Friday Morning April 30th

 Wow, this month is gone and it just 23 days until we are on the road to the mountains. So much to due before we start packing with window updates and the back yard fence in place are the two major issues that need addressed plus Nancy has some more skin issues that tested for cancer that will need to be removed or at least checked to see if they got it all at her last appointment.

I started Thursday much the usual with a before 6 roll out to a cup of tea while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name. All are holding as I write. Nancy sat with Kathryn yesterday for a couple hours as she is recovering from a procedure that entered her lungs and the left lung was blocked plus a nodule is on her vocal cord that will need to be removed. She is doing some what better but has a long way to recover completely if ever.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec a little before 8 for two solid hours of pickle ball play with 7 other good players; thankfully none of the intermediates showed up which always makes the play less than good. I left with a wet head and shirt. I hand watered the gardens and harvested the last of the carrots. It hasn't been the best year for them but as my neighbor mentioned who I gave some to, the tomato's last year were terrible but great carrots and this year just the opposite. I did harvest another dozen or so tomato's and gave away another sack full. I still have tons to eat, use and give away. I harvested another mess of collards for Amy as well as gave her the last of the carrots. The kids love them raw.

I picked up a new read by Gregg Olsen titled IF YOU TELL. It's a true story of a very distrubed woman; not only as a mother but as a child who is wicked, evil and just plain mean. Wow what a read and the story thus far is told by her three daughters who all have different fathers. I spent the afternoon reading while Nancy was away with Kathryn. The heat and humidity is back but the mornings and evening are delightful. Nancy fried up an eggplant for our supper which we make a meal of, as I garnish mine with fresh jalapeno's, basil, rosemary and caesar salad dressing. Delicious to say the least. My eggplant has blooms but no fruit set as of yet. I'm hoping to have some before we leave in about 3 weeks or so.

Well I tuned into the afternoon Ray's game and they blew the lead in the 9th inning, losing by a run on an error; but the Lightning shut out the Dallas team 3-0 in a good game in Tampa. The season is nearly over for regular play and the Bolts continue to win and will make the playoff's without 2 of their stars who are injured. Hopefully they will be back for the playoffs. That was about it for the day as after a shower and a few minutes of Nat Geo it was lights out for me at 10'ish, LATER

Thursday Morning April 29th

Well Wednesday morning was a little fuzzy for me as I had to fast because of a blood draw at the VA for health reasons and since we ate early on Tuesday evening I was slow and some what NOT WITH IT" on the pickle ball court at first. Eventually I seemed to get back some energy as the morning progressed and I left a few minutes early to make the 10 AM blood draw, oh well.

I drove to the Rec and took two bags of veggies for players there as the tomato's and kale's continue to produce. I gave away another sack of tomato's to neighbors as they continue to ripen. What a year and despite the fruit flies destroying so many as well. I'm hoping to get some volunteer seedlings from both the small tomato's and these large ones to take with me to the mountain garden when we leave in about 4 weeks. I did find two pepper seedlings in the compost pile and have now transplanted them into a large pot to take with me. I'm hoping they are jalapeno peppers.

After the VA appointment I ran some errands since I was out and then came back and had lunch before heading out to work in the gardens and back yard. I helped put back up our neighbors fence which had fallen and had been down on the ground for quite some time. He is disabled to some extent and he is letting me use his yard for the rotten fence storage I'm replacing until it can be trucked away. I dug three post holes and used some of the posts from my old fence which were still strong to brace his fence up between his neighbors since his fence had been down for what seemed years. That kept me busy for a couple hours.

The heat was back so I took the next couple hours and read until supper time. I grilled venison burger for our supper which were awesome. The meat neighbor Gerald had blessed us was killed on our property and delicious is the word to describe this meat. We had sliced tomato's and onions as well as dill pickles to accompany the burger along with some tater tots. We headed out a little after 6 for the Seminole campus of BridgePoint for our Wednesday evening prayer meeting. The praise and worship music was heart felt and then we heard a brief message before gathering in small group to pray for our concerns and folks in need of divine intervention. We mingled afterwards until 8:30 before heading home. The campus is coming right along with the outside building being renovated and painted and the inside is looking more complete every week. 

I came back and watched the Ray's hold on to a lead and a win over the good Oakland team 2-0. It w3asn't long after the game it was shower time and then some horizontal lab by 10'ish, LATER

Wednesday Morning April 28th

 Well the doldrums of summer are upon here in central Florida with heat and humidity back in the picture along with plenty of sunshine and blue skies. The mornings and late evenings are beautiful and very comfortable to be out and about but from mid day and on its a bust for any outside activity. I've been catching up on my reading during those hottest parts of the afternoon.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected due to their illnesses and age. I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball with 8 good players and the action never stopped. I stopped off at the library for a couple new reads before heading home to piddle around in the garden and yards. After harvesting several good tomato's and then several ruined ones by the fruit flies I decided to use some Sevin dust to help control them. They are everywhere and I have no idea how they found my garden as I buy every rotten  vegetable. I did not want to use any pesticide but they are ruining so many beautiful tomato's.

We snacked for our lunch as Nancy had a Bible Study at 7 and wanted to eat an early dinner around 4'ish. I had a handful of mixed nuts and some trail mix for lunch and then we ate early with grilled salmon, Jasmine rice and canned beets. I also added a large sliced tomato to my plate. She has some bowel issues and did not want it interfering during her women's meeting later in the evening. I headed out to hand water again after supper and then settled into reading until the Ray's and Lightning games came on later in the evening. Both teams won for a change. I hit the shower around 9'ish and then watched the games from the bedroom. She got back around 9:30 and had coffee so I'm sure she was up late into the evening. By 10 it was lights out for me, LATER

Tuesday Morning April 27th

 Well Monday was rather pleasant to start with but by late afternoon the heat and humidity was back but with a breeze which kept it bearable. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I posted this ramble then did some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for healing and comfort. Most are holding but one friend from the past is suffering severely even after a 16 hours surgery on his throat a few months back; the tumor or cancer has shown up again and now he has a trach to breathe and eat through. Not good.

I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball and left worn out with a wet head. I made a stop at the library for a new read for Nancy then headed home to work on taking down the back yard fence. I used a saw to break it down into small pieces which my neighbor is supposed to haul to the dump and then cleaned out the fence row for easy installation of the new fence panels hopefully in a week or so in May. The garden is just about finished except for a few plants which should not be in the way of the install.

I worked outside until 2 ish then came in when it got to hot to work despite the shade of the big oak and then finished the Steinbeck book. It's a real downer and I'm sure based on the real issues of survival during the dust storms of the mid west that drove so many folks known as "Okies" west to California where they suffered at the hands of the land owners. It's not a pleasant book to read but does show the willingness of folks to survive in the roughest of times. Steinbeck writes in the dialect of these folks who are mostly uneducated except for farming smarts which they left due to the conditions presented them by less than farming smarts so it's not an easy read nor is it uplifting to say the least. It's no doubt a book everyone should read which tests the will of a person and the family to stay together.

