Wednesday Morning August 31st..Goodbye Summer here in the mountains

 Well Tuesday started out rather nice with tons of sunshine and blue skies and off the mountain a bit on the warm side. It was in the low 80's in Galax, Va. as we shopped at Wally World (Walmart)for some goodies, during the middle part of the day as we spent at least 3 hours or more on that trip. We left at 10 and it was after 1 before getting home.

I started the day out much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD and give thanks for another day and lift up several. All are holding as I make this post and I finished up my talk with GOD on my solo hike to then top of the mountain in the cool of the morning. I checked all of the gardens and harvested a few tomato's that are turning finally but I'm still waiting on the morning glories to bloom.

After getting back from town where we made a gas stop at 3.49 a gallon and haircut for me I dropped Nancy off at Walmart and headed to Lowes for some pelletized lime but they were out until sometime next month as is Walmart with many of their items. Nancy was so surprised at their loss of usual items one of which is her brand of coffee, oh well. We watched the rain that was forecasted for after lunch precede us home along the mountain.We had just a dusting until later on in the evening when it sounded like a good soaking rain instead of a gully washer. We actually needed a nice rain as its been a few days. I emptied my rain barrel yesterday as it was full from past rains in the flower and vegetable beds.

I headed up to check on Bertie's golf cart after lunch but her battery was just too dead to revive with the battery charger so I took it out for her to replace when she next comes back to her cabin in a week or so. She doesn't use the golf cart much to keep it charged and it sat outside in her shed all winter which runs it down.

We sat on the porch and read until summer when we got a small shower with a strong breeze that dropped the temp at least 10 degrees or more so we both headed inside to read until it was time to start supper around 5'ish. Nancy prepared a beautiful delicious zucchini pie with my home grown tomato's on top. WOW was that ever beautiful and oh so good. After supper and the clean up we took off on a mountain top ride in the golf cart but saw no one out and about. It wasn't long that darkness settled in around 8 so it was time to watch the Ray's in Miami, beating them 7-2 and then I hit the shower and was soon after, ready for some horizontal lab, LATER

Tuesday Morning August 30th

 Well Monday was another near perfect day with no rain and lots of sunshine. We actually could use a nice soaking rain as I hand watered some of the gardens and flower beds. It was basically a work day during the morning but some porch setting and reading during the afternoon. I started out the day with my before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet moments with my LORD after posting this blog, giving thanks for another day and lifting several up for comfort and healing. All are holding as I make this post. I soon headed out around 7'ish for my solo hike to the top of the mountain finishing up my talk with GOD and hoping He will step in and save this nation from the corrupt politicians and one world order bunch who are trying to destroy US(A).

I harvested a nice mess of collard greens and got them ready for the pot which Nancy put on to cook for about 4-5 hours at a low heat. Wow where they every delicious for our supper along with some brats on the grill. We ate outside on the deck as it was just a gorgeous evening. I'm starting to get a few more tomato's each day and will soon have enough to give away for a change. We took a long morning hike before lunch and ran into some folks on top and I learned from our sweet lady window friend her golf cart would not start. So after lunch I took my battery charger up and hooked it to her cart and left it on all the rest of the day. Hopefully her cart will start. I'll check on her later today.

We took a ride out to the mail box after supper and then checked all of the flower beds until dusk pulling some weeds and dead heading many. We have lots of leaves already falling and wonder if thats a sign of an early fall although the temps are still somewhat hot in the direct sunshine. I'm still waiting for my beautiful Heavenly Blue morning glories to bloom. The vines are the best I've seen this year and some strong. The Ray's were off so I read the evening away until shower time and then headed in to read until horizontal time, around 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning August 29th

 Well Sunday was another beautiful day with bright sunshine and blue skies and moderate temps as we had the cabin open all day until bedtime. We headed off to church around 9:30 and didn't get back until going on 3 as we ate lunch out and then attended the memorial service for Martha who was our mountain mom Helen's, younger sister. 

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my routines that always include some quiet time with my LORD giving thanks for another day and lifting several up by name after posting this ramble. All seem as well as can be expected although many are hurting with old age as I too am getting to that stage in life. I headed out after posting this ramble for my solo hike to the top of the mountain continuing my talk with GOD and venting out loud on why this nation is being run by those who hate our heritage and want to do away with our way of life. The injustice is so rampart with such a double standard for those who love America and want nothing but for US(A) to stay strong. Corruption is blatant among those who are supposed to be representing folks in the government  and its sickening and frightening as well and I'm afraid we will never have a just and legal vote again. Judges are complicit as is the federal bureau of investigation which have now become political favoring the radicals and the woke crowd.

We heard a great message from pastor B at Cornerstone and then headed out to meet Mechelle and Caleb at the Pizzeria for lunch. We caught up on all thats going on with them and then headed off to the Methodist Church in town for the memorial service. We hadn't seen Joe and his family in years and didn't recognize many of them. Rick, Helen's son brought her to the service but has to return to Florida today as he is still working. We made a stop at the Food Lion for a few items before returning to the cabin where we chilled. I watched the LLWS and Hawaii beat Curaco big with a 13-3 win and then the Ray's won as well 12-4 over the Red Sox. Both my teams won today.

Afterwards I hand watered some veggie plants and the flower beds from the rain barrel which was full from last weeks rains. It hasn't rained in a couple days but the bright sunshine had some plants showing some wilt despite the heavy nightly dews. I soon hit the shower around 9:30 and then started a new read before lights out at 10'ish, LATER

Sunday Morning August 28th

 Well this month is just about gone and its really starting to show as I make this post its still dark outside and fall is on the way. The insects outside are so loud now at nights we have to shut all the windows and doors another sign summer is about gone, oh well.

Saturday was basically a fun day with a little work thrown in as I removed the dead and dying cucumber and squash plants from the circle drive. We got enough to share at times but not nearly what we got last year. I think I'll move them to a different area next summer. We visited with Anne and Frank our new neighbors through the woods. They have really done a good job on the old cabin that sat barely used for years. She has a green thumb and we share lots of ideas and our love for gardening and flower growing. I blessed them with some blueberries and another mess of collards which they both love.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my morning routines of some quiet time to honor my LORD and give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding as I make this post. I headed out just after day break around 7'ish to take my solo hike to the top of the mountain continuing my talk with GOD along the way. I didn't see any deer this morning but we did later in the evening on our way home from the Tracy's.

We made a semi mountain breakfast with some sausage, eggs and left over sweet taters which held me until a snack around lunch time as we were heading over o the Tracy's at 3. Kathryn always has plenty of before dinner finger food and yesterday was no exception and then we had a delicious spicy chicken in a cream sauce over pasta along with a fresh garden salad that Nancy brought. It was a time of memorial for Howard's wife who passed away this day one year ago. There were lots of remembering with many tears as well as some laughter and then Kathryn made an unbelievable delicious cheese cake the way that Patrick and Howard 's mom made it. FANTASTIC and I broke my no dessert diet to say the least and even brought a piece home. She used my fresh blueberries for a sauce for the cake.

We played 20 rounds of OH -ELL and Kathryn was the big winner. It was a raucous game to say the least and brightened up the sad day of remembrance of Jo's passing. We met her at once in Truckee, Calif. and maybe when she came to Florida for a visit. She was a beautiful soul and person and is missed deeply by all who knew her. We got back to the cabin before dark and settled into catching up as ther Ray's lost again in a day game and then I read until lights out at 10. Today is church day and then another memorial service for our "mountain moms" departed sister at the Methodist Church at 2. We will stay in Sparta and have lunch then go to the service, LATER

Saturday Morning August 27th

Well Friday was a mixture of work and play with awesome temps and just a quick 5 minute or so rain shower which really was quite nice as it settled the dust on our gravel/dirt road into our cabin. I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my morning routines that always start with some quiet time after posting this ramble, giving thanks to my LORD for another day and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as possible due to age and health issues. I finished up my talk with GOD on my solo hike to the top of the mountain while Nancy was still in the sack. I walked upon another deer on the trail and then we had a mother with twin fawns come out into the backwoods yards around 9'ish. 

