May 19, 2019 - Msg 112258: The episode about the freezer breaking down is playing out at my house. Our 33 yr old frigerator quit working, I got a new start relay kit and put it on and it came on!..I thought I got lucky with a $20 repair...She ran for about a half hour and the compressor made a noise a it went out. I guess she only had one start left in her...lol....Time to go to the store and “SEE THE MAN” about a new one!...Oh..Joy!..The new ones sure ain’t made the way they the way the used to be...The search begins ...Any ideas?..Frigidaire’s are made the USA the rest are not. Historically at work, I had the best results from Whirlpool...decisions...decisions..especially with the wife in the equation....keep me in your prayers....lol

G-F
May 19, 2019 - Msg 112259: Kick a guy while he’s down...Yeah I’ll sweep before I go...lol
May 19, 2019 - Msg 112260: Thanks, MDC. Yes we have a BP cuff at shoreline and I need to use it. Thanks for the reminder. We have been pretty busy around there lately so it might read high right now. ha

Speaking of work, we are at a critical time right now at work. We hired two new nurses who showed for orientation and then never came to work. So, I will be working a lot over the next couple of weeks. I am working eight days straight after today so you may not hear much from me. Crazy as it sounds, I am rather looking forward to it. I find work to be an escape these days and it keeps my mind occupied and free from worry. I will get tired, though. The census at shoreline is going up and we have 25 girls now, which is more girls than we have had in over a year. Along with girls, come drama, though and they are keeping us busy with altercations and wall-punching. The boys are kind of agitated sometimes but are doing fairly well. For the first time in the history of shoreline, we have nearly the same number of girls as boys.

I better get going. Going to go to preaching this morning for the first time in a long time. They are doing the graduation thing and since Erin is a graduate, I should be there. They do a little presentation and slide show so it's a nice thing.

Hope you all have a terrific day.

Love,
Boo
May 19, 2019 - Msg 112261: Nice sweep G-F and good luck on the freezer. The last one I had never was used much so I gave it to the Salvation Army.

Boo-It is good to hear you are busy at work, but I hope they get some help for you soon. Congratulations to your daughter on her graduation.

I watched the last leg of the Tour of California bike race on TV last night. They have been airing it every evening on the cable channel. This was the seventh and last day. Those guys are really good.

We sure have been getting a lot of rain out here the last few days. It`s cold today. And to think last week I was turning on the fans to keep cool. Crazy weather.
You all have a wonderful Sunday.
Frankie

May 21, 2019 - Msg 112262: Hello to the Porch!
Frankie
May 21, 2019 - Msg 112263: Hello Frankie and all porchsters.
Well, my pick up was hit from behind today.
A distracted driver hit it while I sat at a stop light. He tried swerving to the right
to avoid me, but clipped me on the passenger side.
The side panel is pretty well dented up, as well as the rear bumper and tail light. It is undriveable.
Insur@nce will look at it on Tuesday. I seem to be OK, the jolt thrust me forward, but my seat belt stopped me from hitting the steering wheel.
I went to an urgent care just to be sure. X-rays were negative, but I'm sure I will have sore muscles now that the adrenaline has calmed down.
Prayers appreciated.
BOO- dont overdo it please. It is kinda sad that so many teens are abusing drugs. That is indeed the scourge of our times, and states are legalizing it!
I just dont get it. I saw your pictures of the grad on FB. Very nice!
GF--How goes the hunt for a new fridge? I guess we are all pretty busy these days with our lives being a bit disrupted.
I suppose we need to take Dr. Sidney's advice... pull down the pants
and slide on the ice! :) Just trying to cheer things up.
God bless,
MDC


May 21, 2019 - Msg 112264: MDC...Did Neil Bentley Esq. offer his services to you? Glad you are Ok Buddy....
As far as the frig goes, we agreed on a Whirlpool. I’m going into town to seal the deal and they will deliver it Friday. Guess more bags of ice for the cooler until then. That’s Life! 🤷🏼‍♂️

Asa...You step into a closet?

G-F
May 21, 2019 - Msg 112265: Just checking in. Air conditioner on the fritz again at work so makes for long shifts. Of course, this is nothing new. I only hope they call someone in to work on it today. I think I got a little dehydrated yesterday so going to take water bottles with me to work this evening.

