Monday Morning..Last day of 2018

Well Sunday and Saturday where busy days as I didn't get a chance to write about Saturday's business. I digress about it first as it basically was much like every other day except we stayed home for a change after my pickle ball work out at the rec. early in the morning. We took down all of the Christmas decorations and I stored them in the attic for another year. On Sunday morning I awakened around 5'ish to head out to the college across the street to help with the load in and set up for BridgePoint Church. We attended both services; the first one we sat in and the second one we worked outside the auditorium and left shortly thereafter around 12:30. We both enjoy serving either as a greeter, door holder, etc. for Nancy and me as an usher, greeter and sometimes security as well as parking lot attendant. I'm available where ever needed but we always set in on at least one of the two services.

We ate some leftovers for lunch and finished up the last of any of them. Nancy was in the kitchen as she prepared four separate items to take with us today for an over night stay with the Tracy's for New Year's eve and day together. She made a delicious soup, smokies, a chocolate cake and a pot of collard greens which half of them was from my garden. Mine just haven't gotten large enough to supply the whole pot so she bought some at the grocery. They sure do smell up the house when cooking for hours. The Tracy's are doing some baby backs in the oven like we did last time and I'm not sure what the Botbyl's are adding to the mix. We have decided to go alcohol free for this occasion although mainly Kathryn and I are vino lovers and she wants to stop cold turkey which doesn't bother me at all. I still like my red wine before supper at home but very seldom out  and she recognizes that maybe her time has come to stop altogether as her mom was an alcoholic in her old age.

I vegetated on the couch after the early morning start for the load in watching the Buc's lose again. They fired their coach after the loss which is understandable as someone has to take the blame but really its the poor play and penalties by the over paid players that are to blame. Except for the Super Bowl Win one year they haven't been a good organization throughout its history but since they are a home town team I still watch them lose mainly. I've lost a lot of interest in the league its self since they have disrespected the anthem and the flag and have become political. I will never pay to go watch these mainly over paid supposedly athlete's who have become thugs and law breakers spew their vitriol against these two icons of our nation.

We met up with long time friends and once neighbors of our dear friends Mr. Bill and Carol from across the street who have both passed on at the Miller's Ale House in Seminole for supper and then back to our house for games of LOGO and King's on the Corner. The food was plentiful and delicious but this place was jumping with lots of Buc fans in their get up. There are several large screen TV's and its really a combine of a sports bar as well as a top notch eatery. They stayed until going on 10'ish as we all were getting tired and of course it was close to my usual 10'ish bed time. We made plans to get together again while they are here until March while renting a house on the beach. They are Nancy's age and they have now retired and both of them are golfers. That was about it for Sat. and Sun. LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was another warm day with the humidity back in the picture so the a/c is back on. It sure was great while it was away but such is Florida. It was really windy and at times cloudy with the threat of rain but we received none until bed time when we heard a down pour. The morning found me at the rec. for a couple hours and then a trip to Sam's Club for some goodies and gas up at 1.93 per gallon, yikes its been many moons since I've seen it below 2 bucks.

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 and then spent some quiet moments with my Creator in thanks giving for another day and all of my many blessings as well as lifted up several by name for comfort in this their time of need. All seem well as far as I know but I did lose another female classmate from JWHS in the class of 1964. I don't know all the particulars but just a note from another classmate she had passed. We are also losing our dear mountain top friends the Brownings, Joe and Jetta who sold their place and are moving back to Cleveland area where they are from in about 45 days. Their place sold quick and for their asking price. Joe seemed a little sad when we spoke with him last evening as were we. A tear fell between Nancy and I. We wish miss them dearly as we had lots of chats on their front porch over the years on our daily hikes to the the top of the mountain. They had become family as we shared stories, recipes, friends, fresh baked goodies and some of my garden produce and even some chores with them over the many years; we had grown to know and love them.

Well I got in two good hours of pickle ball play despite the achilles strain which actually seems better when being active. I'm stretching it good before playing and applying some analgesic cream
as well. I headed out to Sam's after getting home from the rec. then worked in the garden until lunch time. I harvested another two colanders of lettuces, radishes, Swiss chard and kale and cleaned them and spun them dry before breaking them up into a huge bowl for salads. The bib lettuce is really heading up. I have several more seedling of bib ready to transplant into 6 packs before setting them out in the rows which will ensure a constant supply. The romaine seed are either bad or the squirrels have dug them up, any how I'm waiting on them to sprout or purchase new seeds. The tomato's are blooming as it the egg plant which has several blooms. Everything is doing well and starting to produce.

I picked up a couple new reads at the library and this one is really a page turner by Gregg Olsen titled The Last Thing She Ever Did. Wow, what a convoluted story and I'm about half way through it in one day its that interesting. Nancy was off getting a hair cut and a dye job on the gray for a couple hours. We decided to clean up some leftovers from Christmas dinner which were still very tasty. She picked up items for New Years Eve and day as we celebrate the occasion with some special dishes. After the supper cleanup we tried to call our mountain mom but no answer as her son Rick may still be there visiting from our area here in Florida, so we settled into Fox News to get the real story and not the biased fake networks. The dem's are fighting to not give our duly elected POTUS another win with the border wall while the criminal illegals continue to kill innocent Americans. They have a lot of blood on their hands and I hope patriotic folks remember that the next election, LATER 

Friday Morning

Well Thursday was a busy day once again with great weather albeit the temps did get close to 80 with a little more humidity. It looked like rain was moving into the area but by late after the sun came out and stayed there until dark. We met with the Tracy's and Botbyl's at Olive Garden for supper just before 5 and had a delicious meal.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and ginger root while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected. I'm still nursing a sore muscle strain  to my right lower calf muscle but I'm able to play pickle ball without much discomfort. It seems to get stiff when sitting around so I'm trying to stay active as much as possible. I did get in two hours of good play yesterday with some A players then stopped off at the library and ran into an old friend and fellow trooper who left the patrol and went with the Sheriff's office many years back. He is a great tennis/pickle ball player and we've had some really good matches over the years. I encouraged him to come back to our rec. and play once in awhile.

I did some gardening then we had a lite lunch and Nancy took off for a doctors appointment so I read the afternoon away until 4'ish. We got some really neat pictures of the Ross grands in Kansas as they received lots of snow and ice. Lee Lee was excited and really enjoyed it and they were all bundled up against the cold. They will be there another week or so before heading back. They will love the warm temps we are having once again. Well that was about it for the day as we made plans to spend New Years Eve with the Tracy's at their new home near Dade City and bring in 2019 with them and the Botbyl's since the Ross Family won't be here. We were deciding on who brings what and makes what for our tastes. I tuned into the Lightning Hockey game and they won again in OT against a good Flyers Team. Bobby has tickets for the 8th of January so he an I will attend a game, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday turned out to be another beautiful day here in Florida with warm temps into the middle 70's after a somewhat chilly start but the lack of humidity is fabulous. I did get in a wok out at the rec. despite a sore achilles tendon from what I suppose is a strain while climbing the stairs at the Mahaffey on Monday, oh well. Hopefully it will go away as it feels better when exercising it. I did a little garden work then we got ready to head to Tampa around 3 to meet once again at the Korte residence where Bobby was preparing a beef Wellington for an early supper around 4'ish.

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 lifted up several by name to my Creator. Most are about the same as I've heard nothing to the contrary. I got ready and rode out a little before 8 on my bike for close to two hours of pickle ball with lots of visitors who are in town for the holidays with family. I did break a sweat as we had a few good players mingled in with the B players but there was no way we could have a challenge court with so many in attendance.

