October 05, 2021 - Msg 117161:

RO--I dont want to make a big moulage out of this, but your jigsaw puzzle reference
is exactly what I'm talking about. Why not have a real puzzle on a table in your home. And regarding groceries, just make a list! haha
But on a more serious note, I suggest that you do not do any banking with your phone, nor with any wifi as you never know who might be trying to
hack in. I just try to be cautious, as I have heard horror stories on the news regarding banking online, accounts wiped out, etc. Just sayin.
As for things like adjusting hearing aides, certainly a good thing.
With young minds that are developing however, I think good, old-fashioned research
projects are much better. Ok, I'll slide my box back under el porcho! :)

Hey I just heard thunder, and it has started to rain! yea! :)
MDC

October 06, 2021 - Msg 117162:

I saw Hope Summers (Clara) on Adam 12 today. :)
I'm sure that most know that she was also on several Rifleman episodes as
the owner of a general mercantile store.
Also...
One more thing about the online stuff.
Forgive me if i have told you this one before,
but in the little 'library' of the assisted-living
apartments where my dad used to live, there were several
public computers. The ladies loved to play solitaire
on them! One day when I was visiting my dad, the ladies
(whom i got to know quite well) were complaining because
all the computers were 'down' as something had happened to the network.
Anyway, I asked them (about 5 at the time) if they all had a deck of cards
in their apartments. They all answered 'yes!' to which I calmly said
with a smile, "Ladies, you know you can still play solitaire the old fashioned way." They all slapped their foreheads and started heading to their various apartments. haha
It was so funny, I can still recall a good, hardy belly laugh from my dad
as the gals took off! :)

MDC



October 07, 2021 - Msg 117163: Morning all.

Funny story MDC. It is easy to get dependent on these things.

I worked for a mass transit company and in 2008 we began running a commuter train service. We began to notice a lot of problems with rider awareness issues though. The train operators were reporting a lot of near misses (and more than a few hits) of passengers walking across the tracks at the platforms. The biggest problem was kids wearing earphones and playing games on their devices while walking to the platform. We actually resorted to painting wording on the concrete sidewalk at the crossing "STOP, LOOK UP!" Amazing the things you have to do these days to save people from themselves. lol From a technical side, a lot of the electronic devices they were coming up with were sure nice. A HVAC tech can now read temps and pressures on a condenser system off his phone. And the cars today are all electronal marvels. But it has made it hard for the backyard mechanic to work on his own car anymore. And I hate how it has made us so dependent on hardware. Hardware that is made elsewhere. Kind of scary. Debbie is a lover of reading. Always has been. Now, thanks to her kindle, she has thousands of books stored on it. I would hate to have all those books in storage. I would need to add on to the house. lol And she can enlarge the text as needed to make reading earier. And it is a whole lot easier to hold that kindle than a heavy book. So I reckon just like anything else, there is good and bad with it. I still marvel when they say that your smart phone of today has considerable more abilities to do things than did the entire Apollo computer system that we went to the moon on 50 years ago.

You were talking about Adam 12 MDC. I have been watching my Dragnet dvd's. Now that was a show who recycled actors. They had a handful who were in numerous episodes as different characters. I don't know why, but I get a kick out of that.

We finally got some rain last night, and they are calling for more rain and even some snow by next week, maybe even down here to the valley floor. Boy howdy, do we need the moisture.

Well I better go do something productive. I have been working trying to organize my shop. I don't know why, but I really stink at it for some reason. I love having a tidy and organized shop, but I struggle getting it that way. I will start off trying to organize and before you know it I am building something instead. I'm a nut! lol

Prayers for all. I hope Mavis and Boo are both doing okay.

Asa



October 07, 2021 - Msg 117164: In reference to my email to you Asa, I just think we BOTH have a “Tool Compelsion” is my Thought!..🤣 G-F

October 07, 2021 - Msg 117165: Just wanted to stop by and let y'all know I'm still around, still crying, still heartbroken and at times still screaming, I HATE this path I have to walk now. 💔😭
We had Jacob's celebration of life last Sat and it turned out really nice. His dad and quite a few of his friends came down from Northern VA and my niece and nephew got here early from Baltimore to help me with it all. He touched so many lives and he had no idea what he meant to so many people. I beg you tell the people you love that you love them while you can, don't wait til it's too late.
I had some of my renaissance faire folks film it and take pictures and as soon as I get those back I'll figure out how to share them here so y'all can see.
I did get the link back for a DVD that we had made up for family and friends. I hope you can get it open. Let me know if you can't and I can email it to you. My email is grannywampus @ gmail.com (obviously mash that all together first)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xt931u9knzdidon/JacobCosgrove.mov?dl=0

Please continue to lift us up, his dad is taking this as hard as I am and his children are still crying themselves to sleep every night, well all of us are to be honest.
I feel like I'm rambling so I'm going to sign off for now.

