Saturday Morning Last day of 2016

Well Friday was a busy day that saw the morning routines until about 10 then all that changed as we went to Tampa where we met up with Bobby and family. It was then off to a park with bicycles, picnic lunch, hiking shoes and warm clothing as it never got out of the 50's. The wind was very strong all day long and then it was off to an eatery for supper that featured New Orleans style cooking and finally back home sometime around 8'ish.

The day started much the usual for me with a before 6'ish roll out. It was a bit chilly as the front dropped the hot muggy conditions which were a welcome. It was a chilly ride out to the Rec at 8 AM on my bike. I did my routines that started with the cup of hot tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in humble thanksgiving for another day and all the blessing of life. I'm daily lifting up our new president elect as well as he is in for a hard time with the evil forces of the secular progressives who have taken over the other political party and who want this nation to fail and the people to become dependent on their social handouts. This nation is in turmoil as their agendas have been thwarted by this last election when the working class folks decide to vote the Clinton Crime Family and Obamas policies out of power. They need to face the facts they are out of power and the direction of the nation is no longer under their leadership.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for a good hour or so of pickle ball. We had two courts in action and the play was great. I had to leave early as we wanted to leave for Tampa around 10. I wanted to hand water the garden before we left and then load our bikes. We got away and met up with such heavy traffic on the interstate both on the way over and then again last evening on the way back home. We took a detour as the main bridge was blocked with a crash and traffic was backed up for miles on the way home. Luckily we saw the warning signs about the crash on the bridge and managed to go towards Clearwater on another bridge.

We followed Bobby to the Menard Park in the eastern part of the Hillsborough County where we rode bikes, walked on the bridge across the lake and then climbed an observation tower. We saw a couple of gators and lots of birds. The cold wind was steady and made it feel even colder. We had a picnic lunch of PBJ sandwiches then headed into the phosphate hills where the tree roots are so exposed you can actually walk under them. The kiddos were climbing around on them then we took a hike along the swamp area and watched some talented frisbee golf players in the area. It seems this sport is really promoted here with several different courses through out the park. The wind really makes a difference with this game and we saw where several disc were in the swamp area.

We made a stop on the way home from the park at a local strawberry farm and had fresh milkshakes which were delicious then headed back to Bobby's. The kiddos were meeting up with their mom who was celebrating her new husbands birthday so we went out to eat at a new place in Brandon. It featured New Orleans style cooking and the place quickly was packed. It was alright as I tried the seafood gumbo and while it was tasty it wasn't what I expected. Katie wasn't pleased with her eggplant dish either but Nancy and Bobby liked theirs. We did have a great waitress and the service was good and there was a huge waiting line to get in despite the cold.

We started back to Seminole when the interstate flashed a warning the Howard Frankland Bridge was blocked with a crash on the hump(middle) so we took the long way around to keep from sitting in a huge back up. Just last night there was a wrong way driver on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that caused a fatality and the bridge was shutdown for hours. It's no wonder as the traffic was unbelievable with some reckless drivers weaving in an out at high speeds. These are the times when I wish I had my old job back in a patrol car, oh well. We got back safe and saw several other emergency vehicles with crashes along the way. There is no way I'm on the road tonight. Keep the Ross Family in your thoughts and prayers for safe travel as they are on their way back from Kansas and should arrive sometime later today(Sat).

Well after a hot shower which helped with warming me up I watched the first half of the FSU vs Michigan game and the Seminole's were kicking tail. I'll get to watch some college bowl games for most of the next two days as well as the NFL. The Bucs have a slim outside chance to make the playoffs but I'm not holding my breath, LATER

It is 45 degrees this morning but is expected to quickly warm up later today and be back in the 80's by the first of the week. I see some pics of some snow in the mountains at the cabin with cold temps, oh well. I'll take this weather for a couple of days. I'll be away from this keyboard until next year(tomorrow) so don't panic for all who love to read these mundane posts and rambles. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017 and GOD BLESS AMERICA and MAKE HER GREAT AGAIN

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was another warm muggy day to start but finished up with a front moving through the area during early evening hours which brought us some rain. It wasn't much but at least it was wet and it dropped the temps down considerably over night. The highs for today(Fri.) is only in the low 60's which is a relief from all this extreme heat and humidity. We took GG with us as we shopped for a bone-in pork roast at Sam's Club and a few other goodies for breaking in the New Year with a get together with our "cool peoples club" on the eve and then the whole family on the day with our usual sauerkraut and pork meal.

I started the day somewhat ahead of schedule as Nancy was back at the snoring stage around 4:30 in the morning. I persevered and stay in the sack until 5:30 then decided to roll out to my morning routines. I had my cup of tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet moments with my Creator in humble thanksgiving and prayer for those I know who are hurting and for our new president elect and his choices to lead our nation back to prosperity. We now have for a couple of more weeks this narcissistic inept potus who is doing his best to make the road for a smooth transition of power within the government a nightmare; not only domestically but with our foreign allies and as well as our enemies.

I headed out on my bike around 8 to the Rec for a great workout on the pickle ball court. I managed to stay on the court for nearly two hours which left me a wet shirt and worn down to a frazzle. I headed home after a quick stop at the library for a new read I had ordered. I hand watered the gardens and later picked a nice bunch of green beans from my bushes. This was the first picking on the beans from my garden and they are loaded with small ones. Everything looks could in the garden and I moved a couple of potted herbs into larger pots and started a couple of volunteer tomato plants for Tyler's garden. We hand watered his garden as well and they will have a ton of beans ready for picking when they get home on Saturday from Kansas.

Well the house sure looks barren after all of the Christmas decorations are gone and packed away for another year. I spoke with my niece Sandy who lives in Hickory, N.C. and got some more tips on painting oak cabinets white. She is so thrilled with the change and I was hoping she would say that it was a big mistake, but "NO". She said she was sorry she hadn't done it sooner which fit right in with Nancy's ideas. I'm going to start on this massive project the first of the year that will entail not only painting the beautiful oak cabinets but new countertops and flooring in the kitchen; in other words a remodel of that room that will eventually cause me to change the flooring throughout the house and I'm sure painting all the rooms within, oh well. The good thing is I can do it at my own speed whereas before I was working full time when it was last done. Now I just need to get in my pickle ball in the early morning and remodel in the afternoon and evenings.

I ordered a nice 10 pound pork rib roast for Sunday's family dinner and along with sauerkraut, kielbasa, Nathan hot dogs, smashed taters and black eyed peas we with have our traditional New Years meal. Yeow is that ever a fantastic meal but I like it even better leftover the next day( if there are any left). Nancy made zucchini boats with ground turkey for our supper and we took them over to GG's to eat with her as we had to take her back out to Publix for a prescription the doctor office called in for her. The boats where awesome which sister Dee turned us on to them this summer while we were visiting her and Mike in Woodstock, yum. We cleaned up the kitchen after eating and headed home to welcome Patrick and Kathryn for a visit who stayed until nearly 10 o'clock. I was starting to doze as that is my bedtime. We caught up on all of their travels for the last couple of months and shared what we had done since they left the mountains in Sept.

Well after a hot shower I was ready for some horizontal lab but did tune into the Lightning game who came from behind the night before after being down 3-1. They were tied last night at 3-3 so I'm hoping they won again after losing their star player to injuries for the rest of the season, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well its still hot here in sunny Florida with still no rain which is typical for this time of the year. Wednesday was rather a mundane day except for taking down and storing the Christmas decorations and discarding our beautiful live tree. We did get a short visit from our "cool people club" members Patrick and Kathryn who are back from California and places to numerous to mention since September.

I started the day after a very sleepless night as Nancy was suffering from an irritation on her nose so no nose strip during the night which made for uninterrupted snoring. I eventually around 2'ish headed into the spare bedroom despite my ear plugs where I did get some restless horizontal lab, oh well. I got up for the day around 5:30 and did my morning routines which started with a cup of hot tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble. Afterwards I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving for the many blessings and then intercessory prayer for those I know and love who are hurting. Paw Paw is still at the ALF but it seems he is snacking unhealthy foods which cause his blood sugar to spike. He was transported to the hospital with this malady we understand. I learned our dear friend Joe in the mountains has returned to Tennessee due to health issues where his daughter who is a physician can care for him. Joe is 90 and has been suffering with several issues the past couple of years but has been independent and living on his own.

Well I headed out to the Rec on my bike around 8'ish where I met up with a couple of new players along with several regulars. We had three courts in action and the pickle ball play was great. I left after nearly two hours with a wet shirt and worn out as some of the new players were youths and quite good. I'm probably the oldest player in our regular group but so far manage to stay up with the younger players for nearly two hours.

