April 20, 2010 - Msg 78737: Good evening, porch. Thanks, everyone, for the words of concern. I appreciate it. I made it through the shift, but was limping pretty badly by the time it was over. The knee is giving me fits, still have a large hard lump in the calf muscle, and my foot and ankle are enormous. I've about decided it's something in the knee that bled, or is bleeding, thereby causing the hematoma, and also causing the pain in the knee. We'll see - I have an appt with the knee doc a week from tomorrow.

Kidneys are still out of whack, creatinine level at 2.0 (much too high) and no discernible reason for this. The nephrologist's office called this afternoon, but they can't see me until May 19. I really don't want to wait that long, so will call my doc in the morning and see if she has any further suggestions.

As for the back - saw the back doc on Monday, he said there are two hairline fractures at the base of one of the structures that project off of a vertebrae, and this is likely causing the pain. At the moment, there is no pain, back is quite comfortable. He says that's typical, that it will come and go. I have instructions to call him when it recurs, and he will get me in immediately for injections in the area, which should resolve the pain for several months. Next step would be to go in and chemically burn out a particular little nerve that runs right through the damaged area. That will stop the pain completely, for one to two years, but the nerve will eventually regrow. Then you just do it again. So, for now, it's all on hold, until the pain comes back. Maybe it never will.

And that's enough of that. I'm tired of talking about my ailments. Life is too short. Let's talk about something fun!

The Deacons Annual Fish Fry was tonight at the church, and as the widow of a deacon, I was invited. They always do that - one of the deacons who was a particular friend of a deacon who has passed will call and invite his widow, will pick her up and escort her, etc. Very nice. My call came, as it always does, from my SS teacher's husband, so they came over and picked me up, along with my friend LaRue, whose husband (Henry) passed three years ago from cancer. Robert and Pat always escort me and LaRue, and we have a lovely time. The catfish was delicious, hushpuppies just right, and they had a huge bowl of green tomato relish, which is an absolute requirement with catfish, in my opinion. So goood!!

Boo, I'm so glad everything went well today, and results were good. I know what you mean about those drugs. While I can't handle any kind of narcotic without nausea and confusion, I do very well on the Versed they give for a procedure like that. It's wonderful! You can be just talking away one second, and it seems the next second you wake up, an hour has passed, all sorts of things have happened, and you don't remember a bit of it. I've had that same scope procedure a couple of times, and both my eye surgeries were done under Versed. It's just the best thing since peanut butter!

Friends, please pray for my friend Ray. He has kidney cancer, fairly far advanced. However, he's holding his own under treatment. It's not going away, but it's not growing, so that's a good thing. He is a wonderful man, his wife is a delight, and our church just can't afford to lose him. If you read my Mongolia journals, he's the one who fell off the camel, got a concussion, broke a couple of ribs and fractured both wrists. I know, it sounds terrible, and it was, but somehow even in his confusion from the concussion, he managed to keep everyone laughing. Later I'll tell you a couple of things, but right now, I'll cry if I keep typing, so I'm going to go play with Toye Starr. Just please pray for Ray. Thanks, porch. You're the cats! --Romeena
April 20, 2010 - Msg 78738: Whooooosh! And she was gone! --Romeena
April 20, 2010 - Msg 78739:
Boo-Fantastic, I'm glad for you, that it's over and done with.

auh2o
April 20, 2010 - Msg 78740: Ray sounds like a great guy, Ro...my prayers for him.

I forgot to ask if it was Versed they gave me but sounds like it was. I did experience just a touch of nausea after, actually as I was leaving the building to go home. I vaguely remember someone giving me a cup of water in recovery, which I drank and when I got outside, I promptly threw it up in a nearby flower bed. I was fine after that! :-) You know, I just took a look at the pictures they gave me of the procedure, and my colon, stomach and esopoghus do look great, smooth as can be and I was very surprised to see how well my esophagus looked because I have had so much trouble in the past with heartburn and pain in my epigastric region but you would never know it..no scar tissue of any kind. Hmmm...maybe it was the prayers that were prayed for me, eh?

Glad you had a good time at the fish fry. My prayers for you as you continue to seek some answers for you recent medical problems. You are just too full of vinegar (one of mom's sayings) to keep down and you have a great attitude. Lord bring you healing so you can get back to the normal activities you enjoy.

Thanks Auh2o. I wanted to tell you all about the experience because colonoscopy has become such a routine procedure and is usually recommended for everyone over 50. I wanted any of you who have not had one to know that it is a breeze so there won't be any anxiety.

Well, I just had my supper and think I will relax and get to bed soon with a book. Tomorrow is another day and I have to drive to Houston on Thurday for Sean's appointmen. His current medication might as well be water...does no good so we are looking at a switch. Please pray that we hit on something that will really help without causing more weight gain. Thanks!

SPOT, I will be happy to take you all to Morelli's tomorrow evening for pounded steak...or whatever you would like. I will even tip the violin player to play us some tunes. :-)

Boo
April 20, 2010 - Msg 78741: PS, Ro, while I was in the room waiting for the procedure, there was a nurse sitting and waiting with me and during one of those long silences, she asked, "How do you like this weather? It was nice this morning". I said, "Yes, it was. It was so cool when I got up this morning and went out to feed the...(hesitation)...uh, donkey.. Her eyes got big and she said, "Donkey?!"...I told her about how Thelma Lou is always standing on the back porch in the morning, looking through the window for me. Boy, she thought that was funny. I told her the donkey has given us alot of laughs.

