June 27, 2008 - Msg 63647: Take care, SPOT! Have a ball!

DUD: Here in my neck of the woods, we call venison the thing on the menu we don't order.

M-T
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63648: Type, type, type, sweep, sweep, sweep...my work is never done.

M-T
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63649: Me-They:

I don't go to those fancy wild game restaurants to eat..Here in the Oil Patch we eat what is hunted and that includes Deer, like my ancestors did many moons ago...I think you like to push my buttons, but we fish and hunt and eat what we harvest......The "Dud"
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63650: MSNBC this morning talked about the wonderful oil production that will be gained from the Haynesville Shale (most of NW. La.) & the Barnett Shale (West of Dallas around Ft. Worth and beyond) and how these formations may have more production that the new offshore leases that may be available. If George W. with a Republican congress couldn't get ANWAR & offshore production done, I don't think a DEM. Congress with a DEM. President will have a clue with what needs to be done. In La. and Tex. we drill & tax the proceeds...the other states loss is our gain, but for the good of the country we need to increase production and not have fairytales about pluging our Cars into roadside outlets to go another 30 miles... I can't stand McCain who still refuses to bother the Caribou to drill in less than 1% of ANWAR Alaska, the state population wants to do it to reduce their taxes.......

The "Dud"
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63651: Hey, Me-They-Me-They-Me-They: Is your larnyx fine and in good shape to sing?.... The "Dud"
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63652: Good morning, all. Beautiful day here. The lotus in the pond has opened and is gorgeous. My dragonfly friend has returned and is patrolling the pond area, nabbing mosquitoes on the fly, bless him.

As I've stated before, I'm a total hypocrite when it comes to game. None of the men in my family have ever hunted, to my great relief, and neither have I. I absolutely could not shoot an animal unless it was the only way I could relieve suffering from an injury. To look into beautiful brown eyes, and shoot a deer - nope, not me. However, you serve me some venison chili or sausage, or a piece of the backstrap, and I will eat it. I like venison, I really do, but I could not shoot the deer. Sorry, that's just the way I feel. I couldn't club a cow in the head or wring a chicken's neck, either, but I eat beef and chicken. My only consolation is knowing I'm not alone. I think many, if not most people feel the same way. If it comes in a package, okay. If I have to take the life myself, I can't do it. Shoot, I apologize to the worms I bisect when I'm working in my flowerbeds!

Well, gotta run. Eloise and I are going to lunch at Olive Garden (salad and fettuccini Alfredo) and then to run some errands, then I have to work tonight. Poor little Starr will grieve, but mama just can't afford to quit work, darn it. Oh well, guess I should be grateful for a job and the health to do it properly. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63653: I'm trying to stay out of the political/energy discussion, but I do have to ask the obvious. Regarding those electric cars or hybrids, which require recharging at intervals as Dud mentioned - just how is the electricity to recharge them going to be generated? Isn't the production of electricity a big sore point in the area of fossil fuel consumption already? Seems like throwing the baby out with the bathwater to me, but what do I know? --Romeena
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63654: ROMEENA: You are correct, these energy stations are going to have to be generated by big old bad companies who rely on fossil fuels...No solar, no Wind. Just Coal (which we have the most in the world), nuclear, natural gas and as a last resource, oil fired plants....We have a big back yard that has a ton of birds and a couple of healthy and fat squirrels...The squirrels love to do front flips, back flips and roll all over the ground. ... Is this normal? Do we have the unknown flying squirrels??? The "Dud"
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63655: Well, I am gonna' to my favorite restaurant with the Lady Friend and eat me some Cajun Popcorn (Fried Crawfish Tails) with Creole Mustard and Dill Mayo sauce, Muffalettas Sandwiches, (baked in the oven), Oysters on the half shell (Local new says they are safe to eat and they are happy, ...Italian Salad with Good NOLA French Garlic Bread.....everyone have a good weekend...

The "Dud"
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63656: That is local news and being a Diabetic I really have to watch the raw Oysters, If I get sick I am toast. I only go to restaurants and eat Raw Oysters if I know the Chef and/Or Owner to make sure the product is safe.

ROMEENA: Have you eaten at the Oceanaire Restaurant next to the Galleria Mall in Dallas? They have over 20 kinds of raw oysters at there Oyster Bar and when I go there I think I am in Nirvana....SO fresh and SO good.../....The "Dud"
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63657: Hey Me-They: How about a raw oyster and deer meat buffet? ...Gotta go...the Lady is Waiting...You know, she is special... The "Dud"
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63658: DUD: What? Me push buttons?

Actually, while I don't hunt (see ROMEENA's comments and double them, and even packaged meat grosses me out pretty well--I'm the squeemish type) I certainly don't have a problem with them that does. Although, I have often asked, while getting your next meal is fine and even commendable, how is it that so many people find it pleasurable to pull a trigger and kill an animal? The necessity of it is one thing, but the sporting side leaves me scratching my head.