I headed home in the warm sunshine to hand water and feed a couple of the new seedlings as well as pulled some weeds. I sowed again some romaine seeds as the heavy rains last week washed them away or the seeds didn't germinate. Most everything is doing well and the cool nights and warm days are perfect for the leafy green veggies. The cucumbers are holding but they are not crazy about the cool nights, so far they haven't sent out any runners.

I finished the last book in the Red Sparrow trilogy and was so disappointed in the way it ended as one of the main characters was brutally murdered during an interrogation. There is enough of the story for a sequel but not sure as these three books is all this author has put to paper. I must say Bobby who got me to read the first book was right when he mentioned it was one of the best reads every and he is an author as well;  he is finishing up his third book in the Epic Of Haven trilogy. I have a hollow spot from reading these books and at the way it ended, oh well I guess good writers leave you with wanting more of their story and while this story was very involved and intriguing to say the least while you choose sides at different times with different characters involved in counter intelligence and the CIA.

Well we had a fun food filled time at Katie's folks house. We guys played several games of corn toss and Bruce is one of the best throwers and right up there with the Luffman's. I did manage to get a few points off of him and we whupped everyone else when we threw together or I should say he whupped everyone else. He is consistent with 3 pointers although I did throw 4 bags in one round which not only amazed him but me; luck.  Bobby's meal was right on time as he had to take Annsley and Gabe back to their mothers house at 6. The beef Wellington was delicious along with a Greek salad, smashed taters and Nancy cooked fresh broccoli to accompany. We sat around a camp fire outside in the back yard for an hour or so before heading out to Seminole around 7:30. The Korte's are always having these huge family suppers and we were thrilled to be invited to two of them over Christmas. They always make us feel very welcome and there is always ton's of kiddos running around with Katie's nieces and nephews who live in the area and give Annsley and Gabe plenty of playmates, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Christmas Day was some what laid back in the early morning hours until neighbors and dear friends the Botbyl's came down for breakfast at 10 and then again around 5' ish Bobby and family arrived and shortly there after Betsy and Gus arrived. We planned for supper at 6. In between breakfast and supper we had several hours of down time so I mainly read except for some garden work. We had the windows and doors open after a chilly start where temps reached the middle 70's. Just a beautiful day and so typical of a Florida winter day.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my morning routines that start with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble then some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seem well as I spoke with the Dillon family where Paw Paw was attending Christmas dinner with the three girls , Josie, Pat and Dee and their families. They all seemed well as they were just setting down to eat around 1'ish.. Amy called from Kansas and they're doing well with the visit to Tyler's sister and then to his parents and grand parents. It was rather chilly out there but no snow as of yet. Lee Lee was hoping for some snow. The 6 grands including Amy's three all seem to be getting along great and Cindy put up nice pictures of them for us to see.

Nancy had made an egg casserole and Carol brought some type of french toast and a bowl of fruit all of which were delicious. Thankfully we had no left overs for a change from the breakfast. We did since it was just the four of us cut out the taters and the bread. They stayed and chatted until noon then took off. I headed out to hand water the gardens and sow again some romaine lettuce seeds as the bib seeds did sprout and the new seedlings will need transplanted in a day or so. Everything else is doing great as the garden loves these cool nights and warm sunny days. The forecast is for a little warmer temps the next couple of days. No heat or a/c for a change.

I'm about 3/4 thru the final book in the Red Sparrow trilogy; the kremlin's Candidate which is a page turner. It's so interesting and yet I'm sure very realistic with what goes on in the field of espionage with the CIA and moles. I will be sad to learn of the final decisions made with regard to the main character who has been recruited to spy for the CIA and who is a Russian mole. It just one of the best stories ever and yet at times it's brutal from within each agency and how their moles are handled when thought of as spies.

Nancy had an 11 pound rib roast in the oven around 3'ish and we wanted it medium rare so we took it out at 125 degrees internal heat and let it rest for 30 minutes and the meat was perfect and oh so delicious. Betsy brought a shrimp ring as well as her signature potato casserole. Bobby brought fresh spinach and a bottle of good wine and Nancy had fresh carrots cooking as well with rolls and for later a chocolate cheesecake for dessert. Everything was so good. We sent plates home for Braden who had to work a double shift and Garrett who seldom comes or leaves their house. They all left around 8 ish as both Bobby and Betsy had to work the next day.

Bobby is cooking a beef Wellington for Katie's family in the afternoon and since he bought such a large tenderloin he invited us back for supper with them once again and the fact we have nothing on our schedule so we will head back over to Brandon in the early afternoon for an early supper. That was about it for the day and it wasn't long until I was ready for the showers and then some horizontal lab around 10'ish, LATER  Here's wishing a Happy New Year to all which is just a week away..2018 sure went fast

Christmas Morning Tuesday

Well Monday was a fun day as we traveled to Brandon to have a late lunch/dinner with Katies family with all the trimming much like a Thanksgiving feast and afterwards we visited on Davis Island the church where Bobby was leading worship for the candle lite service. Several of our friends attended there with us and then afterwards we headed home a rather out of the way route as we missed the entrance to the cross town but the traffic wasn't too bad and we got to see a part of Tampa we had never traveled in before albeit was dark.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my usual routines that always start with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble and lifted up several during my quiet time. All seem well as can be expected for their age and health issues some of which will probably never be resolved but I continue to lift them up for a miracle to my Creator.

Amy and family arrived safely and their grandparents out there are thrilled and having some wonderful time with them. It looks like its cold there as it was here this morning with temps in the low 40's but it warmed to the low 70's with bright sunshine. We actually got in several corn toss games while waiting for the aunt of Katie to arrive for lunch. It was the first time I've throw the bags since October and it showed but the shade was inviting from the hot sun as it was that warm outside.

Lunch/dinner was about 2 hours late and thus that meal lasted us until this morning breakfast when we have the Botbyl's down for our traditional Christmas morning brunch/breakfast. It will be just the 4 of us this year as Bobby will get the kiddos for supper and Amy and family are gone. We will have a large group for a rib roast supper as Bobby and Family along with Betsy's family will come. We missed the Christmas eve gathering of family and friends with soups and sandwiches and thus a few more pounds which in a way is a blessing. I've added some girth to the spare tire since being back from the mountains and my daily up hill hike. It's usually the pickle ball play which keeps me trim and slim to around 180 but not this year as I ate more than my share of the Christmas baking and the suppers out with friends has really taken its toll on my weight with an additional 8-10 pounds, yikes. I must start the New Year with no desserts which I can do easily with my will power. I stayed away from the dessert table yesterday but those delicious can't eat just one pecans in a cinnamon sugar is devastating to my taste buds and my waist, oh well.

Well that was about it for the day. I did manage to hand water the gardens before heading out to Brandon yesterday and sprinkle some 7 dust on the collards to keep the squirrels from eating away. They(collards) are finally showing some growth and in the next week or so I'll have a meal from them. The lettuces took a beating from all the rain but I'm hoping the recently sowed seeds will mature.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and here wishing the best for a NEW YEAR, LATER

Monday Morning ..Christmas Eve

Well Sunday was an awesome beautiful day after a chilly start with some frost on a few roof tops in the hood. The sun quickly melted that but it stayed rather chilly for most of the day except for being in the direct sunlight and out of the wind. It was a perfect winter day for Florida.

