The Andy Griffith Show - The Taylors Front Porch

The Taylors' Front Porch

Pull up a chair! Have a sit-down an' shoot the breeze with us. Later on, maybe we'll go down to the drugstore to get a bottle of pop . . . maybe see what's showin' at the Grand . . . . What you gonna do tonight, Barn?

April 28, 2021 - Msg 116576:

Hello! I sure hope everyone is doing OK.
We got a little bit of rain today, so that was nice, but we could sure
use some more.
Tonite's tags were the miracle salve, and the fun girls. The only episode of Gomer and Goober together. Not my fav, but that is an interesting tidbit.
God's blessings, more later,
MDC

April 29, 2021 - Msg 116577:

And SWISH! :)

Also, a question for GF and ASA...either of you ever use Nuflex 302 for sealing a porcelain-covered cast iron sink to a countertop? MDC

April 29, 2021 - Msg 116578: Good morning all.

Nice sweeping job MDC. You even got the corners. I have never used that product you asked about.
We could use some rain here also. We got a bit last weekend, and a little snow, but not much. Been a very dry winter.

I just saw a story on our local news (although I don't think it was a story about a local resident) abought a slug of birds that flew into a guys house through the chimney. The family was out for dinner but a neighbor happened to catch it on video. A huge swarm of these birds in the guys house. We get those here at times this time of year. You will see a large flock fly into a yard (and I mean large, thousands of them) and then they will all fly off together. Amazing to watch in flight. They all follow a leader and will look like a black wave in the sky. I bet Romeena knows what kind of bird they are. Maybe swallows?

Matt is finally start6ing to feel a little better thank goodness. I am amazed how hard this hit him. Thank goodness the rest of the family has been spared so far.

Romeensa, thanks for those kind words about my teaching ability, but I sure don't feel ept at it. I have always thought that great teachers are gifted with that ability, and I am not one of those. But I do agree with your comment about God blesses those He calls. So who knows.

I saw that Mike Collins, the Command Module astronaut on Apollo 11 passed away at age 90 yesterday. Sad to see. He was a very witty and down to earth guy from what I have ever seen of him. And that had to be a lonely seat in that Command Module while Armstrong and Aldrin went down on the surface in the Lunar Module. Sad to think there are going to be a few of those Apollo legends leaving us in the next few years I imagine. All of the Apollo 8 crew is still with us, all in their 90's or close to it. And all still married to their original wives. Very unusual in that world.

We are supposed to hit the low 80's tomorrow and Saturday MDC. Then back down in the 60's next week. I suppose I best get my a/c system all ready. Not much to do really. I hose down the coils on the outdoor unit. Make sure everything looks good and tight. Then change the filter on the air handler and make sure everything there is in good shape. And then we should be good to go. At least thats the plan. My system is over 20 years old now so there are no promises. 10-4 GF?

Well better do some laundry today. I noticed I am down to my last pair of clean socks and underwear. I ain't planning on a whim, so I best get going.

Boo, I hope Erin is doing okay.

Asa

April 29, 2021 - Msg 116579: All this talk about "angels" brought back some fond memories regarding one of my five favorite movies. It's the 1951 version of "Angles In The Outfield". You can watch a 15 minute clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vBnVON6la8. For those who choose not to watch the entire clip, here is a brief synopsis:
The Pittsburg Pirates baseball is doing poorly and is in last place. One particular male broadcaster constantly reports negative comments about the team and blames their fowl mouthed manager. A young orphan girl named Bridgette prays to the angels asking for help. Then after a game one evening, the crowd had gone home and the stadium was empty. The manager went out on the baseball field looking for his lost good luck charm. When he can't find it, he begins cursing. Suddenly, a voice tells him to "shut up". The manager thinks it is a person using the public address system to tease him but can't find anyone in the stadium. Finally the voice identifies himself as an assistant angel to Gabriel, the Archangel. He says he was sent by Gabriel because someone down there prayed a lot asking for help. When the manager still does not believe, thunder and a bolt of lightning gets his attention. The angel says that in return for their help, the manager needs to stop swearing and stop fighting with others. When the manager asks for further proof, the angel tells him look for a miracle in the third inning of tomorrow's game. Then a single feather falls from the sky and lands right next to the lost good luck charm.
The next day during the top of the third inning when the Pittsburg team is on the field, they make spectacular catches and fielding plays that prevents the other team from scoring. Then when Pittsburg comes to bat in the bottom of the third inning, they end up scoring five runs. After one particular hit by Pittsburg, it seemed like it was an easy fly ball to the outfield that could be caught for an out. Although the other team's outfielder waited to catch the fly ball, it stayed up in the air until all the Pittsburg players scored. Then it came down where no one could catch it. This began a ten game winning streak for Pittsburg. And a female reporter noticed how the manager had mellowed in his behavior and had not punched anyone in two whole weeks. And although the manager was able to speak with his angel, he could not see any of them. I loved it when the angel tells the manager that there are plenty of former baseball players in heaven, but very few managers.
Then the orphanage allows Bridgette, the young orphan girl who did all the praying, along with some of her school mates to attend a Pirates baseball game. When Pittsburg was behind 7 to 2, that orphan girl suddenly sees angels appear behind each Pittsburg player including one sitting on the scoreboard. Pittsburg wins that game 10 to 7. A female newspaper reporter learns about that girl who saw the angels.
The rest of the movie shows the interaction of the manager, that female reporter, and Bridgette the orphan girl. The final minute of the movie has a surprise ending where that bully male non-believer broadcaster suddenly learns to believe. Although I know this is a fictional movie, I wish that it had really happened.

