January 20, 2013 - Msg 92110: Sorry SPOT, But your Falons had a great year! At least they almost made it to the BIG show!..
Boo, your right on about everything going up...Even the price of down is up! Those greedy ducks!...G-F
January 20, 2013 - Msg 92111: And he sweeps too!....

January 20, 2013 - Msg 92112: For you Romeena....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdbxLk8_C8c
January 20, 2013 - Msg 92113:
SPOT, REV--Falcons had a great season! You will still have a
good team next year!
January 20, 2013 - Msg 92114: 92113 was from me! MDC

January 21, 2013 - Msg 92115:
RO-this may help--just as an electronic keyboard creates electronic sounds thru various resistors, capacitors, diodes, etc, such is how the electronic buzzer at a basketball game "makes" its sound. (and maybe they use bigger wires too!) ha
MDC
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92116: Hey Asa, technically you don't "need" an HD tv for the antenna to work. You will still get the stations, just not in High Definition. And although it is called an "HD" antenna, not all the channels come in as HD. MeTV, for instance, isn't broadcast here in HD, but that's fine with me, because I just love that channel.
If you would want to look into cutting your satellite service and making one of these antennas, just go to youtube and put "Homemade HD antenna" and a number of tutorials from different people will come up. The one I used was from a person with the username of babblin5. And really, it wasn't very hard. You just need 6 wire coat-hangers(those are getting harder and harder to come by), a two-by-four, and some screws and washers. Oh, and of course you will need a UHF/VHF transformer, but those you can get at Walmart for about $2.
I haven't totally disconnected my cable yet. Due to I am still doing some tweaking on the antenna to make sure I get the most channels with good reception. Well, actually my brother and I made the mistake of spray-painting it to try to make it look less conspicuous for my wife, since she didn't like the looks of the thing. Which I don't know why, it isn't very big. But anyway, yeah, we spray=painted it and got too much paint on the antenna wires and messed up the reception a bit. But when I first put it up there, sans paint, we got a good ten channels, four or five of them in HD.
I know that doesn't sound like a lot of channels, but when you consider they are over-the-air and free, and some of them are in HD which I don't even have on my pay-cable, it is a pretty good thing! The number of channels you get depends on where you live. If you live in or near some big metropolitan places, you are bound to get more. I know of some people who get upwards of 50 or more channels on theirs.
I can't help you on the DVR part since I have never had that. I guess you could still record the channels if you have your own personal DVR system or something.
Another thing you can consider along with the antenna, is getting a Roku box or AppleTV box, which are little, ..well, boxes, that you hook up to your tv and they have a ton of "channels" where you can watch any number of things, and most of that is free as well. I put "channels" in quotation marks because you can't just surf through them like on a regular tv. It is more like you have a menu and you "pick" the channels you want and then go through and pick what you want to watch within those channels. Don't know if that makes sense and it IS slightly different than just clicking through channels on a regular tv, but that is why I have the antenna. We have a Roku and it does have a LOT of old shows and movies on it. We bought one of the higher priced ones that come with USB ports, but you can get one without them for about $50, which is not a bad deal at all. I am thinking about getting an Appletv as well when we can afford it, because they have access to Youtube, which Roku doesn't at the present time, and you can watch just about any show on youtube. I know I have been watching alot of TAGS on there, because, well, you know how I feel about TVLand.

Anyway, sorry for that long post. At least, it seems like I just wrote a ton of stuff.

Boo, glad you are feeling somewhat better today.

Big Maude, Happy Birthday to your mom.

-Sterling Holobyte
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92117: Well, if I could figure all of that out, I'd probably find it's a very good idea, but being somewhat technologically challenged, I think I'll just stick with Dish Network. I like "point and click" cameras, too.

G-F, that video of the surfing mice is hilarious! Thanks for the link. The little critters actually seemed to be enjoying the ride - I guess. It's kinda hard to tell, mice don't have much in the way of facial expressions.

Well, guess I'll turn in. Got PT in the morning. I'm about to get tired of it, but I think it's good for me, so I keep going. Have a good night, folks, get some good rest, and be sure to thank the Lord for another day. --Romeena
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92118: Good morning porchters. Hope the new day finds you all happy and healthy.

Thank you for that info Sterling. I appreciate it very much. I watched the youtube video, and it almost seems to simple to believe it could work, but I reckon it does based on the responses to it. I may put one of those together and see what I pick up. The new system DISH put in for me is pretty nice. I can now have the dvr capability from both of my recievers. So I can record on the one in the bedroom, while watching a different channel on the one in the familyroom. And I believe I can watch what I've recorded from either reciever. What's odd is there isn't even a reciever in the bedroom anymore. It's all done through the one in the familyroom. I'm thinking he must have used bigger wires. :)

Spot and Rev, sorry for your loss. You had a good year, and played to the very end. That Q.B. San Francisco has is a good one. Brother against Brother in the Superbowl. That's a first.

