Friday Morning May 31st

Well its been down right chilly here in the morning and great temps for working outside during the rest of the day. I managed to work outside after an early morning start that began with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus and give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. After a breakfast of oatmeal loaded with cinnamon, honey, pecans and a banana I headed out to walk the property with Rocky. He loves to be outside and misses his hikes to the top of the mountain but there are too many other dogs there so we stay down here and he gets plenty of exercise, running and roaming the woods.

I put on long pants and donned an extra shirt as it was 49 degrees and it stayed in the low 70's for most of the day and when the clouds moved in at times the temps dropped considerably. I managed to clean out two culverts which were completely covered over with water run off of leaves, rocks, dirt and gravel. I hauled off a load of wet leaves that had helped clog the culverts. What a job that was and I used muscles that ached the rest of the day while being down in a ditch.

 Neighbor Gerald texted Nancy that he was going to have neighbor Tim at the foot of the driveway, use Gerald's tractor to help with scrapping the drive and move some of the gravel back up the driveway. Its just too much for me to handle with a rake. Hopefully Gerald with let me use his tractor in the future when he isn't round. Jake offered to bring his tractor over and scrap the road but that is just a far way to go for him. Jake did come by after supper and check on the riding mower, bringing  a new belt and now I'm back in business for yard mowing. It seems the belt some how got off the front pulley which I didn't notice and I could have fixed the problem myself, oh well. I now have a new drive belt which the old one was probably at least 20 plus years old as I have never replaced it.

I took the afternoon off and watched the Ray's play ball against the Oakland team and they won in the 12th extra inning. It was a good game for the Ray's as they won 2 out of 3 against a very good team. We had a half a rotisserie chicken we had picked up at the Food Lion yesterday along with an ear of silver queen corn for our supper. We wanted to be done with supper before Jake and Katelyn arrived so we ate around 5'ish which really is a good time for us as we try to lose a pound or to this summer. Eating early helps I'm told. I piddled around in the yards and gardens and hand watered some of the newly transplanted bedding flowers. The wind has been constant the last couple days and have dried out the gardens and flower beds so I gave most every thing a drink after supper as well as spread some lime around in the gardens an flower beds.

After Jake and Katelyn left we settled into some hockey playoffs until 9 then it was shower time and some reading a new book before lights out at 10, LATER

Thursday Morning May 30th

Well Wednesday started out rather chilly with temps in the low 50's and a strong wind that stayed most of the day which keep it cool and helped to dry out the ground from all of the rain over the weekend. I started the day with my well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding and Nancy as well is seemingly better with her BP issues as the new medicines are being cut in half which helps. 

We made a run to Sparta in the afternoon taking some garbage to the landfill, a library stop, then off to Food Lion for some items and then to Walgreens. On the way out of town it was a stop at the meat market for some bedding annual flowers and some silver queen corn and finally a stop for gas at 3.19 a gallon. Whew, some many stops but when you live 30 minutes away from town you group all of your stops into one trip per week excluding church on Sunday and lunch out afterwards.

I did some piddly chores around the gardens both before our trip to town and afterwards. We finished up the delicious grouper that I had fried a couple days ago along with some fresh spinach for our supper. We were expecting Jake and Katelyn to come by and pick up the mower so Jake could replace the drive belts on the transmission and on the mowing deck but he got too busy and cancelled.

 We did plant the annuals into some of the different flower beds after supper and then I settled into the Rays game on the internet and they finally won a game in the last innings. Rocky, the bull mastiff is having a great time here with the cool temps and his ability to roam freely out into the woods with out being on a leash. He eats great here as well and looks forward to his twice a day meals. Today is the oldest of my three sisters(cousins) Josie's birthday. I think she is 6 years younger than me so that makes her I believe 71, anyhow Happy Big Day, Kid, LATER

Wednesday Morning May 29th

 Well Tuesday saw us with some much cooler temps but no rain which was a blessing especially for the gardens which are still drying out from all the gully washers over the weekend which dropped several inches of rain and mostly all at one time on separate occasions. I started the day with my usual well before 6 or really at times a before 5:30 rollout. I sleep rather soundly for about 6 to 7 hours and now that I'm daily eating some dark chocolate I seldom ever get up in the middle of the night to pee. There is something in dark chocolate that has made a difference in those nightly get ups. I did my quiet time to honor my lord JESUS, 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 with Rocky to walk around the yards to check on the gardens and to give him his chance for exercise and to head off into the woods to explore. He loves it here and while at times meanders off into the woods which drives Nancy insane as she is afraid for his safety. Its no wonder she has high BP because she constantly worries about the little things. She is still having issues with this health event and constantly worries about why it can't be fixed with a new medication.

I fired up the weed whacker after a breakfast of oatmeal, fruit and nuts and made sure Rocky was kept in the cabin as he doesn't like any kind of noise, especially from a lawn mower, golf cart, air compressor and weed whacker. He did assist me with reseting a post in the back yard around the raspberry patch which meant he was totally in the way and then barked at me when I ran him off. What a nosey dog. Anyhow I worked on the project for an hour or so before calling it quits. I'm still waiting on Jake to retrieve my riding mower and fix it with new belts and then I can mow the yards. Its getting some what high so I may have to hire him to mow it again before long.

The rest of the day was doing piddly garden stuff and trying to stay busy outside as the temps were in the 60's and low 70's for most of the day. The run off water from the top of the mountain is still running in my usually dry gulch in the backwoods yards. Not much else is going on except the Ross Family made it to Tyler's family in western Kansas around 7:30 their time which was 8:30 our time, after another 9 plus hour day on the road. That was over 18 hours of driving from here. We are just glad they got there safety and without any issues, LATER

Tuesday morning May 28th

Well it poured buckets to start the day after a deluge the evening before and the drive way was rutted once again for two days in a row. After the kids left for Kansas around 7'ish I did my morning routines and then wondered around outside checking on the garden damage from the heavy down pours. Well several onion sets were washed completely out of the ground and down below in the constant now wet ditch with water draining from the top of the mountain and then two lettuce seedlings were washed out from the run off through the garden beds. I believe most of the recently sowed seeds in the circle bed also were washed away and down the driveway, oh well such is mountain living but its oh so worth it.

I did my quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS and then to lift up several for comfort and healing. All are holding as is our mountain mom, Helen who is in a senior facility down off the mountain. Nancy is still having her moments but her anxiety is probably her biggest enemy as she can not stand to be not healed immediately and worries herself with that BP cuff and a script that drops the pressure but makes her feel stiff or tightness in the chest, oh well.

Rocky the huge bull mastiff is doing O.K. as he now knows the routines of being here and his family gone for a couple of weeks. He ate his food which is an issue at home in Florida as he did great yesterday, but does like to wonder into the woods where he does his business which is a plus for us. He had a hard head at times and does not like to be called from his wondering. He is rather pleasant for a huge animal and the grands just love him as do we. He is a snorer like Nancy so at times I'm awakened in the middle of the night with both of them snoring, oh well.

