March 13, 2015 - Msg 100929: Oh my! Lucy dear, you are indeed getting more than your share of trouble right now. I am so sorry, and wish there was some way I could help. About all I can offer right now is prayer, and you certainly have those. Also, may I say that there were years when some of my kids were making what I considered to be bad choices, and they turned out to be exactly that, but later on, their upbringing came through, things changed, and we are all very close. Sometimes you have to wait for God to get their attention, but just don't give up. Joy comes in the morning.

Well, the family will be here shortly to help me get the tree down, and have dinner together. I put a pot roast on to simmer early this morning, it's fork-tender now and smells wonderful. Hudson and I have about gotten all the little stuff put away, just the tree remains. I baked an angel food cake, and have some strawberries to go on it. Just need to pinch their tops off and put a little sugar on them so they'll draw a little juice. Also need to get the potatoes peeled for smashed taters, and decide on a veggie. Between frozen and canned, there are lots of choices, and I have eight ears of corn ready to steam. Sure glad I cooked that pot roast. Lots easier than frying about four skillets of pork chops.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
March 13, 2015 - Msg 100930: Oh, sweeping just seemed to be needed, so I did it right quick. Toye Starr promised to dust, but I wouldn't hold my breath. --Romeena
March 13, 2015 - Msg 100931:
Lucy, I was sad to read about the troubles you and your family are experiencing. Rather than just offer you prayers, check out the following web sites:
http://www.wahm.com/
http://sohojobs.com/home.php
Take the time to investigate both web sites. They have a lot of information to consider.

from Poor Horatio
March 13, 2015 - Msg 100932: Lucy, I am so very sorry for all you are dealing with right now, bless your heart. Hang in there, keep the faith, and brighter days will come. I know the Lord won't place more on our table than we can handle, and I know He is there to yolk your burdens. Lean on Him and follow His lead. My prayers continue for you and your family.

Asa
March 14, 2015 - Msg 100933:
LUCY--my prayers are with you too, but as PH stated, ya gotta
go with the practical too. There were times these past ten years dealing with parent diseases etc, that I really got mad at God, especially with the
Why? question! But then I would calm down, repent, and realize that all such things will work out in the Lord's timing. The Word says "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Notice that it says we walk THROUGH the valley! Alleluia! There is another end to the valley and your 'half-full cup' will overflow!
MDC
March 14, 2015 - Msg 100934: So sorry Lucy. I will pray for you and your family. There are many pressures on families right now, financial and just the difficulties of raising kids in this generation. Praying for you today.

Yesterday I found out that one of my dear aunts is dying and I am very sad about it. Aunt Lou is a wonderful Christian woman and she is ready to go, but she has been the "eyes" for my blind Uncle Rollo for 60 years. I have shared about my uncle on the porch before. He is the man who lived a very "wild" life, was nearly killed in an accident that caused a massive head injury, survived and became a minister. He was left totally blind but went to Methodist seminary and became a minister with the help of his sweet wife, Lou. I cant even imagine what his life will be without her. Please say a prayer for him today.

Boo
March 14, 2015 - Msg 100935: Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. I feel blessed to know that y'all are praying.

Thank you for the links PH. I've been on the first one before but not the second. I'll check them out today!
Boo, I'm sorry to hear about your aunt.

It's a rainy day here. We should have the greenest spring on record with all of this rain. :)

Thank you all again.
Blessings,
Lucy
March 14, 2015 - Msg 100936: good morning to all. just checking in on this rainy Saturday morning. supposed to rain most of the day on my end of the porch. Spring is just around the corner.

Prayers for your situation Lucy. Raising kids is challenging. I agree with Romeena tho, hopefully they will come back to their raising. sometimes they have to figure things out on their own no matter what they have been taught or what we will them.

hope everyone has a good day. Prayers and blessings all around.

Big Maude


March 14, 2015 - Msg 100937: Lucy, I too want to add my prayers for your situation, job, kids ect. Yep, you try and you try and it seems like all you get is heartaches! But as Romeena said: Joy comes in the morning. That statement always gives us hope...Along with "Be Still"...Our REV has a song about that very subject.. Hang in there!

Prayers for Boo's Aunt & Uncle too, they sound like they have been a good match for each other over the years..

