January 09, 2018 - Msg 108913: Bless your heart Frankie. It was good. And thanks for the rain. It is 44 and raining this morning. Highly unusual for us this time of year.

Spot, sorry your dawgs didn't pull it off. I didn't see the game, but I was pulling for them. Still, they had a great year.

Possum, those are some extreme temperature swings your having. Hopefully under your rock it is more stable. :)

Romeena, so what is the latest on the Caddy? I am hoping it is a relative cheap fix, although there ain't much of anything repair wise on these cars today that is cheap. I recently had a turn signal issue on my Jeep. I thought it was a simple burned out bulb. Instead I ended up having to replace the entire rear light assembly. The wanted over $200,00 for a factory replacement. I was able to get an aftermarket one, but it was still almost $70,00. I managed to troubleshoot and repair it my self, or otherwise I could see where this thing could have ended up costing me upwards of $500.00. All that for a turn signal that wouldn't work. Good luck on yours.

Boo, I would imagine with your recent weight loss that your are able to tolerate the heat a lot better, along with the added energy you are feeling. Good for you for what you have accomplished.

MDC, How is your sweethearts recovery coming along? I hope she is doing well.

Poor Horatio, I was watching some old interviews of my favorite recording artist, Mr. Gordon Lightfoot on you tube the other night. I had read he had a brush with death a number of years ago after suffering an aneurism, but I didn't realize how bad it was. He was in a comma for 2 months I think he said. His drummer said he saw the first responders having to use paddles on him at least twice to revive him. So glad he survived. Hard the think he will be 80 this year. I love his music.

GF, How about you come visit me in the lock up. We can play some cards (if Tom is ok with it).

Well best be off. I still have half of Frankies peanut butter sammich to eat.

Prayers for all.

Asa
January 09, 2018 - Msg 108914: Asa, I’m sure TOM will let me visit but I’m afraid he’ll lock me up in cell #2...Look on the bright side maybe he will give us a Mr. Potato set and a Leather craft kit to help lead us on the road to Rehabilitation....

SPOT...Sorry about your Dogs...I thought they had it in the bag, but That’s Life....

G-F
January 09, 2018 - Msg 108915:
Regarding that college national championship football game between Alabama and Georgia, I was changing channels when I tuned in during the overtime when it was tied at 20 to 20. So I saw Georgia kick the field goal to gain the lead at 23 to 20, and then Alabama respond with a touchdown to win 26 to 23. A wasted day off for our Spot.

Asa, I believe I viewed that same interview with Gordon Lightfoot. For you folks who are not aware of it, Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian born singer and songwriter. And Canada is my adopted home ever since I retired.
During my early years living in the USA, although I did like a few of Gordon Lightfoot's songs, he was just another singer to me. Then in 1976, Gordon wrote and recorded the song "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald". It's about an American merchant ship named Edmund Fitzgerald that disappeared on Lake Superior during an early winter gale storm way back in November, 1975. Although the ship was in radio communication with another nearby merchant ship, she suddenly vanished with the loss of all 29 crew members. At that same time, I was serving aboard a Navy ship crossing the Pacific Ocean. As a result, I have a whole lot of respect for the oceans and the weather after surviving some of its dangers on the high seas. So whenever I hear that Gordon Lightfoot song with that haunting music, it gives me goosebumps because I believe that I know what that crew experienced during that gale storm.
You can listen to that song and view the lyrics at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST6hVRj2A
Rest in peace to the crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

from Poor Horatio

January 09, 2018 - Msg 108916: Poor Horatio I remember that song when I was in high school, very good and popular song. Thank you for sharing it with us.
A Big Hello to everyone!
Frankie
January 09, 2018 - Msg 108917: Yes, ASA, I do tolerate the heat better, but I don't tolerate cold as well, and brother, we have had a lot more cold than usual here in Texas this winter. My energy level is what astounds me. I worked from the minute I got to work last night, pulled and administered meds, and admitted 4 kids myself and still felt like a million bucks at the end of my shift (and it was 80 degrees in the office). Also, I went to swim at the pool this evening and I haven't been since summer. I swam and did water Zumba for over an hour straight without even feeling tired. I feel like I woke up from a bad dream or something..I just can't believe the way I feel sometimes. I also seem to have beaten the flu. Everyone around me has had it and the worst I got was one day of mild body aches and fatigue. Crazy, but in a really good way. I go to the doc tomorrow to discuss my cholesterol so am praying for wisdom for the both of us in how to best treat the problem.