Boo
April 20, 2010 - Msg 78742:
Hello porch family.

Ro.....prayers for your friend Ray even as I post this. Also continued prayers for you!

Boo....so glad your test went great. Praise the Lord!

MDC....the new cd should be released by June. Everything is finished and has been approved so it's in Nashville being duplicated now.

Spot....couldn't find the Braves tonight on TV (Direct TV). I know they were playing Philly.

Well got alot to do tomorrow so I better start thinking about the bed. You all have a great night's rest and a Jesus filled day tomorrow. HE loves you....HE sure does!
Love and prayers to all the porch family!
-REV.
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78743: What a game Rev..two homers in bottom of the ninth to tie with 2 outs and Jason Heyward rips a homer in the bottom of the 10 for the win...Braves are in 1st place now...Boo its a date for supper tonight..and they need to get a banjo player...well work 2 to 10 today then its off camping friday morning till tue...good sweep Romeena...hey auh20...well its about quater till 5...get off at 6...will whup up breakfast when I get off before bed for yall...Menu:3 eggs your way,country ham,bacon (limp for Romeena),bisquits and gravy,hashbrowns,oj,milk...should have it ready by 7:30 or so...coffee will be simmering...prayers and have a mayberry day..SPOT
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78744: Thanks REV! Let us know when that CD comes out so we can order a copy from you. So glad it is completed.

A banjo player...yes, I think you're right, SPOT. Or how about a whole jug band with guitars, jug, washboard, bass fiddle and mandolin? Maybe Barney will play his harmonica for us...he's pretty good at "Jingle Bells". So, you are going camping this weekend...going to the lake with the camper and doing some fishing? This is a great time of the year for camping..still cool enough and not so many bugs yet. That is one thing I am going to have to invest in one of these days and that's a camper. I just love to go camping but we are getting too old to sleep in tents. Hey, come to think of it...maybe I will just stay home...we can always do a campfire in the backyard and sleep in our own beds...naw, we should get out of here now and then. You know what I wonder about, though, is the price of gas. I wonder if it would actually cost more to drive a camper around or to stay in a motel? Speaking of motels, I have something cute to share with you who appreciate vintage and memorabilia: go to
www.postcardy.com/motel1.html

See ya later! :-)

Boo
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78745: Mornin' y'all! A banjo player at Morielli's? I don't know if I can wait until tonight! LOL

Hey Boo, those old motel pics were a blast! Spot told me he used to hang out at Gary's motel- (that's the pink one in Atlanta) back in the day,ain't that right,spotty?! Hee Hee

See y'all at Morielli's later this evening. I've got dibs on wearing ky girl's fancy skirt & dangly earrings!

*******************
possum under a rock


April 21, 2010 - Msg 78746: Good morning, porch! Somebody looking for a banjo player? How about Jerry, the son of Robie Miller, Aunt Bee's friend? He's probably still around somewhere - maybe Andy has a line on him.

Irises, irises, irises! They are a-poppin' back there. Lovely little Grapette has bloomed. It's an Intermediate iris, which means it doesn't get but a little over two feet tall. The Tall Bearded irises are well over three feet. Anyway, little Grapette is a delicate lavender and white and so pretty, but its big claim to fame is its fragrance. Yep, it smells just like the old Grapette soda. Does anyone remember that? Well, it smells like any grape soda, actually, or grape candy, but since I was always given Grapette as a child (no caffeine, very little fizz) the name attracted me and I bought the rhizome. So glad I did - it's just lovely. The yard looks so pretty - the only thing missing back there is a friendly little donkey!

God, as always, is looking out for me. As I mentioned earlier, the first appointment the kidney clinic offered me was May 19, and I didn't wnt to wait that long, so I called my primary doc. She still wants me to see someone in that clinic, so I called back. Guess what? The two docs she had suggested are still booked up, but another one just had a cancellation for May 6. Turns out it's my old friend Dr. Walker, whom I have known for about 25 years, and worked with a lot when I was working the medical floors. He's the senior MD in that clinic, and in fact, rumor is that he owns it. He's superbly qualified, and I'm thrilled. I never dreamed I'd get an appointment with him, but God knew better, and I'm grateful.

Those dadburn grackles! Big old birds, messy things. They haul in dog food from the neighbor's yard, drop it in my birdbaths and let it sit to soak so they can eat it. Of course, most of it gets left behind, and in no time at all the water is foul and stinky. Annoying things, but the males sure do put on an entertaining show when they're trying to impress a female. You never saw such a performance. That old boat-tail is fanned out, chest all puffed up, one wing fanned and dropped to the ground, and then he runs around in a circle, using the wingtip as a pivot. Meanwhile, the female is very studiously searching for seeds, pretending not to even notice him. Too funny!

Roses are starting to pop. There must be a million buds out there. One bush has started to open its buds, but in a few days, that island is going to be a sea of color. No aphids so far, but when they appear, I'll run up to John's and buy a quart of ladybugs, and the aphids will be gone by morning. Once they're all gone, the aphids will be gone too. They'll take off in search of another banquet, but they won't leave until they've eaten every last aphid in this yard. Accommodating little things!

