Tuesday morning in the mountains

Well I must say there is "nothing finer than to awake in 'Carolina in the morning" and Monday was just that. Despite being awake since 3 AM the day before I awakened around 4:30 and could not go back to sleep. I had lots on my mine as to what I needed to do first after my cup of hot turmeric drink and a few minutes with my Creator in giving thanks for the many blessings and being here in the mountains is one of the best except for family and friends. It was so still here with the exception of the dew dripping from the dormer onto the tin roof. There was no sirens or road traffic noise in the distant even our neighbor who had a multitude of dogs are gone so no barking either.

I decided to put batteries in the golf cart and riding mower as I store them in the basement over the winter. I forged a path through the nearly waist high grass and got the golf cart started. I had to move some porch furniture from the shed down below which is quite a task when doing so by hand which I had to do last year. The golf cart with the bed on the back is a work horse and I would be lost and worn out with out as I know from experience but the riding mower was another story. The battery was down enough that it wouldn't start so luckily I have a battery charger which after an hour or so the mower cranked right up. I checked and this battery is 10 years old but after running for a few minutes it started every time through out the day.

The high grass held the moisture so I took the weed whacker which started up as well and began cutting a path around the the flower beds as Nancy wanted to start weeding them as soon as she finished her morning absolutions, phone calls and quiet time. I was outside at daybreak checking on the transplanted veggie plants and they all looked rather well especially the huge jalapeno pepper plant. It is probably 3 feet tall but was loaded with blossoms and so I knew it would die in the hot Florida sun with out me watering it so I would rather it die here or at least give it a chance with some TLC, so far so good. It did wilt in the hot afternoon sun but I watered it twice throughout the day and we got a really nice evening shower and I think it rained overnight as well. It perked back up with rain and evening shade.

I took the golf cart and headed to the top of the mountain before lunch to picked the rotor tiller from the Brownings garden and borrowed it for a couple of days. They have their garden in with half runner beans up already. Last year I turned my gardens over by hand with a shovel and that took forever and doesn't nearly break up this clay packed soil plus this way is much easier on the old body. I started on the two upper gardens and got them turned up and decided since the sun had shifted to work on the lower much bigger garden later after lunch when I would have some shade. Now the temps weren't bad but in the direct sunlight it was hot. It stayed in the low 70's and high 60's for most of the day until the evening shower had Nancy reaching for a long sleeve shirt. I thought the temps were just right for working outside. I decided to take a break and set down for the next two or so hours while I mowed with the riding mower which was now operating just fine. I had it set on the highest setting and then still had to go over the grass several times. I didn't get to the backwoods yards but will in the next day or so.

Nancy was weeding the front beds all except the big circle bed which is a constant headache for her with the grass and clover. It has never been an ideal bed for flowers because of the grass so we decided we would dig up the flowers we want to save and since I have the rotor tiller to turn that bed over and start from scratch with Zinnias's. I have a ton of seeds I saved from last year and we love Zinnias and they are as hardy and any flower out there. So that will be our new project today after we get the fios tv turned on this morning. The folks are due here at 8:30 to set that up. We took the old tv out of the homemade cabinet and I started breaking it down until my drill batteries ran empty. It was going on 8 'ish so we decided to call it a day with a hot shower.

We celebrated Memorial Day with delicious corn on the cob at 5 for a buck, what a bargain and the Silver Queen corn was fabulous with melted butter. We did some hot dogs to accompany the corn for the celebration atmosphere. Well it was a fun day and we both love the challenge of getting this piece of creation we have been blessed with in shape to show to others, LATER

Monday Morning-Memorial Day

I must say thanks to all who remembered us traveling Sunday for mercies especially as we approached the South Carolina border with the tropical storm Bonnie making landfall just east of where we headed north on I-95, Yikes!!! I'll mention more in this ramble about this adventure that had a detour, water rushing over the roadway and a travel through a beautiful rural section of down home America and then seeing one of the most beautifully built church buildings we have ever seen.

The morning started out of course with me sleeping very little as I'm like a kid going fishin' for the first time. The anticipating road trip always leaves me sleepless the night before but it also releases lots of adrenalin as well. I was wide awake before the alarm was set to go off at 3 AM. I jumped out of bed and awakened Nancy from the "band playing"and she went to work on making herself presentable for a 4 AM departure. ( I don't know who will see her at that time of the morning) I packed the phones and started loading the coolers with the frozen meats as well as cleaned out the fridge. We don't usually leave anything that could be out dated or that will expire while we are gone for 5 months. I turned off the water to the house set the a/c to 83 and finally by 3:57 we prayed over the house and for a safe trip and was on the road.

We were making such good time as the traffic was rather lite. The weather was perfect and I was able to maintain a good constant speed as we stop every hour and half with a quick walk at the rest areas. We stopped twice prior to getting to Pouler, Ga where we usually make a Sam's stop but we were 45 minutes ahead of schedule so we continued northbound as they don't open until 10AM. This is usually half way to the cabin. Well we made a gas stop just north of there and started to see some dark rain clouds and by the time we got to Savannah it had started to rain moderately. Well as we tooted the horn for S.C. we noticed the rain came down much stronger and when we reached north of Hardeeville the traffic came to a complete stop. We had no idea why so we followed a detour off the interstate which took us about 45 minutes and several miles back to south of where we were initially stopped in the backup. There were no warnings about what was happening and nothing on the radio as well. When we took the detour we traveled some two lane roads with deep rushing water over flowing the roadway with many down trees as well.

Finally we saw a sign that indicated I-95 and we thought we were above the blockage but this detour was a delaying tactic I think, anyhow we decided to go in the opposite direction fording some deep water over the roadway. We traveled through lots of small communities and some very nice ones as well in this farming belt that eventually found us in Orangeburg. We picked up I-26 and headed west after at least an hour and half delay or more. The rain and wind continued at times in heavy down pours and severe gusts. Nancy was looking for a bathroom and on this two lane road in rural America it was by luck we found this little country store with a single gas pump that had an outside privy. You needed a key to get in and it wasn't marked by gender; just the hand painted sign restroom. Across the street we noticed this old beautiful church building and I noticed a young smiley black girl pumping gas and I mentioned to her how beautiful that church building was and she replied"that's my church". How proud she was and the fact a stranger noticed and commented. If it hadn't been raining and blowing so hard we would have gotten out and taken more pictures.

Well we made a couple more stops for walking and gas before finally getting to Wal-Mart in Elkin at the foot of the mountain to stock up on some goodies. The mountain air was refreshing as we climbed higher. The a/c was turned off and the fresh mountain air was exhilarating. It was 67 degrees after reaching the summit and heading for the cabin. Well it was a welcome site to see the place after 7 months and of course the grass was nearly waist high with the gardens over grown with weeds. The cabin inside looked like we left it yesterday and everything functioned properly. The water was sweet and cold and it didn't take the heater to give us hot water once again. We did notice a new utility box on the side of the cabin which is our fiber optic cable. Can you believe we have fios here in the mountains, Yikes!!! It took an hour or so to unload and then I headed out to get some of the plants I brought from Florida into the ground. They looked pretty good and hopefully will make after the shock of being uprooted and transplanted. I of course used some of the composed manure as well as Garden Magic while trans planting.

We had  bowl of leftover spaghetti around 7:30 with a much needed glass of vino. There is so much to do but we both love this yearly transition from hot flat land living in Florida to the cool with nothing flat living surrounded by nothing but GOD'S creation. We both said a prayer of thanksgiving as we parked in the driveway. I hope to post some pictures along with these daily ramblings, LATER

I want to give credit for all those who served our nation so that I could enjoy this mountain place and this life I live. I still honor my Creator daily and respect the flag despite how this  inept administration tries to down play our Christian values that have allowed us to be an exceptional people. Also I want to wish my oldest sister, Josie(I call her) a Happy Big Day!!

Sunday Evening

Well we are here at the cabin after a long day that started with a 3 AM roll out. We did have some eventful occurrences throughout the day but nothing too serious. I will explain in tomorrow mornings post as that has been my routine for the past couple of years initially with tripsplace.blogspot .com and now with this present blog at tripsdaily.blogspot.com.

Saturday found us up early and I stayed away from the pickle ball courts as I had lots to do to get ready for this 5 month trip to the cabin. plus we were watching Ava, Sam and Eliza while Amy and Tyler headed out to a wedding. We did get most of what we wanted to do before they came around 2 o'clock and then we all headed over to GG's around 5 as she was preparing supper for us all so we didn't have to cook. I dug up several plants to bring with me; a large jalapeno pepper an another pepper plant that was loaded with peppers that came up volunteer in my garden, a sweet basil plant, a thyme plant, a rosemary plant as well as several Zinnias and marigolds. I also brought three cucumber plants as well as 8 or 9 tomato plants all for the summer garden.

I put out bug poison, ant traps as well as D-con in my garden shed to help keep the citrus rats in check as they like the dryness of my shed. I stayed busy outside in the yard and garden until lunch time then headed in to vacuum and catch up on more honey-do's until the Ross kiddos came. There was never a dull moment after that. We headed over to GG's for a supper of grilled brats with sauteed onions and peppers from the garden along with mac and cheese and salad, yeow was that ever tasty. We didn't stay long after the clean up as I wanted to pack the truck and be ready to pull out by 4 AM. I laid down around 9:30 after a hot shower but I don't sleep the night before some big event and was wide awake a little before 3 when I awakened Nancy. We did some last minutes things and got away just a couple of minute before 4.

