Wednesday Morning March 30th

 Well here it is the last day of March and we will soon be making plans for heading to the mountains in May. The weather here has been hot and humid but it looks as if we are in for a change once again later this week with much cooler temps. The mountains is calling for snow showers and the temps are going below freezing once again.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines of a cup of green tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet time to honor my Creator and Lord while giving thanks and lifting up several. All are holding their own as I write. The nation is still in need of GOD's help as the corruption is running rampart in the congress and with this illegal potus. Maybe this is a wake up call for the patriots of this country to send these radicals packing next election if we ever have another free and fair one and bring our Judeo-Christian principles back to the fore front.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball and left whupped with a wet head and shirt. I made a stop at the library for a new Grisham read and it already is going to be another thriller based on the efforts of a young attorney in a small town and how he handles a case of a juvenile shooting an abusive deputy. I rode home in a stiff breeze albeit a hot one and worked in the gardens. The big oak in the back yard is fully leafed out and gives some great shade. Once again I harvested another gallon bucket of green beans. This has to be the best year for them as well as the number of green tomato's on my 8 plants. Three of the plants were the larger small tomato's of which they are finally turning but the Celebrity tomato plants are loaded with so many fruits they are sagging to the ground, oh well. The jalapeno peppers are producing many peppers as well and I picked a dozen or so with many more ready to be picked in the next day or so.

I had a lunch of salad with some left over grilled chicken on it while Nancy was off shopping for the grand kiddos for Easter. I read the afternoon away as I was planning on meeting one of my pickle ball buddies who has a suite at the Lightning arena and invited me to attend a game with him. We met around 5'ish near the interstate where he charges his electric car for free and then we headed over on the cross town toll road to the down town area along the bay where the arena is located. What a beautiful setting and the high rise buildings are majestic to say the least. It's been years since I was last there with son Bobby and the place looks amazing. Bobby's office is in that area as well.

The suite was very nice and the folks who shared it with my friend were all very nice as well and successful. Now mostly retired business folks who made millions of bucks with their companies. They were down to earth folks many younger than my age but we were in the same 60's to 70's age bracket. The food was plentiful and very delicious with many choices as was the choices of drinks. All comes with this suite. The seating was awesome above the center ice so you could look down on the action and there were live action on TV's in the suite as well. The only bad thing was the Lightning lost to a tough team from Columbus.

I got back to house around 11'ish and finally got to bed around 11:30, but it was an exciting time for me and getting to know these fine folks in this venue, LATER

Tuesday Morning March 30th

Well Monday actually saw some fog and overcast for the morning and then after a bright sunny rather warm afternoon we actually had a down pour of rain for about 15 minutes. Every little bit is helpful this time of the year with the heat coming back into the picture.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea while I posted this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for comfort and healing. The list gets larger it seems each week but all seem to be stable at this time. I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play. We had a good turnout with some great rallies and I left whupped.

I harvested a mess of romaine lettuce and cleaned it for our supper with the Nymark's later in the evening as we went there for supper. We did some business dealing for our cruise next May and then helped Steve get some contacts for his 3 weeks of coming to his recently purchased property near us in the mountains. We enjoy a supper of ribs, broccoli, taters as well as Caesar salad. I must say I feel like a new dad as the tomato's plants I brought back from son Bobby's patch are now producing. I was giving them a shot of liquid plant food when I happened to notice some pink on one of the tomato's and after close inspection into the huge plants I noticed at least 15 more of the cherry type ones turning. They are much larger than the normal cherry but not big enough to slice for sandwiches. Anyhow a couple had really ripen so they went on my salad for lunch and oh my what a flavor and smell.

I made another call about an estimate on replacing the back yard fence and wouldn't you know this feller has a place just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Floyd, Va. not far from our place. Well we talked for several minutes and got to know each other as well and when I want the fence replaced fits into his time table. He is also a friend of the Nymark's and a christian. I'll probably use him if he is reasonable in price. Anyhow I read the rest of the afternoon after catching up on some calls to friends in the mountains. There is a chance of snow later this week there after several days of moderate temps.

That was about it for the day and I'm thrilled the tomato's are starting to ripen, LATER

Monday Morning March 29th

 Well this month is just about gone, where does the time go especially as we grow older as its just seems to fly by, oh well. Sunday was a great morning of worship, good food and fellowship with our Life group at BridgePoint over at the Nymark's beautiful large hacienda in Largo which is about a 10 minute drive.There were 20 or so folks there and we watched the simulcast message from the main campus then had communion. We were back at the house around 11'ish and just got in the door when Bobby and Katie came with Ryder and Huck for us to take care of until close to 5'ish.

The rest of the day was about the boys as we played, fed and changed their diapers. They are quite active now and their walking is improving as well as they are trying to talk. Huck is quite loud at times and they both do entertain one another. They are good boys and we fed them some of leftover sugar muffin for their lunch and that was a mistake as they never napped. They did stay in their beds in the spare room but never slept and by the time they left for home they were whupped. They eat good and not only their supper but part of ours when we ate later.

Cousin Tammy and husband Rich came around 4'ish and visited and then had supper with us. They are moving from N.C. to just south of the Skyway bridge in a community called Lakewood Ranch which is filled with high end homes. Her family and Bobby have become good friends and it seems we are really her closet family since both her parents are gone. Their daughters are in college and have moved out so they have down sized somewhat and are quickly becoming residents of Florida. I'm sure we will have them for many family get togethers over the next coming years.

I grilled burgers both beef and venison for our supper and Nancy had salad and ice cream pie for dessert. Bobby and family left for Brandon shortly after bathing the boys around 6:30 as they try to keep them on a schedule and Tammy and Rich stayed for another couple hours talking and catching up. It was good to see them again as her dad J.R. was my uncle who passed last year. Well that was a busy day as the boys wear you out and it wasn't long after a hot shower I was ready for some bed time at 10, LATER

Sunday Morning Mar 28th

 Well Saturday was a busy fun filled day as the temps got above 90 degrees, yikes and its still March. Thankfully a nice breeze kept it bearable outside at the ball field. I started the day with my usual routines of up before 6, with my cup of green tea during the posting of this ramble and some quiet moments of thanksgiving and honoring my Creator and Lord as well as lifting up several by name. Most all seem well or getting on the road to recovery. I added our "mountain mom" to the list as she is having some swelling in her feet suddenly.

I headed out to the Rec as we are now back to having pickle ball on Saturday morning. We have most of the usual players plus a few intermediates after the first hour or so and I left around 9:30 for home. I piddled around in the garden hand watering as I knew we would be gone until late afternoon over to Brandon for Gabe's ball game. I loaded up one of our neighbors with collards and kales before we headed out a little before noon for the 1PM game.

I ran the scoreboard for the game which keeps you on your toes as the balls and strikes are noted to the public. It was a good game except for one inning where the pitcher for Bobby's team got wild and walked in several players and then some errors and the other team went ahead by one run. Gabe came on to pitch and shut the other team down and then our team being the last at bat scored 6 runs on some good hitting with a couple extra base hits and we won 11-8. It was definitely a good game on a very hot afternoon.

