May 25, 2021 - Msg 116659: Hello friends,
I'd like to make a little observation if I may... well, actually I made the observation years ago but there was a message in it that didn't hit me until a couple days ago.
So a couple days ago I had the opportunity to take a bike ride out into the country. Meaning, Noah wasn't with me as he usually is. He doesn't want to ride out that far.
Anyway, on my ride I passed by the farmer's fields that I usually do out that way, and I recalled seeing the corn there in past years(it's not soon enough for the corn to be up yet). Well, on the edges of the fields there would occasionally be a tree or two, or three. And I noticed, back when the corn was growing tall, that anywhere there was a tree towering over the edge of the field, the corn stalks were smaller than all the other ones in the field. It would make an indentation in the otherwise fairly uniform corn stalks, curving steadily downward from where the shade of the tree started. It's almost as if the top of the tree itself had bent over and smushed the corn, keeping it from growing. Of course it was the shade itself blocking out the sun that kept the corn from growing higher.
Which brings me to the simple message that came to me as I rode past those same fields(sans corn for now) and those same trees.
It show me that we are like that corn. If we don't have the sun(Son) in our lives, we will never grow to our full potential.
I know I am preaching to the choir, but it was just a little observation that I thought I would share.

I love Newhart, G-F! Noah and I watch it pretty much every night as we are winding(him) down to go to sleep. We call it Happy Dog. Or did when we started watching it, anyway. Noah started calling it that because of the dog which trots across the screen during the opening theme. I mentioned to Noah once that "that looks like a happy little dog!" and he called it that or made mention of it ever since.

Well, since I am at work I guess I'd better get back to it. Not very busy here at the library. We are open to the public now but I guess people are out enjoying the nice weather, before it storms.

Take care all,
-Sterling Holobyte

May 25, 2021 - Msg 116660: Oh sure, I pop in so right away I am put to work sweeping the porch. I see how it is. ;)

-SH

May 26, 2021 - Msg 116661: Good morning, porch, and a special "good morning" to you, Sterling Holobyte! Long time, no see! So glad you dropped in - now I hope you'll make it a habit once again.

I love the comparison of the growth of the corn to our spiritual growth. Very perceptive, a very sensitive observation, and so very true. Thank you for sharing that.

As I look out my window, I'm seeing something very strange out there. There's no water falling from the sky, and the sky itself is a very strange color. It's blue! And there are these little puffy white things floating around in it. The weather report said we would have rain today, and we probably will, but it surely doesn't look like it now. However, this being Texas, we could have a frog-strangler before lunch. Things happen so fast around here! I just hope Eddie can get in and mow before it starts raining again, which is predicted.

Well, I've got a doctor's appointment in about half an hour, guess I'd better get moving. I'm all showered, painted up and dressed, but have to get Trinket settled, and that can take a little while. She's getting much better about it, though, the sweet little old thing. Gotta love that puppy!

Blessings, friends. Keep looking up! --Romeena

May 26, 2021 - Msg 116662: Keep looking up? Romeena...At the blue skies and those puffy white things? ☁️ ..Made me chuckle..G-F

May 26, 2021 - Msg 116663: I like that, Sterling, and I believe it. Jesus is what we need and so many other things sometimes get in the way and put us in the shade, so to speak. heehee… good to see you!

Well, Erin is having more health issues and today she sent me a video of numerous bruises (and there are probably 30 or so) on her body that just appeared this week. It freaked me out at first because she has had recent weight loss, stomach problems (which is nothing new),but my mind immediately went to Leukemia. I am picking her up from san Antonio tomorrow because she has her neurology appointment next week so I will get her in to see the internal medicine doctor, too. I don't know why her platelets are low but am hoping for vitamin deficiency from her inability to eat normally. I just have to try and think positively. Just wanted those of you who pray for her to know. Thanks.

Boo



May 26, 2021 - Msg 116664: Boo...Prayers 🙏🏻for Erin for sure!..We Pray that you find answers to what is going on...G-F

May 27, 2021 - Msg 116665:

Hello Porch. Boo- you bet, my prayers are also going up for Erin.
I sure hope you can finally get some answers.

Sterling, good to hear from you again. I'm trying to get Kai's age in my mind.
She must be in college by now? And that was indeed a good analogy of the
corn under the tree. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. And BTW, the porch looks great! :)

RO--I saw on the news tonight a dramatic water rescue in Fort Worth!
My goodness, what a mess things are there. I'm sure glad you are ok,
and also that the pipe work got done before all the
rain came down! BTW, I have never tried the poppables, but will give some
a try. As far as the soup goes tho, I am not much of a mushroom person.
Just never cottoned to them.

