Monday Morning

Well Sunday turned out to be another beautiful warm day on the mountain with chilly temps to start the day but eventually warming close to the 75* mark. We listen live on line to our church service at Bridgepoint in St.Petersburg as we got ready for our final Sunday at Cornerstone this year. There were lots of hugs and a few tears and many "wish you were here full time" but that's life. We cry when we leave here and then cry when we leave Florida in the spring. We have been blessed in so many ways and there is seldom any doldrums with having so many friends in both places.

I started the day once again with a close to 7'ish roll out and Nancy followed about an hour later. She has become such a night owl where by 10'ish I'm ready for some horizontal lab. I had my proverbial cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric to wash down my handful of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements then posted this ramble from the day before activities so our grand children will know what life was like for us in this day and time. I spent some quiet time with my Creator giving thanks and remembering those by name who need some special consideration for healing in this their hour of need. Afterwards we had a lite breakfast of cereal before getting ready for Cornerstone. Pastor B had a great message on commitment but someone left the a/c on and we nearly froze during the service.

It was sad to leave Cornerstone before the 13 th homecoming service and dinner next Sunday which is when we usually leave for Florida but another engagement superseded this event so we said our good-byes then headed for the new Pizzeria in Sparta where we met up with friends Sam and Marcia Carlan. They will be moving this winter to the Nashville area so we may never see them again for some time as they leave Elk Creek, Virginia. They blessed us with an old crooked wood end table that we placed upstairs and a modern fireplace/electric heater which fit perfectly in our downstairs decor. We used it last evening for awhile to take the chill off of the cabin and then to add some color with the fireplace effect. They are down sizing and these items wouldn't fit into their new house.

After a delicious buffet lunch of salad and pizza we headed for the cabin taking one of the side roads with beautiful mountain vista views and the leaf colors seemed to be a little brighter today and more fuller. The peak has passed but there are still some trees showing some green leaves while many of the trees are bare of leaves. The lack of rain in the past couple of months really made a difference this year in the color scheme. We set up our new additions and rearranged some areas and finally settled on where we wanted these new pieces and while I had to take a homemade bench to the basement the new fireplace added so much more character to the living room. We will use the bench or end table for suitcases in the upstairs bedrooms.

I settled into some NFL and saw where the Bucs blew a 10 point lead and lost in overtime to the Raiders. The local Panthers defeated their opponents which made a lot of fans here happy. We took off on our daily hike while wearing shorts and a t-shirt and stopped and visited with our dear friends the Browning's. We will miss them as well as we see them and Zeke almost daily. We usually set and chat with them and most conversations end up with food recipes or them sharing some baking delight. Joe has his porch filled with split wood for his stove which heats their place during the cold winter months. We headed on back down the mountain kicking up the fallen leaves which now are above ankle deep. Last year we did the same thing but we were bundled up against the cold wind and we remarked how strange it was to do this while wearing shorts, oh well. I'm going to pick green beans this coming week as they have matured as well as some more tomato's and jalapeno's. I'm at a crossroads on if I should take back this large pepper plant and see if if will grow again in Florida. It is rather large and I will have to prune it back to get it in the truck. Maybe I will leave if for the new neighbor Billy as he loves jalapeno's, the only caveat is he must walk up the hill to harvest the fruit as we will close the gate.

Well we tuned into the world series and the Cub's were winning when I called it a night. They needed a must win to stay alive to play another day and the Cowboys were losing to the Eagles in football. I was flipping back and forth while Nancy played around on Facebook. That will change when we get back to Florida as I have a small TV in the bedroom so I can keep up with the sports on the tube, oh well. It was a busy full day with great friends and good eatin'. I did speak with Paw Paw at the rehab and he seemed content with his progress, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday was both a work and play day as we had our friends from Elk Creek over during the early afternoon and evening for supper and a card game titled 5 Crowns. The day was perfect if it was July as we had the doors and windows open but this is nearly November. I hiked the mountain with them in shorts and a t-shirt, oh well at least I'm still getting a few items from the garden and I 'm picking green beans this next week.

The day started with me once again sleeping in until 7'ish which is nice getting that extra hour of sleep. I did my usual morning routines of a hot cup of greet tea laced with the herb turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator,  lifting up several who are in dire need of some divine healing. I spoke with Paw Paw and he sounded much better but is still having some difficulty with out the catheter which restricts his ability to move about freely. He will still be in the rehab facility for some time to come and needs prayer for healing.

We had a lite breakfast to start the day with a couple of cackleberries, grits and of course a jalapeno pepper cut up in mine. That held us until we had a salad for lunch and then Nancy made a pot of tortilla soup for our supper and Marcia brought a Cole Slaw. Nancy was thinking it would be cold outside when we planned this supper but we had the doors and windows open. I fired up the leaf blower and cleared out the back trail that was loaded with leaves and debris as well as the ditch along the driveway when suddenly the blower quit running. After checking out the cause I found the fuel lines had rotted or broken into within the fuel tank. Hopefully I can find some fuel lines in Sparta on Monday when we go to town for supper at the Luffmans.

Marcia and Sam arrived around 3'ish and we took off for a 2 hour hike and walk up the mountain. It was a summer like day with temps nearly 80 on the back porch. The lack of humidity made it very nice and comfortable and none of us broke out in a sweat. The sunshine was brilliant against the Carolina blue skies. The fallen leaves had really started building up along the back roads. We met the cleaning lady, Sona at the Harris House who is from the Czech Republic. She is very sweet and seem to be such a nice person and she does this for a living. She was telling us she found a mouse on one of the sticky traps which was not dead and had a hard time euthanizing it. We checked the house a week or so ago and found only one decomposing mouse and took it out of the house so she wouldn't have to contend with any critters, oh well.

We came back and Sam and I hit the shuttlecock around for a few minutes while the gals talked in and got supper ready. The soup was delicious and required two bowels at least for everyone as we chowed down. After the cleanup we settled into the card game called 5 Crowns with takes about 13 rounds to complete the game and the gals came in first and second with Sam a close third and me dead last despite being the score keeper. They shortly got ready to head for Elk Creek which is close to 45 minutes in travel time or more. We probably won't see their place again or them there as they are moving close to Nashville this winter to be close to their son. We will say our good-bye's tomorrow after church for lunch at the new pizzerria in Sparta. We will certainly miss them and their fun friendship.

Well after they left sometime around 8'ish we settled into the world series and the Indians were whupping the Cubs by a 4-1 score in the late innings. I hit the shower and was soon nodding off afterwards around 10:30 so I hit the sack. Nancy was on the social media network and I never heard her come to bed. I did flip channels in between commercials and already the political pundits are excoriating the FBI for doing what is right and re-opening the investigation of the Clinton e-mails and how they got on some pedophile's website. This whole situation is downright criminal and embarrassing to the nation that Hillary could do what she has done and still be a candidate for the highest office in the country. Please vote your conscience and for what is best for the nation and that should be no where near these people who tried to hide their nefarious activities which many were out right corrupt and criminal that left the nation exposed to our enemies.

Don't forget to take some time today and worship corporately with others and pray for healing for our land against the evil that has permeated the highest offices in our government right up to this present potus. There is no doubt he and Hillary were in collusion to take control totally of our freedoms by disregarding policies that kept us safe and living by their set of standards that disregarded the laws completely and intentionally, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was basically a fun day that lasted late into the evening with a visit to Eddie and Kimberly's  along with old friends and some great snacking as well as a knock down drag'um out game of Sequence of which the guys won for the first time this year. We finally have braggin' rights for this winter for the first time ever. We sure will miss these great folks and our friends and keep praying for Eddie as there is some progress for regeneration of his muscles and nerves.