Katie brought the boys and thankfully there is a huge oak tree that gives great shade and they wondered around the area testing out their walking ability. They fell a couple times and even Huck came over to the scorers table and sat with me a few moments. The crowd loved these boys as they mingled walking around to everyone's delight.

It was a traffic packed interstate especially coming home and it makes you wonder where are all the folks are going and coming from. I mean it was stop and go for miles on a 4 to 5 lane interstate. Well hopefully after Easter many will head back north and thus ease the congestion for traveling, Oh well. I headed out to hand water the gardens after getting home around 4:40 and then I cut up a whole chicken for the grille. We just love this meat done with lots of spices and herbs and Nancy picked up a couple ears of fresh corn and tomato's at the veggie stand in Brandon. The corn wasn't fresh and had no taste. The  chicken was delicious for our supper.

After the clean up I settled into the Lightning game and they let a two goal lead slip away and lost to the Carolina team, oh well. It wasn't long afterwards it was shower time and then the lights out for me at 10, Later

Saturday Morning Mar 27th

 Well Friday was another warm day that had the ugly head of humidity back in the picture as the bright sunshine and blue skies were evident. The stiff breeze kept it bearable to be outside as I worked outside until after lunch then headed in to read the afternoon away.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my cup of green tea while I posted this ramble then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name for healing. All seem as well as can be expected. I got ready and headed to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play before heading home on my bike a little after 10. I was expecting a fence guy to come by and give me an estimate and he finally showed up after I hand watered and then mowed the yards. I'm still waiting on another estimate from another company next week.

I harvested another huge mess of lettuces, kales and Swiss chard for the salad bowl and probably picked my last two cucumbers as the vines are showing lots of brown leaves despite watering them constantly. The sugar peas are also showing brown stems so I'm leaving some of the more mature pods on for next years seeds. The green beans are just producing once again with new beans as I'm picking every tother day. What a year for them. I also harvested more radishes and the new radish seedlings are adding leaves as well. I'm still waiting on the first of the tomato's to ripen but the fried green ones were delicious.

Nancy was off to the store again as we plan on a family supper Sunday afternoon as we keep the boys for a few hours as Bobby and Katie visit some sights in downtown St.Pete with friends. We will also have another family dinner here on Easter Sunday. We were meeting for supper at the Nymarks at 6'ish for supper and then domino's. We picked up the Botbyl's and then another family friend of the Nymark's met us there as well. We had 8 of us for salad, soups and strawberry shortcake before we settled into the game. It was going on 10 when we called a halt only half way through the 15 count game. The girls came from behind to win.

I finished the LILAC GIRLS during the afternoon read session which was an awesome read and while the name or title has almost nothing to do with this story except for the love of the wonderful smell, it's a story based on real people during a real war and the atrocities of real human degradation by a class of folks that were evil. I recommend it whole heartedly despite the title as somewhat a chick read.

We got back to the house around 10 then it was shower time and bedtime for me. We have pickle ball back at the gym or Rec on Saturday mornings and Gabe's game is at 1 PM so I'll play again today, LATER

Friday Morning Mar 26th

 Well Thursday was another fun filled day as I played pickle ball in the morning and then supper out at the Botbyl's with the Tracy's Afterwards we played some cards since the Tracy't took off to look at a condo on the water. We were surprised they actually made an offer on this listing which is gorgeous but comes with a steep price tag.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of green tea while I post this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up for healing. I'm amazed despite Kathryn's obvious lung issues and bloating she is up beat and desiring to cook for all of us. She prepared a Mexican theme meal which was delicious, we brought sliced green tomatoes ready for the frying pan as appetizers from my garden which were delicious as well.

I piddled around in the yards and gardens after pickle ball until lunch time harvesting leafy greens and cleaning them for the salad bowl. Nancy had made a date to take Carol and Kathryn out to lunch at Olive Garden so I had a peanut butter sandwich with sliced onions for my lunch. There is something about the flavor of these two together that make my day and that held me until this huge supper around 5:30. There was chicken enchiladas, refried beans,  rice and guacamole. Delicious. I read the afternoon away on a book Katie gave titled: The LILAC GIRLS. It's another story of WWII and the Nazi's horrible actions upon not only the Jewish race but several folks considered political prisoners. Awesome read and how these 3 women are involved during this time with different actions and philosophies.

The Tracy's left right after eating and came back a couple hours later all excited after seeing this condo on the second floor of a huge building that we use to visit some earlier friends who lived there. It's a nice location off the intracoastal waterway with everything they were looking for. We were shocked they made an offer as just before eating Patrick mentioned they were definitely buying in the mountains this summer, oh well. You never known about him and his whims. The place has an elevator and plenty of covered parking for his MG car. We are thrilled for them.

Well we played a couple card games; Euchre and Kings on the corner before heading home around 9'ish. I tuned into the Lightning game and they were up 2-1 when I shut the lights off at 10'ish, LATER

Thursday Morning Mar 25th

Well Wednesday was another beautiful day but by late afternoon the heat was back, not unbearable but definitely back so the a/c is back on after a some what cool morning especially on my bike ride to the Rec around 8. I started the day much the usual with my routines of hot tea during my quiet time to honor my Creator and Lord and to lift up several. Not much change in any of those mentioned before hand. I got in two solid hours of good pickle ball play before heading home to work in the gardens. The fence man never showed or called so I'll scratch him off the list and then I left word with a couple more companies who do fences. I may have to do it myself if it comes down to it against Nancy's wishes, oh well.

There really isn't much to report except we met our friends the Nymark's at Willie Jewels barbecue house in Seminole for supper around 5:30. We haven't seen them in a week or so as they took some grand kiddos camping with their new motor home at Disney World Park called Fort Wilderness. They say its anything but a wilderness but they had a grand time. Steve is leaving for his new property near us in the mountains next month for several weeks to do some work there and will live in his new pull from behind trailer. He will leave it there and then use his large motor coach to travel back and forth as they want to travel out west with more of their grand kids during the summer.

We had a good meal and then met back up at the new BridgePoint Church building for prayer meeting at 7. It's being completely renovated. We had a time of praise and worship music then we broke down into small groups both inside and out for prayers for many different reasons but mostly about the new building and the impact it will have in the community for reaching folks for Christ. We won't be ready until after Ester for the initial opening due to getting materials needed to complete renovations but will have the day before Easter as a Family Day outside with free foods, goodies and play houses for the younger kids. There is a plan to have a summer Bible School for kids there in June which is open to the public.

It was close to 8:30 before we got home and then it was shower time and little of Rays baseball from a day game which was being showed in a delay. The Ray's were ahead when I shut the lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Mar 24th

 Well this month is nearly gone and we are about 8 weeks or so before we pack up and head to the cabin for the summer. I'm excited to see how it fared since we were last there over the Christmas holidays and the cold.The weather here as been strange as a few weeks ago it was so hot and humid I thought we were in for a long hot spring but now this past week we have had the a/c off and the chill has required me don an extra shirt on my bike rides in the morning to the Rec.

I started the day out much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I post this ramble then spend some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected except our dear friend Kathryn who has been told she has some serious issues with her lungs which may never recover completely. She is still on oxygen and is very hoarse and they just upgraded the steroids she is on which has her bloated or puffy in the face. Hopefully she will do better but while this med is wonderful, the side effects are not so good.

