Wednesday Morning Nov 30

 Well this month is gone and only one more month to this year, Wow. Time just seems to fly by the older I get. I started Tuesday with a well before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up by name after posting this ramble. All seem as well as can be expected. I finished up my talk with my Creator on my bike ride to the rec a little before 8 where I played pickle ball for a solid two hours. The stamina seems to be returning and the play at times was fast with long rallies. We had mainly good players with 3 courts in action and a couple waiting to get on at times.

After pickle ball I headed home to hand water the garden before heading to Sam's Club to fill up at 2.92 which was 30 cents lower that right across, of course the 12 pumps had at least 3 to 4 cars in line to fill up as well. I picked up a couple items Nancy needed then made a stop at Lowes for some seeds and a couple plants before heading home all before lunch.

We finished up the leftover turkey on a sandwich for lunch and then after digesting for an hour I headed out to work in the gardens tilling and area by hand with a shovel and transplant some red leaf lettuce I picked up at Lowes as well as an egg plant into the garden proper. They were all root bound but should do well once they get into the warm soil. I watered them heavily and fertilized them as well. Most all of the leafy green seedlings are maturing except the beets which is having a hard time for some reason. I transplanted a dozen or so and only about 3 or 4 seems to be maturing, not sure why but we love the greens in our salads plus they are a super food.

I cut up a whole chicken as we use to do back when the kids were small and they were 19 cents a pound whole and grilled them. We love chicken that way and this one must have weighed 6 pounds or so. I grill it slow for an hour with some rosemary from the garden and its delicious. I personally love the backs and the bony parts and you can only get them when cutting up a whole chicken. I've butchered many whole ones over the years. Back when, I use to even cut their heads off and pluck the feathers before butchering them. I wonder how many folks have ever done that, oh well.

I read after supper instead of watching the depressing news which I get during the day from the internet. The USA beat Iran in soccer and the Lightning were down a goal when I shut the lights off at 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning Nov 29th

 Well Monday was another warm and muggy day since we had rain over night. The temps stayed in the upper 70's and while the morning was quite pleasant the afternoon was hot with tons of sunshine and blue skies. We even dried two loads of laundry outside on the clothes line.

 I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments with my Lord giving thanks and lifting several up by name after posting this ramble. All are holding as of now. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball. We had mostly good players which makes for great fun and exercise. I did add a couple pounds over the holiday but now I'm determined with diet and exercise to reach my goal before the eating starts with Christmas.

I worked in the gardens after PB until lunch time and harvested my first mess of salad greens; romaine, kale and collards. I rinsed them and then spun them dry for the salad bowl and even added some to my turkey sandwich for lunch, delicious. I'm thrilled the beans are adding leaves and starting to climb the chicken wire on the wooden fence. Everything seems to be doing well except the carrots never germinated, oh well. I now have dill and cilantro seedlings showing some color as well. I'm still growing great weeds and grasses in the garden so I know it fertile as I pull and hoe them every day, oh well. I did notice a few fishing worms which is also a good sign there is compose for them thus they make the best plant food ever with their casings(poop) . 

I read the afternoon a way after starting a new Jack Carr book. This is the third book in a 6 book series and thus a page turner. I read until supper time which we ate around 5'ish as we headed out a little before 6 to Keswick to watch the JV and then varsity girls basketball teams win big over another local team from upper Pinellas. The JV won by 30 points and the varsity by 40. Ava played great with scoring 6 points, great assists and many rebounds. The whole team played great together. We sat with our older couple who attends all of the games and the girls team bought them great seats for the bleachers with backs as they attend every game, even away games. We also learned we attend the same church together. I think they are in their 80's but seem well at this point, LATER

Monday Morning Nov 28

Well Sunday was another hot and humid day that started out with tons of sunshine but by late afternoon the skies clouded up and we got some rain which is unusual for this month. November is usually one of our driest months but the rain cooled things down some what. I had started the day out with my before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord after posting this ramble. It was worship day with our new congregation at Starkey Road Baptist Church where the Word is preached. I so loved the folks at Bridgepoint but the preaching had gone "woke" as well as some other issues with the way things were being run so we decided to check out this new church and we love the preaching and the praise music. There are several faces from our old churches we have attended over the years who have made this their new church family as well.

After the service we headed home to change clothes and meet up with the Botbyl's and Tracy's at their home as Dan is recuperating from his foot surgery for a lunch take out from Sonny's barbecue. Nancy and I shared some ribs, beans and cole slaw which held me the rest of the day except for the last piece of pecan pie which we also shared later in the evening. I'm back off desserts until Christmas when we will flood the tables with delicious pies once again. I'm also back to losing another couple of pounds with different eating habits since I put back on at least two or so over the holiday.

We men watched the Bucs once again display such poor play on the field and they lost in the final minutes of a game they should have won. I think they are finished this year which I hoped they would at least give Brady another year to extend his many records. He sure didn't look like the G.O.A.T. yesterday which he is with most decent teams, so sad to see his team mates under perform, oh well. I watched a little of the  other games but was so disappointed with Bucs I decided to read instead of watching football which is big for me as I played for 5 years in high school.

Well that was about it for the day as I tuned into a show on Prime after showering and finishing a Jack Carr read until 10'ish, LATER

Sunday Morning Nov 27

 Well Saturday was a busy day filled with first some fun on the pickle ball court and then some work in the gardens until lunch time and then up in the attic bringing down the Christmas decorations. I'm not a fan of that chore however I do like the results and especially the meaning of this special holiday.

I started the day with my before 6 rollout to my routines that start with the posting of this ramble and then some quiet time to honor my Lord and give thanks for another day as well as lift several up by name for comfort and healing. I finished up my talk on my bike ride to the Rec at 8. We had mainly all good players for the two hours of play and I got in a great work out and left whupped since I had not played in two days. I could feel the extra calorie filled meals of the past two days around by middle as well. I need to check myself again until the eating starts with the Christmas meals and no desserts until then, oh well.

I had been setting my critter trap since a possum, I think and has been doing some digging but has managed to escape the trap at night, however last night I caught a huge neighbors cat which I'm sure has not been digging in the compose piles of the garden, but there it was. I let it go and it quickly vanish over the fence. The garden is starting to some some green colors with the seedlings adding leaves daily all except the carrots which has yet to show any color. I'll harvest some greens for the salad bowl this week as they start to mature.

I tuned into some college football and there were some big upsets during these final days that changed many standing for the bowl games and rankings. We ate leftovers from the thanksgiving  meal and they are actually better leftover the next day. We have enough turkey for a couple sandwiches but thankfully Nancy gave a lot of the pies away to Betsy who worked her day off and came by. That was about it except I did set and read for a couple hours after supper as Nancy let me watch football while we put the tree up and then she had it the rest of the evening, LATER 

Saturday Morning Nov 26th

Well Friday started out with perfect temps in the low 70's with limited sunshine but as the day progressed it was total sunshine and blue skies but the nasty humidity was back on the scene. We headed over to Bobby's in Brandon around 2 and was there until 7'ish before starting back to Seminole. Once again we did the whole big dinner with him, Katie's folks and sisters plus Tammy and her family. It was a great afternoon and evening and the food was awesome especially the turkey.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that always include some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding as best as they can due to age and health issues. We have so much to be thankful for in this nation despite what the woke crowd wants you to believe. Their plan is to divide the nation using any method and they will stoop to anything to achieve their goals especially with this inept leadership in the government.

