Well old man winter is upon us as the temps are down in the 40's with a strong wind blowing constantly for the past 36 hours which makes it feel even colder. I guess you would say I'm ready to head back to warm sunny Florida and put in my garden, soak up some warm sunshine and play some pickle ball.
I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my abbreviated routines which is basically a handful of vitamins and supplements washed down with a glass of well water while I posted this ramble. I've been having my tea when I get back from my early morning solo hike as I like to pick some lemon balm from by herb patch for the morning cup of tea instead of having it early; plus I don't wake everyone up with the microwave. I did my quiet time before heading out on my hike just at dawn and got in a talk with GOD once I reached the back road after climbing the steep back trail.
I checked out the Nymark's camp ground on the way down and everything looked good after the strong winds overnight. I didn't do much after getting back to the cabin as it was really cold outside with the strong winds blowing. Everyone took off to Galax as I wanted to head over to the Luffman farm for some manure but they never called back until late evening so I'll head over today some time and get some for the gardens. I did stay inside and read most of the day until they got back from shopping. I finished the book on the Korean War as told by Jeff Shaara which is a must read for all who love history and who he interviewed many of those before they died who actually fought this somewhat stalemate event. Nothing changed as the 38th parallel still divides the country between the north and south. Such devastating temps for both sides which was mainly fought by the Chinese under Mao and the headline hungry MacArthur who stayed in Japan and directed the Marines and the Army with another general who was a sycophant of his. A great read as well as very historical and the decisions made by a fine Marine general to save so many lives after rebuking MacArthur sense of reaching the border of China to grab national headlines.
I started another book of his about the seize and the battles during the Civil War era at Chattanooga. The in fighting among the generals on both sides was very evident during this campaign and Shaara brings it out as well as the harsh conditions on both sides for the soldiers. He is such a through author and puts you right in the era and events.
They all got back around 3'ish so Nancy and I took an afternoon hike on a different route. We went up the steep back trail and then down the back side road to the main road and then up to the Nymark camp ground and then back up the steep driveway; we just made a large circle and the wind chill was just very evident. In some areas we felt no wind at all and in others it just penetrated out coats and faces. It felt below freezing with the wind but the sun was shinning and the skies were blue. Winter has come to the mountains and I doubt very seriously if many leaves are left on the trees with any color. There are still many trees with green leaves or there were before this front moved in.
I harvested a couple beets from the garden and Nancy had a frozen squash casserole she had made a few days ago and along with some leftovers that made up our supper. We played a couple rounds with the dice game before retiring to the TV to watch the world series which Atlanta was winning 5-0 when I hit the shower and then read until 10'ish. Some time during the night Kathryn woke us all up with a huge bang on the floor above us and then it was being awake the rest of the night. Today Patrick arrives with his brother from Arizona until Sunday. I sure hope he doesn't bring the virus from his airplane ride to the cabin, LATER
A picture of the astroturf dropped off at the Nymark's campground and then a shot of the old Ray Todd place just across the road from the campground
