My little farmer told me that a "just picked" tomato is still slightly yellow where it was pulled off the vine.  Having grown up on "just picked" tomatoes from the back yard or the farm garden at my grandparents, I never had to know that fact but I'm glad I do now.  And the last thing he said to me was "See you next week!"

Phyllis, I loved the graphic today, too. 

And I found some things to take to heart in your inspirational story today, Joanie.

Enjoy your day, Everyfriend!

Hi Radioman-will tune in.

Angelface--Glad to hear your sinus problem is better.  Must be Farrah doesn't like company.

Shirley--The only way McDonalds serves eggs around here is scrambled, and I do NOT like scrambled eggs.  It's about time for me to try to nap, too.

Linedancer--It was nice you and your friend could go across the street for a cookout.  Wise of her to stay overnight since she had some alcohol.

Janie--Thanks for the info on the just picked tomatoes.  Glad some of what I posted today was meaningful to you.

Well,  good afternoon ...
From the cooler but slightly over cast
rocky coast of Maine.... 

I just couldn't resist.    With all this talk
about  poached eggs,   I made me two with
butter,  salt,  garlic  and nutritional yeast.   

Boy were there ever Good!  I shall do that
more often.   Lot's of goodness,  followed up
by Yogurt and a banana,  which also has 
lots of goodness.

All is well here.   
It is cloudy here and tomorrow we
are expecting some showers...   
Pretty typical Fall weather.   
Very comfortable! 

Have a good day,
Everyone! 
Sandy
     

Good afternoon on another hot Sunday............Went to church this morning and as always took a sweater with me. The A/C always seems to be on the back of my neck.

Had to come in and comment on the eggs.......My husband wants his "fractured" like Phyllis'. I flip it once then smoosh it so the yolk breaks and cooks firm. I like the yolk sightly soft. Amy - You are so right about restaurants.    If I ask for medium well done, it's runny. Shirley - You skipped Amy's step of throwing it at the ceiling!  We like shredded cheddar cheese on scrambled eggs.

Have any of you ever used egg cups? When my brother and I were young kids we used to help out two elderly unmarried sisters with chores (just because!). They would ask us to come in for breakfast and always had soft boiled eggs (in the shell) in porcelain egg cups. And always cooked prunes! 

Hope the day goes well for all of you.

Sandy--You really fancied up your poached eggs.

Beverly--I never had egg cups--guess I am deprived.

So Bev,  you were rewarded
with runny eggs and runny prunes.... 

(ha ha  hope that they had indoor toilets
back then.....   I know my relatives from
East Winthrop Maine only had out houses!!!)

"Those were the days!!
Sandy
 

Sandy - The eggs and prunes were good! As a kid I liked to like to soak up the yokes with toast. They had an indoor toilet but we didn't! 

We did but my grandparents on the farm didn't.  We also had outhouses at Girl Scout camp.  My grandmother's was a two-seater.  The ones at camp were 3 seaters except up by the lodge they had a dual....2 seater on two sides.  These days, I'd never make it!  Someone dropped a flashlight down the hole once and it burned for 2 days and 2 nights.

Bis, we had an excellent Minister at Church this morning. We usually do have various Ministers of various denominations. It is interesting to see the styles of preaching. We shook hands after the service. I told him he had given me renewed hope and trust. He replied, "You just made my day."

Came home and took a short nap, but woke in time to go down for lunch..baked ham, sweet potatoes, green beans, fresh cut up fruit and melon and boston cream pie. I also ordered a tall glass of tomato juice and coffee. I brought home half my lunch and all my dessert which I will have for supper, or tomorrow, depending on what I have a taste for. My life of leisure is very pleasing indeed. My day is free so I will do two or three walk arounds, read, nap, visit here, true freedom.

Gloria, explaining the "why" to a student that is corrected is certainly the mark of a great teacher. I can see why your daughters  pupils love her and will miss her greatly.

Amy, I like your style of egg ! I do add just a bit of water to the pan, it seems to keep the egg more tender. I could never eat a 'runny' egg…ick !!!!!