I worked outside after a breakfast of cereal with blueberries in the black raspberry patch cutting all of the dead branches and pulling out the grasses and weeds and then reattaching the fence to keep the deer from eating all of the new green shoots which for some reason they love. That kept me busy until Nancy was ready to hike the mountain before lunch. It was a beautiful hike with good distant vistas. After lunch it was set on the porch and read for the next couple hours enjoying the ambiance. Nancy had a load of laundry drying on the clothesline which is always a welcoming site to me as it brings back memories of my youth on the farm. We had no dryer or running water in the old farm house and we heated all of our water on the old wood stove which always kept you busy slitting wood when you had nothing else to do in your spare time.

We were having our Friday evening small group at Cornerstone that started at 6 and lasted until 8. We usually have 8 folks but last night had a new couple visited. We really enjoy studying  GOD's word as well as sharing life's story. I'm the oldest in the group but most are around Nancy's age and we share and discuss more up to date issues we are faced with in todays society. All of us are strong Believers and very patriotic conservatives who still love America and her history and why and how she was founded by like minded lovers of the gospel who broke away from England, LATER

Friday Morning August 26th

Well Thursday was a busy day with both some work and play. I hauled a couple loads of rocks for the yards and then took a total of 3 hikes to the top of the mountain as Nancy was off with Kathryn once again shopping so I had the afternoon to myself. They came back and then Patrick and his brother Howard who is visiting from Arizona all came for a delicious supper.

I started the day out with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments with my LORD giving thanks for another day after posting this ramble and finished up on my solo hike to the top of the mountain. It was a beautiful morning and the deer have greeted me the past two morning on the trail. Yesterday was 5 deer that were out and about and this morning just one large one that jumped out near me giving me a startle. These deer are eating well because they all looked to be in good shape.

After breakfast I headed down the driveway to clean out the ditches and rake some gravel as well as loaded up the golf cart with rocks to align some flower beds and then piddled around in the gardens pulling some weeds and hoeing them as well. The ground is still holding plenty of moisture so I loosened the soil hoping for it to dry out and maybe save my squash and cucumber vines. All this rain has all but stopped their production. I'm starting to get a few tomato's but nothing like I thought it would be will these huge plants. The blueberry bushes are having a banner year so we had a fresh blueberry pie for dessert after our supper.

We ate outside on the deck which was so pleasant around 6'ish after the three of us guys took a long hike to the top of the mountain. It was a great evening for that as the gals made the supper. Afterwards we played a game of Skipbo outside and then moved inside as dusk approached for our dessert. We played one 10 round game of OH WELL before they called it a night. After they left I washed the dishes and we put the house back in order and I soon hit the showers and then some horizontal lab. 

I did get to watch the Ray's sweep the Angels in the afternoon and we caught the last couple of outs as Tennessee eliminated Texas in the LLWS and will have to play Hawaii again which as a tremendous team, LATER

Thursday Morning August 25th

 Well Wednesday was quite different except for the morning routines which started with a 6'ish roll out. I did my posting of this ramble then some quiet time to honor my LORD and give thanks for another day and then headed out on my solo hike to the top of the mountain while finishing up my talk with GOD then came back and got ready to head out to pick up our "mountain mom" and drive her to Independence,Va in her car for her doctors appointment. Afterwards we picked up Kathryn at her rental cabin and made a couple stops before heading back to drop Helen and her car at her place and then Kathryn and I headed to my place where she and Nancy headed to Galax to shop with just the two of them. It was after 12 before they headed out.

I did stop on the way with Helen at the local library for several reads which they had ready for me that will keep me busy during the afternoon porch setting times. I had a bite of lunch then waited on the bug man from Orkin who came and serviced the inside of the cabin for the first time since last October. They service the outside every other month as its difficult to schedule them for the inside service, oh well. Hopefully they will come again in October for another inside job before we leave the cabin for 7 months. So far the bugs haven't been and issue especially the big black ants which was the reason they were first contracted.

After he left I took off on another full hike to the top of the mountain and across the mountain. The views were awesome on this clear day. It was a beautiful sunshine afternoon and stayed that way for most of the day. It did cloud up a couple times in the late evening and it looked like rain but luckily the moisture stayed away for another day to dry out the ground. Nancy and Kathryn got back from Galax and we took her home and then ordered from the local Chinese eatery some to go food which is always delicious. I had enough leftover for lunch today.

We sat and watched the LLWS game as well as the Ray's game on the laptop. The Pa. team lost big to Texas who will play another elimination game but the team from Hawaii looks unbeatable. Texas lost big time to Hawaii earlier. The Ray's came back after being down a run which I hit the sack at 10'ish to win 3 straight over the Angels. Today is a day game to close out the series withn them, LATER

Wednesday Morning August 24th

 Well Tuesday was a near perfect day with no rain, lots of sunshine a small breeze and no humidity, wow was it ever just what we use to be accustom to here in the mountains. The evening brought some chills as the sun set nearly an hour earlier that what we have been use to as well. Fall is coming on so quick.

I started the day with a sleep in for a change  as it was after 7'ish before I ever got out of bed. I did do a little more physical work by digging a couple loads of dirt then spreading it in the ruts in the yard and I did get in a couple hikes to the top of the mountain, so that must have been the reason for the good sleeping or it could have been the ear plugs worked against Nancy's snoring, oh well.

I did my usual routines after posting this ramble with some quiet time with my LORD both here at the laptop and then again on my solo hike to the top of the mountain giving thanks and lifting several up for healing. Nancy's brother Eric is doing better and will be released to go home today after all of his heart surgeries. I checked out all of the gardens and flower beds and they are doing as well as can be expected with all of this rain this past week but yesterday saw them start to dry out. I sowed more lettuce and kale seeds but not sure if they will make. I did harvest more blueberries from both Donnie's bush and my two bushes. They are slowing down but still getting about a pint every other day. We gave away a quart bag to Laura's family who is visiting from Hawaii. The dad is in the Navy and they have 5 kiddos ; just a beautiful family.

I piddled around until lunch time after hauling another load of dirt to fill in the low spots in the backwoods yard. That grass is doing so well and will need mowing again in a week or so. I usually mow it once to every time I mow the front yards but not this year as its grass is full of clover.  We had a salad for lunch and all of it came from the garden. I have beets the size of golf balls and the jalapenos peppers are loaded as well. The cukes and squash plants have just about shut down and rotted from all the rain but the wild flower beds are just flowering like crazy with new plants blooming almost daily; so beautiful.

Nancy fixed a pot of half runner beans and taters for our supper which was delicious to say the least in a ham broth, yeow. After the clean up I headed out to walk the yards then she wanted take a golf cart ride to the mailbox and it got chilly on the way home. We decided to call it a day outside and shut the windows and doors as the evening was cooling down. We watched both the LLWS on TV and the Ray's on the laptop. The Ray's won big again and the team from Texas moves on in the losers bracket to play again today, LATER

Tuesday morning August 23rd

Well we have no symptoms after being exposed to covid by the leader of our Bible study group who we all hugged last Friday. We should have some symptoms by now or we have just skated by with enough antibodies to ward off this virus. I started the day on Monday with a 6'ish roll out to my usual morning routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD after first posting this ramble. I finished up my talk with GOD on my solo morning hike to the top of the mountain. It was a beautiful morning with the sun streaming through the trees as I hiked up the back trail to the top. I'm just so thankful I still have the ability and the desire to hike this daily and sometimes twice a day usually with Nancy later in the day. She didn't want to hike today so I just got in plenty of extra exercise hauling dirt and filling in some ruts in the yards.

