April 16, 2020 - Msg 114236: Carpets are done! Woohoo!
MDC
April 16, 2020 - Msg 114237: SEE, I cleaned the whole place! :)
April 16, 2020 - Msg 114238: MDC - Did you get the Gordon boys to help you sweep? Or just Otis?

Hey! to the whole Porch family! Stay safe and stay well!

John Masters
April 16, 2020 - Msg 114239: A nice clean porch! Smells nice too. Like cedar and blossoms.
Binky
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114240: Welcome Binky! Have you sat with us in the past?
JOHN-then Gorden boys is too ornery. :)
Tonight's ep on metv was...all I have to say is 'Sharon Despain!' ha
Well, as Opie once said, I'm pooped!
See ya tomorra. :)
MDC



April 17, 2020 - Msg 114241: MDC...When I met “Sharon Despain” she even wore that shawl she wore in that episode!..She was Nice.
I even had my picture made with her wearing it too!...

G-F
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114242: wow mdc great sweep. papa bear
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114243: G-F, you met Sharon Despain, also known as Margaret McCay? Was that over at Mayberry Days?

from Poor Horatio
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114244: Yes, PH it was...She was so nice. What was cool I had her autograph the picture of her and Andy at the reunion and she was wearing the shawl/cape. She was wearing it in both that picture and the one she took with me...

I have other pictures like that too in my collection I also have a picture of Jean Carson (Fun Girl Daphne) with the polka dot top she wore in a episode and later her Son donated it to the Andy Griffith Museum. Not bragging (but I am) she also gave me the money shot and planted a red lipstick kiss on my cheek! It was funny she asked Well Doll,...Do You Want The Money Shot?...*In her deep raspy voice...I said you better know it!....

G-F 💄
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114245: Goood morning, Porchsters

G-F - Oooo, that story of Jean Carson gave me shivers. I probably would've went to the crock and downed me a cup of water afterwards. LOL!

Cold and went down here in the Ozarks. State of Missouri extended stay at home 'til May 3rd. I think these protesters and people, especially celebrities, saying the feel like their in jail should be put in the laughing academy. Maybe they'd like to be staying alive with a ventilator strapped their face in the future? I agree with that Dr. Birx, jump the gun too quick and this could be double the trouble!

Well, better head for lunch. Lots to do around the house today. Y'all take care!

John Masters
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114246: went should've been wet ^^^

John Masters
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114247: Boy, there were a lot of misspellings in my entry, huh?

JM
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114248: Jon Musters, I din't knowtiss anknee mispelinks in ur last pohst.

from Pooor Hoeraysheo
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114249: That's pretty funny, PH. Maybe you'd like to go to the old folks home and take the bolts off the wheelchairs? That's be funny too.

;)

John Masters
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114250: I did it again! "That's" should've been "That'd"

Think I better quit writing today!

John Masters
April 17, 2020 - Msg 114251: Howdy from Texas, everyone. We are still on lockdown but don't know what tomorrow will hold. Our governor will probably do what the president wants him to do but not getting into politics here on the porch. I just hope people don't let their guard down too soon. I am seeing here. Always a lot of people out and about and families with children going in and out of Walmart. Oh well, what do you do?

We had some wonderful weather her for several days but man, it got yucky today. It is warm and humid with big mosquitoes! More like normal. lol I had been spending a lot of time outdoors until today. MDC, I guess you saw my video of the cemetery and I wish I could have shown more because it was really interesting but the stones were so covered with mildew and such that the writing didn't show up on video. Thanks for the compliment. I used to be able to sing but as I get older, so does my voice. It cracks a lot in the upper registers and I don't have the power I used to have.

Not a lot to report around here. No one is ill so thankful for that! Nothing new, though. I am starting to get bored because, while there are always chores to do, there isn't always a lot of recreation. I have been taking walks most evenings. I have been watching some Little House episodes and that is nice. It is hard to find wholesome viewing sometimes.

Stay well!

