Southern Porch Extension

[ready2go]

Me? I'm just doing my best to stay out of trouble by keeping a low profile and not making much noise.

Don

[forHIM]

Don, we need your noise on the porch and you never cause problems. You are a light that shines on us and when you are not around the porch is a little dim. So, don't stay in hiding . . . it's a lonely place. . . come out, come out from where ever you are!!!!

[ready2go]

From Don's weird humor file:

"Say, where's Don these days?"

"Oh, you didn't get the memo? I think I heard that he croaked a while ago."

"Hmmm, so that's it. Oh, well..."

Suddenly a weak voice is heard from somewhere.

"Wait!!! I'm not dead yet!!"

[forHIM]

From Don's weird humor file:

"Say, where's Don these days?"

"Oh, you didn't get the memo? I think I heard that he croaked a while ago."

"Hmmm, so that's it. Oh, well..."

Suddenly a weak voice is heard from somewhere.

"Wait!!! I'm not dead yet!!"

Praise the Lord . . . So glad to hear you haven't croaked and can still impart on us your wisdom. Have you written any new articles? How is Carol doing? How are you doing now that we know you are still with us?

Keeping you and Carol in my prayers.

Love and hugs

Debby

[BeachGrandma]

I just read this on Christian News Service:



Chuck Colson showing signs toward recovery
Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson remains in critical condition following surgery on the surface of his brain but has made "slow" yet "encouraging" progress toward recovery, according to a statement from his ministry, reports Baptist Press.

Colson has been hospitalized since Friday, March 30, when his speech became slurred during a conference. Doctors performed surgery the next morning, removing a pool of clotted blood from the surface of his brain.

Over the Easter weekend, Colson "hit some important milestones," the April 10 statement said.

"He was awake for several hours on Holy Saturday, and he was taken off the ventilator. He was also able to speak for brief periods," the statement said. "Showing his characteristic grace, he said, 'Thank you very much,' to a nurse, even though she had to perform an uncomfortable procedure, and he also gave an affectionate greeting to Patty, his wife of more than four decades."

His improvements are proceeding at a "slow pace" but his medical team says his vital sights are "excellent."

Prison Fellowship CEO Jim Liske asked for continued prayer for Colson and his family, saying that "in situations like this, bad things happen fast and good things happen slowly," and encouraged them to remain diligent in prayer over the weeks to come.

It was the first time in 34 years that Colson did not spend Easter in prison, telling inmates about Christ.

Author Eric Metaxas is filling in for Colson and voicing the Breakpoint radio commentaries.

[BeachGrandma]

Thomas Kinkade, 'Painter of Light,' Has Died Suddenly at 54

Sarah Pulliam Bailey | posted 4/06/2012 09:59PM
Christianity Today Magazine

The "Painter of Light" Thomas Kinkade has died Friday in his California home, according to the San Jose Mercury News. He was 54. A statement from the family said that his death appeared to be from natural causes, the newspaper reports.

The Christian artist became well known for his paintings of idyllic cottages, creating at least 1,000 paintings of landscapes, churches, gardens, lighthouses, and seascapes. His paintings often featured streams, bridges, and light radiating from a cottage. His website had described him as the most-collected living American artist.

In 2010, Kinkade was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving after one of his firms filed for bankruptcy. The FBI was investigating whether he fraudulently induced investors and ruined them financially, the Los Angeles Times reported in 2006. Before Kinkade's group went private, the company made $32 million per quarter from 4,500 dealers, according to the Mercury News.

Kinkade studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and the Art Center of College of Design, though he dropped out of the schools. His art sold well but received much criticism in the art community. He was named artist of the year by the National Association of Limited Edition Dealers in 1995, and chosen as designated graphic artist of the year for three years. In 1999, he was voted into U.S. Art magazine's hall of fame.

Kinkade is survived by his wife and four children. Many of his works include a Bible reference, a fish (ichthus), his signature, and the letter N in honor of his wife, Nanette. "Paintings are the tools that can inspire the heart to greater faith," Kinkade has said. "My paintings are messengers of God's love. Nature is simply the language which I speak."

Christianity Today articles on the artist include "Gallery of Accusations," "Darkness Looms for 'Painter of Light,'" and "The Kinkade Crusade."

[ready2go]

From Don's weird humor file:

"Say, where's Don these days?"

"Oh, you didn't get the memo? I think I heard that he croaked a while ago."

"Hmmm, so that's it. Oh, well..."

Suddenly a weak voice is heard from somewhere.

"Wait!!! I'm not dead yet!!"

Praise the Lord . . . So glad to hear you haven't croaked and can still impart on us your wisdom. Have you written any new articles? How is Carol doing? How are you doing now that we know you are still with us?

Keeping you and Carol in my prayers.

