March 02, 2015 - Msg 100825: ..A bit of the "pip" Asa? Better watch downing a whole bottle of paregoric, it will send you to land of pleasure and enchantment as Barney would say...

Romeena, I hope your "Tempurpedic" was "therapetic" and got all the kinks out of your back...

Back outside to shovel the end of my drive where the snow plow buried me AGAIN.. I should not complain our street dept. does a good job in keeping our streets cleared.

G-Frustrated... :(
March 02, 2015 - Msg 100826: ....I shoveled, so WHY NOT sweep too...lol
March 02, 2015 - Msg 100827: Good morning, porch. I was awake until 4 a.m., and had intended to sleep a bit later than this, but some idiot with one of those repeating dialer things started calling. My phone rang eight times in about twelve minutes, from one number first, and then it switched to another. Naturally, I never answered it, since I didn't recognize the number, and there was never a message to identify the caller. I ran the numbers through Google, but couldn't learn much, since all you find is companies that will sell you the information. Anybody know one that will actually tell you something, without a charge? One of the numbers did leak a little information, it appears to be a prescription drug supplier. Like I would buy my insulin from a shady outfit like that, that relies on annoying phone calls to get customers.

The old back is a bit better this morning, I'm still walking crooked but at least it doesn't hurt quite as much. Sterling, my chair is a big, deep and soft armchair, with an ottoman. It's about 17 years old. I bought it when I refurnished my living area about a year after my husband died, in an effort to chase away the emptiness. It matches a pair of sofas (it's a very large room) and was extremely comfortable when I bought it. However, over the years, the springs have started to sag a bit, and it doesn't provide the support it once did. The sofas are like new, and no way will I replace them, but I think I can find some sort of chair in a contrasting fabric, maybe a plaid since the sofas are solid. I've had the springs rebuilt once, and the cushion repadded, but it's not the same. There's just not enough support. I'm thinking recliner this time, but I don't know. You're right about them not being supportive enough, usually. Guess I'll just have to shop very carefully.

The most beautiful pigeon just came into the yard. He's with a flock of ordinary gray and black pigeons, but he's not ordinary. He's almost all white, but his wings and tail are edged with black, and there is a small splash of black on his chest. Very unusual markings, and very pretty. When he flies, and his tail is spread, that black edging really stands out. Pretty thing. Sadly, he was disappointed, because all the food has been eaten, and I haven't ventured out there yet this morning with a fresh supply. Guess I'd better take care of that. It's 35° and drizzly this morning, but critters get hungry anyway. I know my yard is a regular stop on their rounds, and I hate to disappoint them. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 02, 2015 - Msg 100828: Good Afternoon Porch!

I'm not that young anymore, but I've never heard of pagoric (sp?). It sounds like I wasn't missing out anything particularly great. I despise root beer or licorice.

Asa, thank you for adding my job to your prayer list!
Romeena, I'm glad your back is a little better. Since my last (of 3) back surgeries, I'm very careful about where I sit. It must be firm, but cushiony, if that makes sense.
Sterling, the story about Noah is sweet. Having children in church is the best thing you can do for a child, in my opinion.
G-Frustrated, HA! Thank you for sweeping after doing so much shovel work. :)
PH, I'd forgotten about Paul Overstreet!
MDC, still thinking about you.
Boo, it's great you are loving your job and that Bruce is being Mr. Mom.

G-F and Ro, I'm about ready to take Nick's BB Gun to our squirrel. It tore off half of a brick of suet! Nasty varmits.

I hope y'all are having a most pleasant day!

Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy

APB for Tom
March 02, 2015 - Msg 100829: Lucy, Hopefully your like Brisco, "Thought about killing him kinda hated to go that far".. Maybe he just needs some educating on trying to "act like somebody"... I try to keep mine off the suet block & feeder by giving them their own corn & peanuts...Sometimes it works....Sometimes it don't... But as I said in a earlier post, with all the snow we have, the pile of snow by the feeder is like a drive-up window, they don't even have to jump to get to it...