G-F, Yea buddy, I hope with age comes wisdom. I spend a good part of my work day out in them temps, so I figure if they are willing to come put the stuff in for free, why fight it. Actually I didn't know the Dish would have to be replaced at the time. I just figured change out the two recievers and it's done. A couple of minutes. Heck, he was here from 8 a.m. till almost noon. I thought I was gonna have to make supper for him. lol

Well I think I might have the gout beat for this flare. The ankle is feeling almost normal and I can walk pretty much limp free. I'm glad about that. The first attack I had two years ago lasted a good 8 weeks before it left. So this med seems to have done the trick. Now Ro and Boo, I need to sstart taking a daily dose of Allpuronal (sp). It's supposed to lower my uric acid levels. Are either of you familiar with it? I hate taking any kind of drugs, but I guess I'm gonna have to bight the bullet on this one. I've tried through diet to lower them levels, but nothing much seems to work.

Boo, I envy those temps. Our high yesterday was 20. 5,000 feet above us, the ski resorts were in the mid 40's. These inversions just plain suck swamp water!

Better get rolling.
Prayers for all.

Asa
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92119:
Hey Folks

It is cold here...cold minus 8 this morning and a storm watch with 8-12 inches of snow. The high's this week may only be in the single digits. Cold.

Asa- 5000 feet above us? What is that? Wow! We just switche from DirecTV to Dish. I'm gonna miss the MLB Ticket but I love the Dish Network so far.

R.I.P. Stan the Man and Earl Weaver.

auh2o


January 21, 2013 - Msg 92120: Good morning, porch! Asa, I think you'll enjoy your new Dish setup. My son, who is in the thick of all the new stuff, got the Slingbox on his Dish setup. With that,he can "call" his receiver on his cell phone from anywhere, and tell it to record something, or turn on, or turn off, or just about anything he wants to do. He has two TVs operating off one receiver as well. I probably won't get that feature because I don't think I'd use it that much, but he seems to use it often. He calls it to record games he forgot about, or whtever.

I've had Dish Network for years, and really like them. Their service is very good, and they seem to try hard to accommodate. I've got four receivers - living room, my room, a guest bedroom, and the sunroom. Seems like overkill for a house with one human occupant, but it's really not. I need the first two, because those are the rooms I'm in mostly. The guest bedroom is a courtesy to guests, and the one in the sunroom gives us a place to stash little kids with their movies and programming, when the adults are using the living room set, like on game days. The kids are getting older, and don't use that one very much anymore, so I called to see about getting rid of it. Found out it would save only $5 a month, so I just left it alone.

Asa, allopurinol is an old, old, tried and true drug for the treatment of gout. If it prevents one of those painful, crippling attacks, I'd take it!

Well, gotta head out for PT, and stop at the grocery store on the way home. I've been just rooting in the pantry and eating strange combinations of canned stuff, because I haven't been to the store. I don't mind grocery shopping, it's the unloading and putting away at home that I hate. Oh well. It has to be done, and I'm grateful that I have the resources to get the groceries and the strength to put them away. No complaints here!

Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92121: Boo, Post #92110 I guess we get "down" from goose feathers more than ducks? Either way prices are getting way to high. Now with the Presidents 2nd term starting, it's time to pay the "Piper"! Those who voted for him are finding out the real cost for "FORWARD"!
We tried to tell them didn't we Andy?...Sorry I could not help myself!

All this "Dish" talk got me thinkin' back in the 60's when we only had 3 channels to choose from wasn't life easier? You knew what day it was by what program was on & when it was time to go to bed. I remember Sunday night was "Bonanza" time. When it was over, so was the weekend..Off to bed and up for school the next morning...Then there came COLOR TV...life has not been the same since.
(Or is it just me?)...At least we got VHS & DVD's to watch the old stuff...

G-F....
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92122: Is anyone watching the inauguration? I live 30 minutes away but would never think about going...it would take me hours to get home and where would I go to the bathroom. Sometimes I 'think' too much...
Frankie
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92123: An Allopurinol a day, keeps the gout away. I hope, anyway. That's my verse for the day, Asa. :) Sorry about that weird inversion thing. That would stink.

Stay warm Auh2o. If temps got like that here for very long, you would find a bunch of Texans drinking cyanide. ;)

Yep...three channels, G-F, and sometimes if we adjusted the antenae just right we could get PBS (but nobody wanted to...educational tv was not something I wanted to watch as a kid). Those were the days before Sesame Street or even Mr. Rogers. The only kid's program I can remember was Captain Kangaroo. No remote controls, either...had to get up to turn the dial.

Nope, not watching the inauguration. Good for you, Frankie...stay home and use your own toilet. ;)

Boo
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92124:
Amen, AUH20, I watched Stan Musial play thru the 50s and early 60s. RIP.
MDC
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92125: Hey Boo, My Dad had a remote control for our TV...Dad would say: One of you kids change the channel, hey one of you kids turn up the sound...One of you adjust the rabbit ears..Yep it was a fun time!..haha

G-F...
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92126: Hi All.

