Thursday Morning Feb 29th Leap Year

Well Wednesday was another buy day with lots of exercise on the pickle ball courts, lawns mowed and some garden work. I also watched some of the high school basketball finals on the lap top after lunch and then of course some videos on the war in Israel and we ended the day at SRBC for our meeting with several others.

I started the day with a 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. That list is getting longer daily as several we know who are in need of the great physician care and healing, but all seem to holding as of this post. I headed out a little before 8 to the REC on my bike for 2 hours of pickle ball play. It was open today so that meant beginner's with just two of us advanced players in attendance. We met up with two intermediates and played outside on the court despite it being a little on the breezy side which cause the ball to act differently than inside. Anyhow we played hard and worked up a sweat and got in some great exercise. Today we will be back in the gym hopefully for at least two hours with all advanced.

I made a stop at the library for a new read then headed home to have a snack before firing up the lawn mower and mowing the yards. Afterwards I did some hand watering and by then it was lunch time. I made a Caesar salad from my romaine plants and Nancy gave me some of her first loaf of home made sour dough bread. It was delicious despite it appearance, which wasn't beautiful, but oh so good. She is in the baking mode and made another loaf of cinnamon bread. Seems neighbor Carol gave her a starter  which she added some flour to and now she is experimenting with bread making and is loving it. The only bad part is the carbs that go to the belly roll, oh well.

Tyler wanted me to get a rototiller for the gardens which should help with keeping the grass and weeds out this summer so when I come back in October the gardens want be so over grown. I purchased one on line and now I can turn all of the leaves I've collected into mulch which will become good worm food and hopefully keep the soil in better shape. If it turns out to be as good as the videos show I may even get one for the mountains. This one is electric and so much easier to use than the gas powered one which is a bear to handle.

Well we had just veggies for our supper then headed off to church. The group is getting larger each time we attend and our pastor Derek does a different topic monthly. We are talking about emotions how we handle them as christians in todays culture. Great study and of course we known emotions are created by GOD into man and they can become sinful or just the opposite.

Well that was about it as we got home around 8:30 and I read until 9 then hit the showers and was soon out by 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 28th

 Well Tuesday was another almost perfect winter day with cool temps to start the day and then low 70's by day's end with ton's of sunshine and no humidity. Nancy took the chill off when she awakened but that was it for the day and no a/c for a change. I started the day much the usual with a before 6 rollout to my usual 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 as well as expected due to ages and heath concerns. I did see where an old classmate a couple years older than me passed away and was once married to an old church member at St.John's Church where I grew up in before leaving home.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of good pickleball play as it was mainly for advanced players. We only had one who was an intermediate but she came late and is improving. I managed to stay on the court for most of the morning and left whupped. I made a stop at the library to pick up a new read before heading home against a stiff breeze. After a snack of a banana I worked in the gardens transplanting some lettuce seedlings and then hoeing everything as well as harvesting two batches of collards and a huge mess of leafy greens and lettuces for neighbors, the bug man and a secretary at the Rec. which I took with me on my bike in the morning to play pickle ball.

The garden is doing great but we do need rain once again as I'm back to watering by hand twice a day. Everything is just exploding with growth and maturity and I will have so many tomato's to give away once they start turning, especially since Nancy has to limit her intake due to the ulcers in her tummy, oh well. Well I spent the afternoon on the laptop after a lunch of leftovers watching the war in Israel and then the basketball team who beat Keswick in the regional finals in Ft. Myers. They won their game and will play for the championship in Lakeland this week. I get the high school network for sports which we paid a subscription for when we couldn't go to a couple away games. Its still good for another couple days before it ends.

Well Trump won big again and I'm thinking maybe America is waking up to the corrupt dem's in gov't and he will be elected in November to straighten out this nation. This administration is doing everything to destroy US(A) and now they are letting in some many criminal illegals to start a war here in our nation. GOD HELP US(A), LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 27th

 Well Monday started out 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 are holding as of this post. I seem to be finally getting over this sinus issue as well as the cough which had lingered on for over three weeks. I played pickle ball outside in the sunshine for a couple hours with some good players and one old friend from church who is from Canada but since sold out in Seminole and moved to south St.Pete where he plays the game there with different guys. We had a good time with 6 of us outside on the court.

After pickle ball I harvested a mess of leafy greens as Sheri and Steve were coming by on their electric bikes to pick them up and they stayed for an hour or so until lunch time. After a lunch of a delicious garden fresh salad I ventured in to check the news and then worked on filing my income tax for this year. I over paid and I'm getting a refund which is always nice. I worked outside in the gardens hand watering later in the afternoon and every thing is looking good with tons of tomato's on the vine. We got a call from middle sister Pat in W. Va. that her hubby Keith was in for some eye surgery in the hospital and will be there for a week as they found a melanoma behind the eye and has to be on some radiation for at least a week. Hopefully they can correct that issue as he has some other health concerns.

We spoke with our "mountain mom" Helen and she sounded good after celebrating 95 years young a week ago. She still lives alone in her cabin in the mountains of N.C. but does have some assistance now for driving her to and from places she needs to go and a neighbor checks on her daily. Her brother Joe is away from his place and while a year older still wants to come back to his place near Helen. He has issues with his legs and its doubtful he will be able to be alone again. Everyone else is holding as of this post.

Nancy prepared a delicious chicken dish with fresh veggies sauteed and put over rice for our supper. Very healthy with peppers, celery, onion, water chestnuts and sugar peas out of the garden. I need to transplant some lettuces seedlings into the garden proper today as they have added another leaf. I gave neighbor Carol a sack full as well when she visited later in the afternoon. After the cleanup from supper I headed in to check on the war in Israel and then to read until it was shower time. After a hot shower it was some TV  time in the bedroom until lights out for me at 10. Not sure what time Nancy came in but it was after I hit the sack, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 26th

 Well Sunday was an awesome day of worship both on line and with our own SRBC. The weather was very nice compared to the last two Sunday's with warm temps and lots of sunshine and after church we met up with dear friends the Nymark's for lunch or brunch at a swanky eatery in Clearwater. More on that  later.

I started the day much the usual 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. The lists get longer each day it seems, but all are holding as of this time. We had a lite breakfast before settling in to watch Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg at 8:30 and then we headed out around 10'ish for our local church. There was a huge crowd with mostly seniors but we did see some younger families attending which is a great thing. It was missions week and once again a pastor from Argentina brought the message and it was a great one as well as the one we heard on line. We hugged a lot of folks and shook many hands both coming and going as we worked the outside doors and welcome desk for any first time new comers. 

