September 28, 2020 - Msg 115381: Now that I've bored everyone with my trip memories, I'll address the current porch things.

Asa, I was praying for you and Debbie on Friday. I know that was a tough day. We can say all the usual comforting things, and we do, but in at the end of the day, the pain and shock and grief are still there. The good news is, that God does comfort, and as each day passes, it gets a little better. This is especially true when the circumstances are what they were with your son and with mine. "He's not suffering anymore" and "he's in a better place" aren't just platitudes, they're true, and it does help to think along those lines. Keep looking up - joy does come in the morning.

MDC, I think that's a wonderful idea, for you and Cecile to have a place up there where it's cool in the summer. Go for it! Oh, and is Papa Bear's address still on Vermillion?

Boo, I'm so glad you're feeling better! You had a very rough go of it there for a while. Did anyone ever give you any answers as to what might have been causing it? Whatever did it, I'm glad it's better. How are Erin and Sean?

Homemaker, so sweet of you to watch for the cake mix for me, but don't you dare try to send me any! Have you shipped anything lately? Shipping costs have soared to the point that it's ridiculous! I have found the mix on Amazon, but they want $9 a box for it! I'm betting it would cost at least that to ship any of it, and I have Prime with Amazon, so $9 is all I would pay. That tells me that Amazon builds the shipping costs into their Prime prices, at least partly. Anyway, if I get desperate enough I can get it there. I'm just hoping they haven't discontinued it. I'm planning to write to Betty Crocker and check it out.

Well, guess I'll go rummage for something to eat, and feed my little princess. She was so cute on the trip. I bought her a little harness thingy that has a big ruffle around the back end of it, so she looks like she's wearing a little short dress. Too cute. Now, all I have to say to her is, "Come here, let's put your dress on" and she comes running. She knows she's going somewhere, and that puppy loves to go! And I love her! God is good. Blessings! --Romeena
September 28, 2020 - Msg 115382: Homemaker, I'll be happy to share the cookie recipe with you. I don't have your mailing address, though. Can you email it to me?

Speaking of addresses, here are the people who are on the Christmas list. If your name isn't here, and you want it to be, please send it to me.

Possum, Spot, Boo, Big Maude, Pappa Bear, Asa, Goober-Fife and MDC.

I don't like to post addresses on the Porch, because the bots can pick them up, but if you want to give me yours and don't have mine, speak up. We'll figure out something.

Blessings! --Romeena
September 28, 2020 - Msg 115383: Please add me for information purposes. Ang
September 28, 2020 - Msg 115384:

Ro, PB's address...YES!
More later,
mdc
September 29, 2020 - Msg 115385: Good morning, porch! Ang, I will be glad to add your name and address to our Christmas card list, but first, I'll have to know what it is. There are ways to get that done. Easiest - if you know another porchster's email, and they happen to be one who has my address, you can ask them to forward it to me. Another way that has worked in the past - post it in broken segments. Separate entries, with your address in three or four pieces, each contained in ( ) or whatever. Send them in sequential order, and I will just put them together as I get them. The bots that prowl the web and gather addresses and such for spamming purposes haven't figured that out yet, so far as I know.

Putting a complete address on the porch can be dangerous. Spammers collect them, and the result is not just annoying, it can be a real problem. A couple of years ago, I suddenly found that "I" was sending all sorts of spam and disgusting stuff to people on my address list, and to other people I didn't even know. I enlisted the help of my computer guru friend, he went into my account (into places where I would fear to tread) and learned that there were 20 (count 'em, twenty) accounts listed under my name. Only one was really me, of course. There would have been more, I'm sure, but twenty is all my email server allows for one subscriber. (Who needs twenty email accounts???) He closed the false ones, and all the calls from friends about questionable emails ceased. I declare, some people are like mosquitoes. They serve no discernible purpose in life, it seems they're just put here to annoy everyone else. Anyway, Ang, and anyone else who wants to get on the list, just let me know, somehow, some way. The holidays are coming!

Thanks, MDC. I'll get a card off today.

Blessings, all! --Romeena
September 29, 2020 - Msg 115386:

ANG, if you like, you can email me, and I will forward it to RO.
If you go to www.SASalumni.org that is the website for my high school alumni association,
and there is an email address under the "Contact Us" menu item. Send an email to the email address listed there, and I will get it. Mention a good quote from any joanna moore ep. That will help.

