May 05, 2016 - Msg 104583: Just very quick tonite...remember smoking sections on planes? like the smoke would stay in that section and not drift thru the cabin?! Very busy with
the remodeling. More soon. looks like it's Trump folks!
MDC
May 05, 2016 - Msg 104584: But still time to sweep! Like I havn't been sweeping enough in my own house? haha
May 05, 2016 - Msg 104585: Thanks for tidying up the place, MDC! The weather's just right for a party on the Porch,so everybody stop by to help celebrate Big Maude's birthday!

It's also Cinco de Mayo,so wear your sombreros!

Happy Birthday, Big Maude!!

****************
possum under a rock
May 05, 2016 - Msg 104586: Good Morning all.

Well Happy Birthday indeed Big Maude. I hope it is a great one for you. Possum is a good one for remembering birthdays. :)

Well MDC, We like someone with experience at sweeping. Ya done yourself proud. With no threat of a dusty larynx now, I can practice my voice exercises. ME-THEY.... ME-THEY... MEEEE-THEEYY!

It sounds like we have all been burned by the smokers rules at one time or another. It sure didn't bother me if they gave smokers there little area to smoke in, and those who smoked were in it many times during the work day. Just don't come leaning on me, when I go sit down and take an unauthorized break. Just because I am doing it without a cigarette in my mouth. HA, I can just see Boo, up on the roof, puffing away on a big old cigar. :)

Been mowing pastures at work, and watching nature at work while doing it. I must be stirring up some field mice when I mow, because I have noticed a lot of birds watching me close. Yesterday, twice I had a bird swoop down not far from my tractor and take off with a mouse in it's grasp. Made me kind of sad for the mouse. But I reckon that's the circle of life.

Well I best get it moving. Busier than a cows tail in fly season.

Asa

May 05, 2016 - Msg 104587: Good morning, porch! Absolutely gorgeous day here in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Really, really pretty. And no wind! Gotta love it.

Smoking sections on airplanes? Honeys and dears, I remember when there were no smoking sections - you could smoke anywhere you wanted to! Once on a flight to Florida with my parents, I was seated next to a fat man with an even fatter cigar, which he puffed on constantly. My parents were a couple of rows ahead of me (two-seat rows only in those days, prop planes, real meals served, etc.) but my dad finally noticed my problem and switched seats with me. The boorish man made a comment about "the little girl just too dainty to smell a good cigar?" To my father's credit, he kept his temper and didn't clean the man's clock for him. Amazing. Anyway, I had to wash my hair that night, because it stank of cigar smoke. I don't think it was a very "good cigar", either. It smelled like he was burning an oily rope.

I just spotted a pair of black-throated sparrows in my backyard! They're more common in southwest Texas, rarely seen this far up in the state. Beautiful little things, busy, constantly moving. I marked them on my life list!

Well, I gotta get moving too. Got a doctor's appointment, to check out my pacemaker. Just routine. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
May 05, 2016 - Msg 104588: Hope you are all having a good day. It's been a busy one for me so far. I did get to lie down for a little while, though. I've been cleaning, went to the store, did some laundry, etc. I am cooking some sauce to make my lasagna tonight. Bruce's old brother is coming from out of town and will be staying a couple of days, as he often does. He is an easy houseguest but I like to have supper ready for him when he comes. He and his wife moved up west of Austin several months ago and he comes down now and then to go fishing and to check on his mom and do some things for her. I expect he will be giving us the low-down on facilities near him that might be good for my mother in law.

It is hot here today! It was nice and cool yesterday but it didn't last long. I expect it will be hot now everyday until next fall. May is always hot here in south Texas.

Bruce stayed home today to work on his tractor. I think it needs a new differential. Does that sound right? Sean diagnosed it and a tractor guy came out and confirmed the diagnosis and is working on it. I am hoping it doesn't cost a fortune! Have to get it done because we are expecting a shipment of dirt to spread in the yard so we can get the sprinkler system in and start seeding the place with some kind of Bermuda. Speaking of grass, our old friend Me-They posted a picture of his front yard on Facebook today and it is BEAUTIFUL! The lush, green grass was breath-taking. He really has a lovely place.

I was looking through some of the archives and I really miss having Me-They here on the porch (among others). Wish they would all come back.

It's back to work tomorrow and I work evenings on the weekend. We all are required to work a weekend right now to cover for the older nurses who are out with surgeries, etc. I really don't mind, though. I ended up with three days off in a row this week because of it. I hate that I have to work Mother's Day, but we nurses are used to having to work holidays.

Ro, I haven't seen a sparrow around here in ages. seems all I see anymore are Mockingbirds and Redbirds around here.

