July 03, 2013 - Msg 94057: Well, Boo, you just come right on! I'd love to have you. I do understand about doing your clinical near home, however. I'd do the same thing.

About the revival idea, certainly it's what we need, and it would be wonderful if it happened. However,when I consider the shape this country is in spiritually, morally, socially and every other way you can name, I'm very much afraid of what it may take to jolt us back to reality, and cause us, as a nation, to seek the Lord once again. If 9/11 didn't do it, then I don't know what it's going to take. God doesn't always give us what we want. Sometimes, He gives us what we need, or worse yet, what we deserve. It may be like when my kids were little, and demanding to do something their own way, and I would say, "Well, just go on then, Big Britches, and see what happens."

Our little "cool spell" is about to play out. It's 90° here right now, and actually fairly pleasant in the shade. Supposed to start heting up now, though. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.

Well, guess I'll go watch "Dragnet" and "Adam-12", and then "Emergency." I like all three of those shows. A big glass of tea, a cookie, my puppy in my lap, and TV. Oh, and a/c, of course. Life is good. --Romeena
July 03, 2013 - Msg 94058: No, no, don't thank me. The porch wasn't very dusty, and Toye Starr helped. --Romeena
July 03, 2013 - Msg 94059: Boo...For the love of Mike DO IT! Take a class, take a vacation, go see Romeena, go to Babes.
Just Do It! Or just go over to Thelma Lou's with Barney....hehe **But Romeena may be busy watching Marty Milner ;) and eating her Mr. Cookie bar with a tall glass of tea....Just curious...Does Toye Star get to watch Lassie & Rin Tin Tin when Mom's shows are over? I can picture her curled up with her own little remote control nibbling on a milk bone...Yep, that's what I'm thinkin'....

G-F.....
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94060:
Boo- I am praying for that girl's safe return.
Also, yes, I have been hearing about the revival
that seems to be at the door. In fact, my nephew who left the church about ten years ago has
suddenly started going again. He said he had that empty feeling lately, so there is indeed a blessed HOPE!
Ro, I like those shows also, tho I dont get them in everyday. Also, here, The Rifleman follows Emergency, and I try to see that one.
Gee, I watched it "religiously" as a kid, yet
I turned out just fine. ha
Have a good Independence day all! I always think of Helen, tho, now, marching into Andy's office..."Sheriff Taylor..." lol
Prayers,
MDC
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94061:
Oh, and pray for REV, several concerts coming up this weekend. REVIVAL for sure! (:
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94062: Don't know if this will work, so I will try...

http://www.msn.americangreetings.com/ecards/4th-of-july/pn/3265909?cov=20
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94063: Nope, The dog was suppose to say: *That nutty Goober Fife dressed me up like this to say, Happy 4th of July, ya'all! Try to act like somebody today. Romeena, I need a date, can I take Toye Star out to the Duck Pond I promise to have her home before dark.*

It worked on the test sorry it did not on the post but you can type the message in yourself and hear it in test mode....G-F

July 04, 2013 - Msg 94064: Hahaha! Wish I could have heard the dog talk, but what a beautiful Golden that is! They're such great dogs. Enormous, but great dogs. My family is blessed in the canine companion department. I had my precious Sugarplum, God rest her little soul, and now I have Toye Starr. What a little treasure she is! Dale, Jr. has a beautiful c@cker spaniel, Abbie, who is just a love. Robbi has a big, gorgeous golden named Whoozit, who is basically a love sponge, and Heather has a rescue named Maximillian, or Max. Max is beautiful, a mix of undetermined components, but I think there's one of the big terriers in there somewhere. He's very calm and composed, and as my grandson said, he looks like an English gentleman. Then of course, there's our family hero, Bentley. He's just a big lovable goof most of the time, but he sure proved himself when his mama was threatened. Yep, we've got some winners, for sure, and I'm grateful for each of them. All gentle, loving and loyal, and each precious in their own right.

Well, drat! I just noticed the beautiful copper/orange dragonfly who hangs around my pond every summer. It's probably not the same one every year - I don't think they live that long - but there's always one out there, so I tend to think of it as a returning inhabitant. Anyway, he's here, and just circling around. It finally dawned on me@ He usually perches on a dried lotus blossom, or its stalk if I've cut the dried core away. Well, dried core, stalk and all, is gone. The pond-cleaner girl was here on Tuesday, and I'll bet she cut that dried thing off and trashed it! A natural thing to do, when you're cleaning up the pond, and she had no way of knowing that I leave that stalk there for the dragonfly. I cut the dried pod off and bring it in. I have three now, stuck into dried flower arrangements. You can buy them in the craft stores, but they're pricey, and it's much more fun to grow my own! They grow over three feet tall, and I usually leave at least two feet of the stalk intact. The dragonfly loves to perch on the tip of that stalk, and ambush mosquitoes. He'll sit there, and every couple of minutes, he darts out, very fast, then returns to his perch. One day I was nearby when he was doing that, and the sun was slanting just right, and I could actually see mosquitoes in the air. I saw him grab one, plain as day. Since then, I've been careful to preserve his perch. Oh well, I guess this year he'll have to make do with an iris stalk. There's one right beside the pond that didn't get cut away when the flowers finished. He can sit on that, if he will. He's such a pretty thing.