I have so many blueberries coming ripe that I'm actually freezing them for later cheesecakes and eating them on cereal which I had for breakfast. After eating I headed out to a dirt pile along the road and loaded up the golf cart twice with fill dirt and filled in so many ruts and holes in the back woods yards which occurred when Jake cut down those trees he has done for the past couple of years. While mowing they really jar me and the grass is growing so good this year they should be soon covered over with new grass. That kept me busy until lunch time then I just piddled around afterwards doing some little chores. It soon became time to sit on the porch and read until supper time which we both did. Nancy on the front porch and me on the back. I finished another read by Woods and then ordered several more through the local library which I will pick up tomorrow when I take our "mountain mom" to her doctors appointment in Independence, Va.

I grilled marinated chicken breasts which we had thawed out for company that decided it was best to not take a chance we had been infected. Those along with fresh zucchini sauteed with onions over jasmine rice made up our supper and we dined outside on the deck. It was a perfect evening for eating outside. After the cleanup we walked around the yards until it was time to head in and watch some baseball. I had the Ray's game on the laptop and the LLWS on the TV. Both were good games as the Ray's beat the Angels and the Hawaii team won again big. I think the big game for them will be against Tennessee who also have been winning big. I soon hit the shower after the games and was in the horizontal position, Later

On a good note Nancy's brother Eric under went another 3 plus hour procedure to implant a defibrillator in his chest for his heart. It took much longer than anticipated due to some issues but he is stable and resting in his room as of last night.

Monday Morning August 22nd

 Well we stayed away from folks on Sunday missing church and lunch out as well as missing cousin Tammy and husband Rich who were going to visit for a couple days. We had stocked up for their visit so now we are loaded once again with tons of food, oh well. Thats the second cancellation this summer as niece Sandy and her family had to cancel due to sickness. So far we haven't come down with any symptoms of covid which we were exposed to on Friday evening, thankfully. We did listen to two great sermons with Gary Hamrick at Leesburg Calvary Chapel and then again with Jack Hibbs in Chino Hills California. Both are great speakers and teachers straight from the Bible. Jack brings up some political issues more so than Gary but both are up to date on what happening to christianity in America and the loss of our culture to the radical left.

I started the day much the usual with 6'ish rollout to my quiet time after posting this ramble and finished with a solo hike to the top of the mountain venting my concerns for America with GOD along the way. It had rained heavily all night right up until I awakened so I wore my gum boots as I knew the back road was holding standing with water. I managed the entire hike and then was able to see the sun breaking through the over cast skies which held until late afternoon and evening when it let loose once again. I'm sure the driveway is washed out again from the heavy downpours which lasted what seemed like for hours.

We didn't do much except read and then we did get in a mid afternoon hike to the top of the mountain. Nancy seems to be getting some what stronger with her achilles and her breathing on the long hike. We finished up some leftovers for lunch for me and she had a fresh garden salad from my garden and then again some leftover soup for supper. We watched some of the LLWS which got rained out and I watched the Rays beat the Royals again taking 3 out of 4 games. They are getting better and still have a good chance to make the wild card slot in the playoffs.

Nancy got word her brother was having a bad evening in the hospital as he is scheduled for another procedure today(mon). Hopefully he settles down and continues to heal. We will stay away from folks for another couple days just in case we contract the virus, LATER

Sunday Morning August 21st

Well Saturday turned out to be a rain less day here at the cabin but we did see a late afternoon rain shower  in Sparta as we traveled out to the Tracy's rental; but this AM its already dripping from the roof in a lite shower just when I usually hike the mountain. I slept in this morning as I knew we were skipping church because of an exposure to the covid virus on Friday night during our Bible study. We thus far have no symptoms, but our leader thinking she had a sinus cold tested and sure enough she is positive. So we will stay home just in case we are now positive as she hugged everyone after missing a week while on vacation, oh well.

Saturday was a busy day that started out much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time with my Lord after posting this ramble. I finished up with my solo hike to the top of the mountain seeing the blue skies and bright sunshine peering through the wooded trail. Such a beautiful site to start the day. I piddled around in the gardens after my hike checking on all of the flower and veggie beds. I did notice where a deer had wondered through my garlic patch which is now just dirt awaiting to be sowed with next years bulbs. I did harvest another whopper of a tomato which looks like 2 or 3 tomatoes were welded together. The one we ate a couple days ago was delicious but not the prettiest as is this one. The small tomato's are turning but very slowly and we gave away some to the Tracy's along with basil and fresh parsley from the garden.

We had a delicious egg, tomato, pickle, onion and lettuce with mayo sandwich for breakfast which is one of the best ever and it held us until 3'ish when visited the Tray's for cards and then a Mexican theme dinner with strawberry shortcake for dessert, wow what a feast and oh so tasty.

I did catch up on some reading during the early afternoon and finished a Patterson Book and then started a Woods book before bedtime. We left for home around 8 and it was still light outside when we came through town. The place was hopping around Muddy Creek eatery as well as a band was starting to warm up at the Pizzeria. Lots of cars in town and on the highway. We tuned into the LLWS and watched an elimination game which saw Massachusetts eliminated from the tournament. The Ray's has played earlier and beat the Royals so then we got the word or text we had been exposed to covid. We let out next guests know who were coming today(Sunday) and they backed out on their visit. I don't blame them as they have a long way to go home in Florida, oh well, LATER

Saturday Morning August 20th

 Well this month is nearly 2/3 gone and time is moving along so fast. We are over half done for this summer/fall for being here in the mountains. Where has this time gone and really we haven't traveled much at all off the mountain. Friday started out very wet after nearly 2 inches of rain fell over night. I had to wear my gum boots on my solo hike as the back road and part of the trail had standing water in the low places.

I started the day with my usual well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments after posting this ramble to honor my LORD and give thanks for another day and lift up several by name.  Nancy's brother Eric had 3 stents inserted into his arteries this day and is recouping in the hospital and doing as well as can be expected. Everyone else is holding as of now. I finished up my talk with GOD on my solo hike and noticed the sun peaking through the morning clouds which was promising for a rain less day. The sun did shine for the biggest part of the day and made for drying laundry outside on the line.

I headed down the driveway to rake some washed out areas and then neighbor Gerald came back during the late morning and scraped the drive with his tractor. There were some rally deep ruts from the overnight down pours. He is such a blessing to us here on the mountain. I piddled around in the gardens as the wet weather is like energy to the weeds and they grow over night. I did dig up my thyme plant and set it in a pot as the rain was killing it and just next to it the basil plant is growing like crazy with all the rain. I have new dill and cilantro plants from the seeds of the ones that died earlier and the oregano is now blooming. It just never seems to die.

We decided to have a late lunch as Nancy's tummy has some issues about eating and going to a class at the regular hours so I grilled us a couple hand patted burgers and along with some frozen fries we ate around 2'ish which gives her time incase her tummy acts up. That held me the rest of the day. I sat and read until it was time to head out around 5:30 for our Bible study class. We had 10 attending and a good study from 2 Peter on trust and faith. It was 8'ish before we ended and headed back to the cabin.