*Mavis

October 07, 2021 - Msg 117166: Good morning, porch! Boy, Asa and MDC, do I wish some of your rain would come my way! We got "spit on" over the weekend, but it barely wet the streets. And - I just paid a $212 water bill! Yes, for one month, of course. Ouch!

MDC, I hear what you're saying about the fun of a puzzle on a table, but here's the other side of that coin. First of all, it takes the table out of service until the puzzle is completed, which can take days, or even weeks, depending on the puzzle. Next, I might feel differently about the matter if I could complete just one puzzle without finding at the very end that at least one piece is missing, usually two or three. Somehow, they find their way to the floor, and the little four-footed friend who camps beneath my chair snags it, chews it up and apparently swallows it, because it's never found, or on a few occasions, a little soggy bit of puzzle is discovered. Very frustrating!

Regarding banking, I do not bank with my phone, but I do bank online, through my desktop computer. My bank is not located in my usual pathways, not all that far, but still out of my way. I love being able to transfer funds from savings to checking or vice-versa, and to pay bills online! So much faster - click, and the funds are in the recipient's account - rather than hoping and praying that the mailman hasn't dropped it in a flowerbed somewhere. At least once a week, I either have to deliver a neighbor's mail to them, or they bring something of mine to me, or an expected bill just doesn't arrive. We happen to be on a "training route", oh lucky us! Oh, and if on a given day there is no mail for me, then anything I've put out for pickup is missed. Legally, I'm told, they don't have to pick up mail, but they will, if they're at your box anyway. Otherwise, they don't.

Some of the carrier trainees are pretty sharp, but some just defy imagination. I have a mail slot, not a box. It's in the wall next to my front door, is a vertical slot, 14"x3", to allow for book delivery. It isn't well-insulated and faces north, so I have a folded towel inside of it, to block the north wind. That just blew their minds, understandably, so I have taped a card above it that says "Towel in slot is there for insulation. Push it out and then push mail through." Seems pretty clear to me, but three different student carriers were baffled. Two refused to leave the mail until I managed to catch them on the driveway and explain it fully to them. One just dropped the mail on the porch and left it! Apparently they can't read, which possibly explains the difficulty with leaving the mail at the proper house. Grrr.

I watch Adam 12, too! Love that show, and yes, I saw Hope Summers yesterday. Her nephew was a little sweetheart, wasn't he!

Well, guess I'll go rustle up a little something to eat. Actually, I've got a bowl of orange jello with mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple in it, and I may just eat a little bit of that. I'm not at all hungry. I used to be a heavy meat-eater, but not so much anymore. I still enjoy a good steak now and then, and love fried chicken, pork chops, catfish, whatever, but not like I once did. My cravings run more to fresh vegetables and fruit. I have to be careful to be sure I'm getting enough protein these days. I drink buttermilk, eat a lot of different cheeses, cottage cheese and cream cheese, and a lot of different kinds of nuts. By the way, a good place to buy nuts is at Nuts.com. Good, fresh, dozens of choices, and good dried fruit as well. I like dried apricots, mostly chopped in added to cookie dough. Well, they sell "half-dried" apricots, and they are so moist and plump, and when added to cookies with some chopped nuts - well, yummy!

Have a great day, friends! Trinket is in here gazing at me, clearly wanting some cuddle time. I can do that! Blessings, and keep looking up! --Romeena

October 07, 2021 - Msg 117167: Doing well enough, thanks Asa. Been a little depressed off and on but nothing major. I guess so many things over the last couple of years are just getting to me.

Erin is still home and doing better in many respects. She still battles anxiety and depression daily but is less agitated and more at peace. She will be starting counseling in a week and hopefully be able to register for college courses in the spring. Its a process but now I know she is safe. She has also been showing a little interest in a boy that she has known since high school. They have been spending some time together and she said she let him kiss her the other night. It never seemed to go any farther than that but it was encouraging to me. I guess maybe she is bi. So, there is hope that a good man will come along at some point in the future and she might love him.

Sean is struggling with his cleaning business but isnt giving up yet. Covid seems to be effecting everything and I think that makes it harder to find jobs. For now, as long as he is making enough to cover his car payment and other minor expenses, we are happy. Sean has a tough time lately because he is just lonely. I know he would love to have a family of his own but feels hopeless. I pray that some day it is possible for him.

