Rhet's Cuddles

[Seanachie]

Good Morning Lady,

I'm still praying to the 'Big Guy' that He is giving you strength in your worthy 'battle'.

I hope and pray that some 'Conductors' helped to get that train's schedule back on track.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I had to 'shut down' my Deisel Engine for a wee bit tonight to recharge some batteries and give the engine a rest.

[rhet 2]

Good Morning Lady,

I'm still praying to the 'Big Guy' that He is giving you strength in your worthy 'battle'.

I hope and pray that some 'Conductors' helped to get that train's schedule back on track.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I had to 'shut down' my Deisel Engine for a wee bit tonight to recharge some batteries and give the engine a rest.

I'm glad you did so. You've been running in Super Charge Mode for way longer than I liked to think about.

So far, bad -- lots of money pressure -- BAD money pressure stressing me out this past week. And getting worse with no relief in sight.

So, I'm fighting for all I'm worth to trust the LORD for that crisis instead.

I'd run screaming into the hills over both negatives, if I thought it would do any good. So, instead, I clinch my teeth and with very grim determination refuse to admit I'm scared out of my every living VERY LITTLE skull. :wall:

Sometimes, I really wish I weren't such a STUPID marshmallow. double :wall:

[Seanachie]

BTW: why would the LORD object to it on Christmas Day -- or any day?

He's got the best sense of humor and loves a good laugh, too.


Only answer that I can think of is that my 'Religious' training while growing up was a tad bit severe as administered by the Nuns. Dominicans they were. The same order that gave us the Spanish Inquisition and its Ringleader Torquemada.

I have no doubt that God and his Son have great senses of humor. I've seen it in action on many occasions.

Just some guys singing about beer and swimming naked in the Bay seemed a wee bit irreverent for me to be singing or writing about on Christmas Day. Old teachings die hard. But Hey! I'm sure the Nuns were very proud of my behavior. Least I won't get my knuckles whacked with a yardstick if they happen to be waiting for me beyond those 'Pearly Gates'. LOL

Be well Lady, I'll work on that sense of humor!

[rhet 2]

Only answer that I can think of is that my 'Religious' training while growing up was a tad bit severe as administered by the Nuns. Dominicans they were. The same order that gave us the Spanish Inquisition and its Ringleader Torquemada.

I have no doubt that God and his Son have a great senses of humor. I've seen it in action on many occasions.

Just some guys singing about beer and swimming naked in the Bay seemed a wee bit irreverent for me to be singing or writing about on Christmas Day. Old teaching die hard. But Hey! I'm sure the Nuns were very proud of my behavior. Least I won't get my knuckles whacked with a yardstick if they happen to be waiting for me beyond those 'Pearly Gates'. LOL

Be well Lady, I'll work on that sense of humor!

Southern Baptist upbringing with a whole lot of Old Time Methodist, to boot -- great-granddaddy on Mama's side being Methodist minister, with Daddy's daddy being Baptist preacher.

Took a long long time for me to realize that God enjoys me as much as I enjoy Him -- I love to daydream about walking with Him through a meadow some spring morning and stopping to watch this frog jumping up and down on a big old ferocious lion's nose while this dumb sheep stands not two feet away chuckling for all she's worth. And Christ laughing as hard as both the sheep and I are.

Once I realized He's not the strait-laced old Baptist teetotler Granddaddy was, it got a whole lot easier getting real with the LORD.

Poor old Queen Victoria and her Prince Albert sure missed out on a lot of the fun of being a Christian -- and so did some of the Dominicans.

Nobody who could design a platypus could possibly be a strait-laced old Victorian ninny, IMO.

[Seanachie]

I'm glad you did so. You've been running in Super Charge Mode for way longer than I liked to think about.

So far, bad -- lots of money pressure -- BAD money pressure stressing me out this past week. And getting worse with no relief in sight.

So, I'm fighting for all I'm worth to trust the LORD for that crisis instead.

I'd run screaming into the hills over both negatives, if I thought it would do any good. So, instead, I clinch my teeth and with very grim determination refuse to admit I'm scared out of my every living VERY LITTLE skull. :wall:

Sometimes, I really wish I weren't such a STUPID marshmallow. double :wall:

Money issues are the 'Biggest' stress factors of everyday life. I know it all to well. I got my pension from Merck & Co the November before I got my brain scrambled. I turned the lump sum over into a private IRA. A Month Later BANG! I get my brain scrambled!

All of that money went for medical expenses. I had no medical Ins. Having to spend it down is another lousy story. The phrase 'The Good Lord Giveth, The Good Lord Taketh away' comes to mind. Not true methinks at least in my case. If I didn't have the money to spend down, I would be in dire straits. The lack of money is just as dire but I somehow know that it's not life threatening.

Tomorrow when I'm rested I will PM you with a program I became involved with, with a Pharma Co. about five years ago. It may be of interest to you. I remember a post you made about a Doctor you got rid of who tried to convince you that you were
O- Rather than AB-. I'm O-. I'll PM you later about it.

Be well Lady and try to get some rest.

Jim

[Seanachie]

Morning Rhet,

Please check your PM's. I hope they got there to you. Please pay particular attention to the second one. It may help in your 'Battle'.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

Morning Rhet,

Please check your PM's. I hope they got there to you. Please pay particular attention to the second one. It may help in your 'Battle'.

Be well Lady,

Jim


It did.

I thank you.

With all my heart.

[blazer]

Hello precious1 be strong! i know what u r going through and God will bring us through it together!

[rhet 2]

Hello precious1 be strong! i know what u r going through and God will bring us through it together!

Truth

:hug:

[Seanachie]

And I fully join you in those prayers.

January 7 will be the 36th anniversary of my sister's murder. I pray for her and all those lost through violence in one form or another every year on that day.

And pray the Day the LORD returns to end such loss once and for all comes quickly.

Hello Rhet,

Please know that I am praying to the 'Big'Guy' for your Sister. Losing a Sibling is horrible and more horible when it's violence that did it. I hope someone was brought to justice in this Earthly domain or in front of God where there is only truth.

My condolences Lady. It's just good to know that you 'Talk' with God about this and I'm quite sure Your Sister sits with God in his House.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[birdonawire]

Hello Rhet,

Please know that I am praying to the 'Big'Guy' for your Sister. Losing a Sibling is horrible and more horible when it's violence that did it. I hope someone was brought to justice in this Earthly domain or in front of God where there is only truth.

My condolences Lady. It's just good to know that you 'Talk' with God about this and I'm quite sure Your Sister sits with God in his House.

Be well Lady,

Jim

+1

I join her in those prayers I too lost a loved one to murder. :frown:

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

Please know that I am praying to the 'Big'Guy' for your Sister. Losing a Sibling is horrible and more horible when it's violence that did it. I hope someone was brought to justice in this Earthly domain or in front of God where there is only truth.

My condolences Lady. It's just good to know that you 'Talk' with God about this and I'm quite sure Your Sister sits with God in his House.

Be well Lady,

Jim

They weren't. Not that we know of, anyway.

But my mother couldn't endure the hunt for her killer, so when the cops quit, my dad let it go, too.

Which is okay.

The LORD knows exactly who and how and why -- and I can sincerely hope the ones involved repented and got their own hearts straight with God.

Not exactly how I felt for some years after, I grant you.

But time does ease the pain.

Though I do wonder just what she'd be like now, and grieve that we were not able to be sisters together as we bloomed into full womanhood.

She was 17, just a few months shy of her birthday.

She's buried at the feet of my parents' graves. Every month for the rest of their lives, they pulled weeds, trimmed the grass by hand, and then laid fresh lilies at the base of the headstone.

After Mama died, when Daddy was really beginning to go downhill with the Alzheimer's, I got a frantic call from the lady we paid to keep an eye on him. He'd managed to get out the front door and she couldn't find him anywhere.

I canceled class and rushed home to look myself, driving around block after block and down alleys hoping I wouldn't have to call 911.

I found him in the alley behind a house with the same kind of fence their's has, a house we kids walked past every school day, morning and afternoon.

By then, he'd started to call me "Janet," my mother's name. The tears were streaming down his cheeks when I got to him. "Janet, I've looked everywhere and she's not there. Jeny's not anywhere to be found, honey. What could have happened to her?" He kept talking all the way back home about what a short walk home from school it was and worrying about where she could be, wanting me to go to the school and see if she'd been kept late or something.

But he never once forgot to tell me it was the day to take him for the lilies and out to the cemetery, where, together, he and I took care of both Jeny and Mama.

I don't go anymore. He's not here to go with me. I guess I should when the weather warms again. And perhaps take my brother with me. It might be a good way to try to cross the huge gulf that has separated little bro and me for so many many years.

[birdonawire]

They weren't. Not that we know of, anyway.

But my mother couldn't endure the hunt for her killer, so when the cops quit, my dad let it go, too.

Which is okay.

The LORD knows exactly who and how and why -- and I can sincerely hope the ones involved repented and got their own hearts straight with God.

Not exactly how I felt for some years after, I grant you.

But time does ease the pain.

Though I do wonder just what she'd be like now, and grieve that we were not able to be sisters together as we bloomed into full womanhood.

She was 17, just a few months shy of her birthday.

She's buried at the feet of my parents' graves. Every month for the rest of their lives, they pulled weeds, trimmed the grass by hand, and then laid fresh lilies at the base of the headstone.

After Mama died, when Daddy was really beginning to go downhill with the Alzheimer's, I got a frantic call from the lady we paid to keep an eye on him. He'd managed to get out the front door and she couldn't find him anywhere.

I canceled class and rushed home to look myself, driving around block after block and down alleys hoping I wouldn't have to call 911.

I found him in the alley behind a house with the same kind of fence their's has, a house we kids walked past every school day, morning and afternoon.

By then, he'd started to call me "Janet," my mother's name. The tears were streaming down his cheeks when I got to him. "Janet, I've looked everywhere and she's not there. Jeny's not anywhere to be found, honey. What could have happened to her?" He kept talking all the way back home about what a short walk home from school it was and worrying about where she could be, wanting me to go to the school and see if she'd been kept late or something.

But he never once forgot to tell me it was the day to take him for the lilies and out to the cemetery, where, together, he and I took care of both Jeny and Mama.

I don't go anymore. He's not here to go with me. I guess I should when the weather warms again. And perhaps take my brother with me. It might be a good way to try to cross the huge gulf that has separated little bro and me for so many many years.

Thats so sad. :(( :hug:

[rhet 2]

Thats so sad. :(( :hug:

Thank you, sweetie.

But, they're at peace together, the three of them, now. There's a fourth grave site waiting for my little brother when the time comes.

Jim, my little bro, and Jeny were part of the local drug culture of the late '60s and early '70s -- true Hippies in every sense of the term. The brain injuries he's done himself over the years are truly horrendous, a large part of the constant "rubbing against" him my older brother and I cannot seem to help doing, no matter how hard we try. I truly wish I could find some way to bridge that gap and get close to him. Mama would have wanted that in the worst way.

Perhaps I need to resume the grave watch -- for my own sake, as well as to honor the two most precious parents any girl ever had.

[Seanachie]

+1

I join her in those prayers I too lost a loved one to murder. :frown:

Hello Lady,

My prayers for your loved one are offered 'up' to the 'Big Guy'. I belive he has a special place in His House for all those who have succumbed to violence.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[birdonawire]

Hello Lady,

My prayers for your loved one are offered 'up' to the 'Big Guy'. I belive he has a special place in His House for all those who have succumbed to violence.

Be well Lady,

Jim

Thank you. :hug:

It's hard to believe he has been gone so long. :frown: I miss him on Christmas he always at least called me no matter where he was, we never knew where he was going to be he was a outdoorsman in the true sense of the word and a gypsy.

I do at least have the peace that the ones that killed him were brought to justice.

[Seanachie]

Thank you, sweetie.

But, they're at peace together, the three of them, now. There's a fourth grave site waiting for my little brother when the time comes.

Jim, my little bro, and Jeny were part of the local drug culture of the late '60s and early '70s -- true Hippies in every sense of the term. The brain injuries he's done himself over the years are truly horrendous, a large part of the constant "rubbing against" him my older brother and I cannot seem to help doing, no matter how hard we try. I truly wish I could find some way to bridge that gap and get close to him. Mama would have wanted that in the worst way.

Perhaps I need to resume the grave watch -- for my own sake, as well as to honor the two most precious parents any girl ever had.


Hello Lady,

Going to grave sites is something I've never been able to do. Just to overwhelming for me. But, please do if you think it will bring you peace. There is actually nothing more peaceful than a graveyard. Doesn't bother me to go to them. It's the gavesites that are too emotional for me.

This is a love song sung by my favorite Irish Troubadouers. I think it will bring you some solace when thinking of your Parents.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=429PaSejZCE&feature=related

My heart goes out to your Brother. That will have to wait a bit for it will be difficult for me to write about.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[birdonawire]

Thank you, sweetie.

But, they're at peace together, the three of them, now. There's a fourth grave site waiting for my little brother when the time comes.

Jim, my little bro, and Jeny were part of the local drug culture of the late '60s and early '70s -- true Hippies in every sense of the term. The brain injuries he's done himself over the years are truly horrendous, a large part of the constant "rubbing against" him my older brother and I cannot seem to help doing, no matter how hard we try. I truly wish I could find some way to bridge that gap and get close to him. Mama would have wanted that in the worst way.

Perhaps I need to resume the grave watch -- for my own sake, as well as to honor the two most precious parents any girl ever had.

I will pray for you to be able bridge that gap with your little bro. :hug:

I was able to patch things up with my big brother before he died, I had to swallow a lot and just accept that he was the way he was and there was nothing I could do to change him.

It was hard we lived very different life styles but I didn't want him going to his grave with our problems unresolved.

[Seanachie]

Thank you. :hug:

It's hard to believe he has been gone so long. :frown: I miss him on Christmas he always at least called me no matter where he was, we never knew where he was going to be he was a outdoorsman in the true sense of the word and a gypsy.

I do at least have the peace that the ones that killed him were brought to justice.


Hello Lady,

Justice in this Earthly World is a darn good thing. That just delays the inevitable when we MUST answer to God.

Methinks He's enjoying all of the outdoors. The Universe is a wondrous place. He will be happy with His Gypsy ways there. I'm glad You cherish the memories.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

Thank you. :hug:

It's hard to believe he has been gone so long. :frown: I miss him on Christmas he always at least called me no matter where he was, we never knew where he was going to be he was a outdoorsman in the true sense of the word and a gypsy.

I do at least have the peace that the ones that killed him were brought to justice.

I'm glad you were able to make peace with him, and I share Jim's prayers for the day you'll be reunited in God's Kingdom. :hug:

[birdonawire]

I'm glad you were able to make peace with him, and I share Jim's prayers for the day you'll be reunited in God's Kingdom. :hug:

Someday we will ALL meet there! :hug:

Someday the faceless people we have a laughed and prayed with on this place will become real in another way. :)

[USMCmom]

Thank you. :hug:

It's hard to believe he has been gone so long. :frown: I miss him on Christmas he always at least called me no matter where he was, we never knew where he was going to be he was a outdoorsman in the true sense of the word and a gypsy.

I do at least have the peace that the ones that killed him were brought to justice.

Rhet and Birdie...I am so sorry for your losses. Life seems so unfair sometimes and then I think of where your loved ones are... there is no doubt in my mind that they are with our Savior waiting for the day that you will all be reunited! :hug:

I feel so very blessed to know the both of you...to be able to call you my "friends!"
Take care of yourselves & remember how much we truly appreciate all that you do!!!

Luv ya .................................................. ............this much!:hug:

[Seanachie]

Rhet and Birdie...I am so sorry for your losses. Life seems so unfair sometimes and then I think of where your loved ones are... there is no doubt in my mind that they are with our Savior waiting for the day that you will all be reunited! :hug:

I feel so very blessed to know the both of you...to be able to call you my "friends!"
Take care of yourselves & remember how much we truly appreciate all that you do!!!

Luv ya .................................................. ............this much!:hug:

Now that will be one HECK of a PAR TAY. :dance: In my case though; God will have to deploy a Squadron of Angels for the 'security' detail. Those Angels equipped with a 'downalator' button will be able to control things methinks!

And Dear Rhet: How is that 'Battle' going??? Is the 'Bear' holding up well? Did the 'Duck' get her feathers wet?

Don't Ya's just LOVE when MOM gets all 'sappy'? Awww :hug:

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

Now that will be one HECK of a PAR TAY. :dance: In my case though; God will have to deploy a Squadron of Angels for the 'security' detail. Those Angels equipped with a 'downalator' button will be able to control things methinks!

And Dear Rhet: How is that 'Battle' going??? Is the 'Bear' holding up well? Did the 'Duck' get her feathers wet?

Don't Ya's just LOVE when MOM gets all 'sappy'? Awww :hug:

Be well Lady,

Jim

Oh, it's going to be THE PAR TAY of all time.

And you WILL be there, tucked away at least part of the time between me and Mom.

Battle is postponed till the 9th of January -- doctor's orders pending some tests they need want to run first. He's not happy with the BP -- and he wants an explanation for the dizzy off-balance stuff I'm experiencing -- so, I keep whittling at it and not making much headway. YET

The Bear is doing great, work schedule gradually increasing.

And I couldn't soak the Duck, YET -- she cleaned the front bath for me as a surprise.

:hug:

[USMCmom]

Oh, it's going to be THE PAR TAY of all time.

And you WILL be there, tucked away at least part of the time between me and Mom.

Battle is postponed till the 9th of January -- doctor's orders pending some tests they need want to run first. He's not happy with the BP -- and he wants an explanation for the dizzy off-balance stuff I'm experiencing -- so, I keep whittling at it and not making much headway. YET

The Bear is doing great, work schedule gradually increasing.

And I couldn't soak the Duck, YET -- she cleaned the front bath for me as a surprise.

:hug:

LOL...timing is everything!!!!!!!!!!!!

[USMCmom]

I am on a mission...am getting ready to leave to go purchase fireworks for New Years Eve! Nothing funnier than to see these boys jump when ya throw one of those poppers at their feet when they aren't expecting it!:cool:

I have perfected the art of scaring the kids and this year should be even better! So with that I am off to our local gag gift store...I have an arsenal full of tricks to pull on the kids and am hoping that they will appreciate my creative efforts! I suspect that I will no longer hear "I'm bored" after this week and I also suspect they will be glad to go back to school....:dance:

Nothing better than seeing a 6ft Marine and his buddies scream from having a spider stuck in their sheets!!! Ahhh...the joys of being a Mom!!!:lol:

Hope ya all have a good day....:hug:

[birdonawire]

I am on a mission...am getting ready to leave to go purchase fireworks for New Years Eve! Nothing funnier than to see these boys jump when ya throw one of those poppers at their feet when they aren't expecting it!:cool:

I have perfected the art of scaring the kids and this year should be even better! So with that I am off to our local gag gift store...I have an arsenal full of tricks to pull on the kids and am hoping that they will appreciate my creative efforts! I suspect that I will no longer hear "I'm bored" after this week and I also suspect they will be glad to go back to school....:dance:

Nothing better than seeing a 6ft Marine and his buddies scream from having a spider stuck in their sheets!!! Ahhh...the joys of being a Mom!!!:lol:

Hope ya all have a good day....:hug:

Good lord kid are sure we are not related? :lol:

Your one of those rotten Moms that does rotten tricks on their kids.....


I LOVE IT!!! :lol::lol:

All mine are grown now but when we have get togethers they all laugh at the wonderful memories, of course they are the same way with their kids now. :dance: :lol:

[Seanachie]

Hello MOM,

I don't want to be tossing a wet blanket on your shenaniganis but...These Marines may have already been in battle and an innocent thing like a firecracker or popper may produce things you may not be prepared for. Please discuss this with them beforehand, Please.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[Calibabe]

They weren't. Not that we know of, anyway.

But my mother couldn't endure the hunt for her killer, so when the cops quit, my dad let it go, too.

Which is okay.

The LORD knows exactly who and how and why -- and I can sincerely hope the ones involved repented and got their own hearts straight with God.

Not exactly how I felt for some years after, I grant you.

But time does ease the pain.

Though I do wonder just what she'd be like now, and grieve that we were not able to be sisters together as we bloomed into full womanhood.

She was 17, just a few months shy of her birthday.

She's buried at the feet of my parents' graves. Every month for the rest of their lives, they pulled weeds, trimmed the grass by hand, and then laid fresh lilies at the base of the headstone.

After Mama died, when Daddy was really beginning to go downhill with the Alzheimer's, I got a frantic call from the lady we paid to keep an eye on him. He'd managed to get out the front door and she couldn't find him anywhere.

I canceled class and rushed home to look myself, driving around block after block and down alleys hoping I wouldn't have to call 911.

I found him in the alley behind a house with the same kind of fence their's has, a house we kids walked past every school day, morning and afternoon.

By then, he'd started to call me "Janet," my mother's name. The tears were streaming down his cheeks when I got to him. "Janet, I've looked everywhere and she's not there. Jeny's not anywhere to be found, honey. What could have happened to her?" He kept talking all the way back home about what a short walk home from school it was and worrying about where she could be, wanting me to go to the school and see if she'd been kept late or something.

But he never once forgot to tell me it was the day to take him for the lilies and out to the cemetery, where, together, he and I took care of both Jeny and Mama.

I don't go anymore. He's not here to go with me. I guess I should when the weather warms again. And perhaps take my brother with me. It might be a good way to try to cross the huge gulf that has separated little bro and me for so many many years.

My dear friend rhet, that is a beautiful idea. Many times it is little things that were taken in the wrong context that separate us in this world. I was so blessed that my Dad and my Uncle were so close. They were closer than any two brothers I know or have ever seen. When my Dad was dying of cancer, my cousin (who is like my sister, we are literally that close) went home after spending 5 days with me at my Dad's house. We sat up, and talked all night and did things like when we were kids. It was a good time, even though I knew deep down it was the last time I would see my Dad alive. She went home and told my Uncle that he needed to get down to my Dad's house because not only didn't he look good but she knew because she was going through nursing school that he was in his final days. He went down and stayed a week for my Dad's 66th birthday. I called on his birthday and talked with my Uncle and he said to me crying that "he always protected my Dad when he was younger and now there was nothing he could do for him". It literally broke my heart. When my Grandmother passed away, we sat and cried over my Dad, and I can't tell you how many times my Uncle and I hugged each other and cried on each other's shoulders. I knew how close they were and he knew that I understood just how he felt.

I think taking your brother out to their gravesite would be a good productive healing process. It might just get the two of you talking again and close. Family is so important. That is the one thing that I have told my children and they literally have followed through on it. My daughter came for Christmas, but her boyfriend just dropped her off because he didn't want to stay (we were a little offended because at Thanksgiving, we treated him very, very, well). We even went and bought him a present (a PS3 controller). My daughter and I watched movies and talked until 2pm. It was really nice. We had a great dinner which she helped me cook since I had that "unwanted spinal tap" on 11/17/08 and I still am not right. I have found that going above 50mph is what makes me sick to my stomach when driving so I don't go about 50 around town. Of course getting on the freeway is a little different and that is something that I can't quite handle at this point but will have to at some point in the future.

I hope that you and your brother are able to put behind you what is there and pick up what is most important, being a family.

I will pray to Our Lord that you will find each other and will be able to discuss all that has happened and put it behind and move forward as Our Lord would want you both to do.

[USMCmom]

Hello MOM,

I don't want to be tossing a wet blanket on your shenaniganis but...These Marines may have already been in battle and an innocent thing like a firecracker or popper may produce things you may not be prepared for. Please discuss this with them beforehand, Please.

Be well Lady,

Jim

Having grown up with Military men I do know what I can and can't get away with...but the firecrackers are for the boys not in uniform the spiders are for the boys that are!!!
We do have a motto in our home though...
"Do unto others...before they do it to you!":lol:

Do not worry my friend for we are not mean spirited and I would never do anything to hurt my boys...I promise!:hug:

[USMCmom]

Good lord kid are sure we are not related? :lol:

Your one of those rotten Moms that does rotten tricks on their kids.....


I LOVE IT!!! :lol::lol:

All mine are grown now but when we have get togethers they all laugh at the wonderful memories, of course they are the same way with their kids now. :dance: :lol:


LOL...we could of been seperated at birth!!! It does make for wonderful, funny memories....:lol:

[Seanachie]

Having grown up with Military men I do know what I can and can't get away with...but the firecrackers are for the boys not in uniform the spiders are for the boys that are!!!
We do have a motto in our home though...
"Do unto others...before they do it to you!":lol:

Do not worry my friend for we are not mean spirited and I would never do anything to hurt my boys...I promise!:hug:


I didn't mean to imply that you are mean spirited. It was just a concern is all. My Son is an Iraqi war vet so lil things like that are always in the back of my scrambled brain.

:dance: Soooo...have at it with your shenanigans MOM and CARRY ON! I can't wait to hear the stories. I'm quite sure that with all your planning; they will be hilarious! :hug::hug::hug:< Some extra hugs there for those who may be needing them! LOL

Be well Lady,

Jim

[Seanachie]

Rhet, please check on your PM's. I sometimes get paranoid that they don't get there and are lost in the ether.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

I didn't mean to imply that you are mean spirited. It was just a concern is all. My Son is an Iraqi war vet so lil things like that are always in the back of my scrambled brain.

:dance: Soooo...have at it with your shenanigans MOM and CARRY ON! I can't wait to hear the stories. I'm quite sure that with all your planning; they will be hilarious! :hug::hug::hug:< Some extra hugs there for those who may be needing them! LOL

Be well Lady,

Jim

I know what you're saying. My childhood sweetheart came home from his first tour in Nam and we were down town shopping for THE RING. A car backfired, and I was in the gutter, him on top of me, right down between two parked cars. Boom! and we were down. Reflex reaction.

[Cav Scout]

I am on a mission...am getting ready to leave to go purchase fireworks for New Years Eve! Nothing funnier than to see these boys jump when ya throw one of those poppers at their feet when they aren't expecting it!:cool:

I have perfected the art of scaring the kids and this year should be even better! So with that I am off to our local gag gift store...I have an arsenal full of tricks to pull on the kids and am hoping that they will appreciate my creative efforts! I suspect that I will no longer hear "I'm bored" after this week and I also suspect they will be glad to go back to school....:dance:

Nothing better than seeing a 6ft Marine and his buddies scream from having a spider stuck in their sheets!!! Ahhh...the joys of being a Mom!!!:lol:

Hope ya all have a good day....:hug:

Just remember Mom, what comes around goes around...:cool:

You put a spider in my sheets and I would eat it...:lol:

[USMCmom]

I didn't mean to imply that you are mean spirited. It was just a concern is all. My Son is an Iraqi war vet so lil things like that are always in the back of my scrambled brain.

:dance: Soooo...have at it with your shenanigans MOM and CARRY ON! I can't wait to hear the stories. I'm quite sure that with all your planning; they will be hilarious! :hug::hug::hug:< Some extra hugs there for those who may be needing them! LOL

Be well Lady,

Jim

Oh...my dear man I KNOW that you mean well and I would never ever admonish you for showing concern for my brood!!! If anything it just makes me just "luv ya" more!:hug:

As for the stories, I will be happy to share regardless of who the joke is pulled on (yours truly)!!!:lol:

You take care of yourself, be safe & God Bless my friend...
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!:dance:

[USMCmom]

I know what you're saying. My childhood sweetheart came home from his first tour in Nam and we were down town shopping for THE RING. A car backfired, and I was in the gutter, him on top of me, right down between two parked cars. Boom! and we were down. Reflex reaction.

When I was a little girl about 6, I walked up behind my Uncle who has served in WWII and the Korean War. All I did was say "Boo!" I didn't yell or anything...imagine my surprise when we hit the floor! I didn't understand his reaction, but it cured me of EVER EVER EVER sneaking up on someone...:naughty:

[USMCmom]

Just remember Mom, what comes around goes around...:cool:

You put a spider in my sheets and I would eat it...:lol:

Yikes...your one of them!!!:lol: "God please promise me that my boys will never get the chance to talk to Cav or Rhett or Birdie or anyone else in here with a sense of humor as rotten as mine or I will be toast!" :))

LOL...yes I know! But I have to weigh the "Can I get them better than they can get me" odds and if I calculate this right I figure that I have the "Surprise Factor" on my side!

Did I mention that I found fake chest hair?:))
Can you imagine what these boys will think when they wake up and are blessed with chest hair?