Boo
April 18, 2020 - Msg 114252: Good morning, porch! One more day of doing what I used to dream of - just stay home and enjoy my environment, my little canine companion, with plenty to do, or not, as I chose. Well, that's how it is right now, and like most things, it ain't all it's cracked up to be. I won't say I'm bored, I'm not. I'm doing exactly what I used to dream of, but it would be more fun if I could go meet Eloise for lunch! Also, I realize that I could be standing by a bedside, trying to help some poor soul who is so terribly ill, and knowing that I was at risk myself, just by being there. Instead, I'm sitting at my window, watching a delightful little hummingbird drink his fill from my newly scrubbed and replenished feeder. John Masters, I agree with you, totally. I'm sick of hearing how "bored" the Hollywonks are, how they think of staying in their own home as being "in jail", etc., ad nauseum. Maybe they could be less bored if they'd put on their mask and go hand out boxes of food to the poor guys who have been laid off from their job, and have a family to feed. Those men and women probably aren't too thrilled with having to stay home, either, because their paychecks aren't coming anymore. I'll bet the bored celebrities aren't too worried about how they're going to pay the pool cleaning guy, though.

Another thing, while I've got the soapbox out, what is wrong in the heads of the nay-sayers who are trying to convince people that this is all a contrived thing, with heavy political involvement? If that's true, then baby, we're all in trouble, because whoever is pulling the strings apparently has worldwide influence. No one "contrived" the Black Plague that killed half of Europe at one time, it was an infestation of filthy little fleas, carrying the infection from one even filthier rat to another, and to people as well. Once entrenched, it bloomed like a noxious weed and did its lethal work. Now, in this century, along comes this upstart, this "novel coronavirus" or COVID-19, and it is not confined to a country, it has swept the world. The Black Plague would have done the same, if the world of that time had been as free to travel as we are today. Now days, people travel the world like ants moving around in their nests. Anything particularly virulent can sweep the world in a matter of days, even a few hours, if not recognized, acknowledged, and dealt with. Meantime, we humans, being as flawed as we are, are busy trying to blame someone, and at the same time trying to turn that blame to our political advantage. Enough to make you want to resign from the human race, and go live with the animals.

I watch little Trinket. She wakes up in a bright new world every morning, and has no clue that she's living through a pandemic. Her first concern is getting to her potty box in time, and then her next plan is to follow me around, nipping at my heels or biting my toes, anything to annoy me enough to make me pay attention to her. It can be negative attention, doesn't matter to her, as long as she's the focus. Then, just when I'm about to throw her to the woo-woos, she makes me laugh. If I thwart something she wants to do, she will keep trying, with me pushing her out of the way, and finally resorts to stomping her little fluffy front feet at me in frustration. Gotta love her!

Well, I have laundry going, dusting to do before the coffee table sprouts weeds, and maybe a story to write. Meanwhile, I'll shed a crocodile tear for the poor little rich folks, all bored and unhappy in their mansions. Bless their hearts!

Stay home, stay happy, stay well. Wash your hands! --Romeena
April 18, 2020 - Msg 114253: Hello folks. My family and I are tolerating the restrictions brought on by the current pandemic. My only complaint is the long lines to get into stores and banks. When it takes longer to get into the store than to conduct your shopping, that is frustrating. I'm lucky because I'm old enough so I can take advantage of the early hours designated for seniors and disabled. But I am also concerned just how this will affect our economy especially just how many businesses can survive this since we don't know just how long this will last. This has made me wonder why viruses exist or were created.

from Poor Horatio
April 18, 2020 - Msg 114254: One more interesting fact. Today I found an article claiming that Ron (Opie) Howard has a net worth of $160 million. Not bad for a son of a sheriff from a small town.

from Poor Horatio
April 18, 2020 - Msg 114255: HI ALL! Well, I discovered another item "in short supply"...bike tubes! My bike tire went flat yesterday, and after stopping by Walmart, Target, and a few more stores, it appears that there are no tubes to be had! I guess it is because everyone has taken up early evening bike rides (as I have been doing!) Go figure. BTW, I could order one from amazon, but they say the delivery date will be June 8th!
POOR Horatio-- why viruses indeed, why anything evil i guess would be the more general question. We are living in a fallen world, the wheat and the tares are growing together.
When I go out to shop, I have not encountered lines here in the
Phx metro area, but many staples are still in short supply. I also try not to look at staying a home as isolation, but more as "adventure sleeping." In other words, we've cleaned, and played board games, prayed together, watched services on TV etc.
ASA--I bet you are glad that you could retire when you did. I bet it would be pretty risky doing your job these days!
SPOT posted a neat "lineman" video on FB. Another one of those jobs that needs to be done on a daily basis, especially now in the tornado ravaged areas.
God bless and PRAYERS for all,
MDC :)

