Wednesday

Well the difference in temps here and at the cabin is quite a contrast; snowing and below freezing and hot and sunny with the lower 80's. I'm really enjoying this change as my legs are getting some tan once again. I spent all late morning and afternoon until nearly 4 PM outside in a t-shirt and shorts and breaking out in a sweat at times. As much as I love the mountains this weather here in flat Florida is especially nice this time of the year as I'm an outdoor person.

The morning started with my internal alarm clock wakening me a little after 6. I needed to get ready and be on the court by 7:30 as some early players like to get into some really fast play before the mix of players show around 8. We had 2 show before 7:30 and then 2 more gradually came in and we did get in some great play. Seems since I've been gone this summer the enthusiasm has been lacking for the early play; but now that has changed. We've added a couple players from the intermediate group into our advanced play and they are proving to be steady and consistent players. We had 2 courts going for over 2 1/2 hours and the wet shirts were evident to the group. This kind of exercise is addicting.

The morning started with a hot cup of tea while I did my quiet time and posted this ramble before riding out to the rec on my bike for some pickle ball. Nancy would later head out for the treadmill when I returned around 10:15. Sam was at the house when I pedaled back from the rec so he and I worked out in the garden where he helped me plant some seedlings I purchased yesterday at the Depot.

 I'm growing some Brussel sprouts  for a change as both Nancy and I love them steamed then slathered with Dijon mustard. We then planted some onion seedlings that will make large sweet onion bulbs. Last year I finally figured out the secret to growing large sweet onions and that was the depth you plant them; the root end just needs to be barely covered by the soil and as they mature your scrape the dirt away from the onions bulb that actually grows and expands on top of the soil. Nancy returned and Sam was showing off his "inventions" which were sticks he found in the yard that were all kinds of tools. His imagination and vocabulary is amazing for a 3 year old.

Amy came back from her checkup and we had a nice lunch and then I headed back out to the garden where I spaded up another section for the tomato seedlings I started in the mountains. They took off with a growth spurt when the warm air heated up the soil in their pots. Nancy and I headed for the front yard after Amy and Sam left where we clipped and edged the hedges and vines. I got the soil ready for setting out 36 Salvia flower plants and we transformed the front yard area in a couple hours. It was just a gorgeous day for working outside. I even got up on the roof with the leaf blower and cleaned the roof of sticks, leaves and acorns as well as the gutters.

We got ready around 5 and headed over to GG's for leftover roast beef supper which was as tasty as the day it was prepared. After the cleanup we headed out around 7 for the Depot once again to purchase Cypress mulch for the flower beds in the front yard. Wow what a busy day we had and it was so relaxing after a hot shower as we settled into Fox News and then Nancy with her dance shows for kids. I headed in to read and watch a little of a little of the frozen north life styles before it was lights out for me around 11, LATER
...Just an update from yesterday's post the Bucs actually came from behind to win the their first game of the season..also Joe(Helen's brother) was operated on early in the morning for gall bladder surgery. The operation was a success as far as we have heard.