I will go into detail about the trip in tomorrows ramble as the sandman is calling my name at 10:15, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well we had a busy Friday with errands, packing and then having the Ross Family and GG over for a spaghetti supper while Amy, Tyler and Sam went to a function at Keswick School. They have a program where seniors pair up and mentor with kindergarten students. Sam just happened to be paired up for this past year with the valedictorian of the class. They have quite a program for their graduating seniors and it was close to 10 PM before they came back to get Ava and Eliza.

The morning started much the usual with a before 6 to start the day. I did my usual morning routines, a few quiet moments to honor my Creator, the posting of this ramble and then a lite breakfast before pedaling out to the Rec. for a good workout on the pickle ball court. I had a wet shirt and head by 9:30 so it was time to tell everyone so long until Sept. when we come back for birthdays. The pickle ball program changes to just a couple days a week due to the summer camps the first of June after school is out. There will be a few who will still play here but many will find other venues in the areas where they can play over the summer.

I came home and did some small chores as we get ready to pull out early on Sunday morning. We have been excited about leaving this year as we know both Bobby and Amy with families will come to the mountains over the 4th of July and that GG is flying up to Michigan for three weeks. Usually we are so sad to leave our family but now we are anticipating their visits in the next 6 weeks or so. I spoke with neighbor Gerald as he was down from Blacksburg for the weekend and except for the high grass everything looked good at the cabin. All of the trees have leafed out and the grass is green due to lots of rain the past couple of weeks. He was scraping the water ruts from the driveways and our gravel road in from the hard top with his tractor.

I headed off to Largo to get some of my Garden Magic which is a powder that come from a dried seabed in Utah that has all of the major and minor elements needed for sustained plant growth. It is really great for vegetable garden plants as well as any living plant. It's not cheap but a little last a long time and the difference it made in my winter garden more than paid for its self in savings. I will use probably a quart of it over the summer at the cabin.

It was just Nancy and I for a lunch as we continued to eat down the fridge but we had a house full for Nancy's delicious spaghetti supper, yeow was that ever good and we have enough leftover for supper on Sunday night as it travels well in a cooler. We will be so busy unpacking and opening up the cabin that it will be just right after traveling all day. We tuned into the Ray's game and they loss another one with some errors in one innings that were almost laughable. Oh well, they are playing the Yankees which is always a big rivalry.

This will be my last post from Hot Muggy Florida until later in the summer and hopefully I will post again on Monday morning while seated at the kitchen table looking into the backwoods yard with the morning temps in the 50's or 60's to start the day. If you give us a thought we could use some for traveling mercies as this will be a big weekend for folks on the road, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday had it ups and downs as we got together one last time with her small group for a magnificent supper and then our home team the Lightning lost to the Penguins in game 7 who will play the Sharks in the Stanley Cup finals, oh well!!

The day started with a before 6 roll out as I had moved into the spare room early in the morning because the "band was playing" and I couldn't get any sleep after 4 AM. I had my morning cup of hot turmeric drink, did my quiet time to honor my Creator then posted this ramble before having a lite breakfast and then riding out to the Rec. for nearly two hours of pickle ball workout. We had some good play and by the time I left I had a wet shirt and head. I stopped off at the library and picked up a classic book titled A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN by Betty Smith. I read that during WWII this was one of the soldiers favorite reads they took with them to the battlefield and I must say from what I've read so far I can see why. It's a back home realistic portrayal of family life for the common folk. GREAT read so far and while it's rather lengthy I may order it from the library in N.C. so as to finish it. I don't believe I will have time as we have a lot to do as well as watch the Ross kiddos Friday and Sat. and then finish packing and lots of last minute to do's.

I headed out to the barber for a ear lowering after pickle ball then hand watered the seedlings and what is left of the gardens. Amy, GG and all the kiddos came before lunch and I took the kiddos next door to play with Roxie the pug puppy. They had a great time and of course that helped to wear the pup out as well. Carol the owner has become a very nice neighbor as well and will look out for the house while we are gone. We had deli meat sandwiches for lunch then I retired to the reading room for a couple of hours until they all left then it was get ready for our small group. I did the vacuuming and a few other honey-do's. We had potatoes in the oven baking along with the last of the carrots from the garden and Nancy made a salad. Dan and Carol brought fillets already to eat and his new method of cooking them is excellent. The meat was so tender you could cut it with a fork and perfectly prepared at medium rare. Patrick and Kathryn brought some 'taters fixin's as well as a birthday cake. The meal was awesome and the Tarcy's had too leave soon afterwards as they had an errand to run but the Botbyl's hung around until the end of the first period of the hockey game. We won't see them for a spell.

IT was shower time for me after the second period and the Lightning were down2-1 and that ended up as the final score. They played well during the playoffs despite not having two of their better players and just missed the finals by one game, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday started out with fantastic temps and as the day progressed the heat once more came on with vengeance. I'm so looking forward to cool morning for a change and cool afternoons as well. It was so hot here you couldn't do much until after supper when the sea breeze swept across the area and huge thunderheads of white and pink clouds built to the east of the area. Reminded me of the huge clouds in Vietnam with thunderheads miles into the sky. We never got any much needed rain so I hand watered the front yard and gardens.

The day started with me up at my before 6 usual time. Nancy had the "band playing" so I sneaked off into the reading room and rested for a couple hours sometime around 4 AM. I was having some fluid in the one ear and the ear plugs weren't comfortable so I wanted the ear to drain. Anyhow after my usual routines of a hot turmeric drink, a few quiet moments and then the posting of this ramble I got ready to ride out to the Rec. for close to two hours of pickle ball. We had two courts in action with some great rallies. I have just two more mornings of daily play and already the talk is when will I be back. I will miss this almost daily workout but I'm sure the hills at the cabin will more than make up for this exercise lost in the gym.

I stopped off at the library for a new read titled DEAD WAKE by Erik Larson. It's about the sinking of the Lusitania that suffered losses of nearly 1200 folks dead just a few short years after the Titanic sinking. This act by a German sub was another reason we finally got pulled into WWI. It's a great read and well documented and sheds lots of light into the Woodrow Wilson presidency and how America became engaged into this conflict. There are lots of personal history of those who sailed on the ship which was larger than the Titanic and it sank in about 15 minutes after being struck by a single torpedo.

Amy and all of the Ross kiddos came for lunch as school is officially over for the summer. GG was off with some of her singing friends and a lunch out with them. We did some piddly jobs after they left for the day as we make ready for our departure on Sunday. I now have everything put on vacation, mail forwarded and services made ready for us at the cabin. We spoke with out "mountain mom" and the weather has finally turned summer like with much warmer temps while the mornings are still rather chilly with the low 50's, Ahhh!!! We are having our small group here for supper tonight(Thursday) as we celebrate Kathryn's birthday who will be 61. She is the oldest gal in our group with Carol at 60 and Nancy at 59. I'm the oldest guy with the youngest wife, oh well!!!

We tuned into the Ray's game and they blew a lead in the 8th innings so I turned them off and hit the sack at 10 PM, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday was another hot day with temps up into the 90's as the humidity moderated slightly but is forecasted to be back with avenge in the next couple of days. We checked with the mountain temps and they seem marvelous with low's in the 50's and highs in the low 70's with some bright sunshine finally coming after several days of cloudiness and rain.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out and then my routines of a hot cup of turmeric drink, a few quiet moments to honor my Creator and then an apple for breakfast before heading out on my bike to the Rec. for a workout on the pickle ball court. We had 4 good players to start with and got in three sets of play before others began to arrive. It was a mixture of talent by then but I got in a good workout and a good sweat.

I headed home after a quick stop at the library to water the garden or whats left of it. The okra is really producing and setting lots of fruit as well is the volunteer tomato plant which I will leave for who ever comes by. The jalapeno plant is now loaded with buds and blooms as well which I will leave also. I fed the new seedlings that I want to bring with me and it looks as if I will have three cucumber seedlings and 9 tomato plants with 5 of them from volunteers that came up in my compost area and these could be any kind of tomato. I will also bring lots marigold and zinnias seedlings along with rosemary and thyme.

I did some fan cleaning as well as some other honey do's as we start to pack up and make the house ready for our departure early Sunday morning. I gathered up what tools I'm taking back with me and have them ready to go. I just need to check on what seeds and garden tools go with us as well. We always pack too much especially clothes we never wear but we do need a wedding, funeral or special occasion set of clothes plus our going to church ensembles more so for Nancy than me. We had our lunch crowd today with Amy, GG and Eliza Faye and we nearly finished the leftover chicken noodle soup. Today we will also have Ava and Sam as they are finished with school for the year.

Well we spoke with our mountain top buddy Joe who just turned 83 and he sounded in good spirits. He and Jetta are the only permanent residents on top of our mountain and we usually see them on our hikes to the top. We always seem to find time to chat for a spell and we are looking forward to those visits. Joe and Jetta both like to garden and always are sharing some of their bounty with us through out the summer. She is quite the seamstress as well and has done several sewing and alteration jobs for us. We so enjoy them. They had their place up for sale the last couple of years as they have family in Ohio and want to get back close to them but so far there has been no real interest.