from Poor Horatio

April 29, 2021 - Msg 116580: Nope MDC..Don’t recall using that brand, but I could have...I usually used what purchasing dept. bought which was usually GE Silicone and DAP products for caulking things..

Asa I didn’t hear about Mike Collins ...That just leaves Buzz left from the crew...🚀

Good clip PH......G-F

April 30, 2021 - Msg 116581:

ASA-funnny how you said that about a whim, because that was Barn's line in tonite's episode!
"Don't question a whim." ha (I think you were refering to that.) Tho not high on my list of tags favs, because of Barney's 'Assuming',
it still has some good lines.

Sorry to hear that about Mike Collins. He was sort of the forgotten
astronaut on July 20, 1969 when the other two got all the attention.
And ASA, did you realize that you said a pun when you mentioned that he was a "down to earth" guy!? ha Also, I have always wondered what the world's reaction would have been if Neil Armstrong's first words were "Hey, this really IS green cheese!" haha Hope your weather holds out.

Good clip PH. Thanks. I have never fully watched that one or the later re-make,
but now I think I shall. I hope you are doing OK these days.

GF and ASA--the reason I asked about that silicone is because our new kitchen double sink
is a porcelean cast iron model, and the plumber said that they are heavy enough that it will not need caulking under the rim, but he will just put a bead
of that silcone around the rim once it is installed. Supposedly is good stuff.
The new cabinets should finally arrive next week! :)

Prayers,
MDC

April 30, 2021 - Msg 116582: MDC...That is true about not needing the normal sink mounting hardware, but I’d still put a bead of caulking on the countertop FIRST before you set the sink just to be safe...
But That’s Just Me 🤷🏼‍♂️...You concur Asa?

What brand of cabinetry did you go with?..When we added on to out house back in 2000 we installed KraftMade which are made locally. I didn’t want any of that particleboard junk. Their stuff was quality at a reasonable price...I’m sure your delay is COVID related it has affected many manufacturers supply chains...

But I did see a video from a guy who was showing miles of lumber stacked and just sitting there from Canada being stockpiled at a Depot. The cost of building material now a Days is THRU THE ROOF!.....Yet another case in ways to gouge the consumer!...

G-F

May 01, 2021 - Msg 116583: GF I would agree very much with your view on sealing the underside of the sink.

The price of material anymore is crazy, ain't it? We are experiencing a huge growth spurt here locally and it has created a severe housing shortage and in the process has driven home prices sky high. I feel bad for young couples just starting out. They said that many existing homes on the market are turning into offers coming in higher than the asking price because of real buyers needing the house or speculaters looking for a quick turnaround.

MDC I bet you and Cecile will be glad to see the new cabinets installed. You will have to send us some pictures. And I had not realized I had made a pun when I described Mike Collins as down to earth. lol That was funny and I wasn't even trying.

Matt has improved nicely the last two days so thanks for the prayers. Stacey and Mariah have both been tested and have both come back negative after they had experienced some slight symptoms. Not complaining and I hope and pray that no one else gets sick but it sure seems odd that Matt would be the only one to get it based on how contagious it has been reported to be. Anyway, I am glad so far they are all well.

I hope you all have a great weekend. Prayers for any needing them.

Asa

May 01, 2021 - Msg 116584: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BweKwFqGHiU

Happy May Day,y'all!

