, SPOT?....we can't see the ducks....(isn't that what Opie said to Barney?).

Boo
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38479: Where is everybody tonight? I am kind of bored here on the porch. Anybody out there.....??

Boo
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38480: We will have to just all listen for the ducks Boo!..Im at home now from work...16hrs today..whew..but off till wed at 2 pm...may have to sneak off and go fishing tomorrow after house work and garden work..miss sherry gets off at 2 pm..butts were good Boo...just love the smoke cooking...gona do a Low Country Boil tomorrow night..yall know what that is?..yall will like it...well not tired so gona vacume..back in a bit!...your dog SPOT
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38481: You are a good public server Romeena...thank you...SPOT
May 29, 2006 - Msg 38482: Well gang its time for me to hit the sack..got the dog house clean and Otis fed..gona go fishing tomorrow..in the morning its gona be a BIG breakfast..want all to attend..Asa,hm,ro,boo,horatio,fg,quite sam,lucy,mavis,TOM,buckeye,fred,possum,m-t,mdc,md,goober,CHUCK!,millie, Big Maude, and all who I am too tired to remember...menu:..3 eggs your style,grits,country ham [center cut],pork chops,sausage links [smoked],toast,bisquits and milk gravy,hashbrowns with cheese and onions,canalope,flapjacks with maple syrup and butter,coffee,COLD sweet milk,and a tear from my roll of paper towels...ready at 7:30 EST..God Bless all...night...SPOT
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38483: Now that's the way to start the week Spot. I'll have the eggs over medium please. Mercy sakes, I need to take my britches over to the artistic weaver and expanded a little. I don't know how they keep shrinking on me.

Boo, glad you got your Mom home and she's doing good. I'm sure just being home will help. Did you get some rest last night?

Went and decorated graves yesterday. Someone had placed small American flags at the graves of all the Veterans. They placed one at my Dads site. That made me very happy, although he served in the British army in W.W.2, it was for the same cause. We set up an American flag along side with a British flag. He was both a proud Engishter and a proud American.
Bless all you Vets.

Well better get off to work. Lots to do today. Y'all haver a good day.

Asa
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38484: Wow, I'll bet your Dad had some interesting stories to tell about WW2, ASA. Yes, I got some rest but it was one of those restless nights of tossing and turning for some reason and I am feeling achy today.

Thanks for the big breakfast SPOT.

Well, took some Tylenol and having my morning coffee so hopefully will feel better soon. I think I might have a touch of that virus Dad has. Have a good one,

Boo
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38485: HI ALL .
HAD A BAD SUNDAY AND MONDAY .
I AM JUST GITTING TIRED OF PEOPLE MAKING AND SAID THING ABOUT ME AT TIME .
MY ONE FRIEND WHO HAS SOMEONE STAT THERE SAID WAS THINGS BUT I JUST STAY AND WAS A LITTLE MAD, AND SUNDAY WE WAS SAY TO COME OVER FOR A COOKOUT, MY STREPDAD WHAT BUT I STAY IN THE HOUES AND MY FRIEND TAKE CALLING ME TO COME ,HE EVERN CAME IN TOO.
I JUST TOLD HIM THAT I WILL NOT BE THERE AND HE ASKED WHY, AND I JUST I DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT AT THE TIME.
I BEN HERE FOR THREE YARE AND NOW I M JUST FINING OUT NOW HOW SOME PEOPLE FEEL .

TOM
UNHAPPY MAYBE I WILL STOP COMMING HERE TO IF YOU ALL FEEL THE SOMEWAY I CAN NOT HELP FOR THE WAY I AM OR LOOK .

May 30, 2006 - Msg 38486: Good morning everyone! I trust that all had a memorable Memorial Day. We truly are the beneficiaries of 230 years of brave defenders of our freedom.

Good breakfast, SPOT.

Based on conversations with my wife, I agree with ROMEENA, POOR HORATIO; take your concerns to administration. ROMEENA said that bad nurses often gravitate to the same floor, and evidently that must be true all over. The Mrs. says it usually is because the nurse manager on such a floor tolerates poor nursing or can't manage effectively. So taking complaints to the nurse manager on that floor might not make much of a lasting impact.

I watched "Super-size Me" this weekend. Has anyone else seen it? You can't look at fast food the same way. For those who never heard of it, it is a documentary about fast food. The filmmaker goes on a McDonald's only diet for thirty days. The results are suprising. I recommend it but there are a few curse words so it's not for the kids. I rented it from Blockbuster.