Asa, I didn't remember that you like Gordon Lightfoot. I really like him, too, and in fact was just listening to him sing Sundown night before last on YouTube.

Well, plenty to do, so time to get to it.

Boo
January 09, 2018 - Msg 108918: Hello.
Now Asa if G F want to come for a visit! but all you can do are puzzlss.

Now for Frank 3 day in the ice house for the Peanut Butter sandrwch

TOM 2 8 18

January 09, 2018 - Msg 108919: Here ya go Asa....A REAL TUFF one! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4c1qhCtpAa4
G-F
January 10, 2018 - Msg 108920: HI ALL, a real "blustery" day here today on my end of the porch. Light breezes all day, blowing the leaves around, etc. Now at 10 PM it is raining a much-needed rain! :)
ASA--did you fix that light in the courthouse like Goober? ha
I just replaced a burnt out headlight on my 2005 Silverado. Very easy, pull a pin, lift out the assembly, bulb comes out thru the back, and reverse the steps. Yea, Chevy engineers actually made it easy!
CECile is recovering 'famously!' Doing all her PT and very little pain. Thanks for asking.
And by the way, good sweep!
SPOT--I too was pulling for the Bulldogs, but I dont have cable, just broadcast TV. Why wouldnt ESPN also put it on owner ABC?
RO--yes any update on the Cadillac?
POSSUM, MAUDIE, JOHN MASTER, STERLING, BILLY RAE you all doing OK??

Prayers,
MDC

January 10, 2018 - Msg 108921: PS: Worked out in the gym today. Feeling much better these days. :)
January 10, 2018 - Msg 108922: Low and Lonely Sad And Blue thinkin’ only of my Wheeler too,
Low and lonely with out you!...One bed one blanket and one cracked mirror in the Big House Asa....

Crazy weather coming my way, tomorrow 60 degrees, Friday 5”-12” of snow expected....

G-F
January 10, 2018 - Msg 108923: Tom-how about a peanut butter and jelly. I like to put strawberry jelly on mine.
Boo-good news about your energy level! Way to go!
G-F- enjoy that 60 degrees
Just hanging out today not much happening.
Frankie

January 10, 2018 - Msg 108924: Yea buddy GF. Then Tom put Frankie in jail just because she brought me a peanut butter sammich. I declare, he can be a mean one when he wants. He won't even let Frankie use her female war paint!

Cute video GF. That is more and more like me trying to figure things out at work.

Yes Boo, I am a huge Gordon Lightfoot fan going way back. I really enjoy his hits, but there are tons of other songs he has written and recorded that I just love too. I think he has something like 240 singles he has recorded, and is still writing songs. A very gifted man.

Poor Horatio, speaking of the Edmond Fitzgerald song, that almost prevented my marriage. In 1974, my now Wife, then 15 year old teenage girl lost 3 of her older brothers at sea. Her oldest brother was an aide to an Orange County California politician and he had just won a very heated primary election. So they had rented a yacht for a celebration cruise. Her brother invited to of her other brothers to come up from Utah to join them. There were 10 people total on board when the Yacht got caught in a storm off the Baja coast. They radioed a Mayday that they were taking on water, but that was the last anyone heard of them. Several weeks of searching by the Coast Guard and private planes found some bits and pieces of the Yacht, but no bodies were ever recovered. We met at the end of 1977 and it was love at first sight. Until the first time she got in my truck and she saw my Gordon Lightfoot tape in the 8 track. And alas, it was his Summertime Dream release. She was still struggling with the loss of her three big brothers and his song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald really was more than she could listen too. So I made sure I never played it when she was with me. Eventually she has healed and is quite a fan of him also now. Google The Yacht Shooting Star 1974 and you will read some things about it if your inclined. These is a reporter who is trying to make the case that it wasn't an accident but rather political espionage. Pretty sure he is reaching, but it has some of the family wondering.

Well GF, at least in Jail I ain't gotta shovel snow. Hope your thrower is up to the task buddy.

Asa
January 10, 2018 - Msg 108925:
Asa, I researched the Shooting Star sinking at https://dissenttheblog.blogspot.ca/2012/02/mysterious-sinking-of-shooting-star.html. Lots of intrigue involving allegedly corrupt politicians. But what interested me was "The Coast Guard investigation failed to determine why the life jackets apparently were not used or why radio reports before the sinking indicated different positions. Also still a mystery is why no one, according to the official report, apparently was able to transfer from the Shooting Star to the lifeboat."
My sympathies to your wife on the loss of her three brothers. And congratulations to you on the catch you made.