I took another 5 mile or so bike ride mid morning pedaling hard the whole way to gain some exercise and working up a sweat before coming back to once again work in the gardens. I really worked up a sweat there as the humidity was oppressive. Nancy was in the kitchen all morning baking 4 pies and making a green bean casserole to take to the supper. We also took a huge pan of dry stuffing that Betsy had made for us to take along.

We got to Bobby's around 3 and the twins were thrilled to see us as was Gabe and Annsley. They shared their time spent in what was a cruise on a spaceship at Disney World last week. Their pictures were awesome. The Ross Family arrived just a few minutes after we arrived and of course the cousins matched up playing and entertaining the each other and the twins. LeLe is like a second mother to the boys and they love her. It was good to catch up on all that's going on with Tammy's family as well. Their girls are beautiful and both are now back home as the youngest has decided to not go back to Virginia Tech to finish her degree. She will attempt to finish on line and enter the business world. The oldest is doing her own thing making great money as a server in a night club. We had great conversations with Katie's mom Lynn as they travel everywhere and as she settles up the estate of her folks which was vast to say the least.

We got back home with full bellies after an uneventful trip and for a change the traffic was not as heavy as normal; both going and coming. I tuned into the big football rivalry between the Florida schools and the under dog was winning when I shut the lights off at 10'ish, LATER

Friday Morning Nov 25th

 Well Thursday turkey day was great temperature wise with the high 70's by late evening and finally some sunshine. It was foggy, misty and over cast until then but with low temps in the upper 60's. Really nice for a nice long 5 mile or so bike ride around mid morning as the Rec was closed. I piddled around in the yards and gardens and then around noon settled in to some NFL. I did do some honey do's through out the day until company arrived which was the Ross Family and then Betsy and Gus who all came around 4:30.

I had started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor and give thanks to my Lord for another day and to lift up several. I did watch a great message from Pastor Jack Hibbs who is one of the best teachers and preachers of GOD's Word the Bible. He is excellent and probably one of the best ever especially coming from the land of fruits and nuts, California. He explains the relationship of the old and new testaments and the promises of GOD with the trinity and how that works for those who are believers of Jesus and what he did for mankind. Awesome speaker and teacher. Check him out at his church is in Chino Hills, Ca. and he speaks from the pulpit the necessity of speaking out about the corruption and deceit in our government and its leaders. He was instrumental in attempting the recall of their idiotic governor, Newsome last year. He is also on You Tube.

Well the Thanksgiving Day supper was fantastic and I did limit myself except for a sliver of Amy's pies; apple and pecan. The 20 some pound turkey kept the house smelling delicious for the best part of 4 hours or so and of course all the fixings were delicious as well with smashed tatters and gravy, broccoli, corn and dry stuffing as well as a cold cranberry creamy dish, all of which were so tasty. After the clean up we settled into a couple of family games which lasted close to 9. We sent plates home with Betsy for her two sons as well and I have enough for several lunches. We have to do it all over again today as we go to Bobby's for his turkey day dinner with Katies family and a cousin of mine, Tammy and family. Amy and family will also attend for the 4ish supper, LATER

Thursday Morning Nov 24th Thanksgiving Day

Well Wednesday turned out to be another gorgeous day with moderate temps through out the day with mostly overcast skies in the morning which gave way to blue skies and bright sunshine in the afternoon. The temps were in the upper 70's and vey little humidity. Perfect day.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my morning routines that always include some quiet time after posting this ramble. I finished up my talk with my Creator on the bike ride to the Rec for 2 hours of constant pickle ball play with some really nice players and left with a wet shirt a little after 10. I headed home to work outside in the gardens and yards and that nasty possum was back again last night digging up and destroying 3 tomato plants. I decided enough was enough so I set the wire trap last night in hopes he is in there this morning and I will give him a ride to the park. I managed to dig out another shrub in the front yard before it got to hot to work in the direct sunlight.

Nancy was off taking a meal to the Botbyl's and then off to shop at Aldi's. Seems she is at the grocery daily while I'm cutting down on my intake and now I'm down to 193 from 202. I still have a few pounds to go before I reach my goal. I use to be my best at 180+ but I'm not thinking I can reach that mark any time soon especially with the holidays and all the fine eatin' that goes with it. Oh well. 

I sure hope when the republican take the lead in the House and takes over they will undo all of the mistakes this corrupt administration has done to destroy the middle class. We all know Biden is corrupt and in bed with the Chinese and he continues to promote covid vaccines which have killed more folks than the virus itself. I find it so hard to believe so many christians still believe its right to kill the innocent with a pro choice attitude, that says I have to support their agenda with my taxes which makes me complicit. Our DOJ is corrupt and now once again they are going after the only America first potus since Reagan and the MSM is complicit with their false accusations and their attempt to keep him from being elected again. The elites in DC are worried he will continue to expose their corruption, LATER

I hope everyone enjoys their families on this holiday and is thankful we still have our nation for now, but if we don't take a stand against the corruption in DC especially with the democrats and this inept corrupt potus we will lose our freedoms and liberties forever.

Wednesday Morning Nov 23

Well Tuesday was a nice day with temps in the 70's but cloudy overcast skies. It looked like rain but it stayed dry so I rode my bike to the Rec around 8 and played pickle ball for two solid hours and then worked in the gardens until lunch time. This exercise has helped with me dropping a couple of pounds over the last weeks or so and of course portion control with meals I think has made the big difference.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble giving thanks and lifting several up by name to my Lord for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as I make this post. I finished up my morning talk on my bike ride to the Rec. We had all good players today which makes for great games and steady exercise. The action was fast and we had great long rallies. I managed to win most of my games and never sat down for two hours. I was whupped on my bike ride home.

I transplanted the rest of the tomato seedlings into the garden proper despite a squirrel digging up one of my seedlings. I think I have a possum coming in at night to dig in the compost to get at our almost daily deposits in the garden. I'll have to set my large wire trap and remove him back into the woods at the local park. I moved some of the lettuce seedlings into beds under chicken wire to keep the nasty squirrels from digging them up. The beans are doing well and have added leaves as has the sugar peas. I'm still waiting on the carrots which usually take a couple weeks to show some colors.

I spent the afternoon reading as Amy and Ava came for lunch after her basketball practice at school. All of the schools are closed this week due to the holiday. Betsy and Gus came by for a visit and brought the turkey roaster and stayed for an hour. I think they were bored. I finally got up to hand water the gardens which signaled it was time to go. They will be here on Thursday for the big turkey dinner with Amy and family. Friday we will go to Bobby's for another turkey dinner with Katie's family and some cousins. His house is built for lots of folks which makes it great for us. We just have to travel to Brandon in all this traffic.