One of the oldies stations that I get airs Barney Miller. I like the dry humor of Dietrich. The actor who plays him is perfect!
Me-TV is going to air the Return to Mayberry movie on Friday.
Oh, and on a recent Gomer Pyle, USMC, Sgt. Carter referred to 3 other sargeants as Winkin, Blinkin, and Nod! Ha , you can tell they had the same writers as tags.

Well, I had Whitey in for service yesterday, tires rotated and balanced, oil, etc.
She's purring like Mr. Tucker's Lincoln! :)

Keep praying for America!
MDC


May 27, 2021 - Msg 116666: Good morning to everyone. rocking from work for a minute this morning. I gotta be here until 6 tonight so a visit to the porch seemed the thing to do to get me through this long day.

we are getting ready to start some remodeling at home. we have lived in the house for about 28 years and have not done any updates so it is time.
We're starting with the bathrooms and then a major kitchen remodel. A young man who went to high school with my kids is now in the construction business. He did some work for Patrick and Daysie and did a great job so we decided to hire him to do the work for us. I am looking forward to having
2 "new" bathrooms and a "new' kitchen but dread the disarray that will go on in the house for several months. The process will start in about 2 weeks.

the weather has been hot here the past few days. its supposed to rain this evening and maybe tomorrow. My flowers could use a dose of mother natures rain and it would save me having to water in the evenings.

We recently put 2 bird feeders out by our front porch. each feeder has different seeds so they can choose. One of the feeders was emptying faster than the other so we figured the birds like that seed much better until we discovered a little chipmunk was scaling the shepherds hook and helping himself. Guess we now have a bird feeder and a chipmunk feeder.

Boo: prayers for Ms. Erin. I know you are very concerned about her.

Guess I better get my work brain going.
Lunch menu for today: roast beef/swiss sandwiches with with mayo (if you want), mustard, fresh tomato slices, lettuce, slaw and chips. tea or lemonade to drink. Lets sit out on the front porch and eat today. we can watch the birds and
squirrels (and chipmunk).
Prayers and blessings to all
Big Maude

May 27, 2021 - Msg 116667: Big Maude..As far as sitting on my Front Porch, watching critters, been there done that already this morning.
It was funny a squirrel 🐿 picked up a peanut 🥜 from the feeder and came up on the porch and set it at my feet..I guess he was just thanking me for their daily bounty?....

Maude, Dewey & I have been busy making some door prizes for the Meet-Up..I sure am looking forward to hangin’ with my Cronies...See ya real soon!....

G-F

May 28, 2021 - Msg 116668:

Hey Big Maude, good to see ya, and thanks for lunch!
Looks like things are going OK with you these days.
How does the mister like his new job?

Tonight I saw my favorite episode--Man in a Hurry.
Great writing and great casting!

Oh RO, In the store today I was reading the ingredients
for Daisy cottage cheese and Kroger cottage cheese,
and you are so right! 3 ingredients in Daisy's, and about
23 in Kroger's! It does indeed pay to read labels.

That's about it for tonight folks.
God bless,
MDC :)

May 28, 2021 - Msg 116669: Good Friday morning all.
At least I think it's Friday. They are all Fridays when retired. lol

Boo, My deepest and most sincere prayers for Erin. I'm so sorry she is still having health issues. And for you also, for peace for your mind. I know how hard it is to see a child struggle with health issues.

Maudie, thanks for lunch. It just hit the spot. And good luck on the remodel. I hope your contractor is able to find the material needed to get the job done. I hear that is really becoming a problem. Just ask poor MDC about his cabinets.
Speaking of home improvements I am glad to report we are now a bat free zone. The crew came yesterday and went up in the attic and found no bats. Spent some time doing clean up and repaired the vent screen. Sure glad that is done. Romeena, I am not scared of bats. I just have a serious respect for them. How could I hate a flying rodent that at the worst will swoop in and bite me on the neck. And the very least, lays eggs in your hair and make you go crazy. No fear, just respect. :)

Romeena, I have tried those poppables on your suggestion and I really do like them. And like you, I really like the salt and vinegar ones. I have a hard time finding them in the store though. They must sell out pretty fast.

MDC, You are so correct about reading labels. Being sensitive to corn starch, I read a lot of labels because that stuff is in so many things it is really amazing. And Daisy brand sour cream is the only brand I have found that does not have corn starch in it. So it is my brand of choice. I finally found a brand of yogurt that does not have corn starch in it. And even a brand od pudding. So it pays to read. I have found corn starch in everything from hot dogs to grated cheese to B.B.Q. tater chips.

GF, You are a good old boy making things to auction off at Mayberry Days. You ever try a ship in a bottle? lol

Sterling, good to see you. I like your analogy about the sun and the corn. Very perceptive. As an electrician who worked on lighting a lot over the years, I would (and still do) draw analogies about light vs darkness when ever asked to teach or speak on Gospel subjects. So many scriptures to rely on for that.