After lunch I headed down the driveway to hand rake over some of the ruts caused by the storm run off which has moved lots of the gravel from the driveway down to the foot of the hill. Neighbor Gerald with his tractor usually keeps the drive scrapped with his tractor and I use to use his old tractor to help when he wasn't around, but he hasn't offered me to use his new one, so I do what I can by hand with a rake. Any how its passable for now but will need a scraping to move the gravel back up the hill.

Not much else is going on as we enjoy the ambiance of clean fresh air and cold water from the well. I did wash a couple loads of laundry as Nancy has issues now with the stairs. I didn't do much on this Memorial Day except watch lots of videos and then we played cards after supper, each winning one game apiece until nearly 10:30. After a shower it was horizontal lab for me, LATER

Monday Morning May 27th... Memorial Day

Well Sunday started out with a before 6 rollout to beautiful temps in the low 60's with tons of sunshine but that changed once again come late afternoon when the heavy rains came back on the scene once again washing out the road and my gardens. We headed out to Cornerstone our local church here in the mountains and the hugs and hand shakes were in abundance once again. Pastor B gave a great message on what we must be as Believers in sharing Christ to all we meet and be excited about it. We met up with Jake and Katelyn for lunch once again at the Pizzeria for a delicious lunch and then we shopped at the Food Lion before heading back on the mountain. I made a stop at the meat market for some onion sets as they have a great selection on bedding veggies and plants.

We got back on the mountain and put away our groceries then I headed out to plant the onion sets as it was extremely hot as we awaited the Ross Family from Seminole. They got in our 5'ish and then they ran and played outside running up and down the hill with Rocky. I grilled a cut up whole chicken and Nancy made oven tatters along with green beans and salad. She later made chocolate chip cookies for dessert .

It wasn't long after 9'ish I hit the shower and then was ready for some horizontal lab soon after. We were all in bed by 10'ish except Nancy who is always the last to hit the sack. I'm cutting this short as the family is up and getting ready on the first leg of their two day trip to Kansas, LATER

Sunday Morning May 26th

Well Saturday was another stay on the mountain and work day, while Nancy did do a few chores to get ready for our daughter and family to arrive with the dog, today Sunday, she basically is still dealing with BP  problems and a lot of its anxiousness. I started the day with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to holding with this post. Helen seems to be doing well at her assisted living facility off the mountain as Nancy speaks with her daily.

Well I headed out just after day break to check on the gardens and flower beds for any damage, so far I've lost just one jalapeno pepper plant to a cut worm, but yesterday afternoon there came up a storm which was a "gully washer" dropping a couple inches in such a short time that is washed out several areas in the gardens as well as sowed rows of seeds and then the sun came out and its was pleasant the rest of the day.

I had fixed fences in the front yard as I had a couple locust post to rot off at ground level but the fence was still together so I pulled the fence back up and propped it from behind as a temporary solution and then just did some menial chores all before breakfast. I finished hauling up the last of the porch furniture and now that job is complete. I then made the gardens and a flower beds Rocky proof as he like to run through them, so I put up some fences around them and then started on the upper garden fence which needed rebuilding as it was falling down. We will keep Rocky while they head for Kansas on Sunday morning.

I fired up the chain saw and took down a couple pines that were dying and cut them into lengths to support the wire fence which was initially set up to keep our dogs over the years from running through the gardens. The fence doesn't do anything but keeps dogs away as the rabbits don't seem to want to eat any of the gardens and of course this wire fence wouldn't really stop them if they wanted in. Anyhow that kept me busy for a couple hours and it got so hot I took a brief rest from that chore until it cooled off after the storm.

Afterwards I transplanted a couple dozen sun flowers into different places in the yard and around the upper bed which kept me busy until suppertime. In the mean time while it was so hot I worked in the cool basement cleaning it up, vacuuming and making it presentable for family. Our neighbors across the street in Seminole came over the night before we left and blessed us with two huge frozen grouper filets he had caught in the gulf, so we thawed them out and got 9 nice filets out of them. The bad thing was we had to prepared both as they were frozen together, so I fried them up outside on the grill and now we will have grouper sandwiches for a couple of days for lunch. It was delicious to say the least.

After the cleanup we settled into hand, knee and foot a card game which takes a couple hours to play with all four phases. I finally beat Nancy on the last phase as she has won the last two times we played. It was after 9 when I hit the shower and then some horizontal lab around 10:30, LATER

Saturday Morning May 25th

Well Friday was a stay on the mountain all day for a change and it was a total work day that started around 7 'ish and ended some where close to 7'ish as well. I put in a total work day and loved every minute of it, more on that later. Nancy also seems to be responding to her additional BP script and she actually felt good enough to work upstairs, getting the beds made for when the Ross Family arrived tomorrow evening for supper and to spend the night then travel onto Kansas for a couple weeks. They will leave Rocky the beast here with us who is like a bull in a china closet, but he is fun.

I started the day with a well before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to left several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I headed out while Nancy was still sleeping to check on the gardens for any deer damage but did notice where a cut worm got one of my jalapeno pepper plants over night as well as checked on the recently planted flowers. All seem to be standing up nicely. We did get a lite shower over night.

Well I did get in rotor tilling several patches, transplanting potted seedlings and then weed whacking the yards. I still can not get my riding mower to go into gear and I called Jake who is master whatever and he mentioned about the belt that drives the transmission, well it wasn't turning so hopefully that is the problem and offered too help me fix that issue. The yard can go another week or so since I weed whacked. It was transplanting sunflower seedlings that had grown up in the one garden patch into different location for the final chore of the day before calling quits.

We had a delicious supper of a rib eye steak we cut off from a Christmas roast along with asparagus. I soon hit the shower as I was quite dirty from working in the gardens and then we played a game of hand , knee and foot or at least two rounds which Nancy was up by 6 thousand points. We never finished as I was whupped by 9 and decided to check on the ball scores and was soon ready for some horizontal lab by 10'ish. I sure felt muscles I never use on the pickle ball court but I did have the stamina that comes from playing every day or 5 days a week, LATER

Friday Morning May 24th

 Well Thursday was another non stop busy day that started with a well before 5:30 roll out as my mind just will not let me sleep in with all that has been done and needs to accomplished before Amy and family arrive Sunday evening. I love the physical work of being outside working in the soil especially with these awesome temps that start with the 50's in the mornings. I did my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post as is Nancy with her BP issues. We went down off the mountain again during the morning to run some errands, visit Helen and then to see the new doctor who will be taking over her health issues while we are at this location. Nancy was extremely happy with him and his staff.

I did work outside in the gardens patches early before breakfast and planted  cucumbers, squash (both yellow and zucchini), jalapeno peppers into the gully garden patch in the back yard. I still have space in that patch plus my two regular patches which now needs to be rotor tilled which I got delivered today. That kept me busy until we headed down off the mountain at 10. We first visited Helen at the senior center and met up with her only child, Rick who we hadn't seen in years. He was up from Florida for a few days looking after Helen's concerns. She is having some foot issues and a health care worker was there attending to her foot and toes.