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

May 01, 2021 - Msg 116585: 🎶 🗣~~Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la!!! 🎶......G-F

May 01, 2021 - Msg 116586: Not...Rah, Rah, Rah! ....La,La,La!....https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pv8UvPQFFbw

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

May 01, 2021 - Msg 116587: Hahahaha! Love those videos! Honestly, when Barney is super-enunciating his fa-la-las, you just want to slap him. Too funny!

Asa, glad to hear the good news about Matt and his family. This virus is so unpredictable. I know one woman who had been a virtual prisoner in her house, didn't poke her nose out for fear of getting it, yet she did. She recovered, thank God, but how she got it, no one knows. Then there's me, wearing my loose-fitting masks (can't breathe when they fit tightly) continuing to go out into the community, after the first two or three weeks of the panic, am older than dirt, have a number of ailments, including diabetes, and yet I've tested negative from the get-go. I'm fully vaccinated now, but it's just never been a problem. Go figure. One thing - a nurse's habit - I do wash my hands religiously. First thing I do when I get home from grocery shopping, is wash my hands. Then I put the groceries away, and wash my hands again. Don't know whether that helps all that much or not, but I've never gotten the virus.

Well, gotta run. My SS class is taking food to the family of a class member, whose daughter's funeral is today. Her death went down as Covid, but she also was 62, had congestive heart failure, COPD, diabetes, kidney failure, etc. With all those co-morbidities, she was a prime target, and who is to say whether Covid actually was the cause?

Blessings, friends, and prayers for all of us! Our nation needs all the prayers we can offer! Keep looking up.....--Romeena

May 03, 2021 - Msg 116588:

Hello Gang, I hope everyone has had a pleasant Sabbath day. I took the time to re-hang some roll-up bamboo-type shade screens over my west-facing windows today. With our temps in the 90s already, I had to do it a bit earlier this year!

RO--I forgot to mention how interesting it was that both our pastors had been preaching on the same verses about the only way of salvation is through Jesus.
Very cool! Not dry as dirt, that is for sure! :)

ASA, so happy to hear that Matt is doing better. It sure has hit some people hard. AZ is doing very well these days, and people are getting back to doing things, (which I never really quit doing, but that's just me!)
Oh, BTW, we got a call from Lowes on Friday (the day the cabinets were suppose to ship from Minnesota,) to tell us that now it will be the week of JUNE 9th. They are claiming shortage
of parts like hinges. Man, I never counted on a third delay! :(

GF--we got Schuler brand, and yes, like yours, all plywood construction.
They will have the slide-out type shelves on the lower cabinets, and the self-closing type drawers once the drawer is almost closed. Also, IF this ever takes place, I'll go with the bead of caulk under the sink per your suggestion. I guess it's best to be sure.

RO--so sorry about your friend's daughter. I hope everything went OK.

Last night on Me-tv they showed The Ghost and Mrs Chicken. Always a fun movie.

Hey POSTUM, thanks for coming out from under your rock! Happy May to you as well.

The other night was another of my fav Twilight Zones. It was about an old retiring
professor wondering if he made an impression on any of his former students.
A good one if you ever get a chance to see it. He has a vision in which several of
his students appear to him to thank him. Here is a small clip from the show...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce6HlKSODwE

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE, LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT. :)

MDC

May 03, 2021 - Msg 116589:
G-F, I put a bead of clear caulking around the edge of our kitchen sink after it was installed. Why do you recommend putting the caulking before the sink is installed?

Those singing videos that possum u.a.r and G-F posted made me laugh. I needed that. Thanks to both of you.

It was sad to learn about the passing of former astronaut Mike Collins. It is also sad that he did not get as much media attention as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin did. RIP Mike.

MDC, that Twilight Zone link you posted got me thinking once again. When the news media reports numbers of military personnel killed in action, I realize that each number was somebody's son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father or a friend who was cheated out of their future life here on earth. Who knows what positive accomplishments they could have achieved had they survived? Sadly, as life goes on, many are forgotten. RIP to all who served and made the supreme sacrifice.

Finally, regarding the price of lumber. What I hear on news radio surprises me in spite of the high prices. One survey revealed that the demand for home remodeling and buildings is also increasing. And although I can understand the need for essential repairs, supposedly about 75% of the current projects are for non-essential types of work. Don't people understand that as long as the demand is high, the lumber mills can keep prices high?

from Poor Horatio

May 03, 2021 - Msg 116590: PH...I have many sinks that way, it both sets the sink in place since no mounting clips are used, plus it’s a secondary seal if the outside bead is damaged....I guess it’s just better to be safe than sorry...Most of the countertops are Formica covered particleboard. If water penetrates, it soaks it up like a sponge...