Well I picked tomato's once again and even a couple nice green ones for frying for our supper along with a grilled chicken breast. I'm finding the nasty damaging fruit flies are destroying so many tomato's I may have to put some Sevin dust on them today. So far I've managed to stay away from any pesticides but I'm finding really nice ones damaged to the tune of 5-6 daily. The plants are loaded with a banner crop but still I hate to see so many damaged.

I tuned into the Ray's game after supper and they once again loss a close game by one run after having several chances to win the game. Their bats are cooled off for some reasons especially the ones who are counted on to produce hits with men in scoring position, oh well, LATER

Monday Morning April 26th

 Well Sunday was another awesome day of worship with our Life group at the new building in Seminole which will become the BridgePoint Campus. Its coming right along but very doubtful it will be finished by the time we leave for the cabin the end of May. We meet in an open area where the kitchen is which is huge. We had close to 40 folks there or about and 5 new first timers to meet with us. The food was delicious and plentiful and the fellowship was sweet. We will certainly miss our group as we always do and several are planning on heading up our way over the summer. Some will stay with us and some just visit the area on a day trip and some will now visit with the Nymark's as well since they are getting their place ready.

We came home from worship and Nancy made a chocolate birthday cake for our first grandchild and daughter Ave Mae Ross who turned 14. She is just a beautiful young lady and so sweet and quite the athlete but with the ankle injury she is out for the year. Amy and Tyler had us over for a supper in honor of her birthday with grilled marinated flank steak, mac and cheese, broiled broccoli, salad and then cake and ice cream. Rocky their dog is huge and is a big baby but looks mean and deadly when he barks. We will dog set him when they come to the cabin the end of May.

Well I tuned into the Ray's game and they loss and then tuned into the Lightning game and they won in overtime. I fell asleep and never saw the ending. It's been a busy weekend with an overnight stay with Bobby, ball games, out to dinner and card games and then today with church and a birthday supper and get together. After a hot shower I laid down to watch the game and fell asleep, oh well. I did pick tomato's again and gave away two sack fulls to neighbors and church members and spoke with the neighbor behind me about hauling away the old fence if I cut it up. He agreed which will save me a couple hundred bucks since I'm paying for the new fence and its structure.

Well, that was about it for this Sunday and this weekend. We have 3 more Sundays before we leave for the mountains so we must start getting ready and doing last minute chores, packing and sorting as we now have to take Rocky's huge crate with us. It does breakdown but will cut in to the load which we always take and never use, oh well, LATER I was prompted to NOT use any pics of Ava by Nancy of the birthday celebration who is a worry wart to say the least. Its because a friend told her people use photos of kids for exploitation, oh well.

Sunday Morning April 25th

 Well I skipped Saturday's post as we spent the night in Brandon at son Bobby's hacienda watching the twins Friday evening while Bobby and Katie celebrated 5 years together with an evening out. I didn't take my lap top so no post, oh well. Friday wasn't much to talk about except the day was much the usual during the morning hours; pickle ball then some gardening before we left around 1 'ish for in Tampa with a stop at the huge Bass Pro Shop for hiking shoes for Nancy. What a place that is and their prices were as reasonable as any shoe store.

The twins were so happy to see us and we played and got lots of hugs and kisses and they are becoming so smart with their sign languages and knowing every thing you say. Their talking is getting better and boys are so different but the same in many respects. Ryder is laid back whereas Huck will show his temper at times when challenged. They go right to bed around 6:30 after their baths and sleep for 12 hours which is a godsend for their parents. They wake up happy, eat well and now love walking and running as well as climbing. Both love books, building with blocks and music. We had such a great time as they interact with one another and both love hugs and kisses.

We went to Gabe's game on Saturday morning and he played great on both the pitching mound and at the plate batting. His team won again with his leadership and Bobby's coaching. It was a rather hot day but at least the stiff breeze kept it comfortable under the huge shad oak by the ball field. We headed home around 1:30 and then got ready to pick up the Botbyl's and Tracy's around 4'ish for a dinner out at the Conch  Republic eatery on the beach. That was the first time for us and this palace is huge and luckily we had reservations at at 4:30 as there was already folks waiting to get in. The food was delicious and plentiful and the dress was very casual with beach attire to nice dress clothes. I had conch chowder and fish spread and Nancy had three different seafoods on a platter; fish, shrimp and scallops. her's was a little pricey but mine was very reasonable. We came back to the Botbyl's and played a game of Euchre and the guys won again 10-9 after a huge start by the gals at 6-0, Oh well.

Kathryn and Patrick retired to their suite and the Botbyl's and us played a round dice which I just happened to win for a change and Nancy was last. We had the Rays game on in the back ground and they finally won against the Jay's. We headed home around 9'ish and it was shower time then get ready for bed for me by 10 as today Sunday is worship morning with our Life group at the new Seminole Campus for breakfast to start at 8:15 and then the simulcast at 9, LATER

Friday Morning April 23rd

 Well one month from this date we will be heading up to the mountains for hopefully until November. It's hard to believe 6 months have gone by except for the Christmas adventure since we left the cabin. I spoke with Gerald and Steve yesterday up there and it was down right cold at 27 degrees, but the trees are budding and leafing out, so Spring is on the way. Just maybe the lilacs and peonies will still be in bloom when we get there as I love their fragrances.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet moments honoring my Creator and Lord and lifting up by name several for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected. Ava is healing but still on crutches and sidelined for the rest of this basketball season. I headed out on my bike a little before 8 to the Rec for two solid hours of pickle ball. We had 8 good players with no beginners so the play was awesome throughout the morning. A couple of our better players were a no show, but we still had good play. I headed home to work in the gardens and yards mowing both front and back.

I harvested another gallon of small tomato's and gave most of them away to different neighbors as well as a dozen large ones that were just showing some color, if I don't pick them the fruit flies begin to bore holes and lay their eggs which destroys the fruit. I haven't thus far used any pesticides so everything is organic. The collards and kales are still producing but the heat is starting to rear its ugly head and they will be gone soon as well. I gathered up two more large trash cans of debris from the back yard fence line as I get it ready for the new backyard fence in a couple weeks.

Well after lunch I rode out to the library for a couple new reads and one I wanted to read was a classic by Steinbeck THE GRAPES OF WRATH. I thought I had read it many decades ago but thus far after about 8 chapters nothing sounds familiar. I did read the newest novel by Hannah title THE FOUR WINDS which is basically the same story but nothing like the read story that Steinbeck presents. I read until supper time then headed out after the cleanup to hand water. Amy dropped Sam and Eliza off as Ava had a band concert at school and only two persons per family were allowed to attend.

I tuned into the Lightning hockey game and they came from behind to win against a good team from Columbus 3-1. It looks like the Bolts will be in the playoff once again defending their Cup victory last year but as of now two of their stars are out with injuries, LATER

Thursday Morning April 22 nd

 Well Wednesday saw us with more heat and humidity as the cloudless sky made for what is known as a Florida summer. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting up several by name. All seem as well as possible at this point in time.

