Tuesday May 31st

Well Monday was a total work day from 6 ish until dark which here in the mountains was close to 8. I don't believe I sat down more than 10 minutes at a time through out the day except to eat. The temps were beautiful with a slight breeze which made for great working outside in the gardens and yards and I did get a lot done considering I'm about half way with both.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my quiet times to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift several up by name. I posted this ramble and headed out to check on the place and get the back woods gardens in shape to plant my 8 tomato plants that were volunteers from my Florida garden as well as the other plants I brought with me. All at this time seem to be holding although I did get some wilting. It was a perfect morning for working outside until Nancy called me in for breakfast around  8:30. I had already taken my supplements with my cup of tea.

I managed to work both gardens, working up a sweat as the weeds and grasses were waist high but since I loaded them with compost last fall they were easy to work up. All I needed was a hoe and the weeds came out easy. I had two golf cart loads of weeds which I added to my compost pile as they make great nature plant food when composted. With the price of fertilizer now days every little bit helps. I worked on the porches blowing yellow pollen away from them as it tracked easily into the house. I had to wash down the porch furniture I had left on the back porch. 

I got my golf cart running but had to put the battery charger on the mower which I finally got running after supper and managed to twice mow about a third of the yards before running low on gas and daylight. After supper we worked up 4 flower beds which were at minimal for weeds as last fall I loaded these beds up with pine needled and they kept the beds almost free of grass and weeds. The beds were a little too wet to sow wild flower, zinnias and marigold seeds so we will do that today after a trip to Sparta to run some errands.

We are loving being here but there is tons of physical work which I agree with. I love being on my feet but the walk up and down this hilly yard had me whupped as I watched two innings of the Rays game then hit the shower and was off to bed by 10, LATER

Monday Morning May 30th.. Memorial Day

 Well Sunday started early with a 4 AM departure from Seminole for the cabin in the mountains of N.C. I must say I was expecting much heavier traffic than what we incurred but it was smooth sailing the entire trip. The big trucks were few and far between and of course we saw a few motorist I wish I had my ticket book with me. We got gas as low as 3.89 at Sam's Club in Pooler, GA. and then agin in Columbia, S.C. at 4.09. Nothing like what we were paying for on the open market which we did see some at 5.09  along the way. We made several stops to walk and twice at Sam's to walk and one in Columbia to stock up  on some items and then at Cracker Barrel at the foot of the mountain which took close to an hour to get our supper to go and still made in 12 hours.

Well the place was beautiful to our eyes and the smell of the mountain air with berry bushes and wild roses blooming was awesome despite the grass up to your knees and the gardens over grown. Pickle ball has toughen me up and ya'll know I love physical work so I'm ready to tackle the yards and gardens. My tomato, jalapeno pepper, Rosemary and marigolds all made it despite the extreme heat off the mountain. I had them in a bundle in wet newspaper inside a box in the cab of the truck. I soaked them in a container with some water and we will see if they make it until I get the ground ready to set them out.

We had company before we even unloaded the truck as Gerald and Kay Luffman came to visit for a few and then later in the evening our neighbors across the the way Frank and Ann came by and chatted for an hour or so. It's so beautiful here as the darkness fades into the morning light and so quiet. The dew is dripping off the roof onto the dormer and that is all the sound I hear except for the fridge. I'm looking out into the surrounding woods as I make this first post of the summer seeing wild orange Azaleas in bloom and mountain Laurel's every where. The Lilac's are gone but a few other flowers are showing some colors. It's just a different atmosphere all together and we are so thankful for this change and the delicious smell in the air is intoxicating.

Jake and Katelyn did a fantastic job on the kitchen remodel and Nancy is like a kid in a candy shop arranging every thing and gleefully saying over and over "I have so much space to fill up". He also cut down several large trees near the cabin which could cause some severe damage if blown down during one of these storms. It seems they have had some severe rain and wind over the winter but the inside of the cabin was just like we left it in November. Now the outside porches are covered in a fine yellow pine pollen which is a nuisance but a small price to pay for being away 7 months.

I want to THANK ALL who kept us in your thoughts and prayers for safe travel and all the well wishes and "ya'll will be missed in Florida" comments. It will be great to reconnect with our N.C. friends and church family, Lots to do as the morning awakens once again. We give thanks to honor our Lord and to those who served this nation so we could live to see and be a part of this story called our lives on this Memorial Day holiday, GOD BLESS AMERICA, LATER

Saturday Morning may 28th..1 day to go

Well Friday was a busy day as we started to really putting the house in order for the next 5 months. I worked outside in the yards and gardens as pickle ball was cancelled for the new summer camp program at the Rec. I did ride there around 7:30 and we got the word the gym was closed for us pickle ballers and the rest of the summer except on Thursday night and Saturday morning. I'm leaving at just the right time as playing outside in this heat is just too much, oh well. 

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected. After getting back from the Rec I went to work in the gardens tearing down my tomato plants, pepper plant and kales. I harvested nearly a 5 gallon bucket of mostly green tomato, and a gallon of jalapeno peppers  as a nice mess of kale. I bring all of these with us along with several tomato good size seedlings, jalapeno seedlings and a rosemary plant I started by a cutting as well as several marigold seedlings.

That kept me busy until lunch time then I helped with the house work as we get ready to leave in the early morning hours. There is lots of packing to do today and then Amy will cook supper for us this evening.The Tracy's invite us along with the Botbyl's to their hacienda for supper and to celebrate Kathryn's 67th birthday today. We had a Florida lobster(bugs) supper with pasta, Cole slaw and corn on the cob. Delicious and it's been years since I've had a lobster. Their daughter and husband go to the Keys each summer and harvest tons of them. We played a game of Euchre afterwards and guys whupped the gals 10-1 as Dan was on fire, LATER

I'll be away from this keyboard for a couple of days and hopefully looking out into the backwoods yard on my next post. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers for a safe uneventful trip over this memorial Day holiday.

