Wednesday Morning... Last day of October 2018

Well it's difficult to leave the cabin after such a beautiful gorgeous day as was yesterday and today Wednesday is supposed to be even nicer with temps into the middle 60's. It was a bit nippy to start the day with high 30's but by mid afternoon I was in short sleeves and was thinking about short pants but as the day grew shorter the shade areas had you wanting something on your arms.

I started the day with a 7:30 roll out for a change which seldom happens and Nancy mentioned the night before she wanted up at 6:30 as we were meeting friends for an adventure hike back to the Stone Mountain water falls, anyhow we made the scheduled meet at 10 with no problem despite it being about 20 minutes from the cabin. The morning was quite chilly and we were bundled up with three layers as we knew we would mostly be in the shade on the 2 plus mile hike one way. By the end of the hike they were shedding some jackets.

After my usual morning routines that always start with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and ginger while I post this ramble then lift up several by name to my Creator for comfort and healing. All seem well as I've heard nothing to the contrary. Nancy's mom GG is still recouping from her week long stay in the hospital but with her bad heart she is hoping to just maintain at this stage which is a miracle in its self after what she went through a couple years back. We ate a breakfast of granola and oatmeal before getting ready to head out around 9:20. The other couple Meg and Jim with their two large dogs were there waiting but only for a couple of minutes as we were on time.

We took the loop trail but only for half of it as the stairs to the top of the mountain was too much for one of their older dogs but they had a great time as we let them loose from time to time on the trial. They were in the water constantly drinking and splashing but they listened quite well. Nellie the oldest dog is some where around 14 which is good for a large animal and she kept up at times with Chester a lab who was around 6, would head off into the woods on a scent. It was a little over 2 miles one way to the waterfalls which is magnificent and probably a couple hundred or more feet in height. The way back was the same which took about an hour each way. We were back to the cabin before 1 and settled into a late lunch of leftovers as we clean out the fridge as much as possible.

I headed out after lunch to dig and haul 6 or 7 loads of fill dirt and rocks for the lower part of the front yard which needed some dirt to help with leveling out for the riding mower. I have a nice pit in the back woods yard where I get all of the dirt needed plus lots of large rocks. That kept me busy for a couple hours and I soon worked up a sweat. The sun was brilliant. I then hauled a load of compost and spread that on my garden in the back yard as well as harvested by beets. I found several immature seedlings as I had sowed them closely just for the beet greens; so I will take these seedlings home for my winter garden in Florida and get a head start on sowing seeds for the greens. We love fresh beet greens in our salads.

Nancy decided she wanted to hike again which we definitely need after adding some extra pounds and inches this summer. We took off up the back steep trail through the woods and while the hike back to the waterfalls was relatively easy this hike up the back trail was anything but easy. We made several stops until we reached the top of the mountain which showed some beautiful color in the bright sunshine. We saw Dean Todd on top scrapping the the washouts on the road with his vintage tractor and chatted with him a few before heading back down to begin work on supper. I fried some fish on the grill burner which was awesome to go along with some tater tots which do not travel well in the cooler and canned spinach. After supper it was such a beautiful evening with warm temps in the high 50's and no wind I decided we should have at least one more camp fire.

The fire was beautiful and as night settled its warmth was welcoming. We sat out by it for a good 2 hours before heading in to hit the showers. Afterwards I watched a little of the Lightning hockey game on the internet and they were winning 5-3 over the New Jersey team. It wasn't long after 9:30 I decided to read until 10'ish then it was lights out for me, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday was a work day as we do some chores we always do before packing up for the winter. We did get in a hike to the top of the mountain. The temps were cold to start the day and the stiff breeze kept it sweater weather despite the temps reaching almost 50'ish by late afternoon. I did some dirt digging and filling in some areas that were low as well as started spreading some compost onto the gardens patches.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet moments in humble thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected considering most of these have some severe infirmities as well as some with advanced age. Our kids and grandkids are getting excited about our return to Florida as its been months since we've last seen them in person.

I bundled up and headed out to pack away in the shed all of the porch furniture, sharpen the mower blades and spread some compost. Afterwards I headed up to my dirt pile in the wood and dug out 4 golf cart loads of dirt and spread it where I had some low spots in the yards. That kept me busy until lunch time then we took off on a good 2 hour hike and visit on top of the mountain. It was a delightful day when visiting in the sunshine and we met several who congregated at the Brownings house. Some of those folks where the first we had visited with all summer. Our main interest was the road wash out and the weather as well as Dean got Joe's wood splitter to run after a small part exchange.

I was outside for the main part of the day and it felt great after a chilly start. One of the long time neighbors on top of the mountain passed away at the young age of 104. Hazel was a full time resident when we first got here in '92 but has been only a part time resident the past couple of years. Several from ontop will attend her funeral today in Winston-Salem. Well after a Moravian chicken pie for supper which I wasn't impressed with; I like Marie Callander pies much better and they are half the cost we settled into the Fox Cable News. Once again the left is demonizing our Potus with out cause for their actions which have divided the nation especially with regard to respect for our law enforcement and the reporting of fake news. I surely hope a red wave takes the nation next week and sends these radicals packing for good, LATER

Monday Morning

Well Sunday started out rather chilly with a strong breeze which made it feel like it was in the low 30's but by middle afternoon it reached the upper 50's with some sunshine but that quickly changed as another front moved into the area bring cold rain and wind once again. This has got to be the wettest summer and fall on record. We did get in an afternoon hike to the top of the mountain.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my usual routines that start with the cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted the ramble and them spent some quiet time with my Creator giving thanks and lifting up several by name. I did speak with Paw Paw in the afternoon and he sounded good. Nancy spoke with her mom who is now back home. The doctors aren't really sure of why she is having these seizures or small attacks as they are changing her meds. Anyhow all seem well as can be expected for their ages and medical conditions.

We watched our St.Pete Church Bridgepoint on line at 8 o'clock and then headed out at 9:30 for our last Sunday at Cornerstone in Sparta. Both pastors had tremendous services with challenging messages and we hugged many before saying good bye this year to our many friends here until next summer. We skipped eating out for lunch as we still have some leftovers from Friday nights feast. We were meeting with the Luffman gang at 5'ish for a final supper with them at Allan and Ellie's place for the first time. They live practically on the Va./N.C. line and they have a beautiful place as well. We had an awesome supper and then played 5 games of Sequence afterwards which once again the gals were the victors. It was a raucous time to say the least and many hugs were given afterwards as it will be 7 months or so before we see them again.

Well we got back to the cabin in the rain once again and tuned into the World Series game where the Red Sox were winning big when I hit the showers around 10'ish. It wasn't long afterwards I was ready for some horizontal lab, LATER

Sunday Morning..last one in October

Well Saturday was a breezy chilly day with some sunshine but mostly clouds. I did get outside to fram around and we did get in a hike. What a difference from on Friday when we received 2 and half inches of rain during the day and I never got off the porch. It's getting close to wanting to leave for a much warmer climate despite my love for the cabin and the mountains. I'm also getting antsy about getting my winter garden in the ground as gardening is a must for me.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then lifted up several by name to my Creator as well as gave thanks for my many blessings. Nancy mom GG is back from the hospital in Michigan where she is cared for by her son. That is now her home until she passes as he has taken on that responsibility as he and his wife care for the elderly in their home. It's a job I couldn't do and I give them credit for that mission. I took a ride out to the mailbox as sister Dee sent me a beautiful winter coat that had once been Paw Paw's as he no longer needed or used it. Wow, what a blessing. I'm use to hand me downs and hate to see things that can be used, neglected.