I am going to finish my coffee and start putting the lasagna together. See ya later.

Boo
May 05, 2016 - Msg 104589: I forgot to tell ya'll something. When I was looking through the archives, I was reading something from Feb of 2008. Ro was talking about Sean and said something about how he is mechanically inclined and she could very well see him following along that path and becoming a mechanic someday. Well, looks like she was right. :)

Boo
May 05, 2016 - Msg 104590: It was 94 degrees here in south texas today! yikes

Boo
May 05, 2016 - Msg 104591: Cinco de Mayo?....Possum is that a new line of Duke's or Helmans?....lol ....G-F
May 05, 2016 - Msg 104592: Hahaha! Funny one, G-F. Actually, I have a rose named Cinco de Mayo, and it's gorgeous. It's blooming right now, right on cue for the actual day. As you might imagine, Cinco de Mayo can be a very active holiday in these parts! People shoot off fireworks and have big parties, and I think it would be safe to say that probably 99% of them have no clear idea what they're celebrating, or why. Most Americans think they're celebrating Mexico's Independence Day, but that's not true. You can find the real story on Wikipedia, and it's interesting. It's a fairly complicated sequence of events, and if you read it, you'll find the last paragraph particularly interesting. Makes ya thank!

Wow, Boo, 94° already? We hit 83° here, but that's tolerable. That additional ten or eleven degrees makes a big difference! Add to that the coastal high humidity, and that's hot! Dang hot!

It got pretty hot in my car today, believe me! The actuator in the a/c is failing, and about half the time, I have cold air blowing on me, but the passenger vents are spewing heated air, no matter how I adjust the passenger temp control. Sometimes it works normally, and sometimes it's a weird mix. I really don't know what the actuator is, except that it controls the source of the air that the system delivers - either chilled from the compressor or heated from the engine - but David knows and says he can fix it. That will probably be my Mother's Day gift, and a fine one it will be! With summer coming on, I can't think of anything I'd rather have. I declare, that boy is one handy little gadget.

Well, guess I'll call it a day, and go watch a little TV, then hit the hay. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
May 06, 2016 - Msg 104593: Romeena, you kind of gave that smoking visitor your own version of Barney's speech he gave the two produce peddlers, "You're both a lot bigger than I am. but this badge represents a lot of people. And they're a lot bigger than either of you."

Cinco de what now? I like Mayo. It's a lot better than that Miracle Whip junk.

My wife celebrates a Japanese custom on May 5 called Boy's Day. I don't really know much about it, just that she puts out these papery fish out on a pole, and takes a picture of Noah in front of them. I'll have to ask her more about it.

Have a nice night everyone!

-Sterling Holobyte
May 06, 2016 - Msg 104594: HI ALL, I actually have a day with no one else in my house! haha
Happy Mother's Day weekend to all the moms on the porch.
Some very interesting comments about the days of smoking. In some countries TODAY tho, smoking is very strong still, like in the mideast. Strange.
Lots of smoking in the old movies and TV shows. Even Andy lit up a few times.
I tried it once in high school, coughed and wheezed and that was it for me!
Ya all have a great weekend.
Prayers,
MDC
May 06, 2016 - Msg 104595: Howdy, porch. Sterling, I'm not sure if you were kidding or not with your question about Cinco de Mayo. I mean, I know you were kidding with the "mayo" part, but not sure about the question. The holiday is so well known in these parts, that I forget that the rest of the country, where the Latino influence is not so strong, might not know anything about it. In case you really don't know, it translates to Fifth of May - "cinco" meaning five, and Mayo (my-oh) being May, of course. The funny part is, even many Americans of Hispanic origin celebrate it, thinking that it commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain, but that's not true. As I said, Wikipedia has a good, but complicated, explanation of what it actually commemorates. Personally, Cinco de Mayo just means May 5th to me, nothing more. That, and a pretty rose bush.

It is just beautiful outside today, with perfectly clear skies, a light breeze and beautiful sunshine. My back yard looks like a park! With all the rain we've had, and the mild winter, and now an extended spring season, things are growing like a jungle out there. Flowers are just popping everywhere, and all the green stuff is so pretty. I just received a bulb that I had ordered online, for a giant hosta plant. I love hostas, and have several nice ones along my back fence, where it's quite shady. This thing is supposed to get up to 4 feet tall, and spread about 5 feet, with huge thick leaves. I've got just the spot for it, too. I'll get it planted tomorrow.

