October 09, 2014 - Msg 99324:
Hi All, I posted a pic of dad and other residents on FB yesterday. Another resident was turning 90. Now 7 of the 10 are 90 or older!! In trying to keep things 'light", I guess one could say that dad is
getting "pooped out." :) He was feeling a little better yesterday, as he has been getting things out,
but is still just plain tired looking. Thanks for all the prayers
for
both of us, and please keep them up.
BOO and RO --my prayers are with you and yours concerning this ebola thing in TX.
Also, you mentioned antivert for the dizziness, would dramamine do the same?
ASA, GF--what is a blow-down?
Later all,
MDC

October 09, 2014 - Msg 99325: I didnt think the porch looked that dirty, but I guess Floyd had other ideas!
October 09, 2014 - Msg 99326: Well mercy me MDC. If I knew you could sweep up this good I'd a hired you at the bank years ago. That Mrs. McGruder ain't so dedicated in the corners. And her cousin who fills in for her is even worse.

A blow down in our talk at least MDC is using screw air compressors for blowing water out of sprinkling systems. I imagine in your climate that isn't an issue, but here it's a yearly job to go around and do that to all our systems. Saves a ton of repairs come spring. Can I get an amen GF?

Well I'm about ready to call it a day. Didn't sleep more than a few hours last night and I'm beat right down to my socks. Go home, take a shower, kick back in the La-Z-Boy and watch some tv. Hey, I forgot there is a game on tonight. Cool beans. Home, shower, watch football. Yep, that's the plan.


Asa
October 09, 2014 - Msg 99327: MDC, It's what you call it when the wind would "blow-down" your tree haha...No, really it is what you do when you remove the water from pipes for the winter so they don't freeze.
Not to be confused with a "blow up" which is what you do to a bee's nest with a firecracker! lol

First the tunnel, now the smart-alic answer, "What am I going to do about myself?" TOM may have me in the clink till at least Thanksgiving...Wait, then I won't have to cook and deal with the in-laws..haha

G-F....
October 09, 2014 - Msg 99328: Hmmm... a firecracker, G-F? I should have thought of that with those bees that stung me this summer. ;-)

-Sterling Holobyte

October 09, 2014 - Msg 99329: Asa, If you are resting in your "Wheeler" waiting on the football game, maybe if you caught the "Waltons"? Our "Skippy" is on a episode where John-Boy enters a dance contest. She is one of the contestants..(Guess she had a lot of practice at the Kit-Kat Club).

Yep, Sterling, it is a no chemical approach to bee removal :0 (only got stung a couple of times)....One time the neighbor across the street paid me $5 to get rid of his hornet nest that was hanging over into the street. A Louisville Slugger B-B and a fast bicycle took care of that one...(true story)....G-F
October 09, 2014 - Msg 99330: Now you boys don't be blowing up any bees' nests. Our honeybees are becoming a threatened species, and they're vital for pollinating crops. When you find a beehive, call a professional to come and remove it. My brother had a huge beehive in a dead tree in his yard. He called this man who came out, all dressed up in beekeeper gear. He pumped smoke into the hive, all the bees got real quiet, and he just vacuumed them up. The vacuum was very gentle, and deposited them into a net container. He pulled out a lot of the honeycomb too, and said it would be put in the new hive he was moving them to, to sustain them until they got established. Very interesting. Takes more nerve than I possess, messing with those bees like that, but interesting nonetheless.

You're right, Asa, we don't really have to clear out our sprinkler lines. Our ground doesn't freeze, and with the lines buried a few inches down, they're safe. There are advantages to being in the south, except in July and August. Then we pay.

Well, guess I'll go rustle up some dinner. It's late, because I went out to feed the fish in the pond, and ended up replacing bulbs in several landscape lights, putting out critter feed, washing out birdbaths and refilling them and pulling a few weeds. Seems like there's always something to do.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 10, 2014 - Msg 99331: Don't worry Romeena, they were Hornets not honey bee's. I had a experience once at work where a swarm of honey bee's formed into a big ball of bee's (around the queen) I called a local bee keeper, and he did just what you described. It was neat to watch, just like a "Bee Whisper" he was...

G-F...
October 11, 2014 - Msg 99332:
A slow friday on the porch.
I attended a wake tonight for the dad of a
family we grew up with in the old neighborhood.
It was quite a tight neighborhood in those days, where everybody
knew each other, and we all went to the same church, etc. Lots of big families. Now all the
patriarchs and matriarchs are all passing away. My dad is one of the last still standing, so to speak.
It was a neat time tonight tho because the family members who talked, voiced their memories of those times when Phx was much smaller, and how we used to play outside so much together, etc.
ASA, GF--thanks for the explanation. Nope, we dont have to do that here! ha
Well, I'm off to bed. Hope all is well in mayberry.
MDC
October 11, 2014 - Msg 99333: MDC, I know what you mean, when my Mom passed a whole lot of "the old neighborhood" folks and my friends came by to pay their respects. We also talked of the neighborhood memories, wasn't it the best of times back then? Life was simpler and the rules were easy, when your whistle blew it was time to come home. Thanks for the memory blast!