Well Nancy chicken fried some deer steaks we brought back last fall and they were so good along with fresh steamed broccoli, yeow was that ever delicious. After the clean up I headed out to hand water the gardens and yards and then we walked up to our neighbors house to visit with the recuperating Carol who had gall bladder surgery yesterday. The Tracy's were there as well and brought supper for them.  We stayed until the playoff hockey game came on and then headed home to watch the Lightning get beat by the Penguins 5-2. The deciding game is on Thursday on their home rink in Pittsburg. It was soon lights out for me after a hot shower a little after 10'ish, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday started out with concern for our friend and neighbor Carol who suffered a gall bladder attack during the night and was operated on around noon and then came home before dark, wow thats unbelievable with the expertise in the health care field. The rest of the day was much the usual with our regular lunch crowd and then we did some packing for the move to the cabin for the summer.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out and then to my routines with a hot cup of turmeric drink, a few quiet moments and the a lite breakfast before my ride to the Rec. on my bike for some pickle ball. We had a good turn out with two courts in action and a couple A players with a few B players mixed in. I got in a good hour plus when the Rec. director came into the gym and informed me I had a phone call. That only happens when there is an emergency and that's when Nancy informed that her best friend and many who think they are sisters and "look a likes" was at the hospital about to be operated and that we should be there. I hurried home and changed and then we were on our way. Nancy also called the Tracy's and they to came to the hospital later in the morning. We all waited in the cafeteria a couple of hours and learned that Carol was still waiting for the procedure. Finally after deciding to head out for some lunch the doctor notified Dan via phone that she was finished and in recovery and would be eligible to come home later in the day. We all headed out for home.

We made a stop for chicken soup for her on the way home and Nancy had a pot for them for later and which we had for supper as well, delicious. It was close to 7'ish before they got back home from the hospital. Carol walked in from the car as I was out watering the front yard. Amy, GG and Eliza Faye all came for a lunch of chicken salad on a bed of lettuce. My garden lettuces are gone for another year as the heat as taken over. The okra is producing and the cucumbers vines are drying up as well. The cantaloupe vines look healthy and loaded with blooms as is the volunteer teardrop tomato's and the jalapeno plant which is waist high an is finally loaded once more with blooms. Hopefully they will make enough fruit to take with me by Sunday.

I got down the luggage from the attic and brought in the large plastic bins for Nancy to pack. It was another scorcher of a day outside with temps in the 90's and high humidity. I didn't do much outside until after supper as it was just to hot and muggy but finally we got an evening on shore breeze which made it pleasant out. We spoke with our "mountain mom" and she had the heat on in the mountains as it's been cold, wet and windy for the past couple of days. I'm so looking forward to some cooler temps. Some of my pickle ball buddies from the mountains have reminded me they are playing every Tuesday evening out at Roaring Gap Club and are eager for my return, so I'm looking forward to keeping some sharpness with my game. I'm sure the walking and hiking the hills will help to keep me in shape as well.

That was about it for the day as we tuned in the O'Reilly Factor and then the Ray's game which changed leads about every other innings and when I shut it down for the night they once again had let a lead slip away. The Lightning play tonight, Tuesday in Tampa and with a win they are in the finals for the Stanley Cup and with a loss they go back to Pittsburg for game seven, GO LIGHTNING for a win, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship, baptism, family fun and of course fine eatin' much of it took place in neighboring Hillsborough County at Element Church and Bobby and Katie's new home. We had a busy day and it was close to 7:30 in the evening before we got home after leaving at 9'ish.

The day started with my usual roll out at 6 and then my routines of a cup of hot turmeric drink for my joints, a few quiet minutes with my Creator and then an apple for breakfast. I headed out to dig up some plants and seedlings for Bobby's garden and wrap them in wet newspaper to keep them healthy until we could get them replanted later in the day.

We headed out around 9 to pick up GG as she wanted to see Bobby's new house and to see Annsley baptized at Element Church. The church was presenting the "table" which is a sharing of food brought by the folks who attend the gathering. They also were presenting several grass roots programs who were assisting with foster kids, abused women, drug rehab, food for the needy and prison releases get adjusted back into the community and to make a life with the help of the church. It was very inspiring as many who now head those programs were once caught up in the web of deceit without the difference of Christ in their lives. Afterwards we headed outside as the watering trough was filled and Bobby baptized two adults as well as Annsley and then the parents of another youngster helped with baptizing their daughter. It was a great day as four folks dedicated their lives as Christ followers.

We headed over to the new house in Brandon where Bobby and Katie have done a beautiful job repainting and remodeling their new house. It's huge with rooms everywhere along with a large yard,

pool and patio area under a screened porch. The kiddos where soon in the water as did I. All of Katie's family attended through the afternoon as did her grand parents. On a sad note her grandfather Tom missed a step and fell cutting his face and arm. The one draw back to the tri-level house is the different areas of step ups and step downs. He was able to recuperate and eventually walked to his car. We had a game of corn toss with many trying to beat Katie's dad, Bruce and his team. I teamed up with him and won as well as played against him and lost.

Bobby had pork tacos, black beans and yellow rice as well as salsa and guacamole and Nancy had two kinds of cookies and Danielle made a delicious pistachio cake. All of our family was there plus Katie's and many close friends of both families. What a great time of food and fellowship. Well we tuned into the Lightning vs Penguins and the home team was winning when it was lights out for me around 10:30, LATER

Sunday Morning

I must say Saturday was a busy day that started with an early rise which is my usual routine but since I wasn't scheduled for pickle ball I thought maybe I would sleep in, but no. I was up and about at the usual time doing my usual cup of hot turmeric drink, a few quiet moments with my Creator but then I broke the routine with a breakfast burrito, actually a couple of them as I had eaten early on Friday evening with just a bowl of smashed taters and gravy, oh well. The heavy rain that fell after dark was almost like a tropical storm with winds of 30 mph and heavy down pours, so the yards were still wet which kept the dust down, so I wanted to work outside which I did until lunch time. I worked up a great sweat mowing, trimming, clipping and raking and by lunch the place was looking manicured. I even took up the old tomato plants and the roots were loaded with nematodes which I'm very surprised they produced as many tomatoes as they did despite the marigolds all around them.

After a lunch of cold chicken, onions and tomatoes in a wrap with a cold Yuengling I surrendered to the heat and humidity and stayed indoors until it was time to get ready to head out to the Botbyl's house where we met up with the Tracy's for the Preakness Race. Nancy and I made guacamole and salas, the Tracy's had peeled shrimp and the Botbyl's had crab cakes all of which was very delicious washed down with some fine nectar from the vine. We all picked horses and this time I was right with Exaggerator and actually I think he should have won the Derby if he had another 50 feet to run. I think he will win the next leg in three weeks as well.

After dining and watching the race we got into the best of three games of Sequence and once more the gals prevailed in a squeaker despite all the finger pointing. It was a raucous good time and we left before 9 with plans to do this agin on Thursday night. We thought that would be our last supper together for quite awhile and the consensus was we must do this again and we agreed to a supper of fillets, baked taters, carrots and salad. We do have such a good time together and are now an integral part of the "cool peoples club" as Patrick calls it. We were hoping to induct Bruce and Lynne(Katie folks) this weekend but they had plans they had forgotten about so we will have to do that next year. The Tracy's are coming to the mountains again this year as well as traveling back out to the Tahoe area and visit with family and will also stay  a couple of days with the Botbyl's and us as they have sold their beautiful condo on the beach and will close the beginning of June. They will be "homeless" for some time until they decide where they want to reside.

Today we travel to Tampa for Annsley's baptism by Bobby at Element Church and then afterwards a big family and friend get together at Bobby and Katie's new home in Brandon Hills. We are excited to see all of their updates and renovations since we were there a couple of weeks ago with their move in. They are such workers and have beautified this magnificent home in this older neighborhood where Katie grew up. There will be lots of family and friend folks for a barbecue and the fixin's by the pool with all of the grand kiddos as well. It should be a fun time as it will be our last get together until July when the Triplett gang come to the cabin for a week with the Ross gang. We are excited about that week when all of us are together for lots of activities and some fine dining.

The Ray's lost their first game in quite awhile to the Tigers in Detroit and tonight Sunday the Lightning play the Penguins on their home ice in Pittsburg, Go Lightning!!!, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday saw us with a mixed bag of weather and finally some much needed rain. The heavy rain came just as we got home from Sam's kindergarten graduation at Keswick. He was adorable and the program the three classes put on was very patriot in theme. Afterwards we met at the Village Inn for supper for some and just pie and coffee for others.

The day started much the usual with a before 6 rollout. I did my usual morning routines with a cup of hot turmeric drink, a few quiet moments and then the posted this ramble all before eating a lite breakfast of an orange and then riding out to the Rec. on my bike for a workout on the pickle ball court. I headed out a little before 10 and made a stop at the library before heading home to work in the garden.

Nancy was leaving with Kathryn to her last Bible study this summer and then a bunch of the participants were meeting at the Olive Garden for lunch. She left me a list of homey-do's while she was gone. I hung a load of laundry with the skies clear and blue and in a about an hour or so it darkened and the wind came up so the laundry came down and into the dryer. I did manage to transplant several tomato seedlings into a large pot from the ground. Most of the old seeds didn't make except three big boy and one celebrity seed did sprout into a seedling so I will bring them to the summer garden.