Well Nancy had made a Shepards Pie for us and one for the Botbyl's as Dan was having his foot surgery this day, so she was busy in the kitchen. The pie was delicious and we have enough leftover for another meal. We watched some of Fox News and then I headed in around 8 to shower and watch some prime tv which we now have. I had the Hugh Hefner story on as he was the start of the playboy saga that started in the 50's. There was some great videos of that era and how he turned a home project into big business and made millions bringing out the sexual revolution in a somewhat less smutty way and breaking cultural barriers in the civil rights saga. That era is the one I grew up in and I found it interesting to say the least while Nancy found it less than interesting with the exploitation of women's bodies in a magazine, oh well, LATER

Tuesday Morning Nov 22

 Well Monday was a bit nippy to start the day but by late afternoon Nancy had the a/c back on for the evening and night. There was tons of sunshine and blue skies and the sun was really hot as I sat outside in the back yard after lunch to read. I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble and finished up on my bike ride to the Rec for two hours of non stop pickle ball play. We had some good new players as well joining us over this holiday week who were in town. I was whupped when I left at 10 and headed home on my bike.

I piddled around in the garden until lunch time as Nancy was gone getting the grey out of her hair at Mary's who is her old hair dresser friend. Amy, Ava and Eliza were coming for lunch and then Nancy was taking them Christmas shopping which has become an annual thing while the girls are off for the holiday break. They were gone all afternoon and got back around 5'ish. 

I transplanted three of the pink tomato seedlings into the garden proper and put cages for them to climb on hoping they will make it. I have what I think is a rat chewing on my seedlings but the more I think about it I think a rabbit is getting under the back fence and doing the damage to several of my plants. Rats are not known for eating green plants but fruit rats will eat fruit so I first thought it was a rat but now I'm convinced it is a rabbit, oh well.

I read most of the afternoon away until supper time when we ate some frozen meatballs with pasta and canned peas. I got on the scales and I'm now down 9 pounds from when we got back from N.C. I think the portion control and exercise is helping with no beer and a small amount of carbs is the key at this point. I still have a ways to go to reach my goal but I have a good start thus far. I tuned into the Lightning game and they got whupped from a good Boston team 5-3 after getting the first goal against them. Our defense is just not as great this year with several new players, oh well. LATER

Monday Morning Nov 21st

Well Sunday was different totally with the weather and then what we did for the day as we missed our regular Sunday worship and listened to a service on the radio as we traveled to Brandon to watch the  twins for the day. The weather was nasty with rain and cold temps in the low 50's as we bundled up for a few minutes outside with the boys and then we stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way home last evening for delicious supper.

The boys were great to be with and so attentive to everything you say and do and they did listen rather well despite mommy and daddy not being around which usually is a cause to do as you see fit. They ate well at lunch and took nearly a two hour nap and played rather well together. Their new fascination is or was a small flashlight we found outside in their play area which still worked. They both wanted it during the day so it was share time which they did every 3 to 4 minutes and did so willingly.

Katie's mom Lynn  came around 4'ish and took the boys to her place for the night and will now care for them until Bobby and Katie get back from the Disney world experience like a cruise in a space ship. She will take the boys to school which is just around the corner from their neighborhood. It was a fun day with them and they have really matured and now are potty training. They did fairly well with no accidents during the day.

We were cold for most of the day with the rain and cold windy weather and on the way home we stopped at the eatery for some vittles and the special for the day was a bowl of pot roast which was perfect with taters, carrots, onions and small tomatoes. Delicious to say the least and we licked the bowls cleaned. We got back to the house some where around 6'ish and the house was warm and snug compared to Bobby's which we were chilled most of the day so we wore our extra shirts and coats at times. His house is so big with extra rooms and the upstairs which causes the heat to rise.

I hit the showers after watching some NFL until 8 and then watched some of the late game under the covers and turning out the lights for the night around 10, LATER

Sunday Morning Nov 20th

 Well Saturday started out rather chilly with temps close to the 40's to start the day but by late morning it was back to short sleeve weather with tons of sunshine and blue skies. The afternoon was quite pleasant to be outside and I did get in some garden work.

I headed out a little before 8 to the Rec on my bike for some pickle ball but the gym was closed due to a craft fair so I pedaled home against the cold wind causing my eyes to water from the cold, yikes it was chilly with the north wind blowing. It took a couple hours before it became nice enough to work outside. I transplanted some beets and lettuces and then noticed where a fruit rat chewed on a collard plant as well as nippled on some tomato leaves so I dusted them with Sevin and set a rat trap with peanut butter. Hopefully I caught him last night. Everything in the garden seems to be growing and adding leaves to the new bean plants.

I took a long 5 mile or so bike ride since I didn't get any pickle ball exercise and it was a good ride in the warm sunshine. Nancy was off shopping again so I tuned into some college ball for a couple hours in the late afternoon. We were heading up to the Botbyl's for supper around 5'ish and stayed and visited Dan who under goes surgery on his heel on Tuesday. He will be laid up for 8 weeks as it heals. It's already been two weeks since he injured it on a freak accident and broke the heel in several places.

Today Sunday we head over to Brandon to watch the twins for the day as Bobby and Katie take Annsley and Gabe for a couple nights to Disney World for their birthdays. Hopefully Lynn takes them starting Sunday evening and we can come back to Seminole. They will be in school during the day so that's no big deal for her. I settled into the Lightning game in Nashville and they were down a goal when I turned the lights off around 10:30 for the night, LATER

Saturday Morning Nov 19th

 Well its still quite chilly here in the mornings and evenings but at least we are seeing lots of sunshine and blue skies. It's down in the low 50's for the past two mornings which is winter for us or at least fall. It was cold ride out to the Rec yesterday morning where I got in two hours of pickle ball play. Many of the A players were not there but I had a player who at times hits as hard if not harder than me there so we played well at times and helped some of the lesser players in their game. I'm getting some two hours of non stop exercise which is what I want to help lose a few pounds. I'm eating less and feeling great as well.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time with my Creator giving thanks and lifting several up by name. All are holding at this time. I finished up my talk with the Creator on my cold ride to the Rec on my bike. It's not the mountain top experience I had each morning at the cabin but I can honor and worship any where and any time. After pickle ball I worked in the gardens moving up some seedlings into 9 packs as well as loosened up the soil around several plants. The jalapeno pepper plant is starting to set some blooms so I will have fresh peppers soon, and the one large roma tomato is starting to show some blooms as well. I sowed some onion seeds which will take weeks to show any colors and I'm still waiting on the cilantro and dill to show some color as well.

Nancy walked the 'hood instead of biking to the Rec for some exercise. We both are trying to eat lite and lose some weight as she now had over taken me on the scales. I'm still down around 7 pounds since starting the regiment of eating less. I only hope I can continue until I reach my goal. I've given up beer and desserts as well and incorporated lots of fresh fruit in the diet; but I think pickle ball daily has really helped as the biggest factor.

