Tuesday Morning June 30th

Well this month has quickly come and gone and this last 10 days or so have been unmemorable to say the least with this low back muscle pain. I headed out to the local chiro yesterday and it was what I thought thus far minus the x-rays of being out of alignment This happened to me a few years back in Seminole and I must say its not a fun kind of occurrence. He gave me a regiment of ice treatments on the back for 10 minutes out of every hour for 9 hours and to double up on the Motrin for at least 2400mg in a 24 hour period. Thus far its not made a whole lot of difference but I may have seen just a little improvement this morning which is usually the most painful after arising, oh well. I'm back again for what is supposed to be another treatment and to learn what the x-rays show.

Really not a whole lot to write about except I tried to do everything on his advice. I did walk around as much as possible and didn't sit for more than 30 minutes at a time. I did no physical work except get beat by Nancy playing cards during the afternoon. We did take an excursion to the top of the mountain with me following her in the golf cart while she hiked. We stopped and chatted a few with a couple of the neighbors before heading back. I cut up a whole chicken and grilled it for our supper which has once become one of our favorite meals. I especially like the bony pieces which you only get with a whole chicken. Our kiddos loved them as well growing up plus they are very inexpensive at about 6 bucks a chicken and we usually get a couple meals using the leftovers on a salad.

I'm hoping for some more relief today with hopefully a manipulation by the chiro which seemed to help from years back. I must slow down and not do much in the way of reinjuring this back with the Bobby and family coming in about 10 days. I'll pass on the horseback riding and the zip line as well as the kayak float with the way I feel now. I'm just thankfully I can still walk around despite pain and discomfort in the leg and back, LATER

Monday Morning June 29th

Well Sunday was a great day of worship at Cornerstone as Pastor B gave a great message and afterwards we headed to the local Pizzeria for a light lunch. The place was empty except for us and another couple. A few carry outs came and went but now its mandatory to wear the face mask except when eating and they did provide a couple at each booth.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines and quiet times but I'm still hurting from this lower back muscle despite using the heating pad which at times seems to alleviate the pain so we stopped at Walgreens for Nancy's script and the pharmacist recommended this new cream which use to be by prescription only so I bought it along with some Motrin and those heat wraps but this morning my back feels worst. So I'm going to see if I can get in to see the local chiropractor for an adjustment. Hopefully I can get some relief as it really felt good later in the evening so I did some raking on the stump grindings and walked around the property but this morning its very painful.

We got rain off and on throughout the afternoon. I used the heating pad while watching some You Tube videos and then the rain cleared out and we got some sunshine. So we headed out to the yards and gardens. We have blooms on the cucumber and squash plants. I ran up on a huge black snake in the front yard. It must be the time of year for them as our Mountain Mom, Helen has seen two at her place in the last couple of day. Instead of killing mine I shooed it into the woods and it wasn't happy, but it made Nancy happy for it to go for now. It was a very healthy one of at least 5 foot or more.

Since we had a carbohydrate lunch of pizza I skipped supper except for some nuts and then a few cherries later in the evening. I'm at a loss of why this muscle is not healing properly or responding so maybe its something more severe. I can walk and do most everything but with some lower back pain which is very painful after being horizontal through out the night. The muscle relaxer pills seem to help with sleeping but last night I awakend around 3'ish and could not get comfortable enough to go back to sleep which is the first this has happened in several days, oh well, LATER

Sunday Morning..June 28th

Well Saturday was basically a work day with lots of rest stops for this aching back but I did get another couple of stumps grinding loaded up and hauled away using the golf cart. That is one of the best investments ever as a work horse and then for pleasure as we ride to the top of the mountain. I finally started using the heating pad and it helping to loosen up that spastic or torn lower back muscle. The knot seems to be less but in the mornings its very stiff and quite painful and I wonder if its not something worse than just a muscle but I wouldn't feel like working like I do if so; time will tell.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my cup of hot tea laced with turmeric which is supposed to be an anti-inflammatory as well as the OTC pills I've been using plus Tylenol for pain. I've taken more stuff this past week than I've had in my body in years, oh well. I spent some quiet time honoring my Creator and Lord lifting up several by name as well as our potus and those in the nation who are serving in the military and the badge family. They sure need our prayers as they are under attack by the radical Left, the bias MSM and those who want to destroy our culture and heritage. America is at a cross roads as to whether our democratic capitalist republic exists. The extreme violence by theses radicals are wiping out our history and institutions with the help of the democrats in the congress who hate this potus so much they are willing to sacrifice the nation all in their attempt to cover up their corruption in the government for decades and mostly recently with the very corrupt last administration.

Well we can only rely on that if its GOD's will they will be exposed and expelled out  of the leadership positions and be held accountable. We see the obvious lead the MSM has in failing to report the truth and are a front for the dem's and the radicals. Never would I have thought there was so much collusion between the press and the left as they tell a different story to Americans of what is really happening. The total violation of the rule of law is voided when it comes to these dem's who are complicit with our foreign enemies and now these radicals known as antifa and blm who are rioting, looting, maiming and killing of our officers who took an oath to protect us. America is being ravaged by those who want to US(A) destroyed from within just like the Roman Empire which crumbled because of their failures from within the nation. History is there to remind us of our failures and successes.

The radicals are using the old racist theory which none of us want to be called which was an issue we fought a war over. The PC crowd is now calling everything racist and many are kowtowing to their idiocy especially the dem's and the msm. We must make a stand to preserve America for our grand children or become subservient to these who are very violent and utter such profanity in the face of those they want to intimidate. These are the kids who defied their parents, authority and were brain washed by the radical professors in higher education to destroy this nation pushing the ideas that America is a racist nation and took from the poor countries to become rich.

Well I'll get off my soapbox for now but folks we are in crisis in the nation and we must not forget how most of us have worked hard, saved for retirement and lived a peaceful life helping others when in need and applied our Judeo-Christian principles "to do unto others as you would have them do unto you". All of that changed when we took GOD out of everything, no longer honored life with abortions on demand and now disrespected the Flag and Anthem and called everyone a racist when they didn't get their way. These radicals and made up of all races and genders and they are coming after this nations law abiding citizens. I believe they are supported by failed political leaders in both parties and by very rich bad people who are desperate to see this Potus to fail. We have already seen the corruption by the last potus who attempted a coup and we will be learning of more of their duplicity in days to come, LATER

Saturday Morning June 27th

Well Friday was another perfect day with moderate temps, no rain but plenty of sunshine and blue skies and no humidity. This weather is why we come to the mountains for the summer as the heat index for our area in Florida was 110 degrees this day. It was a work day here at the cabin despite the lower back pain which is still upon me. Its worst in the early morning but I was able to do some work as our friend Jake came around 10'ish with a huge stump grinder and worked until nearly 7 before we finished up on the last large oak stump.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with the cup of tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble, spent some time with the LORD giving thanks and lifting up several myself included for comfort and healing. Afterwards I piddled around in the yards and gardens and noticed the deer ate down the new growth on the black raspberry bushes.They were just starting to send out pods of berries and now that the Browns place has sold we won't be picking from their bushes which are fenced in and we noticed many are turning and ripening as we speak. They sure are the Cadillac of berries for jellies and cobblers. My wine berry bushes are loaded and we should have plenty for eating and cobblers but they just are quite as good for jelly making as the raspberry. But they are delicious for just picking and eating off the bush. Ansley and Gabe should have plenty for when they come on the 9th of July.

Jake fired up the grinder and went to work on the huge oak and maple stumps but first he cut them off closer to the ground so I used neighbor Gerald's tractor with the front loader to lift them onto his flatbed truck. Wow did that ever save us time and effort especially with my back being in so much pain. I then used the front loader to haul away the grinding and dump them up into the woods throughout the day. The grinder made huge piles of mulch none of which Nancy want to use around her front hydrangeas so I dumped it into the woods. I got about 4 stump piles raked up until my back could take it no longer despite wearing a back brace. At times it felt good to use those muscles which seemed to loosen up. I was pleasantly surprised and thought just maybe this is what I needed as I've been mainly walking to try and stay active and the back muscles loose.

