Friday Morning Feb 28th

Well Thursday was another near perfect winter day for Florida with a chill in the air to start the day and then bright sunshine and close to being very hot in the afternoon, but it cooled down a little towards night fall. I did pickle ball for close to two hours in the morning and had a great workout winning every match with different partners and then I painted on the house until 4'ish.  Around 6:30 I attended my mens Bible study group with about a dozen and half of fellows.

I started the day with a before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to give thanks for another day and to honor my lord, Jesus and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. We did get word that our"mountain mom" is being buried in N.C. on the 4th of March next to her deceased husband Roy and that a nephew will conduct the services there. We were glad to hear that as its been a week and we were wondering about the services if any. Everyone else seems to be doing as well as can be expected, including me with the unused muscles from over head painting is taking it toll on my back, neck and shoulder. I'm still on the pickle ball court every morning and I'm finally getting some stamina back as well as losing an ounce or two.

Not much to write about except the garden is still growing but the tomato crop has stopped except for the black cherry tomato's for now, but some of the volunteer plants are setting fruit so we should have more in a week or so if I can keep the fruit flies from destroying them. The nematodes ruined the Swiss chard and the egg plant which had several small fruit set and now its wilting during the day and the fruits aren't maturing, oh well. Its my fault for not sowing marigold seeds around it when I set it in the ground. The tatter plants are getting large and the collards are coming back as well. 

I've got about half of the under the roof painting done which I can reach from a small step ladder but now the high part is coming which I will use a roller with an extension to reach. There will be some cutting in off of a high ladder, but Nancy wants to hold it for me, for fear I may fall, Oh well. Ever since our neighbor who is much younger than me fell and fractured his foot she has been over protective of me for being on a ladder. That was about it for the day with a garden fresh salad and soup for our supper, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 27th

Well Wednesday turned out to be a near perfect winter day with cool temps to start the day and then bright sunshine and 70's for the high, just gorgeous, I did a lot of painting after getting back from pickle ball and was whupped by the time we got back from our Wednesday night church service at S.R.B.C.

I started the day with my usual before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus , give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. I headed out in the truck for the Rec and got in several matches winning all of them with many beginners and intermediates and few top players in the mix. I left with a wet shirt and headed home to find my neighbor's son who is a fireman as well as small entrepreneur with a roof cleaning business who came by to clean my roof. He did a fine job and then I had a a different gutter person come by for an estimate which was 300 bucks less than the first estimate, so I gave him the job when he was ready. I still want to paint underneath where the down spouts will go which I'll do next week as the Rec is closed for Pow Wow and no pickle ball in the gym. for a whole week.

I was on a small ladder painting underneath the roof line the rest of the day and could feel it in my neck and shoulders plus arms as its been awhile since I've done any real painting, but I love the results. Its sad to think this will probably we the last time I do this do to my age, oh well. Nancy made some pasta and a salmon filet for supper which was delicious. I had a fresh garden salad for lunch and will all the work and activity I needed the calories for energy. We got back to the house around 8:30 and I hit the shower and then some ALONE on the TV until lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 26th

 Well Tuesday was a busy fun filled sports day that started around 7:15 AM and ended around 8 PM as we traveled to Lakeland, Brandon and then finally home before 9. Wow what a busy day and we went or I went from pickle ball, to girls basketball, then flag football and finally with baseball with the twins before heading back to Seminole. It was a fun day and one grand parents love being with and watching their grand kids perform on the court and on the fields.

I started the day with my usual before 5:30 rollout to my morning 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. I did lose another high school class mate but everyone else seems to be holding. Haven't heard any word on whats going on with our "mountain moms" funeral arrangements as of yet but we do know she will be buried next to Roy in Winston Salem, N.C. We will not make the trip but some day hopefully will do a grave site event as we did with her years ago after Roy passed. Everyone else is holding as of this post.

I headed to the Rec for a good hour and half of top rate pickle ball play with all good players and managed to win every match and left whupped with a wet head and shirt. It was still overcast and wet from all the rain on Monday so I didn't have to water the gardens but did have a lite brunch of and egg and avocado sandwich with a sliced garden fresh tomato on sour dough bread which held me until we picked up Culver's around 6 in Brandon after leaving Gabe's flag football game which his team won by 40 points.

We headed to Lakeland and found this majestic sports complex which was unlike any venue I've ever been too. The Keswick girls basketball team was playing a highly ranked team from southern Florida and wow were they ever great on the court with their play. It was a blow for them against our team in the semi finals of the state championship. Our team played hard but were over matched by these scholarship girls who were recruited through out the country and with the first year coach, it showed by the final score with a 30 point win over our girls who have played together for years. It was a feat to finally get to this game in the championship game for the state in our division. We had a great turnout of fans with over a hundred in attendance whereas only a handful for the other team, oh well. We did win in the department with fan support.

We attended Gab'e tournament round in flag football at Belle Shoals school and he played awesome with receiving several scoring passes and they only gave up a score with just seconds to go in the game; it was a 46-7 win for them. We brought Gabe with us from the game and picked up some fast food on the way to Bobby's where we ate and then headed to the ball field to watch the twins play. We stayed for 4 innings then left as it was getting cold out and we had another hour to get home in the dark and the traffic. They were losing when we left for Seminole and the ride wasn't too bad with no back ups on the interstate for a change.

I grabbed a shower and then some ALONE time before lights out at 10, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 25th

 Well Monday was a complete washout with rain mostly all day long except for a brief period mid morning after getting back from pickle ball. I started the day with a well before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to life up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. I headed out in the truck for the Rec around 7:20 for a good hour of play before so many came and clogged up the courts with mostly beginners and intermediates, oh well. At least I worked out for a good hour before driving home in the rain.

I took the swisher mop and washed off some of the dirt on the truck in the light sprinkle in hopes it would wash away some of the dirt and it did when the heavy rains fell in the afternoon. I did get an hour where I was able to transplant some marigold seedlings into the garden and then harvested some beautiful radishes for the salad bowl. The big tomato's have about played out for now with more coming on the other tomato plants, but the black cherry tomato's are still producing. The Swiss chard is gone and now the egg plant seems to have been invaded by the nematodes as its not looking great.