Patricia, I too am very cautious if I need a bathroom trip during the night. Feet shuffle, knees bent, hands on cart. Awake I make myself stand tall behind that cart, and try to remember to use heel to toe walking.

Gloria de, I am so glad you have a close friend nearby..an hours drive is near, but she is available if you should need her. We all need someone.

What is nutritional yeast and how does it come packaged? I love the taste of yeast. I used to buy a small cake of soft yeast to just nibble on like cheese. I just wonder if it is something my body needs. I also like beer and I think that is made with yeast. Sandy, I lived with "out-houses" till I was a Jr. in highschool. We rented one house that had a three hol,er . The third hole was made for a small child and had a built in step stool for the child to use to get seated.

I think we have covered it all today. From Church, to runny vs. hard eggs, to out houses. We are pretty broad minded here in our Soda Shoppe.

Sandy and Beverly.

Janie--You sure had some interesting experiences.

June--Glad you enjoyed your church service.  Your lunch sounds yummy.  We sure have covered a wide range of topics today.

I too had an outhouse that was a two holer and it was especially great when I was pregnant and had morning sickness.. lol oh the memories

Good stories here!   

We are so happy that our youngest son is going to be alright - he fell from a tall ladder earlier today and cut his knee but our concern was over hitting his head.  He was in-and-out for awhile so paramedics took him to the hospital for evaluation.  He is able to go home and will call us later.  Our children work together on handling these things and keeping us out of it until they have taken care of needful things.  We were told to stay put and that was not easy - but Don has a cold and could not enter the hospital anyway.  So - that is my good news.

My sis-in-law used to have me make my own eggs for breakfast at her home - I must have been a difficult visitor for her.   

In the foothills around the University, enterprising landowners built small cabins or A-frames  or groups of cabins and A-frames and will rent them out to students cheaply. They generally include a group two-holer outhouse and all will have some sort of propane heat or similar heater. Most will have a general lower layer and a sleeping loft.

A few years ago, a small group petitioned the borough council to get rid of the outhouses. This came up to a vote but was soundly defeated by both students, landlords, and their supporters.

We never had an outhouse at home, you generally didn't see them in town back then, but we had one two-holer with curtained windows and decorated walls close by our cabin up the Salcha river.

As to eggs, we generally had them sunny side up with sides of riced potato pancakes,  bacon, biscuits, and milk gravy. Both mom and dad were masters at omelet making. To this day I like to fill an omelet with vegetables or rice, or tomatoes, mushrooms or onions. We usually added just a bit of milk. I could probably make any of those dishes in my sleep, I've had them so often!

Dad worked in a canning plant just before WWII, primarily corn. After that, we always grew it ourselves or had frozen or fresh. I think he saw a few disgusting practices at that plant as he never purchased or ate canned goods after that experience!

Carol, I am so glad your son was not more seriously injured. Going to the hospital was the wise thing to do. Every time there is a blow to the head it must require a good check up.

I recall our chickens were allowed to roam the yard and garden. They ate the bugs where ever they found them and never roamed off our land. My brother raised some small chickens called Bantams, and they were his pets, but our egg layers were a normal size. I don't recall really liking eggs when I was young. My breakfast was usually corn flakes. I'm still not a heavy breakfast eater.

Only one thing to attend on my docket for tomorrow. A movie titled "Risen". Early afternoon, so I can be lazy all morning.

I went down to the Library and got three more books to read. I'm still busy on another one, but I like to keep a group on hand. And it was a nice stroll around the grounds at the same time. I will do one more walk today, either outside or in the hallways. Gotta' keep this blood flowing to the legs, and it's good for balance at the same time.

We've had a busy day today - Sunday school, church, visit by Tom H's niece, naps, going to Tom's brothers for supper.  We started at 8:45 am and just got home about 9 pm.  I'm ready for another nap, but I'll wait until going to bed. 

