Sunday Morning April 30.

 Well Saturday was a fun day with an excellent birthday dinner for Ava Mae who turned 16 this week at her house with all of the family minus Katie who had a prior engagement. Gabe's team won their ball game 10-4 and will play one more game for the championship of their league and the Ray's blasted the White Sox's 14-5 but our Lightning team lost in overtime to the Maple Leafs so they are done for this season after being involved in the finals for the past several seasons and winning the Cup several times.

We actually got some more much needed rain in the afternoon and evening with a soaking rain and I believe it rained more over night. It was such a fun filled day with family and friends and to day Sunday we head out for worship at S.R.B.C. after our quiet times here at home to honor and worship our LORD as well. We will hear an on line message from Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va with Gary Hamrick as teacher as well. We are then expecting our niece Arianne to come for a visit with her family for lunch which hopefully will be better than their last visit at the cabin. Her two youngster are a handful and usually out of control with no discipline what so ever and we were so glad when they left last time, anyhow we will survive for at least a few hours with them here. I don't know how they handle them at their home but it must be difficult on a daily basis, LATER

Saturday Morning April 29th

Well Friday saw us with some wet ground finally and the grass seemed to just soak it all in and greened up almost over night. It will take a lot more rain to bring back many burned up lawns in the 'hood but mine where I've been watering is looking decent. The gardens sure loved the rain despite the hand watering twice a day.

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks and to lift up several by name, all are holding as of this time. I headed out to the Rec on my bike for two hours of pickle ball play with a mixture of good and average players. I managed to partner up with several different players and helped them with their game as well as winning every set. I was whupped when I headed home to piddle around outside in the gardens turning over the weeds with sprung up from the rain. Nancy was at her morning Bible study group and got back around noon. We had a salad and then I settled into a new read titled LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI by Rinker Buck. What an interesting true story about traveling down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans on a hand built flat bottom boat like the early pioneers did in the 1700's.

We were walking up to the Botbyl's for supper with them and another couple we know from church; Nancy and Brian Walters. Their son Aaron and our Bobby attended I.R.C.S. together back in the days and he also became a pastor. They came for supper and brought us a game called "hand and foot" which is hard to explain but is a card game which you play as teams. The gals were winning until the last hand which we guys won. It took us about two hours to play the game and the scoring is the most complicated part of the game. We decided to do it again next Friday at our place and play the game again.

Well we tuned into the last inning of the Ray's game and they won once again over the White Sox's 3-2. We head over to Brandon this morning for Gabe's game and then to the Ross's for a birthday celebration dinner for Ava Mae who turned 16. It will be a family affair once again, LATER

Friday Morning April 28th

 Well Thursday finally found us with a thunder storm late in the evening with some much needed rain but we didn't need the lightning and wind which flickered the lights at times. The rain was awesome and I'm sure most of it ran off into the gutters as the ground is so dry, oh well it was a blessing to end the drought.

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD after posting this ramble to give thanks and lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all are holding as of this moment. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play with good players and left whupped with a stop off at the library on the way home for a couple new reads. Nancy was off to the dentist so I piddled around in the yards and gardens harvesting a nice mess of kale and beet greens for the salad bowl as well as hand watered the gardens and yards. I'll have to mow today as the hand watering has greened up my yards despite the drought.

After a lite lunch I headed in to read the afternoon away until it was time to head out to the Tracy's for supper with the Botbyl's. Patrick's sister and her husband were visiting from Reno whom we have spent many visits together in the mountains and it was a pleasure to see them again after nearly 5 years ago. They are here with their kids visiting Disney world. Katryn had a delicious Italian supper prepared and they had their next door condo neighbor as well who is a single over to meet and eat with us. It was a delightful visit and the food was awesome. We tuned into the Ray's and Lightning game as well and both teams won last evening. The Rays were up 14-3 in Chicago and Lightning won 4-2 in Toronto, finally.

We got back around 9'ish and then a big storm hit with strong winds but some much needed rain coming down in sheets. We didn't lose power but came close a couple of times, LATER

Thursday Morning April 27th

 Well Wednesday was another dry and rather warm day with temps close to 90 by the late afternoon. Not much happening except the daily routines that start with a before 6 rollout to my quiet times after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All are holding as I make this post. I headed out to the REC on my bike for two hours of pickle ball play and then headed home to piddle around outside in the gardens and yards hand watering and hoeing some weeds that always seem to grow wether it rains or not.

Nancy took off on her bike for a change to the REC to work out on the treadmill as the paved streets reflect the heat while hiking through the 'hood, so the a/c at the REC is much better for working out walking on the treadmill. After she got back and I had finished hand watering we cleaned up some leftovers for lunch and then I read the afternoon away finishing a great read of a true story during WWII and the campaign in the Philippines against the Japanese and this soldier survived to tell his story. Its titled A BRIGHT AND SHING SUN by Marcus Brotherton. The story has much of the atrocities done to Louis in the book UNBROKEN when he was also captured also by the Japanese

We had a meat less supper since we had leftover burgers and dogs for lunch and I wanted to try one of the volunteer butternut squashes I had grown in the side garden and it was delicious to say the least along with some yellow rice and broccoli. After the clean up we settled into the Ray's game and they loss again on an error that gave up a run. The bats were cold for most of the game or right at opposing players. That's two losses in a row at home when we had 13 in row for wins to start the season, oh well, LATER