We started the day with an unusual roll out time for me once again at nearly 7 o'clock, yikes I'm finally able to stay in the sack beyond 6'ish. I did my morning routines and then spent some quiet time with my Creator lifting up those I know and love and several friends and associates who are in dire need of special thoughts and prayers. Paw Paw is still in the rehab and doing somewhat better as he now is complaining which is a good sign, Eliza Faye is back to wanting her snacks which means the mouth and gums are better and no longer painful to eat or drink.  There are several to numerous to mention in this ramble but thanks to all who especially remembered these two.

After a lite breakfast I headed down to load the washer as it looked to be a perfect day for washing and hanging the laundry outside on the clothesline. I piddled around outside cleaning the area where I tend to my repotting of plants and put away most of my tools for the year that I need in the garden and flower beds. The 1/2 runner green beans are going to make enough for a good mess. I picked a couple more tomato's which still have several small ones and there are blooms on one plant as well. Thus unseasonable warm weather is perfect for gardening with cool nights and warm afternoons. I have a gallon or more of dried zinnias heads for next years planting and some blanket flower heads drying as well. The morning glory flowers are once again showing their "heavenly blue" color and the jalapeno pepper is loaded once again with buds and small fruit. I'm going to take it back to Florida with hopes it will make there, again.

We ate a lunch of leftovers then took off to Sparta to see our favorite high school student Caleb Dalton. There was a homecoming parade through the town and Caleb was driving one of the tractor's in the procession. We learned the football team beat a good Elkin team which is at the foot of the mountain by just a few points later in the evening, Go Trojans!!! The town spirit is amazing here in this mountain community and we just love the atmosphere and attitude of these loving folks. We came back after a few shopping stops to hike the mountain in the warm sunshine. We did stop and chat with the Frampton's who now are making their cabin a permanent place of residence after leaving the big city of Charlotte. Everyone else was gone off the top. The temps were in the 70's with bright sunshine and blue skies. What a glorious day in all respects as we noticed the buildings in downtown Winston-Salem 70 miles away.

We came back and sat then outside on the porch and read for an hour or so before getting ready to head over to the big meet at the Kluttz's farm for our third get together this summer. Nancy had a green chili dip and a large bowl of salsa, Kimberly had con casio and smoked sausages and we chowed down before the big and final game for us this year in sequence. Well I must say the play of Brandon made the difference as Eddie, Ray and myself whupped the ever winning gals in the final best of seven games. It was a hollerin' and hootin' game with much banter and laughter and it was going on 11'ish when we finally finished.

After a hot shower I watched the final out in the Indians win over the Cubs 1-0 before hitting the sack, maybe that's

why I once again slept in this morning as well until after 7'ish. Well we see where the FBI is finally doing some investigation into the corruption of the Clinton's and their nefarious ways. Hopefully we will see the restoring of the constitution and the abeyance to the laws of the land for all people. It seems the Clinton's have been judged with a different set of standards because of their notoriety which is very suspect to say the least. Hopefully Americans will see just how corrupt and crooked these folks are as well as the collusion with this potus. The whole bunch in that party has disgusted me totally with their disregard for the average folks and then to lie, deceive and obfuscate the process for finding the truth is so disheartening with the help of the main stream media. America has been set back years as we have allowed these politicians to ruin the country and now we are no longer the shining city on a hill to the rest of people in the world who once sought our way of life which is protected by the constitution. These folks are down right disgusting and are criminals to say the least and I'm hoping they will be prosecuted to the fullest to send a message to those who are in the business of circumventing our laws, GOD HELP US, LATER  

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was a mixture of work and play after a cool chilly overcast skies morning start to the day. Finally in the afternoon the sun came and warmed things up for a bit until we actually got a couple of light rain showers. It didn't rain hard but just enough to settle the dust and quiet the dry leaves as we hiked the mountain. We walked up on a large doe just about 50 feet from us as we hiked up the back trail. We had the Luffman gang for supper and then some Sequence. More on that later.

The day started with me once again sleeping in until nearly 7'ish which is not the norm for me or my alarm clock. Maybe it's already on the new time change schedule which will happen next weekend as we fall back and gain that hour we lost in the spring, oh well. I did my usual morning routines that started with the handful of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements( by the way those of you who are customers of mine for these products they will be bogo next month, Nov. and if not customers and want to become one let me know via email). I had my hot cup of green tea laced with the herb turmeric for my joints and also I'm learning it useful for the prevention of Alzheimer's. Wow, thats very interesting to know this herb has some influence on the brain functions.

I spent some quiet moments to honor my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up by name those I know and love as well as those who need some special recognition. We had one such person here at the cabin last night who was the recipient of not only ours prayers but from so many of our friends when she hemorrhaged so badly after a minor operation while shopping. Kay is doing fine and we so enjoyed her and Gerald's good company last evening. She is a fierce Sequence player also more on that later as well. I took off after a lite breakfast on the golf cart down to help Grant Heglar until lunch time reinforce his deck and replace the steps to his deck which was damaged last evening when we cut down a huge tree that crashed down on a corner. We used 2x6's up underneath the floor to support the cracked ones and actually made the deck stronger than before. It turned out nice and except for a little stain damage one would never know the deck was struck by a huge tree.

We finished up the leftover Zuppa soup for lunch. Nancy had a pot of beef in a gravy for stroganoff simmering on the stove and the smell permeated the cabin. We decided after some house cleaning to get in a hike to the top of the mountain as a lite mist enveloped the area. The temps had warmed up a little so we took off up the back trail. Wow it seems that hill gets steeper each day for some reason. We made it up and across the mountain and stopped and visited the Joe and Jetta for a few before heading back down. She has a delicious smelling soup on the stove and Joe had a fire burning his fireplace. The smell of wood smoke is so refreshing to us for some reason as we hiked through the damp chilly woods on our way down the mountain. I sat and read until it was time for our guests to arrive around 5:30.

Well the supper was very good and plentiful. Kay brought and apple raisin salad as well as cooked cinnamon apples to add to the beef stroganoff and yeast rolls, Yikes was that ever good and then we had brownies for dessert. We played Sequence and the guys won the first 2 out of 3 games which is usually what we play but since the gals had lost they changed that to best of 5 and they won the next 2 games in a slug fest. Gerald and I held our own as I had to play a second Harvey hand which leaves little time to strategize as there was only 5 of us. Caleb wasn't able to make it so it was 3 gals vs 2 guys, oh well it was a great time and we always so enjoy eating and playing together. We will dearly miss them this winter. They left sometime after 8'ish then we cleaned up the kitchen. Nancy settled in on Facebook and I watched the Pitt vs Tech game which was a good college game. I think Tech won as they were ahead when the sandman calleth for me after a hot shower around 10'ish.