I have my municipal court appearance this afternoon. I think I told you all about how I had to appear because I didn't know I was supposed to turn in documentation of having Poopsie spayed. Somehow I missed that and got a citation. Here's the funny part, in case I didn't tell you all: As soon as I got the citation in the mail, I went to the court office and turned in the documents proving I had the dog spayed, as I had agreed. I thought that would end the matter. I didn't. I was told I would have to appear before the prosecutor, plead not-guilty and he would waive the fine, supposedly. I set up the court date, made sure I had the day off and then forgot to appear. Not really surprising with my life being what it has been lately (not to mention I am no spring chicken anymore). When I realized I had forgotten, I immediately called and was told I would have to post 230.00 bond to be able to reschedule another court date, and if I didn't post the bond within 3 days there would be a warrant out for my arrest. LOL. So, I posted the bond and I will get it back and hopefully when the prosecutor sees that I did, indeed, do as I agreed in caring for the dog, I wont have to pay a fine. What a pain in the backside. Oh well, what can you do? I seems they would be able to just close the case when I turned in the needed documents but they wouldn't. So, I have to appear today at 1:30 and then go to work. Erin told me, "Mom, only you would have a warrant out for your arrest over a chihuahua." Yep, if I was going to have to post bond in my lifetime, I was hoping it would be over something a little more interesting.

Well, best get going. I will let you all know how the courtroom drama goes.

Boo
May 21, 2019 - Msg 112266: Boo...Go Ahead And let them arrest you, if you are in jail at least you will get some rest!..lol
You may not get a peanut butter Sammich but at least you’d get some sleep. Who really needs more that a blanket, cot and a cracked mirror anyhow...

G-F
May 21, 2019 - Msg 112267: Good evening all.
No closet GF. Just staying low key. :)

Wow MDC, Sorry to read about the accident. Glad you are ok. You better try those exercises Floyd was having Goober try after he got rear ended, just to make sure you're ok. Is the truck repairable?

Boo, Next we are going to hear about you keeping company with known hoodlum Harry Brown (I think I got the name wrong). You, Helen and him, form quite the gang. lol Isn't it stupid crazy how some of these laws are so jacked up. Killing a baby is ok, but by golly, you don't get your pet spayed and we will lock you up and throw away the key. Tell me what's wrong here. (sorry, this kind of idiocy makes me tense) Congrats on Erin graduating.

GF, I hope your purchase works out for you. I bought a new fridge last year and I hate the ice maker. Just barely keeps up with Debbie and my drinking water. Seems very slow making ice, and half the time the dispenser chute clogs up.

Frankie, We are getting rain, snow, and hail here. Colder than all get out this week.

Romeena, I am still praying you hook up with a furkid soon.

Well back into my shell.

Asa
May 21, 2019 - Msg 112268: MDC, I am glad you are fine. I had something similar happen to me years ago at a red light. The young gal was talking on her phone and ran right into me. Car was in the shop for a while for repairs and I was using a rental.

You all take care,
Frankie
May 22, 2019 - Msg 112269: Yup, Frankie and all, I got a rental today. With my ins plan I can have it
for 30 days. To answer ASA's question, I'm not sure yet about repairs.
The adjuster cant see it until Thursday due to her schedule, so it sits
in a towing yard til then. I hope it can be repaired, as i really like this vehicle, and i just recently got new tires and brakes! I went to my chiropractor today and she did a good number on my back, and wed i will get a back and shoulder massage. Otherwise i feel OK. We wnt to the yard today and I got out my tools and other items.
BOO--I recall the TAGS ep where Andy went after Mr. Jackson with some papers
for missing a court date! ha Hope it went OK for you. And I agree with what Asa said above too!!!
GF--our fridge is about 20 yrs old also. We have replaced the defrost switch and compressor, but it is a well-constructed Admiral.

Our weather has also been great the last few days...in the 70s, and it's almost June!
Yup, must be that global warming. BTW, the new catch phrase is 'climate change!' more ambiguous that way, ya know. Geesh.
Well, hang in there all!
MDC

May 22, 2019 - Msg 112270: Frankie..Your “A’s” got us twice at home..Guess they like the cool Ohio weather...lol..G-F
May 22, 2019 - Msg 112271: Good morning, porch, and good grief, Boo! That's the most ridiculous story I've heard in a while, and that's saying a lot, considering all the ridiculous nonsense that pervades the news these days. Asa, your comment is spot-on, and puts it in a nutshell, as usual. It seems to me that the point here is to make sure the dog is spayed, which is a reasonable and desirable requirement, but once that proof has been presented, why pursue and harass the kind soul who adopted the little orphan, over a matter of timing with a piece of paper? Argggh! It makes me want to throw something. It could make a lot of people (not Boo,) sorry they ever adopted the dog in the first place. As Asa said - idiocy. Sheer idiocy!

MDC, I'm so sorry about your wreck, your sore body, and your damaged truck! Just sitting at a light, minding your own business, and somebody slams into you. I hope whatever was "distracting" that driver was of utmost importance. An urgent text, no doubt, probably confirming a dinner date, or some such. When will people learn? I saw a woman on the highway last week, driving along and texting at the same time, with three small children in the car! Not only was she endangering them at the moment, but she was teaching them that it's okay to text and drive. I hope those kids have some very influential teachers in their future, who can erase those impressions for them.

