September 01, 2015 - Msg 102506: Here ya go PH.... This girl can help you...lol
https://vine.co/v/b0JzjHvBm5J
"Now That's a WRENCH!".... G-F again
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102507: I think I need a Bigger broom!...
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102508: Good Job G-F !..hey to all ...now i got to turn back the page and read !..here at work..nice day in Ga...well supper will be grilled steaks at the dogs house..Mrs SPOT will whup up some sides !SPOT
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102509: If any of you saw on national news of a big storm in Phx last nite, yes there sure was!! Damage was isolated, but parts of the airport terminal roof was damaged plus many uprooted trees, etc around town. All ok in my 'hood.
Prayers,
MDC
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102510: Here is some about it. SPOT will relate!
http://tinyurl.com/otscug6
mdc
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102511: Hopefully this is good news for Possum.....

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/may/15/turkey-bird-flu-outbreak-thanksgiving-shortage

Glad you are all Ok MDC....👍

G-F

September 01, 2015 - Msg 102512:
MDC, thanks for that warning about using pipe extensions on pipe wrenches to increase my leverage power. First I make sure the pipe extension covers the complete handle. Then as I gradually apply my body weight to turn the wrench, I also apply some inward force to keep the pipe extension from slipping off the handle.
Also, I had never heard of the term "ball valves" before. Although I knew such valves existed, I always referred to them as quarter turn valves and I am planning on converting all my multi-turn round-handle valves to these quarter turn valves some time in the future once I get all my repair work finished.
If you have copper pipes, did your plumber solder the new ball valves to your existing pipes or did he/she use compression connectors?

G-F, you think that wrench link you posted in Msg 102506 was big? Do you want to see a 5 feet long (60 inch) pipe wrench that weighs about 50 pounds and costs around $300? Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiCq8Q7-iKw

from Poor Horatio
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102513: Thanks for that link, G-F.Sounds like this restaurant manager I know sounded the warning for naught. That's goods news then!

***********
possum u.a.r.
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102514: Yep PH now that's a wrench! ... Asa says he can carry it up 10 flights of steps....No Problem!... Right Asa?
PH, if you do the valves yourself, be careful not to over heat the valve, it can warp the nylon seal around the ball.. It helps to solder it in the "open" position, it helps to disperse the heat on the seal. (From experience)! ....Do you agree Asa? I'm not totally sold on the compression or Shark Bite fittings... Unless you can't get the water out to solder, then you have little choice if the "bread trick" doesn't work... Remember that discussion?

Possum, now you can rest assured, and still be a full blown
Turkeyterrion....

G-F....
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102515:
G-F, thanks for that warning about soldering ball valves. To prevent any heat from damaging the inner part, can I just disassemble the valve (to remove the handle and inner parts), then solder the connection, then wait for the connection to cool, then reassemble it?

from Poor Horatio
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102516: Good afternoon, porch. I declare, when you HVAC boys, along with the DIY-ers get together, it's a hard conversation to follow. There are three other nurses in my SS class, and when a group of us get together for lunch after church, I feel sorry for the non-medical people at the table, because there will usually be at least two, maybe three of us nurses. We start talking shop, and forget that our companions are perhaps a little sensitive to what we're saying. Like the one who always turns green. Sorry 'bout that!

A year or so ago, my car started making a funny noise, coming from inside the dash. It sounded ike gears slipping, and apparently that's what it was. Something called an "actuator" in the a/c system was wearing out, and was having trouble engaging and opening or closing a little door that channeled airflow to the right places. I took it to the dealership, and they wanted $800 to fix it. Seems they had to pull the whole dash off to get to that little part. Since I couldn't pull $800 out of my hat, I mentioned it to my son to see if he had any ideas. He did. He went online, found the schematics for all the stuff in the dash, and went to work. He did not pull the entire dash, just a small section that was easily removed. Through that opening, he could see the part in question, but couldn't reach it because of an air duct that went right across the opening. He said to me - "Mom, I'll either fix it or not. If not, you can still take it to the dealer and pay them to do it." I told him to go for it. He took his little Sawz-all and just cut out a section of that duct. That allowed him to reach the worn-out actuator easily, and he replaced it with one he bought at the GM store for $30. Then he used Gorilla Glue and Gorilla Tape to put the duct back together. We let it sit undisturbed until the next day, fired it up, it worked perfectly and silently, and has done so ever since. $30 vs $800. Not too bad, I think.