I'd do it today, but I've got to start getting cleaned up and dressed to go play bunco tonight. Have to leave early, as I'm picking up three other women, who don't like to drive at night. Actually, one of them can't. She can't see squat at night, poor thing. The others just don't like to. I don't have a problem. I like to drive, I love my car, and I can see fine, so I'm often the driver.

Actually, my vision (with my lens implants after cataract surgery) is 20-20. I don't use glasses at all, and can thread a needle easily, usually on the first try. Makes my daughters and daughters-in-law crazy, because none of them can do that! All of them are now using reading glasses. Heehee, I love it!!

Well, guess I'd better quit rocking and go hit the shower. I wonder what we're going to have for dinner at bunco. I know it will be good. Joan always serves something wonderful when it's her turn to host the thing. She's very creative, a good cook, and a ton of fun besides. A very good friend. Blessings, porch. --Romeena
May 06, 2016 - Msg 104596: Yeah, I was just funning ya, Romeena. I know about it, but it is not a big thing here.

-Sterling Holobyte
May 06, 2016 - Msg 104597: Good evening, porch! Just got home from bunco - had a very good time. You'd be surprised at how much fun a room full of old ladies can be. Everyone has a good sense of humor, and there's a lot of laughter and teasing, picking at each other, just good fun. No, I didn't win anything, but I don't care.

As expected, dinner was wonderful. She served a chicken casserole, and it was really, really good. She'll be sending the recipe out, and I'll share, if anyone is interested. There are a lot of good chicken casserole recipes, but this was a bit different. It had sliced almonds, and water chestnuts, and lots of good things in it. She said you just mix it all up in a bowl, pour it in a baking dish and stick it in the oven! Sounds easy enough to me.

She also served a "hummingbird cake", which is my second favorite cake, next to German chocolate. Either of those, made from scratch, can be just wonderful.

Well, guess I'll get into my jammies, get a big glass of tea, get Toye Starr into my lap, and settle down for a little TV. Got to give her the last dose of her antibiotic (after getting those teeth pulled). Sounds like a great way to end a nice evening. Blessings, porch! --Romeena
May 07, 2016 - Msg 104598:
I am surprised that Cinco de Mayo is celebrated by Mexicans. Yes it celebrates a Mexican victory over France during a battle over unpaid Mexican debts owed to the French. However the following year, another battle occurred resulting in a French victory with the capture of Mexico City that lead up to Mexico becoming an Empire of France. This is why I'm surprised at its popularity.

Speaking of smoking sections, before the building I worked in became a complete non-smoking building, each floor had a designated smoking room. On my floor, the smoking room was an active control room with lots of electronic equipment. I cringed every time I got called to perform some kind of repair in that room. At first I tried holding my breath as I worked. Then I tried wearing a mask while I worked there. Either way, it felt like I was working inside a chimney. Even when there was no one inside smoking, the room still stunk from smoke.

I am enjoying watching Don Knotts films on AMC here in Canada. The Reluctant Astronaut just ended and The Shakiest Gun In the West just started.

from Poor Horatio
May 07, 2016 - Msg 104599: Oops, I forgot to turn off the italics.

from Poor Horatio
May 07, 2016 - Msg 104600: Oops again, not enough off commands.

from Poor Horatio
May 07, 2016 - Msg 104601: PH--you were just acting like Don the astronaut when
you didnt turn off the control. ha I like that movie.
I saw our Miss Peggy, Joanna Moore, on an episode of The Rifleman today as the wife of a newspaper reporter. That gal did get around!
RO--sounds like you had a fun evening. In this crazy world, sometimes that is just the ticket! :)
Well, good night all,
MDC

May 07, 2016 - Msg 104602: PH, AMC had a trifecta of of Don Knotts movies last night here too!. It started with Ghost & Mr. Chicken...A lot of Mayberry alumni in that one, and many TAGS lines and stunts too....Atta Boy Luther!....

Hopefully Possum got to go to the Westminster event and give everyone a "Hey" from the Porchsters. As for me I'm going to the Danville event in two weeks, it'll be the 3rd time for the event... I will watch our Floyd show his basketball "Moxie"... Speaking of Moxie, has anyone tasted The soda "Moxie?" It's a strange brew, I got one bottle from the candy store the other night when I went up to the Cleveland... Strange, taste kinda medicinal with a hint of horehound. They say it's popular in the New England area....

I'm not a basketball fan but I have to tell SPOT sorry for the Cav's whooping on his Hawks, they are about the only hope in Cleveland. Although the Indians ARE on a hot streak right now!... It must be those "Slider Dogs" that is doing it...lol

Asa, hope ya got all your mowing done...Ya shoulda hired "Jimmy" the goat, he coulda helped, that boy will eat anything!

