Thursday Morning Sept 30th

 Well Wednesday was another near perfect day with gorgeous temps, no humidity and clear blue skies with tons of sunshine. Wow, these kind of days make it worthwhile to be in the mountains and now we are starting to see lots of leaf colors along the parkway and into the mountains. We visited our friends carpentry shop who will be making our cabinets for the cabin and what an operation he has going for him. He is basically self taught and does absolutely great work and we are thrilled not only for our friendship but for his expertise and willingness to take on the renovation while we are gone this winter.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my morning routines that start with the cup of hot tea while I post this ramble and then 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 due to health issues and the loss of loved ones. Our nephew John's wife Rachel is coping but it will take awhile for her to get her life back in order since he passed a couple weeks ago from the virus. We have friends who have been vaccinated and still got the virus and passed and that is just another reason we are not taking the shot, especially when the science is not there to its benefits. I'll let my immune system take control and when I interfere with its job then I'm asking for unknown results to my well being.

I got in my early morning hike to the top of the mountain and then got back to my apple a day for breakfast. I have to adjust my eating so as to work on this spare tire which has grown larger this summer. The hikes are great but since I'm not getting my two hours of pickle ball play each morning the pounds and inches have increased around the midsection, oh well. I started putting up new mini blinds in the dining area which kept me busy for a couple hours. No longer can you purchase ones with the cords which is a good thing especially with little grands around but the price has doubled. I believe they are little easier as well to install. Afterwards I headed out to take out the now dead and dying tomato plants and I turned the ground over with a shovel to get it ready to transplant some lettuce seedlings.

I still have three volunteer tomato plants in the upper garden and they maybe going to bloom if these mild temps continue. I doubt they will produce before frost but I decided to set them out just for the fun of it. The October bean plants are sending out runners and I hope they will produce before frost as well. The beets and peppers are doing great along with the kales and Swiss chards. The marigolds and zinnias are showing some slow down and the colors are starting to fade slightly as are most of the flower beds. It's been a banner year for all of the flowering plants and the morning glories have just about taken over the arbor with their beautiful blue flowers. I wish they would come on their own next year like the ones we had in the corn patch when I was a kid. Oh how I hated morning glories and trying to get rid of them each year as they climbed the corn stalks, oh well.

We headed out in the mid afternoon for a visit out to Jake and Katelyn's 22 acres near Air Bellows Gap. What a beautiful piece of property with a trout stream nestled in the hollow of these majestic mountains. They took an old farm house and he turned it into a great work shop with an office. We walked the property checking out where they eventually plan to build their forever house. Such a settling. They get their water from an active spring and of course there is a stream in front of the property where their dogs and Skylar plays in when they camp there overnight. We had visited it last year and the old house was in rough shape and they have done a remarkable job making it into work place as well as a place Skylar can run free and take her naps. It was after 6 before we headed back to the cabin and Nancy put a fresh salmon filet in the oven for our supper. Delicious with a fresh garden salad.

After the cleanup I tuned into the Ray's game and they whupped the Astro's 7-0 in Houston and with one more win will have home field advantage during the playoffs. They are still the best team of record in MLB with 99 wins for the season. Hopefully they can bring a world series win to our area, LATER

On a hike around their property during the late afternoon. That's a steep trail to the top of the property but the view is awesome.

Wednesday Morning Sept 29th

 Well Tuesday was an exciting day as we traveled off the mountain to the neat city of Mt. Airy. The home town of Andy Griffith and Mayberry USA. We didn't go down town proper or the historical district but did the business area mainly at the granite company on the outskirts of town and to Lowes and finally at Aldi's before heading back on the mountain where it was 10 degrees cooler than in town.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my routines that start with the cup of hot green tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for comfort and healing. We did lose an old SFBC church friend who has been suffering from some lung issues for years who died in his sleep. What a way to go with no one fussing over you to keep you alive for another day. Everyone else is holding as we've heard nothing to the contrary. I did my solo early morning hike and the temps had moderated considerably which made for a great hike and my conversation with GOD. I've been praying those who are corrupt and who hate this nation will be exposed and just maybe that is coming true as the senate hearing are bearing out just what a liar this potus Biden is and has been from the get go and how his inept administration are just that; inept.

I came back and had a breakfast of eggs, grits, an a jalapeno pepper with a sliced tomato mixed together, yeow delicious which held me until around 2'ish when we stopped at Hardee's for a chicken sandwich and fries in Mt.Airy after our shopping spree. The trip down and up the mountain was uneventful with perfect weather and temps. It did get a little bit hot in town with temps in the low 80's but back to the high 60's on the mountain. We made our first stop at the Johnston Granite Corp and wow what a showroom and an operation. We were given the tour of the facility where we saw lots of granite, marble and quartz slabs of stone. We decided on a granite with different colors to match the green cabinets and the stainless appliances. We made a deposit on one that we both liked and Bobby our son uses this type of granite in most of his house remodels in his business. It has a a white or lite background as Nancy wanted to brightened up the cabin because of the dark wood throughout. She is waffling on the green color of the cabinets to maybe go with an antique white. She hasn't decided for sure yet of course Jake hasn't made the cabinets either.

We headed to Lowes for new mini blinds as one broke the other day and now they only come in white with no cords. So I have to change out those in the dining area to match because the older ones were almond in color, oh well. We also purchased a new light for over the sink and a set of keys to the cabin for Jake as he will do the work this winter when we are gone. Hopefully he will be able to complete the job during that time. We loaded up some goodies that we love from Aldi's and that is such a nice store. We love the one in Seminole and I mentioned to the manager about coming to Sparta or Galax as there is just a Food Lion grocery in Sparta. I know they would do well here.

We were back on the mountain by 3'ish them headed out around 4 ish for a together hike. Nancy is a little slower since her bout with the virus but seems to be getting stronger every week. I have managed to stay healthy and strong thus far. We ate some leftovers around 6'ish and then settled into the some face time with Bobby and the boys. They are talking up a storm especially Huck and now express their feelings with kisses over the phone. They are so cute and growing like weeds. We saw Gabe and he too is shooting up in height and is becoming quite the ball players. I tuned into the Ray's game which came on late and when I hit the sack around 10'ish they were winning 2-1 but I checked the scores this AM and they lost to another team which will make the playoffs in their division 4-3, oh well, LATER

This is the granite Nancy chose for the countertops at the cabin

Tuesday Morning Sept 28th

 Well Monday was just another perfect day as the chilly morning gave way to a beautiful warm afternoon with no humidity and plenty of deep blue skies and bright sunshine, oh my such a great day for working in the morning and then some porch sitting and reading during the afternoon until our guests arrived for supper.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out to my cup 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. We haven't heard any difference on a few who are hurting and having some health issues unrelated to this insidious virus. I headed out shortly after posting this blog for my solo morning hike to the top of the mountain which gives me some cardio since I haven't been on the pickle ball but once all summer. It seems the old gang of players have disbanded again for this year up here in the mountains. I'll have to wait until November to get back in the groove of playing daily for a couple hours. I did get in my talk with GOD, praising and honoring but also venting on why our nation seems to be going down the drain with corrupt inept politicians and a vile and evil MSM who covers for them and the lack of justice for the evil that has permeated out nation.

After a lite breakfast of oatmeal and fruit I fired up the golf cart and hauled a couple more loads of dirt for the backyard. I've just about filled in all of the ruts and holes and that should, once the grasses take hold be a smoother ride on the mower. I did rake up several trash can full of pine needles from the backwoods area and mulched the circle drive as well as the blueberry bushes as they love the acid from the pine needles and I have plenty of them. That kept be busy up until lunch time when we ate lite with just some cut up tomato's and cucumbers; both of which the vines have died but I still have a few of each in reserve in the basement where it stays cool.

The lettuce seedlings are ready to transplant into the ground and as soon as I remove the tomato plants I'll set them out in their place as the sun shine is about 5-6 hours daily on that bed. The upper garden patch is now getting reduced sunshine and I'm not sure the beans plants will mature or the volunteer tomato plants I transplanted from the compost pile will make either, oh well. The peppers are doing great as are the kale and Swiss chard and the beets are huge. I blessed Jake and Katelyn with some beets last evening along with our old flattop stove which was fairly new but did not match the stainless steel decor that Nancy wants for the cabin appliances, oh well.