Well, off I go. Lots of little annoying things to do today. Like laundry. --Romeena
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102517: A question for Poor Horatio- Do you think it's possible for you to go to someone's Facebook page and pull up their Friend's List from a week ago? Or tell me how to do it,if it can be done? This particular person recently deleted one of his friends so that he can't be connected to her.But he is, and it involves a very serious situation. Without going into details here, if you could do so you would be helping right a wrong against the elderly.

Just let me know,and I will get the details to you through Romeena,if she doesn't mind being the go-between.

Thanks in advance.I appreciate anything you can do.

*****************
possum under a rock
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102518: ....Gorilla Glue, Duck Tape, WD-40, Channel Locks. You can fix anything... Just be sure to have a BIG hammer in reserve for thos pesky adjustments!...🔨 lol

G-F...👍
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102519: PH, sorry I missed your post. No, you can't on those type of valves, about the only thing you can do with those is adjust the packing nut. The only problem is getting the nylon damaged by the heat or debris in the line, rust, sediment ect. Just be sure to flush the line good before you work the valve too much. That is why it's better to do the work in the open position...
And as any Plumber will tell you, when soldering "Cleandlyness is next to Godlyness"... Take the time to clean and flux all fittings & pipes even if they are new!... You'll thank yourself for it later....No Leaks!..👍

Did I say it right Asa?......G-F
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102520: Yup, RO, I guess we're just a bunch of ToolTime nuts! ha BTW, did you get my funny email about the English language a while back?
And your boy should have put that "fix" on youTube for all to see! ha
PH--the under-sink valves and the toilet valves are compression, and they hold just fine. The main house shut off is sweat fitted. I have tried a few sweat fittings in my time, but had a terrible time getting the solder to "suck in" all around. I let my plumber friend do those kind now :).
Also, the neat thing about ball valves or quarter turn valves is that every month or so i turn them all off and back on again, and that let's loose any mineral deposits on their inners.
GF-Thanks, about 20,000 are still without power here, but crews are pulling overtime to get things going. St. Mary's food bank put out a call for refrigerated semis because their frozen foods were gonna start to thaw. Several local grocery chains sent trailers and forklifts and all such foods were saved. people still do pull together in such times.
MDC

September 01, 2015 - Msg 102521: Oh, G-F, here is what I meant by Wordless Workshop.
They have been in Handyman for years.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Family-Handyman-Wordless-Workshop/dp/0895778750
MDC
September 01, 2015 - Msg 102522: MDC, they may have to call SPOT's crew in to help. Ya know they have been champions in their field! ⚡️⚡️

Thanks for the link, now I know... I suppose when you look at it you better eat a BIG meal, cuz eatin' speaks louder than WORDS...lol 👍

G-F....
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102523: MDC, I don't recall such an email. Now and then, it happens - emails disappear and I have no idea where they went. Sometimes I've seen them but then can't find them again, sometimes I've never seen them. It started happening after my son set up my phone to register my emails too. I don't think I like that and am going to have him remove that little feature. I think that's where I'm losing them. Then again, I may have seen it and totally forgot it. My memory has more holes in it than a lace curtain. Comes with all this gray hair.

Blessings, porch! --Romeena
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102524: ROMEENA--I just sent the language email again. Hope you get it this time.
MDC
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102525: G-F, just make sure the duck tape isn't the cheap generic Walmart brand. I used some of that on my antenna post and a strong wind twisted it(at the joint where it was connected to another pole and taped with duck tape) and turned it a whole other direction than what I wanted.
I've since replaced that old post with new posts that attach together better and put screws in them, and so far it hasn't moved.