We also found ourselves getting up early around 6'ish as we had to leave for south St.Pete around 8'ish for the Mahaffey Theater  where we had a 9 AM meeting and then we sat in on the first of 7 services during the next two days. It was an awesome service with beautiful music and the hour or so service went very quickly. We then got ready to work the second service at 1 PM where we were ushers. I would say in the first service it was close to 1800 folks and second service had around 1500. We gave away nearly 14 thousand tickets for the event which featured lots of things for the kids, games, prizes, etc. which included reindeer, elfs, etc. Our youth did a fantastic job entertaining them in a special area that over looked the waterfront. The message was simple; Christ is the reason for the season and if you take him out of Christmas you just have a mas(mess).

We were broadcasting this all over the world and even to our military in war zones. We left after signing out and one church member who owns a small barbecue eatery near the theater made it known there was a free buffet for all volunteers from BridgePoint. We stopped on the way home and the food was awesome and several of us were taking him up on the offer. Today Monday he will supply the food to the theater for the volunteers but I would definitely eat there again when downtown St.Pete. We had chicken, brisket, ribs, tater salad, mac and cheese and collard greens all for free and as much as you wanted plus a drink. We left a good tip but there was no charge and the picnic tables outside were filled as well. You just had to wear your name tag from when servicing to make it know who you were and then they gave you an arm band. Very nice and the food was marvelous.


Well we dropped the Botbyl's off and then I vegetated on the couch while watching the hapless Buc's lose again. I did set the sprinkler on the back yard gardens and moved it every 30 minutes or so until dark as some of the plants were a little droopy despite all of the rain the past couple of days. The sandy soil and sun and wind dried it out quickly. It was football for me until around 8 when Nancy took over the channel changer so I headed to the bedroom to get ready for bed and watched the late game until 10. The Lightning won the night before and I watched the replay. They are playing great hockey and now are the best in all of the league.

Today Monday will be a busy day as I pick up the rib roast from Publix before we leave around 11 for Brandon as we are meeting at Katie's family for a large lunch and then we will go directly to Davis Island for a service there where Bobby is leading worship. Afterwards we will head home and forgo our usual late evening get together with friends for a change since the Ross Family is now in Kansas safely. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for their safe arrival. Tomorrow morning we will have the Botbyl's for breakfast and then Bobby and family along with Nancy's sister Betsy's family for supper. Annsley and Gabe will be bored as they will be the only grands at the house but Nancy has plenty of gifts and Gabe can ride his new bike I put together for him, LATER

Sunday Morning

Well I'm usually loading in for BridgePoint Church this time of the day but since we are not having any services at the college or at any of the campuses, we will head out around 8 for down town St.Pete to the Mahaffey Theater where we will have a 9 ish meeting and then attend the 11 service and work the 2 service. There is a service every two hours today and 4 tomorrow. We are expecting over 14 thousand to attend these free services but having a ticket is necessary as seating is limited to each service of around 2500 seats. This is a big occasion for our church and now a tradition for the past several years.

Saturday was a chilly morning to start and eventually it warmed up the the low 60's with some bright sunshine at times. We did hang laundry on the line and with the wind and sun they did dry. I headed out to the rec around 8 for a good hour of play but so many newbies started to clog the courts I left around 9:30 and headed home. I piddled around in the garden after hanging a couple loads of laundry. We ate a nice fresh garden salad for lunch then I harvested more of the same along with a handful of radishes which actually matured for a change, usually its all tops and no fruit. I still have a lot of greens that haven't matured yet. I did loosen up the soil around many of the the plants then headed into read until it was time to head up to the Botbyl's for a supper of pizza and salad. They were babysitting their new grand daughter and the new baby boy of their daughters friend as well.

Patrick came down for a visit as Kathryn was in Chicago for a funeral for a family member. We held and played with the babies then I headed home while Nancy stayed to help as the grand daughter was fussy while other one mainly slept after eating. It was after 10 before Nancy got home as I had fallen asleep while watching some TV. I hit the sack after a shower around 10'ish  when she came in and awaken me. The neighbors behind us was having an outside party in the yard with loud music and games and I'm sure some heavy drinking which went on until after midnight, oh well.

Today will be a busy fun filled worshipful day. Amy and family made it to an overnight motel stop safely and then they will finish the drive later this evening for their two week visit with his family in Kansas, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday it mainly cleared off after a few rain squalls and high winds enough so I could ride my bike out to the rec. and do a little loosening of the packed soil around my garden plants. We didn't have anything planned for the evening so I just chilled after a morning of pickle ball play for me. I finished the Palace of Treason the second book of the Red Sparrow series and now I'm waiting for the third one to come in. What a great read.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and ginger while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seem well at this time. The weather has been miserable for our "mountain mom" as she has been unable to get out except for yesterday. Snow is still piled up in areas along with the cold wet rain which has kept the sunshine away.

I had a great workout on the court for two hours then pedaled home after a stop at the library. The wind was strong at times with gusts near hurricane strengths and a pop up shower as well. The soil in the garden while having 4-5 inches of rain had drained and the wind really dried it out in just a short time. I did get out to do some hoeing as the weeds love this wet weather. I noticed a squirrel broke off another tomato plant but I stuck the top back into the ground in hopes it will sprout and root itself.

Nancy grilled salmon fillets and we had leftover scallop taters and green beans for supper. Amy left her Village Inn lemon pie and thankfully Nancy doesn't care for lemon so I'm enjoying it. The Ross Family left early this morning and are somewhere north of Tampa on their way to Kansas for Christmas with Tylers family as I make this post. If you get a chance lift them up for traveling mercies during your quiet time. I watched the signing of the Criminal Justice reform bill and was in tears to hear the different folks speak about how this should help with giving non violent offenders a chance to become a member again in the community and reduce some of the sentencing guidelines for them as well. It was great to see both sides of the aisle as well as the media get on board and thank the leadership of our duly elected Potus for getting this bill passed which was remarkable as it would benefit the black community the most in several ways. Yet the fake news and the left continue with their racist rant towards this Potus.

I watched the replay of the Lightning game vs Calgary and they were losing when I turned the TV off on Thursday and yet they came from behind in a shoot out to win. Awesome game. I checked the FOX News from time to time and I'm hoping the Potus does shut down the gov't to get this border wall and security bill passed. The dem's are purely political and care nothing about the safety of the nation except for their complete hatred for this Potus. It's totally despicable and hopefully the next election will send them packing, LATER

Friday Morning...Another wet soggy rain filled night and start of this day

Wow it's time to build an Ark. We have just been inundated with rain that at times are gully washers but it could be snow if it wasn't in the 60's or warmer. Thankful for that. This wet weather has been the focus for the past few days which seems like weeks and there is local flooding with some streets under water as well as some local damage to structures from the wicked storms and wind.

Thursday found me starting 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 for healing and comfort. All seem well at this time. The rain was heavy this morning there was a river flowing down our street at one time into the manholes. I of course drove to the rec. around 9'ish for two plus hours of pickle ball. Thankfully most of the B and beginners stayed away as we only had two courts in the gym that stayed dry as the roof there, leaked at times. I headed out around 11:30 for the barber shop and had my ears lowered before heading home. There was no one ahead of me for a change as the rain seemed to keep everyone inside.

We had a lite lunch then Nancy decided she needed to do some shopping so out she went in the rain for a couple hours while I stayed home and read. I'm just about 2/3 of the way through this second book which is a thriller of the Red Sparrow trilogy titled the Palace of Treason. I'm looking forward to picking the third book hopefully today if the rain lets up. I may need something to do on the Ark.