On a related note, during that same time period, my Navy ship was cruising off the coast of San Diego when the man overboard alarm sounded. As our ship maneuvered to recover the body in the water, we performed a head count and was surprised when everyone was accounted for. Well it turned out to be an elderly civilian who a week earlier had disappeared at sea. His sailboat was found off the coast of Baja California. What a strange coincidence.

from Poor Horatio
January 10, 2018 - Msg 108926: Im lost without my female war paint! Frankie

January 11, 2018 - Msg 108927: Boy, Sheriff TOM is gettin' mean! ha Maybe we should take away his badge and make him the head brine tester at the pickle factory! :)
Come to think of it, for such a small town, there was sure a lot of employment to be had...I believe, besides the pickle factory, they also mention a sawmill and a furniture factory. Then there were all the services around town, and it was mentioned once that Thelma Lou worked in an office.
Very refreshing day today after last night's rain! Everything looked so lean and bright, and the air
was breatheable!!
God bless,
MDC

January 11, 2018 - Msg 108928: Ha, CLEAN, not 'lean!'
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108929: Good morning, porch. Sorry I've been so scarce, but this has been a busy week so far. Eloise's husband, Jerry, was taken to the ER on Sunday afternoon, with a bad headache, dizziness and nausea. The docs started running tests, which eventually included two CT scans of his head, and so far, there's nothing conclusive, they haven't even really come up with a differential diagnosis. He went home yesterday evening, is talking about going to check on an air conditioner that some customer called about, and Eloise is getting ready to just sit on him to keep him out of an attic. Why are men so hard-headed and self-destructive?

The update on the car (thank all of you for asking) is still not final. The vacuum modulator has been replaced, all four motor mounts are new (not part of the problem but needed to be done - one was completely broken) and still the problem persists. It's improved, but not fixed. The car still shifts very hard after it has traveled about two miles. Starts out behaving perfectly, then after two miles or so, it starts shifting hard, and gets progressively worse. The loping and missing in the engine is gone, but the shifting is still a problem. The explanation is that the catalytic converter is clogged and failing and sort of "shuts down" after a little run time. This backs up into the vacuum modulator, and causes confusing signals to be sent to the tranny, causing it to shift at inappropriate times, which will result in a hard shift. Makes sense to me. So right now the search is on for the right GM cat, together with price comparisons - it's amazing how they can vary. I'm hoping to get one and get it installed by next week. I think that will make Tillie happy. (I have named the car "Tillie." Don't know why, it just seems like a Tillie.)

So far this week, I've seen my dermatologist (had some barnacles frozen off), seen my pulmonologist about my increasing shortness of breath (take a little Lasix every other day, will likely help a lot), had a CT of my chest, gave a book review, and taught an ESL class. Today I have to make a grocery store run and get some sandwich fixin's and stuff to take to a dear friend whose mom (age 96) passed yesterday. A lot of family will be coming in, my SS class is taking in three meals, and I figured some sandwich stuff to fill in the gaps as more people arrive at odd times, might be helpful. Will probably get a few stacks of those lightweight plastic leftover storage containers, also. They will have leftovers!! Then tomorrow, I have to get that MOHS surgery done on the skin cancer on my nose. That could take an hour, or it could take all day, depending on how deep they have to go to get it all. I hope I don't look like my friend's little pug dog when they're finished.

Well, better get moving. Blessings, everyone. You're always in my prayers. --Romeena
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108930: MDC...I don’t think Sheriff TOM is getting meaner he just hasn’t posted much so he has alot pent up!...Just look at him like a “Big Brother Figure”...But Don’t Do like Goob did as a kid by glueing his Big Brother’s desk drawers shut!..All I’ll Say is that stunt cost me dearly,,,D-E-A-R-L-Y!!..LOL...AND THAT IS ALL I’LL SAY ABOUT THAT!..😳🖐🏼

G-FreeMan...(For Now)
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108931: Suggesting that Sheriff Tom work at the pickle factory is gonna cost ya,if Tom sees your post, MDC! Take away his badge?? Uh,oh,boy,you're in a heap of trouble! I'd offer to let you hide under my rock,but I'm sure Tom knows how to smoke ya out-plus, I don't want to end up in the clink with all of y'all! It's finally warmed up here,so I sure don't want to be tossed into Tom's icebox jail!
Good to see that G-F is behaving -for the time being! Ha!

