Saturday Morning Nov 30th

Well we finally got some cold temps for a change after some lite rain during the day on Friday and wow did it ever get chilly. Around  10'ish I headed into ST.Pete to see the chiro doctor and he had me feeling great the rest of the day, but after a hot shower last night the pain returned to the back and leg once again. I thought heat was good for the issues, but I had trouble getting to sleep once more. I'm still in the spare room as I tossed and turned until late in the morning when I finally fell asleep only to be awakened around 7:30 this morning.

I started the day with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several including myself for some comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I did do good the rest of the day after getting adjusted once more with the chiropractor. I stopped at Sam's Club on the way home to gas up at 2.95 a gallon and then bought some already made into patties of hamburger meat as we are having another large family get together Sunday evening for supper. The back and knee felt great with just a dull ache.

We had a salad for lunch and then I vegetated on the couch watching college football and some hockey before a supper of leftovers from the dinner the night before. It was delicious to say the least and I headed back to the couch to watch more football until shower time around 8'ish and then read until 10'ish before hitting the sack. The dull ache was back after the shower and is still with me this morning in both the leg and back, DANG. I thought sure it was gone after yesterday's adjustments, oh well. 

We are supposed to go to Bobby's this afternoon in Brandon for another Thanksgiving Day dinner with Katie's family and also with Annsley and Gabe as they missed the dinner at our house. There will be cousins from my side of the family as well as cousins from Nancy's side. It should be a fun time and once more high calorie eating. I think we will ride with Amy and Tyler as he offered with my back being so prone to pain especially after driving with the right leg which has the sciatica issue, LATER

Friday Morning Nov 29th

Well Thursday started out with heavy dense fog that gave everything outside a drink as it hasn't rained in quite a spell but by noon it was all gone and bright sunshine enveloped the area. The temps were mild despite the bright sunshine some where in the middle 70's. We had a house full for our traditional Thanksgiving Day meal with both of our kids and 5 of our grands as the two older kids of Bobby's were at their mothers place for dinner. It was her turn with them as they share on holidays, but that has turned out to be much better as time goes on with the sharing of the kids on special days.

I had started the morning with my usual quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing myself included. All seem to be holding with this post. We did speak with Helen briefly as her son Rick is in the area from Florida. She is holding on for her age but her memory is slipping at times, but for 96 she still has a sense of humor and laughs a lot.

I'm still nursing this lower back ache as well as some leg pain which has now become dull and not as throbbing as it once was. I'n still limited on what I can do but now I'm sleeping much better after stretching a couple of times during the day. It not looking like this issue is going away any time soon but I'm managing to remain hopeful for complete healing and recovery until I can function normally again as some days are better than other. At least the severe pain has subsided for now and its mainly a dull ache with an occasion zinger to remind me of the sciatica, oh well.

Nancy was busy all day prepping for the get together, I helped as much as the pain would allow me to help and the food was excellent. We fed 12 at the table and sent two plates home with Betsy and Gus for their boys. Nancy did the turkey, green beans, gravy, rolls and a pecan pie while Betsy brought dry stuffing and yam's, Amy did a couple apple pies an ice cream and Bobby the smashed tatters and some vino. They all stayed until close to 8 with Katie and Bobby leaving earlier with the twins and the rest later on helping with the cleanup. I mainly watched football until bed time for me around 10'ish. Tyler was a great help doing what I usually do with washing the dishes, pots and pans that wouldn't fit in the dish washer. 

We did take pictures in the back yard before eating and despite it being torn up from the tree removal we managed a few great picture of the family. The grands all ate together in the kitchen and enjoyed one another's company, LATER

Thursday Morning Nov 28th Thanksgiving Day

 Well its a foggy morning once again and the temps are quite mild to start the day it was on Wednesday morning. I'm getting better with the back and knee as I walked quite a bit yesterday to the doctor office for my 6 month check up and then again to the library for a couple of books. The hurt is back a little this morning after a decent nights rest and sleep. Not sure why the hurt is there but its not excruciating yet, oh well. We are having tons of folks here this afternoon for the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal and then we will do it all over again on Saturday at Bobby's house with lots of different folks as well.

I had started the day once again with a 7'ish rollout from the spare room as the back and knee have kept me out of our regular sleeping arrangements, since I have to start out on my tummy to ease the pain in the knee which is actually the sciatica issue. I do toss and turn during the night finding the right position to ease the pain so its just easier for me in the spare room and Nancy can at least get some sleep.

I did hand water the gardens a couple times yesterday and its looking great with everything starting to mature as is the weeds and grasses. I'm hoping to get back to doing some gardening over the next couple of days as the back and knee felt good for most of the day, but it reminds me from time to time as well that its not business as usual. We finished up the Zuppa soup along with a fresh garden salad for our supper with Betsy and Gus help as they came by to drop off the roaster oven to do the turkey in today. It was  delicious but at least now we don't have that as a leftover because we should have plenty from todays feast.

We watched the Fox News channel and its amazing all of the dems are so down on Trump for beating their woke candidate and putting the nation back on the right path once again after Biden and Kamala nearly destroyed the country. What a bunch of misfit cry babies as is she and the MSM. There is no love of country for them and now Biden is trying to get us into another war with Russia as well as demanding that Israel make peace with the terrorists in Lebanon. More messes left for Trump to clean up, LATER

Wednesday Morning Nov 27th

Well the back is feeling some what better and the sciatica pain down the right leg has almost dissipated as well which is a total blessing. There were several days when I just wanted to cut off the leg as the pain was that intense. Anyhow things are looking up some what, but I know I must take it easy on the back for some time to come.

I started the day with my waking up time in the spare room since I've had this pain issue and trying to whether the pain through out the nights and getting very little sleep as well. I did get up around 7'ish and did and abbreviated post that started with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and pray for comfort and healing not only for me but for several others on my daily list of lifting up those to the lord. All seem to be holding with this post.

I didn't do much since the back and leg were still having some pain issues but nothing so severe I couldn't function. I knew the tree gang was coming back to haul away the big oak which had been cut up and stored on the front yard for them to haul away to the land fill or where ever it was dumped. They came around 10'ish and hauled two full loads away and the trunk of the tree weighed over 12 tons, wow I knew it was heavy but had no idea as they had to pay 50 bucks a ton to dump it. The second load was only 4 or 5 tones in weight. They were finished around noon and I settled up with them as the stump grinder was on the way to grind down the stump. He was here about and hour and left me quite a large pile of mulch which I will store on one section of the garden for future use. I'm hoping my son's and grands will lean up that pile for me on Thursday before we feed them supper.