I did some touch up painting in the kitchen and hallway where toys and vacuum cleaners have left some dings as well vacuumed the house and then I finished up the leftover beef-a-roni for lunch. The skies turned nasty with blowing rain and the heat was almost intolerable outside. By late afternoon the sun was back out and one would never know it had rained. I did a quick horizontal lab while waiting for Nancy to get back from her luncheon and then read for most of the afternoon until it was time to grab a bite for an early supper before heading to the graduation. We picked up GG and took her with us. Sam was such a cutie with one of his front teeth missing. The program ran for nearly an hour and a half and Eliza was getting antsy with being contained in the auditorium. We were surprised it ran that long and finally the grand finally of the kids marching in caps and gowns to receive their promotion to the first grade.


Well after leaving the eatery around 9'ish we took GG ho,me and then tuned into the Ray's and Lightning games. The Ray's beat the Tigers at their home and the Lightning almost blew a 4-0 lead to the Penguins at their home ice and the game ended with a 4-3 win which evened the series at two games each. Today Saturday I'm taking the morning off from pickle ball to do some more outside yard and garden work and catch up on some things as we make ready to leave in just about a week. I need to get luggage down from the attic and start deciding what to take with us, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday found us celebrating our daughter Amy's 33 birthday with a special lunch and then a huge family supper which she picked. We try to do that each year as did Nancy's mom do that with each of her kids and me as well. It was the hottest and most humid day of this summer so far and I know its only going to get worst which really gets me excited about getting to the cool mountains which is only 9 days away, Yeah!!!

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out and I must say the new ear plugs have given me a little more sleep. I can still hear the "band playing" but just not as loud; I usually can hear a mosquito sneeze as I'm that lite of a sleeper. After my morning routines of; a few quiet moments to honor my Creator and lift up those I know and love, post this ramble and then eat a lite breakfast before getting ready to ride out to the Rec. on my bike for close to two hours or so of pickle ball. We had some decent players yesterday and I left with a good sweat and a tired body. I'm looking at 7 or 8 more playing times on the court before the mountains come in to play which is an all together workout. I'm hoping my mountain buddies still have their weekly group of players who are really good players but on a different surface from what I'm use to.

After pickle ball I hand watered the garden or what's left of it picking a couple young okra's and eating them on the scene; they are delicious and have such a clean taste. I then pulled a couple dozen carrots which are just about gone for this year. I still have enough for another meal or two and may even bring some with us. The cucumbers once again have slowed down producing despite lots of blooms on the vines which have just about taken over the back fence. The tomatoes are through except for the volunteer's that have now set lots of small fruit and which we will not enjoy as we will begone so I will have Amy come by weekly and pick the ripe ones. The cantaloupe vines are loaded with blooms as is the okra plants which are waist high and producing lots of small fruit. I'll leave all of this for whomever will harvest and enjoy it. The cucumber seeds are sprouting and I have several small tomato seedlings as well as lots of volunteer tomato seedling to bring with me and share with our "mountain mom", Helen.

I headed over to GG's around 4'ish to take her to get her prescriptions and to get a new aerator for her bathroom sink and install that for her. She along with Betsy came for supper as we celebrated with the Ross Family. We had two roasted chickens with smashed taters and delicious gravy as well as fresh carrots and whole kernel corn, crusty bread and then chocolate cake with white icing and ice cream for dessert, yeow!!! There goes the couple of pounds I was down the first of the week but it was absolutely delicious. We gave away the left over ice cream and cake so as to not be tempted later. The Ross grand kiddos who are bundles of energy will soon consume them. Bobby and Katie and their crew couldn't make it with all of the traffic and it not being a night when he had his kiddos. We will miss Gabe's graduation next Thursday morning as well due to the time and the morning traffic.

Well that was about it for the day as everyone left sometime around 8:30 'ish as it was a school night for the Ross kiddos. They were in high gear before the supper and after the dessert they were wrestling together on the floor with Eliza right in there with them. They all are so cute and play great together.

 I tuned into the FOX News and once again the terrorist have downed an airplane with a bomb and killed 66 people. Folks these Islamic radical's are becoming bolder with the desire to kill innocents and we have no leadership for the free world especially as our potus is a sympathizer to their beliefs and who I believe is one of them. Trump seems to be the only person with any common sense and believes we must eradicate these terrorist immediately with force with the military and wants to ban any more Muslim immigrants into the country until we know who they are. These immigrants could be terrorist and I wonder why folks think that is such a horrible idea. The political correct crowd which is mainly the liberals and far left leaning democrats are idiots with this thinking the radicals can be negotiated in their ideology. Folks we're infidels according to their theology and if we don't subscribe to their thinking we must be killed. That is why Iran chants "death to America" and yet this administartion pulled a fraud on US(A) with this Iran Deal. We are or were a Christian nation that stands in their way for world domination, so wake up. We can not appease these radicals only eradicate them and I hope Trump for one will do that. We now have in Michigan towns that are completely muslim who operate under Sharia law, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday was rather dull at times as I caught up on some small piddly honey-do's after my morning workout at the Rec. Nancy had doctor's appointment for herself then chauffeured GG to her afternoon appointment with a doctor. We had no lunch crowd today so it was quite around the house. After lunch of leftover beef a roni I read as it was to hot and muggy to work outside.

The day started with me rolling out around 6'ish. The new silicone ear plugs seem to be working as I now feel a little more rested from not hearing the "band playing" as loud from Nancy's side of the bed. I have a feeling I will be using them from now on and I'm tickled they are reusable up to a point. That is no doubt one of my better purchases in awhile. I did my usual morning routines of a few quiet moments to honor my Creator, lift up those I know and love and then posted this ramble from the day before for my grand kids to peruse long after I'm gone as to how we lived our life in our later years as grand parents. They really would have been interested in my younger days when I grew up on the small farm without running water, no telephone or television. Eventually we got cold running water into the kitchen but no bathroom or hot water ever( while I was still at home) except for what we heated on the wood stove which we did most of our cooking on and for heat during the winter. Farm life was always demanding at least twice a day the animals needed fed and cows milked plus I had to walk nearly a mile to catch the school bus (I did have shoes) but no matter the weather if it was a cold or wet or snow or hot walk depending on the time of the year until I was entrusted or old enough to drive the farm truck out to the end of the dirt road and leave it at the school bus stop, oh well!!! I could go on but will talk about that at a later date.

I ate an apple for breakfast then headed out on my bike to the Rec. for some nearly two hours of pickle ball play. I had a wet head and shirt when I headed out to the library for a new read titled MAD NOTIONS. Wow, what a read this is that took place in Gatlinburg, Tn. which is just over the mountains from us and the topography is much like ours at the cabin and that is about the extent of any similarities as this area is much similar to the Boone and Blowing Rock area with the tourist trade. This is a good read and goes to show you that really nice folks can wind up dead when allowing a crooked business man to take control of your business in this case a local bank that was involved in the procurements of drugs. There is murder and mayhem that shakes this community and of a beautiful daughter of the deceased who becomes diabolical.

Well we ate lite for supper as I wanted to finish up the dozen or so already cooked shrimp while Nancy grilled a Salmon fillet as we eating down the freezer before heading out next week. I cleaned and put a couple dozen sweet onions in the crisper as the heat was beginning to rot them. These onions are as sweet as an apple despite the strong smell and while the crop of tomatoes is about gone we still have enough for the next week or so. I have three of these tomato seedlings doing great and now have three better boy seedling up as well and one celebrity seedling up to take with me. The kale seeds never came up nor did the jalapeno seeds. I will purchase them as for some reason peppers take a long time to sprout. I will sow the kale when I get there as the mornings are still quite chilly and the afternoons are barely out of the 60's. I need the soil to warm up to the 70's for good germination plus the cold weather plants will love these temps.

Well we tuned into the Fox News and watched O'Reilly in between the Ray's game which they won again with their bats and pitching coming to life over the Blue Jays but the Lightning looked lethargic at home and lost to the Penguins 4-2. They are now down 2-1 in the best of seven games. That was about it for the day as it was shower time and then some horizontal lab around 10:30, LATER

I want to wish my beautiful daughter AMY a happy birthday today. She is a beautiful GOD loving mother of three Ross children and we are celebrating this day this evening at our house. She is 33 years of age today and where did that time go???

Wednesday Morning

Well the count down begins with less than two weeks to go before we pack up and head north to the cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. After the heat and humidity from today here in sunny Florida I'm ready for some cooler temps. Actually despite the early morning rain shower and clouds through out most of the day it still reached the upper 80's. Some areas here got a good soaking rain but we didn't get that much at all. Florida is like that as I've seen it rain on one side of the street and not the other or one town gets flooded while another stays in a drought condition, anyhow we at least got enough to settle the dust.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out as Nancy had the "band playing" throughout the night. I decided to change that and looked on the Internet for ear plugs and found some at our local Walgreens that are silicone and waterproof as well as reducing the noise decibels from snoring, so I headed out in the afternoon and purchased them and they did a tremendous job of lessening the music Nancy emitted from the "band playing". I'm so thrilled these plugs have helped with giving me a decent nights sleep. Oh well!!! After my morning quiet time  and the posting of this ramble I had a lite breakfast of cereal and fruit before heading out on my bike to the Rec. for a good workout of about hour and half. The girls wanted me home right at 10 so they could leave Eliza Faye with me to watch while they birthday shopped for Amy. She will be 33 this Thursday, yikes where did that time go?