Y'all be good or Sheriff Tom will get ya!

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

January 11, 2018 - Msg 108932: Asa, I love Gordon Lightfoot too. I used to play the fire out of his double album "Gord's Gold" back in the day. His voice is so rich and he weaves some wonderful tales in his songs.

possum again
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108933: I remember the story about your wife's brothers, Asa..so sad and tragic. Must have been really tough on your wife and her family.

Romeena, speaking of book reviews, I am reading your book right now. In fact, I started it on Sunday night before bed and was up crying for 30 minutes after that first chapter. I was not surprised because you have an amazing talent for writing but I felt the pain you expressed so strongly. I think mainly because I know and love you. I knew something of the circumstances surrounding Dale's passing, but reading it in detail and your amazing way of expressing the emotions of that time, just did me in...but not in a bad way. It made me scoot over in bed and hold my husband tightly...to pay attention to the way his strong hand felt in mine and to be reminded to never, ever take him for granted and I thank you for that. I am only on chapter 4 but am reading it slowly, taking in every word, and I find it to be incredibly insightful, frank, and helpful. You really are the cats, you know that?

Well, plenty to do so better scoot. Oh..almost forgot, I went for my follow up at the doctor to go over labs and what I didn't know is that my liver function has really improved, along with the blood sugar normalizing. The doc was happy and said to keep doing what I am doing.

See ya all later,
Boo
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108934: PS- good for you, MDC! Keep at it. :)

Boo
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108935:
possum, I just watched an episode of the Beverly Hillbillies that should interest you because it dealt with a hillbilly holiday known as "Possum Day". Have you ever seen it?

MDC, I just learned that the controversial Joseph Michael Arpaio lost his re-election bid for Sheriff of Maricopa County a few months ago. Any thoughts?

from Poor Horatio
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108936: Yes, I've seen that episode of the Beverly Hillbillies, P-H. They not only have "Possum Day",but they have a Possum Queen too! And no,I've never been Miss Possum queen,but what an honor that would be-ha ha!

possum again
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108937: Boo-Glad to hear your Dr. visit went well.
Romeena-Prayers for your Dr. app. tomorrow. Hope your car Tillie gets running good for you.
Possum-I remember grannie always wanted to make possum soup in that show and Ellie would not let her.
You all have a good evening.
Frankie
January 11, 2018 - Msg 108938: Thanks Frankie!

Boo
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108939: Boo, you are so kind. I'm glad you found some value in my little book. I pray that you never lose that "strong hand" beside you, and never have need of the counsel I've offered. Every word came from my heart - well, that's not completely true. Quite a few of them were supplied by the Lord when I couldn't find them myself, but all were written with the hope of helping someone else over the same rocky road. Thank you for reading it, and thank you for the very kind words.

Guess I'd better turn in. That MOHS surgery for the skin cancer is tomorrow, have to be there at 9:15. It's about a twenty minute drive from here, but is on one of the main arteries into Dallas, and at rush hour, it can be a parking lot. Eloise has Jerry at home from the hospital now, so I'm not letting her leave him to drive me up there, I'll just call Uber. That Uber thing is pretty neat! I've only used it once, but it's so easy! I'm planning to call for a car around 8:15. They try to arrive within five minutes of your call, but at that hour, anything can happen, so I'm allowing plenty of time. Blessings, folks. --Romeena
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108940: Evening all, I saw "Mr Goss" in an episode of Laramie today. Funny seeing him as a cowboy!
RO--thanks for the update. You have indeed had a busy week! How did we ever work a job too? ha
POSSUM--we shall see how sheriff TOM does this week. Maybe he'll free ASA and put me IN tho! :(
PH--in a few simple words... He's too old now.
He just turned 85 but wants to run for the senate seat that Jeff Flake is vacating.
BOO--good to hear that you continue to improve!!
Frankie--hope there are no mudslides in your area.
Hey all, remember how TV stations would sign off at midnight?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uGP74qRzSc
Love seeing those T-38s again!
God bless,
MDC
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108941: Sheriff Joe is 85? Wow. That's a pretty good reason not to be sheriff, I guess. I know he was controversial, and I know the liberals and bleeding hearts hated him, but I thought he was pretty neat. "Doin' time" isn't supposed to be a vacation. It's meant to be an experience that no one would want to repeat, and if wearing pink underwear and living in a hot tent is considered abuse, then what would you call wearing Army green and living in a hot tent in Afghanistan? Yet those men and women volunteered for that job, bless them. I agree, it's time for Sheriff Joe to retire, but I've never seen him as a villain. He had a good run, and maybe, just maybe, he gave a few criminals something to think about, and changed the direction for a few. I pray so.