G F why did you mark PH made for ? he is sending us his cold weather here!
I do not like the coldand what it goig to be downto 6-8 for the exnt two night and 17-26 daytime hin.
Back in the 60 if you miss school !someone from school will called to see why !
Not like nowwhere you miss school no one cair?

Mr. Tom

January 21, 2013 - Msg 92127: You have that right TOM that is when the troubles began, when you did not have to be accountable for your actions at your school...
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92128: G-F, I remember that we always watched TV really close to the screen...now I realize it was because we were the human remotes.

I watched a really good movie tonight on TCM. It was called "A Patch of Blue" and starred Sydney Poitier as a very compassionate young black man in the 60's, who befriends an abused and lonely blind girl who sits in the park during the day. It was not a movie for children and dealt with adult subjects (particularly the abuse of the girl) but it was a beautiful movie in so many ways. Anyone else see it?

Boo
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92129:
Frankie, I watched a little bit of it as they had it on in the
dining room at dad's today.
One soapbox item... could someone please tell BHO that those pointy things at the end of the guns (held by all the soldiers parading by him) are called "Bayonets!" Just refering to his dumb remark
in the last debate.
OK, that's it! ha
BOO-GF- our neighbors got a color TV in the mid- sixties, and boy was that cool..."the following program is brought to you in living color on NBC." It even had a early remote that they used to call a "clicker" because of having to actually push the buttons till they "clicked!"
Prayers,
MDC
January 21, 2013 - Msg 92130:
BOO and GF--here's an old commerical for RCA color TV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKqntuJvWEE

January 22, 2013 - Msg 92131: very cool old commercial! That was a fancy color TV in that day. We got our first in 1967 and it was a Zenith...very simple without any whistles or bells, and no remote.

Boo
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92132:
Howdy gang....been busy here on the tour....Going really good. I trust you all are behaving yourselves....well at least most of you anyways:)

Well Spot...our Falcons came up a little short but still proud of their season. Should be a good Superbowl though.

Well you all have a good night. It's around 1:00am here so I better go back here in the motorhome and go night-night:)
Love and prayers
-REV.
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92133: Nice commercial. And I like that remote control, although it looks like something out of the original Star Trek series ;). I'd love to be able to adjust the tv picture right from the remote, and not have to go to a special screen on the tv itself.

And yes, Asa, the antenna is simple, but it does work. I can attest to that. :)

-Sterling Holobyte
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92134: Morning gang.
Boy, that was a neat old commercial. I remember as a little kid, there was an older farmer who lived a few houses down from us who had bought the first color tv in the neighbor We were invited to go over on Sunday nights and watch the "Wonderul World of Disney, in living color". I remember see tghe NBC peac@ck in color for the first time. Wow, what a trip down memory lane that is.

Well I am glad all the gala of yesterday is over. I won't comment on any of it. I'm sure you all know where I stand. No need beating a dead horse.

I sure do enjoy youtube. I have been watching some of the old "What's my Line" clips. I saw Andy Griffith on one of them. Hun old show, and John Daly, the host sure seemed like a pure gentleman.

Well hope you all have a good day. G-F, I'm having a battle with a heat pump at work that is periodically blowing a fuse. Driving me batty trying to troubleshoot it. It seems to run fine for a day or two. Never seen it draw over 17 amps with the "supplemental electric" heat coils on. But at some point, it blows a 30 amp fuse. Can't find out why. I hate those kind of problems. But I'm sure you can relate.

Asa
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92135: Good morning, porch! I'm up much earlier than usual. My son, David, is flying to LA today on business, and didn't want to have to park his Tahoe at the airport. Love Field is just about fifteen minutes from my house, so he came here and Toye Starr and I drove him to the airport. When we got there, he reached in the back seat for his carry-on, and it wasn't there. Wasn't in the trunk, either. Fortunately, we were a bit early, so he just ran in and printed a boarding pass, then came back and we came back to the house. Sure enough, there sat his bag in the garage, where he put it when I asked him to take my trash bag to the street! Grabbed the bag, and made a fast trip back to the airport. His flight was at 6:30, we got there at 6:13 and since he was already checked in, he made it just fine. That's one advantage of Love Field. It's small, compared to D/FW airport, and you just walk in, go through a small screening area, and get on your plane. Southwest Airlines usually beats the airfares of the bigger guys, too. He saved nearly $400 by not flying one of the bigger lines.

I didn't watch any of the inauguration. As far as I'm concerned, nothing was taking place there that I cared to witness. I just pray that there will be something left of our constitution and our country when the current reign finally ends.

