February 19, 2015 - Msg 100727: ********
00000000
********
Extra row of insulated rocks for Possum
February 19, 2015 - Msg 100728: Since I just finished shoveling snow, figured I sweep too....G-F
February 19, 2015 - Msg 100729: I cannot imagine having to get out and shovel snow. I feel a little stepped-on when I have to sweep leaves off my porch. Bless your little hearts, all of you folks in the snowy areas.

I have a question. I know some of you are on Medicare like I am, and therefore probably have some sort of Part D prescription program. Does anyone besides me use WellCare, and therefore CVS/Caremark for mail-order prescriptions? If so, what's your impression of the service they provide? --Romeena
February 19, 2015 - Msg 100730: Hum MDC about the pole stripe thang...will check into it...but hey all...well they told me to pack an overnight bag for tomorrow night and sat night...gona be ice here....let me read the archives...need a snack....any takers?....SPOT
February 20, 2015 - Msg 100731: ITHINKIHAVEHADJUSTABOUTENOUGHOFTHISCOLD!
February 20, 2015 - Msg 100732: Good Friday morning all.
Sorry for all who are freezing. You will note my usual whining about cold and snow has been little if any this year. I wish I could say it was because I have quit whining, but it has more to do that we have had such a mild winter. I actually had folks yesterday wanting to know when I was going to fire up the a/c units. Just been crazy warm here. Nothing like MDC, but mid 60's yesterday. Supposed to cool down today, but still not bad a-tall. So I have kept my whining to only my sore back. Thank goodness it hasn't snowed much because of my back.

I hope Boo is still liking her new gig.

Stay warm Possum and Big Maude. We don't want no frost bites.

My poor Stacey is all but bed bound with being sick. Her last couple of pregnancies have done that to her, for at least the first trimester, bless her heart. Looks like this one is going the same way. If you could keep her in your prayers, we would be grateful.

Well better get going. Them a/c units are not going to prep themselves. 10-4 GF?

Asa
February 20, 2015 - Msg 100733: I don't know Asa, do those diagnostic lights tell you that?...lol No, You are from the real world, you just KNOW it has to be done. Hopefully your daughter will feel better soon, we will keep her in our prayers...Double Dang cold here today I heard a city took out a arrest warrant on the Ice Queen in "Frozen"..."Let it Go"...(the cold weather) I say.....haha

CHILLI TOM, & Auh2o you Guys Ok?

G-F....
February 20, 2015 - Msg 100734: I hear ya, Msg 100731!! It's DANG cold!! Thanks for those hot rocks, G-F!

Prayers for your daughter, Asa. Hopefully things will ease up the farther along she gets.

Well, here comes the fun part- getting out of my possum pjs and getting dressed for the day- if y'all hear any yelling,overlook it,please! LOL I just ain't got enough possum fat to keep me warm! When that chilly air hits me- yikes!

Good luck dealing with the ice storms,Spotty. At least we lucked out and didn't get hit with that mess.

Y'all have a good day & try to stay warm!

***********
possum u.a.r
February 20, 2015 - Msg 100735: Awww, Asa, I'm sorry Stacey is having such a hard time. I don't know how I came to be so blessed, but through all four pregnancies I was never sick, not for one minute. Felt wonderful! Didn't gain much weight, either, actually just gained five pounds with the last one. I know how miserable that pregnancy sickness is, though. We used to admit girls in their second month or so, and they would just be so miserably sick. Some were in the hospital on IVs for three or four weeks at a time. I just can't imagine. Poor little thing, I'll certainly be praying for her.

Well, it's 69° here on my porch, will go over 70° for sure. However, it will be short-lived. We'll be in the low 30s part of next week, according to the forecast. Weird, weird weather.

I got a mailing from something called "Publishers Billing Center" in White City, OR. They wanted me to renew my subscription to "Guideposts" magazine, and the rate they asked was about three times what "Guideposts" itself charges. I checked with "Guideposts" and they said it's a scam. I knew it was, because on the little bill itself, everything is pre-printed, including the amount due, but the word "Guideposts" was obviously inserted at a different time. I would imagine they insert the names of lots of different magazines, to fit the list they have. Apparently, what they do when they receive your money, they send the correct amount on to Guideposts, and keep the difference. That way, no one reports that they paid but didn't get the magazine. They just don't realize that they paid much too much. Pretty sneaky little scam. The person at "Guideposts" said they have received several calls, and are investigating, and have no idea how the scammer got their subscriber list, if they even actually did. The name on their letter, and my name on the "Guideposts" label is not exactly the same. "Guideposts" uses "Mrs." and the scammer doesn't. They could even have postal workers keeping little lists for a price, and they may keep lists on a lot of magazines. Moral of the story - don't send any money to anyone but the actual publisher of your magazine. The things people will do for a few bucks!