I headed home and worked in the garden pulling a few weeds and hand watering. I eventually harvested more lettuces and cleaned them for a huge salad. I'm going to need to pick green beans from my garden today(Thur) as they are maturing. The cucumbers have several blooms and are starting to set fruit as well. Everything looks great except the tomato plants the squirrels have broken off trying to climb on to get the small green tomato. I ran several off with the BB gun but as soon as they hear the door close they are right back in the garden. I wish I had a silencer for the .22 rifle, oh well.

After a lite lunch we settled into taking down the tree and Christmas decorations when we heard a knock on the door. Patrick and Kathryn are staying at the Botbyl's house for the next month or two while their new house is being finished near Dade City which is about an hour north of here. We were storing some boxes for them while they traveled and they came by to visit and retrieve their belonging. We had a nice visit and spoke of plans for this weekend as we usually gather together for the New Year celebration with food and games. After they left we finished the task at hand then Nancy headed over to pick up her mom and take her shopping. I took a nap and then read for an hour or so and then caught up on some DIY videos on painting cabinets.

 It looks as if Nancy still wants these beautiful oak cabinets in our kitchen painted white and I will be the one to do the job. I will save several thousand dollars by doing it myself from the estimate we got. I may even be able to reuse the hinges after cleaning and spray painting them as well. She wants new and different knobs to go along with the white cabinets which will probably be the biggest expense with that project. But that is only the start as she wants granite countertops, back splash, new fridge and flooring as well, Yikes it seems I will be busy as well as helping the economy. She got home around 5'ish and we had a lite supper of salad and fried potato cakes from the leftover smashed taters on Sunday. Yum!

After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News Channel and see where once more this narcissistic out going potus is leaving a trail of destruction for Tump. He is the biggest crybaby I've ever heard for a politician who blames everyone else for the woes of the country. We the people were fed up with his inept leadership who openly campaigned for crooked Hillary thus sending the message that his actions as potus were over except for the two welfare states of Calif. and N.Y. He thinks he could have won another term but Thank God the constitution forbids that action. I wouldn't put it past him to start a war with Russia. Putin has left him standing with mud on his face every time he turns around. I'm not a fan of Putin but at least he is a leader of his people whereas this man is just a community organizer who whines and cries racism when anyone challenges him and his failed policies.

I headed into the bedroom to watch the Lightning play after a hot shower. They were getting beat 3-1 when I shut the light off around 10'ish. I wish the politicians in D.C. would get rid of their partisan beliefs and help with getting the nation back on the right track to make US(A) great again. Why have the liberal left sought to destroy our way of life with their secular progressive ideals and leave us vulnerable to those radicals who want to change our culture from rugged individualism to socialism, from safe from the terrorists to letting in unvetted immigrants from countries that chant death to America and to disrespecting our men and women in blue and the military. What's in it for them when we are stricken with terrorist actions such in Germany and France and now even here in the home land. It just blows my mine that Democrap politicians will let these actions occur while sticking to a platform within their party. Just like abortion on demand. Where is being responsible for your actions? We now have a bunch of sycophants on the left who only drink the kool-aid and this is being taught in academia that our nation is bad, oh well GOD Help us, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday found us with another hot muggy day with temps in the upper 80's and no rain. There was a few rain clouds at times during the day but the east breeze took them off shore so we are still dry and hot. I had a good workout at the Rec. then worked in the garden until it got too hot. Nancy was off with her mom to the mall shopping so I read the afternoon away and then we had GG for a supper of beef barley/vegetable soup and a fresh garden salad.

The morning started much the usual with a 6'ish rollout. I did my routines with a cup of hot tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator. Paw Paw was once again administered some fluids during the middle of the night as his blood sugar bottomed and the paramedics were called to the ALF. He quickly recovered but this is now becoming a major issue with him which may keep him from ever living alone again. His knee is somewhat better but the hip still needs to be replaced some time down the road. He needs prayer for healing and recovery.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for nearly two hours of constant pickle ball play. We had a large crowd with many visitors and a couple from Arizona who were here just for the one day. They had a nice game and play at a club in their home town of Cottonwood. We had a couple youngsters as well who are tennis players and they were good players as they picked up the game which is a bit like tennis. I stopped off at the library on the way home for a new read and then settled in to working in the garden. The weeds sure love this weather and my soil as they grow as fast as the veggies. I hand watered and then noticed where the squirrels broke off another tomato plant as they climb the stakes and eat the small green tomatoes. I need to start whacking them with BB's again but they are so elusive and make a bee line for the big oak as soon as the kitchen door opens. There are so many acorns this year its a wonder they want my tomatoes but maybe they like a change in diet.

I'm reading a new author James Lee Burke while waiting on some books I ordered and he writes a good storyline set in Montana. It's a mixture of throw back days to when he was a Texas Ranger and now as an attorney in a small town. I'm enjoying his writing and found he has several novels most of which are set in the Bitterroot Valley.

After a delicious soup made from the rib roast bones and a fresh garden salad we settled into the Fox News Channel. This outgoing potus has thrown a curve to our ally Israel with his failing to vote to halt a UN resolution condemning the only democracy in the middle east. The resolution says Israel is guilty of occupying land belonging to the Palestinians. This is so wrong and once again this inept potus has just started another round of war between our friends and ally with the Arabs and Muslims. He is such a divider and his whole goal is to destroy as much before Tump takes office. Personally I think we should get out of the UN as they constantly vote against America and we(the taxpayers) pay the bill. Their useful function is over with as they constantly vote against Israel and America who want peace in the region.

Well we rang up our old friends the Carlson's in N.C. We haven't spoken to them since July. He changed jobs and they built a new house so they have been busy. Their three girls are doing great with the oldest being married to an Army Officer. The youngest is now 21. Wow, where did that time go? He gave me some tips on painting our oak cabinets which Nancy wants to do away with. I'm totally against the change as these cabinets were the best when we put them in our new kitchen in '88, but she has this idea she wants all white cabinets. We got an estimate on having them painted and that was 5500 bucks. I think I can beat that with doing them myself. It will take some time to do the job as there 35 doors and 9 drawers, yikes. Anyhow he gave me some good ideas so I will start on that project after New Years, LATER

Tuesday Morning Last Tuesday in 2016

Well Monday was another hot and muggy day but at least we had a stiff breeze out of the east which made it tolerable to be outside. The temps set records here in our area with an 86*. Since the Rec. was closed we took a long bike ride over to the Ross House in the afternoon to hand water the garden and I did spend some time weeding my carrots which is needless to say a delicate job. We didn't entertain today but left the dining room table up for the next big family supper which will happen on New Year's Day. That's one chore that is a pain; taking the extension out of the table and lifting the heavy leafs up so as to not scar the table, oh well.

I started the day with my 6'ish roll out and then to my usual morning routines. I posted this ramble while sipping my cup of hot tea laced with turmeric and then spent some quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving for all of life's blessings and for healing for those I know and love. I especially lifted up our nation that this present traitor potus will do no more harm to US(A). It's down right disgusting to see what he and his cronies are capable of doing with regard to our allies especially Israel. The only democracy and ally of freedom loving and GOD fearing folks in a region surrounded by those who"chant death to America and Israel". What is with this sympathizer of radical Islamic terrorist?

We ate lite for lunch with just the leftover artichoke/spinach dip on chips and then just a home grown salad for supper. I had harvested three types of lettuces and then beet greens and kale to add to the bowl, yeow was that ever delicious and all organically grown. I noticed I have some small nubbin cucumbers starting to mature along with some small green peppers and egg plants. I harvested a couple of large green cabbage leaves to add to the salad as well. They are starting to head up. The tomatoes are still setting fruit and growing larger but no more ripe ones yet. The half runner beans are over 6 feet in height and now their runners are falling back since the fence line stopped. I think they would grow to the top of a tree if I let them. It was a painful bending over job pulling the weeds and grass that was mixed in with the carrots and I was dreading this job. But after an hour or so I pulled the weeds out along with a few carrots accidentally. I put them back in the ground but we will see if they make after a good watering.

