Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday was a bit chilly as I rode out early in the morning on my bike but eventually it warmed up and into the 60's; today its supposed to reach the 70's, Ahh now this is more like Florida winters. I did some test paints for the dining room and we found one Nancy likes so I will give it a coat today after pickle ball.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving for another day and lifting several by name for comfort and healing. It was brought to my attention a fellow graduate of my old high school lost her daughter and grand daughter to murder out in the mid west. Such a sad occurrence as the baby was about a year and half in age. Our country has some terrible folks in it and the disregard for life is almost as bad as the terrorist who kill indiscriminately.

I got in two good hours of pickle ball at the Rec. with some really good play and was worn out by 10'ish. It had warmed up by the time I left on my bike for home. I changed out new fan blades in the kitchen and in the toy room then painted several areas in the dining room to give Nancy some ideas. I headed to Home Depot to get another paint sample which I didn't think would go well but she wanted it and she did decide it wasn't right for the room; so we are back to the original color I chose, oh well. I did stop off at my lady barbers shop for an ear lowering and her first grand baby was there, what a cutie she is at nearly a year old.

Amy and Eliza Faye came for lunch and then afterwards she rode her bike around the block with Nancy and Amy trailing. The little girl across the street, Scarlett came over to play with Eliza for a few after I got back from my errands.Nancy's sister Betsy came by around 5'ish for a visit so I loaded her up with some Swiss chard from the garden as well as some hot peppers. After she left I grilled salmon and we had steamed broccoli for our supper. We spoke with Helen briefly to check on how much snow as we saw pictures where parts of the mountains had several inches. She had just a small amount and much of that was wind snow but it was cold there once again. Oh how they are tired of winter.

After the clean up we settled into the Fox News and eagerly awaited the speech by Trump on the SOTU. Well I must say this businessman is very sincere in his concern for the nation and there is no doubt this was a Godsend when he was elected by us the deplorables. Those on the left showed just how biased and disconnected they are with the folks they were elected to represent by not clapping or standing for their president. I was embarrassed for the those on the left especially the black members as they sat like zombies in the chamber.

The speech was awesome with resolve to get the nation back on the right footing and address the most pressing of needs for this great nation. The need to strengthen our military and borders is a must as well as to address the opioid epidemic that is killing needlessly and then putting our education system back on track with offering schools for specific job needs. Trump was a master at being non political when remembering and identifying the great folks who made this nation an icon in the world especially with those who served so bravely. The need to deport the criminals and give those who are here illegally as no fault of their own a path to citizenship. I certainly hope the dem's will cross the aisle to help address these issues and make America great again and stow away their hatred for this man who is very Regan like in his thinking, LATER   

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday was a wet soggy overcast day that started out rather warm but the breeze out of the north quickly changed that by lunch time with clearing skies and cooler temps. We had a terrific rain storm Sunday and into Monday morning with several inches of rain that brought our total up close to 5 inches for the month which is usually a dry month.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and the spent a few quiet moments in thanksgiving for another day and lifting up several by name. Nancy had a nice conversation with GG and she seemed to be improving. I didn't hear from Paw Paw over the weekend but he sounded good last Friday and Joe is doing fine once again living alone at his mountain house. Helen will be turning 90 in a couple of weeks and she is doing good as well still living alone and driving herself to town to church and the grocery store weekly. She amazes me at her age how independent she is.

I headed out on my bike for the Rec. where I got in two hours of continuous pickle ball play with several good players. We have a couple snow birds back who are good players so the action is fast with long rallies; by 10 I was whupped and ready for a rest. I didn't have to water the garden but did harvest lettuces, kale, beet greens and some Swiss chard. I cleaned and then spun them to get the water off and broke them up into a huge salad bowl which will last us a couple days. The new lettuce seedlings were beat down from the rain but I think will make a recovery and soon will be in the salad bowl as well. I have three new lettuces maturing as the older plants are starting to bolt. I still don;'t have any tomato's set but do have lots of blooms. The bush beans are coming back with new leaves  and the new kale plants are almost ready to harvest as well.

We had Amy and Eliza for lunch and after they left we headed over to the Home Depot for new ceiling fan blades and for some paint samples to cover the red dining room walls as it will not go with the living room furniture, oh well. There are so many shades of blue and obviously I can not tell the difference as no decision was made. We visited neighbor John's house who just recently painted his whole kitchen a gorgeous dark blue and had nearly a gallon leftover and offered it to us. I will paint a swatch to see if it will be the right blue as Nancy sees stuff in the color I don't see, oh well.

I grilled peppers and onions along with chicken breasts for our supper and then after the cleanup we settled into the Fox News channel. Finally the second in command at the FBI was either forced out for complicity in the cover up for Hillary or he saw the writing on the wall and decided to retire. I think all of these in this department should be held accountable for their inept and biased investigation's to over thrown the duly elected president. I know from the top down starting with Obama there was complete complicity in the DOJ and FBI and it first started with the IRS to undermine the right wing /conservatives party. Remember Lois Learner how she was given a pass and now we see how that spilled over in the premier law enforcement community, oh well.

 The dem's are in trouble and now we ALL need to see just how much starting with Obama, Hillary, Holder, Lynch, Comey and several in the DOJ. Shameful to think there is so much corruption and collusion and none of it relates to President Trump but all to the democrat party. No wonder they do not want the facts revealed to the US(A) and I'm sure there are some dirty Rino's(rep's) within the bunch as well. I'm looking forward to our POTUS's speech tonight as he once again extoll's the remarkable turn around in the economy and America's exceptionalism. We now have a POTUS who loves the folks of this nation and wants whats best for US(A) first and then for all of those who want to join this bandwagon. Here is another Reagan like leader and the lib's and dem's are besides themselves.

Well after a hot shower it wasn't long until I was ready for some horizontal lab around 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday was a warm day with a nice breeze and by late evening the skies opened up with some hard rain which lasted for a several hours. I mean it poured much like a "gully washers" or "frog swallower" which are mountains terms we use describe monsoon type down pours. Anyhow the day was an awesome day of worship in the morning at BridgePoint that lasted until close to 1 before we left the campus after a 6 am start for me. I love serving and being a part of this body of awesome folks and Believers.

After we left the campus we came home to a rotisserie chicken we had in the garage fridge and along with a fresh garden salad we dined alone as our usual lunch pals had other plans. That held us until around 7 ish when we decided to boil a couple of frozen hot dogs which needed eaten. Nancy had been off shopping for what nots to go with the new furniture which should be delivered in a couple weeks from Macy's. None of the pictures will match her new color scheme nor will the red paint in the dining room so I'm off today(mon) to purchase a blue color paint to do that room after lunch, oh well here we go again with the red trash can.

I stayed at home and watched some college round ball, a little of the pro game which was boring and some boxing on HBO and then after she got home and we had a lite supper then we watched a movie on HBO together(chick flick) which was entertaining. Afterwards I headed into the other room to read and watch some manly reality shows like Alaska: the last frontier. Oh well it was a great day of worship, good eatin' and some couch time watching a flick which we seldom do together. We are not fans of the immoral and mostly anti-American Hollywood crowd with their hatred for our POTUS and the actions he is taking to get America back on a sure footing in the world and here at home. Most of them are bigots, faggots and sexual harassers who demean women while pontificating to rest of the country of their political correctness which has subverted our Judeo-Christian mores and values. So that's what I think of Hollywood and most of the pretenders who once entertained us and now try to rule us with their hypocrisy, oh well I'm off my soap box. 

It wasn't long after 10'ish I was ready for some horizontal lab with the lights out, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well its warm again and Saturday was a perfect day with some high clouds that held the high heat down to being very comfortable outside. I slept in until 7'ish as there was nothing on the schedule until 9 when I along with 6 or 7 other fellers from church helped move another member to a different dwelling which was on the second floor, yikes with a turn in between the steps. Oh well we got in done in a couple of hours with such great help.

I started the day with my usual cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. GG is doing much better especially with her speech and thought process and Paw Paw is doing well as can be expected he says for his age. He still lives alone and is very independent and says he loves it that way. Everyone else is doing great for their ages. Seems everyone is getting close to 90 or is just over the line which I always thought was ancient but now relative as I too climb the age pole, oh well I hope I never act my age or think my age or become complacent in age.

Dan and Carol are into refinishing old furniture and they are doing two pieces for us as she has this new way of creating a faux finish which is just gorgeous that will match Nancy's new decor with the blue leather couches. I sanded down one oak end table and they will paint it and then refinish the top. We decided to hit the Olive Garden around 5 ish with them for supper and didn't have to wait to long for a table. The fare was good and I had the soup and salad which was delicious. Afterwards the girls took off to shop and I dropped Dan off and then read until I spotted a movie called Gran Torino with Clint Eastwood. I'm liking this new HBO channels which are free with our new internet provider and I'm saving nearly 70 bucks a month. We did lose the land line but no one ever called it anymore since we got the cell phone.

