Saturday Morning Dec 31st. Last day of 2022

 Well Friday was another busy, fun filled day with temps that were near perfect. The morning started with low 60's and ended with high 70's and very little humidity. Lots of sunshine and blue skies as well. I actually stayed up close to 11 as we were at the basketball final's at Keswick until after 9:30. Ava's team won first place with a 20 point victory over a good team who they had beaten in preseason by just 5 points. The team from Kentucky won their action packed game as well. After a shower I watched a little of the Orange Bowl game and Tennessee was winning over a tough Clemson team.

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. Those I lift up daily are holding and a couple were released from the hospital and doing quite well. I finished up my talk with the Creator on my bike ride to the rec for two hours of pickle ball. The last play for this year and it was a great workout with mainly A players. I was whupped on my ride home. The temps were up into the upper 70's and it felt great after a cold start to the week.

I hand watered after hoeing the gardens and then Nancy wanted to get her goodies for the celebrations starting tonight as we watch the ball drop at the Botbyl's with close friends and then family coming for the usual first day feast of the new year of sauerkraut and pork, black eyed peas, etc. The whole family will be here plus cousin Tammy and Rich and family. It will be another house full with lots of football and games to play as well.

I filled up at Sam's for 2.87 which was 22 cents cheaper than the station next door and I checked with the pharmacy and their Eliquis wasn't any cheaper then Walgreens, oh well. The drug is working thus far in my life and I'm thankful despite the cost being some expensive. That was about it for the day except I did finish Thor's first book THE LIONS OF LUCERN and it was a page turner. I'm waiting on the second book to start next year, LATER 

Friday Morning Dec 30

Well 2022 is about gone and what a year, but I'm thrilled to be able to still function, exercise, work hard, love life and most of all honor the Lord. Thursday started out much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to lift up several after giving thanks for another day. Those who I lift up by name are holding on despite some age and health issues. I headed out on my bike around 7:30 to the rec and finished up my talk with the Creator on the way.

I played hard for two solid hours and left whupped with a wet head. The outside temps were up close to 70 which made for a perfect rest of the day and morning to work in the gardens and yards. I fed some of the seedlings and then hand watered the gardens and front yard. I'm trying to get the grass back in the growing mode since I have a several bare spots that I have chopped up and removed the dead grass and weeds. After a lunch of salad from the garden I headed out to set under the back yard oak and read for a couple hours until it was supper time.

We wanted to leave around 5 for Keswick to watch Ava's basketball game and it was a close one during the first half. The coach didn't play Ava until the second half and her aggressive play turned the game around for the team and they won by 20 points. At one time they were down a few points and tied at half time, but Ava came in and scored 6 points immediately and stole the ball from their best player a couple of times. She deserved the best player award and the coach commented on her play as well after the game.

We stayed for the first half of the boys game then dropped the Ross kiddos off at home while Amy and Tyler who was working the admission gate stayed until the end. I watched the last two periods of the Lightning game and they came from a goal down to winning in a shoot out. Great play and these players are real athlete's in my book. It's the best sport to watch as well except for some fighting which adds to the toughness of the game. I hit the sack around 10'ish for some horizontal shortly after the game, LATER

Thursday Morning Dec 29th

 Well Wednesday turned out to be a gorgeous day after a chilly start and by days end the temps had dropped once again, but all above any real cold temps. There was plenty of sunshine enough so by the afternoon I was able to set outside in the sunshine and read for a couple hours.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name for healing after posting this ramble. All seem as well as can be expected. I headed out on my bike to the rec finishing up my talk with the Creator on the way. It was chilly to start but when I left by 9:30 it had warmed up to short sleeve temps. I was meeting up with Steve Nymark at 10 who needed help picking up a large piece of furniture and putting it in his garage. We then picked up a trailer load of debris from his house that is being renovated and he took that load to the dump. He dropped me off on the way home around noon then Nancy and I had lunch. I finished the last of the zuppa soup which is always delicious.

Nancy was off to visit with the Botbyl's so I sat in the yard clipping my toenails and then reading until it got too hot in the sunshine. I read until we decided to eat around 4:30 as we wanted to attend the basketball tournament at Keswick which is going on for 3 days. Ava's team won by 60 points and the boys team was losing by 50 points when we headed out at half time to a team from Kentucky. Both of these two teams were great and the point difference was obvious.

We got back to the house around 8:30 so I jumped in the shower and watched the Lightning beat up on a team from Canada 4-0 and then it was time for some horizontal lab, LATER

Wednesday Morning Dec 28th

 Well it has warmed up from what it was and while its still chilly the nights are good for sleeping without the A/C on. The heat was turned off during the afternoon as it was quite pleasant outside but Nancy turned it back on before coming to bed. I'm still sleeping under an extra blanket which feels good.

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 honoring my Lord on the bike ride to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play with some good players. I came back and worked in the gardens hoeing and feeding the plants. I noticed the 1/2 runner beans were touched by the cold but not terrible and the cucumbers are not looking good, but every thing else seems to be O.K. I worked outside until lunch time and then settled inside the rest of the afternoon reading and watching some You Tube.

I got word that an old classmate and FB friend passed away over Christmas up in Winchester and then yesterday evening the daughter of an old friend here in Seminole came by to tell us her dad had passed away the same time. Wade was as gruff as they come and had lived alone for years after his wife who was our first baby sitter for both Bobby and Amy passed away a few years back. Wade couldn't hear and it was tough to visit him which I did a few months back. We use to fish together way back when we we first moved to the 'hood. We always thought a lot of his family but as with everything else time moves folks in different directions and so did we.

We cleaned up some leftovers for both lunch and supper and then I settled into some more computers documentaries before hitting the shower and watching some TV in the bedroom. Nancy was non stop HGTV watching which doesn't in least appeal to me, LATER

Tuesday Morning Dec 27th

 Well this year is just about over as the month is coming to a close as well and I hoping this cold snap will soon be gone as well. The heat has been on since Friday and I'm ready for some warmer temps however yesterday we did see the upper 40's with lots of sunshine. There is no doubt this cold snap does not indicate any global warming like the idiots in D.C. proclaim. It's all a ruse to garner those less intelligent to part with their money to fund the big wheels who are tyrannical.