Speaking of eps, I saw the Gomer joining the Marines ep the other day, and got to thinking, he sang that song in his "gomer" voice, but in another earlier episode he sang Santa Lucia in his Jim Nabors voice. Very curious. ha

RO--glad your trip went well, and that all three of your 'girls' behaved themselves. :) (Eloise, Trinket and Tillie)
It sounds like you had a really nice time. BTW, I am now a couch sleeper. No prob with my wife at all, but after my hip op in 2017 I found the back support (as you mentioned) was a big plus in how well I sleep. So I just stuck with it. ha
Well, at least it's not an ironing board. :)
Our week in Flagstaff was great. I have some pics on my FB page if you're interested. Yes, the cabin purchase or rental is sounding better and better after this past long hot summer!

Prayers continue for ASA and his family, BOO, and all.
Please check in when you can.
God bless,
MDC :)
APB for JOHN Masters, Frankei, Big Maude and others.


September 29, 2020 - Msg 115387: FrankIE!
September 29, 2020 - Msg 115388: Hey Romeena, sounds like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing the details of your little vacation. Im glad you got to go and take Trinket with you.

Thanks all of you for your prayers for me. I continue to improve and am feeling so much better!

The weather here is lovely and we had our first real cool front today. Its in the 50s tonight and feels so nice. I am already thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas, of course and am just in much better spirits since I am feeling better. I honestly was starting to despair of being so sick for so long.

Hope all of you are well today and my prayers continue for you Asa and your family.

Love,
Boo
September 30, 2020 - Msg 115389:

"FIVE"


September 30, 2020 - Msg 115390:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBJYxPN8qIA

September 30, 2020 - Msg 115391:
Oh, that's
from me, MDC
September 30, 2020 - Msg 115392: Hey Gang...Here’s the link to Floyd’s “600th” episode of his “Two Chairs No Waiting” podcast..Hard to believe!
https://youtu.be/8imJP_PAkXc He talks about Mayberry Days and filming the Mayberry Man Movie...It’s a good one! We had over 50 folks logged in to watch it live...SHAZZAM!..

G-F
September 30, 2020 - Msg 115393: Good morning, porch. Well, one little footnote about my trip to the Hill Country. It has to do with Trinket. Up until last week, she was my sweet little puppy, playful and sometimes rowdy, but I had to encourage her to jump into my lap when I was sitting in my recliner. She never, ever, got on the rest of the furniture. She would loot and pillage anything that was in her reach, but she stayed on the floor. Well, all that has changed. Her canine cousins taught her to go up and down stairs, which had always scared her before. She also learned that she can jump onto the sofas in our living room, and last night she even jumped from a nearby ottoman, a distance of nearly four feet, and landed in my lap. In that jump, she sailed past the side table by my chair, missing my tea glass by inches. She has cleared both sofas of all throw-pillows and afghans, several times. I put them back, she tosses them off again. The scary part is, I find it hard to scold her! She just gets up on a sofa and rejoices in her new-found skills, tossing pillows and everything else far and wide.

Tiny Toye Starr would hop up onto the sofas with ease and grace, bounce once off the cushions and land up on the back of the sofa, where she would stretch out and snooze. Ten Pound Trinket is too big to do that, she would bounce off the wall if she tried to hop up onto the back, but she stands with her front feet on top of the back, and noses at the bottoms of the pictures hanging above the sofa. I know she's going to nudge them down one of these days. I know I have to correct her, but she's so joyful and so funny, that I'm finding it hard to be that serious with her. Heaven help me!

Boo, I'm so glad to hear that you're truly on the mend. I was worried about you! Sounds like you've turned the corner and all will be well. Thank the Lord!

MDC, you've probably already considered this, but if not - maybe you could think about just renting a place for the first summer? Then if it works out, you could find a place to buy. Years ago, after they retired, my mom and dad wanted to travel, and were seriously considering buying a motorhome and touring the country. Both of them were very interested, and were looking at the vehicles, almost bought one. Then some friends of theirs who had one invited them to spend a week just here in Texas, at parks and whatnot. Well, after a week of herding that big thing over the roads, finding a place to park it, cleaning out the pottyport (ick), buying gasoline "every few miles" (my dad's description) and enduring loud music from drunken neighbors in the RV parks, my dad said to forget it! He said he would drive his comfy car, which got about four times the gas mileage, stay in decent motels, sleep in a clean and comfortable bed, eat in good restaurants and not have to cook or clean up, and be able to explore little narrow, winding country lanes whenever he wished. They never bought an RV.
I think that's really a wise thing to do, especially when considering buying a semi-permanent home. You never know what an area is really like until you've lived there for a little while. You're a cautious guy, I know you'll make wise choices, but just thought I'd offer that little illustration in support of what you're probably already thinking.

Well, Eddie and his brother Charles will be here shortly to mow. My yard looks like a jungle, mowing is just the beginning, but Charles just mows, nothing else. He's an odd little guy. Nice, but nothing like Eddie. Eddie is still recovering from his knee replacement, very sore right now as rehab is working him pretty hard, as they should. He will be with Charles, and I'll probably have to keep tabs on him to stop him from trying to dig up little trees and such. It needs to be done, but not by him, not today.