I painted some cardboard with the color of the paint she now wants for her new cabinets so we can take with us to Mt.Airy today to the granite place and pick out the color scheme she wants for the new countertops. She wants a complete redo of the kitchen. We also need a new a new kitchen light over the sink area and some blinds, oh well. She roasted a turkey breast for our supper with our guests who have become family like.  Along with the turkey she had smashed taters and gravy, corn, broccoli and stuffing and then a pumpkin pie for dessert. We had a thanksgiving supper in September which was delicious. Afterwards we played a new card game we showed them called Oh -ell or Oh Well which Nancy's folks taught us years ago. It's fast and fun and Katelyn came from behind on the last hand to beat Jake and I was last by one point for a change despite being the score keeper, oh well.

Skylar is a hoot and so well behave and just a cutie pie. She is like one of our twin grand boys with so much personality and very smart as well and is jabbering away constantly. We so enjoy their company and of course watching Skylar mature. After they left I washed the dishes and Nancy dried and then it was some football for a quarter and then a hot shower and some read time before lights out for me around 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning Sept 27th

 Well it was great to be back in person for worship at Cornerstone Church and while the attendance is still down from before the virus we still had a good crowd. Afterwards we met up with Jake and baby Skylar for lunch at the Pizzeria as Katelyn was working a 24 hours shift with the EMT's in Mt Airy. Skylar was a perfect baby during the service and after at the eatery with no fussing at all. She is just such a cutie as well and loves to show you her belly button.

We made a stop at the Food Lion for some groceries as Nancy was going to prepare a meal for one of the members at church who suffered a severe motorcycle crash but she got word later in the day that her meal she had planned had been cancelled due to others already planned for him on that day, oh well. Her intentions were honorable at least and she mentioned to let her know if they run short on meals later in the week.

It was football Sunday and I tuned into a couple games and a Ray's game as well on the laptop. The Ray's swept the Marlins and continue with the best record in baseball thus far but the Buc's ran into a good Ram's team in LA and lost by 10 points despite Brady playing well enough to win. The defense was very porous with little or no pass defense against these good Ram's receivers and their new QB who came from the lowly Lions looked great, plus their line kept the Buc's pass rush at a stand still. There were some other upsets throughout the day on the gridiron as well.

We did get in a an abbreviated hike in between games to the top of the mountain where we chatted with Billy as the day was awesome with deep blue skies and plenty of sunshine. The breeze kept it chilly in the shade. We may have reached the low 70's by late afternoon for a couple hours.  Nancy was on the phone with neighbor Carol from Floridas throughout the evening and still on it with her when I hit the sack around 10:30 which left me with the channel changer for football for most all afternoon and evening, LATER

A pic of the new stove to match the fridge and the over the stove microwave oven to be installed with the new cabinets this winter by our friend Jake who is building them and of course GOD's word which has been denounced by the radical left Marxists and the terrorists who love Islam.

Sunday Morning Sept 26th

 Well this is the last Sunday for this month and will be our first in attendance at Cornerstone since Nancy contracted covid. I'm still virus free and feel great thus far. The morning here this past couple of days have been rather chilly but Saturday morning wasn't nearly as chilly and it turned out to be a perfect day for working outside. No frost thus far.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my routines with the cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble then some quiet time to give thanks and honor my Creator and Lord and lift up several by name for healing. All seem well as can be expected. I took off on my early morning hike to the top of the mountain and had a venting with GOD out loud. I sure hope none of the folks on top hike that time of the morning as they would think there are a couple people hiking and carrying on a one sided conversation, oh well.

I came back and fixed some oatmeal with fruits and pecans for breakfast then headed out on the golf cart to the top soil quarry which is about half way out our road. I dug and hauled 5-6 loads of dirt for the backyard yard along the deep gully ditch. I want grass to come in there next year and there were some deep holes in that area. That kept me busy until lunch time and then I just piddled outside after lunch cleaning up some areas of fallen limbs and twigs and piling them into another pile for burning. The backwoods area is looking good.

I did take a couple hours and sat in the sunlight and read as the breeze was rather chilly in the shade. We decided or Nancy did, to not go all the way to the top of the mountain but instead walk up the steep back trail for her exercise. I had been up and down the back yard plenty of times throughout the day so I was exercised out. I pulled some Swiss chard and a few beet greens to go along with our shrimp, mushroom and garlic butter pasta for our supper, yeow delicious to say the least. After the clean up I tuned into the Rays game and they won the pennant for the American League and will have home field advantage going into the playoffs. Lets hope we can bring the World Series title to St.Pete, LATER

The flowers are still in bloom and the grass is green.

Saturday Morning Sept 25th

 Well it was a cold morning on Friday with temps down to 36 degrees, but there was plenty of sunshine and awesome deep blue skies through out the day and by late afternoon we were in the upper 60's and I was back in shorts for our afternoon hike to the top of the mountains. It was clear and the building 70 miles away were visible.

I started the day much the usual with a 6 ish roll out to the welcoming cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet moments with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for comfort and healing by name. All seem to be holding as of this post. The nation is hurting and we have a bunch in power who are destroying America with their ineptness and corruption. GOD HELP US(A). I took off on my solo morning hike to the the top of the mountain venting and pleading for GOD to intervene and save America and our culture. I want the country I grew up in to be there for my grand children when we first honored HIM and respected his principles and mores. The LEFT is and has destroyed all that is good and has promoted just the opposite and we are seeing that every where and its being promoted by the vile and evil MSM.

I came back and had a breakfast of an egg sandwich which sliced tomato, onion and pickles on pumpernickel toast, yeow one of my fav's.  Afterwards I headed outside to piddle around in the gardens and yards despite the cold. I fired up the 4 cycle weed whacker that Mike blessed me with and its a mighty machine compared to the old 2 cycle whacker of mine. I decided the steep bank of the backwoods gully needed clearing and went to work as it was loaded with small bushes, wineberry vines, and heavy weeds and ferns. Well, I blew right through them with this whacker and worked up a sweat as it was in full sunlight. I now have another pile to burn later after this mess gets dried out and it does looks so much nicer in that area. I'm hoping grass with take over by next year.

We were scheduled for delivery on the new stove and microwave between 12 and 4 and so we waited and sat in the sun on the porch reading and awaiting their arrival. I took the old stove out and remove the electrical cord and had it ready for the new stove. Nancy is redoing the kitchen with new cabinets and appliances to match since we already had a stainless fridge, oh well. These cabinets are the original cheap ones from Lowes and had been in place for 25 plus years. That's hard to believe but our friend Jake is making us custom made cabinets and we have seen his work which is fabulous. He will redo the kitchen this winter while we are gone so we want to have everything in place for his remodel.

Well we headed out on our together hike to the top of the mountain and saw no one out and about. It was really a beautiful Fall afternoon. We are seeing more and more fallen leaves and a little more color in some of the maples and gum trees almost daily. The garden is still holding but there is less and less sunshine on the upper garden and I don't know if the October beans will mature. They haven't bloomed yet but the plants are starting to send out runners. I've not grown them before here at the cabin in many years but if I remember I had planted long before August when I sowed these seeds on a lark. Oh well.

I tuned into the Ray's game after a supper of salad, soup and cornbread. They were beating the Marlins 8-0 when I hit the shower around 10'ish and decided to call it a day, LATER

It was a perfect day for drying some blankets on the clothesline.

Friday Morning Sept 24th

 Well Thursday started out with temps down into the 40's, yikes that's winter for Florida but it did eventually warm up to the upper 60's by late afternoon and was quite pleasant for our afternoon hike together. Nancy's pre covid strength has returned. That was my second hike of the day as I continue with my early morning solo non stop hike which now includes down by Steve's place and up our steep driveway. I gives me another half mile or so additional cardio.