Katelyn, Jake's wife and the baby Skylar came by and spent the afternoon until Jake finished around 7'ish. We will see them on Sunday at Cornerstone as he is involved in the wood ministry which he is very good at. He has all the tools and the "know how" plus he is a big strong young feller. I doubt very seriously I could have handled these large trees anymore especially with this muscle issue in the lower back. I'm so thankful I can now count on his help which he made know he was only a phone call away.

Well we settled down to eat a salad for supper around 8'ish and then it was time to hit the hot shower and give myself an ultrasound treatment before hitting the sack around 10'ish. I'm hoping the back will hold up enough to clean up the other 5 stump grinding today with Nancy's help and that the weather will hold with no rain, LATER

Friday Morning June 26th

Well Thursday started out over cast but no rain until the early afternoon when it came another "gully washer" with down pours for about half an hour then it cleared off and the sunshine blessed us with some beautiful blue skies the rest of the day. It certainly dropped the temps to where we closed the windows.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my cup of tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and then lifting several up by name as well as myself. I'm still in constant dull pain with the lower back despite doing all kinds of remedies. My next step is make an appointment with the local chiropractor if these last couple of steps don't relieve me over the weekend. I'm able to move about and do some piddly chores and jobs but its not going away and its very painful in the mornings until I get moving about. The word on Paw Paw is he is home and its that same shoulder issue which was causing him the pain into his chest area. Everyone else seems to be holding their own.

Well I did manage to transplant all but a few lettuces seedlings into the garden during the morning hours. I wore my back brace which helps a little. Nancy wanted to walk so I followed her in the golf cart and we headed out to the top of the mountain around 4'ish. We saw Rick and spoke with him for a few and he showed us where he was power washing the old cabin walls and difference was startling. Wow it looks as if he just stained the boards it looked that good. We noticed the land clears on the lot on top was busy at chipping up the brush and trees as they get the lot ready for the builders for Lanny and Dorothy's new cabin. We waved at the Davis's and then stopped and chatted with Sarah across the drive for a few before heading back down to our cabin.

It was a beautiful evening and after grilling a whole chicken I cut up and an ear of corn on the cob and a fresh salad we headed out to wonder around the yards and gardens. Everything is sending out to new growth and the seedlings look as if they will survive after the earlier "gully washer" rain which dropped nearly a half inch in less than an hour. I watched some civil war videos on You Tube before drawing a hot bath in the tub with some epson salt added to the mix and soaked for 30 minutes or more. I'm not sure it was the right thing to do but everyone says heat is now what is needed to cure the back pain. It doesn't feel as if it was the right thing to do this morning as the pain is rather acute in the mornings but I did get a good nights sleep with the muscle relaxer, oh well. We will see what happens over the week end, LATER

Thursday Morning June 25th

Well Wednesday was another near perfect day weather wise with a chilly start at 59 degrees and it may have reached 80 during the afternoon but mainly in the upper 70's. This is one of the reasons we come to the cabin; and no rain. There were a few clouds at times which looked like rain but they soon dissipated and moved on.

I started the day out much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my usual routines that start with the hot tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then some quiet time honoring my Creator and Lord and lifting up several myself included. The back is still giving me some grief especially when first arising but as the morning wears on it loosens up and I was able to do some piddly chores and jobs. I'm getting some much needed rest during the night from the muscle relaxers but I'm expecting this healing progress in order get back on the pickle ball court will take some extended time. I'm using a back brace which does give me some support and helps. On another note we got word Paw Paw is back in the hospital with chest pains and was being kept overnight. Dee called last night and told us and then mentioned Mikes mom has terminal cancer. She is well up into her 80's and will need prayer for comfort as do all of us and for healing. Our nation needs prayer as well as we have so many hurting, plus prayers for those who are doing everything to destroy this nation.

I was able to move some seedlings into the garden and did so with a limited effort so as to not exacerbate the back. I did loosened up the ground around most all plants as they rain had packed it down over the last few days. The ground is still quite wet and of course the heavy dew during the night keeps up the moisture despite the direct sunlight. The grasses in all of the yards are showing good growth so I will ride the tractor over the weekend and mow. I'm not too sure about using the weed whacker as it does pull on the back, oh well. At times I get so down because I can't work at my pace but at least I'm walking around which is a blessing.

Nancy wanted to take a hike so she decided I would follow in the golf cart so we headed out to the mailbox in the afternoon. She did good except on a couple hills and rode with me when we noticed a car coming in the road. Well long story short is they were looking for some property that was for sale and we knew just where it was; so they followed us and then we chatted up for half an hour or more and got to know them. They were Bill and LuAnn Reavis from Yadkinville area. They were close to our ages and he flies tail dragger airplanes as his hobby with an airstrip on his property. They were in an all electric car made by Chevy; very nice folks and personable. They loved the nearly 4 acres for sale and then they were going to look at another piece in the area. Hopefully we will see them again.

We headed on up the top of the mountain and saw Rick Upstill who is the son of our friend Helen who passed away a few years back. He is doing some renovations to the old cabin which was built back in the early 50's but the view from the picture window is priceless. It's one of the reason we hike the mountain daily or now whenever. I'm using the golf cart for now but hope to get back to hiking soon. We visited with him for a long spell and he showed us all he was doing inside to update the cabin. We then headed across the top and to see where the Lanny and Dorothy who bought a piece of property next door to Rick's had a crew clearing the land for their new cabin. It too has a million dollar view. We next stopped at Benny and Laura's place to say hi. She called during the day to check on us as we hadn't hiked by their place in over a week and they were concerned about our well being. That was sweet of her. We headed on down the back trail to some leftovers for supper.

After the clean up we headed out to walk around the flower beds and then set on the porch for a spell. It was just a glorious evening with no humidity and actually it was starting to cool down quickly so we shut the windows and doors and settled in for the night, LATER

Wednesday Morning June 24th

Well Tuesday as forecasted did bring us more wet stuff to the amount of nearly 3 tens of an inch which is quite a bit for here in the mountains at one time. It was a sudden down pour which is what we call a "gully washer" which from time time, it does on our gravel driveway. That started around 4' ish and then it cleared off and we were able to walk around and check out the gardens until dusk.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with the cup of hot tea, then my quiet times honoring my Lord and Creator and lifting up several with me included for some healing on this lower back issues; everyone seems well and I'm still suffering some discomfort but able to get around. I sure miss being able to hike and work, but thankful I can still walk around and do most everything upright. We took off to Galax, Va. for some shopping as we get ready for tons of company coming around the 9th of July and will be here for probably close to a week or more. We have several little ones coming including the twin boys. We are excited and hoping I have this back into better shape for their arrival and visit.

I did manage to get some muscle relaxers from a friend and used one over night which helped with getting a good nights rest but the pain is still there this morning. I also am using some patches on the area which seems to help and I purchased a back brace yesterday at Wal-Mart for when I get back to working outside. I'm not one to lay around and from what I read online about this issue, moderate exercise is good or just not being in a horizontal position is good for the muscles. I had this happen several years ago and I used a chiropractor in St.Pete and he was the best. I could barely walk and the pain was terrible and he got be back on my feet and back to playing tournament pickle ball as well as other strenuous garden working activities. I may have to use the local doctor here in Sparta if this doesn't clear up. I'm one to always fear for the worst especially when it comes to being able to work and play, oh well enough of my issue.

We loaded up the truck once again with baby items, stocking up on groceries, sheets for the new beds and when we got home found 3 cases of baby formula waiting for us that Katie had shipped for the boys. They are eating great and Huck is just a couple pounds still less than Ryder but they are both eating baby food plus drinking their formula several times a day. We are getting so excited to see them as well as Annsley and Gabe who are this week on vacation with their mom. They both are so in love with the boys and they are as protective of them as are we.