Remember when I talked about Youtube deleting video's that I was watching? Well, it just happened again today, but this time it happened right when I was watching. It just went "poof" and it was gone, and then there was a message that said the person's account has been deleted. Okay, it didn't literally go poof, but this happened right after I clicked the "like" button on the video while I was watching it. Strange. I think I am going to just watch and not click or comment or anything anymore.

Well, Kai's first day of school was today. It seemed to go pretty well and she was in pretty good spirits after, but later at night she got kind of melancholy about the whole thing, asking me if I could homeschool her again this year. I told her I wished I could, but she has to give it some time to get used to the new school. But also told her again, to read her Bible and ask God for help when she is worried about something. I know God listens.

-Sterling Holobyte



September 02, 2015 - Msg 102526: Sterling, you're a good dad. Wish we had more like you.

MDC, I got the English oddities email. Thanks!

I wish everyone could see my American Beautyberry bush out back. It's just loaded with purple berries, and is so pretty! Here's a link, so you can see what they look like: http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_caam2.pdf

They can grow to eight feet or more in both height and width, but I prune mine in the winter, down to about two feet. They make it to about five feet during the summer, and are loaded with berries. Robins absolutely love the berries, so I don't get to enjoy their beauty for long, but it's fun while they last. I actually have two shrubs - the one I planted, and another one that appeared in a flowerbed about thirty feet away. I guess a bird planted that one from seed. Lovely little bonus! I almost pulled it up when I noticed it in the bed, didn't recognize what it was. I had the main stem in my hand and was tugging on it, which released some of the moisture in the leaves I had crushed. I recognized the scent, and knew what it was! So I tamped the earth back down and watered it, and it never missed a beat. It's about 2 1/2 feet tall, pretty straggly with only three canes, but it will thicken up when I prune it. Bless its little heart! It was almost a goner!

Well, better get moving. Have to leave for the first teachera' meeting for ESL classes, in just a few minutes. Got to get off this computer! Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102527:
possum under a rock, I forgot to mention that I've been to three more Arby's in Indiana and they all had the turkey sandwiches I like. So it looks like that single Arby's in Michigan was an exception.

Romeena, interspersed among my garden bushes in the states, I've got weeds taller than your American Beautyberry. That's what happens when I'm away.

Finally, during my travels through the state of Michigan, I saw a billboard advertising this construction company http://www.mayberryhomes.com/

from Poor Horatio
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102528: Ro & Poor Horatio- I got the email from Ro and I have replied. Thank you both!
(Glad you're able to find & enjoy those turkey sandwiches, PH!)

possum again
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102529: I don't want to talk about weeds! I went out back to feed the fish in the pond, and there are weeds everywhere, in all the flowerbeds. There's a particularly nasty weed that has taken up residence here and it's just awful. I haven't identified it, don't know what it is, but I call it devilweed. Of course, there are several that receive that designation from me. This one has visible seeds, growing in clusters from every leaf juncture. They grow from a single central stem, and branch out widely, which is helpful. If you locate the original stem, you can clear a square foot or more just by pulling up one plant, and they don't send out underground runners, like nutgrass does. That's another devilweed, for sure. Anyway, I started pulling, and cleared the little foot-wide bed that encircles the pond, then cleared about a six-foot square area in a big island bed, but that doesn't even make a dent in what's out there. I'm going to have to call in reinforcements, and get these things out of here before those seeds mature.

PH, whoever named that construction company knew what they were doing. Just the name alone sounds like home. I couldn't help noticing the prices on the houses, though. Wow. Prices are much higher there than they are here, or so it appears. I tried to find a basis for comparison, but it's hard, as there are so many variables. So, I just went with one of the houses on the Mayberry site, finished price, and got an average of $133/sq ft. The cost to rebuild my own house if it was totaled would be $80/sq ft. That, of course, is using the existing lot, not included in the price. So, I added another $40k for the lot, which is probably about right, and got $96/sq ft. Obviously I'm not really comparing apples to apples here, because there are still variables. Just how upscale is the finish-out, etc. I also googled the cost to build in Midland, MI, just construction cost, not including the lot, and found it ranges from $100/sq ft to $150/sq ft or more. Nobody mentioned basements, so don't know if that is included. We don't do basements here in Texas. Final answer - looks like it costs a lot more to build up there, but can't determine just how much more.

