Wednesday Morning July 31st

 Well Tuesday was mostly an overcast day with a few sprinkles and by late afternoon some delicious sunshine. Its been in the upper 70's with high humidity so the a/c has been mostly but at least we are out of the drought condition. I started the day with my 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 several up by name for comfort and healing as well as safety on the hiking trail. All seem to be holding and I'm still sad and in shock to know my old pickle ball partner has passed so suddenly, but in way that is a blessing as there was no long time suffering; he played pickle ball in the morning and passed that evening.

I piddled around the gardens as well as some honey do 's but then mostly sat on the back porch reading the afternoon away. I'm reading a true crime book on a serial killer that started with murdering kids after raping and torturing them and leaving them in wooded areas and then denying any involvement. He eventually was caught and send to prison but on reduced charges because of the lack of evidence associating him directly to the crimes and was released back into society only to begin killing again I'm about half way through this read as its a real page turner by Greg Olsen. He started his murdering in Viet Nam and while suffering from flashbacks he carried through on his murderous history after being discharged.

We were having the Frankis Family for supper so we spent part of the day getting ready for them. Nancy made a delicious squash casserole to go along with some t-bones on the grill, sweet taters and of course a garden fresh salad and then cup cakes for dessert. We still have two left from when she made them on Saturday, but they are oh so good. We had a fun time with Skylar and Seth as they are very energetic and we played with them outside on the back porch after eating. We will play cards with Jake and Katelyn when we next go to their place so the kids can go to bed after supper. Its just too much to try to play with them being at our house as there aren't much for the kids to do.

We start today to get ready for our trip to Woodstock on Thursday for 5 days. I'm looking forward to visiting with family and maybe even take a trip to the old West Virginia house where Nancy spent many summers with her family. Its no longer in the family and the last we saw it, it was in ruins and in decay. We have to run to Sparta today before 5 and pick up some fresh baked herb bread to take with us and then to stop in Galax on the way north for a haircut for me. Its about a 4 1/2 hour trip or so depending on our route. It should be a fun time as we will once again fire up the card playing events at night, LATER

Tuesday Morning July 30th

Well July is about gone and August will add another year to this old boy's life, wow where has this time gone. I should be thankful for these many years as I got word yesterday my friend and fellow pickle ball partner who was a few months younger than me suddenly dropped dead from an aneurysm on Saturday evening after playing the game that morning. You just never know when your number is called.

I started the day on Monday with my usual rollout before 6 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, healing and safety while hiking on the Appalachian Trail. My grandson Sam and his dad Tyler will be there this next week or so. I'm not sure how far they want to go but the scenery thus far is amazing and rugged. Hopefully they stay dry as well.

I piddled around outside in the gardens all morning tying up tomato plants, hoeing weeds and harvesting more yellow squash, cucumbers and zucchini's. I found a bunch of small green worms on my kale so I dispatched them as well as the leaves they had eaten on along with some Japanese beetles on the zinnias which they seem to love best. That kept me busy until lunch time then it was time for some reading on the back porch for the next couple of hours. I did get Nancy to take a hike before supper, up the back trail and then over and down the back road and then down by Steve and Sheri's place and then up our steep drive. She did well for her first hike in many weeks. I'm hoping we can repeat that daily as she get her BP under control and starts to exercise again.

We ate leftovers for lunch and tonight we are having our dear friends the Frankis Family for supper. They have two adorable kiddos and she is expecting again the end of the year. They are a busy bunch with him building their dream house, working the cabinet shop and being the youth pastor at Cornerstone. They both were gone this past week with the group to Niagara Falls. Well that was about it after a supper of chicken salad on a bed of home grown lettuces and leafy greens with a slice of home made sour dough bread, yummy. I did watch the updates on the war in Israel and learned the terrorists killed a dozen or so kids in northern Israel with a rocket from Lebanon. Such useless violence against a class of people because of their ethnicity and that they are mentioned in the Bible as GOD's chosen people, LATER

Monday Morning July 29th

Well Sunday was just that a sunny day and a day of worship at Cornerstone in Sparta as well as on line with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. We started the day or I did with a well before 6 rollout to my usual 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. Please keep Tyler and Sam in your prayers as they are hiking the Appalachian Trail from N.C. northward for 5 days and then we will be traveling north as well on Thursday up to Woodstock in the Shenandoah Valley for a long weekend.

It was youth Sunday at church as they told about their mission trip to Niagara Falls N.Y. and how they mingled with and did some jobs with the residents there and how they were totally surprised at the poverty in the tourists area. It seems all of the money from the area goes to the state and very little is used to support the area there. Lots of homeless people and folks living below normal standards for this area that is so popular for tourists. Anyhow they seemed to be more blessed as a group than they were a blessing to others. It is usually always that way on these mission trips especially with good leaders they have in our dear friends Jake and Katelyn. After the service we met up with them and Katelyn mom Karin and hubby Frank at the Mexican eatery in town for a delicious lunch which held me the rest of the day except for a slice of home made sour dough bread our neighbors Bob and Mary brought by around 3'ish for a visit.

Bob and Mary moved here from Raleigh to get away from the urban congestion and bought the beautiful log home that the Hudson's had owned and had moved away a few months back. It has a very steep driveway and one must have a 4 wheel drive vehicle to reach the home which has awesome views and is isolated. They have become friends in just a short time as we think alike politically and are Believers as well. I think we will become great friends in years to come as well as we have become with several neighbors here on the mountain. Well they stayed for an hour or so and we showed them the cabin and gave them some history on us and our family. They have one unmarried daughter so no grands. They plan on staying full time here along with their neighbors at the foot of their driveway the Heglar's, Grant and Shirley.

Well I watched the Ray's win again against the Red's at home in a close game 2-1 after being behind for most of the game and then I sat out on the back porch reading until dark. Nancy cut into the fresh baked loaf of bread Bob and Mary brought by and wow its so delicious and with some butter top its decadent. It was still slightly warm which made it even better. After dark Nancy watched TV and I caught up on the war in Israel and on FB until shower time and then some horizontal lab around 10'ish, LATER

Sunday Morning July 28th

 Well Saturday was our first full day with no rain in quite a spell so I got lots of outside work done around the cabin, gardens and yards plus we headed down to a neighbors place around 4'ish for a yard party with tons of fine folks for supper, some corn hole and just plain eatin' to celebrate their grandson's graduating from high school and enlisting in the national guard. What a gorgeous evening and we stayed until 7'ish before heading back up to the cabin in the golf cart with a quick stop at neighbor Gerald and Phylis's place to give away some of the two dozen cup cakes Nancy made for the party.

I had started the day with a well before 6'ish 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, healing and traveling mercies. All are holding with this post and keep Tyler and Sam in your thoughts and prayers for safe hiking as they left for a week on the Appalachian Trail.