We ate a late lunch after getting back from both Galax and Sparta of guacamole. We did have a nice semi-mountain breakfast of venison sausage and eggs which held us completely. We picked up an already made pizza and Nancy doctored it up with fresh mushrooms we needed to use before they went bad for our supper. We sat and played cards after supper until it was time for her shows on HGTV. I still haven't watched the news the last few days but do get my info from the FOX news website which seems to be rather complete as well as Drudge occasionally. It's such a shame those in the congress, msm, and local governments are not backing our potus to stop these radicals from destroying our heritage and culture with their violence in the name of stopping racism.

There was no broad epidemic of racism to the extent these radicals are basing their looting and rioting on; sure there is always a few bad apples but mainly from what I observed everyone seemed to be fine until the fake and fraud potus Obama came on the scene for 8 years. He gave standing to this terrorist group called BLM by inviting them to the white house and his faux christian beliefs were just that, false as he is, an he is a devout muslim according to his family. So now we are seeing the damage he has caused for our nation plus all of the scandals his administration were involved with and he now wants Biden to win to make sure they are not found out. Just an example of how corrupt the administration was is when Hillary sold out the nations uranium  to the Russians as well as left Americans to die in Benghazi because of their weapons smuggled to the terrorists for money and then lied about her involvement. Obama used the FBI to exonerate her and cover his rear. Such corruption I've never seen.

Well I'll get off my soap box but folks if we let the dem's get control of the gov't we are doomed as far as our individual rights afforded in the constitution for us patriots who are legal citizens. The nation will be lost to socialism, bias media, illegals and corrupt academia and we will see our nation dissolve into anarchy; just look at whats happening now and the dems who control these cities could care less about the citizens. It's all about power, money and taking control of your lives. If we do not vote for Tump in November and send the dem's and a few rino's packing the nation is lost forever, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 23rd

Well we finally had a whole day without any measurable rain, wonderful to say the least but the forecast is for showers today (Tue) and some the rest of the week. If I had to order up a day then Monday was perfect with no humidity, high 70's, mostly bright sunshine and a gentle breeze. A perfect day; all except I'm still battling this lower back pain. Yikes is that not ever annoying and so restricting. I want to work, hike and do garden jobs, now the soil is starting to dry out, oh well I'm almost to the point of seeing a chiropractor in town if I don't get some relief and soon. I've tried doing those exercises and stretching that I see on line but instead of helping I now have made one knee to be somewhat in pain.

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout as laying in bed aggravates the back pain and its difficult to get comfortable. I did my usual cup of hot tea, quiet times and then checking the news. I haven't watched the news on the TV since being here, as a matter of fact I only watched one show with Nancy a week ago while having some pop corn. I'm so disgusted with the msm and those who are rooting for these radical groups to destroy the nation its making me ill. They are desecrating our heritage and erasing history as well as violating every rule of law and they are backed by the dems who hate this potus so much they are willing to sacrifice the nation to these radical violent people. Never in all of my years have I ever seen such disrespect and violent actions toward civilized Americans by criminal Americans. Most folks are afraid to fight back and be called a racist and those who are filled with the TDS are just as bad in my book.

Well I didn't do a whole lot except I did find a book I started reading last year so I sat on the porch reading for a couple hours in between walking around, stretching and trying to help heal this pain. We did take a golf cart ride after supper to the mailbox and then to the top of the mountains where the views were awesome. We did see and speak with Billy for a couple before heading back to the cabin as evening advanced. Nancy dug up some zinnias and replanted them where the poppy plants had given us such beautiful vibrant flowers but are now dead and dried up. They will come back next year in the same spot but die before it gets too hot. The zinnias seed I had saved from last years crop all made and we have tons of seedlings in the one "photo bed" and lots more came up volunteer in the circle bed. The cucumbers and squash plants look great despite the bed being so wet in the same bed.

Well that was about it for the day as we finished up some leftovers for both lunch and supper. Nancy was busy washing up blankets and sheets for the extra beds which started all of this pain for me. Never would I have thought putting these beds together would be a real pain but as it turned out they were, LATER

Monday Morning June 22nd

Well Sunday was a good day of worship both here at the cabin with our on line service at Bridgepoint and then again in person at Cornerstone in Sparta. We fathers were honored at both services and then later in the evening we gathered with dear friends for a supper and then games afterwards. It was another glorious day as celebrated our love for the Lord and all of his blessings.

I'm still suffering from the lower back sprain which at times feels like it mending but first thing in the mornings and during the night its still rearing its ugly head with pain and being quite uncomfortable. I did find my hand held ultrasound device which we had left up here and gave that muscle in my lower back a therapy session which seemed to help for awhile, oh well. It will take time but I'm so impatience when it comes to limiting my activities. I did speak briefly with Paw Paw but he wasn't wearing his hearing aids so that was a bust; both Bobby and Amy called to wish me the best and Amy sent me a beautiful card that always has me in tears with her sweet loving words. Bobby put a post on FB which honored me and made jest of some of my peccadillos.

After the service in Sparta we headed home because of the get together later in the evening. We had bought center cut pork chops which were beautiful and Nancy made oven fires using rosemary and parsley in olive oil to coat the taters, fresh green beans and along with a salad Kay brought and a frozen or cold dreamsicle pie Mechelle made we feasted once again. Afterwards we settled into the best of 5 Sequence games and the guys won 3-2. We then taught them the game called golf and they picked up on that quickly and seemed to like it. Nancy won on the final hand but Gerald was leading throughout the game.

I washed the dishes and Nancy dried and afterwards I hit the shower and had her give me another ultrasound therapy and then headed for some horizontal lab as I slept very little the night before, LATER

Sunday Morning June 21st Longest day of the year

Well Saturday was once again an on and off rain day with some sunshine in between the showers; at least it did warm up enough to wear shorts to town and the rest of the day. It did reach the upper 60's and may have touched 70  during one of the sunshine moments. I'm still battling this lower back muscle sprain but did get some relief after exploring some stretches for that issue on the internet. I was able to function with minor pain for most of the day but could tell I had to be very careful on my activities. I'm trying to stay mobile as laying down seems to make it worst and last night was a great example with me tossing and turning and trying to get in a position of comfort, oh well.

I started Saturday with an early rise to a cup of hot tea laced with turmeric which is supposed to be an anti-inflammatory and along with some naproxin I managed to keep the pain tolerable. I'm realizing those repetitive movements in the cold basement was probably what started this strain and of course I had been bending over for the past couple weeks pulling weeds, picking out rocks etc from the flower and vegetable beds that had worn down these muscles. Now I must realize I'm not that youngster anymore and take care of this old back that had an operation for a disc issue during the USAF in the 60's. I've been lucky with exercising, hiking up mountains, playing pickle ball and just plain hard physical work which I love must come to a modification and that daily stretching will become the norm.

We headed to town and made several stops along the way. We picked up a meat order from the butcher shop and then a prescription for Nancy and then a grocery stop and finally a veggie stand stop before getting back to the cabin around 1'ish. We had a bowl of leftover soup which was perfect as it had rained once again and the skies were cloudy after a sunshine start to the day. I noticed my seedlings I had potted up were doing O.K. as I had left them out to get some sunshine despite the down pour. Most of them are going to make it, if I can get them in the gardens which are totally soaked. We need a few days of sun and no heavy rain to get them growing. I do have a couple blooms on the Big Boy tomato plants and the jalapeno pepper plant I brought from Florida is loaded with fruit.

Nancy fried yellow squash for our supper and we loaded them up with herbs from the garden; we added dill, basil, oregano and a jalapeno peppers slices to mine all from the garden. We watched the Belmont Horse Race which is the first leg of the Triple Crown while we ate; delicious to say the least and I had a taste of the fruit of the vine to accompany. After the cleanup we fired up the golf cart and rode to the top of the mountain where we saw the Dave and Alyssa Roberts who are now the owners of the Browning Place. We stopped and chatted for several before heading on across the mountain and down the back golf cart trail. It sprinkled on us a time or two with the sun shining as dark clouds moved in. I haven't seen it rain this much every day for a couple of years but there is one thing for sure the forest fires won't be happening here in the mountains this summer. The forecast is for more weather like this through next week.