Nancy went over to her mom's after lunch and took back her chairs(she should have left them here for next weeks family supper) and took her blood pressure. It has finally returned to somewhat better numbers than a few days ago. Now that Betsy has moved back home and out of her care she seems to be more relaxed. Betsy can be a handful when she is healthy let alone when ailing, oh well. The bike ride was uneventful but Nancy was complaining of the heat almost from the start. She stopped off and visited neighbor Carol on the way home and then my ole' USAF buddy came by and brought me some German garlic bulbs he grows in upstate New York. They were beautiful in size, color and uniformity and he said they have a wonderful flavor. I grow garlic in the mountains and mine is about 1/3 the size. I will save one of these bulbs and plant the kernels next year at the cabin. Mike told me garlic loves bonemeal so I will use some next year. It's weird that you sow garlic in the fall months and it grows all winter without freezing and you harvest it in the late summer months. I'm excited to sow this brand as they are beautiful and so uniform in size and color.

Well we tuned into the Fox Cable News until we both got sleepy so it was off to the shower for me and then I watched a little of the MNF with Lions giving the Cowboys a good game. I don't know who won as I "cut the lights out 'cause the party's over" which was an old saying by Dandy Don Meredith who was once an announcer and the QB for the Cowboys, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday, Christmas Morning was rather quiet around here until 10 AM when we had several folks for our annual breakfast. Neighbors Dan and Carol brought Dan's mom and dad and of course I headed over and picked up GG. Nancy had a breakfast casserole, taters and Carole brought some delicious biscuits and GG had her famous fresh fruit salad. Later in the evening we had a ton of folks for a delicious beef rib roast with all the fixin's before we opened gifts with the Triplett grand kiddos.

The morning started much the usual with a 6'ish roll out for me. I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this daily ramble. I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in humble thanksgiving and then lifted up those I know and love for some healing and special considerations. Nancy finally rolled out some time around 7'ish and started getting ready for the 10 o'clock breakfast crowd. She loves to cook and entertain with food and that's what she did for most of the day. I had to put my foot down on myself with regard to my portions and to what I was eating if I want to maintain this present weight. I'm not dieting just regulating.

I headed out to hand water the garden and then to vacuum before the guests arrived and then took off to get GG and some of her fold up chairs for the evening crowd. After breakfast I took her home and made a stop at the Ross residence to hand water their garden. Today(Mon.) I will need to pick their green beans again. We had the ones we picked last week for supper and they were delicious along with fresh carrots, smashed taters and gravy and of course the rib roast and crusty bread. It was difficult but I stayed away from the bread, taters and desserts once again. There were pumpkin pies, chocolate mouse' tarts and the sugar coated pecans which to me are decadent as they are that good.

I settled into watching a little football in between the different crowds during the day and even managed to sit and read while smelling the roast in the oven. I spoke with Paw Paw briefly as he was at his youngest daughter Dee's house along with Josie the oldest daughter and Dee's new grand son Will and parents Halley Jo and Cody from Colorado. They had eaten earlier and I wanted to Face time with them but couldn't get the lap top program to cooperate. We hadn't used this means of communication since last summer and for some reason forgot how to access it or I forgot the pass word which I usually record, oh well. Our evening crowd arrived about that time so we cut the talk short and broke out the red vino. We had 9 adults including Bobby and Betsy's families as well as GG and 2 grand kiddos. Well after eating a perfectly cooked roast we opened presents from under the tree and the kiddos scored once again here as well as at their mom's house, Katie's grand parents house and then again at Katie's parent house and then again at Bobby's house.

After dessert and coffee we got into the game called "Things" and we had a fun time laughing and cutting up with who wrote what. Garrett, Betsy's youngest son who usually is not very social actually guessed right the most and was the high scorer. It was going on 10'ish before everyone pulled out for home. It wasn't long after they left and we put the house back together that I headed for some horizontal lab myself. I guess the next big get together will be New Years Day next Sunday. I'm sure we will have the same crowd plus the Ross's which we missed for Christmas supper. We hold to some traditions with a pork roast, sauerkraut and black-eyed peas on this day but I love them on any day as well, LATER

Merry Christmas ..Sunday Morning

Well Saturday found us in east Tampa for the annual Christmas Eve lunch with Katie's family, what a spread that was with some very tasty dishes many of which were special recipes from family traditions along with some barbecue brisket and roast turkey. I tried to taste a little of most everything except the rolls, cornbread and any of the 7 different desserts, yeow.

The morning started with my usual 6'ish roll out. After my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator and then got ready to ride out to the Rec on my bike for some hour and half of pickle ball. I wasn't expecting many to show but we had several with enough to have three courts in action. It was a great time of play an exercise and I left with a wet shirt.

I hand watered the gardens before getting ready to leave for Tampa. The weather promised another rather unseasonably warm day and no rain. We packed up all we were taking to the luncheon which included Nancy's famous squash casserole, sugar coated pecans and chocolate mou'se tarts with the red cherry on top.  It took us nearly and hour to make the trip but coming back the roads were packed with travelers. We made a stop at GG's on the way over and then again on the way back and brought her with us for the evening along with a pot of her famous tasting Garbanza bean soup for our supper to add to the snacks we were having with neighbor Dan and Carol. It was a lite crowd this year as the Ross Family was away.

Dan and I sat and watched the Bucs get beat by the Saints which we easily should have beaten. They are still in the hunt for the playoffs but after watching them last evening we are not a playoff caliber team. I suspect they may win one more game if they are lucky and have a winning record but after last nights play I don't believe they can beat the lowly Panthers who are terrible this year with the worst record in our division, oh well!

We snacked on soup, artichoke/spinach dip which is one of my fav's but oh so loaded in calories and some smokies wrapped in dough along with a glass of red vino. The Botbyl's stayed until nearly 9'ish as Dan and I watched some UFC bouts which were absolutely great with action galore, yeow. Nancy took GG home and got her settled in and I hit the shower around 10'ish. It wasn't long until the sandman was calling.

We had stopped at Publix on the way home and picked up an eleven pound prime rib roast which we are having today(Sun.) for supper along with the usually fare of smashed taters, green beans from Tyler's garden, fresh carrots and crusty bread. We will have a house full this morning for a 10 o'clock breakfast with GG, The Botbyl's and now Dan's folks are coming as well and then again this evening with Betsy's family, Bobby and his family and GG. This will be a day of celebration which is customary on Christmas's in the past and while the crowd is lessen without the Ross's we will still have a house full with good eatin', laughter and cheer, LATER

Merry Christmas to ALL and we are hoping our nation has a GREAT NEW YEAR

Saturday Morning Christmas Eve 2016

Well Friday was a busy an exciting day that saw us fulfilling our duty of volunteering with the Christmas program at the Mahaffey Theatre after actually attending the first 6 PM service. This venue is awesome in size as it holds a little over two thousand seats and first class in structure. The ambiance is very nice as well which sits next to the waterfront. We were nearly packed with just a few seats empty in the first service and just a few folks shy of filling it again for the second evening service at 8. The message, music and video's were life changing as the story of the birth of our Savior was told.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my morning routines. I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while posting this ramble and then spent some quiet moments with that Savior in humble thanksgiving and intercessory prayer for those I know and love. I headed out just before 8 on my bike for a good two hours on the pickle ball court with a handful of other players. I had a wet shirt when I left there around 10. I came home and then headed over to Amy and Tyler's to check on their home and to hand water their garden and on over to GG's where I took her blood pressure. Seems we have to do that for a week to satisfy her that she isn't having a stroke or heart attack. We stopped there again last night on the way home after the program and took it again.

I piddled around in my garden until lunch time giving it a good drink as well. The 1/2 runner beans are blooming and my bush beans are really starting to mature. The tomato's continue to set fruit but are slow in ripening. Everything is really growing especially the peppers, collards, cucumbers, lettuces and kale and I should be harvesting lots of these in the next couple of weeks. The weather here has been great for the garden except I'm hand watering daily. The yards have all but dried up except for the weekly watering.

We were meeting up with our "cool people's club" trio (which consist of the Tracy's now back from being out west since Sept. and the Botbyl's) around 3:30 to convoy down to St.Pete and have dinner at Bella Bravo on Beach Drive which is near the Mahaffey. The food was very good and while we couldn't get reservations we got right in at that hour. It takes a good 30 minutes or so to get there from Seminole but this place and the area is very upscale with beautiful huge high rise buildings, boats docks and many museums dot the recently renovated area. Al Lang stadium is near there as well as Albert Whited airport. The huge expanses of park like open areas near the water make for great viewing of the bay. This is just a classy area and now becoming a must see tourist area for down town St. Pete. We will bring our visitors here next time as its really that nice and the what use to be a crime area has moved on south.