The old time plumbers used to use plumbers putty but silicon lasts longer..

Just my opinion....G-F

May 03, 2021 - Msg 116591: *done

May 03, 2021 - Msg 116592: Hello all. I'm ready to hang up the old mailbag in July. Sign a few papers and it'll be done. That's got me thinking about how different the Post Office is today than in the early 80's. Amazing. Talked to woman today who's considering it. She points to the wrong people being promoted, and having to deal with the public as the two things she can't deal with any more. That's pretty common among us feds.

I'm hoping people will go ahead and get inarculated. I really don't understand the reluctance. And I can't say I respect the position either. But, there you go.

Billy Ray the Postman

May 03, 2021 - Msg 116593: Checking in at the end of a long day. Hope you are all well. Thank you for the encouragement and prayers. We are doing ok and ERin is much better now, thank you.

Not a lot of news. I applied for a part time job with a home agency but haven't heard anything yet. I have mixed feeling about going back to work, but I really need to if I want to have this house paid for in a few years and be ready for Bruce to retire.

Better go finish cleaning the kitchen. Love to all.

Boo

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116594:

HI ALL, Hope everyone is doing OK.
Big Maude, Spotty and Possum, it looks like you are all
in for some weather. Please be careful out there.

Well, something has happened to my broadcast version of ME-TV.
As of Monday, all it shows is a blank screen.
When I went to my it's local website it states that the
over-the-air antenna version is having some hiccups as they
deal with their digital platform. I sure miss my tags! :( and
I can't make any comments! ha

One scary thing I heard on TV news last night is that countries like
China, Russia and others are beaming microwaves at our embassies, giving our diplomats headaches, vertigo, and other maladies. That is pretty weird
"1984" type of goings on. We are indeed living in strange times.

BOO- so happy to hear that Erin is doing better. I will for sure
keep up the prayers.

BILLY Ray--sounds like you are like a lot of us...
Working environments have really changed in recent years.
Hope it all works out for you.

Hang in there and keep well,
MDC

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116595:

Hello again. I just saw on Possum's fB page
that Johnny Crawford has passed. A good guy, may he rest in peace. :(

Johnny Crawford, the original Mouseketeer who starred as the young son of the Civil War veteran portrayed by Chuck Connors on the 1958-63 ABC series The Rifleman, died Thursday, it was announced. He was 75.

In 2019, it was revealed that Crawford had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and a GoFundMe campaign organized by Paul Petersen — the advocate for former child actors and onetime star of The Donna Reed Show — was set up to help the family deal with expenses.

Crawford was 9 when he appeared for the first time as Mark McCain, son of the widower Lucas McCain, on The Rifleman. The Four Star Television series, set in the New Mexico Territory with storylines crafted by Sam Peckinpah, ran for five seasons, from Sept. 30, 1958, to April 8, 1963, and then for decades in syndication and reruns.

MDC

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116596: Happy Birthday to Big Maude!

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

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116597: Happy Birthday Maude🎂..& A Happy Cinco de Mayo-nnaise...
Would That Be Hellman’s?...Miracle Whip, or Duke’s?...On that BLT 🥓 🥬 🍅 today?

MDC, I had forgotten Johnny was a Mouseketeer...I a.ways liked him on “The Rifleman”...Good child Actor ...

G-F....

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116598: Good morning, porch! Big day today... the plumbers are coming tomorrow to start their two-day stint at bypassing my water lines on the west side of the house, to eliminate that slow leak that has been drip-drip-dripping somewhere under my slab foundation. The leak is on a hot water line, we have determined that, but I'm going to bite the bullet and let them replace the cold water line as well. The fix is going to mean opening four holes in the walls to give access to the lines. It will cost almost twice as much to replace both lines, instead of just the hot water line, and the original plan was to do just the one. However, my trusted friend Ted, who has handled all the repairs around here for about 25 years, encouraged me to do both lines. As he said, he was talking himself out of a future job, but he felt it was in my best interest to do both. He will be closing up and repairing the access holes made in the walls (four of them, maybe five). He said he would hate to have to do it all again anytime soon, if the cold line springs a leak, and it probably will. I think he's right. Anyway, my job today is to de-clutter the areas where the holes will have to be made. I won't be moving any furniture - the men will do that - but I do have to clear the area of "stuff" that would be in the way. Like getting the books, pictures and a lamp off of a credenza, clear out a closet so they can get to the wall that backs onto a bathtub in an adjacent bathroom, etc. The only easy one is in a bedroom, where all they have to do is roll a twin bed out of the way. I should be able to get it all done in an hour or two.