I wanted to tell you I pulled a June Drabek - I fell at the entrance to a restaurant last night.  We were leaving and I think I did not step on the doorsill firmly and down I went.  I could just imagine people outside watching this little old woman falling.  Fortunately, nothing happened other than a small scape on my elbow and two fingernails broke.  This morning I had no more aches and pains than  usual - no new ones, which surprised me.  I fell on my right side and I could have broken an arm or a hip.  I doubt I would have broken a leg because I didn't fall right.  Anyway, I was able to get up and I am none the worse for wear.  I am OK!

The visit by Tom's (Jim's granddaughter) was nice because she stayed for lunch.  At Bob's (Tom's brother) I saw two more of Jim's granddaughters.  One will be married in May 2017 and I heard I will be invited.  I had thought this would be my last trip down - and it may well be - but we will play it by ear.  Jim's grandkids are neat kids - 25 y/0 quads and the older sister, age 28. 

Mary Ann

Good Night Everyfriend.  May God bless us, every one!

Mary Ann, I am so grateful that you did not get seriously hurt or broken by your fall. We really do have to be alert all the time when we walk, and more especially when we are in unfamiliar territory. Do take extra care my dear friend.

Good night Janie, may you have a nice peaceful night. I am going to pass on the walk I planned to take this evening. I ate a good supper, and now my eyes want to close, so it will be an early to bed and book.

I wish you all well dear friends. Sleep peacefully, and raise happily in the morning. Hugs, Love and Prayers. June

A late evening HELLO.

Busy day.....early outing to watch grandson win his lacrosse game.  Got home just in time to watch the Broncos beat the Colts.  Mark and Megan were here and made some yummy snacks for us to enjoy.  All in all it was a wonderful Sunday. 

Oh my, I like exactly the opposite of a fractured egg!  Love poached eggs but have never been too successful at making them.  A friend just recently showed me how to make a fried egg that is as close to a poached egg as one could be.  Very simple.....start to fry egg, then add a bit of water for steam, add lid and way lay ho brown edges or fried top!  As you say, JOAN, what ever floats your boat!

No one commented why they had not posted Saturday night, so just assume the missing were busy and were all OK. 

CAROL, sorry to read that your son fell off a ladder today...so glad that he was not not hurt too much worse than he was and sure glad that he went to the er to be checked out.  Hope Don feels much better very soon. 

YES, JACKIE, when we are on duty in Austin I bet that puppy will be full of .... and vinegar!  He got to meet his human mama today.... Cathy was in Colorado and did not fly home until this afternoon....I saw a couple of pictures of her and Oliver and he looked like he was at ease and very happy.  Tomorrow Brian will take him to a vet to have him checked over to make sure he is healthy.  Good morning, when you join us.

LARRY, I know I can not have a dog at this time as we do not want to be tied down......however, watching this little cutie has made me sure wishing I had one. 

MARYANN, so good to see your post but sorry to read about your fall.  Sounds like you were very lucky to not hurt yourself.  Enjoy the rest of your visit.

It is late, so I must say goodnight and sleep tight. 

Jenny

Talking of eggs...whatever happened to eggcups?.....When I was a child my parents often soft boiled an egg, a runny yolk inside, place it in an eggcup, crack the top of the shell....I would then be given a slice of buttered bread cut into fingers, we called these " soldiers " we would then dip these " soldiers " into our cracked runny yolk...then spoon out the rest....

JENNY...
...never know whether to say a good morning or a goodnight to you?....time in UK is now 7.15am, been up over an hour, guess by now you are tucked up in sleepland....

My missing Saturday post..... Jenny, in my life, I rarely have anything interesting to say....

Good Monday morning, Everyfriend.  There's your choice of hot or cold cereal and a fruit to accompany your coffee or tea . I wish everyone a nice day!!




Seven Wonders of the World
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica
7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn't turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:

1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love."

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Just a gentle reminder - that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts -- learn to untie the ribbons."
         

The Boy and the Puppy
--Author Unknown

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

"Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.

"I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?"

"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle, "Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared; this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...."I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.