We met up with Tyler and Ava to ride together to Berkeley Prep School in Tampa which is larger than most college campus's and so modern to watch Ava and her team play a good team. We were stuck on the Howard Frankland Bridge for over an hour due to a 4 car crash which had a back up on the bridge of thousands of vehicles. We made it in time to watch the JV team win from Keswick as well as Ava's team win without one of their best ball handlers. It was a hard fought game and Keswick won by 11 points. Ava played great on defense and had a few shots at the net with several assists. She is a team player all the way and is really aggressive on rebounds. It was close to 9 before we got back home and by the time I had a shower and relaxed a few minutes it was bed time, LATER

Friday Morning Nov 18th

Well it was chilly here in usually hot sunny Florida this morning as I rode out to the Rec around 7:45 on my bike. I needed a flannel shirt and ball cap to help ward off the chill which was somewhere in the low 50's and no humidity for a change. It felt great after getting back from the Rec and close to 2 hours of pickle ball play to work outside in the gardens and yards until lunch time. I had started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord and give thanks for another day and all the blessings that go with life and then lifting several up by name for comfort and healing after posting this blog.

We had an old friend who is back from Canada on the courts with us so that made for good play. We had 7 players all closely matched in talent but we needed and another to have two courts in action. The play was good but when you have to set out despite being a winner it made for some boring down time, oh well. Hopefully we can get many of the good players back in the future. I made a library stop on the way home and then piddled around in the gardens. I decided to start taking out the front yard shrubs as Nancy wants to redo the front area. I got about a third of them out and cut up into trash cans before lunch and then I took the afternoon off. Nancy was in Clearwater at a doctor's appointment and then she picked up Betsy and they shopped at several stores in the local area until nearly 3.

We were supposed to go to Ava's game which was across the county and leave at 4:30 for the 5:30 game but there was a mixup by the school so the game started an hour early. We picked up Amy and got there about halfway through the 3rd quarter and Ava's team was winning 55-to 11. We got to see her score and make several good defensive moves and the final was a win by close to 70 point difference. The evening chill had started to set in as we dropped Amy and Ava off at home after the game. We had eaten early around 4 as we thought the game was during the dinner time period. I tuned into the Lightning game and they won and then NFL on Prime TV and it was snowing and very cold in Wisconsin. I think our good friends the Nymark's are heading there today for the Thanksgiving holidays for 2 weeks.

The 1/2 runner beans are now all up and I'm waiting on cukes and Swiss chard to break ground after sowing them twice. I transplanted about 20 lettuce seedlings as well as kale seedlings so we should have plenty of greens for salads in a couple weeks, LATER

Thursday Morning Nov 17th

 Well Wednesday was a busy day that started with a well before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with my quiet time after posting this ramble, giving thanks and lifting several up by name. I finished up my talk with my Creator on my bike ride to the Rec a little before 8. I got in a good work out for close to 2 hours on the court but many of the better players stayed away as there were lots of beginners present which doesn't make for good play but since its open to the public you either play with them or leave. I played several games helping those who want to learn and play better. I enjoy instructing but a few are stone deaf to any help.

I came back and checked the gardens and noticed I now have 1/2 runner green beans breaking ground after just being in the ground 4-5 days. Everything is doing good and we had rain over night so I didn't have to hand water. I purchased a new tracfone which looks and acts as a smart phone like Nancy's but trying to get it activated was a chore as no one speaks clear english with that company. I also wanted to transfer the over 3 thousand minutes onto this new phone with the same number, but that didn't happen quite like they promised when I purchased the phone. I did get a new number which is nice because now I won't get tons of political messages. I could call out but could not get calls in especially from Helen in the mountains. I later called neighbor Gerald there and he did call back and I was able to receive his call. For some reason Helen was unable to get through despite several attempts. I think I spoke with her a dozen times to no avail. I spent close to two hours on the phone with the company but I eventually got service. I only want this phone because its a hundred bucks a year and I use it mainly for when Nancy and I are separated or in an emergency.

I headed to the VA for my 6 months regular visit and then for my eye exam. All seem to be normal with good blood results and vital's. I've made a complete recovery from the covid pneumonia and the blood clots in the lungs, however it seems I'll be on the blood thinner until the end according to the doctors since I have a track record of clots from way back, Oh well. I've signed up for the drug part of medicare which should help with the cost of the drug called Eliquis. I stopped by Sam's Club on the way home from the VA and the gas was 2.98 a gallon and there must have been a hundred cars waiting to fill up and no wonder as just next door it was 3.49, thats 52 cents a gallon on savings. Wow and most every station showed the same price or even higher.

We had fresh pea pods stir fried with some shrimp, onions and celery for our supper which was very tasty. I had my glass of red vino and then after the clean up we settled into the Fox News channel for a spell. I'm so tired of the corruption being played out by this administration I headed in to watch some videos on the history channel on my laptop. The Republicans took the house which should help with curbing this inept potus plans to socialize the nation and hold them accountable on spending, but I was hoping for a complete red wave but the offer of paying for college debt brought out the young millennials to vote for the corrupt dem's and then abortion was completely blown out of proportion by the corrupt MSM with  pro-choice. It should be murder of the helpless and innocent but they make it out to be a woman's decision and give no decision the the fetus.

I now hope the Repub's investigate the corruption in D.C. with those in this administration, the FBI and the dem's who are complicit with our enemies like China and Russia. We need term limits and some folks to be incarcerated for their activities in helping our enemies get a foot hold in our nation and hopefully patriots will finally make a stand against these who want to destroy US(A). LATER

Wednesday Morning Nov 16th

 Well Tuesday was another busy day that started with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet moments with my Creator after posting this ramble to give thanks and lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected due to ages and health issues. I played pickle ball for two hours then worked outside in the gardens and yards until lunch time then it was watching documentaries until supper time. 

The temps were perfect but still too much humidity but the cloudy skies helped somewhat with working outside. I was able to dig up another trash can full of weeds that have taken over the front yards and while digging them up by the roots I'm loosening up the soil for the grass to spread. I sowed some new lettuce seeds called igloo which has large leaves for making wraps and noticed they are up in just a couple of days. The newly transplanted tomato seedlings seem to be doing much better now that I'm using regular potting soil; not sure why because they germinated in the garden soil and I still have one seedlings in the regular garden soil doing just fine but when I moved them up into a mixture of manure and garden soil they died, oh well. I moved more kale into the garden proper along side the collards which have just taken off in growth; of course they were seedlings when I purchased them and every thing else I started from seeds. I'm hoping the half runner beans make as they should be popping through the ground any day.

Nancy was off with sister Betsy after lunch until supper time. I had a couple of chicken breasts in marinate and then grilled them with fresh rosemary and we put them over a bed of salad. Delicious. I settled into the Lightning game after the clean up and they won in OT against a good Dallas team. I have two appointments with the VA this afternoon for my regular checkup and then an eye checkup later in the day. I'm still using those Arid vitamins which I think has helped a lot with me maintaining my vision. I use cheaters for up close or when the light isn't great or when reading but nothing for distant views. I'm blessed for my age, oh well LATER

Tuesday Morning Nov 15th

 Well this month is half gone and turkey day is just a week or so away and then Christmas will be here before you know it. Time just flies as you grow older but its a blessing when I think of all my classmates and USAF buddies who are no longer with us. I'm still able to run and play, hike and garden plus do most every thing from earlier days just not as long or as often, oh well.