I headed out to the Rec before 8 on my bike for two solid hours of pickle ball and left with a wet head. We once again had a couple new decent players which made for good play. I headed home to work in the gardens and then starting working on clearing out the back yard fence line which hopefully will go in the second week of May. I cut out a section so I could go back and forth with saws and cutters and I filled two huge trash cans with cuttings, vines and trash along the fence. I'm hoping the one neighbor will help by carting off the old fence once I have it cut up. I'm not asking any of the two neighbors to contribute to the cost but do hope one will help by carting off the old fence to the dump.

After lunch I stayed in and read for awhile then we headed out after a supper of lamb/barley soup which for some reason tasted bitter. I had a couple bowls but Nancy didn't like the taste so we fed it to the worms in the garden. I did make another run to give away collards, kale and tomato's to our financial friends and a stop at the Winn Dixie for a couple items. We headed out after the cleanup to BridgePoint Seminole campus for prayer meeting. We were lite in attendance with several folks traveling but did have 20 or so. We met in the recently refurbished auditorium and with the new paint, new carpet and now new chairs the place took on a whole new ambiance. This will be what it will look like when we open to the public.

Well we got back around 8:30 and it was shower time for me and then some Ray's baseball until 10'ish, LATER

Wednesday Morning April 21st

 Well Tuesday started out wet once again and stayed that way until after lunch with some light rain off and on. I managed to ride to the the Rec on my bike with just a little wetness both coming and going. I didn't have to hand water the gardens at all during the day. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I posted this ramble, did my quiet time honoring my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving while lifting up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected. Ava Mae is recovering but will be off any activity for at least a month. Thankfully nothing was broken despite the look of the ankle when injured.

I had a great workout once again on the pickle ball court and left around 10 for a quick stop at the library for a couple new reads. I'm into memoirs for the moment and non fiction and picked up a couple on my way home. Son, Bobby came for lunch as he was out this way checking on some properties his firm is renovating and will soon put on the market. I read until lunch time as the light rain kept me in and after Bobby left we headed out to run some errands. It seems we will be heading over to Brandon on Friday after lunch to spend the night as we are watching the boys while Bobby and Katie head out to celebrate their anniversary with a late night dinner and date. It was supposed to be a surprise but he informed us he knew of the event. We will stay and see Gabe's ball game in the morning on Saturday as well.

Well I gave away another couple of sacks of collards, kales and tomato's to friends and the tomato's continue to ripen at the rate of 10 or so daily. These vines are so overloaded they are dragging the ground with fruit. What a banner year. I'm hoping they will do as good this summer in the mountains. We face timed with Steve and he is doing great and having a grand time getting his property ready for his motor coach and family later on this summer. We are excited for them. The Tracy's want to store the MG midget car in our garage while we are gone this summer as they are moving once again. I'm not sure why there is so much loyalty to this vehicle, but we said O.K.

Well we kept Sam and Eliza for the evening as Ava had a band concert at school which despite being on crutches she had to participate. They let her set in a chair on stage. It wasn't a good night for the Lightning as they lost to the team they beat the night before.

The Ray's were winning in Kansas when I shut the lights out at night. It was a down right cold night there and one of our friends showed where they got a snow fall of several inches, oh well, LATER

A picture of our supper.

Tuesday Morning April 20th

Well Monday started out with rain throughout the night and into the morning hours. It was once again much needed and the skies stayed fairly overcast for most of the day. I did not have to water for once since the rain was enough. I did harvest the last beet and some carrots for supper and of course kale, radishes and green tomato's for my fence guy who came by and stayed for over an hour. He is from Virginia and has place not far from our mountain cabin in Floyd, Va. What an interesting man and just full of conversation plus a Believer which always helps. His daughter and my daughter and son all graduated from the same christian school as well as college. What a small world and his estimate is half of what one was by another fence company. He is a small time fence company and has been doing that for 40 years, plus he is a friend of our friend Steve and Sheri Nymark. I'm glad I have that project taken care of and he will start the second week in May. I'll cut down the old fence and clean out the fence row.

Well I headed out to the rec. after my morning routines that always include some quiet time to honor mt Creator and Lord while lifting up several for healing especially my oldest grand kiddo Ava Mae who has a severe ankle sprain. The gym was full on this rainy morning with good players. Several were visiting for the first time and all were good players. We had 6 or so waiting to get on the court with just a couple intermediates who are regulars in the mix. The play was awesome for a change and it's always great to play against good competition. I held my own for the duration and left whupped with a wet head. The rain showers had ceased so I went to the barber shop which is just a few minutes away for an ear lowering after leaving the rec. Nancy was at the dermatologist having a check up and some issues burned off.

I ate the breakfast casserole which was leftover for lunch and a very tasty tomato and jalapeno from the garden. It was a read afternoon until my fence guy came to talk for nearly an hour then it was supper time with leftover lamb, beets and carrots. After the clean up I settled into the Lightning game and then the Ray's game. The Bolts won in overtime against the first pace Hurricane team and the Rays were winning when I shut the lights off at 10, LATER

Monday Morning April 19th

 Well Sunday was an awesome morning of worship with our Life group at the new Seminole campus where we shared a breakfast then watched the big screen TV of the simulcast service from the main campus near Tyrone. The praise and worship music was honoring our Lord Jesus and the message that followed. There were close to 25 or so with a few folks traveling. Afterwards we headed home dropping off Dan and Carol. We spent the rest of the afternoon getting ready for an evening meal with them and the Tracy's who are now moving out of the Botbyl's residence and into a condo they just days ago purchased. It's hard to keep up with them as their plans which change almost day to day.

I hand watered the gardens after getting home from church and then settled into the Ray's game vs the Yankees until our guests arrived around 3:30. The Ray's swept them in 3 games. Kathryn was feeling well enough to want to play games so we played a 6 hand Euchre before supper and the gals won 10-9. Nancy had the leg of lamb roasting and the smell was awesome. The only thing which changed from our usual fare was scalloped taters instead of the smashed ones with the gravy which I think is a trademark for roasted lamb, oh well. We had garden salad as well and another fruit salad all of which was delicious. The Tracy's left after eating which all but us and Kathryn had never eaten roasted lamb. I was surprised and they were too of how delicious it was. I never had eaten it until Nancy's mom prepared it.

After The Tracy's left Dan and Carol and us played another 4 hand Euchre and we whupped the gals 10-1 but then we decided to play Spades and gals won big time, oh well. It was fun to play games once again. After the cleanup I headed in for a shower and then it was lights out for me at 10. We got the start of a front moving in with some downpours over the next day or so. On a sad note grand daughter Ave had a major sprain to her ankle over the weekend from playing on a traveling basketball team. It's looking very serious with much swelling and pain. She will be through for this school years athletics, LATER

Sunday Morning April 18th

Well Saturday was a busy fun filled day with really moderate temps. It was mainly overcast which kept the temps in the low 80's for most of the day. I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to a cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble then some quiet moments with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected.