I piddled around outside fencing Nancy's hydrangeas around the well house in hope she will finally get some blooms next year. The deer usually eat them down before we get here in June and only once did we ever see a purple bloom in all the years we have had them planted. The fence is about 5 feet in height and should prevent them from their favorite snack. I started doing some of the winterizing I do with the outside chairs and under neath the porch stowing of utensils. Nancy had clothes on the line but it wasn't a great day for drying and we finally used the dryer in the basement. We had a nice hike to the top and chatted with the folks who bought Norm's place. They are a young couple from Chapel Hill with two kids in college.

We came back and had a light lunch of salad. I settled into some college football and finished another short read by Greg Isles. We had been invited to supper with the Browning's around 5'ish so we bundled up and took the golf cart to the top of the mountain for a delicious supper. Yeow is Jetta ever an awesome cook. We had pot roast, smashed taters and gravy, cooked carrots and French onion soup to start the juices flowing with broccoli cornbread which I had never eaten before, delicious. Warm apple pie for dessert was great as well. We visited until nearly dark then headed down off the mountain in the cold wind, yikes. The new coat was just perfect and I was cozy warm. It was a splendid visit and the eatin' was so good. Joe had a cheery fire in the large wood stove which had the house very warm. He and Dean still were not able to get the wood splitter working properly but thankfully I had put enough smaller pieces of wood in the pile he could handle into the stove. The wood smoke smell is awesome outside as we arrived and brings thoughts of comfort from the cold temps.

Well we watched the news and then settled into the ball game for a couple innings while we took turns showering and the Dodgers were on top 4-0 when I decided to hit the sack around 10'ish. This was our last full Saturday at the cabin as we plan on leaving around 4 in the morning next Saturday, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was a total washout ALL day long and the cold settled into your bones, yikes I'm so looking forward to some warmer even hotter temps. I know I love the cooler but not cold damp miserable temps. I think I ventured outside on to the porch twice during the day as it was that cold and wet.

The day started with me rolling out a little before 7 as those warm flannel sheets are magnet to be between them. The cabin was a snug 70 degrees but outside the rain pounded on the tin roof all day long with the high 30's to start and low 40's through out the day. I did finish Natchez Burning by Greg Isles which is a fantastic story and now there are two more in that trilogy that I will pick up in Seminole. We were expecting a houseful of company for our final feed this year so Nancy was busy making cheese cakes and getting the menu ready for later in the evening. I didn't do much except help with the cabin cleaning and the prep work for the supper.

Our supper was fantastic especially on the cold damp evening with sauerkraut, pork ribs, kilebasa, Nathan dogs, smashed taters and crusty bread and pumpkin cheese cake with fresh whipped cream, yeow what a feed. We had 11 to eat as 2 stayed back due to the weather and one leaving early this morning for a trip back south. It was a grand finale for the year which always ends with this meal on what has always been a cold evening. Several left after eating and those who stayed had a raucous evening of Sequence and the gals won 5-2 for a change. Everyone left around 8:30 so we settled into the cleanup and then the World Series game from L.A.

I hit the shower around 9:30 and then read until 10'ish before calling it a day. The rain was still pounding the tin roof which just makes those flannel sheets so much more comfortable, LATER. 

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was another rather chilly day here on the mountain with temps into the high 30's to start and then the low 40's through out the day. At least there was some sunshine at times but mainly overcast with a breeze which made it feel even colder. By late afternoon it reached the upper 40's with some sunshine as we traveled off the mountain to the Tracy's cabin for supper.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble then lifted up several by name to my Creator for comfort and healing. Nancy's mom GG is still in the hospital in Michigan and seems very groggy on the phone. There is no word on what the plan is for her and her condition. Everyone else is as well as can be expected for their ages. I'm ready for some warmer temps as we have one more week here at the cabin. Seems we went from a/c to heat almost over night and now I'm ready for a change and some pickle ball exercise. I've done nothing but eat the past several weeks with no real exercise except hiking.

I headed out around 10 for Joe Browning's  place up on the mountain to help with splitting wood but the splitter didn't want to run right so Dean the local mechanic and handyman came up to see what the trouble was and despite draining all of the fuel lines and tank with fresh gas it would only run for a few seconds then shut off. I was hoping to help with the wood before we left next week but now that the splitter is broke down and today its a total rain day its not looking to good to get that task completed. I spent a couple hours outside working with Dean and Joe as we did everything we knew to make the splitter run and I may have picked up enough cold temps to give me a head cold as I awakened with a cold this morning, oh well. I doubled down on the Vit C to start the day in hopes that will help. The weather is damp and cold out so that's not to great when battling a head cold as I'm stopped up, oh well its been a while since I've had a cold.

We took off for Sparta around 3'ish to pick up spare ribs at the butcher as we are having a huge supper tonight(Friday) for friends which has the count up to 14 for sauerkraut, ribs, smashed taters, kielbas, hot dogs and Nancy is making two pumpkin cheese cakes yeow what a feast that will be. It's too bad the weather turned nasty for this occasion but we will survive despite the smallness of the cabin. We had a clean out the fridge supper at the Tracy's which was awesome and delicious as always with the Patrick's sister Meg and husband Jim. We got into a game of Euchre and the gals won this time. We headed out around 7:30 for the cabin and the temps were in the low 40's . I know that doesn't sound cold but it was and we had the heater on in the truck. We watched a little of the FOX Cable News before I hit the hot shower and then curled up with the novel Natchez Burning. It' s a huge story and very convoluted but just so entertaining. I'm down to the last 100 pages or so and while I'm a speed reader this is one book I read every word and I want to finish it before next week. It was 10'ish when I decided I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer as the sandman calleth, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday morning was another down right chilly morning with a stiff breeze that made it feel even colder than the low 40's. At least we had bright sunshine and blue skies and the leaves are finally changing to dull colors from the dull greens. I'm afraid there will be no peak this year due to all the wet windy weather and about half of the trees are bare of leaves, oh well another thing there are NO acorns this year or hickory nuts. At least there are black walnuts so maybe the squirrels will survive. The deer will be eating the bushes this year but most of them are really large due to all of the browse from the wet warm weather.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then spent some time with my Creator lifting up several by name. GG is still in the hospital and now a heart attack has been ruled out but she is having some type of seizures more frequently where she loses control of her being. They are adjusting her meds so maybe that is the problem but up to this point they haven't made a diagnosis. Paw Paw seems to be doing well and there is a contract on his Winchester dwelling in just a day or so of being on the market. It will need lots of updates but the property is valuable within the city. Everyone else is doing well except one cousins who buried her dad the day before we buried Richard and now yesterday her mom passed. What a terrible week or so for family in Maryland who we met for the first time at the funeral Saturday.

I headed up to the Brownings around 9'ish to help get started the wood splitter which I did after several pulls and some ether in the intake but the hydraulic fluid was to low to use the arm which splits the wood chunks so we will try again this AM(Thur). It was cold on top of the mountain with the wind blowing and despite the sunshine the temps didn't get out of the low 50's for the entire day. I didn't do much except read and stay in the warm cabin until it was time to sauteed some peppers and onions on the outside grill along with brats which we were taking to Kimberly's around 2'ish. She brought Eddie home for a day from the nursing home so we could play that game he so dearly loves  along with the Todd's and the Martins. We had  delicious early supper of brats, tater salad and baked beans and German chocolate cake for dessert. I stayed away from the cake and had a cup of Chai tea later in the evening while watching the ball game.

