Well Saturday was a mixture of work in the morning and then visiting with some neighbors who came by for a couple hours and then a farewell party for our dear mountain buddy Caleb who leaves for the USAF Sunday afternoon. There were 25 or so folks there with delicious pork barbecue and side dishes and then some very competitive "corn hole" games on the back lawn. Great folks and delicious eatin'.
I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble and then spent some time with my Creator in giving thanks and lifting several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected as I've heard nothing to the contrary. We hope to visit Paw Paw in August at a family reunion in Winchester, Va. and I would like to visit an old college buddy in Gastonia, N.C. We hooked up again last summer after nearly 54 years when I left for the USAF out of Charlotte where Caleb is leaving from on Sunday to Texas. I'll never forget that plane ride and the welcoming during the early morning hours by the drill sergeants who made our life miserable for 6 weeks or so. I wouldn't do it again for anything but wouldn't take anything for the experience. We purchased a specialty USAF Bible for him and had his name embossed on the cover. Caleb is a fine young man and will be greatly missed by all and let's pray he doesn't get too homesick as he is a home body.
I headed out to check on the gardens for any damage from the overnight critters and all seemed well. The garden is holding it own despite the heat and lack of rain. I did carry a bucket around giving most a small drink as the ground is still holding some moisture and I found over watering here in this clay soil does more harm than good whereas the sandy soil in Florida drains quickly. After a mountain breakfast of cakes, bacon and eggs with honey for the syrup I headed down to continue working on cleaning up the basement and getting the floor ready for another paint job. I'm using a scrapper to rid the floor of the loose paint and vacuuming it up. I'm following a protocol recommended by this one floor paint brand in hopes this paint will not bubble up. Nancy had a load of laundry drying outside on the clothesline which for some reason always was a familiar sight from my pre leaving home farm days. Nancy and I both love seeing the clothes line full and the fresh smell of the air on the clothes.
Neighbors down the road who now have their small cabin up for sale came by for a 2 hour visit; so much for finishing the cleaning job for the day as we had to leave the cabin around 4'ish to make a dump run and then be at Mechelles around 5 to help with the party. They are getting some age on them and some health issues and they live in Ohio, so its a 6 hours or so drive for them. It's a very modern cabin with a/c and heat as well as a finished basement which could be two rooms. The first floor is just like ours with one bedroom. It's right along the gravel road which to me is a minus as she is afraid of snakes which we never see. They have a nice level lot which is a plus and some land that goes with it; anyhow they are sweet folks and love to visit and talk. They finally left around 1:30 and then we had a bite of lunch before Nancy started the two large dishes to take with us to the party. Both were very good in flavor and taste; scalloped taters and baked beans to accompany the pork barbecue, tater salad and Cole slaw and chips. The food was just delicious of course everything tastes so great here in this mountain region.
Well we said our goodbyes around 9'ish as everyone was leaving just before dark. We will see Caleb on Sunday at church as Pastor Brian will prayer for and over Caleb in the morning service. We got back and our area once more was skipped over by the rain which fell in different parts of the county. I hit the shower and was soon in the horizontal lab position by 10'ish or so, LATER
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Saturday, June 29, 2019
Saturday Morning..June 29
Well Friday was another work day around the cabin. The renovation is complete and we are very pleased with how it turned out as we clean up the rooms and load the truck with construction materials. Nancy has been busy washing all of the bed clothes and straightening out the closets. We have so much stuff we could almost be classified as hoarders. I worked outside until the early afternoon then headed to the basement to scrub the walls and floors and clean out some stuff which has been stored there as well. I'll repaint the floor there next week as we get ready for family who likes to sleep in the cool basement.
I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out as Nancy had her chain saw going which awakened me around 4'ish. Seems she can never hear herself snoring but when I awaken and get up and close a drawer in the kitchen she hears every sound, oh well. It's just beyond me that she can't hear herself. I did my usual routines that start with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble about the day before's activities then spent some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name especially little Finnley's parents. Not only are they suffering from his loss but now medical bills. There is a gofundme page on Facebook if anyone is interested in helping. I believe you can reach that from our FB page as well.
I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds for deer and slug damage; thus far only a couple of small seedlings were devoured by a couple slugs and I quickly put them to rest. The deer have been in our neighborhood and we have seen several but so far stayed away from us except one trip through the circle drive on a wet morning. Their tracks were quite visible but they have eaten nothing thus far. I did refurbish the scarecrow that sits at the head of the upper garden patch. I still have my pet rabbit which loves the clover in the yards and he too has done no damage where I do not have a fence, amazing.
The garden is coming along and I'm now hand watering with small amounts of water to some of the smaller seedlings. If we don't get some rain by Sunday I may have to water with the hose. The cucumber plants are loaded with blooms and they love it where I planted them years ago. We had so many it was difficult to give them away. The tomato plants are starting to leaf out finally and grow in height. All of the herbs I brought up are doing great as is the onion sets. We haven't pulled any yet for our salads of which by next week I should be adding some greenery from my seedlings to the salad bowl. I have just a small space left in the garden for additional plants but I did sow some egg plant seeds which haven't produced any seedlings yet. I usually buy the seedlings but since I was given some seeds I thought I would sow them.
Well we did get in a golf cart ride to the mailbox in the afternoon and visited with neighbors for a few as they leave their cabins for who knows when again. Some live just an hour away and only come once every couple of weeks just to mow the yards and one couple live in Ohio and come for only a couple times during the summer. They have their place up for sale. We got back and I started on scrubbing the basement floors during the hottest part of the day. Its quite cool down there with temps in the 60's and that was our a/c for years for when it got too hot outside, but now that we have the mini-split units we can leave the upstairs open to vent the heat as it rises and just cool the down stairs area. It's usually in the 60's in the mornings and we leave the a/c off until around noon when it heats up.
It's been perfect for hanging laundry on the line so we have been airing out quilts and blankets in the bright sunshine and clean fresh air. We did get a threat of some rain but it passed us by and Helen our "mountain mom" who is just 2 miles away got an inch of rain during the afternoon. We actually could use a light shower. I did lime and fertilize the yards yesterday morning while dew was still heavy in the grass. The wineberries are still in their husks but should soon be popping out. It looks like a bumper crop for a change as we got just a handful last year. The grand kiddos love to pick and eat them right off the vine. They resemble a red raspberry and are so delicious. We usually freeze some for cobblers throughout the year. The blueberries bushes are loaded as well and will soon start to ripen. The robins have been checking them out as well and love to eat them, so I 'll cover them with a cheesecloth to stop their "dining in" on our berries.
Well the Ray's lost again and now there is rumors they may be leaving St.Pete for Canada. I know we have low attendance but thats usually from bad playing of which the team is now doing after a fantastic last year and the first part of this season. We are in a tough league while competing with huge markets and team payrolls. I really think if we were in a different division we would be leaders and winners of pennants, but it hard to compete against N.Y. and Boston who have a great fan base and are perennial winners, oh well. LATER
I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out as Nancy had her chain saw going which awakened me around 4'ish. Seems she can never hear herself snoring but when I awaken and get up and close a drawer in the kitchen she hears every sound, oh well. It's just beyond me that she can't hear herself. I did my usual routines that start with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble about the day before's activities then spent some quiet time with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name especially little Finnley's parents. Not only are they suffering from his loss but now medical bills. There is a gofundme page on Facebook if anyone is interested in helping. I believe you can reach that from our FB page as well.
I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds for deer and slug damage; thus far only a couple of small seedlings were devoured by a couple slugs and I quickly put them to rest. The deer have been in our neighborhood and we have seen several but so far stayed away from us except one trip through the circle drive on a wet morning. Their tracks were quite visible but they have eaten nothing thus far. I did refurbish the scarecrow that sits at the head of the upper garden patch. I still have my pet rabbit which loves the clover in the yards and he too has done no damage where I do not have a fence, amazing.
The garden is coming along and I'm now hand watering with small amounts of water to some of the smaller seedlings. If we don't get some rain by Sunday I may have to water with the hose. The cucumber plants are loaded with blooms and they love it where I planted them years ago. We had so many it was difficult to give them away. The tomato plants are starting to leaf out finally and grow in height. All of the herbs I brought up are doing great as is the onion sets. We haven't pulled any yet for our salads of which by next week I should be adding some greenery from my seedlings to the salad bowl. I have just a small space left in the garden for additional plants but I did sow some egg plant seeds which haven't produced any seedlings yet. I usually buy the seedlings but since I was given some seeds I thought I would sow them.
Well we did get in a golf cart ride to the mailbox in the afternoon and visited with neighbors for a few as they leave their cabins for who knows when again. Some live just an hour away and only come once every couple of weeks just to mow the yards and one couple live in Ohio and come for only a couple times during the summer. They have their place up for sale. We got back and I started on scrubbing the basement floors during the hottest part of the day. Its quite cool down there with temps in the 60's and that was our a/c for years for when it got too hot outside, but now that we have the mini-split units we can leave the upstairs open to vent the heat as it rises and just cool the down stairs area. It's usually in the 60's in the mornings and we leave the a/c off until around noon when it heats up.
It's been perfect for hanging laundry on the line so we have been airing out quilts and blankets in the bright sunshine and clean fresh air. We did get a threat of some rain but it passed us by and Helen our "mountain mom" who is just 2 miles away got an inch of rain during the afternoon. We actually could use a light shower. I did lime and fertilize the yards yesterday morning while dew was still heavy in the grass. The wineberries are still in their husks but should soon be popping out. It looks like a bumper crop for a change as we got just a handful last year. The grand kiddos love to pick and eat them right off the vine. They resemble a red raspberry and are so delicious. We usually freeze some for cobblers throughout the year. The blueberries bushes are loaded as well and will soon start to ripen. The robins have been checking them out as well and love to eat them, so I 'll cover them with a cheesecloth to stop their "dining in" on our berries.
Well the Ray's lost again and now there is rumors they may be leaving St.Pete for Canada. I know we have low attendance but thats usually from bad playing of which the team is now doing after a fantastic last year and the first part of this season. We are in a tough league while competing with huge markets and team payrolls. I really think if we were in a different division we would be leaders and winners of pennants, but it hard to compete against N.Y. and Boston who have a great fan base and are perennial winners, oh well. LATER
Friday, June 28, 2019
Friday Morning..last one in June
Well Thursday was another work day that started with a 5'ish rollout as I awakened around 4'ish and could not go back to sleep as Nancy was sawing logs quite loudly. The upstairs is still in construction phase which would have given me some respite, so I just got up for the day plus I was still grieving over little Finnley's passing the day before. I did my usual routines that start with a cup of hot green tea laced with fresh ginger root and turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name.
The workers Larry and Brandon came around 8'ish for their final work day as they had to finish the quarter round and grout one tile they had to replace that I chipped when the nail gun the day before vibrated off the compressor and chipped a tile on the floor. It was my mistake and while the chip was small it would have ruined their workmanship so I had to go back to Galax for more tiles and a few other things. These workers do good work and take pride in the outcome. They changed the upstairs bathroom into a useable place for company now that they do not have to shower on the first floor. I must say when I started ripping out the wall boards and hardwood flooring I was skeptical of the outcome in a post construction addition and renovation that would look this good. I'm very pleased and the cost was very satisfactory as well. The little details in their work was awesome and then they became our friends as we ate lunch together daily and shared many of life's stories as well.
We finished up around noon then Nancy and I spent the afternoon putting the rooms back together and she added her touches to the bathroom and shower area which she loves to do. We threw out lots of stored never used items and she loaded up the washing machine a couple times with sheets, etc and I hung out quilts for airing out in the bright sunshine. I loaded the back of the truck with items for the dump as well as the last of the construction materials. It was early afternoon before we headed out to the mailbox in the golf cart and then visited with several neighbors along the way before coming back and having a delicious supper of chicken fried deer steaks with milk gravy. Oh my if this meat is not fit for a king in flavor I do not know what is. It's the very best ever. I think where folks go wrong is in their minds because venison is the cleanest meat ever; no hormones or steroids or injected junk to enhance the flavor. The right way of preparing the meat is also a must and Nancy does a fine job.
Well we took off after supper and the cleanup to the mountain top on the golf cart. We were both too tired to hike as the up and down the stairs was just like hiking and we did that plenty of times through out the day. It was up into the low 80's but the humidity was rearing its ugly head so it was a/c time here with the mini-split units. We left the upstairs windows open as heat rises and just cooled the down stairs which happens quickly with this system. We picked about another quart or so of the black raspberries from the old Browning homestead. We made two batches of jelly and she has 3 bags of frozen berries for cobblers when our family arrives in a couple of weeks. We chatted up Bertie a widow on top for a spell then headed down off the mountain for the day. I hoed around in my garden and checked the veggies before darkness settled in for the night. They are growing and now I have another cucumber plant blooming. I staked the tomatoes and pepper plants. The slugs are making an appearance and have eaten up a couple lettuce seedlings so I dispatched them with a stick.