Well we are seeing from the Wiki leaks the Clinton machine is a dishonest and corrupted bunch of folks who will say and do anything to achieve power and then lie and obfuscate  to hide their nefarious activities. How did we ever let these folks stay in the highest levels of government. We are on the way to collapse and the destruction of our society as we once knew it. The collusion of so many in the elitist class, circles of government and the potus himself is on point to destroy the constitution and we will go by the wayside like the great Roman Empire. History will be repeated and we will have the kool-aid drinkers, sycophants and main stream media supporting Hillary to thank. All I can say is may GOD have mercy on our nation, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday found us shopping in Galax, Va. getting a haircut and then eating lunch out at Macadoo's and then we got in our daily hike to the top of the mountain. We took the golf cart out to visit with a neighbor and then I helped him get a huge tree down that had become a nuisance. The weather once again was short sleeve in the sunshine but in the shade it was a different story. Once again no rain so I had to hand water what was left in the gardens.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out. It was chilly outside, but the cabin was snug and warm. Our "mountain mom" Helen said it had frosted overnight at her place and temps were in the low 30's. I checked around 8 o'clock and it was 40 but we missed the frost so the beans are still growing. I have some almost big enough to pick. I did my usual morning routines of washing down a handful of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements with a cup of hot green tea laced with the herb or spice turmeric. I've become accustom to the taste and I know its made a difference in my knee joint and bursitis in my shoulder. I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator lifting up those I know and love before Nancy rolled out of the sack. We decided to head to the super Wal-Mart in Galax for some shopping for the Samaritans Purse Christmas Shoebox that will go out to kids all over the world and with it the message of Jesus Christ. We shopped for three boxes and they were packed to the brim with toys, hygiene articles, candy and coloring books and crayons. Its amazing how much you can pack in a shoe box.

After purchasing a few articles for up and coming dinners, suppers and get togethers these last few days were are here in the mountains we headed over to Macadoo's eatery in old Galax for a filling lunch of burgers, quesadillas, salsa and chips which held us the rest of the day except for some old fashion pop corn around 8'ish while watching the Cubs beating up on the Indians in the world series. We made a stop afterwards at the post office to mail some clothing left in one of the dressers to our cousins in Pennsylvania and then headed out of town for a fill up at a $1.97. The gas is 25-30 cents a gallon cheaper in Va. than N.C. We had been gone from the cabin for over 5 hours and it was good to be back on the mountain.

We took off on our hike and spoke with the Brownings for a few before heading back down the mountain. The fallen leaves have really built up a good 1/2 foot or more along the back trail in areas where the wind hasn't blown them away. The sound of dry crackling leaves under foot is always a sound that is associated with wintertime and the changing season. We decided to go and visit our neighbors the Heglars who we seldom see anymore but did notice they were at their cabin on our way in from Galax. Grant was contemplating cutting this huge poplar tree that was growing up through their deck. We decided to notch it lower on the trunk than climbing a 30 foot ladder to cut it off a few feet at a time. We got a rope around the trunk about half way and I pulled it down while he sawed. Well it did strike the deck railing and caused some damage but at least no one fell off the ladder or took out a power line. I will head down later today(Thur.) and give him a hand on reconstructing the deck which really fared well considering the size of this tree.

We tuned into the Fox Cable News and then the world series and when I headed for some horizontal lab it looked as if the Cubs would win the second game as they were leading 5-1 in the 6th. Well that was about it for the day. Today we are having the Luffman Gang for supper and Sequence which is always a grand time of fellowship and good eatin', LATER

Here are a few turkey pics we observed in the back yard yesterday evening. There were about 19-20 that we counted and could have missed a few as we caught a glimpse of the passing through. These were big birds and would easily have been plenty on the table for a whole family.

I heard a black woman from Chicago who was touting Trump as just what we need to turn this country around and she used the phrase "drain the swamp in Washington, D.C." She is right on as this incompetent and inept leadership in both parties especially this administration are and have been destroying the very fabric that once made us great. So lets join her and many others in "draining the swamp in D.C."and make our nation under GOD and Great again with at least someone who is not afraid to take on the establishment.

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday was almost another perfect day weather wise. Lots of sunshine with the Carolina blue skies and the wind was almost at a standstill. We could use some rain but there doesn't seem to be much in the forecast. I was able to work outside most of the day and into the evening with some pickle ball. We did visit our 'mountain mom" for a few in the afternoon.

I started the day with a seldom 7'ish roll out. Not sure why but the internal alarm was silent for a change. I think burning the late night oil while we had company may have made the difference but it was actually light outside when I rolled out. It was down right chilly with temps in the high 30's but as soon as the sun broke over the tree tops it quickly warmed up to a t-shirt kind of day and about the same when after the sun set the chilly air quickly enveloped us on the outside pickle ball court. I did my usual morning routines of a hot cup of tea laced with turmeric while washing down a handful of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements. After posting this ramble I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several I know who need some special divine intervention into their lives. Paw Paw was taken to a local hospital after the staff at the rehab thought his hemoglobin was to low but that turned out to be unnecessary and he was returned to the facility. Eliza Faye seems to be getting over her mouth virus and is back to eating and drinking.

 After taking down all of my bean pole(s) and wires and storing them for next season's planting I loaded up the golf cart with several cans of leaves and placed them in the garden to be rotor-tillered into the soil. They will break down over the winter and give the soil a little more compost plus the earthworms love decayed leaves and their casings are the best potting soil ever. That kept me busy until lunch time when we had a lite lunch after a semi-mountain breakfast of cakes and bacon. We took off to the top of the mountain around 2'ish on our daily hike and stopped and visited with the Browning's for a few. It was such a beautiful day and the shade felt good on the back road as we headed down the mountain.

We got ready and headed over to our "mountain mom" Helen around 3'ish and shared the last of the smoked pulled pork with her. We sat and visited and I nearly fell asleep in the warmth of her cabin. We headed back just before 4'ish and took down our outside laundry which has such a clean smell. I fired up the grill around 5'ish and grilled salmon fillets that accompanied a large fresh salad. I wanted to eat early as I had a pickle ball match at 6:30 with 3 other guys at the Roaring Gap Club. We played outside on the lighted court until after 8 'ish and had some great rallies. Needless to say there was very little sweating in the cold air. I hit the hot shower after getting back and watched a few innings of the World series between the Cubs and the Indians. The Cubs were losing when I called it a night around 10:30'ish, LATER  

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday started out with us sleeping in until nearly 7 which has been the norm for the past couple of days since we've had our cousin and hubby here for a visit. We have been burning the late night oil with some hotly contested card games and Sunday night was no exception as the guys once again were the big winners in Euchre. Our company was leaving this AM (Monday)so it will be back to our somewhat dull routine in the evenings with watching Fox News until bedtime. We had a marvelous time with their first ever visit to the cabin and look forward to many more. They headed out some where around 9'ish for Lancaster, Pa.

After they left we did our morning routines of a few quiet moments to honor and give thanks to our Creator and lift up several who are still hurting especially our little Eliza Faye with her sore mouth. She is doing somewhat better and at least she is eating and drinking after going without for a couple of days. Paw Paw is slowly progressing but is still having to be catheter to get some relief. Hopefully his urologist will be able to detect the reason and make some adjustments. He sounds much better on the phone. Our friend Martha and sister of our "mountain mom" is in terrible pain with her back and she got word there is nothing to be done for her so she really needs prayers as well as our dear friend Eddie who is a paraplegic.

We cleaned house and I put in the laundry and then hung the sheets on the clothesline. What a great day for drying outside. The wind is still rather blustery but the outside temps moderated up to the upper 60's during the day which was perfect for outside work in the bright sunshine. We got in a hike before lunch and then visited with our new neighbors Billy and Paula on top of the mountain and then stopped and visited with the Brownings for a few before heading down the mountain for a late lunch. I had clipped off all of the Zinnia heads and then took the weed whacker and mowed down that flower bed to the ground then hauled a couple loads of leaves into the bed. I wanted to use the rotor tiller and turn all of that under for compost for next summers planting. The tiller acted up but eventually I got it to work enough to do the one bed.

We decided to take a golf cart ride out to the mailbox and noticed another neighbor on our lane was up so we stopped and visited with them for nearly hour. The Heglar's sponsor the huge weinnie roast each year the first Saturday in October but the past two years we have missed it because of being back in Florida. There are usually a hundred folks or more there from all over the local area and from their church.  We headed out after seeing Billy and Paula go by on the road in their new ATV and knew they were heading to our place. We caught up with them then showed them around and they sat and visited until nearly dark. We got to know them a little better and think they will become good friends in the future.