At the risk of stepping on your last nerve, I won't comment on the politics of energy but to say I agree with McCain's stand on ANWAR, and disagree with his switch on off-shore drilling. And I know how many dings gas is!

APB for STERLING, ASA, and TOM!

Me-They
"I smell gas. You smell gas?"
"Sure I smell gas! What do you think this thing runs on, coal?!?
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63659: Sorry, I don't do raw meat or seafood. Or oysters in any form. I'll take steamed mussels ior clams, though.

M-T
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63660: To all those with pre-teen girls: Is Nora the only one caounting the days until "Kit Kittridge" opens? Also, we recently crossed the "Camp Rock" divide. Her friends have watched it and she wants to. We're not sure, but will probably say okay. Now she's asking if she can see "High School Musical," too. We dodged that bullet for a couple of years.

Me-They
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63661: Dear Me-They: I respect your ability not to partake in the wonders of the flesh of freshly, sometimes Frozen/Killed animals and cook them like my ancestors did. That is why I am so concerned about the Ouachita River, according to the Govt. I can only catch and cook one big fish per day...Terrible that you think the grocery store will be your savior....I can stand on my on two feet and provide food for my family...You can't, If you will not kill animals and in dier straits..Varmits...Like the Pest Nuturia...from South America...Take care on the and I will survive with my family...Let us see...DAR & SOC family members, Oil Company symcophants...I guess I am a mess...Happy and cashing those Wildcat and Mineral Royalty Checks...Please don't hate me...Got to go to see the Lady Friend...The "Dud"
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63662: Oh, I certainly don't hate you, DUD. I just like to tease you, and you seem like you can take it. Don't get me wrong, if I had to 86 an animal to feed my kids I would. I may throw up later, but I would. Thank the Lord I don't have to. I grew up on a small (very) farm. We raised rabbits and chickens and my parents used to help their friends butcher their hogs, so I've seen my fair share of last meals. I especially hated to see those bunnies bite it.

I wouldn't call you a mess, DUD. A nut, maybe ;). (That's my wink to Barney.) But that comes from one nut to another, let me tell you brother!

Me-They
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63663:
Hazel, I did a google on Josie Lloyd. Didnt really find too much.
Where has BOO been?
Hope ya all have a good weekend.
Only 106 here today!!
RO- I know how you guys in Dallas have that gulf humidity! Be careful out there.
Prayers for all,
MDC
Brisco Darling (While Charlene shows off Andelina): It moves me to know that Darlin' blood will be flowin thru the mountains fer years to come!
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63664: Well, I guess I kinda agree with both of you boys. I've never seen the point in trophy hunting, just don't get that one at all. To stand 300 yards away with a scope on a rifle and knock down an animal that doesn't even know I'm there - well, just doesn't seem all that sporting to me. Worse yet is the "canned hunt", where the quarry is confined in a corral, or (unthinkable!) tied to a tree. In my opinion, the best trophy hunting is done with a camera. Get close enough to a grizzly to get a full face picture of him, and I'll call you brave. Stand on one mountain and shoot him off of another and I'll have another name for that.

However, hunting for food is a different issue. If it was a question of a quick and accurately-placed shot (yes, I can do it) at a food animal, or starvation for me and mine, I would do what I had to do. My husband would have done the same. However, neither he nor I were ever placed in that position, and God willing, I never will be. I would do it, but like Me-They, I'd be feeling pretty sick afterward. It's just not in me to kill, except in self-defense or in defense of someone else. I have, on too many occasions, watched the light die in a pair of eyes, watched the lifespark dim and go out. Humans in the hospital, animals under various circumstances, and it's never pleasant. So, little ol' hypocrite me just tootles down to the grocery store for a package of cold, impersonal meat of whatever description, and tries not to think of its origins. Now, as for bunnies, nope. Not even in the grocery store. Ain't gonna happen. --Romeena
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63665: Josie Lloyd where r u?

June 27, 2008 - Msg 63666: 'Preciate you guys going to all that trouble to help me out, M-T and auh2o - you both are gentlemen and scholars. *grin* I'm guessing since the Stutzman line started in Pennsylvania, there would certainly be more info there since they only lived in MD for just a handful of years. Thanks again guys!

Concerning this country's fixation with gas/oil these days, how is it NASCAR is not having their doors beat down by the environmentalists? (other than the $$$ factor) Just kinda makes ya wonder.

M-T, I just saw a preview for Kit Kittridge and it look like something to check into. Evie thankfully hasn't gotten into HSM or any of the other stuff (namely Hannah Montana) that many of her classmates are into.

Well, have a great weekend everyone - prayers for all!
AFD (Andy's Favorite Dish)
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63667: I'm off to work, friends. See you tomorrow. If you happen to be passing my house, tap on my bedroom window and holler at Starr to quit scratching on the door! --Romeena
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63668: Have a good evening, ROMEENA. I'm stuck here at work until about 10:30 tonight babysitting a rental.