Once the rains came back on heavily I headed in the house to read and catch up on some Israel war news. The barbarians in Gaza are just that, as they kill unmerciful babies with their bare hands and God only knows what they did to their mother. Their rightful punishment will come eventually. I started a new read that Bobby gave me titled All THE COLORS OF THE DARK by Chris Whitaker, wow what a read and I read about a third of it in the afternoon. Its a novel but I'm sure there is some history in it. Not much else went on except Nancy made a pot of vegetable soup for our supper without any meat and it sure fit the evening as it was chilly and damp. Its supposed to clear off later today as we travel to Lakeland for the state finals in girls basketball at 1 PM. This could be Ava's last game with Keswick but lets hope she and her team win and then will play again. If the weather holds we will attend Gabe's flag football game around 4:30 and then watch the twins play baseball at 6:30 in Brandon at the ball park. It will be a day of sports watching our grands, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 24th

Well Sunday started out a little on the chilly side but quickly warmed up to t-shirt and shorts temps it was also a day of corporate worship both on line and then in person at our local church where we worked the side doors greeting and welcoming folks. We both love this aspect of making folks welcome and greeting them with hugs, handshakes and smiles. A missionary who grew up in our church as a kid gave a very good message sharing many of the facts and obstacles he and his family face while sharing the gospel in a foreign land and the need for many on the mission field. We came straight home afterwards as Nancy was making a cake for the birthday celebration for Sam and Nancy later in the evening at Amy's house with all of the family in attendance. Sam will be 15 as I stand corrected from yesterdays post and Nancy will be 68.

I did paint over the ugly paint swatches on the front of the houses so as to relieve a couple of neighbors who voiced there concern for the bright paint samples we had on the house. I used up a couple of the samples to paint over some areas as well on the back of the house, since we had 5 samples and two them were quart sizes. I'll find a use for them as well along the foundation that can be used as a second coat or a primer, oh well.

I took a break for a couple hours and watched some girls college basketball games as I love watching our girls team from Keswick. We are looking forward to the game on Tuesday in Lakeland against a powerhouse team who beat a team that beat us once before by 30 points earlier in the season, oh well. After that game we will head over to Gabe's championship game in flag football and then to the baseball game with the twins at 6:30 in Brandon. It will be a full day of watching grands play sports.

The birthday celebration featured store bought pizza and a garden fresh salad as well as strawberries and ice cream and Nancy's delicious chocolate cake with white icing for dessert. We left around 8'ish and headed home to watch some ALONE on the TV after watching the Lightning win their hockey game, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 23rd

 Well Saturday was a busy fun filled day that started with my usual before 5:30 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.  It was another chilly start to the day and Nancy once again had the heat on to take the chill out of the house; as for me I love it cool to start the day. It eventually warmed up enough to make it quiet comfortable to be outside as we headed over to Brandon to watch our twin grandsons play baseball. They are now using a pitching machine to bat from and get 5 balls to either hit or strike out. We scored 12 runs and won the game 12-9.

The game started at 11 AM and it lasted until around 12:30 and their team won as both of the boys got hits and scored during the game. Bobby is the manager/coach as is Gabe and two other dads. They have a couple of really good players besides the twins and have now won both games. We learned the next game for Ava's basketball team is at 1 PM in Lakeland on Tuesday and the twins play again that same evening so we will go to Ava's game then stop and visit with Bobby and Katie for supper and go to the twins game later in the evening around 6. That should be another busy day but we so enjoy the games of all of our grand kiddos.

We got back to the house after a stop at the Berry Barn in Dover for a late lunch of a hot dog and a strawberry shake which was made right from their field of strawberries. We bought a flat and will share them with family today(Sunday) at the birthday dinner for both Sam who turns 14 and Nancy who turns 68  on the same days. Bobby's family will come for pizza and salad from the garden and grandma Nancy is making a cake today after church and of course we will have the berries as some of the family are not cake eaters.

We headed out around 4:30 for our church where we were having a filet steak with all the trimming for a huge get together in honor of the 5 missionary families attending. The dining hall was packed with a couple hundred folks and the steak was fabulous and at a good price of 6 bucks a person. Each year this one butcher shop supplies us with awesome steaks and I think we purchased 250 filets. We have several grills going and of course lots of folks supplied the trimming. We didn't work it this year as we had too much going on but did attend and ate well.

It was going on 8 before we got back to the house and it was shower time for me and then some ALONE time on the TV until lights out at 10, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 22nd

Well Friday started out with temps down into the low 40's, yikes, never thought it would get this cold again this winter, but it eventually warmed up to t-shirt and shorts temps by the early afternoon. I skipped pickle ball as we had grand parents day at Keswick School for Eliza and then we took her to Chick Filet for lunch and then took her home. It was a fun time and we got to meet her sweet teacher who is a plant and garden lover. I started the day with my usual before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. We haven't heard from our "mountain mom's" son Rick about any arrangements here in Florida before she is taken to N.C. for burial. I'm beginning to wonder if we ever will hear from him again, oh well. We did so much with her every summer when he seldom ever visited her in the mountains but maybe on holidays, oh well.

After taking Eliza home we made a stop at Sherwin Williams paint store and bought the paint for the house and then made an Aldi's stop which is almost next door for some items. Aldi's is now packed with shoppers and they have the best sourdough break ever with just a couple ingredients whereas Publix bread has so many ingredients it makes we wonder if its healthy, oh well. After getting home I had a bite of lunch then headed out to hand water the gardens before starting to paint underneath the front porch ceiling. I painted until nearly 4'o'clock then cleaned up the brushes for the day. 

I grilled some lamb chops which were delicious along with some parsley tatters and broccoli for our supper. While I cleaned up Nancy headed over to the Ross House and fed Rocky and played with him for a few as the family was in Naples to watch daughter Ava Mae and her Keswick basketball team play against a very good team. Well this team usually wipes us out every year in regionals but on this night we won by 5 points despite the referees being very favorable towards the home team. It became very obvious by the end of the game they were favoring them with the fouls they called against us and not them, oh well. We prevailed and now will go to Lakeland for the state championship on Tuesday. We got to watch the game that was live streaming for the price of admission if we went in person, plus we didn't have to travel for 3 hours coming back late at night.