We have a very tame rabbit which will let me get within petting distance before hopping off. He/She loves the wild clover in the yards and we see it in the early morning and late evening; thus far he has stayed away from the garden which is somewhat unusual. I fixed the handle on Nancy's hand vacuum and added a couple new blinds that have no strings. I really like them but they are about three times the costs of the ones with strings, oh well. I tuned into the Ray's scores and they finally won in 18 innings over the Twins. That was about it for this working day and after a hot shower around 10'ish it was lights out for me, LATER
The workers Larry and Brandon came around 8'ish for their final work day as they had to finish the quarter round and grout one tile they had to replace that I chipped when the nail gun the day before vibrated off the compressor and chipped a tile on the floor. It was my mistake and while the chip was small it would have ruined their workmanship so I had to go back to Galax for more tiles and a few other things. These workers do good work and take pride in the outcome. They changed the upstairs bathroom into a useable place for company now that they do not have to shower on the first floor. I must say when I started ripping out the wall boards and hardwood flooring I was skeptical of the outcome in a post construction addition and renovation that would look this good. I'm very pleased and the cost was very satisfactory as well. The little details in their work was awesome and then they became our friends as we ate lunch together daily and shared many of life's stories as well.
We finished up around noon then Nancy and I spent the afternoon putting the rooms back together and she added her touches to the bathroom and shower area which she loves to do. We threw out lots of stored never used items and she loaded up the washing machine a couple times with sheets, etc and I hung out quilts for airing out in the bright sunshine. I loaded the back of the truck with items for the dump as well as the last of the construction materials. It was early afternoon before we headed out to the mailbox in the golf cart and then visited with several neighbors along the way before coming back and having a delicious supper of chicken fried deer steaks with milk gravy. Oh my if this meat is not fit for a king in flavor I do not know what is. It's the very best ever. I think where folks go wrong is in their minds because venison is the cleanest meat ever; no hormones or steroids or injected junk to enhance the flavor. The right way of preparing the meat is also a must and Nancy does a fine job.
Well we took off after supper and the cleanup to the mountain top on the golf cart. We were both too tired to hike as the up and down the stairs was just like hiking and we did that plenty of times through out the day. It was up into the low 80's but the humidity was rearing its ugly head so it was a/c time here with the mini-split units. We left the upstairs windows open as heat rises and just cooled the down stairs which happens quickly with this system. We picked about another quart or so of the black raspberries from the old Browning homestead. We made two batches of jelly and she has 3 bags of frozen berries for cobblers when our family arrives in a couple of weeks. We chatted up Bertie a widow on top for a spell then headed down off the mountain for the day. I hoed around in my garden and checked the veggies before darkness settled in for the night. They are growing and now I have another cucumber plant blooming. I staked the tomatoes and pepper plants. The slugs are making an appearance and have eaten up a couple lettuce seedlings so I dispatched them with a stick.
We have a very tame rabbit which will let me get within petting distance before hopping off. He/She loves the wild clover in the yards and we see it in the early morning and late evening; thus far he has stayed away from the garden which is somewhat unusual. I fixed the handle on Nancy's hand vacuum and added a couple new blinds that have no strings. I really like them but they are about three times the costs of the ones with strings, oh well. I tuned into the Ray's scores and they finally won in 18 innings over the Twins. That was about it for this working day and after a hot shower around 10'ish it was lights out for me, LATER
Thursday, June 27, 2019
Thursday Morning
Well Wednesday was another work day with some evening visiting with old friends and then some very sad news just before bedtime. Little Finnley our 10 week preemie passed away. We are so sad and heartbroken as he survived the birth which the doctors only gave him a slight chance to survive and then he survived the respirator and the heart was on the mend when it gave out according to his dad.
Wednesday morning started much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my 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 in lifting several up by name. Another friend Eddie is back in the hospital with pneumonia and other issues from being a paraplegic as a result of an accident on the farm 5 years ago. It's just amazing he has survived this long as he was very active farming, horseback riding and survived so many operations over the years from his stint in the Marine Corp. He needs prayer badly. Everyone else is holding to the best of my knowledge.
Larry and Brandon were coming again around 8 for another full day of laying the vinyl floor. We went to Galax early in the morning for some supplies for the plumbing and then had to go back later in the evening as the upstairs old bathroom faucet began spraying water out the bottom plus I did want to return some unneeded flooring for a refund. Lowes also gave me a refund on the one damaged box as a result from the handling by a forklift. The tine marks were on the outside of the box. That was honorable of them and they never questioned my claim.
We decided to have a lite supper in Galax so we ate at a local Wendy's before stopping and visiting with old friends Audean and Ray Todd. We found their place near the Cardinal Stone quarry in Virginia and found Ray laying on the couch. He is in bad shape with back, legs and feet pain. He did not get up the whole time we were there. Audean had been out and shopping and after she got back we had a great visit with both. Their mobile home rental is very nice on a couple acres with beautiful landscaping and a large two car garage. It's so much nicer than where they were living at his sisters place just over the hill from us on Rich Hill Mountain. We did make a quick visit with our "mountain mom' Helen on the way to Galax bringing her some black raspberry jelly and a bag of home made chocolate chip cookies. She was thrilled and is doing well at 91. It was going on 8:30 before we left The Todds's and promised to get together for the game of Sequence sometime later this summer. when both Eddie and Ray are up to the task. That is the only game they had ever played and really enjoyed with Eddie, Kimberley and us and only play when we are back here from Florida.
We got back just before dark and began cleaning out the upstairs bedrooms so Larry and Brandon can finish installing the quarter round molding to top off the job today(Thur.) They did half of the rooms so we had to move all of the beddings and furniture to make it easier to get to the walls. We love the new look of the flooring and what a change from the dull old brown carpet. We will be finished today with their help and they have been just marvelous and so meticulous with their work plus we have made new friends as well. We had the roof guy out to look at the roof and why all of a sudden we had a small leak once since being here. It's seems when Ray built the cabin a flashing between the upper and lower portion of the tin roof was not needed or to code, so over the 20 + years the tin roof expands and contracts which causes the possibility of leaks; so he will install the flashing when he gets a chance. The roof hasn't leaked in the last torrential rains but while he is out here on another job he will fix the possibility of another leak in the future as we leave the cabin unattended for 7 months.
Well I hit the shower after the heart breaking news of Finnley's passing and did check the Ray's score. They were ahead by one run when I turned the lights out around 10:30, LATER
Wednesday morning started much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my 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 in lifting several up by name. Another friend Eddie is back in the hospital with pneumonia and other issues from being a paraplegic as a result of an accident on the farm 5 years ago. It's just amazing he has survived this long as he was very active farming, horseback riding and survived so many operations over the years from his stint in the Marine Corp. He needs prayer badly. Everyone else is holding to the best of my knowledge.
Larry and Brandon were coming again around 8 for another full day of laying the vinyl floor. We went to Galax early in the morning for some supplies for the plumbing and then had to go back later in the evening as the upstairs old bathroom faucet began spraying water out the bottom plus I did want to return some unneeded flooring for a refund. Lowes also gave me a refund on the one damaged box as a result from the handling by a forklift. The tine marks were on the outside of the box. That was honorable of them and they never questioned my claim.
We decided to have a lite supper in Galax so we ate at a local Wendy's before stopping and visiting with old friends Audean and Ray Todd. We found their place near the Cardinal Stone quarry in Virginia and found Ray laying on the couch. He is in bad shape with back, legs and feet pain. He did not get up the whole time we were there. Audean had been out and shopping and after she got back we had a great visit with both. Their mobile home rental is very nice on a couple acres with beautiful landscaping and a large two car garage. It's so much nicer than where they were living at his sisters place just over the hill from us on Rich Hill Mountain. We did make a quick visit with our "mountain mom' Helen on the way to Galax bringing her some black raspberry jelly and a bag of home made chocolate chip cookies. She was thrilled and is doing well at 91. It was going on 8:30 before we left The Todds's and promised to get together for the game of Sequence sometime later this summer. when both Eddie and Ray are up to the task. That is the only game they had ever played and really enjoyed with Eddie, Kimberley and us and only play when we are back here from Florida.
We got back just before dark and began cleaning out the upstairs bedrooms so Larry and Brandon can finish installing the quarter round molding to top off the job today(Thur.) They did half of the rooms so we had to move all of the beddings and furniture to make it easier to get to the walls. We love the new look of the flooring and what a change from the dull old brown carpet. We will be finished today with their help and they have been just marvelous and so meticulous with their work plus we have made new friends as well. We had the roof guy out to look at the roof and why all of a sudden we had a small leak once since being here. It's seems when Ray built the cabin a flashing between the upper and lower portion of the tin roof was not needed or to code, so over the 20 + years the tin roof expands and contracts which causes the possibility of leaks; so he will install the flashing when he gets a chance. The roof hasn't leaked in the last torrential rains but while he is out here on another job he will fix the possibility of another leak in the future as we leave the cabin unattended for 7 months.
Well I hit the shower after the heart breaking news of Finnley's passing and did check the Ray's score. They were ahead by one run when I turned the lights out around 10:30, LATER
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Wednesday Morning June 26th
Well Tuesday was another work day on the flooring in the upstairs of the cabin with two of the nicest and hardest working father and son team I've ever met. They are Believers as well and are great family folks. We have really enjoyed getting to know them and I have learned a lot about laying a floating style flooring. No rain today despite some ominous rain clouds at times.
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I post the ramble and lift up several in thoughts and prayers to my Creator for comfort and healing during this time of their need. All seem well and we've had no update on baby Finnley. No news is sometimes good news as I've been told. Anyhow after my quiet time I headed out to check on the gardens and breath that fresh never before breathed air. I put on my gum boots as the heavy dew was evident in the wet grass and wondered around the yards and gardens giving thanks again and checking out the new seedlings I transplanted the evening before. All seem well despite the inch of rain that beat down on the roof over night.
Larry and Brandon came around 8'ish and we commenced to laying vinyl planks until 4 ish after a lunch break. It was up and down the stairs which is almost as good as hiking. I was the "go for" guy but did assist in several area and got some real OJT experience. These fellers are so precise and so proud of their work of any kind. They were a real deal when I met them. I did the cleanup after they left and then we got ready to go over to a local cafe for supper as Nancy didn't feel like cooking. The food wasn't anything to brag about but it filled us up and we even had a hand dipped ice cream cone for a treat afterwards. We saw another neighbor hood couple and then a couple who use to attend Cornerstone come in just as we were leaving. We stopped by and visited with another neighbor on the way in on our lane for a few minutes and caught up on all the news regarding his family.
We took a hike to the top of the mountain in the early evening and the temps were perfect. The distant views were limited due to some haze down off the mountain but the hike was great as we traveled the mountain and worked off the French fries, hamburger steak, cole slaw and Texas toast. I settled into the Ray's game after getting back to the cabin and they were losing again big time in Minnesota. I hit the showers and was soon in the horizontal lab position with lights out at 10'ish, LATER
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I post the ramble and lift up several in thoughts and prayers to my Creator for comfort and healing during this time of their need. All seem well and we've had no update on baby Finnley. No news is sometimes good news as I've been told. Anyhow after my quiet time I headed out to check on the gardens and breath that fresh never before breathed air. I put on my gum boots as the heavy dew was evident in the wet grass and wondered around the yards and gardens giving thanks again and checking out the new seedlings I transplanted the evening before. All seem well despite the inch of rain that beat down on the roof over night.
Larry and Brandon came around 8'ish and we commenced to laying vinyl planks until 4 ish after a lunch break. It was up and down the stairs which is almost as good as hiking. I was the "go for" guy but did assist in several area and got some real OJT experience. These fellers are so precise and so proud of their work of any kind. They were a real deal when I met them. I did the cleanup after they left and then we got ready to go over to a local cafe for supper as Nancy didn't feel like cooking. The food wasn't anything to brag about but it filled us up and we even had a hand dipped ice cream cone for a treat afterwards. We saw another neighbor hood couple and then a couple who use to attend Cornerstone come in just as we were leaving. We stopped by and visited with another neighbor on the way in on our lane for a few minutes and caught up on all the news regarding his family.
We took a hike to the top of the mountain in the early evening and the temps were perfect. The distant views were limited due to some haze down off the mountain but the hike was great as we traveled the mountain and worked off the French fries, hamburger steak, cole slaw and Texas toast. I settled into the Ray's game after getting back to the cabin and they were losing again big time in Minnesota. I hit the showers and was soon in the horizontal lab position with lights out at 10'ish, LATER
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Tuesday Morning
Well Monday was almost another perfect day until late evening when storm clouds rolled in and we had a cloud burst for hours. I sure hope the gardens didn't wash away but its still dark outside and I will check at daybreak. It was work day all day until around 4'ish when Larry and Brandon left for the day and will return early today(Tue.) as they had to finish another job during the morning on Monday.
I started the day a bit earlier than my usual 6'ish roll out for some reason, but the real reason was Nancy was sawing logs in her sleep and I was antsy about getting this flooring started upstairs. It seems when the two are combined I might as well get up, so it was around 5 when I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then lifted up several to my Creator for healing and comfort. The latest update on baby Finnley is good and getting better daily. We can only praise GOD. The medical staff had given him a very little chance to survive but now are amazed at his recovery and progress. We had folks from all over Florida as well as here in N.C. and who knows where else lifting him up to GOD in prayers for his life.
I headed out after this posting to check on the gardens and all seem well. The new transplants where doing well overnight and the deer and slugs had stayed away giving them a chance to mature. The Zinnias flowers were adding new leaves almost daily in the circle drive and I'm looking forward to a bumper crop for next years sowing when I cut the heads off in October. I fired up the weed whacker and trimmed all of the yards after the mowing on Sunday evening while waiting on our workers. The place really looks great after its manicuring. We were waiting on our friends and workers to arrive so around 9:30 Nancy gave them a call to check on their whereabout and we had either not heard them mention they had to grout the other job before coming here when they left on Friday. It was close to noon when they arrived.