Well after late supper of leftovers we tuned into the Fox Cable News and learned just how crooked and corrupt is this whole Clinton and Obama campaign  We are in a sad state if this extension of his inept 8 years is allowed to linger for another four with her in office. He is an outright liar when he said he never knew she was using a private email server because they both were using it obfuscate the public awareness of their corrupt dealings in foreign policy. We are in a world of hurt and a complete loss of our freedoms and liberties if she is allowed to continue us down this road to the destruction of our society that he has promulgated during his tenure. Folks had better wake up as well as those in the media who are sycophants of these disgusting corrupt politicians before its too late, LATER    

Monday Morning

Well our company just pulled out for Lancaster, Pa after a whirlwind 4 nights visit. We had a grand time with Nancy's cousin Cris and hubby Bill. Sunday found us trying to keep warm once again after a cold windy night. We headed out to Cornerstone for worship and then came back to a lunch of leftover Zuppa soup and sandwiches. We then headed to the top of the mountain for a visit with Joe and Yvonne who are at a stage in their life when their health concerns have become more evident with keeping up their beautiful cabin. They are entertaining the thought of possibly selling this real log cabin and we were throughly impressed with the workmanship.

Sunday found us worshipping at Cornerstone after a lite breakfast of muffins and cereal. The wind had finally dropped down in velocity and the sun was shining with bright blue skies. We decided to explore some roads and stopped and visited with a beautiful property that was for sale. We visited with the owner and she was very friendly and told us all about the the house and the 7 acres that was for 329K. It was on the other side of the county and the views were awesome but in my opinion too far away.

We watched football and played Euchre while waiting for supper time. We heated up the smoked pulled pork and finished up the Cole slaw and salad and then got back into a some more card playing until it was time to hit the sack around 10:30.  They were really impressed with this area and the views. This was the first time for both of them to Western Carolina, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday started out with very cold temps as the wind blew at a near gale force all night and morning. Much of the porch furniture was moved all around during the night and the potted plants were found over turned and many upside down against the porch railing. At least the sun was shining but it felt like the temps were in the teens. Yeow winter came on overnight  and I noticed most all of the veggies plants were looking very peaked despite no frost.

We started the day with a sleep in until nearly 7:30 as we had so much difficulty getting to sleep with the wind banging things around on the porch. Finally sometime during the night and morning we managed a few hours of rest. I did my morning routines while Bill and Chris were still upstairs and we were wondering how they fared from the noise of the wind. They eventually awakened or came down stairs some time close to 8 'ish and they said they had a good nights sleep. They did have the small electric heater upstairs but turned it off sometime during the night. We did our quiet moments and managed to catch up on our social interests before Nancy started our breakfast. She was making pumpkin bread muffins and they were so tasty, especially with some homemade apple butter. I headed out to the grill and fried more of that delicious bacon we brought back from Virginia to accompany the tasty muffins as well as some eggs. Another "mountain breakfast" and that held us except some treats in Old Salem until suppertime.

I must say that chore was one that brought tears to my eyes as the wind and cold penetrated your clothing, yikes! Nancy had the oven going with her baking and then they brought the electric heater back down stairs so the cabin quickly became very comfortable again. I decided to wait until later this evening to light the propane heater as we were planning on being gone all day. After eating Bill and I took off to Galax to purchase the butcher block island on casters that we saw yesterday while shopping at Gynn's Showroom. It's fit was perfect in the cabin and now with a reduction in the price it fitted even more perfectly. The clerk held it for us as we measured to see how it would fit into the cabin's kitchen space. We stopped at another store for some food grade cutting board oil to season the top and did it ever give it a very nice finish. Bill was very up to date on this process as he had made an island for their home and of course he is into furniture. I never would have thought of this process.

After giving the island a couple coats of the finishing oil we took off for Old Salem. This is such a unique place to visit and they were throughly surprised and loved the old building and culture of that period in our history. The Moravians settled this town and was very influential in the Lancaster area back home where they reside. We walked and drove around the  around there for several hours after visiting the Winklers bakery and eating our fill of their delicious cookies and cakes. The Tavern was open but had closed for eating between the lunch and supper crowds. The place was still packed with those eating but no new seats were available for a couple of hours. We visited several shoppes, buildings and the vegetable gardens. There were a few plots still showing lots of bed plants and veggies. It was such a beautiful day with a chill in the air.  The temps were about 55-58 degrees with bright sunshine and somewhat of a slight breeze.

We were heading back to the cabin when Bill mentioned Wake Forest University so we explored the campus and football stadium and both were gorgeous in looks and setting. We had never been there before but we did know a few kids who had graduated there who were Bobby's friends. We headed back up the mountain and drove past a beautiful log home that is for sale just a mile or so from us on Shawtown Road. The temperature had dropped down into the 40's as we climbed the mountain and the wind seemed to have picked up as well. We got back to the chilled cabin and I lite the propane heater which immediately added warmth along with the electric heater. I put marinated chicken breasts on the grill and Bill and I took a few shots with the bb gun at some targets strategically placed near the deck for entertainment when grilling. We were both bundled up against the cold wind as the temps quickly dropped into the 30's.

We had sumptuous supper of grilled chicken jajitas, black beans and rice with fresh salsas. I added some jalapenos to my plate which were awesome. Nancy baked fresh chocolate chip cookies for dessert but I passed on them as the Winkler raisin cream filled cake was my sweets for the day. We did partake of some of the "fruit of the vine" while waiting for the marinate to grill. We tuned into the Cubs long awaited victory over the Dodgers to go to the World Series for the first time in decades or even centuries while playing Phase 10. It was a close game with Bill winning on the last hand in a hotly contested event. It was the first time Chris and Bill had ever played this game and at times ever mentioned they hated this game in jest. It was going on 11 when we called it night and headed for the hot shower and finally some horizontal lab, LATER

Don't forget today is corporate worship day across our nation and we definitely need GOD'S blessings for the folks of this once great nation. We have no competent leadership in D.C. and many of our politicians only care about their bank accounts and remaining in power. It's time we ask for healing of our country and for some real leadership for ALL the people and not for just the special interests who grease the palms of their politicians, Wake Up America as we may be on the edge of losing our liberty as we once knew it.

Saturday Morning

Well Friday started out with warm temps that were somewhere around the upper 60's and by bedtime it was down into the 40's with winds that were in the blustery stage. We could here the cell phone towers at the top of our mountain whining as the wind swirled around them during evening and night time hours. The porch furniture was moving around through out the night as well and most of the leaves that had started to change in color are now littering the ground. Winter came in with a blow and cold temps this morning into the 30's.

We started the day with a near 7'ish roll out for me which was due to our late night game playing. I did my usual morning routines while our guests slept in spending a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several I know. I got a call from Paw Paw again while oldest sister Josie was at the rehab center and once again he sounded good. He is still having some difficulty with his bladder and they had to catheter him again but the infection seems to be lessening with the anti-biotic drip. He is doing better but still has a ways to go.

Nancy made a "mountain breakfast" of buckwheat cakes with a banana in the batter. I fried bacon outside on the grill and we had scrambled eggs along with juice and coffee. Yeow that held us until the afternoon when we made a stop at Macadoo's in Galax for a sandwich. The girls headed into old town window shopping and Bill and I headed over to the Gwynn Furniture Store where we found a rolling cart with a butcher block top that would serve as an island. We brought the girls back to have a look and decided that it would be perfect for the cabin as we have been using a small table to act as an island.