Friday Morning May 27th..2 days to go

 Well Thursday was a busy day and a hot one once again. After lunch it's too hot to even think about working outside but the morning was pleasant. I started the day out with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord and give thanks and lift several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected. I headed out around 7:30 on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball and left with a wet shirt and whupped. I came back and piddled around in the gardens hand watering and the headed out to run some errands and get a hair cut all before lunch time. 

After a lunch of some leftovers I headed in to make some calls to turn on our service for the internet and TV at the cabin and to shut off the same service here on Sunday. I then settled into a Vince Flynn book for the next couple hours until close to supper time. The Ross Family was coming for supper as we finally get to celebrate Amy's birthday. Nancy had a pot roast with smashed taters, asparagus, carrots from the garden and a salad as well as a chocolate cake with white icing which is my favorite; but I passed as I'm off desserts until November. Everything was delicious and we have enough to freeze and eat when we get to the cabin Sunday evening. We will be so busy getting things in order plus we have no kitchen set up so we can microwave the leftovers.

We settled into the Ray's vs Yankees game and they were losing when I headed in to shower around 9'ish. We got a lot accomplished and since we aren't having anymore company I can get the luggage and coolers down from the attic and we can begin to pack. We are going to the Tracy's for supper tonight with the Botbyl's and then to Amy's on Saturday. We will take anything we don't plan on taking to the cabin food wise for them. It's time to get ready for some cooler temps although it's supposed to be in the low 80's for the highs next week. I spoke with a customer rep in the mountains and she had the heat on as it was raining and cool, LATER

Thursday Morning May 26th..3 days to go

 Well we have been away from this keyboard the last couple of days as we spent those day staying at our son'a place in Brandon with his wife and 4 kiddos. It was a great fun time with some fine eatin' and of course the reason was to celebrate the graduation's of Annsley and Gabriel. Annsley will leave Belle Shoals Academy as they stop at grade 8 so she will go to a public school and Gabriel will stay at the academy but go into the 6th grade middle school. We are both so proud of their achievements coming from having two mons and dads which can be terrible but the step mom and dad's in their broken families are especially, with Katie who is fantastic. Ken seems to be a nice guy when ever we meet. The grands on the other side of family are some what different towards us but do attend the many events the kids are involved with.

We had such a fun time with the twins and they love to mimic and show us all of their talents. So much fun and they are talking like jay birds. Huck is fearless while Ryder is more cautious when it comes to swimming and jumping into the pool. They are both energetic and I do believe Ryder has a photographic memory. Huck is much more vocal and does like playing alone at times. Ryder is left handed and Huck is right handed. They are so funny and at times so lovingly and both love grandma's cookies. 

We got back to the house around 2'ish after a stop at Sam's to gas up at 4.30 a gallon. Across the street it was 4.59 so it was worth it to stop plus we had to pick some items for Amy's birthday dinner tonight. It was truly one of the hottest days of the year and just miserable to be outside in the brilliant sunshine. We need rain and some cooler temps. We met the Nymark's at Outback for supper and had a good visit. They are selling their house and everything inside it and will move into their house on Amy and Tyler's street sometime in the next couple of months. We will also see them in the mountains at various times this summer as well.

We did not sleep well at Bobby's for various reasons so after our showers I watched the ending of the Ray's game which they barely won in the last innings and then hit the sack. I awaken a couple times due to Nancy's snoring and thinking about all the projects I need to do before heading out early Sunday morning, LATER

Tuesday Morning May 24th...5 days to go

Well Monday was another hot and humid day except the morning hour wasn't too bad but after 10'ish yikes did it ever get uncomfortable to be outside for very long. I started the day with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up by name. All are holding at this time. I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec for a work out on the pickle ball court. I left with a wet shirt and whupped.

I headed home to piddle around in the yards and gardens; hand watering and chopping some weeds as I get the garden ready to go fallow until November. I did some shrubbery trimming as I get the yard ready for the Ross grand kiddos to mow for me this summer. They will earn some money keeping my yard mowed and edged while we are gone.

After lunch Nancy took off to see her skin doctor as she had a couple bumps she wanted looked at before we head out. All seems well and can wait until she gets back to get them burned off. We did some packing and cleaning out some cabinets and then I read until supper time.

 After the clean up we settled into the Fox news until the Lightning came on TV and it was a wild game with the Lightning knocking off the Panthers who were at one time the best team in our division in straight games with a score of 2-0. Great game and now they will have a few days to rest and get ready for their next opponent in the best of 7 games. The Ray's were off last night. We travel over to Brandon this morning for Annsley's graduation and will spend the night at Bobby's and then attend Gabe's graduation Wednesday morning and then come home. I'll be away from this keyboard tomorrow, LATER

Monday Morning May 23rd..6 days to go

Well Sunday was a great day of worship that ended with tears as we said good bye to our BridgePoint Family until hopefully next November. Another couple are leaving next Sunday for good as they move to Tennessee so we will probably not see them again except on Facebook. There were lots of hugs and even our group of volunteers laid hands on us and prayed over us for safe travels and our return in the fall. We also had tears for our campus pastor Bryan who is leaving BridgePoint for a full time preaching position  in Maryland. He has been excellent and I can see why he took that position as he is gifted speaker.