Love and hugs

Debby

No, I haven't croaked quite yet. The last time I checked, I was still able to sit up and take nourishment...so that is good, I guess.

Still in recovery mode from our Easter guests and dinner. Our son and our son's wife were here Sunday afternoon. Our daughter from Iowa stayed here two nights. Carol and I were very stressed out from them being here. That shouldn't be the case, but it was. It took two days for Carol to recover from the abnormal activity. At one point she almost collapsed and fell, but I was right behind her to catch her in time.

Carol continues to grow more unstable and unsure when walking around. It's very disappointing for her to be unable to do anything. She only ventures out of her bedroom about once a week. Seeing her in that condition every day is almost more than I can bear.

We found out that our daughter (44 years old) will need a hip replacement surgery sometime in the near future, but she will delay it as long as possible. It's likely the other hip will one day need replacement, too...both caused by a inherited defect (our kids were both adopted). The pain and limited mobility over the past couple of years are major reasons why she stopped work after almost 20 years as a police officer and firefighter.

A few weeks ago I mentioned here that I had completed 5-6 new articles since the 1st of January. Well, now there are eight. I have not made any of them public on FW or anywhere else because I doubted whether they would be of any interest to anyone. I filed them away, but I do read them occasionally. I might put them on FW one of these days.

Most people don't know me very well. I try to hide it, but I frequently go through periods of sadness, disappointment, and discouragement...often lasting for days or more. I tend to be very emotional, too. During those times I just want to be left alone to think and work through it, and do what I must do here at home for my bride. Sometimes I will even try to use humor postings on the porch as a mask to cover up those feelings. So, when you see something "funny" emerging from my keyboard, you will know I am probably having a bad day or two. I don't say much, but most days I am so tired and hurt in places that shouldn't hurt. Just getting old, I guess.

Don

[forHIM]

Don, I so understand the stress of having family come to visit. It doesn't matter if it is for an hour or for a week . . . I am tired before they get here just knowing the work it will take to prepare for their arrival . . . the amount of time and work it takes while their here . . . and the work after they leave. I think it is more on the physical side that makes it hard . . . but as I get older there is the emotional side of it that has to work too. I love seeing them and being with them . . . but I also love the peace and quiet after they leave!

Don, please post your articles I want to read them. I really love the ones about Jesus coming soon. They bring a smile to my face and send prayers to my heart for the unsaved.

I understand the depression . . . I too fall into the days when I just want to be left alone too. I don't think for me it is depression in the normal sense . . . but more of the serious side of me coming out that whats to take a long hard look at things and on those days I don't have a whole lot to say. Once, I work things out and the Lord show me His truths I come back out and have something to say.

I am not one of those who like to chit-chat. So unless I have something of interest to say to other's I just stay on the sidelines and watch other's say and do what they say and do. I could go days without talking to anyone and be ok with it!

Praying for you Don and Carol . . . may the Lord give you both the strength that you need . . . one day, one hour, one second at a time . . .

[Joanney]

From Don's weird humor file:

"Say, where's Don these days?"

"Oh, you didn't get the memo? I think I heard that he croaked a while ago."

"Hmmm, so that's it. Oh, well..."

Suddenly a weak voice is heard from somewhere.

"Wait!!! I'm not dead yet!!"

"I'm feeling better!" (couldn't resist the Monty Python reference)

[Laurie]

Don, I know that having company is hard on both you and Carol. I also realize that watching Carol go through this day after day is very hard on you. As her caregiver, you never get a break. So it's understandable you would get down and discouraged some days. Caregiving is hard both physically and emotionally. It takes a toll on a person.

Who will take care of your daughter after her surgery? I hope she has made some good connections where she lives now. I have been thinking myself that when I am finally making a real income again that I need to set aside some money to hire help when I need it. Certainly there will be times in the future that I will need help, and as a single person, I will not have family to provide it.

Again, I slept well last night, but I went back to bed this morning and slept for over an hour.

I usually have my spring cleaning done by now. But there hasn't been time nor energy to do it. It's good that I did some fall cleaning or I would probably be having headaches by now. Even so, I need to do deep cleaning before the headaches start. My hand has been hurting so much, though, that I don't feel I dare. Sure, I can break down my cleaning, but that also means stirring up allergens multiple times, and that's no good, either. What would it be like to have help at home? For so much of my life it's been a struggle to work and to take care of myself, and I likely have many years ahead of me yet. I just don't know...

[Carole L]

Don, I so understand the stress of having family come to visit. It doesn't matter if it is for an hour or for a week . . . I am tired before they get here just knowing the work it will take to prepare for their arrival . . . the amount of time and work it takes while their here . . . and the work after they leave. I think it is more on the physical side that makes it hard . . . but as I get older there is the emotional side of it that has to work too. I love seeing them and being with them . . . but I also love the peace and quiet after they leave!