After a hearty breakfast I headed out to check on the gardens and fertilize them while I waited for the grass to dry enough to mow. I had to replace or return the drive belt once again on the riding mower. I'm not sure what causes it to slip out of its pattern especially when backing back into the shed where I keep it out of the weather, oh well at least I was able to diagnose the problem and realign the belt and then mowed all of the yards except the backwood yard.

The place is just beautiful with all of the flowers blooming and the upper garden is producing tons of lettuces, beet greens and Swiss chard plus a couple of green peppers are maturing and of course the 'maters are getting large enough they should be ripening any day now. The blue berries are starting to show some colors as well and should be ready this coming week. The bushes on top of the mountain are already for picking and we did a couple times and send tons home with Mike and Dee.

I watched a little of the Ray's game and they shut out the Red's in ST.Pete at the Trop and are still in the hunt for a wild card slot. They did trade one of their sluggers away which makes no sense for 4 other players which are supposed to be good for the team in the future. Today we head to Cornerstone for corporate worship and hear all about the mission trip to Niagara Falls, N.Y. that Jake and Katelyn led, LATER

Saturday Morning July 27th

Well Friday morning started out with a nice hike with Mike, Dee and Sophie(dog) and myself and then they left for Woodstock, Va. around 10'ish. I did my routines after they left and then we cleaned up the house and got some laundry out on the line as it looked like a nice morning with plenty of sunshine after being overcast and rainy the past several days. The temps stayed nice and we cut off the a/c for the rest of the day except for night time.

We had an early lunch as we were heading to Sparta around 1:15 for visitation for a dear friends of our whose daughter died at age 61. We were in line for close to an hour as lots of the town folks who knew this lady and her folks who we also became close friends with for many years. The father actually wired and plumbed our cabin and we ate many a meal with them and their family but the past couple of years we haven't been in touch except for maybe a phone call. Both of the parents have aged considerably with severe health issues which so saddened us.  We sure had lots of close family suppers and get togethers over the 30 year we have known them and we were so sorry we haven't been close to them the last couple of years, oh well. We did share some laughter despite this solemn occasion. We hadn't been real close to their daughter as she lived in Tennessee but did know her and was shocked at how she had aged at death.

We came back and I fired up the weed eater and gave the place a trimming as the rain this past week has caused the grass and weeds to grow. That kept me busy for the rest of the afternoon and evening and then Nancy cooked up a pot of half runner green beans and we then ate them and some leftover chicken tenders for our supper. We still have lots of leftovers for the next couple of days plus we are eating with Heglar's this evening as a grand son of their's is enlisting in the military and heads off to boot camp. Nancy was busy making cup cupcakes which didn't turnout well and has to redo them this morning, plus she baked some cookie dough to take to the get together.

I piddled around in the gardens until dark then settled into the Ray's game which they lost in extra innings and afterwards it was shower time and some horizontal lab for me around 10'ish or a little before. We love company especially family but it was nice to be alone again for a couple days before we visit them for a few nights and days the end of next week, LATER

Friday Morning July 26th

Well Thursday saw us again with some rain over night and a shower or two with over cast skies and moderate temps. Dee and Mike are still here and while we had to go to Elkin for a doctors visit for Nancy they ran to Galax and then we all went to Sparta together for lunch at the Pizzeria . Afterwards the girls visited the coffee shop and then we headed home and sat outside on the deck playing hand, knee and foot. The guys prevailed again after a tough hard fought game.

We did some porch setting for a couple hours and then settled into one last game of Euchre and the guys was once again victorious. It was a tough day on the gals for game playing. We ended the evening listening to a sermon from Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg on waiting on the Lord given by young Austin Hamrick who is quite a speaker.

Mike, Sophy(dog) and I took a nice hike later in the evening before dark as I had missed the morning hike with Dee, Mike and Sophy. Speaking of Sophy she is quite the ball player and never wants to quit. She wears you out watching her chase the ball and makes you wonder how she can expend so much energy and is ready for more. She is really a very sweet dog and had filled the empty space in their hearts after Bonnie passed away a couple months ago.

Well we will attend a funeral this afternoon after Mike and Dee leave this morning for an old friends daughter who passed at the young age of 61. We are planning on heading up their way next Thursday for a long weekend as we will attend a cousins reunion on Sunday. We will have this week to catch up on some minor chores around the cabin and hopefully diet a little, LATER

Thursday Morning July 25th

 Well Wednesday was overcast with lite rain off and on through out the day and evening and then all night long there was a drizzle. We headed off to Sparta after lunch for some shopping, I ran to the dump to drop off three bags of garbage and then we headed home to get a visit from our new neighbors Bob and Mary for over an hour. We so enjoyed their visit and they will be here permanent as they left Raleigh and all of the wokeness that has permeated that area with the three major colleges there.

We ate large for breakfast and then again for supper with delicious deer burgers and then we settled into a game of hand, knee and foot and the guys prevailed on the final hand. I did get in some of my morning routines before everyone rolled out of bed. We did learn an old friends daughter passed away at the young age of 61. We will attend the funeral on Friday in Sparta. Today we have to go off the mountain for Nancy's doctors appointment and then we will head to Sparta for some pizza for a change or that is the plan. Dee and Mike leave on Friday morning and we hope they take some of this rain with them as they are in a drought in their area. It seems we are no longer in that mode, LATER

Wednesday Morning July 24th

 Well we sure have been getting wet weather and its sprinkling again this morning. No real heavy down pours, just a good soaking rain with some sunshine between the overcast skies and light rain which is really nice plus its holding the temps to the 70's. We have the a/c on because of the humidity but its pleasant to be outside on the porches and on hikes.

 I started the day with a sleep in as the long morning hike is making tired but it feels oh so good to be getting back some stamina. We all took a hike minus Nancy who is still having some BP issues and is not taking the chance of the extra work. She ha a doctor's appointment on Thursday to see what he thinks is causing her to have up's and down's or maybe it hormonal, anyhow she is concerned with why she can not get it regulated.

We ate well again through out the day with fresh garden salads and sandwiches for lunch with baby back ribs on the grill for supper and fresh blueberries and oatmeal for breakfasts with some zucchini bread thrown in between. We of course wore out the cards once again and while we guys won on Monday in hand, knee and foot the gals prevailed yesterday and took a 3-2 over all lead.

Well everyone is waking and coming down so I'll cut this short. Sophy is a bundle of energy and just a loving pup and is having a grand time here, LATER

Tuesday Morning July 23rd.

 Well it was a special day for my youngest sister Dee, as she turned 66 yesterday and we celebrated with fine eatin' and a cheesecake for dessert as well as a nice hike to the top of the mountain. That was my first hike in several days since I was last under the weather after Bobby and family left a couple weeks ago.

I had slept in as well until 6'ish to start the day and the did my routines before anyone came down from upstairs then it was a big mountain breakfast with eggs, bacon and toast. It was still over cast and the threat of rain with some sprinkles and lots of fog and we did by late evening see some sunshine. Sophy their new dog is just such a fine ball players and a bundle of energy as she runs non stop chasing a ball and brings it back. She is just a loving animal and really all most too much energy but so sweet. She is full grown but looks and acts like a puppy.