We did get about half of the flooring laid in the one room and closet. Wow they are really good and very precise. It was a shame so many of the planks were damaged by the fork lift when bringing them out to me a week or so ago. Many in one box where damaged and we used them in the closet after cutting away the bad parts but still I'm going to let Lowes know of the damage. I noticed several of the boxes where ripped and the imprint of the fork lift on the cartons and I should have made the driver aware and the invoice when I signed for them, oh well.
It was a work day as I did most of the cutting of the planks down stairs on the porch with a chop saw; so I was the runner or climber for most of the cuts. Needless to say I did not need to hike after supper. The flooring looks great and will make a great difference to the upstairs rooms. We did take a golf cart ride out to the mailbox and visited with a neighbor who was cutting up the fallen tree in his drive. I arrived near the end and helped with cleaning the brush up and onto a burning pile of limbs. We visited for a few then headed home as it looked as if it was going to rain. The rain stayed away until after dark when it let loose with a fury. There was lightning and thunder but no power outage.
Well that was about it for Monday and the rest of the week shows just the possibility of thunder storms. We had great temps during the day and Nancy got a couple loads of laundry on the outside line. It supposed to be in the high 70's the rest of the week which is perfect for the gardens and working. I can not believe June is almost over, LATER
I started the day a bit earlier than my usual 6'ish roll out for some reason, but the real reason was Nancy was sawing logs in her sleep and I was antsy about getting this flooring started upstairs. It seems when the two are combined I might as well get up, so it was around 5 when I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted this ramble then lifted up several to my Creator for healing and comfort. The latest update on baby Finnley is good and getting better daily. We can only praise GOD. The medical staff had given him a very little chance to survive but now are amazed at his recovery and progress. We had folks from all over Florida as well as here in N.C. and who knows where else lifting him up to GOD in prayers for his life.
I headed out after this posting to check on the gardens and all seem well. The new transplants where doing well overnight and the deer and slugs had stayed away giving them a chance to mature. The Zinnias flowers were adding new leaves almost daily in the circle drive and I'm looking forward to a bumper crop for next years sowing when I cut the heads off in October. I fired up the weed whacker and trimmed all of the yards after the mowing on Sunday evening while waiting on our workers. The place really looks great after its manicuring. We were waiting on our friends and workers to arrive so around 9:30 Nancy gave them a call to check on their whereabout and we had either not heard them mention they had to grout the other job before coming here when they left on Friday. It was close to noon when they arrived.
We did get about half of the flooring laid in the one room and closet. Wow they are really good and very precise. It was a shame so many of the planks were damaged by the fork lift when bringing them out to me a week or so ago. Many in one box where damaged and we used them in the closet after cutting away the bad parts but still I'm going to let Lowes know of the damage. I noticed several of the boxes where ripped and the imprint of the fork lift on the cartons and I should have made the driver aware and the invoice when I signed for them, oh well.
It was a work day as I did most of the cutting of the planks down stairs on the porch with a chop saw; so I was the runner or climber for most of the cuts. Needless to say I did not need to hike after supper. The flooring looks great and will make a great difference to the upstairs rooms. We did take a golf cart ride out to the mailbox and visited with a neighbor who was cutting up the fallen tree in his drive. I arrived near the end and helped with cleaning the brush up and onto a burning pile of limbs. We visited for a few then headed home as it looked as if it was going to rain. The rain stayed away until after dark when it let loose with a fury. There was lightning and thunder but no power outage.
Well that was about it for Monday and the rest of the week shows just the possibility of thunder storms. We had great temps during the day and Nancy got a couple loads of laundry on the outside line. It supposed to be in the high 70's the rest of the week which is perfect for the gardens and working. I can not believe June is almost over, LATER
Monday, June 24, 2019
Monday Morning..start of the last week in June
Well, Sunday started out wet, foggy, soggy and cool. Yikes, we where so ready for some sunshine and then around lunch time we got just what we were hoping for; blue skies and sunshine and very nice temps. We had a good worship service both here at the cabin as we listened to BridgePoint on line and then again we worshipped live at Cornerstone with another 75 or so folks maybe a hundred including kiddos. We met up with our mountain family, Mechelle, Caleb and his girl Kortland for lunch at the local Mexican eatery then made a couple stops before getting back on the mountain around 1:30.
The day started with my usual before 6 roll out to my 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 lifting several up by name. There is awesome news on little Finnley as he is now breathing on his own and off the respirator and is progressing daily as his heart heals itself. Life is such a remarkable joy for those who honor it and GOD and I do not know how those who kill babies live with their selves and who support such an evil and vile action. I'm so ashamed of our politicians who support this to get votes.
After a good sermon which has a tendency to run long here in the mountains as we are use to 40 minute messages and very to the point, we headed out for lunch. We saw several who use to attend our church and now have moved on to other services. Our Pastor is a one man show who gives announcements, leads the singing and the preaching and at time mulls and takes forever on simple announcements. I think he should delegate some of the responsibilities to others which may make the 2 hours go faster and not become so bogged down. We love the pastor and the folks here but we have lost so many young families and many who were once leaders, oh well. All of my pickle ball players have left the church so that ministry has gone by the wayside.
We had a delicious lunch of real Mexican food before we headed out. Their unlimited salsa and chips are the best ever as the chips are hot out of the oven. The food is reasonable and they have a great business as many church folks eat there on Sundays. We try to rotate between several establishments each week but some in our group are not fond of certain places, anyhow its always a pleasure to meet up each Sunday for our one big meal of the day. I headed out to the gardens after getting home to transplant several Bibb lettuces into the ground. Most had at least 4 leaves and I think if the slugs leave them alone we should have fresh lettuce in a week or so. I also transplanted 5 hills of kale seedlings in hopes they will make as well. All of the okra seem to be up as well as the collards and Swiss chard so we should have plenty of greenery in a couple weeks for salads. The onions sets I planted last week are up and showing green stalks and the 6 large cherry tomato plants have finally put on some new leaves. The 3 large tomato plants are still suspect as to if they will make it or not. The cukes are showing lots of green leaves and will make and I'm sure I'll have tons to give away.
We made the second batch of black raspberry jelly/jam since I had juiced the berry's on Saturday and had them ready for the suregel and sugar. We got another 10 jars to give away or use but with that much sugar per jar I'm staying away and waiting for the frozen berries for cobbler down the road. We took off on a picking berry excursion and scared up a large wild turkey from within the berry patch inside the fence. He flew out like a small bird does but this turkey was huge and I'm sure he would have cleaned the vines in no time. Nancy came back up with the golf cart and picked another quart or so for cobblers for when the kids come in July. We did have a nice hike with beautiful temps. We saw no one as the weekenders were gone.
I fired up the riding mower and mowed all of the yards which usually take a couple hours. The evening shadows were coming from the huge tree surrounding our cabin as I finished. Nancy did some weeding in the front flower beds while I mowed. I skipped any supper except for some mixed nuts and brew after mowing around 7'ish. Thankfully no rain overnight but there was some dew dripping from the roof top this morning which makes a huge sound on the tin roof in the stillness of the dawn. Our workers Larry and Brandon are starting on the floor today and should be here around 8, LATER
The day started with my usual before 6 roll out to my 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 lifting several up by name. There is awesome news on little Finnley as he is now breathing on his own and off the respirator and is progressing daily as his heart heals itself. Life is such a remarkable joy for those who honor it and GOD and I do not know how those who kill babies live with their selves and who support such an evil and vile action. I'm so ashamed of our politicians who support this to get votes.
After a good sermon which has a tendency to run long here in the mountains as we are use to 40 minute messages and very to the point, we headed out for lunch. We saw several who use to attend our church and now have moved on to other services. Our Pastor is a one man show who gives announcements, leads the singing and the preaching and at time mulls and takes forever on simple announcements. I think he should delegate some of the responsibilities to others which may make the 2 hours go faster and not become so bogged down. We love the pastor and the folks here but we have lost so many young families and many who were once leaders, oh well. All of my pickle ball players have left the church so that ministry has gone by the wayside.
We had a delicious lunch of real Mexican food before we headed out. Their unlimited salsa and chips are the best ever as the chips are hot out of the oven. The food is reasonable and they have a great business as many church folks eat there on Sundays. We try to rotate between several establishments each week but some in our group are not fond of certain places, anyhow its always a pleasure to meet up each Sunday for our one big meal of the day. I headed out to the gardens after getting home to transplant several Bibb lettuces into the ground. Most had at least 4 leaves and I think if the slugs leave them alone we should have fresh lettuce in a week or so. I also transplanted 5 hills of kale seedlings in hopes they will make as well. All of the okra seem to be up as well as the collards and Swiss chard so we should have plenty of greenery in a couple weeks for salads. The onions sets I planted last week are up and showing green stalks and the 6 large cherry tomato plants have finally put on some new leaves. The 3 large tomato plants are still suspect as to if they will make it or not. The cukes are showing lots of green leaves and will make and I'm sure I'll have tons to give away.
We made the second batch of black raspberry jelly/jam since I had juiced the berry's on Saturday and had them ready for the suregel and sugar. We got another 10 jars to give away or use but with that much sugar per jar I'm staying away and waiting for the frozen berries for cobbler down the road. We took off on a picking berry excursion and scared up a large wild turkey from within the berry patch inside the fence. He flew out like a small bird does but this turkey was huge and I'm sure he would have cleaned the vines in no time. Nancy came back up with the golf cart and picked another quart or so for cobblers for when the kids come in July. We did have a nice hike with beautiful temps. We saw no one as the weekenders were gone.
I fired up the riding mower and mowed all of the yards which usually take a couple hours. The evening shadows were coming from the huge tree surrounding our cabin as I finished. Nancy did some weeding in the front flower beds while I mowed. I skipped any supper except for some mixed nuts and brew after mowing around 7'ish. Thankfully no rain overnight but there was some dew dripping from the roof top this morning which makes a huge sound on the tin roof in the stillness of the dawn. Our workers Larry and Brandon are starting on the floor today and should be here around 8, LATER
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Sunday Morning
Well Saturday was a busy work as well fun day and we did something we haven't done in a year or so and that was pick berries and then make black raspberry jelly/jam.Wow what a messy job as you just about use every pan, pot and spatula in the cupboard; but the reward is the taste of the delicate flavor of this Cadillac of berries.
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 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 of the universe for healing and comfort. I haven't any more news on Finnley our preemie, but no news can often be good news. All of the rest are doing as well as can be expected. I headed out to check on the gardens while Nancy slept in as she is a night owl and spent a few minutes in the beautiful early morning crisp fresh air worshipping as well. One of the great things about being in the mountains in the early morning hours is the stillness except for the birds singing away and everything we see is GOD made. What a closeness I experience to the Creator while looking heavenward and giving thanks. It's so much different from the busyness of living in Florida with the sounds of traffic, neighbors and of course sirens at all hours of the day and night.
We were heading to Gala, Va. which is the hub of major shopping with the super Wal-Mart and super Lowes stores as well as furniture stores. One of the major manufacturing of furniture is Vaughn-Bassett in Galax with a huge plant. We shopped at Gynn's furniture store close to the plant which sells their products and we purchased two new queen size mattresses and box springs yesterday to be delivered next week after the new flooring is installed. We headed onto Wal-Mart where I dropped Nancy off to shop then I headed just up the road to return some leftover tiles and purchase some needed items for the renovation. We met up and hour or so later and once more she stocked up with groceries before gassing up at 2.27 a gallon on our way out of town. It's usually a 3-4 hour trip to Galax at the minimum. It was close to 1:30 before getting back on the mountain.
We had a light lunch then headed up the mountain after a light rain shower to pick black raspberries. The new owners wanted us to close a window left open and turn off a fan that was spinning on high on their front porch. It seems the window latch is broken but hopefully the window will stay closed, that maybe the reason there was some visqueen covering the opening. We picked nearly another gallon of berries and with what I picked the day before we had enough juice to make two batches of jelly/jam. I took tons of seeds out but of course the small seeds slip through the strainer. What a mess and a job but all 11 jars in the first batch sealed and we put the juice for the second batch in the fridge as we didn't have enough lids which we will pick up today(Sun.) while in Sparta after church.
The skies cleared with bright sunshine after the cool start for the day so off we went on a hike to the top around 5'ish. We met up with the Baucom's at their very modern hacienda and then their friends who have a place near ours. We chatted for awhile before heading back down the mountain and it was after 7'ish before we sat down to have a light supper of leftovers. I piddled around in the gardens transplanting some marigolds I brought from the Florida garden as well spreading some dried horse manure into the veggie gardens. I did transplant some Zinnias seedlings that were in clumps into some areas of the circle drive that had bare spots. I love working outside until dark and it was nearly dark before I called it a day and headed into shower. Nancy was on her Ipad and doing the social media updates and I checked the mail before hitting the shower. The Ray's have lost 9 of the last 12 games and are on a downward spiral. They have some injuries and lousy relief pitching.