The rest of the family went to the town's parade, but I've been before, and know you have to park very far away, and walk several blocks to get to the parade route. I'm not up to that, so am staying here where it's cool and comfortable. I hate to miss the parade, it's always fun, but it is what it is. I don't really mind. I'm having fun here at this window, watching that dragonfly. I turned on the sprinkler near the pond. The wet vegetation will draw mosquitoes in, and he'll have a banquet!

Well, guess I'll go find some lunch, after I put out some critter feed. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94065: Hey, G-F. That card is hilarious. I just copied and pasted the dog's speech, and tried both male voices. Paul sounds more like a golden would sound, I think. Too funny! --Romeena
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94066: Thanks Romeena, never thought about the copy & paste method for the dogs voice, it worked good!
Here is one for Boo to copy & paste.

Boo. That Goober Fife sure is a study. He told me to tell Bernie he better watch over the chickens. since it is July 4th someone may try to have a chicken barbeque with them. te he ha ha yuck yuck. From Goober Fife

July 04, 2013 - Msg 94067: SPOT...."A TALKING DOG", Goober Fife got me a talking dog! Say something SPOT...Judy, Judy, Judy, Ain't you got a jack? Come on you guys, hurry up you guys, beat it you guys.
I got me a talking dog from Goober Fife..ha ha
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94068:
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!
Uncle Sam (aka mdc)
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94069:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUWrODAjWBA

"Get Out!" (:
July 04, 2013 - Msg 94070: I think MDC must be one of those "Mayberry Minute Men"......Will you help us? The shot heard around the world...History Redcoats muskets and stuff.....
July 05, 2013 - Msg 94071:
I just watched a Capital 4th on PBS!
Always a great show!
"Miniteman o District o Columbia" (MDC for any slow-thinkers :)
July 05, 2013 - Msg 94072: Good morning, everyone. Hope you all had a good 4th. Hope SMH's brisket turned out ok.

We ended up having a feast. Bruce's bbq was great, as usual and I made pinto beans, baked beans, potato salad, and sweet corn on the cob. The next door neighbor sent over a cold watermellong for dessert. :) Ate too much but it was some of the best eatin' I've done, probably since last Christmas.

Back to reality today...laundry is piling up. :)

Boo
July 05, 2013 - Msg 94073: EATIN' SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS....Just ask Brisco & the Boys.....
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94074: Where is everybody??? --Romeena
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94075: Hi all,
I really didn't do anything for the 4th. Didn't even watch fireworks. Can't really get into a celebratory spirit of our independence from Europe when we are being "changed" right back into a socialist monarchy(or much worse) by our own "commandeer"-in-chief. Sorry, don't mean to be a downer. And I sincerely hope you all had a good Fourth. And that you continue to enjoy the weekend.

I did put up a couple vids of our robins on youtube if you are interested. One is of the nest, but the babies wouldn't pop their heads out once I got the camera going.(who said never work with kids or animals?! - Oh yeah, W.C. Fields) The mom(or dad) did fly over to the small tree we have in the front yard to make sure I wasn't up to no good. At least they didn't attack me this time like they have been doing every time I go to get the mail. They do kind of a false charge. I wonder if they do that to the poor mailman. I imagine they do.
This is the one of the nest: http://youtu.be/_1dfIVjTwxY
And this is one of what I think is one of our robins singing. Must be the male though, since I learned that they only sing this song. I guess the girls don't know the words: http://youtu.be/0omo_-InUuE


-Sterling Holobyte
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94076: Great video Sterling...If you all were wondering what the bird was saying..You have to ask Winkin, Winkin will ask Blinkin, Blinkin will ask Nod, Nod will ask Sterling, Sterling will say: "Gee I'm feeling goood!" in his best bird voice impression. How does he know that you ask? Well Sterling as watched "Opie the Birdman" dozens of times, Barney taught him how to do it, how else would he know?....

G-F....
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94077: Enjoyed the videos, Sterling. The captions were pretty funny, too. You know, I used to see robins around but the past few years they seem to be absent.

Boo
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94078: Enjoyed the videos, Sterling, and the captions were neat, too. I'm so glad you got the robin's song. It's always so cheerful, so perky-sounding. They often sing at night, especially during the mating season. Many times when I go out back at night for something, I'll hear a robin singing. Sounds so strange, to hear a bird singing at midnight, but they do.

I recently read an article in "The National Geographic", telling how the songbird population in the Mediterranean is just being decimated, almost eradicated. It's particularly bad in Italy, Albania and Egypt. Seems that people are killing them and eating them! Can you imagine? Would you kill and eat a robin? A meadowlark? A mockingbird? Well, they're doing it. By the millions. They shoot them, catch them in "mist nets", and put a sticky substance on tree branches, which traps the tiny birds and they wait there, stuck, until someone comes and rips them off the branch and puts them in a sack. Or they starve, if no one comes. These are not starving people, either. The reporter described them as well-fed, often wealthy. It has just become fashionable. They seem to particularly relish the golden oriole. Personally, I've never seen any sense in killing and eating a tiny dove - destroy that beautiful bird for about two bites of meat that "tastes just like chicken" - why not just eat chicken? (No, don't chastise me for being a hypocrite. Chickens are in no danger of extinction.) Anyway, I found that story disgusting, and wish there was something I could do about it, but I don't know what it would be.

Oh, someone asked earlier about my little blog. I hadn't posted there in a long time, but I did this morning, if anyone is interested. If you're on my email list, you got pretty much the same thing. I just copied the text from the email and put it in the blog, with a little additional comment.