G-F...
October 11, 2014 - Msg 99334: Good Saturday morning all.

Yes indeed MDC and GF. Seems like our growing up years were so much better, without the concerns of ebola, and the other virus that is running rampant. Isis and all the related threats that is coming from that. The world seems in chaos, and what is most disturbing to me is we don't seem to have leadership that has a clue how to deal with any of it. That's not to say that our youth was without it's concerns. What with the cold war, Vietnam, and I am sure a lot more things going on. I guess times have always been, and always will be challenging. Maybe we just appreciate more now being adults. But the adversary will always be there, trying to take over. In our parents generation, I believe there were enough folks who were right with God, and were seeking out His will for us. Today, it appears to me at least, that the majority have no relationship with God, and in fact have turned their backs to him. That, to me. is the biggest difference and a serious one in my estimation. O.K. sorry for the sermon. I just felt prompted to lay that out there. Go back to what you were doing. What were you doing? :)

Asa
October 11, 2014 - Msg 99335: Good sermon Asa, would be a good topic for tomorrow, I'm sure your sermons arn't "dry as dust" ha! Hope you had a RELAXING time in your "Wheeler" the other day, sometimes when your socks are beat that IS the best thing to do..

G-F...
October 11, 2014 - Msg 99336:
Spot is off in his camper, but I'm not sure where everyone else is.
Asa, you're right; but back then there was hitler and polio, but the churches
around the world were also full, and 'sin' was indeed
a topic that was preached. Not so today!
Well, I'm off to dad's. Have a good Saturday all.
Prayers,
MDC
October 11, 2014 - Msg 99337: Good morning, everyone. It's a beautiful day here today! Very cloudy, light mist, looks like a good chance for some real rain. Yep, that's a beautiful day, for sure. I'd appreciate it if we don't get any more of that strong wind, but the rain would definitely be welcome.

Yep, you fellers are so right. I think I'm the senior porchster (75 last July, can anyone beat that?) but I know some of you are just around ten years behind me, so we share a lot of memories. I remember having drills in school, when we would have to cover our heads with a book and duck under our desks! This was supposed to protect us in the event of a bombing raid. Can you imagine? I even had one teacher who encouraged us to wear white or light-colored clothing, because she had read somewhere that it would reflect the flash from A-bombs and provide some protection from burns. How naive we all were!

MDC, your concerns and prayers are always appreciated, but honestly, we have far more to fear all over America than the Ebola virus. That man was under extremely strict isolation, all his known contacts are now sequestered, and (we would hope) more security measures have been taken at the airports to identify potential carriers. Meantime, according to the CDC, in 2012, there were 10,322 people killed in alcohol-related accidents on our highways. That's just the deaths, not to mention the injuries and ruined lives.

We can jump on a suspected virus carrier like white on rice, and we should, but meantime, we slap the wrist of a drunk driver, and release him or her to go do it again, because so often, they do. Here in Dallas, a 16-yr old drives drunk and kills four people. Read it: http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/05/us/texas-affluenza-teen/ He will be on probation whenever he gets out of the rehab facility, and honeys and dears, you mark my words. He will do it again. He will drive drunk again, at some time in the future. Statistics will bear that out. Check out this link: http://duijusticelink.aaa.com/facts. It will tell you that: "Drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher involved in fatal crashes were seven times more likely to have a prior conviction for driving while impaired (DWI) than were drivers with no alcohol." That's pretty scary, and is a good predictor that this "affluenza" kid will do it again.

It's a sad case, with many lives lost or ruined, and yet as a nation, we just do not learn. A sober person thinks "Just one drink, and I'll still be fine." After that drink, his judgment is a tiny bit impaired but he feels a bit more powerful, so one more won't hurt. This continues until he's badly impaired, but feels like Superman. The drunker he gets, the more invincible he feels. Oh, we used to get them in all the time at the hospital. Roaring drunk, had the snot beaten out of them in some bar, but still ready to fight. They'd inform us nurses that they were gonna whip us, and get out of there! That's when we'd call security, and they'd send Charles up. Charles was 6'7", weighed at least 300, and wasn't fat, either. All he had to do was walk into the room and stand there like a brick wall, and amazingly, the drunk had sense enough to know he couldn't whip Charles. Female nurses, yeah, but not Charles. It was so funny.

Well, sorry about that, but it's a touchy subject with me. Of course, I'm a tee-totaler, so I suppose that influences my opinions. I've lived a very happy life without booze, so I know it can be done. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 11, 2014 - Msg 99338: Romeena & Boo, I'm sure the ER stories you could tell! I have a friend, back in the 70's when "super-glue" just came out, she told of a patient (Male) who's wife caught him "cheating on her. She found a whole new way to use the super-glue on him...OUCH!! Bet if you two put your heads together it would be one of those "thick" books...

Where has Possum been? it's not time to hibernate yet!

G-F...
October 11, 2014 - Msg 99339: Well-said, Romeena. Drunk and texting drivers are about the biggest threat in Texas. Boy, I wish people would wise up.