Amy and her family came around 6'ish for a supper of baby back ribs done in the oven and really I liked them better than on the smoker. Seems the smoke now gives me a little indigestion and I really grow tired of the burping of the wood smoke in the left overs; anyhow they were delicious despite the lack of any garlic in the rub as Tyler has now become allergic to garlic. Nancy had a dish of seldom prepared scallop taters and fresh green beans as well as a fresh garden salad. I'm not sure if the garden is going to survive all of the rain as the lettuces are looking sad. Amy brought fresh rolls as well as a Village Inn lemon pie, yeow was that ever delicious.

We had the kiddos open there many packages. Way too many in my estimation but Nancy goes way beyond the norm, oh well. Ava needed clothes and we blessed her and Sam with many while Lee lee received lots of dolls, toys and a few clothes. They left around 9'ish with all of their bounty which they all seemed very appreciative. We blessed Amy and Tyler with funds to help with their trip to see his family on Saturday in Kansas.

I hit the shower after the cleanup then watched the Lightning getting whupped in the first period in Calgary, Canada. The rain continued to fall throughout the evening and then again this morning, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well its been pouring rain for the last 12 hours or so and really coming down now. At least it not snow or bitter cold, oh well. We could always use rain but not so much at one time. There is a river running down our street so I will be driving to the rec. this morning.

Wednesday started out rather nice with some cool temps and sunshine but by mid morning the rain clouds moved in and its been raining ever since. At times it was light and now its pouring buckets. The temps have dropped but not miserably except for the dampness. I headed to the rec. for a good two hours of pickle ball play after my morning cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and ginger while I did my quiet time. All seem well with those I lift up daily.

We had no where to go for a change this evening so we cleaned up the left over pot roast for our supper and it was as tasty as the night we prepared it. I'm supposed to do baby back ribs on the smoker for the Ross Christmas dinner tonight but that won't happen if this rain continues. I've never done them in the oven but it seems as of right now that will take place unless the skies clear by noon. The forecast is for heavy rain and storms until late this evening, oh well.

Nancy headed out while I was at pickle ball for some last minute shopping and came home just as the heavy rain started once again. I did manage to transplant three of my large collard plants into a different section of the garden so this rain should help them with getting seated. I had them in a enclosed wire fence which was restricting their growth plus they were just not getting enough sunlight in that section of the garden. Hopefully they are large enough the squirrels won't chew them off.

I did build Nancy a shelf in one of the hall closets which she has been nagging me about doing and it turned out to her satisfaction and surprise while she was out shopping. She now has more room to store things, oh well. I read for the biggest part of the afternoon and evening until suppertime and then some FOX Cable News after the clean up. We were channel surfing during the commercial and found this show called Dr. Pimple Popper. Well it was very interesting as this female doctor removed cysts, huge black heads and other huge bumps from under the skin. Yikes some were gross and made you wonder how they let these bumps go for so long. It wasn't long until it was shower time and then some horizontal lab around 10'ish for me, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well December is just about gone with Christmas less than a week away. It was chilly this AM but by the time the sun came up the chill was soon gone and by late morning it was t-shirt and shorts with bright sunshine. We headed over to Tampa around 3'ish to meet up with Bobby and Katie for supper at the Acropolis Restaurant just before 5 as we were attending the Christmas program at Belle Shoals Christian School where both Annsley and Gabe attend. The place was packed as was the roads which made us a few minutes late getting there.

The day started much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to may cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I post this ramble then spend some quiet time with my Creator. There has been no change in anyone's status which is good. We must all continue to lift up our POTUS who is once again being attacked for the very things the dem's have been guilty of for decades and never been implicated by the press or the DOJ. It's so wrong and its becoming more obvious everyday there is a double standard for the elites and the MSM.

I headed out around 9 for the rec. and played nearly three hours of pickle ball and the last two hours with A players only. Wow what a workout and it felt good to be exhausted after the work out. I made a stop at the library before heading home to work outside after a quick lunch until it was time to get ready for the trip to Tampa. Despite two days of rain the garden quickly dries out in the sandy soil but I did notice the earthworms are starting to show up with several little ones evident when I loosened the soil. They are the key to a great garden as they keep it loose and all of the compose goes through their system which makes the best fertilizer ever.

Well that was about it except for the Christmas program which featured the young girls in poodle skirts and the dress of the 50 and 60's. The place was packed with nearly every seat filled. We got to congratulate both of them after the show and take pics as they were with their mom on this night. We headed out for home with the interstate still packed but no backups which was nice for a change and got here around 9'ish. It wasn't long until I hit the shower and then read until lights out around 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday started out with overcast skies and some chill in the air but eventually the sun broke through and warmed things up to the upper 60's and maybe a low 70's. The cool northern breeze kept if nice with little humidity. I headed to the rec. a little before 8 but soon left the courts after so many new beginners came and we were not able to set up a challenge court with A and B players. The newbies certainly don't add to any workout so I headed into the weight room and used the treadmill for 30 minutes before heading home after a stop at the library.

I did my morning routines that start with the cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving for another day and all the blessings of life while lifting up several by name. All seem well and our lady friend left hospice and went home for who knows how many days. She is a fighter and has a great attitude and I pray for a miracle for her as she would be a great testament for the healing.

I picked up the second book of the Red Sparrow trilogy titled The Palace Of Treason. I managed a few chapters in the afternoon and its proving to be as good a read as the first book. I piddled around in the garden harvesting lettuces, kale, beet greens, Swiss chard and finally some radishes. I cleaned those and got them ready for the salad bowl. I spent the next hour or so loosening up the rain packed soil and pulling a few weeds which grow like crazy almost over night as well as this stubborn grass that sends out runners that look like nut grass. I've been dealing with them for years now trying to eradicate them from the garden by digging, pulling and chopping them up so I decided to start planting them in some bare spots in the yard. This grass sure does great in the garden and maybe it will do good in the yard.

We were having the Ross Family along with niece Halley Jo for supper as she is in town for a conference for her job in Colorado. We had a grand visit with her and Amy hadn't seen her since she visited with Paw Paw on her and Tylers wedding day. They are three years apart in age and now she is expecting her second child in March. It was the first time she had met Amy's kiddos. We had a pot roast with taters, carrots and asparagus along with a fresh garden salad and Amy brought a pumpkin pie. We sat and talked after Tyler took the kiddos home for baths and home work until after 9. Amy stayed and visited as well while I cleaned up the dishes and the kitchen.

It wasn't long after she left I hit the showers and then watched a little NFL before lights out for me around 10:30, LATER

Monday Morning plus Sunday Morning

Well first Saturday was a busy day with kiddos spending the night on Friday which was busy but all of them now play great together then our nephew Austin's wife Meghan came around 10'ish with her two boys and the play became even busier as it had rained over night and it was too wet for anyone to leave the house. They all decorated cookies and then Nancy served a great lunch of sandwiches and Zuppa soup for lunch. Arianne and Errol with baby Anthony came around 1'ish from the Miami area and things really got busy until 4 'ish when they all left. We cleaned up the house and the kitchen then got ready to leave for our Life Group from BridgePoint around 5'ish. Nancy had made two pots of the Zuppa soup so we took that to share with the other many Italian theme dishes.