I started the day much the usual with a 6 ish roll out to my routines and on this morning the cup of hot tea was nice while I posted this blog and then some quiet time giving thanks and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. I had my morning talk with GOD on my hike and vented as usual with what's happening to our once great GOD and His principles loving nation. Senseless killings in grocery stores and business's as well as violence on the streets has become the norm and it all started with killing in the womb of the unborn. Everything that once was good is now judged to be bad and racist and all that was judged bad is now the norm according to the Marxist's that have taken over the political system in the democrat party. I fear for what my grands are going to face when we continue to stand down and let these radicals have their way. Believers must unite and stop this insidious corruption and crime wave that is destroying our nation from within.

I headed out after breakfast to the down tree that had fallen next to our road. It was barely off the roadway but did present a hazard so I took the ax and clippers and trimmed it back several feet. It was a huge oak that had split into from the base and the wind must have caused it to fall. That kept me busy for an hour or so and the results are if you hadn't know it was down you wouldn't notice it now. I came back and piddled around in the yards and gardens until we had to leave for Sparta around noon for Nancy's hair appointment. It was time for a cut and to hide the gray. I took a book and finished up on a Jack Reacher story while sitting in the sun in the truck. I may have even catnapped for a few as well in the warm sunshine. We didn't need anything from the grocery so we headed home.

We took off around 4'ish for our together hike and completed the whole route for a change. It was beautiful on top and the buildings in Winston-Salem were quite evident for a change. We are noticing more fallen leaves on our hikes and several trees are starting to show some color. Nancy had a pot of Pasta Fouzille soup cooking and it was perfect along with some cornbread for our supper on this chilly evening. Fall is upon us and now Nancy has the faux fireplace on which gives off some heat as well as some fireplace color. I tuned into the Ray's network and they were off for the night after clinching another playoff spot for the third year in a row. I did watch a little of the Panther game but was whupped after the first half and hit the sack after a hot shower. I must say the shower here is the best. I read for awhile before calling it a day, LATER

Pasta Fouzille Soup made with the ham bone we had frozen. DELICIOUS

Thursday Morning Sept 23rd

 Well Wednesday wasn't the nicest day as the rain and overcast skies were evident to the area both in the early morning and later in the evening with more consistent rain. Thankfully, no extreme gully washers so the driveway stayed passable, especially since neighbor Gerald is gone on vacation and the use of his tractor for scraping is unavailable. We received over 2 1/2 inches during a 24 hour period which had the area with flash flood warnings and then last evening the temps dropped precipitously during the early evening hours. It is supposed to be in the 40's this morning, oh well. Fall is upon and we are starting to already see some leaf colors along the parkway.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my usual morning routines which are a cup of hot green tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. We met up with the Luffman's for supper at the Pizzeria last evening and she is definitely an answer to prayer as she recovers wonderfully from her horse accident. even her doctors were amazed for her recovery at her age from these serious almost fatal injuries. You would never know it by how she walks and her face has nearly healed from all of the broken bones around her eyes. She looks amazing and she say's the power of prayer was the reason she is and has done so well. Everyone else is doing O.K. as we have heard nothing to the contrary.

I did get in my solo early morning hike before Nancy arose from the bed and it was so good to get the cardio on the way up the steep back trail. The wind was gently blowing the rain from the trees through out the hike and held off until later in the morning when we got several showers. I did piddle around in the basement and cleaned off my work bench sorting nails, screws and bolts and pitching lots of unused items. I did attempt to fix the puncture in the front tire of the golf cart and so far its held. If it holds through this fall until next summer I'll have two new tires on the front to replace as these are getting worn down from their knobby start. The golf cart is my mini truck and I use it daily as well as entertaining the grands with rides when they come and visit.

I got in some afternoon reading during one of the many rain showers before we headed out to Sparta to meet for supper at 5 in another heavy down pour. It was our 42nd wedding anniversary supper with good friends and a delicious pepperoni and mushroom pie. We gassed up in Sparta which is very unusual with gas 10 cents cheaper than Galax, whats with that; as Virginia must have raised their gas tax. It's usually the other way around. We came on back to the cabin a different route and settled into the Ray's game where they were beating the Jay's 7-1 and clinched another playoff spots for this season. They have the best record in all of baseball thus far and we are hoping for a World Series victory, LATER

Wednesday Morning Sept 22nd

 Well this day 42 years ago I married Nancy and together we have two awesome kids and 7 beautiful grands. I'm a blessed man there in no doubt and so far we have been healthy except for a few issues along the way and the most recent was this virus which set Nancy back. She is recovering nicely and I've thus far managed to either skip the virus or had it with little or no symptoms and my immune system has fought it off which I think GOD made us to be able to handle virus's; even man made ones which I think this was done by those who want to destroy this nation and gain power over the masses.

Well Tuesday was a wash out with cooler temps as it rained at times hard and then other times just a lite rain but the water dripping off the upper bump out onto the tin roof was evident all day and night. I didn't get in any exercise at all for the day except spending money on this new kitchen remodel that Nancy wants to do in the cabin. She is an HGTV addict and it's working it way literally into our cabin with new cabinets, new stove with a microwave over it, a new pantry and cupboards, sink, granite countertops and now a new light fixture over the sink. She also wants a new table and chairs. I suppose that's all good as an anniversary present for 42 years.

We made several stops in Galax and on the way with a garbage dump, a stop at the bank and then to Walgreens where there is a Fedex outlet to return the late Amway order that we had to send back because Amway sent us a replacement order and then we were off to Lowes. We found a stove they had in stock along with a microwave to match and it will be delivered on Friday. We blessed our friends who are building our custom cabinets with our flat top stove which is just 3-4 years old. We also picked out a new sink for the granite top and then picked out the paint colors she wants the color of the cabinets. We now just need to pick out the color of the granite to match the cabinets. Jake our friend and cabinet maker will do all of this work during the winter when we are gone as we have house guest up until when we usually leave the end of October.

We hadn't planned on this refurbishing of the kitchen when we made plans for guests up until the end of the month so now we will have to stay an extra week to get the cabin ready for this event. Maybe they will leave a couple days early so we can get this done and be back to Florida the first of November when we usually head out for the winter. We have to take everything off the top of the cabinets and remove everything inside and store it out of the way for Jake to have room to work during the remodel. Oh well.

We did some shopping at Wal Mart before heading back to the cabin in the rain and spent the rest of the day in the cozy warm cabin. The rain was a cold one with fog at times. We read the afternoon away after a late lunch of burritos which held us the rest of the day except for a handful of nuts around 7'ish. The Ray's lost for the second evening in a row to the Jays in a close game which they had several chances with runners on the bases, but came up short 4-2. Oh well, LATER

These are the paint samples that Nancy wants the new cabinets to be painted. I'm staying out of it but the one I liked she didn't and it never made it to this group.

Tuesday Morning Sept 21st.

 Well Monday started out foggy and damp but then the sun came through at times and then an occasional sprinkling but later in the evening around supper time we got a good down pour. It was a much needed rain but today and Thursday heavy rains are forecasted for up to several inches which actually brings in Fall temps. Oh well, its seems summertime may be over here in the mountains.

I started the day much the usual with a 6 ish rollout to my morning routines that start with the cup of hot green tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet time honoring my Creator and Lord while giving thanks and lifting up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected and I so far have no symptoms of the virus while Nancy is doing much better. We actually hiked up the mountain for the second time albeit very slowly but we made it to the top only to cut it short due to one of those sprinkle showers and thunder in the distant. We didn't want to get caught in a cold rain. I had my solo hike before breakfast which had me doing some cardio and getting plenty of exercise on the non stop hike. After breakfast I headed down to the top soil pile and dug and loaded four golf cart loads of soil and spread them in some low places in the front yard which gave me another good work out.