Just trying to watch the early news to see what the weather forecast is. With it being Memorial Day weekend, they had a segment with a noted B.B.Q. expert who was out in the parking lot showing folks how he did his hamburgers on the grill. As he is attempting to instruct, the news anchor who is out there with him, keeps hurrying him along, keeps interrupting him, keeps trying to be funny. It ended up as a very quick segment that really didn't serve any functiopn but to frustrate me. Why even do it if you can't give the poor guy the time needed. Idiot news media.

Well prayers for all for a safe weekend. And a tribute to those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending our Nation.

Asa

May 28, 2021 - Msg 116670: Asa....Nope, not a ship 🚢 IN a bottle, but I have had a bottle of root beer ON a ship once...lol

Amen on your last sentence....🙌🏻🇺🇸 This video is always worth another look..https://youtu.be/qDhkVu3POyk
The dang Alergic’s get me every time!......G-F

May 28, 2021 - Msg 116671: Good morning, porch. Cloudy and looking like rain, yet again, here on the D/FW porch. We have had so much rain. We're ahead of our average annual rainfall to date, by a couple of inches, and most of it has fallen in the last couple of weeks. My grass was about 8" high when Eddie mowed it on Tuesday. He had a spell with his blood pressure later in the day, and his friend had to drive him home. I checked his pressure, and his blood sugar (it was normal), but his BP was waaaay low! He was cold and clammy, and was a really wilted pup! The first try on his BP just displayed "error". I know he takes a BP med, confirmed that he was taking it, but he confessed he's also taking black seed oil, which does lower BP to some degree. It was warm and very humid that day, he had been sweating profusely, and I think he just got dehydrated, and that combined with the meds he takes, his BP just dropped out. I gave him a bottle of Gatorade, and a can of root beer (his favorite) and told him to go home, take a tepid shower, drink lots of liquids and do NOT take a BP pill that night. He has a BP cuff at home, so I told him to check it every few hours. He stayed home Wednesday (it was raining here), but returned yesterday and did all the edging and cleanup. All that for $60. If it doesn't rain, he'll be back today, to do some weeding and plant some daylily bulbs. It does look like rain though, so I told him to leave it until next week if he wants to. Those bulbs will survive.

How I do love my big old window! As I'm sitting here, looking out into the back yard, I see a small covey of doves, a woodp3cker, five squirrels, and lots of flowers blooming, even where I had forgotten I had planted them. There are sundrops, marigolds, daylilies, pansies, a few remaining irises, and the morning glories are starting to climb the old stump. They'll bloom in a few weeks. I had an old bench, a pretty thing. The seat back was designed as Old Glory, with a metal rectangle in the upper left corner that had stars on it, and the rest of the back was wooden slats where the stripes would be. It's about 14 years old, and the weather has taken a toll. The seat slats have rotted away, and one of the legs broke off about six inches up from the ground. It was sitting on my back patio, looking pretty pitiful, and was an eyesore. I asked Eddie to move it out into the big raised island in the far back yard. He braced that broken-off leg with a big stone. The bench is placed so it encloses a hibiscus shrub where the seat used to be, and I'm going to plant clematis vines to climb over it. Should be right pretty! Sure beats rotting away on the patio.

There is a large male squirrel on the tree just outside my window, and he's in love with a little adolescent girl squirrel, not yet fully grown. She's probably from a late February or early March litter. He's persistent, but she is totally giving him the "big freeze." I hope she continues to do so, she's entirely too young yet to be having babies. I think he's a dirty old man, but he recognizes beauty when he sees it!

Well, guess I'll go scare up some lunch. I've got some raisin/pecan biscotti from Corner Bakery, a nice fresh mango, and a big glass of cold buttermilk should just round it out. Yep, that's lunch. With the last of a batch of tuna salad and some fresh wheat bread, and a glass of tea, that takes care of dinner tonight, and I don't have to cook at all!

Blessings, folks. Prayers for all who need them, and that's probably just about all of us. Keep looking up! --Romeena



May 28, 2021 - Msg 116672: Romeena if I look up today, all I’ll get a wet face!..It’s been ☔️ raining all day!...G-F

May 28, 2021 - Msg 116673: Thanks everyone. I picked Erin up yesterday and was shocked by her appearance. She has lost 45 pounds in the last few months and she had multiple bruises on her legs and now arms. She seldom is able to eat and is still having some type of seizures. We are finally getting to see the neurologist on the second. I immediately called her internal medicine doctor and they told me to bring her in on Tuesday. I am trying to think positive and not let my mind run away with me to dark places. Its frustrating trying to find answers. The wheels turn slowly since covid but I am going to insist that they let me go with her to her appointments. Enough of this!

