Wednesday Morning Jan 31st

 Well this month is gone and yesterday turned out to be just what we love about Florida in the winter months; cool or rather chilly to start the day but by the time I left the Rec around 10'ish it was mild and quite warm outside, enough so for t-shirt and shorts while I worked in the gardens. I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to 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.

I headed out on my bike around 7:30 for close to 2 1/2 hours of pickle ball play with the more experienced or advanced class of folks with several new participants and most were decent players. Several were regulars but a few new ones who actually played quite well. MWF is usually the intermediates mainly with some beginners at times so today on these days a few of us will venture outside on the one court and play. Its a bit of hassle to carry everything outside and then set up the net and some back drops to keep the ball close to the court but at least we will be able to play with mainly good players as these three days its open play in the gym and the game has become so popular especially with the snow birds who are back in the area, oh well. If the weather stays like yesterday it will be fun to play outside.

I worked in the garden after heading out to get my ears lowered at the barber shop and then a stop at Home Depot for a couple of items mainly some green bean seeds. The half runners for some reason don't do well here so I got some bush beans and sowed 4 small rows in the side garden. I'll probably have 30 or so hills which will be plenty if they all make. I also fed and hand watered all of the gardens and then cut a nice mess of collard greens for the pot which smelled great cooking on low heat for several hours.

It was so nice after lunch that I sat outside in the back yard and read for a couple hours and Nancy actually took a hike. She needs to get back to exercising once again. We just have to many events with food either here or at some one else's place like last night we went up to the Botbyl's and met up with the Nymark's and the Tracy's for supper and then dessert afterwards while we played "hand and foot". The guys won both games which is usual for the game night.

Well it was going on 10 before we finished the game and walked home. It was starting to cool down and Nancy turned the heat on for the night which usually gives way to warm temps with bright sunshine by mid morning, LATER

Tuesday Morning Jan 30th

Well Monday started out on the chilly side with very little sunshine  as the skies were overcast with a stiff breeze out of the north. What a change from just 2 days ago when the temps were in the 80's. I started the day with my usual 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 and Ava seems to be getting better although she is still having some double vision issues from her accident on the basketball court. She still attends all of the games with the team but so far hasn't been released to play and this week is the last games of the season except for the final tournament play. I doubt if she will be able to participate which is breaking her heart. The team played Largo High School last night and they won by 20 points as did the the JV girls who won by 30 points. It was a rather cold evening to be out and it was after 9 before we got back to the house and a hot shower.

 I headed out around 7:45 for the Rec and got in two hours of pickle ball play with the less than advanced players but there were a couple players who were in our caliber of play and that made it exciting and good for the exercise. There are so many coming now on MWF that we have to take all the players off the court at one time and divide them into winner and loser brackets, but anyhow I love playing the game and do help some of those less experienced with their game. I was whupped by the time I got home after stopping at the library for a couple of new J.A. Jance reads. I worked outside in the gardens transplanting some kale seedlings into the garden and then hoeing and feeding many of the new seedlings as well as hand watering despite it being overcast. There is no rain in the forecast but the stiff breeze really dries out the sandy soil.

I noticed I have another cucumber to harvest and many nubins coming on as well as lots of small green 'maters starting to form. The leafy greens are doing fantastic and I had a large fresh garden salad for lunch which held me the rest of the day except for a small pot pie for supper before we headed out to the ball games around 6. I need to lose these 5 pounds I put on while being down with the shoulder surgery and eating a large salad for lunch will hopefully do that and a small supper. The wound is healing nicely and just some redness which is normal. I spent the afternoon reading and watching some You Tube videos on the war in Israel. This administration had better get tough on Iran who is responsible for killing and injuring many Americans in Iraq as well as slaughter hundreds in Israel.

Well that was about it except we wore coats to the game and its in the high 40's this morning and supposed to stay cool the rest of the week. I really wasn't really for high 80's and humidity so early in the year, LATER

Monday Morning Jan 29th

Well this month is just about gone and the warm temps we've had the last couple of days have gone as well. Sunday started out rather nice, short sleeve apparel but as the day grew on towards evening the temps dropped with the stiff breeze. We went from a/c in the morning and close to the heat but just closing the windows after a brief interlude of having them open to air out the house while I watched football to closing them down for the night after dark.

I started the day with ,my usual routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up for comfort and healing. All are holding as of this post but the past week has me lamenting over the lost of three classmates. We headed out to SRBC to work the front doors which I love doing by greeting, hugging and shaking hands with so many. We had once again several hundred in the second service with a rather large first service as well. We have lots of senior's in the mix with lots of veterans as well. Pastor Derek baptized 5 yesterday and the new members class had close to 20 in it. Folks are starting to realize the world is in difficult straights with all this wokeism that has demoralized our culture and are getting back to understanding the WORD which is preached here. One of the things that has drawn us to SRBC and away from other programs meant for worship.

We met up with two other couples who also left our former church for a tasty lunch at Outback in Seminole. The prices of eating out have increased as well and we spend 50 bucks including tip on fare that was tasty but nothing great. Thankfully I had a gift card that took care of this outing. We came back and I hand watered the gardens and then settled into reading until the first game came on the TV. The Chiefs won that came rather handily and in the second game the Lions were whupping the 49niners in the first half, but too many miscues and they lost in the final moments. So it will be the Chiefs once again in the big game against the 49 niners. Should be a good game as both QB's are top notch players.

That was about it for the day and I soon hit the sack after the game and some ALONE time before lights out around 10'ish, LATER

Sunday Morning Jan 28th

 Well Saturday was like a summer day with temps into the 80's and tons of humidity and lots of sunshine. We headed out to Keswick around 10'ish to watch the youth basketball drills and games which Eliza participated in. I even refereed along with Tyler one of the games which she was on the winning team which went into over time. It was a fun thing to do and I so enjoyed being able to help in anyway other than being a spectator.

I had started the day with a before 6 roll out to my usual 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 seem to be holding as of this post. I'm still in shock that I've lost three classmates this past week or so and it sure makes you think of your mortality as all of them were at least my age and one younger.

I headed out after a lite breakfast of fruit to hand water the gardens as I mentioned to Nancy lets get Chipotle for lunch as I had a gift card. It was my first time there and we both were pleased with the food and service as it took no time to make our order so we could bring it home to eat. It is all freshly made daily and the portion was plentiful as she could only eat about 2/3 of her order. I ate all of mine which held me the rest of the day. I piddled in the garden hand watering again late in the afternoon the newly transplanted seedlings which are doing great with all this heat during the day and cool nights. A week ago I had covered all of the plants because of the hard freeze but today it will be short sleeve shirt at church as we both work the front door. What a change in just a few days.