April 18, 2020 - Msg 114256: MDC...Maybe Folks are making slingshots from them inner tubes is why there’s a shortage?..G-F
April 18, 2020 - Msg 114257: Just watched an interesting movie on Amazon Prime. It is titled "39 Days" and is about the spread of the Ebola virus in Nigeria back in 2014. If you are thinking like I did that Nigeria is composed of isolated primitive villages, that is not entirely true. The capitol of Nigeria is Lagos (home of the internet scammers). With a population of 21 million, it is the largest city in Africa and is a center hub for airlines, trains, and vehicles. Seems strange that an African country like Nigeria, with limited medical supplies and staff, was able to get control of the spread of the deadly Ebola virus. Ebola 2014 patient zero landed at the Lagos International Airport with symptoms of an Ebola exposure. From the airport, he was taken to the hospital where he died five days later. Yet only 20 people contracted it resulting in just 8 deaths during the 39 days it was a threat.

from Poor Horatio
April 19, 2020 - Msg 114258: welcome to another sunday where churches are closed. getting so bad I have to pretend I am teaching sunday school. always great to see each of you posting then I kmow your ok. take care and god bless you. papa bear
April 19, 2020 - Msg 114259: A Good Sunday, Porch!

A nice spring like day here in the Ozarks. Kinda nippy outside, but the birds are chirping.

PH - Hmm. $160 million, huh? Gee, not bad for a Jefferson High graduate in Milwaukee! Oh, wait....that's that other show. ;)

MDC - Sounds like fun at your house. I have a computer baseball game that takes up some of my time. I am the GM for the Royals. Hoping to have a good year. Then it's some TAGS in the daytime and good ol' Rifleman, Lucas McCain in the evenings.

G-F - Wow! Tubes?! Who'da thought that?!

Papa Bear - Well, just remember what Dr. Breen said. Just relax, take it easy. Try not to rush, rush, rush.

Hey and Hi to Boo, Romeena, Frankie, SPOT, Maude, Asa and everyone else that got free gum and balloons at Weaver's! Have a great day and stay safe! remember...WE DEFY THE CORONAVIRUS!

John Masters
April 19, 2020 - Msg 114260: PaPa Bear...What are you preaching about today?....Hope your lesson isn’t Dry as Dust....lol..

I’m working on a pot of potato 🥔 soup...Nothing sounds or smells better on a Sunday confinement day than soup....Smells Like....VICTORY!

.G-F
April 19, 2020 - Msg 114261: Calling all baseball fans...I wanted to send you a link. It's to my computer baseball game. It downloads to your computer. It's about $40 unless you wait for a sale where it's $19.99 or $9.99. Many from all ages play it because it's so detailed and you can do anything. Thought you might like to check it out. Some of you might have heard of OOTP Baseball. Here the link:

https://www.ootpdevelopments.com/out-of-the-park-baseball-home/

Take care,
John Masters
April 19, 2020 - Msg 114262: Good Sabbath morning, porch! I slept late(big surprise) and hadn't been up but about ten minutes, when Trinket started to growl and prowl around like she was nervous about something. I couldn't hear anything, so put my "ears" in, and then I could hear a strange tapping noise. Then it got louder, and I knew what it was. Hail!! Big old hailstorm! Some of the hailstones were nearly golf ball size, but most was about grape size. It fell for about five minutes, left my yard covered with ice and leaves, and then it moved on. I'm hoping none of it was big enough to do roof damage, but I'm going to get my roofer friend to come check anyway. I'm just grateful that Tillie lives in the garage!

I had to get new speakers for my computer. The old ones were nearing 20 years old, and finally started sounding growly, for just $30 at Office Depot, I ordered a set online, paid online, and an hour later drove about a mile or so up on the highway, pulled up outside the store and punched a button on the text they had sent me. That notified them I was there, and a minute or two later, a young lady wearing a mask and gloves carried my little speakers out to me in a clear plastic bag. I was gone from home about twenty minutes. Can't beat a deal like that. Now I've got to install them, but that can't be too hard. Just unplug the old set, plug in the new. I hope.

Well, better go feed my little roomie. She's walking around, nosing my ankles and nibbling my toes. Better feed her before she takes a bite! Stay home, stay safe, and wash your hands. --Romeena
April 19, 2020 - Msg 114263: I GOT TO GO TO CHURCH TODAY!! And receive communion! I've mentioned above how our side chapel is open from 9 to 5 and we knew that our service would be live streamed at 11. Well, the few of us who were in the chapel at 11 they allowed in the church, and we all spread out. Our God is an awesome God! It felt so good to be in there again. :)
Also, as usual, I bought a Sunday newspaper, and I always check out the "Today in History" section. Well, 245 years ago today was the day "the shot heard clear around the world" took place, but I bet all you Mayberry Minutemen knew that! AND, on this day in 1933 the U.S. went off the gold standard, but I'm sure that all you 'gold truck noticers' knew about that too. ha Anyway, two events with tags connections.
All else is going well here. I will take my bike to a bike shop on Monday for a new tube. RO--glad all went well with getting your new speakers! Folks are finding a way to get things done! WOW! that was quite a hailstorm!
JOHN--I will check out that basaball site!
GF and Pappa bear...that's it, take your time, no hurry.
Peace that passes understanding,
MDC
April 19, 2020 - Msg 114264: Hey to you John Masters!