We did get to reconnect with the Nymark's who just got back from the cruise we were to accompany them on to Alaska but covid put a stop to that. We will get together for a supper this coming week as they are busy selling their house and are closing on the 6th of June. They will come to the mountains later in the  month of June and then through out the summer as they are travelers.

After lunch I settled into the Lightning hockey game and then the Ray's game. The Bolts won again and now with another win move on to the 3rd round towards the finals for the Stanley Cup. The Rays were less than impressive as they lost again in extra innings after several errors in the field against a team they usually beat, oh well,

This week we will be staying over night at Bobby's to attend graduations of both Annsley and Gabe and then we have our last family dinner on Thursday evening for Amy's birthday, plus we will be packing and cleaning out fridges and freezers. I'm going to play as much pickle ball as I can because I doubt it the gang in the mountains are back to playing, LATER

Sunday Morning May 22nd..7 days to go

Well Saturday was a fun filled day as I got in some pickle ball and then a supper with son Bobby and both twins, Ryder and Huck. There were plenty of rain clouds around which helped to hold the heat out but no rain.

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time with my Lord giving thanks and lifting up several by name. All are holding as I make this post. I headed out on my bike around 8 for the Rec and a great workout with a mixture of A and B pickle ball players. I left with a wet shirt as I didn't lose throughout the morning with several different caliber of players. I came back after stopping off to hand water a neighbors garden and then to water my own garden and whats left of it.

We decided to have a late breakfast as we had some taters left over to fry along with some sausage patties and eggs. We are eating down the fridge. That held us until suppertime when we ate early around 5. Nancy wanted to watch the Preakness horse race and that was on TV for a couple hours. Bobby came with the boys around 3'ish and we had such a good time playing with them; of course they immediately wanted grandma's cookies. We played outside until it got to sticky from the humidity and I grilled peppers and onions along with marinated chicken breast for our supper. We also had some Jasmine rice and black beans and a garden salad. The eatin' was exceptional and so was the Pinot.

Bobby gave the boys a bath after supper and left around 7'ish which is their usual bed time. They still sleep 12 hours a night and a good 2 hour nap in the afternoon. They eat hardy and are opposites when it comes to meat and veggies. Huck likes his veggies and Ryder his meat. They eat both but one will clean out his plate before the other. They are just too smart and now their big thing is seeing matches such as cars with same colors. Their vocabulary is unreal for a 2 1/2 year old.

Well after they left and we put the house back in order we settled into the Rays game and they beat the Orioles after losing to them the night before in 13 inning when they had the game won but let it slip away on bad pitching after going up by 2 runs in extra innings. Today Sunday will be our last Sunday at BridgePoint until next November. It will be a sad day as we say our goodbye's jut like when we do the same in the mountains at Cornerstone Church. The Lightning play back to back games here in Tampa this afternoon and tomorrow night. Hopefully we can close out this series and not go back to Miami, LATER

sad shark Ryder

Saturday Morning May 21st...8 days to go

 Well this month is just moving right along and we are just over a week to go until we are on the road for the cabin. It was extremely hot there on Friday at 85 and even the 90's off the mountain which is rare, hotter than here as we reached the middle 80's. I'm sure this is an anomaly. 

I started the day with my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift up several. The Ross household will soon be over their quarantine from the covid and we will celebrate next week Amy's birthday. I headed out in the truck as storms were on the horizon to the Rec for 2 hours of pickle ball play. It was a good workout with a mixture of A and B players and I left with a wet shirt. We did get a down pour and even lost power for a few at the Rec due to a lightning strike near by.

When I got home Nancy and I ran some errand before lunch then after lunch I read the afternoon away. I did have to hand water the neighbors garden and mine before dark as the ground dried out quickly. It was leftovers from the night before supper and it was delicious once again. After the clean up we settled into the Fox news before the Ray's game came on TV. They eventually in 13 innings loss to Baltimore in their city, LATER

Friday Morning May 20th...9 days to go

Well Thursday was our daughters 39th birthday and she is recouping from a mild case of covid at home with just the family. We will celebrate next week before we head out unless some one else comes down with the virus. It's been more like a sinus cold than anything else. Nancy made a special supper for them and we stood apart in the yard after delivering it to them and wished everyone well.

I started the day with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All are holding as of now. I headed out around 7:30 on my bike to the Rec for 2 hours of non stop pickle ball play with all A players. Wow what great play and my shirt was soaking. My stamina is great once again but the shoulders still bother me at night time when trying to sleep on my sides. They are getting some what better but I'm hoping to find my ultra sound machine and give them some daily treatments. I'm starting to believe there is either a nerve pinched or its bursitis, oh well I can still function.

I mowed the yards when I got back from pickle ball hand and then hand watering both the Botbyl's yard and ours. It was a hot one with temps in the upper 80's and tons of humidity. After lunch I headed in to read the afternoon away and cat napped. I'll have to do that on the back porch at the cabin and cat nap sitting up, oh well. It was down right hot there with temps in the low 80's which is usually only a few days in the middle of summer.

Well we tuned in to the second game between the Lightning and the Panthers hockey game and the Bolts won with 4 seconds to go in regulation. They will have a 2 game lead in the best of 7 games to move on in the pursuit of the cup. The Ray's were off today, LATER

Thursday Morning May 19th .10 days to go

 Well to day 39 years ago our precious daughter Amy Leigh came into this world and our family was complete. With already a son Bobby and now Amy we decided to not have any more children and they both have been such a blessing and they have given us 7 beautiful grand children. We are blessed beyond measure. Too bad Amy contracted a slight covid illness as it seems like a sinus infection and we will not be celebrating her birthday this week with all of the family. Hopefully if no one else in the family other than Ava come down with it we can celebrate. We certainly do not want to head out with the virus.

