WHERE IS PORTER????? PORTER WHO??????

for everyone

Years ago everyone around here knew old Porter. Porter became a celebrity in and around Winchester. People would travel near and far just to hear old Porter speak. Porter's home was huge by home standards. You didn't have to be invited to talk with Porter ; you just went inside where he lived and hunted him down to converse. Some times he was hard to find but if you followed the crowd you surely would find him holding a large audience. I never knew if Porter was a Democrat or a Repulican. He never talked politics. People around here liked that.
Time has a way of changing the order of things we are use to. Time changed Porter, no one knew just how old Porter was, he didn't show his age. It came time for Porter to leave his home of several years. The old home was beginning replaced with a new super one? Porter wouldn't be allowed to have the run of the super one like he had in the old one. Porter roamed free as a bird in the old home. Hint?? I know you are wandering who in the heck is Porter???
A new Super Wal-Mart was replacing the old one and Porter wasn't invite to go. This broke a lot of people's hearts that  had became attached to him. Heck,. I almost crIed.
Porter was a parrot that roamed the old Wal-Mart. He didn't get to move to the new store. We all wondered what ever happen to him. No one had an answer to his where abouts. People were heard asking what happen to Porter but no one had an answer.
Years later my wife and I were at a store that sell those concrete yard art items some 12 miles away. While looking at the wares we kept hearing strange voices and upon doing some investigating we found a parrot just talking up a storm. Hey, that sounds like Old Porter ...............AND IT WAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

AN ODD REQUEST?????

You never know what people are going to tell when they are together. Yesterday a very odd thing happened when one of my golfing buddies told us about his mother.
His mother had complained for years that something was wrong with one of her legs. Sure enough after years of pain the leg was finally amputated. His mother made the strangest request; When I die I don't want to be buried without my whole body. Her leg was frozen and at her death the leg was placed into her casket.

Machine Falls

Nature abounds all around us here in Franklin and Coffee County, Tennessee. Saturday we decided to go see one of the waterfalls only about 20 miles from our home. Being that close to us we have never seen this beautiful waterfalls.
Our son had seen it several weeks ago and advised us to make the trip. Is it hard to get to I asked?? Not too bad only the last couple of hundred feet is rugged. The falls is three quarters of a mile off the road through the woods and hillside landscape. A twisting path leads the way down to the falls. Yes, the last 200 feet was an adventure for both my wife and me. Natural stone steps with some 4 by 4 wood steps descended the last hundred feet to the valley below. We took our time and once we arrived at the bottom we could hear the cascading water falls. Only 100 yards to go but there was a clear stream to cross to reach the bank on the other side of the cool stream of water. My wife said this is as far as I'm going as she stood on the bank. Well I've come to far not to continue to see the fall we are so close. I'm finding a way across. Two huge tree trunks lay across the water which wasn't very deep. I made my way to the tree trunks stepping on rock that were above the water and made it to the other side and walked across the rocks above the water and as I turned the corner there it was; a beautiful sight to see. Machine Falls some 75 feet tall. A young couple were enjoying the water from the falls  and the girl was attired in a small red bikini bathing suit that made the sight that much more enjoyable. When I aimed my camera for photos and a video they hid behind the rocks.
After the photos I went back to where my wife was standing and told her you have to see the falls it's beautiful. I had a plan in my mind to place some large rocks for her to walk on to get to the fall tree trunks. With some help she made the trip across the stream and arrived to view the falls. She agreed that our trip was well worth the effort to see the falls.
Going down to the falls we only meet one man and his dog that was going back up. He replied as he sat on one of the many benches that the steps back up were a killer. He sure was right as we found out on the way back up. We could hear it thundering in the distance as a storm was on the way. Now several people were going down to the falls. A young couple with several kids, an older couple and their grandson. We even encountered a Mexican couple with three kids and two dogs. I joked to my wife that they must have crossed the border as they went on there way.
We finally arrived back at the entrance and made it back to our car as it started raining and the wind began blowing strong. Those people that were down at the falls must have got drowned as it sure came a flood.
It will take a day or two to recover but the trip was a blast. Yeah my calfs are sore???