Well, gotta get dressed and call Uber. Hope I have a nose left when I get home! --Romeena
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108942: High Flight.....By John Gillespie Magee, Jr

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, --and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of --Wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark or even eagle flew --
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

I still can hear President Reagan reading that in honor of the Challenger Astronauts...Thanks MDC

Always like aircraft stuff...Makes me want to make yet another trip to WPAFB in Dayton to the Airforce Museum...

G-F...aka “Grandpa Airplane” ✈️
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108943: MDC-I have seen the actors on Mayberry in different shows. I see the egg man in a lot of westerns. No mud slides in my area MDC I am up north. My heart goes out to all the people in this terrible disaster.
G-F Very nice High Flight message.
Take care all! Frankie
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108944: Sheriff

Frank there is no Peanut Butter or jelly sander 10 day -$500 in finds

MDC take badge 5 days 0r $50.oo in find
Meanea 90 days or $ 50.00 Pickle factory 50 days or $ 50.00

Possum 10 day or $ 15.00 for offer to hide
the Judge said paythe find and be free or taker the day in big house and visit Asa.

SHER TOM

January 12, 2018 - Msg 108945: Well, I'm home. The skin cancer on my nose is gone, but it took three returns for more "mohs-ing" before they got clean margins. With the initial removal, the doc said it looked small and shallow, and might not even need more removed. He was surprised that it did, but said it had started sending "slender" roots down. The whole thing was virtually painless, but I think I'm going to have to adjust that opinion as the numbing wears off. I now have a stitched incision that begins on top of my nose just below eyebrow level, slips a bit to the side and continues to the nostril flare, circles it, and continues onto my lip, to about a quarter inch below my nose. The reason for that is that the crater left after the cancer was removed measured 1.7 cm in diamater. That's the diameter of a dime, so it was a pretty wide hole, and it was about 5 mm deep. A plastic surgeon came in and closed the thing. He couldn't just sew up the hole, that would have left the "purse-string" effect, which looks awful. By extending an incision upward and downward from the original hole, reshaping the edges of the hole so they would meet flush and blend into the extensions, it will be far less noticeable. I don't think it will ever be totally invisible, but it shouldn't be too bad. Besides, at my age, who cares?

The area is starting to wake up now, and is aching and definitely making itself known, so I guess I'd better go get an icepack. This has been a long day. I did have the good sense not to drive my car into Dallas and into that huge, sprawling medical complex. I simply called Uber! Car here in ten minutes, at my destination in 15 minutes, for about $10. Same with return home. So easy, and I would have had to pay to park if I had driven my car. Gotta love Uber! --Romeena
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108946: poor Romeena! I'm sorry you had to go through that but glad you had it taken care of. ((HUGS))

Boo
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108947: Aw, heck, Sheriff Tom! I didn't do nuthin'!

Ro,I hope you won't have too much pain & that things heal well for you. I'd offer you some of Colonel Harvey's elixir,but Tom probably would tack more days on my sentence,so I'll nix that idea! You take care,now!

*****************
possum in the pokey
January 12, 2018 - Msg 108948: Sheriff Tom I am making peanut butter and jelly sandwich`s for everyone. I like peanut butter and jelly.
Romeena hope you are feeling better, you take care.
I better get back to the barn and take care of my animals so pa will keep happy.
Frankie

January 13, 2018 - Msg 108949: Wow, Sheriff Tom has thrown the book at us! ha
Of course we all know that sometimes you have to go "not so much by the book, as by the heart." Right Tom...pretty please. :)
RO--glad all went well. Reminds me of the time I took my dad in for removal of one from his temple. It went from dime size to half-dollar size as they were removing it! And, they also had a PS close it up real nice.
They have been showing Gomer Pyle USMC on me-tv recently! Love it.
Our weather has been real 'snowbird' weather the last few days...between 70 and 75.
Y'all have a good weekend!
MDC

January 13, 2018 - Msg 108950: Got maybe 3 inches of snow in Ohio today. Very icy and crusty, I got home about halfway through the storm. I might need to move south. The older I get, the less I can handle cold and snow.