That was such a beautiful video of Jacob that Mavis posted. I know it is so hard for her. Thinking of you every day, Mavis.

Asa, that is really something about Debbie reading so much! What kind of books does she like? Is she more of a fiction or non-fiction reader? I have numerous books on my kindle that I have yet to read because I get so sleepy when I try (Im officially old). I am most a non-fiction reader when I do read. I dont know why I just never have been able to get into much fiction..something in the back of my mind keeps saying, 'Why are you wasting time on this if it is not true?'. Im weird.

Bruce is going hunting this weekend and all of next week so you can cut his excitement with a knife. I dont get it, but whatever. Soon my kitchen will be a butcher shop for a few days. The place he will be hunting is extremely rustic and he will be slogging through bogs in the heat and bitten by mosquitoes and all I can say is, "Where's the fun in that?!". He is getting to old for it and luckily he isnt hunting alone this time. If he never comes out of the brush, someone will find him and drag him out. lol

I've got a busy week ahead but will be having some company for dinner so that will be fun. I have a good friend named Kyeisha, who is a single mom with a fourteen year old. Sometimes she just calls and asks me to invite her over to dinner. I love that about her. I will ask, "What do you want me to make you?" and she will tell me. Tuesday it will be chicken with rice.

Zach wants to bring baby Charlie over this weekend, too. That sweet baby is growing and thriving and they are crazy about him. How I wish his grandma Karen were here to see him.

Well, been a long day so gonna go put my feet up for awhile. Love to All,

Boo

October 08, 2021 - Msg 117168:

One of my favorite episodes was on tonight about Opie at the county fair
trying to win the electric razor for Andy. There are so many great lines
in that one. There is Opie showing Aunt Bee the ceramic pelican, and watching
her reaction; and then there's Goober asking Helen about his eye because she's a teacher, etc. Then, of course, there is the look on the carneys' faces when
Andy shows his badge, and them telling Opie "Yes, kid, TAKE YOUR TIME! haha
Great writing and delivery throughout.
I get 3 retro stations... ME-TV, Antenna TV (that's what it's called) and COZI TV,
all over my antenna. I mostly watch THEM when I DO watch. I just dont cotton to the new shows these days.
BOO--thanks for the update. Sounds like Erin is doing pretty well. My prayers
continue for her. I hope the counseling and the college classes will do wonders for her. As for Bruce, maybe Bruce he'll snare himself a pheasant! ha

ASA and GF, have you guys ever heard of ANIXTER? They just built a big warehouse here about
5 miles from my home. Is it a new name for Grainger, or a separate company? Just wondering if ya might know.
ASA-- did you have a tool sale yet? It does sound like you are making some progress on the clean up. But now you better get snowjoe ready to go! Wow, snow coming already!
RO--so glad that you are not banking by phone. There have been stories here of
hackers sitting right next to others in Starbucks and hacking into their accounts!
Scary stuff. And I gotta say, very strange that a mail route even IS a training route!
Why is there no 'trainER' along with the 'trainEE' to show them the 'ropes?'
BILLY Ray, any insights?

Mavis, thankyou for posting that beautiful tribute to Jacob.
Our prayers continue for you and yours each day. Jesus is right there with you
every step of the way.
Peace, :)
MDC


October 08, 2021 - Msg 117169: Good late morning, porch! Beautiful day here, sunny, 75° and breezy. Thunderstorms predicted for the middle of next week, hope they do arrive.

Boo, hang in there, love. Sounds like things are going pretty well right now. One day at a time......and you are in my prayers. You too, Mavis. Time heals, eventually. Take it from one who has been there. My son passed almost three years ago.

MDC, I have wondered the same thing about the "training" thing for our mail route. Very good question. Seems to me that something is missing in the equation. Our little neighborhood apparently has been singled out as a good training ground for new employees, for whatever reason. The Sparkletts Water delivery guys change about every three months. I just get one to understand my instructions, which have been both verbal and written, and are quite simple - call me (I provide the number) before leaving the order, and I'll open the garage, so it can be left inside. Three more steps for the driver, or big struggle for me. Just as one driver gets used to the routine, he's moved and I get to start all over again. They're not quitting, either. They're just moved around. I know because my favorite driver is still with them, but he's across town now, and he told me so.