Don, please post your articles I want to read them. I really love the ones about Jesus coming soon. They bring a smile to my face and send prayers to my heart for the unsaved.

I understand the depression . . . I too fall into the days when I just want to be left alone too. I don't think for me it is depression in the normal sense . . . but more of the serious side of me coming out that whats to take a long hard look at things and on those days I don't have a whole lot to say. Once, I work things out and the Lord show me His truths I come back out and have something to say.

I am not one of those who like to chit-chat. So unless I have something of interest to say to other's I just stay on the sidelines and watch other's say and do what they say and do. I could go days without talking to anyone and be ok with it!

Praying for you Don and Carol . . . may the Lord give you both the strength that you need . . . one day, one hour, one second at a time . . .

Deb, I feel the same way. I have so little energy, and lots of painful days. I so want to spend some time with my family, but it kills me to prepare.

I have a new pain, or, I guess it's a new old pain. About 4 years ago, when I started having severe pains shooting down my arm I was seeing a back doctor and mentioned what was happening. He did some ex-rays and MRI's and determined that the last time I had fallen I had also cracked some vertebra in my neck and now had bone spurs. He didn't want to remove them, felt we could treat them with a couple cortisone shots to heal the inflammation, then therapy to control the problem. Well, that was all well and good while I had insurance, and could see him whenever I needed to.

The shot and therapy did help, and it hasn't bothered me since, until now.

Then, about three weeks ago, I started getting a few twinges. should have remembered what it was going to lead to and do the exercises I did with the therapist. But I didn't.

The bone spur irritates the nerves in my neck, giving me referred pain. Ever hit your funny bone? Why do they call the pain you get from banging your elbow funny? Well, this feels like somebody is constantly banging on my elbow. The pain just doubles me over and leaves me in tears. Haven't found any OTC meds that will even touch it. I'm trying to force myself to do the exercises, but that hurts so bad I can't do very many. Mostly, I'm good unless I forget and look to the left. Then all H---- breaks loose. I have seen a little improvement with my attempting to do the exercises, as the pain doesn't last as long. But today has been a BAAAAD day.

I also prefer just lurking, unless I have something to contribute. I really enjoy checking in, but don't always feel I the need to comment.

[Joanney]

Carole, sorry to hear about the pain in your neck. When you get insurance again, try a good chiropractor along with the traditional health care of the cortisone shots and PT. When I started going to the chiropractor last October, I could not look over my left shoulder at all. I could turn my head to the left almost to my shoulder, but not even with it. Within a month, I could look over my shoulder without any pain -- and that wasn't even what caused me to go to the chiropractor.

I know that not everyone believes in using a chiropractor and I am not one that suggests doing away with all other doctors in favor of the chiropractor,but I do know that it has helped me in a lot of areas where I was in pain.

[Carole L]

Dick posted this 30 minutes on FB re Joe


Dit dot dit dot dit dot - Joe update - As of this AM the nurse said that his numbers are the best they have ever been since he returned to the Clinic. They are going to start him on breathing exercises with a c-pap because he has been on a breathing tube so long. They are also going to start physical therapy to regain his muscles since he has been bedridden so long. Joe is still on the dialysis 24/7. Things are looking up but one step at a time. Please continue the prayers for he is still not totally out of the woods as of yet.

[Verna]

So glad to catch up with porch news--the good, the bad, the need for prayer, the inspiring. Truly, there are so many expressions of how God helps us when we need it most, one could not help but find some encouragement. Carol, you're one of the chief encouragers, along with Mariane and Debby. I appreciate you all.

Debby, I always enjoy it when you linger on the porch. I'm glad you can enter challenges again. This week's topic will require some deep thought.

Don, I would not have known from your humor that you ever suffer from depression, but it would be very discouraging, indeed, to be full time caretaker for your sweetheart. Keep writing...and keep posting.

Mariane, I see your heart for your precious boys. You are blessed by their love and vice versa.

Glad for your good news about family, Carole.

Laurie, I do feel like God has given you strength beyond your own in these difficult days with all kinds of emotional hurdles--praying He continues.

I had a wonderful day with my husband and my sister at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens (pictures on FB for those of you who go there.) It was close to freezing last night and in the 60's today--just perfect for "tiptoeing through the tulips."

[ready2go]

From Don's weird humor file:

"Say, where's Don these days?"

"Oh, you didn't get the memo? I think I heard that he croaked a while ago."

"Hmmm, so that's it. Oh, well..."

Suddenly a weak voice is heard from somewhere.

"Wait!!! I'm not dead yet!!"

"I'm feeling better!" (couldn't resist the Monty Python reference)

Joanney, do you suppose that you and I are the only ones from the porch who have seen Monty Python movies? All of those movies were simply crazy. Although many years have passed by, I still remember some of the classic scenes.

Don