Wednesday

Well Tuesday was a busy day from the start once again. I rolled out around 6'ish did my usual routine before heading out at 7:30 for the rec on my bike. It was nearly 70 degrees already by then and it reached the low 90's by day's end; but the humidity was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

After 2 plus hours of pickle ball with good players I was ready for a break. My shirt was soaked and dripping by the time I headed out at 10. After a brief stop at the library for a couple non -fiction reads I pedaled home to work outside. The shade was still on a portion of the front side yard which I have been trying to get St.Augustine grass established. Well I needed to dig up by hand the weeds and another form of grass that had that part of the yard looking rather forlorn, so I headed out to that area with the hoe, shovel and rake in the wheelbarrow. Well it took me a couple hours to dig the area, pull out all of the weeds and nasty grass and then I loaded 6 loads of dirt to be spread on other parts of the yard and garden. That kept me busy right up to lunch time and by then the sunshine had appeared in there as well. It was time to head for the shaded back yard.

Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch and GG brought her famous meatloaf for sandwiches on pumpernickel, with tomato and onion and pickle. Yeow was that ever tasty and I had a cold Yuengling to wash it down. After lunch I headed into the reading room with Eliza Faye and we had a grand time as she likes to listen to music and be sung to. That lasted about a half hour then she was ready to nurse; Sam was on the ipad and he really gets excited when he reaches a new level on some of the games. That boy is a talker.

 I started a new read on the Son of Sam or the .44 Killer that occurred back in the 70's in the New York City areas. The information on his victims and how he provoked the police and finally his capture is quite interesting during the investigation. After Amy left to pick up Ava I read until it was time to start supper. Nancy had a pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove all afternoon and the smell permeated the house. She had used some of my garden onions and basil in the sauce as well. Amy, GG and the kiddo's were all coming to eat supper with us as Tyler had a business dinner with his boss in Tampa. Nancy had made one of my all time favorite butterscotch puddings but only a few liked it when compared to brownies; but that meant more for me. I get that about once every35 years but I've always loved the flavor of butterscotch for some reason. No one else except GG really liked it, Oh well!

After the cleanup I headed out to plant St. Augustine grass sprigs in the newly dug up corner of the yard. That kept me busy until nearly dark and I was once more drenched in sweat from the heat and humidity. After giving everything a good drink with the hose I headed for the showers and then tuned into the Ray's getting beat by Boston. They have lost 4 out of their last 5 games and it seems as if they are finished for the season, as they can not hold a lead and their pitching is awful, oh well, LATER

Tuesday

Well Monday turned out to be another typical Florida day with temps near the 90 mark and high humidity. The strong breeze kept it bearable at times but there wasn't a whole lot of work being done outside after the noon hour. It was later in the evening I managed to get some yard and garden work done and then to scrap and paint the front porch floor.

The morning started around a 6'ish or a little before roll out for the day. After my usual morning routines of cup of tea, a few quiet moments, posting of this ramble, a lite breakfast and then a ride on my bike to the rec for some 2 hours of pickle ball. We had 8 good players and the play was a constant battle for wins all morning. The wet shirts were in abundance as well. Afterwards one of the ping pong players needed a fourth so I played 2 games before their fourth showed up. I was completely whipped by the time I rode out for home.

Amy, GG and the kiddo's were coming for lunch so I made a guacamole from 3 avocados while waiting for them to arrive. Amy had dropped Sam off while she and GG went shopping and Nancy was at the rec for her workout. Sam is crazy about raw veggies and he loves to graze in my garden. This time he is eating raw Brussel sprouts like candy and tells me he doesn't like them cooked. He also munches on fresh kale he can pick as well as basil and thyme. He pitches a fit when they are put on his plate after being cooked. We messed around outside with me hand watering then we headed in. He loves to play Nancy's ipad so that kept him busy for an hour or so then he was hungry for lunch. He was just plain hungry today and he ate a PBJ sandwich along with snacks plus the raw veggies. He is starting a growth spurt.

After lunch we watched Eliza and Sam while they ran errands and little Eliza pitched her first real hissy fit. I finally laid her on the bed and let her listen and play with a music box which calmed her immediately. She is teething as well and will not take a pacifier. After getting her calmed down she had a blow out so maybe her tummy was bothering her as well. Cutting teeth was always a tough time for our kids as I remember. They headed out around 2:30 to pick up Ava from school so Nancy and I read the rest of the afternoon until supper. I'm just about finished with an awesome read and one that will lead you to believe our leaders in this administration is less than competent and I truly wonder if they have the back of our military men and women who are on the front line. This book titled HONOR AND BETRAYAL by Patrick Robinson  is about the Navy Seals who captured the "butcher of Fallujah" and was later prosecuted by the military for what was supposedly abuse to the butcher. What a shameful ordeal they suffered in the courts all to appease the enemy. This is a must read.

Well after a supper of grilled salmon and a salad and after the cleanup I headed outside. It had cooled down somewhat so I scrapped and then painted the front porch floor, yeow was that ever painful on the knees and back with the sweat dripping off my forehead and mosquitoes buzzing your head. Nancy hand watered the front yard for me and then I dug some more weeds before calling it a day. I headed for the shower then tuned in to watch my Ray's play lousy baseball once again. I then watched the Fox News channel and tried to keep up with the weather channel and all of the tornado's in the mid-west. Wow was there ever a number of these twisters all over that area. It was lights out at 10:30 for me, LATER .... These photos were from Friday night's birthday supper and get together for Ava at Amy and Tyler's.

Monday

Well Sunday was a busy day for the most part that started with a 6'ish roll out. Today was worship day at the gathering in Tampa at Element Church and then off to the nursing home in Seminole to push wheel chairs to another worship service for the shut-ins.

We headed out around 9'ish with neighbor Dan who drove this week as we try to car pool as much as possible. Carol was unable to go as she has to be with her mother who is nearly a shut-in as well and requires constant companionship due to her age and frail health. We had a good crowd in attendance and once again a very large group of children. Our own Melody who is the church council leader spoke from the heart about core values and our mission for us as owners of Element. She is an awesome speaker and presented a terrific message. The praise music was awesome as well led by Benjamin. We missed seeing our grand babies as Gabe had a slight fever during the night. We noticed he seemed a little under the weather while they were here on Friday night for Ava's birthday party.

We headed home after the service and the interstates were jammed once again with traffic. Usually after Easter many of the northerners head home but we saw our share in the traffic backup. After a lite lunch of salad we headed out to the nursing home where we saw a good crowd of wheelchairs in the service. Our own Dan brought the message and he did a great job with the humanity of Jesus after the resurrection while on the road to Emmaus.  After the service we headed over to GG's to return her car as we have had to use with all of her and our appointments coinciding with one another. We stayed and visited with her and found she has just about finished with the Grisham book I gave her titled SYCAMORE ROW. It is really a great read and the ending is Wow.

We just chilled the rest of the evening as I tuned into the Ray's defeat once again by the White Sox's against our best pitcher. We had 4 errors in one inning alone by the infield that gave up 5 runs alone, Yikes what is with these guys??? We ate some left overs from Ava's birthday supper and they were delicious and then we settled into reading and watching a little of buying the Bayou on HGTV while I hand watered the grass and garden until nearly dark, LATER

Sunday

Well Saturday was a busy day that started with a sleep in until after 7:30. Bobby and Gabe spent the night so I was unable to get into the computer room until much later in the morning; thus I posted this ramble sometime later in the late afternoon. Annsley spent the night with Ava and we learned they had a wonderful time staying up until nearly 1 in the morning playing the wii, so they slept in as well. Amy and Tyler came around 11 and dropped Annsley off as she had to be back in Riverview around noon for a prior appointment. Bobby, Annsley and Gabe headed out not long afterwards. We had a good time and Bobby prepared a sumptuous breakfast of eggs, spinach, cheese, tomato's and herbs on a flour tortilla.