MDC, I have Dish Network for TV, and recently MeTV went from their channel 25-something to channel 55. No explanation, just a day or two of little ads warning of the change, and poof! It was done! I don't know if that has anything to do with what's happening with you or not. Probably not, if you're on an antenna service.

Well, guess I'd better get busy. Gotta drag out the vacuum too, can't have the men discovering what a casual housekeeper I've become! At least, the other two bedrooms where they'll be working won't have little "Trinket bunnies" in the corners, as she isn't allowed access to the front hall, three bedrooms, and a bathroom. That hallway is gated, and I rarely go there myself. Now "our" bedroom and bathroom is a different story. She has full access there. I could vacuum up enough puppy fluff to knit a new dog! Actually, the house is presentable enough, but I know where the secrets lie!

Happy Birthday, Maude! Hope it's a great one!

Blessings, everyone! Keep looking up! --Romeena

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116599: Good morning all and Happy Birthday Maude. Another one done sneaked up on ya. I hope it is a good one and thanks Possum for letting us know.

Romeena, Ted sounds like a man of my own heart, and probably GF's too. Excellent advice to replace both lines while you are at it. Glad to hear you are getting it done. Although a little leak, if you are like me it is always in my head and causing me anguish. lol One thing I was curious about Ro. Do you know if your water main has a pressure reducing valve on it? It might be worth a check to see what kind of water pressure you may be dealing with in your house. I'm sure that is something Ted could check for you. If the pressure is getting high, that can cause issues with leaks also. And it can be a problem for appliance lines like the hoses to your laundry washer, dishwasher, and ice maker on your fridge. Just a thought to consider.

Sorry to read that about Johnny. But maybe not so much if he had that dreaded disease. More like a thank you for the family and for him I suspect.

MDC, I am still seeing METV on my DISH channel okay, although I never (or seldom) watch TAGS on any broadcast channel having them on DVD. I watched an Alfred Hitchc0ck episode this morning though that had a TAGS connection. I'm pretty sure Blue was in it. He had inherited a large some of money from his Master, and the Master's nephew (played by Dick Van Dyke would get all the money when Blue died. So Dick and his fiancé were trying to expedite that event with no success. lol

GF, We don't get Hellmen's mayo out west here. But then I heard we do but they call it Best Foods brand. Go figure.

Well off to putter in the shop. Our weather has been so nice. I have not had to run the furnace or the a/c for a week now. Upper 60's in the afternoon, low 50's at night. Not bad, not bat a-tallll.

Asa

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116600: Good afternoon, friends. Asa, I will ask Ted about that water pressure question. He'll be here next week. One of my sprinkler heads is broken off and just sends a big geyser skyward when that zone runs, so of course I've turned that one off. We've had enough rain lately that it doesn't matter anyway, but still it needs fixing. Ted has a little laundry list of small things that need fixing, and will tend to them when he comes to restore the walls after the plumbers finish. As for the broken sprinkler head, I suspect it fell victim to Eddie's foot, when he was weeding in the area where it's located. It's broken off down in the ground a couple of inches. I was mildly annoyed with Eddie one day a few weeks ago, as he had stepped on a couple of plants and broke them. I'm was glad I hadn't mentioned it to him though, when I heard a little crunch and looked down to see my own careless foot sitting squarely in the middle of a crushed iris clump. I took advantage of it, and used it as an example to warn Eddie to be very careful.

Well, I need to go put fresh sugar water in my hummer feeder. I saw the little thing fly in this morning, taste the water, practically gag, and fly on. Guess I'll take the hint and change the water! Usually he hangs around the feeder, sipping every few seconds, for at least ten minutes, but not today! Poor little thing.