I started Wednesday out much the normal with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with my quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name. All is holding but I fear for America as we once knew her with this inept and corrupt administration running her. The end times are coming true as predicted in the Bible.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for a couple hours of pickle ball. It wasn't nearly as good of play with mostly B players but I did get in a good work out and left with a wet shirt. I came home and piddled around in the garden and the yards as I want to get as much done as possible this week. Next week will be packing and putting the inside in order for our 5 month stay at the cabin.

Nancy was busy shopping for Amy's family and baking cookies which she took over after lunch. I chilled for a couple hours reading another Vince Flynn novel which has some historical events. He is a great writer with tons of action and really a man's book. The Ray's came on TV after lunch so I watched it and they won again as their bats have come to life. The Lightning play tonight in Miami and lets hope we can come back to Tampa with 2 wins which would really help in our desire to 3 peat the Cup, LATER

Wednesday Morning May 18th...11 days to go

Well Tuesday started out very nice with a beautiful morning, lots of sunshine and moderate temps until the afternoon when the heat and humidity reared its ugly head. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected except now daughter Amy has come down with a mild strain of covid obviously passed down from Ava. The whole family is quarantined so we will not be having Amy's birthday dinner this weekend.

I had a 9 AM final doctor's appointment with the chest/pulmonary doctor and was cleared from their care unless I needed to be seen in the future. Thank You GOD for saving me along with all of these folks and their care. I'm almost back to where I was before covid hit me hard and nearly took me out permanently. I'm still having some shoulder issues but managing to sleep on my back which helps during the night. I'm back working and playing and trying to stay active as well as lose a pound or two.

We ran some errands and then took a long bike ride just before lunch since I missed playing on the courts during the morning hours. After a lunch of salad I headed in to read the afternoon away until suppertime. My neighbor Andrew who is quite the deep sea fisherman blessed us last week with a snapper and grouper fillets and Nancy fried them up. My oh my were they ever delicious for supper. After the cleanup we settled into the Rays and the Lightning games and both were winners.

We did face time with Sheri and Steve on their trip to Alaska and saw Denali in the back ground. It was covered in snow and there was some snow still laying on the ground. We should have been on that trip but covid ruined that event, LATER

Tuesday Morning May 17th 12 days to go

Well Monday was rather nice to start the day with no humidity and very moderate temps until lunch time when all that changes with the hot sunshine and uncomfortable to be outside. I started the day much the usual routines of quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift up several by name. Keep our grand daughter Ava in your prayers as she has contracted covid but she is handling it well. The whole family is quarantined until Wednesday so no school for anyone towards the end of the school year. I'm sure they will all pass as they can do most work on line except for Eliza.

I headed out a little before 8 to the Rec on my bike for a good 2 hour workout and the a stop at the library on the way home for another Vince Flynn book. I'm reading a book every other day as he is that good of a writer. It's too hot to do any thing outside after lunch so I read and nap. That will soon change when we get to the cabin as there is usually not nap time unless its in the rocking chair on the back porch. No laying around on the bed; of course there is always something to do and we will have plenty of work to do before the Ross Family arrives on the 4th of June with Rocky. We will dog sit him for about 2 weeks as they head to Kansas to visit Tyler's family.

I harvested a couple egg plant for our supper and I must say this recipe is the best ever for egg plant parmesan. Delicious and we have enough for another meal. After the clean up we settled in to the Ray's game and they loss by a run against a team they should have beat; but their pitching  by the bull pen once again let them down, LATER

Monday Morning May 16th...13 days to go

 Well Sunday turned out to be another beautiful morning with moderate temps but by late afternoon the heat and humidity was back. I started the day much the usual despite it being Sunday morning with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to give thanks and to honor my Lord as well as lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected.

We headed off to BridgePoint Church around 8:30 and helped where we were short staffed in a few areas but did worship together. Several of our close friends were missing but we saw some we hadn't seen in awhile and many new faces as well. The message was awesome as was the praise music. We headed out after the service and headed home. I hand watered the gardens and parts of the yard until lunch time when we decided to use a coupon we got in mail for Panda Express which is Chinese style fast food. The food was very tasty and held me the rest of the day. We had chicken, shrimp and beef in mixtures of fried rice, noodles and fresh veggies all for what we normally pay for one meal at Outback and it was in a showcase which you choose from. I would do it again as it was that good.

After lunch and the cleanup I headed in to read until the Ray's game came on around 1:30. They beat the Blue Jays from Toronto 3-0 and 2 out of 3 games in the best of the series. It was not a good week for the Toronto teams as the Maple Leafs got knocked out of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Lightning. Let's hope both of these Tampa Bay teams continue on their winning streak. 

I skipped any supper as I was still digesting the lunch except for a glass of red vino which I believe is healthy. So I read until 8 and then tuned into the WILD WEST show which is and historical show starting in America after the Civil War. It deals with the recession in the 1870's about corruption by the rail roads, the James Gang and how Jesse was causing havoc on the rail roads and bank robbery and the Indian Wars all under the presidency of Grant. Very informative with some actual footage of back in the period. 