I think I've hit on a solution for beautifying my big raised island flowerbed in the back yard. Back in the days when I had the money, I used to fill that bed (about 25'x 10') with pansies, snapdragons, petunias, and it took around 25 flats to do it. It was gorgeous! However, I can't afford that these days. Retirement cut my income in half. Anyway, I discussed it this morning with my neighbor, John, who owns the garden center in this area. He's retiring too, and shutting down soon. This is the bed that grew the ridiculous, ugly 5' zinnias, that were supposed to be dwarves. Tacky things. John suggested burying a few clay pots in random locations in the bed, leaving about 5" above ground, and planting them with something pretty, like maybe Gerbera daisies. They're perennials, or I could get a couple of flats of pretty annuals for some of the pots. Then he suggested planting trailing verbena, a perennial, in the areas between the pots, which will trail over itself and make a groundcover between the pots. Should be pretty, and mostly permanent. Won't cost a lot, and should make a nice showing.

Well, guess I'd better get in the shower and get my hair washed, so I can go get it cut! I look like Harpo Marx right now, or a shaggy dog, and I can't use the shampoo bowls at the shop, my neck won't bend back that way anymore, and it hurts! A lot. So I have to shampoo in the shower. Oh well. One day at a time.....

Blessings, all. Keep looking up. --Romeena

October 09, 2021 - Msg 117170:
Folks, watch the following interesting but brief interviews with Andy Griffith, Don Knotts, Frances Bavier and Betty Lynn. Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKYinPqFFXk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDgukBLXnFE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSJ1UK6k5Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyhkr9nI88k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKHIdu_Ruzs

from Poor Horatio

October 11, 2021 - Msg 117171:
Good Sabbath evening to all!
PH--thanks for the interview links! Those were great.
Interesting that Andy spoke to Frances shortly before her passing.
BOO--that is very good news about Erin. Our world is so messed up and crazy these
days that our teens come under tremendous pressure, much more than I ever did.
I will continue to pray for her and your whole family.
GF and ASA, did you happen to see my question to you two above?

Last night I saw on a retro channel the old movie The Day the Earth Stood Still; and I didnt realize when
watching it in the past that it has "Mr. Maxwell" "Aunt Bee" and "John Masters" in it. Interesting to see them that way.
I watched a couple of good college games this weekend. Well, some of each anyway. :)
RO--that is one BIG flower bed, but it sounds like a nice solution to fill it.
My wife planted something she calls 'yellow dot,' and that stuff covers the ground so fast
and completely! One of her beds is 3' by 12'.
Well, a new week is beginning. Happy Columbus Day! Peace and prayers.
MDC :)



October 11, 2021 - Msg 117172: No MDC...I have not heard of that company, but then again I’ve been out of the supply/parts loop for 8 years this month. But I have always liked the Granger Co. they seemed to have had ordering down to a Science even before before things got so “electronlized”....I’m Guessing it’s a new name, Granger was probably bought out by some foreign country like so many other companies are being...😡

G-F

October 11, 2021 - Msg 117173: Good Monday morning all. Boy howdy, It's nice to have a Monday and really enjoy it. I wonder what causes that. Not that I hated my job, but often times I would return after a weekend and have three weeks of new work sitting on my desk. And if it was a three day weekend, mercy sakes. That was if in fact I was not called in on an emergency. Wow, I sure do make it seem awful. lol It wasn't all bad.

MDC, I have not heard of that company either. Like GF said, I really liked Grainger. I was about 15 years into my job when they finally opened a branch in Ogden. That made my job so much easier. One of the biggest challanges I had was finding the parts I needed.

Boo and Mavis, great to hear from both of you. Mavis, It will take time, but it will get better, I promise. My oldest Daughter has really struggled with the passing of her brother, but talking to her last Friday she was mentioning how she has found peace finally. That has been a long year for her, but she is doing much better now. I pray you can find such peace soon.
And Boo, Glad to hear that Erin seems to be doing a bit better. Those years can be challenging for sure. My prayers continue for her and for Sean. What is Bruce hunting? If it is a pheasant and he decides to cook it at the campsite, I hope he brought matches. If not he will have to start a fire by constriction, and if he is unaware that a fire started by constriction burns a lot hotter, he will ruin his bird. :)

I have seen those clips before (that PH linked), but enjoyed watching them again. The last clip with Betty Lynn just solidifies how sweet and lovely a woman she is. She is so down to earth, and so full of gratitude. GF, I am so jealous that you have got to meet her. It saddens me to hear she is not doing so well.
I remember the episode when Aunt Bee was crusading for the farmer whos was losing his farm to the County for the highway. She really took an anger to Andy over that. It almost sounds like that episode came a little to naturally for her. lol It saddens me to hear thaty, but I am glad that things got settled before she passed away.

Romeena, Sounds like a good plan for your flower bed. I love how you are always thinking and planning on how to improve your little corner of the world.

Speaking of such, I best get out to my shop and get going on that some more. I have come a long ways, but I have lots left to do.