We had our "dirty Santa" gift exchange which means you can take some one else's gift and give them yours. It was 15 buck limit so the gifts were relative although there was much exchanging especially with the gift cards. It was a great time with about 35 to 40 folks. It was nearly 10 before we finally headed for home. I had to be up for the load in at the college for BridgePoint at 5:30 to be there at 6.

Sunday was a beautiful morning as the rain brought some cooler temps but nothing a long sleeve shirt didn't make up for. The blood mobile was at all three of our campus and I was the first to give at our campus and reached the 2 Gallon Give with a certificate. I had no idea I had given that much as its been quite awhile. Our services were awesome with a packed first service and somewhat less in the second. We will be at the Mahaffey Theatre next week with 7 services over to days as we already have distributed 9 thousand free tickets. You need a ticket for each service as the seating is limited. We will work one service and then attend another on the 23rd and head out to eat afterwards.

We headed to Sam's Club after church as we are entertaining niece Halley Jo who is in town from Colorado for a job related conference. We will have her for supper tonight (Mon) and then on Thursday we will have our gift exchange and Christmas supper with Amy's family as they leave for Kansas on Saturday morning for two weeks to spend Christmas with his family. It will be a busy week as we get ready for Christmas with a breakfast here and then dinner with Bobby's family. Well that is about it for the past two days as it was just too early to compose a ramble at 5'ish in the morning, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was one of the wettest days we've had in Florida in many months and it rained off and on overnight and its still raining this morning with overcast skies. This is the big rain which caused the big snow in mountains; sure glad its in the 70's with the a/c on instead of the heat.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected our our hospice friend actually left the facility and moved by to her home which says a lot about her attitude to beat this horrible cancer. It will take a miracle if she survives more than  months and we know GOD is in the business of performing those, oh well.

I headed out on my bike with rain clouds all around but no rain until I reached the rec. I got in two solid hours of play with the rain at times so loud on the roof it was hard to hear. One of my players gave me a ride home along with my bike. I didn't venture out except to drive Nancy to Publix's later in the morning. It poured gully washers at times and then we would have thunder and lightning for most of the evening.

The Ross grand kiddos started coming around 6'ish and then the Triplett's kiddos came around 8'ish as Annsley was late from getting home from a field trip with school from Cape Canaveral. Nancy had all the kiddos individual pizza crusts so they could make their own pies for supper. Well that was a bit messy so next time we will just do tacos which they all love. They had Christmas cookies and pop corn through the evening after showers. We played some UNO with them after showers until it was my bed time around 10:30. They were still up close to midnight except for Lee Lee and me.

Today seems like another busy day as they will decorate their own cookies to take home with them and more cousins with their parents will come. Looks like a double vacuuming day with all of the decorations on the kitchen floor. Well that was about it for Friday, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday found us with much warmer temps that reached the upper 70's at day's end after a some what cool morning. It's nice to know those cold mornings don't last more than a day or so. I would like to keep the a/c off for a few days but its better than having the heat on.

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 and spent some quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name. All seem well and I spoke with Paw Paw for a few as well. The snow is still on the ground in the mountains but starting to melt. That was quite a snow storm there which is quite unusual for this early in the season.

I headed out to the rec. on my bike around 9'ish and played pickle ball until after 11'ish then headed home to work in the gardens. I needed to hoe weeds and hand feed some of the seedlings as well as hand water all of the plants. Everything is finally coming back the squirrels have chewed off in their quest for leafy greens to eat. I would not believe they would eat them but the evidence is there along with seeing them munching away. I stopped on my way back from a VA appointment and picked up some oil of peppermint to spread around on the fence and tree to see if that will help keep them out of the garden and their normal paths to the garden. They do run away when ever I open the back door and shoot at them with the bb gun and occasionally cause them to flip off the fence which is rare. They travel the electric and phone wires as well to reach the back yard; such pests they are.

We headed out around 4'ish to Keswick School to watch grand daughter Ava play basketball and she finally scored three buckets today. Her first ever. She is awesome on defense but seldom scores but today was her day to be on offense. They shut the other school out 37-0. We were hoping the other school would at least score a bucket but out defense was just to great as well was the rebounding. We stayed and watched a little of the varsity girls play and they are well coached and was winning big in the first quarter. Some of those girls go to our church.

Nancy fried up some ground venison for burgers and with fresh corn on the cob we feasted. Our venison is the best ever that our dear mountain buddy Caleb harvested for us in Nov. and he and I processed it as well. Delicious is all I can say. Well after the cleanup we settled into the Fox Cable News then I tuned into the Lightning Hockey game and they tore up the Maple Leafs 4-1. They are the best team in all of the NHL, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday was the coldest morning thus far with frost on several of the roof tops as I rode out to the rec. around 8'ish. It quickly melted and the outside air warmed to the low 60's by the time I left around 10, needless to say it was a chilly bike ride. It stayed in the low 60's for most of the day and by evening the temps once more began to drop down into the low 50's and even 40's over night. This is typical Florida winter weather which is awesome. My garden loves these warm sunny days and cool evenings and nights. The big oak in the back yard keeps the frost away from any of my veggies.

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 and then spent some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name; most seem well except one lady who is fighting breast cancer that has spread into her bones and organs. She is in extreme pain at hospice but puts on a happy face as she faces death and fights this horrible situation. I do not think she is a Believer but is now asking for prayer so maybe she is down to her last days. We met her once and she and her husband seemed to be very nice folks and she has always been up beat in her posts and still looks great considering her issues.

I had a great workout on the pickle ball courts for two hours and then headed home to work in the garden until lunch time. Nancy is finishing up her cookie baking  except for this Saturday when we have the grand kiddos plus nieces and their kiddos for cookie baking and a decorating event. I gave out several plates of cookies to neighbors and the post man during the afternoon then Betsy and Gus came by for a couple hours to pick up their batch to take home. After they left we had baked fresh salmon, yellow rice and broccoli for our supper, yeow was that ever delicious and of course a couple of the cookies. I think she made 9 different ones and everyone was delicious to say the least. The last batch of chocolate mocha walnuts had the most flavor of any of them except for the buckeyes which is always a favorite.

 I'm vowing to not eat anymore since I'm having a difficult time shedding these nearly 10 pounds since the summer which amazes me. I work from sunup to sun down, hiking and being on my feet but still added a couple inches to the spare tire and since I've been home playing pickle ball, gardening and bike riding I've not been able to lose these pounds. I know its the beer with lunch, bread at restaurants, chips and dips and now cookies and desserts associated with the holidays which keeps the pounds on. I'm usually very good at saying no or limiting myself but lately I've let my resolve down, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well Tuesday was a chilly day here in Seminole as I had to don a pair of long jeans to work outside after pickle ball. The breeze and cool 50's made it seem colder than it actually was and on top of that a flannel shirt. We did have lots of sunshine which made it nice to be outside working in the garden and yards. Bobby and Amy both came for lunch today which was a welcome surprise.

I started the day a little later as I don't leave for the rec. until 9'ish on Tue. and Thurs. as we play later on those days so I slept in until close to 7 for a change. The extra blanket felt good with it being somewhere in the 40's over night but it quickly warmed up to the high 50's and even low 60's by late afternoon. I did my morning routines that start with the cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I lifted up several by name to my Creator and then posted this ramble. Nothing has changed with those I lift up daily.

I headed out to the rec. on my bike and it was a cold ride to say the least but much better on the way home after a stop at the library for a new read suggested by several titled RED SPARROW. It's a classic spy novel between Russia and the CIA and so far its very intriguing. I did manage to read several chapter later in the afternoon and then instead of watching TV after supper I read until lights out at 10 for me.