AFD: No problem. Nora has mentioned that some of her friends watch "Hannah Montana," but she hasn't asked or really expressed much interest. The Mrs. and I watched an episode about a year ago to check it out. I want that 1/2 hour of my life back. Besides the fact that it's not something we'd like her to watch, it's perhaps the stupidest and worst acted sitcom I've ever seen. And I've seen some doosies (hey, I liked "Holmes and Yo-Yo"). There is a Kit trailer on the AG website you can check out. Pluggedin gives it thumbs up.

Me-They
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63669: Well, I'm back from camp and have read about half of the archives, which I will make some comments on, then read the rest later.

I had a great time at camp with the youth from our church. There were only 20 of us, including the 4 adults (and I use that term loosely). The camp was on the Frio River in the hill country of Texas. It was a great time and we got to tube and swim, the food wasn't half bad and no injuries! Beautiful place. God hot during the day but the mornings and evenings were nice.

I enjoyed reading about some of your ancestors/heritage. My family is a big mixture. Mom's side started out in Scotland and Ireland and Dad's in England but once they got to America and hit the south, it was a "free-for-all". I think my blood contains a little bit of everything except Asian (that I know of). I do know that my G-G-Grandfather was a slave in the south. I don't know the details, I am suppose he was a freed slave who went on to marry my GGGrandmother who was white.

Hey M-T, I loved the butterfly comment, funny!

I have more to post but i need to get going. Bruce is taking us out for dinner so I don't have to cook. I am pretty worn out after keeping up with a bunch of teenagers this week...did a whole lot of walking!...

Boo
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63670: MDC: Boo is on a trip this week. Hope she comes back soon, though. I miss her good mornings and teh laundry is piling up!

By the way, the bees are doing fine.

Me-They
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63671: Oh, I didn't see you there Me-They, sorry you have to work late. Maybe I can get back later and chat with you a bit.

Boo
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63672: You snuck in on me there, BOO! Enjoy your evening out. Maybe try Morelli's. They pound the steak right there at your table.

M-T
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63673: Ha, we were posting at the same time...thanks for missing my good mornings...I'm doing laundry as we speak.

Boo
June 27, 2008 - Msg 63674: Morelli's it is! See ya, Bro.

Boo
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63675: A Poem To Vicks

My little blue jar
Or perhaps it's a tube -
Waits patiently,
For my neck to lube.

It thrills my heart,
And clears my head -
That the little blue jar,
Is next to my bed.


An anonymous Vicks lover. . . .
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63676: Morning Family:
Hope I didn't wake anyone up too early. i tried to sneak in and not slam the door. SPOT- got the coffee on? I need something to get my body in motion.
It's beautiful on this side of the porch. 80degrees and just a hint of humidity with a slight breeze. How about your neck of our woods M-T? Did you get the thunderstorms last night? Got a real good soaking from them.
Asa- where are you? Do I need to send up flairs to find you? Sure hope he didn't get stuck under the porch with all them spiders. Asa don't like spiders. Have a blessed day everyone. ~New Neighbor
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63677: HAHAHA, that's the best VICKS poem yet! Who are you "Vicks lover"? Is that you again, Homemaker...? How did you know that I needed a Vicks poem today?

Trying to catch up the laundry (of course my husband didn't do even one load while I was at camp!)...then off to Mom's. She still is not walking so I think we are looking at plan B. I am on my way to have a little conference with my sister. Dad will be back on Monday and we have to sit him down and help him make some decisions about how to take care of mom...he is stubborn, prayers please! Love you all...

Boo
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63678:
Welcome back Boo. Glad your trip went well. Did your whole family go also?
My money is on Homemaker with the Vicks poem!
Ha!Later
MDC
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63679: Welcome back to Mayberry,Boo! Prayers for your mom.I know with the Lord's guidance,you'll make the right decisions regarding her care.

If I had to guess,I'd say homemaker is our poet of late.What do ya say for yourself,hm? Cute poem,whoever wrote it!

Y'all have a good evening!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63680: Welcome back to Mayberry,Boo! Prayers for your mom.I know with the Lord's guidance,you'll make the right decisions regarding her care.

If I had to guess,I'd say homemaker is our poet of late.What do ya say for yourself,hm? Cute poem,whoever wrote it!

Y'all have a good evening!
*****SMILES*****
possum under a rock
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63681: Sorry about the double posting- I told y'all the Count has been hanging around my rock lately,didn't I?!

possum again
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63682: Thanks for the welcome Possum and MDC. No, MDC, only Sean and I went to camp. Erin stayed home with Bruce and Grandma (and Gizzy, of course). She had a really good time.

I want to thank you for that email, MDC. I use Bible Gateway all the time, but being able to go to any chapter at just a click of the mouse instead of having to type in the chapter or verse, is fantastic!

Better go feed the hungry kids around here...I used my foreman grill again to grill some seasoned, frozed chicken tenderloins and they turned out good. George Foreman is my new best friend.