I started the day with a 6'ish roll out to my routines that start with honoring GOD with some quiet moments after posting this ramble and finishing up while riding my bike to the Rec for some two hours of pickle ball. We had a mixture of A and B players but I was able to stay on the court for the whole time despite pairing up with some B players. I try to help them with pointers and some instruction as we all started out as beginners. At least we have players that can chase the ball which is better than being by yourself.

I piddled around in the garden and yards after getting back from the Rec as Nancy was off as I was getting home. She is finally doing some work out which she needs to help straightening out her achilles and keeping it in shape as well as to help with burning some calories. We finished up some leftovers for lunch and then while I digested I headed in to watch some WW 11 history documentaries on You Tube until it was time to get ready for company coming at 5 for supper and then card games.

I did transplant more pink tomato seedlings as some thing ate the the leaves from the earlier transplants. I now have sugar peas popping through the ground and the original purchased roma tomato plant has tripled in size. It seems it should be blooming in the next week or so. I'm still getting that intolerable spreading grass in the gardens despite digging it up daily when it shoots through the ground, so I guess to control it is by digging it up as the weed killer only kills the top shoots, oh well. I did dig up several weeds that were blooming in the front yard and trashed them instead of mulching them for a change.

We had baked salmon, broccoli and a crunchy salad for supper with some leftover cake and ice cream for dessert. I stayed away from the sweets but did have a glass of vino before eating along with Sheri. She and I love our wine but no one else partook. I'm down 6 pounds and trying for 10 since I got back as its so much easier to add than subtract. The gals took 2 out 3 Euchre games after losing the first game in a blow out. We guys must learn their signals, LATER

Monday Morning Nov 14th

 Well yesterday was the third Sunday we have been back to Florida and our second Sunday at Starkey Road Church, we love it and will make it our home place of worship where the whole gospel is preached with reverence. We saw several folks we knew from other venues who also have made this their home as well.

I started out the day with a 6'ish roll out and to some rain showers which was bringing in a cold front. We will probably see the 60's for low's but hopefully the humidity will go away and bring in some drier air. I did my morning routines that always start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my Lord and give thanks for another day and lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected. We headed out a little after 10 to SRBC for the 10:30 service and the parking lot was filling up fast. They have a huge campus and the main auditorium probably holds 4-5 hundred folks. The music was awesome as well and they do many of the old hymns and How Great Thou Art was sung yesterday which was always a favorite of my grand mothers and mine which brought back memories and tears.

We met up afterwards with friends and neighbors Dan and Carol who now drive separately because of his foot injury at the new local Tex-Mex place just down the road. It was very good and great service as well. We made a stop at Aldi's for a fresh salmon fillet which we are preparing this evening for the Nymark's and the Botbyl's and then some card games afterwards. Sheri and Steve are living in their motorhome as they are having their new/old Seminole house remodeled which is just a couple doors down from Amy and Tyler's. They travelled so much after selling their huge Seminole house and are now down sizing.

Nancy dropped me off at the house and then headed out to Target for a couple hours while I watched football. The Bucs played in Germany and beat the Seahawks in a close game and I watched two close games as the Vikings and the Packers both won in overtime. The Lightning came back to beat the Capitals after losing big to them a couple nights ago. After a shower it was horizontal lab at 10, LATER

Sunday Morning Nov 13th

Well Saturday was a funday that started around some 2 hours of pickle ball at the Rec and then a family supper with everyone here but Katie who was away in D.C. with her company. I did get in some garden work after getting back from the Rec  and the weather was a bit on the warm side but tolerable. The humidity is always present and of course makes you wet with sweat anytime your outside working.

I started the day with a 6'ish rollout to my usual routines that start with some  quiet time after posting this ramble and I finished on my bike ride to the Rec. It's not a mountain top talk with only God made surroundings, but I manage among the noise for the road traffic as I must keep my hands on the bike instead of raising them in praising HIM. I had a good workout with constant play for over 2 hours as I had missed two days in a row from playing. My game was on as we had a couple of good players. There were several new players and a couple were fun to play with and against.

I noticed on my way as I passed by the library building that at least 5 people were sleeping under the over hang out of the dew. I use to see one occasionally but now there were 5 that was visible from the driveway. What is happening to our country with these corrupt folks in charge in this administration. The high cost of inflation is sending folks out on the streets to live and many are veterans. I was hoping patriots would wake up and send all of them packing but at least Florida did her share as not electing any democrats who vote with this inept corrupt unelected potus Biden. The nation is in turmoil and our enemies are in the gov't.

I sowed two rows of carrots on the side garden and about 30 hills of half runner beans along the back fence. I will have the fence which is about 6 feet tall for them to grow on. Some critter ate the 6 pink tomato plants off that I had growing under chicken wire, but I had several more seedlings and used them to stock one 6 pack. This time I'm keeping them up and away from the soil until they get larger. The radishes are up despite the washing out rain of a couple days ago, so I sowed more seeds as well as more cucumber and Swiss chard seeds. The collards with stood the rain and strong wind and are doing good. I gave every thing a taste of 10-10-10 as the rain washed away a lot of the compost. The pole beans are up and these are from seeds I saved from last years planting. I sowed more lettuce seeds and kale as well, so if all make I will have plenty of greens for salads plus tomato's and green beans.

Well the grands were all here and the older kids loved playing with Ryder and Huck as they had the house in an uproar for a couple hours. The Shepards Pie was a hit and Nancy had two large casserole dishes filled. I never thought we would eat it down but there was enough leftover for one small helping. I stayed true to my effort of eating small with just salad and one small helping and none of the ice cream and cake that followed. I'm down 7 pounds from when we got home two weeks ago. November is supposed to be our dry month but with the hurricane and now its raining this morning as I make this post which is good for the yards and gardens.

We watched some football while the gang was here and then after they left I headed for the shower. Now that I have Prime on the bedroom TV I watched a little of Reacher a show Lee Child the author is responsible for in his books. I'm reading UNBROKEN again and its awesome as I had forgotten the first part of Louie's time in a B-24 as a bombardier. Well, a little after 10 I shut the TV and lights out for some horizontal lab. Today is corporate worship day as we head for our new church home on Starkey Road. One of the pastor's came by yesterday to thank us and bring a small gift bag. That is something our mountain church Cornerstone never does nor did Bridgepoint when new folks come for a visit or when they quit coming. Our old church SFBC did all of those and I think it makes folks feel wanted, oh well, LATER

Saturday Morning Nov 12

Well Friday started out with my usual 6'ish roll out to my routines of some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected due to age and health issues. I decided after it broke day light to work in the back yard cleaning up several downed oak limbs and debris from the storm. I then decided to fire up the mower and mow all of the yards which hadn't been mowed in a couple weeks and the weeds were starting to take over. I worked right up until it was time to clean up and meet the Nymark's at Olive garden where we had a delicious lunch. My meal was on the house for Veteran's Day and as soon as we walked in the door I was asked if I was a veteran and was not made to show any I.D. The server was very nice to me as well and the special menu was the dinner menu. I brought half of mine home for later.

Nancy was in the kitchen baking cakes as she had to bake two because trying to add extra icing caused the first cake to slide around and fall apart so she called Carol, Amy and Betsy to come by and pick up the first cake while she followed directions for the second cake, oh well. The cake making was for today(SAT) family dinner with everyone but Katie who is on a business trip with her job.