I started the day much the usual to my morning routines of some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks and lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected due to ages and health issues. I headed out on my bike on this chilly or rather cold morning to finish up my talk with the Creator and to play pickle ball for two hours plus. We had good players all morning and some old players who usually play outside but decided the rec was warmer for this day. It was a great workout. I came back and had a mid morning breakfast of leftovers from the brunch on Sunday morning. That held me until we had an early supper around 5'ish of leftover soups and muffins. Delicious still. We still have some leftover soup so will finish it tonight or for lunch.

I took all the covers off the veggie plants and all looked good except the two hills of cucumber plants despite them being covered. They do not like cold temps and it was down at the freezing level a couple nights in a row. I'm hoping it stays above those temps the rest of the week. I hand watered the gardens as the wetness seems to help holding in the heat in the ground and helps protect the root systems. The rest of the day was spent on cleaning house and then reading and watching some travel blogs. Our next big gastronomic event will be New Years Day when we have tons of family for the usual sauerkraut and pork entree with smashed taters and black eyed peas.; of course the night before will be some finger foods while we play games with 3 other couples at the Botbyl's to watch the ball drop, LATER

Monday Morning Dec 26th

 Well Christmas day felt like it should be with cold temps minus the snow, wow it was cold to start the day and stayed down in the low to mid 30's for most of the day and evening. However it did warm up enough by late evening it was bearable in the mid 40's as some of the older kiddos played and ran around outside in the dark. We attended the 10:30 service at S.R.B.C. and came back with two sets of couples plus Amy's family for a brunch. The food was excellent and then after the clean up we settled into getting ready for both kiddos families and Betsy and Gus coming around 5.

The smell of the rib roast was through out the house. We loaded up all of the presents from the bedroom and put them under the tree. It took us hours to open especially as the twins wanted to play with every thing. Everyone was thrilled with their bounty and the finger food to start the gastric juices flowing along with some fruit of the vine was delicious as well. The 11 pound prime rib was perfectly cooked with a pink center and after sending two plates home for Betsy's boys it was cleaned up. 

We had spinach casserole, smashed taters with a gravy made from the roast along with carrots and a fresh garden salad and lots of crusty bread. Nancy had chocolate mouse tarts and Amy brought apple crisp. We watched a little football and ended up watching the first half of the inept Bucs against a team that was less than good. They won in OT and maintain their hold on first place in their division. I don't think they will go far in the playoffs, oh well, LATER 

Sunday Morning Dec 25th CHRISTMAS

 Well Saturday was the coldest day we've had in many moons actually years as the temp reached a low of 32 degrees and stayed down in the low 40's for the day. There was at least some sunshine and the warmth felt good in the sunshine but the air was brisk and made it feel even colder. My garden sustained no damage over night but the wind dried it out considerably by days end. I drug out the box of old sheets and covered everything I could during the late afternoon hoping to save most of the garden as a hard freeze was expected once again over night. The last hard freeze was in the 80's when I lost all of the gardens.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble. I gave thanks for another day and lifted several by name for healing and comfort; all seem as well as can be expected. I actually ate a breakfast of eggs, sausage and toast around 9'ish for a change whereas I usually eat an apple on the way to the rec, but it was closed so no pickle ball this Saturday and none again next Saturday, oh well. I got in around 10 hours of good play during the week and the muscles needed a relaxing day.

It was so cold I didn't venture out until after lunch when I harvested some kale for the pot of zuppa soup Nancy was taking to the Botbyl's house after the candle lite service at church later in the evening. The Tracy's were going to meet us there as well with some delicious finger foods. The service was awesome and the church was filled for this 4:30 service and then another one at 6. It was really turning cold as darkness fell and stayed that way the rest of the evening. I'm hoping by covering the veggies after hand watering,  I saved most as tons of plants were blooming.

We guys watched some football on cold snowy fields before calling it a night around 8:30. We are having Amy's Family plus the Nymark's and Botbyl's for a brunch around noon after the one 10:30 service at church. We will then host another family supper with both Bobby and Amy's family around 5'ish to exchange presents and eat a prime rib supper plus Betsy and Gus will come as well.  It should be a gastronomic day with tons of folks through out, LATER

Saturday Morning Dec 24th

 Well the predictions are correct as the temp this AM is 33 degrees, yikes. I sure hope the garden survived as I didn't cover any plants last evening due to the wind; but it's still out there and I'm wondering if frost set in over night.

 I started the day on Friday with my usual before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected due to health and age issues. It was in the 60's to start the day and stayed nice until the early afternoon when the wind drove out the over cast skies which let in the dropping temps. I finished up my quiet time on the bike ride to the rec for close to two hours of pickle ball play before heading home to check on the gardens. I harvested a nice mess of greens for the salad bowl, cleaned and spun them dry.

I eventually hand watered the gardens in the afternoon as the wind really dried out the soil and I know a wet soil helps with the cold on the plants roots. I will have to cover them tonight if it stays down into the 30's and the threat of frost. I read and watched documentaries until it was time to pick up Dan and Carol and drive them to Sheri and Steve's house that is under renovation. There is a lot of work yet to be done before they can move in. We may have to let them live with us as their rental space for the motor coach comes due in January, oh well.

We headed over to the Olive Garden for a delicious supper and then back to our place for cards and games. The guys once again wiped the floor of the gals in Euchre;  2 games to none and then we played Chameleon a new game. It is hilarious and while we didn't keep score it was just fun to play. That lasted until after 9 when everyone headed for home. It was in the 50's and of course everyone was freezing and we now Floridians can't stand the cold, LATER

This evening we head out to S.R.B.C. for and evening service and then back to the Botbyl's for soup and finger food with friends and the tomorrow morning we once again visit S.R.B.C. for a 10:30 service and then back to our house for brunch and then the whole family come for dinner later in the evening. So there is gonna be "too much consuming" around here as we have gift exchange with the family. Merry Christmas Everyone

Friday Morning Dec 23rd

 Well Thursday found us with rain again late in the evening as the temps dropped some what. I started the day out with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift several up by name. All seem well. I finished up my talk with the Creator on my bike ride to the rec where I played pickle ball for two hours. I left with a whupped body and a wet head and pedaled home to check out the gardens. I fed the small seedlings some liquid plant food but the ground was still damp so I did no hand watering. I have lots of blooms on all the tomato plants as well as on the egg plant. The pole and half runner bean plants are nearly to the top of the fence climbing on the chicken wire. The lettuces are ready to harvest as is the collards once again and the kale is maturing.