Hey Romeena, With all the snow melting, I think I saw a few of my squirrels surfing down the rapids of the storm drain ditch, and they are going to need a boat to get to my oak tree in the back yard.

There is A LOT of flooding in the northern parts of the state, a lot of ice jams from Lake Erie clogging the rivers. To bad we can't just put some of those big ice chunks on a train and send the to you folks out West. It sounds like it's going to be a dry, dry summer for ya'll...

Asa, I guess the same goes for you too. That's the price to pay for a mild winter...(I have the wood ready just encase I have to put pontoons on my "Wheeler")...haha... Or I could just mount in on my sailboat I have in my storage barn. Yep, that boat gave me a lot of relaxation back in they day, now maybe is the time to "re-purpose" it...lol

G-Flooding
March 14, 2015 - Msg 100938:
GF-Your Indians beat the Dbacks yesterday, and SPOT's Hawks beat the Suns. Lots of NASCAR traffic today, just keepin things 'real.' ha
Maudie, glad things are returning to near normal around there.
And yes, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when old, he shall not depart from it."
Proverbs 22 I think.
MDC
March 14, 2015 - Msg 100939: Here is a link to some of REV's songs "Be still" is on the list...G-F again
http://www.reverbnation.com/rockymorris
March 14, 2015 - Msg 100940: MDC, You popped in just as I was posting, Maybe I should come to the race and sell "Snow Cones" we could make a bunch of $$$ I have the "snow" to swing it! You pick up the raspberry syrup and we're good to go! (Just keep Barneys girlfriend away) ya know she likes to bite off the end and suck out all the syrup...lol
Thanks for keeping an eye on the Tribe, "they" said one of their Rookie prospects hit one out of the park his first time up to bat...There is always hope in Mudville...lol

G-F over and out!
March 15, 2015 - Msg 100941: Good Sabbath porch.

Yes sir GF, there will be a price to pay for our mild winter. I think folks are hoping for a wet spring here, but thus far that ain't happening. In the meantime I am going to enjoy the 75 degree temps the good Lord has blessed us with all week. Worrying and hand wringing won't change it. So I might as well enjoy it, realizing He is in charge. Had to spend a couple of hours at the hospital yesterday with the wife who was getting an infusion. It took them forever to get to strike gold. Plus with the drive to and from the hospital, it was almost 4 hours of sitting. And my back wasn't happy about that. So I don't need 3 more hours of sitting at preachin. Maybe I will go for the last hour. That's when our Men's group meets. Yea, that's the plan.

Hope your flooding doesn't get out of hand GF. Better get them sump pumps ready to go.

I hope you are doing ok Lucy.

Better get something to eat. Don't know what it might be.

Prayers for all.

Asa
March 15, 2015 - Msg 100942: Good Evening Porch,

I do so appreciate the prayers! I'm sad and frustrated, Asa, but I'll be alright. The Lord has a plan, but I still gotta work!

i still miss Rev. He was a light in this world.
My husband and I were at the mall doing returns yesterday and saw someone wearing an Indians shirt. I guess it now makes sense. Bryan, being from about 50 miles from Cleveland was surprised. He's now a Braves fan, which is sort of an Indian. :)

It was the prettiest day today! Very soon we'll be singing good 'ol 14A.

I pray y'all have a wonderful week.

Blessings to you and yours,
Lucy
March 16, 2015 - Msg 100943:
Hi all, I got several nice emails and calls from local friends about my dads obit today.
It's neat how people one hasnt heard from in ages
call to offer condolences, etc., finding out that they are
still out there.
Lots of race fans here today too.
We continue to be warm also...88 today.
ASA--my wife and I plan to take a road trip
this summer, and may take us to Utah's national parks. Perhaps we could meet up in SLC.
You'd be the first cyberfriend for me to meet.
My guess would be late summer right now.
Well, nite all,
God bless,
MDC
March 16, 2015 - Msg 100944: Wow about got this night shift done...home to sleep and off till wed...gona be sunny and 80 here in ga...15 degrees above normal...MDC hawks are on fire this year...Kevin Harvick makes it two in a row...hey Romeena,GF,TOM,Lucy,Maude,asa and Boo...Thanks for the web sites PH...well its waffle house for me today...wife Mrs Spot and I both off tomorrow...Bum day ! prayers SPOT
March 16, 2015 - Msg 100945: Good Monday morning everyone. I hope the new day and new week will be great for y'all.