Eliza was such a cutie as we had a tea party then she played with her princess dolls and became very quiet when I noticed she had fallen asleep on the carpet for about an hour. Amy was amazed as she never does that at home. She was so precious and so sweet as she knew her momma and grandma where out with GG shopping. Well the girls got home a little after 12 so I made a guacamole and then we had wraps with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and onions all from the garden along with some sliced deli turkey meat. Yeow, what a delicious lunch.

After they left I read the afternoon away as it was to hot and muggy to work outside and I didn't have to hand water at all during the day. I'm reading an unbelievable true crime story by Gregg Olsen titled BITTER ALMONDS that took place on the west coast in the Seattle area back in the late 80's, What a story about a dysfunctional family that ran through several generation of women and their men. It's a real page turner and the investigation of tampering with OTC  pain med capsules filled with cyanide to kill and gain insurance money.  It sure will make you think about purchasing capsules instead of tablets at drug stores.

Well we had some many green peppers we decided to use some with one of my favorite one dish meals; beef a roni and it was delicious. We used all fresh ingredients except for the canned tomatoes for the sauce, wow was it ever good and Eliza will love the leftover "noonies"as she calls them for lunch today. After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News and then the ball game in Toronto where the Ray's bats are exploding with another 12 run game against the Jay's 12-2 after yesterdays 13-2 win. What has changed in their lineup and with the players bats? They look unbeatable.

Well the news about the less than honest administration selling US(A) out to the Iranians is very disturbing as well is the knowledge the Saudis haven't been forth coming in their role with 9-11 is also a matter of concern. These who represent us in the gov't are less than stellar and down right crooked especially both of the Clinton's and yet people who are knowledgable of their deceit continue to support them at the polls. I'm amazed at the contempt these folks have for nation and what made us a great nation at one time. We sure have lost our values and Judeo-Christian influence in our laws which set forth the standards to which we abide by as well as some common sense. This bathroom executive order by this potus is so out there it's laughable and now they have managed to delay the trial of the Army deserter until after this potus is gone from office so as to not embarrass his lack of judgement in releasing 5 know terrorists for this 1 deserter, WAKE UP AMERICA, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday was another rather warm and muggy day here in sunny Florida. We certainly could use some rain as we are very dry. Once again I'm back to watering the garden twice a day as well as the yards at least every couple of days, thankfully we have a shallow well which never seems to run dry.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out and then my morning routines of a hot cup of turmeric tea, a few quiet minutes and then the posting of this ramble before riding out to the Rec. for close to two hours of pickle ball. We had a good first hour of play then it began to become less interesting as more B players got involved. I actually left around 9:30 for the library before heading home as the good play was about over for the day, besides I wanted to do some garden work before it got to hot.

I picked a couple cucumbers as well as a couple of okra and half a dozen red and green peppers from the two plants I brought back from my summer garden last Fall at the cabin and planted here in Florida. I then transplanted three tomato plants I had started from seeds from a volunteer plant that has the tastiest fruit and were plentiful; its still producing as I write. I noticed a couple other seedlings breaking ground from old seeds I decided to see if they would grow and sure enough I may have some of those big enough to transplant to the summer gardens as well. I noticed where two of the three honey suckle cutting I made a couple weeks ago and stuck in the garden have added new tops and putting on new leaves. I will take these two with me also and transplant somewhere along the rail fence at the cabin. I love the smell of this vine and its beautiful as well. The Jasmine cutting didn't make but at least I gave it a try.

I'm hoping to take cucumbers, tomatoes, kale, peppers, rosemary, thyme, Zinnias's and marigolds from here for transplanting at the cabin. I sure hope the soil warms up before we get there as it was in the 30's the past couple of mornings and this week its forecasted to only get as warm as the upper 60's, wow what a change that will be for us and my plants. I'm looking forward to some cooler temps as the a/c is non stop here. The morning and late evenings aren't to miserable as of yet but the mosquitoes eat you alive when working outside as the day comes to an end. I guess I need to get ready for the bugs which eat you up as well in the mountains.

We tuned into the Ray's game and their bats were clobbering the Jay's at home in Canada 13-2 and then we watched the Lightning vs the Penguins in a close game and when I turned the lights out it was 2-2 and I read this morning the Penguins won in overtime 3-2. They come back to Tampa for the next two games which could be an advantage when going back to Pennsylvania for game 5, oh well.

I hear it thundering off in the distance so maybe we will get some rain today as the area could use a good soaking shower, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship at Bridgepoint Church and we are sad this was our last Sunday there until next Fall when we get back from the cabin. We have met so many nice folks and Tim our pastor is one great communicator as well as teacher of the Word. We have enjoyed serving as greeters and ushers as well. After the service we headed over to our favorite oriental eatery at Jade's Bistro in Pinellas Park for a delicious lunch of egg rolls, hot and sour soup and then fried rice with a mixture of fresh veggies in a sauce, yeow was that ever good.

The morning started with my usual roll out a little before 6'ish. Nancy slept in as she had the "band playing" which started some time around 4 in the morning; with the band and my internal alarm I was finished with any horizontal lab for the rest of the night. It's no wonder by 10 o'clock I'm exhausted and ready for some shut eye. I'm going to look into having a custom made pair of ear plugs made for for night time use as I can't keep the generic ones in my ears at night, oh well!!!!

We rode with the Botbyl's to church and then out to lunch and they came back and we checked the trap in the back yard which held a huge raccoon. Nancy noticed a large raccoon suddenly appear in the back yard the other afternoon as if he was familiar with the place and when he saw me it took off over the fence and was gone during broad daylight. So I put some leftover kiddos food in the trap and sure enough when we got home from church it was holding a big 'coon and it had dug up the ground upon which it sat. This is about the 5th or 6th 'coon I've trapped this year. Well I took this one a little further away to the county park and dumped him off. He climbed a chain link fence and then up a huge tree when I opened the trap. I had noticed some of my kitchen scraps that I bury in the garden had been dug into last couple of weeks and I suppose it must have been him looking for a meal.

Well I tuned into the Ray's baseball game and they blew a win in the last inning with two outs when one pitch from a new pitcher hit his third home run of the afternoon. Some times these managers need to just let the players play as this pitching change cost them the game, oh well!!! I watched a little of the Players Golf tournament being played in Jacksonville, Fl. and while I'm not an avid fan it does take some skill to play the game. I tuned into the first game between the Sharks vs the Blues hockey playoff game and then turned the lights out after the second intermission with the Blues ahead 2-1. The Lightning play their second game tonight(Mon.) vs the Penguins in Pittsburg after winning the first game in the best of seven. That should be an exciting game as we have three of our best players out with injuries.

On a lighter note we saw on Facebook where my middle sister Pat is now a great-grandmother with a little girl, WOW. How did she get so far ahead of me?? Oh well!!! That means I'm a great great uncle, LATER  The count down has begun as this time 2 weeks from today I should be writing this post from the kitchen table while looking out into the backwoods at the cabin. It was in the 30's there this morning and maybe just a might to cold for us but we are looking forward to some cooler temps from these high 80's here in this hot muggy climate.

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday was a busy day that never stopped until nearly 10:30 at night. We had the Ross grand kiddos from about 4:30 on and they are all a bundle of energy; but such a blessing. I did and hour or so of pickle ball in the morning then piddled around in the garden until Nancy got ready to head out to Best Buy for a new TV for the cabin. Now we must find a tv stand. I think we will have one shipped there unless I decide to built one which I'm sort of out of the furniture making business.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out and then my quiet time with my Creator, the posting of this ramble and an apple for breakfast before pedaling out to the Rec. for an hour or so of pickle ball. I had a good workout but didn't want to overdo it as I knew the grand's were coming later in the day and I wanted to save some energy for them. We found a nice 43 inch Vizio Smart TVwith a refresh of 120 HZ which is plenty for the cabin and at a price less than anyone else including our Sam's Club.  We seldom if ever watch any movies on TV or pay per view but it's available if we desire it. I'm excited to see the difference in the quality of the picture with this FIOS. Everyone we speak to that have FIOS say's there is a dramatic difference. We don't have it here in the metro area in Florida, oh well!

After a lunch of the last of my garden lettuces loaded with fresh garden cucumbers, onions and tomato's we settled in to getting ready for the grand's. Nancy had chicken breasts marinating in Italian dressing so I could grille them for supper along with fresh green beans from the garden and onion and cucumber salad in vinegar and macaroni. The kiddos ate with gusto despite Ava and Nancy making a snack using peanuts, pretzels and Cheezit's baked in the oven with a special coating. Ava is now into learning to cook and she and Nancy had a great time in the kitchen.