We settled in to a game of hand, knee and foot and the guys whupped the gals again, but they got revenge later on a long Spades Game and then we played various games through out the day and evening as well. We did do some porch setting after supper which was delicious grilled NY strip steaks, oven taters and salad. They are staying until Friday and want to go off the mountain when we go to Nancy doctors appointment and visit Helen before heading back to Woodstock. We are hoping to visit them for a couple days but not sure with this BP issue, LATER

Monday Morning July 22nd

 Well we sure got our fill of rain on Sunday with showers off and on for most of the afternoon, what a blessing as we sure needed it. Mike and Dee got in around 5'ish and it was great to see them after several months and to met their new addition Sophie, who is another Jack Russel terrier. She is quite the ball player and is full of energy, but such a sweet dog who acts like a puppy. 

I had started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus and to give thanks for another day as well as lifting several up by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. We herd a good message both on line and then again at our local Cornerstone Church before heading to Food Lion for a few items and then headed home for some last minute cleaning and food prep.

I did watch the Ray's beat the Yankees once again in their home place once gain with good pitching and lots of homers. We are still several games back for the wild card slot but if we keep playing in this fashion we should get into the playoffs. I grilled fresh salmon for our supper with fresh asparagus, pasta and a Caesar salad with a some vino before hand shared by Mike and I. After the cleanup we settled into a game of hand, knee and foot and the guys prevailed after a rocky start until after 10'ish. Then it was shower time for me and soon in the sack., LATER

Sunday Morning July 21st

 Well this month is just about gone but at least we got some rain yesterday and are out of the drought stage. I think the rain was the most for this whole month except maybe for a sprinkle here and there. We got two 1/2 inch rains during the day and it was welcomed. I think this coming week show more wet weather in the forecast as well. I haven't mowed in three weeks as its been that dry and the grasses sure loved the rains today.

I started the day with my usual 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. All are holding and Ava and Sam got back safely with the youth group from Tennessee. Daughter Amy has contracted shingles so keep her in your prayers, everyone else seems to be holding. We stayed on the hill the whole day for a change as it was get ready for company coming this afternoon and will be here several days. There was lots of extra cleaning and food preparations as well as some weed pulling in one of the flower beds that was over grown with grass. Its been so dry and the ground so hard but with the rain I was able to clean out the grasses from the marigold bed which is around the fire circle. That kept me busy for a couple hours in between the rain showers.

I blessed neighbor Gerald and Phylis with some fresh lettuces and yellow squashes and he in return blessed up with some ground venison which is always a favorite of ours especially grilled like hamburgers, yeow. is that not ever delicious. We are so thankful for those packs which are vacuum packed. I vacuumed the house and did some other honey do's as well as cut and cleaned lettuces and leafy greens for the salad bowl while Nancy made a cheesecake. We cleaned up the leftover zucchini boats  for supper which has become a favorite of mine and not nearly as difficult or a job to make like zucchini pie. Actually I think its more tasty than the pie, anyhow I have plenty of zucchini's for this bread she is making today but we didn't have any instant coffer which is in the recipe so we will make a stop at the Food Lion after church then head home to await Dee and Mike who are coming from Roanoke.

I did set and watch the Ray's whup the Yankees 9-1 yesterday afternoon as their bats came to life with homers and the pitching held for a change. We are excited for our company coming as we will be playing cards for the next several nights and eating "high on the hog" as the old saying goes. Today is Worship day and we will be back at Cornerstone after being under the weather last Sunday, LATER

Saturday Morning July 20th

 Well Friday found us down off the mountain once again and it was rather warm with temps close to 90 once again but it stayed in the 70's here for us and by late evening it was quite pleasant to be outside. I had started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines of 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 as of this post. The grands, Ava and Sam are on their way home with the church youth group from being a part of World Changers who were in Tennessee for the week. 

We headed down to Elkin to visit our "mountain mom" Helen who is holding in this ALF. We made a stop at the local veggie stand for some goodies and then picked up MeDonald's for which she wanted for lunch and was I ever surprised at how their prices have risen. She wanted a plain hamburger, french fries and a small chocolate shake and it was almost 10 bucks, wow what a difference from when I could get a cheeseburger, fries, apple pie and a drink for a buck, oh well. We picked up some half runner beans, jalapenos, dried bird egg beans(October) peaches and 'maters  from the old Hawk's produce which went out of business in Sparta. They just could not get any help so they closed up shop and now do a great business in Elkin.

We headed to Wal-Mart for our big shopping trip instead of Galax, Va. as we have company coming in on Sunday for close to a week. We will pick up a few other items after church on Sunday for the week at Food Lion in Sparta. We came back and had a lite lunch as it was once again after 2 o'clock and we were meeting at the Muddy Creek with the Luffman's for supper. I wasn't impressed with their food at all and it was a bit pricey. We do know the manager and she is sweet and showed us the back room but the fish sandwich was over done and small for 14 bucks, the fries were good but for that price they should be, oh well. That was the first and last time there for me this year.

We headed out to the Luffman Farm and loved up on several of the new foals. Mechelle has 32 Gypsy Vanners and they are so docile for such large animals. They are just beautiful with their long hair and sturdy frames and she has quite a breeding line of special colors and types and some of the rare colors in the USA. We always enjoy her mom and dads company as well as live partner Billy who is a hoot, to say the least. We lover their company and seeing their beautiful animals.

We got back on the mountain just before dark and saw several deer on the way home as well as in the fields. We are at present having some much needed rain and it sounds so good on the roof. Hopefully it will rain for most of the day and its a soaking rain as well which is what we need. I met up with neighbor Gerald and Phylis after getting back in the afternoon and had a very nice visit with them as I took his mail down for him. He is recovering nicely from the knee replacement and she was just as amicable as I've ever seen her. It was a pleasure to speak and enjoy both her and his company. They are here for the weekend.

Well I tuned into the Rays vs Yankees and the Rays lost big time in New York. Its not looking goof for them this year to make the playoffs unless something drastic changes for their pitching. The Orioles and Yanks are leading the division big time, LATER

Friday Morning July 19th

 Well Thursday saw us with a little more wet weather which was greatly appreciated, not a lot but enough to keep the ground damp and the grasses and gardens are loving it as are we with lots of clouds. We sure need a break from the high heat and ground drying breezes. We did spent about 4 hours or more away from the cabin with Nancy's hair appointment and then some shopping in town before we got back to the cabin around 2'ish and had a late lunch.

