Thursday Morning Oct 31st

Well this month is gone and we are less than a week away from who will lead US(A) once again; it will either be into the destruction of this nation or in the resurgence of the spirit that we were founded on with the principles of the Judeo-Christian ethics. Lets hope America chooses the latter.

I started the day with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with honoring my lord, Jesus, giving thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding and we did get to speak with our "mountain mom" as its been 5 days since we were in contact. She is having phone issues and is getting more forgetful almost daily. At 96 its amazing she can function as well as she does.

I headed out to hand water the gardens before leaving for the Ford dealership for service on my new truck and it was a "work me in" as they were booked for two weeks straight. I was over the limit on my miles for a service, anyhow I spent close to 3 hours there mostly reading and walking around the place and they are one busy dealership and we have gotten to know several closely, especially the one sales gal. Afterwards I made a stop at Lowes for a new blind for the kitchen and a few other items before heading home to have a bite of lunch.

I spent the rest of the afternoon inside except to hand water the seedlings in the nearly 90 degree heat. I'm beginning to wonder if any cooler weather is coming to this area any time soon. All of the recent transplanted seedlings are doing fine and I did have a tree man come by and give me an estimate on using a crane to remove the big oak in the back yard and its was cheaper than the feller who wants to use ropes and ladders. So far so good as I'm hoping to get a few more estimates before deciding as all of these tree folks are tied up for months with this recent hurricane damage.

I had some leftover salmon and a salad for supper as we were heading to S.R.B.C for our Wednesday night worship around 6:30 and had a worshipful evening before getting back to the house after a stop at Publix in what was our first rain since being back from the mountains. I hope I got the shed rain proof some what after having the rear of it broken by the tree behind us. I still need some help hopefully next week in putting it back together as close as possible as it once was before the storm. I'm seeing Steve Nymark tonight at supper and maybe enlist him for a couple hours next week as its a two man job.

Well I hit the shower and was in my room watching the show ALONE until lights out at 10. This morning I'm heading off to the Rec for some pickle ball after over 5 months of being away from the game. I'm looking forward to getting back on the court and hopefully the start to some fat loss, LATER

Wednesday Morning Oct 30th

 Well Tuesday was another work day here in hot sunny Florida and from what I've been hearing the temps in mountains are rather nice as well. No really cold temps like we had the week before heading south, actually a little cooler temps here would be welcomed as it gets into the 80's daily. I started the morning 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, all seem to be holding with this post.

I headed out after a lite breakfast of just an orange to work in the gardens as I wanted to get my ton of seedlings in the ground before it got to hot. I managed to get all of them in the ground before lunch time and then hand watered them a couple times during the hot afternoon. I cleaned out the garage and was able to put the trunk inside last night for the first time since we left last May. I also gave it a bath for the first time since we left for the cabin. Its white and does not show dirt which is hard to believe. Today I'm taking it in to the dealer for a check up and oil change which hasn't been done since we purchased it new in April.

I'm still seeking bids on the removal of the big oak in the back yard and have received only one estimate which is reasonable but he wants to use ladders and ropes, but that means I have to take down a section of my side yard fence which means removal of the chain link and my side garden which is sowed with seeds, oh well. Maybe I can get some one with a crane which would mean not taking down the fence and saving the garden which really isn't that big of a deal.

I did some honey do's and then chilled after lunch starting a new read by Joyce Maynard who is quite the story teller. Nancy was off shopping and stocking up the pantry and fridges. She is making desserts for three occasions as we are at the Nymark's on Thursday evening for supper,  then her Bible class Thursday morning and then something else which I don't remember. I'm off desserts and trying to not eat too much as I need to slim down a few pounds as I have doctor's check ups next week at the VA and I know I gained at least 10-15 pounds this summer. Everything tastes so good there and I was quite busy but still gained several pounds. I guess just not eat will do the trick.

I got word the pickle ballers at the Rec were concerned I hadn't showed up yet, but will do so this Thursday morning at 8 AM as Nancy is tied up all morning and most of the afternoon. I don't have any thing planned except working in the yards and gardens and getting back into shape some how. I guess cutting down on the food intake will help. She broiled a fresh salmon filet for supper with some fresh green beans and I ate lightly with only a little leftover rice for lunch and a handful of peanuts with my glass of vino around 4'ish. I do drink a lot more water here especially after sweating like crazy when working outside in this heat.

After supper I washed the truck until dark and then settled into ALONE on the TV after a shower. It was lights out at 10'ish for me, LATER

Tuesday Morning Oct 29th

 Well Monday saw me awake around 6'ish despite being up until 1'ish in the morning after getting back from Brandon and the stop and go on the big bridge on the way home, oh well. I was kind of fuzzy at first but eventually got my bearings back after missing about 3-4 hours of sleep. I use to could go without sleep and rest for several hours and even days but now by 10'ish or before I'm in the sack until round 5'ish, oh well.  I did do 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 for comfort and healing. We got word last night that an old friend, not really that old at 43 was killed yesterday in an accident while sawing down trees. A saw and timber man was his occupation and he seemed to be one of the best around from an early age. Everyone else is holding with this post.

I got with an old church friend who is an arborist and she came back and granted me permission to take down the big oak without a permit by the city, now I just need to find some one who will do the job with a crane. My neighbor's dad does that kind of work but doesn't have a crane which I think will be needed as I don't want to have to take down my fence, oh well we will see. I got a $4800 bid to remove it using ropes and ladders, so I wonder what it will cost with a crane. Oh well.

I headed first thing outside to hand water my seedlings and then after supper when it cooled down some I set out my collards plants with three seedlings each in different gardens. I'm calling around today to get bids from different tree removal services with cranes. I did paint some doors in the house as well as some touch up in the new bathrooms remodels which Nancy noticed. She is a very particular one. I did work outside early in the morning in the one flower bed pulling out some stubborn grasses and putting down some grass killer stuff. It was old so I'm not sure if it will help with eliminating this pesky grass, oh well. Its still too hot to do much landscaping and we are just too near to being home as I have other pressing issues to fix.

I grilled pork chops for our supper and along with a rice dish we ate well instead of dogs, tacos and pizza which we ate over the weekend with the boys. I need to get back to eating less and better as my weight is up 15 pounds over last summer when we came home. I also need to get back to pickle ball some time this week as well. Not much else to report on except the afternoons are quite hot so I catch up on the war in Israel and I was too fuzzy to read as I dozed at the computer at times. I hit the shower after supper and some Fox News for a change until 7'ish then afterwards I watched the first half of the MNF game and then it was lights out for me, LATER

Monday Morning Oct 28th.. back in Seminole

 Well the ride home last night was anything but fun but we made it back after being stuck on the Howard Frankland Bridge for close to an hour as the construction had 4 lanes merging into 1 lane just as you cleared the bridge itself. Well it wasn't a fun ride especially since I was tired and usually in bed by 10, Oh well. Bobby and Katie had a great time and got back to the house around 11'ish but it was going on 1 AM before we ever got to bed which use to be nothing for me back in the days. Poor Bob was flying out again early this morning at 5'ish back to Atlanta on business and we learned she is flying to the Czech Republic on Friday for 10 days. I'll wager we will be back watching the twins again in the coming weeks, oh well.

Well we started the day in Brandon with a 7'ish rollout and after calming the boys down as they were all excited as usual, we had a large breakfast of eggs, sausage and fried tatters and then we digested for an hour before heading off to a park just down the road from the house where they played hard and with other kids as well. We were there 2 hours or so then headed home for a lite lunch of dogs, grilled cheese and some salad.

We did watch our Sunday service on line with Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. as we didn't attend church with the boys thinking we were going to grandson Gabe's ball game, but it was cancelled  and we had no church clothes, oh well. We did our morning quiet times lifting up several for comfort and healing as well as praying for our nations future and the election we hope will not be stolen again by the corrupt democrats. All of the real polls have Trump well ahead, even in what is normally the liberal states. 

I tuned into the Bucs game which was local and they lost again in a some what close game to the Atlanta team. They are now 4-4 but are without two of their best receivers and its not looking good once again for them as they play the Chiefs next week in Kansas City, oh well.

Well it will be another busy week here as I make plans on having the big oak sawed down from the back yard as well as getting my veggie garden planted. I may have to wait to do that depending on how much space the sawer needs for the oak to be in the yard while cutting it down. I need to get the truck serviced at the Ford place as well as hopefully getting back on the pickle ball court and lose some of this weight I've added over the summer, plus some honey do's around the house. I need to finish up putting the shed back togetehr with some help from my friend Steve, plus some yard work in the front flower bed,  LATER

Sunday Morning Oct 27th from Brandon, Fl.

 Well Saturday started early as we had to get the twins to T-Ball by 8:30 and we made it in time and they had a good time at times, Huck was on his game with catching 10 balls while warming up; Ryder had some issues both during warm up and during the game but that happens when your 4 years old, oh well. Most of the players love to play in the dirt and then get dirty and really an hour is just about their limit of attention and for some just a few minutes. It was hilarious at times but some of the kid's take it serious and the coaches are dedicated with great patience. Hopefully some of these boys and girls will go on to play the game as a result of their T- ball experience.