MDC, I would love to hook up with you if you get up this way buddy. Why I'll even give you a tour around town. Show the new paved parking lot for the gas workers parking and everything. :)

Glad you are hanging in there Lucy. You have a good attitude.

Boo, Prayers for your Uncle Rollo and Aunt Lou. That is so hard to see after all those years of being together.

Hey Spot, we were 75 yesterday. Should be mid 50's this time of year. I noticed I need to get some weed killer mixed and spraying already. Never had to do that this early in the year.

Well better get rolling. Busy time of the year for me.

Prayers for all.

Asa
March 16, 2015 - Msg 100946: MDC, Great tribute to your Pop's, I especially liked the first paragraph...It was fitting, and he still looked good in his hat.

Asa, Maybe you can get Mr. Wheeler's secret recipe for weed killer. Also I'm guessing Utah's tourism folks are working hard, they are even advertising visiting your national parks way back here. Sure is beautiful around your parts. Which park is closest to you?

SPOT, Looks like it's gonna be Harvick's year this year...On to California as the last part of the west coast swing...

Suppose to get to 60 today Whoooweee!

G-Finally Warmer
March 16, 2015 - Msg 100947: Thanks for those thoughts and prayers for my aunt and uncle. Aunt Lou is still hanging on, bless her heart. I expect it is hard for her to leave uncle behind when he still needs her so.

Three hours of preachin on Sunday morning, Asa? Do you ever find yourself dozing off (like Gomer) during men's meeting?? ;)

Not much news. Worked yesterday evening and work the next three but will try and drop in.

Boo
March 16, 2015 - Msg 100948: Hey Y'all- Sorry I haven't been rockin' on the Porch much lately. Been busy with so many things,but I'm doing well.

Lucy, I'm so sorry about all of your problems. I can speak from experience and promise you that God is going to work everything out in your favor. Keep the faith,girl! Lots of prayers being said for you.

MDC, that was probably the nicest obituary I have ever read. Such a nice tribute to your dad.

Boo, prayers for your aunt and uncle. I'm glad that your job has turned out to be so rewarding for you. Miss "cutting fool" with you on FB!

Well, I hope everyone is making it okay-love to you all!

******************
possum under a rock
March 16, 2015 - Msg 100949: On my phone, so it's a quick rock. I just want to thank you for your prayers. Nick and Michaela just left. They hope to make it to Dallas area by tomorrow night. Please pray for their travels and this heartbroken mama. Between this and our job situation I feel at my wits end but know that The Lord has us in His hands. I can't say I'm feeling less sad or anxious but I know He is there. Oh how I wish we had an actual porch so I could get a hug! Bryan is thrilled their gone and was just talking about when we are getting Bryson out the door. The nerve!

Blessings,
Lucy
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100950: Lucy, dear girl, I'd like nothing more than to give you a big old hug right now. I know that feeling, all too well. Hang in there, love. Sooner or later, the kids will come around, the rifts will be mended, and things will get better. Sometimes I think their first birth is the easiest. The pain soon ends. It's this second birth, the passage from youth to maturity, that can take so long and be so painful. For some kids, it happens smoothly and with very little fanfare. I was very blessed in that regard, with my own kids. For others, it's much more difficult, and they go kicking and clawing, all the way. They need your help, financially and emotionally, yet they resent you for providing it. You can pay for tickets, fix or provide cars, pay tuition, provide a place to live, pay bills, and offer emotional support, and they'll take it, but they will turn and snarl at you if you dare to offer a suggestion or a word of advice. The only consolation I can offer is to note that in almost every case, the situation has eventually smoothed out, and a normal, loving relationship has followed. Patience, my dear.

As for the job situation, just keep praying like it all depends on the Lord, and keep up the job search like it all depends on you! You have skills and a good work ethic. Something will find you.