Blessings, everyone! --Romeena
September 30, 2020 - Msg 115394: One of Yours Romeena?....https://youtu.be/9cISL-gnXw8
September 30, 2020 - Msg 115395: Ro, I'm only interested in email updates. I quit sending Christmas cards several years ago. Yes, I'm a scrooge! Email address is my "handle" on the porch. 061979.ap. It's a gmail account. MDC, I sent an email per your directions. Hope it takes this time! I feel so connected to my fellow porchters sometimes. We get each other! (Except when you all don't get my warped sense of humor!) Ang
September 30, 2020 - Msg 115396: Funny story. In a meeting yesterday with loan officers and their boss, my phone rings. (Scammer of course) Someone said "that would be perfect timing when we were discussing [insert Opie's 'real name']"! Yep, my ringtone is The Fishing Hole! Ang
September 30, 2020 - Msg 115397: Thank you, Romeena. I am, indeed, so thankful! I am finding that I am able to eat more each day, which could end up being a problem! lol For now, though, I am enjoying food and gaining strength every day.

So funny about Trinket! I have to apologize for praying that the Lord would give you a pup that would be much like my Poopsie and sounds like she is. We are very used to having a ten pound pup sail through the air and directly onto our abdomens. It isn't pleasant but she is so full of spunk and energy and makes us laugh so much. She has learned to scold the cat. She has observed that I am unhappy when the cat scratches the furniture or jumps up on the kitchen counters and when I scold the cat, Poopsie runs and confronts poor Gracie with a very stern look and sometimes a nip on the head. So funny to watch and they can play and chase each other around the living room at times, too. Its a real circus.

St Susan and Emily were over tonight to work on some Christmas crafts and it was nice! Susan is making some wreaths to give to some of her friends and wanted to get it out of the way early. I always enjoy her being around and she picked out the most beautiful of the wreaths she made and gave it to me because I thought it was the prettiest. I tried to refuse, of course, but she is big sister and I always give in. I told her, "You are my sissy and you always take care of me". Its true and it is one of my life's greatest blessings. I know I have said it before but she was trying to mother me and care for me from day one and interestingly, she has always tried to put me first, as a mother does a child. She just has that maternal personality and she is the most wonderful woman I know. We never fight or argue about anything. Its always just pure love..like a bit of heaven on earth. Thank you, God. I have so much to be thankful for because I have an ocean of love in my life..I have my family and my porch family and so many dear friends.

Been a long and full day so going to put my feet up for awhile before bed. Want to thank you again for your prayers and kind concern and Asa, you are often in my thoughts and I am praying for you and your dear family. God comfort and give you peace.

Love,
Boo
October 01, 2020 - Msg 115398:

RO--I DID get an email from Ang, and sent along her address to you! :)
MDC
October 01, 2020 - Msg 115399:

GF--thank you for that link to the podcast. That was very cool! So happy for Allan. Floyd, you are a treasa !
Also, whoever posted the squirrel video, that was very cool also!

RO, you may have missed it above, but in one of my post I did mention "rental or purchase." Yes, we are indeed thinking
rental first, and your dad's story is the perfect reason why! ha
Also, we have rented cabins in northern AZ from time to time in the past, but only for a week,
not a whole 'season.'
That is so funny about Trinket (obviously no longer LB! ha)
I can just picture her tossing those pillows around.

BOO--so happy for you, plus the good weather that you mentioned on FB! Now I know why you call your sister 'Saint' Susan! That is so cool that you two get along so well. What a blessing.

ASA--I hope you are doing ok. Our prayers continue for you and yours.

APB for Sterling, JOHN M and PH. :)

More later my friends,
MDC



October 01, 2020 - Msg 115400: Thank you MDC! Prayers for everyone. Ang
October 02, 2020 - Msg 115401:

"Gomer, Gomer, Gome..." been pretty slow on the porch lately.
I sure everybody is doing OK.
PH will soon be celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving Day!
Hey PH, any plans?
All goes well here, we are cooling off a bit in the evenings, but our days
are still pretty warm.
Spent my morning today in a laundromat washing a big king size comforter.
My, it is sure an interesting world in a laundromat these days!
But I got it done.
Prayers for all,
MDC
October 02, 2020 - Msg 115402: Good morning, porch! It has indeed been quiet on the porch lately. Where is everyone? G-F, I've lost track of your surgery schedule. Did I miss it? How are you doing?

Asa, you and Debbie are still on my "urgent" prayer list. I think of you every day, and know all too well what you're going through. Keep the faith.