After a hot shower I was ready for some horizontal lab around 10:30 and then was up before 6 this morning to head to SPC for the load in and set up for BridgePoint Church at a 9:30 service, Later

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was a busy day that started with a 6 ish roll out and my usual cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric after a handful of Nutrilite Vitamins. It was a bit nippy to start the day but warmed up close to 70's by the afternoon so we had the windows and doors open for fresh air. We had Amy and Eliza for lunch and then Dan and Carol for supper.

I headed out to the Rec. on my bike a little before 8 and got in two solid hours of pickle ball with 4 other really good players. I left with a wet shirt at 10 ish then headed home. It had warmed up 10-15  degrees since early morning and the sun was shining brightly. There was a stiff breeze most all day long which made for great clothes drying outside on the line. I hung two loads then worked in the garden hoeing, chopping weeds and transplanting more lettuce seedlings.

Nancy fried up two fresh black beauty egg plants for lunch and I harvested lots of fresh herbs to adorn them. Cilantro, oregano, parsley and some Thai basil, yeow did these ever compliment the egg plant and all from my garden. Even little Eliza loves this dish. We cleaned the platter. I settled into some reading and a nap latter as Eliza rode her bike up and down the sidewalk. It seems Dan and Carol are going refinish a coffee table for us they purchased second hand to match the decor with the new living room furniture for Nancy. I now need to repaint the dining room to match as well.

We had them down for drinks before a supper of chicken in a fresh mushroom sauce, fresh broccoli and salad from the garden along with spaghetti squash all of which was awesome and low in carbs. We are all trying to limit our intake of the foods that stick to our spare tires, oh well. Carol and Dan have both dropped a few pounds as we have tried to do the same but we aren't as strict with our diet as they are, anyhow after supper and the cleanup we got into 12 rounds of chicken foot domino's which took us up to 9'ish. After we said our good nights I hit the shower and was soon watching some Fox News when I must have fallen asleep a little after 10'ish. This morning Dan and I are helping an older feller from church move to a new dwelling and then we will probably eat out this evening, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday once again was a bit nippy in the early morning hours especially while riding my bike out to the Rec. around 8'ish. I had watery eyes from the wind chill despite it being in the low 50's; but by late afternoon we had middle 60's and rather pleasant. We didn't do much except stay home and entertained Amy and Eliza for lunch.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out with a cup of hot green tea while I posted this ramble and then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator. The updates were good today with GG and Paw Paw. I had a nice long talk with him in the evening but did notice his memory is fading as he sounded like I hadn't spoke with him in ages and he once again asked where we were. I suppose when your 90 the memory does fade if only I can be so lucky to reach that age. Speaking of being 90 our mountain mom Helen will reach that next month and her son Rick is having a party for her at the church in Sparta. I 'm afraid we won't be able to make it; but we will celebrate with her this summer at a local eatery.

I headed out around 8 for the Rec on my bike and it was a chilly ride. I got in two very hard hours of pickle ball with 4 other really good players and I was whupped by 10. It's been one of the best work out weeks in some time with good players. Neighbor Dan came has picked up on the game quite well and he and I beat the best team there a couple of times. I left with a wet shirt and worn out. I piddled around in the garden moving up more lettuce seedlings into 9 packs and then hoeing around several of the plants. I fed the sweet onions which now have huge top stems. I have radishes up and the peppers and tomato's have lots of blooms and should be setting fruit. We are in for a couple warm days but another cold front is coming next week. No frost or freezing temps but somewhat cooler.

This really has been decent winter except for a couple days or weeks of heat. No real long hard freezes but at lot cooler than what we have had in the past couple years. Reminds me of what winter is supposed to be like in Florida. The garden is a good indicator of winter with no total destruction. The green beans that was nipped a couple of nights ago is sending out new leaves and blooms. I harvested a nice mess of collards for our firefighter neighbor who will prepare them for the station house. The tree guy called and is setting up a time for the arborist to come by and sign our permit to remove the big oak tree. It's really starting to show signs that its dying inside. We have had its shade for 37 years and it is really a huge trunk. The squirrels hopefully will go crazy with not having it around and leave.

Well Eliza rode her bike on the sidewalk after lunch and she is such a cutie. Amy is under the weather with a head cold but holding her own. Tyler is so busy with work and school and Ava and Sam are busy with their school plus other activities. Everyone is doing great with both Bobby and Amy families. We were planning on a trip to one of our Kool Peoples Club house over the weekend but they have all have some sickness so we cancelled as we do not want their germs. Dan and I are going to help a man from the church move on Saturday and we do not want to go anywhere near Tampa as Gasparilla is there along with the NHL all star game in the evening. Speaking of hockey the Lightning blew away the Flyers last night 5-1 in their home arena.

Nancy sauteed yellow squash and onions and I grilled brats for our supper. We're trying to eat light and cut down on our portions and its starting to look like we may be down a pound or two, but at this age everything settles around the spare tire, oh well. We settled into the Fox News channel and learn more everyday about the corruption in the DOJ  and FBI under the Obama administration. I'm beginning to think they may implicate him despite the cover up by the those dept. heads as well as the CIA's involvement with Clapper and Brennan giving false testimony, Yeow its starting to look more like a banana republic government instead of a democracy, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday was a chilly day to start with temps in the 50's and then it warmed back up to the low 70's with bright sunshine and blue skies. I helped out neighbor Dan with moving some furniture for the non-profit he and Carol work for from Largo out to the beaches. We then entertained Mark and Toni our friends whose mother lived across the street for supper and then it was games until 9'ish. I never sat down for the day and missed my after lunch nap and reading time.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 ish roll out that started with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All is well as we've heard nothing to the contrary. I got ready and headed out to the Rec. before 8 on my bike. It was a nippy ride but warmed considerably by the time I left around 10. We had a challenge court today with 5-6 good players and we plumb wore ourselves out. I managed to stay on the court for nearly and hour and half before getting booted after my first team loss. I was whipped by 10 and then headed out to Largo to help load two truck loads of furniture being donated to ETC(empower to change).

I got back to the house around noon and had lunch with Amy and Eliza Faye. She wanted to ride her bike afterwards so I followed her up the sidewalk several times as she pedaled really well. She still has to master the turning but is doing much better. She is just so cute and doesn't forget a thing. I heard her say to Amy which I had never heard before when Amy told her to do something and Eliza said "I was just fooling you, mom". I nearly cracked up and I wondered where she heard that from, oh well. After they headed out I checked in with city hall about getting a permit to take out the big oak that was dying and they said I had to have an arborist verify the tree was dying before they would give me a permit, oh well.

I helped Nancy with getting the house in order by vacuuming and then harvested lettuces and cleaned that for a salad for supper along with some vegan burgers Toni brought. She wanted us to try them and while they weren't beef burgers they were OK when doctored up with some mustard. The patty's were black beans with chopped onions and corn with cheese on top baked in the oven along with sweet tater fries. I harvested a nice mess of Swiss chard which they both loved and ate only for the second time here. He is a little picky but he mentioned he wanted to grow this veggie next summer in Michigan. We had a glass of vino while waiting on the burgers to bake.

After the cleanup we settled into a 24 round game of OH -ell which everyone seemed to enjoy and then we played 9 rounds of Golf another card game. I was the big winner tonight in both games. We listened to some great music while playing and then around 9'ish they headed out to the condo they are renting on the beach. We made plans to cook out once more before they head back to Michigan sometime the end of February. It wasn't long after they left I was in the shower and then some Hannity on the Fox News channel before lights out around 10'ish and some horizontal lab, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday found most everything routine for the first part of the day and then we took off for Tampa/Brandon area around 2'ish. We were watching Annsley and Gabe during the evening while Bobby had an appointment and we wanted to look at Macy's large store located on the way in Tampa for new living room furniture.

The day started with my 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric after my hand full of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements. I spent some time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name after posting this ramble. I got ready to head out to the Rec. for two hours of pickle ball. We had a returning winter visitor who is a very good player attend and he will be here for 6 weeks so his play will be a great addition to the already good players we have with other A players. I'm excited to have his play back and he is in our age group or should I say in the 5 year younger group than myself. I'm the oldest of the A players and I have been blessed with good health and physical abilities to play at this level.

Amy and Eliza Faye came for lunch and I made a trip to their house to assist Tyler with a commode issue which he eventually fixed later in the day. We took off around 2 o'clock and made a stop at the huge Macy's warehouse/store on Gandy Blvd in Tampa and Nancy had in mine already what we were looking for and she picked out a blue leather sofa, loveseat and two cloth chairs to match. We learned why our dark brown leather couches faded and the coloring came off when any moisture got on them and that was because of false leather called bonding. Supposedly those furniture stores paid huge fines for deception after being suited. Oh well now we know because our leather furniture in the mountain cabin never faded or the color washed off but those from American Signature Store did and we even had the insurance on them, oh well.