We traveled over to Elk Creek to show our guest the oldest house in Grayson County, Va. who is owned by our friends the Carlans and who have their beautiful place up for sale. We showed them lots of cabins on top of our mountain as well as meeting our newest neighbors. We got back to the cabin around 5'ish and put them the soup pot on to heat while we tasted some fruit of the vine and had a bite of cheese and crackers. The Zuppa Toscano soup, salad and crusty bread made for a delicious supper on this cold windy evening. After the cleanup we settled into to some real estate looking and found a promising place not far from our cabin which we will check out today(Sat). We then decided to play some card games and we taught them Oh -ell which is a fast game that requires some bidding. Bill was the big winner and then the boys played the girls in a game of Euchre and we once again slaughtered them. It was going on 11'ish so we called it a night after a hot shower. The wind kept me awake most of the night with blowing debris against the cabin as well as rocking the porch furniture, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was spent getting ready for our company to arrive but the day started out with very warm temps for this time of the year. It reached close to 80 once again by mid afternoon but it wasn't humid or uncomfortable. There is supposed to be a very drastic change this week end as temps will drop down into the 30's, yikes!!

We awakened to the smell of the picnic shoulder or Boston butt baking over night at 250*..Nancy had a very nice rub on it and it looked good enough to eat as it was, but we wanted the smoke flavor so I loaded up the smoker with applewood that had been soaking overnight and let it smoke for about 5-6 hours. It turned perfect and the meat pulled completely away from the bone. We started our morning routines then spent some time with our Creator giving thanks and lifting up those we know who need some special divine considerations for various health reasons. I did speak with Paw Paw later in the evening as Dee was visiting him at the rehab place. He sounded so much better with a strong voice and he has had the catheter removed and the drain tubes as well. It looks as if he on the road to recovery quicker than we thought after our last visit. Little Eliza Faye has finally eaten a few things despite the mouth virus so that is a good sign as well and is drinking more as well.

We had a nice hike to the top of the mountain and stopped and visited with Billy and Paula our new neighbors. They are very nice folks and are excited about living here on the mountain. They are in our age group or maybe just a few years younger and we learned the Cline Cabin has been sold as well to a retired couple from Jacksonville, Florida. We hiked on across the mountain and stopped and visited with the Browning's as well. It was a great afternoon except for the bugs and bees that were everywhere due to the high heat. They have come out of hibernation or whatever they do when its been cold.

Chris and Bill got here sometime around 5'ish as they got lost due to their loss of the GPS in the mountains. We had a grand time showing them around and then we settled into some wine time before sitting down to a sumptuous meal of smoked pulled pork, oven taters, Cole slaw and a fresh corn dish. Nancy had a wineberry cobbler in the oven for dessert with Vanilla ice cream for later in the evening. They finally got hooked in to our WiFi and contacted their family to let them know they had made it here. We then decided to teach them the game of Euchre and they loved it as both of them were Bridge players in college. They picked it up quickly and the guys whupped the gals 2 out of three games. It was after our bed times which is usually around 10 but with all of the excitement and the Cub's vs Dodger on in the back ground we finally hit the sack somewhere close to 11:30.

We are going to show them around the area and even look at some real estate today after what Chris describes as a "mountain breakfast". We are often talking about this breakfast in our posts and now she and Bill want to experience one of our gourmet delightes, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday was almost too warm as the temps reached near 80 on the back porch. I finally donned short pants and a tee shirt for our hike and then stayed in them until it was shower time. There is some really cold weather heading our way in the next day or so with some 30's in the forecast and some much needed rain. We stayed around the cabin getting ready for our company who is to arrive later this evening.

The day started with my usual roll out at 6'ish. I sure miss seeing the sunlight at that hour but I'm slowly adapting to the idea that Fall is just about gone and that winter will soon be upon us. I'm getting excited about planting my winter garden in Florida as I miss harvesting fresh garden grown veggies. I did my morning routines and then a few quiet moments to spend with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several folks I know and love for some healing. The latest on Paw Paw is that he is grouchy and so that means he is getting better as he complains. The girls are making some decisions on what care he will need after his stay at the rehab is over which is probably another couple weeks at most. Eliza Faye is still suffering from the virus that has her mouth and gums sore to eat or drink.

After a breakfast of eggs, jalapeno pepper, tomato and grits I headed out to piddle around in the gardens and yards. I'm still hand watering whats left growing and used up a whole rain barrel of water doing so. I will have to use the well next if we don't get any rain as forecasted. It's so dry here that the leaves are falling like rain before they get their deep brilliant colors. I noticed the mountains are dull in color despite it being peak time for colors. Oh well!! The warm temps have been nice since we can open the cabin and sit outside in the evening hours reading on the deck and porches before suppertime.

I watched the Indians beat the Blue Jays knocking them out of their chance to go to the world series and then watched some of the Cub's game against the Dodgers, they too won big to tie their series. Unfortunately I watched the last debate and was disappointed that these two candidates are the best we have to offer as our leader. I'm still a Trump supporter but his demeanor leaves me a little suspect to his ability to lead. If he runs the nation like a business we will do great but I'm still on the fence with his desire to get along with those who oppose him. We as a nation are in a terrible fix and Hillary is part of that reason. She is a consummate liar and deceiver in the worst way as well as is those who support her. Their desire for power and control as well as riches is criminal and evil in that desire. She has no concern to be a spokesperson for the good of man and her methods to get to the highest office is one of corruption and disdain for the law. I don't know how that family gets away with all of their evil and deadly deeds while keeping the media under their power and control.

We put on a large Boston butt pork roast in the oven over night at a low temp before retiring and then I will put it on the smoker later this morning to get the smokey applewood flavor for our supper. It smells so good this morning and it looks great as well. Hopefully it turns out as good as the ones Bobby cooked this summer, they were awesome in texture and taste. The meat fell off of the blade bone which runs through the roast. Nancy has been in the kitchen nearly all day as she loves to entertain with food. She has several planned dishes measures out ahead of time so it looks as if we will be putting on the feed bag over the next several days.

Well it wasn't a good night for sleeping as I stayed up watching the debate and then was so keyed up I couldn't sleep as well as smelling the butt in the oven with its rub during the night, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday found us doing very little except enjoying these warm temps and bright sunshine. We hiked the mountain around mid morning after a late breakfast. We sat and read before heading off to Sparta to run errands and then eat lunch/supper at the Pines eatery around 2'ish. Afterwards it was grocery shopping before heading back to the cabin and then I played pickle ball for the first time in several weeks until after 8'ish in the evening.

The day started with me up at my usual 6'ish or a little before. I did my customary routines then spent a few quiet minutes with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up those I know who are hurting and need some divine intervention for healing. Our littlest grand daughter Eliza Faye is having some health issues with a virus that has attacked her mouth and gums. The doctor said there wasn't much we could do except to make her as comfortable as possible and the virus should run it's course in about a week. She isn't eating because of the pain and is running a slight fever. We learned that Paw Paw is starting to respond more favorably to the health care at the rehab and also Kay is doing much better at home as well. Once again thanks to all who remembered these friends and family of ours.

I piddled around in the garden after breakfast until it was time for our hike. It was such a spring like day with the birds singing and the bright sunshine was exhilarating. I've noticed the young beans are starting to get some length on them and I picked another handful of jalapeno peppers. I'm trying to eat at least one a day. I picked another handful of tomato's as well that are ripening and still have a few left on the vine to ripen. I hand watered all of what's left and hope the frost stays away for another 2 weeks or more. We are scheduled or forecasted for some colder temps this coming weekend after some much needed rain.