The food was great and we had a lovely server who was expecting her second child any day. After dining we moved on down to the huge area that now had a 4 story parking garage for both the Dali Museum and the Mahaffey Theatre. There were people everywhere waiting to enter the theatre. We saw lots of familiar faces while waiting to take a seat in the balcony area which was perfect for viewing the stage. GG just bought tickets yesterday to see Tony Bennet who will be performing there in March( if he lives that long as he is now 90). Her seats are where we sat and they are awesome. The hour and few minute long program was full of fantastic music with a mixture of some old Christmas Carols, hymns and updated songs. The light show was unbelievable as well as it denoted the difference of the appearance of Christ into the dark world of humanity. It was a candlelight service as we all had candles that were battery operated thus making it safe in such a large crowd but the difference was awesome as light always diffuse the dark thus the Christ always diffuses the dark.

We served the second show that started at 8 greeting those who want to be seated in the balcony. Everyone had to have a ticket for that specific time and date. There are 3 more shows today Saturday at 2, 4, 6. It was a great experience to be at this 4th annual program by Bridgepoint Church at the Mahaffey and we look forward to serving again each year. Such a splendid and uplifting program that honors our Lord and Savior on the day that we celebrate his birth. Today Saturday we head over to Tampa and have an annual get together with Katie's extended family for a noon meal. We will bring the side dishes and gather at her grand parents house and celebrate the season with them. They are very nice and make you feel so welcome and we look forward to seeing and dining with them as well, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was a day for renewing old friendships and making new ones. Mike and Sally Stirk came by around 10'ish in the morning and stayed until nearly 3'ish. We had a great visit with a lunch in between and then reminisced and caught up on several years of our lives. We then after an early lite supper headed down to the waterfront area of St.Pete to the Mahaffey Theatre where we were introduced to our part in making our Bridgepoint Church Christmas Pageant happen. What a gorgeous venue and to see the pictures of all of the celebrities who have performed there was awe inspiring.

I started the day much the usual with my 6'ish roll out. I did my routines of the morning that started with my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric for joint relief while I posted this ramble. Afterwards I spent a few quiet moments in reverence for my Creator and his teachings while lifting up those I know and love. Our world especially those secular progressives need to get back to honoring our Judeo-Christian values and mores and maybe He will heal our land. I honestly think our new president elect will make a difference with that occurring. Afterwards I got ready to ride out to the Rec. for a couple hours on the pickle ball court.

We had several good players an another visiting female player from New York. She was quite good and held her own with most of the A players. I had a wet shirt by the time I left around 10. After a stop at the library for a couple new reads from a recently found new author for me. James Lee Burke has several novels and I'm beginning to think they are historical about the old west. I find his writing very entertaining an information with a twist from the norm western writings. I'm about to finish up all of Ken Follett's books which make for great reading from and historical perspective.

I hand watered the gardens and dig a little hoeing when Mike and Sally came by. It's been several years since we last saw them and Mike has gone through lymphoma chemo and therapy. Their son Brian lives in our area and he too has gone through some changes in his life with a divorce since we last heard from him. Mike still lives in upstate new York about an hour south of Buffalo so they were thrilled with this hot humid weather here since they receive tons of snow and below zero temps during the winter. There were four of us airmen who have kept in touch albeit with some years in between since the 60's when we all were loadmasters together on the C-141 aircraft out of Travis AFB in California. We loss one of our four to leukemia this year which may have been a result of the Agent Orange pesticide we carried on board the aircraft. The VA has made it know there are about 16 diseases associated with this carcinogen product.  So far I've been tested to be clean of them whereas Mike and John have shown the ill effects and then they became deadly with John this year.  Walt has other health issues and we're not sure in the agent is directly responsible.

Nancy had picked up her mom, GG so she had lunch with us as we sat around the table talking. I took her home around 3'ish then we settled into getting ready to leave around 5'ish for south St.Pete. I must say I've never been downtown near the old pier area in many years and the refurbishing of that area is dynamic. It's absolutely beautiful and the Mahaffey is elegant. We will meet up with our old trio Patrick, Kathryn, Dan and Carol today(Fri.) evening and have dinner together then attend the 6 PM service. Afterwards Nancy and I will stay and work or volunteer the 8 PM service. We are greeters on the second floor balcony area where we will collect tickets and warmly welcome all who attend this special Christmas Eve service on Friday. There will be three more services on Saturday evening as well but we will be in Tampa for a get together with Katie's family. Such a busy schedule these next couple of days as we celebrate the birth of our LORD this holiday season with family and friends.

Well we made a stop at GG's on the way home and then I settled into the Lightning with a come from behind win over the St.Louis Blues on our home ice, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well yesterday was the shortest day of the year called the winter equinox and starting today we add a few minutes to the length of each day a little more daylight. I love the summer months that build up to June 21st when the longest day occurs. Sometime we are outside with enough daylight to see until after 9'ish, oh well. Yesterday saw Nancy taking her mom, GG to the doctor after she complained of her right elbow hurting but a niece in Miami thought she may be having a stroke or heart attack and once you put that idea into her head she becomes nervous. So Nancy took her to see the doctor which was a complete waste of time but seemed to settle her down and everyone around her. Nancy brought her for lunch after shopping with her for a new vacuum cleaner and then I took her home later in the afternoon.

The day started much the usual with my 6'ish roll out to start the day. I had my cup of tea with turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in prayer and scripture. This season is an awesome time as we remember the reason that our Creator would become one of us and come among his creation to save us. It's an awesome story and event and we must not forget it less we become like those who have no hope or joy. It's sad to think you must kill others for an ideology that promises you virgins after your dead. Our Creator promises us life abundantly and I can attest to that fulfillment with family and friends. We are about to get rid of an embarrassment of a potus who I believe had done all that he can do to destroy the hope and joy for our nation and make us dependent upon the government which is called socialism and the destruction of our Judeo-Christian values.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec. for a good workout on the pickle ball court. We had two courts in action with a mixture of A and B  players and the action was non stop. It's taken me a day or so to get rid of the lactic acid in the muscles from the four day layoff of inaction. I left there with a wet shirt and made a stop at the library for a couple new reads. It was overcast and a chill in the air as the temps had dropped about 15 degrees from the day before. It was still in the high 60's but the front took away the humidity so I opened the windows and turned the a/c off. At least it's feeling a little Christmasy with the cooler outside air.

I harvested lettuces, kale and Swiss chard and cleaned them and made a huge salad. The first one with just all of my leafy green plants. Awesome and now if the tomato's will start to ripen I can do away with buying them at the market. I must say the collards were once again delectable and so delicious. We cleaned them up last evening as those leftovers don't hang around for more than a day. GG had brought her leftover meatloaf so we had that on a sandwich for our big meal of the day along with a salad at lunch. I'm still maintaining the weight loss as I cut down on my portions and stay away from desserts or processed sugar. I did have a little leftover crusty bread with collard soup but was vigilant about not eating any of Nancy decadent desserts. She made these pecans rolled in sugar and cinnamon which are like potato chips. I had to force myself to try one so as not to hurt her feelings but that was the first sugary dessert to cross my lips in quite awhile. The spare tire is still there which I think gravity has a lot to do with in my old age but the expansion is not as great and now there is no overhang.

Well I took GG home in the late afternoon then made a couple of stops before heading over to Amy and Tyler's to hand water their garden. Their beans are looking good and I will pick them again the day before we have them with our Christmas dinner. Everything else is looking good and his collards are putting on new leaves daily. After a lite supper of leftovers I headed in to watch the Fox Cable News and this inept potus is trying his best to destroy US(A) with his orders before leaving office and leaving a mess for the new Potus Trump. I hope the biased news media pull their head out of their rumps and report the damage he is doing to our nation. We the voters spoke except for the two welfare states of N.Y. and Calif. that we were finished with his policies and programs but he is so full of himself he doesn't believe he is that incompetent, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday was one of those busy days until lunch time then I read for the next couple of hours while smelling a pot of collards simmering on the back burner, yeow what a delicious meal. I now call it collard soup and I will explain later in this ramble how to prepare this simple but tasty soup that makes a meal.

The morning started with my usual 6'ish rollout. Once again it was 70 degrees to start the day and probably reached the middle 80's. It was somewhat overcast and at times I thought we may get some much needed precipitation, but it stayed dry. I did my routines with my hot cup of tea laced with turmeric while posting this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in humble thanksgiving and intercessory thoughts and prayers for others. Afterwards I got ready for the ride to the rec. on my bike for some pickle ball. I hadn't been on the court since last Thursday and I felt it later in the day with some stiffness; oh how quickly we get out of shape or lose that edge. I had a good workout as I left the gym after nearly two solid hours of play. We had a visitor from Wisconsin and she was an A player which made for some good action.