Well, I'm off to the ironing board. Eloise is picking me up at 10:30 in the morning, so I can go with her to the dentist. She's not sure what he's going to be doing, and I may need to drive her home. Probably not, but I'll be there if needed. I don't know what I'd do without Eloise. I thank God every day for her, and I'm very aware of how unusual our situation is. Most co-mothers-in-law don't have the happy friendship we have. We don't compete for our kids and grandkids, we just share. Take holidays, for example. For her, celebrating on the day is important, like Christmas or Thanksgiving. For me, having been a hospital nurse for 34 years, I'm used to being flexible on the date. So we just do it twice! She hosts a meal on the actual day, and I do it again on the following Saturday. When Christmas Day falls on Saturday, I just cook a turkey meal for New Year. We make it work. We tag-team with the grandsons. We go together to their ball games. Our kids give us each tickets to events, and we go together. We have traveled to Mongolia together twice, and still get along! That's kind of amazing. I'm sorry Dale didn't live to be a part of this blending of families, but I'm quite sure he and Jerry would have been good buddies. We've known them since 1974, but just as church acquaintances. Being in different SS departments, we had never been close, until our kids married each other, and Eloise and I began our friendship. It has been a blessing for me, in many, many ways. God is good.

Nighty-night, friends. --Romeena
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100951: Good on Ya'll today... Be sure to kiss an Irishter if you find one...O'Malley is throwing a Bubble & Squeak party at his cabin today. He got the recipe from Malcolm Merryweather's Irish cousin.

Speaking of parties, Floyd announced last night on his pod-cast the 3rd Annual "Mayberry-Meet-Up" will be July 17-19 at the Mayberry Motor Inn at Mt. Airy. We all have a great time hanging out, seeing the sites and visiting the local haberdasheries and such. We all come together in the evening for fellowship, food & fun at the Mayberry Motor Inn's gazebo and watch TAGS under the stars...Give Alma (Mt.Airy's Aunt Bee) a call she'll put ya up for the weekend she's the owner of the Inn.

O'Possum I know you know the way, along with Big Maude who have been to Mt. Airy before. Thelma Lou will be at the AG Museum signing autographs on that Saturday.
We may even drive up to the top of Pilot Mt. too if the weather is clear...So mark your calenders...End of Report...

Goober McFife....


March 17, 2015 - Msg 100952: Correction....Thelma Lou will be at the AG Museum on that Friday not Saturday....G-F
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100953: Thanks for that info, Goober McFife- I'll try my best to make it,but if memory serves me right,I think my annual High School Reunion falls during that time. I'll have to check. If I can't make it to Mt. Airy then,maybe I'll get to Mayberry Days in September.

Wish y'all could come hang out at my rock today-we can pretend it's the Barney, eh, BLARNEY stone and take turns hanging upside down to kiss it-LOL On second thought,we're all pretty good as far as our gift of gab goes,and Asa might throw his back out or something! Nah,just forget it. Y'all are welcome to come hang out and enjoy the sunshine,though!

If you're wearing your green today,watch out for ol Ernest T.-I hear he's looking to fight Irishters! Better tell him you're an Englishter if you run into him!

*******************
o'possum under a rock
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100954: Top 'o the marnin' to ya! Have a good day!
Remember, it is REALLY about the three shamrock
'leaves' showing 3 in 1, Father, Son, and holy Ghost!
O'Mdc :)
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100955: O'Possum...High School Reunion?...Or, Hangin' with your Mayberry Buds?..Cost$$..Priceless! Goober McFife..(Sounds like a new sammich at McDonald's) Two all beef patties between a dollop of jelly & peanut butter....
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100956: To all my porch friends on this day:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

(Traditional Gaelic blessing.)

P.S. And may ye be in heaven an hour before the devil knows ye're dead!

--Romeena
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100957: MDC, I like your 3 leaf clover analogy.
F-F, thank you for the meet up update. I'll talk to the Mr.
Romeena, that's a lovely blessing!

I hope y'all have a great evening. We are headed to our Dave Ramsey small group class. Lord knows we need to give what money we have a plan.

Blessings to you and yours,
Lucy
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100958: G-F, not FF, oopsie Daisy!

Lucy
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100959: Hey, Lucy, that F-F works for me. Fun Fife! --Romeena
March 17, 2015 - Msg 100960: McTherapitic
March 18, 2015 - Msg 100961: HaHa Rommena & Lucy....Fun Fife... I like it! Retired like a old hound dog, but havin' the time of my life...lol (once the weather warms up and I can get out more)...