We noticed a squirrel which was setting on the stump in the morning was wondering what happened to his tree. I will not miss them running across the roof and then having leaves filling up the gutters as well as branches down after wind storms. I will miss the shade it provided and the leaves for the compost but the neighbors have plenty of trees that will fill the need before we leave in May when the trees begin to bud out and drop their leaves.

Nancy was off with sister Betsy during the afternoon shopping, so I read and hand watered the gardens and caught up on some internet reading. It seems Israel is about to entertain a ceasefire with Hezbolla as they are getting their rears kicked by the IDF. I'm totally surprised Israel would let them off the hook for total destruction of those terrorists but our inept potus is holding back funding for the IDF if they don't agree. Biden needs to just keep his nose out of their business except for total support to Israel, oh well.

Nancy made a pot of zuppa soup for supper as my kale is growing like weeds which is the green in the soup. Betsy stayed for supper then left as we headed over to the Nymark's around 6'ish for a game of cards. The guys won the first game but lost the second after having a huge lead. It felt good to get away for reasons other than going to the doctors or hospital ER's. It was going on 10 when we headed home and then a hot shower for me and then trying to get some sleep around 10:30, LATER

Tuesday Morning Nov 26th

 Well Monday was another chilly start to the day but by the afternoon the bright sunshine had warmed the temps up to the middle 70's which made for a great day to be outside and thats what I did watching a crew of 5 men take down the big oak in the back yard. More on that later as I started the day with my usual routines after a sleep less night due to pain in the right leg from the sciatica and lower back issues. Nancy was off early to let Rocky our daughter's dog out and to feed him as they are away from a basketball tournament with their daughter Ava in Jacksonville, Fl.

I started the day with 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 healing and comfort including my self. I'm still fighting this back pain and sciatica pain in the right leg, but I'm hoping the chiropractor will help me cure this issue as we had a visit scheduled for adjustments.

We had to be in St.Pete for a chiropractor visit at 10 AM so after she got back from the dog visit we got ready and headed out after a lite breakfast. The chiro has me feeling some what better but I'm still not totally healed but feeling better with no meds through out the day. I'm looking in to acupuncture as the next line of treatment if these adjustments don't help. The pain in the right leg seems to get worst after a shower and then going to bed so last night I decided to do some stretches before retiring and then to lay on my stomach once I got into bed, well that surely helped right away, keeping the pain out of my knee and leg through out the night. I did find myself later in the night sleeping without severe pain in my leg while on my side and back. So just maybe I've solved this issue and hopefully on the way to healing.

When we got back to the house after the chiro visit and a stop at the library we noticed a huge truck with a crane sitting in our yard and in our neighbors yard who was not happy about the tree folks using his yard without permission. After a few harsh words they seemed to work things out and the tree folks went to work taking down the oak. The crane was the way to go in removing the upper most limbs of the oak lifting them over the roof top of the house and they had the trunk down and out of the yard by 4'ish. They are supposed to come back this morning and remove the sawed up tree from the front yard. That tree at the base was 4 feet across or more. I'm sad about the tree because it provided shade during the heat of the day but now thats its gone we hopefully won't have any more sleepless nights during storms when we are away and will hopefully cut down on the squirrels that find it favorable to them and their diet of acorns and digging in my garden for ones they have planted, oh well. Nancy and the neighbors are extremely happy the tree is gone as well, LATER

Monday Morning Nov 25th

 Well Sunday morning found me once again with pain in the lower back but it seems the sciatica had been quieted during the day, but the night before it was very much active and was much the same during the night on Sunday, until I laid down for bed then it became quite active and miserable throughout the night. I did lots of stretches through out the day on Sunday as well as many exercises but to no avail when it became bed time after a shower. I used no meds during the day as I seemed to have it under control, of course I never laid down during the day either. I'm at the point I'm ready for some drastic measure to be rid of this pain in the leg and back.

I did set mainly on the couch watching the NFL with several periods of walking around the house and doing stretches that could be done from that position and I felt rather confident the sciatica was gone during those moments, but it reared it ugly head when I laid down and remained throughout most of the night, however I did wake up this morning around 7'ish after using an ice pack at first then a heating pad sometime during the night. Not much to write about except we head back to the chiropractor this morning for more adjustments, LATER

Sunday Morning Nov 24th

 Well Saturday found me with being worked on by a Doctor of Physical Therapist and she was great and very good at relieving the pain in my knee from the pinched nerve, with over an hour of therapy using very different methods such as suction cups, needles and manipulations. I was very impressed with her therapy and I was pain free for the rest of day and evening. We even had neighbors Dan and Carol over for a lite supper of pizza and a fresh garden salad and afterwards played hand, knee and foot. The gals whupped Dan and I, but it was fun. It was nearly 8:30 when the game ended and I had no pain in neither the back or knee but that changed when Nancy mentioned that Jen had sent her some stretches for me on her phone. Well I did several of them and I must have either over did them or in the wrong position because the knee and back both began to ache and I was once relegated to the spare room with severe knee pain, so it was back to the ice pack and eventually the heating pad, DANG

I had started the day with a 7'ish rollout to my routines that always begins with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several including myself for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding and I need lots of prayers for both as this back issue and sciatica nerve pain is debilitating and demoralizing. After the DPT(doctor of physical therapy) left I felt great and was in good spirits but that all changed when after a hot shower the pain emerged once again and I had to leave and sleep with my leg propped up on a pillow in the spare bedroom with an ice pack under neath my lower back. I did take a muscle relaxer which I hadn't used in a couple days and a night time pain pill sleeping very little through out the night, oh well. It's back to the chiropractor on Monday and God only knows how many more trips that will be, LATER

Saturday Morning Nov 23rd

 Well Friday was one of my best days thus far as I actually did a little garden work and sat outside in the warm sunshine after a chilly start with temps in the low 50's with a stiff breeze. I went the whole day without any meds until last night when I take the one pain pill that taken only at bedtime. Well a big difference occurred when I pulled the truck into the garage after Nancy got home from grand daughter Ava's basketball game as I had to maneuver or twist getting out of the cab and then things went down hill quickly after a hot shower. Yeow, is all I can say with the terrible pain coming back into the right knee, so much so I had to move back into the spare room for the night to lay my knee on a pillow. I eventually got an ice pack on the back to calm the nerve going to the right knee and did get a little sleep, oh well.