The weather looks very threatening today, and thunderstorms are predicted for the afternoon. Eddie is supposed to be here today to mow and edge, and dig out some stray trees that have popped up everywhere. Mr. Bushytail has been quite busy, burying pecans, evidently. Dratted little pecan trees, you can't just pull them up. Once they're big enough to be noticed in a flowerbed, they have a tap root that goes to China and there is no pulling them, they have to be dug out. We just use a sharpshooter, dig close to the little tree, and try to angle it so that it cuts that root off as deeply as possible. If you do that, they usually don't come back, but if they do, there will be a double sprout! I don't use Roundup, which would probably kill them, but I don't trust the stuff, and consider it a contaminant.

My two American Beautyberry bushes - one I planted, the other apparently was planted by a bird who had eaten berries from the original one - are growing like gangbusters, after freezing down in the winter cold. They freeze back almost to the ground, and I just prune the dead canes back. Now, they're about four feet high and wide, and quite effectively blocking my view of the fishpond and a stand of daylilies. When they get a little taller, the canes will start to arc over, which will increase their width but decrease their height, and not only will I have my view back, but the bushes will be graceful, elegant, and gorgeous. Nature is wonderful!

Well, guess I'll go rustle up something to eat. I'm not really hungry, maybe just a glass of juice. For those of you who like apple juice, may I suggest Treetop brand's Honeycrisp Apple Juice. It is just wonderful. Don't buy a store brand, even if it says it's Honeycrisp, because it's going to be watered down. Still good, but not as good as the Treetop brand. Costs a few cents more, but it's worth it.

Blessings, friends! --Romeena
May 22, 2019 - Msg 112272: MDC, My A`s are on a comeback and playing well. I sure hope they continue and stay well.

Went to the dentist today and had a crown and filling put in. Felt like I was in that dentist chair all afternoon. Wew! Sure glad that is over, now just waiting for all the numbness to wear off.
Frankie
May 23, 2019 - Msg 112273: Tonite's episode on me-tv had some tipsy ladies in it! ha
The one thing in that ep that gets overlooked is this...if Aunt Bee got a terrible headache from the elixer after Col. Harvey talked at the ladies' meeting, why did she NOT get one after the dinner the night before? hmmm
Frankie...my DBacks are still doing pretty well too, but season is only a quarter over. :)
RO--yes indeed, all you said about drivers today, and then some. AZ finally just passed a law, but it doesnt take effect for a year! Crazy.
You should see my wife's gladiolus...shooting up like weeds! And so beautiful.
I have been seeing POSSUM's postings of her spring flowers. Very nice looking in front of her cool old house!
Well, off to bed, the insur@nce adjuster and i have a date tomorrow!
Prayers,
MDC
May 23, 2019 - Msg 112274: Good afternoon, porch. I just watched the TAGS ep where Aunt Bee goes to take care of the family member who has "the versitis", and Andy and Opie are left to fend for themselves. You all know the story, but I have to wonder about something. How on earth did Clara Edwards get that trashed house cleaned up before Andy and Opie got back with Aunt Bee? The bus station is just downtown, couldn't have taken more than half an hour to pick her up, even if they had to wait on the bus! Maybe Clara is kin to Samantha, and just had to wiggle her nose and everything popped into place? That's the only explanation I can think of. --Romeena
May 23, 2019 - Msg 112275: Sorry it took so long to get back and thanks for the comments and sympathy. I am writing from The Rock. The Hubacher Brothers say "hey". Just kidding! lol All is well and it only took 5 minutes to clear up the legal issue. I was the only scheduled and the kindest, most wonderful lady prosecutor met me, dismissed my case, gave me my money back and told me to go shopping! ha..she even wanted to see a picture of Poopsie and gushed over her cuteness. So, that experience is over and ended as well as it could have.

I have been working a lot, as I mentioned but the boss let me leave early this evening since the air conditioner isn't working right at the facility. It is so draining working in the heat.

I worked my last day at the school since it is letting out for summer, but am scheduled more at shoreline in june that I usually work. I can use the money because we had to buy another car for Erin to use to get to work and to college. Bruce found a nice little Nissan Versa with low miles (its a 2015) and gets great gas mileage. The payments are low, too.

I had my shower and now I will prop my feet up and watch a little tv. I will check back in when I can.

Boo

PS-I am sorry I somehow missed that you had been in an accident, MDC. I hope you are feeling ok!
May 24, 2019 - Msg 112276: Well gang, my truck was declared totaled today!
The adjuster showed me where the impact pushed the rear axle
forward and broke some mounts, etc.. Also, in my adreneline state
on Monday I hadnt notice that the box had moved forward and
dented the cab. So it would cost way more to fix it than
what it is worth. Bummer, I liked that vehicle as much as
Ro likes her Tillie, but that's life, and now I am truck hunting, but will
probably go with a smaller Colorado or Ranger.