Well, I'm going to pick up Eloise and go have some good Mexican food at El Fenix. Knee hurts, foot is swollen, etc., but my dad taught me the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” He lived by that, and I try to. Don't always succeed, but I try.

Later, taters! --Romeena
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78747: Ha! I did proofread, but missed this: "Once they're all gone, the aphids will be gone too." Obviously, I meant "Once they're all gone, the LADYBUGS will be gone too." Silly me. --Romeena
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78748: Stay out of the mulberry squeezin's , Ro! Ha Ha!

possum again
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78749: Romeena, I don't understand how the hairline fractures could be causing your pain. I can see a compound fracture poking at your nerves and causing pain. But if bones don't have nerves, where is the pain coming from with a hairline fracture?
Also, have you been diagnosed with osteoporosis?
I will offer prayers for both you and your friend.

Romeena, you also mentioned how you use ladybugs to control aphids. I was doing some research about ladybugs a few days ago even I don't have a problem with aphids. I was surprised to learn just how beneficial they are. One question I still have. Are the males of that species also called ladybugs?

Boo, glad to hear your colonoscopy not only went well, but was a comfortable experience. It seems that the prep was more annoying for you than the actual procedure.
I'm confused about one of your remarks. You mentioned that you viewed photos of your esophagus. Just how far did they push that scope in? Or did it go through your mouth?
Your report about this has calmed my fears. Thank you.

REV, you said your next CD is being duplicated in Nashville but won't be released until June. Why the long delay?

SPOT, can I please have my eggs as an omelet with cheese, tomatoes and onion?

from Poor Horatio
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78750: Sory about the confusion, Poor Horatio. Because I have had many stomach troubles over the year, my doctor asked that I have both the colonoscopy (on the bottom end) and the endoscopy down the throat...so, I actually got it from both ends, but luckily wasn't aware of what was going on and not so much as a sore throat or a sore "bum" today. I guess the doc was very gentle. :-) I am so glad I was able to calm your fears about it. I was lucky enough to have a sister who just went through it a couple of months ago and told me it was a breeze (which really helped). Really the only pain I experienced was the IV and if that really bothers you, you may ask for something to numb it first.

You know, PH, my sister-in-law had a hairline fracture in one of her lower vertebra recently that was misdiagnosed and she was in misery for months and actually had to have surgery and have some plates put in there somehow. She was doing great but slipped and fell in the kitchen a couple of weeks later and the pain is back, seems she caused some damage to one of the plates...what rotten luck. So, hairline fractures can be very painful and I think in her case, the fracture caused some inflammation that caused irritation to the nerves.

Romeena, that is really neat about Dr. Walker! See, things work out, don't they? I'll bet between the two of you and all that experience, you will have it figured out in no time.

Went to Sam's club today for dog food. I can really save by buying it there in those 40 lb bags and they way these dogs are growing, we go through alot of it. My donkey is getting too fat and is going on a diet, though. She's not going to like it but she has been eating way too much and munching on grass all day.

Well, think I will take a little break before getting Erin from school. I have to tell ya that I really feel great today...I am starting to think there really is something to this colon-cleansing thing like the "tree-huggers" say!

Boo
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78751: Hey, porch! I'm back, full of good Tex-Mex and happy. Knee is hurting much less today, and I'm moving a lot easier. Eloise and I even stopped at Lowe's for a while on the way home. I bought the cutest little strawberry pot - you know, the ones with the holes around the sides as well as in the top - and it's planted with different varieties of "hen and chicks." It's now on the wrought iron table on the back patio, and looks like it was born there. Ooops! Be right back!

OK, I'm back. A little hummer came in, checked out the feeders outside my window, and left. The sweet water was old, and ants had gotten in. I haven't felt up to balancing on a boulder and cleaning and refilling them. Today I do, so it's now done. I hope he comes back.

There's a squirrel on the tree about fifteen feet from where I'm sitting, and he's so cute. It's one of the little juveniles, getting bigger every day. I'm fascinated by the way a squirrel's back feet work. Their ankles are capable of a full 180-degree rotation. That's what lets them climb down a tree head first. They just flip those little back feet around so they're pointing straight out behind them, and down they go. Isn't nature just wonderful?

Well, guess I'll go lie down for a little while. I'm feeling good, but no sense in pushing it. Be blessed, friends, and thanks for the prayers. They're working! --Romeena

PH, I asked the doc that same question. He said the presence of arthritis in the area will cause that fracture area to get inflamed from time to time, which in turn inflames that little nerve. Sort of a chain reaction, I guess. Anyway, now I at least have immediate access to help if I need it, and that improves my frame of mind considerably.
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78752: Now how did those paragraphs get out of order?? Very strange. --Romeena
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78753: Well Morielli"s awaits!...Load up...remember Boo is buying!...where is Asa yall?..and Mavis?...well Possum I will swing by and pick you up if folks dont start talking....Horatio whope yer omelet was ok this moring...3 more hrs and im off work for a "week"..lake bound!...Talladega race watching from the lake outside!....SPOT
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78754: Don't worry,spot. Remember.. " What happens in Mayberry, stays in Mayberry" - LOL!