Well, I think I'm going to go hibernate for another couple of hours. I didn't go to sleep until after three last night, and got up at five, so I think I could use a bit more sleep. It's going to be a long and busy day. Blessings, all. --Romeena
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92136: Yea Rev the super bowl should be good....hey boo,G-F, Romeena,possum,asa,sterling , MDc and all....in the 20"s here in ga....I got to go bring wood to the porch....back in just a bit....SPOT
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92137:
Hey Folks

The cold just got colder last night -12 and right now it's 3 and we're gonna have a high of about 6. The snow is a crunching.

Romeena-Glad to airport trip worked out well. My wife left for airport for a business trip to Brazil Sunday at 12 noon and didn't get to her hotel room until Monday evening about 6:30 pm. Just the ride to the airport takes about an hour from this porch.

Asa-I'm with you on the "beating the dead horse."

Boo-I'll keep an eye out for "A Patch of Blue."

MDC-My favorite tidbit from all the Stan Musial articles, "I throw him four wide ones and then I try to pick him off first base," Preacher Roe about how to handle Stan the Man.

Stay warm,
auh2o
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92138: Ro, its been years since I was in DFW but we used to have to change planes there everytime we flew to Michigan when I was growing up and it was a real PAIN. I can only imagine what its like now. We have a great little airport here in Corpus...just the right size and comfortable chairs in the waiting areas for people meeting travelers. What did you think of it when you flew into Corpus last?

Minus 12, Auh2o?! Mercy, that's cold. Keep warm...hope you have plenty of TP. ;)

Pleanty to do today. Bruce went back to work and I have to take Sean for an eye doc's appointment, among other chores. Hope ya'll have a good day.

Boo


January 22, 2013 - Msg 92139: Howdy Friends and Neighbors! It is cold on this side of the porch and we woke up to frozen water pipes! Yee haw!

It was a busy weekend - had two baby goats born and they are both bottle babies. Josie and MJ are really cute and really spoiled already. But we just love them.

Ro - thank you for being a Casey Angel. It was very thoughtful of you. Thank you again.

Just want to say that I am thankful for this porch and so glad that I set my rocker on here so many years ago. I know that it has cobwebs every now and then but I always remember you! You all are the cats!!!

~homemaker~


January 22, 2013 - Msg 92140: Oh - I have may have a job lead. It would be managing cases for mentally disabled people. It is a work from home job. hm
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92141: Hey, Boo. I liked the Corpus airport, it's very much like Love Field. Eloise and I even commented on that when we were there. About the same size, and the same casual, unhurried atmosphere. I remember when Love Field was the only airport around here, and then they built D/FW. It is absolutely huge now, with four enormous terminals, each one far bigger than Love Field. There's one whole terminal now just for overseas flights. There are trains that run constantly, between the terminals. Each terminal may have as many as thirty gates or more. When you're driving near the airport, you can always see several planes in the air, outbound. Also, when you board a flight and it leaves the gate, you may not leave the ground for another twenty minutes or so. They taxi out to the departure runways and get in line. You may wait behind fifteen or more other planes before yours is allowed to take off. Busy, busy, busy. However, the signage on the roadways is good, and once you get a mental picture of the layout and learn the pattern, navigating it isn't difficult.

Auh20, I just cannot imagine temperatures like that. I think my blood would freeze in my veins. If it gets down into the teens around here, the weathermen are absolutely bug-eyed, talking about it. Then if there's freezing precipitation at the same time, well - the city grinds to a halt! We're just simply not prepared for weather like that, not physically, mentally, or emotionally. I usually go through the entire winter without wearing anything heavier than a denim jacket. I have a warm coat, but haven't worn it in years. My big preparation for winter around here, which takes place when the temp is to go below 40°, is to get a couple of guys to haul my two plumeria trees into the garage for the season. Even a light freeze would probably kill them.

Well, Ted will be here shortly to help me with some lighting issues out back. Later, taters. --Romeena
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92142:
AUH20--dang, that IS cold. My dad told me of when he used to go ice fishing in Minn, and I ask him "why?" haha
HM- I will be praying for you regarding the job possibility! (:
Well, the "pomp" of yesterday is over; or is it? :( He wants a "new" america, whereas I'm pretty partial to the old one!
ASA- thanks for the "What's My Line" idea on youtube. Also funny are "outakes" from old shows like Bob Newhart.
REV- hope all goes well on the road.
Sterling and all-thought you might like that commercial, plus made in the USA!
God bless,
MDC
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92143: Enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk4Eq8IcQMk

January 22, 2013 - Msg 92144: Ro, I haven't worn a "warm coat" since the last time I was in Colorado. We just grab a jacket if we need it...which is not real often. I wore shorts and short sleeves all day today.

Boo
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92145:
Big "freeze" last week in Phx, and today it was 80!!
MDC
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92146: another funny one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTR-G9NpGNI

January 22, 2013 - Msg 92147: I hear ya, MDC..that's how winter is in south texas, too.

Asa, I have been meaning to ask you if you have a crock pot? Something really easy to do is to slow cook a whole chicken that way. I love chicken in the crock pot.