I did a few more stretches and then iced the lower back while watching Trumps rally in Oklahoma. He knows how to bring the crowd to their feet and tells it like it is. What a welcome change from the last potus who was a good orator but an anti-American potus who became a traitor to the nation when he orchestrated a coup against this new potus Trump, by using his henchmen in the FBI in concert with crooked Hillary to destroy him. The nation is still in turmoil as those on the Left are doing everything possible to bring down Trump because he is exposing the vile corruption in D.C. among the dem's and rino's who are complicit with our enemies. It's unbelievable their duplicity to the folks of this nation all the while padding their bank accounts in collusion with the fake MSM.

I hit the hot shower afterwards and was soon in the horizontal lab position for another painful night, LATER

Saturday Morning June 20th

Well Friday is one day I'm not thrilled to write about as I've pulled a muscle in my lower back and despite ice, heat, pills and rubs its not getting any better. I'm able to walk and I even used a spreader to lime the yards in the morning but the deep constant ache is very annoying an at times painful. I can feel a knot in the muscle so it must be a bad sprain or tear and now the pain is radiating down the right leg. I sure hope its not turning into sciatica or a disk issue, oh well.

The day started much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my morning routines that start with the cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Lord and Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several for healing some of which I could use myself. All seem well as can be expected. I'm beginning to wonder if my age isn't also making itself known to me as well. Nancy made some sausage and eggs for our breakfast then I headed out to check on the gardens and yard. While posting this ramble I noticed a very large doe walk up through the yard and into the backwoods yard just taking her time as if she belonged in the yard. She apparently found nothing to her taste which is quite unusual as they love our hydrangeas when we aren't here.

I headed out to give myself some exercise for the back muscles and even managed to load up a couple sacks of lime and the spreader and gave the yards a could coat. The sun was shining and the grass was wet so I felt it would help dissolve the lime into the yard but little did I know we would have rain off and on throughout the day. We got another couple tenths of rain despite the skies initially being blue with bright sunshine to start the morning. Well the back issue kept me in along with rain showers for most of the day except we did take a golf cart ride to the mailbox in the late afternoon. The grounds are just soaked and standing water is every where despite the inclines of the area. The veggie plants are still surviving but I'm not sure for how much longer if we don't get some sunshine to dry out the ground.

Well we played cards while I iced my back through out the day and evening and that did help take away the boredom of being locked in the cabin. I looked up natural muscle relaxers and found the Rosemary herb in a tea is one so I brewed a couple cups and Chamomile tea is another muscle relaxer along with red cherry juice. I'll purchase these other two when we head to Sparta today, (Saturday). I sure hope they help as I'm missing working and hiking, LATER

Friday Morning June 19th

Well we did see the sun for a few brief periods during the mid afternoon but briefly at best. The rain showers continued despite at times blue skies overhead. We received over 2 1/2 inches thus far with it mainly being a soaking rain but for nearly all day and night long, so we are sick of this wet cold weather. Plus I've exacerbated this lower back muscle which is a steady ache and makes for being uncomfortable, oh well. I sure miss our daily hikes to the top of the mountain and now I'm hoping this muscle strain will not keep me from that activity.

I started the day much the usual with a cup of tea, quiet times giving thanks and lifting up several as well as catching up on the news from various sources, none of which are the msm which no longer reports the truth in facts but their own distorted views. Most all of which is excoriating our potus and then highlighting the success of the looters and thugs with the leadership of the domestic terrorists called Antifa and BLM. These are sponsored by the hate monger Soros, muslims and the DNC to destroy this nation and thus Trump. It just makes me so ill and angry that everything that was once great about this nation is now down played and is portrayed as the problem.

After a lite breakfast I headed out to check on the garden in the lull of the rain and moved my seedlings in pots out into what was briefly some sunshine, since they had been under the back porch for what seems days. They did get an hour of sunshine but then several hours of overcast an a lite rain. The temps were still in the 50's so Nancy had the small portable heater going inside the cabin to keep the chill and dampness away. I headed down to the basement to work on assembling the bunk beds and found out from the drawings a couple were misleading so I had to take the bed back apart and start over from scratch. Even then I had trouble with one concept because of the inaccuracy of the depicted drawing. I finally called Nancy down to assist me and we figured out what the drawings were saying to us as we went step by step once again, oh well.

I eventually got the beds together and they turned out to be quite stout and should hold at least 4 adults or more in kiddos. We already have the mattresses and the quilts are on the way. It was right at 60 degrees the whole time in the basement I was assembling the beds and Nancy became quite chilled and came back with a jacket on. When it's hot and humid outside that is my man cave for being refreshed. We did take a golf cart ride out to check the mail before supper and the sun was actually shining on the ride. But later it rained again and then again later in the evening after supper. The pot of leftover vegetable beef soup was so delicious once again on this damp cool evening. We spoke with son Bobby during the evening hours as he was taking Ryder and Huck for an evening stroll through his neighborhood. The boys are maturing so and their food intake is improving as well. Ryder has become much more active like Huck and is sitting up on his own. He is playing peek a boo as well and has become more smiley like Huck. We are missing them greatly but they will be here in a couple weeks along with several others family members.

A couple from our Seminole church group cancelled on a visit so we aren't expecting anyone until July when Bobby and the family comes for a week or so. Nancy will be getting things in order as she likes to plan and be prepared for guests. Well that was about it for the day as I watched some You Tube videos before a hot shower and then a back rub down and then some horizontal lab, LATER

Thursday Morning June 18th

Well Wednesday found us again with the heat on and the skies overcast with rain off and on for most of the day, evening and night. At least there were no "gully washers" however the rain fall thus far was close to two inches since Sunday. We are missing the sunshine and warmth as are my garden veggies. I don't believe we have lost any thus far due to mildew or rot.

I started the day with a 6:30 rollout for a change and I'm loving the extra hour or so sleep. I'm still nursing the muscle strain of the lower back but I'm able to function and did so while putting together the full bunk beds in the basement. Amazon delivered them just before noon in a  single box that weighed a couple hundred pounds. I managed to slide them off his truck into the golf cart in the rain and then Nancy and I slid the box into the basement where we took it apart piece by piece. I spent the rest of the afternoon assembling it and hope to complete the job today.

I did my morning routines that start with the hot tea, quiet times and then checking the news and finally checking social media and giving my opinions. I have some liberal friends who are out there on this potus and the welfare of this nation. It seems they are followers of the bias MSM and it frightens me to think they side with China and Russia over our own duly elected potus and makes everything happening his fault; when we have so many career and corrupt politicians who have been in the gov't for decades. I wonder if they really are this ignorant or just plain "kool aid" drinkers for the democrat party and the liberal Left. They are now apologizing for being white Americans to the radical and hate filled BLM movement who want to do away with our police departments and canter to anarchy and the total destruction of our heritage. Academia and the last corrupt Obama administration has really done a job on the destruction of our capitalist society, our freedoms to worship, the core family and the lack of respect for our constitution and the rule of law. We are just this next election away from totally losing our nation to these corrupt democrats and few rinos who subscribe to the Left.

Well we did play some cards waiting on the delivery of the bed frames as we couldn't do much except stay in the cabin. We had the small portable heater on to keep away the damp chill for most of the day until we left for the Frankis House around 4'ish. We brought our double 12 domino's which they just love and then we played a couple games of Euchre as well. Katelyn has pork ribs on the smoker as well as a delicious cucumber, tomato, feta cheese and onion salad as well as twice baked taters and a sweet grape cold dish. Nancy brought apple crisp for dessert. It was a feast to say the least and very tasty. There goes the spare tire once again but oh so good.

Jake and I are hoping for some dry weather so we can cut off the stumps of those trees he took out this winter then get a stump grinder in to finish the job before I sow grass seeds and smooth out the back woods yards. It's looking unlikely we will grind the stumps this weekend and hopefully do the grinding next weekend if the yards dry out.