Romeena, As for your pigeon: "If ya snooze ya lose"...An early bird gets the Food! I think Calvin Coolidge said that...haha

G-Finished for the day...
March 02, 2015 - Msg 100830: Good afternoon, porch. Lucy, I agree with G-F. Don't resort to drastic measures with your squirrel. (I noticed, you did say "about ready", and I thank you for that.) He's just trying to make a living, like everyone else. Do you have one of the little wire cages to put your suet block in? If not, may I suggest one? Very handy little gadget, cheap and available at Lowe's or the Depot, or just about anywhere that sells the blocks. It's just a little wire cage that opens up for you to insert the suet block, then snaps shut again. Usually has a short length of chain with an S-hook on it, so you can hang it from the chain that holds a feeder, or a nail driven into a tree, or just most anywhere. The spaces in the wire mesh are large enough for a bird to get his beak in, and a squirrel can get little nibbles. One of mine has learned to stick his paw inside and dig out a small piece, but there's no way they can get a big chunk, because it won't fit through the mesh. Actually, it's very entertaining, watching them practically turn themselves inside out, trying to get into the little cage. Funny little creatures.

I remember when you had all those back problems. It can really take the shine off your day, that's for sure. The surgery I had a couple of years ago completely fixed the totally unbearable problem I had with my lower back, but this is different, and I'm not sure there's anything to be done about it. It's a little better now than it was last night, but still pretty painful, and has kept me close to my chair or the bed all day. I've had scoliosis since I was fifteen, but it has never bothered me until the last few years. It's getting a bit worse, and I think is the cause of what I'm experiencing now. If this continues, I'll go see my surgeon again, just to see if it's something else that's fixable, but if not, I guess I'll just live with it. I've already asked him about any remedy for the scoliosis, and his answer was pretty plain. "There is a surgery that can be done, but I won't do it. The chances are about 50/50 that it will help. If it helps, wonderful. If it doesn't, it usually leaves you worse off than you were. The choice is yours, and I'll refer you to someone else if you wish, but I won't do that surgery." That's all I needed to hear. If he chooses not to do it, then I don't want it. I'm thinking some weight loss would help, and I guess if the pain gets bad enough, maybe I'll finally do what I need to do about that anyway. It's a matter of motivation, and I'm beginning to feel pretty darned motivated. I'm packing at least thirty, maybe forty pounds that I definitely don't need. Dumb, dumb, dumb!

Well, on that note, what's for supper? (heehee) Maybe a can of soup and a handful of peanuts, for protein. We'll see. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
March 03, 2015 - Msg 100831:
HI ALL, well, I met with the funeral home and the
church folks today. All went well. Since he is being cremated, we are waiting until the 28th for the service. This will allow family and friends to get into town without having to rush to get here and
pay more for airfares etc. Thanks for your continued prayers.
Here is sometime interesting, in going thru some of his things, I found a tattered, faded mimeograhed piece of paper with the title "An army on its knees to keep an Army on its feet."
It seems like they were passed out in catholic schools during the war. It shows a child's name, age 9,on the 'name' line, who was praying for my dad, along with the little prayer to say each morning and evening for that soldier. I looked up the name, and discovered that she passed in 2003, but she had a son, and his info was listed. I am thinking of calling him and tell him what I found, and how his mom had prayed for my dad's safety! Amazing.
I hope they have met in heaven.
Regarding back pain, one of the first things my chiro had me do was to get "wedge cushions", about 3" on the big end, and place them in any chair that I sit on, including my vehicle. Man has that helped! She said that vehicle seats are the worst designs for backs, especially if there is no lumbar support. The wedge, with the 3" end toward the seatback, allows the back to sit straighter. I also use one in my "wheeler." It feels funny at first, but then really feels really good and supportive. check out: http://tinyurl.com/pmta3n6
Hey PH, I used tiny url!! :)
They have helped me tremendously and can be found on the web.
Well, off to the ironing board,
MDC
March 03, 2015 - Msg 100832:
PS: something that's good, and good for you--DARK chocolate covered almonds.mmm mdc
March 03, 2015 - Msg 100833: Good morning, porch! Rainy here today, but not terribly cold - in the 40s, and no wind. Tolerable.

MDC, my prayers for you continue in these days. Until the services are held, closure will be elusive, but it will finally come. You have been so faithful and true to your dad. He must have been very proud of you, and in my belief, he still is.

This "misery" in my back is still raging. Naturally, being a nurse, my imagination has run the gamut of all the things it could be, from a big old staghorn kidney stone, a broken rib, a bulging disc, a tumor, etc. You get the idea. All of those can be ruled out though, because I can sit down or lie down and get still, and get comfortable. It only hurts when I'm standing, or moving. I really think it's just a big old muscle spasm, but I don't know why it won't let go. Oh well. This too shall pass.

