I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out and then took a few minutes to spend some time with my Creator in thought and prayer for those who are hurting. We lost several folks who passed away these last couple of days that we had the privilege to meet over the years. Most of these folks were up in years except for one who was a former pickle ball friend here in Florida and to my knowledge no immediate health concerns. After my quiet time we settled into a lite breakfast before I headed out to hand water and then harvest greens for a salad from the garden.
I took a bag of fresh collards, sugar peas and lettuces up one of our Coast Guard families who live in the 'hood. The mother Jen is a small time gardner with 2 small children and was so delighted to receive the veggies and is always picking my brain on Florida gardening. I really enjoy blessing them with fresh veggies. The okra seeds are breaking ground and I think the ones I transplanted the other day will make as well. Some plants don't transplant well and okra is not usually one but so far they seem to be OK. I harvested my last head of cabbage and it was a beautiful one that was at least 10 pounds. The lettuce I transplanted the other day is going to make despite the suddenly onslaught of heat and the cucumbers are climbing and sending out runners. The new bunch of sugar peas set their first blooms so they soon should be producing. I'm picking anywhere between 50 to 100 pods every couple days from the old plants but they are showing signs of finishing up producing. I have given them away to all the neighbors and we eat some everyday in our salads.
After cleaning and spinning dry the greens I fixed a huge salad to take with us to GG's. That along with fresh green beans from the garden was our contribution to the supper. Amy made this decadent Oreo cookie pudding layered dessert which is a favorite at Cornerstone Church. We brought the recipe home with us and it is now a favorite here as well. The kiddos loved it and most all of us had seconds including me. I could of had thirds but the dish was empty. The roast was prepared in a coffee gravy which sounds yuck, but it was to die for over smashed taters. The meal was delicious and afterwards the men did the cleanup. We were still cleaning up when I mentioned it was going on 9 with the advanced time change so Bobby and his gang along with Ava headed out to Tampa. It would be close to 10 by the time they got home(when in reality it would be 9).
Today is Bobby and Katie's wedding shower being held at Element Church. Nancy has out done herself with food prep as she made these layered chicken salad sandwiches, pimento cheese sandwiches and layered taco dip. I had to taste all and they are very tasty. I will be staying home as Nancy drives Amy and GG and then they will bring Ava back with them after spending the night with Annsley.
Well that was about it as I had a call from one of my old trooper buddies up in the panhandle of Florida. Both he and his wife Jan are retired now and are waiting on some grand kiddos as their daughter recently married and their son is still single. He was the best man at our wedding in '79. I haven't seen him in at least 25 years as he transferred out shortly after we married to north Florida and then finally to the panhandle. I remember we killed a bunch of young squirrels at his home in Jasper, Fl. one fall when Nancy was pregnant with Bobby and she was thrilled with the tasty meat; of course her doctor wasn't happy that she was eating wild game. What did the pioneers eat I ask? We get a laugh every time I think of that and of course Bobby has never suffered. We tuned into to watch the Rays beat the Yankees in spring baseball 2-1, Go Rays!!!
Don't forget to take the time to honor our Creator with corporate worship today and pray for our nation and the turmoil she faces with the special interest groups that want to limit our free speech, take away our right to bear arms and who want the government to coddle them with socialism. We are in a world of hurt if those people get their way this election. We who love our land must revolt, must vote and stand firm on our beliefs for the sake of the nation and if not we are doomed, LATER