Well that was about it as we drove home last evening we saw plenty of deer along the roadway around 10'ish. I soon hit the hot shower and after a back rub down headed for some horizontal lab, LATER

Wednesday Morning June 17th

Well its still raining and hasn't stopped for a couple days albeit at times its just a drizzle and the temps start out in 40's and stays in the 50's through out the day. We are starting to believe this is October weather which is what this front is reminding us of, oh well. Next week the forecast is for summer weather once again with the a/c on.

We spent a couple hours in Galax running some errands and then did a big shopping trip at the super Wal-Mart. We are stocked up once again and now we are awaiting the bunk beds for the basement for our added guests which the delivery folks were unable to find our road and driveway. I'm sure its someone new because we just had a UPS delivery 4 days ago. The GPS will bring folks down from the top of the mountain on Rich Hill Road and its not a road; just a path through the woods. Hopefully after many phone calls he will be able to call us on our phone and get the correct directions after leaving us the message on the old house phone with no call back number.

I started the day with a sleep in until after 6ish. I strained a lower back muscle so I took a couple naproxin and it helped keep me in bed a little longer for a change. I still managed to be awake a couple hours longer than Nancy as she was still in the sack until after 8'ish. She is a night owl where I'm and early bird riser so it off to bed for me by 10'ish unless we have company. I did my usual morning routines; cup of green tea, quiet times and then checking the news on Fox and then my comments on FB most of which are pro Trump and pro America. I'm just sick of the do nothing Democrats especially those who are in collusion with the antifa and the blm radicals to destroy our culture and nation.

There is talk of another civil war in the media and I'm beginning to think that will occur because the Left is totally out of control. There was a video of a young black male striking a 92 year lady knocking her to the ground which is my opinion is attempted murder because of her fragility and age. These folks are totally corrupt with no redeeming value and that goes along with those who murder the unborn which is so vile and evil it makes me ill. Most of the violence is occurring in the cities under the democrat gov't leaders and the violence is just unnerving and so disrespectful of hard working families. I still think that higher learning academia is behind a lot of the violence as they push their socialist ideology and are in favor of a globalist society which our Potus Trump is totally against. He is America First and we have seen how Europe is dealing with all of the problems because of this ideology. England wised up and the Brexit took them out of that union but the Left here in America is pushing that theme.

Well we did our errands and shopping then bought a Little Caesar pizza and ate it in the parking lot. That use to be a weekly theme for us from years back. I still love their flavor and its quite reasonable for a lunch for two for less than 7 bucks. We bring our own drinks as well. It fast, delicious and there is no cleanup except for finding a trash barrel to discard the box. We were back on the mountain in a lite drizzle with overcast skies by 2'ish. I met up with neighbor Gerald who now goes by Jerry for a few as he was down for the day and night without Karol his bride. I want to use his tractor for a day or so when Jake and I cut off the stumps to load them onto his dump truck with the front end loader. Its a trick on starting his tractor and its been a couple years or more since I lasted used it. He also blessed us with some fresh or last Fall's deer kill on our properties. We love venison.

Well it was stay in the cabin and play cards after finally getting into contact with Amazon. They do not make it easy to contact with any phone number but I did find a chat on the internet and they called me. We finally gave them the info they needed which they make sure you were who you are for security reasons which is a good thing. They are supposed to redeliver the bed frames today. We played Gin Rummy which I smoked Nancy at but she smoked me with a come back win in Dice and Kings on the Corner. We played through out the afternoon with the smell of a vegetable beef soup cooking on the stove. My oh my was that ever delicious and we each had two bowels. We have enough leftover for several lunches. I could eat soup daily especially in this cold damp weather. Its supposed to rain for the next several days but hopefully NOT an all day occurrence. I need sunshine and warmth and so does my gardens and flower beds, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 16th

Well Monday felt more like November here in the mountains this morning and throughout most of the day. It had rained nearly a half inch over night and the overcast skies were once again looking like rain but we did see a break from time to time in the clouds and the sunshine was a welcoming sight but after lunch the skies became overcast totally once again and by 4'ish, a lite misty rain enveloped the mountain. I don't believe it got much out of the 50's for the day.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then lifted up several during my quiet time with my Creator and Lord. All seem as well as can be expected. We All must pray for our nation as its being taken over by this radical extreme bunch called antifa and black lives matter. Both are bent on destroying our culture and this nation by looting and riots and now demanding the police be defunded and disbanded, much like the purge occurred in Russia and Germany with the Nazi's. We have only our potus Trump who is standing against these terrorists as the democrat party is in collusion with their demands and destructive activities. We are at a major turning point in this nation as these radicals are destroying our cities and the constitution under the guise of racism.


I checked everything in the gardens and they looked as well as can be expected despite the cold. I did notice where the sunflowers are now up and showing good colors around the upper garden and around the backyard fence. The trumpet vine is sending out lots of runners and I'm excited to see if it will cover the arbor and produce flowers the hummingbirds are attracted to. We still see them flying around the porch when we haven't fed them in years because the feeders draw large black ants which at one time infested the cabin which now requires Orkin to treat the cabin every other month, oh well. The recently transplanted lettuces in 6 packs are doing well once I keep them off the ground at nights as a slug managed to eat a couple over night. The kales are doing well and will soon be large enough to transplant into the garden proper.

It was down right cold outside for us warm blooded Floridians so Nancy had the fireplace going which runs off 110 electric. I did put the curtain up between the floors in the stairway to keep the heat down stairs. We seldom go upstairs so why heat it up there. That made a quick big difference in the ambiance of the first floor. We ate a late breakfast of an egg sandwich around 10'ish then stayed in by the warm fireplace. It was just too cold to be outside despite putting on long pants and an extra flannel shirt, oh well. We took off on a hike around 11:30 and once we got on the top of the mountain the stiff breeze chilled us to the bone so we cut it short by a few minutes just to get back off the top where the chill was even greater.

We weren't hungry so we sat and played gin rummy for a few until 1'ish when we made a guacamole from one of the avacado's that hadn't gone bad. Afterwards I decided it was too cold for me to enjoy pickle ball which was scheduled for 6'ish so I called and cancelled. As it turned out the rain settled in around 4'ish and wiped out any chance of playing. I decided since it was so wet to try and burn the two brush piles that Jake had piled up in the gully from the downed trees he harvested from the backwoods yard. Well I did get both of the piles burning using some "fatwood" or what I call "lighter knot". I had them blazing away despite the dampness of the wood but the piles were so large the insides were relatively dry and burned quite nicely. I burned until around 4'ish when the lite rain fell which back under the trees it made no real difference on the burn piles. That was one job I wanted to take care on a day when the woods were wet and there was no chance of a woods fire and this day was perfect.

I came in from the wet and the cold and Nancy had the cabin warm and cheery from the fireplace, so we settled into a game of "Kings on the Corner" until supper time which was leftovers except for the ear of corn on the cob. I wiped the floor with her again after beating her in gin rummy earlier and then again with this game which I never win. It was just the luck of the draw as she is very astute in card playing. After the clean up I actually settled into the Fox Cable news for a change since being here and learned how and why I'm not crazy about watching all of the craziness happening in our nation with these domestic terrorists called protestors. It's down right sickening to see this happening to our nation paid for by those who hate this potus and this nation and approved by the criminal MSM and the democrat party. GOD HELP US(A)

Monday Morning June 15th

Well Sunday was a rather chilly day all day long and into the evening and night. Nancy has the faux fireplace going which gives out heat as well as the illusion of having a real fire; it's much less messy and there are no holes in the roof for a chimney, it really takes the chill out of the cabin especially when its a damp cold evening. We got a lite rain for a couple hours after being somewhat cloudy off and on all evening. The morning started out cold but with plenty of sunshine until the evening hours around 4 ish when it became quite overcast and the drizzle began.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and intercessory for many. All seem as well as can be expected and I've heard nothing to the contrary. We tuned in on line to our Bridgepoint Church service and saw and heard our campus pastor for Seminole, Scotty bring the message today. He did a fine job and is becoming a polished speaker. We headed out to Cornerstone where we met up with several old friends as well as Mechelle's and her daughter Kallie and husband to be Juan for the 10 AM service. We also saw the Frankis Family; Jake, Kathlyn and baby Skylar. Afterwards we met at the Mexican eatery in town for lunch. Nancy ran into the store next door for a few items then we headed home around 1'ish.