I completed a little project last night that was very enlightening. I was reading and evaluating preliminary scholarship applications for high school seniors. The kids were asked several essay questions, such as what are your goals, who or what influenced you to choose your education major, tell us about yourself - things like that. From that, we were to distill out things like motivation, maturity, focus, need, and ability to commit. Wow, the things some of those kids have dealt with. Alcoholic father, mentally ill mother, houseful of younger siblings and responsibility of caring for them, frequent moves, "home-schooled" for two years by drug-addicted mother who just wanted him at home to take over when she was high, and that's just a sampling. Naturally, most of them were below average performers scholastically, but one of them is #11 in his class of several hundred kids, while working 35 hours a week to help feed the family. Amazing. I got an education, believe me. If it was up to me, they'd all get a scholarship.

Well, guess I'll go heat up my little gel-thingy and see if that will relax this hitch in my get-along. Have a great day, friends. --Romeena
March 03, 2015 - Msg 100834: Morning Porch.

Romeena, I am so sorry your back is mad. Trust me dear, I can feel for you. Almost all of January and halfway through February I was a mess. Finally this past week it seems to have taken a major step to improving. I still need to get out of a chair slowly, and give things a minute to settle in, but after moving for a bit all seems pretty good. So you are in my prayers for sure.

Snowing here today finally. Wet and heavy. We need the water so I hope the mountains are getting pounded good.

Asa
March 03, 2015 - Msg 100835: Mornin' Porch,

Oh wait, I just looked at the clock on my laptop and it's noon, so Good Afternoon to those of you in the Eastern time zone. :)

I'm not going to pop the squirrel, though I can't speak for my husband. He's kind of frustrated that I keep insisting on putting out $1 brick of suet every few days. We have a whole mess of birds here this week. I love it! Romeena, my suet holder is a cage up 3/4 of the way. It's a birdhouse "chalet". I posted a picture of it on Facebook a few weeks ago.

Romeena, I hope the pain subsides. I can only say make sure you see a neurosurgeon and get some Lidocaine patches. They help the pain. Stay away from heat, but I'm sure you know that already. I'll pray you're healed quickly! My back issues are better, but I still cannot feel the bottom of my feet, which happened when I woke up from my surgery.
MDC, I'm glad that your arrangements are going well. What a neat piece of paper you discovered! Still praying!
Asa, I'm so glad your back is doing better and that you got some snow. My poor family in Kentucky is being hit again. It's not so bad in Louisville (where my parents live), but in the country areas (where the rest of my family lives) they don't need it at all! Ironically we will have rain and 72 degrees here in Atlanta.

I hope all are having a great week thus far! I'm working so that I can keep my job. My boss is out of town. When she gets home, I suppose I'll find out if she will renew my contract. Bryan is now on straight commissions so it's a bit nervous in this house.

I hope you have a great day all!

Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy
March 03, 2015 - Msg 100836: Got ribs on the smoker .... who is gona have sides ready at 6 for supper? SPOT
March 03, 2015 - Msg 100837: Asa makes a mean cole slaw, are those ribs from Adams Ribs over by Dearborn Station? Man SPOT, I just started sauerkraut & sausage and mashed taters, don't know if that goes with ribs or not but I'll bring them....Along with some of Larry the Cable Guys Prilosec just encase...
Lucy said it's gonna be 72 in your guy's area today...Wow 72 I don't remember what that feels like! (probably 2 degrees warmer than 70 I suppose)....

G-F....TOM where are you? check in Ok?



March 03, 2015 - Msg 100838: ok supper is coming around...asa you gona be able to make some slaw? SPOT
March 03, 2015 - Msg 100839: Ribs? Did somebody say ribs? Here I come, with a big bowl of tater salad in my hands. G-F, you come on and bring the kraut and sausage and mashed taters. Anything and everything goes with ribs - you know that!! As a matter of fact, something like that might just happen here on my porch before the week is over. Sounds pretty good! If I have some at Spot's tonight, along with the ribs, it won't bother me to have it again in a few days.

I don't want to say this too loudly, but my back is feeling noticeably better, at this moment. Not really good, but a far sight better than it was this morning. Maybe whatever is in spasm is beginning to relax. It feels like the intercostal muscles are inflamed, and the big muscles along the left side of my spine are in a knot. Right side is fine, no pain anywhere. Left side is a mess. However, it seems to be getting a bit better, so yay!

Lucy, I asked my doctor about lidocaine patches during another episode a while back, because I think they would really help. However, he doesn't want me to use them because of my cardiac arrhythmias, and the fact that I take two beta-blockers. He says lidocaine and my meds wouldn't be a good match. Too bad, because I agree, the patches would probably help a lot.

Well, guess I'll go feed my tiny friend. She seems to know I don't feel well, and hasn't even bothered to invite me to play. She just hangs around close to me, and watches me with big soft brown eyes. What would I do without her? --Romeena
March 04, 2015 - Msg 100840: Glad your back is doing a bit better Romeena.