She has been able to eat some since I brought her back and keep it down so she has gained some strength today. This is not easy but I'm not as freaked out as I thought I would be. Probably just the Lord's grace. Thanks again.

Boo

May 29, 2021 - Msg 116674:

BOO--my heart goes out to you!
I am indeed praying, but I also looked up about bruising, and
urge you to look at this link, and make SURE that the
doctor looks into all these things including the kidneys
and the liver!! And yes, now is the time to put your foot down
with both the doctor so you can be in the exam room, and with Erin
to inquire more about her lifestyle. She needs to be completely above
board with you or you will not know until it is too late.
https://www.buoyhealth.com/learn/unexplained-bruising#blood-cancers
This is indeed troubling and concerning, especially in such a young person. There must be some underlying condition.
Please be thorough, and know that prayers are rushing to heaven. :)
Most sincerely as I can express.
MDC



May 29, 2021 - Msg 116675:

Folks, I know that I post this every Memorial Day weekend, but as GF and ASA said above, may we always remember the high cost for the freedoms that we enjoy. I wish that every American could take
4 minutes of their time and watch this, especially our young people of today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWB5RXnAecE
Have a good and safe Memorial Day weekend.
God bless,
MDC :)

May 29, 2021 - Msg 116676: Thanks for the welcome backs. I will try to visit more but I can't promise anything. Things have been rather tense the last year and a half, family-wise(to say nothing of worldly-wise, but you all know that).
Sometimes I feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone, and, while I like that show and in fact have begun to watch it again, I wouldn't want to live there. Oh, there are places I wouldn't mind living on that show, like on the prison planet with no one else around save for a pretty robot girl, or in the nice, peaceful town of Willoughby. Though I wouldn't want to have to walk off of a train to my death in order to get there.

I watched the Man in a Hurry episode recently as well, MDC. I believe I would stick around Mayberry longer just like Mr. Tucker did. Another place I wouldn't mind living. But I guess it is not so much WHERE you are, as it is WHO you are with. Oh, and to answer your inquiry, MDC, Kai is 20 now(will be 21 in Sept. Yikes!) She is working as a lifeguard at a waterpark. Well, it is kind of a small waterpark. More of a lodge but it has a waterpark. It is her first job and she just got her lifeguard certification. I think it is a good first job for her and she seems to like it. My first job was as a dishwasher, where I burned up my hands with the boiling hot water from the sprayer and ever since then my hands crack and peel whenever it is cold. So these Wisconsin winters are not so friendly to my hands. Oh well, some day we may have spring.

Boo, my prayers go out to you and Erin. I hope you get it worked out with what is going on. May I ask, do you have an idea of when these problems started?
But I think you are right about God's grace keeping you calmer than you think you are. I have been trying myself to not make worry an idol, and it is hard, I know. But it is where trust and faith come in.

-Sterling Holobyte



May 29, 2021 - Msg 116677: Good morning, porch! Well, almost good afternoon, according to the old clock on the wall. Anyway, howdy, folks!

Sterling, it's really nice to have you back on the porch, at least whenever you can manage it. I guess we all know and understand about that. Life gets complicated at times, doesn't it? All we can do is just do our best.

Boo, dear friend! My heart is breaking for you and your family right now. I know you must be very worried about Erin. Those symptoms sound ominous, and I know you are very aware of that. On the other hand, there are less fearsome possibilities, like malnutrition, and her recent weight loss certainly fits with that. You are absolutely right to insist that you be allowed to participate in her visits with the doctors, and please do not back down. If they try to keep you out, suggest to them that Erin's powers of reasoning, memory and her behavior are all not the best right now, and if she doesn't understand and follow instructions, it could be very detrimental to her progress. If you hear what she hears, you will be in a position to make sure the follow-through is done. Granted, she is no longer a minor, but her behavior is not that of an adult, either. Also, whatever is wrong with her right now can certainly be contributing to her inability to make good decisions. Stick to your guns, and don't let them intimidate you. You are in my prayers, and I daresay those of everyone on this porch!

Well, my a/c conked out again yesterday. You may remember, it quit about a week ago, David came and fixed it, and it ran fine for a few days. Then last night, I noticed the creeping warmth in the house, checked the thermostat, and it was 79° in here, with a setting of 73°. Checked for the red signal light on the condensation drain - not red. Not the problem. Went outside to the compressor, the motor was roaring, but the blades weren't turning. Uh-oh! Turned the thing off as quickly as I could get back in the house, and called David. He'll be here this afternoon to see what the problem is, but it sounds like $$$ to me. If it ain't one thing, it's another! At least I have David, who is now licensed for a/c.