The forecast is for some temps down into the low 30's here over Christmas so I will drag out the old sheets and have them ready to cover the tender plants. It's been years since we last had any real freezing temps enough to damage the veggies. This storm is supposed to be a real severe one and I wonder how the left climate change idiots are going to spin this. I feel for those who are depending on heating fuel now that this inept potus has made it more expensive as he continues to destroy the economy and our energy independence.

Nancy had a pot of bean soup on the stove and along with a garden salad and corn bread we had the Ross Family for supper. After eating Amy and Tyler took off to shop for the kids and we played Spoons. We had such a fun time and grandma was the big winner along with Ava. We were going to play the new game Chameleon but Amy and Tyler were delayed  so we will play it with Bobby's family on Christmas Day, LATER

Thursday Morning Dec 22nd

 Well Wednesday found us with heavy rain overnight so much so I didn't have to hand water the gardens and the temps dropped down as well. Just maybe we are getting some of that huge winter storm that is hitting the nation.

I didn't due much for the day except play pickle ball for two hours and then watched documentaries and read the rest of the day and evening. I did start the day with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD and give thanks and lift several up by name. All seem to be holding as one was released from the hospital to go home. I finished up my talk with my maker on the bike ride to the rec. The play was awesome as we had all good players and by 10'ish I was whupped with a wet head and shirt and pedaled home against a stiff breeze. The gardens and yards were still soaked so I headed in to stay the day. No work was needed in the gardens and the plants looked great and some were ready for harvesting.

Not much to write about except Amy came for lunch and Betsy stopped by a couple times, once for using the bathroom while working and one to pick up baked cookies. We cleaned up leftover for both lunch and supper and then I settled into the Lightning game and they were down 2 goals so I switched to a documentary on Prime TV and then lights out before10, LATER  

Wednesday Morning Dec 21

Well we got a little rain last evening and that dropped the temps which I believe will lead into a rather chilly weekend and then on Christmas Day. The temps yesterday were chilly to start but soon warmed up to the low 70's which made for working in the yard pleasant after two hours of pickle ball at the rec. I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord and give thanks for another day as well as lift up several by name, all after posting this ramble. All are holding and even a couple have return home from their illness.

I had a great workout at the rec and finally reached the 189 on my scale. That's the first time in several months I've seen the 180's albeit was just barely. We had supper with the Ross Family and of course it was delicious but mostly carb's with smashed taters and chicken and noodles on top, yikes that is so tasteful. GG use to make that and we all loved the flavor but it's not great for the flat tummy's. Oh well. I worked outside before and after lunch hoeing in the gardens and then the dead dry grass in the front yard. I dug up another wheel barrow load and used it to mulch in the gardens.

Amy and the kiddos came for lunch and then they decorated Christmas cookies for a couple hours as they filled the house with awesome smells and laughter and the kitchen floor was covered in sugar decorations. We missed having Annsley, Gabe and the Twins for this occasion as they are still in school until Friday. It's hard to believe the big day is Sunday and then a week later a new year. Where has this time gone, LATER

Tuesday Morning Dec 20th

 Well Monday started out on the chilly side with temps in the mid 40's but soon warmed up to the low 70's by early afternoon with tons of bright sunshine and blue skies. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected. I headed out on my bike to the rec for some 2 plus hours of pickle ball with all good players for a change and left whupped. I finished up my quiet time and talk with my Creator on the ride to the rec.

I worked outside in the gardens and yards until lunch as there was no humidity and the coolness made for great yard work. We called and spoke with baby sister Dee for a few after a lunch of some leftovers.  I headed in to read the afternoon away until 3'ish when we got ready to head over to S.R.B.C.to help with the Christmas event for kids in the foster care program. What an event it was; a complete dinner with ham's, turkey's, mashed taters, dressings, gravy. mac and cheese, salads, fresh fruit, and tons of desserts, etc was provided for these kids plus a program where they participated, and even wrapped packages were provided to them. This was the girls event and we had 3 of them plus two staff members at our table. Nancy and another lady plus myself where there to make them feel welcome and I was the host which meant I was the gopher for the evening. The boys event occurs tonight but we will not participate as we have other plans.

There were ton's of volunteers and we got to meet and know many of them as we worked the kitchen before hand, carving turkeys and ham's as well other chores. I even sliced two of my fingers which got me out of that duty but not too bad. Band aides took care of the cuts. We started around 3:30 or so and left some where around 7:30 after the cleanup. What a great event the church does every year for these kids and we had a great time for our first service duty with the church. I was whupped by the time we got home and in the hot shower. I watched the NFL until 10 then it was lights out for me, LATER

Monday Morning Dec.19th

 Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship first here at the house with watching Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. and then our own pastor at Starkey Road Church with our neighbors and friends. Both pastors had great messages and afterwards we headed down to the Tyrone Mall area for lunch at the Bonefish Grille. 

I started out the day with a before 6 rollout which is my usual routine that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name, all seem as well as can be expected due to ages and health issues. I headed out to hand water the gardens on the chilly morning with temps in the 50's which is spring time in the mountains but winter time here in usually hot, humid, sunny Florida. We learned this Christmas will be coldest in 20 some years as temps will be some where in the 50's. Already we smell wood smoke in the air as neighbors have fires both inside and outside in their yards.

Our pastor spoke on the last of the OT minor prophets and his prophecy to the Israelites and will after Christmas start on the NT. Many pastors and churches are not preaching on the OT and saying it not relative to life these days, but we are in the times when America and the world is seeing many of those prophecies coming true. There is such evil in the world and we are in for a rebuking by GOD as the prophets predicted, oh well.