Well the boys finally beat out the gals with a score of 5-4 over the course of the afternoon and evening so we have bragging rights for the winter for a change not that it means anything but needless to say it was a raucous game and did we ever laugh and cut up. We also loved up on the Martin's two little girls especially the newest one who is 11 months old. She is such a cutie and very loving. We left just before dark and headed home to a toasty cabin and settled into the news and then the ball game. Nancy was on the phone with everyone for hours until it was shower time. Afterwards I settled into my book for an hour before lights out for me around 10:30, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday was a work day despite it being rather chilly to start the day. It was in the low 40's but by late afternoon it had warmed to the 60's which was awesome for setting in the sunshine and doing some afternoon reading. I worked in the wood all morning carrying 5 pick up truck loads of wood I had cut and stacked for our mountain top neighbor Joe. That was my good deed for the day.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator lifting up several by name for comfort and healing. Nancy's mom GG is still in the hospital in Michigan and Paw Paw is doing as well as can be expected for nearly 91. He now lives with the middle daughter Pat in W.Va. and they are getting his Winchester house ready to sell which is a blessing for him. All is well with the rest of those I lift up daily.

I carried about 3 to 4 chords of split oak and maple wood up the back road to neighbor Joe's place since the county came in a fixed the back road when the front road washed away. It was a blessing to us who live on this private maintained road when the county decided to use our road. They dumped several truck loads of gravel and used a road scraper or grader to widen and smooth out the seldom used road except for golf cart, 4 wheelers and 4 wheel drive vehicles when they needed our road for those living on top of mountain to have a way off especially in an emergency. They left our road in great shape so I used it to haul wood for Joe for most of the morning.

We took a nice long hike afterwards to the top of the mountain and the vistas were awesome with the buildings in down town Winston-Salem standing out in the clear skies. We didn't see anyone on top but Joe and Jetta and we had visited with them while hauling wood so we headed home to a bowl of hot left over vegetable soup which was so delicious. After lunch I settled into reading outside in the driveway as the sunshine was so inviting. There isn't much to do now as we draw closer to leaving for the winter. Next week I will be busy putting everything away for the winter months, removing batteries from the mower and golf cart after storing all of the porch furniture away in the shed and then fencing the plants from the deer we want to see bloom next summer.

My mountain buddy Caleb harvested a nice deer on Monday and had it in a cooler with water soaking so he called me over to help with processing it for me to take with us this winter back to Florida. The meat was beautiful and he has an electric grinder and tenderizer so we ground up 15-20 pounds of hamburger meat and about 10 pounds or more of steaks and back strap. I have enough beautiful meat for 25 or more meals, yeah. Even Nancy likes venison. I would never eat beef again if I could have fresh venison.

Well after a hot shower it was time to curl up with Natchez Burning until 10'ish then it was lights out for me. Today, Wednesday we are meeting up with Eddie and Kimberly for a get together with Ray and Audean to eat and play that game called Sequence. All this week we have a standing invite to eat out with starting today and tomorrow at the Tracy's as they prepare to leave and then again with a large group here on Friday and then Joe and Jetta's on Saturday evening, oh well. I will waddle on the pickle ball next month with all this fine eatin', LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well it was down right cold on Monday morning with temps below the freezing level and a stiff breeze which made it feel even colder however by mid afternoon the temps had reached the middle 50's which was perfect for hiking and out door activities.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my much needed cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and ginger while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving for my many blessings and then lifting up several by name for comfort and healing. We are slowly getting back into the grind after a whirlwind trip to the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley. We have really put some miles on this summer since leaving Florida in June. Visiting family is so much fun except for the funeral but even that while it was sad it also brought us much closer to some we hadn't been in contact with for decades.

I piddled around inside the cabin until the frost melted and the sunshine finally brought some warmth to the yards then I headed out to piddle around outside. I just hate being cooped up in the house when the sun is shining. What's left of the garden is still doing O.K. I harvested some kale, Swiss chard and a few beet greens for the salad Nancy was making for us. The new lettuces, Swiss chard and beet seedlings are still doing O.K. and hopefully will be good to dig up and take with me next week back to my winter garden in Florida.

We headed out just before lunch on a nice long hike to the top of the mountain and visited with Joe and Jetta for a few. She once again blessed us with a loaf of fresh baked bread which is so delicious. It has a sweet and sour taste which I love. We had some left over vegetable soup for a late lunch then we got ready around 3:30 to head to Sparta for some shopping before heading over to the Tracy's place for supper with them and Patrick's sister Meg and husband Jim. We enjoyed some fruit of the vine before setting down to a delicious meal of pasta and a chicken style sauce which I do not know the name but oh so good. She had a cheesecake for dessert which we enjoyed after a 6 hand game of Euchre which the guys dominated 10-3. Patrick got a campfire going so we sat outside for an hour in the chilled air with the moon so bright it looked like daylight out side. The warmth of the fire was exhilarating on one side of your body with the other side chilled in the night air.

We headed home around 8:30 and saw several deer out roaming in the moon light along the highway. The cabin was warm and snug after the cold night air and it was soon hot shower time for me as the wood smoke penetrated your hair and clothing. It wasn't long afterwards I curled up with Natchez Burning a book by Greg Isles until 10'ish. The flannel sheets make for a great sleep on a cold night, LATER

Monday Morning

Well I'm back after a 3 day 2 night stay in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley area and back to Mountain Falls the small community where I grew up. It was sad occasion at times as we remember the life of one of my first cousins Richard who passed unexpectantly last Monday while operating a piece of heavy equipment. He was a rogue to say the least but very well remembered and loved by those who knew and it showed at all those who came for the viewing and funeral. I remember him as a small child and then again much later in life when we would visit yearly at the Gravel Springs picnic. He resembled Grizzly Adams with his unkept appearance but quite the difference within. The preacher mentioned you should not judge a book by its cover and Richard was just that.

We had a great meal at the local community building associated with the church where lots of my folks including my bio mom is buried along with by grand mother. Richards mom was the younger sister to my bio mom and her family is buried there as well. It was such a reunion for me as I missed the first reunion featuring all of the first cousins this summer and I'm the oldest of all the first cousins, so it was a tearful yet joyous occasion for our being there. We met some relatives who I did not remember from my early years and reunited with some locals from way back when. The day was rather chilly with the wind but the sunshine was beautiful and the vistas was breath taking from the Mountain View Church. All of my three sisters(cousins) and Paw Paw(uncle) was there along with uncle Frankie and his two daughters. I also saw some old classmates from when we rode the local school bus back in the days.

Mike and Dee treated us to a steak supper with all the fixins on Saturday at the Woodstock Fire Hall which was a fund raiser; the meat was delicious grilled on a huge outdoor pit along with taters, beans salad and dessert, yeow what a meal. We retuned the favor on Sunday morning at Cracker Barrel before leaving for the trip down the valley or should I say up the valley as Winchester is around 900 ft whereas we are around 3000 ft above sea level. The leaves are starting to show some color from this cold snap which had freeze warning posted for Sunday night here on the mountains. The wind has died down which helps but the temps were in the 30's this AM. It was cold all weekend here at the cabin and when we got in around 2'ish the cabin was ice cold and it took several hours for it to warm up. We even put on the flannel sheets which are awesome for warmth and sleeping. We also put on some extra around our middle with all of the fine country eatin' this past weekend especially home made breads by sister Dee and desserts.

Nancy put together a huge pot of vegetable beef soup which fit the bill for our supper on this cold evening, yeow so very delicious and it helped to warm up the place as well. The new heater/ac unit works very well and after a couple hours the cabin became quite comfortable. I broke down and watched a little of the NFL games despite not supporting any of the players who disrespect the flag and our Potus until it was shower time and then some horizontal lab. It was a great time but so good to get back on the mountain where we only have a few days until we leave for warm sunny Florida. It's still quite warm there and I'm looking forward to family, pickle ball daily, gardening and warm temps, LATER.     