Good to see you here, Papa Bear. Stay safe!

Just checking in. All is well. Prayers.

Boo
April 20, 2020 - Msg 114265: Good Monday afternoon porch folks.

checking in from work today. still seeing some folks in person and doing telephone sessions as well. Insur#ance companies are willing to pay for teletherapy for now so most folks are taking advantage of that during this stressful time. Keeping me busy which is good.

Our weather is spring like on my end of the porch. sunny today and in the 60's. Welcome sweet spring time.

Praying everyone is staying safe out there and staying well.

Supper menu: grilled chicken, grilled corn on the cob, SLAW, baked beans and home made yeast rolls.
chocolate cake with butter creme icing for dessert. tea and lemonade to drink.

Prayers and blessings to call
Big Maude
April 20, 2020 - Msg 114266: Sad time here in Canada. This past weekend, we experienced a mass shooting. So far, 19 are confirmed dead but that number is expected to increase because multiple buildings were burned and they might have undiscovered victims. A 51 year old multi-millionaire went on a rampage, dressed up in a RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) uniform, burned structures at the five properties he owned, killed his family, then drove over a 50km area killing an RCMP officer and civilians. He was killed by police after a 12 hour shooting spree in a remote area of Nova Scotia. This all happened about 1100 miles from where I live.

from Poor Horatio
April 20, 2020 - Msg 114267: I forgot to mention that the shooter had purchased old RCMP patrol cars at auction and modified at least one of them to look exactly like a real RCMP patrol car. He used is to travel from town to town before it became disabled and had to rely on civilian vehicles.

from Poor Horatio
April 20, 2020 - Msg 114268: Good afternoon, porch. Good grief, PH! That's just terrible! So sorry to hear about that. What on earth could have sparked such a thing? He must have just been out of his mind. I will pray for the family and friends of his victims. That's awful!

The hailstorm yesterday was just weird. It only lasted a few minutes, came out of nowhere, and vanished just as quickly. I did a little walk-about outdoors, and didn't find any damage, other than a couple of irises that got knocked down, and there are leaves and twigs everywhere that were knocked from the trees. I called my roofer friend, and he'll come by at his convenience to check over my roof, but I doubt he'll find anything. It's a new roof, just a couple of years old, so shouldn't be brittle and easily broken, and none of the hail was all that big.

I made a skilletful of my bacon/onion/squash/canned tomato/parmesan mash-up last night, takes about 15 minutes, and is so good. I've got enough left for lunch today, and tomorrow. The whole thing cost about $3 to make and I just really like it! Gotta love a dish like that.

MDC, I'm glad you got to go to church. that really makes you feel better, I know. The Bible says to "forsake not the gathering of yourselves together" and there's a good reason for that. It just renews your spirit, and refreshes your soul. These days, we have to interpret "gathering" in the light of the coronavirus restrictions, but God gave us a dose of common sense, and I think He expects us to use it. Sounds like your church found a way to modify the "gathering" so it conforms to the policies, but still gets the job done. The Easter service at my church did the same for me.

Big Maude, that lunch sounds great. Maybe I'll save my squash stuff and have it for dinner. I'm glad you're still able to get some work hours in. Hang in there, everyone. This too shall pass.

Well, better run. I have another load of laundry to do today, guess I'd better get it done. Also, am working on a story to send to Charlotte Tucker, and it's about finished. Stay home, stay safe, wash your hands! Blessings, friends. --Romeena
April 20, 2020 - Msg 114269: One more thing.... I may have mentioned this earlier, but thought I might run it by again. We're coming into fly and mosquito season in a short while, so this could be helpful.

I’ve found an excellent way to kill flies and mosquitoes. At the grocery store, you can buy a little spray bottle that contains plain old rubbing alcohol, and you can buy a bigger bottle which you can use to refill your sprayer. One spritz from that alcohol will take a mosquito completely by surprise, will knock him out of the air, and you can then give him one more spritz for good measure, and he’s a goner. It will also work for flies, quite well. It takes several additional spritzes, since they’re bigger, but it will get them. They don’t expect it, there’s no downward push of air from a swatter to warn them, and wherever the spray lands, it evaporates so quickly it does no harm. Works beautifully!