That kept me busy right up until we headed out together on our hike which we cut short and came back down the mountain for lunch around 12:30. We had a bowl of Zuppa soup with some buttery crackers. We sat and read until it was time to leave for Helen's place on our way over to Jake and Katelyn's for supper. We wanted to start finalizing their roles and efforts on the new cabinets Jake will make and install this winter. We have lots to do to get that ball rolling as they already have the measurements but we need to finalize the paint color, back splash type as well as the marble counter top colors. Nancy wants an over the stove microwave and a stove to match the stainless steel fridge, oh well. I sure hope this remodel works out and that Jake can get it done while were are gone this winter without us being present.

Katelyn had a delicious supper of smashed taters with beef tips and gravy, buttered carrots and fried cabbage which was so tasty. We never fix it that way but oh so good. We had such a fun time playing with Skylar who is very smart and just adorable. Nancy brought the carrot cake minus a couple pieces we left with our "mountain mom" Helen. We stopped and visited with her for a spell before heading over to Katelyn's. I brought her some tomato's, green and jalapeno peppers and a beet with the greens still attached. She was thrilled along with the cake. 

After supper we playing a 13 round of OH WELL a card game which is thrilling to say the least and once more I whupped up on Nancy who led most of the way by 2 points. It was after 9 before we got back home and I tuned into the Ray's game and watched them win over the Jay's at the Trop 6-4. Today Tuesday since it will be raining we are heading to Galax and Lowes to pick out some appliances, tile colors and marble names as well as the paint color for the cabinets. Should be a fun day as I get on board with the project which I initially wasn't thrilled about. I will miss showing off my handiwork that has been in the cabin for over 25 years and really was doing the job except for the microwave over the stove, oh well, LATER

Monday Morning Sept 20th

 Well Sunday was another gorgeous day with cool temps in the morning and then some nice sunshine and a gentle breeze the rest of the day. It did cloud up from time to time but no rain fall which we could actually use a little. I'm back to hand watering the gardens once again.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my morning routines that start with now that I finally got my order of vitamins and supplement a handful along with my garlic clove which is a natural antibiotic washed down by a cup of hot green tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord. Speaking of finally getting my order from the 1st of September FedEx delivered the original order last evening after receiving a reorder on Friday from Amway, so now I have to send back the original order, oh well.

I headed out on my solo early morning hike to the top of the mountain and the sunshine was brilliant as I came up towards the top. I stopped by Steve's place on the way down as he was loading up the last of his stuff to take back to Florida. He and Sheri will be back in a couple weeks for about a month with their daughter and son in law visiting for a couple days in late October. Neighbor Gerald and Phylis left this morning as well for a vacation out west so we will alone here on the mountain except for Tim at the bottom of our drive. The word on Ben and Laura isn't good as he is now in the hospital with pneumonia along with his blood cancer and he is 83 years young.

I came back and we had a semi mountain breakfast with bacon, eggs and toast of course I added a sliced tomato and a jalapeno pepper to my plate. That held us for the rest of the day until supper except for lite snack around 1'ish. We listen to BridgePoint and then Jack Hibbs in California. He had a guest speaker who is an historian as well as a Believer by the name of David Barton, wow did he ever debunk all of the "woke" culture with the TRUTH about what academia is doing in our education system as well as within the gov't and their plans to destroy US(A). He is a magnificent finder of the facts in our history that have been supplanted by the Left to destroy America and install socialism/communism with the help of the vile MSM which has no idea of reporting the TRUTH. 

Well after our morning worship on line I headed out to piddle around in the gardens and yards. We took a golf cart ride to the top of the mountains and spoke with no one but the views were awesome on this bright sunny morning. We came back and I tuned into the Ray's game on the laptop and then had the NFL on two channels on the TV which I flipped back and forth between plays. The Ray's loss again in a close game 2-0 but still have the lead in their division. The Bucs won big over the Falcons and local Panthers won big over the Saints.

We had left over Zuppa for our supper which was delicious. Today Monday evening we will leave the cabin and visit with Jake and Katelyn for the first time since we all had the virus except for me. Nancy made carrot cake to take for dessert and we will stop on the way to visit with Helen and take her some tomato's. I watched a few documentaries on the Taiga in Siberia /Asia after supper and then read a Jack Reacher book until bedtime after my shower and then it was horizontal lab for me at 10, LATER

Just a look at the yards after mowing.

Sunday Morning Sept 19th

 Well Saturday was another great day with wonderful temps throughout the day except for some rain clouds which produced enough moisture to dampen the gravel in the driveway. We actually could use a little rain as I hand watered all of the veggies and flower beds. 

I started the day with a 6'ish roll out to my routines that start with the cup of hot green tea while I post this ramble then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected except we got word one of our fellow Cornerstone members was in a major motorcycle crash as was airlifted to Baptist Hospital in Winston. I think we are going to wait one more Sunday to worship in person at the Cornerstone because of all the sickness due to this virus. I still haven't shown any symptoms despite being exposed a couple weeks ago, thankfully.

I headed out around 7:30 for my solo hike to the top of the mountain once again having a one sided conversation with GOD, venting on what is happening to our nation with this corrupt bunch in the gov't. We are seeing and hearing daily more illicit and illegal activities as they are in bed with our enemies abroad and the Marxist here in our nation to destroy US(A) from within. It's mind boggling to say the least and I'm hoping GOD will intervene and save the land and at least cause all of the Believers to step up and become proactive in saving the nation for our kids and grand kids.

Well I did move up another batch of lettuce seedlings into separate containers before I set them out into the garden. I now have 27 individual seedlings which if they make and the dang slugs don't get them a nice bunch of greens for the salad bowl. Lettuce likes cooler temps and these should make. I harvested more tomato's and gave a sack full to Steve to take back to Florida as he leaves today and a sack for Tim at the foot of the driveway. I still have a dozen or so on the vine that should ripen in the next couple of days along with green and jalapeno peppers. The beets are magnificent as are the greens which we are trying to eat in our salads daily and the beet itself once a week. They are so good for the body especially for the liver and stomach.

I didn't do much except piddle but did set on the porch in the afternoon and read for a couple hours. I tuned into the Ray's game at 4 and watched them nearly come from behind again but lost by one run. Bobby and Gabe were at the game for his birthday. They came from behind the night before last in almost the same exact situation but the batter who won the night before struck out, oh well. Nancy and I did get in our hike together just before lunch and while we took it slow she is regaining some of her strength and hopefully be back to 100% by next week. She still tires quicker than normal but is bossing me around so I know she is getting better, Oh well, LATER

Just a few views from our hike and marigold bed is beautiful.

Saturday Morning Sept 18th

 Here is a Big Happy Birthday to my grandson Gabriel or better known as Gabe who is 11 today.

Well Friday started out much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines that start with the cup of green tea while I post this ramble and then 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 as I've heard nothing to the contrary. I soon headed out afterwards for my solo morning hike to the top of the mountain in a heavy fog for a change. It looked like it might rain for most of the day but by early afternoon the fog lifted and the blue skies and bright sunshine was evident once again. The fog and dew had the grasses wet until the sun broke through and then I decided to give the yards a mowing after lunch.

We had gone off to town after breakfast to pick up Nancy's scripts at Walgreens and some analgesic rub for her neck and shoulders as well as some heat wraps. Seems she is having some severe issues with her neck locking up and pain in her shoulder. She slipped and fell a couple days ago but didn't think she had really hurt herself but the achy muscles in those areas has her concerned. We also made a library run for several new books and I've found a new author who writes historical novels and I picked up a couple Jack Reacher books. We got back to the house before lunch but neither of us was really hungry as we had blueberry pancakes, egg and sausage for breakfast so we just had a snack of some salsa and chips around 1'ish.

I had a honey do job of cleaning out the hair in the shower drain before heading out to fire up the riding lawn mower for the next couple of hours. Wow, does the yards ever look so nice after a mowing. I had been letting the back woods yard go an extra turn from mowing and it has really filled in nicely especially since I've added so much fill dirt to the ruts and holes. I did move up 18 lettuce seedlings into pots before adding them to the garden proper. We love our salads and leafy greens we add to the bowl along with fresh cucumbers which are just about gone for this season and of course our tomato's which are delicious. What a banner year for them.