Wednesday Morning April 26th

 Well Tuesday was another fun day as I started it with my usual before 6 rollout to my usual routines that start with some quiet moments after posting the ramble to honor my LORD, to give thanks and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as I make this post. We also later in the evening after the spring choral concert at Keswick celebrated our first grand child 16th birthday, Ava. She sang in the choir at school as did Sam our oldest grand son who did a solo in the concert and will be the lead in the school play Peter Pan in a couple weeks. Its so exciting to see our grands maturing and being so community at their school.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two plus hours of good pickle ball play winning with different partners through out and left whupped. I made a stop at the library for a couple new reads before heading home to piddle around in the gardens and yards. I harvested another beautiful egg plant for a neighbor as well as another squash. This is the first year I've ever grown any butternut squash and they are of the different type unlike the usual zucchini or yellow squashes. The tomato's plant despite looking rather bad have put on new leaves and limbs as well as more small fruit. I haven't harvested any now for several days but these are maturing once again and we should have fruit to eat in a week or so.The cantaloupes are maturing as well and now some are as large as a soft ball. 

I used some liquid weed and grass killer and sprayed the edges of the house and the gardens hoping to keep the grasses from invading the shrubs and garden areas. I used a pitch fork to loosen up some of the barren areas so the hand watering will soak into the ground as it hard and will give the grasses in the yards some moisture before running off. We are definitely in a drought here in hot sunny Florida as we await the rainy season.

I read the afternoon away with a true story of a survivor of the battles in WWII of the Philippines and the surrender to Japan and what took place afterwards. Such evilness by the captors to those under their command. But in the end they got their just reward. This generation today have no idea the ordeal these brave men and women went through to defeat the enemy and save America and their allies from the Japanese, LATER

Tuesday Morning April 25th

 Well Monday wasn't quite as hot as usual with a lot of clouds around which looked like rain was going to happen, but no rain. We sure could use some as its very dry. I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD after posting this ramble, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All are holding as I make this post. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play and then worked outside in the gardens and yards hand watering until lunch time..

After lunch I read until 4'ish then headed out once again to give the gardens a drink as the rain clouds had moved on with out giving us any relief from the drought. We had a fresh egg plant from the garden as they are producing once again. I gave son Bobby two nice ones as well as neighbor Bobby a nice one and there are several more in various sizes maturing. What a year for them as this is the second round of fruits. The plant is huge and I had to tie it to the fence as the weight of the fruit had it bending over. I have more new green tomato's forming as well and the cantaloupes are getting larger daily. The leafy green collards and kale are still holding as are the beet greens but the lettuces are all gone for this season. The volunteer potato's are forming as well and hilling up with lots of little ones. I'll probably dig them this week as the plants are starting to die.

Well we tuned into the Ray's and Lightning games and both are winners once again and the Ray's now have tied the record in baseball with their start wins and the Bolts were up 4-1 when I shut them off, LATER

Monday Morning April 24

 Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship both privately here at home an on line with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. and then corporately at our local S.R.B.C. in person. Afterwards we headed home as Bobby and his family were coming to leave the twins with Nancy and take me with the rest of the family to the Trop to watch the Ray's play baseball along with Tyler, Ava and Sam. Wow what a game and the Ray's are making history with their exceptional pitching and hitting as they swept the White Sox 4-1 with another two home runs, one that went over our heads in right field. The stands were packed as it was family day with tons of kids of all ages. Gabe got a baseball as one of the out fielders tossed a warm up ball into the stands and we nearly got a second ball from the same outfielder.

We all met back our house afterwards for burgers and dogs plus some other side dishes after the game and then visited until it was time for the twins baths and then everyone from the Ross house showered as Tyler was unable to break free the heating element in their water heater to replace it. It seems their water is so hard it has frozen the element in place and he is unable to free it. They will be getting a water softner after this. That was about it for the day, LATER

Sunday Morning April 23rd

 Well Saturday was another busy day that started with a before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines before we headed out to Brandon for Gabe's last regular season game. I did my quiet time to honor the LORD after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All are holding with no update on Nancy's brother Eric, who was hospitalized Friday for some heart issues, everyone else seems to be holding as I make this post.

We headed over to Brandon and saw a close game until Gabe's team suddenly made several infield errors and they lost the game and are now in second place for the playoffs. They will play again sometime next week to see who are the champions for this season. We stopped by Bobby's and brought some lunch after stopping at Publix's for sandwiches. We visited for awhile watching the twins play in the pool before heading home with stops at Sam's for gas at 3.54 a gallon and some meat for todays burgers after the Ray's game and then again at Publix's for some items. It was after 3 before we got back home and settled down watching the Ray's game that came on around 4'ish. It was a close game and one they won in the 10th inning. Again it was another close game. I'm going to the Trop for my first game this season after church and then we will come back to the house for supper. Hopefully they will once again be winners.

I tuned into the Lightning game and they lost a close one in overtime after being just a minute away for the win in regulation. They are now 2-1 to the Maple Leafs and its a guarantee they will have to go back to Canada for at least one game. Too bad they didn't hold on for the win last night.

We got word the Amy and Tyler's hot water heat gave out last night so several came for a shower here. Hopefully I can get my old plumber friend to help them out but it always happens on a weekend, Oh well. Today is corporate worship day at S.R.B.C. so we will be there for the 10:30 service then head home to wait for the Bobby and family to arrive and head to the Trop for the 1:30 game.. Nancy and Amy will watch the twins along with Eliza, LATER

Saturday Morning April 22

Well Friday was another busy fun filled day that started much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with 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 except for Nancy's brother Eric in Michigan who underwent another heart procedure with a blocked artery that was causing some chest pains. He is in recovery in the hospital.