We headed to Sparta and stopped by Kay's to pick up some sun flower seeds for next years planting then headed to the landfill before stopping off at the library. Afterwards it was time for our big meal of the day at the Pines Restaurant. We had thought about pizza at JB"S but Jetta mentioned on our hike that she was preparing a beef roast with smashed taters and gravy and Nancy was intrigued; so we did the buffet which included the salad bar as well. They has the usual fried and barbecue chicken and salisbury steak in a rich gravy, smashed real taters, pinto and lima beans and several other dishes too numerous to mention all for 7.95, yeow. Very tasty and plentiful and we waddled out of the place after one helping. We stopped at the local meat market for some buys as well and then headed to the grocery store where we filled up another shopping cart. Our freezers are full once again as well as are the cupboards and you would think we are feeding Cox's Army instead of a couple of folks for a couple of days, oh well!!!

Well I met up with 3 other men at the Roaring Gap Club for nearly two hours of pickle ball under the lights. We had lots of great rallies and games. These younger fellows love this game and all have become really good players and could play with the best in the game. I will miss them and their sportsmanship. They will eventually move indoors to Cornerstone and play this winter. I tuned into the MLB game between the Cub's and Dodgers and the LA team were up by 3 when I decide to head for some horizontal lab. I hadn't played any pickleball in several weeks and was feeling the results of not being active with the short bursts of speed. I was a bit stiff and worn out to say the least and the hot shower felt oh so good, LATER  

Tuesday Morning

Well I would never have believe it could reach 71* on the back porch on this date in mid October but yesterday we saw bright sunshine, blue skies and this temperature. Today Tuesday is supposed to be even warmer before a cold front which will bring some rain and much cooler temps but no freeze as of yet in the forecast.  I worked outside most of the day. We got in a great late afternoon hike and settled down on the porch and deck in the sunshine to read while our supper baked in the oven for nearly an hour while tasting some fruit of the vine.

The day started with my usual 6'ish roll out and then my morning routines of a few quiet moments to give thanks and to honor my Creator as well as lift up several folks who are in my thoughts and on my heart for some healing. Many thanks to all who lifted up our dear friend Kay who was hemorrhaging from a recent colon procedure. She is back home and doing well after giving all of us a scare. Paw Paw is still recovering but it's going to be awhile before he regains his strength from the infection which probably would have killed him had he not fallen and was admitted to the hospital. He is still on an antibiotic drip every four fours so he needs lots of prayers for recovery. Tyler's mom Cindy had a knee operation out in Kansas yesterday and needs prayers for healing and a speedy recovery as well and Eddie our paraplegic is daily in need of prayers for healing and quality of life.

After a breakfast of soft boiled eggs, a fresh garden tomato, jalapeno pepper and grits I headed outside to start the work day. I fired up the weed whacker and did the property and the driveway which kept me busy for an hour or so. Afterwards despite the heavy dew I fired up the riding lawn mower and did all the yards except the backwoods yard which showed little or no growth since last mowing. I should lime that area before we leave next month as the moss has once again reared its ugly head. The area just doesn't get enough sunshine due to all the trees despite me taking out a dozen or more over the past couple of years, oh well at least it has the "park"look. I kept busy right up to lunch time when we settled into a salad.

Nancy was busy in the house as she waxed the floors, cleaned the house and made the beds upstairs. Her cousin and husband are coming for the first time ever to the mountains and will be staying with us for a couple of days. The weather is supposed to change the day they get here with rain and much colder temps but until then we are supposed to be in the low 70's. We got in a nice hike in the afternoon and saw no one on top of the mountain. We did notice how almost over night there is so much more color in the trees. It's starting to look like fall weather despite the mild temps. I hand watered what's left of the gardens and noticed more blooms on the tomato plants that weren't touched by the lite frost while we were in Virginia last week. The beets are sending up new leaves which are very tasty in a salad and the deer have the same taste as they have eaten down the tops a couple times. The jalapeno peppers are producing as are the bell peppers. I've been giving them an epson salt spray about every other week and its working.

We had Marie Callendar chicken pot pie for supper and they are more than worth the price. Very delicious and we licked our plates clean. After the clean up we settled into the Fox Cable News and then I watched the MLB playoff game and now the Indians hold a 3 game to none lead over the Blue Jays. The Cubs play again tonight and we are pulling for them over the Dodgers as their manager, Don Maddon once led our Ray's Club to several playoff wins. The Cubs have a terrible record over the years but may have a chance to go to the big dance(world series) and it looks like they will play the Indians unless something magically happens with the Canadians. It wasn't long after 10'ish and a hot shower I was ready for some horizontal lab, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday was another beautiful day with temps in the low 70's and for this time of the year was notable; usually by this time we've had a killing frost and the leaves have put on their coats of many colors. We are starting to see some changes and in a way I'm hoping this warm weather continues for at least another week as we have company arriving this week and our heating system is not the best for the upper floor and besides my green bean plants are setting small beans. I would like a mess of them before the heavy frost.

We started the day much the usual with me up and raring to go at 6 AM. I spent the first hour or so on this laptop as it's pitch black outside at this time of the day. I do my morning routines of a hot cup of green tea laced with turmeric and I must confess while skeptical of the results at first this spice or herb does have some affects on the knee joints and may even be helping my bursitis in the shoulder. It's sure a cheap way to treat this ailment and so much more healthier than scripts. I think I've used Naproxen only a couple times this summer for the pain in my shoulder.

I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up those I know and love. Just an update on Kay Luffman who was transported to the emergency room in Winston via ambulance on Friday. The doctors have stopped the bleeding and it looks as if she will be discharged either today or was last night. We spoke with Mechelle and her mom was doing much better thankfully. I will say this for Facebook we had a prayer chain close to hundred folks lifting her up in prayer for her issues in just moments. Many thanks to all those who took the time and lifted her up to the great physician and healer our Creator. I haven't heard how Paw Paw is doing the past couple of days but the girls; Josie, Pat and Dee(his daughters) are working on the situation of what care he should receive and where he should go after the antibiotic drip is completed and his stay is up at the rehab facility.

We listened on line to our church in St.Petersburg live at Bridgepoint Church before heading out to Cornerstone for worship. Pastor B had a great message on honesty and the effects that has on personal and family life styles. Afterwards we met us with our dear friends Sam and Marcia Carlan at the Mexican eatery in town for a delicious filing meal. About half of Cornerstone was there as well. Afterwards we headed home to watch a little football for me before we took off on our hike to the top of the mountain. It was close to 70* on top of the mountain with bright sunshine. We encountered a small flock of wild turkeys as we neared the top and Nancy had her camera so managed a picture before they flew down and over the tree tops. They can really fly like a bird and create so much noise when they flap their wings.

She managed some distant shots of the leaf colors and the warm sunshine felt so good. We stopped and chatted up Joe and Jetta. Joe and I slipped in the house to watch the finish of the Panthers game with their loss to the Saints before we headed back down the mountain. I hand watered the beans and peppers. I picked another dozen or so jalapeno's as they keep producing. I'm thinking I may take this jalapeno plant back with me to Florida next month as I brought it up with me in May and its produced so many I can't give them away or use them up.I'm hoping to get a mess of green beans before we leave in a couple of weeks. Most folks here thought I was crazy sowing beans this late in the season. I thought the seeds were old but they germinated and now I have beans climbing a fence with some plants over my head in height with lots of blooms. I may have to cover them it calls for frost but with temps this week in the 70's and lows in the 40' I shouldn't have to worry.