I had started the day with my usual routines after a good nights sleep on Thursday night and felt great except for the constant dull ache in the lower back. The knee felt normal for a change. I did my quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then lifted up several by name for comfort and healing myself included. All seem to be holding with this post. After a lite breakfast I headed out to the garden to move some lettuce seedlings into 6 packs as well as some cilantro seedlings. I then used a shovel and turned over some weeds that were taking over my garden, but I wore my back brace and took it easy. I then hand watered the gardens and sat outside in the warm sunshine for a couple hours. I felt like maybe I had turned the corner and could get back to some light work and exercise.

The physical therapist comes this morning for a session who is supposed to be awesome as several family members brag on her expertise. I certainly hope she is worth the money for one session as she comes from the Tampa area, LATER

Friday Morning Nov 22nd

 Well I'm still doctoring this back with pain killers and heat but at least I slept well over night for a change. Hopefully I can at cure it without any surgery, but I do need to do some physical exercise and yesterday I did a little with some garden work and some stretches. The pain is still prevalent but not excruciating as a couple days ago, so just maybe I'm on the mend.

I started the day with my usual routines of some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus and  to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I had slept in because of this one pain pill that I take before bedtime and I was fuzzy for a couple hours in the morning as that was the first time I had ever taken this pain med, yikes the side effects are dangerous and it makes me wonder if I should take it, but I did and stayed horizontal all night long for change.

I headed out to the back yard where I have two separate garden patches and harvested a ton of leafy greens while Nancy was off shopping. I filled 4 colanders of red lettuce, romaine, Swiss chard, spinach and kale and cleaned them and spun them dry and made a huge salad and even gave some of each to neighbor Bobby who was so thoughtful of my pain that he mowed my front yard while mowing his. It was me helping him a couple weeks ago to unload a chest freezer that started this back muscle issue and he feels bad that it was this event, oh well. I knew I should have worn my back brace but I didn't, my bad.

I did hand water the gardens after moving up some tomato seedlings into pots as well as hoeing around some of the bigger plants. I now have green tomatoes on all three of my tomato plants. The grasses and weeds are doing a number in the gardens as well. We did get a down pour the other night which brought in a cold front and yesterday morning the temps were down into the 50's but eventually warmed up to the low 70's with no humidity. I sat outside in the sun for awhile enjoying the cool temps with bright sunshine.

Nancy was off doing her thing as she likes to shop and did bring home a nice salmon filet for supper along with yellow squash and asparagus. I was losing a pound or so before I hurt my back with pickle ball and outside work but now I'm not doing much physical exercise so I'm putting it back on, oh well, LATER

Thursday Morning Nov 21st

 Well Wednesday had me back at the chiropractor for another adjustment on the back and knee and it did feel better as the day wore on, plus back at the VA for more pain meds as this darn issue is taking longer than I want to go away. 

We woke up to our first cold front with temps some where in the upper 50's but lots of sunshine and a stiff breeze, brrr. Actually if feels great and would be awesome to work in the garden which really needs weeding, but I just cannot do it. I do hand water it, daily but the pain in the leg and back will not let me do it just yet. I'm using a heat pad as I make this post in hopes that will help with getting blood to the muscles and hopefully give me some relief in the healing process. 

I did my usual morning routines that start with some quiet time after posting this ramble to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to pray for healing and comfort for so many, much worst than I as well as pray for Israel and potus elect Trump. The hatred on the Left just amazes me of the many brain washed Woke folks who hate their country and this man, of course they are the same folks who yelled crucify Jesus to the Romans and chant death to Israel and America. The folks of this nation had better be prepared for another civil war I'm afraid to say, and I know many who call them selves christians are in the same boat, oh well.  LATER

Wednesday Morning Nov 20th

Well I'm not getting any better with this pain in my back and sciatica nerve down into my right leg. Last was miserable until I doubled up on the pain meds which did take off the edge and I may have fallen asleep for a few minutes. I made a date with a physical therapist for this Saturday morning who lives in the Tampa area, but she will travel here and bring her table with her so maybe she can get me some relief. Bobby recommended her as she is one of the best for sport injuries in the area. I may try to get in to see the chiropractor again this morning instead of Thursday or maybe both days.

Not much else happened during the day except I did go to the dermatologist and she removed the 7 stitches from my thigh and pronounced the borders were clear which was a precaution against melanoma cells, oh well. Poor Nancy is having to drive around but she did go to Ava's basketball game last night and they won again over a good St. Pete High team. Nancy said Ava started finally and played great.

Since I doubled up on the pain meds you can probably tell I'm a little more talkative with this post but the pain is still there and despite using a hot wrap several times during the day the pain at times is unbelievable sharpe and throbbing, LATER

Tuesday Morning Nov 19th

 Well I'm still kicking but not very high because of this muscle and sciatica nerve pain. I did see a chiropractor yesterday and he adjusted my hips which were out of line and that helped a little with the excruciating pain, but I'm still not well yet. I'm using a hot pad more instead of ice which he recommended. I'm back to see him again on Thursday and hopefully another adjustment.

Not much to write about when your just trying to stay alive with terrible pain to your body especially down the back and into your hip, leg and knee, LATER

Monday Morning Nov 18th

 Well the back and legs are in so much pain I'm wondering if I must go under the knife again as I need to be rid of this issue and get back to at least being able to sleep and get some rest. We did go back to the ER in the morning and the doctor there, thought it best to get off the opioids and stay with naproxen and a muscle relaxer but only twice a day. The pain has only increased especially last evening. I'm also using heat a couple times a day and evening but nothing is really helping. I'm off to see a chiropractor this afternoon and hope he can manipulate the muscle or nerve away from whats causing so much pain down my right leg which makes it very difficult to walk or stand.