MDC, thank you for posting that link. That brings tears to my eyes and an ache in my heart every time I see it. I think we need that reminder. We need to think about the terrible price this country has paid in trying to keep the world free from tyranny, and I think we took a dangerous step backward in November, but that's just my opinion. Pray for America, pray for our current leader, that he be given a healthy mind, and good judgment. The current situation in America began years ago, when we first started paying able-bodied people to do nothing. Destroy the motivation, and you destroy the initiative, and that's exactly what we've done. God help us!

--Romeena

May 29, 2021 - Msg 116678: Thank you so very much for all the support, concern and prayers! Its a beautiful thing to have friends like all of you. You have prayed us through so many things.

Erin is doing better since coming home. She has been able to keep her food down and seems stronger. She has not developed any new bruises and the ones she has dont look as bed today. I dont want to get ahead of myself because its early in the game but maybe she is getting a little better. I am going to make sure she gets the tests and answers she needs. One of my best friends is named Donia; she was my first real friend at age 5 and we are still very close. Well, she has Lupus and it took ten years of going to different doctors to finally receive a diagnosis from a rheumatoid specialist. Her symptoms started with anemia and bruising. She has been talking to me and making me feel less worried.

We are still having our family gathering on Sunday and I have been preparing for that. I am really looking forward to it. It feels right, after so many months of covid. Do any of you have any special plans for Memorial Day?

MDC, I looked at the article you posted. I knew alot of the information, but not all, so it was good to read, thank you. I do plan on making sure something is done for her. I appreciate you.

Better get back to taking care of some chores around here. Thank you again.

Boo

May 29, 2021 - Msg 116679: Wanted to share a funny Mayberry moment with you. Sean and I were driving home from somewhere this evening and I said, "I am ready to go home..take a shower..get on my pajamas..watch some tv..". Sean quickly replied, "Go over to Thelma Lou's..". heehee

Boo

May 29, 2021 - Msg 116680:

HI Porchsters. To make another analogy like Sterling did
with the corn and the shade, when I watched the Mr. Tucker episode the other night,
and as he sat in the driver's seat of his Lincoln, getting ready to depart,
he hesitated just a bit, with a smile on his face, just before he turned the car on. And it hit me... that hesitation was
more of a "moment of contentment" that he felt, a "moment of satisfaction,"
dare I say, the way we will feel the moment we arrive in heaven. :)
Something to think about.
Peace and prayers,
MDC



May 30, 2021 - Msg 116681: Good evening, porch. It's late, and I'm headed for bed, but just wanted to check in.

Boo, Lupus had not crossed my mind, but it does fit some of Erin's symptoms. If the docs don't mention it, I hope you'll bring it up to them.

MDC, I agree, there is a tie there, as you described. Also, it seems the older I get, and the possibility grows that I could experience that "moment of contentment" in the not too distant future, the more welcome the idea becomes. Truly, we have no real idea of what Heaven will be like, but one thing we know, we will be sublimely happy there. The Scripture says there will be no more sorrow, no tears, for God will wipe away all tears from our eyes. Having shed rivers of those things in my lifetime, as most of us have, that's a pretty comforting idea!

Boo, that quick return from Sean is funny, and it reminded me of the one that happened to me. I know I told this on the porch before, but it's been quite a while. I'm thinking of the time I was leaving the post office, and as I was getting into my car Sugarplum was sitting in my seat. I told her to "move over, I'm driving." A man was getting into his car next to mine, and he gave me a "thumbs-up" sign, with a big smile, and said "Yeah, I watch the show, too!" Made my day!

Well, the house is still fairly warm. The install David and Jerry were working on today took until dark to finish, so when I realized it was late and they weren't going to make it, I just called David and told them to go home and rest, it will keep. And it will. It's 79° in here right now, feels cooler with the ceiling fans, and I'm comfortable. Beats the socks off a park bench, so I can't complain. Also, growing up in San Antonio without a/c until I was 14, 79° would have felt like heaven to us. I've seen it at 90° in the house at night, with just a little oscillating fan to move the air. My dad would sit it on a little table at the hallway intersection, where the fan would turn and blow into their bedroom door, then swing around and blow into mine. Needless to say, that didn't help much. Also, many nights I lay with my head at the foot of my bed, to be nearer the window, which was open. Obviously, home security was non-existent, but it was never a problem. Today - a problem! Ha! Daddy even left the keys in the car on the driveway, most of the time. He surely wouldn't do that now!

Well, I'm off to watch "Barney Miller", and then to dreamland. Got to be up by 8, to get to church on time. Blessings, friends! Keep looking up! --Romeena

May 30, 2021 - Msg 116682: Good Sabbath all. I hope and pray for you all.