We left there and headed to Wal-Mart which is just a mile or so away and had a Subway sandwich before shopping to stock up on items for the cabin. Its terrible how the price of things have increased under this present administration and its not going to get any better unless this potus is defeated in November. America is slowly being destroyed by his policies not only internally but on the national scene as well. We went back towards the hospital and the doctors office and she met up with him while I spoke with several Trump supporters in the waiting room. One man had a Never Surrender shirt with the face of Trump on it and that broke the ice and led to long conversations among many of us in the waiting room. Afterwards which by was now going on 3'ish we headed to Lowes which was on our way out of town. We  stopped and spent over hundred bucks on potted flowers and some herbs. It had rained briefly and by the time we got back on the mountain the sun was shining brightly. We did get some rain which made for a very nice temperature wise and for the new seedlings.

After a supper of leftovers from the night before we headed out to transplant all of the flowers into the various patches. I found out my riding mower had a problem with going into gear so that could be end of it after buying ad replacing the old battery, oh well. I'm going to see if I can fix it as I think the shifter is problem and not the transmission, I hope. 

We we worked outside until 8'ish then headed in for hot showers which relaxed us both as we had planned on a card game but too tired at the time of the evening, so we watched some softball game with Florida State getting whupped by Oklahoma. I soon hit the sack around 9:30, LATER

Thursday Morning May 23rd

 Well Wednesday saw me back down off the mountain after a morning of working around the cabin alone as Nancy was still in the hospital down in Elkin. I started the day with well before 5 rollout as I had lots to do on my mind and besides I could work as long as I wanted to with out any advice from her. I did my morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All are holding and I would learn later in the late afternoon that Nancy would be released from the hospital. She did fine on her nuclear stress test but her BP was still some what elevated and they finally put her on an additional BP medicine which really helped.

I worked outside after posting this ramble as daylight had broken finishing up another large veggie bed in the back woods yard. I also worked up another bed for the marigolds and now just need to get the seeds in the ground as well as the circle drive bed. I'll wait to get the rotor tiller to work that ground up and plant bedding annuals. I stayed busy right up until 11 when I then headed down off the mountain to the hospital. Nancy had just got back from the stress test and was doing alright but still had a red face which worried her. I think a big issue with her BP is anxiety and worry which causes lots of stress. 

I stayed at the hospital until 3'ish then made a trip over to Lowes for a new battery for the lawn mower which luckily they had as Wal-mart didn't have any. Its a different model but in the same class so I'm hoping it will work. She called me and let me know she would be going home with me after all which was good news as her BP while still elevated some what but was being lowered by this new medicine. The hospital called in two medicines to Sparta so we headed there to pick up those scripts. Before we left Elkin we ran by to visit briefly with Helen and then she was able to get an appointment by phone with a local doctor regarding her care while in the mountains. That was a blessing so we will head back down the mountain today for a 1:30 appointments and then again next week for a new patient enrollment.

Well after getting back in Sparta we stopped at the Food Lion for some goodies for supper and then made a stop at the meat market for some veggie seedlings. I hope to get some of them in the ground this morning or at least this afternoon after we do our main shopping while in Elkin at Wal-Mart and Lowes for flowers and more veggie seedlings. We still have lots to do to get ready for Amy and Family on Sunday, but I'm just glad Nancy's BP has stabled. It was down in the 130's by bed time. I watched a little of the Ray's game that was a bust after leading the game early. By 9:30 I was ready for some shut eye, LATER

Wednesday Morning May 22nd

Well a lot has happened since we got her late Sunday afternoon, some of its been good and yesterday early morning things starting going down hill as Nancy started having blood pressure issues. She has been on a medicine for the issue but her anxiousness and other issues have really taken a toll on her health of lately and of course with no exercise and a few extra pounds that just complicates the over all issues. She awakened around 3'ish with the words I need to go to the ER because of her blood pressure she was feeling from the high reads on her pressure cuff. So we got ready and headed out to Elkin Hospital down off the mountain as the local hospital in Sparta has really gone down hill over the past years.

We spent all morning and most of the afternoon in the ER and they finally got the BP down to almost normal but the doctor wanted to admit her for a stress test this morning(wed) so around 2'ish she finally got in a room which was awesome to say the least. Its like a suite and its no wonder no one wants to leave there. It took them several hours to finally have a room available for her. I while waiting for a room slipped over to the ALF center where Helen our mountain mom is now housed, which is just down the road from the hospital. We had a nice visit and of course she is quite frail now that she is institutionalize and away from her cabin she seems different. Its an old place but everyone was quite friendly and she seemed some what happy. Its just a place for old folks to die and her brother Joe who is 97 is facing the same issues. She said he can't even dress himself but does speak to him up in Tennessee every morning. They have his beautiful place with 18 acres for sell which is just down the road from her place that has 13 acres. She thinks her son Rick will keep it but he lives down in Florida not far from us. We sat and talked out on their covered front porch and the ambiance was quite pleasant with the nice warm breeze in the 70's and the birds singing.

After getting Nancy situated in her room I headed home to have some lunch and then to work in the flower beds getting them ready for sowing seeds. I worked up three beds, weeding and hoeing the smaller ones as my rotor tiller won't arrive until Friday at the earliest. I sowed the large zinnia seeds I had saved from last years flower and now I want to work up the marigold flower beds as well. Last year I had several volunteers in the at bed but none this year. I did find a half dozen or so potato plants and transplanted them in the garden as well.

Nancy wants me down at the hospital early this morning as she needs some make up stuff so I'll probably not get much done today at the cabin, but hopefully will get some bedding plants at Lowes as well as shop at Wal-Mart which are close together in the small town. At least take care of those errands while we are off the mountain. I love the drive better going to Galax, Va. to shop, but since we are already in Elkin we can take care of those two places we need to visit. 

Well I had leftovers for lunch and supper and then watched the Ray's lose at home on the laptop and then it was shower time and in bed by 9:30 as I was whupped, LATER

Monday Morning My 20th..From the mountains of N.C.

 Well I'll combine two days posts into one. First let me say to all who thought of us and prayed for safe travels from hot, humid Florida yesterday it worked and we are so thankful and to get here after being gone for 7 months and it was a real treat. I had started the day with a 3 AM rollout and we actually left the house at 4. It was so humid and sticky and we were both amazed at that hour it was 81 degrees outside. The travel was good and we broke in the new Ford Lariat pickup and got 23 + mpg at times but mainly stayed in that area which I thought was great. It rides so much nicer with the leather seats and all the bells and whistles. We made several stops in our usual places except I took a different route, by passing Columbia and Charlotte and went through Darlington and into Winston Salem. Its just about 20 or so miles further but the drive is so much more pleasant despite some two lane roads through the countryside. We made two Sam's Club stops one for just gas in Georgia and then again for gas and some goodies in N.C.