[Cav Scout]

Yikes...your one of them!!!:lol: "God please promise me that my boys will never get the chance to talk to Cav or Rhett or Birdie or anyone else in here with a sense of humor as rotten as mine or I will be toast!" :))

LOL...yes I know! But I have to weigh the "Can I get them better than they can get me" odds and if I calculate this right I figure that I have the "Surprise Factor" on my side!

Did I mention that I found fake chest hair?:))
Can you imagine what these boys will think when they wake up and are blessed with chest hair?


Thats grand, chest hair! Awesome.
One time when I was a teenager and hard to wake up...
My mom was getting a bit put out at my sleep habits so she came in and painted my toe nails pink...
I realized this during Wrestling practice, as did all the rest of the team...(a bit embarassed I was to say the least, and took a bit of a beating on the matts that day).
So that night after a good laugh by my Mom and Dad I decided to get "even"....
That is still going on and I do not know who is winning. :lol:

[USMCmom]

Thats grand, chest hair! Awesome.
One time when I was a teenager and hard to wake up...
My mom was getting a bit put out at my sleep habits so she came in and painted my toe nails pink...
I realized this during Wrestling practice, as did all the rest of the team...(a bit embarassed I was to say the least, and took a bit of a beating on the matts that day).
So that night after a good laugh by my Mom and Dad I decided to get "even"....
That is still going on and I do not know who is winning. :lol:

Ohhh...that is to funny!!!:lol: However...what exactly did you do to get even with them if I may ask (yes I have an ulterior motive)! :rolleyes:

[Seanachie]

Yikes...your one of them!!!:lol: "God please promise me that my boys will never get the chance to talk to Cav or Rhett or Birdie or anyone else in here with a sense of humor as rotten as mine or I will be toast!" :))

LOL...yes I know! But I have to weigh the "Can I get them better than they can get me" odds and if I calculate this right I figure that I have the "Surprise Factor" on my side!

Did I mention that I found fake chest hair?:))
Can you imagine what these boys will think when they wake up and are blessed with chest hair?


I see the 'plot' thickens at this rather peculiar hour. The early Bird catches the worm I suppose. (no pun intended Birdonawire) They just have to watch out for those creepy, crawly spiders. Just be very careful someone else doesn't awake with hair on their chest. Seems to me that lovely Daughter of yours is a solid chip off of MOM's block. Perhaps the 'boys' will bribe her in one of those 'get-even' plots. Maybe thery're a chip off the old block too! This is most certainly entertaining even at this unGodly hour of the morning. Can't wait to see how your 'New Year" is ushered in!

Be well Lady and beware of 'hairy chests'! :redface::angel::angel::angel:<<Those lil Angels may be plotting also! LOL

[Cav Scout]

Ohhh...that is to funny!!!:lol: However...what exactly did you do to get even with them if I may ask (yes I have an ulterior motive)! :rolleyes:

My Father who thought it was terribley funny (and who gave mom the idea to start with) Is a big Willie Nelson fan.

Willie did a remake of "The City of New Orleans", the song with the line "Good Morn'in America How are Ya" in it.

So I found two of the biggest speakers I could that would fit under their bed. I wired them to my alarm clock which had a cassette player on it. Then I set the alarm to function at 0330 and when I went to bed that night I was awakened by the funniest sight. My Dad and Mom tearing speaker wire out of the house with Willie crooning in the background..:lol:

[USMCmom]

I see the 'plot' thickens at this rather peculiar hour. The early Bird catches the worm I suppose. (no pun intended Birdonawire) They just have to watch out for those creepy, crawly spiders. Just be very careful someone else doesn't awake with hair on their chest. Seems to me that lovely Daughter of yours is a solid chip off of MOM's block. Perhaps the 'boys' will bribe her in one of those 'get-even' plots. Maybe thery're a chip off the old block too! This is most certainly entertaining even at this unGodly hour of the morning. Can't wait to see how your 'New Year" is ushered in!

Be well Lady and beware of 'hairy chests'! :redface::angel::angel::angel:<<Those lil Angels may be plotting also! LOL


Never even thought of that...good grief! :think: I then must prepare to "defend" myself!:lol: Stay tuned dear friend as I do believe this New Year will come in with a "bang!":cool:

Am off to visit with Mr. Sandman and catch a few winks...think my mind is finally slowing down (what is left of it)!!! Get some rest my friend and I will keep ya updated!

Good night...God Bless:hug:

[Seanachie]

Never even thought of that...good grief! :think: I then must prepare to "defend" myself!:lol: Stay tuned dear friend as I do believe this New Year will come in with a "bang!":cool:

Am off to visit with Mr. Sandman and catch a few winks...think my mind is finally slowing down (what is left of it)!!! Get some rest my friend and I will keep ya updated!

Good night...God Bless:hug:


No rest for the weary here. I'm about to get on the road to Jersey. Things to attend to. Couldn't get to sleep and it's about a 3 hour drive. Just decided to stay up. I can get some winks later this afternoon. If ya feel some furry fussies or creepy crawlys; don't be too surprised! LOL Enjoy your slumber. Sounds like you'll need some fortification later on.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to You MOM and ALL.

Be well ALL,

Jim

[rhet 2]

No rest for the weary here. I'm about to get on the road to Jersey. Things to attend to. Couldn't get to sleep and it's about a 3 hour drive. Just decided to saty up. I can get some winks later this afternoon. If ya feel some furry fussies or creepy crawlys; don't be too surprised! LOL Enjoy your slumber. Sounds like you'll need some fortification later on.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to You MOM and ALL.

Be well ALL,

Jim

May the Good LORD watch over you in your travels and return you home safe and sound and happier than when you left, gifted with a happiness far greater than you've seen in 2008, a happiness and peace and joy that can and will endure for 366 days and more to come.

[jwil59]

May the Good LORD watch over you in your travels and return you home safe and sound and happier than when you left, gifted with a happiness far greater than you've seen in 2008, a happiness and peace and joy that can and will endure for 366 days and more to come.

Amen to that sis. My prayers that you guys have a great 2009 together.

Your leaderhip in this forum is very important. A little over two years ago your unsolicited prayer and support when my mom was having cancer surgery dragged me to this conference. That really means alot to me today. God bbless you in the new year

[rhet 2]

Amen to that sis. My prayers that you guys have a great 2009 together.

Your leaderhip in this forum is very important. A little over two years ago your unsolicited prayer and support when my mom was having cancer surgery dragged me to this conference. That really means alot to me today. God bbless you in the new year

I have done nothing except respond with love for love received. And in such there is not special service, for I did only what I should have done.

I only pray that the LORD be glorified in the alleviation of so much pain and suffering, things that just should not be happening, things that are out of whack, imbalanced, not according to the way the LORD designed them to be.

It takes no special gift to see something hanging crooked on a wall and reach out a finger to try to straighten it a bit, which is all I can do.

There is just so much that makes my heart want to weep without ceasing. And so very little I can do except bide the time till the ONE who can set it right returns.

But, seeing some situation like your poor son has gotten caught in improve so remarkably does make the heart sing with pure joy, indeed it does.

[blazer]

Hello sister! I pray the good Lord richly blesses you in 2009 the way you have blessed others! :hug:

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

I hope and pray your New Year was rung in well with some gusto to boot. Mine was a bit of an odyssey but it was as enjoyable as it was beautiful.

My Grandson is so precious! He even rang in the New Year with us wide awake and inquisitive as to 'what the heck is going on here'? stuff. Spending this unique time with my Daughter, Her Husband and 'The Boy' was just the cat's meow. My older Brother and his Lovely Wife joined us and that added sweetly to the icing on an already sweet cake.

That wonderful Son-in-law's (He's just like a Son to me even if He's a Mets Fan) words gave me the impetus to get to Jersey: "Tell Pop that it would be nice for PJ's Pappy to meet him in the same year he was born would be nice" as conveyed to me by my Daughter. That Young Man has a wealth of Wisdom that he will pass on to PJ.

I'll get to that 'little odyssey' eventually. But being in the locations of two dead Presidents on New Years Day was an added mix that was a wee bit ironic. Perhaps this may be one of those 'diversions' that might be of interest to you when your 'Battle' resumes in earnest.

My day started off in Long Branch NJ where James Garfield succumbed to an Assasin's bullet. Later in the afternoon I was a tiny wee bit lost on my way home from my Daughter's place. I passed through Washington's Crossing on the Delaware River and only added 40 or 50 miles to my trip home! Just realized; I crossed the Delaware 4 times in my trip. LOL

Anyways, I hope You and Yours are well in this New Year and my prayers are with Ya's.

Jim

[USMCmom]

Happy New Year Rhet...
This has indeed been a joyous and heartbreaking year! You are an amazing woman...your ability to lift up another is truly a gift! You never let us forget that while it is ok to be sad...it is also ok to be happy!

I pray that the New Year will bring more blessings for you and yours...
God Bless...

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

This Irish Blessing seems to be written just for you, especially the 4th and last line.

Blessing for the New Year

May the new year bring
The warmth of home and hearth to you.
The cheer and goodwill of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Be well Lady,

Off to Scranton to do some 'stuff'.

Jim

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

This Irish Blessing seems to be written just for you, especially the 4th and last line.

Blessing for the New Year

May the new year bring
The warmth of home and hearth to you.
The cheer and goodwill of friends to you,
The hope of a childlike heart to you.
The joy of a thousand angels to you,
The love of the Son and God's peace to you.

Be well Lady,

Off to Scranton to do some 'stuff'.

Jim


I do love the Irish and their music and their blessings!

Thank you, brother.

I hope you are well and safely returned from your travels? I'm glad the visit with your daughter and her family was joyful, BTW.

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

I am indeed 'safe' from my travels. I have never minded getting lost, you can't get lost in the US; sooner or later you have to hit an ocean or a border LOL.

I was a bit frustrated in going to my Uncle's Funeral. My Daughter got bolloxed up a bit on finding the Cemetary. When we were about a half mile from the Ocean I knew we were lost. (I was very familiar with that particular Ocean Town). Just imagine me, a guy, asking her to stop at a gas station for directions! LOL That and her handy dandy cellphone with directions from her Husband helped a great deal. We arrived in the middle of a snow-squall just as just as my Uncle was being lowered into the ground. I was able to say a prayer there and pay my respects. I was lucky enough to see many of my relatives there at the cemetary and my Aunt Elanor later at her house. Thank God my Daughter has such patience; I was getting freaky frustrated.

Anyways, I will take another sojourn on the Morrow. This Time to the Upper Delaware River on the NY side. There is highway that runs along the Delaware through a place called the Hawks Nest. It's carved (the road) right out of the side of the mountain and is as winding as a winding road can be (with the exception of Lombard St. in San Francisco, the crookedest St. in America) about 150 feet above the river. There are pull offs and they are beautifully scenic. I have this strange thing about praying in places I find beautiful. Don't know why...I just do.

Here's some links;

http://www.upperdelawarescenicbyway.org/history/towns/deerpark/deerpark.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_97

http://www.sftravel.com/lomabardcrookedstreet.html < Had a nice walk 'up' that one in the 80's. Nearly gave me a heart attack! LOL



I hope all is well With You and Yours and I will holler up some prayers for Ya's at the Hawks Nest. I love how the sounds echo up and down the River.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

I am indeed 'safe' from my travels. I have never minded getting lost, you can't get lost in the US; sooner or later you have to hit an ocean or a border LOL.

I was a bit frustrated in going to my Uncle's Funeral. My Daughter got bolloxed up a bit on finding the Cemetary. When we were about a half mile from the Ocean I knew we were lost. (I was very familiar with that particular Ocean Town). Just imagine me, a guy, asking her to stop at a gas station for directions! LOL That and her handy dandy cellphone with directions from her Husband helped a great deal. We arrived in the middle of a snow-squall just as just as my Uncle was being lowered into the ground. I was able to say a prayer there and pay my respects. I was lucky enough to see many of my relatives there at the cemetary and my Aunt Elanor later at her house. Thank God my Daughter has such patience; I was getting freaky frustrated.

Anyways, I will take another sojourn on the Morrow. This Time to the Upper Delaware River on the NY side. There is highway that runs along the Delaware through a place called the Hawks Nest. It's carved (the road) right out of the side of the mountain and is as winding as a winding road can be (with the exception of Lombard St. in San Francisco, the crookedest St. in America) about 150 feet above the river. There are pull offs and they are beautifully scenic. I have this strange thing about praying in places I find beautiful. Don't know why...I just do.

Here's some links;

http://www.upperdelawarescenicbyway.org/history/towns/deerpark/deerpark.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Route_97

http://www.sftravel.com/lomabardcrookedstreet.html < Had a nice walk 'up' that one in the 80's. Nearly gave me a heart attack! LOL



I hope all is well With You and Yours and I will holler up some prayers for Ya's at the Hawks Nest. I love how the sounds echo up and down the River.

Be well Lady,

Jim

I think the Psalms of David echo with the same experience of praying in the Wilderness, surrounding by the Handiwork of God, which really is far more wondrous than the most glorious cathedrals man has ever built.

To be alone, with only the LORD to See and to Hear -- it heals the soul, it does.

Christ Himself spent 40 days doing the exact same thing, before He began His three year Walk to Glory.

We're okay. Just fighting the blinking economy like most of the nation.

With the declining health of old age catching up to us at last, it's not as easy as when we first started out, but at least we have the spiritual lessons of how to be tough learned in our youth to fall back on.

I'm glad you were able to pay your respects to your uncle. Important to your own heart -- and to your aunt's. And having you at her side is a significant Memory for your daughter, something she will treasure in the secret recesses of her own heart for all her days.

[USMCmom]

Good Evening Dear Friend...am home from taking Kyle to my sister's as they have to take him & my nephew to the airport by 3:30 am. All the kids are gone tonight and it is so quiet. Just wanted to say "hi" and thank you for everything. You my dear are an "angel" in disguise!!!:angel:

Sending hugs & prayers for the 3 of ya...:hug:
God Bless

[rhet 2]

Good Evening Dear Friend...am home from taking Kyle to my sister's as they have to take him & my nephew to the airport by 3:30 am. All the kids are gone tonight and it is so quiet. Just wanted to say "hi" and thank you for everything. You my dear are an "angel" in disguise!!!:angel:

Sending hugs & prayers for the 3 of ya...:hug:
God Bless

Hugs and prayers for you, too!

Rest easy, soft and quiet this night -- and enjoy having the tv controls all to yourself! :hug:

BTW: if I am an "angel," then in truth the halo is rather badly tarnished and still distinctly tilted to one side by the horns the LORD hasn't quite finished sanding down. :))

[Seanachie]

Good Morning to Ye Lady,

Last year was a trying one with way too many troubles. Perhaps this Blessing will lift some weight off those burdens Life delivers.

May you find truth in the year's smallest grace
And hope in the year's heaviest cross;
May a pillar of light before your face
shine through the dark so you're never lost
May your journey be safe wherever you go,
and the Angels keep you from all harm,
May you learn to take life easy and slow,
And celebrate your gift of lilted charm.
And may the God of new beginnings grant you
a year of health, happiness and prosperity.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I haven't forgotten your writing. I will find time soon enough to give it some proper justice in the reading.

[rhet 2]

Good Morning to Ye Lady,

Last year was a trying one with way too many troubles. Perhaps this Blessing will lift some weight off those burdens Life delivers.

May you find truth in the year's smallest grace
And hope in the year's heaviest cross;
May a pillar of light before your face
shine through the dark so you're never lost
May your journey be safe wherever you go,
and the Angels keep you from all harm,
May you learn to take life easy and slow,
And celebrate your gift of lilted charm.
And may the God of new beginnings grant you
a year of health, happiness and prosperity.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I haven't forgotten your writing. I will find time soon enough to give it some proper justice in the reading.



What a spendid way to start my day, with such a blessing as this!

I thank you.

No hurry on the reading, dear brother.

And may the LORD cause His own sweet Sunshine of Everlasting Grace shine upon your dear head this day.

[blazer]

Hello precious light in my life! :hug:

[rhet 2]

Hello precious light in my life! :hug:


And a good morning to you, too, dear one! :hug:

[blazer]

And a good morning to you, too, dear one! :hug:

It is a good morning now because you are here! :)

[USMCmom]

Hugs and prayers for you, too!

Rest easy, soft and quiet this night -- and enjoy having the tv controls all to yourself! :hug:

BTW: if I am an "angel," then in truth the halo is rather badly tarnished and still distinctly tilted to one side by the horns the LORD hasn't quite finished sanding down. :))

LOL...those aren't horns my dear, they are knowledge bumps!:))
Hope that you have a wonderful day...:hug:

[rhet 2]

LOL...those aren't horns my dear, they are knowledge bumps!:))
Hope that you have a wonderful day...:hug:

Perhaps so.

But knowledge of WHAT, precisely?

How to get into trouble? Most definitely one of my more advanced studies in life....... :))

[USMCmom]

Perhaps so.

But knowledge of WHAT, precisely?

How to get into trouble? Most definitely one of my more advanced studies in life....... :))

LOL..was attempting to help ya with a way to diguise the horns! :D

[Seanachie]

Perhaps so.

But knowledge of WHAT, precisely?

How to get into trouble? Most definitely one of my more advanced studies in life....... :))


I was thinking on that 'knowledge of WHAT' stuff; I'm thinking recipes. Hmmmm....Devil's food cake...Devil dogs....Deviled eggs, etc. LOL

I think I have Ya beat on the advanced studies in 'trouble'. if I could just learn to stop leading with my head I'll be more advanced. That's another story altogether. Evander Hollyfield has nothing on me. We both used our heads...much to both of our chagrins. Mine was 1st though! LOL

My sojourn home from NY yesterday was very nice. My former Boss and his Wife were at their weekend place on the Delaware. I was about to pass by Berm Church Road ( 2! yes 2! Churches on this country Road. That's more irony I suppose) and decided to hang a right to see the progress on the Log Cabin they constructed there.

It was so nice that they were still there on a late Sunday afternoon. We all had some wonderful conversations. I'll fill you in someday. He is the fellow that taught me about electrical work even though I was terrified of the dang stuff. (he told me later that is the reason he hired me). I was out of a job and he called me to offer one as a helper. I learned so much from him. Their Place isn't far from the Hawks Nest and that's the way I decided to meander home. I'm just thankful I remembered all the back roads and didn't get lost once in the 110 mile trip! LOL

You and many people from the OO were in my thoughts and prayers at the Hawks Nest. I just hope and pray that the 'Big Guy' took notice and marked them down on His 'things to do list'.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

I was thinking on that 'knowledge of WHAT' stuff; I'm thinking recipes. Hmmmm....Devil's food cake...Devil dogs....Deviled eggs, etc. LOL

I think I have Ya beat on the advanced studies in 'trouble'. if I could just learn to stop leading with my head I'll be more advanced. That's another story altogether. Evander Hollyfield has nothing on me. We both used our heads...much to both of our chagrins. Mine was 1st though! LOL

My sojourn home from NY yesterday was very nice. My former Boss and his Wife were at their weekend place on the Delaware. I was about to pass by Berm Church Road ( 2! yes 2! Churches on this country Road. That's more irony I suppose) and decided to hang a right to see the progress on the Log Cabin they constructed there.

It was so nice that they were still there on a late Sunday afternoon. We all had some wonderful conversations. I'll fill you in someday. He is the fellow that taught me about electrical work even though I was terrified of the dang stuff. (he told me later that is the reason he hired me). I was out of a job and he called me to offer one as a helper. I learned so much from him. Their Place isn't far from the Hawks Nest and that's the way I decided to meander home. I'm just thankful I remembered all the back roads and didn't get lost once in the 110 mile trip! LOL

You and many people from the OO were in my thoughts and prayers at the Hawks Nest. I just hope and pray that the 'Big Guy' took notice and marked them down on His 'things to do list'.

Be well Lady,

Jim

Oh, it is "well with my soul," I do assure you. We have our battles, Me, Myself, and I, but the LORD has a way of winning.

Silly, the LORD designed us to fight with our heads, build and clean and fix things with our hands, and run like hell with our feet.

The trick is knowing when to do which.

To share time with old bosses who were friends first and bosses second is a good and Godly thing in this life.

I'm glad he made your journeying forth both safe and soul restoring. :hug:

We've got ice this dark and dreary day -- and the Bear is on school delivery for the grandkids because of their dad's new job, which requires his presence at 7:15 and their mom's teaching an hour and a half drive away from home. I just wish we were available to help Abegail's mother, who starts her own new teaching job this morning -- when the babysitter called to renege on keeping Abby -- at 3:30 yesterday afternoon. Young parents have such struggles! A "mobile society" that puts too many miles between family members is NOT a good thing, for the LORD designed family to help one another all their days.

[Seanachie]

An early good Morning to Ye Lady,

Methinks from what I've read that a Night Blessing is most definately in order;

On that day when the weight deadens on your shoulders
and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you. And
when the ghost of loss gets into you, may a flock of colors;
indigo, red, green, and azure blue--come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight. When the canvas frays and the stain
of ocean blackens beneath you, may there come across the
waters a path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity
of light be yours, may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours, and so may a
slow wind work these words of love around you, an invisible
cloak to mind your life.

I hope this Blessing can be of good help.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I haven't posted much this day with the exception of that which combats negativity and mocking. I was able to etch out some positive postings where I could. I'll post a bit more when I have a 'better frame of mind' to do so.

[rhet 2]

An early good Morning to Ye Lady,

Methinks from what I've read that a Night Blessing is most definately in order;

On that day when the weight deadens on your shoulders
and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you. And
when the ghost of loss gets into you, may a flock of colors;
indigo, red, green, and azure blue--come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight. When the canvas frays and the stain
of ocean blackens beneath you, may there come across the
waters a path of yellow moonlight to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours, may the clarity
of light be yours, may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours, and so may a
slow wind work these words of love around you, an invisible
cloak to mind your life.

I hope this Blessing can be of good help.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I haven't posted much this day with the exception of that which combats negativity and mocking. I was able to etch out some positive postings where I could. I'll post a bit more when I have a 'better frame of mind' to do so.

I know not by what miracle you realized how down and discouraged I have felt this day, but your blessing could not have been more perfectly attuned to help me fight it off.

This one I may have to memorize to repeat it over and over and over.

I thank you from the bottom of my being.

[USMCmom]

Poor Abby...will ask the Lord to please, please help her find a safe, stable babysitter whom she can depend on! Her babysitter knows that she depends on her...

I had the guy where I occassionally get coffee come uncorked on me this morning...was going to find out why I didn't get my unemployment ck so I stopped to splurge on a coffee. He asked me what I was doing and I told him...he then said well when Obama gets in office you will get an extension and I said "I don't want an extension...I want my benefits that I had worked for!" He then said "Let me guess, you don't like Obama?" and I said "Well no I don't hate him!" Just sittin' there talking waiting for my coffee and he said "You know Bush is an idiot!" and I said "Well, I happen to like him"...this of course caused him to errupt into this 'Bush is an idiot, dumb ass, good for nothing, piece of ****' tirade!

I just sat there...not saying anything and he finally quit! He then handed me my coffee and I thanked him...told him to have a good day! He then said "Well I hope you don't get your unemployment" and shut his window! I was shocked by his behavior...truly dumbfounded over his reaction! But it reminded me how nasty and cruel others can be when trying to intimidate others with their opinions! How can people keep a business going when they do things like him or like what Abby's sitter did?

I hope tomorrow will be a better day for ya my dear...here are a couple of songs that I listen to that never fail to make me smile and lift my spirits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rktW3byqdOs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S70gwFcSK9k

Hope all is well dear friend...
Am keeping all of you in my prayers!:pray:
Take care & God Bless:hug:

[rhet 2]

Poor Abby...will ask the Lord to please, please help her find a safe, stable babysitter whom she can depend on! Her babysitter knows that she depends on her...

I had the guy where I occassionally get coffee come uncorked on me this morning...was going to find out why I didn't get my unemployment ck so I stopped to splurge on a coffee. He asked me what I was doing and I told him...he then said well when Obama gets in office you will get an extension and I said "I don't want an extension...I want my benefits that I had worked for!" He then said "Let me guess, you don't like Obama?" and I said "Well no I don't hate him!" Just sittin' there talking waiting for my coffee and he said "You know Bush is an idiot!" and I said "Well, I happen to like him"...this of course caused him to errupt into this 'Bush is an idiot, dumb ass, good for nothing, piece of ****' tirade!

I just sat there...not saying anything and he finally quit! He then handed me my coffee and I thanked him...told him to have a good day! He then said "Well I hope you don't get your unemployment" and shut his window! I was shocked by his behavior...truly dumbfounded over his reaction! But it reminded me how nasty and cruel others can be when trying to intimidate others with their opinions! How can people keep a business going when they do things like him or like what Abby's sitter did?

I hope tomorrow will be a better day for ya my dear...here are a couple of songs that I listen to that never fail to make me smile and lift my spirits.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rktW3byqdOs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S70gwFcSK9k

Hope all is well dear friend...
Am keeping all of you in my prayers!:pray:
Take care & God Bless:hug:

Thank you, sweet one. I'm very discouraged right now, but it's only a temporary thing, a matter of testing my faith and learning to "give thanks in all things for this is the will of God concerning you."

And I hope and pray you got that check!

[USMCmom]

Thank you, sweet one. I'm very discouraged right now, but it's only a temporary thing, a matter of testing my faith and learning to "give thanks in all things for this is the will of God concerning you."

And I hope and pray you got that check!

I did get my check...YEAH!!!

Am praying for you dear friend...:hug:
Sending hugs & prayers

[rhet 2]

I did get my check...YEAH!!!

Am praying for you dear friend...:hug:
Sending hugs & prayers

Good deal! Since I like to start my prayers with praise, I've been trying to list stuff to say thanks for, and this is one of them, that's for sure!

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet, Hello MOM,

Years ago when I got myself into a 'state' of funk I would fight fire with firewater and Irish music. Now that I'm a teatoteler I still do so but appreciate the humor rather than the depressive stuff. I thought I would share the lyrics to this song with the both of you. Least I think it's quite humorous.

There are as many variations as there are Irish singers or any singers for that matter.

Here's a link to one Artist who does it a bit of justice in his rendition. At least you'll get a sense fo the melody it is sung to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQx1OcIlFqE

Seven Old Ladies (2)

Cho: Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Seven old ladies locked in the lavat'ry.
They were there from Sunday till Saturday.
Nobody knew they were there

The first old lady was old Mrs. Flynn.
She prided herself on being quite thin,
But when she sat down, the poor dear fell in.
Nobody knew she was there

The second old lady was old Mrs. Humphrey.
She twisted and turned until she got comfy,
But when she was through, she could not get her bum free.
Nobody knew she was there.

The third old lady was old Mrs. Hart.
Every two minutes, to the toilet she'd dart.
But when she got there, all she did was read.
Nobody knew she was there.

The fourth old lady was old Mrs. Moore.
She was drunk as skunk when she came through the door.
The seats were all full so she peed on the floor.
Nobody knew she was there.

The fifth old lady was old Mrs. Brewster.
She don't get around any more like she usedter.
When she sat down she said somebody goosed her.
Nobody knew I was there.

The sixth old lady was old Mrs. Bender.
When she sat down she snapped a suspender.
It hit her in the feminine gender.
Nobody knew she was there.

The seventh old lady was old Mrs. Mason.
She came in and peed in the basin.
That's the water I washed my face in.
Nobody knew I was there.

Just thought You Ladies might just need a wee tad of a bit of humor.

Jim

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet, Hello MOM,

Years ago when I got myself into a 'state' of funk I would fight fire with firewater and Irish music. Now that I'm a teatoteler I still do so but appreciate the humor rather than the depressive stuff. I though I would share the lyrics to this song with the both of you. Least I think it's quite humorous.

There are as many variations as there are Irish singers or any singers for that matter.

Here's a link to one Artist who does it a bit of justice in his rendition. At least you'll get a sense fo the melody it is sung to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQx1OcIlFqE

Seven Old Ladies (2)

Cho: Oh dear, what can the matter be?
Seven old ladies locked in the lavat'ry.
They were there from Sunday till Saturday.
Nobody knew they were there

The first old lady was old Mrs. Flynn.
She prided herself on being quite thin,
But when she sat down, the poor dear fell in.
Nobody knew she was there

The second old lady was old Mrs. Humphrey.
She twisted and turned until she got comfy,
But when she was through, she could not get her bum free.
Nobody knew she was there.

The third old lady was old Mrs. Hart.
Every two minutes, to the toilet she'd dart.
But when she got there, all she did was read.
Nobody knew she was there.

The fourth old lady was old Mrs. Moore.
She was drunk as skunk when she came through the door.
The seats were all full so she peed on the floor.
Nobody knew she was there.