Actually, G-F, I rarely worked in ER, so not a lot of stories. I could tell you some stories about some other things, but most of it would be in poor taste. ;)

I agree with you, Asa. Trying to stay positive but hard to do these days.

Boo
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99340: Boo, I was never officially assigned to ER, but I did get floated there now and then from my home unit, and during the five years that my job was to float the house, it happened more often. Most of my experience with the drunks came on my home unit, though. When ER would fill up, we would start getting their patients long before they had been stabilized. For several years, our ER was far too small, and they just had no place to put them. So, they'd make sure they weren't bleeding to death, and then ship them to us. It wasn't an ideal situation, having a screaming, cursing drunk on the same floor with a bunch of sick and delusional elderly people, but it happened now and then. Usually, we'd have an order for some haloperidol, and we'd just put their lights out, so to speak.

One question has always intrigued me. When someone is in DTs, (we used to get them frequently, usually brought in by family members), they imagine all sorts of things. They hear things and see things, and it seems that these imaginings are never of anything pleasant. Why is that? Why do they imagine scary, awful, horrible things? They see monsters and demons, and imagine snakes and spiders are on them, and all sorts of awful things. Why don't they imagine they're sitting in a field of flowers, with butterflies and bunnies all around, and pretty music in the air? I have never once, not one time, seen a DT patient who was imagining pleasant things, they're always just tortured in their mind. Interesting, no? --Romeena
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99341: Good Sabbath porch pals. I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Sabbath.

Romeena, like you, I am not a drinker. But it seems most of my life I have lived next to heavy drinkers. When I was a kid, the father of the family that lived next door was an drunk. He never drunk anything but beer (as far as I could see) but he drank it by the gallon. And he got mean when he drank. Very mean. I still remember vividly how the entire family would kind of go into a very cautious mode when he came home blitzed. One memory I have is him getting in an argument with his wife one time. I was in the back yard playing with their kids and could hear them yelling. Well him yelling. She wasn't really saying much. I couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 and their kids said maybe I better go home now. But before I could leave, she came out of the house in tears, he, right on her heels. Then he hauled off and kicked her in the rear. And I mean hard. So hard it dropped her to the ground. I had never seen anything like that before, but it has stayed with me my entire life. I don't know, maybe that is part of why I have never been a drinker. That and my religion teaches the evils of drink. Today my neighbor to my east is a drunk. At least he doesn't get mean when he drinks. And our houses are far enough apart that I don't really interact with him to much. But he is suffering with a lot of serious health issues due to years of heavy drinking and I am pretty sure he will not be around to much longer. It's really sad because he is a very good guy, and a good neighbor in many respects. I have tried talking to him him frankly about it. I don't why, but I seem to be able to talk to him in a direct manner, and he at least listens. He is 10 years older than me, a retired Air Force Corp., kind of gruff and hard nosed to most folks. But to me at least, he sheds his rough exterior and we are able to talk. Maybe he respects my big sidearm and moldy bullets. lol. I am just glad I have never had the desire to drink. I have seen the misery and grief it usually brings to individuals and their families.

So Boo, you all better. Erin? Sean? Sure hope so.

GF, I guess we need to get our sticks and start poking in holes to see if we can muster possum out of her hole. :)

Well best get ready for preachin.

Prayers for all.

Asa
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99342: That's right Asa, it is too early for Possum to go into hibernation, we haven't even had Indian Summer yet. Yes, I agree when you experience all the heartaches that drinking brings, a wise man learns from that, I may not be rocket scientist, but I am a wise man not to have indulged in that either.

I am making beef jerky today (Mrs. G-F hates it when I do) she says it "stinks up the house" so I do it early while she sleeps.

I Might watch the Steelers-Browns game later today....Might not!

Wild race in Charlotte last night, the chase is getting tight and the boys are getting cranky and have their boxers in a bunch! I think it would be good to have a boxing match after the chase, just to see who can back up their trash talk. Except I think they all would go back to their busses crying.... I bet if THEY had to pay for the cars it would be a different story....
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99343: p.s. I bet Danica Patrick would beat the snott right out of "Kryle" Bush...Sorry, that was not very Mayberry like.. Just sayin"...
Every body have a GREAT Day!...(wonder if SPOT is all fished out yet?).....G-F....
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99344: GF, I saw Danica compete on an episode of Chopped and I believe she won it. She is a very competitive woman and I guess she can cook too.

Asa
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99345: Oh, and congrats to Tom and GF for the Browns big win over the Steelers. Big ain't the word for it!

Asa
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99346: Hi All.
Now look here G F, I was going to overlook some thing but now thing has mess it up for you.
Now 90day in jail because of the Brown winn Pitt
31 10 and one in Nov you will be out just for the day and all your family and friend that day.

TOM

October 12, 2014 - Msg 99347: ...But TOM, I only cheered a little bit, does that knock a few days off? Otis is getting used to me being there, he wants ME to read him Jack the Giant killer now instead of Andy.
Asa, I think you may be next, even tho TOM lived in Cleveland the Steelers are his team.... But don't worry, like Tom Bodet says: "I'll leave the light on for ya"!