The Ray's lost in extra innings and the Hawaii team blew out the team from N.Y. in the LLWS. I hit the shower and was ready for some horizontal a little after 10, LATER

Friday Morning August 19th

 Well Thursday saw us with rain, sunshine and cooler temps but during the night it poured buckets once again. We made a trip to Galax, Va. for some shopping once again and saw where gas had dropped down to 3.41 a gallon. We ran a couple other errands in town then headed back on the mountain in the sunshine which lasted for most of the afternoon except for a couple brief showers.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD after posting this ramble and I finished with my solo hike to the top of the mountain. I certainly look forward to not only vent my frustrations with this inept administration to GOD but to be thankful for another day and all my blessings. My brother in law Eric who is 5 years years younger is having all kinds of health issues especially with his heart and is in a hospital in Michigan. I'm so thankful I can hike the mountain each morning and then Nancy and I hiked it again in the afternoon around 5'ish before supper.

She seems to be better with her achilles and is able to hike up the steep back trail. It takes her a couple stops to breath but she makes it and looks forward to the daily hike. We of course are up and down the steep yards and stairs through out the day. After getting back from town we had a shower so it was time to take down the mini blinds and replace them with the cordless ones we purchased. The new ones are so much easier to install but Nancy was afraid the twins would become intertwined with the cords on the old ones so now all of the down stairs are replaced. I'll see if they can be used by someone else since they are still good and I'll donate them.

I harvested another yellow squash and a couple small tomatoes but the rain has rotted all of my seeds I sowed last week and rotted the lettuce seedlings. This clay soil holds the moisture unlike the sandy soil in Florida and I just can not get lettuces to grow here, oh well. We had leftover soup for supper and it was delicious to say the least. We watched the LLWS and the Ray's game and the Ray's won big in St.Pete. Son Bobby was at the game along with some of his work team, LATER

Thursday Morning August 18th

 Well we finally saw some sunshine after being fogged in with wetness for the past couple of days. The temps stayed down into the low 70's for the high and in the 50's to start the morning. This is what it was like 20 years ago. We had the Tracy's and their friends over for supper so I put on a pork butt as soon I got up for the day and let it smoke to sometime around 4'ish. Wow was that ever delicious, more on the menu later.

I started the day with a 6'ish rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble and then of course putting the butt on the smoker. I finished my talk with GOD on my solo hike to the top of the mountain. The grass was still heavy with dew so I decided to pick blueberries until the grass got a little drier and by 10:30 it had dried a little bit more so I fired up the riding mower and gave all of the yards a good mowing. All of this rain the past week had really caused the grass to become so thick in areas that required a second mowing. Wow does the place ever look great after being freshly mowed and trimmed. It takes a good half day to complete both chores but I really enjoy making the place so manicured.

I skipped lunch since we had a large breakfast of a leftover piece of steak with eggs and toast as I knew we were eating large in the early evening. The Tracy's and friends came around 3'ish and then after showing their friends the cabin, 3 of us took a hike up the mountain. Kathryn, Byron and Nancy all took the golf cart as Patrick, Jennifer and myself hiked. She is in good shape for her age which is 67 or so and he is younger but has an ankle issue especially on uneven ground. We had met them before but it was their first time to the cabin and they just loved the place as most folks do. The cabin is unique in its setting and of course we have made it very friendly to all over the years.

Kathryn brought baked beans and cole slaw along with strawberry shortcake and Nancy made bruschetta using my fresh basil and onions as well as oven taters and of course the butt was falling apart with a good blacken skin which everyone loves. A little fruit of the vine flowed among the 3 of us. We ate outside on the deck and it was perfect to say the least and then had dessert inside while playing Skipbo. The gals won both of the games and then they headed out as their guest were leaving for Florida early this morning. They had been here for nearly a week enjoying the areas. 

We tuned into the LLWS and the Ray's game before hitting the shower around 9:30. I was whupped and called it a night a little after 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning August 17th

 Well Tuesday was basically another cloudy, foggy wet day with very little sunshine. There was a mist which actually was almost like rain as it kept everything wet so I couldn't use the mower but did use the weed whacker to finish the yards and the driveway. We actually did see the sun briefly at times after lunch but as evening approached so did the fog, clouds and mist once again. The temps stayed cool which made for good working conditions and eventually a second hike for me with Nancy in the mid afternoon.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my quiet time posting this ramble. I finished up with my LORD during my morning solo hike to the top of the mountain. I had to wear my gum boots as it was that wet. After a breakfast burrito I headed out to piddle around in the gardens and harvested another tomato which I think is a German pink. Neighbor Billy on top of the mountain blessed me with several already potted plants from seeds and these plants are now starting to produce as is Bobby's plants which are loaded with golf ball size fruit. I've picked maybe 8 or 9 from his plants but we need some sunshine for them to ripen.

I fired up the 4 cycle weed whacker and finished the back woods bank area and then headed down the driveway in the golf cart and worked my way back up the drive. That in itself is a chore as the drive is very steep. I trimmed the over hanging limbs as well as this machine is awesome and powerful but a bit on the heavy side. I cleaned out some ditches as well for the rain run off when its heavy. That kept me busy until lunch time then I took it easy for awhile after finishing up the leftover Shepards pie which was very delicious. 

We took off on our together hike and Nancy's achilles seems to be better. She still needs to stretch more as per the doctor's orders but she is some what lax in following directions. Her tummy seems better as well which I think is her gall bladder acting up, hopefully it will last until we get back to Florida. Her brother is still in the ICU unit with heart issues but seemed much better today as he was out of bed and speaking with his son who flew up to be with him. It seems they are unsure what really happened except he did code a couple times after doing a stress test but is now progressing somewhat.

That was about it for the day as we got a nice pork butt ready for the smoker which I put on about 6:30 this morning for our supper with the Tracy's and their friends from Florida. I watched the Ray's for the second night in a row beat the number one team the Yankees at their ball park in N.Y. We are hoping to get into the playoffs at least as a wild card team but if they keep playing like this they should, LATER

Tuesday Morning August 16th

 Well this month is half gone and we are now just half way with our stay here at the cabin and that summer is just about gone for another year. Monday saw us with some sunshine but mainly cloudy skies and some powerful rain storms. I got in some mid morning work before the rain and then we took a hike out to the mailbox as well before the rain shut us in for most of the afternoon and evening. We did get to piddle around in the veggie and flower beds at times through out the day. Nancy got some devastating news on her older brother Eric who coded a couple times and was shocked back into life during a medical procedure. He is stable at this time in the hospital in Michigan.

I started the day out much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments with my LORD after posting this ramble. I finished up with my solo hike to the top of the mountain venting my concerns for this nation and why GOD hasn't fixed these issues of corruption and deceit among our politicians since this nation was founded upon his principles. Anyhow I saw the bright sunshine appearing on the other side of the mountain but on our side there was fog and cool temps. Not only did we have rain during the night but another heavy dew was dripping from the the tin roof top.

I received this package from Sprout Kurstedt who is a life time associate from Mountain Falls with a beautiful paper back book which turns out to be his autobiography. It huge and beautifully written and illustrated with many pictures of where my roots come from. I knew his folks intimately as well as his younger sister who we grew up together as early child hood friends until we were around 4 or 5. It's very interesting and filled with the many praises of GOD's miracles in his life. Anyhow I sat and read the first 50 pages with out ceasing and I was familiar with most of his events until he moved away for college. He is 7 years older than me and now lives on the east coast of Florida with his second wife after his first wife passed away from cancer. She is from South America and is a lovely much younger lady.