I spent the afternoon reading and watching documentaries and then Betsy and Gus came and stayed until close to 8. We watched the Lightning getting whupped until they left then I headed into the shower and eventually the bedroom to watch TV while she watched her HGTV shows. I hit the sack at 10, LATER

Friday Morning Nov 11th

Well Thursday was a total wash out which lasted well into the early morning today. It seems settled outside as I make this post but the back yard is littered with limbs and debris from the big oak in my yard and surrounding trees from neighbors. I sure hope the seedlings survived from what I saw from the windows it looked as it they made it before darkness settled in. We had some wind and rain that blew sideways and strong at times causing the lights to flitter on and off but we did maintain power and internet for the day and evening.

I started the day with a 6'ish rollout to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to give thanks and honor my Lord as well as lift up several b y name. All seem as well as can be expected. There was no pickle ball for me as Nancy forbid me to go out, however I did learn a few players did venture out to the Rec. It was nasty and I'm surprised anyone went out in this weather. After breakfast I read the day away and finished the first book in a 6 book series by Jack Carr. I've ordered another couple from the library but in the meantime I'm re reading UNBROKEN which I read several years ago. What a read and it's loaded with pics and about one man's life in the service to America. Great reading. I had forgotten about all of the islands an atolls Louie visited during the war as I too visited many of the same places during my 7 years in the USAF. I can relate somewhat to what he and his B-24 crew saw from the air during their bombing raids.

We did venture out around 3'ish as the rain was coming in squalls to pickup groceries for Saturday evenings family birthday supper for Annsley and Gabe. They get to choose the entree and dessert and this year its shepard's pie and chocolate cake with chocolate icing. One of my fav's except for the cake. I'm still trying to eat lite and did tip the scales at 195 the lowest in months; down from 202. My goal now is 190. I'm forgoing beer which I like one for lunch but now its been 3 weeks or so and just a half glass of red wine a couple times a week. I'm eating fruit between just two meals a day with smaller portions and trying to stay away from carbs and sugar. Today we will meet up with the Nymark's at Olive Garden for lunch which will hold me the rest of the day and evening until Saturday. They have a Veteran Day special for Vets, so why not take advantage of their offer plus we like the eatery despite all of the carbs from pasta.

I watched a little of the Thursday night football now that we have prime on our tv and the lowly Panthers were beating the Falcons which helps keeps the Bucs in first place in their division, LATER

Thursday Morning Nov 10 th

Well Wednesday was a different day as I had an early morning appointment at the VA for a blood draw and then off to the Ford place for service and new rear brake pads for the truck which finally got me home around 11:30. The skies were gray with the threat of rain but that was about it until late afternoon when we got a couple of small shower. I did hand water at least once during the day as we are supposed to get rain from this hurricane off the east coast of Florida which is skimming the coast line.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my routines of some quiet time after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day. I wasn't able to ride my bike to the rec as I missed my pickle ball play for the day. The blood draw when well at the VA as they took several vials of dark blood. The drawer mention how dark it was because of the iron which she said was a good thing as it carries the O2 to my cells. That was good to hear. The service tech mention the rear brake pad were thin and was close to getting to the rotors but no damage yet so I had them changed along with a checkup, oil change and tire rotation.

I had eaten an apple after the blood draw and then a bag of salted peanuts mid morning and the some left tacos fixin's around 1 for a late lunch which held me the rest of the day. I'm hoping to shrink my stomach enough that I will feel full and not eat as much and thus lose a few pounds especially around the mid section. I felt great the rest of the day and evening. I read the afternoon away with a new read and author who reminds me much like Vince Flynn. He is Jack Carr and his new book THE TERMINAL LIST is a real page turner and his main character Reece is much like Mitch Rapp who was Flynn's hero. Reece loses his squad and family to corrupt folks and his goal is to make them pay with their lives.

We headed out around 5:30 to St.Pete High for Ava's preseason game against a decent team who lead by 7 pts at the half but the turn around came quickly when they put a full court press on and quickly took the lead and won by 30 pts. What a difference the second half of the game. Ava played well with her great defense and hustle and she should of had more pts but the ball just would not drop. We had rain on the way down and then some through the night and this morning its windy with some showers, LATER

Wednesday Morning Nov 9th Florida went Red

 Well Tuesday was a busy day that started with a well before 6 rollout and lasted until close to 9:30 when we got back from Brandon following Gabe's last game for fall ball. They lost in their tournament so we will have a few weeks before starting over again with spring ball in Brandon but now Ava's basketball season begins so we will attend lots of her games.

I headed out to the Rec on my bike after my morning routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to give thanks for my many blessings and to lift up several by name. I finished up my talk with GOD on my bike ride to the Rec. We had good play for nearly two hours this morning and I left some what whupped as I'm finally gaining my stamina back and my game improves with every day play. I will miss today playings as I have too many errands to run and one is at 7'ish with the VA and then to the Ford place for long over due service on my truck. Friday is out as well as its Veterans Day and the Rec is closed.

I piddled around in the garden hand watering after getting back from the library where we voted ALL red and it seems that Florida voted the same way. I'm hoping most of the nation voted that way as well as we need to take back the country from the corrupt democrats and the radical left woke crowd. All of the garden seedlings are doing fine despite the heat and I'm hand watering daily.

We headed to Brandon around 3 and the traffic on the interstate was like a parking lot with stop and go traffic on 4 lanes each way. We ran into a rain storm on the way with wind and down pours typical for Florida during the summer months. We ate supper with Bobby and the family before heading to the ball park which despite the heavy rain was played. The field drained quite well and we got to watch Gabe hit an over the fence home run in a losing cause. It was a close game but some running error's caused them to lose, oh well. It was back to Seminole around 9:30 just in time to watch the final moments of the Lightning lose in a disputed call that took away a goal, oh well. We were thrilled our governor won in a landslide so there are some competent folks left in the country, LATER 

Tuesday Morning Nov 8th..Election day to take back America

Well Monday was a mixture of play, work and doctor's appointment for my 6 month check up. All seemed well according to my vitals and I did get a flu shot which they said was a necessary due to the increase in cases thus far this year. I got in nearly two hours of pickle ball play in the morning and then transplanted several seedlings into 6 packs which I will eventually move into the garden in the afternoon.

I started the day with a 6'ish roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD after posting this ramble and finished up with my talk on my bike ride to the Rec a little before 8. We had a couple new players visiting and one was very good. Too bad she doesn't live here as she is top notch. I played against and with her for several matches and she plays both inside and outside in the Winston Salem area of N.C.

I came back around 10'ish then piddled around outside until it was time to shower and head out at 1 PM for the doctor's appointment. I'm not scheduled to see him until the middle of May next year but do have to do some blood work in the next several days. Nancy was off to Wal-Mart after I got home so I headed out to the gardens. I transplanted lettuces, 3 different types of tomato's from seeds and some kale. If all of the tomato's make I'll have several pink's, roma's and cherry to share and eat. I hope this heat abates as its been in the upper 80's with high humidity, but thus far the seedlings and plants are surviving. Thankfully my well has plenty of water as I'm watering at least twice a day.