I called it a day around 10'ish. On another note we found out Ava Mae our oldest grand child has developed covid which maybe the reason she has been under the weather since her fall and striking her head in gym class. It doesn't seem bad but we hope we are immune as she has been around us, LATER

Sunday Morning MaY 15th...14 days to go

 Well yesterday was an awesome day of family fun and get togethers that started when we left the house at 8AM for Tampa to attend grandson Sam's competition on the mats with hundreds of other Juijitsu players. Sam did a great  job of competing on a higher level than his age and experience and came home with 3 medals one being a gold. He had 6 matches throughout the morning and won 3 out of 6 which was awesome. It was tiring while watching him compete against most who were larger in size and whose skill levels were better; but he was tenacious in his fights.

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my morning routines that start with some quite time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift up several by name. All seem well as can be expected. Instead of heading out on my bike to the Rec we got ready to head out to the USF campus in Tampa and be there by 9. We stayed there until 1:30 watching Sam compete along with hundreds of other matches. I was surprised at how many young girls compete in this sports and against boys as well. Many of the matches were with real young players and those were more regulated due to their ages. Several older adults where seen on several of the 20 or so mats competing all at the same time. It was a busy event to say the least and Sam's wrestled on the same mat but at different times through the time we were there so we could stay in the area all the while standing.

We got a call on the way there from Bobby to see if we were available for supper as he had purchased food for another family and they had to cancel due to illness; so we accepted as we had nothing else planned and then spent the afternoon and early evening with them. Annsley and Gabe were there so we had fun with them and the twins plus a delicious supper of turkey burgers with Bobby's special recipe. We ate around 6ish or so then left for Seminole after the twins went down for the night at 7. We got home and saw where the Lightning were up one goal in this elimination game with the Maple Leafs.

It was a hard fought game and the Lightning held on to a one goal lead and finally the win in Toronto to go into the next round against the Florida Panthers. They are the best team overall in our division as was the Maple Leafs the second best team. Lets hope we can pull out another win in this second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, LATER

Saturday Morning May 14th... 15 days to go

 Well Friday was another gorgeous day with very little humidity and moderate temps. The morning was excellent much like a Carolina morning. I could get use to morning like this and we will in a couple of weeks. I started the day well before 6 as I wake up around 5'ish thinking of all I need to do before leaving and what needs to be done when we get to the cabin. I did my quiet times honoring my Lord, giving thanks and lifting up several by name. All seem well as I make this post. I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec for and hour and half of pickle ball. Today it was mostly B players but I worked up a sweat as I'm getting back into shape. I've dropped about 4 pounds thus far with no sweets except some dark chocolate thats 70% cocoa which is great for the prostrate. Its not really sweet but I'm having a couple ounces daily for medicinal purposes. I'm trying to lose some weight by staying away from baked goodies, desserts and eating less, so far so good.

I stopped off at the library to return a book before heading home to work outside for an hour or so hand watering the gardens what is left of it and the grasses. The tomato plants have really slowed down but I do have several green tomato's I think I will bring with us to the mountains along with a couple seedlings. I harvested a really nice egg plant and have several more on the plant to give away. The jalapeno's plant is producing and I'll bring several of them along as well.

After lunch I settled in reading the afternoon away. Amy came by with Ava and Eliza for a short visit. We are heading over to Tampa this Saturday morning to watch Sam compete in a jiu jitsu tournament. He quite capable and is tough as nails and loves the competition. Tyler was a wrestler in high school and helps Sam with his love of the sport.

The Lightning won on Thursday night in overtime and now moves into the final game against the Maple Leafs tonight. They are in Canada for this final game to see who moves on in the next best of 7 games. Hockey is one tough sport with real athletes compared to football and baseball players. I love watching the game but have never played it, LATER

Friday Morning May 13th...16 days to go

Well Thursday started out with almost perfect weather conditions with temps in the 60's and by the late afternoon in the middle 80's. Almost no humidity for a change and a stiff breeze made it very comfortable. I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up by name. All seem well as can be expected. 

I headed out around 7'ish for the Rec for over two hours of constant pickle ball play winning most of my games with different partners. Great play and I left with a wet shirt and worn out around 10'ish. I made a stop off at the library on my way home for a new Flynn book. I sure hope the library in Sparta has his books which I'm sure they do. He is such a great writer and keeps you so interested with his some what historical novels.

I worked in the garden until lunch time then settled in to doing some honey do jobs. Afterwards it was read time until supper time. We had frozen some smoked ribs from one of our family dinners and they were delicious, so next time I smoke ribs at the cabin I'll do and extra rack and freeze them. They were that delicious and tasted as if I smoked them that day.

We spoke with our mountain mom and she is doing a little better with her knees and legs  Now she is going to try some CBD oil for her pain which we hope helps with her issues. I know it helped my uncle for years before he passed and there is a friend who grows the stuff in Elkin and makes gummies.

After watching the news we watched the Lightning game which came on at 7:30. It was a tie going into overtime and if they lost they were out until next season. I need to check the scores. Well that was about it for the day, LATER

Thursday Morning May 12th 17 days to go

 Well here we are with the end of the week approaching and we are just a few days over two weeks to go before we pack up and head out for the cabin. We are doubly excited plus we got a call from our old friends the Hamptons yesterday wondering if we were back in the mountains. We had a nice long chat and while they both are aging and have some health issues they want to get together this summer.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected. I headed out before 8 on my bike to the Rec on this beautiful morning for close to two hours of pickle ball play. I came back and worked in the yards and garden getting them ready for the months we will be away. The vines that grow on the side yard fence is a chore for Amy and Tyler so I cut them back to the ground. They will be back to the top of the fence by the time we get back in November. I also buried more weeds and cutting in the ground to give the worms some food over the summer as well.