Not much to write about as I'm just suffering from this back issue and sciatica nerve. Pray that I get some relief today, LATER

Sunday Morning Nov 17th

 Well I made it through another night, barely with this unbelievable pain in my back and leg and I just took my last prescribed pain pill, so I'll head back to the ER this AM for more meds or at least a shot, its that painful, LATER

Saturday Morning Nov 16th

 Well I'm still kicking but barely with severe pain in the lower back and sciatica down the right leg. The pain meds given me from the pharmacy isn't working and it been rough the last 24 hours with no major relief. I've tried everything from heat to ice to stretches and bed rest but to no avail. I hate to cut this short but I'm going back again this morning for some stronger meds if they will give them to me, if not I'm going to a civilian hospital. Sorry, I'm not up writing more but its tough to write about pain other than its constant with just a little relief from the ice packs. Keep praying for me as I need it, LATER

Friday Morning Nov 15th

 Well after spending Thursday morning in the ER at the VA hospital I finally got some strong pain meds to help with easing the pain in my back and leg and while there I got a cat Scan which shows two bulging discs and stenosis causing the nerve pain. I just took a pain reliever and a muscle relaxer before starting this post which I needed badly after sleeping for 8 hours which I also needed. They eventually relieved the pain with 2 separate shots of morphine while I was there and before they sent me home. Its been years since I had suffered this much pain and while she gave me a limited supple I'm just hoping they out last this pain. Not much else to write about, LATER

Thursday Morning Nov 14th

Its been such a painful day and night waiting for this prednisone to kick in which it never did, so now I have more pressing issues other than an inflamed back that has gone into sciatica down the right leg, Its brutal to say the least and thats about all I say for the moment as I'm waiting for tylenol and a ice pack to give some minor relief. I'm going to the ER later this day, once Nancy gets our mode of transportation back. I just can not ride in the mustang any longer as its what caused this condition or at least excerbated it, LATER

Wednesday Morning Nov 13th

 Well the ache is still there and not getting any better despite everything I've thrown at it; meds, vitamins, pain pills, exercises, ice, wraps, heat and rest, oh well. At least I was able to get an appointment to see a chiro doctor next Monday. Thats how far he was booked up and so I'll suffer until then, oh well. I'm not one to be incapacitated or going without some sort of exercise or work, but it looks as if I'll be out of commission for quite some time as this leg pain from the sciatica nerve is severe.

Well I did start the day with a before 6 roll out, for some reason I'm able to get some sleep despite the pains in the back and leg, so thank full for that blessing. I sure miss playing pickle ball and the gardening which is slowly becoming over grown with weeds and grasses. I am able to hand water a couple times a day while standing in the yards, but even the pain doing that at times takes my breath, oh well.

I did my quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus calling on His name for healing for me as well as several I know who are hurting, all seem to be holding with this post. Nancy did pick up a book for me at the library so instead of sitting at the computer and reading I can at least lay down from time to time and read. Not much to write about except Nancy did go to the Keswick first basket ball game to watch grand daughter Ava Mae play and they won big and she played great. I sure missed seeing that game, but knew there was no way I could sit for an hour or so in a bleacher, so I stayed home and watched TV. After she got back around 9:30 I hit the shower and greased up the back with some pain gel and swallowed a couple OTC pain meds and hit the sack only to awaken around 4'ish to pain in the kegs and back, oh well, so much for old age coming on so quickly, LATER 

Tuesday Morning Nov 12th

Well despite taking a powerful steroid this back muscle and now sciatica pain is still prevalent, dad gum I sure miss playing and working and will give in to seeing a chiropractor per Nancy's wishes. The last time I saw one he recommended prednisone which did eventually get rid of the inflammation after 2 regiments. I did some ultra sound, some rest and eventually some minor exercises but its still painful and debilitating while taking lots of OTC's for the pain. The back issues started when I was young with an L5 surgery in the 60's while serving in the USAF and it came back on this Veterans Day to remind me it seems, oh well.

I started the day with a well before 6 rollout and believe it or not I did sleep quite well once I got horizontal with the lights out around 10'ish. I did my usual routines of some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. There isn't much to write about when you spend the day inside either reading a book or reading on line about all kinds of issues and I did listen to a great message from a renown speaker by the name of Erwin Lutzer on the Laughter of God. He is an awesome speaker and was at Jack Hibbs church in Chino Hills, California.

We were having our small group get together at first here at the house but since I wasn't up for a large group meeting for supper they moved it up to the neighbor's house and Nancy brought me down a plate. She had made two casserole's and the drinks and everyone was supposed to bring a dish. A couple have decided to quit the group and another couple have moved away and no one else seems ready to step up and lead, so it will be on hold until after the holidays I believe. Its just too much for one couple to meet weekly, oh well.

I stayed on the couch and watched the news and prayed for healing on this back and now leg. I did watch the first half of the NFL game before hitting the shower and then eventually for some horizontal lab for the night, LATER

Monday Morning Nov11th..Veterans Day

 Well I proudly served the country during the Viet Nam War for a total of 7 years starting in March '66; 4 years active duty and then 3 years active reserve doing the same job at the same base in California while I pursued by bachelor's degree before finally moving to Florida in June of '73. Many of my former military friends are long gone serving US(A) and rightfully need to be remembered this day along with now having a real commander in chief with this last election.

I started Sunday morning still hurting in my back and leg from the night before when we got back from Brandon. The pain had lessen some what after stopping the use of a heating pad and taking some OTC pain relievers. It still wasn't any where near back to normal, so I opted out on attending church in person but did watch a good message from Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, Va. and then again with our home church here in Florida at S.R.B.C. We were supposed to be front door greeters and I knew I wasn't up to the task so Nancy did go after I assured her I was O.K. on my own. I sure missed the Veterans Day meal at church I had signed and paid for, but thought it best to stay home and rest. I did my normal morning routines that start 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 with this post. 

I iced and rested the lower back after taking does of naproxen which some what helped but remembered from a couple years back when I experienced the same issues and prednisone was to the rescue and I just happened to have some I kept in reserve. Well I took the mega dose and after a few hours the difference was becoming obvious with much relief and all through the evening and night it started to feel much better. The leg pain from the sciatica is gone this morning and while there is still the dull ache I can tell its working. I'll take another dose this morning and hopefully knock the inflammation completely out in a couple days.