Boo, Al Roker was specializing on your area in his weather forecast this morning..Rain, Rain I'm sure you can use it...

The day after...Just Plain G-F today....
March 18, 2015 - Msg 100962: Well, if I could walk into Mayberry on Main and make my usual announcement to Darrel & Debbie: "Goober- Fife says "Hey!" and actually bring Goober-Fife in with me to say "Hey!",now THAT would be worth missing the school reunion!
I'll see if I can swing it!
*************************
Back to plain ol' possum ;)


March 18, 2015 - Msg 100963: Dang! I can never get them rocks of mine lined up right!

possum again (minus the rocks)
March 19, 2015 - Msg 100964:
Not much rocking going on today. Gomer, Gomer, Gome...
MDC
March 19, 2015 - Msg 100965: A Possum and a Goob in the same town...Now that would be a study ;)....

The last two nights we experienced the "Northern Lights". WoW what a show! You folks down South never see them because you are "Down South" and I'm up "North" maybe they should be called "Yankee Lights"...haha Usually they show up further north than we can see, like upper Michigan and Canada.
I'll let PH explain the phenomenon to you because he IS further North than me..

G-F...
March 19, 2015 - Msg 100966: Here's a taste....(Until PH pop's in) http://wbay.com/2015/03/18/northern-lights-stir-a-buzz-in-ne-wisconsin/

This is a report from up Sterling's way, I'm sure he see's them more often...Why? Because he's up North"er" than me...lol G-F again
March 19, 2015 - Msg 100967: MDC we just rockin in the rain here in Ga...hello to all...im here at work...lets all meet for lunch .. yall name the place...SPOT
March 19, 2015 - Msg 100968: Wow. I should put those lights on my bucket list, one of the things I want to do while I still can. I've never seen them. Dale did, several times, when he was a child. They lived in southern Michigan, near Kalamazoo, so they didn't see them often but he did have some good memories of them. He said the first time he remembers seeing them, they were right overhead, looked like draperies collapsing, billowing around and falling down toward the ground. He said it scared him a lot - I think he was only around four at the time. He ran in the house and hid, but his dad went after him, calmed him down, and brought him back outside to see the beautiful sight. Although we visited his family many times over the years, we were never there at a time when the lights were visible that far south. Thanks for that link, G-F. That was quite a show.

We're having such weird weather. The temp is 62° right now, but the house feels chilly. I actually have the furnace on, set on about 72°. The outside air is damp, it's very cloudy and gray out there, and it just doesn't feel warm.

The plants are loving it, though. I've got stands of daffodils all over the place. I like daffodils. I've never planted more than a handful at a time, but they have multiplied and spread like wildfire. In my reblooming iris bed, I planted three daffodil bulbs a couple of years ago, next to a boulder. They now surround the boulder on three sides, and I counted at least twenty flowers. Next year, there will be twice that many. Out front, there's a bed that follows the front of a little low brick wall that frames a small patio, and continues from there around a curved sidewalk, then makes a sharp left and continues for about fifteen feet down the side of the driveway. I planted three or four little clumps of daffodils at points along the way in that meandering bed, with probably three bulbs in each planting. That bed is now a solid, two-foot wide band of daffodils! The bed balloons out at the end along the driveway, becomes about five or six feet across, with a stack of quartz stones about 18" high, just off center in the wide part. The daffodils are surrounding those stones - such a pretty contrast. The dark green foliage is pretty against the cream, white and gold-streaked stones, and the colors in the stones echo the colors in the flowers. I'm going to get some more of those stones, from my brother. He's been a rock hound since he was a little bitty kid, and has a huge pile of beautiful rocks and small boulders on a lot behind his house. Over the years, he has collected them on trips to Arizona and New Mexico. He lets me take whatever I want. These quartz rocks are about the size of a soccer ball, in irregular shapes, and when piled together, they're beautiful.

Well, better go feed Little Miss. I stopped off at the computer when I got up, haven't made it to the kitchen yet, and I'm getting a lot of deep, heavy sighs from her. She wants her breakfast, poor little thing! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
March 19, 2015 - Msg 100969:
Well, Boo, Possum and I are trying to figure out
the mystery hockey player on FB.
Also, I just posted more of my wifey's IRISES
just coming out nowin all their Springtime glory!
Welcome sweet springtime, we greet thee in SONG!
God's blessings on all,
MDC
March 19, 2015 - Msg 100970: Actually G-F, I didn't see them. I am more West Central WI than they are in that report; or I just wasn't paying attention. I guess I am more concerned with the small plane I always hear buzzing around EVERY night at 1 a.m. anyway. Who would be up there at that hour?! Curious.

