Tuesday Morning in Florida

Well I have never seen so much rain at one time every evening and night. It was another monsoon rain last evening that had a river running down our street. I sure wish California would receive a little of this rain as they are in a severe drought especially the northern area. All of the ponds, ditches and lakes are over flowing here in our area and it looks as if it will be this way for quite awhile. At least it's not a cold rain like we had in the mountains. We almost could use a little cooler temps as the highs here have been unmerciful after lunchtime. It gets so hot and humid your unable to work outside except for short periods at a time and then your shirt is soaking wet, oh well.

Monday was another day of spending most of it with family as we celebrated Tyler and GG's birthdays with a family supper. Little Sam wasn't feeling great so Amy kept him home from school and he spent the morning with us while she shopped. He eventually started feeling better and was his old self by the evening. I think he drank too much pool water on Saturday at the party and it upset his tummy. Little Eliza came with Amy and had lunch with us along with GG. Amy calls her LeLe and she is fast becoming use to us and has such a cute smile. She laughs with her eyes as well and is such a darling. She loves to play hide and seek as we crawl around and hide behind doors and do peek a boo. She just adores Ava and Sam and rough houses with them as well. Sometimes I'm afraid they are a little rough with her but she never cries.

I put two large whole chickens in the smoker around 11 with a half a can of beer in the rear for about 7 hours with lots of peach wood I brought back from the mountains. Yeow was that ever delicious along with fresh broccoli, oven taters, fresh salad and crusty bread. Nancy made a carrot cake for dessert(birthday cake) and we had us a feast along with a little vino before the meal. We celebrated Tyler's birthday which was the day before our 35th anniversary and GG's birthday which is tomorrow. She will be 86 and Tyler was 36. He is having a difficult time with this new job as management doesn't seem to have their ducks in a row. It's very difficult for him at this time as he is use to some structure and guidelines with his field of expertise.

Betsy and Braden along with son Bobby came for the supper so we had a full house along with our full bellies. Nancy has decided we would leave again for the cabin on Monday instead of Friday so I insisted on at least Sunday due to the drive through Charlotte at rush hour on Monday. We will see who wins out. It's very difficult to leave once we are here with the family. Bobby is making plans to bring his kiddos to the cabin for a couple days in November if he can work it out with their mother as they have joint custody. He will fly in and to where will depend when he can leave Florida with them and with her cooperation. They are looking forward to golf cart rides and finding "newt" the orange lizard we often see on our hikes.

Well I did get in an hour and half plus of pickle ball with 2 full courts in action and a couple players waiting to get in on the action. I can tell I'm not in shape by playing every day as I tire more quickly after a couple hours despite all of the hard work and hiking in the mountains. The extra spare tire is a drag as well with

my level of energy, but its just hard to pass up on all of the good desserts. Well that was about it for the day as the family all left about 9'ish and it was shower time and then first half of the Chiefs whumping up on the Patriots when the sandman calleth, LATER

Monday Morning in Florida

Well Sunday was a typical Florida day with heat, humidity and once again rain in the evening. We didn't see the lightning, thunder and "gully washer" we've had the past several evenings which was nice. We started the day around a 7'ish roll out as we were once again spending the day in the Tampa area with worship at Element Church and then the afternoon at Bobby's place with him and the kiddo's.

Today was Element Church's 6th birthday so there was a big celebration with awesome praise music and personal testimonies,  many who had once called Element their church and have moved on to other positions in other churches as they came back in person or on video tape to honor this occasion and what Element has meant to them and their walk. It was a moving occasion and not a dry eye in the place with a few sharing their life stories. There were lots of hugs, handshakes and "glad to see us back" even though it was for just this week with these awesome folks. We were made to feel really missed and we did meet several new folks as well. There was a good size crowd with many of the core group on vacation or out of town; but it seems Element Church still is alive and will live to see another year despite having guest speakers and teachers after Bobby stepped down from the leadership. He did help with the music and it was awesome with many different solo's.