I worked outside until lunch when we decided to have a bowl of the left over Zuppa soup which was even better than when first had eaten it. Nancy found a ribeye steak in the freezer we had brought back from the cabin and pan fried it for supper along with fresh carrots from my garden; both were delicious. After the cleanup we tuned into the Fox news channel and Tucker was so right on with his commentary that it left me depressed to say the least, about why we are sending aid to Ukraine and not assisting the middle class of America.  Babies are with out formula and yet we are sending billions to a country that paid corrupt Biden's son millions. Disgusting.

I headed in the bedroom to watch the Ray's blow a lead in the late innings but it was still tied when I shut the lights off at !0, LATER

Wednesday Morning May 11th...18 days to go

 Well Tuesday was a mixture of fun and doctors appointments as I played pickle ball in the early morning and then after lunch I was at the VA for two different visits. I started the day out much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my daily routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up by name. I headed out at 7:30 to the Rec for two hours or so of pickle ball with all good  players. I left whupped with a wet shirt.

Nancy was off shopping so I piddled around in the gardens before heading in to check e-mails and read until lunch. We had a garden salad  with the rest of the tater salad from Sunday's meal.I did harvest a huge mess of kale from the one plant that is still growing despite the heat. The tomato's are still plentiful but not ripening as before. The green onions and the jalapeno peppers are ready for harvesting on a daily basis. I should have plenty of green tomato's to bring to the cabin and slowly ripen them in the basement. We spoke with Jake briefly after supper and he was out checking on the cabin and removing some of the wood from the trees he sawed down for his water stove. The grass is green and the lilacs were blooming something we never get to see. They have had some rather old morning but the afternoons are delightful.

Nancy made a huge pot of Zuppa soup using my fresh harvested kale. We just love this soup and have enough leftover for another meal or two. We tuned into the Fox news after the cleanup and this potus Biden is completely inept as well as his staff and so unAmerican. It makes me cringe to think what those who hate this country are no longer foreign but domestic folks. The LEFT is doing all it can to destroy the constitution and our freedoms and liberties all for a socialist state.

I tuned into the Lightning game and they took an early lead but let it slip away in the last period. Hopefully theu will win the next game on Thursday or its all over for them this year, LATER

Tuesday Morning May 10th ...19 days to go

 Well Monday was a no pickle ball day as I had my health check up with my new doctor. All of my blood work was good except the total cholesterol was 217 and he wanted to put me on a pill because my LDL was elevated. I made him a promise to lose 10 pound by November which he thinks caused this to occur as I'm 10 to 15 pounds over my normal weight which has been around 180. I need to stay away from fried foods and beef which I have been doing more plus desserts and sweets. He was amazed I had recovered from the covid pneumonia as well as the blood clots so quickly. I still have to stay on the Eliquis which is a blood thinner probably for the rest of my life, oh well.

I headed to Sam's to fill up at 4.08 a gallon and to get salt for the softner and drinks for the grand's when they come to mow my yards this summer. I got back around lunch time and we ate just a salad. We both need to lose a few pounds and I'm determine to get the cholesterol down below 200 and increase my HDL by the time we get back to Florida in November. It was another hot humid day here and I'm ready for some cool morning and fresh air which is happening at the cabin.

I took a nice long several miles bike ride to get some exercise around 3'ish when we started to get a breeze and then came back and hand watered the gardens. The tomato's are still producing with lots of green ones which I will take to the mountains. I have lots of small marigold seedlings coming up in the garden as well as several volunteer tomato's seedlings. We cleaned up the leftover deer burgers and a hot dog for supper which were awesome. I'm hoping neighbor Gerald will clean out his last year ground deer from his freezer when we get there as its superb in taste and so much better for you than beef.

Well that was about it for the day as we settled into the Fox channel with Jesse and Tucker. The Left is going bananas with the thought of the abortions rights heading back to the states where the folks will decide if this is right for them. The dem's are so extreme in their marxist thinking to destroy this nation and our culture, LATER

No pics until we can figure out why when Nancy got a new phone we can no longer transfer them to my blog.

Monday Morning May 9th...20 days to go

Well Mothers Day found us with a house full of family all except for Gabe and Annsley. It was a grand time with tons of food, fun and we made it a luncheon so Katie could have dinner with her mom in Brandon.

I started the day out much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up by name. All seem to be holding and we even spoke with our mountain mom later in the evening and she did go to the E.R. for her leg. Seems she is missing some nutrients which is causing her some discoloration of one leg. She sounded up beat. I headed off to BridgePoint by myself as Nancy was still having some tummy issues so she stayed home and listened to worship services on line. We had a good crowd at church and the message was right on and very inspiring. We have two more Sunday's before we leave for the mountains and will miss our dear friends at BridgePoint.

I came home and did a few chores as we waited for Bobby and family to arrive around 12:30. Amy's family came shortly after and then Betsy and Gus came a few afterwards as well. I grilled both deer and hamburgers along with some dogs and we had corn on the cob, tatter salad and tatter tot's for the kiddos along with a regular salad and tons of finger foods while the burgers grilled. We had cheesecake and flourless cake for desserts. The twins entertained us with their drum playing and of course they wanted "granma's cookies". Eliza is like a little mother to them as are Ava and Sam. They had the twins outside after lunch letting them play with their balls.

It was a fun day as always with family and we missed Anns and Gabe as they were at their mom's and the Ross kiddos missed them as well. We will have one more family dinner before we go as we will celebrate Amy's 39th birthday in the coming days, LATER

Sunday Morning May 8th...21 days to go

 Well Saturday started with my well before 6 roll out to my morning routines that start with some quiet time to give thanks, honor my Lord and lift up several by name. All is well as can be expected. I headed out on my bike at 8 to the Rec for a couple hours of pickle ball and got in a good workout on the court. I headed home around 10'ish and since it had rained over night and then again later in the day I didn't have to water the gardens, so I read until lunch time. Nancy was off shopping at Publix again as we get ready for the family after church to celebrate a Mother's Day luncheon.

