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?


March 10, 2024 - Msg 119715: Had a few minutes this morning before a patient visit so dropping back by.

Thank you MDC. I will be praying for your dear wife, that the answers and solutions will be found very soon. One thing I know for certain is that God loves her more than anyone could. He will walk with you both.

So, what I was going to share is that after the domestic violence incident 2 weeks ago, the judge took parental rights from Crystal and made me temporary conservetor. So, while Erin is living here with us, her rights are limited because of her decision to stay with Crystal in the first place. She is not allowed to take her anywhere alone, so that falls to me now. I have to get her to school and home, to all appointments, to meet with caseworker, hearings, etc. until/or if moms parental rights are restored. This should only be through the end of the school year, most likely. There is an aunt who has stepped up and wants to help so she will likely take over in the summer.
I am so thankful that the little girl is so easy to care for and such a joy to us all but we are more attached so we may have her for awhile. I dont want to put her in foster care but we will see. Trying to trust all things to God. I fear what losing her would do to Erin. Erin has proven to me over the past several months that she loves her like her own. She has made tremendous sacrifices for the little girl and worked herself half to death. Erin has her own health issues, mental and physical, as you know, so that is a concern.

Also, there have been some problems come up in my job and I am going to apply to a different company nearer to home. I am getting overwhelmed and am seriously underpaid. I found out my employer pays nearly half of what other agencies pay (or even less). I have had at least 12 to 20 patient visits per week, plus many computer hours, time spent traveling to patients, which amounts to full time hours, and my last paycheck was 600.00 for two weeks work. It should have been twice that, at least. Average pay for full time home health nurses is much, much higher for RNS. They asked me to be on call after hours last week and it was for the full week and weekend. They pay 100 dollars where other agencies pay at least 250. Its not all about the money but we are trying to plan for retirement and we need to be making money now at my age. I was referred to an agency near me and I called. They told me they are hiring RNS for as needed work and would train me to do admits and recertifications, which pay much more. I am going to pick up an application on Monday. The office is only 10 or 15 minutes from me, too, which would be nice. Right now I have to travel into corpus christi just to get supplies and that is at least 30-40 minutes from me. My current employer pays very little for mileage, too, and driving a suburban that gets 15 MPG, is eating up my funds, too. Anyway, just filling you all in. Better go, I have one patient to do a wound care on this morning in Corpus.

How do you all like the time change? I got up at 7:30, which felt like 6:30 so not loving it right now. I do like the way it gets dark later, though.

Have a wonderful Sunday,
Boo

March 10, 2024 - Msg 119716: Boo...You sure do have a LOT on your plate, we will pray for strength & peace ☮️...G-F

March 10, 2024 - Msg 119717: I agree with G-F! That's a lot to handle, Boo! Strength and peace with a bit of deep breathing and patience thrown in.

John Masters

P.S. Good sweep amidst all that pressure. ;)

March 10, 2024 - Msg 119718: Thank you, G-F and John Masters. I do have alot on my plate but am working to remedy that situation. :)

Boo

March 11, 2024 - Msg 119719: Good morning porch! Happy time change! It’s tough at first but will get better. I also love the longer evenings, Boo. Hang in there, girl. Praying for God’s leading for you and Erin and the precious little girl. Getting ready to get started on a lot of renovations around here. I’ll keep you posted. Our 24-year-old hot tub has pretty much died so looking to get a new smaller one to free up space on our sun porch. Any recommendations? Those inflatable ones look like space savers, but I’m not sure how long they last. We would also kind of like to stay with a 240 outlet. Most of the small ones are only 110. Busy day ahead. Prayers for your wife, MDC.
Take care all!
Charlotte Tucker

March 12, 2024 - Msg 119720: Good morning folks, checking in from work today
Looks like the porch was quite yesterday except for Charlotte who sat for a spell.

My end of the porch is cold but sunny this morning. About 34 degrees but should warm to about 60. I think rain is expected closer to the weekend. Its race weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway. Fans are slowly making their way to the campgrounds and hotels in and around BMS. We live about 45 minutes from the racetrack so we tend to stay close home during the spring race and the race closer to fall.