*******************
possum under a rock
April 21, 2010 - Msg 78755:
Hello porch family....been cutting grass and cleaning up around the yard. Got it looking good.......once again:)

P.H.....the cds that are being duplicated in Nashville is at a VERY busy company. I've used them for years because they do very good work. I have them do all the graphics and some mastering. I got a phone call from them today and they have moved the release date to the middle of May now so that's good for me. Some of the companies out there will give these so called great prices and when you sell them are get calls from folks saying there cd is not playing right. I have never had a cd bad from this company. Elvis' guitar player, Scotty Moore started this company many years ago on Music Row.

Spot....Morielli's here we come. Enjoy your week off.

Off to Florida this weekend. You all take care and will be back in late Sunday night.
My prayers will be with you all while I'm on the road.
Love and prayers!
-REV.


April 22, 2010 - Msg 78756: Good morning, lovely morning here in south texas. Had a little trouble sleeping and that is unfortunate since I have to drive to Houston and back, please remember us in your prayers for safety. I hate doing all that driving when I don't sleep well.

I sure am missing some porch folks that we don't seem to see anymore. Wish they would check in from time to time. Seems we hardly get any new folks, either anymore. Maybe we are getting boring..what do you think? We need to find a way to spice things up a little. Maybe another quote-a-thon, or share some stories. It is nearing summer...maybe we could share a "last day of school" memory. I don't think we have done that one. Put on your thinking caps....I had better scoot...

Boo

PS-we are having a medical issue with Sean that I can't go into but would certainly appreciate your prayers for him. Love ya'll.
April 22, 2010 - Msg 78757: Oh, and prayers for REV and SPOT as they are on the road and out of town this weekend. Hope they have a wonderful time.

Boo
April 22, 2010 - Msg 78758: Prayers for Sean,as always, Boo.

Will check in later- need to get busy around the ol' rock right now.

Y'all have a wonderful day!

************
possum u.a.r.
April 22, 2010 - Msg 78759:
Morning porch family.....nice and sunny here in SC. Will be leaving out in a few hours for Florida.

Boo....you have a safe trip and stay awake! Prayers for your trip and for Sean.

Spot....my daughter is wanting to go to one of the Braves game so we may go over and check one out. She's never been to one so I'm sure she would enjoy it.

Well I better finish packing (or should I say re-stocking) the motorhome. It stays packed and ready to roll pretty much all the time.

Love and prayers!
-REV.
April 22, 2010 - Msg 78760: Good Mornin' Porch!
Sounds like some of y'all are ailing. Prayers for all of the porch!
Life's just busy here. We finally got a car last night. It's a new to us car, so hopefully there won't be any problems with it.
I'm going to my new ankle surgeon today. We'll see how that goes!
I hope to check in more later. I have to run to get the tag before the doctor. Just checkin' in!
Blessings,
~Lucy
April 22, 2010 - Msg 78761: Good morning, porch! It's nice here today, partly cloudy, 64 degrees, soft breeze. Brave little squirrel traveling along the power lines toward my yard, others already here and playing. One has assumed guard duty atop a nest box - not sure what he's guarding, as the recent litter has moved out. Actually, it may be a female scouting a future nursery. Time will tell.

I'm going to go cut some irises for the house. There's a black one blooming, and a beautiful luminescent yellow. I think those two would make a great combination in a vase. Also, my favorite of all time, "Stepping Out" is blooming. This is a special thing for me, and it was a long time coming, a goal finally reached.

Doggone it, I haven't seen the little hummer anymore since he was disappointed at my feeders yesterday. I washed them and refilled them, but if he's been back I haven't seen him. Precious little thing, I hope he returns. Oh, if any of you are following Phoebe on U-stream, she's on the nest right now. She buzzes off now and then, but comes back quickly. She's building a new nest, much higher up than the old one. A big old lizard raided her old nest and stole her eggs, so she just decided to move to a nicer neighborhood. She's such a beautiful little bird, very colorful. The hummers around here are comparatively drab, unless in the sunlight. Then their iridescence shows, but Phoebe is just plain colorful. Tough little bird!

Boo, prayers for Sean, and for you as you drive today. I don't envy you, driving into that Houston traffic. That place is unbelievable, a nightmare. I hope you're not going deep into town, maybe somewhere in a suburb? I hope?

Lucy, I hope things go well with the ankle doc. You have definitely had your challenges. Prayers for you too. And congrats on the new wheels. You sound like me - I never buy brand-new. I buy from a highly reputable dealership, get a certified pre-owned car, and I've never had any trouble at all. I don't know how many thousands of dollars I've saved by buying that way, but it's a lot, about $15k or more per car, and I've bought five. New cars are like new babies. Don't ever go smell 'em, or you'll think you have to have one! (A clean baby, of course.)

Hey there, REV! I sure wish your ladies could be with you when you come here in October. It would be so nice to meet them - and little Jake, too.

Spot, please consider going on the cruise this year. There's still plenty of time to sign up, and it would just be such fun. It's worth going just to meet Floyd. He's so nice, and so much fun. His wife is a sweetheart, very good company. Eloise and I enjoyed our time spent with them very much.