Boo
January 22, 2013 - Msg 92148:
Howdy porch family.....well it's getting a little chilly tonight down here in FL.

HM....the job sounds like it would be a blessing. Will certainly keep you in my prayers concerning it.

Thanks MDC....it's going great! Busy

You all have a goodnight
Love and prayers
-REV.
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92149: Boo, funny you should ask about the crock pot. Yes I do own one. And have done some pretty decent roasts in it. But as always, when I try to make the gravy to go with it.... blech! But I bought a couple of cornish game hens last week at the store and was thinking about sticking them in the crockpot. You got any tips on what I shoud do to them to prep them? Do I need to wash them before doing anything? I always worry about chicken cause I know you need to be a bit mindful of it. But I do fancy a nice hen now and again.

Homwemaker, Praying that job works out for you dear. Keep us updated.

MDC. I saw that clip with Harland Sanders on it a while back. Pretty funny how has so little known at that time. You would have thought he would have had to been a mystery guest, but I guess not. There is a KFC place in Salt Lake that boasts it's the first and original KFC to open way back when. And it's still in operation.

Better get.

Asa
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92150: MDC & Boo....Braggers! It's colder than a witches petulaoblagota in my neck of the woods today.. I'm sure Auh2o & Sterling can second & third it too...

G-F....
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92151:
...the motion is seconded by the Hayseed from WNY.

auh2o
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92152: Brrr Hi.

g f THE LAST TWO DAY HAD DOWN RIGHT COLD STAT THE DAY AT 5DR.
Tue high was 16 and today will be 22.
now that cold.

Mr TOM


January 23, 2013 - Msg 92153: congrats HM on the babies, auh20 stay warm....whew...we are around freezing here....hey Rev,Boo,Possum,Romeena,Tom G-F and sll....I skipped breakfast.....yall wana have one of those Brunch things?....how is that done....SPOT

January 23, 2013 - Msg 92154: Actually, it is a bit warmer today, G-F. The thermometer rose above zero. ;)

Really though, Romeena, it is not so bad... with a down jacket.

-Sterling Holobyte
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92155: Speaking of the cold, and politics(huh?), I just saw this joke and had to share. ;) (my apologies to those on the porch on the other side of the fence)

"It was so cold this morning I saw a Democrat with his hands in his own pockets."

-SH
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92156: Sterling, That's a old one, but still one of the BEST ones! ;)
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92157: HAHA...funny Sterling!!! heehheeeee....I think even the democrats on the porch would have to laugh at that one.

Asa, yes, I have some suggestions about the chickens. First spray the crock pot with a little non-stick spray if you have it (make cleaning it easier later). Take your chicken/chickens out of the package and rinse inside and out with cool water...be sure to remove giblets and neck if they are in there. The last chicken I bought had them in the cavity, which was unusual. I cooked the giblets for the dogs but you could throw them in the crockpot with the chicken to flavor the broth, if you choose. After rinsing the bird, put it in the pot and then you can season the inside with salt, pepper, or you can you seasoned salt or garlic salt, any spice that appeals to you. I then like to put a quarter or half of an onion in the body cavity, a few cloves of garlic, and a halved lemon if you have it. Then you can season the outside of the chicken with whatever you like. alot of folks like to use fresh Rosemary in the bird but I am not real keen on the taste of Rosemary so I don't go there. you might love it, though. So, salt and pepper the outside of the bird then I put in a little bit of water (about a cup or so...or chicken broth if you have it..or a little white wine). Set the crockpot on low if you are cooking it all day or you can cook it on high for 4 hours. You will know its done when the legs are loose and you can jiggle them (the bird's legs, not your's). ;) When its done it will be very moist and flavorful, but you won't have the nice brown skin that you would have in the oven. It doesn't matter to me, though because I don't eat the skin anyway. After it's done, you can remove the bird from the crockpot and now you will have some great broth to use for whatever you choose. You can make gravy (be brave now), use the broth to add to stuffing mix, or you can use it later to make chicken and dumplings or soup. If you put it in the frige for a bit, the fat will come to the top and get solid so you can remove it if you want. Good luck, its really very simple and foolproof.

Gotta go...chores to do!

Boo
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92158:
Funny how the topic of s-x is handled on whats my line. See the one at 92146. Groucho Marx steals the show, and then Dorothy Cilgalon gets all flustered!! The moderator's eyes say why did we ever get groucho on this panel. Anyway, i found it quite funny! G-F--yup, ya gotta look out for them petulaoblangadas! (: P
rayers for all,
MDC
APB for POSSUM.


January 23, 2013 - Msg 92159:
BOO-I just realized what I did to save a post.
In the "Censored" screen, highlite and "copy" your message in THAT screen, then go back and "paste" it in the comment area, and make the needed changes.
MDC
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92160: It's an "old one"? Where have I been?! I have never heard it before today.