G-F
May 07, 2016 - Msg 104603: Good morning, porch. Another beautiful day here. Little puffy white clouds here and there, just making the sky look even more blue. We're supposed to have another siege of rain, starting tomorrow. I guess these clouds are the forerunners. Still, it's beautiful today.

I need to get out there and plant that hosta bulb, and I just remembered that I have a big sack of caladium bulbs in the garage, that should have been planted in the middle of April! Poor things. Oh well, they'll still come up. Got to get them in the ground today, though.

PH, what you cited is exactly what I was referring to when I said the origin of Cinco de Mayo was a complicated story. The Mexicans defeated the invading French at the Battle of Puebla, even though they were badly outnumbered. However, I guess people celebrate their victories where they find them, because they still celebrate that victory today, even though a little later the French came back and beat the tar out of them. With that victory, they captured Mexico City and put Maximilian in as emperor. The tide turned again a few years later, when the U.S. got involved and the French went home. For America, the significance of the Battle of Puebla is that, had the French won that battle, they may very well have come on up and entered our own Civil War, on the Confederate side, and that would likely have resulted in an entirely different outcome here. Folks up north might be saying "y'all" and "puh-cahn" today!

Well, I'm off to plant my hosta and caladiums. I'm ready for a little dirt under my fingernails! I need a "dirt fix" every now and then. The rewards are great! Mercy, I enjoy this yard!

Blessings, friends. --Romeena
May 07, 2016 - Msg 104604: I did, G-F! I had a great time in Westminster and got to give my "a men a knees" to Floyd for fixing the Porch,and got to chit chat a bit with Otis,Ernest T.Bass & Goober too.


Let me give you a head's up in case you attend a Tribute artist show in Danville-don't sit up front when David Browning (The Mayberry Deputy) does a spit take! He got me good,and I was on the 3rd row!

It's been a long day,but it was worth it.Gonna hit the ol' ironing board,so want to wish all of the Porch mamas a very Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day ,ladies!

*******************
possum under a rock
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104605: Long evening at work tonight. There were just two of us nurses and lots to do. I finally got a shower and sat down and put my swollen feet up.

Hope the rest of you had a great Saturday.

I wanted to wish all the porch mothers a Happy Mother's Day in case I don't get back here tomorrow.

Love,
Boo
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104606: Happy Mother's Day to all the porch moms, aunts, grandmas, and any other lady who has had the opportunity to influence a young life for the better. I had a wonderful mother, and I also had two grandmas, who meant so much to me and taught me so much, and then I had two aunts - one from each parent, who were like second mothers to me. Each of these women had a strong influence on me - they helped to teach me to cook, the proper way to clean house, how to behave, taught me to love others and be respectful, and most of all, each of them taught me to love the Lord, mostly by example. I have been blessed.

Good night, porch. Sweet dreams, and since our dear REV isn't here to say it, I don't think he'd mind if I say it for him - remember, Jesus loves you. --Romeena
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104607: Good evening porchsters. From pics on FB, it sure looks like the Westminister gathering was a hoot!
POSSUM, glad you got to go! Any photos?
Folks, I dont think I ever have posted a 'religious' link here, but I just really LOVE this following song. (It also reminds me so much of my own mom's demeanor) Many people misunderstand our love for Mary as 'worship', but it really is not, it is just
expressing our gladness that she said a big YES to Gabriel, "let it be done to me according to your word." and that she also said "all generations shall call me blessed" to Elizabeth. mary is THE role model mother! :)
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO all porch mamas! Love ya!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RERoQ1biLdE

God's blessing upon you all,
MDC
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104608: Possum... I know about you're warning, they did that stunt last year and I JUST missed being covered too with red whatever it was!... Tha lady who took the brount of it was not very happy cuz it stained her shirt... Maybe they should rethink what they use in that bottle!... Did Ernest T do the "Rooster" song? That is a funny one, and when he does Elvis T. Bass too....

Glad you had fun and thanks for passing on our Amenities!..

Very nice song MDC the singer has such a nice calming voice.... Nice Real Nice!....

Happy Mothers Day to all you Mom's!.. We miss the wisdom of all those who are no longer with us... In my Mom memory I think I'll plant my pansies today, she loved them!.....

G-F.....
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104609: It was Colonel Harvey's Elixir, G-F,and was a golden color. Didn't stain my Floyd's Barber Shop t shirt,thankfully!

Nope, Ernest T. didn't do either of those skits.There was quite a bit of new material this time around. Even had a couple of country music "stars" show up! I won't spoil it for you if you don't already know. Oh, I did take some pics. Maybe I can send a few to PH & he can post or link to them here on the Porch. I'll try to do that in the coming days.