Trinket is a different doggie now. She learned so much from the family pups down south, and she's employing every bit of it now. Nothing is safe, nothing is sacred. She has abandoned grabbing and destroying the mail when it comes through the slot, she has bigger fish to fry now. If she discovers that she can rip a hole in a decorative pillow and disembowel it like she does stuffed toys, we're going to have a problem. She is, in a word, a little brat! But such a pretty, funny and lovable brat that even just scolding her is hard for me. There is no malice or evil intent in her behavior, she's just full of vinegar and having fun. What do you do with that??? After all she does in the daytime, when we go to bed at night, she snuggles next to me, then rolls a little closer and puts her head on my shoulder. I look down, and she is gazing at me with such love in her big brown eyes, that I just melt. God created animals, especially dogs, for us, I have no doubt.

Well, got to get busy. Our little bunco gang is going to play tonight, for the first time since COVID hit. We always have a meal, provided by the hostess, then play with three tables, since there are 12 of us. Tonight, there will be no food, and only 8 are playing. Four of the women are still afraid to gather like that, poor things. I'm not sure how it will work with only two tables, but I guess we'll find out. We will wear masks - I guess that's a good idea, though I'll have trouble breathing with the thing on, as always. Some of the women want us to wear gloves, so I guess we will. It's not necessary, not helpful at all. Gloves are only as clean as the last thing you touched. One woman even wanted the dice sanitized before we used them. Never mind that they have been sitting in a closed container, in a bag in my dining room, since the last time we played, which was before COVID. Some folks are just more easily spooked than others, but I guess there's no harm in erring on the side of caution. The players are all elderly, after all, and presumably at higher risk. Still, we all associate with our family members, and in most cases, we have no idea where our sons and daughters are all day, but we consider them safe because they're "ours." Go figure.

Have a good day, friends. Wash your hands thoroughly and often, and keep them away from your face. Blessings! --Romeena
October 02, 2020 - Msg 115403: APB answered.

Hey folks, I'm still around and dodging this idiotic virus like the rest of you. Been doing OK. Got a new Rat Pack CD and a TWO disc Jerry Clower CD set! Ahhh, shoot this thang! LOL!

Boo - Saw you were feeling better. Good and glad to hear! I hope you have this figured out!

Romeena - Wish I could take a trip for awhile. Lawd, it's needed in this household!

Asa - Continued prayers, friend.

Hey to MDC, SPOT, PH, Frankie, Maude, GF, Ang and the rest of you tryin' out for Barney's extra deputy position!

Stay safe and take care!

John Masters
October 02, 2020 - Msg 115404:

Here ya go ROmeena...a song about Trinket,
but you have to "cue it to .44" and substitute
the name 'Trinket' for 'Maria!' :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-VRyQprlu8

MDC

October 03, 2020 - Msg 115405:

SIXTY years ago on October 3, 1960,
The Andy Griffith Show debuted!



October 03, 2020 - Msg 115406: Hahahaha! MDC, that song describes Trinket, for sure. I told someone just this evening, that if I had to describe her in one word, that word would be "joyful." Add to that, "enthusiastic", and you have Trinket. She is not what I thought I wanted, and what I was hoping to find when I lost my littlest angel, Toye Starr, but God definitely sent me what I needed. I love her much more than I ever expected to. She wears me out, but she returns with unconditional love every time. You just can't beat that.

Well, she's under my desk, with her little head resting on my foot, waiting for me to quit playing with my toys (the computer) and go to bed. She's tuckered out, has had a busy day, and is ready to settle in for the night. Me, too. Blessings, friends. --Romeena
October 03, 2020 - Msg 115407: Morning, folks

60 years ago today when a sheriff's aunt moved in to take care of him and his little boy. And the rest is history. :)

It's cold here today. It's not a nip in the air, it's a bite!

Everyone have a good day. Stay safe, stay well and be good!

John Masters
October 03, 2020 - Msg 115408: Hey John ! and all..been getting winter crops planted all good here at the dog house..gona read...Prayers For the First family...and all on this here porch ..SPOT

October 03, 2020 - Msg 115409: Good morning, porch! A little hazy and cloudy here today, temp in the 70s, air is still. At least no wind to blow my plumeria trees over! The things spend more time lying on the ground than they do standing upright! With those long, wide, strappy leaves acting like sails, the wind just pushes them over. They're growing in very large, cup-shaped planters, and I used the synthetic kind rather than true concrete, because they're lighter. The concrete ones, when full of dirt and the heavy tree, are difficult even for a man to manage. I should have used containers with straight, vertical sides, rather than the cup-shaped ones. Oh well. At least, when these do blow down, I can at least manage to stand them back up myself. Usually. One good thing about plumerias - if a limb is broken when the tree gets blown over, I just stick the broken-off piece in some moist dirt, it will root, and makes a good gift for a friend. They'll have to come into the garage soon, though. The trees are tropical, and don't tolerate temps much below 40°. I used to bring them into my sunroom, but they're over 8 ft tall now, so that's not an option.