Friday Morning

Well Fall/Winter is upon the mountains as the temps have turned chilly. It was 39 this morning and then again this Friday morning with cold temps yet the afternoon found us with bright sunshine and warm temps into the 60's. Perfect weather and the new a/c unit is producing such nice warm air which is keeping the cabin cozy. No mess no fuss just flip the switch and its instance warm heat.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator. There have been a few changes in those we lift up daily as Nancy's mom GG is in the hospital in Michigan with what was a possible heart attack however she felt no pain as the pace maker kicked in the defibrillator and she experienced only some loss of motion and anxiety. They are keeping her over the weekend as she has congestive heart failure to begin with after major surgery a couple years back. Everyone else is fine as we have heard nothing to the contrary.

I headed out after a breakfast of eggs and grits to the top of the mountain on the golf cart to pick up some steel posts and fencing the Brownings were no longer in need of to fence off my black raspberry bushes when we leave for the winter. The deer love to eat off the new growth which makes a big difference when the berries start to produce. Nancy got a couple loads of laundry out on the clothesline as it was a perfect day for drying with the bright sunshine a gentle breeze. I loaded up the golf cart with rocks dug out by the road work and filled in the washed out area at the bottom of driveway which nearly caused the road to wash away and into the neighbors house at the bottom of the drive. I put three loads of big rock into that hole through out the day when ever I travelled the back road helping Joe move in a new refrigerator for his small air BNB cabin. It is such a cute place and he only charges 25-30 bucks a night.

We took off on a long hike to the top of the mountain during the early afternoon when it was the warmest and yet in the shade it was quite chilly. We stopped and chatted with the Browning for quite a spell and she blessed us with a piece of fresh right out of the oven rhubarb/cinnamon brown sugar  bread which was awesome. It was as good as pumpkin nut bread. We then headed on across the mountain and chatted with Billy for a few as he was working on diverting water from around an in front of his cabin which became inundated during all of that rain we had last week. The county is still working on the big wash out on the hard top but its open one lane for the locals. They still have to asphalt the road but they sure did a nice job with grading and gravel on our private road which was used for those on the mountain to get out.

We headed out around 5'ish for the Luffman Farm and ate a delicious supper of pork barbecue, home grown taters, pork and beans and Nancy brought fresh Cole slaw. Kay also had a fresh baked apple cinnamon cake for dessert which was delicious. Well there goes the waist line with all this bread and cakes but they are so good especially during this cold weather. We stayed afterwards and the guys vs gals in Sequence and for once we won with me playing a third hand we call the Harvey Hand. I meant it was a blow out as we won 5-0 which hasn't happened ever. It's not very often we even score as they usually wipe the floor with us but not last night. We were on. It was close to 9 when we got back to the warm cabin despite the temps in the 40's. We noticed with this cold snap the leaves are changing right before your eyes. It's amazing they change this fast, LATER

We will be away from this keyboard for a couple days as we leave for the Winchester area this morning until Sunday. Nancy will I'm sure post some pics on FB. We will travel the back roads once again northbound and see some sights we've never seen before. She doesn't enjoy I-81 with all the truckers so we will use 221, 220, 42 and Rt 11 as much as possible and visit the small out of the way towns along the Shenandoah as well as the mountain ridges of W.Va. which is just beautiful and with the leaves changing it should be even more exhilarating although Nancy is a little apprehensive about some the narrow roads through the mountains.

Thursday Morning..Brr in the 40's this AM

Well Wednesday turned out to be a glorious Fall or Indian summer day after a cloudy start. The temps were up into the 70's by late afternoon but in the shade there was a touch of Fall.We noticed on our afternoon hike the leaves are showing some colors almost overnight. We did get some laundry outside for some sun drying with the gentle breeze. A perfect day for working both in and outside. I did some cabinet painting for Nancy with some Kilz on one cabinet that seems to always has a musty smell. Hopefully that will cure and take care of that. She has the nose of a blood hound.

I started the day with another sleep in until nearly 7 which was good since I awakened around 4'ish and had so much on my mine with what I wanted to accomplish before leaving for the winter in less than two weeks. We are making another trip to the Winchester area on Friday for the weekend for the funeral and to visit with family for the last time this year. I did my usual morning routines, quiet times and then read where another N.C.Trooper was gunned down last night all because the perp was a crook and on the run. We need immediate public executions for these murders on any law enforcement personnel.

I weed whacked the rest of the flower beds for the winter and then Joe and Jetta came by for a visit as I wanted him to see the stacks of wood for his stove this winter. We need to get that up to his place before we leave and when I'm here to help him. This morning a fire would feel good. Our new a/c is now putting out some much needed heat all with the flip of a switch. I don't think I will light the propane heater this year as the new unit is so quiet and efficient. That was about it for the day except for the deep state having folks inside the treasury dept. to thwart Trump and his agenda. It's despicable to see so many who want to destroy our nation and this Potus and I think they too should be publicly ridiculed and indicted.

I watched a little of the Dodger vs Brewer baseball game and now LA takes a 3-2 lead. I would like to see the Brewers vs Astros in the Series for a change; anyone but Boston, oh well LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday was an ugly day with overcast skies and intermittent rain showers through out the day; nothing hard but just drizzle and gray skies yet the temps weren't too cold despite it being the middle of October. I understand the cold temps are coming this weekend with some frost and freezing temps which should help with changing the color of these green leaves, oh well.

We slept in for a change which is so unusual for me as it was nearly 8'ish before I rolled to start the day. That happens once a year at best as the internal alarm is set for before 6. I'm not sure what happened. Anyhow after my usual routines and quiet time but at a later time we had a lite breakfast of pumpkin nut bread before getting ready to head out to Galax, Va. for a hair cut for me and then some shopping at the super Walmart before heading home. We finished shopping for the Christmas Shoeboxes and filled 4 with all kinds of goodies; some toys, some hygiene products and some clothing. We will take them to our church here in Sparta as we are leaving the first of next month for Florida.

All is well with those we lift up every day to our Creator. We will make the trip back to Winchester, VA. on Friday for the funeral of a first cousin who suddenly passed from cardiac arrest while operating a piece of heavy equipment. We will stay a couple of nights with youngest sister Dee in Woodstock then head back to the cabin Sunday morning. Nancy wants to take the scenic route up and stay off I-81 as much as possible. Hopefully we won't take a hundred mile detour like last trip, oh well. We did see some quaint small villages and towns along the way but the switchbacks on some of the steep mountains had Nancy edging toward the middle of the seat. She is so funny at time and scared needlessly.

We didn't hike as the light rain kept us inside for the rest of the day and it rained throughout the evening as we visited the Tracy's and their family for supper. Nancy made a huge casserole dish of Mexican rice which was awesome to compliment the grilled steak and chicken and all the trimming for Mexican eats. It was delicious and we celebrated several birthdays including Patrick who turned 69 along with his young nephew and their mom. The vino flowed before eating which was a gastronomic delight and we waddled home sometime around 9'ish. I tuned into the Lightning game vs the Carolina team and we won 4-2 in a hard fought match and then it was shower time for me. The Dodgers were winning 1-0 when I settled into a couple chapters of NATCHEZ BURNING before lights out around 10:30, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well after cloudy start the day turned out beautiful with temps in the low 70's, yeow what is with this weather and there was snow on Grandfather Mountain Sunday morning, oh well. It's back in the 90's in Florida after one morning of down in the 60's.

I started the day much the usual with my routines and then some quiet time lifting up several by name but we got a shock around mid morning when we got a text informing us that a first cousin passed away from a heart attack at work. He had some issues a couple years ago with his heart but since he was in his 60's he seemed to have made a great recovery. For years he let himself go with booze and smokes and it finally caught up with him.