We called our mountain mom Helen and wished her the best but she told us her one leg was showing some dark color and that she needed to see a doctor if that doesn't change shortly. I don't think she is getting enough exercise due to the pain in her knees. She is 95 and is usually spry and on the go but has slowed down considerably this past year. We were heading up to the Botbyl's at 4 for a get together with them and the Tracy's for the Derby and an and early supper so we ate lite for lunch. The lasagna was delicious along with a salad Nancy brought and of course tons of finger foods to start with. The Tracy's had to leave early as they were baby sitting their grand son so we started watching the pre race when Nancy began feeling bloated from something so we headed home.

Betsy came by just as the horses were loading the starting gate and watched the race which turned out to have a horse that barely made the lineup the day before and win the race at 80-1 odds. Wow, I think this horse made history and it was full of energy after winning as well. I read the rest of the evening until shower time and watched a little of the Rays game in Seattle. They were winning by a run when I cut the TV off at 10'ish, LATER

Saturday Morning May 7th....22 days to go

Well the heat and humidity showed itself once again which is customary for Florida this time of the year and then right up until the end of September. The mountains are also getting some heat as the temps were well into the upper 70's. I'll take the highs in the mountains which were the lows for the start of today. I started the day with a well before 6 roll out to my morning routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name. All seem well as I make this post.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec around 8 for a good hour plus work out then headed home to mow the yards and piddle around in the gardens until lunch time. The couple of rain showers have really started the grass growing season and it's starting to green up. Nancy was off on her bike ride which is much easier on her but is giving her some exercise which she needs to help get by in shape to hike the mountain in about 3 weeks. We are getting so excited to see the cabin and the remodeling our friend Jake has done to the kitchen and then our new handmade table as well.

I read the afternoon away as I started a new Flynn book titled CONSENT TO KILL. It's definitely a page turner and when you read the books in order it's telling a story or a biography of the main character called Mitch Rapp. There is a lot of modern political history only the names are different. 

I headed out around 5 'ish to grill a couple marinated chicken breast and Nancy was boiling some home grown taters from garden that I had started from potato peeling. All you need is a peeling with an eye or a bud and it will grow. We had taters' from the garden along with a green onion and a jalapeno pepper from the garden to top them off. Delicious.

After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News channel and then the Lightning game vs the Maple Leafs came on and it was a repeat of the first game with them beating us only it was a close game until the end when we pulled our goalie. It's the best of 7 games and we are down 2-1.The Ray's won the night before in Seattle after a 9'ish start. I'll check the scores later but hope they pulled off another win. It looked rather cold there as everyone was with coats on, LATER

Friday Morning May 6th ..23 days to go

 Well this week has just flown by and so has this month. We are having a big Mother's Day luncheon here on Sunday with all the family so we are getting ready for that and then a Kentucky Derby party on Saturday at the Botbyl's again with some fine eatin' among friends. We continue with our departure count down to the cabin.

I started Thursday out with a well before 6 roll out to my morning routines that start with some quiet moments to give thanks and lift up several by name and to honor my Lord. All is well except I did lose an old friend I knew before I met Nancy who passes away. He was a couple years my senior and a stand up man. I'm still friends with a couple of his kiddos. Other than Ed's passing everyone else seems to be doing fine. I headed out around 7:30 for the Rec on my bike for a good two hour workout will all A players. I worked up a good sweat and was whupped when I headed home after a stop at the library for another Vince Flynn book.

I piddled around outside in the garden and yards until lunch time then settled into reading the afternoon away. It's really starting to become hot and humid until about 5'ish in the evening when the sea breeze makes it quite comfortable to be outside. Nancy baked a salmon filet accompanied by some fresh asparagus for our supper. I had an apple with some peanut butter for lunch and a can of V-8 for my breakfast. I'm trying to drop a couple pounds before we head out in 3 weeks or so. It's really been a tough job to do but I'm determine to do it before I get to the mountains. I don't need to carry this extra 10 pounds up and down the hiking trail as well as up and down the yards, LATER

Thursday Morning May 5th... 24 days to go

 Well this week is just rolling along and so did yesterday. I started the day with my usual well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments to give thanks, honor my Lord and lift up several by name. All seem as well as possible due to ages and health issues. Today should have been the day we leave with our friends for the Alaskan cruise but covid destroyed that, but I'm alive and doing as well as can be expected. I'm back on the pickle ball 5 days a week although I did take yesterday off to give the shoulders a rest. They are still giving me some aches at night from my earlier fall when I blacked out. I'm hoping they will eventually heal but I'm able to use them and it seems they are doing a little better. I did take a long bike ride and then a short hike with Nancy around the hood.

I piddled around in the gardens and yards until lunch time and then read most of the afternoon away until the Ray's came on at 3:30. I watched the game being played out in Oakland and the Ray's won with a sweep of the A's. We finished up some leftovers for supper and then the Lightning game came on and I watched that until after 10'ish They too won over the Maple Leafs who beat them bad on Monday. They come back to Tampa on Friday night in the best of 7 games. That was about it for the day, LATER

Wednesday Morning May 4th...25 days to go

Well Tuesday followed the usual morning path and routines with a well before 6 roll out to my quiet times to honor my Lord and give thanks ,while lifting up several by name for healing and then off to the the Rec for a couple hours of good pickle ball play with all A players. I played well winning most all of the sets with different partners,  needless to say by the time I allotted for play I was whupped and headed home on my bike. The morning was starting to heat up by 10 so I piddled around outside in the gardens and yards hand watering and turning over some weeds. 