G-F....
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99348: ...Looks like Barney may get his wish for the expansion plans for the jail. TOM is keeping them full.
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99349: ASA 1 mont in jail for using a stick to poke possum out.
Where your lice to hunt with?

TOM

October 12, 2014 - Msg 99350: I wasnt' hunting possum Tom. Just poking holes. And sorry, I thought you were a Browns fan. So congrats to GF and sorry for you.
Lefty (GF) you and me is busting out tonight!

Asa
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99351: Thank you,Tom for sticking (bad pun!) up for me!

Yeah,lock 'em up for possum hunting!

I'm right here,just have a lot going on,as we're getting ready to move my mama into an Assisted Living Facility later this week.She's been in a Rehab facility since having her lower left leg amputated in June and it's time for her to leave.

I noticed the topic of conversation has been drinking-
Most of y'all know I was married to an alcoholic and we'll just let "was" say it all. It's a terrible way of life & I am so glad I'm not living it anymore.

Well,guess I'll go back to doing what I was doing,whatever that was-ha!

Y'all take care,have a good evening & don't get in any more trouble with Officer Tom!

*******************
possum under a rock
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99352: Asa, Maybe TOM will let you bring your "Wheeler" with you...

[Jail]
============> Tunnel to Freedom ;)
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99353: A possum is sorta like a gopher they both dig tunnels..."Will ya help us"?...lol
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99354:
I have tasted beer just one time. I might drink champagne or wine about once every five years. But I have never been drunk.
Alcohol abuse has resulted in family hardships and breakups, and death and injury to the abuser as well as their victims. Why it is not as strictly controlled as other narcotics is beyond me. When my American Legion post asked me to work as a bartender, I refused. I did not want to be responsible for serving liquor to someone who would be driving home later.

Now on a happier note; Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians. Yes, Monday, October 13, is our Thanksgiving day here in Canada. The turkey has been cooked and will be reheated on Monday before our guests arrive.
Too bad I can't visit the USA during the American Thanksgiving so I could eat more turkey.

The Beverly Hillbillie's "Possum Day" episode aired on October 13, 1965. Does this make Monday, October 13, 2014, the anniversary of Possum Day as well?

from Poor Horatio
October 12, 2014 - Msg 99355: Good evening, porch. PH, I would ask that same question, about controlling alcohol, were it not for two facts. One - it was tried in the U.S. from 1920 through 1933, as I'm sure you know, and was a dismal failure. It failed because it had been legal for too long, and people were not about to give up their booze. By that time, it was too deeply entrenched in the fabric of daily life for the majority of the population. The second fact is - drugs are only barely controlled here, mostly just "on the surface" control, but we all know they're widely available and most school kids could tell you where to buy them. The only reason we have any control at all is because they've never been legal. Now, with the creeping legalization of drugs, starting with marijuana, we're going to have the same situation we had with alcohol. Once it's legal, there's no turning back.

I probably shouldn't keep beating this drum, but I guess I started it, so might as well finish it. We will never really control alcohol abuse in this country, because too many members of our judicial system are abusers themselves, and are therefore reluctant to really crack down on anyone else.

I've lived a long time, and in all those years, I can truthfully say I have never, ever, seen any situation, whether social, business, family, whatever - that was improved because alcohol was present. Admittedly, sometimes it's neutral, if everyone observes limits, but I've never seen any interaction that was better because someone was drinking. However, I've surely seen many, many situations that were made worse, from just uncomfortable to downright impossible, because of the presence of alcohol. There's really just not very much to recommend it, and a whole lot of reasons to avoid it.

A year or so ago, my cardiologist just remarked that a small glass of red wine at bedtime might be good for my heart. I asked him just what the benefit might be, since I don't drink and never have. He said, "Never? Like never ever?" I said yes, and he said, "Then by all means, don't do it. Just drink a glass of grape juice, it will have the same benefit." Huh. How about that. Seems it's not so much the alcohol that's beneficial, but rather the anti-oxidant resveratrol that seems to be the good guy. Who knew?

Well, guess I'll go have that little glass of grape juice, and toddle off to the ironing board. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99356:
Amen Possum! So glad you're now living life as you
deserve to live it! As for the others...POW, POW, POW GOES THE STILL! ha I wonder why a family
show like TAGS had a "town drunk?" Kinda seems strange
when one thinks about it. I admit that when I was first married, and had neighbors over, we'd make a "hi-ball" for them but over the years I just outgrew it so to speak.
AZ Cards beat the Redskins today!
PH--enjoy your Thanksgiving Day.
Prayers,
MDC
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99357: This one's for Possum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_WyUwNPOzQ

MDC :)
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99358: Amusing thing when we talk about vices, some people think of it as a boring life, I don't drink,smoke,gamble,golf,bowl,run around, or most of the things that are not good for you and cost a lot of money. I guess my only vice is my collecting Mayberry stuff and going to the Mayberry events. I remind Mrs. G-F of that fact when I purchase something new for my collection. (Which I just did, I got one of the films that they would sent to the TV stations to air.) It is the "Darling's Fortune" episode. The case is signed by Charlene Darling, Doug & Rodney Dillard.
Yep, it is my only "compelsion"..I could be doing far worse things.. Amen?