Boo: prayers for you and Erin and your family.
It is difficult for her and your family dealing with her addiction issues and as you well know there is also relationship addiction as well. Not enough is said about that in my opinion but it is a real thing.
In a lot of cases, people who struggle with 1 addiction will likely have another whether it be
food, gambling, pornography, relationship.

My little grandson Tripp is doing well. He is about 3 1/2 months old, weights about 13 pounds and is about 24 inches long. He is a happy little fella and grins and smiles a lot. Hopefully his happy disposition will continue.

Good luck with the tub search CT.
Prayers for you and your sweet wife MDC. Hopefully she will feel better soon.

Lunch menu will be homemade vegetable beef soup, cornbread/crackers. oatmeal cookies for dessert.
tea, lemonade or a big ole cold glass of milk to drink.
Be safe out there.
Prayers and blessings to all
Big Maude


March 12, 2024 - Msg 119721: Good morning, Big Maude. Yes, the porch was rather lonely yesterday. Great to see you. Sunny here this morning. Supposed to rain this evening. Not too far from here yesterday there was a bus/semi accident firey crash in which both drivers and 3 preschoolers were killed. It is a terrible sad thing. Two of the children were from one family. Please pray for all of these grieving folks and the community. In small towns, each and every person is affected. 😢🙏🏻 On a happier note, spring is coming alive here this week with warmer temps and green grass. We’ll probably be mowing soon! Prayers continue for you all, Mrs MDC, Boo, Erin, and little Mari. Thanks for the glass of milk, Big Maude. I do love milk! Maybe I’ll enjoy a “banana” or a “hamburger fried hard.” Right now I guess I’ll go get that pail of water Naomi and Sally were supposed to get while you dance with Al. “You’re a treasuh!”
Charlotte Tucker

March 13, 2024 - Msg 119722:

Hello wonderful porchsters!
Well, where do i start. I wish I had some better news to tell you from the appt Monday,
but after the doctors at Barrow Neuromuscular Institute had looked over
all the tests and procedures thus far (I had taken the papers to the clinic
about two weeks ago), and after performing several muscular tests in the office Monday,
with both the reflex hammer and some 'tension against his hand' tests,
he gave us the sad diagnosis of ALS, also known as Lou Gerhig's Disease.

As you probably know, there is no 'cure' per se, but there are a couple of
prescription meds that can slow its progress. He also said that since she has not
gotten 'worse' for about 2 months now, it is probably a slower progressing form of the
disease. Some of you may have had a friend who got it. Sometimes it is a bit genetic,
but often it just comes 'out of the blue.'
As you can imagine, our lives will be changing quite a bit, and I will be taking
on some more of what she has been doing, and I have also been helping her with showers,
and the like. She gets around well with her walker, can eat just fine.
Also, thru this institute, she will begin in-home PT next week. Thank you for all your
prayers. I believe one answer to them is the 'plateauing,' and the help that will begin.
Please keep them up. Thanks!! One day at a time, sweet Jesus...

BOO, my prayers continue for your whole family, as you face these new situations.
You can tell Erin about Cecile if you want, it might help her in some way.
All the best in your job hunt. I hope a good agency will hire you.

Charlotte, good to see your posts. Never had a hot tub, so cant help ya there.
Have 'fun' with those renovations. Cecile's portable toilet may help you too. :)
I often wonder how Asa's wife is doing these days.
So sad about that accident. We just never know do we.

Big Maude, we had nascar here this past weekend, and are also about 40 min from the track,
so I know exactly what you mean... a tad bit crazy. ha
Very cool about little Tripp, sounds like he is growing like a weed. :)
Weather has been lovely here in the mid-70s.
Hang in there and God bless,
MDC


March 13, 2024 - Msg 119723: Good morning folks
OH my MDC, I am sorry to see the post and diagnosis about your sweet wife. I am glad they were able to determine what was going on with her and can now move forward with treatment. There has been a lot of progress made in the treatment for patients with ALS so hopefully the medications can slow the progression and improve her quality of life (and yours too). You both will be in my prayers and know your porch family will be here for you.
Prayers and blessings
Big Maude

March 13, 2024 - Msg 119724: MDC...It’s Sad to read your post this morning...Sending many prayers, but what Maude posted can give a little comfort knowing progress is being made in this field...Much like Mrs. Goob’s MS diagnosis at least we know what we are up against. It doesn’t help but at least now you know...