We stayed in after a lite lunch as Nancy got in her morning walk through the hood when I got home and then she stopped to visit the Botbyl's on her way home. I ate some cheese and crackers as I knew we were meeting the Nymark's at Outback eatery at 5. They are both back for a couple days then head out to Vancouver for their boarding on a ship to several ports in Alaska. We should be going with them but for covid which changed all of our plans and nearly did me in. They have to jump through many hoops with the Canadians to just get on board the ship, some of which my doctors advised me not to do like getting the shots. Not only do I not trust the vaccine but not the mandate as well.

We had a grand time catching up with them and what Steve is doing to improve his property. He took some pics of our place and its looking good and that Jake is sawing up the down trees for his use in his water stove. We are getting excited that he will be up for a couple weeks after we get there and before Sheri arrives over the summer with the grands.

We came back to the house and played the best of 3 games of Euchre which is fast and fun to play and for a change the guys won 2 out of 3 on the last hand. They headed out before dark as they were still packing for their trip of two weeks, LATER

Tuesday Morning May 3rd ..26 days to go

 Well Monday was much like every other day as I rolled out well before 6 to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord and give thanks for another day. I headed out to the Rec before 8 for an hour and half of pickle ball and then stopped by the library for a new Flynn book I had ordered and then pedaled home on my bike. I was whupped. I piddled around in the gardens hand watering and tuning over some weeds and dying plants. I'll soon take out all of the plants and cover the garden with oak leaves.

Nancy took off to run some errands before lunch and I read until she got back and we had a lunch of leftovers. She wanted to run a couple more errands so we took off around 2 and when we got back our old friend DJ Carlson was in the neighborhood checking on houses as he now works for Bobby and Offerpad. He came in for a visit for a few and we caught up on all thats going on with his 3 girls. The oldest is married to an Army captain and in New York and they have a little girl. The other two girls are in the medical field and both are still single. He and Jenny live not far from us in N.C. and yearly come up for the day for supper and a visit.

After DJ left I settled into reading again and Nancy into the Waltons until supper time. She made zucchini boats using ground pork and they were delicious with some marinara sauce over them and some pasta on the side. After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News and then into the Lightning first game of 7 against the Maple Leafs. I turned it off after the second period and Leafs were whupping the Bolts 4-0 and turned on the Ray's game who were winning in Oakland, Calif. when I shut the lights off a little 10, Oh well LATER

Monday Morning May 2nd....27 days to go

 Well Sunday was another great day of worship with our BridgePoint Family and we are now just a few  Sunday meetings to go until we reunite with our Cornerstone Family in Sparta. We are so blessed to be a part of great folks whom we dearly love in both places and they love the Lord. We attended the 9 AM service and since one of our ushers was away on vacation I filled in for him. We have such a great group of volunteers each week and who love serving the community.

We came back and I hand watered the gardens despite the rain we had on Saturday. The soil is so sandy here and drains quickly plus the garden is winding down due to the heat. I'm still getting some onions, egg plants, jalapeno peppers, carrots, tomato's and some kale but everything else is dying or is dead. I'll soon clear everything out the last week we are here and get the garden covered with oak leaves for the worms to digest over the next 5 months.

We settled into the Ray's game after a lunch of garden salad which was delicious but the game was a bust. It seems a different team shows up each game and they were bombarded 9-0 when I turned the game off and read the afternoon until suppertime. The finale score was 9-3. It's such a shame as the stands were packed with followers and for them to play so bad. There was an error on the first play which let to the other team scoring 5 runs in the first innings, oh well. We finished up the delicious zucchini pie for our supper.

Well that was about it as we watched a new show on the ROKU TV called ultimate cowboy with Trace Adkins the host. It was fun to watch and even Nancy gave into watch it with me, LATER

Sunday Morning May 1st... 28 days to go

 Well we finally got more rain during the day on Saturday and the heat abated with the rain clouds prevalent through out the day. I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, giving thanks and lifting several up by name. All seems as well as can be expected. I headed out a little before 8 on my bike to the Rec for a good workout on the pickle ball court and got back to the house a little before 10. We decided to have a mountain breakfast for a change with ham, eggs and grits. I added a jalapeno pepper and a tomato to mine and it held us until a cheese and cracker snack around 2'ish. We were going to Amy's for a birthday dinner for Ava at 5'ish which was grilled flank steak, pasta, Brussel sprouts, garden salad and some tatter tots for the kiddo's and a chocolate cake with white icing. ALL was delicious and twins loved the candles on the cake and singing to Ava.

Bobby was under the weather with a tummy ache so he didn't eat much but everyone else chowed down and had a grand time as we celebrated Ava's 15th birthday. She is now taller than her mom and almost as tall as Nancy. We had a grand time playing with the twins and they were a delight entertaining us with their antics. Eliza is like a mother hen to them and she truly loves being with them. We all were together for the first time since Easter. Annsley has hit a growth spurt as well and is slowly closing the gap on her height with Ava. Sam and Gabe are pals and are both about the same in height.

We stayed until close to 8:30 then headed home. Bobby and his gang left around 8'ish for Brandon and had the twins in their PJ's as it was past their regular bedtime. Well we are off to BridgePoint this morning for worship at the 9 AM service. We got work from sister Dee that sister Pat's husband is in the hospital with some heart issues so keep Keith in your thoughts and prayers. He has other health issues but this seems to be a new issue, LATER