I worked down on our driveway for a couple hours and then pulled up all of my zinnias and cut the heads off for drying to be used next summer for seeds. They were about 3-4 feet in height and some had as many as 5-6 heads per plant. I gathered a 5 gallon bucket full of the heads. I need to do the marigolds next as well to save the seeds for planting both here and in Florida. They are a great natural deterrent to nematodes which are tiny microscopic worms that suck the life out of plants. That kept me busy for most of the morning and early afternoon. I had a rather large breakfast of leftover steak, fried eggs and grits so I skipped lunch. Nancy did make a couple loaves of pumpkin nut bread which right out of the oven was awesome with fresh butter, yeow. We took half a loaf over to our mountain mom Helen and the other half up to Joe and Jetta.

We took off on a hike to the top of the mountain and the back road is the best I've ever seen it with all of the gravel and grading the county road dept. did while filling in the wash out on the main road. They did get it filled in with huge boulders, netting and fill dirt enough the folks on top could get in and out. This was a major repair and they yet have to hard top it with asphalt. We are trying to eat down the freezer so I made deer tacos for our supper and some canned spinach and fries. We settled into the Fox Cable News channel until it was time to flip between the ball games and until it was shower time. Afterwards I was ready for some horizontal around 10:30, LATER 

Monday Morning

Well Sunday was a rather chilly overcast day with small rain showers that kept the skies gray. It was 41 to start but warmed up to a balmy 55 by the late afternoon but it felt and looked so much colder. The leaves are still green despite the sudden dip in temp's but I would imagine they will soon start to turn to their majestic colors which we have grown accustom to at this time of the year.

Our house guests left real early in the morning so it took so doings to get back to sleep. We watched out home church in Florida, Bridgepoint on line and heard some awesome visions for our county with the addition of at least three more campus's and a permanent building for Seminole, I'm excited to be a part of this group of Believers who are spreading the gospel for our lost nation. We heard a speaker from a third world country at Cornerstone who came to know Jesus through the shoe box gift ministry from Samaritan's Purse. What an awesome testimony she gave and one never knows how GOD can use such a simple gift to bring the lost to salvation. Such a beautiful young lady who is the only one in her Muslim family to accept christianity.

We made a meat market stop on the way home and decided to eat leftovers for lunch. We fired up the heater and it works perfectly and the cabin was soon very cozy on this damp chilly day. We took off around 4'ish for a hike to the top of the mountain and soon encountered fog which was so thick the visibility was no more than a few feet. We stopped and chatted with the Browning's for a few before heading back across and then down the back road. Rain run off is still occurring on parts of the mountain as the back road is still holding water. We had so much rain it will take weeks before the ground dries completely up. I settled into some NFL as there wasn't much else on despite my negative feeling toward the league for their disrespect to the anthem and flag but mainly towards our POTUS.

Nancy made taco's for supper and they were delicious. We watched the 60 minute segment on Trump and the interviewer was so disrespectful and arrogant in her questions and comments and you could tell she is part of the elitist attitude that has invaded the main stream media. If the fake news networks would only report the truth and decide to help this president we could achieve so much for the nation but no their hatred for him is at the expense of the nation. It just gaul's me to think politics has come to this point where we have a POTUS who does what he say's and they hate him for it, oh well.

I read for awhile and then hit the hot showers before lights out at 10 for me. Nancy is a night owl and loves to flip channels and I have no idea when she came to bed, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday saw us with some cool temps to start the day and while the skies were blue with bright sunshine the temps stayed in the low 60's and it felt cooler in the shade. Long pants were a change for me as we headed down to Mt.Airy where it was a might warmer for the Fall Festival. There were so many folks there that we gave up after a couple hours and left. The streets were closed for the many vendors but the crowds were so packed it was difficult to view them so we got out of town after a few purchases and headed up to Cana for some fresh veggies and pumpkins for the Botbyl's.

Nancy and I started the day much the same with these house guests. I roll out first and then she. The Botbyl's come down around 7'ish or so for coffee then they headed to Sparta so he could work out at the Wellness Center. We decided since we were going off the mountain to have a large breakfast of bacon, eggs and grits which held us until later in the evening when we headed over to Galax for dinner at the Twisted Fork eatery. The fare was delicious as usual but with a little higher price tag. The place was busy and several were waiting for them to open at 5.

Afterwards we headed to Walmart for some shopping before heading back to the cabin where the temps had dropped down once again into the 40's. We are expecting some 30's this week and the new a/c unit which is now in the heat mode has warmed the cabin to being very cozy. We did have the fake fireplace on for awhile to warm the cabin but we wanted to see how this new unit fared and it is remarkable in the heat mode.

Our guest left this morning around 2 AM and are on their way back to warm sunny Florida. Our area suffered no damage from the latest storm but the panhandle of Florida was devastated. We will be heading back in a couple weeks as well and I'm looking forward to getting my fall garden in place. Everyone wanted some cooler weather and we got it all of a sudden over night after the hurricane moved out of here. One day we were in the 90's while in Woodstock and the next day or so we were in the 40's. The leaves still haven't changed in color what ones are left on the trees.

Well we love having company but after 10 days it will be nice to have the place to your own self. We will get back to Cornerstone this morning with only one more visit next week before heading south to our church in Seminole. I've missed the pickle ball play in Florida as well as it's usually one night during the week here. The lifestyle is so much different at each place which keeps things interesting and we have been blessed with good health thus far, LATER

Saturday Morning ..Brrr

Well Friday saw us with some clear blue skies and much much cooler temps. We did get into the low 60's despite the bright sunshine but the breeze kept it quite nippy in the shade. It was such a pleasant change after such warm temps with high humidity for most of the summer. The leaves haven't changed yet but we did see some evidence they may do so in the next few days. The mountain is still draining the water from the past several days as the wet weather gulch behind the cabin is still trickling.

I started the day much the usual with everyone else still in the sack as the cool morning showed in the 40's to start the day and it was about the same when we got back from the rodeo in Sparta last night around 10:30. Wow what a good rodeo and the action was right on with bronc busting and bull riding as the main features and they were superb with some great action. The other actions were good but the arena had some soft spots which made for some precarious footing for both rider and the horse. There were several horses that went down in the soft mud throwing riders as well and a couple horses came up limp. It was a fun time and the first rodeo in years we attended. The clown was great as well with the audience participation. It did get right cool after dark and it was well worth the 10 bucks per person as we saw some talented cowboys and girls and the animals were beautiful. This class of folks pays honor to our Judeo-Christian values as well as to our flag and the anthem.

The Botbyl's took off mid morning to Sparta to use the Wellness Center and then out to lunch so Nancy and I took off on a long extended hike to the top and then down to where the road washed out leaving a tremendous hole crossing the the roadway. There were workers there with backhoe's and lots of huge boulders to start with filling in this huge hole. The workers also had trucks hauling loads of gravel onto the back road in an attempt to fill in the ruts and make it passable for those on top of the mountain to get out. Some of those already left for their second homes and many stayed away for the weekend.

We sat and read outside in the sun for a couple hours during the afternoon before heading out to Sparta for supper at the Muddy Creek Cafe with Mechelle, Allen and Ellie. The food was O.K. and plentiful but I think the Pizzeria is the best deal in town. It was a cold night at the fair grounds but very entertaining. We met our "mountain mom" Helen's only child a son Rick who was visiting for a few days from down near where we live in Florida. We haven't seen him in years and we had a good time with visiting him. The hot shower felt great before climbing in between the sheets around 11, LATER

Friday Morning

Well I awakened to 49 degrees this morning, yikes what a change from the past several days, at least the rain has stopped and the river behind the cabin has slowed to just a trickle. Wow did it ever run the past several days with the nearly foot of rain we had fall on the area. So much fell the hard surfaced road leading up to the top of our mountain developed a large sink hole like wash out that took out the side of the road and mountain destroying a couple of out building as well as a house trailer. The hole must be 15-20 feet deep and twice that across which left only about 2-4 feet of the road in tact. The county decided to haul gravel in our private road which parallels the road on top but which is not maintained so the residents living there can get off the mountain.