Ribs and cole slaw. Can't beat a deal like that for sure.

Lucy, I pray things will work out for you in your job situation for sure.

Prayers also for MDC. I know you are a man of faith, but are still going to have some sadness with your loss. Prayers for peace for you my friend.

Well our snow came, left 10 inches on my porch yesterday morning and is now gone. Supposed to be back up to near 60 by the weekend. I kind of like these early spring storms. They leave and it gets nice again quickly. I think it was Big Maude who described it best. Our weather is bi-polar this time of year. Can be snowing like no tomorrow one minute, and then sunny and warm the next.

I was just thinking this morning whilest trying to squeeze out the last bit of toothpaste from it's tube. Does anyone remember when toothpaste came with the little "key" for rolling up the toothpaste tube? Them tubes back then were made of different material, but those little keys sure made it possible to get every bit of toothpaste out, didn't they?

Well best get rolling. GF, I have a couple of dozen back flow devices to certify this month. You want some work? Get you out of that Wheeler or off the snow shovel for a spell. :)

Asa
March 04, 2015 - Msg 100841: ...Yep Asa, a guy could use a few back-flow devices now and then... I just hope when all this snow melts it doesn't back-flow into my house!
I keep a constant check on both my sump pumps during this time of the year. Don't want my Mayberry room to get flooded....

I was smart , when we put the addition on the house back in 2000 I had them add an additional perforated pipe, it is a tad bit higher then the foundation pipes so if the sump pump quits working it would "leach" into the gravel under the floor to buy me some time. This has helped several times when the float switch stuck...

A good maintenance man ALWAYS thinks ahead...10-4 Asa?

Romeena, glad to hear your back pain is letting up some, so I'll "tick-a-lock" so's not to jinx ya...lol

MDC, Continued prayers....Anyone hear from CHILI TOM? Kinda concerned he hasn't checked in lately...

G-F...
March 04, 2015 - Msg 100842: Good morning, porch. I've been wondering about CHILI TOM too. Check in, friend!

I know you're all anxiously waiting to hear how my back is doing this morning, so here's the latest bulletin. (heehee) Well, I'm getting ready to head up to the church for ESL classes, so what does that tell you? It's not wonderful, but it's not all that bad, either. Just a little stiff and sore, but at least I'm not walking crooked. I guess whatever it was, it's on the way out. God is good.

It's in the 50s here today, but rainy, and expected to drop to freezing tonight. Tomorrow they're predicting wind chill down in the single digits, and sleet followed by possible snow. Bi-polar weather for sure. Asa, it sounds like yours is just as schizophrenic as ours. Well, at least time is running out on this freaky stuff. Eventually, it will settle down. By the way, whatever happened to global warming?

Well, better run, or I'll be late. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
March 04, 2015 - Msg 100843: ...It ain't happening in N.E. Ohio Romeena...haha
March 04, 2015 - Msg 100844: 10-4 GF, and a little WD40 while we are at it, just for good measure. :)

Glad you are improving Romeena. Keep it up.

Asa
March 04, 2015 - Msg 100845: Mornin',

Yes, Tom, please check in.

Romeena, I'm so glad that you're a bit better! I hope it continues to be so.
G-F, you have a Mayberry room?! That is TOO COOL! I hadn't heard the term sump pump in years. The house I grew up in had one and when that think leaked, it was horrible. It likedta flood our basement tons of times. And it would get stinky. My parents had to save my Barbie mansion many a times.
Asa, thank you for the prayers. I haven't heard from my boss in months, minus a "thank you for the hard work" ham in the mail. I don't know what to make of it all. My sister is in management at Humana and she told me to apply there for customer service as I can do that from home. It doesn't sound appealing, but I may apply if my contract isn't renewed this month.
Spot, I hate that I missed the ribs! I LOVE bbq.

Well, I hope all have a pleasant day! I'm doing some work and a blog post. As Andy and Mavis say, "Act like somebody".

Blessings to you and yours,
~Lucy
March 04, 2015 - Msg 100846:
Hello all. Doing better these days as I go thru dad's things deciding waht to give away, etc.
And you guys made my day and didnt even know it.
First, there was Sterlings talk of his Noah's "flow" problem, and then today ASA brings up about"back flow devices." I started LOL, as in "are those two subjects related by any chance?" ha Hey, my first "ha" since last Friday! Thanks again for all the prayers and support. God bless.
MDC
March 04, 2015 - Msg 100847: Yep, MDC, this porch is a very supportive place. I do appreciate everyone's concern about my cranky old back. A very minor thing compared to what many are dealing with, but I appreciate your thoughts and prayers, nevertheless.