Happy Mother's Day!

possum again
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104610: Happy Mother's Day to all our Porch Mom's. A special day for special women indeed.

Sounds like you had a grand time Possum. I look forward to some pictures.

Hey GF, I understand you are a giant where it comes to growing petunias. But where electrical gadgets are concerned, well let's just say some folks have a knack for it, some don't. :)

Nice vid MDC. Is the house project about wrapped up? They can get old pretty quick. As long as you didn't hire Newton Monroe or Henry Wheeler do to the work, you should be ok.

Boo, did the Hubby get the tractor repaired? That is a pretty traumatic thing to happen to a feller, have his tractor break down.

Well I got asked to teach a Sunday School class today. It is on "Covenants". So I better go put the finishing touches on it.

Prayers for all for a wonderful Sabbath and Mother's day.

Asa
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104611: Yes Asa you are right... Those electronal gadgets and I just don't get along.... That is when we have to humble ourselves and ask the GrandKidders for help... 10-4?

And when they need help putting on the water pump on a "65"" VW Bug they can come to us....lol Or just need some good O'l common sense we can help...Old Skool Baby!....lol

Possum, I bet you are talkin' about those Men of Constant Sorrow ;)....G-F
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104612: Nope, not them, G-F,although the Soggy Bottom Boys did make an appearance!
All I'm gonna say is these are two BIG country music "stars".. remember that word "BIG" when you catch the act-LOL

possum once more
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104613: HI.
WILL THE BLACK CLOUD CAME A CALLED THIS WEEKEND

TOM
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104614: Good afternoon, porch. What a wonderful sermon our pastor delivered this morning. His sermons just get better and better, and no way could they be called dry as dust! This morning was about parental responsibility to teach and inform our children about the things of God, and to lead by example, in the face of a world that seems to be going insane. Laws are being changed and women all over the nation will be inconvenienced at best, endangered at the worst, all to avoid "discriminating" against 0.03% of the population. The idiocy of it is that minuscule minority is not being denied the use of a restroom - they just aren't welcome in the one designed for the opposite gender. I saw in some of their literature where a family in Boston is raising their 5-year old daughter as a boy. It didn't say why, but I can only assume it's the parents' choice. A 5-year old is too young to have any overwhelming sense of "gender identity" yet. Maybe she's a tomboy, and they're misinterpreting that. Well, so was I, but I'm sure glad my parents raised me as a girl. Talk about confused! If I'd been raised as a boy, I'd surely have been confused when I fell in love with a 6'4", very masculine man. Idiocy.

Tom, I do believe you hate rain more than anyone I ever saw! I'm sorry it makes you so unhappy. Personally, I love rain! Without it, we'd have water shortages, burned-up yards, no flowers, birds and animals suffering from thirst, and miserable dry, scratchy heat. I'll admit, when it becomes a flood, it's a problem, but that eventually soaks in and goes away, while a drought can drag on for years. A wise person once told me - it's not what happens to you that matters, it's how you react to it. Maybe you would feel better if you looked at the rain as a life-giving blessing, and make up your mind to enjoy it. You can't do anything about it anyway - we can't control the weather - so just let it rain and try to enjoy it. The sky here looks like lead, and is going to dump on us any minute, and I'm glad, because I won't have to pay for the rain, but I do have to pay for what my sprinklers deliver. I like it when I can turn them off.

MDC, thank you for the clarification of the Catholic attitude toward Mary. As Baptists, we don't pray to her, but we do respect her as God's chosen one to bear the Christ Child, and we do hold her in high regard. That song was absolutely beautiful - thank you!

Well, I just made a big bowl of guacamole (and I make goo-ood guacamole) and am headed over to Eloise's. Dave and Brittney and the boys (and Diesel) will be there, and a good time will be had by all.

Blessings, and a Happy Mother's Day! --Romeena
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104615: THE BLACK CLOUD OF BAD SAD IT.
MY SISS HAD A HEART ATTACK?

TOM :(
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104616: Oh Tom, I am so sorry to read that about your Sister. Is she ok? Please know she will be in our prayers.

Yes Romeena, that is what is mind boggling to me. The tiny percent of people this is meant to accommodate. I think our Nation has lost its collective mind. Common sense and reason is being replaced with emotional stupidity. Grrrr. Sorry, I don't mean to get myself worked up on Mothers Day, but I declare I have had about as much of this nonsense that I can take. And I think there are a whole lot of folks in the same mind set. Lord help us!

My Sunday School lesson went swimmingly well. I had great class participation, and just could really feel the Spirit there. Really enjoyed it.