I soon hit the shower after the game and was down for the night watching some ALONE on the TV until lights out at 10'ish. Today we go to Brandon to watch the twins play baseball at 11 AM and then tonight we have a steak out dinner at church for the missions conference, busy busy, plus I want to paint a little, covering up those samples we painted on the exterior of the house that we aren't going to use, LATER

Friday Morning Feb 21st

Well with all the rain on Wednesday and this cold front coming out way Thursday was a mixture of cloudy skies, some wind and a little sunshine and the temps dropping quickly in the late evening. Its probably in the 40's this morning and I'm sure our last really cold mornings until next fall. It is really cold at the cabin once again with some snow and ice, yikes.

I started the day with my usual well before 5:30 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. I headed out to the Rec for a good workout with all good players and managed to win with different partners all but one match before running out of gas and heading home to get a quick bite to refuel with before heading out to work on the house as I get it ready to paint. I did do some garden work and pulled up all the Swiss chard which was wilting from all the nematodes that had attached themselves to the roots. I cut the roots off and put them in the garbage. I didn't sow many marigold seed which is a natural deterrent to these root suckers. I'm wondering if they have attacked a couple of my tomato plants as they have quit producing.

I had an estimate on replacing the gutters on the back side of the house and it was outrageous in my estimation for approximately 20 + feet with 4 corners and two down spouts at nearly a grand, yikes. I originally did the gutters myself for a hundred bucks some 30 years ago. I even gave the owner of the company a sack of collards greens, oh well. I love to share the bounty from the gardens and did harvest two more messes of collards to give away; thats 7 messes in two days from 7 plants and I still have enough for a mess for myself. They love this weather and temps and thankfully the root suckers don't like them or the kale plants. I do believe they have attacked the egg plant as it has stopped growing and is wilting daily, oh well.

 Nancy was off to a different paint store collecting samples and I do believe she finally found one she likes after spending over 50 bucks just on samples, now I need to order the paint and get started next week before it get too hot once again. I still have some caulking to do as well as get more supplies for the actual painting. I'm excited about the new look but its been a chore with Nancy's decisions or should I say indecisions and what if's. This will be my last time to paint the house myself and thats kind of sad as usually a paint job last 10-15 years and I'll be too old to do it again if I'm still around, oh well.

I picked up neighbor Dan after a supper of grilled marinated chicken breast, fresh green beans and some Jasmine rice and we headed to S.R.B.C for the mens meeting which was mainly an hour of prayers lifted up for our missionaries and what ever was on our mind. We left at 8 and headed home then I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE on the TV until lights out at 10, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 20th

 Well Wednesday started out with mild temps and some overcast skies but by late afternoon it clouded up and we saw our first heavy rainfall in weeks. It was much needed as well as I have been hand watering the gardens twice daily. I started the day much the usual with a 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another and to lift up several by name. We have lost 3 that we know of in our circle of associates; one from the mountains, a fellow trooper and now our "mountain mom" just a day ago, oh well. Two were unexpected as both were much younger than me but Helen lived to be 97, wow.

I headed out to the Rec for an hour or so of pickle ball play but so many came that it was no longer to your advantage to win as it was 4 on and off the court after each match, oh well. I got in three matches with all wins before leaving before 9, plus I had tons of work to do around the house, yard and gardens as I get ready to paint the house whrn Nancy finally decides what color she wants. She makes me wonder why I ever wanted to paint the house as she can not make a decision. She watches too much HGTV. I worked outside until 1'ish when I finished up a couple of small jobs and the rains were heading our way. I got cleaned up and all my tools put away before it came down in a fury. I rested the rest of the afternoon catching up on the war in Israel and doing some reading with a new book by Freida McFadden who is quite the storyteller; I even got a catnap in between harvesting 4  messes of collards to give away at church in the evening.

We had a frozen pizza for a late lunch which held me the rest of the day as we had church at 6 PM. We had to be there to greet the front door folks coming for the mission conference being held this week. We heard from 5 different speaker coming from Africa, South America and New Guinea. Very interesting to say the least. We got back to the house around 8:30 and then it was hot shower and some ALONE time for me until lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 19th

 Well Tuesday was a sad day for me especially as I found out a fellow classmate trooper passed away in Tallahassee, Fl. and then after getting back from pickleball Nancy informed me our "mountain mom" Helen passed away during the early morning hours on her 97th birthday. She was in the hospital after having gall bladder surgery, oh well. She lived a long life and while the last couple years had taken its toll on her health she always had a chuckle. She and Nancy and I spoke nearly everyday when she remembered to answer the phone. We had made plans to celebrate her birthday with flowers and a cake as well as bringing another chair for her room, oh well.

I started Tuesday with my usual routines that begin with a 5:30 rollout to some quiet times after posting this ramble to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name. Everyone else seems to be holding and grand daughter Ava dressed out and warmed up with the school basketball team last evening but she didn't play. The team played well against a very aggressive team from Babcock School which is in Sarasota. Keswick now goes down to Naples on Friday and Ava hopes to play aginst this powerhouse team which is undefeated in the state. I got in an hour of pickle ball play before calling it a day as the Rec was closed on Monday so some of the intermediates showed up and made the wait longer than I wanted to, so after 3 matches I made a stop at the library on the way home.

I had tons of projects going and the main one is getting the house ready for painting and helping Nancy pick out the colors she wanted, so we drove around the neighborhoods looking at houses and their paint colors. We ended up with a darker that I wanted blue paint from the Sherwin Williams store of which my neighbor has a contract with which gives me a discount. Their paint is supposed to be one of the better paints so we bought two samples to bring home and paint on small areas all around the house. I also made plans for new seamless gutters and then I pained the fascia boards before getting them installed later in the week. I also made plans to have the shingle roof washed as it has some dark areas. I really enjoy painting and I don't have to be up real high on the ladder which gives Nancy a fit as she worries about me falling off.

It was busy day as I did some garden work before power washing the whole house. I mainly wanted to get the dirt off so the paint would stick better. Today we will probably order several gallons of paint so I can get started later this week on the trim. We had our big meal for lunch and then some trail mix for me for supper before we headed out to Keswick School. We beat this team by 19 points but at one time they closed to within 4 points after we blew a 20 point half time lead, oh well. There was a huge crowd on hand and we saw lots of old friends who had ties to the school and the players, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 18th

Well Monday started out on the chilly side for a change and it was a big change as I wore a hoodie while outside until mid morning and then it began a warmup to where it was shorts and t-shirt temps. There was plenty of sunshine and a breeze. I started the day much the usual with a 5:30 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. Since there was no pickle ball due to the Rec being closed for the holiday I decided to start getting the house ready for painting.