Well, I've got to go get my hair cut. It gets so shaggy and out of control, so quick. It grows a full inch every month. Too bad I can't wear long hair, because I could really grow a mane, but I look awful with long hair. Even when I was young, I just couldn't manage it. If I pulled it back, or piled it up, I could, but long, free-swinging hair? Nope. Just didn't work. I can't wear hats, either. I just don't have the face for it. Some do, some don't, and I don't. Now that my hair is completely gray, I really, for sure, can't wear it long. Besides, short hair is so easy. I just wash it, add a little mousse, comb it and push the waves in place, and that's it. It dries, I comb through it, and I'm good to go. That's a legacy of my chemo year. My hair had a tiny bit of wave in the back, but the rest was stick-straight. Then I lost it during chemo, and it came back wavy, and seemingly thicker than ever before. God is good.

OK, got to put Toye Starr's little pony tail in place, and comb her face smooth. She's going with me, of course. She always sits on my lap, with the drape they put over me covering her as well, just her little face peeking out. Everybody loves her, and she sits like a little princess, holding court.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94079: "That's all you do, BIRD imitations!" (a MASH line) (:
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94080: Ro, we have some kind of bird out here that sings at night, too, but I have never seen a robin. I always wonder what bird I am hearing. About people eating the songbirds, I agree with you...if it tastes like chicken, might as well eat chicken instead...there's alot more of it. Crazy people. You know, the older I get, the more I start thinking about things I never really gave much thought before, like why we eat animals in the first place. I am finding out more and more how intelligent, and sometimes even emotional animals are and it bothers me to think about killing them for food. I never used to, but I am changing, especially when it comes to cows. Seems cruel in alot of ways...stockyards, seperating the moms from the babies and forcing them to have calf after calf. I know alot of folks make there living that way, especially here in Texas, and I wouldn't deny them that, but I kind of wish it had never gotten started in the first place. Did you ever think about why eating some animals is ok but eating others is taboo? What is the criteria we use? We think it wrong to eat cats and dogs because they are pets, but a cow or a pig can be a pet, too. Seems hypocritical to me. Flesh is flesh. Now pass the steak! ;)

I saw a young helen crump today on TCM...she was running from THE BLOB!! hehe She sure was nice in that movie.

Ro, speaking of chemo, I have a friend from church who has breast cancer and has been going to MD Anderson for chemo, starting around the time I had my surgery. She is about my age and just the sweetest woman..very quiet and always smiling, even at a time like this. She is in church every sunday and last week she told me her hair is starting to fall out now and she finds clumps of it on her pillow. It makes me so sad for her. I make a point of letting her know I am here for her but I want to do more. I was thinking of mailing her a little care package and thought maybe you could help me with what to put in it, since you have been her situation before. I thought about a nice warm throw, some cammomile (sp?) tea, maybe an unscented lip balm and lotion. I am going to order her a copy of a book written in the 50's called "What Jesus Means to Me". I have an old copy that stays at my bedside because it bring me such comfort to read. I can order a copy off Amazon. By the way, my childhood friend who had stage 4 breast cancer is still doing ok...is in remission, anyways, but she is skin and bones and still having pain from the very radical mastectomy and radiation. I am so pleased that she is still cancer-free though. I honestly didn't think she would be at this point. Praise the Lord for answered prayer.

Man, I sure have been mouthing off today. I had better let someone else do the talking.

Boo
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94081: Oh, and another happy story (for Possum)...Jubi is still cancer-free. She is entering her 10th grade year after the summer and looks and is doing just wonderful.

Boo
July 06, 2013 - Msg 94082: Hey, Boo. Your ideas for the care package sound perfect. Include something that will make her laugh. If the chemo is making her sick, you might suggest that she try keeping a Coke handy, and just sip along on it throughout the day. I went through two and sometimes three a day like that. I even had special permission to keep one at the desk at work. I never just turned it up and drank it, it's more of a sippy thing. They get warm, but that didn't seem to matter. Sure helps to keep the stomach settled. If she's got radiation burns, suggest she try pure aloe vera. You can buy the gel, but I just broke a leaf off my plant and scraped the gel out of it. It's sticky and icky when you put it on, but in a few minutes, it dries and just disappears, leaving no residue. Healed those burns up very fast - within 24 hours there was vast improvement, and in two days almost gone, three days - gone. Wonderful stuff. (Good for sunburn, too.)

I know what she's going through. My first surgery was a modified radical, which I suspect is what your friend had. The old full radical, Halsted procedure wasn't even being done in 1979, so I doubt that's what she had. Trust me, the modified version is radical enough, and a lot of people actually call it the "radical" these days. I can promise you, she's hurting, and recovery will take a while, both physically and emotionally. She needs a friend like you.

The second one, in 2002, was a simple mastectomy, and was a piece of cake. No pain, required no treatment, nothing to it. There was carcinoma present, post-op pathology found it, but it was so tiny and immature that no treatment was indicated. God is good.

I know what you mean about the eating of meat, and I have some confusing thoughts at times too, but I just finished off the leftover steak I brought home from dinner last night. I don't think we're not intended to eat meat. The makeup of our bodies indicates that we're omnivorous, and the Bible not only speaks of eating meat, but the Old Testament contains explicit instructions for the humane killing of animals and how the meat is to be handled. Since we're no longer under the law, we are not under the dietary laws either, but I don't think that gives us the right to be inhumane. I think common sense tells us that there is no need for the children of the rich in the Mediterranean to be eating the songbirds of the area. As my mom used to say, "If something feels wrong to you, it probably is." Wise woman, my mom. Just another way of saying "Let your conscience be your guide."