I headed home to hand water the garden then harvested some collards from my garden to add to the ones we harvested from Tyler's garden yesterday. I took about a half pound or so of bacon and chopped it into small squares; adding them to a large cast iron pot with a whole raw onion and sauteed' them together until the fat came out of the bacon then added the chopped collards. I also chop the stems unless they get large then I strip them out. I get the collards melted down with the heat then add a box of chicken broth or more if you want it really soupy bring the pot to almost a boil cover it with a lid and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. I let that simmer for about 4-5 hours and there is your meal an along with some cornbread slathered with butter and honey, Yeow!!!

Nancy had taken her mom, GG and sister Betsy shopping so she was gone for most of the late morning and early afternoon. So after getting supper cooking I retired to the reading room and finish the Ken Follett book THE KEY TO REBECCA, what a great read about the WWII in Africa and the defeat of Rommel. It was after 6 before the girls got back from mailing Christmas packages up north. We were waiting on a shirt that was ordered a week ago to mail out and it finally came today so these package mailed out won't get there until after Christmas unless you want to pay 45 bucks, unbelievable. That was a rip off by our USPS so we opted to let it be a day late, oh well.

Well GG ate with us and she really enjoyed the collards we have enough leftover for a small bowl each for lunch tomorrow(today). Since I've found this new recipe originated by me I can't get these plants to produce fast enough. This is our second batch and they are so good it's hard to describe the flavor in print. I do add a little dried red pepper flakes to my bowl but that's it, no other spices or seasoning. The bacon comes from Va. which we buy when we are near Woodstock and then we freeze it into half pound or so bags. Maybe thats why the liquid is so tasty.

I took GG home after the cleanup as she was falling asleep while watching the news. Betsy finally departed for her home after being with GG for nearly three weeks. She had it good there with GG waiting on her but she is not the easiest attitude to get along with. GG was beside herself at times but managed through the ordeal, oh well. Betsy seems to be doing better but I thinks she lays around too much after her exercises with the therapist. Today she goes back to the doctor for a followup on the surgery.

Well that was about it except for watching the Fox Cable News to learn that Obama is pardoning violent drug inmates and reducing sentences for many criminals as well as trying to release violent jihadist from Cuba, some who have returned to the battlefield killing innocents. I wonder just who's side he is really on while pretending to be our potus. Mr. Trump and the congress will have to undo many of his executive orders he has issued in his final days in office. The country will flourish once again when this malignant inept dangerous leader is finally out of office. Hopefully he will go back to his native country of Kenya.

After the news I watched the Lightning pound the Red Wings in hockey and when I turned the lights out at 10'ish they were up 4-0, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday was almost as hot and muggy as a normal summer day with temps in the upper 80's and here it is less than a week until Christmas. It finally cooled down a little after sunset but not much and we sure need some rain. Nancy and I volunteered at Bridgepoint Church for about 4 hours as we along with 12-15 others stuffed Christmas programs, gift bags and folded offering envelopes. We got to know these fine folks in this endeavor as we anticipate close to 10,000 folks for our 5 Christmas Eve Services at the Mahaffey Theater in down town St. Pete on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The day stated with my usual 6'ish roll out. I did my daily morning routines that included the posting of this ramble while I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric then a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up those I know who need some special considerations for healing and comfort. I sure missed my workouts the past three days on the pickle ball court but hopefully that will resume today(Tues.) with a wet shirt workout. If not I will be back on the elliptical machine in the weight room. I don't get the cardio during a couple hours of playing the game or the fun, but at least I get the wet shirt workout in a whole lot less time.

We made a couple stops on the way home at Chic Filet for a lunch of salads and then over to the Ross's to pick green beans as their plants were loaded and needed picking so they could continue to produce. We also harvested some of their mature collards and then hand watered their gardens before heading home. I will make a collard soup today and have that for supper along with having GG over to eat as well. She had us last evening for meatloaf, baked taters and salad. Betsy is still with her and we think she is going home sometime today. She nearly fainted yesterday as she walked down the side walk either from the heat or some medical condition. She has a doctor's followup visit tomorrow as its been nearly 3 weeks since her hip replacement.

Well it looks as if the "never Trump" movement has failed again to get electors in the electoral college to change their votes to Hillary. What a bunch of cry babies and whiners and sore losers. Hillary was such a bad candidate and who would have continued this present inept potus's programs and policies. We the people have spoken with our votes. We want real change for the country with strong leadership and someone who was not a career politician and that was Trump. We need to put the USA first for a change and now with this new evidence that Obama filed a false document that was supposedly his birth certificate he could be charged with that unlawful act. Lets hope he is held responsible by the congress and all of his executive orders are over turned and he must pay back all of our money he so lavishly wasted along with his family on vacations. Wouldn't that be a hoot if he was charged under the federal statues and brought to stand trial and prosecuted. Oh well. I doubt that will happen but his lying and forgery should be made public as well as all of Hillary's corrupt dealing in selling out the nation for money while a cabinet member. Hopefully this will all come out in the future as we need to right this ship with honest folks who love our country.

I see where the Islamic terrorist have struck again this time in Turkey and in Germany. We must be aware of these who want to destroy our way of life as this potus and his open border policy has allowed lots of unvetted folks from countries that sponsor terrorist activity into our nation, LATER  

Monday Morning

Well it's hot and humid here in sunny Florida and no rain. Sure doesn't seem like the week before Christmas with the a/c running continuously but I'll take that over the snow, ice and below freezing temps in the rest of the nation. We had a great morning of worship at Bridgepoint Church in St. Petersburg with several hundred other folks and Pastor Tim and some of the staff wrote a comedy song titled "Christmas time in the sand" to the tune of Santa Claus is coming to town. What a hoot that was and then a great message titled All Of Me.

The day started much the usual with a 6'ish rollout. I did my usual morning routines that included my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet moments with my Creator in prayer and thanksgiving before getting ready to head out for corporate worship at Bridgepoint with neighbor Dan and Nancy. We headed home afterwards and I settled into the NFL after a lunch of leftover Zuppa Soup. It was a very warm day at 85 and the humidity was very high. Finally in the late evening an on shore breeze brought some relief from the high humidity to where we could take a bike ride through the hood. It sure beat the cold temps I was seeing at many of the football games throughout the country where the wind chill was below zero.

Amy and Family got to their destination in western Kansas around 8'ish our time and the temps there where rather cold with snow on the ground. They seemed in good spirits after being in the car for two whole days. We went over to their house and hand watered their gardens after church and today we will pick green beans from their garden and pick some collards greens. Nancy took some pictures of my gardens which is really starting to take off as well. I'll add them to this ramble at the end. She dropped me off while she went to visit her mom and sister and plan the menu for the Christmas Day dinner here next Sunday. Seems prime rib is the meat they all want. We will have a smaller crowd this year with the Ross Family gone but will have Bobby's Family and then Betsy's family which will still be a house full.

Well Bucs played prime time against the Cowboys and were at one time ahead towards the end of the game but too many penalties and busted plays cost them the game despite keeping it close with a chance to win in the final moments. At least they made a good showing for awhile against a good Cowboy team. They are now somewhat out of the playoff picture but with some help from other teams and a win out in their scheduled they may make a wild card appearance. It certainly has been a surprise to see them this far in the season with a winning record.

Well that was about it for the day today(Monday) the electors will vote on Trump as the next president which will make it official. The democraps are still whining and complaining the Russians influenced the election which is a complete and utter falsehood. They want the electors to change their votes for Hillary which would be a nightmare. Trump has done more good for the country in three weeks than the liberal left did under Obama in 8 years. It has been such a sad state of affairs he put the nation during his tenure that we would never have recovered under Hillary's leadership whom he openly campaigned for. The corruption in D.C. is so pervasive and the debt is so out of control that recovery would have been impossible during our life time and now these same folks who are hypocrites when it comes obeying the will of the people want to overturn the results with the help of the biased media, Hollywood stars and special interest groups is disgraceful and unlawful, LATER

Sunday Morning 1 week from Christmas

Well Saturday was another very warm and muggy day but by late afternoon a breeze came up and made it comfortable to sit under the big oak in the back yard and read for a couple hours. I di a workout at the rec in the weight room on the elliptical and treadmill which resulted in a wet shirt. The gym was closed to pickle ball due to basketball awards. I mowed the yards and then piddled around in the gardens while Nancy ran her mom, GG to several places. We had a friends and neighbors Dan and Carol over for supper and then a card game.