We hurried home afterwards and met Steve and Sheri who were already out of their church and drove to Clearwater for our reservation at the Island Way Grill. My oh my the number of folks in that place both inside and out was mind bogging and the many types of food was unbelievable. I stayed mainly with seafood starting with raw oysters on the half shell from Virginia, boiled shrimp, crab salad and some some sushi to start with, then I moved to baked salmon, shrimp and grits, roast beef and finally some bacon and quiche. The last trip was for some small desserts. Needless to say I waddled out of the place as did everyone else. We dined for over an hour as it was buffet style and you could go back as many times for as much as you wanted. Everyone else did the same with different plates of what ever suited their tastes. It's pricey at 37 bucks a person or so but very delicious and quality dishes especially the oysters which were shucked in front of you and oh so tasty.

After that late brunch it was going on 3 before they dropped us off and it was time to vegetate until around 5 when I headed out to hand water the gardens. I never put another thing in my mouth except for my pills around 5 and I'm still full this morning as well. Thankfully I'll be on the pickle ball court this morning in hopes of working off some of these calories. I watched some hockey, college basketball and some "mountain men" show on the the TV before calling it a night around 10:30, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 25th

 Well Saturday was a busy fun filled day with some delicious eatin' for our supper at SRBC with "steak out" ending missions week with close to 250 folks in attendance. Nancy and I volunteered in the kitchen which you could imagine was very busy but there were plenty of help before, during and afterwards. The food was very good and plentiful.

I had 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 are holding as of this post. We headed out around 10 to Keswick School to watch the final basketball games for the youths and Eliza scored 3 baskets as her team won 1st place in the tournament. She was awesome both on scoring and defense through out the games. One of the players on the other team and in her class also goes to church with us and he helped in the kitchen last evening along with his parents. He is such a sweet and very nice young boy and we really like him.

We came back for a late lunch and I finished the last of the Zuppa soup and then Nancy put several sweet taters in to bake for the supper at church. needles to say they dripped onto the bottom of the oven and now she has a mess to clean up. I told her to put foil on the bottom but what do I know. We headed over to the fellowship hall around 2'ish and worked there until after 8 last evening. It was a fun time and we got to know our missionaries from Brazil, Argentina, Australia and Japan. I've been to Australia and Japan but never made it down to South America. It was a fun time and we both love serving fellow Believers especially at SRBC.

It was after 8 before we got home so I hit the shower and was soon watching some "mountain men" show on the TV in the bedroom until 10, then it was lights out for me. Today we work the front doors at the second service and then we are being taken out for a delicious brunch in Clearwater by the Nymark's as a reward for Nancy getting Sheri a great travel client from Sparta. This place we are going is by reservation only and the food is very good and such an assortment from breakfast to dinner with such a variety prepared by chefs who know how to cook. We have been there once before on their dime and while it is pricey but oh so good, we are looking forward to the dining and of course the fellowship, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 24th

 Well Friday was a busy fun filled day that ended with us playing cards at the Nymark's along with another couple. I started the day with a 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 by name. All seem to be holding at this time. We had to be at Keswick around 10 for grand parents day for Eliza as she is in the 4th grade. Next year will be her last year in elementary and the last day to honor us as that only runs through those years, oh well. We so enjoy this occasion. We signed her out and brought her home for a lunch of leftover Zuppa, her choice as we gave her several, but the soup was it and it was oh so delicious after being a couple days old.

Nancy took her to pick up Sam at school who got out early as well and then took both of them home to meet up with Tyler and Ava after she got back from her doctor's appointment. She now has been cleared to play sports again which thrills her and of course us as well. I piddled around in the garden and then settled into a new J.A. Jance Book. She is a fabulous author and her books are page turners as well.

Nancy had a 3 PM doctor's appointment regarding her endoscopy and she still has the ulcer which has begun to bleed which makes that even more serious. She fudges on food and drink which isn't good for it so now I hope she pays attention and lays off certain acid producing foodstuffs, plus take a medicine he prescribed, oh well.

After the doctor visit we headed to Sam's Club for some items that both Amy and we needed and then headed home for some supper before heading over to Steve and Sheri's for some cards with another couple who have been friends for years with them. Well the gals put it on us with two consecutive wins in "hand and foot" and we played some Golf another card game and the gals won that as well. At least we were sleeping with winners. After a hot shower it was some bed time around 10'ish. Today is another busy fun filled day with some work involved as we first go to Eliza's final basketball game at 10 and then to SRBC around 2'ish to work in the kitchen for the "Steak Out" to end the week of missions and then on Sunday it's church and then out with the Nymark's for a brunch at the Island Way Grill which is fabulous to say the least, LATER

Friday Morning Feb 23rd

 Well Thursday started out with the heat on here in usually warm Florida as it was in the upper 40's once again. We've had the heat on in the mornings to take the chill off all week long. I suppose I could go with out it, but Nancy needed it. The windows and doors were opened after lunch until the evening shadows started to fall then it was close the house. Such is the daily routines with temps here this time of the years. I even sat outside reading for a couple hours after lunch it was that nice in the sunshine.

I started the day with my usual 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 seem to be holding as of this post. I decided since Nancy was going to be away at SRBC helping with the supper coming up on Saturday evening for the missionaries that I would head to the Rec for some pickle ball. I played quite well, winning all of my matches with different partners for the first hour and then I could feel myself getting tired and lost my first match with an intermediate player. I needed the rest and then played a couple more matches before calling it a day. I felt like a rock star as several folks came up wondering how I was doing after hearing I had been suffering from this cold issue. We had basically all advanced players accept for a couple which made for good play through out the morning.

I came home after a stop at the library to return a read, to work outside in the gardens until lunch time. I did some hoeing and then some hand watering and harvested a couple more cucumbers which are delicious. I found one that I had missed that had grown down between the fences and it was too large to get through the holes in the fence, plus when I cut it open the seeds were too large; not sure how I missed it growing so large. Everything looks great and I'll harvest more leafy greens today for the salad bowl. I had a salad for lunch as well.

Today I'll skip pickle ball because its grand parents day at Keswick School so we will attend for Eliza and then bring her home for lunch and then the afternoon. Ava sees the doctor this morning to see if she will be released to play sports again. The basketball season is over but she wants to run track and then play flag football. We will miss the twins first T-Ball game on Saturday but we have too much on our plates to drive over there as its Eliza final game and then we have the supper at church where we will work it, starting around 2 in the afternoon. Then we are meeting the Nymark's for brunch on Sunday after church at a awesome eatery in Clearwater and then tonight we are at their place for cards after supper. Busy, Busy is our weekend and life, oh well, LATER 

Thursday Morning Feb 22nd

 Well Wednesday turned out to be a very nice winter day after a some what chilly start with temps in the upper 40's and eventually reached the low 70's by late afternoon. Tons of sunshine but that northern breeze kept it from really getting hot as the direct sun was hot. 