Well I read until 10'ish and then the sandman calleth and it was lights out for me. I have no idea when Nancy decided to hit the sack, LATER
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 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 of the universe for healing and comfort. I haven't any more news on Finnley our preemie, but no news can often be good news. All of the rest are doing as well as can be expected. I headed out to check on the gardens while Nancy slept in as she is a night owl and spent a few minutes in the beautiful early morning crisp fresh air worshipping as well. One of the great things about being in the mountains in the early morning hours is the stillness except for the birds singing away and everything we see is GOD made. What a closeness I experience to the Creator while looking heavenward and giving thanks. It's so much different from the busyness of living in Florida with the sounds of traffic, neighbors and of course sirens at all hours of the day and night.
We were heading to Gala, Va. which is the hub of major shopping with the super Wal-Mart and super Lowes stores as well as furniture stores. One of the major manufacturing of furniture is Vaughn-Bassett in Galax with a huge plant. We shopped at Gynn's furniture store close to the plant which sells their products and we purchased two new queen size mattresses and box springs yesterday to be delivered next week after the new flooring is installed. We headed onto Wal-Mart where I dropped Nancy off to shop then I headed just up the road to return some leftover tiles and purchase some needed items for the renovation. We met up and hour or so later and once more she stocked up with groceries before gassing up at 2.27 a gallon on our way out of town. It's usually a 3-4 hour trip to Galax at the minimum. It was close to 1:30 before getting back on the mountain.
We had a light lunch then headed up the mountain after a light rain shower to pick black raspberries. The new owners wanted us to close a window left open and turn off a fan that was spinning on high on their front porch. It seems the window latch is broken but hopefully the window will stay closed, that maybe the reason there was some visqueen covering the opening. We picked nearly another gallon of berries and with what I picked the day before we had enough juice to make two batches of jelly/jam. I took tons of seeds out but of course the small seeds slip through the strainer. What a mess and a job but all 11 jars in the first batch sealed and we put the juice for the second batch in the fridge as we didn't have enough lids which we will pick up today(Sun.) while in Sparta after church.
The skies cleared with bright sunshine after the cool start for the day so off we went on a hike to the top around 5'ish. We met up with the Baucom's at their very modern hacienda and then their friends who have a place near ours. We chatted for awhile before heading back down the mountain and it was after 7'ish before we sat down to have a light supper of leftovers. I piddled around in the gardens transplanting some marigolds I brought from the Florida garden as well spreading some dried horse manure into the veggie gardens. I did transplant some Zinnias seedlings that were in clumps into some areas of the circle drive that had bare spots. I love working outside until dark and it was nearly dark before I called it a day and headed into shower. Nancy was on her Ipad and doing the social media updates and I checked the mail before hitting the shower. The Ray's have lost 9 of the last 12 games and are on a downward spiral. They have some injuries and lousy relief pitching.
Well I read until 10'ish and then the sandman calleth and it was lights out for me. I have no idea when Nancy decided to hit the sack, LATER
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Saturday Morning... June 22 2019
Well Friday was the longest day of the year so I thought I would mention it a day late, anyhow it was a marvelous day with cool morning temps, lots of sunshine with some high clouds that moved around with the gusty winds at times. We had our first cook out in the evening with our mountain family, neighbor and friends. I did speak via phone with the new owners of the Browning place about those delicious black raspberries and a few oddities at their place; so she informed me where the key to the house was located to correct those issues and to use the berries.
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble then spend some quiet moments with my Creator lifting up several and giving thanks. All are as well as can be expected given the nature of their issues and little Finnley is progressing day by day. I headed out to check on the gardens and had to don long pants with an extra shirt as the cool temps and the wind made it feel even colder, yikes for the first day of summer it felt like the first day of fall. Just last week we were in the 80's which is a little warm for the mountains and we had the a/c on and now its getting close to heat again.
Everything in the gardens looked great and I transplanted some collard seedlings into 6 packs before setting them out in the garden. The Bibb lettuces now have 4 leaves and I'm thinking of setting them out into the garden. 6 of my large cherry tomato's look great but the 3 tomato plants which give the big fruit aren't as healthy looking. Nancy was still in the sack as Larry and Brandon weren't coming until after lunch to finish up the wood work around the new shower. They have done a marvelous job and we are completely satisfied at this stage of their workmanship. We next week will tackle the laying of the vinyl plank flooring with and underlayment. So far they are less costly by far from an earlier estimate despite working by the hour; plus we have become friends as well.
I fired up the golf cart to check on the berry patch and many have ripened and are now falling off or rotting on the vine. I managed to pick a gallon or so and noticed the vines were loaded with lots of berries to mature in the next day or so. I spoke with Joe the prior owner via email and he gave me the number of the new owners and they were not coming to the mountain until the middle of July and were thrilled that we could use the fruit. I promised her a jar of jelly. We will make a batch next week and then pick daily for cobblers and pies. Nancy has a fantastic recipe which she used on the cherries last week; even the workers loved it.
I put 3 slabs of St.Louis ribs on the smoker around 11'ish and let them smoke for about 6 hours. The meat fell off the bone except for the larger ends of the slab; delicious as I used applewood and just one piece of hickory to flavor. Folks brought tater salad, cooked green beans, baked beans and Nancy had salsa and guacamole before hand with chips. The garlic bread was in abundance as well. This is just one of the many cook outs over the summer and why I come home 10 pounds heavier than when we left Florida. Kimberly made a decadent blueberry cake with whipped cream like a cake but in a bowl, yikes I had two helpings and made her take the leftovers home. Gerald had a spoon of the dessert while we played Sequence of which I must mention the GUY WON AGAIN..I must say since neighbor Gerald left after a game of Corn Hole while the gals cleaned up, we used Mechelle as a player for the guys. We had 6 players but only two guys so she bit the bullet and played with us on our team; we always win when she crosses over and becomes a guy for the evening. What would we call that; gamegender. It's so ridiculous there now is a bill in the congress to let men play as women in sports, the libs do not know which bathroom to use but yet they want to control the social mores of our culture. Not only is it a smear on our culture but GOD created two sexes; male and female.
I must say I was ambivalent about our duly elected Potus Trump's decision to not blow Iran's military into extinction but he made a conscious decision to not take any lives no matter what because of the downing of an unmanned drone. This speaks highly of his integrity and desire to save humanity instead of starting a war that would not only kill many innocences on both sides. He wants America to be great and in that process bring peace through strength. I hope those who "chant death to America" wake up and take away from this decision that America is not a bully and neither is this Potus but realize they can only go so far before fatal decisions will be made. The left is perplexed because they will now spin this decision to denigrate this man who is putting America first and our allies and bringing back our relationship with GOD and all created in His Image; even our enemies. This was a gutsy decision and I commend him for giving the regime in Iran another day to decide if they want to live or die. There is a revolt within their gov't to replace the leaders there who are wanting to build nuclear weapons with the assistance of our last USA leaders who are muslim extremists. Let's hope the common folks there are victorious and along with our sanctions will help to defeat them without a bloody conflict.
Well the food was excellent as well as the fun afterwards and it wasn't long after all left around 9'ish I was in the hot shower and soon in the horizontal lab position. Sometime during the night I was awakened by a thunder storm with rain beating on the tin roof, LATER
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble then spend some quiet moments with my Creator lifting up several and giving thanks. All are as well as can be expected given the nature of their issues and little Finnley is progressing day by day. I headed out to check on the gardens and had to don long pants with an extra shirt as the cool temps and the wind made it feel even colder, yikes for the first day of summer it felt like the first day of fall. Just last week we were in the 80's which is a little warm for the mountains and we had the a/c on and now its getting close to heat again.
Everything in the gardens looked great and I transplanted some collard seedlings into 6 packs before setting them out in the garden. The Bibb lettuces now have 4 leaves and I'm thinking of setting them out into the garden. 6 of my large cherry tomato's look great but the 3 tomato plants which give the big fruit aren't as healthy looking. Nancy was still in the sack as Larry and Brandon weren't coming until after lunch to finish up the wood work around the new shower. They have done a marvelous job and we are completely satisfied at this stage of their workmanship. We next week will tackle the laying of the vinyl plank flooring with and underlayment. So far they are less costly by far from an earlier estimate despite working by the hour; plus we have become friends as well.
I fired up the golf cart to check on the berry patch and many have ripened and are now falling off or rotting on the vine. I managed to pick a gallon or so and noticed the vines were loaded with lots of berries to mature in the next day or so. I spoke with Joe the prior owner via email and he gave me the number of the new owners and they were not coming to the mountain until the middle of July and were thrilled that we could use the fruit. I promised her a jar of jelly. We will make a batch next week and then pick daily for cobblers and pies. Nancy has a fantastic recipe which she used on the cherries last week; even the workers loved it.
I put 3 slabs of St.Louis ribs on the smoker around 11'ish and let them smoke for about 6 hours. The meat fell off the bone except for the larger ends of the slab; delicious as I used applewood and just one piece of hickory to flavor. Folks brought tater salad, cooked green beans, baked beans and Nancy had salsa and guacamole before hand with chips. The garlic bread was in abundance as well. This is just one of the many cook outs over the summer and why I come home 10 pounds heavier than when we left Florida. Kimberly made a decadent blueberry cake with whipped cream like a cake but in a bowl, yikes I had two helpings and made her take the leftovers home. Gerald had a spoon of the dessert while we played Sequence of which I must mention the GUY WON AGAIN..I must say since neighbor Gerald left after a game of Corn Hole while the gals cleaned up, we used Mechelle as a player for the guys. We had 6 players but only two guys so she bit the bullet and played with us on our team; we always win when she crosses over and becomes a guy for the evening. What would we call that; gamegender. It's so ridiculous there now is a bill in the congress to let men play as women in sports, the libs do not know which bathroom to use but yet they want to control the social mores of our culture. Not only is it a smear on our culture but GOD created two sexes; male and female.
I must say I was ambivalent about our duly elected Potus Trump's decision to not blow Iran's military into extinction but he made a conscious decision to not take any lives no matter what because of the downing of an unmanned drone. This speaks highly of his integrity and desire to save humanity instead of starting a war that would not only kill many innocences on both sides. He wants America to be great and in that process bring peace through strength. I hope those who "chant death to America" wake up and take away from this decision that America is not a bully and neither is this Potus but realize they can only go so far before fatal decisions will be made. The left is perplexed because they will now spin this decision to denigrate this man who is putting America first and our allies and bringing back our relationship with GOD and all created in His Image; even our enemies. This was a gutsy decision and I commend him for giving the regime in Iran another day to decide if they want to live or die. There is a revolt within their gov't to replace the leaders there who are wanting to build nuclear weapons with the assistance of our last USA leaders who are muslim extremists. Let's hope the common folks there are victorious and along with our sanctions will help to defeat them without a bloody conflict.
Well the food was excellent as well as the fun afterwards and it wasn't long after all left around 9'ish I was in the hot shower and soon in the horizontal lab position. Sometime during the night I was awakened by a thunder storm with rain beating on the tin roof, LATER
Friday, June 21, 2019
Friday Morning
Well we skipped the storms that were headed our way and despite some angry looking clouds and skies at times the severe weather passed us by without any rain. It was sure nice to let the wind and sun dry out the gardens and yards and while we had the a/c on for the workers upstairs it really wasn't too hot with temps around the high 70's and low 80's but it was at times a bit muggy.
I started the day with my usual before 6 wake up and roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet moments giving thanks and lifting up several by name especially little Finnley who is doing better everyday and we all know its because so many are lifting him up in prayers for healing and comfort for his parents. He continues to amaze the doctors who gave him a 20 % chance of making it and he is showing them up or GOD is answering our prayers. All the others I lift up daily are holding their own as well.
I headed out shortly after posting this ramble to check on the gardens for any deer damage and thus far despite walking through the circle drive overnight they have left the flowers and shrubs alone. The garden veggies aren't really high enough for a meal but I'm sure before the summer is over they will dine in there as well. Larry and Brandon came around 8'ish and finished grouting the shower which looks awesome. I finished tearing out the carpet in the other bedroom and got it ready for vinyl flooring on Monday. They also installed or built the area next to the shower with shelves for towels and whatever Nancy decides to store there.
Nancy made a fresh cherry cobbler which was delicious from the fresh cherries we purchased the other day as we couldn't eat them fast enough and some were starting to spoil. The workers loved the extra blessing and now they have become friends as well doing little extras for us. We get our first bill today from them as we hired them hourly or that was what they initially proposed plus materials they purchased. I know they have done a great job on making this custom shower work with all the plumbing, floor restoration and wood work. They really just about do it all for any type of construction with wood, tile and masonry and new construction.
I loaded up the truck with carpet and padding and we headed to the dump after Larry and Brandon finished for the day. They waved me through without charging me any extra for the load as some have said they were charging extra for construction debris. I think because the weight of the load was really nothing they didn't mention the material. I had to drive on a scale before dumping the load. We made a stop at the Food Lion grocery which is now the only store in the town. Instead of a picnic shoulder for smoking I bought spare ribs for the smoker as we entertain several this evening with food and games. Everyone brings a dish to share and I provide the meat and snacks which Nancy has already made the salsa and later the guacamole. We will play Sequence after eating.
We took a hike after a supper of the leftover Cincinnati chili which is very tasty and had a good hike in the cool of the evening. We noticed the black raspberries at the Brownings needed picked before the birds and or bears get them. The new owners of the property are no where to be seen and Joe and Jetta did not get the impression they were into any form of gardening or berry picking; so we will harvest them. I piddled around staining the new wood shelves and then polyurethaning all of the new wood and corner round molding for the flooring. I'm ready to start on the flooring come Monday morning if all goes well. They are finishing up another job of installing a granite counter top on Friday morning at another house and plan to be back to finish up the bathroom later today (Fri.) at our place after lunch The Ray's were playing late in Calif. and lets hope they get back to playing good ball after the blow out in N.Y., LATER
Here are a few flower pics which are starting to bloom and the distant vistas were awesome this evening. In the distant pic you can barely make out the buildings 70 miles away in Winston Salem as they were brightly shining in the evening sunshine. This view is from the top of the mountain we hike nearly every day.