I started the day with a 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, all seem to be holding with this post. I walked around the yards before breakfast did some stretching and check on any deer damage and of course we are a daily stop over night for a snack. She keeps the back garden eaten down and now is even eating the squash plants which are quite sticky with little barbs, now that surprises me. We get her every night now on our trail camera munching her way around the gardens, but thus far she hasn't been inside the small upper patch by the back porch. She does eat the sunflowers along the outside fence which she could step over as do I, but doesn't.

I loaded up several sacks of garbage for the landfill which I went to after dropping Nancy off for her hair appointment then headed to the library for new reads. I did finish a read that I had started several years ago titled THE SON by Philipp Myers. What a read and then finished a read I picked up at the library title NIGHT OF THE GRIZZLIES  which happened in 1967 at the National Park in Montana. A true read with pics of the two beautiful teenage girls who were attacked, partially eaten and both died from two separate attacks by two different bears on the same night. What a read and very unusual.

Nancy made one of my fav dishes for supper which is stuffed zucchini boats with Italian sausage and a little pasta as a side dish. Wow, and we have enough for another supper. Did I mention I'm now growing yellow zucchini's which at first I though was yellow squash. I'm interested if they taste like the regular greens ones. The tomato's are growing and should be turning as I saw some ripe ones in some gardens on the way to Sparta. Lots of green ones thus far on my plants that the brat deer haven't eaten, oh well.

We played a game of hand, knee and foot after supper as we got another lite rain which was welcomed and Nancy slaughtered me again with wins in 3 out of the 4 hands, anyhow its been awhile since we played and it was fun. I tuned into the RNC and listen to great speeches by folks who love this nation and Trump's policies and him as well. So many folks loved him before he pointed out what the corrupt politicians in D.C. were doing to the working class of America which caused him to throw his hat in the ring for potus, and he won which really upset the establishment and still does today. He without a doubt is a man who loves the USA and his brash talk about how to save this country and quickly to point out the failures of those who are in charge as we speak. We need a strong leader and GOD spared him last week for this job as he was a proven leader without the help of the other party which lied, fabricated injustices and fought him constantly with career corrupt politicians who were and are still afraid of his exposing them of their duplicity, LATER

Thursday Morning July 18th

 Well Wednesday started out very nice with moderate temps but as the day progressed the heat came back in to play and the a/c was once again turned on for the evening and night. We did get a little rain shower after dark but I don't believe it was significant but any amount helps with easing the drought conditions and dropping the temps. I had started the day much the usual with my routines of 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. After a breakfast of oatmeal, banana, pecans and honey I headed out to check on the gardens and once again the brat doe deer had made another pass on the backyard garden patches eating down what had grown over night and then again in the flower beds keeping mowed down as well.

We took a trip up to the top of the mountain to harvest some blue berries from the old Browning Place and while there were a few ripe ones it really isn't worth the trip however we did head back up to visit with the Crouse fellers, Larry and Brandon who did so much renov's for us a couple years back and we have remained friends. They were staining the huge back deck at Laura's place and that will take at least two coats of stain. It was good to visit with them for a few. It seems Laura had taken sister Ann down to Winston for a health issue, not sure if she was getting a knee replacement or not but she is due for one this summer.

We didn't do much the rest of the day except rest after lunch with me on the porch reading and just about finishing this read until supper time. I grilled bone in pork chops and they were delicious along with a Caesar salad for me while Nancy had fried up a sweet tater and we shared a little. We did use of some pizza sauce and cheese on some flat bread for our lunch which was very tasty. We piddled around after supper outside until the gnats got so bad, checking on the progress of our veggie and flower beds. I did do some hand watering with the hose before dark. Thankfully we got some rain but not sure how much. My cold ailments have just about gone thank GOD and I'm back to about 100% with energy and much less coughing and blowing the nose. I'm gonna hike this morning for the first time in nearly 10 days.

I tuned into the RNC and heard some great speeches and some awesome support for Trump for many who at one time was his opponent for the presidency. We know or I know for sure Biden and his minions have to go and I know this offends some of my family and friends but he is and has left America in dire straights for failure and exposure to radical terrorists who have now infiltrated our country. We along with Israel must stand tall and fight for humanity against these barbarians who have an agenda to wipe Israel out and destroy US(A) from within and I think Biden is allowing this to happen with his policies and kowtowing to Iran, Russia and North Korea who at one time would never think of harming US and Israel. We now see what he has and is doing with fighting on our campuses and in the Middle East, Wake Up America, LATER

 

Wednesday Morning July 17th

 Well Tuesday was another very warm day but at least there was some afternoon overcast skies but no rain fell much to my chagrin, oh well I do believe some wet weather is in the forecast for the next day or so. 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, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. All are holding with this post. I checked the backwoods yard upon getting up and sure enough the brat doe deer was out there eating once again my garden down, thankfully its just the gardens in the back woods yard and not the one closet to the cabin which is lush with leafy greens, peppers and tomato's as well as a few sun flowers she hasn't eaten totally off the tops. We actually have one sunflower which is just beautiful in color. Its the sunflowers that produce various colors with many heads on one stalk. I did harvest two nice heads of romaine lettuces for our Caesar salad with supper before the sun got on them.

I headed out after a breakfast of sausage, eggs and toast to piddle around in the gardens and do little piddlings chores as well as check for damage to whats left in the veggie and flower beds. What she doesn't eat the Japanese beetles do so I sprayed them with some insecticide, then I filled up the sprayer with some grass and weed killer and sprayed the wild grasses that grow in the rocks but not in the ground, whats that all about, unbelievable. I did dig up some it before I sprayed it and transplanted them into the once flower bed that I'm turning back into the yard. You would think they would grow in the soil instead of the rock driveway, oh well.

We got a text from Dave who bought the Brown homestead for us to harvest the blueberries which are ripening at his place, since he won't be there for several weeks. We will head up that way this morning and do some harvesting, ours are not near being ripe for some reason. I took my last allergy OTC pill last night which is supposed to last 12 hours. I do think I'm over this malady finally except for my usual morning coughing, sneezing and throat clearing. I do seem to have more energy and hopefully will get back to hiking the mountain a another day or so. I did do some porch setting and reading during the afternoon and we took a golf cart ride to the mailbox after supper. I then tuned into the RNC and listened to some of the small speeches by folks in the party and folks who once did not support Trump, but now are closing ranks for his leadership which the nation greatly needs. We need a strong leader despite his faults and he is a proven leader who is NOT a career politician which makes a lot of difference. The nation needs to be run like a business which this present administration has no idea how to do and have run the nation into tremendous debt for our grand children while leaving US(A) vulnerable to those folks who hate America, LATER

Tuesday Morning July 16th

Well Monday was another rather hot day for the mountains with temps into the upper 80's and low 90's, yikes this is almost like Florida with out the high humidity. It did cloud up a couple times but no rain fell which I was hoping for to ease the dryness and cool things down a bit. I did do some porch setting and read for a couple hours and started a new old read from years back titled SON, wow what a read from  memoirs from the early 1900's. I read about half of the book yesterday and its a real page turner about a family dynasty in early Texas, Comanche raids, and oil.