Now, If only I could stay out of TOM's jail! haha

G-F....
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99359: Thanks MDC, I snuck a look at possums link, I like John Denver too, I got to see him perform 2 times back in the 70's his music grounds me. Great talent, Gone to soon...Sad!..G-F again
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99360: Good morning, porch! We had a good rain during the night, and from the looks of the sky, it's not over yet. It can just rain all day, as far as I'm concerned. It's 63°, I'm loving the "sound of silence" as my a/c isn't running, and now the rain means my water bill will drop as well. God is good.

Good observation about people's definition of "boring" lives, G-F.. Personally, I think waking up with a hangover, or wondering what I did or said last night, or living with the knowledge I had hurt someone would be worse than being "bored." Anyway, I'm not bored. My life is very full, and I enjoy every minute of it. What's more, I never have to wonder what I did or said last night.

As for why TAGS had a "town drunk" - I actually think it was brilliant. It's true, they portrayed him as lovable and funny, and drunks rarely are, but they still showed some of the consequences. They played it lightly, but the consequences were there. Aunt Bee worried about him, and prayed for him. He got swindled when a man sold him what he thought was a horse, and it was a cow. He realized he couldn't drive a car safely. When Andy put him to bed in their guest room, he accidentally dumped a vase of water over himself. (My granddaughter reacted to that scene with "Oh, how sad.") He usually looked a bit seedy, and wasn't exactly considered trustworthy by most of the town folks. They liked him, but they didn't give him much responsibility. Even Andy got exasperated with him a couple of times. His wife looked tired and careworn. No, they made him lovable, because of the kind of show it was, but the consequences of his behavior showed through.

OK, off I go! --Romeena
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99361: Me again. Well, the home health office just called, and gave me a good assignment. I've evolved into a "PRN person" - for you non-medical types, PRN means "as needed", and that's what I've been doing. I'm not doing admissions and taking on the full responsibility of a patient. I've been seeing somebody else's patients when they can't, or want to take time off or whatever. I love it! Much less responsibility, but I'm still paid the same per visit. For example, this patient is an 84 yr old man in an assisted living facility, the same one my dad was in, just a few blocks from my house. He has a deep diabetic ulcer on his ankle, which requires daily dressing changes. He also goes to dialysis three days a week, so he can't be seen until about 6 pm. His primary nurse has small children and the late evening call is hard for her. So, I'm seeing him on his dialysis days, and will see him over the weekend as well, as she wants to go somewhere with her family. It works well for the other nurses, gives them a safety valve, and it works great for me. I'm not responsible for interfacing with the doctor, or jumping through all the Medicare hoops for recertification for care, or any of that stuff. I just go change the dressing, and chart my observations. Easy stuff, and this particular patient is a sweetheart. Sharp as a tack mentally, but his poor little body is just worn out. He's so patient, and so pleasant about it all.

Well, guess I'd better go feed my little roommate. She hates it when I stop off at the computer when we get up in the morning. What a joy that puppy is! She waits so patiently every morning, for me to awaken, and when she sees my eyes open, even a tiny bit, she starts running around on the bed, practically turning flips. Oh boy, mommy's awake! Of course, that makes me laugh, and what a blessing that is, to awaken every morning with laughter. Sure does set the tone for the day. She was a gift from God. I was so heartbroken when I lost Sugarplum, and then along comes this little elf, and made a whole new loving place in my heart. I'm so glad hearts are expandable. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99362: ...Bless her tiny little heart! Yep Romeena, pretty sad when a persons measure of a "good time" is the level of their hangover the next day...Just call me a bore, but just don't call me late for dinner!

Speaking of that, is there a BIG fish fry at SPOTS place, surely he caught a mess of em' this past week-end at the lake...G-F
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99363: Fish fry it is GF...but not today...heavy storms gona be here over night...say may be tornados...im here at work till morning time...can someone bring me a plate? SPOT
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99364: G- F, you'd better watch out sneakin' peeks at "my"link-Tom might lock ya up again! He is a good possum protector!

Thanks for the kind words and the link, MDC. Sure miss John Denver.

Well, "The Voice" just came on,so gonna go watch it-y'all have a good evening! Love to all!

*******************
possum under a rock
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99365: I sure could use Miss Edwards but I'll settle for anyone here to answer a gardening question. What exactly is the sort of chalky substance I'm seeing on my perennial and weed stems? Had a wet night, and I went to pull some thistles this morning and saw the stuff. White, chalky looking, almost pasty, never saw it before. Anyone?