We headed over to his place and had a large lunch of grilled steak, asparagus and rice and then Nancy made chocolate chip cookies for dessert. We tuned in to watching the Bucs upset the Steelers in the NFL and then we headed to the pool for some swimming. Well that not only worn the kiddo's out but me as well as we splashed around for another fun filled hour and then we headed home around 7:30. It was a great day of worship, renewing friendships, loving up on our son and his kiddo's and eating gourmet style with his cooking and to top off the day with a win by the Bucs over a top football team, LATER

  

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday started out once again with beautiful weather and moderate temps and while the thunderheads built to a crescendo by early evening a monsoon inundated us rest of the evening and late into the night. We had a great time in Brandon( a suburb of Tampa)for the double celebration of Annsley and Gabe birthdays with a pool party. There were mostly kids from Element Church and their parents as well as a some classmates and of course the Ross Family.

We started out with a 6'ish rollout as we wanted to pick up GG by 9 and then travel the nearly hour drive to Bobby's new town home. Nancy had prepared a fruit tray, veggie tray and cup cakes as well as a spinach dip. Bob grilled hot dogs which tasted great and we served the food and drinks out by the pool. It was good to see all of our Element friends once again and all of the kiddos have really grown in the past 4 months. After the pool party and lunch most of the families departed except for a couple friends and of course our families when Anns and Gabe opened a ton of presents. It was almost like Christmas with presents everywhere. Anns and Ava settled into their togetherness as well as Sam and Gabe played wonderfully together. Bob and I put together Lego's and Hot Wheels with the boys help while the girls did their up and down the stairs acts. I think playing on the stairs was as good as a major gift for all the kiddos.

After the guests left we watched the kiddos along with the Ross Family while Bobby slipped out to do a wedding. We then got pizzas while the kiddos played until it was time for the Ross Family to head back to Seminole before the major storm arrived. We could see the black clouds forming throughout the afternoon and evening and just as we left around 7'ish the skies opened up for the next several hours. We saw some major wrecks on the way home and the streets and roads were flooded as well. Yikes it's been awhile since we have seen this kind of rain for such a long period. We made it home safely but our street looked like a river and it rained hard well into the night, LATER

 Here are just a few pics from the past couple days and the pool party.

Saturday Morning in Florida

Well Friday was another hot and humid day with a terrific thunder storm and rain by late evening; however the early morning was just ideal as I rode my bike out a little before 8 to the rec. If we could package that couple hours and do away with the afternoon heat and humidity we would have perfect conditions for not only outside activities but for growing gardens as well. It was another busy day as we had grand babies from lunch on until nearly their bedtime. We are really starting to bond a little with Eliza as she becomes use to us and of course Sam and Ava are thrilled with us being here as well.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout and after a few quiet moments to give thanks and lift up those who need some special considerations I posted this ramble then headed out to the rec for close to two hours of pickle ball. I left with a wet shirt riding my bike and went to work outside in the yards and gardens. I'm definitely getting plenty of exercise and sweating a lot in this heat and humidity. I clipped all of the hedges and shrubs then mowed the clippings up with my mower for compost and got into a wasp nest in one of the vines which gave me a reminder of how much they hurt. It was lunch time so I made a guacamole to go along with soup and sandwiches. Amy, Sam and Eliza came and we chowed down. GG went off with daughter Betsy(Nancy's sister) to the shopping mall.

Sam wanted to play after lunch so he and I stayed inside in the a/c as it was just too hot outside even in the shade under the big oak. We played until I was so sleepy that I took a small power nap while he played games on the ipad. Wow did I ever need that rest and I'm thankful for that ipad. Nancy and Amy made cupcakes for the birthday party today(Sat.) at Bobby's place in Brandon for Annsley and Gabe. We will pick up GG this morning and take her with us as we will have a pool party and lunch as we celebrate both of their birthdays with about a dozen other kiddos and their families.