Well, I've got one mango left, and if I don't eat it tonight, it's going to be too ripe. Darn. Guess I'll just have to eat the thing. Yummy!!

Blessings, friends. --Romeena
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94083: Thanks for the advice, Ro. I will pass it on to my friend. She hasn't actually had the surgery yet. The last 2 friends I have had with breast cancer were treated at MDA and in both cases, the chemo was done before the surgery.

Well, on the meat issue, I like meat and I figure its ok to eat it, I just am more tender-hearted than I used to be. I really don't have any problem with it if the animals are treated humanely. I know a woman who lives on a cattle ranch and they make their living raising free range cattle, who are treated very humanely. I just don't like to think about the slaughtering part.

Don't you just love mangos?! They are, without a doubt, my very favorite fruit. I was eating one yesterday, while hanging my head over the sink to catch the sweet juice that dripped from the succulent fruit. Amazing stuff.

Sean just got home from work and is suffering from an acute case of chafing (or is it spelled chaffing?)...hehe...anyway, not sure what to tell him. I told him to use some gold bond powder. I have never had a chafing problem...guess I'll google it.

Boo
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94084:
Boo, if it is in the 'manly' area, there are products OTC for it. My guess is that he's sweating in your humidity when he is out on a cart corral run.
I took my laptop (only computer that I have) to my dad's yesterday morning to show him my brother's internet commercial, http://www.youtube.com/embed/dwNGaj06Xz8?list=UUzuehFr2mc9S8ut32dRxShA and i accidentally
left it at the group home. I called, they put it in a safe place, but even tho I hadnt planned to visit today, I went, because i felt absolutely 'naked' without it last evening! ha
Dad laughed about it too!
BTW, I will be taking a little R and R with my wife near flagstaff next week, so dont worry if I dont check in.
STERLING--great video of the robins. We have a very similar light, but sans nest. ha
Regarding your other comment, we still have laws in place where BO's damage can be rectified.
His HC law is starting to unravel as small businesses and others wake up.
BOO- I will pray for your church friend. Strange as it may seem to some, I have felt a calling to pray more these last few days.
RO- yes, as an AZ boy I can for sure vouch for the aloe on burns! Good stuff.(:
More later, gotta go catch up on other "stuff." lol
MDC
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94085: Hey MDC,
I must have missed it on your brother's website(but heard it in the video just now), that your brother flew an F-4 Phantom?! That is one of my favorite planes! A sturdy looking jet that thing is. No guns though, so you'd better hope you didn't run out of missiles if you got in a dogfight. Still an excellent plane, though! Thanks for sharing the video. I still say that if I lived in California I would vote for your brother no problem.

-Sterling Holobyte
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94086: MDC...The F-4 Phantom..The work horse jet of Vietnam. Many soldiers were glad to make a call to them in time of need SHAZZAM!

Boo as a follow up the post #94080..."MEAT"! if I may quote Brisco Darling...Do you concur Mr.D's cousin?..."TATERS"!

I took my Granddaughter to see a movie yesterday, a animated one called EPIC. There was a line in the movie that was profound, made me think and could not get it out of my mind. Ponder on this...
"Many leaves but just one tree"! speaks for a lot of things in life, faith & family. Yep, life as a tree...G-F
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94087: Good morning, porch! A quick fly-by on my way to church. MDC, I'll watch that video when I get home.

Boo, aloe gel is wonderful for chafe burns. It was a definite take-along when we used to go to the river and spend a week tubing the rapids. The inside of your upper arms can get very chafed where they hang over the tube as you paddle. I mean - rubbed raw! Aloe every night was the routine, and it worked.

OK, I'm off. Don't want to be late! Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94088: Wow, G-F, that IS profound indeed. Makes ya thank, and you don't even need a bucket. --Romeena
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94089: I woke up this morning thinking that very same thing, Ro...I know the aloe would help Sean but I don't have an aloe plant...guess I will get one today.

MDC, its Sean's thighs that are chafed. He went so far yesterday as buying new, underwear that looked like bike shorts and covered the thighs but it was worse than ever. I guess he will get used to it or the skin will toughen up. On the bright side, he was walking pretty darned funny last night. Gotta find the humor in everything.

Saturday, my husband's older brother, Rick and his wife came by and Bruce loaded them up with a bunch of cucumbers when they left. Well, Rick called me yesterday to ask if he could come over so I could teach him how to make pickles...sigh. I will, of course. Those danged pickles just won't let me rest! I was celebrating because I got rid of a bunch but here we are again. ;)

I'm all ready for preachin' but have a few minutes so thought I would stop by and say "hey". I hope you all have a peaceful Sunday, and remember: "What's your hurry?".

Boo

July 07, 2013 - Msg 94090: Pickles,.. Boo....Ya gotta learn to love'em

Car 54 where are you?....No, just a shout out for Mr. TOM hope you are feeling ok..

Come,come,come, to the church in the Wildwood....ya all chime in....