Billy Ray the Postman
October 13, 2014 - Msg 99366:
Billy Ray, if they was cactuses(cacti), I'd say it was some sort of rot or mold, but not sure on what
you have. Maybe RO, or our resident "professor", PH,
might know. I know that he can make a gieger counter from a bamboo shoot! ha
GF--yesterday was the annv. of John D's untimely death. And as for your Amen, anything mayberry gets my amen in refrain! :)
SPOt--glad the fishing went well, yes I have seen news
of your storms there and in RO's area too! Be careful you two.
RO--hope your caddy has good wipers!
Good sermon yesterday. Pastor touched on the ebola thing, isis, etc, and how a metal cover on a pocket Bible saved a WWII vet that he knows.
He brought it all together with the whole idea of living each day for God, and how he'll take it from there.
God's blessings,
MDC

October 13, 2014 - Msg 99367: Good evening, porch. Billy Ray, my top-of-my-head answer to your question would be - it sounds like powdery mildew. Nasty stuff. Will get on roses, and just loves crape myrtle. Usually shows up after a rain, or overhead watering. That's why my rose island has a different watering system. Everything else just has standard spray heads, but for the roses, there's a little "bubbler" beside each bush, that just waters beneath the bush and doesn't wet the foliage. Even then, sometimes one of them will suddenly have the powdery stuff. There are good commercial sprays available for it, or you can soak horticultural cornmeal in a bucket of water, strain it through a piece of cloth, and spray the resulting "tea" on the affected plants. When I do that, I finish up by spreading the soggy cornmeal loosely on the ground around the plants.

There is another kind of mold, but it's not powdery. It's kind of light tan colored, wet and nasty looking. It's slime mold, there are hundreds of varieties of it, and it's basically harmless. Ugly as sin, but really does no harm, and can even be helpful as it consumes viruses and bacteria along with decomposing mulch. You don't have to treat it, as it's self-limiting. It just dries up! However, it doesn't sound like that's what you saw. I would bet it's powdery mildew. Oh, another plant that's very prone to mildew is the zinnia. I've never been able to successfully grow zinnias, they always break out in powdery mildew and just faint and fall over, the sissies.

Apparently we got about two inches of rain last night, but the clouds have moved out of the area, so I guess that's it for a while. Had a lot of high winds today again, more branches down in the yard, but they're small, and their leaves are dead. Apparently they're leftovers from the storm last week. They must have been hung up in the trees, and today's wind brought them down. There aren't very many, and they're all small enough that I can drag them out to the street myself.

Well, got to be up fairly early tomorrow. Joe is coming to do some maintenance in the yard and fix a broken sprinkler line, and I have to go by my doc's office and get a flu shot and a pneumonia shot, too. Guess I'd better hit the hay. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99368: Hey Romeena, Better tell "Joe" to check the "T's" in the sprinkler line, seems to be where Asa was having all his problems this year. Funny you should bring up the flu shot thing, I have been pondering if I should get one or not. Every year when I did get one I ended up getting sick, and the years I did not, I did not get the flu. We always were offered them at work since we worked around so many "Seniors". I'm not saying the shots MADE me sick but it sure seemed like a coincidence. What's your take?

G-F....
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99369: Morning all.

Yep Romeena, GF took the words right out of my mouth. Have him check them T's. Them fool things sure kept me digging this summer. But those lines are now water free, so no worries until April. And I thought it sounded like powdery mildew as well Billy Ray. Funny you should ask for Clasa Edwards. If it is mildew all she would say is "Mildew, what am I supposed to do with mildew"? :)

I got my flu shot last Friday GF. I never used to get them. I was a lot like Rafe, no way was I gittin no govt. jab. But I got the flu about 10 years ago and mercy sakes did I get sick. For the first time I could see how a bout of flu could kill and older person or a person who isn't in the best of health to begin with. So I have gotten one every year since then. Of course it doesn't prevent everything. But I figure I need any help I can get. And with my wife being ill with a compromised immune system as it is, I don't need to bring her anything home. So I guess I believe in them. The only thing I worry about is that they don't bend the needle when sticking it into my muscular arm. :)

MDC, Is your Dad doing any better? Sure hope so.

Well GF, Of all the vices you mentioned, the only one I have is golfing. I do enjoy that, although I have not done much of it this year with my gimpy back. But me and my buddy are going out on Thursday and play all day. We do that once a year before winter hits. Usually play 36 holes on two different courses. We have a blast. He's a good friend I've known for 30 years now, and we have always shared each others burdens and joys. A good friend is a rare gem.

Well better get rolling. Tomorrow is my Friday so I have a ton to do.

Prayers for all.

Asa
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99370: Good morning, porch. Thanks for the advice, guys, and I would definitely be following it, except in this case I know what the problem is. My lawnmower guy, Eddie, was digging out a nandina shrub that came up voluntarily alongside the garage, and it's not a good place for it. I forgot to warn him about the water line along there, and he just sliced that line in two with his shovel. It feeds the drip line alongside the garage, but right now, it's just shooting water straight up in a geyser. I've turned that zone off, of course. There's no rush, since we've had all that rain, and it's a good thing. Joe called, and his car's transmission has gone out, so he won't be coming today. I'm okay, but how frustrating for him!