I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day to lift up several for comfort and healing as well as myself in getting over this malady that has kept me limited the past week or so with congestion and coughing. I'm also using a neti pot which seems to help but the sinus congestion is still there. Everyone else seems to be holding with this post.

I did do some minor gardening early in the morning before breakfast, loosening up some soil, harvesting more cucumbers and hand watering once again. I have lots of large green tomato's on the vine but nothing ripening as of yet. I did harvest my potato's the dad gum deer had eaten off the tops and was surprised to get about 5 pounds from volunteer plants I found in my compost pile from over the winter. The red taters did best and I have enough for a small mess.

The marigold bed out by the red shack is so dry and compacted but there are some blooms nothing like last years bed which was luscious and full and of course the deer eats down the one bed on the other side of the red shack and all of the honey suckle and sun flowers in that area, oh well I hope I'm eating her next year when neighbor Gerald blesses us with some venison. I'm going to enjoy her on the grill. I didn't sound or feel good enough to attend the Bible class last evening but Nancy did attend and it was 9:30 before she got back on the hill. I stayed home and read then hit the shower when she got home and then read until lights out for me around 10:30, LATER

Monday Morning July 15th

Well Sunday found us missing corporate worship at Cornerstone because of this lingering flu, covid, cold or whatever but we are still both showing some coughs and congestion despite taking antibiotics, allergy meds, raw garlic for me and tons of supplements. Whatever it is, its time for it to go. I do have more energy and don't feel as bad but not totally clear, oh well.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that begin after posting this ramble some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. All including Trump are doing better and Israel is taking it to the radical barbarians in Gaza eliminating several and hopefully will annihilate Iran eventually. We can only pray Iran is never allowed to have nuclear weapons for they are jihadist terrorist through and through.

We eventually listened to our pastor in Seminole and he brought a poignant message on whats happening not only culturally but within the church but with the straying on the gospel message. We must never let wokeism influence our christian values and its done that with many denominations now embracing blatant sin and celebrating it. Such a sad state for America who was founded on strong Biblical principles.

We headed into Sparta to run a couple errands but mainly to order lunch take out and pick up Nancy's meds at Walgreens as well as some groceries. I also gassed at at a whopping 3.34 a gallon which has gone up 30 cents a gallon almost over night. We got back around 1'ish and had a huge salad along with our very delicious pizza from the Pizzeria. That will give us plenty for leftovers as well this week. The temps were quite hot so we stayed inside the rest of the afternoon except for some porch setting near dark. I did hand water some of the veggie gardens as the heat is really maturing the lettuces and leafy greens and the tomato's are starting to get large enough to ripen. Cucumbers and squash are still ripening and being harvested daily as well.

I settled into the Rays game on the laptop and they beat the Cleveland team again in a close one, 2-0. They are finally at .500 ball going into the All Star break which means the season is half over. The days are starting to get shorter and now the morning are staying darker longer as well. We had a great talk with sister Dee and Mike who are heading our way next Sunday. We will celebrate her birthday and then the following week will be at their place for a couple of days and celebrate mine as well with a cousin reunion. We are looking forward to games, fine eatin' and fun times with them and they will showcase their new pup or dog since Bonnie passed away recently. I'm hoping this week we get some rain and cooler temps for their visit as I would like to mow but its so dry, LATER

Sunday Morning July 14th

 Well Saturday was another day where we are still fighting and trying to get over this crud but I did have a little more energy and got a few things done before it got too hot and I got too worn out. Nancy seemed to have less energy today than yesterday but I think a big part of that is still not having her BP regulated as its up and down. We did get some house work done and a couple loads of laundry on the line as it was a perfect day for drying bed linens outside. The climb up and down the stairs is starting to take its toll on her as well.

I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and lift up several including both of us for comfort and healing and now we must include our former Potus Trump as he was close to be assassinated yesterday in Pennsylvania at a rally. The dems will do anything to keep him from exposing their corruption in this gov't and saving America.

I headed out after my morning routines to check on the gardens and the deer made another visit to the back yard gardens but since she has just about eaten everything there except the herbs, tomato and some flower I decided to put more volunteer tomato plants along with some cages in that area in hopes it will prevent her from doing what looks like a dance in there at night. Thankfully she hasn't done any veggie damage in the upper patch except the sunflowers surrounding it which she keeps eaten down. I decided to take out the portrait fence flower bed this year which hasn't done much and expand the yard there as those blue Spruce trees are getting wider and its difficult to get the mower between it and the flower bed. Thats always a tight spot when getting the mower between it, so now it almost a straight shot. I left the outside rocks next to the driveway to keep the water run off from eroding the yard.

I finally got around to loosening the soil around the veggies after not doing anything for over 2 weeks since the family was here. We did get a nice rain shower just about suppertime which was really needed. I had hand watered a little before it started as the sun had dried things out once again with temps in the 80's and stiff breeze at times. Hopefully this rain will bring on the blueberries which are heavy on the bushes. I took the afternoon and rested on the back porch watching the Ray's lose to Cleveland in a close game and then we ate light for supper with just a couple hot dogs. 

I think we are staying home from church today due to still lingering coughs and congestion and will venture out on Monday hopefully to our Bible study classes. We will run some errands in town before our 7 PM classes. That is the plan but that could change due to our health issues, LATER

Saturday Morning July13th

Well I'm starting to finally turn the corner on this malady that  I acquired some how last Sunday or maybe it was during our busy week down in Boone and Blowing Rock when we were among so many folks during our many outings, oh well, I'm not a 100% yet but getting there. Nancy is doing better but along with me its not a 100% either, but we are able to a little more physical work each day. I'm sure we both contracted that virus called covid or the flu. The more I learn about this lab made virus the more I think the globalist tried to off US(A) and they did a fine job with China's help. Another theory of conspiracy.

I started the day on Friday with a 6'ish rollout for a change to much cooler temps and mainly overcast skies for the biggest part of the day, but by late afternoon we saw some sunshine but no rain. I did hand water the gardens before sunset as the sun was very hot and the breeze had the top soil dry plus my tomato's are now tennis ball size and starting to load the plants, as well as bell peppers are setting and what lettuces are left now are ready for harvest. I did my morning routines of 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 to check the gardens afterwards and harvested several yellow squash which we gave away to a neighbor as well as made that our supper. Nothing beats fried squash with herbs on top and I had plenty to add to their toppings such as dill, thyme, cilantro, basil and oregano all fresh from the garden and they add such flavor to each piece of squash on top after they cool down. I also harvested more cucumbers and noticed the jalapeno plants are starting to come back after our local deer had eaten them down to a stalk. Its amazing the resilience of these plants; of course I had been giving them a shot of water almost daily unless it rained.