I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec. now that we have pickle ball on Saturdays for a good hour and half workout. I left a little early because I was expecting a fence guy to come by and give me an estimate but he either came when I wasn't there or didn't come at all. He mentioned I didn't need to be there but I wanted to bless him with some veggies, oh well. We had a couple new good players and the workout was great. I came back and hand watered the gardens and once again harvested tomato's which are ripening daily. I took both Amy and Bobby a sack full and still have ton's to share.

I ate an early lunch around 11'ish as we were leaving a little before noon for Brandon. We were taking Sam with us to play with Gabe after the game as Katie was taking Annsley to a dance recital for niece Carly in Lakeland during the afternoon. Katie brought the boys to the game and they had a grand time there. Bobby and I took them in the hot tub area of the pool for an hour or so after the game. The boys are a hoot and now saying a few words. They love the water and don't cry even when we put them under after blowing in their face to make them hold their breath.

Gabe won his game with great pitching only giving up 4 runs but they were mainly over throws which is consistent for this age. He hit a long ball which nearly reached the fence for a triple. They won 13-5 as he struck out 8. His consistency of being around the plate is awesome. He and Sam had fun for the rest of the afternoon.

Bobby grilled wings and we brought a toss salad and had some tater tots which the boys love for our supper. We played with them until bath time and then headed out for Seminole around 6:30. We dropped Sam off and visited for a few and Rocky is so huge and so full of energy. I sure hope we can handle him when they leave him off with us in June when they go away for a few days to visit Tyler's family in Gatlinburg.

Steve called and sent a couple pics of our cabin. He is having a grand time clearing and prepping his property for his motor coach and enjoying his time there.

Well I tuned into the Lightning game and they were getting blown out by the same team they beat on Thursday, oh well. At least the Ray's won again over the Yankees, LATER

Saturday Morning April 17th

 Well Friday turned to be a little cooler with overcast cloudy skies for most of the day. It stayed around the low 80's for a change. It never did rain but looked like it most of the day. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines that start with the cup of tea while I post this ramble then some quiet time with My Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up for comfort and healing. All seem well and now it seems Kathryn is doing much better. The Tracy's and Botbyl's are now scheduled for and a leg of lamb supper on Sunday evening which we had cancelled a couple weeks ago when Kathryn became ill again. We also got word they bought a condo up on McMullian Booth Road in the north Clearwater or Safety Harbor area of this county. I'm sure that helps with Kathryn's psyche in getting better now they will once again have their own place.

I headed out for the Rec for a couple hours of pickle ball and got in a good work out on the court with two courts in action. I left with a wet head and shirt and made a stop at the library for a couple new reads before heading home to work in the gardens. Once again I harvested both small and large tomato's and now despite giving them away daily have a back yard table loaded with tomato's. We once again had a delicious sandwich for lunch with those tomato's plus avocado added to it. We are loving this mix of tomato, onion, mayo, lettuce on a toasted sourdough bread with a sliced avocado.

Well we got another estimate on the replacement of the back yard fence and it was extremely high despite the folks who came were very nice and personable and who do work with Bobby's company. I have a friend of a friend coming this morning to give me another estimate on replacing the fence. I'm sure I will let this friend do the work with some minimal help from me, oh well. I pan fried some Mahi Mahi on the stove instead of grilling it and it was delicious to say the least. I have enough leftover to add to my sandwich today. We spoke with Steve in the mountains and he is loving it despite it getting rather nippy at night. He is having fun turning his property into a livable place with a new well, septic and electrical grid hook ups as well as now he is adding a deck. He mentioned he will be there for a month.

I tuned into the Ray's game who were playing in New York and they were winning 8-2 when I shut the lights out at 10, LATER

Friday Morning April 16th

Well we are on the down side of this month and a month from today we will we starting to pack for our summer adventure to the mountains and the cabin. We actually face timed with friend Steve who is there now and is loving it. He has been busy clearing out under brush and getting ready for a septic to be installed as well as getting a well drilled. He will be bringing his large motor coach there later this summer and wants to have a place for it too park as well as have all the amenities for when Sheri and the family come for visits throughout the summer. There will be plenty of room in both the trailer and the coach for guests. That will be so less expensive than building a permanent cabin.

I started the day on Thursday much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my cup of tea while I posted this ramble then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up for healing. We didn't get to prayer meeting on Wednesday night so I haven't heard on how several were doing this past week, but no news is good news I suppose. Steve 's sister in law Kathy isn't doing well, so sister Sheri his wife is heading that way this week while Steve is in the mountains. Other that her we've heard nothing to the contrary. I did speak briefly with Paw Paw but there is not much to converse about as he doesn't hear, oh well.

I headed out before 8 on my bike for two hours of pickle ball and a couple new very nice players came and played. It was great to play against really good players albeit they were lots younger than me, but I held my own. I sure hope they come back as one of them is leaving to go back north for the summer. The girl player lives here and she is quite good. Well I worked in the garden after getting home from the Rec and once again harvested tomato's and gave away lots to three different neighbors. The large tomato's are showing colors everyday and they are really huge and perfectly formed. I'm having a tomato sandwich daily with a sweet onion, mayo and we have now added an avocado on a toasted sourdough bread, yeow what a delicious mix.

We took off after lunch for Sam's Club and I gassed up at 2.69 up another 10 cents since last fill up. I needed a few goodies and we found some fresh Mahi Mahi  which I will grille tonight for supper. I use to catch these when I would go to the Keys and they are delicious to say the least. I'm excited for their flavor and taste when grilled with garlic butter. I grilled bone in pork chops with fresh rosemary for supper and we had fried green tomato's as the other course. My oh my are they ever delicious as well and my plants are so loaded with fruit they have broken down and laying over.

I tuned into the Ray's game and once again they were not playing well and lost again in extra innings. They just have no relief pitching, but the Lightning came from behind and won in over time again a tough Florida Panther team at home. Go Bolts. After their game it was lights out for me at 10'ish, LATER

The sandwich and the fried green tomato's were delicious but this picture of Ryder with his big boy shirt just melts our hearts.

Thursday Morning April 15th

 Well Wednesday was another uneventful day as it was mainly a routine day except for a trip to the library before lunch with a stop at Publix for some sourdough bread for a homegrown tomato sandwich for our lunch. I sliced one of the large ripening tomato's we had in the kitchen window and oh my what a treat with some mayo and sweet onion.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I posted this ramble then lifted up several by name during my quiet time with my Creator and Lord. We got word that Kathryn was tested again before having a procedure on her lungs and she tested positive with covid. We aren't sure if this was a good test or a false positive so we stayed away from prayer meeting just in case. We aren't having any symptoms but to be safe decided to not take a chance.