While I usually post the next morning about the day before I didn't post about Saturday's events. That started out with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding. I headed out to the Rec for one last workout on the pickle ball court  since I had completed most all my chores outside on Friday. I got in a workout winning most all of my games with different partners. There were a couple new faces in the crowd who played rather nicely. It was sad to say so long until November but all the regulars made me feel missed.

I worked around the house after pickle ball getting it ready for a 3 AM departure on Sunday and we pulled it off despite the heat and humidity. It came on suddenly this past couple of days and now we know why we look forward to the mountains which is 700+ miles from our Florida residence. Our daughter Amy prepared a delicious supper the night before our leaving. The Rays won their game on Saturday but lost on Sunday, so I'll watch the games on the internet here in the mountains and of course its Atlanta Braves country around here. The Rays are seldom on TV here unless they are playing the Braves.

This morning its 57 degrees and we slept with a heavy blanket on the bed overnight. I hear the dew dripping down onto the tin roof from the dormer and no other sounds as it so peacefully quiet. No sirens or road traffic noises that we hear daily. Its almost eerie its so quiet. I almost never sleep well when first getting here as I have tons of chores to do and this has me awake, despite being up since 3 AM on Sunday morning. I did get a few things done here after unloading the truck and unpacking. The cabin was in great shape with the exception of a few dead flies. Nancy covers everything inside with old bed sheets and spreads, so it stays very nice. The appliances, internet and TV were working as well and our dear friends Jake and Katelyn mowed for us, so I didn't have to make hay right away. The gardens and flower beds need tons of work but thats what I love to do. One thing which was different is there are no volunteer tomato plants in the compose pile, oh well. I did bring 3 cherry tomato plants with me from my compost pile. I notice a couple volunteer potato plants in the upper garden patch, anyhow there is lots to do and I like working from early morning outside until dark with these great temps.

We called ahead and had a chicken dinner ready for us at the Cracker Barrel at the foot of the mountain and brought it home and now have enough leftover for another meal or at least a lunch on the chicken. Amy and family are now coming next Sunday for just one night before leaving Rocky their big dog and heading on to Kansas to visit with family. We will shop later this week for them and us and I want to get some seedlings in the ground ASAP. I did pull some weeds in one bed and it very damp from all the rain. There is still water draining down the usual dry gully below the cabin from the top of the mountain.

The blueberry and raspberry bushes are loaded with green fruit so thats a plus for later this summer and fall when they ripen. The peonies are beautiful and there are still lots of unopened heads for blooming, I just love their smell. The lilac bushes did bloom as I noticed several dried up blooms. It will be a busy few days before the Ross's get here next Sunday evening. We will get to visit our local church family and friends this next week as well.

Well I can't say enough how thankful we were for traveling mercies yesterday and how happy we are to be here in the cool mountains, despite all the work that needs to be done. We got a good handle on it last evening and while Nancy stays up late and sleeps in, I'm up and ready to work come daylight. I did get the golf cart started last evening which is a plus as I use it for some many chores, LATER

Saturday Morning May 18th

 Well this will be my last post from Florida until next Fall if all goes to plan, since we will be leaving early tomorrow(Sunday) for the cabin in N.C. It's that time of the year when the heat and humidity have taken over here and the mountains are calling our names until we get freezing temps there, plus I'm excited about getting in my summer garden and all of the flower beds sowed. I ordered an electric rotor tiller for there which will hopefully save my shoulders and back from all the digging.

I started the morning with my usual well before 6 rollout to my quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding at this time. I decided to not play any pickle ball today(Friday) but will on Saturday as I got all of my outside work finished and that meant weed whacking the property and pulling some grass from the front planter as well as trimming shrubs and then mowing both yards. Its looking in good shape and the grass has started to green up since we had that nice day of rain on Thursday.

Nancy is busy with her packing up the washing clothes, cleaning out cabinets, closets, etc and you would think there is no stores where we are going with all she packs. I just let her go on because that causes less stress, plus we do have a truck with the whole back bed and back seat packed to the roof. We did eat down the freezers so we should have some room for items in the coolers when we stop at Sam's Club in Winston to add to the freezer at the cabin.

She was off with sister Betsy during the afternoon shopping who is having some real health issues. Seems her joints are falling apart as she is in terrible pain when moving around. She ate supper with us as I grilled pork chops and she shared some yellow rice after bringing her own chicken tenders from the deli. She stayed and visited with us for a couple hours. After supper I tuned into the Rays game in Canada and they won barely 4-3, after having a 4 run lead into the late innings. Not sure about our pitching but I will follow them this summer. That's about it for today as I hit the shower and was in the horizontal position by 10'ish, LATER

Hopefully the next post will be from our mountain cabin looking out into the backwoods yards and smelling that fresh cool air thats never been breathed before and not hearing any noise except the night birds.

Friday Morning May 17th

 Well time is just moving right along and there are just another two more wake ups before we leave for the mountains for the next 5 months. I'm ready as the heat and humidity are getting stronger daily. I started the morning with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding and our young friend Andy who was hospitalized is recovering from a bleeding ulcer. He and our son Bobby grew up together, so we know him and his folks quite well as they are probably our closet friend and neighbors.

 I headed out on my bike to the Rec for two hours of good pickle ball play and left whupped around 10'ish. Nancy was off to her last doctors appointment so I piddled around outside hand watering the last couple tomato plants and some seedlings I'm taking with me. I did harvest a couple 'maters that were turning and noticed I still have a dozen or so yet to turn which I will take with me to the cabin.

We did some small chores around the house during the afternoon then she headed off to get her gray hair colored once again before we leave for the cabin and I caught up on some videos and the war on Israel. We ate leftover pot roast for supper and hope to clean up other left overs tonight as we clean out the fridge. Amy is having us Saturday night for supper then I will load the truck for an early departure on Sunday. We settled into the Rays game in Boston and they won again in the 9th inning with some clutch hitting and pitching. That was about it so I hit the shower and was ready for some horizontal lab around 10:30, LATER

Thursday Morning May 16th

Well Wednesday found us both with doctor's appointments mostly just check up's, so I skipped pickle ball plus it was raining for most of the late evening and morning. What a blessing that was and its still quite cloudy outside this morning with the look of more rain today.

I had started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name. We have a new name of a young friend who we have known since he and my son played together over the years. Andy was hospitalized with a very low red blood count and the doctors think he is bleeding internally, everyone else seems to be holding. He under goes a colonoscopy this morning and has been a given blood transfusion thus far. He is the son of Dan and Carol our friends and neighbors for over 40 years.

We headed out to St.Pete for Nancy's last chiropractors visit and then made a gas up stop for the truck and lawn mowers at Sam's club at 3.19 per gallon before heading home for some lunch. I had a doctors visit after lunch and so I didn't get much done around the house as we were meeting the Nymark's for supper, now that Steve has returned from Minnesota after burying his mom and attending to some yard sales. Nancy made a very nice pot of pasta with white sauce and Sheri had grilled salmon, roasted broccoli and salad with fresh fruit and cookies for dessert. 