I finished another great read by Jack Olsen titled PREDATOR. A true crime story which eventually sent the bad guys away but in the progress there as some bad light shown upon a local police investigation that ruined a good man. Its a real page turner and whats sad is a bad police officer nearly sent an innocent person to prison for life. This all happened in the state of Washington and a good decent newspaper man saved his life from prison but because of the false charges that prison became his life. Sad ending in many ways but a good read.

We took a golf cart ride to the mailboxes and stopped and visited with many on the way both coming and going. We also blessed the Heglars with some squash and cucumbers before heading back on the hill. I hand watered the gardens until supper then after the clean up settled into watching the Rays beat the Cleveland team 2-0 in a close game. I hit the shower afterwards and then the sack a little before 10, Later

Friday Morning July 12th

 Well Thursday was almost a perfect day weather wise with deep blue skies, lots of sunshine and a drop in temps for most of the day which made for great porch setting and reading. The only missing part was a little wetness as the stiff breeze dried out the top soil so I'll probably give the gardens a hand watering this morning.

I started the day with a 6'ish rollout as we both are still fighting this health set back, Nancy seems to be getting a little more energy back, while I do feel somewhat stronger and not taking to the bed during the day, I'm still feeling the effects of whatever we got. I'm under the impression from what the symptoms expressed on the internet its totally covid without the breathing issues or a strain of it, anyhow I do feel as if I'm getting over it, just not as quickly as I would like. I did my morning routines of 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 be holding with this post. Ava our beautiful grand daughter is healing and now she is going on a youth trip to Tennessee this next week with a stop to hike Stone Mountain in Georgia. She is a wonder with her ability to recover from several severe maladies and she has had quite a few in her 17 years, plus she is just a beautiful person inside and out and of course our first grand child.

Not much to write about except some cucumber harvesting and checking on the gardens. We did get a couple loads of laundry hung outside on the clothesline on this beautiful day. Our main goal was to get better by resting and to clean the house when we feel better. We have no company coming for the immediate future so we can take our time stripping beds and doing some cleaning that will only benefit us now and not for company. We do head out in about 3 weeks or less to Woodstock to visit baby sister Dee and Mike for a long weekend with a cousin reunion in the mix. I'm looking forward to that as I'm the oldest of that group. I hope I make it as a couple of days ago I wasn't sure, but I'm so much better from those days, Thank GOD.

Nancy made a delicious shrimp and pasta dish for our big meal of the day and we picked at some leftovers for lunch. I do need to harvest some wine berries which are just falling off the vines today for my big project. This has been a banner year for berries and the blue berries will soon be ripening as well and the bushes are loaded. I ,after the cleanup from supper tuned into the Ray's vs Yankees game on the laptop and the Ray's won again after a close game at the Trop in St.Pete where we watched them in May before coming to the cabin. What a nice venue but like anything else with major league sports venue its not new enough, Oh well, LATER

Thursday Morning July 11th

Well Wednesday was maybe just a wee bit better than Tuesday but not much for me as we both are down with a major cold, flu or covid. Not sure which but it has sure knocked us for a loop, especially me who seldom is every sick. I did take a major antihistamine that we had brought with us and it has seemed to help some what but, thankfully I'm no longer achy or sore in the joints and muscles which is a blessings. I stayed out of bed all day yesterday although did cat nap while reading in the porch rocker. Monday and Tuesday were rough but a little better yesterday except for some coughing and sore throat.

I started the day with my usual routines of some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, I need that now for myself as well. Nancy is doing much better than I am at this point as she still has a little cough but no congestion and her sore throat is gone. I did feel could enough to do some minor things like harvesting some cucumbers and walking around the gardens straightening up some plants the stiff wind blew over during the day, but I mostly sat around except for a golf cart ride to the mailboxes.

I'm still taking raw garlic as well as gargling with salt water which helps and thankfully I'm no longer in pain or feeling washed out, its just the cough and sore throat that annoying. I never lost my sense of smell or taste so I think its just the flu or a bad cold, oh well. I did finish reading one book and nearly another one, plus we were on the go with the family every day and night last week and it caught up with us and wore my resistance down.

Katie showed some of these same symptoms when she got home on Sunday so it wasn't just us. Bobby called and said he had none and the boys seemed fine also, thankfully. Well we finished up the last of the leftovers and now start new. We have a ton of food in the cupboards and fridges to work through which is good since the cost of everything is out of sight. The squashes, cucumbers and lettuces are still producing as is the other leafy greens. I did harvest some Swiss chard, kale and beet greens to add to the lettuces the deer hasn't eaten in the upper garden. That small fence seems to be reason she hasn't got in there yet. I have green tomatoes the size of golf balls.

The zinnias are starting to head up as well as the marigolds and the hydrangeas are blooming out front and now the huge white one in the back is loaded along with the Rose of Sharon's bushes. The hummers are having a ball in them.

I did watch on the laptop the Ray's lose a close game 2-1 against those Yankees at the Trop last evening so I'm getting stronger or at least staying awake longer, LATER

Wednesday Morning July 10th

 Well the crud is still upon me as well is upon Nancy. She seems to be handling better as I'm still napping at times during the day, hacking and full of congestion. I looked up the symptoms of covid and its right on with what I have, oh well we have no idea who and where we could have caught from. 

There isn't much to write about today except the dad gum large doe was back in the gardens over night and then again this morning. I actually took the BB gun and shot at her making her head off into the woods, oh well she is usually unseen but the past two morning she is as broad as day light in the yard. I did harvest some lettuces from the upper garden which she hasn't gotten into yet as it real close to the house and protected by a huge plastic owl on a pole, maybe that why nothing ever gets in this small garden patch.

Nancy did a couple loads of laundry and I helped by carrying the baskets up and down the stairs to the basement but other than that I'm just trying to survive this malady which has knocked me for a loop. I did stay up and watch the Rays beat the Yankees at the Trop in St.Pete last evening then it a hot shower which has helped with the sore and achey muscles and another dose of some night time stuff and then in the sack. LATER

Tuesday Morning July 9th

Well the day on Monday started some where around 8'ish as I was suffering from aches, coughs and congestion and didn't stay up long after posting this ramble and taking some cough meds. It was basically a do nothing, but rest for most of the day, except when Dan, Carole and Palmer came by to say goodbye and bring all of their stuff from the fridge and cabinets of the Air B&B they had rented for a week. Their daughter Danielle and Neal had left earlier but weren't going home but stopping overnight in St.Augustine and the Botbyl's were flying back with Palmer. I managed to stay upright for a couple hours but as soon as they left I was back in the sack, off and on the rest of the day and evening.