Well, guess I'll go settle into my chair, watch a little TV, and cuddle a little dog for a while. I left her for about three hours today, and she's still in a little snit. She'll get over it, as soon as I make a lap for her to get in. Rotten kid.

Blessings, friends. Stay warm! --Romeena
February 20, 2015 - Msg 100736:
SPOT--next time you watch tags, look at the poles
outside the courthouse. AND...keep warm and dry down there.
AUH20--I hope you are doing OK up there!!
GF--no AC razzing allowed from retirees!! ha
Watch it, or I,m make you run fuel up to ASA's generator! :)
ASA--prayers indeed for Stacey. God bless her.
FREEZING TOM--you making it thru OK?
BOO- where are you??
POSSUM--stay warm in your possum PJs, but also put on some long
possum underwear! ha
ROOMEENa--sounds lovely there. We had some high cloudiness today,
no sun all day. (I know, I know...I'm complaining about one day!)
Glad you had the sense to check out that scam. Tell all your church friends,
and get the word out about those creeps!
Anyone here watch Shark Tank? I see it sometimes. I like the fact that thses
rich people are investing in small companies, and thus investing in
America. We sure need more of that.
Prayers, Jesus loves you,
MDC

February 20, 2015 - Msg 100737: Will Do MDC...never looked at the mayberry power poles !...snowing and sleeting here and I got to hit the road at 5am...prayers to all and please be safe....where do I stop for breakfast on the way to work..?..SPOT
February 20, 2015 - Msg 100738: Romeena, a postal employee who did that would be asking for serious trouble. I can't imagine how such a scheme could be implemented anyway. A rogue employee at the magazine with access to the subscriber list strikes me as more likely, or perhaps simply a computer breach.

Not sure how our carriers are dealing with this weather 8 hours a day, but they are handling it okay so far. One guy wore a mask yesterday and even after half an hour back inside, he couldn't get it off since it was frozen to his beard. It was 7 below zero this morning about 8 AM.

Billy Ray the Postman
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100739: Good evening, porch. Billy Ray the Postman, a few years ago it would never have occurred to me to suggest the postal carrier might be keeping a secret list, to be sold later. Our carrier was a regular, I knew him by name, and he was a great guy. Many still are. However, in the past few years, we've had some "subs" on the route that just leave me wondering. Scruffy-looking, unfriendly, no eye contact, and usually they're only seen a time or two, and then some other stranger shows up. I have no valid reason to mistrust them, but then I have no real reason to trust them, either. The fact that the scam notice didn't have the "Mrs." in front of my name gave me the notion that somebody might be just quickly jotting down the primary name and the street address. They know the city and zip, so they wouldn't have to write that each time. Then again, it could be just sent to everyone in the area, with the names and addresses taken from the phone directory. The notice appeared to be an offer to "renew" my subscription, which made me think it went to known subscribers, but it could be just a shotgun thing. Anyone who isn't a subscriber would probably just toss the thing. So, who knows? At any rate, they got no money from me. All they got was their little notice back, along with my note telling them that I recognize that it's a scam, and have reported it to the BBB and the state Attorney General. Maybe I'll report it to the Postal Service, as well, since it's unlikely the first two entities will do a bloomin' thing about it. And - of course, your premise is valid too. It could very well be someone within the magazine's own staff. If so, they will be found out, because "Guideposts" is on it. I was not the first one to call.

Well, it's 1:30 a.m., and still 67°. Supposed to be in the 60s all day tomorrow, and most of the day Sunday, but dropping below freezing late Sunday night and Monday morning. The wind is blowing very hard out there right now, but it's not cold. I have a windchime outside the window behind my desk, and it's swinging so hard and ringing so loudly that I can hear it like it's right next to me. The window is a picture window, and consists of two sheets of 1/4" tempered glass, with an airspace in the middle, so it doesn't generally conduct much sound, but I can surely hear those chimes! Very pretty, actually.

Well, guess I'll turn in. Toye Starr and I will sleep late in the morning, one of our favorite things to do. She's so funny when she wakes up after sleeping in like that. Her hair will be all pushed up on one side of her face, and she looks like a sleepy little kid, just waking up. Mercy! How I do love that little pup. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100740: .....Same story, just a different day, suppose to snow all day today. End result, up to 8" possible. Yep, just like the Browns... Same story, different day, they are looking for a Quarterback who can throw. Since "Johnny Football" is in rehab now they don't know which direction to go.

Hopefully MDC is cracking the whip on his D-backs & our Indians at spring training. I think the Home opener is April 11th maybe?

Have a great day folks, stay warm to those East of the Mississippi, and SPOT be careful out there....