The day started much the usual with a 6'ish roll out for me. I did my usual routines that started with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble about the day before's activities and then spent some quiet time with my Creator. I want my grandchildren to know and learn a little about what life was like for us in this time period. I'm sure they will find that most of our life was boring except for the parts where they interact with us and have become a part of the story. Early this morning the Ross Family left in their vehicle for Kansas to spent Christmas with Tyler's folks. We did hear from them just before stopping for the night in Tennessee after a 14 hour drive. They have another 10 hours driving tomorrow. So far the weather has been much like Florida weather with hot and muggy conditions but that will soon change overnight for them.

I mowed and sucked up all of the fallen oak leaves and used them for mulch in the gardens. The earthworms which are starting a come back will break them down and make the best plant food ever called casings. I've managed to sustain a few worms even during the hot dry months when we are gone but with daily watering they have come back in force. I will harvest lettuces starting on Monday to add to the salad bowl as well as cabbage leaves, kale and beet greens.

Nancy made a pot of Zuppa Tascona( Olive Garden type with potatoes and sausage) for our supper along with a fresh salad and crusty bread. I stayed away from the bread as it like potato chips; you can not eat just one, oh well. We skyped or face timed with the Tracy's out in Louisiana as we sat having a glass of vino before supper. They will be here next week and will attend the Christmas Eve service with us and will stay in the area until they move to Dade City where their new home is being built. We have such a fun time with them. Our friend Dan is retiring from Twill Auto the first of the year as he has sold out to his daughter and husband. They will run the business which is very successful as all of us use them for our auto mechanical needs.

Well we listen to a group called Pentatonic who were fantastic in their vocal's and used no outside instruments to accompany their music. They did a Christmas musical which was awesome and the best ever with only their voices. That was about it for the day and we are keeping the Ross Family in our thoughts and prayers for traveling mercies. I can remember those days when Bobby and Amy were little as we traveled to Va. on N.C. each summer on vacation and it was at times exciting to get there but the drive can be exasperating, oh well. Those times made for great memories as they now attend to their kiddos"when are we going to get there" or "are we there yet" questions, LATER

Don't forget if able take part of the day and worship corporately with other Believers and honor our Creator and pray for our nation and our new president elect. The seculars progressives are doing all they can to disrupt this newly elected man who wants to make our country great again and bring back more of our traditional values which made us great in the beginning of our nation. The special interests are in a death spiral after we the workingman spoke with our votes as well as the evangelicals who honor GOD and were the main reason for this unprecedented victory over the corrupt campaign of his opponent and this present inept administration. We must learn from our fore fathers what made us a great nation as its written into our constitution the influence that GOD played into our success as a people.

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was a busy day that started with my usual 6'ish roll out. I was skipping any workout on the pickle ball court as we had to be at Keswick School for Sam's Christmas program at 8:30. Afterwards we stopped off at Home Depot for a new front blind before heading home and for Nancy to get some ideas for a kitchen updates. She has his idea she wants our oak cabinets painted white and black granite countertops along with new flooring and ceiling lights, oh well. We got home just in time for some lunch and then I rehung this blind. There is a story to this so I will elaborate later.

We were at Sam's program along with several hundred other parents and grandparents. The kids were so cute as was he in their skits and singing. We had a better seat for this program than the one Thursday night at Ava's program.  Keswick Christian School is one of the premier schools in the area with some very dedicated teachers and the kids just love the atmosphere. We have been blessed to have our kids attend a private christian school and now all of our grand kiddos attend one as well. We did our morning routines before heading out around 8:15 and it was close to noon before we got home after the stop at Home Depot.

After a lunch of fresh salad and some from the garden I attempted to replace the worn out blind of which the strings inside of the old one wore out and broke. I checked to see how much to restring the old one but that price was about the same as a new one. I did decide to go with a shorter length blind thus reducing the weight on the strings and it worked perfectly except for when I went to turn the slats. That mechanism was broke so I took it back and got a new one. Well when I got home I checked that issue before hanging it and it too would not turn the slats so I took that one back and then opened the box before leaving the store with the next one. This was the last blind on the shelf and luckily the mechanism worked.

It was a beautiful day with cool temps in the morning and a nice breeze throughout the afternoon. I opened the windows and turned the a/c off but later in the evening with all of the Ross Family here Nancy got warm so its back on for now. I hand watered the gardens and then spent a couple hours reading before starting supper. Amy and family were coming as they left early this morning(Sat.) for their trip to Kansas for Christmas with his family. Nancy had fresh veggies in the roaster for the grill that had zucchini squash slices, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, onion cubes, asparagus spears tossed in olive oil and them placed on the grill for about 45 minutes, yeow were they ever delicious with a couple sprigs of fresh thyme. I also grilled marinated chicken breast with fresh rosemary on top and Nancy had spuds in the oven baking. We topped them with fresh scallions from the garden along with all the fixin's and buttered macaroni for Eliza and Sam. What a feed with a little vino before hand.

After the cleanup we settled in National Lampoon's Christmas story with Chevy Chase and it was a hoot. We've never seen the movie and while a few scened were fast forwarded it was a belly holding of laughs. It was close to 10'ish before they left for home and an early wake up for their trip. Eliza was fast asleep on the floor. Please think of them for the next two days as they travel 2100 miles to Kansas where its cold and a possibility of winter weather. We will miss them over Christmas but they will have a grand time with their cousins who are about the same ages.

Well that was about it for the day. The weather here is beautiful to say the least and we could use a little cooler temps. The garden loves this weather. The mountains are really cold with below zero temps which should help take care of some of the bugs for next year. We need some cold weather here for that as well. The mosquitoes haven't been too bad here as there has been no rain for them to breed. Usually when I'm in the garden they attack but I haven't  noticed them lately so its because of the lack of rain, oh well, LATER  

Friday Morning

Well Thursday saw us with bright sunshine but less humidity as a dry cold front moved through the area. Once again no real rain except for the three foggy morning which did leave some moisture on the ground. I had a good workout on the pickle ball court in the early morning hours then had lunch with Amy and Eliza Faye and read for most of the afternoon. After supper we headed down to Keswick Christian School for Ava's Christmas program.

The day started much the usual with a 6'ish roll out. I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator. Shortly afterwards I pedaled out to the rec on my bike for close to two hours of workout on the courts with several other players. I left worn out with a wet shirt around 10.

Nancy decided we needed to go to Sam's Club for items needed for a family supper tonight(Fri.) so off we went. Gas Prices went up 20 cents a gallon overnight but we did see once station on the way that was cheaper than Sam's, oh well. It seems the OPEC oil cartel is jacking up the price once again. We made another stop for fresh veggies before heading home. Amy and Eliza came for lunch and then I settled into reading for a couple of hours after hand watering the gardens. I started a new non fiction read that occurred here in Florida with a murder for hire titled Poison Candy. It's unbelievable the duplicity of this young woman with men and her desire to achieve fortunes. Yeow another black widow but she was caught in a sting and the evidence was filmed by the show COPS. So far the police and prosecutor have a great case against this evil young gal. It's a real page turner.

We had leftovers for both lunch and supper as we cleaned out the fridge. I will begin to harvest some of the lettuces in the next day or so to add to our salad bowl. The garden is really looking good and there is no cold or freezing temps in the forecast for our area in Florida. We spoke with our "mountain mom" and they will be in single digits the next couple of days with a strong breeze which makes it even colder. So far no frozen white stuff except for frost. Ava's program was a hit and the place was packed with family to see the performance. She was beautiful in her new dress we got her for Christmas.

Well the political scene is a real mess and we have lost the main stream media to corruption and biased reporting of "fake news" to help the secular progressives and left leaning special interest groups. It's such a shame they are so bent on helping those who are less than honorable achieve power and control of the government. What is really disturbing is the Potus is part of this duplicity in his regard to see his candidate Hillary continue his reign of ineptness and the further destruction of the nation. I can not understand those who want to see the nation fail with his lack of concern for US(A). I think its treasonous, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday started much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to a foggy area with warm temps. The fog eventually burned off and left us with blue skies, bright sunshine and unseasonably warm temp's actually if was hot in the direct sunlight so naturally the a/c is still on. Nancy had been baking the last of her Christmas cookies so the house had delicious smells especially with the gingerbread cookies. The Ross kiddos came by after school and Ava and Eliza Faye and I gave out plates of cookies to all our neighbors and wished them a Merry Christmas. The girls really had a fun time blessing these folks with these goodies.