After they left we decided to head over to Redington Shores for some beach time and it truly was a nice day with an on shore breeze that kept it quite comfortable. Ava and Sam had a great time as we built sand castles, looked for shells and then did some swimming. I got in a nice workout and the water was chilly to start but once you got in, it was very nice. We did about an hour and half and that was enough as everyone was starting to get hungry. We came back to our house and had sandwiches for lunch around 1:30. After they left we made a few phone calls and I tried to stay awake as I posted a ramble. I eventually laid down and took a short nap. The sun and water just tires you out and of course trying to keep up with the grand kids is a chore as well.

We read the rest of the afternoon until it was nearly 7 pm before deciding we needed to eat something so we doctored up a frozen pizza with fresh mushrooms, onions and basil from the garden and that was all it took to satisfy our hunger. After the clean up I headed out to hand water the grass sprigs and then the gardens before calling it a day. We tuned into the Ray's game in Chicago and it was down right cold there with temps in the 30's. They did manage to win this game after losing last night in the bottom of the 9th after being ahead. The hot shower didn't take long to bring the sandman around and it was lights out for me after the game, LATER     

Saturday

I'm a little late in making this post for Friday as we had Bobby and Gabe spend the night as Annsley had a sleep over at Ava's for her 7th birthday. I'm finally getting around to what took place on Friday as it was a really busy day that started at 6 in the morning.

After my usual cup of green tea, a few quiet moments, the posting of this ramble and then a lite breakfast I headed out on my bike to the rec for some 2 plus hours of some very competitive pickle ball. My shirt was dripping wet when I headed for home at 10. I decided since I was already wet with sweat I would do a little yard and garden work. I hand watered for an hour or so then sowed some beets and kale seeds in anticipation they will be big enough to transplant in about 5 weeks or so at the cabin. I also moved some onions seedling into individual 9 packs so they will be ready for planting there as well. It seems my sweet onions I planted in November never matured for some reason but they are making great scallions as I write.

Nancy took off after lunch to drive her mother GG to the eye doctor in Clearwater and then brought her back home with her as we were heading to Amy's around 5. Bobby came by around 4 with Annsley and Gabe. We were celebrating Ava's 7th birthday with a supper and then a sleep over with girls at Amy's. Bobby and Gabe were spending the night with us. Amy made taco's of beef and pork along with black beans and rice and then we had cake and ice cream for dessert after Ava opened her presents. She got a new version of a wii game and every one had a fun time with the various games. It was after 9 before we headed out for home.

We got Gabe to bed shortly thereafter and then I tuned into the Ray's game and they lost again after being ahead by 4 runs at one time over the White Sox, LATER     

Friday(Ava's 7th birthday)

Well Thursday turned out to be another gorgeous day until the late afternoon when the humidity creeped back into the area. So it was once more time to shut the house up and turn on the a/c. The forecast is for the 90's inland, yet we will have some of the coolness coming from the coast as the water temp in the Gulf is rather chilly in the 70's. It has been so nice the past few days and the mornings are still pleasant but it's about that time when Florida becomes the sunshine capital with high heat and humidity. I'm counting the days until we head for the mountains which stands at 35.

I started the morning with a 6'ish roll out and then my routine of a hot cup of green tea, a few quiet moments, the posting of this ramble and a lite breakfast before pedaling out to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. We had 2 courts in action with a couple waiting to get on. The play was continuous and by 10 AM I had a soaked shirt and was ready for some down time. I headed home after a quick stop to drop off some books at library and then I hand watered the gardens and yard until it was time to harvest lettuce, kale and Swiss chard. I like to gather these veggies that wilt quickly in the hot sun as early as possible in the morning while in the shade of the big oak.

Nancy took off to run some errands and then I read until it was lunchtime. Amy and the kiddo's came for lunch and then we watched Eliza and Sam while she ran some errands. Sam was into a movie and Eliza finally took a nap while I read. After they left I tuned in the afternoon baseball game and saw the Ray's lose another game to the Twins, yikes what is happening with this supposed to be good ball club?

We decide to finish up the frozen spring egg rolls for supper and Nancy made a nice skillet of fried rice with home grown onions and carrots and then we sautéed the Swiss chard that I had cut up earlier. Delicious!! After the clean up I headed out to hand water the gardens and yards until 8 PM. It was still light out at that hour and the breeze made it comfortable and helped to keep the skitters' at bay. I do believe the grass I've been attending to will cover most of the bare spots in the front yard by the time we leave in May.

Well tonight(Friday) we are celebrating Ava's 7 year birthday with a supper at her house and a sleep over with cousin Annsley. This should be a fun time with family as Bobby will spend the night with us and bring Gabe along as well, LATER

Thursday

Well Wednesday was another very nice day which found us once again with the windows and doors open to let in the fresh air. There was a time in the afternoon when we were setting at the kitchen table and the breeze made Nancy chilled. I thought it was perfect with little or no humidity as well.

I started the day around a 6'ish roll out and then my usual routine after a few quiet moments, posting of this ramble then a lite breakfast before pedaling out on my bike to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. Today was an open day so that meant a few mediocre players were mixed in with the group but the play was good and I managed a wet shirt by 10 AM. I stopped off at the library on the way home afterwards.

I decided since it was such a nice day for working outside I would work on the weed patch in my side yard where I have the beginnings of St. Augustine grass showing some color. I took the grubbing hoe and whacked out a rather large swath of this weed that has infiltrated my yards, its roots go very deep and it sends out runners which has just about taken over this area. Well I managed to dig up a trash can of the nasty weeds and then I transplanted some sprigs taken from the back yard which is really looking good and the St. Augustine grass is making runners. These will eventually take root and hopefully will crowd out this nasty weed over time.

Amy and kiddo's came for lunch and afterwards Sam came out in the yard to help me with this chore. He is such a jabber box and now he has discovered Brussel sprouts. He ate 8 or more raw ones and he would have eaten more but I was afraid he might get a tummy ache. He ate fresh raw kale, basil and  the sprouts and Amy was amazed as he will not eat cooked veggies. Oh well he had his fill of veggies today. We transplanted marigolds and then I pulled weeds from my onion patch while he bent my ear. I had to wash him off with the hose before he was allowed in the house as he loves playing the dirt.

Well after they left around 2:30 I decided to take a break and sat under the big oak in the back yard and read for a couple hours. My neighbor who is flipping the house next door was getting rid of a very nice small oval table with 2 padded chairs so Nancy thought our nephew Braden could use it as he is moving into an apartment in July. He came by with his truck and picked that up and had some fresh baked cookies and tea. We had a nice visit with him for about a 1/2 hour or more.

This evening was house church at Dan and Carol's house so I grilled a couple bone in pork chops slathered with fresh Rosemary and a salad for supper. After the cleanup I headed out to give the new transplanted grass sprigs another drink before heading out. We did a video on Andy Stanley and the series titled Guardrails. He is an awesome communicator and this video was on the important of giving, saving and spending. Wow this session is based on sound biblical principals and should be a must for all believers as well as non believers. I would advise those in government to watch and apply this as well and we would never be in the debt we are in now, oh well!!

Well we got home around 9'ish and then I tuned into the Ray's game while Nancy was into the Idol show. It was tied up in the 9th inning but it was after 10 and the sandman was calling my name so I will check out who won after making this post, LATER

Wednesday

Well Tuesday turned out to be once again another beautiful day the kind we are accustomed to in the mountains this time of the year. Cool mornings, warm afternoons but with a breeze that kept it very nice and even chilly at times in the shade. I started the day off with a 6'ish roll out then my usual routine(s) of a cup of hot green tea, a few quiet moments to reflect, give thanks and lift up those whom we know are in need of some special considerations, the posting of this ramble and then a lite breakfast of a leftover buckwheat pancake.