I do know about California vs Texas, though, or at least how it was when my dad was building. He built custom homes, and had a client who had sold their home in California, had the cash, and wanted to build here. They were absolutely shocked, amazed and thrilled with how much they could get here, and only using about half the cash they had gotten out of their California house. Then, conversely, a couple Daddy had built for here moved to California, and called him crying, because what they had to work with would barely buy a pup tent out there! They were sick! The offered to pay his expenses if he would come out there and build them a house. He had a hard time making them understand that it wasn't the builder that was expensive, it was materials and labor, and especially the land. Real estate is a strange and weird animal.

Well, guess I'll go rustle up some grub. Maybe a sandwich. I'm not very hungry. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102530: Possum, hopefully all the gossip on the Turkey shortage is wrong, and we don't have to resort to the Barone's "Tofu Turkey"....lol...
G-F......

http://youtu.be/-Qvwfy0MVJw
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102531: Ha! I remember that episode, G-F!

Well, that restaurant manager lady tends to make moulages out of a lot of things,so guess that's what she did by putting the "turkey shortage scare" into me! As Gomer would say: "Shame,shame,shame!"

************
possum u.a.r.
September 02, 2015 - Msg 102532: My rocks ain't coming out even again! I thought i had that thing figured out!

Oh, and Happy Anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. Boo!

possum again
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102533: Happy Anniversary BOO!
RO-glad you got the email. Was it a hit at the meeting? ha
There is some truth to the turkey shortage, but if we have to
resort to the ELR tofu turkey, I'm going pork chops! lol
PH--I forgot to mention that I also now have a ball valve
on my inlet to the water heater. Here is a good demo of how one works:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txDANNh4_ME
ALL--Power is back on now to everyone here, but more storms are coming so they say.
Nite,
MDC
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102534: Good evening, porch. Just passing by on my way to the ironing board, much to Toye Starr's disgust. She hates it when I do that.

Yep, MDC, everyone at my table got a kick out of that list. One of the topics covered by one of the speakers was the importance of helping our students understand things like that, which generally don't occur in most other languages. Spanish, for example, has some near-misses, but even they aren't as confusing as ours. "Pero" and "perro" sound almost alike, but the "r" has a short trill, and the "rr" is trilled a bit longer, so there is a difference. I could say "La llamé mi perro, pero el no viene."
"I called my dog, but he didn't come." It takes a good accent on the part of the speaker, otherwise the listener needs a very sharp ear to hear the difference in the two words. If a native Spanish speaker says it, you'll hear it. If I say it, you might not. I can roll those "r" sounds, but not like a native. I'm working on it!

I love words, and languages fascinate me. I'm determined to convince our leadership that it would be helpful if our teachers had at least a rudimentary grasp of Spanish. Some agree with me, some don't. Those who don't, say the only way to teach is with total immersion, no Spanish permitted in the classroom at all, for any reason, just all English. I say there has to be a touchstone somewhere. You could sit me down in somebody's kitchen in China and rattle Chinese to me for months, and I wouldn't get it, if there was never a point where somebody said something in English and then in Chinese, so I'd have a starting place. Oh, I suppose at some point it would start to sink in, but it would take forever.

Many times, the English and the Spanish words aren't that different. We all know the English word for an escalator, but for a Spanish speaker it might be easier to remember if they are reminded that it's like the word for "ladder", which is "escalera." Not a lot of difference, and they both are the names for something that lets you go up and down. I mentioned that today, and I think I made a couple of converts.