G-F again....
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94091: Oh-h, come to the church in the vale.--Romeena
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94092: "I am the Vine, and you are the branches..." (:
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94093: Boo is making ten more quarts! (:
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94094: Shoo fly. He's dead!
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94095: Imagine that, 10 quarts!
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94096: Sorry, 9 quarts is my high water mark, Asa will ya help her with the other quart?
July 07, 2013 - Msg 94097: Better watch out, she's going WILD with the allspice!
July 08, 2013 - Msg 94098: It looks like it's "one-liner" time! ha
July 08, 2013 - Msg 94099:
Breaker, breaker, I hate to mess up the one-liner mode, but I'm just lettin' ya all know that me and the missus is heading up to Flagtown from Tuesday to Saturday, so I will catch ya all on the flip-flop! I may sneak by to say hey on Monday.
Nite all,
MDC
July 08, 2013 - Msg 94100: 10-4 Good Buddy!

July 08, 2013 - Msg 94101: Looks like we got us a convoy Rubber Ducky!
July 08, 2013 - Msg 94102: Hi All
G F just saying here watching it rain.
Will I heard from one of the family who say that me brother is in the hosp .

MR,TOM

July 08, 2013 - Msg 94103: Hey, porch! Mr. TOM, I'm sorry to hear about your brother. Do you know what his problem is? We'll keep him in our prayers. Meantime, send me some of that rain! I'm sitting here watching water fall on my yard, but I'm paying for it, because it's coming from the sprinklers. Argh!

Well, my old garage fridge is sitting by the door, near the driveway, waiting for the Salvation Army truck to pick it up tomorrow. Lowe's delivered the new one just now. It's a nice little unit, though not as good as the one it's replacing was. Actually, it was the cheapest thing they had on the floor. I just couldn't see spending very much on a unit that will sit in the garage and hold sodas and watermelon. The one I'm giving away had been the house fridge for over ten years, then I moved it out when I gave the old garage unit to David for his garage. Got a new one for the house, and am not too thrilled with it. I've had it for about seven years now, still don't like it much, but oh well. Actually, the one that's leaving the garage now was my favorite, but it didn't dispense ice. I like the dispenser because it's cleaner. When I looked at little grubby grandkid hands digging in the icemaker, and actually found a dirt smear on an ice cube, I decided I wanted a dispenser. So, we played step-down with the fridges. The one that ended up in the garage ran fine until about eight months ago, when it cost me $200 to repair. Then a couple of weeks ago, it burned out another defrost timer, and would have been another $200. I paid $400 for this new one, so I think in the long run, I'll be money ahead. Just wish I had done it eight months ago, instead of fixing it then. We get too soon old and too late smart, as my German grandmother used to say.

Oh, happy day! I found a nursery website that offers roses, and they're all own-root plants, no grafts. And - they have my precious little Angel Face, my favorite rose of all time. I had about eight of them, have lost three, and only two look decent. They were own-root plants, and the others were grafts. One by one, the grafted plants are dying. Oh, there's a rose bush there, but it's sending out long, leggy canes, and doesn't bloom. The graft dies, and the climbing-rose root stock is left, and begins to send out climber canes. Not what you want in a flowerbed in the middle of the yard! So, I'm going to order some of the own-root plants and replace the grafted ones. Miserable things. From now on, I'm only buying own-root plants. No more grafts for me! My original Angel Face, the first one I planted, is going strong, and is just covered with blooms right now. Such a pretty little thing, and so fragrant!

Well, "Dragnet" is on, so off I go. --Romeena
July 08, 2013 - Msg 94104: This is the City.
Los Angles California.

July 08, 2013 - Msg 94105: I work here.
I carry a badge.

Dum da dum dummm
Dum da dum dum dummm

The story you are about to see is true.
The names have been changed to protect the innocent! :)
July 08, 2013 - Msg 94106: Howdy, porch! Hot day today, cooling off a little now. This is my favorite time of day, when the light is soft, there's usually a little breeze, and the sun is still gilding the treetops. So pretty.

Richard gave Robbi a nice camera a while back, and she has really done well with it. They've started a business, called Texas Art Store, and their products are sold online through Society6. Here's a link: http://society6.com/TexasArtStore/America-uAk_Print

The patriotic flyover shots were taken at the parade in Fredericksburg on the 4th of July. The night-time scenes, some shown on pillows, were taken in my back yard one night while Robbi was working up here. They very kindly gave me one of the pillows. Most of the flower shots were taken in her yard, (both she and Richard have very green thumbs) or in the countryside around Fredbg. There are a few that were taken here as well. Just poke around in the site, there are some pretty things there. Richard is the antique car specialist, so the car-related items are usually his, though Robbi likes them too. Enjoy!

Well, time to open a can of soup, I guess. I'm not very hungry, and I like soup, so it works well for me. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
July 09, 2013 - Msg 94107:
Hi All! We'll be leaving in the morning. Flagstaff is about two and a half hours north of Phx, and about thirty degrees cooler!! WooHoo!
RO, the night photo is neat. I think I saw the "famous" power pole that was leaning a while back. Also, what is that bright light to the right that looks a bit like Casper the friendly ghost? Beautiful back yard!
G-F, yes, bro LOVED the F-4. Even after he re-trained in the F-18, he said that it just didnt feel as powerful. The F-18 is much more agile, however. There are about 200 F-4s in mothballs near Tucson, if you'd like a souvenir for your front yard! ha
I will be praying for you all.
God bless, and God bless our 19 brave fallen!
Love ya, see you on Sat.
MDC (aka Rubber Duck)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3VN54M1OXA