Per Possum Day, I happened to see a smalltown newspaper advertising a Possum Drop for New Year's Eve. I didn't happen to read the details, but that sounds mighty fun.

Billy Ray the Snow Stops His Appointed Rounds Postman
January 13, 2018 - Msg 108951: Good Saturday morning all.

Romeena, I am so sorry you had to deal with that yesterday, but am glad it wasn't more serious. I hope your pain is tolerable because I know you don't do well with pain meds. Prayers for you and Tillie both to be on the mend.

Frankie and all, I will pay your fines to the Sheriff. Tom, add them up and send the final tally to me and I will write a check for the full amount. I was wondering if GF can come over and play some cards with me. It gets pretty lonely in the big house.

GF, I had another pin hole in a copper pipe yesterday to deal with. I ended up having to replace an entire section with numerous elbows and Tee's in it. Took all day to get it done. Finally finished it and started bringing the water back on line, and wouldn't you know it, I had one small leak in one of my solder joints. I gotta tell ya, I called it some names (Sport wasn't one of them). Anyway, I was beat down to my socks, I knew it was going to take hours to drain and dry out the system enough to repair it, so I just told them they were going to be without hot water for the weekend. They called me some names (Sport wasn't one of them) but too bad. This is in a shop type building and it really only affects one person, and he can get hot water in a nearby building just a few feet away. I considered going in today and trying to fix it, but I have to much going on here. So I know what I am doing Monday.

MDC, We got up to the mid 50's here yesterday. Just downright unheard of for the middle of January. I can dig it!

Well off to the store for my weekly grocery shopping.
Prayers for all.

Asa
January 13, 2018 - Msg 108952: Hey Asa, I’ll be over later to play some some Old Maid, but I got alota snow to deal with right now. I just got in from doing half of it, O’l Goob and the Snow Joe blower needed a break! I have a lot of drifted snow and it is still windy so no matter which direction I blow it comes back in my face!...Ya know what I mean Vern?...lol

Can you Say...WHEELER TIME?......G-F
January 13, 2018 - Msg 108953: Good morning, porch! I slept well, took one Advil before I turned in, which calmed the pain in my face down to a low level, and I was fine. Since I never take a narcotic of any kind, and strictly limit how much Advil or Tylenol I take, one tablet of either one is usually enough to handle whatever I'm dealing with. That big back surgery I had, 4 1/2 hours, 5-inch incision, and I took one Advil morning and evening, and it was enough. There was still pain, but nothing I couldn't handle. This morning I had some significant aching in my face, but one Advil has handled it quite well. I've got a big, purple swollen-shut eye, which is mostly annoying. I look like I've been in a fight, so guess I'll stay home this weekend. I'm a scary sight!

Asa, we've been having freezing temps every night for about a week now, and I've had to drag out my jackets, and may even need a real coat, if this keeps up. It's 31° right now, with a wind chill of 22°, but I'm not sure where they recorded that. It's cold here, for sure, but I don't see any wind blowing. Once in a while a small limb stirs on my cherry laurel tree, which still has leaves, but basically, it's pretty still. Oh well. Thirty-one is too cold for me, so if the wind chill is really 22°, that's okay. I don't plan to leave the house.

Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
January 13, 2018 - Msg 108954: It ain't fun for the possum, Billy Ray!

Goodness,all this talk of possums-is this the Year of the Possum or something?

Yes,there is a town in N.C.,Brasstown,if memory serves me right,that has a Possum Drop each New Year's. They lower a possum in a cage,similar to the big ball drop in Times Square. I would just like to state for the record that I have never,nor do I plan on being,the dropped possum!

Y'all stay warm! This weather is totally whacked- we had 2 weeks of bone chilling temps, a snow storm that left us with nearly 4 inches of that mess,then this past week we were in the 70s,and now it's cold again & there's a 30% chance of snow mid week! Dang!

