Friday Morning June 30th

 Well Thursday was a busy day that started with a before 6 roll out to my routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding except for a dear friend Eddie who has been paralyzed due to a farming accident 6 years or so ago and has now developed pneumonia. Everyone else on the list is holding. Keep our son, Bobby and family in your thoughts and prayers for traveling mercy as they head this way tomorrow for a week of vacation.

I checked all of the gardens and flower beds and despite seeing three large deer in the backwoods yard after awakening they didn't eat anything. Hopefully with all the browse in the woods they will not eat my gardens which are doing quite well. We headed off to Galax, Va. with a stop at the dumpsters and then to the bank in town before gassing up at 3.17. I dropped Nancy off at Wal-Mart to shop for next weeks company and once again it took two carts and over 400 bucks to fill the need, oh well there were extras for the grands which always add up. We took an item by our "mountain mom" Helen she requested on the way home after having lunch at Wendy's. They have a good spicy chicken sandwich and their fries are delicious. It was close to 2 before we got back to the cabin to unload and Nancy was busy in the kitchen preparing a couple dishes to take with us to the Frankis House around 5:30.

I hand watered all of the veggie and flower gardens emptying the 55 gallon rain barrel that was about 2/3 full and noticed the October beans were sending out runners like the half runner green beans. I decided to stake them as well using some bean poles and old ski rope so they could climb on and stay off the ground. I had forgotten they send out runners as its been many moons since I've actually grown them on the farm and I don't believe we stakes them then, oh well. I have probably 30 plants total in three short rows but they are one of the most delicious beans, either as dried or cooked after shelling and they look just like a birds egg after shelling before they dry and then look like a pinto after drying but that is where the comparison stops.

We had a delicious supper at Jake and Katelyn's place which they are going to put on the market sometime this summer as they are preparing their beautiful property off Air Bellows to build their dream house. We had rib eye's, corn on the cob, macaroni salad and mixed veggie casserole that Nancy made and baked beans, what a feast and later peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream. No wonder I can not lose any of this spare tire. We taught them the new board game called Jokers and Pegs and they loved it and the gals took the best of three games as we played partners. It was after 10 when we finished the last game and the guys barely won before heading out for the cabin. What a great time we had and their kiddos are just too cute and so smart, LATER

Thursday Morning June 29th

 Well I just got up and looked out the back door and saw my first large doe deer standing and eating down below the garden, hopefully she didn't eat it down, oh well. It's time for some deer burgers I do believe.

Wednesday was just a near perfect weather day that started with my usual before 6 rollout to my morning routines that always start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. I got word one of those on my list who was the wife of a fellow trooper who had passed away a few year back from that horrible disease, alzheimer had also passed away yesterday from a kidney cancer. She mentioned the first of June she had been diagnosed with the cancer and that it was radically fast; she is gone in less than a month, wow. Everyone else seems to be doing well despite ages and health issues.

After a lite breakfast of oatmeal, cinnamon, honey and pecans I headed out to check on the gardens for deer damage, none thus far except for some flowers they had eaten in the circle drive, she was visible for the first time in the backwoods yard and I have no idea what she ate last night or this morning, oh well. That's the one caveat for gardening in the woods. All of the veggie and flower gardening looked good yesterday and everything is starting to mature.

I fired up the weed whacker and cleaned off the one area that is next to the backwoods that is starting to grow grass. It's way too rough with rocks and roots to use a mower and the soil basically grows briars, small tree seedlings, weeds and now some tough grass so I wanted it cleared off for when the grands run and play in that area. We do a lot of target shooting there as well. That kept me busy for quite a spell and I worked up a sweat on this cool morning that started out in the 50's.

Nancy had clothes on the line outside which is always a comforting site as it bring back childhood memories as the house I grew up in had no clothes dryer except the line outside, no running water so no commode or bath room except the old number 10 tin wash tub, anyhow we took off on our daily hike to the top of the mountain and saw only Lany who was spraying for weeds in his brown mulch only front yard. He has a beautiful view from his house of more than 70 miles because when the air is clear you can see the buildings in down town Winston-Salem. I think we have only seen them a couple times this year as the mist and haze keep them covered up.

We had our big meal for a late lunch as we had our prophecy class at church last evening which last until 9:30. We did make a stop at the Food Lion before heading out to church to watch and discuss a controversial documentary titled "Belly of the Beast". Wow does it ever explore the evil in the world in yesteryears as well as whats happening in America today. 

Just an update on the morning deer which has been upgraded to three deer and one was a huge buck all coming back to graze since I started this post, LATER

Wednesday Morning June 28th

 Well Tuesday was a near perfect day for working outside after a some what chilly start with temps in the upper 50's to start the day, but the constant stiff breeze kept it rather cool in the shade despite the sunshine which was rather hot. We went from reading in the afternoon to the deck and back to the shade of the porches and Nancy even had on her coat in the shade, oh well. We went another day with out rain but since the wind and the direct sunshine was so hot, the collards showed some wilt so I hand watered everything after supper when it began to cool down.

I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my morning routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up name for comfort and healing. Right now every one seems as well as can be expected due to ages and health issues. After a lite breakfast of oatmeal with cinnamon, honey and some pecans, I headed out to check on the gardens for deer and slug damage. The deer have eaten off some of the flowers in the circle drive but thats about it and the slugs have eaten two morning glory seedlings. The squashes are blooming and the cucumber seedlings are adding leaves and the tomato's and peppers have set fruit. Thus far I'm pleased with how the garden is doing despite the total 4 days of rain that caused ruts in the garden. I did lose one collard plant to rot but over all the gardens are doing better than expected.

Nancy picked another pint or so of black raspberries for the freezer for a cobbler when Bobby and family arrive this weekend ,as they are ripening daily. The lettuces and kale are superb and I'm giving away another mess to the Frankis family on Thursday evening as we go there for supper and games. I headed up to the back trail to trim up the fallen tree blocking the path/road along the back of our property using clippers so I could come back later with chain saw and saw it up with Nancy present. She is afraid to let me go alone anymore so I had to wait until she was ready to go along and finish the job, oh well. I acquiesced to keep peace in the family as she reminds me often of blacking out with covid especially when using power equipment.

Well that was about it for the day as we had a delicious pork tenderloin supper with yellow rice and canned peas. We took a golf cart ride over to check on Ann's and Frank's place to see if their plants needed watering but all seemed well as Laura checks daily as well. They are due back in a couple of days from Lakeland, Fl. I tuned into the late Ray's game in Arizona that comes on about my bed time and they were losing 5-0 in the first innings and eventually lost 8-4. I could only stay awake for one inning. This evening we have our prophecy class at church and will watch the video titled"belly of the beast". We hear its an eye opening video. It can not be any more unreal how corrupt the politicians are in the gov't and we are seeing it especially with this selected inept potus Biden, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 27th

 Well this month is moving right along with just a few days until Bobby and family arrive. We are getting excited about their visit and and an over night trip to Boone/Blowing Rock next Sunday. The weather wasn't terrible with a few clouds around, but no rain despite the threat at times. The breeze was very strong through out the day which kept the temps despite the hot sunshine, pleasurable.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out while Nancy slept in until nearly 8. She is a night owl whereas by 10'ish I'm ready for some horizontal lab. I did my usual morning routine that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected due to health issues and ages. I headed out to check on the gardens and despite the deer eating off some of the flowers in the circle driveway everything else looked good.

After a breakfast of some leftovers I headed out to piddle around in the backwoods patch and hoed it up and resowed some zinnia seeds as well as loosen up the soil around the cucumber plants which I think are going to do alright and the radish seedlings are adding leaves as well. It's the first time I've every sowed and planted any veggies or flowers into the area that once was grown over with brush and weeds. The dirt looks great as well and I'm sure the rain run off brings some of the lime and fertilizer from the grassy areas I've distributed to over the years. 

I picked about a quart of black raspberries and we decided since there will be maybe another quart that are still turning, we would freeze them for a cobbler when Bobby's family get here. I piddled around in the fire pit circle hoeing up unwanted grasses and weeds which seems to grow there with out any trouble. I also trimmed or pruned back the tomato plants by removing suckers and lower leaves which will add to the strength of the plant and the fruit to bear. That kept me busy until lunch time. 

I chilled and since we had our big meal of the day at lunch because Nancy had her women's Bible class at 7 and she didn't want to have any tummy issues. After lunch I chilled and read on the back porch during the heat of the afternoon which maybe got up close to upper 70's for a change, after a some what chilly start with temps in the 50's. After Nancy left for her class I transplanted a row of onions I had started from seeds into the upper garden and then transplanted some dahlia seedling that had 4 leaves into a couple of the flower beds. This will be the first time we have ever had dahlia's in our flower beds and what the picture of them look like they are beautiful.

I tuned in to the college baseball world series and the Gators were getting whupped big by the Tigers 10-2 after winning the night before 24-4. What happened there, oh well. The Ray's were off for the night and lets hope they get back to their slugging ways and start winning again. I think they are still in first place in their division but have being playing poorly against some less than average teams, LATER

Monday Morning June 26th

 Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship both on line and in person at Cornerstone in Sparta and I finished up worshiping and listening to our pastor from S.R.B.C. during the afternoon while enjoying the ambiance on the back porch. Great messages from all and the need to seek the TRUTH from the Bible is evident for this nation. We who love this nation in so may ways need to get back to honoring GOD and his WORD which has been dismissed by the left progressives radicals for too long. We need to take a stand, be brave and fight for our families and our beloved nation.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that always start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding and a praise report on our dear friend Clarence Crouse who has suffered so much the last year or so and looked remarkably better this Sunday at church. He has a long way to go but just maybe the doctors can find out what is causing his illness.

After church we met up with the Frankis Family at a new eatery out near Twin Oaks for a delicious  lunch of home cooking. The place is small which seats some where around 25-30 folks and while we had to wait we ate well. We made a stop at the Walgreens to pick up a script for our "mountain mom" Helen and visited with her for awhile before getting back on the hill. The road looks so much better since neighbor Gerald and his tractor did a scraping number on the ruts and gravel that had washed away. 

I sat outside on the back porch and watched the Ray's beat the Royals in a close game, 3-1 after losing two games in a row to them and then I listened to the last of Gary Hamrick and then our pastor Derek Parker. Great message from them as well as our Pastor B here in Sparta. Since we had just a large lunch I skipped any supper after we took a long hike to the top of the mountain which was exhilarating to say the least. The long distant views were once again clouded in mist and haze and it was quite warm on top. We hiked down the path where our recent guests ventured on their first trip to the cabin and still marvel at their mistake of traveling down this way which is the way according to the GPS. We once had an ambulance go up that path which is at best for an ATV, Oh well.

Nancy's neighbor and friend Carol called some where around 7'ish and they talked for hours which made the evening go fast as I read and watched political stuff on line. This DOJ and the FBI needed to be disbanded as they have become corrupt as this potus Biden is with their coverup of him and his family as they did with the corrupt Clinton's. Its so sad to think we have such corrupt leaders who are selling out this nation to the left, LATER

Sunday Morning June 25th

 Well this month is just about gone as its the last Sunday and we are exciting about son Bobby and Family next weekend, lets hope the rain stays away unlike our last guests who were welcomed here with near constant rain and fog, oh well. Yesterday turned out to be a near perfect day after an over cast start and a couple of sun showers in the afternoon but there was some major drying out here in the gardens and yards with mostly sunshine and a gentle breeze. Our guests left around 6 ish and it was quiet around here as we did our respective after guests leave jobs, but it was quiet with just the two of us.

I headed out to check on the gardens and yards after my morning routines that start with some quiet times 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. Our friends who were here for the first time made it safely to their Illinois destination around 7'ish after a 6 start from here. We so enjoyed their company and game playing and look forward to seeing them again in Florida.

The driveway had some ruts and a wash out at the foot of the driveway where leaves and debris had filled the drainage ditch so I headed down with some tools to clean out the ditch to help prevent that from happening in the next big rain event. Neighbor Gerald was on his tractor with the box blade and was scraping the entire road and eventually our driveway. I had a full golf cart load of cut brush from the ditch and added it to the burn pile and then decided to loosen up the packed soil from the veggie plants. That kept me busy until lunch time. Nancy had stripped beds and had laundry going as she was into her inside chores.

I harvested a nice mess of leafy greens for neighbor Gerald and took them down to him and his mate Phylis. They will be here over the weekend before heading back to Winston-Salem where she has a house there. His willingness to keep the road up is a great blessing and he does such a great job. We road out to the mailbox in the golf cart and picked up some large rocks his scraping had loosen in the road and then cut some over hanging vines and limbs that had become obvious in the roadway. We stopped and spoke with Keyes McKee who has a place at the entrance to our road for a long time catching up on all thats going on in our area and then we saw Mike leaving out as well who suffered no damage from the storm. We mentioned we had a visit from the bear he had captured on his trail camera.

After a supper of leftovers which were as delicious as the night we had them we headed out to walk the property as Nancy just wasn't up for the steep backwoods trail, but we got the respirations up walking the perimeter of the yards. We did watch the Ray's lose after being up 4 runs to start the game. Our son in law Tyler and his son Sam were at the game along with their new pastor at S.F.B.C. who is from Kansas. It was this Kansas team that won big on this afternoon. After inspecting the flowers and veggies we tuned into the college world series and it was tied going into extra innings. We could hardly keep our eyes open after our showers due to the 5'ish start of the day. I'll have to read who won: Florida or LSU.

Well its corporate worship day at Cornerstone in Sparta but first we will tune into Gary Hamrick in Leesburg, Va before heading out at 9:30. We will have lunch out with friends then do some shopping and pick up a script for our mountain mom on the way home and drop that off and visit with her

. We will head to Galax, Va. on Thursday to stock up for Bobby and family who arrive next Saturday, LATER

Saturday Morning June 24th

Well Friday finally saw some sunshine for the biggest part of the day but we did see some rain a couple of times. The sun was so great to see after 4 full days of no sun and the gardens and flower beds finally started to dry out or at least the soaked ground stopped draining. We got in a nice long hike/walk  just before lunch and saw what terrible shape the back road was in from the roaring river of rain. I mean foot deep ruts all along the length of the road with lots of the gravel gone and washed away into the ditches. The stream in the usually dry gully behind the cabin is still with running water. I lost a few veggies and a couple flower seedlings but very thankful most will survive to show their beauty in a few weeks.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift up by name several who are hurting. All seem as well as possible due to their health issues and ages. We had a great fun time of game playing both days and evenings as well some fine eatin'. with Nancy Ellen and Brian. It was always Nancy's turn when playing games as we distinguished between Nancy Ellen and Nancy Jean. We did take a couple hours and watched Gary Hamrick's message on the "transing" of America which ever pastor and patriot needs to view and Kirk Cameron's message in libraries across the country, that we should "be brave" in sharing our beliefs and standing up for our christian principles and fight the evil that is permeating our culture.

Brian and I got in some target practice from the deck while grilling some steaks for supper with the BB guns. After a delicious meal we tuned into the Ray's game and their bats came to life, beating the Royals big time. We had the game on in the back ground while we played a couple rounds of Jokers and Pegs and this time as partners which makes for a great competitive game with guys vs gals. We also played great games of Hand and Foot and of course that is also a guys vs gals game. Most of the games were split evenly between us as partners.We had such a great time despite the rainy weather. It was too bad the visit was so short but they have a long drive to first Illinois and then Wisconsin where Brian will do some remodeling for his son over the next week or so. Hopefully they can get back this way next year.

Well we have a week to get ready for son Bobby and family and the twins are getting excited for their visit as they called yesterday and mentioned about their ride in the golf cart. Hopefully the bear stays away as it made grandma Nancy fearful as always for our safety. I will keep the garbage in the red shed or basement until we get to the dumpsters. The mountain top local dog named Lucky followed us back to the cabin on our hike and spent the afternoon visiting us, so we finally called her master too come and get her. The grand kiddos and Rocky love her as she is a special sweet and friendly dog. Well that was about it for this two day visit and today Saturday is supposed to be 5 golf balls which is the best when you consider no golf balls during the constant rain days, LATER

Friday Morning June 23rd

Well its still quite wet here with rain through out most of the day and evening but this AM the roof is quiet with just some occasionally drip from the bump out onto the roof below from the heavy fog and mist in the air. I'm so glad we don't hear the rain on the tin roof for a change.

I started the day much the usual on Thursday morning with my usual routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and too lift up several by name, all seem to be holding as of now. We were getting excited and ready for our old new friends who were coming for a couple nights for a visit on their way to Wisconsin to meet with their family. Our son and their son went to school together back in the 90's and both became pastors. Their son is still a pastor in Illinois while our son Bobby has moved on into a different vocation but still does church work. We met Nancy and Brian when we changed churches and moved to S.R.B.C. last November. We so enjoy their company as they are game players and thats just what we did after they got her around lunch time. 

I must tell a story on their arrival as they listened to their GPS which brought them down a road which wasn't a road but that also happened to another couple last year who got stuck on that same road going up, but luckily yesterday they were coming down and made it. We were amazed they got their truck through the rocks and deep ditches.

After a lunch and showing them around we played games and introduced them to Jokers and Pegs which Brian was familiar with and then we played Spades and eventually Euchre. We were evenly matched through out the afternoon and evening and it was fun to say the least. Nancy had a mostly prepared supper of zucchini boats, pasta and salad for our supper and afterwards we had the Ray's game on in the back ground. The Ray's made too many errors and lost to the Royals from Kansas City, oh well.

The rain never stopped but at least it wasn't gully washers like the day's before. It's supposed to dry out some today Friday and even better on Saturday as they leave. It is too bad we can't show them around the area as the weather is just to wet for a hike. On a different note Nancy heard some noise under the back porch  over night and we found a bag of garbage I had put in a trash can strewed all over the yard this morning from the bear, oh well, LATER

Thursday Morning June 22nd

Well the rain has not stopped as I'm awakened again this morning with heavy down pours and while it did abate to just a drizzle at times on Wednesday its never really stopped to dry out. No sun since Sunday and we are starting to mildew as well, oh well. I suppose this is better than some areas of the country where the heat and drought are evident and causing severe health issues.

I started Wednesday with a well before 6 roll out to my routines to honor my LORD with some quiet time in giving thanks for another day while lifting up several by name for healing and comfort. All are holding as I make this post. We headed to Sparta shortly after breakfast to shop and pick up a prescription for me that was outrageous in price at close to 600 bucks for a blood thinner. Thankfully the next time it will be 1/6 that cost but because I had never had a prescription drug plan with medicare I got caught with something called "in the gap" and had to pay. It seems the doctors because of covid want me on this drug until I die, oh well.

We loaded up once again at Food Lion after a stop at the library for some new reads and then a stop at the local meat market for some veggies before stopping at our "mountain moms" to drop off a few items for her before getting back on the mountain. Our road was washed out with some deep ruts but passable as we left once again around 5:30 for our meeting at Cornerstone in the rain. We are now at over 7 inches since Monday morning and we have guests arriving around lunch time today for a couple of nights. Thankfully they are game players as we will be cabin bound.

I tuned into the college baseball world series games in the afternoon and then watched the Ray's beat the Orioles as well. The local Wake Forest team lost last night to LSU and will have to play them again tonight to see who plays Florida for the championship, thankfully there is some good sports on TV since we are cabin bound from this "duck weather", LATER

Wednesday Morning June 21st

 Well Tuesday was a total wash out with over 6 inches of rain and I'm sure the driveway is washed out as at times it rained so hard it sounded like hail on the roof top. The rain may have let up for just a few moments at times but mostly it was a steady down pour. We had a white water river coming down the mountain into the usually dry gully behind the cabin and at times the roar could be heard in the cabin.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out to the sound of the rain on the tin roof while I did my morning routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift several up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as I make this post. I never when off the porch during the whole day as it was that wet and cold, so we did play a new game we were given by the older lady on the top of the mountain a few weeks back and its a hoot. Two can play it and its called Jokers and Pegs with a deck of cards. Nancy loved it after at first thinking it was a non starter. I had played it with Tyler, Ava and Sam when they were here and thought it was a hoot. She finally agreed with me and she became quiet good as the day wore on. I Googled it and the board is quiet expensive but we were given two boards. I had to buy some colored pegs for the game but I think it will be a great game for when we have guests. I did finish a Bill O'Reilly book titled KILLING THE MOB.

We ate lite for lunch with some left over macaroni salad and a fresh chicken salad on lettuce from the garden and then for supper some fried pork tenderloin with fresh broccoli. We tuned in the college baseball world series and watched the LSU team win over Tennessee and then flipped to the Ray's game and they lost to the Orioles. That game was on the TV as well, so it was a night of both college and the big league baseball games. After the games it was shower time and some horizontal lab, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 20th

Well we have been here for a month and now its raining once again after starting yesterday morning. The fog is back as well and its forecasted to be like this for the rest of the week. I'm beginning to think ARK. We had 6 inches a couple weeks ago when we first got here and I believe we will see that or more again. At least we aren't scorching from the heat or in drought. The garden was looking fine but with this much rain I'm not sure it will survive, oh well.

I started Monday with a well before 6 rollout to my usual routines that start with some quiet times after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding as I make this post. After a quick breakfast of oatmeal, with pecans, cinnamon and honey with a banana in the mix I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds. I did see a little blue in skies over head but in the distant it looked like the front was moving in. I fired up the riding mower and started mowing all of the yards and just as I finished about 2 hours later it began to sprinkle and then the rain fell and hasn't stopped much since then. I did venture out during that afternoon lull to transplant a couple dahlia's into some bare spots in the one flower bed and to sow more marigold seeds in the circle drive which should if they germinate made that a beautiful bed of flowering plants.

Once the rains started again after lunch I headed down to the basement and vacuumed and then wet mopped the floor. I'll do the upstairs floors tomorrow before our first time ever guests arrive for a couple days. Nancy as always is worrying about making a good impression with the cabin and food prep, so we are off to Sparta today to shop and go to the library. After a supper of fresh asparagus and left over chicken we settled in the college baseball world series and watched Wake Forest beat LSU in a close fought game to get into the final rounds. They throw the ball as hard as the majors, but use aluminum bats whereas the majors use wooden bats. I find that the only difference in the game.

Well its poring rain as I make this post and I suppose the driveway will have gully's from all the down pours. Hopefully we can get in and out in all this rain, LATER

Monday Morning June 19th

 Well Sunday was awesome day of worship both here in house at Cornerstone and then again online with Gary Hamrick in Leesburg, Va. and with our home church pastor at S.R.B.C. with pastor Derek. Jake and Katelyn who led a youth mission trip to an old home town one time of mine in Shelby, N.C. gave the message with their testimonies of that trip and the changing of lives for these youths and those they came in contact with in that town. They had us in tears with their stories of how GOD used them to address the folks in that area. Since we were meeting them and a large group of folks out at their property later in the afternoon we skipped eating out and just headed home after a stop at the Food Lion for some items on sale that we needed.

I started the day much the usual with a 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 up several by name for comfort and healing. All are holding but our dear friend Clarence Crouse is hurting and not doing well. Everyone else is holding. We came back after church and shopping to put together the items we were taking to the picnic. I got phone calls from both Amy and Bobby wishing me the best on Father's Day and even a text message from grand daughter Annsley wishing me a happy day. 

The trip or ride over to Jake's and Katelyn's place was thrilling as we dodged several deer who jumped out from the brush into the roadway in broad daylight and we saw what looked like a brand new baby fawn cutting across the road and down into a field. Their property is coming along and they are fixing up a mobile home to live in while they build their dream home. Both of them are so talented and their work ethic is beyond the normal plus they are raising two toddler's. I always say she would be a good candidate for going west on a wagon train and thats saying a lot as not many women that I know today could fill that position.

We got to know a few new other couples as well as renewed old friendships and shared many delicious dishes along with grilled burgers and dogs. Nancy's macaroni  salad and cup cakes were a hit as well. It was a fun time with family and friends and the ambiance was awesome as they continue to make many improvements to their 22 acres and build their dream house. We left around 8 and headed home which takes a good 30 minutes or more, LATER

Sunday Morning June 18th

 Well Saturday was a busy day with lots of sunshine and near perfect temps with a nice breeze through out most of the day. It was a bit on the chilly side to start the day but eventually it warmed up into the upper 70's. No rain but we could use a shower as I hand watered the gardens and flower beds in the late evening. I started the day with my before 6 roll out to my morning routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and then lifted up several by name for comfort and healing. All as far as I know are holding. I headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds for any deer and or slug damage. We've seen a few deer in the surrounding area but none thus far in the yards and only a couple of slugs.

After a breakfast of oatmeal with honey, cinnamon and pecans I headed out to give all of the yards some pelletized lime using a spreader. That was like taking a short hike as these yards are hilly. We did take a hike together around 4'ish and stopped and talked with Rick on top of the mountain as well as Debbie before heading back down the mountain too prepare some supper. Our bug man was an hour late, as he was supposed to come between 10-12 but came around 1'ish, so we just snacked for lunch with some peanut butter and celery as we knew we were having a pasta supper with some grilled shrimp and a garden salad, yeow was that ever delicious and we sat out on the deck and dined. That has become one of our favorite meals.

I piddled around in the gardens replanting a couple hills of beans as well as setting the morning glories seedlings into the ground, pulled a few weeds and put cages around some peppers and tomato's. Both of these are blooming. I haven't been able to get the Swiss chard seeds to germinated so I resowed some seeds in the garlic patch as well as in the compost pile. It they don't sprout in those two spots then the seeds are bad. The cucumber seedlings as well as the dahlia's are adding another leaf as. The garden is looking good and I sowed more zinnia seeds in another bed in the circle drive and if all of these bloom at one time it will be colorful around here. 

Well I tuned into the Ray's game in San Diego around 7:30 and they got shut out by a pitcher that once played for the Ray's 2-0 after winning last night. Oh well they are still the best team in MLB as of now. Today is corporate worship day both on line and here in person at Cornerstone. We will head over to the Frankis property around 4'ish for a cook out with several folks for Fathers Day. Bobby called to let us know his baseball team got knocked out of the tournament after winning the first two games so he and Gabe are through this year in baseball. Amy and family finished up working the Vacation Bible school at SFBC last night with a family gathering. It's really hot and humid in Florida with temps in the 90's. So far it been very nice here even on the cooler side for a change, LATER

Saturday Morning June 17th

 Well Friday was a sunny day except for about 5 minutes when it sprinkled just enough on the sheets on the clothes line to put them in the dryer for 10 minutes but other than that it was a warm sunny day with a strong breeze throughout the day. I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my morning routines of some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All are holding and doing as well as can be expected. After posting this ramble and some social media on line I headed out to the mailboxes to mail some fathers day cards to Bobby and Tyler. My uncle who raised me passed away last year and was a father figure to me, but I never knew who my bio father was or what ever happened between him and my bio mother, Oh well.

 I worked outside in the yards and gardens after a breakfast of avocado toast, scrambled eggs with a couple of my nearly gone tomato's from my Floridas garden that I brought up with us that were green. They have been ripening on the back porch since we've been here. I hand watered the gardens and flower beds and the new seedlings from seeds are doing well and should be ready for transplanting in a couple of day. It was warm enough for a change to wear shorts and t-shirt and we took a full hike to the top of the mountain before lunch. It's really hazy here and that could be from the wild fires in Canada but I don't smell any smoke. I harvested two huge collanders of leafy greens for the garden and got them ready for the salad bowl which we had for our lunch. Delicious.

We did head over to Frank and Ann's place to hand water their veggie and flower beds. All look good there except the deer ate off their sun flower plants, some of them were a couple feet in height but never touched their hostas plants which is usually their first choice. We noticed Billy's hostas on top of the mountain were huge for a change and ready to bloom. We saw no one on our hike and while the hike was work it felt good to get back to hiking daily.

We sat and read for a couple hours during the afternoon then headed into Sparta to meet up with the Luffman's at the Muddy Creek. We saw and met their neighbor who rents a mobil home on their property who is from the Netherlands. She was quite friendly and very personable. We went back to Mechelle's and while Nancy and her walked down to the barn to visit the horses Caleb and Billy and I visited out by the fire at Caleb's mobil home. He is now in the USAF national guard full time and is stationed in Charlotte at the airport and comes back to Sparta on the weekends. He is doing fine but he and his long time girl friend broke up after she graduated from high school a couple weeks ago. She is so young and they both need to step back and let her decide on her future whether its with him or on a career, oh well.

We got back to the cabin just before dark and I hit the shower and then some Ray's game who were playing San Diego, so it was a late game. They were winning when I called it a night and did win big 6-3 as I checked the box scores this AM, LATER

Friday Morning June 16th

Well Thursday was a busy day that started with my usual 6'ish roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time 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 load up the garbage in the truck as we were heading to Galax, Va. to shop at several places and last at WalMart for groceries. We did pick up some new large flowering plants at Lowes's then headed to our "mountain moms" place as we picked up a few items for her. She had company so we only visited for a few minutes plus we had a load of groceries once again to unload and put away.

We had a lite breakfast of avocado toast which I find delicious and good for you so we decided since it was after lunch time to stop at Wendy's on the way home and have a spicy chicken sandwich and shared an order of fries. They are the best fries, even better than McDonald's which use to be the best fries around for years. Anyhow after getting back to the cabin it was quiet warm for a change but breezy so I hand watered the gardens and then we took out two large flowering plants and moved them to a different area and then planted the three large plants in their place because of the height difference. I also sowed several hills of Sunflower seeds and then moved the morning glory seedlings in separate larger pots. I'll set them out in a few days into the gardens as well.

We piddled around until the Ray's game came on at 4 and then I settled into the game for the next hour or so as we wanted to hike around 6:30 so Nancy decided we should eat early around 4:30 before the hike. We watched the game while eating the last of the leftover 1/2 runner green beans and oven taters as well a a couple smoked ribs which we also had leftover and I think we froze some as well. I prepared too much last week with the Ross Family but they heat up nicely in the oven and really are better the next day or when ever.

We took off after the game and the Ray's finally won two in a row against the Oakland team which played good ball against the Ray's who are the best team in baseball right now with winning 50 games thus in the season before any other team, after losing two in a row to the A's, oh well. The hike was tough on us as we haven't been to the top on foot but a couple times with my back muscle and pinched nerve. It was exhilarating to make the top and across, but we heard thunder in the distance so we cut the walk across the top by about a third and headed back down the trail. It looked and sounded like it could storm but we got nary a drop which would be nice for a change. Just no gully washers or all day rains like before when we got 6 inches over a couple days.

The half runner beans in the circle drive all germinated and so I put up a fence for them to climb on. If the deer don't get them we should have plenty and enough to share and the same with the tomato's which are blooming. This morning while the dew is still on the lettuces I'll harvest a nice mess of them and along with some kale and collards we should have a delicious salad bowl, LATER 

Thursday Morning June 15th

 Well this month is half gone already and we are still having the heat on in the morning as it has been down close to 40's and low 50's through out our nearly one month here. I'm loving it at times especially when I'm working outside. So far we haven't had the heat on all night but Nancy has it on most every morning for a couple hours. Wednesday started out with plenty of sunshine but a strong wind kept it cold most of the morning and by late afternoon it had warmed up to t-shirt and shorts and of course after the sun set the temps once more dropped down into the low 60's and high 50's. What a change thus far from the past couple of summers. I'm sure we are in for some hot temps but as of now its been what it was like when we first started coming to the mountains and building our cabin.

I started the day with my usual before 6 roll out and my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks and lift several up by name. All are holding and last evening we met with the weekly coed group at Cornerstone to discuss current events and our Biblical perspective regarding prophecy. We had a nice group and we met several new folks as well who are concerned with the world stage and how we must address the growing demise of our christian faith in our culture. We watched a Kirk Cameron video who gave an awesome message on what we must do to fight this movement in America and that is be BRAVE in our faith with those who are satisfied to set back and let this nation go under. This nation was founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs and we must stand up and fight the evil in this nation and the world with GOD's help.

After a breakfast of cereal I headed out to work outside bundled up because of the strong wind and cool temp's. I headed down the driveway to weed whack the drive and trimmed up some over hanging brush and vines that were intruding into the driveway. I worked up a sweat as walking up and down the drive with weed eater is quite a work out as well. I transplanted a couple hills of cucumbers into the back woods bed and then fed all of the veggie and flower beds with some miracle grow. Today I need to harvest lettuces for the first time and add some kale and collards to the mix as well. We want to shop in Galax today and run some errands as well as get a hair cut while in town plus dump garbage off on the way into town.

We got back to the cabin around 8:30 from our meeting last evening and I hit the shower and watched the Ray's play in California and when I called it a night they were losing, but the learned this morning they finally came back and won 1 of 3 games against the A's. Lets hope they get back to their winning ways, LATER

Wednesday Morning June 14th

 Well Tuesday started out rather chilly so Nancy had the heat on with the faux fireplace for a couple hours and the by the late afternoon we opened a couple of windows but once again as the sun went down it got rather chilly outside. What a weird crazy summer thus far. I'm actually liking it better than the heat in Florida as Amy said its so hot and muggy there in almost unbearable to be outside.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected. After a lite breakfast of cereal, banana and raisins I headed out to piddle around in the yard and gardens and eventually fired up the weed whacker and edged all of the yards and then mixed up some weed killer and sprayed the rocks that I line the beds and fire circle. The place is starting to shape up and I'll mow this Friday.

I did put in a fence for the 1/2 runner beans to climb on as I think almost every hill came up and then I did the same for one row of tomato's as well. I'll do some transplanting of cucumbers into the backwoods garden patch and then move some morning glory seedlings into separate pots as well this morning. We have tons of zinnias, dahlia's and marigold all showing some colors in their beds. I did hand water a couple of the beds last evening along with the upper garden. I'm thrilled thus far with no deer and slug damage, although when we took a golf cart ride to the top last evening we ran up on a large doe eating in the neighbors yard. She just stood there and watched us.

We took a ride out to the mailbox and then stopped at Ann and Franks place to hand water their veggies and flowers. They look great and she already has a couple tomato's forming on her porch plant in a pot. The deer had eaten off her sun flower seedlings but the 4 o'clocks we gave her are larger than ours. We cleaned up some leftover for lunch and supper as we still have another day's worth before the fridge is cleaned out from all the fixin's with the Ross Family here. I watched a little of the Ray's game and saw where they lost again for the second night in a row against one of the worst record teams in all of MLB, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 13th

Well Monday was a total clean the house or cabin day that started with a 6'ish roll out for me, with Nancy about an hour later. It was a bit chilly but eventually warmed up to the upper 60's with mainly sunshine. The breeze made it feel even colder. I did my morning routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks and lift several up by name. All seem to be holding as I've heard nothing to the contrary. I finished up some leftover pancakes then headed out to check on the gardens and flower beds.

I'm thrilled with the germination of the seeds especially the bean sees which I thought might have rotted in the ground because of the rain and damp weather and cold temps, but only a couple hills haven't broke ground. The radishes and Swiss chard haven't all come up yet, so maybe those seeds were too old but everything is doing fine. I'm thrilled with the dahlia seeds as they have really broken ground and some I had in a pot are large enough that I will transplant today, but the ones in the flower beds will be beautiful, since it seems all of the seeds germinated and have broken ground.

The hydrangeas probably will not bloom this year as it seems they were starting to when a freeze caught them and the stems were all dead and dried out. The plant themselves are putting out new leaves but they are about half the size they were before the freeze. The tomato's and peppers are blooming and I'm ready to harvest lettuces and kale with a few collard leaves thrown into the salad bowl as well. I also have Heavenly Blue morning glory seedlings up in a pot that needs to be separated and then transplanted today. The cukes all died but one and its doing well in a new bed and location and the seeds I sowed are up as well so we should have some fruit after all. All of the zucchini seedlings are doing great but two of the yellow squashes died.

I piddled around outside after helping with the vacuuming of the main floor which kept me busy for a couple hours. We had Rocky hair every where so that was a big job getting rid of his presence. I took down the fence that kept him and the grands from running through the front porch flower bed as its showing so much color despite Rocky foot prints through it. When everything starts to bloom it will be beautiful here. I cut away the Poppy plants as they are done blooming and they were just magnificent in their orange colors. We had close to a dozen blooms this year and the peonies are finished blooming as well. I'll cut them back in the fall.

We headed out around 6:30 for church where the men were having a cookout and I got to meet and converse with several new men. We had burgers and dogs and it was great meeting especially a new feller who grew up in the county and knew one of our old and dear friends Ray Todd. We told stories and shared about him. Jake and Seth were there as well as Nancy was at the main church in a Bible study class with Katelyn and several other ladies of the church. We got back just before dark and saw a couple deer on the way home. I hit the shower and then tuned into the Ray's game which is out in Oakland, California so it was a late start. There was not a score by nearly 11 so I hit the sack, LATER

Monday Morning June 12th

 Well Sunday was a great day of worship both here and online and we said goodbye for now to our daughter and family as they headed back to hot Florida. We were happy to hear they made it back after a nearly 12 hour drive, safe and sound and with Rocky their bull mastiff. They will come again this July for another week so we will have several days where its just us here at the cabin as we give it a good cleaning from Rocky's slobbers and hair.

After the Ross Family left around 6'ish we stayed up and did our customary routines for Sunday morning that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. All are holding and we've no word on the Leckliter Family from Kansas except they found a place to rent in Bradenton which is just down the road from Tampa off I-75. We continue to lift Collin up as he has some serious health issues after coming to Florida on vacation. Our local Pastor B had a good message and we lifted up our 180 Youth group who are heading to Shelby, N.C. this week on a mission trip with our dear friends the Frankis Family who are our youth leaders. After the service we headed over to the Pines eatery for a delicious meal which features a buffet at a reasonable price but their fried chicken is the best around.

After the meal we made a stop at the Food Lion before heading back to the cabin in what looked like rain was on the way. It did rain a couple hours later and I was able to set out a cucumber seedling that lived from my original 6 seedlings in the circle drive. For some reason I lost all but this one and a couple yellow squash seedlings which were also in the circle drive bed. I now have bird egg beans up as well as 1/2 runner beans with just a hill or two not yet through the ground. If the deer and slugs stay away from the veggie beds we should have plenty of produce to bless lots of folks with later this summer. It's still chilly and damp here but not enough to turn the heat on or hot enough to tun the a/c on. I'm sure that will change in the days and weeks to come.

I tuned into the afternoon Ray's game and once again they beat the second best team in all of baseball the Texans with a 7-3 score. I think they are on the road tonight with a late game in the mid west. They are the best team in all of MLB thus far. Our next over night guest are from our church in Seminole and it will be their first time here so we are excited to have them for a couple nights later this month and then our son, Bobby and Family will be here over the 4th of July weekend for a week which will be filled with lots of activity and great eatin' and he is a major chef, LATER

Sunday Morning June 11th

 Well the Ross Family just pulled out from the driveway on their way back to Seminole after a busy fun filled day yesterday. Rocky of course was happy to be with his family and never left the side of their car until he was loaded. We will miss him but not his slobbers and snoring as he is one loud dog and a bull in a china closet critter.

Saturday started out much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my routines. Amy and family got in from Wisconsin around 8'ish and they slept in to start the day. I did my routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and lift several up for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding. Please keep the Ross Family in your thoughts for safe travel this morning as well. We will head out around 9:30 am for Cornerstone and then lunch out with the Frankis Family which has become our usual Sunday's after church here in the mountains, with a stop at the Food Lion before heading home to clean the cabin and catch up on some things which Rocky kept us limited in doing. He hates the vacuum cleaner and anything that makes a noise. 

We all took a hike to the top of the mountain except grandma(Nancy) after a huge breakfast of pancakes, eggs and sausages and then around 1'ish I put on 2 racks of baby back ribs for our supper on the smoker. Breakfast held me until 5'ish when we had some vino and Wisconsin cheeses which was excellent as an appetizer. We had oven taters, half runner beans and corn on the cob and we sat outside on the deck to eat. What a lovely evening. The Ross Family took another hike with Rocky after supper while I helped clean up and then got a campfire going which they all wanted. We sat outside until dark then everyone showered and packed for the 6 AM departure this morning. It was a fun time and they are coming back in July for another week while Tyler and Sam hike the Appalachian Trail and Amy and the girls will stay with us with Rocky. 

We are guests free until the 22nd when old friends from school come for a long week end and then Bobby and family come for the 4th of July week, LATER 

Saturday Morning June 10th

 Well Amy and Family arrived around 8'ish last evening just before dark and there was a big reunion with Rocky as he was so happy to see them. Thanks for all who prayed them back here safely and then again on Sunday as they travel back to Florida. It will be another long day of travel .

I started the day on Friday with my usual 6'ish roll out to my routines on this cold morning with temps in the upper 40's. What's with this but its better than the high 80's which is usually this time of the summer. Florida is a different story with low 90's and high humidity. We had the heat(fireplace) on for a couple hours before we headed out to Sparta around 10'ish. Nancy had a hair appointment and I ran errands and then we had a delicious lunch at JB's eatery next door to the hair place. We then grocery shopped at Food Lion and the meat market before gassing up at 3.19 and then heading back to the cabin. Rocky was glad to us when we got back. The temps had warmed up to the upper 60's with plenty of sunshine.

I walked Rocky around the yard after my usual morning routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks and lift several up for comfort and healing. All are holding and the family from Kansas now has a place to stay and their church is helping them as well. I had a lite breakfast of cereal with a banana, pecans and honey to start the day and we finished up with a bowl of delicious vegetable soup Nancy made for supper and had on case in case the Ross Family wanted something to eat when they arrived.

I hand watered some of the veggie seedlings and now have several hills of 1/2 runner green beans breaking ground and noticed a hill of bird egg beans popping though the ground as well. The flower beds continue with their colors in both the marigold, zinnia and dahlia beds. I'm surprised they are doing so well with these cold temps to start the day. I picked up another couple books at the library and read while I waited for Nancy at the hair dressers and then read again during the warm afternoon on the porch. It warmed up enough we could sit outside in the sunshine for an hour or so. I tuned into the Ray's game around 4'ish and they beat a very good Texas team 8-3 at the Trop.

Well That was about it for the day as we visited and heard stories of their visit and adventure to Wisconsin. They were pleasantly surprised at how beautiful the state was and they brought back several items of cheese from there, LATER

Friday Morning June 9th

Well I must say we had tons of sunshine yesterday but it was down right chilly and with the breeze made it feel even colder. It was in the upper 40's but did warm up to a balmy 60's for the highs. The gardens and flower beds sure loved the sunshine after the dreary damp wet day before. I have 1/2 runner beans showing some colors as well as some onions from seeds up and showing colors. The flower beds are  really showing colors from the many seeds I've sowed. We are both thrilled. I made a new flower/veggie bed along side the backwoods drainage ditch which just grows weeds and grass so I dug it up and put lot of the grass clumps in some shallow areas in that yard that were bare and sowed some marigold seeds. I want to put some cucumbers in there as well as they will have plenty of room to spread out.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish rollout to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, to give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All are holding and we've no word on the Leckliter Family in TGH on how he is doing. The latest we heard it was meningitis. We gave to his gofundme page in hopes that will help some what. 

Rocky is just a big baby at times as he likes to come in the room in the morning to give us all kisses then he is out side and goes potty in the woods. What a blessing that is. We haven't walked to the top of the mountain because of my back spasms and because of other dogs there but we have been walking around our property which is hilly and uneven and he is often into the woods after hearing things. He and I get plenty of exercise as this back muscle heals.

We sat and read at times out on the deck in the sunshine and at other times in the warm cabin with the fireplace on. It's sure been a surprise this summer with the cold temps and it reminds us of years past when it was like this before we ever got a/c. I watched the Ray's on the laptop in the afternoon and they swept the Twins in 3 games with homers on this day. They have a tough Texas team coming to the Trop tonight so this should be a good game for the Ray's. We watched the Seminoles lose in the women's softball world series with Oklahoma and then it was shower time and some reading before lights out before 11, LATER

Thursday Morning June 8th

 Well Wednesday except for the early morning hours was another wash out day with rain and cold temps. Its hard to believe this is summer time and I do miss a little of the heat because we had the heat on inside the cabin. It's cold, damp and dreary outside so it was an inside the cabin the rest of the day and evening.

I started the day with my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. I'm still getting some lower back muscle and nerve pain but so far its manageable but we have a new man on our list who is fighting for his life in Tampa General Hospital who contracted and infection in his brain who was on vacation here from Kansas. Nancy saw on Facebook where friends of Tyler's put up prayer requests for him and his family who need some lodging while he is in the hospital; so we called lots of folks we know in hope's to assist in their crisis. There is also a GOFUNDME page to help with some expenses. They go to church with Tyler's cousin and the church is helping as well. They have 3 small children plus some grand parents with them and are in dire need of a place to stay for at least a month or until he can be released. I'll get the name of the family and post it tomorrow so we all can pray for this family. Everyone else on my list is holding.

I did head out after a breakfast of oatmeal to walk around the property, letting Rocky get some exercise as he ran around the beds and up into the woods while I checked the gardens. We didn't get in the hike up to the top because of the weather but walking around the hilly yards is almost as good and we did that for perhaps close to an hour until the rain started which lasted off and on all day and evening. The temps stayed down in the low 50's and with no sunshine it wasn't the best of days as we stayed bundled up. It was a read day with some Facebook time plus in the evening I watched the Ray's win in the last inning over the Twins at the Trop. We wanted to watch the Seminole's play the Schooners in women's softball but there was a lightning delay in Oklahoma so I hit the shower and read until lights out around 10'ish, LATER

The Name of the family who needs our prayers and support is: Collin Leckliter Family

Wednesday Morning June 7th

Well Tuesday turned out to be a nice day after a chilly start with temps in the 50's. There was plenty of sunshine and a breeze kept it cool in the shade but nice working and hiking weather. I did some garden work and did take a mid afternoon hike with Nancy and Rocky. The dad gum pinched nerve in the back is still painful at times so I didn't enjoy the hike like I use to do, oh well.

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, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this moment. I headed out to check on the gardens for any deer or slug damage. I did find a couple slugs the other day and dispatched them, but thus far the deer have plenty in the woods to eat and lets hope it stays that way.

I did noticed the recently sowed dahlia's are breaking ground and the marigolds and zinnias are coming up like crazy in three of the beds. All of the veggie seedlings but the cucumbers are doing well. I dug up a space out along the ditch in the back woods yards to plant any cucumbers that make it and that ground there is so rich, so I'm hoping I get some seedlings from the seeds at least to transplant there along with a couple squash plants. I sowed some 1/2 runner bean seeds where I took out the cucumber seedlings in the circle drive. Maybe that will support some beans at least.

I sat and read after lunch for a couple hours until it was time to take Rocky on a hike. He has been chillin' since the grands are gone. One day he eats all of his food and yesterday finally around suppertime he ate his morning ration, oh well some times he goes days without eating according to Tyler. That was about it for the day except I watched the Ray's who are back home at the Trop beat the Twins 7-0 with 3 homers last evening. They have the team thus far who are leading in most all categories. Nancy had a long chat with neighbor Carol just before supper and I grilled brats for ours along with a fresh salad, LATER

Tuesday Morning June 6th

 Well Monday started out dreary, overcast and wet outside with fog at times. We were thinking we may mildew if it keeps up with all this wet weather and cool temps but by early afternoon the sun made an appearance and the blue skies and bright sunshine enlightened us completely and we forgot how the morning started. I did my usual early morning routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble with a well before 6 roll out. Both Nancy and Rocky were having a snoring contest and I was caught in the middle at least Nancy only snores at night whereas Rocky does it when ever he lays down to sleep. Wow is he one loud dog when he's whupped. He has ben eating like a hog not only his dog food but sticks, grass, weeds and Lord only knows what else. 

I dug up what was left of the 6 cucumber seedlings that were dying in the circle bed and put them in pots in hopes to save at least a couple and transplant them some where else. I think all that rain and lack of sunshine did them in, plus I lost another squash seedlings as well. I did sow some seeds to take their place in hopes they will germinate. I'm thrilled with the flower beds as zinnias and marigold's are showing lots of color in several of the beds. I put up a temporary wire fence around the front porch flower bed to keep the brute from running through which he loves to do. So far he has stayed out of the veggie patches.

I have a few beets seedlings showing some color and the rest of the veggie garden seedlings are surprising looking good. I've decided to move the cucumbers away from the circle drive out to the backwoods yard along the bank if these seedlings survive. I don't think they get enough sun in the circle drive.

We got in a hike to the near top of the mountain and down the golf cart trail with Rocky which keeps us away from any dogs visiting on top as we could never hold him with his strength and excitement. I tuned into the Ray's game around 4'ish and watched them win again in Boston where it was a cold wet day there. The Florida Panthers are about to lose their attempt to win the Stanley Cup with being down 2-0 games by Las Vegas. We watched the Seminoles girls advance to the finals in the women's world series in softball. I pan fried some pork tenderloin for supper and Nancy sauteed some green pea pods with yellow squash to accompany them and wow was that ever delicious. That was about it for the day as it was shower time and hit the sack around 10:30, LATER

Monday Morning June 5th

Well Sunday started out so foggy it was hard to see off the mountain as we drove to church at Cornerstone in Sparta. It had rained off and on during the night and it was damp with temps in the low 50's but by the time we left church and the Pizzeria afterwards the sun was starting to lighten up the skies but no real break through until late afternoon. I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and then to lift up several by name. All seem as well as can be expected due to ages and health issues.

We watched Cornerstone at Leesburg, Va. with Gary Hamrick on line and he gave a powerful message on what is happening in America with our culture and how the evil one is making its present known with those who are "woke" and promoting this division to destroy US(A). Pastor B at our Cornerstone church gave a good message on being a 2 miler at home, at work and against those who we call our enemy. America is in dire need and especially those of us who profess to be Christ Followers to make ourselves heard once again for what is right, according to GOD's plan for humanity. The radical Left is doing everything to destroy that plan.

We met up with the Frankis Family for lunch at the Pizzeria for a delicious lunch. Nancy stayed away from the norm and had a bacon grilled chicken sandwich with fries that looked awesome. I had the salad and a small pan pizza which was very good. We shopped afterwards at the Food Lion and then again at the produce stand before heading home to let Rocky outside. He was good while we were gone as he must have slept. I tuned into the Ray's game and watched them win again over the Red Sox in Boston 6-2. The final game of the series is today Monday at 3:30 which is about the time I call it quits and usually read until supper time. 

We took Rocky on a hike up to the top of the mountain after the game so he could get some exercise. He likes to run through the brush and the game trails with his nose to the ground but always comes back to us as we get near the cabin. He is a big pain at times as he like to dig in the fire pit and runs through the flower beds as well as chews and swallows sticks he fines in the woods. We feed him twice a day and sometimes he wants more and other times turns his nose up at his food, Oh well, LATER

Sunday Morning June 4th

 Well Saturday started off with a crisp morning with plenty of sunshine but by late afternoon clouds moved in and once more rain fell and at times rather hard. We had gone a couple of days with no rain but did have heavy dews at night. I did hand water some of the seedlings but noticed the flower beds were showing some color after just less than a week of sowing seeds. I sowed some radishes and Swiss chard seeds as well as a couple of cucumber seeds since my seedlings weren't looking great, oh well.

I started the day with my before 6 roll out to my routines that always start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healings. All are holding and I'm slowly healing this back muscle and pinched nerve or at least I'm managing the discomfort better, oh well. I'm able to hike and to work and when it gets too painful I ice it down which seems to help immensely.

I did get in a hike with Nancy and Rocky as well as a golf cart ride to the top of the mountain around mid morning. We got our zinnia/dahlia seeds in the mail and I worked up a couple beds and sowed them just in time for the rain in the afternoon and evening. We had leftovers for lunch and a nice chef salad for supper as we try to eat a little better with just the two of us. Most of the leftovers are gone and we can start a new.

I tuned into the Ray's double hitter games and watched both games which they should have won both but did split so they are still ahead in the division. They need some better relief pitching and a lot less walks, oh well. Today is corporate worship day at Cornerstone and we will start with some on line worship first. We will do some shopping after lunch out with the Frankis Family at Food Lion and then the meat market before heading back on the hill, LATER

Saturday Morning June 3rd

 Well Friday was just another almost perfect day with warmer temps, lots of sunshine and a cool breeze that kept it perfect for working outside in the yards and gardens and for porch reading in the afternoon. I started the day with a 3'ish rollout as Amy and family left around 4'ish. They got into their condo in Wisconsin around 8'ish that evening after a long drive that took them through Chicago which just them an extra hour due to traffic. But they got there safe and sound which was the main thing and they will leave there next Friday for this long trip back here to the cabin until Sunday when they head back to Seminole.

We went back to bed until 7'ish and piddled around the cabin until mid morning when I headed out to check on the gardens and prepare another spot for a new flower bed next to the wood pile after my quiet time to honor my LORD and lift up several. I have tons of seeds coming and so many leftover from last years flowers that its a shame not to sow them and see the beautiful wonders that come from a dried up old flower head. I transplanted the last of the tomato seedlings down below the garlic patch which is also a new veggie bed. I brought so many thinking they would not last like last year but all of these lived an got larger and I couldn't bear to throw them away. I gave away a couple dozen and planted a couple dozen so if they make we will have plenty to give away with neighbors and church family.

We took a hike with Rocky before lunch and while he is a handful at times he loves to wonder in the woods. One good thing he like to do is poop in the woods so I don't have to pick up his stuff which I'm sure is a huge pile. He eats twice a day sometimes as he is a picky eater and will go a day or so without eating. He is always eating sticks and any kind of charcoal from the fire pit which I have to put on hold while he is here. Neighbor Gerald brought me a couple packs of venison for burgers and stopped to love up on Rocky. He misses his huge Great Dane, Bella which he loved and who was a gentle giant like Rocky.

We ate some leftovers for lunch and then a chef salad for supper which was great as we have been over eating for the past week. Nancy had me order new quilts for the 4 beds upstairs and then I tried to watch the Rays game but they were rained out so I listened to another game until it was shower time around 9:30 and then some horizontal lab around 10'ish, LATER

Friday Morning June 2nd

 Well we were up at 3:30 in the morning to see the Ross Family off at 4 AM for Wisconsin to meet up with Tyler's Family for a week's vacation, so we went back to bed until 7:30. We are keeping Rocky their huge bull mastiff for the week and did he ever want to go with them when they left. He settled down and will now get some peace and rest because those kids wore him down running, hiking and playing non stop. Anyhow he will be with us for the next 7 days.

Thursday started out much the usual with a 6 ish roll out to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my LORD, give thanks and lift several up by name. We got word that Grant who we've been praying for is cancer free, Praise GOD. I piddled around outside in the yards and gardens making another flower bed around the wood pile which just harbor's weeds and should be another perfect flower bed. Ann and Frank came by and took the rest of the 4 o'clocks to plant along side of their fence row on their driveway. They should come back next year like they did here in this flower bed off the front porch. I set out another 6 tomato plants, came away another 4 or so and still have several in the compost pile. The cucumbers and a couple squash seedlings aren't looking the best due to all the rain. I'll doctor them today with some compost and liquid fertilizer. Everything else survived the nearly 6 plus inches of rain. I worked up the ground in both beds to sow some 1/2 runner and October beans today since the ground is drying out and hopefully the seeds won't rot in the ground. It's supposed to get into the upper 70's will be great for the seeds to germinate.

The girls all took off to Sparta to shop and came back around 1'ish and had a late lunch. We cleaned up a bunch of leftovers for supper and still have several along with a huge bowl of salad. I sat and read for a couple hours during the afternoon and neighbor Gerald came by for his mail. Not much else except for them packing and getting ready for their 4AM departure. I read until lights out around 10:30 after a hot shower, LATER

Thursday Morning June 1 st

 Well it was rain to start the morning but eventually it cleared off with tons of sunshine and mild temps. The dog and the kids played outside for most of the day running from the dog and wearing him out. He is just a bundle of energy and attacks them when they tease him with any kind of a stick.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish roll out to my morning routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding. I got in two hikes during the day and did some hoeing to loosen up the rain caked soli around the garden plants. The back muscle maybe getting a little better or maybe I'm tolerating the muscle ache better. I'm still taking it easy to some degree and I'm hoping for it to completely heal in the near future.

We had big breakfasts once again and these kiddo's can pack away the chow. Nancy made a huge pot of zuppa soup which everyone loves but Tyler who is allergic to garlic so he finished up the ribs and some steak for his supper. They all had lunch meat and leftover chicken on sandwiches for lunch plus anything else they could snack on. They are growing and are bundles of energy.

They headed over to visit our "mountain mom" in the afternoon and then came back and had supper. We had taken a before lunch hike that Nancy went on with us and then after supper I did a small hike as I didn't want aggravate the back muscle but did get in some exercise. Ann and Frank came by and I came them some tomato plants that I had extras of as well as some 4 o'clock flowers for their garden. Tyler and I watched the Ray's finally win over the Cubs in Chicago by a close score of 5-4. 

That was about it for the day as we are hoping the rain stays away once again and we can play and work outside. They lerave tomorrow morning for a week as we watch the dog, Rocky, LATER