I first hand watered the gardens then starting trimming the shrubs on one side of the house and the starting taking down the old gutters that were leaking and in bad shape since the tree cutters damaged them some what. They had been up for many years and while they served their purpose they were well beyond their looks, plus I wanted to make sure the fascia board was in good shape before having new seamless gutters installed. That kept me busy for a couple hours as I then washed the dirty areas on the fascia and filled in some nail holes with putty.

Grandson Sam came by for a visit and for an interview with me for a school project he was doing about the biography of some one he knew, so I basically gave him a short version of my life from growing up with no actually knowledge of my father and a mother who was never much in the picture from my life after the age of 4 or 5. My mother's brother took me in and raised me until I left the old farm at age 17 and headed down to college in N.C. I shared some college experience before joined the USAF and then some of my experiences during those 4 years active during the Viet Nam war and then 3 years of active reserve where I flew on weekends, holidays and during the summer while attending college in California and then of my experiences and many stories during my 30 years as a state trooper here in Florida. Sam is my first grand son by my daughter Amy and his sister Ava Mae is also my first grand daughter by Amy.

Sam is quite the gentleman to boot with his classmates and with older folks. I've seen his personality and he will be a great young man with integrity and he is very talented both on the jiu situ mat and while performing in school plays. He loves gardening and of course grazing among my many fresh herbs when visiting. Well after he left I finished up for the day doing some cleaning up before we headed over to the Nymark's for supper and cards. The supper was delicious with salmon grilled, fresh carrots and a garden salad Nancy prepared and brought. We settled into hand, knee and foot and the gals were on last evening so much so we never added the final score as they were a head once again by a huge score. They were lucky with getting all of their required books before us and it showed. We got back to the house around 8:30 and I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE on the Roku TV until lights out at 10 for me, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 17th

Well Sunday was another nice day, not too hot but very windy with some cloudy skies that kept it comfortable. It was also corporate worship day both on line and then again in person at our local church where we were front door greeters. I just love meeting, hugging and hand shaking folks. After church we headed over to Panda for some fast Chinese foods which was delicious with two other couples from church and the neighborhood. 

I started the day with a rollout before 6 after a some what sleepless night as we had both got to bed late after a fun night of fellowship and card games. We didn't do much in the afternoon except I did file my federal income taxes during the afternoon and read for a couple hours as well as took a couple of power naps until bed time around 10.

I did hand water the gardens in the after despite the threat of rain of which vey little fell. The fruit flies destroyed several nice tomato's once again and when the wind dies down hopefully today I can spread some Sevin dust in hopes of saving a few. I have several tomato plants in various stages of maturing and still blooming so we should have fruit up and until we leave in May for the cabin.

The Rec is closed today for a holiday so I want to get some early morning work around the house as I want to paint it in the next few days once Nancy makes up her uncertain mind about changing the color of the house and the trim. This will probably be the last time I paint it by hand. I want to have installed new gutters and some new doors as well as change the color of the place as she says its boring, oh well. Once I get the house painted I want to do some landscaping out front as I now have the planters cleaned out of this grass and mulch is down, oh well. I still have a couple of months to achieve her desires for the house, oh well LATER

Sunday Morning Feb16th

 Well Saturday was another beautiful winter day with temps in the low 80's for the highs and maybe 60's for the low. It was another busy day that started out 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 comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be due to health and age issues. We headed out around 10:30 for Keswick school to watch grand daughter Eliza play intramural basketball and their team won by 20 points over another school team who are coached by the varsity boys and girls. Ava Mae has her younger sister, Eliza on her team and she plays much like her older sister. Lets just hope she doesn't gets as injured as much as Ava.

I piddled around in the gardens and harvested the last of the butter crunch lettuces and cleaning them for the salad bowl as well as harvesting some leafy greens for Amy and family who came by later in the afternoon. The heat is starting to take its toll on some plants as well as are the nematodes. I can see where the Swiss chard and the egg plant is suffering from their effects on the their roots which drain the nutrients from the plant and cause them to look like knots. Marigolds are a natural deterrent to them and while I have some growing I doubt they will be able to reverse their hold on the plants, oh well. March is usually when the heat gets so bad that most garden plants begin to die from the high heat and humidity.

We picked up Dan and Carol and headed over to the Nymark's for an evening of finger foods and games with 20 other folks. We met a new couple and renewed some friendships from past get togethers. I sat with 5 other folks who our son Bobby and daughter Amy went to school with their kids at I.R.C.S. They still attend church there but we never did. Anyhow we played hand, knee and foot and only 18 folks played with 3 tables of six. It was a hoot and the gals at the other two tables won but my table came from behind in the last round and won over some tough gal players. It was down to the last count and we prevailed with some last minute coaching by players who has already finished the games. It was after 10 when we finished and way past my bedtime.

We dropped the Botbyl's off then headed home to hit the shower for me around 11 and then some horizontal lab soon afterwards. It was a keyed up evening for me trying to sleep after that come from behind victory. Everyone is very persistent in their play and while we had a great time of fellowship the desire to win was evident. Today is corporate worship day at S.R.B.C. and then lunch out with two other couples, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 15th

 Well Friday was another typical winter day in Florida with temps reaching the low 80's and lots of sunshine, however there was a stiff breeze which kept it comfortable to be outside, but it was tough on my garden especially the tall tomato plants. I started the morning with my usual before 5:30 rollout as I wanted to be on the pickle ball court by 7:30, so I did my usual quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and then to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. Ava Mae is doing better and Helen came out of surgery fine considering her age and is now in recovery the last we heard, everyone else is holding with this post.

I got in a good hour and half of pickleball and left with a wet head and shirt by 9'ish and came home to have a bite of breakfast before starting on several honey do's for Nancy. We were hosting our small group from church for a valentine's day dinner so there was several paint touchup's on the chairs and walls as the twins ran their toys into things when last here, plus windows needed washing and then some vacuuming later in the day. We had two cancellations for the supper, but still managed to have a new couple in the group who were associates of ours from way back when. We had 5 couples and who each brought and shared their weddings photo's and some life experiences. The longest marriage was for 53 years and most were over 40 plus. The new couple are now the old ones in the group instead of me, yea.