It's very cold here now, after being around 50 this morning. It's now in the mid 30s, windy, and raining. I taught ESL class this morning, but only had two students. They don't come out in bad weather, and I don't blame them. Many of them actually walk to the church, usually leading a couple of little kids. I'd stay home too, in weather like this. During the morning, the temp dropped significantly and the rain rolled in. When I got home, the little geyser at the curb was in full flow, taking the standing water off my back yard. I was glad to see it. When it malfunctions, I'm at risk for water coming in my back door. The sunroom was an add-on, using the original back patio as a foundation, and obviously that was not as far above grade as the foundation of the rest of the house, so if the water rises, it could come in. It has only done it once, and only a little bit, which I could control with a few towels, but it let me know what could happen. So, my friend Joe put a couple of drain pipes in, channeled them to a catch basin near the front of the house, and put a sump pump in that basin, to push the water to the street. Works like a charm.

I'm so thrilled to see all this rain, and it looks like we'll get more water at least through tomorrow. It may be in the form of sleet and snow, but it's still water. We've been in a drought here for several years, and all this water is just so welcome!

I stopped at the grocery store on the way home from class, and stocked up. I've now got something to eat besides soup around here, at least for a few days. I'm prepared to just hibernate for a while.

OK, I'm off to put out a little critter feed. Poor little things are trying so hard to find something to eat out there. The rain has let up for now, so I guess this is my chance. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
March 05, 2015 - Msg 100848: Good Morning gang...Romeena hope back is better...COLD front coming today...since 5 am we have dropped 18 degrees...Big Fire tonight !..well who likes boiled eggs?..SPOT
March 05, 2015 - Msg 100849: Hey MDC, When you laugh about the "flow" problems don't forget Romeena's comment..."This too shall pass"....haha it sort of ties it all in....

Well, I think Mother Nature gave the Goob a break today, another big storm coming thru but it will miss me for a change. It's suppose to track just to the south of me. My back & shovel need a break!

SPOT, buddy we think alike I am (right now) boiling some, but I think I will pickle these ones so they will be ready in a couple of days.

Romeena, Practice what you preach....Stay in the house!...haha (I have the ice skates to swing it) Skating in my driveway @ Noon...Hot Ovaltine will be provided..(including those tiny marshmallows)....Pickled eggs & Hot chocolate can't beat a combo like that!!...lol

G-F...
March 05, 2015 - Msg 100850: Good morning, porch! Oh my, what a beautiful sight greeted me when I opened my bedroom door and looked out my window at the back yard. We got about three inches of snow last night! The soft and fluffy kind that just makes everything so beautiful. The sun is out in a perfectly clear sky, so the light is brilliant, reflecting off the snow, and the play of shadows from the trees is magical. There are tiny bird tracks stitching one feeding stone to another, but the stones are covered. Poor little critters, they still go there to search for food, even when the stones are not visible. Maybe I'll go put a trash can lid upside down on the snow, and put critter feed in it.

Squirrels have left trails from one tree to another. The huge clusters of red berries on the nandinas around the arbor really pop with all the snow around them. So pretty. I'm so glad Joe talked me into planting those shrubs. I didn't think I wanted them, but he promised me I would love them, and he was right.

I haven't seen the front yard, but I'll bet it's pretty too. It's 27°, but the sun is so bright that none of this is going to last long. We're supposed to get to the upper 30s today, so I guess this will be a brief blessing, but it surely is beautiful right now.

Pickled eggs? You know, there was a New York-style deli in San Antonio, called Schilo's. It was quite out of place in a strongly Hispanic-flavored town like San Antonio, but the food was wonderful. It was in the heart of downtown, and at noon, the line to get in stretched out onto the street. I was a summer secretary for my dad in those days (I was only fifteen) and he would take me to Schilo's for lunch. We'd get a deviled egg, a bowl of split pea soup, a pastrami sandwich and a rootbeer in a frosted mug. So good! I remember they had a big jar on the counter, with boiled eggs and chunks of sausage in it, all pickled in a spicy pickling brine. My dad got us each an egg and a piece of sausage one day, and I thought they were wonderful. I pretty much like pickled anything, and that was no exception. I've never seen pickled eggs anywhere else. I'm sure some of the taverns and bars have them, but since I don't frequent those places, I don't see the eggs. Sure were good, though.