Well I will see what I can cook up for my lady for supper. It may be weenies and beans. lol

Asa
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104617: TOM, So Sorry to hear about your Sister... Our prayers are with her and the family... Hang in there Buddy!..G-F
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104618: Praying for your sister, Tom. Please keep us posted on her condition.

************
possum u.a.r.
May 08, 2016 - Msg 104619: Good evening, porch. Tom, you have my sincere apologies! I thought you were talking about more rain. I had no idea you meant the black cloud of sadness. I am so sorry to hear about your sister. How is she doing? Was it a bad heart attack? Please keep us posted on her progress, and we will pray for her, and for you.

I spent the afternoon and evening at Eloise's, had a good meal and good times spent with the family. Little Diesel is settling down just a little bit, and his persistent chewing on everything from shoes to fingers is slowing a little too. He's losing his baby teeth, David picked one up off the floor just a couple of hours ago. Soon he'll have a new set of fearsome "terrier teeth" and like Bentley, he wouldn't bite a biscuit. He and Toye Starr are getting along pretty well. She's a little grumpy with him, but he just wants to play, and she knows it. She plays with him for a while, but if he gets too rough she growls and snaps at him, and he backs off. She'll teach him doggie manners, and they'll do fine. It's really funny to watch, because he's already five or six times her size, and she settles him down with her ridiculous little growl and a tiny snap, and she doesn't even have all of her teeth! He's a good-hearted feller though, so she wins.

It was starting to rain when I left Eloise's, big old splatty drops just pelting down, but about a half mile from her house it stopped and I came all the way home on dry streets. Now it's starting to rain here, but so far there's no "storm" in it, just rain.

It was a lovely Mother's Day. Dave and Brittney gave me a beautiful kalanchoe plant, just heavy with blooms, a very pretty specimen. Clayton, Eloise's grandson, gave all the moms something he had made in art class in college. He was taking a pottery class (his major is art appreciation) and gave us all pieces he threw himself. Mine is a small pale blue vase, beautifully formed. It's on the mantel right now, and I'll put some dried flowers in it. I love things like that.

Well, guess I'll go watch a little TV. Hope everyone's Mother's Day was nice, restful and happy. Blessings! --Romeena
May 09, 2016 - Msg 104620: TOM--I will be praying for your sister's recovery. So sorry to hear!
Porch moms--sounds like you had a good day today!
ALL__Did you hear about the tremendous forest fire in Canada!! I sure hope our PH is doing OK.
Read in the paper that 1600 structures have burned!! Please pray for Canada!
MDC
May 09, 2016 - Msg 104621:
TOM, I am sad to learn that your sister has had a heart attack. Will she require surgery? Tell her that all of us here will be praying for her.

MDC, I'm in eastern Canada and those wildfires are in western Canada over 2200 miles away. The province of British Columbia has over 80 active wildfires, but they are in sparsely populated rural areas so there is not much news coverage.
The wildfire that is making worldwide news is in the province of Alberta, which is next to British Columbia. This wildfire has affected cities and towns. The town of Fort McMurray, and the nearby Municipality of Wood Buffalo have been severely affected. In spite of all the emergency personnel, volunteers, and prayers being offered, the fire is spreading rapidly. This is the result of the bad weather that area experienced during the past six months which has ranged from high daytime temperatures (that provide heat to start fires), gusting winds (that spreads the fires), and the little amounts of melting winter snow and springtime rain (that help soak the ground and forests). Officials are reporting that this fire is still "out of control" and that it may take months to get it under control.
Last Saturday, only 75 square miles had burned. As of two days ago, over 775 square miles have been burned after the affected area doubled in size from the previous day. Over 80,000 people have been evacuated so far.

from Poor Horatio
May 09, 2016 - Msg 104622: Good morning, porch. PH, that's just terrible. A fire can be beneficial, but when it gets out of control like that, and becomes so large, the damage is awful, and recovery will take a long time. The loss of all that boreal, old-growth forestland will have a long-lasting impact, and it breaks my heart to think of all the helpless wildlife that has been killed or injured, not to mention driven out of their habitat. I don't know how much lumbering is done in that forest, but if there's any at all, the economic loss could be great. Then, of course, there's the awful impact on the people in the path of the fires. Homes destroyed, towns ravaged, lives lost. It's a terrible thing.