I headed out to the rec on my bike around 7:30 for a couple hours of pickle ball. We had 2 courts in action with all advanced players and the action was fast and continuous. I had a wet shirt in no time. Afterwards I stopped off at the library to pick up a couple new reads I had ordered and return some as well. I headed home to briefly hand water the front yard as I had a dental appointment at 11o'clock. Dr. Beirl replaced the old stained and leaking filing in the 3 front teeth and did it all without the use of any numbing agent. I was out of there in less than an hour and nearly 600 bucks lighter in the pocketbook. He is good at what he does and charges for it as well.

Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch and GG brought some leftover taco soup which was delicious with just enough of a hot bite. Little Eliza is still dealing with her sore gums as she is starting to teeth and was a bit fussy at times which is not her normal self. She did smile and coo for us for awhile and did finally take a good long nap. I headed out for my 2:30 chiropractor appointment and he has done wonders for my lower back and spine. I'm nearing the end of my VA prescribed allocations with just 2 more visits so I'm going to drag them out at 2 week intervals and see what that does.

Nancy had a pot roast in the oven and the delicious smell emanated throughout the house. I pulled fresh carrots from the garden and along with red taters and onions in the pot the taste buds were salivating. I picked a nice bunch of Swiss chard and sautéed that to give us some green with the meal. Well needless to say we licked the platter clean. We had GG over for supper as well as she loves Swiss chard as we all do. Our new way of preparing it is with just a little plain water in a skillet with the cut up chard. It is by far the best way we have ever prepared it and it needs no seasoning what so ever. Nancy ran GG home after they took a walk around the block while I hand watered the yards and gardens after the clean up. The new grass is really starting to send out runners and I now have several new tomato seedlings up that I will take to the cabin for our summer garden. I also made some new cuttings from the flowers as well as some cuttings from the basil, rosemary and thyme plants. Hopefully these will take and I can transplant later. I'm starting to get in the gardening mood for the mountains and hope to bring some established seedling when we come in May.

Well the Lightning hockey team got eliminated last night on Montreal in 4 straight games with what can only be remembered as a controversial call which gave the Canadians a power play(extra man on the ice) goal. The Ray's played a good game by defeating the Twins by a 7-3 score. Price our pitcher pitched a complete game which is sort of unheard of these day but since we are a couple pitchers short he stepped up and did a great job. Well that was about it for a Tuesday, LATER

Tuesday

Well Monday was kind of an uneventful day except for the cool temps and rather dry air which is an event it's self. Rarely do we ever have this kind of weather for this time of the year in Central Florida. The day started with me sleeping when the alarm clock went off at 6:15. I was in a funk for the next few minutes as I usually look at the alarm way before 6 and roll out to start the day. I suppose all of the grand kids and the celebration of Easter wore me out the evening before.

After my usual routines I headed out to the rec on my bike just before 8. I did get a phone call from my mountain neighbor letting me know of the road work he and the other neighbors performed this past week. Seems one of the culverts that crosses the road at the bottom of our driveway gave way and created a rather large sink hole. A track hoe was brought in and dug the old rusted culvert out and was replaced with a new model by those willing to help with equipment and the purchasing of the new culvert as well as a load of gravel. With everyone chipping in and divided amongst a group who use that portion of the road it was a manageable cost and probably saved us several hundred dollars as well. What great neighbors in our area.

We had 2 courts in action for pickle ball and by 10 I was ready for a break; however one of the ping pong gals was missing a fourth player for doubles so I filled in for 2 games until the other player arrived. Afterwards I stopped off at the library to return some books on my way home. I headed out to hand water the grass in the front yard as the St. Augustine grass is really starting to run. Hopefully I will have this portion of the yard covered by the end of May when we head for higher ground for the summer. Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch and little Eliza is apparently cutting teeth as she is drooling and seems to be teething on her hands. This is a tough time for kiddo's as there is very little you can do for them. She was rather fussy and couldn't seem to get comfortable at times.

After lunch I retreated to the reading room and finished the book A DEADLY SECRET. The true story is one that will haunt you as the body of this multimillionaire's wife, Kathie Durst has never been recovered or found. It a good read and is very much into separate investigation by the New York State  authorities some 20 years apart. I picked fresh Brussel sprouts from the garden for our supper along with grilled flounder and rice. Very tasty and healthy as well. We took a walk through the hood with our neighbors Dan and Carol after the cleanup, then I settled into watering the back gardens and yards until nearly 8. It was just such a beautiful day with no humidity and a cool breeze that had Nancy in long pants and long sleeve shirt.

After a hot shower and the O'Reilly Factor I read until it was lights out around 10:30, LATER    

Monday

Well Sunday was an awesome day with beautiful temps that kept it pleasant all day long. We actually had the windows open again(which is unheard of this time of the year) and even with a house full of people. A few folks complained of the chilled breeze as they watched the little ones hunt for Easter eggs in the back yard. The kiddo's were energized as they ran and played with one another for a couple hours on a sugar high from the candy and from the excitement of opening their Easter baskets after supper.

We started the day with a great worship service at Element Church in Tampa. The warehouse was nearly full with attendance and the little ones were all decked out in the Easter clothes as well as quite a few of the adults. It was great to see Bobby back on the stage again as he helped with leading the music. We headed home shortly after the service to get ready for the family coming around 4'ish for a supper. I helped with getting things organized and then settled in to an extra inning game the Rays lost to the Yanks. The Lightning also loss big time to the Canadians later in the evening and are on the verge of elimination from the playoffs with one more loss, oh well.

I made a huge guacamole to snack on along with Nancy's pickled eggs and beets before we settled in to ham, potato casserole, carrots, broccoli, salad and yeast rolls. There was apple and berry pies with vanilla ice cream for dessert to top off this feast. Wow was that ever tasty. The kiddos headed out after cleaning their plates to hunt for the eggs filled with change that Braden, Bobby and Tyler hid earlier. The kiddos kept sneaking peaks out the windows looking for the brightly colored plastic eggs. They each had a sack full of the eggs and then while I cleaned the dishes they opened their baskets . Wow were they ever excited and filled with energy. It was after 8 when it was mentioned they must be going due to the lateness of the hour. Bobby, Jill and the kiddo's headed out around 8:30 after GG, Betsy and Braden left first.  Amy, Tyler and their 3 kiddo's left shortly thereafter for home as well. Wow did it ever get quiet quickly. We put the house back in order and I vacuumed before heading in to read and keep one eye on the hockey game.

Well it was a great day of worship as we celebrated the empty tomb and a great day of family get together and feasting. The eating was downright scandalous with so many tasty dishes as everyone brought some of their favorites to add to the meal. It is always great to have all of the grand kids here at one time together and they will remember these times as they grow older and hopefully some day have family time with their kids. That of course is down the road in the future. I can still remember back when we would get together at my grand mothers place in the small community of Mountain Falls and all of the aunts and uncles would meet for a big meal and we would eat off of a special set of dishes. I now have that set of dishes and will pass it on to Amy who will pass it on to Ava and then on down the line. Those were fond memories. I came home from the Air Force on leave one time and there was a huge family dinner with all of my cousins in attendance who were all much younger than me but I still have that picture. Many of them are now parents and grandparents and we have lost a couple of them as well, along with their parents. Memories!!!

Well so much for another time and place and I hope these grand kids of mine will remember these times as well. It wasn't long afterwards that I sought some horizontal time as the sand man was calling. I turned the lights out around 10:30 and was gone until the alarm went off at 6:15 this morning. I'm usually awake much before 6 but for some reason all of the excitement had me sleeping in, LATER Here are a few pics from yesterday!!