Boo
June 28, 2008 - Msg 63683: "Frozed" chicken...what the heck kind of redneck grammar is that? Am I from Arkansas?..."Boy, you sure have a pretty mouth..." (from the movie, Deliverance). Does anyone hear dueling banjos?

Boo
June 29, 2008 - Msg 63684: Where is everybody? Is there no one on the porch since yesterday6, or is there something wrong with my connection?? --Romeena
June 29, 2008 - Msg 63685: "yesterday6" - I think I need to shorten my fingernails! --Romeena
June 29, 2008 - Msg 63686: Still no one here? Has the Rapture come and I've been left behind? --Romeena
June 29, 2008 - Msg 63687: Hello Ro:
How about you and I going out for supper? You pick, I pay. ~New Neighbor
June 29, 2008 - Msg 63688: Uh, no, no "rapture". Just gardening. For me anyway.
- Hazel
June 29, 2008 - Msg 63689: Hey there, Ro, just been a very busy weekend. Since mom is still not walking, I am over there alot, and with church, etc. Actually, I checked in on the porch several times yesterday and nobody had been here and I am wondering what everyone is up to. It does seem that there aren't as many folks on the porch anymore and that makes me sad.

I had to stay last night with mom, wake up early and rush home to get ready for sunday school, come back and get mom up and give her her breakfast and then go to church. Had a meeting after church, had to go back to moms later, so I have been away from the computer today. I just had my shower so I think I will make a sandwich for Bruce on the Foreman Grill (are ya'll tired of hearing about the foreman grill yet??..hehe) then I will chill and watch a little TV with Erin. Oh, by the way, I made a grilled peanut butter and jelly for Erin on the...you got it...Foreman grill and she loved it! Adios,

Boo
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63690: HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO MAVIS


TOM

June 30, 2008 - Msg 63691: Dear People,
I am a visitor. I was wondering if anyone could tell me were I might find a floor plan of andys house?? my husband and I are building a house and I tought if would be neat to have the entrance look like andys
thanks to anyone
vistor
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63692: WELCOME BACK! TOM & Boo. Hope you are having a good time: SPOT HEllO: Fellow Porch People.

Had a great weekend. Took the Lady Friend on one of those close by weekend trip vacations that are so prevalent in our $4.00+ gas economy. The LF loves the movie "STEEL MAGNOLIAS" so I took her to a real historic & haunted Bed and Breakfast in Nachitoches La. right off of the bank of the Cane River. We had a nice relaxing time, ate the famous Meat Pies & we made it into Shreveport for Sunday activities. My dad was born in Shreveport and I lived there for about 3 years. We dined at the Oyster house in honor of "Me-They". I know the owners so I trust their oysters and they still had their great crawfish.

Everybody have a great and prosperous day. I am still amazed by these circus squirrels in the back yard turning flips like they got into "Otis'" stash.......

The "Dud"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63693: vistor: Google the following, these people maybe can help you Andy Griffith's Home and then click on "B&B creates Andy Griffith's home", or go to the following:

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/travel/otherdestinations/us_stories/072506mayberry.html

The "Dud"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63694: Thank you Mr. Dud I will let you know what I find out
The Vistor
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63695:
"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." Oops, that's ali not foreman. I was going to get one of those Express 101's but now maybe I'll get the GF Griller!
Visitor- also Google "The Taylor Home Inn"
Ya all have a good week in the Lord! In Rev's absence, let me just say that Jesus loves you!!
MDC
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63696:
Oops, forgot one of my infamous "Ha's" in there after "Foreman!" ha
MDC

June 30, 2008 - Msg 63697: Boo: I was looking in mother's receipe book closet for some new 4th of July cookout ideas and guess what I found? Yep, a hardly used George Foreman Grill with a separate GF Grilling Receipe Book which I have read. When I cook inside, I use Cast Iron or utilize my Calphalon cookware collection. My mother and late father loved the grill for burgers and Chicken Breasts. I have never used one in my life. I still believe that my trusty cast iron can't be beat, but I will try it Tues night. Any suggestions anyone, I have the PAM ready.....

The "Dud"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63698: TV LAND TAGS ALERT: For all of you Miss. Grump fans, be sure and catch "Opies Flunks Arithmetic" episode on TV Land tonight. ..The "Dud"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63699: Oh, yea! I have a suggestion for you, Dud..try this if you dare...Rueben's on the foreman! Take your rye bread, slather two peices with thousand island (or make your own, which is better...mix mayo, a little ketchup, relish, and minced onion), add on your corned beef, a good helping of sour kraut, a couple of slices of swiss cheese, butter both sides of the sandwich and grill. It will probably take 3-5 minutes on the Foreman and talk about goooood! I also tried something really decadent last night that I have to share. I made an "Elvis" sandwich. I mixed a tablespoon or so of peanut butter with a little honey and a touch of cinnamon and spread on one peice of bread and then slices a ripe banana on top, slapped on the other peice of bread and buttered both sides. I grilled it for about 3 minutes, and it was unbelievably good. I can feel myself gaining weight....maybe George Foreman is NOT my best friend, afterall.