July 09, 2013 - Msg 94108: Hahaha! Yes, MDC, I guess that does look like Casper. Actually, it's one of two large glass globes. One is about two feet tall (not in the picture) and the one you can see is about two and a half feet tall, without their stands. They both rest on black iron stands, which puts them at about five feet tall, over all. The little one has a 50-light strand of white Christmas mini-lights, the bigger one has a 100-light string. The lights are just bunched up and suspended from a hook inside the globes. They just appear as bright blobs in pictures, but to the eye you can see the detail and they're quite pretty. Actually, the angle of the shot is not the best angle to see the yard, but Robbi wanted to get that beautiful moon in the clouds in that clearing between the trees. The pole you mentioned is on the opposite side of the yard from the formerly leaning pole. I'm glad you like the yard. I get a lot of pleasure out of it, and it makes me happy when someone else likes it too.

Wow, I haven't heard "Convoy" in many years! Does anyone still use CB radio? I figure probably cell phones have replaced it? Anybody know?

Well, guess I'll toddle off to bed. Toye Starr is sawing tiny toothpicks in her little cuddle bed here under my desk. She has those little beds all over the house - got about six of them, all strategically placed. She's got one in a corner in the kitchen, and when she was still just a little baby I started putting her in it when I started cooking something, to keep her out from under my feet so neither of us would get hurt. She figured it out, and now just automatically gets in that bed when I get busy in the kitchen. Sure is handy, and much safer.

Blessings, friends! Have a good night - see you in the morning. --Romeena
July 09, 2013 - Msg 94109: I'll catch ya all on the flip-flop 10-4?...
July 09, 2013 - Msg 94110: Hello, porch! It's 101° here today (pant, pant) and it's hot. It's not a "dry heat", or a particularly wet heat with a humidity of just 25% - it's just hot, hot, hot. Dang hot.

One place that's not hot, though - the new fridge! After running undisturbed all night, it has cooled the sodas I put in it, and they're icy cold! The old fridge Which was picked up today, thank goodness) apparently had been ailing for some time, because it hadn't gotten anything as cold as those sodas are right now. The yard guys will be thrilled on Thursday!

Well, guess I'll go rustle up some grub, or maybe I'll order a pizza, or some Chinese. Decisions, decisions. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94111: Stay cool, Ro. Glad the new frige is a good one.

It was hot here today, too, but I stayed inside and worked all day. Since i was sick yesterday, things got behind. Tonight the kids and I went to see the movie "Despicable Me 2" and it was cute. The kids liked it alot.

Sean worked today and told me something that blessed my heart. First, let me give some glory to God by saying that I pray for Sean when he goes to work and I ask for safety, that the Lord would give him strength and ability, that he would give Sean favor with those he works with and with customers, and that the Lord would make him a blessing to others. Well, today he told me for the first time that they are allowed to take tips from customer when they carry out the groceries (I never knew this was done, so I never tipped but will now). He said that all tips are turned in to the boss, who puts them in a jar for each employee and then they are allowed to claim them at the end of the month or donate them to charity. Well, it seems that Sean has been getting alot of tips and the other employees are commenting on it. Sean told me that last week he carried out groceries for an elderly lady who was talkative and very nice and that yesterday she was in his line and he had the opportunity to carry out her groceries again. When he was finished, she handed him a dollar and told him, "You were so professional and so kind to me last week that I couldn't wait to come back and see you again.". Now, as a parent, can I tell you how that touched me? Sean described the lady as sad and probably lonely. I told him, "Son, you never know how much a kind word and some conversation might mean to someone, especially someone who is lonely". I am so thankful to God that he is allowing Sean to be a blessing to others. I know some parents might think, 'So what, he is working at a bag boy?,' but I couldn't be prouder. It has always been my prayer that Sean would be a success in God's eyes, whatever he did. The greatest among us is the servant of all. My boy is growing by leaps and bounds and is showing love to "the least". What more could I ever ask? God is good to me. Again, thank you all for your prayers for Sean over the years. I rejoice when I am able to share what God has done through them.

Boo

July 10, 2013 - Msg 94112:
Sterling Holobyte, I read your comment about the F-4 Phantom jet. Apparently you are not aware that some versions of the F-4 did have 20mm M-61 cannons (also known as guns). When I was an Air Intercept Controller (AIC), I controlled F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats during intercepts. I would guide them in to the enemy differently if the cannons were to be used instead of the sidewinder or sparrow missles.

Romeena, I have a CB radio mounted in an old car that I haven't driven in some time. Would you believe I still remember my old call sign that was assigned to me by the FCC?

from Poor Horatio
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94113: No, I wasn't aware of that about the F-4 Phantoms, Poor Horatio. Thanks for the clarification. Also about the "cannons". ;) I must admit I am not "hip to the jive" about military lingo, and you are not the first(and probably won't be the last) ex(?)-military man to correct me. A Marine once corrected me when I referred to another marine as a "soldier". Apparently that is a moniker they leave for the other branches and I think mainly the Army, but a Marine is a "Marine". But he was nice about it.