Sunday (Happy Easter)

Well if today Sunday is as nice as yesterday it will be a great day for the kiddo's to hunt Easter eggs in the back yard. Saturday was just a beautiful day with a few rain clouds around and maybe a drizzle for just a few moments. The air at times felt chilly due to the brisk breeze that kept it perfect for working for outside and that's what I did for most of the late morning and afternoon.

We started the day with a sleep in until nearly 7:30. After our respective hot drinks, quiet times and my posting of this ramble we settled into a "mountain breakfast" with buckwheat cakes with a banana and blueberries in the batter, sausage patties and eggs. We don't usually have those treats except for when we are at the cabin or on week-ends here in Florida; thus the name "mountain breakfast". We headed out around 9:30 to pick up GG and take her with us to Sam's Club for some goodies and then a stop at Publix on the way home. After dropping her off we headed home to unload with the temps at
70 degrees and partly cloudy. I drug out the clippers, edger, mower, rake and blower as I wanted to spruce up the yards and shrubs. I even climbed up on the roof and took off all of the dead limbs that had blown down from the tall oaks. Well that kept me busy until late in the afternoon. With the great breakfast I wasn't hungry until suppertime.

Nancy had spoke with Dan and Carol our neighbors about doing the Olive Garden around 5 for supper. We got cleaned up and picked them up and headed out to Largo. We had about a 10 minute wait and the settled into some delicious Zuppa Toscana soup and bread sticks. I had the seafood dish with red sauce over pasta, clams, shrimps and scallops. Very tasty and I licked my platter clean. Nancy couldn't finish her meal so I will indulge in the leftovers tomorrow. We stopped off at their house as Carol's mother is now living with her and Dan and needs 24 hours care. Carol's brother came by and stayed with her while we went out for supper.

We got into a hot game of Phase 10 and Dan came from behind and won by points on the last hand. We watched the Rays annihilate the Yankee's in a 14-1 whupping as the Ray's bats finally came to life. It wasn't long after 11 we were ready for some sleep time.

Well today(Sunday) Christians celebrate the empty tomb where a man called Jesus gave his life and then rose again on the third day that whomever believed he was the son incarnate of the living GOD could be reconciled once again after the fall and would forever have life even after a physical death. What a joyous day we celebrate and live with in that hope. So if your reading this ramble and have never given that a thought it might be in your best interests to think about that promise this man Jesus gave us as attested by the empty tomb, Happy Easter and abundant life to all who believe, LATER  

Saturday

Well Friday saw a big change in the weather as we had cloudy skies to start the day. The temps were nice in the low 70's but by late afternoon we had monsoon rain and at times the wind gusts were scary. The yard quickly filled up with dead limbs from the oaks and by late evening we saw a beautiful sunset.

The day started out for me with a 6'ish roll out. I did my usual routine of a cup of hot green tea while posting this ramble and then a few quiet moments before a lite breakfast of cereal. I decided despite wearing a splint for my little finger on my left hand I would give pickle ball a try. I pedaled out to the rec on my bike for some 2 hours of play with a full house. We had a couple new players from up north who were visiting and their play was quite good. There were 3 courts going with 6 players waiting to get on. The winners split after each match so if you had good partners you were able to stay on the court. Well my shirt was soaked and it was nearly an hour before I got bumped from my court. What a great workout and my finger or hand didn't seem to slow me or my play down. After a 2 day lay off I was energized and ready for some action and it never stopped for 2 hours.

I stopped off at the library to pick up a couple new reads then headed home just as a few rain drops started. It looked as if this would keep me in the reading room for the rest of the morning. Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch. I had made a fresh garden salad and GG made her delicious potato salad which was an ideal combination with a little Greek dressing on top. Lunch was fantastic. I took little Eliza Faye into the toy room and played with her until after the cleanup while Ava and Sam watched the movie Frozen. Eliza was too cute with her smiles and cooing and she loves music and is trying to roll over as well. I think she will be an early walker as well as she loves standing.

They all left for home during the first real break in the weather which was severe at time. The water was gushing off of the roof overflowing the gutters and water was standing in the back yard at time. The wind was really strong and I thought for a moment there was some tornado activity in the area. We settled into reading until it was time to get ready for our trip over to Element for the Good Friday Service. We rode with Tyler and Amy in their Honda SUV. It had plenty of room whereas we couldn't put everyone is our truck due to the child carriers. We thought the interstates would be busy as well as the toll road due to both the Ray's and the Lightning having games in the bay area. The venues were on each side of the bay so we didn't encounter much traffic at all on the toll road. The Lightning were beaten badly once again in the Stanley Cup playoffs but the Ray's came back in the later inning to finally whip the Yankees as the bats came to life for the home town team.

We got back around 9:30 and the kiddo's were still wide awake and going strong. I settled in to the Ray's game until 11 then turned the lights out with them winning 11-5 with one more inning to go. Well it was a fun day for exercise, a great day to commemorate our LORD at the service with fellow Christ followers at Element and spend time with family. We missed seeing Annsley and Gabriel as they were spending the night at their other grandparents house but we will all be together on Sunday for a big family meal at our house, LATER 

Friday(GOOD FRIDAY)

Well Thursday started with me sleeping in again as I'm still restricted by the large bandage on my hand from playing pickle ball or just about any kind of action that requires the use of 2 hands. I would get back the use of that hand with the exception of a splint later in the day after my appointment with the VA doctor. That was turned out to be another first for me.

It was still rather chilly when we started the day but the strong breeze from the south quickly moved the cool front out and brought in lots of clouds and the threat of rain, however it was about bedtime when the skies finally opened up and we could hear it on the roof. After a light breakfast of just fresh pineapple I managed to ride my bike to the library for a couple new reads. There wasn't much to do around the house or could do with the bandaged hand and the occasional sharp pain from within so I headed out to water the gardens and yards. That I could do with just one hand as I was instructed to keep the injected hand dry.

I finished a good read by Sandra Brown by days end and then looked at the 2 books I had picked up earlier in the day; SYCAMORE ROW by Grisham looks to be a good read and I've been waiting on it since November. Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch after Nancy got back from running errands. We had a nice fresh garden salad with deli sandwiches.

I took off for the VA shortly after eating as they had called and wanted me to come in early before my 1:30 appointment if I could there. After finally finding a place to park about a 1/2 mile from the hospital I got there around 1 and they took me right in. The doctor injected me with a numbing agent with a needle that went an inch or more into the meat of my palm. I could feel my hand start to numb immediately and then he took my palm around the area of the little finger and bent it and I could feel the cord snap into. Immediately I was able to straighten my little finger into the normal position.Wow that was quick and painless except for the injections. He sent me down to have a splint made so the little finger would stay in the upright position for the next 72 hours and then wear the splint at nights for the next couple of months. The pains went away as well except for some swelling in the knuckles. I was lucky the skin didn't tear when he straightened out the finger as that commonly occurs.

After leaving the VA I headed over for my chiropractor visit an adjustment. He is thrilled with how my lower back has responded to his manipulations and the flexibility he finds in what was once a nearly fused joint. I'm heading back to play again at the rec this morning after this post. He attributes the exercise and activity to recovering as well as I have. I will always have some pain from the arthritis that is associated from the surgery that I had 45 years ago, oh well I can live with that as long as I can run and play.

