int rs=12; //Command = LOW, Data = HIGH
int en=8;  //Pulse 

void setup() {
DDRD = 11111111; // Output = 1, Input = 0
DDRB = 00111111; // 

PORTD = 0x02;   //Initiate 4 bit mode
digitalWrite(rs,LOW);
digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
  PORTD = 0x02 <<4; 
  digitalWrite(rs,LOW);
  digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);

PORTD = 0x0f;   //LCD ON, cursor ON
digitalWrite(rs,LOW);
digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
  PORTD = 0x0f <<4;
  digitalWrite(rs,LOW);
  digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
}

void loop() {
PORTD = 'K'; 
digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
delay(1000);
  PORTD = 'K' <<4; 
  digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
  delay(1000);

PORTD = 'Y'; 
digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
delay(1000);
  PORTD = 'Y' <<4; 
  digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
  delay(1000);

PORTD = 'L'; 
digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
delay(1000);
  PORTD = 'L' <<4; 
  digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
  delay(1000);

PORTD = 'I'; 
digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
delay(1000);
  PORTD = 'I'<<4; 
  digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
  delay(1000);

PORTD = 'E'; 
digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
delay(1000);
  PORTD = 'E'<<4 ; 
  digitalWrite(rs,HIGH);
  digitalWrite(en,1);delay(10);digitalWrite(en,0);
  delay(1000);

while(1);
}

// troubleshooting notes: 
// tried relocating 4bit initialization code
// tried bit shifting every PORTD
// tried bit shifting every other PORTD (evens)
// tried bit shifting every other PORTD (odds)