The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."

With that, the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."

The world is full of people who need someone who understands.


"I rejected the church for a time because I found so little grace there. I returned because I found grace nowhere else."

- Philip Yancey

Good Morning Everyfriend!  It rained all night and is supposed to continue until mid day.  It's the lovely kind that just comes down softly and soaks everything.  We were out in it twice.  I have a sick doggie.  She hates going out in the rain and she went willingly at 2:30 and again at 4:46 and then she also threw up.  Mickie had this last week and now Annie has it.  Ah the joys of being a pet parent!

I hope you all have a lovely day.

Good morning, Janie. It would be nice to get rain like you're having here.  We need it.  Sorry your sweet Annie is sick.  I hope she recovers quickly.

Good morning everyone.

I am off to help a friend this morning then home to do down a bucket of apples that friends brought over last night.Not much else on the agenda today.

Carol, hope your son is feeling no ill effects from the fall.

Mary Ann, glad you didn't hurt yourself in your fall!! My friend was telling me that she fell in the house but luckily landed on about 20 quilts.

Jane, I hope your furbaby is  better this morning.

Joan, thank you for breakfast

JANE S....
...arghh yes, the joys of being a fur friend owner....I have been there, done that, and it will soon be happening again....

JOAN...
...thank you, I will take the cold cereal with fruit....
...........................................................
Well not every day I decide to take a shower, but this morning when I was in the shower, our six weekly window cleaner was doing our windows, what bad timing.... No wonder the dogs were barking, cant a woman get a peaceful shower anymore....thank heavens I already had the blind pulled down outside the cubicle...just as R was calling...." the window cleaner is here, have you got the blinds and curtains drawn?..."

This is the window I open after my shower to let the steam out, someone would have been in for a real shock...

Good morning, Joan and all the early morning friends.

Joan, I will pass on the cereal this morning, but will help myself to a big bowl of fruit.  I am not a big cereal person.  In the winter, or when my stomach isn't feeling too good, I do like some of the flavored cream of wheat.

I have heard the story about the little crippled boy wanting the little puppy that has a hard time walking, just like he does.  Always brings a good feeling.

I am up early to be able to take one of my meds, but I think I will head back to bed for a little nap. Even tho, it is still dark  out, according to the weather gal, it is supposed to be a kind of rainy day.  We are still having temperatures near 80, which makes it kind of humid. 

Hope all the friends will have a good Monday.

Joy

Good morning, Amy.  How nice of you to help a friend.  Will you be making applesauce?  If so, would you put some in the "hidey hole"?

Vanilla-Jackie--Good morning.  Lucky you had already drawn the blind while you were showering when "R" told you the window washers were there.

Good morning, Joy.  I don't eat cereal either, because I can't have milk.  Enjoy your nap.

Good Morning Everyone!

Well Janie, wish we were getting some of your rain.  Seems like all of ours is just spotty and rains hard and then stops.  Not griping, will take what we are given and pleased to have that.

Carol, happy no broken bones or serious injuries.  I no longer attempted to climb a ladder.

Nothing much on tap here.  Wife has an appointment for her knee and another shot, last one I think.  They do help her.

Joanie, hope your day is going well.

Jackie, well did he get the windows washed?  You couldn't afford a washer over here.  They charge an arm and leg to wash windows.  About one hundred dollars for a normal size house.  They both inside and outside.  But not mine, I can afford it.

HALKEL....
...this one man window cleaner comes on site, does a lot of our parkhomes but....he is the only window cleaner I know ( and my father was one for years since he came out of the army ) who leaves the windows wet, doesn't leather dry them off....I spoke to him six weeks after his first attempt, as R had already paid him the first time, before I got to check over his work...On our outside windows, and our parkhomes have many windows, we have a leaded diamond pattern on the outside of our glass, and I know through experience myself when I used to have to clean the inside of leaded windows of a Jewish lady's home, a job I was paid to do for her, these leaded strips make a lot of black mess, not easy to clean around...Anyway, window cleaner tried to fob me off with this is the modern day of window cleaning and with a " I bet your father used a bucket and leather in his day..." well yes he did, but he done a fine job...and he worked on large buildings, and stately homes, up and down ladders ...Seems these modern day window cleaners have these high tec power hoses that stretch around our homes, a quick scrub or brush over, a quick hose down, and that will be £11 thank you mam..... It is all down to speed, and how many he can get done in a certain time, I suspect....