Well, off I go. It's iris-harvest time! Be blessed, friends. --Romeena
April 22, 2010 - Msg 78762: Spot, we'd love to have you on the cruise but I'm not sure meeting me is actually worth it. :) Thanks Romeena for saying that and you're right, my wife is a sweetheart.

--Floyd
April 22, 2010 - Msg 78763:
Wow, hey to our fearless leader, Floyd. Thanks for all you do.
My Cecile had OP foot surgery yesterday. All went well, but please keep her in your prayers.
RO- Mr Wheeler can see those tiny aphids all the way from his truck! ha
Thanks for the CD info Rev. Have a good trip.
Spot-have a good camping trip. Better lock yer barn tho, you know what we did the last time! ha!
You all may have heard of the AZ immigration bill.
All I can say is dont believe everything that you hear from the media. If the gov does sign it, it doesnt mean that everyone will be stopped for ID. Just not true. You can read it at
www.azleg.gov/legtext/49leg/2r/summary/s.1070pshs.doc.htm
The drug and human trafficers are very embolden these days. A southern AZ rancher was killed a few weeks ago, and BP agents have been shot at, some killed, but the feds have basically done nothing. Anyways, i just wanted to express my thoughts. I mean, even Andy carried a gun at times, like when he brought in the 4 gorden boys from their still.
Well, ya all have a good day.
Prayers for all,
MDC
April 22, 2010 - Msg 78764: Glad to be able to do what I do, MDC. You guys are the "leaders." I just drop by now and then to be sure all is well. I sorry to hear of the problems some of you are having with health, pain and the like. My prayer is that the Lord will take care of you all no matter what the issue.
--Floyd
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78765:
Beautiful evenin' for rockin'.
Sweet dreams.
MDC
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78766: Good morning porch...and the cruise aint out of the picture!...camping today and storms for sat here...hey possum,MDC,Tom and all....well let me get things started ...waffle house this morning...Floyd is buying!...Boo bring a paper....SPOT
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78767: Mornin' y'all! Spot, swing by & pick me up,ok?

See y'all at Waffle House.

***********
possum u.a.r.
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78768: Thank you, Floyd. May the Lord bless you and your family.

Sean's appointment went ok, I guess. They increased the dosage of his med and in a month, if there is no improvement, we will try something different. Ro, I take him to Texas Children's hospital in the medical district, near MD Anderson. Lots of traffic and people but it is pretty easy if you aren't traveling at the rush hour. I just have to be patient because you spend alot of time sitting at stop lights.

Well, better get Erin going. I didn't sleep worth a darn so I am pretty tired this morning. Thank all of you for your prayers.

Boo
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78769: Well gang say a prayer for us a safe trip....pulling out soon to head to the lake...Possum you and Boo and Maude feed this bunch!...will try to get on my buddys lap top at the camp site....SPOT
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78770:
G'day mates.
Prayers for spot, sherry, sean and all.
Hope you all have a good Friday.
God bless you and keep you.
MDC
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78771: Hello folks.

SPOT, I hope your trip is safe and pleasant. And hurry back because I saw Maude and possum purchasing a lot of peanut butter and bread at the grocery store. Did they attend Chef Leon's School of Quick and Cheap Meals?

Floyd, it's great to see you posting here. And thank for continuing to host this forum. Hopefully when my personal economic situation improves, I would love to make the cruise as well. And because of my Navy experience crossing the Pacific Ocean, do you think the cruise boat might need an assistant navigator or extra bridge watch stander?

Boo, your Msg 78756 is very thought provoking. It made me realize that with our emphasis on non-TAGS related comments, are we giving others the impression that we are an exclusive clique? If we are, I honestly believe that we are not doing this consciously and need to make a change or two.
What do you folks think about this?
And if you agree, how do we correct this?

from Poor Horatio
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78772: Good morning, porch! Have fun, Spot, and be careful out there on that lake. Glad to hear you're at least considering the cruise. The price is definitely right, and it's really a lot of fun.

Boo, I know about those Houston traffic lights. If you ever make it through one of them on the first change, you feel like you just won the lottery. It can take two or three or more changes at a lot of them.

PH, I'm sorry I didn't answer your question earlier. You asked if male ladybugs are still called ladybugs. Yes, but you just don't say it where they can hear you, it really ticks them off. There's nothing meaner than a ticked-off ladybug. He might just haul off and hit you with his purse! (heehee)

Wow, the roses are really popping. About half the bushes now have blooms open and there are jillions of buds. Gonna be so pretty!! I need to find one little China Doll bush to replace one that died a year or so ago. I had five of them, arranged in an arc behind a large flat boulder that serves as a natural birdbath, thanks to the depressing in its surface. The little bush on the end nearest the pathway died, I think because we planted a yellow lantana too close and it crowded it out. Anyway, I'm tired of the lantana - too rowdy, sprawls everywhere - so I want to remove it and replace the China Doll. I planted them in my mom's memory. She had about thirty of them lining the sidewalk in front of our home when I was growing up, and they're such pretty little things. I think she'd be pleased that I remember and wanted to grow some too.