Well, I'd better get moving. I could sit at this window all day and accomplish exactly nothing. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 05, 2015 - Msg 100851: How do you pickle eggs GF? I might like to try that.

Hope your back is still improving Ro. Just don't go out and slip and fall on that white stuff.

We are supposed to get up to 50 today so any snow from Tuesdays storm will be gone. Maybe with the exception of the north side of things.

Lunch special at the Diner is two chicken wings (from chickens that have done a lot of flying) or two drumsticks (from chickens that have done a lot of walking) or two pickled eggs (from a chicken that's done a lot of drinking). No substi-tudes.

Asa
March 05, 2015 - Msg 100852: How are y'all doing today? As Spot said, we've cooled off some but will be warm again this weekend. At least we aren't as bad as the people in my home state of Kentucky. I've had the Weather Channel on all day so I can see what's going on and it isn't pretty. I remember the big snow of 1994 and this is similar. I have had a horrible migraine and thought oh pitiful me, but you know I'm in a warm home and not stranded on an interstate in the teens. There's always someone worse off than you.

I've had pickled eggs, but it's been a long time. Now I love deviled eggs!

Romeena, enjoy your snow for the short time it lasts. You too Asa.

Well, y'all have a good rest of the day!

Blessings,
Lucy
March 05, 2015 - Msg 100853: LoL Asa, I bet Otis liked pickled eggs... All ya need is a large jar put in a can of red beets and the juice from them and some white vinegar, and put them in the frig for a couple of days...Poof pickled eggs! (Mom would put a couple of pieces clove in with them too) I like 'em both ways.

Romeena, Sounds like a REAL winter wonderland on your end of the porch today...

I think Possum must be under her rock, she hasn't checked in for awhile, I guess she must be getting some of that winter weather today too...
Hopefully it is some of the last of it, "THEY" say it is suppose to be in the 50's next week...I sure hope the "They's" are right!...

G-F again
March 06, 2015 - Msg 100854:
Also, APB for Big Maude. I hope she didnt get snowed in...again.
Doing well here. I won't even tell you the temp,
as you've all probably looked anyway. God bless,
MDC
March 06, 2015 - Msg 100855: Happy Friday porch dwellers. I hope and pray you are all well today.

We are up to 60 today, and in fact all weekend. The clocks move forward this weekend. Yea buddy, spring is upon us. Makes me smile. :)

Glad you are doing ok MDC. Good on you.

Lucy, I ain't much in the kitchen but my family seems to love my deviled eggs. I'm glad there is something I can contribute to our family gatherings. Cole slaw is another one, but I am the only one who likes it. Still praying your job situation works out well.

Today I have to program our master clock for D.S.T. This clock controls the clocks in all of our buildings. The thing is amazing with auto correct and all, yet it doesn't have built in D.S.T./M.S.T. capabilities. So every spring and fall I have to pre program it to make it happen. It's just nuts. Programing it is a real pain, but that's just the way it is. If I don't do it, or do it wrong, everyones wall clocks are wrong, and I declare that is a life ending crisis around here so it would seem. Never mind that everyone has watches, phones, personal clocks, etc, If that wall clock isn't right it just destroys their day. Amazing what upsets some folks.

Well better get rolling.

Prayers for all.

Asa
March 06, 2015 - Msg 100856: ....Asa, just remember the trick when you set your clocks..."Spring"=Forward and in the "Fall"=Back.. It's sorta like the "I" before "E" except after "C" in chicken thing...lol
You better not count your Springs before they are hatched, I'm not quite sure Mother Nature is thru with us yet, just ask the Kentucky folks... What a mess!!

G-F....
March 06, 2015 - Msg 100857: Good morning, porch. Well, Mother Nature is really playing games with us. The temp went into the mid-20s last night, turning the streets that were wet with melting snow into skating rinks. At this moment, not quite noon, we're heading into the 40s, the sun is bright, and the streets have already dried. Amazing.

The plastic bin lid I sat on top of the snow yesterday, filled with birdseed, bits of fruit, and some old rice chex is now high and dry on one of the feeding stones, and is almost empty. When I looked out there this morning, it looked like Grand Central Station for critters. There was one little squirrel that actually got down and rubbed his face in the bounty! How cute is that?

I made a pizza last night, and it was goo-ood! I used one of those prepared crusts from the grocery store, and put some leftover spaghetti sauce on it, some shredded mozzarella, and diced up a leftover half of a tomato and half an onion, put some mushrooms on it, some black olives, a few rings of a golden bell pepper and some pepperoni. Most of the stuff I already had, left from something else. All I actually bought was the pepperoni and the crust. Nice way to use up leftovers, and it was really, really good. Better than delivery pizza, and a darned sight cheaper.