Well, I'd better get moving around here. I'm going to San Antonio on Friday, with a group from the church, and a friend from church is going to come and stay with Toye Starr. This house does not look like I want it to look with a friend coming to stay here! Funny how things that are acceptable when it's just you,(like a little dust, or some clutter)but it takes on a whole different aspect when you start seeing it as someone else will see it. Eeek. I have work to do! Guess I'd better get busy. Blessings, porch. --Romeena
May 09, 2016 - Msg 104623:
Romeena, there is more to the story about the animals. While it is true, it is believed that many wildlife have lost their shelters, feeding grounds, and even their lives. But that area has experienced a lot of abandoned pets since many of their owners were away at work when the evacuation order came through unexpectedly. Although law enforcement are preventing owners from returning to their homes to rescue their pets, a volunteer pet rescue organization came up with a great idea. They would visit facebook pages to read about pleas from pet owners. They not only were given addresses of the homes where the pets were, but they also received permission from the home owners to break into the homes to rescue those pets. Then the pet rescuers got smart and gathered up some fuel and food before driving out to the evacuated areas. The pet rescuers worked out a deal whereby they would give the emergency personnel fuel and food in exchange to be escorted into the danger zone to locate pets trapped in locked homes.
There are also other volunteers who are defying the authorities to help rescue trapped pets.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/05/09/fort-mcmurray-pets-author_n_9867980.html
https://fortmacanimalrescue.crowdmap.com/

from Poor Horatio
May 09, 2016 - Msg 104624: So very sorry to hear about your sister, TOM. Praying.

Well, had a busy weekend at work but was off today and got some things done around here. Bruce's brother was here for a few days and talked with the other siblings about putting their mom in a facility near where he lives. Seems like all are agreeable but Bruce is going to miss her. She will be five hours north of us. His brother, Richard, is wanting to do the right thing and bear some of the responsibility Bruce and I have had for 8 years now. Bruce is stressed out from work and is not getting any younger so I think its a good idea and MIL is not opposed to it at this point.

Terrible about the wild fires, PH.

Hey Asa, have you cooked anything good lately? I am wondering if you are honing your culinary skills these days? I baked some pork chops in the oven today for Bruce. I think I have made pork chops three times in 20 years but the store had them on special and they were already seasoned. I seared them in a hot pan and then baked them in the oven at 325 for thirty minutes. They were kind of thick or I wouldn't have left them in there that long. I am funny about pork, though. I like to be sure it is well cooked.

I'm sitting here watching the TAGS episode with the attractive lady prisoner on MeTV. I always thought that one was out of character for Andy. I cant imagine him being lured by a female that way. She was a pretty one, though.

Don't really have anything terribly interesting to talk about. Hope you are all having a great evening.

Boo
May 09, 2016 - Msg 104625: I didn't get that episode either, Boo. Every time I've seen it with someone else, I ask "What was Andy's purpose in going back to the jail?" Nobody ever comes up with a very satisfying answer. That's one I'd like to ask the writer.

Billy Ray the Postman
May 09, 2016 - Msg 104626: Good evening, porch. PH, thanks for the links. My first reaction "abandoned pets" was - why on earth would someone abandon their pet in the face of a wildfire threat? Then I read the rest and it sank in - people were away at work and were unable to get into their neighborhood. What an awful situation. I remember during Hurricane Katrina, and New Orleans was nearly washed away - there was a story about buses being sent along the top of a levee, and people were wading through the rising water to board the buses before the levee was flooded. There was one story about a woman who tried to board the bus with her little dog in her arms, and was refused entry to the bus. She was told to put the dog down and she could get on. I was horrified. No way would I have dropped Sugarplum back down into the water and gotten on that bus without her, leaving her to drown. I felt then, and still feel, that was an unnecessary cruelty to people who had already lost everything, and it was a death sentence for the pets. That was just wrong, wrong, wrong!

These fires are a different situation, of course, but still, pets are in terrible jeopardy. I leave Toye Starr in my bedroom when I have to leave the house. I can't imagine if there was a fire in the neighborhood and the police told me I couldn't get back to my house to get to her. They would have to tie me up, I guess.

It is wonderful to see that there are groups stepping up to rescue the animals, though. Wildlife just has to fend for itself, and to some itself, they do. At least they're free to run from the fire. You know that out of a couple of thousand houses that have burned, there were bound to be a lot of dogs in crates, or even loose in the house, along with cats and birds and other pet animals, just helpless to escape. It will give me nightmares, I guess. Poor little things!