I fired up the weed whacker after our mid morning hike to the mailbox and a bite of lunch. I almost finished the entire yards when the rain came and did it ever rain with a half inch in about an hour. Later it cleared off and I was able to piddle around outside while Nancy did her thing in the kitchen. She boiled off the ham bone and made a delicious which we had for supper and enough to share with our "mountain mom" Helen. I settled into the Ray's vs Yankees game on the laptop and they won big in the Big Apple against the best team in baseball. It wasn't long until it was shower time and then some horizontal lab around close to 11, LATER

Monday Morning August 15th

Well Sunday started out with beautiful weather with the temps in the upper 50's but that changed a little after lunch when clouds moved in and then a soaking rain that lasted well into the night time hours. This morning its so foggy the birds are grounded. We had to put an extra blanket on the bed over night as well.

I did my solo hike after my quiet time finishing up with a good talk with my LORD venting after giving thanks for my life and those I know and love. I'm disgusted with what this corrupt administration is doing to our country and if we don't take it back in November we are a doomed nation. I sure hope there are some democrats who love our country and who are patriots and side with whats best for America because the radicals are in control and want a one world order.

We had nearly a full house for worship at Cornerstone and afterwards we met the Frankis Family at the Pizzeria for a delicious lunch which held me the rest of the day. We made a stop at the library to drop off some books then headed to Food Lion for some last minute items for the dinner on Wednesday when the Tracy's bring their friends for supper. I'll smoke a pork butt as they were on sale for 9 hours.

We headed over to Kimberly's to visit with her, her mom and sister. We didn't go to her place last year for some reason but she has a huge beautiful place with tons of gardens and flower beds and lots of horses. Her mom lost her husband last year and she to suffered severely with covid. We commiserated together about our event. She is such a lovely person and is 84 years young. Kimberly was Kimberly as always a chatter box but we also love her and she is a worker as well. She has her hands full with Eddie being laid up in a nursing home and unable to contribute to the care of the farm. She of course has her love for dogs and cats which are in abundance. It was a nice visit as she showed us how she used our old cabinets in her new tack room.

Well we got back and the Ray's won again for 2 days in a row. The Bucs lost in preseason and the LLWS stats on Wednesday. We always enjoy watching these youngster who are our two grandsons ages, LATER

Sunday Morning August 14th

Well we woke up to temps in the low 50's and it stayed cool for most of the day especially in the shade. I think we saw the low 70's at the highest of the day with tons of sunshine and blue skies and no humidity. Wow, what a change and over night. Saturday was basically a work day but we did visit the new baby boy at the Frankis house around 4'ish for a couple hours and he is such sweet baby. Skylar was very sweet as well and she is adjusting to having a baby brother. We took them supper then stayed and visited a couple hours before heading home and eating the same thing we took them for supper.

I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my usual morning routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to give thanks and lift several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected and we got a call from Walt Hampton just as we were pulling into the Frankis house. We forgot to call him back but he mentioned he had been in the hospital for a spell. We will need to call him back today. Everyone else seems to be holding. I did my solo hike to the top of the mountain finishing up my morning talk with GOD and venting my concerns for our nation. This current crooked administration is violating the constitution daily and destroying the very essence of our freedom from a tyrannical government by using the FBI and the DOJ to go after political folks and putting the nation into economical chaos.

I piddled around in the gardens and flower beds and then gave Nancy's new garden house a coat of polyurethane and put it up in the flower bed out back and then it was time to kill more yellow jacket bees which I did with a fly swatter. I took out a couple dozen below the deck as they tried to get back into their nest which I had blocked with a gas soaked rag. I think I wiped them out.. We didn't do much for a couple hours except porch set and read until it was time to make the dinner we were taking over to Jake and Katelyn's.

We had such a nice visit with them holding and feeding little Seth and of course playing outside with Skylar who is such a sweet loving little girl. I watched the Ray's finally win against the Orioles in baseball.

Today its church day at Cornerstone and then a run by the library after a lunch out at the Pizzeria and a stop at Food Lion before heading back to the cabin, LATER

Saturday Morning August 13th

Well its finally cooled down here with a taste of Fall in the air which is nice for a change. The a/c is off and the windows are open during the day but closed for the night as the chill takes affect. I'm sure this is temporary as this is still a summer month or maybe its the start of what we use call "indian summer".

I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD after posting this ramble, give thanks and lift several up for healing. One of our small group was taken to the hospital in Winston with some heart irregularities but seems to be doing better as I write. We had a small group on Friday evening with one new person joining us who bared her soul and we joined with her in her fight of an addiction and the need for Jesus in a support group. Afterwards we headed over to Food Lion and picked up some items to make a supper for Katelyn and Jake and meet the new baby Seth as well as love up on Skylar.

I got in my solo hike to the top of the mountain continuing my talk with GOD in the middle of His creation. The sun was breaking over the top of the mountain and it was just a glorious morning here in the mountains. I piddled around outside after getting back checking all of the gardens for any deer damage which thankfully has ceased for the last couple of weeks. I'm finally ridding the yellow jacket nest below the deck which has kept me busy from getting stung and ridding the nest within the stones. I use the best deterrent, gasoline on a rag which did the trick after using all types of insecticides.

Nancy painted on her small cabin for the flower beds which I made a couple days ago and she did a great job. I'll give it a coat of polyurethane to help protect it from the elements and it should last for years as we will store it during the winter months. I did pick another tomato from the plant that we brought from son Bobby's garden in Florida. The huge tomato in the upper patch is finally turning red. It must weight a couple pounds and really is an anomaly. I hope it tastes good. The leafy greens are doing well especially with all of these almost daily showers. The ground is still damp despite no rain now for a couple days. The sunshine is hot, but the shade offers some much needed respite, LATER

Friday Morning August 12th

Well Thursday turned out to be another nice day with a rain shower around lunch time and then the temps dropped enough to open up the cabin until bed time when Nancy closes it up for the night. The flowers and veggie beds are doing great with these showers now daily and the heavy dew over night. The grass is growing so fast I will soon have to mow again.

I started the day out with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start will some quiet time to honor my LORD, to give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for healing and comfort. All seem as well as can be expected. We lost a young church member from our Florida church who was in his 40's and haven't heard why as of yet and then another prayer was answered when a dear friends son was cleared from any cancer in his lymph system. Everyone else seems to be holding but our nation is in deep trouble with the tactics being used against anyone opposing this political bunch in D.C. Gestapo like actions taken against Trump are unacceptable in a free society. Using the police against opponents is tyranny and we as a society must put a stop to this or I'm afraid there is going to be drastic consequences to this administration. We all must vote this coming November to stop these who are destroying America and for what she has stood for; life, liberty and freedoms.

I headed out and once again and picked blueberries from my neighbors one bush and from my 2 bushes gathering at least a quart or more and gave half of those away to a neighbor on top of the mountain who he and wife came down for a visit after lunch. I got in my solo hike after my initial quiet time and then Nancy and I got in another hike around lunch. She is doing better with her achilles and hiking is one way to help by stretching it going up the mountain. We had just a couple of cheese and cracker after our neighbors left around 2'ish and then a frozen pizza for our supper around 6'ish with a fresh garden salad. We took a golf cart ride out to the mail box and piddle around in the yards admiring all of the beautiful flowers. We saw one of our new baby bunnies who stayed in the one flower garden. The momma is very docile and friendly as well and almost lets you pet her.

We settled in to the LLWS(little league world series) and watched a close game between Oregon and Washington until 9'ish then it was shower time for me and some horizontal lab. We did get in some porch setting in the afternoon reading before supper. I finished the next to last book for Vince Flynn's 20 some book series on Mitt Rapp, LATER

Thursday Morning August 11th

 Well Wednesday was get ready for the company for supper so the day was spent cleaning, doing laundry and small piddly chores. I did some garden work planting some seeds for a late garden which usually gets taken over by by the cold in October, but I had some seeds that were getting old and I needed to see if they would germinate.