The day started much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to rain beating on the roof from the hurricane feeder bands which came through most of the day until around 4'ish. The skies finally lightened but the wind became more evident as the evening progressed so we all took off to get out of the cabin. The girls in the golf cart and Dan and I on foot. We walked to the top of the mountain and was informed about the wash out on Rich Hill Mt. RD. on the other side of mountain which is the access to Cliff Side Drive where several year round folks live. We heard large trucks most of the evening hauling loads of gravel up the back side of the road which also was washed out and very muddy. We were told they would work through the night to get an access for those on top of the mountain in case of an emergency.

We did get in a couple of card games during the rain drenched day and some read time but basically it was a do nothing day until the rain stopped. We ate good with French toast for breakfast and leftovers for lunch then a nice lasagna for supper with fresh garden salad. The garden was inundated with the rain and large runoffs where evident in the garden. Luckily the incline helped with the water being drained so maybe some of the garden was saved. The temps were in the high 60's through out the day but that changed overnight with this front moving into the area. At least the wind will help to dry out the area.

Well the Botbyl's decided to stay until Sunday so today we will head down off the mountain to Mt.Airy for the fall festival and then over to Galax for dinner and then the Rex Theatre for some mountain music, LATER

We did sing to grand daughter Annsley on the way home from school as she turned 11 today. Happy Big Day to her.

Thursday Morning

Well not much to write about except Rain Rain and then more Rain, oh well at least so far there has been little or no wind which would undoubtably bring down more trees along the parkway. It's pouring buckets as I make this post and hasn't stopped for nearly 24 hours. Wow if only some of this rain could make it to the west coast where it could be used to refill the dams and prevent the fires.

The big news for the past day or so is the Cat 4 hurricane that struck the panhandle of Florida. It's kept our guests here for another couple days as the interstates are probably flooded from the storm and of course the flash flooding here in the mountains. I haven't been able to check the rain gauge but I know its getting close to over filling. I spent about an hour at the dentist having this temporary filing removed from the root canal about 8 weeks ago. This has been one expensive tooth since it already had a crown, Oh well. At this rate my mouth full of teeth has more value than my bank account.

Nancy was at the hair dresser having a cut and color so I was off to the library after a quick lunch at Burger King. Their chicken sandwiches are delicious. I picked her up around 2'ish and then we made a stop at Food Lion for some goodies before heading back to the cabin where we read and watched the storm hit Florida and then got into a game of Kings on the Corner before supper.

I pulled the grill under the back porch and grilled peppers and onions for steak fajitas, yeow very good and grilled to perfection. After the cleanup we tuned into the Fox Cable News until it was time to hit the shower for me and then some read time Greg Isles, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well it was wet and overcast for most of the day with fog in the morning so it was a stay in the cabin except for the late afternoon when we got in a nice hike with Dan. Carol stayed in the cabin once again and has yet to hike or work out but she did go with Dan to the gym only to sit in the library, oh well.

I fried bacon outside on the grill and Nancy made delicious banana pancakes for our breakfast and then they took off until lunch time. I got in some basement chores and two loads of laundry and checked out the shotgun shells and 22 bullets Pat and Keith wanted to get rid of. They did give me a 22 pistol that Paw Paw had at the old house so I cleaned and oiled the holster.

I had some of leftover smoked chicken so I cut that off the bone them made some quesadilla's for lunch which were delicious with sour cream and some hot sauce. They had picked up some pork ribs at the meat market and barbecued them in the oven in sauce along with some cut up sweet taters for our supper along with a fresh garden salad. We sure have eaten high on the hog this week and I feel the spare tire has inflated. Thankfully we have a couple more weeks after they leave tomorrow to work this roll off if only the rain will stay away. It's raining as I make this post and it seems the new hurricane is going to bring rain our way. This had been one of the wettest summers ever and the temps are unseasonably warm.

We got into a game of domino's after the cleanup from supper and Carol won on the last round after Nancy led the whole way. It was raucous to say the least and afterwards I watched a couple innings of the Sox vsYanks game before retiring to the bedroom to read until 10'ish. It seems the left is going after our Supreme Court Justice with fervor even as he heard arguments with the other 8 justices; now they want to abolish the court. The left is out of control in the country and hopefully will lose in Nov. with their candidates, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday saw us awakening in beautiful Woodstock, Va. at sister Dee's house to a delicious breakfast before heading back to the cabin via I-81 and I-77. We decided since the fog cleared out just a few miles down the road to take the fastest route and it was a very nice ride for a change. We were back in Galax around 1:30 after a couple of rest stops then we of course made a Walmart stop for a few items and then a gas stop. It was cloudy with rain showers when we pulled up to the cabin but it was warm which is so unusual for this time of the year.

Nancy and I needed to hike so we took off on a quick one that took us up the back trail before the rain ran us back down to the cabin. We at least got the respirations and the muscles exercised albeit it for a short while. The Botbyl's were taking us out to eat and several eateries were closed for the holiday but the Pizzeria was open and doing a great business plus their food is quite good and plentiful. We ate then headed home as rain clouds moved in to the area with heavy down pours over night as well.

We sat and watched the live confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh at the white house and it was awesome to see this man and his family lifted high after being drug through the mud by the left and msm. Now we need another appointment to the court while Trump is our Potus which will cause the left to go into another frenzy. The left is so corrupt and they are showing their anti-American true colors and I'm hoping common sense folks will send a red wave this Nov., LATER

Monday Afternoon

Well we are back from a whirlwind trip to northern Virginia on Sunday and then again back here on Monday afternoon. We had a great visit with my half sister, her husband and grand daughter who she is raising as her daughter. I got to see all three of my sisters and their husbands and Paw Paw. We spent the night at Dee and Mike's house in Woodstock.

The trip up the valley started around 9:30 Sunday morning after an early start that included our watching the Bridgepoint service on line before heading out. The weather was perfect with some early morning fog that quickly burned off before we reached the interstate and headed north. We made great time until we got close to Salem, Va. then the interstate suddenly became clogged with traffic so we went at a snails pace for several miles before finding an exit which we took. We should have used the GPS but instead ask a local about using another traffic way. Which turned out to be a hundred mile detour across two mountain ranges which eventually landed us in Covington, Va. I must say the scenery was awesome and the trout stream were just beautiful in the valleys and the mountain tops had great vistas. We barely made it to Woodstock for appointed time to leave for Martinsburg, W.Va. which is where we were meeting up with family and the half sister's family.

We had a joyous reunion with some tears flowing as we went back some 60 plus years. She retired after 40 years as an English and History teacher at a private christian school and has taken on the role of mothering her grand daughter from the age of 9 months to now at 12 years of age. She and her family live in South Carolina near Augusta. We had a great time as we explored and shared our life story. We are hoping to start a family relationship.