I headed out for the rec on my bike a little before 8 and played for two solid hours and left with a wet shirt and head from the good work out. I worked around in the gardens harvesting another bucket of the small tomato's as well as 5 of the larger ones that are starting to show some color. So far I'm staying ahead of the fruit flies with only a couple being ruined by them. I'm waiting on the estimate by the fence folks but no word yet. I want to get it up and finished by the time we leave in about 40 some days for the mountains.

I picked up the book THE FOUR WINDS by Kristin Hannah and its very much like the GRAPES OF WRATH only it romanticizes the emphasis of the communists who want to organize the migrants or Okies into striking the land owners. I'm wondering what her political beliefs are as this ideology is quite profound among the characters in this novel. There is no doubt what those folks with through was demeaning and I'm sure many landowners were harsh but many were not as they helped this class of folks who were destroyed by a natural disaster caused by poor land management, oh well. It's a good read and there are some good aspects of her book. I nearly read 3/4 of it in one afternoon and evening. The book was actually much more entertaining than watching the Ray's play terrible baseball which I eventually cut off and read, oh well. So much for them being champions last season of their league, LATER

Wednesday Morning April 14th

Well this month is nearly half gone and I'm starting to get that feeling for the mountains especially with the heat and humidity starting back after this past weekends stormy weather. The morning was just absolutely gorgeous though until lunchtime, but as the day progressed the humidity was becoming evident. I started the day out with my before 6 roll out to my routines of hot tea, quiet times to honor my Creator and Lord while lifting several up for comfort and healing. Everyone is about the same or at least I've heard no change. My good friend Steve Nymark made it to his new piece of mountain property near us, safely after towing his 20 ft pull behind trailer up the mountain. He will stay in it and leave it there permanently. He will get his property ready for his huge motor coach so they can come and go in it. Our friend Craig Joines will put in his septic system as well as get a well driller. Right now Steve is hooked up with electricity from our friend Dave Mahan's property which is adjacent to his line and already has a hook up for a motor coach. We are thrilled Steve and Sheri will be coming for visits over the next years.

I headed out on my bike before 8 to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball. We had a good crowd of players and I left with a wet head and shirt. I was having some fence folks coming for another estimate who work with Bobby's company Offerpad. Hopefully they will give me a good price. I loaded them up with collards, kale and tomato's as well as took my neighbor a sack of tomato's. They are ripening at close to 50 a day with the smaller ones and now anywhere from 3- 5 daily on the large ones. I'm noticing the radishes are starting to mature as well and I once again picked another gallon of green beans. What a year for the garden.

After a lunch of the last of the romaine for a Caesar salad I settled down reading the afternoon away. Nancy was off visiting neighbor Kathryn and Carol so I chilled with a Larry McMurtry book. He is quite the author and I once again ordered the book Lonesome Dove from the library. I like to read it about every 10 years or so, as I put myself back on the range with his characters. I also loved watching the mini series on TV. 

After supper I settled into the Ray's and Lightning games and both were a wash out with them getting whupped by the Texans and Nashville teams. Wow neither of our teams looked like their old self, LATER

Tuesday Morning April 13th

Well after the 3 plus inches of rain on Saturday and Sunday I had to hand water Monday afternoon. The heat is back and with it came the humidity. The storms are gone for now which did bring us some much needed rain for the yards and gardens.

I started the day out much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of tea while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet time with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name. All seem to be holding despite their ages and health issues. Kathryn seems to be a little better as Nancy visited with her later in the afternoon. I headed out before 8 on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play and left with a wet head and shirt. The action was great with another good work out. I came home to work outside until lunch time in the garden and yards. I started cleaning out the back fence row as I have an estimator coming today (tue) to give me a quote on replacing the fence with a new one. I then fired up the mower and mowed both yards which took me right up to lunch time.

I also cut and cleaned some Bibb lettuces and kales for the salad bowl. The Swiss chard looks as if it done with all the rain and heat but the collards still are producing and I once again harvested another gallon of the small tomato's and gave most of them away. I found 3 more large tomato's down in those plants which were turning before the fruit flies good ruin them.  I'll soon be giving them away as well as these plants are loaded with fruit. After lunch I read until supper time.

Nancy made one of my fav's for supper a Beef a Roni, since she was late getting back from visiting Kathryn. She had planned on a meat loaf but the beef with peppers and onions in a tomato sauce and macaroni is delicious and so easy and quick to make. After the clean up I settled into the Ray's game and they won is a pitchers duel against the Texans 1-0. They play again tonight but I'll watch the Lightning as their season is winding down and they are still in the playoff hunt for the cup once again, LATER

Monday Morning April 12th

Well Sunday was an awesome day of food, fellowship and worship starting at 8:30 in the morning at the new campus in Seminole for BridgePoint Church. We aren't officially open but do use the kitchen and open area for gatherings on Sunday mornings and Wednesday's evening. We had most of our usual gang there minus a couple couples as the weather wasn't the best with rain and thunder and overcast skies. Sunday was once of those days where it rained off and on all day long. I don't believe we saw the sunshine at all which did help keep the temps down.

We heard a great message and the praise music was beautiful and inspiring. We said good bye to Steve and Sheri Nymark for at least a month as Steve heads to his new property near us in the mountains and Sheri travels to visit family in several states. We will miss them as we have grown close to them this past year. I did managed to harvest a gallon of the small tomato's and gave them away before the rains settled back in the area. At times we had gusty winds and down pours as a front moved through bringing much needed rain. It's April and that means April showers, oh well.

I settled into the Rays game which they blew after leading most of the game in the extra innings. They had a new pitcher on the mound and their manager over managed again for some reason and took him out after shutting down the Yanks in the first two innings. I thought it was a dumb move and the next pitcher came in and right away gave up three runs. I don't make the big bucks so my decisions don't count.

I stayed in the house the rest of the day as the storms passed through the area right up into night fall. I read for a couple hours after a lite supper of a couple of hot dogs since we had a huge breakfast at church which kept me satisfied until around 6'ish. I read until 8'ish then headed into shower and watch some Nat geo on the TV. By 10, I was ready for some horizontal lab and the lights went out, LATER

Sunday Morning April 11th

Well Saturday was a total fun day with warm temps back but by late evening a fierce storm developed in the gulf and struck land as we traveled home from Bobby's around 5'ish. The rain was welcomed but the strong winds had us concerned as we crossed the Gandy bridge coming from Tampa. The wind moved the truck around several times and I once thought we were going to get blown off the road. I noticed after we left Tampa and the storm moved into the area they were with out power for hours. Thankfully we never lost power in Seminole.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my daily routines despite it being a Saturday. I left the house for the Rec after posting this ramble and some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for healing. The list grows it seems each day. I decided to head to out for an hour or so of pickle ball as we were supposed to have a new player who is reported a pro of the game but she never showed. I did get in several games before heading home at 9 to hand water the gardens before we headed out to Brandon at 10.

I ran the scoreboard for the game and it was a good game until Gabe came in as a relief pitcher and shut the other team out completely. His team then went to work hitting the ball and scored 6 runs which is the limit and then the next inning they scored 5 more runs and ended up winning 14-6. At the end of the first 4 innings the other team was up by 1, run but that soon changed when Gabe and his team mates started hitting the baseball. Their team is in first place by 4 games.