I played bunco last night! First time since COVID. We played with only eight people, so just two tables, but it worked out fine. We abandoned the mask thing, since five of the women arrived in one car, and no one was masked, it seemed a little pointless to insist that they put them on to play. That suited me just fine, since the mask seriously hampers my already compromised breathing! We didn't wear gloves either, thank goodness. A glove is only as clean as the last thing you touched, so there's really not much point. Good, old-fashioned handwashing is still the best weapon in the fight. That, and keeping your hands away from your face. Masks when in a crowd, a store, any place where a lot of people are gathered - yes. Masks in a room with seven other women, all of whom have been at home, mostly alone for the past several months - not much danger.

Friends, we need to pray for President Trump. Whether you like him or not, he is our president, and what affects him now will affect us all. The country should be able to choose and elect a president based on his politics, not just get one by default due to a virus. We need two viable candidates, so please pray for the president's recovery.

I ran across a little poem I wrote about 25 years ago, when Sugarplum was not quite a year old. It describes her, and just for fun, I'm going to post it below. I've written three others over the years, about the Plum, then Toye Starr, and now Trinket. In case you haven't noticed, I love my little furry friends, and just have to celebrate them at times. This little ditty is short, the other three are not so short, but I'll post this one anyway. Just a bit of "doggerel" (sorry!) --Romeena
October 03, 2020 - Msg 115410: SUGARPLUM

Catcher of crickets, runner of races.
Beggar of tidbits, kisser of faces.

Lover of fun, chaser of toys,
Playmate and buddy to three little boys.

Ecstatic to see me when I've been away,
Content just to cuddle, but ready to play.

She gives so much joy, yet doesn't ask much.
With tail-wags and wiggles, she repays a kind touch.

I suppose she's a dog, she has four legs and fur.
But I see something else when I look at her.

Small friend and companion, devoted and cute.
Is she really a cherub in a puppy-dog suit?

She's something quite special, a really rare find.
She's my little Sugarplum, and they're the best kind!

--Romeena
October 03, 2020 - Msg 115411:
Yes, praying for our president and the first lady.
And along with that, keeping the faith and trying hard
to stay positive with all that is happening.
Here we are, as JM stated, on the 60th anniversary of TAGS,
and the goodness that that show exudes even to this day.
Good writers, good morals to every episode, and a show that keeps
on giving, even to today's kids!
RO--glad everything went well last night, but I suggest that
you take some B, C, D and zinc just to keep your immune system
sharp. Very neat poem! Thanks for posting.
SPOT--good to see ya here and on FB.
Prayers for all,
MDC
October 03, 2020 - Msg 115412: Love the poem, Ro! So sweet. Concerning Trinket, my guess is that she will settle down considerably in a year. My Poopsie is two and a half now and rarely ever does any damage and sleeps alot more than she used to. She still loves to play but does less of it.

Thanks JM, I have been much better. I did have a setback last night, though. I was visiting my sister and she wanted me to try a sliver of a pumpkin pie she made. Whithin 15 minutes my stomach was churning and by the time I got home I was experiencing what I would describe as violent vomiting. It was pretty awful but didnt last too long. I am feeling tired today but will be ok. I think I have trouble with certain foods but I am in the discovery phase of reintroducing foods back into my diet to see how I react to them. Yesterday I made some vegetable soup, using tomato and I think that may have made my stomach irritable to start with. Anyway, its a process and sometimes a difficult one but compared to how I was feeling a month ago, I have no complaints!

I agree, Romeena, we need to be praying for anyone who has corona. I dont wish that on anyone!

Think I will try to eat a piece of toast. I only had a few crackers today so getting hungry.

Boo
October 03, 2020 - Msg 115413: Good evening, porch! Just came back in the house from answering an urgent call from my next-door neighbor. He thought a water line had broken, though why he thought it would be on top of the ground alongside the house, I don't know. It wasn't a water line, it was a sprinkler system line, and it wasn't broken. It's a drip line, and once again, Mr. Bushytail Squirrel had chewed the little bubbler device out of the line, leaving just a hole, so water was shooting up and out, and hitting my neighbor's living room window! No wonder he called. Of course, it was due to shut off at any minute anyway, but I'm still glad he called. Now I know there's a leak, and can fix it. I just shut it off with my little remote thingy, neighbor was happy, and I know what I needed to know. Things work out, don't they?