I had started the day much the usual with my routines that begin after a before 6 rollout to my 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 the post. I skipped pickle ball again as I'm still hacking up some juicy more crud but feel almost healed from whatever invaded my sinuses and chest. I' haven't used any OTC medicine for a couple days and I've let the immune system take over with the help of raw garlic and some vitamins and supplements.

Nancy was off to see the doctor about her jaw pain and as it turned out its TMD or TMJ which are close and both share the same issues of pain in the jaw and difficulty in chewing, so there isn't much the doctors can do at this point and it seemed to get better as the day progressed. I worked outside after it warmed up hoeing and hand watering the gardens and then took a long bike ride through the hood after lunch which felt great. I even sat outside in the sun and bathed my feet and finished up another real crime read set in Sweden called A DARK HEART. The bad daughter and her boy friend were the culprits and eventually he was tricked into believing he would get away with the murder of her father and burying the body in a field for nearly 2 years and that he would inherit the farms and tons of cash. Its quite different in the sentencing in that country as they only received 18 years each behind bars for the murder and then hiding the body in order to receive all the father had accumulated, oh well.

Well we headed out around 6:30 for the week of missions at our church and there must have 2 to 300 folks in attendance as we met and heard stories from missionaries from Brazil, Argentina, Japan and Australia. It was quite informative and will go on all week with a huge dinner on Saturday night which Nancy and I both will work in the kitchen. We will attend again tonight as we will help with the greeting of folks at the front door and Nancy will be off this morning to help with some prep work for the dinner on Saturday. It was going on 8:30 before we got home and then it was shower time and some TV in the bedroom before lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 21st

Well after a chilly start with temps in the low 50's it warmed up considerably by the afternoon enough so it was shorts and t shirt the rest of the day and then by late evening the chill was coming back into the air. Almost perfect winter day except for the heat being on a couple times. I started the day with my usual 6'ish rollout to my routines that begin 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. I took another day off from pickle ball as I'm still hacking up junk in the morning but the coughing has just about ceased and the sinuses have cleared. I've quit taken the OTC medicine and relying on just supplements and of course my use of raw garlic I grow in the mountains.

I din't do much until it warmed up outside but then hung some laundry and worked in the gardens for a spell. The sun was actually very hot but the cool breeze kept it comfortable to be working outside so I decided to do a long bike ride through the neighborhood,  to keep my legs in shape. I also did a short trip to the library for a book I had ordered on-line and returned a couple I had finished. I have got in a lot of reading since I've been down with this junk and staying away from the gym. I'm hoping to head back this morning for a work out on the courts and maybe even some weight room workout as the spare tire has inflated with all this eating out.

Nancy is having some issues around her right jaw and ear with lots of pain and some swelling. She is off to see a doctor this morning. I'm thinking she has an ear or sinus infection as well as its come on suddenly. She did prepare a sumptuous meal last evening for Amy's family of sauerkraut and pork with dogs and kielbasa, smashed taters plus some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies which I stayed away from. Delicious to say the least and its been awhile since we last had this combination which we all love. They stayed until 8:30 then headed home as it was a school night. Ava was sad that her basketball team lost in the finals on Monday night and now are through for the season. She heads to the doctor on Friday to see if she is released to play sports again at school.

I hit the shower after they left and we put the house back in order and was soon watching some show in the bedroom until lights out around 10:30, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 20th

Well Monday started out quite chilly and stayed that way most of the day as the stiff northern breeze kept the temps down into the low 50's,  to start the morning. It eventually warmed up to the low 60's. There was plenty of sunshine after a wet start from the overnight rains but it quickly dried things out enough I had to hand water some of the gardens by late afternoon. Everything survived the 3 inches or so of rain and wind. My neighbor across from us has a huge tree and a limb broke off causing some roof damage.

I started the day with my usual 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. All seem to be holding as of this post. We spoke with our "mountain mom" who turned 96 and she had a great day with lots of family visiting and then she was off to Cracker Barrel for supper down off the mountain.

I'm still having some effects from this sinus cold or what ever with tons of discharge both from coughing and blowing my nose but I think its on the way out since using some strong OTC medicine called Allegra twice a day. I also did the procedure where you squirt warm salt water up one nostril and it cleans out the sinuses, wow does that ever clear out your head. I finished another book then settled into the war in Israel and learned this corrupt potus of ours is now calling for Israel to stop the war and give the terrorists a chance to rebuild. Such a betrayal and I hope Israel doesn't listen to him or the UN which is a terrorist supporting agency.

Well the Keswick girls basketball team travelled to Ft. Meyers to plan a school there and they got beat. Amy and Tyler went down to watch them play and support the team so we had Sam and Eliza for a supper of zuppa soup which they love and then we played games afterwards. Nancy took them home around 8 and stayed with them until Amy and Tyler got home around 11. I watched the Lightning get beat again and then hit the shower and was in bed by 10'ish, LATER 

Monday Morning Feb 19th

Well Sunday started out with rain during the night and it rained all day long and was still raining when I called it a day around 10'ish last evening. We needed the rain but a break for a couple hours especially during church time would have been nice, but it was not a deterrent to those who regularly worship at SRBC. Nancy and I worked outside under the porte cochere welcoming visitors and I held the door for both incoming folks and afterwards as they left. We had a missionary from Argentina who came a gave great message on being fervent for the gospel in our daily lives.

I had started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin 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 as I've heard nothing to the contrary. We worshipped on line with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. with Gary Hamrick's son Austin, giving a very good message and then again at our SRBC. The auditorium wasn't filled with a few empty seats but close despite the inclement weather. It had cooled down as well with all this rain. After the service we met up with 2 other couples for a lunch at Carmelitas, a Mexican eatery not far from the church. The food was tasty and the salsas and chips are the best. After eating we made a stop at Sam's to fill up the truck at 3.16 a gallon, once again the price of gas is going up, thanks to this inept potus and his crooked green loving administration.

We came back and I watched some college basketball on the TV until 5'ish then settled into watching videos on the war in Israel and then read until time to get ready for bed. I did watch the final episode on ALONE where a 30 year stayed in the wild alone for some 80 days living off the land and in a make shift hut/leanto and he won half a million bucks. Not bad for nearly 3 months of staying alive in the wild with tons of cold temps and snow. 