Romeena, sounds like you may have an evap fan gone bad, or maybe even just a capacitor on the fan motor gone bad. It shouldn't be to expensive to repair. Glad you have family who can fix it for you.

Boo, so sorry to read about Erins health. I am glad she has you to step in and help out. I pray it is nothing serious.

MDC, I really liked the look of contentment that Mr. Tucker had on his face in that episode at the very end when we see him sleeping in his rocker on the porch with a partially peeled apple in his hand. I love that episode. The earlier scene when Mr. Tucker blows up at Barney with his famous "for the love of Mike" rant. Top notch.

I am enjoying reading these Mayberry moments y'all have had. I have had a few also. The most real one in fact was a Man in a hurry event. I have mentioned it before. I was in Southern Utah and had about a 350 mile trip home to make one Sunday morning. As I was putting my bags in the Jeep, I noticed something sticking in between the threads of a rear tire. I looked closer and I could see it was the head of a large rivet. I was trying to remove it just hoping it was wedged in the treads, when I remembered Gomer's "people sure are odd" comment about pulling stuff out of their tires. So I instead poured a little bit of bottled water over it and sure enough, some some small bubbles. I was glad I had seen this, so we drove around looking for a full service station that might be open. Not easy in a small town. Finally I spotted a station and could see a guy sitting at the desk in the front so I whipped in and asked if he could help me with a tire. This guy who looked very muck like Wally told me he was closed on Sundays and had just come in to get some papers. He then suggested I just plan on staying over till the next day because this was just a small town and nothing went on around town on Sundays but church. I'm sure I sounded like Mr. Tucker because I had to be back home that night. Anyhow, I eventually did find a station that was opened and they did the repair for me. For the first time I felt some sympathy for Mr. Tucker. lol

Well I woke up with a killer headache. Haven't had a bad one like this for quite a spell. Sure ain't no fun. I was actually considering going to Preaching in person today, but not now. But I can still catch it on Zoom. I do appreciate that option.

I hope everyone has a great Sabbath and a safe Memorial day.

Asa

May 31, 2021 - Msg 116683: Happy Memorial Day.

Continued prayers for Erin. Sure hate that she (y'all) are going through all of that,Boo.

Hope you feel better,too,Asa. Love to all!

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

May 31, 2021 - Msg 116684: ** From The Andy Griffith Show Facebook Page**

Sad to hear that Arlene Golonka has passed away this morning. Arlene appeared in two Season 8 episodes of The Andy Griffith Show as Millie, and she became on of the regular cast members of the spinoff Mayberry RFD series. Her bright smile will surely be missed, and our thoughts and prayers are with all her loved ones. She was 85 years of age.

May 31, 2021 - Msg 116685: RIP "Millie".

That was me that posted about Arlene Golonka.

possum again

May 31, 2021 - Msg 116686:

Hello all! I hope everyone is having a relaxful
Memorial day.
Our veterans cemetery here was all decked out in US Flags.
Watched the pbs concert last night, and was reminded that
the 20th of 9/11 is coming up this year. I wish we could all
be united again like we were back then.

ASA--Was that town St. George by any chance? My brother was traveling
thru St. George on a Sunday back in the 60s, and had a similar experience.
Everything was closed up pretty tight!

RO--I love it! "I'm drivin'." Don Knotts was a genius with his lines! :)
I grew up with evap "cooling" in Phx, so I know how you must have
felt back then, especially with your humidity and sketters!! BTW,
good to see that you are also a Barney MIller fan!

POSSUM--So sad to hear about Millie, because that made me think of
'our' Millie.
We also lost B.J Thomas and Gavin MacLeod this weekend, two more
good ones!

BOO-_Prayers that the appts go well!!

I watched some of the Indy 500. Good to see people in the stands again.
But I do miss the days of AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, Bobby Rahal, etc.

Guess what, on another oldie channel, I saw Alan Hale as Casey Jones
the other day! I had forgotten all about that show.

Well, hang in there friends, as Casey would say, there is light at the end of the tunnel! :)
MDC


May 31, 2021 - Msg 116687: Ha MDC It actually was St. George I was at. That is funny.

Possum, thanks for letting us know about Millie. Gosh,not many left. I was sad to see BJ Thomas had passed away. I really liked his music.

Prayers continue for Erin and family.

Asa

June 01, 2021 - Msg 116688:

R I P Arlene


June 01, 2021 - Msg 116689:

I'm not sure why it came out so large, as I copied a very small image! Sorry about that.
MDC



June 01, 2021 - Msg 116690: Good morning, porch! Been a fairly busy weekend around here, and this is the first time I've been able to spend any time in Mayberry. No place I'd rather be, but other things intrude now and then. I think I'll just go up to my last signature, and work my way down.