The fifth old lady was old Mrs. Brewster.
She don't get around any more like she usedter.
When she sat down she said somebody goosed her.
Nobody knew I was there.

The sixth old lady was old Mrs. Bender.
When she sat down she snapped a suspender.
It hit her in the feminine gender.
Nobody knew she was there.

The seventh old lady was old Mrs. Mason.
She came in and peed in the basin.
That's the water I washed my face in.
Nobody knew I was there.

Just thought You Ladies might just need a wee tad of a bit of humor.

Jim

That was AWFUL! Hilariously awful. You wicked old man you, you made me spew coffee all over my keyboard again.

:))

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet. the Bear, and the Duckling,

A bit of an Irish Blessing and a prayer for Ya's;

May St. Patrick intercede on your behalf
and God be beside you when you walk,
in your voice when you talk,
in your eyes when you see,
in your ears when you hear
in your heart when you pray
in your mind when you think
and in your hands when you touch.
In every sense may it be
that God is with you eternally.

I hope and pray the Good Lord is smiling down upon Ya's.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

I'm sure you are well aware that liquids around computers and keyboards is a recipe for disaster! LOL

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

I'm sure you are well aware that liquids around computers and keyboards is a recipe for disaster! LOL

Be well Lady,

Jim

Thank you for the blessing, dear Jim.

BTW: does 10 bean soup count as a liquid? I've eaten while studying and writing so long, my fingers don't know what to do with a fork at the dining table, without a book propped on the condiment tray and a notepad and pencil to the right of the plate. Keyboards are just a variation on a lifetime habit. :))

[Seanachie]

Thank you for the blessing, dear Jim.

BTW: does 10 bean soup count as a liquid? I've eaten while studying and writing so long, my fingers don't know what to do with a fork at the dining table, without a book propped on the condiment tray and a notepad and pencil to the right of the plate. Keyboards are just a variation on a lifetime habit. :))

Ahhh, You crack me up Lady! I'll pray for a SPECIAL dispensation for You to the 'Big Guy' that He grant you the wisdom to use those ten beans and tools wisely and prevent any catastrophic spraying of vaporized coffee or soup!

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: It's always a newspaper with me and magazines in the throne room! Books are saved for slumber providing the content doesn't give me nightmares. :))

PSS: I haven't forgotten your writing. I've just been very busy fighting ice and nature's elements. GEESH! Enough already! LOL

PSSS: You and T.O.M are kindred spirits with that bean soup stuff. One of the very few things he will cook and brew himself.

PSSS: That's why God allowed the invention of spoons. Just for this type of scenario!

[TheFallGuy]

Hello Rhet,

I'm sure you are well aware that liquids around computers and keyboards is a recipe for disaster! LOL

Be well Lady,

Jim

But the desktop has a built in coffee cup holder.... :mrgreen:

[rhet 2]

But the desktop has a built in coffee cup holder.... :mrgreen:

I thought the desk top WAS the built in coffee cup holder -- and I am the built in book/paper repository. :((

[blazer]

hello love! :hug:

[rhet 2]

hello love! :hug:


Hi, sweetness walking. :hug:

How's Virginia this day? Over the croopy and back in school, I hope and pray.

[Seanachie]

But the desktop has a built in coffee cup holder.... :mrgreen:

And the mouth has a built in sprayer, it has a holder too...:drool: LOL

[rhet 2]

And the mouth has a built in sprayer, it has a holder too...:drool: LOL

:)) Okay, smart alec. You win. But fair warning: deprive the mouth of the coffee and it gets mean -- all caps mean. :hug:

[Seanachie]

Good Morning Rhet,

My memory served me correctly, that and searching this thread verified that You have a Doctor's appointment on the Morrow. January 9 stuck in my scrambled brain cause 'PJ' will be four months old on the Morrow also.

I hope and pray to the 'Big Guy' that He direct your Doctor and Staff to guide you in the best direction in your smoking cessation program. I've mentioned to you earlier that NABI Biopharma has made an app to the FDA for a 'Special Protocol Assessment' for Phase 3 trials of their NicVax (Nicotine Conjugate Vaccine) vaccine. The following link gives the info on this:

http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Nabi+Biopharmaceuticals+Reaches+Special+Protocol+A greement+With+FDA+for+NicVAX%28r%29+Phase+3+Trial+ Protocol/4259392.html (http://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Nabi+Biopharmaceuticals+Reaches+Special+Protocol+A greement+With+FDA+for+NicVAX%28r%29+Phase+3+Trial+ Protocol/4259392.html)

Perhaps your Medical folks can check into this (as can you) to see if you might fit into somehow their Phase 3 trials. Just a thought. I know you are having a tough time with this and perhaps this might be of some use to you.

I haven't employed the 'nagging' or 'diversionary' strategy in awhile. I simply figured you have a great deal on your mind and I didn't need to add any further stresses to you.

Hence this new 'Medical' strategy because I know how concerned you are over this appointment and I share those concerns. Perhaps you can put that pen and paper on the Dining Table (+ a telephone or keyboard) to great use in seeing if any of this stuff will help You, The Bear and the Duckling in defeating the nicotine addiction in a renewed 'battle' to do just that.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: Be careful ingesting that 10 bean soup while doing this. That and this research may be a volitile combination and could easily combust the after-effects of this interesting brew. LOL

PSS: Mean is as mean gets! LOL You crack me up Lady! Good thing I copied this post; Hannity is giving me a bit of a fit on the sign-in stuff this morning. Yikes! Perhaps they caught your vibes! LOL

[Seanachie]

We can always get to that 'caffiene addiction' at a much later date. One addiction at a time. I'm down to one (the cigars) and my Daughter last night informed of the 'Third Hand' smoke study that hit a couple of weeks ago. That's what gave me the new 'Medical' strategy. She used it to nag me half to death about giving up my last (and cherished) bad habit!

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

We can always get to that 'caffiene addiction' at a much later date. One addiction at a time. I'm down to one (the cigars) and my Daughter last night informed of the 'Third Hand' smoke study that hit a couple of weeks ago. That's what gave me the new 'Medical' strategy. She used it to nag me half to death about giving up my last (and cherished) bad habit!

Be well Lady,

Jim

What the heck is "third hand smoke"? YIKES

And thanks for the link in the previous post -- I definitely added it to the list of specifics I've written to talk about tomorrow. However, if the lab company is setting up a human test group, they'll want rigid controls over that group, and the VA may not be willing to supply those controls -- but they might, too -- worth asking about, anyway.

And I'm happy to know all I'm experiencing is a temporary "relapse," not a total defeat in the war. :wall: right now, to tell the truth, I really feel like a Total Loser. And, yes, I'm scared to death about tomorrow. I'll face it like the Man I'm not, anyway, but prayers are MUCH MUCH MUCH appreciated. I pray tomorrow yields an effective counter-attack.

The appt's for 8 am, BTW. -- and "early to bed, early to rise" is another of my severe short-comings, being the habitual night owl that I am. I do not wake up sweet and gentle.

[USMCmom]

What the heck is "third hand smoke"? YIKES

And thanks for the link in the previous post -- I definitely added it to the list of specifics I've written to talk about tomorrow. However, if the lab company is setting up a human test group, they'll want rigid controls over that group, and the VA may not be willing to supply those controls -- but they might, too -- worth asking about, anyway.

And I'm happy to know all I'm experiencing is a temporary "relapse," not a total defeat in the war. :wall: right now, to tell the truth, I really feel like a Total Loser. And, yes, I'm scared to death about tomorrow. I'll face it like the Man I'm not, anyway, but prayers are MUCH MUCH MUCH appreciated. I pray tomorrow yields an effective counter-attack.

The appt's for 8 am, BTW. -- and "early to bed, early to rise" is another of my severe short-comings, being the habitual night owl that I am. I do not wake up sweet and gentle.

Sorry but I had to scratch my head at the "third hand smoke!" You are NOT a loser...you are my *HERO!* Having a relapse does not mean that you lost only that you have to attack it from a different angle!

You are in my prayers...everyday I think of you and I ask the Lord to please watch over you and your family. To give you strength and courage, to bring you joy and happiness...all of which you are so very deserving!

We love you dear friend...
God Bless:hug:

[rhet 2]

Sorry but I had to scratch my head at the "third hand smoke!" You are NOT a loser...you are my *HERO!* Having a relapse does not mean that you lost only that you have to attack it from a different angle!

You are in my prayers...everyday I think of you and I ask the Lord to please watch over you and your family. To give you strength and courage, to bring you joy and happiness...all of which you are so very deserving!

We love you dear friend...
God Bless:hug:

Oh, I do so much thank you!

Trouble is, I do know every last one of my shortcomings -- and I am really, truly, so far short of the glory which our LORD deserves it horrifies me upon occasion. And that is simple truth. I really don't deserve His blessings. But I crave them, desperately need them, anyway.

So, perhaps your prayers will move Him to give them anyway.

There is so much I want to yet accomplish, and my days on this earth to do them in grow constantly shorter by the moment, just as fast as my strength to do them with declines, faster and faster.

But, then, perhaps they remain undone because He doesn't want or need such tasks done -- or, worse, does not choose to trust me to do them, preferring to give that privilege to another. Which I can accept, but it saddens my heart that I cannot do what I want, doing instead what I should not.

Gee, I just realized, that's what the Apostle Paul also complained about. Not that I'm anything near his quality as a servant of the LORD. But, I guess that does sort of demonstrate that he was only human, too. I just wish I were half as faithful and trustworthy as he learned how to be. :cry:

[Seanachie]

Oh, I do so much thank you!

Trouble is, I do know every last one of my shortcomings -- and I am really, truly, so far short of the glory which our LORD deserves it horrifies me upon occasion. And that is simple truth. I really don't deserve His blessings. But I crave them, desperately need them, anyway.

So, perhaps your prayers will move Him to give them anyway.

There is so much I want to yet accomplish, and my days on this earth to do them in grow constantly shorter by the moment, just as fast as my strength to do them with declines, faster and faster.

But, then, perhaps they remain undone because He doesn't want or need such tasks done -- or, worse, does not choose to trust me to do them, preferring to give that privilege to another. Which I can accept, but it saddens my heart that I cannot do what I want, doing instead what I should not.

Gee, I just realized, that's what the Apostle Paul also complained about. Not that I'm anything near his quality as a servant of the LORD. But, I guess that does sort of demonstrate that he was only human, too. I just wish I were half as faithful and trustworthy as he learned how to be. :cry:

Hello Rhet,

You lay out some fine points. But, Ya need to get over that 'I'm not worthy' stuff. B-Sugarrre'! To put it frankly! Every human being ever born is worthy of our prayers to the 'Big Guy' to give them the impetus to overcome what must be overcome. My Prayers are with you and to the 'Big Guy' to do just that and them some.

Do you realize what life would be without you for us in this tiny bit of the Universe? I do! And, we would be chagrined to say the least if we didn't have your great sense of Reason and the the Wisdom you have imparted to us so unselfishly. You are indeed 'worthy' Lady and I believe God believes that also with no uncertain terms. My prayer are 'in' with Him to give you the strength you need not just in this but all obstacles and 'shortcomings' you speak of.

More on 'Third Hand' smoke in a bit. It's a Surgeon General's report, especially on the effects on infants.

Be well Lady and Buck Up! And you thought we would forget about this? No way Lady. You are instrumentally important to all of your Family and all of us here!

My prayers are urgently 'in' to the 'Big Guy' for you, The Bear, and the Duckling.

Jim

PS: Allright! Allright! So I tossed in some Mother's Guilt trips into the mix! Hey! Whatever works many Mothers have told me!

[Seanachie]

Hello again Lady,

In answer to the 'Third Hand Smoke' Question a link follows, plenty of other google links too.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=what-is-third-hand-smoke

Personaly, I think a lot of sunshine is being blown up our kiesters on this. But, who knows. I'll do a wee bit more research. Perhaps I'll need a decontamination chamber the next time I visit my precious Grandson. << That methinks is the ultimate guilt trip on this particular subject; one my Daughter used with vim and vigor!

Just judging by the 'Guilt Trip' I laid on you with how poisoness concentrated tobacco juice is; they might have a point. (On the gardening stuff). Hmmmmm...GRRRRRRRRRRR!

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: Sometimes I hate that 'reasonable' stuff!

[rhet 2]

Hello again Lady,

In answer to the 'Third Hand Smoke' Question a link follows, plenty of other google links too.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=what-is-third-hand-smoke

Personaly, I think a lot of sunshine is being blow up our kiesters on this. But, who knows. I'll do a wee bit more research. Perhaps I'll need a decontamination chamber the next time I visit my precious Grandson. << That methinks is the ultimate guilt trip on this particular subject; one my Daughter used with vim and vigor!

Just judging by the 'Guilt Trip' I laid on you with how poisoness concentrated tobacco juice is; they might have a point. (On the gardening stuff). Hmmmmm...GRRRRRRRRRRR!

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: Sometimes I hate that 'reasonable' stuff!

Soaking tobacco for three days yields a glorious insecticide, this I do know. Aphids and thrips and tomato worms and white fly -- gone like magic, zip zap. Doesn't seem to affect snails and slugs as well as a bowl full of beer, though.

[itsrea]

Soaking tobacco for three days yields a glorious insecticide, this I do know. Aphids and thrips and tomato worms and white fly -- gone like magic, zip zap. Doesn't seem to affect snails and slugs as well as a bowl full of beer, though.Salt works for snails and slugs...


<waving hii> I'm just here to let you know I DO check in to see how you and your cuddles are doing.

[rhet 2]

Salt works for snails and slugs...


<waving hii> I'm just here to let you know I DO check in to see how you and your cuddles are doing.

I never doubted it for a second, sweet sister.

Yes, just a little table salt and those beggars just shrivel up, nothing but and empty shell.

[doodle5]

Never eat or have liquids at the keyboard or even close!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No more disasters MY LADY!!!

DOODLE

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

Here's hoping you've gotten yerself to bed early for that big day tomorrow.
An Irish Blessing on all of Tomorrows goings on.

A Blessing for the Day

May the God of the dawn awaken you
May the God of sunrise stir you up
May the God of morning bless your entire day
May the God of noon renew your strength
May the God of sunset bring you home
May the God of dusk soothe your soul
May the God of night bring you rest.

Be well Lady and my prayers are with You to the 'Big Guy' that all turn out well on the Morrow.

Jim

[Seanachie]

Soaking tobacco for three days yields a glorious insecticide, this I do know. Aphids and thrips and tomato worms and white fly -- gone like magic, zip zap. Doesn't seem to affect snails and slugs as well as a bowl full of beer, though.


Now on those aphids; Do you have alot of ants in and around your garden? Ants will nest and farm those tiny aphid creatures. The lil critters cut up leaves to produce the discharge 'nectar' the ants crave. Not too much of a wonder where those cut up leaves come from.

Just a bit of useless information from my gardening days.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: On the salt thing; Does indeed work but it also leaches out from rain and kills plants too. Ground up glass and coarse sand works too. But the beer stuff is the optimum answer; get um drunk before Ya dispatch um. LOL Vaseline on the inner rim of the bowl helps so they can't crawl back out with a case of the munchies for your garden.

PSS: Those dang spotted and striped cucumber beetles are a real pain. They inject a poison into any cucubrit plant, (squash, pumpkins, some melons. The plants will droop and die within a week or so or won't produce very well if they do survive. There are organic insecticides to get rid of them. Cabbage maggots will also burrow their way into the vines of cucubrits too. Little nasty buggers!!!!

Be well Lady, this is indeed a diversionary tactic.

Jim

[USMCmom]

Soaking tobacco for three days yields a glorious insecticide, this I do know. Aphids and thrips and tomato worms and white fly -- gone like magic, zip zap. Doesn't seem to affect snails and slugs as well as a bowl full of beer, though.

Last time I soaked in tobacco for 3 days we were camping...of course I was also primed with the perfect mix of 90 proof & Budweiser! I figured the alcohol would kill the tobacco...:mrgreen:

If I had known I was a walking insectiside I would of watered my lawn...;)

[USMCmom]

:hug:I wuv u silly wabbit...

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

A Blessing for your travels early today and all day long.

A Blessing for going out and about

The belt of Christ about you
on your going out
and your coming in
And God be on your road
every way you go.

Safe travels Lady,

Jim

[Seanachie]

Last time I soaked in tobacco for 3 days we were camping...of course I was also primed with the perfect mix of 90 proof & Budweiser! I figured the alcohol would kill the tobacco...:mrgreen:

If I had known I was a walking insectiside I would of watered my lawn...;)

Morning to Ye Lady,

I moved up to this 'lovely' Mountain in 2000. Was out on the deck and watched this eight point buck stop every 20 feet or so and 'mark' his territory. So...after I scared him off....I proceeded to go to the very same places (the dried leaves were a dead giveaway) and 'mark' that very same territory with Budweiser laced 'marking fluids'. I topped it off with a mighty yell to that buck; "There's a new King on the Mountain, don't come back"! It's a darn good thing I gave that stuff up! That riled up buck might have given me a bit of his antelers in one of my dazed out states! LOL

And BTW; Alcohol will indeed kill the effects of tobacco but both may dispatch you too as it kills the weeds in your lawn. Provides great fertilizer though when reduced to ash! LOL :cool:

Be well as you can be Lady,

Jim

PS: That 90 or 100 proof stuff will give ya fits in fatuous fun. I lost many a bout fighting and taking on Yukon Jack and his step brother Jack Daniels!

[USMCmom]

Morning to Ye Lady,

I moved up to this 'lovely' Mountain in 2000. Was out on the deck and watched this eight point buck stop every 20 feet or so and 'mark' his territory. So...after I scared him off....I proceeded to go to the very same places (the dried leaves were a dead giveaway) and 'mark' that very same territory with Budweiser laced 'marking fluids'. I topped it off with a mighty yell to that buck; "There's a new King on the Mountain, don't come back"! It's a darn good thing I gave that stuff up! That riled up buck might have given me a bit of his antelers in one of my dazed out states! LOL

And BTW; Alcohol will indeed kill the effects of tobacco but both may dispatch you too as it kills the weeds in your lawn. Provides great fertilizer though when reduced to ash! LOL :cool:

Be well as you can be Lady,

Jim

PS: That 90 or 100 proof stuff will give ya fits in fatuous fun. I lost many a bout fighting and taking on Yukon Jack and his step brother Jack Daniels!

LOL...you probably scared the **** out of that poor buck!:mrgreen:

I have always enjoyed Crown...Kahlua and Irish Mist (not together):sick:! But I so very seldom drink anymore, never was a big drinker to start with! We found out early in life that although I was the life of the party...no secret was safe with me! Besides I HATE not being in control..I am a fairly decent pool player though! Love to shoot 9-ball, but if I go out I with friends I am always the DD!

Just give me a mtn. dew, a pool table and turn on the juke box!

[rhet 2]

Well, I passed the physical and we're back on the cut down, minimize, distract, battle the addiction step down program -- this time with a help group every Friday morning, very much little my little bro's AA program.

Two more weeks till they'll even think about a substitute drug aid -- and the doc has a point I can't really argue with -- what good does it do to substitute one drug addiction for a different drug addiction? All the drug aids they're working on simply stop delivery of nicotine to the brain, work by stopping those brain cells from bonding with nicotine in the first place. Which I can do by simply reducing the nicotine intake and forcing the little beggars in my skull to work the old-fashioned way the LORD built them to work in the first place. Which doesn't expose the rest of me to harmful side effects that would not be acceptable given other medical crud like kidney problems and the bone disintegration I'm also fighting.

When I asked him about the "other problems" point blank, yes, he admitted, they're really watching the kidney damage that stupid student tried to stomp me to death because I flunked his butt -- which is the real reason he's reluctant to try the pills, afraid of stress on the old kidney which will have to flush the other stuff the pill delivers from my system.

Why didn't he just say so from the beginning? He didn't want me to worry. Like I didn't know this could and would develop someday?

But now I've got an exercise routine to begin building natural endorphine resistance -- and deep breathing routines. And relaxation therapies, etc., etc.

What he said makes sense: some people have to take this slower than others, and nobody just walks away from what may be the most addictive drug ever in the history of human drug abuse.

Thinking of myself as a damned DRUGGIE is not fun, folks. Even if nicotine is not hallucinogenic, it's still a drug -- and I'm an addict. Every brain cell I've got is impregnated with the stuff, bonded with the stuff, needs the stuff to function at all -- and the only way is to wait for the addicted/damaged ones to die off or learn to function without the life-threatening crap.

And the only real solution is to Just Say NO! to the little beasts until the old brain has enough nicotine-free little darlings to function without their add-on chemical helper, nicotine.

So, the war with my own brain continues. Two weeks at 15 per day. Tomorrow, 2 weeks at 12 per day begins -- and don't try to force the little beggars to run before they can walk by speeding this step down process faster than the schedule set by the doc, because all that does is increase the potential for falling off the wagon.

There are no magic fixes -- not for a lifetime's stupidity. :wall:

[blazer]

:hug:

[blazer]

Hi, sweetness walking. :hug:

How's Virginia this day? Over the croopy and back in school, I hope and pray.

She is still croupy but back to school none the less! :hug:

[rhet 2]

She is still croupy but back to school none the less! :hug:

Good for her! :hug:

One of my friends when we were working for our first graduate degrees took a Latin final while in labor. She walked into the classroom, whispered in my ear that she'd started delivery but not to tell the prof -- I made her furious when I told him anyway -- she refused to leave, demanded the exam -- she was VERY determined -- whipped through the translation in about 15 minutes, with the prof and me both watching and TIMING the way her fist clenched on her pen and the edge of the table repeatedly -- then I rushed her out to my car and to the hospital -- she delivered twins less than two hours after she handed him the completed exam -- not a mistake one on it, either. I got to take the makeup exam, instead. :))

THAT is what makes for student success: I feel like garbage but this is going to happen anyway cause I want that degree. Virginia just conquered herself.

Way to go, Virginia! :clap:

[blazer]

Good for her! :hug:

One of my friends when we were working for our first graduate degrees took a Latin final while in labor. She walked into the classroom, whispered in my ear that she'd started delivery but not to tell the prof -- I made her furious when I told him anyway -- she refused to leave, demanded the exam -- she was VERY determined -- whipped through the translation in about 15 minutes, with the prof and me both watching and TIMING the way her fist clenched on her pen and the edge of the table repeatedly -- then I rushed her out to my car and to the hospital -- she delivered twins less than two hours after she handed him the completed exam -- not a mistake one on it, either. I got to take the makeup exam, instead. :))

THAT is what makes for student success: I feel like garbage but this is going to happen anyway cause I want that degree. Virginia just conquered herself.

Way to go, Virginia! :clap:

she knows her limits but she is a trooper! She is off for the weekend now! :hug:

[USMCmom]

Well, I passed the physical and we're back on the cut down, minimize, distract, battle the addiction step down program -- this time with a help group every Friday morning, very much little my little bro's AA program.

Two more weeks till they'll even think about a substitute drug aid -- and the doc has a point I can't really argue with -- what good does it do to substitute one drug addiction for a different drug addiction? All the drug aids they're working on simply stop delivery of nicotine to the brain, work by stopping those brain cells from bonding with nicotine in the first place. Which I can do by simply reducing the nicotine intake and forcing the little beggars in my skull to work the old-fashioned way the LORD built them to work in the first place. Which doesn't expose the rest of me to harmful side effects that would not be acceptable given other medical crud like kidney problems and the bone disintegration I'm also fighting.

When I asked him about the "other problems" point blank, yes, he admitted, they're really watching the kidney damage that stupid student tried to stomp me to death because I flunked his butt -- which is the real reason he's reluctant to try the pills, afraid of stress on the old kidney which will have to flush the other stuff the pill delivers from my system.

Why didn't he just say so from the beginning? He didn't want me to worry. Like I didn't know this could and would develop someday?

But now I've got an exercise routine to begin building natural endorphine resistance -- and deep breathing routines. And relaxation therapies, etc., etc.

What he said makes sense: some people have to take this slower than others, and nobody just walks away from what may be the most addictive drug ever in the history of human drug abuse.

Thinking of myself as a damned DRUGGIE is not fun, folks. Even if nicotine is not hallucinogenic, it's still a drug -- and I'm an addict. Every brain cell I've got is impregnated with the stuff, bonded with the stuff, needs the stuff to function at all -- and the only way is to wait for the addicted/damaged ones to die off or learn to function without the life-threatening crap.

And the only real solution is to Just Say NO! to the little beasts until the old brain has enough nicotine-free little darlings to function without their add-on chemical helper, nicotine.

So, the war with my own brain continues. Two weeks at 15 per day. Tomorrow, 2 weeks at 12 per day begins -- and don't try to force the little beggars to run before they can walk by speeding this step down process faster than the schedule set by the doc, because all that does is increase the potential for falling off the wagon.

There are no magic fixes -- not for a lifetime's stupidity. :wall:

No there are no magic fixes, but you are right about it being addictive! I also did not realize all the help that was available...I knew of the patches and that was about it.

I am so proud of you Rhet:clap:...you could of easily given up but you didn't! I am also very, very glad that you seem to have a Dr that understands just how hard it is to quit. Not all Dr's are like that...

You are in my prayers...if there is anything you need or something that we can do to help-let us know!

Sending hugs & prayers to you, Cuddles & Duck!!!:hug:

[rhet 2]

No there are no magic fixes, but you are right about it being addictive! I also did not realize all the help that was available...I knew of the patches and that was about it.

I am so proud of you Rhet:clap:...you could of easily given up but you didn't! I am also very, very glad that you seem to have a Dr that understands just how hard it is to quit. Not all Dr's are like that...

You are in my prayers...if there is anything you need or something that we can do to help-let us know!

Sending hugs & prayers to you, Cuddles & Duck!!!:hug:

Just thank all of you precious OO darlings.

I am absolutely DETERMINED to change this one tiny part of my existence.

I just wish "change" were as easy as the Idiot Liar-Liar in DC makes it sound like -- and that his changes were actually changes for the better instead of lock down into ancient failed stupidities.

Oh, well. If we weren't all fools in one way or another, we'd be gods instead and none of us would ever screw up and get trapped in self-destructive habits like this one, right? :wall:

ETA: anybody know a good synonym for the word "change" -- which is now, officially, one of my least favorite words in the entire English language? .......... [ runs off muttering to self, where the heck is that dad-nab it thesaurus ........ modify, alter, ......... MODERNIZE -- yep.]

Okay, it's now established that what I seek to achieve is MODERNIZATION of my ancient aging decrepit old Self in attitude, behavior and ...... whatever the heck it is. :wall:

[USMCmom]

Just thank all of you precious OO darlings.

I am absolutely DETERMINED to change this one tiny part of my existence.

I just wish "change" were as easy as the Idiot Liar-Liar in DC makes it sound like -- and that his changes were actually changes for the better instead of lock down into ancient failed stupidities.

Oh, well. If we weren't all fools in one way or another, we'd be gods instead and none of us would ever screw up and get trapped in self-destructive habits like this one, right? :wall:

ETA: anybody know a good synonym for the word "change" -- which is now, officially, one of my least favorite words in the entire English language? .......... [ runs off muttering to self, where the heck is that dad-nab it thesaurus ........ modify, alter, ......... MODERNIZE -- yep.]

Okay, it's now established that what I seek to achieve is MODERNIZATION of my ancient aging decrepit old Self in attitude, behavior and ...... whatever the heck it is. :wall:

Alter... modify...tansfer...vary...switch...shift (can't thing of any others)!
:silenced:Will try to never use that word again!!! :evil:It's a baaadddd word!
I can sympathize with ya...if stupidity was a disease-I would be terminal...!!!;)

[TheFallGuy]

Step by step, rhet. You've set your goals and you're meeting them.

One of my co-workers last autumn took a spill, broke her hip and spent several weeks in the hospital. She told me one day, I think it was the 5th day or something, she realized she hadn't had a smoke. Then she realized she didn't want to smoke. She's been cigarette free ever since. But breaking your hip and spending the next several months (and possibly years) trying to regain the strength in her legs is not a fun way to break the habit.

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

Thought this might interest your gardening techniques. A (new) seedless tomato. Hmmmmm...seedless watermelon have been around for a bit too... Link follows;

http://www.burpee.com/text/content/email/2009_01_SeedlessTomato.html

I've read all the stuff about your Doctors' visit. I'll wait till the Morrow to comment. Seems to me He and They are right on the ball. Good news methinks.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[Seanachie]

Step by step, rhet. You've set your goals and you're meeting them.