MDC, thanks for your concern and the advice. You will be glad to know that I take all of those things in a daily multi-supplement, along with an extra B-complex, a D supplement, and I eat enough fruit to prevent scurvy in the whole British navy, so I get all the C I could ever need. Zinc is the only one I don't take separately, but it's in the multi-supplement. I'm a fan of vitamin supplements, and they seem to work for me. I actually haven't had a cold in over ten years.

Boo, I'm sorry you got hit again, glad it was short-lived. I wish this would just go away, and leave you alone. You don't deserve such aggravation. I'm glad you're doing better, generally speaking, but please - no more setbacks!

Well, now that the waterline scare is over, I guess I'll go back to my TV. Poor Trinket was asleep in my lap, and got dumped quite unceremoniously on the floor when my neighbor called. I had to replace my jammies with real clothes, so will go get comfortable again, and let Trinket find her place. Blessings -- Romeena
October 04, 2020 - Msg 115414:
Hello folks. It has been a few weeks since I last posted.

First of all, belated sympathies to Asa on the loss of his son. I was not aware he was ill.

Glad to learn that Boo is getting her appetite back. I just hope she controls that so as not to regain the weight she has lost. But I am concerned about that pumpkin pie relapse.

I was surprised to learn about Romeena's and MDC's travels. Weren't you two concerned about the risks during this pandemic?

MDC, yes we will be celebrating Thanksgiving on Monday, October 12, here in Canada. Me, my wife, and my stepson who lives with us, will be having a small turkey dinner at home.

Got some sad news from my sister who lives in the USA. Her, and her husband, and her one child who lives with them all have the covid virus. And with her husband undergoing treatment for cancer, that had to be put on hold. One of her other children originally planned on getting married this month. But he wisely postponed that until late next year. All of our families have postponed family gatherings because of the pandemic.

from Poor Horatio
October 04, 2020 - Msg 115415: Good afternoon, porch! I just finished joining in via Facebook with my church's service this morning. We do have congregational services, but attendance is limited to 100, to allow for social distancing. For those who do not attend personally, the services are carried live on Facebook, and there's a sidebar where we can type in greetings. Not as good as being there in person, but still allows me to feel connected. I don't reserve a space in the 100 who actually attend, I leave that for the younger and healthier. The pastor did ask that anyone at higher risk stay home, so I do. I'm so grateful for today's technology, that allows everyone to still participate.

Hey, PH, it's good to see you back on the porch. To answer your question - no, I wasn't concerned about traveling at this time. It's 250 miles, we made it in about five hours, with potty stops and a visit to the fabulous candy, cheese, sausage and keepsake store that's at the mid-point. We wore masks whenever we were out of the car, and had a bottle of sanitizer with us. Potty stops allowed for thorough handwashing. We spent two nights each with my daughters and granddaughter. At each stop, we were in a very rural setting, lots of fresh, clean air, no people around except my family, all of whom are healthy. We did attend my grandson's middle school football game, but social distancing was more like ten or fifteen feet, and everyone wore masks. Vigorous handwashing upon returning to my daughter's home. We had a really fun trip, and at no point did I feel at any risk, except when I entered a grocery store to buy some Voltaren for the pain in my neck, and I shop for groceries at home too, so no difference there. I guess it comes down to this...at age 81, I don't have a lot of time left, most likely, and I refuse to spend it hermetically sealed at home. I'm going to live and enjoy whatever is left to me. The day may well come when physical infirmity will keep me tethered to a chair or bed or whatever, but as long as I can navigate, I'm going to do it. My grandson had grown two inches since I last saw him, is an inch taller than me now (but who isn't?) and I don't intend to wait until he towers over me by ten inches before I see him again. They're coming here at Christmas!

I'm sorry to learn of your sister and her family having COVID. No wonder you're concerned about it! I will pray for their swift recovery. Remember, far more people recover than don't, but we just hear about those who don't. One of my older, adult grandsons had it a while back, recovered nicely, and is just fine today. Several people in my church have had it and recovered, and many of my friends report the same thing in their extended families. I realize that the greater likelihood of recovery is not publicized, because they want to keep people on their guard and compliant with restrictions. That makes sense, but it also helps if we know that recoveries greatly outnumber bad outcomes, so we don't fall into a panic or despair. So my thought is - be careful, follow guidelines for prevention, take reasonable precautions, but live your life.