Hope your days are getting a little better, Lucy.

-Sterling Holobyte
March 19, 2015 - Msg 100971: Good evening,

How is everyone today?

I'm emotionally doing better. Thank you for your prayers. The two oldest made it quickly and safely to LA. That's a relief. The youngest' birthday is tomorrow. I still can't believe he's going to be 17! He was about 6-7 when I first came to rock on the porch. My how time flies!

G-F, that is beyond cool! My husband lived in MN to go to bible college and saw the Northern Lights. I'm green with envy.
Spot, I have a hankering for some dumplings so let's have lunch at Cracker Barrel.
Romeena, I know what you mean about the weather. We were 81 on Tuesday and today we were at 48. Saturday we will be back in the 70's. Insane!
Boo, I hope all is well with you!
Possum, I hope you get your rocks taken care of.
Sterling, that plane would drive me bonkers. Maybe it's a drone.

I hope all are well!

Blessings to you and yours,
Lucy
March 20, 2015 - Msg 100972:
Sterling--maybe it's the same guy who flew a drone over the whitehouse at 3 am! ha
LUCY--glad they made it OK. What college are they going to there?
Nite all,
MDC
March 20, 2015 - Msg 100973: Hey Sterling, maybe it's "5 o'clock Charlie" from MASH. Only now he is "1 o'clock Charlie".

Good to see you Lucy, and I am glad you are keeping a positive attitude. Hang in there.

Busier than a cows tail in fly season here. I do love spring, but it sure brings a lot of work to me. Good to be busy I reckon though.

On that note I best get rolling.

Prayers for all.

Asa
March 20, 2015 - Msg 100974: Asa, You know funny! Yep, I agree with your thinking, with the time difference between Korea and Wisconsin you just may be right. Yep, it's 5 o'clock somewhere, as the Jimmy Buffet song goes.
Speaking of songs...Here ya go..Good O'l 14-A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ie0Ivttylc But as our weather has been...It's snowing right now..Go Figure!!

MDC, Hope your Arizona Hoopster's take it easy on our Buckeyes in the tournament, I'm not into basketball but ya gotta root for your hommies as "they" say.

G-Fourteen A...


March 20, 2015 - Msg 100975: i send my prayers for each of you. mdc sorry about your dad i am reading a book on outdated laws still on the books in minesota it is against the law to tie your aligator to a water hydrant. in nothr carolina you can ce arrested for singing out of tune. am i in trouble. in wyoming it is illegal for your dog to bark after six pm or there is a 45 cent fine. papa bear
March 20, 2015 - Msg 100976: Welcome Sweet Springtime!!

******************
possum under a rock

P.S. Hey to Pappa Bear!
March 20, 2015 - Msg 100977: Hahaha! I love that scene with Barney and the choir. How could anyone be that off-key and not know it? Andy's expression from the very first was classic, and then as Barney moved around and everyone else got an earful, their expressions were priceless. Great scene!

Did you know that "5 O'Clock Charlie" was based on a real person? When my Dale was in Korea, at Osan Air Base in '59 and '60, there was a similar situation, only they called him "Putt-putt Charlie." This was long after the cease-fire was signed, of course, but there was a die-hard civilian combatant who just wasn't ready to stop fighting. He flew a rickety, wobbly little single-engine, open c@ckpit plane. About three times a week, actually right around 5 p.m., he'd fly through the area at about 200 feet, and would throw little hand-held explosives to the ground. Dale said they weren't much more than big firecrackers, and while he occasionally dented something or scattered a little garbage, he never hurt anyone. Sometimes he'd drop a crudely-lettered note wrapped around a rock, saying something like "Go home, you can't win" or some such. Dale said the little plane was so slow it was a miracle it didn't just fall out of the sky, and they could hear him coming easily enough. The engine would cough and cut out, and kick back in, so they always knew it was Charlie. The plane wasn't very maneuverable either, so the GIs would just watch him approach, note his trajectory as he flew into the camp, and then just scatter to the sides, knowing he couldn't pursue anyone. He just flew straight through, in one side of camp and out the other, and then sputter away out of sight. They could have brought him down with a handgun, but nobody had the heart to do it, and they were under a cease-fire anyway. They all felt a bit sorry for him. Dale said his little arm, hanging over the side to throw his "bombs", was just pitifully thin, and the glimpses of his face that they got made them think he was an old man. So, they never retaliated against him, and one day, he just didn't come through anymore. Dale's hope was that his plane broke down and wouldn't fly anymore. He didn't want any harm to have come to Charlie.