We were supposed to go and watch Ava cheer lead at her school football game Friday evening but due to the stormy conditions that was cancelled so they stayed and ate supper with us while it stormed. I grilled pork chops and we shared some left over soup which was delicious even on hot days along with salad. They stayed until nearly 8 PM and after baths they headed out. Tyler came after working late and helped Nancy with some ipad functions. I started a new read that Amy shared with me and it's an awesome read about the freedom fighters during the holocaust titled WITH OUR LAST BREATH. Wow a great read and it has pictures of what occurred in Lithuania with the Nazi's and the extermination of the Jewish race. After visiting the museum in D.C. this summer the story is all that much more vivid and disgusting that humans can do this to other humans for political reasons.

Well after the kiddos left it was shower time and then it wasn't long until it was lights out for me. I did get a note telling me a friend from home had passed away at an early age of 62. We use to ride the school bus together as well as attend St. Johns Church for many years together. We use to see Sue on our yearly visits back to the home church and noticed she seemed to be failing in health over the past several years. We didn't see her this year and now know why. We are saddened by her passing and now know her suffering is finally

over with, LATER Here are some of the cupcakes with different icing colors for Annsley and Gabe's party.

Friday Morning in Hot Florida

Well Thursday started out with a 6'ish wake up after a somewhat restful night. We are definitely spoiled with the solitude found at the cabin as the night sounds of the a/c running and street traffic are quite annoying for a deep sleep. I did manage some sleep as the night before was rather limited due to the excitement of heading to Florida for reunions with family and friends. After my usual cup of hot green tea and a handful of vitamins and supplements and a few quiet moments I got ready to head to the rec for some pickle ball. I headed out to ride my bike but the tires were so low I decided to walk to the rec which really is only about 3/4 of a mile or so. That helped me to get warmed up with the hike which really is just a walk as the ground is so level.

We had a small turn out at first with just 4 players then eventually 4 more came and by 9:30 I was bushed so I headed home with a wet shirt. I located my neighbor who has an air compressor and pumped up my bike tires for tomorrow's ride to the rec then I distributed some tomato's to neighbors as well as some oak limbs that had fallen in the yard and on the roof from the big oak in the front yard. I had to use the chain saw to cut up some of them. The neighbors have a fire pit for camp fires and it worked out perfectly for getting rid of the oak limbs. Nancy was off at the Sam's Club and Publix with her mom, GG shopping. They bought enough food for the next couple months when we are only here for about 10 days, oh well.

Amy, Sam and Eliza Faye came about noon for lunch and there were a few moments when Eliza wasn't to sure about us as it's been over 4 months since we last saw her. She pouted at first but quickly warmed up to us and eventually let me hold her. She really stares and studies you with wide open eyes. She is so cute and little Sam was really excited to have me back. We read books, played toys and he never ceased his chatter. We worked outside in the back yard under the big oak until he spotted Nancy with the Ipad so he headed in the house to play games on it. He spent the rest of the day and evening with us after Amy brought Ava over from school. The whole Ross Family ate supper as well as GG and eventually Nancy's sister came by and ate as well after leaving work.

Nancy made a huge pot of vegetable soup as per Amy's order and it was delicious along with a nice salad from my mountain garden. I gave away lots of small ripe salad tomato's and we still have tons to eat and give away. Ave was really excited to see us and of course she just loves those small ripe tomato's. She is now a second grader and has really shot up in height. Both Ava and Sam love little Eliza and play with her constantly. They have really drawn close to her especially Sam who at times has to be reminded she is still a baby. Tyler came by and ate before heading to church where he teaches ESL(English second language). We played and loved up on the grandbabies until it was time for them to head out for baths and do school homework for Ava.

Well after Betsy left and took GG home it wasn't long until it was shower time and then I read until lights out at 10. I was bushed after all of the activity during the day. I did

managed a little yard and garden work in the hot air, transplanted the seedlings I brought back into larger pots and used some Roundup on some weedy areas plus got in lots of grand baby time during the day so my body was needing some horizontal lab. LATER We managed to get a few pictures after taking nearly 30 that met Nancy's standards.

Thursday Morning in Florida

There is little to report except we made it back safely to the flatlands. We are about 30 plus feet above sea level so I would say we are flatlanders for sure. It's rather warm but everyone here says it has really cooled down and this is fall like weather. It was really chilly yesterday morning as we left the cabin and that would have constituted a bitter winter day here in the flatlands. We did have some rain on the way down and we noticed most of the way it stayed somewhere in the 60's until we reached the outskirts of Tampa when the temps rose close to 90.