No pickle ball early in the morning as we headed to Keswick school to watch the 3rd thru 5th grades perform their Spring concert. Eliza played and instrument and they sang a song. It was inspiring to see  teachers who love the LORD share with these children instead of seeing what happening in the public school run by idiots who want to help kids change their sex and not tell the parents. Its pure evil to brain wash these kids and destroy their lives.

After getting back from the concert Nancy headed off to her Bible Class and then I headed out around 11 for close to two hours of pickle ball at the Rec for a great workout. It was close to 1 before getting home after a stop at the library.

I piddled around in the gardens and yards hand watering until it was time to head out to Outback to meet up with the Nymark's for dinner and then back to their remodeled house to play cards. It was a fun evening and the gals won both games in Euchre and Steve the game of hearts. We had the Ray's game on in the back ground and while they jumped out to a big lead they were losing when we left around 8:30. We got back to the house and turned on the last couple innings with them still losing into the bottom of the 9th when a walk off homer won the game by a run. What a come back after their pitching in the middle innings was terrible.

Today we head over to Brandon for Gabe's last regular season game at 11 AM. Bobby and Katie are back from Spain last evening and had a blast. I'm sure the twins were glad to see them as was Lynn who had them all week, LATER

Friday Morning April 21st

 Well Thursday was another busy day that started with my before 6 rollout to my usual morning routines of some quiet moments to honor my Lord after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. The lists get longer each day but thus far all are holding. I headed out on my bike to the Rec and two hours of pickle ball play with good players as its the advanced player day set aside at the Rec for us. We do occasionally get a few intermediates on these two days but yesterday they were all decent players. I was whupped by 10'ish and headed home on my bike to piddle around outside in the yards and gardens. Nancy was taking off shortly there after to shop as that has become almost a daily occurrence. That will change in about a month when we get to the cabin to once a week in the big city of Galax where there is a super Wal-Mart and a few more shops than Sparta.

I put out more rat poison as they chewed up 3 nice large tomato's that were green on the volunteer plant which ticked me off. The what I thought was a couple volunteer cucumber plants are turning out to be I think cantaloupe plants with several small round fruits already set. I never know whats going to pop up in my compost pile but if it survives then I replant it to see what grows from it. That's exciting as this huge volunteer tomato was doing so great with lots of nice fruit until the dang rats have attacked it. I've put out lots of poison and what I thought was rats turned out to be a possum but I've not seen them eat on whole green tomato's, oh well.

I read the afternoon away until supper smelling the pot of collards I had put on the stove around 11'ish. Wow were they ever giving off a delicious odor. I grilled a couple pork chops and Nancy made a pan of corn bread to accompany and we dined country boy style. After the clean up I got ready and headed out to the mens Bible study group at S.R.B.C. where around 25 or more of us gathered to study about the attributes of GOD. It was basically what I already knew about growing up in the WORD but nice to hear younger and few old fellers like me talk about it. I got back around 8'ish and tuned into the Lightning game and they were losing big time after winning big time on Tuesday, LATER

Thursday Morning April 20th..32 days to go

Well April is moving along at a nice pace as we look towards leaving hot sunny Florida for the cool mountain cabin towards the end of May. The 21st is the target date for leaving so we have been busy with doctor appointments and Nancy had a major one yesterday with a heart stress test which she passed with flying colors. Praise be to GOD for this outcome.

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 to honor my LORD, give thanks for another and to lift up several by name for comfort, healing and safe travels as Bobby and Katie return back to the states tomorrow from Spain. All are holding as I make this post and we get daily pictures from Bobby. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for an hour or so of pickle ball play as Nancy wanted me to drive her to the stress test at 9:30.

I came back home after checking her in as it would be after 12 before I was able to pick her up. They allowed her to do the treadmill instead of the nuclear chemical test which made her feel even better about the test. All of results were great as the heart is fine after suffering that knife in the chest feeling a couple weeks back. It's her hernia and Gerd I believe that caused that pain from what she eats, oh well. All is well that ends well.

I piddled around outside hand watering whats left of the garden and found where a rat chewed up 3 of my large green tomato's on the volunteer plant over night so I set more rat poison out hopefully to deter them and kill those pests. The other plants are setting more fruit despite the sad look they are presenting from the heat and dryness despite daily watering. I did harvest a nice mess of kale and take to my one gal who is suffering from breast cancer and who works at the Rec. The new sod is showing green shoots and the weed killer is killing a few weeds but nothing like the bag promotes for killing 250 types of weeds, oh well.

I watched the Ray's play an afternoon game in Cincinnati and they won again in a shutout game 9-0. They will be home this weekend against the White Sox's and I'm going to the Sunday afternoon game with family. Hopefully they continue as the best team in all of MLB. The Lightning play again tonight in Toronto after winning the first game 7-3, LATER

Wednesday Morning April 19th

 Well Tuesday morning was the coolest morning in many days with temps in the upper 50's to start the day and it stayed rather nice through out with a steady breeze keeping it quite comfortable to be outside until the mid afternoon when the sunshine ran you in the house. The humidity was low as well. I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift several by name up for comfort and healing. The list is getting longer almost daily but all seem to be holding at this time.

I headed out on my bike to the REC for two hours of pickle ball play and had a great workout leaving whupped as well, only to have to pedal home against a stiff breeze. I helped neighbor Bobby with his putting together a storage shed which required a two person job at times and then I hand watered the gardens before mowing the yards which kept me busy until noon and lunch time. I had a delicious tomato, onion, lettuce with mayo sandwich. The tomato's plants are shutting down with just a few left to ripen as its been a great season thus far. I should have more coming on from the volunteer plant that has several on it but none ripening at this time.