Bobby and family made good time and were back home around 4 ish after leaving about 12 hours earlier. We didn't do a whole lot but Nancy did 2 loads of laundry and I picked up the porches and yards as this cold has me struggling to stay upright. I may feel a little better but not a whole lot this morning and now some sore throat has appeared on the scene. We did watch grand daughter Ava on the laptop as she and her teammates won big last evening against a team that was ahead at half time. I soon hit the hot shower and took a dose of some overnight cough syrup and back in the sack around 9'ish, LATER

Monday Morning July 8th

 Well Bobby and family left here some where around 4:30 this morning. They left me with a cold, congestion, aches and pain so much I didn't get up to see them off which is quite unusual for me. Last evening I felt horrible all afternoon and evening and went to bed around 9. I did take some OTC cold medicine. Gabe first gave the cold to Bobby and then I suppose gave it to me. We have been burning the candle at both ends the past week. I did manage to help with the black raspberry jam making process around 3'ish but after that I was basically done for the day. My whole body aches which is quite unusual for me, oh well. I think being in church where it was so cold and then again at the Pizzeria both places you  could hang meat it was that cold, luckily they had no large tables in the eatery so we sat outside on two picnic tables and had lunch. The twins wanted pizza and really it was excellent as always. Bobby picked up the tab for 8 of us at 41 bucks including 4 drinks and 4 waters, not bad in this day and age.

I had started the day not feeling too bad except maybe a little tired after Saturdays activities which ran into the late evening and night almost to midnight. I think I just got worn down despite eating good and all. I did my usual 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 seem to be holding and Ava Mae our grand daughter is recovering Praise GOD. We headed out to church and everyone but Neal attended with us as he was having some cold and allergy issues, so he stayed home in bed as well.

We decided since we had so much to do to not invite the Andersons and Botbyl's over in the evening and its a good thing as I quickly went down hill after the jelly making event. Bobby prepared a steak fried rice dish from the leftover rib eyes on Saturday evenings meal and with all of veggies both fresh and frozen made for a tasty one bowl entree. We did get some more rain during the evening and it was delicious to say the least as the grasses and gardens love it. Well that was about it for Sunday and today Monday will be a busy day as I recover, if not we have no more company for several weeks, thankfully, LATER

Sunday Morning July 7th

 Well Saturday was another busy fun filled day with plenty of friends along with family here at the cabin. Lots of good eatin', target shooting. golf cart rides and game playing until the late evening hours, plus a trip to Sparta for the monthly Music on the Main. More on that later.

I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to 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 be as well as can be expected due to ages and concerns. The gang started waking up around7'ish and then it was non stop with family action until around lunch time when friends DJ and Jenny arrived for lunch along with the Anderson's. The Botbyl's were off to Mt.Airy for the day and arrived back at the cabin in time for a delicious supper of rib eye steaks, roasted tatters and salad. After lunch us men and Gabe headed out to the backwoods yard under the shade of the trees and set up several targets. We use the big guns(AR15, 12 and 20 gauge shotguns) and several different pistols on targets for nearly an hour or more before we then headed down to the badmitton area and played several games in the heat. The small kiddos played with water balloons and other toys while running around the yards.

After an early supper we headed off to Sparta where the town was closed down and folks set up lawn chairs in the street and listened to a 6 member county or mountain music band play for an hour and a half. We were too late for most of the other individual bands that played as well. There was a good crowd on hand and the weather was perfect. We saw a few familiar faces but most were new faces in the crowd. It was going on 9 before we got home and some of us hit the shower and then started to teach the family a new game which everyone seemed to like. It was nearly 11:30 before we called it quits on the game that was only about half done.

Today is corporate worship day at Cornerstone and then lunch out at the Pizzeria before heading back on the mountain to a hike hopefully and then some time for Bobby' and family to pack as they leave early Monday morning for Florida, LATER

Saturday Morning July 6th

 Well Friday was another travel day back down to the Boone/Banner Elk area at 8 AM where we headed over to a roller coaster type attraction that was unbelievable in action which last 45 seconds at terrific speeds and G- Forces called Alpine Coaster, yikes what a money making attraction and then we stopped at a go kart track and did another attraction again at what was another high speed event before heading to Chic Filet for lunch. We did encounter a hard rain storm when going to lunch and before heading back north for home.

The day started with my usual well before 6v 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. Ava seems to be better as well and we've heard nothing new for anyone else. I checked the gardens and the deer was in the back garden again and decided it was time to eat the lettuces heads. Thankfully I had cut several large heads and gave them away, because last night they ate down the remaining heads and then pulled them out of the ground and once again ate off the pepper plants. So far the upper garden which has a small low fence around it hasn't attracted them yet but the other patches have been decimated by them, oh well.

I headed out with Bobby, the twins and Gabe down a different way to Boone and I was shocked at how much shorter it was after going down the 2 miles of crooked roadway and onto the Traphill road which was a very nice drive. We never take that way but with the parkway closed it was much shorter than going back through Sparta. We first made a couple of stops due to Gabe's nose bleeds which has happened once again after going quite a spell without any. He really had some serious bleeds on the way down and back but didn't seem to happen on any of the rides.

I did the roller coaster with Huckson tucked between my legs and wow what a ride which was terrific but short which made sense as I thought a couple times were were going to fly off the track. Its a very popular attraction with folks lined up for the ride down the mountain and then we had a great laughter and fun event as the twins who are 4 and Palmer who is 5 all drove their own gas power go-karts. I've never laughed so hard in years as we watched them speed around the track, crashing and going the wrong way at times. That only lasted a few laps as they ran over an attendant and finally crashed head on into a barrier. Dan, Neal and Gabe had a spirited meet with Gabe winning and then Bobby, me and Gabe had a duel as well with Gabe out driving me and Bobby.

We had lunch out with tons of folks at this busy eatery before heading back up to the cabin. Thankfully we saw where some rain had fallen for us as water ran down the drive at times. I checked the rain gauge before dark and we had received a much needed 1 inch of rain. Our plans for the evening changed because of the rain so we never got together with Palmer's grand folks at our cabin because of the slippery driveway, but Bobby, Katie, Neal and Danille all met up at the Muddy Creek in Sparta for dinner out and a date night. We had left over ribs, broccoli and parsley taters with cheese cake and ice cream for dessert. I watched the Ray's until 9'ish (which they were losing) until it was shower time and then some horizontal lab soon after, LATER

Friday Morning July 5th

 Well the 4th was a busy day that concluded with beautiful fireworks in Sparta after a fun filled day. The heat was back during the day and the younger crowd headed down off the mountain to Stone Mountain Park for some rock sliding into the cold waters. All the kiddos and their parents attended that event while us grandparents stayed at the cabin and played cards after lunch.

i started the day 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 by name for comfort and healing. All are holding and Ava Mae seems to be progressing as well. I headed out to check on the gardens and harvested several yellow squash for a casserole that Nancy took with us the Anderson place around 6'ish for supper. I also harvested my first couple of cucumbers and then cut three heads of lettuces to give away also. I took the twins with me to visit these neighbors and bless them with the fresh produce.

Bobby and myself with Katie and Ryder took a hike up the mountain and wow was it ever starting to get hot up there after a pleasant start at our place. We met several folks on top and walked with them for awhile before heading back down the mountain. It was then wine berry picking time with the grands and then some golf cart rides. Everyone came for lunch so we had a house full and then everyone headed to the sliding rock event to cool off. 