It sure is a different lifestyle here as your neighbor is but 60 feet away on either side and across the street. Yikes that leaves little or no privacy whereas at the cabin we go for days when at home and see no humans, oh well. I just want to thank all who kept us in your thoughts for safe uneventful travel. We have much to do as we travel to Tampa on Sat. and Sun. for birthdays and worship. I have some jobs around the house and I want to work on this lack of cardio and spare tire on the pickle ball court at the rec. We will be having lots of meals here at lunch and supper time in these next few days with family and grand baby time, LATER

Wednesday Evening in Seminole, Florida

Well there isn't a whole lot to report except to say we got off a little before 5 in the morning with a cold 42 degree start. We headed down the mountains with the stars shining brightly and you could see your breath in the air. The trip back to Florida was uneventful, thankfully except for a 30 minute or longer delay in Columbia, S.C. due to a couple fender benders which were out of the roadway as we passed with no real damage. The rubber neckers had a 3-4 mile back up which kept traffic at a stand still at times. We filled up with petrol for 2.97 a gallon and saw it as high as 3.43  a gallon just down the road. Talk about price gouging. We tried to stop every 1 1/2 hours to walk at least 10-15 minutes due to the prior blood clot in the left leg a few years back and really you feel so much better after getting out and walking around. We had to walk inside a large truck stop one time as we were in heavy rain during the first part of the trip.

GG(Nancy's mom) had a delicious supper of chicken casserole, Caesar salad and chocolate pudding for dessert after we unpacked and headed over to visit her. I met the new neighbor who moved in next door and loaded her up with some garden tomato's. She wants some help in starting a garden as she saw where I have mine planted during the winter months.. I met our new lawn maintenance guys who look after our yards while we are up in The Carolinas. Everything looked good except I must see to why my well pump is not working for some reason tomorrow after a couple hours at pickle ball. Well we made one grocery stop after supper and then Nancy is off to Sam's Club in the morning as we have several birthdays to celebrate.

The a/c hasn't shut off since we've been home and I do kind of miss a little of that snuggling colder weather, LATER

Tuesday Morning in Chilly North Carolina

Well Monday morning found us in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in the quaint town of Woodstock, Va. at my sister Dee and husband Mike's house. Brr when we headed outside to see the morning sunrise as it rose over the Blue Ridge Mountains. We were up and getting ready to go for a 9 AM departure back to our cabin after a whirlwind trip that started Friday afternoon. Wow did we ever see some folks we hadn't seen in quite awhile as well as our yearly worship at my old home church. We ate, ate and ate some more as we of course visited with family and friends along with the hugs and handshakes

We made a quick stop at the Wholesome Foods processing plant just off I-81 as we wanted to pick up some terrific bacon to take back with us to Florida. Sister Dee brought a large package of the meat on her last visit and it was the best ever.  We picked up a couple 4 pound packages and the clerk even gave us a 10% discount as we told him we were taking it back to N.C. as it was the best tasting ever. This plant was huge with 18 wheelers parked outside to take their product where ever, anyhow we were back on the road in just a few minutes. We made a walk around stop after an hour and a half in southern Virginia before continuing onto Galax, Va. for a Wal-Mart stop before continuing to the cabin.

The grass had finally grown after all the rain so I will mow it today before we head out tomorrow for Florida. We will be gone roughly 9-10 days before coming back to the cabin for about a month or so depending on who all are coming for a visit and of course if the snow gets to deep we will leave earlier. It was 44 this morning and Nancy has the oven on to take off the chill, at least it's supposed to be sunshine and blue skies for the day. I picked lots of tomato's that had fallen off onto the ground so I will have plenty to take to our Florida family along with a dozen or so slicing tomato's from sister Dee's garden.