I headed out before 8 on my bike for two hours of pickle ball play and left with a wet head. The air had warmed up a little from the 50's start and made it nice for working in the garden. I'm still waiting on the tomato's to ripen as the bushes are loaded. The cucumbers vines are dying and turning rust colored but everything else is holding for now. I'm still giving away lettuces and took some to the Rec with me to give out. The Romaine is beautiful and I have 4 heads left to give away and eat. Seems we are having a family supper here on Sunday/Saturday afternoon as we watch the boy's while Bobby and Katie do the museum in St.Pete then the Ross's and Tammy and family will come by as they are buying a house in Lakewood Estates south of the Skyway Bridge. They are moving completely to Florida as we are the closet in family she has left since both her mom and dad have passed. She has plenty of cousins but seems to have really bonded with Bobby and us over the past several years.

I read the afternoon away and have just about finished THE ASSOCIATE by Grisham, wow what a good read. I have a fence guy coming today to give me an estimate on replacing the back yard fence. It's in rough shape and needs to be replaced. I'm hoping the neighbors behind me will let them come through their yards because of the garden to do the replacing and maybe even chip in a little as it will be to their benefit as well. Maybe they can hold off until the middle of May to do the work so as to not destroy the gardens, LATER 

Tuesday Morning Mar 23rd

Well Monday was another cool day with very little sunshine and the heat and humidity stayed away once again. Very unusual for this time of the year but the garden sure loves these cooler temps  and except for the wind it's perfect growing conditions. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of green tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. I'm noticed several of my old trooper friends and associates are dropping like flies as well as many of my classmates. I feel blessed that I can still run, play and work at my age which is now considered old by many standards, yikes where did that time go.

I headed out to the rec for two hours of solid pickle ball play and left with a wet head and shirt. I headed home to work outside in the gardens hand watering and transplanting a clump of mint I brought back from Bobby's garden. I love the smell of mint and do like it in ice tea which I seldom drink but will now add it to my water jug. Nancy was off shopping for the grand kids for Easter so I read then ate some leftovers for lunch. It was after 1 before she came back with sacks of goodies for them. I finished a read and started another one and then finished up my taxes for 2020 and emailed them. I'm getting a little back thanks to trump's tax reductions but I'm sure next year I will be paying with this fraud potus Biden's giving away our treasury to the illegals and thus his raise of taxes on the working class and the retirees. It's despicable how he is destroying the very fabric of our society with his open border and now giving citizenship to the illegals. I sure hope those who voted for this crook are happy.

We had leftovers for supper and then I settled into watching some of the March Madness games. A few were rather close and then a couple games I wondered how these teams ever got into a playoff. The Florida State team was one but they eventually won over Colorado team who beat the only team which took a knee during the national anthem, Georgetown. Serves them right to dishonor our flag and anthem, LATER

Monday Morning March 22nd

 Well its still rather chilly here in normally hot and humid Florida for this time of the year which is quite unusual. Sunday was a great day of food, fellowship, worship and family time later in the day as we met up with son Bobby and family in Brandon around 2'ish. We started the day with our Life Group at the new building where we had 20 folks who brought food to share while we waited for the 9 service via on line simulcast from the main campus at Tyrone. We heard a great message and then we sat around our tables for a prayer requests meeting for another half hour or so before heading home. One couple of our group came by for leafy greens and I loaded them up with lettuces, kales, collards and Swiss chard from the garden.

We headed out shortly for Brandon and for once it seems the cool weather kept some of the beach goers off the road as we had smooth sailing going and coming back around 7 ish. Wow was that ever a change as there is one spot on I-4 that seems to always have a congested area where its stop and go before getting on I-275. Well yesterday was a surprise as we sailed right through much to Nancy's concern as she always wants me to take the cross town toll road which is under construction and which I try to avoid. Maybe when its finished but I'll be too old to drive by then at their rate of completion.

We had a fun time with Annsley, Gabe and of course Ryder and Huck. We took them on a long neighborhood ride/walk and even stopped to visit with Katie's folks and her grand father who has been cooped up in a facility for months. He looked great and he seemed to be thrilled to be able to visit with family. He is in his 90's as well and seems in good health and in his mind as well. He was tickled to see all of us as well.

I brought a sack full of Romaine lettuce for a Caesar Salad which was delicious and Bobby ordered pizzas from a place they love best. It was delicious as well and then it was the boys bath time so we headed out for Seminole. He is already on his way to Denver as I make this post for his job as a vice president of Offerpad Corporation which he says is now going public on the N.Y. stock exchange, WOW. He will become an even bigger position with the company and his duties and responsibilities will increase as well.

I piddled around in his new garden boxes as we moved it a few weeks back so it would get more sun and thus provide a few fresh veggies and herbs for his use. He is like I am with having a garden. I noticed his tomato plants were blooming as well as his peas and cucumbers. The herbs look good as well and I took some of his mint which was starting to spread and put it in my garden. I brought him a sack of 10-10-10 and dressed up the veggies, hoed them and pulled weeds as well. It's amazing what you can grow in 6x12 above ground boxes and he has two of them side by side. I gave him a half dozen of Bibb lettuce seedlings and they are doing fine as is the beets and herbs we transplanted.

Well that was about it for the day as I read when we got home until 8'ish then hit the shower and watched a little of the History channel until lights out at 10. I wasn't able to watch the Lightning game but saw on the internet where they beat the number 1 team the Florida Panthers 5-3 at home, Go Bolts, LATER

Sunday morning Mar 21 st

 Well Saturday saw us with cooler temps than normal. While it wasn't cold it sure was chilly to start the day with temps in the low 60's and I don't believe got much above the low 70's. Fantastic day apart from the normal heat and humidity which is the norm here this time of the year. I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines of a cup of hot green tea which I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up for healing. All seem as well as can be expected. 

It was a work day at the church so I headed out around 8:15 after a breakfast of cereal and fruit. Since it was spring break weekend only a hand full showed up whereas last time we 60-70 folks in attendance. I along with two others did some painting in the hallways and a room for about an hour and half. We were at a stopping point with how far we could go and there really wasn't much else to do with this small about of workers so we broke for the day around 10:30. Hopefully we will have more jobs lined up for next week along with more workers. The hold up for now is the floor treatment which starts Monday.

I came back and blessed a younger couple we have got to know with some fresh garden goodies as we painted together at church. She is from West Jefferson and is very familiar with Sparta and of course we found out we know several folks in common and he is from Maryland and was quite familiar with Winchester where I was from. What a small world. We first met them at a Wednesday night prayer meeting and then worked together yesterday and then I found out they live just a couple streets over in our neighbor hood. They were impressed with the garden and she is a healthy eater and loves all green stuff. I loaded them up with collards, lettuces, Swiss chard and kales.

I spent the rest of the day vegetating on the couch watching some college basketball and then the Lightning hockey win over the Blackhawks. We finished up some leftovers from this week and I did hand water the gardens a couple times. After supper I read until shower time and then it was some Life Below Zero for half hour before lights out for me at 10, LATER

Saturday Morning Mar 20th

Well after that storm last evening(Thur) the temps dropped to below normal which is anything below 70 here in hot sunny Florida. I don't believe it got out of the 60's for the day and by late evening it was down into the 50's which is almost unheard of this time of the year. We opened the windows, door and shut the A/C off for a change as well. The rain was a blessing and the garden loved it but by late afternoon I had to give it a drink as the sandy soil, the sun and wind dried it out.