Prayers for all and as MDC said, Happy Columbus day. But stay away from the elixir. I don't care if it is a celebration. lol

Asa

October 11, 2021 - Msg 117174: Good morning, porch! It's "a beautiful day in the neighborhood" this morning. We had a big old wind and rainstorm over the weekend. It took down a fairly large limb from my sycamore tree, and we got a good rain. Eddie is here, making short work of that fallen limb, and doing some general clean-up work on some shrubs. What would I do without Eddie! He's past 70 now, has one knee replacement and needs the other one done, and so is slowing down some, but I'll stick with him as long as he wants to work around here. He's cared for my yard for 25 years now, and he's my friend.

Mavis, Asa is right. When a loved one passes suddenly, it's such a shock, and it may take longer in that case. I experienced that when my beloved husband passed in 1996. I still miss him! When there has been an extended illness, a long stretch of misery, there is a component of relief, and gratitude for the release from pain for the one who has passed. I experienced that when my son passed, after a very long, miserable illness. Asa has many thoughts on these conditions, I'm sure. He has been there. Probably if truth were known, many if not most of us have been there, in one way or another, over the years. It is never easy, and sometimes you think your misery will never end, but if you will "let go and let God", the time will come when you will realize you haven't cried that day, or that week, or eventually, that you haven't cried in a long time. It's true, finally - joy comes in the morning. Pictures and memories of your son will suddenly make you smile, rather than making you cry. I have finally achieved that, and you can, too. Give the whole matter to God. Remember, He lost his Son, too.

Yep, MDC,
Well, better get dressed and get moving. Got to see my cardiologist this afternoon, just a routine visit. Nothing wrong that I know of. He'll grin when I walk in, and say "Are you still ticking?" and I'll say "Yes, are you?" He's about 70, and I've known him since he first came on board at the hospital where I worked, fresh out of residency. He was bright, smart, and came on board with a partner, both of them excellent docs. They pioneered the use of the cardiac enzyme testing routine at our hospital, for suspected heart attacks. It had been around for just a few years, and not all hospitals were using it. That test is used nationwide now, renamed cardiac biomarkers. I've known him over 40 years, and I have tremendous respect for his ability and knowledge. Besides that, he's a really nice guy!

Well, away I go. Blessngs, friends, and keep looking up! --Romeena





October 11, 2021 - Msg 117175: Well! I don't know what happened to the paragraph I had written for you MDC, but it vanished. I think I have a poltergeist in my computer!

You're right, that is a big old flowerbed. It used to so beautiful when I could afford to fill it, but that's not a wise choice these days. So, I'll fill it with something less expensive, like a trailing groundcover. Could you ask Cecile if she knows the true name of her "yellow dots?" I wonder if they're like my "sun drops?" One thing I know I will never plant again is any seeds marked "Dwarf Zinnias" - that label is a big fibber! --Romena

October 11, 2021 - Msg 117176:
Today is Thanksgiving Day here in Canada. My wife cooked a great meal that included chicken, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, mixed vegetables, stuffing, and rice. I had portions of everything except for the meatloaf which I am saving for the rest of the week. No turkey or desert for us.

from Poor Horatio

October 12, 2021 - Msg 117177:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING POOR HORATIO!!!

RO-my wife says "wedelia trilobata" which is Greek to me! ha She also says that it grows well in zones 12, 13, 21, and 24, which is more Greek to me, but gardener that you are it may mean something! haha
Well, I just did a search and here ya go...
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=wedelia+trilobata&t=chromentp&ia=web

Later,
MDC






October 12, 2021 - Msg 117178:

Oh, Boo, been meaning to tell you that
we are still using the nice Christmas gift
that you made for us!
We decided to have the fam over for Thanksgiving,
trying to get back to normalcy. All have accepted
so it should be nice! Any plans for you all?
More later,
MDC

October 12, 2021 - Msg 117179: Good afternoon, porch! I'm at my window, looking out at a solid gray dome of sky, looks like it's just bursting with rain that hasn't fallen yet. I think I'd better go out and put the sprinkler system on "rain delay", because surely we'll have the mercy of a great rainfall very soon.

MDC, thank you so much! I can just picture a thick carpet of those beautiful yellow flowers spreading over that "big old flowerbed", and will be checking local nurseries to see if anybody carries the plants, now that I know what they are. I’ll also use the link to inform myself about the flowers. When to plant, what kind of soil, sun/shade conditions, length of flowering time, water requirements, etc. If nobody carries them here, I'll use that link, and get some from Ebay, but I'll get some already well-established plants if I can. Getting lazy in my old age, I guess. Thanks a bunch - that looks like exactly what I'm looking for. By the way, I don't know where those zones are located,either. I'm in Zone 8-9 here in Dallas, and the zone numberss get higher, the farther south you go, but I think you might have to go to the equator to find some of those!