After showering for most everyone but Nancy and I before we headed to Sparta to eat and visit until the fireworks started around 9:30. They were loud and we had a great seat for the event. It was nearly 10:30 before we hit the shower after getting back on the hill and then it was bedtime for me, LATER

Thursday Morning July 4th..Celebrate The Day of Independence

Well Wednesday found us on the road to Boone/Blowing Rock area for about 10 hours total before getting back on the hill to the cabin. It was a beautiful day but did get a little warm in the afternoon. We left the cabin at 8 sharp as we had a 10 AM appointment for zip lining in Boone and what a beautiful day, high among the tree tops at 300 feet as we zipped over 1600 feet long valley on a single wire. Such confidence you place in the strain of wire and talk about adrenalin there was plenty with the 10 zips and another repel down a cliff and then a walk across a swinging bridge high above a waterfall about 50 feet below, yeow.

The day started with my usual 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 for comfort and healing. Our grand daughter Ava has stopped bleeding from her burst cyst and was released from the hospital Thankfully. We all were praying for her constantly throughout this 3 day ordeal. Everyone else seems to be holding with this post.

We had a couple of carsick kids on the morning trip, one of which was a total throw up which almost made us late for our 10 AM meet at the zip line place. But we made it with just 5 minutes to spare. Afterwards we met up at the Pedaling Pig for a delicious and filling lunch of smoked brisket, pulled pork, fried pickles and corn pops, french fries and cole slaws, yikes what a feed and a great lunch special. Bobby picked up the tab for lunch and then again for the zip line event.

We took just about 2 hours each way as the parkway is closed and we had to take detours which added another 30 minutes to the trip because our cabin is just minutes off the parkway which is a straight shot to the Boone/Blowing Rock area. We let the kiddos play at the really nice play area in Blowing Rock and that small quaint touristy town was hopping with visitors. The Anderson also met us there for zip lining and for play at the park but somehow chose the wrong diner for eating which was quite a distance from each other.

We did some chips and dips for supper and some snacks but I was completely satisfied from the huge lunch. We played dominos until 11:30 last evening but I took my shower before we played so it was off to horizontal lab as soon as the 12 rounds of play was over. We had the Ray's game on in the back ground and they lost again, oh well, LATER

Wednesday Morning July 3rd

 Well Tuesday started out much the usual with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that start 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 and once again for grand daughter Ava who is in the hospital with a burst cyst on her ovary. She finally quit bleeding as we were so concerned she may need to be operated on to stop the bleed but that stopped late afternoon and while she is still in the hospital things are looking better to where she may be released this day. Praise GOD for all who kept her prayed up throughout the day and this event.

It was a non stop day here at the cabin except for a couple hours when Bobby and Katie took the boys to meet up with Danielle and Neal at the park in Sparta so the young kiddos could play. The morning started around 7'ish with the twins heading down stairs to watch some cartoons on my lap then it was mountain breakfast time with pancakes, eggs, bacon and juice etc. That held us as we all but Nancy and Annsley took a hike to the top of the mountain. Nancy did meet us as we headed up the driveway and she was able to get in some exercise on the steep driveway, but of course she was on her feet in the kitchen through out the day.

I had 3 racks of ribs on the smoker as we had invited the Botbyl's and the Anderson to join us for a supper of corn on the cob, salad, Cole slaw and ribs. We all sat outside on the deck in the shade on this still very nice day. It was quite chilly to start with temps in the 50's. The kiddos were picking wine berries throughout the day as they are coming in, in abundance so that kept them occupied and their bellies full. After everyone arrived it was game on with badmitton, corn hole, airplane tosses another game Neal brought. The kiddo's had a ball playing with one another and Gabe even took all of them on several golf cart rides. After supper it was out by the fire circle and the kiddos had smores and even some of the adults. It was a fun family and friend time up until dark when the kiddos started seeing and catching fire flies or lightning bugs as we called them. 

We hit the shower by 9'ish and the I hit the sack around 9:30 as well after a hot shower. Today is another busy day as we head down to Boone/Blowing Rock for a zip line event this morning and then lunch/supper out there at the Peddling Pig, LATER

Tuesday Morning July 2nd

 Well Bobby and family got in around 4'ish and it was non stop since then until about 10:30 then it calmed down after the twins hit the sack around 9'ish. I slept like a log as it was non stop the rest of the day after an early morning start with a well before 6 rollout to start the day. I did my quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several for comfort and healing and now I'm lifting up my  grand daughter Ava Mae who is in the hospital with a burst cyst on her ovary. She started having some tummy pain then it got unbearable as she began bleeding and after more tests and MRI's the doctors admitted her. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers for comfort and healing.

We took off to Sparta around mid morning but first I got in my solo hike to the the top of the mountain which was awesome in the cool morning air and bright sunshine. I hand watered some of the gardens then noticed where the deer were back eating some lettuces and once agin my pepper plants. I did harvest my first yellow squash and a yellow zucchini. I didn't know zucchini came in that color, but they do. The cucumbers are maturing and I'll have some ready for the salad bowl in a day or two. I did harvest a huge mess of lettuces and I have to give away lots today or it will go bad.

The day was almost perfect with no humidity and cool temps with a breeze and lots of sunshine. Well I hear the twins upstairs moving around so they will be down shortly. We had a delicious spaghetti and meatball supper with a fresh garden salad and garlic bread, wow was that ever tasty, LATER

Please keep Ava in your prayers for comfort and healing.

Monday Morning July 1st

Well Sunday was another busy day that started out with a well before 6 rollout, there was an overcast to the skies with the threat of rain which kept me from taking my solo hike to the top of the mountain. I started out after my early morning routines of 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 seem to be holding with this post. 

We tuned into the online worship service at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va.and then attended Youth Sunday at our Cornerstone Fellowship in Sparta where afterwards we ate lunch as a fund raiser for the summer mission trip to Niagara Falls that our Jake and Katelyn will lead. There was a great attendance for this Sunday's service with many relatives of the youth who held the service. Afterwards we headed to Galax, Va for some shopping.

We got back around 2'ish and then settled in to some odd jobs as we get ready for Bobby's family to arrive this evening. They should be on the road as I'm making this post. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers for safe travel. I watched the Ray's finally win a game and then did some porch setting and reading. Since we had a large lunch we decided on just some pop corn around 6'ish which was perfect. We bought a mattress topper for Bobby which is why we went back to Wal-Mart as he needed this memory foam for his shoulder so we stocked up on some items we wanted for their visit and then today we will finish up at Food Lion in Sparta.

Well that was about it as we sat and watched some live pickle ball finals on the tube while eating our pop corn. It wasn't long until was shower time and then some horizontal lab for me before 10 as I didn't sleep all that well the night before, LATER