I started the day out with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time with my LORD after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All are holding due to age and health issues. I finished my quiet time out loud as I did my solo hike to the top of the mountain where the bright sunshine was evident on the east side of the mountain. Our side was still in the shadows but eventually we saw some bright sunshine and blue skies for a couple hours.

Around lunch time it became cloudy and then a hard rain set in for nearly and hour and then we saw some sunshine before dusk. It turned rather chilly after the rain with a strong breeze so I had to don an extra shirt as I sat outside on the porch and watched the Ray's game until the Tracy's arrived at 4. They wanted to celebrate my big day once again with a card and gifts and a dessert Kathryn made with fresh blueberries. We visited then showed them the new game of Skipbo and we played a couple rounds before supper time.

I grilled a basket of fresh yellow and zucchini squash along with onions and fresh mushrooms and then a couple of boneless rib eye steaks as well as corn on the cob. Delicious. Patrick helped me clean up and do the dishes and then we played a game of Euchre which the gals won. They headed out before dark to their rental place west of Sparta. They have their close church friends coming on Friday for a week and we promised to have them on next Wednesday for a supper here at the cabin. We spoke briefly with Bobby who was on the ground from his business trip to Nevada, LATER

Wednesday Morning August 10th

 Well Tuesday was a busy day that started after my before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines. I posted this blog then spent some quiet moments with my LORD giving thanks and lifting several up by name. All seem well as can be expected and I finished my quiet time on my solo hike to the top of the mountain. It was a beautiful morning as the bright sunshine was beautiful on the other side of the mountain. We had more rain sometime during the afternoon as we were in town running errands but the morning dew is almost as heavy as if it just rained. Thankfully I have a pair of gum boots which I use when walking around the yards during the morning hours.

I piddled around outside while Nancy does her morning routines as she usually get up after I leave on my solo hike. I noticed the yellow jacket nest was still active despite foaming it with some killer insecticide so I had to hit it again after dark last night. They are one of the nastiest bees ever and are very aggressive. Their stings lasted over a week the last time I was stung a couple weeks ago. I headed out in the golf cart over to the Taylor Place and picked another quart of blue berries and then picked mine as well. I have a bowl full on the island in the kitchen and will have to pick again tomorrow. I have a few small tomatoes turning red and will pick them today as well as tons of jalapenos. I sowed more lettuce seeds and only a few have thus far showed any colors. My seeds must be dead. I want to sow more cucumber and squash seeds if I can find them for a fall harvest as the cucumbers are showing yellow leaves and suddenly the vines are starting to die. I had a nice crop this year for a change.

We headed to town around 1 and I dropped Nancy off at the hair place then ran some errands. I'm checking on a second opinion on the cabin insurance as State Farm is constantly raising my rates. I checked with a local agency and will get a quote before my policy comes due in November, oh well. The price of groceries is out of site as we made a stop at Food Lion before heading back to the cabin. It seems each week we spent more and get less, oh well. We sat on the porch and read for a hour or so after getting back from town. We had a storm and either lightning struck my compost wall of huge rocks or something ran through it because some rocks were knocked out. I mean large rocks. It hasn't been knocked down in years. I believe lightning struck it or we had an earthquake as there was no evidence of water run off or foot prints in the dirt from an animal running through it; very strange.

Nancy made one of her great combination suppers. We picked up a bag of frozen small shrimp which was a pain to take off the shell and I grilled them in butter and garlic and she stir fried fresh yellow squash and pea pods and put all of that over Jasmine rice, what flavor and so Delicious. I want that again with larger shrimp which are easier to shell, oh well. We took a long golf cart ride after supper to the top of the mountain and no one was out and about but it was a beautiful evening. We came and walked around the yards and spotted 2 baby rabbits which are living in the one flower bed. The mother we see almost every day, so cute, LATER

Tuesday Morning August 9th

 Well Monday was another some what mixed weather day with rain clouds but no rain except brief sun showers through out the day which lasted anywhere from a minute to 10 minutes or so. The temps were a little warm until the afternoon when it made for great porch sitting and reading which we both did for a couple hours. We did get a load of laundry on the line and it almost dried after being sprinkled on a couple of time. I wound up throwing them in the dryer after what looked like a major storm was brewing which by the time I took them off the line the storm blew over, oh well. 

I started the day with my before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD after posting this blog. I finished up with my solo hike to the top of the mountain as the bright sunshine broke through the trees on my way to the top. It looked like it was going to be a beautiful morning to start the day but around 10'ish that changed when clouds entered the picture. I piddled around in the gardens after getting back from my solo hike. Nancy was up and doing her quiet time so I stayed outside to give her some quiet.

I found two of those large green horned tomato worms on the plants in the back yard and send them to their happy hunting grounds with my boot. They are huge and mean looking. I know there must be more as these two were huge. I also found the first tomato's showing some color. They are the ones I brought from son Bobby's garden in Florida and the only plants that lived out of the 8 I brought with me. I loosened up the soil around most of the plants and hoed some weeds as well. I did harvest a couple of more cukes and the yellow squash is still producing some what.

I loaded up neighbor Gerald with nearly a quart of blue berries as I must pick again today. I'm picking every other day and they are ripening that fast. The bushes are still loaded and I'm surprised the robins haven't found them yet as I usually have to cover them with a mesh, but no birds this year, yet. We cleaned up some leftovers both for lunch and supper. We are having the Tracy's who are now in the county at their old rental place for a month for supper on Wednesday evening, so we will be back to leftovers again.

Nancy wanted a garden barn she could paint and place among her many flower beds so I got out the table saw and from leftover remnants of plywood cut one out for her and painted it a base coat so she could decorate it the way she wants with her many hand paints. While doing that down under the side deck I heard a buzzing sound sure enough there is another yellow jacket nest up above the deck. This is second time these mean and nasty bees have taken up residence on the outside of the cabin. The first group made it hard to kill as they were under the edge of the roof line but hard to reach, this group is easy to reach and I sprayed them this morning while it was still dark. Their nest was hidden but I gave the area a good douse of hornet killer spray.

I finished a Stuart Woods read and start a Vince Flynn book just before bedtime. We will go to Sparta this afternoon as Nancy has a hair appointment and I will run errands, LATER

Monday Morning August 8th

Well Sunday was a bit different as we missed attending church due to Nancy not feeling well but we did watch a great message on the internet with Cornerstone Church in Leesburg, Va. with Gary Hamrick. Wow he and Jack Hibbs are two of our favorite speakers and teachers of the Word. His message was on grace and the adulterous woman brought to Jesus by the pharisees who wanted to stone her for her actions. Awesome message on how Jesus handled this egregious sin.

Nancy seem to feel a little better as the day went on and felt good enough in the late afternoon to actually take a hike to the top of the mountain. We cut it short but she handled it well. We think it maybe her gall bladder acting up which does from time to time. Hopefully it will hold until we are back in Florida then she can have it removed. She has had tummy issues for years and every now and then she really has issues with it like on Friday and Saturday nights, so we thought it best to stay home on Sunday morning.

I started the day out much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my quiet time after posting this ramble then took my solo hike to the top of the mountain finishing up my talk with my LORD. Everyone seems to be holding at this time. We were so glad our "mountain mom" came over for supper on Saturday and we are hoping we can do that again in the near future. I may have to built a short ramp for her to walk up but we managed the two steps on the back porch for the first time in years. We so much enjoy her company as she is the last family for either of us except for our children and their children. She and my bio mom were about the same age.