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. All seem to be holding with this post. The twins were watching their favorite morning show while we did our quiet times then we got them breakfast and was soon out the door to the ball park. It was a beautiful morning with mild temps and bright sunshine. The ball park was hopping with teams ready to play in several divisions and thankfully its just 5 minutes from the house.

After the game we headed home to play in the pool area until lunch time and then we did water color paintings and finally jumped in the pool which was awakening chilly. Once you were in, it warmed up and made for great fun as we played dodge ball and other games around the pool. Finally around 5 it was vino time for me and I sat out by the pool in the warm sunshine almost like on a vacation day talking to son Bobby who was in Montana enjoying a relaxing vacation with his beautiful wife Katie and mother of the the twins. 

Nancy had supper going soon after with some cut up grilled chicken we brought from home as well as pasta and veggies mixed together and a salad, of course there was home made oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert and the twins snacked through out the day as they are in a growing spurt. We did do a scooter ride after supper until Huck tired out and then it was shower time around 8 and off to bed by 8:30. We never heard a peep after prayers and a story read by grandma. It wasn't long afterwards that I hit the shower as well an around 9'ish and was soon asleep as them boys plump wear you out.

We didn't bring church clothes as we were going to Gabe's make up game at the ball park but that got cancelled so we will watch our church on line and have a big breakfast with the boys. I think Uncle Mike and Aunt Dee may come by for a visit in the afternoon and then we will wait up for Bobby and Katie to arrive some where around midnight and then head home so they can have their bed as Bobby flys out early on Monday morning for his work. I remember those days of quick turn arounds and all night shifts, oh to be young again, LATER

Saturday Morning Oct 26th..from Brandon

 Not much to report except we had an uneventful trip over to Brandon yesterday afternoon and the traffic on the interstate was stop and go for miles. I guess we had better get use to this congestion as it seems everyone from some where else has moved her. The streets of Brandon where still littered with huge trees down and lots of brush piled every where along the way as it is in our area 40 some miles away. The effects of this storm were quite evident but life goes on.

I had started the day with my usual 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 seem too be holding and we did speak with our "mountain mom" on the way here and she sounded good, but once again had covid or at least thats what she was told.

I didn't do much before we got ready to head out here for the long weekend except to hand water my veggie seedlings that I hope will survive while we are gone as it gets ready hot by the late afternoon. We had a lite lunch and then headed out which took over an hour in this traffic. We made a Publix stop on the way for some goodies and then we got ready to pick up the boys from their new school which is about 15 minutes from the house. Well that was quite confusing as of course we didn't know the routine and the route once inside this huge school grounds, but we succeeded and the boys were thrilled to see us. We played outside around the pool area and then Huckson and I went swimming for an hour or so.

The water was quite refreshing on this hot afternoon and it felt good to swim again after so many months and then we had tacos for supper which Nancy had cooked up the meat ahead of time and brought with us. I had a glass of vino out by the pool and then afterwards the boys were into some movie while I perused the internet until bed time. After the boys showered and brushed their teeth we said prayers and Nancy read them a story so I too hit the sack as the swimming whupped me. I was in bed by 9'ish and then Nancy came to bed and awakened me with her snoring sometime during the night, as well as did the street traffic. Their beautiful house is right along a two lane road which is quite busy at all hours of the day and night  and the noise is quite loud, oh well,  Sure miss the serenity of the mountains and it will take some time to adjust to the noises of neighbor hoods and street traffic plus sirens, LATER

Friday Morning October 25th

Well Thursday was another work outside day with me cleaning out the small side garden which was over grown all summer by the grasses that were chest high and I filled three garbage cans of the debris and then used the electric rotor tiller and worked it up for planting next week when we get back from Brandon and watching the twins. I started early before the sun had reached that area which usually get very warm by mid morning.

I had started the day with my usual before a 6 'ish rollout to start the day 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 be holding but for some reason our "mountain mom" doesn't answer her cell phone as we try to speak with her daily. We know she is cared for in the ALF but she either doesn't hear the phone or doesn't remember as her short term thinking memory is gone at times or she is back in the hospital with covid. Everyone else is holding as we speak or I make this post.

It was really nice with pleasant temps to start the morning job outside and it stayed that way until close to noon as we had a nice gentle breeze, but by lunch time the sun was blaring and the humidity was back while in the shade it was bearable to be outside. I sowed some cucumber seeds along the fence in the side yard and then some sugar peas along the fence in the back yard hoping I can train them to climb the fences. I maximize the space as its limited on what I can grow in my small gardens. I have tons of veggies to set out when we get back late Sunday night from Brandon and will hopefully get them in the ground on Monday morning and then I'm hoping to get back on the pickle ball court next week at least by Tuesday morning at 8 AM.

After lunch I headed up to the library on my bike for the first time since May and it felt good to ride again. I picked up 4 books I had waiting for me and was back to the house before Nancy got home from her weekly Bible class at S.R.B.C. She was thrilled at the teaching and was received warmly by all those she had know before me left for the cabin. She met with Nancy Walters who husband Brian did our remodels and now that they are owning their house in Hudson they will probably not be down here as much. We will certainly miss them and their friendship.

After a supper of chicken thighs and broccoli I headed out around 6'ish with neighbor Dan for our mens Bible class at S.R.B.C. and there were over 20 men in the weekly get together which is just about over for this season, but it was good to see so many familiar faces and be welcomed back into the group. That was about it for the day as we got back home around 8:30 and I hit the shower and was ready for some horizontal lab after watching some ALONE until 10'ish, LATER

Thursday Morning Oct 24th

Well its rather hot here in sunny Florida and really the humidity isn't all that terrible. I worked outside for most of the day especially until mid afternoon when the heat gets the most. We of course had the heat at the cabin for several days before heading back here into the heat. The a/c has been running 24/7 but the evening have been nice.

I started the morning 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 be holding with this post. The folks in western Carolina and Tennessee still need lots of prayers and support after the storm of the century wiped out so many folks. After a lite breakfast I headed out to work in the gardens and yards rotor tilling the last garden in the back yard but I still have a small patch on the side of the house to clean out and rotor till. This electric tiller works perfectly for the gardens and Tyler used it during the summer to keep the grasses and weeds at bay as usually when I get back from the mountains the gardens are over grown with both. After the tilling I finished off the vines on the side of the house using once again an electric hedge clipper. I still have the front flower beds to clean out, but those can wait for another day.

Nancy was off with sister Betsy shopping for rugs and bath towels to match the new remodeled bathrooms, so that gave me some free time to work on the shed with out her interference. I still have to clean out the garage so I can put the truck away but that will be another couple of days as we leave tomorrow for three days to watch the grand twins in Brandon while son Bobby and wife Katie are at a dude ranch in Montana.

We headed out around 6:30 after a salad with some chicken fingers cut up on top for S.R.B.C. where connected once again with our 242 meeting. Our pastor was on vacation so a missionary from England spoke and while he was an exciting speaker he was a bit difficult to follow due to his dialect.We were welcomed back by several and saw many new faces as well and was back home by 8:30. I soon hit the shower and then watched ALONE on my small T.V. in the bedroom and had lights out by 10'ish after a busy day, LATER

Wednesday Morning Oct 23rd

 Well Tuesday was another total work day with some shopping thrown in the mix and it did get up there in temps with the 80's, but no rain and lots of sunshine and blue skies. There was a decent breeze which made for outside work bearable at times. I brought back to Lowes some left over tile and other items which paid for my 20 some veggie plants for the gardens.

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 seem to be holding with this post. I headed out to give the seeds I sowed the other day a sprinkling of water as its very dry in the gardens and then once again put out more garbage cans of debris to the curb; here we have garbage pick up 3 times a week which makes it easy to get rid of instead of hauling it to the land fill 30 minutes away.

I installed two toilet paper holders and attached another mirror to the wall for Nancy inside the house and then put all of our luggage over head in the attic and then helped with hanging a couple loads of laundry outside on the clothes line. They dry within an hour here in this bright hot sunshine. The a/c is on constantly but at night its starting to cool down a little as the humidity hasn't been as strong as normally. I still have tons of yard work to do and during the hottest part of the day I do inside jobs or run errands. I did rotor till part of the gardens before supper, but have lots more to do before setting out the veggie seedlings/plants.

I'm going to need help to finish putting the shed back together as it will be at least a two man job . I bought a box of screws which I will use to piece it back and hopefully hold it together. Its one strong shed made of modeled plastic but when the huge tree limb smashed on top it broke all the screw holds but did not actually puncture a hole like I first thought from the original pics Amy sent me. It just broke apart the  pieces held together by screws, so now I'll use a different screw much longer in hopes it will hold and make the shed water proof again. I bought a can of spray sealant to help with that effect, oh well. It could have been much worst and the wooden fence took a beating but once those huge limbs that are leaning against it from the back side, I should be able to make it look decent with new slats.