We invited the Botbyl's over for cards around 6:30 and they stayed until 9:30 playing 2 games of hand and foot which we split in wins. Today we will worship on line with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. at 8:30 and then again at our SRBC at 10:30. We love our new church family and have been well received by many as we help with the doors and greetings of folks in the second service. Also this afternoon and evening I will tune into the NFL playoff games despite the Bucs losing out last week. The Lightning won big over the New Jersey team last evening and they are winning once again, LATER

Saturday Morning Jan 27th

 Well I must say it looking like an early summer has arrived after last week's cold snap, yikes. The a/c is on full time as we head towards the end of the month. I started the morning much the usual with a well before 6 roll out to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. Ava still needs our daily prayers for healing on her eye and the double vision associated with her injury and I'm healing on the shoulder and I still get a little clicking noise in my right ear from either a sinus issue or inner ear issue. It's not bad and seems to only notice it in the morning after getting up, oh well. 

I headed out on my bike with just a t-shirt and gym shorts to the REC for over two hours of pickle ball play. It wasn't the best play as there were many beginners and intermediates but there were a couple of us more advanced players, so I did get in a good workout and was whupped when I headed home on my bike to work outside in the gardens. Nancy was off to Wal-Mart shopping for the next couple hours. I harvested a nice mess of leafy greens and rinsed them and made a huge bowl of salad of which I had a bowl for my lunch. I noticed a couple more roma tomatoes starting to turn as well as couple more cukes starting to grow. I harvested a nice size one for the salad bowl. The garden sure loves these warm days but I'm back to hand watering at least once and yesterday twice because of the heat into the middle 80's and some recent transplants.

We finished up some pork egg rolls we had in the freezer which were delicious for supper before heading out to Keswick to watch the JV and Varsity boys and girls play basketball. The boys won as did the JV girls in both exciting and close games but our Varsity girls ran up against an all black high school team in south St.Pete and were down by close to 30 points at one time. We scored one basket in the first period but did come back in the 4th period to close within 5 points in a real close physical game. The team sure missed Ava and her aggressive defense rebounding play. Anyhow they lost but played great after the first period. It was going on 10 when we got home and I hit the shower and was soon out for the night by 10:30, LATER

Friday Morning Jan 26th

 Well Thursday was a busy fun filled quite warm day with temps  up in the low 80's after nearly freezing 5 days ago, yikes. Where is the normal temps, but this is Florida which can get quite hot, but in January, oh well. I started the day with my usual well before 6 roll out 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 and one being grand daughter Ava with her double vision. I'm healing nicely but still have the right ear popping from time to time which makes me think there is some infection or fluid in that ear canal. There is no pain but just a clicking or popping sound when I first arise in the morning from sleeping, oh well.

I headed out to the REC around 7:30 and got in two hours of pickle ball play with all good players. Thankfully the REC has designated Tue.& Thur. for advanced players because the other days are  beginners with a few exceptions. I'll go this AM but will probably end up in the weight room on the treadmill to get in some exercise. I love helping some of those beginners but there were so many newbies on Wednesday I had to leave and mostly were old women who refused to accept any instructions, oh well.

Nancy was off to a church meeting and luncheon with several other gals so I worked in the garden after getting home from the REC and then ate the leftover salmon and a couple of rolls for lunch all of which were delicious. I knew we were eating large at Bobbys house around 6:30 with grilled pork chops, taters, and green beans after watching Gabe's flag football team destroy another team, 26-6. They are undefeated thus far in their league. It was good to see Annsley who got off work from the YMCA where she helps with the young ones in gymnastics about 10 hours a week. Katie got back from her conference most of the week in Nashville so we headed out for home around 8. Katie mentioned the interstate was shut down to a serious crash so we came back the cross town and got home well before 9.

I soon hit the shower and then watched the last of the Lightning game which they won over an Arizona team 6-3. I could barely keep my eyes open so I hit the sack a little before 10 after a busy fun filled day. This evening we head out to Keswick for a girls basketball game to support Ava's team who is still on the side line, LATER

Thursday Morning Jan 25th

Well Wednesday started out much like any other day 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 several up by name. All seem to be holding but Ava need more prayer for healing as she still is seeing some double vision. The rest of the healing is complete jut not the vision. My shoulder is doing well despite some redness but the healing is doing well since the stitches came out on Monday. Everyone else is holding as of this post.

I headed out to the REC on my bike a little before 8 for some pickle ball but Wednesday is one of those days when anyone can play and believe there were so many there that were beginners I left after about 30 minutes. I did get in a couple games before being paired up with a total first player who was as old as me and a woman who had no idea what she was doling. That was the straw that broke the camel's back for me so I headed into the weight room and walked uphill on the thread mill for over a mile, burning up some calories. At least I got in some exercise.

I came home and mowed the yards and then worked in the garden until lunch time which was a garden salad that held me until supper time when I finished off the leftover pasta from last nights supper. Delicious to say the least. I read and watched videos the rest of the afternoon and even sat outside under the oak as the temps were in the upper 70's and read while cap napping at times. What a beautiful day with some sunshine but very warm, so much so Nancy had the a/c drying out the house she said, after she finally took a hike through the hood.

We headed out around 6:30 for our 242 Meeting at church and then a small discussion afterwards. Pastor Derek delivers the topics backed by scripture and we discuss it among our selves in a small group. We so enjoy it and look forward to it weekly. We have become involved and are getting to know several within the church and our life groups. We got back around 8:30 and I hit the shower and watched some ALONE until lights out at 10. Today we head over to Brandon to watch grandson Gabe play flag football and then eat supper with Bobby and the kiddos as Katie is in Nashville for the week with her job, LATER

Wednesday Morning Jan 24th

 Well Tuesday sure turned out to be a very nice day that warmed up considerably enough so that Nancy having one of her hot flashes had the a/c on during our supper party with friends. The heat was on to start the day and now even though its in the low 70's she has the a/c running, oh well. I started the day 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 several up for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding as of this post.

I headed out around 7:30 on my bike to the REC for close to two hours of pickleball play with some really decent players and got in a great workout after being away for over two weeks. I was a bit stiff as the afternoon wore on and by the time our last card game ended I was really for a hot shower and some horizontal lab. I was beat afterwards but played exceptionally well during the  session. It was great to be back on the courts and I received many "well wishes" and "we missed you" and hope your doing better. I won every match with different players through out the morning. I made a quick stop at library to return a read then pedaled home to work outside in the gardens hoeing every plant and taking the suckers off the tomato plants as well. Everything looks great despite those couple of rather chilly days and nights.

We were having the Botbyl's and the Nymark's for supper and then cards so we spent the afternoon house cleaning which meant I did the vacuuming while Nancy did the rest. I did get in some of the news on the war in Israel and they lost 24 soldiers during the day, so sad and I'm sure those barbarians are raping the women hostages and killing them afterwards as well as torturing the few who remain alive.