Well it sounds like the rain has finally stopped for now and its supposed to stay cool for the next couple of days with highs in the 60's which is winter for us. I'm anxious to check the gardens to see how everything did. I have one more day of no pickle ball as the REC is closed for the holiday. I'm still hacking and blowing snot in the morning but I think the cold is getting better, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 18th

Well Saturday started out with some rain over night but eventually it let up for a couple hours and then it broke loose and rained all evening and night and its still sprinkling this morning and the temps dropped considerably. The prospects for sunshine today isn't looking good for Sunday's church attendances as Nancy and I will be working outside at least under cover the front doors and guest services at SRBC.

I had started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holdings as of this time. We had a lite breakfast and headed out to Keswick School to watch grand daughters Ava and Eliza on the basketball court. Ava helps coach the kids league and Eliza plays tough on the court despite her team losing this week by a point. She does quite well in her skills and actually play on the court and her sisters team won yesterday. Seems there is some sibling rivalry all in fun. The whole gym is filled with kids and parents which goes to show the interest in the sport as well as the school.

We came back and did some vegetating after a lunch of leftovers. I finished the bean soup and Nancy some deli meats and ham salad. I read the next couple of hours then watched college basketball until it was time to head out in a heavy down pour to pick up a couple of pizzas for supper. We had invited Dan and Carol over for cards and pizza and we tried a place which has been in the area since we have been here. Its a very thin crust almost like cracker thickness but tasty and now expensive. Two pies for 50 bucks. It fed us and enough leftover for lunch. Its first time I've had anchovies on half of the one pie that was loaded with everything else. It was tasty but I wouldn't get it there again, oh well. We had a fresh garden salad as well and then it was "Hand and Foot" card time for the next 3 or so hours.

The gals started out winning big like last time, but Dan and I won on the last hand by a hundred points and then the second game was a blow out by us, once again dominating the game. It was a fun evening while it poured rain. I'm sure our drought conditions are over for now. Well it was shower time after they left around 9:30 and then some ALONE time on the TV until 10'ish, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 17th

 Well Friday turned out to be another beautiful winter day after a some what chilly start and overcast skies but eventually it cleared off with bright sunshine most all day, enough so we hung a couple loads of laundry outside on the clothesline. I even sat outside after lunch for a couple hours reading and soaking my feet in vinegar and listerene which is supposed to kill any foot or toenail fungus, or at least thats what the dermatologist prescribed.

I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my morning routines that begin with some quiet moments 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 wasn't heading to the Rec for pickle ball until next week, but later did do a long bike ride through the hood to keep my legs in shape. I headed out to work in the gardens hoeing weeds and loosening the soil as well as hand watering everything. The new transplants look good and I noticed I finally have fruit set on the cherry tomato vine as well as tons of other tomato's set on almost all of my tomato plants. I did harvest another mess of greens and took them up to the Botbyl's.

Nancy was off with her sister Betsy who is on sick leave with some wrist issues. She needs to retire from the Post office as she has more than enough years in with them and her health isn't getting any better and of course she isn't aging well. They were off shopping and checking out the new Aldi's store at Tyrone. We have one close to us which we use a lot as their products are much cheaper than Publix, oh well.

I finished the Murdaugh saga and he was finally convicted of killing his son and wife to hide his corrupt business dealing as well as his drug dependency. Coming from a family of law enforcement and power within the community he sure let power corrupt him and now he is supposed to be imprison the rest of his life. I'm surprised he isn't given the electric chair as his linage was responsible for sending many to death row and the chair.

Well we had a nice garden salad with some chicken on top for our supper and it was delicious to say the least and after the clean up we watched Fox News for a change. Its amazing how corrupt our political  judicial system has become to keep Trump off the ballot, because I truly believe he will expose all the corruption in both systems and the powers that are now in control are scared he will win November. They railroaded Biden into office and now trying to railroad Trump from running and we are seeing how the country is suffering from this inept administration, oh well. Let the folks decide with an honest election which is how democracy works in a republic, LATER

Friday Morning Feb16th

 Well Thursday turned out to be a very nice day after a some what chilly start with temps in the 50's and it eventually reached the middle 70's with tons of sunshine and some high clouds but no moisture. I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to give thanks, honor my LORD and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this post. I'm still some what fighting this cold or sinus issue with some OTC stuff that is supposed to help clear this issue but so far I'm still having some congestion both in the head and the chest. It's not unbearable but enough I'm staying off the court until next week, oh well. Its just annoying to say the least.

I did piddle around in the garden transplanting some lettuce seedlings as well as harvesting 3 messes of greens and cleaning one mess for us and the salad bowl and giving away 2 other messes to friends and neighbors. The garden just loves these cool nights and warm days and of course I'm hand watering once again twice a day. I now have sugar peas ready to harvest for the salad bowl as well. The tomato's are setting fruits and while it will be another month or less before some are large enough to harvest there will be once they start ripening, enough to set up a veggie stand out front.

Nancy was off all morning to her women's Bible Class at SRBC and then again getting a hair color so I headed to the library to pick up some new reads and the first one is titled TANGLED VINES by John Glatt. He is a true crime writer and this one is a real page turner about the powerful Murdaugh Family in South Carolina. Wow, what a read and this family and its secrets are being exposed that include murder, greed and everything else that is imaginable among powerful people who set themselves apart or above the normal law abiding person(S). Its no wonder he was convicted and sentence but I haven't gotten but halfway through the book so far, but what a monster.

Nancy pan fried a couple of rib eye's we had cut off the huge Christmas roast for our supper along with some sauteed pea pods, yellow squash and mushrooms, delicious. I soon headed out to pick up neighbor Dan and we headed to SRBC for our weekly mens Bible study get together. We had about 16 fellers there and at least I wasn't the oldest for a change. It was going on 9 before we got back and I soon hit the shower and watched some ALONE on the TV until 10'ish, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 15th

 Well Wednesday started out on the chilly side but did warm up later in the afternoon and evening with tons of sunshine. I'm still off the pickle ball court for probably until next week despite getting some good allergy OTC medicine. I want to build back my strength before exerting myself the way I do. Oh well. I'll ride my bike today and get in some exercise plus I'll be working in the gardens.

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 several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding and now I have another to add to the list who we just learned has severe stage three breast cancer. She and her husband who has passed a couple years ago, were once great friends when our kids were going to IRCS together and we shared riding together. She and Nancy are the same ages.

I drove Nancy to her eye appointment in Largo then we stopped at the super Wal-Mart for some items before returning home to have a delicious salad for lunch. I hand watered the gardens afterwards and noticed every thing especially the new lettuce seedlings are doing well. I harvested a nice mess of collards and leafy greens for some dear sweet older friends from church and who also visits every Keswick basketball game. They have no grands in the area so they have taken the girls basketball team under their wing and that seems, besides church at SRBC to be their enjoyment in life.