Maude, yesterday’s menu sure sounded good, now I want to make homemade vegetable soup...😋

Boo...Hang in there Sister....Stay Strong 💪

Think Spring!... 🌸 🌻 ....G-F

March 13, 2024 - Msg 119725: Oh my goodness, MDC, I'm so sorry about the diagnosis of your wife. Thank God for the Drs and the testing, so, as hard as it is for both of you, at least you know what you're dealing with. Yes, I too have known a few people in the last 10 years or so who have had ALS. My brother, who lives in Tucson, has some form of the disease. It's in the ALS family, but not as serious. It took quite a while for him to be diagnosed properly, and I do worry about him so, as he sometimes has such a struggle every day. Hang in there.
It's been raining and in the 30s on my end of the porch, but supposed to have spring-like weather next week.
Sorry I missed out on the lunch menu yesterday, Big Maude. Were there any leftovers left?
Well, 10-4.
-Hazel

March 13, 2024 - Msg 119726: MDC - So sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis. My best to you both that you get through this the best you can.

Man...there just isn't much good news lately. Wouldn't it be nice someday to just say, "Nothing to say. Everything's fine."

*sigh*

John Masters

March 13, 2024 - Msg 119727: I agree, John Masters! It reminds me of one of my favorite Anne Murray songs called "A little good news"
"There's a local paper rolled up in a rubber band,
One more sad story's one more than I can stand.
Just once how I'd like to see the headline say
Not much to print today, can't find nothin' bad to say"...
-Hazel


March 13, 2024 - Msg 119728: I echo the sentiments that have already been expressed here and like the others,I'm sorry to hear the diagnosis, MDC. Just take things one day at a time and remember you can lean on the Lord and your porch family throughout the rough times. ************
possum u.a.r.

P.S. Sending love and prayers out for Boo & her family. Girl,you're dealing with SO much.Bless you! Please take care of yourself.

March 13, 2024 - Msg 119729: Oops! My rocks got outta whack up there!!

possum again


March 13, 2024 - Msg 119730: Hazel...I was just going to say the same thing about the Anne Murray song...I heard her sing that the first time she sang it in public....
I won’t say how long ago that was 😉🤫....G-F

March 14, 2024 - Msg 119731:

Thank you for all your responses, prayers and well-wishes.
Yes, it will take some adjusting, and as things move forward so
will we, Lord willing. ALS Assoc. will also be there for us.
I'll keep y'all posted, including "Possum with rock somewhere!" :)
Big Maude, so sorry that your brother has a form of it too.
My goodness, these seem to be strange times in so many ways.

OK, how about some TAGS... tonite I watched the Newton Monroe episode,
and noticed two things that I never thought of before. (Funny how that happens.)
1) When Barn and Andy were confronting Newton on the street, suddenly there are
all sorts of people gathering around! Where did they all sudenly come from? ha.
2) I never noticed before that the sink in Cell #2 moved about 6 feet from where it was
in the lady prisoner episode. Such goings on. :)

Well, thought I'd try to lighten things up a little bit.
Thanks, and prayers for all.
MDC



March 14, 2024 - Msg 119732:
Er, that should be Hazel. mdc

March 14, 2024 - Msg 119733:

Hey POSSUM...Ides of March tomorrow! :)


March 14, 2024 - Msg 119734: Who's hollering at me? Bet I know who, but will "tick a lock" and not say!

Yep,I'm all set for the Ides of March-already "bewaring"- ha!

Lemme see if I can get those rocks of mine lined up right this time around!