Well the salmon filet was delicious along with the pasta, green beans Sheri brought and the garden salad as well as the fruit cake Carol brought for dessert was all very tasty and healthy. We had a little fruit of the vine except for Sheri and Carol and then after eating we played two rounds of hand and foot. The gals finally won the first game in a big way and then we guys sneaked in and won the second game in the last round. It was a fun time and going on 10'ish before we finished the game and they all left for home. I was whupped so I hit the shower and then was soon in bed around 10'ish. The wound on the shoulder seems to be healing with no weeping so I left it uncovered over night and it seems dry this morning. I'll apply some salve on it before I head out to pickle ball this morning, LATER

Tuesday Morning Jan 23rd

Well Monday started out on the chilly side but quickly warmed up to the upper 60's despite very little sunshine at all during the day. But at least it warmed up from Sunday morning that was very cold. Today was my stitch removing day and I was released to play pickle ball once again, so I'll be on the court this morning for the first time in over two weeks. The wound has basically healed with some redness and some weeping from where the stitches were but I think eventually it will heal completely. 

I did my morning quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. I got word that an old dear classmate who I had taken to the prom my junior year had passed away. She and I attend church together for years and were close friends. She had been married several times and had grand children and the last time we saw her was at St.Johns when we attended church a couple years back. She had two other sisters one older and one younger who had passed away as well. I'm saddened for her only sibling a younger brother Steven who still attends church there. 

I didn't do much otherwise except some transplanting of some lettuce and kale seedlings into the garden proper and then hand watered. I noticed some small green 'maters on the Celebrity plant and I still have several Roma's but they except for that one aren't turning. Its supposed to get close to 80 by weeks end so maybe that will be just what they need to start turning as its been very chilly at night and with the one night in the 30's I'm sure that slowed that progress down.

I read the afternoon away as well as watched some news feeds on the war in Israel and they are kicking butt and killing many of the terrorists. This present administration is wanting Israel to cease fire with the help of the radical left in NATO to give Iran a chance to fully equip their proxies once again in Hamas. It's unbelievable how the vile MSM is playing the war in favor of the terrorists while using the locals who support these barbarians as victims. I personally hope Israel takes over the Gaza strip completely and rules that area politically as well.

Well we had our small life group supper at Nancy and Brian's place in Largo last evening and there were 14 of us in attendance and we all brought something to add to the supper which was delicious. Afterwards we gathered around to talk about the past Sunday 's message by Pastor Derek with questions. It was a great discussion and we all are in agreement that Truth shall prevail from the pulpit which is and has been watered down from churches and denominations which is the reason this nation and the world is in such disarray from the TRUTH of GOD's word. Pastor Derek speaks it as bluntly as Paul writes about it in the book of Roman's as does Gary Hamrick and Jack Hibbs, both of whom we love as well as Derek.

Well I dropped off the Botbyl's and Lundgrens who rode with us to the meeting then I settled into some ALONE time before lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Monday Morning Jan 22nd

Well Sunday morning was really cold at 35 degrees and to make it even colder was the stiff wind out of the north. I'm sure the wind chill was below freezing, but the sun was shining which eventually warmed the air to a pleasant 50 degrees by late afternoon. We both were working the front outside guest desk and main door at SRBC which at times was brutally cold. Thankfully Bobby had given me a felt pea coat a few years ago and I used it for the first time over my knit sweater which kept me quite warm except for the face and hands.

I started the day with my usual 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'm sure glad I had covered many of my more subject to cold plants and when I got home from church I uncovered them and they looked great. I gave everything a good drink of water afterwards. 

We had a lunch of egg rolls we had in the freezer and they were delicious which held us until supper time at Amy and Tyler's. They had a mac and cheese that was awesome along with grilled flank steak, green beans and a salad from my garden and of course Nancy's chocolate with white icing cake and ice cream for dessert to celebrate Eliza's belated birthday. Everyone had such a great time with all 7 grands getting together. The only downer was the Bucs played lousy and lost to the Lions in a playoff game.  We all left around 8'ish for home and I finished watching the Bills get beat by the Chiefs in cold Buffalo. At least the Bucs game was inside the stadium which was heated as the outside was a frozen tundra like Buffalo.

Tonight, Monday we have a small life group supper at the Walters place in Largo and then on Tuesday we have another basketball game with Ava's team. Sad she can't play but we will still go and support the team and then I get my stitches out of the shoulder and hopefully back to pickle ball play later in the week, LATER

Sunday Morning Jan 21st

 Well Saturday started out on the chilly side and did warm up to the low 60's but this morning its 38 fro the first time this winter. I did cover my tender garden plants last evening so while there could be frost I don't think anything froze. It's supposed to warm up some by tomorrow and even today it should warm up some from the 30's.

I started Saturday out with my usual before 6 roll out to my usual routines that start with some quiet time to honor my LORD, gibe thanks for another day and to lift up several; all seem to holding as of this moment and even Ava seems to be getting better except for the double vision. I didn't do much except piddle in the garden hand watering and covering plants later in the day with old sheets I've kept storage in a tub. I mostly read finishing a James Patterson book titled PRIVATE MOSCOW. Its a good read and a page turner as is most of his books.

We headed out around 5'ish for Keswick as basketball games were been played between the JV boys and then the Varsity girls. Both Keswick teams won and it was really close for the girls at half time but then our girls put the move on and won by 20 points. Ava wants to play so bad but she still sits on the bench with the team and is there to cheer them on.

It is corporate worship day at SRBC and we will work the front greeting desk outside which will be a cold event to say the least. The heat came on several times during the night.

We got back in time to watch the 49'ners come from behind to beat the Packers in a close game in San Francisco. Today the Bucs play in Detroit against a really good Lion's team. Lets hope all the team shows up for this big game like they did last week against the Eagles. We are celebrating Eliza's 10th birthday with a dinner at their house this evening. Nancy made her favorite cake and we will all gather together to eat and watch the Bucs, LATER

Saturday Morning Jan 20th

 Well this month is moving right along and winter has come upon us here in central Florida with some very chilly temps happening as I make this post. Tonight will be supposedly the coldest night thus far this winter and I have my covering out and ready to place on the more tender garden plants.

I started the day on Friday with a before 6 roll out to my usual 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; myself and Ava included. She is in a much happier sphere although disappointed she can't play probably for the rest of the season and I'm still healing from the skin surgery but not as fast as I wanted and the ear is still some what clogged at times with wax. I'm still using a solution that is supposed to eventually dissolve the wax but its sure taking its time, oh well.

I didn't do much through out the day except piddle around in the gardens, take a ride to the library on my bike for some new reads and then a trip around the neighborhood on my bike. The rest of the time was reading and watching You Tube videos and laying on the spare bed with this ear wax remover solution in my ear. We did leave around 4'ish for Keswick school to watch the first game of the JV girls basketball game and they won as well as the Varsity girls blew out Berkley prep on seniors night by 50 points The boys varsity were losing once again to a school visiting from New Jersey. We left at half time and they were down by several after losing big the night before to IRCS.