Boo, you are a great mom. I was going to say good, but that wasn't enough.
And you are right in that there is nothing to be ashamed of being a bag boy. I remember when I got a job as a bag boy/stocker, I loved it! It was the first job I had that I didn't get all dirty and smell of chemicals(my other jobs were all cleaning or factory jobs). I loved the fact that I didn't have to take a shower right when I got home from the store, unless I wanted to. And yes, it felt good to help out the customers. You really feel like you are DOING something.
And it's interesting. I still am amazed when I think about the Amish people I would carry out for, and the way they could pack all their bags of groceries in this little, thin area in the back of their buggies. It was like a little trunk with a wooden lid right behind and under the seat, and they could cram a good four or five full grocery bags in that little space, AND close the wooden lid. Well, maybe four, I can't remember exactly, but I remember being amazed by it then and still am.
It's nice that Sean can take tips and that he is getting a lot of them. It says alot about his work ethic and personality on the job.
We weren't allowed to take tips, not that many people tried to anyway being we were an even smaller town then and tipping bag boys wasn't something you did. Though some people did force it on you but they were few and far between and they were mostly visitors to the town.
Glad Sean is enjoying his job. And thanks for bringing that up, Boo, because it takes me back to my grocery store days. I actually really enjoyed them.

-Sterling Holobyte

July 10, 2013 - Msg 94114: I almost forgot what brought me here tonight. I came upon this little news report about this Mayberry-themed Inn in Wisconsin. And I think the website for that Inn has been mentioned before on the porch, but I don't remember if this video has been seen here(correct me if I'm wrong). It seems to be a newer report because it mentions Andy Griffith's passing.
Well, here it is if you'd like to take a look at it: http://www.kare11.com/news/article/981869/396/Wisconsins-amazing-tribute-to-Andy-Griffith-Show

-Sterling Holobyte
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94115: Good evening, porch. Boo, you are well justified in your pride in Sean. You said, I know some parents might think, 'So what, he is working as a bag boy?' A good response to that would be, "So what, he is working!" I'd say working as a bag boy beats the socks off of hiding out in his room, or lounging on the couch all day, then expecting his parents to finance his activities, whatever they may be. Bless that boy for his kindness to the elderly lady. Young folks often have no patience with the elderly, and can be so disrespectful. Sean just isn't that kind of young man, and you have every right to be very proud of him. He will find his place in this world, and will end up exactly where God wants him to be, because he's open to God's will.

REV, I hope you're planning to include "That's My Pew" in your concert here in October. I've been playing the new CD over and over in the car, and can't help laughing every time that one comes around. Baptists, and probably other denominations as well, can be very territorial at times. I think we've all experienced that feeling, when someone new comes in and sits where we ordinarily do. I know I have, though I do hope I've never let it show. We're creatures of habit though. We recently shifted back to one big worship service, instead of an early one and a late one, and the first few Sundays were interesting. People who had been using the same pews at the different services, suddenly collided when we went to just one. Fortunately, we managed not to have any fistfights or hair-pullings, and no one had to call the pastor to referee. Too funny!

Well, I'm off to bed. Blessings, folks! --Romeena
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94116: Sterling, thank you for that link! Very interesting. I'd just love to go and spend a night in that house. Thanks for sharing. --Romeena
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94117: Thank you for those kind words, Sterling! I'm glad I could bring back some pleasant memories for you. In the beginning I was afraid Sean would be disappointed in the job because it is pretty demanding but he tells me he likes it...yippee. Its so darned hot here and he spends a fair amount of time in the parking lot gathering up shopping carts, but it doesn't seem to bother him (except for the chafing..hehe). You know Sterling, I enjoyed hearing you talk about your job...maybe that would be a good topic of conversation here on the porch. Maybe we could talk about our first or earlist jobs and share some of those memories. I could share alot on that subject, but I will keep it to a minimum. My very first job was right out of college and I already had my RN license, so I worked as a nurse on a medical-surgical floor. What a time that was! Talk about a terrified young woman at first (I was only 21).

Ro, I think of that...I am so glad he wants to work and be somewhat independent. :)

Boo
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94118: Rain Rain go away....and dont come back another day...not for a while !..soaked here in ga...prayers to all....supper?...hard at work...SPOT
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94119: Yes SPOT a lot of rain in G-F's neck of the woods too.Just came thru a tornado warning and very, very, hard rains on my way home from work. It is much quieter now.

Still room on the bus for "Mayberry in July" in Mt. Airy. Gonna be a fun time....
Romeena, Tim the Goober tribute artist and "Otis" are coming too, I think you know them from the Mayberry cruises? I'll be sure to tell Floyd you said hey! also I like REV's pew song too...a lot of truth in it....

G-F....
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94120: Look G F keep the rain there in Cleveland and a way from SPOT and ME

Mr.TOM
\
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94121: Howdy, porch! G-F, yes, I do know "Goober" and "Otis" - fine folks! Please tell them I said hey, and of course, our own Floyd, and his lovely wife, Jan, if she's there. Nice, nice folks!

My first job was as a secretary in my parents' office. They shared management in a direct sales company, and I worked for them for a while. After Dale and I married, and he got out of the Air Force and we returned to Texas, he went to work for that same company, and eventually was placed in charge of a branch office in Waco. It was only natural for me to become his secretary, since I already knew the ropes. That way, we didn't have to pay someone else. I continued to be his secretary through three promotions, with the final one landing us in Dallas. When the company wanted to move him to Massachusetts, into the home office, he refused to go. Our children were teenagers by then, and we knew wherever we went at that time, we'd probably leave the kids there eventually, as they would meet and marry someone from the area. So, after three attempts to get him to move, he was told he no longer had a choice if he wanted to remain with the company. I think they were bluffing, but he called the bluff and resigned. We stayed in Texas. Just prior to that, however, I had gone to nursing school, and just stepped right into a nursing job, which kept us afloat until he found another job. I stayed in that job for 34 years, until my back surgery last year. God was leading all the way.