I did piddle around in the gardens hand watering and harvesting tomato's. The nasty fruit flies have destroyed several once again and the heat is taking its toll on some of the lettuces but all in all we are still harvesting and giving away plenty of veggies. I forgot to mention the menu was taco's and all the fixin's and two desserts of which I stayed away from. Nancy provided the ground meat and one dessert plus several of the topping and others brought layered taco salad, another dessert and some fixins. It was all delicious and it was close to 9 before everyone left and we put the kitchen back in order. I soon hit the shower and was watching a few minutes of ALONE before lights out around 10'ish. 

This morning we head to Keswick school to watch Eliza play intramural basketball as she will move up next year to the middle school team and hopefully replace Ava Mae some day on the varsity team and then later in the early evening we will visit the Nymark's for some finger foods and card games with several other of their friends and ours. It's always a fun time these retired days with so many different friends and associates and the games we play, LATER

Friday Morning Feb 14th

 Well Thursday turned out to very windy to start the day but sea fog rolled in during the early evening and blanketed the area during the late evening. We attended the girls basketball game at Keswick and they blew out a team they had already beaten once before. Ava Mae still isn't able to play due to her back injuries but she seems to be getting better. She wants to play so much and is hoping if the team goes to the state finals maybe she can play once again, oh well.

I started the day with a well before 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. Helen had her operation and was in recovery when we last got word from her son Rick. Everyone else was holding as far as I knew.

I did nearly two hours of non stop pickle ball play with all good players and left with a wet head and shirt and whupped. I'm finally starting to get some stamina back and after getting a bite of breakfast I headed outside to work in the yards and gardens. The nasty fruit flies are back to destroying lots of tomato's on the vine so I'll have to dust the plants with some Sevin dust today as it was just too windy earlier. I finished up the front planters with mulch and now we need to head to a nursery for plants, but I'm hoping to hold off until I get the areas painted first before putting in shrubs. Nancy gets something in her mind and its hard to change that as she wants everything done yesterday, oh well.

We had a frozen pizza around 2 ish and that held me the rest of the day and then we headed out to WalMart for some items and then to Keswick School for the 7 PM game. The girls won by 40 points once again over the runner up in the district. They will play once again next Tuesday at Keswick before heading south to Naples for huge game next Friday, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 13th

 Well Wednesday was another almost summer day with moderate heat and humidity and its getting more like a typical summer day instead of a pleasant winter day, yikes and its still February. The mountains are having an ice storms with tons of tree limbs and even whole trees down everywhere as we got word from a neighbor who lives on our road. Hopefully the cabin is safe and secure and maybe they can check on it later.

I started the day with my usual now before 5:30 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 we visited Helen  our "mountain mom" in the hospital waiting to have her gall bladder removed this morning. She seemed in good spirits and was really for the operation but looked very frail and thin. She was on a liquid diet due to the surgery this morning. Keep her and our grand daughter Ava Mae in your thoughts and prayers.

I did another hour and half of constant pickle ball play with mainly intermediates but a couple of really good players were in the mix. I managed to win all of my matches before heading to the library for a couple of new reads before heading home to hand water the gardens and replants some bean seeds that never germinated. I picked another handful of ripening tomato's as well before we got ready to head to Sam's Club for some items and to gas up at 2.94 a gallon.

Once we got back to the house and stored our items we took off to visit Helen in the hospital until after one. We nearly had a wreck as some fool made a left turn right in front of us. Luckily I'm always wary of intersections and I was able to avoid hitting him broad side, that was a close one and the brakes locked up on the truck which helped. Well we got bak and decided to have our big meal of the day around 2:30 or so as we were attending our mid week church service at S.R.B.C.

I grilled lamb chops which we love and they were so delicious and along with a garden salad, some yellow rice and broccoli. After the cleanup I retire to the reading room until we left for church around 6'ish. Our small group after the service was very small with just 5 of us whereas its usually 10 or so. Anyhow after getting home around 8:30 I hit the shower and then was watching some ALONE on the TV until lights out at 10, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 12th

 Well Tuesday was another hot day, especially around mid morning until early afternoon then a nice breeze made it comfortable to be outside. I sweated a bucket starting with pickle ball at 7:30 and then again working in the front yard until noon then it was down time inside in the a/c. I understand an ice storm is heading for the cabin and a little of that cool temps will be heading our way as well. It's really been hot after such a cold couple of weeks for this month in February.

I started the day with a well before 5:30 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. Grand daughter Ava Mae is healing but I don't think she will be well enough to play on Thursday nights game. Oh well.

I headed out around 7:15 for the Rec for close to two hours of pickle ball play with all good players, I'll go again this morning to play with mostly intermediates but mainly for the workout and sweat. I'm having a tough time losing this spare tire because I like to eat and now desserts are calling my name once again.

I came back from the Rec and worked outside in the gardens and front yard finishing up on digging the grass out of the one planter and aligning it with bricks and then another small planter. I spread several wheelbarrow loads of dirt into some low spots in the front yards as well as hauled several loads of mulch covering the planters. Now its off to a nursery for plants such as hibiscus and other large plants that will eventually create a hedge across the front of the house.

Brian Waters came by and he will help me do some 2 man chores like installing a steel door on the side door of the garage as well as a new storm door and then build a column across the front front closing off the iron railing sometime next month. I want to have new gutters installed and then paint the house all before we leave in May, so I'll be busy to say the least.

I'm harvesting tomato's daily now as well as another very nice egg plant for our supper. I need to cut and clean the last of the butter crunch lettuces before it goes to seed and bolts. The heat is really bringing on the 'maters and I also found a couple the gnats have caused to rot. I'm not happy about them so just maybe I'll use a little Sevin dust. That was about it for this day, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 11th

Well Monday was another hot day around mid morning and stayed that way until late afternoon when we got the breeze off the gulf. I started the day with a before 5;30 rollout due to Nancy's snoring, oh well. It gives me more quiet time to honor my lord, Jesus and to give thanks for another day as well as lift several up for comfort and healing. I headed out in the trunk for the Rec for and hour and half of constant pickle ball play and won every match until I was whupped and left with a wet head and shirt. I was with a mix of players and despite playing with some less experienced ones I was able to win. I headed to the bank to get some spending money as well as quarters to feed the huge washing machines at a laundromat as we want to wash some quilts and bed covering the grand's lay on when they come for dinners.