Well I grilled a couple rib ey's we had brought back with us from the cabin and along with some Brussel sprouts we ate well. I sat outside in the shade of the huge oak thats still standing, but beat up badly by the wind and had a glass of vino, studying on what I next needed to do while grilling. I'm thinking of starting pickle ball next week when get back from 3 days in Brandon watching the twins. The evenings are great here as a sea breeze drops down the temps to comfortable. After the cleanup I checked on the news then hit the shower and was soon watching T.V. in my bedroom, as we have two here in Florida as opposed to just one at the cabin which Nancy hijacks during the evening. It was lights out for me before 10'ish, LATER

Tuesday Morning Oct 22nd

 Well Monday was a total work outside day except for a morning run to the barber shop for an ear lowering, it maybe she is moving as the owners of the building are thinking of destroying the building due to a rain leak from the storms; anyhow she didn't get damage to her side of the huge building , so she is still in business for now. Patti has been my barber for over 20 years and does a fine job. I came back and had a bite of breakfast before venturing out into the back yard and looking at the neighbor's tree which not only broke the storage shed but my fence in several places which in reality is minor when compared to his damage, but destroyed much of the roof on his place and the one next door to him. I'm not sure the house is still habitable as we've not seen anyone there, His backyard is completely blocked with tree debris and much of it is against my back yard fence.

I was up early around 4:30 as I had so much on my mind and Nancy was sawing logs, so I got up and started the day with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding and Nancy was able to speak with Helen who now has covid again. It seems she has it almost monthly but she did sound good on the phone. The temps here were very nice and not much humidity which made for working outside great, which I did the rest of the day mainly attempting the reconstruction of my shed which the tree limb broke down the rear section of the roof. Thankfully there was no punctures just the breaking apart at the seams of the roof section, so I think I can fix it but will need another hand to do so. I'll wait until Steve gets back or maybe get Tyler to help, but for now I have the roof covered to keep any rain out.

I did some other piddly jobs but did loosen up enough of the garden to sow some seeds which if they make I'll transplanted later. I hung a couple pics in the one bathroom as well as hung a mirror for Nancy after lunch. I need to get some clips for the other mirror in our bathroom but for now its sitting up on its own along the edge of the shiplap and the lights. The remodels look good and now that we have shower doors its some what different getting inside with the water running, oh well. Brian did a good job and Nancy is pleased as well is Betsy who came by for a visit in the afternoon. I worked outside until after 5 before calling it a day.

I grilled pork chops and along with a salad (some of the greens I brought back) and a sweet taters we ate well. I sat outside while grilling enjoying a glass of vino and it was just pleasant. Its an adjustment from no one around the cabin to having houses within spitting distance and the only privacy is a wooden fence, but I'm use it after living here for 45 years or so. The garbage folks came and I had 3 large cans of debris, with lots of sticks and stuff from the storm that was still in the yards. I haven't been able to garage the truck yet as its still busy with construction stuff from the bathroom redo's. Today we will take back some leftover items to Lowes as well as shop at Sam's Club next door.

Well I watched the first half of the Bucs game and they started out great but were losing at half time against the Ravens. I was whupped and turned the lights out at half time, LATER

Monday Morning Oct 21st Back in Sunny hot Florida

 Well Sunday morning started out with a 3AM rollout, of course I had been awake for most of the night anticipating the early morning leave, but mainly all I had to do with the final winterizing of the cabin and to get a 4 AM start. It was cold outside but not freezing after a couple of days of ice and frost. It was in the low 40's and what was weird the further down the mountain we went it actually got colder according to the truck thermometer. We saw lots of live deer on the way down the mountain and lots of dead ones along the roads as well. The full moon was perfect for the critters to be out an about but so deadly for them.

We made a stop in Rock Hill on I-77to use the bathroom and walk for a few minutes around 6'ish and then headed on down to Orangeburg on I-26 for a Mickey D's stop for breakfast and to walk some where around 7:30. Out next stop was in Pooler, Ga. at Sam's Club to gas up at 2.45 a gallon, the cheapest of gas any where all summer. Gas in Florida at best was 2.99 a gallon and usually much higher. My new truck got good milage; some where close to 23 MPG and we only filled up the one time in Pooler and I still have at least a 100 miles before I need to fill up again. I ran some where between 75 and 80 most of the way until we got to I-75 in Ocala and then for the next hour it was stop and go as the interstate looked like a parking lot until we got to the junction where the toll road headed east to Orlando and then I-75 continued to I-275 where we made good time into Tampa.

We did stop outside of Starke, Fl.  at Wendy's for a grilled chicken sandwich which held us until supper at daughter Amy house. She made one of our favorite dishes which is what we call "sour bell'. Its mashed taters, noodles with chicken and gravy along with broccoli and sweet corn, delicious to say the least. We got to the house in Seminole right at 4 PM which meant a 12 hour drive almost to the minute from the cabin, we could have done it in 11 hours with all the stops, but the traffic back up in Ocala cost us at least an hour as we crept along for several miles before it started thinning out. There was a couple wrecks we saw on the trip and one serious crash with a semi involved in S.C. 

Well the bathroom(s) remodel turned out to be very nice which has made Nancy happy, me I was thrilled with the old ones, but Brian did a good job at a reasonable cost and now we learn he and his wife are leaving the county to belong to our new church plant in Hudson area, oh well  We will sure miss them as we have known them for years, but mostly in our small group from church. The back yard needs lots of work on the fence and I'm not sure I can salvage the Life Time shed which had a huge limb from the neighbors tree behind us crash into and through the roof. I don't think I can just buy a replacement roof, so some country boy engineering will need to be done to keep it rain proof, oh well. That seemed to be the greatest damage thus far and the big oak in our yard looks pitiful, but still standing which is a plus. Nancy wants it gone against my wishes but we all know who wins that battle, like the bath rooms remodel, oh well.

We got every thing unpacked and put away and all of the food stuff traveled nicely, especially the frozen meats which we always have too much when leaving. We try to "eat down" the freezer but thats hard to do when you plan for guests and the storms stopped them from coming and so you have tons of meats to bring home, oh well.

It sure was great to see our family here in Seminole and we got a warm welcome from neighbor Bobby the retired fireman who looks after our place as well as edges our yards despite the grands here mowing for us. Thankfully, he got no damage to his bee hives and is doing great with his honey business on the side. I hit the sack around 10'ish and was awaken around 3'ish with Nancy's snoring issues, which caused to me to rollout around well before 5. I even had ear plugs in and I may have to move into the spare bedroom if this continues. Of course I have lots on my mind with putting the yards etc back in order and getting my garden in as well. I have lots of physical work on tree against and in some places still on the fence and protruding into the garden area, plus lots of other small issues. It is good to be back on flat land and in warmer climate as the cold was some what hard on us thin blooded Floridians.

Many thanks to ALL who kept us prayed up for a safe and uneventful travel, LATER

Saturday Morning Oct 19th..last post from this cabin in 2024

 Well Friday after a very chilly start with temps in the below freezing zone as frost and ice was every where to start the day, but it eventually warmed to the upper 60's with bright sunshine and blue skies which made for one of those days you call perfect. It makes you want to stay longer but our departure date tomorrow morning has arrived and so we will get up at 3 and leave hopefully by 4 AM. I like to travel on Sunday as it seems to be less traffic with big trucks on the road.

I started the day with a before 6 rollout to the heat on with the very cold morning temps and didn't venture out until mid morning when suddenly the ice was melting off the tin roof and it felt almost like a spring day. I started putting together the things that I wanted to haul up to Jake and Katelyn's place as well as several bags of trash for the dump on the way home. I got that all loaded before we had lunch and then took down all the ropes from the upper garden and got those stored then piddled around getting things ready for the big load up today(sat) when we pack the truck for the 12 hour ride home to warmer temps. Actually we have been informed the temps while warm have not been brutal with heat which usually occurs when we get back.

We headed out around 2'ish and made a stop at a friends house for a couple of chucks of green apple wood as his tree was blowed down by Helene, so I will use it next year for my smoker and then we made the trip up into the mountains where Jake is building their dream house on 22 acres of land. It will be when finished a house for the ages as he is doing an unbelievable job on the construction mostly by himself. We walked around the perimeter of the fields on this beautiful afternoon shedding some outer clothing to short sleeves as the weather was awesome and the beauty of the leaves changing colors in the distance. It was sad leaving them as they have become like family with lots of hugs and they will have another new baby before we see them again next year. We headed out after an hour and half and managed to slip the money we wanted to pay Jake for cutting down and up a huge tree that was threatening our cabin which he refused to take. We slipped it into a card (cash) so he couldn't tear up a check, oh well. He pulled a fast one on us last week by putting the check in our truck without us knowing it. I wanted to go by the landfill on the way home before it closed at 5 so we said goodbye and headed out. We made the stop at the dump then another stop to gas up at 2.84, before heading back to the cabin for eventually some supper. 