MDC, the thing about the foreman is that it is kind of slanted to drain off the fat, but it doesn't have the neat little pockets like the Express 101...I think it sounds neat, too, but it is pretty small. You can get a really fancy Foreman grill that turns into a waffle maker and a griddle, too, and you can put several burgers on at a time. Of course, it's pricey (148.00 at Walmart). I only paid 20 bucks for my little one and it's all I need.

"Hey" to TOM.

Boo
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63700: I sounds like a commercial (sheesh)...sorry.

Thanks for the head's up about the Miss Grump episode, Dud...hope I can catch it. Tonight is the night we have our family meeting to try and convice Dad to hire some help for mom. Interestingly enough (and could be an answer to prayer), Dad may be getting an inheritance. Dad had a cousin who passed away and he had no children or wife so Dad and Dad's two brothers are his closest relatives. I think there are also a couple of cousins on the maternal side, but Dad's cousin left an estate worth 450,000 (of course after attorney's fees and all, it might not be much). We don't know yet, it could be land owned by his parents near Houston. Anyway, Dad may be getting a little financial help to take care of mom...kind of nice to think that the departed cousin could help out his family after his death. He was a pretty nice guy, as I remember. Kind of a gentle giant of a guy...reminded me of "Stretch Cunningham", Archie Bunker's buddy from down at the loading dock (or the farmer in Babe, if you are more familiar with that).

Better scoot..plenty to do.

Boo
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63701: Boo: Thank you for your FG advice..I love Rueben sandwiches,,,, and Romeena, my daughter and I love Jason's Deli in the good ole' metroplex....

Just got my new copy of Texas Monthly Magazine and a real cowboy is on the cover with a good article saying that most of them are in P.U.Trucks and 4 wheelers when conducting business including livestock..The problems with a new "DALLAS TV SHOW MOVIE", 30 years anniv. of the Porn Movie called "Debbie Does Dallas" and a whole lot about getting out the "War in Iraq" shows the magazine's true colors... The "Dud"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63702: Is anyone watching that show on the Food Network (Next Foodnetwork Star) that came on last night? The Lisa Garza from Dallas hung in again last night and no sighting of her previous kitchen wearing 4"+ heels...she survived and her and the young 19 yr old "Shane" seem to have the best knowledge of food and if the Dallas Lady can survive the Dallas restaurant & catering scene she might have a chance. One thing I dislike about these reality shows and especially the "Home & Garden Channel" is the commercials within the shows..That is one of the reasons why I own TIVO is to eliminate commercials when I watch...not to know the brand of shingles on someones roof or the great food magazine that will have this fantastic bad sounding receipe in its pages...Rant for the Day by........ The "Dud"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63703: Whatever happened to Josie Lloyd
?

June 30, 2008 - Msg 63704: Me-They:

I was watching one of the morning new shows and they showed 3 satelitte photos to a bunch of people and asked them if they were from the planet Mars, The Moon and ANWAR. They could not tell them apart..They said the Caribou and other animals avoid the 1% of ANWAR that they propose to drill, because it is so desolate...Runnin' on Fumes is the answer I Guess...The "Dud"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63705: See Ya, I am gonna go fly fishing on the Bayou for Bass, Bream and the good old Chinquapins..Will keep some to eat and release the others if I have a good catching day...No Turtles, Gar or Carp on my lines please...

The "Dud"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63706: Good afternoon everyone. It was a hot and humid weekend here. Hope it was more pleasant wherever you happen to be. Today is better.

Great to hear from you, TOM! Sit down and have a longer chat when you can. I saw you sneak in there, too, HAZEL. Wish we’d hear more from you. I’m still wondering where STERLING, HOMEMAKER, ASA, and some others are. Maybe we need to plan a party at Mrs. Wiley’s. Just don’t go running a quail through the room.

BOO: Prayers for your meeting tonight. Hope all goes smoothly.

DUD: I know you’re just ribbing me; seems only fair! I’m not sure what the photo thing on that show was supposed to prove, though. Seems kinda pointless. Here’s my bottom line on the gasoline thing…

I don’t think the current situation is all that bad. It’s certainly terrible for my wallet. We live pretty close to the bone and I can tell you that the price of as is really hurting us. On the other hand, I care about our natural resources. God has entrusted them to us. I want my grandkids to have as good or better a world to live in as I do. And I don’t necessarily mean faster computers, more comfortable cars, and better televisions. I want the wonders of God’s creation to be as wonderful.

Not too long ago I let my van idle while the Mrs. ran into the grocery store, I ran to the store willy-nilly without too much planning for the days ahead, and went a little faster (well, sometimes more than a little) than the law allows. I don’t do those things anymore. All these things save gas, and as such help ease our dependency on foreign oil and our need to find more here. The first I consider our patriotic duty, the second just a great thing. Trust is I probably wouldn’t be doing these good things if it didn’t hurt my wallet not to. Basically, some people, like me, and there are a lot more like me, won’t do as much as we can or should do unless there is something tangible given to or taken from us. We want to do the right thing but the fact is we tend to be lazy unless you give us a real good reason not to be. And $4 a gallon gas is a good reason not to be.