We ate some leftover's from Sunday's family meal of taco meat and lots of fresh veggies to add to it with some yellow rice for our supper. We both are trying to limit our intakes and portions and of course I'm staying away from desserts and most carbs. I haven't had a beer in over 3 weeks and have held myself to a half glass of red wine a couple times a week. I still believe red wine is medicinal in moderation. I did tune into the MNF game for a few before calling it a day at 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning Nov.7th

Well Sunday saw us waiting around to attend our new church until after 10'ish, especially after we gained that lost hour. My body was still on DST and the service didn't start until 10:30. It was a great day of worship with a huge crowd of folks mostly from my view was seniors or folks who looked older than me. We did see a family we know from Keswick and from pickle ball there who are also thinking of changing churches. We definitely will go back and make that our place of worship as Bridgepoint has gone woke. I'm saddened because we really loved the small groups and so many we worked with for the past several years. We heard straight from God's word from the pulpit as that which we are use to in the mountains. So refreshing from all the darken stage, flashing lights, smoke and concert like atmosphere. Afterwards we met up with friends for lunch at the Olive Garden eatery for a delicious lunch.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out however I tried to stay in the sack the extra hour which was difficult even more so this morning as I was wide awake much too early plus Nancy's snoring wasn't helping despite the ear plugs, oh well. I stayed up nearly an hour longer last evening hoping that would help with sleeping in but no as my body is use to being up well before 6 which in this case was well before 5, oh well.

I tuned into the NFL and watched some very close games through out the afternoon then Bobby and family came over around 4'ish to watch the Bucs game and have supper with us. The boys were excited to see us and of course had fun playing with the many toys Nancy had out for them. We so enjoy them and they are as smart as can be. The game was a seesaw game and at times the Bucs looked good and very bad at other times, but with just seconds to go they pulled out the win over the Super Bowl Champs to stay competitive in their division. Brady is a great QB but the play calling and ineptness at times of his receivers is so surprising. A win is a win and they have several key players who are hurt. 

I watched the Titans winning over the Chiefs at half time then I shut the lights out and got some shuteye before Nancy came to bed. Not sure how the game ended but the Chiefs have a good team and I will not be surprised to see them in the playoffs, LATER 

No pictures again as Nancy is doing something on her side of the down loads.

Sunday Morning, Nov 6th as We dropped back an hour with the time change

 Well Saturday was a fun day except for some minor gardening after and hour or so of pickle ball around 8'ish. We took in a dinner/theater show with our life group friends at 4:30 in Largo. The old Bridges eatery was converted into a nice place for a small production of some what broadway like atmosphere and a buffet supper to start. Both were enjoyable and we met the leading lady and owner who is very sweet and in her early 70's or there about.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out to my morning routines that start with some quiet times after posting this ramble. I do miss my solo hike in the morning to the top of the mountain voicing my concerns to the Creator about the shape of our society on this hike but I do an abbreviated version on my bike ride to Rec before 8. We had a couple good players for the morning but I got in a good workout as I gradually regain my stamina on the pickle ball court.

I got back from the Red around 9:30 and piddled around in the gardens sowing some sugar peas along the fence on the side garden. I now have more tomato seedlings popping up that I brought back from our mountain garden. I'm also seeing some Swiss chard seedlings appearing and the store bought seedlings are doing O.K. thus far. I'm loving how quickly the seeds germinate here in this warm sandy soil

The Nymark's along with another couple we know picked us up around 4:30 for the short ride over to the theater where we met with several of our life group since before May. There were lots of hugs and well wishes and we had to tell them we were seeking to worship at other venues. Many of these in the group have already BridgePoint as well. We have been disappointed with the teaching and many practices of letting "wokeism" into their messages which is causing many churches and religions to become filled with straying from the heart of GOD's word. It's sad because we have grown to love many of the folks as we worked hard to have our own building for worship and now to see the leadership cave in to this insidious movement. The watering down of GOD's word is destroying not only our churches but the country with allowing abortion to become a woman's choice and the acceptance of homosexuality and the trans movement especially in education. What was evil is now good and the churches are not standing up to these sins.

The show was a comedy with an older couple renting a get away cabin and it was double booked with a younger unmarried couple. It was sort of like all in the family show with Archie and Edith and all the actors did a great job as you could relate to many of the situations in real life today. I would go again as the dinner and hour and half show was around 40 bucks per person. On a sad note neighbor Dan had a ladder mishap that broke the heel on his right foot and will be laid up for a spell. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers, LATER

Saturday Morning Nov 5th

 Well Friday was another mixture of play and work. The play came during the early morning at the Rec when I got in another hour plus of continuous pickle ball play. My game is back according to those who I beat and now I gave lots of instructions to some beginners and intermediate players who were in attendance as several of the better players stayed away yesterday. I still got a good workout and worked on my dink and donk game while staying away from the power game which I truly love.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble. I finished up with my morning talk with my Creator on my bike ride to the rec. After my workout I headed home to work in the gardens and yards and now have beets and kale showing some color along with the lettuces. So far all of the seedlings are surviving this heat. I'm hoping the tomato seeds I sowed make as they were the best tasting tomato from my summer mountain garden.

I cleaned off the side garden and now have it ready to be seeded with carrots and some snow peas that will grow on the chain link fence. I took out the dead and dying front azaleas and the once very large hibiscus plant that died over the summer. I want to redo the front of the house but will wait until it gets a little cooler. That kept me busy until late evening when it had cooled down a little to be able to work outside . The afternoons are just too hot and humid to do anything outside, so I watched so documentaries on the laptop. So far I've stayed away from afternoon napping which at times I find myself dozing while sitting at the desk involved in the stories, oh well.

Nancy was off with neighbor Carol during the morning hours and then again she, Kathryn and Carol were out to a new store and then dinner at Outback. I heated up some leftover yellow rice with some black beans for my supper which was delicious to say the least. I'm down 5 pounds since getting back but still another 5 or so go before I want to feel comfortable. Keeping active through out the day and eating smaller portions and staying away from junk foods like chips and other carbs seems to be having an effect. I think the big thing is shrinking the stomach and eating less is the key, LATER

Friday Morning Nov 4th

Well Thursday was a mixture of fun, work and then visiting with family and ending with watching grandson Gabe and son Bobby winning their ball game in Brandon last evening. What a fun day. I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my Lord and give thanks for another day after posting this ramble. All seem as well as can be expected for those I lift up daily for comfort and healing. Some have really improved as well. I headed out on my bike to rec before 8 finishing up my morning talk with my Creator. I had great play this morning and stayed for just over an hour of play, leaving with a wet shirt after winning several matches. I will play this week with just about an hour or so and hopefully next week stay the entire two hours for play as I build back my stamina and hopefully still have enough energy to do some yard work if this heat ever dissipates. It was another hot one yesterday and even at 8 at night it was still 80 degrees as we left Gabe's game.

I now have small lettuce seedlings breaking ground after just being in the ground 3 days. All of my seedlings are looking good and of course I'm hand watering at least twice a day with this heat. My new pump I installed last year is doing great with plenty of water coming from my shallow well. On our way to Tampa yesterday we ran into some rain but I don't think we ever received any here at home, oh well. This month is normally one of our driest months of the year. I'm getting the gardens worked up, removing all of the dead grasses and weeds which have no trouble growing here. I still have the small side garden to clean out and plant.