 We will attend the girls game tonight at 6 to end the week of basketball games. Ava is on the bench dressed but not to play as she is a valuable member of the team. That was about it for the day as it was going on 9 before we got home and I hit the shower and was out by 10, LATER

Friday Morning Jan 19th

 Well Thursday was quite chilly with overcast skies for most all day and then we got some light rain during the late evening hours. It's supposed to get real cold here on Saturday night so I've got my blankets and sheets ready to cover most of my garden plants. I harvested my first cucumber yesterday along with some radishes and both were delicious to say the least. The rats either died or moved away as they didn't eat the poison I put our Wednesday night, hurray, maybe they have past on literally.

I started the day with my usual 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, all seem to be holding. We saw Ava at her teams basketball game last afternoon and while she didn't play she kept a record of some things for the team. She seemed and looked good and wants to play but she needs to heal first which I doubt she will be able to play the rest of the season. We watched her team whup up on IRCS by 50 points. We are that good and they were that bad. It would have been more if Ava had played as we have no one who really is aggressive on rebounding as she is. We stayed and watched the first period with our varsity boys and they are not very good and was losing to IRCS by 20 when we left before the half. I believe our varsity girls could beat the boys.

I put more of the wax remover in my right ear a couple of times during the day which is still some what clogged with wax according to my doctor. This morning and over night it seemed to open up and of as right now its open. I'm going to use the remover again today as it says use it for 4 days and hopefully regain my total hearing in the ear. Its sort of muffled and annoying as well. I did finish a book yesterday and now need to go to the library today for some new reads. We have a basketball game this evening and again tomorrow at Keswick which we hope to attend. We ate large for breakfast and some soup for lunch and a salad for supper with the leftover grilled chicken breasts. After a hot shower and a new bandage on the stitches I watched ALONE until 10 then it was lights out for me, LATER

Thursday Morning Jan 18th

 Well the day started 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 for comfort and healing. All are holding as of this post. I headed out a little before 8 to the doctor's office to see about why my inner ear area is blocked thinking it was an inner ear infection when really is was a wax blockage. So I didn't need an antibiotic but some ear wax softner and removal. I used it through out the day and it seemed to unblock the ear by bed time. Oh well and I even had him check out the wound on my shoulder and he seemed to think there was no infection just very red and raw.

It was rather chilly to start the day and I wore my coat along with a flannel shirt. It did warm up to the upper 50's by late afternoon when the sun finally showed it face. That immediately warms things with just seeing the sunshine as opposed to dark dreary overcast. They are having a real winter in the mountains and up home with well below freezing temps, snow and ice. We are supposed to get our coldest weather here for this year on Saturday night with 20's inland and 30's along the coast. I have my blankets ready to cover the plants in the garden.

I harvested my first Roma tomato yesterday and will probably pick my first cucumber today as its about 6 inches or so in length. The tomato plants as well as the cucumber plants are loaded with blooms so if they don't freeze we should have a bumper crop this year. Everything else seems to be doing well. I'm still putting out rat poison and it gets gone at night so I haven't killed the family yet but they have left the garden plants alone after eating the leaves of several plants.

We went to our Wednesday night class at SRBC and the attendance has doubled since we first started. We have moved out of the family buildings which now has been taken over by the increasing number of youths and now are meeting in the large auditorium/sanctuary with about 50-60 folks. We then breakup into small groups and we know several from Keswick as well as neighbors Dan and Carol. We love it.

Today we head over to IRCS to watch Keswick girls basketball minus Ava playing. She is doing better and seems to be healing but will not play again this season due to the seriousness of her injuries. She is broken hearted but still attends the practices and the games with the team and sits on the bench with several of the other girls who are injured, oh well, LATER

Wednesday Morning Jan 17th

Well Tuesday was an uneventful day as I'm still unable to do much with the wound on my shoulder. The expensive cream I picked up Monday night for the wound is maybe working but Nancy still thinks its not totally working right, so when I go to the doctor's this morning for the inner ear issues I've have it look in to it as well as see if I need an anti biotic for that plus one for the ear. I hate falling apart; first it was the cough, then the ear and now the wound from the surgery, oh well.

I started the day 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 several up by name for comfort and healing including my grand daughter Ava and myself. She seems to be doing some what better and went back to school yesterday. Hopefully she heals completely and one day get back on the court for the game she loves to play. I also want to get back on the courts for some pickle ball once these stitches are out and the inner ear heals.

I didn't do much except harvest some leafy greens from the garden and clean them for the salad bowl and we had one with our grilled chicken breasts at supper time. I spent the biggest part of the day reading and watching survival videos on You Tube as well as taking Sudafed every 4 hours to help with the inner ear infection. I even used the Nettie pot yesterday thinking it might help with the sinuses. I didn't really notice any difference after using it but it was the first time ever for me. Bobby believes in it as he flies a lot and is always getting sinus issues plus he uses Allegra for when he feels any pressure. I'm hopefully this doctor can prescribe me some relief this morning.

Well that was about it for the day as it warmed up close to 70 but lots of overcast skies and even a minor rain shower in the evening. I think the temps dropped over night as the inside windows in the kitchen have moisture on them this morning, LATER

Tuesday Morning Jan 6th

 Well Monday started out on the chilly side with temps in the 50's and of course Nancy had the heat on despite the inside temps at 70's. She has a hard time with temps as she either is hot or cold and thus I must adjust quickly to her whatever she is feeling at the moment and usually its the a/c  or the heat on in the house. It did finally warm up outside to the upper 60's and we shut the heat off in the house for the rest of the day and evening.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout with my usual quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. Ava is doing better and will go back to school today as Monday was a holiday. She still has some issues but hopefully will outgrow them. I'm still having some inner ear issues with it clogging so I' m taking Sudafed every 4 hours just to keep it some what open. I decided to try to get in to see my civilian doctor but couldn't get an appointment until Wed morning at 8:20. While there I saw the doctor who did the surgery on my shoulder and she decided I needed a high power antibiotic cream for the wound which is still quite red and swollen, thankfully no infection. Yesterday was Nancy's day at the women' office for her yearly exam and everything seemed good there which is good news.

We made a Sam's Club stop after the doctors visits and stocked up on some meat as well as gassed up at 2.94 a gallon and headed home for some lunch. We were meeting up at the Nymark's with one of their neighbors to play cards at 6:30 and it was a fun time. The guys whupped the gals in hand and foot in a close game and then we whupped them the first game of Euchre 10-0 which is very unusual but they came back in the second game of Euchre and won 10-4. We broke up a little after 9 as their neighbor gets up very early work around 3'ish.

The Bucs were playing the Eagles in the wild card game at home and finally the whole team showed up for the game and whupped them by a score of 35-9. Wow was that ever a good game for a change and now they will head to Detroit to play Lions next weekend. At least that will be inside a stadium instead of the cold. Lets hope the whole team shows up once again.