I'm trying very hard, without making too many waves, to get the church to initiate a class in beginner Spanish for our English-speaking membership. I think it's important. It doesn't matter why these folks are here. They're here, and that's the whole of it. We are asking them to assimilate, to learn our language, and the ones in our classes are trying to do that. It's far more difficult than you think - I didn't realize how hard it was until I started trying to teach it. English is awful!! It seems to me that the least we can do, and the kindest thing we can do, is to learn some very rudimentary Spanish, so we can at least direct someone to a bathroom! Unless we as original members are willing to meet them partway, I don't think we can justify calling ourselves a multi-ethnic church, and we're doing that, in all our literature. OK, that's my soapbox rant for tonight. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102535: Sorry, that "La" in the example I used up there didn't belong. I started that sentence with something else in mind, then changed it, and that should have gone away. As always, I'm still working on my Spanish. --Romeena
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102536:
possum under a rock, regarding your Msg 102528, although I received a copy of Romeena's message to you yesterday, as of 2:30pm central time today, I sill have not received your email reply. And yes I have checked my spam and trash bins.

from Poor Horatio
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102537: Thank you, PH. I will send it again, and will also send it to Ro and ask that she forward it to you,just to be doubly sure.I don't have any idea why you didn't receive it.

****************
possum under a rock
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102538: Poor Horatio- I attempted to send it to you three more times,but it comes back to me as a Delivery Failure Notice. Without giving out your email address,I can tell you that it appears that I am only typing part of you email address,when in fact I know I am typing it correctly.

So.. I once more I need Ro's help. I sent the message to her & asked if she would get it to you.

I'm sorry about this problem- I KNOW I'm typing in the correct email address! Ugh!!

possum again
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102539: Possum, try this...You can tell Winkin, Winkin, will tell Blinkin, Blinkin will tell Nod, Nod will tell Barney, and Barney will tell Poor Horatio! Maybe since Poor Horatio is only a half of a boy is the reason he's not getting the e-mails.... Just a thought...
Hopefully the Facebook issue can be resolved easily, only more reason I don't to FB.... I get into enough trouble the old fashion way...lol

But I've been trying to be good in TOM's absence.....👍

G-F.....
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102540: ....type in his e-mail and add: -50% to the equation 👌🏻
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102541: ......Might Work.....
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102542:
possum under a rock, no need to bother Blinkin, Winkin and Nod since all three have the bird flu.
Try the following method instead ... from the email that Romeena sent you yesterday, you should see my email address in the CC line. Rather than typing my address in your next attempt, try copying and pasting that address in the CC line.

from Poor Horatio
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102543: G-F, you might be onto something-here I am trying to send a "whole" email to a half a boy! Ha!

I can try your method, PH and if that doesn't work,I'll forward it to my other email address & send it from there. I'll put "Possum Under A Rock" in the subject line so you'll know it's from me. Thank you again!

possum again
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102544: I think it went through this time, PH-please check your email. Thanks!

************
possum u.a.r.
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102545:
possum under a rock, as of 5:20pm, still no email from you. I have another alternative. Because Romeena included me as CC in her email to you yesterday, I will send an email to the same email address she did. Then you can just reply to it.

from Poor Horatio
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102546: Well,I don't have any idea what's happening, PH. Sorry it's so frustrating! We will connect somehow-ok, let me check my email. Thanks once more.

possum again
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102547: I've found the problem, PH. I did not notice the _ in your email address. I'm made the correction & emailed you again. I'm pretty sure we'll connect this time. Sorry about all of this!

you know who :)
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102548: Speaking of corrections, that's "I've"-not "I'm"-sheesh,possum!

Ok,I'm getting off the porch for a bit!
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102549:
possum under a rock, as of 6:30pm central time, I have received two of your emails. I have to go out for a while so I will read them later tonight.

from Poor Horatio
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102550: I'm happy you finally received them, PH, and again I thank you in advance for anything you may be able to assist me with.

***********
possum u.a.r.
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102551: Good evening, porch. Well, Possum and PH, this is what happens when I fall asleep in my chair and don't get to the porch until late in the evening. By now, PH probably has more copies of that email than he knows what to do with! I read my email before coming to the porch, saw the problem, forwarded your message as requested, Possum, then came to the porch and learned that the problem had already been resolved! My goodness! I'll bet the rest of the porch is as confused as I am when they're talking about valves and soldering and such.