I realize that coronavirus is not carried by flies or mosquitoes, but they both carry a multitude of other things that can harm us, and besides, who wants the annoying things in the house? Give this little idea a try, you'll be surprised at how well it works. After folks have been here, with the doors opened a lot, I can be sitting in my wheelerette, and a hateful mosquito will go drifting by. My little sprayer is on the chairside table, I lift it and Poof! He's history. Gotta love that!! --Romeena
April 20, 2020 - Msg 114270: Hey Porch!

Didn't know if you heard that Tom Lester, Eb Dawson on "Green Acres", passed away. He was the last surviving member of the show.
To him I say "Golly!" I think to remember him, we should have Big Maude fix us all one of his favorite meals...that delicious Hot Water Soup!

RIP Eb.

Have a great night, folks! Stay safe!

John Masters
April 21, 2020 - Msg 114271: RO--weird hailstorm!!?
Very strange times for sure. Thanks for the spritzer idea, as there have been west nile cases in our area the past few years!
PH--earlier today, before I saw your post above,
I was thinking how good it is to not hear of school shootings at this time. But my goodness,
that is so sad to hear. It was not on any news here. I'll pray for
all those families affected.
Big Maude, good to see your post. I had an APB out for you and Frankie! Thanks for the vittles.
John-thanks for mentioning Eb. Many good folks leaving us. :(
BOO-- good to hear things are well.
ASA--MeTV here airs the Fugitive late Sunday nights, and last nite's ep had Joanna Moore as a
rather unsavory wife who was not exactly the girl-next-door like she
was on tags! Very strange to see her like that! ha
Hey all, we do not have nightingales around here but last night
at MIDNIGHT a few birds in our backyard tree were sure chirping up a storm! I stepped outside and told 'em to "go get their own girl!" haa

MDC





April 21, 2020 - Msg 114272: TVLAND is finally showing color episodes, 1966. About time!
April 21, 2020 - Msg 114273: The problem with TVLAND is the commercials. They cut out part of 30-minute episode for commercials. I also get Sundance TV channel, and they don’t cut out minutes for commercials.
April 21, 2020 - Msg 114274: I need prayers my energy levels have dropped and daily chores are hard. papa bear
April 21, 2020 - Msg 114275: MDC, I am surprised you claim that US media has not carried the story about the mass shooting here in Canada. If you want more information, visit https://www.cbc.ca/, Canada's national news web site. This story leads our news program replacing the corona virus.

from Poor Horatio
April 21, 2020 - Msg 114276: Good Morning, Porch!

papa bear - I am right there with you! I cant count how many times I have been rip roaring ready to go on chores and later said "Meh...do 'em tomorrow." Other times I bear down and think "If I dont do 'em now, I'm just making it harder on myself." Prayers up for you, papa bear. Pace yourself.

MDC - Yeah, sad to know that an entire show is "wiped out." Dont mean to sound morbid or cruel. Luckily, a good many of TAGS is still around.

Romeena - I think I'll try your alcohol idea. I have been excelling with good ol' dish soap and how water to exterminate loads of ants! It kills almost on contact. I got a small spray bottle and just unload on 'em.

Boo - Glad to hear all is well. Prayers and best wishes you have some peace for awhile.

A beautiful day, just beautiful (like when Virgil Hosh was pitching that perfect horseshoe game) here in the Ozarks. Not. A. Cloud. In. Sight. Our one COVID patient is fully recovered and we are back to zero again. Many nuts out there still walking around like nothing's happening. So you hold your breath and keep watching our health department stats. Ok, better git. Hope you and yours are well and safe and if you start feeling bad, get going to Nurse Mary. Or.....the other Nurse Mary. ;) Or Doc Zack...or Doc Bennett...or Doc Roberts...or Doc...well, you get the picture.

John Masters
April 21, 2020 - Msg 114277: Good morning, porch! Beautiful and sunny here, mid-70s, slightly hazy sky, but no sign of rain. I guess that means Eddie will be here in a little while to get more weeding done. The boulder bed on the east fence is a mess, with dandelion stalks taller than I am. Oddly enough, buried in all that weedy mess is one lone rosebush, that has somehow managed to avoid falling victim to rose rosette disease, and is even blooming. You can barely see it for the weeds. I guess not even that miserable rose-killing disease wants to go into that mess! At one time, I had at least 25 beautiful rosebushes in this yard. Then the "witch's broom" disease hit (aka rose rosette) and wiped out all but about five, scattered around the yard. It's weird, two bushes of the same variety might be sitting side by side, and one was just killed outright, the other is still there. Struggling, but there. Go figure. Reminds me of the Biblical description of the Rapture - one will be taken, and the other left.