Nancy was in the kitchen making her first Swedish meatballs recipe and they were fantastic over Jasmine rice and fresh garden grown green beans. Amy picked up GG and the kiddo's all came for supper. Tyler was teaching ESL at church so he missed out on the delicious meal. They all left before dark as the skies looked threatening. We tuned into another big loss by the Ray's to the Yankee's as they are in town for a 4 game series. This evening we are heading over to Tampa for a Good Friday service at Element Church, LATER 

Thursday

Well Wednesday was one of those days where I did very little as the bandaged hand was at times in pain from the procedure at the VA on Tuesday, yikes at times I had to take a couple Tylenol throughout the day. The morning temp's were in the low 50's which is unheard of for this time of the year and while it reached the middle 70's by late afternoon the strong breeze made it feel cooler than it was especially in the shade.

I started the day with a sleep in as I knew I wouldn't be on the pickle ball court due to the hand and probably won't be back on it for the rest of this week if what the doctor is going to do to it today is indication of the pain involved. I think they will stretch and break that tendon cord from what I'm learning then split the finger in the straight position, yikes I'm not looking forward to that pain at this moment in time, oh well.

I just read and surfed the Net for most of the morning after a lite breakfast and my quiet time. Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch and we doctored up a couple frozen pizzas with fresh mushrooms and herbs. I got in some good Eliza time afterwards as she is growing like a weed. We played in the toy room and now she loves for me take a stuffed toy and circle all around her which she follows with her head and eyes. She turns her head towards my voice when I come into her presence. After they left to pick up Ava at school I got into a new read by Sandra Brown titled DEADLINE. It's a novel but she does a good job in telling a story about real life situations. I finished the book DENIAL by Jessica Stern which was a memoir. It too was a good read about a life changing incident when she was a teenager.

Well I did manage to head outside before supper and hand water the grass and gardens while using just one hand. Nancy took off on a hike through the 'hood but it seems jarring the hand shot pain up and into the lower arm. Hopefully I can get back to at least walking today as some form of exercise. I grilled a couple salmon steaks for supper along with some pasta that was slathered with homemade red pizza sauce that Bobby had made, yeow was that ever tasty. Nancy did garlic and butter on hers as the tomato sauce bothers her hiatal hernia. She did the clean up as I only have the one hand that can get wet.

I tuned into the Fox News until the playoff hockey game with the Lightning vs Canadians came on at 7. It was a great game and in the overtime period the Canadians won, oh well they have a 7 game series with us and we have the home ice. The Ray's lost again and head into New York to play a series with the Yankees. Hopefully we will do better as we are no longer in first place in the tough Eastern division, LATER 

Wednesday

Well Tuesday started out much the usual with a 6'ish wake up and then my usual routine before heading out to the rec on my bike for some 2 hours of pickle ball. We had a small turn out with 7 players but that was just enough to give you an occasional break. My shirt was soaked by 10 AM and I was ready for a cooling off period. I headed home and got cleaned up as I had an appointment at the VA to have my left hand treated for Dupuytrens contracture of the left little finger.

 I learned the doctors at the VA or at least those in the main hospital serve a 4 month rotation from various hospitals in the area as the doctor who injected me is from Tampa General Hospital. He injected my tendon or cord several times that had caused my little finger to draw up which would not allow me to lay my hand flat. There was a little pain involved but the real pain is going to be when they break the cord and split the finger to straight on Thursday; at least this procedure is less invasive and non surgical in nature.

Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch then I started experiencing some discomfort in the treated hand so I finally took some Tylenol and laid down reading for the next couple hours. I have to keep the area dry so it took a couple baggies to keep the hand dry while showering but at least I didn't have to do the dishes for a change. I just chilled the rest of the day and finished up some reading. The weather here has taken another drastic change with a cold front coming through once again. Severe weather bulletins were posted and the black clouds did bring some rain but mostly it was wind, thunder and lightning. Well that was about it for the day as I grilled some marinated chicken breasts for supper and then we vegetated on the couch until it was bedtime, LATER 

Tuesday

Well summer is back for our area and the heat and humidity have returned with vengeance for the next couple days and then another cool front is supposed to pass through the area tomorrow. Just when I get used to the house being closed up with the a/c running we get another spring like day. Oh well! Monday was pretty much a routine day except for the chiropractor visit in the early afternoon and we visited with some potential buyers for the house next door. They are a mother and son and he about to graduate high school and she is a nurse. They seemed very nice and are into gardening as well. I loaded them up with some tomatoes and carrots right out of the garden. This is their second time to look at the house. The son is going to attend SPC which is walking distance from the house.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out. After my usual routines of ; cup of tea, quiet time, posting of this ramble and then a lite breakfast before riding out to the rec on my bike for some 2 hours of pickle ball. We had 2 courts going with a couple players waiting to get on for most of the morning with lots of wet shirts. I stopped off at the library on the way home to drop off and pick up some new reads. I'm in to memoirs for right now and I've read a few interesting ones the last couple of days.

Amy dropped Sam off while she and Nancy went shopping. We worked outside in the yard until it got to hot. Sam loves the ipad games so I headed into read until it was time for lunch. After eating the girls got home and I loved up on little Eliza until it was time to head out for my adjustment. Afterwards we read until it was time to grill a couple burgers for supper. After the cleanup we vegetated on the couch to the Fox News channel before I switched over to the Ray's game which once again was a disaster. The lack of hitting is really starting to show and the pitching isn't much better. The Orioles put a whupping on them 7-1, LATER

Monday

Well Sunday was another busy day that started with our son Bobby awakening around 5'ish as he and his kiddo's spent the night. He was leading the praise and worship music at Indian Rocks Church in Largo for a friend while he is on sabbatical for both the morning service and then again later for the evening service which Nancy and I attended along with neighbor and friend Dan. I will comment a little later on that event and where we made some re-acquaintances from the 'hood and my old workplace.

We started out Sunday morning with Annsley and Gabe pattering through the house around 7'ish. They wanted to play the ipad which I have learned is a great learning tool and is also a great babysitter. We had the T.V. on but the games on the ipad where what really kept their young minds entertained. I fixed Gabe a soft scrambled egg and Nancy made blueberry muffins for Annsley as she put in her order. We packaged the rest up for her to take home. After getting the kids ready for church we headed out around 9 AM for Element Church in Tampa. There was a nice crowd on hand and those elders filling in for Bobby did a great job with both the praise music and the message. We turned the kiddo's over to Jill after the service and we had a short visit her as well before heading back to Seminole.

We met up with Bobby who was at the house as he had to be back to IRC around 3 PM for rehearsal for the 6 PM service. I vegetated on the couch watching the Ray's get pummeled by the Red's 12-4 but the Lightning won their match and now they have home ice for the playoffs. We headed out around 5:30 and picked up Dan for the service at IRC. We saw an old neighborhood friend Pam who had once been married to a nut case and thankfully is out of her life. We met her new husband who had read Bobby's book and wanted to meet him so they were there and then we saw some of Bobby and Amy's teachers from IRCS. It has been 15 years since we last saw them and then I met a lady who had once worked in the office at our local FHP station and she remembered the last name of Triplett. She wondered if Bobby was related to me as she was at the service and stopped me on the way out. We had a great remembering conversation and she to has changed husbands since I last saw her.

Well after the service we dropped Dan off and then I popped some corn and we made that our supper as we had a late lunch and really wasn't all that hungry especially that late in the evening. I could miss a few meals as well, LATER  Here are a few beach pictures from Saturday I forgot to post.

Sunday

Well Saturday was a busy fun filled day with Bobby, Annsley and Gabe coming about 8:30 in the morning. He was helping out a worship leader friend at his old alma mater, Indian Rocks Church this Sunday so they were having a 9 AM rehearsal. We started the day around a 6'ish wake up as we anticipated their arrival and which is mu usual roll out time as well. We had a big day planned as Amy was dropping off Ava and Sam right after breakfast so the 4 of them could play. I 'm tired just watching them run around. Luckily we could go outside in the back yard and they could run all they wanted as the morning was rather nice.