I started Friday much like every morning with a before 6 roll out to a cup of hot green tea while I posted this ramble then some quiet moments with my Creator and Lord in giving thanks and lifting up several. Kathryn is still having some issues with her breathing so she was back to the doctors to see if she might have a blood clot in her lungs. Thankfully that was negative but she is really under the weather but she and Patrick both came for our planned supper later in the evening.

I headed out to the Rec on my bike around 8 and got in two solid hours of pickle ball play. I said good by to a really good female player who was heading back to Tennessee this morning for the summer. She and her husband have a place in Seminole and are snow birds or as we call it seasonal. The play was good and I took another bag of leafy greens for one of the players from my garden. I'm giving away 2 to 3 times a day to neighbors; lettuces, kales and collards as they are maturing much faster than we can use them, especially the Romaine lettuces which will bolt if not used. I harvested more green beans as well as radishes and Romaine for a huge Caesar salad for the gang at supper. 

I grilled marinated flank steaks and chicken breast and Carol brought cauliflower and green beans and Nancy made a huge bowl of my fav banana cream pudding, yikes was that ever a feast and Dan and I shared some fruit of the vine. After eating and the Tracy's left for home we played a game of spades and the gals won again and then we settled into some you tube videos on the vaccine for this virus. Well I'm never taking any of them as they are filled with stuff that can change your DNA and the 20 or so years the vaccines have been studied have proved to be unsafe for humans in the long run and the after effects are devastating.  I had no idea this virus has been studied for decades but the MSM has used it in a way to undermine the valid tests needed to see if the vaccines are necessary. Oh well. That was about it as we watched Jack Hibbs who had a man by the name of Tony Perkins who is in the know about the gov't and its workings on his program at Calvary. Perkins is a man of integrity, a Marine and former gov't official and a Christian who is telling US(A) the inner workings within the political parties. It's no doubt which team we should be on by the platforms offered by the parties and how they are ruining our culture and nation. It's a spiritual warfare between good and bad and the demonic forces that are leading those who want to change the very fabric of our society which was based on the Judeo-Christian principles and mores. Academia is sadly changing that daily with their liberal, progressive ideas and no longer sharing the values that once were so important to making America so successful, LATER

Friday Morning Mar 19th

Well we sure got a thunder storm last evening with some much needed rain. Only wish it had not poured so hard so fast as most of it went down the road, although the grass sure needed what we did manage to keep. I've been watering by hand twice a day but the wind has been very strong thus the drying effect. The wind also has nearly destroyed my huge tomato plants which are loaded with fruit. Some large enough to now fry which is one of our fav's. Once again I blessed our neighbors with leafy greens as they are maturing fast with all the heat.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of green tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet moments with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting up several for healing. Every one seems as well as can be expected. I got ready and headed out for the Rec on my bike a little before 8 for two good hours of pickle ball play. My stamina has returned and I'm probably getting back into decent shape but the weight or spare tire is still evident. Maybe I'm supposed to be 10 pounds over my once weight of 180, oh well.

The wind really picked up throughout the day after an overcast start which looked like big rain was coming but that held off until close to 7'ish when the lightning and thunder became a concern. Then the rain fell which was welcome relief but after awhile it to became a concern as it poured buckets. It finally let up after an hour or so. Nancy had baked or broiled a fresh salmon filet we picked up at Sam Club for our supper, along with some flank steaks as we entertain the Botbyl's and Tracy's for supper this evening. (Fri) I tuned into the Lightning hockey game and while they were losing after the first period they came back to win in the end after a real hard fought game between them and the Blackhawks.

Well after a hot shower I watched a little of the Life Below Zero in the Alaska area as the Oak Island Saga is over for this season and then it was lights out for me a little after 10, LATER

Thursday Morning Mar 18th

Well Wednesday was another hot afternoon with gusty winds that are creating havoc on my garden especially the tall tomato plants. Wow I find them barely holding on in their cages and now I've even staked them with poles to keep them fastened to the the ground. What's with these daily winds.

I started the day much the usual to my morning routines of up before 6 an a cup of green tea while I post this ramble and spend some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks  and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected. We had supper with the Botbyl's that Kathryn prepared and while she is recovering she is very hoarse in her speech and still very puffy from all the steroids she is on. She is still on oxygen and seems rather feeble to me but she prepared a corn beef and cabbage meal for St Patrick Day  They invited their friends from Odessa where they go to church and us as well. Nancy made a delicious corn dip as an appetizer and we ate well once again.

I headed out to the Rec around 8 on my bike and the ride was beautiful before the hot winds started sometime around noon. I got in two solid hours of pickle ball and left with a wet head and shirt. I made a stop at the library for a new read before heading home to work in the gardens. I harvested tons of leafy greens for my new neighbors a couple doors down. I had met them a couple months back and shared some greens with them as well. They want to start a garden after seeing mine and the bounty it gives in fresh garden veggies. I hand watered and then sowed two rows of radishes and then picked green beans again. It seems they need pickling every other day.

Nancy was off shopping again until lunch time when Amy and Eliza came for a visit as they have spring break. They had a lunch of guacamole and salad with us and I finished the last deer burger from a couple days ago. Wow do I ever love this meat. If things get so bad in this nation I may have to turn back to living off the land once again as our forefathers did with home canning and deer hunting. Right now I enjoy the meat provided by our a neighbor Gerald in the mountains who lives there full time.

I read the hottest part of the afternoon away and finished another James Patterson book. I like him at times and I tried a John Hart book THE UNWILLING. He is another N.C. setting author although this last book wasn't to my liking and I waded through about 2/3 of it and gave it up as being too far fetched, especially since I was in law enforcement for 30 years, oh well. I still like Grisham as an author for fiction based on real cases and this new author Kristen Hannah as my attention after reading the NIGHTINGALE. She has a new one titled THE FOUR WINDS and I'm 231 on the waiting list at the library. I'll probably not get it before we leave for the mountains in May, oh well.

I mentioned yesterday the Lightning was tied after two periods but came back to win in overtime in a shoot out over the Dallas team. The Bolts are playing well despite one of their better players out for the season after surgery on a hip. Hopefully he will be back in time for the playoffs, LATER

Wednesday Morning Mar 17th

 Well Tuesday was another routine day that start with a before 6 rollout to my cup of green tea while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet moments with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting up several for healing. All seem as well as possible at this point in time. I got ready and headed out to the Rec as day light was breaking after harvesting a couple sacks of collards and kale for some of my pickle ball friends. I also harvested lettuces and collards for neighbors behind us and next door. The romaine lettuces are heading up and now with this heat and wind the soil is drying out quickly. I noticed the wind blew over a couple of my huge tomato plants inside their cages. Hopefully the main stem didn't break off as the wind has been very strong which is consistent with the month of March.