Well we left Dee and Mike this Monday after a delicious breakfast of eggs and bacon with yogurt and fresh fruit around 10'ish. They were both off today as it was a holiday and little did we know or plan because of having neighbors up from Florida. Speaking of Florida it looks as the panhandle is in for another hurricane as one is churning in the Gulf of Mexico and headed north, oh well. It seems our Potus and the governor are preparing for the worst and getting folks and supplies in position. We made a stop in Galax for some goodies before heading back on the mountain which is cloudy and with rain showers at times. We made it up the back steep trail only to hear the rain coming through the trees so we turned around and headed home just in time before the skies opened up, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well Saturday was another funday with a few chores thrown in as we had an impromptu supper gathering with the our guests(Botbyls) and the Tracy Clan. It was foggy to start the day which eventually cleared off with once gain some unseasonably warm temps. There is still no leaf color as the temps remain warm, but next week there is some much cooler temps on the way.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out. The Botbyl's got up early and headed out to the gym in Sparta then dined out for breakfast. I had my usual cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator. Afterwards I did a breakfast of oatmeal and fruit before heading out to check on the gardens and get the smoker ready for some chicken legs and thighs. I loaded up the smoker with apple and plum wood. I did some small getting ready for company through out the morning. We had a good game of badminton at the Tracy cabin the other evening so I drug out my net and and installed it down where the old garden use to be. It's about the only flat place on the property and makes for a great court now that grass has taken over.

The Botbyl's got back around noon then we settled into reading for awhile before the girls took off to do shopping out at Roaring Gap where there are only a couple of consignment shoppes. I gathered up dry kindly in the woods in anticipation of a campfire after supper. The gang arrived around 3'ish and we watched the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the supreme court but had to first listen to the lib's with Schumer trying his best to destroy this credible and honorable man. The confirmation helped with cementing the repub's for a change and sent a message to the radicals on the left that we are no longer submitting to mob rule. I'm hoping every dem will go down to defeat for their ideology of socialism, mob rule and guilty before presumption of innocence and open borders.

Trump wins again and I'm hoping his policies continue to win for the nation as the search and destroy methods by the dems are despicable. Obama tried his best to destroy this nation and now the swamp in D.C. is being drained and his horrible legacy. I hope every senator who voted against this man will bite defeat when their election comes up, especially the leaders of the party.

We had 9 folks for a delicious supper of smoked chicken, grilled filets, tater casserole, asparagus and corn dish, fresh salad and rolls with homemade chocolate mocha cookies for dessert. I finally got a campfire going despite the wood still being some what damp from all the rain and fog. We sat and sang out by the fire until nearly 8'ish then everyone headed for home. We sat and watched our POTUS give a speech in Kansas and the place was packed and he once more gave us deplorables and dregs of society hope and courage for our nation especially with this addition to the SCOTUS. Conservatives who honor the constitution will fight those who want to destroy our culture and rule of law.

Well we will be away from this keyboard for a day or so as we travel up the Shenandoah Valley for two days and one night. We are going to visit with family and I will see a half sister who I haven't seen in over 60 years. We never ever had any relationship as she was adopted out at an early age. We both have the same bio mother even though we had no relationship with the mother. Her brother my uncle(paw paw)took me in at the age of 4 or 5 and raised me along with three girls who came later and are my sisters. The oldest of the sisters(Josie) has kept in contact with this half sister( Susie) over the years and we will dine together on Sunday evening and get to know her life story and her family. I'm really looking forward to this get together, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was a total fun day with a kayak trip down the New River and then a hike to the top of the mountain before we all got ready to head to Sparta for Music on the Main with supper at the Pizzeria before wondering the street listening to several bands and finally sitting for an hour and half in front of the court house to a Blue's Band.

The day started much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my usual routines that start with a cup of hot green tea laced with fresh ginger and turmeric while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting several up for comfort and healing. All seem well as I've heard nothing to the contrary. Dan and I decided to take a river run in the kayaks so the girls headed to Galax to shop. We got on the river just before 11 and was off by 1:00 as the water was flowing swiftly and up from all of the rain the past several weeks. The weather was perfect with a few high clouds and the temps were in the upper 70's with a slight breeze. The views were awesome as well but there were several large trees down from the recent flood waters caused by Hurricane Florence which up rooted some big trees and caused some bank erosion.

We got back to the cabin around 2'ish and had some leftovers and then we sat and read for an hour before heading out for a hike to the top of the mountain. The girls were still in Galax and when we got back around 4'ish they had just pulled in. We wanted to leave for Sparta around 5:30 to have supper before listening to the music which started at 6 on the street but the headliner didn't start until 8. We had a delicious supper of burgers and salad bar and there were several folks waiting to eat as all of the eateries were filled with folks waiting to be entertained. This Music on the Main is always on the first Friday which the street is closed down and all of the businesses stay open especially the eateries.

Well we got back to the cabin just before 10 and there was some rain in the air and this morning the fog and drizzle is back on the mountain. We are expecting the Tracy group this afternoon for another picnic and supper and hopefully some games and a camp fire but as it looks now that may be in jeopardy, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was a fun day but actually the 5 plus mile hike was like work towards the end. It was a beautiful day with bright sunshine and blue skies but the temps did get close to the 80 mark. We hiked or walked the New River Trail from the Gambetta area along the Chestnut Creek and through a an old train tunnel and then across the railroad trestle that spans the New River. What a beautiful hike and the shaded trail was a joy to walk but first you had to travel to Galax,Va.

I started the day with a 6'ish rollout that was closer to 7 than 6 for a change to my usual routines that start with the cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator. All is well with those I lift up daily by name. Our house guests and friends got up about the same time I did and headed into Sparta to the Wellness Center to work out in the gym and weight room. We held off breakfast until they got back around 9'ish then we ate some fresh fruit and Nancy made these awesome pumpkin muffins, wow were they ever tasty.

We had made plans with the Tracy's for a hike along the river in Galax so Howard and Meg with their two dogs Chester and Nellie met us their sometime around 11'ish. The hike was perfect for the dogs and we let them run free as much as possible and they were off into the woods and into the river at times. We were all glad when we got back to the parking area around 2'ish as the distance was a bit further than we anticipated. I though it would be about 3 miles round trip when in fact it was over 5 miles. Thankfully it was level terrain but with awesome views of the river and the steep terrain of the mountain.

We got back to the cabin close to 3'ish and Nancy had to make guacamole and salsas to take to the Tracy's where she was making green chili enchiladas, rice and beans for our supper and get together. I took the corn toss boards and we had some hotly contested games then one huge hotly contested badminton game that left us all sweaty. The food was very delicious and some of us enjoyed a little fruit of the vine while gaming and eating. We sat outside afterwards and gazed at the heavens and the milky way was evident as well as all of the constellations. It was going on 9 when we got back to the cabin then vegetated watching some NatGeo Wild show about the Jaguar before we decided to call it a night and I hit the shower and read a little until 10'ish, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday was a work day until the early afternoon when our friends and neighbors came from Florida around 3'ish. I worked outside until lunch time mowing and grooming the yards and gardens. It was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine after a heavy dew morning.

I started the day with my usual roll out a little after 6 to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and a slice of fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then lifted up several by name to my Creator for comfort and healing. I've heard nothing to the contrary so all is well as can be expected. I did a lite breakfast of oatmeal and fresh fruit then headed out to check the gardens before firing up the lawn mower. It took me a couple hours to mow and then to blow the fallen scattered leaves in the driveway. It such a strange Fall season as the leaves are falling without turning to color. I think we need a cold snap to get the colors if any this year.