The lunch with the Tracy's and Botbyl's was delicious at the Tyrone Bonefish. We hadn't dined there in over a year and while the prices have increased the food was still great. I had my usual bowl of chowder and bang bang shrimp and Nancy her usual trout. The bread is so good as well and I broke down and consumed too much. The meal held us the rest of the day. I spent the rest of the day watching the NFL and the Bucs once again played well in the first half but went to sleep in the second half blowing a 17 point lead and lost by that much again. Seriously they should not be leading their division but because everyone else is terrible in that division they are going to make the playoffs, LATER

Sunday Morning Dec 18th

Well Saturday started out overcast with temps down into the middle 50's and a slight breeze which made it comfortable for working outside after my hour plus of pickle ball and then I settled into some NFL after lunch until bedtime.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and then lift up several by name for healing and comfort. I added a couple more to the list as well. I finished up my talk with GOD on the way to the rec while riding my bike. It's not the same as while climbing the mountain but it still was there knowing my thoughts and prayers are being heard.

I had a good workout and then headed home to work in the gardens and front yard. I had a knoll where the old tree use to stand but was cut down and the stump partially removed but caused a hump in the yard and the grass had died leaving a large brown spot, so I worked for a couple hours removing the dead grass and smoothing out the hump. I got a wheel borrow load of grass and used the dirt from the hump to fill in a couple low spots. Now I need to sow some grass seeds, water and then work on another spot devoid of any green grasses. Weeds grow so well here but at least they are green in most of the yard.

The recently transplanted lettuces in the garden seem to be making it and hopefully will start producing. This cool snap helps as the heat saps seedlings and dry's out the soil. It was overcast for most of the day except for a couple hours while I was working the front yard. After lunch I settled into the NFL Network which I have on my ROKU TV in the bedroom so I spent the rest of the day watching 3 games. The first game was an unbelievable comeback of 33 points for the Vikings over the Colts. They made NFL history with that comeback win and the lowly Colts reminded me of our lowly Bucs this year, oh well.

Today is corporate worship at S.R.B.C. and then  lunch out with friends and then watch the Bucs try to regain some ground after losing last week. They are still in first place in their division but have a losing record so that doesn't say much for them or the division, LATER

Saturday Morning Dec 17th

 Well Friday started off with cooler temps in the morning but did warm up to short sleeve temps by the mid afternoon with some bright sunshine and blue skies. It was a bit nippy on my morning ride to the rec  where I finished up my morning talk with the Creator. I played for close to two hours of pickle ball before heading home to work in the gardens until lunch time. I transplanted several lettuce seedlings and hoed everything after the hard rain which packed everything. You wouldn't think I needed to hand water after the several inches that fell on Thursday morning but the sandy soil drains so quickly. I did my morning routines that start with some quiet times, giving thanks and lifting several up for healing after posting this ramble.

Nancy was off to give the Ross kiddos rides to and from school for their exams as Tyler was busy with his work and then she headed out to shop once again. Once she got back we had some leftovers for lunch and then I settled into reading. We actually had the a/c off and the windows and doors open. After the sun went down it started cooling off again and when we came out of the gym after Ava's game it was chilly. They won again against a good team by 19 points. Ava played well and was extremely good on defense. She made a couple of baskets as well but is a great team player. It was a fun evening watching both the JV and Varsity girls win big in the away game. It was close to 10 when we got home and then it was a hot shower and an extra blanket on the bed, LATER

Friday Morning Dec 16th

 Well we got some severe weather on Thursday with a tornado touching down in the city of St.Petersburg which is just a couple of miles from us. We had some heavy rainfall with some severe lightning in our area but thankfully no damage. All of this took place around lunch time. I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift several up by name. I finished up on my bike ride to the rec for a couple hours of pickle ball play. It looked like rain on my ride but held off until I got home around 10'ish. Nancy and I had to pick up Sam from Keswick around 11 and take him home as Tyler was tied up with his job. The skies opened up just as we put the truck up in the garage.

I didn't have to water today and got in no garden time. Everything looked good despite the heavy rain and wind. Hopefully I didn't lose any plants. I spent the rest of the afternoon reading and watching You Tube on the lap top. Nancy wrapped Christmas packages that took her nearly 3 hours of doing for the kids and grand kids. She has no idea when enough is enough but I'm thankful we can afford to do it. We were meeting at our newest old friends house around 6 which was the house next to her brothers house just west of Seminole. We met them at the Christmas concert last Sunday and have renewed old friendships as our kids knew their kids, etc. All 10 of us were once friends but over the years as we went our separate ways and had forgotten each other except on face book. It was a fun evening and they had their place decorated to the hilt and each of us brought something to the table. Afterwards we played a fun game called Chameleon which was a hoot.

We played until close to 10 before heading home and it was close to 11 before I got into bed which was an hour past my bedtime, oh well, LATER

Thursday Morning Dec 15th

 Well Wednesday was another busy fun filled day as I first played pickle ball, worked in the gardens, entertained grandson Sam for lunch, went out to supper at a local barbecue house with two other couples and then came back and played cards until 9 with these couples By the way the guys beat the gals 2 straight games of Euchre after being down big to start both games.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines that start with some quiet moments to give thanks and honor my Lord while lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected. I finished up my quiet time on my bike ride to the rec for two hours of pickle ball with really good players and came back and worked in the gardens until lunch time. Nancy picked up Sam from school as Tyler was at the dentist as he was finished with his exams, so he was thrilled to be having a piece of grouper and some shrimp salad for lunch that Nancy bought the other day at Costco. He loves seafood and seldom gets it with the family as Ava is allergic to all seafood from her young days with amalgam filings and the mercury in them. Tyler picked Sam up after lunch and his tooth repair which will needs a crown.

Nancy was off once again Christmas shopping and then picking Eliza up from school and taking her home. I read the afternoon and watched some documentaries. We were picking up Dan and Carol and meeting Sheri and Steve at the local Willie Jewels barbecue house for a delicious supper of 3 meats; brisket, ribs and chicken with two sides which Nancy and I shared. It was plenty and a bargain. We came back and settled into Euchre and while gals were rubbing it in we came from behind to win on the last hand twice. We got to rub it in and then we played a new game for them called Smart Ass which is a question and answer game of where am I, what am I, and who am I. Nancy won and I was second in a close match. Lots of laughter.