I hope my mom can see this yard and knows how much I enjoy it. She had a green thumb (inherited from my grandfather, who could plant a broomhandle and it would sprout) and she used to try to interest me in gardening. I never got very involved, everything I planted would die, and it just didn't "take" with me. I know she was disappointed, but she never said so. She would be thrilled now, if she could see how far I've come in the last seven years or so. Somehow, I think she knows.

A new purple iris has opened, and it's just knock-your-socks off gorgeous! Huge bloom, the falls are such a deep purple they're almost black, and the standards are a rich purple, a color I wish I had words to describe. Such beauty! Irises have been called "the poor man's orchid" and I understand that, but honestly, I've never seen an orchid that was any prettier than these irises, many not nearly as pretty. The lovely thing about them is the way they multiply, so they can be shared.

My next-door neighbor has graciously accepted "fall-out" from this yard in the past three years or so, everything has taken off and is growing well, and in the fall, I'll have some iris rhizomes for her, because some of my clumps are just getting enormous. You know what? They mail well. If any of you would like a rhizome or two, let me know, and come August, we'll see what we've got.

Well, I'm off to the internet, to try to find a good gazpacho recipe. For some reason, I want some. I read a reference to it somewhere, and it has done flung a cravin' on me, so I need to find a recipe. I love the stuff, haven't had it in years. Maybe I'll check Mrs. REV's recipe book on REV's website. Be blessed, all! --Romeena
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78773: Hey there, PH! You came up so quietly I didn't know you were there. You raise an excellent question, and I think you're probably right. I'm not sure exactly how we go about correcting it. Maybe it would help to analyze the problem, break it down, so to speak.

Here's my two cents' worth. I think one big problem has been all the political discussion, and I know, I'm probably the ringleader there. I've been trying to stay away from it, but it's hard. Friends tend to discuss the things that are "preyin' on their mind" and I guess the state of the nation is doing that for most, if not all of us. Still, it would probably be best if we didn't get into it here. Most of us know how the others feel, and there's always email. Many of you are on my "forward" list. If you just delete it, I don't know it, and I don't care. Also, you can always just reply and ask me to remove you from the list, as one straight-forward person did, and I was happy to comply. Doesn't offend me at all.

So - limit the political talk, or (best) none at all.

More Mayberry discussion - Boo (I think) suggested a quote-a-thon a few days ago. That's always fun. A trivia contest is fun, too. Also, we could share incidents in our real lives where our behavior was influenced by Mayberry memories or values.

I wish we could have a big old "class reunion", but the problem is getting the word out. People have scattered and moved on, and I don't know how to reach them. I do have email addresses for a lot of the porchsters. I'd be happy to send out a mass email, inviting everyone to "come home" for a reunion on a certain day - date to be determined before the email goes out.

There's no way I can describe what this forum has meant to me over the years. The people on Sheriff Frank's original porch saw me through the first rough years after my Dale passed, and that included some of you. Then there was Ollie's Trivial Trivialities for a short time. Then along came our dear Floyd and built this porch, where we have rocked and shared so much for the past ten years or so. You carried me through the valley when my parents and my grandson passed, one by one. You loved me through the loss of my precious little Sugarplum. You have endured my pontificating on so many subjects, and been so gracious. I have tried to explain to outsiders - you know, folks from Raleigh and Charlottesville - what this place means to me, but they don't understand. You have to be a true Mayberrian to "get it", I suppose.

Anyway, let's do try to get some of our porch family to return, and to attract some new folks as well. Newcomers are always welcome! How do the rest of you feel? What are your ideas?--Romeena
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78774: Hey, porch! I just received a call from my youngest son, the one who lives in this area. He needs your prayers. He was helping his father-in-law (Eloise's husband) to install an air conditioner. It was an awkward location in an attic, and at one point it was necessary for David to support the entire weight of the unit, mostly with one arm. It was too much, apparently, because he felt a tearing sensation, and lost power in that arm. The bicep muscle had torn loose from its moorings, and just rolled up in a wad near his shoulder. Quite painful, and essentially cripples that arm. He will be having surgery to repair it very soon. The surgeon said if it's not repaired immediately, in a few days the muscle will just refuse to be stretched back out, so they're getting right on it. This son of mine is very active, very involved with his two little boys, shares the work around the house, helps his FIL a lot, helps me a lot - just an all-around good guy, a son any mother would be very proud of, and I am. He's a big strapping 6'5" guy, muscular and strong, and like his father before him, often tries to do more than he should, simply because he can. Well, I guess this will slow him down a bit, bless his sweet heart. Please pray for my boy. Thanks, friends. --Romeena

P.S. Interestingly enough, his brother, my son in Florida, suffered the identical injury a few years ago, with a successful repair. He was trying to muscle a Seadoo up onto a slope to dock it, as I recall. He said he just watched the muscle roll up "like a window shade", as he put it. Both men think they're indestructible, and they're both old enough to know better, bless their little pea-pickin' hearts!
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78775: Prayers for David. Ro,isn't he the son who was pretty sick not too long back? So sorry he's having health problems again! Please keep us posted.

Yep,it's gonna be Possum's P& J sammiches and Maude's slaw until spot gets back to Mayberry! Unless someone wants to take this motley crew out for supper every night- any takers?