Have a good weekend,everyone!

possum again
January 13, 2018 - Msg 108955: Happy Saturday gang...grilled steaks for supper during MY Falcons game !..going down in the teens here tonight brrrr..Prayers Romeena...hey Boo.Possum (pranksters)...ok..here at work until morning....SPOT
January 13, 2018 - Msg 108956: Asa thank you for the bail out!
You all stay safe and warm out there.
Frankie
January 14, 2018 - Msg 108957: SPOT--sorry to see your Falcons are out of it.
I was pulling for them, as I am so tired of the Patriots! Then again, I probably wont even watch the superbowl this year.
ASA--besides the golf tourney coming up, this is also car auction week here. 7 big auctions of some pretty incredible cars! I went a couple years ago, and saw a car, Shelby GT I believe, go for 200 K!
Fun to listen to those auctioneers too. :)
RO--glad you are doing OK in recovery.
I do believe you told us about the CC being bad on your car. (I guess I had forgot) Hope u can get it replaced soon.
Hello to ALL, Good Sabbath to you!
MDC
January 14, 2018 - Msg 108958: Good Sabbath all.
Sorry Spot. But both the Dawgs and Falcons had a great year.
MDC, Yes those auctioneers get into it don't they? Hard to believe what some of those cars sell for.
Ro, so glad your able to control your pain so gently. I remember a few years ago when the price of scrap metal had gone sky high, we had people stealing catalytic convertors right off folks cars in broad daylight. It was crazy. I hope that is all Tillie needs.
Frankie, I was just reading something about the gal who played that part on TAGS. It said that that was the only time that actress ever did on screen. I don't know why that was, or if it is even accurate. But I thought it was interesting.
GF, I was watching a video of those "Snow Joe's". Is yours battery or electric? Seems like a pretty good machine.
Possum, I hope you can stay under your rock for this winter so you don't get wet and cold.
Boo, I am so proud of your change in lifestyle and how it is making you feel so much better. Good for you.
Well best go get cleaned up for preachin. I'm still holding out for a pool table in the basement.

Asa
January 14, 2018 - Msg 108959: Asa, my “Snow Joe” is a corded one. I have been pleasantly surprised by its power. I didn’t want to fool with the hassles of the gas powered ones. So I took a chance on a electric one. I researched the electric ones and found these were rated and built pretty good, plus they were priced good too. I think I paid about $160.00 for it, much cheaper the the least expensive gas ones. The paddles are steel and rubber, (much like the gas models) Most of the other electric ones the paddles were just plastic and seemed pretty flimsy....

G-F

p.s. Sorry SPOT, but as Asa said, BOTH your teams had a Great Year!...Look on the bright side Buddy, Ya Don’t live in Browns Country...haha
January 14, 2018 - Msg 108960: I hop the boys are o k for now?d
because some one heard the Sheriff is going to make something about them at 5:00 p m

??unno


January 14, 2018 - Msg 108961:
Romeena, did Toye Starr's gift arrive yet?

from Poor Horatio
January 14, 2018 - Msg 108962: Been running errands today. Went out for a quick bicycle ride. Now watching the saints and vikings game on tv. Can`t believe how fast the football season has gone by. You all have a wonderful day.
Frankie
January 14, 2018 - Msg 108963: Wow what a wild game! Congratulations Vikings.
Frankie

January 14, 2018 - Msg 108964: Not yet, PH. I recall that the website said something about allowing six weeks for delivery. I think it's been about that long, but not sure. The day after I placed the order, my credit card company called to ask me if I had been in China, because they had a charge from there and wanted to confirm it. At first I said I had not, (forgot about that order) but then the person told me the amount, and I knew nobody was going to charge $12 on a stolen card, and the amount also caused me to remember the order. If the little hearts never arrive, it won't break the bank, but I imagine they will get here eventually. China is a long way to travel! --Romeena
January 14, 2018 - Msg 108965: ASA- as you ponder that leaking pipe, i thought about when i had my new water heater installed a few years ago. I had the guy also put in a new on/off valve. (I had the petc@ck type, and went with a ball type)Anyway, after he left, I noticed that one of his soldered joints had a very fine mist coming from it. Called him, we turned off the water to the house, and he just re-soldered it on the spot. Of course, I imagine your industrial set up has higher pressure, etc. Hope you can get it
fixed pretty easily.
FRAnkie--I was born in minnesota, and had been a Vikings fan until the Cards came to town. They are out of it this
year, so happy to see the viks winning!
We had a great "chamber of commerce weather day" today!
Prayers for a good week!
MDC
January 15, 2018 - Msg 108966: You know I have been kidding around about the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It sure sounded good this evening. I ran out of bread, but had some nice bagel`s. And boy was it good!
Frankie
January 15, 2018 - Msg 108967: Good Monday morning all.