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

March 14, 2024 - Msg 119735: Evening porch,
I’m sorry to hear the diagnosis, MDC. It sort of shocked me. However, at one time, I knew 5 people with ALS. One was my very close coworker’s husband. She and her husband were very proactive in tackling the disease in the form of additional help in their home and with adaptations to their home and necessary equipment. Whenever you’re wanting any additional information on such topics, you can email me. More importantly I will send up prayers for you and Cecile. May the God of the universe be your strength and comfort.
Did anyone ever review Man in a Hurry to check out the iron print on the back of Andy’s suit? Prayers and love for all.
Charlotte Tucker

March 15, 2024 - Msg 119736: Charlotte....My take on your iron print discovery is this....Aunt Bea must have done that AFTER she ironed Andy’s pants 👖 in the episode where he complained about having “hot knees”
after she pressed his pants...She probably had the iron too hot and set it down on his suit jacket 🧥 whilst he was doing all the complaining.... Maybe if he would have taken it to Mr. Goss in the first place this wouldn’t have happened...But then again he may have gotten cigarette burns and ashes on it instead?

Just my take on that...🤷🏼‍♂️.....G-F

March 15, 2024 - Msg 119737: It's the Ides of March!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXvegzWNIps

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


March 15, 2024 - Msg 119738: Hey Porch,

When Barney is writing to Andy, describing the waitresses all dressing in peekaboo blouses, is it wrong of me to want to hear what comes after "and let me tell you..."?
;)

John Masters

March 16, 2024 - Msg 119739:

HA HA!! Good one JM!
mdc



March 16, 2024 - Msg 119740:

Oh, and Possum, I remember that song well!
Used to 'crank it up' on my aftermarket
eight track! :)

mdc (and yes, I was 119733 above!)

March 16, 2024 - Msg 119741: Possum, I was planning on linking that song and plumb forgot. I'm glad you shared it.

Billy Ray the Retired Postman

March 17, 2024 - Msg 119742: Glad y'all enjoyed the song, Billy & MDC ( AKA Msg 119733!) !

We need a good tune in honor of St. Patrick's Day-maybe one of you guys has an idea. All I can think of is "Danny Boy" and that song about the road to Tipperary! Funny story- years ago I was part of an online James Taylor chat room & some fellow from Ireland popped in every now & then & so one day I asked him where in Ireland he was from & he said Tipperary. So,of course, I had to comment on that & I said something like "Boy, that's a long way!" & he responded with " It's not really that long." Doesn't come across as too funny as I'm telling it,but it was funny to me back then!

May the luck of the Irish be with you all today!

*********************
o'possum under a rock

March 17, 2024 - Msg 119743: O’Possum...Wonder if they guy knew where Heckmondwike, England, was too?...Signed...McGoober Fife 🍀

March 17, 2024 - Msg 119744:

Hi ALL! Just a quick hello as I am doing our taxes today!
Oh the joy! haha
Possum, pretty funny that that fellow didnt "get it!"
Oh, and Charlotte, thanks for your post above.
I really appreciate it! Yes, we are being proactive too,
shower chair, hand held sprayer, more grab bars etc, etc, you bet.
And thank you ALL for the continued prayers, and for Mrs. GF
and Debbie too. Well, back to Uncle Sam...
Peace, and more later,

McMDC

March 18, 2024 - Msg 119745: Hi all! Hope everyone had a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Husband and I dressed in green for Sunday meeting yesterday. Aww-ww (in Andy drawl), John Masters, I’d be a-shamed! Lol G-F, it’s funny you mentioned Mr.Goss because my husband said the same thing! I told him he didn’t have time for Andy’s suit because he was too busy removing all those little plastic rhinestone buttons from Aunt Bee’s dress! But you are exactly right; it would’ve ended up with ash on it. “It always pays to look your best!” That’s a fun chat you had about Tipperary, possum. The only Irish song I CAN THINK OF I’m not even sure is Irish is a Christmas song by Anne Murray—“Christmas in somewhere?” Hey to McGoober Fife!
Charlotte Tucker

March 18, 2024 - Msg 119746: Possum, I’ve heard that song all my life but didn’t know the name of it! Thanks for that bit of trivia. It might help me at a music trivia night!
Charlotte

March 18, 2024 - Msg 119747: Sing it,Charlotte! Everybody join in!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akXVvCk5v0g

possum again

March 19, 2024 - Msg 119748: Welcome,Sweet Springtime,we greet thee in SONG!!