JOHNNY ARRESTED FOR STEALING SPINNER HUBCAPS

How did we all live thought those teenage years? I guess we all did some dumb things that got us in trouble or we some how got away with our deed.
Old Johnny didn't get away with what he pulled off while we were in high school. Getting arrested for stealing spinner hubcaps was not what Johnny really got into deep trouble.
Johnny's mother had one of the coolest cars in our town. A 1957 Chevy Bel-Aire two door black and white hardtop. We all wonder why his mother had such a sharp car? Johnny wasn't allowed to drive the car very often, he did have his driver license. His mother was afraid that her Johnny would have a wreck with her new Chevy.
His Mom was out of town with a friend to do some shopping and didn't drive the Chevy. Johnny some how found the keys to the car she had hidden. After all he would take great care with her car while she was out of town and she would never know he was out joy riding that night. Things where going according to plan that night until a pretty girl Johnny liked was out driving in her car. The two were at the town's only diner where all the teens hung out to show off their cars and girls. Burgers, shakes and fries were served at Moon's Drive Inn. Pretty girls came to your car and took your order and brought them back when they were ready.
"Johnny do you want to go riding with me ?" OK, but I can't leave the car here, Moon would have it towed. Follow me up town and I will park Mom's car in front of the bank. No one will bother it there in the middle of town. After riding for a while Johnny is concerned that someone might steal those popular spinner hubcaps off his mom's car so they go back and Johnny takes them off the car to put then into the girls car. You guess it!!! The cops pass by and see Johnny taking the hubcaps off the car and turn around and catch him in the act. "OK, son come along with me you are under arrest ." Why asked Johnny, these are my Mom's hubcaps and I'm just taking them off so no one else will steal them. OK, son just get in the car we will check your story out. They try several times to phone his mother to confirm his story and receive no answer.
Later that night the cops finally contact his Mom when she returns home and finds her car and Johnny are both gone. Mrs Duncan this is the police we have a teen that claims to be your son; we caught him taking hubcaps off a 1957 Chevy parked in front of the bank. Yes, officer that's my car and he's my son. He's in Big trouble with me for taking my car!!! can you keep him over night and I will come to town in the morning to get him?? This might teach him a lesson???
Poor Johnny??? Things did turn out good for Johnny; he married the girl he went joy riding with later in life.

GOOD ADVICE.......?????????

ADVICE FROM A RETIRED HUSBAND

It is important for men to remember that, as women grow older, it becomes harder for them to maintain the same quality of housekeeping as when they were younger. When you notice this, try not to yell at them.  Some are oversensitive, and there's nothing worse than an oversensitive woman. 

My name is Floyd.  Let me relate how I handled the situation with my wife, Mary.  When I retired a few years ago, it became necessary for Mary to get a full-time job, along with her part-time job, both for extra income and for the health benefits that we needed. Shortly after she started working, I noticed she was beginning to show her age.  I usually get home from the golf club about the same time she gets home from work. 

Although she knows how hungry I am, she almost always says she has to rest for half an hour or so before she starts dinner.  I don't yell at her.  Instead, I tell her to take her time and just wake me when she gets dinner on the table.  I generally have lunch in the Men's Grill at the club, so eating out is not an option in the evening.  I'm ready for some home-cooked grub when I hit that door.  She used to do the dishes as soon as we finished eating.  But now it's not unusual for them to sit on the table for several hours after dinner. 

I do what I can by diplomatically reminding her several times each evening that they won't clean themselves.  I know she really appreciates this, as it does seem to motivate her to get them done before she goes to bed.  I’ve worked out a system for her to vacuum, dust, and mop along with some other minor chores on Saturday mornings. I like to sleep in on Saturday morning, so I set the alarm for her to get up at 7:00 a.m. That way, she can do the house work in the front part of the house without waking me up. She is so considerate. I try to help when I get up at noon. I get right up and out of the bedroom so she can get it cleaned. I like for her to get it done so as not to disturb my afternoon nap. I also carry the dirty clothes to the laundry room so she can get that done before prime time TV starts. I don’t golf on Saturday’s because I feel like I should spend some time with her on the weekend. I know she appreciates me because she says “you’re something else” when I tell her what shows were going to watch. I don’t want her to have to make any decisions. It makes me feel good to see her put her feet up and rest before she goes to the kitchen and fixes us some snacks.