Well, I think I have to go find something funny on TV. I hope a huge rainstorm sweeps across Canada and puts those terrible fires out. How sad for all those people, losing their homes like that, and then many of them losing beloved pets as well. They are in my prayers. --Romeena
May 09, 2016 - Msg 104627: Wow. What was I thinking? "To some itself, they do." That should have been "to some extent, they do." Sorry. --Romeena
May 10, 2016 - Msg 104628: Wow, PH, I also heard that it may be MONTHS before it is out! Praying for Canada indeed! Glad you are OK tho.
ASA--yes, the remodeling continues. I feel like Romeena when she told us of boxing everything up for the carpet laying. We have done the same thing to make room for painters, tile people, etc. We think the carpet will be finally laid in early June. Our project is popcorn removal, texture and paint ceilings, (done) demo tile, (done) lay tile in kitchen, entry and bathrooms, paint all walls and baseboards, (to be done this week starting on Tuesday), new toilets in both bathrooms, and new cultured marble shower in master bath...all while living in the house!!
No Monroes or Wheelers allowed! haha
Color me General Contractor, MDC :)
May 10, 2016 - Msg 104629: Oh, after looking at about 100 toilets on line and in stores, be have finally settled on AS Champion Pro! All that to just sit and (insert rhyming word!) haha
MDC
May 10, 2016 - Msg 104630: Wow MDC. Two new toilets? You are a man of stature. Reminds me of Floyd's "Two Chairs No Waiting". LOL I am impressed.

GF, I am curious if you know my close personal friend Close E. Nuff? Yesterday I was running some conduit in the trusses of our shop (about 20 feet tall) and although I always try to run the stuff level and plumb, my buddy Close E. Nuff entering into the conversation a lot. I bet you have heard of him. lol

Better get. Lot's to do.

Asa
May 10, 2016 - Msg 104631: ....Or his Cousin.... Jerr E. Rigg.... He lived out my way Asa...lol I had to clean up a lot of his mess's he left behind over the years, he was a GIANT in the world of duct tape!...

Hey MDC as they also said: "The job ain't complete until the paper work is done!"....lol 🚽🚽🚽

Gotta Go....G-F
May 10, 2016 - Msg 104632: ...I forgot to tell Possum, Floyd mentioned who was the Country Music Star that was at the Westminster event... He agreed it was BIG!! Or should he say..."they".... They sure do some funny skits... As she said the Soggy Bottom Boys were there too!..G-F again
May 10, 2016 - Msg 104633: Happy Tuesday Porch!! hope everyone is doing ok today.

thanks to all for the birthday wishes last week. We had a busy few days. Had my birthday on Thursday, took my Mom shopping for a dress for the wedding on Friday, Saturday was graduation and the graduation cook out at our house and Sunday was Mother's day and Beth and I attended a wedding Sunday afternoon at 2pm. The mother of one of her childhood friends remarried. Then... Patrick and Beth left about 5pm on Sunday going back to Cookeville to move him out of his school apartment and back home. Now we move on to the wedding in a few short weeks.

all these things are positive and exciting things in out lives but I am surely worn out.

Tom: prayers for you and your family
Romeena: hope you have a safe and fun trip this week end.

lunch menu will be: fried bologna sandwhich, chips. oatmeal cookies for dessert.tea and lemonade to drink.

everyone have a blessed day
Prayers and blessings to all
Big Maude


May 10, 2016 - Msg 104634: Good morning, porch! Oh, what a beeyootiful mornin', Oh, what a beeyootiful day! It must have been a morning like this that inspired Rodgers and Hammerstein to write that song! Is it ever pretty!

MDC, I hope the potties you chose are the "tall" ones. If not, may I suggest that you consider using at least one of those, preferably in the master bath? After I had my knee surgery in 2005, and struggled through with a standard commode, I made up my mind I wasn't doing that again. Ted installed one of the tall kind, and I've been so thankful for it. After my back surgery, it was so helpful, and then when I fell a little while back and landed on my knee, I don't know what I'd have done without it. That knee simply would not bend more than a few degrees, hurt like the very devil if I tried, and was useless for helping me get to my feet. I've figured out that if the seat is lower than the back of my own knees, getting up is going to be very, very difficult when a knee is out of commission. Fortunately, after a couple of weeks of non-function and lots of pain, it suddenly improved dramatically and I got up one morning functional and pain free, but during those few weeks, I was deeply grateful for that tall potty! If you haven't chosen at least one, think about it. I don't know why they even make the lower ones!

I'm hungry this morning. Maybe I'll eat a little breakfast. I've got a package of "crumpets", so maybe I'll toast a couple and put peanut butter on one and cream cheese on the other. With a small glass of apple juice, that will do just fine. Yes, crumpets. I had always wondered what a crumpet was (you read about them in English novels) and one day I found them in a local Hispanic grocery store, of all places. They're in the refrigerated section, and they are delicious, when toasted and topped with something.

Well, better get busy around here. Got to spruce this place up a little, out of respect for my friend who's going to come and stay with Toye Starr while I'm gone. Blessings, porch! --Romeena