Blessings, friends. Keep looking up! --Romeena

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116601: "I'm was glad"??? Eeeek! --Romeena

May 05, 2021 - Msg 116602:
MDC, regarding the microwave energy that is being beamed at American embassies in Russia and Cuba, that has been going on sine 1953 as far as we know. Microwave transmissions occur at various power levels. At high power levels, it generates heat. This makes it ideal for microwave ovens. But the sources that aim microwaves at the embassies are using pulsed (interrupted) beams that allows lower power levels that do not generate heat.
Microwaves can easily penetrate building materials. Many US and Canadian diplomats and intelligence staffers working in certain embassies are complaining of experiencing numerous neurological symptoms. Some are so serious that require an early retirement. This occurs in spite of the government screening personnel with extensive physical and psychiatric examinations before assigning them overseas.
When these embassies began installing aluminum screens, that helped to reduce the microwave radiation by up to 90% for a while. But then power levels of the sources were increased.
This is similar to the metal screens used on the doors of microwave ovens. They block most, but not all, radiation when you cook food in them.
As to why these sources are beaming microwave energy at certain embassies, since I could not find an answer, either we don't know or that information is classified.

from Poor Horatio

May 06, 2021 - Msg 116603: Morning Honey's and Dear"s. hope all is well.

just stopping by to say thanks for the Happy Birthday wishes. I appreciate each and everyone of them.

hope everyone has a good Thursday,
prayers and blessings to all
Big Maude

May 06, 2021 - Msg 116604:

PH--two things--I meant to answer your remarks about the casualties of war... I do remember when my brother was in both gulf wars, the news talked a bit about
each soldier who had passed or was captured, tho I admit I was more attentive as my brother was involved. RIP indeed to all who gave their all!
Now, as to the microwaves, I did not realize that such a thing had been developed in 1957! Wow. I wonder if we could perhaps
line the walls with lead, if that would help at all.

Big Maude, hope your weather is not too bad these days, and happy birthday to you!!

ROMeena--how goes the re-pipe? Are they patching the holes in the
walls too? Hope so.

ASA--nothing like talking about the weather!
Sounds like yours has been excellent lately. Nice, real nice. :)
BTW, Wed, 60 years ago Alan Shepard did a 15 minute flight in the first Mercury capsule!

Hey to Possum, GF and ALL!

MDC

May 06, 2021 - Msg 116605: MDC Indeed,May 5 1961 A day that should live in infamy. Riding the reliable Redstone booster, it was enough to get him the altitude but not powerful enough to get the speed necessary to obtain orbit. (17,500mph) So he went up and right back down again. I was surprised at the high "g,s" he faced in reentry. He was a bit annoyed though because he had been scheduled to launch back in March, but because the flight before his (with a monkey) had inadvertently fired off the escape tower causing the capsule to go higher than expected (although the monkey survived just fine)', NASA decided to delay the first manned flight and do one more unmanned test flight. The two month delay allowed the Soviet Union to launch a cosmonaut up first in April. Gegarin's flight was able to achieve orbit and he reentered after one orbit of earth. Another first for the SOviet space program. They had previously been the first to launch a satellite into orbit in 1957. But that is okay. By the mid Gemini flights we had caught up and then surpassed them. My personal opinion is that in December of 1968 we won the "cold war" when Apollo 8 launched and went to the moon, something that no one has been able to do (with a manned crew) still to this day. Pretty darn amazing.
One interesting tidbit about Alan Shepherds first flight was after numerous delays and countdown holds he had been strapped into the capsule for 4 hours and realized he really needed to relieve himself. He asked if he could get out and find somewhere to go, but was told he had to stay. He then said he would just go inside his suit but they were concerned that with all the electronic devices inside his suit it would short things out. He finally told them to turn off all the devices in his suit because he was out of time. Lol So they did and he went and after things had dried out he said let's light this candle.
He was the only one of the original Mercury 7 astronauts to go to the moon. Went up on Apollo 14.

Romeena, how is the plumbing repair going? Hopefully they did not have to make to many access holes.

Well all this talking of having to go has hit home gang.

Later.

Asa

May 07, 2021 - Msg 116606: Hahaha, Asa, you are a caution. Guess what? The "talk" has hit me too! Back in a minute....

To you and MDC, the plumbing fix is ongoing. The guys were here all day yesterday, and are here today, with the hope of finishing up by around 3:30, so I'll be able to play bunco tonight. First things first ----

There are now 8 (9?) holes in the walls, and one in the floor of a utility closet. There are more than originally thought, because getting the cold water to the commodes in both bathrooms required opening some holes they hadn't planned for. They were hoping the lines ran directly from the other fixtures in the bathrooms, but they didn't. I don't know what I'm talking about, of course, but that's what I've gathered from listening to them talk about it. I'm just glad they know what they're doing, and I don't have to figure it out.