G-F...
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100741: Wow GF. All that snow clearing is cutting into your "Wheeler" time buddy.

Hey gang, let's sneak over to Romeena's house and tuck her bed sheets under her bed legs. And then go ring her doorbell. :)

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers on behalf of Stacey. I appreciate each and everyone of you.

Well I have to take the Mrs. up to the hospital for an MRI this morning. She has to get them regular like. It doesn't bother her at all. But for me to go through the tube.... well I don't know if I could do it without being drugged up good.

Thanks for the heads up on the scam Romeena. I know there are a lot of things going on of that nature. I think a lot of it is geared towards elderly folks. 4 years after my Dad has passed away, a home remedy book showed up in my mail, with his name on it. A month later a bill showed up for 20 or 30 bucks for the book they claimed he had ordered. I just ignored it and decided to see how much they would push it. Well each month I received another bill with an increasing demand that it be paid, along with late charges. Finally after about 6 months I wrote them back saying that my Dad had not ordered the book, since he had passed away 4 years earlier, and that I was on to their little game and if they didn't cease I was going to turn it over to our Attorney General. I never heard back from them again. I suspect there are operations that do this kind of stuff though, and focus on elderly folks who's memories may not be the best. They don't remember ordering it, but they must have because it showed up so they go ahead and pay the bill. Not everyone will fall for it, but I'm sure enough do to make it worth while for the scammers. Shameful.

Well better get. Prayers for all.

Asa
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100742: Good Morning gang...Cold here in the south..freezing rain expected this afternoon...we got crews headed in at 3pm to stand by...Asa im with ya on the bed leg sheets on Romeena !..Good one...Possum is that rock cold? G-F stay warm...whew 7 below ..this may have been asked but what is yer location?..her in Georgia we never get that low...ok...ham and bisquits for all...hot mustard...back in just a bit...SPOT
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100743: A little warmer here today,Spotty-we'll actually have high temps above freezing! Yay! Won't have to put those possum long johns on ,MDC. (I have been wearing them-for real!)
Stay safe,over there in GA,Spotty-that freezing rain can be nasty!
Hope everybody has a good day-love to all!

***********
possum u.a.r.
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100744: Asa, & SPOT... You guys are on your own, I don't want to mess with Romeena, she has a fluffy dog who has got her back, she may be tiny but I fear she is MIGHTY! Mostly I don't want CHILI TOM to change back into Sgt. TOM, I kinda like a good peanut butter sammich on a cold day...
By the way SPOT I'm located in N.E. Ohio between Canton & Youngstown.

Possum, hopefully those long johns are like the ones Briscoe wears, you know, the ones with the flap on the back. A Possum needs to let her tail fly free in the wind sometimes...haha

Asa, Mrs. G-F is the same with the MRI's it totally freaks her out, as for me I just pretend I'm crawling thru a culvert pipe escaping enraged golfers who want their golf balls back...lol

Well I just got in from shoveling the first 4" of today's snow so yes Asa it's "WheelerTime"..Sorta sounds like a new "Game Show"..I'll take what are aphids for 200 Alex.

G-F....
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100745: Howdy, porch! You're too late with your little bed sheet trick, I'm up and at 'em! And you're right, G-F. My fluffy little friend would have alerted me at the first sound she heard.

Asa, have you asked Mrs. Asa's doctor about an open MRI? Much, much less stressful for a patient with claustrophobia. Check it out: http://osmri.com/open-vs-closed-mri/. I have some degree of claustrophobia myself, but have managed to complete several closed MRIs over the years. As long as nothing is physically restraining me, I can handle it. I just close my eyes and ignore the fact that the walls of the tube are just inches away. If I don't see it, it isn't there! I just close my eyes and go to a happy place in my mind, and before I know it, the voice on the intercom is saying "That's it, you can move now." I don't move, however, until I'm out of the tube. I don't want to touch those walls and be reminded of how close they were! Oh, the games we play sometimes.

It's so hard for me to realize that some of you are fighting several feet of snow, while the pansies I planted last fall are waking up and blooming, an early iris has already set a bud, some of my daffodils are up and blooming, and there is tender new growth on the shrubbery. Of course, we're going down below freezing tomorrow night, but it won't last long. We may even get some sleet, but again, it won't last long. The local news last night even showed pictures of the de-ice trucks all lined up and ready to go. I didn't even know we had such a thing. The city is so proud of being prepared!