After eating we played two games of hand, knee and foot and we didn't add up the final score on either games as we guys were that far ahead. It was almost 10 when we finished and headed home. I hit the shower and checked the Ray's score which they won again in Boston and gained on the Red Sox's. Not much else going on except Nancy is off to her last appointment this morning so I'll head to the Rec for some pickle ball, LATER

Wednesday Morning May 15th

 Well its down to 4 more days before departure and I'm ready because the heat and humidity is present and its not going to get any cooler. We did get a 10 minute rain shower from a front that moved through and while it did pour briefly it quickly evaporated and the lawns didn't get much improvement, oh well such is Florida in the summer time.

 I started the day with an unusual sleep in until almost 7 for a change. Not sure why but occasionally that occurs. I did my usual routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding at present.. Eddie is off the ventilator and Nancy knee is responding to ice packs and rest which hopefully will restore her ability to continue packing and getting the house ready for a 5 month leave, of course with all the remodeling going on I told not worry about the deep cleaning she always insists on doing before leaving, oh well. I'm  glad she is a cleanaholic up to a point.

I headed out on my bike to the Rec for 2 solid hours of good pickle ball play with all ready nice advanced players and I teamed up with different partners and won all my games. We had a couple new players who were quite good and I sure hope they continue with their visits. I made a stop at the library for a couple new reads to help with afternoons and doctors visit when I'm waiting on Nancy. After pickle ball I worked outside before it got unbearable to be outside and worked up the last of the gardens with the rotor tiller. That is going to be one of my best investments with old age and gardening as I usually turn over the gardens with a shovel and now I can use this tiller which does a great job and in just no time as well. I still have a couple tomato plants on the side garden next to the fence and its still producing, so I'll cut it down on Saturday the last day and take the green 'maters with me to ripen in N.C.

Well I watched the war in Israel after lunch and caught up on some paper work and calls to make sure we have internet off here in Florida and on at the cabin when we arrive on Sunday. Everything is falling into place as we make arrangements for Amy's family arriving the following Saturday. We had a birthday supper for her last evening and it was a delicious pot roast with tatters and carrots from the garden and a chocolate cake with white icing which is everyone's favorite. After last night I'm off desserts for awhile and hopefully cut down on my portions as the spare tire will inflate with the taste of the food at the cabin. I'll not be playing pickle ball there but will be busying hiking and doing outside work, LATER

Tuesday Morning May 14th

 Well Monday was about as hot and humid as I like with temps into the 90's once again and no rain but tons of sunshine. I started the morning with my usual routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All are holding with this post.

I headed out around 8 with friend Terry to a large church in Pasadena area to play pickle ball with some awesome players most of whom were younger than me, but I held my own, winnings with several different players and losing a couple sets. We left after 2 hours of play and he dropped me off at the house in his Tesla which is an awesome ride, although I would not own one because of the range limit and the power stations.

I piddled around in the gardens taking out the last of the tomato plants, the egg plant and digging up the carrots. Now all I have to do is rotor till the rest after spreading the last two sacks of oak leaves I've been saving for the gardens. Nancy was off to another doctor's appointment which was basically a follow up but she is still dealing with a sore knee which she is concerned about. Icing it helps and she did find at our small group meeting last evening walking up to the Botbyl's.

Brian came by around 5'ish and we went over our plans for the remodel and we gave him keys to the house plus some start up cash. He has all summer to do the job on both bath rooms which should make Nancy happy, I hope. She has been stressed about so much lately and I think its showing on her with all the maladies she been expressing, plus she hasn't done any cardio in months, oh well.

The group meeting was delicious with everyone bringing a dish plus the pulled barbecue pork Carol made and afterwards we played Balderdash which was a hoot. Its been years since we last played and Carol and Nancy were the best fabricators. I game back and hit the showers around 8:30 and then watched the Ray's beat the Red Sox's in Boston 5-3. It was cold there with everyone wearing coats. I'm looking forward to some cooler temps next week as well, LATER

Monday Morning May 13th

 Well hopefully this time next week I'll be making this post from the cabin in N.C. and do so for the next 5 months or so. It sure will be a change from this hot, humid and flat land here in central Florida. What a difference in our two places and we have been blessed to share with so many over the years. Its going on 32 year since we purchased the undeveloped mountain land and had a cabin built. We so love the change and yet we had to sadly say good bye yesterday to our SRBC family until the end of October.

I stared the morning with usual well before 5:30 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding as of this post. We headed out to SRBC to work the side doors, greeting, hugging and hand shanking lots of folks and then had say so long or good bye until next Oct or Nov. depending when we get back for the winter. There were lots of "we will miss ya'll", "keep in touch", etc and some are wanting to visit as well. I can't blame then for wanting to get out of this heat and humidity but we will have seberal to visit over the summer.

We came back and starting putting the house in order for the huge "mother's day" supper with all of Amy's family and then Betsy and Gus. I grilled brats and Nancy had a huge salad and a coconut cake, Amy did sauteed peppers, onions and brought buns and Betsy brought tatter salad and extra brats. After eating we played a game of Sam's much like charades and it was a hoot. Everyone even Betsy and Gus participated. Everyone cleared out around 8 as it was a school night. I did watch the Ray's lose big time after winning the night before to the Yank's at home and at least it wasn't a sweep for them. There were way too many homers by them to seal the game.

We have our small or life group meeting and supper this evening up the street at the Botbyl's, so  Brian our friend and remodel man is coming by early to finalize on what his bathroom remodel duties are and give him a check as well as a key to the house. Hopefully he won't run into any real large issues he can't handle while we are gone, LATER

Sunday Morning May 12th

Well one week from this morning we should be on the road north to N.C. I'm ready as the heat and humidity are heavy here in central Florida and no rain. The grasses are brown and crispy and yet a couple plants I still have in the gardens are surviving with twice daily waterings. I'm still getting a couple 'maters every other day and still have a dozen or so green ones maturing. I harvest them on Friday and get them ready for the travel on Sunday. I have a couple volunteer tomato plants I'll bring as well which I believe are the cherry ones and plant in the mountain garden. 

I started the day with my usual well before 5:30 roll out to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding. My friend Terry who is 70 and is going to be a new papa with twins as his wife is 35 years younger than him, picked me up in his Tesla and we headed to St.Pete to play pickle ball. That turned out to be a bust as no one was at the indoor courts and the outdoor courts were packed. So we enlisted a couple older gals from the outside courts who were waiting like us (and headed inside to play for an hour) which gave us a little workout and a wet shirt. Anyhow I was home by 11 and then I headed to Lowes for the new glass shower doors, one of which the box they were in was damaged. I hope the doors are O.K. as they were special ordered, oh well. Tyler came over and helped me to unload them into the garage.