Well I watched the Bucs lose again and while the officials were not kind to the team their play calling to win the game from the 10 yard line was terrible and they wound up tying instead of winning. The defense fell apart in the last minute and their kicker finally made a field goal to seal the win for the 49'ners, oh well. I did watch another game which was a blowout by the eagles over the hapless cowboys which was boring to say the least. I was able to watch a little of the late game but for some reason Roku kicked me off after the first quarter, anyhow I hit the shower and then bandaged my hide removal which according to Nancy looks awesome. I hit the sack before 10 as the night before was rather painful and sleepless.

Nancy and her sister Betsy shopped the afternoon away and I did venture out to hand water the gardens a couple times. The day wasn't as hot as usual with temps only into the upper 80's and not 90's which was nice for a change. I'm still hoping to get back into the gardens this week and move some seedlings up into larger containers as well as do some weeding and after these stitches come out on the 19th and then get back on the court and exercising. I'm trying to lose a little of this spare tire as I am down about 5 pounds since getting back from the cabin, but got at least 5 or more to go, but first I want to get rid of this lower back inflammation, LATER

Sunday Morning Nov 10th

 Well Saturday was another rather warm day with temps up into the 80's once again and I'm still doctoring both the hide removal from the dermatologist and this muscle strain or tear which was doing rather good throughout the day, but after driving that mustang to Brandon and back last evening I'm worst than ever. I was in excruciating pain and discomfort last night and did not sleep much at all. Now it seems the sciatica is on fire and causing me tremendous discomfort, so I'll be out of action for awhile and especially until I get my truck back. No more riding in that mustang which is a killer to look at but a killer on a bad back, oh well.

I had started the day with my usual routines that begin after a before 6 rollout for some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus and to lift up several by name. All seem to be holding and I would certainly appreciate some divine intervention for me and my issues. I didn't do much except head out to hand water the gardens during the morning and then son in law Tyler came and helped with mowing and weed eating the yards. What a big blessing that was. I rested and tried some new techniques on the lower back and had it feeling rather well, although I wasn't ready for big time exercise, but the back felt like it was getting better. The ride last evening and especially last night coming home ruined it all and put me in misery all night long, oh well.

We will skip church this morning as we were scheduled to be greeters at the front door and for a VA luncheon afterwards and then on Monday we were attending the service at Bay Pines VA Center where our two grands were singing. I just can not get back in that mustang as its so uncomfortable and just the thought of the pain it brought to my lower back is out of the question. I'm not sure if I can return the vehicle once my truck is fixed as its a 30 minute ride to the dealer. Nancy may have to return it in my place when the time comes or someone from the dealer can deliver my truck and return the mustang, LATER

Saturday Morning Nov 9th

 Well Friday was another day of pain in the lower back muscle which I tried most everything to at least make it less painful and at times it worked to where I could function normally, but by late evening it was stressful again, oh well. I did manage to attend Keswick Schools Veteran appreciation event for grand daughter Eliza and then again a game night out at the Botbyl's with the Nymark's, but by the end of the night it was bothering me again, oh well. So lift a little prayer up for comfort and healing for me if you find the time and will to do so, thanks.

I started the day with a well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then lift up several for comfort and healing. Now it seems I must add my name to the list as this dad gum lower back muscle is still being a nuisance and quite painful at times, oh well. Everyone else seems to be holding with this post. I got ready and then headed out in the mustang to Keswick School around 8'ish as Nancy didn't want to attend.

The program at times brought tears to my eyes when I think of our nation which I love and all of us here today who had served willingly for the freedoms, we now have and how this christian school honors those of us here and those who gave their lives for those freedoms and to be able to worship freely and to enjoy all of the many freedoms we have. We were all introduced by the branches we served in and given a small gift bag as well. The guest speaker was a WWII veteran Mr. Bob who will be 106 years old this coming week and he once spoke at S.R.B.C. for our veterans luncheon event last year. He is and was quite the character and a true Believer and now he makes you want to live to be a hundred. He walks and talks and has such a clear mind and we will probably see him on Sunday afternoon at the church's luncheon again this year.

I made a stop at the Wal-Mart which was in the neighborhood before heading home to hand water the gardens then it was take it easy the rest of the day, reading and at times napping. I finished a good read titled LABOR DAY by Joyce Maynard which is quite the story and the ending brings some tears as well. The rest of the day had me outside a couple times hand watering the gardens as its down right hot here with bright sunshine and the garden dries out so quickly. I have more cucumber seedlings up as well as more green bean seeds poking through the ground. Everything else is holding now with small green 'maters on the cherry plant, zucchini plant is blooming as well is the egg plant. I resowed some beet and lettuce seeds but they may be to old as well as were the sugar pea seeds which never germinated, oh well.I'll have plenty to share if everything matures.

Nancy was in the kitchen most of the day and we are bringing the birthday dinner meal to Brandon this afternoon as Bobby had an issue with Gabe's games today and getting here in the evening, so we helped him out with moving the event to Brandon. Katie is still in the Czech Republic for another week so he is holding the fort down as we say by carrying for the twins and then the bigger kids, so we thought it best to help out with preparing the food here and then eating it in Brandon as we celebrate both Annsley who will be 17 and Gabe who will be 14, birthdays together. They got to choose the main course and dessert and they chose lasagna and cheesecake which are all fav's of everyone, LATER

Friday Morning Nov 8th

 Well I'm still doctoring this muscle ache in the lower back which is so annoying but does limit me to any work or standing on my feet for any length of time, but the healing on the hide removal from the dermatologist looks good after finally a hot shower last night and the removal of the bandage to see just how much hide she removed, Nancy applied another bandage before bed time.

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 as well as can be expected with this post. I called the Ford dealership about having the gear shift worked on in my new truck and about getting a loner vehicle while its in the shop and finally by early afternoon they were able to get me one, which is a 2024 Mustang 2-door. Very sporty but a bear getting in and out of especially with a bad back, oh well. It seems I may have to be driving this for quite a spell as that part has to be special ordered from the factory, where ever that is.

I spent the biggest part of the day nursing this sore muscle with ice packs, rub downs and even I found my old hand held ultra sound machine and used that in hopes of breaking up this knot in my muscle or at least it feels like one. It is painful but mostly annoying as I can function but not with out pain. Its a little better this morning after wearing a hot patch for most of the evening and night. I'm off to Keswick School this morning at 8 AM as grand daughter Eliza's class is supporting veterans and she invited me to attend and represent her as the national holiday is next Tuesday. We will I hope attend the Olive Garden for a free meal on the date as well for all vets as we have done that the past couple of years and its now a tradition.