I don’t like high gas prices, but high gas prices are the best, maybe only, way that us Americans will finally get serious about conservation, dependency, and, simply, stop being so darned self-centered.

There are lots of smart, thoughtful people who think like you do, and there’s nothing wrong with that. And there are a lot of regular people—I’m not talking Al Gore-kinda people, but people who have non-high-paying jobs and go home to their small houses with no air conditioning and pray over their kids—who think like me. The beauty of the federal republic we live in is that we all have a say. Whether we drill in ANWAR is up to us. I’m just hoping that there are more people who agree with me ;).

Good luck with your fishing, DUD.

Y’all are the cats for putting up with me.

Me-They

June 30, 2008 - Msg 63707: BOO: James Cromwell.

M-T
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63708:
Andy: Miss Crump tells me that you are flunking Arithmetic.
Opie: Well, we started long division.
Andy: What's the problem?
Opie: Well, I hate it.
----------------------------------
And from an episode near it:
PMS Helen: Well, Mr high and mighty sheriff Taylor, I generally like to know who I'm engaged to somebody before he spreads it all over town!
----------------------------------------
Now back to our regularly scheduled porch:
AUH20- History detectives tonight! last season they got very close to becoming PC, I hope that such is not the case this year.
Happy Anniversary Mavis! Hi to TOM from me too.
Boo- you, my dear, are livin' on the edge!! ha
Pretty soon you'll be calling your clothes "Threads" too. My my! ha
Maybe I will try the small griller that you have. That rueben sounds yummy!
Dud, them Carps are no good ya know! ha
Well, hang in there friends. 111 and 112 predicted all week! OK, a good Colt-ism, it's so hot that the birds are askin' the worms to just jump out of the ground so the birds don't have to pull on 'em! Too much work. haha
MDC

June 30, 2008 - Msg 63709:
Dud, I just got my Police Gazette with the same stories! ha MDC
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63710:
M-T, didnt mean to ignore ya.
"How do you do Mrs Wy-lee!"
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63711:
mdc
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63712: hello, anybody settin' on the porch?
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63713: Hello. I've been a admiring the "Front Porch" for a while now and thought I'd come up and say hi. My name is Missy and I'm from Ohio. I'm reading the biography of Don Knotts right now. Good book. Nice to meet everyone!
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63714: Right Me-They, that's name I was looking for, thanks...thanks also for your prayers.

Haha, that's funny MDC..."livin' on the edge"...well, I discovered another use for the grill (this one is for you, Romeena). I cooked hotdogs on it and they were great...extra brown (or even black if you like 'em that way) and crispy on the outside.

You have a point about "Texas Monthly", Dud. I have read some pretty disturbing things in it, but I always enjoy the articles they write about famous (or infamous) Texans. The story of the Texas pastor who supposedly killed his wife was really good (it was several months ago), and did you ever read the article about Jannine Jones, the Bexar County nurse who killed so many children? Really upsetting, but well-written.

Boo
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63715: Oh, hey there Missy. Glad to have you on the porch. Tell us more about yourself.

Boo
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63716: Has anyone seen Geert Wilders' film "An Excuse to Kill"? If not, you should. I don't want to bring gloom to the porch, but if you haven't seen the film and want to, email me and I'll send you the link. It's on Google right now as well, but probably won't last long. Every freedom-loving American need to see this film. Wake up, folks!

Missy, it's nice to have you. If you'd like to stay around, you're most welcome. We usually grab a TAGS name, but it occurs to me that you have one. I recall hearing Andy address someone that way on occasion. Anyway, stick around if you'd like. We're weird, but we're nice. --Romeena
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63717: That's "needs", not "need" up there. Sorry. --Romeena
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63718: Evening Family:
WELCOME Missy! Pull up a rocker and stay a while. We don't very often have moulages, but when we do...ya better duck!
Having some passing thunderstorms, so I better get off here before I get a free permanent put in my hair. Checking in later. ~New Neighbor
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63719: ...leg-o-lamb catapaltin' thru the air...
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63720:
...dishes a flying at the door...
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63721:
...a quail runnin' thru the livin' room...
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63722: ...boo a grillin' til she's chillin'...
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63723:
M-T I think Dud makes a valid point, regarding the photos of ANWAR. I believe it's similar to the point you made last week, which I agreed with by the way, about the uninformed voting. I think those "knuckleheads" who can understand the issues can be fairly compared to the "knuckleheads" who can't even determine whether they are looking at their beloved ANWAR. I have no idea what you mean by..."people who have non-high-paying jobs and go home to their small houses with no air conditioning and pray over their kids." Well, I have no job, and live in a small home, and I pray over my kids every night. I also pray we will cut out all this humanist nonsense and care more for our kids future, and their kids future, than some Shangri-La, such as ANWAR.

auh2o
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63724:
Romeena-I suppose weird, but we're nice, is better than nice and weird. How coincidental that brought up Geert Wilders name, I just read an article about him on the "Newsbuster" site. I'll send you the address.