After getting home and having a bite of breakfast I headed out to work in the gardens and yards until lunch time, hand watering and transplanting some seedlings from 6 packs into the garden proper. The new bean seed and cucumbers seeds have germinated and showing some colors as well. The tomato's are ripening at 4 to 5 a day and I found a worm on one plant, yikes. I may have to Sevin dust them which I hate to do, but I can't let them get out of control.

I moved more dirt from the front planter into the front yard where there were low spots and once again pushed on the Crepe Myrtle tree and braced it for straightening it upright. I watered it once again in hopes the roots will help with keeping it straight as well. It really got hot by noon and I decided to get out of the sun and into the shade and took the rest of the afternoon off reading inside in the a/c. We had a late lunch as were going to the Nymark's for cards and just some snacks around 5:30 after picking up the Botbyl's. Nancy was off doing some grocery shopping and when she got back around one she fried a couple burgers and I had a salad which would hold us the rest of the day., except for some snacks playing cards.

Well we guys finally won the first game of hand, knee and foot after coming from behind in the first game and it was only 8 so we did a two round game of the same game instead of 4 rounds and the gals won, oh well. Everyone was happy. We got back around 9'ish and I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE on the ROKU TV until 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 10th

 Well Sunday was quite an eventful day that started out with a 5:30 rollout to my routines that begin with some quiet moments to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing, all seem to be holding with this post. On a sad note our "mountain mom" who will be 97 went to the hospital last evening with gall stones of all things at her age. We haven't heard how she is doing since she went to the hospital. On another note my lap top locked up during the morning worship service we usually watch on line before we head out to our local church service. Son in law Tyler who is a computer wizard came by just before the game last evening and managed to get it unlocked and now I'm back on line once again, thankfully.

We headed out for S.R.B.C. and served the second service greeting folks with hugs and hand shakes for the 10:30 service and afterwards we met up with neighbors Dan and Carole and another couple for lunch and cards. The lunch was a delicious lasagna and we brought a fresh garden salad. So much better than eating out every Sunday after church. The gals whupped us guys again in hand, knee and foot so much so we never even added up the score, oh well they are on a roll with two straight wins.

We came back around 4 ish and I hand watered the gardens and harvested lettuces, collards, cilantro, dill, Thai basil, parsley and some tomato's for daughter Amy and family. Tyler came by soon after and fixed my computer lock up and he saw no reason for it doing that, oh well. I was sure lost the rest of the morning and afternoon without it being in operation.

Well its time to get ready and head out to the Rec for some pickle ball and then to work outside until the heat becomes too hot. Winter was very evident for a couple of weeks but now summer has arrived on the scene and will be here until we leave for the cabin in May, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 9th

 Well Saturday turned out to another beautiful winter day here in Florida with mild temps and clear blue skies with tons of bright sunshine. I started the day with a 5:30 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. Grand daughter Ava Mae is healing and was at the game last night sitting on the bench with another injured player. More on that later.

I headed out to hand water the gardens and to harvest a mess of collards and some black cherry tomato's to take with us to visit old dear friends James and Ann who moved away to near the Brooksville area which is about 80 miles or so north of us on 20 acres with their son and his family. They actually live in a structure which resembles and at one was a barn. It's very nice and comfy inside and fits them perfect as she is a want a be farm girl who loves gardening and they raise chickens for their eggs of which they blessed us with a half dozen for both the Nymark's and us. We rode with Sheri and Steve and had a grand time as we first met at a barbecue house for a delicious lunch of gizzards for me and a sandwich for Nancy. A little pricey but delicious for a country eatery.

We headed out to their place and James took Steve and I on an ATV ride around the back roads near their place. They are out there with huge fields of horses, cattle, goats and even Llama's. Their place at 20 acres is the smallest around with some places in the hundreds of acres and majestic homes. We had a grand time catching up and they are diehard Believers as well. Their son and his family with now a brand new grandson live just a few hundred feet north of them on the same land. James is now retired whereas his son still practices physical therapy at a local hospital. He and our dear friend from the mountains are both doctors of PT and went to school together, what a small world. Jamie is out on the west coast applying her skills and who now has two kiddos, whereas Michael now has three.

We got back around 6 and headed out to Keswick shortly thereafter to watch the girls team win the district basketball championship against a tough team by 30 points once again. Poor Ava missed this game and another scheduled for Thursday night at Keswick which we will attend. It was after 8 when w got back home and it was shower time for me and then some ALONE time on the TV before lights out at 10, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 8th

 Well Friday turned out to be another typical winter day with cool temps in the early morning perfect for working outside until mid morning and then the heat and humidity took over until the late afternoon when it became so nice outside in the shade. Mid day its pretty hot in the low 80's with tons of sunshine and clear blue skies. The garden is loving this weather and I'm getting tons of work done around the house now that I'm on the mend after a good hour and half of constant pickle ball play on the inside courts.

I started the day now usually with a 5:30 rollout with some quiet times after posting this ramble to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift several up by name for comfort and healing. Ava Mae is better but not well enough to play in this tournament game later this Saturday evening. We will attend and root for the team after spending a day with friends from our old church that moved north of the Tampa Bay area. We will ride with the Nymark's and leave here around 10:30 to meet them at an eatery for lunch around noon. I'll take them a mess of collards and some black cherry tomato's.

I left the Rec after pickle ball with a wet head and shirt and made a stop at the library for a couple new reads before coming home and having a bite of breakfast as I wanted to work outside in the front yards and garden after mopping all of the floors in the house. We were having 2 other couples for supper and cards later in the evening. I hand watered the gardens and then hauled 7 load of mulch in the wheel barrow and place it around the house and in the front planters so in the next week or so I can put in new shrubs and finish the landscaping out front.

Around 3'ish I place two racks of ribs in tin foil and placed them on the grill for a couple hours at low heat and the meat was ready to fall off the bone, it was so tender. I then uncovered them and put sauce on them on the open grill to dry them out and give them flavor with out being for hours on the smoker. I love this way of doing ribs which is so much easier and really the meat falls off the bones which such flavor as well.