I had two good hours of pickle ball play with two courts in action and left at 10 whupped with a wet head. I made a stop at the library to return some books and pick up another new read before heading home against a strong head wind. I had to hand water a couple times as the sun and wind really dried out the gardens. I can sure tell the difference where the oak tree shaded part of the garden during the morning as  to the opposite side which gets direct sunlight until early afternoon, oh well. Nancy is constantly wanting me to cut the big oak but the shade in the hot sunshine is awesome as well as protecting the gardens during the cold months from frost.

After lunch it was too hot to do much outside so I read in the cool a/c of the house until just before supper when I headed out to hand water again while grilling some bone in pork chops. I put lots of fresh rosemary on them while grilling and oh my what a delicious flavor it gives them. We finished up some leftovers as well. I can't watch the news any longer as the corrupt politicians in Washington are ruining the country along with the cancel culture progressives. The next thing that will be cancelled is the Bible, mark my words. We are becoming a nation of absolute immorality much like the once great culture of Rome when it fell into ruins by those with the same ideology.

I did tune into the Lightning game and it was tied at 1 a piece when it was time to say night night at 10'ish. I'll check the scores later this morning. The Oak Island saga is over for this season which I will miss watching nightly. On a good note I spoke with Paw Paw and while he is suffering some memory last at 93 he sounded strong and was doing O.K. It was his middle daughter's birthday Pat who turned 65 today and he didn't remember it despite her being his sole care taker, oh well. We also spoke with our "mountain mom" Helen who is a just a few months younger than him and she still lives alone and in control of her faculties. I do think with this severe cold winter with the snow and all she will retire to Florida next winter with her son who lives near us in Treasure Island. This winter has been a rough one for her along with this virus which keeps her basically home bound, LATER

Tuesday Morning Mar 16th

 Well Monday was a routine morning with a before 6 roll out to my usual cup of green tea while I posted this ramble then some quiet time with my Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up for healing and for our nation as its becoming evident of the corruption at the highest levels among the democrats. The exposure of the governor of N.Y. who is the poster boy for the party is vile and corrupt and its being exposed and yet the biased mainstream media and party leaders are covering for him. Such hypocrites, oh well.

I headed out on my bike a little before 8 to the Rec for 2 solid hours of non stop pickle ball play and left with a wet shirt and head, yikes it felt so good to be back on the court after being away for 3 days. I made a stop at the library for a new read then headed home to piddle around in the gardens. The sun was very hot and the soil had dried out with the stiff breeze. I did harvest more green beans and moved a couple Bibb lettuces away from the ever growing tomato plants that keep expanding. I'm cutting off their long branches every couple of days as they have outgrown not only the cages but their area. They are loaded with green fruits as are both sets of tomato bushes. The cucumbers are still producing but their leaves are turning for some reason.

I headed to Home Depot for some garden necessities and I even picked up an Eggplant seedling as I've harvested all of the potato hills. I now have extra room but I'm not sure if it will produce before we head out the end of May, oh well. Nancy mentioned I should plant one as I usually do every year but I didn't have room before with the garden full. I need to harvest radishes again as I now can see some red while watering. The heat is getting to the leafy greens especially the Swiss chard.

Well it was quiet around here without those two boys. We had such a grand time with them but they are demanding or we at least think so when they are awake. They do play well together and of course do well in day care school, but when their not your kids you seem to be more aware of them and for their safety. Just maybe we did spoil them somewhat, oh well. We sure miss them and their toys scattered all over the living room.

We ate leftovers and I will harvest more leafy greens today for the salad bowl as I have tons of lettuces maturing. I'll start giving it away as they mature this week. The Romaine is maturing and I love it in a Caesar salad with the cheese and crotons. We still have a couple leftovers for today Tuesday, Oh well, LATER

Monday morning Mar 15th

 Well its was an awesome weekend and at time taxing with two 14 month boys keeping you on your toes for 12 hours a day as they slept for 12 hours each night they were here. We got to know them, love up on them, fed them and changed some remarkable dirty diapers. They are a hand full at times especially at bath time but other than that 10-15 minute period they were manageable.

Sunday started out with the time change as we lost an hour but that made no difference to us with the boys except we tried to get them back on schedule which they are good at, especially meals, bath time and then bed time. They took another two hour nap after lunch which gives you a chance to catch up on some chores and even read or nap. I did both all three days. We did miss our church service but will catch up with that on line later this week. Both boys love being outside and that helps with wearing them out for their naps. We had a grand time but once they saw their mom and dad in the evening they were some what unhappy as both had moments with a melt down.

They ate again with us as I grilled marinated chicken breasts for a huge salad and then we bathed them before they headed out for Brandon. I know both will be asleep before the end of the nearly hour drive, so all they had to do was put them to bed. Ryder left us with a big smile as he took out his pacifier.

The house was quiet as we put up the beds, toys and once again restored order. There was some relief as your on your toes all the time and it wasn't long until it was shower time for me and then some Oak Island until 10, LATER

Here are the boys looking out the front door, a little back yard time and then some garden pics.

Sunday Morning Mar 14th

 Well Saturday was another busy busy fun day with the boys and with the Ross Family. The weather was very nice and although it got hot around the noon hour the humidity was really terrible. We did the morning routines as the boys slept in until around 6:30 giving them a good 12 hours of sleep. This morning I hear one of them making some noise around 5:30 but they both took a 2 1/2 hour nap yesterday afternoon. They ate well through out the day and we took them to the park around mid morning  abd they loved that and then again while I grilled burgers they played out before and after our supper until bath time. They loved being outside and the temps were very nice as well.

Eliza loves these boys and played with the both in our morning foray to the park and then when they came for supper she played both inside and outside and helped me bath them in the tub. She just loves being with them and is a really good care taker. She talks the baby talk with them as well.  I must say I had no problem going to sleep after a hot shower with the new time around 9'ish old time which is now the new time as I wanted to get on schedule with this time change. We will let Bobby and Katie adjust the boys schedules as it will be difficult I'm sure for them as they are on a tight time frame.

I grilled both ham and deer burgers as the Ross Family was coming for supper. Ava had played in 3 basketball games during the day and of course Amy, Sam and Eliza came to the park with us. It was a fun time and they sure made a big difference in help as the boys keep you on your toes. Huck fell against the coffee table and bloodied his lip/gum but he acted as nothing happened. Ryder wears his emotion on his sleeve whereas Huck is the aggressive one. They do play great together and keep each other entertained. Both are good eaters and love to eat. They listen rather well but do love to explore.

It will be quiet around after today when Bobby comes to get them during the early evening. Katie is going to Annsley gymnastic competition on their way home from their weekend away. They both juggled their schedules to accommodate all 4 kids and are busy folks, LATER

Saturday Morning Mar 13th

Well Friday was a busy fun day as Bobby brought the twin boys Ryder and Huck around 8:30 for the week end. So we were on our toes watching, playing, feeding and changing diapers through out the day. They are very well adjusted to different folks being around them. I'm now awake a little before 6 and I can hear them in their room talking or making noises to each other. I'm sure one is trying to awaken the other after being down and in bed before 7 last evening. They are such fun and are now walking although at times Huck still get on all 4's as he can get there a little quicker.