We headed out to Sparta for what was a final get together with Patrick and Kathryn before they leave for Florida on Saturday and to celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary. We met at the Pines Eatery along with our new found friends from Elk Creek,

Sam and Marcia for a tasty meal. Once again Patrick surprised us all with picking up the tab and then surprising us with a beautiful gift as well when we headed back to their cabin for a dessert of homemade French Silk Pie, yeow was that ever delicious. Sam and Marcia had prior commitments so were able to join us for dessert. We will have another month of their friendship before we eventually leave for the winter. We then taught the Tracy's how to play Euchre and they are hooked as well and it was nearly ten when we headed out. We decided since we have a rubber game to play we would have them for an early supper and to play Euchre as we get ready for our trip during the day, LATER

Monday Morning in the Shenandoah Valley

Well Sunday was a busy day once again hugging lots of necks and many handshakes as we visited my old church on Back Mountain Road nestled below North Mountain. After the worship service we took Paw Paw(dad) and Adeline along with Mike and Dee out to a sumptuous lunch in Hayfield(don't these down home names thrill you) where some of us dined on roast turkey, fried chicken, pork chops and a chef salad for me. The food was good and plentiful.

We started the day with a 7'ish rollout and the temps were down right chilly to start with but quickly warmed up to the middle 80's. We made the trip through the mountains as we headed to St. Johns Church built originally in the 1700's. We made a trip through the cemetery observing familiar names and a few tombstones that dated back to the Revolutionary War and a great-grandfather who was part of General Robert E. Lee's contingent. We met with several folks who I grew up with and some we are friends with on Face Book. It was a great reunion there as well. Afterwards we travel to a community eatery that was packed with patrons for a good meal and then with full bellies we headed up to the waterfalls that our little community was named after, Mountain Falls. Nancy and I visited the waterfalls the year we were first married and now visited it again today after 35 years of marriage. A lot of water has gone down those rocks in 35 years. The views from the top of the mountain were gorgeous and it started to really heat up after such a cold start.

We took Paw Paw and Adeline home and stayed and visited for awhile before heading on down the valley to Woodstock. The old farm houses are evident to this roadway with a mixture of the more modern homes as well. The vista is just beautiful and some of the trees are showing some early color as well. We taught mike and Dee the new card game, Euchre we learned last week and they loved it as well. After 4 complete games we were tied 2 each and it was getting late as Mike leaves for work in Winchester around 7 AM. We dined on finger food with jalapeno poppers, port wine cheese and some deer salami and a taste of vino.

Well we head back to the cabin this morning for an anniversary celebration supper with Patrick and Kathryn as this is their last week in the mountains as well. They will head back to warmer temps next week as well as we leave on Wednesday for about 10 days to celebrate several birthdays. This will be a week of traveling, preparing lots of meals and I hope a little pickle ball play at the gym later this week, LATER Pictures will follow tomorrow!!

Sunday Morning

Well this post will be shortened as I had the original just about completed and presto I hit a key that dissolved all of my gibberish; so I will try to rethink my thoughts and put it down once again. We left Roanoke after a sumptuous breakfast at an eatery named Jerry's. Wow was the food ever delicious after a restful night at Mike's mom and dad's beautiful home. We headed out on the interstate but shortly transferred to the alternate route which was the original road up and through the Shenandoah Valley. The many beautiful historic old homes were evident all through the area that route 11 visits. Many of the structures were refurbished log and limestone homes.

We stayed at Mike and Dee's beautiful home nestled between the mountains in the Shenandoah Valley. We took a long walk through their hood and the sunshine felt great from our last few days in the mountains of rain, fog and cool temps. We tuned into the college game between Virginia and Georgia Tech's that Mike and Dee were in attendance and saw the home team lose in a last minute thriller. We saw a couple other games as we got ready to head to Winchester which is about 30 miles north of Woodstock. The reunion was being held at the Winchester Country Club where several of our classmates at one time caddied for the golfers during high school.

We had about a hundred or so out of 200 plus classmates with 32 classmates deceased. Many of the classmates spouses were deceased as well and the ravages of age showed on several with health issues. Nancy and I came the second furthest with the longest visit from one classmate from San Diego. We learned another classmates lives a few miles north of us in Largo, Florida. It was a grand time and there were many hugs and handshakes and the promise to keep in tough via Face Book.