I started the day with my usual before 6 wake up and roll out to a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet moments giving thanks and lifting up several by name especially little Finnley who is doing better everyday and we all know its because so many are lifting him up in prayers for healing and comfort for his parents. He continues to amaze the doctors who gave him a 20 % chance of making it and he is showing them up or GOD is answering our prayers. All the others I lift up daily are holding their own as well.
I headed out shortly after posting this ramble to check on the gardens for any deer damage and thus far despite walking through the circle drive overnight they have left the flowers and shrubs alone. The garden veggies aren't really high enough for a meal but I'm sure before the summer is over they will dine in there as well. Larry and Brandon came around 8'ish and finished grouting the shower which looks awesome. I finished tearing out the carpet in the other bedroom and got it ready for vinyl flooring on Monday. They also installed or built the area next to the shower with shelves for towels and whatever Nancy decides to store there.
Nancy made a fresh cherry cobbler which was delicious from the fresh cherries we purchased the other day as we couldn't eat them fast enough and some were starting to spoil. The workers loved the extra blessing and now they have become friends as well doing little extras for us. We get our first bill today from them as we hired them hourly or that was what they initially proposed plus materials they purchased. I know they have done a great job on making this custom shower work with all the plumbing, floor restoration and wood work. They really just about do it all for any type of construction with wood, tile and masonry and new construction.
I loaded up the truck with carpet and padding and we headed to the dump after Larry and Brandon finished for the day. They waved me through without charging me any extra for the load as some have said they were charging extra for construction debris. I think because the weight of the load was really nothing they didn't mention the material. I had to drive on a scale before dumping the load. We made a stop at the Food Lion grocery which is now the only store in the town. Instead of a picnic shoulder for smoking I bought spare ribs for the smoker as we entertain several this evening with food and games. Everyone brings a dish to share and I provide the meat and snacks which Nancy has already made the salsa and later the guacamole. We will play Sequence after eating.
We took a hike after a supper of the leftover Cincinnati chili which is very tasty and had a good hike in the cool of the evening. We noticed the black raspberries at the Brownings needed picked before the birds and or bears get them. The new owners of the property are no where to be seen and Joe and Jetta did not get the impression they were into any form of gardening or berry picking; so we will harvest them. I piddled around staining the new wood shelves and then polyurethaning all of the new wood and corner round molding for the flooring. I'm ready to start on the flooring come Monday morning if all goes well. They are finishing up another job of installing a granite counter top on Friday morning at another house and plan to be back to finish up the bathroom later today (Fri.) at our place after lunch The Ray's were playing late in Calif. and lets hope they get back to playing good ball after the blow out in N.Y., LATER
Here are a few flower pics which are starting to bloom and the distant vistas were awesome this evening. In the distant pic you can barely make out the buildings 70 miles away in Winston Salem as they were brightly shining in the evening sunshine. This view is from the top of the mountain we hike nearly every day.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Thursday Morning
Well the hard rains stayed away for a day except for a couple light sun showers or dust settlers as we call it here in the mountains as we live off a dirt road. The humidity did slip back into the scene so Nancy once more has the a/c cranked down especially for the workers in the upstairs bathroom which is a rather small area to begin with. They finished the tile setting and now just need to grout the whole shower and that portion of the renovation with be about complete except for setting the commode which will happen after the vinyl flooring go in.
I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my usual routines of a handful of Nutrilite vitamin's and supplement washed down with my green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I post this ramble them some quiet moments with my Creator lifting several up and giving thanks. The update on little preemie Findley is he is holding his own despite some more drastic issues than just being a preemie., all others seem to be doing O.K. After a breakfast of grits and eggs with a jalapeno thrown in for flavor for me I headed out to check on the gardens and noticed a deer had wondered through the circle drive during the night but did not eat the hydrangeas, thankfully. They are starting to add some new growth and I know they are one of the deers favorite snacks.
The workers were working so I loaded up the golf cart with pelletized lime and the spreader and gave all of the yards a coating of lime to help with grass and hold the moss down from spreading. That job is almost like hiking through the woods as I was up and down the yards. The grass was really wet so that made it good for the lime to get into the soil and sweeten it up. I piddled around in the gardens hoeing and loosening up the wet ground and then moved up some cilantro seedlings I had started from seed into pots. I noticed the collards are up and I will soon move them into pots as well. The Bibb lettuce has put on another leaf and I will soon set them into ground. Most everything is holding on except for another tomato plant that rotted off at ground level due to the wet soil.
We took off on a hike before noon and met the new owner of the beautiful Butzback cabin. He was very friendly and showed us how he divide the upstairs into individual bedrooms but still maintained the open area when not used as a bedroom. He used sliding curtains and it really worked great and he and his wife have 4 children all grown. They are from the Raleigh area and still maintain a home there. We stopped for a few to speak with Paula and Billy. She is still having back issues but seemed upbeat. We stopped at the old Browning place and picked a handful of black raspberries which melted in your mouth before heading back down the mountain to a light lunch of a fresh salad.
Well a relative of Larry and Brandon's came by for the two double beds Nancy wanted to replace with queen size beds for the upstairs bedrooms. We were so thrilled someone could use them instead of having to take them to the landfill and this man is about to get married and start a family. After the worker were finished for the day I started on tearing out the carpet and pad as well as the tack strips in the bedroom above us. I cut the carpet and padding into strips and tied them with hay baling twine and removed them to down under porch for when I head to the dump. I have just one more room to tear up and then we can start on the flooring. We are satisfied we can complete the job by the first of July before our family arrives. The tiled bathroom is a plus for the cabin.
Well after an early supper of Cincinnati chili I got ready around 6 and headed out to the Roaring Gap Country Club to play some pickle ball with 4 other men. The court had been refurbished there as well and I played hard for the first time since June 1. I left after an hour with a wet shirt and whupped from all of the day's activities. It was going on 8 when I got bak to the cabin and I checked the ball scores and the Ray's were blown out by the Yanks 12-1. What is going on with our pitching...LATER
I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my usual routines of a handful of Nutrilite vitamin's and supplement washed down with my green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I post this ramble them some quiet moments with my Creator lifting several up and giving thanks. The update on little preemie Findley is he is holding his own despite some more drastic issues than just being a preemie., all others seem to be doing O.K. After a breakfast of grits and eggs with a jalapeno thrown in for flavor for me I headed out to check on the gardens and noticed a deer had wondered through the circle drive during the night but did not eat the hydrangeas, thankfully. They are starting to add some new growth and I know they are one of the deers favorite snacks.
The workers were working so I loaded up the golf cart with pelletized lime and the spreader and gave all of the yards a coating of lime to help with grass and hold the moss down from spreading. That job is almost like hiking through the woods as I was up and down the yards. The grass was really wet so that made it good for the lime to get into the soil and sweeten it up. I piddled around in the gardens hoeing and loosening up the wet ground and then moved up some cilantro seedlings I had started from seed into pots. I noticed the collards are up and I will soon move them into pots as well. The Bibb lettuce has put on another leaf and I will soon set them into ground. Most everything is holding on except for another tomato plant that rotted off at ground level due to the wet soil.
We took off on a hike before noon and met the new owner of the beautiful Butzback cabin. He was very friendly and showed us how he divide the upstairs into individual bedrooms but still maintained the open area when not used as a bedroom. He used sliding curtains and it really worked great and he and his wife have 4 children all grown. They are from the Raleigh area and still maintain a home there. We stopped for a few to speak with Paula and Billy. She is still having back issues but seemed upbeat. We stopped at the old Browning place and picked a handful of black raspberries which melted in your mouth before heading back down the mountain to a light lunch of a fresh salad.
Well a relative of Larry and Brandon's came by for the two double beds Nancy wanted to replace with queen size beds for the upstairs bedrooms. We were so thrilled someone could use them instead of having to take them to the landfill and this man is about to get married and start a family. After the worker were finished for the day I started on tearing out the carpet and pad as well as the tack strips in the bedroom above us. I cut the carpet and padding into strips and tied them with hay baling twine and removed them to down under porch for when I head to the dump. I have just one more room to tear up and then we can start on the flooring. We are satisfied we can complete the job by the first of July before our family arrives. The tiled bathroom is a plus for the cabin.
Well after an early supper of Cincinnati chili I got ready around 6 and headed out to the Roaring Gap Country Club to play some pickle ball with 4 other men. The court had been refurbished there as well and I played hard for the first time since June 1. I left after an hour with a wet shirt and whupped from all of the day's activities. It was going on 8 when I got bak to the cabin and I checked the ball scores and the Ray's were blown out by the Yanks 12-1. What is going on with our pitching...LATER
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Wednesday Morning...19 June
Well Tuesday started out with some sunshine but ended on another wet soggy evening with rain; not quite as many heavy downpours as the evening before but it was heavy rain none the less. There was plenty of thunder and lightning around as well and that did put a stop to our tile setters who work outside with wet hands on the tile saw and are very susceptible to shock; they had just about finished for the day as well but this storm that moved in was the clincher for the day.
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start while Nancy is still in the sack. I had my handful of vitamins and supplements washed down with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted the day before's activities and then spent some quiet moments giving thanks and lifting up several by name. The good news is that preemie baby Findley has made it another 48 hours when there was only a 20 % chance he would survive at birth. He is at 4 pounds and was 10 weeks early and the reason for the early labor is still not totally understood; but the momma is doing O.K. So keep up your prayers for both of them. Everyone else seems as well as can be expected as I've nothing to the contrary.
Larry and Brandon ( workers) came around 8 and got to work mixing mud and setting tile through out the day. They are a great father/son team and the finished product looks awesome with the Subway style tile. They will grout today and do some last minute touches before we reinstall the vanity before putting down the plank flooring. We are hoping next week to at least start the flooring if not sooner but they have to finish up another job that was held up due to material. The shower install will make it a little tight in the room but will be such an improvement for our family and guests at bed time.
I worked in the driveway smoothing out ruts from the gully washer the night before and neighbor Gerald brought out his tractor with the box blade and really gave the driveway a going over. We have a couple areas where the rushing water runoff has worn away the bank back toward the travelled section of the driveway so he scooped up three buckets of these much larger quarry stones called ric rack which is used to thwart the eroding water and dumped them along side the drive. I then raked them into the deep area which kept us busy for an hour or so. I also cleaned out some ditches of debris which caused the running water to divert into the road instead of off into the ditches. Heavy gully washers are just what they are which causes deep ravines where ever the rain run off gathers and then forms a river or gullies/ ruts as they travel the path of less resistance down hill. I have one in the front yard by the flower bed when the rain runoff from the roof is torrential. It requires raking back the dirt and filling in the rut. The grass holds most of the area but still when we have these down pours it causes erosion.
We took off before lunch on a hike to the top of the mountain. At times it looked like rain and the vistas were not there today. We could barely make out Pilot Mountain which is just a few miles as the crow flies from our mountain. We did stop and speak with Tommy and Carol Brown before they headed back to their home down off the mountain. I put the idea in his head as I did Joe Browning a year or so ago about using his extra out building as an AirBnB. He brought this building in for his guests to sleep in and fixed it up with a bathroom and small kitchen area and Joe did the same at his place and generated some income while it just sits there rotting away. Oh well he is now intrigued as we shared how we enjoyed staying with different folks on our trips to Michigan and Ohio while Nancy's mom was alive plus the bucks you save. He and Carol are thinking of a cross country trip and once entertained pulling trailer or buying a motorhome.
Well we came back and had a bite of lunch. I piddled around in the garden loosening the wet soil so as to save as many garden seedlings as possible. The onions look the best of anything green as the tomato plants are suffering from all the wetness. I do have some seedlings up from the pots I sowed them into and will transplant them today into 6 packs until they get large enough to plant into the garden. There isn't much I can do to help the workers except cleanup and keep the porch somewhat in order. Luckily we have a nice 8 ft wide front porch which runs the length of the cabin under a roof which make it great for either relaxing or in this case from the rain and sun. We did turn on the a/c for the first time and we had trouble remembering how to use the remote. It was a muggy day with high humidity and the workers were sweating on the second floor and in the small bathroom.
Well after they left we settled into the internet and a book. Nancy was ordering all kinds of stuff for the bathroom again and one order she made last week she had it sent to Bobby's place in Brandon. He called last night to inform her of her mistake and we all got a laugh. I decided before she orders anything off the internet I needed to check the order, oh well. She was into the TV and Ipad and I was watching the Ray's vs Yank's when I hit the showers at 10, they were winning 2-1 but I saw this morning they lost again 6-3. Where is the relief pitching we so desperately need, LATER
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start while Nancy is still in the sack. I had my handful of vitamins and supplements washed down with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger while I posted the day before's activities and then spent some quiet moments giving thanks and lifting up several by name. The good news is that preemie baby Findley has made it another 48 hours when there was only a 20 % chance he would survive at birth. He is at 4 pounds and was 10 weeks early and the reason for the early labor is still not totally understood; but the momma is doing O.K. So keep up your prayers for both of them. Everyone else seems as well as can be expected as I've nothing to the contrary.