I did managed to watch some of the ball game with Ray's beating the A's at the Tropicana Field. They are back home after a road trip to the west coast. Their new pitcher up from the minors threw a complete shutout game giving up only two hits. Finally the bats came to life to support his great effort for a change. After the cleanup from supper Nancy had the grand's on the couch for pitchers on her Ipad, sorry I can't show them as she didn't use the camera but Sam is missing a front tooth and is such a snaggle tooth. The kiddos especially Eliza loves her Sammy and they romp around and are always wrestling with one another. They entertained me with their hide and seek activities while Ava and Nancy were baking in the kitchen.

The neighbor hood boy Phoenix came over and they played in the back yard for an hour or so and that helped to wear them out as well. They had all been to the beach during the morning and we thought sure that would have done them in. Ava finally crashed before Sam and Eliza who were wide awake when Amy and Tyler came to pick them up after a supper out and a movie. I was crashing when they arrived as well. It was well past my bedtime of 10'ish when they showed to take the kiddos home.

Well it was a fun busy day and we so enjoyed their being here. We only have two more weeks before we won't see them again until July when they along with the Triplett grand's visit for a week or so at the cabin. That should be a raucous time and we are already planning on some activities with them and their parents while they are there.  Today will be our last Sunday at Bridgepoint Church as we visit next Sunday at Element Church in Tampa as we celebrate grand daughter Annsley profession of faith in Christ and is baptized by her father, Bobby. We will then along with the Ross Family head over to their new house and have a pool party with all the grand's and along with Katie's family for a barbecue and time of celebration, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was a busy day that saw me at the Rec. for a couple hours on the pickle ball court, then some garden and yard work around the house until lunch time and afterwards a reading afternoon as the heat and humidity was just too much to do outside and then we picked up the Botbyl's and headed over to the beach for a supper at the Salt Rock Grille and then headed back to their house to watch the Bolts vs Penguins hockey game.

The day started with my usual routines of rolling out a little before 6 ish and then my quiet time to humble myself and honor my Creator and lift up those I know and love after I post my ramble from the day before. Things have been a bit busy around the homestead as I do little jobs that need to be done before we head out for the cabin. I've been arranging for us to get a new package deal through our telephone service in the mountains as they now have fiber optics to the cabin, wow! I will try them out for a period of two years as I bundle all three of our communications; telephone, internet and now T.V. I cancelled Direct TV and while they have been fair over the years and their service has been great it does increase yearly. They made it know I would be welcomed back into the fold if I wasn't pleased with the FIOS, but from what I've heard about the product its great especially with the viewing and they will have many more channels for a lot less, oh well. We never turn the TV on until suppertime to catch the news and then Nancy channel surf's until bedtime unless we find a show or a ball game is available.

I've been pricing new flat screens that will fit into the cabin's small living area and I'm sold on a 40 inch or there about and hopefully will take it with us to the mountains so the TV folks can program and hook it up. It seems its no longer where you just plug it in an watch the tube now you must go through a program and with the new FIOS it will be easier if they set it up. They are coming the next work day after we arrive on Sunday which is Tuesday, oh well!

I sprayed weed killer around the fences and in the front yard and put out new mulch around the hedges and then worked in the garden as I want to get as much of it turned over to help keep the weeds and grass out over the summer plus give the worms plenty of material to survive on while we are gone. Earthworms are the best for any garden and I want to keep as many alive as possible. I cleaned the gutters and go them ready for the rainy season if we have one. I noticed the one bunch of cucumber plants are starting to produce again and I'm not sure why. The okra is so healthy and growing tall with lots of new fruit. I ate a couple raw ones while hand watering the garden. They are so good when just a couple inches long. I'm getting a few tomato seedlings from seeds that are starting to put on some height. The other sowed seeds which most were old haven't come up so it looks as if I will buy seedlings from the green houses in the mountains.

We met up with the Tracy's at the Salt Rock on Indian Rocks beach and had a good meal. I had the lightly seared tuna steak which was fabulous and Nancy the grille red snapper. Her fish had very little flavor as it could have used some seasoning or some sauce. It was nice piece of fish but a little disappointing as it wasn't cheap, hers was pricer than mine and we spent nearly 70 bucks including a tip for two pieces of fish, a baked potato and a small portion of Jasmine rice and some bread. She had a glass of vino and I drank water. Sometimes I feel guilty spending so much on so little. Anyhow the place was packed with folks. Afterwards The Tracy's picked up a coconut cream pie from the Village Inn and brought it to the Botbyl's for dessert.

We watched the Lightning do well despite a bad major penalty and the injury to their goalie who was carted off the ice on a stretcher. I've never seen that done before. The Lightning were ahead with about half of the final period over leading 3-1 when the sandman calleth for me at 10:30, long after my normal 10 o'clock lights out, LATER  

Friday Morning

Well Thursday showed signs of rain clouds but none developed but at least they held the temps down to the low 80's which is below normal for this time of the year. The day was much the normal except for Nancy's ultrasound of her leg and knee and then the doctor's visit which told her she had no blood clot or Baker's cyst. She must have pulled a muscle or injured a ligament in her knee. Since she has been icing it at times the swelling has just about gone away.

I started the day with my before 6 roll out as Nancy had the "band playing" which had me awake sometime around 5 in the morning so I just got up. I'm starting to worry about what will I do at the cabin if she continues "playing the music" there all night long, hopefully I'll be so worn out that sleep will keep out. Oh Well!!!Maybe I will order a set of ear plugs made just for my ears that will help with the noise. I did my morning routines of a few quiet moments, posted this ramble then had a lite breakfast of fruit before riding out to the Rec. on my bike for two good hours of pickle ball. You would think with a change in my eating habits and workout I could reduce this spare tire around my waist but I don't think its changed any. Tonight(Fri.) we are eating out again with our small group so that doesn't help as I'm weak when it comes to bread and the dipping oil with herbs.

I piddled around in the yard and gardens hand watering and then harvested what is my last mess of collards from these plants which are now waist high. I cleaned them and then chopped them up for the pot with several slices of smoked bacon and a whole cooking onion then a box of chicken broth. That is the recipe and I must say the tastiest greens I've ever eaten. I cooked then at a low heat after getting them to a boil with the lid on for 4-5 hours. They melted in your mouth and needed no extra seasoning. I had thawed out a package of venison steak and Nancy chicken fried them and we licked the platter clean. What fine eatin' that was. After the clean up I headed outside to work in the yard as I have lots of nutgrass showing up with their seeds on top. I took my garden trowel and dug out two 5 gallon buckets of the pesky grass and worked up a good sweat. Hopefully the St. Augustine grass will move in now and choke out the rest of the weed grasses.

We tuned into the O'Reilly Factor on Fox and learned the elites in the republican party are finally talking to Trump. They need to as lots of voters are fed up with politicians in general and lets face it, Trump is no politician but a successful business man. We need different folks who want America to be great again and should be in leadership. I really like Dr. Ben Carson as role model for the black community and as a true patriot and I sincerely hope Trump using him in some leadership role for his administration. We need good military men who know how to win. I would think a Patton type would be just what we need to send a message to the Iranians, Russians and Koreans. We know longer can afford to lose our allies and let this muslim ideology gain further foot holds in the world. This is not a religion and we must stamp it out. The Brits have a mess on their hands with a muslim now as mayor of London who is already challenging Trump on his temporary ban on their immigration into our country. We need to be wary of what these radicals will do to spread fear and their beliefs of death to all who don't conform, Wake Up America, America

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday was another busy day as I caught up on some honey do jobs after my morning workout. The weather once again was hot, dry and the humidity was back but not in full force as of yet, as the mornings and evenings were almost perfect for working outside.

I started the day with my usual roll out around 6 or a little before and Nancy slept in until sometime after 7. She is having some issues with her one knee since we worked over at Bobby's new house last weekend. I think being on her feet and up and down stairs and steps cleaning cabinets, put some stress on the joint and I believe she has a Bakers Cyst or Popliteal Cyst. They are one in the same and I know because I experienced that calamity a couple years back. It's occurs when the joint is over worked and the sac that surrounds the joints leaks synovial fluid into the tissues which causes pain and swelling. She is worried it may be a blood clot so she is off for an ultra sound this morning(Thur.) to relieve any concern. She needs to rest, ice, compress and elevate the joint as well as use some anti inflammatory OTC meds. She forgets I had this happen to me to where I couldn't walk for a week or put any pressure on the leg, at least she isn't that severe with pain, oh well!! Listen to doc Triplett???

After my usual quiet time with my Creator and the posting of this ramble and a bowl of cantaloupe for breakfast I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours or more of pickle ball. We had two courts in action and I had a wet shirt once again when leaving at 10. I made a stop at the library for a couple new reads on the way home. I stopped and visited with my military neighbors wife who is also a gardener. The tomato plant I gave her has set lots of green tomatoes. I dug up a rosemary plant I started from cutting as well as some marigolds and transplanted into her patch in the back yard. She has a green thumb as is crazy about learning how to garden. The cantaloupe seedlings are doing well I transplanted for her as are mine which are starting to send out runners. Hopefully they will make for whoever comes by the house after we are gone.

I harvested another half dozen or so okra's and we had them for supper along with fried yellow squash and fresh mushrooms, yeow were they ever delicious slathered with fresh basil, cilantro, ground red pepper, onion and jalapeno pepper slices for me. We made that our supper. I'm still watering twice a day as we need rain and after supper I hand watered the front yard as well as the gardens again. I have some new tomato and Zinnias seedlings up and will take them with me to the summer garden along with the other seeds that will sprout and be big enough to transplant.