I'm feeling a bit sad today. I mentioned the tree limb that came down in the windstorm on Sunday night. Well, yesterday, Eddie was here clearing out the debris, and when he moved part of the limb, one of my little squirrels was on the ground beneath it, dead. I think I had mentioned a few days ago that I was watching a pair of little juvenile squirrels, about half grown. They must have been a late litter, because they should have been born in early spring, and should have been pretty well grown by now. They had been chasing each other around the yard, in and out of the trees, and were such fun to watch. Well, I don't know where the other one is now, haven't seen it, but the one we found is now buried in state, near the back fence. He (or she) is in good company, as there is another squirrel buried back there, one that was hit by a car out in front of my house years ago. Also, a beautiful dove that my grandson found in the yard, cause of death unknown, is buried back there. I just cannot bring myself to dispose of creatures like that by just dropping them in the trash. They're not trash. All life is precious.

Well, Eddie is ready to leave, guess I'd better go pay him. He is really tidying the back yard up! So much stuff was hit by that catastrophic freeze last winter, and I've left it in place to see if it would revive, but a lot of it was just damaged beyond recovery, so he's been digging it out and making room for something else - what, I don't know right now. I'll find something. I'd love to just put a climbing rose about every six feet along the east fence, but roses are still a bad choice. The "witch's broom", or Rose Rosette Disease is a deadly viral infection, spread by an almost-microscopic mite, and has no known cure. I know this demon well, having lost about 25 rose bushes to it when it hit Texas about three or four years ago. The huge rose-growing industry in and around Tyler, Texas, was hit hard, with some growers ending up uprooting and burning hundreds of acres of roses. I had another "big old flowerbed" that was devoted to roses, had about 18 bushes in it, and then several solitary bushes all around the yard. I have three left. For whatever reason, the beautiful Cinco de Mayo rose seemed to be resistant to it. Nice little rose, if kept pruned back sharply after a bloom period, it will rebound quickly and usually blooms at least four, sometimes five times a year. I have two, and they have had little "sick spells" with the RR disease, but when I cut off the affected canes, they seemed to recover. They're not quite as vigorous as they were at first, and they may still succumb yet, but at least they're still blooming. I love roses!

Well, guess I'll go get in my chair and let Trinket get in my lap for her daily nap. She's very accustomed to that, and I confess, so am I! Blessings, friends. Keep looking up! --Romeena

October 14, 2021 - Msg 117180:

Hello Porchsters. I hope and pray that all is well
these days with y'all. :)
2 Good tags episodes tonite and I spotted a small blooper...
In the one where barney asks Miss Rosemary for a date,
in a scene in the courthouse, when they open the door,
you can see the squad car, but when it cuts to the outside
scene, there's no car there! It is also the only episode
where the Snappy Lunch is mentioned by name! (But I bet GF knew that!)

The second episode was PH's about "Poor Horatio!" Opie is so very cute
in that one.

Then on Gomer Pyle, Susan Oliver was Miss Camp Henderson.

All is going well here. Our weather is finally getting nice. Tueday it was only 70, and Flagstaff got SNOW, tho just a smidgen.
RO--so sorry about your fluffy-tailed backyard friend. My guess is that he never saw it coming. Like that poor UPS driver who was killed in Calif. I feel so bad for his
family, as he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Please keep praying for our country. People need to get back to work. This whole
supply chain thing has me pretty concerned. But God is in charge,
and my trust is in Him. Peace and blessings to you all,
MDC :)


October 14, 2021 - Msg 117181: MDC...BTW...I have eaten at the Snappy Lunch in Mt. Airy several times over the years... But at Mayberry Days the line is VERY long and I won’t wait that long, so I will do Snappy in July at the Meet-Up...

Speaking of Mt. Airy check out this link about The Whittling Wall” it is a sight one needs to see while you visit there.
https://youtu.be/X81yyiz0QqY It is artwork honoring local people who have made an impact in the local community.. It’s pretty cool, along with some murals in town too...Andy wasn’t the only one to make a name for themselves from that town.

Here’s a video about Snappy Lunch too!... https://youtu.be/f0IRArmKfbM

G-F

October 15, 2021 - Msg 117182: Hello all. Been a while.