Anyhow we will get our new furniture in about two weeks so now I have to paint the dining room as everything in the house is color coordinated and the red room has to go, oh well no dust collecting in this house. Amy is thrilled because she will get our old furniture which I wanted to keep as their furniture from Rooms To Go is shot. We met up with Bobby and Gabe at Mission Barbecue in Brandon for a delicious supper and then we took Gabe back to Bobby's as Annsley was already at gymnastics. Nancy would later go to watch her 3 hour practice. She has really got involved in this sport and she is built for perfection to become very talented. I look for her some day to be on the Olympic Team as she is dedicated and loves this sport.

We left Tampa a little after 9 and got back before 10 as the traffic had cleared out but still the volume was unbelievable at this time of the night, thankfully no backups. I hit the shower and was soon in the horizontal lab position before 10:30 which is a little past my now bedtime. The Lightning were losing after winning the night before and now that we have Sirius Radio we get to listen to the Fox News shows on our way home. The corruption within the FBI is so egregious in their coverup for Clinton someone has to go to jail and now this memo is going to implicate several in Obama's administration for conspiracy as well. I'm thinking the big wheels may be charged as well as we all know they knew what was going on to undermine this duly elected POTUS and his team which is treasonous, oh well the "chickens are coming home to roost" as I always like to say. Maybe this will be the time to completely drain the swamp and Trump has the guts to do it,  LATER 

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday was a warm day with lots of overcast and we did get some much needed rain during the night and its still coming down as I make this post. I got in a good two hour workout at the Rec. and then some garden time but other than that it was a very mundane day except for grand daughter Eliza Faye and her mom Amy coming for lunch. Eliza got to ride her new birthday bike and she was so excited to share all about that with me after lunch.

I started the day with my usual before 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric after I washed down a handful of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements. I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving after posting this ramble and then checked on the news from over night. I spoke with our mountain mom Helen just before Nancy put supper on the table and it was up to the 50's today in the mountain, yea. They need some warm weather and now its calling for rain there as well which will help to melt the snow. No word on GG or Paw Paw as I was unable to ring him earlier in the day and on Sunday. He must be visiting his friends or napping.

I headed out around 8 ish on my bike and got in two solid hours of pickle ball play with several others. We had three courts in action with several waiting to get on as the winners of each set split and then had new partners. I never lost the whole morning and played with several some good and some mediocre players but I had a wet shirt and was worn out by 10'ish. I'm helping several new players with their game as well and have been approached about giving lessons but I give tips and pointers during the matches. I made a stop at the library for a couple new Ed McBain books. I really like his stories and the way he tells them as a detective or as an investigator which is what I was for 30 years with the troopers.

Well after a supper of zucchini pie without the crust which was awesome and the clean up we settled into the Fox News channel and see where the dem's finally realized they were being stupid by holding up the government with their ploy of putting illegals before citizens and shutting it down. Hopefully patriot Americans will realize this at the polls in November. We are learning more each day of the corruption within the DOJ with Obama's AG Lynch  and the FBI with Comey and the hierarchy within the Bureau. Sounds to me like we need another special prosecutor to unravel and bring charges to the Clintons, Obama, and most of his sycophants with their actions to undo the election in favor of the will of the peoples choice, Trump. I think this borders on treason and hope the swamp in D.C. is cleaned out along the way and those who helped this to occur are prosecuted to the fullest. Already the FBI has done away with 5 months of texts of the FBI higher ups like Clinton tried to do with her e-mails. We the people need to know truth, and hopefully we will find it out, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday was a beautiful winter day in Florida with temps reaching the upper 70's after a 60's start. Wow, what a change from last weekend. It's supposed to be rather nice the rest of the week. It was also a day of worship at our Seminole Campus for BridgePoint Church where I helped load in at 6 AM to start the day. We had a great turnout befitting the weather as well. Afterwards around 12:30 we met up with Dan and Carole at a local new eatery for some lunch.

I was up at 5 AM and ready to head out on my bike to SPC which is next door to the Rec. It was a bit chilly but it didn't take long to work up a sweat as we unloaded a huge box truck with several containers and rolled them into the college atrium area and then into the auditorium where the two services are held each Sunday at 9:30 and 11:00. Our attendance is getting larger each week with over a hundred per service and lots of children with almost that many volunteers to make the church work with greeters, cafe workers, kidspoint workers, security personnel, parking lot workers and then of course each week with 6-8 band members who rotate between the three campuses. It an exciting time as we all gather before service for a meeting and then do our best to help folks feel comfortable and important while helping them get closer to GOD. I tend to help in all areas but my favorite is greeting, shaking hands and hugging.

We serve from 8:30 until 12:30 (after I leave the load in around 7:30) and then we meet some place with the Botbyl's for lunch. They serve the early service in the cafe area then leave. Dan joins me in the load in detail at 6 as well. We stay for both services filling in when there is a need but usually set in for the message during the first service. We have a great group of volunteers somewhere around 50-100 each week for both services. We are involved in a life group which meets once a month for food and games. It's really a pleasure to serve with so many dedicated folks who make this venue a success as is with all three of our campuses.

We ate at an old place that has been closed closed for years and just recently opened under new management with seafood as its main menu called the Seahag Bar and Grille right behind the new PDQ eatery which just opened yesterday for business. Yikes we first attempted to eat there but the place was packed with lines out the door. We just happened to notice the opening of the grille which was last week. It too was filling up as well. There was a couple of folks who remembered me as they left the eatery and folks I hadn't seen since I was in Kiwanis years ago. I wouldn't have recognized them with out them telling me who they were as they had advanced in year. Bill Miller who married the daughter of Gene Mooney(who I think is now deceased) and his wife Virginia and their daughter Sarah were leaving and Bill recognized me. Well we all have aged and as soon as I heard his voice I remembered him as I use to do lots of funeral escorts for Mohn Funeral Home. He mentioned he and the Mooneys purchased the funeral home.

I tuned into the playoff games after hand watering the gardens and the Jags lost a close one which they should have won except for some penalties and the Viking looked terrible after the win last week. So its the Eagles vs Patriots in the super bowl this year. I was hoping for some new teams but the Pats are a perennial winner as Brady is a great QB. I'm not a fan of their coach but he does put a winning team on the field each year. I look for the Pats to win the big game as well in two weeks.

Well that was about it for the day as we ate popcorn for our supper since we had a late lunch out. I opened the windows and doors after Nancy had the heat on to start the day, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday saw the temps rise finally back to almost normal however the skies were overcast which made it feel cooler than the low 70's which it finally reached for a high. There was no pickle ball today so I slept in until 7'ish then spent the morning on the computer before Nancy made a semi/mountain breakfast of bacon, eggs and grits, Yeow I love that combo.

After arising and having my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric I posted this ramble then lifted up several by name during my morning quiet time with my Creator. Nothing new on anyone except Nancy spoke with her mom and she sounded really good and no effects from the mini stroke she suffered last summer. She is hoping to get moved up stairs at Eric's house where she can become a more integral part of the family but some renovations will be needed to accompany a wheel chair. We are hoping she will get back to walking somewhat on her own before long with therapy.

I headed out to piddle around in the garden cutting most of the dead from the tomato's and hoeing around all the plants. I fed some of the plants and moved some of the young kale plants up as well did some weeding. I'm going to move the three new lettuces up into 12 packs on Monday as most have at least two leaves after this warm spell. Nancy decided we need to get new leather couches as Amy and Tylers are shot, so we can give them our couches, love seat and chairs, oh well. We looked on line and found some nice ones at Macy's so we will stop on our way to Brandon to watch Annsley and Gabe on Tuesday to check them out. It's always something but we have been blessed with being able to help our kids out and I surely can not take the money with me. Thankfully we can pay cash and not have any loans.

We headed out around 4'ish for a trip to Sarasota to meet with our team leaders in Amway. They are such generous GOD loving people. They had a great meal cantered as well as several gift bags they sent home with each of us who are IBO's. It was after 9 before we got back home after the supper and a presentation on a new way of ditto ordering which guarantee's your products delivery the first of each month plus bogo's and free shipping; excellent concept. It wasn't long after a shower it was some horizontal lab for me while watching the Lightning losing again, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday started out in the high 30's and nearly reached the 70 mark by late afternoon but the frost was everywhere as I rode out to the Rec around 8. It was another cold ride with watery eyes when I finally got into the gym, yikes this is not usual for here in the winter, oh well. Today Saturday its supposed to reach into the 70's and stay that way for the next several days.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric after my handful of Nutrilite Vitamins. I spent some quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving after posting this ramble. The updates are all good as the cold temps are finally letting up but D.C. is in a quagmire as the obstructionist democrats have failed to cross over the line and assist the republicans in keeping the government funded. Such childish behavior and really their only idea is to destroy this Potus at the expense of our security. It makes no sense but I'm sure they will suffer at the polls next year for their failure to put the nation first.