BOO-- so sad about that AC at shoreline. Such terrible condition for
kids who are trying to rehab. How can they rehab like that?
That sure bugs the heck out of me.

Well, I'm trying to stay positive, and take things as they come,
stay true to my Savior Jesus, and know that we are just passing thru this world! :)
Prayers,
MDC
May 24, 2019 - Msg 112277: Oh RO, concerning Clara, maybe she was bionic like Lindsey Wagner! ha
May 24, 2019 - Msg 112278: MDC..My bet is they just speed up the film to make Clara clean faster...Hummm if life was just that simple I could get my grass cut in 5 minuets!...Amen?..
Really Sorry to hear about your truck, that’s what happens when you take care of things, just to have others tear it up by not keeping your mind on driving...

Asa..You Ok Buddy?..You’ve been pretty quiet lately..

G-F
May 24, 2019 - Msg 112279: Good morning all.
I'm fine GF, thanks for asking. How are things in Ohio? Summer like yet? It has been very cold and wet here. Memorial day weekend and there are still snow storms hitting in the mountains. A lot of campgrounds still closed.

MDC, I know you liked your truck, but I think it might be a blessing that they totaled it. They are seldom the same after an accident. At least your vibration issue is no longer an issue. I hear there is an old lady from Mt. Pilot who will make you a good deal on a used pick-up. Her late Husband, Stephen, treated it like gold. It is just waiting on a velvet pillow. lol

Boo, Hard to imagine they still can't get the a/c fixed in that place. They obviously don not care for you or the patients.

Romeena, I always get a good laugh at the very end of that episode when Clara comes over expecting to hear Aunt Bee speak about how clean the house was when she got home, and instead heard about how messy it was. Ha, she sure got her nose out of joint over that, didn't she? BTW, was that the episode where Clara was called Bertha? I know there was one episode early on when Aunt Bee calls her Bertha.

GF, I wish I could cut my grass in 5 minutes. That's about all the time I have between rain storms to do it. And it's getting serious long!

Prayers for all.

Asa
May 24, 2019 - Msg 112280: Her middle name? (:
May 25, 2019 - Msg 112281: Howdy Porch
Have a nice weekend.
Frankie

May 25, 2019 - Msg 112282: Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe we had a birthday boy yesterday? Asa, wasn't yesterday your birthday? If so, Happy, Happy belated birthday! You're the cats! --Romeena
May 25, 2019 - Msg 112283: MDC, so sorry about your truck! I know I would be broken-hearted if my Tillie got hurt, so I know how you must feel. Asa is right, though. After a major accident, even though the shop says they're good as new, they never really seem to be. I'm just glad you weren't badly hurt. Trucks can be replaced. You can't!

Boo, I'm glad you finally got to deal with someone with a little smart, regarding the legal issue over Poopsie. That whole thing was just ridiculous, and it sounds like the lady prosecutor was a sensible person and saw the thing for the silly mess it was. Good for her! May her tribe increase!

Well, I've got a mizry in my right foot today, started yesterday morning, with my foot so sore I couldn't put it to the floor. It felt like a broken bone in the top, right side, though it would have to be a stress fracture, couldn't be a traumatic break. I'd remember that! I spent the day in my chair with an ice pack tied around it, and took one Advil, which helped a little, but not much. It was still very painful when I went to bed last night, but is a bit better this morning. I don't really think it's a broken bone, though there is a spot that is just extremely tender to touch. I'm wondering about gout.

I've been pretty much immobile, trying not to aggravate it, but I really need to do some grocery shopping. Our local Kroger chain does deliver, but when I went online and made out an order, it wouldn't go through. Clicked the "Place order" button and nothing happened. Nothing at all. I may go back into the site, see if my order is still there, and try again. It's $10 for the delivery, but right now, I'm willing to pay it. I'm not sure I could walk around the store pushing a basket.

Reminds me of the time I tried to shop for Thanksgiving dinner, on crutches with a very badly sprained, hugely swollen ankle. Dale had said he would go to the store for me (never a good idea, and he was worn out anyway) so when he fell asleep on the couch waiting for my list, I just got in my car and headed for the store. It was my left ankle that was sprained, so I could drive. Got in the store, realized I couldn't handle crutches and the basket, and was standing in the produce area feeling very foolish, when guess who appeared beside me? He took control of the basket, I managed the list, and we got it done. He was a gem, and I still miss him terribly, even after 23 years.