Larry and Brandon ( workers) came around 8 and got to work mixing mud and setting tile through out the day. They are a great father/son team and the finished product looks awesome with the Subway style tile. They will grout today and do some last minute touches before we reinstall the vanity before putting down the plank flooring. We are hoping next week to at least start the flooring if not sooner but they have to finish up another job that was held up due to material. The shower install will make it a little tight in the room but will be such an improvement for our family and guests at bed time.
I worked in the driveway smoothing out ruts from the gully washer the night before and neighbor Gerald brought out his tractor with the box blade and really gave the driveway a going over. We have a couple areas where the rushing water runoff has worn away the bank back toward the travelled section of the driveway so he scooped up three buckets of these much larger quarry stones called ric rack which is used to thwart the eroding water and dumped them along side the drive. I then raked them into the deep area which kept us busy for an hour or so. I also cleaned out some ditches of debris which caused the running water to divert into the road instead of off into the ditches. Heavy gully washers are just what they are which causes deep ravines where ever the rain run off gathers and then forms a river or gullies/ ruts as they travel the path of less resistance down hill. I have one in the front yard by the flower bed when the rain runoff from the roof is torrential. It requires raking back the dirt and filling in the rut. The grass holds most of the area but still when we have these down pours it causes erosion.
We took off before lunch on a hike to the top of the mountain. At times it looked like rain and the vistas were not there today. We could barely make out Pilot Mountain which is just a few miles as the crow flies from our mountain. We did stop and speak with Tommy and Carol Brown before they headed back to their home down off the mountain. I put the idea in his head as I did Joe Browning a year or so ago about using his extra out building as an AirBnB. He brought this building in for his guests to sleep in and fixed it up with a bathroom and small kitchen area and Joe did the same at his place and generated some income while it just sits there rotting away. Oh well he is now intrigued as we shared how we enjoyed staying with different folks on our trips to Michigan and Ohio while Nancy's mom was alive plus the bucks you save. He and Carol are thinking of a cross country trip and once entertained pulling trailer or buying a motorhome.
Well we came back and had a bite of lunch. I piddled around in the garden loosening the wet soil so as to save as many garden seedlings as possible. The onions look the best of anything green as the tomato plants are suffering from all the wetness. I do have some seedlings up from the pots I sowed them into and will transplant them today into 6 packs until they get large enough to plant into the garden. There isn't much I can do to help the workers except cleanup and keep the porch somewhat in order. Luckily we have a nice 8 ft wide front porch which runs the length of the cabin under a roof which make it great for either relaxing or in this case from the rain and sun. We did turn on the a/c for the first time and we had trouble remembering how to use the remote. It was a muggy day with high humidity and the workers were sweating on the second floor and in the small bathroom.
Well after they left we settled into the internet and a book. Nancy was ordering all kinds of stuff for the bathroom again and one order she made last week she had it sent to Bobby's place in Brandon. He called last night to inform her of her mistake and we all got a laugh. I decided before she orders anything off the internet I needed to check the order, oh well. She was into the TV and Ipad and I was watching the Ray's vs Yank's when I hit the showers at 10, they were winning 2-1 but I saw this morning they lost again 6-3. Where is the relief pitching we so desperately need, LATER
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Tuesday Morning..wow another gully washing thunder storm
Well Monday was a bit on the warm muggy day and by late afternoon the skies clouded over and we had two separate rain showers until the big one hit around dark, yikes lightning, thunder and torrential rain. It was semi-hurricane conditions. We fared quite well and the area above the downstairs bathroom stayed dry despite a small leak after we first got here in June. I'm still waiting on the roof guy to replace a couple sections of the tin roof.
The day started much the usual with a before 6 roll out for me that always start with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I post this ramble and then spend some quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving. I must add a couple names to my list for healing and comfort as a dear young lady friend we have know since she was a kid gave premature birth to their son 10 weeks early on Monday and the prognosis isn't good for the baby boy. We just spoke with her and her husband Sunday at church and all seemed well and we invited them out next Saturday for a cook out when she went into labor. Lift up Kaitlyn and baby Finley in your prayers as well as the father Jake. All of my daily folks I lift up seem well as can be expected.
Larry and Brandon came around 8 and worked upstairs on the shower and bathroom. They now are expecting to start with the tiling today as they have structure built in as well as the drain and water lines. It's really going to be a big addition the room and will take up a lot of space but make it so much easier on visiting family and friends. We will have three showers counting the one in the basement which only a few like me use from time to time, oh well. They worked nearly all day and got to a point where they had to let the mud dry before tiling.
We managed to get in a hike to the top of the mountain before lunch and saw a couple folks on top. Bertie and Carol where outside visiting so we caught up on all that is happening with their families. Bertie is a widow now for a couple years but continues to come to her cabin. She has the sweetest southern accent and we just love to hear her speak; Carol was up for just a couple days and her husband Tommy was playing golf. They had family there over the weekend and won't stay but a couple of days. We checked the raspberries at the Brownings and a few are turning black, so we ate them, oh my are they ever so delicious. This rain last night should bring them on as well as our wine and blue berries all of which are loaded with fruit.
I did get in some gardening as well as helped the workers with their construction but the space is limited and really about all I could do was be a gopher(gofor) I would go for this or go for that and did all of the cleanup. They are doing a great job as far as I can observe and the base and walls of the shower seem very tight and secure. Both of them are strong Believers and very family orientated. I do think we will become friends when this is over much like we became friends with the fellow who originally wired and plumbed the cabin. He has too many health issues to help with this job but knows both of these fellers as the community is close knit with who are good at what they do. Larry and Brandon came highly recommended by our dear friend Gerald Luffman.
Well I tuned into the Ray's vs Yanks game on the internet and we loss to the league leading club. We are just a game or so behind them but we must play better if we are to stay close in the standings. Nancy was on her social device keeping up with the going on's of our family and friends, LATER
The day started much the usual with a before 6 roll out for me that always start with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I post this ramble and then spend some quiet moments with my Creator in thanksgiving. I must add a couple names to my list for healing and comfort as a dear young lady friend we have know since she was a kid gave premature birth to their son 10 weeks early on Monday and the prognosis isn't good for the baby boy. We just spoke with her and her husband Sunday at church and all seemed well and we invited them out next Saturday for a cook out when she went into labor. Lift up Kaitlyn and baby Finley in your prayers as well as the father Jake. All of my daily folks I lift up seem well as can be expected.
Larry and Brandon came around 8 and worked upstairs on the shower and bathroom. They now are expecting to start with the tiling today as they have structure built in as well as the drain and water lines. It's really going to be a big addition the room and will take up a lot of space but make it so much easier on visiting family and friends. We will have three showers counting the one in the basement which only a few like me use from time to time, oh well. They worked nearly all day and got to a point where they had to let the mud dry before tiling.
We managed to get in a hike to the top of the mountain before lunch and saw a couple folks on top. Bertie and Carol where outside visiting so we caught up on all that is happening with their families. Bertie is a widow now for a couple years but continues to come to her cabin. She has the sweetest southern accent and we just love to hear her speak; Carol was up for just a couple days and her husband Tommy was playing golf. They had family there over the weekend and won't stay but a couple of days. We checked the raspberries at the Brownings and a few are turning black, so we ate them, oh my are they ever so delicious. This rain last night should bring them on as well as our wine and blue berries all of which are loaded with fruit.
I did get in some gardening as well as helped the workers with their construction but the space is limited and really about all I could do was be a gopher(gofor) I would go for this or go for that and did all of the cleanup. They are doing a great job as far as I can observe and the base and walls of the shower seem very tight and secure. Both of them are strong Believers and very family orientated. I do think we will become friends when this is over much like we became friends with the fellow who originally wired and plumbed the cabin. He has too many health issues to help with this job but knows both of these fellers as the community is close knit with who are good at what they do. Larry and Brandon came highly recommended by our dear friend Gerald Luffman.
Well I tuned into the Ray's vs Yanks game on the internet and we loss to the league leading club. We are just a game or so behind them but we must play better if we are to stay close in the standings. Nancy was on her social device keeping up with the going on's of our family and friends, LATER
Monday, June 17, 2019
Monday Morning..well we wanted warmer temps and its back
Sunday was nearly a perfect match for Saturday's weather. The temp's did get close to 80 which is cool compared to Florida temp's but a bit on the warm side for here in the mountains. There was a nice gentle breeze and the humidity was very low which made for a great hike later in the afternoon and I did get some gardening in after getting back from church, lunch and a few stops while in town.
I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with the proverbial cup of 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. It was Father's Day so I opened my card from daughter Amy who had me in tears with her sweet words and then son Bobby posted some pics on line of me with his sweet words. Wow, we have been totally blessed with two great, GOD loving kids who have been a joy to parent and now they are parenting their kiddos much the same way.
We listened to bridgepointchurchfl.com on line while we got ready to head out for the service at Cornerstone in Sparta. Today was Gideon day which we have while our local pastor is on vacation and the fellow who brought his personal testimony was unbelievable. I do not think there was a dry eye in the building. He was born Jewish and never understood christianity because of his upbringing until one night while desperate from loss of his family due to addictions and on the verge of suicide he saw the open Bible in a motel room and started to read the book of John which changed his life as the holy spirit spoke to him. He eventually regained his family and became a pastor here in these mountains. What a story he had to tell as each of us do. Even his daughter who was in prison at the same time he was struggling was changed when she picked up the small New Testament and accepted Christ as her savior. We just never know how lives are changed from reading the Word that is placed by the Gideon ministry. We know in our lives the difference it makes for our family and the hope for eternity.
We met up with friends at one of the local eateries and the place was jumping with standing room waiting to get in. I enjoyed the buffet which has fried chicken the way I like it and the salad bar was nice. Most of the hot veggies have little or no seasoning which Nancy is not crazy about, but for 10 bucks a person its a full belly that lasted me the rest of the day and the desserts were free on this special day. The banana pudding was awesome. We said our good bye's and made a date for a cook out at our hacienda on Saturday with these friends plus a few more. We want to break in the new picnic tables which hold 16 folks. I'm going to smoke a couple Boston butts and everyone will bring a dish to add to the mix.
Well we made a stop for some bedding veggie plants because my cukes never germinated and the green pepper seedlings gave way to the rain so I bought a couple 4 packs and got them in the ground. I'm still not to sure about a few tomato plants but the onions are up about 3-4 inches. The radish seeds never germinated either so I put some seeds in water to see it that breaks open the seeds; they maybe old seeds. Anyhow I loaded up the bean sprayer with a mixture of miracle grow and feed the flower beds and even hand watered a couple beds as the sun had really dried them out. I did transplant 32 individual Bibb lettuces into 6 packs for transplanting when they get another leaf or two. The kale is up but not as great as I had hoped for but I should get enough to add to the salads once they mature.
We took off on a nice evening hike around 5'ish and saw no one on top to visit with but did notice the black raspberries were turning at the Browning's old berry patch; we even ate a couple that had turned and they should be ready in a few days. The folks who bought the place are no where to be found or seen. Caleb and his girl friend Kortland came by on a 4 wheeler just before dusk and stayed for nearly and hour. He loves talking USAF and we had some great conversations as he gets ready to go the end of this month. He is a fine upstanding young man and will do great as he wants at this time to make a career of the service.
Well that was about it for the day as I checked the ball scores and the Ray's won again against the Angels from L.A., LATER
I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with the proverbial cup of 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. It was Father's Day so I opened my card from daughter Amy who had me in tears with her sweet words and then son Bobby posted some pics on line of me with his sweet words. Wow, we have been totally blessed with two great, GOD loving kids who have been a joy to parent and now they are parenting their kiddos much the same way.
We listened to bridgepointchurchfl.com on line while we got ready to head out for the service at Cornerstone in Sparta. Today was Gideon day which we have while our local pastor is on vacation and the fellow who brought his personal testimony was unbelievable. I do not think there was a dry eye in the building. He was born Jewish and never understood christianity because of his upbringing until one night while desperate from loss of his family due to addictions and on the verge of suicide he saw the open Bible in a motel room and started to read the book of John which changed his life as the holy spirit spoke to him. He eventually regained his family and became a pastor here in these mountains. What a story he had to tell as each of us do. Even his daughter who was in prison at the same time he was struggling was changed when she picked up the small New Testament and accepted Christ as her savior. We just never know how lives are changed from reading the Word that is placed by the Gideon ministry. We know in our lives the difference it makes for our family and the hope for eternity.
We met up with friends at one of the local eateries and the place was jumping with standing room waiting to get in. I enjoyed the buffet which has fried chicken the way I like it and the salad bar was nice. Most of the hot veggies have little or no seasoning which Nancy is not crazy about, but for 10 bucks a person its a full belly that lasted me the rest of the day and the desserts were free on this special day. The banana pudding was awesome. We said our good bye's and made a date for a cook out at our hacienda on Saturday with these friends plus a few more. We want to break in the new picnic tables which hold 16 folks. I'm going to smoke a couple Boston butts and everyone will bring a dish to add to the mix.