We visited my brother in West Virginia for my niece's graduation and had a nice time. It sure is pretty there in the middle of nowhere.

Well, I'll check back later.

Me-They
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38487: Didn't see you there BOO and TOM. Sorry you had a bad weekend, TOM. We all have some cross to bear, and some's are heavier than others. But the Lord is there to help us carry the load. People can be selfish and cruel sometimes, but they also can be helpful and kind. We enjoy your company here!

Me-They
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38488: Mornin' everyone! Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day and thanks for saving me a plate! I heard Asa about cleaned us out!
Spot,I bet you'll have to explain what a Low Country boil is! If,as I recall way back when I first came on the porch some of our non-Southern pals didn't know about grits,moonpies and RC colas,well,they ain't gonna have a clue about the boiled dinner! Ha!
Tom,I'm sorry you're having problems with the folks around you. You are always welcome here on the Porch. We love everybody and don't judge each other here. I think I speak for everyone here when I say you are part of our family. I hope things will get better for you. Hang in there,friend.
My daughter is still job hunting-she didn't get the position with Laci's doctor's,which may be for the best. She'd have to go back into the same NICU where Laci was after she was born prematurely. If you've ever had the experience of seeing those frail little ones struggling and fighting to live,you'd know what I mean.I don't think she ever wanted to go back into that ward. God will find the perfect job for her-one that will be rewarding to both her and her patients.
Well,I think I'll go check my snail mail.Probably just bills,but what can you do?!
Y'all have a great day!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38489: Hey TOM, sorry you got your feelings hurt but I encourage you to give your friend another chance. Please don't stop coming to the porch. We care very much about you and as far as looks go, I don't think very many of us would win "Miss Mayberry", is you know what I mean....and, what would we do without your poems?

Welcome home, Me-They, you were missed. Glad you had a nice little vacation in West Virginia. My mom is from there but I have never been. She speaks fondly of the hills and being a child there. They didn't even wear shoes until winter they were so poor but they had a wonderful time anyway. I have mentioned before that her Dad was a coal miner and barely got by. She remembers the union trying to come in and the people that were killed, etc.

Hey to Possum.

Boo
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38490: test
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38491: Sigh.... Lost my post. I'll try again later. It was a lovely post too.

Dixie
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38492: Hi front porchers.... I'm more tired then I know what to do with so I'm just going to sit on the swing and take another nap..don't mind me....

Mayberry's crossing guard
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38493: Thanks for the kind words, BOO. We take so much for granted today. It certainly was a simpler, but less forgiving world back then.

At lunch I was reading the local newspaper and was shocked and disgusted about something that happened yesterday. That independent Baptist church from (I think) Kansas sent protesters to a local funeral of a serviceman killed in Iraq yesterday (Memorial Day!). They were carrying offensive signs and such. I just don't get how these people can profess Christianity and do such a thing. I don't think you have to be a Republican, like Bush, or agree with the war in Iraq to be a good Christian, but something like this is a disgusting perversion of faith. Anyway, that's my opinion.

M-T
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38494: Hey to MAYBERRY'S CROSSING GUARD!

M-T
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38495: TOM... you are respected here on the porch.I dont know whathappened to you with your friends ,but here on the porch we accept each other for the way God made us
MAYBERRY DEPUTY
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38496: Hey to the PORCH! Hope Ya'll had a great holiday. We've gone from a long cool winter to a hot summer soaker here in Chicager...but give us 10 minutes...it'll change. :-)

Gonna try to catch up on the archives...hate that I haven't been around much lately...just so much going on...ya'll know how it is. :(

Mrs Goober is getting along just fine...gettin more and more preggers everyday...it's a whole lotta fun to watch...at least for me. :-)

Hope everybody here is doing well...and I'll offers prayers now for all who need them (and we all need them!). Ya'll have a great rest of your day...I'll try to stop by more often as well.

Goober...
YO!!!


May 30, 2006 - Msg 38497: Tonights Low Country Boil:..very large pot outside on the burner in the yard..fill with corn,red taters,onions,crab boil mix,cook till tender,then at the last point of cooking add King Crab leg clusters,crabs,shrimp,..cook till done ..on the picnic table put out newspapers and pour all of it out on the table and dig in...beverage of your choosing....SPOT
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38498: Spot...think you can throw on a porterhouse for me? nothing big...just maybe a 24oz or so??!?!?! :-)

Goober...
YO!!!
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38499: Goober, that'll lay on yer chest!