Well Carol brought delicious scalloped taters and Kathy brought roasted veggies of Brussel sprouts, carrots and broccoli plus we had a garden salad and the ribs. Nancy later served a store bought chocolate pie which I passed on. After the cleanup we settled into a long game of hand, knee and foot and while we guys were down after two hands by 24 thousand points we closed in the next two hands to within a thousand points for the loss. It takes awhile to play but keeps the mind sharp. It was going on 10'ish when we completed the game and everyone decided to leave. I loaded up Ed and Kathy with kale, collards and now turning tomato's. I soon hit the shower and watched a half hour of ALONE to wind down for the night, LATER

Friday Morning Feb 7th

 Well Thursday started out very mild but eventually warmed up to the 80's with high humidity. It was a play morning on the pickle ball court for an hour and half and then work outside until lunch time. After lunch I chilled until it was time to see my chiropractor for a tune up which I now believe I'll do every month. 

I started the morning with a 5:30 rollout to my routines that start with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name and now once again grand daughter Ava has reinjured her back at practice and is in a lot of pain. She missed the game last night at school and a day in class as well. Pray for her for healing and comfort. All others seem to be holding with this post.

I got in a great workout on the court with all really good players, many of whom are much younger than myself but I was able to win most of my matches with different partners but by 9'ish I was finished as the stamina is coming back but not a 100%. The cold and cough really caused me a slow down but its coming back just taking longer the older I get. I'm amazed at the healing and ability to play and work hard again thanks be to Jesus.

Well after pickle ball I decided to straighten up the small tree in the front yard which I planted in the stump of the big oak a few years ago and it always leaned a little. I put the hose on it for an hour and devised a plan to tighten up the trunk pulling it up hill using a rope and then a floor jack. I could always move it a little by hand but could never keep it in place. So far its holding with a prop and a tight rope. Its not pretty looking but hopefully it will hold once I get it stable, oh well.

We headed out after a supper of salmon and pasta to Keswick School to watch the girls basketball team in a district title game demolish a team from Canterbury School by 30 points. The girls were all concerned about Ava as were many of the parents. Hopefully she can get back to school today as she is taking some college courses and can only miss a couple days of classes. She missed a couple days when she first hurt her back a month or so ago.

Well I hit the shower after the game and was soon watching ALONE in the bedroom until lights out at 10 for me. I'll be back on the court at 7:30 for hopefully an hour and half and then I'll help with getting the house ready for our supper tonight with two other couples from church. I'll do baby backs on the grill and then we will pull the rest of the supper and then play cards, LATER

Thursday Morning Feb 6th

 Well Wednesday was another beautiful winter day in Florida with mild temps and plenty of sunshine which made for great working outside after an hour and half of pickle ball that started around 7:30. 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 although one dear friend has received news her cancer has spread but is being held in check by chemo.

I headed out in my truck around 7:20 for the Rec and got in a good workout on the pickle ball court with the intermediate players winning all my matches with different partners, this morning I'll be playing with and against the more advanced players but mainly I just want the workout and exercise to get back into shape and lose some of this spare tire. I left with a wet shirt and head and then worked outside in the gardens and yards until lunch time after getting home. I worked in front yard and then transplanted some lettuce seedlings into 6 packs for a couple days before putting them out into the garden proper. I sowed more cucumber seeds as the last ones never germinated due to the old temps. With the now constant warm and even hot temps they should grown. That kept me busy up until lunch time.

We finished up the leftover lasagna for lunch which basically held us the rest of the day except for a lite supper. That was one great meal that Bobby chose for his birthday supper. I harvested another mess of collards as they are exploding with new growth and gave them away to a Rec worker. I'll harvest another huge mess and take with me this afternoon to my chiropractor who loves then as I have a tune up which I'll do monthly until we leave for the mountains in May. The big tomato's are now ripening at a fast pace and I'll be giving them away shortly as well.

We headed out around 6:30 for church where we heard from a young family who have just spent a year in Uganda, Africa on the mission filed. They gave a talk on their experiences there with their 3 kids and while unsure before going what their duties were with the Word of Life agency they eventually helped run a school there as well as shared the gospel. We got back around 8:30 and I hit the shower and then was watching the ALONE show until lights out at 10. This evening we will be back at Keswick school watching the girls basketball team play in the district finals and hopefully go on to the regionals, LATER

Wednesday Morning Feb 5th

 Well Tuesday was a busy day that started 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. We did visit our "mountain mom " Helen around mid morning and took her a couple pieces of Bobby's birthday cake. She loved it.

I headed out to the Rec around 7:20 for an hour and half of good pickle ball play with all really good players. I managed to win all of my matches and headed home around 9 with a wet head and whupped. I knew we were leaving around 10 to visit Helen so I had a snack of some cottage cheese before we headed out and it was after 12 before we got back to the house for a lite lunch. I did harvest some leafy greens after pickle ball and cleaned them for the salad bowl as we were taking a huge salad to Bobby's later in the evening. He invited us for supper after going the Gabe's flag football game which they won by two scores. 

We got back to Bobby's after 6 so he had already gone to the ball field for practice with the twins. After eating we stopped by and watched some of the boys practice before heading home around  8'ish. It was a busy full day and I wonder where all the people were going and coming from on the interstate at that time of the night. It was like a parking lot out there with so much traffic both going over around 3'ish on the cross town and coming back on I-275, oh well. I soon hit the shower and watched the final show on ALONE. Not much else except its now summer time here and I wish we had a little cooler temps as I have lots of yard work to do before we head out the end of May for the cabin, LATER

Tuesday Morning Feb 4th

 Well Monday started out with lots of fog, but once it burned off around 9:30 it felt like summer time with the humidity. The sun was blazing with clear skies and I decided once I got back from pickle ball to start working in the front year doing some landscaping, well I soon had my t-shirt soaking wet with sweat. By lunch time I was finished with working in the yard and out in this hot sunshine. I wish I had some of those chilly days about then, oh well.

I started the day with my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem as well as can be expected with this post. I got ready and headed out to the Rec around 7:20 for some pickle ball and got in a good hour and half of play with mostly intermediate players, today now it should be mainly advanced play, although we have a few who will show up that are of lesser play, oh well. I'm there for the exercise and could care less who I win or lose with.