This evening, I'm going out to see David and Brittney's new home. They just got moved in, still getting settled, but seem so thrilled with the new digs. They kept it all a secret, no one knew they were buying a new home until today. It's almost twice the size of their old home, which they kept and will lease it. It even has a pool, but it's a little chilly today, in the 60s, so I doubt anyone will swim. Brittney is a realtor, and spotted the house quickly when it came on the market, and they snapped it up. It's 8 years old, and "immaculate", as David put it. It's a 2-story, which will give me a problem, but I'll manage. Once I'm up there, and catch my breath, I'll be fine. I could stay downstairs, but there's a big game room on the upper floor, which is probably where most "gathering" will take place. Anyway, I'm happy for them, as they seem to just love it.

Blessings, friends. Stay well, wash your hands, wear your masks where indicated, and keep your hands away from your face. --Romeena
October 04, 2020 - Msg 115416:
Today is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi,
sometimes known as the "Universal Saint."
I've always liked his Peace Prayer. It's, not 'preachy,' it's just simple, everyday things that we can do to make the world a better place. Hope you like it too on this Sabbath day...

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek to be consoled
As to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Prayers for PH's family and all on this day.
MDC :)
October 04, 2020 - Msg 115417: Gosh, I am sorry to hear about your family, PH! Praying all will be well. This whole mess has caused so many problems in the medical world for so many like your brother in law. Thank you for your sentiments concerning my health, and yes, I am trying not to regain the weight but I have been so hungry the past week. I don't want to end up the same place I was in a few weeks ago so have to use restraint. I made a decision today to eat no sweets until Thanksgiving, at which time I will allow myself dessert.

Ro, I'm glad you had a little vacation with family and sounds like you are being careful. You make a good point, concerning your age. I have felt so sorry for some of the older folks I know who have been confined to nursing homes and unable to be with family. It has effected their mental health profoundly. So very sad.

Today has been a relaxing day. I cleaned the kitchen and made some supper, did a couple of loads of laundry and watched tv. Not bad at all. The weather here is really heating up again and the mosquitos are outrageous! We have swarms of those little mosquitos that itch so bad when they bite you. They seem to come up out of the grass and get you even with mosquito repellant on. Yesterday I saw a lady walking her dog and I had my window down and waved as I passed by, I could smell a cloud of Off repellant as I passed her and even with that, she had a towel and was swatting the mosquitos of her back as she walked! Its crazy.

Hope you are all well, talk to you again soon.

Boo
October 04, 2020 - Msg 115418:

Hello all, PH, my answer is similar to Romeena's.
My wife and I take supplements and we also exercise to keep up our immune systems.
With that in mind, we travel by ourselves, and when at a destination, like Flagstaff, we sanitize all contacts in the motel room, and when out walking around, we both wear masks and watch distancing. If we touch items, we carry sanitizer. I am one who just cannot stayed cooped up. I am also of the belief that some exposure is OK because the supplements help with resistance, plus it helps to build
immunity. Like RO, I rarely get a cold or flu. My faith is also a big component. The Bible has many "Fear not" and "Have no anxiety" statements.
With a strong faith I believe my mental health is kept strong too. I just can't hunker down in fear, I must stand up to the wiles of the devil, and make HIM cower, if you will! :) I hope that helps to answer your question. Make no mistake, however, we are very CAREFUL and
CAUTIOUS, but are not "carefree." :)
So sorry to hear about your sister's family. Know that they are in my prayers for full recovery.
I hope everyone had a good Sabbath.
BOO--good to see you doing better today. I'm also glad to hear of late that your 'kids' are doing better and chipping in concerning the welfare of the family. :)
No sweets until Thanksgiving? Wow, all the best with that one! ha
ASA--I sure hope you and yours are doing OK.
RO-very cool about your son's new house!
Prayers,
MDC

October 05, 2020 - Msg 115419: Good Monday morning porch folks. thought I would check in and seen everyone.

Not much new to report from my end of the porch. my Moms house will officially go on the market this coming Sunday. We are selling it "as is" as we didn't want to do the updates it needed. My Mom hadn't updated the house since she lived there and wanted no part of us trying to help her get it done. she liked it the way it was I guess. its a big house 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, a big laundry room off the kitchen, a carport, full sized basement with a den/family room down there as well. It sits on a little over an acre lot and is in a subdivision, close to schools and shopping I am hopeful it will not take forever to sell. Houses in my area are selling quickly but with all the updates it needs it make take some time.

covid cases continue to fluctuate around here and still pose a threat. since I am considered essential I have continued to come to work everyday doing some phone sessions as well as in person sessions for those who want to mask up and come in. My office is located in a back hallway of the building and the other offices have no people traffic that comes and goes so folks have no contact with other people except me. feeling like I need to be here to help folks cope with all that is going on in the world.

Prayers for everyone around the porch today and everyday.

lunch menu will be: BLT sandwiches (cheese if you want it), potato salad, macaroni salad, chips. ice cream sandwiches for dessert. tea or kool aid to
drink.