Nancy put on her flannel shirt as the air was still chilly but I thought it perfect for working out doors. I did some garden work; moving the few seedlings that made it in one patch into the other patch then potted up a dozen or so onions that did make it into separate pots. I had given them a good dose of bone meal which onions and garlic love and these few I saved from the rotten mess did start to root out while the stems still look suspect as wether they will produce a bulb. I like to think I'm a plant doctor or saver at times. I knew the rain was coming so I loosen up the soil around all the plants and then raked some dead moss in the back woods yards for awhile. We did go on a mid afternoon hike to the top of the mountain and saw no one out an about. It was a crisp day with the breeze coming up the mountain which made for a great hike. There were no bugs out which is nice and the hike was a good one as well.

We decided on old fashion pop corn for our supper so I made a huge bowl popping it in olive oil on the stove. Thats the first time in two weeks I've sat on the couch and watched TV since being here and it was a food show titled Dinners, Dives and Drive ins. It's all about local foods in various parts of the nation and the guy who is the host of the show, eats some what looks like delicious sandwiches. I then moved to You Tube to watch some documentaries and some are very interesting episodes on several different topics. It was close to 9 so I hit the shower to warm up these old stiff joints and it wasn't long until it was horizontal lab for me, LATER

Sunday Morning June 14th

Well Saturday was another just gorgeous day with chilly temps to start the day; a flannel long sleeve shirt for the morning until about noon then a denim shirt in the evening as the sunset. The stiff breeze through out the day kept the humidity away and when ever the clouds came out the temps dropped rapidly. It was a mixture of play and work for me.

Well today Sunday marks our second week on the mountain and the change in the yards and gardens is awesome as we have lots of new seedlings in the flower beds and gardens, much better than expected as I transplanted or moved lots of seedlings up into 6 packs for a week or so before setting them into the garden itself. I'm always thrilled at the way every think grows and matures here and since we changed out a couple old flower beds the new change is thrilling with what will bloom and add beauty to the place. There is always rocks to glean from the beds as well as weeds to pull which keeps you walking around and inspecting the almost daily new growth.

We had a nice semi mountain breakfast from our fruit and oatmeal daily start of the day to sausage and eggs, yeow which held me the rest of the day until we ate supper around 7:30 at the Mechelle's place with her family and her son in laws family whom Kallie is marrying. I did finish up the left over watermelon around 2'ish. We took a mid morning hike to the top of the mountain and we are getting our legs back to mountain hiking. We saw no one on top so it was across to the end at the old Browning place and then down the back road at a good clip. Nancy does great on the down slope but does struggle a little on the upwards climb. We piddled around in the yards and gardens and then worked over the Peonie flower bed which had tons of moss, weeds and grasses. I even managed to replant some of the grasses in the bare areas which had once been nothing but moss; but now with the trees gone, the sunlight is driving the moss away which was my intention for having Jake cut so many of them. I noticed several small Peonies within the bed. They are one of my favorite flowering plants but we seldom get to see them bloom, the  exception was this year when we still had lots of blooms when we arrived. They do not like the heat and are much like the lilacs which we seldom if ever get to see them bloom or smell their delicious fragrance.

It was sit on the porch at times and cat nap and occasionally moved into the sunlight to warm up, yikes here it is the middle of June and we are having cool temps and this coming week the highs may reach the low 70's which is perfect from the hot humid Florida weather. We stopped on our way over to Mechelle's for a visit with our mountain mom, Helen and blessed her with a piece of Nancy's flowerless chocolate cake. I must say it is delicious but we are trying to limit ourselves on carbs and sugars and I'm glad she gave the last of it away.

At Mechelle's we had burgers and Nancy's baked beans with some chips on the side and Kay made a strawberry cake which I had just a sliver. It too was very good. Mechelle and Gerald were in the hayfield and didn't get in until late so we cancelled on any game playing for this evening besides Juan family was there and that made for too many to play. We got back to the cabin just as darkness set in and it was a hot shower for me and then some FB time before calling it a day at 10'ish. Today we will attend Cornerstone and then go from there on if any diners are open for eating in which we will probably do with all of them, LATER

Saturday Morning June 13th

Well Friday was a perfect day weather wise and we shared the evening with the couple who took down 10 large trees on the property. Nancy had a delicious supper for them and then later we played 12 rounds of chicken foot domino's.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot green tea on this chilly morning. Wow it was close to a typical winter morning in Florida with temps down into the low 50's. We both donned flannels shirts until mid morning as the humidity was very low and the soft breeze made for ideal conditions for working outside and for drying clothes outside on the line. After my quiet times with my Creator I headed outside to check on the gardens and flower beds and noticed we now have sun flowers popping through the ground.

I did transplant a dozen kale seedlings into separate 6 packs in hoped they will survive and grow enough to set out in the upper garden in a week or so. I have several lettuce seedlings which are also close to being set into 6 packs before being set out into the main garden. I did fertilize the few seedlings that survived the trip from Florida but I did lose several due to the wash out rain and then very dry conditions. I think next year I will skip bringing these seedlings although I must say the Swiss chard is doing very well as are some of the beet greens, oh well.

The wild flower seedlings are doing just fine and are showing some great colors in several of the flower beds as are the Zinnias. The onions seedlings which were nearly all rotten have made some progress but I did lose many of them as they were too far gone to rot and mold. It's been a tough year to fine any onion sets or seedlings as no one has any and not getting any more this year. Its easier to buy the sweet vidalia's but I love to see the green onions in the garden. The big boy tomato plants are showing some blooms which will soon open and the veggies in the circle bed are looking good as well; if those plants make I will be giving away cucumbers and squash but it seems so will everyone else in the area.

Jake, Kaithlyn and 3 week old baby girl Skylar came around 4'ish and we loved up on her. She is such a good baby and made barely a peep during supper. I grilled steaks and along with baked sweet tatters, spinach casserole and a salad and garlic bread we dined high on the hog and even sat outside on the deck in the shade . Food just seems to taste great outside and believe me we cleaned our plates and then later during a hotly contested game of domino's Nancy served flowerless chocolate cake with fresh raspberries and whipped cream, my oh my was that not ever delicious and it was a first for our guests who were pleasantly surprised a flowerless cake could be this tasty. Little Skylar ate her fill a couple times as she nursed and then napped. She is holding her head at just 3 weeks and had a head full of dark black hair.

Well the game went on for a couple hours and we finally finished at just before 10. They love the game as do we and I'm sure we will do it more often this summer. Jake is going to help me with the stump removal next week which will be a huge help. He is young and very strong and with the broad knowledge of how to do most anything and the willingness to work which seems to be an uncommon trait today. One of the neighbors on top of the mountain heard him sawing my trees this winter and inquired about him to take down some trees for him, so that will give him some extra cash as well as wood for his use. I introduced him and they will work out a deal.

After they left we washed up the supper dishes then I hit the shower and was headed for the horizontal position, LATER

Friday Morning June 12th

Well Thursday was a busy fun/work day that had us going to Sparta in the early afternoon for Nancy hair appointment and then I ran errands made some purchases and met a delightful couple at the library who live here full time from Florida; Kathy and Allan Smallwood were very warm and friendly and she volunteers at the book store in Sparta. We even had our first camp fire in the cool evening air.

I started the day with an unusual sleep in for me until nearly 7 o'clock, wow that is a first in quite a spell. I did my morning routines that start with the cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I spent some quiet moments with my Lord and Creator giving thanks and lifting several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected as many are elder and some have health issues. We are getting excited about so many coming next month for a visit with many at one time, so we are busy making preparations for those days. We got word our dear friend Kathryn fell and broke her ankle and leg so they will be laid up for a spell. Hopefully she will not need surgery.