I didn't do much after working in the gardens except read and watch You Tube video on Israel and a couple travel blogs. I visited the country of Turkey and found it to be interesting with lots of ancient history and ruins. Except for a couple of large cities it very rural and with vast mountains and plains and lots of small subsistence type farms. We here in America don't know how wonderful our standard of living is especially in rural areas. They have big city issues like we do with crime and violence as well.

We had a frozen pizza for supper doctored up with fresh mushrooms which was tasty and filling then we headed out to watch the girls destroy a team from Sarasota by 50 points in our regional playoffs. We now play next Monday against a very good team from down south who beat us last year and then when on to win the state championship. The first quarter wasn't good for us as we missed easy layups as well as many jump shots but eventually we got it together with our defense and went on to win big. Ava got to warm up with the team but couldn't play until the doctor releases her from her injuries. I don't believe she will make the game on Monday but if the team wins and goes to state finals she might make that game, oh well. The main thing is that she heals and get her vision back to normal.

That was about it for the day after getting back from the game as I soon hit the shower and some ALONE time on the TV before lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 14th

 Well it cooled off again nothing serious but what a change from a day ago when we had the a/c on. Its no wonder I can't get rid of this cold which is hanging on, oh well. I started the day with a sleep in until nearly 6:30 and then did my routines that begin with some quiet moments giving thanks, honoring my LORD and then lifting up several by name. All seem to be holding as of this post. Nancy had to be at the surgery center for her procedure at 8:30 and she couldn't eat or drink anything before hand so it was quiet around the house until we left.

I went in with her and was soon released for a couple hours to come and pick her up after the procedure where they once again took a biopsy from her stomach. Hopefully its just an ulcer that had flared up from months ago and she can get back to having normal conditions once again. Our life is regulated on what she might eat that could cause her pain or bathroom issues and while I can eat anything at most anytime hers isn't and we have to be aware of what and where we are doing or going, oh well, for Better or Worst.

I did a few outside garden chores after lunch before the cool temps really dropped for the night. I had start some butter crunch lettuce from seeds and transplanted several seedlings into the garden proper. I now have a couple of dozen new lettuce seedlings up and adding leaves for the salad bowl which we are trying to eat daily along with cucumbers and still a couple of roma's on the one plant. The green beans on the side garden are adding leaves as well as are the tomato plants adding small green fruit. If it holds I'll be giving away tomato's for sure. The beets also are starting to add some girth as well as we eat the delicious leaves in our salads.

Well we had a bowl of bean soup for lunch and some ham salad on crackers and then a huge garden salad for supper which was awesome and after the clean up we settled into the news until the Lightning came on the TV at 7. They were playing in Boston against the number one team and won in overtime which was a big win for them. I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE until lights out at 10'ish for me, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 13th

 Well Monday was another warm day with tons of wind, so much so I was afraid the tomato plants would blow over despite being staked. We did get some rain after dark and during the night but it seems to have stopped this morning. I'm still fighting this cold which is lingering on for some reason despite taking some OTC medicines and of course my garlic. I'm even laying off pickle ball for another day or so in hopes to build back my reserve, oh well. I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout after staying up the night before to watch the ending of the big game which was at least thrilling instead a blow out which usually happens.

I piddled around outside for a spell trying to get some water on the garden but the wind was so strong through out the day so I tried again later in the evening after it had calmed down some what. I didn't do much except read and watch videos on You Tube through out the day. Nancy boiled off a ham she had purchased last week and made ham salad as well as a pot of ham and beans for supper which was delicious. I helped by washing up the dishes and the food grinder which is a chore.

Amy, Sam and Eliza came by for some goodies and I harvested a mess of kale for Sam as he like kale leaves in the oven. He seemed to have grown some since we last saw him a week or so ago. What a fine young man and so mannerly and so talented on the wrestling mat. Betsy came by for a few and picked up some ham salad as well, but Gus stayed in the car so they didn't stay long. Nancy was off to Publix once again but forgot to get corn bread mix so we had crackers with our soup, oh well.

This morning she goes for endoscopy as she is still having tummy issues, so I'll take her and then go get her after the procedure. Hopefully they find what is giving her so much trouble and it can be corrected easily with out any surgery or further issues. This has been an ongoing issue for several years and we have tried everything to help, oh well.

We watched some Fox news for awhile and have become so disenchanted with the politicians who are selling out our nation and Israel that's its becoming alarming with this selected potus who is inept as well as a crook. We can only hope GOD intervenes and saves America from the evils within the country and those in the world who hate Israel and US(A),  LATER

Monday Morning Feb 12th

 Well we are back in Seminole after a busy fun filled weekend caring for our twin grandson's Ryder and Huck who are 4 year old's and full of energy and forever hungry. It was beautiful weather with tons of sunshine in Brandon and it got actually quite warm by the mid afternoons so much so the little fellers were forever playing along the edge of the pool wanting to go swimming but the water was just to cold. They did fall in partially a couple of times on purpose as well as dipping their faces in the water.

We had started Sunday morning much the usual with a 6'ish rollout and the boys slept in until close to 7 after sleeping all night long. We slept as well as can be expected in a strange bed and closer together since we have a king size they had a queen which we are use that at the cabin. We made do despite Nancy a worry wart over the safety of the twins. I did pretty good with the cold as it seems to abate during the day but the morning find me blowing my nose and coughing up junk, oh well.

We skipped any corporate worship in person but did watch an on line message and our home church on line as well with boys as they came in a time or two and listened to the music. We pray with them at bedtime and before each meal and they are quick to thank GOD during these moments. They are sweet boys, but boys and get into spats with each other but basically play quite well together. I pitched a lot of balls to both of them but Huck really never wore out whereas Ryder is in to basketball more that Huck, who just is getting very good batting the ball and never wore out.

We did a lot of swinging in the back yard and they did some climbing with a few mishaps and some tears but they quickly got over them with pop sickles and snacks. We turned then over to Katie's mom Lynn around 4:30 and headed home in what looked like a parking lot on the interstate thankfully going the opposite direction from us.