Amy, Tyler, Eliza and Bobby all came around the noon hour so we put sandwiches and chips together for a lunch then made plans to go to the beach for a couple hours. The water was perfect with just enough chill to make it comfortable and while the sunshine was bright an occasional cloud kept us from roasting. We had beach umbrellas for little Eliza and of course a cooler with drinks. Bobby, Tyler and the kiddos built a huge sand castle with turrets, waterways and a moat as well as a swimming pool. The kiddos had a great time and I got in a nice swim as well.

After rinsing the kiddos both at the beach and then in the backyard Amy, Tyler and Bobby took the kiddos to Keswick for an Easter egg hunt sponsored by SFBC. They came back with 2 large bags of candy and I could tell they were on a sugar high when they unloaded. We kept little Eliza Faye and she was so cute and finally fell asleep about 10 minutes before the rest showed up. She slept through the initial coming home noise for awhile but the kiddos where just to rowdy. Bobby had made his own pizza dough from scratch and they had been rising for most of the afternoon so he worked on making 3 huge special pizzas which were delicious from basil, mushrooms, bacon, pepperoni and his own tomato sauce; yeow what awesome flavor and we licked the pans clean. Tyler gave the boys a bath together shortly thereafter and then Amy bathed the girls as well because it had been a long day and morning was to come early for Bobby as he had to be back at Indian Rocks at 6 AM.

 We finally got Annsley and Gabe in bed by 8'ish after Amy and her gang left for home. It was a
busy fun filled day and I was whipped as well from watching the kiddos running around. They sure have a grand time together and the girls are great together and the boys are doing much better as well with very few sharing problems. I turned the lights out around 11, LATER

Saturday

Well Friday morning was once again just perfect with cool temps and clear skies with little or no humidity to start the day. It eventually warmed up to the low 80's by late afternoon. We are planning a beach day with grand kids today(Sat.) as our son Bobby drops his 2 off for the day and night while he leads the music at one of the largest churches in our area on Sunday and then we will take them back home to Riverview on our way to church Sunday morning in Tampa..

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out and then my routines with a cup of hot green tea, a few quiet moments, the posting of this ramble then a lite breakfast of fruit before pedaling out to the rec on my bike for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. We had a rather small group of players with only one court in action but 7 players so the winners split which kept you on the court for as long as you had a good partner. I had a wet shirt by 10 AM and was ready for a break. I stopped off at the library on my way home for a couple reads for the weekend.

It was such a beautiful day for being outside so I decided to breakdown all of the garbage bags of oak leaves I had collected and reduce the leaves down to about a third of their normal size. This helps with decomposition into humus and compost. My earthworms love oak leaves which will in turn make the best fertilizer ever and its all organic. This makes for the best vegetable plants ever and it's free. I usually collect from other neighbors their leaves and store them for awhile in bags for when summer comes and then cover my garden with them while we are in N.C.

Nancy got home from her Bible study group around noon and then Amy and the kiddos came for lunch. We had a couple leftover stuff peppers Amy brought along with a doctored up frozen pizza, yeow was that ever tasty. Amy has become quite the cook taking after her mother. I played with little Eliza while the girls cleanup and she is so cute and now tries to talk. Sam was on the ipad and is so into the games. After they headed out to pick up Ava at school around 2:30 we headed out to Sam's Club for gas and a few goodies, then to Publix and Aldi's. We hit all of the stores on the way home as well as Lowe's for some weed and feed for my grass in the front yard. It was going on 5 by the time we got home and unloaded so we decided a salad for supper would be sufficient.

After supper I headed out to spread the weed and feed and then watered the yards and the gardens until nearly 8 PM. It was shower time and then I watched the Ray's beat the Reds in Cincinnati in a good game 2-1 and flipped back an forth while Lightning beat the Columbus team in hockey. It was not a good night for the Ohio teams. I read until it was lights out for me around 11, LATER

Friday

Well Thursday turned out to be one of the finer days with spring like weather once again. The cool morning warmed to the low 70's by late afternoon with a nice gentle breeze that made you want to be outside. I started the day with a 6'ish roll out and then my usual routine  before riding out to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball. We had 2 courts in action with a couple players waiting to get on as the winners split after each game. I had a soaked shirt by 10 and was ready for a break.

I stopped off at the library before heading home to work outside in the yard and garden. I picked the last of the Romaine lettuce, some kale, black seeded Simpson lettuce, butter crunch,  red leaf and basil to work into a fresh garden salad for lunch. Yeow was that ever delicious with a little chicken salad on top. Amy and the kiddos came and we had a grand time with both Sam and Eliza. She is doing so well with holding her head up and just loves to stare at the pictures on the fridge. She does make a few faces that just crack us up which leads us to believe she is going to be a drama queen.

I headed out around 2 for my chiro appointment with Dr. Wychoff who does a great job in manipulating my spine and neck. He seems satisfied with the progress of my lower back. I can tell a great difference in the loss of pain from the lower back and leg. I will always have some dull pain from the arthritis that will be there forever.

We read until it was time for supper. I picked fresh Brussel sprouts from my garden and we baked the last of the frozen beer battered cod fillets, yeow was that ever tasty. Nancy was on the phone with our "mountain mom" Helen and it seems the weather has finally broke in the mountains. The green grass is evident on the web cam and our flowers should be coming through the ground. I'm starting to get the "mountain fever" although it will be tough to leave this newest grand daughter. After the cleanup I vegetated to the couch and Fox News. It seems once more this administration and its sycophants is covering up for the less than honorable. The attorney general and now certain members of congress who are less than honorable and when found with their actions and sometime inactions dirty they play the race card. Despicable is all I can say.

Well the Ray's were off last night but I did watch the Lightning win their first playoff game by beating Philadelphia by a score of 4-2, LATER.. Thursday is now a TBT(throwback to Thursday day). Here are a few pictures from back in the day. The first one is Bobby holding a less than happy Amy when she was but a few weeks old and the rest speak for themselves.

     

Thursday

Well Wednesday was much a usual day that started with a 6'ish roll out then my routines of a cup of hot tea, a few quiet moments, the posting of this ramble and then a lite breakfast before pedaling out to the rec on my bike for a couple hours of pickle ball. The temps had dropped to the "chill in the air" for most of the day as the strong north breeze kept it quite comfortable even in the direct sunlight. Later in the evening we met with our house church and it was a delicious one as well as a round table discussion; more on that get together later.

We had a 2 courts going at pickle ball with 10 or so players so if you were winning you pretty much didn't sit down all morning. I had a good sweat going for most of the period. Afterwards I stopped off at the library for a couple new reads and one that really intrigued me titled COMING CLEAN by Kimberly Rae Miller. I finished the book during the day and wow is all I can say about what she endured with her family as they were hoarders to the maximum. Unbelievable that people live this way and she had the courage to write about. She and both of her parents have very high I.Q's but she was able to break away. This is a must read book and will enlighten you about this mental illness.

 I came in contact with a real live hoarder many years ago while working a follow up on a fatality in the Largo area. I will never forget what the inside of this house was like and you can only visualize what's its like from this writers prospective if you have never had this experience. There was a path throughout the inside of this woman's house that you could barely walk through. The path went to what I thought must have been the bedroom and to the kitchen and from the front door inward but other than that the rooms were completely filled to the ceilings with papers, articles and junk. The path looked as if it belonged in a outside yard and the smell was atrocious. Needless to say I conducted the interview outside once I saw and smelled the inside of the house. She was lucid, intelligent and forthright and made no apologies about the house or it's contents so I had first hand knowledge what this author was writing about with regard to her parents and what she endured while growing up and even to this very day.

Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch and we dined on a fresh garden salad that I had made. Afterwards I loved up on Sam and Eliza until it was time for them to head out to pick up Ava from school. We were having house church tonight at the Botbyl's so Nancy picked up pizza crust's, fresh mushrooms and mozzarella cheese at the store and I picked fresh basil from the garden and we made or'derves before we chowed down on fresh salad(Katherine made) and Zuppa Toscana that Carol made and Danielle supplied a decant chocolate cake with chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. I usually never partook of this part of the part of the meal but it looked too good to pass up so I indulged. It was worth it for a change.

Dan brought out a really old family Bible from the 1800's and we perused it and then got into a discussion about different aspects of where our country is at this time in our history using biblical predictions and what we, our kids and grand kids will be facing in the future. It was interesting how each of us interpret scriptures and the questions we left unanswered. It was after 9 before we finally headed out for home. We will miss the Tracy's as they will be traveling out of the country the next 2 weeks to Central America. We wish them Godspeed.

Well after a hot shower I read and watched a little baseball until it was lights out for me around 10:30, LATER. The Ray's lost again in Kansas City; what's with this team??

Wednesday

Well Tuesday turned to be for the most part a rainy, overcast day that saw the temps drop a little and from the forecast it's supposed to be even chillier on Wednesday and Thursday. When I say chillier that means less than 80, oh well! I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout then my routine before pedaling out to the rec for some 1 1/2 hours of pickle ball. We had 2 courts in action and despite having to leave around 9:30 because of an appointment with the VA, I still managed a good workout and a wet shirt.

I headed out for the VA to have my left hand injected or the pinkie finger on my left hand. Seems the tendon has swelled and caused the finger to draw up and this procedure is too relieve that abnormality. I can't lay my hand flat because of the finger. After injecting me they will force the tendon to stretch and then splint the finger. This is all non-surgical but for some reason the pharmacy failed to deliver the solution to the ward so I had to cancel and make another appointment next week. The doctors apologized and even the head doctor came and spoke with me about the mix up. Anyhow after sitting around for an hour or so I headed back home for a lunch of salad.

Amy and the kiddos were there and then we watched Eliza when Amy took Sam for his 4 year old checkup and shots. He never cried while getting 2 shots and was most proud of his big boy stickers. Eliza was so sweet and tries her hardest to talk to us. We had such a good time with her and she is getting stronger everyday. After they left I settled into reading Bobby's book The Great Darkening and finished it just before supper. After a slow start it ended with much action and drama and you found yourself identifying with Cal the main character. I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy. The editor of the book Melody Farrell, put out a PDF editorial companion guide TGD and it's quite helpful. It very informative and may help with the storyline as it did for me . See if you can download it.

We finished up the leftovers of smoked pork, collards, baked beans and Cole slaw for supper and then we settled into the Fox News until it came time for the Ray's to play the Royals once again in Kansas City. Speaking of that area we had a new grand nephew born to Kelly and Jordan Zander who is stationed near there with the USAF. Baby Elijah and Kelly are doing fine and the newest grandparents Dee and Mike Dillon made it there from Virginia to hold their first grandchild. Their life will never be the same as we can attest to this special mile marker in life.

On a sad note one of my old friends and flight engineers,  Jerry Illies from my USAF days passed away from lung cancer after retiring to the Ocala area. I had kept in touch with him through another old friend and former brother-in-law Bruce Fallon. Well that was about it for Tuesday as we did get about a 1/2 inch of much needed rain and the drop in temps felt wonderful as well, LATER

   

Tuesday

Well Monday started out much the usual with a 6'ish roll out and then my routine before heading out on my bike to the rec for 2 plus hours of pickle ball. The mornings have just enough coolness in the air to make it spring like but by the afternoon the heat and humidity have taken over and the bright sunshine makes it hard to work outside. The wind picked up and was supposed to usher in another front that was to bring rain and cooler temps for the next couple of days . It was a great day for drying laundry on the clothesline.

Amy dropped Sam off on her way to the market and then she, GG and Eliza came for lunch. We had chicken salad that GG made on top of a bed of fresh salad I made from the garden. Afterwards I chilled and starting reading Bobby's book once again and now I'm really into it. The action has really picked up and GG remarked she is into it as well. She likes it so much she had me order one for a grandson in Michigan.

I headed out to the chiropractor around 2 for an adjustment and wow does he ever make you feel good after just a few minutes of manipulations. The traffic in our area is just unbelievable as I think every college kid is here on spring break as well as all of the snowbirds. Nancy and I just chilled until it was time to cook supper around 5. We are trying to eat earlier and reduce our portions as well. I grilled a kielbasa and had fresh steamed asparagus and a sliced fresh garden tomato. After the cleanup I headed out to hand water the gardens then and old USAF buddy called from the outer banks of N.C. We chatted for nearly an hour reminiscing and comparing our ailments. He also has back issues and is in much worst shape than me after having major surgery with plates inserted at Duke Hospital.

Well that was about it for the day as I turned the lights out around 10 with the NCAA basketball game at halftime and the Ray's were down by a run to the Royals, LATER

Monday

Well Sunday turned out to be rather warm and humid with lots of sunshine and temps into the low 80's. We started the day like most Sunday mornings as we anticipated the long drive to Element Church in Tampa what we didn't know was the interstate was shut down to one lane throughout the night and morning for a lane shift due to the constant construction on I-275. Luckily we managed to get off and drive into downtown Tampa and pickup the crosstown toll road. After that we got caught by a slow moving train that held us up for another 15 minutes near the church so we made it just as the music started.

Benjamin Nesmith(one of the elders) brought the message today and he did a super job and then at end of the service Caleb our worship leader announced he had taken a full time (paying) job with another church in Plant City. He will surely be missed. There was a really good crowd on hand today with lots of new faces so the attendance is about the same even with Bobby on another month of sabbatical. There were lots of tears flowing with Caleb's announcement and Bobby's commissioning service for him as he and his wife leave us.

We came back the crosstown all of the way and avoided the interstate all together. The traffic is heavy and with all of the construction and it takes forever on this commute. Carol rode back with us as Dan had an elders meeting at Element so after dropping her off we headed on home to eat leftovers from last nights supper. Wow it was as tasty as the night before and that held me for the rest of the day. I vegetated on the couch reading and watching the Ray's lose a game they should have won to the Texan's. They go on the road for the next 9 days and hopefully will bring back a winning record.

We took a walk around the hood around 5:30 and it was still rather hot especially on the asphalt. I came back and hand watered the gardens and yards until nearly dark. I then read on Bobby's book  THE GREAT DARKENING  until it was shower time and then lights around 10, LATER

Sunday

Well Saturday turned out to be a beautiful fun filled day that ended with a delicious supper and way to much fun playing card games with our house church couples at the Botbyl house. The weather made for a great day at the beach and we all met around 10 AM at the Tracy house on Indian Rocks Beach.

We started the day with my internal alarm waking me at the usual time around 6'ish despite trying to sleep in. After my usual cup of green tea and a few quiet moments I decided to get the pork shoulder ready for the smoker and its a good thing I did as we left it on until 4:30 and it was done and the shoulder blade pulled away from the meat but it wasn't quite ready to shred with a fork which makes it pulled pork. I had it cooking with lots of hickory wood I had brought back from N.C. I had even cut the shoulder in half to help with cooking process. The meat and its flavor was awesome and after processing the butts we put the meat in tin foil and put it in the oven while we snacked and had some fruit of the vine.

I also picked fresh collards the first thing in the morning and had them simmering all day in ham base and along with cabbages from the garden that Nancy made a great Cole slaw. Kathryn made 3 kinds of dips and salsa as well as scalloped taters' and baked beans to accompany all that we had made. It was I must say one of the best tasting feasts we've had in quite awhile as we celebrated Dan and Carol's 39th anniversary together. Carol made a Crème Brule for dessert that was very lite and delicious as well.