They eat well usually two fisted and both are so different in many ways as one is a texture eater and the other is a green eater. Both love bananas and fruit. They play well together and do entertain one another and rarely whines. They love books especially Huck and Ryder loves playing with any kind of a ball. We took them for a buggy ride after their morning snack and they both fell asleep which may have messed up their normal nap time which was shorten after lunch to only about 45 minutes where its usually an hour or longer. We took them outside to play in the back yard for an hour or so in the afternoon and that really wore them out as neighbor Carol brought her grand daughter down to play with them.

After supper they played for an hour then it was bath time which is usually the trigger that puts them ready for a bottle before bedtime at 6:30. They love their baths as we put both of them in the tub together and now they are learning to splash. I bathed them and handed them out to Nancy to get them clothed and ready for their bottle. I could tell they were worn out as we never heard a peep after their bottles until this morning. I think they or whoever went back to sleep as I make this post. They have a sound machine in their room which helps to keep all of the outside noises away.

We have then again today and one more night and its been a blast so far. We will take them to the park after snack time today to swing and play outside. Amy and Eliza are coming this evening to play with them and to have supper as well, LATER

Friday Morning Mar 12th

 Well Thursday started out with spring like temps but did warm up by the afternoon to where the a/c needed to be on and by late evening the temps dropped once again and the breeze made for being outside very pleasant. Florida weather this time of the year changes from day to day especially with the humidity coming back into the picture. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of green tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting up several. My classmates are dropping like flies and we are still what I consider young at close to 75 which is what I'll be this coming August. Wow, thats hard to believe when I never though I'd see 40, oh well. 

I headed to the rec on my bike a little before 8 and never sat down for close to two hours of pickle ball play. I was whupped by 10:30 as we played an extra couple of sets as the gym was open after our usual closing at 10, then I headed home to work outside in the back yard and gardens. The garden is so beautiful and producing like crazy. I harvested another cucumber, carrots and beets for our supper. I hand watered and pulled some weeds which also like the garden soil. I need to harvest leafy greens this morning (Fri) and fill the salad bowl once again. The tomato's are plentiful but none ripening thus far.

I read for most of the afternoon and evening after a supper of fried fish, beets and beet greens as well as carrots, delicious to say the least. I watched the Lightning for the first period as they seem to be in an off game losing 5-2 so I watched the Oak Island saga until lights out at 10. We get the twins this morning for two nights and three days. We are excited about them staying over as Bobby and Katie get away with friends to St Augustine for the weekend, LATER

Thursday Morning Mar 11th

Well Wednesday was another beautiful day with moderate temps but by the afternoon  the heat and humidity appeared on the horizon, so the a/c is back on after being off for nearly a week. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with hot green tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet time with my Lord giving thanks and lifting up several. I saw in the Winchester paper on line where another '64 classmate of mine succumbed to cancer. About half of the class has passed on and we are still in our early 70's, yikes.

I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec for two hours of solid pickle ball play and left with a wet head. I made a quick stop at the library before heading home to hand water the gardens and harvest a couple messes of collards for friends we were seeing later in the evening at the prayer meeting. We had 50 or so folks and many new ones attending the meeting and the word is getting out that our Life Group is meeting on Sunday morning as well at the new building. Our goal is to be a beacon of light for GOD in the community and a place where folks can call their church home. The renovations are progressing daily and once again there will be a volunteer work day on Saturdays. I'll miss this one but did work hard last Saturday for about 4-5 hours.

I started a new Grisham read titled THE CHAMBER and it another good page turner. I'm enjoying the afternoons reading after the good workout and then until noon outside garden work. We headed out around 4'ish to run a couple errands and then over to visit the Nymarks as Steve gets ready to pull a small pull behind trailer to his property in the mountains. It sleeps 4 comfortable and even 6 when you use the table top. He is soon having a well and electric hook ups after getting a septic in the ground. He and Sheri are excited about spending part of the summers there with their grandkids and of course with us as well. He is basically retired after selling their rental's and thrift store which is a non profit business. Both are involved in our church and are very generous with the hosting of Life Groups in their large beautiful home.

Well that was about it except we met with them at the Miller's Ale House fin Seminole or a delicious supper of fish and chips, fajitas and Nancy had a steak. All was very tasty and then we headed to the new church building. It was close to 8:30 before we headed home and then it was shower time for me and some Oak Island until 10'ish, LATER

Wednesday Morning Mar 10th

 Well this month is nearly 1/3 gone already and it soon will be spring time in the mountains. We are leaving a couple weeks early this year to accommodate the Ross Family as they meet with family in Pigeon Forge instead of the long trip to Kansas, then we will have Bob's family a couple times this summer. I'm looking forward to getting back at the cabin and getting it ready for company. Our dear friends the Nymark's are starting to work on their new property and we will entertain them as well this summer. Lots of folks are booking us already for visits.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my morning routines; hot tea, quiet times to honor my Lord and lifting up several by name and then the social media comments. The nation is suffering from the unrighteousness by the LEFT in the democrat party and the signs of the end times are becoming more prevalent every day. It's so unreal these progressives are offended by everything good in the culture yet extoll the very evil and blatantly corrupt folks in the gov't and the non essentials in hollywood and those with celebrity status. They want complete radicalization, terrorism and destruction of everything that is held in high esteem and moral while giving way to those who are corrupt which we are seeing with the example of the governor of N.Y. Cuomo.

I got into two solid hours of pickle ball play and made a stop at the library on the way home for a couple more books for Nancy and I. I'm reading 4 hours daily in the afternoon and since I quit watching the evening news I'm reading another couple hours after supper unless the Lightning are playing until 8'ish. Then its Oak Island saga for me until lights out at 10'ish. I do check on the news on the Fox website and Drouge and catch up mostly on the social media sites.

The garden is producing and I harvested green beans and 'tatters once again for our supper along with a salmon fillet, delicious to say the least. My tomato bushes are huge and loaded with blooms as well as tons of small fruit. The lettuces are maturing and I'm harvesting a couple times a week for the salad bowl. The peas are producing so many daily and the cucumbers are excellent in flavor and I'm getting at least one a day. What a season for the garden and the earthworms are in abundance which gives off the best plant food ever.

 I watched the Lightning tie the game at 3 a piece then shut the lights out a little after 10 and saw this morning where they won in over time, LATER

Tuesday Morning Mar 9th

 Well Monday found us once again with chilly temps and with the stiff breeze it stayed that way for most of the day. I worn shorts but with a flannel shirt in the late afternoon to Ava's track meet. The sun was very hot but the breeze kept in on the cool side.

The day started much the usual with my daily routines of a cup of tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for healing. All seem as well as can be expected. The nation is still suffering from the fake potus we have in office who is nothing but a puppet for the Obama folks. They want to destroy the America First policies of the last real potus who was illegal voted out by the crooks in the gov't. and now the nation is in turmoil. All of the good things that made the USA strong with jobs, energy and a great economy is being decimated by these leftest dems leading the way to make us dependent on this gov't and thus socialism/communism ideology. We are on the road to another depression and to becoming a third world country.

I had two solid hours of pickle ball play at the Rec then stopped off at the library for a couple more Grisham reads. I started THE CONFESSION and it's another page turner. I read for a couple hours after lunch and then again after supper until shower time. We headed out around 3 for Keswick School to watch grand daughter Ave participant in three events. She placed third in two running events and in on field event(shot put) she disqualified. It was a well attended track meet with christian schools from around the  area.