I stayed up until the end of the game which was going on midnight and never really slept much either. Today not much is happening but it sounds as if its raining outside. At least it not snowing which the mountains are getting as I make this post, plus it below freezing temps as well, LATER

Just a picture of Ava after her surgery.

Monday Morning Jan15th

 Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship both on line and then again at our local church and afterwards we met up with the Botbyl's for lunch at Olive garden in Largo for a delicious lunch. It was another rather cold day with very little sunshine and a stiff breeze that made it feel even cooler, despite the temps in the low 50's to start the day and it only varied a couple of degrees. There was a little mist in the air at time which was visible and the over cast skies was so unlike our usual weather, Brr was the word for the day with the heat running from time to time.

I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish 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 seem to be holding as of this post. Ava seems to be doing some what better and my clogged ear seems some what better since I've taking Sudafed but its still not completely healed and now the wound on top of the shoulder is red and seems to be not healing properly. I suppose I should see the surgeon who did this operation and then possibly my doctor for some antibiotics for the sinus infection this week.

I'm sure missing my exercise on the courts as it will be at least another week before I'll return to play full time. I haven't done much in the gardens as it been too cold and we seem to be having more rain than usual. I sure hope we don't get the freezing temps which the rest of the country is getting as I'm about to harvest my first cucumber. I have tomato's large enough to pick but they still haven't begun to turn yet.

I vegetated on the couch watching the NFL starting around 4 and ended some time around 11. The Cowboys got blown away by the Packers and the Lions sneaked a win over the Rams in a good game which was much better than the first game. The Bucs play tonight and I wonder if all of the players show up against a good Eagle team which has really gone down hill the last couple of games, oh well, LATER

Sunday Morning Jan 14th

Well Saturday was a day with some sunshine, a stiff breeze and cooler temps as part of the front that is invading most of nation heads this way. I sure hope it doesn't get as cold as predicted because I now have cucumbers on the vine as well as tomato's, neither of which is just ready to harvest but getting close with the cukes.

I started the day with my usual routines after sleeping in until 6, which begin with some quiet times to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for healing especially grand daughter Ava. She seems to be doing much better as I make this post. I'm still coughing a little and have some ear clogging but I took an OTC Sudafed last night and it seems better this AM. Everyone else seem to be holding as of now. The stitches are holding on the surgery to the shoulder and I'm able to shower and wash it nightly and Nancy applies a new bandage. It's not very painful but still has some redness about which makes me wonder at times if its healing properly, oh well.

I did work out in the garden after a delicious filing breakfast of banana in the batter pancakes, eggs and sausage which held me until supper excerpt for a handful of nuts around 3'ish. I hoed everything and staked a couple tomato plants and noticed two cukes that were growing on the vines that are loaded with blooms. They will be large enough to harvest in a day or two if the cold doesn't kill the vines. Cucumbers don't seem to do well in the cold or at least at the cabin. Everything else looks good and all of the tomato plants are blooming as well. I drug out my box of blankets just in case the temps go down toward freezing over the next several nights but this morning its 51 degrees which isn't bad.

Well it was read and watch You Tube videos the rest of the day until some NFL came on the tube and then it was Lightning Hockey until bed time. Today is corporate worship day at SRBC after some on line service at Cornerstone in Leesburg, Va. Hopefully this ear congestion will clear up as it did fine over night but seems to be closing again this morning, LATER

Saturday Morning Jan 13th

Well Friday was another overcast day but it did warm up quite a bit from Thursday when it stayed chilly all day long. I didn't get outside much since I'm trying to take it easy on this wound on my shoulder in hopes its healing despite it still looking quite red. Anyhow I may try to get in a bike ride today as I need the exercise.

I started the day with a 6'ish rollout to my usual morning routines that begin 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 is doing much better as she, Nancy and Tyler went to a game her team was playing in last evening in St.Pete. Her teammates were happy to see her which made her feel great and missed, but they now know she won't be back this season as per doctors orders. We are still praying she recovers completely. She still has some bruising around her one eye but the cast for her nose is gone and she can shower again. Her team won the game by a huge score.

I didn't do much during the day except read and watch video on the laptop and of course eat. I ate lite for breakfast with oatmeal, soup for lunch and a steak for supper. I did stay away from any snacks as I'm hoping to forgo any sugar which is a cause to hinder your immune system. I'm still having some inner ear issues with it blocking at times due to a sinus infection, but learned that taking benadryl should help with that as well. I'm hopeful that issue will get better today.

I watched TV while Nancy was gone to the game and then hit shower as was ready for her to apply a new dressing to the wound. It seems I'm falling apart here with the ear, the cough and wound issues all of sudden, oh well, LATER

Friday Morning Jan 12th

 Well Thursday started out over cast and quite chilly with very little sunshine at all during the day. I think it even rained again over night which is a blessing since we've been so short on rainfall this year. I started the day with a sleep in until 7'ish as I'm off the court for at least until next Tuesday or longer. That's depending on how my 12 stitches are healing the wound on the top of my shoulder. So far no real pain except some itching which means the healing is happening. I'm able to shower and then replace the bandage nightly with Nancy's help. So far so good and the dermatologist called yesterday and said the borders of the sample of skin showed no cells that were of any concern, Praise the Lord.

After 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 I stayed on the laptop doing some business and catching up on the social medias. All seem as well as can be expected with those I lift up daily and now Ava heads to Tampa this morning to see the doctor who did her eye and nose. Hopefully she is well enough to shower and get back to school next week as she had been laid up since Monday with lots of swellings and pain from the procedure. Nancy stopped yesterday as she was visiting Sheri a couple doors down and she said looked much better except for the bruising around her eye.

Well Steve came by around 11 on his electric bike as Sheri was having several lady friends over for lunch one of which was Nancy. We had planned to ride the trail but it was just too cold and overcast and I'm still coughing at times with some ear clogging which makes me think I'm having some sinus issues. I took another Benadryl and that seems to help with the ear popping, but I don't feel bad or sick. The coughing has just about ceased except for early in the morning after awakening for a spell but eventually that ceases as well. It's tough getting older and having any health issues.

Steve and I had a delicious chicken salad on a bed of leafy greens from the garden which Nancy had made for us before she took off to Sheri's. After eating we played Kings on the Corner until it was time for him to head home. Nancy was at Amy's visiting Ava when he went by. She got home some time later. I had done several honey do's before she let at 11 so I had the rest of the day to watch videos on the war in Israel and read. We had the leftover beef barley soup for supper with crackers and there is still enough today for lunch which is perfect for these cool days.