-Sterling Holobyte
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92161: Boo...You can call me sensitive but just don't call me a Democrat...heheeh as for you advise to Asa...If I was a chicken that's how I'd want to be cooked!! Bet Bernie gets nervous everytime you get your crock pot out eay?

G-F....
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92162: MDC, I watched that clip you posted. I am not a Grouco fan..something about him gives me the creeps, but I can remember watching him on reruns of You Bet Your Life when I was a kid and I thought he could be pretty funny.

G-F, Bernie knows I love him and would never crock pot him! ;)

Boo
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92163: Hey gang the next time someone tells you to "GO FLY A KITE" you can say: Ok I will! Check this guy out.....Enjoy!!

G-F
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=nr9KrqN_lIg
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92164:
Romeena & Boo I have to agree with Sterling you Texas folks would do great in the sub-zero weather. Some of the modern coats are so thin and warm you would have no problems. I do have one I wear a lined Carhartt. I can't even feel the wind or cold, aside from my face. Besides...if you can deal with day-after-day in 100+ temps the cold will be easy.

auh2o
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92165: Well, thank you so much, Auh2o...you really understand...sniff....those 100+ temps go on and on forever! ;) All I know is that had a nice warm coat in Colorado and loved being outside in the snow...even in a blizzard. It was wonderful...snowmobiling and snowtubing. As long as I dressed warmly, I was a happy clam.

Boo
January 23, 2013 - Msg 92166:
TOM-stay warm buddy. I see on the new that it will continue to be VERY cold there.
prayers,
MDC
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92167: I was just thinking that Possum needs to get her hiney back on the porch. Where have you been, Possum? Are we going to have to come to the Cracker Barrel and drag you home? ;)

Boo
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92168: Morning gang.

Thanks for the tips Boo. I may just give it a shot this weekend. I think I've recovered from my last attempt to try something out of the box. My trend is to try something new, have it turn out a disaster, then get mad at myself and determine to quit trying new stuff. Then after a week or two of pouting (and eating tv dinners) I build up the courage to try something new again. I know, you real cooks out there are laughing at me, or rolling your eyes, but this is a real challange for me for some reason. This is a good time of the year for me to try this stuff though, because when summer time gets here I'm usually way to busy working in the yard to mess about with cooking. So I gotta make hay while I can.

You don't reckon Possum ran off with that dish towel salesman from Siler City do you?

We are at 19 this morning. That's about 15 higher than it's been all month. Looks like maybe the inversion has finally broke. Seriously, we have not seen anything above 25 degree's for a month. It gets very old, at least for me. Yes, I can dress for it, but when you're working in it, and using tools, it really is a pain. Often times wearing gloves isn't practical when handling tools. And them wrenches and screwdrivers get mighty cold in your tool pouch. Am I right G-F? Hey, maybe I need to invent a heated tool pouch. Hmmm, there's an idea. :)

Asa
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92169: I'm not laughing or rolling my eyes, Asa. Cooking is like any other skill...it takes practice and much is learned through trial and error. When I left home, I couldn't cook squat. My mom did all the cooking when I was at home...period. After I left home, I would call mom and ask her how to make everything but I didn't take alot of chances and kept it simple. I was working full time in a very difficult job back then so cooking was not something I like to do. I ate alot of simple chicken..rice..stuff you could make out of a box. It wasn't until my mom had her stroke 15 years ago and couldn't cook anymore until I really had to put some brains and effort into my cooking. I became the woman in our family who "cooked like mom". Now everyone want "Julie's food" at holidays and such. I said all that to say this: I had to ask my mom how to make things. You have some folks here on the porch who know how to cook and have learned from some of the best (their own mothers). Don't hesitate to use that resource. I never mind sharing what I have learned and I know Ro is a great cook so she doesn't either. We will be happy to help but you have to practice. :) Don't give up.

I saw Possum on facebook so I am pretty sure she didn't run off with the dish towel man, but I guess she is pretty busy these days.

Asa, I bet that would be hard having to face those temps everyday and work in them. Hope things warm up. I'm sure it doesn't help your gout pain any! A heated tool pouch...wouldn't that be nice? Sometimes when I am in line at the checkout at Walmart, i see these things you can by to put in your coat pockets that warm your hands. Maybe something like that would help.

Better finish the coffee and get moving. It is sunny and 70 here this morning....sorry Asa...if I could send it your way, I would. I should do some real cleaning around here today. Since I have been sick I straighten up but need to clean and dust!

Boo
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92170: Asa, You are right! Not to speak of getting in & out of a vehical that never gets warm! But on the bright side during the frigid times...Who's "The Man" that brings the heat! (Not Randy Johnson)or any other pitcher...
"WE DO"!! Only bad thing is the pitchers get more $ for their heat!...Something's wrong with this picture is what I'm thinking....