I got in two hours of pickle ball play before stopping off at the library and picking up a new read titled DODGE CITY by Tom Glavin. It's a great read and based on true facts about  Bat Materson and Wyatt Earp in the wild west days and the settling of the midwest. Lots of action, gun fights, cattle drive cowboys and the taming of the those rogues. I came back and uncovered all of my plants and then hand watered. I may lose the bush beans completely but that is about all. Some of the leaves on the tomato plants are dead and burned but I think they will come back. I headed to Home Depot after a lunch of tortilla soup to pick up some potting soil and organic Milorganite to use as fertilizer, then headed over to Amy's to get my ladder.

Amy had brought the grand kiddos by for lunch as they only had a half day so we all had soup except Ava who had taken lunch to school. Eliza wanted to ride her bike on our sidewalks and she is so excited she is able to master keeping the bike moving and on the sidewalk. She had difficulty at first with mastering both functions of steering and pedaling but now is doing it with precision. She hasn't learned to turn the bike yet while riding but she will soon master that function as well with the training wheels on.

I read most of the afternoon after the kiddos left for home and then Nancy made a delicious egg plant parmesan for our supper, yeow this has just become one of our favorites after passing on it over the years. A brat or Italian sausage goes great with the dish. After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News channel and the dem's are determined to undermine our Potus with their display of no cooperation to fund the gov't; they want to fund the illegals over the nations security and child health bill. I certainly hope the real Americans remember this next Nov. when many are up for reelection, LATER

Today at midnight the BOGO for ALL Nutrilite products expires..I can't say enough about these vitamins and supplements as they are the finest manufactured from our own organic farms in Michigan. They are a little pricey but are bogo and nothing in them is created in a lab or comes from another country. Check out our store on line at www.amway.com/JNTriplett. This bogo special comes from me and our team leaders and not from Amway itself. Our team leader purchases the bogo and then sends them to you free of charge at the end of the month; so take advantage of this offer because not only are the products first rate but the savings is great as well. We all should be taking a good vitamin because the foods now are not what they use to be as the soils are becoming depleted of nutrients by artificial fertilizers used today along with GMO seeds. What was used years ago was natural fertilizers and crop rotations.

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was the coldest morning at 28 degrees in many moons, actually years. The garden suffered some freeze damage as did some of the shrubs but they will come back, maybe. It was cold for most of the day except by early afternoon we almost reached the 50 mark, but the wind or slight breeze kept it almost bone chilling throughout the day. I was nearly frozen when I got to the Rec. a little before 8 while riding my bike, yeow.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6'ish rollout to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent a few moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. The updates are all good with no major issues except for the constant freezing temps and snow throughout much of the nation. I got in a good workout at the Rec. on the pickle ball court before stopping off at the library for a couple new reads and then heading home to uncover my garden plants.

The bush beans suffered the worst freeze damage and a few of the tomato plants had some tips frozen but other than that I think all will recover despite the 28 degrees when I awakened. This morning (Friday) its 41 which is a big difference but the heat has been running all night long. Its supposed to reach the upper 60's today and then the 70's by Sunday. Nancy made a pot of tortilla soup for supper which is always a favorite but any kind of soup in these temps is welcome. I pulled my first jalapeno peppers for the soup from the plant I brought back from the cabin in Nov. I thought it would die from the shock of being uprooted but it made it and is now producing somewhat.

Well after supper and the cleanup we settled into the FOX News Channel but I was surfing the HBO channels we have with this new internet provider and saw the movie Sully was playing so we watched about an hour of it which was a decent flick that portrayed the saving of 155 lives in a plane landing into the Hudson River after both engines were deadened by birds ingested on take off. That was the first movie we have watched on TV in years. We hit the showers and then I tuned into the Lightning game and they were getting beat by a Vegas team at home, oh well, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday started out chilly then warmed up to 65 and by early afternoon the front came through with clouds and wind and the temps dropped quickly to the low 50's and this morning(Thur) its 28 degrees. This is the coldest in 8 or 9 years. Hopefully the garden will survive as I covered many of the tender plants with sheets and blankets but at this low temp I'm not sure, especially if it stays this cold for several hours. The forecast is for it to warm up into the 50's by lunch but drop again this evening, oh well.

The day stated for me the usual with a before 6'ish rollout to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then a few quiet moments with my Creator lifting up several by name. Nancy spoke with GG and it was a good conversation. She had just got back from the doctor's office and he seemed real pleased with her progress after all she has been through this past several months as are we. Everyone else is doing OK when considering their ages and for this time of the year when its brutally cold outside with snow on the ground. Looking at that daily is in an of itself depressing with no sunshine, oh well such is life.

I did get in two hours of pickle ball at the Rec but what a chilly ride on my bike but was surprised at how quickly the temps moderated in those couple hours. I had a wet shirt when I left and headed home to harvest lettuces, beet greens, kale and some Swiss chard for salads. I cleaned and then used the spinner to get water off and put together a huge fresh garden salad and had enough left I bagged for further use. If the 28 froze the lettuces its a good thing I harvested yesterday, oh well. I headed out in a t-shirt to hand water the gardens and gave them a good drink as a wet ground seems better on the roots when the cold comes. Anyhow before dark I headed out to cover all of the peppers, tomatoes, cucumber and half runner bean plants as well as the new lettuce seedlings just showing some color.

Nancy has chicken fried deer steak for supper along with some garden green beans, yeow what a feast. I could eat deer steaks as my red meat forever its that tasty and oh so good for you especially when you butcher it yourself. Neighbor mountain Gerald gave me a nice deer ham before we left last fall and we butchered it into steaks and small pieces for fajitas. What flavor and Nancy loves it as well. After the cleanup we headed in to watch the real news on the FOX Cable channel.

Mr. Trump has the libs and dems in turmoil with all of his agendas to put the nation on sure footing. His economics has driven the stock market above highs never before reached and the big money is coming back to the country along with jobs. AWESOME is all I can say and there is now ongoing investigations into the Clinton Crime Family as well as the corrupt anti-American activities by Obama. Hopefully he will have enough folks who believe in what he is doing but I'm afraid there are so many corrupt politicians on the take that they may stymie his endeavors. We all know the MSM is biased except for Fox in their coverup for this past administration and now the libs and dem's want to give total amnesty to the million or so illegals who are costing us billions in welfare. They would rather have them as a voting block over our national security and taking care of our vets. Such egregious behavior I've never seen from within the nation which is understandable from the left leaning dem's and lib but also from within his own party; sad to say the least, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well the weather turned around after a chilly start to almost a perfect day with bright sunshine and temps in the 70's but supposedly another front will bring us a very cold night temps tomorrow. So I will drag out the box of blankets to cover my tender plants that are not as cold hardy as some. I helped friends Dan and Carol after pickle ball for a couple hours picking up furniture for their non profit ETC houses from a Clearwater house and transported it to Madiera Beach for storage. It was after 1 before I got back to the house for lunch.

I started the morning much the usual with a before 6'ish roll out to a chilly morning. I had to turn the heat on to take the chill off. I had my handful of Nutrilite Vitamins washed down with some V-8 juice then a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and spend a few quiet moments with my Creator. The update on GG sounded good as Nancy spoke with her in the afternoon. It cold with snow in Michigan. Helen mentioned Joe was doing great while living alone once again back in the mountains, he is even driving again. Paw Paw is doing well in cold Winchester where he stays by the radiator to keep warm. He sounded good on the phone.

I stopped by the library on the way home and picked up an excellent read about an NFL lineman who suffered brain concussions from the many hits over a short career with a couple of teams. The book is titled AFTER THE CHEERING STOPS by the wife Cyndy Feaster. It's a great read and I finished half of it before the day and evening was over. A must read for anyone who ever played the sport or who had a favorite team.

Amy and Eliza Faye were at the house for lunch when I got back from helping the furniture move. Eliza had her new bike and was trying to learn how to ride the bicycle with training wheels. I worked with her after Nancy and Amy gave up and she finally managed to pedal and keep it on the sidewalk. She was so excited that she learned how to ride it. She couldn't wait to show her dad and siblings that she could now ride the bike by herself. They have to ride in the road in their neighborhood as there are no sidewalks.

I grilled pork chops and Nancy fixed Brussel sprouts which were fantastic for our supper. After the cleanup we settled in the FOX News channel for the updates on the world and local news. Once again the stock market broke records, job are increasing and we are now getting this ship called America back on course except for the libs and dem's which are doing their best to destroy this POTUS and his achievements. I'm at a loss why anyone would vote for the Dem's whose hatred for him is greater than their love for the country. It's disgusting and criminal how they destroy him and his family on some of the biased fake news networks. They are afraid the corruption in the democrat party will be found out as new revelations are exposed almost daily of their corrupt dealing, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday turned out to be rather nice day after a chilly start. The sun came out and a breeze made for a good day for drying clothes outside and I hung a load around 10'ish. I did get in some garden watering and some hoeing as well and harvested a nice mess of Swiss chard for our supper. There was no Rec. today but hopefully will be back this morning. We did get in a nice late afternoon bike ride through the hood.