Y'all take care!
************
possum again
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78776: We defy the mafia!
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78777: Thanks, Possum, we appreciate the prayers. David is not the one who was so terribly sick a couple of years ago. That was the older son, the one who lives in Florida. Thank the Lord, he's now well and healthy again, even got his physical clearance to get his pilot's license renewal and has bought a light plane. Nothing short of a miracle, believe me. He was really not expected to make it. No, this one who has hurt his arm lives about half an hour away, so I see him and his family often.

Hmmm. PBJs and slaw. Not too sure about that combination, but I'll try anything, so bring it on! --Romeena
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78778: OMGoodness, Ro! Your son's injury sounds so incredibly painful...I didn't even know such an injury was possible. Those boys sound alot like my husband...thinks he can do anything, even things he shouldn't. I will certainly be praying.

Ro, I like your idea about a reunion..I say let's do it...what would be a good day?

Boo
April 23, 2010 - Msg 78779: I guess I will have to kick off the last day of school memory story...let's see...I guess the most memorable was the last day of the 8th grade. I was very excited about getting out of junior high and being a high school student. I remember after school let out the last day, I was standing in front of the school with a friend, waiting on my mom to pick me up when the sky just opened up and started raining on us. We were so elated we didn't mind getting soaked. Mom finally showed up and took me home, where I took a warm shower, and put on some pj's and parked myself in front of the TV, which is where I spent a good bit of time in the summers. I remember watching soaps with mom during the day and then reruns of Gilligan's Island, Petticoat Juction, and Green Acres in the late afternoon. I also remember eating alot of cantaloupe that summer and spending lots of time at the pool or at friend's houses...life was great then. Did any of you eat "Otter Pops" as a kid? I ate alot of those, too. Anyone remember how we used to put baby oil on our skin and lay out in the sun to get a tan (or in my case a burn)..what a stupid thing to do! OK, I'm finished with my summer memories...next.

Boo


April 23, 2010 - Msg 78780: Here's my TAGS quote for the day:
Ellie to Barney: "You're the man I want...and with your hair the way it was yesterday.."
Barney: "Now now now now now now now now now, Ellie!"..

Boo
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78781: Barney: "Ellie Walker! Ohhh!" (horrified)

Romeena
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78782: Got up before the sun today.

Romeena, thanks for answering an old question of mine. Also, so sorry to hear about your son's accident. I will offer a prayer.

TAGS Question
Regarding Leon, the cute little kid who seemed to always be eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, did he ever utter any words in the 5 episodes he appeared in?

from Poor Horatio
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78783: Mornin' Y'all! Can't say I have a special "last day of school" memory- will have to think about that one.I do recall the local radio station playing " School's Out" by Alice Cooper every last day of school. You believed it was summertime then!

PH, I'm not recollecting anything Leon ever said. I might be wrong though.

TAGS quote? Okay...

Otis: " I ain't in and I ain't out. I'm in the Twilight Zone!"

Y'all have a great Saturday!

Prayers for David.

*******************
possum under a rock
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78784: Good morning, porch! I can't say that I recall little Leon ever saying anything. Seems like all he did was hold that sticky, half-eaten sandwich up, offering a bite to everyone he met. (Yuck!) However, as Possum said, I could be wrong. I do know that he was Opie's little brother in real life, but I'm sure everyone knows that.

You know, I can't actually remember a single "last day" of school. I can remember being thrilled it was summer, and having lovely days of sun and fun, but as far as the actual last day of school - all just a blur. I do remember refusing to go to school, during the second week of first grade. (There was no kindergarten back then.) My mom drove me to school in our little black '31 Chevy, and when we got there, I refused to get out. Pitched a fit. My mother says I told her I didn't want to go "because they haven't taught me anything I don't already know, and it's boring, and I want to stay at home." Yes, I was opinionated and verbose even at age six, I guess. However, it was true, they hadn't taught me anything new, at least not yet. My mother taught me to read when I was four, and I was reading on a third-grade level when I entered school, so I suppose I really was bored. I recall hating school with a passion until I met Miss Crawford, in grade 2A I think it was. She challenged me, helped me order paperback "novels" that were written for children but challenged our reading skills, and let me order off the list for grades above mine. (I'm thinking I may have mentioned this before. Sorry.) Anyway, from that point on, I loved school. I wasn't any smarter than the rest of the kids, I just had a head start. Miss Crawford saw that, and helped me maintain the momentum, instead of trying to hold me back. I hope we still have teachers with that kind of insight.

We had rain last night, and the yard just looks beautiful. I need to get out there and clean things up a bit - cut off the spent iris stalks and stake up some that are falling over, but from my window, it looks like Eden, at least to me. Color everywhere!

I'm puzzled over some of the squirrels. I know there were two litters back there, and I watched them as their mothers gradually permitted them out of the nest boxes and taught them to climb. They were just a few days apart in age. For a while, there were half-grown juveniles all over the place, but I watched some of them gradually get bigger until they were as big as their mothers. Most of them have moved on, seeking their own territory. However, the other group is still hanging around, and they're still pretty small! They look like adults, with fully brushed tails, and they behave like adults - they're already courting and flirting - but they're small. I'd say they're about two-thirds the size of a regular squirrel. I don't know if they're just genetically smaller, or if their mom didn't have enough milk to fully nourish them, or what.