G-F....
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92171: Good morning, porch! Boo, ditto to everything you said, including the instructions on the game hens. I'm not sure I could be called a "great" cook, but I don't get any complaints. My mom had me in the kitchen at a young age, as a "helper" and you learn a lot by observation. I was heavily influenced by my mom's mother and sister, and by one of my dad's sisters, as well as my own mother. All were great cooks, and to this day I can identify little things that I do that I learned from this one or that one. For example, last night I picked David up from the airport about 9:30, and he was hungry. I knew he would be, so I had saved some of the sliced rare roast beef I had gotten at the deli the day before, so I could make him a sandwich. He took a couple of bites and commented that my roast beef sandwiches were always so good, and he could never make one taste the same. I told him the secret - put salt and a generous amount of black pepper directly on the tomato slices. Nowhere else - directly on the tomato! It's a trick I learned from my dad's sister, who made the best roast beef sandwiches in the world.

Then there's "Aunt Hazel bacon", learned from my mom's sister. To fry bacon, cut the strips in half to make them more manageable, and put them in a bag with some flour. Shake it up until the bacon is thoroughly coated with flour. Start off in a cool skillet, with a tiny bit of olive oil barely coating the bottom. Bring it up to medium heat and fry gently until the bacon is the way you like it. I like mine to still bend a little at the waist, as you know. The flour fries to a very thin, delicate crust on the bacon, and serves to extend and intensify the bacon flavor. Really, really good. I may have told this before, but one time my son's friend had slept over and we had bacon and eggs the next morning. In a few days, his mom called me and asked me to please tell her - what on earth was "Aunt Hazel bacon"? Her son was requesting that she make some, she had searched cookbooks, and couldn't find it, so please - what is it?? After I stopped laughing, I told her, of course, and we both had a good laugh.

Incidentally, Asa, don't hesitate to ask people how to make something. The occasional tacky person will refuse to share a recipe, but that's rare, and usually it's someone who doesn't cook well, but has one thing they can be proud of and they don't want to share it. Most all-around decent cooks will be happy to share with you. Most important, though, is patience. Boo is right - it takes practice, practice, practice.

Well, it's 61° here, and I can hardly stand it. I don't care if IS January, it feels like spring, and I'm ready to start planting stuff, something besides bulbs. There's nothing to plant though - no bedding plants in the garden centers yet. So, I guess I'll just have to wait. I've been having fun with the lighting, though. I have low-voltage lines running everywhere, and am about to put them in on the back fence as well. The line-power fixtures I have back there are really not satisfactory, and low-voltage has improved a lot. By the way, did you know that Amazon carries stuff like that? Those miserable little low-voltage bulbs, which can cost as much as $5 each, are available on Amazon in 4-packs for about $7. They're also offering a 25-pack for about $9, but I don't recognize the brand, so have been a little doubtful. I think I'm going to try them, though. Wow! What a saving that would be if they work well.

Well, I'd better get busy doing something useful around here. Y'all have a great day. --Romeena
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92172: Wow, I'll have to try some bacon like that Ro. I always cut mine in half but never used flour. I did try baking some in the oven once it it turned out pretty good but I didn't like having the greasy pan and rack to clean after.

I've been cleaning like a fool. I just wish it were cooler out so I could open the windows. It is nearly 80 with high humidity so I have the air and the dehumidifier going. :(

Boo


January 24, 2013 - Msg 92173:
ASA- I'll gladly trade cities with ya for a year,
and then we can compare notes! Ha,
MDC
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92174: Boo, Bragger! We have a heat wave today 20deg. G-F
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92175: Yes...this is my time to brag...but I will be envious of some of you this summer!! :)

Boo
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92176: G F we have a heat wave today 25 deg.
Mr. TOM
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92177: YEP, Ya'll what goes around comes around...WoW TOM 25 deg. got me beat!...G-F...
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92178: Boo, You are hired! at my work we are looking for folks who can clean my elderly highrises. We already have enough "Fools" but some "Cleaning Fools sure would help!...haha

G-F...
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92179: Well, finally porch, I have a chance to sit and rock for a minute.
Loooong work day.

Came home to supper... BBQ porch chops, Mac n cheese and green beans cooked by Mr. Maude.

We are expecting more bad weather tonight and tomorrow so I went to the grocery store after supper, came home and have been busy doing some chores. Hopefully, the weather won 't be as bad as last week end.

Everyone have a good sleep.

Prayers and blessings.

Big Maude
January 24, 2013 - Msg 92180: Wellhey Maude....any left overs?..hey G-F,Romeena,possum,asa,Boo....well ice headed this way for morning.....may be s slick rde into work...and a long day if it get on the trees and brings lines down...let me hit the hey...will check in in the morning...prayers...SPOT
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92181: Good Friday morning porchters.

Boo and Ro, thank you for your help and encouraging words. It does help me, cause I do allow myself to get defeated sometimes. And I don't why. It's just in cooking. In most things in life, I will double my effort to learn it, or become proficient at it. But for some reason when it comes to cooking, success is hard to find, and I really feel defeated quick. Maybe I need to see a haid doctor. :) But I know y'all are willing to help me, and I am grateful to you for it.