The Gentleman is quite correct and magnifies my own thoughts in a much better way than I could have said it. I'll get to the 'addiction' stuff after the snowstorm in a couple of hours and later in the day.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

Step by step, rhet. You've set your goals and you're meeting them.

One of my co-workers last autumn took a spill, broke her hip and spent several weeks in the hospital. She told me one day, I think it was the 5th day or something, she realized she hadn't had a smoke. Then she realized she didn't want to smoke. She's been cigarette free ever since. But breaking your hip and spending the next several months (and possibly years) trying to regain the strength in her legs is not a fun way to break the habit.

:))

Poor lucky darling.

Bear was on his feet heading for the door of the ICU with a nurse following the IV stand within an hour or so of regaining consciousness. Me, the surgeon just made them let me smoke anyway, as long as the window was open and the oxygen had been removed from the room. He told the ward nurse it was either that or mayhem.

But during the last 10 minutes or so of the count down, when I'm down to the I-will-not pace and twist and churn mantra, I could honestly envy your coworker, that I could.

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

Thought this might interest your gardening techniques. A (new) seedless tomato. Hmmmmm...seedless watermelon have been around for a bit too... Link follows;

http://www.burpee.com/text/content/email/2009_01_SeedlessTomato.html

I've read all the stuff about your Doctors' visit. I'll wait till the Morrow to comment. Seems to me He and They are right on the ball. Good news methinks.

Be well Lady,

Jim

VERY nice distractor. What I really want, though, is a skinless tomato -- would make canning the little beggars soooooooo much easier. :))


Anybody want to recommend a good source for muscadine grape vines? I'm determined to start growing my own wines.

[Seanachie]

Good Morning Rhet,

Seems to me that your Doctor and Staff are right on the money with their designed treatment.

No addiction should be treated lightly. Weaning you off nicotine is the way to go. The exercises to lessen your stress is also a major part of the recovery process. I didn't know that you had been assaulted by this deranged student. I'm relieved to know that your Medical Staff is aware and are rightfully taking into consideration the effects the Meds could have on your kidney and your body. They have laid out a wise course in your treatment and recovery.

On the 'addiction' stuff: In 1984 I was badly burned in an industrial accident. I was processing animal fats for glycerine in a 25,000 gallon Reactor by adding the hydrogen molecule to the mix to obtain the desired 'saturation'. This stuff was nearly done and I was taking a sample for lab analysis. The dang valve I used for this was defective, the vessel was under pressure and around 460 degrees F. I was thermally and chemically burned by the saturated fatty acids when the valve discharge exploded. I had second and third degree burns on about 10% of my body. Thankfully, most of this stuff missed my face and I was able to run out of the reactor building. Shortly thereafter I was burned again when my Partner in that building began venting the reactor to quickly and the stuff rained down on me outside. It's a good thing a light rain was falling. I spent about a month in the Hospital recovering.

Part of that tratment in the Hospital was injected painkillers. Morphine did absolutely nothing for me. They switched me to vistorol (a muscle relaxent) and Demerol which turned me into an Addict. I had so many injections that both of my hips swelled to the point that the injections had to be administered into my thighs.

In any event...I was released from the Hospital about three weeks later and managed to avoid any skin grafts. I attribute this to the great Plastic Surgeon I was assigned and he attributes this to my hairy arms, back and legs where I was burned. Apparently hair folicles promote healing of burns.

The Hospital ( A Catholic Institution in Jersey), The Staff and the Surgeon released me without weaning me off the drugs or providing any further scripts. I went to my Brother Ed's to recover on a farm he was living on. A few days later I went into acute withdrawl symptoms. He and his partner took me to a nearby Hospital where some narcotics were administered which took me out of the withdrawl and headaches worse than the pain of the burns. I wound up back in the original Hospital that gave me the addiction. The worst symptom of that drug withdrawl was my right side going numb, followed by the left. I thought I was having a stroke. My head felt like someone had decided to jackhammer my brains to oblivion.

This was my 'One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest' experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Not only did the Hospital screw up on releasing me without drug weaning; they compounded it by readmitting me as a 'street junkie' to a lovely psyche ward. (It just knocks me out that they didn't figure out where all my burn bandages came from). They knocked me out with a shot of something and when I awoke in the morning; HOLY CRAP! The 1st thing I see is a sign on the bed in front of me: "No Breakfest Today, SHOCK THERAPY". This was a ward room with four guys including me. One guy was tied with sheets to his bed, The Shock Therapy guy, one guy I couldn't see cause the drapes were pulled, and lucky me.

SOOOO....I spend another week in that 'cuckoo's nest' getting off the drugs. I would have stayed longer but that 'guy behind the drapes' had returned (he was released the 1st day I was in). His interview with the Nurse right in front of me was enough to get me outa Dodge the next morning. I slept in a chair in front of the Nurse's Station all night with one eye open.

It turns out that the drug addiction withdrawl brought on the severest form of migrane headaches which mimick a stroke in some ways. Plenty more stuff that goes with this lovely story. I'll spare ya any more chagrin.

This post is two-fold. I know the addiction you are facing is real and tough as can be to beat back. You have the will and fortitude along with darn good Medical help to kick the addiction to the curb. I somehow know that you will be successful.

The second part of this post deals with an earlier post in which you spoke of your Brother and drug addictions. I believe I told you at that time that it would be difficult for me to write about. It still is but I hope it gives you an insight into the living hell it is to get your body off of dependency, no matter what that dependancy is.

Be well Lady and Godspeed in beating this addiction,

Jim

[Seanachie]

Hello again Lady,

Just realized that my earlier Good Morning was indeed a Good Afternoon. Time escapes me sometimes. I've got to get my derrierrie' in gear and go start shoveling. Seems that is my past-time these day. I'll keep your earlier words in mind though...something to the effect; May every stroke of your shovel be done with a stroke of prayer. Sorry for the paraphrase. But methinks that was the gist of something I never gave a thought too. I thank you for that. It actually makes the shoveling a wee bit 'joyful'. Well...maybe! LOL

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I'm glad someone is still canning. It's an art that is slowly eroding into oblivion. It's something I never got into. Perhaps with your help; I will. On the tomatos: Did you ever try 'pickling' them? A friend of mine used to come over at the end of the season and take all the green ones and then pickle them. They were delicious! Yummy! Those seedless ones may replace plum tomatoes for canning and saucing. I'll have to get a pack of seeds for the trying. Yellow tomatoes are great too; low in acid. Yer on Yer own with that peeling stuff though! LOL

[rhet 2]

Good Morning Rhet,

Seems to me that your Doctor and Staff are right on the money with their designed treatment.

No addiction should be treated lightly. Weaning you off nicotine is the way to go. The exercises to lessen your stress is also a major part of the recovery process. I didn't know that you had been assaulted by this deranged student. I'm relieved to know that your Medical Staff is aware and are rightfully taking into consideration the effects the Meds could have on your kidney and your body. They have laid out a wise course in your treatment and recovery.

On the 'addiction' stuff: In 1984 I was badly burned in an industrial accident. I was processing animal fats for glycerine in a 25,000 gallon Reactor by adding the hydrogen molecule to the mix to obtain the desired 'saturation'. This stuff was nearly done and I was taking a sample for lab analysis. The dang valve I used for this was defective, the vessel was under pressure and around 460 degrees F. I was thermally and chemically burned by the saturated fatty acids when the valve discharge exploded. I had second and third degree burns on about 10% of my body. Thankfully, most of this stuff missed my face and I was able to run out of the reactor building. Shortly thereafter I was burned again when my Partner in that building began venting the reactor to quickly and the stuff rained down on me outside. It's a good thing a light rain was falling. I spent about a month in the Hospital recovering.

Part of that tratment in the Hospital was injected painkillers. Morphine did absolutely nothing for me. They switched me to vistorol (a muscle relaxent) and Demerol which turned me into an Addict. I had so many injections that both of my hips swelled to the point that the injections had to be administered into my thighs.

In any event...I was released from the Hospital about three weeks later and managed to avoid any skin grafts. I attribute this to the great Plastic Surgeon I was assigned and he attributes this to my hairy arms, back and legs where I was burned. Apparently hair folicles promote healing of burns.

The Hospital ( A Catholic Institution in Jersey), The Staff and the Surgeon released me without weaning me off the drugs or providing any further scripts. I went to my Brother Ed's to recover on a farm he was living on. A few days later I went into acute withdrawl symptoms. He and his partner took me to a nearby Hospital where some narcotics were administered which took me out of the withdrawl and headaches worse than the pain of the burns. I wound up back in the original Hospital that gave me the addiction. The worst symptom of that drug withdrawl was my right side going numb, followed by the left. I thought I was having a stroke. My head felt like someone had decided to jackhammer my brains to oblivion.

This was my 'One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest' experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Not only did the Hospital screw up on releasing me without drug weaning; they compounded it by readmitting me as a 'street junkie' to a lovely psyche ward. (It just knocks me out that they didn't figure out where all my burn bandages came from). They knocked me out with a shot of something and when I awoke in the morning; HOLY CRAP! The 1st thing I see is a sign on the bed in front of me: "No Breakfest Today, SHOCK THERAPY". This was a ward room with four guys including me. One guy was tied with sheets to his bed, The Shock Therapy guy, one guy I couldn't see cause the drapes were pulled, and lucky me.

SOOOO....I spend another week in that 'cuckoo's nest' getting off the drugs. I would have stayed longer but that 'guy behind the drapes' had returned (he was released the 1st day I was in). His interview with the Nurse right in front of me was enough to get me outa Dodge the next morning. I slept in a chair in front of the Nurse's Station all night with one eye open.

It turns out that the drug addiction withdrawl brought on the severest form of migrane headaches which mimick a stroke in some ways. Plenty more stuff that goes with this lovely story. I'll spare ya any more chagrin.

This post is two-fold. I know the addiction you are facing is real and tough as can be to beat back. You have the will and fortitude along with darn good Medical help to kick the addiction to the curb. I somehow know that you will be successful.

The second part of this post deals with an earlier post in which you spoke of your Brother and drug addictions. I believe I told you at that time that it would be difficult for me to write about. It still is but I hope it gives you an insight into the living hell it is to get your body off of dependency, no matter what that dependancy is.

Be well Lady and Godspeed in beating this addiction,

Jim

And I thought I'd had it bad!

I'm glad the LORD got you out of the Coocoo's Nest. Sometimes, you have to wonder where some doctor/nurse brains were trashed.

I WILL lick this, with the help of the Big Guy.

And, FWI, while you shovel snow, I'm spading veggie beds. And, with every shovel turned, I pray for you, too. Amazing how fast the chores go when you have something needful to think on and talk about with the Infinite Ears Who hear every thought in our hearts long before we shape those thoughts into words.

I used to can a lot when I was a young mother. Now, I'm rediscovering the joy of a cabinet covered with jars and lids that go Pop!

Pickled green tomatoes are a delight. So are pickled peppers -- try mixing the two for a relish to die for. Beans sit up and pay attention when treated to a bit of that mix.

[itsrea]

Well :hug: lady :hug: I'm VERY proud of you.

I continue to pray.

Hugs,
Rea

[Seanachie]

And I thought I'd had it bad!

I'm glad the LORD got you out of the Coocoo's Nest. Sometimes, you have to wonder where some doctor/nurse brains were trashed.

I WILL lick this, with the help of the Big Guy.

And, FWI, while you shovel snow, I'm spading veggie beds. And, with every shovel turned, I pray for you, too. Amazing how fast the chores go when you have something needful to think on and talk about with the Infinite Ears Who hear every thought in our hearts long before we shape those thoughts into words.

I used to can a lot when I was a young mother. Now, I'm rediscovering the joy of a cabinet covered with jars and lids that go Pop!

Pickled green tomatoes are a delight. So are pickled peppers -- try mixing the two for a relish to die for. Beans sit up and pay attention when treated to a bit of that mix.

My prayers are with you and to the 'Big Guy' that you indeed kick that tobacco addiction to smithereens. I kept your 'pray while you shovel' stuff in mind this night.

Just back in from the 'Dark Side' and just as I was finishing my lovely shoveling; a fog rolled in followed by icy snow. Geesh! It's +18 degrees and the ice keeps coming. I think the 'Big Guy' is just sending me His humorous message: 'That's what ya get for being so irreverent in your younger days'. I'll take my medicine; He does indeed give ya some commuppence when ya deserve it. I confess, Guilty, as I charge myself here with my very own recalcitrance.

I was also thinking about your 'spading vegetable beds' stuff. A few vegetable heads around here that I wouldn't mind spading myself; Of course this thought came to mind when our Plowing Contractor and two of his trucks were passing by. I just kept at my shoveling and ignored them, Plastic snow shovels would do a whole lot less damage than a spade had these idjits been dumb enough to get in my way. Early AM today I have a Board of Directors' Reorganization Meeting. I can assure you that this recalcitrant Contractor will be a hot topic of discussion. I don't mind so much when people milk a cow for all it's worth. But it's utterly ridiculous when you wear the cow's udders out and dry. Methinks it's way past time to find a new milkman. Our cow is tired of shoddy work and bone dry udders!

Be well Lady in your struggle and know that my prayers are with you; with the shovel or without.

Jim

PS: Hmmmm...pickled peppers. Has a nice and tasty ring to it. Perhaps a pickled peck of them will do the trick. I'll pass on that musical fruit though. Those beans play havoc with my system with the exception of string beans. Ever plant 'purple stringbeans'? Very easy to find amongst green foiliage and they turn green when cooked. It's just magic! :mrgreen:

[TheFallGuy]

:))

Poor lucky darling.

Bear was on his feet heading for the door of the ICU with a nurse following the IV stand within an hour or so of regaining consciousness. Me, the surgeon just made them let me smoke anyway, as long as the window was open and the oxygen had been removed from the room. He told the ward nurse it was either that or mayhem.

But during the last 10 minutes or so of the count down, when I'm down to the I-will-not pace and twist and churn mantra, I could honestly envy your coworker, that I could.
:))

I wouldn't envy either of you for the pain and the suffering you go through. But I will be moral support. Do I have to get the pom poms out again? ;)

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

On the Muscadine Grape Vine stuff. Some links follow:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitis_rotundifolia

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/muscadinegrape.html

http://www.willisorchards.com/category/Muscadine+%26+Scuppernong+Grape+Vines?gclid=CN79ys 6RhpgCFQwDGgodJVsgCw

http://www.tytyga.com/category/Muscadine+Grape+Vines?gclid=CKza45yShpgCFQFvGgod6h QbDg

http://isons.com/muscadines.htm?gclid=CMHKg9uShpgCFQwDGgodJVsgCw

I hope this helps a tad. Only thing I know about grapes is the lil Old Italian Lady behind my Granmother's house used to yell at me when I was a kid;
"Hey Pizon'ah, come on'ah over here. I have'ah some'ah grapes just'ah fer you". She was a very sweet Lady and I guess I looked Italian growing up. Those grapes were delicious. They were green is all I remember. She had overhead trellises that kept things shady in the heat of the summer and I would join her in her tending of the vines. I suppose my reward was the grapes she kindly gave me when they ripened.

Perhaps you can entice the Bear into building you some trellises. Just the shade alone is a welcome relief from Summer heat. Building them will reward You and the Bear with some longevity as the vines might take several years or more to completely ensconce the framework of the trellis. You could also rope the Duckling into a project that is very rewarding as it was to me as a kid.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: Perhaps you can build some planters for lettuce or shade loving plants beneath the trellis and some benches for relaxation when Ya need a break from the Sun. I suppose that goes to my always trying to optimize space for companion planting. Only way I could have a really optimized garden here is to suspend it and hang it the air. The critters round here will eat ya outa house and home if they could. Whitetailed Deer = pests to me. The Bears are quite another story. Pesky nonetheless. I've seen photos of a Mountain Lion that roams about 20 miles North of here. I DON'T ever want to meet up with that creature unarmed! LOL

[rhet 2]

:))

I wouldn't envy either of you for the pain and the suffering you go through. But I will be moral support. Do I have to get the pom poms out again? ;)

Yeah. Pom poms wouldn't hurt. Stretching out the agony like this is AGONIZING. Me, impatient and demanding, I want to just face the agony all at one time and get it over with in one lump sum of total abject misery. Do it NOW Syndrome, I suppose.

But the chances of falling off the wagon later are really high, and the idiot shrink does make good sense.

We're on top of the Step Down Game, though, all 3 of us, on schedule and forging ahead without bloodshed in the family -- yet, anyway.

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

On the Muscadine Grape Vine stuff. Some links follow:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitis_rotundifolia

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/muscadinegrape.html

http://www.willisorchards.com/category/Muscadine+%26+Scuppernong+Grape+Vines?gclid=CN79ys 6RhpgCFQwDGgodJVsgCw

http://www.tytyga.com/category/Muscadine+Grape+Vines?gclid=CKza45yShpgCFQFvGgod6h QbDg

http://isons.com/muscadines.htm?gclid=CMHKg9uShpgCFQwDGgodJVsgCw

I hope this helps a tad. Only thing I know about grapes is the lil Old Italian Lady behind my Granmother's house used to yell at me when I was a kid;
"Hey Pizon'ah, come on'ah over here. I have'ah some'ah grapes just'ah fer you". She was a very sweet Lady and I guess I looked Italian growing up. Those grapes were delicious. They were green is all I remember. She had overhead trellises that kept things shady in the heat of the summer and I would join her in her tending of the vines. I suppose my reward was the grapes she kindly gave me when they ripened.

Perhaps you can entice the Bear into building you some trellises. Just the shade alone is a welcome relief from Summer heat. Building them will reward You and the Bear with some longevity as the vines might take several years or more to completely ensconce the framework of the trellis. You could also rope the Duckling into a project that is very rewarding as it was to me as a kid.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: Perhaps you can build some planters for lettuce or shade loving plants beneath the trellis and some benches for relaxation when Ya need a break from the Sun. I suppose that goes to my always trying to optimize space for companion planting. Only way I could have a really optimized garden here is to suspend it and hang it the air. The critters round here will eat ya outa house and home if they could. Whitetailed Deer = pests to me. The Bears are quite another story. Pesky nonetheless. I've seen photos of a Mountain Lion that roams about 20 miles North of here. I DON'T ever want to meet up with that creature unarmed! LOL

The plan is to create a broken stone patio inset in the yard, with swing, bistro table and chairs, under a grape vine arbor. Next to that will be the trellis for the blackberry vines. Both at 8 feet tall, with a very narrow walkway between them and the fence as a service walk. The neighbor across the ally is addicted to BRIGHT yard lights that shine straight into our north facing windows. The city won't allow fencing high enough to block it, but no rules about how high the arbor INSIDE the fence goes, so long as it threatens no utility services. I'm addicted to homemade blackberry ANYTHING, especially cobblers and ice cream. The rest of the family loves grape anything, especially jelly -- and I've got Grandmama's wine recipe and the crockery jars she and Daddy used for the fermentation process -- and their bottles.

Protective. Decorative. Useful. All at the same time.

All I need is the money for the vines and the solar powered SOFT lighting inside the arbor, since the Bear gets all the free cedar lumber he uses from a local shipping company that just trashes their shipping crates. I tear the crates apart, pull the nails, sit on the boards and posts while he cuts them and nails them together into new shapes for new uses. And I'm also the liquid tar applicator and the level and builder's square holder gal.

As well as being the soil condition "expert" when it comes to bugs, fertilizer, ph levels, water, friability, etc.

This year, we replace old boxes with new cedar veggie beds on wheels, including plans for a rotating strawberry pyramid, on top of the old bomb shelter the first owner built during the Kennedy fiasco.

The old not-cedar boxes, also made from throw-away packing crates, go to the alley side of the fence for other veggies, essentially doubling our growing space by using verticle rather than horizontal plantings and inter-crop and succession plantings based on modified square foot gardening patterns. And he wants to try new potato vines growing inside stacked tires out there, too.

The original patio is not as roomy as we would like, so we've been extending it with salvaged concrete blocks when houses in the old part of town have been torn down -- makes a very nice walkway and extension where I can set pots of herbs and flowers for the fun of it.

:mrgreen:

[blazer]

I dedicate this poem to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He is my all in all! :hug:
'' Never Alone''
As we live each day and walk along our way
We are never alone
We will always have a home
We should use His word as our guide
Under His wings is where we can hide
We can feel His love deep inside
He knows about our problems
He knows about our plans
He cares, He understands
We need to let Him carry our load
Our heart is His abode
Whatever our problem
Whatever our care
He will help us
He is always there
We may not see Him
with our eyes
But we can feel His great love deep inside
We cannot touch Him with our hands
But He is there in all our plans
He is waiting for us to call upon His name
Then we will never be the same
When we look up and see His light
He will guide us through the darkest night
As we walk together in this life
He is our greatest friend
He is always there
and His love will never end! © D.B.

[TheFallGuy]

Yeah. Pom poms wouldn't hurt. Stretching out the agony like this is AGONIZING. Me, impatient and demanding, I want to just face the agony all at one time and get it over with in one lump sum of total abject misery. Do it NOW Syndrome, I suppose.

But the chances of falling off the wagon later are really high, and the idiot shrink does make good sense.

We're on top of the Step Down Game, though, all 3 of us, on schedule and forging ahead without bloodshed in the family -- yet, anyway.

Now, to put this in perspective. This is what Cuddles feels like after his surgery. He wants to be able get up and do things NOW. The healing process takes time, for both of you. Patience! No bloodshed otherwise we'll take you to the woodshed. ;)

[USMCmom]

Good Evening Dear...
Just wanted to pop in and say "HI!" Hope your having a good day and that everyone is still civilized and in one piece...;)
Take care & God Bless:hug:

[jwil59]

VERY nice distractor. What I really want, though, is a skinless tomato -- would make canning the little beggars soooooooo much easier. :))


Anybody want to recommend a good source for muscadine grape vines? I'm determined to start growing my own wines.

Put me on the mailing list :D

I hope you guys are well my friend

[doodle5]

seed catalogs on line Gurneys have more than others.I'll look tomorrow for you. We are also need to order vines and veg plants.

Healing take time!! Don't rush it.

Carlene

[blazer]

missing you sis! :hug:

[rhet 2]

Thanks, my wonderful friends.

Connectivity problems keep knocking me off line. But my prayers continue for you all, whether you hear from me or not.

[jwil59]

Thanks, my wonderful friends.

Connectivity problems keep knocking me off line. But my prayers continue for you all, whether you hear from me or not.

Back at ya sis. Our constant prayers for you guys continue

[itsrea]

Thanks, my wonderful friends.

Connectivity problems keep knocking me off line. But my prayers continue for you all, whether you hear from me or not.We hear from you whether you are online or not through your prayers for us.. but because you receive comfort from being here I'm asking that the Lord help you connect if it is His will that you do so.

[blazer]

Yes, all of you are such a light and encouragement to mE!

[rhet 2]

Yes, all of you are such a light and encouragement to mE!

I thank I'd really and truly go off the deep end of a Black Hole and never surface again without the OO.

[USMCmom]

I thank I'd really and truly go off the deep end of a Black Hole and never surface again without the OO.

Just know that if you go to the deep end of a Black Hole you aren't going' alone! Nope...not a chance, you are stuck with us! That would most certainly be the most crowded black hole you have ever seen! Every morning after getting my loved ones off to school, I come in here...I am almost always guaranteed a smile by the kindness and generosity of fellow members!

Hope all is well with the three of ya as I know that you are all working hard! How does one grow skinless tomatoes by the way? Never heard of them before!

Anyways just wanted to say hi and that I was thinking' of ya! Take care my dear and don't work to hard!

God Bless:hug:

[rhet 2]

Just know that if you go to the deep end of a Black Hole you aren't going' alone! Nope...not a chance, you are stuck with us! That would most certainly be the most crowded black hole you have ever seen! Every morning after getting my loved ones off to school, I come in here...I am almost always guaranteed a smile by the kindness and generosity of fellow members!

Hope all is well with the three of ya as I know that you are all working hard! How does one grow skinless tomatoes by the way? Never heard of them before!

Anyways just wanted to say hi and that I was thinking' of ya! Take care my dear and don't work to hard!

God Bless:hug:

When someone invents a skinless tomato, I'll be one of the first to volunteer to test it for them. :))

One more week on the Step Down, then the Bear gets the pill and I get to try the patch -- his PCP loves the pill, my PCP hates it.

But, in group today, we two were the only ones on schedule with the program.

When one of the other women complained that she's having a much harder time quitting than her husband, the Bear responded that I claim the same thing (yes, I do) and then commented that it's good to see two women finally acknowledging inherent male superiority. The FEMALE psychologist and the other woman nearly went ballistic -- and then realized he was teasing -- AFTER I jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow and told him to mind his manners and be nice. But the others in the group (there are 20 of us) were rolling laughing. My husband, the NUTJOB!

The Duck, unfortunately, seems to have given up entirely -- for the moment. :mrgreen:

[repchick]

When someone invents a skinless tomato, I'll be one of the first to volunteer to test it for them. :))

One more week on the Step Down, then the Bear gets the pill and I get to try the patch -- his PCP loves the pill, my PCP hates it.

But, in group today, we two were the only ones on schedule with the program.

When one of the other women complained that she's having a much harder time quitting than her husband, the Bear responded that I claim the same thing (yes, I do) and then commented that it's good to see two women finally acknowledging inherent male superiority. The FEMALE psychologist and the other woman nearly went ballistic -- and then realized he was teasing -- AFTER I jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow and told him to mind his manners and be nice. But the others in the group (there are 20 of us) were rolling laughing. My husband, the NUTJOB!

The Duck, unfortunately, seems to have given up entirely -- for the moment. :mrgreen:

Bear at his best. :clap:

[repchick]

I thank I'd really and truly go off the deep end of a Black Hole and never surface again without the OO.


We're not having any of that Black Hole talk. No! No! not having it. Not going to happen. Not acceptable. :hug::hug:

[rhet 2]

We're not having any of that Black Hole talk. No! No! not having it. Not going to happen. Not acceptable. :hug::hug:

Another reason my PCP doesn't want me using the pills -- depression and really vivid nightmares are two of the potential side effects. That and stomach misery -- of which the Bear Who Cuddles doesn't need more. I almost wish he wouldn't. I know this Marshmallow is NOT going that route, not no way, not no how.

NO BLACK HOLES! They eat souls alive. :hug:

[USMCmom]

When someone invents a skinless tomato, I'll be one of the first to volunteer to test it for them. :))

One more week on the Step Down, then the Bear gets the pill and I get to try the patch -- his PCP loves the pill, my PCP hates it.

But, in group today, we two were the only ones on schedule with the program.

When one of the other women complained that she's having a much harder time quitting than her husband, the Bear responded that I claim the same thing (yes, I do) and then commented that it's good to see two women finally acknowledging inherent male superiority. The FEMALE psychologist and the other woman nearly went ballistic -- and then realized he was teasing -- AFTER I jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow and told him to mind his manners and be nice. But the others in the group (there are 20 of us) were rolling laughing. My husband, the NUTJOB!

The Duck, unfortunately, seems to have given up entirely -- for the moment. :mrgreen:

LOL!!! I thought you were serious about the *skinless tomatoes*! :redface:;) I am far smarter than I look ya know!!!:liar:
As you can now see that I have not near enough experience gardening...I usually get voted most likely to pull weeds as I seem to be an expert on "killing plants!":mrgreen:

Bear sounds like a wonderful grandpa...my dad's nickname is "Bear"...they remind me a lot of each other! Why is it that these things seem easier for men then they do women?

Will keep praying for Duck and I am glad that you are on schedule. I pray that the patch does the trick for ya...:pray: Am keeping all of you in my prayers!

Take care my dear and God Bless...
Am praying for you & yours!:hug:

[rhet 2]

LOL!!! I thought you were serious about the *skinless tomatoes*! :redface:;) I am far smarter than I look ya know!!!:liar:
As you can now see that I have not near enough experience gardening...I usually get voted most likely to pull weeds as I seem to be an expert on "killing plants!":mrgreen:

Bear sounds like a wonderful grandpa...my dad's nickname is "Bear"...they remind me a lot of each other! Why is it that these things seem easier for men then they do women?

Will keep praying for Duck and I am glad that you are on schedule. I pray that the patch does the trick for ya...:pray: Am keeping all of you in my prayers!

Take care my dear and God Bless...
Am praying for you & yours!:hug:

:))

I've killed more plants than I've successfully nurtured -- mostly because I either forget to water them or over water them, I think.


But, as my Daddy would have said, I'll never learn any younger.

I found the garden the greatest stress reliever ever last year. I'm dying to get back out there for more of the same.