Bobby had to stay for the next game an umpired that game so I headed to Culver's for our lunch. We stayed and played with the boys and then after Bobby got home from the ball field we took them into the hot tub area of his pool. They loved that after we pushed them on their swings for half an hour. I took a dip in the pool and wow was it still cold compared to the hot tub. We soon headed out and saw the dark clouds of a storm approaching from the west. We didn't stop at Sam's Club as we had planned to do on the way home due to the inclement weather and came straight home. We heated up some leftovers and then I settled into reading until the Lightning game came on at 8. They were ahead by two goals when I shut the lights off at 10, LATER

Here is Huck helping me at the scorers table

Saturday Morning April 10th

 Well Friday was another routine day with my before 6 roll out to my cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble and then spent some quiet moments with my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. I did speak with Kathryn briefly as she was about to leave the driveway and head out for a doctor appointment. I was on my way home from the Rec. She has a long way to go to recover from this virus with her lungs being so inflamed and still congested that she needs oxygen constantly.

I headed out to the Rec on my bike for two solid hours of play and left around 10 for a stop at the library. I picked up a couple new reads and one is a true crime read titled WE KEEP THE DEAD CLOSE  by Becky Cooper. It's about an unsolved murder of a coed at Harvard back in the 60's and the ordeal of this author in solving it after so many years. I'm about half way through it thus far in one sitting as thats what I did after lunch until we got a surprise visit from old friends who use to live across the street with Bill and Carol Heckman. Toni their daughter and husband Mark sold their house in Michigan and are moving to Florida but there is nothing here in their price range. They are staying with her aunt who lives in the 'hood and they stopped by to visit. We use to play cards with them back in the day and when ever they came for a visit in the winter. Winter in Michigan is no longer for them and I can't blame them for moving out of that state.They were here for an hour or so as we caught up on all thats happened with them and their family.

Nancy pan fried a couple salmon filets for supper which were awesome and along with some caned peas and spaghetti noodles of which I added some pesto, yikes was that ever delicious. Betsy stopped by for an hour or so after supper on her way home from the post office. She was supposed to retire but has decided to keep working another year. After she left I hit the showers and watched the Ray's game on delay which they finally won a game against the Yankee's. We are heading to Brandon later on this AM for an 11o'clock baseball game so I'll go to the Rec for an hour for some pickle ball, LATER

Friday Morning April 9th

 Well Thursday once again was another beautiful day with a cool morning and the humidity stayed away despite a hot afternoon. The skies were clear with a nice gentle breeze keeping it comfortable in the shade of the big backyard oak tree. I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my morning routines with a cup of hot drink(turmeric latte) for a change instead of tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected for their ages and health issues.

I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec for two plus hours of pickle ball and left with a wet shirt after a great workout.You would think I would have dropped those couple of extra pounds but they just will not go away especially around the spare tire, oh well. I came home and worked in the gardens once again hoeing, weeding and harvesting until lunch time. Once again I gave away another nice mess of collards to neighbor Bobby who was thrilled. After a lunch of a garden salad I waited on a firm to come out and service some of these aluminum windows which the ballasts have broken and one window with gas in between the double pane as escaped and caused it to become fuzzy. I put these windows in about 30 years ago and while they still look great they do need servicing occasionally. They were top of the line back then and well made but they do sweat in the winter months when its really cold outside which is their only drawback.

I finished the book which was based on true situations of illegally stealing and brokering kids for money and even their disappearance back in the 30's. Poor families were taken advantage of with the lost of their kids and sold to the highest bidder which was usually powerful people. It's an eye opening book about one family and how a couple of sisters were reunited in nursing homes with the help of grand children.

Well I harvested another gallon bucket of green beans and they are still blooming which we ate for supper along with some jasmine rice and left over rib eye steaks mixed with a gravy, yikes this is one of my favorite tasting dishes. I did harvest another 20 or so small tomato's and it seems I'm going to have to dust the big tomato plants today as the fruit flies are destroying many of the larger tomato's. I have no idea where they all of sudden came from, but I will have to break my rule of no pesticides. After that delicious  supper and clean up I settled into the Lightning game and they finally came back to life after losing 3 in a row with a big win over the Columbus team in their rink. The Ray's are losing again with 3 straight in Boston and now move onto the Yankees this evening(Friday). That was about it for today as by the end of the game I was ready for some horizontal lab around 10'ish, LATER

Thursday Morning April n8th

Well Wednesday was another beautiful temp wise day with a cool ride on my bike to the Rec a little before 8 and it did warm up but nothing too hot or humid through out the day. We met with our dear friends the Nymark's for supper at the new Pholicious  Eatery in the mall and had delicious pho for the first time in many moons, ever since Jade's Bistro closed down. This new owner is very personable and we saw others from BridgePoint eating there as well. I had the shrimp pho, Nancy, Steve and Sheri the chicken pho. Delicious and very filing but oh so healthful.

I had a great two hour work out on the pickle ball court once again with so many good players. We had two courts in action despite a couple of our better women players absent. The weather has been so nice that some like to play outside, but since we have such a small crew with the gym not filled with lesser players that we decided to stay inside in the a/c, oh well. I came home home and once again worked in the garden turning over the soil in the side garden and hoeing the what's left in the back yard patches. The fruit flies are starting their act of destroying the tomato's turning so its looking like I may have to sprinkle some Sevin dust on the plants. They destroyed another couple huge tomato's over night. I did harvest another mess of greens to take and give away at prayer meeting last evening. We had around 50 or so and a couple new faces as well. The word is getting out that bridgePoint is active in the community especially after last Saturday's coming out event for the community.

Well it was going on 9 before we got back to the house and it was shower time for me and then a little Nat Geo before lights out at 10. I did start a new read Katie gave me title BEFORE WE WERE YOURS by Lisa Wingate. Wow, what a read. It sort of reminds me of the stories that Sparks write about except with children involved who are stolen and then classified as orphans. There is a flashback where the true story is exposed about what happened and explained in a letter addressed to only the grandmother who is in a nursing home. I'm half way through and excited about finishing it later today, LATER

Wednesday Morning April 7th

Well its still rather nice here in usually hot and humid Central Florida this time of the year but I'm sure that will be changing shortly soon. The weather really has been very nice with cool mornings and evenings and staying around the low 80's during the hottest part of the afternoon but the big difference is the lack of humidity. We are loving it thus far.

I started the day out much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my cup of tea, quiet times to honor my Creator and Lord in giving thanks and for lifting up several by name. All seem well as that list has expanded. Kathryn is back home once again but still has several issues with breathing and her lungs are in terrible shape as she is still on oxygen 24/7.

I headed out for the Rec. a little before 8 for 2 plus hours of pickle ball and left with a wet shirt and head. The play was awesome once again as we have several really good players, long rallies and some great team play. We have a couple of gals who play really well and can hold their own with some of us who are power hitters.