Well, I have errands to run, guess I'd better take off. Have a great day, everyone. --Romeena

Otis: "I have come to fill my vase!"
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78785: How is David, Ro?

Hey Possum, I remember that, too...lots of Alice Cooper on the last day of school. Surely you must have some summertime memories to share...doesn't have to be memories of the last day of school. Did you stay out past dark and catch fireflies (or lightning bugs, as we called them), etc?

PH, I don't recall Leon ever saying a word, but not positive about that.

Have we ever talked about how Andy's accent changed over time? In the first season, he sounded like a country hick but the accent became more northern... ;-)..."Wonder what causes that?"...

Have to take Erin to her ball game so had better get going. Wish you all could see her in that baseball uniform with her long blonde hair bouncing under her cap. She is such a cutie-pie and a pretty good little ball player but she has been striking out lately so Bruce bought her a bat and has been doing batting practice with her and she is improving. I really hope she stays interested in it because I want her to be physically active and stay healthy.

Talk to you all later!

Boo
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78786: Oh hey there, Ro. Thanks for sharing your memory.

Boo
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78787: You know Ro, one of my happiest memories of school was of my 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Renfro. She was the sweetest, most patient teacher and really cared about the little ones. I also remember how exciting it was to order books off the "Weekly Reader" order form. I adored reading as a child! My favorite was always the biographies and isn't it funny that even still, I very seldom read fiction but prefer non-fiction, especially biographies. Crazy but if I am going to get into a story, I want it to be a real one and i notice that Erin is the same way. She always wants to know if something "really happened".

Boo
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78788: Yep, I sure did, Boo! And I remember ordering from the "Weekly Reader" too -that was a big deal back then. That and the Book Fair. Remember when the Book Fair would come to your school?

What about playing under the sprinkler? Slip N Slides?

I'm glad Andy lost some of that "twang" he had going on in the First Season. Aunt Bee twanged it up too- never liked that. Seems she lost her twang and took on a rather refined and cultured accent which I didn't like either! She was from West Virginia( or so she claimed) and yet she had such a high falutin' way of speaking- just the way she said "Supper" got on my nerves!
And " Goo- bah". Why couldn't she call him Goober like everyone else?
Ok, enough Aunt Bee bashing! LOL

Oh, and I'm not knocking people from West Virginia! Just pointing out that Aunt Bee did not sound as if she came from that region.

See y'all later- love to all!

************
possum again
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78789: hey hey
just a little wet here today.

TOM

April 24, 2010 - Msg 78790:
Hello porch family......still in Florida till tomorrow night. Just checking in real quick to let you know things are going good and my prayers are with you all!

Love and prayers
-REV.
April 24, 2010 - Msg 78791: Thanks REV...hope you are having a nice time.

Possum, I surely remember playing in the sprinkler and the slip-n-slide. Do you remember the "Water Wiggle"?

It was such a beatiful day here today...in the 80's but with low humidity and tonight was perfect with all the stars out. We sat on the front porch for awhile but then Thelma Lou showed up and started scratching her head on Bruce's lawn chair...once she shows up she is hard to get rid of.

Better get to bed so I can get up for preachin'!

Boo
April 25, 2010 - Msg 78792: Good middle-of-the-night, friends. I'm pretty sure I'm the only one here, and I won't be here long. Just passing by on the way to my bed.

Boo, I think it's just hilarious that Thelma Lou is so sociable. That's just too cute. Clearly she thinks she should be a house pet, bless her little heart. Does she have a comfy stall she can call her own? If so, and if there's power to it, try putting a radio in there, turned low. Sometimes that will help a lonely animal.

I remember slip-n-slides and water wiggles too, but have little personal experience with them. Those came along while my kids were little, and of course, they had them. For me and my cousins, it was a water sprinkler most of the time, or an inflatable pool about a foot deep at the first of the summer. It usually got punctured pretty early on, and then it was back to the sprinkler.

When we were really young, around five or six, we would follow the ice truck as the man made his deliveries to the houses that still didn't have refrigerators. (Yes, I'm that old, and yes, my grandma had an icebox until I was about eight.) A long sliver of ice chipped off a block and held in a grubby hand was a wonderful treat when it was 105 degrees. There was also the raspa man. Raspa is the Mexican version of a snowcone. The man pushed a little hand cart, which contained a big block of ice. For a nickel, he would use a metal scraper that had little short teeth (rasp=raspa) and scrape up a ball of ice shavings, pack them in a little paper cup and pour some sticky sweet concoction that tasted faintly of cherry flavor over it. The syrup leaked out the end of course, our bellies and shorts were always pink-streaked and sticky, but we loved it. Most of the time, though, we settled for the ice sliver, because it was free and nickels were few and far between. It wasn't a bad settlement, either. I'd love to have one of those slivers right now. Clear, clean sliver of ice, cold and wet, and the drips weren't sticky.

Well, I'm off to bed. Toye Starr has heaved several sighs in my direction, so I guess it's time. Sweet dreams, friends. --Romeena
April 25, 2010 - Msg 78793:
Hi gang,
Not quite the 'middle of night' yet here, but going on midnight for sure.
I recall a type if pointed sucker that we would
suck on until it had a really sharp point!
Anyone remember the name of those?
Hey to all!God bless,
MDC