Thank you for your prayers and constant encouragement, dear heart.

I've known for a couple of decades that the day would come when I'd have to fight and WIN this battle -- and it's proving to be just as tough as I thought it would be -- but a whole lot more Do-Able than I anticipated.

[USMCmom]

:))

I've killed more plants than I've successfully nurtured -- mostly because I either forget to water them or over water them, I think.


But, as my Daddy would have said, I'll never learn any younger.

I found the garden the greatest stress reliever ever last year. I'm dying to get back out there for more of the same.

Thank you for your prayers and constant encouragement, dear heart.

I've known for a couple of decades that the day would come when I'd have to fight and WIN this battle -- and it's proving to be just as tough as I thought it would be -- but a whole lot more Do-Able than I anticipated.

Of that my dear...I HAVE NO DOUBT YOU WILL WIN THIS BATTLE!

I told my mom about the skinless tomatoes...her response was just as I expected-she fell apart!:mrgreen: I am gettin' excited to start our garden as well...good thing Mom & Dad will be there to guide me! I really want to can all our veggies for the winter as it is so much cheaper than buying them!

Bailey is over at Grandma's tonight getting her first sewing lesson! She received a basic sewing machine from Santa and was able to cut out and sew an apron today! I am so proud of her...Grandma was a seamstress & also did custom drapes for 40 yrs so Bailey has an excellent teacher! I am so grateful that my parents are here to teach my young ones things like this! Not that I don't, but being able to spend time with their grandparents & learn these things is extra special for them!

Hope all is well my friend...
Hugs & Prayers for all of ya...:hug:
God Bless!

[rhet 2]

Of that my dear...I HAVE NO DOUBT YOU WILL WIN THIS BATTLE!

I told my mom about the skinless tomatoes...her response was just as I expected-she fell apart!:mrgreen: I am gettin' excited to start our garden as well...good thing Mom & Dad will be there to guide me! I really want to can all our veggies for the winter as it is so much cheaper than buying them!

Bailey is over at Grandma's tonight getting her first sewing lesson! She received a basic sewing machine from Santa and was able to cut out and sew an apron today! I am so proud of her...Grandma was a seamstress & also did custom drapes for 40 yrs so Bailey has an excellent teacher! I am so grateful that my parents are here to teach my young ones things like this! Not that I don't, but being able to spend time with their grandparents & learn these things is extra special for them!

Hope all is well my friend...
Hugs & Prayers for all of ya...:hug:
God Bless!

ah, the sewing bond!

My mother adored sewing and was VERY good at it. I can -- if I'm forced to -- but am all thumbs. But my eldest learned from my mother -- it was a bond they shared all their lives together, and one of Beth's treasures is her grandmother's machine.

I'm glad for Bailey -- and for her grandmother. And for you. :hug:

[blazer]

:hug: Hang in there sweetie! :hug:

[rhet 2]

:hug: Hang in there sweetie! :hug:

I'm trying to -- and things are getting rougher, not easier

Pray for Daughter #1: breast lump, biopsy today or tomorrow

Daughter #2: 5 weeks into a 2nd pregnancy, threatening to miscarry

It would be easier if it were me and not my kids.

[blazer]

I'm trying to -- and things are getting rougher, not easier

Pray for Daughter #1: breast lump, biopsy today or tomorrow

Daughter #2: 5 weeks into a 2nd pregnancy, threatening to miscarry

It would be easier if it were me and not my kids.

I can imagine it would, love. :hug:

[rhet 2]

I can imagine it would, love. :hug:

Tomorrow, the Cancer Center runs every test under the sun -- and she won't let be be there, because she doesn't want me to "wig out." sigh

[blazer]

Tomorrow, the Cancer Center runs every test under the sun -- and she won't let be be there, because she doesn't want me to "wig out." sigh

aww, hon! :hug:

[blazer]

Let the man in my avatar wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you.

[rhet 2]

Let the man in my avatar wrap His loving arms around you and comfort you.

He has -- and you've helped Him do exactly that.

Thank you.

I'll wait for the test results before I "wig out" -- and then do it only here, lest I cause her to do the same.

:hug:

[repchick]

He has -- and you've helped Him do exactly that.

Thank you.

I'll wait for the test results before I "wig out" -- and then do it only here, lest I cause her to do the same.

:hug:

I'll be praying for both daughters and you. :hug:

[blazer]

He has -- and you've helped Him do exactly that.

Thank you.

I'll wait for the test results before I "wig out" -- and then do it only here, lest I cause her to do the same.

:hug:

That would be so hard for me to not be there so I know how u feel! Love you sister, but you already knew that! :hug:

[blazer]

:hug:If I could, I would wrap my arms around you and let you cry on my shoulder. :hug:

And I would pat you on the back and tell you it will be okay.

[rhet 2]

:hug:If I could, I would wrap my arms around you and let you cry on my shoulder. :hug:

And I would pat you on the back and tell you it will be okay.

I know you would.

Good news: the Cancer Center does NOT expect the biopsy to report cancer. :dance:

[blazer]

I know you would.

Good news: the Cancer Center does NOT expect the biopsy to report cancer. :dance:

Praise God! :hug: :dance:

[jwil59]

I'm trying to -- and things are getting rougher, not easier

Pray for Daughter #1: breast lump, biopsy today or tomorrow

Daughter #2: 5 weeks into a 2nd pregnancy, threatening to miscarry

It would be easier if it were me and not my kids.

yeah it's tough when it's the younguns my friend. I am praying for both daighters, and you too as always.

hang tough my friend

[itsrea]

I'm trying to -- and things are getting rougher, not easier

Pray for Daughter #1: breast lump, biopsy today or tomorrow

Daughter #2: 5 weeks into a 2nd pregnancy, threatening to miscarry

It would be easier if it were me and not my kids.Doesn't seem to me that easy is going to be anything we'll be experiencing anytime soon my friend.. just know that you are not alone in these hardships.. God is with you in love and I am with you in spirit and in prayers.

Hugs,
Rea

[USMCmom]

He has -- and you've helped Him do exactly that.

Thank you.

I'll wait for the test results before I "wig out" -- and then do it only here, lest I cause her to do the same.

:hug:

Rhet you and your loved ones have been on my mind and in my prayers! Am begging the Lord to return nothing but GOOD NEWS from the tests and to keep that tiny baby safe!
If there is anything I can do or anything that you need please don't hesitate to ask...
Sending Hugs & Prayers for all...:hug::pray::hug:

[rhet 2]

Thank each and every one of you dearest Warriors after God's Own Heart.

Both kiddos reported in this morning, doing much better.

[USMCmom]

Thank each and every one of you dearest Warriors after God's Own Heart.

Both kiddos reported in this morning, doing much better.

:dance:This is me dancing in my chair...am so glad they are doing better!

[rhet 2]

:dance:This is me dancing in my chair...am so glad they are doing better!

Thank you, sweet sister.

Got to watch grandchild #3 get baptized. That's three down, three to get into Sealed condition, with one more in the making.

Funny, that.

My SIL prayed for her child to be born blond and blue-eyed.

I prayed for mine to get Called into the Kingdom and Sealed unto the Day of Deliverance.

We both got what we asked for.

Now, I've got 6 grandkids to go with the 7 children who serve the LORD -- and the only ones not yet Sealed are the three still way too young to make such commitments.

As long as the grandkids have their parents to hug them tight against the evils of this world and little JP or Leah Ruth gets here and gets Called her/himself, what greater joy can one old woman ask for?

[repchick]

Thank you, sweet sister.

Got to watch grandchild #3 get baptized. That's three down, three to get into Sealed condition, with one more in the making.

Funny, that.

My SIL prayed for her child to be born blond and blue-eyed.

I prayed for mine to get Called into the Kingdom and Sealed unto the Day of Deliverance.

We both got what we asked for.

Now, I've got 6 grandkids to go with the 7 children who serve the LORD -- and the only ones not yet Sealed are the three still way too young to make such commitments.

As long as the grandkids have their parents to hug them tight against the evils of this world and little JP or Leah Ruth gets here and gets Called her/himself, what greater joy can one old woman ask for?

This is a good thing. Glad the girls are doing better. What a gift you were given to see #3 grandchild get baptized.

[rhet 2]

This is a good thing. Glad the girls are doing better. What a gift you were given to see #3 grandchild get baptized.

I've watched all three of the ones old enough: makes a Mom's heart go pitter-patter, indeed.

[blazer]

you have 7 children? :hug:

[rhet 2]

you have 7 children? :hug:

Four daughters and the sons they gave me by marriage.

Sorry, but I do think of the SILs as though they were my own, since they followed my girls home from school and then to church. They were all part of the church youth group my Bear and I co-led when the girls were teens and then college students, and we didn't let the girls date very much during high school. Instead, they all hung around our house unless we forced them to go home. Many a kid accepted Christ in our living room or back yard, praying with either the Bear or I, while the others played games in the den. Their baptisms were every bit as special as when the girls "went under."

We even led some of their parents and siblings to Christ.

The group has largely scattered now, but there for a time, the house was very crowded, and you wouldn't believe the backyard cookouts and work parties we staged. And the theological debates! Whoa, those kids could ask HEAVY questions. But I truly miss the daily bible study/prayer time we demanded every school night before we chased all the others home. And the miniature golf, swimming parties, ping pong games, monopoly out the wazoo, etc.

It was a good way to grow old, that it was. :redface:

[blazer]

Four daughters and the sons they gave me by marriage.

Sorry, but I do think of the SILs as though they were my own, since they followed my girls home from school and then to church. They were all part of the church youth group my Bear and I co-led when the girls were teens and then college students, and we didn't let the girls date very much during high school. Instead, they all hung around our house unless we forced them to go home. Many a kid accepted Christ in our living room or back yard, praying with either the Bear or I, while the others played games in the den. Their baptisms were every bit as special as when the girls "went under."

We even led some of their parents and siblings to Christ.

The group has largely scattered now, but there for a time, the house was very crowded, and you wouldn't believe the backyard cookouts and work parties we staged. And the theological debates! Whoa, those kids could ask HEAVY questions. But I truly miss the daily bible study/prayer time we demanded every school night before we chased all the others home. And the miniature golf, swimming parties, ping pong games, monopoly out the wazoo, etc.

It was a good way to grow old, that it was. :redface:

sounds like so much fun! :hug:

[jwil59]

Four daughters and the sons they gave me by marriage.

Sorry, but I do think of the SILs as though they were my own, since they followed my girls home from school and then to church. They were all part of the church youth group my Bear and I co-led when the girls were teens and then college students, and we didn't let the girls date very much during high school. Instead, they all hung around our house unless we forced them to go home. Many a kid accepted Christ in our living room or back yard, praying with either the Bear or I, while the others played games in the den. Their baptisms were every bit as special as when the girls "went under."

We even led some of their parents and siblings to Christ.

The group has largely scattered now, but there for a time, the house was very crowded, and you wouldn't believe the backyard cookouts and work parties we staged. And the theological debates! Whoa, those kids could ask HEAVY questions. But I truly miss the daily bible study/prayer time we demanded every school night before we chased all the others home. And the miniature golf, swimming parties, ping pong games, monopoly out the wazoo, etc.

It was a good way to grow old, that it was. :redface:

That is just about as cool as cool can get my friend.

How's the ole man feeling? You guys are always in my prayers

[rhet 2]

That is just about as cool as cool can get my friend.

How's the ole man feeling? You guys are always in my prayers

He's doing very well. Though the urinary tract control -- or lack thereof -- is still quite frustrating. We both miss church very very much, but every time he stands up, he has to race to the bathroom super fast. And the Depends are good, but not good enough, bless his heart.

Yes, those were the highlight days of my life. I doubt that I'll ever experience such wonders.

I'm so glad for Mitch. He obviously has much work to do for the LORD -- and all this is necessary training time for whatever wondrous tasks will be his in due time. I suspect he is going to do great things for our Savior. :hug:

[jwil59]

He's doing very well. Though the urinary tract control -- or lack thereof -- is still quite frustrating. We both miss church very very much, but every time he stands up, he has to race to the bathroom super fast. And the Depends are good, but not good enough, bless his heart.

Yes, those were the highlight days of my life. I doubt that I'll ever experience such wonders.

I'm so glad for Mitch. He obviously has much work to do for the LORD -- and all this is necessary training time for whatever wondrous tasks will be his in due time. I suspect he is going to do great things for our Savior. :hug:

I am quite certain God has something in store for Mitch. It will be exciting for us to watch that unfold together, just like we have watched this miracle unfold. Mitch has a urinary issue too, but his is the opposite of Cuddles' cause he cannot go. They now know he has an infection and are treating that though.

[rhet 2]

I am quite certain God has something in store for Mitch. It will be exciting for us to watch that unfold together, just like we have watched this miracle unfold. Mitch has a urinary issue too, but his is the opposite of Cuddles' cause he cannot go. They now know he has an infection and are treating that though.

With knowledge comes wisdom -- and I pray the docs are very very very wise.

And pray that Mitch grows in wisdom every single day. Which, considering that trials of our faith are what teach us knowledge, leading to wisdom, seems fairly certain to happen. Bless his pea-picking little heart.

Have you ever, when in the midst of a heavy trial, been tempted to tell the LORD that you really don't need to learn this much patience and really have no desire to try to measure up to Solomon? I have. More than once. :)) :hug:

[USMCmom]

I never had a Grandma or Grandpa around growing up...all mine were gone shortly after I was born. I always dreamed of having grandparents and I would of been thrilled if they would of been like you & Bear! How wonderful it is that you are able to share all of this with your kids and grandkids. You are giving them the best of memories...

Hope all is well with you and yours! Old man winter reared his ugly head up and we are once again watching the snowfall and the temps drop! Am looking forward to spring and being able to finally get outside for more than a few minutes! "Cabin Fever" seems to be setting in and I know that by April I will be going stir crazy unless we get some extended sunshine!

Am keeping all of you in my prayers...
Take care & God Bless

[rhet 2]

I never had a Grandma or Grandpa around growing up...all mine were gone shortly after I was born. I always dreamed of having grandparents and I would of been thrilled if they would of been like you & Bear! How wonderful it is that you are able to share all of this with your kids and grandkids. You are giving them the best of memories...

Hope all is well with you and yours! Old man winter reared his ugly head up and we are once again watching the snowfall and the temps drop! Am looking forward to spring and being able to finally get outside for more than a few minutes! "Cabin Fever" seems to be setting in and I know that by April I will be going stir crazy unless we get some extended sunshine!

Am keeping all of you in my prayers...
Take care & God Bless

Since their mama is teaching in another town and transferred her three to the same school district, I'm not getting to babysit after school since Christmas -- and the house is so flipping EMPTY.

What we've got on the ground is more ice than snow -- very thin, powdery, not nearly enough moisture to even dint drought conditions, but enough to make moving on the streets and roads very rough because of black ice. And COLD!

Now is garden planning time: what, where, when to plant. Helps keep me sane when cooped up inside. I'm trying to figure out how to stop crud from eating cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflower so I can grow my own. Am dying to see this in the freezer and try my hand at canning sauerkraut to boot.

[doodle5]

I was so fortunate to have the two most loving Grandmothers and Grandfather when I was growing up. My mother's mother died when she was eight and Grandad didn't marry Susie until I was nine. She was an angel and just loved everyone. She passed when she was 99.9. My other Grandparents passed when I was 5 my other Grandparent, missed seeing her husband. Those are great memories!!

I taught my kids love when they were growing up and taught them everything I had learned, it has helped them in their grown life.

No matter what keep loving loving and loving they will remember that!!

Prayers

Carlene

[rhet 2]

I was so fortunate to have the two most loving Grandmothers and Grandfather when I was growing up. My mother's mother died when she was eight and Grandad didn't marry Susie until I was nine. She was an angel and just loved everyone. She passed when she was 99.9. My other Grandparents passed when I was 5 my other Grandparent, missed seeing her husband. Those are great memories!!

I taught my kids love when they were growing up and taught them everything I had learned, it has helped them in their grown life.

No matter what keep loving loving and loving they will remember that!!

Prayers

Carlene

I was very close with my grandparents, too, though Daddy's Dad refused to marry again after he was widowed -- as a Baptist preacher, he didn't think he should for religious reasons -- but going to Revivals when he was preaching, that was great good fun. And my mother's parents were wonderful, too -- spent all summer on the farm with them and learned so very much -- including why you don't soak chicken feed with your grandmother's homemade wine -- or build rafts to float down your grandfather's irrigation ditches. :))

I'm so glad you had the loving family experiences, too. They make for good happy people able to love others instead of being self-centered and grasping angry people.

[USMCmom]

Since their mama is teaching in another town and transferred her three to the same school district, I'm not getting to babysit after school since Christmas -- and the house is so flipping EMPTY.

What we've got on the ground is more ice than snow -- very thin, powdery, not nearly enough moisture to even dint drought conditions, but enough to make moving on the streets and roads very rough because of black ice. And COLD!

Now is garden planning time: what, where, when to plant. Helps keep me sane when cooped up inside. I'm trying to figure out how to stop crud from eating cabbages, broccoli, and cauliflower so I can grow my own. Am dying to see this in the freezer and try my hand at canning sauerkraut to boot.

Ever since you started talking about gardening I have been so excited to get ours planted! This is the first year that I will be able to even have the time to take care of one rather than depending on family to generously donate the "fruits of their labor!"

After spending years of working 70-80 hr a week I find that although we are not well off financially...the time I have been able to spend with my kids is priceless! They to are excited about the garden and we found some cool seeds on line! The kind that grow giant stalks of corn and huge tomato plants (am thinking of slipping a few of those into the kid's seeds) I can only imagine their delight at growing magical vegetables!

I know so little about gardening, but thanks to Grandma & Grandma Rhet I think we will be just fine! Rhet I found some homemade solutions on line to keep ones garden safe from bugs, I thought that I would post these and see if anyone else has tried them out!

Get rid of slugs and snails by spreading crushed eggshells where they are prone to travel. They won't travel over the rough surface and if they do, it's good-bye slug.
You can also get rid of snails and slugs with yucky, cheap beer. Just fill a jar lid with beer and place it where snails and slugs like to hang out. It's best to get it as flush with the ground as possible, so you may have to dig a little indention in the dirt.

Want one more slug remedy? Coffee is a great fix as well. Spread your used coffee grounds around slug or snail infested areas.

Ants are no fun. To get rid of them, make a bait of 99% sugar and 1% boric acid. Remember to keep the mixture away from kids and pets.

Ladybugs eat aphids, and in the words of the all powerful Martha, that's a good thing. Most experts agree that purchased lady bugs are not always the best for controlling aphids and that it's better to attract them naturally. You can do that by planting: parsley, wild buckwheat, white sweet clover, tansy, sweet fennel, sweet alyssum, spearmint, Queen Anne's lace, hairy vetch, flowering buckwheat, crimson clover, cowpeas, common knotweed, caraway and black locust.

Make your own "insecticide" using only three simple and non-toxic ingredients. Take a bar of Ivory Soap and drop it in two cups of water. Allow it to sit overnight. You want much of it to dissolve. The next morning, remove what has not dissolved and put the mixture in a spray bottle along with 1/4 cup corn oil. Shake well. Spray on infested plants, both the top and bottom of the leaves.
Remember that many pests really don't like certain plants such as mint, marigolds, garlic and basil. Try mingling some of these with other plants or flowers to ward off unwanted insects.

Flies are not necessarily a garden pest, but they most definitely qualify as unwanted pests. You can help keep them out of your house by keeping potted basil around as well as citrus peel pomanders.

We should start enlisting the help of the members for tried & true organic insecticides!

Anyways am off to a wrestling tournament this morning...my nephew is competing, so my brother and I are going to go watch him!

Still no word from Seanachie? I have been so worried about him, I can only hope that all is well and have added him to the top of my prayer list. Hopefully we will hear from him soon:cry:

Have a wonderful day my dear...sending hugs & prayers for you and your beautiful family!

Take Care & God Bless

[rhet 2]

Ever since you started talking about gardening I have been so excited to get ours planted! This is the first year that I will be able to even have the time to take care of one rather than depending on family to generously donate the "fruits of their labor!"

After spending years of working 70-80 hr a week I find that although we are not well off financially...the time I have been able to spend with my kids is priceless! They to are excited about the garden and we found some cool seeds on line! The kind that grow giant stalks of corn and huge tomato plants (am thinking of slipping a few of those into the kid's seeds) I can only imagine their delight at growing magical vegetables!

I know so little about gardening, but thanks to Grandma & Grandma Rhet I think we will be just fine! Rhet I found some homemade solutions on line to keep ones garden safe from bugs, I thought that I would post these and see if anyone else has tried them out!

Get rid of slugs and snails by spreading crushed eggshells where they are prone to travel. They won't travel over the rough surface and if they do, it's good-bye slug.
You can also get rid of snails and slugs with yucky, cheap beer. Just fill a jar lid with beer and place it where snails and slugs like to hang out. It's best to get it as flush with the ground as possible, so you may have to dig a little indention in the dirt.

Want one more slug remedy? Coffee is a great fix as well. Spread your used coffee grounds around slug or snail infested areas.

Ants are no fun. To get rid of them, make a bait of 99% sugar and 1% boric acid. Remember to keep the mixture away from kids and pets.

Ladybugs eat aphids, and in the words of the all powerful Martha, that's a good thing. Most experts agree that purchased lady bugs are not always the best for controlling aphids and that it's better to attract them naturally. You can do that by planting: parsley, wild buckwheat, white sweet clover, tansy, sweet fennel, sweet alyssum, spearmint, Queen Anne's lace, hairy vetch, flowering buckwheat, crimson clover, cowpeas, common knotweed, caraway and black locust.

Make your own "insecticide" using only three simple and non-toxic ingredients. Take a bar of Ivory Soap and drop it in two cups of water. Allow it to sit overnight. You want much of it to dissolve. The next morning, remove what has not dissolved and put the mixture in a spray bottle along with 1/4 cup corn oil. Shake well. Spray on infested plants, both the top and bottom of the leaves.
Remember that many pests really don't like certain plants such as mint, marigolds, garlic and basil. Try mingling some of these with other plants or flowers to ward off unwanted insects.

Flies are not necessarily a garden pest, but they most definitely qualify as unwanted pests. You can help keep them out of your house by keeping potted basil around as well as citrus peel pomanders.

We should start enlisting the help of the members for tried & true organic insecticides!

Anyways am off to a wrestling tournament this morning...my nephew is competing, so my brother and I are going to go watch him!

Still no word from Seanachie? I have been so worried about him, I can only hope that all is well and have added him to the top of my prayer list. Hopefully we will hear from him soon:cry:

Have a wonderful day my dear...sending hugs & prayers for you and your beautiful family!

Take Care & God Bless

Good tips.

Also, little circles of roofing paper or cheap felt -- cut a circle, cut one slit down the middle to create a donut shaped circle with a line free to put it around the stem of a plant -- prevents the bugs that crawl out of the soil at night to chew through plant stalks.

I've found that a 4" layer of cedar bark mulch does a LOT to cut down on weed removal, too. Bugs hate cedar with a passion -- and most weeds can't survive long enough to get stems up through 4 " of ground cover. Then, in the fall, rake the top couple of inches of mulch off, bag it for next year, and fork the remainder into the ground to improve soil "friability" and increase nitrogen content. Just make sure the mulch you bag up is dry so it doesn't mildew before reusing it.

Now is the time to start adding cow manure to the dirt, so it can decompose before planting time rolls around.

And any place you've grown beans and peas the year before is nitrogen rich -- best place for this year's tomatoes and squash and peppers and melons.

Are you familiar with the ideas of square foot gardening? I'm finding that it really does decrease costs and labor, while increasing productivity and the sheer prettiness of my veggies.

Best way I know to dump a lot of stress: work it off outside and enjoy really healthy veggies at one and the same time.

[blazer]

still prayin for you! :hug:

[rhet 2]

still prayin for you! :hug:

Thank you, luv!

Just got the biopsy results: NOT CANCER AT ALL! :dance:

And grandbaby # 7 is settling in -- Mama's experiencing first trimester fatigue, but the spotting and the contractions have pretty much stopped. :dance:

All I need now is to win the dumb lottery, so I can have some FUN with my Bear instead of making pennies screech from getting pinched so dad blamed hard.

:hug:

[jwil59]

With knowledge comes wisdom -- and I pray the docs are very very very wise.

And pray that Mitch grows in wisdom every single day. Which, considering that trials of our faith are what teach us knowledge, leading to wisdom, seems fairly certain to happen. Bless his pea-picking little heart.

Have you ever, when in the midst of a heavy trial, been tempted to tell the LORD that you really don't need to learn this much patience and really have no desire to try to measure up to Solomon? I have. More than once. :)) :hug:

Yeah I have had to work through that kinda thing many times before. I'm ashamed to admit it but that's the truth

[doodle5]

Amen triple Amen about the lottery!!

Found fantastic job excellent commissions almost as good as lottery.

I have t go bike now.

Carlene

[USMCmom]

Good tips.

Also, little circles of roofing paper or cheap felt -- cut a circle, cut one slit down the middle to create a donut shaped circle with a line free to put it around the stem of a plant -- prevents the bugs that crawl out of the soil at night to chew through plant stalks.

I've found that a 4" layer of cedar bark mulch does a LOT to cut down on weed removal, too. Bugs hate cedar with a passion -- and most weeds can't survive long enough to get stems up through 4 " of ground cover. Then, in the fall, rake the top couple of inches of mulch off, bag it for next year, and fork the remainder into the ground to improve soil "friability" and increase nitrogen content. Just make sure the mulch you bag up is dry so it doesn't mildew before reusing it.

Now is the time to start adding cow manure to the dirt, so it can decompose before planting time rolls around.

And any place you've grown beans and peas the year before is nitrogen rich -- best place for this year's tomatoes and squash and peppers and melons.

Are you familiar with the ideas of square foot gardening? I'm finding that it really does decrease costs and labor, while increasing productivity and the sheer prettiness of my veggies.

Best way I know to dump a lot of stress: work it off outside and enjoy really healthy veggies at one and the same time.

What is square foot gardening? Never heard of that...how is it done?

[rhet 2]

What is square foot gardening? Never heard of that...how is it done?

Instead of planting in long straight rows, you plant in 4 x 4 foot squares and use as much vertical growing as you can to train veggies to grow up instead of crawl over the ground. You can grow as many as 16 carrots in a single square foot, one tomato vine in the same space, two cucumber vines trained over a fence to run along strings up and then down again in the same space.

What's niftiest is that you don't spend hours with a hoe or kneeling on the ground to weed and prune.

I inherited a copy of Square Foot Gardening, Mel Bartholomew, Rodale Press, in PA, printed in 1981. ISBN # 0-87857-340-2 for the hard cover, 0-87857-341-0 for the paperback. FULL of ideas I madly adapted last year when the Bear and I decided to grow veggies again, despite the yard being so dad-blamed SMALL.

If you can't find a copy, pm me and I'll try to summarize some of it for you. It really is a gold mine of info in how to change from old fashioned row gardens over to newer, less space and time demanding, and more productive methods. Last year, I got 32 quarts of canned tomatoes and enough fresh ones to give away to neighbors from just 8 tomato plants in an 8 foot long box -- never once had to hoe or rake or get down on the ground, either. And got 16 quarts of green beans from 8 feet of beans I planted way too thinly to climb over the fence -- and never once touched a hoe or a rake. The most labor required was hooking a hose up to the soaker hose I used to water them and occasionally squishing a bug or pinching off a leaf or sucker shooter growing where I didn't want it.

Most of my time in the garden was spent sipping coffee and just BREATHING -- before heading to the kitchen to process another pressure cooker or use the vacuum sealer to put yummies in the freezer.

I'm dying to try some more of his suggestions this year, like using tin foil to reflect light into shady areas on the north -- alley -- side of the fence.

[doodle5]

Thanks Rhet!

I will go to amazon to find a copy of square gardening.

Carlene

[rhet 2]

Thanks Rhet!

I will go to amazon to find a copy of square gardening.

Carlene

It's the only kind I think I could do anymore, given the damage that jerk kid did to my spine and my left arm and leg. Don't walk so good and the left hand doesn't have just a whole lot of strength in it. And getting up and down from the ground would be virtually impossible without help.

This way, I get all the exercise and fresh air and sunshine, have the beauty as well as the really fresh vitamins to munch on -- nothing like pulling a carrot or a tomato, hosing it down and swallowing it right there on the garden path.