Well, better get moving around here. Blessings, all. Please stay warm! --Romeena
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100746: Romeena, Mrs. Asa isn't the MRI coward. It's me. I have been bad in confined spaces for as long as I can remember, and it's only gotten worse with age. Even had to turn down a great job offer years ago with Ma Bell because much of the work was in underground vaults. So if I ever have to have one done (and it may happen sooner than later with my back) I will have to check into the open one you mentioned. Just you describing your experience causes me to break into a cold sweat. Just one of them phobias that I have succumbed to I reckon. :)

Asa
February 21, 2015 - Msg 100747: Sorry, Asa. I knew it was you, and not Mrs. Asa, who dreaded the MRIs. Don't know what I was thinking. So - the suggestion still stands, however. Have you ever considered an open MRI for yourself? With the way your back is acting so tacky, it might be a consideration for you in the future. And don't you be feeling bad about hating the closed MRI. Most people do. That's why the open MRI was developed!

That hard wind we had last night has stopped. The air is so still right now, there's not a leaf moving, and my wind chime is absolutely motionless. Not a peep from it. The temp is in the 50s, but the cold is on the way. Lucky for us, it won't last but a couple of days.

Anybody got any decent leftovers? Doesn't have to be anything fancy. I love leftovers! I had peanut butter toast for a late lunch, so am not very hungry. I've got some cottage cheese and some blueberries, maybe I'll just have that. I really like fruit and cottage cheese. Shoot, I like everything. I don't think you could name a fruit or a veggie that I wouldn't eat, and enjoy. My mama raised me to eat what was put in front of me, and I learned to like everything. She did it the right way, too. I was never forced to eat anything I didn't like, but nobody bothered to get me anything else. I could eat what was on my plate, or I could be excused and leave the table, but there would be no snacking, none, until the next meal. You learn to eat and be grateful in those circumstances!

Blessings, friends. Don't forget to go to preachin' in the morning. I think I'll wear my dangly earrings! --Romeena
February 22, 2015 - Msg 100748: RO--We have some leftover "vege/egg pie casserole."
It is vegies, eggs, bisquick, and shredded cheese all baked in a pie plate. Quite tasty. Sort of like a fritatta.
I saw on the news that RO's and SPOT's areas will be having some nasty weather. We have gone from the 80s to the 70s now, a real cold snap! Sure, throw snowballs, I deserve it! ha
Asa, GF--believe it or not, as I have aged, I have gotten
claustrophobic to some degree. I can do an elevator just fine, but I am not good at caves, etc. (and I used to be OK) Very curious.
Who do you like for the Daytona 5600?
GF--our Dback pitchers are almost all greenhorns this year, plus a new manager. Not sure we're in for much of a season. The Suns traded away half the team, so that season is shot also. Oh well.
POSSUM-- glad you got the longjohns on in the possum cave. How is Lacy these days?
APB FOR ALL MISSING PORCHSTERS!!!
Good Sabbath to all. Lord, please be with us,
MDC

February 22, 2015 - Msg 100749: 5600?? Oops! That's a real Gilly race.
February 22, 2015 - Msg 100750: MDC, I like watching Shark Tank as well. It is interesting to see the different products and the negotiations. That's kind of why I like shows like "Pawn Stars"(even though I still hate the name) where you get to see a whole lot of different things from history. I haven't really been watching Pawn Stars that much anymore, because the other parts of the show - other than seeing the items - has gotten pretty stupid.

Romeena, your experience with that scam makes me think I may have been taken by one. This was way back when Kai was first born and we were living in Indiana. A nice young man came to the door selling subscriptions to different magazines, and for some reason, I bought a couple. Which is weird for me because I am such a frugal guy and I am always saying no. I don't remember what he said, but he must have had a convincing spiel.
Anyway, I received the magazines, but I do remember that when I tried to cancel the subscriptions, I had to jump through hoops and it took a few months to finally cancel them. That experience made me even more likely to say no to any door-to-door salesmen. In fact, I don't think I've bought anything from one since, no matter what their story is.

About MRI's, I remember when I had mine for my back problems the year before last, I researched on what it would be like, and read that the newer machines were a lot better than the older ones, which is probably true. So when I went in for mine and first got into the tube, it was pretty spacious and I thought, "Yeah, this isn't too bad."
Then he moved me up, up, up, until I almost didn't think he was going to stop and my face was going to mash into the top of the tube(Sorry Asa, not trying to give you more jitters). So yeah, even though I hadn't really been claustrophobic for a long time, it did have me a little nervous at first. But then, before he turned the machine on, I looked up a little to see where I was, and noticed that I could actually see the room outside the opening, so it made me feel a little better knowing I wasn't fully encased in this tube. I felt pretty relaxed after that, and even got a bit bored by the whole thing. The music coming through the headphones didn't help either. I asked for 80's music but the 80's music they played was all the easy-listening stuff and I hated that even back in the 80's.