I piddled around in the garden after lunch hand watering and hoeing some weeds which seem to love growing in my garden. I have small blooms for egg plant set and a couple jalapeno peppers blooms as well as a few tomato blooms. The large tomato plant the squirrels chewed off has now put on new leaves as has the top they chewed off. I stuck it in the ground and it too rooted and will hopefully produce. That has given me new ideas about buying these 4 dollar tomato plants; just cut the top out and replant the top thus cutting the costs of them in half. It seems to be flourishing and has new buds that will eventually bloom. Everything else is looking good and the three collard plants that were chewed down to the ground have sent out new leaves as well and will hopefully catch up with the other three. The chicken wire fences have been worth the money in preserving the seedlings from the hungry squirrels.

Nancy has been into baking Christmas cookies to give away to family, friends and neighbors as well as the post man and garbage handlers. I did break down and ate a couple today as well as a buckeye which is hard to just eat one but I did it. She gave Bobby a sack full to take home with him as well. The ginger snaps right out of the oven are hard to pass up as they melt in your mouth. I need to stay away from them as the spare tire is still rather large, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday saw us with some changes in the weather with dull overcast skies and temps down into the 6o's to start the day and then it dropped even cooler to the low 50's by night time. We didn't see much of the sun except for a few brief periods which of course with the breeze made it feel even colder and by the time we got home from Ava's basketball game and then supper at Chick Filet it felt even colder.

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 root while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet moments with my Creator lifting up several by name and giving thanks. All seem well except one lady friend who is suffering with pain and who is now at hospice; Jacki is her name so keep her in your prayers for some comfort and relief due to the pain from cancer. All else seem as well as can be expected for their ages and stages in life.

I headed out around 8 for the rec. on my bike and got in two hours of pickle ball play. I will head out today around 9'ish and play until noon with the A players as none of them showed yesterday so I was relegated to mostly B players but did get in a good work out and did some coaching and teaching. I had to don a flannel shirt on my bike ride as the temps had dropped overnight after the rain on Sunday. At least we now have the a/c off again for a few days as the highs are only in the 70's for the rest of the week. We are lucky here in Florida as the cabin has some where around 18-20 inches of snow and the temps in the 20's yikes. I would like to see the beauty of the fallen snow but not trying to get about and removing it from the roadway and the attempt to get out from being snowbound especially on our hill in the private roadway.

I worked outside until lunch time in the garden and yards. I harvested two colanders of lettuces (3 types) beet greens, kale and Swiss chard for a salad and then transplanted 6 more tomato plants from seeds into the garden. These are from the heirloom seeds the Brownings gave me last year or from seeds from sister Dee's tomatoes I saved this past summer. I some how lost the marker of which seeds were which, oh well. She always grows the best tomato's in her hard packed soil garden which just amazes me how everything grows so well in.. Her garden area was part of farmland at one time which the cows fertilized daily. After lunch I read for a couple hours then we got ready to head out to Keswick School to watch basketball. Ava's team won big once again but the boys fell this time after a win last week over this same team.

It was nearly 8 when the game was over so instead of the Texas Roadhouse for supper we wanted something quick and good and on the way home so it was Chick Filet which everyone loves. I had a bowl of their tortilla soup which was quite good but too thick in texture for Nancy's taste compared to her recipe and of course their filet sandwiches are the best ever. It was after 9 before we got home and then it was a hot shower for me after watching some Lightning Hockey which they are now the best team in the NHL. It wasn't long after 10'ish I put an extra blanket on the bed and then it was nighty night for me, LATER

Sunday and Monday Morning

Well Sunday was a busy day that started with a 5ish wake up as I had to be at the college for the 6 AM load in for BridgePoint Church along with several other volunteers to transform the college into a church setting that starts with outside flags and markers indicating the parking places to the stage set up for the band and yesterday made it even more complicated as we had to work in the oncoming rain storm that left several of us wet despite the rain coats and umbrellas getting folks from the parking lot into the breezeway.

I worked both services but did set in on the first one to hear an awesome message on Home For Christmas. Tim is an excellent speaker and brings to light many memories from the past as well as using stories Jesus spoke about to bring to light the need to refresh our beliefs and faith in Him. There wasn't dry eye in the place me included as he spoke about the prodigal son story which he put into prospective with the waiting father for his son to return home much like the Father of Jesus who waits for our return.

We had a great turnout despite the rain throughout the morning which at time was quite heavy. It was part of the storm which left serious snow fall in the mountains upwards of 20 inches or more in some places. We looked at all of our friends pictures throughout the day and not only was it beautiful but bitter cold. I'm over those days of digging out with frozen fingers and toes. Our hope is that no one lost power which would make it even more miserable although most everyone has an alternative source of heat.

We had a light lunch around 12:30 after leaving church and I tuned into the Bucs game which was a great first half; then the bumbling began with two missed field goals which would have sealed the game for them and then the blocked punt which changed big Mo even further and they lost to the Saints in what should have been a win. We always let great kickers go for some reason and they usually win games for you in some form or fashion, oh well this is typical Buc's play.

We headed out a little before 4 and picked up the Botbyl's and headed to Indian Rocks Church where they were holding the first of two musical Christmas Concerts this day and one the night before. The 4000 seat or so auditorium was nearly packed for this hour and half performance which featured some awesome music and acting. Another first class performance and we met up with the Tracy's and their son Ryan as well. Afterwards we headed up to the Bonefish Grille in Largo for a delicious meal of grilled trout for Nancy and chowder and bang bang shrimp for me with great baked bread and a dessert for Nancy and the rest of the gang. I tasted the Creme Brolee which was great but the extra bread was my dessert. We left around 8ish and headed home to digest and it wasn't long until I was falling asleep watching another game while Nancy perused the snow scenes on Face book after the early morning start, LATER 

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was a chilly morning to start but quickly warmest up to short pants and tee shirt weather by 10'ish. I had a good work out at the rec. on the pickle ball court for a couple hours and then headed to Sam's Club for gas at 2.03 a gallon and some fresh salmon and other goodies. I was back home before noon and spent the rest of the day putting together Nancy's Christmas present; an island for the kitchen. There must have been 200 pieces or more but thankfully they were all coded with numbers and letters of the alphabet.

Well 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 with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seems well except for one lady who we met a few years back and is a Facebook friend and is now at hospice fighting cancer. She is in extraordinary health except for this breast cancer which metastasized and is now on her left side and left her in severe pain. She fought this cancer holistically and while she still looks great its taking over but she has an unbelievably great attitude in that she is going to beat it. I hope and pray she does but with the pain meds she needs to just stay lucid is having dire effect on her other organs. Everyone else seems as well as can be expected except our mountain friends who are anticipating a huge snow storm.

We had a delicious all garden salad for lunch as the lettuces are doing well and now that I've fenced off the pesky squirrels from using my Swiss chard, kale and beet greens as a smorgasbord I'm getting some of each to add to the bowl. There is nothing like fresh home grown veggies especially raw ones in a salad. The carrots are really showing some color and the sugar peas are starting to send out runners to climb the fence as well as are the half runner beans which are now up and adding leaves. The cucumber plants have added another leaf but something broke off one small tomato plant I was going to give away. Anyhow the garden is thriving with these cool nights and very warm days. We haven't been in the 90's for awhile but the low 80's are perfect with no humidity. We have the a/c off and windows open for the past couple of days and it been great with the smell of the Christmas tree.