I got in my first ocean swim for the year as the beach was awesome and packed. It was close 80 with bright sunshine and clear blue skies. We spent about 2 hours on the sand and Nancy tried out her new chair and umbrella. We had a hot game of Bocce Ball in the sand as well. We left the beach around 12:30 and some of us were showing red despite all of the lotions and sun blocks. Next time we must swim in their pool as well. We really enjoy our new couple(The Tracy's) and it seems as if we have known each other forever. They are very willing to join right in and she is a fabulous cook as well.

Well After getting back from the beach I was all pumped up so I took the ladder and climbed onto the roof blowing all of the accumulated debris of leaves, limbs and fuzzies. Then I decided to mow both yards and then helped a neighbor lady with her leaf gathering project of which I was able to garner all I wanted for my garden. I spent the rest of the afternoon working outside until it was time to head out for supper after a shower. The Florida basketball team got stopped by a very good Connecticut team in the Final 4 and the Ray's came from behind in the 9th to beat the Texans once again. Today is church day in Tampa at Element so we will get to see our son and his family as well as many friends, LATER

Saturday

Well Friday started out with just a slight chill in the air and then quickly warmed up to the 80's and the humidity once more made an appearance. It' s been nice while it lasted but I think we are with the a/c from now on. I started the day with my usual roll out around 6'ish then my usual routine before heading out to the rec after a few quiet moments to reflect and give thanks and a lite breakfast. We had 2 courts in action with mostly advanced pickle ball players and a couple intermediate players who have now moved up to the advanced stage. The wet shirts were in abundance.

I stopped off at the library to return some reads and pick up a couple new ones for the week-end. Nancy was off to her weekly Bible study at SFBC so I decided since no one was coming for lunch that I would drag out the carpet shampooer and clean the carpets. That kept me busy right up until Nancy got home for lunch at noon. After a lite lunch she headed out with GG to the mall so I decided to get in some yard and garden work. I harvested and cleaned romaine lettuce for a Caesar salad we were taking to Amy and Tyler's for supper then I decided to read for a couple hours until it was time to pick up GG and take her with us around 5.

Amy had a pot roast with carrots and onions simmering along with a different version of smashed taters' which were awesome and of course the Caesar salad. Afterwards she served us a layered dessert which has several name but the one that stands out is something better than Robert Redford, oh well. We stayed and visited with the grand kids and watched a few innings of the Ray's game as they battered the Texas Ranger team 8-1. It was a busy fun filled day with a delicious supper. Amy has become quite the cook taking after her mother and grandmother.

Tomorrow we are heading to the beach around 10 and while we are basking in the sun I will have a 10 pound or so pork shoulder in the smoker with hickory chips. We are celebrating with our house church couples, Dan and Carol's 39th wedding anniversary. It should be a fun day of relaxing, eating way too much and playing games, LATER        

Friday

Well Thursday morning started out really nice with chill in the air as I rode out just after daybreak but it didn't take it long to warm up to the high 70's and then we saw the humidity start to creep back into the picture; so the a/c is back on and will probably stay on until next November, Oh well. It's been an unusual year of weather thus far when we normally have the a/c on in February and here it's into the first week of April.

I was up around 6'ish and did my usual morning routine when I'm heading out to the rec around 7:30. After a cup of hot green tea, a few quiet moments, the posting of this ramble, a lite breakfast and then riding out to the rec on my bike for some 2 hours of pickle ball. We had 2 courts going for most of the morning with mostly advanced players. Our players entered a tournament in Clearwater the first of the week and we won most of the top honors in singles, doubles in both men and women and the mixed doubles play. Congrats to my fellow players. I opted to not play this year due to the recent back pain and probably will not play tournaments again for fear of reinjuring the back as I would rather play at least a couple hours a day and not put pressure on myself(back) in taking unnecessary chances to win. Club play is more relaxing and less tension plus the continuous play is beneficial to my back whereas in tournaments you get warmed up and play then may have to wait an hour or more in between matches which causes my back to stiffen up.

After the rec I stopped off at the library for a couple new reads before heading home to hand water the gardens and the new grass in the front yard. That kept me busy until lunch time when Amy, GG and the kiddo's came for lunch. We ate fresh garden salad with homemade Greek dressing, yeow was that ever delicious. Afterwards I chilled reading until it was time to head out to my chiropractor  in St.Pete for an adjustment. He seems very pleased with my healing and mobility of the spine and I gave him a copy of my MRI results. He feels the biggest thing I can do is to keep the spine in the L-5 area loose and active which promotes rehydration of the disc's. I really feel good about what he has done to get me back into the gym and living without severe pain in both the lower back and leg. There isn't a whole lot that can be done about the arthritis that has set in that area except keep mobile and active which is right up my ally.

I read the rest of the afternoon until it was time to pick up GG for supper. Bobby was over in our area for an appointment so we invited him and GG for supper as they both love Swiss chard and I just happen to have a nice mess that needed sauteing. Nancy had sirloin steaks marinating for the grill and along with oven taters that were sprinkled with fresh rosemary and parsley we had a delicious supper.  After the clean up I settled into the Ray's game and finally their bats came to life with a 7-2 lead over the Jay's when I decided to call it a night in the 9th inning, LATER

Thursday

Well another beautiful day happened here on the coast of central Florida. It was in the high 50's to start the day with bright sunshine and blue skies with just a gentle breeze to help keep the humidity at bay. The clean crisp outside air was marvelous with the fragrance of spring time. We are so fortunate to be able to experience that when the rest of the nation is still in somewhat of a "6 more weeks mode."

I started the day with my internal clock waking me just about the 6 AM hour. I'm retired and want to sleep in to some degree but my body wants to be on the pickle ball court around 7:30 so I'm up to start the day. Never would I have thought I would love retirement this much. Just last evening while speaking with one of my house church members we were regaling about getting out of the work force when we did. He hasn't been retired but about 5 years or so but love it despite the fact we both loved what we did and rarely missed any work all of those years. I shudder to think what debt our grand children will be saddled with because of the ineptitude of our government and the give aways to those who don't contribute or work; but live on the backs of those who do produce.

I started the day with a few quiet moments, posting of this ramble, a lite breakfast of a left over buckwheat cake then a ride on my bike to the rec about day break for some 2 hours of pickle ball. We had 2 courts in action with about 8 players. The play was good despite it being an open day, which means those of less skill levels can join in with the more advanced. Everyone has improved their levels so the action was fast and continuous especially if you were constantly winning. The winners split after each match and you were paired up with different players. I had a wet shirt by 10 AM.

I hung a load of laundry after getting home as Nancy was off to do some shopping and get a new hairdo. I worked out in the yard and gardens until it was time to harvest lettuces, kale and basil for a fresh garden salad. That kept me busy until lunch time so I read afterwards until Nancy got back around 2. We just chilled until it was time to get ready for a lite supper of salad with grilled chicken on top before heading up to the Botbyl's for our weekly house church get together. We had 4 couple to attend and we watched the video by Andy and Sandra Stanley on the guardrails a couple should have in place during the course of the marriage and family raising. We had a good time together and while many of us have been married 30 plus years except for one young couple we gleaned some great principles from the session.

Well the Ray's started the season with a big win on opening day but have been in the cellar ever since with poor pitching and no hitting. They have loss 2 in a row to the cellar dwellers(Jay's) from last year. Our one house church couple attended the second game with a less than capacity crowd from opening day. I'm hoping the team can turn things around shortly. Well that was about it for the day. I finished the novel THE SILENT WIFE and its a real page turner with a unique ending. I started a non-fiction story about a brother who seeks the killers of his brother titled NOBODY WALKS by Dennis Walsh. Great storyline and the investigation is some what Charles Bronson style as a vigilante. This is another page turner, LATER