After  lunch I settled into some news on the war in Israel and then did some piddling chores around the house and this coming week it will be a total non stop chore to get packed and get the bathrooms empty so our friend Brian can remodel them this summer. Today Sunday will be our last visit to SRBC until next fall as the Wednesday and Thursday night events are cancelled for the next couple of weeks. We will have our small group meet on Monday at Carol and Dan's place for supper and last get together for awhile. This evening we are hosting Amy and family as well as Betsy and Gus for a mothers day meal and then on Tuesday for Amy's birthday with a supper and then we are through hosting until we get to the mountains when they will come on the next Saturday and leave Rocky for about 2 weeks, LATER

Saturday Morning May 11th

 Well Friday was a busy fun filled day that started with a well before 5:30 rollout to my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding with this post. I headed out around 8:30 with another pickle ball pal to ST. Pete Rec for some two hours of good play with lots of different players and won the biggest part of my several games I played. I had a soaked shirt when we left around 11'ish. 

Nancy and I then headed to Sam's Club for some items and to gas up at 3.31 gallon which was 20 cents cheaper than down the road. We came home and had a bite of lunch then I settled into the videos on the war in Israel and see where this corrupt inept potus is turning his back on our dear friend and ally and giving aid to the terrorist barbarians called hamas who are being honored by academia in America. It's just unbelievable how the leadership in this country has gone wackco and the corruption is rampart. So many have become multi millionaires while being career politicians and they have sold out the nation for wealth and power.

Nancy was off for a girls night out and I was filling in as second hand of cards at 6:30 with neighbors of Sheri and Steve. We know the Savages, Dan and Barb and they are fine folks and love to play hand, knee and foot as do we. We have taught it to several friends and love the game. Dan and I whupped the gals big time and didn't even score the last hand as we were that far ahead.

I got back to the house a little after 9 to watch the Ray's lose to the Yanks in a close game with the umpire making a couple of bad calls which cost the Ray's the game, oh well, LATER

Friday Morning May 10th

 Well its disgustingly hot and humid and we are in need of some rain here in central Florida. I mean when you walk outside you sweat its that humid. It won't be long until we are in the cool mountains if all goes to plan in about 9 days. I'm ready for a change and yet I will definitely miss our family, friends and neighbors here and I'm excited for renewing old friendships there as well. We are blessed to have such two diverse living conditions.

I started the day with my now well before 5:30 rollout which the new internal clock awakens me daily, but I'm usually lights out at 10 so I get a good 7 hours or so sleep depending n how loud Nancy's snoring gets. I'm back to wearing ear plugs at night as she has been loud lately. I headed out to the Rec on my bike after my quiet times to honor my lord JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. We speak with our "mountain mom" Helen daily and she is holding for her age at 96 and is now in an adult facility in Elkin, N.C. which is just down off the mountain. So when we shop it will now be in Elkin to visit her her because there is a super Wal-Mart and Lowes there as well as Galax, Va. Everyone else is holding to my knowledge.

I had a good work out with mainly advanced players and left whupped around 10'ish. Nancy was at her chiro visit, so I harvested the last of the lettuces which wasn't much and another couple tomato's that were turning in color. I still have several green ones on the side garden which I may bring with me after taking out the plants next week. I have some beans on the plants that are drying and I will use for seeds for next year planting as well.

After lunch I made a trip to the truck dealership to have them check out the unusual clicking noise in the gear shift selector arm which you hear occasionally and they assured me it was nothing to be concerned about. We had to manually move the selector to finally hear the noise and now I know how to correct it so as not to hear it, oh well that is something to be corrected next year when we get home as its under warranty.

Well we went back to Lowes for more items and they corrected my bill and came me a 100 bucks back on my card and a discount of 5 % on everything in the store and a 10% military discount on certain purchases. Every little bit helps in this day and time with inflation out the roof. We now have the garage full of items for the new remodeling of both bath rooms that our church friend Brian with do over the summer while we are gone. I loaded up some mulch from there as well and then after supper filled up the front planter. I was soaked with sweat after that small job and it was going on 8 when I did it.

Well the Ray's were off so I watched some NHL playoffs as Nancy was visiting neighbor Carol after supper. She almost daily has some new ailment and I'm wondering if I will be pushing her wheelchair instead of the other way around, oh well, LATER

Thursday Morning May 9th

 Well its 10 days until departure morning and I'm thrilled as the heat and humidity is back with vengeance. Just walking outside after the early morning hours your dripping in sweat and its getting worst daily. I skipped pickle ball at the Rec on Wednesday and finished cleaning out the grasses in the front planter around 7:30 and I was soaked with sweat and then again in the afternoon unloading some purchases from Lowes into the garage and my shirt was soaked with sweat, oh well. Its time for the mountains and cooler drier temps.

I had started the day with my usual routines that start will a well before 5:30 rollout to some quiet times to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. Eddie is on a ventilator which isn't good and Helen seems to be holding in her new assistance living place. The rest seem to be holding as of this post. Nancy is now having knee issues which isn't good but at least she can function enough hopefully to pack for the trip to the cabin.

I worked around the house in the planter, then did some weed whacking as well as used the sprayer to kill some unwanted grasses and weeds along the fence line. I've just about finished with the outside except for a couple areas which won't take long to rotor till before finishing up the gardens until fall. I'm still getting a couple tomato's and still have a few green ones on two plants as well as a couple egg plants and of course the carrots need harvesting. Everything else is just about done except for mowing the burnt up grass one last time before leaving.

We purchased two vanities, 2 shower doors, light fixtures, towel bars and a mirror as well as two commodes and 30@ 8 foot pieces of ship lap for over 3 grand for the remodels of two bathrooms while we are gone these next 5 months. I have to keep the truck outside as these items are now stored in the garage plus I now need to take the new truck up and have it checked out for a small clicking noise that occurs in the gear shift selector, oh well.

We headed out to SRBC at 6:30 for our last 242 meeting as the church goes on a summer schedule which is the last one for us for 5 months. We will miss all the folks here and will rejoice at seeing our church family at Cornerstone in Sparta. We watched the final innings of the Ray's game as they lost after winning 5 in a row to the White Sox. After a hot shower and some ROKU it was lights out at 10 with a some what sleepless night as I have lots on my mind with getting things done before we leave in 10 days, LATER

Wednesday Morning May 8th

 Well Tuesday was another hot muggy day with temps up into the 90's. I'm so ready for the mountains and some chill in the mornings and evenings. I started the day with a well before 6 rollout, something more like a well before 5:30 rollout which is becoming the norm for some reason, anyhow I did some quiet time to honor my lord,JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. Eddie isn't doing well with his O2 levels and Helen has now left the rehad and is in a nursing home in Elkin. She thought she was coming back to Florida but no places were available, everyone else seems to be holding. Nancy is now dealing with a knee issue so if its not one thing its another.