We spent until 5'ish deciphering and putting together this island for the kitchen which also has two stools. It seems to be of good quality but at times trying to put this together not only taxed our brains but our patience but when all else fails read the directions a dozen times or more; at least we didn't have to take anything apart and start over. Nancy really loves it and while I wasn't a big fan of having one to start with because our kitchen is the focal point when family dinners occur and we've had 15 or more comfortably together that space now will be limited.

I grilled a fresh salmon fillet for our supper along with garlic butter pasta and it was delicious to say the least. After the clean up we settled into the Fox Cable News before hitting the showers. I watched some hockey until it was lights out for me at 10'ish, LATER

Friday Morning

Well Thursday started out a bit on the chilly side but by late afternoon it had reached the low 70's once again and then by night fall the temps dropped quickly for a chill in the air. Now this is perfect Florida winter weather. No humidity and lots of sunshine. I had my physical at the VA and the doctor said to continue whatever I was doing as my blood work was good and that she would see me in another year, awesome. She did prescribe a cream for a rash I've had since the summer on one hand. I'm not sure what I did to get this non itching rash on the top of my hand but its been persistent.

I started the day 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 and then lifted up several by name to my Creator while I gave thanks for my many blessings and just life itself. All seem well with those and the mountain folks we know and love are in for a huge snow storm, yikes they are predicting up to 30 inches of the white stuff, oh well. It would be nice for a day or so but after that you can have it. I can remember one winter when every Wednesday for a month we got 30 plus inches of snow and was drifted in for a week on the farm. That is not much fun except we were out of school for several days.

I headed to the rec. around 9 ish and played constantly until 11:30. What a great workout and the last hour and half it was with just A players. Afterwards I stopped by the library to pick up a book from the non fiction section then headed home to set the sprinkler on the gardens while I showered and got ready to leave around 12:30 for the VA. Nancy got home and made me a sandwich then I headed out. I ran some errands after the VA, stopping at the post office and then the veggie stand for some 'maters and few other goodies before heading home to continue watering the gardens and yards.

We decided to eat veggies only for supper before heading out to the Keswick Christmas concert which was fabulous to say the least. It was held at the Starkey Road Baptist Church which has a huge auditorium and it was nearly filled with at least 500 plus folks to watch both band and choral from the 6th grade up to high school perform. They were very well trained and conducted which sounded like a symphony from a professional. They were awesome and some of the songs were done from their original German language. It was an evening to remember as these youngsters along with our grand daughter Ava who is in her first year of band playing the saxophone did a marvelous job. We are so proud of her in her playing ability and then she sang in the middle school chorus as well. They have great directors and leaders in this department. It was going on 9 before it ended after a 7 ish start. Little Eliza fell asleep as she is not a night owl, LATER

Thursday Morning

Well Wednesday found us with much cooler temps as I needed an extra flannel shirt when I left the house around 8 for the rec. It stayed chilly all day for a change as the cool northern breeze made it feel even colder than the low 50's. There was plenty of sunshine however. I drove to the rec. for a change instead of biking.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my usual cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seem well at this time and Paw Paw seems much better as well. I had a nice talk with him and he has finally resigned himself to living out his final days with daughter Pat in West Virginia after getting rid of the Winchester house and his three vehicles.

I drove to the rec. this morning as I had a 10'ish appointment for a blood draw at the VA which took less than 30 minutes from the time I parked and then left again. This VA facility is well staffed and very modern with a nice huge parking garage next door to the main unit. The lady who drew my blood mentioned I looked familiar and we both learned of our attendance at BridgePoint Church especially since her dad attends there regularly. What a small world. I got in two hours of pickle ball play before heading to the VA.

I piddled around in the garden until lunch time hoeing, pulling weeds and transplanting more tomato seedlings into the ground as well as harvesting two colanders of lettuces, Swiss chard, kale and beet greens for a huge fresh garden salad. Nancy was in the baking mood and had two separates batches ready for the oven and fridge as one needed to cool overnight. After lunch I headed in to finish the last book of Greg Iles trilogy titled Mississippi Blood. Wow what a finish for what seems like weeks of reading about the Cage Family and the deep south. I believe it's and historical novel with much of what really happened in the segregated south in years past but a few good folks made a difference in the race relations after the Civil War.

Nancy fried one of my favorite fresh water farm raised fish called Swaii which come from all places Viet Nam. It's a white fish with a very mild flavor and its comes individual wrapped fillets. Its delicious fried and one of my fav's after salmon and of course fresh trout and bass. We seldom eat it here in Florida as my grille does not have a burner like my cabin one does and she doesn't like the smell in the house but this fish gives off very little odor in my opinion and plus it was cold enough to turn the a/c off and open the windows to get rid of the smell, oh well.

We have another busy day today(Thur.) as we both have doctor appointments for check up's and then a Keswick School concert for Ava as she sings and plays in chorus and band. Its been a busy week with two basketball games in the evenings and then again today, oh well, LATER

Wednesday Morning

Well its still rather hot and muggy here in Florida but there was another front this evening which is supposed to bring some cooler temps which will be welcomed. We attended Ava's basketball game in north Clearwater this afternoon and the team won by 30 points. She played great on defense and made several assists but so far her shots can not find the bottom of the net.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out and a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and ginger while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator. All seem well with those I lift up daily and I did get to speak with Paw Paw later in the evening. He had been over to the VA for a check up and finally got a steroid shot for his shoulder which has been hurting him for months. Hopefully that will end or help with the pain he has been complaining about. He seemed in good spirits as he approaches his 91st birthday on the 8th of this month. We also spoke with our "mountain mom" Helen who is doing as well as can be expected for 90 plus years as well. She still lives alone and looks after her brother and sister as they all live within a few miles of each other. She has been suffering from a cold but seemed to be on the mend.

I headed out around 9'ish or so for the rec. and played pickle ball until nearly noon as we have the gym and extra couple hours on Tue. and Thurs. We A players can have some excellent play without the B players which we must mingle with the other three mornings. Several of the B's are playing well and some could move up to our status. I had a great workout and came home to work in the garden for a few before Amy and Eliza came for lunch. Amy now works but had a doctor's visit so she had the day off and she came for lunch which we use to do every day. Eliza had school for half a day and she is so cute and maturing.

I read for a couple hours after they left then we got ready to leave the house for the drive to north Clearwater which took nearly 45 minutes to Lakeside Christian School. I never knew this school existed but they had a large gym and play in the christian school circuit basketball league. It was 20-2 at half time as our girls are really playing great ball. Their only loss was to a Tampa team of 7th and 8th graders whereas our girls are mainly 6th graders. Two of the better players on the team also play pickle ball at the rec. a couple times a week as they are that good of an athlete. Their dad who is one of the coaches is an excellent A player and brings them as they are home schooled and adopted. We really love them and their attitudes as well as their ability as athletes.

We brought Ava back with us after the game as both Amy and Tyler had commitments with Eliza at dance and Sam at Jiu Jitsu. Ava had supper with us before Amy picked her up and then they had to be at SFBC at 7 for rehearsal for the Christmas program she is in, plus she now has tons of homework being in middle school. She is such a sweetheart as well and loved by all of her classmates as well as teammates.

After the cleanup I watched a little of the Fox Cable news then tuned into the Lightning game after a shower. I must have fallen asleep and was soon ready for some horizontal lab before 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning

Well Monday was another rather hot and muggy day but in the late evening we finally got some rain which helped for a change. We watched Ava and her team at Keswick win their third game in a row rather convincingly with the score 22-2 at half time. The other team did rally but lost by 10.