As for the flu shots, I got sick after taking one about twenty years ago, and avoided them after that, until the hospital started more or less requiring them. They couldn't legally force us to take them, but they found a way. First, the shots were free, didn't cost us anything. Second, we had to sign a waiver that if we didn't take the shot, and got sick with the flu, the time off would be unpaid. Not sure how legal that was, but they have a whole stable of lawyers, so I guess it was. Anyway, I started taking them, never got sick from any of them, and never got the flu. I wasn't very sick the time I did get it, and my doc said I was probably already taking it, too late for the shot to prevent it, but it may have lessened the impact. Made sense. Now, at my age, and with a cranky heart, I don't take any chances. I take the flu shot and the pneumonia shot, and furthermore, I'll be getting a tet@nus shot soon. Working outside like I do, in the yard, it's a good idea. I don't want anybody singing about digging my grave with a silver spade, or anything like that!

Well, I'm off to see the wizard. Be good, folks. Oh, and Asa, just concentrate on relaxing your arm muscles, and that needle won't bend. I promise. --Romeena
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99371:
Well, I used to be a Rafe as well, but funny thing how age seems to change things! ha
RO, 20 years ago werent they still using the "live" shots? I think they did make a lot of people sick. Now they use a "dead" shot if I'm not mistaken.
ASA- dad is doing OK, good days, bad days.
I have experienced the "tears on my pillow..." sort of times wondering why the Lord tarries, but
then yesterday dad was as spry as could be, all smiles, etc., so I just say ""His will be done."
One of these days I hope my wife and I can "hit the road" and visit some of you good folks!
Love ya all,
MDC
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99372: Hello Front Porch: Medwin Bill Medwin
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99373: Ok,Ok, I guess you convinced me...Flu shot it is! Now if I get sick can I expect soup from ya'll?
Romena, are you sure your lawn guy isn't named Newton Monroe? haha

Tonight I have calling hrs. for the Boss who hired me way back when, I appreciated him taking a chance on hiring a "young punk" right out of school with little experience. He had told me several times over the years he made the right decision. Makes me feel good that I met his expectations and hopefully exceeded them too.

G-F....
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99374: GF, I'm not sure I know what you mean by "calling hours". Is that a viewing kind of thing? If so, sorry for the loss of a friend.

Asa
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99375: just checking before bed. Been a busy week so far and will start my clinical work in the nursing home tomorrow. Hope I am ready for this..prayers appreciated.

Boo
October 14, 2014 - Msg 99376:
GF--I go to Walgreens because they also have a "short needle" available. I dont have much meat
in the upper arm area, and their 5/8" needle dont "jab" so bad, as ole Rafe would say.
Hey to MBM...time for yer shot! ha
BOO- all the best to you...prayers indeed.
MDC
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99377: Rafe waitin' in the flu shot line...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egEHhvcrSGg
teehee, the mystery poster
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99378: I never get flu shots. I have said this 1000 times, and feel like I'm tempting fate each time, but I've never had an illness with a fever, and I am pretty sure I can't. My normal temp is 96.8. If it ever got up to 98, I'd run to the ER. As for shots, I don't mind them at all, although I do have to look directly at the spot I'm about to get jabbed. I can't imagine looking away or closing my eyes.

Billy Ray the Postman
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99379: Asa, That is what we call it in these parts, it is sorta a time to meet and console with the family. In most cases it is the viewing, but not in this case it was a service of remembrance for him. I'm sure he did not want to be "viewed".. It is where I stand too, I don't want to be "viewed" but have folks just remember the "good times" we had.
That was the case here, a lot of former co-workers friends & family got together to remember a good man's life....Sorta like the dash between birth----death. What we do between, that's our legacy. I think there is a country song that speaks on that.

MDC, I think I'll go to Walgreens, I suppose since I'm "short" they'll use the short needle.. ha!

Billy Ray, that low body temp probably come from being out in the rain,sleet,heat, and snow all the time. Postman have a built-in regulator, but they do get sore feet!

G-F...
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99380: How did you spend your "dash"? Like Charlene say's: It'll make you cry...G-F
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV8tpYA3prE
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99381: Good morning, porch! Wow! It's 53° here in the Dallas area. That's cool, danged cool! Fall is in the air for sure, and it surely does feel good. The little wild things are just loving it! The squirrels are all fuzzed up, and running around acting all, well, squirrelly. One young female just arrived in the yard, carrying two big pecans in her mouth. She holds them by the common stem, so the pecans stick out on both sides of her face, like big swollen green cheeks. Their husk hasn't even dried yet, it's still green and closed. The nut inside would be quite bitter at this point, so she's burying them now, to wait for them to ripen. She just put one in a planter box, and is putting the other out in the middle of the yard. I've also seen her snooping around the peanut vines that grew in a flowerbed, where somebody planted some peanuts I had put out. She, or her buddies, will dig those peanuts up before long, but not yet, the vines are still green. It's so much fun to sit at this window and watch the critters, as they follow instinctive patterns for behavior. God is taking care of them. The most fun comes in watching them problem-solve, when something or someone (me) does something to thwart their natural patterns. They can all get very creative, even the birds.