I piddled around outside as Nancy was gone to visit the Nymark's for lunch along with 4 other gals and didn't get back home until 4'ish. We cleaned up some leftovers for supper then settled into the Ray's game which they won big over the Reds 9-0. Wow the bats finally came to life again and the pitching was great as well. I tuned into the Lightning game and they were beating the Maple Leafs 6-2 when I shut it off around 10'ish in the best of 7 games.

Today Nancy has a stress test at 9:45 so I'll cut my pickle ball play to half the time and drive her to the facility and make sure she is fine and drive her home, LATER

Tuesday Morning April 18th

Well Monday found us with much cooler temps and less humidity after the thunder storm Sunday night that brought us some much needed rain, wow was it ever a blessing. The stiff breeze stayed with us as well through out the day and by late evening people were wearing jackets as they walked the hood despite it being in the upper 60's.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet moments after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding at this time. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball and had a good workout leaving whupped after being off the court for two days. I came home and ran an errand to the bank to clean out the safety deposit box as they are demolishing the old bank building and moving to a smaller building in Seminole Center without deposit boxes. I did hand water just before supper but the rain over night was a good one. I harvested a couple egg plants and we had those for supper which were excellent. This has been one of the best plants ever with at 20 fruits on it over the growing season. I did harvest a few tomato's but that too has just about gone except for the volunteer plant which has 6-8 green tomato's and lots of blooms. The garden is winding down due to the heat and dryness but this rain may have given it some more life for a few days.

I read the afternoon away after fertilizing the front grass before lunch. Not much else happening except we watched the Ray's play ball and it wasn't good after beating Blue Jays convincingly the day before. The REDS whupped them 8-1 at their home and everyone had coats on there, LATER 

Monday Morning April 17th

 Well the past 3 days watching the boys reminded us of our age and tolerance for 3 year olds which at times was so rewarding and at times causing one to admit we aren't as young as we once were. They have so much energy with most of it good but once in a while outside the bounds of good behavior. We were whupped when we handed them off to Katie's mom who will take them to school after feeding them breakfast and basically care for them for 2 plus hours in the evening before bedtime. I must say if we lived in the hood where they are just 2 minutes from Katie I would gladly change places, oh well.

We watched our local church on line and worshipped while the boys watched a movie after they got up around 5:30 which is two hours earlier than normal and stayed up and neither one would nap after lunch. They should have slept good last night for Lynn. We also took them on a walk however they did run or walk much today like yesterday when they ran a lot, but rode in the stroller wearing me out. We took them in the pool around 3ish and let them jump and play outside until they were picked up.

I let them set on our cooler in the front room putting on their shoes for them to leave with Lynn and forgot the cooler as we made hast to leave and head home. It was filled with lots of goodies we had taken over to supplement the suppers and at least it had an ice pack so it wouldn't spoil. Lynn was supposed to go by the house and hopefully put the food back in the fridge and or use it for themselves, oh well. We were in such a hurry to leave that I forgot to check the house one more time.

The gardens were dry as was the front yard when we got home around 5'ish, so I hand watered for an hour but we got a heavy down pour just as we headed for bed around 10'ish. It was a thunder storm with lightning and rain finally breaking the drought. On a lite note the Ray's prevented a sweep by the Blue Jay's with an 8-1 win in Canada and now are 14-2 which is still the league leader. It was good to get back home and sleep in your bed after the two night adventure, LATER

Sunday Morning April 16th

 Well this month is half gone already and we are just 5 weeks from leaving for the cabin. I'm ready for some cooler mornings at least and NO traffic. We are still at Bobby's and the traffic noise here is loud as his place is near a busy 2 lane road and we hear noise all hours of the day and night. Saturday was a fun day with the boys as we spent Friday and last night here with them. Bobby and Katie made it to beautiful Madrid, Spain and their hotel was a 5 Star one. I visited there back in the 60's and was quite impressive with everything especially the food and wine.

We fixed breakfast for the boys and then headed out for a mid morning walk and ride through the 'hood. We let them run at times as this 'hood has only two entrances and its quiet. They rode from time to time in the stroller but both like to run. It was starting to get hot out side by 11'ish so we played until lunch time in the house and then served them lunch and put them down for a nap around 12:30. They slept for an hour or so which the run helped to wear them down and then we spent the next couple hours outside in the pool. The water was chilly but refreshing despite the constant afternoon heat which was in the 90's. They wear this chest floatie which allow them to be in the water and pretend to swim. They now have no fear of the water and jump at will into the deep end. I actually swam for a bit myself after sunbathing. They of course had snacks and pop sickles.

We served them supper at 5:30 with a meal of chicken thighs I had grilled the night before along with Jasmine rice and black beans. They ate well and grandma gave them each a cookie for dessert. Since they were in the pool they wanted to skip baths and so we let them stay up an extra half hour to finish watching the LION KING movie. Well I hear them awakening and its 6 AM, OH WELL a new day has started, LATER

Saturday Morning April 15 th

 Well here we are in Brandon as we came over around 3ish to settle in before picking up the twins from their school. Its hot here as well and very dry. The traffic coming here was like a parking lot on the interstate both coming and going. Wow I thought it would clear out after Easter but its seems more folks have moved here from those blue states where crime, taxes and idiocy reigns. I don't blame them but hey we need a break from these traffic jams on the main roads.

I had started the day on Friday with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my LORD, give thanks and lift up several by name. All are holding as I make this post. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play and left whupped for the morning. Nancy was off to her Bible Study class so I hand watered the gardens and yard giving them a good soaking as that will be the last drink until Sunday evening unless we get some rain which is a possibility. I did some last minutes chores before starting to pack what I needed for the next 3 days and two nights.

We had a bite of lunch then packed our together stuff which you thought we were heading to the cabin as of course we might need this or that, oh well. Thats why I have a truck plus we had the two twins car seats already in the truck from last week when we brought them home with us from the ball game and kept them until late in the evening.

The boys were tickled to us and excited about us staying the weekend with them. We had a snack and then fed them supper around 5:30 and then it was play time until baths around 7'ish. They went down and slept through the night until 7 this morning. Well it time to close this out for now as my attention is needed, LATER

Friday Morning April 14th

Well Thursday was almost a repeat of the weather the day before with a lot less clouds. The temps were in the upper 80's but the breeze kept it quite comfortable to be outside until the mid afternoon when once again its just too hot. I started the day much the usual with my morning routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding at this post. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours or so of pickle ball with some excellent rallies with good players. I was whupped by 10'ish and headed home in a stiff breeze to hand water the gardens until Nancy was ready to make a Sam's Club run. 

Gas has once again risen by 30 cents a gallon over the past week as I paid 3.32 a gallon whereas across the street it was 3.59. It does pay to be a member but still they are making a profit and the public is getting ripped on the street prices. We picked up some needed items we will take with us to the cabin at a savings as well as some items for this weekend in Brandon where we will be staying for 3 days and 2 nights with the twins while Bobby and Katie travel to Madrid, Spain. It such a beautiful city or it was back when I was there with the USAF in the 60's. It was a very reasonable place to lodge and eat and the vino was superb as we brought cases back on the airplane from there.

I settled into the Ray's game around 1 and watched them come from behind and win their 13th game in a row to lead all of baseball with a sweep of the Red Sox 9-3. The Lightning also won last night over Detroit 5-0 for their last regular season hockey game as they move into the playoff next week. That was about it for Thursday, LATER

Thursday Morning April13th

 Well Wednesday was some what cooler with the threat of rain with dark clouds but very little fell maybe enough to settle the dust for an hour despite the radar showing bands of rain coming in off the gulf. The stiff breeze was back and at times severe with strong gusts that broke tree limbs off the big oak.

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, to give thanks for another day and to lift several up for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be due to ages and health issues. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two plus hours of pickle ball and had a good workout. The threat of rain brought several new players who usually play outside to the gym so if you lost it would be several turns before you got back on the court. Luckily I managed to stay on the court with several different partners for over an hour before being paired up with a less that B player and we lost. I needed the break but once again won after setting out several turns until it was time to leave the gym. My game has continued to improve and my stamina is excellent so far.

I came back around 10'ish after a hard ride against the wind to hand water the gardens and the new sod in the front yard. Thus far they haven't died but the garden dries out so quickly with this wind. I'm afraid it will be gone when we get back home on Sunday evening after being away this weekend in Tampa while we are watching the twins, oh well. I'll really give it a good watering Friday after lunch before we leave. I harvested a few small tomato's as they have really slowed down and the two butternut squashes from the side garden. The new egg plants are growing daily and this one plant has and will produce close to 2 dozens fruits when its finished. The cucumbers are loaded with blooms but none have set any fruit yet.

I read the afternoon away and then headed out just before supper to once again water the gardens. The threat of rain was in the air with dark clouds but no rain from them. Nancy broiled a salmon filet and along with a salad and a sweet tater we dined high. After the clean up we both settled into the Ray's game and at times it was a runaway but the other team made in close in the last inning but we won again for 12 straight wins. A team record and one in all of MLB. The Lightning lost again despite being in the playoffs and its not looking great for them to go far, oh well, LATER

Wednesday Morning April 12th

Well Tuesday wasn't as hot as the past couple of days with a strong wind and lots of clouds but no rain. We are in a drought condition but despite it I'm able to hand water the gardens and new sod in the front yard. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift several up by name for comfort and healing. I saw in the Winchester Star where another 1964 JWHS class mate passed. She had been married to a old third grade classmate of mine the one year we lived in the city before coming back to the farm. I feel blessed to be able to play pickle ball daily, work in the garden and be basically in good health with a decent appetite.

After pickle ball at the Rec for two hours I rode my bike home against a stiff wind and hand watered the gardens and front yard. We were meeting up with the Nymark's and Botbyl's for lunch at Pieology which is a pizza place in the Seminole Center. I brought half of mine home as I got the works for another lunch day. It was good and Nancy had the cauliflower dough for the basis of her pie. I stuck with white flour crust and a double thickness with every thing on it. Delicious but even the big eater I am I couldn't come close to even half of it, oh well.

I read the afternoon away as Nancy was off shopping once again filling up several shopping bags. That will change once we get to the cabin as it once a week off to shopping in the big city of Galax. We ate lite for supper since the pizza for lunch was filling. We settled into watching the Ray's win big again over Boston 7-2 for the 11th straight win setting once again MLB records. We got a note that Jake and Katelyn had visited our cabin to check on it and sent a couple pics. All is well as we face timed them and their family. Their son Seth and Skylar are just so cute together. They are busy building their business which is great as they are booked through next September with cabinet making. We are thrilled for them. They are also busy with Cornerstone where she leads a women's Bible study and they both lead the youth department. Well that was about it for the day after a hot shower and some ALONE on the Roku before lights out at 10'ish, LATER

Tuesday Morning April 11th

Well Monday wasn't quite as hot as usual as there were tons of rain clouds around but no rain. The clouds held the temps down a few degrees as the stiff breeze made it comfortable except for the early afternoon which is usually the hottest part of the day. I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my LORD after posting this ramble to give thanks and lift several up by name. All are holding as of now.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of constant pickle ball play as the group is made up of a couple A players but mostly B and a couple beginners. I stayed on the court playing with all types until I finally lost and decided to head home and piddle around in the gardens and yards. I spread some the weed killer granules in the front yard in hopes that will kill some of those weeds which have just taken over in the grasses which I water daily. Of course they grow with the added moisture along with the new grasses.

Nancy took off oh her hike through the hood so I vacuumed and broke down the living room table and help put the house back in order after Sunday's dinner. I did harvest more tomato's and noticed the one volunteer tomato's plant now is producing some what large green fruit as my original plants are withering and starting die from the heat. They have been a great producer this and still have some green fruit and some blooms. The egg plant now had 6 new fruits set after that cold snap lasted a couple days. They love the heat as do the cucumbers which haven't set any fruit yet but are loaded with blooms.

Nancy boiled up the leftover ham and then made ham salad and she had a huge bowl which we started giving away to Amy, Betsy and Bobby if he gets out this way and for one of our neighbors. It's delicious and so good on a green salad. She saved the broth and the bone to make soup another day. I read the afternoon away until supper time which was leftovers from yesterday and then tuned into the Ray's game which was a close one and the Ray's won by one run in the bottom of the 8th inning with a home run. They are setting all kinds of MLB records with 10 straight wins to start the season, LATER

Monday Morning April 10th

 Well Easter Day was an awesome day of worship at S.R.B.C. and I would say close to 1500 folks or more attended the two services. The sanctuary holds over 800 folks and it was packed with a couple random empty single seats. Nancy and I were there at 8'ish for the 9 Am service and we worked the welcoming table outside and I helped with security in between services. Everything and everybody was very nice and we saw no one with any indifference to christians or our faith. We did have lots of first time visitors and many who were from out of town visiting with relatives. Pastor Dereck had a great message and the music was awesome and so worshipful. We stayed and worshiped in the second service seeing so many old friends and associates with lots of hugs and hand shakes. It was back to the old fashion way of loving folks once again.

We got home around noon and had a bite of lunch then I hand watered the gardens then vacuumed the house as Nancy did last minute prep for houseful of folks coming around 4 ish. Everyone brought something to share as well and the finger food to start the feast was delicious which Bobby brought and prepared after getting here. Betsy brought her famous potato casserole, Amy a dessert and Tammy a cheesecake as well. We had ham, carrots, salad from the garden and broccoli. Some fruit of the vine flowed as well among a few of us. Everyone watched the young kiddo hunt eggs filled with money some had bills in them as grandma over does it every year, oh well. Around 8'ish after the boys(twins) were bathed they all headed out at once as we put the house back in order. It was a fun event as everyone commented on how the food was awesome once again. Lots of hugs and promises to do this more often. 20 folks in our house is a house full but it was fun.

We did watch history being made again by the Ray's as they beat the Oakland team 11-0 for 4 straight games and now are 9-0 to start the season. The Boston team comes to town tonight and should be a better team according to the press to give the Ray's a test. Our pitching and bats were on fire once again as well as the defense. Lets hope the Lightning tighten up their play for the playoffs next week, LATER

Sunday Morning April 9th Happy Easter

Well Saturday was a busy work and play day that was another hot one with no rain. I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my usual routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD after posting this ramble to giving thanks for another day and believe me when I say you could go any moment or day. Our good close friends Steve and Sheri will attest to that as they came back from a grandson's ball game and found her sister Kathy visiting from Nevada unresponsive on the floor. She had some health issues but nothing they had any real concern immediately as she was supposed to stay for a month. They are devastated but she was a Believer so they know she is in a better place its just that it happened without warning and so suddenly. We were at Gabe's game in Brandon when we got the news.

I headed out after my morning routines to work out front in the yard as its nice in the early morning after harvesting the last of the lettuces from this garden. I had bought some sod grass and I wanted to get it cut into pieces and planted in a couple bare spots, plus I had bought more mulch but wanted to add another layer of the mess screen that is supposed to help with keeping grasses from your planters. I worked up a sweat but got the job done before we had to head over to Brandon.

Well Gabe was the only run scored for their team as they lost to a team they had beaten a couple times before. It was a very hot afternoon with temps in the 90's and muggy. After the game we head to Bobby's to get the twins and bring them back with us to Seminole. Bobby and Katie were meeting local friends here for a night out. We played and had supper with boys who were boys at times. They ate a good supper and tried a new veggie canned beets which they loved as well as asparagus. After their baths it took awhile to get them settled into sleep but finally they did around 9'ish. Bobby got back around 9:30 ish and they headed home. 

We did watch the Ray's make history with a start to the season of a 8-0 win record in MLB with a 11-0 win over Oakland, Wow, but our Lightning team lost again in Canada despite them being in the playoffs which start next week. Well today we are working the first service at church and we are expecting huge crowd with our already 1000 or so regular worshipers. We seat over 800 at one time plus we are having two services to celebrate Easter. We have to be at church at 8:15 and will get home before noon to get ready for the 20 or so coming for Easter dinner at 5, LATER

Saturday Morning April 8th

 Well Friday was a busy day with hot temps once again and no rain. I started the day with a well before 6 roll out to my usual routines that always start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD after posting this ramble to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All are holding at this time. I headed out well before 8 as well on my bike to the Rec for two plus hours of pickle ball with some good play and left whupped for the bike ride home.

I hand watered the gardens and front yard shrubs after mowing both yards and then headed in around noon for a bite of lunch. It was quickly getting close to 90 so I was finished outside until around 5'ish when I headed out to hand watering gardens before we got ready to head over to S.R.B.C. for a 7 PM service. We had gone out after lunch to Home Depot for some mulch, sod grass and weed killer granules for the front yards. It seems the more I pull out the weeds the more they spread so I'll use some weed killer and see if that helps.

We were looking for the safety deposit key as we learned the old Wells Fargo Building is being demolished and we need to clear out the box but also during that search I cleared out a bunch of papers from years ago in my cabinet for a whole sack full of long ago useless stuff. Nancy was looking for her plastic Easter eggs which she put coins in for the grands who will search for them on Sunday afternoon. Needless to say she couldn't find them but we did find a bunch of useless stuff in the closets as well as some articles we will donate to the thrift store. Oh how we collect stuff. I'll take a load of stuff plus clothing to the donation store for Keswick this morning before we head to Brandon for Gabe's ball game.

After the game we will bring the boys back here and watch them until Bobby and Katie pick them up some time later in the evening after they go out with friends here. We will feed them supper and then bath them and put them to bed. It should be another busy fun filled day, LATER

Friday Morning April 7th

Well Thursday was almost a repeat of the whole week with nice mornings, hot afternoons and nice evenings with temps in the upper 80's and low 90's and NO rain. I'm watering daily at least twice for the gardens and once out front with the sprinkler set a couple of evenings. The grass and weeds are green which will require mowing after pickle ball today.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding at this time. I headed out around 7:30 for the REC for two plus hours of pickle ball with good players and had a great time winning most of the mornings play with good partners. I headed home around 10 and worked outside until lunch time harvesting more tomato's and turning some weed areas over with the shovel plus hand watering the gardens and the front yard grasses.

Nancy was off shopping for the grands Easter baskets which she still gives them loaded with clothes, beach towels and tons of candy. Just what their dentists enjoy, oh well. I had a bowl of soup and sliced tomato's for lunch. I gave away another bag of small ones plus several large. Both are starting to ease back on production as the vines are being hit hard by this heat. I still see some blooms but the vines look old and dried out. The egg plant is setting tons of more fruit with several about the size of a half dollar. This one plant has produced more than any plant I've ever had with over a dozen already harvested and now these new settings coming on. The beans are up to the top of the fence and some are large enough to harvest as well.

Well Nancy was off once again to have her gray hair colored and wouldn't be back until around 6:30 so we ate an early supper of grilled chicken breast on a bed of greens for me and she had a sweet tater with hers. We were scheduled to attend the Communion service at S.R.B.C. at 7 PM and we made it just in time after picking up the Botbyl's. The service was very worshipful and holy. Afterwards as we were leaving the church we saw some friends and their friends from Keswick and we chatted until close to dark before heading home. We met our new deacon, Steve Lyons from the church who is assigned to us as well. It was a great evening with folks who love the LORD, LATER

Thursday Morning April 6th

 Well Wednesday was another uneventful day except for the usual routines of quiet times after a before 6 rollout to honor my LORD, give thanks and to lift several up for comfort and healing. All are holding as I make this post. I headed out on my bike to the REC for over two hours of pickle ball play with mainly decent players and left with a wet shirt and whupped. I made a stop at the library for a couple new reads then headed home to piddle around outside in the gardens and yards once again harvesting lots of ripening tomato's. The volunteer cucumbers are loaded with blooms so we should get at least a few before we leave in 6 plus weeks for the cabin. I'm so ready for some cool temps especially during the afternoon when its unbearable to be outside here. The morning and evening are very nice but mid day forget about outside work.

Nancy got back from her follow up with the doctor and we had some lunch then I settled into the Ray's game in D.C against the Nationals and we beat them again 7-2 on some good pitching and great hitting once again. The Ray's are the only undefeated team in baseball with 6 in a row. I know it early in the season but they have a good group of players and back ups so they are looking like world beaters.

I headed out to hand water the gardens again around 5'ish and set the sprinkler in the front yard where the bare patches are slowly disappearing with grasses and of course weeds which I constantly hoe and pull out. Some of them are also doing well with blooms so I dig them out as quickly as possible and bury them in my garden for worm food while we are gone this summer. The worm population is excellent thus far with the daily hand waterings.

I had leftover soup for supper as Nancy is staying away from dishes with lots of garlic. She thinks is may be activating her tummy issues but I have enough for one more lunch. I love it and the kale in it. We had a nice long chat with baby sister Dee catching up on all in their lives and making plans for when they will visit the cabin the end of May. They will bring their home on wheels and stay not far from the cabin for a weel or so when the Amy and family are there. Should be a fun time of family and good eatin', LATER

Wednesday Morning April 5th

Well Tuesday was another hot and muggy day with temps in the upper 80's at least the morning was very comfortable and as evening came it got nice once again outside, but the middle of the day its just too hot to do much outside. I started the day 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 by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be doing well at this time.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours or more of pickle ball with decent players and left whupped. I pedaled home to piddle around in the gardens harvesting more lettuces which are just about done for this garden and then harvested once again lots of both small and large tomato's. I took a sack of collard greens to my cancer friend who works at the Rec and then harvested tons of greens and an egg plant for our dear sweet friends from church who attended every Keswick girls basketball game. That is how we got to meet them and then saw them at our new church one Sunday and instantly became close friends. He turned 84 yesterday and was so thrilled to come by and get all of these fresh garden veggies. They have no family here so we and the girls team have become their family.

We finished up the leftovers for lunch then Nancy made a huge pot of Zuppa soup for supper and invited Dan and Carol down for food and games afterwards The girls won every game last evening and the soup was a hit especially as they celebrated 48 years together. I hand watered the gardens a couple times as well as the plants out front and the front yards and then read until supper time. After they left for home which is just 2 door up from us I tuned into the Ray's game and they exploded in the bottom of the 9th for 5 runs to beat the National's once again 10-6, wow what a come from behind when their bats came alive for three home runs. The Ray's are 5-0 to start this season, LATER

Tuesday Morning April 4th

Well Monday was another hot muggy day with temps in the upper 80's and no rain. We are in a drought situation here in central Florida. Thankfully my well is holding as I'm hand watering at least daily and sometimes twice. The garden is producing like crazy and I can barely give away all of the produce before it matures and goes to seed. The tomato's are so abundant this year after what it seems like they took forever to ripen but not now as I'm harvesting daily.

I started the morning out much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, to give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding as of today. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play then made a stop at the library for a read before heading home to work outside until lunch time. We ate leftovers for lunch then I harvested a nice egg plant for our supper along with some fresh herbs to adore the fried in panko slices for our supper. Delicious and now the plant itself has started blooming again. I harvested at least a dozen nice fruits and now there are close to that many more blooms setting fruits. I also harvested a volunteer acorn squash that I had transplanted from the compose pile and the cucumbers are blooming like crazy as well, that I had transplanted from the compose pile, oh well. 

I gave away several messes of kale, lettuces and tons of tomato's to three different neighbors yesterday as well and took a sack of tomato's to the Rec for one of the gals there who is under going chemo for breast cancer. She was so thankful for the fresh veggies and I'll take her a sack of collards to day as the heat is starting to take their affect on them, its that time of the season when every thing starts to dry up due to the high heat. Its been a great garden thus far this winter/spring/summer. After the cleanup from supper I headed in to watch the Rays beat the Nationals in D.C. 6-2. They have won 4 straight with good pitching and great hitting with 3 homers in this game. The Lightning are in the playoffs again for the 6th straight year, GO BOLTS, LATER

Monday Morning April 3rd

Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship both here at home first with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, BVa. and then again at S.R.B.C. with pastor Dereck who had a great message. Afterwards we met up with the Tracy's at the Botbyl house for a lasagna dinner that Kathryn had made a head of time and had it frozen. It was delicious and Nancy brought a garden salad.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet moments after posting this ramble to honor my LORD and to give thanks for another day as well as lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding as I make this post. I headed out to hand water the gardens and harvest some tomato's before I settled into the first worship service at 8:30 on the internet.

After leaving the Botbyl's house after lunch I settled into the Ray's game while Nancy went shopping for the grand's for Easter. We are having a house full here next Sunday along with Betsy and Gus and Tammy's family. Some where around 20 folks for dinner but I'm sure we will find room for all to set. The Ray's won their 3rd straight game with their bats and pitching making a difference. I watched the women's final in college basketball and it was an upset win for LSU over Iowa. Nancy got back around 5 and we ate some leftovers from the night before then I settled into reading and finally some ALONE on the history channel before lights out at 10. Its back to pickle ball this morning after being off for three days, LATER

Sunday Morning April 2nd

 Well Saturday was another warm day but the sea breeze kept it comfortable to be outside. We were supposed to meet up with the kids and their families at the beach but since Nancy was still some what under the weather we decided to stay home and entertain them when they all arrived around 5'ish for a delicious supper of burgers, brats and dogs along with tons of finger food first as they all were starved after the beach experience. It was the first time for the twins and they throughly enjoyed it as did everyone else.

I started the day 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 up several. All seem to be holding. I did workout in the yards and gardens after my morning social networking, hand watering all, plus once again harvesting tomato's. We need rain really bad here in central Florida but my well is holding as I make this post.

I read the afternoon away after taking a good 30 minute bike ride through the hood and then settled into the Ray's game that came on at 4. They won big over the Tigers once again with a 12-2 victory. The Florida basket ball team lost by one point on a last second shot by the California team in a close game and the Lightning won big in Tampa over the New York team. I closed out the day with some ALONE on the history channel at 10'ish.

Today is worship day at S.R.B.C. at 10:30 and before that here at home with Gary Hamrick at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. of course every day is worship day as I give thanks daily, LATER

Saturday Morning April 1st

 Well Friday was a most unusual day as it started with a before 6 roll out and that was the usual thing because from then on it was Nancy having chest pain and us taking off for the ER at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater where we spent all morning until around 1'ish when I was told she was being admitted for over night observation. Eventually they released her some time around 6:30 so I went back and picked her up and we spent a quiet evening at home. 

They did all kinds of tests and ruled out any heart issues at this time but I thought it was her gall bladder and her hernia in her chest because she has been eating spicy foods with lots of garlic and tomato's; anyhow she is home and doing well. She will have to do some stress tests and followup on some heart issues because of the chest pains which did not go away with her taking some nitro which is a good sign of no blockage. Anyhow she needs to be careful of what she eats from now on.

I stayed around the phone at home reading and then hand watering the gardens and yards and harvesting another egg plant as well as tons of ripening tomato's. I gave away another bucket full of small tomato's. I ate lite with just a protein shake for breakfast and a few pieces of left over flank steak for lunch around 2 and the leftover collard greens from a couple days back. They fed her a great supper at the hospital so all we had to do after getting home was shower and go to bed, LATER