PH, thanks for sharing that link. I like the way the CBC presents the news there - very clearly packaged and presented, easy to follow whatever interests you. That man's rampage was a terrible thing, and the leader line, "These scars will never heal" - is so true. Prayers for Nova Scotia, and indeed all of Canada, especially the friends and families of the murdered people.

John Masters, that alcohol spritz works very well. I just happened to be in the grocery store one day a couple of years ago, noticed that little spray bottle of alcohol on the shelves, and my imagination took it from there. I'm sure it's intended for a very different purpose, but it sure works on small flying insects. It would be perfect for helping to cool down a febrile patient. Just spray it on areas of bare skin, and the evaporation would bring their temp down. It would be less abrupt and shocking than splashing it on your hand and rubbing them down with it. As for insect spray, it works wonderfully well on mosquitoes, and works on flies but not as instantly, and I don't think I'd try it on a bee or wasp. It might get him eventually, but he'd have time to get revenge before he conked out. I love to spritz a mosquito as he hovers around, looking for a tender spot to bite. Just whooosh! and he's gone, spiraling down to the floor.

Well, Eddie just called, he'll be here shortly, and David called to get a grocery list, he'll be coming by this afternoon. Guess I'd better get out of my PJs and get ready to meet the day. Stay home, stay safe, wash your hands! --Romeena
April 22, 2020 - Msg 114278: Hey ASA, I guess my right brain and left brain were on the fritz...Joanna Moore was in a movie, "Sharon Despain" was in the Fugitive episode!
PH--thank you for that news info. I don't know why it was not on our news...every minute of our newscasts seem to be on the virus.
Message 114272--MeTV is also going to show some color eps in May, and they do way fewer commercials! Just sayin.
PAPPAbear--you are in my prayers for sure. God bless you and yours.

Nite,
MDC :)



April 22, 2020 - Msg 114279: OH BOO and RO, have you ever been to Hico, TX?
It was featured on Daytripper, and looked like a pretty cool little town! :)
April 22, 2020 - Msg 114280: Good morning, Porch

We are about to get swallowed whole by a BIG rain system that's on our western doorstep as I write this. It's just starting to creep into the county to our west. Looks like an all day, all night thing. May open the garage door, dust off a lawn chair and watch it.

Better get to them morning chores. Y'all have a great day! I'll leave some sweet and sweeten to your taste tea here. I forgot to bring the cups so you'll have to get your own. Oh, and dont worry, I wiped the pitchers down real good. :)

John Masters
April 22, 2020 - Msg 114281: MDC, So the "big fish" was in the Fugitive huh? Andy tried to warn her about that big pond. I saw Joanna Moore in an Alfred Hitchc@ck episode where her hubby tried throwing an electric heater in her bathtub with her in it no less. But she was wise to him and the circuit was dead at the panel. Her Daddy didn't raise no fools.

Pappabear, prayers for you buddy, that things improve with your health.

Terrible thing in Canada PH. Just so hard to try and understand those kind of things.

John, sounds like you better batten down the hatches. We are supposed to get some rain tomorrow, but then warm into the mid 70's by the weekend. HDOY on Sunday at 75.

Prayers for all.

Asa
April 22, 2020 - Msg 114282: Good morning, porch! Another day of staying home and staying safe. I will be so glad when this thing subsides, and life can return to "normal", whatever that may be. I'm not complaining for myself, I'm comfortable, have enough to eat, and would rather be here in my home than anywhere else anyway, so no problem. However, it's getting a bit nasty out there, as others are facing real problems. There was a small demonstration in downtown Dallas yesterday, about 100 people protesting the quarantine orders, and demanding to be allowed to return to work. On the face of it, they look ridiculous, with their little signs saying things like "If you're afraid, stay home. I'm not, so let me work!" On the other side, if they can't work, their children may not eat! They may say they're not afraid, but I think they are not so much fearless as they are desperate. However, they could learn what fear really is if they pick up the virus and bring it home to those children. It's a tough situation, and I don't have any answers, so I'm just obeying the restrictions and laying low.