I think maybe I'll just scrounge in the pantry, and find something to eat. The cupboard is not bare, I was just wanting some home-fried chicken, and was going to get a package of drumsticks along with the other stuff. Hmm. Then I'd have to stand there and fry them, so maybe it's best I don't have them. I'll find something. Rest assured, I won't starve. Blessings, friends! --Romeena
May 25, 2019 - Msg 112284: Maybe I can find an incant for a sore foot online somewhere, but have no idea where to get a buckeye to put in my pocket! --Romeena
May 25, 2019 - Msg 112285: Good afternoon all.
By golly Romeena, thanks for the birthday holler. Yep, another year older. Today is Sheriff Tom's birthday. Boy, your foot pain sounds just like gout. The first time I had it, I thought the exact same thing. I was sure somehow I had broke a bone in my foot. But for the life of me, I couldn't see how I could have. Did it come on fast? I went from feeling just fine, to almost being unable to walk on it in just a few hours. Anyway, there is a gout specific medicine you can get that does work pretty good. At least it has for me. I have tried just about every natural remedy known to man, with no luck. Let me know if you need the name of it.

Well I hope everyone is having a nice weekend. I went and visited my parents grave site this morning at the crack of dawn. So peaceful and quiet there.

Prayers for all for a safe weekend.

Asa
May 25, 2019 - Msg 112286: Happy (belated) Birthday, Asa!! Hope it was a good one and I wish you many more!

Wow,MDC, sorry about your accident & your truck being totaled,but very thankful you weren't hurt! I hope you'll find another truck that you will enjoy driving for a long time.

Feel better, Ro-foot pain is no joke. I've had some trouble myself and just had to stop my evening walks because it has caused an old foot problem to flare back up. Dang,these body parts that give us fits at times!

Well, I'm sure I've missed somebody or something and didn't mean to overlook anything,so please know I'm sending my best out to all. (Oh Boo, that was the craziest "crime I've ever heard of-getting a warrant for a chihuahua! Only you! Glad all is cleared up.)

Y'all take care and if you're in the South,stay cool! We're having unseasonably high temps- will hit 100- 101 in the coming days! DANG HOT,as Rev would exclaim! Still better than freezing cold weather,though!

************
possum u.a.r.
May 25, 2019 - Msg 112287: Hello porch. Just quietly settin' and ain't got much to say so I ain't sayin' it.

Billy Ray the Quiet Postman
May 25, 2019 - Msg 112288: Well, finally had opportunity to sit and chat a bit. They did come and clean the coils on the air conditioner at shoreline, which didn't do much but they cant afford to do anything else, I guess. I just work with two fans blowing on me and I can manage. This morning I was passing meds on the boy's unit and I heard one of the kids waiting in line say, "This isn't a rehab; its a daycare for teens!". I think he nailed it. lol Not long after that I heard a kid say, "My cousins visited me in my room last night..the roaches!"..yep, not a bit surprised. That place needs to be shut down the way things are now but there are kids who would go to juvenile detention if we closed and they don't even have air conditioning at all there.

Now here is something strange: remember I told you that we had an elderly nurse break a hip a couple of weeks ago, then a few days ago another elderly nurse fell and broke her leg and had surgery yesterday. Well, we had a weekend nurse who is only 28 and I found out today that she was drinking yesterday, fell and broke her arm! What on earth?! It's like we are in the twilight zone. I thought my boss was joking when she told me but she wasn't. Crazy, crazy! So, I am working a lot in the month of June.

Ro, I'm sorry about your foot! Hope it is better very soon. I am wondering if it is gout, too, but I remember a time when I had terrible pain like you describe and I had just injured it somehow and it went away. Is the foot swollen or bruised?

Speaking of bruised, how are you doing MDC?

Happy belated birthday, Asa. Hope it was a good one. Did someone make you a cake..maybe a big chocolate one? I cant think of chocolate cake without thinking of "Bruce Bogtrotter" from the movie Matilda. Have any of you seen it? Great movie made from a book by Ronald Dahl.

Lately I have been on a kick of watching "Master Chef" episodes on HULU. Its pretty good and they beep out the chef's language. ha

Yes Possum, only me. "Failure to sterilize chihuahua in the first degree". ;)

Gotta get out of this chair. My sciatica is flaring up because I'm no spring chicken anymore.

Boo
May 25, 2019 - Msg 112289: Oh, and forgot to say I got a jury summons in the mail today for June. I hope my record of failing to sterilize my chihuahua doesn't show up on my record.

Boo
May 26, 2019 - Msg 112290: Happy Birthday Asa you have a good one.