Asa, you called it. David came Sunday afternoon, and replaced the capacitor on my a/c, and it's working fine. He won't even let me pay for the part!

I love the Mr. Tucker ep too, and especially get a good feeling when Mr. Tucker has fallen asleep with his peeled apple in his hand. I also enjoy it when he can't resist joining in on "Church in the Wildwood". He had a pleasant voice, too. I'll bet that visit to Mayberry did wonders for his blood pressure! It's so cool that you had that experience with the tire, in a Mayberry-like town, and just great that MDC's brother had a similar experience in that same town! Then of course, I've told you of my experience just a couple of months after my Dale passed, in the tiny hamlet of Burnet. It's been a while since I told it, so I'll run through it again. I was returning to Dallas after my first visit to Fredericksburg after my Dale passed, and where he is now buried, and while passing through Marble Falls (a fair-sized town) I was forced by traffic to run through some debris on the road, looked like a wooden pallet had fallen off a truck, and was all smashed and scattered. It blew a tire on my car. I pulled over, called my dealership in Dallas, and they arranged for a man in Burnet (10 miles away) to come help. He came immediately, put the little donut spare on for me, and led me to his brother's tire shop in Burnet. They were closed, but the man and his wife happened to be there, for whatever reason, and he said he would replace the tire for me. His response was something like "Ma'am, there ain't no way I'm gonna let you drive back to Dallas on that little old spare thing. We'll just fix you up!" And he did. Then when it came time to pay, he only charged me for the tire. (I think my dealership covered the labor, but I'm not sure.) I started to write a check, discovered I was out of checks. I offered a card, but they didn't take cards. I had just enough cash, with $2 left over. When the man's wife saw that was all I had left, she refused to take my money, saying she wasn't about to let me leave with just $2 in cash, for a 200 mile drive! "Just send me a check, honey. The address is on your bill there." That was after she found a patch of grass where my Sugarplum could potty, and got her a cup of fresh water. Of course, I mailed the check the next morning after I got home. Small-town kindness and hospitality. Mayberry lived in America in those days, and I hope it still does. I think so, but it sort of gets buried in all the negative hoopla of today. About three years ago, I was once again returning home from Fredericksburg, noticed that the little tire shop was open, and stopped in. I didn't know if it was the same people, but yes, it was. I introduced myself to the man behind the counter, and asked if the lady who had been there on that day was still there. The man's face lit up, he said "that was my mother, she has spoken of you often, and she's just getting out of her car, she'll be in here in a minute, and she is going to want to see you!" When she walked in, she knew me immediately, and practically danced with me, she was so delighted! "Honey, I have thought of you and prayed for you all these years! It's so good to see you! And I see you have a new dog (Toye Starr) but she's smaller than your other one....." and on and on she went. I have never felt more loved and God-blessed than I did that afternoon. Mayberry lives on!

Asa, I'm sorry about your headache, and sincerely hope and pray that it's gone now. You must have accidentally gotten into some corn starch in something. By the way, I noticed that corn starch is present in packaged shredded cheese. I think it's dusted in to keep the cheese from sticking together. I'm sure you know that, but just in case....

I watched the Memorial Day presentation on PBS. Very well done, I thought. A lot different in format from previous years, but good nevertheless. I was surprised and more than a little disappointed in my own church's recognition of the holiday. Over the years, we have had some beautiful, moving presentations but not this year. Just a few words from the pastor, and that was it. I guess it's because we are between music ministers, have a temporary guy in charge, and if it isn't an endlessly repetitive praise song, sung at least fifteen times, he doesn't use it. Oh well. We'll call a permanent music person soon, and he will be on his way. Personally, I think those praise songs have their place, but so do the old hymns, and I wish he'd sing a few of them once in a while. If he'd just look out over the audience now and then, and notice all the gray hair, maybe he'd get a clue!

MDC, thanks for the picture of Arlene, and I'm glad it came out big! She was adorable! Who could resist those big eyes and that sweet smile?

Boo, keep us updated on Erin. We care!

My family all gathered at David and Brittany's house yesterday. We had burgers, hot dogs, watermelon, and a very good time! David has become quite the handy little gadget in the kitchen, and knows his way around a grill pretty well, too. Brittany is a good cook, and nobody went away hungry, for sure. Landry pitches in and helps too, very sweetly, but as for Hudson, he's so twitter-pated over Vivian, his long-time girlfriend, that he's practically useless. Oh well, she's a sweet little girl, and "love" will always win over work.