Well after supper of brats and salad for me, we chilled and then I watched a playoff game and some football, but by 9, I was dozing so I hit the shower and then headed off for some horizontal lab, probably the last best sleep here this year as I do not sleep well the night before leaving early in the morning with all of the last minute chores of shutting off the water, packing up the fridge and freezer, loading the last of the truck and then winterizing all of the bathrooms and kitchen with anti freeze, etc and prodding Nancy about hurrying up, oh well we have gotten use to this morning routine and can usually leave around 4 for the big trip back to Florida, LATER

Friday Morning Oct 18th

 Well Thursday was another cold morning with temps into the 30's and ice on the roof top of the cabin and the truck, Brrr. At least the wind had died down so there was no extra coldness from the breeze. There was plenty of sunshine and blue skies but you needed extra clothing through out the day especially in the shade.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish 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, all seem to be holding at this time. I stayed mainly inside until mid morning catching up on the middle east war and the removing of the Hamas terrorists who masterminded the massacre on oct 7th, before heading out to stretch and then do my walking/hiking around the perimeter for at least a mile. It was rather chilly but I know I will miss this ambiance when we get back to hot humid Florida in a couple days.

I did a few small chores around the cabin as I really get ready to close it down on Saturday with all of my before leaving on Sunday morning around 4'ish. We did a visit to the Heglar's in the afternoon and I helped Grant load the loaner generator into his truck, which he had been borrowing during our power outage. I'm still waiting on the delivery of his accessories for his generator which was ordered the same day, but for some reason its never been delivered as of yesterday. Shirley had a huge pot of vegetable soup cooking and blessed us with a bowl for our supper. Nancy had made a small pot of chicken soup for lunch and both were perfect for this weather.

Today I'll load up some items for Jake and Katelyn as we will now give our left over and small goodies from the cabinet and fridge we don't want to haul back to Florida, where as we use to give them to our "mountain mom" Helen. I also have some large items that I no longer need or use which will help with his building on his house over the winter, plus we will make a garbage stop at the dump, before heading back after filling up the truck with gas. I want to stop at a friend house and pick up some apple wood for my smoker from the trees the storm took out a couple weeks ago on the way to Jake's.

Well we went to out last couples class at one of the couples house last evening and we had 12 or so there. It is always good fellowship with this group as we have grown closer together as well as in the Word. I'll start my mens class again in Seminole in a week or so as well and get back to that fellowship at S.R.B.C. Our group here comes from different churches except for another couple who attends Cornerstone with us. We got back to the cabin a little after 9 as we had made a couple stops before the class at the grocery and then at the library to return my check outs. I hit the shower and then read a book I had started months ago on the history of Texas and the battle at the Alamo. It was lights out at 10'ish for me, LATER

Thursday Morning Oct 17th

 Well its down right cold here, winter time for us flatland Florida folks; our blood is thin as they say and yesterday morning there was thick ice on the roof of the cabin and the truck, yikes. Anyhow I stayed inside until just before noon when I headed out to stretch on the back porch and do my mile walk around the perimeter of the property and then I decided to put up the plastic fences around the hydrangeas by the well house and around the front of the cabin. The fences help with keeping the deer from eating them down completely over the winter when they come foraging in my yard. I'm just about finished outside except for some little things and then taking out the battery from the golf cart and storing it in the basement where it doesn't freeze as most of the basement is under ground.

I started the day with a 6'ish 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 of course our thoughts and prayers are still with those ravaged by the latest storms to hit the mountains and of course Florida. We got word that Brian will have the bathrooms finished by the time we get home on Sunday and his wife Nancy cleaned for my Nancy since the house was quite dirty with dust from the remodel. That made my Nancy happy that she can come back to a clean house as she always leaves it clean both there and here when we leave.

We headed out around 5'ish for Mechelle's place where we met up with her parents for a supper of lasagna and apple salad and afterwards played several games of sequence a game they love and of course the gals whupped Gerald and me, 5-1. Last year it was just the opposite as we had bragging rights for a change and of course I had to play a Harvey Hand which isn't as easy as it looks; it leaves no time to scrutinize the board and get your strategy in place, oh well it was fun and we were on our way home by 8'ish. Billy Mechelle's squeeze was working late so we missed saying goodbye to him.

Mike our neighbor came by after lunch and looked at what I want to do about hooking up the receptacle in the electric panel for the generator next year and stated he would do it and that it would be simple; I just need to purchase a 50 amp breaker for the panel and a receptacle for the cord from the generator. I have plenty of room in the panel which is located in the basement and then I can run the cord outside under the deck if need be through a window. Hopefully I'll never need to but just in case we get hit again next year like this year when we had 2 storms with power out for a couple of days.

Well that was about it for this day as I did a lot of inside small things as we get ready to head out on Sunday morning. I did learn that Skybest is no longer offering TV to the customers here on FIOS so I will need to contact Direct TV next year before coming up; at least we will have internet from them as the cost has become too much for this agency, oh well. I need to return the tuner to them before we go so maybe I'll have a neighbor do that after we leave, LATER

Wednesday Morning Oct 16th

 Well its cold here with temps into the 30's for overnight and not much above 50 for the highs. I started the day with my usual 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, all seem to be holding although several folks in other areas surely need thoughts and prayers for recovery as well as help. We made a donation to Samaritans Purse to help with those needs, especially now that cold weather has set in. We were inconvenienced by the storms but these folks have lost everything and surely need help from the feds, instead of them helping to bring illegals into the country and giving them everything. Such a shame and a crime to boot, oh well.

We did head down off the mountain to visit for one last time this year with our "mountain mom" Helen who is in an ALF in Elkin. She is doing quite well despite her advanced age and while she has some short term memory loss, she is still cognizant of her surrounding and life in general. We were surprised that she came through a hip replacement surgery last year and is doing better than we expected. We sure hope she is there again next year when we come back for the summer. She isn't sure what her son will do with her cabin and land as there is talk of turning it into and AirB&B and possibly selling it. I would hope he would at least offer it to us first before putting it on the market as we have friends who would be interested in buying it. The place sure holds lots of memories for us and our family as I helped her many years during the summer's after Roy passed, plus we have fished in her pond for decades as well.

We took her lunch and then Nancy had baked fresh chocolate chip cookies for her which she loves. We had a good long visit then headed back to the mountain and made a stop at the post office and did an address change. I need to set up our seasonal turn offs as well for both Florida and here and then take a load of trash to the dump tomorrow as we make ready for our leave Sunday morning. We have another supper date this evening with the Luffman's and sequence afterwards and then on Thursday we our couples class at 7 PM with a stop at the library and then out to Jake and Katelyn's Friday afternoon to take some things we usually leave for our "mountain Mom" and then a stop at the Heglar's to leave our potted mums which are in full bloom and gorgeous. Not sure how they will react to this freeze and snow flurries which is fore casted.

We ate leftover rib's and tatters with a fresh garden salad for supper and then settled in to the TV and the internet on the war in Israel. This present administration is the biggest obstacle to Israel finishing off these terrorists and sending Iran back to the stone age, who if ever develop the nuclear bomb will use it not only on Israel but US(A). Its unbelievable how Biden and Harris have no common foreign sense on those whose hate America of course we know the muslim Obama is running the show for Iran which is muslim, LATER

Tuesday Morning Oct 15th 2024

Well it down right chilly here at the cabin and more like a winter day in hot sunny Florida. It stayed chilly all day and really dropped down overnight to some where in the 30's, yikes there is even a chance of snow flurries later in the week. The wind was blowing so hard overnight that kept away the frost but I'm sure there would have been otherwise. 

I started the day with my usual 6'ish 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 in my circle for comfort and healing as well several in those areas of the country who were hurt by this severe weather the last couple of weeks. We are celebrating the return of our power in Florida after several days and I will have some repairs to my shed and fence when we get back next week, but I'm thrilled the big oak is standing as well as what appears no damage to the house. Our friend who is redoing our bathrooms can now finish hopefully before we get back on Sunday or at least have one completed enough we can use it. The loss of power set him back for completion.

I worked outside after breakfast taking all of the porch furniture down to the shed and storing it for another year. My golf cart is a life saver as I now haul it instead of hand carrying it. I did haul another load of pine needles for the upper garden patch and covered around the still growing kale, Swiss chard, beets and the two jalapeno pepper  plants. I'm sure this cold will kill them but the other leafy green plants usually survive the cold until it get below freezing for days. The wind was so strong I had to take down my flag and store it as well. I piddled around outside until after lunch then settled into reading and finishing another Grisham book titled CALICO JOE. It was a tear jerker for me at the end and I'm sure it is based on a real life story.

We headed out around 5:30 for church where the mens and women's classes got together and shared a cookout of burgers, dogs, slaw and all the fixin's plus chips and cookies. We said our goodbye's to these fine folks and Lord willing, see them next May or June. Once again lots of hugs until we meet again. This cookout was in honor of us leaving and a few tears were shed.