Well I piddled around outside while we waited on Steve to arrive for a supper of Zuppa soup, fresh salad and garlic bread. Wow what a feast and then afterwards we played two games of cards; 5 Crowns and Oh -ell. I was the big weiner(play on words) in both games for a change and Nancy and Steve were crying, oh well. Such fun we have together. Steve doesn't like the dark and wants to be home before its too late and we kid him unmerciful about critters and things in the dark.

After he left we finished up the dishes then I settled into the Ray's game and they were losing through the game until the bottom of the 9th inning when they came from a 4-1 behind. A walk off 3 run homer in the 10th after tying the game by a local fellow from our home town of Seminole, wow what a 7-4 win. Bobby is taking Gabe and a couple of his baseball friends to the game this evening at the Trop for a birthday present as he turns 11 today, hopefully we will see them in the left field stands catch a Ray's home run ball. Well, that was about if for the day, LATER

Friday Morning Sept 17th

Well Thursday was really a great day for working outside. It was mostly overcast through out the day with very little bright sunshine and the temps stayed down into the 70's after a 60's star to the day. The humidity was back just a bit but overall a great day for being outside. I got rid of an eyes sore in the backwoods area with the huge pile of dead brush from the trees Jake cut last winter with a controlled burn which took most all the afternoon to finally burn up.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out as Nancy has moved back into the bed and she snores, so I'm waking up a little earlier than usual, but I'm still getting close to 8 hours of decent rest. I had my cup of hot green tea spiked with a little honey while I posted this ramble and then 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 as I've heard nothing to the contrary. I headed out shortly after for my solo non stop morning hike and talk with GOD. I love my morning chat as I get to vent on why HE has abandoned America but earnestly pray that will change when we as nation recognize what has and is happening to our once people loving country. The violence that is occurring throughout the land is a direct result of taking GOD out of the culture completely and the corruption in the gov't is also another result of denying the Judeo- Christian principles the nation was founded on. Now academia wants to subvert and do away with our constitution which is based on those principles as well.

Well after my hike I stopped off at Steve's place and chatted briefly. He was awaiting a ditch witch to make the channels for his electric and water lines to his stations through out his camping area. We came back later in the morning to check on him and his progress and He had that job done and was attempting to unroll and spread this astroturf that was in a 800 pound roll. Well we used the ditch witch to push in around and then spread it through the area. Its loaded with sand and rubber pellets which not only makes it durable but very heavy or otherwise it would just blow away. This material comes from football and soccer fields that have been redone and now there is a market for the home owner. Its very durable and does look like real grass but oh so hard to manage due to the weight.

Nancy and I took a long slow hike to the top during the late afternoon and on the way met a couple who are interested in the land across from the "hoarder house" Pam Johnson. They are from the Myrtle Beach area and want a place to put a camper on during the summer months. They are retired and seemed like they are really interested in the area. We talked for nearly an hour and filled them in on the neighborhood. They are Beth and Tommy McKee and maybe related to Keyes McKee's who lives at the start of our road. Such a small world.

I checked on the burn pile and except for some huge old blocks of the dead tree I cut down earlier this summer which were still burning the rest had burned up completely. I had cleaned up a bunch of dead limbs in the backwoods and added them to the pile as well. We were getting some sprinkles throughout the morning and so since it was overcast and no wind I got rid of that eyesore to me. Nancy wasn't thrilled which is always the case when I burn so I had to drag the hose out close enough to the burn pile in case it got out of hand which it never did and wouldn't.

I grilled a couple New York strip steaks which we had in the freezer and they were delicious along with a large home grown beet and some tater tots for our supper. I tuned into the Ray's game and they are home against the Tigers and they won 5-2 to keep their lead atop the division. It wasn't long until I hit the shower then another Jack Reacher book until lights out, LATER

Thursday Morning Sept 16th

 Well Wednesday was another outside perfect working day and Nancy and I took an abbreviated hike to the top of the mountain together just before lunch.  She is slowly but steadily recovering from this insidious virus. It took us a while but she made the climb and hopefully will get back on this daily regiment. I'm still holding with no affects if and when I ever contracted this virus, Thank GOD.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6'ish roll out now that Nancy is back sleeping with me. She quarantined for a couple weeks upstairs so as to keep me from being in close contact and either it worked or my immune system kept the virus at bay. I did my morning routines that start with the cup of hot green tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet time with Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up for comfort and healing. Most everyone is on the mend or holding as I've heard nothing to the contrary. We won't be going to W.Va. for the memorial service for nephew John as Nancy is just not up to traveling just yet for any distance. We will be there in thought and spirit.

I headed out around 7:30 for my early morning solo hike to the top of the mountain where I'm greeted with the bright sunshine appearing over the mountain edge. Such a glorious sight each morning while I have my venting session with GOD on the way up and back down. I'm begging for some divine intervention for US(A) as we now see how those in power are conferring with our very enemies and undermining the will of the people to destroy this nation, our culture and now our very security by those who control the military. TREASON is all I recognize from the top down and yet we have so many in the nation who subscribe to them and their desire to destroy out way of life.

After a lite breakfast of cereal with a banana and fresh home grown blueberries I headed out to check on the gardens and found a huge slug attempting to get in the lettuce seedling pot. I quickly dispatched it forever under my boot and then hand watered the new seedlings. I hope to move them up into large containers before setting them out in the garden. I decided to spend the next several hours weed whacking all the yards and the driveway. Well that is quite the jog up and down these yards and especially the driveway. Its like another non stop hike. Needless to say the yards needed it as well as the driveway and the results are awesome. That will probably be the last tine I do the driveway this year.

We had invited neighbor Steve up for spaghetti and meatballs with a fresh salad and garlic bread. DELICIOUS as usual and we sent enough home with him for a couple lunches. Seems he will be leaving on Saturday for the drive back to Seminole for a couple weeks before arriving back with Sheri and their daughter and husband. We want to do some touristy things with them when they come like the Creeper Trail in Damascus, Va. We played a round of 5 Crowns and then a round of Oh -ell which was the first time for Steve. He likes to be home before dark so we cut it short and he was out of here before 8. I missed watching the Ray's lose in an early game against the Jay's, oh well not really. They had better stay on top with their A game as the season is drawing to a close and the Jay's are in pursuit of the lead in the division. We had several phone calls checking on Nancy which is a plus, LATER

Wednesday Morning Sept 15th

Well once again the weather was near perfect with temps in the 60's to start the day and it did reach close to 80 by days end with no humidity. We were in Galax during the late afternoon and it showed 80 on the truck thermometer but when we got back on the mountain in was in the low 70's and even upper 60's by the time we got home just before dark. 

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet moments to give thanks to my Creator and Lord for another day and for keeping me virus free and for Nancy's recovery. She didn't have it as bad as some folks we know and the loss of a nephew at such a young age was a real eye opener for the severity of this virus. I know it's bad but made so much worse with putting politics ahead of the good of the nation with this mandate to vaccinate and destroy our immune systems with these controversial vaccines. Anyhow we are thrilled Nancy is over the quarantine period so we celebrated by eating out last evening with close friends and Believers in Galax at Applebee's. The food was good and the company was even better. We got to meet Sheri's older sister Kathy who is in poor health for her age as they were on a trip to visit their mother in Tennessee before she returns to Las Vegas where she lives with her son in a couple weeks. 

After my morning routines I headed out on a solo hike to the top of the mountains, had my morning talk with GOD out in the open and then returned back up the steep driveway after going by Steve's place. I didn't see him out so I didn't stop but continued on back to the cabin. The Heavenly Blue morning glories were showing off again as they have been now for a couple weeks. The marigolds are showing off as well but the other flower bed's have lost some of their luster but are still in bloom. Many of the Black eyed Susans have gone dull as have the hydrangeas. 

The tomato's are winding down as well but the new lettuce seedlings are showing colors as are the radish seedlings. The cool nights and the sun which is now less and less on some areas of the gardens have also slowed down the growing process. The grass in the backwoods yard is doing great and I will mow it some time this coming week. There are seeds heads showing and I want them to reseed that area and finally rid the area totally of the moss. I dug and hauled 4 more loads of top soil and finished up the leveling of the area adjacent to the back yard where the old garden use to be. There was always a sharp drop off and now once the grass takes over I should be able to mow that with the riding mower. That kept me busy until lunch time and then I hand painted the top railing on the porches with the wood preservative that I used on the deck.