Another symptom of aging is complaining, I think.   For example, she will say that it is difficult for her to find time to pay the monthly bills during her lunch hour.  But, Boys, we take 'em for better or worse, so I just smile and offer encouragement.  I tell her to stretch it out over two or even three days. That way, she won't have to rush so much.  I also remind her that missing lunch completely now and then wouldn't hurt her any (if you know what I mean).  I like to think tact is one of my strong points. 

When doing simple jobs, she seems to think she needs more rest periods.  She had to take a break when she was only half-finished mowing the yard.  I try not to make a scene. I'm a fair man.  I tell her to fix herself a nice, big, cold glass of freshly squeezed lemonade and just sit for a while.  And, as long as she is making one for herself, she may as well make one for me, too.  

I know that I probably look like a saint in the way I support Mary.  I'm not saying that showing this much patience & consideration is easy.  Many men will find it difficult.  Some will find it impossible!  Nobody knows better than I do how frustrating women get as they get older.  However, Guys, even if you just use a little more tact and less criticism of your aging wife because of this article, I will consider that writing it was well worthwhile. After all, we are put on this earth to help each other. 

 

His wife was acquitted of his death with a golf club.....

WATER AND WATER FALLS.............

We take for granted the beautiful nature our area has to offer. Living here all my life I still haven't seen all mother nature has to offer. I simply love water falls and we have several close by.
Sunday we set out to see some that are close by. A trip to Rutledge Falls was first on our agenda. One has to go across private property to the falls. Thanks goodness for the property owner allowing access to the falls across their property. Many cars and trucks were parked along side the road as we departed to the falls down the trodden pathway.  Falling water sounds fill the hot air as we near the sight.
Arriving at the falls we see many people at play in and around the falls. People on the falls with their heads in the cold falls water. Kids swimming at the foot of the falls in clear cool water. Two dogs retrieving sticks thrown by their owners into the water. Every where you looked people were enjoying the pleasures the water and falls provided. Several older people were observing what was going on some 60 or 70 feet below at the base of the falls. The climb down was too sleep for the older folks but I made my way down just fine. The climb back up wasn't as easy as going down.






To the right;   the smaller falls just above the main falls. Photos off the net. More waterfalls we saw on Sunday to follow in a day or two.

STORY BEHIND.."TAPS'

We all in the United States have heard the haunting song, "TAPS" It's the song that gives us a lump in our throats and a tear in our eyes when we hear it played at a military funeral.
Here is the story that gave birth to that song and the words.
It all began during the Civil War during 1862 when Union Captain Robert Elli and his men were near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land during the battle.
During the night, Captain Elli heard the moans of a soldier who lay wounded on the field. Not knowing if the soldier was Union or Confederate, the Captain decided to risk his life to bring the stricken soldier back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire he reached the soldier and pulled him back to his encampment.
The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. He was dead! His son had been studying music in the South when the war broke out and enlisted in the Confederate Army without telling his father.
The following morning the father asked permission for a full military funeral for his son. His request was partically granted. He asked for a group of his band members to play a dirge at his son's funeral but was turned down since his son was a Confederate. Out of respect for the father they did grant him one musician, he choose a Bugler. The haunting melody we know today as "TAPS" was born. The musical notes and words were found in the pocket of his dead son's uniform.
I've never knew there were words to "Taps"
 Day is gone.....Gone the sun.....From the lakes..... From the hills....From the sky.....All is well.... Safely rest....God is nigh
Finding light....Dims the sight.....And a star....Gems the night.....From a far....Drawing nigh.....Falls the night.
Thanks and Praise....For our days....Neath the sun....Neath the stars.... As we go..... This we know.... God is nigh.
REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR OUR COUNTRY AND OUR FREEDOM.