The birds are traveling in packs, and check my feeders regularly. Right now, I've mostly got doves, bluejays, sparrows, wrens and the occasional flicker. If I'm lucky, I'll be by the window when the goldfinches migrate through. They'll pass through in a big flock, looking more like canaries than wild birds, and they won't stay around but a few hour, and then will move on, but they're so beautiful, if I'm lucky enough to see them. Same with the cedar waxwings. They're so gorgeous, they almost don't look real, and they don't hang around either, but I usually get to see them as they pass through. There are still a few berries left on my American Beautyberry bush. If they discover them, they'll get every single berry before they leave. That's okay, that's why I planted the thing. I may plant a couple more.

Well, I'd better get moving. Today is ESL class, and I like to get there early and get the room set up the way I want it. The custodian always sets it up like a classroom, with my table at the far front of the room, about fifteen feet away from the tables where the folks sit. Some of them are so timid, and their voices so soft, that I can't hear them, and it seems so formal. I like to drag my table closer to them, so we can just talk like friends. I had twelve last week, biggest class so far. They're trying so hard, and really doing quite well.

Oh, welcome, Medwin Bill Medwin. Glad to have you visit, and we hope you'll come again.
Blessings, friends! --Romeena
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99382: Billy Ray I never get flu shots ...just never have...well storms all done here...leaving on my first plane trip at 5am to the International Linemans Rodeo (google it)bound for Kansas City...me and Mrs Spot are looking foward to it...well she is (plane trip)..she has flown a bunch...NOT the dog...will check in before we depart !...SPOT
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99383:
I sure hope they dont put ya in the cargo bay SPOT! have a fun trip. Say howdy to the linemen for me!
Good day in the Lord to all,
MDC
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99384: Not only is SPOT a "talking" dog, now he's a a "Flying" dog, sorta like "Under Dog". Hope he has fun shimming up them poles! Hope there are some hydrants there for you...lol

G-F...


October 15, 2014 - Msg 99385: Thank you Romeena, I love visiting the porch. I just seem to busy lately with a new puppy and all. It looks to me you guys here are regulars for a few months. I enjoy all the posts and most of all TAGS. Medwin Bill Medwin
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99386: Thank you Romeena, I love visiting the porch. I just seem to busy lately with a new puppy and all. It looks to me you guys here are regulars for a few months. I enjoy all the posts and most of all TAGS. Medwin Bill Medwin
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99387:
Greetings to Medwin Bill Medwin. As a reminder to everyone, he was the bookie barber who took horse race bets instead of giving haircuts in Mayberry. So tell us why you chose that name as well a little about yourself including why the last name twice.
The Front Porch forum here has been in existence since about 1996 as far as I can determine. I have been posting here, off and on, since 1997. I was born and raised in the USA and moved to Canada after retiring early and marrying a Canadian lady late in life. Although my username, Poor Horatio, is mentioned in The Andy Griffith Show (TAGS), it is not a character. Watch the following scene from the episode "Opie's Charity" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGrL5C4uS1s
A trivia question for everyone except our newcomer. Herb Virgan is the actor who played the bookie barber Bill Medwin. But he also had one other speaking role on The Andy Griffith Show. What character did he play and in what TAGS episode?

Billy Ray the Postman, I hope you are satisfied with the answers given by MDC and Romeena about your gardening question. If you still need more information, I can research it for you. Don't hesitate to ask again.

from Poor Horatio
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99388: PH, He was the voice of the guy at the gate in "Taylors go to Hollywood" I believe...G-F
October 15, 2014 - Msg 99389: Good afternoon, porch. So, Medwin Bill Medwin, you have a new puppy? What kind? How old? Name? Most of us here on the porch are pet people, and like to know about the furkids. Mostly we seem to have dogs, but I'm sure there are some beloved cats as well. I like cats. I have a dog, but I like cats too. My daughter has a little mama kitty, sweetest little thing you ever could meet. She was feral, had kittens under my daughter's front steps, and didn't seem too concerned about people being around. So, they found homes for the kittens, got Mama Kitty spayed, and she waltzed into the house and settled in like she had been there forever. When they have company, she comes in the living room, sits her little self down, and just joins in the conversation. She looks at anyone who speaks, and will occasionally add a polite little "meow" to the conversation. She's a sweetheart. I've threatened to kidnap her.

As PH indicated, some of us have been on the porch for a long time. I've been here almost from the first, since shortly after my husband passed, and that was in 1996. Some of us have met in person, which is always neat, but most of us haven't, and it doesn't matter. We've been together on the porch for long we feel like family.

Poor Horatio, I believe Herb Vigran was the man at the studio gate when Andy and Aunt Bee and Opie went to Hollywood. Am I right?

I saw my cardiologist this morning. He said everything looks great, and my pacer is barely being used. I can tell when it kicks in, and I very rarely feel it, so I guess that's a good thing. I've decided to live to be at least a hundred, and just drive my kids crazy.

Well, this has been a busy day. ESL class this morning, then the doctor, then a home health visit, and I still have another visit to do, at 6. Sweet old fellow, 84 years old, and sharp as a tack. I enjoy my visits with him.

OK, got some chores to do, then go make that last visit. Blessings, friends! --Romeena