I started the day with a sleep in until nearly 6:30. It was in the upper 30's once again but I didn't cover the plants and I saw no sign of frost because of the breeze. I may have to cover them tonight as it will be down into the low 30's once again as a new front moves through. I've had the heat on more so far this winter than the past two or three winters. I think I ran it one morning last year to take the chill off, but we've had it on for the past three days again after all week last week, yikes. Anyhow after the cold start it really warmed up with bright sunshine.

I had my hot cup of tea while I posted this ramble and spend a few moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and prayer for others. GG is doing O.K. and so is Joe and Paw Paw. It's really cold everywhere north of here and another storm is moving in with snow in the forecast. Where are the global warming idiots, oh well we all know it was just a big ploy to separate us from from our finances so the libs could look important. Thankfully our potus took us out of that scheme. We do need to use good practices to maintain a clean environment but what good is throwing millions at a concept that only the USA would honor and does nothing to the real violators like China, oh well. The libs think if it feels good then that's all that is needed to correct any situation.

Amy dropped Ava off while her siblings went to their respective activities and she didn't want to attend, so she came here. We spoiled her with some snacks while preparing supper. She is such a beautiful girl and maturing way too fast, oh well. After Amy and Eliza picker her up I grilled fresh peppers and onions for fajitas as well as grilled chicken breast and sauteed Swiss chard, delicious. After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News Network and learn even more of the corruption with the Clinton's and Obama's administration. The fake news network are strictly focused on Trump's supposedly calling some third world countries a derogatory name which fits them to a tee, instead of focusing on the real issues of national security breeches which they are hiding in their biased reporting. Too bad as I think they will be found out and hopefully go under with their covering up for the corruption in D.C. LATER

Monday Morning..MLK Holiday Day

Well Sunday found us once again with cold temps down close to freezing but the breeze kept the frost away and again overnight it was supposed to drop. I checked my plants after lunch and they looked good while I hand watered. I was at SPC at 6 o'clock to help with the load in from the big truck and then set up for the 9:30 service for BridgePoint Church along several volunteers. Needless to say the bike ride at that time of the day had my eyes watering in the cold breeze. We stayed until the end of the second service around 12:30 before leaving and meeting up for lunch with Dan and Carol.

The cold moderated a little in the afternoon with bright sunshine but still required a lite jacket or sweater when out doors as I hand watered during the half time of the Jag vs Steeler game where it was abundantly cold there, yikes. We now have a Florida team in the playoff picture as they will travel to the frozen north to play the Patriots to see who goes to the big game. Nancy was off to do some shopping then stopped by GG's house which has now been sold; but Betsy and Gus were painting the inside for the new owners. We had lunch at Millers Ale House which was very tasty and the place must have 50 large TV's through out so we got to watch the Jags be up by a couple scores before getting home. That was quite the surprise to me as the Steelers came back several times through out the game but only to lose before a home town crowd.

The second game was just as exciting as well with the Saints losing on the last play after being down the whole game but came back to what was expected to be a win when the Vikings pulled it out on a hail Mary pass with time expiring, yeow what a finish. The big game will be played in their stadium in a couple weeks which is in doors but the outside showed snow and cold temps. I wouldn't want to live there on in Pittsburg. So it looks as if the match up will be in the cold country of the Eagles vs Viking and the Jags vs Patriots. I would like to see the Jags vs the Vikings for the bragging rights in the big game on Super Bowl Sunday.

Since we had a big late lunch of fish and chips with slaw for me and a chicken type salad for Nancy we just munched on some pop corn for supper around 7'ish. I headed in after the games to the TV in the bed room so Nancy could have the big screen in the living room. It wasn't long after 10'ish and some Alaska shows I was ready for some horizontal lab since I was up at 5:30. The heat was coming on occasionally but this morning it was 45 according to the local weather station, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday was a lazy day which saw the temps drop throughout the day with overcast skies. We did get a little rain during the night so I didn't hand water the garden and this morning it was down once again into the low 30's, yikes. I didn't cover my plants overnight but when I headed out at 6 this morning I saw no frost. The breeze kept that away but it was a cold ride out to the SPC where I helped with the load in for BridgePoint Church along with several other volunteers.

 I did my usual morning routines that started with a cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet moments lifting up several by name. I did speak with Paw Paw and he sounded good and mentioned it was very cold with some snow still on the ground. I noticed the webcam in Blowing Rock had snow falling as well but didn't see any at the cabin. Nancy spoke with her mom and they had a big snow in Michigan as well with below freezing temps. What a winter so far this year.

We did much of nothing during the day but I did catch up on my reading and napping. We headed out around 5'ish to Amy and Tyler's to celebrate Eliza Faye fourth birthday and she was wired. Bobby and family arrived around 5:30 and the kiddos took off to their bedrooms to play and then we had a marvelous supper of beer in the rear smoked chickens, mac and cheese, pinto beans and Cole slaw. Nancy made cup cakes with sprinkles on top per Eliza's request. She was in her glory with all her new presents and new bike with a seat to carry her baby on the rear, so cute.

We watched a little of the playoff games and it was very cold in both of the cities where the games were being played outside. Neither game excited me as I've lost a lot of interest in their politics of failing to honor the flag and the anthem in protest of our Potus. It wouldn't bother me to see the league fail along with Hollywood. They are entertainers and should stick with that, oh well, just my opinion, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was mostly overcast, fog and eventually rain with very little sunshine towards the late afternoon. What a change from the day when it got so hot and muggy we turned the a/c back on. It's still not nearly as cold as last week but its supposed to cool down thus week end and this rain is preceding the front, oh well.

I started the day much the usual except for a little sleep in until 6:30. I don't know what caused that but it felt good and I had plenty of time to do my morning routines before heading out on my bike to the Rec. I had my usual hand full of Nutrilite vitamins and cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then I spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. The update on GG is good as Eric is doing some remodeling to their house for her to be upstairs and away from her basement stay. We spoke with our "mountain mom" Helen and she and her brother Joe went to Walmart in Galax to run errands and eat out. He is doing so much better after his rehab stay that he is almost back to normal except now he uses a cane for his balance. That is awesome as she was afraid he would never be able to live alone again but he is doing that for now. He will soon have to move out of his house as there is a contract to buy it and move close to one of his children either in Tennessee or Florida. Helen is looking after him for now as she lives just a few minutes away. The last I spoke with Paw Paw he was doing O.K.

I got in two good hours of pickle ball at the Rec. with three courts in action as we have several new players who are playing the game quite well. I left at 10'ish with a wet shirt and worn out. It was a rather windy ride back to the house as the fog had lifted and rain clouds moved into the area. I harvested lettuces, kale, beet greens and some Swiss chard to make a huge salad while Nancy drove to the Rec. for a work out and then to Publix. The leafy greens are just loving this weather and I didn't have to water today as rain was in the air. The tomato's are blooming as are some of the bush beans. I think the half runners will come back despite the burn from the cold wind last week as I noticed new young leaves forming. The carrots and sugar peas are growing as well. I did resow some lettuce seeds of which some are up in just three days. I like to keep fresh seedlings ready for transplanting. I picked Amy a mess of collards greens and they too are growing leaps and bounds as are the kale and Swiss chard plants. We like the chard cooked or raw in a salad and both ways are delicious.

Amy and Eliza Faye came for lunch and they had pizza while I finished up the leftover collards from a couple days ago. I actually think the taste is better after they set in the juice for a couple days and these were. Nancy fried up another large black beauty egg plant and layered them in a casserole dish with marina sauce, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, Yeow was that ever delicious. This was the first time she ever tried this and it was fantastic. She managed to keep the dish from getting soggy by placing the fried slices on a cookie sheet and then into the oven before making the casserole. This will become one of my favorite dishes so now I need to plant an egg plant which I failed to do this year. It was so good and fresh and the flavor was awesome.

After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News and the libs are going crazy once again because the President is telling the truth and they are finding more dirt on Obama and Clinton in their collusion with Russia and Iran. The facts will come out but only Fox with tell the world the truth as the fake news media continues to try and down play and cover up their roles in the corruption. It's such a shame we have no unbiased news media except FOX. Well that's about it for the day as I soon headed for the showers around 8 ish and then I settled into some gold mining shows in between the Fox network until 10'ish then it was horizontal lab for me, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was a busy day and the heat and humidity were back so on went the a/c again. We went out to the Bonefish Grille to eat then came back to the house with the Kool Peoples Klub to play a card game and while it wasn't overbearing hot Nancy felt it would be more comfortable plus the sea fog was making itself known in the area. It's that time of the year when the warm water and the cold air combine to make this fog which can be deadly at times with completely blanketing the roads.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6'ish rollout to a cup of hot tea laced with turmeric while I did my quiet time to honor my Creator and give thanks for another day and all the blessings as well as lift up several by name. The update on GG is good as she and Nancy along with Amy and Eliza video chatted with her in Michigan around lunch time. I had a good workout at the Rec. on the pickle ball court then came home and washed a load of clothes and hung them outside on the clothesline as the sun was breaking through the clouds and fog. Nancy took off on her bike to the Rec. for a workout but had a bicycle accident on the way went she slipped and fell over skinning her knee and elbows so she came home and skipped the ride. She did fry up and nice egg plant for our lunch after Amy arrived and I pulled some fresh herbs from the garden to accompany them, delicious.