I headed home to work in the garden until noon. I hoed and hand watered and harvest lettuces, kales and Swiss chard for another huge bowl of salad which will last a couple of days especially since we are eating out tonight(wed) with the Nymark's then off to prayer meeting at the new campus. I'm also harvesting lots of the small tomato's and at least one large tomato daily. I wish I could let them get vine ripen but the fruit flies are destroying those that change in color immediately. I pulled a couple beautiful ones that were changing and they were full of the larvae from the flies, so I quickly buried them in hopes of controlling their multiplying. I gathered some dried out sugar pea pods and saved them for next years planting as well.

After a lunch of the leftover smoked fish spread and a salad I headed in to read the afternoon away as this is usually the hottest part of the day. I finished another book by Grisham titled THE APPEAL which did not end the way I wanted it to, but probably reflected a true life result with the corporate greed. I've started another book by him titled THE BRETHREN which is starting out to be very interesting.

I tuned into the Lightning game after supper and they are not playing like a team that won the Stanley Cup with hopes to repeat again; the Rays were winning when I shut the lights off at 10 which seemed to be better than the night before's loss to the Red Sox, oh well LATER

Tuesday Morning April 6 th

 Well Monday was another beautiful day but with some more heat added to the mix; it's not intolerable yet but will soon be that way by the time we head o the mountains which is just about 6 weeks or so. Not that I'm counting but around 42 days or so. 

I started the day out with my usual before 6 roll out to my normal routines of a cup of tea, quiet times to honor My Creator and Lord and lift by name several and then a ride on my bike to the Rec for 2 hours of pickle ball. We had a great group with mainly good players and it was quite a workout. I left a little after 10 for home and it had warmed up beautifully, after a some what chilled ride around 8.

I piddled around in the garden and found two more of the large tomato's turning but the fruit flies had already found one and laid eggs in it so it was ruined. I must now harvest all that are starting to show any color before they destroy them. We were heading down to Snell Island to visit and have lunch with some nephews and nieces who were visiting so I harvested collards, Bibb lettuces, Swiss chard and Kales for them. They have a beautiful place very modern but well done on this very expensive piece of real estate. Our whole family except for the twins were there to visit and for the kids to play. Megan had Publix deli sandwiches, chips and dips as well as a delicious home made carrot cake which was awesome. Arianne was there with her two boys, Anthony and Oliver from Miami along with husband Errol.

We visited and ate until 2'ish then headed out for Seminole. It was after 3 before we got home so I harvested some Bibb lettuce and kale for Amy and then we settled into read until 5. We ate late for lunch and so we decided just to have a salad for supper. I made a fish spread from the smoked mackerel which held me the rest of the evening. I tuned into the Ray's game and they looked anything but good against the Red Sox. It looked as if the Baylor team was blowing out Gonzaga in the NCAA final game. After a hot shower I was ready for some horizontal lab at 10. LATER

Monday Morning April 5th

Well Sunday was a powerful day of worship, great family fun and fellowship with both kids, Bobby and Amy with their 7 kiddos and Nancy's sister Betsy and husband Gus all here for a delicious supper. The dy started with my usual before 6 roll out and so did Nancy as we had to be at the new church building by 8:15 for breakfast and then a simulcast showing from the main campus of BridgePoint in St.Pete. Nancy had made a huge casserole to take and share with about 30 folks or so for this get together with our Life group at the Seminole campus. The food was plentiful with such variety and amount one could only sample a small amount. The service was awesome as well with the emphasis on the empty tomb which gives us for who are Believers an assurance of eternal life even after passing physically from this world. The "cancel culture" is making it known they are not in line for any of this belief and their next banning with be their attempt to cancel the Bible and the Word of God. So sat to see what the socialist /progressives in the gov't are doing to our nation.

We got back around 11 and started working on getting ready for the evening crowd as we got baby stuff out for the boys, the table extended for dining and food prep on the way. Everyone started arriving around 3 'ish and stayed until close to 7 or so when the last folks left. There was lots of fine eatin' before the big meal with some fruit of the vine, Easter egg hunt for the kiddos and of course Nancy had baskets for all the grands loaded with bathing suits, toys and candies. She has place close to 20 bucks of change in tons of plastic easter eggs so the kiddos would have some change for their piggy banks. Some was lost in the yard as the eggs opened and the coins fell out, oh well.

The glazed ham was delicious along with green beans from the garden, a tater casserole Betsy brought and a garden salad. Amy made a carrot cake and lemon cookies for the dessert and everyone over ate as usual. It was a perfect day as we sat and played in the back yard under the shade of the big oak. We even had the windows open until after dark with a nice breeze and no humidity which is unheard of for this time of the year. That was it for big holiday celebrations until Christmas except for birthdays which we will be having one this month as Ava Mae turns 14, wow where did that time go, LATER

Sunday Morning April 4th EASTER MORNING

 Well Saturday was a busy fun filled day that started out rather chilly but soon warmed up enough to be almost a perfect day with no humidity, bright blue skies and plenty of sunshine. The temps stayed around the upper 60's and low 70's throughout the day. Almost unheard for this time of the year.

We did our usual morning routines when we had to be some where in the morning after a before 6 rollout for me. We were meeting at the new church building in Seminole for our first public event to celebrate this Passion Week and introduce ourselves to the city of what is about to come once the final renovations are complete which we hope will be next month. We still have a ways to go, but slowly but surely we are transforming the building and the offices next door into our liking.

We met a little before 10 with close to 50 or more volunteers who handled the food, the games and the parking as well as some inside accommodations to keep folks away from the main inside area but to have rest rooms available. There were two very large bounce houses, balloon creations, egg hunts and grilled burgers and dogs; all free to everyone. I personally worked the parking areas along with several others which kept us busy as the traffic both in and out were constant. We were close to turning a few cars away but always managed to find a spot after using a large field area which had been trashed with concrete bumpers. We parked close to 50 or more vehicles in that field after we moved several obstructions and worked around a bird with a nest of 4 eggs right in the middle of the field. We were kept busy throughout the 3 hours hours the event took place.

We saw lots of our once worshippers from the college days as well as many new faces who were and are quite interested in the church especially for their neighborhood. We served 240 burgers and 180 dogs as well as gave away cases of water, cookies and candies for the kids. Some folks even brought their dogs. We had tables, covered tents and even great music all outside on this very comfortable morning and into the early afternoon. The event closed down at 1:30 and we all were whupped and very excited about the turnout and the interest by the community. GOD showed up today and made this an event about HIM and the folks who will honor and worship at this place weekly.