Today Sunday we are visiting my old church with Paw Paw(Dad) and Adeline. Mike and Dee with meet up with us for lunch after traveling up from Woodstock. We will head back to the cabin on Monday morning

to celebrate 35 years of marriage before leaving for Florida next Wednesday, LATER

  

Saturday Afternoon

Well Friday started out with a  7ish roll out. We had to be back into Sparta at 10 AM for a meet up with The Tracy's at JB's for breakfast because the attendant at Alleghany Meats was unable to find our order on the way home Thursday evening. This  is the second time we have dealt with her and she no doubt has some learning to do in the business world, oh well. It gave us an excuse to visit with Patrick and Kathryn and to try the breakfast at JB's as we have heard great things about their breakfasts. We know their pizza is the best in town as well.

After a sumptuous breakfast of omelets, grits, taters, pancakes and oatmeal we waddled out around 11'ish. After picking up our meat order we headed home to package it and get it ready for freezing. We then tided up the cabin, packed our bags and got ready for a 3 PM leave for Virginia. It was in the low 60's with no sunshine and a rain mist at times as we headed into Galax to fill up. We traveled I-77 to I-81 as we headed towards Roanoke to meet up with sister Dee at her husbands parents house in the suburbs of Roanoke. We made it as far as Radford when the interstate suddenly slowed down and quickly backed up. Luckily for us there was an off ramp which took us in to down town Radford. We weren't the only vehicles that suddenly inundated that small town and the back up through the city was horrendous. We finally was able to get north of the major crash scene that was blocking traffic and get back on the interstate at Blacksburg. That was the first time we had ever been through the business district and the old town area.

We finally made it to Ken and Roswell Dillon's beautiful home around 5:30 and shortly thereafter took off with Mike and Dee to watch his old high school team play a cross town rival at the beautiful Salem City Stadium. Wow what a complex and the place was packed with thousands to watch a high school football team. Mike's alma mater didn't fare to well as they played an undefeated team but the team and community spirit was evident. We had great 40 yard line seats and the game was quite entertaining as it's been years since I last seen a high school game. I played for 5 years starting in the 8th grade and started with the first string the last 3 years of school. It was a rather chilly evening and we all had coats and sweats on to ward against the chill that had set in from the earlier rain in the area. It wasn't long after the game that we hit the sack around 11, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday turned out to be a rather nice day with just a touch of chill in the air to start the day and by the afternoon I was comfortable in shorts. There were a few clouds off in the distance but it stayed dry for another day. The ground at our place is still holding moisture as the morning dew is so heavy almost like a rain during the night that I shouldn't have to hand water again except maybe for the porch plants. We headed out for the beautiful community of Elk Creek in Virginia around noon'ish to visit our new friends.

We started the morning much the usual with a 7'ish roll out and after our quiet times and a lite breakfast I put a load of laundry it and then hung it outside on the clothesline. I did a cursory look at the gardens and the rains of last week have just about done in all but a few plants. I'm starting to get the itch for starting my winter garden in Florida next week as we travel back to the hot and sunny flatland for about a week or so. Today was a special day as our grandson Gabriel turned 4 years old, yikes where did that time go and he is the last to carry on the Triplett name in our lineage. We will celebrate his birthday next Saturday along with his sisters 7th birthday and our son-in-law Tyler's birthday and GG's birthday(Nancy's mom) who will be 86. There will be some fine eatin' in the next week or so.

We headed out around 11'ish to meet up with our flatland friends, Patrick and Kathryn to ride with them to Virginia. It turned out to be just a gorgeous day on this side of the mountain as we traveled north and west of Independence, Va. I just love the name of this small town and what it denotes and to think it's in the state of my birth. We found Sam and Marsha's abode and wow is all I can say. Their place is the oldest home in Grayson County built from hand hewed logs around the early 1800's. What history lies within this beautifully decorated house. There is a barn on the property as well which is built to last and just perfect for a man cave. At one time the stage coach line used this building as one of their stops. We also met their trusty companion and watch dog Betsy who was the picture of contentment.