It was great to see the Triplett's grands and Huckson was so excited to see me when I picked him up at school. He was the most excited to see me as Ryder is a little more laid back. Anns and Gabe have put on a growth spurt and she is becoming a beautiful young lady and Gabe is such a handsome young man now at 12. His hitting and pitching won the game for the team last evening after a some what rocky start. He shut them down in the last two innings with no runs. Bobby and Katie are having their hands full of these energy full twins but they are so smart, sometimes too smart.

We got back home to see the Lightning lose in over time. After a shower it was horizontal lab for me around 10'ish. The traffic going and coming was just unbelievable and its like a parking lot on the main roads, LATER

Thursday Morning Nov 3

Well its still hot and humid here and although we did get a 5 minute rain shower in the afternoon it didn't cool it down much. It was another work day for me as I donned a straw hat against the hot sun and worked the yards and gardens filling all of my garbage cans causing me to stop for the day. I'll have several more full cans in the coming days but since we have garbage pickup I'm limited to how much stuff  I can weekly discard.

I started the day out with a before 6 rollout as my mind still has me planning on what I need and want to do daily. I did my usual routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my Lord and give thanks for another day after posting this ramble. I finished up my morning talk with my Creator on my bike ride to the Rec a little before 8. It was good to reconnect with so many there and they made me feel special. I got in several pickle ball games winning all of them and decided to leave after an hour or so. I needed to rest but that only comes when you lose and I was winning this morning plus I wanted to work in the yards and gardens as there was some overcast which helped with keeping the sun out.

I gave the front yard tree a haircut as it was looking shaggy and leaning somewhat over. I filled a huge trash can with the limbs and berries the Crepe Myrtle was producing and then headed to the back yard gardens. I finally cleared out all of the grasses and filled trash cans with it so I could later mulch them up into compose and place around my plants once they get established. I don't have any seeds up yet but the seedlings I purchased seem to be thriving.

Nancy was off with sister Betsy so I could work as long as I had the stamina but did take several rest and water breaks until lunch and then afterwards until 3. It was down right hot in the sun and I went through several water breaks while resting under the shade of the big oak. I noticed a few fishing worms in the garden which is a plus and now with me watering daily they should come back in full force. The several inches of oak leaves left over the summer helped with them surviving. I'm still eating lightly and with no second helping and have dropped a couple pounds with the exercise on the court and the work and sweating from the garden and yards. Hopefully I can drop another 5 or so before seeing the doctor on Monday afternoon for my 6 month checkup.

Well we finished up the leftover salmon and had fresh asparagus and yellow rice for supper, delicious. I headed into the bedroom to watch some documentaries as I could n't get the series on my TV but the Astros were winning when I called it a night around 10'ish, LATER

These are old pics but I want to make sure they are still available for posting.

Wednesday Morning Nov 2

 Well Tuesday was another hot and humid day here in sunny Florida with temps in the upper 80's, bright sunshine and blue skies. It was another busy day that started out with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines. I did my quiet time with my Creator after posting this ramble then headed out to the Rec on my bike for the first time in 5 months or more. Instead of the mountain top hike and talk with GOD I do it on the bike ride to the Rec for over an hour of good pickle ball play. We had several good players and then a few B players arrived but they mostly stayed with their own caliber of players which makes it nice for the rest of us. I occasionally fill in with them if they need another player for a foursome plus I like to instruct and give pointers for the game. I left with a wet shirt and headed home as Nancy wanted to make another grocery run at Sam's club.

I filled up at 3.11 a gallon but there is always a waiting line now to get to the pumps, plus the gas just across the street was at 3.43, what a difference in price especially if your filling up which I needed to do. We loaded up on meat with purchasing the major ones; chicken's both breasts and whole ones, pork chops, chuck roasts and ground beef plus a few other goodies. We like Sam's meats and some of their produce. I think we spent over 500 bucks in the last couple of day to restock the house.

I made a stop at Lowes which is just across the street from Sam's and bought several seedling's; collards, romaine lettuce, basil, a jalapeno pepper and a roma tomato plant. The price of plants is also out of sight with this inflation. On the way home with our goodies Nancy needed to stop at Publix again for some items before we got back home. It was lunch time so I settled into a peanut butter and onion sandwich with some celery on the side. I need to lose a couple pounds before seeing the doctor on Monday for a scheduled appointment. I'm hoping to drop a couple of these added pounds from this summer before then from pickle ball and working in the gardens in this heat and high humidity.

Amy was having us over for a supper of shepard's pie which was delicious. I held my self to just one serving and a small salad and one piece of bread and really I felt satisfied, instead of over eating and feeling stuffed. It was delicious but its time to get serious about these extra pounds. Fruit for breakfast and a lite lunch and stay away from the carb's or just one helping. Hopefully that works.

After getting back from Amy's it was time to watch the Lightning come from behind to win in a hard fought close game against a good Ottawa team and then it was shower time and some horizontal lab. I'm now in the bedroom with my own TV while Nancy stays up all hours of the night with her HGTV in the living room, LATER

Just some random pics from the summer now that I have them again for publishing.

Tuesday Morning Nov 1

Well Monday was a total work day after getting back from the rec for an hour of pickle ball, a stop at the bank and then a hair cut. It was hot and humid and I sweated hopefully a couple pounds off during the next couple of hours in the garden and yards. My muscles are sore this morning and I had no trouble sleeping last night. 

I started the day with a 6'ish rollout to my usual routines of posting this ramble and then some quiet time to honor my LORD and give thanks as well as mentioned several by name. Most all seem to be doing O.K. as I write. I sure miss my solo hike to the top of the mountain but I'll start my talk on my bike ride to the rec this morning as I drove yesterday and then ran errands.

I hoed and raked grasses and weeds from about half of the one garden and then sowed lots of seeds and covered them with chicken wire to keep the squirrels for digging. It was miserably hot and humid once again in the upper 80's. Nancy was off shopping at 3 grocery stores as she stocked up once again. We live 5 minutes from several stores but she is still in the mode from being in the mountains when we were at least several miles away from any grocery, oh well. It was close to 1 before she got back so I had already eaten a lite lunch of a left over deer burger we brought with us from the last night at the cabin.

Amy and the three grands came by after school and we visited and loved up on them. They are so hungry after school and it brought back memories of Bobby and Amy after school snacking like they were starved. Ava is taller than Nancy now and is playing basketball and we will be excited to watch her play next week, Sam is still in his Jujitsu class and LeLe is still snaggle tooth and so cute. Amy is a great mom and is still teaching 4 yer old's at Keswick and seems to really love her work.

After they left I caught up on the internet as it was just so hot outside until after supper when it cooled down enough to make it comfortable to be outside. I have lots of outside work to keep me busy for the next couple of weeks as the shrubs in front of the house have slowly lost their flavor. I'm waiting for cooler temps before tackling that project. The gardens are some what shaded around mid morning so I can work on one until late in the afternoon and then work on the other, oh well I sure miss those cooler temps, LATER