They've given me a gift, so to speak, though. They have installed a series of valves in the utility closet, so that if there is another leak anywhere down the line, they can shut off and isolate the line that's leaking, without having to shut the water off to the rest of the house. I understand that has been standard practice on new builds for several years, but they're updating it in this house, at least for the west side of the house, involving two bathrooms and a water heater. The east side of the house has a water heater, the kitchen, a half bath, and the washing machine. I can shut off the hot water to either area by closing the inflow valve to the heater. Being tankless, if there is no inflow, there's no outflow either. This valve system they've installed will shut off both hot and cold, so I can stop a leak in a particular area at will, without affecting the rest of the house. Very handy!

As for repairing the access openings, Ted will come on Tuesday to fix them. The work requires city inspection, and they have set an appointment with the inspector for Monday. Knowing Ted as I do, he will make the repairs so neatly that you'll never know there was an opening there. Actually, all of them are in non-visible areas - behind furniture, in a closet, behind some paneling, whatever. They removed the paneling very carefully, it should go back in place invisibly. This has been an expensive adventure, but it had to be done, and I'm just grateful that I had the wherewithal to do it.

I'm also glad that I happened to look in that meter box by the street one day - still don't know why I did, just curiosity, I guess. When I saw that little wheel in the meter turning, ever so slowly, but turning - I knew something was wrong. If I had not found that, the leak would have gradually progressed until some serious damage was done. Being a copper line on the hot water side, the intermittent heating and cooling of that copper would have gradually increased that tiny pinhole until it was a geyser under the house, and could have caused shifting of the foundation, could have come up through a tiny crack in the slab and soaked carpet, etc. I've been through that once, back in 2005 when I came home from Mongolia and stepped on wet carpet in my living room. That leak required a big hole jackhammered through the slab in a hallway, and lots of inconvenience and mess for a couple of days. This, by comparison, has been a breeze.

Well, guess I'll go water the little morning glory vines I planted a couple of weeks ago. They're up, about six inches high. I planted them in an old iron wash pot that sits beside a large cedar stump about 15' or so outside my window. The vines (I hope) will grow up and climb on the stump, which has a birdbath sitting on top of it. Should be pretty! The pot also contains a nice clump of my beloved sundrops. The contrast of the blue morning glories and the yellow sundrops has a lot of potential for beauty.

Blessings, friends! Oh, yesterday was Trinket's birthday! I can't believe she's two years old already. Still a busy, curious, enthusiastic, meddlesome and mischievous puppy! She's just so much fun, and I love her so much. I still miss my little Toye Starr, and yes, I still miss The Plum, but I love my little Trinket, though I do call her Stinky Trinky at times. Hang in there, friends, and keep looking up! --Romeena

May 07, 2021 - Msg 116607: MDC, I found this little clip about Alan Shepard. I love hearing his Daughters in it talking about him.
https://youtu.be/etWdJoXrajA

Romeena, you brought a smile to this old maintenance mans hear when you mentioned they were installing some isolation valves in your new lines. Having worked in a number of large industrial buildings over the years, you can never have enough isolation valves. I bet GF would give me a big old 10-4 on that. I can't tell you how many times I had to turn an 8 inch main line off to an entire building because a toilet control valve had failed and there were no isolation valves. Major pain in the rear for sure. Just beware that the inspector will most likely require that the valves are accessible, meaning they can't be covered up with drywall or anything. Sometimes that can be a pain to deal with.

Happy Birthday to Trinket. Gosh, hard to imagine she is 2 already. Seems like just a few months ago you got her.

Well off to mow the grass.

Asa

May 07, 2021 - Msg 116608: That’s a BIG 10-4 Asa....Don’t get me started on this one!...It Always amazed me, people put thousands and thousands of dollars into construction costs, but won't put a few extra bucks into valving off into zones so you don’t have to rely on just the main valve. Plus the main valve is often troublesome to shut off due to not being used very often...I won’t EVEN go there about “gate valves”...😡

Nobody looks out for the person who does the repairs Amen?
Plumbers should at least offer advice like Romeena’s Guy did So it will be simpler in the future....

Asa..Repeat after me...Not My Circus 🎪 Not My Monkey 🐒 ANYMORE!..🔧🧰🚰🚽🛁...Been there..Done That! Amen?