I did venture out to hand water my gardens which need some work as the grasses are taking over once again. I have lots of cucumbers seedlings showing nice colors as well as lots of beans poking through the ground. Another dad gum cut worn got one of my Swiss Chard seedlings, but I don't think it cut off the main stalk just some leaves, oh well. We watched the Fox news and once again the dem's are crying and clueless along with their supporters and they just don't get it that America is fed up with their progressive woke and D.E.I. agendas and the open border as well as the inflation, which is why we chose Trump over this inept word salad, who had no idea what she was doing; which was basically nothing to help US(A) as the VP and she stated she wanted to continue Biden's agendas. It was a big red wave, thank GOD because now we will hopefully save the nation for our children and grands as Trump was a proven leader during his first term despite the other party being an obstacle at every turn and then making up lies and distortions to discredit him and his policies.

That was about it for the day as I hit the sack a little before 10, and then watched some ALONE before lights out around 10:30, LATER

Thursday Morning Nov 7th

 Well already with just the election over and Trump declared the next POTUS the economy has started to rebound with the stock market gains, wow. I sure hope the whole country now has a firm outlook on our nations recovery from what these progressives have done to destroyUS(A) and that GOD's will be done in our believing and thanksgiving of his grace and mercy.

I started the day with my usually well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding at this time. I'm still recovering from the dermatologist with a patch covering my left thigh and also a muscle strain or tear in my lower back which will side line me for another week or so, oh well. At my age I'm thankful I can still do everything I did at an early age and above ground. Half of my graduating class is gone for ever.

I worked on the cabinet once again finishing up the doors which I had to saw off about 3/4 of an inch to make them fit. I'm not sure why they sent me 4 doors of all the same length but I looked and saw where it was made in China, oh well. It's rather cute and will be perfect for the location near the bathroom entrance for holding what we use to keep under the old vanity. I sawed the doors off at Tyler's who now has my table saw which I no longer use or have room to store as he has a large out building. That worked out perfect with the cut and the hinges went on perfect and Nancy now has it loaded with bathroom stuff.

I did hand water the gardens and now have green beans showing some color as well as cucumbers up on the side garden. I'm still waiting for the sugar peas to germinate but I think those seeds are old as well. I'll need to resow some lettuce seeds today and do some hoeing as grasses are showing colors in the garden proper. So far I've only lost one kale seedling to a cut worm and I'll begin harvesting leafy greens for the salad bowl in a couple of days. I'm missing sowing radishes as well and moving some seedlings into larger pots that I started from the mountain garden seeds.

We met up with Brian and Nancy at a local small eatery around 4:30 for supper and made the final payoff on the bathroom remodels and a member of our church owns the place and another member who was eating there picked up our tab for the whole table. After wards we headed to S.R.B.C. for our Wednesday night meeting with the pastor as we worshiped through song and the Word and then met in a small group later. Its great to be back with so many who honor life, family and country.

Our new truck has an issue with a clicking noise on the gear shift selector and so I'm taking it back to the dealer today in hopes they can fix whatever is wrong as it began acting weird after leaving the eatery last evening. The rear tires began sliding as I pulled away from the curb after we did some checks on the selector, but eventually it cleared out after stopping and restarting and we made it to church and then home. Nancy is afraid to drive it and I'm afraid we make get stuck some where away from home if it does this while going down the highway, oh well. A 60 thousand vehicle and it doesn't run right.

We got back around 8;30 and I usually hit the shower but since I have to keep the wound covered and not get wet for another 24 hours I just washed off and brushed my teeth for some TV until lights out at 10'ish, LATER 

Wednesday Morning Nov 6th Praise GOD ..Trump WON Re-Election

 Well the good news is America conservatives and patriots prevailed last night or should I say this morning as I stayed up well past midnight with the knowledge the dems were losing, thankfully. Tuesday was another eventful day as the dermatologist took some hide off my left leg that she had biopsied back in May and while it wasn't melanoma the cells were such they could become if progressed. More on that later and then I attempted to put together a small storage cabinet for the bathroom when the two bottom doors don't fit into the cabinet when hinged, so I'll need to use a table saw and cut off about 1/2 inch, oh well and on top of that a aggravated a muscle in my lower back again which doesn't help; what an eventful day.

I started the morning with my usual rollout well before 6 to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name and all seem to be holding and one prayer request was for America to re-elect Trump who was once a proven leader and who wanted to save US(A) from the the liberal progressive globalist democrats and with GOD's help it became a reality yesterday. I've never been more convinced America was becoming corrupted by those who love our enemies by letting in millions of unvetted aliens, giving in to the Left to destroy our culture by honoring sin and evil and by making US(A) last in our security and not totally supporting Israel in the desire to save their home land from the radical muslim terrorists.

Well I did head to the REC around 8'ish and got in a good workout before I headed off to the dermatologist around 11'ish. Thankfully I had a good shower afterwards as I'm not supposed to get this wound wet for 48 hours so I'll be taking a sponge bath tonight until I can let this wound heal enough to get it wet, Oh well. Nancy was off during the afternoon shopping once again for dinners for our small group and for our grandkids birthday dinner over this weekend. I stayed back and nursed the wound as well as put together this cabinet which became a vocal point of "some thing isn't right with hanging the doors", oh well, we had a contested talk about whether I had constructed it properly and I eventually spoke to the company in California about the issue. They couldn't respond in any way to help, but did acknowledge the problem, thankfully.

 We ate lite for supper with a stir fry of yellow squash and sugar pea pods over jasmine rice which was actually good for my LDL's and spare tire. I'm on a mission to drop 5 pounds before turkey day and then another pound or so before the Christmas season. I know it will be tough but I'm now thinking of my health and not my satisfied tummy. After the cleanup we settled into the election results. Our local guy won as well as the two amendments on abortion and marijuana lost. 