Everything looked good at home and the garden was dry so I hand watered it for a half hour before we had a salad and frozen pizza which held us perfect. The big game came on and we invited Dan down to watch the first half as he no longer has the sports channel on his cable. The 49'ners were winning at half time but lost in overtime to the Chiefs in what was a thrilling game for a change. I stayed up and watched the ending which was quite late for me. I think I'll give this body another day to get over this cold before getting back on the pickle ball court as I miss it dearly, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb11th

Well Saturday was a busy fun filled day that started with us being here in Brandon with the twins as we looked after them for the weekend. It was my usual before 6 rollout to my routines as they slept in until 7'ish but once they came down it was an on the go kind of day until we finally put them down around 8:30. After a breakfast of their choosing we loaded up ball equipment and headed to the ball field which was just a mile or so away. There I helped with T-Ball practice with mostly 4 year olds, some had no idea what they were doing and a couple just didn't want to play and a couple were very active in wanting to learn the skills. It was a hoot to say the least. I did Bobby's job and along with a couple parents we worked them for an hour which was pushing their attention span.

We came back and chilled for a couple hours until lunch then we were back outside playing ball and watching the twins ride their trikes until lunch time. Of course there were snacks in between meals as they are ever hungry and growing daily. We fried up some bacon which they both love and of corse both loved Nancy's shells and meatballs. They wanted them again for supper plus some chicken nuggets. We decided to take them over to a strawberry farm which also serves milkshakes and cobbler and make every thing right there as well as berries for sale. What a busy place and the line to order was long. Luckily we found an outside table to eat our shakes and we brought some berry's to take home today(Sunday evening).

The games were back on outside with both boys playing hard in their tree fort area as well as more pitching for them to hit the ball. Both played basketball and chased each other on the trikes around the pool area. Finally it was upper time and to leave the yard and the outside pool area and a glass of vino for me.They ate well then watched some TV until it was bath time and finally to bed around 9. It wasn't long after they went down it was shower time for me and I went down. So much for keeping up with twins who are 4 years old.

On a high note grandson Sam won all of his matches at the big Jiu-jitsu tournament at USF in Tampa and walked away with several gold medal in different classes. His dad Tyler posted the matches on Facebook and some were very tough but Sam prevailed in all of his matches. Congrats Sam.

Well we are scheduled to drop the twins off at Katies folks place in the neighborhood around 5'ish then head back to Seminole. We were going to take the boys to church this AM but since I'm still fighting this cold its best we stay home and not spread any germs, so we will worship on line at Cornerstone and SRBC, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 10th

 Well I'm making this post from Brandon after spending the evening and night here at my son's place watching over the twins, Ryder and Huck. We will be here until Sunday evening before returning back to Seminole hopefully in time to watch the last big game of this season, but if not I have no dog in the fight,

I started the day on Friday with my usual morning routines that start 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. All seem to be holding as of this post. I'm currently under the weather with a head cold and I'm not sure where I contracted it but I gave up playing any pickle ball this morning in hope my resistance wouldn't be any lessen.by being worn down physically, oh well. I'm sucking up some cough medicine before bedtime as well as my natural stuff and I bought some Zicam on the way over to Brandon at Publix. One of my players told me it really works against colds.

I piddle around the house and then the gardens hand watering it a couple times before we left as it will be a couple days before seeing any water again. Its supposed to reach the low 80's this weekend and dry so hopefully my recently transplanted seedlings survive. I did harvest a couple more cucumbers which are now starting to produce despite those couple of cold days a week or so ago and the 'maters are setting tons of fruit. I noticed the green bean are up after just over a week of sowed.

We picked up the twins a little before 5 and they were so excited to see us and we had a good evening with them as we played ball in the back yard and then they ate a really good supper of meat balls and pasta as well as some 'maters from Bob's garden and some cucumber from mine. We let them stay up close to 9 after a bath and they watch a Disney show. After prayers they seemed to settle down except for Nancy threatening them just once about coming up there, LATER

Friday Morning Feb9th

 Well Thursday turned out to be another beautiful winter day with cool temps to start and then into the 70's and a cool down at night with tons of bright sunshine. I 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 seem to be holding and now I developed a cold with some runny nose and mild coughing. Not feverish but just something to keep me from pickle ball this morning as we head over to Brandon around 3'ish to spend the weekend watching the twins.

I had a great workout on the pickle ball courts on Thursday morning with all advanced players. I played hard and guess I may have worn my resistance down a little as the day wore on I suddenly started having some indicators I may have caught a head cold. Anyhow I sat outside in the sun in hopes that would dry up the sinuses after working in the gardens. It was such a beautiful day and I even sat and read for awhile in the sunshine.

Nancy was off to her Friday Bible study group at SRBC so I had a great lunch of a fresh garden salad and then afterwards I harvested more leafy greens and cleaned them before she got home and filled the salad bowl once again. We will take that bowl with us to Brandon later this afternoon. Nancy made a nice bowl of meat balls and gravy also to take with us as the boys like them with noodles. We will be there until late afternoon on Sunday watching the boys.

We ate some leftover pulled pork for supper with fresh broccoli and then chilled watching the news as I skipped my mens Bible class due to this cold coming on. This fraud potus Biden came on TV to answer to the report he was innocent because of his mental incapacity to be charged with stealing classified documents. We all know he is a crook and is inept mentality and should not be in charge of our country as leader. The report points that out as why he wouldn't be found guilty of the crime because he didn't know he was committing a crime; such poppycock or better bullsh-t, yet the DOJ is going after Trump who is innocent of the charge. America had better wake up because we are on the brink of a world wide disaster with this administration.

Well that was about it for the day as the weekend is looking good for watching the boys weather wise. We will take them to T-Ball Saturday morning and then play outside. I think we will skip church with because of my cold as I don't want to spread the germs and hopefully the boys will stay healthy, LATER 

Thursday Morning Feb 8th

Well Wednesday started out on the chilly side and ended that way but during the day it was a perfect winter day with tons of sunshine with temps reaching the low 70's. I started the day much the usual with some quiet time after my well before 6 rollout 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 around 7:45 for the REC on my bike despite it being quite chilly with temps in the low 50's for two hours of pickle ball play with decent players. Usually on MWF there are so many less than advanced but today 4 of us advanced players were able to keep one court the whole morning so we didn't have to go outside and play. I was whupped went we called it a day at 10'ish and pedaled home to piddle around in the garden.

I transplanted some carrot seedlings which I had thrown seeds into one area and they were growing too closely together. I'm hoping these will make as you usually don't transplant them but I did last year and some of them made nice carrots. If these couple dozen do well then I'll transplant several more later on. The lettuce seedlings are doing fine and I did harvest a nice mess of collards and other leafy greens for Betsy when she and Gus came by for a visit. She has a ton of ills but refuses to retire as she will be pitted with Gus full time, oh well.

I didn't do much after a lunch of a fresh garden salad except watch the war in Israel and then Betsy and Gus came around 3'ish and stayed for what seemed forever, oh well. We unloaded the last of the coconut cake which I over indulged on desserts after a healthy lunch. Those desserts taste so good and Nancy had a ton leftover from the Tuesday night small group supper and I tasted both of them. So glad to get rid of them as it just blows my chance to lose a little of the belly fat.