Romenna, hope your foot is feeling better.
Frankie

May 26, 2019 - Msg 112291: Gomer....Gome? 😳
May 27, 2019 - Msg 112292:
HI Everyone, as you can imagine, the last few days I have been truck hunting at dealers and on the internet. After looking at Colorados, Rangers, Canyons, Ridgerunners, Tacomas and Frontiers, I think I am going to get a Nissan Frontier. I have always been a Chevy guy and a Made in USA kind a guy, but all the nissan stickers say 20% Japan parts, and 80% US, plus they are made in Canton, Miss.
The full size trucks are just TOO big for me now, and believe it or not the mid-size are now what my 2005 full size was! Plus the full size are just too dang expensive too. ASA and others, now that I have 'come back down to earth' this may have been one of those 'blessings in disguise' deals, as you stated. This way I will have a new, or near new vehicle, and no shake issue, plus the ins settlement was VERY generous
for as old as it was. I'll let you know the final outcome soon.
POSSUM and others, I seem to be doing OK. Thanks for asking. It is now almost a week, and no really
sore muscles, but only my 'normal' lower back pain that comes and goes.
BILLY Ray, thanks for checking in. Hop right in whenever ya like. :)
BOO--I think that teenager nailed it!! Out of the mouths of babes. The 'adult' owners of
that place should be ashamed of themselves!!! (IMHO) !
And boy, now a jury summons! Just tell 'em that you just did your judicial duty! ha
OH, and happy birthday ASA!! BTW, we made plane reservations for our Yellowstone trip in September, and will have a 3 hour layover in SLC!!!
I hope everyone is having a good weekend as we honor our fallen heroes! May all those fine
men and women be enjoying their heavenly reward. I always think of Ray Charles' version of America the Beautiful on this day...
"Oh beautiful, for heroes proved, in liberating strife, that more than SELF their country loved..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km5xt9F3KV8

Peace,
MDC :)

May 27, 2019 - Msg 112293: MDC...That is ALWAYS a good one!..Ray does a great job with it. Here’s another one worth repeating...
https://youtu.be/AgYLr_LfhLo We should NEVER forget all those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice!...

G-F
May 27, 2019 - Msg 112294: Happy Memorial Day! Grateful for those who gave their lives so that we may enjoy our freedoms.

Y'all stay safe!

possum again
May 27, 2019 - Msg 112295: Good noonday, porch! I've been sitting at this computer for two hours how, just exploring sites, looking for a puppy, and not having much luck. I've got a problem, because I have two mutually-exclusive conditions that I want to meet. First, I'd love to adopt. I feel it's the right thing to do, and adopters are scarce compared to the available adoptees. So many of those poor little things will never find a forever home. The other condition - I want a Maltese. Actually, I want Toye Starr. You do not find dogs like that in shelters. You pay for them, ridiculous sums, and I don't have it. So, at this stage of my life, I'm leaning more toward adopting, but trying to find one that at least comes fairly close to my heart's dog. I want tiny, fluffy, friendly and playful, loving, and very, very gentle and sweet. In short, a Maltese. The answer may lie with a Maltese mix, and they are available now and then. However, the first descriptor (tiny) is usually not met. Mix a Maltese with any other breed, even a chihuahua, and they get up to 10 pounds, even more if the second breed is larger, like a Pomeranian or a Shih-tzu. Cute, but bigger than I want. You see, my dog goes with me everywhere that the law allows, and I carry her. Even little Toye Starr, at 4.8 lbs, could get heavy after a while, but manageable. A 10 lb dog is too heavy. Oh well. God will find me a pup, and I hope I have sense enough to recognize her when I see her.

G-F, and MDC, thanks for those links. Ray Charles, as always, is wonderful. As for the grandfather who decided to educate his grandsons, I sat here with tears rolling, and just had to share it on email. Some of you will receive that email, of course, if you're on my group-forward list. If you're not, and would like to be, just let me know. If you are, and would prefer not to be, again - just let me know. No harm, no foul, no hard feelings.

I've been watching the funniest little lizard this morning. He hangs out on a tree outside my window, and I see him every day, but I think today, he's in love. He is running up and down a big limb, and when he gets to a certain spot (his "stage", I think) he stops, rises up and down on his legs, and unfurls his little orange throat-flag several times. I think he's trying to attract a lady lizard. Apparently these displays are effective, because every year, I have an influx of tiny baby lizards around here. They are so small that they manage to make it inside the house somehow, not sure how, as this house is very tight, but they do. Whenever I see one, I catch him and put him back outside, but sometimes I don't see them, and later I find them dead somewhere, all dried up. Makes me sad! I remember once Sugarplum found one, and was playing with it. Before I could stop her, she patted it with her front paw, and apparently patted it too hard, because it died. She was confused, nudged it with her nose to try to get it to move, and when she realized it was dead, she went and got in her little cuddlebed and stayed there for a long time, head down between her paws. I think she regretted the death of her new friend. Animals experience a lot more emotion than we realize, I firmly believe.

