Well Monday started out rather chilly but did warm up to the middle 50's by late afternoon with plenty of sunshine and blue skies. There was a breeze which at time made it feel even cooler but we really enjoyed the late afternoon hike to the top of the mountain. We headed up to Dublin, Va. to attend the funeral of Mike's mom who had passed away last Monday while we were visiting with him and sister Dee. She was battling pancreatic cancer and she went down hill fast and was laid to rest at the Veterans Cemetery with her husband Ken. It is a beautiful serene final resting place in the mountains for the military only.
I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my usual cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble and then spent some time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up for healing and comfort. All seem as well as can be expected. The drive up through the backroad found us traveling a couple new roads we had never traveled before Nancy hates I-81 due to all of the big truck traffic so we took Rt 100 which we had never traveled on before. It is nestled in the mountains but there were some good farm land along the way as well.
We saw our sister dee's two girls Halley and Kelly with their families. We had never met Halley's two boys and they were just so cute and smiley. They came in from Nebraska to honor their grandmother. We also met some of Mike's nieces as well as Mike's brother for the first time as well as many of his relatives on his dad's side of the family. It was a solemn occasion but also a celebration knowing she was no longer in pain and in heaven as she was a Believer in Christ and in the Word. That is our real hope to know that judgement had been taken care of through the blood of Jesus for all of us sinners.
We stayed around after the ceremony and visited for a few with family taking pictures and sharing our love for all before heading back to Galax where we shopped and and had a late lunch at Applebee's. I must say their grilled chicken sandwich was excellent and I would order that again. We both got the same and it filled the bill for me the rest of the day except for a glass of the fruit of the vine around 6'ish and a handful of nuts. We shopped at Wal-Mart, Lowes and gassed uo once agin at 1.97 a gallon before heading back to the cabin. It was going on 4'ish when we finally unloaded and got ready to hike the mountain. We saw no one to talk or visit with and took and extra trail before coming back to wonder around the yards and gardens.
The flowers are just about gone except for those in the circle drive bed which are vibrant still, especially the lantana and the zinnias that came up volunteer. I think mulching the bed has really added to their well being. The veggies are about gone except for some of the leafy greens and peppers. The tomato's never really did very well this year but I still have a few green ones that I may pick and left ripen in the basement. The frost didn't help them at all.
We settled into the Lightning game and saw a hard fought game with them tying up the Stars at one game a piece. They play again tonight which is not the usual way for this roughed physical sport that usually allows a day of rest between games. I did flip around and watched a little of the NFL between periods despite them not being a favorite any longer. I'm closet watcher and NOT proud of it as they should just stick to playing ball and get out of politics.
Well we are staying home today and catching up on some chores and honey-do's. We will celebrate 41 years of marriage today with just us as we get ready for friends arriving on Friday for two weeks and then we have 2 weeks before winterizing the cabin and heading back to sunny warm Florida, LATER