I read for an hour or so after lunch then backed the truck out of the garage and gave it a bath and cleaned out the inside as when ever the 6 of us get together I have the only vehicle big enough we can all ride in. It was really hot outside and I was dripping with sweat by the time I finished. It felt good to be back in the shade. We soon got ready and headed out around 4:30 for our 5 o'clock reservation at the Bonefish in Largo. We had our usual's which was grilled trout for Nancy and Bang Bang shrimp with a bowl of chowder for me. The rest of the gang go to a seafood place and order steak and I remind them of that, oh well. It was close to 7 when we got back to the house and then we played 16 rounds of Oh Hell which is a card game Nancy's folks taught us years a go and it fun and fast. Patrick won over me on the last hand by a point, oh well.

They all headed out before 8ish  as the Tracy's had to drive back to Dade City with a stop in Tampa. I tuned into the Lightning game and they were getting man handled by a Calaray team 4-1when I shut the lights off at 10, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday was a bit overcast but eventually the sun broke through and it became hot in the sun light, yeow. Thankfully the humidity wasn't bad or we would have had the a/c on after having the heat on all last week. It reached the low 80's by late afternoon. We were having some old friends whose family lived across from us for years over for supper, so the afternoon was cleaning house and getting ready for them around 5'ish.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All is well with those I usually mention except all are in advanced stages of old age and they are in the cold belt, however it did get above the freezing mark for a change as the cold has moved back to the north but another front is supposed to move into their area.

I headed out for the Rec a little before 8 on my bike for some two hours of pickle ball play and left with a wet shirt around 10'ish. We had a couple back from Canada who had been snowed in since before Christmas with snow piles so high it was over their roof tops and brutally cold with minus temps in the double digits. They finally got out two days ago and are basking in this warm weather. We had a large crowd minus a couple regulars but the play was continuous for me as winners split after each match. I headed home to work in the garden and hand water it until lunch time.

After lunch I ran some errands to Sam's Club and Home Depot for some new lettuce seeds. They didn't have any seedlings yet so I will sow new seeds as my Bibb and Romaine are through. I still have lots of Black Seeded Simpson and red leaf lettuces and will compliment them with kale and Swiss chard in salads. Speaking of Swiss chard I harvested an arm load for our supper with Toni and Mark as it cooks down like fresh spinach and I must say it was absolutely delicious. We simmer it with nothing but a little water and everyone raved about the flavor; but it takes a lot to make a side dish of which we all loved. I grilled bone in pork chops and Nancy had oven taters and corn with brownies as dessert. I actually had a brownie for a change which was quite tasty.

After the cleanup we settled into a couple games of Smart Ass and then into a card game called Golf. It was going on 10'ish when they finally left and it was getting close to my bedtime. It wasn't long after a hot shower that I was ready for some horizontal lab, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday turned out to be a gorgeous day with temps in the low 70's but the sun was shining brightly with deep blue skies, ahh- typical weather for a winter day in the sunshine state but that's supposed to change a little in the coming days as another cold font pushes through the area. We are thrilled to see where the mountains are finally getting some relief from the bitter cold and freezing temps.

I started the day some what startled to see the clock by the bed flashing which only happens when we lose power during the night. I did hear rain dripping from the big oak so I knew sometime during the night the power went off. The flashing time was off by nearly and hour so by the time I checked the battery clock in the front room it was going on 7 which meant I was an hour behind my usual roll out to start the day. Well I just abbreviated my routines as I wanted to be at the Rec. by 8 as you can probably tell by the shortened post, anyhow all is well. I didn't have to hand water the garden as we received nearly an inch of rain and the plants look as if they will recover from the cold except for the cucumber plant.

I did my routines with a half cup of hot tea while I spent a couple of quiet minutes with my Creator and posted this ramble. The update on GG wasn't as good as yesterday as she was having some difficulty with her speech and forming sentences. I spoke with Paw Paw in the afternoon and he sounded good and was doing alright despite the cold and snow. They too were in for some warmer temps at least above the freezing level. I headed out after lunch to visit my financial advisor who has become like an old friend. I'm having to take a yearly withdrawal because of my age and he arranges that for me as well as looks after my affairs in the market.

Amy and Eliza came for lunch and is she ever a child with an imagination as she loves to play doll house with both Amy and grandma. She is going to be either an actress or a dancer as she loves to be the center of attention. She is so cute and so smart and with such good manners, but she can throw a fit at times in an instant. Amy is tough on her when she does this which is a good thing. She will be 4 on Saturday and we are planning a huge celebration with family as Bobby will bring his kiddos over to the party. That was about it for the day as we cleaned up some frozen smoked pork butt we brought back from the cabin for supper along with some fresh broccoli and cauliflower. I tuned in to Fox News until the Lightning hockey game came on around 7:30 then headed into the bed room after a shower to watch the first two periods which was tied at 3 each. By 10'ish I was ready for some horizontal lab as the two hours of pickle ball play in the morning had me worn out, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday finally saw us with some warmer temps which reached 70 for the first time in a week or more. It was overcast but still the warm air was great. We got a thunder storm over night which knocked out the power and my alarm clock which I seldom use was flashing and later than it really was so I got an extra hour of sleep which is quite unusual for me. Anyhow I'm an hour late making this post, oh well. I did stay up and watch the first half of the football game and the Bulldogs were leading by 13-0 which I shut the TV off a little after 10.

I did my morning routines on Monday that started with the hot tea, quiet times and then a cold ride out to to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball. We had a good crowd that was mixed with A and B players but I left with a wet shirt around 10'ish. I headed home and harvested a nice mess of collards and got them cleaned and ready for the pot with smoked bacon, fresh onion and chicken stock, yeow where they ever delicious after simmering for 6 hours at low heat. I grilled a couple New York steaks we brought back from the cabin and that was our supper, Delicious, I of course added some hot sauce and red pepper flakes to my collards.

Amy and Eliza Faye came for lunch as the Ava and Sam are back in school after the holiday break. Eliza was in her doctor mode and every one had to be her patient. I read for the next couple hours until they headed out. I did hoe everything in garden and fed some of the plants but didn't water as the forecast was for rain which occurred over night. That was about it for the day, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday was an awesome day that started out around a 5:30 rollout for me as I had to be at the college at 6 to help with the load in for BridgePoint Church. We set up the college auditorium and commons area each Sunday morning for two services and we both love doing our part. Nancy comes back with me at 8:30 and I usually spend an hour or so before coming back and getting ready. It was a bit nippy with temps in the low 40's as I rode my bike, but I love the exercise even at that hour.

The temps warmed up considerably by late afternoon to the upper 60's with bright sunshine and blue skies. (I did not cover my plants on Sunday night as the temps stayed in the 50's over night.) I had covered most of the plants once again on Saturday night with that being the fourth night in a row which hasn't happened in years, anyhow after my first journey to the college I uncovered them all and then hand watered them later in the afternoon. I think most of them will survive the frigid nights except for a little wind burn on the cuke and bean plants, oh well. Everything else seemed to love the cold nights that hovered around the freezing mark.

The service was awesome and we sat in on the first service while working the second one. I helped not only with greeting but in parking cars as well and then the breakdown of the road signs, cones and advisory boards after the second service started. We have an awesome group of volunteers who help put this production on each Sunday totaling some where around a hundred or more folks, some from 6 Am until they load out after the 11AM service to around 1'ish. We took off and didn't help load out this Sunday as we had plans to meet up with Dan and Carol for lunch at Pieology which is a new Pizza eatery in the Seminole City Center. I would eat there again and the pies are custom made with a reasonable price and then brought to your table. Kids love this place as they make a pie specific to their size and desires.

We got home somewhere around 1:30 then Nancy took off to shop for Eliza Faye's upcoming fourth birthday party this Saturday. Wow where did that time go? I tuned into the wild card games and whereas I'm not excited about the NFL overall for their disrespect to the flag and the anthem these games were entertaining somewhat. The Buc's division will be represented by the Saints with their win over the Panthers in a rather close game and a somewhat come from behind outing. I'm not a fan of Newton their arrogant QB but do hold some feelings for the team in general because of our part time roots in N.C.

The first game was a bore with Jax Jag's the only team from Florida making it to the next round after a lack luster win over the Bill's. They both need QB's desperately who can make plays and the next game will eliminate them as they face great QB's in Brady or Rothisberger, oh well they made the playoffs which is more than I can say for the hapless Bucs and the Dolphins. The Lightning won big in Detroit over the Red Wings after dropping two games in a row LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday was another cool day with temps in the upper 30's to start and then it eventually warmed up the upper 50's and back down again during the night. We are forecasted for some upper 60's and maybe even a 70 in the next few days for a high, now that is my kind of weather.