Asa
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38500: tom- you are a very special person here and as others have said, we're proud to call you freind. mdc- how is the new salt mine going (ER JOB). i'm not saying it's hot here but it's a good thing solid food turns to soup by the time it gets to your mouth cause it's to hot to chew it. prayers for all. buckeye
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38501: Who laid on Goober's chest?

hm
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38502: Wow, good to see Goober back on the porch. As for that "it's a whole lotta fun to watch" comment, I think you'd better smile and duck when you say that, if Mrs. Goober is within twenty feet. Ladies can throw a leg-o-lamb too, you know.

Welcome to Mayberry Crossing Guard. We're always happy to have new friends join us. Are you by any chance a postal carrier? If so, you'll know why I'm asking. If not, it doesn't matter.

Tom, how could you even think that we wouldn't want you here on the porch? What would we do without your lovely poems? Anyone who would say hurtful things to you or about you should be ashamed, and in my opinion, THEIR opinion is worthless anyway. You just put them out of your mind and keep on coming here, where you have lots of friends.

Boo, I haven't read the papers since Saturday, so don't know about the incident you described, but as a Baptist, let me just say that those folks DO NOT represent Baptists in general. Why can't they see that their actions undermine the very freedoms that allow them to do such a thing? At least in this country they won't be beheaded for expressing their dissent. Shame on them!! Personally, I think the rest of us should recall their "Baptist badges", and it goes beyond that. I seriously question their Christianity. Political dissent is one thing, but to picket a funeral, causing pain to the family, that's extremely cruel. I know, "judge not". I'm not judging, I'm questioning, and I haven't found a Scripture that says I can't do that! (haha)

Well, gotta get the monkey suit on and go to work. One more night, then I'm off for five. Wheee!

Sugarplum says 10-4. --Romeena
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38503: now that memorial day has passed for another year, i was thinking about remembering the posters who has left for a long time nd thought a day of rememberence would be nice. emma, county nurse, briscoe darling, mr mcbeevee, hillbillie shoes, irishster, moonshiner, so many more that we shared a lot of good times with them, just wondering where they are now? spot, if i eat all that crab will i be crabby all day tommorow? hey to goober. i'm thankful for each and every porchster, though if we answered or said hi to each one - why after each post the porch would be swept. ha. asa- can you pass another plate of that crab this way. romeena- i totaly agree about the funeral protesters. it is sad when some folks in our country show total disrespect for the dead. they deserve that much. pleasant dreams everyone. buckeye
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38504: Hey tp buckeye HM and Ro...and Ro, you're right...I should start doing my posts in pig latin...

oYea....
OooberGea...

Naw...don't work.

Goober...
YO!!!
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38505:
Buckeye, one day they will die and will have to give an accounting. Too bad they dont even see it coming because of the hate. The Word says that the "love of most will grow cold." Look at the increase in earthquakes etc.also. Hang in there my friend, you owe me a gold frogman! ha
First day on the new job went well!
More later,God blees
MDC

May 30, 2006 - Msg 38506: Evening porch, just running by realm quick to ask if ya'll will pray that the Lord will take this headache away from me tonight, I have had it for 3 days now & my ribs are hurting from throwing up with it. Thanks ya'll.
*Mavis
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38507: I AM THINKING ABOUT GOING TO RUN AWAY FROM EVERYTHING .
NO ONE LIKE ME AND I NO THAT SO I WELL LEAVE .
TOM

May 30, 2006 - Msg 38508: Hi Porch! Sorry I haven't been around much......so busy with the restaurant. TOM- What's up? What's goin on? I'm praying for you, you're a sweet ol' soul.....we all love and respect you.....let God's love give you a big hug....he loved YOU so much, he sacrificed his son! Hang in there, buddy......
Millie
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38509: p.s. ......Mavis, you poor thing, I know how that feels....prayers for your comfort. Give it to Him....I hope you're better soon. Let us know how you are.
Millie

May 30, 2006 - Msg 38510: Oh my goodness TOM, please don't think that. We all care very much about you. Keep talking to us, maybe it will help to get it off your chest. We will listen and pray for you.

Prayers for your headache, MAVIS..I am so sorry for you. I know those headaches can be real murder.

ROMEENA, it wasn't me who posted about the Baptists picketing the funeral, it was Me-They, so I am very curious about what actually happened. What were they protesting?? Could you elaborate a bit more, Me-They?

Glad your first day went well, MDC.