And I'm getting enough produce to be worth preserving for the winter. So, I bought a new pressure cooker, a drying mo-chine, and one of those vacuum sealer machines for the freezer. So, I've got my own dried herbs -- like chives and rosemary and thyme and basil -- and lavender for my own bath scents and scenting the linens in the closet -- adding that to the vacuum cleaner bag and WOW! nice aroma therapy while cleaning, too. And all for the cost of just a few seeds from one tiny packet.

The cost of the canning jars really made last year's tomatoes quite expensive, but they're reusable this year with just the cost of new lids, so, if I get the same harvest, I'll really pay for those three bigger expenses this year in terms of saving grocery costs.

And,man, did the few plants we bought bear fruit! Never got that kind of yield from the old farm garden. And with only an hour or so max a day, once the permanent structures and beds were in place.

I can hardly wait to go dump some stress out there as soon as this last freeze goes bye-bye, hopefully by tomorrow. I loved my hydrangeas and roses and other ornamental plantings, yes, but the veggies last year were even better. And they've truly been a God-send, given the current economy.

Best of all, I could do most of the work by myself, without the Bear's help -- good thing, since he couldn't have helped anyway.

[repchick]

Thank you, luv!

Just got the biopsy results: NOT CANCER AT ALL! :dance:

And grandbaby # 7 is settling in -- Mama's experiencing first trimester fatigue, but the spotting and the contractions have pretty much stopped. :dance:

All I need now is to win the dumb lottery, so I can have some FUN with my Bear instead of making pennies screech from getting pinched so dad blamed hard.

:hug:

:dance::dance: Good news !!!!!!! I didn't want another BC sister.

[USMCmom]

Good Morning Rhet...
I have missed talking to ya...hope all is well and the girls are doing better. It has been a long couple of weeks and I find that my gas tank is running a little low-so thought that I would pop in for a *refill*!

The kids are getting ready for districts in wrestling, so after Sunday we will be traveling for state finals! I love watching these young men...they work so hard and they take so much pride in themselves & their teammates!

How are Duck and Bear doing? I imagine that they are as ready as us for spring to get here! I thought about Duck the other day, was wondering if you ever asked her to get you a drink of water!!! I have to tell you what Bailey (my 10yr old) said to me the other day! We were watching the Biggest Loser and she asked me if I thought it would be a good idea to approach her principal to ask if the school could do the pound for pound challenge to help stamp out hunger in the US! Of course I thought it was an excellent idea...but she was worried about being weighed in from of everyone! She is the shortest girl in her class and probably 10 pds heavier than what she should be...but by no means fat. So in order to make her feel better I said "Honey I think you are perfect and if you are concerned about eating healthy we can really make an effort to eat right here at home!" I also told her that her and her brothers would help plan our monthly menu's and help shop for groceries! At this point she was so excited and then I said "Besides, when I was your age I was short and weighed the same!" Bailey got this horrified look on her face and said "Great...I'm gonna be fat!"

We both fell apart laughing as I knew she was only joking...but it was so funny as Bailey would cut out her tongue before she would say something mean to someone! For her I think just the ability to laugh was wonderful... some of the boys at school have been telling her that she is fat and it has been so hard for her. They do this to all the girls and so today I am headed to school to talk to the teacher. They are the class bullies and Bailey is to shy to stick up for herself as are most of the girls...you know there bodies are changing and they are so uncomfortable with these changes! Hopefully the teacher will do something...these are the same boys that last year followed Bailey home spitting on her and some construction workers (they were building a home behind us) seen them-they were kind enough to put a stop to it. I tried talking to their parents but they seem to think these little monsters can do no wrong...so I figured that going to the school would do more good!!! So wish me luck...

Finally heard from Kyle and he is doing good...really enjoys his job (have no idea what he is doing) but he finally sent me his address so I will pm you with it! He loves to get letters from home!

I have been looking for different things to plant in the garden...escpecially herbs. Was wondering how you would store them so you could use them through the winter? I don't have a lot of storage so the more things that I can freeze the better it would be!

Anyways...had better get busy and do some house work! Hope everything is going better for you and yours my friend...your all in my thoughts & prayers!

Take care & God Bless:hug:

[itsrea]

USMC, I showed Rick the pic of your son (your avatar) and he told me to say 'semper fi' from a old Vietnam era Recon Marine.

:)

[USMCmom]

USMC, I showed Rick the pic of your son (your avatar) and he told me to say 'semper fi' from a old Vietnam era Recon Marine.

:)

Awww Rea...ya made me cry! You give that Ol' marine a hug from us and please tell him "thank you" for his service...HOORAY!!! I will pass the message on to my Marine....:hug:

[rhet 2]

Good Morning Rhet...
I have missed talking to ya...hope all is well and the girls are doing better. It has been a long couple of weeks and I find that my gas tank is running a little low-so thought that I would pop in for a *refill*!

The kids are getting ready for districts in wrestling, so after Sunday we will be traveling for state finals! I love watching these young men...they work so hard and they take so much pride in themselves & their teammates!

How are Duck and Bear doing? I imagine that they are as ready as us for spring to get here! I thought about Duck the other day, was wondering if you ever asked her to get you a drink of water!!! I have to tell you what Bailey (my 10yr old) said to me the other day! We were watching the Biggest Loser and she asked me if I thought it would be a good idea to approach her principal to ask if the school could do the pound for pound challenge to help stamp out hunger in the US! Of course I thought it was an excellent idea...but she was worried about being weighed in from of everyone! She is the shortest girl in her class and probably 10 pds heavier than what she should be...but by no means fat. So in order to make her feel better I said "Honey I think you are perfect and if you are concerned about eating healthy we can really make an effort to eat right here at home!" I also told her that her and her brothers would help plan our monthly menu's and help shop for groceries! At this point she was so excited and then I said "Besides, when I was your age I was short and weighed the same!" Bailey got this horrified look on her face and said "Great...I'm gonna be fat!"

We both fell apart laughing as I knew she was only joking...but it was so funny as Bailey would cut out her tongue before she would say something mean to someone! For her I think just the ability to laugh was wonderful... some of the boys at school have been telling her that she is fat and it has been so hard for her. They do this to all the girls and so today I am headed to school to talk to the teacher. They are the class bullies and Bailey is to shy to stick up for herself as are most of the girls...you know there bodies are changing and they are so uncomfortable with these changes! Hopefully the teacher will do something...these are the same boys that last year followed Bailey home spitting on her and some construction workers (they were building a home behind us) seen them-they were kind enough to put a stop to it. I tried talking to their parents but they seem to think these little monsters can do no wrong...so I figured that going to the school would do more good!!! So wish me luck...

Finally heard from Kyle and he is doing good...really enjoys his job (have no idea what he is doing) but he finally sent me his address so I will pm you with it! He loves to get letters from home!

I have been looking for different things to plant in the garden...escpecially herbs. Was wondering how you would store them so you could use them through the winter? I don't have a lot of storage so the more things that I can freeze the better it would be!

Anyways...had better get busy and do some house work! Hope everything is going better for you and yours my friend...your all in my thoughts & prayers!

Take care & God Bless:hug:

Two things make the difference between a weasel and a person: the ability to be infuriated by cruelty and dishonor and the ability to laugh at idiocy! :)) I think I would truly enjoy your kids with all my heart.

Tell Bailey that the Duck was bullied at school, too -- and now she RULES wherever she walks and the bullies are miserable little nothings that nobody knows or gives two cents about -- not even their own kids like them very much.

She just needs to stand up and defy the thugs. With laughter if she can.

I should LOVE to write to Kyle and share his experiences vicariously. My life would, I suspect, bore him to tears -- but I make a MEAN chocolate chip cookie that travels well, especially when packed with some coffee packets and tootsie rolls.

Herbs dry beautifully, but the best way to store basil is to make a pesto -- several good recipes for it on the Internet.

The others like rosemary and marjoram and the mints I just pulled up by the roots. Stuffed the root end into a plastic bag just to keep the dirt off the leaves, tied the bag around the neck just between the main stem and the roots, and hung it from the racks the garage door opener uses for the door to roll up and down on. They dried beautifully and now reside in nifty half-pint jelly jars in my spice cupboard.

This year, I hope I can lay in what the 16th century called a "knot garden" -- herbs planted in a geometric pattern -- I want to create a LARGE circle of various herbs in a sunburst pattern built with recycled bits of sidewalk scavenged from demolition jobs around town, each herb type having it's own section between the "rays" of the "sun" in the middle. I just haven't finished drawing out the dimensions on graph paper yet, but I've got the layout pretty much in mind, except for which herb I want to be in the dead center.

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

Sorry I haven't been posting. My dang DSL modem was on a one way street and would download and refuse upload. Hence; I couldn't sign in. Tried a ton of things 1st but a phone call to Verizon was all that was needed along with a new modem. Geesh! So simple yet so darn frustrating. I just think it's my 'reversed polarity' brain cells like to short some things out. Another one is my Jeep.....the lights just cut out on me at night sometimes...just blink right out! LOL I have a new switch.....but I'm mechanically 'declined' when it comes to working on a vehicle. If it can break...I will break it! LOL

Anyways, I've been following along here in the threads in my 'read only' mode. Just know that You, the Bear and the Duck are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: It's just ironic that the winds are howling here like the hounds of hell when just yesterday I was at Wangum Falls in a tee shirt! The winds brought my new modem UPS today and that's a darn good thing! I can deal with the winds and return to Winter....but puter problems perplex me at times.

PSS: I got your PM's and I will respond on the morrow. Just realized it's Friday the 13! Must be my lucky day! I got the modem to work after putting it off all day long. I'll have to buy some lotto tickets! LOL

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

Sorry I haven't been posting. My dang DSL modem was on a one way street and would download and refuse upload. Hence; I couldn't sign in. Tried a ton of things 1st but a phone call to Verizon was all that was needed along with a new modem. Geesh! So simple yet so darn frustrating. I just think it's my 'reversed polarity' brain cells like to short some things out. Another one is my Jeep.....the lights just cut out on me at night sometimes...just blink right out! LOL I have a new switch.....but I'm mechanically 'declined' when it comes to working on a vehicle. If it can break...I will break it! LOL

Anyways, I've been following along here in the threads in my 'read only' mode. Just know that You, the Bear and the Duck are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: It's just ironic that the winds are howling here like the hounds of hell when just yesterday I was at Wangum Falls in a tee shirt! The winds brought my new modem UPS today and that's a darn good thing! I can deal with the winds and return to Winter....but puter problems perplex me at times.

PSS: I got your PM's and I will respond on the morrow. Just realized it's Friday the 13! Must be my lucky day! I got the modem to work after putting it off all day long. I'll have to buy some lotto tickets! LOL

I'm just so VERY glad to "see" you. We have been truly praying it wasn't anything serious! MAJOR HUGE :hug: to you. And a BIG raspberry to the old modem, super loving welcome to the new one.

[blazer]

Hello precious, how r things going? :hug:

[rhet 2]

Hello precious, how r things going? :hug:

They is.

Which is better than "they is not" -- but not as good as "they is blooming."

But, by the Grace of God, we're still functioning. :hug:

[blazer]

They is.

Which is better than "they is not" -- but not as good as "they is blooming."

But, by the Grace of God, we're still functioning. :hug:

:hug:

[jwil59]

They is.

Which is better than "they is not" -- but not as good as "they is blooming."

But, by the Grace of God, we're still functioning. :hug:

We will take "they is". Continued prayers for yall

[TheFallGuy]

He's doing very well. Though the urinary tract control -- or lack thereof -- is still quite frustrating. We both miss church very very much, but every time he stands up, he has to race to the bathroom super fast. And the Depends are good, but not good enough, bless his heart.

Yes, those were the highlight days of my life. I doubt that I'll ever experience such wonders.

I'm so glad for Mitch. He obviously has much work to do for the LORD -- and all this is necessary training time for whatever wondrous tasks will be his in due time. I suspect he is going to do great things for our Savior. :hug:
I'm glad to hear Cuddles is doing better. It's such a relief.

Has he started doing any exercises for it? There's one where you can do anytime without anybody knowing. You clench the muscles used to stop urinating. (Next time he goes to the bathroom, he can find those muscles by stopping the flow. Also, this is good for both men and women.) There's a clench-relax, flexing the muscle where you do repeat it ten times then hold for a count of ten. Or there's the clench and hold for a duration of time. There are variations of the workout, but like any exercise program start off slow and build up.

Hope this helps.

[TheFallGuy]

Thank you, luv!

Just got the biopsy results: NOT CANCER AT ALL! :dance:

And grandbaby # 7 is settling in -- Mama's experiencing first trimester fatigue, but the spotting and the contractions have pretty much stopped. :dance:

All I need now is to win the dumb lottery, so I can have some FUN with my Bear instead of making pennies screech from getting pinched so dad blamed hard.

:hug:

Yay!!!! No cancer!!!!

Yay!!!! Baby is settling in. Prayers for continued improvement.

[rhet 2]

Yay!!!! No cancer!!!!

Yay!!!! Baby is settling in. Prayers for continued improvement.

He's doing the exercises and slowly sloooooooooooowly improving. Thank you.

Unfortunately, our daughter has lost the baby after all -- no heartbeat, so we're waiting for a natural evacuation so she can recuperate and they can start again.

But thank you for your loving kindness. They WILL try again as soon as her doc okays the try. Prayers that they succeed next time would be appreciated, they so much want Abbie to have a sibling.

[TheFallGuy]

He's doing the exercises and slowly sloooooooooooowly improving. Thank you.
That's great news to hear. We love improvement.
Unfortunately, our daughter has lost the baby after all -- no heartbeat, so we're waiting for a natural evacuation so she can recuperate and they can start again.
:((

Did I miss that announcement, or is this recent? I feel so horrible. That is such a hard thing to be dealt. That literally brings me to tears. When my wife was pregnant, my twin had to go through the D&C for a miscarriage. It was hard for her. My heart and prayers go out to them. Also, rib-cracking hugs.
But thank you for your loving kindness. They WILL try again as soon as her doc okays the try. Prayers that they succeed next time would be appreciated, they so much want Abbie to have a sibling.
I'm there praying for them. You got that for sure. Abbie needs a little sibling to help her learn too. Let us know when they try again and we'll pray and fast for them. Until then they have our prayers of comfort. :hug: :pray:

[rhet 2]

That's great news to hear. We love improvement.

:((

Did I miss that announcement, or is this recent? I feel so horrible. That is such a hard thing to be dealt. That literally brings me to tears. When my wife was pregnant, my twin had to go through the D&C for a miscarriage. It was hard for her. My heart and prayers go out to them. Also, rib-cracking hugs.

I'm there praying for them. You got that for sure. Abbie needs a little sibling to help her learn too. Let us know when they try again and we'll pray and fast for them. Until then they have our prayers of comfort. :hug: :pray:

Thanks, bro. I count on it.

Not your fault -- I couldn't find this one at the time, so I started a separate one about the miscarriage.

:hug:

[jwil59]

He's doing the exercises and slowly sloooooooooooowly improving. Thank you.

Unfortunately, our daughter has lost the baby after all -- no heartbeat, so we're waiting for a natural evacuation so she can recuperate and they can start again.

But thank you for your loving kindness. They WILL try again as soon as her doc okays the try. Prayers that they succeed next time would be appreciated, they so much want Abbie to have a sibling.

I can relate to the slow improvement. I wish God would just "poof" and all these health issues would go away for us all but that isn't a part of His plan I guess. His plan is perfect though which you already know and exibit in your daily life.

My prayers for the kids and the baby too. maybe we can pray up a brother or sister for Abbie.

God bless you sis

[doodle5]

Rush's speech inspiring!! Listen to it if you haven't already!

Carlene

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

Thank you for that latest post in Mitch's thread. Ive written before how 'tunnel vision' is a problem for me. Your post was enlightening to me and helps me to realize that a 'focal point' can be multi-faceted. Mitch's and his Family's are indeed as are most with any family. Righfully so.

Just got back from Jersey. Did a little babysitting for 'PJ' last evening. A dry run so to speak. Mom & Dad were only gone for a few hours. PJ is such a lovely child and is preety darn active even though he's just a week and a couple of days shy of five month's old!

The second part of the plan was to Take PJ to his 1st St. Paddy's Day Parade in Belmar on the Jersey shoreline today. No such luck; it was snowing preety good in the morning from the 1st Nor'Easter with a second one to follow this evening. (PJ has a slight ear-infection too). I figured it was wise to get myself a 140 miles North in my neck of the woods before it got to bad. Murphy's Law I suppose, but it was lovely babysitting along with reading him some books while he was a tad cranky. It all worked well and he was sleeping like the Baby he is when Mom & Dad got home. All's well that ends well.

I hope things are good for you in your neck of the woods. Just bracing for more of that lovely white stuff. Even being 140 miles from the coast doesn't do much good if the storm tracks in a more Westerly direction. (edited from Eastely, wrong direction, lol). The 20" of snow we got here last October 28 was a result of that Nor'Easter being right over us here in NEPA along with cold enough temps. 3 hours of driving in the snow (probably much more in snow) is no fun at all. I'm glad I was able to avoid it for the most part.


You and your entire Family including the 'Duck' (she sounds like Family from what I've read) are in my prayers to the 'Big Guy'. I would have much preferred the prayers to be offered 'up' on the edge of the Atlantic but making 'tracks' before the snow made them visable, seemed to be the wisest way to travel. I'm sure I will have many more opportunities. I hope so at least.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: PJ seemed to like my whistling; though that didn't entertain him for very long! Hence: The Books; which I read enthusiastically! :)) I can't wait to tell (again) him the stories of 'Jenny Greenteeth' and her Sister Meg-Mossmouth. The former from the 'Book of Fairie', the latter from my imagination. My Daughter has already given me the 'Whatfor's' on this but GrandFathers have some 'obligation' to pass on 'Old wives' tales too. :snooty:

PSS: Me Dear Darling Daughter shared your sentiments on the PM's and gave me a bit of 'Whatfor's' to verily boost your sentiments. Geesh! 'Tunnel Vision' be 'cursed' I suppose. However, my Lovely Daughter wouldn't allow me to play the 'Brain Card' while she pointed out (emphatically) that I've always been like that from her years of recollections. Just amazing what Kids remember! Dang!

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

Thank you for that latest post in Mitch's thread. Ive written before how 'tunnel vision' is a problem for me. Your post was enlightening to me and helps me to realize that a 'focal point' can be multi-faceted. Mitch's and his Family's are indeed as are most with any family. Righfully so.

Just got back from Jersey. Did a little babysitting for 'PJ' last evening. A dry run so to speak. Mom & Dad were only gone for a few hours. PJ is such a lovely child and is preety darn active even though he's just a week and a couple of days shy of five month's old!

The second part of the plan was to Take PJ to his 1st St. Paddy's Day Parade in Belmar on the Jersey shoreline today. No such luck; it was snowing preety good in the morning from the 1st Nor'Easter with a second one to follow this evening. (PJ has a slight ear-infection too). I figured it was wise to get myself a 140 miles North in my neck of the woods before it got to bad. Murphy's Law I suppose, but it was lovely babysitting along with reading him some books while he was a tad cranky. It all worked well and he was sleeping like the Baby he is when Mom & Dad got home. All's well that ends well.

I hope things are good for you in your neck of the woods. Just bracing for more of that lovely white stuff. Even being 140 miles from the coast doesn't do much good if the storm tracks in a more Eastely direction. The 20" of snow we got here last October 28 was a result of that Nor'Easter being right over us here in NEPA along with cold enough temps. 3 hours of driving in the snow is no fun at all. I'm glad I was able to avoid it for the most part.


You and your entire Family including the 'Duck' (she sounds like Family from what I've read) are in my prayers to the 'Big Guy'. I would have much preferred the prayers to be offered 'up' on the edge of the Atlantic but making 'tracks' before the snow made them visable, seemed to be the wisest way to travel. I'm sure I will have many more opportunities. I hope so at least.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: PJ seemed to like my whistling; though that didn't entertain him for very long! Hence: The Books; which I read enthusiastically! :)) I can't wait to tell (again) him the stories of 'Jenny Greenteeth' and her Sister Meg-Mossmouth. The former from the 'Book of Fairie', the latter from my imagination. My Daughter has already given me the 'Whatfor's' on this but GrandFathers have some 'obligation' to pass on 'Old wives' tales too. :snooty:

PSS: Me Dear Darling Daughter shared your sentiments on the PM's and gave me a bit of 'Whatfor's' to verily boost your sentiments. Geesh! 'Tunnel Vision' be 'cursed' I suppose. However, my Lovely Daughter wouldn't allow me to play the 'Brain Card' while she pointed out (emphatically) that I've always been like that from her years of recollections. Just amazing what Kids remember! Dang!

It's times like these with PJ that make life worth living. And grandfathers MUST pass on the old tales -- and create one or two new ones to become old when PJ's grown to grandfather status. Thus has it always been, thus shall it always be, for it is from grandfather's stories that the next generation learns what is good and what is to be avoided at all costs, like the dreaded Moss-Mouth. :)) This is a tale I would love to read -- hint, hint, hint.

Tunnel vision is a problem for all humanity -- one of the curses on Adam and Eve, I think. But, then, again, if you're looking for the choo-choo lights so hard at the end of the tunnel, you won't see the boulder bouncing down the mountain side right at you. Which, if you could run fast and hard, would be a bad thing. But, if there's no way in thunder to duck and run, not knowing it's about to smush you might not be such a bad thing after all.

Thank you for your prayers. We're fine -- way cold yesterday and today, but I'd kill for some of that frozen water. We've got mega fire warnings, it's been such a dry winter -- virtually no rain or snow at all. All that dead prairie grass and dried out cedar brush from Ok City to Dallas is NOT a happy thought.

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

I hope and Pray that the 'Big Guy' sends some precip your way. All in fair measure, falling gently on the fields of Texas.

Spring is much earlier for you. Doesn't get in full swing here till late April or mid may. Elevation I suppose. Snowing here right now. March did indeed come in like a Lion. I don't care how it goes out...as long as it goes merrily on its way with no more snow. This feels like the 'never ending' winter.

On Jenny-Greenteeth: It's an old English folk-tale to keep children away from bodies of water that caused drownings.

Many years ago when the Kids were growing up; my Sister had the Book of Fairie and gave it to me to entertain all the Kids including my Nieces & Nephews on rainy or inclement Days. Jenny was a story in that Book.

There is a dam and a Lake right behind where my Kids lived and a River that is much like a 'moat' going around the tiny little Town, they and I grew up in. That River was a Godsend to me. It was the only place I could find some solace and a bit of privacy from my 9 Siblings and Family. I nearly drowned there during a drought. Me and a Buddy were shooting carp trapped in isolated pools with bows to sell to Jewish folks the next Town over.

The back edge of that lake was swampy with plenty of 'black' stinky mud. My Father's fireman's hip boots met their demise there as I sunk into that lovely mud. When the 'bull horn' went off summoning the firemen and cops; I knew I was screwed. It took 15 of those guys to pull me out with a rope under my armpits. It didn't help much that I was trying to hold onto Dad's boots. I saved one but not the other. I was nearly up to my neck in mud when the rescue folks got there. I expected a hell'uva an ass-whooping from Dad. It surprised the heck outa me when he didn't. He told me he was glad I was still alive and learned the lesson not to take his boots again. Both of my Parents would give ya an ass-whooping for smiling the wrong way at the Nuns at times.

SOOOO, the Book of Fairie came in handy in teaching my Kids the dangers of that river and being pulled into it by Jenny-Greenteeth to drown. I used this story to explain to the kids that 'Jenny' could only hold and drown 'bad kids'. Those 'good kids' who followed their Parents instructions would burn Jenny's hands and she couldn't hold on and pull them down.

That Book was the genesis of many of the stories I would tell the Kids. Jenny came into prominence when my Carrot-topped Niece was having a great deal of trouble with fever, alergic reactions and seizures. Trying to get her to eat was a chore to say the least. She was and still is a tiny little thing. We would be sitting around the dinner table at my Mom's trying to conjole her into eating with little success. I picked her up, tossed her over my shoulder and told her we were going to the swamp. I told her that Jenny would have none of her shenanigans; that the Greentoothed Lady of the swamp would simply turn her into a toad and she would eat flies and insects till I was able to convince Jenny to give her back to me in a few weeks. My Sister gave me a bit of hell about using this tactic but much to her chagrin, it worked somewhat.

I 'had' to invent Meg-Mossmouth so the other kids knew that if Jenny was busy with their cousin; her Sister would save the day and turn them into toads too. AND, that rotting moss in her mouth caused really bad breath that could knock them unconscious in a heartbeat. That had to do with getting them to brush their teeth to avoid a similar fate.

Lenny the 'whiskerless' Leprechaun was also a topic of some of my stories. Similar to Angels that have to earn their wings; a young Leprechaun has to earn his whiskers. One story had him rescuing me from the terrible Banshees and tricking me out of his pot-o-gold which was mine after I captured him nearby a tree house (about 30' up). I wanted my Kids to stay away from this place. The story also had to do with 'Lenny' using sleep causing Pocheen (Irish Moonshine) to trick me out of that same pot-o-gold. That story is trapped in my Comapact Portable 286, the 1st computer I had in the early nineties. Perhaps someday I'll try to get the 'Genie' out of the bottle or, in this case, the 286.

My Kids and my Nieces and Nephews still get a kick, (though I'm a bit sure thay would like to return those 'kicks' to me someday) out of the 'terrifying' stories. Perhaps they'll write their own somewhere down the line.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I hope this post was a good diversion for you. If not, HEY! I'm sure there is a swamp close by to you! In drought stage no less! :))

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

I hope and Pray that the 'Big Guy' sends some precip your way. All in fair measure, falling gently on the fields of Texas.

Spring is much earlier for you. Doesn't get in full swing here till late April or mid may. Elevation I suppose. Snowing here right now. March did indeed come in like a Lion. I don't care how it goes out...as long as it goes merrily on its way with no more snow. This feels like the 'never ending' winter.

On Jenny-Greenteeth: It's an old English folk-tale to keep children away from bodies of water that caused drownings.

I like the whole idea of those stories and will look for the

Many years ago when the Kids were growing up; my Sister had the Book of Fairie and gave it to me to entertain all the Kids including my Nieces & Nephews on rainy or inclement Days. Jenny was a story in that Book.

There is a dam and a Lake right behind where my Kids lived and a River that is much like a 'moat' going around the tiny little Town, they and I grew up in. That River was a Godsend to me. It was the only place I could find some solace and a bit of privacy from my 9 Siblings and Family. I nearly drowned there during a drought. Me and a Buddy were shooting carp trapped in isolated pools with bows to sell to Jewish folks the next Town over.

The edge of that lake was swampy with plenty of 'black' stinky mud. My Father's fireman's hip boots met their demise there as I sunk into that lovely mud. When the 'bull horn' went off summoning the firemen and cops; I knew I was screwed. It took 15 of those guys to pull me out with a rope under my armpits. It didn't help much that I was trying to hold onto Dad's boots. I saved one but not the other. I was nearly up to my neck in mud when the rescue folks got there. I expected a hell'uva an ass-whooping from Dad. It surprised the heck outa me when he didn't. He told me he was glad I was still alive and learned the lesson not to take his boots again. Both of my Parents would give ya an ass-whooping for smiling the wrong way at the Nuns at times.

SOOOO, the Book of Fairie came in handy in teaching my Kids the dangers of that river and being pulled into it by Jenny-Greenteeth to drown. I used this story to explain to the kids that 'Jenny' could only hold and drown 'bad kids' and that those 'good kids' who followed their Parents instructions would burn Jenny's hands and she couldn't pull them down.

That Book was the genesis of many of the stories I would tell the Kids. Jenny came into prominence when my Carrot-topped Niece was having a great deal of trouble with fever, alergic reactions and seizures. Trying to get her to eat was a chore to say the least. She was and still is a tiny little thing. We would be sitting around the dinner table at my Mom's trying to conjole her into eating with little success. I picked her up, tossed her over my shoulder and told her we were going to the swamp. I told her that Jenny would have none of her shenanigans; that the Greentoothed Lady of the swamp would simply turn her into a toad and she would eat flies and insects till I was able to convince Jenny to give her back to me in a few weeks. My Sister gave me a bit of hell about using this tactic but much to her chagrin, it worked somewhat.

I 'had' to invent Meg-Mossmouth so the other kids knew that if Jenny was busy with their cousin; her Sister would save the day and turn them into toads too. AND, that rotting moss in her mouth caused really bad breath that could knock them unconscious in a heartbeat. That had to do with getting them to brush their teeth to avoid a similar fate.