After lunch I sat and read for a couple hours before we got ready to leave for Galax and meet the Nymark's at Applebee's. After supper we headed next door to Walmart and loaded up once again on groceries and other goodies we needed. We saw several deer on the parkway on the way home just before dark. The fields were loaded with them as well, but a couple were in the road with no fear. I had to swerve a couple times as they just stood in the road facing traffic.

Well we got back with a half moon showing its splendor and unloaded. I tuned into the Ray's game in progress with the Blue Jay's and we finally won after shutting them out 2-0. I soon hit the shower and then read for an hour before calling it a day at 10:30, LATER

Tuesday Morning Sept 14th

 Well Monday was nearly another perfect day with cool temps in the morning and then the 70's the rest of the day. A perfect day for working outside and I did all morning. I took it easy after lunch with some porch setting while finishing up a book on the battle of Gettysburg and then started a new Lee Child book featuring Jack Reacher.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot green tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting up several for comfort and healing. Nancy is back to her old self bossing me around so I know she feels better and the kids Bobby and Amy and their families are doing great. Now if we could just get rid of the crooks and the corruption in this gov't the nation may survive despite so many bowing down to these mandates by this inept leader who was installed instead of elected. Hopefully GOD will hear at least my prayer that he and this whole administration will be found out to be corrupt and then indict them for treason. Just maybe our nation will begin to heal and honor HIM once again and His precepts that once made US(A) a nation under His influence. I truly believe we must get back to honoring GOD, repent and then our land will be saved and if not the radical muslims will be cutting off our heads.

Well I took off on my solo morning hike to the top of the mountain and it was a glorious hike in the fresh air and coolness of the morning as the sun began to rise up over the mountain top. I vented once again praying that GOD would hear my heart felt thanksgiving for another day and the healing of those I know and love and for our nation. I must say praying out loud does something for your soul especially with nothing around but HIS creation. I stopped off at Steve's on the way down from the top for a short visit. He is doing an amazing job on outfitting his shipping container into an apartment with a bathroom, kitchen and bedroom. He is plumbing, wiring, drywall plus all the tile work. It looks amazing and will be perfect for an overnighter or whatever for a few days for visitors. He really has turned this land into a warm inviting place for family and friends with really no major structure except for the well house.

Well I fired up the golf cart and dug and hauled 6 loads of dirt from the piles of run off top soil into the back yard. I want to level off the steep drop off to the where the old garden used to be. By leveling and grading the sharp drop off I will be able to mow that with the riding mower instead of weed whacking. I'm hoping over this fall and the winter the grasses will come in and hold the bank as I have a good stand of grasses in the area. I piddled around in the garden after lunch, hand watering and pulling some weeds and hoeing the the upper garden. The October beans plants are growing but I'm not sure they will produce this years. The recently sowed lettuce seed are showing some color so I should have some for the salad bowl in a couple weeks. The tomato plants are winding down as they have produced plenty this year and so have the cucumber and squash plants. There are few blooms on each plant but they have quit producing as the sun is not reaching them any longer. This time of the year the sun doesn't reach the upper gardens until the afternoon, oh well they did great this year once again in the circle drive bed.

I tuned into the Ray's in Toronto and they were getting blown out 7-1 when I hit the shower around 9'ish so I decided to read instead. They are still about 8 games ahead in their division but the last two games haven't been their best play, LATER

Monday Morning Sept 13th

 Well this month is nearly half gone and we are just 6-7 weeks away from closing up for the winter and head south; however there is much to do especially getting Nancy strong enough for guests later next month which just about has the whole month filled up. There its lots of work for us when that occurs both before and after they leave and now this year some are staying right up until we were planning on leaving the first of November, but must delay that as we are scheduled for new cabinets over the winter months, oh well.

Sunday started out much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of tea while I posted this blog and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up by name. There are lots of folks on our list as this virus has taken its toll especially on the younger crowd, however most are recovering by using common sense and treating it like the flu virus it is. We are hearing all kinds of stories from both those who took the shot and those who haven't like us. I'm not inclined to believe any thing this gov't mandates is healthy or good for us.

I took off on my solo hike to the top before breakfast and it was invigorating with the cool stillness of the morning and the sunshine just breaking over the top of the mountain. Once again I had my morning talk with GOD imploring Him to intervene on behalf of the Believers in the world and our nation. So many are dying needlessly when this inept gov't pulled out leaving them to die at the hand of the radical muslims who are vile and evil and have no mercy for Christians or anyone who doesn't subscribe to their sharia law. Our former crooked Obama who is a closet muslim let many of these leaders who had been captured on the battlefield loose to lead these radicals again against America, Unbelievable. He is now advising and pulling the strings with this inept and dementia Biden and his administration.

Well I'm a sports junkie and I got my taste yesterday with several NFL games on TV as well as the Ray's game on the laptop all at one time. The Ray's walked in the winning run for the Tigers in the 11th inning and the NFL was fun to watch again at times especially when your now home town won the big game last February. Thee Bucs had the day off since they won last Thursday. I didn't do much  except we had some great worship time on line from Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills Calif. with the Jack Hibbs as pastor. He had a guest renown speaker preach and it was awesome with several things Believers can be assured of when passing from this life to eternal life with Jesus. All are Biblical sound and spelled out in His word.

We had a brunch of of BLT's with avocado and then some left over grilled chicken with black beans and spinach for our supper all of which were excellent. We did some porch setting for a few as the weather was perfect. Nancy seems to be a little better but still has the dry cough and easily tires. Today is her last day of quarantine for the past two weeks. We are still being standoffish around folks and not entertaining our friend Steve except from the porch as he too is being very cautious, oh well, LATER

Sunday Morning Sept 12th

Well Saturday was a work day for me as the weather was perfect through out the day after a chilly start with temps in the 40's. The sunshine and blue skies and a gentle breeze made for a great day to be outside. It did reach the lower 70's with very little humidity. We did do some porch sitting later in the day and read.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet moments with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up b y name for comfort and healing. All seems relatively well except we got word last evening one of our Cornerstone friends is in dire straights with this virus. Our Pastor has cancelled any meeting in person worship again this week so we will meet on Facebook again along with our BridgePoint family. All else seem to be putting their lives back in to order after the passing of our nephew John. We won't be able to attend the memorial service next week in Virginia as Nancy is still under quarantine from her bout with the virus. She seems a little better each day but still has the cough and tires quickly. We took a golf cart ride in the afternoon out to the mail box and then to the top of the mountain. The long distant views were awesome on this clear cool day.

After my quiet times I got in my early morning hike to the top and then down the4 back road past Steve's place where we usually meet for a few but he was already gone to Sparta to Parkers which somewhat like Lowes with building supplies, etc. We stopped by on our golf cart ride and saw where he is doing a magnificent job in thew shipping container turning it into a small apartment. He is doing a first class job and was mudding the drywall when we came by. We feel bad we haven't entertained him more with meals and company except for one time before Nancy was contaminated, oh well. Thus far I've either been lucky or just have a good immune system to this insidious virus. I did have this congestion at times in the chest but I started taking besides tons of vitamins a glove of ra garlic at least once a day and that has nearly cleared up the congestion. I remember that was used back in the days as an antibiotic and onions too have medicinal properties. They are one of my favorite veggies. I grow garlic here at the cabin and have a good supply as I harvested it a couple weeks back.

Well I dug, hauled and then spread three golf cart loads of the top soil that has been piled up by the  rain runoff out on our private road. It is awesome dirt with very few rocks and mostly they are gravel when carried down the road by gully washer's. Its there for the taking and I've actually opened up the piles so the rain run off will easily run into the woods. That kept me busy as I spread it mostly in the back woods yards which was bumpy due to those huge trees striking the ground when Jake cut them  over the winter. Afterwards giving that a break and there was no chance of rain I folded up the picnic tables and cleaned the deck and gave it a coat of wood preservation with a roller. It dried nicely during the afternoon sun.