Now for some news of the icky kind. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make a 3 year old... uh, have a bowel movement? He holds it in and in and in until it comes out in spatters but this goes on and on. We gave him some children's suppositories which didn't help much. And just tonight I bought some Miralax after doing some research but haven't given him any of it, and I don't know if I will until we see a doctor on Monday probably. Even though the Dr. will probably prescribe it because it seems most do by what I was reading. I also got him some chocolate covered granola bars since they have given him messy, frequent stools before(which is why I stopped letting him eat them before). Any advice would be appreciated!
There Asa, that probably got your mind off of thinking about MRI's, didn't it?! ;-)

-Sterling Holobyte
February 22, 2015 - Msg 100751: I mean, until I mentioned it again at the end there. Dang it!
-SH
February 22, 2015 - Msg 100752: Man MDC, I guess they changed the format for the Daytona race this year, Wow 5600 miles!...Bet they ALL are sponsored by "Depends" because with 5600 to run they will for sure need them!...(just kiddin' ya Buddy) Better bundle up, that 70 degrees can be brutal at times....

Sterling, When my Son was little he had the problem too, so I gave him "Fat Raisins" as I called them, because if I said they were prunes he would not have eaten them. Give them a try,...Might work......But then again, might not!

Romeena be careful the AM news says alot of ice for the Dallas area today.

G-F....
February 22, 2015 - Msg 100753: WILL HELLO
WILL IS A NICE DAY WE ARE IN THE 40 DEG FOR NOW!
STAY IN THE HOUSE WITH ALL THE BAD WEATHER WE HAD!
G F WILL YOU PLEAS SEND ALL YOR SNOW DOWN TO MDC?
OR SGT TOM WILL HUNT YOU DOWN.
SWEET ROMEENA BE SALF STAY IN THE HOUSE AND WARM AND STAR.

SGT CHILI TOM

February 22, 2015 - Msg 100754: Howdy, porch! Yep, the cold weather is moving in. It's 42° now, and will be dropping down below freezing as the day goes on. There's a slow, drizzly rain falling, so the wet streets will slowly become icy. There's a light wind blowing, but it's not very strong, so wind chill is not a big thing right now. It may get worse - I guess we'll see.

TOM, I'm not planning to poke my nose out of the house today. If the family decides to gather somewhere, I may change my mind, but I've not heard of any such plans yet, so my own plan is to stay in, stay warm, and make something good to eat.

For right now, I think I'm going to make myself a couple of little pecan waffles - heavy on the pecans! I've got a little waffle maker that turns out a waffle about the size of a saucer. I put a lot of chopped pecans and maybe some blueberries in the batter, and bake up a couple of them. No syrup or anything, I just eat them like a big cookie. Good!!

Sterling, the problem you're having with your 3-yr old is a common one, and it can be very hard to deal with. As you probably know, it stems from the child's fear of, well, pooping. There may have been an occasion when it was painful, or it could be that the child feels like something is being taken from their body. They can't really distinguish "waste" from a body part just yet. In any case, fear is at the bottom of the problem. Therefore, you have to tread very lightly as you try to get the bowels to move. Avoid an enema if you possibly can. The child will see it as an attack, and this will likely lead to more defensive retention. Even suppositories can have this result, so use only if you must.

Your idea with the granola bars is a good one. So is G-F's suggestion of the "fat raisins" - prunes. Anything that gets the stool very soft, or even semi-liquid, is your best bet. The child can't hold it back, it won't hurt, and in time, the fear will pass. I dealt with this briefly with one of my kids, and also with a little girl I kept for a friend. Her case was extreme, and her pedi was even suggesting sedating her and manually removing the blockage she had built up. It didn't come to that, but the day we finally got her cleaned out will live in infamy. Who knew such a little girl could harbor that much poo? Anyway, once you get the works working, I'd recommend a mild softener for several months, to keep the problem from recurring. I'm not well-informed on what's on the market now, but your pedi should be able to recommend something. Probably Miralax, as you said.

Well, I guess you could say we pretty well cover the conversational waterfront here on this porch! Hey, most of us are parents, there's not much we haven't encountered, and we're adults. I think we can discuss a little poo problem when indicated, don't you agree?

OK, I'm off to make my little waffles. Anybody want some? I can make a lot! Come on by! --Romeena
February 22, 2015 - Msg 100755: Happy Sabbath to all. Sunday school and church was canceled today due to the weather. We had a lot of snow, ice and the rain last night so this morning the roads and parking lots all over the area were very icy and messy.

IIt's finally thawing out here in Northeast Tennessee. It's 39 degrees and cloudy but no snow or rain coming towards us.
its been a challenging couple days . Our water pipes were frozen from Thursdsy night til about 6 pm last night. Thankfully
the pipes did not burst. It was cold and icy so we just stayed home and made the best of things. Mr. Maude had brought home some jugs of water for drinking and other uses. Patrick was home for his girlfriends birthday so he and I thawed some of the 12 inches of snow that was outside to flush the toilets when necessary. At least we had electricity. Anyway the worst of this weather front seems to of moved on so its all good.