Lenny the 'whiskerless' Leprechaun was also a topic of some of my stories. Similar to Angels that have to earn their wings; a young Leprechaun has to earn his whiskers. One story had him rescuing me from the terrible Banshees and tricking me out of his pot-o-gold which was mine after I captured him nearby a tree house (about 30' up) that I wanted my Kids to stay away from. The story also had to do with 'Lenny' using sleep causing Pocheen (Irish Moonshine) to trick me out of that same pot-o-gold. That story is trapped in my Comapct Portable 286, the 1st computer I had in the early nineties. Perhaps someday I'll try to get the 'Genie' out of the bottle or, in this case, the 286.

My Kids and my Nieces and Nephews still get a kick, (though I'm a bit sure thay would like to return those 'kicks' to me someday) out of the 'terrifying' stories. Perhaps they'll write their own somewhere down the line.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I hope this post was a good diversion for you. If not, HEY! I'm sure there is a swamp close by to you! In drought stage no less! :))

I love the whole idea of those tales and will look for the Book of Fairie for my own grandkids (after I read it myself! :)) )

I grew up in hot, dry West Texas during the school times, but spent the rest of my time either on the ranch on the Neches River or the farm on the southern border. WPA had dug a HUGE irrigation channel fed by the Rio Grande with a 10 foot deep and 20 foot across a drainage ditch between the Channel and the farms that backed onto it. I could literally stand on the bank that was maybe 30 feet across built between the Channel and the drain ditch and see Mexico on the other side. Huge metal pipes spanned the ditch to let farmers access the water in the Channel -- and, if you were gutsy enough, you could use them as a bridge to get to the bank next to the Channel.

(I didn't have the guts to walk them, but I'd sit and scoot across behind my brothers who'd just run merrily across the bouncy things.)

That drainage ditch and the Channel too were full of perch and catfish. But to get to the water at the bottom of the drain ditch, you had to climb down a VERY steep bank with maybe a two foot maximum muddy bit at the very bottom. So, we tied rope to mosquite trees at the top of the land granddaddy owned used those as a safety line getting to our favorite fishing holes. Had to really watch for rattlers and water moccasins, though -- and then some dumb fool dumbed a bunch of pet aligators into the drainage ditch -- itty bitty baby alligators can grow REAL big real fast with all the frogs they had to munch on in that ditch, so we had to watch for them, too, by the time we were in high school.

The water in the bottom of the drain ditch was too full of scummy algae to want to go swimming in it -- and, you really had to watch where you stepped or the muddy bank would give way and dump you into water ten, sometimes 15 feet deep, full of snakes and some rather nasty weedy growth. The Channel itself ran deep and wide -- but it ran fast, and those irrigation pipes were death traps. Lots of people drowned in them every year, many illegals trying to get into the US.

Me, I wasn't all that crazy about swimming, so I pretty much stayed to the stock tanks at the base of the windmills -- and those windmills were great diving platforms, though you had to be real careful about not missing the tank down below you.

I can just imagine you slowly sinking up to your neck in that sludge -- and dreading the whupping you were going to get for those boots.

:))

I hope my own tales are as delightfully distractive for you as yours are for me. :hug:

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

Snakes and Aligators and frogs; OH MY!

We had some water snakes too, (not venomous or poisonous). I used to get a kick out the guys swimming like madmen for the banks when snakes swam on the surface of our swimming hole. I would swim nearby just to see if I could keep up. (The water snakes actually form a v-formation right behind Momma or Poppa.) No such luck in keeping up.

We used to stun bullfrogs with slingshots and marbles at night perched on our home made rafts (I preferred the two-boarders, they were swifter than the four boarders) by spotting them with flashlights. We would then sell them to folks who enjoyed eating frogs legs. The use of puree marbles was an understood prohibition; they were prized by us in our marble (pot) games. (The 'pot' was a hole we dug in the ground). 'Cats-eye' marbles were the common variety. 'Purees', clear all through no matter the color, were hoarded by the better players in their collections.

That River was a major part of my life growing up. There was a group of us called the River-rats who were really tight and we would hang out there or on Hell's End right on the street in front of where my Kids grew up.

We used to hang a stuffed dummy on a telephone pole of one of the cops or politicians there on wreck-up night, the night before Halloween. One sign above a dummy read; "Our pal, Dirty Al". He was the Police Chief at the time. I think the Cops and the Politicians looked forward to this and were bereft if we didn't give them some (disdainful) recognition. This was the Sixties when 'protesting' was in the infancy of its art-form. We even hung my Father one year with the captioned sign; "Drop Dead Dirty Ed". It was mostly all in good fun though. The best though was the Police Matron; her Daughter and Son provided her very own bra for the occasion with the sign caption; "Fancy Nancy hussies this to bed". I think she grounded her kids for life. We ignored those Cops and Politicians we truly couldn't stand. It ****ed them off to no end.

I love exchanging these stories with you. They bring back a fondness for the innocence of a much different time and I can see your descriptions vividly in my 'minds-eye'. It's just pure joy and great fun to read; and I do enjoy immensely. More to come I hope. I'll keep that in my prayers to the 'Big Guy' too.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I printed out the stories you PM'ed and I will send you a critique (via PM) in the not so distant future. I havn't forgotten them. No 'Brain Card' here. Just need the time to do them the justice they deserve.

[itsrea]

Just sayin Hi there Rhet http://www.thisisreasplace.com/images/happy_dance.gif

[rhet 2]

Just sayin Hi there Rhet http://www.thisisreasplace.com/images/happy_dance.gif

Hey, sweetness! I really love your new smilies. Am praying about today's VA trip. :hug:

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

Snakes and Aligators and frogs; OH MY!

We had some water snakes too, (not venomous or poisonous). I used to get a kick out the guys swimming like madmen for the banks when snakes swam on the surface of our swimming hole. I would swim nearby just to see if I could keep up. (The water snakes actually form a v-formation right behind Momma or Poppa.) No such luck in keeping up.

We used to stun bullfrogs with slingshots and marbles at night perched on our home made rafts (I preferred the two-boarders, they were swifter than the four boarders) by spotting them with flashlights. We would then sell them to folks who enjoyed eating frogs legs. The use of puree marbles was an understood prohibition; they were prized by us in our marble (pot) games. (The 'pot' was a hole we dug in the ground). 'Cats-eye' marbles were the common variety. 'Purees', clear all through no matter the color, were hoarded by the better players in their collections.

That River was a major part of my life growing up. There was a group of us called the River-rats who were really tight and we would hang out there or on Hell's End right on the street in front of where my Kids grew up.

We used to hang a stuffed dummy on a telephone pole of one of the cops or politicians there on wreck-up night, the night before Halloween. One sign above a dummy read; "Our pal, Dirty Al". He was the Police Chief at the time. I think the Cops and the Politicians looked forward to this and were bereft if we didn't give them some (disdainful) recognition. This was the Sixties when 'protesting' was in the infancy of its art-form. We even hung my Father one year with the captioned sign; "Drop Dead Dirty Ed". It was mostly all in good fun though. The best though was the Police Matron; her Daughter and Son provided her very own bra for the occasion with the sign caption; "Fancy Nancy hussies this to bed". I think she grounded her kids for life. We ignored those Cops and Politicians we truly couldn't stand. It ****ed them off to no end.

I love exchanging these stories with you. They bring back a fondness for the innocence of a much different time and I can see your descriptions vividly in my 'minds-eye'. It's just pure joy and great fun to read; and I do enjoy immensely. More to come I hope. I'll keep that in my prayers to the 'Big Guy' too.

Be well Lady,

Jim

PS: I printed out the stories you PM'ed and I will send you a critique (via PM) in the not so distant future. I havn't forgotten them. No 'Brain Card' here. Just need the time to do them the justice they deserve.

Oh, yeah. Halloween -- the one holiday that best illustrates what happened to our world when Hippies began to rule the earth.

In the Middle Ages, the ancients had one day a year where lords and servants swapped places and the lords had to serve while the servants had to rule.

Might be good for our nation if one week out of every year, the rich had to find a poor family and trade places with them, so that each had to deal with the realities of the other life -- which is not anywhere near like either group imagines it to be.

Sort of what you boys were doing when you hung effigies on the Night Before the Great Candy Raids.

[jwil59]

How is cuddles feeling sis?

[itsrea]

Hey, sweetness! I really love your new smilies. Am praying about today's VA trip. :hug: thank you my friend.. :hug: I posted an update over on my thread...

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

Lest you thought and hoped we forgot; How goes the smoking cessation with You, the Bear and the Duck?

I know you've had way to much on your mind these past weeks; Hence, no nagging by me.

I just know that your deep Faith has gotten you through and the Good Lord will be sending some Blessings unlooked for. Least that is what I've prayed for to the 'Big Guy'. To paraphrase Jeff; All things in God's good time.

Even in my much lesser Faith than yours; it still leads me to believe that 'in God's good time' is indeed true.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

Lest you thought and hoped we forgot; How goes the smoking cessation with You, the Bear and the Duck?

I know you've had way to much on your mind these past weeks; Hence, no nagging by me.

I just know that your deep Faith has gotten you through and the Good Lord will be sending some Blessings unlooked for. Least that is what I've prayed for to the 'Big Guy'. To paraphrase Jeff; All things in God's good time.

Even in my much lesser Faith than yours; it still leads me to believe that 'in God's good time' is indeed true.

Be well Lady,

Jim

Still fighting it, the Bear and I -- But on Doc's advise, taking it VERY slow -- mostly trying to just resist temptation and not go over yesterday's amount.

Duck fell off the wagon and seems to have stopped trying, though. Which helps motivate me to succeed. :((

The stress is, indeed, horrible.

And now I've goofed big time: we lost one of our best teachers for the volunteer classes for the local Literacy group -- so I took on extra -- and it's really stressing my physical endurance. It's so vital that these folks get the language skills they need to start college and get better jobs -- they're bright and eager and hardworking people -- and the only reason so many didn't go straight on after public school is the LOUSY teaching they had, teachers who convinced them they were too stupid to learn English language competency, when the exact opposite is true.

But it's so very energy demanding -- and I'm terribly afraid that physically I'm not up to it anymore. Plus, there's all the other day-to-day stresses. By half way through last night's class, I was wiping out, losing it, so tired I was barely able to chain two thoughts together logically. So, I'm really dreading the third one, tomorrow night. It's absolutely VITAL that I give these folks my very level best. They so deserve more than a burnt out old Marshmallow not quite up to snuff anymore.

[USMCmom]

Still fighting it, the Bear and I -- But on Doc's advise, taking it VERY slow -- mostly trying to just resist temptation and not go over yesterday's amount.

Duck fell off the wagon and seems to have stopped trying, though. Which helps motivate me to succeed. :((

The stress is, indeed, horrible.

And now I've goofed big time: we lost one of our best teachers for the volunteer classes for the local Literacy group -- so I took on extra -- and it's really stressing my physical endurance. It's so vital that these folks get the language skills they need to start college and get better jobs -- they're bright and eager and hardworking people -- and the only reason so many didn't go straight on after public school is the LOUSY teaching they had, teachers who convinced them they were too stupid to learn English language competency, when the exact opposite is true.

But it's so very energy demanding -- and I'm terribly afraid that physically I'm not up to it anymore. Plus, there's all the other day-to-day stresses. By half way through last night's class, I was wiping out, losing it, so tired I was barely able to chain two thoughts together logically. So, I'm really dreading the third one, tomorrow night. It's absolutely VITAL that I give these folks my very level best. They so deserve more than a burnt out old Marshmallow not quite up to snuff anymore.

Don't you know how comforting marshmallows are? They are soft and sweet reminding us of our childhoods and all that was good! You are an amazing person and I suspect that everyone of your students feel extremely blessed to have you as a teacher! That being said I can also understand the desire to help...even at the risk of hurting ourselves. Maybe you and another volunteer could split the classes so you aren't having to take on so much or at least until you find another to help out!

Please take care my friend as you know we all worry...remember that you, Bear and Duck are all in our prayers!

Take care & God Bless:hug:

[rhet 2]

Don't you know how comforting marshmallows are? They are soft and sweet reminding us of our childhoods and all that was good! You are an amazing person and I suspect that everyone of your students feel extremely blessed to have you as a teacher! That being said I can also understand the desire to help...even at the risk of hurting ourselves. Maybe you and another volunteer could split the classes so you aren't having to take on so much or at least until you find another to help out!

Please take care my friend as you know we all worry...remember that you, Bear and Duck are all in our prayers!

Take care & God Bless:hug:

right now, there just isn't anyone else -- we're all overloaded as is -- if I had the money, I'd pay an assistant myself -- but it's just not there -- and donations went the way of the entire economy -- into the cesspool of not-happening

I'll just have to tough it out and know that, if the LORD wants them taught, He'll make it possible with or without my feeble help -- just pray for my students, would you? They're worth every ounce of energy and strength and BOOST up into the saddle somebody can and will give them.

[Seanachie]

My Dear, Dear, Rhet,

My prayers are with your Students that the Good Lord send some help their ways. My prayers are 'in' with the 'Big Guy' to send you some help in this ever so noble endeavour you've emabarked upon. It is indeed selfless to care enough to teach literacy in any language and that alone will empower these Students to be able to communicate in ways that our forefathers/mothers found just as difficult.

Now about your selfless self Lady; You must realize, as I do, that we all have limitations. This OO Forum has given me the 'gift' of strength to surpass some of those limitations. I work as hard as I can at doing just that. I also know the cold hard reality that these things are incremental, for me at least. Perhaps it is wise for me to suggest that you don't burn that proverbial candle from both ends. I do so here; ever so respectfully. No supernovas...Please?

Just know that you are in my prayers unending that the 'Big Guy' can relieve you of some of those burdens you have taken on even if they only come your way in the incremental smidgens of His doings.

Be well Lady and PLEASE; take darn good care of Thyself in all your endeavours.

My most sincere wishes and prayers,

Jim

PS: On that marshmallow topic: Even burnt and charred ones tend to be scrumptious once you get beyond the blackened chafe. Knowing how long to keep them near the fire without burning them clear through is a delicate procedure requiring great gentle care.

PSS: Perhaps an appeal to some Churchs' Clergy might be a source of some newfound volunteers who may find a calling. If only 1, incremental building must begin somewhere. My prayers are 'in' to the Good Lord that He send a calling out through his Clergy and Flock.

PSSS: Unfortunately, Volunteerism is as close to dead as you can be without actually being a dead planted goner in my neck of the woods. There are times when my 'righteous Hippo' emerges and the folks in my Community get told about it in no uncertain terms. And their 'hurt' feelings be damned! Sometimes 'hurting' someones wayyyyy to fragile 'feelings' has great impetus in getting them over that superfluous condition preety darn quick. If not....they suffer the wrath of that 'Angry Hippo rearing its ugly head'! I have no problem telling some of these lazy excuse laden 'fine' folk just where on the precipitous edge of a cliff; they have my encouragement and my permission to step off or leap. At least they will do something positive in that last step or leap. <<<DOWN HIPPO...>>I say>>>back to the sleepy waters of the river with ya!!! <<Not a moment to soon though!

[Seanachie]

Hello again Rhet,

An Irish Blessing for the rains;

May the blessing of the rain be on you—
the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit
so that all the little flowers may spring up,
and shed their sweetness on the air.
May the blessing of the great rains be on you,
may they beat upon your spirit
and wash it fair and clean,
and leave there many a shining pool
where the blue of heaven shines,
and sometimes a star.

Be well Lady,

Jim

[USMCmom]

right now, there just isn't anyone else -- we're all overloaded as is -- if I had the money, I'd pay an assistant myself -- but it's just not there -- and donations went the way of the entire economy -- into the cesspool of not-happening

I'll just have to tough it out and know that, if the LORD wants them taught, He'll make it possible with or without my feeble help -- just pray for my students, would you? They're worth every ounce of energy and strength and BOOST up into the saddle somebody can and will give them.

I am praying that you will find a replacement ASAP...until then please know that I will be praying for you and your students! :pray:

[rhet 2]

My Dear, Dear, Rhet,

My prayers are with your Students that the Good Lord send some help their ways. My prayers are 'in' with the 'Big Guy' to send you some help in this ever so noble endeavour you've emabarked upon. It is indeed selfless to care enough to teach literacy in any language and that alone will empower these Students to be able to communicate in ways that our forefathers/mothers found just as difficult.

Now about your selfless self Lady; You must realize, as I do, that we all have limitations. This OO Forum has given me the 'gift' of strength to surpass some of those limitations. I work as hard as I can at doing just that. I also know the cold hard reality that these things are incremental, for me at least. Perhaps it is wise for me to suggest that you don't burn that proverbial candle from both ends. I do so here; ever so respectfully. No supernovas...Please?

Just know that you are in my prayers unending that the 'Big Guy' can relieve you of some of those burdens you have taken on even if they only come your way in the incremental smidgens of His doings.

Be well Lady and PLEASE; take darn good care of Thyself in all your endeavours.

My most sincere wishes and prayers,

Jim

PS: On that marshmallow topic: Even burnt and charred ones tend to be scrumptious once you get beyond the blackened chafe. Knowing how long to keep them near the fire without burning them clear through is a delicate procedure requiring great gentle care.

PSS: Perhaps an appeal to some Churchs' Clergy might be a source of some newfound volunteers who may find a calling. If only 1, incremental building must begin somewhere. My prayers are 'in' to the Good Lord that He send a calling out through his Clergy and Flock.

PSSS: Unfortunately, Volunteerism is as close to dead as you can be without actually being a dead planted goner in my neck of the woods. There are times when my 'righteous Hippo' emerges and the folks in my Community get told about it in no uncertain terms. And their 'hurt' feelings be damned! Sometimes 'hurting' someones wayyyyy to fragile 'feelings' has great impetus in getting them over that superfluous condition preety darn quick. If not....they suffer the wrath of that 'Angry Hippo rearing its ugly head'! I have no problem telling some of these lazy excuse laden 'fine' folk just where on the precipitous edge of a cliff; they have my encouragement and my permission to step off or leap. At least they will do something positive in that last step or leap. <<<DOWN HIPPO...>>I say>>>back to the sleepy waters of the river with ya!!! <<Not a moment to soon though!

Ah, sweet words of wisdom -- and a blessing to match! That's as good as good gets in this old world.

Money is very very very tight now -- but the LORD has provided -- one day at a time.

Which is so very frustrating. There is soooooooooooo much that needs doing, from single moms raising kids their own fathers don't want to helpless folks being literally beaten and starved and murdered out of sheer selfish cruelty. If I only had access to a 10th of the wealth of the political weasels -- and that makes me VERY angry -- all the hypocritical SELFISHNESS that spews endless words and does NOTHING worth a damn!

But you are right -- no supernovas here -- because then I wouldn't be able to do even what little I can. And that's a fact.

Then, I think, how rotten, and ignorant, and blind I am, yet even so, if I get this angry at the injustice and brutal indifference -- how much more so much the LORD feel when He sees and KNOWS the waste of human souls, the hatred, the selfishness so much more clearly than I ever will.

And I want to weep. Just sit in the ashes of WHAT SHOULD BE -- like Job, sitting in the dump, covered in ashes -- and pull my hair out, weeping for the loss of human potential.

It is so terribly frustrating.

Adam and Eve sure made a horrid mess out of Eden, didn't they?

I wish the LORD would come soon to stop it once and for all. :((

[Seanachie]

Ah, sweet words of wisdom -- and a blessing to match! That's as good as good gets in this old world.

Money is very very very tight now -- but the LORD has provided -- one day at a time.

Which is so very frustrating. There is soooooooooooo much that needs doing, from single moms raising kids their own fathers don't want to helpless folks being literally beaten and starved and murdered out of sheer selfish cruelty. If I only had access to a 10th of the wealth of the political weasels -- and that makes me VERY angry -- all the hypocritical SELFISHNESS that spews endless words and does NOTHING worth a damn!

But you are right -- no supernovas here -- because then I wouldn't be able to do even what little I can. And that's a fact.

Then, I think, how rotten, and ignorant, and blind I am, yet even so, if I get this angry at the injustice and brutal indifference -- how much more so much the LORD feel when He sees and KNOWS the waste of human souls, the hatred, the selfishness so much more clearly than I ever will.

And I want to weep. Just sit in the ashes of WHAT SHOULD BE -- like Job, sitting in the dump, covered in ashes -- and pull my hair out, weeping for the loss of human potential.

It is so terribly frustrating.

Adam and Eve sure made a horrid mess out of Eden, didn't they?

I wish the LORD would come soon to stop it once and for all. :((

Perhaps this poem I wrote many years ago will bring you some solace when the World around you is so darn frustrating,

THE REDEEMER

I AM LOVE, I AM LIGHT, ILLUMINATOR OF ALL ESSENCE
I AM HARMONY, GRACE ME WITH YOUR PRESENCE
WE WILL SHOW THE WAY, BLAZE RADIANT PATHS OF SIGHT
I AM FAITH, HOPE, ELIMINATOR OF DARKEST NIGHT

I AM THE BEGINNING, I CARESS YOU WITH THE DAWN
I AM JUSTICE INVIOLATE, DIASPORA OF WRETCHED WRONG
WE WILL BRING THEM COURAGE, BRAVERY FOUND IN DREAMS
I AM SALVATION’S BEACON, SILENCER OF SCHEMES

I AM THE KINGDOM PROMISED, MARVEL AT THE SIGHT
I AM THE BLESSED REALM, I TEND ALL SOULS OF RIGHT
WE WILL LIFT THEIR HEARTS, FILL THEIR LIVES WITH MIRTH
I AM THE VESSEL OF VIRTUE, SACRED WATER OF THE EARTH

I AM THE SUPREME BEING, FROM ME ALL ENEMIES COWER
I AM THE BENEVOLENT BENEFACTOR, SHARE MY IMMORTAL POWER
I AM RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE CREATOR GIVES ME FAME
I AM THE REDEEMER, PERPETUAL UNDYING FLAME

I posted this and its direct opposite (Evil Personified) shortly after I joined the Hannity Forums. Poetry goes over here like a lead balloon. Oh well!
Perhaps you may enjoy it. Link to the original posting follows.

http://forums.hannity.com/showpost.php?p=41132881&postcount=1

Be well Lady,

Jim

[rhet 2]

Perhaps this poem I wrote many years ago will bring you some solace when the World around you is so darn frustrating,

THE REDEEMER

I AM LOVE, I AM LIGHT, ILLUMINATOR OF ALL ESSENCE
I AM HARMONY, GRACE ME WITH YOUR PRESENCE
WE WILL SHOW THE WAY, BLAZE RADIANT PATHS OF SIGHT
I AM FAITH, HOPE, ELIMINATOR OF DARKEST NIGHT

I AM THE BEGINNING, I CARESS YOU WITH THE DAWN
I AM JUSTICE INVIOLATE, DIASPORA OF WRETCHED WRONG
WE WILL BRING THEM COURAGE, BRAVERY FOUND IN DREAMS
I AM SALVATION’S BEACON, SILENCER OF SCHEMES

I AM THE KINGDOM PROMISED, MARVEL AT THE SIGHT
I AM THE BLESSED REALM, I TEND ALL SOULS OF RIGHT
WE WILL LIFT THEIR HEARTS, FILL THEIR LIVES WITH MIRTH
I AM THE VESSEL OF VIRTUE, SACRED WATER OF THE EARTH

I AM THE SUPREME BEING, FROM ME ALL ENEMIES COWER
I AM THE BENEVOLENT BENEFACTOR, SHARE MY IMMORTAL POWER
I AM RIGHTEOUSNESS, THE CREATOR GIVES ME FAME
I AM THE REDEEMER, PERPETUAL UNDYING FLAME

I posted this and its direct opposite (Evil Personified) shortly after I joined the Hannity Forums. Poetry goes over here like a lead balloon. Oh well!
Perhaps you may enjoy it. Link to the original posting follows.

http://forums.hannity.com/showpost.php?p=41132881&postcount=1

Be well Lady,

Jim

English profs adore poetry -- and this is a strong sample.

Milton would be envious -- until he repented his sin. :))

And, yes, it does bring some surcease.

I really "dig" that "Silencer of Schemes" -- very apropos for what I feel these days -- straight out of Proverbs, that phrase. Proverbs and the Psalms.

[Seanachie]

English profs adore poetry -- and this is a strong sample.

Milton would be envious -- until he repented his sin. :))

And, yes, it does bring some surcease.

I really "dig" that "Silencer of Schemes" -- very apropos for what I feel these days -- straight out of Proverbs, that phrase. Proverbs and the Psalms.


Hello Rhet,

I'm ever so happy this poetry brought you a respite. I began writing a book on Irish terrorism and spy stuff with an English and American connection. I was trying to define Good and Evil in a dialogue between a Catholic Bishop, and a member of the IRA (Irish Republican Army). Both men older than the hills and tied together for their lifetimes. These poems were part of the dialogue along with Haiku's written for code; only those two men would understand the meaning.

That Story, 'Resurrection Day'; I have a hard copy of. Lenny the Whiskerless Leprechaun and a Murder Mystery are trapped in that old 286 like that proverbial 'Genie in a bottle'. Someday I might get the impetus to rescue them. Seems I get bored at around 25,000 words. It's not writers block, I know just what the endings will probably be. Maybe I'll get to them before I 'kick off'.

I used the Haiku's on a few occasions and have since discovered its predecessor; the Tanka. They appear to me to be the purest form of poetry with the lines based on syllables. Tough to write coherently in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables. The Tanka is a wee bit easier. Japanese poetry is beautiful (as is most poetry) but that 'free poetry' is no more than rambling thought to me. I prefer meter and rhyme with the exception of the Haiku or Tanka.

Be well Lady; and a few poems of your very own...Please?

Jim

PS: 'Ressurection Day', the Title based on the Irish 'Easter Uprising', is written for an Irish/British audience. They have voracious appetites for politics, spy stuff and irreverence. All three are there in abundance. Toss in a French Diplomat along with a major character, French attitudes about Amore', and that might complete the cycle. I will probably re-write the irreverent parts to some extent given my re-discovery of my own Faith. Being a 'heretical' muse for profit methinks will really 'tick-off' the 'Big Guy.

[USMCmom]

Ah, sweet words of wisdom -- and a blessing to match! That's as good as good gets in this old world.

Money is very very very tight now -- but the LORD has provided -- one day at a time.

Which is so very frustrating. There is soooooooooooo much that needs doing, from single moms raising kids their own fathers don't want to helpless folks being literally beaten and starved and murdered out of sheer selfish cruelty. If I only had access to a 10th of the wealth of the political weasels -- and that makes me VERY angry -- all the hypocritical SELFISHNESS that spews endless words and does NOTHING worth a damn!

But you are right -- no supernovas here -- because then I wouldn't be able to do even what little I can. And that's a fact.

Then, I think, how rotten, and ignorant, and blind I am, yet even so, if I get this angry at the injustice and brutal indifference -- how much more so much the LORD feel when He sees and KNOWS the waste of human souls, the hatred, the selfishness so much more clearly than I ever will.

And I want to weep. Just sit in the ashes of WHAT SHOULD BE -- like Job, sitting in the dump, covered in ashes -- and pull my hair out, weeping for the loss of human potential.

It is so terribly frustrating.

Adam and Eve sure made a horrid mess out of Eden, didn't they?

I wish the LORD would come soon to stop it once and for all. :((

It is terribly frustrating...what makes it bareable is prayer, family and friends like you! :angel:

You...who weeps with frustration has the ability to dry our tears!
You...who weeps for loss has the ability to comfort us when we suffer one!
You...who weeps from despair has the ability to give us hope!

It is you my dear friend who has the ability to bring sanity to our world when insanity runs wild!
It is you we turn to when our hearts break and we need a shoulder to lean on!
It is you whose words give us so much comfort when we feel cold and lonely!

You are a gift from God my friend and when you sit in the dump covered with ashes weeping...we are there quietly waiting to offer all that you have offered us at one time or another! The Lord has gifted this world with so many amazing people...people like you Rhet and Seanachie and Jeff and Bella and Rea and Crystal and Blazer and so many others who are so giving and generous! So many who give without a second thought! So many who have faced hardships and still give of themselves!

Hope is eternal...it springs from good deeds, kind thoughts and people who love unconditionally. There is good and bad in all of us Rhet...but we have never lost hope! As long as we stick together and with our Savior guiding us...we never will.:pray:

God Bless dear friend....:hug::hug::hug:

[doodle5]

I love excellent literature, I have studied literature all of my life.
The literature approach and history approach to the Bible is a rewarding fete.

I had a mother that focused on poems and literature when I was a child.