We headed out around 5 for Keswick's district girls playoff game which Ava is still on the bench until she is let go by the doctor. She may be able to plat if they go to the state finals but until then she is just a morale booster. Her team beat a Clearwater team by 45 points and it was a blow out to say the least. We stayed and watched a little of the other game and IRCS was beating the home team, Canterbury. I must say that gym was so dark and dingy I'm surprised they would hold playoff games there. It was going on 9 when we got home so I hit the shower and watched some ALONE until 10 on the TV, Later

Wednesday Morning Feb 7th

 Well Tuesday after a some what chilly start turned out to be very nice day with a breeze that kept it quite comfortable through out the day with no a/c on, an as night time drew it cooled down once again to sweater weather. 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.

We had a 10 pound pork butt roasting at 250 degrees in the oven over night and I wanted to get it on the smoker for a couple hours before I headed out to the Rec for pickle ball. The meat was just about to fall off the bone when I put it on the smoker and the apple wood flavor was awesome by the time I took it off around 10:30 and Nancy pulled it apart and put the meat in the fridge until later when our group came at 5:30. We had 5 folks to cancel for various reasons but still had a large turnout with 11 of us here for a delicious meal of pork, tater salad, asian salad, roast carrots and macaroni salad with 3 desserts. Nancy wasn't sure if Patrick was able to make it and he was bringing a store bought cherry pie plus Nancy made a coconut cake and a chocolate cake, oh well. I passed on the desserts except for a piece of chocolate cake.

After the meal we gathered around in the front room discussing last weeks sermon with questions about the message from Romans where Paul is expressing that faith is the only way to salvation through Jesus, not works or the obeying of the law and that gift was available to all. We gathered until it was going on 9'ish when everyone decided to leave except Dan and Carol who hung around for another hour. We gave away lots of desserts which was a blessing as I don't need the sugar and Nancy certainly doesn't despite her love of desserts.

I forgot to mention that pickle ball was once again very popular and on the advanced players day we had several waiting, so 5 of us took the net and played outside for an hour and a half. It was sunny with a breeze which made it challenging to say the least and we all left a little after 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 6th

Well Monday started out with rain that lasted until close to noon. I had started the day with my well before 6 rollout 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, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to the Rec in the truck as the radar had a big rain storm heading our way and it sure hit around 9'ish. Several of us pickle ball players tried to play outside and got in a couple sets before the rain started and then we headed inside to play until 10. I got in a good workout despite so many waiting to get on the courts as it was open play today. Now today Tuesday it is closed for advanced players only but I'm sure some who think they are advanced will show up and spoil the games, oh well.

After getting back from the Rec I left the truck out and then had a snack before heading off to run some errands. First it was to Sam's Club for a large pork butt that I had them cut in half so it would be easier to smoke and get dun more easier and then I stopped for some propane at Ace hardware in Largo before coming home for some lunch. After lunch I headed out to work in the gardens transplanting 20 or so new lettuce seedlings from seed and then to hoe all of the gardens. Everything is looking good and the rain over the past couple days have really been a big help with keeping the garden moist.

The sugar peas are blooming big time as is the tomato's, cucumbers and egg plant. I believe our coldest temps for the year are over as the temps behind this front is moderate. I sat outside in the back yard during the afternoon soaking my feet in white vinegar, listerine and a little water which helps to kill any foot or toenail fungus. My dermatologist gave me this method and it works when ever I start to see any ring worm which comes from foot fungus. Now I do it as a preventative measure a couple times a week.

I did some honey do's for Nancy as we are entertaining our life group this evening for supper and she gets all in a tizzy with making sure everything is just right to her specifications. Our house is small so the only issue is seating everyone after eating to discuss our meeting. I'm sure it will be just fine. I watched some of the videos on the war in Israel and now the US is finally taking out some of the terrorists in Yemen, Syria and Iraq. Too bad they don't just blow Iran away or at least those in the gov't that is leading all of these terrorist proxies.

Well we cleaned up the leftovers from Sunday family dinner for our supper and it was just as good as it was the day before if not better. After the cleanup I read until shower time and then some

 ALONE on TV, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 5th

 Well Sunday was a great day of worship and then family time with both kids and all 7 grands at the house for a birthday celebration for son Bobby who turned 43, wow where did that time go. What a fun time as well as a great feast and it was going on 8 when everyone decided to head out after giving the twins a bath. It had cleared up outside as well and the evening was quite comfortable. Next weekend we have a two night stay over at Bobby's as we watch the twins for the weekend while Bobby and Katie go skiing in Colorado.

I had started the day with my usual routines after sleeping in until nearly 6:30 with some quiet time to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding as of this post. We had watched an on line service before heading out a little before 10 on a rainy morning. Thankfully Gabe's two baseball games in St. Pete had been cancelled due to the rain which meant we didn't have go down there after church. We worked the Guest Desk at church and met several new folks as well and the service/message was awesome as well and we did communion. We so love this new church with a speaker/preacher who speaks the truth about the WORD and we have fitted right in with giving back as much time as possible to assist in any way with working small jobs before and after the services. Despite the wet morning the place seemed to be quite full the second service.

We came back and had a left over deer burger for lunch and then I settled into some small jobs before everyone arrived around 4'ish. The twins rode their scooters in the road as we watched out for traffic but there was very little on this afternoon. They tired and then we headed in to sample some fruit of the vine along with some finger foods before we settled into the big meal of King Ranch chicken, rice and black beans as well as a fresh garden salad and then a lemon coconut cake for dessert which all was very delicious. We sent the left over cake home for the Ross kiddos as Nancy is making another cake for our life group on Tuesday when we have 18 folks coming for pulled pork and a get together.

After they all left we put the house back in order and I got ready for some horizontal lab and some ALONE time on the bedroom TV. I was out by 10'ish, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 4th

Well Saturday turned out to be another nice day with heavy fog to start the morning and by noon it had cleared out of the area, but in the shade it was quite cool with the stiff breeze. We were at Gabe's ball game in south St.Pete and we were very cold sitting in the bleachers under several large oak tees. We stayed for the first game which turned out to be a close one but with a loss and so the time in between games was longer than expected so we left and headed back to Seminole with a stop at Cracker Barrel for an early supper.

I had started the day much the usual with a 6'ish rollout to my routines that began 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 piddled around on the computer until the fog cleared then headed out to give the garden a quick drink as I thought I wouldn't get back before dark because of the chance of staying and watching two games, but that changed when we left early and I did get back before dark to give the gardens another lite drink.