It was going on 8 before we got back on the hill and our truck lights lite up the big doe who was looking for some garden treats, but there are only a few in the upper patch which I still have wire and ropes across it until Saturday. She doesn't like them on the garden and has only been in it once all summer. Too bad for her and she is a big one and I hope neighbor Gerald taker her out this hunting season, as I will really enjoy eating her next year for all the damage she did over the summer. Deer meat is so healthy and so tasty when its processed right and a local butcher shop here does a great job with vacuum packing it and adding just enough beef fat to keep it together after being ground like hamburger meat. That's the way we like it and of course since I don't hunt anymore we seldom ever get the tenderloin or backstrap with is also excellent cut into steaks and pan fried.

Well I tuned into the first half of the MNF game before hitting the hot shower and then starting a new read until lights out at 10'ish. We have 5 more wakeup's for this year here and we were wondering where this 5 months have gone so quickly, LATER

Monday Morning Oct 14th..We have power in Florida

 Well we now have power restored to our home in Seminole, thankfully after nearly another week of it being off due to the storms. We got word last evening while we were at neighbor Bob and Mary's place having supper and games(more on that later). Now its looking like a go for next Sundays early morning departure, so the rest of this week will be gearing down, packing and putting the cabin in secure rest for the next 7 months. Praise GOD.

I started the day with a 6'ish rollout to 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 for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. Lots of prayers are still needed for those suffering in both Florida and here in the Carolinas as a result of these storms. We watched a great teacher at Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. give a message on what has happened to our nation and why its going down into a mode of destruction and why this coming election is so important for our very survival as we once knew it. Israel is still fighting for its survival as well and this present administration is not supporting it whole heartedly. Such a shame as we have inept leaders being controlled by a muslim who started the internal destruction of US(A) while he was potus and is now pulling the strings on the one puppet in the white house and on the one who wants to live there, after both of these have virtually set America into chaos and dire economic disaster. Its hard to understand why anyone would want to destroy their homeland but this man and his two puppets have and want to do just that.

After hearing a message from our pastor on "putting on the whole armor of GOD" we headed out saying goodbye until next summer. There were many hugs and handshakes as well as we will pray for ya'll for safe travel and for cleaning up the mess left by the storms. We met with the Frankis Family for the last time this year at the Pizzeria for a delicious pie and salad. Nancy brought part of her pie home for lunch for another day. We will attend a cookout tonight at the church with both classes mingling and eating together and then say good bye to several there as well to who don't attend church here. We will have one more together on Thursday night for our couples class before our final good bye for this year. We have made so many friends here who have made Jesus a priority in their lives.

Well I watched a little of the NFL after getting back to the cabin and the home town Bucs were playing in Louisiana and were winning at one time at 17-0, but all of sudden bad plays and they were down at half time, wow what a turn around but they did come back and win big at 51 to 27 over a tough New Orleans team who were missing two of their stars. We were scheduled to eat and play at Bob and Mary's beautiful mountain top real log cabin at 5:30. Nancy put a garden fresh salad together and we packed up the Sequence board and headed out on the golf cart.

Mary had prepared a delicious beef stew along with fresh baked sour dough bread and Elaine brought a delicious peach cobbler with ice cream for dessert later in the evening. Well, what a fine eating experience and then we settled into the game of Sequence. Its seems we guys can not figure out how to beat these gals and they won 5-1 again. It was hoot and we felt lucky at the end to at least win one game. I of course had to play a "harvey hand" because we were one guy short but that made it even harder to win as your concentration is split between two hands; anyhow we have got these 3 families involved in playing the game during these winter months. After the whupping we sat around and played Bible trivia which was very interesting as Nancy brought her Bible cards. Everyone enjoyed that and I'm surprised at all the right answers. We all are Believers and Bible smart, even me at times making the right answers.

Well it was after 9 before we got back to the cabin on a dark chilly night. I'm sure glad I fixed the lights on the golf cart as it climbed their steep drive like a mountain goat. It was time to hit the shower after getting word the tree was cut up and thrown into my yard, but the power was on. I hope that everything survived the power being off and that now Brian can finished the bathroom redo's as we will head back for a few days before heading to Brandon to watch the twins for a long weekend. Its supposed to turn cold here this week with a front moving in and the temps down into the 30's at night, with maybe a freeze in the forecast, oh well its really hot in Florida. We just now got word from Brian who is at the house now as I make this post and everything is good inside, except the tree down in the yard and the hole in the shed which I will figure out a way to patch. I got one idea from my friends here about putting a sky line in with plexiglass which would be better than patching with wood as all the ingredients would be plastic and glue, and not rot in the future, anyhow we will see and will give me a couple projects to keep me busy this winter, LATER 

Sunday Morning Oct 13th.... Last Sunday post from the cabin

Well Saturday started out on the chilly side but no frost here and it warmed up into the low 70's so it was t-shirt and shorts for the afternoon with blue skies and bright sunshine; just a magnificent afternoon and evening. We had the Frankis Family for supper and games until after 9 as well; more on that later. I had started the day with a 6'ish 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 with this post. After breakfast I headed out to stretch on the back porch before taking off on my mile or so hike around the perimeter of the property. It wasn't nearly as cold as the morning before with temps into the upper 30's and frost on the roof of the truck and cabin. I didn't see any on the ground which was unusual.

I piddled around on the internet checking out the power outages in our area in Florida and we still hadn't receive any yet and neither had our son and daughter; but it was being restored in certain areas. I doubt we will get ours back any time soon as the major line was downed from a tree behind our house that not only broke the line but put a big hole in my Lifetime shed. I'll need to find a way to repair it as soon as I can because of my power tools and mower stored inside. Hopefully no rain until then, oh well. I'll bring a piece of visqueen home with me for a temporary fix until I can decide on how to make the repair.

We spent most of the afternoon preparing for the supper and cleaning the cabin for our guests. I got two racks of ribs ready for the oven and then put them on the grill for an hour to dry them out and they were delicious with the meat falling off the bone and Nancy baked a blueberry pie and had oven taters covered in olive oil and fresh rosemary from the garden as well as a fresh garden salad. The meal was delicious and afterwards we played a game of hand, knee and foot and once again the guys whupped the gals like last time. It was after 9 when they headed for home and the little ones did just fine watching T.V. and playing together. We sure have adopted them as our mountain family as well as with so many friends here. Jake can do just about anything and Katelyn is a great mother and gardener. She is the kind of gal that would have made it on a wagon trail in the old times as well as would have Jake.

Well today is our last Sunday with our mountain church family and we will surely miss them and their friendship but do look forward to being back home to our S.R.B.C. family as well and with our immediate family. I sure hope they get us some power this week as our friend who is redoing our two bathrooms has not finished that job and we need a bathroom before getting back home, oh well, LATER  

Saturday Morning Oct 12th

 Well Friday started out with our first frost of this Fall which is an indication that Winter is upon us and that its time to head south which is happening next Sunday. A week from this day will be my last post from the place until we reach Florida, depending on if we get our power back on, which has now been off for several days. A few in the neighborhood are getting theirs back on, but a huge tree behind our place is sitting on top of the power line and on my Lifetime shed which now a puncture in the roof, oh well. I'm thrilled thats all that happened in the wake of this hurricane.

I didn't do much here at the cabin after a 6'ish rollout except my 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. I did head out after breakfast to stretch on the back porch where the temps were in the 30's to start the day and then did my mile walk or so around the perimeter checking out the gardens and yards which is not much to see but the blue skies and ambiance is imprinted on my mind. I do have a few minutes talk with my Maker as well. Next week will be the final week to put away the porch furnitures and cover the upper garden with a load or two of pine needles and clean up under the porches and then start packing.

We did take a golf cart ride out to the mailbox and met with Dale Golden who bought some land back near us and is a hunter and showed us a bear picture of one he saw from a deer stand a few days ago. He mentioned there is a large one around as well, but we haven't seen one thus far this summer. We next headed up the steep drive to Bob and Mary's beautiful place and visited with them for and hour or so. Bob is heading up to Boone to help with a group who are assisting with the cleanup of the storm. If we weren't entertaining The Frankis Family for supper I would go with him, anyhow we have come to really like and enjoy their company as well as their German Shepherd Ecko.

We came back and noticed neighbor Gerald and Phylis are up for the weekend after their month long adventure all over Europe. He has several trees down on his property but no damage to any structures. I sat outside in the sun in the golf cart and read for a couple hours. Thats about all I can do since I'm caught up on my chores before next weeks really big project which is making the cabin ready for the next 7 months while we are gone. This summer has just flown by as well as we are leaving a couple weeks early to watch our twin grandsons, but did get here a couple weeks early in May. So it all worked out with about the same time here which we both love. It's a totally different lifestyle here from Florida as we have over 7 acres here and a 60 by 100 foot lot in Florida with neighbors on both sides who are great.