We chilled after a lunch of a cold meatloaf sandwich and chips. Delicious with my home grown tomato's. I took a sack of them down for neighbor Gerald and his lady friend Phylis. We haven't interacted with them in weeks except to wave at Gerald when he is out and about. She is very reclusive to us but oh well its not that we haven't tried to be social and now with this virus it makes it even harder to be social. They are taking a three week trip out west next week and then we will have company for the whole month of October; so maybe next year we can once again have a supper with them.

Well after a supper of fresh mushrooms on a frozen pizza with herbs from the garden I settled into the Ray's game and they won 7-2 after dropping the opening game on Friday night against the Tigers in Detroit. I soon hit the shower and read until after 10 a read titled Fallen Angels. It the story of the Gettysburg Battle during the Civil War. Another great read by the author of the Midway Battle during WW11.

Today was the infamous day when muslim terrorists destroyed our way of life 20 years ago which began the decline of America and its still in decline as I write with the embarrassment by this inept administration in Afghanistan to these muslim radicals once again. We are being destroyed within by a corrupt gov't and the lack of patriotism by these on the left who are spewing Marxist ideology and promoted by academia while taking every Judeo Christian principles out of our culture. If I live long enough I will fight to my last breath these radicals but America will become another great civilization that fell like Rome due to their liberal sin and lack of morals filled culture, LATER 

Saturday Morning Sept 11th..the infamous day in history

 Well Friday was another perfect day of weather with cool mornings and warm afternoons, plenty of blue skies with bright sunshine, absolutely gorgeous. I didn't do a whole lot except for piddling in the yards and gardens but did do a load of laundry and hung them outside to dry. I'm letting the grass get a little longer as I've notice some grasses are heading up with seeds and I want the seeds in the ground. I'm finally getting grass where it use to be all moss.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot tea while I post this ramble and then some quiet moments both here at the laptop and then again on my morning hike lifting up several and giving thanks. Nancy seems to be improving although she gets tired easily. I've been cooking, cleaning and generally doing everything while she gives the orders. She did want to take a golf cart ride ride out to the mailboxes in the afternoon. We met a feller from Florida, Gary Utt who is looking at 3 plus acres near us to put a camper on. We had a few folks that we know in common, one being a retired trooper from Okeechobee, Fl. where he is from and then a distant cousin, L.W. Smith of Nancy's who has a motor coach and storage business there. Such a small world.

After lunch I sat in the sun and read for a couple hours before starting on supper. We love whole chickens that I cut up and grille and with the leftover mashed taters we had tater cakes. Delicious eatin' with a fresh garden salad and plenty of chicken leftover. Nothing like cold chicken for a lunch, picnic style. After the cleanup we face timed with Bobby and the boys. They are growing so fast and now are talking with Huck and little more than Ryder but both are saying words and jabbering and love the water. That Huck jumps into the pool whereas Ryder is a little more cautious. They gave us kisses on the phone.

Well I was whipped after only about 4-5 hours of sleep from the night before when I strayed up to midnight watching the Bucs barely beat the Cowboys, so by 8'ish I was falling asleep watching the Ray's lose to the Tigers on the laptop. I hit the shower and then read for maybe 5 minutes when I turned the lights out by 9. I slept through the night until 5'ish this morning when I decided to arise and shine.

Well today marks the anniversary of a sad day in the history of this nation when we were attacked by muslim radicals and its seems once again with the fall of Afghanistan they have won again with the help of the traitors in this administration who want America to become a cesspool like the land they control. I'm so disappointed in the once strong women's movement who would ever think of living under their Sharia Law which is so degrading for them and their objective to destroy the freedoms we so enjoy here in America. Equality which the radicals scream is just a facade to divide and conquer using all methods of the Marxist ideology. The real patriots of this nation had better wake up and boot all of these elites out of office who are less than honest with their platforms to hold power over us and dictate our lives. The corruption is rampart especially within the democrat party and the rino's, Wake Up America and bring back GOD's blessing and principles that gave us so much freedom and liberty, LATER

Friday Morning Sept 10th

 Well Thursday was another beautiful day with cool temps, no rain and plenty of sunshine. I didn't do much after running errands for most of the morning except I did get in two hikes, both solo which helped with the exercise. It was the first time I had been on top and across the mountain this week or more and I didn't see anyone there.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot 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. I had spoken with middle sister Pat whose son John passed a way from the virus and they are starting to heal and deal with his lost. I told her we wouldn't be coming for the funeral due to Nancy's infection by the virus and we would just be coming off the quarantine. Nancy is having moments where she is doing great and then all of sudden feels as if she is going down. So far I've escaped the virus, thankfully.

I headed out around 7:30 for my early morning solo non stop hike to the top of the mountain and then down the golf cart trail to the bottom where Steve has his place with the motor coach. He sometimes meets me and walks with me down the road where we catch up on his projects. He now has the pump in and working for his well so he has plenty of water and now he is remodeling the shipping container putting in a bathroom and kitchen. It's looking great. We haven't been able to get together because of Nancy's infection even though he and Sheri took the shot.

I headed out around 9:30 for Sparta and made a quick stop to pick up some garbage Steve had for the dump. I had several bags as well. After the stop there I headed to the library for a couple new reads and then a stop at Walgreens for Nancy's script before heading over to Food Lion for some goodies. I was back home by 11:30 which surprised Nancy's. It sure beats the usually 3 hour trip to Galax. I had just an apple for breakfast so I was hungry so I had a bite of lunch which included some sliced tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper with some mayo and cold meat loaf. I skipped the bread despite buying a nice loaf of sourdough bread at the grocery. We had leftover's from the freezer for supper which were delicious. It was one of Kathryn's dishes she made while here a few weeks and we just added fresh pasta, wow, so good. After the clean up I headed out to walk around the yards and check on the gardens.

I had read for most of the afternoon sitting in the bright sunshine which is supposed to help the immune system fight this virus and thus far its helped me, plus we are doubling up on vitamins and supplements. FedEx was supposed to deliver my order from Amway but they never did and the excuse was as always their GPS is off, oh well.They are now sending it snail mail so who knows when we will get 

the order. UPS came by and delivered a package and they had no problem with address. FedEx has been here several times over the years but in June they messed an order for Amy when they were here.

Well I stayed until midnight watching the Bucs beat the Cowboys in a close game. Brady was exceptional but 4 turn overs and injuries nearly cost the Super Bowl winners the game. The Cowboys played tough and much better than I expected. The old internal alarm went off before 6 so it was a short night, LATER

Thursday Morning Sept 9th

 Well Wednesday had a mixture of weather with the morning being beautiful with plenty of sunshine and blue skies but just after lunch the clouds moved in and the rain began on two separate occasions dropping nearly 3/4 of an inch of rain. It was a gully washer at times. I did set on the porches and read for the afternoon away during the rain.

I started the day with my usual 6ish rollout to my morning routines that start with posting this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting up several by name for comfort and healing. I'm thankful Nancy is doing so much better at times and then she goes back down with spells that are evident she is still infected with this virus. So far I'm still showing no signs of the infection except a nagging cough at times. I'm still doubling up on my vitamins and supplements and eating healthy with fresh berries and fresh veggies from the garden. I think this has helped the body fight this virus as well.

I fired up the golf cart and headed down to my top soil pile along the road and loaded up three loads and spread them in the backwoods yard through out the morning after my solo hike to the top of the mountain. That kept me busy until lunch time and I worked up a good sweat in the process. The rain was welcomed as its been over a week since we last had any measurable rain and it came just after I had spread the soil in the ruts and low places in the yards.