March 19, 2024 - Msg 119749: Greetings front porch: I have a question. Did the same band have two different names? There is Bobby Fleet and his band with a beat. And Freddie Fleet and his band with a beat. I am a rehabbing massive stroke patient survivor and some things I have trouble remembering. Respectfully, Medwin Bill Medwin. God Bless You all on the front porch. Stay safe in this wacky world we live in nowadays. Where are all the civilized humans?

March 19, 2024 - Msg 119750: O’possum under a rock. Heckmonwike is near Leeds.

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119751:

Hey there MBM!! Good to see you again!
I believe the answer is YES. The first time they come to town
and hire Jim Lindsey, it is Bobby Fleet's band; but the second time
when they help get the Mayberry Band to the capital, it is Freddie Fleet's.
GF and others, what say you? :) Also, so sorry to hear of your stroke.
I have some trouble remembering some things too, but I can't put my finger
on the cause. ha!
Possum, thanks for the spring greeting!
BTW, when you posted about the Ides of March, shouldnt the name of that
song be "VEE-hickle!" hardy har har. :)

Prayers aplenty going up for y'all. More later,
MDC

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119752: MDC & MBM...I believe the “Fleet’s” were suppose to be Brothers each with their own bands...G-F

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119753: Thank you for clearing up the problem of the Fleet Brothers’ identity, G-F. I guess I forgot the different first names but knew they looked different. I kinda preferred the second Fleet! Lol welcome home to ya, MBM! Glad you are still with us. Sorry about the stroke. Hubby and I worked very hard on Monday revitalizing our master bathroom upstairs. We ripped up our old flooring tile, laid new laminate, replaced our toilet, and put new faucets on our vanity sink. It looks real nice. Boy, Hubby was hurting after all that getting up and down. But we got ‘er done! Yesterday I was an election judge at the primary. We’re in a small farming community. Two friends sit also. We take a ton of delicious food to share and make a fun day out of otherwise long day. We had 65 voters.
Ya’ll take care and try to be somebody!
Charlotte Tucker

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119754: Possum, It was actually The Ides of March song I was referring to, but I will sing both for you!
Charlotte

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119755: The front porch is one of the kindest places on earth to visit. I don’t visit often enough. You same folks have been together quite a long time. Is Romeena still active here? Medwin Bill Medwin

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119756: Which band is known for the hit song WILD ROSIE FROM RALEIGH?

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119757: I just remembered. It was ROCK AND ROLL ROSIE FROM RALEIGH. MBM

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119758: Thank you all for the prayers and encouragement. One day at a time.

MDC, I am very sorry to hear of Cecile's diagnosis. Its good to know what you are dealing with, though, so they can begin treatment. God bless and strengthen you both. God's grace and peace rest upon you always. Love you both.

Boo

March 20, 2024 - Msg 119759: Hi Boo. I remember you. You have been here for years. How is Romeena? Medwin Bill Medwin

March 21, 2024 - Msg 119760:

MBM, I'm sorry to say that two of our porchsters passed away
in 2023, ASA in February, and ROmeena in April, about a year
ago. You can look in the archives where Ro's daughter told us
of her homecoming.
Both of them died within about a month after we heard of their
sudden deteriorating health.
And we'll carry on here until the Lord takes us all to our
heavenly Mayberry. :)
I hope you fully recover from your stroke. I pray for all
porchsters each morning.
Love,
MDC

March 21, 2024 - Msg 119761: God Bless You MDC. I’m heartbroken at the moment and can feel tears. Spread the word. Kindness. Kindness breads kindness. It’s like a good cancer.