Well we made a stop for some bedding veggie plants because my cukes never germinated and the green pepper seedlings gave way to the rain so I bought a couple 4 packs and got them in the ground. I'm still not to sure about a few tomato plants but the onions are up about 3-4 inches. The radish seeds never germinated either so I put some seeds in water to see it that breaks open the seeds; they maybe old seeds. Anyhow I loaded up the bean sprayer with a mixture of miracle grow and feed the flower beds and even hand watered a couple beds as the sun had really dried them out. I did transplant 32 individual Bibb lettuces into 6 packs for transplanting when they get another leaf or two. The kale is up but not as great as I had hoped for but I should get enough to add to the salads once they mature.
We took off on a nice evening hike around 5'ish and saw no one on top to visit with but did notice the black raspberries were turning at the Browning's old berry patch; we even ate a couple that had turned and they should be ready in a few days. The folks who bought the place are no where to be found or seen. Caleb and his girl friend Kortland came by on a 4 wheeler just before dusk and stayed for nearly and hour. He loves talking USAF and we had some great conversations as he gets ready to go the end of this month. He is a fine upstanding young man and will do great as he wants at this time to make a career of the service.
Well that was about it for the day as I checked the ball scores and the Ray's won again against the Angels from L.A., LATER
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Sunday Morning..temps back to perfect
Well if I were choosing the weather I would have picked yesterday's as it was near perfect with temps in the low 60's to start the morning and it did reach 75 in the afternoon with clear blue skies, no humidity and bright sunshine. The birds were singing and bees were out buzzing around the flower heads and the slight breeze kept the mountain air moving that had never been breathe before, oh my.
I started Saturday morning much the usual with a before 6 roll out with my usual routines of a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator in prayer for many by name and giving thanks for just another day of all the blessings. We were expecting a former mountain top neighbor couple who sold out last winter to come for a visit and to bring two picnic tables they no longer wanted or used.
These tables are made by Lifetime which also made our new shed at home in Florida. They fold up and can be stored inside during the winter but hold 8 people comfortably. They are made of steel with a ceramic top and seats and can stand being out in the weather where we now have them on the deck for our many cookouts with friends and family. We visited with them for a couple hours and it was great to see and hear from them. Joe is 81 and is in great shape as he is a hiker and in a club which is always finding new adventures, Yvonne is some what more dainty and is a beautiful homemaker and is near Joe's age. They never had any children.
After they left around noonish so we had a light lunch before getting ready to head over to the Luffman Farm around 1'ish. Mechelle was having 8 of her 15 or so horses hooves trimmed by a farrier and these Gypsy Varner's horses are stout and strong with large work/draft horse type frames. A couple of them wasn't crazy about having their hooves trimmed and gave this young farrier a fit but he persevered and got the job done and worked up a real sweat in the process. She had three young foals in the mix who were just so funny and sweet to be around. We had a good time petting and loving up on these horses who have a great gentle personality.
We left there around 3'ish and drove to Galax, Va. to pick up the vinyl flooring we had ordered a week ago for the upstairs floor and bathroom which will be out next big project after the shower install. Hopefully Larry and Brandon and myself can get it down before our family arrives on the 11th of July. Nancy has been busy ordering things on line as well as shopping at Wal.Mart and Lowes. We loaded up and then made a stop once again at Wal-Mart on the way out of town before having a Subway foot long on the way home. It was going on 8 before getting back to the cabin and I still had to unload the flooring. The golf cart came in handy once again for carrying the heavy boxes of flooring down to the basement and storing them there until we get the rooms cleared out on the second floor. What a day and I could feel the stiffness in my back from all those heavy boxes of flooring. I sure hope I ordered enough as well as the underlayment as it was a special order and takes about a week to get, oh well.
I checked the ball scores after coming in for the night and the Ray's came back Friday to win but lost a day game on Saturday. I'm posting this ramble as I know my load in crew for BridgePoint is on the scene at the college. I do miss the camaraderie of those guys and gals who weekly set up the college for two services and then breaks it down as our goal is to make it a place where we help folks get closer to GOD. We will listen to the whole message later after attending Cornerstone in Sparta. Oh by the way Happy Fathers to ALL, LATER
I started Saturday morning much the usual with a before 6 roll out with my usual routines of a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator in prayer for many by name and giving thanks for just another day of all the blessings. We were expecting a former mountain top neighbor couple who sold out last winter to come for a visit and to bring two picnic tables they no longer wanted or used.
These tables are made by Lifetime which also made our new shed at home in Florida. They fold up and can be stored inside during the winter but hold 8 people comfortably. They are made of steel with a ceramic top and seats and can stand being out in the weather where we now have them on the deck for our many cookouts with friends and family. We visited with them for a couple hours and it was great to see and hear from them. Joe is 81 and is in great shape as he is a hiker and in a club which is always finding new adventures, Yvonne is some what more dainty and is a beautiful homemaker and is near Joe's age. They never had any children.
After they left around noonish so we had a light lunch before getting ready to head over to the Luffman Farm around 1'ish. Mechelle was having 8 of her 15 or so horses hooves trimmed by a farrier and these Gypsy Varner's horses are stout and strong with large work/draft horse type frames. A couple of them wasn't crazy about having their hooves trimmed and gave this young farrier a fit but he persevered and got the job done and worked up a real sweat in the process. She had three young foals in the mix who were just so funny and sweet to be around. We had a good time petting and loving up on these horses who have a great gentle personality.
We left there around 3'ish and drove to Galax, Va. to pick up the vinyl flooring we had ordered a week ago for the upstairs floor and bathroom which will be out next big project after the shower install. Hopefully Larry and Brandon and myself can get it down before our family arrives on the 11th of July. Nancy has been busy ordering things on line as well as shopping at Wal.Mart and Lowes. We loaded up and then made a stop once again at Wal-Mart on the way out of town before having a Subway foot long on the way home. It was going on 8 before getting back to the cabin and I still had to unload the flooring. The golf cart came in handy once again for carrying the heavy boxes of flooring down to the basement and storing them there until we get the rooms cleared out on the second floor. What a day and I could feel the stiffness in my back from all those heavy boxes of flooring. I sure hope I ordered enough as well as the underlayment as it was a special order and takes about a week to get, oh well.
I checked the ball scores after coming in for the night and the Ray's came back Friday to win but lost a day game on Saturday. I'm posting this ramble as I know my load in crew for BridgePoint is on the scene at the college. I do miss the camaraderie of those guys and gals who weekly set up the college for two services and then breaks it down as our goal is to make it a place where we help folks get closer to GOD. We will listen to the whole message later after attending Cornerstone in Sparta. Oh by the way Happy Fathers to ALL, LATER
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Saturday Morning... half of June is gone
Well Friday was another very chilly day or as Nancy says "its cold". It was down in the high 40's but the wind made it feel even colder and she had the fake fireplace which does send out some forced heat from a regular 110 electrical wall outlet. I should thank Sam and Marcia who gave us this beautiful fireplace when they left the area and moved to Tennessee. This morning (Sat) it doesn't seem nearly as chilly.
Well the day started much the usual with a way before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and a slice of fresh 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 well as I've heard nothing to the contrary. Our workers let's call them by their names Larry and Brandon are father and son, have become quickly our friends and we so enjoy sharing our lives and they their's. Both are strong Believers and grew up here in these mountains. Both served in military in their younger days and are very patriotic and are aghast at the politics of the democrat party of which their older generation were a part of; but they have completely changes their opinions and now are Trump supporters because of his policies in MAGA.
They came right at 8 and began working on the drain and the supply lines for the shower as well as building the supporting wall. It's looking like a 48 inch by 30+ inches shower area. That leaves about a 18 inch or so for shelving for towels between the shower and the wall and its looking like the door can be used again as well once we have the vanity reinstalled and the commode set, We will know for sure when the tile is completed and they start on setting that next week. Larry the dad suffered prostrate cancer and was treated at a very well know clinic in Sarasota, Florida and spent a couple months there last year. He is the picture of health now as is his son who is in his late 30's. We really have enjoyed getting to know them and the work they are doing is awesome and they have agreed to help me install the vinyl plank flooring after this shower job; which of course makes Nancy happy.
We took off on a hike mid afternoon after a quick warm up. The hike was great and we finally saw someone on top and visited with Bertie and her brother in law James for a few. She has such voice expressions which are just awesome as she speaks. Her husband died a couple years back and she kept the cabin on top and has done some very nice modifications to the place as well; the two biggest were the covered front porch and the mini-split a/c. She is a hoot to speak with and is always up beat for her age and situation.
The views were awesome and the buildings 70+ miles away in downtown Winston-Salem were clearly visible with the haze gone from the cold. It was just so pleasant to walk through the woods and smells from the flowering wild roses and berry's were just so sweet and delicious. While we were gone UPS delivered a recliner chair Nancy bought on line from Wayfair. It's a faux leather chair which looks and feels like the real stuff and you care for it the same way and its perfect for the small area where we had two wicker chairs for years that I had refurbished. The price was half what we would have paid in a furniture store and they shipped it free right to our door.
Well we cleaned up the scraps from the construction from the front porch and I destroyed the old picnic table and benches which I built a couple years back as the weather causes them to need repairing every year as well as repainting. The couple on top of the mountain sold their beautiful log home over the winter and had two very nice tables that fold up and can be stored inside and they made me an offer on both which will be perfect for the deck when we have large groups over for cook outs which we do almost weekly. They are bringing them today from their home off the mountain. We always waved or stopped to chat with them over the years and at one time they showed us all of the work they did in building their log home; but health issues have forced them to sell along with their ages. Oh well, we too will face that issue but we will pass our place off to Bobby, Amy and our grand kiddos as the Butzback's have neither.
Well after Larry and Brandon left until Monday we piddled around in the yards checking the progress of the recently transplanted flowers, shrubs and the seedlings in the circle drive which is showing some green from the Zinnias seeds I sowed. All are looking great and the garden seedlings are existing but just barely because of the excess rain and now the cold, anyhow it was time to grill a couple salmon fillets along with an ear of corn and fresh broccoli for supper after a glass of "fruit of the vine". I tuned into the Ray's game and they were blowing it again after 6th innings so I hit the showers and by 10'ish I was in the horizontal position for the night, LATER
Well the day started much the usual with a way before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and a slice of fresh 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 well as I've heard nothing to the contrary. Our workers let's call them by their names Larry and Brandon are father and son, have become quickly our friends and we so enjoy sharing our lives and they their's. Both are strong Believers and grew up here in these mountains. Both served in military in their younger days and are very patriotic and are aghast at the politics of the democrat party of which their older generation were a part of; but they have completely changes their opinions and now are Trump supporters because of his policies in MAGA.
They came right at 8 and began working on the drain and the supply lines for the shower as well as building the supporting wall. It's looking like a 48 inch by 30+ inches shower area. That leaves about a 18 inch or so for shelving for towels between the shower and the wall and its looking like the door can be used again as well once we have the vanity reinstalled and the commode set, We will know for sure when the tile is completed and they start on setting that next week. Larry the dad suffered prostrate cancer and was treated at a very well know clinic in Sarasota, Florida and spent a couple months there last year. He is the picture of health now as is his son who is in his late 30's. We really have enjoyed getting to know them and the work they are doing is awesome and they have agreed to help me install the vinyl plank flooring after this shower job; which of course makes Nancy happy.
We took off on a hike mid afternoon after a quick warm up. The hike was great and we finally saw someone on top and visited with Bertie and her brother in law James for a few. She has such voice expressions which are just awesome as she speaks. Her husband died a couple years back and she kept the cabin on top and has done some very nice modifications to the place as well; the two biggest were the covered front porch and the mini-split a/c. She is a hoot to speak with and is always up beat for her age and situation.
The views were awesome and the buildings 70+ miles away in downtown Winston-Salem were clearly visible with the haze gone from the cold. It was just so pleasant to walk through the woods and smells from the flowering wild roses and berry's were just so sweet and delicious. While we were gone UPS delivered a recliner chair Nancy bought on line from Wayfair. It's a faux leather chair which looks and feels like the real stuff and you care for it the same way and its perfect for the small area where we had two wicker chairs for years that I had refurbished. The price was half what we would have paid in a furniture store and they shipped it free right to our door.
Well we cleaned up the scraps from the construction from the front porch and I destroyed the old picnic table and benches which I built a couple years back as the weather causes them to need repairing every year as well as repainting. The couple on top of the mountain sold their beautiful log home over the winter and had two very nice tables that fold up and can be stored inside and they made me an offer on both which will be perfect for the deck when we have large groups over for cook outs which we do almost weekly. They are bringing them today from their home off the mountain. We always waved or stopped to chat with them over the years and at one time they showed us all of the work they did in building their log home; but health issues have forced them to sell along with their ages. Oh well, we too will face that issue but we will pass our place off to Bobby, Amy and our grand kiddos as the Butzback's have neither.
Well after Larry and Brandon left until Monday we piddled around in the yards checking the progress of the recently transplanted flowers, shrubs and the seedlings in the circle drive which is showing some green from the Zinnias seeds I sowed. All are looking great and the garden seedlings are existing but just barely because of the excess rain and now the cold, anyhow it was time to grill a couple salmon fillets along with an ear of corn and fresh broccoli for supper after a glass of "fruit of the vine". I tuned into the Ray's game and they were blowing it again after 6th innings so I hit the showers and by 10'ish I was in the horizontal position for the night, LATER
Friday, June 14, 2019
Friday Morning..Brrr
Well Thursday was a work day except for the late evening as we had to headed to Galax, Va. to the super Lowes store for articles needed to continue work on the renovation in the upstairs bathroom; we stopped at a KFC for the first time ever and had a delicious supper. The rest of the day was work which caused us to skip out mountain top hike.