MDC-I couldn't catch the new show tonight, rats!

auh2o
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63725: Hey there, Auh2o~!!! I guess I must be one of those knuckleheads because I don't even know what you are talking about. I am not proud of being uninformed, just very tired.

Today has been a long, busy one. Dad finally got back from California, though, so that's good. We have not yet had our meeting with him. Everyone was just too tired by this evening. To top things off, my sister found a baby dove that had been pushed out of the nest (he and one of his siblings, who was killed). Her husband got a ladder and put the little fellow back only to find later that the mom pushed him out again. He is only about 2 inches long and is getting little feathers, although he still has alot of down. She was very concerned and didn't know what to do with him so I looked up the care of baby birds on the web and am doing my best until tomorrow when I can call the vet's office and find someone who can care for him properly. I put some scrambled egg in the food processor with a little water and he took that pretty well and he is tucked in for the night with the heating pad. I am just trying to keep him alive until I can get him to someone who can take care of him.

Poor Sean is beside himself this evening because he had saved up to buy himself a new phone and he was playing on the slip-n-slide today with it in his pocket. This is the second phone he has gotten wet that he paid for with his own money. I told him, I guess that's why kids shouldn't own nice phones...(guess I that wasn't very compassionate). It just bothers me that he would get so upset over the loss of some material thing. You would have thought someone in the family died from his reaction! Of course, once he saw that I was making corn fritters, he got over it. Adolescents are a very strange group.

Off to bed for me...ta-ta.

Boo
June 30, 2008 - Msg 63726: Oh, and no, I did not make the corn fritters on the foreman grill...too messy!

Boo
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63727: Good morning everyone. The humidity is finally down and it looks like it might end up a great day. Hope it is where you are, too.

MISSY: Welcome!

AUH2O: I was describing myself in the quote you mentioned. I meant it to be clever. I guess not so much, huh? I was using myself to exemplify a right-leaning, non-liberal Gore sycophant who thinks Michael Moore is a terrible filmmaker. I care about my kid’s future, too, that’s why I don’t care to drill in ANWAR. Guess that’s what you call an honest difference of opinion. I think DUD makes some valid points as well, I just don’t necessarily agree with all of them. And as far as the photos go, I don’t think you have to be intimately familiar with every square inch of a national wildlife refuge to appreciate its importance. I’ve seen photos of the Grand Canyon that look like they could have been taken on the moon, and I’m not sure I’d know a close-up photo of water in ROMEENA’s pond as opposed to a close-up of water in the Chesapeake. That doesn’t mean the importance of them are any less or I am any less intelligent; only that a single picture can be misleading. I respect y’all’s opinion, though. Hope no hard feelings. Just remember, I’m not the one around here who wear’s Birkenstocks! And hippies gross me out.

BOO: I’m glad my kids are too young to start the whole cell phone thing. I think there’s such a thing as too much “staying in touch.” The other day I saw four teenage girls walking down the street together. Instead of talking to each other, three were talking on their phones and one was obviously texting. That’s communicating?

I reject the notion that some parents have that their kid must have a cell phone in order that they can contact them at any given moment. That may be okay for a teenager on a trip or something, but to my mind that’s “helicopter” parenting—hovering too darned much. No wonder kids today don’t seem to grow up: they don’t have to. Mom or dad is on the other end of the phone every step of the way. I remember all the times I had as a kid off playing and learning about functioning in this world. I don’t know, I want to protect my kids but I think cell phones end up more smothering than protecting.

Isn’t it ironic that we turn to technology to make us feel (unjustified, I believe) like we are protecting our kids when it is technology that is making things more dangerous? Every vice and danger is now at our kid’s fingertips. Used to be you had to go out looking for them. Now, hit a few keys on the computer to make a quick call and they come to you.

Well, better get to work!

Me-They
“Nip it!”
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63728: Yep, you make some good points, M-T. Where we are living now, we don't have a land line so I felt it was a good idea for him to have a phone with a very limited plan so that when I was out and he was home, he could contact me, etc. He is on a kid's plan in which he has few minutes and no texting. He can call me at anytime free, or I can call him, so he spends very little time on the phone. I think the phone, itself, is what he is most interested in at his age and it makes him feel like a "big boy" or something like that. Part of his regret last night was that he had bought the phone himself with his own money and now it's gone. I'm not buying him another one, I know that much. He has an old one he can still use and if it gets wet, he will just be without one. Maybe I do a little "helicopter" parenting with Sean. I am trying to let go more (it's really more like pushing him away...I am trying to make him grow up) but with his anxiety, impulse-control issues, I like to be able to get in touch with him if I need to. I do agree, though, that the cell phone thing is getting ridiculous. When we took the youth to camp last week, all cell phones were confiscated (or so we thought). We had three older kids who thought they were too cool for rules who snuck them in. The youth leader found them and was pretty mad about being lied to. He told them that they weren't men if they didn't have any more intergrity than that...that didn't go over very well with them. I didn't even have a cell phone that week because there was no service in that area and I loved the freedom. It was great. No phones or TVs all week. The kids actually had to talk to each other (and to us).