We got in a mid morning hike to the top of the mountain and it seemed a little easier today as we start to get back our legs and stamina from these steep climbs up the back trails. It was another gorgeous day with blue skies and less humidity. We tuned the a/c off and aired out the cabin and by nightfall is had cooled down into the high 50's, yikes. I had a nice campfire for a couple hours as we burned up sticks from the yard and eventually some trash.

We headed to Sparta after lunch and I dropped Nancy off for her hair appointment then I headed to Blue Ridge Electric to have 4 propane tanks filled just in case we need extra heat for this winter when and if we come back for Thanksgiving and Christmas with Amy and then Bobby's families. If that happens that will be a first for us after November when we usually leave the cabin for nearly 7 months. I headed to the meat market for rib eye steaks as we have Jake and Kaithlyn for supper. They did a great job taking out 10 huge trees this winter from the backwoods yards for their use for heating. I now need him to help me with the stump grinding which will be another big job. I've already noticed the difference with the grass coming in because of the sunlight and the decline of the moss which has kept that yard covered.

I stopped at True Vine for some items but really they are a little high on their produce and items but its another place to shop. We did make some buys at the only grocery in town before heading back to the cabin. I fired up the mower only to see where one of tires had gone flat. I pumped it up and mowed the whole yards with it still inflated. I'll check it for more leakage today but that was odd. We had picked up a ready to bake pre-made pizza at Food Lion which after Nancy doctors it up with our stuff was really good for our supper. I finished mowing and then we sat by the fire to nearly 9:30 before heading in and a hot shower for me. It wasn't long afterwards that I was dozing at the laptop and was ready for some horizontal lab by a little after 10, LATER

Thursday Morning June 11th

Well Wednesday was a work day in the morning and then a mid morning hike to the top of the mountain and its a good thing we did because the rains started around 1:30 and lasted off an on through the afternoon and into the late evening hours. The last I checked before supper was over an inch had fallen but with the night time down pours I'm expecting a doubling of that amount. (The rain had an effect on me which had me awakening at 7:30 this morning).

I started the day much the usual with a 5:30 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Lord and Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected except I did lose a distant cousin to death yesterday. We weren't close and he was a few years younger than I; but his passing was quite unexpected.

I headed out to check on the gardens and the flower beds all seem free of any deer or slug damage thus far. I'me seeing rows of green in the back woods beds and the flower beds are showing lots of color from the wild flower seed we sowed several days ago. The circle bed has now become our show case bed with various colors and the upper hal is growing cucumbers and yellow squash. I did have a chance between the early afternoon rain when the skies cleared to do some hoeing around these hills loosening up the soil for the roots to breathe. The Zinnias are also coming up in the circle bed as volunteers. I let them grow then transplant some to other beds as they are a beautiful flower and usually last until Fall.

We decided to sit and play "Kings on the Corner" both before supper and afterwards and Nancy just barely beat me in the first sitting but the later blasted me in the second round of games after supper. I still haven't watched anything on the TV since being here. I do love You Tube for airing great videos on the Civil War which started with the History channel's documentary on U.S. Grant; it strange for some reason I can not get those on that channel here at the cabin, oh well. We spoke with Bobby and Katie and they put up a video on the boys and then ordered full size bunk beds for here to be used down in the basement when we are having extra folks.

 We spoke with Dee family of 2 for awhile and they will be here with their daughter Kelly and family of 5 the same time Bobby and family of 6 will be here. Bobby wants to see everyone and will stay an extra day and it was their idea to purchase the beds so we purchased the mattresses. That will give us 7 beds that will sleep 14 plus two air beds for the kiddos. Its starting to look like a party of family coming on and we love it. Well after a hot shower around 10'ish I got ready for some horizontal lab, LATER

Wednesday Morning..June 10th

Well Tuesday was another work day here on the mountain. I'm catching up on all the little piddly jobs after getting the yards and gardens cleared down to passable size. We got a light shower the night before and then again during the afternoon today which cooled things down and gave the veggies and much needed drink.

I started the day out with my usual 5:30'ish roll out to my everyday routines that start with a cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Lord and Creator in thanksgiving and lifting up several. All seem well but I got word a cousin of mine passed away unexpectedly yesterday. He was several years my junior.

I headed out to check on the gardens and found no damage from either deer or other critters of course there isn't much to eat in the garden with the seedlings being so small but the flower gardens are doing great and I'm pleased with the colors in all the beds. The circle drive is really showing some promise with the different colors on the flowering plants. I ate my breakfast of an apple while touring the yards and then had a peach. I want to shed a couple pounds especially the spare tire and stay away from the carbs except on special occasions when we have guests. Its looking like a busy July with Bobby's family coming and then several other cousins and friends as well with their kiddos. I'm sure those visits will add a little to the spare tire.

There wasn't much to write about except we did get in a hike mid morning and a golf cart ride after supper to the top of the mountain. We stopped and spoke with Billy for a few but everyone else seemed shut in for the evening. It's been rather hot and muggy so the a/c has been on which to me takes away the ambiance but you do need it at times. I stayed outside most of the day and when I get to hot I head for the basement where its in the 60's year round.

Well kind of a boring day for most but for me I love to piddle around outside, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 9th

Well Monday was another busy day that started with my 5:30'ish roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent a some quiet time with my Lord and Creator in humble thanksgiving and lifting up several by name for healing and comfort. All seem as well as can be expected due to their ages and health issues.

I piddled around the cabin until it was time to head over and pick up our "mountain mom" Helen and head to Galax. She was interested in changing out her couch for a love seat and a different chair and the only local furniture place is Gwynn's. Well she didn't find anything to suit her but we did meet the owner of the store who is close to Helen's age. The owner Mary was walking through the store and the salesman mentioned she was the owner. I approached her and ask if she was a local resident of the town and if she knew some of our old friends who grew up in Galax. Well long story short she knew all of our friends and seemed to enjoy our conversation and meeting with us.

We headed over to the new part of town where we were unable to find a place to eat in; it was take out only everywhere that was open. We did due some shopping at Wal-Mart or Nancy did while we sat in the truck. I did find a few onion seedlings which were nearly rotten but was able to save a few green ones at Tractor Supply. The sales gal remember me from last October as she is from Pinellas Park and noticed the Buccaneer shirt I was wearing. I looked everywhere in town for onion sets and none to be found, oh well.

We took Helen home and decided to wait a couple weeks and try lunch out again with a trip to either Galax or Winston. It was great to see her again and her new flooring which she had installed by the two fellers who did ours. It looks fantastic and she was quite pleased after they took so long to get it installed. We came back on the hill and had a late lunch. Afterwards I took off the front screen door and sized it again and reinstalled it then did some piddly garden chores The wild flowers are showing some great colors in the one bed off the front porch and the Zinnias are just popping up everywhere in the portrait bed. All of the squash and cuke plants are looking good as well as are the tomato plants. I soaked the roots of the few onion seedlings that weren't completely rotten in some miracle  grow, then set them in the ground. I'm hoping to get a few of them to survive as they were pretty well gone. We took off on a hike to the top of the mountain around 5'ish so we got in another hike to help get back into shape.

We ate a late supper around 7'ish of corn on the cob and some fresh green beans then I headed out to piddle around in the gardens and flower beds. I sowed some Heavenly Blue morning glory seeds Helen gave us around the fences in the backwoods yard. The trumpet plant/vine is already sending out runners and is starting to climb the arbor. I had to knock down those pesky birds nest again as they are persistent in building in the peaks of the roof. I left the ladder out so that maybe they would get the hint that I'm not going to let them build there then foul the area with their excrement draining down the side of the cabin. They are a nuisance to say the least and its the first time they have ever tried building nests in this area, oh well. We love birds but there are tons of trees for them to raise their young, LATER

Monday Morning June 8th

Well we finally met up with our Cornerstone Church Family yesterday for the first time in over 7 months and we were welcomed back with open arms although some are still social distancing. It was a great day to reconnect and although they are still doing a live broadcast on You Tube there were quite a few attendees and some new faces as well.