Nancy was off to bed around 11'ish when she is usually wide awake until midnight and I was just the opposite while watching Fox News and the election results. Florida went big for the winner and those blue states came through for him as well but disappointed in Virginia and of course we all know the D.C. crowd was the reason they stayed in the blue. The congress will now have both republican majorities so just maybe this will be a mandate to save the nation and send some of these progressives with their woke and D.E.I. issues to the land fill. GOD Saved US(A) and now we need to save the world against these barbarians in the middle east with this strong leader, LATER

Tuesday Morning Nov.5th... I PRAY the day we take back our country

Well Monday was a one of those days which I spent doing doctors appointments, some for over a year since I last saw my VA ones, so I was there from about 10 until close to 3 before getting back home. I got a lot done and reports were good except for the LDL's which I knew would be elevated since we ate so much red meat this summer. Over all not bad at a total 217 but the HDL's were good, anyhow the doctor was amazed at how good I looked and acted for my age and come to find out she has taken up pickle ball as a hobby and was at our Rec last Friday and mentioned she saw me playing there at the same time. She was impressed with my play(I never noticed her)and I gave her some pointers as well about the game.

I started the day with my usual well before 6 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding and this old muscle in my lower back needs some healing as well as I apply analgesics to help, but need some divine help also. I'm going to give it some play on the courts this morning as I need the workout in hopes to work out this knot.

I needed some work on my hearing aids and the tech at the VA did a great job once again as she installed some aids that help keep the aid in my ear, which some how I lost, and then she also clean out the one ear which had a little wax. My primary care doctor is such a young sweet gal who is now playing pickle ball and she gave me good report on my blood draw last week; but mentioned to eat less animal fat especially the red meat stuff unless its venison which I love and have several packages of in the freezer. That type of meat has the bad LDL's and we ate plenty over the summer.

I had two appointments with the eye doctors because of the beginnings of some macular degeneration and glaucoma which they throughly checked me for, everything seemed about the same from a year ago as I continue with my Presser Vision vitamins daily which has really made a difference in my vision. I'm thrilled in that regard as well as they want me to do a daily test of looking at a grid for distortion because the dry could turn to wet which is very bad and if they catch it early it is treatable. These areas of the VA have been great to me and I'm now getting my script for my blood thinner at a great cost to me as well.

Well I had a lite snack after getting home of a banana and a little peanut butter which held me until supper at 6. Nancy had purchased a rotisserie chicken last evening and along with some Brussel sprouts we ate healthy and now hopefully will do so with out so much animal fat. After the cleanup we settled into the Fox News as it now dark at 6:30 and then the Bucs game until half time for me. They were losing when I hit the shower and then some TV time in my room with the ALONE show before lights out around 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning Nov 4th

Well Sunday was another hot day with lots of sunshine and by late evening it looked like rain but none fell, it also was a great day of worship both on line at Cornerstone Chapel and then again in person at S.R.B.C. We were once again back in our greeters position at the main front doors and were welcomed by many as well to be back. We love greeting and making folks feel welcomed especially to church where the WORD is preached and taught. Afterwards we met up at the Botbyl's for a delicious lunch of burgers, Caesar salad, cold shrimps, tater salad, taco dip, etc along with the old friends who have abandon our church much like they do with all of the church's they visit or join. Not sure why but that is a quirk of theirs, oh well.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. Daughter in law Katie is in Europe so I'm especially lifting her up for safety and security in that part of the world called the Czech Republic. She will be away from the home front for close to two weeks as Bobby will hold down the home front with all 4 of his kids at times, especially the twins as they keep you busy. The older two share residency with their mom a couple days a week and Annsley now is working and driving which makes it easier to get Gabe to school during the week. 

Nancy was off with sister Betsy so I had the afternoon to myself except for briefly helping neighbor Bobby unload a chest freezer from his truck which took all of 15 minutes. I then hand watered the gardens before resuming my vegetable state on the couch watching the NFL. The Bucs play tonight in Kansas City so that will be a must win for them as the Falcons won again in our division and are leading big time since they beat us twice. I'm off to the VA this morning with three appointments and then again tomorrow with the dermatologist who wants to whack away on my leg since I postponed the event before we headed to the mountain in May, oh well.

I booked the tree removal which will happen when the company gets an opening as I'm in no hurry. I sure will miss the shade but no longer hearing Nancy complain about the tree and then Amy and family who have to clean up the yards from broken limbs when we are gone during the summer. That was about it for the day and I hit the shower around 8'ish and watched some ALONE until 10'ish, LATER

Sunday Morning Nov 3rd..Back to standard time

 Well it was another hot muggy day here in central Florida, near the Gulf and I did sweat considerably while working outside in my garden this morning after making a quick trip to Lowes for some bedding plants and cucumber seeds. I worked outside until noon and then chilled the rest of the day inside in the a/c watching a little football and reading. We had Amy and Eliza over for supper as the rest of the Ross family was on an over night retreat to the middle of the state.

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 for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding at this point. I took the morning off from pickle ball now that the Rec is open for that for a couple more weeks. I needed to rest my aching muscles I hadn't used for 5 months that comes with the game, oh well. I had been looking for cucumber seeds as my old ones didn't germinate for some reason so I did find some at Lowes along with some nice looking spinach seedlings and a small blooming purple flower plant for the front porch.

I had a banana and half an orange for my breakfast after getting back from shopping then I headed out to work until lunch time. I got all of the grasses out of all the gardens as its the most pesky grass ever and it sends down little balls into the ground and spouts from them and then multiplies, thankfully with the electric rotor tiller it easier to control, but still it growing great for some reason in my gardens, oh well.

I sowed 2 rows of bush beans from seeds from last years crop and if they don't germinate I bought some at the store. I sowed two different types of cucumbers along the chin link fence in hopes they will grow and be supported by the fence. I also bought a dill plant as my dill seeds have not yet germinated but so far I've only lost one kale seedling to a cut worm, not bad thus far. The tomato seeds from the mountain garden have germinated and now are adding leaves and I'll move them up in larger pots and when they get about 6 to 8 inches in height I'll put them in the side garden as they did well there last winter. I have just about everything I need for this garden except beets up, which I have sowed already but no signs of any colors yet.

I caught up on the war in Israel and the IDF is taking it to the terrorists, not only eliminating them but exposing the duplicity by the local gov't's in helping them by storing weapons in tunnels along the borders and the United Nation is so anti Israel it criminal to say the least. I hope Trump if he wins this election put them on notice for their failure to do their job and show the world just how blatantly anti-Israel they are. There are very few countries who actually support the right that Israel has to defend itself and kill those who committed brutal terror on them last October with a massacre and still hold hostages, its the worst of depravity among humans of which these terrorists are, so sad. Yet we have brainwashed idiots on college campus supporting these barbarians and even calling for death to America. They are supported by this corrupt democrat administration and just another reason they must be defeated at the polls on Tuesday.

The gators played the Bulldogs tough for 3 quarters but since they loss so many players especially their QB it became a roll over at the end for the Georgia win and Oregon seems to be for real after beating Michigan which looked tough for awhile against the number one team in the nation. Amy and Eliza came around 5:30 and we ate tortilla soup which was fantastic and we gave the leftovers to them for today. Eliza loves this soup as do we and its very healthy and not fillings. After they left I hit the shower as Nancy was on the phone constantly and then I tuned into the ALONE show which pits contestants alone in the wilderness with just a few items to help with their ability to catch or hunt food, build their own shelter from wild animals and the elements and to get a half million bucks for the last person to survive. I love the show and if younger would have loved being in their position to survive on my own. They do have a few idiots on the show and they tap out early and some luckily survive towards the end, but make fools of themselves in front of the camera which they must carry and film themselves. The elements are very wild and much like the frontiers of when the nation was first founded and uninhabited.

Well I set the clocks back around 9 and then watched another hour before calling it a day at what would be 11 but now only 10, I must have napped a couple times between those minutes when I'm usually horizontal around 10'ish. Today we will attend SRBC for the first time on a Sunday in quite a spell as last week we were watching the twins in Brandon, LATER

Saturday Morning Nov 2nd

Well for the first day of November it sure was hot here, up close to 90 once again but the humidity wasn't terrible for a change. I played pickle ball for close to two hours then was off to the VA to have a blood drawn and a couple stops for a new tube for my bike at Wal-Mart and then Home Depot for some seeds which they had already got rid for this season and had Christmas items in its place. Don't take me wrong but its just too early for that season which I love the reason for, but to get rid of seeds thats for growing veggies is just too much emphasis on the commercialization of the season, oh well. We did meet up with son Bobby and the twins at IRCS for homecoming when they honored the alumni and we were honored as well. More on that event later as Katie was off on her two week trip to Europe.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout to my routines that 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 our mountain mom actually called Nancy on the phone. We were saddened when we saw the obituary of a friend we knew growing up in the mountains who was killed by a falling tree a couple days ago. I headed out a little before 8 on my bike when suddenly I got a flat tire on the rear and had to change my bike for Nancy's bike, which luckily I had pumped up the tires a couple days ago; then I headed out for close to two hours of continuous play at the Rec. It was all good play with mainly good players as usually I learned there are a lot of beginners and intermediates on MWF, but only a couple of those were there, so we more advanced players had one court all morning and I was whupped after not losing all morning. It was good to get back on the groove and start working on my stamina and hopefully lose some of this spare tire. 

I ate lightly and with good choices for most of the day except for the last piece of Nancy's breakfast specialty bread she had leftover from her women's group on Thursday, but a leftover piece of salmon with a salad for lunch and a deer burger on the grill for supper. We headed out to IRCS after the cleanup and that place was packed with thousands of supporters for the home coming event on the football field. Bobby was there with the twins and they were fed and then honored by many old friends and teachers as were we.

We were admitted free to enter the packed stands and saw many old friends there as well. One of Bobby's favorite teachers and a mentor stayed with us through out the game, sharing memories and their love for him and us. We made it to half time with the score tied as the boys and myself were ready for a change. The school and the church have really progressed in their programs and the attendance was great with school and church spirit. We both loved IRCS as well and now Keswick. Too bad Amy and her family weren't able to be there. I got to hug the school principal and his wife Max and Marti Guessner and they were very warm to us as well as Bobby and the Twins. The Sparkman team who were both teachers and now mission pastor spent a lot of time with us during the evening as well. It was old home week after 25 years since Bobby graduated and a fun evening on the campus which has made so many improvements, especially the football field.

Well we got back to the house around 9:30 and it was shower time and then some ALONE before lights out around 10'ish. I was whupped after the long workout and then some garden time in the afternoon, LATER

Friday Morning November 1st... 2024

Well Thursday was another hot sunny day and a busy one for me with some great fellowship in the evening as we ventured over to our dear friends place for supper and games. What a great time of food and mingling as well as some card playing until 9'ish when everyone decided it was time to head out for home. The Nymark's are great hosts as well as great friends and they really know how to have great fellowships among so many Believer's in Jesus.

I started the day with a 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 with this post. Nancy was able to contact our mountain mom Helen, now that she has a new phone. I headed out on my bike to the Rec a little before 8 after stopping off at the library on the way and dropping off some books in the drop box, but did make a stop on the way home after nearly two hours of pickle ball play. I won 5 out of 6 doubles matches with different partners and played well for not being on the court since May. I did work up a sweat and was whupped by the time I called it a day. I'm heading back there again this morning before I head out to the VA for a blood drawn at 11. Everyone made me feel like a rock star upon my arrival and I was saddened in the missing of my old partner Paul, who passed away this summer.

I picked up two books on the way home from the library and then saw neighbor Dan sitting outside and stopped to chat briefly. He and Carol were also going to the Nymark's for supper so I told him I would pick them up before 5:30. Nancy was off to her women's Bible class and then to get her hair colored so I had the rest of the morning to do some honey do's which meant putting up a new blind in the kitchen, touching up some paint areas in the bathrooms and do some other small jobs all before a lunch of a chicken finger and salad. I ate a banana for breakfast but did try several dishes at the Nymark's but only had one helping and none too large. I've already dropped 4 pounds since being home and I must say thats mostly water weight. I'm working on the spare tire religiously the next months with small portions, no beer and exercise on the courts and in the yards and gardens, oh well.

There were 16 folks at the Nymark's with many who we were meeting for the first time and one couple who was stationed in Guam in the 60's with the USAF, was when I use to fly and stage there overnight during the Viet Nam war, small world. Anyhow its always great to meet new friends and many who are younger than me with Nancy being the youngest and me the second oldest. Sandy is a year older than me and is in good health. We so enjoy the fellowship at their place which is perfect for entertaining on their large room off the back porch and of course their large open living area. Such great folks and Steve and I have become close friends doing jobs together when in they are in the mountains.

Well that was about it as we dropped off the Botbyl's on the way home and then I hit the shower and was soon in the horizontal position a little after 10. Not sure when Nancy came to bed as she is a night owl but she does sleep in during the morning hours, LATER