Nancy had some taters in the oven baking to add to the heat in the cabin which we now have the major heat on for the first time last night and along with the tatters, a fresh garden salad and she pan fried a boneless rib eye. I love them pan fried better than grilled which made for a delicious supper. Its getting dark so early now and even darker in the mornings which make for less daylight to putter around outside after eating, plus it was cooling off quickly, so I stayed inside and watched what was happening in Israel. I sure hope they take Iran out or at least cripple the regime so bad they abdicate and let the Persian folks once again rule their country.

I hit the shower around 9'ish then watched a few minutes of the MLB playoff game while Nancy showered and then it was horizontal lab time after reading until 10'ish, LATER

Friday Morning Oct 11th

Well the house is still standing as is the big oak in the back yard in Seminole according to neighbor Bobby, but we are without power which is sort of a blessing considering all the many homes destroyed as well as several who were killed in this monster storm. Amy and family headed back to Seminole despite no power and it was a long ride as they had trouble finding gas along the way, but they are safe as is our son Bobby who rode out the storm in Brandon. They have no power and lots of limbs down but no major damage  despite the huge oaks around his house and yards. We are so thankful for that and most all of our family and friends are safe and no serious property damage that we known of unlike the folks here in the mountains. These folks here will sure need help to bury the dead when they are located as well as rebuilding their lives and towns.

I started the day much the usual with a 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 and for healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I did head out side after it warmed up as the day started rather chilly with temps down into the low 40's but it did warm up to the 60's by late afternoon. I didn't do much after stretching and walking the perimeter but watch the news on the damage left by Milton and then checking on Israel in their attempts to wipe out the radical barbarian terrorist proxies of Iran. I wish they would take out this brutal regime and destroy their capacity to make nuclear bombs which we all know they will use against Israel and the USA. These barbarians are evil personified and our former potus Obama is a big supporter as is this corrupt administration who is seeking another 4 year to destroy whats left of our society and make the nation a caliphate for the muslims. I sure hope patriots and christians wake up and vote a red wave this next month or we will no longer be a free society.

Well we headed out around 5:30 for Sparta as Nancy wanted to do some shopping at Food Lion and I dropped her off while I picked up some books at the library which closed at 6 and then I came back and picked her up and we headed to our couples class at the college which is next door to the library. It was nearly 9 before we finished class and then made another stop for ice cream on the way home for our desserts on Saturday with the Frankis family. It was after 10 before we got back to the cabin on this chilly evening and so I hit the shower and wanted to watch a little of the NFL but for some reason its no longer on the TV here, so I headed to bed to read until it was lights out for me, LATER

Thursday Morning Oct 10th Morning after Milton in Pinllas Co., Fl.

 Well we wait to hear from friends and family who rode out that hurricane and are praying all survived and to learn if we still have a house in Seminole. More on that event, but it was disaster for our area from what I've seen on the news, but no news from those on the ground.

Well Wednesday started out with us here at the cabin in the mountains around 6'ish but our thoughts and prayers were with family and friends in Florida. It was a chilly start to the day but eventually warmed up to be rather pleasant by noon. I did my usual 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, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out after posting this ramble to stretch and walk the perimeter of the property for some exercise before having a breakfast of eggs, bacon and grits with a tomato and jalapeno pepper in the mix. That basically held me until 1'ish when I ate the last of the leftover beans from a couple days ago. I did grill a couple of pork chops around 6'ish for our supper along with a fresh head of cauliflower and a small garden salad.

Our thoughts and prayers through out the day was for our family and friends riding out Milton in our area and of course those already devastated by the storm that destroyed so many here in N.C. I did pickup a generator for my neighbor here who has moved permanently to his cabin just down the road. He and his wife were helping his older brother clean up the damage to his summer place on the New River over in Virginia which isn't far from us. The terrible storms this summer have killed and destroyed so much of America which haven't happened to some areas in over a century, especially here in the mountains and then again where we live in Pinellas County, Florida.

Well we took a golf cart ride to the top of the mountain and it was just a beautiful afternoon but we saw lots of trees down from the storm a week or so ago which left us without power for a couple days and caused me to purchase a generator in case this happens again. Our damage here was mainly a couple trees down and the inconvenience of no power whereas further to the west it was total destruction with loss of life for many from the flooding and whole towns washed away. I'm afraid from what I've seen already this morning the destruction to our home and others we know is severe. 

Last evening before the major winds hit, a tree behind us in Seminole, on our neighbors property fell on the power line knocking out power to our street and resting on the power line over our shed, which I'm sure is totally destroyed as these trees were huge. We are hopeful if we still have a roof on our house and no major inside damage. We just had both bathrooms remodeled this summer, oh well. We are thankful we still have the cabin and will probably be here awhile. We are hopeful our family and friends survived this event which was powerful to say the least, we haven't heard any news yet this morning with this post, LATER

Wednesday Morning Oct 9th

Well Tuesday was another beautiful Fall day after a chilly start with temps into the upper 40's but by mid morning it was time to shed some outer clothes and by the afternoon it was t-shirt temps; however in the shade it was cool. Tuesday also was a day of watching this huge storm in the Gulf that was getting larger by the hour and becoming a major hurricane with winds of 180 MPH, Yikes and to make it even worst, it was predicted to hit our neighborhood on the west coast of Florida. Thankfully most of our family and friends along this area have evacuated to higher ground.

It was also a work day as our dear friend Jake came to the rescue of Nancy who discovered a huge pine in the border of the front yard that was leaning towards the cabin. He knew what he was doing and downed the tree after attaching a rope and winching it away from the cabin as he sawed it down, then he and I both worked it up with chain saws and loaded it on his truck and trailer, wow what a job and he was here about 3 hours from beginning until he left around 2'ish. That was a job as I hauled of several loads of small debris to my burn pile while he took all of the big stuff along with the trunk of the tree. I put back the fence which I took down so he could get to the tree which kept me busy for another hour and I was whupped. by days end. With out Jake it would haven't been a two day job at the least.

We took a golf cart ride to the mailbox and stopped and chatted up Mike and Linda for a few and he offered to help me set up the electrical panel in the basement for my new generator which I will have if we ever experience another loss of power for days. Hopefully I'll never have to use it as its been over 30 years since we ever lost power for any length of time, but those two days wasn't fun for Nancy because she never grew up country, oh well.

I grilled deer burgers for our supper along with a fresh garden salad as I'm still getting kale, beet greens and Swiss chard to add to the store bought lettuce as well as a few jalapeno peppers. I still have several tomato's from the garden but they are long gone and the ones I picked green are starting to ripen as well. After the cleanup I settled into what is happening in Israel and they are decimating the Iran proxies Hamas and Hezbollah and now we or I hope they take out the muslim leaders of Iran who are developing nuclear bombs to wipe out Israel and eventually US(A). America's Obama has been their biggest supporter allowing them tons of cash who eventually allowed these two proxies to benefit their military mite against the Jewish nation.

Well by 9:30 I was whupped and needed a hot shower and then some reading on a Patterson book titled MARY, MARY and by 10'ish I was ready for some horizontal with and extra blanket on the bed. I did speak with an old FHP buddy for awhile in the evening and got caught up on some old news and stories as he and his wife Jan have moved from  the pan handle of Floridas to Georgia. I broke him in as a rookie and he and his wife became good friends with my first wife and I and he eventually became the best man in Nancy's and ours wedding some 45 years ago, LATER

Tuesday Morning Oct 8th

 Well Monday turned out to be another beautiful day here in the mountains with a chilly start down in the 60's and by late afternoon we had the middle 70's. It was a work day outside for me until the afternoon when I took a break and sat outside reading. We were eating a little early as we had our respective Bible classes at Cornerstone. I started the day with my 6'ish 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 and for those who were affected last week and for those in harms way from this next storm which seems to be headed for our neighborhood in Florida. I can not imagine the damage it will bring and we may be staying here for the immediate future depending on if we still have a house there.

I headed out to stretch and do my walk around the property trying to keep this old body in some form of shape and after a breakfast of eggs, grits, turkey bacon and a tomato and jalapeno pepper I headed out to work outside until after 1'ish. Nancy noticed a huge pine tree in the border area between our neighbor Gerald's place and our front yard that was leaning towards the cabin, yikes that isn't good, but I'm not sure I have the know how to make it go where I want it which is in the front driveway between the power pole and the front of the cabin; so I spoke with Jake last night at our class who is a master at cutting trees and he agreed to come over in the next day or two and help with taking it down. I'll cut it up but need some expertise on throwing it away from the cabin and the power pole.