I finally got 7 out of the 8 perimeter lights working in the front yard which made Nancy happy so that is one less thing to do outside before leaving. We settled into the Fox News channel and O'Reilly after supper and watering the yards. Our country is in a world of hurt with such inept leadership that I worry we may never recover from such divisiveness within the nation and now we have pandered to the muslims over christianity that their demands are becoming outrageous when we want to vet all muslims for the terrorist ties when applying to enter the country. What is with this group? We are at war with the radical terrorists who are muslims and that group wants us to not vet or check them out!! Where is common sense and now they are making a political issue about this because Trump wants US(A) to be safe from these jihadist, Wake Up folks!!

Well our Lightning play the Penguins on Friday night for the division championship in the best of seven games. That should be a good series and lets hope our guys are well rested for the game, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday saw us with rising temps and humidity and while it was bearable as of yet, you still sought shade in the early afternoon as the skies were clear with bright sunshine. I did some honey do jobs after my morning workout both here at the house and at GG's place after a lunch with our usual gang.

The morning started much the usual with a 6'ish roll out and then a few quiet moments to honor my Creator and lift up those I know and love, posted this ramble and then got ready for a ride out to the the Rec. for two hours of pickle ball play. I left with a wet shirt after some good play with 10 other players. Afterwards I headed home on the bike to piddle around in the garden an once more I looked through the heavy cucumber vines and found 4 more rather large ones, I have no idea how I missed these but one was extremely large so I composted it and then gave one away and kept the other two. I look everyday but did not see these. I harvested a couple more okra's and now have enough for a fried mess of them along with some fried yellow squash; other than the fact they are fried I could eat these two veggies everyday prepared in that manner, oh well!

I hand watered the gardens then dug up a couple of carrots from the side garden and found them to be intricately formed, a couple were in the shape of humans with twin legs. I'm not sure why most of the ones I pulled were shaped this way. I sowed kale, three different types of tomato seeds and more jalapeno seeds. I had to cover them with chicken wire to keep the pesky squirrels from digging them out as they are such a nuisance. I got out the hose, bucket and car washing materials and gave GG's car a bath as we were taking it back after filling the tank. It's nice to have the use of an extra vehicle when the need arises. I decided to work on the outside perimeter house lights that have taken a beating the past couple of years. Only about 4 out of the 8 were working so I purchased new bulbs and removed them from the shrubs to make them more visible.

Amy, GG and Eliza Faye came for lunch and she was in one of her two year old moods. She has been seeing a lot of the corners lately as Amy puts her in time out when she has an attitude. She is a strong willed child but oh so cute and smart at times. It's hard for her to apologize after being scolded for her behavior; she reminds me of my middle sister Pat, who was the strongest willed kid I ever was around, oh well. I made a stop at the Home Depot before heading over to GG's to pick up Nancy. GG's had some greenery from the neighbors yard that had creeped into her area and she wanted them removed, so I took a shovel and dug them out roots and all and then sprayed roundup once again in the area and around the fence line. It was down right hot as her back yard has no shade.

We made a stop at Audi's on the way home for some goodies and then headed home. It was nearly 4:30 so Nancy put on a pot Zuppa Toscana soup for our supper. We spoke with Bobby and he is keeping busy with the new house and his work. They both are getting their new house in order with fresh paint. Katie works from home now that they finally have the internet connection. We are looking forward to a barbecue and pool party with all of the family on the 22nd as we celebrate Annsley's baptism at Element church with all of the family. That will be our last Sunday here in Florida before heading to the cabin when all of the kids and grandkids come at the same time this year over the 4th of July. That should be a family fun week.

Well after a couple of bowls of soup for our supper I headed out to hand water the yards and gardens as we need rain. The soil dries out almost immediately with the hot sun and breeze. We tuned into the Fox news channel with Bill O'Reilly to get the real news that's not slanted to the left. We are learning so much about the corrupt leadership and advisors with this potus and his administration that I wonder how the folks of this land are not calling for his impeachment and replacement. The Iran Deal is complete with fraud we now learn as his top advisor bragged about hiding the real agreement which guts American interests and gives this terrorist muslim nation all they want to eventually strike us with their nukes. Where is common sense and the commitment to keep our folks safe from these who want us dead and chant openly death to America.

Well Trump one big in both W.Va. and Nebraska as the folks vote for some real change but this party of Lincoln is so corrupt with inept leadership they will do all they can to disrupt his chance to put our nation first. I'm at a loss of their distancing themselves from Trump and if so will put either Hillary or Bernie in the white house. I really think hillary will be charged by the FBI and that obama will pardon her so she can be then next president and carry on his leftist polices to make us a muslim nation of socialist. I'm afraid big government is here forever and our influence in the world is being thwarted by this present administration, LATER

Tuesday morning

Well Monday was a some what busy day that started out with my usual morning routines after a 6'ish roll out. I had my hot cup of Turmeric drink then a few quiet minutes with my Creator and then the posting of this daily ramble. Afterwards I had a bowl of cantaloupe for my breakfast then headed out to the Rec. on my bike for some two hours of pickle ball play with 7 other players that allowed us to have two courts in action for the next couple of hours. Many of our A players have left the area but we still have enough good B players to work up a sweat and have a decent workout.

After the workout I stopped by the library then headed home to piddle around in the garden for the next hour or so. The heat and humidity is starting to return and the shade of the big oak in the back yard is a welcome relief. I pulled a mess of collards for the neighbor directly behind us who I haven't seen much in the past couple of months. He has a terrible leg deformity from a botched knee operation many years ago and walks with his one leg nearly bent in an L shape. He was thrilled with the collards. I fed the cucumber plants again in hopes more little nubbins will form and did notice a couple. These are the best tasting cukes ever and are called Straight 8's that I started from seeds. I picked a  couple 4-5 inch okra's as well as a couple more tomato's. The squirrels are getting desperate now for food as they are stealing my small green tomato's and eating them.

Nancy was watching Eliza Faye while Amy shopped with GG. She loves to play games on the Ipad at the age of two and is quite good with it. She will be addicted to the electronic devices before she can spell but I'm sure they can be a great learning device as well as an object for reward. Nancy volunteers at ETC on Monday afternoons so no one came for lunch. I ate an apple and a couple of carrots from the garden for lunch as I want to work on this spare tire once again. I was satisfied for the rest of the day. I read until it was time for me to head out to the VA for a follow up eye exam. I made a stop to return some shirts for Nancy at Wal-Mart which is just across the street from the VA. I did a couple of new eye tests and the results were not all that bad regarding glaucoma. The doctor say's I'm a low risk for the disease and wants to see me again in November for another full exam. I think taking these high powered vitamins especially for the eyes has helped as well as I'm eating lots of kale and carrots that I grow.

We had leftovers from Sunday's meal for supper and they were delicious as the day prepared. After the cleanup I headed out to hand water the garden and front yard then dug up a large volunteer tomato and took it up to my neighbor Dan's house for his garden grow box. The plant is already blooming and will be too big to take to the mountains. I have several more much smaller seedlings that are coming on that I might take with me. I have hundreds of small marigold seedlings in the garden as well and will take a few of these with me. I emailed my mountain friends about using their rotor tiller for my gardens and its working and available so that will be a big blessing for getting the garden ready there instead turning the ground over with a shovel. I'm getting antsy about starting the summer garden as well as the flower gardens for Nancy. We hopefully will leave in a couple of weeks, LATER  

Monday Morning

Well Sunday turned out to be a great day as recognized our wives, mothers and grand mothers and even our "mountain mom" on this Mothers Day celebration. We did it up right with a huge family supper and get together. More later on the menu for the supper.

We started the day with a 6'ish roll out as both of us were working the balcony area at Bridgepoint Church as greeters, ushers and offering collectors, we have so enjoyed getting plugged in with those volunteers who help make this a successful 10 AM service. They have three more services throughout the day and the volunteer list is huge for the church; we are just a small cog but so enjoy the opportunity to serve. The church was filled to capacity and maybe even the overflow room was being use with a simulcast available, I know the place was like a bee hive as we left and the next service starting just before noon. They also offer an 8:30 service as well as a 6:00 PM evening service. Pastor Tim had an awesome message as well a baby dedication for each service with about a dozen babies in our service. We rode with the Botbyl's as the Tracy's skipped out as Patrick was still coughing and then they dropped us off at GG's as we picked up her car as we both have dual appointments today, Monday.

We made a stop at the new Culver's on the way home for a lite lunch of a double burger which was fabulous and made to order; we actually had a coupon and our lunch for two was less than 6 bucks and oh so good. Afterwards we headed home and started to get ready for the family who was scheduled for a 5:30 sit down meal of; a huge pork roast(bone-in), sauerkraut, kielbasa, Nathan hot dogs, a huge salad and crusty bread as well as a lemon pound cake, brownies and vanilla ice cream. We had a glass of vino before sitting down as we gathered waiting for Bobby and Katie to arrive as they were stuck in a huge traffic jam on the big bridge due to a crash that had it blocked for over an hour, yikes what a mess that was.