I shipped any supper after the big noon meal and watched football and then baseball until it was my bedtime. Nancy was wanting a "full moon" shot but it was just coming up through the trees surrounding the cabin when I noticed I was dozing on the couch. I did notice during the night the outside was lite up with a floodlight. I noticed the Bucs didn't lose today as they had a bye. All of the other teams in our division lost so that helps with our standings except for the Saints who narrowly defeated the Panthers. Lots of my friends here are Panther followers and I usually take a good ribbing from them but not this year so far. Well that was about it for the day, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday turned out to be almost a perfect weather day after a cloudy start and temps in the high 40's. Around mid morning the sun came through and the skies turned blue and the sun was brilliant for the rest of the day warming the air up the the 60's. We worked around the cabin doing laundry hanging it out on the clothesline to get that awesome fresh smell. I piddled around in the gardens, berry patch and the yard. We got in a hike and a long golf cart ride in the afternoon then settled on the porches to read in the warm sunshine.

I started the day much the usual with my 6'ish roll out to a hot cup of green tea laced with some turmeric. I spent some time with my Creator lifting up those I know and love and especially those who are hurting for what ever reason. We have a new prayer concern for our dear friend Kay Luffman who was taken to the emergency room in Winston Salem last evening after she began to bleed profusely after having a polyp removed the day before from a colon exam. She is stabilized for now in the hospital and also remember Paw Paw as he continues to rehab and finally remember our nation for some competent honest leadership.

We had a boring breakfast of oatmeal with cinnamon and honey for me as Nancy tries to keep me off of mountain breakfasts which are so good and tasty. We ate decent for the rest of the day with sardines for lunch and salmon for supper. I pulled weeds after breakfast and clipped the dead branches from the wineberry bushes as well as removed some dead cucumber vines from the gardens. I still have a couple tomato plants with some greenery as well as some green tomato's still attached. The beets tops needed clipping as deer had eaten off the upper leaves leaving some spiky stems. They never pulled the beet up so they are producing small leaves again which are delicious in salads. I fed and watered them and noticed lots of new leaves starting. I'm amazed at the herbs as the basil is so large and needed pruning as well as the pepper plants which are just huge in size and loaded with varying sizes of peppers and the jalapeno plant is so loaded with fruit as well. The cold didn't seem to bother them. I noticed lots of little beans on both the 1/2 runners and the October beans. Hopefully with this warm weather this coming week they will make before we get a killing frost.

We took off on our daily hike to the top of the mountain and saw where several folks were up at their summer cabins but saw no one in person. Several has smoldering fires and smoke from outside burning which concerned me a little. The woods have lots of dried leaves which could be disastrous if the wind came up but it was a still day and no harm was done. We came back and had lunch then took off on a golf cart ride out to the mailbox and then up several of the back roads leading to the top of the mountain. Once again no one was out and about and we wondered were we missing some big event in town.

Well we decided to read the rest of the afternoon on the porch in the warm sunshine until supper time. I grilled salmon steaks and along with baked sweet taters and a salad we feasted. After the clean up I settled into some college football and then the MLB playoff game between the Cubs and Dodgers. The Cub's were leading when I called it a day after a hot shower around 10'ish. Don't forget today is corporate worship day at a place where GOD is honored. Take a couple hours and gather with other Believers to honor and give thanks as well as pray for our nation. We are in a terrible fix with this past 8 years of an awful incompetent government on both sides of the aisle that has left us in turmoil. We have an elitist class of crooked politicians who only care about their own pocketbooks and have no regard for the law as well as those who constantly interject their own agendas to cause racial divide and now we are targeting our police who are the line between the criminal and law abiding folks. We have let the radical terrorist infiltrate our country who disregard any sanctity of life and want to impose their ideology. Wake Up America and if we have open borders as this one candidate proclaims in her secret speeches we will never know the safety and security afforded us over the years of living in this country. She will take away our rights to protect our selves with the suspension of the second amendment as well as lead us in financial collapse with her outrageous tax increases to pay for all of the illegals who will infiltrate our nation without a border, LATER  

Saturday Morning

Well Friday saw us with cold temps to start the day and it never really warmed up much. The gray skies didn't help at all with making it pleasant to be outside but we did get in a hike around noon and we hung a load of laundry outside on the clothesline. It took most of all day to dry. We did some cabin cleaning after a mountain breakfast of bacon, eggs, grits and toast. I spiced mine up with a fresh jalapeno pepper and a ripe tomato from the garden bounty. That held me for the rest of the day until we were invited down to neighbor Gerald and Karyl's place for some wine and cheese around 4:30 along with several other neighbors in the hood. The Hudson's(Donna and Carl), the Taylor's(Donnie and Martha) the Baucom's(Roddy and Kathy) and Karyl's sister Karin who was a first time visitor to the cabin from Pennsylvania.

The day started with my usual roll out around 6'ish. It was another cold morning (wintertime for us Floridians) in the high 40's to start the day then warmed up close to 60 by late afternoon. I did my usual morning routines; a cup of hot green tea laced with the herb or spice turmeric to wash down a handful of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements, spent a few quiet moments with Creator to give thanks and and lift up those I know and love who need some special divine healing and consideration especially Paw Paw(dad). He is still recovering from a serious infection in a rehab facility and now we are investigating where he may go after his time is up at this place. He will need some assistance as he is slow to regain his strength while on this every 4 hour antibiotic treatment as well as physical therapy for his knee. His advanced age has slowed him down considerably.

We got in a nice hike to the top of the mountain and saw the Baucom's as they arrived for the weekend. We chatted them up before heading on across the mountain to chat with Jetta for a few before heading back down the mountain. I headed out to Roaring Gap post office for some stamps and to mail our absentee ballots for the general election in November. I noticed some more color in the leaves almost overnight. We spent the afternoon reading and hanging out by the electric heater. I'm waiting to lite the propane heater when it gets really cold as once I lite it I don't cut it off until we leave for the winter. So far the small electric heater is keeping us comfy.

We met up with the other couples in the hood at 4:30 and then spent the next hour or so mingling and getting to know these folks while eating cheese, raw oysters, crab dip and crackers while sharing some fruit of the vine. It was a great get together and now we are all friends on Facebook as well. It was an impromptu get together and most pleasant as all of us are here for just part of the year. We are here the longest during the summer and fall along with the Hudson's as the others come and go usually on weekends or holidays. It was really a great get together and we got to know the others personally. The Taylor's and Baucom's are close friends as well as neighbor down in the Monroe area of the state and of course we have been neighbors with Gerald for years as well as the Hudson's.

We skipped our planned supper after all of the snacks and settled on a big bowl of pop corn instead while watching the Fox News channel and then I flipped to the MLB playoff game until it was shower time for me and then some horizontal lab at 10. Today Saturday I'm not sure what the plan is except for another hike and then some outside garden work, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was a travel day as we headed back to the Carolina mountains from the Shenandoah Valley. We left around 9'ish to a chilly and bright sunshine start of the day. We were a little surprised at the lack of leaf color but they really haven't had a killing frost yet as that makes a big difference. We did see some of the low bushes like the Sumac with some color and a few of the Maples are showing a lighter green but none of the brilliant colors we are use to in the valley this time of the year.

We started the morning with a 6'ish rollout. We did our usual routines only abbreviated as we wanted to be on the road before Dee left for work. Mike had left earlier in the morning so we said our good-bye's and thank you's the night before. They have been so generous with allowing us to visit three times this year which is two more than usual with Nancy's Aunt Daryl visit and now with this visit to see Paw Paw. They were unable to spend any time with us here at the cabin except for the surprise party for me in July which was just a day visit. We are so blessed to be able to visit their beautiful home and location in Woodstock on a moments notice.