I headed out to the rec after my usual morning routines of a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble. Afterwards I spent some quiet moments with my Creator in prayer and thanksgiving for my many blessings and then lifted up several by name who were in my thoughts. I did speak with Paw Paw for a few minutes and it now seems he is mastering the use of the cell phone. He sounded much better and is now up and eating in the dining room of the ALF with others. It was good to hear he is moving about albeit with a walker, but since he had been bedfast for so long this was great news. His knee is still bothersome but he said it was manageable. He is still waiting on the VA orders for PT on his knee.

I had a great workout at the rec on the pickle ball court for nearly two hours. We had a couple of A players which always makes for good long rallies and exciting doubles play. I will miss play four days in row after this AM as we attend Sam's Christmas play on Friday and then volunteer for Bridgepoint on Monday. The weekend is off as well as youth basketball starts this Saturday at the rec so hopefully we can get in some bike rides to make up for those inactive days.

I picked my first tomato that was turning, it wasn't blood red but pink and I didn't want the squirrels to notice it as they have a tendency to bite the ripe tomatoes as well as break the plants down while scampering through the garden. I'm hoping to pick lettuce in the next couple days as it maturing as well. The garden looks great with these past couple of warm foggy nights and mornings. I'm still hand watering everyday at least once and sometimes twice depending on the wind. I hoed everything as the weeds also love these temps. The half runner green beans are over 5 feet tall as they climb this chicken wire fence and the cucumbers are sending out runners along with the sugar peas. They will soon be up and climbing onto the surrounding fences. The collards are adding leaves almost daily and the cabbages are starting to head up as well. The onions are looking very good and should start to bulb in the next couple of days. The kale is almost ready for picking to add to our salads and the beets greens are fabulous in the salads as well.

Well we took off to GG's after passing out the cookies as she had made an angel food cake with strawberry's in anticipation of celebrating Betsy youngest son Garrett birthday but that was cancelled at the last minute. She made a meatless spinach pasta casserole which I thought was decent but no one else went crazy over it; I love fresh spinach in any dish. Anyhow with a fresh salad the meal was good but nothing to write home about. I did have a piece of the cake it was the first sweets in quite awhile for me

. I didn't sample any of the cookies as I noticed all of the sugar Nancy used in preparation of these many different ones, yikes!! We headed home after the clean up and watched the O'Reilly show on Fox Cable News. It wasn't long afterwards I headed for the showers and then a little of the Lightning game that was being played out on the west coast of Canada, LATER I checked the score and the Bolts won 6-3, Go Lightning. Here are a couple pics from Annsley's Christmas program we attended on Tuesday evening in Brandon

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday found us on a trip over to Brandon which is just east of Tampa in the late afternoon. The amount of traffic is almost unbelievable, luckily there is a toll road which helps tremendously despite the the high costs. I got in a good workout at the rec for nearly two hours then worked in the garden before lunch. I shuttled Amy around as she had her car being worked as they get ready for their trip to Kansas this weekend. It was another warm and muggy day after a foggy start. It seems this time of the year the fog becomes deadly around here on the bridges especially the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. I can remember back working several multi-vehicle deadly crashes over the years and one particular deadly crash had 30 some vehicles involved.

Tuesday started much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my morning routines that involved my daily regiment of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements washed down with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric. I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time in thanksgiving and lifting up those I know who need some special remembrance unto our Creator. I haven't any update on Paw Paw but he is now out of the hospital an into an ALF. I called the cell phone Dee set up for him but with his hearing problem he never answered or he was out of the room which means he is up an about which is a good thing. I headed out around 8'ish on my bike to the rec for a good wet shirt work out on the pickle ball court. We had four good players so the play was constant and fast for nearly two hours.

Nancy was baking Christmas cookies again which she loves to do. I think she already has 7 or 8 different ones in containers and ready to give out to the neighbors and postman. So far I haven't been tempted as I'm trying to lose another pound or two but I think 185 or there about is going to be my hard rock bottom weight. I did last night after the Christmas Program at Bell Shoals Academy where both Annsley and Gabe attend did go with them for ice cream at some specialty shop. I had a chocolate jalapeno bowl which had some heat to it. They had all kinds of unique flavors some which mimiced flavors of different foods. It was very good but you could taste the heat in the ice cream. We also hula hooped outside the place and Katie is the champion hooper as she ate her ice cream at the same time while hooping. Its been years since I've seen a hula hoop and more since I've tried the feat but eventually I managed to acquire the act with much exaggeration of the arms. At least I gave everyone a good laugh.

Well we got back around 9:30 ish so it was shower time for me then off for some horizontal lab by 10'ish. The liberal left and this biased media are doing all they can to usurp Trump from the presidency. It's such a shame they can not see the results of the electoral college which has made us a republic. The founding fathers were a lot smarter than we have given them credit for as the two welfare states of California and New York who have the most voters and who gave Hillary a narrow popular vote win are in a tizzy. We(republicans or conservatives) even have some established rino's in the congress who are an obstacle to the changes Trump wants to make as he drains the swamp in D.C. Just another reason we need term limits for all politicians, oh well. We will see what happens after he is inaugurated as the 45th Potus, LATER

Don't forget on a business note tomorrow the 15th is the last day to acquire the BOGO's from our team leaders for anything within the Amway catalog or on line store. There is free shipping until midnight tonight the 14th as an extra bonus from the Amway Corp. Check out the store at www.amway.com/JNTriplett and stock up.
  

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday started much the usual with pickle ball in the morning for me while Nancy ran her mom, GG around to different stores before lunch. I worked in the garden and then we had all of the family except for Bobby's here for a roast beef supper and then the Ross kiddos opened their Christmas gifts. They were so excited about the gift opening but we made them wait until they cleaned their plates. What a fun time as they opened them according to their ages.

The day started with my usual 6'ish roll out and then I did my morning routines that ended with a few quiet moments with my Creator before getting ready to ride out to the rec on my bike for close to two hours of pickle ball play. We had a good turn out and the action was non stop. I was worn out as I made a stop at the library for a couple new Ken Follett books. I met up with an old friend who was driving through the hood and who spotted me riding my bike. We sat and chatted for 1/2 an hour as we caught up all that had happened in a nutshell the last 15 years or so. It was great to see a friend who use to run the True Value Store here in Seminole with his dad for many years. Both of his kids were the same ages of Bobby and Amy and went to the christian school together but once their store closed we didn't see much of them.

I transplanted the last of the romaine lettuce seedling into the ground. Hopefully they will make and if so I will have more than enough to feed the neighbors. It was really foggy out during the early morning hours and just before noon the skies cleared and the sun and humidity made itself know, Yikes did it ever warm up fast so the a/c was back on. Nancy was still off with her mom when I decided to have the leftover grilled chicken thighs for lunch. She and Amy and Eliza Faye came a short time later and had lunch as well. I headed out to sit under the big oak in the back yard and read for a couple hours as it was nice in the shade. Eliza saw all of the wrapped presents in the spare bedroom and was overcome with joy when she realized many of them were hers and she did make out with lots of them.

I picked up GG and Betsy and brought them for supper as well. We prepared a coffee roast with smashed taters, broccoli, corn, salad and crusty bread. Amy had made a gluten free chocolate cake because of Tyler's intolerance to gluten. I actually tried a very small piece and it was very light and tasty much like a gourmet dessert we had experienced at some fancy place in Charleston. Well after the cleanup we started opening presents and the kiddos were thrilled. Nancy did get them dolls, toys, books and lots of clothes and Eliza Faye her Anna dresses and shoes. She was so cute as she had to try them all on. Well it was a fun time and that's what makes this time of the year so exciting with grand kiddos. We will miss this excitement on Christmas morning but now Tyler's folks will get to share in this special time with the kiddos.

I took GG and Betsy home as she is still staying at her mom's house while she recuperates from her hip surgery. We are hoping she soon goes home as she is somewhat a disagreeable person at times. It seems her husband is somewhat challenged with giving any care or doing any housework as well as their still at home youngest son who goes to college, doesn't drive and plays video games constantly. GG is worn out and from the constant demands from Betsy who has taken over her house, oh well.