Did anyone happen to watch Oprah today? The man who heads up the Center For Disease Control was on talking about the bird flu. Man, if I were not a Christian I would really be scared. He talked about what would happen if the virus mutated and how it would effect the economy if we had a pandemic. Really scary. He also said that this virus is really different in that it usually kills people between the ages of 20-40 because, the stronger the immune system, the moral likely you will die from it (very opposite of other viruses). It somehow causes the immune system to go into overdrive and that is what causes people to die...strange, I know. He predicted that at least 2 million people in the US would die if the virus mutates and spreads. He also said that the US is in no way ready for something like this and that congress has only allowed 3 billion dollars to come up with a vaccine, which is not very much. He warned that every family should have a 2 month supply of food and water in their homes, starting now. Very interesting, but scary.

Good to hear from you, Goober. Glad to hear Mrs. Goober is doing well (and the little Goober-ette who is under construction).

Time to turn in for the night,

Boo
May 30, 2006 - Msg 38511: Hey Millie, we were posting at the same time. Don't get to busy to check in and talk with us from time to time, please. Guess things are going well with the restraunt?

Boo
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38512: Morning gang!...TOM you better not go NOWHERE!..we need you..hey mr guard!,,GOOBER,mavis,boo,ro,dix,big maude,lucy,hm,fg,quite sam,possum,md,mdc,millie,and all...gona go weed eat before it gets to HOT here in Ga..mid 90"s today,,whew...lunch will be on Boo...lets meet at her house at about 11:30...I will bring fanta grape sodas....SPOT
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38513: Morning Porch, headache still here, but the Phenagren took care of the vomitting finally, no way I can stay home from work again today, so ya'll keep praying for me, sure wish I could get Mom's estate settled & get this stress off of me, I know that is what is causing these things. Tom don't go anywhere, we need you here! The porch wouldn't be the porch without you. Gonna head out of here, wish me luck.
*Mavis
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38514: Morning TOM, just wanted to let you know you are an important part of the porch. The words you write are very honest and are good for all of us to read. Thanks
Marty from Mountain Top.
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38515: BELIEVE
Let the sun be your freedom,
The wind be your song,
The promise of morning
When the nights are long...
And when you find a rainbow
After a rain storm's end,
Believe with all your heart
Miracles do happen.


May 31, 2006 - Msg 38516: Morning dears. Hope your day is a joyful one.
Sorry your feeling down Tom. I hope you know we all love you here. We be your friends.

Boo, how's your Mom and Dad doing? Better I hope.
When is Big Maude due back?
Buckeye, I often wonder what has become of some of our past posters. Wish they'd return. I did get a card from Hazel telling me her computer crashed and it will be a while before she can get it fixed, so she'll be back, just not sure when.
Good to see you Marty.
Is the Diner still cooking cabbage for the special on Wednedays? Boy I hope not. I even like their chicken wings off of their well traveled chickens better than that boiled cabbage.

Mavis, hope yer head and yer ribs are doing better dear.

Well off to work for me. Boo, I'll be working on some kind of handyman project. I'll fill you in on the details later to swoon you.:)

Asa
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38517: good morning porch. let's meet at cracker barrel- it's on me. also at i-hop whichever you prefer. i feel crabby today, last night at spots cookout asa, goober, tom and i got into a crab eating contest. i'm sure glad that mayberry crossing guard has the crosswalk duties today. mdc- i hope they put your name on the door by now. romeena- why not take a vacation and let plum take a turn at the job, you know where you take a dog to do your job so they can see what you do. prayers dixie because one day all your hard work will be well worth it. uckeye
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38518:
Morning Porch

MDC-Glad all is well at the new post.

Everyone take care,
auh2o
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38519:
Bill and Hillary are in town today, gonna tell us how great everything is in the People's Republic of New York. Yeah.
Don't leave your keys in the car today.

auh2o
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38520: Good morning everyone!

TOM: Let me chime in again and say that you are not only welcome here, but we insist that you continue to drop by! Please don’t deprive us of your company, friend. I hope that today is a little brighter for you.

BOO: Evidently, members of the Westboro Baptist Church out of Kansas have been roaming the nation for months now protesting at the funerals of service people killed in Iraq. They claim that because the U.S. accepts homosexuality (and the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy) God is angry and allowing our military people to die. There agenda is basically anti-gay, and they carry signs with the most un-Christian messages (no matter what your view on homosexuality) that I’m sure the censor won’t allow me to type here. Evidently they staged a number of protests on Memorial Day.