Well, guess I'd better get dressed, and head over to Eloise's. The family is gathering there for a late lunch-early supper thing. Steaks, baked potatoes, salad, veggie, and Eloise is making ice cream! Have a wonderful day, everyone. Remember those who have sacrificed so much, so that we can have the freedoms and the way of life that we enjoy. Remember, most of the world does not live like we do, and we owe our freedom to those who have given so much. God bless them! --Romeena


May 27, 2019 - Msg 112296: Happy Memorial Day! Thank you for our freedom ! Hot..Dang Hot here in Ga mid to upper 90s ...having to water garden...no rain in site...gona read the mail SPOT
May 28, 2019 - Msg 112297:
The 75th anniversary of D-Day is coming up soon.
It still amazes me that such a feat was successfully undertaken in a computerless world! The strategies and logistics leading up to that day must have been enormous!!
It was a 'seat of the pants' operation. So many never even made it to shore as they ran down those ramps to stop Hitler's insane plans for world domination.
Those guys were indeed the greatest generation! Period!
God bless,
MDC :)
May 28, 2019 - Msg 112298: Well, the porch has been quiet the last few days. I have been working alot but finally have a day off today so dropped in. I have spent the day doing chores but I'm ok with it because I am home. This morning St. Susan's granddaughter, Emily (who is now 11), came over for a few hours and brought her new pup, Ozzie, who is 9 months old. He is a rescue pup and is a pomeranian, corgi mix, they think. He is a sweet fur baby!! He will be about 15 pounds and is almost fully grown. He looks like a teddy bear and is one of those dogs who just melts into your arms and snuggles. Well, he and Poopsie are now best pals and they played and chased each other for hours. They would chase each other round and round the coffee table and then go get a drink of water, and start playing again. It was just great and was the biggest day of Poopsie's life so far, I am sure. Romeena, I hope and pray you find the perfect rescue pup soon. We have been so blessed my our's!

I am off tomorrow and will go into town and do some errands and probably meet the sis in law for lunch. It will be great to get away for a bit and have some down time. Things are pretty dire at work, as I have mentioned. One thing I didnt mention is that my boss has some pretty serious mental health issues. I love her dearly and she is the sweetest person but I fear she is going to lose her job. She is always afraid of being fired because of her phobias. She has some OCD, is a hoarder, and is anorexic. She has a fear of pulling the medications and administering them. Because of it, she is always trying desperately to get us to work so she wont have to do it. She will only work night shift so she wont have to do the medications. I dread telling her, but I cant work all the time to cover for her. I would work full time but poor Erin needs me home more. She and her Dad are not getting along and she has been staying with a friend the last few days. She came home to see me today and just cried in my arms like she was a little girl. For some reason she is so full of pain and anger and it it pointed at Bruce. I asked her today if he had ever hurt her physically and she no, never but he hurts her emotionally. I dont really know what to do. She tells me there is nothing I can do. I asked her if she would attend counseling with us so that she and her dad can talk with a mediator present. She wont do it now but said she would be open to the idea later. It is really a sad situation. She said she feels rejected, even though she knows he loves her, she just cant feel it. God help her and all of us.

Sorry to be a downer but you know I share with you all. Hope you all are well and had a good memorial day.

Boo
May 29, 2019 - Msg 112299: We bought a truck! Very exhausting day. More later.
MDC
May 29, 2019 - Msg 112300: Oh Boo, just saw your post. Heaps of prayers for your family!! mdc
May 29, 2019 - Msg 112301: Boo, my heart breaks for you and your family right now, and you are definitely in my prayers. As my own hearing difficulties have progressed, I've gained a little insight into what it must be like for someone who is severely deaf. There is a feeling of isolation and a disconnect that really interferes with one's interaction with the rest of the world. I can imagine that may be a part of the difficulty with Erin and her dad. I'm pretty sure that Bruce would be somewhat distant and withdrawn, and a child wouldn't really understand that. I never realized how isolating it can be, to be unable to understand clearly or even to know when someone has spoken to you. Even now, with my hearing aids, it's far from perfect. The aids don't do a perfect job of filtering extraneous sound, a sudden noise close by will be magnified and cause me to jump like I've been shot, and that startles people. Without them, it's like being underwater, so I do wear them, but they're far from perfect. The new ones are better than my first ones, but still just not natural.

I remember a couple who were friends of my parents, and the husband was totally deaf from birth. His wife was not, but they communicated in sign language. For whatever reason, I was riding in the back seat of their car one day, when I was about ten years old, along with their daughter who was my age. The parents, in the front seat, got into what was apparently an argument, in sign language. I can still remember how their hands flew every time he stopped the car at a light and his hands were free. My friend suddenly burst out laughing as she watched their hands, and I asked what was so funny. She said, "Daddy just told Mom not to yell at him!" Since the mom had not said a word, I could only conclude that it was the speed of her sign language that he considered to be yelling. Too funny!