Boy, we had an odd thing yesterday here. Freezing rain. Very rare for us, and what a mess. Everything coated in a sheet of ice. And it went on all day long. I hope today it will dry out some, and warm up some. Glad to see January winding down for sure.

Prayers for all to have a good and safe day.

Asa
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92182: Freezing rain is a drag, Asa...hope the sun is shining soon. Sounds like it will be a tough work day for you, buddy.

Not much to say this morning. I'm just going to finish my coffee and get on with the day. I'll drop in later for a break. :)

Boo
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92183: Snow,snow,snow...All day snow fall on G-F's end of the porch Auh2o get ready for another one!

G-F....
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92184: I don't mean to make light of your comments on freezing rain, Asa, but I have to say I don't always hate it. In fact, it can be kind of fun sometimes(except when you have to drive somewhere, and I feel bad for people who do have to be out on the road). Have you ever ice skated down the sidewalk? And it is really fun with your toboggan, and how you can easily go from sliding on the snow to blasting down a sidewalk like it is a bobsled run.
Of course, this was when I was younger. But I still have that childlike wonder and want when I hear we are getting an ice storm. I find myself wanting to get my ice skates out(if I still had some) and skate around town, before the residents salt their walks and ruin the ice of course, which now that everyone is required to clear off their sidewalks within a ever-shortening period of time, doesn't leave much time for those simple, fun, and sometimes bruising adventures. Hey, ice storms don't come along every day, you know. ;)

-Sterling Holobyte
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92185: Hi All.
G F stop singing the blue about snow or I will start about the cold!
I heat that snow and out just as much as you
do at time?
Asa that ice storm came this way too!
Be a pagboy who out in this everyday at 5:00 or 6:oo in the morning, it no fun just like the storm of 78 I was out in it doing a pag rout and the snow was so bad every one say git inside where itis warm.

Mr. TOM

January 25, 2013 - Msg 92186:
Sterling-ASA-- arnt those ice storms hard on the power lines? Just askin'.
REV, SPOT-- well, you got our Justin Upton back! ha He's a ggod player but never quite fit the DBack routine. Just think, pitchers reurn in just a few short weeks, then nascar. Take my mind off BO and Hil. However, I DID sent quite a letter to the WHouse as he starts term2.
Well, God bless,
MDC
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92187:
Hey Folks

Today we're gonna hit double digit temp of 13. We've been around -10 every night since Sunday.

GF-Thanks for the snow warning. I'm not sure about you folks but they say we're gonna see 50 degrees on Tuesday, that should make things messy.

Romeena-I'm gonna try your "Aunt Hazel Bacon" and the trick with the salt & pepper.

Mrs auh2o made it back from Brazil this morning, she went from 100 degrees to -6 within 24 hours.

Asa & Sterling I agree with both you guys, ice storms can be awe inspiring and nerve wrecking all at the same time.

I'll stop back later,
auh2o
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92188: Great attitude, Sterling! Have fun but be sure and tie a pillow to your backside...you are no spring chicken anymore. ;)

What on earth was Mrs. Auh2o doing in Brazil? Hope she doesn't come down with the cold from the sudden change in temps.

Asa, our local news at noon had a report on the freezing rain in Utah. It is 80 degrees here right now...heehee. ;)

Boo
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92189: Oh, but it might make you happy to know that the weatherman also said that we will be receiving some "cold air from Utah" later in the week. :)

Boo
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92190: Did you just call me old, Boo?! ;)

MDC, the ice can be hard on power lines I guess, but we've never had any of them collapse or anything. And I don't remember any power outages more than a couple hours. Certainly not days and weeks, like some poor souls. I guess they either know how to put 'em up here, or we are very blessed, or both.

Boo, just so you don't receive some of that "toxic fog" from Utah, have you heard about that. Something about some bad fog in the Salt Lake City area.

-Sterling Holobyte
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92191:
Boo-The Mrs was in Brazil for work.

Asa-I don't know if you like salmon but if you do this is an easy...easy recipe. Oh, and it tastes great. Wow! Good. With or without the cauliflower side dish.
http://tinyurl.com/b2arh35

auh2o
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92192: Sal mon? Auh2o is that one of those Jamican dishes? Don't worry be Happy Mon!...Asa..Just don't confuse it with Sam Mon..hehe

G-F...
January 25, 2013 - Msg 92193: Hey porch! We sure have had the big freeze here today. The very cold temps and rain turned from snow to sleet to flurries the back to freezing rain which made frbseveralminches of ice everywhere. I have been in all day. Our driveway is a skating rink as well as the yard and sidewalks . Hopefully tomorrow will warm up and all of the will go away,

Bedtime snack : chocolate milk, honey buns.

Prayers and blessings

Big Maude