We had a rather large lunch/supper with pulled pork, a potato casserole Nancy made and delicious Cole slaw Kathryn added to this fine meal. There were chips and a homemade black bean salsa dip as well as a layered dessert with fresh fruit and custard pudding that Marsha made which was superb. Yeow, there goes the spare tire again. That held me until this morning(Friday) when we head back to town for a breakfast at JB"S with Patrick and Kathryn. Seems our meat man failed to leave out our order so we could pick it up on the way home and thus save me another trip into town. Oh well!!!

After eating it was time for a walk around outside and a visit down to Sam's man cave, the barn. Wow was this structure built to last much like their 200 plus year old house and the views of the surrounding mountains reminded me of being nestled down into a valley. This gorgeous house should be featured on the HGTV network.

We settled into a couple raucous games of Pit and Sequence. Well the gals came from 2 straight losses to tie us(guys) in Sequence and unless we get together again on Monday that will be the score for the winter until next summer when we play the "rubber match". We had a great time and found their friendship invigorating and special as we all come from different backgrounds but our one common feature was the love for GOD. We headed out a little after 6 and wondered where did that time go, LATER 

Thursday Morning

Well, Wednesday turned out to be rather pleasant despite the cool temps for most of the day. We saw some sunshine and a few clouds but the breeze made for great conditions for clothes drying outside on the line. By late afternoon it had warmed close to 70 so I decide to rid the mildew from the porches of the cabin. We stayed home except for a hike and a ride to the mailbox on the golf cart.

We started the day with a 7'ish roll out to chilly temps down into the low 50's. Yikes with the breeze it felt even cooler. I had on long pants and a flannel shirt whenever I would leave the warm cabin. The prediction is for the 40's next week as the low's. I guess after the upcoming trip to Florida we will appreciate these cool days until we head back in November for the winter. I some how have the feeling it's going to be a long cold winter here in the mountains and already we are seeing the leaves changing colors on many of the trees.

We took off for our hike of the day and stopped and chatted with Joe and Jetta. Norm is still in the hospital in Elkin and is holding his own for now. They visited him a day or so ago and he wasn't doing very good but seemed to rally a little yesterday. He is one tough old feller and as stubborn as a mule but this round of health issues has helped to change his mind about seeking some medical help. Our Orkin pest control guy came and treated the cabin once again both inside and out and whatever he uses works as we haven't had a black ant anywhere near the cabin since he first came in August. He will treat the outside every other month for a year on this contract even while we are away.

I took a paint roller and a bucket of bleach and tackled the walls under the porches of the cabin and does that ever get rid of the black mildew that gathers on the painted wooden boards. It's presto gone and actually makes the boards look as if I've just repainted them. I usually use a bean sprayer but this way is much less messy and I don't get any blow back in the eyes or on the clothes. I want tackle the sides of the cabin next but that means I'm up on a ladder so it will take a little longer to work the bleach into the boards, oh well.

We finished up some leftovers and went meatless for supper for a change as we have had the "feed bag" on with all of the company and eating out lately. We do have another engagement for a late lunch at the Carlins in Elk Creek, Va. today so we will carpool with the Tracy's from Sparta. We want to make a butcher shop run on the way to Sparta today as we get ready for company in October with Nancy's family and then again a long week-end with Bobby and the kiddo's, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday turned out to be one of summers most beautiful days which we are accustomed to here in the mountains, yikes was it ever nice with warm temps(enough to wear short pants), blue skies, bright sunshine, very little humidity and a gentle breeze. Wow was it ever a gorgeous day. We even got two loads of laundry outside on the line to dry. Our guests Jerry and Becky were leaving after lunch to head south to Tampa. We had an awesome time with them and they taught us a great new card game called Euchre. We had stayed up the night before playing until the wee hours of the morning and then once again after breakfast we played another hour or so.