As for Facebook, I haven't gotten into trouble there yet, but I can see where it could happen, and so am going there less and less often. All those assurances about "controls" and "security" and such - you'd have to be a lot smarter than I am to figure out how to set things up so you're really safe. The way I understand it, and I certainly could be wrong - I can control who sees what I post, but I can't control whether they decide to bounce it somewhere else. It's like email. I can send it to only certain people, but I know when I send it that they can forward it and I have no control over that. That's risky enough - I'm thinking Facebook is just a step too far, because it can hit the entire internet. As the kids say - TMI, TMI!

Well, it's late, I dozed through suppertime, guess I'll go rummage up something light. Maybe just a can of soup. I think I'd starve if it weren't for canned soup. My favorite default meal. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
September 03, 2015 - Msg 102552: Romeena, nothin' wrong with soup..... As Andy says: I like it!
http://youtu.be/R3UUYj4_kBA. 🍲

G-F....
September 04, 2015 - Msg 102553: Wow, Possum, sounds like you need bigger wires! ha
Maybe Barney could tell Lefty, Lefty could tell Andy, Andy could tell Floyd, and Floyd could tell Helen. Then Helen could come stomping into the court house saying that she should have been the first to know about it. har har har :)
Folks, I think we have quite a September coming up. Again, I am not trying to scare anyone, but during September several things will 'converge': the 4th 'blood moon' of the last two years occurs, the Jewish high holy days begin, and then during this same time the pope is going to address congress (first time ever), and then he is going to
address the UN. As a catholic, I am very apprehensive about what he might do or say. We also now have a Christian lady in jail in Kentucky for adhereing to the faith. Pray...I'm just sayin'.
Tonight I watched my niece play in a badminton
tournament. Wow, they really slam that little birdie around and take it seriously! She did great. It was the first 'competition' badminton
that I have ever seen! This link is not her, of course, but it shows about how it was!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru0e4fPPwoI
I got a letter from PappaBear. He is really hurting these days.. nueropathy in feet and legs, and he injured his back. He misses everyone. He even mentioned how the US has turn its back on God. Please keep him in your prayers. Thanks
Nite all,
MDC

September 04, 2015 - Msg 102554: Good morning, porch. Beautiful day here, a little cooler than usual, though still quite warm. Eddie was here yesterday, so the yard is freshly mowed and looks so pretty. Crape myrtles are blooming. I've got seven - some are single-trunk trees, and three are multi-trunk groups. One doesn't bloom well, because it's shaded by some larger trees, and crape myrtles are sun-lovers. The ones out in full sun are doing beautifully, though. Then there are five little low-growing "ground-cover" myrtles, which are about two feet tall, and they're nice, too.

MDC, I agree with you. I just have this uneasy feeling that we're on the brink of some major event, maybe just here in this country, maybe worldwide. So many of the Biblical prophesies have been fulfilled, or are in the process of it, and there's just a feeling in the air. I don't see how the world can get much worse, when you consider the things that are happening around the globe. The violence and evil that is spreading like a cancer throughout the world, and it seems nothing is even slowing it down. All of this would be very depressing, if it weren't for the promises of God. I have nothing but hope, because I've read the Book, and I know how it all ends.

As for the lady in Kentucky, Kim Davis, I'm just so in awe of her courage and faithfulness. For years, this country has allowed able-bodied men to opt out of combat assignments in the military, on religious grounds. They were known as "conscientious objectors", and it was legal and accepted. And now a woman can be jailed because she refuses to issue a same-gender marriage license? A duty that was not in the job description when she took the job originally? She can't opt out on a conscientious objection basis? There's no one else there who can perform that duty? Something is wrong with this picture. No, no, honeys and dears, this is the LGBT movement, making an example of her, bullying the country into knuckling under to them.