Well, it's 3:30 a.m., guess I'd better go to bed. Fortunately, I don't have to get up until I'm ready, in the morning. I just wasn't sleepy, so no point in going to bed until now. No news on the puppy front as yet. I'm so discouraged, and missing my little angel so much. Prayers, please. --Romeena
May 29, 2019 - Msg 112302: Romeena, that sign language story was a lot like one of my experiences working in Public Housing. We had a family where Mom & Dad were both deaf but the kids were not. The kids were constantly in trouble and the parents were called down to the rent office to resolve the problem several times.

Usually the kids would sign what the Manager or I were telling them. But a lot of the time it just didn’t make sense because the other kids they were fighting with were generally good kids.

The problems would not get resolved, so we called in a interpreter from the county. SHAZZAM the story sure changed quickly, the kids were not accurately signing to Mom & Dad the real story at all!...Those kids were no dummies, but I can tell you this...I don’t know sign language but even I knew those kids were off to the woodshed after that meeting!

The Manager and I learned our lesson after that!...But I will say it was funny the looks on both the kids & parents when the interpreter communicated the REAL STORY!...😳😱😵

G-F
May 29, 2019 - Msg 112303: Very perceptive, Romeena. In fact, yesterday Erin told me she asked Bruce if someday she were to choose a woman partner and have children, would he be a part of the children's lives (she imagines him playing ball with her children the way he did with her. She has always been the most important person in her life). She told me he said no, and I told her I cant imagine that and that he must have heard you wrong. I was right. When I asked him about it he said he would never have said that. I'm quite sure he didn't hear her question correctly and she was so hurt by what she thought was his response. This sort of thing happens a lot in families of the hearing-impaired. I have seen it happen countless times among Bruce's family members. There was always some sort of miscommunication or feud between Bruce's mom and her siblings because they were all hearing impaired. I saw the same sort of thing continue to play out with Bruce's siblings and now our family. It really seems hopeless sometimes, but I guess where there is love, there is hope. I tried to explain to Bruce that girls are different than boys, usually. We are more easily hurt. We can get angry, but we still expect our men to be a safe place for us when we are really hurt. I know Bruce is frustrated with so many things and he doesn't always have the patience I wish he had with Erin. I find myself in a difficult position trying to support both of them. I still continue to have my own internal struggles with my own beliefs, which makes everything more difficult. Very uncomfortable, to put it mildly. Thank you again for your prayers and compassion. I know it isn't easy to try and encourage someone in my position. I don't expect that. No one can fix things for me, but you are all so kind to care and pray.

I had lunch today with Bruce's youngest sister, who is the one who almost died from a drug overdose over a year ago. She has been drug free for 8 months now and is like a different person. She makes sense, is making amends for the hurt she caused her family, and has grown so much. I am concerned for her, though, because she needs a total knee replacement and doesn't want to take painkillers at all. She is scared to death of becoming addicted again. She takes extra strength Tylenol and that is it. God help her get through all of this! By the way, back when she came out of the coma, some of you were praying for what we are now seeing. Thank you.

It's back to work for me tomorrow! Hope you all have a great day.

Boo
May 30, 2019 - Msg 112304: Good morning all.
I hope and pray everyone is surviving all the harsh weather out there. We are finally drying out and warming up here in the hills.

Boo, You and your family are in my prayers my dear. Your situation is so very difficult, and I know the inner turmoil you must be struggling with. My continued prayers that as you and Bruce try to come to terms with your family dynamics, that the love of our Savior, along with the peace and comfort that only He can bring, will permeate in your family and home. I wish I had a magic wand I could wave and make things all better.

Romeena, I am so sorry that you have not been able to find the right companion yet. But I know you will soon and I look forward to reading about it. My prayers for that all to happen soon.

GF, That was a funny story about those kids with the sign language. Oh what a tangled web we weave, when once we practice to deceive. lol

We have has a heartbreaking story develop here the last few days. A young girl of 5 was reported missing last Saturday by her Mom. The Police department started investigating and almost immediately had the girls Uncle, a 20 year old in for questioning. I guess they had some pretty strong evidence that he was involved in this. They have been searching since Saturday for this poor girl. Anyway, yesterday the Uncle confessed to killing her and told Police where her body was in order to avoid the death penalty. I am glad they at least found her remains so the family has closure, but what a sad ending. So far no motive has been disclosed, but I can only imagine. So very sad. I just can't understand what makes people do this kind of stuff.

MDC, I am waiting to hear all about the new wheels buddy. I know you said you were considering downsizing a bit. I have a 2001 Tacoma that I really like. Only has 50,000 miles on it. His name is Tommy. :)

Well off to run a few errands. Sure is nice to be able to do it during the day time when everyone else is working.

Prayers for all.

Asa