Well we had the Botbyl's over for supper. Kathryn was supposed to come but is back in the hospital and Patrick came by and never ate a thing. I made a special trip to Sam's for rib eye's and we have enough left over for a couple meals. We played a couple games of Eucher with them before they left around 9. It was soon shower time after the clean up and I was ready for some horizontal lab by 10. We are having another large crowd for a family Easter supper this evening with both Bobby and Amy's family as well as Aunt Betsy and Gus. The kids will hunt eggs in the back yard and we will dine on ham and all the fixin's, LATER

Saturday Morning April 3rd

 Well a touch of winter or fall perhaps but whatever it got rather chilly here once gain especially as evening came upon us, but the mornings have been cool as well. It's very unusual to have sweater weather this time of the year here in usually hot humid Florida, oh well so much for the "global warming " nut cases.

I started the day out with my usual routines of a before 6 rollout to my cup of hot green tea which was welcomed on this 48* morning where its usually 70+, while I posted this ramble then did some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up by name. Most are holding their own but dear friend Kathryn is back in the hospital due to her lung condition as a result of the virus after effects. She has been on constant oxygen for months and hasn't really improve a whole lot. There are good days but in the main mostly bad ones.

I headed out to the Rec a little before 8 on my bike and it was an eye watering ride from the cold wind to say the least as well as an extra shirt and ball cap. I had two solid hours of play and left with a wet shirt and head a little after 10. I worked in the gardens harvesting the last of the romaine as well as another gallon of green beans. What a year for these pole beans growing on the fence. I hand watered and fed the egg plant as well as the jalapeno pepper plant which is really producing, finally. I cleaned the lettuce and spun it dry before bagging it for Caesar salad's later this week. That was the last of this years romaine and black seeded Simpson lettuces for salads but do have several heads of Bibb coming on and ready for harvesting. I pulled a nice mess of collards for daughter Amy and gave her a dozen or so of the ripe tomato's when she dropped Nancy off from shopping for grand daughter Ave for her 14th birthday later this month. Where did that time go.

I read most of the afternoon away until it was time to head over to Seminole First Baptist for a Good Friday service and communion. We met many old friends and learned a few had passed away since we were last there. We sat with daughter Amy and family. We came back and had a lite supper of a salad for me and a leftover grilled chicken breast then we both settled into reading until shower time. I finished the Grisham book and it ended with many good feelings but it could be the start of another whole book, oh well. Many questions were left unanswered as to the outcome of the situation the book was based on.

I tuned into the Ray's game which is now in the for front with the start of the baseball season and they came from behind in the 9th to win of the Marlins in Miami, LATER

Friday Morning April 2nd

Well I fooled Nancy right off yesterday and then got the rest of the grands at the track meet last evening. Speaking of last evenings track meet it got down right cold with the wind blowing and the sun leaving the area. We stayed until going on 8 then headed home with Sam who was freezing and Eliza. We ate a hot soup and frozen pizza for a late supper. Ava and Amy and Tyler were still at the meet as Ava was competing in several events. I think she finished 4th in the 440 yard dash or what's now called the 400 meter run. She tossed the shot put and the discus as well as ran a medley. She is quite the athlete especially on the basketball court.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with the cup of green tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time withy my Creator and Lord in thanksgiving and lifting several up for comfort and healing. All seem as well as possible. I headed out on my bike a little before 8 to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play with 10 other good players and managed to win through out the morning. I was much more sharp or in tune than Wednesday morning after a good nights sleep.

I headed home after a rain storm moved through the area which dropped a pretty good amount of the much needed wet stuff and along with it some lowering of temps which were awesome until evening came around then it got cold. I did hand water in the afternoon before we headed out a little after 5 for the track meet. I put a couple really nice Spanish mackerel fillets on the grill with some wood at a low indirect heat to smoke them for a couple hours. My neighbor brought them to me from his fishing in the gulf and I will now make a spread today(Fri) for our lunch. I did harvest a couple sacks of collards and kales and gave away to a couple of my Rec friends and players.

We were reading about the health benefits of kale and it amazing what all this veggie is noted for. Wow its should be considered a wonder food as should collards. We eat some kale almost every day raw in our salads. Well I harvested another dozen or so of the small tomato's as they start to turn. So far the fruit flies haven't been a problem but when the weather turns hot again I expect them to show up and ruin the larger tomato's. I have one head of romaine left which I will harvest this weekend and several heads of the Bibb for our salads. It's been a great season for leafy greens thus. 

Well that was about it for the day as I read for most of the afternoon on a book titled A TIME FOR MERCY by Grisham. This is another page turner and deals with a capital crime by a juvenile. Not much else to write about except our cousin Tammy and Rich found a different house more to their liking in a small area just south of the Skyway Bridge called Parrish. The house they initially thought of buying wasn't to their liking so they found another one which has some acreage and is beautiful and it already has a pool which they wanted. We are thrilled for them, LATER 

Thursday Morning April 1st

 Well here it is just another month closer to heading out to the mountains which is next month in May, yikes it will be here before we know it and I'm getting excited about seeing the place and the great folks who live there. We will be sad to leave our place and friends and family here but they will attend there over the course of the summer.

Wednesday started out hazy for me as I was late getting to bed after the great time I had with a friend at  the beautiful Amalie Arena where the Lightning call home. It took me awhile to adjust on the pickle ball court as I seemed tired, but eventually I shook off the cobwebs and got back to my game. We had three courts in action with mainly good players. I left with a wet shirt and head and whupped and headed home on my bike to piddle around in the gardens. I collected or harvested another mess of lettuces which are three now that the Bibb is large enough to add to the salad bowl as well as kales and Swiss chard. What a beautiful bowl of salad and son Bobby came by for lunch as well as he was in Pinellas County checking up on his newest manager and friend John. John gave up on the fire department and went to work with Bobby's firm managing renovations in the county and immediately saw a huge wage increase. We have know John for many years as he once lived across the street and he was also Tylers room mate before each of them were married.

I harvested another dozen so of the small tomato's that were turning. I want to pick them before the fruit flies start laying eggs in them when they become too ripe. I'm still waiting on the large tomato's to turn. I picked another mess of jalapeno's and green beans. It looks like the cucumbers are done for this year. The heat is starting to take its toll on the leafy greens so it won't be long until its just the egg plant, peppers and tomato's left along with some herbs.

We took off around 5'ish for the Irish Pub to meet with the Nymark's for supper. I had the shepards Pie, some had fish and chips and the girls all had wraps with those delicious brown home fried chips. It was good and reasonable. It was our usual Wednesday night get together for supper before prayer meeting at the BridgePoint new campus. We had a large crowd there and we did praise and worship with just a guitar and violin music and then a round of small prayer groups before we gathered back together and then took sharpies and wrote on the bare floors that will be carpeted this week with our favorite scriptures. Nothing like standing on the word of GOD. It was a fine time of worship and lifting up so many as well as praying for the community to be involved and having a church home. We are so excited for this building and filling it for folks for JESUS. We will be sad to know we won't be when the first Sunday is open to the public as there are many renovations still in the process. Hopefully some time in June for the first open Sunday to the public; but we will be at the cabin, oh well.

Well that was about it for the day as it was going 9 before we got back to the house and then it was shower time and time for me to catch up on the night before lack of rest, LATER