I did harvest a couple more cucumbers and tomato's which are delicious this year but the plants are on their way out. The recently sowed radish seeds are showing some color and the jalapeno peppers are producing and I'm hoping the lettuce seeds germinate as lettuce likes cool temps once they get established. The October bean plants have added leaves as well and I hope they bloom before it gets too cold which is expected over the week end with lows in the high 40's and highs in the low 70's. It's hard to believe we have only 7 or 8 weeks  before heading south for the winter. I tuned into the Ray's game and they finally lost to the Red Sox 2-1 after leading into the 9th inning, LATER

Wednesday Morning Sept 8th

 Well Tuesday was another beautiful day with cool morning temps and then middle 70's through out the rest of day which was great for laundry drying. I hung two loads and then Nancy felt so good she took them down and folded them before supper. She is doing so much better when we consider what Amy and Katie went through and compared to many of our friends. She has definitely turned the corner and is on her way back to what seems a full recovery as of now. I still haven't any serious symptoms thus far except.

I started the day with my 6'ish rollout to my usual routines that start with posting this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and then lifting several up by name. We got word a couple who are Nancy's age from our Life Group in Florida succumbed to some serious issues and both are in the hospital with severe bleeding and blood clots. They had the vaccine a few months back and now they are in rough shape in ICU. I believe they have both tested positive as well after the shot.

Several of our Cornerstone friends have tested positive and have taken the infusion as did Nancy. I think the word is they are recovering if I'm hearing right. Both Jake and Katelyn tested positive and are under the weather but recovering thus far. Our dear friend Kay is also recovering from her near fatal accident and is able to be about with a walker. She is one tough gal. All of our family in Florida are doing great after having the virus and back to work. We are just still shocked about our nephew John who passed away due to this virus that attacked his lungs. There must be different strains because no one in our Florida family had any breathing issues; but he was on a ventilator when he passed. Kathryn had severe breathing and lung issues and still does to some extent but she never went on a ventilator, thankfully.

I didn't do much after my solo non stop hike to the top of the mountain before breakfast where once again I gave my concerns to GOD out loud. I'm sure hoping no one else is hiking at that time of the day or they may think I'm touched because I vent as well as honor Him with my praises. I'm at a loss why all of these bad things are happening to America and to those Christians who were left behind in Afghanistan and are being executed by these radical muslin terrorists. I saw a video of several folks being placed in a ditch and these radicals are shooting them in the head while they sing praises to GOD. It's sickening and these are the evil people this administration wants to deal with and left them arms to kill unmerciful. We had better hope they don't get into our nation but with the open borders, its coming.

Well after supper I tuned into the Ray's game on the laptop thanks to Tyler and saw where they were winners once again in Boston over the Red Sox's. The season is winning down and it looks as if the Ray's with be winners in their division if they continue to play as they have been the last couple of days, LATER

I can tell Nancy is feeling better with her pics once again. I did harvest a few blueberries which has kept us in supply the last couple of weeks.

Tuesday Morning Sept 7th

 Well the weather has been almost perfect with cool morning and the hottest part of the afternoon in the low 70's with plenty of sunshine and a slight breeze. Beautiful temps and weather despite Nancy suffering from this virus and me attending to her every need and whim. Steve our neighbor here called from Galax and stopped by with a pizza for our lunch and I loaded him up with some veggies. We are still staying a good distance apart and respecting the chance of the virus to infect him. He had the vaccine and there are theory's they can infect as well; so we are keeping our distances especially with Nancy being infected. Thus far I'm staying strong without any symptoms despite being in the same household with Nancy. She does now sleep upstairs at night which I'm sure helps but we were both exposed at the same venue and slept together for several days before she showed symptoms, oh well.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out to my routines of a cup of tea while I post this blog and then some quiet time both here with my online devotion and scripture as well as my talk with GOD on my non stop solo hike to the top of the mountain. We are still dealing with the loss of our nephew with family and its going to take awhile to get over this strong young man passing as a result of this virus when so many recover within a few weeks and even days. I had no knowledge of any underlying health issues and we are just shocked with his passing. Everyone else is doing as well as an be expected and back to work and nearly a 100%. Both Amy and Bobby sound strong and he flies out again today for his job which has now gone public on the NYSE which will really help with this once small company to become a major force in the housing market. He and and his company are looking for dedicated loyal persons to apply for positions throughout the nation. Go to offerpad.com and apply.

I piddled around outside not doing much of anything after a lite breakfast. Nancy was on the phone with several family and friends throughout the day checking on us. Since Steve brought the pizza which was delicious I didn't have to make lunch and then for supper we cleaned up the butter beans and ham, wow I can't wait until we do that again. That is one delicious meal with a fresh salad to accompany with my cucumbers and tomato's. I did set and watch the Ray's vs Red Sox with a day game and what a game as the Ray's were down 7-1 in Boston in the second inning and they looked like it was gonna be a blow out but the bats game to life and we won 11-10 in extra innings. What a game and to come from behind in their park with their rowdy fans.

I sat outside on the deck in the sun as did Nancy at times on the porch. I think being in the direct sunshine helps with fighting this virus. We both have doubled up on our vitamins especially D3, C, and zinc as well as echinacea. So far for me its worked and really she is doing so much better than Bobby and Amy who lost all their smell and taste and were completely tired with no energy. She has moments when she gets really tired but rebounds with food and drink.

Well that was about it for the day as we steadily gain on this insidious virus which I still think was man made in China with the help of the democrats to destroy US(A) and Trump and backed by the one world despots who want to change our culture and rule the world, LATER

Monday Morning Sept 6th

Well Sunday was an awesome day of beautiful weather and great day of worship albeit on line with first Cornerstone which was prerecorded because of the virus going around and then with Jack Hibbs from Calvary Chapel in Chino Hills, California. Both had awesome messages. Nancy seems to be doing much better than either Amy or Katie did since she received the infusion. She hasn't totally lost her smell or taste although its has been altered. Thus far I'm taking care of her and doing O.K. with no symptoms. I either have already built up the antibodies to the virus or just been lucky. I know I've been exposed when Nancy was and of course we were sleeping together for several days before she started having the symptoms, oh well.

I started the day our much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my routines of good vitamins and supplements washed down with a cup of hot tea before I do my blog and then my quiet times. Several are on my mind and heart for healing and comfort especially to middle sister Pat and her family. It was her oldest son John who succumbed to the virus and it has been an impact on all of our relatives. I headed out on my solo non stop hike to the top of the mountain around 7:30 and then down to Steve's campground where we chatted before heading back up our steep driveway. The extra climb is helping since I've been missing our late afternoon hike with Nancy. I'm trying to not wear down my resistance by over exercising but do so enjoy the morning hike which is necessary to staying healthy.

After the worship on line and my morning talk with GOD while on my hike I headed out to piddle around in the gardens picking more tomato's and cucumbers. The cukes are really slowing down and the fruit isn't nearly as large as before, but it was a good season for them and they still are blooming. The October beans have put on more leaves and are growing since I caught the cut worm which had cut off two of my nice plants and I dispatched him forever. The kales are still growing as are the beets and the greens. I sowed a couple containers of lettuces in hopes they will give me some green for the salad bowl in a couple weeks. The peppers are doing fine and I'm now saving the cilantro (coriander)seeds for future planting when I sow my winter garden in November in Florida.

The zinnias are in full bloom and I should have plenty of seeds from their heads for next years planting as well as the beautiful orange marigolds which are just beautiful this year next to the fire circle. I must say since removing so many trees from the backwoods yard the moss has nearly left the area and the grass is finally showing up big time. This year is the best ever for that area and it will need mowing again this week.

I made a semi mountain breakfast for us with sausage patties and egg on a biscuit, yeow was that ever delicious. I of course added a slice of fresh tomato and onion to mine along with a jalapeno pepper. Needless to say that held us until supper time except for a hand full of nuts while I watched the Ray's lose after being ahead in the 9th inning, oh well. Nancy is feeling better despite still being achey and a stuffed up nose as she was on the phone several times throughout the day. Our kiddos and family members are checking on us daily since she tested positive. It's seems we will be under quarantine for another 10 days or so and we will miss having Steve up for meals and cards plus entertaining friends for meals. Luckily I stopped at the library last week and still have a couple books to go as well as baseball on the laptop and of course You Tube documentaries, LATER