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and a slice of fresh ginger root. I would not believe in June we would have the heat on in the cabin but Nancy was cold so she had the fake fireplace on which really gives off a nice constant heat from the 110 outlet. She is a night owl whereas I'm in the sack by 10 sometimes 10:30 depending on if its a good game on TV or the internet. I get the Ray's game there through game day which is sort of a depicting the game in real time but not the live players itself. I did my quiet time lifting up several by name to my Creator for healing and comfort. All seem as well as can be expected due to their ages and health issues.
I headed out bundled up against the low 50's with a stiff breeze which made it feel even colder. Nancy came to life sometime around 8'ish so I had already had this ramble posted, my quiet time complete and been outside for a walk around the gardens checking on any deer damage. Thus far they have stayed since we've been here. I see the ubiquitous rabbits and squirrels in the back woods yards and birds are the happiest ever here with their singing. I hear an occasional hawk which is always on the hunt as it streams through the large trees in the backwoods and a wood pecker which is huge in size that sounds like he is beating a bongo drum. We just love being surrounded by only things GOD made as we constantly gaze upon our little piece of paradise/heaven.
Our workers, a father and son team were coming at lunch time to put in the drain for the shower as I had the tear out ready for them. I also brought my table and chop off saws up from the basement using the golf cart to the front porch where they will be using them. I'm doing everything possible to help with this major renovation which of course saves me cash as they are working by the hour. They are super nice and their friends are many we have here in the mountains; actually thats how we come to find out about them. You much be in the know to get good workers as all of them are booked during the summer months.
I fired up the weed whacker and did the yards which can be a chore with having to navigate up and down the yards and it wore me out me after about an hour. I'm getting my mountain legs back slowly but playing pickle ball daily sure helped but its nothing like being on flat ground. Just going up and down 2 sets of stairs daily is a chore. I fired up the riding mower and mowed for the next couple of hours which is my rest time but still you have to be ever present while mowing on the steep hills. Mostly its up and back to keep the pulling wheels on the ground but I have a system which works and is safe. The riding mower was a big help as for years I pushed a walk behind mower and Nancy and I would tag team. She no longer has the strength or the energy and the stairs give her work out now. We've made two hiking trips to the mountain top thus far as this renovation has kept us close to the cabin. We try to hike at least every day which takes about an hour or so if we don't stop and visit; thus far we've seen no one on top.
Well that was about it for the day a I did do some earlier garden work. I loosen the soil as the rain packed soil was killing a couple of my tomato plants; everything else is holding its own. The Ray's were losing again when I hit the shower around 10, LATER
I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and a slice of fresh ginger root. I would not believe in June we would have the heat on in the cabin but Nancy was cold so she had the fake fireplace on which really gives off a nice constant heat from the 110 outlet. She is a night owl whereas I'm in the sack by 10 sometimes 10:30 depending on if its a good game on TV or the internet. I get the Ray's game there through game day which is sort of a depicting the game in real time but not the live players itself. I did my quiet time lifting up several by name to my Creator for healing and comfort. All seem as well as can be expected due to their ages and health issues.
I headed out bundled up against the low 50's with a stiff breeze which made it feel even colder. Nancy came to life sometime around 8'ish so I had already had this ramble posted, my quiet time complete and been outside for a walk around the gardens checking on any deer damage. Thus far they have stayed since we've been here. I see the ubiquitous rabbits and squirrels in the back woods yards and birds are the happiest ever here with their singing. I hear an occasional hawk which is always on the hunt as it streams through the large trees in the backwoods and a wood pecker which is huge in size that sounds like he is beating a bongo drum. We just love being surrounded by only things GOD made as we constantly gaze upon our little piece of paradise/heaven.
Our workers, a father and son team were coming at lunch time to put in the drain for the shower as I had the tear out ready for them. I also brought my table and chop off saws up from the basement using the golf cart to the front porch where they will be using them. I'm doing everything possible to help with this major renovation which of course saves me cash as they are working by the hour. They are super nice and their friends are many we have here in the mountains; actually thats how we come to find out about them. You much be in the know to get good workers as all of them are booked during the summer months.
I fired up the weed whacker and did the yards which can be a chore with having to navigate up and down the yards and it wore me out me after about an hour. I'm getting my mountain legs back slowly but playing pickle ball daily sure helped but its nothing like being on flat ground. Just going up and down 2 sets of stairs daily is a chore. I fired up the riding mower and mowed for the next couple of hours which is my rest time but still you have to be ever present while mowing on the steep hills. Mostly its up and back to keep the pulling wheels on the ground but I have a system which works and is safe. The riding mower was a big help as for years I pushed a walk behind mower and Nancy and I would tag team. She no longer has the strength or the energy and the stairs give her work out now. We've made two hiking trips to the mountain top thus far as this renovation has kept us close to the cabin. We try to hike at least every day which takes about an hour or so if we don't stop and visit; thus far we've seen no one on top.
Well that was about it for the day a I did do some earlier garden work. I loosen the soil as the rain packed soil was killing a couple of my tomato plants; everything else is holding its own. The Ray's were losing again when I hit the shower around 10, LATER
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Thursday Morning
Well its been rather chilly here on the mountain with winter temps for us thin blooded flatlanders from Florida. Nancy had the heat on most of the morning and then again last evening before retiring for the evening. It was down into the high 40's and then again this morning (Thur.) it's down once again to the low 50's but the afternoon were just awesome for working with the highs reaching the upper 60's and low 70's. We did get a light shower of rain around 4'ish with what we call a dust settler.
I started the day once again on Wednesday with a much earlier roll out than usual as my mind is constantly planning on the days activities while horizontal. Nancy is a heavy snorer and I'm a light sleeper so that did help much after about 4 AM when she usually wakes me up. I try to stay in the sack especially with the warmth from the extra blanket against the cold cabin but to no avail. Anyhow I can get by on 5 to 6 good hours of sleep. I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator, giving thanks and lifting up several by name. All seem well as can be expected except we do have a good friend who is having some issues due to addiction and its hurting their marriage to add to that list. The love of Christ can fix any issue but you have to ask HIM into your life for that to happen.
The tile/plumber fellers came by around 8 and checked out what I had accomplished with the tear out and they took measurement on what they needed to set the plumbing for the shower. They were pleased with what I had accomplished and made a few adjustments. Hopefully they with start this afternoon(Thur.) and I have enough work to keep them busy for the next two weeks or so as they also will help me install the vinyl plank flooring in the upstairs bathroom and two rooms. This is becoming a major renovation and a costly one as well; but we have been blessed with using our funds wisely over the years. I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds.
The zinnias are popping up everywhere in the circle drive bed and all of the hydrangeas look great even after the beat down of the rain coming off the roof into that bed. I lost another tomato plant to the ground being so packed for so long from the rain, but I think three will be plenty of the large fruit plants and all 6 of the larger cherry tomato plants survived. I still have 5 jalapeno plants and I moved two of them into a single row to make extra space for some radish seeds as well as beets seeds in the backwoods garden beds. The scallions are up as well and all of the herbs look good. I moved up to the upper garden bed and sowed okra, Swiss chard and kale seeds. I have enough room to move the lettuces which are up in the pots and as soon as they garner another leaf I will move them into the garden beds. I'm still waiting on the cucumbers to pop through the soil in a pot so I can move them into the garden.
Well that was about it for the gardening so I headed upstairs to rip out another section of the flooring for the plumbing and the shower drain and water lines. That was easiest day of this renovation for me. I gathered up my saws in the basement and brought them to the front porch to aid in the construction process as well as some lumber I had stored under the front porch. We took a break and had a late lunch after a huge semi mountain breakfast of bacon, egg and cheese biscuits with a fresh jalapeno on mine. We chowed down on a leftover fajitas and bean burrito around 1'ish. Nancy brought some frozen prime rib bones with lots of meat on them with us to make a pot of soup for supper and my oh my was it ever delicious on this cool evening. She of course always adds celery, carrots, some pasta and white beans so it was almost like pasta fouzelle in texture and awesome in flavor. We have enough leftover for lunch today.
We did take a golf cart ride out to the mail box round 3 then took a hike to the the top of the mountain where we saw no one. It was like a ghost town up there. We did set a spell on the Browns front lawn and gander at the distant views which were awesome. We could see the buildings in down town Winston Salem which is 70 miles away. Pilot mountain looked so close as well and was once used by the pioneers to find their way through the area; thus its how it got its name. It was a strenuous hike up the back woods trail through our property but once on top it was well worth it. Nancy always has her phone so she did snap a few pics.
I took off the lawn mower blades and sharpened them for the next cutting which will probably happen in the next day or so then I took the golf cart and the weed whacker down the steep driveway to clear away the high grasses that border our drive and give it a manicured look. I did neighbor Gerald's side of the drive as well. That exercise will make you appreciate flat ground. One of my pickle ball buddies called to see if I wanted to play later in the evening but I was whupped and beside it had started to sprinkle rain and the temps dropped once again. I didn't have the energy to go back out and play until 8'ish plus it was cooling off rapidly. I postponed until next week when I have more of an idea how this renovation is coming along but we want to get the flooring before the kids come on the 10th.
I tuned into the Ray's game on the internet and they blew it again with poor relief pitching. The Blues were up 2-0 in the final game for the quest for the Cup when I was nodding after my hot relaxing shower. I'll check the box scores this morning on who won. Lets hope the Blues were victorious, LATER
I started the day once again on Wednesday with a much earlier roll out than usual as my mind is constantly planning on the days activities while horizontal. Nancy is a heavy snorer and I'm a light sleeper so that did help much after about 4 AM when she usually wakes me up. I try to stay in the sack especially with the warmth from the extra blanket against the cold cabin but to no avail. Anyhow I can get by on 5 to 6 good hours of sleep. I had my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric and fresh ginger root while I posted this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator, giving thanks and lifting up several by name. All seem well as can be expected except we do have a good friend who is having some issues due to addiction and its hurting their marriage to add to that list. The love of Christ can fix any issue but you have to ask HIM into your life for that to happen.
The tile/plumber fellers came by around 8 and checked out what I had accomplished with the tear out and they took measurement on what they needed to set the plumbing for the shower. They were pleased with what I had accomplished and made a few adjustments. Hopefully they with start this afternoon(Thur.) and I have enough work to keep them busy for the next two weeks or so as they also will help me install the vinyl plank flooring in the upstairs bathroom and two rooms. This is becoming a major renovation and a costly one as well; but we have been blessed with using our funds wisely over the years. I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds.
The zinnias are popping up everywhere in the circle drive bed and all of the hydrangeas look great even after the beat down of the rain coming off the roof into that bed. I lost another tomato plant to the ground being so packed for so long from the rain, but I think three will be plenty of the large fruit plants and all 6 of the larger cherry tomato plants survived. I still have 5 jalapeno plants and I moved two of them into a single row to make extra space for some radish seeds as well as beets seeds in the backwoods garden beds. The scallions are up as well and all of the herbs look good. I moved up to the upper garden bed and sowed okra, Swiss chard and kale seeds. I have enough room to move the lettuces which are up in the pots and as soon as they garner another leaf I will move them into the garden beds. I'm still waiting on the cucumbers to pop through the soil in a pot so I can move them into the garden.
Well that was about it for the gardening so I headed upstairs to rip out another section of the flooring for the plumbing and the shower drain and water lines. That was easiest day of this renovation for me. I gathered up my saws in the basement and brought them to the front porch to aid in the construction process as well as some lumber I had stored under the front porch. We took a break and had a late lunch after a huge semi mountain breakfast of bacon, egg and cheese biscuits with a fresh jalapeno on mine. We chowed down on a leftover fajitas and bean burrito around 1'ish. Nancy brought some frozen prime rib bones with lots of meat on them with us to make a pot of soup for supper and my oh my was it ever delicious on this cool evening. She of course always adds celery, carrots, some pasta and white beans so it was almost like pasta fouzelle in texture and awesome in flavor. We have enough leftover for lunch today.
We did take a golf cart ride out to the mail box round 3 then took a hike to the the top of the mountain where we saw no one. It was like a ghost town up there. We did set a spell on the Browns front lawn and gander at the distant views which were awesome. We could see the buildings in down town Winston Salem which is 70 miles away. Pilot mountain looked so close as well and was once used by the pioneers to find their way through the area; thus its how it got its name. It was a strenuous hike up the back woods trail through our property but once on top it was well worth it. Nancy always has her phone so she did snap a few pics.
I took off the lawn mower blades and sharpened them for the next cutting which will probably happen in the next day or so then I took the golf cart and the weed whacker down the steep driveway to clear away the high grasses that border our drive and give it a manicured look. I did neighbor Gerald's side of the drive as well. That exercise will make you appreciate flat ground. One of my pickle ball buddies called to see if I wanted to play later in the evening but I was whupped and beside it had started to sprinkle rain and the temps dropped once again. I didn't have the energy to go back out and play until 8'ish plus it was cooling off rapidly. I postponed until next week when I have more of an idea how this renovation is coming along but we want to get the flooring before the kids come on the 10th.
I tuned into the Ray's game on the internet and they blew it again with poor relief pitching. The Blues were up 2-0 in the final game for the quest for the Cup when I was nodding after my hot relaxing shower. I'll check the box scores this morning on who won. Lets hope the Blues were victorious, LATER
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