I headed out to the Rec for two hours of solid pickle ball play and left whupped with a wet head and shirt and made a quick stop at the library for a couple new reads which is about all you can do in the afternoons since its so hot outside. I did work in the front yard planter removing some grasses that had taken over. It got so hot I had to quit after an hour and set in the shade of the oak in the back yard. I'll finish that job this morning as I'll skip pickle ball which is mainly beginners and a few intermediates and play again on Thursday when its the advanced players.

We took off to Lowes to make some big purchases but our guy had already left for the day who seems to be knowing what is happening, so we will try again today to make those purchases and maybe pick them up another day with Dan's trailer, oh well. I did change out the front door knob which was about worn out and wouldn't lock at times. I'll have to get new keys made for everyone. Nancy had been off to a lunch with some of her girl friends and left me a nice bowl of pasta salad which I had for lunch and then we used up a can of salmon for patties for supper with some rice. We need to keep eating down our stocks until we leave as I don't want to haul food back and forth.

Well after supper we tuned into the Ray's game and they won again over the White Sox's, LATER 

Tuesday Morning May 7th

 Well the heat and humidity is back and the a/c runs constantly now even through the night. I'm so ready for some cooler nights and less humid days. I started the morning with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. Nothing has changed at this time but Nancy seems to be over her pain in the hand and wrist.

I headed out to the Rec on my bike for close to two hours of pickle ball then came home and cleaned up and headed to the blood draw which didn't take long despite no appointment. I came back and had something to eat then headed outside and worked in the back yard and garden until 1 PM. The morning just flew by. I cut back the large vine on the vine and filled two trash cans and then took out the weed whacker and edged the yards and the gardens before rotor tilling nearly the whole right side. I still have a tomato plant, an egg plant and some carrots I want to harvest before finishing off that garden by rotor tilling it. That electric tiller has ready been a blessing in this sandy soil and hopefully Tyler will keep it tilled over the summer of the grasses and weeds that usually take over. I had a wet shirt and then washed off outside with the hose before calling it a day of work. We had a tomato sandwich for lunch and I finished off her lime jello.

I finished THE FIVE STAR WEEKEND book and while it had many twists and turns it was a good read which presented real life scenarios and folks involved in them. It was almost a chick read but had such present day events with relationships that were quite real. It was quite different from what I usually read but I would recommend it.

We headed out around 5 to Nancy and Brian's place in Largo for supper and to teach them a new version of hand and foot which the knee is now added. Brian and I whupped the gals big time and it was another three hour game because it is so involved with required books before you can finish the game. I love it and we are still having some issues which pop up from time to time on certain plays, oh well. 

We got home a little after 9 and I watched the final inning off the Ray's game which they won 8-2 over the White Sox's at the Trop. We had such a grand time there on Sunday and the Ray's won in extra innings which always makes it a pleasant experience, LATER

Monday Morning May 6th

 Well the count down continues with less than two weeks until departure and with the heat and humidity back in the picture here, I'm ready for some cool morning and some greenery, since its so dry and brown here. The yards are burning up as it what's left in the gardens. Sunday was a different day as we did something we hadn't done in a couple years. We headed to the Trop in St. Pete to watch the Ray's play the Mets and WOW what an ending in over time with the Ray's sweeping them. Bobby had purchased tickets for ALL of us and it was exciting and oh so much fun. We also met up with Tammy, Rich and a cousin I had never met before, but of course I know his mom and grand parents who were siblings to my grand mother.

I had started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time to honor my lord,JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding and Nancy's hand has healed and her swelling and pain have gone away. No word on Eddie on how he is doing. Everyone else seems to be holding. We watched Cornerstone Chapel on the internet and heard once again a great message before heading out to SRBC. We worked the side door for a change as the scheduled changed, but still greeted, with hand shakes and many hugs from a younger crowd as they come from the youth building and nursery through this door. It was youth Sunday and Alex the youth pastor delivered a good message with all youths leading worship and then we recognized the seniors graduating and their families.

We immediately came home after service and changed clothes and then Tyler and Sam came over and we all left in my truck for the Trop. We found parking at half the cost and had just a couple blocks to walk as this place is one we have used in years past. The crowd was huge and there were as many NY fans as Rays fans it seemed. We tied the game in the bottom of the 9th with a homer by a guy who had struck out 3 times during the regular game which sent the game into extra innings. We were behind in the 10th but a walk and a triple by a Ray's player won the game. That was my first ever extra inning game I ever was in attendance to and Nancy's first ever game at the Trop. She, like me loved the venue and can not see why they would want to build another stadium.

Well we ate a sandwich at home as she had a hot dog at 8 bucks at the stadium and I finished Sam's huge meal which left me feeling content. The twins all had snacks through out the game as well and it was their first ball game ever at the Trop. We had such a fun time and I was able to snag a ball thrown into the crowd by a player and then gave it to Huck who at first wanted to throw it back on the field. Not sure where he got that idea, but we all laughed at him and his antics. Such a fun family atmosphere and there were tons of of them in attendance.

Well after a sandwich for supper I read until 9'ish then hit the shower and some ROKU until 10 then it was lights out for me, LATER

Sunday Morning May 5th 14 days to departure

 Well this time 2 weeks from today we will be on the road hopefully if Nancy stays healthy. Her hand and wrist seem to be getting better but I'm beginning to wonder about her over all health, and if we should go because we are miles from a good medical facility. I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord.,JESUS, then to give thanks for another day and to lift up several. I got word that Eddie is on 100% oxygen in the hospital so that doesn't sound good but he is a fighter and only GOD knows if his number is up.

We got ready and headed out to Brandon for the twins last game of this season and while it was an early at 9 AM it was starting to really heat up. It was fun to watch them progress and learn certain skills on the field as well as play a team sport. They have one more year of t-ball before they move on to coach's pitch and then to kids pitch. Hopefully by that time I'll still be around to watch them but the drive in all that traffic may limit how much we attend games. The interstate was like a parking lot at times, despite all the road construction opening up express lanes which you now have to pay to use. Folks are just not leaving this area and staying all year round, oh well.

We came back and I hand watered the few remaining garden plants then settled into some lunch and reading a new book titled THE 5 STAR WEEKEND. It's sort of a chick book but I've read some of the Elin Hilderbrand's the authors books. She is an interesting writer and this book thus far has many twists. We had an early supper as we were to pick up the Botbyl's and be at the Nymark's around 5 to play cards. We played individual hand, knee and foot which took us over 4 hours to play with a brief stop to watch the Kentucky Derby which had a photo finish. We finished the game at 10 and I won big over the other 4. Steve wasn't there so we couldn't play as a team. Its a vey challenging game and  really a lot of strategy in making your plays.

We headed home and dropped the Botbyl's off just up the street and then I hit the shower and then lights out around 10:30 for me. Today after church we meet up with Tyler and Sam and then Bobby's family at the Trop to watch the Rays play ball against the N.Y. Mets , LATER

Saturday Morning May 4th

 Well Friday was a busy day that started with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. Now Nancy has developed a swelling in her left hand and wrist which is very painful to touch despite getting good news her ulcer has healed in her tummy. She nursed that hand and wrist all day long with ice packs and resting it. She was was able to visit with the Nymark's last evening as we play cards but she didn't play and just watched and kept score. By the way Jim and I slaughtered Sheri and Sandy .