It's chilly and raining here today. We've been getting quite a bit of rain, and it is so appreciated. The temp is about 52°, and there's a slow drizzle. I've got pansies poking their colorful little heads up, a patch of spreading verbena is a big purple splash out there, and daffodils are rioting. The pear tree is in full bloom, very pretty. The redbud out front should burst out in deep magenta flowers all along the twigs very soon. The three female cottonwoods, just since yesterday, have released the long, stringy buds that will become the green beads that will open and release the miserable cotton. I guess there will be no freeze this year to kill them off. Last year was a fortunate fluke, but looks like I'll have to pay this year. That cotton is ruinous, the wretched stuff. Oh well. We do what we must. MDC, your irises are beautiful! Mine are showing fresh new foliage, but no blooms so far. They'll come in time. I wonder how the reblooming cultivars would perform in your climate?

Well, guess I'll go hunt up some lunch. Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
March 20, 2015 - Msg 100978: Hello to all...checking in and reading up.

Glad you are feeling a but better Lucy.

Been working a stretch but am taking a few hours off this evening because Erin has her first junior high school dance to attend. It was important to her that I be here to fix her hair and help her get ready. Its nothing fancy..she wouldn't be caust dead in a dress, but that's OK. She is going "stagg" even though it is Sadie Hawkins. I asked her why she didn't ask a boy and she told me she since she has a boyfriend who can't come, it wouldn't be right. She had a "boyfriend" at school, who I thought was a little sketchy but he moved to Colorado, thankfully. How's that for good luck? :). I guess she still continues to think of him as her boyfriend, but he is a safe distance away. Wouldn't you know his name is Don?..it really is!

Sean is doing well in school. He is learning how to deal with stress but some if the tourette symptoms have recurred. They are not severe but somewhat annoying for him.

My nephew is doing a little better and moving forward with the divorce. His wife is now openly in a relationship with the 20 drug dealer she was having an affair with when they split (she is 35). I suspect she is an addict.. What else would she be doing with a drug dealer that her kids can't stand? Horrible situation in the family. Just heartbreaking.

Well, I had better get back to the chores. We are about to get some serious rain here. You should see all the wildflowers popping up in the area!

Boo
March 20, 2015 - Msg 100979: 20 year old...sorry for the typos

Boo
March 20, 2015 - Msg 100980: Yep, Romeena "Putt Putt" Charlie sure sounds alot like 5 o'clock Charlie. (or maybe they were realated)...they don't have to be brothers, cousin's would do too...haha The M*A*S*H writers used alot of stories from the G.I.'s and surgeons for their scripts. TAGS writers Everett Greenbaum and Jim Fritzel did a lot of writing for M*A*S*H too, you could tell the Mayberry connection in some of the dialog, I think Radar used "Tick-a-lock" if I recall.

Romeena, My tulip's and daffodils are just starting to peak thru the ground in hopes of the welcome of springtime....

TOM...Today is the first day of Spring.. Time to come out of hibernation buddy....

Boo, Continued prayers for your family situation...

G-F



March 20, 2015 - Msg 100981: HI ALL.