You’re right, ROMEENA, no one should judge all Christians by the actions of nuts like these (by the way, they are an independent Baptist church, not affiliated with the mainstream church). Unfortunately, many read stories like this or about abortion clinic bombers and figure that this must be what all conservative Christians are about. In my opinion, so-called “Christians” like those from Westboro are a greater threat to Christianity than the violent of other religions. If you want to read more about these nutcases, you can Google them.

On a more positive note, the President just signed a bill to outlaw protests within 300 feet of a funeral; of course the ACLU already is gearing up to challenge it in court. Hey, I’m all for free speech, but there also is such a thing as good taste and propriety. If people can’t grasp that a funeral is no place to protest, then they deserve infringement of their rights as a balance to their insensitivity and stupidity. Also, there is a group of veteran bikers that has been following this group around and “shielding” families from the protesters. Good for them!

On the bird flu, I have been following this story (obsessively, naturally) for months. What you say is true, BOO, but there are varying opinions. Most doctors are saying that try as we might by canceling schools, staying out of stores, etc., there really is not way of completely avoiding exposure. Also, surgical masks won’t help from catching it because of the nature of the virus, though masks can help prevent its spread if sick people wear them. The bottom line is this, we must be prepared for pandemic (and our government should be doing much more!) but even the most knowledgeable doctors don’t know how this will play out. It may be devastating killing millions, or end up a passing flu; it may even fizzle out. Still, with a little baby on the way I share your deep concern, let me tell you.

Hey to AUH2O, "UCKEYE", MAVIS, MARTY(!), SPOT and anyone else hanging out today. I’ll check back later with some brighter news!

Me-They
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38521: Wow, Me-They, that is something! I haven't heard a thing about those Baptists (of course I have been pretty busy with mom to watch the news). You know, I understand the concern over the moral changes in this country but there is right way to try to affect change for the better. At the risk of sounding cliche', I still believe love is the answer. Jesus himself said that he didn't come into this world to condemn it but that it might be saved. I attend a Baptist church that is very loving and accepting and we have many military families who attend. I can't imagine that happening in our church. As far as the bird flu, I am hoping it won't amount to much but after hearing the guy from the CDC, I think we aren't doing enough as a nation to prepare for what might happen. What I thought was really interesting is that we usually want to build up our immune systems to prevent getting a virus, but with this you don't want to do that it seems? Very strange.

ASA, mom and dad are doing a little better, thanks for asking. Mom is able to walk with her walker she just can't use her right arm much so she needs alot of help. Hey, I can't wait to hear the details of your little handyman project!

Think I will mosey on...got to get ready for my appointment with the therapist. I am kind of nervous because I have written down some pretty weird stuff in my journal. It is so hard to share that stuff with someone...maybe I won't!

Have a good day,

Boo
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38522: Glad that your parents are doing a little better, BOO. They (and you) are still in my prayers. By the way, don't hold back on your therapist--that's what you are paying him or her for! Seriously, I know from experience that you need to be forthright.

M-T
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38523: i am running away from everything becaues
that at ben all my life and i can not take no more of it .
tom

May 31, 2006 - Msg 38524: TOM: You are stronger than you think. Remember, God never gives us more than we can bear and He's always here to help us carry the load. God made you in His image and He loves you. You are precious in His sight, not because of what you look like or do, but just because you are His beloved child.

I don't know what I can do on this side of the computer screen to try and encourage you other than offer a virtual hand in friendship. All of us here on the Porch care about you and are praying for you.

Me-They
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38525: THAT THE WAY I FEEL?
YOU DO NOT NO HOW IT FEEL WIN YOU THINK THAT SOMEONE IS A FRIEND BUT HE TRUND OUT TO BE A LIE
THAT THE WAY IT BEN ALL ME LIFE GIT TO NO SOMEONE
FOR A TIME AND NEXT HE WHAT HIS FRIEND AND EVERYONE IS MAKING FUN OF YOU JUST BECAUES YOU HAVE A BACK THAT LOOK LIKE A FOOTBALL .
AT TIME I AKED WHY AND I GIT NO ANE .
TOM

May 31, 2006 - Msg 38526: Tom, no one can know exactly how you feel,(except God) but I went thru something like that when I got sick.....some of my friends couldn't deal with it...a little too real for them. My REAL friends have come through, though. Remember that hymn, "Leaning on the everlasting arms"? That's what you need. We all care.
Millie
May 31, 2006 - Msg 38527: MESSAGE DELETED