Tonight we are meeting up with some old friends we met at the Christmas concert who we hadn't seen in 25 years and going to their house for supper and games. Should be a fun evening once again, LATER

Wednesday Morning Dec 14th

 Well Tuesday was another busy day that started with a well before 6 rollout  to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to give thanks, honor my Lord and to lift up several by name for comfort and healings. So far all are holding. I headed out on my bike to the rec finishing up my talk with the Creator. It was a beautiful morning with the sun shining and the birds singing. I got in two hours of non stop pickle ball play with some really good players and left whupped with a wet shirt.

I stopped off at the library for a new read I had ordered by a new author Brad Thor. I'm just about finished with the 6 book series by Carr. I came home and Nancy was off once again with Sheri and Carol shopping at Costco who have memberships there. We just have Sam's Club which is close as Costco is 30 minutes or so away. I worked in the garden transplanting some volunteer squash plants and some radishes from the side garden but first I harvested a mess of collards and cleaned them for the pot. I cut up hickory smoked bacon, an onion a couple mountain grown jalapenos and garlic kernels and added a box of chicken stock to the pot with the cut up collards and brought in to a boil and them reduced the heat to simmer with the lid on for the next couple of hours. This pot was delicious when we ate it around 5 along with some fresh oven fried fresh fish from the gulf our neighbor blessed us with; grouper and snapper filets. Fantastic meal and oh so good for you. Our neighbor goes out with his buddies into the gulf and is always blessing us with some of his catch.

I was driving neighbor Dan to his doctors appointment around 12:30 so Carol could shop with the girls. We were back around 2'ish then I settled into giving the gardens a hand watering and then watching some documentaries before eating this delicious supper. I have enough fish left over for a sandwich the next couple of days as I love cold fish with mayo and onion. We headed out for S.R.B.C. where Keswick was having their elementary Christmas program as the auditorium is large enough to hold all of the parents and grand parents. The place was packed with several hundred folks and the program was delightful as the kids portrayed the Christmas story. It was an hour long program and we were back home a little after 8.

I tuned into the Lightning game and they were blowing away their opponents from Seattle who has a great record. Lightning won 6-1. I had showered and was soon ready for some horizontal lab after the game, LATER

Tuesday Morning Dec 13 th

Well Monday was another pleasant day here in warm sunny Florida. I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time to give thanks, honor my LORD and lift up several by name for healing and comfort. All seem as well as can be expected. I finished up my talk with the Creator on the way to the rec while riding my bike for some pickle ball for close to 2 hours. It was a good workout and I left whupped.

I headed home and once again Nancy was getting ready to head out to shop for Christmas until some time in the mid afternoon. I worked in the gardens until lunch time then settled into reading and watching some documentaries until it was time to head out to Keswick School to watch some basketball around 4:30. We got to see the JV girls win their game and then Ava's varsity team blew away their opponents by 30 points and then we watched the Varsity boys getting beat in the first quarter then we left. We came home and had a sandwich and a bowl of soup around 8:30 which is much too late to eat before going to bed at 10, oh well. It was a fun evening and we love watching the youths play ball, LATER

Monday Morning Dec 12 th

Well Sunday was another busy fun filled worshipful day with much cooler temps. It was overcast all day long and the temps stayed down in the 70's which had most everyone wearing winter style clothes. 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, giving thanks and lifting several up for comfort and healing. We headed out around 10 to Starkey Road Baptist Church which I believe we are going to make our church home from now on. We did severe the ties with Bridgepoint but are keeping in touch with many of their members, and that was a sad factor when considering to change, but I'm sure we will make many new friends which we have already started in just the couple Sunday's we have been attending and we are thrilled.

We headed to Sam's Club after the service and filled up at 2.84 a gallon and picked up several items for Amy. I stayed outside in the huge lines at the gas pumps while Nancy shopped and the parking lots were at near capacity. That is the wrong time of the day to shop especially this time of the year. We had to make a Publix stop on the way home as well. I tuned into a good NFL game before the Bucs came on TV and what little I saw of the game was terrible. Thankfully we were attending the 4PM Christmas Concert at Bobby and Amy old school with friends as we do every year. There were 10 of us in this huge auditorium that seats thousands and we ran into some old friends there as well. This concert was awesome and while the theme is still the birth of Jesus they had many new stages of music. We spotted a couple of the kids teachers from over the years and many of their classmates parents. It was not only a worshipful event but an entertaining one as well and we were thrilled to catch up with some folks who we hadn't seen in over 30 years.

After the concert 10 of us came back to the Botbyl's for finger food and taco salad and visited until close to 9. We caught a little of the second half of the Buc's game and it was awful to say the least and still their division is so bad they are still in the lead and will make the playoffs which will be one game at the most, oh well. I feel for Brady as he is a class player but is surrounded with lousy players, oh well, LATER

Sunday Morning Dec 11th

Well Saturday was a busy day of parties that started with our twin grandson's in Brandon at 10 in the morning and then again around 5 with our life group on the beaches at a beautiful condo of one of our friends and members. Food was in abundance at both.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my morning routines that start with some quiet moments after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks and lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected. I headed out to hand water the gardens early since we were leaving around 8'ish and wouldn't be back for several hours. Amy and Eliza joined us on the ride over as Tyler and Sam had jiu jitsu and Ava was away with a choir event at Disney world.

The twins party was a huge social event with many families from Element church and kids from many old friends and family members of ours as well. Bobby had tons of hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, veggie and fruit trays, plus two cakes for the boys. There were several kids in attendance and we met some really nice folks for the first time. We bought the boys an electric jeep which every small kid drove and ran over each other in the process. None were injured. It was the hit of the gifts plus they each received a tricycle which was quite different than most trikes as it could be converted to a "slipper" bike with no pedals. Very interesting. They did not go for want of things to play with.

We got back to the house and went into get ready mode for the evening get together around 5. Nancy had made a huge pot of tortilla soup and was taking it to the party. I drove Dan's car as parking was limited at this beautiful condo which was the whole fourth floor of this huge building right on the gulf. The elevator stopped inside their condo. The views were fabulous. It was our naughty Santa event which we did every Christmas season. Many cancelled due to illness but we still have between 30 and 40 folks in attendance. There were many new faces since we last attended before going to the mountains. The close friends still welcomed us despite knowing we were leaving the church for a different place to worship. It was a tough decision but the church has become a seeker church with video messaging and we were not thrilled they were not using this campus the way it should be for the community, anyhow we still love the friendships over the years and hope to continue some how at various group events.