After the cleanup I settled into reading until 8 then hit the shower and Nancy changed out the bandage on my shoulder before I settled into ALONE on the bedroom TV until 10, Later

Thursday Morning Jan 11th

Well its another chilly start to the day but we did see lots of sunshine so it wasn't nearly as bad as what our friends are having in the mountains with temps in the 20's and a dusting of snow, Brrr. I started the day here with a lot later rollout since I'm not on the court for at least another week due to the stitches in the shoulder. I was able to remove the bandage and the wound looked great with no seepage so I took a total shower gently washing with soap and then spreading some Aguaphor, a cream the doctor gave me and Nancy redoing the bandage. Hopeful it heals quickly as I need to exercise, but just taking a shower made a difference. 

I did 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. Ava is still showing lots of swelling around her face and will be out of school for the rest of this week, bless her heart and all this started with playing basketball a game that she loves.

I didn't do much during the day except we visited Ava and took her some soup and then we visited with Sheri and Steve who are just a couple doors down from Amy's. Right away they wanted to play cards and we got into a game of hand and foot and finally the gals won for a change. We did some snacks and thus skipped lunch while we played until close to 1:30. We came home and vegetated on the computer and I even laid down after taking a benedryl for my ears which continue to be some blocked. I think it has to do with this cold or whatever I'm experiencing, oh well.

We skipped our church meeting as I just didn't feel like going out in the night air so I watched some You Tube videos before showering then hitting the sack around 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Jan 10th

Well the weather around here has been wet and mostly cool and yesterday late afternoon that storm that brought all the severe weather in the north and east hit here with violent wind and rain that was blowing every which way. We didn't sustain any damage here and the rain was a welcome relief since we were so dry for so long this summer. I stayed home from pickle ball as doctors orders but still don't know the reason why as my arm moves and not my shoulder, oh well. 

We did leave the house to go and visit Ava and bring her a chocolate gnosh (SIC) cake as well as a bouquet of fresh flowers from Publix. She is a tough girl with both eyes and nose swollen and one eye leaking fluid constantly from her operation which hopefully fixed her double vision issue and then straightened out her nose which was broken as well.

I started the day with a sleep in until close to 7, actually just laying there doing some praying and thinking about things before getting up and doing my routines which start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several . All are holding as of this post. I'm still in shock that two associates over the year who are younger passed away last week and now another friend of a friend died suddenly at a young age slipping in the bath tub striking her head and passing, yikes. Last night I did the bath tub scene as I didn't want to get this bandage wet from a shower so I too took a bath in the slippery tub with Nancy's help. So far I haven't needed any pain meds from the surgery but do feel thats its healing as the bandage has stayed clean with no blood leaks.

I got in lots of reading and watching You Tube video through out the day and started a new read by J.A. Jance titled FIELD OF BONES. She is an excellent author and I love her thinking and story telling which really mirrors real life scenarios especially with her different hero's in the stories she tells. Not much else going on except Nancy made a beef and barley soup from the frozen rib roast bones and fat from the Christmas dinner, yeow was and is that every so delicious. We have enough for a lunch and then another supper as the pot grew with added carrots, celery, onions and tatters. So good and good for you, LATER

Tuesday Morning Jan 9th

 Well Monday started out on the chilly side with temps in the 50's. I know that's warm to those in cold country but it didn't get much warmer as the the day progressed and by night fall it had cooled down again due to the overcast skies and breeze. Ava had surgery on her eye and they also straightened out her broken nose as well but she was in lots of pain afterwards. I had 12 stitches taken on the top of my right shoulder after the dermatologist took a huge hunk of skin and adipose tissue that wasn't melanoma but close to it. So now I'm off pickle ball for at least a week due to that area which is close to my right arm, oh well. I will just have to bike or use the tread mill at the Rec. to stay active.

I started the day with my usual routines of up before 6 then 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 including Ava and myself and we thank all who kept us prayed up. I drove to the Rec never thinking I wouldn't be back on the courts for at least a week and got in an hour or so of play and would have stayed longer but so many newbies and beginners were in attendance and we were dividing them into winners and losers and taking 4 at a time on the court instead of winners splitting, oh well. I guess thats the best way of keeping everyone active with so many folks wanting to play.

I did work in the garden after getting home from the Rec to loosen up the soil after the rains on Saturday and then again over night on Sunday. I fed the seedlings and transplanted some curly leaf kale seedlings as well as a couple volunteer lettuce seedlings that had come up from prior seeds that were stale and old. The garden is doing extremely well considering the cool nights and strong winds. I staked a couple tomato plants and got the side garden ready for some seedlings to be transplanted in that area. I did harvest some beautiful radishes which were the size of 50 cent pieces and oh so delicious as I had one for my lunch along with a leftover hot dog.

 I headed out just before 1 for the dermatologist and Ellen who took the biopsy a couple weeks ago worked on me with an assistant. Both young ladies were very professional and explained everything they were doing to me and what a huge piece of skin they removed as they wanted to make sure to get all of those cells that might grow into melanoma, oh well. We were supposed to do a community life group but that got cancelled which was perfect for me as I really didn't want to go out. I wasn't in terrible pain but could feel the effects of all that skin being removed and healing beginning. We had a large fresh garden salad along with a frozen pizza Nancy added fresh mushrooms to and it was delicious to say the least for our supper.

I read after supper until the last college football game came on the TV and watched Michigan whip Washington for the best team this year in the college standing, LATER

Monday Morning Jan 8th

Well Sunday was another awesome day of worship both on line with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va, at 8:30 and the again at our local SRBC at 10:30. Great messages and lots of insight from the scriptures on GOD's message to folks about the gospel. Afterwards we met up at a local eatery called Millers for a delicious lunch with neighbors Dan and Carol along with Patrick. Kathryn was down with a cold so she didn't attend.

I started the day with my usual 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. Please keep Ava our grand daughter in your prayers as she is operated on through the eye this morning to correct the double vision that has plagued her since the freak accident on the basketball court a couple weeks ago. Everyone else seems to be holding as of the this post.

I vegetated on the couch the rest of the day and evening watching the NFL and our local Bucs escaped Charlotte with a lackluster win over the Panthers by a score of 9-0. No touchdowns were scored by either team, except the Panthers had a couple called back. The Bucs play the Eagles next Monday in the playoff's and it will be a terrible game for the home team as only some of the players showed up in N.C. and despite the Eagles losing last evening to another terrible team they will show up in Tampa, I'm sure.

We had a delicious lunch at Millers with a lunch special of shrimp and steak for me with a baked tatter and veggies and Nancy had the burger which she throughly loved. Everyone seemed to like their meal as well. We dropped the Botbyl's off and then settled in the rest of the day as it cooled off considerably from yesterday after the morning rain. Today I have some surgery on my shoulder to remove some tissue that a dermatologist removed a spot a month or so ago. It's not melanoma but has tendencies to become such so they want to remove more tissue around the area, LATER

Sunday Morning Jan 7th

 Well Saturday started out with nothing but rain and wind from the big storm that was hitting the east coast and was dropping lots of rain into Florida with some freezing rain and snow in the northern part of the country. It finally moved out of here before lunch and the temps went from cool and chilly to almost hot and Nancy had the a/c back on from the heat setting. Wow what a difference over night.