Halkel, it is only the outsides what they do, the insides are down to us...

Going back to yesterday's posts about eggs, I love poached eggs and I have a small saucepan to fix it in.  I put it on buttered toast then smash the yolk so the bread can absorb some of it.

As for my fall, of course there was no one around such as June had, but I could tell all was well.  I fell very slowly and gently.  Someone did try to help me up, but I was not in a good position and when I could get on my knees, then I could be helped up.  The restaurant had someone there to call for an ambulance if needed.  I think I have some additional aches and/or pains this morning, but I have enough otherwise so I really am not sure if they're new or not. 

Anyway, we will be going to Milroy IN today for lunch.  Milroy is one of those towns that if you blink while going through, you will miss it.

Mary Ann

Hi everyone.  It is another nice morning here in South Carolina.  As I write this morning they are unloading the sheet rock for the inside of the house so the walls will soon begin to take on shapes and the outside siding is being installed.  They are coming right along with the house across the street and I have the perfect view from my office window. 

Today will be fairly business.  The morning chores are done but still need to attend to the washing this morning and afternoon.  I will attend my noon Monday meeting and then may make a quick stop at COSTCO for an item or two.  Then Pat has her Monday appointment with the chiropractor at 4 pm and that 6:30 this evening we have the first men's meeting at church for the fall.  We always have a nice steak dinner and if any steaks are left over they will sell them for $5 or $6 dollars so will try to get one to bring home for Pat.

I am beginning to see some indications that Pat is improving, although it seems very slowly.  Her eyes are much, much better now that she is putting lubricant rather than gel in her eyes are night.  She also tapes them shut and wears a sleep mask to protect them during the night.  She did a little walking yesterday in the house without the aid of her walker or cane.   

Gloria, we are very close to the local television stations with two of the network stations being owned by one company (the CBS and NBC channels).  I am sure a local antenna would work fine here and my son has decided to do away with his Dish TV when his contract is up.  I am planning on keeping Dish for the foreseeable future.  Of course, there are many channels we never watch, including all the pay per view channels.  I agree with you on the talk and reality shows. 

Amy, I would prefer my egg staying on the ceiling and then I wouldn't have to eat it!    Obviously I am not an egg lover although don't mind scrambled eggs.  I am becoming quite proficient in fixing scrambled eggs for Pat about every other morning.  I fix them with real butter, bacon crumbles, cut up yellow or green pepper, cut up green onions and two types of cheese.  This is served with a bowl of5 or 6 very large strawberries and she doesn't go hungry.  I have something else for my breakfast.

deAngel, sure hope you were able to get rested up yesterday.

Don, I did listen to a good part of your fine program yesterday.  Keep up the good work as you have many fans.

Patricia, glad your sinuses are better.  That can be such a miserable feeling. 

Sandy, having grown up on a farm with  a small hand pump in the kitchen, I am well acquainted with an outhouse.  We didn't have indoor plumbing nor did I have a room of my own until I was 19 years old.  Those hot summer days and cold winter days and nights at the outhouse were memorable if not pleasant.  I agree "those were the days" and I wouldn't want to revert to them.

June, what a nice Sunday meal you had. 

Jenny, your football team had success and the two teams I follow, the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons also had wins yesterday.  On Saturday all the college teams I am following also won so it was a good weekend football wise.

Hal, glad to see that your wife is benefiting from the shots in her knee.  Pat has had those in her back and also in her knee.

Jackie, we are fortunate in that our housekeeper does our windows.  Pat did pay her extra when she had finished as she would do one room during each visit so it took awhile.