Well it was a fun evening and the kiddos were gone so it was shower time and then a few minutes watching the Patriots beating up on the Ravens. Brady is just an exceptional QB and I'm sure the super bowl will run through New England again this year. Lets hope the Bucs continue to play well and win and at least show improvement over the past couple of years, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship at Bridgepoint Church. Wow where did this year go as we approach Christmas and the beginning of a new year. We are scheduled to help with the Christmas Eve service at huge venue in downtown St.Petersburg which will be our first Christmas at this church. We came home after a stop at Sam's Club and had a lite lunch then Nancy continued wrapping gifts. I tuned into the NFL and the snow was falling in Buffalo and it was raining in Miami. We were meeting up with friends and neighbors for our annual Amway Christmas party in Sarasota at Skip and Susan's beautiful palatial house who is the parents of our team leaders. What a party and son Bobby always does the cooking for this yearly event.

The day started with a 6'ish roll out for me. After my morning routines and a few quiet moments we got ready to head out for corporate worship with about 600 other believers in one of 5 services that started this month. The message pastor Tim gave was awesome and very prophetic when Isiah told about the proof that GOD was going to save his people with the birth of Jesus. I've never heard the story told in that dramatic fashion to reassure the people of Israel of his love for them and for ALL Believers. We made a stop on the way home for some goodies and gas at Sam's Club then headed home to eat some leftovers. Nancy was baking a cake to take with us to the Christmas party later in the afternoon. It takes about an hour and half to get to this venue in Sarasota which is magnificent in an of itself.

We renewed old friendships and made some new ones as well at the party. Most of us were IBO's with the company and some are very high up in the organization called Achievers. These folks were just celebrated by Amway in Las Vegas with all expenses paid including air fare, food and entertainment etc for a week. There were three couples from our group who were in that class of business operators who were among 2800 other folks from across the world who attended this conference and they shared their stories with pictures and video. This is a full time adventure with this successful organization and we love the products that are constantly being improved and upgraded plus the many great folks who make this a fun business. Bobby had grilled marinated chicken breasts and smoked sausages along with pasta that had two homemade sauces and the hors d'oeuvres were plentiful as well. Many desserts were evident but I stayed away from them. The team leaders had gift bags for everyone based on your gender. It was a great evening.

The Bucs managed to beat the Saints at home and are tied now for the division leader Falcon's and are probably going to make the playoff's which will be remarkable if they continue to win their next two games. We didn't get to see any of the game but had updates throughout the evening. This evening we will be entertaining the Ross Family along with GG with a roast dinner and the opening of their Christmas presents. This should be a fun time especially for Eliza Faye. That was about it for Sunday and what's happening today. The temps have warmed back up and the a/c is back on after a couple of chilly mornings. Such is the winter weather in Florida. It looked brutally cold with the snow in the north and freezing temps. No way would I enjoy sitting in a stadium watching a football game, LATER

Sunday Morning ..two weeks until Christmas

Well Saturday was a bit chilly to start the day but by late afternoon it had warmed up to the middle 70's with lots of bright sunshine and blue skies. I had a great workout at the rec on the pickle ball court for nearly two full hours then headed home on my bike. The difference in the temperature was almost night and day in those two hours time. Florida can be very cold or chilly early in the morning but by the time the sun get midway during the morning hours the cold dissipates quickly. Anyhow it was a beautiful morning by then so I hand watered the gardens. Nancy was running GG her mom to the hairdressers then taking her back to mall as well as some grocery stops for her. It seems GG has to go everyday somewhere.

The day started much the usual with a 6'ish roll out. I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric for the joint pains I've accumulated over the years and this stuff really works. I've grown accustom to the taste and rather enjoy it now especially in hot green tea. I did my quiet time after posting this ramble then got ready to head out on my bike for the rec. It did require an extra shirt as well as my ball cap to help with the stiff cold breeze out of the north. Luckily they had the rec open when I got there at 8 and didn't have to stand outside and wait. Usually on the work days it's open at 6 but on Saturday its 8 and they are sticklers for opening right on time. Anyhow we had only half the gym which was perfect as we only had 4 players and then two others arrived which meant for a good workout. I managed to stay on the court the whole two hours when we decided to call it quits as the winners of each set split to pair up with new players. We had a couple of A players and the B players were close to A's.

I checked on all the gardens and the cool night actually seemed to perk up the cold loving leafy green veggies. It's usually the cucumber plants which show the first signs of being cold intolerant but they looked good. It was only down into the low 50's over night which was only cold to us usually thin blooded Floridians. Nancy was on the go with her mom so I caught up on some correspondence and then spoke with Paw Paw later in the morning. His youngest daughter Dee and Mike were visiting him at the new ALF which is somewhat near to their house. They were getting ready for the big Army vs Navy game which is played each year and its been 14 years since Army won. Well they broke that drought spell with a great game if you were pulling for Army despite all of the turnovers and going behind in the last quarter. It was an exciting game and I only wish the Lightning played as well against the Penguins in their game later on during the evening. They were up 3-1 and lost 4-3 in the third period, oh well.

We headed over to GG's for a supper of pizza and salad as Betsy is still convalescing there. After the cleanup we got into a game of Oh -ell with the four of us and GG beat us all in a close match. It was going on 9'ish when we headed out for home. Nancy had spent the afternoon wrapping Christmas gifts for the Ross Family as we celebrate with them on Monday evening with supper and gift opening for the kiddos. They will be gone to Kansas this year to celebrate with Tyler's family. That drive is two days each way with over 2100 miles on the road, Yikes and in the wintertime there is usually snow somewhere along the way. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers for safe travel.

Well that was about it for the day and don't forget that today Sunday is corporate worship day at the church of your choice. We must get back to being the Christian people the nation was founded on. All throughout our history GOD and his commandments has been a major influence in the greatness of our country and we can not let the secular progressives get another foothold in destroying what made us great. This election will have been a major turning point and I really think it was by divine intervention that the results are what they turned out to be. Even the losers can not accept the results with their blaming so many different aspects of society but I think it was ordained by GOD. We must get back to what made us great in the world with our Judeo-Christian conservative values and express them with vigor and that starts with honoring our Creator in worship each an everyday but most importantly corporately on Sunday if possible. I know its difficult when you work shift work which I did for 30 years but men go with your family when off on weekends especially show your children that honoring GOD is a priority in your families lives and the results will be very rewarding, LATER

 

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was a rather mundane day until around supper time when the house was filled with our three Ross grand kiddos and then the excitement began. The morning saw me at the rec for a couple hours with a stop off at the library after my workout on the pickle ball court. It was somewhat a drizzly morning with an occasional rain shower but the skies were overcast and ugly and the temp was dropping fast as the day progressed.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out. I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving for another day an all the blessings of life and lifting up those I know and love by name for healing and comfort. I didn't speak with Paw Paw yesterday as there is a phone number change so I will call today(sat) and check on him. We ordered him a couple flannel shirts on line and we hope they come in time to be mailed out before Christmas. He wanted shirts with solid colors and there were none to be found in any of the stores. I understand he will be at this ALF until sometime after Christmas if he progresses as planned with his rehab.

I headed out on my bike for the rec around 8'ish. It was chilly and some mist in the air. I donned an extra long sleeve shirt as well as a ball cap to stay warm on the ride. Nancy was heading out after her morning routines to shop once again and then take GG shopping and have lunch with her, Betsy, Amy and Eliza Faye. I dined alone which was kind of great with just a ham sandwich while reading. I spent the afternoon with a book in my hand and even got in a 15 minute nap. The sun finally broke through the clouds and started to warm up the damp overcast atmosphere which made it feel colder than it actually was. I don't think we got out of the 50's for the day.  I know this weather would be a time to celebrate if you were up north as its bitter cold with snow and sleet. The mountains were down into the teens overnight and it stayed that way for most of the day.

Nancy brought home some chicken parts(legs, thighs and wings) which the Ross kiddos like so I grilled them for supper along with tater tots and fresh green beans. After the clean up we all decorated gingerbread cookies for a couple hours and then it was bath time. I had to vacuum the floors as there were sugar balls and sprinkles underfoot. They had a grand time and enjoyed eating their creations. I had to pass on all that sugar but did have some of their pop corn they wanted while watching a movie. After all the kiddos bathed Nancy got her shower and the kiddos were laid out on the carpet and couches watching a movie. It wasn't long after they fell asleep I hit the shower as well. Amy and Tyler weren't back when I called it a night as they attended a deacon supper and then did some shopping for the kiddos.

Sam got his new glasses today and he looks so much older with them. He did take them off when rough housing with his sisters and put them in a case. He seems quite proud of them and said a couple times how clearer he can see with them. He and Amy have the same prescription. Well that was about it for the day that started with some good pickle ball play for a couple hours and ended with running around with the grand kiddos. They were a bundle of energy before all the sugar cookies and I'm sure you can visualize what they were like afterwards, Later