Mr. Maude was working all week end so Patrick and I managed to shovel most of our driveway last evening and put some salt down. Mr. Maude was able to get his truck up our driveway last night.

Hope everyone that has been affected by this weather is doing ok.

Please remember Patrick's friends mother in your prayers. She was very recently diagnosed with breast cancer. She is having an MRI and will make decisions with her surgeon after that.

Dinner menu will be: pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas. Brownies for dessert. Tea and lemonade too.

Everyone be safe. Prayers and blessings to al.
Big Maude
February 22, 2015 - Msg 100756: We had a small break in the weather today, so I just got back from a Walmart run. Yep, The Walmartian "Mother Ship" definitely landed and dropped off a load. It is true even Walmartians were cooped up during the bad weather and needed to get out....What sights!! But I survived, so I better get to the "Wheeler" and relax.

G-F....
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100757: Wow, our porch topics do "run" the gambit don't they? :)
MAUDIE, thanks for checking in. I have been worried about
you folks in the south east with these latest storms! Glad you are doing OK. One retirement community here
had a "snow shovel bonfire" last weekend! ha
RO, TOm, you two take it with caution too.
No need to go out if you dont have to!
PossUM--hope you are still OK in your possum den.
To those on FB, I posted some pics of my wife's spring flowers, daffodils, irises, etc. So sorry,
it was not directed at the snowbound!! But they are pretty.
God's blessings to all,
MDC
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100758: Well, Brrrrr! I'm still up (got to watching movies) and just checked the temp. It's now 30° out there! No precip falling at this moment, hope it stays that way. However, I don't have to leave the house tomorrow unless I choose to, and if the streets are icy, I won't. I could use a trip to the grocery store, but can get along without it if necessary. I've got lots of soup, and peanut butter. No bread, though. However, I've got the makings for a loaf of bread, and I haven't forgotten how to make it. Actually, that sounds pretty good! Maybe I'll just do that.

Well, I'm off to bed. Toye Starr and I will just sleep until we decide to wake up in the morning, I guess. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100759: Wow! I just got up, and you should see the view from my window! It looks like someone has sifted sugar everywhere. I can't see it in the grass, but on any bare spot in a flowerbed, and on the feeding stones and pathways, there's about an inch of "sugar." The temp is 27°, and there's very little wind, thank goodness. I've only seen about five or six birds, and one squirrel. Guess I'd better go put out some groceries for them. I've got a little stale bread, some old cereal, and lots of seed. Oh, and one suet cake. That's good, because they'll need the fat in this cold weather. There's very little wind, so that's good. This won't last long, but I'm glad it came. It will slow down the bulbs that are sprouting too early, might kill off a few bugs, and at least gives us a little taste of winter. All of you who are buried under snowdrifts, and risking heart attacks as you shovel out, you have my sympathy and my prayers.

I may have to venture out in a little while. I'm out of cheese, and a day like today just calls for mac and cheese. Also, I'm starving for a good salad, and have no greens. I may go u to the Braum's ice cream store that's about a mile from my house. I can reach it by going residential roads, don't need to get on the highway. My favorite large grocery is three miles away. There's another one that's even closer than Braum's, but it's always so dirty and the parking lot is crazy, so I rarely stop there. Anyway, Braum's has about everything I need. Their little market area is really nice, and their produce is always fresh. Maybe I'll get a couple of avocados and some grapefruit. That's a combination that's surprisingly good - makes a great snack. I eat avocados about three times a week. I think they're the reason my cholesterol stays down, in spite of the fact that I take no med for it and eat cheese like a mouse. I use a lot of olive oil, too. Both of those things lower the bad cholesterol and raise the good.

Well, I'm rambling now, guess I'd better get out of this rocker and go feed Toye Starr. It's too cold to be sitting on the porch anyway! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100760: Romeena, BE CAREFUL...As for the snow on the driveway & walks..."Just Call the Man" and let him shovel it off. It can be as slick as grease on a bologna skin, we don't want you to get any broken bones!....Maybe Ben & Jerry will come up with a Avocado Ice cream so you can have it ALL!...lol

MDC, By the end of the season I won't have to worry about a snow shovel bonfire, mine will be plum worn down to the stick, it's almost there already....