G-F

May 07, 2021 - Msg 116609: Good evening, porch! Just got home from playing bunco tonight, had fun with old friends. The plumbers had finished, cleaned up everything where they had been working, and the only signs that they were there are the holes in the walls. And yes, Asa, they did leave the valves visible and accessible, and marked to identify the area they serve. Now if we could just get electricians to mark the breakers, so we would know which one to turn off to work in a specific area.....Or so that we wouldn't have to turn off every stinking one of them to find out which one kills the area we're working on. Then we wouldn't have to go back and restart computers, reset clocks, and tend to all the other little annoyances, ad nauseum. Oh well. At least we have electricity, or we have it until everybody has electric-powered cars that have to be recharged every night. That should just about kill every power grid in the country. Gosh, I'm just a little ray of sunshine tonight, aren't I? (heehee)

Seriously, in truth, at least up until now, our lot in life is better than about 90% of the rest of the world. God is good. Blessings, friends, and keep looking up! --Romeena

May 09, 2021 - Msg 116610:

Hello Porchsters! First of all, a very happy "Moms' Day" to all our porch moms! :) It takes a special lady to make a mother...into a MOM! :)

Also Happy Nurses week to our two resident nurses RO and BOO!

ASA, there you go flaunting your space knowledge again! Ha. That was a good video about Shepard. Thanks.
To make a funny...I guess you could say that Alan Shepard REALLY DID fly by the 'seat of his pants!' lol Those guys were something, for sure, and they didn't have the million dollar potty that they now have on the ISS!

Well, I am still having issues getting Me-TV. I even did a rescan of broadcast channels.
I did find a new one tho called Circle. It is sort of a Jesus-loving country-western retro station. I saw on it Hee Haw the other night! I think I am going to try bigger wires, er... a better antenna. :)
Tonight on the Huckabee show he interviewed the author of "Dogwinks." It is like Godwinks, but stories of amazing things that dogs have done, saving lives, etc.
Pretty cool indeed. Which reminds me, Happy Birthday to Trinket!!

GF--Your's and ASA's remarks about the water valves, made me think...what if there was only one
main switch for a house's electricity, instead of the various circuits? Those have been around for years,
but they are only recently coming up with valves throughout a home's plumbing system!
RO--I am happy to hear that things went so well. Have you looked at the little wheel now to see
if it has stopped? :)

A very Good Sabbath to all!
MDC

May 09, 2021 - Msg 116611: Happy Mother's Day to all of the Porch mamas!

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

May 09, 2021 - Msg 116612: MDC...I really enjoy SQuire Rushnell’s work.. Here’s the link to the program..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HHVRKEP6Jdw

G-F

May 09, 2021 - Msg 116613: Good Sabbath all and Happy Mothers Day to all you wonderful Moms out there. My Mom has been gone for many years now, but there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her.

That was a great link GF. Fascinating story they told about that rescue dog. Wow, talk about a return on investments. I need to buy that book now.

MDC, The early years of power in houses was quite amazing. I still occasionally come across older homes who have not upgraded their electric systems. I have seen many 50 or 75 amp main panels that only have a few breakers in them. One breaker for all the outlets in the house. One breaker for all the lights. And maybe a two pole breaker for the oven and/or clothes drier. Most homes today have at least 100 or 125 amp services, and many have 200 amp.

Romeena, I certainly agree with your comments about identifying outlets on power panels. Sadly that seems to be stressed little by contractors. They want to get in and out as fast as possible to get on to the next job. As GF mentioned, a maintenance minded guy see's things through a different lens. He knows hoe frustrating it is to work on something down the road and will usually act accordingly in the installation process. I'm glad you have that plumbing project done and you don't have to worry about it now. Funny how I mentioned to you about a pressure reducing valve in your home. Just after that I noticed the water pressure in my sink seems to be much higher all of a sudden. I suspect my valve has gone bad so I need to check my pressure. I suspect the diaphragm has gone bad and has failed. It's 21 years old now so it wouldn't surprise me. Hopefully I will be able to find a repair kit for it and repair it in place instead of replacing the entire valve.

Well off to watch preaching. Our Church is back to mostly normal services now, but they are still streaming them for those of us who are cautious which I am with Debbie's health situation.

Prayers for all and again, Happy Mothers Day to our Porch Moms.

Asa

May 09, 2021 - Msg 116614: Happy Mother's Day to all of the mommas on the Porch! Happy Sabbath to all! I hope everyone is doing well. Things are doing fine over here. Take care!

Blessings to you and yours,
Lucy

Let me know if the porch needs a sweep Archives
This version of The Taylor's Front Porch has been created to pay our respect to the original porch found on Mayberry.org. Thanks to Frank for all the work he did for Mayberry on the web. We've tried to make this just like Frank's Porch. This is also a tribute to Ollie's "Trivialities" site which was another homage to Frank's porch but is no longer with us.