OK, guess I'd better go dry my hair. Usually I just mousse it, comb it and let it dry, but it's making me feel cold, and I don't want to stir that silly back thing up again, so guess Ill dry it. That warm dryer will feel good. I have the kind that has the little rubber fingers on it, and the warm air just flows down and around and dries my hair. There's no hard air stream to blow it around, it just dries where I've got it placed. I scrunch it and dry it with that gentle flow, and it's like it air-dried.

When I think of the hours I spent years ago, getting perms, and sitting under one of those miserable little dryer caps at home, sleeping on rollers, etc. - all the things I used to do to try to get a little curl in my hair. Then I lost most of it to chemo in 1979, and when it came back, it came back with a lot of wave in it. Not actual curly curls, but very wavy. With the right cut and a can of mousse, I don't have to do those things anymore. I don't even have any rollers, and I very rarely use my curling iron. God is good.

Have a wonderful day, folks, and for those of you still in winter's grip - don't over do the activity with the shovels, and stay warm! --Romeena
March 06, 2015 - Msg 100858: For you Gilligan's Island Fans....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9tTW6N7-r4


March 06, 2015 - Msg 100859: Romeena, Did Barney come over for pizza too? You know he just loves pepperilli pizza...lol G-F
March 06, 2015 - Msg 100860: One more thing, we hear in the news around here that someone in Toronto was digging tunnels under the city. "THEY", said they were making a "Man Cave"... Wonder where PH has been? Sorta a coincidence, he has not been on the porch much lately...Hummm better get Mayberry Undercover in to investigate.... Wonder if there have been any thefts of "Wheelers" & large screen TV's too?...I hear they found it just as they were in the process of running a direct root beer tap from the soda fountain on the corner...Man, a guy just can't do anything these days.....

G-F....

March 06, 2015 - Msg 100861: Hey G- F- I'm ok, no bad winter weather here,though it did jump from 80 degrees yesterday to around 40 for today's high-crazy weather!

Got a bad flare up of arthritis in my best typing (pecking!) fingers is why I haven't been at the Porch much.

Hope y'all are behaving(you never know when Sgt. Tom might show up!) and doing well and that Ro's back is feeling better. Gotta quit pecking at the keys for awhile-y'all take care!

***********
possum u.a.r.
March 06, 2015 - Msg 100862:
To whomever posted Msg 100858, the title of that video "Wreck of the Old SS Minnow" has an error. The SS stands for Steam Ship and since the Minnow did not have any boilers, it was definitely not powered by steam.

G-F, regarding that "tunnel" in Toronto that has been in the world news, it was not a tunnel at all. A tunnel implies at least two openings. In reality, it was a cave with a single opening. What was strange about it is that is that the walls and ceiling were shored up with lumber that required some construction knowledge. A 22 year old local man has come forward to claim he built it two years ago as a place where he could go to be alone and relax. His regular home is a very short distance away from the cave. The police investigation could find no criminal intent so as far as they are concerned, after they refilled the cave, no further action will be necessary. What got many people concerned is that it was dug on public property near where the International Pan American Games will be held this summer. So rumors of a hiding place for terrorists began to spread.

Our weather people are claiming that the month of February has been the coldest ever for the Greater Toronto Area since records have been kept because the temperature remained below freezing every day since the end of January.

from Poor Horatio
March 06, 2015 - Msg 100863:
ROMEEna--maybe you could get a Chef Boy-arDee pizza kit!
Remember those. I think they still make them.
But no moz-z-zerella.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NQAcBaTXNE
Very strange weather in diverse places lately.
We had our HOTest Feb on record, contrasted with PH's coldest.
I hope Maude and TOM check in soon.
Prayers,
MDC
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100864: Poor Horatio, then the whole tv show had an error, since it definitely was called the "SS Minnow".(I didn't post the video, btw)
I think you kind of have to suspend reality for that show and try not to think logically about it. But that's what I and lots of other people love about it, that you can "escape" to Gilligan's Island with those castaways and forget worldly problems.

Hope you are doing well, MDC.

Good night all.
-Sterling Holobyte
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100865: At work till 6pm...who wants an egg samich?...SPOT
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100866: MDC, I remember those pizza kits, if I remember back then they came with a little can of Parmesan cheese and the pepperoni was mixed in the sauce. Having one was a treat, along with the spaghetti "kits" too.
I did make one awhile back with my GrandKidders, they had fun making it, I have some good pic's and no one was hurt in the process...haha

Have a good day folks, there is a rumor of the sun coming out around here today, I better look outside quick or I may miss it...