Regarding the training route, I've never heard of such a thing. All our new carriers got a decent dose of training. As for the book slot, sorry Romeena, I'm not thrilled with it. We count seconds per delivery, and I wouldn't be thrilled to have carriers having to take the time to read the sign and push in the towel. Most carriers have about 600 delivery addresses, so each 1 second per stop adds up to 10 minutes a day. Business works on per unit time standards, and we discourage special instructions. The time just isn't there.

Billy Ray the Retired Postman

October 16, 2021 - Msg 117183:

Billy Ray, your mail education was worth every penny! :)

Tonight's tags episode on me-tv was the Christmas Story.
It's too bad that they didnt do any more Christmas episodes;
but then again, THIS one has every aspect of what Christmas is all about!
Christ, giving, caring, loving, sharing, etc, etc, etc. :)
From wanting to visit the Hubacher brothers to the singing of
Away in a Manger and seeing old Ben singing along just get to me every time.
Beautifully written and beautifully acted.

GF--did you mention that Margaret Kerry has been to Mayberry Days?
Thank you for those two links, very good stuff!

Hang in there folks, prayers for all,
MDC





October 16, 2021 - Msg 117184: Speaking of the Christmas Story episode, Miss Ellie’s Son Peter joins us for Floyd’s Monday podcast most every week too... She sends her best to every one, she hasn’t been to Mayberry Days for several years, but I have met her several times over the years...

As with Margaret they are BOTH sweet ladies and I have great memories seeing and meeting them in person...

G-F....*Better get back to my 🍁 🍁 Amen Asa?..It’s a FUN Day...

October 16, 2021 - Msg 117185: If Y’all are interested...Here’s a link to the Mayberry Days photo gallery of the event ....G-F

http://www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays/images/galleries/md21photogallery.html

October 16, 2021 - Msg 117186:
G-F, what's with the two red Canadian maple leafs in Msg 117184?

from Poor Horatio

October 17, 2021 - Msg 117187: PH....I was referring to Asa & I having to rake our leaves....G-F

October 17, 2021 - Msg 117188: Good Sabbath all.

MDC, I also wish they would have had more than just the one Christmas episode, but I also agree, the one they did create is classic.

GF, My tree's are just starting to turn color finally. It's always a race to see if they all fall and I can get them cleaned up before it snows.

Speaking of Miss Ellie, I have a picture of my Mom when she was a young woman and her resemblance to Miss Ellie is remarkable. But my youngest Daughter, Stacey, looks so very much like my Mom. She could be a great Miss Ellie at Mayberry Days.

Old Sam Muggins should have learned something from his lock up. He went from making spirits in Mayberry to dealing with narcotics in L.A. on Dragnet. Such goings on.

GF, I'm sure you have had days in your shop when everything you do just goes wrong. I was having one of those yesterday afternoon. I have been fabricating some shelves to better organize things, and everything I tried doing went wrong. It is so nice to be able to walk away from it, and get back to it on Monday and know that it wll work out fine. I'm not sure why it works that way, but it does. Sure lowers my frustration level to be able to walk away from it for a day or two.

Well I think I'll go rustle up some breakfast. I'm hungry. Even one of Opie's 45 minute eggs sounds good right now. :)

Prayers for all.

Asa

October 17, 2021 - Msg 117189: We've lost our dear Thelma Lou, y'all. Betty Lynn passed yesterday.

Rest in peace,sweet lady.

*******************
possum under a rock

October 17, 2021 - Msg 117190: **NEWS FLASH**
It was just announced Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) has passed away. https://m.facebook.com/surryartscouncil/

G-F

October 17, 2021 - Msg 117191: I’m SO Glad I got to say Hi to her before the parade at the staging area this year...😢 G-F

October 17, 2021 - Msg 117192:

Oh, so sorry to hear of Betty Lynn's passing.
I feel like I have lost a family member.
She was the PERFECT Thelma Lou for Barney,
and always such a gracious lady.
I think of her 'grace' for Barney after the cave rescue, and when Barney wrestled with the the
convict, and she came running up to him.
She was wonderful both befre the camera and behind it.
Rest in peace dear one, you touched so many lives.

ASA, sometimes 'taking 5' really helps. When I had all those sprinkler
problems a couple of years ago, I had to do that also. Just walk away from it,
regroup my thoughts, and then return. Then suddenly it all came together! :)
Our leaves dont turn or fall until mid-November. I guess its all in the weather cycle.

We havent heard from MAUDIE, LUCY, and a few others lately. I hope and pray that all
is well.
Good Sabbath,
MDC



October 17, 2021 - Msg 117193:

http://www.surryarts.org/images/mayberry/2021/jones/parade/parade210911.html">


October 17, 2021 - Msg 117194:

Well, it didnt work as planned, but if you highlite the above link, and paste it in a new address line,
it should show you a photo of Betty in this year's Mayberry Days parade.
MDC


October 17, 2021 - Msg 117195: So sad to hear about Thelma Lou. She was a great and gracious lady. My best to all of you here.
Any seasoned porchters might remember
Miss Peggy of days gone by ….