MDC, My plan for this morning is to try and re-solder the joint in question. I would have tried it Friday, but I knew it needed at least to be dry, and I knew that was going to take a while. Thanks for the tip.

Frankie, So I caught a clip on the news of that final play in the Vikings/Saints game. I almost thought I was watching the WWE for a minute. I'm not sure what that Saints defender was thinking, but it wasn't about football. You gotta feel bad for the kid. This will no doubt be with him forever. But that line dividing hero and villain can be pretty thin sometimes.

Gf, There are a few service stations in my neck of the woods that sells ethanol free unleaded. I have decided that is what I will be using on all my small engines anymore. This other junk is a joke.

Romeena, I am glad I am not the only one to name my cars. I have a Jeep Liberty nicknamed "Libbie" and a Toyota Tacoma named "Tommy". Anyone else name their cars?

Well off to work I go. I am hoping the solder fix works. I will let you know MDC.

Asa
January 15, 2018 - Msg 108968: o k possum is free for now,
G F is going in for having a bad f b team.

sheriff Tom

January 15, 2018 - Msg 108969: No ASA, my car doesn't have a name.

Boo
January 15, 2018 - Msg 108970: Not my fault TOM...Was those darn CleveLANDERS!..Sorry about your Steelers, Say like they Say in Cleveland....
“THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR!”.....Its the city’s Motto!

G-F
January 15, 2018 - Msg 108971: Good morning, porch. It's beautiful here today, sunny and clear, soft breeze, temp in the 50s. However, 23° is predicted for tonight, and down to 17° tomorrow night! Brrrr.

I am a sorry sight. My right eye is swollen half-shut and both upper and lower lids are just solid bruises. I look like Andy after he defended Barney in the cafe. There's a sutured incision down the whole side of my nose, down onto my lip. I look like I ran into Mack the Knife. Oh well, this too shall pass. There's remarkably little pain, haven't even taken an Advil since Saturday. The sutures come out Friday, and the swelling should start going down soon, so things will improve. Meantime, I'm pretty much staying home. Right now, I would definitely scare small children, and maybe even a few squeamish adults!

Asa, I'm not surprised that you name your cars. You just seem like that kind of guy. You have a gentle, slightly quirky sense of humor, very much like both my dad and my husband. Daddy had a '54 Buick Roadmaster sedan, yellow body and green top (if you can imagine). Actually, that color combination was very popular in 1954. He named it Old Yeller, and that car was a wonder. Strong, dependable, never let anyone down. It ran when nothing else did, it was steady on ice, wonderful soft ride, and would tow a trailer with a 16 ft Thompson wooden boat without any effort at all. Dale and I inherited it from Daddy when he bought my mom a new Lincoln Towncar, we drove it for several years, passed it to my uncle, etc. I'm not sure where Old Yeller finally ended up, but it had several owners in the family. The Lincoln Towncar was gray, and was named - what else? - Abraham. Get it? Abraham Lincoln? (har, har) My blue and white Ford convertible which I got when I graduated high school was named The Bluebird. Daddy made the $500 down payment on it, then gave me the car and the payment book for graduation! I was 16, but had a little job, and made the payments. Barely. In 1971 Dale and I bought a new Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon, candy apple red, and named if Big Red, of course. That was my dream car, I loved it, and if I could find a new one today, I'd buy it! It became as legendary in the family as Old Yeller, because it was just as good a car, just as trustworthy and tough, and everyone loved it. Many memories were forged in that car on family trips and vacations. My kids still talk about it. You can't buy one like it now, because they don't make anything like it anymore.

My friend Ted just came by, to measure a kitchen cabinet for some drawers he's going to install. I am absolutely through with opening that lower cabinet door, and having plastic storage bowls and lids fall out on my feet. I can never match the bowls and lids and it's just a big mess. So, Ted is going to build two drawers in that under-counter cabinet, so I can corral those bowls and lids. I don't know why I haven't done this before now. He'll partition them down one side, to make a home for the lids, and the bowls will sit in the larger section. I can hardly wait. I've lived here 45 years, with bowls and lids falling on my feet every time I open that cabinet door. I think it's about time to fix it.

Well, guess I'll rustle up some lunch. Blessings, everyone. --Romeena
January 15, 2018 - Msg 108972:
Asa, when my previous vehicle cost more to repair than operate, I called it "&#@*%$".

from Poor Horatio