Well, I'm off to watch a little TV. Blessings, all! --Romeena
July 10, 2013 - Msg 94122: Thanks for sharing, Ro! :)

Boo
July 11, 2013 - Msg 94123: I can imagine that was quite an eye-opening experience for a 21 year old being on the surgical floor, Boo.

Ro, I always wished that my parent's had managed a business or something; to have a job you can just go right into without all the searching, applications and whatnot. I think it makes it less stressful for someone getting their first job if their boss is their family. Or did that make it MORE stressful for you? ;)

My first job, not including paper routes that never lasted very long, was as a dishwasher at a little cafe in our town. I got that job during high school, and I pretty much hated it. It was also where I burned my hands(continually) with the water, so much so that ever since then whenever we get cold, dry air, like in these Wisconsin winters, the skin on some of my fingers peels and cracks pretty bad. I've tried pretty much every creme imaginable to try to help it, but they never work very well. I guess in the 80's it wasn't cool for guys to wear gloves when washing dishes, even commercially.
I stayed at that place about a year. One person I remember from that job(besides my boss who sometimes had anger issues) was this older gentleman(well, he was "older" to me cause I was a teenager, but he could have been in his upper 20's to 30's) they hired a while after I was. I just remember him as a very nice guy who could talk to anyone. In fact, I'd say he charmed just about everyone there. Well, one day he just stopped coming to work and we soon found out why. It turned out this guy was a regular con artist whom the law knew quite well, and was even stealing money from the cafe. Kind of lowered my view of humanity a little bit when I found out, because I actually liked the guy. I can't remember if they ever caught him.
But thinking about it now, he kind of reminds me of the crooks they tended to have in Mayberry. Kind of like "Gentleman" Dan Caldwell(except much younger) The type of guys who can charm the pants off of you and make you think they are really good, high class guys as they steal your wallet.

But that was my first job. I did take another dishwashing job a few years later. I lasted a week after I remembered how much I hated it. Yeah, those type of jobs made me glad when I finally got into the grocery business. :)

-Sterling Holobyte
July 11, 2013 - Msg 94124: Good morning gang!..well more rain expected today...whew...my garden is NOT in need of rain...lets all eat at waffle house on Boo and I...hey Romeena,sterling,lucy,G-F,asa,PH and all....headed home to snooze at 6am...back at 2pm...SPOT
July 11, 2013 - Msg 94125: Hi All.
REV HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and wife.
Will SPOT all this bad this year and all the storm that come to?

MR.TOM

July 11, 2013 - Msg 94126: Good morning, porch! Interesting question, Sterling, regarding whether being part of a family business is less stressful. Lots of rabbits to chase there. In my case, it was a good thing. I had been around the business for years, lots of supper-table conversation that soaked in, so I knew quite a bit when I started. Also, I'm reasonably articulate, so when it came to correspondence, my dad would just say "write to this person and answer their question." My mom, however, would dictate word for word. I never considered changing anything, because my mom definitely had a way with words. We all got along, I had a lot of freedom and encouragement, but they did not expect me to stay there forever. I think a family business can be hard on a young person, if the expectations of the family don't blend with the ambitions of the young person. For me, it was a safe place, where I could learn to handle responsibility, receive a fair wage, and let my little wings stretch and grow. It was a great experience.

One of these days, I'll tell you how I got into nursing school - at age 37. Again, God led every step of the way.

Well, I've got a lot to do today. Getting ready to go to Fredericksburg tomorrow morning, laundry to do, and if at all possible, get my income tax together and over to the CPA, so he can get started on it. It will be interesting to see if it is accepted. Sen. Cornyn assured me that my account now bears a marker that will prevent another occurrence like we had last year. We shall see. I sure hope it goes smoothly, because I've got money coming back, and I can use it!

Oh, Sterling, have you tried aloe gel on those sore fingers? That stuff is wonderful. Years ago, I had a patient who had a "diaper rash" that was just horrible. He was an end-stage diabetic, though only 42 years old. He was blind, mildly demented, unable to walk, and was in bed. He was incontinent and wore adult diapers. This was in the days before glucometers, and there was no way to accurately test one's blood sugar, so it was always a guessing game. His ran very high all the time, therefore there was sugar in his urine, and he would get these awful yeast rashes. His bottom would literally blister and peel, and be all raw when it did. Awful! Anyway, his doctor kept ordering zinc oxide creams, which did no good at all. So, in desperation, I took a big risk. I couldn't do anything myself, or I'd lose my license, but I still took a chance. I brought in some aloe leaves in a sack, and explained their use to his wife. I told her I couldn't help her at all, but if I left the leaves, and she found them, and used them, I would know nothing about it. She washed him thoroughly, applied the gel, and by the next day, his scald rash looked much better, and the second day, it was healed. His doctor huffed and puffed around, bragging about how well his zinc oxide had worked! Then the patient's wife finally told him she had used aloe (didn't mention my part in it, thank goodness) and the puffing subsided considerably. Oh, and aloe healed my radiation burns in 1979, after my cancer treatments. Wonderful stuff. There's a reason it's mentioned several times in the Bible.

Well, this time I'm gone. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena