Sunday Morning Dec 31st 2023..Last day of this year

Well Saturday started out on the chilly side with overcast skies but eventually the skies cleared and it didn't get much out of the 60's for all day, however the breeze kept it feeling much colder. I started the day with my before 6 rollout to my 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 and grand daughter Ava seems to be on the mend as well and we learned that she had a broken nose as well which was why she coughing up blood earlier in the day. Seems the ER doctor's failed to notify the parents or her but after questioning about the blood a nurse reviewing her chart mentioned she had a broken nose which was the reason for the blood clots. So much for patient and doctor on the same page.

I got in a good hour workout on the pickle ball courts with some decent players but since it was so cold outside on this Saturday morning many players started showing up so it was time for me to leave, plus I still have some chest congestion and didn't want to over burden my reserve strength in fighting this cold which is now what I think it is. So I'm loading up on natural supplements as well as some cough drops which has helped as I'm not coughing much but have just about lost my voice and I can feel the pressure in my chest, oh well.

I came back around 9:30 and we had a breakfast of French toast and ham which held me until early supper in the late afternoon as we wanted to head to Keswick to watch the finals in the 3 day tournament. We got there in time to see the runner up girls game and then the final for Keswick against Clearwater and we won by one point. The team sure misses Ava and her play especially rebounding. Clearwater was brutal in attacking and fouling several of our players and these refs finally started calling fouls which did help in slowing down their attacks. Anyhow it was a back and forth victory and we held on to win the tournament. We stayed and watched a little of the boys final and their play is so fast and furious as they crash the boards and run up and down the court full blast plus these players can dunk the ball they are that large, oh well.

It was close to 10 by the time we got home and then it was shower time and some NFL for a bit to unwind. I took some liquid cough syrup and a shot of bourbon before retiring which seemed to help with this congestion breaking down. Today is worship day at SRBC and then off to the Nymark's to watch the new year arrive, LATER

See ya Next Year

Saturday Morning Dec 30th 2023

 Well Friday started out cold and damp with some lite rain during the morning hours so I drove to the REC for my hour or so of pickle ball play since I was having some chest congestion after coughing a little. Nothing looks like its any infection since all are clear but I still have that raspy voice deep in my chest and voice but feel fine.

I started the day with a well 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 are holding and Ava our grand daughter does have a concussion and still some double vision so she won't be playing any more basketball for the rest of this tournament and maybe a few games afterwards. The team sure could have used her last evening as they came from behind to win in a close match with another good school. 

I spent the rest of the day doing some honey do's and coating the dish washer rack with some product that is supposed to stop rust as the old rack was wearing out. We will see if this 14 dollar product saves me from spending over a hundred bucks for a new lower rack. I'm thrilled the dishwasher is still working which must be 10 years or more old.

Well, I did have to hand water the garden in the afternoon despite the rain from a few days ago as this sandy soil dries out so quickly. I did notice a few earth worms are starting to come back into the soil which is much needed as their casing are the best plant food. The rats are still eating the poison at nights so I'm sure they are still around, so far since the poison has become a part of their diet I haven't seen any more destruction of my plants.

I did some reading and watching the war in Israel and they are taking out the terrorists leaders as well as the US is taking out some of those who are bombing our bases in Iraq and Syria. Can you imagine if Iran get nuclear bombs, what they will do with them and to the rest of the world. Only moron and idiots would allow them to advance their nuclear progress and that is just what this inept potus is doing and releasing funds to do it with, LATER

Friday Morning Dec 29th

Well it was rainy and a chilly morning to start the day on Thursday and it didn't get much out of the high 50's until late afternoon when it hit 61 with some sunshine. I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. We now have my grand daughter Ava to add so keep her prayed up for healing as she was injured yesterday in a basket game at school when her and another played clashed heads causing severe pain to the area above her left eye. She immediately left the game after having a great start and was sidelined the rest of the game from the second quarter. They took her to have her eye examined and eventually and cat scan and she does have a concussion, so she will not be playing for awhile.

I headed out for pickle ball a little before 8 and got in two hours of great play with plenty of exercise and left with a wet shirt. I had driven to the REC due to the rain and the cool temps and glad I did as the rain was steady and I'm experiencing a little chest congestion. The gym floor at the school was recently done over and the smell from the coating has made this chest congestion worst this morning. I'm coughing a little but it all clear so I'm sure it the smell from the floor coating which is polyurethane and it was very strong. We left after Ava's team won by close to 50 points despite her not playing for over half the game.

This is a 3 day tournament featuring both boy and girls varsities from as far away as Georgia and south Florida. We came back around 4'ish to watch some of the boys play for an hour or so after having an early supper but the smell and the noise from some of the fans were annoying so we left before dark. I observed a small rat out in the yard  while we were eating supper and this determined what has been eating on my garden plants. All of the rat poison I had put out the night before was gone so I added more poison in hopes to wipe out the whole family as the one we saw was rather small.

Ava and Tyler were still at the ER getting their final evaluations for her when I decided to hit the shower and watch a little NFL before lights out at 10, LATER

Thursday Morning Dec 28th

Well Wednesday was a fun day with a supper out at the Tracy condo in Clearwater where we met up with some old friends as well as met a new couple in their condo who was also a Viet Nam vet from back in my days. I went into country in 1966 and he in 1967 so despite I thought he looked older we are about the same age. It was a delicious Mexican theme supper with tons of food and some sangria as well. We dined and then sat around and heard war stories from several in the group but once I started sharing some investigations and how I completed them I was the star of the night. The stories just kept coming. It was a fun time and great to make new friends as well.

I had started the day with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this post. I headed out on my bike to the REC for two hours of pickle ball play and got in a great workout before leaving with a wet shirt. It was still somewhat over cast and a chilled breeze kept it cool the rest of the day and into the evening when it began to rain. It's still raining lightly as I make this post which is much needed.

After getting back from the REC and having some leftover sausage gravy and biscuits which held me the rest of the day we headed out to Sam's Club to gas up at 2.94 a gallon which is up 50 cents from the last fill up and to purchase some goodies as well as few things on our list for both us and Amy. We also made a stop at Lowes and Publix as well for some seeds and some cilantro which the critter that has been eating in my garden at nights ate. We were taking guacamole and chips to the dinner party. I'm hoping the critter is a rat so I put out some rat poison under a cover to keep the rain off it and if its gone this AM then I know what I'm dealing with. I never heard of  a rat eating leafy greens but I have seen fruit rats eating fallen oranges and grapefruit on the ground, oh well we will see.

Dan and Carole picked us up around 5:30 and we made the 30 minute drive in heavy traffic to north Clearwater and have some orderves and some sangria before dinner was served. The chicken enchilades were excellent along with yellow rice, refried beans and salsa and then she had her signature cheese cake with blueberry topping. Wow, what a feast. We left just a little before 10 and it rained lightly all the way home and the temps had dropped down into the 50's for a cool damp evening. I hit the hot shower and was soon in bed by 10:30 and I woke up to some congestion in my chest, but feel great otherwise. I took some natural cold remedies along with my regiment of vitamins this morning in hopes it doesn't get any worse, LATER

Wednesday Morning Dec 27th

 Well Tuesday was a busy mostly fun filled day with some garden work thrown in for a couple hours. I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin 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 as of this post.

I headed our around 7:30 on my bike to the Rec for two hours of pickle ball play with all good players and left with a wet shirt around 10'ish. Nancy was just finishing up breakfast when I got home and we had some of the egg casserole leftover from Christmas mornings breakfast so I had a dish of that along with a bowl of leftover fruit salad. That held me until supper when we finished up the left over beef roast with some gravy and left over spinach casserole, wow did we ever eat high on the hog again for two days in a row. We finished up the supper meal with a couple chocolate mousse tarts which also was leftover from the Christmas meal menu.

The garden seems to be holding and I noticed the cucumbers are blooming as it another tomato plant. The collards are now ready for harvesting again. I'm still getting a critter of some kind eating on some leafy greens and now it ate some cilantro leaves off one plant. It must be a rabbit that is getting in the back yard at nights is the only thing I can figure. Nancy was off shopping again in the afternoon so I watched the videos from Israel on the war effort and they are kicking butt and now our jets took out some proxies in Syria that had bombed our bases hurting several of our military folks. We need to send these terrorist directly to hell and if that means bombing Iran then do so who are supporting and supplying weapons and ideology to these barbarians who hate Jews and Christians.

Well after supper and the cleanup I read until shower time then watched an episode of ALONE before lights out at 10, LATER 

Tuesday Morning Dec 26th

Well Christmas Day was one of family and friends coming together for delicious food both for the morning brunch and then later for the evening feast of prime rib roast. I know it will be several days to unload this extra weight I put in my body but it was so good and everyone once again mentioned the roast was the best ever in flavor.

I had started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my usual routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my LORD whose birthday we were celebrating and to give thanks for another day as well as lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this post. It was raining which started sometime during night and it kept up until close to noon when it finally eased off and we saw some streaks of sunshine. The older grands Gabe and Sam took a remote control car out to the street and gave it a run on the road as there was little to no traffic. 

Bobby and family arrived around 10 and he brought a delicious sausage gravy for biscuits that accompanied and egg casserole, tater tots, cinnamon buns and fresh fruit salad plus drinks. Wow what a feast to start the day and the Botbyl's came and ate with us as has been the tradition and Carol took some pictures of us before leaving. We then started on the openings of gifts which grandma Nancy has no limit for everyone. Aunt Josie had sent gifts as well, which is her tradition and of course my son Bobby and Tyler blessed me with some bourbon's which we later after dinner had a taste, while playing a game that Sam had got as a gift.

I watched some NFL after Bobby and family left as Gabe and Annsley had to be home around 2 for their Christmas gift openings at Jill's. They missed the big dinner at Bobby's and now next year Jill will have them early in the morning and we will get have dinner with them. That's what happens when you have split families and that will to some extent last for many years with sharing grand's on special days and events.

Nancy had purchased a 20 pound roast and we cut off about 5 pounds into rib steaks and frozen them for a later date so it was 15 pounds of roast we put on around 1'ish and by 5 it was ready to carve. We saved all of the bones and some of the fat dripping for flavor for some barley and beef soup at a later date and I froze them along with several steaks. We sent plates home for Braden and Garret( Betsy's sons) and we ate the rest and I must say it was awesome and so tender and delicious along with smashed taters and gravy, spinach casserole, corn and crusty bread. There was apple pie with ice cream and chocolate mouse tarts for dessert. I passed on the tarts but Amy's pie was delicious. It was around 8 when we finished with the game and everyone was whupped and stuffed. I watched a little more foot ball until 9'ish then headed in for a shower and by 10 it was lights out for me as well. Not sure when Nancy decided to come to bed but she likes to put the house by in order before retiring. I had washed all the dishes and pots that wouldn't fit in the dish washers so I did my part plus vacuuming after everyone left from the morning event, LATER

Monday Morning Dec 25th...CHRISTMAS DAY

Well Sunday was a busy fun filled day of worship both on line with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. before our service at SRBC at 10:30 and then again later in the evening at 6 PM with a candle lite service. We worshiped with lots of new faces as well with old friends and faces from out of the past. What an awesome way to celebrate the birth of our Savior on this special day as I do every day with my morning quiet times that start my day to honor HIM, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this post.

We came back after the one service which had the auditorium filled with families and their kids as well for a change with Nancy dropping me off at home while she shopped for the last minute things at Publix and to pick up a 140 dollar standing rib roast which we will feed to the Ross Family and Aunt Betsy's family. Bobby will not be here this year for supper as its Jill turn to have the older kiddo's but they will come for a brunch of egg casserole and all the fixin's along with the Ross family and neighbors Dan and Carol. It will be a day of "high on the hog" eatin'. We will open gifts after eating with them before he has to have Annsley and Gabe back to Jill's.

I watched some NFL on the TV before we headed out to the candle lite service and the Bucs actually showed up as a team and beat a team with a great record for a change. That makes it easier for them to be in the playoffs despite a dismal record in their division but they have beat all of the teams in the division. I watched the first half and they were up 20-0 against the Jaguars which was leading their division and the final score was 30-12.

We were supposed to meet up with the Tracy's at SRBC with another couple and then go to Bonefish Grille for supper at 7:30 but when we got there the reservation was not listed so we tried a couple other places and they were all closed or closing for the evening, oh well. It was understandable everything closed early due to it letting workers go home to be with family so we came back home after dropping the Botbyl's off and had some cheese and crackers and pop corn. I watched the NFL as there was a late game in Denver which was very cold outside. Its supposed to rain here for most of this day which is needed and cool down as well, LATER... MERRY CHRISTMAS to all.

Sunday Morning Dec 24th

 Well Saturday turned out to be rather nice almost too warm after a chilly start as we opened the windows and doors during the day but as night approached it slowly cooled back down to the upper 60's after reaching the upper 70's. I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding as of now.

I headed out to the REC on my bile around 8 and got in two solid hours of pickle ball play and left with a wet shirt as we had some decent players which isn't all the case on the weekends. There were a couple intermediates in the mix but thankfully I was able to stay on the court and play with good players until I got worn out around 10'ish.

I got home and Nancy had just finished up her breakfast of ham and eggs so I fixed a ham sandwich which held me until suppertime at Amy's where she had made a delicious soup using a roasted lamb bone from a prior meal and it was so good with barley and other veggies in it. After eating I headed out to work in the gardens and then hand watered everything. All are looking good as of this post. Some critter is eating away some of my leafy greens and I can't figure out what and how they are getting into the back yard. It could be a squirrel as I have seen them eating green tomato's before and there is nothing to stop them but so far they or it has eaten a couple of radish tops, a kale plant and some lettuces. Not a whole lot as it could be an insect of some kind but I see no evidence of that thus far. I did spread some 7 dust on my pepper plant which they had eaten the leaves off of which is rather weird as you would think it being spicy, oh well.

We headed over to Amy's around 5'ish and visited with them, then had a supper of soup and crusty bread all of which was delicious and then we played games with them. Tyler won the Smart Ass game and the girls teamed up on us boys in Catch Phrase which was a hoot. It was after 9 before we headed out for the house and then I hit the shower and watched the last couple minutes of the Lightning game which went into overtime and they won in a shoot out. I soon hit the sack around 10:30, LATER

Saturday Morning Dec 23rd

Well Friday was another busy fun filled day with the Ross grands and their mom our daughter Amy over for lunch and then once again cookie decorating and baking. They sure had a fun time and I could tell by their energy they had their fill of sugar cookies and they put a huge dent in the pot of Zuppa soup and crusty bread which they all love as well as us.

I started the day with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin 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. We have a close friend of over 50 years who is needing prayers for healing who has some form of cancer that we just learned about. She was a bridesmaid in our wedding and was sharing to Nancy last night over the phone about her condition. Keep Judy in your thoughts and prayers for healing as well as several others too numerous to mention in this post but most are in the mountain community.

I headed out on my bike to the REC for two hours of pickle ball and an old friend and her sister came for the first time to play at our Rec and while she isn't an A player she did very well and it was great to hug her neck. We had good play to start before so many came that I left a little early. I had got there early so I had a good workout with a couple of decent players and left whupped. I made a stop at the library before heading home to work outside in the gardens and yards until lunch time.

After the Ross's left around 2'ish I settled in to reading and watching the war on video's from Israel. They are kicking the butt's of the terrorists and I can only hope and pray all are annihilated in the end and that the bunch in Yemen also get their butt's wiped off the face of the earth and then maybe that will shape Iran and their proxies up enough to be civilized again, but that is doubtful since they are muslim which is a farce to begin with and barbarian in nature.

Well we ate lite for supper with a frozen pot pie and some green beans since we had soup and crusty bread for lunch. I have enough leftover for a bowl today for lunch. The garden is holding as of now and I fed every thing with some plant food and once again hoed up the weeds which grow over night. I'm hand watering just once a day. I noticed I have a couple blooms on the cucumber vines and more blooms on the celebrity tomato plant. There were two plants in one pot when I bought it so I topped one plant yesterday and put it in the ground. I'm hoping that with root and give me another fruit bearing plant. I should have plenty of tomato's once they mature to give away and hopefully bring to the mountains when we come the last of May, LATER 

Friday Morning Dec 22nd

Well winter has officially arrived and while it was chilly here to start the day it quickly warmed up to the upper 70's by late afternoon so I did some chair sitting in the back yard reading for a spell after lunch. I had started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding and then I headed out to the Rec on my bike around 7:30 for some two hours or more of pickle ball. What a great workout and one of the ladies who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer was there for the first time since last May whom I had been praying for daily, came back to play and she is healed completely. The treatment had at one time caused her hair loss and it was coming back as is another lady who works at the REC who is now cancer free and she too is getting her hair back, Praise the LORD.

I made a stop at the library on the way home and picked up two more J.A. Jance books which are relatively new books as she has several different mysteries which include different hero's or should I say different main body folks. Jance writes true life scenarios with real folks and their issues which could and has happened to ordinary people. I like her style and story telling.

I came back and headed over to my lady barber who has now been cutting my hair for close to 22 years. Patti does a great job and is always there for her grand child who was visiting this day. She is 6 years old now and is a biracial child whose mother is some what irresponsible as she hooks up with losers. Patti is the only real support for the child both financially and morally.

Well after a lunch of a left over chicken thigh and some salad I headed out to work in the gardens once again hoeing and hand watering. The transplants are doing well and then I harvested a huge mess of leafy greens and cleaned them for the salad bowl. Nancy was off to her hair dresser for a coloring as the grey is obvious and now she is blonde and beautiful once again. I'm not totally grey but do have some showing more than ever. I read and watched videos of the war in Israel and the IDF is kicking Hamas out of Gaza and rescuing those folks who have been so oppressed by these radical terrorists who are sponsored by Iran. It unbelievable how much weaponry is being found where the civilian population was living and how these funds which were to support the civilians was being used to support these radicals who butchered innocent Jews. The lost in this country especially the college students who know nothing of these monsters still support this hate group which I find utterly insane. Our education system needs to be dismantled and these hate mongers need to be replaced along with this inept administration which allows this too happen.

I tuned into the Lightning game and they won with just minutes to go over the best team thus far this season after being down two goals in the first period. I did watch a little of the NFL and the Saints were losing at half time which was good for the Bucs, LATER

Thursday morning Dec 21st Shortest day of the year

 Well Wednesday started out on the chilly side but by noon it had warmed up enough to open the windows and doors with some high clouds but enough sunshine to make it pleasant to be outside. I started the day with my usual well before 6 roll out to 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 as of this post.

I headed out on my bike to the REC which was rather nippy to say the least with temps in the upper 40's. I got in two hours of pickle ball play and made a stop on the way home at the library to drop off a book. I headed home and piddled around in the garden transplanting some lettuce seedlings as well as moving two large tomato plants from the side garden. The one tomato plant that was about a foot in height isn't looking good and I'm thinking maybe all that rain on Saturday caused it to rot at ground level, oh well I still have several other plants, one that is loaded with green fruit and another blooming. We should have tons to give away with they mature.

I finished up the veggie soup for lunch and then held off eating again until around 7 when we ate at church after serving about 40 people we were hosting for a Christmas party for families of prisoners. I think about half were black and white so it was a good mixture with tons of small kids as well as some teenagers. We fed them and played games and then loaded them up with tons of presents and then sent all this food home with them as well and there was tons of it, all delicious. Everything was home made except for the fried chicken we purchased from Publix's.

I washed all of the dishes, pots and platters after the supper and once everyone left by 8 we were also leaving shortly after cleaning the kitchen. We had tons of help and both pastors and wives were there as well. We got back around 8:30 and I hit the shower and was then watching some ALONE on the tube until lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Dec 20th

 Well Tuesday started out on the chilly side with temps in the high 40's and it never reached the usual 70's by late afternoon despite lots of sunshine as the brisk breeze kept it cool. It was a cold ride on my bike to the REC around 7:30 where I played pickle ball for over two hours with really nice players. What a great workout with some great games. I was whupped by the time I dropped off a book at the library on the way home and pedaled against a stiff breeze coming from the north.

I had started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines 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 to be holding as of this post. After pickle ball I worked in the garden and saw where I lost another large tomato plant. It's as if it rotted along the ground line as it was close to a foot in height. Not sure what caused that but it concerns me for the rest of my plants.

Amy and her three kiddos came for lunch since they are out of school for two weeks and they made sugar cookies after lunch and seemed to have a grand time decorating as well as eating them. They took home what they didn't eat which was plenty. I passed on them but did vacuum up all of their decorations from the kitchen floor after they left. I harvested a nice mess of collards for them as they all love them as do we.

I spent the rest of the afternoon watching war videos and news from Israel and they are taking it to the terrorist by destroying their tunnels and then flooding out some men from them and killing them. Good riddance to these barbarians and lets hope the IDF takes out Hezbollah in Syria and Lebanon as well and if need be Iran, the biggest exporter of terrorism in the world. I have no love or care for these who murder needlessly women and children all in the name of some prophet who is ruthless and evil with his dictates in the koran. Despicable is too kind of word for his minions.

Well Nancy made a delicious shrimp and pasta dish for supper along with some mustard greens. After the cleanup I headed in to read until 8 with updates on the Lightning game which they won 6-0 over the St. Louis team. I tuned into some ALONE until bed time at 10 after a hot shower on this chilly evening. So far we haven't had the heat on this winter which is awesome. This evening we head over to SRBC to serve supper to some kids whose parents are in jail or prison as a Christmas gift to them, LATER

Tuesday Morning Dec 19th

 Well we are just a couple days away from the shortest day of the year with the winter equinox on the 21st and then we make the turn towards the longest day on June 21st. I'm looking forward to more day light hours and that tells me we will begin our thoughts of moving back to the cabin for the summer.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to 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 as of this post. I headed out on my bike to the REC for two hours of pickle ball play with a couple of other good players but most were in the intermediate range as is the case on MWF morning but on T&TH its only the advanced players and that is a work out with some great play. I'll head out around 7:30 this morning and play until 10 or until I'm whupped before heading home to work in the gardens as I did yesterday. The heavy rain packed the soil so I loosened it up, then fed all the plants before hand watering despite the couple of inches of rain over Saturday. The sandy soil which drains quite well and with the strong winds dried out the soil and it needed some hand watering. The temps didn't get out of the 60's for most of the day and it cooled off once again after sun down.

I read the afternoon away and watched some of the videos from Israel on the war with the barbarians which the IDF is destroying, thankfully. These terrorists don't deserve to exist for what they did to innocent folks and are still doing by holding them hostage and for what they did to their own people. I have no sympathy for these savages and for anyone who supports them and their cause. The Ivy league schools and their woke educators are so wrong its pathetic and I will never support anyone who comes from these institutions. What has happened to American education which has gone woke under this present corrupt administration in D.C.

Well enough of my feelings on this present event that will have lasting influence on the world as I back Israel to the fullest as well as backing our prior potus Trump, who loved this nation and maintained world peace with making our military number one in the world. Just the opposite with this corrupt bunch in D.C. They have sold out our country as well as have denigrated the nation for bucks in their bank accounts and we have so many who can not see this, especially congress folks. They have turned our scared halls in the congress into Sodom and Gomorrah which GOD once destroyed and now we are seeing it in the highest places in the gov't, despicable to say the least, LATER

Monday Morning Dec 18th

Well Christmas is one week away and then two weeks from a new year. I sure hope next year we get a new Potus who loves this nation and is not corrupt like the one in there now, oh well thats for another day and post.

I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual daily routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name, all seem to be holding as of this post. It was worship day at our local SRBC, but first we watched Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. and had a real history history from the Old Testament that came to real life in the New Testament with Jesus. Our pastor Derek also preached a great message on that as well with the predicting of Jesus's birth and ending with his return in Revelation. Nancy and I worked the second service greeting folks at the main entrance, shaking hands and hugging many. We had a full house despite the windy somewhat cooler temps with over cast skies and occasionally with the sun peaking through. Afterwards we headed over to the Botbyl's along with another couple who just recently got back from Kansas and will be here for the next several months.

Carol had pulled pork in a barbecue sauce along with tater salad and Cole slaw and Nancy brought the buns. Delicious to say the least and it held us until around 6 when we had a frozen pizza. She was off shopping once again during the afternoon while I stayed inside vegetating on the couch watching the Bucs play a good game for a change against the Packers. They played a complete game both on offense and defense and acted like they wanted to win for a change. They are division leaders for now but play a good Jaguar team next week who are leading their division in their conference. I don't expect them to go far in the playoffs if they actually make it to them but at least they played well yesterday. Next week will be a measure of their upcoming success against a real contender.

I watched the NFL until bed time around 10 then called it a night, LATER

Sunday Morning Dec 17th

 Well the big storm predicted fizzled out which was a blessing but we did get some rain for most of the day and at times it did get heavy, but nothing like the weather folks warned us all about causing several cancellations for the weekend. Anyhow the rain was a blessings and most needed.

I started the day with a before 6 rollout that saw me honoring my LORD with some quiet time and lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding as of this post. I drove to the REC at 8 to play some pickle ball and since it was raining everyone else did the same because no play was outside to the rain and we had a gym full that caused me to leave early. There was a mixture of players and so many waiting that the rules changed where if you were winners you stayed on the court but split and with so many after every match 4 new players got on the court, which really was fair when you have that many waiting so I left around 9:15 but I did get in a good hour of play and some exercise.

Nancy was just finishing up her breakfast and had made extra sausage patties so I fried a couple eggs and had a couple patties despite eating an apple on the way to the Rec. That held me until supper except for some snacks around 1'ish. Nancy was making a huge pot of vegetable beef soup for supper and Bobby and Amy's family were invited as well. All came except for Ava, Annsley and Gabe. Bobby brought some vino and crusty bread which went with the soup and garden fresh salad.

I read most of the afternoon finishing up a great read by Jance titled MAN OVERBOARD. She writes a great story which has many turns and I find her fun to read and wonder where she is going with the story which really is basic reality and can be such a real life issue. I recommend her for very good story telling. The NFL came on and I didn't see it on regular channels except the the NFL Network which I didn't realize I had on this TV bundle. I was surfing the channels and stumbled on the network in the fourth quarter of the Vikings game and watched them lose in overtime to the Bengals and then had the games on the rest of the evening until 9'ish when everyone had left for home. It was still raining and not a nice night to be on the road but Bobby and Tyler are still young enough to be out in this weather and they both had long drives home and to pick up Ava at her boyfriends house in south St.Pete.

We put the house back in order as I had earlier rinsed all of the dishes for the dish washer and the boys got a bath before leaving for Brandon. They have grown and matured so much for 4 year olds and Huck is quite the prayer and story teller. They do have their spats but basically are sweet to each other and loving. Eliza mothers them when she is around and they love it as does Sam. The kiddos ate together in the kitchen and really get along quite nicely.

Well today is worship day at SRBC. I will work the second service greeting and door holding the main entrance. Afterwards we have been invited to the Botbyl's for lunch and then it will be some NFL time. Thankfully Bobby took the last of the cookies home for the boys and all of the desserts except for a couple buckeyes are gone which Sam and I had one after supper. It was shower time around 9'ish and then some ALONE time on TV before lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Saturday Morning Dec 16th

 Well this month is half gone and then this year is near gone as well with just 2 weeks until 2024, wow. I started Friday with my usual well before 6 roll out to my routines that begin with some some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this post. Nancy wanted to get rid of those delicious cookies she has been baking for weeks which call her name to eat, so I took a plateful with me to the Rec, thus I drove so not to break them up and everyone was thankful for the treat. I still have not eaten but a couple which mess up my desire to reach my goal of 185. I did play hard for two hours on the court and left with a wet shirt.

I piddled around in the gardens transplanting some more seedlings then hand watering the gardens until it was time to head to the local bank to set up our phone to use mobile banking that lets you take a picture of your deposit and send via wifi to the bank. That is so much easier than going inside our bank which now has no drive up tellers. That took awhile and then we stopped at to post office to mail cards before Nancy dropped me off at home and she went shopping.

After a lunch of garden romaine for a Caesar's salad I headed in to watch the news on the Israel war and they are wiping out the Hamas terrorists one by one but are suffering some casualties in this street style fighting. Those in the world who take the side of the terrorist are as bad if not worse than these barbarians and to think we have Americans supporting them just makes me ill.

Well we headed out around 5'ish to Keswick with a stop at Publix for something she needed for Sunday's lunch with the Botbyl's and then to the girls basketball games. We saw the JV game as well as the varsity and while they were hard fought we won both games against a good Clearwater High school program. Those girls were mostly black with height but we prevailed with awesome defense at times and Ava played great again. It was nearly 9:30 before the game was over and we won by 9 points after they closed to with in 2 points in the 4th quarter.

Well we are supposed to get some severe weather with down pours todays so I took the leaf blower and cleaned off the flat rood and gutters which weren't too bad with debris from the big oak. The schools have canceled all activities scheduled for today as well as has many other civic activities in preparation for this storm, LATER

Friday Morning Dec 15th

 Well Thursday was a mixture of play and work but mostly play that went on until nearly 9:30 when we had dinner at the Nymark's. I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my 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 as of this post.

I headed out on my bike around 7:30 for the REC for over two hours of pickle ball play with good players and left with a wet shirt and worn down. After getting home I ate the last piece of cheesecake with blue berry toppings which gave me some energy to work outside in the gardens, hoeing and hand watering. Everything seems to be doing good despite no rain which I learn we are getting a front on Saturday which will be dropping lots of rain and even some severe weather is in the forecast. Nancy was off to pick up Ava and Sam from school as they had taken exams and Tyler was tied up on a conference call. 

I eventually gave our garbage guys a sack of cookies as well and Nancy took a plate of them to the Nymark's last evening. We have just about given out most of them except for Bobby which I'm not to sure he will get any as we aren't planning on a trip over to Brandon in the next few days. Anyhow I'm glad the baking is over and now we can get rid of these fattening delicious cookies.

We picked up Dan and Carol around 5:30 and headed over to Sheri and Steve's for supper. We brought an all garden fresh salad and Sheri had tatters and filets on the grill and Carole made my favorite banana pudding for dessert. We feasted then play two game of hand and foot and the guys once again wiped the floor with wins over the gals, so big we didn't even tally the score in the last round, oh well. It seems we have been winning lately most of the time against the gals, oh well.

It was close to 10 by the time we dropped the Botbyl's off and I hit the shower and was soon ready for the lights out after a busy day, LATER

Thursday Morning Dec 14th

 Well it warmed back up to the low 70's which was almost perfect with sunshine after a cloudy start of the day. I hung a load of laundry outside on the clothesline after getting back from two hours of pickle ball play at the REC. I began the morning with a well before 6 roll out to my usual routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this moment.

After the morning workout on the court I made a quick stop at the library for a couple of new reads by J. A. Jance before heading home on my bike to work outside in the gardens. I harvested lots of lettuces and other leafy greens and some radishes, then cleaned them and made a huge salad, some of which we will take to the Nymark's this evening as we are having dinner and then card games afterwards along with Dan and Carol.

The garden is doing as well as can be expected but I miss the compost from the yards as this mower I now have has no bagger, but the yard sure likes the compost being left on the grass as its filled in nicely. I did get in a lot of dish washing once again as Nancy was in her glory making tons of cookies to give away as presents to the neighbors and friends. I gave to Bobby next door who by the way has accepted his wife back into the house hold, seems the separation by her didn't work out in Pennsylvania with her 24 year old son so she came back to Bobby who is a grand feller and neighbor. I also gave to Andrew and Melissa across the way who gives us fresh caught fish from time to time as well as Carol next door who is a flaming liberal and Biden lover and lives with her son Michael. We took a platter of cookies to church last evening for our weekly meeting as we prayed over a family who leave for Africa in two weeks for at least a year and we gave our postal carrier a large tin of cookies as well. Today I'll give two bags to the garbage guys plus we have cookies for many of our friends and of course Amy and Bobby as well. Hopefully she will get rid of all of them as they are fattening and causing me to taste a few thus far.

Well that was about it for the day as we got back from church around 8:30 and I hit the shower and then some ALONE in Australia on the TV before lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Dec 13th

 Well Tuesday was another busy day with pickle ball for two hours in the morning then some garden work and after lunch helping Nancy with washing dishes, pots and pans as she baked cookies all afternoon and finally off to SRBC for Eliza's Christmas concert with another close to 800 folks in attendance.

I started the morning with my well before 6 roll out to my usual morning routines that begin 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 to be holding as of this post. Nancy spoke with our mountain mom Helen and its very cold there and she is hanging on with these cold days but wishing she were in warmer temps. She wants to stay in her beautiful cabin as long as possible despite age creeping up on her. She is a tough gal.

I headed out on my bike on this chilly morning with temps in the upper 40's as my eyes watered all the way to the Rec from the wind. I got in some great play and had a good workout as I'm trying to get down to my goal of 185. I still have a few to go but I'm feeling full of energy now that I'm not carrying the 10 pounds around that I lost. It's tough but I'm loving the effects with more energy and some slimed down tummy.

I got around to eating those collards I fixed a couple days ago and I must tell you that is the way to go. Fix them a day or so ahead and let them set in their juices of bacon, chicken broth and onion and then reheat them and my oh my what a flavorful dish. They were so good with a little apple cider vinegar and hot sauce. From now on I'll cook them that way and let them set at least over night or better a couple of nights. I cleaned up some pasta for supper and had a Caesar salad from the garden. Today I need to harvest lettuces and other leafy greens for the salad bowl.

I changed out some seats on the shower and did some piddly honey do's before we headed out to the concert at SRBC. The place was packed with family of second graders thru 5th grades. The kids put on a nice concert with a play and lots of singing as they were packed with energy. We saw lots of old friends as well that we hadn't seen for many moons. A grand time was had. Ava mentioned they won their game on Monday since we couldn't go and now has two games starting Friday night and then again on Saturday at Keswick which we will attend, LATER

Tuesday Morning Dec 12th

 Well Monday was a busy fun day that ended with our life group from church having supper at our neighbors and then down to our place for dessert and games. We had 10 of us there and we had lots of laughs and got to know each other a little better.

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 several up by name. All are holding as of this post. I headed out on my bike to the Rec. for two hours of pickle ball play with good players and left whupped with a wet shirt. The storm from the night before brought in much cooler temps and a strong breeze and it was a job pedaling the bike into the wind on my way home. I piddled outside in the gardens hoeing, weeding and feeding the new seedlings. Everything is looking good thus far and I potted up two more tomato seedlings from old seeds I had stored from prior gardens. Not sure what they are but will find out if they make.

Since we were having a group later in the evening Nancy put me to work doing some extra cleaning, vacuuming, etc. Everything was in order for serving desserts of which she made two. Cheesecake two days in a row will not be good for my weight loss effort but I did eat lite the rest of the day prior to supper time, Oh well such is the season for sweets and fancy eating. I'm still around 190 but hoping to reach 185 as my ultimate goal and its hard to do the older I get. We had such a fun time and we played 3 rounds of "hand and foot" teaching the game to a couple who had never played before. The gals won which made for easy living as well.

We did a dirty Santa gift exchange which found several gift exchanges by some and it was a hoot. Nancy got back one of the gifts she bought for the occasion and I ended up with some pop corn, hot chocolate gift that I will give to the grands. It was going on 10 before we called it a night as everyone was getting tired, some more so than others. We missed Ava's game and tonight we have Eliza's concert at SRBC, so its another full week of activities, LATER

Monday Morning Dec 11th

Well Sunday was a very busy worship filled day as we first headed to SRBC then later in the afternoon to IRBC for a beautiful Christmas event with close  to 3000 other folks and in between we celebrated with tons of family and friends the birthdays of our twins, Ryder and Huck who turns 4 on the 20th.

I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing after making this post. All seem to be holding. Our 9 AM service was awesome with pastor Derek and we had communion during the message and then later in the evening at the program their new pastor Aaron gave a great short message for those who had never made Jesus their savior with an altar call.

The weather was very nice to start the day but as the day progressed a storm came into the area with lightning, thunder and some much needed rain which caused some serious issues with getting into the church for the program and then again leaving afterwards. The weather was perfect for the birthday party as we all gathered out by the pool and deck areas where Bobby grilled dogs and we had finger foods. Cousin Tammy made a cheesecake for each of the boys with different topping which were beautiful and delicious. It was a fun time and the boys were in their sphere as the center of attention. It was great to see so many we hadn't seen in years especially the kids who now are taller than their parents. We had such a great time and Bobby's house is perfect for huge gatherings especially for younger kids with the bounce house, climbing pavillon, swings and pool. No one was in the water for a change but the cooking area is perfect with a huge TV to watch whatever. We had the Bucs on and they won for a change over the Falcons in Atlanta.

The IRBC program was awesome with the school choirs giving us some awesome music and the full orchestra was amazing and of course the message did keep Christ in Christmas and the last event the playing of the little drummer boy was the grand finally with the pounding of the drums, the awesome singing as well as the light show was very memorable. Afterwards it took us several minutes to just exit the parking lots and make it back to Sheri and Steve's place a couple of doors down from Amy and Tyler's house. Their remodel is fantastic and very well done with a huge covered patio to accompany large gatherings. It was bring a dish to share and there was enough food leftover to do the event a couple times over. We met new friends from their church as well as some old friends from our past church. A great reunion of Believers and even one of their neighbors. It was going on 9 before we headed for home in the last of the rain which soaked the area with some much needed rain. We do this again tonight with our life group here at the house for dessert and the main meal at Dan and Carol's just up the street. So much for thinning the belly fat.

After getting back home I tuned into some NFL until lights out at 10 for me, LATER  

Sunday Morning Dec 10th

 Well Saturday was another busy basically fun filled day that started with a before 6 roll out to my routines that begin 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 as of this post. The temps were on the moderate side but eventually warmed up to the low 80's with much humidity so the a/c was back on after several days of lying dormant.

I headed out on my bike to the REC for close to two hours of pickle ball play with some good players and left with a wet shirt. I came back and piddled around outside in the gardens hand watering and doing some hoeing until lunch time. We had to be at the Nymark's at 1 o'clock to leave some food for todays get together after the Christmas program at Indian Rocks Church which is a big production attended by thousands. Tickets are required even for members at 3 bucks a person so Sheri blessed us with them and then we will head back to their spacious place along with several others to fellowship. We head over to Brandon this morning after our 9 AM church service to celebrate the twins 4th birthday with a party. We will leave around 2:30 to make it back to the IRBC for that program which will probably take an hour or so with all the traffic on the highways.

We left her place and headed to Sam's Club to gas up ay 2.64 a gallon and get some much needed items as well as a stop at Publix next door as Nancy continues to bake cookies to give away next week to several friends, neighbors and postal driver, etc. So far I've stayed away from the killer named sugar which is the culprit for this belly fat. I had a garden Caesar salad for lunch and then we had baked wild caught salmon along with fresh green beans and some pasta for supper. I'm still at around 190 give or take a pound either way. Some morning I'm 188 or 191 but staying close to 190. I'm hopeful to drop another 5 pounds which is my goal before summer now that I'm back on the court 5 to 6 days a week and cutting down on my portions. I've quit drinking beer now for close to 6 months or more but still have a glass of vino a couple times a week unless we are traveling and this week I hardly had any. I made up for it last evening with two glasses and felt it for awhile.

It was finally a stay at home evening as we had a delicious supper around 5:30 and then some TV time watching some college basketball then it was time to hit the shower and then some horizontal lab time afterwards, LATER

Saturday Morning Dec 9th

 Well Friday started out a bit nippy but soon warmed up to the middle 70's which was another perfect day with tons of sunshine and blue skies. I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that begin 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 as of this post.

I headed out on my bike to the REC for two hours of pickle ball play and had a good workout leaving with a wet shirt. I got home and worked in the gardens until lunch time then settled into watching the news about the war in Israel. I did harvest a couple messes of collards as well as romaine lettuce and cleaned them and put a pot of collards on to cook during the afternoon. The other mess of collards I blessed a secretary at the REC who beat breast cancer and now is in remission. She loves collards and I gave her the first mess as well as pray for her daily.

The garden is doing as well as expected despite the lack of rain but the well is sufficing and keeping every thing green. I cut up a bag of romaine for Caesar salads and had one for lunch which was delicious. That has become one of my favorite salads although I do love the mixed greens with radishes and carrots in the mix with Nancy's home made Greek dressing with olive oil.

We had our some what big meal around lunch as we were heading to Tampa with Tyler at 4 to watch the Keswick basket ball game against a very good Tampa Prep school which is next to Tampa college and down town in the city. What a complex and they are building even more buildings. It was a close defeat but the ref's were very prejudice against out team and didn't seem to know what they were doing at times. It was the worst officiating I've ever seen and despite that at the end of the third period we had over come a 20 point deficit to be ahead by one point. After that it was our team against the other team and two ref's and we lost by 3 points, unbelievable. Katie and Annsley came to the game as they were doing a girls night out. Ava was outstanding on the court but the coach started a less competent player on defense instead of Ava which makes no sense, but this player's grand father is an assistant to the coach, oh well.

We got back to the hacienda around 8:30 and then it was hit the shower and some ALONE time for me on the TV. Today we are running errands and then spending the evening at home, I think as we have been gone every night this week, LATER

Friday Morning Dec 8th

 Well Thursday was another busy fun filled day with some garden work in the mix after a chilly start of the day. It eventually warmed to the low 70's which was perfect and as night fell the coolness once again came into the picture. I started the day early well before 6 due to a hoot owl outside my bedroom. I did my routines 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 to be holding and even improving as of this post. I headed out around 7:30 for the Rec for over two hours of pickle ball play with good players and then made a stop at the library on the way home for a couple new reads.

I worked in the garden until lunch time transplanting some seedling, resowing sow lettuce seeds as well as carrots and then hand watering until lunch time. After a delicious lunch of a fresh garden salad I headed in the computer room to watch the events happening in Israel with the war. The IDF is taking it to the terrorists and hopefully will kill the head soon or at least capture this animal and execute him. It's hard to believe how these barbarians use the local folks as shields with stock piling weapons in hospitals, mosques and schools and have no concern for their people. The world is turning a blind eye to these unspeakable acts by these terrorists and their evil and inhumane treatment of their very own people as well as trying to eradicate Israel. Evil is what they are for a religious cause which is evil itself.

Nancy was off shopping at Publix again as we prepare food for parties later this weekend as well as on Monday when our life group comes here for dessert after a Christmas party. We ate lite for supper after the large salad with the leftover grilled chicken on top for lunch. Ava and Sam were having their school Christmas concert at our church, SRBC at 7 PM so we headed out for the event and the church which holds over 800 folks was packed with standing room only. The concert last two hours and was awesome in both concert music and voice. It was 9:30 before we got home and hit the showers and then some ALONE before lights out at 10'ish, LATER

Thursday Morning Dec 7th

 Well Wednesday started out with much cooler temps and with the stiff breeze it was even colder. There was plenty of sunshine which made it nice to work outside after 2 hours of pickle ball play at the Rec starting at 8 AM. On MWF there more intermediate and beginner players from 8-10 but on Tue.& Thur. there are mostly advanced play and that is awesome, but I do get a work out on every day which is mainly what I'm after in hopes I will continue to drop a few pounds and some inches off this tummy. I'm finally down to 189 to 190 consistently now for a couple of days and with play today I'm hoping to see 188 or even lower, plus my stamina is back which makes me feel even greater.

 I started the day with a well before 6 rollout to my routines 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. Eddie seems to be doing better and we've heard no word on how Tyler's mom Cindy is doing or if she is still hospitalized. Everyone else is holding. We got a call from an old friend from Sparta who was passing through to Sarasota for his annual prostrate checkup. Larry and his son Brandon did a ton of work for us at the cabin a few years back and have remain friends over the years. He was just here overnight and we never visited with but did enjoy his call. He remains cancer free but gets a yearly checkup here in Florida.

We ran some errands returning an expensive pair of slippers that was a present for Annsley but ordered the wrong color and then a couple other stops before getting back to work outside until lunch time. Nancy seems to be getting a little better after being down from a cold or the flu, but weaken to where she had no energy. She did take a walk in the afternoon for the first time in a week or so. We ate around 5'ish as we were heading over to church for our get together on Wednesday night. We have been gone away every evening and will do so the rest of this week as well with the Christmas program for Sam and Eliza tonight at our church and then a basketball game for Ava in Tampa on Friday night, oh well. We aren't letting any grass grow under our feet as the old saying goes, LATER

Wednesday Morning Nov 6th

 Well Tuesday started out with my usual before 6 rollout to my 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. Tyler's mom is still in the hospital with little change as of now and everyone else is holding to my knowledge. I headed out on my bike much earlier so as to play with some good players at 7:30 at the Rec. I had a great workout and left around 10, whupped. The sun was out and it had dropped down into the 60's with highs being in the 70's for the day. Lots of sunshine so I was able to work in the gardens until lunch time.

We were heading out with Amy and Tyler around 4 to Tampa to watch the JV girls play and then to watch the Varsity(Ava's team) play against a highly recognized team so we had our big meal of the day around 2:30 after Nancy got back from her doctor's visit and then some grocery shopping. I had the marinated chicken breasts grilled to a golden perfection. Neighbor Bobby came over and he has been suffering with a cold and feels he isn't eating right so I blessed him with enough salad greens for a couple of days. I too need to harvest leafy greens for us today as well and fill the salad bowl.

I have a couple tomato seedlings up from old seeds I had stored which must be a couple years old. I'll give them away to neighbor Dan for his garden if they make. I hoed and loosen up the soil around all of the plants weeding out this grass that keeping coming back and reseeds itself, what a nuisance it is. I transplanted the one volunteer tomato from son Bobby's garden along side the Roma which is loaded with small fruit. The egg plant now has blooms and I have another green pea shoot coming through the ground, since all of the prior seeds rotted.

Well The JV girls won their game but Ava's team fell to a much larger squad of girls that were great shooter from the 3 point line. The first period was just one point difference but poor passing and lots of turn overs with some poor officiating turned the tide and they lost the a game. Their first of the season but we play them again at home in January and hopefully will fare better. Fouls were called on our team and none on the other when they were more aggressive than us on defense. Ava played her heart out and scored several and made tons of rebounds but her team mates passed the ball out of bounds too many times. Really this game was so much better to watch than the last when they won by close to 50 points.

It was going on 9:30 when we got home and it was shower time for me and a few minutes of ALONE before lights out at 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning Dec 5th

Well Monday started out with some fog and warm temps that left lots of moisture in the air but no rain despite a cold front moving into the area. It looked like rain for an hour but then the clouds moved out and it made for a good day for drying clothes outside on the line. I started the morning much the usual with a well before 6 rollout 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. Our son in law Tyler's mom is in serious condition in Kansas with breathing issues so keep her Cindy Ross in your thoughts and prayers as she is in the hospital. All else seem to be holding as of this post.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for a couple hours of pickle ball play and got in a good workout. I'm hoping with less portions and these workout I'll keep dropping a little from the waist line. I'm down to the 190 area and even hit 189 yesterday morning but that varies from day to day but 190 is the goal for now and then I'm hoping 185 eventually. I'm hoping that also drops the LDL cholesterol as well as it was a might elevated on my last blood draw.

I came back and piddled around in the gardens until lunch time. I did lose another tomato plant I brought back from Bobby's garden and it was doing so well and then it seemed to rot along the dirt line and died. Not sure what that was but maybe either too much water or plant food was the culprit. Every thing else is doing well. I brought back my poinsettia plant I won in the tournament on Saturday morning and replaced the struggling geranium plant I had on the front porch. I put it in the garden proper to save it. That will add some Christmas color as I repotted it and added some new dirt. After a lunch of left over steak from the other night I headed on to the computer to catch up on the war in Israel and the IDF is taking it to the terrorists after they broke the temporary truce. Such evil barbarians all in the name of some fake prophet who have duped millions of folks who want to rule their life and send them back to the stone age while killing innocents.

Well Ava's team was playing ball at home around 7 and we were told the JV girls were playing around 4:30 so we headed out to Keswick only to learn there was no team coming to play at 5:30 which was really the starting time so we sat in the gym along with several other fans and parents until 7. The girls whipped this nearly all black team by 50+ points and they never score another basket in the second half of the game. The score was 69 to 13. Our girls played quite well as did Ava. She is so good on defense as well as scoring a little but she makes lots of assists to other teammates. It was going on 9 when we finally got home so it was shower time and then some TV before lights out at 10, LATER

Monday Morning Dec 4th

Well Sunday was another warm day with lots of morning fog and then in the afternoon we got a rain storm that dropped lots of well needed rain and then it cleared out just in time for our winter fest event at church that started at 5 and lasted until 8. We both served in that event for two hours and I served at both services for church in the morning as well.  I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected due to ages and health issues.

I headed out around 8:30 for SRBC to serve in the early service while Nancy rode with the Botbyl's for the second service that starts at 10:30. There was a huge crowd in both services but not many new folks for the first time which I greet and make them feel welcome. Pastor Derek had a great message from Acts for both services as I sat in on both with basically the same message but some variations. The praise music was awesome as well. I did miss my on line service from Cornerstone Chapel which we love on Sunday morning before heading off to SRBC.

Carol made a delicious soup and home made bread and invited us as well as Patrick for lunch after the service which held me the rest of the day except for when we got back from winter fest I had a handful of nuts and some fruit of the vine. We worked two areas of that event with carnival games to start and then a huge bounce house which required a little more attention as kids were wild sliding down these chutes. I was ready for a change after that hour as your attention is strict on what these kids were doing and trying to keep them from getting hurt. We met some really nice volunteers and this was a big production for the community as well as church family. We have about 15 acres of land and most of it was in use in some fashion as well as the main building which held a live nativity. Folks were backed up in lines to attend this production which had several scenes from the Christmas story. No live animals inside but everything else was done to replicate the event. Well done.

Well the Bucs won a game finally after narrowly defeating a 1-10 team. I never got to see any of it but did watch an earlier game and part of the late game before lights out at 10. It's been a busy action packed weekend with the pickle ball tournament on Saturday and the events at church on Sunday. I love it and so thankfully I could be a part of both, LATER

Sunday Morning Dec 3 rd

Well Saturday was a fun day that required a ton of exercise on the pickle ball court at the Seminole Rec from 8 until close to 12:30. More on that later but I started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual morning 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 seem to be holding with this post. I headed out on my bike to the Rec for the second annual holiday pickle ball tournament along with 9 other teams of two and some spectators.

I was matched up with another 77 year fellow by the name of Paul who ask me a couple weeks ago to play with him in this event and while I like to play everyday sometimes in tournaments you work too hard that may take away from every bday play; but I agreed never thinking we had a chance to win  especially after losing the first match in a close score. We moved into the losers bracket. We had to wait close to an hour before we ever got back on the court which had three nets set up for play, so there was action going on while we were getting stiff waiting. 

We got back on the courts and played a couple of really good tennis players who have played together for 40 years and were in our age bracket and who we have played against a couple of times. Well we won that match then moved onto another match right away and then into another match against a couple of women who were very good as well, but we managed to beat them in a close match and then we had to play a very good team of young fellows who had lost to the dad and son team who was beating everybody by huge margins. Well we managed to beat these young fellows and then it was time to play the unbeaten team. The son is a 40 year old professional stunt man for Hollywood movies and his dad was once a racketball champion. They were beating everyone and while we knew the dad who plays with us regularily we had never met the son who lives in Orlando. He was a ringer alright and very fit and made unbelievable shots.

We won the first set to everybody's surprise and we had the crowd behind because we were told we had no chance as they beat everyone with big scores and the team that beat us for our first lost got beat 11-3 by them. Well little did they know or even consider a victory for us but we beat them two sets in a row and had to play them again for the championship because we had lost one match and now they suffered their first loss. They initially took the lead but we rallied and and won big in the final set and walked away with the victory. What fun but we were whupped to say the least and I'm a little stiff and sore this morning.

Today is church day and then we volunteered for the event called winterfest at church this evening which is a community event for families as we bring the gospel message in a nativity scene and share some fun things for kids, LATER

Saturday Morning Dec 2nd

Well Friday was a busy mostly fun filled day with some work involved as well. I started the day with my before 6 roll out to my routines that start with some quiet times after posting this ramble to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be doing as well as can be expected. I headed out on my bike for two solid hours of pickle ball play with mostly good players as we tune up for todays tournament at the Rec. I'm playing with another 77 year young fellow who ask me pair up with him and represent the old guys. Its an open tournament so it can be mixed or just pairs of the same sex and no age limit. So we could be playing against players much younger and I don't know of anyone in the Rec who is older, oh well. It should be fun and of course I love to play daily.

I headed home to mow the yards for the first since being back in October. The grass really wasn't that high since we've had very little rain but it needed evening out and of course some weeds managed to send out pods that would eventually turn into more weeds. I piddled around in the gardens hoeing and then hand watering. I lost one of my tomato plants I had started from seeds and don't know why but it looked like it rotted where the ground met the stem. Maybe I'm over watering the tomato's so I'll not give them such a soaking. The rest of the garden is doing fine and I'll harvest lettuces again today for the second time. I have collards ready to harvest so maybe I'll make a small pot later today and have them for the weekend.

Not much else going on as we had to cancel our supper and card game night with the Nymark's due to Nancy's cold symptom's. She seems to be getting better but didn't want to take the chance of infecting them. So far since I'm taking raw garlic daily I haven't become infected but of course she complains about how I smell. I would make a great Italian as I love garlic. She could care less about my health as long as I don't smell like garlic which she now thinks she is allergic to, oh well

I grilled a couple T- bones we had purchased in the mountains which were still good but starting to age and freezer burn. We just buy too much and then have to freeze it, oh well. I finished up an ALONE series and started a new one after my shower. We did watch the FOX News channel until 9, LATER

Friday Morning Dec 1

 Well the last month of 2023 is upon and wow did that year ever just slip by so suddenly. It wasn't as chilly with temps in the low 50's to start the day, but it did require an extra shirt on the bike ride to the Rec for 2 plus hours of pickle ball. The temps eventually reached the upper 70's by late afternoon and once more Nancy had the a/c on.

I had started the day with a well before 6 rollout to my 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 of this post despite some health issues and concerns. Nancy seem to be getting over her cold/flu which is a plus. She stayed home from Ava's basketball game and watched it on some pay channel that Tyler told her about that was being played in Riverview. It took us close to 2 hours to get there because of the heavy traffic in Tampa and the suburbs, unbelievable how that area has grown where Bobby and Jill once lived. It use to be only cow pastures, but now thousands of homes, shopping centers and traffic to match have made itself evident with huge traffic jams and backups. Communities quickly out grew the roads, oh well.

I picked up Amy and Eliza and we headed out a little before 4 on the toll road across Tampa Bay and then it was right at 6 before we got to the campus. Bobby, Katie and the twins came as well and Ava played awesome especially on defense as she shut down a player who averages 25 points a game. Ava guarded her all night long and she only score a couple of buckets. Their whole team only score 20 some points whereas we won by close 50 points. Their team looked good in warm ups and you could tell this black player was a hot dog compared to everyone else on her team, but Ava and her team shut them down and played like a well oiled machine as a team. 

After the game we had to make a detour to down town St.Pete  which took us out of the way home but I got back around 9'ish after dropping the girls off and then I hit the showers and some ALONE show before lights out at 10. LATER