Have to go get mom her breakfast, etc...see ya later.

Boo
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63729: I wasn't criticizing you, BOO. I was just making a generalization. And withe generalizations you ahve to be careful because every situation is different. In your situation--which you know best--it sounds like you have made the best decisions for you and Sean. There are some people who can't seem to make rational decisions regarding their kids (did you hear about the infant left in the car for almost an hour yesterday in 90 degree heat while the mom went shopping?), but then there are people like you and the other porchsters.

M-T
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63730:
Boo-I'd never call you a knucklehead. If I want to call someone a knucklehead I'll just look in the mirror. I was using a term that was thrown out last week. I was referring to the knuckleheads that Dud mentioned that speak of the natural beauty of ANWAR and then can't find it in a series of pictures.

auh2o
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63731:
Oh hey! M-T, never once have I had hard feelings toward you, my moulage buddy.

auh2o
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63732: Oh, I know you weren't, Me-They, it's just that being the guilty personality that I am, I felt the urge to defend my actions! ha..thanks for the kind words...That is so frightening about the baby in the car because I have heard of babies dying that way in less time. I saw a story on TV about a man who was on his way to work and was supposed to leave his baby son at daycare on the way. This was his wife's usual job but he was doing it that day for some reason. The baby was asleep and he got out, shut the door and went into work as usual. Unfortunately it was summer. Eventually someone noticed the baby in the car but it was too late. The poor man just forgot that the baby was with him. The pain and guilt he must have endured! It is such a dangerous thing for children or animals to be in cars in the summer. I also read about how many kids die in car trunks. They crawl in there and shut the lid and nobody finds them until it's too late. So, if you are ever looking for a little one, remember to always check the car and trunk.

Better go...have to take the baby bird to the University bird rehabilitation center...he is doing well and I think they will be able to save him and turn him loose....adios!

Boo
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63733: Oh, hey there Auh20, I know you wouldn't call me a Knucklehead! I seem to have made you guys feel bad this morning...so sorry. I know you are both nice guys, don't worry about it.

Later,
Boo
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63734: "You're not talkin' to a jerk, y'know!"

M-T
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63735: Good morning, all. Boo, good for you for trying to save the little bird. I have tried on a couple of occasions to do the same thing - one baby made it, one didn't. I wonder why the mother kept pushing him out of the nest?

My most heart-breaking rescue attempt was a few years ago when a terribly strong wind had blown a little screech owl into the side of my neighbor's house. I think I told the porch about it at the time, not sure. Anyway, the little bird managed to get out into the yard, where my neighbor noticed him and called me. I located a rehabber, put the owl in a box and drove to north Dallas with him, but unfortunately, he died on the way over. Just about broke my heart. He (or she) and a mate had been nightly visitors at my bird bath, and I was enjoying them so much. Even bought a night vision scope so I could observe them better. After the loss of the one bird, the other apparently left the area, or else something had happened to it as well, because I never saw it again. The rehabber told me that tiny owls like little screechers are often injured when they try to fly during a storm. They're so light, and their wings are so big for their size, that they're like a sail in a high wind and often get slammed into structures and killed or injured. I was depressed for days after losing that little owl. It was such a pretty little thing.

Well, gotta work tonight. I guess I'd better get a couple of things done, and try to get a nap in later. Be blessed, all. --Romeena
July 01, 2008 - Msg 63736: That's so sad, Romeena. Wish the poor little thing had made it.

We took our little bird to the rehabilitation center and it was a wonderful place on Mustang Island in Port Aransas. It is the University of Texas Marine biology campus, so they have quite a set-up and lots of knowledge and experience. There was a very nice woman and her teen daughter taking care of the birds and they had a sort-of bird hospital for injured or baby birds and a huge outside area for injured pelicans. They were so fun to watch! There must have been at least a half dozen, lounging on lawn chairs or dipping in the various pools (rather comical). I noticed they also had a large nursery for turtles. Anyway, the kids had a good time and the lady showed us around a bit. She had alot of baby ducks and even a baby possum with a birth defect that she was raising. It had a clubbed foot and I guess mom had abandoned it. It was about 4 inches long, and really cute (for now, anyway! ha). So, I left the baby in her care (under a heat lamp) and left a donation and my old heating pad, which she seemed very happy to have.

Me-They, I wanted to tell you something about Sean. Last night, because he was anxious about the phone (which is working today), he started mopping at about 10pm and mopped every room in the house, including cleaning all baseboards. My tile floors are shining. I told him that I am going to drop his phone in water more often! hehe

Better go, today we ARE having the meeting with dad about how to plan out mom's care. I'll let you know how it goes.

Boo