October 17, 2021 - Msg 117196:
MDC, that link address you posted is a beautiful closeup of Betty Lynn. I am glad that she had one more opportunity to get out and meet with some of her fans. Maybe now she can finally marry Barney up in heaven. May she rest in peace.

from Poor Horatio

October 18, 2021 - Msg 117197: Try clicking on this link:

http://www.surryarts.org/images/mayberry/2021/jones/parade/parade210911.html

mdc

October 18, 2021 - Msg 117198: Good morning all.

So very sad to read about the passing of our sweet Betty Lynn. Sad for us, but glad for her. She has no doubt gone on to a better place.
Evey interview I have ever seen of her indicated she was as sweet and kind a woman you would ever find. The world was a better place with her in it, and is a little worse off with her gone.
Mayberry looks a little empty now, bot don't heaven seem nice and full.

Asa

October 18, 2021 - Msg 117199:

Thanks ASA,...for the perfect quote! :)

mdc


October 18, 2021 - Msg 117200: ........** Exactilioso **.......

October 18, 2021 - Msg 117201: Nice, Asa...real nice. Rest in Peace our dear Thelma Lou.

Boo

October 19, 2021 - Msg 117202:

ME-TV had a nice tribute to Betty Lynn tonight.
Two episodes in which she had a major part.
The first one was where she is first "introduced"
as "Barney's girl." It is the one where she makes Barney
jealous and plays up to Andy.
I'm not sure why Hilda May got written out, but there may be a
'backstory' to that.
The second episode is the one that I mentioned up above.
"Barney gets his man." Her look as she walks off with barney arm in arm
is just priceless!

I hope everyone has a blessed week! :)
MDC

October 19, 2021 - Msg 117203: Good morning, porch! Beautiful day here, sunny but cool, nice little breeze ruffling the still very green leaves on all the trees. The grass is still green and growing, though the growth rate has slowed. Eddie was able to skip a mowing this week.

So very sorry to lose sweet Betty Lynn. MDC, you were wondering why Hilda May got written out? I think it's because Thelma Lou's character just seemed to "fit" Barney's character. She was sweeter, more compliant, yet with a little fiery streak that would surprise now and then. She built Barney up, as Hilda May would attempt to do, but she knew just how to "poke the bear" when he needed it, and she had the perfect little sweet face to mask what she was doing. Perfect casting.

Well, better get moving. David is coming to take me to lunch at our favorite Thai place. We're about the only ones in the family who like Thai food, so we have our little get-away now and then. I need to tidy up the kitchen a bit before he gets here. He's a neat and tidy person, can clean a house as well as any woman, and isn't afraid to do it. I'll admit I'm a bit lax on the housecleaning these days. My energy and endurance levels are low, there's no one here but me, except Trinket, and she definitely doesn't care, so I do let a little dust remain now and then. Not for long, though. I do like a clean house! One thing I do let slide, though - making up my bed every day. My bedroom is in the back corner of the house, off the beaten path for visitors. It's a big, tall, king-size bed, and it's at least a mile and a half around that thing, for all the 8 or 10 trips it takes to get everything smoothed out, covered and pretty little pillows in place. Then, exhausted, I leave the room and pretty much don't see it again until evening. It just seems like wasted effort to me. I make it up nicely when someone is coming over, but other than that.....

Blessings, friends! Keep looking up! --Romeena

October 21, 2021 - Msg 117204:

Hello Porchsters!
I hope and pray that you are all doing OK these days.
I just watched two fun episodes of tags. Here's a couple of hints:
"The kitchen's that-a-ways if that's what yer a gropin' for."
The beauty pageant ep sure has some great lines, and even Jack Elinson's
daughter, Joy, is in it as Mary Wiggins! Opie is just cute as a button with her. :)
Then there was those gossippin' men with Emma's great line, "I'm in my 40s, and I admit it." BTW, did ya all know that the map behind Andy in the courthouse is a map of Idaho
upside-down!? Pretty funny when one realizes it.

Mmm. our weather is gettin to be darn right nice in the low 80s recently.
BOO- I hope Erin is still doing better. Prayers for her,
and all of you.
RO--I saw a commercial for an ADT emergency call button, and the actress in it
has a maltesse doggie for a pet, so neat!

Keep well folks, please come by and set for a spell. I miss ya all!
MDC