Nancy made her famous buckwheat pancakes with a banana and fresh blueberries in the batter along with cackleberries(eggs) on top to start the gastric juices flowing. While our breakfast settled we got into another round of Euchre and played the best 2 out of 3 games with the guys once more prevailing with a win. We decided to take another hike to the top of the mountain and we  learned from his neighbor Rex that Norm was still in the hospital in Elkin. He finally agreed he needed to be cared for by medical staff due to his health issues. We were thrilled to hear that news. We saw no one else as we hiked back down to the cabin.

We had a lite lunch of salad and left over pizza eaten outside on the picnic table. The ambiance was just fantastic with the birds singing in the sunshine, clothes drying on the line in the warm breeze and overhead blue skies. After eating they got ready and packed up for their return trip home. It was close to 2:30 before they pulled out and we once again went into the cleaning mode. We were to meet up with The Tracy's at their cabin on the other side of Sparta at 5'ish for supper along with Patrick's sister Meg and her husband Jim as well as with Sam and Marsha. I loaded up the corn toss boards and the Sequence game for before and after eating entertainment.

We had a marvelous visit with Patrick's family quests from Reno, Nevada and Kathryn put on a fantastic delicious spread that started with cheeses, dips and fresh veggies then we settled into a meal of chicken picatta with linguine and a layered salad and for dessert another homemade cheesecake with berries on top. Yikes everything was just delicious. We shared a little vino as well. The guys played a couple rounds of corn toss while the gals chatted up inside and then afterwards for the first time this year the guys won 3 games in a row to knock the gals out of the Sequence game. It was going on 9 and Meg and Jim had to be in Raleigh for a 9 AM flight back home so it was a 4AM wake up for them to make their flight.

We thoroughly enjoyed their company and of course Patrick and Kathryn are such complete and gracious hosts. We will visit Sam and Marsha's home for the first time on Thursday for a late lunch in Elk Creek, Va. along with Patrick and Kathryn. We then head out for northern Virginia for the week-end while The Tracy's make ready for their move back to Florida for the winter. We have made some great new friends this summer while in the mountains and it will be difficult to leave them and we ask ourselves where did the last 4 months go, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday morning found us socked in with fog and overcast skies but after a morning hike we decided to show our guests some of the different areas of the county and once we got off of Rich Hill Mountain and Foggy Mountain Road we saw blue skies and bright warm sunshine. Wow what a difference a few miles make away from the Blue Ridge Parkway. We had a great time exploring new roads in the county with our friends Becky and Jerry Hoffman from the Tampa area.

We started the morning off with a mountain breakfast. I fried up on the grill a skillet of some of the best bacon ever brought to us courtesy of Mike and Dee from the Shenandoah Valley. Along with bakery bread, homemade jelly and dippy eggs with orange juice to wash it down. I of course had a fresh garden grown Serrano pepper cut up in my eggs to awaken the taste buds and get the gastric juices flowing. After the cleanup and we headed out to the top of the mountain for our first of two hikes for the day.

We headed out after the hike for roads unknown and never seen by us on an adventure. We found an old wooden bridge and stopped to gander and do some photo shoots in the warm sun light. It was in the 50's to start the day and finally warmed up to the middle 60's by late afternoon. Wow did we ever see some beautiful country and then stopped by the Bald Knob Farm House for a few shots as well. Our dear friends the Crouse's own and rent out this beautiful old 1918 house where we have stayed many times with friends before completing our cabin in the 90's. What picturesque landscapes we saw as we travelled in the western part of the county.

We came back into Sparta around 3 and had a fantastic pizza at JB's restaurant. We brought about half of it home as it is such a filling delicious pie. We then walked around downtown Sparta and while the gals had a special drink at Becca's Bean Coffee Shop I walked down to the library and stocked up as well on books. We then headed downtown to the local butcher shop and found once again a great bone-in loin roast for future dinners with family next month. I found the new book TO DANCE WITH THE WHITE DOG written by a local author Terry Kay and it is a fantastic read as

I started it last night after a marathon night of Euchre. This is a new card game taught to us by the Hoffman's and I must say this is an exciting, challenging and fun game as we played well after midnight with the guys prevailing in the end, LATER