I read in an email this morning, that the world's zoos are facing a terrible crisis. With the restrictions, zoos are either closed, or if open, only a handful of people show up. The larger zoos may take in half a million a week, which they need in order to feed the animals! Now they're getting nothing, as no one is visiting. It costs a tremendous amount of money to feed and care for hundreds of animals who are not in a position to fend for themselves. That money is not coming in. Some zoos have even contemplated the prospect of euthanizing some of their animals to keep them from dying slowly from starvation, and using their bodies to help feed at least the carnivores that are left. It's a horrifying thought, and something that hadn't even occurred to me. I watch the "zoo" shows on TV all the time, and can see the problem they're facing. One zoo in Germany has already established a list of their animals, showing the order in which the animals would be euthanized. Their huge polar bear would be the last to go. Someone had better find an answer soon. Where is the "Dr. Jonas Salk" for today? He stopped polio in its tracks when his vaccine proved to work. We need another "miracle" like that, and I'm praying for it to come.

Well, guess I'd better get busy. I thought I might clean out a closet, or a few drawers, today. Or not. We'll see. It really needs to be done. I've lost 45 lbs over the past few months, and all of my clothes just hang on me like gunny sacks. I've bought enough new stuff to get by, but the closets and drawers are still full of the old stuff. Ordinarily, I would have taken my bigger clothes to the Internationals ESL classes on Wednesday at the church. Spread out on top of the grand piano, they would have been grabbed up and been gone in about ten minutes. However, the classes were canceled by the quarantine orders, and I don't want to just dump them in a charity box somewhere. We have one little resale store here in Irving, but it has a bad reputation, so don't want to go there, and can't anyway, I think it may be closed during the virus thing. Actually, I need to go through this entire house, let go of a lot of things, and have a gigantic garage sale, but I just don't have the energy to get that done. Maybe a little at a time. We'll see.

Blessings, friends. Stay home, stay safe, wash your hands! --Romeena
April 23, 2020 - Msg 114283: HI ALL,
A few quotes from recent tags on Metv.:
"Eatin' speaks louder 'en words."
"He's beautiful preserved!"
and my personal favorite, "She can't even cook a leg-o-lamb!"
I hope that released a few endorphins. :)
RO--good on you for losing the weight. It is also good FOR ya!
Regarding the zoo situation, I hadn't thought of that either.
I sure hope they can get some donors to help.
Regarding a Dr. Salk of today, I could start a real moulage, but won't. But I bet you know what I'm thinking about. :(
Cecile's hollyhocks are about to bloom, they are about 5 feet high!
John I pray that the storm will not be too bad.
We have decided to take a 70 minute drive north to the town of Payson on thursday.
We will be alone in our car, eat a sandwich in their beautiful park there,
and then return home. It will be nice to just get out of town for a bit.
Prayers continue for everyone,
MDC

April 23, 2020 - Msg 114284: Romeena, why go through the trouble and effort to hold a garage sale? Do like I did and hold an estate sale. I did this for my USA home. I designated one room to hold everything I did not want to sell and moved those items into that room. Then I hired an estate sale business to hold my estate sale. They did all the work by setting out everything on tables in my other rooms and marked them with price tags that they researched on the internet. They also handled all the advertising since they have a listing of former buyers. And they cleaned up when the sale was over.
Stuff that did not sell, they would donate to a charity if it had value, or pile it up in the alley if it were to be thrown out by the city. I did not have to pay the business a fixed price. Instead, they took a portion of the profit. The estate sale business I choose was http://www.a1estatesale.com/.

from Poor Horatio
April 23, 2020 - Msg 114285: Romeena, I forgot to mention that I made over $9,000 at my estate sale that lasted three days.

from Poor Horatio
April 23, 2020 - Msg 114286: Romeena, I also forgot to mention that I did not have anything to do when setting out the stuff before the sale, and no cleaning after the sale. During the sale, I just hung around to answer questions.

from Poor Horatio
April 23, 2020 - Msg 114287: congrats roneena on your weight loss.. a sale sounds like fun and if you do as well as poor horatio youu ne rich. I watched guest of honor just think mayberry hasn't had one case of the virus... well enough rambling it is raining here om mt end of the porch. saw where tv land is going to devote the month pf may to mayberry. take care..saw on the news several states want to bring back the drive ins.. papa bear
April 23, 2020 - Msg 114288: Good morning, Porch

MDC, Asa - Fortunately, all we got here was rain. Lots and lots of rain! 'Bout to get another good dowsing tomorrow and tomorrow night. No real flooding or anything, but the creeks sure are white capped and rolling!