We were baby sitting or really keeping the twins on a sleep over and they did fine over night but once all the built up energy from all the food calories starting exploding it was time to get outside and let them run. We did take them on a walk around the block which they mainly ran at times which was great for us as well. They are bundles of energy as well as smart and they ate well which is unusual for kids their ages. It was a fun time and we made memories with them as well.

Bobby and Katie came back around 1'ish to pick up the boys and take them to a park but first I grilled  dogs for them and we played and read books before they took off some where around 4'ish. We had a couple hours to chill before we were to gather at the Nymark's along with another couple to play "hand and foot" until nearly 10. Well it was the first time playing with this other couple and they learned quickly but the guys won two games in a row quite convincingly against the gals. It was a fun time and then we headed home to hit the shower and then some horizontal lab around 11'ish for me. Nancy was still up as is her usual go to bed late and sleep in routine. I did watch a little college hoops during the evening and some NFL as well. 

Well Today is corporate worship day at SRBC and then some NFL around 1 as the Bucs go to N.C. and play the lowly Panthers in a must win game to get into the playoffs. I sure hope the whole team shows up but we will see. Actually they don't deserve to be in the playoff's but their division is the weakest in the league so they have a chance to go on, LATER

Saturday Morning Jan 6th 2024

 Well Friday started out on the chilly side but did warm up to the upper 60's and may have hit 70 at its warmest but quickly cooled down after dark and now this morning that storm that hit the east coast is hitting us with some much needed rain. Hopefully the wind doesn't gust as much as they are predicting which could mean trouble for my garden plants.

 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. All are holding who are on my list except grand daughter Ava who is having eye surgery Monday morning. I sure hope the doctor's know what they are doing and that she recovers her normal sight in the the left eye which is seeing double. She so desperately wants to get back on the court with her team mates. I also lost a class mate who I had started school with in the first grade and then another old church friend who was quite the fisherman passed yesterday as well, he was a strong Believer as well.

Well I drove to the REC once again for a good work out on the pickle ball court for an hour and half before calling it a day. I came back and worked in the gardens, hoeing everything and feeding several plants as I knew we were getting some rain. I noticed new lettuce seedling as well as curly leaf kale seedlings have popped up from seeds as well. Hopefully they don 't get washed out with this storm. We finished up some ham salad that Betsy brought by the other day and had a fresh toss salad from the garden for our lunch and then since were having the twins for supper Nancy made noodles and shrimp which they both love as well as green beans. I popped them corn after supper while they watched Paw Patrol until it was bath time. Nancy read them a couple of stories and they finally fell asleep after an hour of getting up to potty and having drinks of water.

I hit the shower and was watching some History channel until 10 then it was lights out for me. We have the boys until sometime after lunch when Bobby and Katie get them for another outing over here on this coast before heading home some time later in the evening. It has been awhile since they slept over at our house and they were great except for finally getting to sleep, LATER

Friday Morning Jan 5th

 Well Thursday was a rather chilly day with over night showers and cloudy skies to start the day, but it eventually warmed up just a tad when the sun came out but that didn't last long and as evening wore on it got down right chilly once again. We didn't have the heat on as it was a damp chill, however after getting back from the basketball game around 8'ish  the house was nice and cozy compared to the gym.

I started the day with my 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 for comfort and healing. Ava is still having some double vision issues and she see's a doctor this morning to determine if she will need surgery to straighten out the problem. Hopefully it will do that on its own and she can get back to her playing the game. They sure could have used her in the first half as the team fell behind by 13 points but came back in the second half and won by 10. It was a close game until the last 2 minutes when the other team fouled a lot in hopes to get back in the game.

I got in an hour or so of good exercise on the pickle ball court with some good players but then just too many showed up on damp chilly morning and I decided since I still had some coughing issues to rest the body the rest of the day. I came back and had some breakfast then settled into some honey do's before spending the afternoon on the lap top watching Israel videos on the war  and reading until supper time. I didn't do anything in the gardens as it rained over night and the ground looked wet.

We ate some leftovers for lunch then had a frozen pizza doctored up with fresh mushrooms for our early supper as we watched to catch part of the middle school basketball game which they lost big to the catholic school in Tampa. They were a well coached team with team players and their varsity beat us last time as well in a close match. We play that school in a week or so here at home so hopefully that will make a difference as last time it was one sided in their favor despite our players coming from behind to go ahead at one time, oh well.

I tried to watch some of the NFL game but prime TV was not showing it and Nancy had the big TV in the front room so I watched the final in the ALONE show. Wow, was it ever a grueling cold final but the winner who stayed in the frozen north for close to two months walked away with a half million bucks, not bad for 60 days of being on your own and alone in a vast rugged landscape. I could have done that and would have loved to that as some of these contestants were not to smart. Country boys know how to survive, oh well its past my prime now at this age but I see myself doing many things different especially on procuring food by fishing and hunting, LATER

Thursday Morning Jan 4th

 Well Wednesday was another very chilly start of the day and while we did get some sunshine in the afternoon it never really got warm enough to wear shorts and a t-shirt, and then we got rain later in the evening and for most of the night. It must have warmed somewhat over night as I threw off a cover that we had put on the bed for the last couple of nights. I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up for comfort and healing. Not much new on Ava and her eye issues but she sees a surgeon on Friday to determine if she will need to be operated on for the issue. Hopefully it will correct itself and she will not be needling this procedure. Keep praying that happens.

I drove to the REC around 8 and played for over an hour but did not want to drain my strength plus the play wasn't that great on this day when its open play with many less than competent players, many of who are over weight or aged women folk with beginning skills. I did play with a couple but soon tired of them and left for the library to pick up a couple new reads before heading home. I ate a bowl of oatmeal despite an apple on the way to the REC after getting home. I piddled around the gardens checking on some plants and once again the rat poison was untouched, hooray. I think maybe I have wiped out the family of rats that was eating my plants.

I harvested a huge mess of leafy greens and even a mess of collards for Betsy and Gus who came later in the afternoon for a visit. She brought us and Amy some ham salad she had prepared which is always delicious. I cleaned and made a huge bowl of salad which we will eat today for lunch and then I settled into You Tube and some videos on the war in Israel. They are killing the top commanders of Hamas and good riddance to these barbarians who slaughter, rape and mutilate babies and women. I sure hope the Americans who support these atrocities wake up to what could happen to them if these barbarians succeed in destroying Israel which is not going to happen as we all know they are GOD's chosen as recorded in the Bible. We ate the leftover taco meat for lunch and then the leftover black eyed pea soup for supper which was delicious.