G-F...
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100761: Oh, my goodness! G-F, the "{snow on the driveway and walks" could be eliminated with a push broom. There's nothing to shovel. Actually, it can just sit there, for all I care. If I need to go out back for anything, I'll walk on the grass, which is still fully visible through our "snow", and I don't plan to go out there anyway. The fish don't eat when it's this cold, so I won't be going out to feed them. The feeding stones for the critters are only about twenty feet from my back door, and I would be walking on grass after I cross the patio. It's made of stone, and they're large enough that they had heat stored up and the little bit of ice on them soon melted. My front walk from the house is rarely used, and the sidewalk by the street will just have to take care of itself. Anybody out walking along that thing right now would probably have sense enough to just walk in the grass. Honestly, if you could see what we're calling "snow" around here, you'd laugh yourself right out of your wheeler. You folks in the real snowbelt would probably be outside having a picnic on a day like this.

However, yesterday morning, before any of this hit, a friend of mine fell and broke her leg. The temp was in the 40s, and it was dry. She parked across the street from the church, and was walking with the traffic light, when her foot slipped somehow and she fell in the street. Luckily, traffic was stopped while she was crossing, so they just stayed stopped. Someone from the church saw her and ran inside and got Barry and Ron, two of our doctors. They called 911 immediately, and stayed with her until the EMTs got there. She's in the hospital now, with a broken femur, poor little thing. She's a tiny person, very fragile, and just so precious. I'm so sorry this happened to her, but I'm glad it was no worse.

Well, guess I'll go make my little pilgrimage to Braum's and get me some cheese and avocados. Gonna have mac and cheese tonight, with a bowl of diced avocado and grapefruit sections for dessert! Yay! --Romeena
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100762: Winter can KISS MY GRITS!!

Tomorrow's forecast here at my rock.. Tuesday- Rain, freezing rain, and sleet likely before 2pm, then a chance of freezing rain between 2pm and 3pm, then a chance of rain after 3pm. Cloudy, with a high near 37. Northeast wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New ice accumulation of less than a 0.1 of an inch possible. Little or no sleet accumulation expected.

Good thing I went to the store today- I have the staples that every good Southerner must have during Wintry weather- bread, milk,and toilet paper! Got the canned goods & batteries too,so I'm all set,though I ain't too happy about having to put them danged long johns on again!

Hope you're staying safe & warm,Ro. Sorry about your friend-prayers..

Well,better go get some things done before Mother Nature decides to mess with me tomorrow-y'all stay warm & take care!

***********
possum u.a.r.

February 23, 2015 - Msg 100763: Well, I braved the alleged icy streets and went to Braum's for the little bit of groceries I needed. I saw only little skims of ice over puddles here and there, nothing scary. The worst part was my own driveway. The apron just in front of the garage door was ice-covered and slick as goose grease. It extended about six feet out from the door, so I didn't go out after my newspaper. I just backed the car out onto the main driveway which was just wet, not icy, stopped by the paper, and threw it into the garage. I wasn't about to step onto that icy stretch - that's where I fell one night when I went out after firewood, about 17 years ago, so I know what it can do. The concrete is very smooth there, is on a slight slope, and is always iced over. Not being completely stupid, I've never repeated that little maneuver. Also had gas logs installed in the fireplace! Anyway, my trip was uneventful, I got my cheese, and will make mac and cheese for supper. Love the stuff!

Looks like we're going to stay in the upper 20s, going into low 30s tomorrow for a couple of days, then a gradual warming into the 40s. This will pretty much be our winter for this year.

This is just so sweet. The shrubs beneath my window are just full of little birds, mostly sparrows but a few other little guys as well. They always gather there at night, but they've been there most of the day as well. They left their sanctuary long enough to enjoy the food I put out for them, then back they came. So cute!

Well, stay warm, everyone! --Romeena
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100764: Here is some great Mayberry Music you may never have heard before....

https://soundcloud.com/dalestokes/sets/from-my-house-to-mayberry
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100765:
Good evening all. Here is the theme from the old cartoon, Mighty Mouse. For some reason, i think we need a Mighty Mouse right now in the land!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X78i13q-atk
Well, I need to ask your prayers for dad again.
He has taken a downturn, and this time I think it
is for real. God bless him, he is very weak now, but
he told me he's ready to meet Jesus, so I have a lot of peace. I'll keep you posted.
ASA--I hope the missus' MRI goes well.
GF--good race yeaterday.
RO--glad you "learned from your mistakes." How did Ingles class go?
Keep warm all!
MDC
February 23, 2015 - Msg 100766: Good evening, porch. MDC, I'm sorry to hear that your dad is not doing well, but I'm not surprised. What you've seen the last week or two is the little "rally" that often comes just before the final decline. Consider it a gift, store up the memories of the time, and at some point, give him your permission to leave. You'll know when it's the right time.