We had a fun time exchanging gifts, of course eating and sharing stories and meeting some new folks but bitter sweet in knowing we would no longer worship with them. Dan officiated communion despite the new campus pastor being there as Dan has done over the past couple of years. He and Carol both left the church over a year ago and I was reluctant at first but the leadership at the main campus is their way or the highway, so we chose the latter. 

Today we will visit Indian Rocks Church for their yearly Christmas service and concert which is always a first class event with several from our life group. I think the leaders of the group(the Nymark's) are thinking of leaving the church as well. So many of our once leaders have left or been asked to leave because of the leadership at the main campus. Many campus pastors have left as well who have become great friends over the years, oh well, LATER

Saturday Morning Dec 10th

 Well Friday started out much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments with my LORD to give thanks and lift several up by name after posting this ramble. I finished up my morning talk on my bike ride to the rec. for nearly 2 hours of pickle ball. After getting home I worked out in the gardens hand watering and feeding all of my plants. What ever ate the two tomato plants of most of their leaves decided the Sevin dust I had on the other plants wasn't to their likening. I'm hoping it caused them to rot away.

We had a big evening planned with friends in Tampa and got ready to leave the house around 4'ish. The Nymark's son works for Raymond James and got all of us tickets to the Florida Orchestra at the Straz Theater place in Tampa which was a first for Nancy and I. What a magnificent venue and the Christmas themed music was splendid. This was the first ever concert with a full orchestra for us and I'm in love, there was a full choir accompanying as well. What a tribute to the season through music and to the LORD as well. This venue must have held thousands in attendance. 

We first had reservations at an eatery called Season's. It was just a few minutes from the Straz so we met up with another couple and the 7 of us caught up and enjoyed a good meal. It was a bit on the pricey side but presented beautifully and delicious. Nancy had the trout and I the chicken and low and behold I struck up a conversation and he was from Seminole and graduated from the high school where Nancy graduated, although many years later. It was a fun time at dinner and we were enjoying the ambiance which showed a packed house when we left around 7:30.

It was 11'ish when we got back to the house and the Nymark's dropped us off. We so enjoy their company and they have become very close with now having property just down the hill in the mountains and will soon be living two doors down from Amy and Family. They will join us for breakfast Christmas morning after attending church service with us along with Amy's family and probably the Botbyl's.

Well we leave in a couple hours for Brandon as we celebrate the twins 3 year birthday with other kiddos and parents and then we have another party to attend this evening on the beach with probably 50 or so others from our life group which we have left. We will still stay in touch with most and call it our supper club now that we are leaving Bridgepoint church whom all but a couple like us have left, LATER

Friday Morning Dec 9th

 Well Thursday was another beautiful day here in warm sunny Florida with bright sunshine and blue skies. It was another busy day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up by name, all seem as well as can be expected. I finished up my talk on my bike ride to the rec for close two solid hours of pickle ball play. I do believe the exercise and food portion control are making the difference with some weight loss. I'm thrilled to say the least and when I reach my goal which is in sight I'm hoping to stay with this regiment and idea of eating less but more healthy or eating less sugars and more leafy greens which I'm growing in my gardens both here in Florida and at the cabin in the mountains of N.C.

I played hard with good players and left whupped and a wet shirt around 10'ish. Nancy was gone when I got home so I piddled around in the gardens. I still have a critter that loves to eat the leaves off my small tomato plants despite covering them with Sevin dust. I guess my next move is to surround them with chicken wire. I've checked the fence line and there is no way a rabbit is getting in at night so it must be a fruit rat as there are no worms or insects that I can find, plus the dust should prevent that from happening, oh well. I suppose I'll just have to make cages from chicken wire.

The lettuces, kale and collards are not bothered by the critter which also makes me believe it's not a rabbit but a rat. I've set the rat trap but it keeps getting tripped and the peanut butter gone as well and no critter, oh well. I headed in the house around lunch time and stayed there the next couple of hours as the heat of the day is too much to be working outside, so I read until supper time. We cleaned up some leftovers for both lunch and supper and then got ready to head over to our church where the Keswick School was holding their school concert. The place is large enough to hold the relatives of the middle and high school students and it wasn't totally full but very close. The kids did a great job with both schools having their orchestra's play as well as the choirs from both schools. Sam was in the middle school choir and Ava in the high school choir. They did an awesome job and the concert last close to two hours.

We got home around 9 and I got to watch the last period of Lightning beating their opponents 5-2 after hitting the shower. It was soon lights at 10 for me, LATER

Thursday Morning Dec 8th

 Well Wednesday was another pleasant day to start and then it got rather warm during the afternoon but the evening was quite nice. I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to give thanks, lift several up by name and to honor my Lord after posting this ramble. All seem as well as can be expected. I was fasting as I needed to give blood for my primary doctor after pickle ball. He wanted to put me on a statin drug for my cholesterol at 211 but I'm determined to lose some weight and alter my eating habits and bring it down naturally.

I headed out to the rec a little before 8 and got in an hour and half constant play before heading over for the blood draw at the Bardmoor facility. I was back home by 10:30 and had some fresh pineapple before heading out to work in the gardens until lunch time. Nancy was off shopping for Christmas and for some parties were attending this week end. I harvested some greens cleaned then and put them in salad form and had a salad for lunch while Nancy was gone.

I gave away 2 boxes of cookies to neighbors and a third to the mail man. Carol came down with Palmer and took a box home as well as we saved a box for the Tracy's and then we gave a box to the Nymark's as well. Thankfully most of them are being eaten with out my help but I did have 2 buckeye's after supper when we came back from Outback last evening. We ate out with the Nymark's then came back and played hearts until 9:30. I won both games in nail biters. We hade a delicious supper out and on the way out of the restaurant ran into an old pickle ball friend and her husband. It was a fun evening and the moon was full with comfortable temps.

The Nymark's are still living in their motor coach until some time in January as their house is being gutted and remodeled. They will be neighbors to Amy and Tyler so we will see them often. We really enjoy their company but will miss them as they are still at Bridgepoint church for now. They aren't totally happy with the route Bridgepoint is heading as were we, but they are like us, still dear friends with the life group and we are having a party this Saturday with the group, oh well such is life, LATER

Wednesday Morning Dec 7th

 Well today is an infamous day as the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor to bring the USA into WWII. I've been to the spot where the Arizona battleship is entombed with thousands of sailors. Such hallow ground/water as you could still see oil bubbles from the ship coming to the surface back in the 60's.

I started Tuesday much different than normal as there was no pickle ball due to Nancy having some eye problems and we were concerned it maybe her retina; so she was able to get in to see the doctor with out an appointment but she had to be there right away. We were ready to go at 8 AM and she actually got out around 10:30 with good news. She has no tear in the retina, no glaucoma or macular degeneration which is fabulous. These issues are a condition associated with aging. I too had some of those same issues but with a certain eye vitamin, mine have corrected themselves. She now needs to take those same vitamins. The vegetable kale is another great item for eye health that produces lutein which is the main ingredient in the vitamins.

We came back and I hand watered the gardens and then took a several mile ride on my bike to get the exercise I daily need to stay fit and help control weight gain. We finished up the leftover Zuppa soup or I did and she had a sandwich. She was in the kitchen finishing up her cookie baking project for this year as we hand them out to all the neighbors, post man and garbage guys. She made 9 different cookies and while I only sampled one cookie from one batch the smell made me add pounds it was that delicious, oh well. I'm holding at 192 which is 10 pounds down from when we got back from the mountains and I'm wanting to hit some where in the 180's if possible. She made a new pasta dish for supper which is not helpful but oh so delicious.

During supper Betsy came by for her share of the cookies and to have some pasta as she has made this a couple times. After then cleanup I tuned into the Lightning game and they lost to the Red Wings at home and then it was lights out for me, LATER

Tuesday Morning Dec 6th

Well Monday was a busy day that started with a well before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time with my LORD giving thanks and lifting several up by name for healing after posting this ramble. I headed out to the Rec on my bike and finished my talk on the ride there. I got in two solid hours of pickle ball play and left whupped with a wet shirt. The play was great with several good players.

I came home and worked outside in the gardens until lunch time. Nancy was off to a doctors appointment but now has developed a serious issue with one of her eyes. She poked herself a couple days ago and is now seeing a floater and some bright lights in the right eye so she is off to see an eye doctor this morning. Let's hope its nothing serious but could be with an issue to the retina.

We headed out to pick up Amy around 6:30 to head to Clearwater to see Ava's team played the number one ranked girls varsity basketball team in the county. It was a tough match and Keswick lost but they had a chance to go ahead with a minute to go but miss an easy layup. It was a rough game and fouls were evident especially by the Clearwater team. They played rough through out the evening and at one time were losing by 12 points; but we fought back and had the chance to take the lead and even win the game, oh well. It was our first loss of the year.

We got back to the house around 9:30 and I watched a little of the dismal Bucs play terrible. They are through for this year as the team is just down right awful and the coaching is worst yet. Say good bye this year as they let a 4-8 team blow them away from what little I watched before shutting the lights out around 10:30, LATER

Well since I posted this ramble I've learned the Bucs with Brady came back in the last seconds of the game to win..What a come back

Monday Morning Dec 5th

 Well Sunday was another beautiful day with lots of bright sunshine, blue skies and moderate temps that stayed nice all day long. It seems the humidity abated in the early evening hours and made it quite pleasant to be outside. Sunday was also corporate worship day that started at home when we watched Cornerstone Chapel from Leesburg, Va. with Gary Hamrick preaching who is an awesome teaher and speaker and then we headed out to S.R.B.C. to hear our pastor Derrick speak and give another great message from one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. We have decided to make this church our new church home and family as we volunteered to make food for an occasion to honor foster kids. We know several who attend there as well and have made this their new church family. They have a huge chapel and lots of attendees in two services.

After the service we met up with Dan and Carol at one of the old Mexican eateries in the county, one we use to eat at for years but its been years since we were last there. The food was excellent as was the service and two of us ate with tip for about 25 bucks. They make the best chicken enchiladas ever except maybe for Chili's which no longer makes them. We were back home by 1 and I settled into some football the rest of the day except for hand watering the gardens early in the morning and then again late in the afternoon. It looks as if the recently transplanted lettuce seedlings are going to make despite the hot afternoon sunshine.

That was about it for the day as it was a day of rest totally. We did around 6 have a bowl of leftover Zuppa soup for our supper. We have a busy week coming up with basketball games, birthday party for the twins on Saturday and Nancy's doctor appointments plus cooking for the church and of course Nancy is in the cookie making mode which she annually gives away to neighbor's, post man and garbage guys. I try to stay away from the sugar but the smells in the kitchen are mouth watering, Oh well, LATER

Sunday Morning Dec.4th

Well Saturday was another nice day with temps close to 80 during the hottest part of the day but the humidity was terrible after a nice morning. There was lots of sunshine and blue skies through out the day. 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 for healing and comfort. All seem to be holding as I make this post.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec a little before 8 finishing up my morning talk with my Creator before playing pickle ball for close to two hours. We had some good play and the work out wore me out as well. I came back and worked outside in the gardens and yards and even got up on the roof with the blower and cleaned off the roof. I noticed a couple of small limbs and of course this time of the year the oak tree is shedding and filling the gutter.

I transplanted 2 rows of lettuce seedlings into the garden which kept me busy with turning over the area with a shovel and then prepping the soil with a rake. The neighbors trees are always sending roots into the gardens for their food and the garden is full of roots. Thankfully most of the big roots are well below the depth of the shovel head. Once in awhile one will be close enough I can use an ax and cut it out but mainly I destroy them with just the shovel. The pole beans are really start to climb and the 1/2 runner beans are adding leaves daily. The carrots never made so I bought new seeds and resowed them in hopes to get a few. I'll have to transplant them if they make and that doesn't usually do well.

We cleaned up some leftovers for both lunch and supper and then settled into our respective TV's. I watched the Lightning win in OT and then some college ball. There was an upset in one game when TCU loss to Kansas and UCF loss to Tulane. 

Today is church day at SRBC. We have now decided to make this our church home as the pastor is spot on with teaching the WORD without any woke influence which seems to be happening through out the churches in America.We are saddened for leaving our old church family but the leadership is going down a trail of destruction with not sticking to the WORD and allowing cultural change to seep into their teachings. These young preachers are being influenced by the seminaries who are being and have been influenced by this wokeism in America. Some major religions are being decimated by this change in thinking that sin is O.K. and allowing blatant sinners to stand in the pulpit and proclaim this thinking regarding abortion and homosexuality. They think the Old Testament is not factual and is not there for a reason, LATER

Saturday Morning Dec 3rd

 Well Friday started out once again with cooler temps down into the 60's but by afternoon we were back in the upper 70's. Nancy actually had the windows open for most of the morning but she soon closed them and the a/c was on and is still on as we had Dan and Carol over for supper at 4:30 and then card games afterwards. They mentioned they were so thankful to just get out of the house as Dan is recovering from foot surgery.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting the ramble to give thanks and lift up several to my LORD for healing and comfort. All seem as well as can be expected as we've heard no difference. I headed out to the rec on my bike and finished my morning talk with my Creator before playing nearly two hours of pickle ball with several good players. I was whupped by 10 and headed home to work outside in the gardens and yards until lunch time. I was shocked to see the windows and doors open which was nice for a change as the house aired out.

I bought a whole pineapple the other day and decided to have some so I carved it up and was it ever delicious. They are much cheaper buying whole ones and it doesn't take that much time and effort to carve one up and they keep rather nicely in the fridge for when you need something sweet. After lunch I read and digested the chicken salad Nancy made and put on a bed of home grown greens, Yeow was that ever good. I started a new Jack Carr book and it too is a page turner. I read until close to 4 then headed out to hand water the gardens before the neighbors came for a supper of broiled salmon, cooked carrots and home grown salad. Carol made a delicious cornbread and brought some honey from Africa which was very tasty. It almost was like a dessert but we ate it with our meal.

After the cleanup we played Spades and the gals won on the last hand and then it was a game of Euchre which we guys came back and won on the last hand. It was after 8 when they left and Dan needed to get home and put his foot back under ice packs. I followed them home to help in case his scooter over turned which it has before. It was a fun evening and the food was delicious. I read for another hour before hitting the shower and then som TV in the bedroom before lights out at 10'ish, LATER

This is an older pic of Nancy at the Luffman Farm.

Friday Morning Dec 2 nd

 Well the first day of December was kind of nice as it wasn't as humid or hot as it has been so I was able to do some extra yard work after pickle ball. I even mowed the yards as well during the usually hottest part of the afternoon. Maybe we are going to get some cooler weather and temps.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble, lifting several up by name for comfort and healing and giving thanks for another day. I finished up my talk with GOD on my bike ride to the Rec. where I played hard for close to two hours. I've got my stamina back and the game came with it as I'm playing well. Yesterday was mainly all good players with the exception of a couple who you hate to be paired up with, oh well. I made a stop at the library for a couple new Jack Carr reads in a 6 book series that I had ordered. Great action reading and some of it has been redacted by the military as the hero and author of the book was a navy seal who served in combat. 

I worked in the gardens after getting home until lunch time transplanting more seedlings into the garden proper as well as feeding them and then hoeing weeds and loosening up the soil. Weeds grow over night here which is a good sign the ground is rich and I noticed more earth worms daily. They love the dampness of the soil from the twice a day hand watering. I took out the last of the shrubs in the front yards and cut them up for trash man which was a welcomed job complete. I've been taking them out enough weekly to fill the trash cans and now I just have to take out other lily like plants which have grown out of proportion.

After lunch I digested while starting a new read for a couple hours. Nancy was off at the grocery again as Amy, Sam and LeLe were coming for a supper of Zuppa soup and crusty bread. Delicious to say the least. They stuck around fro an hour or so then I hit the shower and was soon watching the Lightning win their game in Philly until 10'ish then it was lights out for me, LATER

Here is an older picture of us with the Nymark's and the Botbyl's at Jake's and Kaitlyns property

Thursday Morning December 1

Well its hard to believe Christmas is just 24 days away and then a New year in just a month. Where has this year gone I ask as time just quickly moves on the older I get. Oh well. I started Wednesday much like any day with a before 6 roll out to my morning routines that start with a cup of tea after downing a handful of vitamins and my one script; a blood thinner. I start my quiet time after posting this ramble to honor and give thanks to the Lord for my many blessings and I finished my talk with GOD on my bike ride to the rec for two hours of pickle ball. It's not the mountain top talk I do at the cabin every morning but I manage to block out the traffic noise and still honor His presence. I usually have my breakfast as well on the ride eating an apple to start the gastric juices flowing which will hold me until lunch. I'm down close to 10 pounds since returning from the cabin and have a couple more to go to reach my goal.

I played hard for a solid two hours and the play was great with just 4 of the top players. I managed to be on the winning teams for most of the morning as we break up and play with different players in the group. What a work out and I was whupped pedaling home. Nancy was waiting on Betsy who was coming to go Christmas shopping with her and they were gone until nearly 4ish. I worked outside in the gardens transplanting and moving some seedlings into the garden proper plus doing some tilling with a shovel. There are no rocks her and the ground is easily over turned which is quite a change from the mountain garden and the soil is sandy. I did notice the earth worms are back which is a blessing to the garden and I turned over several and some babies as well which is a great sign.

We has some the cold leftover grilled chicken on a bed of salad for supper and wow was it ever delicious. I still have enough from the bird for another lunch. Nancy invited Amy, Sam and LeLe for a supper of Zuppa soup as Tyler and Ava will be in Spring Hill for one of her evening games. We were going but opted out at the last minute as Ava mentioned the team they were playing wasn't very good and it would be a blow out. I hope she is right and the team doesn't get to over confident.

Well after supper and the clean up I decided to forgo the news and finish the Jack Carr book titled SAVAGE SON which is a page turner and full of excitement. I read all afternoon as it was too hot to work outside. I have another of his books in this series at the library and I will pick up today on my way home from pickle ball, LATER

I'm starting to get pics again and this is an old one from the cabin in September. October beans, corn bread and spinach casserole, Delicious.