I raked up two more loads of pine needles and then covered the last of the flower beds and now have only the upper garden to cover before we leave or if and when we leave for Florida. Amy and family along with their pastor rented an Air B&B in Fort Walton Beach which is in the pan handle of Florida to get out of harms way and we spoke with Sheri and Steve last evenings and they too finally decided to leave for Jacksonville. Bobby and family are hunkered down in Brandon which is inland from the storm surge of water but will experience some high winds. His beautiful property has several large oak trees which could be a major issue with the wind. I have a large oak tree in the back yard which I love and hopefully it will with stand the winds or at least if it goes down not on the house. Brian our remodel guy and friend came by and boarded up the windows with some plywood I had in the garage as well as some he had stored at his place. He just finished the bathrooms and now that may have all been in vain, oh well.

We got back from our classes around 9'ish and I hit the shower and read until 10'ish. Today we will know where this hurricane Milton is going and I'm hoping and praying the wind shear will tear it a part before coming on shore where ever it  goes, LATER

Monday Morning Oct 7th

Well we are once again on Hurricane Watch as this new developing storm is threatening our Florida family and homes after just getting through this devastating storm that hit N.C. What's with all this bad weather all of a sudden this year. Oh well we will have to keep praying the wind shear will break it apart and bring it back down to a tropical storm instead of a hurricane and even those can be catastrophic. I started the day with my usual 6'ish 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 and of course we are lifting up those in need, not only in western Carolina but those in harms way in Florida. Our daughter and family are evacuating to the panhandle of Florida to escape the storm which is heading for the west coast of Florida where we are located. We expected them to come here but they decided the drive was too long and decided to partner up with their pastor and family.

We headed to church this morning after watching Cornerstone Chapel's service where a former congress woman gave a great explanation on Israel's plight against the Iran terrorist nation that we, America supported during the Obama administration and is still being helped by this inept administration who is Obama's puppet. So sad to think Israel is fighting for its very existence and America has undermined it with huge gifts of money to this muslim nation who is developing nuclear weapons that will be used against US(A) in the future, unless they are destroyed. Gary Hamrick gave a great message on those who are haters of christians and Israel and the start of the middle east conflict with the muslims and their proxies. It's all Biblical and the prophecy of whats to come, unless we step up and and take them out once and for all.

After church we met up with Jake and family at the Pizzeria for a delicious lunch of salad and pizza and then made a stop at the Food Lion for a few items before making a gas stop for lawn mower fuel at 2.82 a gallon. Its down a little as the dems are pushing for votes once again. We are so disappointed in our FEMA funds being used to import and support illegals for votes and now those in need are left to fend on private donations during this devastating event. We gave a donation to Samaritan's Purse to help as they are on the ground helping to ease the suffering  along with several christian organizations and volunteers. 

Well we met us with neighbors at the Heglar place around 4:30 and had a lite supper of chili dogs, chips, slaw and chili and Nancy picked up a frozen chocolate pie for dessert. Afterwards we played 11 rounds of sequence and at one time we(guys) had drawn with in one game of tying the score at 5-4 but we wound up losing 7-4 as we just could not break through the gals game play. It was going on 9 before we left for the cabin in the golf cart. They had 4 gals against us 3 guys so I had to play a "harvey hand" which means playing two hands and thats a tough job against these competent players; but it was great fun to say the least and we have really bonded with these folks here who are now all full times and checked on us several times during the last storm. Bob even smoothed out our driveway with his pull behind road leveling piece of machinery.  We will surely miss them if and when we leave for Florida in about 2 weeks if we still have a house there, LATER

Sunday Morning Oct 6th

Well Saturday turned to be just an awesome beautiful day after a some what over cast morning with temps into the middle 70's. I didn't do a whole lot outside as I spent a couple hours putting the new generator together which turned out to be rather time consuming as it was so heavy, which made it tough on a one man job of getting it into position to attach several parts for moving it around.

I had started the day with a 6'ish 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. All seem to be holding and I learned of another friend last evening who is suffering from tumors in the small intestine which is a very rare disease. I'll add Chris to my long list of prayer concerns, everyone else is holding with this post and of course the folks in western Carolina are still rescuing from Helene. I made a donation to Samaritan's Purse to assist with those so giving of themselves in this effort. There is no way we could get there to help which we thought of with several of our own roads being washed away from the storm and there are still several here with out power yet.

I headed out early on the golf cart to drop a birthday card in the mail for grand daughter Annsley and on the way back ran out of gas, so I left it along the road and walked up the steep hill when neighbor Elaine was leaving for work and took me back to the cabin for some gas and then gave me a lift back out by the golf cart on her way to work. She is such a sweet lady who just loves living here in the mountains in her brother in law's trailer. She was at our Friday night supper and for games and the timing was perfect for her saving me from the long walk back. Anyhow I filled up the tank once again and was soon on my way.

I had a couple eggs with some feta cheese and bacon bits that needed eating along with a tomato that was looking rough and a jalapeno pepper. That held me until late in the afternoon when we had a leftover brat from last nights supper. I knew we were heading out for Cornerstone tat 4:30 to help with the prepping of a free supper we were making for the folks still without power. We had several pounds of ground beef donated to the church, so we made 25 pounds of ground beef for taco salads to feed the severed folks as well as all who came out to work this event. I pan fried for an hour or more with 4 pans going at one time and we had 4 crock pots of the meat with taco seasoning ready for the meal. There was plenty with chips, lettuces, tomatoes, cheeses, sauces and then store bought cookies and cakes for desserts. Nancy helped on the serving line and I afterwards was in the sink washing pots and pans. We were finished around 8 and headed home.

I watched a little of college football and checked on the MLB playoffs with some surprises of who so far are still playing. I hit the shower around 9'ish and then read until it was lights out at 10 for me. We are concerned about the new storm in the gulf which is being predicted to hit the Pinellas area where we live around Tuesday or Wednesday with a Cat 3 hurricane. Amy and family are thinking about leaving Monday for the cabin along with their pastors family and with their dogs which add up to three, oh well. It this storm does as predicted we may not be going back to Florida in the near future depending on if we still have a house, LATER

Saturday Morning Oct 5th

 Well Friday was mainly overcast and lots of fog out on our mountain and we did get a rain shower that lasted a couple hours, no gully washers thankfully. I didn't get much done outside except some pine needle raking and some wire cutting for the upper garden which the deer got into among all the ropes and wires across it. Its amazing it didn't get tangled up, but she got in and ate off more pepper plants, a couple lettuce seedlings and some kale before getting back out. I was shocked to see her hoof prints in there when I took my morning walk around the property. I did meet up with a semi-truck driver at the Cherry Lane Fire Department to pick up my generator as it was too large to navigate this back road and deliver it at the cabin.

I started the day with my now usual 6'ish rollout that found me sleeping in for a change. I did 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 be holding although several in the devastated areas west of us are still missing as we pray for them. We are watching another area of disturbance in the Gulf that could become another storm bringing tons of rain to the west coast of Florida and right across our area. Lets hope the wind shear tears it apart before it reaches land.

Well we had decided on inviting neighbors for supper and games so Nancy was busy in the kitchen preparing green bean casserole, dried October beans, green peppers and onions that I sauteed on the grill along with brats; Shirley made a delicious apple dumping dessert. Before we ate Grant and Bob helped me unload the generator from the gold cart into the basement as it weighted over 200 pounds and it was in a huge cardboard box. I managed to slide it from the truck bed into the golf cart and had it stored in the shed during the rain.  We got it in the basement after Bob brought a dolly and now I will cut the box and roll it out. Hopefully I won't need it this season here in the mountains or ever, but just in case this occurrence happens again here I'll be ready. I still have to purchase an outlet box, cord and breakers and have it to where I just cut the panel breaker and plug in the cord and start the generator.

Well the supper was awesome and we sent a plate home with Bob as his wife Mary was out of town. We played the best of 5 sequence games and the gals won and then Elaine a single older lady who we've just got to know this summer left and we played a round of the Monopoly game. It was getting late after the first round which we played face up and Bob won that game. They left around 9'ish and I washed the dishes which was mainly silver ware as we ate on paper, then I hit the shower and read until 10'ish. This evening we will head over to church to help with a fellowship meal for many who still do not have power and prepare a supper for them around 4'ish. Many still do not have power after a week long ordeal and this area is blessed to just have the damage done here compared to areas west of us where its total destruction with loss of life and homes. We can only pray for their safety and recovery that will be tough since this corrupt administration has used all of the FEMA money to bring in illegals, despicable to say the least to get a voting block, LATER

Friday Morning Oct 4th

Well Thursday turned out to be another beautiful Fall day with cool temps to start the day and by mid morning it had cleared off with bright sunshine and blue skies and temps in the upper 60's and by late afternoon 70's. We are sure going to miss these temps in about two weeks as its still hot and humid in Florida. We attended our couple class at 7 and while attendance was down we had some lively discussions on GOD's Word.

I started the day with my usual 6'ish rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times after posting this ramble to give thanks for another and to honor my lord Jesus, as well as to lift up several by name and regions who are suffering greatly. Most of my named folks are holding and now we are learning those devastated by this storm are being abandon by FEMA and this corrupt administration because the funds allocated for disaster relief, have been used to import and support illegals aliens. This is so criminal its hard to believe there are still folks who support this bunch in D.C.

I headed out after breakfast to work in the yards and gardens. I weed whacked down two more flower beds and then hauled top soil to replenish them as well as raked up a couple more loads of pine needles to cover the beds for the winter. I only have the main garden to clean out and to cover with pine needles then the outside gardens will be ready for the winter and the 7 months we will be gone. The pine needles have become such a popular way to keep the grasses and weeds from taking over the beds and make it so much easier when we return the end of May for the the growing season. It use to take us several days to just clear the garden of unwanted weeds and grasses, but now I just rake off the pine needles and the gardens are ready for tilling and then sowing.

Neighbor Bob came with his ATV and his road leveling pull behind machine and did our driveway, wow this machine does a fantastic job and our driveway looks as good as using Gerald's tractor with the box blade. I took a container of water up to Billy's at the top of the mountain as they still had no electricity to help with their lack of water. They finally got power restored a couple hours later and a couple in our evening class is still on a generator with this post. Its just been an inconvenience in reality for us here in our circle, compared to the total destruction in certain areas west of us where death has become prevalent as well as total destruction by the floods and landslides. It will be years for these areas and many towns as well as private homes that will never recover. Never would we have thought this could or would happen here in the mountains, LATER

Thursday Morning Oct 3rd

Well we dried out a little more yesterday with lots of sunshine and blue skies and the temps were quite nice as I wore shorts and t-shirt for most of the day after a chilly start. I did some outside work in the yards and gardens as well as caught up on whats happening in Israel. I firmly believe the United Nations is complicit with the terrorists and are totally opposed to Israel and democracy in the middle east; such a shame and down right criminal in my opinion.

I started the day with an after 6 rollout to my routines that start 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 as well as many in certain areas of the country devastated by Helene. All on my list are holding and our dear friends the Nymark's made it safely back to Florida after a 12 hour drive. We already miss them and their company at meal time and afterwards playing cards, oh well. We have 17 more wake up here and then we will be back to the flat land as well and hopefully catch up on more of our time together with family and friends, especially card games.

Nancy was in the baking mode to use up the last two zucchini's from my garden and made a recipe of bread which she put into muffin pans and we took them to neighbors on top of our mountain who still have not had their power restored, thankfully they all have generators of which I purchased one a couple days ago and then helped neighbor Grant purchase the same one yesterday. Hopefully we will receive them before I leave for Florida if not he will take them in and store it for me for next year when we come back. Both are 12000 model that will run on gas or propane and should run the whole house in case we ever lose power again. At first I thought it wasn't necessary since in all the years we have been coming here to the mountains it was very seldom we ever lost power for more than hour at most, but the two days was an inconvenience for us and our friends who spent the biggest part of the day here at the cabin, anyhow I will have it just in case we should ever have another black out for days and now that Grant has moved here permanently he has the same thoughts as me.

We grilled some chicken burgers and cleaned out some more frozen tater tots for supper as we skipped lunch after a huge mountain breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast and a tomato and jalapeno pepper for me around 9:30. I did harvest several cherry tomato's which are still producing despite the regular tomato's are now history. All that rain rotted the plants and I took them out and cover that garden with pine needles. I still have three more garden patches to weed eat down and cover with pine needles for the winter. I did fine a nice pile of silt soil that had washed out of my gully that I will add to a couple of the garden patches before covering them up for the winter.

That was about it for the day as I watched a little of the MLB playoff games and the Braves are finished for the season as they were getting beat in San Diego. I haven't been as interested in the playoffs as the Ray's never made it this year with their turn around of new players. I believe they will do good next year as their farm club is awesome here in N.C.. LATER

Wednesday Morning Oct 2nd

Well Tuesday after a some what of a damp start it tuned out to be another beautiful day with moderate temps and tons of sunshine. There were plenty of clouds and over cast skies, but eventually those went away and we opened the windows and aired out the cabin; except for a few stink bugs which came out for the warmer temps is was an uneventful day. On a sad note Sheri and Steve leave this morning for Florida to help their son with his issues that came with his house being flooded from the storm and is now being demolished inside before being rebuilt. We will sure miss them as they are like family as we ate together for most all suppers and played games each night.

I started the day with now a 6ish rollout instead of a 5'ish rollout as it stays dark until after 7 in the mornings as Fall is upon us, to my usual routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several folks for comfort and healing and now areas in our country who were devastated by this storm. So sad and really hard to believe so much was washed away by this storm that has been in existence for decades. The power of water is unbelievable.

Well I did my stretches and then starting walking again around the perimeter of the property. The backwoods area looks like a bomb went off with all the leaves and small limbs down from the high winds last week. I did fire up the weed eater and cleaned out more flower beds that were dead and dying from all the rain and then raked up several loads of pine needles and cover the beds for another season. That kept me busy until lunch time. After lunch I piddled around doing some small chores mainly outside with blowing leaves from the yards which are falling everywhere and covering the yards. I did harvest some marigold flowers for next years seeds and put them out to dry. 

I ordered a generator for the cabin so as if we are hit again without power I can at least have some basic lights and coldness in the fridges and freezers. Thankfully we didn't lose but a couple things that Nancy was concerned about in the fridge. I'm hoping its delivered before we head out on the 20th. I had a slab of baby backs in the oven in tin foil for our supper with the Nymark's, which is now the new way to cook them. I then put them on the grill with some wood chips to give them a smokey flavor and to dry them out. They we delicious and fell off the bone, along with some taters and cooked carrots and Nancy made a black raspberry cobbler along with vanilla ice cream for dessert for later in the evening.

After the cleanup we settled into two games of hand, knee and foot and the guys won both which now have us at 9 games to 5. These were some hotly contested games and Steve was drawing all the right cards for the evening, shutting the gals down before they could meet their required sets, oh well. We will surely miss them and the nightly play as well as eating together. At least we ate down some of the freezer we had stocked up on for company coming when the storm changed those plans, oh well. The main thing is all are safe.

America needs some healing from these in power who are so full of lies and deception and that was seen in their talking points last night in the VP debate. Their hatred for Trump is so evident and they know he will lead America back to being a super power once again and put US(A) first and who will and has been exposing their lies. GOD HELP US(A) if they steal this election like the last time and now we see just how they have made life costly these past 4 years and blame it on him. We need to keep Israel in our prayers as well as they are inundated with missiles and bombs from Iran and their proxies. The Biblical prophecies are evident with these times as everything that was once described as good is now evil and vice versa and this administration is promoting it as well as interfering with Israel's right to defend itself by leaking their plans to their enemies. It's down right criminal to say the least, LATER

Tuesday Morning Oct 1st

 Well we have just 19 more wake up's before leaving here for hot humid Florida, except for this last storm which we will never forget its been a great summer. I will be sad to leave but excited to see family for more than just a couple days when they all came over the summer. We will be sitting the twins the first week back and I will be back on the pickle ball courts daily and then it will be gardening time once again; so we have lots to look forward to as well as missing the ambiance here with everything around us is GOD's creation, oh well we are blessed with two different lifestyles yearly.

I started Monday with another sleep in until 6:30 which has happened since the storm kept me up for almost 2 days. I did my routines that begin always 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 and now for all of the regions who were destroyed and devastated by this storm over this past week. Lets ALL pray this event never happens again in our life time. I headed out to check on the gardens, whats left and then worked outside all morning after a hearty mountain breakfast of sausage, eggs, biscuits with a sliced tomato accompanied by a hot jalapeno pepper. This year they are exceptionally hot despite their small size, last year I could eat them like an apple but not this year, oh well.

It is still wet in all of the gardens and yards but we did get a little drying out with a small trickle of water running in the usually dry gulch which had a large stream flowing for days. The bloody deer ate some of my last tomato's in the garden so I harvested what was left and set them on the porch rails to completely ripen and then covered that patch with pine needles to keep the weeds and grass out until we get here next summer. I also covered two more flower and garden patches with pine needles as well and replanted some garlic bulbs which had rooted but had washed out of the backwoods garden patch when it over flowed during the 16 inches of rain run off.

I headed down to see Stevie and we took the golf cart up the back road to check on a downed tree and Ed and Carol on top of the mountain were already working it up to clear the road. I offered to help but they insisted they would handle the job. We learned that Sheri and Steve are cutting this visit short and heading back to Florida on Wednesday morning due to the damage to their son's home and helping with schedules for their grands. We will miss them but understand their decision to leave to help. We rode out this storm together and shared suppers nightly and last night after supper we the guys whupped the gals in two games of hand, knee and foot after they came from behind in the overall count to tie us at 5 game a piece.

Well that was about it as it continues to dry out the mountain and there are still folks up on top of our mountain without power, but all have generators which I'm thinking about purchasing to have on hand for the future; except for the loss of power which made it tough to get water and reach the outside world on the internet we were safe, dry and stayed warm. The heat here wasn't a factor like in Florida which is also drying out as well, LATER