I headed out to hand water the gardens before we left for the endoscopy exam in Largo and then again when we got home. She was in so much pain I was afraid to leave her, so I stayed around the house and did some minor chores and then read the rest of the day, next week we need to get serious about doing chores before we leave for 5 months and I'm hoping her hand heals so she can get busy with sorting and packing things we are taking. We have been eating down the freezer in the garage and hopefully fixed the drain tube which has been allowing some water to get down below in the crisper. I also poured some bleach down the a/c drain tube and its now dripping constantly as the heat and humidity is back.

Well after her doctor's appointment I stopped and got some Micky D's for breakfast as she had been on a liquid diet for the past 24 hours. I headed out after lunch for a dermatology scan and they took another biopsy of a mole on my leg, oh well. I sure hope they don't cut me up like last time on my shoulder which took weeks to heal. I came back and watched the news in Israel before we had an early supper of left over chicken and macaroni then we headed out for the Nymark's. It took us 2 plus hours to play the game which is now called hand, knee and foot which has a different strategy and the scores are up into the thousands of points. We left there around 9:20 and then it was shower time when I got home and lights out at 10.

Today we have to be in Brandon at 9 to watch the twins in their last T-Ball game and then lunch with Bobby and family before heading home and then again to the Nymark's for games with Dan and Carol. Just another busy fun filled day, LATER

Friday morning May 3rd

 Well we are counting down to departure on the 19th if plans work out, so its becoming a little more busy with some preps and lists of things to do and to purchase for the bathrooms remodel while we are gone. I started the day out with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. Eddie seems to have recovered some what and everyone else is holding. We speak with Helen daily and she seems to be getting stronger and is doing O.K. in rehab. She says Rick, her son is bringing her back to Florida until and if she gets better enough to go back to her cabin. Which I think is doubtful for awhile.

I headed out on my bike for the Rec around 7:45 and played pickle ball for nearly two solid hours with out a break as we had all good advanced players in attendance. It left with a wet head and made a stop at the library for a couple new reads. Seems it getting so hot after lunch about the only thing to do for the next 4-5 hours is stay inside and read or watch You Tube videos which I throughly enjoy, but a good book is also nice.

We are getting back into upper 80's and low 90's in the afternoon which makes it too hot to be outside unless your in the shade and I did that for an hour or so soaking my feet in white vinegar and listerine which supposed kills any foot fungus. Afterwards I headed in inside to read until time to head out and pick up neighbor Dan and head to our last mens Bible study meeting, which turned out to be a delicious steak dinner with baked tater, baked beans, Cole slaw, tater salad and a light dessert all of which cost us 5 bucks, Wow, what a feast and before the eatin' began we played a couple games of corn hole and I was on for the first time in 7 months and beat my opponent 21-4, wow. Its been a while and I'm looking forward to more play this summer since pickle ball will probably be out up there again unless I can get players to play in the morning.

Well it was shower time when I got home around 8:30 and watched a little of the "mountain men" show on the ROKU and then lights out at 10 for me. Nancy has to be driven to her endoscopy this morning , so no pickle ball play and then I see a dermatologist after lunch for a follow up. The VA cancelled all of my appointments until next November, but I'll see my civilian primary care doctor on the 15th. I'll need a blood draw next week for that so I'll be busy spending big bucks at Lowes's and trying to fit in all the suppers and get togethers in the next 15 days, LATER

Thursday Morning May 2nd

 Well we are down to 17 days until departure and still we have lots to do before heading out. I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with so quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding except our dear friend Eddie is back in the hospital with several issues. How he has survived is beyond me  since he was in an accident several years ago and hasn't walked since.

I headed out on my bike around 7:30 for the Rec and got in several great pickle ball matches with 3 other good players. I was completely whupped when I left around 10'ish with a wet shirt and then had to pedal home after a stop at the library. Nancy was off to her chiro appointment and then shopping so I piddled around in the garden or what is left of it, hand watering the few plants that haven't dried up to the heat and lack of rain. The front yard is turning brown but the back yard which gets some water from me hand watering daily the gardens and the shade of the big oak, looks rather nice.

After a lunch of a garden salad I headed in to watch the war in Israel and on our college campuses that now is supporting the barbarians in hamas. It just beyond me how that is happening to our friend and ally. Lots of those illegals that came across the open border supported by this inept potus, are now terrorists supported by Soros the modern day hater of America who is wealthy. At least our governor isn't putting up with these radicals on our schools here and is having them arrested. This is all a plan to destroy US(A) from within by these marxists and the democrat party with obama telling biden what to do or not to do. Islam is showing its ugly head here in this christian nation with insurrections and rioting. We need a real leader to lead America and we have let these who hate our nation, be in positions within our government. Its unreal we have congress folks allowing the calling for the death to America and the flying of our enemies flag in the capital. WAKE UP FOLKS, LATER

Wednesday Morning May 1st

Well 18 days until departure for the cabin and there is lots to do, people to see and lots of family times in the next 2 plus weeks. I'm excited and a little sad to leave especially my pickle ball friends as the last year  I only played one time all summer and it wasn't as good as I once remembered, anyhow such is life. I'll do lots of physical labor around the cabin and the gardens as well as hiking to keep in shape.

Tuesday started out with my usual routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, JESUS, 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 on my bike to the Rec for two hours of good play and left whupped around 10'ish with a stop at the library on the way home. 

I piddled around in whats left of the garden on one side of the back yard and did harvest some tomato's the fruit flies haven't yet ruined. I still have carrots to harvest as well as a couple egg plants that are maturing and 3 collard plants which I think I may take out this coming week. I want to work up that side garden as well as I have some green beans that are drying on the plant and will use them next fall here in this garden for seeds.

I didn't do much after lunch except read and watch the videos on the war in Israel and how the radical terrorist loving college idiots are destroying some campuses. I'm thrilled our governor isn't putting up with crap in Florida and is sending a message which is what the Ivy leagues schools should have done. Just to think these skulls full of mush are supporting the evil terrorists barbarians is just unbelievable. America should know that Islamist are behind this with obama being the mastermind and the inept biden is following orders and the corrupt dems are doing nothing to preserve and defend our constitution and our allies in Israel, oh well.

We headed out after supper to Keswick to see grand kiddos Ava and Sam perform in the school Spring concert. They were awesome as was the whole event. Ava received an award for her achievements in the choir as did several of the youngsters we know from SRBC. It was after 9 when I hit the shower and watched a little hockey to see who were going to the Cup finals as the Lightning was eliminated by the Panthers on Monday night. The NC team is doing great, so I'll follow them. The Ray's were losing again and I'm starting to lose interest in them as well, despite we are going to a game on Sunday after church, LATER