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this information about what we did the day before. I then spent some quiet moments with my Lord and Creator giving thanks and then lifting several up for comfort and healing. All seem well as of now. After the hour long service which has been reduced down since there are no children's church we met up with Mechelle and Frankis Family at the Pizzeria for a delicious lunch. They are also limited and still doing social distancing but we were able to get a table for the 5 of us plus their two week old baby girl. She is such a pleasant and cute baby. We never heard her make any sound all morning. Jake was the feller who cut those trees for me in the backwoods yards and will help me use the stump grinder sometime this summer. We have know Kaithlyn for years since she lived for a while with Mechelle. She and Jake lost their 7 day old baby son last year but now have a beautiful girl, Skylar.

After lunch we made a few stops before ending up at Mechelle's to see and play with her new foals and then we visited with her mom, Kay and dad Gerald for a few. Kay is recuperating from a nasty fall that left her right ankle broken a few weeks back. She is doing as well as can be expected due to this severe injury and we both love her and Gerald. Her horses are magnificent animals and all so meek and docile for such large and stout animals. She has become quite successful with raising these Gypsy Varner's which are in big demand due to their feathered bodies and mind manners. They look like draft horses which is what they were bred to be at one time.

We came back and Nancy decided she was too hot, so on went the a/c for the first time. The mini -split soon cooled the down stairs off in no time and is a big plus especially when its hot and humid and we have guests. When I'm working I just head for the basement to cool which stays around 60. I headed outside to piddle knocking down the new birds nest which these birds seem to build almost daily. They are so nasty with their dropping on the deck which gives away their nest building in the peaks of the roof. The old nest on the east side of the cabin was also being rebuilt so down it came as well. They had build several nests underneath the back porch and they too were knocked down.

Well after a lite supper of a salad we transplanted more bedding flowers we picked up while in town. The wild flower seeds we sowed a few days back are showing some great colors and we are thrilled as well as are the Zinnias.  The circle drive bed which has always been a somewhat problem bed with stubborn grasses and rocky soil is now becoming a showcase bed. The marigolds I brought up from my garden in Florida are looking great as well. I had to hand water all of the gardens since we haven't had any rain since Thursday and the bedding plants were quite wilted when we got home from being gone since 9'ish. We piddled around outside until nearly 9'ish as dusk was falling. I tuned into some You Tube videos on the Civil War until I began nodding off and decided it was time for a hot shower and then in bed by 10. I still haven't sat down and watched any T.V. since being here and really I do not miss it, LATER

Just a few pics from Sunday. We have a loner turkey we see going in and out our driveway almost  daily. These horse pics are at Mechelle's Farm

Sunday Morning June 7th

Well this time last Sunday we were on our way north to the mountains and its been a glorious week here. We have a couple very cool mornings to where I wore a swear shirt and then a couple of really warm and humid afternoons but none so bad that we have yet used the a/c. The basement floor is actually cold to your feet and its stays around 60 down there. I've rested a couple during the hottest part of the day when I need a break and sat down there for a few to get energized and cool off.

Saturday was basically a fun day although I did some small chores outside in the yards and gardens. I started the day with my usual roll out well before 6 to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then honored my Lord and Creator with some quiet time giving thanks and then asking for comfort and healing for many if it be His will. All seem as well as can be expected despite all the turmoil in the world. We are isolated here in the mountains and don't see all of this vitriol first hand by those who want to destroy our culture, our freedoms and of course this nation and Potus Trump. It's a sad commentary when a few radicals use a bad situation to hurt innocents. These are the scum of the earth in my opinion and should be indicted and imprisoned.

We took off on a mid morning hike and we are starting to see our mountain legs come back at least for Nancy. She did well and we had a good hike to the top visiting with several on our way across the top before heading down and having a lite lunch. We were leaving around 1'ish for Mt Airy to visit the horse sale and meet up with Mechelle. The place was packed an inside there was no a/c or ventilation. It this virus existed this was the place it should be found but since it was 90+ degrees outside and even hotter inside I don't know how anything could exit. The horses were selling like hotcakes and bringing good money. We stayed for a couple hours then the heat got to us so we left around 4'ish and headed to Lowes for more bedding plants and a few other things. We saw a Chick-fil-a and decided since most all the eateries were take out, we would also eat in their parking lot. This place as usual was packed with cars ordering to go. We made another stop for gas for the mower before heading up the mountain. We watched the temp gauge on the truck drop from 90's to 75 when we got back at the cabin, wow a difference.

We unloaded and changed clothes the got busy setting out our new Lantana plants in the circle drive. It's really starting to look great with various colors. These Lantanas were the yellow flowers variety and they added to the mix of purples and blues. Afterwards we took a golf cart ride out to see if the Heglars were still at their cabin as we noticed they had mowed their place on our way home. They weren't around or had gone back off the mountain so we headed to the top and visited with Debbie and Joey who bought the old Norman place and its her folks Lanny and Dorothy who bought a lot just down the driveway and are going to build a cabin there. All of them are really nice folks. They are in the mid 40's or so with grown children.

Well I noticed I have radishes showing some colors after just being sown for 4 days and the Zinnias are showing color as well after just 3 days of sowing. The soft rain on Friday evening was perfect keeping the ground moist and then the warm sunshine yesterday made for great growing conditions. I lost several kale and collard seedlings but will have enough I believe to keep us in salad material throughout the summer. I will stop and purchase some onion sets after church as we are in town today. Afterwards we will stop and have lunch with Mechelle and then visit her new bunch of foals before heading back to the cabin, LATER

Saturday Morning June 6th

Well Friday was a work day for me except for the mid morning hike which took over an hour as we took the extended hike down the driveway then up the road to the top. We visited with the new owners of the Browning's place and they have been busy fixing it up and making all kinds of improvements. They are Dave and Alyssa from down near Charlotte and they have two pre teens kiddos.

I started the day with another well before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea laced with turmeric while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Lord and Creator giving thanks and lifting up several by name. All seem well as can be expected. I checked on the social media posts and gave my 2 cents worth on what the crooked politicians are doing to our nation but I'm finding there may just be an honest few who are not complicit with the last corrupt Obama administration. It does seem that now the real true facts are coming out about how those holdovers attempted to destroy Trump and his administration and are still doing so. They are so worried he is going to expose their corruption they have now sent the nation into chaos with these riots and looting to destroy the economy while using the vile killing in Minnesota as a pretext. They tried with the panic and fear of the virus promoted by the bias MSM against Trump but that seemed to fail so this is their new tactic. It's unbelievable this is happening in America.

Well leaving politics aside I'll get back to my busy day. After a breakfast of a semi mountain one of eggs, sausage, sliced tomatoes from my Florida garden and a jalapeno with some blackberry jelly toast I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds. All of the recently transplanted plants are doing find but the seedlings I brought up from Florida are struggling especially the kale and collards. I should get a few to survive but those really hot days took their toll. The rain Thursday evening helped but we will see. I fired up the weed whacker and headed down the driveway to clear the roadside grasses, the ditches and trim the over hanging trees; that had me working up a sweat despite the cool morning. I then took the spreader and limed the backwoods yards. Nancy was now ready for her morning hike so we took off. I already had hiked up the driveway carrying the whacker and then walked the hill in the back yard pushing the spreader, oh well.

We visited with the new neighbors and then headed across the top of the mountain and visited with Billy for a few. He has just about finished with his garage he is building alongside his cabin. It's surely a nice one and he seems to know what he is doing. We headed on down the trail through the back of our property and I'm really starting to like the extra sun light from the trees that are gone. I've already noticed the moss is turning brown and lots of new grasses springing up from the extra sunlight. I finished up some garden chores of mulching the front porch bed of hydrangeas then piddled around doing little jobs which kept me busy until 4'ish. I had skipped lunch due to the big breakfast.

We did some face time with son Bobby and the boys. They were so cute and recognized our voices but were dismayed even to the point of Huck crying a couple of times. They could see us but didn't know why we weren't there with them. Afterwards we took a golf cart ride to the top for a few just getting back before a rain shower enveloped the area. It was a lite rain and didn't last long. I watched some of You Tube's video's on Grant and the Civil War before hitting the shower and then some horizontal lab around 10'ish, LATER