Adventure it was written in 1942 Haunted airways. I may rebuy it lots of adventure in Russia.

LOVED THE FUNNY BOOKS AS A CHILD
I was inspired by the creativeness of excellent authors!!

Any poems? share.

Carlene

[rhet 2]

Hello Rhet,

I'm ever so happy this poetry brought you a respite. I began writing a book on Irish terrorism and spy stuff with an English and American connection. I was trying to define Good and Evil in a dialogue between a Catholic Bishop, and a member of the IRA (Irish Republican Army). Both men older than the hills and tied together for their lifetimes. These poems were part of the dialogue along with Haiku's written for code; only those two men would understand the meaning.

That Story, 'Resurrection Day'; I have a hard copy of. Lenny the Whiskerless Leprechaun and a Murder Mystery are trapped in that old 286 like that proverbial 'Genie in a bottle'. Someday I might get the impetus to rescue them. Seems I get bored at around 25,000 words. It's not writers block, I know just what the endings will probably be. Maybe I'll get to them before I 'kick off'.

I used the Haiku's on a few occasions and have since discovered its predecessor; the Tanka. They appear to me to be the purest form of poetry with the lines based on syllables. Tough to write coherently in three lines of 5-7-5 syllables. The Tanka is a wee bit easier. Japanese poetry is beautiful (as is most poetry) but that 'free poetry' is no more than rambling thought to me. I prefer meter and rhyme with the exception of the Haiku or Tanka.

Be well Lady; and a few poems of your very own...Please?

Jim

PS: 'Ressurection Day', the Title based on the Irish 'Easter Uprising', is written for an Irish/British audience. They have voracious appetites for politics, spy stuff and irreverence. All three are there in abundance. Toss in a French Diplomat along with a major character, French attitudes about Amore', and that might complete the cycle. I will probably re-write the irreverent parts to some extent given my re-discovery of my own Faith. Being a 'heretical' muse for profit methinks will really 'tick-off' the 'Big Guy.

Please finish the tale, friend.

I would dearly love to read it -- for I do NOT know how it ends.

I adore Swift and Pope and Disraeli. Tristam Shandy. All the English mystery novels and political satire. Read Ivanhoe as political satire instead of romantic nonsense -- and watch it grow teeth -- ditto Long John and his parrot.

The Big Guy is Jewish, remember? He objects to an honest profit earned by the Sweat of the Brow? Make the old gray cells earn their keep -- and give an old gray granny a last laugh or nine.

:hug:

[rhet 2]

It is terribly frustrating...what makes it bareable is prayer, family and friends like you! :angel:

You...who weeps with frustration has the ability to dry our tears!
You...who weeps for loss has the ability to comfort us when we suffer one!
You...who weeps from despair has the ability to give us hope!

It is you my dear friend who has the ability to bring sanity to our world when insanity runs wild!
It is you we turn to when our hearts break and we need a shoulder to lean on!
It is you whose words give us so much comfort when we feel cold and lonely!

You are a gift from God my friend and when you sit in the dump covered with ashes weeping...we are there quietly waiting to offer all that you have offered us at one time or another! The Lord has gifted this world with so many amazing people...people like you Rhet and Seanachie and Jeff and Bella and Rea and Crystal and Blazer and so many others who are so giving and generous! So many who give without a second thought! So many who have faced hardships and still give of themselves!

Hope is eternal...it springs from good deeds, kind thoughts and people who love unconditionally. There is good and bad in all of us Rhet...but we have never lost hope! As long as we stick together and with our Savior guiding us...we never will.:pray:

God Bless dear friend....:hug::hug::hug:

You, my dearest darling luv, are way too generous and far too kind.

But you do lift my soul.

[rhet 2]

I love excellent literature, I have studied literature all of my life.
The literature approach and history approach to the Bible is a rewarding fete.

I had a mother that focused on poems and literature when I was a child.

Adventure it was written in 1942 Haunted airways. I may rebuy it lots of adventure in Russia.

LOVED THE FUNNY BOOKS AS A CHILD
I was inspired by the creativeness of excellent authors!!

Any poems? share.

Carlene

A good childhood. I, too, was surrounded by books of every sort, including comics. I still miss Li'l Abner and Daisy Mae and General Bullmoose -- and Snoopy -- and Spider Man and Super Clark Kent the Fast Change Artist -- but my favs were the historical comics.

I'll send you some of my favs, if you like.

[USMCmom]

You, my dearest darling luv, are way too generous and far too kind.

But you do lift my soul.

Signed up for some gardening classes today...the classes are designed to teach how to garden like our parents did! So hopefully I might learn a few new tricks on how to keep the nasty little bugs from eating up all that I plan to grow!

My mom is going to loan me her old freezer as I have no room if I can anything...so my goal is to learn how to prepare and freeze as much as I can! Have you done much of that? I have done corn and some apple pie filling but that is about it...

Anyways, need to get busy and bake some cookies for the kids for an after school snack! They swear they are starving to death when they get home from school!

Take care and God Bless:hug:
(You lift my soul too my friend...:angel:)

[rhet 2]

Signed up for some gardening classes today...the classes are designed to teach how to garden like our parents did! So hopefully I might learn a few new tricks on how to keep the nasty little bugs from eating up all that I plan to grow!

My mom is going to loan me her old freezer as I have no room if I can anything...so my goal is to learn how to prepare and freeze as much as I can! Have you done much of that? I have done corn and some apple pie filling but that is about it...

Anyways, need to get busy and bake some cookies for the kids for an after school snack! They swear they are starving to death when they get home from school!

Take care and God Bless:hug:
(You lift my soul too my friend...:angel:)

When we still had the farm, when the kids were little, I froze or canned nearly everything we ate, including beef and chicken and pork -- just something I learned from my mother and grandmother.

Different veggies are handled differently -- and the Internet is absolutely chock full of good, sound instructions.

But the greatest gift my kids ever gave me is one of those vacuum sealing gizmos. One of the main problems with freezers is the air that gets packed along with the food. That air speeds up freezer burn -- when the food acquires the taste of nasty nasty frost -- total YUCK!

I used to seal all but the tiniest little hole, just big enough for a soda straw to fit through, and then suck as much of the air out with the straw as I could and rush fast to get the straw out and the bag finished sealing.

That made the freezer bags better than the old blue topped boxes I used to buy at Sears -- and, if you wash them carefully with a bit of bleach in the soapy water, they can be reused until they get a hole in them -- saves a LOT of money.

But I really love the gizmo that does the air sucking and sealing all in one step, especially since I can make the bag fit the size of whatever I'm putting in it.

And, to tell the truth, I'd rather freeze than can, because I'm always leary of the canning lid not having sealed itself. Botulism is just not a thing to play around with.

My Bear has built a lot of BIG boxes scattered around the backyard. I'm able to reach most of them without bending over too much -- and SITTING on the side of the veggie bed while tending to the plants is so much better given my physical limitations!

Plus, using the weed screening and mulch to prevent weeds and controlling the soil mix in those boxes has made gardening a real joy instead of the pain it used to be.

Then, to top the boxes, he's built me boxes out of chicken wire that I've covered with window screening fabric. The plants get the light and air they need -- and the insects can't get to them at all. No chemicals needed -- and no squashing of caterpillars, either.

It cost to set it up at first -- though he's used free wood he's scavenged from shipping containers, which reduced the cost by a LOT. But it's all reusable year after year if we're careful to not put holes in the things.

And, in our part of the country, I can very fast give each plant the precise amount of water it needs -- and fertilizer, at the same time -- which saves a HUGE amount over what it would cost paying the city for it.

So, this year, I started plants inside, pennies for seeds instead of dollars at the nursery. I just set out 48 broccoli, 36 cauliflower -- headed for the freezer in mid-May -- and 15 cabbages for homemade sauerkraut -- there are three different recipes I want to try (never made it before) -- and some cabbage rolls also for the freezer -- fast meals without all the work and not as expensive as fast food or store-bought frozen dinners. We're supposed to have cold icy weather moving in on us tomorrow, so I'll have to lay some clear plastic over the tops of their cages -- dry cleaning bags are good for that and so are grocery bags -- anything to keep the ice/frost off them, even though they're supposed to be cold hardy and frost resistant.

And I've got 20 tomato seedlings just germinating, swiss chard dying for time to transplant, several different herbs also well started. Three different cucumber types are germinated well and will get to climb the fence all summer. Sugar snap peas are in the ground now and should germinate by next week -- they love cool spring weather. Late next week, I'll pot up the seeds for squashes and melons and peppers for transplanting in mid-April. Some other veggies, like okra and green beans, don't transplant well and don't like the cold, so they'll have to wait for mid-April. But next week, we'll put in five hills of potatoes in tires he got for free from the shop where we get the cars serviced -- irish, red and sweet, all in the alley behind the backyard fence.

For a total expenditure of less than 20 bucks, we'll eat all we want fresh and be able to put up the rest for the winter and spring. Add to that the cost of the water, the veggie food I dissolve in water for them, the cost of freezer bags and the lids for the canning jars (and whatever new jars I'll have to buy), the cost of the nails for building the boxes and the cost of the wire and netting -- and the cost of eating for the entire year just dropped from $50 bucks a week or more to just a few dollars for milk and eggs and butter and meat I can't produce myself.

[TheFallGuy]

Those are some great ideas. We're trying to set up our garden, dug out some of the rose bushes and stumps from the trees we cut last fall when we moved in. Started seeds indoors (right now just our herbs which are off to a great start) and then global warming dropped two feet of snow onto the ground--it was clear ground before!!!

Our main expenses are going to be trees. We're going to put in a Montmorency cherry, pear (not sure which kind--I'd like Comice but you need two of 'em), peach (not sure on kind either), apricot, a sweet cherry, chokecherry (I placed an order with a group, but I was a day late getting it in, hopefully they'll place it anyway), two blueberry bushes (will need to put in whiskey barrels due to alkaline soil), a bunch of strawberry plants, some raspberry bushes, a grape vine, and a thornless blackberry. Sheesh, I'm tired after just typing that. :lol: The raspberries we can get for free, the rest we'll have to pay for.

We won't get much this year, but next year we'll have a lot of berries and stuff.

I may have to see if I can get one of those vacuum sealers for my wife. I got her a dehydrator for Christmas and she loves it. Dried fruit, dried herbs....

Once you get your garden going, it saves you tons of money in the long run. We had a couple extra green peppers my little brother brought over last year, so we froze them and used them well into December.

[rhet 2]

Those are some great ideas. We're trying to set up our garden, dug out some of the rose bushes and stumps from the trees we cut last fall when we moved in. Started seeds indoors (right now just our herbs which are off to a great start) and then global warming dropped two feet of snow onto the ground--it was clear ground before!!!

Our main expenses are going to be trees. We're going to put in a Montmorency cherry, pear (not sure which kind--I'd like Comice but you need two of 'em), peach (not sure on kind either), apricot, a sweet cherry, chokecherry (I placed an order with a group, but I was a day late getting it in, hopefully they'll place it anyway), two blueberry bushes (will need to put in whiskey barrels due to alkaline soil), a bunch of strawberry plants, some raspberry bushes, a grape vine, and a thornless blackberry. Sheesh, I'm tired after just typing that. :lol: The raspberries we can get for free, the rest we'll have to pay for.

We won't get much this year, but next year we'll have a lot of berries and stuff.

I may have to see if I can get one of those vacuum sealers for my wife. I got her a dehydrator for Christmas and she loves it. Dried fruit, dried herbs....

Once you get your garden going, it saves you tons of money in the long run. We had a couple extra green peppers my little brother brought over last year, so we froze them and used them well into December.


Ours is sandy alkaline, too.

But the Bear is Mr. Bargain Hunter personified.

He goes to all the nurseries and gets them to give him their damaged bags of soil improvers at cost or sometimes even for free -- saves them the cost of hauling off broken bags they can't sell and paying the landfill to dispose of them. Has done for years and years, so the only natural soil on the place is where the grass grows, since even the flower beds are walled with broken stone and raised above ground level.

We've got a giant sycamore on one side of the drive matched with a giant mountain ash on the other -- the sycamore leaves are fantastic for mulching beds over the winter -- I pulled the last carrots out from under them in mid-January and still have them piled a foot thick on the hydrangea bed and a couple of other places where very cold-tender plants grow.

The neighbor has a gigantic oak and we put in a little bitty one some years back -- oak leaves make tremendous mulch, too -- and they compost gloriously. In the fall, dig a trench a shovel deep and a shovel wide, put two inches of the oak leaves at the bottom and pile the dirt back on top -- just rough chop the dirt clods -- then all winter add some coffee grounds, tea leaves, egg shells, veggie pealings and pile a few more leaves on top. Water the whole thing once a month and be sure NEVER to step on that ground again, so it stays loose and pliable. In January, turn the ground again, one shovel wide, one shovel deep and add an inch of composted manure and a couple of inches of peat moss. Six weeks before last frost, water it, wait a day, turn it again and begin clod breakup -- I use an old wooden box with an old window screen scavenged from the city dump and just rub the dirt over the screen, which leaves all the clods and pebbles on top to throw away and leaves me the richest, crumbliest fine dirt in the box to mix with peat humus and refill the trench with.

And all of it is mounded above soil level behind retainer walls.

Last year was the first for the veggies -- all the raised bed and soil improvement before that had just been decorative landscaping. But, with money getting tighter, we simply extended the landscaping, planing veggies instead of more flowering plants to create a veggie garden that is decorative as well as functional.

I've got 7.5 and higher in the lawn area but 6 to 6.5 in the veggie and flower beds and even 5 in some spots where I grow acid lovers.

Peas and pole beans love a trench big time, if there's something for them to climb on, like the backyard fence :mrgreen: -- which makes a lovely wind screen and privacy screen combined. They fix a lot of nitrogen in the soil, too, which makes that trench a perfect place for tomatoes and squash and peppers either later when its too hot for the peas or next year when the heat loving beans get planted elsewhere.

And the best thing is, if you never put a foot on that ground again, you never have to shovel it again -- just rake in some composted cow and a little peat humus in the fall, pile those leaves on top, water once a month from Nov.-Jan (unless the LORD gives you some of that lovely snow), in Feb. and March, rake off the leaves, loosen the dirt about 4" down -- a simple garden fork does that beautifully FAST without the sweat. Plant seeds for cold tolerant yummies, and pile a couple of inches of the leaves back on top. When ground temp warms, the seeds germinate. When the first tips show above the leaves, the leaves go into the bottom of another trench being prepped for later planting. Though this year I've used transplants from seeds started inside. The screen goes on top, and sometime this day, because of possible freeze weather warnings, I'll go put plastic on the cages, using clothes pins and a piece of scrap wood to keep it in place.

And those leaves make FANTASTIC weed preventers, too. As soon as the plants are tall enough, use that fork to loosen just the top 1/2 inch or so of the soil and make sure the soil right at the base of the stem is a depression about 2 inches in diameter by 1/2 inch deep, then pile 3 to 4 inches of loose leaves around the stem. If you've left that little depression, once a week you pour 1 cup of water right at the base of the plant, instead of watering all the emply ground between the plants -- and once a month, you add a bit of Miracle Gro veggie food to the water. That stops weeds. No weeds, no backbreaking hot weather sweat time.

Last year, I got double the produce out of half the ground space I remember ever getting out of the farm garden -- and the only weeding I had to do was every once in a great while yank some single weed sprout out. Less than 8 hours a week actually labor -- and the only hard labor was the initial ground break out and prep. This spring, virtually no labor at all. All the veggies are either in those raised boxes or in beds no more than two feet wide, surrounded by a rail that keeps the dog and kids from walking on the dirt and lets me sit while using that garden fork to prep for planting or pruning or watering or harvesting the yummies. There's a broken stone pathway between all the beds and around the edge of the lawn/play/sitting areas -- that was HUGE labor to lay in, but WOW! once it's done.

The peach trees -- one ranger and one elberta-- and one plum tree are in raised stone beds 3 feet in diameter, a single layer of windsor stone (bought cheap because they're also broken at the corners and edges and otherwise unsalable for the nurseries -- but nicely rough and informal -- look like they've been there for ages). And the herbs and onions and garlic fill the dirt inside the ring, with some decorative flowers in the mix. No bare ground, no weeding.

The bistro table and chairs sit on broken stone patio between them -- actually, the stone isn't laid yet, it's just yucky grass, because finding enough chunks of old concrete sidewalks and driveways takes a lot of scavenging -- but its still a LOVELY place to sit and watch the yummies grow while sipping coffee. Shade, plus the lovely herb smell in the air, plus the birds playing around not far off.

This year, we hope to add one apricot to the cluster of stone circles and extend that broken stone pathway/patio lay-in.

Plus surround the big formal concrete patio just off the back door with boxes and trellised veggies to make it a screened area. Pole beans and cucumbers -- forget the ivy and decorative stuff except just at the edges. Even melons and winter squash and tomatoes can be trained to grow UP instead of out.

And we'll lay in a permanent grape arbor to create a three-sided screened in nook for the swing -- that's GOT to be in by September. But I'm afraid the blackberries will have to wait another year -- no money for the vines, which need to be planted YESTERDAY. sigh

Thing is, that garden has become my major number one stress dump site. When "stuff" starts getting to me, I head outside to watch stuff grow and listen to the birds while I pray and read my Bible and do a lot of "piddling" sitting on the edges of the beds.

[TheFallGuy]

:hug:

I hear you (I'd quote you too, but I'd only get a word in edgewise ;)). We've got a couple large maples and my neighbor has a large tree that extends into my power lines (have to call the city to get that trimmed). While I was out there working on the garden (when I could before global warming dropped two feet of snow), I noticed how dark and loamy the soil was. The owner prior to the previous owner had been a gardener and put in a bunch of trees (I want fruit trees), pines and a few others, and the next owner wasn't a gardener. They just covered the garden area with bark and let it be. Which actually was pretty good for us.

Will maple leaves be good as mulch?

We went out and got a couple of the spiral tomato poles. Two were 5 footers which we can put at the ends of a row, plant tomatoes on them, string a wire or string across the gap and grow some beans or something. Now that we have space we'll be able to really try out the square gardening method. Looking forward to that.

But then I get to put in a sprinkler system for that. Already have it for the rest of the yard, but the previous owners cut line 3 out and didn't cap it or anything. I found out while testing each line when I moved in. Propitious for me, cause now I can dig in a line for the garden and put the little drip irrigation system in that I want and have it run on a separate schedule from the rest of the yard--which was overwatered. Thank goodness I have most of the tubing and stuff from our patio gardens I set up while living in apartments.

What I have to do now is get the seeds started and wait for the last frost. I might have to wait until after mother's day to get everything in the ground (tomatoes esp.), but that gives me time to spread things out a bit. Now, to keep the cats from nibbling the sprouts and the plants before I can get them outside.

[rhet 2]

:hug:

I hear you (I'd quote you too, but I'd only get a word in edgewise ;)). We've got a couple large maples and my neighbor has a large tree that extends into my power lines (have to call the city to get that trimmed). While I was out there working on the garden (when I could before global warming dropped two feet of snow), I noticed how dark and loamy the soil was. The owner prior to the previous owner had been a gardener and put in a bunch of trees (I want fruit trees), pines and a few others, and the next owner wasn't a gardener. They just covered the garden area with bark and let it be. Which actually was pretty good for us.

Will maple leaves be good as mulch?

We went out and got a couple of the spiral tomato poles. Two were 5 footers which we can put at the ends of a row, plant tomatoes on them, string a wire or string across the gap and grow some beans or something. Now that we have space we'll be able to really try out the square gardening method. Looking forward to that.

But then I get to put in a sprinkler system for that. Already have it for the rest of the yard, but the previous owners cut line 3 out and didn't cap it or anything. I found out while testing each line when I moved in. Propitious for me, cause now I can dig in a line for the garden and put the little drip irrigation system in that I want and have it run on a separate schedule from the rest of the yard--which was overwatered. Thank goodness I have most of the tubing and stuff from our patio gardens I set up while living in apartments.

What I have to do now is get the seeds started and wait for the last frost. I might have to wait until after mother's day to get everything in the ground (tomatoes esp.), but that gives me time to spread things out a bit. Now, to keep the cats from nibbling the sprouts and the plants before I can get them outside.

Maple works good, too. Pine needles, also.

I've used the soaker hose laying on top of the mulch, but an ag prof friend says not to get the leaves of tomatoes and squash wet if you can help it -- attracts the bugs and encourages rust and powdery mildew.

Lucky you, indeed. If I were laying in a sprinkler system for the lawn, it would NOT get close enough to the flower and veggie beds to affect them. Great for lawns; lousy for everything else. And, with the square foot method, watering each plant with the old tin watering can is so NOT laborious, it's actually kind of fun -- and a good excuse to get outside where the telephone and the computer and the tv and quarreling yammer mouths are not allowed, period.

You've got a plan -- and nifty thing is, if it doesn't turn out exactly right this year, next year's great for improving "stuff."

[TheFallGuy]

Maple works good, too. Pine needles, also.

I've used the soaker hose laying on top of the mulch, but an ag prof friend says not to get the leaves of tomatoes and squash wet if you can help it -- attracts the bugs and encourages rust and powdery mildew.

Lucky you, indeed. If I were laying in a sprinkler system for the lawn, it would NOT get close enough to the flower and veggie beds to affect them. Great for lawns; lousy for everything else. And, with the square foot method, watering each plant with the old tin watering can is so NOT laborious, it's actually kind of fun -- and a good excuse to get outside where the telephone and the computer and the tv and quarreling yammer mouths are not allowed, period.

You've got a plan -- and nifty thing is, if it doesn't turn out exactly right this year, next year's great for improving "stuff."

We'll be plenty busy this year with so many things on our plates, I think it would be best if I put in the drip irrigation as a preventative measure (forgetting watering, etc.).

I've got to order those mints you talked about (ginger and chocolate). I found a site that sells them for a good price. Which reminds me, I need to call and order a lilac bush to put next to our front door to replace the nasty evergreen thing I tore out in the fall (we call them spider farms).

We're looking for some plants that are good against mosquitos. So far, we've found Basil is a good one (or so we read). Do you know of any winter hardy variety? We get tons of mosquitos, and my wife swells up like a balloon when bit.

[rhet 2]

We'll be plenty busy this year with so many things on our plates, I think it would be best if I put in the drip irrigation as a preventative measure (forgetting watering, etc.).

I've got to order those mints you talked about (ginger and chocolate). I found a site that sells them for a good price. Which reminds me, I need to call and order a lilac bush to put next to our front door to replace the nasty evergreen thing I tore out in the fall (we call them spider farms).

We're looking for some plants that are good against mosquitos. So far, we've found Basil is a good one (or so we read). Do you know of any winter hardy variety? We get tons of mosquitos, and my wife swells up like a balloon when bit.

They seem to avoid onions and garlic, too -- and so do aphids and several kinds of beetles.

Lemon verbena and lemon thyme are excellent, too, IMO. That plus some marigolds and citronella plants -- and making sure we keep tall grassy stuff and pools of water non-existent helps.

But, if the neighbors are growing happy mosquito stuff, you're going to get the overflow anyway.

[TheFallGuy]

They seem to avoid onions and garlic, too -- and so do aphids and several kinds of beetles.

Lemon verbena and lemon thyme are excellent, too, IMO. That plus some marigolds and citronella plants -- and making sure we keep tall grassy stuff and pools of water non-existent helps.

But, if the neighbors are growing happy mosquito stuff, you're going to get the overflow anyway.

We'll have garlic and onions as well as lemon thyme--love that stuff.

It's not the neighbors, though one of our neighbors has water features. :think: We live next to a lake with lots of marshy areas. We're going to get the overflow from that. We just want to minimize it and make our place a zone free of mosquitos.

[rhet 2]

We'll have garlic and onions as well as lemon thyme--love that stuff.

It's not the neighbors, though one of our neighbors has water features. :think: We live next to a lake with lots of marshy areas. We're going to get the overflow from that. We just want to minimize it and make our place a zone free of mosquitos.

Can you get the city or county to spray that marshy water? Because, otherwise, I'd be setting up some netted areas for sitting in.

[TheFallGuy]

Can you get the city or county to spray that marshy water? Because, otherwise, I'd be setting up some netted areas for sitting in.

They might and if they don't I don't blame them. With as much water as we have it really might not be cost effective. If need be we'll get some citronella plants too.

[itsrea]

We'll be plenty busy this year with so many things on our plates, I think it would be best if I put in the drip irrigation as a preventative measure (forgetting watering, etc.).

I've got to order those mints you talked about (ginger and chocolate). I found a site that sells them for a good price. Which reminds me, I need to call and order a lilac bush to put next to our front door to replace the nasty evergreen thing I tore out in the fall (we call them spider farms).

We're looking for some plants that are good against mosquitos. So far, we've found Basil is a good one (or so we read). Do you know of any winter hardy variety? We get tons of mosquitos, and my wife swells up like a balloon when bit.Can your wife take Vitamin B Complex (not the individual B's... has to be a good Complex)? If she can see if you can find the liquid.. if not the pills will have to do... the first three days she will be able to smell it then it goes away, cept the misquitos can smell it and may buzz her but won't land and won't bite.

I know 'cause my daughter was the way your wife is.. her pediatrician told me to put her on the B-Complex (and he said, "And I ddin't say the individuals, I said the COMPLEX) - I'm thinking they each had a bout a TBS a day, but can't remember for sure... in those days they had the liquids for toddlers so I got that and put everyone on it (that's when I found out I couldn't take it) and nobody but me got bitten from then on.

:)

[TheFallGuy]

Can your wife take Vitamin B Complex (not the individual B's... has to be a good Complex)? If she can see if you can find the liquid.. if not the pills will have to do... the first three days she will be able to smell it then it goes away, cept the misquitos can smell it and may buzz her but won't land and won't bite.

I know 'cause my daughter was the way your wife is.. her pediatrician told me to put her on the B-Complex (and he said, "And I ddin't say the individuals, I said the COMPLEX) - I'm thinking they each had a bout a TBS a day, but can't remember for sure... in those days they had the liquids for toddlers so I got that and put everyone on it (that's when I found out I couldn't take it) and nobody but me got bitten from then on.

:)

I don't know. I guess I may as well let the baby out of the bag.

My wife is pregnant again.

We'll have to talk to the doctors about that.

[jwil59]

I don't know. I guess I may as well let the baby out of the bag.

My wife is pregnant again.

We'll have to talk to the doctors about that.

Congrats my friend.

This deserves it's own thread so we can pray you guys all the way through the pregnancy and the kids college.

[jwil59]

You guys are making me a little hungry in this thread.

I pray Cuddles is feeling well

[itsrea]

I don't know. I guess I may as well let the baby out of the bag.

My wife is pregnant again.

We'll have to talk to the doctors about that.Congrats there you two!

She'll probably get the vitamins in her pre-natal vitamins... if they don't stop bites then ask her dr :)

[rhet 2]

They might and if they don't I don't blame them. With as much water as we have it really might not be cost effective. If need be we'll get some citronella plants too.

Oh, that's wonderful news about the baby! Congratulations, and God watch over all four of you!

But be very careful for your wife when and if they do spray for mosquitoes. Wind drift can be nasty.

[USMCmom]

I don't know. I guess I may as well let the baby out of the bag.

My wife is pregnant again.

We'll have to talk to the doctors about that.

Congrats on the new "little one!" Not only am I hungry, but I want a baby now too...:lol:

[TheFallGuy]

Congrats my friend.

This deserves it's own thread so we can pray you guys all the way through the pregnancy and the kids college.

I'm a modest braggart, so I can't. :mrgreen:

[TheFallGuy]

Thanks everyone!

Congrats my friend.
:D
Congrats there you two!

She'll probably get the vitamins in her pre-natal vitamins... if they don't stop bites then ask her dr :)
She takes the pre-nates all the time because she's Celiac. We'll see if those help.
Oh, that's wonderful news about the baby! Congratulations, and God watch over all four of you!

But be very careful for your wife when and if they do spray for mosquitoes. Wind drift can be nasty.
I hear you there. In Idaho when they sprayed, they'd go around town with one and the smell was horrible, but the mouse-sized mosquitos were taken care of.
Congrats on the new "little one!" Not only am I hungry, but I want a baby now too...:lol:
:hug:

We're at T minus 32 weeks and counting. I'm so excited. I want a little girl, but I also want another little boy. I'll be happy with either.

[Seanachie]

Hello Rhet,

I see you've gotten a wee bit of rain in your neck of the woods. I hope the Good Lord sends some more; all in good measure and gentle on your fields in Texas; and especially on your 'happy place' Garden.

Be well Lady,

Jim