Well I piddled around in gardens after my morning hike and then ate a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries, nuts, honey and cinnamon for breakfast. I'm picking blueberries from my neighbors one bush which is loaded and from my two bushes which are a few days behind ripening from my neighbors but it also is loaded with berries. I blessed our new neighbors with some as well as with some lighter knot which is great for starting fires. He wants to burn some brush and now is a good time with the woods so damp and wet from almost daily showers. I did sit and watch the Ray's beat the Tigers in Detroit Sunday afternoon to win 3 out of 4 games in that series.

We had leftover zucchini pie for a late lunch which held me the rest of the day except for some apple sauce which the twins didn't eat while they were here. One more leftover from the fridge finally gone. I did have my glass of vino out on the deck while reading for a couple hours before dark. I hit the shower and then read until lights out around 10'ish. I'm not much into the TV but Nancy still watches it until the wee hours of the morning then sleeps in until 8'ish or so, LATER

Sunday Morning August 7th

 Well Saturday turned out to be a rather nice day especially after a rainy Friday night and foggy morning. The rain had cleared out after dropping 3/4 of inch of rain which really was needed despite the several inches a couple weeks ago. We did get another shower later in the afternoon but it didn't last long. Saturday also was my big day at 76 years young and instead of going out to celebrate I decided to go fishing at our mountain mom's pond and then have her over for a supper of fried bass. More on that later.

I started the day with a 6'ish roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift up several after posting this ramble. I did get in my solo hike to the top of the mountain and continued my talk with GOD venting at times why we have allowed the corruption in politics to flourish today and why there is no healing of our land.

I came back and checked the gardens pulling another couple cucumbers and then ate a leftover pancake before packing up my fishing equipment and heading over to the pond around 9'ish. Well I used fishing worms to start with and put several small to medium size bass and a couple blue gills in the bucket for our supper then I wanted to catch the big ones for fun using plastic worms and while I did catch a couple more small bass on the artificial bait I never landed the big ones. I fished until close to noon when there was thunder in the back ground.

I caught enough for a good size pan of fillets and we had some leftovers. Nancy has a pot of bird eggs beans(October) cooking and along with some Jasmine rice and sliced cucumber in a dressing and a pan of cornbread we feasted, Delicious and then from my blue berry patch I picked a day ago she made a cobbler, Yikes was that meal ever the best for a big day celebration and to have Helen here for the first time in years was a real present. She can't get in and out of my truck so I drove over and we brought her car back which she still drives weekly. She needed lots of help getting up the two steps onto the back porch but she made it with our help. She throughly loved the new kitchen and the beautiful flower beds and the fish from her lake.

Well she stayed for a couple hours then I took her home. She did great and seemed to really enjoy getting out. We reminisced about old times and folks and had lots of laughter. Now that she has once again come to supper and a visit, hopefully she will feel good enough to come again. She has lived alone for 20 some years since Roy passed away. She and Roy are responsible for us finding this piece of GOD's beautiful creation and we have so much loved this part of the area and for sharing it with family and friends.

After getting back from dropping her off I helped finish washing the dishes as Nancy is having some tummy issues. We aren't sure if its her gall bladder or a kidney infection so if it doesn't get better by Monday we will head to the urgent care facility and have her checked out. I watched the Ray's blow a one run lead with their best pitcher on the mound and they got slaughtered by the end of the game, LATER

Saturday Morning August 6th..

 Well Friday was another busy day and not much work was completed except for some piddly jobs around the cabin. I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my daily morning routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name for healing. I finished up my quiet time on my solo hike to the top of the mountain after posting this ramble. I love to vent or just plain talk with Him on my hike surrounded by everything that is his creation. All seem well with those I know especially the grands who are all getting ready to head back to school next week. Amy is already back to work at her school working with the 4 year olds.

We ate oatmeal with fruit for breakfast as we planned on eating our large meal around 1:30 or so since we were heading to Sparta around 4'ish to run some errands and end up at Cornerstone for our weekly Friday Bible study which lasted until close to 8. We made stops at the dump or land fill then headed over to the library and picked up several books we had ordered and then out to the church. We had 9 of us there and the topic was Trust and how does GOD's word address it and what does it mean for our daily living and our relationships.

I did piddled around in the gardens and flower beds hand watering as we were supposed to get some rain during the day but none developed until sometime during the night when we had a strong down pour with a thunder storm included. I had gone to bed around 10ish after watching the Ray's come from behind in Detroit from being 3 runs down to take a 5-3 lead into the 9th.

Well today is my big day as I turn 76, yikes where did those years go. I'm a blessed man still with some vigor for life and love of folks, LATER

Friday Morning August 5th

Well this week has just slipped by so quickly as has this last year. Today will be my last day at 75, I would never have guessed I have become a senior citizen and still believe and feel at times like I'm still in my youth. GOD has been good to me. If my bio mother would still be alive she tuned 95 today. I was her birthday present a day late.

Well Thursday was another beautiful day with cloudiness during the morning hours and it looked like rain for awhile. We got a sprinkle for about 30 seconds not even enough to settle the dust or turn the driveway rocks dark. Not sure were if came from but we actually could use a little shower. I hand watered some of the garden plants as well as the flower beds.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble. I finished up my time with GOD on my solo hike to the top of the mountain. I saw no other creatures for a change as either they were sleeping in or just not stirring. Nancy was up when I got back from my hike so I piddled around outside checking on the gardens and hand watering. I harvested a nice mess of collards for neighbors Ann and Frank as the plants needed harvesting and they mentioned they loved collards. The loaded tomato plants have still not turned any fruit for eating yet. I did harvest another zucchini and some jalapenos peppers which Nancy used for a zucchini pie for our supper.

I piddled around outside until Nancy made a mountain breakfast with cakes, eggs and sausage, yeow that held me until suppertime. After digesting I fired up the gold cat and headed over to the Taylor's place to pick blueberries which are coming in like crazy. I'm picking every other day and I got another pint or more from their one bush and half that many from my two bushes. Nancy has already frozen a bag and now we need to start giving some away to neighbors. I love them on my cereal or oatmeal.

I sat and watched a video and interview on a famous moonshiner named "popcorn" who grew up in the mountains of N.C. around Maggie Valley. He and I are the same age but he passed away in '09 and looked much older than his 63 years. He was made famous for his liquor making ability and of course consuming it as well. His back ground was much like mind with growing up in the country and making do with your surrounding of country/farm life. It was very interesting to say the least.

I got a message from a childhood playmate who was a year and 3 days older than me. I left the area and went to live with Paw Paw when I was 4 or 5 but we were pals up until then when she and her family visited mountain falls in the summer and the huge house they owned. She had an older brother who was very intelligent as was she but he received the prestigious Andrew Jackson award in high school for his intelligence and went on to become a nuclear physicist and a professor. Well he called just after supper and we spoke for a half hour and is going to send be a book he authored. We were never pals as he is 7 years older than me but he knew I was a close family friend even after they both left home. Nancy and I stayed with their folks a couple nights while on vacation. Both of the parents have passed on. He has several great grands and now lives in Florida in Vero beach area. I must visit one day when we get home.

Well we took a golf cart ride to the top of the mountain and saw no one about but the vistas was awesome as always with some cool cloud formations. We came back walked the property looking at the beautiful flower gardens. We did take a long hike to the top before lunch together. Nancy's achilles seems to be doing better. I watched the Ray's beat the Tigers in Detroit on the laptop. I hit shower at the end of the game and was soon asleep by 10'ish, LATER

Thursday Morning August 4th

Well Wednesday was a little warmer with very little breeze but the skies were blue with lots of sunshine. We open the cabin until lunch time then after our mid morning hike we closed it back up for the day and over night with the A/C on. I didn't do a whole lot except some small piddling chores but did start the day out with a before 6 roll out. I did my morning routines, plus a solo hike that starts with some quiet time with my LORD after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day and almost another year, to lift up several by name and pray for our country which is going down the road of destruction with corrupt politicians. Such a shame to see the woke crowd has no allegiance to America, or to the unborn and to just life itself. Crime is rampart in the large metro areas and the leaders are compromised by greed. America is in dire straits and only with the grace and help by the one true GOD will we ever be able be safe and secure again.