We did get to see our Lightning eliminate the New York hockey team from the playoff's with a convincing 4-0 win in the best of seven games and now we await the winner of the D.C. team vs the Penguins as our next team to beat, hopefully and then head to the Stanley Cup finals. Our Ray's team also beat the Angels team from California in straight games as well. I even had a chance to watch some reality show on the Discover channel called Naked and Afraid. I love the ability of two folks to survive living in the wild for 3 weeks when they have very little amenities to help them to exist getting sufficient food and water as well as shelter all while being without clothing. Nancy thinks that is wrong but the private parts are blurred out so really this lack of clothing helps with mental strength in having to make decisions on surviving in the unknown. I like the show and these two people faced with making some life decisions that are somewhat dramatic and many do make some apparel from nature, oh well, anyhow I love anything that pits man versus nature in a survival situation.

We had a great family time and it was wonderful to have our new daughter in law Katie to be a part of our family as well. She is such a delight and family orientated as well as keeping a smile on Bobby's face with her grace and beauty. What a contrast from what he has been associated with in years past. We had the Ross family as well as GG, Nancy's sister Betsy and her son Braden. They all left somewhere around going on 9'ish as it was a school night for the Ross grand kiddos. It was a great time of family fun and eatin', LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday was another beautiful day here in sunny Florida. The temps were almost perfect with a chill in the air to start the day and a gentle breeze. We had the house open until late evening when we shut it up and turned the a/c on. The humidity has stayed away which has made it great for a change this time of the year.

I started the day with my before 6'ish roll out and then my usual morning routines of a hot cup of turmeric drink, a few quiet minutes and then the posting of this ramble before a lite breakfast of cereal and fruit. I decided since I missed a day on the courts to head out on my bike for a couple hours of pickle ball play at the Rec. We had two courts in action with mostly B players but I managed to work up a good sweat before heading home around 10. I hung a load of laundry on the clothesline as it was a perfect day for drying them in the sunshine. I piddled around in the yard and garden until Nancy was ready for a trip to the super Wal-Mart for some goodies and to put some time on our Tracfone.

We shopped for an hour or so then came back and had a lite lunch as we were meeting with our small group at the Bonefish Grille in Largo at 4 for supper then back to watch the horse race. We all put in a buck and our choice of who would win and Dan picked the winner with me picking the second place finisher. We had our usual fare at the grille with rainbow trout for Nancy and the corn chowder and bang bang shrimp for me, yeow was that ever ever delicious along with some of that bread.

After the race we got into a game of Sequence which we haven't played at all this winter and the guys won the first three of of five games but the gals won the next two as we gave them a mother's day gift, anyhow it was going on 9 o'clock so we headed out shortly thereafter. We made plans for getting together for worship at Bridgepoint for today and for get togethers in the next couple of weeks while we are still in the area. Our time here is quickly coming to an end as we make plans for this summer with visits from friends and family at the cabin. We learned the weather there has changed from being cold with rain and snow showers to being warm and sunny once again, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well I never would have believed that we would have such a chilly morning on Friday that I actually had "goose bumps" riding out on my bike to the Rec. at 7:30. We then had the windows and doors opened All day, yikes what a change in the temps since we had the rain front and our "mountain mom, Helen" has the heat on in N.C. as its that cold. So much much for climate change as those crooked politicians seek another way to burden us with government regulations which eventually will steal our wealth to fatten the accounts of the bureaucracy.

Well Friday after warming up a bit was one of the most pleasant days to be outside in many weeks. I was up at my usual time with a little before 6 roll out to start the the day. After my routines of spending a few quiet moments with my Creator and then posting this ramble I had a lite breakfast of cereal and fresh fruit before heading out on my bike for some hour and half of pickle ball. I had to cut it short as Nancy has her Friday morning Bible study class at 10 and was babysitting Eliza Faye while Amy attended a function at Keswick until 10, so I picked up the half hour watching her on the change over. She is such a cutie and is sharp as a tack. I managed to work up a good sweat on the courts before leaving early as we had two courts in action with mostly good players.

Well after Amy picked up Eliza Faye I worked outside in the gardens feeding a few plants that are still producing and then spraying my cucumbers, peppers and okra plants with some epson salt solutions. The cukes have stopped producing all of a sudden despite hundreds of yellow blooms. I did notice the honey bees were back which is a good sign for pollination and fruit production. Maybe thats why the small ones aren't coming on, anyhow I managed to work outside until lunchtime. I noticed on the volunteer tomato plant there are small green tomato's set as well as lots of small okra fruit. We love the okra's that are about 2-3 inches in length, raw. They have such a clean taste and we eat them right off the plant. I actually love them fried also but when they are real small and tender they are so delicious raw.

Well Amy, GG and Eliza all came for a lunch of deli meat sandwiches with sliced tomato's, onions and cukes all from the garden as well as some leftover taco meat on a rollup with fresh jalapeno pepper for me, yikes was that ever tasty. Afterwards I retired to the reading room and finished a book by Gregg Olsen. He is a mainly a true crime author but does have some novels which reflect the crimes he writes about. Nancy took off with GG to run some errands and I even caught a power nap with the cool breeze blowing in on me from under the oak tree. Yeow, it was such a perfect day and no humidity.

Well I'm starting to put together a list of things to accomplish before we head out the end of the month. I'm getting the yards and garden in shape for the long hot summer here in Florida and hopefully the earthworms will survive. I have hundreds of small marigolds seedlings up in the garden to help with keeping the nematodes away for the fall garden. They are a natural deterrent for the root sucking microscopic worms that invade the plants here in Florida. I've never noticed them up at the cabin as the cold freezing temps keeps them away or under control.

I grilled a couple Salmon fillets loaded with fresh dill and along with fresh asparagus we had a delicious supper. After the cleanup I headed out to hand water the back yard and garden as the breeze really dries out the ground. We settled into the Fox News channel and then I switched to watch the Lightning game in New York in between commercials. Finally I headed for the shower and then watched the game go into overtime and our team won and now had a 3-1 lead in the best of 7 games as they head back to Tampa for the next game and hopefully the final game of this series. What a rugged sport and these players are real athletes. That was about it for the day as we plan on a supper out at Bone Fish Grille tomorrow afternoon and then a Kentucky Derby get together at the Botbyl's with our small group to watch the race on their big screen TV, LATER

Friday morning

Well Thursday was a decent day outside as the front brought some cooler temps but chased away the humidity which is the killer here. A nice breeze was evident all day and after my workout at the Rec. I worked in the yard until lunch time.

The day started much the usual with a before 6 roll out as Nancy was playing in the band again from about 3 o'clock on. After my usual routines of a few quiet moments to honor my Creator and lift up those I know and love I posted this ramble, had a bowl of cereal with fruit then pedaled out on my bike to the Rec. The morning was beautiful as temps were at least 10 degrees cooler than the past couple of morning. We had a small crowd but eventually filled up two pickle ball courts and I managed a good sweat by the time I left around 10.

I mowed, weeded and raked the yards and even turned over some of the garden with a shovel that is now laying dormant until next November when I start my fall garden. The earthworms are plentiful and I want to make sure they have plenty of composted leaves to hold them over the summer months when it gets so dry. I usually just spread a layer of leaves on top of the soil when we leave for the summer but that takes the worms awhile to break them down, but with mulching and then turning them under assures they have plenty to exist on throughout the hot summer; plus I want to keep the garden from becoming a bed of grasses and weeds which one year took me several days to clean off the planting area.

I picked a couple cucumbers and once again hung my onions back out on the lawn chairs to continue drying. I had them in the shed out of the rain which would have had them rotting if I had let them get wet. I sure miss the basement at the cabin for storing and preserving veggies. I only wish I could grow these onions there but the ground is so packed with clay soil that I have never had much luck. I notice the volunteer pepper plant I saved has turned out to be a banana pepper. I have no idea where that seed came from as I haven't grown them in years. The volunteer tomato plants are now setting fruit so we will have some tomato to leave for our neighbors when we leave as well as tons of cucumbers, bell peppers and okra.

Our old lunch crowd was back after Cindy, Tyler's mom left for Kansas this morning after her 10 day visit. We learned she got to Kansas City okay where Robb her husband met her for their 5 hour drive back to Plainville, Ks. She had a great visit. Amy, GG and Eliza Faye came for a lunch of pizza and afterwards I headed into the reading room for a couple hours. Eliza is quite the dancer and just loves music. I think she has some of my moves as she twirls and moves her limbs to the beat. She is quite the entertainer. They headed out to the back yard where the puppy next door, Roxie came over for a visit. She is full of energy and got out of her yard when Nancy happened to see and got her into ours so she could be captured for her owner, Carol.

We had a lite supper of chicken pot pies and sliced cukes, onions and tomato's as Nancy was heading to Ava's piano recital at Keswick School. I watched Sam and Eliza while everyone attended the recital and afterwards Nancy headed to an Artistry Party at the Botbyl's house. Our Amway team leader was there to display the many makeup, creams and cosmetics Artistry offers. Amy picked up the Sam and Eliza sometime around 8:30 then I headed for the shower and then into the hockey game between a couple teams in another division who I hope we play later in the playoffs. The Lightning play again tonight in New York and should be a great game, I hope!!!That was about it for the day and by 10'ish I was watching the inside of my eye lids, LATER