March 21, 2024 - Msg 119762: May their souls rest in peace. Amen. MBM

March 22, 2024 - Msg 119763: Thank you for the kind words, MBM. We all know what you’re feeling. Asa and Ro kept our rockers warm and always had good advice on every topic. How we miss them! It is great to see you here. Please join us regularly. We need the company.
Charlotte Tucker

March 22, 2024 - Msg 119764: Good to see you on the porch Medwin Bill Medwin. Yes, I have been here 21 years but still not as long as some. I guess I will stick around through thick and thin as MDC said, "until the Lord takes us all to our heavenly Mayberry". Losing Romeena and Asa is still painful and I havent really been able to watch much TAGS much since they passed..just too sad for me, but I still come around to see how my porch family is doing. I dont have as much time as I used to but I still check in. Life has been a real whirlwind the past few years. lol

Thank you for praying for all of us MDC. I wish I could say that I do every day but I dont. I should do better.

It was a beautiful day here in south texas. It made it up to 90 but was dry so it was nice. It cooled off this evening so we were out playing with the dog and little Mari was running around the yard. Today when I picked her up from school she said, "Ah, I am happy i am going home. I love home and I love school!". She is really doing so well despite the circumstances she is dealing with.

I think I will go do a little work on the computer. BRuce bought me a surface pro tablet with a keyboard to make my work a little easier. it is a touch screen and has an attachable keyboard that is easy to use. In my new job in home health we do so much computer input, thanks to the government and their attempts to avoid payment. Its ridiculous. I hope I can learn it all because it seems like a monumental task. One of the RNs I met last week told me, "I've been here for 9 months and still havent figured it out, but believe me they will let you know when you mess up!". lol I'm sure they will because if you mess up, Medicare will find a way to not pay.

Hope all of you have a good weekend. Love to each of you,

Boo

March 24, 2024 - Msg 119765: Good Sabbath :)

March 24, 2024 - Msg 119766: Boo. Hello. Boo! I was thinking of you throughout the past hours and was thinking that you have to give yourself time to grieve. Over our friends deaths. Mayberry needs you! The front porch needs you. When my wife passed 20 years ago from breast cancer at age;7. We were married 29 years at the time. She died at age 47. She was 16 and pregnant and I was 18. We made it work when others said we couldn’t. Life was hard. And still is for me. I haven’t found love since. I have my dog. A u.s. registered emotional support animal. The internet has been not very kind to me meeting women to share my love and kindness and guaranteed monthly income with. I need to get to church more often. But don’t want to fall asleep like Gomer. Very funny episode. I think. Mayberry needs you Boo. Take your time. What’s the hurry!

March 24, 2024 - Msg 119767: Oops my bad. I’m a massive stroke patient survivor. I should have been dead. It could have went either way. MBM Medwin Bill Medwin.

March 25, 2024 - Msg 119768: Look Porch, just because you're on here don't mean you can help yourself to free fruit.

;)

John Masters

March 25, 2024 - Msg 119769: Sorry, John Masters, you caught me with that fruit in my hand! At least I wasn’t breaking out any streetlights with it. 😉 I wouldn’t want anyone calling me “Dopey Opie.” Good to see you checking in, Boo. Don’t work too hard. Glad little Mari is so happy. Yesterday my daughter and I attended a local praise band with a community choir celebrating Holy Week through scripture and song—some hymns, some more contemporary. Wow. It was powerful! So glad we took the time to go. I am awake at 2am, something too typical for me. Drop me a prayer or two. Suffering from some pain and reflux or something all too often. I gain strength from praying for you, porch friends: Boo, Bruce, Sean, Erin, and Mari, MDC and Cecile, Big Maude and Mr. Maude, Hazel, Spot, John Masters, Billy Ray the Postman, G-F, possum, Poor Horatio, Floyd, and anyone I’m missing. Take care ya’ll. Here’s a mashed penny. It’ll keep you safe in your travels.”
Charlotte Tucker

March 25, 2024 - Msg 119770: Charlotte, have you tried sleeping on an ironing board? Adventure sleeping just might work.

Billy Ray the Retired Postman

March 26, 2024 - Msg 119771:

Charlotte, you could also try sleeping in the woods
after a good ghost story! :) MDC (more later)



March 27, 2024 - Msg 119772: Thanks all for the sleep suggestions. You’re the cats!!
Charlotte Tucker


March 28, 2024 - Msg 119773:
HI ALL, just been pretty busy with Easter coming up,
and everything else going on.
I will catch y'all up on things real soon.
Prayers,
MDC :)

Comments:

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.