After a quick stop at the library for a new read I headed home to have a bite of breakfast which is now becoming a fav of mine which is an avocodo on toast with some olive oil. I had an apple on the way to the Rec which helps keep me regular in the mornings. I decided since it was still somewhat foggy outside to work on removing a path of heavy grass along the front of the house and plant some shrubs but first I need to get rid of this gras which is heavy and persistent. I used a shovel to first cut it into patches and then shake out all of the dirt. The sun came out blazing and I had to take several water breaks until I finished a 2 foot swath across the 20 foot area of the front planter, yikes was I ever glad when I finished that job. I now have to dig down another day to get to the roots of the grass which will crowd out any small plants, oh well. Once I get the roots out I'll fill in the area with mulch from the big oak which is cooking in a pile in the garden. I knew it would come in for a good use at some point in time.

I read and watched the news the afternoon away even taking a power nap or two. Betsy came by for some leftovers from yesterdays big family meal while I grilled lamb chops for our supper. The garden is really producing and if this high heat continues the leafy greens will be gone in another month. I did harvest 5 tomato's that were turning finally. After the supper clean up we headed out to Keswick school to watch the varsity boys beat a team from Sarasota by 49 points. It really was a blow out by our boys. Ava';s boyfriend plays on the team and is another real hustler on defense. It was after 8 when we got home so I hit the shower and was watching some ALONE until lights out at 10'ish, LATER

Monday Morning Feb 3rd

 Well summer weather is back at least for a day or so and we had the a/c on yesterday evening as the house was full of family as we celebrated Bobby's 44th birthday which is actually today. What a fun time, the food was awesome and plentiful enough that we sent lots home with everyone. Worship was both awesome on line and in person at out local church.

I started the day with a 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. We headed out a little before 10 for S.R.B.C. where we were greeters inside this week on one of the several aisles. We so enjoy hugging, hand shakes and just smiles for so many we have come to know among the usually close to 800 in attendance in the second service. I would say we are about half that many in the first service.

We skipped eating out after church as we had lots to do to get ready for the big birthday meal for Bobby. He wanted lasagna, salad and a coconut lemon chiffon cake which was so good and before we ate a little vino flowed among some of us. Everyone had a grand time as the twins now entertain themselves with the big kids who are now in a different world all of their own when together. It was a fun time and everyone cut out for home around 8 ish. 

Gabe is now playing flag football and we will travel to Tampa on Tuesday evening to watch him play and of course we will have a few more basketball games with Ava before she is through with this season. The twins are now starting baseball again so it will be a trip to Tampa every other week for several weeks as we will share Saturdays with Eliza and the twins. Annsley is coaching gymnastics with a club and Sam is still in jiu situ weekly, but only does a couple tournaments a year. The grands are doing so well and we are all proud of them.

That was about it for Sunday so now I'm back on the pickle ball court this morning and hopefully daily until we leave in May for the mountains, LATER

Sunday Morning Feb 2nd ...2025

 Well Saturday turned out to be another typical winter day in Florida with mild temps that allowed me to wear shorts and t-shirt all day long even until the evening on the walk home from the neighbor's house after an evening of supper and cards. More on that later in this post.

I started the day with my usual before 6 rollout out to my routines that begin with some quiet times after posting this ramble 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 did my social media thing before we got ready to head over to Keswick School to watch Eliza Faye play basketball. She will be on the middle school team next season so our interest in the school team will be continuing since Ava graduates this year. Eliza did a fine job scoring as well as great defense and her team won by 20 points. It was more like intramurals at the school this year but next year it will be against other schools. I think she will be filling older sister Ava's shoes especially on defense.

We came home around lunch time and I grilled a couple burgers for our lunch which were delicious with onion, tomato and lettuce as well as some pickles. That held us until supper at the Botbyl's around 6 with pasta and chicken in a cream sauce with fresh asparagus and accompanied by a fresh garden salad, all of which was superb and very tasty. After the cleanup we settled into a full game of hand, knee and foot which lasted until going on 9. The Nymark's were with us as well as they just got back from a 10 day cruise to the Caribbean. We always so enjoy their company and they are game players.

Well the gals started out in the first phase blowing us away but that soon changed and we won so big we didn't add the score in the final phase, anyhow it was fun for our first game of this new year. We walked home and I hit the shower and was soon watching some ALONE in the bedroom until lights out at 10'ish for me. I'm thrilled the weather has now become awesome with cool morning and evening but warm temps into the 70's during the day. The month of January was the coldest in decades for our area. What's with the global warming idiots, LATER

Saturday Morning Feb 1st

 Well Friday was another beautiful winter day in Florida as temps reached somewhere in the 70's with bright sunshine and blue skies, very typical for this time of the year, thankfully after several days of well below temps. I started the day with a before 6 rollout to my usual morning routines that begin with some quiet times to honor my lord, Jesus, give thanks for another day and to lift up several by name for comfort and healing. All seem to be holding with this post. 

I soon headed out to the Rec around 7:20 for a short ride in the truck and began playing pickle ball for the next hour and half winning several matches with different partners mostly with beginners and intermediates. The line waiting to get on the court was long so I had my fill, plus I was still somewhat under the weather from that cold I had last week. I left with a wet head and shirt and drove home to have a bite of breakfast with Nancy who was just finishing up her morning routines. We had eggs and avocodo with olive oil on toast. Avocodo's are supposed to be an excellent fat and so healthy for you and very tasty when prepared with some pepper and olive oil. I actually like them in guacamole with home grown cilantro of which I'm growing tons of.

I piddled around outside in the gardens then decided to mow the weeds in the back yard after hand watering. I did sow a couple rows of bush beans where I had taken out the early bean plants. Not sure if they will make but I do have several lettuce seedling up which I will transplant next week as my now bumper crop is slowly being used up and which I'm giving away to friends and neighbors. The tomato's are back growing once again after the cold seemed to put them in a holding pattern. None are ripening yet on the vine, but have grown considerably the last couple of days with the warmer temps.

I read and watched hearings during the afternoon and even took a couple of power naps and then we cleaned up the last of the delicious beef vegetable soup for supper after a garden salad for lunch. We are eatin' healthy and you would think with my exercise on the pickle ball court I would lose this spare tire, but not. I did have my first glass of vino before supper in several days since we were home for the evening, oh well.

Such another aircraft tragedy and this time it looks like mechanical issues caused this crash in Philadelphia with loss of lives. We watched the news and with the crash there was loss of life on the ground as well. So sad. Well I soon hit the shower around 9'ish and then some ALONE on TV with lights out at 10, LATER