The area where the games were being played was a very large and nice complex with great ball fields, children play area, tennis courts and a skate board park as well as a water park and basket ball courts. Its close to the Boyd Hill nature park which I've heard of but never been there. The area is down near the Skyway Bridge which crosses the bay into Manatee County.

Well our meal at Cracker Barrel was delicious with Nancy having the meat loaf and me the fried chicken, we both had smashed tatters and gravy and she had Cole slaw and I the okra with each of us having the biscuits. Delicious and filling as well. We got back and I hand watered the gardens then settled into the war in the middle east and in Israel with videos from You Tube until it was shower time. I did watch a little of the women's basketball game after hitting the shower until bed time at 10'ish.

This afternoon after church we may have to go back down to the games if they don't get rained out and then Bobby and family along with Amy's family will all come for a birthday supper and celebration for Bobby as he turned 43 on Saturday. Nancy has most all of the food prepared ahead of time in case we have to attend the baseball game which we hope will get rained out, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 3rd

 Well Friday turned out to be another beautiful winter day after a some what chilly start. The temps reached the low 70's with tons of sunshine and then by late evening it started cooling off once again to sweater weather. Perfect with no humidity and no bugs.

I started the day much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that began 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. I headed out on my bike before 8 to the Rec for some 2 1/2 hours of pickle ball with 2 hours outside on the one court with 5 other good players and got in a great work out in the warm sunshine. It was close to 10:30 before I got back home to work outside in the gardens doing some transplanting of some seedlings and hoeing some weeds. I eventually hand watered everything and by then it was lunch time. Nancy had taken a morning hike as well and was ready for a garden fresh salad which was excellent. After lunch I vegetated on the laptop watching the war in Israel and then some survival video's that pitted man against the elements on an adventure of 4000 miles across Canada in canoe. Wow, what a video as he did something no one else had ever done during an almost 5 month journey fighting bugs, the rivers and occasionally wild life. It was self recorded using hand held Go Pro's cameras, etc.

I grilled some ground venison for our supper which was excellent cooked medium with some cheddar cheese on top and I had a bowl of collard greens that I cooked a couple days ago. They get better with age in the juice of smoked bacon, onion and chicken broth and some vinegar. After the cleanup we headed up to the Botbyl's to play cards with Steve, Sheri, Dan and Carol. Well, it was the night of the gals as they won both games of hand and foot for a change. That was a change as its usually us guys winning big over them. We got back to the house a little before 10 and I hit the shower and was soon under the covers for the night.

Today we travel down to south side St.Pete for Gabe's ball game at noon and then again at 4'ish. We will spend the day there for a change, plus its son's Bobby 43rd birthday as well. We will have all of the family here on Sunday for a big supper and celebration. Should be a great weekend but rain is expected for Sunday. This morning its so foggy out you can barely see down the street, LATER

Friday Morning Feb 2nd

 Well Thursday turned out to be another perfect winter day in Florida with cool temps to start the day and then a warm up into the upper 70's and then a cool down after dark with lots of sunshine during the day. The garden loves this weather as well and we are forecasted for some much needed rain on Sunday which isn't looking good for Gabe's baseball games in St.Pete.

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 several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding as of this post and grand daughter Ava still needs your prayers for total healing with her vision. I headed out on my bike to the Rec a little before 8 for some pickle ball but even now with Tue. and Thur. designated as advanced players only the gym soon filled up with lots of new faces, some not so advanced so 6 of us headed outside to play on that court which turned out to be perfect. A slight breeze kept you cooled down enough to enjoy the warm temps and bright sunshine. I was whupped when we finally called it a day a little after 10. The only down size to being on this court is you have carry all the equipment out and back to set up the court, oh well. The play is constant with just a few players, whereas your sitting and waiting in between games inside.

I got back and finished fixing the cabinet drawer which seemed to be holding after glueing it the night before and then I drilled two small holes and inserted a couple of screws to hold it for sure. Those cabinets have been in the kitchen since 1988 when I added the kitchen on and the glue had dried out. I headed out into the back yard and worked in the gardens, transplanting some more kale as well as a tomato plant that I had started in the side garden from topping another tomato plant. I just stuck it in the ground and it grew, so I moved it into the back yard gardens. I've been cutting off any low limbs and all suckers on the tomato plants and they seem to really like that as well. I have another couple of Roma's ready to harvest and the celebrity tomato plants are now loaded with lots of green fruit. I have lots of lettuce seedlings up that will need transplanting in a couple of days as well into the garden proper. I did transplant some radish seedlings into the garden proper as well.

After supper neighbor Dan picked me up and we headed to the mens class at SRBC for a 6:30 meeting that lasted until 8:15. It had cooled down once again after dark and the sweater felt great on this cool evening. We had 16 or so men in the group and then we broke down into small groups to share with one another some concerns as well. It was going on 9 when we finally got home and I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE before lights out at 10, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 1st

Well I must say the last day of January went out with mild temps and some chill in the after dark hours but a very nice day. It's the weather we like in Florida during the winter months. I started the day with my usual routines of up before 6 to my quiet times to honor my LORD, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding as I make this post.

I headed out on my bike to the REC for over two hours of pickle ball play with most of the time outside on the one court that is lined for play. We had to set up a net and we took 5 good players out to play after a couple of sets in the gym with many less than advanced players. The weather was perfect and plenty of sunshine. We played hard until close to 10:30 when we gave it up to return the equipment back to the REC room. We now have an alternative to playing with the crowd in the gym on MWF if the weather permits.

I headed home on my bike to work outside in the gardens, hand watering until Nancy was ready to run errands until lunch time. We made several stops before getting back to the house around 1 then had a frozen pizza she doctored up with fresh mushrooms. Delicious to say the least. Sheri and Steve were coming by for some garden greens and I loaded them up with a couple sacks of kale, beet greens, Swiss chard, collards, lettuces and some herbs.

I spent the afternoon on the laptop catching up on the war in Israel and some travel videos before we had a supper of collards for me and some fried smoked ham. Delicious as well especially the collards which sat in their juices over night. After the clean up one of the cabinet drawer broke so I attempted to repair it which will have to wait until the glue dries and I insert a couple of screws hoping that will fix the problem. We soon headed out to SRBC for our 242 meeting around 6:30 with a nice group of folks and then we broke up into our small groups for a few minutes. 

After getting home around 8:30 I hit the shower and then read until 10 before hitting the sack as the end of January had some great weather. It starts all over again today with pickle ball and then cabinet repair and back to SRBC this evening for the mens study. Wow are we ever busy, LATER