Well we sat and talked about various issues as they unwinded from their 12 hour trip. All is well with them except a few issues which we all have. We solved the worlds problems or at least talked about them until it was time for a supper of Zuppa Tos Cana soup and a fresh garden salad all of which were delicious. After the cleanup we headed out to the fire circle and sat around a campfire until after 8 then headed in to play a game to 200 of Kings on the Corner. Carol was the big winner once again. It was nearly 10 so I hit the shower and then read a couple chapters before it was lights out for me, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday was a funday if you like running errands, shopping, a hike, sitting on the porch reading and finally a good work out on the pickle ball court. That is what I did during the day and evening which found us with really nice temps despite the show of dark clouds at times and finally on the way home from the court last evening another down pour. This has been the wettest summer in many years here at the cabin.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All is well as I write that I'm aware of. The circus we have been a witness to in D.C. with the hearing on the judge shows me we have an obligation to vote this November for principled conservatives who love the rule of law and our democracy under the constraints of the constitution. What we saw from those senators on the left(dems) is outrageous and indicative of what they want US(A) to become with complete disregard for "innocent until proven guilty". Now they have chosen to search and destroy anyone who subscribes to the former. It's unbelievable these hypocrites are senators which tells me a lot about their back grounds checks and who were voted into this position of authority in the congress and about those who voted them into office. America is under seize from the left, academia, the media and now those who are in the highest offices in our nation; the dems in both houses of congress, FBI and DOJ.

We took off to Sparta to run some errands and then made a circle through the mountains to Galax where we shop at the super Walmart and then gas up before coming back to the cabin via the parkway. There was rain in Galax but our place was dry as I had a clothesline filled with towels. The sun was shining and the temps were in the low 70's after a high 50's start. We had a semi mountain breakfast of bacon, egg and cheese on a biscuit which held us until around 4'ish when we ate leftover lasagna and salad. I had pickle ball at 6 which worked out perfect for eating early. We took off on a hike and stopped and visited with Paula and Billy on top of the mountain. She is recovering from cervical surgery where she had two vertebrates fused in her neck and she is doing much better but still has a ways to go. We saw no one else on top so we headed home to read until supper was ready.

I had a great workout on the courts with 5 other players so it did give you a break when you were paired up an lost a set. I managed to stay on the court for over an hour straight with good partners and I was whupped by 7:30. I headed home and ran into a heavy rain storm which was heading it way towards the club where we were playing. I left just in time. I checked on the MLB playoff scores before hitting the shower and the Cub's were losing so I decided to read about it this morning and instead decided to read Greg Isles for an hour or so before lights out for me, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday was a total work day except for the hike to the top of the mountain which could be considered work and pleasure. I did some chain sawing, splitting wood with a heavy maul, raking moss and finally some kindling splitting which took me up to about 4 o'clock. I then sat on the porch and read until supper time as the day was perfect for working outside and by 5'ish the temps had started to drop to where Nancy needed a long sleeve shirt. She got two loads of laundry out on the clothesline as well plus she once again cleaned the cabin after the huge gang who was here last evening.

I started the day much the usual with a 6 'ish roll out to my routine cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble and then lifted up several to my Creator for comfort and healing as well as giving thanks for another day. All seem well and Nancy's mom celebrated her 90th birthday today and it's a miracle she survived all she has been through the past two years. Paw Paw who will be 91 in December is still mobile but has really slowed down this past year and his short term memory is fading. Hopefully the girls can get him to finally move out and go live with the middle daughter Pat in W.Va. We will visit with him and others next Sunday as we make a trip to northern Virginia and W.Va. Right now we are planning on just an over night visit and come back on Monday as we have company from Florida coming this Wednesday.

Well that was about it for the day as we settled in after a delicious meal of grilled deer burgers for our supper. It so dark now at 7'ish which takes away any outside activities except for camp fires. That is the reason I was chain sawing in the morning as I wanted to saw up this trunk of an oak tree that broke off during a storm. I hauled 4 golf cart loads of split wood up to my wood pile for camp fires which kept me busy all morning until it was time for a hike around 11:30. The temps were perfect for working outside and the bright sunshine was such a welcome after the rain on Sunday night which dropped nearly a half inch.

I could barely keep my eyes open watching Fox Cable News and once again the left is doing all they can destroy this Trump candidate for the Supreme Court. I'm thrilled he is not a quitter and hope he can recover from all the slime innuendo by the MSM and liberal Dem's. It's totally a disgrace and they should be embarrassed and hopefully he will sue them for slander and defamation. Our duly elected POTUS has put together a new deal with Mexico and now Canada signed on yesterday as well. Finally we should be getting a level playing field for free trade that benefits US(A) as well and not just those countries. Now we must bring China to a level field as well with regard to trade and if it takes tariffs so be it. It seems Japan and Europe is also advancing as well towards a level field of free trade which will be good for everyone.

We must be sure and vote this November and keep the change for our nation in play after the 8 destructive years of the dem's and the last fraud obama. I'm so ashamed of some of my friends who can not see the progress made by the real leadership of our Potus Trump who is bringing jobs back, cutting stupid regulations that hinder businesses, reducing taxes and making the world a safer place with rattling our swords by the military. If we could get the dem's to get over the loss by their pants suit goddess and get on board with this potus's agenda we could hopefully save the nation. It's a shame we have such a double standard when it comes to those on the left, LATER

Monday Morning 1st of October

Well Sunday was a worshipful day that started at 8 AM with our Bridgepoint Church in Florida on line and then we headed out at 9:30 for our get together with our mountain church family at Cornerstone in Sparta. We heard some awesome messages at both venues. The rest of the day was getting ready for 13 folks for supper, games, hiking and a fire circle talk until after dark. What a great time of food and fellowship.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator in humble thanksgiving and lifting up several by name, especially our Potus Trump and Judge Brett. All of those seem well except for the circus the dem's are doing to discredit both of these men. It's an embarrassment to common sense folks what those on the left are doing to honorable men who are doing their best to bring America back to the forefront.

We watched on line a great message from Pastor Tim at Bridgepoint and then got ready to head out to Cornerstone for the 10 AM service. Last week our benefit service and lunch raised over 4 grand for two men who miraculous survived motorcycle crashes. They are both walking now thanks be to GOD for healing. We skipped eating out after church and headed home to tidy up the cabin as we awaited the first of the gang to arrive around 3'ish. Meg and Jim with Kathryn came first with their two very nice large dogs. They had never been here before and we wanted to take them on a hike so their pups could run free and they did just that as they constantly where off on little trails with their noses to the ground. We had a nice hour plus hike and there was some nice views from the top despite some haze and fog. We met up with Eddie who was visiting his get away place and had a nice chat with him. Seems Meg and Jim lived in the same area in New Mexico where he did for a couple months learning silver smith work. It was an awesome visit before we headed back down the mountain.

Kimberly came and brought her mutt which is a good mouthful for the two larger dogs but they got along just fine, then Kay, Gerald and Mechelle came and then Allen and Ellie and then Caleb and his squeeze Caithlyn. Jim and Med both retired from the USAF which Caleb has enlisted in for this next July, so they had plenty to talk about. We got in several games of "corn toss" before and after eating which was fantastic. We had cheeses and dips to start with but mostly the salad and lasagna was the big deal and it was fabulous along with garlic bread and afterwards it was apple crisp and vanilla ice cream, yeow what a feed to say the least and we sent home lots of lasagna with everyone as well. After the cleanup I got a camp fire started despite the wood being wet from all the rain and we all sat around the area for a couple hours while Ellie threw the ball for Chester the large lab who just never quit or wore out bringing the ball back to be thrown over and over down the steep back yard. A great time was had by all around the table and then the camp fire.

The last to leave was the first to arrive around 8:30. It was a great time and it wasn't long after putting the cabin back in order that I hit the shower. There were clouds in the area and sure enough we got a rain shortly after everyone left for a good hour or so. Well September is gone which usually means cooler weather here in the mountains. I've seen snow here on this date a few years back but its really a pleasant Fall so far. We will be getting our neighbors in Florida for about 10 days starting on Wednesday so there goes the waist line as we love to put on the feed bag, oh well, LATER