There was no pickle ball on Saturdays as the basket ballers have the gym so I did get in a ride on my bike to the library after lunch for some exercise. I did my usual morning routines after staying in those warm flannel sheets until 7'ish, yikes I was awake before 6 was it was so snuggly and warm I must have fallen back asleep, oh well. I did my quiet time and then posted this ramble and then we had a mini mountain breakfast with eggs and grits for me to start the juices flowing.

Eliza Faye was spending the afternoon with us as Amy and Tyler took Ava and Sam to see a show at the Amalie Area in Tampa to see a show for action figures or something like that. Bobby had some tickets and he didn't have his kiddos for the weekend so he blessed the Ross Family. Eliza was fun and she and Nancy were best buds throughout the afternoon. We had Dan and Carol for a salmon supper with fresh broccoli and cauliflower as well as a fresh garden salad. Afterwards we got into a game of chicken foot domino's and Carol won on the 12th round. It was after 9'ish when they headed out for their house which is three doors up. I hit the shower and then watched a little of the NFL playoff game. It was soon after 10'ish that I was ready for some horizontal lab, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was the coldest morning so far this year with temps into the low 30's but no frost or freeze. We are fortunate the freeze line is just an hour or so north of us and to the east more inland. The strawberry farmers are watering all night to get that thin coat of ice on the plants and berries to protect from the deep freeze which will cause them to rot. I covered my tomato's, peppers, cucumber and herb plants and one row of half runner beans. The beans so far show the cold wind burn more than any other of the plants.

I started the day off much the usual with a before 6'ish rollout with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving for another day and all of the blessings of life while lifting several up by name. The update on GG is better each day as she is quite lucid and is now carrying on a conversation instead of just answering questions posed by Nancy. Everyone else is doing O.K. as I've heard nothing to the contrary. The weather is just so cold in the mountains with below zero wind chills and actual temps in the single digits. I hope our little cabin is faring well as we tried to move anything that would freeze and break apart into the basement which usually doesn't freeze; hopefully it's staying above that level. There is a warm up coming this weekend with temps just at the freezing level for a change.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec. for a good two hours of pickle ball. My eyes watered the whole 10-15 minute trip it took on the bike. Yeow was it ever chilly and I had on three layers along with my ball cap. I need to wear gloves next time as my hands were freezing on the cold handle bars, oh well. I left with a wet shirt and worn out legs and the outside temps had warmed up about 10 degrees but was still in the low 40's despite the bright sunshine. I quickly changed clothes into some dry ones and then uncovered the plants in the garden. I waited until after lunch to hand water the plants as a wet soil seems to be better on plants during a cold spell especially for the roots that will freeze when its dry.

Amy and the kiddos came for the leftover veggie beef soup for lunch and they chowed down. They are so full of energy and little Eliza is right in there with them. I managed to read for a couple hours despite all of the noise as they ran between the toy room and the kitchen. Ava tried to talk grandma into baking cookies but once a week is plenty when you have no will power to not eat them as Nancy has none. We sent the last batch home with them thankfully and I managed to not even try one for a change. We are trying to lose a pound or two but it very difficult.

Toni and Mark Dalchow who are neighbor Carol's daughter came by for a visit as they are down from Coldwater, Michigan. We use to get together with them over the years for games and eats when they would stay with Bill and Carol across the road from us. She passed away this summer at the age of 91 and Bill has been gone since '01. We made arrangements to meet next Thursday for supper and games. They are renting a condo down on St.Pete Beach area.

It was after 4 when they headed out and we decided to eat earlier than normal. I fired up my new grill and cooked some raw peppers and onions in a grill pot and then some marinated chicken breasts which we made into fajitas without the tortilla. Delicious to say the least with some hot sauce and sour cream. After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News channel and then around 8'ish I headed in to the hot shower. There were no sports that interested me on the TV so I perused one of the 4 HBO channels and watched a little of a movie about Botswana in S. Africa back in the 30's based on a true story of how the British tried to regulate the nation and it government. The king was a black man who had married a white British woman and they had children together. It was a tribute to their legacy of rule which after some controversy within the kings family. I only saw part of the storyline but the British were finally defeated and democracy ruled within the country.

Well it wasn't long after 10'ish I was ready for some horizontal lab as Nancy was flipping channels in the front room. The flannel sheets are so comfy and warm and just delightful, LATER 

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was another cold and windy day that started out in the 30's but eventually warmed to the middle 50's. The wind still made it feel even colder but the sun was shining brightly which helped. I had to cover my plants again last night but we are looking at a warm up this weekend back to the low 70's by Monday for a high, perfect.

I did my morning routines that started before 6'ish with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric after a handful of Nutrilite vitamins and supplements. I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. The update on GG and Joe are better. Nancy spoke with her mom and its bitter cold there and there are some modifications to Eric's place to better accommodate GG in the wheel chair upstairs and away from the other patients in the basement area. I spoke with Joe(Helen's brother) and he sounded like his old self on the phone. I haven't been able to speak to Paw Paw in a couple days but no news is good news. I know it very cold up there and they did have some snow on the ground, don't know if its from the blizzard that has hit the northeast, unbelievable weather from those naysayers on global warming.

I got in nearly two hours of pickle ball at the Rec. after a frosty ride there on my bike. I bundled up but the exercise felt good despite the watery eyes from the cold. We had a huge turnout and some of us A players managed one court for nearly an hour until there was too many waiting to play so we let the B's and C's mix in with us.. I still worked up a sweat and then headed into the weight room for 15 minutes on the elliptical which finished off the exercise for the day, yeow what a workout that was at nearly a mile. I made a stop at the library for a couple of new reads then headed home to hand water the garden after removing the blankets from the plants. I let them soak up the sun until around 4'ish when the temps began to drop again and covered them for the night.

Nancy had a huge pot of vegetable beef soup cooking using my first batch of green beans of which there were a couple handfuls along with some kale and parsley all from the garden. The soup was perfect on this rather chilly evening along with some buttered saltines. They go hand in hand like peanut butter and jelly. Anyhow after a couple of bowls which warmed and filled the gullet I washed up the dishes and the pot then headed in to watch the Fox News and learned there is more uncovering of the crooked and corrupt last administration dealing with the Russians. This is where the Mueller investigation should go and now a former advisor of Trump has written a rather salacious book about the Trump and the white house after Trump fired him. When will those who want to bring down the POTUS ever get tired of being in the headlines on the fake news channels.

Well I flipped back and forth between the Lightning game and Fox only to watch them lose after overtime in a shoot out by a goal. They are still in the lead in the division but that was a tough loss in Montreal. Nancy put the flannel sheets on the bed and oh such warm and fuzzy comfort, LATER 

Thursday Morning

Well the cold has arrived here in usually warm sunny Florida. It was raining most of the night which was much needed and if it had been in the 30's this would have been snow; but it stayed in the 40's. My garden loved the drink but not the wind which precede the overnight and morning rain. It was cold and wet so I had to drive to the Rec. plus I covered a few plants with some old sheets last evening. I awakened in the middle of the night and realized I forgot the lone cucumber plant, oh well I don't seem to have much luck with them anyway and we will see how it fared this morning.

The day started with my usual before 6'ish rollout to a cup of much needed hot drink. I set the thermostat at 70 overnight and it came on a few times. The outside temp was right at 40 so it wasn't freezing but the dampness went right through you with the wind and rain. It cleared off around 2'ish and the sun came out and right away the temps went up into the 50's which was nice but the wind kept it sweater or light coat weather. I did my quiet time and posted this ramble. The update on GG is better as she is progressing for awhile. We got word her house sold in Seminole for what they were asking and she was pleased. Lets hope Eric and Dianne will now have more than enough funds to care for her for years if they don't waste it frivolously.

Amy and the three Ross kiddos came for lunch and then stayed until the late afternoon. They played hard in the house while I read for a couple hours. After they left Nancy was off shopping for items for a pot of veggie soup today which will be perfect for this cold snap. We saw some videos of snow on the ground in north Florida which hasn't happened in years. These extreme temps and weather sure put a hurt on all those global warming theorist and just about debunks their idea that we the USA should pay the world funds for our cause to this affect. Such baloney and another way to redistribute wealth by this past corrupt administration.

Speaking of the corrupt Dem's we are finding out more everyday on their attempt to disrupt and delegitimize our duly elected POTUS by the deplorables, meaning we the working class. We have such corruption in the upper echelon of both the DOJ and the FBI that a special council is needed to investigate the investigators. There is a deep state put in place by the Obama administration which constantly threatens the security of the nation and the main stream media is in collusion with this bunch to bring down President Trump and continue us in the one world order philosophy promulgated by Obama and the Bush's before him.

Our POTUS is destroying that idea with his MAGA and we are starting to see the nation prosperity rising. The workforce is getting better, wages are going up and now we need to close the borders and get tough on immigration and if that means building a wall lets do so. This nationalism is awesome and we need to get rid of those politicians who continue to thwart his efforts to put America first. I praise Mr Trump for not beholding to any group of politicians who want to drag the nation back into being second class or apologizing for our success as a world leader, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well here we are half way through the work week and it raining this morning which is ushering a really cold front that is promising some freezing weather in north Florida. Hopefully it will stay away from the Bay Area and my garden.

Tuesday was our coldest day of the year so far with 39 to start the morning and it reached the middle 50' by early afternoon. The heat which we turned on for the first time this year ran several times through out the day. The skies were overcast until the afternoon with a strong North wind. My eyes watered all the way to the Rec. while riding my bike at 8 ish. I did my usual morning routines and that cup of hot tea was wonderful as the house was down to a chilly 67 when I rolled out at 6 ish. I spent a few quiet minutes with my Creator after posting this ramble then got ready to ride out on the bike. I did bundle up with an extra long sleeve shirt and wore a base ball cap but was bare legged in my shorts.

We had a good workout for an hour but then several new players showed up with  many of which were B and C players. At one time we had 8 waiting to get on with three courts already in action. I stayed for about and hour and half then headed out despite not sitting or losing any games. The action was not as good as I needed but better than none. I picked up a couple pounds over the holidays and wanted to lose it all with one workout. I made a quick stop at the library to return some reads before pedaling home. I did hand water the garden and noticed only the beans suffered some wind burn but no real damage.

Amy and the three kiddos came for lunch and they are a bundle of energy as it was too cold to play outside. They built a fort inside the house with blankets and played until nearly 3'ish before heading out. I harvested Amy a sack full of greens; three lettuces, kale, beet greens and Swiss chard for their salad fixin'. The leafy greens love this cool weather. We need rain and its now doing that. I may have to drag out the blankets and old sheets tonight to cover the cucumber and tomato plants as well as use some 5 gallon buckets on the pepper plants to cover them. We have been fortunate so far as the cabin is in below zero temps. That should help with reducing the bug population this summer.

We we had some leftover's for supper from last nights dinner and they were just as tasty now as was then. I spoke with Helen and she remarked how cold it was there and later spoke with Joe. He sounded like his old self as he is back in his house with son Randall. He will be moving to Tennessee to live near him as his house and land have been sold. I didn't hear from Paw Paw but did the day before and he sounded strong as ever and GG sounded really good on the phone. It was the best I've heard from her in quite sometime.

I settled into the Fox News after the supper cleanup and then watched the Lightning beat the number two team in their league in Toronto. It was a hard fought game and these skaters are real athletes when compared to other sports, yikes do they ever take a beating. After a hot shower which warmed the body I crawled in under the blankets and was soon asleep by 10'ish, LATER

Tuesday morning

Well Monday New Year's Day found us once again with a house full of family and neighbors for a delicious traditional meal to start the new year out right and the weather changed dramatically, yeow it 40 here this morning which is quite the change from the past few days.

We did our morning routines that started with the cup of hot tea for me while I gave thanks for another year. Wow I hit the even mark this year as I climb higher to the 8th decade, wow I'm blessed. I lifted up several by name for healing and comfort and so far of the three that has been the most on my list are doing exceptionally well. Joe is even being discharged from the rehab, Paw Paw is doing great and GG sounded very good with her speech back to where it once was. We just need to get her up and moving on her own again.

I started he day with a 8'ish roll out as we were two hours late going to bed from the night before. It was short sleeves and pants at midnight but things changed as a front moved in during the day with some light drizzle and we never saw the sun the whole day. The garden loves this weather except for the cucumber and tomato plants. I may have to cover them tonight with blankets. The leafy greens love the cooler temps and looked like someone gave them a shot of growth hormones. I picked a mess of Swiss chard for Bobby and Katie.

I stayed pretty much in the house helping to clean and get ready for the 4'ish gathering of the crowd. Bobby was bringing his in laws and Kayla for 5 folks, Amy came with her 5 and then Dan and Carol made for a full house whole. Luckily some of us ate out by the TV which didn't require a seat at the table which holds 10 place settings. The grand kiddos ate in the kitchen before most of us decided or got around to filling our plates and bowels with blackeyed pea soup which was delicious. We then loaded up on spare ribs, sauerkraut, kielbasa and Nathan dogs all embedded on the layer of kraut in a huge roaster and then of course smashed taters. I passed on the tatters as I'm trying to cut down on the carbs. I did break down and had a piece of Amy's apple pie which was as good if not better than the ones Nancy bake, Yeow. We had a little adult beverage with some snack foods before eating but not much as the food smelled so good.

We watched some great football or we men did while the women talked away in the kitchen and a couple nap napped on the couch from the late nights activities. We watched a great game between the small Florida school UCF beat the powerhouse in the SEC Auburn which was like a David vs Goliath in a very good game which saw many lead changes and then Georgia came from behind to beat the Sooners in an overtime game. I started on the Clemson vs 'Bama and it didn't look good for the Tigers by half time so it was lights out for me around 10'ish.

Well everyone seems to enjoy the meal and the gathering. It was the first time Katie's dad Bruce and sister Kayla had ever been to our humble abode. Lynn her mom has spent a night with us last year as she visited a convention in the area for one night. We all got along together and enjoyed the food but they left a little before 8 as all had to work early today. I finished up the dishes and cleaned the kitchen while Nancy spoke with her mom. She sounded the best since her misfortune in Miami. Hopefully she will get her self strong enough to begin walking regularly. She mentioned there were a couple offers on her house but a little lower than what she was asking, LATER

On a business note this coming month until the 20th ALL Nutrilite Vitamins and Supplements are BOGO. There is only once place to get these grown and produced in America products and that's through me and my store which is distributed through the Amway Corporation. This special which comes only from me and my team leaders is good until then and if you purchase at least 30 PV's (which is about a hundred bucks) you will receive a reimbursement check for the shipping, also the Bogo's are shipped to you Free at the end of the month; but make your order by the 10th. I know that's a lot of dates but remember for the extra perks order by the 10th. Happy New Year to all and start taking those good vitamins especially the men who need the prostrate supplement. I've been taking it now for years and believe me it works.

Happy New Year Jan,1 2018 Monday Morning

Well Sunday the last day of the year was just beautiful that started with 52 degrees when I rolled out at 5:30 to head over to SPC where BridgePoint Church meets each Sunday to hold worship at our third campus. I rode my bike despite the chill in the air and by lunch time it was perfect with temps in the 70's and bright sunshine. We baptized three folks outside under the pavilion in a jacuzzi and then had a catered luncheon of barbecue pulled pork and chicken with baked beans, Cole slaw and mac and cheese, wow was this ever a feast and ever so delicious. This occurred on all three campus's of the church.

We got back home after helping to load out around 2'ish and I was bushed from pushing and loading all of the large containers onto a huge truck. We were a little short handed as many folks were still gone or away for the holidays. I tuned into our hapless Buc's for the final game of the year and they were playing the division winning Saints and we won on the last drive of the game. The Panthers also lost who were in contention for a bye in the up and coming playoffs; anyhow it was the Buc's super bowl game win with a dismal 5-11 record.

We headed out around 4 o'clock with finger foods, games and some vino to the Botbyl's house which is just three houses up. We finished watching the game there with them and the Tracy's and then played a round of Logo a board game which Patrick won big. Afterwards while constantly picking at our many finger dishes we played a new game called Smart Ass which Patrick also won, barely. We continued with our eating some grilled fillets, salmon and shrimp along with some asparagus and broccoli which all were fabulous in taste. After the cleanup we decided in order to keep us awake to play the best of three games of Sequence which is always rowdy and the guys won in two straight games for the last time of the year, so we got the bragging rights as 2017 quickly slipped away. We sat and watched some cold folks in New York City watch the big ball drop at midnight then went into hugging mode before heading out for the house. It was so nice outside as I wore a t'shirt and shorts. Just beautiful with the full moon showing.

I soon slipped into bed as it was two hours past my bedtime and we got up two hours later than my normal 6'ish roll out this morning. We are expecting Bobby and Katie along with her mom and dad, the Botbyl's and of course Amy and family for a traditional New Years Day dinner around 4'ish. We will have sauerkraut and pork spare ribs, smashed taters and cooked veggies as well as a veggie tray with dips and a pot of black eyed peas, yeow what a feed. We will certainly miss GG as this was always one of her famous meals over the years to start the year out right. We should get into some good college football bowl games as there is one being played here in Tampa. It looks like a drizzly rainy overcast day but at least the temps are rather warm and it could as it usually does clear off by late afternoon, LATER

BEST TO ALL AND MANY THANKS FOR READING THIS RAMBLE AS THE HITS TO THIS RAMBLE ARE ENCOURAGING DESPITE MY SOMEWHAT WHERE EVER MY THOUGHTS GO FROM PAST TO PRESENT. I LOOK AT THIS POST AS BECOMING A DAILY FRIEND TO SHARE LIFE AND AT TIMES TO VENT. HOPEFULLY MY GRAND CHILDREN WILL GET TO KNOW ME A LITTLE BETTER SOME DAY LONG AFTER I'VE MADE MY FINAL POST.