G-F...
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100867: ...I missed it...Back to SNOW!...Drat!..G-Fooled
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100868: You gotta be quick, G-F. Those frozen sunbeams don't last very long. You know what? You sound like a terrific grandpa. I'll bet those kids think you hung the moon.

A pizza kit? I don't remember those, but I'll just betcha that the one I concocted out of leftovers (mostly) would beat the socks off of it. By the time I got through putting all that stuff on mine, the thing was over an inch thick, on a 1/4" crust, and was absolutely delish! Yummy, even.

I really enjoyed "Gilligan's Island" and would still watch it if one of the stations would run it. It was total nonsense, everything was completely illogical, and that was part of the fun. I remember an episode where Gilligan and the skipper pulled a big wooden crate in out of the ocean, just something hammered together, not sealed, and when they pried the lid off, the newspapers that had been used as insulation for the contents were dry and intact. Another time, they found another wooden box that was filled with stage costumes, all dry and unharmed. Conveniently, they used the costumes to put on a production of a Shakespeare play. Gilligan's red shirt never wore out, nor did Ginger's gold evening gown or Mary Ann's short shorts. The women's hair always looked beautiful, and their makeup didn't run out, either. They built all sorts of things, from a seemingly unending supply of materials, yet they never fixed the Minnow. Just good, clean, campy fun, and I loved it.

Hey, TOM is fine. I had an email from him. He said he's just trying to stay warm.

Well, I need to get some laundry done. It's pushing the door of the hamper cabinet open and spilling out onto the bathroom floor, so guess it's time. I don't do laundry but about once every three or four weeks. I have lots of towels, and lots of undies, and a zillion t-shirts, so I save water by just washing when I have full loads of everything. I used to do at least two loads a day when the kids were all at home! Life is simpler, in many ways, when you're just one. Not as much fun, but simpler.

Have a great day, folks, and stay warm! --Romeena
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100869:
Sterling Holobyte, you brought up a good point about the SS Minnow ... when dealing with a fantasy, anything is possible.

Are you folks aware that when they filmed the Gilligan's Island pilot episode, they had a different theme song and different actors for the professor and the two single ladies?
You can watch the opening at http://tinyurl.com/qe3vbq7
And you can watch a short two minute clip of the pilot episode at http://tinyurl.com/ksnuyuz

from Poor Horatio
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100870: Wow! How interesting! I don't know who got hold of the show and changed the song and some of the characters, but I'm glad they did. That original song was much too contrived and laborious, too much information and too much detail. The song they actually used told the story quickly and simply, and was much catchier. You couldn't tell much about the original characters in these clips, but from what little I saw, I liked the Professor and Ginger and Mary Ann much better. Maybe it's all in what we get used to, but I'll keep the version we know, thank you.

Well, it's a balmy 60° here today, and according to the ten-day forecast, it's going to stay that way. Hard to believe that just two days ago, we had three inches of snow. Weird, weird weather.

Well, back to my laundry. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100871: Hmmm. Re-reading what I wrote, it sounds like I liked the original actors for the Professor and Ginger and Mary Ann. Not so. I liked the ones we all came to know and love! --Romeena
March 07, 2015 - Msg 100872: PH, Your education was worth every penny! I did not know about the different cast members and theme song. I too am glad they made the changes. One thing I did hear was the flags in the harbor in the opening scene were at half mast due to the the Kennedy assassination... BTW I was the one who posted the first link just forgot to sign it, maybe if they HAD a boiler they may have been better off?
Even tho the show made little sense, it made us laugh at a time when we needed to forget about all the things going on in the world, as Sterling also stated....

Thanks Romeena for letting us know TOM is Ok..

G-F....
March 08, 2015 - Msg 100873:
HI ALL, Wow, I'm glad they made the changes too!
GF--just think if they named that famous movie
The SS African Queen! ha (At least it'd be right.)
RO--your mention of laundry got me to thinking,
did they ever show Aunt Bea doing laundry on the show. Only time I recall any scene with laundry was when Barney had to take it off the line.
GF--on "Ask This Old House" they went to Shaker Heights outside of Cleveland. It looks like a beautiful area. Indians arent doing too bad in Spring Training. (2-2) and you know 2 and 2 makes 4. :)
Good Sabbath to you all,
MDC

March 08, 2015 - Msg 100874:
Here is a neat interview I found with Dawn Wells from last year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8VvJVVDM0
mdc