With my mom, even though she was unresponsive at the last, I still felt (hoped?) she could hear us. She was struggling so hard, and I thought I knew why. I believed she was worried about my dad, and what would become of him without her there to help him. She had been assisting him with the deficits caused by his Alzheimer's for so long, and had done it well. We didn't really know how bad he was until she was no longer there to cue him in conversations and such. Anyway, one morning when I got off work I went to her room and sat with her for a while, and at one point I got very close to her ear and talked to her. I told her not to worry about Daddy, that we knew he needed help and we would provide it. I told her that her job was done, and God was waiting for her, so she should just relax and let go, and go on home. It seemed to me that her body relaxed a little, she seemed less tense and her breathing became easier. Within a couple of hours, she was gone. I've seen it happen over and over, during my years as a nurse. Just give him a chance to pass the torch, so to speak. Give him your permission to leave you. Perhaps you've already done this.

My ESL class is on Wednesday, so I didn't have to go all the way to the church today. I surely do enjoy teaching that class. I imagine "real" teachers would be horrified at the way I conduct it. I just let them each read a small passage from the little stories in our workbooks, and then just follow whatever trails appear. No plan. We just go where the wind blows, and you'd be amazed at where it takes us. They all seem to like it, and they keep coming back. One day it may be difficult pronunciations (how many ways can you pronounce "ough"), or ambiguous spelling rules. We may pursue slang expressions - for example, why do we "fire" someone from a job? Contractions are always interesting. One day a woman asked why we have contractions in English, why don't we just say both words? I asked her if she called her little son "Mi hijo", (literally, my son) or did she say "Mijo?" She understood immediately, and thought it was so funny. From there we went to "Mijito", which is the contraction of "Mi hijito", or "my little son" - a term of endearment. They were all laughing about it. So that's what I mean about just going where the wind blows. Now they get the idea about how words can be jammed together as a contraction without losing meaning. Fun stuff, for someone who enjoys playing with words, and I do.

Well, I had my mac and cheese a while back, guess I'll go indulge in the avocado and grapefruit. Folks, if you haven't tried that combination, let me recommend it. Just section out a grapefruit, getting rid of all the membrane. Dice a nice avocado on top of it in the bowl, add a twist of sea salt, and a small bit of lime squeezed over it all. Chill and then enjoy! If you like the two fruits, you'll love the combination. The grapefruit should be one of the very sweet, ruby red varieties. Texas Star is my favorite, but Star Ruby works almost as well. Enjoy! --Romeena
February 24, 2015 - Msg 100767: Morning dears.

Hey MDC, so sorry to read that about your Dad. But it sounds like he is ready to move on. I am glad he has the faith to do so without fear, and for you also buddy. My prayers for you all in this time of challenge. Great thoughts offered by Romeena. I had a very similar experience when my Dad passed.

And prayers for Big Maude's son's Patricks friends Mom. I hope they got it early on and it is very treatable.

Gotta get. Lot's to do.

Asa
February 24, 2015 - Msg 100768: Snow here...busy at work...send food....SPOT

February 24, 2015 - Msg 100769: MDC, So sorry to hear about your Dad, Romeena & Asa said it well...Prayers for Him, You and your family....

G-F....
February 24, 2015 - Msg 100770: Praying for you and your family, MDC.

Prayers and positive healing thoughts also going out for Patrick's friend's mom, Maude. God bless.

No snow here, Spotty. We're right at freezing with light freezing rain. As long as things don't change, I believe we will be ok. Sure don't want ice accumulation and trees falling on power lines!

Well,y'all take good care and stay warm if you're in this nasty winter weather!

*****************
possum under a rock
February 24, 2015 - Msg 100771: Good morning, porch! It got down to 26° last night, but is now 33° at noon. May get up to 40° if we're lucky. Going back down to freezing tonight, and light snow showers possible in the morning. It won't stick, but it will be fun to watch it fall.

There's a beautiful pair of downy woodpekkers out back right now. They are so pretty, in their little black and white "zoot suits", and the male with the red spot on the back of his head. They're enjoying the suet cake I hung out there, and they've just been joined by a red-bellied woodpekker. He's nearly twice their size, so they give way to him, but they return to the cake whenever he leaves it. There's a big sassy bluejay on the ground, enjoying the seed and stuff I put out yesterday. The slightly shriveled blueberries are making a big hit! Lots of little sparrows, pecking at all the crumbs and small seeds, and the doves will be here in a little while, to get the last of the cracked corn. Guess I'll have to put out more. I declare, having this window is like having season tickets to a Broadway theater. Something is going on out there all the time! I am never, ever bored.

Well, better go. This house could use a little cleaning, and oh my! That "Christmas room" - will I ever get all that stuff stashed somewhere, instead of just stacked in that bedroom? Got to clean the closets out first, I guess. I'm such a packrat.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena