Tuesday Morning Feb 28th

 Well February is gone and we are one month closer to leaving for the cabin the last of May. I'm so looking forward to the change in both temps and ambiance. However yesterday was a beautiful day with moderate temps and lots of sunshine with low humidity. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that always start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift several up by name for comfort and healing. Some have made great gains in their recovery of health and some are still holding. I finished up my talk with the Creator on the bike ride to the Rec a little before 8 where I played PB for 2 solid hours.

Sister Dee and Mike also came and played the whole time and really enjoyed the play as well. She and I actually won a set together and she mentioned that was the first time she had been on a winning team the whole morning. It was a good workout despite the play being not as good as with A players but I enjoy helping those who are learning as I taught tennis for years before becoming a PB player which I fine to have less stress on the knees, plus in doubles you don't run as much. I think it calls for more quickness than tennis.

I came back and hand watered the gardens, harvesting huge messes of leafy greens for neighbors and one for the gal at the REC and a huge mess for us as Nancy was making Zuppa soup for supper which requires lots of kale. The tomato's or at least a couple have been harvested from the Roma's which we add to the salad bowl. The new lettuce seedling are almost really for harvesting as the old plants are being used up. I mowed the front yard as the weeds were getting large and I did notice lots of new grass growth as it spreads to some of the bare areas.

After lunch I settled into reading the afternoon away until Mike and Dee arrived around 3'ish . Today will be their last day here before heading back to Woodstock, Va. in their camper trailer. We played some cards while the soup was cooking and then settled into a delicious supper of soup, salad and crusty bread with apple crisp and vanilla ice cream for dessert. Wow what a feed. They left shortly afterwards as they still had some prep work for an early morning start, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 27 th

 Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship both here at the house on line with Gary Hamrick from Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. and at our local home church at S.R.B.C. We had a visiting pastor preaching this morning as it was missionary week with several visiting from Thailand and Indonesia to name a few. It was an awesome day of worship and we had a several former BridgePoint folks who have made this their new home church.

After the service eleven of us met up on Indian Rocks Beach at PJ's Oyster Bar for a delicious lunch except they messed up Nancy's order but they never charged her for it so that was credible. I had the gumbo and fish spread which was very tasty and she supposedly had a blackened grouper but it was a chicken breast. She ate it and about half way through decided it wasn't fish which was their mistake. I made up for her no charge with a generous tip as it wasn't the waiters fault.

We  headed home and dropped Mike and Dee off to run errands before they came back around 4 for a get together with Bobby, Katie and the twins for supper. We enjoyed playing outside with the boys and then sat down to a taco dinner with all the fixin's. Some fruit of the vine flowed as well. After supper and baths for the boys they headed back to Brandon and then Mike and Dee left shortly there after. We were whupped after all of the activities the past few days so it was shower time and then some TV until 10, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 26th

Well Saturday was another busy fun filled day that saw us with all the grands except for Annsley and Sam who didn't come to her brother game at the ball park or his sisters game at school. We had fun with the rest of them starting at Keswick with Eliza's two games of which their team was crowned champions for the year with Ava Mae as their coach and then again in the afternoon with Bobby's team who Gabe was the star of the game with a 2 run homer over the right center field fence. Wow what a game and they won the game 3-2 over a very good team.

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 after posting this ramble to give thanks and to lift up several by name. All are holding as I write. I headed out to hand water the gardens which is coming in with now tomato's showing some colors and the leafy greens are ready for harvesting daily. I cut two large heads of lettuces and gave them to neighbors. Everything is in full mode with these warm days and cool evenings and nights. I'm hand watering twice a day as well. 

We headed out around noon for Brandon and the ball park which thankfully had a little shade as the field was in full sun. I worked the scoreboard and there were no runs until Gabe hit a 2 run blast over the fence in the 4th inning. The team has some good gloves as well which saved the game in the last inning after a couple of walks and error. It was one of the closest games we've seen in ages. The traffic was unbelievable both going and coming back to Seminole.

We decided to eat in with Dee and Mike except for a quick run to the store for a few items needed for our shrimp and salad supper. Afterwards we played LOGO's and Dee and Nancy won big with me DAL(dead -ss last), oh well it was another fun filled day and evening.We will do it all over again today after church with Bobby and family coming for supper and lunch out with friends, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 25th

 Well this month is just about gone and I begin the count down for the mountains which is less than 3 months before we leave, wow where did this year go or since we left there in October. I'm looking forward to some cooler temps and less humidity which is beginning to rear it's ugly head here in central Florida. I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my usual routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another and lift several up by name. All are holding as of this post. Since there was no PB this morning I headed out to hand water the gardens before we took off to Keswick School for grandparents day for Eliza Faye whom we call Lee Lee.

The class was excited about all of us attending and they had little things for us to do such as identifying a picture of themselves and voting on it as well as a story about one of us they posted as a newsreel. Lee Lee chose to write about me and my time in the USAF. She did a marvelous job with the info she collected and then we decorated and built a small birdhouse which she took home with her. We took her to Chick filet for a lunch which we took home as she wasn't feeling up to par. We took her dad Tyler a sandwich as well and ate with them at their house. We got done early enough that I headed out to the Rec for over an hour of great PB play and left with a wet shirt. I made a stop at the library for a couple new reads on the way home.

Well Dee and Mike wanted to see the movie Jesus Revolution which happened back in the days I was still in California and it was the start of the Calvary Chapel Church in San Francisco. The movie is a portrayal of that movement which needs to be initiated again in this nation. I do see some signs of that happening on several of our college campus where they have become the center for liberal wokeism and outright lawlessness. I'm not much for anything hollywood produces but this is a must see movie and some of the leaders of that movement are still alive today. There are over a 100 campus of the church in America and one of our favorites is in Chino Hills, Ca. with Jack Hibbs as the pastor.

After the movie we headed across the mall to the Olive Garden for a delicious supper before heading back to our place and get Bonnie their dog and then head home. They had a great day as they visited the area in the Tampa area(Fish Hawk) where their daughter Kelly and family will be living for at least a couple years with his USAF duty station. They learned a lot about the area and where they will be able to set up their camper when visiting the area over the next couple of years, LATER

Friday Morning Feb 24th

 Well Thursday was another nice day but we are seeing a little more heat and humidity daily. It was in the upper 80's but a nice breeze kept it bearable to be outside in the shade. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD after posting this ramble and to give thanks as well as to lift several up by name. All are holding. I headed out on my bike to the Rec and finished up my morning talk with the Creator on the way to playing 2 hours of PB with all good players. I was whupped by 10 AM and headed home against a strong head wind. I got a snack and then headed out to hand water the gardens and to mow the back yard.

Dee and Mike were coming around 3 so we had plenty of time after a lunch of leftovers for me to rest and read which I did. I ordered a few new reads from the library and then when they came we headed over to the ice cream place where it's made from fresh orange juice near the beaches. It's not as good as the old Orange Blossum Groves in Seminole which is now gone but close in taste. They ordered a bunch of fresh fruit and sent it to family in Nebraska and Virginia as well as a sack to take home with them next week.

We all had cones and some one even had a second cone, Nancy, oh well we visit there only once a year but I'm sure its loaded with calories. We came back and the gals smoked us two games in a row of Euchre before supper which was a clean up of the ribs and taters. Nancy had put a squash casserole together which was delicious as well as a pot of home grown half runner beans. After the cleanup from supper we played a round of DICE and Mike won big time and then a round of Smart Ass which Dee won big time. It was a fun evening. They left around 8:30 for their campground and we will meet later today for a movie and then supper out.

Nancy and I have grandparents day at Keswick and then take Eliza out for lunch, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 23rd

Well Wednesday was a busy day that saw us eating high on the hog once again and at the beach for the first time since coming back from the mountains in October with Mike and Dee. First I had them meet me at the Rec for some PB which only Dee participated as Mike has a wrist issue then we headed over to the beach on Redington which was perfect. The water was a bit nippy to start but as you waded along the nearly mile hike it felt great and the strong breeze kept you cool. The place was full of bodies in and out of the water. I didn't swim but did wade at times up to the knees.

I started the day much the usual with a 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. All are well. I finished up my talk on the bike ride to the Rec. Dee and Mike came by and we headed off to the beach and then stopped by Amy house on the way home and was surprised to see Sheri back from their two weeks in Minnesota. We chatted briefly as they are finishing up their renovations for their house just a couple doors down from Amy's.

We had a delicious and plentiful fresh garden salad with deli meats for our lunch then played a game of Euchre which we whupped the gals again. They headed out and was coming back to get us for a cook out at their rental complex in Largo. It was a very nice complex with great amenities and their pull behind was excellent with everything needed to live comfortably for short periods. Lots of folks live in their trailers all year round in this park. Everyone was friendly and the burger was delicious and the pot luck was tasty as well. We sat around until close to dusk then headed back to the house for a game of Hearts which Nancy won in a play off round. They headed back to their place around 8'ish as we all were tired after playing PB and beach walking. It was a fun filled day with lots of laughter, LATER  

Wednesday Morning Feb 22

Well Tuesday was another beautiful day that did get a little warm by late afternoon but the morning was ideal with bright sunshine and blue skies. I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name. All are holding. I finished up my talk on my bike ride to the Red for two hours of PB play with all good players. I was whupped when I left around 10'ish for the ride home. 

I harvested a nice mess of collard greens for the pot as we were having a country supper with the Ross Family as well as Dee and Mike. I piddled around in the garden clearing out some old plants and turning the soil over by hand with a shovel. I then hand watered the gardens and waited for Nancy to get home from her doctors appointment of which she had two this day. All is well but her BP has been high and she wanted to know why since she is on a BP script.

I put two racks of ribs on the grill and she put a pork loin in the oven that Dee brought with her from Va. We had pinto beans that were awesome along with parsley taters and Amy brought brownies and vanilla ice cream. The ribs fell apart since I wrapped them in tin fold and put on the grill for a couple hours and they were so delicious as was the loin. What a feast. Mike had made deviled eggs which were delicious as well for starters and some fruit of the vine flowed.

It was a fun time as Mike and Dee got to know Amy's kiddos since they hadn't seen them in years and vice versa. The Ross Family left around 8 as it was a school night and Dee and Mike left about 8:30. I hit the shower and watched a little documentary on Africa and the herd migrations before lights out at 10. I checked and the Lightning were up 6-1 but I could not get them on my bedroom TV, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 21

 Well Monday was another near perfect weather day with cool temps in the upper 50's to start and into the upper 70's by days end. Little humidity but plenty of sunshine and a stiff breeze at times. Mike and Dee are enjoying this weather and its supposed to stay nice until they leave on the 28th. Yesterday was a holiday so there was no PB so we took a nice long hike or walk around Walsingham Park around 10'ish for over 3 miles. We did warm up but the walk was exhilarating to say the least. There were lots of folks walking and biking around this huge lake.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that always start with some quiet time with my LORD after posting this ramble to give thanks and lift several up by name. All see as well as can be expected due to ages and health concerns. Nancy and I had fried egg sandwiches for our breakfast which we love but hadn't had since leaving the mountains in October. I usually have an apple on my bike ride to the Rec to start the gastric juices flowing but the egg sandwich was excellent with sliced tomato, onion, mayo and lettuce.

We all decided to take a trip to the Tampa area and seek out the house that Kelly and family will be moving into next month in the Fish Hawk area as they move from N.C. Jordan will be stationed at MacDill AFB. Well the area is awesome with their school just across the street and very nice with bike paths and walking trails and very exclusive in nature They are going to love the area with shopping close by. The only draw back is the traffic to and from the base which is about 45 minutes away. The house is very nice but close to neighbors and the neighbor hood is well maintained. We love it and so will they.

We made a stop at the base and visited the exchange and commissary which are for military personnel and dependents. It's a huge base land wise and headquarters for Central Command which includes all branches of the military. It was a holiday so there wasn't much activity on the base but it was fun to visit as I had never been there except for the air show many years ago.

We made a stop at Chick Filet for supper in Seminole then headed home around 6'ish for 3 rounds of Euchre of which the guys smoked the gals with 3 in a row. They headed out for their camp ground around 9'ish. What a fun day and tomorrow or today we will have a family supper with the Ross clan in attendance, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 20 th

Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship both here at home an on line with Cornerstone in Leesburg, Va. and then in person at S.R.B.C. We had a missionary from Jamaica do the speaking whom we as a church support financially and with mission trips there to help with their building program. This is missions week at the church with many programs to introduce us to those many we support outside of the country. Afterwards we met up with 6 others for a delicious lunch at the Olive Garden eatery.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines that start with some quiet moments with my LORD giving thanks and lifting several up by name after posting this ramble. All seem as well as can be expected. We did our usual Sunday morning routines before heading out with the Botbyl's around 10 for the church where we met up with Dee and Mike. They seemed to enjoy the service as well. The lunch was great and held me the rest of the day and evening. They headed back to their place until later in the evening when they came by to visit and play card games. We played Hearts and Spades and I won the Hearts game and the gals beat us in the Spades game. It was going on 9 when they left. It was a fun day and I was soon ready for some horizontal lab around 10'ish, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 19th

 Well Saturday after a chilly start turned out to be perfect for baseball and we headed over to Brandon around noonish to watch Gabe's game who is coached by son Bobby. They won 17-2 with awesome pitching and hitting. The wind kept it almost cool enough for a jacket but the sun was quite hot so you either stood in the shade when you got too hot or in the sun to warm up. Perfect temps for being outside with no humidity.

After a 6 ish rollout I did my usual morning 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 are holding as I make this post. I headed out to hand water the gardens before we left for the game with Mike and Dee. The traffic is and was so heavy and will be this way for months to come as so many people have moved here and Dee's youngest daughter will move here as well after school is out. They are in for a real eye opening with the traffic.

We met many of Bobby's teams parents and a couple were from where Mike grew up in Roanoke, Va. We did a lot of cheering and Katie brought the twins who were very active. Bobby let them run the bases after the game as they are into baseball. They will play T-Ball next year which should be a hoot. We came back and had some snacks, some vino and then Nancy broiled a nice salmon filet for our supper. Delicious. After the cleanup we settled into some cards and played two games of Hearts. Nancy won the first and I the second but we had a good time as always. It was going on 9 when they headed out with Bonnie their Jack Russell who is constantly on the search for something to eat and is so smart, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 18th

 Well Friday was another busy day and a long trip to Ft, Meyers to watch Keswick play in the second round of regional play against a very good team. Our girls were out played after the second long trip this week but we will be back next year as we lose only one starting senior. I'm sure we will be a team to be reckon with the next two years as most of our starting team is sophomores.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines of some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks and lift several up for comfort and healing, all seem as well as can be expected due to ages and health concerns. I wasn't plying PB until 11'ish so I headed out to hand water the gardens around 9 them loaded up the old lawn mower and new one I got from neighbor Bobby in the truck and headed down to a local lawn mower repair shop to see about getting the cable replaced that starts the 4 WD as it broke last time and it was a job pushing this mower.

I headed off around 10:45 for the Rec with a stop at the library for a couple new reads on the way. We had 4 players for PB at 11:15 and played for an hour with great rallies. We all left after an hour where we changed partners at least 5 times and I only lost once with the only gal among us; unfortunately she never won with any of her partners and she is really a good player. I came back and had a bite of lunch then took a shower as we were being picked up around 2:30 by Amy and Tyler for the 2 1/2 hour trip down south. The traffic was at a standstill many times on I-75 and it took nearly twice as long to get there as to come back. That area south of Tampa is exploding with growth and while they are upgrading the interstates there is just too much growth with so many from up north moving to Florida.

Sister Dee and Mike have arrived at their campground not too far from us and we will see them this morning as we travel to Brandon for Gabe's ball game at 1PM. Nancy is planning on having them for supper and then to catch up and play some games later in the evening. They will be here for close to two weeks so we should have some fun times, eating, beach going and playing games with friends. Their youngest daughter's family is moving this way as he will be stationed at MacDill AFB for a couple of years and so they will be down more often and now can move around to different campground with their pull behind trailer, LATER

Friday Morning Feb 17th

 Well Thursday was another busy day that started with a before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name. All seem to be holding at this time. I finished up my quiet time on my bike ride to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball with mainly good players. I was whupped on my bike ride home pedaling against a strong breeze. Nancy was gone off to her mid morning Bible study at S.R.B.C.

I piddled around in the gardens hand watering the plants and hoeing a few weeds which are forever growing then headed out to the front yard once against pulling weed until I had a 5 gallon bucket full. By then I was really whupped plus it was noon and Nancy just got home and we had a lunch of garden fresh salads that I had harvested and cleaned yesterday. The heat was back with temps in the 80's so the a/c is back on after a couple of days of near perfect temps.

I settled into some reading after lunch as she took off shopping and made two stops at Walmart and Publix as we are expecting sister Dee and Mike for the next 2 weeks. It will be a little different as they will be staying in their new pull behind trailer at a camp ground near us but we will probably eat together at nights and play games with us and our friends they have met over the years here in Floridas and at the cabin.

We had left over beef and beans for supper then I headed out with neighbor Dan to S.R.B.C. for our weekly mens Bible study with about a couple dozen of other men. The study was on servanthood as a spiritual gift when we become Believers. It was good and we were there for two hours or more sharing first as a large group then we broke down into small groups of about 5 guys. It was going on 9 before getting back to the house then it was shower time and some TV time about the Korea War during the winter of 1950 with unbelievable film of that time. The USA military suffered greatly but the Chinese were ill equipped and suffered greatly as well and I saw pictures of men with frozen feet in blocks of ice because of the lack of boots, still able to fight. Prime video has the documentary about the CHOSIN Reservoir battle as thousands of Chinese infiltrated with the North Koreans to battle our military with temps at 50 below zero at times, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 16th

Well this month is half gone as well and 3 months from now we will be planning on our trip to the cabin for the summer. I'm excited about that as the the temps here will soon be almost unbearable except for the morning and late evenings when the sea breeze keeps it comfortable to be outside. The humidity will soon arrive with vengeance as well and the gardens will dry up despite daily waterings, oh well.

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, to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding as I ramble. I wasn't playing pickle ball until 11'ish so I piddle around outside in gardens, harvesting and cleaning a nice mess of leafy greens for the salad bowl and then hand watering all of the gardens. So far the cool nights and warm days are causing the tomato's to set lots of green ones but none ripening thus far. It usually happens this way with just a couple at first then tons of them ripening all at once, oh well. The leafy greens are doing awesome as always and the salad bowl stays filled plus I'm giving away tons as well.

Our pickle ball play was cut short by an hour due to the gym being used for a basketball game unknown to us, but we did play hard for an hour which really was enough since we play every day; two morning at 7:45 until 10'ish and 3 morning around 11'ish until 1. My game has improved and so had my stamina and I'm loving it, plus it helps with keeping the tummy some what flat.

I took off to Sam's Club after lunch and filled up at 3.08 a gallon which is about 20 cents a gallon cheaper than on the street. The price changes almost everyday but there seems to be plenty of it thus far. I did some other shopping and where you were limited to one pack of TP now the place is stacked with it and no limit. I read the rest of the afternoon until supper time and then until shower time. I tuned into a documentary on the Korean War in 1950 that had tons of real footage of what the military was facing with both the Chinese and the extreme cold in that barren land. We nearly lost a whole division of Marines with MacAthur's failed planning, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 15th

Well Tuesday started out on the nippy side once again but did warm up enough to work outside in the warm sunshine before lunch and after pickle ball. I did my usual morning routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name for comfort and healing after posting this ramble. It was a well before 6 rollout to start the day and I finished up my morning talk with the Creator on the way to the Rec while riding my bike. We had 6 good players but were missing a couple regulars but the play was great and lasted until 10'ish when I called it a day and pedaled home against a breeze.

Nancy was at her eye check up which she received good prognosis since seeing some lights a few months ago. The doctor said she was in good shape in that category, now if she could just lose a few pounds she will be in better shape. She is taking a product which is supposed to help called GOLO. I'm not a bit supporters of these "miracle weight loss" supplements which I think is just a money maker for some folks. I think eat less, eat well and exercise moderately and stay away from sugar which has helped me lose about 10-12 pounds since coming back from the cabin. I can go at times weeks with out dessert but when something comes along like this coconut cake from Bobby's I can not resist it, especially coconut which I loved as a kid in the Mound or Almond Joy bars, oh well.

Amy and Tyler were leaving around 2'ish for Naples to watch Ava and Keswick play in a basketball finals so we had to pick Sam and Eliza up from school and take them home. Nancy stayed with them until it was time to bring everyone here for supper and then she went back and stayed with them until they got home somewhere around midnight. Ava's team won over a school which eliminated them last year. They won 60-45 and now will play for the state championship in lakeland which is some what closer, only about an hour away as compared to 3 hours from here to Naples.

Nancy made tacos which the kids love and as do I using a combination of ground beef and venison which they love as well. She also had made fresh chocolate chip cookies for them but they had so much Valentine's candy at school they held off until after supper. I passed on them because I still have some of the leftover cake in the fridge which is decadent, oh well. I did transplant some of the lettuce seedlings in to some larger areas of the garden so they can expand as well as resowed some half runner bean seeds where the pole beans were planted. They didn't do well this year which didn't bother us as we love the half runners.

I worked outside in the front yards pulling a 5 gallon bucket of weeds which has taken over the front yards. I do see lots of new grass growth as well but must keep these blooming weeds from setting seeds so I take a small shovel and pry them loose to the roots. Its a back breaking job but you can see the results after an hour or so, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 14th

 Well Monday started on the nippy side with a strong breeze that made it feel colder than the upper 50's after this front came through on Sunday. The skies were clear with lots of sunshine and blue skies. I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time with my Lord to give thanks and lift several by name, all are holding as I make this post. I was supposed to play Pickle ball around 11 but got word that was cancelled so I headed out around 8 for the Rec on my bike for two hours of play with mainly B players. I did get a workout I never loss any games but one with a beginner partner, oh well. I'm there for the exercise but do like to play well.

I came back after a stop at the library for a couple new reads and harvested green beans and sugar peas. I also harvested a couple of bags of greens for neighbor Bobby who edges my yard whenever he mow's his yard. I mowed my yard before lunch as the weeds were getting high and then hand watered it all before lunch. Nancy was off on her hike through the 'hood and got back just in time for lunch. We had a garden salad for lunch and I once again had a piece of that decadent birthday cake that Bobby gave us which had been made in Texas and overnighted to him in Brandon. Its the best coconut cake ever and we gave the last of it away to Betsy(Nancy's Sister) last night after sharing some with Amy and Ava and the Botyl's and now Betsy. That cake must have weighted 20 pounds or more and was 7 layers high.

I sat and read the afternoon away and then just before a supper of salmon and Jasmine rice I headed out to hand water the gardens once again. After the cleanup we spoke with our "mountain mom" Helen who will be 95 on the 18th. Betsy came by for the cake and visited then I headed in to the shower and watched some TV in my room until lights out around 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 13th

 Well Sunday was a bit on the nippy side with overcast skies and some rain over night but the wind was very strong and kept the temps on the cool side. I actually wore a long sleeve shirt to church and it felt comfortable for a change.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time with my Lord giving thanks for another and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected due to illnesses and ages. I then posted this ramble and listen to Gary Hamrick at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. for a great message on spiritual gifts mainly explaining about speaking in tongues and what it means and why. S.R.B.C. mention to us as new members its not a normative event so we don't proclaim its use in any service which is fine, but doesn't dismiss it as a spiritual gift from GOD. We headed out a little before 10 to serve as a greeter for the 10:30 service at the front door and as a door holder at the end of the second service. I was able to meet 5 new first time visitors and take them to the guest registration desk and make them feel welcome. I love greeting and meeting new folks and we saw some more BridgePoint folks visiting as well for the first time as well as several Keswick basketball families attending.

It was a great day of corporate worship as well as our own worship at home. After the service we met up with two other couples and visited a new eatery place near the beach called Jake's Cantina. It was alright but I doubt I would travel that far again for what was Mexican food that was just O.K. If I'm going to have that type of food I would rather go to Carmelitas where we know the food is delicious and plentiful but a little pricey. We came back and chilled the rest of the day. I watched a little of college basketball and then I read for a couple hours before tuning into the big game at 6:30.

Well the game started with what looked like the Eagles would be victorious but the Chiefs came back in the second half and beat them with just seconds to go. It was a good game and I really didn't care who won but we had close friends at the game who are Chief fans and so our leaning was for them. At least it wasn't a blow out game as some have been over the years. It was soon horizontal lab for me as the game ended, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 12th

 Well Saturday was a fun filled day as we ventured to Tampa at the huge UST campus to watch grand son Sam compete in his jui jitsu convention along with what seemed thousands of others in all ages from about 3 to whatever.; both boys and girls and then we headed over to Brandon to watch son Bobby and his fellow coaches play a slow pitch softball game. Bobby's team won by a run and while it was a fun contest there were several over the fence home runs by both teams. We then went to his house and played with the twins and had a delicious supper before heading home around 7'ish.

I started the day much earlier than usual as we had to leave for Tampa around 8 for the 9 AM compete. Traffic this time of the year is out of control with the roads so clogged its unimaginable. We did our morning routines that start with the posting of this ramble after some quiet moments and then I headed out to hand water the gardens before we got ready to head out.

There were some many competing that Sam's class had been pushed back over 2 hours so all that hurry up turned in to wait. Sam initially was ahead on points in his first match but slipped and the boy was able to put him in a submission hold and Sam tapped out: and lost. He was very aggressive but got a little too eager and made a bad move so he was eliminated from that event and then the second event he was winning on points but again made a wrong move and couldn't hold out and lost. He was so dejected and we felt so sad for him but we tried our best to console him and congratulate him on his efforts. He is such a good kid and so dedicated to his sport.

We stopped at Publix after leaving the convention for some lunch and ate inside the store which is very nice. The most modern and well furnished store I've ever been in for a grocery store. The salad I had was fresh and delicious and Nancy had a Cuban sandwich. We then headed over to Brandon to the baseball complex and watched the coaches game. Gabe had won second place in the kids home run contest with 5 over the fence but another kid had hit 6. They had their morning opening ceremonies for the spring ball season and this is Gabe's last year. He will pitch and play second base but his bat will be the spark for the team and he is excited.

Ryder had an upset tummy after eating some blueberries and while he had no fever he was upchucking a couple times while we were there. So it was not the most fun with him, but Huck was his natural self and we so enjoyed playing with him. Bobby was making his famous turkey burgers and fries and we brought the fixings of a salad from the garden. One of Bobby's vendors in Texas overnighted him a huge coconut birthday cake so we had some and it was just absolutely delicious. We brought some of it home and shared with Amy and Ava as it was huge and we have enough to share later today with the Botbyl's. It must have weighted 20 pounds and big bucks to bake and send to him, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 11th

 Well Friday was another beautiful warm day here in sunny Florida with temps in the upper 70's close to 80 with a stiff breeze that kept it bearable to be outside in direct sunshine. I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing and to honor my Lord. All seem well as I write. 

I wasn't playing pickle ball until 11'ish so I piddled around outside in the garden trimming some tomato plant growth and hand watering. The new lettuce seedlings are doing as well as can be expected with this heat and wind. The sandy soil really dries out quickly but everything is doing well and I need to harvest leafy greens as well as beans and peas once again. I finally have lots of small green tomato's showing up on the vines and the carrots I transplanted seem to be growing as well. I had never grown them to be transplanted but they seem to have survived the transfer.

Nancy was off shopping so I headed out to the Rec for close to 2 hours of good pickle ball play with 5 other good players. This event is by invitation only so we don't have play with B players and our play is good and fast. I was whupped pedaling home around 1:30 and then we had a bite of lunch. I finished off the collards which held me until supper when we met with the Botbyl's and tried a new eatery. The place was jumping with folks and the fish portion was barely visible on my pile of rice for 27 bucks and the noise was so bad there was no conversation at the table. Nancy had pasta and shrimp and that was about as bad as my small piece of Mahi Mahi. Barely any in the dish and she ordered a side of Cole slaw that was non describe. I won't go back for three reasons; over price, small portions and noise. The place was called Doc Ford's near Bay Pines.

We came back to our house and played Heart and Oh Well. I won both games for a change. It was close to 10 when they headed out so it was shower time for me and then some horizontal lab as we have to leave here for Tampa around 8 this morning. Sam has his competition in jiu jitsu at USF at 9, LATER

Friday Morning Feb 10th

Well Thursday was a busy fun filled day that had a little bit of everything and ended with Ava's team winning big in their first regional tournament championship game at Keswick. I think they won by 35 points or more. Ava played well on both offense and defense.

I started the day with my before 6 rollout to my usual morning routines that always start with some quiet moments to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up for comfort and healing after posting this ramble. I headed out on my bike around 7:30 to the Rec finishing up my talk on the way with the Creator. We had a full house with mostly good players and I left whupped on my ride home against a strong head wind.

I grabbed a quite snack of a banana and some peanut butter to give me some energy then headed out to mow the back yard and then harvested a mess of leafy greens for a senior couple who attend all of the girls basketball games. Alice and David are such a sweet couple and all of the girls and their parents just love them as do we. They tell us the team is their family as they have none here locally and all of the players are always hugging them and making them feel so loved.

Nancy was off to her S.R.B.C. Bible study with neighbor Carol until close to noon when she got home. She fried up some bacon and we had BLT's for lunch which were delicious to say the least. I hit 184 this morning after getting back from pickle ball which is a milestone for me. I'm down from 202 to 184 but that number fluctuates. I'm staying below 190 constantly which is good. I would like to reach 180 but Nancy says I look too gaunt in the face, oh well. I'll shoot for 185 constantly which is good since I've lost much of my beer belly. She is on the GOLO which is an expensive mixture of stuff to loose weight but the big thing is eat less and watch the carbs and stay busy. She is back to walking the hood daily which is a plus.

Well Keswick played a team from south Florida and it was 22-2 to start the game as our defense played great stealing the ball and making their layup's. Ava didn't start since she is a 10 grader but did play in every quarter making great shots and assists as well as rebounding. She is one tough player and her team mates love her. We got back in time to watch the Lightning finally put a game together against the defending Stanley Cup winners the Colorado team with a 5-0 lead in the third period. It wasn't long after a hot shower that it was some horizontal lab for me. Nancy is a night owl so I didn't hear her come to bed, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 9th

 Well Wednesday was another nice day with temps close to 80 with tons of sunshine and blue skies. I worked outside in the gardens until mid morning before heading out to the library and then the Rec around 10:30 to pick up a couple new reads and then two hours of pickle ball. It was close to 1:30 before getting home for a bite of lunch and then I read the afternoon away after giving my recently transplanted lettuce seedlings a drink.

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my Lord, give thanks for another day and lift up several by name. All are holding at this time. One of my pickle ball buddies brought his much younger wife who had never played the game and she is going to be a great player, of course she is 40 years younger than him and us and her mother who came last week is just another great player. She and her mom are both good tennis players but she is 27 and he is in late 60's. They have a little 2 year girl and he is loaded with money which helps with the age difference. She is a looker as well but very nice.

Nancy was off spending close to two hundred bucks for a haircut and coloring of her now almost all grey hair, wow the price of hair care is outrageous, oh well. It helps with her staying young which we are thrilled about as we have some friends who are much younger and all grey which does make them look much older. I have some grey but its still dark when wet. I'm still able to work and play and thats all that matters to me. We headed out for S.R.B.C. for our last new members class meetings before officially joining the church. The church stands on the WORD and Pastor Derek preaches the WORD with no cultural influence from this woke crowd that has seeped into present day teaching in many religions and denominations. That is the main reason we left Bridgepoint.

Well it was close to 9 when we got home so it was shower time and then some documentary time on 4 women who rowed a boat some 8 thousand miles from California to Australia which took close to a year. Wow what a documented voyage they had with stops in Hawaii and Samoa on the way, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 8th

 Well here it is "hump day" already as another week quickly passes by. I started Tuesday with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift several up for comfort and healing after posting this ramble. All seem as well as can be expected considering ages and health issues. I headed out to the rec around 7:30 on my bike and finished up my morning talk with the Creator on my way to two hours of pickle ball play. We had several good players and I was whupped by the end of 2 hours of non stop play. It was a tough ride home on the bike against a strong northern wind which kept it quite nice for working outside in the heat.

I picked green beans and got a colander full and Nancy cooked about half for our supper which was excellent along with some taters and a rib eye steak, yeow was that ever delicious. The 1/2 runner beans have the best flavor of any green bean ever especially when flavored with some ham or bacon. After a lunch of a garden salad I backed the truck out of the garage and gave it a through cleaning inside and outside as well a did the windows. I removed the old Bridgepoint sticker from the back window glass which was really stuck on and sadly said good bye as well. We love the folks there but the management is completely out of tune with the gospel and that beautiful paid for campus is used only a couple hours a week. We wanted an on campus pastor, classes for kids and adults but they just wanted every thing by video and down at the main campus several miles away plus the woke culture had influenced the head pastor. Such a shame.

Well I started a book about a true event which was murder and the police and prosector did everything to convict the husband who was totally innocent when it was later proven to be a bad conviction and the real murderer was found to be the culprit in two other murders. Wow what a story and I couldn't put it down and read it in two settings. It's titled BONE DEEP by the defense attorney Joel Schwartz and author Charles Bosworth, Jr. It's complete with pics as well. Dateline did a series on this real story and murderess Pam Hupp called "The thing about Pam" who murdered for money. Wow what a read, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 7th

Well Monday started out just beautiful and stayed that way all day long. The temps were moderate and no humidity for a change. Lots of sunshine and blue skies. I started the day with a sleep in until close to 6:30  since I wasn't playing pickle ball until 11'ish at the Rec with 5 other good players. I decided to forgo the the early morning play at 8 for the 11 AM play 3 days a week because the play is so much better. Tue. and Thur. the Rec is for good players during the early morning hours, but the other three days it's open to all ranges of players many of which are beginners.

I started the day with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my Lord and give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected due to ages and health issues. I stayed on the internet unto 9'ish then headed out to hand water the gardens and to harvest a mess of collards from the garden and get them ready for the pot. I braised some hickory smoked bacon we had in the freezer along with some onion and garlic and added some chicken broth and brought the pot to a boil after adding the chopped up collards and then covered the pot and turned it down to a simmer for the next several hours. My oh my were they ever delicious along with some mac and cheese and a grilled pork chop smothered in fresh Rosemary while grilling. Yeow was that ever a meal to remember.

We spoke with sister Dee while eating to touch base as they are heading this way next week with their pull behind new camper. They are staying a few miles from us in Largo near where the Nymark's are staying in a camp ground with their motorhome. They will be here 10 days or so and we will get together often for meals and card games. Looking forward to their visit as we always do. On my way to the Rec I made a stop at the library for a couple new reads so I spent the afternoon reading until time to hand water the gardens again around 5. They are doing good with some green tomato's set and tons of blooms and new lettuce seedlings that need transplanted. I'll be busy after my 10 AM finish on the pickle ball courts today, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 6th

Well we are back home after spending a couple days and one night in Brandon with the Triplett grands. We had both twins and Annsley and Gabe during that time and they were a big help as well and are like parents to the twins as well big brother and sister at times. It was a fun time with all and potty training the boys made it even more interesting at times. Huckson tells you when he has to go and Ryder did have one accident while we were there but only pee. Thankfully they did the poo in the toilet.

We had a fun day and while we missed our corporate worship I did manage to watch S.R.B.C. on line in between breakfast and play time. They took naps great on Saturday but Sunday was a bust at first but finally they napped for an hour or so. I took them outside afterwards and we played in the yards, swinging etc. Nancy was able to take Annsley out for an hour or so for lunch at her favorite oriental place for tea and egg rolls while Gabe and I kept the twins in their supposed nap time. They eventually gave in and fell asleep, oh well.

Katie's mom came around 5'ish and we loaded up everyone in Katie's car and they all went to her house which is just a minute away and we headed home after a stop at Publix on the way. It was after 6 when we finally got to the house and had a salad for supper. I piddled around on the internet and then Nancy headed out to pick up the Ross kiddos from church as Amy and Tyler were out celebrating their 18 year anniversary together. I soon hit the shower and watch some tube before calling it a night around 10., LATER

Sunday Morning February 5th

 Well things were a little different on Saturday morning as we were up early in preparation for heading over to Brandon to watch the grand's for the day and overnight as both Bobby and Katie were in Colorado skiing for the long weekend. We left the Seminole house a little before 8 and I was surprised at the heavy traffic on the interstate at that time of the day on a weekend, yikes.

Bobby left shortly after we arrived for the airport and we had the grand's that included Annsley and Gabe along with the twins from then on. The big kids were a great help in the care of the boys. They are now in underwear and potty training which was rather good for the day. Huck peed in his pull up during the nap and Ryder peed in his overnight diaper but other than that they did quite well for 3 year old boys. 

Amy and family came over around 3 ish and stayed until after bath time. We had supper together which was hamburgers, tatter tots and salad. The boys went down around 7:30 after a bath's and story book reading and prayers and slept the night through. We are supposed to be relieved in the afternoon as Katie's mom will take the boys and the big kids to her house and we head back to Seminole.

It really is fun with them and they soak up all the things you tell them, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 4th

 Well Friday was a busy day that started with some rain in the mid morning and the temps dropped quite rapidly with a strong cold front that moved into the area. The wind was so strong I had trouble walking back from the Rec around 1'ish after two hours of pickle ball. Nancy had dropped me off around 11 as it was raining too hard to ride my bike. I got in a great work out with 5 other top notch players.

I had 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 and lift up several after posting this ramble. Since things were changed and I didn't have to leave early I lingered on the internet until it was time to head out to the Rec.

We had a late lunch early supper as Ava was playing basketball at 7 and Nancy wanted to be sure her tummy was in good working order, so we ate big around 2'ish. That held me the rest of the day except for some nuts around 9'ish when we got back from her blow out game over I.R.C.S. The score was 60 some to 20 some and they now with plat for the regional championship next Thursday at Keswick School.

I'm cutting this short this AM as we are getting ready to head over to Brandon to spend the night with the grands there while Bobby and Katie are on a mini vacation to Colorado for some skiing, Later

Friday Morning Feb 3rd..Son Bobby's 42 birthday

 Well where did those years go..42 since he came into this world and carried on my name as well as blessed us with years of smiles and love. He and Amy have blessed us beyond measure and hopefully our GOD as well.

I started Thursday with my usual routines of up before 6, some quiet moments after posting this ramble to honor my Lord Jesus, give thanks and lift up several for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected but as I listen to what's happening in society with many younger folks suddenly dying unexpectedly, I'm becoming more convinced this vaccine promoted by this corrupt administration is the reason. Their think tanks promotes eugenics and abortion so why not kill off as many as possible with a vaccine that was made after the Chinese started pandemic.

I headed out around 7:30 for the Rec on my bike and finished up my morning talk with the Creator on the way. I got in two solid hours of great play with all good players and left whupped with a wet shirt. It had warmed up considerably with temps in the upper 70's and going to the low 80's by the late afternoon. I hand watered the gardens and noticed since I trapped and removed the possum the rat poison is still place. I'm amazed he could eat that much every night and come back for more for over a week. with no ill effects, oh well. I understand they can withstand poisonous snake bites as well and survive.

Nancy was off to her new Bible study class at S.R.B.C. until close to 11. We had a bite of lunch then she headed off again to shop. I finished a read and then watched some You Tube travel vlogs before supper. I headed out once again to hand water the gardens which are producing with these warm days and cool nights. I did harvest my first mess of sugar pea pods for the salad bowl. We had a chef salad for supper with all the greens from the garden along with some fresh radishes and fresh dill on top. We are still waiting on the tomato's to ripen but usually when they do its all at one time. Bobby has been getting the small tomatoes from his garden for weeks.

Well after supper I picked up neighbor Dan and we headed to the mens Bible group at S.R.B.C. at 6:30 until after 8. There were about 20 or so of us and from all walks of life in attendance. many were much younger and a few my age or older. It was a good get together and I enjoyed the meeting and will make it a weekly occurrence, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 2nd

 Well Wednesday was another warm day with temps close to the 80's with lots of sunshine and blue skies. It started out with a before 6 roll out to my routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my Lord, give thanks and lift several up by name. All seem as well as possible. I was planning on skipping the early morning pickle ball session and going to the 11 am session at the Rec with all good players so I piddled around on the internet doing what I usually do in the afternoon. I looked out the window and I noticed I had caught the culprit that has been eating all of my rat poison every night. There was a huge possum in my trap so I loaded him in the cage up in the back of the truck and headed over to a local park a mile or so away and dropped him off.

I piddled around killing time until it was time to head to the Rec on my bike and met up with 5 other players. All of us could be considered in the upper echelon of players which makes for great rallies and power strokes. I played well winning with every player at least once during the two hour period and we all left with soaked shirts. It was a chore pedaling home in the breeze around 1'ish to some lunch.

We were heading out around 6:30 for S.R.B.C. for our new members third meeting and we got to hear from the lead pastor Derek and his associate as well as his wife Stephanie. They are genuine and humble and both graduated from Liberty and have a heart for foster kids. He initially wanted to go into law enforcement but opted out after moving from his home base and becoming involved in ministry with a church in South Florida and decided serving GOD was what he was called to do. We have a lot in common as he was adopted and never knew his bio family as I too never knew who my bio father was. I think we will become friends as well as he is interested in pickle ball once his hip is healed and he gets back to physical activity.

Well that was about it for the day as it was going on 9 before we got home and I hit the shower and watched a little Farmland documentaries before lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning February 1st

 Well time is just flying by as January is gone and we are one month closer to getting back to the mountains; however its not the best time of the year there with cold and dampness prevalent. It's starting to really warm up here almost daily as it was close to 80 yesterday with tons of sunshine and blue skies with a few lowly hanging clouds at times to keep it bearable to be outside.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments after posting this ramble to honor my Lord, to give thanks and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected. I finished up my morning talk with the Creator on my bike ride to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play which left me whupped. I headed home to work in the gardens hoeing everything and once again giving the gardens and front yard a drink. I'm finally seeing some new grasses in the bare spots in the front yard from the couple of weekly hand waterings. The garden is holding and I have new lettuce seedlings showing good colors. Lots of blooms on the beans, peas, egg plant, pepper and tomato's. So far its looking like there will be plenty to share.

After a lunch of leftover Zuppa I headed in to read and watch some documentaries on the internet until it was time to give the garden s another drink. We were eating a lite supper of baked salmon and asparagus around 4:30 as we were heading out to Keswick School for Ava's game and the first game of the playoffs in her division. She played great and the team will meet I.R.C.S. in the finals on Friday. The coach for that team is and was a teacher for both Bobby and Amy while in school there. He remembered us and we had a nice chat with him after their game. Ava played great, scoring several points but her big strength is rebounding and defense and such hustle up and down the court. They won by 30 points and will face I.R.C.S. who won the first game is a close contest.

It was close to 9 before we got back to the house and then a hot shower before some TV and then lights out at 10'ish, LATER