Recently I needed a couple of bolts to attach my license plates and as I stay away from the big box stores as often as possible I went to my local hardware store.When asked what size bolts I needed I gave a very  knowledgeable answer of “idunnknowsomethingtohold a plate”The gentleman went out to my car then brought out a TRAY full of bolts and tried several until he found the right one, got a screw driver and washers and attached the plate for me, in fact he attached both plates, front and rear. This all took about 10 minutes at the total cost of $1.37. I now do not have 40 useless bolts falling all over my tool keep box.

Also I shopped, they have all the stuff one needs, cleaning supplies,yard and garden stuff,I noticed that their gas tanks for grills were $4.00 cheaper than the box store. All items were comparable in price or a minimal few cents higher but worth the not standing in line forever and parking in front of the store and not walking across a parking lot the air port would be proud of. Next time you need a few things check out your local hardware store, not only are they convenient but they actually want to help you and know what they are talking about.

So far since July 4th we have had maybe three days without rain and quite a few days when I have been taken back to my mid west days when a lot of the summer was spent in the basement because of tornados. The problem is that I no longer have a basement and we are having tornados, most not touching down but one very sever one that raised holy hell. So the plan is to find a hidey hole within the confines of my house, not easy and my back yard is woods full of 100 foot pine trees, not likely to miss the house if they come down.The cat will have to find its own hole. Who knows we may end up in Kansas after all.

One week ago today I said my final good bye to my best friend, my brother Frank.

The out pouring of friends were over whelmning, we all should be so lucky to have that many friends that care.

It has been a diffucult week, I keep waiting for him to call to see “whats happening” or tell me some bit of gossip.

Each day gets a little better and in time  the hole in my heart will heal but he will always be there.

I’m sure he is with the rest of the family and raising all kinds of devilment. What fun they will be having.

The pain  for you is gone now Frank, that makes us happy.

Breathe easy my friend, you earned it.

 It’s been long overdue for a little ‘Spring Cleaning’ here at the old Front Porch. Since Ma has been a little busy doing whatever Ma’s do best, I felt a bit of intervention was needed. As the days, weeks or months roll on, there will be an all new and improved Photo Gallery as well as some slick interactive plug-ins that should make it real easy for us KalaKids to snoop keep an eye on our dear mother. Stay tuned and stay in touch!

Well it’s here again with  all the lights and the music, (over & over) and everyone trying to find the perfect gift for all adults. It was so much more fun with little ones, they were soooooo happy with the boxes things came in. After seeing some old home movies I can easily see why my kids are rotten, if they wanted it they had it, I think I forgot the word spoiled, (maybe).

Anyway there is no doubt it will be white this year we have so much snow and no place to put it. It has snowed all day today.

We will be celebrating early as Miss S will be in NC for Christmas and home for only a couple of days so Sunday is our day.

Actual Christmas day I will cook something small for Uncle Wendell, Uncle Frank, Rebby and myself.

My love and wishes for all the best things go out to all of you and remember “Hold hands and stay close together.”

Love you all , Merry Christmas. Ma

A rare June day in New England is a day that is above freezing, not raining and the fog is thin enough to see a few feet in front of you.

I recently had one of those days.

While sitting on the deck with a cup of fresh ,hot coffee and the day off I listened to the bird population in the woods next to me and then realized I was smelling the fragrance of the lilacs, wild roses, a hint of honeysuckles,  pine and the truly awesome smell of the ocean.

How can one leave a place that gives all that and more.

Of course the winter months are easy to leave behind but spring at the beach,           I don’t know.

I recently had the pleasure of traveling to one of my favorite states, North Carolina, to attend the college graduation of a grand-son. The school is in the mountains of NC so the weather was eratic with rain, fog and sometimes sun but was over shadowed by the excitement in the air. The town is small and full of restaurants, sandwich shops, bars, clothing stores and just about anything else that could squeeze into 3 blocks. The streets were full day and night and if one looked closely you would see that these were good-by walks. These young adults came to this town 4 years ago, scared kids not knowing anyone or anything now it is home and they have to leave, bitter sweet, for many back to their real home for others off to a new town and new job or off to another school. Most of the adults seemed to have an air of relief, it’s over they have done their job.

There was a great sense of pride in both student and parents for a job well done

Now to that grand-son, you need to get a job, I don’t care if it is making post cards in a window-less room in Siberia.

Thank all of you for a great week-end of fun, great food and meeting new friends. Some I couldn’t see too well thru the fog but I’l remember the voice.

On January 15th Fred was taken to the hospital. At 12;30 am we lost him briefly.After several hours of stableization he was in ICU, with failed kidneys, lungs toasted and lost to common sence. He was in there 10 days when a family meeting was called by the Dr’s to make some decisions. He had no directive to go by so it was up to us to determine his fate. The tubes had to come out in 4 days and we had to make a decision. The decision made we were told to make final arrangements. We were all there 4 days later when the tube was taken out and he took a breath on his own and continued to breathe. Another 10 days in Icu a few days on the floor and he went home for 2 days when he was rushed back in, blood infection. Massive doses of meds and he seems to be recovering, looks better anyway, of course the kidneys are gone as is most of his lung power. He lost his bladder to cancer last summer so he dosen’t have a lot left to work with.

Anyway thats been the last six weeks, go to work, to hospital to bed and start over so if I have offended anyone by not sending valentine’s or birthday greetings or ground hog best wishes I am sorry, it just didn’t seem important at the time.

 If you don’t believe in the hand of God and the ministrations of his angels  please start.

Miss Lynn seems to be on the road to recovery, and Miss Rebby will be next in April to realign some old injuries.

At a recent gorge and gripe luncheon with some of the Red Hatters we went thru the usual who had the flu, the kids, the grandkids, husbands recently retired and now think they can run the house (right) , then got down to what we all do best, shopping and where the deal of the week was etc.

Target came up and instantly became the target. 12 of the 18 people there refuse to shop at the target stores. Seems Target refuses to fly the American flag and their employees cannot wear a flag pin on their clothing.

Does any one know who the parent company is and their origin? Tey are certainly not adverse to taking in lots and lots of American dollars.

If this is fact true why would you spend your hard earned dollars there?

Unfortunately that leaves Walmart the only game in town but at least you know where they are coming from.

There definately is something wrong with my life. Thanks to modern technology I know what every one is up to..

It seems that Mr.H is watching blue birds and collecting recipes (OMG 2 Times) seems only last week it was roller hockey and baseball. I can see the future of Mr. H asking for apron patterns.

Then we have Mr. & Mrs. Q out in the field playing with tennis balls covered in doggie spit and contemplating what the dog dreams about.

What did I do that set them on these paths. It had to be serious.

Me on the other hand have been consoling a friend that is possibly losing her grandchildren, she has had for three years, and now the daughter wants to see if she can be a mother for awhile. Another friend that thinks her hubby is fooling around on her and a girl at work that thinks the world hates her. ( she may have something in that).

Think I’ll collect recipes and play ball with a critter, smelling like dog is like garlic, keeps people at a distance.