G F LLP

TOM

March 20, 2015 - Msg 100982:
Hello all,
BOO--my prayers too regarding your family issues. They sure seem to keep coming huh. Regarding the boyfriend, I suspect God answered your prayers rather than it being luck. ha
TOM--please translate. lol
RO--not sure how those would do here. Been high eighties now for about the last month. Crazy--way too hot way too soon. Please ask the Lord for 70s again for a while. (seriously) Thanks.
Funeral for pop now a week away. Plans are made, family will coming in, even Luke AFB will
have an honor guard there.
Anyone watching any bball yet?
GF--No problem with UA losing. My alma mater is ASU. Like comparing a Mets and a yankees fan!
Pappa bear--good to see you checking in.
Jesus loves us! yippee!
MDC
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100983: PS- I just sent a friend request to Allen N. How he
knows who I am. ha

March 21, 2015 - Msg 100984: How? HOPE
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100985: Didn't know they had many alligators in Minnesota, pappa bear. Hear they have some jackalopes though. :-)

Interesting story about "putt-putt Charlie," Romeena. I had never heard that. It's a great episode of MASH though.

Lucy, I noticed that plane a lot more when we lived in my grandmother's old house, because the attic where we made our bedroom wasn't insulated real well.
Not sure if it's a drone, but I am thinking not. I've seen those military drones flying around, since I live near a military fort where they train pilots, and if I hadn't been looking up at the time, I wouldn't have noticed them. They are pretty quiet. At least, more quiet than the traffic noise which was all I could hear.
I'd say my friendly neighborhood nightflyer is most probably some kind of small Cessna-type airplane. I'd heard enough of them to pretty much recognize them. And you can hear them over traffic noise(if you're not in a car yourself).

Thing is, I've heard this plane since we moved back here, and that was back in 2002(when we lived in my grandmother's old house), and that was where I first realized that I heard it every night at that same time. And we are a small town and don't have a whole lot of air traffic going on at any time of the day. Rarely, in fact.

Or maybe I am just watching too many X-Files reruns, and it is a simple matter of someone who is flying to, or from, their job every night. I have thought of that as a reason, but the intrigue for it being some other reason is more interesting. ;-)

The truth is out there.

Good night all!

-Sterling Holobyte
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100986: I tried to post a animal rescue story that happened on frozen Lake Erie near Cleveland but the link was to long for our porch, I can't remember how PH taught us to shorten the link. Just Google "Dog rescue on Lake Erie WKYC TV" Cleveland. It will bless your heart...

G-Friendly to dogs....
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100987: Sometimes Lake Erie has good stories to tell rather than the nasty weather it causes all the time...Right TOM? (Good Walleye & Perch fishing too tho)...But she is a angry Lady at times when storms kick up out of nowhere and you get stuck out there on her. Been there, done that, and it's not nice to fool Mother Nature as the commercial used to say...

G-F again....
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100988: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLrTPrp-fW8....See, I told you!!
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100989: Yep, As Dorothy told Toto: "There's no place like HOME!"...http://www.wkyc.com/videos/news/2015/03/21/25128183/ This link was like me, a whole lot shorter....G-F
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100990: GF--you go to tinyurl.com and paste in the long url, and it will convert it to a short one. very simple once I decided to try it.
Sterling....strange! ha
MDC
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100991: G F, LIVE LONG & P

March 21, 2015 - Msg 100992: Thank You TOM...I hope to (That is if I behave haha).. :)
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100993: Thank You TOM...I hope to (That is if I behave haha).. :)
March 21, 2015 - Msg 100994: Good afternoon, porch. G-F, that story about the little pup on Lake Erie is a heart-warmer indeed. Thanks for sharing it. Poor little thing, I'm so glad it got back home. It's a miracle it didn't freeze to death out there!

Sterling, I'll bet you have hit the truth there, about the light plane. Is there a landing strip for light planes anywhere near you? My son in Florida keeps his Bonanza at a local strip about three miles from his home. There's a long metal building alongside, with hangars for six or eight planes. There's one man who works on the far south side of Orlando, who commutes every day. Mt. Dora, where my son lives, is about 25 miles north of Orlando, so that means the man would have over an hour of driving time. The rush hour traffic in Orlando is horrible. So, the man has a small, cheap car which he keeps at a small airstrip near his work. He flies in, switches to the car, and goes to work. In the evening, he gets in his plane and flies home. He lives just a few minutes from the airstrip, and I think he keeps a motorcycle there to get him home after he lands. Every evening about 6 pm, you can hear him fly overhead. The route takes him directly over my son's house, and since he's within three miles of the little airstrip, he's pretty low by then. You can set your watch by his arrival!

Well, I need to go to the grocery store, so guess I'd better do that little thing. Blessings, friends! --Romeena