I piddled around in the gardens and flower beds hoeing and pullings weeds which grow faster than the plants. I did hand water some of the veggies as well as some of the flower beds. It seems we will go several days with too much rain and then a dry spell with high heat and wind which is as we are in now. I have plenty of green tomato's and jalapeno's set on the plants and the leafy greens are starting to produce a little as are the cucumbers and squash. The blue berries are ripening as well. Nancy froze enough for a pie for when we have guests.

 We had a favorite of mine for supper which is fried yellow squash. It's a mess to prepare but oh so good and that was what we had along with a piece of left over grilled chicken. We had a huge chef salad for lunch which gave us some greens in our diet. We have just about cut out all desserts at least for me once again but Nancy has been eating some ice cream we bought for guests who had to cancel due to illness. I don't know which is worst fried squash or ice cream but once in awhile both are delicious.

The Rays had a day game and won for a change. I didn't watch it as I spent the biggest part of the afternoon finishing up a Vince Flynn book featuring Matt Rapp as the main character. There are two more books in this 20 some book series and we will pick them up on Friday when we head to Sparta and the library, LATER

Wednesday Morning August 3rd

 Well Tuesday was a busy day especially for working outside in the beautiful weather. We had the cabin open all day until suppertime when we shut the windows and doors and turned the a/c on for the night. A stiff breeze was on us all day until late evening when it calmed down. I loved being busy doing small chores but did run into an issue as I headed over after lunch to our "mountain moms" place to do a what I thought would be an easy chore for her; putting a new toilet lid and seat together and then installing it. There were no directions on how to fit the hinges between the lid and the seat and it it something you must really study. Anyhow I succeeded after a couple of trial and errors and installing it was easy.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time with my LORD after posting this ramble. I finished up that time on my solo hike to the top of the mountain giving thanks and lifting several up by name. I came back and checked all of the gardens for deer damage and then piddled around in the gardens loosening the soil and hoeing some weeds which grow overnight. I hand watered some of the potted flowering plants and harvested a couple cucumbers.

After a breakfast of cereal with fruit I headed back outside to work some areas in the back yard while it was beautiful with cool temps. Nancy hung a couple loads of laundry outside on the clothesline and then I headed over to neighbor Donnie and Martha's to harvest blueberries. They told me to harvest them from their one bush as they wouldn't be back up when they started ripening. I picked a pint of berries and then I picked my two bushes and got maybe half as many. I'll have Nancy freeze some for a pie on a later date if we don't eat them before hand.

Well for supper I cut up a roasting chicken and it was even better than the last time I grilled one. It takes a little longer due to the size but oh so good. We will get another meal plus some lunches from this big bird. Frank and Ann came by just before supper to get their 7 potted plants we kept alive for them while they were in Florida for a couple of weeks. They were thrilled at how well we kept them. After supper we walked around the yards and pulled a few weeds in the flower beds and then sat on the front porch admiring all of the beautiful flowers until dark. I gave the bee nest in the roof line near the deck another squirt of insecticide after dark. I've just about wiped them out. I did watch the Ray's lose again at home to the Blue Jays. I don't believe they will make the playoffs this year due to so many injuries, LATER

Tuesday Morning August 2nd

 Well Monday turned out to be just gorgeous after a somewhat cloudy rain sprinkles morning. The temps were near perfect with a strong breeze in the afternoon. I did manage to work in my solo hike after my early morning routines that start with some quiet time after posting this blog. The trees were dripping some water as I made it through the woods and back home. It held off anymore rain as the morning progressed and eventually cleared off totally by the time we headed out to Galax for Walmart shopping.

We had a last minute shopping trip planned as we were expecting some ex relatives in laws but they cancelled due to some health issues and we hope to reschedule before long. They live just about an hour and half away down near Hickory, N.C. We went anyhow to the big shopping house and loaded up once again with mainly non eating items; everything from clothes for Nancy to new gum boots for me plus some eatable items. It was after 1 before we got back on the mountain. We did make a garbage stop on the way into town. Gas was down to 3.83 which is the lowest in awhile since we've been here this summer.

We had some leftovers for lunch and then a huge salad for supper with the last 2 pieces of the fried chicken from Sunday. Delicious and I'm going to grill a roasting chicken this evening for our supper. The last one I did fed us for 2 days but oh so tasty. We have to eat some already store bought items we were going to serve to company but now we will eat it along with our chicken, oh well. I'm still getting a few cucumbers which are delicious and so good for you.

We did some porch setting and reading during the hottest part of the afternoon until nearly 5 when we decided to take a long hike. We went down the driveway and up by Steve and Sheri's place then up the long hike to the top of the mountain and then back down after cutting through one of the yards on top to the back trail. Wow what a good long hike. We are expecting neighbors through the woods to be back at their place today to pick up their plants and hanging baskets we have been sitting for them. They all did well except the one hibiscus plant that the twins knocked off the porch and then the big storm blew off another day. It's still growing but did lose a couple limbs.

On a sad note our "mountain mom" Helen got word her younger sister passed away in Winchester after surgery on her hip. She was 89 and had dementia after driving there one day and never got back to her place here in the mountains after being hospitalized by the authorities. There are just the 2 of them left in the family now and both Joe and Helen are in their mid 90's.

Well that was about it after busy day. I did spray the yellow jackets nest in the roof near the deck with some hornet killer spray after dark. Hopefully they and bats have decided to take up residence else where. I did buy some new mouse traps as they still live in the red outhouse/shed that I use for tools, etc. I haven't seen my mouse catcher, Blackie the snake this summer. He usually keeps them in check. We walked the yards and checked all of the flower beds as dusk approached. What a glorious evening and the wild flower beds are so pretty and vibrant with all of the various colors, LATER

Monday Morning August 1st

 Well its a light rain to start this day off which is kind of nice, at least its not gully washing but a soaking rain. I'm sure glad I got the mowing done on Saturday as the place looks and this rain will help with the gardens and yards plus it dropped the temps down into the upper 60's.

Sunday was a good day at church as we heard from a Gideon since Pastor B was gone out to Nevada to see his new grandson. He will be gone next Sunday as well and we will have a musical worship day. The attendance was down this week but the many faithful were there to hear how this organization is being welcomed back into the local high school as they place bibles and testaments once again to students. It's just another event that maybe folks are waking up to bringing GOD and his word back to young folks and teachers.

We ran an errand after church then Nancy did some shopping at Food Lion before we headed home. Instead of eating out we picked up a fried chicken pack and brought that home for our lunch. We knew we were eating large at supper with the Luffman's which is always good around 5:30. After eating burgers, oven tatters that Nancy brought and corn on the cob we headed down to the barm and the pasture to mingle with her 20 + horses and their foals as well as some of her famous cats from Europe which she hopes to breed and sell for big bucks. Mechelle is quite the entrepreneur while working a full time job.

We played the best of 3 games of Sequence and the gals one the second game after being tied as Gerald and I were one player short and I played the Harvey Hand (remember the white make believe rabbit named Harvey). Anyhow it was good food and fellowship with some great folks. We sure missed Caleb playing with us as well as he was off on his work trip to Cleveland. This new job is not what he wants so he will be starting a new job in Independence, Va. in a couple weeks which will keep him close to home, plus we learned he has a new girlfriend who we know, LATER