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 and then spent some with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seem well with these folks as I've heard nothing to the contrary except for Paw Paw who is showing more signs of dementia. I guess that is coming with his advanced age and seems to be one of the signs of senility. He is living with his middle daughter and she has her hands full with him.

I headed out to the rec. around 8 ish and played hard for two hours on the pickle ball court then came home to work outside in the gardens and yards. I transplanted another couple rows of lettuce seedlings and all so far are doing well especially the beets, kale, Swiss chard and collards since I enclosed them in a chicken wire fence to keep the pesky squirrels from chewing the leaves off. It's surprising they will not touch the lettuces or radish tops as they are plentiful. I've seen less of them in the past few days since putting up the chicken wire.  I hope this keeps them away permanently. I also transplanted some tomato seedlings into the ground and surrounded them with marigold seedlings to help with the nematode problems which are root suckers especially on certain plants but the marigold is natural deterrent to them.

Nancy was at the eye doctor for her checkup and they seem to be doing better than last year which is a blessing. I'm off to the VA on Wed and Thur. for blood work and my yearly examination physical. So far I'm holding up except for the couple extra pounds around the middle. I'm still able to run and play as well as put in a good days work outside which to me is such a wonderful blessing. We are off again this evening to Clearwater to watch Ava's fourth basketball game. She played very well last night and really has some wheels as she is up and down the court. She hasn't scored yet but is very good on defense but she did take a couple of shots that just would not drop. She plays hard and except for their first game ever and loss the team is doing awesome, LATER 

Monday Afternoon

Well I had no internet this morning so here I am after lunch on Monday. Sunday was an awesome day of worship at BridgePoint Church after an early morning load in at the college. We were able to attend the first service then work the front door as greeters for the second one and got away around 12:30 and headed home for a bite of lunch. I attended the Night Of Hope at Tropicana Field with Tim Tebow as the guest speaker and Kerri Jobe as the main music person. It was an awesome time of worship with around 35 thousand other believers and worshippers.

As I said earlier I was up and on my way to the college before 6 AM for the load in for BridgePoint Church and the service was fantastic with the theme Home for Christmas. There were lots nostalgia moments shared in the message as well as a few tears that flowed from many. The music saw lots of old Christmas hymns done in a new way. We had a full auditorium for the first service with about 175 folks and about half that many in the second service with lots of new faces as well.

I tuned into the NFL after lunch and the Carolina Panthers were in town to play the less than stellar Bucs but they were finally playing good today and they sent the Panthers back to Charlotte like kitty cats. It was a good game and I got to see most of it before half time at home and then the second half at the Red Mesa eatery in St.Pete where we met up with the Tracy's and their friends Tom and Elizabeth for an early supper before heading to the Trop. Nancy had double booked us so she had to stay at home and attend church in Seminole as grand son Sam had major part in the Christmas play at First Baptist.

Tim Tebow is an excellent speaker as well as a down to earth Believer and shared his beliefs as well as the way he lives them daily. What an awesome young man. The whole Night of Hope was free to the attender and sponsored by several churches in the area including First Baptist in Seminole and our BridgePoint Church. Pastor Tim Whipple along with the pastor for Indian Rocks gave the invocation. The music was loud and allowed for all to sing along as the words to the songs were displayed on a huge screen. Kerri Jobe is 9 months pregnant and ready to give birth to her first child but she was singing and blessing us all. We got back to the house as I rode with the Botbyl's around 10'ish, LATER 

Sunday Morning December 2018

Well here we are in the last month of this year and it feels like summer outside. The mornings are cool but by the afternoon its a/c time again. The garden loves these cool nights but does require lots of watering a couple times a day. Thankfully I have a shallow well which seems to be abundant in water for the gardens and yard.

Saturday morning after my usual routines found me once again on the pickle ball court for nearly two hours of constant play. There are usually a few players that do not come during the week so it was good to see a couple of new really nice A players in attendance. I worked up a sweat then headed to the house around 10'ish to work outside until lunchtime which found me finishing off my leftovers from Cracker Barrel the night before.  Nancy was off to the mall shopping which has become her past time. I did some hoeing and transplanting but mainly gave the gardens a good drink before working in the front yard once again weeding and watering the grass. I'm determined to get the zoysia grass to cover where the old grass died this summer and it starting to look like the extra care is paying off.

I read for a couple hours during the hottest part of the afternoon until Nancy got back from the mall. Her sister Betsy came by for a visit until we had to leave for our life group around 5:30. Nancy made a huge pot of tortilla soup to take with us to share long with several other soups and chili's the other members brought. We had 15 in attendance and then after eating we played bunco which is a fast game and so much fun. The Nymarks are excellent hosts and their huge house is just made for entertaining. It was nearly 10 before we left for home as we shared praises and prayer requests in the group.

I headed out this morning a little before 6 for the load in at the college for BridgePoint Church, LATER

Saturday Morning

Well Friday was a surprise warm up that had me in shorts and tee shirt after a rather chilly two days. I played pickle ball in the morning then spent some time at the Ford place for service and a recall item on my truck and then the rest of the afternoon gardening and some reading until it was time for Ava's basketball game in St.Pete and the Cracker Barrel for a late supper with the Ross Family.

The day started with my usual 6'ish roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and ginger while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet moments with my Creator in lifting up several by name. All is well with those. I got ready and headed out to the rec. on my bike a little before 8 for 2 hours of play on a challenge court. We had 6 to start with which meant the winning team split partners and stayed on the court with different partners after each match. It was hour before I finally got a break which meant I had great partner players.

I headed home and noticed how warm it had gotten since I rode out two hours earlier. I donned some shorts and tee shirt and headed off to Walker Ford and was there for nearly two hours. I received my last of three free services you get when you buy from them. It was close to 12:30 before we sat down for a sandwich after getting home. Nancy had been baking Christmas cookies and the smell permeated the house with awesome aromas. She now has 4 different ones baked and into the freezer for next week or so when we deliver them out to neighbors, mail carrier and garbage guys. It has become a tradition for her for years and now the new mail carriers know about it as well and looks forward to his plate of goodies.

I headed out to hand water the gardens and the new grass patches in the front yard. The chicken wire has almost totally stopped the squirrels from eating the leafy greens but I have noticed a couple trying get under the wire. They are such pests and have now decided they need some greens in their diet. I was wondering if maybe they were getting their fluids from the veggies since it hadn't rain much. They did chew off another tomato seedlings which wasn't in the wire cage so I may have to move them into it today, oh well. They don't seem to bother the radish greens which are lush and so plentiful or the lettuces plants. They love the beets, kale and Swiss chard.

Well we headed out after dropping the ladder off at Tylers so he and Sam can put up their Christmas lights on the house and then headed to St.Pete for Ava's game. They won again by 20 points and so did the boys who played in the first game which was in the last quarter when we arrived. It was close to 7:30 before we left the gym and made a stop at Cracker Barrel which was packed it took us nearly and hour to get served and Eliza Faye was falling asleep on her Amy's lap while we ate. I brought part of my supper home for lunch today which was fried chicken and biscuits. It was tasty but way too late to eat at that time of the evening.

Well we got back home a little after 9 so it was shower time for me then some reading with a college game on in the back ground. By 10'ish I turned the lights out and put in my ear plugs and I never heard Nancy when she came to bed as she is a night owl and sleeps in in the morning, LATER