The trip down the valley was uneventful and thanks to all who kept us in your thoughts and prayers for safe travel. We stopped and walked a couple times and then had a lite lunch at Mickey D's which is unusual but we found they have a chicken sandwich which was quite tasty. We made a shopping stop in Galax at the super Wal-Mart before heading back onto the mountain. It was close to 3'ish when we pulled into the driveway. The outside temps were so much warmer than the interior of the cabin since it had been closed up for nearly 3 days. Yikes, was it ever cold. I opened all of the windows and doors and let the outside air which was in the 60's permeate the cabin. The sun was shining which made it feel even warmer. After unloading we took off on a hike to the top of the mountain. While Nancy started out bundled up she quickly took off some outer clothing as we reached the top of the mountain. The sun was delicious and warm as it was close to 70 on top. We stopped and visited with Jetta for a few before heading back. It was short sleeve weather and oh so good to be back in the woods.

I piddled around outside hand watering what was left in the gardens. The green beans are blooming and if the temps stays above the frost level we may get a mess of them before leaving next month. A couple of the tomato plants are still showing green with a few green tomato's on board. The jalapeno and bell peppers are producing like crazy as is all of the herbs. The Zinnias I dead headed last week have several new blooms and are still vibrant to some extent. The potted plants on the porches and deck are looking good as well and we picked up three potted mums to add to the fall decorations.

After a supper of vegetable soup we settled into the Fox Cable News and once more the biased media is trying their best to destroy Trump and the movement of this ground swell of disgust with the established politicians in the government. This election has all of the establishment in a panic that he may win and send them into exile. I'm hopeful true Americans will see the need to not help the Clinton's back into control of the government as she is diabolical in her desire for power, control and money. The future of the country rests on the appointments in the supreme court and the upholding of our constitution and laws. She obviously has no regard for the law and for keeping us secure from foreign nations that want to destroy our way of life. While Trump has human issues he has no fear of those who buy their politicians with big money in turn for having their special interests addressed above the everyday citizen and the good of the nation. This election will forever be for those who love the nation and want a future for our kids and grandkids. This present bunch in the government care only for their own interests and the destruction of the country into a secular nation.

Well I watched a little of the baseball playoff deciding game and I read this morning where the Dodgers won against the Nationals. It wasn't long after a hot shower that I headed for some horizontal lab. I had turned back the covers to get rid of the cold that had everything in the cabin cold to touch. The electric heater did a nice job of returning the warmth to the inside after a couple of nearly freezing nights with temps in the 30's. We are expecting warmer than normal temps for the next week or so with no frost insight, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday was a first for us as we sat in on a health meeting for Paw Paw at the Evergreen Rehab Facility. All three of the girls were there and I reminded them I changed all of their diapers when they were babies. I'm 6 years older than Josie(Sharon) the oldest girl and was around the age of 4 or 5 when Paw Paw took me to raise. We learned from the rehab nurse hat Paw Paw was going to need an additional 13 days of antibiotics as per the V.A. doctor and the medicare would only pay 80% of the care. So he will have to pay 161 bucks a day his cost for those 13 days which I think is a bargain. He really thinks he is going to get well enough to go back to his Winchester home which is completely not friendly to his age and health conditions. I think he will have to sell the house and find something more to his need in his final years, oh well. I know that will be a struggle for everyone as he is stubborn and head strong.

The day started with us doing our usual routines and then we watched a couple of hot air balloons descending into Dee's yard and a neighbor's yard. They are so colorful against the backdrop of the blue mountains in the valley. It was cold here this morning with temps down into the upper 30's but no frost just a heavy dew. We had to be in Winchester at the 11 AM meeting so we took the scenic route through the back roads. There are a few trees with the start of some color and the mountains in the back drop.

We took Paw Paw out into the sunshine for the first time since he fell in September. The sunshine was good for him and we sat out in the sunshine for nearly an hour. Pat and Keith was there with their great grand daughter who is such a smily baby at 4 months. She is Paw Paw's first great great grand baby. Afterwards we met for lunch at a local eatery for a delicious and filing meal around 2'ish. It was nearly 4:30 when we finally left the restaurant and headed down the valley. We met up with and old friend from my days when working at Cather's Farm market. The oldest daughter, Linda who is now 60 was such a sweet girl and has kept in touch over the years. She lives near Dee so we stopped for a visit and I caught up with all of her family. Her dad Earl and mom Edith were not only my employer's but I became family as well. She blessed us with some homemade apple butter and a couple of yearbooks from my year that she had accumulated over the years. It was good to see the Woodbine after all of these years since I had lost mine over the years.

Well we sat around and cat napped until it was time for a lite supper. Afterwards we didn't do a whole lot except visit until it was time to hit the sack a little before 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well we made it safely and uneventful up the valley to Winchester, Va. and spent the afternoon with Paw Paw at the Evergreen Rehab Facility which is very nice. The ride up found us traveling through the back roads through Floyd and eventually to Christiansburg where we picked up I-81 for the last segment of our trip. We left Winchester around 5:30 and headed down to Woodstock where we met up with younger sister Dee and hubby Mike and had a delicious supper before turning in sometime around 10'ish.

We will head back up the valley again this morning and meet with some health care counselors to discuss what needs to be done in regards to Paw Paw's immediate and long range planning concerns. Afterwards we will head over to his house in town and do some errands such as mowing and winterizing his house for him before heading back to Dee's and then back to the cabin on Thursday morning. This will be a whirlwind trip as we have family coming down next week from the Lancaster area for a couple of days and then we will start getting the cabin ready for the long winter as well.

It was a cold morning at the cabin in the high 30's when we left and now here in the valley it was a cold morning as well with temps in the low 40's. We did see a couple of hot air balloon's on the horizon as we headed down to Dee's. Their beautiful colors where evident against the back drop of the blue mountains and the green fields, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday was an exceptional weather day with cold temps in the high 30's to start the morning and the mid 60's by late afternoon with blue skies and bright sunshine. Yeow, almost a perfect day except for the cold start. I piddled around outside in the gardens and yards and we got in a nice hike to the top of the mountain around mid morning. Nancy had clothes on the line and the bees were coming out of their hibernation in warm sunshine. We even took a golf cart ride over to our "mountain moms" place for a visit to help her with a couple chores.

The day started with my usual 6'ish roll out and to my morning routines of a hot cup of green tea laced with some turmeric while I posted this ramble. Afterwards I spent some quiet moments with my Creator and then we had a "mountain breakfast" of bacon, eggs, grits and toast. I cut up a couple of small tomato's along with a jalapeno pepper to add some spice to my plate. Very tasty. Since we are leaving this morning(Tues.) for the Shenandoah Valley we decided to clean up some leftovers for lunch and then again for supper so there is nothing special to remark on except the leftovers were as tasty as the day we made them.

We tuned in after supper to all of the hyperbole on the news about Trump's tape the left leaning libs drug out from 11 years ago. While I'm not thrilled about this last locker room talk what's bad I think is that the media has to resort to smear tactic to influence the election and fails to report about what the real issues are and that is saving this country and making us great again. This administration has done everything possible to denigrate the nation, cause racial divide, lose respect for the laws and our police and put us in debt so far even our grandkids may never see us of out this economical demise. If Trump

 pulls this off I hope those in the establishment realize we the common folk are sick and tired of the elitist in the government and its time to clean house and that should start with putting Hillary behind bars for her sell out of American while a cabinet member and the loss of classified info. She is an abomination in my book and her husband Bill is almost as bad if not worst with is sexual history while as a sitting president who was elected twice by the liberals, Wake Up America as this movement that has started with Trump may be our last stand, LATER