We came back ate leftovers from Sunday family supper. It wasn't long after reading until 8 I hit the shower and then some Oak Island on the history channel until 10'ish. I actually slept in this morning for a change until nearly 6:30. What's with that, LATER

Monday Morning Mar 8th

 Well the temps here are just beautiful actually a little chilly after the past couple of weeks when it felt like the doldrums of summer were upon us. I had to put on long pants when we headed out for our Sunday morning life group breakfast and worship meeting in our new building. I suppose this is the first Seminole campus Sunday meeting other than to work and have prayer meetings on Wednesday's. We had around 25 or so much like what we have give or take a few most Sundays at the Nymark's place.

The praise and worship was awesome and we had a few who this was their first time ever to visit the new campus. The food was plentiful and the simulcast went off without a hitch as its broadcast online over  FaceBook. We heard for the first time the new Tyrone Campus pastor Travis speak and he did an admirable job and the music both before and after the message was just a worshiping honor to Jesus. It's not looking as if we will get into the building finished by Easter for the general public unless something happens magically as there are so much materials on back order because of this virus; but of course it could happen.

We will miss these folks in our group and I met so many on Saturday from the other campus's who are dedicated to helping this campus get going for reaching this community to get closer to GOD. What a privilege it is to be a part of this effort to reach folks and make a difference eternally for them a their families. It's going to be hard to leave in May for 5 months as we are already lamenting leaving, oh well. We are still in need of a campus pastor as our once pastor Scotty Rogers has moved on into a different field of counseling pastors who are under duress.

Well after the morning worship and breakfast we dropped Dan off as Carol was under the weather  and headed home to relax the rest of the day. I hand watered the gardens and harvested Amy a mess of greens. I finished another Grisham book then watched the Lightning come from a 3 goal deficit to win over the Blackhawks by 3 goals. What a come from behind for this team and when they do lose, it's barely. They should repeat the winning of the Cup with their awesome play and come from behind efforts

We snacked on some leftovers for our supper and a lite lunch after the heavy breakfast food to start the day at the life group meeting. It stayed somewhat cool for most of the day as the northern breeze kept it on the cools side even during the normally hottest part of the day despite the skies being clear and the sun hot. Crazy weather thus far but it was an enjoyable weekend after a rainy start on Saturday, LATER

Sunday Morning Mar 7th

Well Saturday was a vey busy day for me as I first worked at the new church building from 8 ish to close to 1 before heading home and help get ready for 17 folks for an early supper and birthday celebration for Nancy and Sam. We had more kids than adults although Ava is getting close to that in looks. It was a fun time, lots of food and great family fellowship was had by all as we all are related.

I started the day much the usual with my before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Lord giving thanks and lifting up several by name for comfort and healing. I headed our around 8 in a light rain which is did for most of the morning. A nice soaking rain which dropped the temps to being very comfortable to being outside.

We had at least 75 or more volunteers at the new building and there were many various jobs being done in both the main building and in a separate building known as the offices.at one time. All of the wall paper was being removed at I at first started with that project but eventually the women took over and I moved into the carpet removal and finally painting. Younger and stronger men were cutting and ripping up the carpet from the stage, main auditorium and finally in the open common area. I got the job of cleaning the stage and then removal of a dozen or so electrical boxes to remove the carpet beneath them which required me to be on my knees and with back breaking efforts. That kept me busy as each box had 8 screws to be removed by hand, cut and pull the carpet from under then reinsert the screws. My fingers, back and knees were so glad that project was finally finished. I moved onto painting with a roller on the high walls often using a step ladder to reach the high walls. There were several folks in this area painting with rollers and cutting in with brushes and we nearly completed the halls, and the walls of this huge open area. Needless to say I found this the easier of the jobs as I was off my knees.

I headed home despite several volunteers were cooking a spaghetti lunch and bringing it to the church for a lunch. I passed as I knew Tyler was smoking baby back and we were eating early. I did manage an hour rest time after a few peanut butter crackers for my lunch when I got home from the church.

Everyone started arriving around 3 with Bobby and his family first. The boys are now walking and running at times and were thrilled to see us. They had a fun time as we brought out the toys and they were every where under foot.The Ross's arrived all except Tyler who was finishing up on the ribs. Amy brought mac and cheese, pinto's and ice cream cups. Nancy had broccoli and tater tots and of course Tyler brought tons of ribs with the meat falling off the bones. Bobby brought a variety of meats, cheeses, olives etc for a charcuterie board. Austin Everette and family came and brought Megan awesome delicious baked bread which we all love. It was feast time with all of these goodies for an hour or so before Tyler arrived with the ribs. The fruit of the vine flowed as well with some very good Pinot. These fellers know how to pick out the good stuff.

Well the kids ate great especially the boys as they two fisted the food into their mouths. Huck eats the green stuff like broccoli first, he had two helping and Ryder does the other stuff first and usually doesn't east all of the green stuff. They loved the chocolate cake and ice cream as I fed them from by plate. Well after eating it was close to 5:30 and they wanted to keep the boys on schedule as their scheduled bed time of 6:30, so Bobby and family headed for Brandon and shortly after the Everette's left and then Amy family. All were gone by 7 at the latest and we were pleasantly stuffed.

Aunt Betsy came by for a plate of food and some to take home as well and she stayed for an hour or so. I headed into shower and was soon resting watching some Oak Island story on the TV before lights out at 10 for me. I was whupped and full of delicious eatin', LATER

Saturday Morning Mar 6th

 Well Friday was a busy day that started with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with a cup of green tea while I post this ramble then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name for healing and comfort. All seem as well as can be expected due to ages and health concerns. I got ready and headed out to the Rec on my bike with a bag of leaf greens for one of the players that I harvested before heading out. The play was excellent with great rallies and I left whupped with a wet head and shirt. You would think I would have lost a couple pounds but either the scales are wrong or I'm just not burning off the fat around the spare tire.

I got ready and headed to Sams Club to gas up and pick up the baby back ribs for Tyler who is smoking them for this afternoons birthday dinner and celebration for Nancy and Sam with all of the family and one of our cousins family. We will eat early around 4'ish so Bobby can keep his boys on schedule with their 6:30 bedtime which means an early supper as they have nearly an hour to travel before bath and bedtime. The gas is now up about 40 cents a gallon since this hate Americans potus was illegally elected and stopped our energy independence. I wonder how much more the patriots of this land will accept before taking drastic measures to rid the corruption in the gov't where it seems all of the dem's are working to destroy our economy and culture.

It was another beautiful day with temps being held down as well as the humidity. We turned the a/c back on as Nancy has her hot flashes especially after her hike through the hood. The oak trees are leafing out and the fuzzies are appearing along with some of the yellow pollen which is evident on all the cars not garaged. I cut up a whole chicken and put it on the grille much like we did years back. The flavor is excellent and it brought back memories when the kids were little as they loved this type of chicken and I loved picking the bones as well. We had garden grown green beans which were very tender and delicious as well. I harvested another bunch of the leafy greens and got them ready for the salad bowl for today family supper. The tomato plants are huge and loaded with green fruit. I should have plenty to give away after ripening. The cucumbers are maturing and they are oh so sweet and mouth watering on salads and in dips as are the sugar peas. What an abundant harvest thus far.