After the clean up I headed into read until shower time around 8:30 and then ALONE time on the TV until 10'ish, LATER

Wednesday Morning Jan 3rd..2024

 Well Tuesday was another quite chilly morning to start the day and while we did see lots of sunshine the air stayed cool all day long with temps into the 60's. I drove to the Rec for some pickle ball around 7:30 as I'm still having some congestion mostly in my voice but it seems to be getting better and the voice is coming back. I only played hard for an hour or so then came home to eat some breakfast before venturing out to hand water the gardens. We decided it was time to get the containers out of the attic and take down our Christmas decorations which is another chore but since its only once a year we were happy to do it.

I did some checking on changing insurances because of the USAA commercial since I'm a veteran but found out they were 400 bucks more a year than what I'm paying which I thought was too much, so I guess I'm lucky with what I'm paying for insurance and then I found out they don't insure homes in our area either as I was hoping to bundle the two, oh well. The cost of insurance is outrageous in my book but what are you going to do because I know lots of folks out there don't care and drop their coverage as soon as they get their plates.

We got the tree and all the decorations once again stored and packed away and up into the attic in large tubs as many are keepsakes that will be passed down to our kids. We did get some news that frightened us for grand daughter Ava who was injured in a basketball game last Thursday at school. She was injured around the left eye and has been seeing double vision so Tyler took her to a regular eye doctor and he discovered a hairline crack in her eye brow from a cat scan that some fatty tissue has entered into the area causing the double vision and she may have to have surgery to have it removed. They consulted a doctor and he suggested they wait until Friday before doing surgery to see if it will remove itself, instead of having to go in and remove it. Please keep her in your prayers for complete healing as she is a warrior and wants to get back to playing but the vision issue is a scary one for all of us and her.

Well the rest of the day was hanging clothes on the line to dry which they did fine despite the coolness in the air and doing some honey do's. We decided to have deer tacos for our supper and they were delicious to say the least from meat neighbor Gerald in the mountains blessed us with. Of course the meat was delicious as it ate my gardens from time to time and now I'm eating it, oh well, getting even or paybacks are not with out risks, LOL.

I watched some videos on whats happening in Israel and the IDF is doing a great job eliminating the terrorists but with a price to pay as they too are loosing soldiers in the fight. It's hard to believe the cowards hide behind those who are supposed to be their people and only are fighting for their beliefs. They could care less about the people they are supposed to represent but only want more power and control by using them as a shield for their ideology. Barbarians is too kind of a description for them and what they did to innocent civilians is evil as more and more evidence is being exposed of their actions on Oct.7th, LATER

Tuesday morning Jan 2nd

 Well the first day of this new year was spent with family at our son's place in Brandon and it was awesome to say the least. The food was so good and plentiful as well but more on that later.

I started the day with a sleep in as we had been up two hours past my normal bedtime due to watching the ball drop, so I tried to make up for it by sleeping in or staying in bed until after 7'ish. Needless to say my internal clock had me awake at the usual, well before 6 normal rollout. So I gave in and got up and did my usual 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 seem to be holding as of this post.

I piddled around on the lap top until Nancy make us an egg sandwich for breakfast then headed out to check on the garden. She initially had the heat on to take the chill off the house but the sun was out and it quickly warmed up as I hand watered the gardens. I had put rat poison out for about 4 days in a row and last night they had not eaten any, so just maybe they had succumbed to its effects and I've wiped out this nest and saved my garden from their eating everything, plus they are nasty creatures.

I watched a few minutes of the annual tournament of roses parade and it looked like it was quite chilly in the L.A area or Pasadena where the parade and bowl game is held. I should have gone down to see it one year and thought about it when I lived in California but the drive was considerable, so I never did. We did watch the game at Bobby's along with all the family and Michigan won over a tough Alabama team who I thought would win the whole thing, but it looks like Blue maybe the dark horse in the game this year.

We got to Bobby's around 2'ish and played with the boys and helped set up for when everyone came around 3'is. We ate around 4'ish and had a ton of food with pulled pork barbecue, smoked ribs which Bruce made and brought along with mac and cheese, slaw and Nancy blacked pea soup, deviled eggs, a fancy bread and roasted veggies and of course two kinds of home made cookies.

Dee and Mike came down from Woodstock to visit with their two girls Halley and Kelly and their 5 grands. Kelly and Jordan now live in the area as he is in the USAF at MacDill and Halley with her husband Cody are in Nebraska with their two boys. Tammy came with husband Rich and one daughter Brook, the other one decided to sleep in and forgo the party and then Amy and Family including Tyler, Ava, Sam and Eliza came as well as Katie's sisters Kayla and Kelly and their parents Lynn and Bruce, so their was a great crowd on hand and some of us had never met some of the kiddo's. It was a great time of family and fellowship as most everyone was on my side of the family. We took one picture of just those with the Triplett blood and it was most of the crowd in attendance.

Everyone left just before dark around 5:30 and headed home. There were lots of hugs and well wishes by all. Halley and her family leave Wednesday for Nebraska as they drove and Dee and Mike leave Thursday for Woodstock as they brought and stayed in their camper along with Bonnie their dog. The Ross Family heads back to school this AM and Amy heads back to school at Keswick where the kiddos all attend as a pre-school teacher and we of course will do our retirement thing with me back on pickle ball court this AM and then we will take down the tree and decorations from Christmas. What a joyous we time we had this year, LATER

Monday Morning Jan 1st 2024... Happy New Year

 Well Sunday was an awesome day of corporate worship at SRBC. We worked the front guest desk and met two new families who visited for the first time and one lady met Nancy after the service and hugged her for showing her around. We had a full building that seats a little over 800 folks, not counting several who watch from the atrium and not counting all of the children and nursery.

I gad started the day 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 by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this post. It was a chilly morning so the heat went on for the first time this winter but soon cut it off as the morning skies quickly showed some sunshine. By late morning it had warmed up considerably and the heat stayed off the rest of the day until this morning Nancy had the heat on to take off the chill.

I watched the sloppy Bucs lose again to a team they beat earlier in the season and now are on the verge of losing out for the playoffs which I doubt they will go far even if they make it in. I then watched a couple other games until it was time to head over to the Nymark's for the party to watch the ball drop at midnight. We had tons of finger foods all of which were delicious through out the evening.

There were 8 couples and we played several different games; some played "hand and Foot", some played dominos, some played sequence an Jim watched football and cat napped. As the evening progressed we all played LOGO's which we all gathered around in their spacious living room trying answer questions about certain memes and jingo's that advertised their products. It was guys vs gals and they(gals) barely won both games but we all had lots of fun. After the ball dropped everyone gave hugs and said goodbyes. One couple left around 11 but everyone else stood the test of time despite our bedtimes were two hours earlier. The Botbyl's rode with us and we dropped them off. I soon hit the sack but Nancy had coffee earlier in the evening and was up until 2'ish wide awake.

The neighbor hood was alive with fireworks which sounded like bombs going off and behind us they had a bon fire with music and laughter until the wee hours. I managed to finally get some sleep around 1'ish, LATER