There is a Muslim woman, headscarf and all, who works at our local Tom Thumb supermarket, as a checker. When a customer comes to her register with alcohol in their shopping cart, she rings up all their groceries, then the manager comes over and actually rings up the booze, because it is against her religious beliefs to "supply" alcohol to anyone. Now understand, I'm not criticizing her or the store policy that allows this to happen. Actually, I think it's fine. I'm just saying - how is this any different? And I also have to ask - if I went to work there, and said I didn't want to ring up the booze because it is against my beliefs as a Christian, do you think I'd be granted the same immunity? I seriously doubt it, but honey, nobody is going to risk offending the Muslims. As I said, something is wrong here. Several "somethings."

There is a serious battle taking place in my back yard. I have one hummer feeder, and two hummers. Boy, those little things are scrappy! Not as big as my thumb, and waging war on each other! It's hilarious, and so entertaining.

Well, I'm off to see the wizard. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
September 04, 2015 - Msg 102555: Yep, Double Standards, Double Standards... What is good for one should be good for ALL I'm with ya Romeena!

MDC, your post about badminton tournaments made me remember the marathon games we would have as kids, the neighbor girls had a perfect spot in their back yard. Their Dad even put up two flood lights for when it got dark.
I may be short, but when it came to ping pong & badminton I was a giant in the field....lol (basket ball? Absolutely NO GAME!)... But I guess that's because only one person had a hoop... So I chose only chewing gum, not both..Ha!

G-F.....
September 04, 2015 - Msg 102556: Still cleaning up after storms ..send food SPOT
September 04, 2015 - Msg 102557: Because I posted a request to PH on the Porch for all to see,PLUS "hogged up " the Porch trying to figure out how to get an email through to him, I thought I should let everyone know that I DID locate the info that I was looking for!!
Thanks to everyone for their patience and big thanks to both PH & Ro for their help.

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

P.S. Thanks for the pappabear update, MDC. Praying for him.
September 04, 2015 - Msg 102558: Good news, Possum. I hope it leads to the conclusion you're after. --Romeena
September 04, 2015 - Msg 102559: Ditto Possum!...G-F
September 04, 2015 - Msg 102560: Thanks,y'all!

possum again
September 04, 2015 - Msg 102561:
Folks, while our Sheriff TOM is away, we've got Detective possum keeping order around here.

from Poor Horatio
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102562: Yup, and she can sure create a moulage! haha
Ya all have a good weekend.
MDC
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102563: Possum, I kinda like my moulage a bit on the fluffy side Ok?...G-F
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102564: Good Saturday morning and happy Labor day weekend to all you porch dwellers.

4 day weekend for me as I am taking Tuesday off.

Hey GF, What you said about cleaning that copper before soldering I whole heartily agree with. Like in so many things, proper preparation is very important. PH, although I don't do plumbing everyday, I have done enough, and do enough to consider myself ept at sweating copper. In fact just this past week I was working with some 2" copper water lines. I feel pretty comfortable doing it, but I have never tried soldering in a ball valve for the exact reasons GF described. Damaging the seals on the ball valve with heat. So instead I use a valve with threaded connections and then make tail pieces with male adapters on it that I screw in after soldering. That means I have to solder the tail pieces in line with couplers, but I try to make them long enough that there isn't much chance of getting the valve to hot. I use Mapp gas rather that propane for my heat as a rule. And I use a turbo torch for quicker heat application, unless I am doing bigger pipe like the 2" I mentioned. In that case I use a regular oxy/act torch because it is faster, although you have to be careful not to get it too hot. Like GF said, the "sharkbite" fittings out now are ideal when installing something in an existing line. Trying to get the water drained off and the line dried out to solder can take forever. I have used these sharkbites in a number of situations and have been very pleased. I have yet to have one fail on me, but because they seem so simple, part of me still has reservations. Amen GF?

Possum, sounds like you are cooking breakfast for us. I like my eggs medium and my bacon limp. Make plenty of the limp bacon because I know Romeena likes it that way too. And we are both hearty bacon eaters. :)

I tell you folks, there is so much stuff wrong right now that is going on in our world, I could just go on a rant for hours. But this isn't the place for it I reckon. All I can beg for is prayers for us all. We really need to humble ourselves as a Nation and get back on the right path.