Romeena - Happy to hear the weight loss.

PH - $9,000? Maybe keep out $10 and put $8,990 in a piggy bank. That figure just feels right. Dont it feel right to you? Feels right to me!

papa bear - Hope you are doing better with your chores. Good thing Mayberry isnt getting the COVID! But I had wondered once if they still might've gotten infected after Barney went and Glenn Forded all over town?!

Hey! to Boo, Frankie, Maude, G-F, SPOT, Sarah and everyone else that helped Barney with the cave rescue!

Have a great day, folks!
John Masters


April 23, 2020 - Msg 114289: Good morning, porch! We have a beautiful day here in the D/FW area, after yesterday's cool and occasionally rainy weather. Lovely blue sky, bright sun, and critter traffic is high out there. I love a day like this! I'll probably spend most of the day right here at this keyboard, where I can see almost my entire back yard. This window was the best modification I ever did to this house. You long-time porchsters may know this story, but for the others, I'll tell it again. Some of you may have a similar situation, and might want to do the same thing.

When we built this house in 1973, my dad designed it with two 4 ft wide mulled windows on the back wall of the office/craft room. ("Mulled" windows means two windows directly adjacent, with no framing between them. You learn things like that when your dad is a homebuilder.) Anyway, in 2004, when I had begun the landscaping in my very large, empty and boring backyard, I realized that I was peering through two paned windows, with screens on them yet. What good was a nice yard going to be if I couldn't see it very well? So, I asked my trusted handyman friend, Ted, about it, and he got busy immediately. He removed the framed windows, leaving an 8 ft wide, 5 ft high opening in the brick wall. Then he installed a picture window, made up of two 1/4" thick tempered glass panels, nicely framed on the inside. You would never know it wasn't original. Anyway, with that window, I can clearly see my entire back yard, losing only the nearest corners on both sides. I did have a great view of the fishpond, until an American beautyberry shrub came up as a volunteer in a flowerbed island between my window and the pond. I can see the pond in the winter, when the shrub loses its leaves, but in the summer, it blocks out the pond completely. I'd move it, but we tried once and found that the roots have completely intertwined with the water lines that supply the sprinklers in the middle of the yard, as well as the conduits that hold the electric wires that power the ground lights. So, I can't see the pond, but when the berries are on that bush, it's spectacular. Just a trade-off, I guess.

PH, your suggestion to use an estate sale manager is a good one. I'm sure my kids will do that when I'm gone, or I might if I decide to downsize. I'll have a house full of furniture and accessories to sell at that time. A beautiful set of Noritaki china that was my mother's, my Fiestaware collection (about 500 pieces), three sets of collector plates, including a set of Sunbonnet Babies, and lots more. For now, what I need to get rid of is just an accumulation of "stuff." Clothing that no longer fits, outdated "decor" things, like throw pillows, knick knacks, whatever. I might make a few bucks, but am not sure it would be worth the trouble. I will probably just donate those things, especially the clothing. I've already given some of it away. I do have an extensive set of Beanie Babies, and I think some of them are pretty valuable, but I won't garage sale those. Amanda wants me to put them on EBay, and I just might, but I want to research them first and find out what they're worth. Most of them are worth less than half of what I paid for them, but a few are pretty pricey.
My mom got me started with them, just a few weeks after my Dale passed. I was so deep in grief, and she was looking for something to spark my interest, so she brought me a Beanie baby, and then another one, I started buying one now and then, and I now have about 200 of the silly little things. I've donated a few here and there, but still have a lot.

Well, guess I'd better go feed my little companion. She's so sweet. She has grown into a very pretty dog, and has the sweet and loving nature that's so typical of a Maltese. She's a clown, always happy, and I don't know what I'd do without her, especially now during this quarantine time. God is good. Stay home, stay safe, and wash your hands! Blessings -- Romeena


April 23, 2020 - Msg 114290: Romeena...I’m trying to get this years crop of squirrels 🐿 “trained” on feeding times...They are slow learners this year, but it’s been a real cool Spring here so far so I guess I’ll give them a break...

I have a community feeder on my front tree, so when I clap the cup on the tree it means “Come and Get It”...
(But this NOT to be confused with a copper clapper ) haha... So this becomes the main feeding site if they all want to eat. As they say, the early bird or squirrel gets the most sunflower seeds and peanuts...

Hopefully next week it will start to get warmer and bring all the critters out of hibernation.....I got the seeds to swing it!

G-F