Prayers and blessings all around.
Big Maude
October 05, 2020 - Msg 115420: Good afternoon, porch! It's just beautiful here today, a cool and welcome 71°, the sweet sound of silence from my a/c unit, critter traffic at a high level out back, and a warm puppy lying on my feet! I have nothing much that must be done today, so will just be lazy. I may go pull a few weeds later on. Mid-afternoon, the mosquitoes shouldn't be bad. Early morning and late afternoon and evening are their prime times. Mid-day, not so much.

We had a lovely evening out at David and Brittany's new home. They're a long way from being settled in, but there's enough furniture that everyone could get comfortable, David just picked up pizzas to feed everybody, and we had a great evening. There is a gorgeous pool in the backyard, with a hot tub. No one got in it but Eloise's 10 yr old great-granddaughter, and Hudson's girlfriend. It's really one of the prettiest home pools I've seen, though, and I'll probably enjoy it now and then next summer. A little cool for it now. They bought some of the furniture from the seller, so the living room has a large sectional sofa, and there are some nice barstools along the island, so everyone had a place to sit. A lot of their own stuff is still in the old house, including Hudson's piano, and there isn't really an ideal place to put it, but they'll figure it out. All in all, I'm just thrilled for them. It's a beautiful house, almost twice the size of the old house, and so pretty!

MDC, I mentioned earlier that I haven't had a cold in over ten years. I do think the vitamin supplements help me with that, but there's another reason, and it's kind of amusing! I mentioned to my doctor that I never catch a cold, and he said, "Of course not. At your age, you've probably already had them all!" (I've known him, and worked with him, for about 40 years, so he speaks freely.) It seems that there are only a little more than 200 known viruses that cause colds, and when you have one, it usually confers immunity to that particular virus thereafter. This scenario can vary, depending upon the strength of your immune system. If it's strong, you will likely be immune. If not, you won't be. Mine has always been strong, I'm rarely sick with any germ-caused illness. Scoliosis and arthritis give me fits, but most germs and viruses leave me alone. I even react only very mildly to poison ivy exposure! Cancer was another story, but God and skillful doctors took care of that.

Big Maude, your lunches always sound so good! You give me ideas. That BLT sounds wonderful, but I have no bacon. I guess when I run errands tomorrow, I'll stop by the store and get some really good bacon. I usually have bacon on hand, I use it for seasoning a lot of things, and just for plain old eatin' purposes, but I'm out at the moment. I do have some macaroni, and may not make a salad, but some mac and cheese might be in order. I always have cheese on hand, several kinds, but lots of cheddar.

Well, better go do a load of laundry. I'm running out of clean dishtowels. I save them up, along with the white washcloths, and I bleach that load. I can't stand stained or dingy dishtowels, and I keep white washcloths in the bathrooms, so when female houseguests are removing makeup, they don't have to worry about staining my colored cloths. I keep a little stack by the sinks, and they know what they're for. If they get stained, I can bleach them. Some savvy guests will pick one up and use it for a hand towel too, thus saving my guest towels.

Blessings, friends! Stay well! --Romeena
October 05, 2020 - Msg 115421: Hi everyone, checking in, not much going on just staying safe. I've been knitting and currently making a throw for my sister who lives in IL and their winters get very cold. Wear your mask and stay safe. Sarah
October 06, 2020 - Msg 115422:

HI ALL!
Good to see you big Maude. I hope the house goes quickly. Several years ago I helped a lady from church (who has now passed) sell her home to one of those 'cash sales' places. It too was not fixed up in anyway, was still 'lost in the '60s!' ha Anyway, retail would have brought about 300K, but the cash place offered 220K, fixed it up, and re-sold it. But all was fine. Our friend moved into a retirement community, and enjoyed her years there!
Yes a good BLT on toasted bread was a great invention! ha
We had a Woolworth's about three miles from my childhood home, and when I got enough paperboy money saved up, it was a 3 mile bike ride for a BLT and a real cherry Coke at their lunch counter. MMm good! :)

I watched Andy and Helen's Day on Me-tv tonight, and i don't know if y'all know this, but the man who played the game warden was the man who was the announcer at the opening of each episode! There's a trivial triviality for ya.:)

Today was our 'fall cleaning day.' We put on some good tunes, and went to town dusting, cleaning etc. The place should now look good for at least a week! haha
Tomorrow is my wife's 'doctor day.' She schdules her physical, mammogram, blood test, and cardiologist visit all on the same day each year!

RO--pretty funny about the colds! "...You had them all!" haha
But I agree, some people's 'constitutions' seem weaker than others. All in the genes I guess.

BOO-thanks for the post on my FB page. :)

Prayers,
MDC