Well I hope to plant some grass today. I am reducing my garden size. Just to big anymore for my tired old back to deal with. I will still have an ample size garden. This just makes it more manageable. I'm no spring chicken.

Last night I watched the episode where Otis falls in the Courthouse and hooks up with Bentley. The thing that sticks out to me in this episode is the lengths the producers went to for Floyd. We know that after he suffered his stroke, mobility was a problem for him, but they worked around that beautifully. The scene when he enters the courthouse, you hear his voice, and Barney talking to him, and the sounds of footsteps as he supposedly walks across the floor. I just thought that was so neat the way they did things like that. There are numerous episodes like that. Very decent thing they did.

Well better go do my shopping. I like to get it done early and avoid the rush. Plus Mr. Foley must be a morning person. He is always in a good mood in the mornings. lol

Prayers for all.

Asa
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102565: Thanks Asa for bringing up the Mapp gas and turbo torch part of the job. Yep it gets the pipe and fitting up to temp a lot faster. I have to agree also with you about using the threaded adapters, especially with the larger fittings.
At my job I used to do training and promotion testing, it is amazing how many people think they can do plumbing, but as you said too proper preparation is the key to a good job!.

Asa, Don't make your Labor Day to laborious, be sure to take some "Wheelertime" too buddy, and that goes for SPOT too!

G-F....
Romeena, did ya get started on your "project" yet?

September 05, 2015 - Msg 102566: Me cook? Ha ha! I'd better stick to my detective work!

Ok,then,y'all asked for it- Fish Muddle and Hoot Owl Pie for everyone!!

*****************
possum under a rock
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102567: ........Fish Muddle... I think that is Congressional talk when they debate about a bill?....
September 05, 2015 - Msg 102568: Good morning, porch! What a beautiful day! Bright sun, high fluffy clouds, light breeze, flowers blooming here and there, pond has been cleaned and all pumps and the little waterfalls are running (birds love that!) and speaking of birds, they're out in numbers! I love a morning like this.

G-F and others, watch your email today, with regard to your question.

On another subject, your comment about amateur plumbers reminded me of something I read somewhere some years ago, probably in "Reader's Digest." It seems a plumber's business card had his rates printed on it, as follows:
General plumbing - $60/hour
If you watch - $75/hour
If you help - $100/hour

All that talk of limp bacon has made me hungry. I've got some bacon, but guess I won't open it today. I'm planning to cook a pot of lentils in a day or so, and will use some of the bacon in it. For today, I'm having homemade tamales. No, I didn't make them, but boy, are they good! I had stopped at a garage sale yesterday, and when I was returning to my car, I was stopped by a young Hispanic couple, who asked if I'd like to buy some homemade tamales. I will never refuse an opportunity like that. My lifetime experience has been that there are no tamales like those that come out of some Hispanic family's kitchen. You can buy all the name brands you wish, and they'll never be anywhere near as good. Now, once in a while, you'll get some that are awful, but you're not out much money, and it's worth taking the chance. These were not awful. These are terrific! Fortunately, I got the man's phone number, and he said they make them "all the time", so there's a good chance of getting some more when I want them.

They were $10/dozen and I got one dozen. I have made tamales myself, and let me tell you, they are worth $10/dozen. I wouldn't do it again for twice the price. Six are the standard pork-filled kind, made with yellow corn masa, and six are chicken with a little jalepeño, with white corn masa. Both were seasoned perfectly, right meat:masa ratio, and cooked just long enough to have no raw spots in the masa but not so long as to be dry. Perfecto!

I've been met with horrified response from some of my friends when I've told about buying tamales that way. They want to know how I know the kitchen is clean, if the people wash their hands, etc. I don't. For that matter, I don't know that about every restaurant I go to, either, and neither does anyone else. However, I've bought homemade tamales for many years, never gotten sick yet, and have enjoyed a lot of really good tamales! These are excellent. Wish I could share them with you.

Well, guess I'd better go feed Little Britches. She's huffing and sighing, nudging my ankles, which means "for cryin' out loud, get off that computer thing and feed me!"

Blessings, friends. --Romeena