Well after supper Nancy invited the Botbyl's up to play cards since the Tracy's were gone for the day over to their daughters place in Tampa. Kathryn is doing some what better and keeps her oxygen tank with her where ever they go. We played and talked until after 9'ish when they headed home. I hit the shower and watched some of the Lightning game until 10 then it was lights out for me. The score was tied when I turned out the lights but I read where they lost in overtime 4-3 but won the night before last in overtime. I think that is the first loss in several games.

I head out this morning (SAT) for our new church building to help with various duties that volunteers are doing to help out during the renovations. We usually would head to Tampa/Brandon for Gabe's ball game but since everyone is coming here at 3 it wouldn't give up much time to go to the game and then get ready for a house full of guests for an early supper, so I'll head to the volunteer work day at church until 1, LATER

Friday Morning Mar 5th

Well we had a beautiful cool morning much like a spring morning in the mountains and it stayed that way most all day for a change. I truly believed we wouldn't another cool morning like this until we head to the cabin in now what appears the last week in May. The Ross Family is renting a time share in the Gatlinburg area so Amy and the Family will visit them and us during that time frame.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my morning routines of posting this ramble and then some quiet moments with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for comfort and  healing. Our dear friend Dan is having more health issues with his arms as the muscle atrophies and nerve damage is now starting to give him pain and discomfort. Everyone else is holding their own.

I got in two hours of pickle ball play at the Rec after a chilly ride there on by bike around 8 and it still was a windy ride home. I decided to do some yard work that took me up to lunch and then another hour or so afterwards as it was a perfect day for working in the cooled down temps, but there was plenty of bright sunshine.

I did get in a couple hours of read time before supper and once again hand watering the gardens which are loving these cool temps. I pulled another Chioggia beet for our supper and they are the most delicious beet I've ever eaten along with their greens or tops which Nancy sauteed. She roasts them in the oven with a little olive oil, carrots and a couple new taters from my garden to accompany an Italian sausage. Wow was that ever a delicious meal. We had a huge salad from the garden for our lunch and I just can not understand why we aren't slimming down. I've been off sugars and most carbs for at least a week or so it seems and the weight or spare tire is still about the same, oh well.

I tuned into the Lightning game vs the Blackhawks and when I turned it off the Bolts were losing 2-0 in the second period and looked like a whupped team; I checked the score this morning and the final score in overtime was the Bolts won 3-2. Wow they must have changed their play because the Hawks were out playing them to start with, LATER

Thursday Morning March 4 th

 Well Wednesday found us with a cool front and it was delicious with cooler temps and cloudy skies and a rain during the night. I did have to hand water later in the afternoon but by evening we needed a wrap or a long sleeve shirt. It felt good after a couple days of summer temps.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of hot green tea while I posted this ramble then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting up several for healing. All seems as well as can be expected. I headed out on my bike in a stiff northern breeze to the Rec around 8 for two hours of pickle ball play. We had two courts in action and switched off playing with different partners. What a great workout and the play was exciting and furious at times with long rallies. I love this game and the work out you get from it. By 10 I had a wet head and then headed out for a stop at the library on the way home.

I picked up a new read which has some very dramatic actions based on if we ever lose our electrical grid in America. It's titled ONE SECOND AFTER and it is very realistic if this should happen to the nation. It takes place in N.C. near Black Mountain, in a small rural area but the whole country becomes affected by this catastrophic event and how these local folks deal with it. This very well could happen to this nation and the way a few handle of them to this event is awesome and heart rendering decisions are made to exist and subsist. Check it out as it gives you some fodder to think about if this should occur in our lifetime and now we are hearing where this fraud administration has allowed China, and adversary of USA to have access to our power grids. Folks better wake up and decide who we are allowing into this nation and why and who really is making this nation safe and secure and looking out for us.

It was Nancy's 64 th birthday so we picked up our prayer meeting friends and headed to the Bonefish Grille in Large for an enjoyable evening meal. The Nymark's are the couple who purchased our friends property near us in the mountains are are now going to spend the summers there after getting some improvements to their property to accommodate a motor home. They are awesome folks and a little younger than me, more Nancy's age but very active. We are thrilled they are going to be friends both here and in the mountains. We also are involved in the new BridgePoint campus helping with renovations and making it a place we can now call our church home. It's exciting and they have brought many of their friends to the campus as well .

The food was excellent as was the service. You still wear a mask entering and leaving the place which is a county edit but more and more eateries are open for inside dining. We have made it a must on Wednesday's before heading to the prayer meeting to try different eateries. We will also start meeting at the church on Sunday mornings instead of their house for our Life group where we bring food to share before watching the simulcast service from the main campus. We now will have extra room and hopefully attract some locals to join us before we open the campus up to the public. It's looking as if it will open after Easter but praying before that Sunday as that is one of the main Christian observances in our nation.

We got back to the house around 8:30 as we gathered to pray for the campus, a campus pastor, the neighborhood  and that GOD will use this new building for His Glory and that souls will be saved. It wasn't long after getting home it was shower time and some Oak Island until lights out at 10, LATER

Here are some of the harvest from the garden and an unusual 3 piece cucumber.

Wednesday Morning March 3rd

 Well Tuesday started out with beautiful temps but by late morning all of that changed as the summer time temps invaded the area. Thankfully we had a breeze which kept it bearable to say the least. I'm sure we reached the upper 80's by late afternoon and then the breeze came in off the gulf and dropped the temps down to being very comfortable to be outside as the evening progressed.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with the cup of green tea while I posted this ramble then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for healing. Every one seems to be holding at this time. Our nation needs prayer as it's heading for a depression with all of the corruption in the gov't. The PC crowd is outrageous with their demands to change everything and to call all white folks racists and anything to do with our Judeo-Christian heritage . Its unbelievable we have let these few control our social norms all the while cantering to those who want to see US(A) become a socialist/communist nation.

I got in two hours of pickle ball play at the Rec. then made a library stop before heading home to work in the gardens until lunch time. It's just too hot to do anything outside after lunch until the late evening, so I read the afternoons away. I hand watered then harvested another mess of greens for the salad bowl as well as green beans, a few carrots and sugar peas to add to the mix. We are enjoying a fresh salad for lunch on most days. We have cut back on our sweets and carbs in hopes to drop a few pounds. We were hooked on desserts, chips and candy there for awhile, especially dark chocolate which I know is better than the milk chocolate. We have decided a dessert once a week is plenty unless it's a special occasion.

Today is Nancy's 64th birthday, so we will dine out at the Bonefish Grille along with the Nymark's and the Botbyl's and then head to our Wednesday evening prayer meeting at the new church building. The Tracy's are still not up to dining out with Kathryn's condition of being on oxygen constantly.

That was about it for the day as we had fresh green beans in a gravy with deer steak which was delicious to say the least. Its usually best over Jasmine rice but since that's a starch we passed on it. After my shower I watched some of the Lightning game and then closed out the evening with the Oak Island saga, LATER