Well, guess I'd better go see what Trinket is up to. Making confetti somewhere, most likely, if she found a piece of paper she could reach. Brat. Blessings, everyone. Keep looking up! --Romeena

June 01, 2021 - Msg 116691: My goodness! How I do run on! I just cannot relate an event without turning it into a story! Sorry about that....--Romeena

June 01, 2021 - Msg 116692: Asa, are you sure that that guy WASN'T Wally? Because that incident you had does sound like it came straight out of Mayberry!

I wouldn't worry about the length of your story, Romeena. It was very uplifting, and I don't believe I ever heard it before, myself. So thanks for sharing it.
It also sparked my memory of a trip we took last August to South Dakota. If you want to meet people like the people Romeena mentioned, I would suggest a trip there.
With our car sputtering late at night and just making it into the parking lot of a hotel before it died and wouldn't start again, we thought our trip was over before it began. After some research on the internet and thinking the problem was old spark plugs, the next morning I bought some plugs from an O'Reilly's and they got me in touch with a guy who could install them. I managed to nurse the car to his shop and he did it on the spot, pretty cheaply. Well, we went on our merry way enjoying some of the sights, when later on the same problem started happening again, and the car died and this time wouldn't start at all. Luckily we did make it back to the hotel before this happened. The people at the hotel were very accommodating, allowing the family to wait in the room for most of that day(for free) while I called one of the mechanics they knew to come look at the car and tow it back to his shop.
He replaced the fuel pump and picked me up when the car was done and we went on about our sightseeing. Well, I noticed the car was still hesitating and was having "no pickup" issues when I pressed on the gas, so he picked up the car again and took me to the shop as well while he looked at it. He said the first fuel pump was bad so he put in a different one. He still wanted to look into car some more, and after a while he let me take one of his cars to go pick up the family. He looked under the car and noticed that some wires had their insulation rubbed off by how they were up against the driveshaft. He replaced those wires and a couple fuses, and didn't charge a thing for any of this, just apologized for all the trouble we were having.
When we finally left the car was running like a top AND I noticed that whatever he did got the speedometer working again(it hadn't worked since it went out a while back). We made it home without another problem and it has been working great ever since. We even sent him and the hotel Christmas cards this past season and to thank them again for all their help which they cheerily gave.

Not to make a story longer, but this incident parallels one from a few years back when we were taking a road trip with a different vehicle to the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter in Kentucky. For that one our van gave out a little closer to home, about two hours away. Once again we managed to limp into a hotel parking lot before we lost all power, which we had been steadily losing as we drove. Well, once again the hotel staff went out of their way to help us, and the owner was phenomenal. He took me personally to some auto parts stores to get things like a charger to see if that would help, when we were trying to figure out what was wrong. He asked one of his employees to drive me to another shop when he himself couldn't do it. And then when nothing was working, he called in a mechanic he knew to personally come to the hotel to work on the car. The mechanic couldn't fix what it was there so he took it back to his shop and within a few hours brought it back good as new. We were able to complete our trip to Kentucky after thinking we would probably just have to turn around and go home. I think the devil didn't want us to visit the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter but God had other plans.
So yes, there are still people who will go out of their way to help. I didn't even mention the people who came up to ask us if we needed help while we were waiting for the mechanic to show up, in both instances.
One of the things that struck me was when I was being driven around by the hotel owner in Madison, WI and the mechanic in South Dakota, they both said the same thing to me. They both said they knew what it was like to be stranded. That similarity just goes to show you that having a good heart crosses all borders and state lines.

Hope you all have a good night tonight!
-Sterling Holobyte


June 01, 2021 - Msg 116693: There Romeena, now I bet you don't feel so bad about your story being too long. :-)

-SH

June 02, 2021 - Msg 116694:

Wow, I see that it is 'story time' today! ha Both were very enlightening! Thanks for sharing. Yes, there are indeed many
good souls out there. Sterling, I've heard of that Creation museum
and ark. How was it?
Well, tonight's episode of tags was Roger Hanover, and I decided to tic a lock
and watch it this time, and lo and behold I found a blooper!
Roger calls Floyd's place a clip joint, and Floyd doesn't 'get it!'
But back in season one, Floyd had business cards that said "best clip joint in town." OK, so I WAS trying to concentrate on something other than Roger! haha

RO--your mentioning about your interim music minister reminded me,... I forgot
to tell you that ours decided to move on to a new parish with younger families, and I think it was a good move for him (and us! ha)
Now we have a lady music leader who mixes some of the old standards
like Amazing Grace and The Church's One Foundation in with some
newer hymns. Thank you Jesus! :)

BOO--I shall pray a little extra on June 2 that Erin's appt. goes well and you can
start to get some answers.

APB FOR SPOTTY, GF, POOR HORATIO AND ALL!

MDC